Bravos for Bend Me Shape Me

“Told in three distinct voices, Jo, Snow and Snow’s Great Uncle Leonard – this was a fantastic follow up to the first ‘Street Stories’ book, Painted Black. This was a rollercoaster of a book both with regards to the action and emotionally. I enjoyed it and found it hard to put down. The characters were all realistic, and the vivid descriptions of a bleak wintery Chicago made me think of all those poor kids that have nowhere to go. This is a series that can only get better and better, and although the books are linked, they can be read quite happily as standalones. I can’t wait for the next one!”

—Kim Tomsett at Wistfulskimmie’s Book Reviews.

“This story is another heart wrenching look into the life of kids on the street. I was immediately drawn into Snow’s story and the book didn’t let go until the end. It was quite a ride. The reader will feel sorrow and shock and even some dislike for some of the characters. There’s a little bit of violence, action, and even some questions of what’s real and what’s not. The story comes out in the characters own voices and each one is unique. Bend Me Shape Me is book two in the “Street Stories” series, but can be read as a stand alone book also. The author uses vivid imagery that will stay with the reader, and may even haunt you a little when you’re done reading. These books have definitely caught my attention and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”

—via Jenn’s Review Blog

Praise for Painted Black

“I would not hesitate in recommending this well-written, fast-paced novel to readers who enjoy character-driven novels that aren’t afraid of taking a (large!) step across to the dark side. This is a promising start to what I hope will become a solid mystery-suspense series.”

—Nicola Foster at My Good Bookshelf

“This is a fantastic novel full of suspense and intrigue. Each character comes to life in these pages making it almost impossible to put it down for even a moment as you wonder what is going to happen to Chris and Jo. I think the author has come across an interesting setting for an entire series of novels featuring Jo.”

—Angie Mangino at Reflections of a BookWorm

“Whilst on the one hand highlighting the fate these teenagers have to face, it was also a good mystery at its heart. Jo and Chris are damaged in their own ways and must put aside their mistrust of each other to work together. It is a gripping story. A real page turner but also very sad. The characters were true to life and leapt out of the page at me, at times their pain was tangible.”

—Kim Tomsett-Fowler at Wistfulskimmie’s Book Reviews

“Painted Black is about the young faces we see on the streets, covered in dirt, wearing worn out clothes, shrouded in looks of hate, pride, and fear…. There isn’t a part of this book you don’t feel, it reaches into your core…. There are many enjoyable books out there, but there aren’t many that make you feel, make you think, make you sit back and contemplate the uglier side of life we try so hard to ignore its existence.  This was a very well written book on all accounts.”

—Darian Wilk, author of Love Unfinished and Reinventing Claire

“This is a crime/suspense/mystery kind of book, but at the forefront are all the characters that Debra R Borys portrays so well. This was one of those books where you start reading and before you can even blink you are almost done with it. I was so caught up with the characters of this book……Painted Black was a great story and I am glad I got a chance to read it!”

—Danielle at The To Be Read Pile

“Painted Black takes place on the gritty streets of Chicago. Midst the pervading misery that often defines the homeless community, something even darker is stirring…. The characters come across as real, and the at times disturbing reality of the way she portrays the lives of the homeless lend the entire book a visceral feel…. Knowing that the portrayal is accurate only lends weight to it. There is also an underlying message of hope, as well.”

—Connor Rickett, Cities of the Mind

“Borys depicts the street life and struggles in an engaging, interesting way that draws you in and helps give a little perspective into the lives of the homeless. Maybe the next time you see someone huddled in a door frame or sleeping on a park bench, they won’t be quite so invisible.”

—Norelle Done, Seattle Wrote

“One of the most unique mysteries I’ve read in a long time. From drugs, hustling, and child abuse to the seedy and disgusting desires of a strange and twisted man this story keeps you reading from page one to the last word. Dark, gritty and suspenseful this is a seat of your pants ride that you won’t soon forget.”

—Jenn’s Review Blog

“Painted Black has a Silence of the Lamb’s feeling about it…..there’s something dark and ominous going on here.….  Fiction can be a great vehicle for exposing the darker side of the human experience in ways that are both important and meaningful and I think that Painted Black fits into this category.”

—Quinn Barrett, Wise Bear Books