Beyond Birkie Fever tells the true story of the author’s account of working up to his first cross country ski race, the American Birkebeiner in Hayword, Wisconsin, and moving beyond that race to many other races and adventures.
I have to say that as a parent, I was alternately annoyed by the impertinent child Rhein says he was and amused at the way he laughed at himself. And then there’s the fact that most of us don’t strike gold enough to be able to jet set around the country and across the ocean to ski and race as we please, so it can be a bit hard to relate to all of that running and doing without more basic life balancing it. That said, I do enjoy history and learning new things and Rhein does share not only his adventures, but the history of the Birkie, with some great colorful descriptions of those he meets.
Ski fans and the ultra-competitive should enjoy the ride with a grin. The rest of us may shake our heads a bit. Overall, though, a quest to push yourself to the limits and see what you can accomplish is always an interesting journey.
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Visit Walter Rhein’s Blog
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Reviewer:
LK Hunsaker is the author of romantic women’s mainstream fiction as well as some straight literary ventures.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Indie Review: Beyond Birkie Fever by Walter Rhein
Monday, July 15, 2013
Indie Review: Wander Home by Karen A. Wyle
Wander Home by author Karen A. Wyle is a book that’s hard to put down. I loved how there were so many changes yet it didn't leave me behind. This is the story of a woman who is moving into the afterlife and adjusting to the changes and finally doing what she couldn't in life, becoming a mother a wife and being true to a person she never knew she was.It did leave me with questions and I would love to see a second book that had the answers, such as where does Cassie end up and how did she get into the afterlife anyway? It doesn't go into a lot of description with anyone about how they got there and I felt that kind of separated me from the characters but all in all it was an excellent read. I would love to see this become a series and possibly see it dig into the other characters’ lives before their afterlife and explain their deaths and therefore give the reason why they are on the other side. I loved the ability to travel with the characters and also getting to see one character’s point of view through another's eyes. Wander Home was well written and had good verbal usage. Karen A. Wyle could be the Judy Blume of the afterlife.
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Visit Karen A. Wyle’s Website
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Reviewer:
Tammy Marsh is an avid reader volunteering for Elucidate Publishing
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Indie Review: Candlepower by Janet Doolaege
Candlepower is a subtle literary mystery that is truly unputdownable.
Beautifully written, it tells the story of Stella who lives on her own in a compact Paris apartment and her friendship with Rose, a neighbour with what appears to be strange paranormal powers, and dark-eyed Olivier with whom Stella falls in love.
There is a strange sense of imminence and fragility in this triangle of friendship - a fragility which carries through to so many other aspects: Stella's awkward relationship with her family, Rose's extraordinary affinity with birds but inability to be near anything electrical, Oliver's misunderstanding of both women's feelings, and how we impact nature when we force our lives and community on spaces that other creatures share.
If you'd like something different, delicate, intriguing and engrossing, then 'Candlepower' comes highly recommended.
(Note: this review originally posted on Goodreads)
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Visit Janet Doolaege’s Goodreads page
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Reviewer:
Malla Duncan is an indie author who writes women’s suspense thrillers. She often reviews on Goodreads.
Indie Review: Paradise Squandered by Alex Stefansson
Paradise Squandered by Alex Stefansson focuses on the angst of a recent high school graduate trying to decide his future, the end of his relationship with his girlfriend, and a journey to normalcy.
While the grammar and punctuation are all correct, it brings to mind a Seinfeld episode if Jerry were the only actor. The book at times seems overly descriptive with people and specific items, and at other times there is more need of explanation, such as the purpose of the volcano.
I did love the setting and the way it began. I especially enjoyed the witty grandmother and wish I could have spent more time interacting with her and tweaking the nose of the aunt. I could relate to the main character as I am sure many can because we have all been through something similar.
All in all, Paradise Squandered was a good read that left me wanting more. It could be an amazing story if it was condensed down to maybe 5 chapters and then expanded.
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Visit Alex Stefansson’s Blog
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Reviewer:
Tammy Marsh is an avid reader volunteering for EP.
Indie Review: Unexpected Legacy by Darlene Deluca
Unexpected Legacy tells the story of Matt Dalton, the sudden parent of a sixteen year old boy, his son Brady who has recently been injured in a car accident, and single and beleaguered high school principal Kate Austen. Shifting POV between the three, with an occasional aside from Matt’s family, this is a fun and serious story of relationship building, mending mistakes, forgiveness, career balancing, and trust.
Somewhat of a cross between mainstream romance, YA, and coming of age, the story includes plenty of cultural issues set around high school with the constant struggle between sports and arts and the common argument for and against funding for each, as well as misconceptions of both.
At times, I found Kate a little naïve for a high school principal with her lack of understanding both students and parents, and there was some repetition in her constant refusal to try to balance career and personal life that felt a little too forced. I also would have liked to see more real growth in the relationship between Matt and Brady because it felt too easy for the circumstances.
That said, I truly enjoyed the read and especially Matt’s well-drawn character, and I loved the excursion into Brady’s recovery. Overall, a well recommended read.
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Reviewer:
LK Hunsaker is the author of romantic women’s mainstream fiction as well as some straight literary ventures.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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