Daddy & Daughter Review: Corrupted by Robert J. Crane {Book 3}

Title: Corrupted
Series: Southern Watch
Author: Robert J. Crane
Publisher: Midian Press
Date of Publication: Nov 6 2014
Source: received from author for our honest opinion of it
Ages:  MATURE 18+

Goodreads Synopsis:

WARNING: Due to graphic language and disturbing content, this book is intended for MATURE READERS ONLY.

Midian, Tennessee is the site of a gradually deepening apocalypse. Demons haunt the town, causing unexplainable deaths that leave local law enforcement mystified. Demon hunter Lafayette Hendricks and Sheriff's Deputy Archibald "Arch" Stan are on the case, however, and with the aid of their significant others and a pair of demonic Officers of Occultic Concordance, they'll chase down every lead they have to find the killer...until they uncover something utterly unexpected. For something dark and twisted has come to Midian with one evil intention: the desire to corrupt innocence utterly and completely...

...something that will burn the very world around them to ash.

 Daddy's Review

I am telling you that this series just keeps getting more and more exciting!  At first, I was a little skeptical about reading these books but my daughter really wanted to challenge me to get out of my "westerns only" reading and try something new.
Well, now I can honestly say I am glad I did.  This writer, Mr. Crane, is darn talented.  It is just sad you can't find him in every bookstore but only online.  I would like to see him everywhere because he definitely deserves it.
I have to say, so far, Corrupted has been my favorite book.  It has a lot of surprises in it, good and bad, and the bad guy this time is pretty sick!  
I swear every time I read these books, it is like there is a movie playing out in my mind.  It is really easy to picture the scenes throughout the book.  
I really enjoy that Arch's wife has a more major part in this book. There are also some pretty funny parts too.  I really like how the whole story seems to be progressing; but I still think the Sheriff should have a more vital part with the gang.
But all in all, Corrupted was so good with super realistic fight scenes that the bad language really took a backseat for me!
I have give this one five stars!


My Review (Daughter's Review)

What I love the most about Robert J Crane's writing is his originality.  Trust me, some of the bad guys in this book you will probably never find them in any other demon genre.  You know you are going to get something totally unexpected and more than likely, it will be hilarious.
I just love how Mr. Crane was able to take something so innocent and healthy and then turn it into some mass killing machine.  Kudos to you, Crane.
We see some of our favorite characters in this as well as meet a few new ones.  I personally, love the warlock even though I know he is a bad guy.  He is just a likable bad guy.
And of course I am loving that Arch's wife is in the action, so to speak.  There is so much more to her and I love that she is being incorporated into the story a little more each time.   I really think that Allison Stan is one of the strongest characters in the book, the quiet brooding strong.
I still enjoy the demon officers, Lerner and Duncan, and think it really opens up the whole gray area that Crane is so good with writing.  Yes, they are demons but are they inherently evil?

There is some major plot twists throughout Corrupted that will have you gasping in surprise and laughing out loud too.
There is one specific scene that really had me thinking of the Ghostbusters movie.   Think of the whole "keymaster, gatekeeper" idea and you will understand.  I loved that scene so much!  Even though it was pretty creepy; it was still pretty awesome!

Overall, Corrupted was a really fun and really intense read.  There was this major darkness (even more so than normal) saturating the whole story line that kept the story from being too crazy and silly; but instead made you deal with some very shocking and intense themes that people today sometimes face.  I feel like each book is leading up to this whopper of a story thread that is going to bring the reader down to our knees.  Each of these books gets harder as there is more things for these people to lose.

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Double Book Review: Destiny & Power by Robert J. Crane

Title: Destiny
Author: Robert J. Crane
Series: The Girl in the Box book 9
Publisher: Reiknonos Press
Date of Publication:  March 30 2014
Source: received from author in exchange for my honest opinion.  Kindle, 259 pages
Ages: I would say 18 +


Book Synopsis:

NOTE: This is a tightly intertwined series wherein each book builds on previous volumes.
In the aftermath of her confrontation with Sovereign, Sienna Nealon finds herself low on allies. The organization Century continues their genocide of the entire race of metahumans unchecked, working toward an ultimate goal that they have yet to reveal. Sienna must race to find the answers before it's too late, because Century's final attacks are beginning... and if Sienna and her allies fall, there will be no one left to stop them.

My Thoughts: 
I don't think I need to say but I am going to anyway.  If you haven't read any of this series: STOP!  Don't read these reviews because I can promise it will be some type of spoiler.  Instead, go and grab the first three books for free here.

So I have come to rely on Mr. Crane as my go to author when I really want some neck snapping action and intense fight scenes.  When I want a book that is gritty, raw and isn't afraid to take the huge jumps needed to give me what I need and want as a reader, I pick up a Robert J. Crane novel.

See, I have been reading novels by Crane for a few years now and I have come to understand a little bit about him now.  First off, he is an amazing writer.  But he is also one of those writers that loves to dispose of characters we can't help but fall in love with.  Yeah, one of those guys.  He takes away the characters that make us feel and connect to the story in a deeper way.  And we curse him.
But....
Perhaps, that is what makes him an extraordinary storyteller.  He creates such complex and multifaceted characters we can't help but connect with them.  Then, we become so vested in these characters that when something terrible happens to them, we, the readers, experience extreme emotional loss and crushing heartbreak.
Maybe, just maybe, that is the true definition of an excellent writer.


And that is what Destiny does to us: it takes our heart and throws it to the wind.  It's like Reed just ripped it out our chests and played frisbee with it.  I had to really harden myself to finish this series; hell to finish his books, without breaking down into an emotional mess.  But we have to remember this isn't a "black and white world" (thank you Sienna for that sage advice)

You want a black and white world where we can live by the laws?  I'm here to tell you that you're going to drown in the grey.  This isn't law and order and justice for mankind.  This is survival.  This is the law of nature- a pack of wolves who are going to eat you in the dark of night, and you can either shoot them first or get devoured. Your choice.

I love when there is more grey in the stories than it being cut and dry.  It makes for a much more interesting look in to what people are willing to do , and not do when they are being threatened.  Like fatally threatened.  In Destiny we see how far Sienna is willing to go to protect the ones she loves.  Of course,  I think we already knew how far she was willing to go anyways; but it is still funny to see Scott finally coming to terms with it.  
And yay!  We get reconnected with an old friend in Destiny as well.  I am so glad this guy is back.  I really look at him as a father like figure for Sienna, in a good way.  No hidden agenda.

Oh and we see a lot of killing in this book too.  Of course, it wouldn't be a Robert Crane book without it, right?  But, hey look on the bright side- Sienna isn't the one doing all of it this time.

It's actually pretty hard to do a review on a book that is so far into the series (without giving something away) and still be inconspicious about the plot.

Let's just say relationships will be forged and we will lose important people.  People I didn't want to lose but with the loss we are also introduced to new characters.  I have a serious feeling we will see these characters again down the road.  I am usually not into getting new characters so late into a series, but it works for Crane because I know he always has a purpose.
There was one part that was pretty confusing for me, but it might also have to do with the fact that I am not a huge fan of time travel ideas.
But all in all, I loved Destiny.  I also love how Crane went into naming the books.  It's simple.  But at the same time-that one word conveys so much about the story.  I mean it feels like Sienna is fighting her own Destiny.  Everyone's destiny.  Can she overcome what is in store for her and finally make her own fate or will she drown in the imprisonment of her supposed Destiny?
We will definitely find out in the next and last book, Power.

Title: Power
Author: Robert J. Crane
Series: The Girl in the Box Book 10
Source: received from author in exchange for my honest opinion.



Book Synopsis:

The epic conclusion to the Girl in the Box series.
Sienna Nealon seems like a woman beaten. Imprisoned by her enemies, facing the extinction of her entire race, she is up against overwhelming odds. But overwhelming odds have never stopped her before. In the final volume of the epic Girl in the Box Series, Sienna Nealon must face her fears, face her foes, and then go up against the single most powerful man in the world - Sovereign - in order to save her world from complete and total destruction.

My Thoughts:

This was the all time best naming of a book ever?!!!  Sienna definitely comes into her power in every single way possible and I couldn't be more happier for everyone.  She is finally able to pull every piece of herself together to do what has to be done, in a way that I was totally not expecting.  Believe me, you will be re-reading this book a few times.  I did.  And every time was like the first.  I have to say this book was probably my favorite book of all time.  I loved the ending, loved the beginning and middle.
And the action is over the top beautiful and flawlessly graphic; which we love of course.  If you picked up the that first book, Alone, and fell in love with Mr. Crane's writing style and genius then Power will make breathless with adoration.  Everything comes full circle and I enjoyed every freaking minute of how everything falls in place and unfolds the way it does.

I don't know what to say without giving something away.  All I can say is if you have vested your time in any of these books, then you owe it to yourself to finish the series.  Power will blow you away with twists and turns surrounding it.  Sovereign will surprise us but Sienna does too.  And we get a new character, Harper, that I hope we see again in the future.  Please!
But just say the action doesn't get you (are you crazy?) well the humor will definitely grab you.  All the books , except maybe one, has the classic Sienna snarky humor that I love.  Honestly, I think Sienna and Vaste would get long so well in all their snarky goodness.
{Vaste is another character from another series of Crane's I fell in love with first}

I just...really I am speechless.  I loved this book sooooo much and I don't really want to say too much to give it away.  Let's just say that you need to read the book!  Like right now!

I would prefer to give it a million of stars, hearts, anything I can get my hands on; but alas I only go up to five hearts.
I think my Destiny, though, is to own this entire series in paperback as well as digital.  The authors I absolutely adore, like Anne Rice, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, goes in a special bookcase in my home.  Well guess what?  I am getting this series in paperback and it will have its special place there too.
Well done, Mr. Crane.  Well done.

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Grab a copy for yourself at:
Destiny
Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Power
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Daddy and Daughter Book Review: Depths: Book 2 in Southern Watch Series by Robert J. Crane

Title: Depths
Series: Southern Watch
Author: Robert J. Crane
Publisher: Reikonos Press
Date of Publication: February 2014
Source: bought, as well as received from author for honest review.
Rating: 18 +
From Goodreads:

The underworld is rising in Midian, Tennessee, a small town and burgeoning hotspot of demonic activity. When a string of savage and horrific murders committed by demons shocks the town, the unknowing Sheriff's Department scrambles to track down the culprit.

Working outside the bounds of the law is Deputy Archibald "Arch" Stan and demon hunter Lafayette Hendricks. The two of them are keeping watch on the situation in Midian, trying to thin the demon population - a heavy task even when there isn't a rising body count to deal with.

Their investigation leads them on a twisting path that sends them up against the forces of hell, has them at odds with their significant others and may even cost them their lives. Because a new demon has come to Midian, one that has a taste for death...
...and he may not leave the town standing when he's done

Daddy's Review:
Well I thought I would never find myself enjoying a book so much that would I give it five stars, but I guess you should never say never.  Because I really really liked Depths so much I don't see how Mr. Crane can write the next book any better than this one.
Well there was still the extreme cursing, which I am not a fan of, but I do like that we have the main character, Archie, who refuses to curse.  So it seems to even things out for me.
Now before I read this book, my daughter warned me there was a very graphic scene that I may not be able to handle.  Well, I was okay.  Now I didn't enjoy the scene; but I didn't let that one scene affect how I felt about the overall story.  I think the one scene that probably bothered me more than anything was the wrecks on the highway.  I felt that was uncalled for, but probably more for a personal reason than anything.  And I know that scene probably bothered my daughter as well.
But it is pretty graphic and if you aren't used to watching horror movies with some gore, then you might not be able to handle it.
Boy I loved how Mr. Crane answered some of my questions I had after reading the first book.  And there is some interesting ideas in this second one that I did not see coming but at the same time I really liked it.
This book is full out action!  It is kinda like Die Hard- there is always something going on over here and there ; but it all ties in at the end.  I also really liked the new characters we meet, Lerner and Duncan, and I feel like they really bring something great to the story.
Overall, I enjoyed Depths a lot.  The first book was good but this one was great!  It just pulled me in and I found myself having a hard time putting the book down.  I believe I read this one faster than I did the first one or any of my westerns I read.
I was really happy with this book.  Shoot, I wanted to give it ten stars but my daughter says they don't rate that far.  Well I think they should.  But five it is.

*****

My Review(Daughter):

I was forewarned by Crane that I might not like the disturbing scene that everyone was talking about so he wanted to let me know to watch out for it.  And I admit it was disturbing indeed, but I also know why it was there.  We needed to truly see the emptiness that Gideon is and the depravity of the situation showed us that Gideon only cares for his next "fix", so to speak. So from an author's standpoint, I believe that Crane executed that point perfectly.
The scene with the hooker actually didn't bother me as bad as it did everyone else.  Should I be worried?  Maybe I am just sensitive to other aspects....
Actually, I think Gideon "taking things into his own hands" probably got on my nerves more than anything.  As antagonists go, this one just irritated the hell out of me.
And Dad is right.  The scene that really bothered me more was the highway scene.  That actually hit me on a personal level, having been in a wreck that was pretty intense for me.

But there were two characters that I fell in love with completely.  Duncan and Lerner.  These two guys are awesome!  I felt like they really brought a new side to the whole demon hunting plot line.  Just when you think you everything is black and white, we get this huge side of gray and we don't have everything in neat little wrong or right compartments.  I loved the way they could get along with others and how fantastic they were at their job.  Hendricks will probably have to re think some of his beliefs now.

I am glad we find out more about the secondary characters as much as we do the main ones.  I love when the secondary characters prove to be just as important to the story line as the main protagonists.  That is some good writing!

And of course the action is nonstop!  But that is what I will always expect with a Robert J. Crane book.  I couldn't imagine him writing a boring book.  Nope!
I really think that if you enjoyed any of his other books you should try the Southern Watch series.  Yes it is graphic and gory, yes there is a ton of cursing, and some questionable antagonists but there is a lot of action and a very good plot that will blow you away!
I give it five hearts as well!

A Father/Daughter Book Review: Called (Book 1: Southern Watch) by Robert J. Crane

Title: Called
Series: Southern Watch Book 1
Author: Robert J. Crane
Publisher: CreateSpace
Date of Publication: Jan. 6, 2014
Source: bought, paperback, 172 pages
Rating: Adult, 18 + over

Goodreads Summary:

Archibald "Arch" Stan was a local cop in Midian, Tennessee that was good at his job, good at being a husband, and exceptionally good at hiding his disappointment at not being able to figure out what was missing in his life that made it all seem so empty.

Lafayette Hendricks looked like a drifter, a broken-down hitchhiker blown through Midian on the prevailing winds. When Arch catches him in a fight on the town square, though, things start to get weird, fast, because the guy he's fighting doesn't die when he gets shot. And Hendricks is carrying a sword.

Pretty soon, Arch's whole life is turned upside down by Hendricks's revelation that there's a secret world operating under the one he's been living in his whole life - one filled with demons, chaos, and unspeakable evils, one of which is already in town, stirring trouble. And if the two men don't band together to keep watch on the darkness falling on Midian, then this small town might just get swallowed up by the forces of evil - with the rest of the world to follow shortly behind.

WARNING: Contains violence, coarse language and sexual situations.

Father's Thoughts:
I could have done without all the language but I understand why he had to use it.  I also realize he put a warning up, so I was expecting bad language just not this bad.  But besides that, the overall story is pretty good.  It will keep you hooked into it , trying to figure out what will happen next.  There is a lot of action in it, and it has this modern day cowboy feel to it.  I, personally, enjoy westerns; but I did enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone to try this book with my daughter.  It is violent but I believe the author is trying to show us how demons really are, how low they will go.    So again that could point to all the extremely foul language.  It seems to come more from the demons than the other characters.
Another thing that tended to get to me was the ending.  Man, I don't like those cliffhanger endings!  I am glad he left it open for another book , but did you really have to end it like that?
All in all, I did enjoy reading Called.  Towards the last half of the book, it is so fast paced and full of action I had a hard time pulling away from the book.  Good job!
 My daughter says I have to give it a number rating from 1 to 5; so I am going to go with a 4.  The book was good.  It was interesting, had some good characters and kept me reading so I find that it earned a 4.  It did leave many questions I had unanswered, so I got to get to reading the next book soon.

My Thoughts:
Well if it wasn't violent and jammed full of action then it wouldn't be Robert J. Crane's writing.  This is something I have come to expect from the man and he never disappoints us!  It did have some moments that seemed very violent but it never got any worse than say Spartacus.  You know the show on Starz?  Yeah, well that is violent.  So it did stay below that level.
I did notice that our characters did use much more extreme cursing in it than most of the other characters from the other series ever used.  Cursing doesn't really bother me (since I tend to do it a lot myself- sorry Dad!) but I do understand my Dad's problem with it.  He was more or less expecting harsh language but not the F bomb being dropped constantly.  But in the author's defense, sometimes you can't get something across by just using the word "dang nabbit"  or some other words.  I mean we are talking about demons, who really don't give a crap about the human race or anything for that matter, and I just don't see them watching their language.  Plus, the coarse language shows us the situations that seem to follow these people along.  Bless Arch though.  Even though he was going through some serious hell, I don't believe he ever let the F Bomb drop at all.
Getting pass the extreme sport of throwing the F word around,  the story is a good solid one.  I am very interested in who Hendricks truly is, and why he has such a hatred for these demons.  Starling was probably my favorite character in the whole book right now.  She just has this awesome personality that really makes me think that she is going to be pretty freaking awesome! (No, it isn't that F word)
I didn't really care for Erin though.  I am hoping she isn't here to stay, so to speak.
Then there is our main characters: Arch and Hendricks.  What an unlikely odd couple!  I think they go great together though; Arch is this milder guy who tries to think things through before just jumping on the band wagon.  Whereas Hendricks is the good guy who has a bad guy persona.  They remind me of Sam and Dean from Supernatural a little bit.  They actually compliment each other and I think they make a great team.  It will be interesting to see how their relationship pans out.
Overall, I thought Called was a decent book.  There were parts that seemed a little too strange and felt like it might have took away from the seriousness of the story.  I am thinking of how the cow plays into all of this and feeling like that was a little too silly for the whole demon story.  But it did make for a funny reading.
Besides that, though, the plot was a solid one that definitely kept me interested until I finished the book and couldn't wait to jump in to book 2.  It flows well and I really enjoyed the action that plays throughout the book.
I give it four hearts!

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