Latest review of A Quiet Madness: A Biographical Novel of Edgar Allan Poe

A Quite Madness

 

“What made the man?

Edgar Allan Poe sits among the great poets and wordsmiths for his literary talents. The nineteenth-century ‘man of letters’ possessed an assortment of opinions on topics of life, love, amorous congress, and death. He acquired his unique style and aptitude over forty years of life. And what a life it was!

This reader remained fascinated by this down-to-earth, well written biographical novel by John Isaac Jones, who details heartbreaking events, along with Poe’s love of women, writing, successful ventures, and failures from birth to his passing. With the revelation of additional segments of interesting information, the reader is drawn deeper into Poe’s psyche. Jones achieves his goal of illustrating Poe’s development as a writer by including certain poems. We see Poe’s victories, along with his many agonizing defeats. However, Jones also reveals Poe’s powerful resilience to triumph over adversity, no matter how vicious, right up to the conclusion of his rollercoaster life.

This reader and author knew basically nothing of Poe, aside from the poem ‘The Raven’ and the old movie ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’. However, because of the gifted author, John I. Jones, and this fine piece of writing, I vow to read more of Edgar Allan Poe’s work – since now I know ‘what made the man’.

– Author Robert Carey

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733350098 @JohnIJones5 Author John Isaac Jones #Literature #Fiction #GenreFiction #Southern #Biographies #Historical #Kindle #Bookreview #BooksWorthReading #Readerscommunity #readers #Booktok #writing #writingcommunity #bookstagram

Latest review of The Bird of Time

“I am a John I. Jones fan!

Okay, this story was so darn good, so full of interesting characters, and so well written, that I’ll never forget it…especially the conclusion.

Jones is a talented storyteller and writer, and his skill shines in ‘The Bird of Time’.

Lifetime friends and brothers from different mothers, John Chance and Jesse Trubble perform their tasks, deal with life’s good and bad, and show us exactly what true friendship is about.

At my age, I recall all of the time periods these two go through. Brought back many memories.

And, Jones concludes this wonderful story with one very special segment, one I fully believe in, that will leave the reader feeling good, warm, and with moist eyes.

As a writer and avid reader, I highly recommend ‘The Bird of Time’ to everyone who’s ever had a truly special friendship. You’ll be glad you read it.

“Thank you, John I, for one compelling story. Please keep writin’…and smilin’…” – Author Lee Carey

(Lee Carey lives at Sandbridge Beach, a suburb of Virginia Beach, Va. and is the author of nine novels and two short story collections. Lee enjoys surfing, writing, golf, and hanging out on the beach with his wife, Kay, and their rescued pooch, Angel. Learn more about Lee at https://www.leecarey-author.com/) 

 

Tembo Makaburi now available on audio!!

For all of my fans who like narrators with British accents, this one’s for you. My British narrator and friend JD Kelly did a killer job of bringing this story alive in all of its grisly, horrific details.

***

Tembo Makaburi, the Swahili term for “elephant cemetery,” is the stuff of which dreams are made for ivory hunters. This is the story of a greedy man’s quest for riches and glory as he relentlessly pursues a dying, bull elephant, and his valuable ivory tusks, across the arid, heat of the Serengeti plains. A chilling tale of greed and revenge!

Lonely Magnolia now on audio!!

A shy, lonely computer genius tries to find love in the digital age. He would never be the same! The story of Pygmalion for the 21st century!

Computer genius Dr. Carl Wingate has spent his life programming software and shaping the digital world. A widower in his 50s, Carl tries to find love again but no one sparks his interest. When his daughter suggests online dating, Carl decides to join Southern Singles and meets a special woman with the handle Lonely Magnolia.

“This is a clever short story about technology and love. You could take this as a commentary on the detached way we as a modern society make friends and start relationships online. Or you can just enjoy it for the interesting listen that it is. I expected it to end differently, but John Isaac Jones is always unexpected. The narration was immersive and fit the story well. It’s a good way to spend an hour, and worth the listen.” Audible reviewer

Latest Review of For Love of Daniel

For Love of Daniel

For Love of DanielLatest review of For Love of Daniel

For Love of Daniel
by John Isaac Jones (Goodreads Author)
5 Stars *****
Tam’s review Sep 24, 2018
An amazing story…

This poignant, charming novella warmed my heart more than anything has in a LONG time. It had a distinctly fairytale-ish feeling to it and made me smile all the way through. I loved the underlying theme that families are not only something that you are born into but something you can build and create with unrelated people that you choose. And, the obvious message that something as simple as unconditional love can change and transform seemingly-unremarkable lives into special ones overflowing with fulfillment, a sense of completeness and beauty really resonated with me.

This had everything I have come to expect from a John Isaac Jones story. He always draws me in and makes me feel REAL emotions for his imagined characters. ALWAYS.

 

Latest review of Tembo Makaburi…

By Tammy Windsor

5 Golden Stars!!!!

Format: Kindle Edition

Grandfathers now available on audio!

Grandfathers

Grandfathers

“I like talking to you, Granddaddy,” the child said.

“I like talking to you, too, little boy,” the grandfather said.

Suddenly, the child burst into tears and ran to his grandparent.

“Oh, Granddaddy,” the child sobbed, leaping into his grandfather’s arms. “I love you! I love you! I love you!”

For a full ten seconds, the child clung to the grandfather’s neck with all his might, shedding huge tears.

As the grandfather and grandson held one another in a tight embrace, it was if the future was trying to hold on to the past. In his heart, the child knew that someday the big wheel would stop turning in his grandfather’s life. The grandfather also knew that. He knew this child would someday stand over his grave and weep for him even as he had for his own grandfather. That was what made it so terribly sad. Both knew instinctively that nothing could stop the eternal transition from the old to the new. The forward movement of the big wheel was an undeniable certainty. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could stop its forward progress.”

 

 

 

 

An Old Cowboy remembers how he fell in love….

The Last Cowboy

The Last CowboyThe Last Cowboy now available on audio!!

When the Lazy B Ranch is sold as a victim of the computer age, it seems that J.L. Crockett’s way of life as a cowboy in the United States is finished. So he decides to pack up and move to Argentina, where ranches are still run by human beings.

As J.L. begins a cross-country journey to Miami so he can board the ship to South America, he meets Karina, another soul chasing after an elusive dream. The two join together in a wild and crazy trip where they encounter evangelists, con artists, thieves, ghosts, and drug lords as they bond together over hardship along the way.

Will J.L., with Karina, make it to his next destination or will he really be The Last Cowboy?

My novella, The Agreement, now available on Audio

The Agreement

The Agreement“Follow love and it will flee; flee love and it will follow thee.” (Old Southern saying)

When Alma Dawson, a middle-aged, hard-working single mother, sets out to get the tuition money for her daughter’s last year of college, she never dreamed her entire world would be turned upside down. A poignant, inspiring story, this novelette is a testimony to a devoted mother’s love!

 

 

The Old Men now available as Audiobook

The Old Men

The Old MenThe Old Men now available as Audiobook

For years, the old men had been hanging around the country grocery store whiling away their days playing checkers and dominoes and talking about politics, women, drinking and life experiences.

All that time, the store owner readily approved their presence in the store and went on about his business as if they were not there.

Then, one fateful morning in 1956, a new owner bought the business who was not quite as tolerant. The narrator of this story, an unnamed thirteen-year-old, was the son of the new owner and explains how his father dealt with the old men who hung around his store.