Russian Uprising by S.R.Claridge

Reviewed by Justin Rentschler, 2011

Russian Uprising is the third installment in the phenomenal Just Call Me Angel series by author S.R.Claridge, whose debut novel, No Easy Way, released in October 2010.  In less than a year, this prolific writer has put out four novels and believe me, each one is better than the next.

Russian Uprising is nothing less than excitingly explosive!  If you liked the television program, 24, you will love this series.  Angel Martin assumes her role as head of the Maratinzano mafia family to the extent that she has to go against her own grandfather, the Capo di Tutti Capi, in order to protect the man, or should I say men, she loves.  This book solidifies her family, with mother Sophia, the hilarious Aunt Olga, and both grandfathers, and the love triangle between Andrew and Tony only grows hotter with even more sexual tension.  Angel finds the strength to take care of business on her own, proving she's indeed ready to take over the family. 

With the Russian Mafia incorporated, names are key and you have to stay on your toes to remember who is who in this never dull plot.  Surprises wait at every turn and the excitement builds until the very end.  Worth the read.  Five stars and two thumbs up.  This series has everything you could want in a novel and then some. 

All Just Call Me Angel series novels are available through Vanilla Heart Publishing, on Amazon, Barnes&Noble and Smashwords in Ebook and Print; and everywhere books are sold.

Author website:  www.AuthorSRClaridge.com

Traitors Among Us by S.R.Claridge, published by Vanilla Heart Publishing

Review posted by Justin Rentschler, RipeReviews

Traitors Among Us is the second installment in the Just Call Me Angel suspense series by author S.R.Claridge; and it starts with a BANG!  Right out of the gate Claridge creates a storyline that renders readers unable to walk away. From the first to the last sentence, this book will have you on the edge of your seat with your adrenaline surging.  No joke, folks, it’s THAT good.

The story is brought to life by Claridge’s characters, from which she portrays every human emotion.  Skillfully weaving humor and feeling throughout, Claridge makes her characters real, tangible and likeable.  In fact, so likeable that most readers will have a difficult time choosing to whom Angel should give her heart.  We are given deeper glimpses into the Mafia families, especially Angels, with the introduction of her mother, Sophia and her maternal grandfather, Salvatore; both of whom become key players in grooming her for family leadership.   Two of the most enjoyable characters are Olga, the doting great aunt with a sharp tongue and a sarcastic wit; and Chase, a wily guy of many talents, who wants to become a made member of the family.   They are sure to make you laugh out loud.

After reading Tetterbaum’s Truth, I didn’t expect this book to be better, but it is.  Claridge stepped it up a notch and I predict its going to pay off well in book sales.

A five star rating isn’t high enough.  Congratulations to the author (S.R.Claridge) and to the publisher (Vanilla Heart Publishing) for another job well-done.

S.R.Claridge’s books are available in ebook and print at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and everywhere books are sold.

More information on S.R.Claridge’s novels may be found at:  www.authorsrclaridge.com

Tetterbaum’s Truth by S.R.Claridge, published by Vanilla Heart Publishing

Review posted by Justin Rentschler, RipeReviews

The story starts out slowly and lends itself toward romance, but by the time you reach the third chapter the plot twists into a suspenseful delight for the mystery lover.  It’s like a rollercoaster ride in the dark.  Just when you think you have anticipated the next turn, you are skillfully thrown in the opposite direction.  This is a book that mixes the genres of romantic suspense and full-blown mystery very well, and I suspect will appeal to both groups of readers.

Seemingly weak and pathetic, Angel Martin plays the role of victim well; but we quickly learn it isn’t weakness that drives her, but the mere ignorance of a past she’s never known.   When she discovers her true identity, her genetic make-up explodes with strength and the test becomes not one of can she handle the truth, but can she learn to trust her instincts and harness the power the truth holds? 

S.R.Claridge is a remarkable writer of character without drudging on in endless paragraphs of description.  She brings lively dimension to the faces in her story, painting enough detail for the reader to picture the character, feel their motivation and relate to them as if they were standing in the room.  She weaves humor and emotion with perfect timing throughout. The character of Olga, in particular, offers comedic relief when tension is at its highest. Her novel is fiction but you’d swear you were actually experiencing what Angel experiences while traversing the pages.  Expect your adrenaline to increase, your pulse to pound and your eyes to widen with disbelief as you try to figure out what will happen next.  And you won’t be able to do it.

Tetterbaum’s Truth is the first in a series entitled, Just Call Me Angel, published by Vanilla Heart Publishing.  The second installment is entitled, Traitors Among Us, and I plan to crack it open this evening, rendering a review within the next few days.

On a scale of 1 to 5, this book earns 5 stars.  It’s an easy read, a quick page-turner and the entertainment value is on a “you-don’t-want-to-miss-this” level.  Congratulations to S.R.Claridge and Vanilla Heart for offering a series unique to the market.  Readers will love it because it’s well-written, oddly heartwarming, and refreshingly new. 

APEX Reviews called Tetterbaum’s Truth a “bona fide suspense thriller and a non-stop ride of action and adventure.”  That sums it up.

Tetterbaum’s Truth is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords in ebook and in print.  For more information about S.R.Claridge:  www.AuthorSRClaridge.com

Author Research Summary on S.R.Claridge

I am in the process of reviewing a suspense series entitled, Just Call Me Angel,  written by author S.R.Claridge, represented by Publicist Maxwell Crighton (PublishingPublicityLLC) and published by Vanilla Heart.

Before I agree to review a piece of work, I research the author because it provides me with a bit of background, which in my experience usually comes through in the work itself.  What I have learned about author S.R.Claridge is that she is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia and includes her Alma Mater at random intervals in each of her novels.  Be it the mention of a restaurant in Columbia, the University columns or a sweatshirt from the UMC Bookstore, Claridge holds true to her Tiger roots.  True enough that in every novel her hero or heroine is a Mizzou graduate.  This speaks highly of the author's personal character and tells me she will most likely provide the same depth in the characters she creates.

A second tidbit of information is that S.R.Claridge is originally from St. Louis, Missouri where she grew up as a Cardinal fan, watching her father pitch batting practice for the St. Louis Cardinals for the past thirty years.  I wouldn't be surprised if she works the World Series bound Cardinals into one of her novels.

Third, I watched a video posted on her website, showing the author jumping from a plane 18,000 feet above sea level as an act of research for an upcoming novel.  I've known people to skydive but never met an author willing to take the plunge just so she could accurately describe the feeling on paper.  She's got courage, determination and, if you watch the video, she's just plain likeable.

I'm anticipating her spunk to shine through on the pages of her novels and will be somehow disappointed if it does not. You may check out this author yourself at www.authorsrclaridge.com

My review begins with book one of the Just Call Me Angel series entitled,  Tetterbaum's Truth.  Look for my review to post on Monday, October 24, 2011.








by Justin Rentschler, RipeReviews@hushmail.com