Vulgarity for the Masses by J.S. Lawhead

What do you get when you mix the bizarro fiction genre with a series of short stories? You get Vulgarity for the Masses. Several things make this book unique. These are the most bizarre stories I have ever read. They contain constant use of foul language, which is to be expected based on the title. But the cursing contained within those pages is the most creative use of profanity I have ever read. These stories will more likely than not amuse, confuse, and disturb you. But most of all these stories will leave you speechless, unsure of what you've just read.

The stories range from a tripped out teacher to curious, illogical puppets. From ghost stories to stories promoting the magical bond between man and whale, the stories will make you laugh at times, and leave you dumbfounded at others. While most people have never heard of the bizarro genre, this book is worth check out if you enjoy stories of the absurd, the grotesque, and the just plain nonsensical. If you are easily offended or do not like excessive cursing, you probably would pick up this book to begin with. But if you do, put it down because this book is not for you. But if mind-boggling profanity and crossed-the-line-so-long-ago-you-can't-even-see-the-line-anymore content are right up your alley, then you should definitely check out this book. Filled with great lines and laugh out loud comedy, I highly recommend it. Although I recommend tackling this book with a dictionary on hand, as the literary level can be a big high at times.

This book is currently available for sale.

The Templeton Twin Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner

The Templeton twins, John and Abigail, are the children of the brilliant inventor and professor, Elton Templeton. Along with the twins and the Professor is their utterly ridiculous dog, Cassie. The Professor used to work at Elysian University but recently accepted a position at Tickeridge-Baltock Institute of Technology. As a result, the twins and their father must move to a new house. And that's when the trouble begins.

It is at Tickeridge-Baltock Institute of Technology that the twins and the Professor meet Dean D. Dean, a former student of the Professor who has been holding a grudge for thirteen years. Mr. Dean accuses the Professor of stealing an idea for an invention and claiming it as his own. The Professor of course denies the allegation, which eventually leads to the kidnaping of the twins by no other than Dean D. Deans brother, Dan D. Dean. In exchange for the safe return of the twins, Dean D. Dean wants to receive full credit for the invention he claims the Professor stole. Meanwhile, the twins must find a way to escape their captors. And that's when the Templeton twins have an idea.

The entirety of the story is told from the point of view of a third party, referred to only as the Narrator. The backstory of the Narrator is unknown, but judging from the way te story is written, it would seem as if the Narrator is being held captive and forced to write against his will. I doubt the Narrator's entire story will be revealed, but it's fun to speculate. The Narrators snarky, albeit humorous attitude is something I have not seen before and found it a nice change of pace.

This is the authors first book for kids, and while nicely done, some younger readers may miss some of the humor in the Narrators comments. It is also worth mentioning that the book is filled with intersting and fun to look at drawings depicted in a blueprint like fashion. The illistrations are done by Jeremy Holmes. The pictures are a nice addition and add a whole new visual element tothe story. All in all, I think that children will enjoy getting to know John and Abigail (and Cassie) and will be looking forward to sequels in the future.

This book is currently available for sale.

Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams

When former FBI profiler turned private investigator Keye Street receives a frantic phone call from her cousin, Miki, Keye is reluctant to help. After all, Miki Ashton has a history of drug abuse and mental problems, and has had problems with police in the past. But Keye knows better than most not to hold someone past against them, as Keye herself is a recovering alcoholic. And besides, Miki is family, and Keye knows that she must help her.

Miki claims that someone broke into her house and that she has the feeling that she is being watched. Keye invites her to stay at her apartment for a while, and almost pushes Keye to the point of relapse. But with the papers piling up at work, Keye can't spend all of her time watching over her cousin who may or may not have had someone break into her house. Until the body of an elderly man is found hanging in Miki's house. That's when Luitenant Aaron Rauser of the Atlanta Police Department, and Keye's boyfriend, starts taking things seriously and discovers a connection to other open investigations.

Rauser and Keye struggle to find the connection between a local teenager, Miki, the murdered elderly man, and others as Keye starts putting together a psychological profile of the killer. Little does she know that, slowly, he is closing in on her and those she cares about the most.

Stranger in the Room is the second book in the Keye Street series. Heroine Keye Street is a recovering alcoholic who lost her job and her marriage due to alcohol and has to fight the urge to drink every day. Although this book is not as suspenseful as the first, it has a heavier focus on mystery that works well with the intricate plot. An enjoyable read for mystery buffs and is worth keeping your eye on.

This book is currently available for sale.

Cleanup by Norah McClintock

When Connie Suarez gets to work she finds her employer, Richard Withers, murdered. And standing over the body is her coworker Maria, an illegal immigrant from Colombia. Maria begs Connie, a former attorney, to help her find out who killed him and prove her innocence. Connie agrees and finds herself discovering that Maria has not been completely honost with her and is still keeping secrets from her. It up to Connie to find out who killed Mr. Withers and clear Maria's name.

This book is very short and easy to read. I was able to finish it on less than two hours. This story could have been better if there had been more added to the story. The characters seemed unrealistic and the dialogue didn't feel natural at towards the end of the story. This book does have potential but it just seems too short. It feels unfinished.

This book is not yet available for sale. It will be released to the public on October 1st.

The Accident by Linwood Barclay

Glen Garber runs a contracting company in Milford, Connecticut. When his wife, Sheila, dies in a car accident, Glen and his daughter, Kelly, both have their lives turned upside. But what makes the news even more distressing is the circumstances surrounding the accident. According to the police report, Sheila was driving drunk, drove up onto an off ramp,and fell asleep behind the wheel. It was literally an accident waiting an accident waiting to happen. And to top it all off, the accident also resulted in the death of two other people.

Glen knows his wife would never be so irresponsible and reckless that she would ever willingly get behind the wheel drunk. When he starts searching for the truth, he is hurled into a world of illegal and immoral activities. Determined to find out what led to his wife's death and clear his wife's name, Glen will stop at nothing to find the answers he seeks.

Linwood Barclay is a master of domestic suspense. With a perfect combination of suspense and mystery, he is able to craft a story you won't want to put down. This thriller starts strong and comes to a shocking conclusion. I have read many books by this author and picking up this one was no accident.

Women Scorned by Angela Alsaleem

Camilla Benedict, an aspiring art student, is brutally raped and murdered. After her death, Camilla's now mutilated body is possessed by an ancient spirit. Camilla is haunted by visions. Visions of women's last few moments before their life is snuffed out. She experiences their death over and over again. She becomes determined to find a way to end this nightmare and die once more.

However she longs for something in the breath of criminals. An intangible substance that fills her with more energy than she ever had when she was alive. She becomes addicted to stealing their breath, consuming their souls. And like an addict, she wants to end her suffering, but at the same time wants one more fix, one more jolt to make her feel complete. Even if only for a little while.

Camilla meets Libitina Flesher, a woman who, although deeply disturbed, is somehow able to see her when when no one else can. Libitina agrees to help Camilla find a way to end her unnatural existence. Although the circumstances through which Camilla and Libinita meet are less than ideal, Camilla is glad to have some company although Libitina may regret joining Camilla's quest.

Aludra Erebus, the Chosen One, is a dark virgin who enjoys inflicting pain upon innocent people. She has bent sent by the Order of Merlin, a Satanic cult, to capture the spirit inhabiting Camilla's body in order for the cult to perform an ancient ritual that will unleash the demons of hell upon Earth. Camilla can sense that this evil is tracking her and knows that if she is captured, the Order will have the key to unlocking the gates of Hell and giving Satan free rule over the human realm.

This book is extremely dark and extremely graphic story containing sexual mutilations, rape, and torture in descriptive detail. Although the level of detail is fantastic, if you are even in the least troubled with blood and gore type of books or are not a fan of the horror genre, then I highly recommend you skip this book and pick up another. However, if you like gross-out details or enjoy books of this genre, then you may want to consider reading this book. But I cannot stress enough, the details of torture and rape leave very little to imagination and although I usually applaud the level of detail provided, I recommend keeping this book far away from children and people with weak stomachs.

This book is currently avaiable for sale.

Son of Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne

When Scott Twisp is told that he will be moving to California so his father can start production of a new television show, Scott is of course reluctant and protests the move. But once he meets the beautiful Azura Preston, daughter of Trent Preston, he realized he now has a reason to stay and becomes determined to lose his virginity. But as often happens with the Twisp's, that is easier said than done.

Scott, while working as a gofer for his fathers show, takes the opportunity to make sure anyone who attempts to move in on Azura is either removed or taken care of. But Scott isn't the only one taking advantage of his position. Jake Twisp is using his connection to the show to reconnect with his first love, Uma. And Nick is having private meetings with his first love, Sheeni. All this leads to one conclusion. No matter the generation, being a Twisp never makes your love life easy.

In this seventh installment of the Yourh in Revolt series, we get to see how once hell raiser handles raising a teenage son of his own. Armed with razor sharp wit, Scott is truly his fathers son. The entire Twisp clan returns in this sequel, as well as a few other familiar faces. Besides Trent, Jake, Sheeni, and Uma, we have see the return of Tyler Twisp, Connie Saunders, her daughter Veeva, Apurva, Vijay, as well as a few more. This book is full of the humor of the previous novels and the end will leave you wanting more. I highly recommend it to any fan of the Youth in Revolt series.

This book is currently available for sale.

Bunnyman Bridge by Ronald J. Van Wynsberg

Joan Fortune was a successful New York detective when a cruel twist of fate took not only the the life of her husband, but also the life of her unborn child. When she finally comes to terms with it, a beacon of hope in the form of a three-year-old girl enters her life. After being found abandoned in a church, three-year-old Caitlin was brought to Joan's precinct and immediately stole Joan's heart. Six months later, Joan was awarded custody of Caitlin. It was then she started looking for a new job in a less hectic environment in which to raise her daughter. When she found the position of 'Sheriff of Milford' in March of 1997, she immediately knew that she had found the perfect job and quickly accepted.

Milford, Virginia doesn't see much crime. So when Kiersten, a local teenager, goes missing, Joan starts to organize search parties. And when Kiersten is found with a noose around her neck and hanging from a bridge, Joan realizes that they have a cold blooded killer on the loose. But what do you do when the only evidence of a crime is the body itself. No trace evidence, no footprints, nothing. But when a complete stranger calls Joan with intimate knowledge of the crime scene, Joan finally has a lead. And she will follow this lead for as long as it takes. But in the end, she never expected to find a new beginning.

Bunnyman Bridge has been out for a couple of years and is a well written with some unexpected plot twists. It's a well paced, fun read and I would be willing to read more books by this author. I really liked the writing style and found it hard to put down. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more books by this author.

This book is currently available for sale.

The Seer: Through the Dark Zone by Jeffrey Klausman

Aboard the Kestrel, a 22nd colony ship, Derek Willingham is just like any other 12 year old kid. Except he is a Seer, someone who has the ability to see future events. When he has a vision of an accident and doesn't report it, the result is the death of his mother and several other crew members and the ship having to turn around and head back to Earth.

However, the Earth he is returning is not the Earth he left behind. Nearly 200 years have passed since the Kestrel embarked on its voyage. In that time, much has happened. Hunger and poverty have been eliminated using nanotechnology. Disease and sickness are non existent and the human lifespan has been extended. But this simplicity in life comes at a cost. And Derek isn't willing to pay the price.

The captain of the Kestrel, Captain Asher, informs Derek that there is a way to go back in time and stop the accident from happening. To do so Derek will need to find a man named Dr. Osborne. The only problem is Dr. Osborne lives in the Dark Zone, a primitive colony in Australia cut off from the rest of the world. And when Derek gets there he will have to travel through the desert, ride on a convoy, avoid scavengers, and all the meanwhile he learns someone has looking for him. But the most important thing he learns is to believe in himself and the true meaning of "To thine own self be true."

I would recommend this book for middle schoolers. Kids will be able to connect with him and understand how he feels. It's an easy read and well paced and can be finished in a day or two.

This book is currently available for sale.

Cure Your Democracy by John Cooker

There is a viral pandemic that is spread across America. It is an outbreak of startling proportions. Not one, but two diseases are infecting our friends and loved ones. We have all seen the infected. At first glance, they appear normal. But once they begin to speak, strange and confusing words start coming out of their mouths. Words like treehugger and Obamacare, or teabagger and I didn't inhale. It is impossible to avoid people with the viruses, now revealed as Democratitus and Democratosis. These viruses are highly contagious and extremly dangerous.

But there is hope. John Cooker, MRI, has researched these viruses at length and has published this book in order to raise public awareness and help others identify those infected and explains how to rehabilite the already sick. John Cooker hopes that this book will convince the medical community to takes this threat seriously and start researching the viruses more toughly and, more importantly, help aid in the creation of an anti-viral.

Cure your democracy is a completely unbiased view on politics. On the surface, this book seems absurd, a published, long running joke. But if you look deeper, and understand what the book is meant to convey, you will see that this book is a brilliant, insightful satire of common people and the world of politics in which they submerge themselves. This book is intended for Americans who have seen firsthand the level of absurdity people are willing to take the subject of politics to. However, people from other countries will be able to recognize some of the more prominent people in politics that are mentioned in this book. Targeting everyone from Bush and Cheney to Obama and Clinton (both of them), this is a balance but humorous view of American politics and, upon reading, turns constant and unending bickering into a source of comedy for your entertainment. This book will lift your spirits and will help cure your democracy.

This book is currently available wherever books are sold.

Disturbed by Kevin O'Brien

Disturbed is a thriller filled with murder, hate, and revenge. When Ray Corson, a former high school guidance counselor, is found murdered in an empty parking lot, seventeen year old Chris Dennehy can't help but feel like it's his fault. He still blames himself for for Mr. Corson being fired. Little does he know that the death of his once close friend and guidance counselor sets in motion a series of events which will end in tragedy and bloodshed. So much bloodshed.

Seattle is being terrorized by a ruthless maniac known as the Cul-de-sac Killer. Murdering entire families and ceremoniously leaving their corpses in closets, all cul-de-sac families are on edge, including Molly Dennehy, her husband Jeff, and her step children, Chris and Erin. When Molly's cul-de-sac starts being riddled with tragic accidents and terrifying phone calls, she shrugs it off as coincidence. But as the body count rises and the accidents start hitting closer to home, she can't help but feel that someone is out to get them.  And she realizes that if she doesn't fond a way to put an end to all of this misfortune, then an end will be put to her.

Disturbed is the darkest and most complex thriller I have ever read. And with its well developed characters and abundance of suspense and misdirections, it is a must read for any thriller fan. This is the first work I have read by Kevin O'Brien, but it certainly won't be the last. But of you are looking for a fairytale ending, this book is not for you. Like I said, this book is dark and, if you are faint of heart, may leave you feeling disturbed.

This book is currently available to the public for sale.

Thank You For Flying Air Zoe by Erik Arwell

Zoe Tisdale is your typical middle age woman, until a near death experience on an airplane opens her eyes to the fact that she is stuck in a rut, going through the motions of life but not truly living. She realizes that at some point she and her best friends, Ginger Pace, Lauren Pace, and Melinda McClure, gave up their life long dream. The dream to one day take their garage band all the way to the top and play at Whiskey a Go Go. But as often happens, life got in the way.

When having a mid-life crisis, people often make irrational decisions. Zoe quits her job and decides to get the band, the Flip-Flops, back together after all these years and finally fulfill her destiny. But first she has to convince her friends. But that is easier said than done. Ginger is married to a wealthy businessman, Melinda lives out in the middle of nowhere in Montana trying to save the environment, and Lauren, Zoe's neighbor, now runs a dog kennel. And none of them have any immediate plans to get the back together and pursue their old dreams. But as history has often proved, all it takes is one person with a crazy idea to inspire others.

Thank You For Flying Air Zoe is a debut novel by Erik Atwell. This is his first attempt at womens literature, and he pulls it off quite well. This is a funny, well paced novel with a memorable cast of characters that will have you laughing out loud. This book is an excellent example that when you exploit that small window of opportunity where you are old enough to know better, but young enough to do it anyway, life is a lot more fun.

This book is currently available for sale. We know you have a choice when choosing an airline and we thank you for flying Air Zoe.

Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson

When Christine Lucas wakes up in bed next to a complete stranger, she realizes she has no memory of the night before. When she gets up and goes to the bathroom, she finds out, much to her surprise, that she is 20+ years older than she should be. That is when she discovers that her problem is much more serious than she thought.

The man she woke up next to tells her his name is Ben, he is her husband, and they have been married for years. She is no longer in her twenties, but now middle aged. And years ago she was involved in a hit and run and is now an amnesic who forgets everything when she goes to sleep.

She receives a phone call from a man called Dr. Nash. Apparently she has been meeting him on a regular basis in an attempt to help her regain some old memories and hopefully hold new ones for more than one day. He suggests that she writes in a journal everyday in hope that her memory will improve. One day she wakes up and starts to read this journal, the story of her life. And as she reads she discovers her past and her life, but from an outsiders perspective. But in the front of her journal she finds a disturbing message "Don't trust Ben."

This book brings to light an interesting question: What are we but a collection of memories. And if those memories are taken from us, what happens to us? What do you do when you are an empty shell, a mere shadow of what you once were. What do we become. And more importantly, who do we become?

I have read several books written in the style of daily journals and this was by far the most engaging. This fast paced thriller is a debut novel by S. J.  Watson. I will be looking forward to his books in the future. This book is currently avaiable for sale.

No Evidence of a Crime by S. Connell Vondrak

Detectives Jim Jarrod and Kathleen Jackson are investigating the death of a congressman's aid. But something is not quite right with the analysis of the evidence. The murder weapon was fired from several hundred yards away from the crime scene, but the crime lab identifies the murder weapon as a Glock. The congressman's aid was pregnant, but the father of the child is identified as a gang member. And on top of that, cocaine was found in the blood of the mother, but not in that of the child.

To help them figure out what is going on, detectives Jarred and Jackson bring in a trusted forensic scientist to re-analyze the evidence. The conclusion is undeniable. The evidence is being tampered with. The results can't be trusted. They need to figure out who is manipulating the evidence... and why.

I loved this book. The author is a forensic scientist and it shows. This book is full of real life CSI. Not what you see on television but what actually happens in the real world. I was amazed at how long the preparation for a DNA test takes. If you are interested in forensic science, then this book is definitely for you. All evidence points to this book being a great read.

This book is currently available for purchase.

Wolf Storm by Dee Garretson

Stefan has managed to land the role of a lifetime. Filming on location in Slovakia, Ice Planet Earth is sure to be the next sci-fi blockbuster. If only Stefan didn't keep messing up. Feeling like he can't do anything right, Stefan can't help but feel like an outsider. The fact that his costar Raine is treating him like a second class citizen doesn't help either. And to top it all off, he could have sworn he saw a wolf by the catering truck. But when disaster strikes and the cast becomes snowed in, Stefan assumes the role of leader.

The book was a little slow in the beginning but soon picked up pace and didn't stop. It's a good children's book and I recommend it for preteens. It's fast pace will keep you turning the pages.

This book is not yet available. It will be release August 30, 2011.

The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams

When a women in Georgia is found dead in her home, stabbed multiple times with bite marks on her thighs, Lieutenant Aaron Rauser of the Atlanta Police Department calls in his longtime friend, former FBI profiler Keye Street. With the drinking problem that destroyed her career behind her, she's promised to help out when she's not busy with her PI business, Corporate Intelligence & Investigations. When Rauser starts receiving letters from the killer, Keye realizes just what kind of person she's dealing with. A deranged, knife-wielding sociopath.

With multiple crimes in Florida and Georgia being linked to this most recent murder, an isolated incident becomes a serial killer loose in Atlanta. And with clean crimes scenes, APD has no leads. With more murders still to come, Keye and Rauser are about to find out the killer is closer than they think.

I have read many mystery books over the years. I have been introduced to many characters, some more likable than others. But none have spoken to me the way Keye Street did. I don't know what it is, but something about Keye makes you want to like her. This book has plenty of suspense and mystery to satisfy even the most demanding reader. And just when you think you've figured it out, another twist presents itself. All the way to the end.

This is an amazing debut thriller by Amanda Kyle Williams. The Stranger You Seek has suspense, intrigue, comedy, and even a little romance. And although she is relatively unknown, after reading this book, she will become the stranger you seek.

This book is not yet available. It will be available to the public August 30th, 2011.

The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore

What do you get when you cross a town full of depressed people with a prehistoric sea creature named Steve? The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove of course. 

Taking place ten years after Christopher Moore's original Pine Cove novel, the sleepy little town has survived the tourist season and is getting ready to wind down and get on with life. But when the town psychiatrist decides to take everyone of their anti-depressants and put them on placebos instead, this cozy little town goes crazy. To make matters worse, an unexplained wave of horniness has overtaken the residents of pine cove. And you know what they say about horny depressed people. Right?

I read this book while at work and I imagine I looked like a crazy person from laughing out loud so much. This book will make you laugh out loud too. Moore is able to expertly mix humor and plot, wit and story. He can make you laugh and keep you reading. Although it's probably best not to do it while on the job. Learned that one the hard way.

This book has been out for over ten years. You should have no problem finding it in your local book store.

The Griff by Christopher Moore and Ian Corson with Jennyson Rosero

The Griffs are coming! The Griffs are coming! After a strange beacon is activated on Earth, alien ships soon show up overhead. After a short time, over 6 billion are dead as the result of an extremely hostile alien race known as the Griffs. After systematically destroying any resistance and crippling communications, the Griffs roam the Earth picking off survivors one by one. One group of survivors comprised of Mo, the goth, Steve, the clueless dork, and Curt, the military man, meet up with Liz, the whale trainer, and they band together in an attempt to save humanity.

Christopher Moore is back! Now with pictures. Christopher Moore and Ian Corson team up to deliver a graphic novel of unusual proportions. Christopher Moore doesn't fail to deliver his famous one-line wonders that are sure to have you laughing out loud. A short and wonderfully illustrated read (thanks to Jennyson Rosero), I finished this book in less than 24 hours. But just because it is short doesn't mean it should be overlooked. This book will keep your attention (it's a giant picture book after all) and is short enough to read all the way through in one sitting. NOTE: Book is intended for mature audiences and rated R for strong language and comic (literally) violence.

This book is not yet available to the public. Book will be released July 19th, 2011.

Please Fire Me by Adam Chromy and Jill Morris

Please fire me. I received this book for free and was asked to review it.

Everyone has a crappy job that they hate (and if not, they're either lying or in denial). This book teaches people with crappy jobs how to make their lives less miserable without quitting. Inspired by the very successful website PleaseFireMe.com, this book not only gives examples of people who have crappier jobs than you, but also gives ways to make your day suck less. Written in the form of a help manual, this book can help teach you and your co-workers to rise up against your bosses that make your life miserable. Whether you mildly dislike your job or want to see your workplace ablaze, this book will help you and should be read by anyone who is currently malemployed.

This book can currently be bought wherever books are sold.

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact by A.J. Hartley

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt that you were not seeing your own reflection, but looking through a window into another world? That is exactly what happens to Darwen Arkwright after moving from northern England to Atlanta, Georgia. After receiving a strange gift from an even stranger shopkeeper, Darwen discovers his gift is actually a portal to another world. And that is when his adventure begins.

Upon entering the mysterious new world, he makes a new friend, Moth. He learns a little bit about this new world and how things work, after which he returns to his own world. During his first day at his horrible new school, he finds himself counting down the minutes until he can return to this magical land. Upon his return, he learns things have changed and terrible things are happening. Horrible creatures are entering the forest. Over time these creatures slowly start to destroy the forest and consequently, Moth's home. Darwen, along with his friends Rich and Alexandra, realize they are the only ones who can save this land and stop the creatures from destroying not only this world, but also his own.

I think that is a good, fast book for children. I would say 4th grade and up. Its fairy country brings back memories of Oz and Narnia and will hold a young readers attention and keep them turning the pages. A little slow in the beginning and not as focused on the Silbrica as I would have liked, Darwen, Rich, and Alexandra are relatable and likely to win the hearts of young readers and keep them wanting more after the book is over. Looking at this as if I were younger, this is a great book and I would hope a sequel is planned, which judging from the title is very likely.

This book is not yet available to the public. It will be released October 13, 2011.