a book a week

For 2013 I made a resolution to read a book a week and review at least two a month. While I’m lagging a bit on reviews, I’ve done fairly well at keeping pace with my weekly reading. Here are a few of my recent favorites I think you’ll enjoy…

Crimes in Southern Indiana     Donnybrook

Crimes in Southern Indiana and Donnybrook by Frank Bill

Frank Bill has quickly become one of my favorite writers. CRIMES is a dark and twisted ride, dripping with authentic voice. It’s a book that you should let sink in and take your time with over multiple sessions. It’s easily one of my favorite short story collections, one that I’ll continue to return to reread over the years. And given my praise for CRIMES, how could I not enjoy DONNYBROOK? Like a story from CRIMES, stretched to novel form, once DONNYBROOK gets hold of you, there is no putting it down. I read the book on a flight from Boston to Las Vegas in one sitting. Put these two in your library.

The Year of the Storm

The Year of the Storm by John Mantooth

A terrific debut novel from John Mantooth. Read my review here and pick up a copy when it’s released on June 3!

The Hard Bounce

The Hard Bounce by Todd Robinson

Well written and fast paced, Robinson’s tale of two bouncers on the trail of a missing teenager in Boston is hard to put down (especially since I live in Boston). The book feels historical in a sense that it captures a gritty part of the city that is all but gone (strange coincidence just before I read THE HARD BOUNCE, The Boston Phoenix shut down). Another great debut novel that I highly recommend.

Needle

Needle Fall/Winter 2012 edited by Steve Weddle

Worth it for Dan O’Shea’s story, “The Shroud of Turin,” alone. I rarely (and I mean rarely) have to put down a book, but this one got to me. If you are a father (especially a relatively new one such as myself), O’Shea’s tale of a father struggling to take care of his son will break you heart.

I'm Not Sam     The Passenger

I’m Not Sam and The Passenger by Jack Ketchum

I’ve recently been on a bit of a novella kick. I won’t venture into the plot of either – as with much of Jack Ketchum’s work, the less you know the better, and doubly so with I’M NOT SAM. THE PASSENGER was included in one of the paperback editions of Ketchum’s novel RED (one of my favorite books). I’M NOT SAM is new and available solo. Both of these stories will horrify and continue to lurk in your brain.

Fierce Bitches

Fierce Bitches by Jedidiah Ayres

I’m a fan of the guys at Crime Factory and as soon as I saw the blurbs for FIERCE BITCHES, I knew I had to pick it up. Ayres brutal novella is reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino – a kind of Pulp Fiction meets Django Unchained. Lightning fast pace combined with an interesting structure that will keep you glued to the page. The book felt partly experimental, and if so, it was a resounding success.

Catch My Killer

Catch My Killer by Ed Kurtz

Kurtz knocks it out of the park with the first of the Sam Truman series. Enjoyable characters (especially Sam) and a great sense of humor. Reminded be a bit of Charlie Huston’s Joe Pitt series. Ron Earl Phillips has an in depth look at the Sam Truman series here. Looking forward to reading book two – The Last Invasion by Brandon Zuern.

Thuglit Issue 4

Thuglit Issue #4 edited by Todd Robinson

Because it’s a crackin’ good issue and I’ve got a story in there to boot!

What about you, readers? What’s on your nightstand?

Next on deck:

Penance  Broken Branch  The Street  Choke Hold  Fags and Lager  Capture  Lush Situation  Abyss

Penance: A Chicago Thriller by Dan O’Shea

Broken Branch by John Mantooth

The Street by Ann Petry

Choke Hold by Christa Faust

Fags & Lager by Charlie Williams

Capture by Roger Smith

Lush Situation by K.A. Laity

Staring into the Abyss by Richard Thomas

The Author CEO

Author/Blogger Kristen Lamb has a new post up on her blog entitled, “Authors of the Digital Age–What It Takes to Be a Real Author CEO.”

It’s an inspiring article in which Lamb reinforces the passion and sacrifice it takes to succeed in fiction/nonfiction by comparing writers with CEOs. She also goes on to share some of her own experiences and how she overcame past obstacles.

Worth giving it a read, especially if you are looking for a little boost to keep you in the chair.

REVIEW: The Year of the Storm by John Mantooth

TheYearoftheStorm

When Danny was fourteen, his mother and sister disappeared during a violent storm. The police were baffled. There were no clues, and most people figured they were dead.  Only Danny still holds out hope that they’ll return.
 
Months later, a disheveled Vietnam vet named Walter Pike shows up at Danny’s front door, claiming to know their whereabouts. The story he tells is so incredible that Danny knows he shouldn’t believe him. Others warn him about Walter Pike’s dark past, his shameful flight from town years ago, and the suspicious timing of his return.
 
But he’s Danny’s last hope, and Danny needs to believe

John Mantooth’s debut novel, THE YEAR OF THE STORM, is a must read for 2013. Seriously, pre-order it here. You’ll be surprised that the novel is his debut – I was when I read his short story collection, SHOEBOX TRAIN WRECK, last year and found that it was his first major publication. The wonderfully dark collection held a strong aura of an established author, one whose work I couldn’t wait to dive back into. Alas, when I searched for another book by Mantooth, all I could find was ‘coming in 2013.’ Needless to say, given that SBTW was my favorite book of 2012, I had high hopes for THE YEAR OF THE STORM.

I recently had the great pleasure of reading an uncorrected proof from the publisher and it was a rare book to exceed my high expectations. I think it can be difficult for a reader to transition to a novel after reading an author’s short fiction (especially  authors like Mantooth, whose stories pack an emotional wallop that the page can barely contain.) But Mantooth successfully expands upon his realm of dark fiction in the novel, maintaining the level of detail and prose throughout.  It feels like you’re sitting down with an old raconteur and listening to him weave his favorite yarn. You have to slow down when you read this book, soak it all in. The prose is rich and atmosphere will linger on your mind.

Other reviews, including a blurb from author Frank Bill, have compared THE YEAR OF THE STORM to Stephen King’s THE BODY and Tom Franklin’s CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER. To me, THE YEAR OF THE STORM is the essential dark coming-of-age journey that you should have on your shelf. It wades into the mystical nature of childhood memories and adult reflection, touching on bullying, abuse, homophobia, hope, loss, loyalty, family, loneliness – details and themes handled with rare beauty that will leave readers reflecting on their own childhood.

Give it a pre-order and help create some buzz for the novel. And while you’re at it, pick up SHOEBOX TRAIN WRECK – it will hold you over until June.

THE YEAR OF THE STORM by John Mantooth releases June 4, 2013.

THE YEAR OF THE STORM LINKS     Goodreads     Amazon     Mantooth

Bet It All On Black

A couple of weeks ago I was very pleased to announce my short story, “Bet It All On Black,” was published in THUGLIT Issue 4. It is the inspiration for my first novel, BOTTLED, and one that I’d been toying with for some time. In fact, at one point I was planning to self-publish the tale in a magazine of sorts. But due to harassment from some of my best writing buds, I held onto it and after a few tweaks, received a nice little note from Big Daddy Thug.

As part of the magazine process, I commissioned Joe DellaGatta for two pieces of artwork. Joe’s a fantastic artist and he nailed the illustrations for the story. I’ve been holding on to the art for awhile, but I figured…why not share the love?

Check it out below, share them around – and most importantly (if you haven’t already done so) – go grab THUGLIT Issue 4! (ebook / Print)

Bet It All On Black

Bet It All On Black 2

THUGLIT Issue 4 ToC

Through The Perilous Night by Anton Sim
Going In Style by Eric Beetner
Bet It All On Black by Christopher Irvin
Brass by Roger Hobbs
Under The Bus by Albert Tucher
Gallows Point by Sam Wiebe
Allure Furs by Patti Abbott
Of Being Darker Than Light by Garrett Crowe

RELOADED – Open for Submission

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Shotgun Honey is back with RELOADED BOTH BARRELS VOLUME TWO.

Deadline is June 9, so you’ve got close to 90 days to crank out and send in your best crime fiction.

The Guidelines:

  • Word Count: Between 1500 and 4500 words. 3000 words is the sweet spot.
  • Submissions: No simultaneous submission, no multiple submissions, original stories preferred, but we will consider reprints for stories having been out of print for 18 months or longer.
  • Review Period: Notice of acceptance or rejection will happen within two [2] weeks from the close of submissions
  • Editing: Submit well edited work.
  • Formatting: Indented, double space, single paragraph returns, no special fonts or styling other than bold or italics. We recommend you follow this guide by William Shunn.
  • File Formats: Submit stories as .doc, .docx or .rtf files.
  • Payment: $25 paid via paypal or check within 15 days of publication. A digital copy for either Kindle or ePub.
  • Rights: 12 months exclusive for print and 6 months exclusive for digital. Shared rights for the life of the publication.
  • Deadline: June 9, 2013
  • Publication: September 3, 2013
  • Publisher: Shotgun Honey Books/Bad Rocket Media

Additional details and the form through which to submit are available here.

If you haven’t read Shotgun Honey Presents: Both Barrels (Volume 1), I highly recommend you pick it up. It’s a great book AND available at a new low price. One-click it.