Book Review: Short stories and novellas by Eric Dixon

Break Every Chain: 
There are curses that are passed down from generation to generation. There are sins we bring upon ourselves. Yet, with God’s everlasting love and the blood of His Son, Jesus, we are able to break the chains that bind us. 
Karma: 
What goes around comes around. Some people learn the hard way. Clarence had it all and lost it all before he figured it out. 
Survivor: 
Fighting through the pain, inflicted by cancer, Charles made up in his mind to survive! 
Dirty Laundry: 
When a unit of cops is betrayed by one of their brethren, they are willing to go through drastic measures to keep him silent. But what if it’s too late? What if the wrong person already knows their dirty, little, secrets? 

Eric L. Dixon was born November 7, 1980, and raised with his two older sisters in Minden, Louisiana. After graduating from high school in 1999, Dixon left to join the United States Navy that same year, ultimately becoming part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Marrying in 2002, Dixon and his wife became proud parents in 2001 and again in 2003. After an honorable discharge in 2004, Dixon continued to serve his country by becoming a Navy contractor in 2005 after attending Tidewater Tech. When he’s not working, Dixon writes stories, reads, watches movies, and spends time with his family and friends.
Parentless at a young age (he lost his mother to breast cancer at the age of twelve and his father to a massive heart attack at fourteen), Dixon sees his role as a father as his greatest privilege. His children are his biggest inspiration as a writer, followed by his niece, nephews, and authors such as Donald Goines and James Patterson.
Dixon began writing his first novel in 2005 after watching a Donald Goines documentary and reading Goines’s novel Whoreson. He is seeking his breakthrough into the industry with his short stories and novellas: Break Every Chain, Karma: Life Merry-Go-Round, Survivor and Dirty Laundry.


My Review

I decided to review each short story separately, as there are only four in this work.

Break every chain: This story had a good thing going for a while, but ended upbruptly. It felt pieced together and read more like flash fiction. I enjoyed the concept and characters, but the ending left me feeling unfulfilled.

Karma: This story was far better. Dixon focused on two characters and the result was an enjoyable read with lively characters.

Survivor:This was the shortest story, but the most personal. Any English teacher will tell you that stories bloom and have life when they have an element of your soul in them. This time, the connection to God didn't feel forced like the first story did. It felt natural, and raw, and I loved it.

Dirty laundry: This novella was the longest work, but I wouldn't mind seeing it stand on its own. It had a great potential for more character development and if it was fleshed out a little would make a good novel.

Overall, 3 of the 4 stories had my interest and were fun to read. I wouldn't lead with Break Every Chain, but that had its good points too. Dixon has a lot of promise, and if he focused on one work would produce something great.

My rating: 4.5/5