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Monday, June 20, 2016

Book Review: The Book of Dean (The Gospels of Cal'eia 1) by Calandra Usher

The Book of Dean (The Gospels of Cal'eia 1)
by Calandra Usher
Kindle Edition, 287 pages
September 18th 2014
Sarah is terrified to stay in any one place for too long, lest they find her, and force her to use her special abilities to hurt, to maim, to kill. Exhausted, and at the end of her rope, she takes refuge from a storm upon an enormous estate in the middle of the North Carolina country side. Due to a freak accident she is forced to remain with the four unusual men who live there, putting herself and them at great risk. Will they discover her secret powers and turn her in to the authorities, or will she discover their secrets first, and realize that what she's found is worse than what she's been running from?


I loved the witty and sometimes snarky writing in this unique take on Love, the apocalypse and a deity most would relate to as "God". A young woman's adventure to self discovery.

I was hooked before even starting the book. The "Foreward" gave just a sampling of the author's amazing ability to make a story interesting with her thought process and writing style. I wanted to imagine that if I had the ability to be a storyteller and writer, my style would mirror her's.

What an adventure! This story is sometimes mindless ramblinging, descriptive but not overly wordy, shockingly insightful at times and always with the undertone of purpose. A great cloaking of the story of the four horsemen of the apocalypse and the missing piece of the group needed to bring sense and closure to their lengthy existence. Look closely and I think you will "see" a little "history" regurgitated as the author's viewpoint and even, perhaps, some literary "licensed" prophecy!

Bit by bit, Sara's (Cali's) attributes are revealed and the discovery is enthralling albeit fantastical (Ha, see, even I can make up words!).

I have already started the second book in this series but needed to stop and write this review! Whoa! Slow down and take one at a time. I hope the others follow suit and are as enjoyable as this "Book of Dean".

Getting 5 "love"erly sheep!





Jeanie G

About the Author:
Calandra Usher, or Cali as she prefers to be called is the author of the Urban Paranormal Fantasy Romance Series, The Gospels of Cal’eia. She never intended to be a writer but was persuaded (cajoled, guilted, bullied, and bribed) into doing so by her very unique family. Once it began, the words poured out of her fingers like sand through an hourglass and she had a hard time keeping up. The original drafts were written over a five month time period (Yes, all four books, half a million words… in five months. Not a lot of sleeping occurred.)

Prompted by her family and a few old friends, she self published it through CreateSpace and let it loose into the wild in September of 2014.

A long time lover of stories in general, she’s been influenced by a plethora of Authors, Actors, Artists, and all the wonderful people she’s met in her vast travels. You may recognize hints of Sir Terry Pratchett, Stephan King, Joss Whedon, Dr. Who, Star Trek… and many others we Geeks hold dear to our hearts.

The Gospels are her first writing endeavor, but wont be her last. More stories are forthcoming, both about The Riders and other subjects. An artist all her life, she loves drawing, painting, and carving wood. Lately however, sculpting words has become her passion.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much, Jeanie! I'm delighted you liked it and honored you're jumping into Fabian. You made me cry (and dance) It's the best review I've ever gotten. Fantastical is a great word :)

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  2. It was my pleasure! I love new authors, especially ones that already sound seasoned. You definitely found your voice and imparted it in an entertaining way!

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  3. (Blushes) thanks! I hope you enjoy the rest, and the new series I'm working on.

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