CHRISTINE I. SPEAKMMAN - MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS

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	Christine Speakman is addicted to books. She's returned to the writing and reviewing arena after a four year hiatus. Christine will be specializing in E-book reviews for FMAM.

BROKEN BRIDES
Carlton Clay
Chippewa Publishing, July 2006
eBook, $7.00
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) ISBN 1-933400-56-0

WARNING: GRAPHIC SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND LANGUAGE

I'm having a difficult time with this story and the author's bio--first time I've run into this situation. Wholesome, bible-related children's author and BROKEN BRIDES, they don't match. Lesson? One should never assume.

However, if you are not comfortable with graphic sexual violence and sexually crude language then BROKEN BRIDES is not for you. Was it for me? I'm not sure. It is unsettling and there are a couple of areas that don't quite fit, but the concept is something I haven't read before: female abductor, raper, murderer of women. Normally, these characters have been male.

Also, this story lacks a key character: the hero. Most stories of this type have a strong focal good guy/gal lead, the one person who leads the story from the perception of good over evil.

The villain leads BROKEN BRIDES.The one person you just can't cheer onwards. Different. Interesting? Attention grabbing?

While there is something compelling about the story, there's also something jagged about the story as a whole. Picture a puzzle that doesn't quite seem to fit though the pieces are all there.

Laura was an army combat medic. Stationed in Saudi Arabia, she commits her first rape and murder. From there she's lost in the military prison system and meets Marina, her torturer, who conveniently leaves her the recipe for a new super drug (a government special project). Then Laura finds herself free and erased from all records to avoid embarrassing the army.

Next is a string of brutal rapes and murders, and drug deals with a successful crime boss (ex-navy seal). Her undoing: picking the wrong person as her latest "bride."

Most of the story is told in a not too confusing time shift manner.

Do I recommend BROKEN BRIDES? Anyone I told the storyline to just weren't interested--too chaotic, too many bizarre issues involved (let alone the violence). However, as you're reading BROKEN BRIDES, it doesn't feel that crazed (not till you try to explain it).

Again, do I recommend BROKEN BRIDES? I'm fence sitting on this one.


Christine I. Speakman

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF), Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB), Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT)

CHRISTINA'S FEAR
Sherry Morris
Chippewa Publishing, July 2006
eBook, $2.00,
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF)

CHRISTINA'S FEAR is a fleeting look into one woman's life and how she faces a life-long phobia. Interesting enough as I share this same fear and the joy of watching my daughter not have this fear. Thankfully, I don't share this woman's life history.

It is the momentary glimpses of Christina's life that really make CHRISTINA'S FEAR a more appealing read.

A pleasant short story.


Christine I. Speakman

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF), Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB), Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT)

LOST SOUL OF THE WOLF
L. Shannon
Chippewa Publishing, July 2006
eBook, $3.00
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF)

I'm of two minds regarding LOST SOUL OF THE WOLF. Though I'm not quite fond of the whole story, I've become lost in the character of Tryggvarin, our hero and wolf-man. The friendship between this grieving soul and a small child (and the young adult she becomes) is pleasant, but it felt a little empty.

Then again, we're talking about a faulty human versus a wisdom grown from timeless searching. It's my wish that we have more stories about Tryggvarin's travels, his mourning, and his past.

Tryggvarin is one of those characters that bring a melancholy longing to your heart. He's spellbinding. L. Shannon's writing of this character is nothing short of brilliant.

I'm haunted by Tryggvarin.


Christine I. Speakman

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF), Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB), Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT)

SHADOW OF A DOUBT
Karen McCullough
Cerridwen Press, July 2006
eBook, $6.49
ISBN #1-4199-0684-4

Why pick SHADOW OF A DOUBT? Let me break it down for you:

Situation: Murder.

Players: Liz Ramsey and Greg Conyers

Good news: Instant attraction.

Bad news: She's the homicide detective and he's the prime suspect.

Not convinced? Well, then how about I put it this way:

Non-stop, can't put down, driving story with real characters. The basic male/female relationship twisted into a gut-wrenching tale of secrets, fears, and duty--all climaxing to an ending that kept me guessing.

Ms McCullough's writing is alive. That's why you need to read SHADOW OF A DOUBT!


Christine I. Speakman

Available formats: Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF), Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB), Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT)

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