Watching This Author/Musician As He Grows Better and Better! Jonathan Anthony Burkett AKA John Blake! Join Me!

"After leaving Victoria’s home, Claude and Kelly arrived at Paul and Nikki’s. Claude and Kelly greeted everyone as they walked through the front door. The effect Kelly had on Donald each time he saw her made him say to himself, You’d be a fool to let this one go. 
"For the most part, the evening went smoothly. They ate and shared their funniest moments together as friends while a movie played in the background. Just when it seemed the night would end perfectly, however, Donald got up and told Claude there were some things he wanted to get off his chest. 
"Smiling, Claude replied, “I’m listening.” “It’s with Kelly,” Donald said. Still smiling, Claude looked at Kelly and replied, “All right, go ahead and tell her.” 
“I would like to talk to her in private,” Donald stated.
 “No, I don’t feel comfortable with that. You should be able to express what you have to say to Kelly in front of everyone,” Claude told him. “Okay then. Kelly,” 
~

“Okay then. Kelly,” Donald started, turning his attention to her, “no matter how long it takes, I’ll be right here waiting to show you how much you mean to me.” 
Hurt by Donald’s words, Brittany quickly grabbed her belongings and walked out the door.
 “Donald, that was so wrong of you,” Kelly said, then followed behind Brittany. 
“Well, before any further damage is done, I think it’s time for us to go,” Claude stated calmly. 
"Paul and Nikki sat in shock as they watched him leave...
~~~

Friends 2 Lovers:

Closed Doors Open

By Jonathan Anthony Burkett

I admit that I've gotten to personally like this writer more than I normally have a chance to...maybe it was his autobiography... My guess is, though, that when I first met him on line and said a few things about his first book, he was so interested and enthused to receive my thoughts that I kinda became a personal fan... Getting ready to put this review together showed me even more that this man is out there working to succeed and if you care about supporting new authors, I'm going to ask you to take a look at his work. 

His autobiography was pure enjoyment to read, although it was not an easy story to accept. I still remember what happened to the little boy as he was... I also watched and talked with him about sharing his faith within a fiction book... Do you include sex? for instance... Burkett rewrote that first novel and although I didn't read it word for word, I did skim the latest and found that he had greatly improved that book, including the addition of drama and violence... It's reality in today's world, I know, but the level of violence in books is getting extreme... Burkett's books are balanced, however, as he struggles to share his faith and his values about love and friendship...

This latest novel was good, but there is still a strain to his writing. Especially writing the world of females. I applaud him at the same time as I admit that I have no idea whether his work reflects the lives of this generation... What I do know, however, was that there was much that could be deleted from the book, particularly the number and "daily" interaction between those people: conversations, texts, inclusions of meals... Although they happen, there is no need to include them unless something happens during those events that "move the story forward..." A "cut" of those parts would keep the reader moving faster into the complexity of the family drama itself...

“It's better to have a few faithful friends then numerous shallow friendships.” (Jonathan Anthony Burkett) Using one of his own quotes seemed to apply in this story especially, as I saw several "shallow" friends start to talk to Kelly and Claud, the two friends who've now become lovers and are living together...

Do people really say these things to their supposed acquaintances about the man or woman you love? If so, why put these people in a position where they have to justify their relationships... It increased the drama, yes, but I found myself getting angry on behalf of both of them..."you don't need those types of friends..." LOL So, that means, of course, that Burkett drew me in with his followup to the first book...

“I’ve heard so much about Claude and Kelly.
How did they meet?” Mike asked curiously.
 “Well, from what Kelly told me,
their friendship began after she stood up
 for him against a couple of boys,” Latoya said.
 “After that situation, Claude thanked her,
 and they became good friends.
 One day, Claude decided to talk to me
 about how Kelly was feeling because
 of what I was going through with their father.
 He surprised me so much by what he said
 that I started caring for him as if he was my son
. His words really helped to restore our
mother-daughter relationship.”
 “Sounds like he really put in an effort to bring
 happiness back into her life,” Mike replied.
 “Yes, Kelly’s happiness seemed to always be
 what mattered to him. According to him,
he gave her space with other boys so she
 could learn from her mistakes,”
 Latoya said with a chuckle.
 “Well, I can’t wait to meet them,” Mike replied.
                                       ~~~

Back to the violence, the men in Claud's life have short tempers which resulted in the total loss of his family! I would have liked to see more time given to Claud's inner thoughts during this period, or even perhaps through discussions with his friend and her mother. In fact, the incidents within the novel are aimed to reflect love and faith... This is good, but I think the reality is that none of us immediately reach that level. To really reflect the results of horrific accidents, death, etc., when they come means that we need to feel and see the internal anger, even at God. Could Claud's short temper bursts be because he holds in so much that anybody crossing him, who have no part in his life, are used to let go of some of that internal struggle? I look forward to future books that, hopefully, dwell on the internal emotions.

Claud in particular has been affected by remarks by a couple of new friends. Even while he's trying to respond to them, you can tell that what they've said has gotten him thinking...and acting...  I enjoyed that, in fact, because, all that lovey-dovey between them--does that really happen? LOL 

Still, the author shares some great poetry in those situations... and nobody can deny this Dude is one romantic guy!

Though there are a few editorial issues, I was impressed by the issues that the author is addressing, including divorce, children of divorce, child abuse, career versus marriage, sex and so much more. Also, as of this point in the series, most of the characters and actions are within the families or extended families and friends which sets up the environment for dealing and discussing relationship issues that go bad within the family and how dealing with them affect so many different lives in different ways.

A lot of surprises from the past were finally revealed, including the discovery of a young boy, Claud's nephew, who they hadn't known about!

Like I said, earlier, I'm watching this young man as he works to find his role in writing, music, love and as a Christian.
His books are selling for less than a dollar right now. Do let the author know about your opinions if you read any of his work... He's has the talent...what will he choose to do with it for the future??? Highly recommended for family drama...


GABixlerReviews

See also Friends 2 Lover Volume 1 original version
              Neglected but Undefeated

About this author

Jonathan Anthony Burkett was born in 1987. He is a bright writer inspired by many, as he continues to struggle in life. Devoted to achievement in his lifetime, he is willing to take any test. He told himself, that he would never give up no matter the trials and tribulations. He decided to write to help him move towards a bright future for himself; and because he knows that is what his Grandparents want for him.

Learning now that life is a challenge for many, with trials, tribulations, brutality, hatred, along with grief and manipulation. Jonathan is writing now to release his thoughts about life, after being motivated, inspired to prosper, encouraged to tolerate, uplifted, and empowered from his past.

“Father God strengthen my willpower, for I have made it through battles, but I know that the war is nowhere close to being over, for me. However, I plan on standing strong throughout it all, never giving up, and believing that I will live to see brighter nights and days” Jonathan prays.

His latest novel is “Friends 2 Lovers”, I and II are now available, a beautiful portrayal of how the strong bond of friendship and truly knowing someone can blossom into a lifetime of love……

Can a close friendship grow into something deeper – a loving relationship perhaps? In this compelling and emotive story that evokes a gamut of emotions and thoughts, author Jonathan Anthony Burkett portrays how it is possible for best friends to be more than “just friends”. Find out how Claude and Kelly end up from being Friends 2 Lovers as you follow them through their disappointing, confusing, loving, shocking, encouraging, and romantic moments. But can their bond last and withstand all the challenges that cross their way? Experience an overwhelming ebb and flow of emotions when you join them in their journey.

Not Just Another Review: Guests Charlie Harris and Diesel!

Look-alike Diesel According to Fan on Dean James FBPage...

"When Godfrey showed up in my office three days ago,
he told me he wanted to donate his papers to the college
archive," I said. "What I didn't know at the time was that
he had already made arrangements to ship his papers here.
They arrived the day after his death."
"And you waited two days to tell me about this?" The
intensity of Kanesha's glare sharpened."
"Yes, I did," I said. "Godfrey's papers basically belong to
the college now. In a letter that came with the papers
Godfrey pretty much assigns ownership to the college."
"That may be," Kanesha said. "But that doesn't mean
you can suppress information that could be relevant to
this case. I have a good mind to charge you with
interfering with an official investigation..."

Murder Past Due: 

A Cat in the Stacks 
 Mystery

By Miranda James


I found this debut, second printing, book on my TBR shelf and decided I needed something light and fun to read after the various complex novels that I'd recently read. Besides, my favorite-sized book has always been the paperback so I literally took this  with me for a cozy mystery in my cozy, warm bed...

First I had to stop and remember two former associates from my campus career--Robert Munn and Ruth Jackson who are two former Deans of Libraries on the WVU campus with whom I had the privilege to work. Why? Because, of course, the main character in this new series is a librarian, retired now, but like me, still involved, especially with books--in Athena, Mississippi--Charlie Harris...

Source: reneefrench.blogspot.com via shun on Pinterest

"Mmmmmmmmm?"

"Oh, Hi Diesel! " Thanks for stopping by..."

"Mmmmmmmmmmmm?!!!

"Well, yeah, Diesel, I would have liked to have you do this review, but...you don't talk, and you didn't really participate in solving the mystery... I know you played an important part, especially with Justin...but how are you going to tell my readers about the story?"

"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!"

"Charlie's with you? So, he'll be my guest today? Well, Okay...Charlie Harris, Welcome to Book Reader's Heaven! I hope you don't mind that I took the time to give a shout out for two head librarians from the campus where I worked for nearly 40 years!"

"Well, thank you for having us--and I'm so happy to hear you are friends with both cats and librarians. It is always wonderful to make new friends. But, really, I shouldn't be the one who's telling this story since I made some bad decisions along the way that made the police investigation more difficult. My only defense is that I'm new at this amateur detective business... But, as you know, I had been asked by a number of people to be involved!

Godfrey Priest was the first one when he barged in on me without an appointment, even knowing that I could never stand the man! Anyway, since I was the Archivist for the campus and he wanted to donate his papers, I had to talk to him. Ok, he is an author, but not exactly one that would greatly add stature to our collection. Even though he had come from the town and gone to college here. But I did manage to negotiate an accompanying endowment so I was thankful that I had acted professionally.

Still, when he switched gears and told me, I imagine, why he was really here, I was floored. Not only because he was admitting something so personal to me, but that Justin, the boy he identified, was rooming with me since he'd started classes and I had come to care about him as well as feeling some responsibility for him as he lived under my roof!

In fact, it was my concern about Justin that had led to my going out trying to find him and discovered him just sitting along a street, looking quite dazed. That, as you know now, led me to be the one who actually found Godfrey Priest in his room--quite dead--and called the police!

How was I to know that Kanesha would be heading the case as the newly appointed Acting Chief Deputy Sheriff?! Having her as lead was a major reason I even got involved, although I couldn't tell her that! You see, Kanesha 's mother, Azalea, is my part-time housekeeper. I was privileged to inherit my present home from a loving aunt and Azalea had made it quite clear to me and to her daughter that she would continue keeping up this beautiful house. Which I was quite grateful for naturally. But, now Kanesha was in a temporary position and it was a murder--the first the town had for many years! So, Azalea had asked that I try to help in the case, but, of course, without her daughter knowing she had asked! What's a man to do...

Now, Godfrey had never been well-liked in town, except for the ladies--he would turn on the charm and...well, I won't go into just how many town-girls had been involved in flings with him. All of whom had to be considered as "persons of interest..." Then I was shocked that even my boss had been involved in the past with Godfrey when a former wife had divorced him to marry Godfrey!

But then Godfrey's papers were delivered and I realized that they had been shipped long before he and I talked--Just like him to think that we would naturally be thrilled to receive his thrillers--oh, well, I like that turn of phrase--thrilled to receive his thrillers!

In any event, I really started investigating into what I now had in my possession and started finding, well, clues, of course. And what a cozy little complex set of secrets started to appear. Fun tracking everything down!

Well, Charlie, I have to say that I had the first of those secrets figured out right at the beginning of the book but I really did not guess who murdered Godfrey, so Miranda James fooled me in Murder Past Due which was a perfect title for the book--and for Godfrey Priest! LOL

Charlie, I have two confessions: I was sorry that Diesel didn't participate in solving the mystery, even though he makes a wonderful cat character I loved and, second, I've so enjoyed having you tell the story from your perspective and I'm going to be one of your thousands of fans! Can't wait to catch up with this series! And, readers--well, you know who you are! If you've missed this new cat in the stacks mystery series like I had, it's highly recommended!


GABixlerReviews

Miranda James is the pseudonym of Dean James, a seventh-generation Mississippian long transplanted to Texas. A mystery fan since the age of ten, he wrote his first novel at the ripe old age of twelve. The only copy of The Mystery of the Willow Key vanished years ago, but since it was highly derivative of the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mystery series, that’s probably a good thing.

Currently a librarian in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Dean has published articles on topics in library science, the history of science/medicine, and mystery fiction. His first book, which he co-wrote with fellow librarian Jean Swanson, was By a Woman’s Hand(Berkley; 1994). Jean and Dean won an Agatha Award for Best Mystery Non-Fiction and were nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the Edgar for Best Critical-Biographical work for this popular reference book. A second edition followed two years later, and Dean and Jean collaborated on two further projects, Killer Books(Berkley; 1998) and The Dick Francis Companion (Berkley; 2003). In all he has co-authored or co-edited six works of mystery reference and one short story anthology.

His first novel, Cruel as the Grave (Silver Dagger Mysteries) was published in 2000. Since then he has published seventeen more novels, writing under his own name and the pseudonyms Jimmie Ruth Evans and Honor Hartman. In August 2010 he launched a new series writing as Miranda James. The first book under this name, Murder Past Due (Berkley Prime Crime; $7.99) spent four weeks on the extended New York Times bestseller list for mass market paperbacks. The second book in the series, Classified as Murder, published in May 2011, also hit the NYT list. The third book, File M for Murder is out now. The fourth book in the series will be out in January 2013.

Dean lives with one elderly cat, thousands of books, and thinks frequently about killing people – but only in the pages of fiction.

Sorry, Dean/Miranda, Cats always get top billing when visiting. Like/Find Diesel on Facebook!