Ty Johnston

This is a long short story--more a novelette--written by someone obviously inspired by the Friday the 13th films. It it overwritten and has some awkward passages, but it isn't too badly written--it just lacks any originality. Six college kids head off to a camp deep in the woods, where there is no cellphone reception, to clean the camp up for a new round of church campers, the first overnight campers in 30 years since the disaster! The characterization is minimal, and it is hard to imagine most of the kids going to church in the first place. Anyway, avoid this unless you have a half hour to kill and are a connoisseur of amateur writing. Several sequels appear to be available if you're really a glutton for punishment.… (plus d'informations)

Walt Johnson is a drifter, going from town to town across America. Late in life, with his health declining, he starts on a journey to reconnect with his son in Kentucky. Before he reaches the state line he stops in a small town that reminds him of the places of his childhood; and a town whose people show him the meaning of family. The characters at the heart of this story are a young boy grieving the loss of his father, the boys’ mother a waitress in the town’s diner, and the owner of the diner who befriends Walt. It is a very moving story full of nostalgia and homespun lessons on love and loss. My only complaint was that it needed some more editing to polish it into the gem it could be. The story alone is 4 stars. I received a complimentary copy of this e-book in exchange for a review.… (plus d'informations)