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Suicide Ride #1
Suicide Ride: The Platinum Man
Are you straight? Are you sure? What would you do if you were down-and-out and desperate? What would you do—how far would you go—for FAME?
Find out just how far, and just how low, Johnny Gellis is willing to go in SUICIDE RIDE: THE PLATINUM MAN.
You hitch your lift with this man
You'll have your blood on your hand …
AN OLDER MAN WITH NO FUTURE, AND NOTHING TO LIVE FOR …
Norman Dimond is the Silver Man, an over-the-hill LA-based rock 'n roll record producer who has seen better days. A set-for-life bisexual with a hard spot for younger men, he squanders his nights hustling cash-strapped gay-for-pay desperadoes who swagger into his den on the Sunset Strip, looking for one-off love in all the right places. Lonely and at loose ends, he longs for a worthy dance partner, but despairs of finding him … Until one night, when he least expects it, in waltzes …
A YOUNGER MAN WITH A PAST, AND A DEATH WISH …
Johnny Gellis is the Platinum Man, a beautiful straight wreck who needs fixing—and who wants exactly what Norman Dimond has to give: a platform, a stage. But does he want it badly enough? Desperate to outrun his demons, he's driving himself crazy, and is heading straight for the edge. Can Norman save him, before it's too late?
TWO LIVES ABOUT TO COLLIDE IN A SUICIDE RIDE …
When Norman meets Johnny, their heavy-metal fenders bend, sending the male-on-male sparks flying. Johnny's number-one-with-a-bullet hit "Suicide Ride" blows Norman's mind, while his number-99-with-an-anchor tattoo pricks up more than just his ears. And though this hell-bent, cliff-hanging headbanger is the man-boy of his dreams, keeping him on course turns out to be a waking nightmare. Can Norman do it? Can he put him on top while stopping him from breaking down and destroying them both? The deeper Dimond digs, the darker it gets; and as the secrets and suspense multiply, so, too, do the lies. Johnny is hiding something, that much Norman is sure of; and what's worse, he begins to feel the tug of even darker and ever more violent undertows—sinister, malevolent drags that Gellis himself cannot spin-rinse away.
Find out just how far, and just how low, Johnny Gellis is willing to go in SUICIDE RIDE: THE PLATINUM MAN.
You hitch your lift with this man
You'll have your blood on your hand …
AN OLDER MAN WITH NO FUTURE, AND NOTHING TO LIVE FOR …
Norman Dimond is the Silver Man, an over-the-hill LA-based rock 'n roll record producer who has seen better days. A set-for-life bisexual with a hard spot for younger men, he squanders his nights hustling cash-strapped gay-for-pay desperadoes who swagger into his den on the Sunset Strip, looking for one-off love in all the right places. Lonely and at loose ends, he longs for a worthy dance partner, but despairs of finding him … Until one night, when he least expects it, in waltzes …
A YOUNGER MAN WITH A PAST, AND A DEATH WISH …
Johnny Gellis is the Platinum Man, a beautiful straight wreck who needs fixing—and who wants exactly what Norman Dimond has to give: a platform, a stage. But does he want it badly enough? Desperate to outrun his demons, he's driving himself crazy, and is heading straight for the edge. Can Norman save him, before it's too late?
TWO LIVES ABOUT TO COLLIDE IN A SUICIDE RIDE …
When Norman meets Johnny, their heavy-metal fenders bend, sending the male-on-male sparks flying. Johnny's number-one-with-a-bullet hit "Suicide Ride" blows Norman's mind, while his number-99-with-an-anchor tattoo pricks up more than just his ears. And though this hell-bent, cliff-hanging headbanger is the man-boy of his dreams, keeping him on course turns out to be a waking nightmare. Can Norman do it? Can he put him on top while stopping him from breaking down and destroying them both? The deeper Dimond digs, the darker it gets; and as the secrets and suspense multiply, so, too, do the lies. Johnny is hiding something, that much Norman is sure of; and what's worse, he begins to feel the tug of even darker and ever more violent undertows—sinister, malevolent drags that Gellis himself cannot spin-rinse away.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2013
7 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 18, 2014
Jangly uncomfortably written prose.
Read
January 22, 2014I tried this a couple of times but couldn't get into it. I think this is totally a case of personal taste. The premise sounds fantastic, but I found the writing style pretentious and couldn't get to the story through all the description and introspection that didn't seem to be tied to the story.
December 22, 2014
I tried. I really, really tried to like this book, but, in the end, it was just way overdone. It's almost like the narrator is the illegitimate love child of the "cool mom" from Mean Girls and the "intelligent prisoner" from In Living Color . The narration bounced from trying to sound hip to inappropriately placed multisyllabic words. When you add in the constant run-on sentences (I counted one with over 75 words and then another of almost 50 words in the very next paragraph - and that was in the first chapter alone), this book is very difficult to understand.
If I were to offer any constructive criticism to the author it would be to learn to restrain your narrative. Sometimes less is more. When you write a book, there is no need to use every single word you know. Some of the best authors in the history are that because they're writing is elegantly simple.
I, initially, was not able to make it past the first chapter, but I decided to give it another go, in order to be fair to the author. I ended up DNFing it after 5 chapters.
If I were to offer any constructive criticism to the author it would be to learn to restrain your narrative. Sometimes less is more. When you write a book, there is no need to use every single word you know. Some of the best authors in the history are that because they're writing is elegantly simple.
I, initially, was not able to make it past the first chapter, but I decided to give it another go, in order to be fair to the author. I ended up DNFing it after 5 chapters.
February 6, 2014
A review by The Blogger Girls.
There has been an awful lot of hype surrounding this book, which, I’ll be honest, is the main reason I decided to give it a go. I don’t think I found any reviews helpful to really understanding what this story was about, which was a bit disappointing. I truly wanted to know something about what made it such a fantastic and crazy ride.
To start with, the writing itself blew me away, although not always in a good way. The descriptions are amazing and beautiful, but I often struggled to keep up with what was actually going on. Often I felt as though I missed the important details because I got lost in the descriptive wording. So, while it was beautiful and poetic, it left me feeling confused at times.
As for the story, we have Johnny Gellis, a man somewhat on the run from his life as a gynecologist, abruptly leaving everything behind but his beat up classic car and his guitars. He heads to LA to be a rock star because he has this amazing talent and incredible look. Right from the beginning I was longing for the details behind these events. He is staunchly straight, and quite the lady killer (maybe that’s closer to the truth than I realize? I don’t know). Anyway, he ends up learning about retired record mogul Norman Dimond and where he can be found, at his raunchy gay club.
Being desperate to become a rock star, he seeks Dimond, knowing full well what may be in store. I was very excited for their interactions, and longed to finally have some dialog to sink my teeth into. While we did get some of that, I was a little disappointed in the long run. The more I learned about Norman Dimond, the more he creeped me out, to the point that there was very little about him that I liked. Thankfully, Johnny doesn’t just bend over for Norman, but the whole situation was just creepy and strange. Speaking of creepy and strange, Norman’s manservant, Cullum, was a bit of a mystery. First I thought he was alright, but then his actions spoke quite differently. And then there is poor Drew, Norman’s current boy toy. I felt so bad for the poor guy throughout this entire story.
So basically, Johnny is an extremely hot package (which Dimond constantly tells Johnny in more ways than one), and Norman wants him, in a bad way. They finally come to an agreement which is again quite odd, but they seem to finally be somewhat on the same page. Norman is trying to find out the background on Johnny, as Johnny isn’t giving anything up in this area either. Now, just when I thought things were ironing themselves out, Johnny does a 180.
This last part of the book was the best part for me. It became less wordy with more action. I was still left with so many questions, though I truly wondered if I had missed some of the answers earlier on. There is a sequel that just came out, and I will probably read it just to find out what happened next. Unfortunately, this story is going to be told over quite a few books, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to hang on for the entire ride.
I really believe this may be a case of it’s not you, it’s me, so if you’re looking for something different, without any real romance or relationship, but with a lot of mystery and shadiness going on, please give this a try, because I’m definitely in the minority on this one. The writing is fabulous, but the story was just too wordy and confusing for my total enjoyment.
Read
November 12, 2016 I would like to note that mental illness is a very serious thing, and I would hope the author seeks the help she needs.
March 8, 2014
Couldn't finish the excerpt. THAT coupled with statements like this:
Results in:
NO.THANK.YOU.
"Homosexual behavior is nature's birth control. Always has been and always will be. Let God then judge what He created." - E Llewellyn
Results in:
NO.THANK.YOU.
February 24, 2014
Not even sure where to start here. Writer is attempting to be edgy, but I couldn't finish the book--too much description, attempting to set up a 'feel'... I guess? But all I want to know is what's going on with the character. I don't need description to bleed off the page. I want story.
February 26, 2014
NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER
November 29, 2014
I'm actually rather nervous writing this review, after seeing how other critics have been targeted for their views, but here goes.
I bought this book after seeing it advertised, a lot, on many Facebook threads. I like cars and I love a good romance (and I'm gay, so my go-to is M/M romance). I was so attracted by the car, even though my husband laughed at me when I bought the book because of the cover.
I now have a very pretty cover on my Kindle app. For those of you who have read my other reviews, you know how much I detest leaving any book unfinished. I read, on average, about 10-12 books a week and I read them all through to the end. It can take longer to get around to writing the review, but I do love me some good reads.
I also like words. Gosh, I adore long convoluted sentences and turns of phrase that leave me with a grin on my face. Metaphor? Hey - throw me some lovely metaphors, add a spoonful of similes and I'm good to go!
Until now. I have read and re-read the opening 10% of this book repeatedly and ended doubting my own IQ. Am I stupid, because I can't understand a thing? I bought the 'revised' edition, but I was drowning in a sea of prose with no hope of swimming to shore. Nothing seemed to sink in and what did penetrate my brain was immediately forgotten. It was the weirdest experience I have had in a while; nothing like this has ever happened.
I'm upset I have to 1 star this book. I wanted to like it, especially after reading these comments and reviews. I could cry for the author, because there are some people who just seem to delight in bringing her down when she should be advised and built up. I'm tempted to list some brilliant writing groups, so she can learn an art she so plainly loves, but having no real idea of where in the world she is, it's a bit impractical to offer.
This is, I am afraid to say, the second book out of the 1281 I have read in 2014 that I have had to give up on and leave unfinished. It was a prosaic journey through insipidity, tangled up with some out-of-context long words and metaphors that just drowned under the weight of the author's aspirations.
Sorry.
I bought this book after seeing it advertised, a lot, on many Facebook threads. I like cars and I love a good romance (and I'm gay, so my go-to is M/M romance). I was so attracted by the car, even though my husband laughed at me when I bought the book because of the cover.
I now have a very pretty cover on my Kindle app. For those of you who have read my other reviews, you know how much I detest leaving any book unfinished. I read, on average, about 10-12 books a week and I read them all through to the end. It can take longer to get around to writing the review, but I do love me some good reads.
I also like words. Gosh, I adore long convoluted sentences and turns of phrase that leave me with a grin on my face. Metaphor? Hey - throw me some lovely metaphors, add a spoonful of similes and I'm good to go!
Until now. I have read and re-read the opening 10% of this book repeatedly and ended doubting my own IQ. Am I stupid, because I can't understand a thing? I bought the 'revised' edition, but I was drowning in a sea of prose with no hope of swimming to shore. Nothing seemed to sink in and what did penetrate my brain was immediately forgotten. It was the weirdest experience I have had in a while; nothing like this has ever happened.
I'm upset I have to 1 star this book. I wanted to like it, especially after reading these comments and reviews. I could cry for the author, because there are some people who just seem to delight in bringing her down when she should be advised and built up. I'm tempted to list some brilliant writing groups, so she can learn an art she so plainly loves, but having no real idea of where in the world she is, it's a bit impractical to offer.
This is, I am afraid to say, the second book out of the 1281 I have read in 2014 that I have had to give up on and leave unfinished. It was a prosaic journey through insipidity, tangled up with some out-of-context long words and metaphors that just drowned under the weight of the author's aspirations.
Sorry.
i-dont-think-so
February 24, 2014Not for me
to-avoid
February 26, 2014No comments. :(
Read
February 24, 2014I can't with this mess. Had to DNF.
November 3, 2013
Ready for the 2nd Chorus
This book is described as a noir, think L.A. Confidential only in the record business. the author uses lots of song lyrics or titles, adds a lot of musicians and musical terminology, all written in a smooth yet in your face way that makes it sound like you are listening to an old scat musician. the two main characters are Johnny, a young doctor running from his life in Atlanta (finally eludes to why he is running toward the end) to LA to pursue his music career and an older record label owner, Norman, who wants Johnny. Johnny is a very straight heterosexual male who doesn't want anything to do with sex with another man. This isn't one of the stories where the two men hop right into bed with the hetero figuring out he is a closet gay. this is Johnny who has emotional issues and self medicates, who is still very straight trying to figure out how far he'll go to get his record deal. you pull for Johnny. he has a big old 10 incher and he loathes it. says there's nothing uglier. then you almost hate Norman who is the same age as Johnny's dad. Norman isn't really a nice man. He is a big deal who is used to getting what or who he wants with little regard to the other person. Johnny pursues Norman to get the record deal, but after one meeting, Norman is the one hooked and begins his pursual of Johnny. There is sex. It's isn't the loving sex between two men in love, but raw, rough brutal sex. This book is intense, but the wordsmithing brings it back to a less than hardcore level with all the rock jargon. I am hooked. I can't wait for the next two books
This book is described as a noir, think L.A. Confidential only in the record business. the author uses lots of song lyrics or titles, adds a lot of musicians and musical terminology, all written in a smooth yet in your face way that makes it sound like you are listening to an old scat musician. the two main characters are Johnny, a young doctor running from his life in Atlanta (finally eludes to why he is running toward the end) to LA to pursue his music career and an older record label owner, Norman, who wants Johnny. Johnny is a very straight heterosexual male who doesn't want anything to do with sex with another man. This isn't one of the stories where the two men hop right into bed with the hetero figuring out he is a closet gay. this is Johnny who has emotional issues and self medicates, who is still very straight trying to figure out how far he'll go to get his record deal. you pull for Johnny. he has a big old 10 incher and he loathes it. says there's nothing uglier. then you almost hate Norman who is the same age as Johnny's dad. Norman isn't really a nice man. He is a big deal who is used to getting what or who he wants with little regard to the other person. Johnny pursues Norman to get the record deal, but after one meeting, Norman is the one hooked and begins his pursual of Johnny. There is sex. It's isn't the loving sex between two men in love, but raw, rough brutal sex. This book is intense, but the wordsmithing brings it back to a less than hardcore level with all the rock jargon. I am hooked. I can't wait for the next two books
October 23, 2013
Wow. The author's writing is completely original and captivating, but her imagery and choice of words make me feel like I am witnessing something intensely private--her love affair with the English language comes through so clearly and beautifully that I hate having to put it down.
I highly recommend this book. It is too good to ignore.
I highly recommend this book. It is too good to ignore.
February 1, 2017
*snort*
*snickers*
*snickers*
April 2, 2014
You don't get to know what I thought of this verkakte book because GR removed my original review. I've left a few clues lying around though, so osci asinum meum!
June 5, 2015
I love stories that have two main characters who are so different yet so alike. I truly felt like I was reading poetry.....raw, angst, erotic, brutal, real, raunchy and yes, beautiful poetry. Rock star wanna be, Johnny Gellis, leaves Atlanta and heads to Los Angeles of course. He meets up with a retired record industry mogul, Norman Dimond, who is blown away by Johnny's menacing, bad boy looks let alone his musical capability...each has secrets...dark secrets....yeah to make it in LA you're not gonna get nothin for nothin....but how about when it turns into something? Love Elizabeth Llewelyn descriptive and mind stimulating way of writing. Absolute genius...can't wait for the sequel, The Fix, to come out at the end of this month. This is a MUST READ!!!!!!
♦️♦️ ATTN: I'VE ADDED THIS TO MY REVIEW....I AM NOTICING A BUNCH OF 1 STAR REVIEWS AND LET ME
JUST SAY THAT SOMEONE IS SABOTAGING MS. LLEWELLYN. ♦️THIS PERSON WHO HASN'T READ
HER BOOKS, CONTINUES TO TRASH HER WORK. ♦️THERE IS A GROUP EITHER WORKING WITH THE
PERSON OR THEY ARE WORKING ALONE UNDER DIFFERENT NAMES. ♦️THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS
TWISTED EVERY RESPONSE AND COMMENT OF SELF DEFENSE BY MS. LLEWELLYN TO MAKE HER
AT FAULT...ITS 100% NOT ACCEPTABLE. ♦️SURE, EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINIONS,
CORRECTIVE CRITICISM, AND INSIGHTFUL THOUGHTS...IT SHOULD EVEN BE WELCOMED...BUT MS.
LLEWELLYN HAS BEEN TREATED SO HARSHLY AND UNFAIRLY THAT I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MYSELF.
♦️ITS BEEN MARKED AND RECORDED AS ABUSIVE...BOTH GOOD READS AND AMAZON HAVE BEEN
NOTIFIED...AT LEAST 3, WELL KNOWN, AUTHORS OF THE M/M GENRE HAVE CONTACTED MS.
LLEWELLYN WITH THEIR SYMPATHIES STATING THAT THE SAME HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL.
♦️THE REASON??? THIS OFFENDER IS ACTUALLY A DISGRUNTLED AUTHOR...♦️THANKS FOR
LETTING ME SHARE THIS...♦️♦️
♦️♦️ ATTN: I'VE ADDED THIS TO MY REVIEW....I AM NOTICING A BUNCH OF 1 STAR REVIEWS AND LET ME
JUST SAY THAT SOMEONE IS SABOTAGING MS. LLEWELLYN. ♦️THIS PERSON WHO HASN'T READ
HER BOOKS, CONTINUES TO TRASH HER WORK. ♦️THERE IS A GROUP EITHER WORKING WITH THE
PERSON OR THEY ARE WORKING ALONE UNDER DIFFERENT NAMES. ♦️THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS
TWISTED EVERY RESPONSE AND COMMENT OF SELF DEFENSE BY MS. LLEWELLYN TO MAKE HER
AT FAULT...ITS 100% NOT ACCEPTABLE. ♦️SURE, EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN OPINIONS,
CORRECTIVE CRITICISM, AND INSIGHTFUL THOUGHTS...IT SHOULD EVEN BE WELCOMED...BUT MS.
LLEWELLYN HAS BEEN TREATED SO HARSHLY AND UNFAIRLY THAT I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MYSELF.
♦️ITS BEEN MARKED AND RECORDED AS ABUSIVE...BOTH GOOD READS AND AMAZON HAVE BEEN
NOTIFIED...AT LEAST 3, WELL KNOWN, AUTHORS OF THE M/M GENRE HAVE CONTACTED MS.
LLEWELLYN WITH THEIR SYMPATHIES STATING THAT THE SAME HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL.
♦️THE REASON??? THIS OFFENDER IS ACTUALLY A DISGRUNTLED AUTHOR...♦️THANKS FOR
LETTING ME SHARE THIS...♦️♦️
books-to-avoid
February 24, 2014Not for me.
nope
September 24, 2015Just no. Nyet. Nein. Ani. Por supuesto que no.
Read
October 9, 2016This will never make my reading list purely because of the author's poor behaviour on social media.
October 20, 2013
Elizabeth Llewellyn's debut novel, Suicide Ride, does anything but disappoint! The suicide ride begins the moment you set foot in the black Corvette, and it does not let up but leaves you hanging on through the twists and turns of Johnny Gellis's life.
Gellis is all man and then some when his path crosses Norman Diamond's, a bi-sexual with eyes for Johnny, and when these two pair of eyes meet, there is fire. Gellis appears on the current Hollywood scene like William Holden in Sunset Boulevard, broke, desperate, and vulnerable, and Norman is not afraid to use Johnny's vulnerability. Fortunately, we get to see much more of Johnny than we did of Bill Holden with the author's provocative twist on the old Hollywood story of the director's couch. In this story, though, the characters are fresh and alive with passion and feeling, and Llewellyn develops them brilliantly as the story drives us hard and fast.
One of the striking differences in this gay/bi-sexual genre is the literary merit of the story telling. You love the characters because you know Llewellyn does, as you watch their lives spin out of control, and you feel out of control as you volunteer for this ride. You want to despise them at a point, but suddenly, Llewellyn masterfully evokes a beautiful sympathy for these two lonely people with pasts that makes the word "dysfunctional" ashamed of itself.
The plot development is controlled with no lose wheels driving about through the pages. The twists become harrowing just as the turns that Johnny takes in that Corvette. The writer wonderfully combines the plot development with the character development in this breath-taking ride.
The sub-plots deserve praise as well. We learn about the psyche's of these two men caught in one of the oldest stories known to man, love and desire over obedience and submission. It's the forbidden fruit we crave that we know we must not eat, and Llewellyn's first book leaves us wanting more!
Kudos to Elizabeth Llewellyn for doing something fresh and new: a combination of the literary with erotica!
Gellis is all man and then some when his path crosses Norman Diamond's, a bi-sexual with eyes for Johnny, and when these two pair of eyes meet, there is fire. Gellis appears on the current Hollywood scene like William Holden in Sunset Boulevard, broke, desperate, and vulnerable, and Norman is not afraid to use Johnny's vulnerability. Fortunately, we get to see much more of Johnny than we did of Bill Holden with the author's provocative twist on the old Hollywood story of the director's couch. In this story, though, the characters are fresh and alive with passion and feeling, and Llewellyn develops them brilliantly as the story drives us hard and fast.
One of the striking differences in this gay/bi-sexual genre is the literary merit of the story telling. You love the characters because you know Llewellyn does, as you watch their lives spin out of control, and you feel out of control as you volunteer for this ride. You want to despise them at a point, but suddenly, Llewellyn masterfully evokes a beautiful sympathy for these two lonely people with pasts that makes the word "dysfunctional" ashamed of itself.
The plot development is controlled with no lose wheels driving about through the pages. The twists become harrowing just as the turns that Johnny takes in that Corvette. The writer wonderfully combines the plot development with the character development in this breath-taking ride.
The sub-plots deserve praise as well. We learn about the psyche's of these two men caught in one of the oldest stories known to man, love and desire over obedience and submission. It's the forbidden fruit we crave that we know we must not eat, and Llewellyn's first book leaves us wanting more!
Kudos to Elizabeth Llewellyn for doing something fresh and new: a combination of the literary with erotica!
just-say-no-with-fire
August 3, 2016This blurb is a mess of messiness. I won't be adding it to a reading list. Ever.
March 1, 2014
I got to 44%, then had to stop. The prose it burns! My biggest pet peeve: get to the point. Loved the descriptions of Los Angeles, but actual dialogue is unbelievable. Not my cup of tea.
not-for-me
August 7, 2016As many have said, worst blurb ever. #lesscanbemore
February 27, 2014
I am at an amusement park, standing in front of an enormous roller coaster called "Suicide Ride". I hear the screams and gasps coming from the other riders as the coaster cars fly by overhead. Those exiting the ride have expressions of dazed amusement, and they turn and run back to the entrance to have another go, singing the ride's praises. So I look at the complex scramble of hills, valleys and twists and wonder, "Can I handle this?"
The reviews for the ride have been so phenomenal I figure, why not? So I take the plunge. Right away, I am plunked down into a coaster car shaped like an old Vette. The walls around me display so vividly the atmosphere of the Sunset Strip that I forget the piles of snow at home. I am in L.A. The ride operator smiles wryly, yanks my seatbelt tight and says, "Hang on."
And hang on I do, for the entire, thrilling, ride. Honestly, that first hill takes a long, long time, at least it seems so to me, but then I reach the crest and get just a glimpse of all of the twists and turns coming before I am plunged head-first into a thrill-a-second trip into Johnny Gellis' journey of self-discovery at the hands of Norman Dimond. And what hands they are...
My head is jolted from side to side, my stomach rises and falls, but I can't get enough. I can't wait to see what the last turn will bring, but at the same time, I don't want it to come. The ride's just too damn fun. All good things end, though, so as the brakes squeal to a stop, I reluctantly release my belt and stand on wobbly legs. I follow all the other dazed trippers toward the "EXIT" sign.
Once outside, I think about riding again, just to make sure that there's nothing I missed. Then I glance to my left and see a sign for a new attraction: SUICIDE RIDE 2 - The Fix. Should I try it? Can my over-worked mind stand another psychotic trip with Johnny and Norman? Can my heart take the highs and lows and turns without combusting? Maybe. Maybe not. But it's an addiction now. I turn left and join the line.
The reviews for the ride have been so phenomenal I figure, why not? So I take the plunge. Right away, I am plunked down into a coaster car shaped like an old Vette. The walls around me display so vividly the atmosphere of the Sunset Strip that I forget the piles of snow at home. I am in L.A. The ride operator smiles wryly, yanks my seatbelt tight and says, "Hang on."
And hang on I do, for the entire, thrilling, ride. Honestly, that first hill takes a long, long time, at least it seems so to me, but then I reach the crest and get just a glimpse of all of the twists and turns coming before I am plunged head-first into a thrill-a-second trip into Johnny Gellis' journey of self-discovery at the hands of Norman Dimond. And what hands they are...
My head is jolted from side to side, my stomach rises and falls, but I can't get enough. I can't wait to see what the last turn will bring, but at the same time, I don't want it to come. The ride's just too damn fun. All good things end, though, so as the brakes squeal to a stop, I reluctantly release my belt and stand on wobbly legs. I follow all the other dazed trippers toward the "EXIT" sign.
Once outside, I think about riding again, just to make sure that there's nothing I missed. Then I glance to my left and see a sign for a new attraction: SUICIDE RIDE 2 - The Fix. Should I try it? Can my over-worked mind stand another psychotic trip with Johnny and Norman? Can my heart take the highs and lows and turns without combusting? Maybe. Maybe not. But it's an addiction now. I turn left and join the line.
Read
January 2, 2015After all the reviews I've seen on here and Amazon, I was a bit hesitant to leave a review. But after trying to read this book, not even making it past the first chapter, and returning it for a refund, something I really try never to do, I decided to bite the bullet. I'm not going to rate a DNF book. Here goes....
I'm no expert on writing. As an author myself with 20 yrs. in the biz, we all have those who don't get our work. It happens. However, after really trying to digest this story, the purple prose, over the top descriptive narration, and confusing tangents left me wondering what the hell I had just read. And that was in the first chapter alone. I can understand wanting to give the reader some meat to chew on, but too much can choke.
The premise is a good one, but take all the fluff, purple prose, unnecessary description, and running tangents out, the story would be readable and even passably good. As is, it's too much to slog through everything to get to gist of the story.
I'm no expert on writing. As an author myself with 20 yrs. in the biz, we all have those who don't get our work. It happens. However, after really trying to digest this story, the purple prose, over the top descriptive narration, and confusing tangents left me wondering what the hell I had just read. And that was in the first chapter alone. I can understand wanting to give the reader some meat to chew on, but too much can choke.
The premise is a good one, but take all the fluff, purple prose, unnecessary description, and running tangents out, the story would be readable and even passably good. As is, it's too much to slog through everything to get to gist of the story.
March 26, 2021
Nope, just nope.
Not a single moment or penny to spare for verbally incontinent hatemongers who bully and harass reviewers.
Some call it cancel culture, I call it free will.
Not a single moment or penny to spare for verbally incontinent hatemongers who bully and harass reviewers.
Some call it cancel culture, I call it free will.
September 2, 2016
For real?
Read
March 6, 2014A friend of a friend told me I had to read this book. That is was just the most well-written book that she had read in such a long time.
I told her about my reluctance to read it. It was not well reviewed on multiple sites, and individuals I trusted gave it unfavorable account.
She told me it was almost "lyrical". I should at least give it a read. And she loaned it to me.
So I told myself to keep an open mind and in the beginning I thought this is written differently. It reminded me of a Dark Noir films from the 40's, but after a while the newness wore off. There were beautifully written prose, but with what purpose. After a while, it just became too much with seemly little storyline. I stopped caring and I put down the book.
So since I didn't finish the book I don't feel comfortable rating it.
I told her about my reluctance to read it. It was not well reviewed on multiple sites, and individuals I trusted gave it unfavorable account.
She told me it was almost "lyrical". I should at least give it a read. And she loaned it to me.
So I told myself to keep an open mind and in the beginning I thought this is written differently. It reminded me of a Dark Noir films from the 40's, but after a while the newness wore off. There were beautifully written prose, but with what purpose. After a while, it just became too much with seemly little storyline. I stopped caring and I put down the book.
So since I didn't finish the book I don't feel comfortable rating it.
October 11, 2013
Fasten Your Seatbelt. Peter Maughan
A ride on the edge of the seat. Adamantine prose on a full tank under the bright lights. High octane writing that takes off from Hollywood with its foot down, and which Llewellyn sends, burning rubber, screeching round the bends and tight corners of a plot and sub-plots that will keep you up long after you should have gone to sleep, a live wire of a book you know you should put down but cannot, not yet, let go. A book fizzing with descriptive energy and peopled with characters who come off the page, and who the author, with scalpel precision, takes tenderly apart layer by layer and shows us their beating hearts. Eliciting, from this reader at any rate, an understanding and sympathy I would not have thought possible at the start of the ride.
A ride on the edge of the seat. Adamantine prose on a full tank under the bright lights. High octane writing that takes off from Hollywood with its foot down, and which Llewellyn sends, burning rubber, screeching round the bends and tight corners of a plot and sub-plots that will keep you up long after you should have gone to sleep, a live wire of a book you know you should put down but cannot, not yet, let go. A book fizzing with descriptive energy and peopled with characters who come off the page, and who the author, with scalpel precision, takes tenderly apart layer by layer and shows us their beating hearts. Eliciting, from this reader at any rate, an understanding and sympathy I would not have thought possible at the start of the ride.
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