I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Liz Moyer Benferhat shares the message of finding hope in desolate times and turning our pain into action in the book “When the World Hurts.”
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The Synopsis
Amazon #1 New Release
What if our pain isn’t the end but a beginning?
With breakdown on the rise—climate injustice, war, polarization, inequality—it’s easy to feel helpless. Overwhelmed. Collective pain isn’t just out there; it’s in your body. And if you’re like most people, you don’t know what to do about it.
But what if the pain we’re feeling—individually and collectively—isn’t proof of our demise, but a sign we’re awakeningto something deeper as a society? What if your experience has a role to play?
When The World Hurts invites readers into a grounded, soulfully honest way of making sense of the world’s pain. It is a book about emotional healing that offers a simple yet radical idea: our emotions about the world are part of her change. Far from being obstacles, they’re doorways into collective wisdom. We just need the right tools to work with them.
Drawing from years of work at the intersection of sustainable development, systems thinking, and trauma-informed healing, Liz Moyer Benferhat presents a self-help guide to collective healing. She introduces her We Heal For All Circle model, a practice that helps people work with the emotional impact of change by connecting with themselves, each other, and the world through co-created wisdom.
When the World Hurts weaves together healing frameworks, social analysis, and storytelling to explore:
Why collective pain is on the rise and what it might point toward.
How to unearth wisdom within your grief for the world, and how to use it to play the role the world needs you to.
A deep dive into collective wounds to better understand yourself and others in our polarized times.
Tools that bridge inner work with outer action.
Whether you’re a burnt out activist seeking political self-help, a parent trying to stay hopeful for your kid, or simply someone who wants to do good in a world that’s upside down, this book is for you. It’s a shared space—a place to breathe, feel, and remember you’re not alone.
These pages won’t tell you how to save the world. But they will help you be in relationship with her, so you can listen more deeply to what’s being asked and be of service to the world’s transformation from the inside out.
The Review
In a world so divided and facing so many challenges, it is easy, when we are feeling stressed or scared about what may happen next, to feel alone and isolated. Yet the author’s book does such a beautiful job of creating a sense of community and love that resonates on an emotional level. The almost conversational tone and atmosphere the author creates with this book’s writing style cut through immediately for readers and allow them to relate to the author and their message very quickly.
The emotional journey readers are taken on is perfectly paired with the strong themes and messages this book offers. Not only are readers able to utilize excercises and moments of self reflection to engage in the author’s book, but the author showcases how the painful moments and experiences they live through both in their personal lives and what we as a society are experiencing right now are not necessarily a reason to despair and turn to hoplessness, but instead to see the winds of change in our world brewing and how that change can be the catalyst to heal these collective wounds and make a brighter future instead.
The Verdict
Hopeful, thoughtful, and engaging, author Liz Moyer Benferhat’s “When the World Hurts” is a must-read nonfiction book of inspiration, guidance, and heart. The author’s positivity and exploration of everything from political activism and parenthood to inner struggles will resonate deeply with readers, creating a book that is both helpful and healing. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Liz has worked in the sustainable development field for almost 20 years, so knows how much heart goes into caring about our world. Which is why she launched We Heal For All in 2018—to support fellow helpers and healers to have a healthier relationship with the world, so they can be conduits for these transformational times.
She does this through collective healing—both as a lens for making sense of the times we live in (“why is the world in so much pain?”) and as an embodied practice for what to do about it. Through writing, teaching, and beautifully co-creative community space, she offers language and tools for the inner dimension of social change, bringing healing-centered approaches into the mix.
Her offerings—Circles, courses, writings, and meditations—support people with the many normal feelings that come with being alive and attuned to our changing world. They’re the very tools she herself has needed as a longtime change maker, now shared to help others usher in the culture and consciousness shifts we’re at the precipice of.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Harveer Singh shares the process of not only accepting oneself but using that to build their brand in the book “You Are Unforgettable.”
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The Synopsis
You were never meant to blend in, you were meant to be unforgettable.
If you’ve ever felt invisible despite your talent, unsure how to communicate your value, or frustrated watching others succeed while you stay unnoticed, this book is for you. You Are Unforgettable is not just another guide, it’s a powerful roadmap to help you build confidence, clarity, and a personal brand that truly represents who you are.
Rooted in lived experience and real-world results, this book speaks directly to readers who love self help books, motivational books, inspirational books, and self improvement books, while offering something deeper and more practical. Blending personal transformation with business strategy, it shows you how to stop hiding, show up authentically, and turn your story into influence and income through identity-first growth, without pretending to be someone else.
What makes this book different?
This is one of the rare personal development books that combines mindset, confidence, and strategy. Whether you are a sales professional, entrepreneur, creator, coach or corporate professional this book gives you practical tools to grow personally and professionally.
Inside, you’ll discover:
How to build a strong and authentic personal brand built around your personal story
How to communicate your value with confidence
How to stand out in today’s crowded markets
How to attract aligned clients and opportunities
How to monetize your knowledge, skills, and story
How to ensure you have an unshakable mindset to weather the ups and downs of sales and entrepreneurship
That’s why readers who love entrepreneurship books, marketing books, and personal branding principles find this book transformational.
A mindset shift that lasts
At its core, this is a powerful growth mindset book rooted in real life transformation. It helps you overcome self doubt, fear of judgment, and the habit of playing small, not through borrowed theory but through lived experience and practical application. Readers of personal growth books, self growth books, and self development books will recognize the emotional depth and appreciate the clear, actionable guidance that moves them from insight into execution.
It also serves as a modern self care book, reframing self care not as indulgence, but as the daily work of building confidence, clarity, and self belief as the foundation for lasting success.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Self help books that are practical and inspiring
A modern inspirational book with real-world application
Personal branding book strategies that actually work
Personal branding guidance rooted in authenticity
Part 1 helps you identify what truly makes you unique. Not despite your past pain, awkwardness, or insecurities, but because of them. This is where you stop hiding your story and start seeing it as your advantage. It is time to look within.
Part 2 teaches you how to build a personal brand rooted in those truths. One designed for connection, trust, and client attraction. You are guided step by step so your brand reflects who you are and what you stand for.
Part 3 strengthens your mindset so you can confidently put your message into the world. You will learn how to stay consistent when motivation fades and how to handle criticism or self doubt without shrinking.
The Appendix includes a practical 30-Day Personal Branding Challenge that helps you build your personal brand one intentional action at a time.
Let’s build you an unforgettable personal brand that gets you paid. Buy your copy today!
The Review
Such an inspiring and empowering read. The author does a remarkable job of writing in a way that feels both conversational and uplifting all at once, relating to the reader his own personal struggles with maintaining his identity and not letting others erase who he is, while also showing the reader the steps that can lead to someone owning themselves and building a brand that reflects that. The author’s writing conveys a tone of duality, that of understanding and a fast-paced fire that instantly motivates the reader.
The author’s emphasis on the importance of the self and self-expression was remarkable. The creativity the author uses in utilizing stories from history and mythology, from the Rubicon River Caesar himself crossed to the rising of the Phoenix, and so much more, was enthralling and memorable. The reader is not only able to connect to the author, but the author is able to balance the reader’s ability to build self-confidence with the skills they need to turn that confidence into a brand that works for them.
The Verdict
Inspiring, authentic, and engaging, author Harveer Singh’s “You Are Unforgettable” is a must-read nonfiction book. The book is both a tool to better yourself and a reminder that, while also giving readers the skills they need to build that self-image into a brand others can identify with and be inspired by. The remarkable honesty and compelling writing the author displays will have readers returning to this book time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Harveer Singh is a personal branding strategist, speaker, and author of You Are Unforgettable: Build a Personal Brand That Gets You Paid. He has almost two decades of experience in Sales within the Commercial Insurance and Real Estate Sales industries. As a first generation Sikh American, Harveer rebuilt his career after identity based challenges and major income loss during the pandemic, ultimately becoming one of the most recognizable personal brands in his market. His work blends personal branding, mindset shifts, confidence growth, and practical business strategy to help entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and creators stop hiding what makes them different and use their story to stand out, attract opportunities, and grow income. Through speaking, coaching, and content, Harveer helps people turn authenticity into visibility and visibility into results.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author London Porter shares hundreds of lessons to help leaders grow in the book “THINK LEAD REPEAT.”
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The Synopsis
Think – Lead – Repeat offers 369 days of practical wisdom and bold leadership insight—one day at a time. Designed for modern professionals who balance ambition with authenticity, this book delivers bite-sized lessons on influence, emotional intelligence, strategy, and communication. A great conversation starter for team meetings. Each daily read blends inspiration, reflection, and actionable guidance to help leaders at every level think sharper, lead stronger, and make things happen—with purpose, confidence, and a touch of swagger.
The Review
What a compelling and insightful read. The author delivers each chapter with gusto and wit, offering lessons in business and personal growth that will resonate with readers daily. The personal empowerment and business development lessons will reinforce the reader, emphasizing the author’s expertise and knowledge and making the tone feel incredibly real and relatable at the same time.
The thing that stood out to me as a reader was both the unique way the author crafted these lessons and the way readers can interact with the book. The author breaks these micro-lessons into 1-page lessons, divided by month and day, allowing the reader to follow them almost like a daily motivational page to keep the day moving forward. On top of this, readers can pick up this book at any time and often return to it time and again to engage with the lessons they need most in times of crisis or uncertainty.
The Verdict
Authentic, honest, and engaging, author London Porter’s “Think Lead Repeat” is a must-read nonfiction motivational business read. The expertise and heart with which the author writes and the way readers are able to take in these lessons at their own pace and put them into action to see the change in their leadership skills will resonate with readers and keep them returning to this book anytime they need more drive and inspiration to move forward in business. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
London isn’t your average HR executive — he’s a LinkedIn mini-sensation who leverages his charismatic personal brand to redefine leadership conversations in addition to everything HR.
Known for his engaging short videos that develop work competencies under 2 mins, he enthusiastically spotlights his brother and sister public service organizations, nation wide. His savvy yet cheeky style has cultivated an impressive following — enough to earn him 2025 HR Professional of the Year.
With a knack for writing popular books, inspiring thousands, and consistently adding straight whiskey value across the HR and business communities, London has pledged his personal life to helping raise the vibration of the work place and the planet, one conversational competency at a time. And c’mon, when was the last time competency training was binge-worthy?
I am beyond honored to be able to share this amazing book series recap of author Tricia Copeland’s “Realm Chronicles Series.” This five-book series follows a young teenage girl who is suddenly thrust into the spotlight as she becomes the first ruler of Aubren to be a Queen. A realm of fae and other creatures, she must assert herself as a leader and face an ancient evil while navigating complex family relationships, murky political alliances, and so much more. Below you will find the synopsis for each book, as well as my review of the book and links to the full reviews and the books purchase links. I hope you will take the time to read each one carefully and take the plunge yourself to read this series and enjoy it as much as I did. Please enjoy.
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To Be a Fae Queen (Book 1)
The Synopsis
The last of her line, a faerie princess prepares to take the throne. But multiple forces plot against her, some trusted friends…
After losing her brothers, Titania studies and trains to rule Aubren. When she proves her abilities in battle, she’s handed the crown. But fifteen and the first female monarch in the realm, many question her ability to reign and one of their own steps up to oppose her.
Following her inner compass she prepares to face the challenger. The contest seems lost but a latent power fuels her win and her adversaries must concede that she is the rightful ruler.
The enemy brewing under their bedrock threatens again, this time seemingly aided by an unknown spirit. Titania wonders if she will be able to access the sentient magic that hangs just out of reach. Will it manifest when she most needs it? Or do they face an eternity in darkness?
The Review
Titania is such a powerful and compelling protagonist. The author does a remarkable job of creating a vast and thrilling world that readers can easily get lost in. The world-building is next level, allowing readers to easily get lost in the world of Aubren and this realm of faeries. The magical system the author develops feels natural and action-packed, and yet the amazing mythology of creatures such as the kobold, and how that plays into the impact on both the protagonist and her family, makes this a compelling narrative to get lost in.
The heart of this story is, of course, the character dynamics, as it explores Titania’s rise to power as the new ruler of this realm. The young teen girl and her innate powers make her a force to be reckoned with, yet her strength is continually challenged by others because she is the first female leader of the realm. The way the author balances this with ancient prophecies, dwelling evils, and emotional flashbacks that show the events that led to her rise as Queen will make Titania’s story feel alive and fresh on the page, and this novel will be a great start to the series.
Independent Book Publishers Association Silver Award Winning YA Audiobook 2023
She may be the only fae standing between her realm and the evil lurking below. Will Titania be given the power she needs?
Titania defeats a group of creatures threatening to colonize Middle Earth. In ending them she broke not one but two edicts of the High Council. But justice may fall on the only person holding the key to her ability to defend the fae.
The evil spirits manifesting the terrorists lurk below, lying in wait to strike again. With loss of a much-needed ally, she lacks freedom to learn what the realm may be facing. Worse yet, many, even some most trusted compatriots, distance themselves from the reckless Queen she’s painted to be.
Her power shackled and left alone, Titania loses faith in her once clear path.
Can she find her footing in time to save them all from eternal darkness?
To be a Fae Guardian is the second book in the Realm Chronicles series, continuing a magical journey into the realm of Middle Earth. If you like dauntless heroines, you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s gripping fantasy.
Buy To be a Fae Guardian to spiral into a new world today!
The Review
The author’s ability to really develop this series and these characters, and to add even more stakes to the dangers they face, was incredible to see come to life in this story. The shocking events of book one play out their consequences in this novel, exploring what happens when a hero’s choices to save people break ancient laws in the process. As the threat of these ancient forces continues to grow, alliances and those she trusts most become distant from her, as the treason she is accused of threatens her rule and leaves her kingdom open to the forces she is so desperate to protect everyone from.
The balance of Titania’s character growth with the stronger themes of trust, alliances, and what it means to be a fair and balanced ruler was well explored in this epic fantasy story. The way the author explores Titania’s trials and tribulations in this story made her feel more grounded and relatable than ever before, showcasing that even the strongest heroes face doubt and question themselves. The introduction of her cousins and exploring what fears of loss can drive a person to do were powerful additions to the narrative, and the emotional depth of seeing all of this put onto the shoulders of a teenager makes the story and the stakes of this novel, as Middle-earth becomes a focal point, feel more important and invested in the narrative.
Titania may be the only one capable of ending the evil stalking the fae, but staying alive long enough to do it may prove her biggest challenge yet.
Hidden deep in fae lore lies a legend. It holds that there will be One granted the power to end all evil. Titania has come to realize she may be the prophesied One.
An omen of three evils and being wooed by a pack of hungry suitors are only a few of Queen Titania’s stresses. Everything is piling up, and she’s determined to rise to each challenge.
She must harness the gifts bestowed upon her, but time is ticking away, and the best she can manage are a few sparks. Now, there’s a race against time as she’s tasked with choosing a husband while trying to save the world from certain doom.
To Be a Fae Legend, the third book of the Realm Chronicles series, is a treacherous journey into Lower Earth. Enter if you dare risk confrontation with nightmare-ish beasts and dark spirits of the deep.
If you like valiant heroines, you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s electrifying fantasy.
This was such an enthralling and entertaining entry in the Realm Chronicles series. What stood out immediately in this story was the difference in pacing, taking a step back from the danger lurking on a razor’s edge and instead focusing on Titania’s personal growth as both Queen and savior to her people. The imagery in the author’s writing is so bright and breathtaking, giving readers an almost cinematic experience that brings them fully into this realm with ease.
What really brought readers into this immersive experience was the intrigue and atmosphere of life in court. The sparks of romantic interest between the suitors and Titania’s exhaustive deep dive into those possibilities, all while exploring the politics and power plays of life at court, made the story feel vibrant and alive on the page. The world-building was top-notch, and the tension that builds as readers discover more about the brewing battle between Titania and Sonia will leave readers feeling immersed in the edge-of-your-seat thrill this story provides.
“I am dead, and I need not abide by any law but my own.” – Titania
Unknown to most fae, their biggest threat lies beneath them, watching, waiting perhaps, but for what? Or whom?
Queen Titania gave up everything, her kingdom, her family, her friends, and her home, to end Sonia. Alas, Sonia’s soul lives and grows more powerful, threatening annihilation of the human realm.
Titania’s supposed death may be the only thing deterring Sonia from unleashing her wrath on the Fae Realm as well, but Titania has a sworn duty to protect the humans. Does she dare risking detection by aiding the witches in stopping Sonia from unleashing Hell on Earth?
All Titania has left is the one fae who’s pledged his love for her. Can she risk losing him, too?
To Be a Fae Rogue, the fourth book of the Realm Chronicles series, is an adventure in discovering whether the disparate beings of the human realm can set aside their differences to stop impending doom.
Read To Be a Fae Rogueto find out if Titania can outwit a powerful dark angel today!
The Review
This was an impressive and engaging fantasy read. The author did an incredible job of capturing the world-building that a story of this magnitude needs. The way the author explores the hierarchy of fantasy creatures and the injustices being done in that world was a great exploration of our world, and the protagonist’s fight to protect all supernatural beings was terrific to see come to life on the page. I will say that as a newcomer, it is essential to readers to fully immerse themselves in the previous entries in the series to fully appreciate the rich story and mythos the author has crafted, as well as the sacrifices the protagonist made to get to this point in the story.
Yet this only intrigued me more in the story and will have me returning to read the first three books. The protagonist’s evolution is terrific in this story, as her years of responsibility finally allow her to live the life she wants. Still, the story also plays with the weight of responsibility, making balancing life and work difficult for many people. Titania’s drive to protect her people and stop this growing threat makes her a compelling hero with whom readers can easily engage.
Poised to usher in a new era of unity for all fae, Queen Titania grasps for a solution for her people. With chaos in the human realm and her own, she’s stretched to make progress in either.
She finds she can’t turn her back on the witches when they’re so close to finding the key to ending Sonia’s reign of terror, but Titania worries for her fae and their need for continuity.
Both realms are on a collision course with chaos, and Titania must choose whether her people will be best served by aiding in the battle the witches wage against Sonia or by stabilizing warring forces in the fae realm.
One fateful day turns the tide, leaving Titania questioning all her allies.
How do you stop evil when it resides within everyone?
To be a Fae is the final book in the Realm Chronicles series and a harrowing, twisted tale of a fae queen’s attempts to secure the realms of Middle and Upper Earth.
Read To be a Fae to embolden Titania as she fights for peace today!
The Review
This was a gripping, powerful, and engaging finale to a thrilling fantasy series. The staggering heights the author’s world-building reached in this narrative were nothing short of incredible, and the emotional payoff for so many characters and their arcs throughout this series was breathtaking to witness. The first-person perspective readers get through Queen Titania’s eyes throughout the narrative shows how hands-on she is as a protagonist and leader to her people, getting into the thick of the battles being waged against this mad archangel and the forces pitted against them.
The powerful themes and emotional character developments are what made this book, and the series overall, so compelling to begin with. The theme of betrayal ran deep throughout this book, turning this fantasy story into a politically charged and personal story of the sting betrayal brings and the questions it raises as a leader to others in that same process. The protagonist’s decisions show the duality of her nature as a ruler, her duty to her own heart, and the sacrifices she must make for both.
This was a thrilling, inspiring, and enthralling fantasy series. Following such a strong and compelling female protagonist grow and become the strong leader and warrior she became was so empowering and gave readers a thrilling protagonist to root for and follow. The powerful imagery and the fast pacing each novel brought to life kept readers on the edge of their seats and emotionally rooted in these character’s lives as this realm became a place readers waited eagerly to dive into headfirst. Be sure to check it out for yourselves today!
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About the Author
Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, viewing a beautiful sunset, or reading a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance, now penned under Maria Jane, and fantasy, to dystopian fiction.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman balances finding herself while discovering who the right man for her will be in author Maria Jane’s “Perfect.”
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The Synopsis
One driven woman. Five passionate paths to the perfect love.
Chloe refuses to compromise when it comes to romance and success. Powering through her sophomore-level college business classes, she’s done with the effort of distance-dating her high-school sweetheart. But when he proposes just as she hits it off with a hunky basketball player, she worries following her heart could send her bright future to the bench.
As Chloe graduates to become a rising star in the fashion industry, love knocks another four times. But while each potential suitor eventually pops the question, only she knows her ultimate happy ending.
Whose arms will embrace Chloe when she chooses her forever man?
Perfect is a standalone in the Perfect romance series. If you like tender moments and lighthearted banter, then you’ll adore Maria Jane’s choose your perfectly-ever-after tale.
Read Perfect to pick your ideal walk down the aisle today!
The Review
What a sweet and heartfelt contemporary romance. The unique story stands out for its exploration of not just one romance but several that define the protagonist’s life. The author does an incredible job of balancing that feeling of a rom-com with more nuanced, emotional story development that explores both the emotional toll of looking for love and the need to find a sense of self in an often overwhelming world. The shifting chapters that explore a world in which the protagonist made one choice over another were an inspired choice, and allowed the reader to really connect to the cast of characters.
For it was the characters themselves that really made the story what it was. Not only did readers experience the inner dialogue and emotional depth of Chloe’s experiences, but they also saw how both her career and her family impacted them. The struggles of her relationship with her parents, especially her mother, whose old school way of looking at things made her earliest decisions on her respective partners difficult to navigate, to the need to understand who she was outside of these relationships and how her career path dictated who she would surround herself with kept the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat with each passing chapter.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, charming, and entertaining, author Maria Jane’s “Perfect” is a must-read contemporary romance meets rom-com novel. The twists and turns in Chloe’s romantic life, the heartening and heartbreaking moments, the deep emotional relationships she formed along the way, and the shocking conclusion to her journey will keep readers enthralled by each chapter’s revelations. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy April 21st, 2026 or preorder your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Romance author Maria Jane believes in the power of love. She sees that love may look messy and take a winding path, but there is magic in the journey. Her books are filled with fun moments, sweet gestures, surprising turns, and characters searching for their happily-ever-after. Craving your next HEA and/or HFN read? Find all of Maria’s Perfect romances, formerly writing as Tricia Copeland, and dive into a fun love story today at mariajaneromance.com.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author James L. Hill shares a powerful collection of short stories in the book “The Moth and Other Tantalizing Tales.”
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The Synopsis
From the dark distant past to the far-flung fantastic future comes crimes of passion and hopeful heroes.
The world has fallen back into a more deadly Covid-19 pandemic. A journalist, Baron Beard, risks everything to uncover government secrets exposed by an internet troll known only as Veritas.
Harry, a brilliant but naïve computer hacker, finds himself drawn deeper into the underworld like a moth to a flame. Of course, there’s a woman holding the torch.
Dr. Energy has plans to save the world but only if he can avoid destroying it first. He’s 99% sure he can. Well, maybe 85%. But he still likes his odds.
You will be intrigued as you turn the pages and the plot twists in these eight amazing stories of mysteries, thrillers, and dystopian science fiction.
The Review
What a compelling and gripping collection of short stories. The pacing and world-building the author poured into the collection were astounding, with each story giving readers a chance to connect with the characters and feel the emotional weight of its consequences. The powerful imagery in these stories helped bring the grandiose, sci-fi elements to the narratives, while the character development grounded the characters, making for a truly balanced reading experience.
Yet at the heart of each story was a strong, thematic narrative that really stood out. The stories explored everything from man’s attempts to rewrite nature and the role of science versus religion, to a slave’s desperate escape to freedom and the cost that comes to those who enslave others, and so much more. The blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that the author introduces throughout the collection helps cement these characters and adds emotional depth, allowing the reader to invest in them so quickly.
The Verdict
Captivating, enthralling, and thrilling, author James L. Hill’s “The Moth and Other Tantalizing Tales” is a must-read short story collection. The twists and turns in each story, the heartfelt and compelling emotional beats each one hits, and the thought-provoking themes these stories encompass will stay with readers long after the collection ends, leaving them eager to explore more from this amazing author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
James L Hill, a.k.a. J L Hill, is a native New Yorker from the South Bronx, Fort Apache, of the turbulent 60’s. He earned a degree in computer programming, his other love. A multi-genre author, his experiences seasoned his novels and the worlds he imagined. James started RockHill Publishing LLC to publish his own work and give others access to the literary world.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A group of youths must rally together to stop an unstoppable evil in author Seth Voorhees’s “The Interim.”
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The Synopsis
In Cooper, South Dakota, the so-called “interim” lasts from October 20 at 10:05 p.m. until November 1 at 5:42 a.m. To Cooper’s residents, this chosen span of time makes sense as 10:05 was the time of the monster’s capture and 5:42 was the time of his death. Now, they are haunted by said creature, but only over the span of the interim.
The rest of the year in Cooper is utopia, but it’s paramount that its citizens remain isolated in their homes during the interim in accordance with rules over a hundred years old. All that is about to change. On a hot day in July of 1999, five children—Randy Larkins, Ty Thomas, Vin Dellowinsk, Darlene Ren, and Betty Clammin—form a bound.
Living in Cooper, their struggles are something more than those of the average adolescent. Due to social engineering, they’ve lived their lives in line with the threat of a terrible beast. With the interim looming, they band together. The children have had enough of the old ways. It’s time for the young to stand up and face the curse and defeat the monster that haunts their town.
THE REVIEW
Instantly, I was drawn to the rich characters and haunting world-building. In the wake of Stranger Things’ incredible finale and the need to fill the void it left behind, this story does an excellent job of capturing the dynamics that bring these young people together to face an overwhelming and terrifying force. The atmospheric nature of the evil these kids face, Leopold, and the way this small town became a character in its own right made the story feel vibrant and alive on the page, even in its deadliest and most haunting moments.
The relationships between the core cast of characters and the rich mythos the author builds for this small rural town, and Leopold was the true heart of the novel. The way these characters came together after facing a life on the fringes and found not only a bond but also a will to face unimaginable horror and stop a centuries-long horror that preyed upon their town was both enthralling and heartfelt, allowing readers to bond with these characters throughout the novel. The use of history and experimentation also gave the reader a chance to see how these kids’ minds worked and how far they would go to protect the town, its people, and each other.
The Verdict
Haunting, compelling, and entertaining, author Seth Vorhees’s “The Interim” is a must-read horror novel. The vibe and atmosphere of the novel, a Stephen King’s IT meets Stranger Things meets 30 Days of Night, will send chills down the reader’s spine, and each twist and turn of the story will have the reader on the edge of their seat, waiting for the next shoe to drop. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Seth Voorhees is a Black Hills Author. Living in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He enjoys drawing from his experiences as a social worker, particularly in adolescent development and mental health, to shape his characters and their journeys through human morality and challenges. He identifies himself as a dark fiction author because his writing spans over several genres. He resides in Rapid City with his partner and stepdaughter. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in sociology and psychology from Black Hills State University.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman must run a supernatural city while dealing with mysterious animal attacks and a moody horseman in author DC Gomez’s “Unstoppable Famine”, the fourth book in the Intern Diaries series.
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The Synopsis
Animal attacks, a temperamental Horseman, and a cranky Intern. Heads are going to roll.
Why does everyone keep telling me I need a vacation?
I’m not volatile.
But how would you handle running your own city, with domestic disputes, vandalism, and even breaking and entering? Oh yeah, add in all the citizens are supernatural?
There is only so much a girl can handle.
Now I have unexplained animal attacks and the moody Famine to deal with. I don’t need a vacation. Just don’t cross me and life will be great for everyone. Because you don’t want to see me mad.
* Unstoppable Famine is book four in The Intern Diaries, The Urban Fantasy Series based on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Isis Black never expected to become an overworked, stress-out intern, ready to snap. With the demands of running a city and dealing with the deception surrounding the Horsemen, even Isis has her breaking point. But will Texarkana survive Isis and Famine?
The Review
One thing I’ve always loved about this series is the wonderful blend of humor and wit the author brings to the character dynamics. The book can explore everything from the pros and cons of eating meat and going to war online with Satan over a viral video to moments of explosive action and intensity that instantly grab readers’ attention. The larger-than-life world-building is always really well balanced with little life moments that make the reader feel grounded and engaged in the world the author has created.
The heart of this narrative has to be in the character growth and the larger themes the story plays on. Seeing the protagonist struggling with balance and burnout (even in a supernatural sense) allowed the reader to glimpse a relatable tone that highlighted the struggles many people face in finding moments for themselves amid responsibilities and sacrifices. The protagonist’s deepening bond with characters like Bartholomew and the unique story that unfolds when they bring Famine into the mix will keep readers invested as the story progresses.
The Verdict
Humorous, action-packed, and wildly entertaining, author DC Gomez’s “Unstoppable Famine” is a must-read supernatural thriller novel. The charming character dynamics are felt from the very first page, as a seemingly domestic dispute turns into a spectral home attack, and the twists and turns the author introduces while also deepening the world-building and creating heartfelt characters make this feel like a dynamic entry into the series that readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
D. C. Gomez, is a fast-talking extra-quirky Dominican with a dark sense of humor.
She used to enjoy long walks at the park and all that fun outdoors activities; unfortunately, due to a mysterious condition she is now allergic to the sun.
Rumor has it, that her true nature is coming out and her vampirism is now showing. While hiding from the sun, she is busy writing action packed adventures full of quirky characters and zany plots. As well as hosting her podcast, Inside the Minds of Authors.
If you would like to learn more about her, or join her at an event, check out her website. We promise she doesn’t bite (much…).
