My Blog

Retirement. Publishers, thank you for the many years of reading pleasure you gave me, but all good things must come to an end. Due to failing eyesight I am forced to retire. I can no longer review your books, and any that you send will be donated to the local library, unread. Do not send any more. I can only read for a couple hours every day, and this does not allow me to finish a book in reasonable time. I will be devoting time to my own books from now on, and reading on a personal level. Books that interest me. I prefer paperbacks and hardbacks, not eBooks. My eyesight has been failing the last few years, and I cannot handle hundreds of review books any more. My books are still available for review. Anyone interested in reviewing any of them, they are found in the Link to Tom’s Books On Amazon. Contact me for pdf copies at fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Bad Moon Rising


“Bad Moon Rising” by Tom Johnson

The short novel of a Recon Team and the dangers they faced in Vietnam. These soldiers weren’t heroes, they were only men who wanted to survive and go home. This is a collection of short episodes facing the fictional combat team led by SSgt Martin at the height of the war. Some things you may not have known about the Vietnam War.

Now available on Amazon Kindle at $.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00872JTVO

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Infernal Buddha


The Infernal Buddha (Doc Savage)
By Kenneth Robeson (Will Murray & Lester Dent)
Altus Press www.altuspress.com/
ISBN #978-16182770597
302 Pages
Price $24.95
Rating 5-Stars

During Japan’s occupation of China, a Buddhist Monk discovers a weapon so destructive it could bring the world to disaster. When Mark and Mary Chan escape with a “toe” of the deadly “thing”, it starts a rollicking adventure that will soon bring in the Man of Bronze, Doc Savage. But before even the mighty superman can save mankind he encounters pirates, cutthroats, and the Japanese fleet.

All I can say is wow! The book starts out with a fantastic cover by Joe DeVito, and then heads full steam into the action, never ceasing in wild adventure to the final page. Even Doc Savage is captured numerous times, and seems destined to fail at every turn. The author’s writing is superb, and he has taken Lester Dent’s notes and turned them into one of the best Doc Savage adventures to-date. We may have loved Lester Dent, and his creation Doc Savage, and the formula he used for the adventures were fantastic, but I think Will Murray has succeeded in turning Doc Savage into his own.

“The Infernal Buddha” lives up to all the expectations. The best so far!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Widow's Might


Widow’s Might (Dark Mystery)
By Sandra Brannan
ISBN#978-1-60832-373-9
Greenleaf  Press www.gbgpress.com
287 Pages
Price: $14.95
Rating 5-Stars

“Solid writing, and a thrill on every page!”

No sooner has Liv Bergen been rescued from the clutches of the murderer in “Lot’s Return To Sodom”, than she’s thrown into the Crooked Man murder investigation. A series of brutal killings have occurred over the past twelve years, leading the FBI to suspect a serial killer in the Deadwood, South Dakota area. And it strikes close to home to Liv, whose sister has rescued an elderly woman from a Hospice care where an attempt has been made on her life. Special Agent Streeter wants Liv to join the FBI, and she stays close to them during the investigation, placing herself in danger to help others.

The author has created interesting characters, with deep plots and intriguing human monsters preying on innocent victims. Definitely a page-turner, and the description of the scenes around the Black Hills of South Dakota are done with picture-perfect finesse. The reader will thrill to the investigators’ search for the Crooked Man, while hoping they catch the killer before he strikes again. The next time his victim may be too close to Liv Bergen!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

NYC Book Show


COME TO THE BOOK SHOW!
The 24th annual
New York City Collectible Paperback &
Pulp Fiction Expo,
our big 2012 book show will be held
Sunday, October 14, 2012,
at the Holiday Inn at 440 West 57th Street in NYC in the BIG ROOM on the first floor.
 
A limited number of 6’ and 8’ tables available but email for tables asap, as they go fast.
 
Admission: Preview (8am) $10; General (9am - 3pm) $5; After 3pm FREE
 
Confirmed Guest authors and artists so far include:

CHARLES ARDAI, award-winning crime author and editor of the Hard Case Crime series.
 
LAWRENCE BLOCK, legendry mystery and crime author, creator of the Matt Scudder series & more!

ED BALCOURT, renown artist rep who was a key player in paperback cover art and pb publishing.
 
VICTOR BANIS: vintage 60s soft-core author of classic gay eroticia and sleaze paperbacks!
 
ANN BANNON: vintage Gold Medal author of classic lesbian pulp novels!

MARCUS BOAS, fabulous fantasy artist who will display some of his wonderful paintings!
 
CAROL BUGGE, author of many fine mystery novels and fine Sherlockian pastiches!

RON GOULART, master storyteller, SF writer, pulp and comic book scholar.

C.J. HENDERSON, well-known hard-boiled crime, fantasy and horror author.

MORRIS HERSHMAN, original Manhunt author and also Midwood Books author as Arnold English.

MARVIN KAYE, famous fantasy author and renown Sherlockian anthologist and editor of Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine andWeird Tales.
 
MARIJANE MEAKER: Classic Gold Medal author who wrote crime as Vin Packer and lesbian novels as Ann Aldrich, and many other fine bestsellers!

ANNETTE & MARTIN MEYERS, mystery author couple, who also write as Maan Meyers.
 
JOHN NORMAN: Bestselling science fiction author and creator of the famous GOR series!

S.J. ROZAN, crime author and creator of the famous Lydia Chin series and much more.
 
JASON STARR, author of many excellent crime and noir thrillers.

STAN TRYBULSKI, hard-boiled crime author with many fine books to his credit.
 
F. PAUL WILSON: famed science fiction & horror author, creator of the Repairman Jack series!

KEN WISHNIA, hard crime writer, as well as popular historical mystery author.
 
Guest signing times will be posted on our website, www.gryphonbooks.com and also on the Program given out at the day of the show.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Views Of The Past


Views Of The Past (Pictorial History)
Downtown Wichita Falls, Texas
By Julie Williams Coley
ISBN #978-1470042776
Price: $22.95
337 Pages
Size 8.5 x 11
Rating 5-Stars

This book was a visual time machine, taking me back to Wichita Falls where I spent my formative school years from 1947 to 1956, from age 7 to 16. I attended San Jacinto, Carrigan, and Reagan. From 1947 to 1950, we lived on Ohio Street in downtown Wichita Falls, where I often played barefoot on the hot sidewalks, and my Saturdays were spent at the Gem and Tower theaters. 

Containing pictorial chapters from the 1930s through the ‘80s, as well as chapters on movie theaters, car dealerships, sidewalk photos, and others, the book features 375 pictures from the past, bringing a flood of old memories never truly forgotten to those once touched by the early days in Wichita Falls.

For me, I was able to see the building where we lived for those three years on Ohio Street; or at least, I knew it was one of the two in the picture. And to again visit the Tower Theater, where I watched so many Saturday Matinees in my youth. If there could be a downside to this book, it would be the many pictures yet found and absent from the publication. We can only wish for a second volume to compliment this one. I hope that everyone who looks through this book will be encouraged to search old boxes for family photos, and then contact the author of this book.

A wonderful contribution to the history of Wichita Falls!