This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
I first began telling stories in childhood; I thrived when I could be creative in school and in play. My first attempts at writing began when I was around 10 years old, but I did not yet have the skills or patience to complete my stories.Years down the road, after having children of my own, I found my creative spark rekindled.
Only with the love and support of family and friends was I able to finally complete the first of many books, and share my creativity with the world.I currently work at a local elementary school as a Behavior Specialist; I have earned a Master's Degree in Business and am beginning the journey to earn a second degree in education.
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
“Once in every generation, a monster awakens.” In The Monster by Josh Soule, a college student is having a rocky relationship with his mother, still pining for his ex-girlfriend, and feels betrayed by his friend when he sees them together at a Halloween mixer. When a stranger - who is dressed as a puppet - hurts the couple, the protagonist is framed for the aggression, which is the beginning of his series of misfortunes. The nameless protagonist, who’s also the narrator, considered himself unlucky compared to others; a ‘disease’ where bad things often happen to him. The one he dubbed the ‘Puppet Man’ is the biggest ill luck he has ever encountered, and trying to solve his problem by running away made me question his decision more than once.
Soule’s short novel seemed to be a slow burn at first, but things start to escalate for the character pretty quickly. One of the characters, Professor Jackson, says this to the protagonist, “The decisions you make today set the path for tomorrow.” He finds it “oddly comforting and soothing”. There are similar quotes with the same meaning but I find Jackson’s is more straightforward and better worded. As a reader, it had a profound motivating effect on me as well. From start to finish, I was emotionally invested in the story and the characters. The Monster is probably the perfect epitome of someone being in the wrong place and at the wrong time. However, this intriguing psychological crime drama has a twist in the end. Overall, this is a solid debut from Josh Soule.
