Book Title: The Car Thief
Author: Theodore Weesner
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions
IBSN: 9781938231001
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Coach Tater Review

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
― Leo Tolstoy

Alex Housman is a broken boy from a broken family. Nothing really shocking or unusual that he gets in trouble with the law for stealing cars, which he has no reasoning for doing other than he can. His home life consists of living in a small apartment with a father who is larger than life especially when he is hitting the bottle, although he doesn’t physically hurt his son, is he hurting him in other ways? Alex’s mom is not in the picture at all for she has started another life with another man and has taken his brother Howard with her. To say this young man’s life has its ups and downs would be an understatement, but aren’t most teenagers lives this way. It is all on how they handle these situations that will decide what kind of adults they become. This is story on how one such teenager makes his choices that will change his life either for the better or for the worst...you will just have to read the book and find out which.

I am not one to compare books with other books like some feel they need to. I prefer to let the book speak for itself on how the author wished it is to be translated. I also would not say this book is a “coming of age” read; labels like this don’t give the book justice.

Although it is set in year where I wasn’t even born yet, the childhood problems presented are the same as today. The overwhelming pressure for a young person to do something extraordinary with their lives when life has dealt them a not so great home life is a common theme in any year. Even though I am a female, I still felt that I could relate to the main character, even if it was partially from a mother’s point-of-view. I felt pity and sympathy for him, wanting to grab him sometimes and ask him, “what the hell are you thinking?” as if he was one of my own sons. Maybe it could be a good book to show parents how their actions really do effect their children and what not to do. How being an alcoholic, even a non-violent one, can push a child to grow-up before they are ready and cause them to make wrong, sometimes, very wrong choices. Also how being an absentee parent may really make the child confused and feel unloved. {Coming off the soap box}. Okay back to how I feel about the book; I highly recommend it as a book that should be read as it is and not to be compared to any other book. I can see it being a great read for required reading in  high school, especially as a teaching tool. Young and old alike, in my opinion, will find it a good read.  Just let the book take on the life it was meant to.

Here is a link to the book for your convenience: http:/astorandblue.com/the-car-thief/

Book Title: Jaded
Author: Rhonda Sheree
Publisher: Reason Enterprises
ASIN: B006IUUWYA

    “jaded:     The end result of having a steady flow of negative experiences, disappointment, and unfulfillment fed into a person where they get to the point where their anger circuits just sort of burn out and they accept disillusionment.” Urban Dictionary

After three years of dedicated work at a seemingly prestigious law firm, Syeesha Green is dismissed. To say that she was in a state of shock is an understatement. Syeesha planned on finishing law school and working her way up the firm ladder. Now she must find work else where or be evicted, that is if her room mate from hell hasn’t already done that.

Jade McCann is a congressman’s wife, but she fears he is starting to go back to his cheating ways. She goes to an attorney to find out what her options are and much to her dismay she finds she is bonded to the prenup. One provision stands out though, if Jade can prove her husband is cheating, she will get everything she wants. But how can she prove it? Jade devises a plot to entrap her husband in the arms of another woman and that woman is Syeesha. Syeesha is under the impression she is being hired as Jade’s assistant, but of course Jade has other plans. Will Syeesha give in to the enticement of money or will she stand on her morals?

What a juicy plot, no? I was really intrigued by the web that the author has weaved in this book. Even though it is a story of two women from “different sides of town” they are placed in the same space to work out their personal baggage for all the readers to see. It also shows how, just because someone has it all doesn’t mean they are happy and content. No matter what our background, race or financial situation, we are all women with our share of problems. I would highly recommend this book to all the “sisters” out there. Oh and wait until you read the ending; you won’t believe what happens.

Book Title: Other People's Heroes: The Heroes of Siegel City

Author: Blake M. Petit

Publisher: CreateSpace

ISBN: 9781463599072

I believe that interest in heroes is universal and eternal. ~Norman Spinrad

Joshua Corwood is a “regular” guy in a world filled with super heroes (Capes) and villains (Masks). The only saving grace in his mundane life is the fact that he gets to write about these extraordinary people in a newspaper called Powerlines. He gets to interview them and get their back story to share to the world, well his small corner of the world. Joshua secretly wishes he was a superhero, someone who could save the innocent and be a hero to all. In his pursue of the next big story he discoveries the tale of the millennium. Could everything he knows and ultimately loves about the Capes be a sham? And if it is should he tell others or keep it to himself? The life as Siegel City knows it will be changed forever if the story gets out.

Imagine a comic book story made into a book without pictures...this is the result. Not really heard of right, but it works so well here. I really enjoyed this method because it give the reader the opportunity to use their imagination to picture the characters and events. Each character, even the superheroes and villains, have depth and substance with very human-like personalities including their flaws. I loved the sense of humor sprinkled throughout the book along with the serious story line. A plot like no other keeps the reader engrossed and entertained with the pasting of each page. Recommended to readers of all ages especially lovers of comic books who are willing to see it in a different light and in a whole new way.

Book Title: Chasing Filthy Lucre

Author: Jarrett Rush

Publisher: Sixtwentyone Press

ASIN: B004SHFK2O

There is only one class in the community that thinks more about money than the rich, and that is the poor. The poor can think of nothing else. ~Oscar Wilde

Somehow the youth movement was elected to run things and the old government fell apart. RomaCorp then becomes the supplier of everything, but in order to get these goods you must have cash. Weber Rexell is always after the all mighty dollar, no matter what the job entails. Hence when the stuff hits the fan as he is working one such job, he takes on another opportunity as a data runner for the “greater good”. He is not alone in this task and if it is successful it will change the lives of everyone. That is just a small look into the world that Jarrett has made. Want to see more, then get the book...

I found this action packed book a fantastic futuristic story. It is just a tease into the future Jarrett has created. The story is short, but the story line with in it is huge. The reader will be so engrossed with the events, that before they know it, they have reached the ending. Oh what an ending. It leads one to try and wait patiently for the next in the series to come out. (Hint, hint Mr. Rush). Written in a no nonsense voice with no long wind descriptions and explanations. Just a note: the concept of being “plugged in” takes on a whole new meaning and not what we know it to mean.

Book Title: Lincoln's Diary

Author: DL Fowler

Publisher: Harbor Hill Publishing

ISBN: 9780615445533

Reviewed by Michele Tater For the Couch Tater Review

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ~Abraham Lincoln

After Sarah's mother dies, she is left with the task of going through the house, that was home to her, her mother and grandmother for as long as she can remember. Also she is looking for clues about the mystery men in her life; her grandfather and father. Unfortunately, Sarah doesn't find anything but the journal of her Grandma Cassie. The journal becomes more than the thoughts and experience of her grandmother, however, so much more that someone is going to great lengths to get a hold of it. One mention in the journal, becomes a shocking and unbelievable piece of historical importance: that there is a diary written by Abraham Lincoln himself. As she tries to locate the before mentioned document a possible lead turns up murdered and Sarah is the main suspect. What has she gotten herself into? Will finding the diary help her find out who her grandfather and father were and in turn help her find herself?

I was pleasantly surprised with the reading of this book. At first I thought it would be too history involved and not entertaining at all. Boy, was I wrong. It has a suspenseful story line and a main character that the reader can see themselves going on quite a journey with. I would not stop at saying that it has twist and turns, it was more like swirls and tornadoes. The reader is not able to tell who is the “good” guys and who are the “bad” guys until the amazing written ending. I was even more awed that this the first novel from this talented author, which I hope means he has more books up his sleeve to entertain us with.

Book Title: Shadows and Dreams

Author: Joseph Lucilla

Publisher: Black Cove Press

ISBN: 9780578079684

We are imperfect. We cannot expect perfect government.

~William Howard Taft

John J. Rosko is basically anti everything, and has a bad opinion on everything and likes to talk about it to everyone. This book is his life story of sorts, with the emphasis being on him and his ideals. He loves the sound of his own voice and comes across as a pompous, arrogant person. Complaining about everything in life is his passion. The idea of anyone having a “good life” according to him is impossible. This coming from a man who insists that a man has to work to show his worth to the world, but lives a meager life so he doesn't have to work. In reading the back of the book, you make note that the main character is suppose to die, believe me you can not wait! Be warned it takes a long time for him untimely death and even then he finds things to complain about.

This book was just not for me. It was so full of blunt, rude and sometimes offensive language that I had a hard time finishing it. Say that the main character being long winded would be an under statement. Someone who is interesting in hearing someone downgrade everything and anything in life, this book is for you. Although I agree that this country is not perfect in many aspects, it is still the best to live in. Thank goodness that the author is from this country or his writing may have been banned in another. I must make a point in saying that the author's writing in itself is not bad at all, it was the subject matter and story line that I found not my cup of tea.

Book Title: Released

Author: Megan Duncan

Publisher: Create Space

ISBN: 9781461017721

Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

“The human heart dares not stay away too long from that which hurt it most. There is a return journey to anguish that few of us are released from making.” ~Lillian Smith

Imagine our world taken over by strange, evil creatures with no warning and no knowledge of where they came from. Many humans die fights for their lives and the lives of their family and friends. The survivors are boarded up in their homes waiting and wondering what to do next. Among these survives are three teenagers: Abby and her brother Carter, family friend Max. Unfortunately, their family members are deceased. Looking for hope they turn to the radio and find a transmission that offers a safe haven to anyone that can make it there. The three, the nerd, the jock and the tomboy, set out to New Mexico in the hope they find other survivors and a safe place to live. On their journey they face many more “demons” some pure evil and others clothed in human clothing.

Although I am far from being a teenager by many years, I did find this book entertaining to say the least. The characters let their age show in many parts of this story, but I found it gave it a more realistic and believable feel. Their typical teenage mannerisms brought back memories of how my own kids acted. Even their hormones are shown as raging, even in the face of danger and destruction. The journey they are on becomes not only physically trying but also physiologically trying as well.

As with other reviewer of this book, I found it hurt to put down until I was done. I was surprised with the ending, which leaves things open for another book. There is suspense, horror and raw emotion: what more can you get from a good book.