Sex, Death & Honey - Review

Reviewing books isn't something I generally do, and not something I'm overly comfortable with, but certain books strike a chord with me. In the past I have rated a book based on stars (Goodreads) or 'liked' a title (Amazon) that I particularly enjoyed. As a reader I have never put much thought into it. But it occurs to me that this is something I should be doing. Writers invest countless hours and months punching out stories for our entertainment, the least we can do is to let them know how they performed. 

But instead of writing negative reviews, I will only be writing reviews on books that I enjoyed. As a writer (who will no doubt receive his fare share of both) I find it hard enough to critique another writer's work, let alone have the balls to tell them (and the world) that it sucked. If you want that kind of thing, there are plenty of places to look. You won't find it here.

I am going to try and make a habit of posting the occasional review of books I find interesting. Perhaps with practice it will become easier. And hopefully my views will help steer other readers to books that I enjoy.

Anyway, below is my review of Brian Knight's recent release Sex, Death & Honey. Enjoy.

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Why did I blitz through Brian Knight’s Sex, Death & Honey in one short sitting? ‘Cause the man can write one hell of a fast paced, kick-arse, compelling novel, that’s why. Doesn’t matter whether it’s dark and bloody, a young adult’s fantasy come true, or a crime thriller like SD&H. The guy has writing talent in spades.

But the number one reason why I loved this book? Characterizations. And what makes his characters so damned appealing? They are all flawed to hell. Now, I’m not suggesting there’s anything amiss with the writing, on the contrary. What I’m saying is that the people that populate the pages of this book are real.

Take Butch Quick, the protagonist. Sure, he’s huge, he’s strong, but he’s not the most attractive fellow, and also not the luckiest. In fact, I’ve never seen a character befall such unfortunate outcomes in a book before. And I love that. To me it breathes a sense of reality into the work. But his multiple professions: bounty hunter, bouncer and repo man also whisks me off to a fictional realm, one I hope never to encounter.

Apart from the characters themselves, the writing is excellent. I’ve been a fan of Brian’s from the get-go, and he is yet to disappoint. This recent foray into crime-thriller appears to be very fluid. And it suits him. From seedy back-alleys, to car chases, to shoot-outs with crooked cops and scumbags alike, Knight writes as if he’s lived the tale himself.

There’s humour, there’s action, there’s the sexy dame; it’s got it all. Only problem I had was I didn’t want the story to end.

If you haven’t read Knight’s work, I highly recommend you do so. Now.

If you have, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with Sex, Death & Honey.

It’s a hell of a ride.

Third Time's A Charm?

See Williams there? That's me. See his lovely third wife? That's a book deal I just signed.

That's right, it's happening again. This time with an Aussie publisher. Except this time, it's going to happen.

What makes me so confident? Well, apart from this publisher having already printed works from other Aussie authors such as Steve Gerlach and Brett McBean, I trust them. There were no bullshit promises, unrealistic deadlines or release dates, just pure honesty; a welcome change, in light of previous publishing let-downs.

You may sense a little caution in my voice. You would be right, to a point. I'm a realist, first and foremost. Anything can happen. My publishing history has proven that. But still, even though I've suffered a couple of crippling set backs, I have every confidence in these guys. I'm just not screaming from the rafters. Not yet, anyway.

There's also another reason for this: the book, Topsiders, won't be out for a while. At this point, due to a hectic publishing schedule, the release date is sometime late 2013, possibly early 2014. It's hard to fathom a wait that long, for writer and reader alike. And many of you would probably say to hell with it, find someone else. But I've travelled that road, and look where it took me? I quit writing for a time after each book deal fell over, mainly because I felt like such a fool, telling anyone who would listen that 'I have a book coming out' and 'I'm a writer'. Not the only reasons, of course, but the thoughts in my head amounted to the same conclusion: Maybe I'll never be published; Maybe I'm not good enough. Maybe I should quit right now.

Those thoughts were always destined to fade. There's nothing quite like the thrill of writing. For me, anyway.

Besides. Both the deals that fell over were through no fault of my own. Just plain dumb luck. And I'll be honest, reading over those two books, I don't think they were good enough anyway. Always a strong believer in fate, I'm starting to think this was the plan all along.

I'm rambling. Hey, it's a blog, right?

Anyway. The contract has been signed and now the waiting game begins. Strangely, I'm not concerned. The news has only served to strengthen my resolve. My writing regimen has changed as a result. I'm back to writing every weekday, every chance I get. I'm now over halfway through my next novel. I have interest in it already. Things will get better from here on out.

I'll be sure to update this more often. Now that I have something to say ;)

Cheers, and thanks for reading. 

ST

New Beginnings

I know, I know, I've neglected my blog once again. But that's life for you, constantly getting in the way.

Not only that, there hasn't been much to report. No point in rambling on about nothing at all. There's already far too much of that on the inter-webs.

Apart from the day-to-day activities of a writer/father, and the fact that I was laid off from my daytime job, things have been pretty hectic. More so now as the hunt for another job continues. I hear my writer friends cheering in jealousy at the prospect of almost unlimited free time to write. But the reality of it is I have to find a job. It's fantastic having the extra time to sit down at the keyboard and punch out great fiction, but unfortunately it doesn't pay the bills. At least, not yet.

Nothing to report as far as publication goes, but that's okay. Time and a little patience will change that.

Anyway, I better get back to it. This little side detour has been great, but there are stories to be written, beasts crying out, anxious to be heard. And the last thing I want is to keep them bottled up inside.

Until next time.

ST

Hello all,

It's been a while. But with good reason.


The deal fell through (yep, that's twice now) and once again it had nothing to do with the content. I won't go into the details only to say that at least it had nothing to do with what I had written. 


I'm beginning to think I'm cursed.


But I'm sure there's thousands of other 'horror' stories from other writers. Knowing that doesn't help, doesn't ease the sting. 


It's been almost three months since I received the news. I guess that's how long it's taken me to get over it. Still not sure that's the truth. In that time I've written less than two thousand words. I've swapped jobs to one that affords me almost zero time to write (and less money, I might add). I'm only now sensing what's been going on, what's been occurring around me, blinding me, hobbling my creativity and spark, not only for writing. 


Writing isn't something I'm about to give up on, I love it too much. Rather it's more like an extended break. A few months might not seem like a great deal, but to someone that wrote five days a week , going cold-turkey for this long is a very strange, very unique and unsettling experience.


Where I left off has me in between editing Bad Blood, editing Double Insight, and writing a new, as yet untitled novel. This new piece has me steering towards Sci-Fi/Horror, something that is very close to my heart. The urge to return to my partway written story is there, and some days I almost make it, but so far there is always something else in the way, something supposedly more important.
But I know the day won't be too far away.


Anyway. My short-ish fifty-thousand word novel TOPSIDERS is with a new publisher. I know it's good, but whether it's a match, only time will tell. 


Hopefully I'll be back soon with some good news.


But then again, it might be best to wait.


ST 

Scaryminds Reviews Festive Fear: Global Edition!

http://www.scaryminds.com/reviews/2011/book105.php

Review site Scaryminds has given an extremely positive editorial for Festive Fear: Global Edition, in which my story Dear Santa appeared. 

They had this to say:

Scott Tyson, who has immediately gone on my Christmas Card list, brings the house down with the wonderfully perverse Dear Santa, a story told through letters to the big jolly fellow. Excellent stuff that made the collection worth reading on it's own. Tyson deserves a lot of accolades for this exercise in undermining childhood memories, not that I’m saying I wrote a lot of letters to Santa of course. 

As Scaryminds reports, all copies have long since sold out from the publisher, but I couldn't be happier with their review. 

For the full report check out their website: http://www.scaryminds.com/reviews/2011/book105.php

ST 

My YouTube channel goes live!

And to kick things off I have uploaded the infamous (and almost impossible to find) Lake Mountain trailer filmed many years ago, featuring narration by Australia's own Steve Gerlach! 
Listen as Steve guides you through the scenes where the novel took place, giving a rare sneak peek at where the horrifying events unfolded. 


But this is just the beginning.


Stay tuned, and hey, why not subscribe to my YouTube channel for future excitement!

You won't be disappointed.


ST

Festive Fear: Global Edition

Copies of Tasmaniac Publications' FESTIVE FEAR: Global Edition are out and about. My short story Dear Santa features alongside fourteen others from around the globe. Sold out pre-publication, copies are still available through the Horror Mall: http://www.horror-mall.com/FESTIVE-FEAR-GLOBAL-EDITION-limited-edition-paperback-p-21016.html

Anyone wishing to read this fine collection better get a move on, once it's gone, you'll be wishing you had.