ReviewsByChrisSpeakman

Deadly Design
A Harley Jean Davidson Mystery
Written by Virginia Brown
Trade Size Paperback
ImaJinn Books
Publisher's website
http://www.imajinnbooks.com
Retail Price: $13.75
ISBN: 1-933417-59-5
216 pages
4 out of 5 armoires
Reviewed by Christine I. Speakman

Harley Jean Davidson is a tour guide. She works for Memphis Tour Tyme. However, lately she seems to spend more time solving crimes…or stumbling into them.

After her recent success in clearing her parents of murder charges and breaking up a jewelry theft ring, her Aunt Darcy wants her to find out who's using Darcy's "Designer's Den" to smuggle illegal items into the country. It just has to be her partner, Harry. And Harley must help, after all they ARE family.

"Deadly Design" is an amusing cozy mystery that will leave you entertained and laughing. Harley's family act aristocratic, but Harley thinks they're just snobs…well, not her parents they're just stuck in the sixties. Diva, her mom, even has psychic visions…some are even true.

Deadly Design is a simple story. Heroine tumbles into a crime, gets chased, nearly killed, annoys her cop friends, and all is well in the end. However, Deadly Design is written with humour and a very charismatic cast of characters. Harley has a hard time believing what's happening to her, even why she's finding so much trouble. Must be that 'one thing' she's good at. And why is her childhood friend, Bobby, and her boyfriend, Mike (both cops) so annoyed with her - she's helping them isn't she? Then there's her cousins, Aunt Darcy's daughters, why get mad at her when she's only clearing their mother of murder. Harley still needs to convince her friend, Cami, that her (Harley) and cats don't get along…even when one saves her. Too bad Sam, the cat, wasn't around when that goose attacked. At least Harley doesn't have to worry about her cop boyfriend getting along with Tootsie, her fact finding, Madonna-dressing, gay friend…at least now that the male territorial test was passed.

I liked Deadly Design enough to want to read the first Harley Mystery and the next.

Infinite Space, Infinite God
Reviewed by Christine I Speakman
Edited by: Karina and Robert Fabian
Electronic book Publication: 2006
Trade paperback: Summer 2007
Cost $5.50
ISBN: Pending
Publisher's website http://twilighttimesbooks.com/

Can God/Religion exist in science fiction? Yes. "Infinite Space, Infinite God" proves it.

Am I the best or worse person to review this anthology? That's the question I battle even as I write this review.

I am not Catholic and have some disagreements with some of this Church's issues/stands. Okay, that puts me firmly in the worse and the best…I'm not just going to go along with it and I will question issues raised.

I believe, but that belief has been through my own questions. Again, this puts me in the best and worse…if a view is going to be made, it better be thought out and well expressed - not thrown out willy-nilly.

More importantly, is this a good e-book? Will readers of Science Fiction enjoy the written words, the stories? Secondly, in my opinion, did it balance its objectives - God in Science Fiction?

Good ebook? Yes. Stories are well written, enjoyable, sensible, and believable. Maybe, because it's the last story in the anthology; however, the idea of a murderer changed to see his/her crime without the personal blockages/self-righteousness is thought provoking. Would you want to time travel back in time and see if something really did happen, or just believe in the stories you've been told? Another interesting idea. And as we battle the DNA, stem cell, cloning science and the questions already being asked, let's add - what of their rights? I'm not ready to answer any of these questions, I don't know.

Did the authors and editors reach their objective? I must say, yes. I wish I could have taken more time to read these stories; however, as a reviewer I have an obligation to read much faster…and even then I took longer than I had promised for this review. My apologies to all.

For my personal taste, I would have preferred a balance of international beliefs and religions versus only the Catholic Church teachings. HOWEVER, that wasn't the objective of this anthology and no other belief was ever disrespected.

"Infinite Space, Infinite God" is worthy of your money and time, for both those who love science fiction and those who wish for more faith in their science fiction.

Stellar writing!

Casket For Sale (Only Used Once)
An Andrew Mayhem Thriller
By Jeff Strand
Electronic book Publication: June 2006
ISBN: 0-7599-4286-2
$6.00
Publisher's website http://www.hardshell.com/
5 out of 5 Demented Giggles

Humourous Horror, okay that may be an oxymoron, but what else I can call a story that had me laughing out loud while still freaking me out? I may have nightmares tonight, but at least I'll be laughing.

This is the third in the "Andrew Mayhem" series, and I'm telling you I think I need to read the first two. I may be freaked out for the rest of my life, but at least I would be entertained.

I'm still trying to figure out how to write my review. The phrase "seriously whacked" is used in both Jeff Strand's website and his newsletter, I can't think of a better set of words to describe "Casket For Sale (Only Used Once)". And if this story is anything like the first two stories, than the character's name 'Mayhem' is a perfect choice.

Mad mayhem and insanity greets Mr. Strand's reader, and a whole lot of raving psychopaths and mad scientists. I'm not sure if it's Andrew Mayhem's skill or wit that saves him, his family, and friend or just pure dumb luck. But I'm sure not going on any vacation with this man, and sure not in a camper.

Andrew has decided to become a responsible citizen, an adult. He turns down $100,000 when asked to deliver one small briefcase. Instead he goes on a family vacation with his wife, kids, best friend, and friend's girlfriend (who Andrew doesn't even like) - oh, and a newly adopted pug. He even chooses not to take a shortcut…hey; we all know what happens when taking shortcuts. He even listens to a creepy old guy who tells them to stay clear of the park they had intended to stay at…he turns around to find some place new.

Well, that doesn't help. They still end up facing a group of dismembering demented degenerates. And that's just where the fun begins. Hold onto your stomachs (literally) for a slashing hysterical time.

I'm afraid, very afraid, cause I've just become a very big fan of Mr. Strand's Andrew Mayhem.

©Reviewed by Christine I Speakman
spring 2007