Cynthia D. Griffin

Category: Apex Publications

Book Review: Machine by Jennifer Pelland

March 20th, 2015

Machine by Jennifer Pelland is available on Kindle and on Paperback.

Want to take a walk on the wild side? Then Jennifer Pelland’s novel Machine is for you, because that is exactly what Pelland’s main character Cecil does in this delightfully depicted science fiction world.

In this novel technology has advanced to the point of creating artificial replicant bodies for those who are unfortunate enough to find themselves with serious injuries, or illness that can’t be cured right away. Cecil just got her new body after being diagnosed with a low priority incurable disease. She decides to copy her consciousness to a “new” body and wait for the cure. But Cecil’s life takes a sudden and horrific blow when she wakes up in her machine body to find out wife Rivka has divorced her during the copying process.

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Book Review: Sing Me Your Scars by Damien Angelica Walters

March 6th, 2015

Sing Me Your Scars by Damien Angelica Walters is available on Kindle and as paperback.

I can easily describe this book with one simple word… stunning. But even that one word does not completely do justice to this haunting and beautiful prose that plunges headlong into the deepest hurt of the physical and emotional. It is truly a book that will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page of the last story.

This is a collection of twenty stories written by the immensely talent Damien Angelica Walters. Twelve stories are works she’s already published and eight are brand new to this collection. And each of them tell stories that walk the world of horror and fantasy.

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Book Review: Severance by Chris Bucholz

January 16th, 2015

Severance by Chris Bucholz is available on Kindle and in paperback.

This is exactly the kind of book I love––a science fiction that’s super fun to read. I laughed and laughed at the adventures of Stein and Bruce and was quite sad when the story ended. As in all great books, I wanted it to go on and on.

Set on a generation ship in the last stages of its trip to a new world for colonization, this novel dives deep into the pitfalls of what would happen if thousands upon thousands of people spent two hundred plus years crammed into a ship in space. Included is a most deliciously twisted government that goes head to head with a righteously convicted military and all the little people stuck in between.
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Short Story Review: Captive Girl By Jennifer Pelland

June 4th, 2013

I don’t normally review short stories on my blog simply because I read so many of them that taking the time to do a review for each story would leave no time for writing my novel, but Captive Girl by Jennifer Pelland was such an amazing read, I couldn’t help taking the time to do this post. Yeah, the story is that good, and so felt the strong need to share.

Captive Girl is a science fiction short story, but not like most science fiction stories I’ve ever read. It has a fresh slant to the age old story of sacrifice, duty, and love. Alice makes great personal sacrifices in order to protect her world from an impending threat from the skies. Her life choice leaves her in physical pain and a mutilated distortion of what she once had been, but all for the greater good, or so she thinks. Even as Alice carries out her heavy burden of duty, she longs for the thing she can never have; Love, acceptance, and a physical connection with another human. Be prepared for an incredibly emotional journey of heart wrenching sacrifice that will leave you asking yourself… What would you do for love?

If you like well developed characters and emotionally charged stories, this is something to check out. You don’t even need to be a science fiction lover to enjoy it. The best part, Captive Girl is running a free promotion on Amazon, so now is the chance to get it. Check it out and see what you think. Based on this one story, I have personally fallen in love with Jennifer Pelland’s writing and look forward to reading more of her work.

Want to read more Jennifer Pelland too? Check out her website to find her work, or go to Apex Publications.
Book Review: Dark Faith Invocations

January 20th, 2013

I am currently reading an anthology that I’m just loving and thought I’d share. Dark Faith: Invocations an anthology of 26 stories with authors like Tim Waggoner, Max Allen Collins, Jennifer Pelland, and Tom Piccirilli. These stories test the faith and expose the soul as they delve into the world of giant Buddas, human machine robotnicks, a man renting an apartment in God’s head, the cost of expelling one’s soul, and so much more. Reading each story is like opening a brand new shiny treasure of deep characters, strong emotion, and beautifully crafted worlds.

You can also join me and others as we spending the next few weeks discussing each story on Goodreads. I’ve been enjoying the chance to chat with others about these remarkable stories. It’s been a fun and enlightening experience as I get a chance to hear other people’s impressions and have the opportunity to share mine.

Category: Apex Publications

Book Review: Machine by Jennifer Pelland

Book Review: Sing Me Your Scars by Damien Angelica Walters

Book Review: Severance by Chris Bucholz

Short Story Review: Captive Girl By Jennifer Pelland

Book Review: Dark Faith Invocations