Month: October 2020

In the Key of Nira Ghani by Natasha Deen Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young girl with dreams of becoming a musician must contend with parents who have their own dreams for her life, complex friendships and struggles in school and her journey to discover her place in the world in author Natasha Deen’s novel “In the Key of Nira Ghani”. 

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The Synopsis

Nira Ghani has always dreamed of becoming a musician. Her Guyanese parents, however, have big plans for her to become a scientist or doctor. Nira’s grandmother and her best friend, Emily, are the only people who seem to truly understand her desire to establish an identity outside of the one imposed on Nira by her parents. When auditions for jazz band are announced, Nira realizes it’s now or never to convince her parents that she deserves a chance to pursue her passion.

As if fighting with her parents weren’t bad enough, Nira finds herself navigating a new friendship dynamic when her crush, Noah, and notorious mean-girl, McKenzie “Mac,” take a sudden interest in her and Emily, inserting themselves into the fold. So, too, does Nira’s much cooler (and very competitive) cousin Farah. Is she trying to wiggle her way into the new group to get closer to Noah? Is McKenzie trying to steal Emily’s attention away from her? As Farah and Noah grow closer and Emily begins to pull away, Nira’s trusted trumpet “George” remains her constant, offering her an escape from family and school drama.

But it isn’t until Nira takes a step back that she realizes she’s not the only one struggling to find her place in the world. As painful truths about her family are revealed, Nira learns to accept people for who they are and to open herself in ways she never thought possible.

A relatable and timely contemporary, coming-of age story, In the Key of Nira Ghani explores the social and cultural struggles of a teen in an immigrant household.

The Review

What a remarkable and moving coming of age novel. The author has expertly crafted a narrative that blends the hardships and struggles many young adults face growing up while also incorporating the added element of being in an immigrant household, showcasing the added pressures of having parents with a determined path for their future. 

Character growth is the shining star of this narrative. The author’s ability to create realistic, memorable, and relatable characters is truly incredible. The relationships between Nira and the supporting cast are enough to get the reader invested, but the emotional core of this story is between Nira and her grandmother, two kindred spirits who must navigate the journey of living out one’s dreams. Nira’s evolution as a character is fascinating to see unfold and is reflective of the true nature of a coming of age novel like this one. 

The Verdict

Beautiful, emotional, and well-written, author Natasha Deen’s “In the Key of Nira Ghani” is a must-read YA, coming of age novel. The story is lengthy yet engaging, keeping the reader invested wholly and completely. The shocking conclusion to the story and the journey of Nira makes this novel a one of a kind read, so if you haven’t yet been sure to grab your copy of this amazing book today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Natasha Deen’s family moved from Guyana, South America to Canada to escape the country’s political & racial violence. She loved growing up in a country of snow & flannel, but often felt out of place. Thank goodness for books that showed her being different could also mean being awesome. Natasha lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her family where she spends A LOT of time arguing with her cats and dogs about who’s the boss of the house. Visit her at www.natashadeen.com.

https://twitter.com/natasha_deen

The 30% Solution by Lewena Bayer Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Lewena Bayer takes readers on a journey of discovery to analyze how civility and engagement in a workplace environment can drive business performances by 30% in the book “The 30% Solution”.

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The Synopsis

The 30% Solution – How Civility at Work Increases Retention, Engagement and Profitability, provides essential information, facts, insights from the field, and practical tips related to the business of civility. The book represents a ready-to-use tool kit with practical applications for: Business consultants Performance and productivity analysts Workplace trainers Social and communication training facilitators Customer service experts Business owners, managers, supervisors, and individuals who want to build a better workplace.

The Review

This was a very well researched and developed non-fiction read. The author doesn’t cut any corners as they explore the nature of civility, how it has been missing within the workplace for years now, and how leaders can gain the tools necessary to not only identity uncivil behavior within their businesses but how to create a more civil environment overall.

As several businesses and leaders can attest, it is not always affordable to hire an outside consultant for this kind of situation, so this book presents a clear to understand and well-written account of how leaders can address this problem personally. The author uses hard, well-looked data and figures to explore this issue. The author also writes in a way that the average reader but especially business leaders will be able to understand clearly and precisely. 

The Verdict

A smart, incredibly written, and evenly paced non-fiction read, author Lewena Bayer’s “The 30% Solution” is a must-read book for anyone within a business environment hoping to create a more civil workplace. Not only does the author delve deeply into how civility has been absent in the workplace and the hard figures to support this, but how civility can be defined and how utilizing this simple yet complex behavior in the workplace can drastically increase productivity. It’s a powerful read and a heavily fact-supported journey for the reader and author both, so be sure to grab your copies of this book today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Lew believes that Civility is its own reward . She suggests that In choosing civility, people find their best self, and in doing so, they experience the grace, courage, generosity, humanity and the humility that civility engenders. For 17 years Lew Bayer has been internationally recognized as North America s leading expert on Civility at WorkTM with focus on social intelligence and culturally-competent communication. She is CEO of multinational civility training group Civility Experts Worldwide, President of the International Civility Trainers Consortium, Executive Director of The Center for Cultural Competence, and Founder of the In Good Company Etiquette Academy Franchise Group. With the release of her new book slated for late 2015, Lew will be a 9-time published author. She is on the board for the National Civility Center, a proud Mentor for The Etiquette House, a member of the Advisory Board for A Civil Tongue, a national magazine columnist, and a frequent expert commentary contributor to over 60 online, print, and television publications. Lew is a distance faculty member at Georgetown University Center for Cultural Competence, has trained for the American Management Center in New York and is a long-term facilitator at the Canadian Management Center in Toronto Canada. Lew is a Master trainer for the Canadian School of Service, and a certified Culture Coach who also holds credentials in Intercultural Communications, Essential Skills, and Occupational Language Assessment. Lew is a 6-time nominee for the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the year. She was previously awarded Manitoba Woman Entrepreneur in International Business and she was the first Canadian to receive the prestigious AICI International Civility Star Award.

Twelve Hours On The Block by Jerry Harwood Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A new prisoner becomes witness to a shocking and brutal incident that starts a chain reaction that delves into the Aztec creation story in author Jerry Harwood’s “Twelve Hours On The Block”.

The Synopsis

Eli hoped to do his time and get back to living life outside prison. However, that hope faded when he watched a prisoner rip a guard’s heart out and toss the body over the railing onto a funeral pyre of burning mattresses. The landscape of the prison begins to change as more and more strange characters strive for dominance in the anarchy that follows. Eli and his new friend, Tay, must navigate the chaos as the gods of the Aztec creation story emerge over the next twelve hours on the block.

The Review

This urban fiction/fantasy and horror story was expertly crafted. The author really packs a punch from the first pages of this book, with protagonist Eli being thrust into a horrific nightmare on his first day in prison. The story quickly evolves into a first-hand look into the Aztec mythology surrounding the creation story viewed through a modern lens. 

The use of Hispanic lore such as Aztec mythology was an inspired choice, as it is rich with interesting figures and stories that are rarely used in modern literature or entertainment. The author gave a voice to rich mythology and beautifully blended it with fascinating and memorable characters that evolved quickly within this narrative.

The Verdict

A short yet powerfully written story, author Jerry Harwood’s “Twelve Hours On The Block” is a fantastic and phenomenal story of ancient cultures and mythology, new beginnings, and fantasy/horror all blended into one entertaining read. Readers won’t be able to put down this exciting narrative, so be sure to grab your copies today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jerry Harwood was born in Ooltewah, TN. His mother was an elementary school teacher and he spent his afternoons reading books in her classroom or the nearby library. He currently is a writer, which makes sense based on the fact you are reading this here. He has experimented with other occupations: camp director, program director at a counseling center, college professor and middle school teacher. Jerry has backpacked Europe, taught in a Ukrainian University, worked in Rwanda after the genocide, is a first responder, sort-of remodeled a VW Thing, and has a love for Cherry Coke Zero that is only surpassed by his love for his wife, six children, and grandson.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the book with Jerry at JerryHarwoodBooks@gmail.com or visit his website at http://www.jerryharwood.com.

http://www.jerryharwood.com/

Across the Street by Laurie Lisa Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews4 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Twin sisters embark on an emotional journey as one becomes a surrogate for the other, and in the process both of their families undergo hardships, struggles and upheavals as secrets are revealed in author Laurie Lisa’s novel “Across the Street”.

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The Synopsis

Does love between sisters last forever? In a novel about the bond between twins, relationships are complicated by anger, resentment, and impossible choices.

Alex Carissa is thrilled when her identical twin sister, Sam, and her husband move into the neighborhood. For Sam, years of infertility, followed by an unthinkable tragedy, have left her despairing of ever having a child. Money is tight, and IVF is expensive. Sam’s only hope may be to ask her sister to be a surrogate. Alex will do anything for Sam, but when the sisters embark upon an unorthodox route to surrogacy, jealousy, guilt, and legal complications soon follow.

As the limits of sisterly devotion are tested, the family’s hidden wounds and secret addictions come to light, shaking the foundation of their marriages and their lives.

An emotional story of a woman’s struggle with infertility and a riveting book about the complexities of family, Across the Street makes an excellent selection for book clubs.

The Review

The author has crafted a truly engaging story here. The drama and emotional core of this story rest within the relationship not only between Sam and Alex but between their families as well as each member struggles with their own problems. The story is equally balanced with fully developed and evolving characters, who are relatable and realistically written in connection to the larger story being told. 

The author’s writing style was descriptive and entertaining and written in a way to feel almost visual in its use of imagery throughout the narrative, painting a picture in the reader’s mind of the scenes unfolding here. The way the author was able to showcase the point of view of so many characters and still make the story feel fresh and alive was a fantastic accomplishment, as I felt drawn into the narrative more and more as each chapter passed by.

The Verdict

A lengthy yet entertaining and emotional read, author Laurie Lisa’s “Across the Street” is a must-read drama novel. Full of suspense, shocking secrets, and twists and turns in the character’s arcs that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, this is a novel readers won’t be able to put down. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Laurie was born and raised in small towns in Southern Illinois. She obtained her B.S. in English Education from the University of Illinois, where she also met and then married her husband Steve. Laurie earned both a M.A. and a Ph.D. in English, 20th-century American Literature, from Arizona State University, where she also taught literature and composition. In addition to her eight novels, Laurie has published two academic books, several short stories and poems, and edited other’s works. After much time spent in Academia and raising her three children (Anthony, Michelle, and Caitlin), Laurie returned to her passion for writing fiction. She is a prolific writer and typically completes one novel each year. Laurie resides with her husband, Steve, in Paradise Valley and Flagstaff, Arizona.

https://laurielisa.com/

https://www.instagram.com/laurieolisa/

https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurielisa/

https://twitter.com/LaurieLisa

Unchipped: Enyd (Unchipped #3) by Taya DeVere Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews3 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A strict program director in England who feels compelled by God to protect the children she is in charge of at any cost finds herself pushed to the limits in author Taya DeVere’s “Unchipped: Enyd”, the third book in the Unchipped sci-fi epic series. 

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The Synopsis

Is she doing God’s work, or something far more sinister?

Safely hidden behind a high fence that shields it from the rest of the world, Kinship Care provides a safe haven for children from City of England. Kinship Care is supported by the Happiness-Program… but there’s a catch. To keep the food shipments coming, program director Enyd must provide fraudulent “proof” of the plague ravaging the city–photos of children suffering–to deter those tempted to leave the program.

It’s been easy enough with a sinner like Ava, the only Unchipped child at Kinship Care, who keeps violating the rules by trying to contact her mother. Surely God would approve of the relatively mild punishments Ava has brought upon herself.

But now they want more. More shocking material. More pain. More punishment. More proof to show the good people in the city what it’s like for those who defy the program. How far will Enyd go before she says enough?

***Get early access to Unchipped short stories, plus the Unchipped prequel, The Meeting, by signing up for my newsletter! 

The Review

A shocking and intense follow-up to the first two books in the series, Enyd proves to be one of the author’s most complex characters yet. A woman driven by blind faith and bad experiences, Enyd continuously travels down a dark path in order to protect the souls of the children she’s in charge of, even at the cost of the physical harm to young Ava, a “sinner” who’s only crime is a desire to reach her lost mother.

The way the author incorporates the previous characters of the series into the narrative is truly masterful in this narrative, as Kaarina and her growing revolution seek Ava and others in hopes of rescuing them. Soon Enyd finds herself torn between the promised life she expected and the well-being of those she was put in charge of, and getting to see the very skewed viewpoint of a character like Enyd was fascinating to see unfold, as it is reminiscent of many other people’s skewed viewpoints that are clouding our world’s society today in a much more public eye.

The Verdict

Brilliantly written and masterful in its delivery, author Taya Devere’s “Unchipped: Enyd” is a truly entertaining read. Elevating the mythology to new heights, the author does a great job of showcasing the growth of this resistance to the world of the Chipped and Doctor Solomon that Kaarina is building, and promises to showcase a rich sci-fi world that the author is building. Action-packed and leaving readers with a shocking ending, this is a novella not to be missed in this epic series. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Unchipped: The Meeting Review
Unchipped: Kaarina Review
Unchipped: William Review

About the Author

Taya is a Finnish-American author, writing contemporary fiction and dystopian sci-fi. After living, working, and traveling in America for seven years, she now lives in Finland with her partner-in-everything Chris, their dog Seamus, three bunny-boys (Ronin, Baby, and Loki), and her horse of a lifetime, Arabella.

Taya’s restless feet have taken her all over Finland, the United Kingdom, and North America. Her new dystopian series “Unchipped” is inspired by the real-life characters she’s met on her travels. Cultural differences, social issues, and behavioral psychology have always fascinated Taya. “Unchipped” tells the story of the world in 2085, when technology has replaced people’s need to truly connect with one another. The series describes what it feels like to be an outsider and takes an in-depth look at the unlikely friendships between perfectly imperfect people across the globe. 

Justice. Kindness. The fact that all beings on this planet are equally important. Taya’s world revolves around these values every day, and they play a substantial role in her storytelling as well.

Taya’s writing is inspired by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Peter Heller, Hugh Howey, and C.M. Martens.

Teija’s author site: https://www.tayadevere.com

Her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Taya-DeVere/e/B07KRJPMTV

The Unchipped series page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CHKB96S

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tayadevereauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tayadevere_author

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tayadevere

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/taya-devere

Unchipped: William (Unchipped #2) by Taya DeVere Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews4 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A middle-aged man struggling not only with his own personal struggles but with life as one of the Unchipped who is faced with an impossible choice in author Taya DeVere’s “Unchipped: William”, the second in the Unchipped series. 

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The Synopsis

For the Unchipped, safety is nothing but an illusion…

Bill is one of the lucky few. While the other Unchipped near the City of California scavenge for food amid the constant threat of gunfire, Bill’s spent the last two years at the Mansion–a haven for the select few who design products to be sold in the green city. He’s safe for now… unlike his friend Kaarina, who is leading a revolution on the other side of the world.

Bill is the Mansion’s CEO, but he’s haunted by the act of violence that got him the job. Danger lies beyond the protective gates of this repressive sanctuary, but a carefree existence inside the City of California remains mysterious, intriguing… and unattainable.

When he discovers the trailer just outside the fence, Bill is forced to make an impossible choice. Defend the Mansion by killing the intruders… or let them live and risk everything he has?

***Get early access to Unchipped short stories, plus the Unchipped prequel, The Meeting, by signing up for my newsletter!

The Review

A fantastic follow-up to the author’s first novella, the series brilliantly begins focusing on other characters as the narrative spans the globe. Getting to see life for the person the first novella’s protagonist Kaarina was speaking to across the world, William is a complex individual and makes for a compelling protagonist to follow. 

The story offers a more gritty and dystopian look into the distant future, as California has become a place of violence and chaos for those not privileged enough to be one of the Chipped living in the AR-cities. The struggle for survival for the Unchipped is equally balanced by expert character study, especially for protagonist Bill, who’s own struggles with mental health make him a truly relatable character. 

The Verdict

Expertly crafted and engaging, author Taya DeVere’s “Unchipped: William” is the perfect sequel to the series first novella. The mythology continues to grow and develop as each novella is poised to focus on new characters in the series while still integrating the original characters evenly. The action and emotional beats are hit exactly where they need to be in this story, so be sure to grab your copies today!

Rating: 10/10

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Unchipped: The Meeting Review
Unchipped: Kaarina Review

About the Author

Taya is a Finnish-American author, writing contemporary fiction and dystopian sci-fi. After living, working, and traveling in America for seven years, she now lives in Finland with her partner-in-everything Chris, their dog Seamus, three bunny-boys (Ronin, Baby, and Loki), and her horse of a lifetime, Arabella.

Taya’s restless feet have taken her all over Finland, the United Kingdom, and North America. Her new dystopian series “Unchipped” is inspired by the real-life characters she’s met on her travels. Cultural differences, social issues, and behavioral psychology have always fascinated Taya. “Unchipped” tells the story of the world in 2085, when technology has replaced people’s need to truly connect with one another. The series describes what it feels like to be an outsider and takes an in-depth look at the unlikely friendships between perfectly imperfect people across the globe. 

Justice. Kindness. The fact that all beings on this planet are equally important. Taya’s world revolves around these values every day, and they play a substantial role in her storytelling as well.

Taya’s writing is inspired by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Peter Heller, Hugh Howey, and C.M. Martens.

Teija’s author site: https://www.tayadevere.com

Her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Taya-DeVere/e/B07KRJPMTV

The Unchipped series page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CHKB96S

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tayadevereauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tayadevere_author

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tayadevere

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/taya-devere

Unchipped: Kaarina (Unchipped #1) by Taya DeVere Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews4 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman fighting for survival learns the fabled world of the Chipped isn’t as glamorous as they once thought in author Taya DeVere’s “Unchipped: Kaarina”, the first in the Unchipped sci-fi series.

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The Synopsis 

A civilization reliant on AR. Unchipped refugees forced outside its walls. Can a lone underdog save humanity from itself?

In the two years since the Great Affliction, the Happiness-Program has transformed a civilization on the brink of extinction into an organized, beautiful, and happy society. However, for the Unchipped–those whose chips can’t connect to the system–living a comfortable life remains out of reach.

Kaarina, one of the Unchipped, would give anything to live inside the walls of the city again. Haunted by her mother’s suicide and alone except for Bill, another Unchipped thousands of miles away whose thoughts are inexplicably linked to hers, Kaarina fights for survival, defending her beloved animals from the other savage Unchipped. But when her horse’s illness drives her into the city to find medicine, she becomes acquainted with a Chipped man who makes her question everything.

Now a new fix to the system promises her the chance to finally be normal… just as she begins to learn life in the perfectly augmented reality may not be all that she imagined.

***If you love Brave New World, you’re going to love the Unchipped series!

***Get early access to Unchipped short stories, plus the Unchipped prequel, The Meeting, by signing up for my newsletter! 

The Review

A brilliant story, the author has created a fantastic blend of science-fiction storytelling with a post-apocalyptic vibe. The first novella in this series takes readers into the heart of this series’ mythology, where Kaarina discovers the world of the Chipped is vastly different than what she and her fellow Unchipped believe. 

The character development and growth is equally on par with the myth building the author does with the mythology of this universe. From the mysterious Doctor Solomon who seems to be in charge of the entire program to the seemingly savage nature of the other Unchipped, this was a fascinating deep-dive into a whole new sci-fi universe like no other. 

The Verdict

Examining a distant future where a bid to save the lives of humanity comes at the cost of freedom, author Taya Devere’s “Unchipped: Kaarina” is a one-of-a-kind introduction into a highly addictive new sci-fi series. Full of action, suspense and dystopian themes, this is a book readers won’t be able to put down. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Unchipped: The Meeting Review

About the Author

Taya is a Finnish-American author, writing contemporary fiction and dystopian sci-fi. After living, working, and traveling in America for seven years, she now lives in Finland with her partner-in-everything Chris, their dog Seamus, three bunny-boys (Ronin, Baby, and Loki), and her horse of a lifetime, Arabella.

Taya’s restless feet have taken her all over Finland, the United Kingdom, and North America. Her new dystopian series “Unchipped” is inspired by the real-life characters she’s met on her travels. Cultural differences, social issues, and behavioral psychology have always fascinated Taya. “Unchipped” tells the story of the world in 2085, when technology has replaced people’s need to truly connect with one another. The series describes what it feels like to be an outsider and takes an in-depth look at the unlikely friendships between perfectly imperfect people across the globe. 

Justice. Kindness. The fact that all beings on this planet are equally important. Taya’s world revolves around these values every day, and they play a substantial role in her storytelling as well.

Taya’s writing is inspired by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Peter Heller, Hugh Howey, and C.M. Martens.

Teija’s author site: https://www.tayadevere.com

Her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Taya-DeVere/e/B07KRJPMTV

The Unchipped series page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CHKB96S

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tayadevereauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tayadevere_author

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tayadevere

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/taya-devere

The Meeting: An Unchipped Short Story by Taya DeVere Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews5 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A mother must decide between family and humanity when her own daughter threatens the freedom of the world in author Taya DeVere’s sci-fi short story “The Meeting”, the prequel to the Unchipped sci-fi series from the same author. 

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The Synopsis

What if your plan to save humanity was corrupted… by your own daughter?

It’s 2085, the time of the Great Affliction. Continents are burning, land is disappearing, and humanity is destroying itself as mass shootings and suicides wipe out the population.

To Marjaana Salonen, the solution is found in high technology. By integrating the human brain with a sophisticated computer chip, she believes she can bring new hope to society. Her invention was supposed to fix it all, but Salonen’s daughter has her own ideas.

To Laura, her mother’s invention is an opportunity to impose her own vision on the world–the promise of a new reality that is far more sinister.

As her daughter’s power grows, Marjaana must decide: remain loyal to her family no matter what, or stand up against the future?

Welcome to the Happiness-Program. A future where a single chip can give you everything… except for freedom.

The Meeting is a prequel short story in Taya DeVere’s dystopian series “Unchipped”. In this twenty book series, a new in-universe book will release every eighteen days between August 2020 and August 2021!

The Review

This was a great introduction to the world of Unchipped created by the author. The skewed relationship between the protagonist Marjaana and her daughter and sadly antagonist Laura is the core of this short story, as it highlights the struggle of the coming series overall.

The imagery and blend of poetic writing with heavy sci-fi elements make this a unique and gripping narrative. Readers will instantly connect to the larger world problems that are fueling the story’s core antagonist and readers will soon be craving more from this epic story.

The Verdict

Overall this is a must-read short story and a prequel. The Unchipped series proves to be an engaging science fiction world that readers will easily fall in love with. The author does a great job of balancing character development with story growth, and readers won’t be able to turn away from the rising tension this prequel brings to the series. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

TayaDeVere.com

Taya is a Finnish-American author, writing contemporary fiction and dystopian sci-fi. After living, working, and traveling in America for seven years, she now lives in Finland with her partner-in-everything Chris, their dog Seamus, three bunny-boys (Ronin, Baby, and Loki), and her horse of a lifetime, Arabella.

Taya’s restless feet have taken her all over Finland, the United Kingdom, and North America. Her new dystopian series “Unchipped” is inspired by the real-life characters she’s met on her travels. Cultural differences, social issues, and behavioral psychology have always fascinated Taya. “Unchipped” tells the story of the world in 2085, when technology has replaced people’s need to truly connect with one another. The series describes what it feels like to be an outsider and takes an in-depth look at the unlikely friendships between perfectly imperfect people across the globe. 

Justice. Kindness. The fact that all beings on this planet are equally important. Taya’s world revolves around these values every day, and they play a substantial role in her storytelling as well.

Taya’s writing is inspired by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Peter Heller, Hugh Howey, and C.M. Martens.

Teija’s author site: https://www.tayadevere.com

Her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Taya-DeVere/e/B07KRJPMTV

The Unchipped series page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CHKB96S

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tayadevereauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tayadevere_author

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tayadevere

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/taya-devere

Torrents of our Time by Christian Fennell Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Christian Fennell showcases his mastery of short stories in his latest collection, “Torrents of our Time”. 

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The Synopsis

Christian Fennell’s debut book, Torrents of Our Time, brings together a collection of 22 stories, most of which have appeared in international literary journals and anthologies. A gifted storyteller with a wide ranging audience, Fennell challenges the weakness in the heart of all our “truths”, while illuminating our dreams and our fears. These are stories that reside in the broken places of us, a stunning dance between our flaws and the beauty and joy of who we are, in this place now. Taken as a whole, Torrents of Our Time is a lyrical and page-turning narrative of love, loss, and pain.

The Review

This was a fantastic short story collection. The author has a superb way with words that is both poetic and thought-provoking. Each story is written in a way that allows the reader to interpret and feel their own emotions about the narrative rather than a straightforward story with a beginning, middle and end. 

One story in particular that I enjoyed as a paranormal and magick enthusiast is The Witch in the Woods, which plays on childhood fears and storytelling and the concept of bravery in the face of that fear. The elements involving the “witch” were great to see and the story ends on a shocking note, but the grander concept of false narratives blinding us to the truth and how stories can grow and take on a life of their own really resonated with me. The author’s expert use of imagery and character growth in such a short span of time really added to the thoughtful nature of each story being told. 

The Verdict

Overall, this was a must-read collection. The author’s work is profoundly impactful and really draws the reader in. Each story has something for every kind of reader, and the author’s writing really is creative and emotionally powerful in its delivery, making this a one of a kind read that cannot be missed. Be sure to grab your copies today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Christian Fennell writes literary fiction and essays. His short story collection, Torrents of Our Time, is scheduled to be released by Firenze Books, October 6, 2020. His novel, The Fiddler in the Night, January 2021.

Christian’s short stories and essays have appeared in a number of international magazines, literary journals, and collected works, including: Chaleur Magazine, Litro Magazine, XRAY Literary Magazine, Dreamers Magazine, Spark: A Creative Anthology, Kind Writers Anthology, Liars’ League London, Wilderness House Literary Review, and .Cent Magazine, among others.

Christian was a columnist and the fiction editor at the Prague Revue. He is currently working on his second novel.

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