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“Jacob Evans”
by Steven Manchester
Reviewed by Victoria Valentine
Steven Manchester socks it to you with an unbelievable impact, in the opening chapter of Jacob Evans. From that point on, prepare yourself for the unexpected! You are in for an enthralling sojourn, spanning generations with Jacob Evans, his family, friends and acquaintances. This book contains every element available to the pen to bombard a reader with adventure and fear, warmth and tears.
Never before has an author so expertly dissected “life” in such a clever manner. Each unique segment of Jacob Evans’ existence has been solidly transformed into 38 compelling short stories. Dominating with ingenuity, Manchester powerfully draws his readers into boyhood memories, intimate first love, challenges of adulthood, marriage with its pitfalls and rewards; all of the beautiful and parallel dreaded developments of true life with its many tragedies.
Implementing these stories, tossing them into a blender, Manchester has churned out a book filled with insightful tales of the unpredictable, pulverizing your senses with shock after shock. You will devour Jacob Evans in one thrilling read.
You can be assured, the opening wallop of “Evicted” will explode with velocity as Manchester ploughs through the Evans’ bloodline. From birth to death – he chronicles events, permitting the freedom of senses to wander, and minds to wonder, “what will occur next?” – yet he jolts you at every curve.
To enter into his realm of imagination you must be willing to take that train ride through emotion, smoothly traveling miles of pleasure and pain, and then – on the threshold of reality, Manchester derails you with his use of vibrant imagery, characterizations and unexpected situations you will identify with, laugh with and cry with. Instinctively your hand will fly to your mouth with disbelief. You are in for a phenomenal tour of past, present and future as you eagerly follow Jacob and his descendents around each uncertain corner.
In Manchester’s opening quote “as life is nothing more than a collection of short stories” he has skillfully mastered this truth and simplicity; life is one fleeting memory upon another. You the reader, will experience powerful emotions vicariously thru the creativity of Steven Manchester.
Don’t expect any one chapter to end the way it appears to begin! This author has brilliantly combined the necessary components of mystery, horror, suspense, drama, romance, love and hate, to construct a bridge between dream and reality, life and death.
Manchester’s brew of characters and stories has been woven into colorful patterns in an intricate quilt called; Jacob Evans.
A final word about Jacob Evans… Amazing!
Victoria Valentine Skyline Publications New York
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