Monday, November 22, 2010

Book Review: Turn of the Karmic Wheel by Monica Brinkman




The Turn of the Karmic WheelTurn of the Karmic Wheel by Monica Brinkman
Publisher: All Things That Matter Press
Publish Date: August 13, 2010
204 pages
Fiction, Suspense, Supernatural





My Review:
Why I read this: It sounded interesting when I received information about the tour with Pump Up Your Book so I signed on.

How is the novel driven: Primarily character-driven because really this book is all about character.

My thoughts: I don't know exactly what I thought I was going to read when I picked up Turn of the Karmic Wheel, but after the first few page I went back and read the description and realized that I didn't quite get the premise of the book until I started reading.  I don't mean that as a criticism at all, because I think I liked this book better than what I thought it would be.  I know that is confusing.  Let me elaborate.  I thought this book was a cozy feel-good novel about Karma and character.  Trust me it's not.  It's much more than that - it has a line of suspense, a touch of horror, and a lot of supernatural that makes the book tick.  It's very interesting from the beginning.  You have good characters and bad characters.  They are fleshed out as the book goes.  And the bad characters really have horrible character.  They are pretty much selfish, uncaring people.  Then this group of characters from all over  Raleigh, Missouri begin to hear voices, some hear good ones, other hear scary things.  It's a great supernatural thriller.

I found it hard to put down and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's an intriguing storyline that revolves around character and how it affects life and others.  It has a great message to not hurt others.  The supernatural being was vague so don't think you are looking at a Christian book.  I truly think the supernatural on the good side in this book can be interpreted over many religions and the message is one for all of us - do good in life, don't hurt others and take care of each other.  Hurting others can lead to bad consequences.

I loved the book and think Ms. Brinkman did a great job developing the characters and the plot, I truly enjoyed getting to know Angela, Euclid and Karman.  There are a few typos in the book, but they are easily overlooked with a good story.  Want to try out a new author who's not with one of the major presses?  If so I suggest you give Ms. Brinkman a try - her book is fascinating and it's the first one in a series.  I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment, The Wheel's Final Turn.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:

"What goes around, comes around." Truer words were never spoken, as evidenced by the complex interactions and fates of the characters in "The Turn of The Karmic Wheel." When the residents of Raleigh begin to hear music and voices that aren't "there", and to receive frightening messages from no discernable source, it soon becomes apparent that changes must - and will - be made: to their everyday lives, to their relationships, to their bodies, and, most importantly, to their souls.

About the Author:
Check out my tour post for more information about the author and for an excerpt from the book.

FTC Information: I received this book from the author for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Tour: The Turn of the Karmic Wheel by Monica Brinkman

The Turn of the Karmic Wheel

Join Monica Brinkman, author of the paranormal suspense novel, The Turn of the Karmic Wheel  (All Things That Matter Press), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in November and December her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

My review is coming later today and tomorrow I will have an interview with Monica, stay tuned!

About Monica Brinkman

Monica Brinkman
Monica M. Brinkman lived in the Philadelphia, PA area, relocated to the California Bay, where she resided for thirty years and now resides in the St. Louis, MO area, which was the inspiration of her newest book, The Turn of the Karmic Wheel.
She views herself as a citizen of all the States, finding that people throughout the country are warm, caring and most want the same things in life, to enjoy their passions, make a living and be surrounded by those they love. In her own words, “Life is truly an adventure. I believe in giving everyone the opportunity to go after their passions in life. To not do so, creates hostility, depression and emptiness.”
A free-lance author and poet, she embraces stories that have meaning and purpose. Though a bit of a rebel, when some authors told her that no one would ever read a story set in the Missouri Ozarks, nor would they wish to read a mixed genre, that was all it took. “How dare they insult the intelligence of our readers by placing them in a box”. Off she went, and wrote this exact type of story, set in the small rural college town of Raleigh, MO. It is a mixed genre of suspense, horror, spiritutality and a touch of the paranormal. Monica is working on the sequel, The Wheels Final Turn, set in the State of California.
You can find out more about Monica and her work athttp://monicabrinkmanbooks.webs.com/

About The Turn of the Karmic Wheel


The Turn of the Karmic WheelThe Turn of the Karmic Wheel is a unique, fresh approach of how each individual’s actions in life affect the masses.
Set in the small college town of Raleigh, MO, the author delves into the psyche of several residents who live vastly different lifestyles. From the affluent to the poor, we follow each characters’ journey through life be it one of faith, self-indulgence, greed, kindness or diversity.
Angela Frank, a young wife, mother, psychiatrist and reluctant psychic, holds the key to unleashing a force more powerful than humankind has ever experienced as universal law takes hold, ultimately revealing the characters inner self, their soul. Under such scrutiny, some will face horrific consequences of their life’s actions, while others will find absolute pleasure.
From Joshua Allen, an egotistical, handsome, dashing young man to Euclid Hannigan, a simple country middle-aged retiree, you will be moved with emotion when the demons hidden deep within or the joy of gentleness and compassion surface as each characters story unfolds to a final climatic finish.

Book Excerpt

“You’ll be able to pick up the rifle tomorrow. Give me a call mid-morning. Should be cleared and ready to go by that time.” Euclid nodded and exited the store.
Harry had owned his shop for many years, seen some come in and go out in a sea of police gunfire, but, hell, he couldn’t worry about every customer who purchased a weapon. Fact was, he had given up trying to figure out man’s nature years ago. Course, Euclid wasn’t one to carry arms of any sort. He didn’t remember him ever going hunting or even showing interest in the sport. Perhaps now that he was alone in life, with much time on his hands, he had decided to take it up and save some money by providing his own meat for the table. In any event, Harry knew Euclid to be a solid citizen of Raleigh, a man with a pure heart. Yes, he was a good man and a great friend.
Harry went to the window and watched his friend walk down the street. He wondered if he should be concerned. For some reason, he felt a bit of uneasiness; just couldn’t put his finger on the why or wherefore. Aw, hell, he reasoned, it ain’t none of my business. Yet there was something eating at his mind, a voice telling him to go no further with this transaction. It was a gut feeling he couldn’t shake, a feeling that his friend and neighbor of over 30 years was not ‘quite right’. There was definitely something ‘off the scale’ about Euclid today.
A vivid image entered his mind. A vision so unfathomable he had to let it go. Harry shivered as he moved to slowly close the store’s door, continuing to watch the retreating figure kicking stones along the road, unable to shake his feelings of dread.
.


banner-bar1

THE TURN OF THE KARMIC WHEEL’S NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ‘10 TOUR SCHEDULE

banner-bar1
Monday, November 1
Book Reviewed at Five Monkies
Tuesday, November 2
Interviewed at Five Monkies
Wednesday, November 3
Guest Blogging at Five Monkies
Thursday, November 4
Book Spotlight at Review From Here
Friday, November 5
Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, November 8
Guest Blogging at Thoughts in Progress
Tuesday, November 9
Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Wednesday, November 10
Interviewed at Allvoices
Thursday, November 11
Interviewed at As the Pages Turn
Friday, November 12
Interviewed at Personovelty
Monday, November 15
Book Reviewed at Tell Me a Story
Tuesday, November 16
Guest Blogging at Tell Me a Story
Wednesday, November 17
Guest Blogging at Divine Caroline
Thursday, November 18
Book Reviewed at Stiletto Storytime
Guest Blogging at The Book Faery Reviews
Monday, November 22
Book Reviewed at My Reading Room
Tuesday, November 23
Interviewed at My Reading Room
Wednesday, November 24
Book Reviewed at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Thursday, November 26
Book Reviewed at Rundpinne
Interviewed at Emeraldfire’s Bookmarkbanner-bar1