Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Whispers and Cash

I’ve recently finished two Kindle ebooks written by friends of mine. Both were excellent books, and I wouldn’t say so if I didn’t feel it to be true. Following my mother’s advice, if I didn’t believe what I said about them, I just wouldn’t have said anything at all. Below are my reviews, and links to Amazon for the books.


Whispers, by Travis Erwin

This is a novella length collection consisting of two stories, “The Simplest of Sounds” and “White Shutters,” and a memoir piece called “Whispers.”
All are simply outstanding. Reading them is like touching a circuit alive with electricity. The tales are told simply but with great emotional power. I normally think of thrillers when I think of page turners, but I read these straight through without stopping and kept hitting the “Next Page” button on my Kindle about as fast as my thumb would work.

If I had to assign a genre to the collection, I’d call it literary. My reason would be that these are realistic tales of “real” people, and they are more about the heart and the mind than about action. However, they don’t leave the reader wondering at the end. Each piece has closure .

The memoir piece recounts the author’s experience surrounding his son’s birth, when the doctor gave him those dreaded words: “Something is wrong.” I wept through half of this one.

Whispers is also available on the Nook here

Overall, I highly recommend it. 99 cents is definitely a bargain for the talent on display here.


Adventures of Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles

My second selection is by Edward A. Grainger, and I think it’s no secret that Grainger is actually David Cranmer. This is a wonderful collection of seven western stories featuring Marshal Cash Laramie, who is sometimes called the Outlaw Marshal. Laramie has a little of Matt Dillon in him, but there's a lot more of Dirty Harry.

Laramie is a true hero, the one who does what has to be done to protect the innocent rather than just doing what the law allows. His partner, Gideon Miles, is cut from the same cloth, although he is a black law officer in a difficult time.

I really enjoyed this collection and highly recommend it. A fun read, but also one that makes you think, and which doesn't skirt the tough issues. Stories like “Melanie,” for example, really hit you where you live.

This is another .99 cent book, and you can’t go wrong at that price.
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23 comments:

jodi said...

Charles, 99 cents? Wow. Is is available on Ibooks? I still don't get the whole 'reader' thing sometimes!

David Cranmer said...

Thank you very much, Charles. I'm glad you like the book and I appreciate you taking the time to review it. This means a lot because Adventures of Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles happened because I was impressed by your exceptional Killing Trail that was released last year. My goal was to equal your fine collection.

Gracias, amigo.

Charles Gramlich said...

Jodi. Not sure about Ibook. I've never heard of that. but you can download nook and kindle applications for your pc that lets you read them there.

David, glad to do it. Great stuff.

Hanny said...

I think it's great that publishing a book is so much more realistic than it used to be. Good for your friends!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Thank you for the review! Great prices, too. :)

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!

Randy Johnson said...

Thanks for the heads-up on Whispers. Just picked it up. Of course, David's book is already bought and read. Great stuff.

Deka Black said...

Cheap, good... This is a good era for prose. We have to search for the good stuff, yes. But before too. i don't see why some people complain.

Oh, and good reviews, Charles. Short, to the point. I like this kind of review.

laughingwolf said...

sound great, thx charles...

will see about getting them some time after i move....

Ron Scheer said...

Cash and Miles are a great team. I have high hopes for more. Looking forward to more westerns from you, too, Charles...Until then I'll be rereading KILLING FIELDS (and I hope Sally hasn't put her lawyers onto you yet for that title...)

Charles Gramlich said...

Hanny, it is, and there are some good stuff and bad stuff being self published. This is the good stuff.

Elizabeth Mueller, indeed so. Thanks for visiting.


Randy Johnson, Yes, I saw your review of “cash.” I just put mine up yesterday.


Deka Black, thanks. Both are good short collections of stories.


laughingwolf, hope that move goes well.


Ron Scheer, so far no problem.

Travis Erwin said...

Thanks Charles for helping me get eh word out and thanks to all of you for following Charles recommendation and downloading the book. Hope you enjoy the stories as much as he did.

Golden Eagle said...

Thanks for the reviews!

Both sound like intriguing books.

Cloudia said...

"ead these straight through without stopping and kept hitting the “Next Page” button on my Kindle about as fast as my thumb would work. "


GREAT blurb, Charles!


Aloha from Waikiki :)

Comfort Spiral

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sage said...

Something is wrong" are words that send horror into any parent... Good reviews (I still don't have a reader, but am traveling with a dozen books on audio which allows me to listen and look at the same time!

Charles Gramlich said...

Travis Erwin, I can't imagine that anyone wouldn't enjoy them.

Golden Eagle, both are well worth reading.

Cloudia, it was definitely a page turner.

Sage, A kindle might be ideal for that kind of travel, unless you're doing a lot of hoofing it through countryside

X. Dell said...

Whispers and Cash--sounds like a murder mystery set in a McMansion.

So many good books to read, so little time. At least the price is right.

Vesper said...

if I didn’t believe what I said about them, I just wouldn’t have said anything at all. - I feel and do the same.

Excellent reviews, Charles. I have to see how I can read Kindle books on my PC.

Jodi MacArthur said...

Wonderful reviews, Charles. I've read most of Cash & Mile's tales, but am looking forward to reading them together as a whole.

It sounds like Whispers hit you right in the heart. Thanks for the heads up.

Charles Gramlich said...

X Dell, I kind of like that title. I may have to use it on a story.

Vesper,you can download an app from Amazon for your pc that allows you to read Kindle books.

Jodi, that piece got to me. Partly maybe because of my own son.

Lana Gramlich said...

They sound good, hon.

Charles Gramlich said...

Lana, you sound good.

Anonymous said...

Great reviews Charles and I'm wondering what your opinion of Digital Rights Management is.

Charles Gramlich said...

Richard, I've got no complaints so far.