Gaslighting

It's been a while since I posted last time. Of course I've been reading, but nothing blew me away like the beta-read of the third part of Will Patching's Remorseless Trilogy.

I had been waiting impatiently for this one. But knowing that Will's a perfectionist and truly one of the best writers I've had the pleasure reading, it was worth waiting for:

Suspense glueing me to the pages, heart beating faster than normal, empathizing with the characters, fearing for them - I knew there wouldn't be an easy happy ending. Will doesn't spare his flawed heroes.

.

I had no idea what Gaslighting means before reading this book. The novel includes perfectly both meanings: manipulation and emotional abuse as well as arson using a Molotov cocktail to ignite a flammable compound.

As in Remorseless and Multilated Will's villain is a psychopath of the worst kind, cruel, selfish, insensitive, frighteningly intelligent, cold and heartless - although he's just a 16-year-old kid.

That, of course, arouses the question: Is he born as a psychopath, is it in his DNA? Or did he become like this because of the traumatic experiences told in Remorseless? Nature vs. nurture. In this case both come together and the result is devastating.

Why do I love the thrill of his books? It's not that I like to see with my inner eyes all the cruelty he's conjuring, sometimes I'm glad it's not a movie, but I love that his characters are real and three-dimensional who think, act and speak like real persons.

Gaslighting will be launched at the end of June - but read Remorseless first, the kindle version is currently free on amazon!

Against prejudices

Some novels are extraordinarily good without a great story, suspense or plot twists. They're good because they're honest, authentic, open your horizon to a different culture or another way to see life and they make you think about the world we live in.They may even help you to understand what's going on.

This week I had the pleasure to find such a gem.

The news focus is on Syria, islamistic terror and refugees. We hear or read the shocking numbers, we see the devastating images and the world is discussing where to put all these people, who will let in how many, how to keep them from coming to the EU, how to make them stay in Turkey.

What we don't see and our politicians seem to forget is that we are not talking about numbers but about fellow human beings, individuals with individual tragedies and traumata.

There is no easy solution. History, religion, foreign interference....have created an atmosphere of prejudices and hatred. Some respond with religiuos fanatism and others loose faith.

One of those who seeing the world as it is can't believe there's a loving God is the author of this book. At least he admits that he could be wrong. Hopelessness is the ruling feeling in his narration. There is no hope without God.

My Review:

This book is a powerful appeal against prejudices, stereotypes and war. I don't know how much of this narration is autobiographic but I'm sure personal experience, pain and grief found their way into this novel.
Adam's sophisticated philosophical view on politics, religion, psychology and society is far from all clichés. I don't agree with all his views but they become comprehensible.
He gives us insight into what it might mean for an individual to live in exile while their homeland is falling apart.
The Middle Eastern conflict isn't easy to comprehend and with this book I noticed how much more complex it is than I thought. We got used to the images of bombed cities and refugees in small boats trying to find somewhere to live in peace. But while all this arouses compassion and the cry to end the cruelty, the masses seem faceless and islamophobia is thriving. Adam's story is able to remind you that "the Syrians" or "the Arabs" don't exist. Everybody is an individual with his own history and strugles and in case of the Syrians often traumatizing experiences.
The novel is told in small episodes, disussions and memories that mirror Adam's fractured state of mind.

Child abuse and human trafficking

Good comtemporary fiction reflects the world we live in. And this world is not perfect. It is a fallen world. One of the ugliest things in this world is child abuse and human trafficking.

Since I startet reviewing I've read some impressive books about that issue. Reports and statistics can't touch you as can a good story with characters you can relate to.

The two best of all those books until recently were the thriller "The Hack" by Will Patching (author's page) and the autobiography of Barbara Amaya Nobody's Girl (author's page).

Now I discovered another excellent novel about this incredibly evil reality.

My review on goodreads

This excellently written book is suspenseful, entertaining, hurtful, moving, thrilling....and true.

The book compares Zoey's situation with Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and Uncle Tom. The methods have changed but slavery still exists.

In the back of the ebook there are some shocking statistcs, reviews from readers who have been victims, information about organisation and an interview with the author Christopher Stollar who talks about his three years of research for this book and about his faith.

Yes, this is a christian book, but unlike other christian novels it doesn't shy away from graphic descriptions of the cruelties. The language isn't "clean" and although there is one christian secondary character it's not at all preachy or evangelistic.



In the interview Christopher Stollar quotes C.S. Lewis:

"The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature."

Christopher Stollar does just that.

We live in this world and we can't close our eyes. This author not only writes about it but is donating 10 percent of the earnings of this book to organizations that battle modern slavery.

A week of christian non-fiction

This week I spent my time with christian non-fiction. Lately I hadn't read much of it, because a lot of these books are too superficial or too theoretical to really enjoy reading.

But too authors asked me for reviews, one of them even sent me his Paperback from America. How could I say no?

And in between I had to do the translation of a preaching about showing mercy to others.

So I read three different texts about three different aspects of life as a follower of Jesus.

None of them told me anything I hadn't already read and learned in nearly 50 decades of being a Christian. That doesn't mean that I don't need to read it again and again,

Both books aren't superficial at all nor too theoretical. Both show profound knowledge of the bible and speak of divine truth. The first makes readers aware how to put on their armor and why it is needed, the second  will make every reader marvel afresh how great is our Lord and worship Him because only He is worthy of all our praise.

To make my week complete the sermon emphasized God's mercy and how we can show mercy to the people around us.

Everday life gets so much into focus that I often forget who I am following, what battle I'm in and how God expects me to treat others.

These are only three aspects of Christian life, there are so many more and it is always good to be aware and to engage our mind thinking about things that count in eternity.

Here are my reviews of the two books:

The armor of God

Spiritual warfare is not very popular in our times.
Christians who talk about it are seen as fundamentalist ranking on the same level as Islamists.
There are Christians who suspect demons behind every corner and blame them for ereything that doesn't work out as they think it should.
Others totally ignore Satan and his fallen angels as non-existant.
But "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12).
What we need is sober-mindedness. We must recognize that Satan is real. That's no reason to live in fear, but we need to be aware of the ongoing battle and we need to be prepared.

If you don't know how this little book is a profound biblically based help.
With its questions at the end of every chapter it is a valuable guide in small groups.
The author sent me a free copy and I'm glad to help spread the word.

There's no one like Jesus

I didn't learn anything new and I'm not sure that this book could convince anybody of the uniqueness of our Lord Jesus, but it is good to read or hear some things we know again and again.

Blake western examines different aspects, qualities and characteristics of Jesus, always emphasizing that He is so great, amazing and surprising that it is impossible to fully describe or even understand Him.

Not all chapters may appeal to everybody, but sure enough you will find something that really will touch your heart.

For Christians it is a book that reminds us who we are following and what a privilege it is to be in Christ and He in us. Sometimes we forget who is with us when everyday life distracts and frightens us.

This book will lead you straight into worship.

A challenge for Christian life

Two weeks ago I finished a book that really impressed me.

On our church retreat last weekend I felt the urge to tell others about it. I don't talk often about the books I read because people usually aren't interested. But in this case followed were interesting discussions.

Here's my review for Netgalley and Goodreads:

"I just finished this insightful book with tears in my eyes. I would want every evangelical pastor, every Christian youth group leader, every Christian parent of teenagers to read this book.

It's not a common issue for a novel nor is it an easy one. How does it effect the whole family if you learn (in this case by attempted suicide) that your child is homosexual? What about all the values and the right path to salvation you have been teaching them all their live? Is it your fault? What can you do now?

I am a devoted Christian and I must admit that I recognize a lot of Jenn's thoughts and fears, but I got incredibly angry with her pastor and the camp that was supposed to transform Josh and cure him.

This novel shows how easily we can break our children and with them our families by putting too much pressure on them, by expecting them to live according what we feel as right and by putting law over love."

Laila told me she enjoys contact with  her readers and even skyping with bookclubs. Her website: http://www.lailaibrahim.com/

Sci Fi and I

No, it's not my favorite genre. I just don't like all that technical stuff and fictional stories beyond probability.

But I love Anthony's writing, his unique imaginative style

Sentences like "Not sure who invited it, but an awkward silence joined us." or "A seed of guilt sitting in my gut blossomed into full-blown regret. It sank its roots deep, latching on and refusing to let go..." make me linger to digest properly every single word.

But no time for that. The action is evolving at a breathtaking pace.

The first person POV and detailed descriptions of whatever is going on within Tom allow us to live it all and to relate to our hero.


Anthony doesn't re-invent the genre. It's all there: the flawed hero who needs to save the world, a mighty enemy who wants to seize power. As we are far in the future AI and new technologies aren't surprising. Fans of the genre won't be disappointed.

It took me a while to get the concept of this world, but then I emerged deep into the story, that is until the point (around 80-85 %) where things drifted too far from reality or from what I can imagine as future reality. Might be my lack of imagination. I like books that stick to reality or at least stay within the spectrum of possibility.

This book is clearly meant as the first in a series. In general, I don't like series and I hate waiting for the next. But I'm sure I'll read it as soon as Anthony is ready to publish.

Sometimes it's worth reading a book not because of the story but just for the way it is written.

Haven seekers

I got this book from Netgalley and I did not know that it is the fourth and last in a series.
What a shame that I haven't started with the first one!

This is a really great series about persecution of Christians, keeping faith in times of trouble, patience when healing doesn't occur as we want it, pride and hope.
It isn't preachy at all, instead it is written with very deep psychological insight and suspense.

Yes, it's one of those books that made me cry, although I have not made all the journey together with Marcus, Lee and the others and I had to figure out a lot of the past experiences.

I'll probably have to read the other three, but I'll wait some time.



Why don't exist more books like that where Christians are real persons with real emotions and fears with the only difference that they know where their haven is, well-written with suspense?

Drug induced insanity

My review on goodreads

After reading The Damage Done and Milk-Blood Mark told me that he was thinking about writing a sequel.
I remember asking him wether his characters hadn't suffered enough for a lifetime. Obviously they had to suffer some more...

This week he sent me an ARC to beta read.

This sequel is as intense as the other two books, I don't know, how Mark does it, but by reading his books he makes me feel what the characters feel. It is thrilling and hurting.

This book is even more "supernatural" than the previous ones and that's probably why it doesn't feel as real. Lilly's state between life and death brings fantasy into the narrative and with that a bunch of doubts.

Nonetheless it's impossible to just close the book and stay indifferent. Just as Lilly's Mom is able to enter the minds of others, this book will intrude into every reader's mind.

I'm not sure if it's possible to fully understand the story without having read the other two.
They are all three awesome, excellent writing combined with insight in the mind and body of addicts, making me feel things I don't want anybody to experience for real.

                                                               But my favorite is still 
                                                               The Damage done, 
                                                               because it feels 
                                                               so awfully real.

Trying to listen to an English audiobook

I don't know why I never tried audiobooks. It seems to be too difficult to find enough quiet hours to listen carefully without distraction. I never even considered listening for hours to a story.

But then Will Patching offered to send me the link to his new free audiobook Remorseless. I love the book and therefore I decided to give it a try.

Of course I knew it wouldn't be easy to listen to a British audiobook, but at least I know the story. I'm not used to listen to English, always only reading (and surely "pronouncing" badly in my mind), much less British English. But this excellent story was worth the try.

Another reason was that I wanted to know how Will would master the job, if he is not only a very talented author but also a good narrator.

I was surprised. Will has done a fantastic job: the different voices are distinct and even the female voices are believable. That's of course a great advantage. On the other side it's a problem for me: When certain characters talk I have difficulties to get what they say, Especially Peter Leech is a challenge! Then again, I understand the narrator much better than I had expected.

To tell the truth: I haven't finished the whole thing and I'm not sure if I would have been able to follow the events if I hadn't read the book.

I guess I'll stick to reading. I can read while I'm not alone in the room, I can take my book wherever I want without creating a wall around me by wearing earphones.

For a short time Will is offering this audiobook for free on his very interesting blog!

Three free stories worth reading

Two weeks ago somebody "liked" my stories on written by you. I was curious to see who that was and had a look at his blog.

www.anthonyvicino.com

I'm not a fan of science fiction, but the idea of getting free stories just for signing up for his blog was appealing. But before doing so I wanted to know more. And spent the next two hours reading his blog with a lot of helpfull tips for writers, nice videos, some reviews. It was really entertaining. so I decided to give his books a chance ad signed up.

Actually there are 4 different stories that show great writing talent combined with unbelievable imagination.

First I read -



a well crafted story about guilt and what it can do to our mind.

Next was  that's classical sci-fi stuff, but the writing took me in. 

Then of course I couldn't stop myself and read the two stories Hindsight and Infidelity. The first one is written backwards and is somewhat tragic whereas the second is macabre and funny. Both reminded me of Roald Dahl's short stories.

Four stories, four fast and very entertaining but also thought-provoking reads. I read them all within two days.



Anthony might have liked my reviews . He decided to send me his new novella



That's my short review:

Anthony's excellent writing and awesome inner monologue will keep you reading this short novella in one sitting. The story about love above all boundaries has a very unusual setting showing the unlimited imagination of it's author where "purgatory" is not what you expect it to be.

I want to thank Anthony for giving me this free copy, explicitly without the expectation of a review, because he knows that I'm not a sci-fi fan.

If I find more books like his or Michael's Edge of God I might change my opinion about science fiction...

Real crime

My review on goodreads

Another intense read by Will Patching. After Remorseless I really wanted to read his first book.

And I found out that this very different book is just as good. It tells the story about crimes that not only could happen, but happen every day.

Journalists doing whatever to sell their stories no matter the cost.

Insider trading out of insatiable greed.

Sex tourists from our so-called "civilized world" satisfying their perverted lust in the so-called "Third World".

The CIA all over the world doing whatever they think "right".

Hackers proving that no system is really secure.

Abusive child carers.

"Honorable" members of society buying photos of abused children on the internet, or worse, abusing children themselves, making profit with such photos, discarding the "objects" after use. 

All of them play their part in this crime thriller, but there's Doug, the revenge killer.

"Who is more evil? The killer or the victim?" Chief Lee is putting the question not only in Kate's mind but in mine.

Two psychopaths in one week

This was a "thrilling" week - at least in my imagination as I read two really good thrillers with psychopaths. Seems I'm back on the dark side of reading...

Two very different British books, both dealing with psychopaths and both authors seem to know what they are writing about.

I hate spoilers and I won't write anything about the stories, but I highly recommend this book to all readers who like their suspense with psycological background.

The first one was this hard and cruel, very graphic book about hunting down a psychopath on his revenge campaign.

It was hard to read not only because of the detailed descriptions but also because of what it might be like to be loosing your mind.

There were spread very well researched informations about psychopaths without being teaching.

Guilt or the lack of it is the big issue in this brilliant thriller.

And there's this sweet hesitant love story.

And a lot of alcohol.


My review on goodreads

Will has startet a prize draw: He's giving away 30 audiobooks !Here's the link
http://www.remorselessnovel.com/

Then I read this one.

A lot of alcohol, too.

And an unconventional love story showing how close love and hatred can be, full of confusion and doubts.

Thrilling without too much violence, playing with fear and making the reader laugh and smile a lot.

Of course there's the psychopath acting always according to his selfish interests.

And when I thought everything was sorted out came another surprising twist.

My review on goodreads


Both books are well-written, real page turners - I must use this cliché because I just couldn't put them down.
Perhaps the first one is just a tad better, but both deserve definitely 5 stars.

Edge of God

One of my favorite beta-reads is finally published. I'm not only a little bit proud to have contributed a tiny bit. And it was tiny, that bit.  Michael's writing is so wonderful, it doesn't need much advice, but I hope to have encouraged Michael.


It's not a christian book as we expect them and know them all to well. But it is a very deeply inspiring book, that shows God's love and forgiveness and the way to change your life.

Michael told me that with this book he wants to help heal.
Although written with this clear purpose it isn't moralistic or preaching, but really enjoyable and entertaining.

My hope is, that it will find many readers and that it  may speak to those who need it.

A tsunami of love

After A.D. 30 I had to read A.D. 33.
Maviah's story is full of suspense. This alone would make the books worth reading.

But there's much more to it.

Jesus' well-known original words put in this different context spoke to my heart in a fresh way.

It might sound strange, and I don't get this sensation very often while reading a work of fiction, but I felt physically the presence of the Holy Spirit talking to me.

From a literary point of view this book isn't Ted Dekker's best. Some truths are repeated too often. But that's a sign, how important this is to the author, how much he wants his readers to understand the Lord's Kingdom, His freedom, peace and love.

His Kingdom is in this world but not of it. We can experience it. That's what's shining through the pages of this book.

After reading this excellent book, I followed the link in the end to find a small booklet. Ted Dekker describes in a very personl way his journey of faith, his doubts, and how overwhelming and life-changing it is to get a glimpse into His realm.

I definitely love all three books.
They were not like a wave but like a tsunami of Jesus' love for me.

Let go

Some things we have to hear again and again. 

We know the truth, we believe it, we promise ourselves to let it sink deep into our heart and to live according to that truth.

But time passes.

Problems arise.

We forget.

We don't see anymore.

We still know.

But it's not knowledge that changes live.

It's faith and trust.

And we need to hear it again.

Sometimes the truth hits our heart, when we don't expect it. 

Sometimes it comes along while reading a novel.

This wonderful book touched my heart with God's love in a way not many books do.

We must let go.

We must let go of our fears, our anxiety, our grievance, our sorrows. (Matthew 6:25-34)

We must let our hearts fill with His love to find His Kingdom within us. (Luke 17:20-21)

Our heart will know again that it's true: 

"You will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I am in you." (John 14:20)

Ted Dekker has been given a talent and he didn't bury it but made the best of it. 

(Matthew 25:14-30)

He didn't put his lamp under a bowl and with his books he is the light of the world. 

(Matthew 5:14-15)

Of course this abredged version has been published with a reason: to coax readers to buy and read A.D. 33 - and yes. This plan works out: I've just pre-ordered to receive it on October 6.

Two bestsellers

The Book Thief

Yes, it's definitely a bestseller and I'm always sceptical towards bestsellers.
It's not only a bestseller, it's also about World War II, the Holocaust, Nazi Germany....a historical novel, not my preferred genre and supposed to be sad.

But, as so often, my daughter Anna urged me to read it. And, also as so often, she was right.

This is a wonderful book about books, about friendship, about love, about life and death.

There have been written millions if not billions of reviews about it all over the world. Can I say something new about it? Probably not.

It took me in immediatly. It made me feel all sorts of emotions. It was sweet, funny, sad, hopefully and devastating. Just as Death describes the human nature:
"I wanted to ask her, how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words so damning and brilliant."

Ok, to love this book you must love one-word-sentences (if they are well-placed) and strange metaphors and it must not disturb you to be interrupted by the narrators voice, you must accept to know some things before the story reaches there.

As a German I have a point of critique: I've never met anybody who used the word "Saumensch".


Now I'm looking forward to this one:

I'm so glad to have found it for only 1,99 €

Here's what Ted Dekker wrote about it:

AD 30 is my best selling and best reviewed novel in years, so some might wonder why I would do an abridgment. Actually, it was extremely difficult and took Erin Healy (my life-long editor) and me a full month to do, but the result is amazing. It carefully eases back on historical details that don’t affect the story while leaving the characters, the full plot and story entirely intact. The last half of the novel is virtually unchanged and the nail-biting climax completely untouched. In some ways, it’s better than the full length version, depending on how much detail you like.

And it's still 432 pages long!

Yes it's historical, and it is a bestseller - but it's a Dekker, and I love his writing!

Stockholm Syndrome

Do you like to feel what you read? Do you like to emerge deeply into someone's mind, even if it's a dark and evil place or working totally different from your own?
I love that.

My review on goodreads

The Second Captive is one of those books that grip you and take you in not only by an interesting story but because it makes you feel what the characters feel and understand how they think.

Of course I had heard about the Stockholm Syndrome. But for me it got a new dimension and became believable by reading this book.

Beth experiences all sorts of emotions while she is help captive for two years. There's horror, fear, despair, depression, but also hope, relief, even happiness. The total dependence from Dominic creates slowly a kind of bond weaved by contradicting feelings, that keeps her captive even after her escape.

Dominic on the other side is obsessed by the idea to restitute his mother who died when he was only seven years old and a women his father rape and killed in the basement. He is determined to mold Beth into a life companion and to teach her to love him.

I know that this book will stay in my mind.

Challenging reads

Lately this beta-reading thing get's overwhelming and challenging. I just love it. I love giving feedback, I love to have this "immediate" contact with authors. But really, I haven't got time anymore to do anyhing else.

There was this job - it actually became a job! - of editing a first part of a trilogy. And you know what? He asked me to be his "developmental editor" for the next two parts. Amazing!

Then there is this young student who can't afford to pay for beta-reading, explaining her situation on goodreads. I have to fill out a questionnaire after each chapter. That's not easy, because the questions are always the same. But I'm a nice person and I'll do my best chapter after chapter.

But definitely the best thing this week was Michael's (my first and so far only guest) new not-yet-named novel. There wasn't much to correct - but there was so much to think about. And yes, I was thinking about it while at work, dreaming about it in bed, guessing where he would go with this story, deciphering the message more and more. And he's got a lot to say - about the world, about love and about God. Indeed this book put me at a place where I was constantly asking myself: Do I agree? Is that what I believe? What is off here? Is this the whole truth or is something crucial missing? I was "testing the spirits" (1. John 4:1). And I didn't expect it at all. The book doesn't start like this. Michael has an amazing ability to put all those things into one story, a sci-fi romance!

Reading is always an experience. This one was special!

But as I'm not only a beta-reader but also a reviewer I had promised to deliver a review for Housebroken within a reasonable time frame.

My review on goodreads

This was a different experience. Having read some very good reviews I started with great expectations. And, indeed, it drew me in immediately with Bergh's very good writing style and some strange events and this atmosphere that makes you feel that there's something very wrong.
Not just something. Everything is wrong here. Two strangers are intruding an already broken, very wealthy familiy, supposedly to observe their routine for one week. Things get evil very quickly, cruel, brutal, excruciating. And nobody knows why. There seems to be no reason and the one given in the end isn't very convincing.
The well-developed main characters aren't likeable. The kidnappers aren't the worst. If you've got a son like Adam, you don't need enemies.
It is hard to get through all this very detailed tortures and I was glad to reach the end.
But if you like horror caused by human beings, this is your book.

A stirring thriller

To be a member of NetGalley sometimes is a great gift. I have the advantage to read great literature before everybody else does.

Before joining NetGalley I never was up to date with books. I didn't bother to check the bestseller lists, always looking for free books or waiting for the more economic hardcover or finding something second hand.

My review on goodreads

This week I was really lucky to receive the ARC of A Blossom of Brigth Light, a really extraordinary book.

It took me in immediately and kept me reading all night until 3 am and followed me into my dreams.
On the surface it is a crime mystery with a likeable and smart detective and his altruistic girlfriend.

But there's more to it. This book and the characters have depth.
It hurts to know that this fiction isn't as fictive as we would like it to be. These things happen: couples who don't talk about the things that really matter, politicians who overlook crimes and do favors in order to get elected, main purpose public opinion, illegal immigrants who endure all sorts of abuse out of fear, men who consciencelessly use girls like objects:




For about 24 hours I lived in Lake Holly, NY, among those Latinos, suffering with Adele, Vega and most of all with Luna, a 15-year-old girl in danger.

Too much for one week

This was a strange week of reading: a variety of  genres (that normally aren't my favorite ones), betas and published, short stories and first drafts of chapters.

I'm feeling a bit dizzy, perhaps I should give it a break.

But that's not what I want. I  just want to get my head clear for the next challenge. And yes, this week was full of challenges.

One of these challenge is beta reading. No, I didn't give up after my first try (Beta reading). The girl I thought to be offended and hurt by my comments a few days later sent me a book she had even published to help her make changes. What a surprise!

I decided to continue beta-reading. As most of the authors offered fantasy or romance, sci-fi or history - all not my favorite genres - I decided to offer my "service" to the only one labelled horror thriller by an Indian author. I won't mention the title because it will be released in three days. I had a lot to comment about the storyline, the style, the characters...but as he said it was too late for changes. But his reaction encouraged me further. My thoughts were appreciated.

So I gave a  "romantic thriller" a chance. Keith's first novel. Very explicit sex descriptions in relationships I would never approve in reality nor do I like to find them in books. I told him so, but I tried to stay objective, pointing out where I found weeknesses, giving ideas how to improve his story without changing it to my tastes. That was indeed a challenge. And it isn't over! This novel is meant to be the first part of a trilogy and he is sending me now bits and pieces, the product of his mind storming, and appreciates my feedback. A very interesting and engaging process.

my review on goodreads

And then I found Michaels request to beta read his published romance. He wanted to know "if good enough was really good enough". I thought I had read enough sex scenes for at least a year - but it was Michael, my first guest, and I knew he at least has writing skills. And it flashed me.

This typical cover is hiding a gem nobody would expect here. Yes, there is explicit sex but not as an end in itself. It is a very well written young adult love story describing thoughts and feelings in an astoundingly real way and has true-to-life dialogues.

In this case "good enough" was indeed good enough - better than that.


Today I'll throw myself into the next beta read. Again a romance, more sex to come. Obviously that's what people write ad read. The author seems to be desperately seeking some feedback.

In between all this beta-reading I got the opportunity to read Mark Matthew's short story. He's one of my favorite authors so I had to read this story although I really don't like either zombies nor running. I don't watch zombie movies, a disadvantage, because I didn't understand all the innuendos, but I finished this very short story with goose bumps all other.






For NetGalley I'm actually reading some very different short stories.

An other challenge here!
I'm only half way through because it's so difficult to read the various slangs and accents.
The first story is from 1896, I've arrived at the 1930s now - and it is depressing.

my review on goodreads

After finishing Michaels romance I really wanted to read his other book. So I bought it for 1.11 € (For months I hadn't actually bought a book). Labelled as Science fiction, another genre I don't favor.

That was again something different. The shining world of globalization and privatization. Again very well written, very interesting characters - but an open end that left me unsatisfied.







Quite a lot for just one week - when did  find the time to read all this? I honestly don't know. Probably I'm neglecting things I should do instead.