Rating: 
Summary: So true to life
Review: A scorching story centered round the concept of a dishonest, unprincipled White House regime. (Nothing new there, you might say!) Where this book makes the difference is that Eric Burton's grasp of political chicanery MUST come from an inside knowledge. I'm not suggesting that the author of $oft Money was involved in anything, but either he's an even better writer than his book suggests (which, in my view, would be difficult, since $oft Money is extraordinarily well written), or he knows something the rest of us don't. The political 'truths' in $oft Money read like you would imagine a Tom Clancy book to read if Clancy took up writing political thrillers instead of war/army type books - they seem to be well-researched and factual. Money-laundering, double-dealing, power struggles - it's all been seen before in USA (think Watergate, think Monica, think this is not good for America!) and Burton's book brings it right to our living room. Here, though, we see one man torn between loyalty for his president and loyalty to his principles. Well, okay, what would YOU do? There's your conflict and, since conflict makes a good plot, there's your plot. Eric Burton has made a great start to his writing career. Long may he continue.
Rating:
Summary: A Frighteningly Realistic Look At Political Corruption!
Review: As the author of Strike Hard, I found this book to be one of superb quaity in the aspect of frighteningly realistic. $oft Money explores the dark and twisted underbelly of political campaign contributions that are in the forefront of today's headlines. Currently, there are a number of debates on Capitol Hill concerning campaign money and the format by which it is contributed. Many times over the years, we have seen news articles that talk about corruption and scandal associated with the so-called "soft money" of politics. E.L. Burton has taken this and turned it into a story that shows all of the implications involved with these monies, and how even those who go to Washington with the best intentions can come out being on the wrong side of the corruption fence. "Absolute Power corrupts Absolutely", and "Money is the root of all Evil", are catch phrases that everyone associates with government politics today. This book explores how one man can be held in thrall by these two "magic potions" - power and money, and how another can be torn between friendship and duty. E.L. Burton has managed to tell a story that is one of the best new novels of this millennium, and shows promise of being one of the stalwart authors that will dictate the basis for corruption/suspense novels for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Well-told and riveting!
Review: E.L. Burton weaves an entrancing tale with $oft Money. The characterizations are wonderful, and the storyline reads as though it came right out of the news and into a television movie. $oft money tells the story of Lawrence Brazelton, a former legal partner of President Preston Wesley. Brazelton has evidence that could critically damage Wesley's term of office, and as a person. However, he has been holding onto it for a long time. A presidential protection group discovers the secrets that Brazelton holds, and threatens to not only dispense with the information, but with him as well. All for the cause of saving the presidency. The characters are wonderfully written. One character that stood out with our staff was that of Lucky, a small-time hood with big-time connections. His compassion for Brazelton's cause, and his willingness to help, epitomized the characture of people such as this...out to make a buck and will help anyone who can help them - even if it does mean doing things on the wrong side of the law. Brazelton came to rely on Lucky, and it seemed that the dependency did go the other way as well. There are a number of twists in the book, some could be seen and some not. However, this does not take away from the story in any way. Mr. Burton, in his quest to become an author while he still has the ability, has succeeded in every way. Clearly, he has earned the moniker of "Author". Hopefully, there will be more coming in the near future.
Rating:
Summary: But what if...
Review: Eric Burton tells a story with real feeling. $oft Money explores one man's dilemma when a former business associate becomes President of the most powerful country on earth. In a crisis of conscience, he struggles with his loyalty to his country against his conviction that the truth about a corrupt political regime should be told. Whichever way he goes, his decision with alter the course of history. The author writes with a real insiders feel about the hypocritical nature of campaign funds, the pushing and shoving that the television cameras never see, the power-wielding, the influence, the whole, nasty, political game that we like to call 'a free and fair election'. After the fiasco of the last ballot, $oft Money is a timely book, but it should also remind us that the modern history of USA has been littered with such fiascoes. Most of them never came to the surface. But what if...
Rating:
Summary: Wake up America!
Review: Having just read Bill Sammon's 'At Any Cost' and David Limbaugh's 'Absolute Power', this book is a timely reminder of what's going wrong in America at the moment. Though $oft Money purports to be a work of fiction, Eric Burton either has visionary powers or he's not telling us something. I suspect the latter. Before reading $oft Money, I chanced across Burton's web site (search under elburton.com). Here, in an essay entitled 'How did I get here', I saw one of the most wonderful compositions it has ever been my privilege to read. This is the power of Eric Burton's pen, and you'll find the same adept style and the same mastery of words in $oft Money (though the subject matter is somewhat different). $oft Money was inspired by the recent debate over campaign finance reform and, more specifically, the role that soft money has played in recent elections. The book (apart from being an exceptionally entertaining work of fiction) poses several questions. What are the expectations of the donors of political contributions? Are the donors' motives honorable? Why are politicians resistant to change? Just how corrupt is the White House? I am a writer myself (though not in Burton's class) and all writers are avid readers. I avidly await Eric Burton's next book which, I gather, will centre on the recent random acts of violence and the need for additional gun control measures (another issue that the American people need to get to grips with). Eric Burton has a gift for writing, and an equally precious gift for understanding the issues.
Rating: 
Summary: Great First Effort!
Review: I agree entirely with what Mr. Grover (author of STRIKE HARD) and his new Columbus based Book Nook Review Club had to say about this book. So I guess all I can add would be be to say this was a great first effort on behalf of this new writer.
Rating: 
Summary: A good start...
Review: I'm sorry. I guess I'm an island here and stand alone, but this book didn't impress me. I think perhaps with time, the author will develop an incredible talent, but it didn't shine through this time. The book was readable, but the plot was predictable and shallow. The style seemed misplace--almost like he hadn't quite found his own voice yet. It's a great first effort--but I can't understand the Clancy comparisons. It definitely does not fall in that class.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: I've heard it said that as long as the public has "theirs" - meaning the good life - they don't care how down, dirty, and lethal politics is played in our nation's capitol. In this fictional account of how money rules our government, the public doesn't get enough truthful information out of D.C. to make that decision either way. In $oft Money, power begats power, money begats more money, and only a privileged few rake in the bounty. And the American taxpayers, who closed their eyes while career politicians took over, are reaping the bitter harvest.
E.L. Burton has created a fast-paced thriller that entertains and intrigues. I couldn't put it down. It's packed from start to end with avaricious power hungry villains, the hapless folks they victimize, and idealistic men who take an honest stand. His characters are well-developed and defined.
Clay Danvers is the smooth talking, good looking spin doctor who serves a popular President. Clay considers himself to be a skilled, well-paid assassin. No, he doesn't actually KILL people, but he brings about their downfall until they might as well be dead. Whatever scruples Clay once had are long since buried by his crimes.
Preston Wesley is the people-friendly, charismatic President of the United States. A covert group of wealthy, powerful, and ruthless men stay busy day and night maintaining Pres. Wesley's front and ensuring all skeletons of the past stay hidden.
The undisputed leader of the covert group is Mike Baker, President and CEO of Bytes Technology. Mike is a billionaire many times over from his computer software business, but even billions are not enough to sooth his greed for more money and increasing power. Mike is vicious, a puppet master with a passion to control the President and all he stands for.
Lawrence Brazelton is one of the unfortunates the group has sacrificed in protection of the President. He's lost everything dear to him, but isn't quite the broken man he seems. He has the hope of loving for a second time and finding life outside the Beltway, if he can just live long enough to make it happen. Lawrence has a covert op of his own underway, and neither the President nor his cohorts will like it much. Paybacks will be hell if Lawrence Brazelton has his way.
I couldn't wait to see the bad guys taken down in this one, and held my breath in hopes that at least one good guy survived to make it happen. Mr. Burton does a fine job of holding the reader's interest, and introduces subjects that will keep you pondering after the book ends. For certain, I will never use a cell phone, telephone, or connect to the internet again without thinking of this author and $oft Money.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This book was recommended by one of my friends at work.
I really enjoyed what seemed like an insider's view into political corruption and intrigue. I was also shocked by what happened at about page 50! I recommend this book just because of the that. Also the end of the book (the last 50 pages or so) were so intense, I couldn't stop reading until I finished it. Great read all the way through! I'm definitely interested in anything else Mr. Burton can produce.
Rating:
Summary: Retiree loves this book
Review: This is the first review I have ever taken the time to write. I am retired,I read to pass the time,I read this book over the last weekend and I have to say I loved it. I have grown weary of reading the works of mainstream authors and now devote my time to reading new work by new authors. After witnessing first hand the mess of the last election, this books title peaked my interest. Mr. Burton has done a wonderful job turning fact into fiction. The plot was believable and very compelling, the characters were too real and I loved the ending. I recommend reading this book, and I congratulate Mr. Burton on a job well done.
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