Very good opening few chapters. Well constructed and focused on theme generation, good narrative and bright dialogue. Highly starred and WL'ed.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Very well presented mix of thriller and romance on a historical foundation. The Cross of Goa has been constructed to produce a flowing narrative, accompanied by sparky dialogue and scene descriptions. As well as entertainment, author Laurence Howard provides factual evidence about the period in which the story takes place. Much of it is informative and certainly not in the syllabus of most history class examination boards. It gives a broad view as to the events and personalities present when the Knights of Christ created the cross. Often compelling, and certainly engaging, this story should appeal to a wide audience. 5 stars and WL'ed. Bookshelf contender when complete.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Very well researched and presented piece of quality writing, fascinating in its specific details and engaging in its delivery. December Gold has the feel of a classic war story, epic in proportion and graphic in description. 5 stars and WL'ed. Bookshelf candidate when space is available.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Just from the opening paragraphs alone, I am reminded of Thomas Wolf and Walt Whitman in the style and approach to this rites of passage magnum opus. Further in, with the advent of the beat generation, shades of Kerouac and Ginsberg begin to develop. Its a delightfully heady mix of existentialism coupled to the story of the main characters, and an observation of America from WW2 right up to the present. Somebody has remarked that the sentences are rather long and disjointed, but the author freely confesses that Paradise Volume 1 is written in spontaneous prose. Well, its much better to extemporize on grand and bold themes, than to fidget around with a run-of-the-mill nondescript story, blandly trying for technical perfection to compensate for lack of originality and ideas. Besides, if author Thomas Owens chooses to do so, he can always tighten up the text. This is really good stuff, which should read first, then critiqued. 5 stars and WL'ed. Bookshelf candidate when complete.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Hi Clive,

I haven't had a chance to read anything but the pitch yet, but even that intrigued me greatly, so i can assure you i shall be coming back to read when i can, and that your work is on my watchlist.

Looking forward to it Tom. view book

Refreshingly straight and direct crime thriller which quickly gets right to the heart of matter. Borderline has a good feel to it, very reminiscent of gumshoe greats like Sam Snead and Phillip Marlowe. Author Parker Godfrey successfully conjures up atmosphere and tension as the plot gets underway in the prologue and early chapters and the main characters start to engage. High stars and WL'ed.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Kongball must be one of the most unusual entries to be posted on Authonomy. There is nothing conventional, predictable or humdrum about what happens to the menagerie of odd-ball creatures and those who study and pursue them. Author Tony Firenze has used the story to satirize the banality and apparent madness of real life by deconstructing things we might hear or read about in the real world, and reconstruct them in a fantasy environment. It feels like a Terry Gilliam-type drama, replete with megalomaniacs and the deranged. Clearly, Kongball is intended to be a metaphor for ridiculing the absurdities of the modern world, politics in particular. Splendid stuff. 5 stars and WL'ed. Will be on my bookshelf when space becomes available.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Neat, precise and sparky are just three attributes that can be applied to Worst Case Scenario with ease. There is more than a touch of professionalism in the architecture and construction of the story to set it apart from most on Authonomy in terms of writing quality. It is often deep, complex and multi-layered, but these are the necessary features which give richness and purpose to the story, encouraging the reader to find out what happens next to Phoebe Frost. 5 stars and WL'ed. Bookshelf contender when complete.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

I found Charlie and the Witches Coven to be quite an intriguing tale, with good character and scene descriptions coupled with an underlying narrative that knits the yarn together. This is a fairly light-hearted approach to the traditional witches and wizards genre that speeds along at good pace revealing Charlies revelations about himself and his perceived enemies. High stars and WL'ed

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Well constructed and articulated story, with some unusual twists and turns in the early chapters which makes Tameizar a compelling read. I found this to more of a slow burn than a quick fire rush, something that is quite refreshing because so many entries on Authonomy launch like a bat out hell. Its almost as if the writer is petrified about the reader losing interest. Kim Dyer hasn't fall into that trap. She has focused on character and scene development during the introductory section. It affords the reader the opportunity to consider what is going on, and appreciate the challenges faced by the main characters. Highly starred and WL'ed.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

The Last revolution has been well thought out and constructed with a deep pulsating theme and an engaging premise. Highly starred.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

The Vestibule of Heaven is a deep and often intentionally disturbing tale which has a Susan Hill like quality and ambiance about it. There is nothing trivial about this story. It is rich with character development and scene creation. The narrative flows and the dialogue is engaging, drawing the reader into Kelly Mason's world and the challenges she faces. One attribute which I constantly look for in novels, is do the words translate into memorable images. Author Katherine Bolger Hyde has managed to satisfy this requirement in abundance. 5 stars and WL'ed.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

A vampire tale with a twist. The combination of blood lust and comedy may not be quite unique, but it is a very welcome change to read something different on Authonomy from the hundreds of standard vampire genre books trying vainly to emulate the tried and trusted gore formula. Haldred Chronicles has been well thought out and crafted by author JG Cully. Highly starred and WL'ed

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Definitely my kind of book, punchy, vibrant, and often critical, scathing and irreverent of the US government system. I have a whole raft of these anti-establishment diatribes which have arrived over the past 10 to 15 years, hot on the back of the Clinton administration in the US and the Blair government in England. David Welch maintains the tradition of near to satirical critique, and rips into the short-comings the entire Capitol Hill and federal governments failings to deal with the US structural deficit and swallow the reality pill when it comes to fanciful social programmes. Whether you agree or disagree with David's standpoint on these axiomatic national and international issues, there is no mistaking that the read is very enjoyable, stimulating and sparky. The title is intentionally contentious, but serves to illustrate the passion with which David analyses government policy and its effects on the US electorate, and the world at large. 5 stars and WL'ed. Will be a bookshelf contender when complete.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Definitely my kind of book, punchy, vibrant, and often critical, scathing and irreverent of the US government system. I have a whole raft of these anti-establishment diatribes which have arrived over the past 10 to 15 years, hot on the back of the Clinton administration in the US and the Blair government in England. David Welch maintains the tradition of near to satirical critique, and rips into the short-comings the entire Capitol Hill and federal governments failings to deal with the US structural deficit and swallow the reality pill when it comes to fanciful social programmes. Whether you agree or disagree with David's standpoint on these axiomatic national and international issues, there is no mistaking that the read is very enjoyable, stimulating and sparky. The title is intentionally contentious, but serves to illustrate the passion with which David analyses government policy and its effects on the US electorate, and the world at large. 5 stars and WL'ed. Will be a bookshelf contender when complete.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

This is a very joyful and pleasant set of doggy episodes that Barbara Woodhouse would have been proud off. Makes a welcome change to read about the peculiarities of canines rather than human beings. Each tale is recounted with appropriate bounce and vitality. Its all quite charming, the type of book that can be picked each evening, and a few chapters read over a glass of chardonnay, whilst winding down from the days challenges. Five stars and WL'ed.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues (woof, woof) view book

What struck me more than anything else about A whisper in the Wind, was the craftsmanship employed by author Sonya C. Dodd to achieve a bright, compelling and ultimately quite a fascinating story. I particularly like work founded in historical realism because it connects so vibrantly with our understanding of past events. This story has been fashioned to take maximum advantage of how the world worked in Georgian England. In the process the challenges faced by the Gampton family have that ring of truth and familiarity about them, and are representative of attitudes and societal norms in that period. Recommended, highly starred and on my WL. Bookshelf candidate when complete.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Ah, just my kind of theme. Music/rock always seems to make for stimulating and compelling reading. The Last Encore follows in that tradition. But there is much more to this work than just the pursuit of recognition and riches by those involved. This is a major excursion through the lives of Matthew and his co-travellers, an end to end quest of life exploration and experience gathered along the journey. Marianne has thought out this magnum opus very carefully. In the process the width and breadth of the story has been crafted with care and due attention to detail. It flow very nicely with recognisable characters and their familiar challenges within the world of music, but nonetheless achieves a brand of uniqueness which sets it apart. The Last Encore is worth an hour of anyone's time to get involved with its themes and directions. 5 stars and WL'ed. Will be on my bookshelf when space becomes available.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues

view book

I found this story to be charming. When assessing a work aimed at children, adult readers need to travel back to a time when they themselves read the classic woks of C S Lewis and Edward Lear. My Friends and Me draws out those same magical themes and visions. Dawn Headley has constructed a well thought out tale in which the main protagonists experience the world she has created for them. I can not help but think this story would be read extensively by its target demographic. Highly starred and WL'ed.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book

Barnacle Brat brings sweet relief from the angst and pap driven postings which dominate the annals of Authonomy. It is irreverent, satirical and thoroughly satisfying, poking fun at the absurdities of template driven, regulated and sanitised modern life. I particularly like the character Leon Blank (great name), his relationship with Veronica, and the situation he finds himself having to address after a car crash. The dialogue is coarse, brutal and totally real., virtually guaranteed to offend some and delight others. I particularly like the interaction between Leon and Wayne in Chapter 4. Barnacle Brat is brimming with good ideas, sharp dialogue and a compelling narrative. 5 stars and WL'ed.

Clive Radford
Doghouse Blues view book