Frank Drury - "A Dream Away" - Blogging about New Novels

2021-10-30T08:20:00.003-07:00

"The author has a natural gift for crafting a well-thought out story and developing positive, memorable characters that stay with you and tells a message that is important for all to hear."
Goodreads

2021-10-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

"A compelling read, and one that will definitely take you by surprise and make you think, even long after you've finished reading it. Frank Drury infuses a unique blend of family, drama, angst, emotions, and shocking twists." Goodreads

2021-10-30T08:19:00.004-07:00

"A deftly crafted and original many-layered novel that is very highly recommended. A chilling but inherently fascinating read that holds the reader's rapt attention from beginning to end." Midwest Book Review July 2015

2021-10-30T08:19:00.001-07:00

"The author is a gifted storyteller!" Writer's Digest

2021-10-30T08:18:00.003-07:00

"Random Shootings is a great read; a straight shooter,which is why I am so fond and appreciative of this wonderful novel. It is a raw, honest, and captivating read!"
By Melanie L. Hutter Amazon

2021-10-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

"The author wasn't preachy or judgmental about the issue, but showed both sides. His writing style flows nicely and is easy to get lost in." Shelfari

2021-10-30T08:17:00.003-07:00

"Chilling and feels all too real when you consider the number of deaths due to guns that occur each day. Drury's thoughtful and well-written work infuses real life to those statistics." Readers Favorite

2021-10-30T08:15:00.002-07:00

"It's rare that a book can so poignantly capture the whole landscape of the issue at hand, and also put it into context with the emotional ramifications and consequences." Indie Book Reviewers

2021-10-26T12:14:00.010-07:00

Review for COLORED FLOODLIGHTS

"Colored Floodlights was an intriguing and engaging novel that covered a wide span of interesting events. From the war, to the Wall Street protests, to a carjacking, a shooting, a marriage in shambles, and even a house fire, there was always something happening that kept me glued to my Kindle. I was never bored and thought the story was easy to get lost in. The characters felt authentic and the dialogue believable." (5 stars).

Indie Book Reviewers

2021-10-26T12:11:00.002-07:00

Colored Floodlights

"From the war, to the Wall Street protests, to a carjacking, a shooting, a marriage in shambles, and even a house fire, there was always something happening that kept me glued to my Kindle." IndieBookReviewers

2021-10-26T12:10:00.002-07:00

Colored Floodlights

"There is some great storytelling in there. We like all the characters and sympathize with all of them. It was a good read that I enjoyed and would recommend to others." Shelfari.com

2021-04-28T10:39:00.005-07:00

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Marjorie Meyerle - author of Bread of Shame

This review is from: An Empty Sky (Paperback)
Drury's style is economical and direct. The characters are interesting and remain with you after finishing the book. The plot moves quickly and surely to a definitive conclusion. I'm looking forward to his next novel.

2021-04-28T10:39:00.002-07:00

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great movie this would make!,

By LA Reader

This review is from: An Empty Sky (Kindle Edition)

I really love reading mystery novels but having spent some time in Annapolis, Maryland and having experienced a few hurricanes along the East Coast, I decided to give this book a try. It is one of those books that grabs you right away as a Category 5 storm is moving towards Ocean City, Maryland. In a very compelling story, we follow Cecil Clemenzi from boyhood to a somewhat mentally unstable middle aged man. He decides to take revenge against the wrong person when he is financially ruined as a young man by a fellow trader on the trading floor in New York. This fellow trader, Kevin Kepler, is a former mercenary and arms dealer and way out of Cecil's league. Once Kepler realizes that Cecil is the one who hired people to go after his family, he turns things around and goes after him. Cecil then takes off by himself, leaving his family behind,and ends up in Laramie, Wyoming to start a new life. Cecil's short time in Laramie comes to an abrupt halt when he decides to return home, where he is ultimately pursued and captured by Kepler. I really liked the characters in this book, even the minor ones like Kepler's daughter Virginia and her rescuer and therapist, Mike Chandler. Although it is not really a mystery novel, it moves very quickly and is full of suspense and action. I would love to see this book made into a movie as it would be really exciting to see this story on the big screen.

2021-04-28T10:38:00.005-07:00

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read and quite a debut!

By Dana McAuliffe - English Lit phd

This review is from: An Empty Sky (Paperback)

Frank Drury's An Empty Sky was a page turner. I was hooked at the opening chapter. Sharply delineated characters, especially Clemenzi (my favorite), crisp dialogue, tight plot, and suspenseful. Don't want to say more for fear of giving something away. Just enjoy, fellow readers!

2021-04-28T10:38:00.002-07:00

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fast-Paced Ride!

Reviewed by Susan Schoenberger Author of "A Watershed Year"

The title proves prescient in "An Empty Sky" as the characters move past the initial storm-induced drama to a place where they seek clarity but often find emptiness instead. Author Frank Drury moves along the action with brisk dialogue and plotting as the story of Kevin Kepler, his daughter Virginia, and a rich cast of characters unfolds. I look forward to seeing more from Frank Drury.

2021-04-28T10:37:00.002-07:00

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and thought-provoking read! Fleeing and starting over are not things easily done, and makes "An Empty Sky" a fascinating and thought-provoking read. Midwest Book Review

2020-06-09T09:06:00.002-07:00

Reviewed by Lisa M. for Readers Favorite 4 out of 5 stars

Frank Drury offers readers a glimpse into the mind of a person with Bipolar Disorder. I liked reading this story because of the path it chose to take on the perception of mental illness. I have many years of experience in assessing mental illness behaviors, and could relate to how important it is for available treatment. This plot successfully shines much needed light upon a subject few understand. He accomplished this without sacrificing entertainment, suspense and romance. Drury brings together several subplots that are very important in today's society: the struggles of a parent of an adopted child, the struggles of the child to come to terms with being given up for adoption, the emotional stress of the birth parents and most importantly the nightmare of dealing with a person suffering from bi-polar disorder. Until you have dealt with a person suffering from this debilitating disorder you cannot fully understand the pain of loving someone with this condition.This book is appropriate for young adults and adults.

2020-02-28T11:52:00.001-08:00

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great movie this would make!
By LA Reader NetGalley

This review is from: An Empty Sky (Kindle Edition)

I really love reading mystery novels but having spent some time in Annapolis, Maryland and having experienced a few hurricanes along the East Coast, I decided to give this book a try. It is one of those books that grabs you right away as a Category 5 storm is moving towards Ocean City, Maryland. In a very compelling story, we follow Cecil Clemenzi from boyhood to a somewhat mentally unstable middle aged man. He decides to take revenge against the wrong person when he is financially ruined as a young man by a fellow trader on the trading floor in New York. This fellow trader, Kevin Kepler, is a former mercenary and arms dealer and way out of Cecil's league. Once Kepler realizes that Cecil is the one who hired people to go after his family, he turns things around and goes after him. Cecil then takes off by himself, leaving his family behind,and ends up in Laramie, Wyoming to start a new life. Cecil's short time in Laramie comes to an abrupt halt when he decides to return home, where he is ultimately pursued and captured by Kepler. I really liked the characters in this book, even the minor ones like Kepler's daughter Virginia and her rescuer and therapist, Mike Chandler. Although it is not really a mystery novel, it moves very quickly and is full of suspense and action. I would love to see this book made into a movie as it would be really exciting to see this story on the big screen.

2020-02-14T09:27:00.001-08:00

ByThashmira Hemanthaon

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Never to be one to stray from a challenge Frank Drury gives us another controversial novel, this time taking on mental illness and the breakdown of families in the riveting A Dream Away. This will definitely have you examining your own thoughts and sensibilities on the matters at hand and the intricate way the plot twists and turns. I was practically glued to the chair as I flipped through the chapters. A hard one to put down once you pick it up, so make sure you have a gap in your schedule before you start.

2020-02-14T09:24:00.001-08:00

Reviewed by Writer's Digest
"A DREAM AWAY tackles some pretty heavy subject matter:adoption, bipolar disorder, abuse, attempted murder, the struggle of a group of people trying to come together as a family. Not easy stuff to write about, but Drury does so with a great deal of grace and compassion."

2020-02-14T09:23:00.001-08:00

Review for A DREAM AWAY

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic read!

TFLReader TOP 500 Amazon REVIEWER

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Bipolar disorder is a difficult subject to tackle in a novel but is handled here very well which must have been the result of extensive research if not first hand experience. There is romance in here as well as the harrowing split family aspect that makes up the hook at the base of the plot. A bit of a tear jerker at times but lots of depth and emotion rather than overused clichés. It is well plotted and even better put together. I'll be recommending to my friends.

2020-01-19T09:34:00.001-08:00

2020-01-19T09:33:00.001-08:00

2020-01-19T09:31:00.002-08:00

Colored Floodlights

"While there are some action-packed scenes, this is a character-driven novel.The engaging writing style and the shifts in point of view mean the book flows swiftly along."

Kirkus Reviews

2020-01-19T09:26:00.001-08:00

Reviews for COLORED FLOODLIGHTS

"Colored Floodlights was an intriguing and engaging novel that covered a wide span of interesting events. From the war, to the Wall Street protests, to a carjacking, a shooting, a marriage in shambles, and even a house fire, there was always something happening that kept me glued to my Kindle. I was never bored and thought the story was easy to get lost in. The characters felt authentic and the dialogue believable." (5 stars). Indie Book Reviewers