Mike Meier

I can honestly say that I LOVED "The Love Hex (or Nicest Flings in Mexico)". It was a delightful mix of historical fiction, romance, magical realism, and comedy. Add in a healthy does of plain good storytelling, and you have a book I'd highly recommend to anyone.

The book mainly focuses on Rose, an American woman who visits Mexico in 1929 in search of a hot springs cure for some medical issues. She brings along her best friend Alice, who is trying to cope with her husband's death. The pair quickly meet some attractive young men, and romance (as well as hilarity) ensues. I won't spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that everyone winds up where he or she belongs in the end. Rose and Miguel, as the lead characters, are very well-drawn and detailed. The reader learns a great deal about their personal histories, dreams, and goals. The more I got to know these characters, the more I was eager to see what happened next for them, and to find out where they ended up.

I'd be remiss not to mention a couple of side characters who added a great deal to the story:

1. Maria, Miguel's younger sister. This young lady has a lot going on in her life, and she is absolutely in charge! She added a special spark to the overall story, and I'd be thrilled to see a spin-off book following her character as she grows up (and quite possibly takes over the world).
2. The curandera, or local medicine woman/witch. A typical scam artist...or is she? She absolutely steals all the scenes she's in.
3. Diego, Ramiro's dog with unique markings. Or possibly his brother. Maybe both? Regardless, I especially enjoyed any scene in which Diego made an appearance.

Black and white drawings are interspersed throughout the book. I enjoyed these, and found they added greatly to my mental pictures of the characters and places.

As usual, author Mike Meier has created a unique, fabulously enjoyable book that grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept it until the last page.

Five out of five extra-large chunks of ultra-peppery Pepper Jack!… (plus d'informations)

"JoinWith.Me" is a fascinating book....part near-future realistic dystopia, part cautionary tale, and part plain old great storytelling. It explores themes like humanity's increasing dependence on technology, how technology can evolve and learn, and the resilience (or lack thereof) of the human spirit. In case that makes it sound like you're being asked to read a philosophy textbook, let me reassure you: these themes are woven into the plot so seamlessly they'll take a backseat to the action of the story. The reader will follow Sam, a disconnected and discontented young man, as he navigates his society, his personal issues, and interactions with an increasingly worrisome AI. I enjoyed following Sam's progress, and witnessing his emotional and personal growth as he responded to the challenges he faced. Sam is an intriguing character, as he is simultaneously becoming aware of his flaws, and moving deeper into a scenario that makes it harder for him to change things for the better.

For me, the main take-away was a lot to think about in terms of the future possibilities for some of the technology that is common in today's world. For anyone who has read "The Arc of a Scythe".....plenty to ponder in terms of this book's AI vs. The Thunderhead.

I highly recommend this book for those looking for a unique, fast-paced dystopian read, as well as for book discussion groups. Trust me: there will PLENTY to talk about after you read this one!

As an added bonus, QR codes (both on the cover and in the text) link to videos from a short film based on the novel.

Five out of five chunks of colby jack!… (plus d'informations)