“Vicki is a great writer, and has a knack for getting inside her characters’ heads…”
Well, friends. Those are words that’ll stick with a first-time novelist! I could not be more grateful to author Mark Petruska for his fabulous review of Slivers, my spooky story set in a single week in the summer of 1973.
Here’s what Mark had to say. I’m still grinning and buoyant…floating thanks to his fab praise and willingness to pull a “George Constanza” and double-dip. Read on…Seinfeld fans will get the giggle!
If you’re wondering whether a blogger can write a heartfelt memoir, the answer is yes.
If you’re wondering whether a memoirist can write a compelling novel, the answer is yes.
Ladies and gentlemen, this makes Vicki Atkinson a rare triple threat.
I hadn’t intended to read “Slivers” quite yet, as I was midway through another book at the time. I just wanted to crack it open, skim the first paragraph or two. I’m familiar with Vicki’s words through her blog, but fiction is something else entirely. Curiosity got the better of me; I wanted to check out her style, see what kind of ride I would be in for once I was ready to dive into “Slivers.” I only wanted a quick preview, an appetizer to whet my appetite before I was ready for the full meal.
The funny thing is, that first page led to another. And then another. I found myself in a rare position, unwilling/unable to set either novel-in-progress down and devote my full attention to the other. I never double-dip–my attention span is short enough as it is (and look at the trouble George Costanza got into when he tried that!)–but I made a rare exception in this case.
It was totally worth it. Vicki is a great writer, and she has a knack for getting inside her characters’ heads…even when those characters are teenagers, and the setting is more than fifty years in the past. The short chapters were easily digestible, and the shifting points of view never confusing; that can be difficult to pull off, but Vicki did so admirably. Oh, and the supernatural element that forms the backbone of this tale didn’t hurt, either; I’m a sucker for that stuff.
Solid storytelling, a fast pace, and a satisfying conclusion that works on its own, but could also be open-ended if Vicki wanted to revisit the Gillespie clan at some point down the road (hmm!) all make “Slivers” a worthy addition to your reading list!
P.S. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end. While not part of the actual novel, it offers a pretty fun twist that will make you look at the story with a newfound appreciation.
I’m honored by Mark’s kind words because I have crazy respect for him as a highly creative and entertaining writer. Mark’s debut novel, No Time for Kings is a thriller extraordinaire, and it was such a pleasure for Wynne Leon and I to interview Mark on the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast.
But we weren’t the only readers enthralled by Mark’s book. I love this review:
Mark Petruska’s debut novel is of a quality not usually seen in self-published books. The characters are complex and well-rounded; each individual chapter is a pleasure to read. Particularly admirable is his formidable use of descriptive language. Engaging and well-written; Petruska’s future as an author looks bright.
— San Francisco Book Review
Readers have been campaigning for a sequel and we’ve been heard! Mark shared the first three chapters of Earth Fights Back in a recent blog post. Woohoo!
But wait…there’s more. In that same announcement, Mark provided a sneak peek into a brand-new project, an elevator pitch for a novel titled, The Last Icebreaker. You’ll need to click over to Mark’s post to get all the details and uncover a fun fact about blogger collaboration and friendship. Truly something…I’m still in awe.
Before you go, let me highlight how impactful it is to receive input from readers. Mark’s kind and encouraging words about continuing the Slivers saga and his generous comment about the Author’s Notes, revealing an ancestral a-ha, are stoking this writer’s ambition.
Thank you so much, Mark. I’ll get busy on my end…you do the same with Earth Fights Back and The Last Icebreaker.
Check out all the links below to catch up with Mark and if you’re not following him here on WordPress, hop to it, friends!
Last but not least, thanks to those who are reading Slivers and/or Surviving Sue. Grateful for your readership…yes, I am.
Vicki 💝
Author Mark Petruska’s “No Time for Kings” No Time for Kings: Petruska, Mark: 9781614344605: Amazon.com: Books
Three Free Chapters of Earth Fights Back and info about The Last Icebreaker: No Hollywood ending, no love story. – Mark My Words
Mark’s blog: Mark My Words – MARK PETRUSKA | WRITER and Fiction – Mark My Words
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue and Slivers.
Check out this link to learn more about my book Surviving Sue – all about resilience and love. Check out this link to order Slivers…a ghost story with surprising twists. Click here for the interview with my publisher, Rick Kaempfer from Eckhartz Press.
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