Alan James

Website: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AlanJames

alternate history    detective genre    flying saucer    h    mystery detective    mystery suspense    police    roswell incident    science fiction    steam punk    steampunk science fiction    ufo    ufo coverup    ufo crashes   

• Ether on May 16, 2011
  
  As Dickens once said; "These are the best of books, these are the worst of books". (He didn't say thaaaat, did he?) This little nugget falls onto my "best of books" shelf. While the premise for her book is not completely original (see "the Lost Room", a TV mini-series from 2006) Kristine does enough with it that I didn't care. (And it's always possible that she had been writing this book since before 2006). One of the first things that make me put a book down, is bad dialog. This author has developed very good dialog writing skills. She keeps her story moving nicely (you don't find yourself cringing, like in some books where you can become thoroughly convinced that the conversation there-in can't be coming from real humans). My only (all-be-it very mild) complaint is that I would like a little more gadgetry in a "SteamPunk" story (although there was a hint at a budding romance). In this case, I will let it slide. So, do I give four stars, or five? I was thinking four and a half, but, since there is no button for that, I'll give the benefit of the doubt--- Five. I see this author has other offerings. I will definitely try one, or two, or........
  
• Keeper on July 04, 2011
  
  This is the second book of Kristine Williams I have read. It is a great start to a series. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and again, her attention to dialog was wonderful (a must, if a book is to be deemed readable). I don't do book reviews with spoilers, so, just let me say; there is a nice twist near the end. I am sure you will enjoy this book as much as I am sure I will enjoy the next in the series.
  
• Madness on July 31, 2011
  
  I liked the first book in the series very much, but, book number two is a different story (no pun intended). Miss Williams seemed like a different author this time around. The book started well, and I had great hopes, but (there's that word again), it started to 'drag on' towards the middle and ending, giving the impression that She was having trouble filling pages. Her saving quality is that she is an excellent writer. The format, spelling, grammar, etc. is very well done, but this attempt left me slightly disappointed. I have given her five stars in the past. Also, I cringed a couple of times as the relationship between the lead characters started (in my mind) getting a little too close ... a little too feminine for my liking. I believe it was unintentional on the author's part and might have been the result of HER perspective. Anyway, I like my male leads with no doubt as to their manhood. Having been pleased with this authors past works, I will try book three in the series. I have given four stars here, but it could read anywhere from three and a half to four and a half.
  
• Bradley's Ghost on Feb. 16, 2012
  
  The story line in Bradley's Ghost is its redeeming quality. It would have been a great read if the author had a little better grasp of dialog skills. The dialog here was contrived, bordering on 'hokey'. People don't pat each other on the back nearly as often as portrayed here. Repetitive dialog passages became apparent quickly. Another example of repetitive action was the line 'all hell broke loose', used four times in these pages. A little care to use different descriptive passages would help immensely. Again, the author had a great idea for a story, but, the execution needs work. If you can overlook that, then give it a try ... you might like it.