Creative Reviews discussion

Title: The Reluctant
Author: C.S. Splitter
Publisher: Published April 2011 by C.S. Splitter
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Format: Ebook
ISBN: 0011269340

Tom Crayder is living the American Dream. He has a wife he loves, a house to call a home and his very own plane to go with his fulfilled dream of being a pilot. But like many know, the American dream isn’t always as carefree as some might like to believe.

Tom’s consulting business is failing, he’s behind on the loan payments to his plane and his wife works too much. And, he’s bored. Turns out that the great life he has isn’t very exciting.

How to spice things up???

He starts taking some jobs from a local crime boss, delivering people and cash to various locations and, because that just isn’t fun enough, he starts flirting with a woman at the shooting range.

Tom finds himself caught up in a web of people and situations that turn his excitement into danger. How will he get himself out of the mess he’s in, and…does he even want to?

This book is a bit of a departure from my usual paranormal genre but I enjoyed it anyway. The plot was easy to get into and easy to follow, and it took twists and turns that I didn’t always see coming. Some of the things that happened to Crayder had me turning the pages to see what he would do to get out of his situation.

Tom Crayder is a guy’s guy, a married man with a bachelor’s heart. Even though I knew that a man wrote this book before I started reading it would have been obvious the minute I picked it up. In many ways I found it interesting because I really felt like me (the reader – and yes a girl) got a clear glimpse into a man’s head. He thought about food and women a lot. Big surprise there. He also thought about adventure and fun. Yet, Tom was also someone who thought about his friends and right and wrong. He had a conscious in him even when he was doing things that weren’t – shall we say – legal. I will say that his estimation of right and wrong sometimes went into the gray area and sometimes he was lead astray by his man parts…but I found that all to be in line with who Tom was. Hey, don’t hate the player - hate the game.

The characterization in the novel was solid as was the writing. I didn’t once get tripped up over a mistake or an awkward sentence and the book flowed well. This book set up Crayder and a cast of characters very well for the next book, which I will definitely read.

I will mention that I thought for being such an ordinary guy, Tom seemed to have quite a knack for getting himself out of sticky (and dangerous) situations. And sometimes his “I’m so cool because I’m a pilot” attitude made me roll my eyes.

My favorite part of the book was the ending and the Chihuahua. Want to know all about the little smiling dog with the underbite? Read the book, but beware not all doggies in this book are nice (my least favorite part of the book).

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes some suspense, good writing and to definitely all men everywhere.

You done good, Splitter, and I salute you.

So there you have it, my opinion.

Awesome review. I think I might have to re write mine only because yours flows so much better...

Hahaha. Thanks, but i bet your review is awesome. I'm going to read it. :)

I would recommend this book to anyone . . . to definitely all men everywhere.

Sounds like the men already get it. It's women who should read it.

LOL!!! you may be right.

Thanks for the review Cambria! Very much looking forward to yours, Jenn.

I actually DO have a blog and wrote a bit about the main character and the reactions I have gotten from men and women: http://splittersworld.blogspot.com/

Oh, by the way, I started the blog when I was writing The Reluctant so it is a bit of a look into the "life" of an indie author.

Splitter

Ghesh, why are we just seeing this blog now?? You have been holding back on us.
Say, I am thinking of doing a "Man Week" on my blog, would you be interested in an interview?

By the way, why don't you write reviews?

Oh, and let me say that for some reason as I was reading I was thinking that this character is a lot like you. I have only talked to you on here but you really came through your character. LOL

I do write reviews but under a super secret name :). Not many though. I read mostly fantasy I just don't write it.

Yeah, I'd love to do an interview. Man week...will grunting and scratching be tolerated? lol I fear your questions though!

Splitter

Ahhh secret reviewer!! lol.

sure i will tolerate scratching and grunting. no fear of the questions... i'll be nice.
Muh ha ha ha

i'll get back to you about the details.

Since we already had a thread going for Splitter's book, I figured I would put my review of it up here too!

Ok, I know I got a great read when a few sentences grab my attention and compel me to read this book. It is not something I would normally read, but tonight, as I was doing my job, bits and pieces of this book jumped out at me. Curiosity won over and I found myself going BAKWARDS in the book to see what in the world was going on, then giving up and starting it from the beginning. AND I'M GLAD I DID.

This is a GUY book, first and foremost, so I did question myself a few times as to why I kept reading it. And my answer is simple: because I was enjoying it and having fun. Some of Tom's inward banter cracked me up. I always wondered if men really thought the way I always assumed they did, and if this book is any indication of what really happens inside a man's mind - I WAS RIGHT!! LOL

Tom is an all American guy, has the wife, a kid, a dog, and he gets to fly!! Not like a super spiffy helicopter or anything, but a plane nonetheless. When he starts to need some extra money, Tom starts to take up some side jobs. One of these side jobs makes him famous without him even realizing it! A beautiful maiden starts to make eyes at him, and eventually shows off another pair of "something" that men typically like. (of course I'm talking about her shoes, guys...come on!!)

This new life of the up-and-coming criminal takes turns that I never would have expected, and kept me page turning til I ran out of pages to turn!

Tom is a wonderful character. Even when he is dumb, tasteless, and tactless, you love him. I'm not really sure why - even after I have finished the book, but I know that if he were to come a-knockin' on my door (without his gun, of course) I would let him in, and share some of my bacon pizza with him. His beautifully bodied 'friend', Lorena, I found to be quite the character as well. I'm not sure I'd invite her over for lunch, however, some lessons on how to take care of yourself would be greatly appreciated.

If you are wanting some action, fun, excitement, laughs, twists, turns, and naughty-naughty talk, this is a great book for you to pick up. If you are looking for locker-room talk, drunks, and drug users, this book is ALSO for you. See all of the different topics Splitter threw out there for you to enjoy? Now make him feel like an excellent host and enjoy what he has put out there! I dare ya...