Raw Earth Ink
Spit mixed with dirt – Muddy words flow
Book Review – Elk by Jacob Russell Dring
Available at Lulu.
I read this book as a paperback. This is an unsolicited review.
The Review:
This book is one of Mr. Dring’s older books but that doesn’t take anything away from it. I love the storyline. The main character, named Elk, wakes up with amnesia in a stranger’s home and ends up on the run searching for who he really is. It ends up in a run-down city where the law is dirty and the townspeople know it. He becomes a bit of a self-made vigilante, executing anyone he crosses paths with who doesn’t hold a sacredness for human decency as he does (such as a pimp who pimps out his teenaged step-daughter or a would-be rapist caught in the act). The situations seem to come to him by providence and he unapologetically takes care of business.
Jacob Dring’s style, as I’ve come to expect, engages you immediately from the first line and holds you until after you’ve turned the final page. I loved this story. I liked and wanted to see the bad guys get their justice. For once, to see them NOT get away with it. I won’t give away the ending… but this book is worth every minute.
My Overall Score:
This book gets 4.75/5 stars from me, with the only losses coming from some misspellings/mistakes in the storyline (such as the character leaving behind a certain gun as the scene and then later having it and then later having a different gun again). There were 8-10 in the entire book, so not too many and it was only enough to lose 1/4-star. Other than that, a tight engaging story, awesome character, awesome justice, great cover and title.
Highly recommended to those who like fast-paced fiction with justice for all.
Read more book reviews by following the Book Reviews Category.
be a good writer: read.
~tara caribou
A FINAL NOTE ON REVIEWS: it may seem that I am harsh on many writers for their editing, formatting, grammar, punctuation, etc. I do so unapologetically. First, because this is a review not a popularity contest. Second, because honest criticism should help us grow as artists.
The fact of the matter is, these things MATTER. A mathematician must use his tools and use them correctly to be an effective mathematician. A surgeon cannot simply say, “I know I can’t sew the wound closed but at least I could remove the appendix or whatever that thing is called.” Same with writers. We can’t claim to be writers yet refuse to use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. We can’t claim to be a photographer just because we know how to push the button on the camera (or phone). There’s an art to it.
So while I may appreciate the artist as a person and their words, I believe that it does us all a disservice to claim that lower quality editing is okay, whether in word, deed, or omission of criticism. Instead: believe in yourself! Believe in the power of your words! Put the effort into being the very best you can be. Ask for help. Grow and learn.
“Tiny House, Big Mountain” a novel by Patrick Gillespie
Raw Earth Ink is proud to present Patrick Gillespie’s novel, Tiny House, Big Mountain.
From the back cover: With her ex-husband imprisoned for embezzlement, the pampered Virginia Fleetman relocates to an inherited mountainside property expecting to live in a newly-finished vacation home. Instead she finds a half-finished foundation with the builder Drew Tippet and her twelve-year-old daughter Cody living inside. Drew has been planning a new life too, but after the checks stopped coming, she is forced to make the basement a refuge.
When Virginia orders Drew and her daughter out, a cascade of life-altering events inextricably binds them together. Cody’s visions and premonitions, after nearly drowning, make her wonder if anyone, including her own mother, believes her. Drew, with a broken back and ankle–and a worsening dependence on pain medication–struggles to forgive herself. Above all, if they’re to have a home before winter, all three must work together to build a house atop the foundation.
Tiny House, Big Mountain is a coming-of-age novel set in the fictional town of Brookway, Vermont where magical realism is woven with betrayal, addiction, and recovery through the bonds of friendship, family, and community.
In paperback at: Lulu, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
As eBook at: Lulu, Nook, Kobo, or Kindle.
Leave a review on Goodreads.
©️2023 | Patrick Gillespie
Patrick Gillespie can be found on his website PoemShape.
Book Review – The God Articles by Steven Colborne
I read this book as a ebook. This is an unsolicited review.
The Review:
While I don’t agree fully with all of Steven’s philosophies or conclusions, I admire his journey and his willingness to ask the hard questions. He never takes anything at face value, instead he digs in deep, searching for answers with an openness to ‘being wrong’. Often we dogmatically hold on to our personal set of beliefs due to tradition, laziness, or pride. Steven is none of these. He is fairly open about his past, his present, and his journey. This, of course, comes with struggles, stumbles, triumphs, and blessings.
I’ve been following along on his personal blog for several years and I must say that there have been a number of times he has raised a question within faith and philosophy that has made me.. uncomfortable. I like that. I like it because it challenges me. What DO I believe about that? Why do I believe it? What if…? …I’m wrong? What if… I’m right? His questions causes me to question. Sometimes I have meditated on my own answer and stood firm. Others I have altered my perceptions. There have been times I have felt, nope, he’s way off base and others where I know we stand in a minority and yet I have faith in Truth.
So here’s a collection of blog posts spanning several years. It’s an interesting set and one I don’t regret reading. Again, I don’t agree with it all, but that’s okay! The main take-away is he has once again “got me thinking”. In this day, so often philosophy is given in pre-chewed bites which don’t really offer a lot of substance. This isn’t it. If you really take your time and read each chapter and meditate on the implications, you find a treasure trove of deep thoughts. May your faith be challenged and strengthened.
My Overall Score:
I rate this with 4.5/5 stars. Easy to read chapters that are neither sophomoric nor bloated and pompous. Prepare to be challenged!
Read more book reviews by following the Book Reviews Category.
be a good writer: read.
~tara caribou
A FINAL NOTE ON REVIEWS: it may seem that I am harsh on many writers for their editing, formatting, grammar, punctuation, etc. I do so unapologetically. First, because this is a review not a popularity contest. Second, because honest criticism should help us grow as artists.
The fact of the matter is, these things MATTER. A mathematician must use his tools and use them correctly to be an effective mathematician. A surgeon cannot simply say, “I know I can’t sew the wound closed but at least I could remove the appendix or whatever that thing is called.” Same with writers. We can’t claim to be writers yet refuse to use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. We can’t claim to be a photographer just because we know how to push the button on the camera (or phone). There’s an art to it.
So while I may appreciate the artist as a person and their words, I believe that it does us all a disservice to claim that lower quality editing is okay, whether in word, deed, or omission of criticism. Instead: believe in yourself! Believe in the power of your words! Put the effort into being the very best you can be. Ask for help. Grow and learn.
In the Woods
©️2023 | tara caribou all photos by me
Book Review – The Colourblind Grief by Jude Gorini
Available at Barnes & Noble. (I could not find an Amazon US link.)
I read this book as an ARC in PDF book form.
The Review:
The Colourblind Grief by Jude Gorini follows the life of Daniel, a queer man living with double personality syndrome in his twenties and thirties. He begins by describing his life as he attempts to cover over any difficult situations or chaos or trauma with clubbing, drinking, drugs, and sex. Not recognizing how beautiful his own soul truly is, he assumes everyone around him views him as worthless and not good enough. Any time a friend or lover reaches in and shows him care and real affection; he sabotages the relationship and dives headlong into another.
Daniel doesn’t realize that he has never learned what real love is, yet he occasionally searches within himself, trying to answer why he makes the choices he does. Couple that with several seemingly wonderful relationships in which the other man is using him and leaves him, and it’s the perfect storm of unmet needs to truly be understood and accepted, self-hatred, self-doubt, and mistrust towards others.
Eventually, Daniel comes to realize that he must stop drinking and doing drugs, when tragedy strikes his best friend. He becomes sober and really begins to explore his perceptions and his reactions to both negative and positive stimuli. In this self-exploration, he learns there is a separation between emotions and intellect and he must choose carefully which he follows.
This was a deeply moving story which pulled me in right from the start. My heart broke reading about his life and all that he experienced as well as what he brought on himself. But what really brought in close was I could feel his heart. I wanted the best, the good things. I wanted him to break free and realize his potential. I wanted him to know true love, both giving and receiving. Daniel clearly could not see what a beautiful soul he was and it’s evident, as he responds to a lover who says, upon learning of some of his past trauma, that Daniel is strong and amazing. “I never felt like a strong and amazing person. I perceive myself more as someone born to suffer. Life was treating me good at that moment, but my past was a giant chaos, full of traumas and bad choices.” I loved that introspection. Acknowledging the perception he had of himself, balanced with another’s view, as well as his own choices and unchosen trauma. This connected me to him deeper, knowing he was more than his circumstances or decisions. More than the drugs or drinking or bad parenting or mental illness.
My Overall Score:
This book gets 5/5 stars from me. Nice story length, engaging characters, great emotional balance, and writing that is easy to read without being sophomoric. Highly recommended to those who enjoy real stories of personal growth or biographical memoirs.
Read more book reviews by following the Book Reviews Category.
be a good writer: read.
~tara caribou
A FINAL NOTE ON REVIEWS: it may seem that I am harsh on many writers for their editing, formatting, grammar, punctuation, etc. I do so unapologetically. First, because this is a review not a popularity contest. Second, because honest criticism should help us grow as artists.
The fact of the matter is, these things MATTER. A mathematician must use his tools and use them correctly to be an effective mathematician. A surgeon cannot simply say, “I know I can’t sew the wound closed but at least I could remove the appendix or whatever that thing is called.” Same with writers. We can’t claim to be writers yet refuse to use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. We can’t claim to be a photographer just because we know how to push the button on the camera (or phone). There’s an art to it.
So while I may appreciate the artist as a person and their words, I believe that it does us all a disservice to claim that lower quality editing is okay, whether in word, deed, or omission of criticism. Instead: believe in yourself! Believe in the power of your words! Put the effort into being the very best you can be. Ask for help. Grow and learn.
“The Scars We Don’t See” micro-fiction by Cassa Bassa
Raw Earth Ink is proud to present Cassa Bassa’s debut book of micro-fiction and six-sentence stories, The Scars We Don’t See.
From the back cover: Cassa Bassa is an urging life-force poured into these revealing vignettes. Her accurate observations of a life pierced with innate truisms are of rich experience and variety, of challenge and collision, and you will go on Bassa’s journey with her, through the kaleidoscope of her abundant creativity, until you reach her beating heart.
Bassa writes out a multiverse of eclectic, compelling stories that describe her own experiences and her understanding of others, with an addictive, smart curiosity of humanity and what makes us really tick.
Her short stories will raise hairs on the back of your neck, have you laughing out loud and wiping away tears simultaneously. It is the marvelous gift of a natural storyteller to spirit us into these worlds, where we learn as much about ourselves as the author.
In paperback at: lulu, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.
As eBook at: lulu.
Leave a review on Goodreads.
©️2023 | Cassa Bassa
Cassa Bassa can be found on Instagram @flicker_of_thoughts and her website flickerofthoughts.com.
“Between the Verses and the Ink” poetry by Braeden Michaels
Raw Earth Ink is proud to present Braeden Michaels’ sixth collection of selected poetry, Between the Verses and the Ink.
Selected poems from each of Braeden Michaels’ first five books of poetry: The Raven’s Poison – a full collection characterizing and describing all aspects of the human condition and emotions. Stella Walker’s Acquaintances – character poetry surrounding the friends and acquaintances of a widowed woman as she reflects upon her life. Unpaved Crossroads – poetry which depicts various scenes and moments in time, with a common theme of specific place throughout. Growl from the Sun – a collection of political poetry including Michaels’ magnum opus of the same name, opining governmental and civic current events. For You, Love Always – heart-touching and emotionally moving poetry for lovers.
In paperback or hardcover at: lulu, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.
As eBook at: lulu, Nook, Kobo, or Kindle.
Leave a review on Goodreads.
©️2023 | Braeden Michaels
Braeden Michaels can be found on Instagram @braeden_michaels_author and his website braedenmichaels.com.
Spring Makes an Entrance
first she whispers, then she howls, after which she lifts her skirts and tiptoes in, her delicate footsteps leaving crocuses and fresh green shoots of sweet meadow grasses in their wake, she laughs, she sighs, and I fall in love with Spring all over again
tara caribou | ©️2023 photo and video by me
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