Location: Australia
Member Since: April 12, 2012
Mike McG
Books
This member has not published any books.Smashwords book reviews by Mike McG
- Christ Love
on May 06, 2012
Self indulgent assertions summarises the content of this e-book. This is a collection of assertions without any reliable or robust evidence. Accepting the claims in this little book because the evidence cited is the Bible, is like accepting that Hogwarts exists because it says so in the Harry Potter series. The only thing going for this book is that it is grammatically correct, well laid out and contains very pretty photos. The intellectual content is zip.
- Jungle Fever
on May 06, 2012
Got to page five and gave up. The description is turgid and weighed down with adjectives which seem to be used because they can be. The main protagonist's motivation is bizarre. Half-rotting bodies inflame is passions for the woman travelling with him? Give me a break.
- The Butler's Duties
on May 06, 2012
It made me laugh. Amusing and quite clever. I'd not claim it was erotic but well written and quite imaginative.
- Between the Sheets - Eighteen Short Stories from the Stringybark Erotic Fiction Awards
on May 06, 2012
There are some very quirky and clever stories among this erotic anthology. And for once this is an erotic e-book that is stylish and literary and not simply a rehashing of Penthouse Letters. The best bit about this collection is that the stories actually ARE erotic.
- Quick Reads: Kindred Spirits
on May 13, 2012
A well written and enjoyable read with a lovely message. Some of the writing is a little clunky with the reader finding out things which the writer has already obviously thought has already been told, but hasn't been. I'll look forward to reading more of Ed's material.
- The Road Home and other award-winning stories from the Stringybark Short Story Awards
on May 13, 2012
This is a wonderful anthology — one of the best I have read. The stories are very different, intriguing and provide a fascinating insight into Australia and Australian thinking. Great production quality — read beautifully on my iPad. I'm usually reticient about handing out stars, but I can't fault this one so you get the full shebang - five stars.
- Grandpa's Hot Sauce
on May 13, 2012
Quaint and moderately interesting. The style was irritating as the speaker was unclear. What in the world is hot sauce?
- A is for... Afterlife: The ABCs of Zombie
on July 10, 2012
As Zombie books go, this is a good one. It's short, well written, entertaining and quickly over (like a good Zombie attack should be). I really can't see why this genre is so popular— nothing happens in it. But at least this is quality stuff.
- Be Her Ultimate Fantasy
on July 10, 2012
I'll be kinder than Ernest. It's not a joke but a way to sell stuff. The quality was disappointing with basic grammatical errors on most pages. The plot was peculiar and unrealistic - but then most fantasy is.
- The Meat Market
on July 10, 2012
Why is this listed under erotica? The start was terrific and really led to some arousing thoughts but the ending was a real downer (quite literally). I am with Margarete Schulz in her review. It is an excellently written story but wrongly categorised. Moving it to horror would score five stars but in erotica I can only come at three.
- The Umbrella's Shade and other award-winning stories from the Stringybark Short Story Award
on July 10, 2012
A friend suggested I try some of the Stringybark anthologies as I had complained about the poor quality of many Smashwords offerings. For $1.99 I couldn't ask for better. Well written, entertaining, poignant and pretty funny (at times). A great entertaining anthology.
- Shannon and Ally Meet the Monster
on Oct. 08, 2012
A well written children's story with lots of repetition. Probably good for kids in the 5-6 range. Good messages about the environment too.
- Between Heaven & Hell and other award-winning stories from the Stringybark Flash Fiction Award
on Oct. 08, 2012
"Free-Diving" by Morgana MacLeod is the stand out story in this wonderful collection of short stories — erotic but unsettling the imagery lives with me weeks after reading the story. But perhaps it is unfair to highlight one tale. All the stories are fascinating in their own way. There are some very funny stories (eg the title story, "Between Heaven and Hell" by Annette Johnson) and some very heart-rending stories (eg "Mal's Coming for a Visit" by Rebecca Raisin. Great collection.
- The Seven Deadly Sins
on Oct. 15, 2012
These Stringybark Anthologies get better and better. This is my fourth one I have puchased and I think it must be the best yet. Containing thirty-five short stories all relating to one (or more) of the Seven Deadly Sins I am hard pressed to find a favourite. The famous Graeme Simsion (of The Rosie Project fame) is one of the winners with his terrific very short story, "Eulogy for a Sinner", but he isn't the only great writer here. Rebecca Raisin is also featured with her story of gluttony, "True South." The language she uses is superb. This is a terrific anthology well deserving of five stars.