SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
Let’s Go Dancing in the Light by Gloria D. Gonsalves
A poetess and storyteller, including children’s fiction, Gloria D. Gonsalves will touch hearts and minds with her evocative short compositions in Let’s Go Dancing in the Light: A Collection of Poetry and Prose for Soul and Spirit.
Admitting a leaning towards Christianity, Gonsalves embraces other faiths in this uplifting and well-rounded work. Some pieces exude the enigmatic quality of a Zen kōan, as in “To the Denizens of Now”:
There’s no year…Would we want a calendar?
There’s no finish line…Would we stop bustling?
Each piece in the collection speaks of gritty human experience, sensual and violent, poignant and unexpected, […]
The world of Myrrosil is one of radiant beauty and terrible evil, with only the wisest few able to make reliable assertions as to which is definitively which. It’s a magical place, and one full of secrets that should, arguably, never be discovered.
Workplace romance is never easy, but when the apple of your eye turns into a panther, the usual office drama pales in comparison. In Moondance, a paranormal romance by Linda K. Hopkins, the author takes a very literal approach to the idea of romance as a dance between predator and prey.
A Burning in the Darkness by A P McGrath is a compelling thriller about the dynamic Father Michael Kieh, who hears people’s confessions at a busy English airport, including the confession of a murderer. When a murder happens at the airport, and Kieh recognizes one of the victims, accusations fly his way, and he must prove his innocence, as well as reconcile his dark past.
Open Your Heart by Ruth Cherry is an uplifting work of fiction about embracing one’s life and purpose. Anne, a middle-aged psychotherapist, feels restless and unfulfilled. Desperate, she voices a prayer for help, and a spirit guide named Hannah, in the guise of a crusty crone, appears to help. Hannah introduces more spiritual advisors: Maggie inspires Anne’s artistic vision, while Theresa reminds her of the youthful happiness and passion she has long repressed.
Poor David Tan. Things have not gone well for the harried protagonist of Chandra Shekhar’s novel Mock My Words. His position at Steinbeck University, one he thought of as a dream job, leaves him unfulfilled and struggling to connect with students who don’t take him seriously due to his accented English. His colleagues are brusque and cold. His wife, Laura, doesn’t give him enough attention or affection. Melissa, a brilliant student with whom he shares a cultural and emotional connection, suddenly ignores him as well.
Turf wars and unlikely alliances are hardly novel concepts in fiction, but add gangs of vampires and a 2,000-year-old conspiracy to the mix and you’ve got yourself a well thought-out tale in Akeldama that goes far beyond your typical vampire fare.
Ancient beliefs and modern madness converge in Before the Sun Goes Down, a military thriller from Clif Petty that touches on everything from Native American traditions to the looming threat of global war.