Latest Review for Bloodmines!

5.0 out of 5 stars 
Refreshingly Original 
By Dale Rutherford 
on November 15, 2015 
Format: Kindle Edition 

Thanks for this review Dale!

This is the third novel in the series and the story has not faltered in its originality and continuity. The character development is well mastered, bringing forth enough details to create a clear mental image without bogging down the storyline to the point of distraction... Bravo. I enjoyed reading this novel series immensely. Thanks Cheryl for creating such a captivating and original story 😀

  

http://www.amazon.com/Bloodmines-Cheryl-Matthynssens-Blue-Dragons-ebook/dp/B00RNFSZQG

When I needed it most!

It has been a disheartening weekend with the rain at the festival.  I came home to these two reviews on Goodreads.  I  want to send my heartfelt thanks out to Lorraine Carter and Simon for taking the time to write these out!  They really made my day.

Lorraine Carter rated it 5 of 5 stars

Beautifully described landscapes and mysterious Dragon Lore; the warmth of genuine relationship and the wretched loneliness of being different. Cheryl Matthynessens captures it all writing, in this fantastical series of which Bloodmines is the latest release. She has the gift of being able to conjure for the reader a vast, vibrant canvas as well as embroidering the intricate details within it to create a genuinely enthralling story.

Simon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fantasy should be overwhelmingly intriguing, transporting the reader to a different time and place and this is what happens with Bloodmines. You simply shut the door, start turning the pages and you find yourself in a completely different and brilliantly imagined world. Without a doubt my favourite fantasy novel of the year to date!

Latest Review for Bloodmines on Amazon!

4.0 out of 5 stars carole, March 18, 2015
By
Carole E. - Verified Purchase
This review is from: Bloodmines: Cheryl Matthynssens (The Blue Dragon's Geas Book 3) (Kindle Edition)

Great third story. Cannot wait to see where the next one leads us. Alador is coming of age with the help of his dragon deep inside him. It is a wonderful world that Matthynssens has created. One of dragons, magic and family intrigue. Oh may the next installment be soon on the horizon. The book was a fast read as it moved along with rapid fire excitement, cool characters, intrigue, and explanations of events that are crisp, to the point that will move the story alone. Great story thanks

This Amazing Review Made my Day!

Thank you Robert from New Mexico!  I appreciate the support as independent authors have to be their own publicists!

This review was found on audible for the audio version of the book!

"Engaging, entertaining book series"

"It has been a while but this book is both a traditional Epic swords and sorcery adventure that had characters that you care about a couple of new twists on the traditional swords and sorcery theme. I found each book to be satisfying individually and yet the first to lead to the need for hopefully and equally consistent third book. Whether that book is the finish of the trilogy or not, I just know that it's time for the next book in this saga to be put on audible for our enjoyment. sorry I waited so long before reviewing this book as I did have it noted down as a must finish the series level of quality. Finally putting up this vague review now because it has yet to be reviewed and this book and it's his sister book are both really good examples of intelligent traditional swords and sorcery stories that don't feel like another book you already read. Why, because I cared about the people of the world and the creatures and while they were similar since it is a traditional fantasy novel they were not one-dimensional or boring. 

Entrancing Tale for All Ages - Can stand alone, but I suggest you start with the first book!

The Quality of Mercy by Robin Chambers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish more people would understand that sometimes the most merciful thing you can do is to allow someone to reap what they have sown.

As a writer, you are encouraged to read. This series is one of three that I have been reading as I write. Mr. Chambers has a unique style that incorporates literature and history; so well embedded into the story that it does not detract but only adds to the tale. By reviewing the glossary when I hit a work or historical point with which I was unfamiliar, I found myself only further drawn into the world of Grace and Gordon. I must say I learned a thing or two.

However, it is the story for which a review is written. I found myself entranced by the insight and belief systems of the core characters. If we could raise more of our children with this strong of a belief system our world would be a much better place. I have been following the protagonist since he was a baby. Mr. Chambers weaves a magical tale of growing up in the real world with the fae and mystical. I loved the development and the interaction of the four friends. This is a tale that will entrance children of all ages, even those of us that are children at heart.

The only constructive point I have to make is that the protagonists seem to triumph just a little too easily for their age. I totally understand the concept that they are graced, but I would have liked to see it be a little harder. Hopefully this will be the case as they continue to grow up.



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An Imaginary Friend with a Twist!

A Wizard of Dreams by Robin Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This tale is told with a perspective I would have never considered. At first I was a little surprised to find the tale told when Gordon was just a small baby, but as the time passed, an exquisite tale began to unfold that has the power to capture both the young and adult reader. Gordon's unique view of the world is one that many of us could learn from.

Who can not find a smile when a bully has his comeuppance? Who would not wish for an imaginary friend who could really stand between you and the harm a world full of inadequacies a child may experience. By his pre-school year, I was hooked. The plot matures with the protagonist, sucking you into a well built world with subtle plots and well-developed characters.

The writing is superb and makes for an easy afternoon of reading. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy tale that is outside the canned fiction that many authors are putting out these days. Mr. Chambers' unique style of writing, his imaginative twist of a world where fairies, ghosts and wizards are real, and his use of time snapshots leads to a spectacular novel for any fantasy genre fan.


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An Amazing Review for Outcast!

I received this amazing review for Outcast.  Robin Chambers is the author of A Wizard of Dreams .  After such an amazing review, I picked up his kindle version for only .99 cents.  I really encourage everyone to pick this tale up.  I will be posting a review as well when I am done but I am only in Chapter twelve and I am totally entranced.  It is a tale of growing up just a bit differently from the rest of us.  A magical journey from birth...

Robin's Review of Outcast: You can read the full review on the Amazon site for Outcast or Robin's Goodread's page. 

Outcast

"Cheryl Matthynssens is a master of her craft. She suspends her readers’ disbelief early on with exquisite detail in her opening four chapters about the Daezun, from the structure of their village through the appearance and habits of the korpen (their beasts of burden) to the distinct advantages of Ketchen’s lucrative invention of a more efficient plowhead. The way the Daezun control the lives of everyone in their community reminded me of Lois Lowry’s “The Giver” (one of my favourite children’s books). You see and hear and taste and touch and feel this place and everyone in it.

The characterisation is assured. The main character has the classic elements of the legendary hero: an outsider in childhood, apparently clumsy – less adroit than the practical, efficient, ‘pure-bred Daezun’ (his father was Lerdenian, a race skilled in magic). Alador has hidden strengths...." (click above for full review)

My First Bad Review

Today I got my first bad review.  You expect them.  But I had jumped into the limelight with such a solid start that it still caught me off guard.  I was luckier than some writers.  My first reviews from strangers, not friends and family, were highly complimentary and positive.  I still have some things to tweak in that first novel.  Being self published and without a budget, you use friends, family for feedback.  You proof your own work again and again and again.  But friends are kinder then they should be, and well once you have read your own work so many times it gets harder to see the errors.

I have two things I know to look for: Homophones and Question Marks.   I totally know exactly what word goes there and where a question mark really goes.  However, sometimes my question marks pop in when I am hearing the character's tone of voice.  And as far as the homophones, my brain when I am in the zone just seems to grab the first spelling; right, wrong or indifferent.  If I catch it, then I totally know it is the wrong one.  These two errors are deadly for me as a writer because proofing programs do not catch them. It takes the human eye to catch them.

I expected this to be the topic of any first bad review, surprisingly it was not.  As I read it, I realized that this was just a case of a reader with a different eye for a story than my previous non family/friend reviews.  My publicity editor pointed out he actually did me a couple of favors with the bad review.   The first favor he pointed out was the mating rituals in the book.  Though I try not to get vulgar or explicit, my mentor pointed out that sex sells.  The second favor is that it can look contrived if all the reviews are good reviews. I had not thought of either of those.

So today I have weathered my first bad review.  I am sorry that the individual did not like my book.  I am grateful for the honesty.  I look forward to future reviews as my skills seem to only be improving based on feedback and practice.  I am also grateful that it was not my very FIRST review.  I was really frightened as many new writers are, to put my work up for public scrutiny.  However, the joy I get in knowing that for the most part, people are liking where I am headed gives me the energy to continue to write part two.  Coming soon.... The Blackguard - Part Two of The Blue Dragon's Geas.

Wizard's First Rule - A Review and Comment

Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is not one for the squeamish or those with a history of unresolved physical abuse.

That being said, Terry Goodkind's understanding of the human psyche showed in numerous places throughout the book. This book had many elements I liked, man vs man, man vs self and of course, plot twists. It is rare for me to read an author who can plot twist without me seeing it coming, and this book did it more than once time. I would recommend anyone who does not mind seeing the darker side of human nature to pick up this book. I would also suggest if you are upset by torture and crimes against women and children, that you do not!

That being said, working as a counselor, I can tell you that for the most part the Wizard's First Rule is in many ways true. Words have more power then we has humans give them credit. The old saying that sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me was an attempt by our ancestors to protect us from this magic.

The human brain is an amazing thing. No matter what mental ailment you seek to treat, if you do not break the false beliefs that the person has accepted as truth, you will not help them. If a person with depression truly believes there is no hope of anything better, you must target that belief before you can ever help them. Politicians know this and prey upon it in their home countries. Cult leaders use it to control.

The best lies ever told, the best cons ever created all have a measure of truth in them. You add to that something that the person you are targeting wants to believe and they are yours. As a counselor, I work to reverse this, however, sometimes the belief is too deeply entrenched much like a powerful spell and cannot be reversed. This is what makes a true zealot so scary if their beliefs include bringing harm to another. If they truly believe that what they do will further the cause of what they believe, no matter how erroneous, only death will stop them.

The best authors know this fact. You can see it in their writing and in the manipulation of their characters. Terry Goodkind has some insight into this but used it more in the darker sections of his writing. With this are some themes that are popular: True love can conquer all, the truth shall set you free, and the greatest enemy is yourself. I learned a lot from reading this novel as an author. Some things that I should consider as elements to my writing and I definitely saw a few things I wish to avoid.

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