Secrets - Outcast by John R. Little&Mark Allan Gunnells (Spoiler free)

I want to thank Librarything for sending me a review copy of this book.

This is my first experience with JournalStone's DoubleDown Series. Basically, it's a book with too alternative storylines. The only common thing about the two story-lines
is the two main characters. Everything else is completely different.

Here's a summary of the two books:

The Double Down series continues with two stories
that explore the very different realities of Karen
Richard’s life. The common prologue springboards
two talented authors into alternate realities.
In John R. Little’s Secrets, Karen Richardson can
occasionally stop time.  She is free to move around
while others are frozen in time.  She finds the hidden
truths of those around her, including her new friend,
Bobby Jersey, who may not be all that he seems.  At
first it seemed fun, powerful, exhilarating, but in the
end Karen’s power may cost her everything she’s ever
cared about.

In Mark Allan Gunnells’ Outcast, Karen Richardson is
a college freshman dealing with a non‐existent social
life, a difficult roommate...and the power of
telekinesis.  As her powers grow, Karen begins to lose
control.    Her new friend Bobby Jersey offers his
assistance.  But is he somebody that Karen can trust,
or will her abilities destroy everything and everyone
she knows and loves.

The first story is called "Secrets" and it was the shorter one. I am sad to be saying this but this book was the less enjoyable. It was kind of depressing, dark and way too explicit. Ithad some interesting moments but I am just not into this type of stuff. There was a lack of character development but it's understandable considering the length.

The storyline follows a girl named Karen, which has the ability to stop time but she doesn't know why and cannot control it. She meets another guy named Bobby, who can do the same and the story gets tangled. Throughout I was expecting to find out more about the abilities but unfortunately I didn't. The last few chapter were the thing I mostly enjoyed because it had a goal and it was achieved. I would rate this book 3/5 stars.

Little about the author:

John R. Little is the Bram Stoker Award winning author of Miranda, The Memory Tree, Ursa Major, and many other books.  He has been publishing his unique brand of fiction formore than 30 years and has been nominated for major awards multiple times.  Little loves to hear from his fans and his web site is www.johnrlittle.com

The second story I found more interesting and yet not compelling enough. It had a different, better plot about telekinesis and I can't tell anything more without spoiling. There was more character development and more details. This time around I was able to relate to the characters but there was something that didn't fit there... I don't know what it was. Overall I enjoyed this book and my rating is 3.5/5 stars. I will definitely keep an eye on Mark Allan Gunnels's other works.

Little about the author:

Mark Allan Gunnells is the author of such books as Tales
from the Midnight Shift, The Summer of Winters, Asylum, and
the forthcoming Welcome to the Graveyard. He has been
writing since the age of ten, and publishing since 2005. He
lives in Greer, SC, with his partner, and he loves to set his
stories in the surrounding areas.

Once again, I want to thank the publishers for sending me the book and I am sorry I didn't enjoy it enough. I am just not into this kind of stories. If you are, you will enjoy it more than I did.

                                                     

                                        Final rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars