Views & Reviews

from the casual reader...   to professional critics and editors

Keri (avid reader), Chicago: "... I read for pleasure and loved the diversity of the book. Though the main novella was engaging, my favorites were 54 Excuses and the Twelve Labors of Hercules . I'm a horse owner, and could truly relate... as for Hercules, a purely entertaining romp; my favorite being Diana's pet deer."

Camelia, (amateur poet, writer) Melbourne, Australia: "...this is a winner here: a brilliant description of the life and times of a group of young men forced into a time of brutal inhumanities. Your story touched me. I felt for those kids and of how their love for each other and country, their inate humour, strength, and youthful optimism pulls them through..."

Dean, (ret. Army Cptn), Kentucky: "...Vince's thoughts told me about the futility of war without lecturing. I too aligned myself with the main character and felt his pain and anguish as well as pride and protection of his men." 

Stephanie, NJ (bk r’viewer for Amazon):  Oh my, Beaches is amazing; I'm floored. It was beautifully written and I love the horseracing approach. Tony could be from any one of the Italian families I know here in Newark, so touching and real. I knew I’d be crying at the end, and was I EVER right.

Deb (lit. editor), southwest Texas: "... I liked it for a strong, unusual approach to an old subject. The inclusion of the horse racing was a stroke of genius. I fell in love with the characters and their quirks... the story built and built on fear, life, courage, and love... one fantastic tale of young toughs going to war... the last chapter summed it up beautifully.

Kelly (award winning author, critic), Washington State: Beaches moved me so... I’m in tears. The story is well-paced, the characters are phenomenal and true to themselves. The bonding of the men and their struggles with fear and their use of bravado to disguise such was orchestrated like a master. You have blended a real life recipe of humor, friendship, horror, and ultimately love with a compassionate touch... a believable and riveting story; awesome. 

Dante, (ret. Eng. Tchr) Boston area: I enjoyed the Beaches novella for several reasons... I am of Italian extraction, served in WW2, and was reminded of the relationships formed during those years. Your references to Harry James and Charlie Spivak were right on. I am more into expository writing and non-fiction, but the story had enough historical background to bring in a sense of realism.

Wyatt (writer, W. Coast): A favorite for me was The Idiot... it was really wonderful. In tone, it reminded me of A Christmas Story… childhood angst meets the realm of the ridiculous. It's funny, colorful and smooth story-telling in the classic mold. The characters were warm and real, and some of the descriptions were pure burlesque… marvelous