James Hold

"First you're an unknown, then you write one book and you move up to obscurity." — Martin Meyers

I published my first book in 2004. It became an immediate collector's item. I have several hundred copies collecting dust in my attic. Critics everywhere said it belonged between Ernest Hemingway and Robert E Howard—on an alphabetical bookshelf.

My influences include Rocky & Bullwinkle, 1950s sci-fi movies, and silver-age comics.

I live in Texas with my wife and four cats. You can contact me at jamesroyhold@gmail.com.

Read more of this interview.

akkadia    avocados    buck stardust    cat of many colors    catholicism    chickens    comics    cthulhu    detective    emu    endless love    england    fantastic four    galactus    green bay football    gus hoo    horror    humor    inspector cushing    jman    jules de grandin    lovecraft    mexican horror    missing persons    murder    music    nancy drew    occult    ostrich    out of texas    paranormal    parody    pecos river    philippines    plumbing    poetry    poetry memoir    possum kingdom    pro wrestling    reboots    religion    rhunrytbai    rock and roll    satire    scifi    short story    silver surfer    skeletons    snake boy    spiders    supernatural    suspense    teleportation    texas    texas transpecos    the three stooges    thriller    time travel    titan    valentines day    weird menace    womens ficiton    youth formulas   

...and 18 more

• Seagulls Love Donuts on Aug. 23, 2015
  
  I first read this on the old AuthorStand site. It was good then and it's still good now.
  
• The Tiny Town of Hèrrre on Aug. 23, 2015
  
  I download a bunch of RGM's stuff a long time ago and only now got around to reviewing it. It's a very good story, as is most of his stuff.
  
• Super Heroes NOW! on Aug. 23, 2015
  
  This was part of a contest on the old AuthorStand site. A good story, funny, and it placed well.
  
• When My Guitar Gently Screams on Aug. 23, 2015
  
  A fun tale, creepy and with a dark humor.
  
• The Hunger and the Cold on Aug. 23, 2015
  
  This was creepy. I don't usually like this sort of stuff but I could easily picture what was going on. It was like seeing a movie, so kudus there.
  
• A Man And His Ass on Aug. 25, 2015
  
  A nice story. It works best when read aloud. If reading straight off the page I noticed a few minor errors. Not that I'm pedantic about such things but a few jumped out. A misuse of "your" and "you're." A couple of times where a period would work better than a comma. And several times where the punctuation and capitalization involving quotes was incorrect. But again, a nice story.
  
• Beware.....The Moon is Full on Aug. 27, 2015
  
  A tale well told. I could have done without the parts where the werewolf gnaws his victims, but I'm squeamish that way.
  
• A Reckless Moon on Aug. 27, 2015
  
  Finding one's soul mate takes time and patience. A lesson for us all.
  
• That Damn Moon on Aug. 27, 2015
  
  Well, as Jim Morrison said, "Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel." I see this story has a "4" while the others are "1" and "2". What happened to No 3?
  
• The Wild on Aug. 29, 2015
  
  I'm not familiar with the genres of anime or gaming, but I do like [and write about] cats so I did find this interesting. It was well-told and the characters felt authentic.
  
• Pulchritudinous Book 1 on Sep. 01, 2015
  
  Well-told. Children should enjoy this.
  
• The Incredible Life and Death of Rover the Space-Dog of Destruction on Sep. 01, 2015
  
  Humorous story about a master plan for destruction gone awry.
  
• The Moneylender Of Levantine on Sep. 01, 2015
  
  Gruesome little tale about a couple of bad guys. To say more would spoil things.
  
• The Outrageous Obnubilation of Oscar Oaks Objectification of Orbs on Sep. 01, 2015
  
  A subtle ending, a bit on the naughty side.
  
• Glassman on Sep. 01, 2015
  
  I liked the story although it felt like it left off just as it was getting started. I want to know what happens next.
  
• A Divine Tale on Sep. 04, 2015
  
  Not bad at all. The ending got me thinking about Easter Island, although I'm not sure if that was the author's intent.
  
• Twas A Good Day To Die on Sep. 04, 2015
  
  Not exactly a cheery tale, but well-told and effective. It could use a rewrite to correct some grammar issues, but those are minor. Overall a good job.
  
• A Week And A Day In The Lives Of Two Angry Young Men on Sep. 04, 2015
  
  Not exactly a silver spoon in his mouth, was it? Well done presenting two points of view. Wickedly funny.
  
• The Towering Inferno Versus The Mighty Quinn on Sep. 04, 2015
  
  A resourceful heroine vs a supernatural demon. Enjoyed it a lot.
  
• Claude The Unhappy Caterpillar/Popo The Cheeky Monkey/Sselmorg The Fire Breathing Dragon on Sep. 04, 2015
  
  This was definitely...different. It went on a bit longer than necessary, but still it entertained.
  
• The Ten Second Time Traveller on Sep. 04, 2015
  
  Cute tale. Clever ending.
  
• The Lake of Glass on Sep. 04, 2015
  
  Very, very good. It is so nice to read this type of horror story without all the jaw-breaking adjectives others throw in. Josh Shiben knows exactly the right words to use for maximum effect.
  
• The Staring Stranger on Sep. 06, 2015
  
  A weird encounter with a creep on the subway. Well-told.
  
• The Ghost Of A Chance on Sep. 14, 2015
  
  JAS presents an interesting tale. I admit I struggled with it at first, but I took a deep breath and tried again. The interesting part is that the first narrator has an unreliable memory and one needs to take that into account when reading the 2nd half.
  
• Ya Can't Catch A Kipper With A Spider on Sep. 14, 2015
  
  A funny little tale with a clever resolution. It reminded me a bit of the 'Dan Turner' stories by Robert Leslie Bellem.
  
• The Viewing on Sep. 14, 2015
  
  I liked the story but the ending felt like there should be more. I want to know what the narrator did next.
  
• The Fool and the Fiend on Sep. 28, 2015
  
  Strickland strikes again! There's enough stuff here to spawn a dozen stories. Moral is 'Don't get overconfident, no matter what the circumstances.' I enjoyed this line early in the story: 'The amount of time she'd spent creating fresh aliases and finding new places to live was one of the dirtier and mundane parts of her existence.' Something I never thought about.
  
• A Shady Murder on Oct. 06, 2015
  
  The story is okay. One complaint: you tell us the villains are "shades" but you never explain exactly what a "shade" is. Or, if you did, it went over my head. A few lines of explanation would make it better.
  
• Brother Dearest on Oct. 13, 2015
  
  Rather creepy...in a sick way.
  
• Josie's Ghost on Oct. 13, 2015
  
  A ghost story reminiscent of "Carnival of Souls."
  
• The Wellington Bureau: A Quartermain Mystery on Nov. 01, 2015
  
  An interesting story. Not bad at all.
  
• The Unforgettable Names Of the Forgotten Gods on Nov. 07, 2015
  
  Hilarious little story. Loved the ending. And "the middle finger of death."
  
• A Fools Revenge on Nov. 07, 2015
  
  Good tale. A greedy wizard's plan backfires on him. One correction: "Darafon made a packed..." The word should be "pact."
  
• The Sleeper With The Restless Eyes Who Sleeps Beneath A Sleeper on Nov. 07, 2015
  
  When I was a kid we used to play on the railroad tracks atop an embankment. My grandfolks warned us the ghosts of dead hobos who'd been struck by trains haunted the rails. JAS must have heard the story as well.
  
• The Perfect Proposal on Nov. 09, 2015
  
  I'd say she made the right choice. "I have no reason to ever except your proposal." Should be "accept."
  
• Doomsday Diary on Nov. 09, 2015
  
  Nicely told. I could see this as a TV episode.
  
• The Hole on Nov. 09, 2015
  
  A creepy little tale, although I am not sure I understand the ending.
  
• The Town that Disappeared on Nov. 09, 2015
  
  Kind of Lovecraftian, kind of Bermuda Triangle-ish. Very well told. There's some bad formatting on the PDF, but nothing too serious.
  
• The King of the Dumps on Nov. 18, 2015
  
  They must have left this scene out of the movie... Terrific job! The Brute surely met a crappy end.
  
• The Interview Room on Nov. 23, 2015
  
  Good story. Enjoyed it.
  
• Dead Man's Chair on March 14, 2016
  
  Good job.
  
• Front Land on March 14, 2016
  
  Good, but creepy.
  
• Sixty-Four Days, A Sea Story on June 02, 2016
  
  This is an excellent story. It is so grounded in real life it doesn't come across as fiction at all. Very believable and very well written.
  
• Shaping Glass: A Reality Zero World Story on June 02, 2016
  
  I liked this. It was very well-told and slightly different from the other fantasy-magic stories being produced today. Tal and Carmine reminded me a bit of Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser, which isn't a bad thing at all.
  
• Adam The Office Ninja on June 02, 2016
  
  Funny story with an unexpected ending. I wouldn't blame Graham if he did put a hit out on Lloyd.
  
• My Idea For An Ideal Heaven on July 09, 2016
  
  Funny. Progresses nicely to a inevitable, if bleak, outcome.
  
• Inhuman Freedom on July 25, 2016
  
  I'm not sure I totally grasp what's going on here but it's interesting nonetheless.
  
• Temporal Anchor (World Shards 2) on July 25, 2016
  
  Same comments here as for "Inhuman Freedom" story. There's something going on here, but I can't say what. (My fault, doubtless.) Hopefully it will clear up as the series progresses.
  
• Tunneler's Tale I (World Shards 3) on July 25, 2016
  
  Sometimes these tales are too short for me to get what is going on. It's like I'm just on the verge of getting it, but it's just out of reach. I did understand this one though and it wasn't bad at all. One might say the WS series is densely written, and this reader is a little too dense to fathom them. Highly recommended though for the challenge.
  
• Abraham on Sep. 18, 2016
  
  Honestly there's little here that a reader couldn't pick up for himself through a reading of Genesis. It's works okay if you think of it as a sermon or lecture meant to be read aloud. But as a read-only piece it could do with some editing and tightening. This is not to say there's anything particularly wrong with it. If someone is unfamiliar with the story of Abraham then this is an okay start.
  
• The Blood Calls You Back on Sep. 20, 2016
  
  Quick and breezy reading. Lots of subtle humor as the hero tries to figure out what's going on.
  
• Newcomer: Chapter 1- A Serial Flash Fiction Novel on Sep. 24, 2016
  
  Interesting start. Will wait to see how it progresses. One possible error: In the first paragraph, the character's name is "Cali." In the second paragraph it changes to "Ran." Then it goes back to being "Cali." I chalked it down to a typo.
  
• Storm on Sep. 25, 2016
  
  There's really not a lot to this story. That in its own way makes it a pleasant slice of life. Just an everyday occurrence that happens in any family, someone gets hurt and people wait in the hospital to see if they'll be okay. Lots of it is understated which makes it all the more effective.
  
• We Have To Move on Sep. 25, 2016
  
  Okay little story-poem-whatever, but the format is not very reader-friendly. At least to these old eyes anyway.
  
• Newcomer Chapter 2: A Serial Flash Fiction Novel on Sep. 30, 2016
  
  It's getting interesting. The mystery is building nicely.
  
• Newcomer Chapter 3: A Serial Flash Fiction Novel on Oct. 08, 2016
  
  Good. Just correct first sentence : "demon" to "demons"
  
• Theibes House on Oct. 09, 2016
  
  It's always nice to discover a fellow Texan on Smashwords. That aside, the story is well-told and it keeps your interest. It was well edited as well and I didn't see any spelling errors or grammatical mistakes. Good job.
  
• The Corpse on Oct. 16, 2016
  
  Definitely told from a different POV.
  
• The Beast Of Renshaw on Oct. 16, 2016
  
  Very good and effectively scary.
  
• A Family Reunion: A Different Kind of Ghost Story on Oct. 23, 2016
  
  This was a nice little tale, cute and enjoyable. However the part at the end that you labeled "Forward" really ought to be "Afterword."
  
• Not so squeaky clean on Oct. 23, 2016
  
  A fun reading experience.
  
• El Sapo Blanco Vs the Wendigo on Nov. 16, 2016
  
  Nice concept. I love El Santo. But the story is too rushed.
  
• The San Belvedere Incidents on Nov. 16, 2016
  
  Well told, atmospheric, with a suitably creepy ending. It reminded me a lot of the pilot episode of the original Dark Shadows series (on YouTube) along with some documentaries on the ID channel.
  
• Murder Mystery on Dec. 09, 2016
  
  Good story; very compact.
  
• Prey on Dec. 09, 2016
  
  Well done.
  
• My Persuasive Friend on Dec. 19, 2016
  
  I don't generally read this sort of literature, however it was told in a straight-forward manner that despite its graphic nature did not offend . The English was well-written and that is a plus.
  
• No Difference Used or New on Dec. 19, 2016
  
  Interesting closing line.
  
• Sagarika on Dec. 19, 2016
  
  Interesting although odd love story.
  
• Fanta Claus on Dec. 21, 2016
  
  Cute concept, and well-told. I felt it was a little too long for a child to sit through.
  
• Sophie's Night Life on Dec. 21, 2016
  
  Since you were kind enough to review one of my stories I want to reciprocate in kind. That said, I did not understand this one at all. The writing was clear and the narrative flowed, but I could not grasp the point. Probably my not being a 'young adult' had something to do with it. As this review does not give you a fair shake, I'll try out a few of your other stories and see how they go.
  
• Years From Now: the Reunion on Dec. 23, 2016
  
  Not a bad story. From high school, thru life, back to high school reunion. It shows things don't always turn out as expected.
  
• Misfortunes' Windfall on Dec. 26, 2016
  
  Interesting and captivating "Cinderella" style tale with mystical overtones. Two shrine keepers with supernatural abilities help out a girl. There's no real reason for their doing this -- or maybe I missed it -- but she goes along with it and things turn out well. The what and how are open to interpretation, so the readers can their own conclusions.
  
• Room 332 ( For Addicts Only ) on Dec. 26, 2016
  
  Very good story. Much unexpected humor. I should not have laughed but I couldn't help myself.
  
• The Blood Source on Dec. 26, 2016
  
  An undercover agent goes on the run utilizing a variety of disguises to bring a drug dealer to justice. A well-told procedural using several POVs.
  
• Sex Sells...Sometimes on Dec. 26, 2016
  
  Amusing encounter with a werewolf. It's a straight forward tale and, logically, doesn't make a lot of sense. Which adds to the charm.
  
• Newcomer Chapter 4: A Serial Flash Fiction Novel on Dec. 28, 2016
  
  I'm hooked on this series and plan to follow it through. Sadly I didn't see much happening in this installment. It just Cali thrashing through the woods, then falling asleep. Hopefully part 5 will pick things up.
  
• The Ten Commandments (Ten Benchmarks for Purposeful Living) on Dec. 28, 2016
  
  Interesting, instructive, thought provoking.
  
• Zora on Jan. 07, 2017
  
  The story is well told and it builds a great atmosphere but it feels incomplete. Perhaps this is the beginning of a series. I noticed what, to me, seemed like some unnecessary capitalization, "Smokey" and "Kaleidoscope." Also some comma and dash usage. Ann's bio give no hint of where she is from so I don't want to criticize since this may be how it's done in her place. A promising story and I hope to see more like this.
  
• Snake Charmer on Jan. 08, 2017
  
  Interesting tale with sufficient detail to make it real. Just another harried event in the life of a cop. I admire the hero's restraint in not shooting the old couple at the end.
  
• Heart-Shaped Box on Jan. 08, 2017
  
  Creepy tale about as creepy guy. The girl should be grateful he walked out.
  
• The Fury of Sentinels on Jan. 12, 2017
  
  I don't understand why this is tagged as 'adult' since it contains only a few mild profanities which fit the action and are not thrown in for gratuitous sake. I like the early part describing the damaged cyborg's struggle to repair itself enough to return to its crashed ship. There are a couple of confusing parts where incorrect use of quotation makes makes it hard to follow the dialogue. All in all it is a good story that keeps ones attention to the end.
  
• Paradigm Shift on Jan. 12, 2017
  
  A woman if forced to live a life she does not care for, where she is respected, but not appreciated. A young man reawakens long suppressed feelings deep inside her... A good short story where one can only feel sympathy and sorrow for the heroine.
  
• The Fog Below on Jan. 12, 2017
  
  Christian sermonette in the guise of a short story. Nothing wrong with that. One grammar point: In the opening you say "where all of her family was." I think it would be better if you'd said "where all of her family were."
  
• I Walk My Dog Every Morning on Jan. 12, 2017
  
  Man negotiates with pimp to free a prostitute. Interesting.
  
• None Cares for Me on Jan. 12, 2017
  
  Good story, but this is the same story as Akhadya's Paradigm Shift. Is the author using two names or is someone plagiarizing?
  
• Newcomer: Chapter 5 on Jan. 17, 2017
  
  "The crow was a good listener, or at least, it was really hard to tell if it wasn’t." I liked that line. In fact, I liked everything about the story. While it's still vague, the introduction of the crows brings us to a turning point where Kali is no longer roaming about with only her thoughts to tell the tale. I expect things will really pick up from here onward.
  
• Finding Mr. Harikami on Jan. 20, 2017
  
  This story is well-written and error free. Perhaps one of the best I have encountered as far as style and grammar goes. I applaud the author for his skill. That said, I did not understand a thing about what was going on. Mystery and weirdness piled atop more mystery and weirdness. There was a resolution of sorts, but I haven't a clue what any of it meant. Compelling and interesting, but completely over my head. I encourage everyone to read this. Perhaps they will not have my limitations.
  
• The Punt on Jan. 29, 2017
  
  Disagree with previous reviewer. The writing is not dreadful and is easy enough to understand. That said, it could use an overhaul. Difficulty arises when the author throws in a bunch of lots of internal dialogue and footnotes buried in brackets that tend to jumble the tale. These stylistic tricks distract from the narrative and interrupt the flow. Still it isn't all that bad and if the author is attempting to be original, then he definitely succeeded.
  
• The Arches of Orkney County on Jan. 31, 2017
  
  A good story, well told.
  
• A Chance Meeting in the Night: Joy and the Devil on Jan. 31, 2017
  
  Interesting religious tale, well told.
  
• Shadows! Oscar Petey and the Duel of Knights on Jan. 31, 2017
  
  Weird little tale of magic crossing into everyday life.
  
• Two Professionals on Jan. 31, 2017
  
  I like the author's style: short chapters that tell just enough information to get by, but don't go into overabundant detail. However, that said, I confess I did not understand the final paragraph at all.
  
• The Choice on Jan. 31, 2017
  
  I think she made the right choice.
  
• In The Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose on Feb. 03, 2017
  (no rating)
  Please publish a PDF or mobi version.
  
• The Darkness Within on Feb. 03, 2017
  
  3 tales, all very short. Some of the endings come abruptly and it's up to the reader to fill in the missing details.
  
• When Big Ben Stopped (Short Story) on Feb. 03, 2017
  
  One of those 'frozen time' stories you see occasionally in TV and movies. It's all right but I feel more could have been done with it, perhaps showing the man trying to react with the non-moving people or animals as he waits for things to sort out.
  
• Maid for a Dragon on Feb. 03, 2017
  
  Cute, funny, and clever.
  
• Reunion on Feb. 04, 2017
  
  Nice effort. A bit sappy, but no harm in that.
  
• Ud the Mortal on Feb. 05, 2017
  
  I got confused a couple of times when it focused on Ud. His multiple personalities were (to me) difficult to keep straight and I had to go back and re-read some passages. I very much enjoyed when it shifted to Mr Williams perspective. Those parts came across much clearer and one could identify with his confusion. The writing is good thought and it is worth taking the time to enjoy the tale.
  
• Sin - Rebellion Within on Feb. 05, 2017
  
  The author employs a rather loose definition of "rebels" for which some people might want to substitute their own word. That aside, the author brings up a number of good points worth pondering.
  
• Brother's Keeper on Feb. 05, 2017
  
  I had trouble getting into this at first. I couldn't understand what was going on. But I stuck with it and things sort of fell into place. It turned out to be a "not bad" story and I'd recommend it to others.
  
• Isis: Samurai Goddess on Feb. 05, 2017
  
  Interesting story of the comic book variety, action with some touches of humor.
  
• To End with Ashes on Feb. 05, 2017
  
  First tale: man makes ill-worded request. Second: man relives the past Third: man feels remorse over lost pet All are well written although I didn't catch the terror or Lovecraftian elements the previous reviewer mentioned.
  
• Room Service & Other Short Stories on Feb. 05, 2017
  
  The stories are okay but I was distracted by the way the author jumped from one tense to another. Needs to be all present or all past tense.
  
• A Guide to the Book of Nehemiah on Feb. 08, 2017
  
  A very clear and concise summary of the Bible book. A good introduction for new readers.
  
• Bianca on Feb. 08, 2017
  
  Liked this. Author showed great skill at intermingling characters.
  
• Innocence Lost and Other Stories on Feb. 08, 2017
  
  Wow. Some weird stuff here.
  
• Body and Soul on Feb. 08, 2017
  
  An interesting premise which the author handles well.
  
• Plane Crash Part-III on Feb. 08, 2017
  
  A sweet and touching tale.
  
• Plane Crash Part-II on Feb. 08, 2017
  
  Yes. Bring on part 3.
  
• Plane Crash on Feb. 08, 2017
  
  They are such a sweet couple.
  
• Abducted on Feb. 09, 2017
  
  Good story. Safer to be insignificant than the big shot everyone targets.
  
• Unexplained Disappearances: Missing Persons Cases Examined And Dissected: True Stories Of Unexplained Disappearances And Missing People on Feb. 09, 2017
  
  It just goes to show there's a lot of evil individuals in the world.
  
• Net Zero on Feb. 12, 2017
  
  This is a weird, far-out piece of fiction. It reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode where a murderer warned against having him executed or else... I've seen variations on the concept but this is one of the better ones. Well written, clear, and understandable as opposed to the kind you have to go back and re-read several times and still not know what's happening. In short, a good effort deserving your time and attention.
  
• The Eilean Mor Mystery on Feb. 12, 2017
  
  Well done, although I could see the Lovecraft elements throughout. The letter at the end wasn't really necessary, or at least the last part of the letter could have been effectively omitted, but if this draws more people to the world of HPL then it served its purpose. I've read several speculations as to what 'really' happened, but this tale offers as good an explanation as any.
  
• Suicide Forest on Feb. 12, 2017
  
  How sad and depressing that the protagonist could not find the strength to go on after an unsavory event in his earl life. A well written tale that effectively conveys the mood and sorry of the main character.
  
• Hotel Horror Story on Feb. 12, 2017
  
  Good story. Creepy events with no explanation, but plenty of room for speculation. Do wish we could have learned the mayor's connection to it.
  
• Phone on Feb. 12, 2017
  
  Yikes! Creepy and scary.
  
• Ultimatum on Feb. 12, 2017
  
  Wow. That Zaman is a real creep.
  
• Superkid and the Mutant Plants on Feb. 14, 2017
  
  I decided to give this a try since (a) it was free and (b) I've also posted some superhero fiction with my heroine Akkadia. I should have started with Book 1 to get a proper feel for the character. It's a little over the top--I suppose "camp" would be the word--but not to an annoying degree. I had a fun time reading this so I'll go back to the beginning as time permits. Good job, Lucky.
  
• Suitable Groom on Feb. 14, 2017
  
  Another good effort. I really like Mr Borah's style of writing. It is very business-like. It is short, terse, and tells us what we need to know without unnecessary fanfare. He gets straight to the point and omits all the padding others might use to extend the length.
  
• Subscription Addiction on Feb. 15, 2017
  
  Creepy, sick, and horrifying cannot even begin to describe this story. Wonderfully short and visceral. Very good job...although I don't think I'd want either character as my sweetheart.
  
• Seriously Stupid Criminals on Feb. 15, 2017
  
  All criminals are essentially stupid. The idea of a criminal mastermind is a myth. These however are some real dunderheads. Although the man who committed robbery with a cucumber should get some browinie points for creativity.
  
• Plan B on Feb. 16, 2017
  
  To Ms Moni : I have withdrawn my earlier review.
  
• Suitable Groom on Feb. 16, 2017
  (no rating)
  To Ms Moni: I apologize and withdraw my earlier comment.
  
• The Haunted House on Feb. 17, 2017
  
  A good tale, predictable but well told. It has some grammar and usage errors that need correcting.
  
• Murder On B Flat on Feb. 17, 2017
  
  The ending is fairly abrupt and there are many grammar and usage errors in need of correcting. But it is a good murder mystery and the villain isn't obvious.
  
• Minor Characters on Feb. 17, 2017
  
  At a dinner party, some writers talk about bringing their characters to life. Three characters from one author's book do just that, emerging from the book and taking possession of real people. Eventually they commit murder. Good story but some grammar and usage errors halt the flow. Best if read aloud.
  
• Pipe Smoke on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  Interesting, although I'm not sure what it means.
  
• Party Ship Of Death on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  "Heaven and Hell are outmoded concepts. This is whatever you make it." Reminiscent of an old movie "Between Two Ports." Enjoyed it.
  
• Artifact on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  A wonderful little tale. I enjoyed reading this. One slight suggestion however--the author tends to overuse some words. Here, for instance: "He went back to the other chamber, gathered all the surviving glowstones, and brought them back, then he went to the descent basket and got all the unused glowstones too. He set them all up where he thought they’d be most effective, then activated them all to maximum brightness." The word "all" could be effectively eliminated from each sentence and the text would be fine.
  
• The Thing In The Shack on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  A few yucky moments there.
  
• Invasion on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  Yes, James Jenkins is right that it's not an original plot. Few plots are original. The trick is in how well you present it. In which case Rik does as good a job as any.
  
• Selection While Waiting at the Airport on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  A cute little romance. Mr Borah teaches me so much about customs in India.
  
• My Dear Sister on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  "Envy for her pears" should be "peers." Sibling jealousy is never a pretty thing.
  
• Green Eyes on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  Score one for the cats.
  
• Incident In A Tomb on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  Lots of HPL references. I liked that.
  
• The Gold Watch on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  Well...a watch tells time...and time is treasure...so I guess it makes sense in the end.
  
• The Sitting on Feb. 20, 2017
  
  I wouldn't mind knowing how she did it myself.
  
• Why Blame Others on March 18, 2017
  
  Interesting reflection. Like the song "Margauritaville" says: "It's my own damn fault."
  
• Prey on March 18, 2017
  
  Karma at work.
  
• An Uninvited Guest on March 26, 2017
  
  The story is well told, although I would have preferred it be written in past tense instead of present. However the ending violates a no-no that has been in effect among writers and editors since the 1930s. Not that people don't continue to do it, but it really is frowned upon. Still, 4 stars for everything leading up to it.
  
• The Pirate on March 26, 2017
  
  Jack is getting himself into some deep doodoo. None of the lead characters are very likable, nor are they very intelligent, but they're engaging enough to wonder what's going to happen. The writer writes with authority on Coast Guard matters and the story moves along nicely.
  
• Three Directors on April 03, 2017
  
  Varun was a jerk. He got what he deserved.
  
• Agony of Writers on April 03, 2017
  
  Basically, the story says if we do our best, that should be reward enough.
  
• Mobius on April 03, 2017
  
  Story is all right but I kind of guessed where it was going.
  
• The Last Violin on April 03, 2017
  
  A good mystery well-told.
  
• The Southern Passover Seder: Haggadah shel Dixie on April 03, 2017
  
  A clever bit of satire.
  
• Maya's Nirvana on April 06, 2017
  
  Well told. The ending was completely unexpected.,
  
• Something In The Darkness Knows My Name on April 06, 2017
  
  Well done. The author has a good command of the English language.
  
• Turn on, Tune in, Drop Dead on April 06, 2017
  
  I'm sorry to say I didn't find this as good as the author's other work. It reads as though a different person wrote it. Basically it feels rushed. Also he needs to put the dialogue in separate paragraphs; not run several conversations in the same paragraph. Also the ending came out of nowhere and appears to have nothing to do with everything before it. Whatever the author was doing in his previous stories, he needs to go back to it.
  
• Like Lambs on April 08, 2017
  
  Didn't find this funny at all; thought it was rather sick.
  
• The Quantum Theologist on April 08, 2017
  
  I liked this. A bit of sardonic humor.
  
• Never the Twain on April 08, 2017
  
  Not bad. A bit different.
  
• Pivotal Moment on April 08, 2017
  
  I liked the opening line: "now the air wrapped the planet like a soiled blanket..." Nice bit of imagery.
  
• Newcomer: Chapter 6 on April 14, 2017
  
  Very good.
  
• Graffiti on April 15, 2017
  
  Clever little tale.
  
• Deadly Breakup on April 30, 2017
  
  Wonderful. It just goes to show the truth will come out in the end.
  
• Sand on April 30, 2017
  
  Good effort. Realistic western tone and setting.
  
• Late by Ten Years on April 30, 2017
  
  A sad tale.
  
• Murder in a Foreign City on April 30, 2017
  
  Mr Borah is a naughty man.
  
• Growing Up on May 01, 2017
  
  A nice gentle story about growing up.
  
• Harmony's Magic Pyjamas on May 01, 2017
  
  I enjoyed this. Rodgie was a good friend.
  
• Stone Cottage. Wagtail Lane on May 01, 2017
  
  A sweet bit of nostalgia...or a look ahead. I like Boots a lot.
  
• The Hungry Pig on May 01, 2017
  
  Cute pig.
  
• Storm Warning on May 01, 2017
  
  I'm glad Cus Cus survived.
  
• The Ibis & the Kitten on May 01, 2017
  
  This was a nice story. It had a strong air of realism to it and it seemed like a typical thing for a kitten to do.
  
• Snowman Amuck on May 03, 2017
  
  Competently drawn story that should find an audience with most kids and some adults.
  
• All Was Well on May 03, 2017
  
  An odd little tale.
  
• Strange Life on May 03, 2017
  
  Poor Manshi. Happiness for one comes at the expense of another. Good line: "sat on the chair like a sack of sand."
  
• A Weight Off My Chest on May 05, 2017
  
  Touching. Emotional. Heart breaking. All that and more. Nothing wasted, just heartfelt emotions laid bare.
  
• Church Girl on May 05, 2017
  
  Such a nice sentiment: "you might be my missing rib." Still poor Marcus seems to be having an awful time of it. But then, if he ever does get lucky, that'd be the end of the series. And we wouldn't want that to happen.
  
• Something Scary on May 08, 2017
  
  This brief tale is well told, but I am confused about the line: "I executed a quick rip roast." Unless the author means that his hero killed a fast-moving slice of cooked meat, it should probably be changed to say "riposte."
  
• A Bloody Mess on May 08, 2017
  
  This is a good story and it is quickly read. Style-wise I saw a few spots where sentences within the same paragraph repeated themselves, but that could be just me and I could be wrong. It's all a matter of taste. Which, for a werewolf tale, is perhaps the whole point.
  
• Alien Optimism, a Little Bigotry and Wonder on May 11, 2017
  
  What a masterful twist ending! Mr Strickland come through again with another great tale.
  
• The Sky Fell on Alabama on May 12, 2017
  
  Well researched and informative article about government interference making a bad situation worse. I heard someplace the only creature on Earth to have been killed by a meteorite was a dog in Africa. On a stylistic note, the article could be trimmed some 75 or 80 words to produce a tighter version. The author uses a lot of that's, all's, had's, and just's which could be eliminated without affecting the flow of the text.
  
• End of the line on May 14, 2017
  
  Story is all right but you need to pick one tense and stick to it. Mixing past and present tense is distracting.
  
• The Smile of Anubis on May 14, 2017
  
  5 very good stories all written in wonderful English. It was a pleasure reading this.
  
• The Farmer , Cow and Bull on May 15, 2017
  
  This was flat out surreal.
  
• The Z Gas on May 15, 2017
  
  A short gruesome war tale. I found one typo: "scrabbling" should probably be "scrambling."
  
• I Love You Darling on May 18, 2017
  
  Nice. Poem 1 asks a difficult question. Poem 2 poses a problem all fathers face.
  
• Murder Pact on May 18, 2017
  
  Good story. Good points at the end.
  
• 17+ on May 19, 2017
  
  People should not imitate what they see in the movies.
  
• Past Fiddle Creek on May 21, 2017
  
  I generally don't like lengthy poems but these held my interest. Very good.
  
• AI Civil Rights: Addressing Artificial Intelligence and Robot Rights on May 21, 2017
  
  Why not wait until such AI entities actually exist before we get on these soapboxes? This is jumping the gun on something that may never happen.
  
• Falsehood on May 25, 2017
  
  A bit longer than Mr Borah's usual tales. I like how he revealed his powers at the end.
  
• Arrival of Darkness on May 29, 2017
  
  These are good stories and Ms Wallace writes well. I'm giving this 4 stars because I'm not clear on the first story, which may be my own fault and therefore not fair to the author.
  
• Quantum Writer on May 29, 2017
  
  Very interesting story. Reminded me a little of something Harlan Ellison might write, only this made more sense. Not that it's immediately clear either. You have to think with this one. Or at least I had to.
  
• Bekenamen on May 29, 2017
  
  Wow! Absolutely terrific horror tale. Anything with cats draws my attention, not that they always pay off, but this one did in spades.
  
• Sweetbreads for Johnny on May 29, 2017
  
  I'm not a fan of zombie stories since I think it's an over-done genre. But since I like Rath Dalton's way of writing I took a chance. Glad I did. Very enjoyable, some sly humor, and highly recommended.
  
• Mister Fixit on May 29, 2017
  
  The opening sentence sets the tone perfectly.
  
• Aunt Shirley on May 29, 2017
  
  Very intense.
  
• The Monster on May 29, 2017
  
  I'm not sure how I feel about this. It's well told and the intensity is high, but it left me feeling uncomfortable.
  
• The Locked Door on May 29, 2017
  
  Wow. This reminded me a bit of Lovecraft, only it didn't have all the archaic adjectives and it had a female protagonist, something HPL would never have dreamed of. I always liked the weird house genre and this story fits the bill. I just have to ask of the author, did anyone ever nickname you "Creepy"?
  
• Lady in the Park on May 31, 2017
  
  Amazing how other people's sense of misplaced pride can prove tragic for others.
  
• The Final Fate of Mary Ford - A Short Ghost Story on June 02, 2017
  
  I don't believe I've read a story before told from this POV. It was interesting and held my attention to the end.
  
• Professionalism on June 11, 2017
  
  Liked this.
  
• Aurora: A Novella on June 11, 2017
  
  Liked this.
  
• Simon Says - Everyday Murder on June 11, 2017
  
  Somewhat different. I liked it.
  
• Zombie Management on June 11, 2017
  
  I don't like zombie stories but this was an exception. Mike White always produces funny, readable, and interesting stories.
  
• Transfiguration on June 11, 2017
  
  Interesting and well written. A commendable effort.
  
• 猫と蛙 Cat and Frog on June 16, 2017
  
  The story is fun, but I found it distracting since it alternated between Chinese (?) or Japanese (?) characters and English. It would have been easier to read if there were an English-only version.
  
• The Unfortunate Events of Secret Strangers on June 16, 2017
  
  Stories all felt incomplete to me.
  
• Just One More Story on July 02, 2017
  
  Well told, although a bit predictable.
  
• Newcomer: Chapter 7 on July 04, 2017
  
  This story gets stranger with each installment. Robotic crows and Candy Cane. It's like some re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland, only more far out. I have no idea where it's going.
  
• Duane's Secret on July 05, 2017
  
  Interesting story about a weird sort of luck.
  
• Simpson Woods on July 14, 2017
  
  A good effort, well executed and entertaining.
  
• Newcomer: Chapter 8 on July 14, 2017
  
  Interesting. I think we're finally getting some clues.
  
• Wife. Daughter. Dessert. on July 14, 2017
  
  I don't like to criticize but the story is sort of flat. It presents a real creep villain and a somewhat sympathetic victim, but the action at the end (for me) came out of nowhere. I didn't see any hint for the person doing what they did. But it is well-written and perhaps I simply missed it.
  
• Scarlet Oaks and the Serial Caller on July 14, 2017
  
  An interesting and intriguing tale. I haven't finished it but am well along. One thing though, which may be a formatting or vetter problem, but every time the text uses italics, the font size shrinks. This is very distracting and it strains the eye. Hopefully this can be corrected.
  
• False Witness on July 19, 2017
  
  Enjoyable legal outing.
  
• The Guest on July 22, 2017
  
  A wonderful little chiller. With the exception of one "Holy crap!" the language excellently mimics the style of Victorian era ghost stories. A solid effort.
  
• The Woman In Red on July 26, 2017
  
  This was a very well told vampire tale. I never realized they considered mosquitoes as competition.
  
• The Third Wish on July 26, 2017
  
  Enjoyable tale. Smoking hot genies always get my attention.
  
• A Psalm of Life on July 29, 2017
  
  This didn't click with me. It's not as good as his usual work.
  
• He Wants a Solution on Aug. 09, 2017
  
  I liked this.
  
• I Knew Him Before He Was Evil on Aug. 09, 2017
  
  Very interesting, but creepy. I liked this.
  
• Mountaintop on Aug. 09, 2017
  
  Very strange tale. I liked it.
  
• Prestige on Aug. 14, 2017
  
  Not bad.
  
• Monstrous Planet on Aug. 14, 2017
  
  Pretty good effort. Held my attention.
  
• Life's Little Melodies on Aug. 14, 2017
  
  I found the story interesting, although there were a few times where I got lost; seemed like there some abrupt shifts here and there. Or maybe it was just me. Anyhow it wasn't bad.
  
• Being Friends With Margo on Aug. 17, 2017
  
  Hilarious final sentence. ROLF!
  
• She Chose Me on Aug. 19, 2017
  
  True. Happened twice with me. Cats choose their people.
  
• Flexa vs. Doctor Maelstrom on Aug. 20, 2017
  
  Interesting story. Nice lead character.
  
• Tales of the Heart on Aug. 27, 2017
  
  Three interesting quickies. Well told, although I'd prefer they were told in past tense and not present.
  
• Crossroads: Ultra-short Stories of the Absurd on Sep. 04, 2017
  
  An interesting collection of short pieces. Best though if not read in one sitting.
  
• 100 Books You Must Read Before You Die on Sep. 04, 2017
  
  I don't like books that presume to tell me what I "MUST" do. Such attitudes come off as snobbish and condescending. Of the 100 books listed, I have read 11. Yet I consider myself well-read. I have seen the movie versions of some so maybe that might count for half a point. There's some cheating going on since it lists individual plays of Shakespeare and later recommends the complete works. Also I can't see why Chesterton rates 3 entries. And unless I missed it I didn't see any mention of HG Wells. And why on Earth would JOY LUCK CLUB make the list? It hardly seems like essential reading. The PDF version is poorly formatted. There are many blank pages which only make the going slower. I applaud the author for including HP Lovecraft, but am disappointed he didn't find a place for Edgar Rice Burroughs or Ambrose Bierce. I could easily have left out John Steinbeck to make room for them. Still one can appreciate the effort that went into compiling this list, so even though I don't agree with most of it, I will give it 3.5 stars for effort.
  
• Playboy Meets Bitter on Sep. 04, 2017
  
  Although it's listed as being in English the story is in Tagalog. Best I can make out with my spotty command of the language it's about a tomboy girl who falls in love with a gay guy whom she at first believes is another girl. (My Filipina spouse had to help me with some of the translation.) My overall impression was "not bad." If you have a friend who can translate for you you might find it interesting. If you like stories that take place in the Philippines, you might want to check out some of my "Buck Stardust" adventures available on this site.
  
• Puns That Even Made The Cat Groan on Sep. 04, 2017
  
  Puns can be found everywhere, from Edgar Allen Poe to the Hebrew Bible, making them perfectly respectable no matter what the literary snobs may think. This is a nice collection. Like the baseball player who took his pet snake to the game, it's mostly mitt and hiss. [That's a line from one from one of my own books so don't anybody steal it.] Works best if read a few at a time.
  
• Me and a Dozen plus One Ghost Stories on Sep. 16, 2017
  
  This longer-than-usual offering from Mr Borah presents 13 ghostly/supernatural tales told from a first person perspective. They are not particularly scary, but they are eerie and sometimes humorous. If the author truly experienced these encounters then he has lived a most interesting life.
  
• Newcomer: Chapter 9 on Sep. 16, 2017
  
  The series continues to hold my interest.
  
• Inspirational Stories on Sep. 16, 2017
  
  Only "The power of love" actually qualifies as a story. The rest are more in the nature of observations and anecdotes. Still I like that the author quietly presents his points without hammering them home or stating the patently obvious. (Something that other "big name" writers do all the time.) I look ahead to reading more from this author.
  
• Newcomer: Chapter 10 on Sep. 27, 2017
  
  Mike: I wanted to post a review of your story on GOODREADS but could not because it looks like there is another author of the same name and his stuff is overriding yours. Strongly suggest you contact them and get it straightened out so you can get credit for your stuff there.
  
• It's Still Good on Sep. 27, 2017
  
  A very strange story. I liked it.
  
• Death Watch - A Horror Short Story on Oct. 02, 2017
  
  Very good opening sentence.
  
• How I Met Your Mom on Oct. 23, 2017
  
  There are two sides to every story, and the man's side is always exaggerated. But along the way, there's philosophy: "if life is a journey then we all have one same final destination." Tender romance: "I swear I like you more than waking up late." And enlightenment: ‘’You’ve been stalking me?’’ ‘’No, I’ve been following you secretly’’ ‘’That’s stalking’’ All in a brief 770 words. One thing though, Andre; where you wrote: ‘What’s that supposed to me?’ I think you intended to say "mean." A good story and I did laugh. On another note, Andre, you need to sign on at www.goodreads.com and make yourself known there. Your Smashwords listings show up there after a day or two and I've been duplicating my reviews of your stories there. It's another opportunity to get some exposure.
  
• Starring in Roanoke on Oct. 30, 2017
  
  I follow this series mainly because I have a Filipina wife. That said, I often find the tales confusing and have no idea what they are about. From the title I thought this might have something to do with the lost colony of Roanoke, but if it did I missed it. A bit of unsolicited advice would be to do away with all the parentheses and brackets and let the story speak for itself. You don't need to translate Tagalog slang if you use it in the right context. Otherwise it only distracts from the immediate story and adds to the difficulty of understanding.
  
• I Choose You on Oct. 30, 2017
  
  Funny : "When I was a kid I used to think GUNPOINT was an actual place, the media was always like ‘seventeen year old boy die at gunpoint, seventy year old man die at gunpoint,’ so I used to ask my mom ‘why the hell do they go there?’’ A rather toughing tale actually about friendship and stuff.
  
• The Bloody History Of The Su'Varock Mines on Oct. 30, 2017
  
  Is this a revision, or a reposting? The title sounds familiar as does the story. I liked it despite a rough spot here and there (my fault I'm sure) and it's good to see the author active again.
  
• Atlas of the Serpent Men (A Tale of Conan of Cimmeria) on Nov. 11, 2017
  
  This is an interesting story that captures Howard's atmosphere. However, are you quite sure CONAN is in the public domain? I can open any book of REH's work and see a long list of people claiming rights to the property.
  
• The Collapse of the Theory of Evolution in 20 Questions on Nov. 12, 2017
  
  "The theory [of evolution] maintains that life came about by chance, by itself, and through natural conditions." Nowhere in Darwin's writings is it ever suggested that life came about by chance. The theory concerns how divergent species came about after life formed. Your premise is wrong from the get-go.
  
• You're Better Off Dead on Dec. 15, 2017
  
  This is an interesting procedural investigation of an apparent suicide. It says a lot about vanity and ego and other peoples perceptions. Very well done.
  
• Flirting With Death on Jan. 28, 2018
  
  This was very good. Andre continues to improve with each outing. I like these crime/police procedurals he does. Detective Hunt was delightfully sarcastic.
  
• Smells Like Wrong on Feb. 15, 2018
  (no rating)
  "Time fly’s, and time is not just money. Time is life. No one even gets to, like, do anything at night. Well, except thieves, and strippers and prostitutes and porn stars and Bill Gates." Four not-so-bright high school kids visit a haunted house and (maybe) learn a lesson about life and perception.
  
• Smells Like Wrong on Feb. 17, 2018
  
  Reviewing the revised version. A nice touch adding the ghost with tentacles.
  
• Charlotte Brown's Patchwork Quilt on Feb. 28, 2018
  
  A beautifully written story. I can only hope it was true. My mother passed last year and it was not pretty. When she lost interest in her pet dog we knew the end was near. Angela's story gives me hope that maybe there were things happening beneath the surface of which we were not aware.
  
• Let's Hope the Future Doesn’t Sound This Bad on March 12, 2018
  
  Wild stuff. Enjoyable. But weird.
  
• Vorgoth on April 29, 2018
  
  I liked this. An above average horror tale.
  
• Random Thoughts on April 30, 2018
  
  I enjoyed this. Parts of it reminded me of Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules For Life. Some personal observations and remembrances, often touching, other times teachable. A good effort.
  
• Men, Women, Dogs and Bitches on May 06, 2018
  
  Although I generally enjoy Mr Borah's stories, I must honestly say I did not care for this one. Mayank is a total cad and I am sure someday a jealous husband will find him out and shoot him.
  
• The Hitchhiker on May 06, 2018
  
  It has an interesting ending.
  
• Prisioner X on May 20, 2018
  
  Author needs to resubmit this. It is poorly formatted and badly punctuated. I would like to read it but in its present form I cannot.
  
• Shady Stories on May 28, 2018
  
  Not bad.
  
• Things To Do When You Become A Zombie! on May 30, 2018
  
  "...feel it in your fingers and toes (and no... love was most certainly not all around you!" Wow! A reference to an old Troggs tune. Very good. A useful manual for what to do when you get zombified. Funny & cynical. I liked it.
  
• Anuradha on June 05, 2018
  
  Well told and moving.
  
• Hazel on June 05, 2018
  
  A nice short fantasy. I enjoyed it.
  
• Looking for a Wife at 13 on June 08, 2018
  
  Nice. Enjoyed the humor.
  
• Stories for an Ignorant Man on June 16, 2018
  
  I liked the one about giving up shame best.
  
• My One Legged Friend on June 19, 2018
  
  A sweet story where an act of mercy proves rewarding to all.
  
• I'll Never Listen to You Again! on June 24, 2018
  
  A fun little tale.
  
• We Need A National Bird on June 30, 2018
  
  Very clever tale with punny names and a weird premise. It's one of those stories that's so right up my line that I wish I had written it. Congrats Mr Wooldridge on a job well done.
  
• Kind Jack on June 30, 2018
  
  A fish with a lisp. I liked that.
  
• Fenny My Hero on June 30, 2018
  
  Children should not have to pay or suffer for the mistakes of their parents.
  
• English in Plain English on July 02, 2018
  
  A helpful intro for those learning the language or just starting out to write.
  
• The Past Always Catches Up To You on July 15, 2018
  
  Nice sort of i-know-what-you-did-last-summer plots. Kids do some thing stupid and try to cover it up. The usual results follow. "Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on.”
  
• The Case of the Mailed Man on July 15, 2018
  
  Wonderful dark comedy about a blind medical examiner. "...it is my professional opinion that this man was decapitated – to death!"
  
• True or False Hero's on Nov. 08, 2018
  
  :-)
  
• The Curtain Twitchers on Nov. 08, 2018
  
  :-]
  
• Last Ride on Nov. 08, 2018
  
  Liked this.
  
• Grim Justice on Nov. 08, 2018
  
  Well done.
  
• Desdemona on Nov. 08, 2018
  
  Interesting concept, well done.
  
• Hells Warm Fires on Nov. 25, 2018
  
  This was a good story, a nice slice of grim black humor but I'm only giving it 4 stars because it was much too long and should have made its point much sooner.
  
• How to Write the Perfect Short Story on Nov. 28, 2018
  
  The author advises: 'Throw out adverbs. Feel free to eliminate almost all of them. ... you’ll find that in most cases, they’re watering it down. Writing without adverbs is powerful writing.' I was reading a short story anthology by Richard Matheson and I see he employs tons of adverbs. I guess that accounts for why he died, penniless and unknown, in a homeless shelter.
  
• The Outcast (Dork vs Geek ) on Dec. 17, 2018
  
  Modern-day love. Just as awkward as in my time.
  
• Victim on Dec. 22, 2018
  
  Not bad at all.
  
• The Dangerous Deed on Jan. 08, 2019
  
  There are always choices.
  
• The Missing Penises on Jan. 08, 2019
  
  A lesson learned--painfully and at great loss.
  
• Interpreting A Man's Intentions on Jan. 12, 2019
  
  The language here is richly descriptive. The opening paragraph immediately grabs your attention. I liked it.
  
• Missing You (Text Me) on Jan. 19, 2019
  
  First loves are the hardest to get over.
  
• My Name Is Memory on March 18, 2019
  
  STRICK-ly speaking, an interesting effort. I enjoyed it.
  
• Father's Choice: on March 18, 2019
  
  I was daunted at first by the size of the book, got me to wondering if Hiranya was slipping (lengthwise) into Steven King territory. But it turned out all right after all. A love story, no less; and well-told.
  
• Call It What You Want on April 14, 2019
  
  Sad and depressing but well done. Good job.
  
• Abigail Was Here on April 14, 2019
  
  Thanks, Andre. I got a chuckle out of this.
  
• Love and War on April 24, 2019
  
  Liked this.
  
• Me and My Family on April 24, 2019
  
  cute story & cute pet.
  
• Accidental Heroine on June 10, 2019
  
  I enjoyed this. The characters felt real.
  
• Two Brothers on June 10, 2019
  
  It reminded me of some people I knew, not that they did the same thing but beacuse of their attitude.
  
• A Princess on June 11, 2019
  
  Every woman is a princess if you choose to see her that way. A wonderful tale and a joy to read.
  
• Investigations Into The Strange And Unusual on June 17, 2019
  
  I'm not sure what to make of this. It was definitely different, for which I give it extra points. I thot it could have been a little shorter tho.
  
• Waiting at a Bus Stop on June 30, 2019
  
  I like that the author described 'a young beautiful lady of 35'. I'm not sure there are many places any more where 35 is considered young so it's nice to remember that 'beauty' and 'age' are not antonyms.
  
• The Dead Don't! on July 18, 2019
  
  Gallows humor, fairly gross but well-written.
  
• Gift on July 18, 2019
  
  This one has a nicely humorous touch. Not HA-HA GUFFAW, but it makes you smile.
  
• On The Basis Of Morality (Nice To Meet You) on July 30, 2019
  
  Nice ending. I liked it.
  
• The Old Man on Sep. 30, 2019
  
  Excellent work. The opening & closing quote is so true. The death of a parent is unimaginably painful. My Mom was in home hospice before passing & it was difficult all around. I don't know if Andre speaks from experience, but he captures the feeling perfectly.
  
• Whatever, Whomever, Whenever, Why ever on Oct. 21, 2019
  
  "...a pail, some water, and a cleanup mop" would make a wonderful book title; perhaps a story collection or anthology. Nice poem BTW, altho I think you're a little hard on yourself in the postscript.
  
• Space Snot on Dec. 03, 2019
  
  Strange with strong language. 4 stars for overall weirdness.
  
• Cold Blooded Murder on Jan. 16, 2020
  
  Rather good crime procedural.
  
• Three Goddesses and Only One Rascal on Jan. 16, 2020
  
  I don't often care for 'adult' themed books but Mr Borah handles the necessary scenes with discretion. A good, albeit long, effort.
  
• The Devil Made Me Do It on Feb. 17, 2020
  
  "The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness." ― Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes I enjoyed the brevity of this story. It doesn't waste time getting to the point. There are times I feel sorry for the Devil. There he sits, powerless in Hell, (2 Peter 2:4) while people use him as a scapegoat for all their misdeeds. I'm glad Andre did not go that route.
  
• The Girl With Crooked Fangs on March 17, 2020
  
  Weird little tale; part 3 takes an unexpected turn.
  
• The Triceratops and Cut The Cord on Sep. 21, 2020
  
  Never mess with a dinosaur. They're bigger than you.
  
• An Unfinished Voyage of a Blessed One on Oct. 08, 2020
  
  Um... yes. This was / is definitely challenging. 1200 pages is stepping into Steven King territory, which isn't a good thing with me as I can't stand King. Still this is about Hiranya's book. I confess I got lost a few times and skimmed over some parts. What I did read was interesting, what with the supernatural elements, but it was simply too long.
  
• How To Make Your Crush Fall In Love With You on April 07, 2021
  
  Love, or even crushes, were never like this in my day. But as the ending goes, no one really gives an F one way or the other.