Cherese Vines
Biography
I'd love to read a review from you. Let me know what you think of Three Weeks in May.
I was born into a military family during the late 1970s. I've lived in a number of different cities throughout my life, including Chicago where most of my family resides. Although I have a background in Journalism, my love of reading fiction led me to creative writing pursuits. I have incorporated my experiences and travels into my writing, which include young adult fiction, science-fiction, and fantasy. I currently reside near the Atlanta area with my husband and two children.
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Books
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Smashwords book reviews by Cherese Vines
- Lately, and My Dreams
on Feb. 02, 2012
Hilarious book. I read this quickly in two days. This book has a lot of things in it I wish I could say aloud. Good writing. I loved the sisters' relationship. And those crazy dreams reminded me of some of my own. Definitely recommend this book for some good laughs and maybe find out what your dreams mean.
- Snow White and the 7 Vampire Hunters
on Feb. 22, 2012
The title and the cover caught my attention. I'm always on the lookout for fairytales retold these days. I saw that it was a short piece so I took the time to read it. I'm not sure if this is a real story or an outline. If it is an outline, this has a lot of potential, however I did not care for the ending. Nothing is resolved for Snow, but then again she is living without a purpose. Also there are loose ends with several characters: Livvie and Artie to name two. The 7 vampire hunters could've been fleshed out for some great characters. But because there were numerous grammar errors, I will assume that this story is like an outline and I look forward to a more in-depth story with a better ending.
- The Last Stop
on Feb. 22, 2012
Enjoyed it very much. Simple and creative look at something that many wonder about. There still is that wonder at the end, but satisfied with the ending.
- The Other Slipper
on March 12, 2012
May contain spoilers, but not details.
The Other Slipper by Kenechi Udogu
The story begins with the preparations for the great ball where (Cinder)Ella will meet her prince and live happily ever after. However, this story is not about her. It is about Jo, and to a certain extent, her brother Ron. When Jo stumbles across a pumpkin and glass slipper and takes them home, she alters her destiny. When the slipper starts to hum for its mate, Jo is forced to accept the rumor about Ella and an enchanted slipper. Hoping she can just return the slipper and go back to normal, she seeks out Ella who is now living in the palace. However, Ella's godmother Arla tells Jo that she must now return the pair to their rightful owner, the Lady of Ould. Jo can no longer doubt the existence of magic as everyone has heard of the great and powerful Lady of Ould. So in the company of her protective older brother Ron, Jo begins a journey that reveals truths about her family origins that expand her small world and leaves no doubt that magic does exist.
I was hooked right away. The author presents a good description of Jo as the too-tall awkward teenaged girl. The reader is immediately endeared to her. Although Jo can be frustratingly stubborn at times, her stubbornness does push the story forward. The story is an easy and quick read that keeps you interested. In one scene, Jo and Ron meet a stranger named Locke who offers to accompany them on their journey as protection when they are attacked by someone trying to take the slippers. When Locke reveals who he really is, the passage only explains the symbol he shows them and then the chapter ends. The reader doesn't find out what this all means until several pages later, and by then new surprises spring up to keep you reading.
Some of the explanations of characters' history are a little confusing. Others are long and seem a bit awkward for characters to be narrating them. I would have liked a little more "he said" or "Jo said" because in places it took longer to figure out who was speaking until the end of a long passage of dialog. There are grammar issues but not too distracting.
The description and consistency of prose really involves the reader. Jo's character is really perceptive on facial expressions, letting the reader "see" the reactions of other characters. Also, the humming of the slippers does not end when they are reunited and at first the constant reminder of this fact annoys, which is exactly what it's doing to Jo throughout the book until it just becomes background noise, again like Jo's experience. Great device to bring the reader in.
The ending, although neatly tied up left me desiring a bit more from Jo and the antagonist. There does seem to be room for a sequel. I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, or 7 out of 10. Good reading for those who like fairy tale spinoffs. But don't be confused, this is an original story and not a retelling.
