Book Review- Midnight Rain by James Newman

If I'm a sucker for anything, it's a great coming of age story. It, A Boy's Life, The Traveling Vampire Show, December Park, Stand By Me, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Something Wicked This Way Comes... Get my drift?  These are all vastly different, but the same recurring element will often show up in these stories... A young protagonist is suddenly forced into a very adult situation where they must make very adult decisions. From now on, I will be adding James Newman's, Midnight Rain, to the list above. 

This is a real deal, no holds barred mystery/thriller that packs a punch from the get-go. I am beginning to suspect that Newman is incapable of writing a novel that doesn't grab your attention right away, as this is the second book in a row that I have read by him that was capable of making me think about what was going to happen next whenever I wasn't reading it. 

When 12-year-old Kyle Mackey witnesses a violent murder at the hands of an adult that he knows to trust, his entire childhood comes to an abrupt halt as he comes to terms with what he must do, no matter how terrified he is of the outcome. This story captures the magical wonder of childhood through the eyes of a child who knows he will never believe in magic again. The story of a boy becoming a man by experiencing the worst that humanity has to offer.  

Midnight Rain is easily consumable in one sitting.  I, on the other hand, sometimes enjoy the prolonged anticipation so I will purposefully walk away from a book like this for a bit. Not too long, grant you, but just long enough so I get those tingly tendrils of impatience that make you look at the book sitting so lonely on that table... perhaps just one more chapter... 

For a debut novel, you would never guess it. Newman writes with the confidence of a master storyteller, one who can't wait to shine that flashlight under his chin as he leans in silently to scream "Boo" in your ear.   

Alright, what are you waiting for? You want that feeling you got when you read It? How about A Boys Life? You know this shit is like a drug.  It get's in your blood, and once you get that first taste, you always remember it. Go ahead, stick your tongue out, the forecast is cloudy, with a chance of murder. 

Nothing good ever happens at those old shacks in the woods. 

Pick up your copy of Midnight Rain here...

Check out James Newman's Amazon page here...

Book Review- Animosity by James Newman

If James Newman were a rapper, Eminem could never say he was a Rap God. He's not, at least as far I know, and I am so glad he's not because he would have never wrote this book if that were the case. I have enjoyed some of James Newman's shorter works, but this is my first time reading something longer from him. I will punish myself later for that because this book was so much more than I was expecting. I had read some of the 5 star reviews and was expecting a good book, but I was not expecting one the best I have ever read!

Admittedly, I am easily entertained, I read a lot of books that are fun rides with lots of explicit sex, gore, cheap thrills and scares, and If I can get lost in that story for a few days, I'm pretty happy. I read this book in one day... I could not put it down for the life of me. Even though I had stuff to do, I put it off. I was too emotionally attached to this book to put it down and had to know what was going to happen next. So don't plan on doing this unless you want to get rude looks from your family while you completely ignore them for most of the day!

Andy Holland is a horror writer. He has a dark spot in his past he is not proud of, but it's something that could have happened to everyone. He manned up and paid the cost. When he finds a body of a little girl while out for a walk in his neighborhood, his past comes back to haunt not only him, but his neighbors as well. They soon become obsessed over Andy's past and the "sick" stories he now writes.

Andy is a like-able guy, he has a daughter and he argues with his ex-wife, but who wouldn't? When Newman sends trouble Andy's way, he sucks you in and makes you feel the pain that his protagonist is going through. I found myself getting angry at all the crap Andy was facing and couldn't wait for Andy to start fighting back.

Reading this book is watching a master at work. Newman makes you care about his characters. Some of them you like through the entire book, and some you really begin to hate. Soon he has you thinking of your own evil ways to kill them for their injustices against the ones you care about. The story moves fast, and it could happen to anyone, so it is easy to imagine Andy's hell as he storms through it all.

If you like a book that pulls you close, punches you in the chest, and makes you think, this book will not disappoint you in the least. Worth every penny and then some! James Newman knows what he's doing and is a top notch story teller that you won't soon forget.

Check out James' Amazon page to get this great book along with many more!

-Cory Cline