Jones Inn

Okay, I'm going to just say it. This book needed a better editor. First off, the author's name is misspelled. This never bodes well. There are things that needed red lines drawn through them. That's an opinion. There are spelling errors. That's a fact. I'm a document editor, I know these things. But let's face it, scroll around, look at Elliott's review on his own book. He misspelled intelligence. I think he makes my point for me. In fact, his little review there sort of makes my point. It's funny, gritty, a little self-deprecating and a little self-aggrandizing, the trick is you can't tell which is which. That's Elliott (two t's) for ya.It's been a few months since I read Jones' Inn. I read it in two days. Now, I know you're thinking, big damned deal, but let me tell you with my schedule, reading a newspaper article in two days is a big accomplishment. I don't have time for things. Elliott's the kind of thing you make time for.You can read the excerpt so I won't bore you with a plot recap. If you like edgy novels that are never apologetic, read some Elliott. So it's not a masterful editing job, big deal. His writing is decisive and poetic. If you haven't read his novel A Life Without Consequences yet, read Jones Inn first. I read them in reverse, which was not the best way to do things. It's easy to make sad things poignant and pitiful. It's hard to make them realistic yet beautiful. Elliott's got a way of taking your breath away; and while you're gasping for it, you don't know whether he's hit you in the stomach or sucked it straight out of your mouth with a kiss. That's some kind of magic, no matter how you spell it.

Good work Steve! just wait til ya write about growing up with the old gang. I'm glad to see things are looking up for ya.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Mr. Elliott weaves a twisted yet hauntingly beautiful story. Despite the depravity of his characters, the reader finds his/herself envisioning them as beautiful as the narrator himself does, and loving them almost against his/her will. The narrator, Paul, reminds me of a sort of modern-day Holden Caulfield in his inability to believe he has any control over his future (or even his present). This is how Holden might be if he were strung out on junk in the 1990s.I hope Mr. Elliott publishes more. Despite minor editing glitches, and the unrealistic fast pace of this book, I enjoyed it greatly, and believe he will only improve in time.

This book was very moving. It made me smile and brought tears to my eyes. It grabbed me right from the start and by the end I was left feeling sentimental and inspired. The courage of the protagonist offers hope and puts life in perspective.

Journey with the narrator as he takes you on ride through real pain. See the suffering roll off the back and slip from the tongue. It's cool yet disturbing. You are on the verge of understanding yet you are left with truth. A very compelling story of a man, his choices , and the way the dice roll in this flip, flop, till you stop drama. I was exceptionally impressed with the raw feeling the book had. After reading this book you'll know what it's like to go to hell and come back with a story. This author puts to rest the mystery that lies just beyond your vision, in your neighborhood, or maybe in your home!