The Light of Innocence, by Carl Marshall

Having been completely self taught and having lived in various parts of the world, Carl Marshall offers a unique perspective on christian theology. The Jamaican born author moved to Canada within a year of his high school graduation and soon embarked on the many decade long journey of research and discovery that culminated in The Light of Innocence. Marshall brings to light some controversial mysteries that have remained unanswered for centuries. The decades of research are evident by the amount of information provided in the rather large volume. The tone is set right from the cover image which depicts an unknown man seeking answers, which is exactly what Marshal set out to do in the late nineties.

The Fairy's Tale, by P.K. Silverson

With unique take on the classic forbidden love story Silverson delivers a lighthearted treat. The Fairy's Tale draws the reader into a world where fairy tales are blended with modern sensibility. The modern twist however does not underscore the fantasy elements central to the plot and in fact enhance them adding an unpredictability to the plot. The story is not a tense adventure tale, but rather a comedic melding of the real and the fantastic. I particularly enjoyed watching Ed try to navigate a world that is clearly not his own.

Liar, by J.R. Allison

With Liar, J.R. Allison has managed to capture the twisted drama normally found on daytime television and give it new life on the printed page. However, the author does not focus solely on drama. Quite a bit of humor is found throughout the book keeping the pace light despite some darker plot elements. There is also another element that keeps the story interesting, the twisted relationships in which the characters find themselves. Liar is a very well written and entertaining book that could easily be adapted to the screen.

The Returned, by Dr. Laurence B. Brown

After having read, and quite enjoyed, Dr. Brown's first book, The Eighth Scroll, I immediately delved into this more recent work and was not disapointed. The author depicts a world that seems so real that you feel as if you are immersed in the story with the characters. As we follow Nathan and Mark on their physical and psychological journeys you start to question your own preconceptions as they question theirs. The revelations get more profound as Nathan returns to the expedition site seeking closure and answers that have plagued him for four decades. My second exposure to Dr. Brown's work definitely has me looking forward to a third.

The Eighth Scroll, by Dr. Laurence B. Brown

Dr. Brown takes a bold direction in his first novel, by having the Vatican not take the role of the heroes, but rather the antagonists of the story. Dr. Brown has the courage to craft his story the way he envisioned it, rather than compromising the quality of his work by trying to appease religious groups. However the novel does not seek to make any particular religious viewpoints, it is an adventure story, and one that takes the reader along for a wild ride constantly trying to put the puzzle pieces in place. The situations the characters find themselves in and the strange twists that come about keep you on the edge of your seat. The realism that is conveyed in the novel makes you wonder what secrets are out there in the real world to be uncovered.

Kiss Me I'm Dead, by J.G. Sandom

Nothing pulls people together or brings out the best in them like tragedy, and while 9/11 was a day that tested the humanity of the people of New York, it was not the first such disaster they had endured. The sinking of the General Slocum Steamship in 1904 was another such tragedy culminating in the loss of thousands of innocent lives. But from disaster comes the strength of human spirit, and in the case of this novel that spirit is literal as the protagonist, Mallory, is just that. J.G. Sandom uses the historical backdrop to tell a unique tale of the supernatural and shows that love never truly dies. As we follow Mallory's efforts to uncover the truth what led to the sinking of the General Slocum Steamship we are drawn into a tale of love that defies time and death. The story may defy time, but the novel is worth the time to read.

Confessions of a Teenage Body Snatcher, by J.G. Sandom

Confessions of a Teenage Body Snatcher is a refreshing change of pace, as we are presented with an engaging thriller for young adults that does not focus on the overused vampire and werewolf plot elements. The novel gives a detailed and gritty account of the activities of the grave robbers of Victorian England. These "ressurrection men" made their living by selling corpses for medical research. We are shown this underbelly of society through the eyes of Victor, who gets caught up in a world where emotion can be your downfall. Victor endures great hardships as he tries to survive while holding on to the values he holds dear and becoming a soulless monster.

Zombiestan, by Mainak Dhar

In a unique twist on the zombie genre, Zombiestan manages to mix the zombie genre with real world monsters. Undead Taliban however are not the only danger our protagonists must face as the greatest monster proves to be man. A motley band of strangers find themselves united in a quest to save not only themselves, but possibly humanity. The personal interaction between these very different people is the most intriguing part of the book and adds an element of believability to a fantastic story. If you are looking for an interesting read that manages to not only entertain, but also make a statement about real world events and issues then look no further than Zombiestan.

Alice in Deadland, by Mainak Dhar

If you are looking for a unique take on the post-apocalytptic zombie genre, then look no further than Alice in Deadland. Far from your standard formula zombie story, the author manages to mix in elements of new world order conspiracies and fast paced action and deliver them wrapped in the ribbon of a fairy tale. Alice is much different than her namesake from Alice in Wonderland as her upbringing has centered around survival in a zombie laden post-apocalyptic world. This upbringing makes her capable of taking care of herself in a world where death could come at any moment. The world however may not be what Alice has been led to believe, and the revelations she uncovers and how she deals with them make this book worth reading.

The Site: Only the Dead Keep Secrets, by Julie Harris

The Site is a compelling read with a unique spin on the supernatural. The author keeps you on your toes as things are not always what they seem and just when you think you have things figured out there is another twist. Kerry is an interesting character as he does not come to town looking for a mystery or an adventure, but a new start at life, and a quiet one. As Kerry is caught in the web on intrigue and drawn further down the rabbit hole the reader experiences the unfolding mystery through his eyes. Far from a run of the mill story The Site is not a ‘follow the formula’ type of novel, but rather one that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page