Book Reviews

This area is for a selection of the reviews of the Forum Publishing books which have taken us aback, the response has been overwhelming and we can only express our gratitude to those who have purchased the books and left the various reviews. 50% of the proceeds of each book sold goes to the forum fund to enable us to keep our support network up and running.

Broken Cats and Cowboy Hats



To be a Man




caroleglasson "thesoggygardener"  on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read, 17 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
Although fast paced and exciting enough to please fans of crime/thriller novels, Broken Cats and Cowboy Hats is not your average plot driven crime novel. The characters, in particular Mark Doughty himself, have a depth to them that so often can be missing in contemporary literature. That depth arouses our sympathy, maybe even empathy, and certainly offers an explanation as to why Mark behaves as he does. It would be too easy to condemn Doughty, too easy to catagorise him as the criminal and Mr Knowle's writing does not take that easy option. Is Doughty the criminal, or is Mark the real victim? A question we could, maybe even should, be asking ourselves in today's society.
This novel makes you think and is certainly worthy of the 'page turner' label. However it is more. It makes you think certainly, but it also makes you feel something. And it is that feeling which will remain long after the last page has been turned.

I highly, highly recommend this work.


By mitchie

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope and Hilarity. Just don't give up!, 1 July 2011
 
This review is from: The Naked Emperor (Kindle Edition)
Just when you hoped for the best, when all your plans and ambitions are laid naked and bare ... and it all goes very wrong. I think we know the feeling!
The Naked Emperor embodies both hope and hilarity which pick you up and literally carry you right through the book.
In what proves to be an immensely good read, you will still be thinking about it long after the final page!




by Beowolf1976 on amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats, 1 Jun 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition) 






I started reading this novel the other night and before I realised it, it was 2am in the morning and I had gotten half way through reading the book. Picked it up again last night and yes, another 2am finish and the book was complete.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I, like various other readers, could not decide whether I pitied Mark Doughty or whether I hated his every being.
The story is fantastic and gripping and true to the point. I recommend anyone to get this book and read it and make your own decisions on whether he was to be pitied or reviled.
Amazing and I cannot believe that this book isn't from a highly published famous author! Roger your book is amazing.
I reckon I should get everyone I know to read this book, it's truly fabulous!

This review is from: The Naked Emperor (Kindle Edition)
This is a fantastic read... Highly recommended! A++++

This is the second novel that Roger Knowles has delivered, each one drawing you into the book and emphasising with the characters. Whilst his other title "Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats" is a gripping Crime/Thriller, "The Naked Emperor" is a more lighthearted read.

This book is delivers the package of intention.... as it is guaranteed to deliver a few smiles and laughs along the way, but as you immerse yourself in the story, you will also find that there are a few touching moments where with everyday life you will be able to relate to these....

Roger Knowles is a very talented author, and with each novel he writes he has the gift to involve each and every reader within the life's of the characters and we are left feeling as though we are familiar with the characters also.

With each and every book sale, 50% of any proceeds from this book will be used to offer understanding, support and advice to the hundreds of thousands of UK Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers via a dedicated support forum. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a widely misunderstood but totally debilitating disease. The Author is a sufferer.

chronicfatiguesyndrome me uk


By
Joy Ford on amazon -
5.0 out of 5 stars An absorbing read, 19 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
This novel came highly recommended by a trusted friend. But when I read the blurb, I was a bit put off, not really being into crime & violence. However, because my friend's recommendation was so strong, and because the price was low enough to take the risk, I decided to give it a go. And I'm SO glad I did - totally absorbing and thought provoking. I read it in two sessions, which is something I rarely do. HIGHLY recommended.

By Sarah on Amazon
 5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable - a must read!!, 19 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
A real page turner and impossible to put down yet this read still manages to be really moving and leave an impression forever!


By
Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!!, 17 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)

For those who like to indulge in a captivating, hard and violent "Crime/thriller" with a message, I highly recommend this book...



By
Gee on amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, convincing... definitely recommend!, 23 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
I am not normally a fan of this genre, however it was strongly recommended to me, so I read it and am glad I did! The themes may be disturbing but it is engaging, pacey, easy to read and thought provoking.

By
Thumper on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep, Dark & Imaginative, 25 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
Wow, what an amazing read. Really gritty and doesn't waste any time getting down to brass tacks. Brutally honest, hard hitting and gets the brain working, this is a book that makes you think outside the basic plotline and you find yourself easily immersed in the world of the characters. What you get here is a top class book for pennies which results in it being a must have item!

By Carrie on Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars - A must buy read, not to be missed, 1 July 2011


This is the most amazing book, it has had me laughing from page one, the characters are strong and I bet many of us can relate to the descriptions of some people. I haven't read such a wonderful book in a long time, a complete change from Broken Cats and Cowboy Hats, this is a very talented author, I don't think we will ever tire of reading Mr Knowles books, as there is something different every time. You cannot afford to miss out on reading this book, the saying is right, Laughter is the best medicine.

By
Cherry on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars A chilling tail that stays with you, 20 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
The story pulls you in, so that you are on Mark's side and off down the right path with him and all looks well and then suddenly .... you are gasping in disbelief and horror. It's not just a story, but a window into a world we'd prefer to pretend isn't really like that - is it? A powerful read that lives on with you long after you finish the last page.


By
caroleglasson "thesoggygardener" on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious read - and then some..., 25 Jun 2011
This review is from: The Naked Emperor (Kindle Edition)
The Naked Emperor is a hilarious read! It's funny, it's clever, it's real - we all know someone like the hero - and although an overused phrase, the book is truly difficult to put down. The author creates real people and so despite the extraordinary happenings of the story, it's believable. You will not just read the words, you will be a fly on the wall watching the events unfold before you. The self depreciating humour of the hero never grows stale, you will laugh through every page. Mr Knowles has the amazing ability to not just allow his readers to follow the text, but also to make them feel. As in all good writing, it has a deeper side and several touching moments when a tear will not be far from your eye. And as you reach the end you will begin to reflect on the wider message of the book - for amusing as it all is, the extraordinary happenings are maybe not that extraordinary at all?
Do check out the other works by this author. Broken Cats and Cowboy Hats is in a completely different genre, but has in common the fact it is `SUCH A BRILLIANT READ'.



By Carrie on Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars - Compelling, Gripping read., 2 Jun 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)This book is truly amazing, it is gripping and enticing, it draws you deep into this world of darkness, you want to carry on finding out more and more knowing that what you find isn't pleasant, the storyline is compelling you want to reach out to him and show him what people really can be like, the love and affection and the kindness every human being deserves, then in another breath you want someone to rip his head off and clear every trace of his evil being.
It really makes you think and you want to carry on reading and reading so much that I spent too long reading this afternoon when I should have been doing something else . But I wanted to read too much, I wanted to get to the end, I wanted to know what happenened to this monster, do I love him or do I loathe him??

By B.K on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly gritty and gripping, 20 May 2011
-This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
"Gritty and gripping" would be my summation and it's hard to put down once it gets going, which is pretty much straight away!

It has a no-nonsense style which I really liked and evokes a real sense of Britishness, and oftime and place as the story progresses through the years. It doesn't shy away from the violence and can be quite a tough read at times, but it's done well and you genuinely care about the characters. What raises it above many books in the genre is the thought-provoking exploration of what made Doughty turn out the way he did, not just a focus on what drives the good guys. Having said that, DI Hogg is a great character!

Would definitely recommend this to anyone who's into crime thrillers.


By Carrie on Forum Publishing
I cant recommend Roger's book strongly enough, if you have not already got it, go get it as soon as you can, it is an amazingly well written book. The characters are strong and stir many emotions, for the price it is an absolute steal, its a lot better than books you will see costing a heck of a lot more.



By
caroleglasson "thesoggygardener" on Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read, 17 May 2011
This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
Although fast paced and exciting enough to please fans of crime/thriller novels, Broken Cats and Cowboy Hats is not your average plot driven crime novel. The characters, in particular Mark Doughty himself, have a depth to them that so often can be missing in contemporary literature. That depth arouses our sympathy, maybe even empathy, and certainly offers an explanation as to why Mark behaves as he does. It would be too easy to condemnDoughty, too easy to catagorise him as the criminal and Mr Knowle's writing does not take that easy option. Is Doughty the criminal, or is Mark the real victim? A question we could, maybe even should, be asking ourselves in today's society.

This novel makes you think and is certainly worthy of the 'page turner' label. However it is more. It makes you think certainly, but it also makes you feel something. And it is that feeling which will remain long after the last page has been turned.

I highly, highly recommend this work.




By Joy Ford on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly funny, 25 Jun 2011
This review is from: The Naked Emperor (Kindle Edition)
Having read the fantastic `Broken Cats and Cowboy Hats', I bought this book expecting more of the same. But it isn't, it's completely different, moving away from the incredibly dark to the ultra light - I can't believe that the two books are by the same author!
This one is sooooo funny - a dozen smiles on every page interspersed by numerous laugh out loud moments, and all wrapped up in a brilliant story.
So, if you like funny AND a good story, buy this book. You won't regret it. I'm now wondering what this author will come up with next, and looking forward to finding out!

By swimmer on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars - Broken Cats and cowboy Hats...Loved it !, 27 Jun 2011

This review is from: Broken Cats & Cowboy Hats (Kindle Edition)
I've never used Kindle before. Broken cats and Cowboy Hats was a brilliant read. Cleverly linking childhood trauma with the negative end result. It allowed me to read about the horrific actions of Mark Doughty while still feeling empathy for his sorry situation. Its unusual to read about the bad guy while really feeling sorry for him and wanting someone to just take him in hand and give him some love.
A really thoughtfully written story.

Monica


5.0 out of 5 stars Glimpse of the future?,
By
M. G. Mccaughey

This review is from: The Association (Kindle Edition)
 
 Superficially a very entertaining read, full of intrigue and action. On a deeper level very thought provoking and an intriguing glimpse into the future.

5.0 out of 5 stars yet another excellent knowles book,  
 
By
Eadiedog This review is from: The Association (Kindle Edition)
quick, fast and pacy - just what you need for a relaxing book. Well drawn characters, bringing to mind all those only slightly futuristic tales (handmaids tale, children of men, etc).

5.0 out of 5 stars Effortless read / important message,
By
caroleglasson "thesoggygardener" This review is from: The Association (Kindle Edition)
Although written some time ago this is such a contemporary work. Think Orwell's "1984", think "Da Vinci Code", think conspiracy theories, think the Illuminati, think about how the world we take for granted really operates. This novel is all that and more. Roger Knowles tackles an important subject in an uncomplicated, readable, friendly style. I say friendly because Roger's characters do become our friends, he has an amazing talent in creating that emotional connection between the person on the page and the reader. Once again we are introduced to real personalities, good or bad, they are always credible, and the dialogue we don't just read, we hear in their accents. Ordinary people in extraordinary situations. It's an effortless read with an important message. Everyone should read this at least once! It's a biggie!

 5.0 out of 5 stars Another enjoyable read,
By
mermaid -This review is from: The Association (Kindle Edition)
It's really unusual for an author to be able to write so effortlessly in so many different genres. I do not read this kind of book normally, but having enjoyed Roger Knowles' previous books I gave it go, and was quickly drawn into the fast moving story line. It seems to me to be a kind of thriller with a science fiction twist to it, underpinned with a romance that helps to hold the whole story together. I would definitely recommend this book, and hope that many more people will read this and his other stories.

5.0 out of 5 stars another great story,
By
Sarah This review is from: The Association (Kindle Edition)
Thank you Roger Knowles for another great story. I'm not really sure why, but this one brought John Buchan's `The 39 Steps' to mind - a good, solid adventure story, a fight between good and evil but without the involvement of incomprehensible (to me anyway) modern technology and the complex politics that we see so often in modern fiction. I really, really enjoyed this book

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read from this author,
By
Joy Ford - The Association (Kindle Edition)
This is the fourth book I've read by this author...each book very different from the one before and each one a great read. `The Association' is, I think, more traditional than the others, but I don't mean that in a negative way. I was quickly drawn in as the evil Lord Godfrey's plan became apparent, and couldn't let go as the main protagonist, Ben Lake, tried so hard to prevent those plans reaching fruition whilst being totally ill-equipped to do so. If you've never read this author, I'd strongly suggest that you do. So many authors of fiction present us with the same story but with different characters time after time. This one doesn't. Each of the books I've read so far has been a new experience, and I eagerly await the next one.