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Printed from https://writing.com/main/profile/reviews/brucef
Review Requests: OFF
1,337 Public Reviews Given
2,403 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
I like to read novels and biographies, so if I can review them at the same time, why not. My ratings are usually at the high end because I think if someone has taken the time and effort to write a large piece, it is an achievement. The review will give the opportunity to flag up typographic errors. I do not mark down ratings for these errors because they are easily fixed.
Favorite Item Types
Rhyming Verse. Novels and short stories.
Least Favorite Item Types
Non-rhyming poetry.
I will not review...
Erotica, Vampire and Wolf stories. Their stories are all very samey to me.
Public Reviews
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Review of The Dugs O' Largs  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
What an absolute delight to come across this story poem. The rhyming is excellent and shows a great skill in rhyming verse. Based on fact as noted below and a story of which I was not aware. My mother was from Arbroath so I had no trouble with the dialect, but for those that may struggle there is an index type list at the end.
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Review of Dream Jumper Ch 4  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
I don't know if this is the end or if it will be continued. Either way it is a good ending to the chapter or the story. It has been a very good journey through the young girls years and I have enjoyed the read. It is always good to find something different especially if the writing is of a good standard. Well done.
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Review of Dream Jumper Ch 3  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
You certainly have a way with words. We start off with some short but descriptive journeys which are easy to imagine. Then the conversations with her mother at home and in hospital are very well handled and the writing seems sympathetic to the mother's last moments of life. Learning of the bad people adds to the drama and the suspense of the unknown events yet to come, perhaps.
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Review of Dream Jumper Ch 2  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
This fascinating tale continues to keep me interested. This chapter is like a story within a story. The writing, to me, is faultless and errors cannot be seen. As a reader I am left wondering what the next adventure will be when the the girl jumps into another dream. As we know, a dream can go anywhere.
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Review of Dream Jumper Ch 1  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
After a good informative prologue, the main body of the story starts here. The writing continues at a good standard and the characterisation puts the reader fully into the events. I like the story because it is something different and prompts me to read on to find out where it goes from here.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
This has a category of fantasy but reads like an article in a magazine. Nothing wrong with that, in fact it is a clever and interesting piece of writing. The writing is of a good standard and I noticed no errors or typo's. The narrator though fictional has a feeling of relating to actual facts. Very well done.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
As expected, an interesting read with no noticeable errors. The narrative takes us into the mind of the main character and implies a dislike to how his father has progressed following the divorce from his mother. Does the story end here leaving us to our own conclusions? Or will the story be continued which is likely as it has potential?
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Another good chapter. Heavy on the narrative but nothing wrong with that. The descriptions are good and the characterisation comes over well. I spotted no errors or typo's and the content kept my interest throughout. He might say a few words, or might not. Have to read on to find out.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This looks to be the start of a good story. The writing is of a good standard and I noticed no errors or typo's. Although titled Helena there is no mentioned of her in this chapter, unless she is the woman who died. The chapter ends with some descriptive paragraphs which are well-written so keeps the interest of the reader.
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Review of MY WATERCOLORS  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
Thanks for showing your very good pictures. I have tried watercolours and found it very difficult to achieve anything as good as these.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This is for chapter 2 as I read chapter 1 in the prologue. The story continues to interest me as Isa make her escape from her unhappy home life. I noticed no errors or typo's. Will her plans become a success or does she meet some bad people? Will have to wait and see.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
I love this. A story of real people and real events. The characterisation is good and entertaining. The bingo reference is something not mentioned much on W.D.C. and was a nice touch. I noticed no errors and look forward to seeing what Isa does with her winnings.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
It is always good to come across a good well-written first chapter. The characterisation is good and we get a picture of Allie straight away. I noticed no errors or typo's although I am not sure if "I in quire" is intentional or an error (“How was Owen?” I in quire ). The story is easy to follow and is an enjoyable and interesting read. It did take me a couple of lines to work out that B&E is breaking and entering although it was not a problem and did not distract me. The revelation at the end is brilliant and unexpected. All in all a very good starting chapter which has the potential to be followed up. You have a talent which I am sure you will enjoy developing.
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Review of Autumn Leaves  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: ASR | (4.0)
The short story starts well and has potential. The writing and characterisation are of a good level and I noticed no errors or typo's. However, the story seems a bit bizarre as the hand does not seem to be logical to have come from the man with the hook and I wonder what the boy on the bicycle is there for. I feel that it would be better if the boy knew something about the hand, or why is he mentioned?
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
The story continues to develop and I am enjoying the writing style and characterisation again. I can find no noticeable errors or typo's, however I am a bit puzzled by the use of joined up words "Sparekeyontheshelf," and etc. If it is done as a shouting out as Zach is leaving I don't think it is needed and can confuse the reader as well as sending the reader (me) out of the story and out of the room. The chapter ends well and has potential as we are left wondering how the relationship develops.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
A good follow on chapter with the same good characterisation, as expected. Her celebrity friend adds a lot to the story and it leaves me wondering how they will get along following their sometimes unfriendly childhood escapades. I can find no faults or typing errors in the writing although I am not a great reviewer, more a reader. I only read what I like and I like true to life stories whether modern or historical. I look forward to finding out how Elle copes.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Glad to have come across this item. Not a fantasy or horror story but something believable and in this case there are parts we can relate to. Who hasn't experienced slightly annoying people in aeroplanes especially if they are sitting behind you. I once had a woman screaming out "Oh my God, Oh my God," all the way through taxying and taking off on a flight to Glasgow. The writing flows well and seems to be of a good standard. The characters are well drawn and believable. The story is easy to follow and keeps the reader's interest ensuring that the whole chapter is read and not discarded. The chapter ends well with, supposably, a meeting of someone from Elle's past. Again that prompts a memory for me. On a few visits to a bar in Chester the local lads called the barmaid "Dirty Gerty". I don't know why because she didn't seem unclean or promiscuous and always smiled at the nickname. Anyway back to business. A very enjoyable read. The only thing that threw me a bit was: "Connor decided they should move out of the country, start up a business." It does not read right to me and I think it might need a conjunction.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
This is something different which is a delight to find. Having no previous knowledge of the content makes it all the more interesting. Is the mother right or wrong? I feel I must read the next item to find out how it goes. There is lots of dialogue which is good for me. I found no errors or typo's making this an enjoyable read.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
The story continues with the development of the good kid bad kid theme. This will keep the reader guessing as to how the bad boy affects Caleb. The writing is of a good standard again and I noticed no errors or typo's. Ben must have access to money to buy the drink unless he relies on handouts. The mild reference to sex and alcohol makes this ASR needing a change to 13+.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
As the title of the chapter suggests, we have two mysteries for Caleb to solve , if he can. I get the feeling that the mother is not happy with the coroner's result concerning her brother, I think it is her brother. The story holds my interest and I have to read on.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
The writing continues at a good standard making it an easy and pleasant experience. Set in the seventies appeals to me as I can relate to the time very easily. The characters remain easily read and believable. I am trying to think of something negative but can't seem to see anything wrong. Although: “Do you want to the cemetery with me in the morning? After church?” Is there a word missing? A recommended read for anyone who wants to be entertained.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
As a first draft this is good. I noticed no errors or typo's. There is enough character and location information for me, although some others may like a bit more. However, I would like to know when this takes place? There is no mention of a cell-phone so this might be retro, hopefully. ""She treated me as if I was five, but I was fifteen." This is a great line. Following on from the mother's earlier remarks, it's lets us know the boy's age in a good way. An enjoyable read prompting me to read on.
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Review of "Oak Orchard"  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
An interesting chapter. The mystery element remains enhanced by the revelation about the clover boy. But we also have a new romance element to perhaps bring another lasting element to the story. Will have to wait and see. I noticed no error as usual.
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Review of "Oak Orchard"  Open in new Window.
Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (5.0)
The mystery and intrigue continues in this chapter. Hints and revelations are sort of drip fed to the reader giving enough to keep the reader interested but leaving plenty for speculation. I noticed no errors or typo's in this well-written chapter and look forward to finding out more.
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Review by Bruce. Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 18+ | (5.0)
The last chapter so far. Maybe there will be more. The high drama and suspense continues. Who knows, other than the author, what lies ahead for Larcia? I can't even have a guess. It has been an entertaining journey so far and has potential for more. I noticed a few typo's: (What's the point of walkbng ahead?) , (Princes Evelyn?) , ( he took in my arms in his. ).
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