Review and Tour: The Light, The Dark, and Ember Between

THE LIGHT, THE DARK, AND EMBER BETWEEN by N. W. Nicklaus
Genres: Fiction, Drama, Humor, Romance
Rating: 5/5

 

Review:

The Light, The Dark and Ember Between is a collection of short stories that show people and events the way they really are. Each story is a beautiful picture of humans and emotions.

Each story in The Light, The Dark, and Ember Between is beautifully set up and developed quickly, by way of characters, setting, and dialogue. I was instantly drawn into each one as quickly as I turned the page.

J.W. Nicklaus is a wonderful writer. His words are fluid and lyric and full of beautiful vivid descriptions, the kinds that you re-read paragraphs because the words were beautiful. His characters are real people living with real situations, fighting to live though their losses. Some stories are funny (Reydeo says “T.V. is dead!”=Radio says TV is dead), some are sweet (momma didn’t spank me after all, and I told God thank you when I said grace), some that dabble in the supernatural (I beheld Satan falling as lightning from heaven.) and some that make your heart sing (yes, I fell in love with you when you were in second grade and you never knew it.).

I enjoyed each and every one of these stories, and this book will stay on my bookshelf for years. They’re the kind that you read over and over, whichever you feel like reading that day. I look forward to more from Nicklaus, and I encourage everyone to get their hands on this book as soon as they can.

Content: there was an occasional cuss word scattered through some of the short stories, but it wasn’t overdone, overly offensive, or inappropriate.

Recommendation: Ages 10+ to lover of any genre.

About the author:

J.W. Nicklaus resides in a place not entirely fit for human habitation about five months of the year. No pets to speak of, only the apparitions from which all romantics suffer.

An Arizona native, he’s been from one coast to the other, and a few places in between. College brought an AA in Journalism with a minor in Photography, and a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications. His work experience has run the gamut from Creative Director for a small advertising firm in Tucson to a litigation support bureau in Phoenix (and assuredly some awkward stuff in the mix).

Snow has been featured prominently in his stories, perhaps because of the seasonless cli-mate he lives in. Nature was meant to be enjoyed and experienced, not hidden from the senses. So to that end, he hopes someday to live amongst those who are able to live through four true seasons, and not just blast furnace and warm.

He enjoys the occasional Arizona Diamondbacks game with his son, as well as watching him grow up. The experience of being a single dad has taught him far more about himself than he ever thought possible.

Within the expanse of every waking moment, he hopes his guardian angel keeps its arms open wide and heart ever watchful, for there but for one true Hope goes She.

An Excerpt:
From One Washington Diner:
The interior lights punched holes in the dead of night, and in the stillness I could hear the buzz of glowing neon from the sign above. I’d hoped there would be the slim chance of some distraction from the empty, laughing darkness that taunted me. Pinching the bridge of my nose between thumb and forefinger, I shuffled through the front door, greeted by the hostess/cashier/night manager, who apparently was thriving on the not-so-delicate thrush of caffeine. Her uniform bore the hallmarks of traditional diner-dom: bobby sox, her skirt hemline right around knee level, and wide, flat lapels on her blouse. She looked me over for all of two seconds before making
her vocal appraisal.
“Let me guess…can’t sleep?” Her voice was disarming, welcoming, like a puppy that jumps in
your lap. Managing a frustrated grin I hoarsely replied, “That obvious?”
“Your eyes, your body language—yeah.” I should have had some snappy retort, but my mental haze precluded any such response and subsequently I let slip my small window of opportunity for any suitable comeback.
Instead, I yawned.
“Jeez, my only customer and I’m already boring you,” she blurted out. I thought she smirked, but couldn’t be certain in my unwillingly wakeful state. I glanced around the empty dining room and motioned from left to right. “Looks like you’re swamped. Should I come back later?”
Soft brown curls played upon her left shoulder as she turned her head slightly. “Early a.m. sarcasm—I like it. Sit wherever you like, I’m good at finding people in a crowd.” Even in my sleepless haze, I had to admit she was delightful.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll sit at the counter,” I croaked. “I’ll try not to be a bother.” Her hair gently fluttered as she shook her head. “Works for me. Cop a squat and I’ll be right with ya’.”
My mind was made up—she was indeed delightful, in a common denominator kind of way. Having never exceeded the mathematical scope of algebra during my academic career that suited me just fine.

Follow the rest of the tour:

Tuesday, Dec. 1
Interview l Chat l Book Giveaway at Pump Up Your Book
Guest blogging at As the Pages Turn

Wednesday, Dec. 2
Interviewed at Examiner

Thursday, Dec. 3
Interviewed at Working Writers

Friday, Dec. 4
Guest blogging at The Impression I Get

Monday, Dec. 7
Interviewed at A Book and a Chat Radio Show
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report

Tuesday, Dec. 8
Guest blogging at Beth’s Book Review Blog

Wednesday, Dec. 9
Book reviewed at Reading on the Beach
Guest blogging at Market My Novel

Thursday, Dec. 10
Book reviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Guest blogging at Blogging Authors

Friday, Dec. 11
Book reviewed at The Life of an Inanimate Flying Object

Monday, Dec. 14
Book reviewed at 25 Hour Books
Interviewed on Introducing Writers Radio Show

Tuesday, Dec. 15
Book reviewed at Books, Books, the Magical Fruit
Interviewed at AllVoices

Wednesday, Dec. 16
Interviewed at Broowaha
Book reviewed at Review From Here
Book reviewed at Cafe of Dreams

**Thank you to Nicklaus and Dorothy from Pump Up Your Book for providing my review copy!**

~Haleyknitz