AUTHOR
PEN
Science fiction and fantasy
5-stars: Better than a Saturday night date!
By Trent on November 17, 2014
Format: Paperback
I needed a weekend getaway. I was transported from Atlanta to Washington, D.C as I read “Nero’s Fiddle.” I began reading the novel in a hot bubble bath at 6 pm Saturday and was so riveted I could not stop reading until Sunday morning at 9am…636 pages later!
Pen’s book is a blend of reality and imagination, historical and supposition, unafraid to confront any controversial issues. Since I live near the origin of the story, Stone Mountain, the first chapters had an Orson Wellsian effect because the events described were so believable. So creepy that I got out of my cold bubble bath and headed under the covers in the safety of my bed.
I have long suspected that my female friends who are former Marines have a strong resolve and a bit of a mystery to their pasts. Good mothers, difficult to believe that these attractive women that ever went through boot camp hell. Do not underestimate them! The main character, Captain Beverly Mossberg is one of those private, beautiful, and little bit crazy people…even her children had no idea who their momma was!
Contemporary issues such as PTSD, military actions, and equal rights (race, sex, religion and sexuality) are all handled deftly…if only the author was a politician! References to modern day television shows, movies, and even WalMart make the reader feel like they were hanging out with their own friends. Educational – are you a science or history geek? – you even feel smarter after tackling this volume. Pen even inserts herself into the story – a Hitchcock-like cameo. Comedy, suspense, dealing with teenagers, travel, everyone will find a reference to relate to themselves. Packed with so many different scenarios, I am afraid to give out any spoilers…(okay, cannibals)!
Have a fun weekend (or longer) curling up with “Nero’s Fiddle”!
5-stars: Can humanity survive an EMP attack? A great book for writers and readers.
By T. W. Barton on November 9, 2014
Format: Kindle
At the heart of this book is the heroine, Beverly Mossberg. A former Marine sniper suffering from PTSD and a divorced mother of two, who's tasked with saving the country following an EMP attack.
As you can guess from the premise of the book, there is plenty of action, a fair bit of it of the disturbing kind. It's not difficult to believe that during such an event, a fair number of humans would lose their humanity. Humans have never lost that little part of their brains often referred to as the "lizard brain" developed back in the cave man days when humans were snack packs for the dinosaurs. The lizard brain is only concerned with survival at any cost.
Sharing the journey of our heroine through the horrors that humans are capable of are her 9 yr. old son, a bright and intelligent soul, her 12 yr. old daughter with a chip the size of Texas on her shoulder, and a complete stranger that decides Beverly is just the person needed to get her back home.
There's a host of characters as we progress from Georgia to Washington DC. Some, who show that God and humanity can shine even in the darkest of times and some, who show that evil is always present and willing to prey on the weak and willing.
The roller coaster ride of adrenaline through this book will keep you turning page after page. I have to say that what impressed me the most about this book was the author's writing skills. While there is plenty of action this book is mostly dialogue driven. Realistic dialogue is a skill that often eludes authors and results in stilted and sometimes unrealistic character conversations. Not so here.
Great dialogue makes you form a clear mental image of the characters as if you're right there with them. I could feel the anger, fear, despair, and joy of the characters throughout this book. You can imagine the faces of the characters as they are gripped by raging anger or blood chilling fear. My mind supplied the audio effects of the shrill screams and the bubbling laughter.
This book is highly recommended for new authors for a great example of writing skills.
5-stars: Great read -- don't miss this book!
By P. Weaver on October 27, 2014
Format: Paperback
Once I picked up this novel and began reading, I didn't want to put it down. Yet, when I neared the last chapters, I almost began to read more slowly, because I didn't want it to end. This is a one-of-a-kind adventure that will captivate readers of all genres. I loved the characters -- and hated the villains with a passion -- and felt like I was making the entire trip with the cavalcade of them. "Nero's Fiddle" is smart, funny, devastating, mysterious, rich with description and layers, terrifying and fascinating all at once. It features strong characters, particularly women, and surprises at many turns. Pick up this book -- you won't be able to put it down. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for writing an honest review of it.
5-stars: Phenomenal read...very engrossing!
By Amazon Customer on November 18, 2014
Format: Paperback
Phenomenal read! I too spent every spare moment reading this book. The plot is enthralling, the characters well developed and the action was non - stop. I found myself routing for Bev and her rag tag band of soldiers and... (no spoiler am I, lol) the only thing I wished for at the end was some happiness for Colt...perhaps, Pen, a sequel is needed.
5-stars: I recommend this book to anyone looking for some quick paced ...
By Kim on December 3, 2014
Format: Paperback
This book quickly drew me in and kept me turning the pages. It really made me think about how everyone would react if that really did happen?! I recommend this book to anyone looking for some quick paced thought provoking action.
5-stars: A Must Read!
By Louise Cook on January 31, 2015
Format: Paperback
Just finished the book by Pen about a post-apocalyptic world that was the result of a very real threat that we face --- an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack. I really liked the book for several reasons. First, there are few true suspense novels where the two main characters are women. Secondly, unlike Dean Koontz and James Rollins, there is no hero to battle to the end and save the day at the last minute. The EMP attack has already occurred. The heroines have to struggle against great odds to make sense of what's happened and how to save those who survive the attack and its aftermath. Finally, this book is about a real, not imagined, threat that could actually happen. While there are many opinions about what might happen if an EMP occurred, there are few, if any, emergency management plans in place should one actually occur.
5-stars: I Could Not Put it Down
By Lane on December 22, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Nero’s Fiddle is one of the finest works of Realistic Fiction written by any Contemporary American author. It will have you mesmerized with action and dramatic probability from the beginning. Although it may be in the class of Cussler and Clancy, it has a unique voice that captivates both male and female readers. This work reads easily, but it is not one to be forgotten quickly. You will want to read it again.
5-stars: Definitely A Page Turner!
By Kay Mozley on December 4, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Definitely a page turner! I'm giving it as a gift to all my sci-fi loving friends. Only this is really NOT science fiction! The premise is so real it's a bit scary to even think about it. Love the heroine in this book. I once wanted to be Ripley (from Aliens) but now I want to be Beverly!