I will be posting the debut review on 6 August. I am sorry I have not posted more candidates lately as several factors have prevented me from posting. The factors all piled up on me at once, to include my job, my kids and my health. Also, I am under a deadline to complete a manuscript to my publisher before the end of August., 

Regardless, I have found some great book review candidates for September's review, and I will get to those announcements as soon as I can. 

I'm skipping a week on posting new candidates because I've been on the road working on my new photography book and, well, I have a lot of candidates right now! Also, I'll soon be changing the process on how I select candidates. As I develop this blog I'm figuring out better ways to do things, and expect the blog to evolve over time.  I will resume adding books to this list in the coming weeks. 

These books are currently on the "active" list, that is they are under active consideration to be reviewed at some point in the future. Please click on the hyperlinks and give them a look. They all have strong opening samples, and show potential. Give them a read and if you feel up to it let me know if I should review any of them. 

With only 20 days left until I post the first true Rule One indie book review, I'm  dropping the star ratings system.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized the star-ratings system for books is too controversial, too inaccurate and can be easily misunderstood or misinterpreted. I'm going to use words instead of symbols, because words are harder to misinterpret. This reader experience-based system is predicated on whether or not I can recommend the book and to whom I can recommend it to. Only books that can be positively recommended will be reviewed. 

​Here's how it works: 

Books with an UNSUSTAINABLE reading experience will not be reviewed.  These books do not reasonably meet minimal acceptable quality standards for a published work for one or more of the following reasons:
1. In need of significant editing as spelling, formatting or mechanical errors were common, highly noticeable and detracted from the book's overall experience.
2.  The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc.) was significantly flawed and strongly inhibited the reader from following the story due to unnecessary effort or distraction.  
3. The content does not meet basic literature expectations, was highly unoriginal, and possibly plagiarized
4. The presence of AI-generated content is strongly suspected. 
 
Books with an UNSATISFYING reading experience will not be reviewed. These books' overall reading experience is lacking and do not reasonably approach level of a contemporary traditionally-published book, in its genre or others, for one or more of the following reasons:
1. This book does not meet the expectations for consumers of that genre.  
2. Editing quality was poor, as spelling or mechanical errors were present, noticeable and detracted from the novel's overall experience.
​3. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etch) inhibited reader from  experiencing the story due to unnecessary effort or distraction.  
4. The story was highly unoriginal, borrowed heavily from other sources as it may border on plagiarism.
5. The presence of AI-generated content is suspected. 
 
"RECOMMENDED" - A positive reading experience
​
This book provides the reader a satisfying experience, especially if the reader is already a fan the genre. This may not hold true for readers outside the genre. This book approaches the level of a contemporary traditionally-published book in its genre. This book met or exceeded the minimal editing quality of a traditionally published book. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc.) allowed reader to reasonably experience the story without unnecessary effort or distraction.  The story met genre expectations, though did not necessarily bring anything new to the literary form. ​
 
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience. 
​
This book provides the reader a fully entertaining experience, and may appeal readers outside the genre. This indie novel met or exceeded the level of a contemporary traditionally-published books in its genre. This novel met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novel. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) immersed the reader and provided an effortless reading experience.  The story not only met genre expectations , but brought something original to the literary form. 
 
"STRONGLY RECOMMENDED" - A rewarding and memorable reading experience. 
​
This book provides the reader of any genre a deeply rich,  rewarding and memorable experience.  This novel fully met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novels. Spelling or mechanical errors were virtually undetectable to the average reader.  The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) sweeps up the reader, . exceeds genre expectations, and introduces a new dimension to the art form.
 
"EXCEPTIONALLY RECOMMENDED" - A transformative reading  experience.
​  
The overall story experience challenges and elevates the reader on an emotional and intellectual level. This book transcends genre. and is "must-reading" for a wider audience.  The reader is transformed by the experience, and will think of the book often and perhaps occasionally reread it. The book not only brings something new to the genre, but something completely new to literature itself. This book is a potential award-winner. ​

I'm a little late posting this week's candidates. I've been on the road over the past few days and, frankly, I'm exhausted.  Better late than never. Presenting RULE ONE BOOK REVIEWS Week Six Candidates...but first...

...Two quick administrative notes:

First, I'm abandoning the scaling graphic for review candidates. It's overkill, takes too long to generate, and doesn't accomplish anything the descriptive "Why this got my attention" paragraph doesn't already do. Live and learn.  

Second, "Putting Down Roots" by Joe Powers, which is review candidate #018 from week 4, is now back on the "Active" list of candidates. Why? I just felt like I might want to go back and read it at some time.  If I could review every candidate, I would. Of course, I'm only one person and have to make choices. It doesn't mean I will review this book, but now it has an active chance. Maybe one day I'll find a few readers who might want to write book reviews with me and help me with this backlog. 

As KC Kasem used to say "And now, on with the countdown!" 

​TITLE: Common Well
PUBLISHER: BookBaby (Self Publisher)
AUTHOR: Stephen E. Meyer
GENRE(S): Science Fiction (multiple sub-genres)
PUBLICATION DATE: June 13, 2023
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 92/4.2 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #290,836 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
The X algorithm is starting to learn my behavior, because it showed me a post from this author that I didn't follow. The cover didn't pull me in, but the original, tight, and well-written blurb did. The sample followed the blurb's promise of quality and a classic sc-fi flavor. The first few pages gave off an Azimov vibe. It made me want to read more. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST: 14 July 2025
​STATUS: Inactive

​TITLE: An Eye For An Eye for An Eye
PUBLISHER: Self Published
AUTHOR: Marc Nash
GENRE(S): Crime Thriller
PUBLICATION DATE: September 28, 2013
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 4/4.5 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: Unranked 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
X said I should look at this. This book has been on the shelves for a while with what appears to be little attention. I went right to the sample, curious as to why.  The quality sample promised an entertaining experience, with unique author voice and style, and tempted me to keep reading. I back-tracked to the well-written blurb, which hinted at a paranormal crime thriller, which is a popular genre. In my opinion, based on the genre, blurb and sample, this book should have received more attention.  I then examined the cover.  While original, it didn't grab my attention and doesn't seem to represent the story to what I think is its target audience.  Regardless, I found this novel intriguing. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST: 14 July 2025
​STATUS: Active

​TITLE: Hedgehogs: Zombie hogs attack in this hilarious horror comedy mashup
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
AUTHOR: Iseult Murphy
GENRE(S): Comedy, Horror
PUBLICATION DATE: July 26, 2022
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 34/4.6 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #553,699 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
This author and I are in the same X writing community, hence book cover popped up on my feed. The title is blatantly campy and is almost as long as the blurb. Hell, the title is the blurb. Come to think about it, with a title like that this book doesn't need a blurb. I'll tell you what this novella is, it's a 1980s straight-to-VHS-horror-flick. It's like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, or The Evil Dead, or Fright Night. The cover hits all those feels dead-on (win). Sometimes horror is intentionally funny because it's so bad it falls into the campy realm. Horror is not easy to write, especially in this age of desensitized readers. Comedy is difficult enough on its own.  Intentionally trying to make horror funny is EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT.  I read the sample, expecting a big fail because, even for what appears to be a campy novella, this is ambitious project for any writer. What did I find? Tension, instant character development, and what might be a promising set-up.   
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST: 14 July 2025
​STATUS: Reviewed February 2026

​TITLE: The Vitamin Kid
PUBLISHER: Self Published
AUTHOR: Tyler & Harry Kirk
GENRE(S): Contemporary Fiction
PUBLICATION DATE: July 11, 2024
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 12/4.7 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY:#262,657
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
This title is all over my X algorithm all the time. Maybe it's because the author and I are in the same X writing community, but this seems to show up more often than books by others in that community. The cover did nothing to grab my attention, except maybe lead me to believe this was literary fiction.  I passed it by for weeks and X kept serving it up trying to convince me otherwise. Finally, I went to the Amazon page and read the blurb. It was good and clearly represented the book. Then I read the sample, and realized I was dealing with two talented writers and possibly an intriguing boxing story set in the 1920s. The story shows promise. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST: 14 July 2025
​STATUS: Active

We're now moving on to the new candidates for the September 2025 book review. In case you missed it, here is the link for the August 2025 book review selection as well as the five candidates that will carry forward into September's review selection pool. 

TITLE: Crew of Exiles
PUBLISHER: Haste Publishing (Small Indie Press)
AUTHOR: Neal Holtschulte
GENRE(S): Science Fiction (multiple sub-genres)
PUBLICATION DATE: October 2, 2022
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 46/4.4 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #1,710,647 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
The X algorithm served this one up to me from an author account I did not follow. It was two easy clicks from the post to the Amazon product page. The cover didn't get my attention, but the well written blurb did. This sci-fi novel's premise sounded original, so I went to the sample. The first few pages were entertaining, mildly humorous and  well-written. This is the kind of story I could get into. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST: 7 July 2025
​STATUS: Active

TITLE: All the King's Bastards
PUBLISHER: None
AUTHOR: G. Lawrence
GENRE(S): Speculative Historical Fiction.(multiple sub-genres)
PUBLICATION DATE: June 11, 2025​
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 19/4.4 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #79,105 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
Once again, the X algorithm served me a book post from an author account I did not follow. This one appeals directly to history buffs and sets its hooks into the reader's like me fast and hard. The cover is outstanding! It sets a mood that that reflects the book's content and vibe. The pitch is solid, but the sample really pulled me in. I was hit by some great lines in just the first few paragraphs to include this gem: "She supposed this was what they meant by pale as death, for nothing in life was this shade of white, this shade of white with a touch of grey." In only a few pages I came the conclusion this is a highly promising novel. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST:7 July 2025
​STATUS: Reviewed January 2026

TITLE: West of Santillane
PUBLISHER: Dawg House Books (Small Indie Press)
AUTHOR: Brook Allen
GENRE(S): Speculative Historical Fiction.(multiple sub-genres)
PUBLICATION DATE: March 8, 2024​
AMAZON REVIEWS/RATINGS AT DISCOVERY: 51/4.8 Star Average
AMAZON KINDLE RANKING AT DISCOVERY: #291,729 
WHY IT GOT MY ATTENTION:
This novel completes the trio of books this week  by authors I didn't follow on X, yet the algorithm thought it in my best interest to show them to me. Maybe the algorithm knows  I am a sucker for good speculative history. ​ The cover was fine, but I am seeing a lot of this "woman with back to the viewer" covers lately and they kind of get lost in the noise. The blurb did a good job of setting up the plot as well and appealed to the historical fiction audience. The sample was written in first person. I'm seeing a lot of that lately in indies. The sample did a fine job of setting up the character and the book's setting. However, in my opinion first person is easier to write but more difficult to write well. Yet, the sample appeared to do an adequate job with this and drew me in. 
DATE PLACED ON CANDIDATE LIST:6 July 2025
​STATUS: Inactive

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