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‘Eileen’s Promise’ by Matthew Villeneuve – Review

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A space sci-fi tale of one salvager and his thoughts which are uniquely alive…

After a journey through the depths of space ‘Salvor Gupta’ returns to homestead for his day to get a lot longer and he isn’t alone with his thoughts. Through plenty of description and atmosphere we are introduced to a world beyond our own planet and much like Earth there are those who cannot be trusted while others are trying to make an honest buck.

From the very start we are introduced to ‘Merv’; an AI implant providing heads up display, navigation and personality beside Gupta’s thoughts giving this space sci-fi tale a unique spin. From what could have been quite a solitary one dimensional affair is instead the complete opposite. With shades of ‘2001: Space Odyssey’ this computer for the most part means well but also has a conflicting history that is discovered providing an interesting dynamic for the main character and his AI counterpart who also feels much like a real person. He can sometimes be funny and literal while also being a saving grace in the long run.

After a brief stay on homestead, revelation and then discovery take us on the path of deception, the unexpected and a kind of race against time – throughout Matthew Villeneuve brings his world to life through practical explanation and first person narration which is the strength of this story.

Eileen’s Promise is a fun, original space romp of one salvager and the ever so alive voice in his head as they work together in hunting down a lost resource that may be vital to those in need. If placed in the wrong hands the implications would certainly be disastrous and so the moral dilemma of responsibility sits at the heart of everything. From what has been introduced here could easily make for a wider universe I’d love to see more from.

4 Stars – This Review First Premiered via Reedsy Discovery

‘They Lie Here’ by N.S. Ford – Review

Lee Hall 1 Comment

Thrilling and unputdownable with unique themes…

N.S. Ford has masterfully merged the genres of thriller and mystery with the themes of obsession, secrets and music to deliver a layered story I could not put down. There were twists, revelations and even after, there were more unexpected moments in this original and addictive read.

In my first two sittings of reading this I’d already reached the 50% mark and by then I was just as obsessed as main character ‘Kat Green’ who is on a mission to find missing 80’s musician ‘Roskoe Darke’. His band, the aptly named ‘Scorpio Hearts’ have a kind of cult following and through some unique flashbacks/snippets we learn of their history along with the backstory that all has a sinister feel. ‘Kat’ is clever, obsessed and willing to go to extreme lengths for her investigation, even if she does refer to herself in third person often, there’s reasoning behind it and that also reflects the whole story which is cleverly plotted.

During the earlier stages, there is a lot of build as everything is laid out and then the revelations begin. Just like N.S. Ford’s last release, the well-executed twists are becoming a theme or even sub-genre of the author’s work and its definitely something that will keep me coming back. Music is also a key theme that runs throughout the story which serves as a study of how fans and those in the industry are effected by success while also merging with the mystery/thriller elements which makes for a unique unpredictable reading experience.

5 Stars

“Darke Blood” by Lee Hall

Lee Hall

A huge thank you to fellow author Ellen Khodakivska for this wonderful review of Darke Blood

Ellen Khodakivska

If you want to dive into a fantastic vampire/witch action-packed novel, this one is totally what you need.

“Sometimes you don’t need to say anything to say everything.” Lee Hall, “Darke Blood”

The Plot:  Blake Malone arrives in the forest town of Darke Heath. He hopes to make a fresh start and find answers to some riddles. The encounter with a pretty, mysterious woman named Caitlyn reveals more secrets than he could expect. Moreover, his memory starts playing a tricky game with Blake Malone, giving him more and more riddles hidden in the true darkness of the Darke forest. You can find out whether Blake Malone can fight the darkness and discover all the secrets by reading this brilliant, blood-freezing thriller full of vampires, witches, and true darkness.

The Writing Style: This is the next book in the “Open Evening” series, and, truth to be told, the plot thickens and…

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‘Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown’ by Drew Faraday – Review

Lee Hall

A unique and immersive vision of survival and life during apocalyptic times…

Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown is a unique reading experience that plays out much like the transcript of a confession, life story and vision of one woman’s survival during the ‘Meltdown’. The wonderful thing is, its all three of those and more because the immersive conversational style adopted by Drew Faraday pulled me in from the very start and it isn’t one I’ve seen that frequently in fiction. Onthe surface it might appear as just ramblings but like all great books its what lies within those words that make it. Stories of childhood, love, struggle and life in apocalyptic times make up the experience that pulled me in from the start.

The ‘M’ virus and its fallout is where the majority of this story is set but we only get snippets of that from ‘Pearl’ and the focus is more on her many experiences during and then after. Its almost as if she is in the room telling you about the various trials and tribulations of her life and she’s a fun character to be around. Perhaps a little hardened by that life and her well fleshed out presence really puts you in the passenger seat of her ride. From her wealth of back stories to the various fun names she uses such as ‘Camp All She Wrote’ and even naming a suicide vest ‘Severance Package’ are just a few of humorous references peppered with a hint of darkness and there is a lot of emotion at the heart of this one.

‘I wouldn’t have gone through hell on earth on my own for nearly four years only to be pent-up in this rank jail cell pouring my heart out to a damn gizmo in hopes of not taking the long drop…’

Its part post-apocalyptic and part confessional-survival with ounces of humour and the question is, will this confession help her find acquittal? The answer is something I perhaps would have liked to have seen a little more from but that’s a minor critique at best.

Very enjoyable and original.

4 Stars – This review first premiered via Reedsy Discovery

‘The Perfect Athlete’ by Olivier Doleuze – Review

Lee Hall

The Perfect overview and resource for the fit and healthy conscious…

Tenured Jockey Olivier Doleuze lays out a hugely beneficial resource/overview style guide for anyone looking to improve their nutrition and fitness that is packed with information.

This easy-to-read book is delivered with an approachable chatty style that partners well with the sheer amount of definitions, explanations and what is essentially a blue print for modern sport/nutrition and more. Early on it is stated that this book is for “Athletes and aspiring fitness enthusiasts’ but everyone or anyone who wants to be more conscious of their health through exercise and diet this is a must-read, it really will open your mind and awareness.

Structured much like how the ideal workout it begins with the warm up – definitions of the basics are laid out like nutrition, metabolism, calories, fuel and so much more. Although this is a lot of information, its written with a light style that isn’t too heavy to take in and makes for a memorable start to the work out/ reading experience. The chapters that follow, cover everything in detail but again not too heavily, many guides do suffer from adding ‘fluff’ but this one is lean and in good shape, trust me.

I was drawn to this book to learn and to find more insight into how my own diet relates to my fitness and now my mind is very much open especially with the very meaningful and motivational statement about weight only really being a number.

This book exactly what I needed to refresh my fitness journey because I think many of us sometimes get lost along the path when it does relate to weight expectations, nutrition and fitness. I’ll happily admit a lot of this stuff I didn’t even know until I picked up this guide which I shall be using in the future for reference.

4 Stars – This review first premiered via Reedsy Discovery.

‘Pirate Sea’ by Kyler Kuehler – Review

Lee Hall

A swashbuckling and sometimes brutal tale packed with action

Pirate Sea is a page-turning swashbuckling tale with a brutal edge that follows young ‘James Vane’ as he is captured by a band of pirates in the 1700’s. The writing style is both a befitting tribute to the famous pirate tales seen in classic literature whilst also having a modern feel.

Not long after readers are introduced to the story do we see events turn for the worst for young ‘James’ as his father’s ship is intercepted by the infamous pirate vessel known as the ‘Blood Revenge’ and helmed by Captain ‘Scar Eye’ – I enjoyed the naming here, it felt both original and familiar which hit the right tones for a pirate themed story. Soon enough those events turn brutal which is something that rings true from real history, this isn’t just the glamour of swords and sails, its gritty and violent. This is also a sign of things to come.

“He was pure pirate and reasoning with pure pirate was impossible”

A quote that sums up the journey James would have to take in this story to find any kind of redemption or escape and there is a heap of character development as he adjusts to these new pirate surroundings. It is during this journey that he discovers a history that is very close and personal and with it comes a tale I very much enjoyed.

4 Stars

‘Where Darkness Meets Light’ by Sabrine Elouali – Review

Lee Hall

Thought-provoking poetry reflecting many themes surrounding the dark and light…

This is a rich collection of poetry that serves as a reflection of many themes that mainly surround dark and light. Some verses rhyme whilst others don’t but all of them have their own power whether it be poignant or even brief, poetry is a creative reflection of one’s inner thoughts and it can be impromptu or planned, I kind of gathered the vibes of both through the many poems by Sabrine Elouali which I enjoyed.

In particular, ‘Questions’ resonated with me and ‘Illusion’ which merely suggested some of the deeper thoughts that followed after reading them and that is the sign of any good writing, laying something out that evokes feeling, but the readers imagination is given freedom to do the rest. Having grabbed a digital copy of this collection for free, I’d say that’s more than a bargain for some great poetry.

5 Stars

‘Fallout’ by Pat Griffith – Review

Lee Hall

An imaginative and highly original tale about first contact with corporeal beings from another world some of which are already here….

Pat Griffith takes readers on an original and unexpected journey that begins in one place and then takes a direction I did not see coming. A group of high school aged friends spend an evening camped out in the woods for some stargazing and experience something none of them could have possibly expected. And then there’s first contact as the real story kicks in.

‘The light around them dimmed, eliminating the shadows. The sun grew cold and the wind blew harder. As they looked up, gravitating toward each other, there was a mutual, unspoken question between them: What in the world was that?’

The pace suddenly quickens as its apparent this fallen meteorite contains life that has a unique invisible ability to spilt and take over a human mind. This life even has a conscience and thought process even if it does find the human anatomy seemingly foreign. After hitching a ride on their nearest hosts the chase begins as the authorities are informed – the FBI who usually turn up to these things are on the case and then comes the realisation that some of these beings were already here, hiding amongst us. The focus is on the human mind and how it can be altered or even intercepted to the point where they (the humans) are no longer in control.

Through the vessel of some wonderful description and heaps of originality we are taken on this ride of chase and hide adventure as these beings intercept and try to run. There are even those in authority who have succumbed to the effects of them. What they want is never really known but does it matter? Perhaps not because like all life, that’s probably what they want, to live. There are brief shades of Invasion of the Body Snatchers but with a less horror-esque tone and more of a focus on that corporeal life that silently takes on a human host.

For anyone looking to read an original sci-fi adventure about life from another planet that intercepts life on this one, this is definitely one for you!

4 Stars – This review first premiered via Reedsy Discovery

‘A Still Life’ by Elliott Wink – Review

Lee Hall

Short and intriguing, an original sci-fi tale perfect for reading in one sitting…

I read this intriguing sci-fi novelette in just one sitting and very much enjoyed the concept. Narrator and receptionist android ‘Addie’ has worked in a hotel for many years and its a place that has seemingly passed by from near enough all human contact, in fact, there hasn’t been a guest for a long time. Is the place closed or is there something else sinister at play here?

Whilst the guests may have left years ago, the hotel staff of two continue their tasks even if it appears they have been forgotten although we are never really given any finer details and this is just one of concepts that feeds the readers imagination. We see snippets of ‘Addie’s’ past and how her near human make-up has provided an almost existential conundrum that results in questioning her very own existence. Perhaps all she wants to be is human and have a purpose, this story does a fantastic job of exploring what its like to be alone whilst not fully understanding who you are. Very enjoyable.

5 Stars

Weekly Ramble #146

Lee Hall

Just a few years back the concept of reaching 30,000 Twitter followers is something I would have laughed out loud at. Not anymore. And this journey has known zeros often but not today because I’ve reached that once impossible seeming milestone on the platform.

Of course and above all, this has not been a solo effort or journey. Much like all of my successes, they have been governed by others. And the help of others is what has pushed me to go further and dream bigger. I am nothing without the fantastic support of you and the now 30,000 followers who give me reason to keep going. This creative journey has been hard and every now and then it does bite me on the rear end but, the rewards are huge and this is a defining turning point.

But how? And what advice would I give to anyone looking to grow on social media as a creative? Just be open and do your best to build conversational bridges. My agenda has never really been to make money – I suppose that’s what has driven me to try and find something else and I have, conversation, support and consistency, they are just three of the many elements that make up the factors of my Twitter success. If you can offer something, someone out there will probably be motivated to take it. That and the sheer will to never ever give in, no matter what adversities I’ve faced internally and externally. Rewards come to those who work and keep going.

There is a hell of a lot more to come from me and you can expect a lot more content based on my Twitter experiences soon. For now, be sure to check out my Twitter Coaching Sessions here.

Thank you for the support!