Magnolia Belle

This is a comic book that follows the daily life of 5 teen superheroes and the random shenanigans they end up instigating. The comic doesn't present a traditional message, but rather it shows that literature can be expressed in different ways with the way the media is present in a more graphic based orientation. the books story also conveys a message of inviting people to read a silly story for enjoyment. I have mixed feeling about this book. I enjoyed the focus on visual storytelling with text used to supplement the images as opposed to the opposite which is normal for traditional picture books. A key example of the visual storytelling being the fight between the giant burrito and Burger. the fight is shown to the reader without the need for words to describe the situation except for the use of onomatopeia to give sound to the characters' actions. However, it is my opinion that the artwork of the book is not the best. it conveys the actions well enough, but the character designs seem blocky and the comic uses a limited color palette with a focus on fluorescent colors that hurt the eyes after extended viewing. Also, I believe the book has a lower quality of writing which focuses mostly on getting cheap laughs using gross body humor over story development. An example of the low brow humor includes numerous burp jokes. These jokes may appeal to younger readers, but I think they are too numerous and immature.… (més)

This was another great find.

Lakota Man is a beautiful love story, but it is more, much more – it is a rock ‘n roll love story, and in my opinion, it doesn’t get any better than that.

Caleb and Sara are both musicians. Caleb is the lead singer and guitarist of a rock band, and Sara is a beautiful and vibrant Blues singer. They meet at the recording studio where they are both working on their latest projects and are immediately attracted to each other.

The story follows their hesitant first steps to try, in their own way, to trust each other enough to open the door to love – both Sara and Caleb had been hurt badly in the past and they were understandably hesitant to entrust their hearts to just anyone. But they both knew there was something special happening, the chemistry was there - they just needed to trust it.

There is so much about this book that I loved. Firstly, the story – it is a true love story, the sexual attraction between Sara and Caleb is handled subtly by the author, but it is there. The personalities of each character has been so well thought out, and brought into the story, which made for great reading. I also loved the insight into the Native American culture, which was a bonus, I just wish there had been more, a lot more :)

I highly recommend this book if you love a good romance, rock ‘n roll, and a very good story which is told in a way that leaves you wanting more. I Loved it.… (més)

Haunted by his fiancée’s tragic death, Joaquin Black Wolf tries desperately to mask his pain by joining a second band as drummer. Yet nightmares and sudden flashes of his inner pain cascade through his life like a mid-summer’s storm through a desert town.

Struggling to defeat his demons on his own terms, Joaquin desperately seeks answers from within himself, pushing his friends and family away. When love enters his life again he finds himself awash in his fears and catastrophic memories.

I must admit this is my first foray into the romance genre and I was a bit wary about reading a romance novel. Magnolia Belle dispelled any prejudices I may have had with a wonderful, almost lyrical, style of writing. Loco Lobo’s characters are fully realized and the dialogue is natural and unforced, like having coffee with a good friend. Belle’s descriptive phrasing draws you in—you can picture Joaquin and his band playing passionately on stage or quarreling from bruised egos—and captures your heart.

Brilliantly written, Loco Lobo has opened my eyes to whole new genre, and I like what I see. Belle has a real hit on her hands with the forth book in the Black Wolf series, Loco Lobo.… (més)