Archives: Reviews

MoniqueBatty

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org This book is without a doubt a 4 out of 4. It is very well written, packed with engaging characters, thought provoking, and intelligent. I appreciated the short, italicized inserts which kept the story moving without over explaining. The characters were very real and each was unique with their own personalities and character traits that were well explored. All the characters, no matter how minor, were well defined and had real depth to them. I found
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HMH93

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org McDowell is, like the expeditions that its main character enjoys so much, a trek into the unknown with priceless gems scattered along the way. I appreciated the use of third-person in this work because, in a way, Hiram is more or less on trial and not just before a jury of his peers and his loved ones. The readers serve as part of the jury as well. Coles moreover artfully lays out the evidence for his
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Rhainu

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org McDowell is an impressive book. I could not find any misspellings or grammatical mistakes, and it was overall, very well written and exceptionally well-edited. The novel itself is written in mostly short, descriptive sentences. At first, I found it a little off-putting, as I am used to the more flowery, descriptive lines used in many novels, but I found that this style of directness fits well with the story. It also made it easier to read,
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smaloy94

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org McDowell by William H. Coles is an excellent read. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for it’s intriguing adventure, the characters, and the editing. This book is excellent and I really didn’t dislike any part outside of what is expected. There are some situations that are uncomfortable to read but that’s reality and I appreciate what it adds to the story. The book is very well edited with no noticeable grammar issues. Majority
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Kristina Louise

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org In addition to an ever-evolving and expanding theme, this book charms the reader with life-lessons about everything from blaming others for our misfortunes to understanding what’s really important in life. I enjoyed the storyline; it’s one of those books where you think you know what’s coming next but you’re not even close. The story gracefully weaves in and out of the lives of the characters creating a web of ethical and moral dilemmas the reader is
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loriaharris

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org A novel written by award-winning author William H. Coles, McDowell is one of the best examples of Literary Fiction I have read since such authors as Salinger and Fitzgerald. With the character of Hiram McDowell, Coles ranks right up there with the best. I must rate this a 4 out of 4 stars. If I could I would give it more. I loved just about everything about this novel. Coles should go down in history as
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Bertha Jackson

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I really liked this book because of the morals involved. It made me stop and wonder about some actions that I may have taken in my personal and professional life that may have been harmful to others. Sometimes something that can be insignificant to you can be harmful to others. Definitely, something I am going to start taking note of. There was not anything I disliked about the book because it flowed smoothly and kept my
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McCrimmonal_91

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org McDowell, written by William H. Coles, was absolutely captivating throughout. It presents the characters and scenes in a way that makes them truly believable, and makes one forget it is a fictional read. The way it made me feel, as I read the beginning, contradicted how I felt by the ending. I found myself deeply drawn into the text and couldn’t wait to continue on to each chapter to find out what conflict would arise next.
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Lonawin

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org It was an honor and privilege to write this review for the novel, McDowell. The author, William H. Coles, is a literary genius who created a dramatic story about a surgeon’s adventures through a tumultuous life. The book was very believable, especially considering the author’s background of ophthalmic surgery. He allowed the reader to experience the main character, Hiram McDowell’s, vulnerable life ridden with constant decision-making and significant trials accompanying such a prominent profession. McDowell is
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Christy G

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Each chapter explains the many aspects of fiction writing, with examples that help explain the points made. I could find no mistakes, the book is well edited. It has no foul language. There were no grammar mistakes i found while reading the book. The thing I liked most about the book is how every element of fiction writing is well outlined, with the author going a step further to illustrate using examples on how to apply
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samps1910

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org What I liked most about the book was how straight-forward and honest the advice was. The author did not miss a beat to talk about what will be the downfall of a writer. I also liked that he mentioned humour and how it can be tough to please every reader. The appendix of the book includes the motivation and desire a writer should have to write a successful story. Getting the message across is harder than
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Clorinda Donovan

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org For anyone getting fumbled on how to formulate dialogue, characterization, in scene descriptions, finding your own voice, and so much more this is a book to treasure. Here is an excerpt from the story that I thought was so simple yet quite on point. “Feelings in a story can be told. “He was angry with her.” Although necessary at times, this lacks energy and taxes reader interest. (“Angry” is abstract.) Although it is much more strenuous
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Ms Awuor

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Writing is a skill. Writing a fiction story requires even more of it. Unlike in a memoir where events in the narration are a reality, a fictional story takes a lot more effort. The author has to put together the characters, come up with a setting, theme, and plot. What’s more, the author has to ensure that the read was worth the reader’s time. Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles is
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Eriny Youssef

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org CREATING LITERARY STORIES: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles explains everything needed to write a literary fiction story, starting off with the basics (definitions and introductions) all the way to the more complicated items. The content is delivered in a fun non-academic way. It’s not easy to achieve this kind of readability when writing a guidebook made up of advice and lists of dos and don’ts. The author crafted the chapters and sections skillfully
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Wy_Bertram

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Short-story veteran, William. H. Coles condenses his years of experience into this book which attempts to explain the intricacies involved in creating powerful literary fiction stories. Having read a few of Coles’ books, most of which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was quite pleased and excited to finds this manual listed on the website. And after reading, I am satisfied with the amount of knowledge I obtained from this. Read the entire review here… Wy_Bertram

Anngladys

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org What I liked about the book was how simply the information was presented. That is always a winner for me. It is easy to understand what the author meant and put it to good use. I enjoyed the book because I love writing. I also like to know how other writers approach the craft and I was glad to get a sneak preview into Cole’s mind. I also found the definitions of difficult words that the
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vee_blanche

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Inside the book, there are four things that I like. These are the definitions, examples, summaries, and the whys, like “why literary stories fail.” Every chapter starts with the definitions of literary words. These terms are operationally defined as to what their functions in the story that the writers are creating. As an experienced writer Mr. Cole is, I love using different classic stories in his examples. His examples are diverse from fairy tales-to Shakespeare’s classic
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Suzer6440 xyz

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org This is the first book I have read by this author. He definitely had a way of drawing me in and keeping me interested. I was intrigued as it challenged my emotions and thinking. I am looking forward to reading more novels written by William H. Coles. Personally, I liked the overall message this book created for me. It was a great example of what hard work can accomplish in life. I loved how the author
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timd

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org The author manages to create emotions of intense sympathy and interest for many of the characters in the reader. His writing is crisp and very effective. Written from the third person narrative, a compelling plot is created that generates excitement and an atmosphere of mounting social tension. An feeling of life in the social stratosphere of society, but the main protagonist’s maintenance of his own morals and noble ambitions, are skillfully woven into the narrative. For
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Alex Baadom

Guardian of Deceit Review from OnlineBookClub.org What I loved best about Guardian of Deceit was the character development. William H. Coles really did a great job of developing almost all the characters that appeared in the book. He made the likes, dislikes, history, attitudes, weekeness etc. of characters such as Sweeney, Mrs Thompson, Helen, Lazlo, known intimately to his readers. This he did by not making the whole book about Darwin or his life. Chapters were dedicated to certain characters and their life.
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sdblack

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org enjoyed the variety of characters and locales throughout the book. Hiram interacts with many work colleagues, family, and then strangers who become friends in the second half of the book. There is something for just about everyone included in McDowell. I would recommend this book to all readers. There was nothing I disliked about it. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The author’s style is very fast and easy to read. The editing
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GerardTaylor

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I rated McDowell, by William H. Coles, 4 out of 4 stars. This is a fascinating and thought-provoking novel. The plot and character development are exceptional, as is the writing and editing. This novel would appeal to the reader who is fascinated by character study and development, and a nuanced examination of ethics and success in our modern world. Mr. Coles is a first rate writer and accurate observer of the human condition. Despite my early
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Michele Harris

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org McDowell is complex and tackles many facets of one man’s life. The book is entertaining, engaging, and reads like a thriller movie. It is told from several different viewpoints and the narrative skips back and forth to provide varying perspectives of a man you love to hate. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I was going to get through the book while reading part one. Certainly not because it wasn’t interesting or lacked plot. It was
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DBPJS49

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org McDowell provides a deep dive into the psyche of a textbook narcissist who may have one element in his particular makeup that most with the same personality flaw usually lack: a soul. If Dr. Hiram McDowell is to ever transform himself – if he is to truly evolve – he must accept the existence of his soul or forever banish it from his consciousness. I strongly suggest that you read McDowell to find out which path
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Kkrausko

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I give McDowell by William H. Coles four out of four stars. This book was unlike any other book I have read. It’s uniqueness as well as how the author was able to change my mind is why I liked it so much. Somewhere along the way, I don’t even know where it happened; I started to realize I maybe didn’t hate him anymore. His actions begin to change, I think without even McDowell realizing it.
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ivae

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org One of the things I liked most about the book is the way the author uses dialogue to tell the story. The dialogue conveys both straightforward and nuanced information about the characters. For example, when Hiram’s daughter Sophie accuses him of abandoning her as a child, she says, “You’re not like most people.” This comment presents an accurate and insightful description of Dr. McDowell. It aids the reader in understanding both his strengths and his weaknesses.
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Readinggrl18

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. McDowell by Willaim H Coles was a gripping book about the life of a man who you hated at first. Although his intentions were unusually not honorable, Hiram McDowell was a man learning to change. This quality made him an endearing character and made me want to keep reading. The book was well edited and moved at a smooth pace. The story knit together the lives of
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valeriejane

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org McDowell is a novel by William H. Coles. This is the first book I have read by Mr. Coles, but it certainly won’t be the last. Not only is this book exceptionally well-edited, it is a clever, well-written novel with an original plot. I was so intrigued, that as soon as I finished the book, I immediately started reading it all over again. If you like powerful dramatic stories with complex characters, where the lines of
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enna_idEsrun

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org This book is a page-turner. The themes revolve around suspense, mystery and drama. The author’s style of writing is captivating and the short chapters add a seamless quality to the book’s structure and flow. The tone of the book is light from beginning to end which adds to the reader’s overall reading experience. Moreover, the novel boasts an array of diverse and enjoyable characters. I loved Granny who Coles initially portrays as eccentric and wily but
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Vivianne Nat

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I enjoyed reading this book because it is engaging and not monotonous. At first, I thought it’s going to be a bore to read, but the way the author had written the story made me cling onto it more. It is not the usual story that you encounter wherein it’s all about the protagonist. I appreciate that it also ventured out into detailing the story of the supporting characters, what’s behind their attitude and their actions.
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Agnes544

The Spirit of Want 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org There is no doubt fiction makes a better job of the truth and William H. Cole in his book The Spirit of Want has shed light on this saying. He has dug deeper on the gaping social issues, and who are we not to praise his work. The narration of the book is brilliant and intricate as the reader finds themselves entangled in the rigmarole. The book has a one of a kind storyline keeping the
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Imstaci-1

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org “Great characters are conjured from unthinking trances” is one of the many misconceptions that this book debunks. William H. Coles in writing Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide aimed to provide a practical resource for writers in the literary fiction genre that can be used to improve on the key elements such as characterisation, plot, humour and Point of View. The sections in this book are split into book one and book two. Book one
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Andra2005

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I highly recommend this novel to all beginner writers who need an anchor among these troubled waters of writing, therefore I will give it 4 out of 4 stars. ‘Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide’, by William H. Coles is a book that impressed greatly, giving me useful advice that I will definitely take into account when I will finally write my stories, and I am sure it will do the same for many others.
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ankushavhad

Creating Literary Stories Review from OnlineBookClub.org Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles is a classic handbook to help writers design and develop literary stories. The book intended to give the “know-how” about the fiction writing to novice writers, and for experienced writers a “standard” to review their fiction writing. I wish to recommend this book to aspiring writers, and those inclined to write stories in the fiction genre. The book is equally useful to experienced authors to polish
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Pencemike167

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org First, I would like to recall the author’s creative and engaging writing style which leaves the readers stunned. And talking about the context of the book, it was concisely written in an engaging and entertaining perspective, which provoked different arrays of emotions, and was awesomely delivered by the book’s plots. The book stood out to be entirely feasible and progressively showed issues related and possibly, a situation associated with orphans. I’m happy to have a written
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kaitlynrobbins

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I am giving McDowell 4 out of 4 stars. At the beginning of the book I immediately disliked the character of McDowell. He is rude, selfish and entitled. He is always thinking everyone should bow down to him and he is only ever thinking of himself. His character is written well though and although I didn’t like how the character acted personally it would make sense that a successful, wealthy surgeon would think so highly of
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Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite

McDowell I became a strong fan of William H. Coles after reading his novels The Surgeon’s Wife, The Spirit of Want, and Guardian of Deceit, so when I stumbled on McDowell, I knew it would be another spellbinding and well-written story. I wasn’t wrong. It is the same powerful and unique literary voice, focused and steady. With his unique style and signature, Coles creates another compelling character in Hiram McDowell, a successful and respectable surgeon, a man with a dubious character
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Divine Zape for Readers’ Favorite

McDowell McDowell by William H. Coles is a novel that follows the rise and fall of a man, surgeon Hiram McDowell. McDowell climbs quickly in his career and gains the respect of his peers and the community. But he is not in the good graces of most of his colleagues, thanks to his callousness and pride. His success gets him into the President’s circle, but a tragedy that leads to a conviction destroys everything. McDowell finds himself running from the authorities,
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Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite

McDowell McDowell by William H. Coles is a family saga that follows the life of a selfish and arrogant surgeon, who suffers an epic fall from grace, and the path he travels to redemption. McDowell cares for no one but his children. But then he loses everything when his grandson commits multiple murders and fails in his suicide attempt, which leaves him paralyzed mentally. But the boy dies in very unusual circumstances and McDowell gets a conviction for second-degree murder. He
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Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite

McDowell This is the story of a man named McDowell, who had everything he ever wanted. Whatever he wanted, he achieved and he was proud of it. Envied by his peers, he was arrogant and selfish, but not with his family. He truly loved them and wanted the best for them, so when his grandson commits murder and then fails to commit suicide, McDowell’s life comes to crashing to a halt. His grandson, Jeremy, is now paralyzed and living a life
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Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite

McDowell McDowell by William H. Coles is the story of Dr. Hiram McDowell. A celebrated surgeon, Dr. McDowell is single-minded in getting what he wants. His climb to the top is not without casualties and is not without some questionable practices. Cold and calculating, there is no denying his brilliance but when tragedy strikes, his world comes tumbling down. Grief and anger put him on a criminal path that will see his life of privilege and wealth all but destroyed. Can
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Gobi Jane for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook The Surgeon’s Wife by William H. Coles is a compelling audiobook that follows sophisticated characters through a grueling conflict. Set in New Orleans, it introduces readers to the complicated relationship between Clayton and Mike. Clayton is Mike’s senior, an older practitioner in the field of surgery. As he advances in years, he begins to commit errors that are dangerous to the lives of patients. As the head of the Operation Room, Mike must act, so he puts Clayton, his mentor,
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Jose Cornelio for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook The Surgeon’s Wife by William H. Coles is a mix of romance and family dynamics, a novel that follows two surgeons through a powerful conflict. Mike Boudreaux is a surgeon in New Orleans, mentored by Clayton. Clayton is more interested in trauma surgery, and the problem is that Clayton’s surgeries leave patients with injuries and unpleasant outcomes. As head of the Operating Room Committee, Mike is forced to place him under restrictions and Clayton takes it badly. Things become more
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Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook In McDowell, William H. Coles tells the story of a successful surgeon and his tragic fall, exploring human weakness in unexpected ways. The protagonist is McDowell, a surgeon who is both arrogant and selfish, and who, at the peak of his success, becomes more and more unpopular among his peers. Things go downhill for him when he is convicted of second-degree murder, loses all respect, his career, and wealth. Imprisoned, he escapes and becomes a fugitive. Can his losses be
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Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook McDowell by William H. Coles is the story of an arrogant surgeon who has a rude awakening about what it truly means to be humble. McDowell is a surgeon by profession, but people know him more for his almost uncaring behavior, yet he is highly respected by his fellows. However, all the wealth and the reputation he built comes crashing down when his grandson kills people and becomes brain dead after a horrific suicide attempt. But the real change in
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Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook The Surgeon’s Wife by William H. Coles is, in the author’s characteristic style, a character-driven story that follows two multidimensional characters in a conflict that involves profession and love. Clayton is an experienced surgeon who mentored Mike. Clayton is older in the profession and his age also leads him to commit errors that put the lives of patients in danger. Mike is the head of the operation room and he takes steps to discipline his older colleague, even if it
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Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook McDowell by William H. Coles is an engrossing audiobook that follows a surgeon who loses everything because of his character. McDowell is an exceptional surgeon and as he grows in fame within his ranks, his callous behavior and pride make him unpopular among his colleagues. Even if he has connections with the White House, things become complicated for him when his grandson goes wild, commits a serious crime, and becomes a vegetable after attempting suicide. His suspicious death attracts the
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Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook The Surgeon’s Wife by William H. Coles is an audiobook that explores the complicated relationship between two medical professionals in New Orleans. Clayton Otherson has been Mike Boudreaux’s mentor and the man who brought him on board. Clayton is getting old and his practice as a surgeon is featuring errors that can be deadly to patients. As the head of the management of the operation room, Mike disciplines Clayton and puts restrictions on him. It is something that Clayton doesn’t
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Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook The Surgeon’s Wife by William H. Coles is a romantic/medical drama that readers of both genres will enjoy. The story follows Mike Boudreaux as he is caught in a moral dilemma. Mike looks up to Clayton Otherson who is his mentor. No one is more shocked than Mike when he falls in love with Otherson’s young and beautiful wife Catherine. They both develop feelings for each other and soon they have an affair that changes everything. Things become even more
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Jose Cornelio for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook McDowell by William H. Coles is an audiobook narrated by the author himself, the tale of one man’s struggle to find meaning after losing everything. McDowell is at the peak of his professional life as a surgeon, a man who even got accepted into the president’s cabinet. But his pride and arrogance make him lose points amongst his peers. Things begin to change for him when his grandson goes on a killing spree, attempts suicide and fails, ending up as
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Gobi Jane for Readers’ Favorite

Audiobook McDowell by William H. Coles is an engaging audiobook that follows the tragic story of a successful surgeon, McDowell. He is brilliant and very skilled, a man who is good at his job and who also gets the attention of the White House. But his arrogance and pride make him detested by his peers but that doesn’t worry him. He only cares about his family. His troubles begin when his grandson goes on a killing spree and then attempts suicide,
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shivani negi25477

The Spirit of Want 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org The book is fiction and the story is set up in the 1980s. The content of the story revolves around the strong desires and emotions of an attractive and married woman toward a man who has a darker side to him. The book describes the constant inner struggle and guilt of the woman, which later on is overpowered by her carnal desires. The story has a lot to offer to the readers. It talks about relationships,
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Laila_Hashem

The Spirit of Want 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org There are many things I like about this book. All the scenes are extremely descriptive, for one. I felt as though I was going through the events with the characters, especially during the tense scenes. When Lucy was driving under the influence, for example, I could almost feel the anxiety radiating off Luke, whose overwhelming emotions are described perfectly as he attempts and fails to get Lucy to slow down. I also find that the topics
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MilaThegoddess

The Spirit of Want 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org William H. Coles could not have chosen a more appropriate title for his book. He was able to create this constant tension in the relationships between people by exploring their perverse and inexplicable need to self-immolate. It is not easy to create such complex protagonists that force the readers to plough internally for some sense of empathy. He meticulously uses his character developments to shine a light on the narcissistic behaviors of human beings. This is
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NGM15 T+

The Spirit of Want 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I was fascinated by the author’s unique writing style in which each chapter focuses on a particular character giving a detailed manifestation of events for a particular duration. The story is well balanced and its progression from the onset is quite enthralling and smooth. Even though it is fictional the touching storyline is quite genuine and can be viewed in real life as the events in Lucy’s life and that of his lover Hower Bain’s together
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Reitumetse_R

The Spirit of Want 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org William H. Coles created a really beautiful story with a lot of relatable content and I couldn’t help but keep reading. He gave his main character everything that is normally longed for in life and then went on to make her choose the one thing that is mostly sacrifised in life, contentment. He put her contentment on one side, all supposedly good things on the other side and then made her choose. This created a roller
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jardenjarden

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org The Guardian of Deceit was an excellent read. From start to finish, I was completely captivated, frantically flipping the pages to see what would come next. One of my favorite parts about this book was how Coles managed to allude to certain things rather than just saying them upfront. So instead of saying a particular thing happened, he would hint at it so that you as the reader could come to discover more along with Darwin.
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Kanda_theGreat

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org One of Coles’ impeccable writing skills involves capturing the reader’s attention all through his work. Therefore, this would involve some plot deviations that ensured other characters feature in the protagonist’s story as well. As I read along, he introduced me to some people that interacted with Darwin. He also gave them room to lead their own independent lives, free from direct connection with the protagonist. This gave the book a holistic sense and introduced a sense
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taylornsipp15

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I gave this book 4 out of 4 stars. This is largely because the human condition was portrayed so flawlessly. The editing was spot on as well. The “human condition” is a concept that encompasses everything dealing with being human and the ups and downs of our existence. As the complex beings we are, I find it striking whenever an author can really etch a picture of reality into your mind. The topics that were explored
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Florence Nalianya

Guardian of Deceit 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org This book has brought tears to my eyes. The author captured concepts of love, family, and relationships in a very unique fashion. I was able to perfectly relate to the painful situations experienced by Darwin. They sounded very realistic. A family gives one a beautiful sense of belonging. It’s second after God. Nevertheless, there is no permanent situation.life can be cruel, people face painful experiences but with great determination, its possible to conquer and make a
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jdraper16

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys being challenged to consider the consequences of their actions to the world around them. The author doesn’t lay out the answers for the reader. Instead, snippets of facts and decisions made lend the reader to make their own conclusions about right and wrong. These small steps are woven together to create a picture of life and how it may not always be what it seems. This novel
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RachelEmmanuel

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org In his “Critique of Pure Reason,” Kant says, “All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason.” In the second half of McDowell by William H. Coles, the protagonist tries to buy Kant’s work at a bookstore, but the proprietor refuses to sell it to him because, according to her, he is not ready. I believe this is the premise of McDowell. It’s a man’s journey to reason from
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taylornsipp15

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I rated this book a 4 out of 4 stars. The book’s editing was perfect in my opinion. What I liked most about this novel was the element of realism in the story. So full of substance, Coles’s imaginative brain could not have picked a better way to portray Hiram McDowell. His complex nature from start to finish and the way he interacted with the side characters was, although brutish at first, very humble as the
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cassielynnegirl

McDowell 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I would highly recommend this book. The plot is remarkable. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a good one, a page-turner. Anyone who enjoys fiction would most likely enjoy it. It has a little bit of every type of genre, from action, to romance, to comedy, to mystery. This makes it an interesting read. I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I did not rate it a
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Agnes Masobeng

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org What I liked the most about this book is how the author explained the concept of in-scene narration. Not only that, but he included examples to show how it is done. It honestly captured my whole being as an aspiring author. I also liked the whole of chapter 5 in Book Two. Revision. Everything else that has been covered in the entire book, is summarised and simplified here. Wow, what else is there to ask for
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J_odoyo

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Many authors today—in the literary fiction world—tend to imitate writing styles of their favorite or popular authors instead of finding out the correct formula that will result in a perfect masterpiece, capable of surviving for many centuries. As a result, there are many badly written fictional books outside there, dangling in the ether, populated with clichés or hackneyed descriptions, or simply extraneous authorial ideas. William H. Coles’ Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide is a
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Prince Chime

Creating Literary Stories 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org The fact that William H. Coles provided only relevant information regarding what he spoke about per time was what I liked the most in the book. It was not verbose. This made me agree that it is a guide indeed and not a textbook. I equally appreciated the fact that he tried not to impose any particular writing style on writers, rather he encouraged writers to develop theirs. He also showed variations to the use of
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3_roses

The Surgeon's Wife 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org The Surgeon’s Wife by William H Coles is a captivating story that explores the subjects of broken families, mental health and unconditional love. The book has a few plot twists and an intriguing storyline which grip the reader’s attention throughout the read. All the characters are well-developed and the root of their personas are well explained. Even though this book has a medical theme, the author ensured that this did not overshadow the flow of the
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Gathoni1991

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org The book has a total of thirty four short stories, two graphic novel illustrations and one novella. The themes that arise from the book include: teenage pregnancy, child trafficking, love and romance, betrayal and infidelity, flawed justice systems as well as rogue religious leaders. The beauty of short stories is that they are pithy, thus the themes are very much out there. The language used to narrate the stories is simple, but beautified with a vast
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Carol-Anne Trollip

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Every short story and both the graphic novels and not forgetting the novella were mesmerizing and attractive reads. Completely refreshing and captivating. I absolutely appreciate the all-round greatness of this collection of literature. In general, I find books containing collections of literature to have mostly mediocre reads with perhaps one or two good reads. It is clear that Mr. Coles lives by a code of “excellence always’. Mr. Coles has a writing style of note. His
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David Ifeanyi

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I give this book a 4 out of 4 stars because of the beauty and flow of its narration. I found no errors or mistakes. The author has a good way with words and he is very creative as well. His characters are enticing and each new story brings out a new emotion to my mind. The two graphic novels and the single novella are beautifully written and each story is unique in its own way.
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gelli_baranda

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org I like that the book has variety in terms of presentation, theme, and content. This is an excellent book for busy yet voracious readers, for which you can scroll through the pages on your own time, find a story you like, and immerse yourself in your little, made-up world before going back to the bustling reality. It is a good medium to detach yourself from worldly issues and concerns and be entertained for a while. Variety,
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Marion Jepkosgei

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Although these stories can be read as stand-alones, they have one thing in common: they’re all human-centred. They are emotional stories that leave you thinking about other people as well as your personal life. Before every story were illustrations that increased my anticipation for what awaited me in them. One memorable illustrated story was ” Homunculus.” This story features dwarf characters and their pursuit of love. This particular story has graphics at the end of the
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HusainNecklace52

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org What I really enjoyed about this book is that every story is unique and replete with an array of emotions and feelings. No single short story in this book leaves the readers with the same sense of experience that they felt in the previous story. This shows how gifted the author of the book is because invoking such a range of feelings in every short story is not an easy task, especially when there are more
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Crystal_rain

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org What I liked most about this book was that even though the stories are short, I was still able to connect with each new character. This has been made possible due to the author’s engaging writing techniques and captivating topics. I also appreciated the mixture of themes that varied from being serious to having a dark edge. Each story was concluded well and left with no unsatisfying loose ties. Not only this, but each story varied
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Neoli

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Illustrated Short Fictions of William H. Coles: 2000-2016 contains a wide array of stories, graphic novels, and a novella. All of which have interesting endings that play out quite unexpectedly. The author, William H. Coles, manages to present life in both its beauty and cruelty. His stories tackle the joys of young love, family problems, lost friendship, and so much more. Honestly, I loved all the short stories. I think all of them were well written
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samps1910

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Though every narrative was different, there was a writing style that impressed me. The way Coles provided a perspective in each one and the details he wrote were enticing. You can hardly put down the work once you start! There was no disappointing end to any of the stories, some being left to the reader’s imagination. The twists and mysteries are my favourite parts in any novel, so this book was perfect. What I loved most
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derialist

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org The author’s clever use of prognostics made me anxious about getting to that pivotal moment when a character’s decision affected the outcome of the story massively. Ultimately, there were lots of unexpected twists in the way the author narrated the stories, and despite long read, it was entertaining and thought-provoking. My verdict on this book is affirmative to the quality of the stories inside. I loved the uniqueness of each story. The author reused some character
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anoushka_thakur

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Most of the stories revolve around the themes of loss and love and sometimes of unrequited love. The author’s compelling narration made this book stand out, even with short stories. These stories mirror reality, and I could relate to many stories. The author uses both first and third-person narration that gave intensity and charm to the stories. Overall the book is edited well. The author kept me engaged throughout the book. The endings had a soft
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Kanda_theGreat

The Short Fiction of William H. Coles 2000-2016 4/4 Review from OnlineBookClub.org Coles’ reputable writing style is generally evident in every story. He uses irony and sarcasm to contradict human behaviour. This helped me to reflect on why some characters behaved the way they did. I was then able to identify with them and even ‘forgive’ their impulsive actions. My favourite story was Suchin’s Escape. Although Harry is a criminal, his remorseful attitude leads him to rescue Suchin from a razing car by risking his life. I also
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