Month: September 2021

Interview with Author Tia Ray Dhar

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I was born in India but grew up in Canberra, Australia, and Toronto, Canada. After completing my medical degrees from India, I moved to the U.S, where I worked in the biomedical and healthcare communications domain for more than a decade. Since childhood, I have always been a movie and rock music buff, but I didn’t start enjoying reading fiction until 2014. The mystery and suspense genre consistently garnered my interest, and I started reading the works of Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, Alafair Burke, Ruth Ware, Shari Lapena, CL Taylor, and Lucy Foley, to name a few. I didn’t start thinking about embarking on an author’s journey of my own until the second year of the pandemic. I thought I’d give creative writing a go since I’ve started to love reading fiction and love most creative things in general, like art, theatre, global cinema, history, museums, heritage architecture, etc. With the advent of new avenues in publishing, I thought I’d harness my writing creativity and storytelling skills and draft work that would engage, enthrall, and entertain. We never know which piece of writing can usher in a positive change or impact someone’s life meaningfully.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

Some people work in fields that are either monetarily profitable or offer positions in highly respectable academic echelons. However, what proportion of these people are fulfilling their core passion or purpose in life? Probably not a large proportion. For these people, the mundane pattern of their high-paying and socially super-respectable jobs can potentially fuel boredom and loneliness and cause them to seek solace in friends or even a potential romantic partner. Shifting focus and energy towards a close friendship or relationship is wonderful as long as the connection is balanced and mutually prioritized. However, if the bond becomes unbalanced or dysfunctional, the person may feel their world collapsing. This scenario further accentuates feelings of negativity, isolation, self-doubt, and self-blame. Finding your passion and working towards that can boost zest and enthusiasm for life, and the right people will automatically gravitate to you. It’s important to stay grounded in your efforts, and easier said than done, “never give up.” Some of my graduate and medical school classmates opted for different career trajectories after graduation and are in happier spaces now. 

I wanted to write a story that would blend the above message with a medical school setting, friendship, romance, a bit of mystery, and how the protagonist eventually finds her calling.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

It’s beautiful to try to find your core passion − something you love, something you look forward to developing and continually learning about, and something you can contribute to and nurture regularly. We should also focus on building a “core” of three or four people (probably from within our family), whom we can trust implicitly and who will have our back. We should keep an open mind because soul-stirring inspiration can flow in from the most unexpected sources (as the reader will find in this book). After publishing “Unfurling,” I published a mini-manual titled “Don’t Let Your Break-Up Be Your Break-Down.“ This booklet highlights the above message along with seven other simple strategies we can cumulatively inculcate into our daily schedules to make us feel empowered, self-reliant, and resilient in the face of a loss of a close friendship or relationship.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I wanted to tell a simple, light-hearted tale of a young doctor finding her core purpose in life as she navigates the joys and uncertainties of friendships and romance and even finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery. So, my book would belong to a mix of contemporary, romance, and mystery genres. I consider my book less a murder mystery and much more a journey of a young woman finding her true calling in life.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Now that she’s identified her calling and core purpose, I want to sit down with the protagonist Dr. Mandy and ask her about her academic and career trajectory. Is she planning to pursue her super-specialization in India or at an international location? I would also like to ask her about her friend circle, and her current equation with the two male leads in the book. 

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I’ve just started my author journey, and I’m developing my readership on Instagram and Facebook. I also update my Amazon Author Central page.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

The advice I would give to aspiring authors would be: If you have a story, experience(s), a memoir, or research findings that you would like to share with the world–fearlessly put it out there! Take constructive criticism, but don’t let anything daunt you or steer you away from your path. An author’s journey is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Be patient and persevere.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’m enjoying my author journey as much as getting to the destination. 

I plan on writing short stories and novellas, mainly in the genres of contemporary romance, mystery, and suspense.

I have a romance novelette titled “SANCTUARY” coming out end of this year. The plot involves an emotional journey based in New Delhi and New York City.

I have a suspense novella which will be published towards the end of 2022, titled “SINISTER REUNION.” The story takes place in New Zealand.

I look forward to networking with other authors and connecting with more readers.

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About the Author

Tia Ray Dhar grew up in Canberra, Australia, and Toronto, Canada, and has over 15 years of experience in content creation for biomedical and healthcare communications across India, the US, and New Zealand. The mystery and suspense genre has always enthralled her. She started her fiction reading journey with novels by renowned authors like Mary Higgins Clark, Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Shari Lapena, Alafair Burke, Ruth Ware, and CL Taylor, to name a few. After years of reading, she decided to embark on a fiction writing journey of her own! 

She is a Goodreads author and has two published books in two different genres: A murder mystery novel titled “Unfurling: A Tale of Friendship, Love, Mystery & Mayhem” and a short self-help book called “Don’t Let Your Break-Up be Your Break-Down.” 

Her upcoming plans include publishing a romance novella, followed by few novellas and short stories in the mystery and suspense genre.

She has just started her writing journey and knows that there’s a long way to go. The creative landscape of writing is a space where we continually aspire to learn, engage, enthrall, entertain, and motivate the reader audience. 

Besides being an avid fiction reader, she loves public speaking, photography, rock music (especially from the 80s and 90s), films, theatre, and world history. One of her favorite places anywhere in the world is sitting at a window-side table in a cafe and sipping an Americano, long black, or flat white coffee while reading or writing. 

She enjoys connecting with other readers and writers and participating in social and cultural events for all age groups. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tia.ray.1848

https://www.instagram.com/tia_writer1980/

Interview with Author Jared Bodnar

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’m a husband and dad first, that’s where much of my attention goes. For work, I am an advertising executive at an architectural technology company. I really love my job and I’m extremely passionate about what I do. In addition, I have several side hustles, including real estate investing, card playing, distance running, guitar playing and yes, I’m a proud novelist. I’ve always been into writing and almost by happenstance, I was always placed in advanced reading and writing courses as a kid. I really learned to hone my writing craft as an advertising and marketing professional, writing PR content, newsletter articles, case studies and advertorials. My most influential writing mentor, Steve Unger, taught me to write conversationally and that is absolutley my style. I write like I talk.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I actually came up with the idea for The Shattered Violin as a unique concept for a movie. I began to start to write a screenplay and I learned very quickly that I didn’t know the first thing about script writing. After deciding to start with a book first, I came to the painful realization that I knew even less about writing a novel 🙂

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That life is full of twists and turns, and that you never know how far your life can unravel after you experience a truly traumatic event.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

That was actually an accident. I came up with the original plot and it was rattling around in my head, begging to be put down on paper. As I began to flesh out the story, I really fell into the crime thriller genre, which was a perfect fit for the story.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d sit down with Julia. She’s not the flawless, perfect character. She’s passionate, fiery and confident. And she is very assertive when she knows what she wants. I’d love to just learn about her background. Why did she go into the music field after pursuing a career in medicine? Has she always been so intuitive when reading people or did she have to develop that skill? Why would she be walking around with a priceless antique under her arm?

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Definitely Facebook. It’s a medium that combines visuals with prose so I can preview content, share visuals and get immediate feedback.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Find a unique take or twist on something. I see many books out their in the sci fi or fantasy genres in particular and they seem to follow the same formula. I say flip that formula on its head and present something that’s truly unique. That’s what I tried to accomplish with The Shattered Violin, present a novel new story with some very intriguing and thought-provoking twists.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Yes! I just finished an outline for a new psychological thriller about a PhD student who wants to develop a worldwide, free Internet network but inadvertently gives birth to an AI who is able to replicate and self-program at a tremendous rate. It’s a really interesting study of what can happen as robots replace humans and a different way that Artificial Intelligence can have signifiant drawbacks.

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About the Author

Jared Bodnar is an advertising professional by day, dedicated dad by night and novelist after Midnight.

He graduated from Arizona State University with a Journalism and Psychology double major, a perfect combination for writing psychological thrillers.

A lifelong writer, Jared is passionate about dialogue and is obsessed with converging, twisty storylines. Jared lives in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife Shannon, daughter Harlow, and sons Easton and Kai.

https://jaredbodnar.com/

Interview with Author Denise Bossarte

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I have alwasy been a writer. I wrote short stories and poems in elementary and high school. And enjoyed creative writing and journaling as an outlet into my adulthood. I got more serious about writing and publishing when my friend and I created a “novel” club to help with the sci-fi book he was writing.I enjoyed the creative process and was inspired by his success in self-publishing (he was later picked up by 47North Amazon imprint).I decided to try my hand at publishing a series of beach poems I had written and had an artist friend do the accompanying illustrations- just to try out the self-pulishing process from end to end. From there, I decided to work on a fantasy novel that had been begging for some attention. I ended up writing the award winning novel Glamorous and 3 novellas in that series.   

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2) What inspired you to write your book? 

I had wanted to share my story of abuse and healing for a long time. My husband encouraged me saying my story could help other survivors. But being a survivor with what I would consider PTSD, my memories were not always accessible or cohesive, and often difficult to put in the context of the other events in my life. I thought if I couldn’t write a detailed memoir then I couldn’t share my story.Then the news came out about Dr. Larry Nassar and his abuse of hundreds of female gymnasts and my heart broke for them. Those women need healing help, I thought to myself. If I can’t write a memoir, I can write about all the things I did to help myself on my healing journey. So their stories inspired me to write a book to help all survivors heal from their abuse.  

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

The abuse was not their fault. They have the strength to let go of the hold the past has on them.They are capable of healing from the abuse and living a life they love. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Self-help was the best way to share my story and the activities for healing that I had incorporated into my healing journey. I didn’t just want to write about my abuse. I wanted to create a blueprint for others for helping them on their healing journey. I wrote the book I wished I had had when I started my healing work!  

5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Twitter. I can share about my book and about the various healing activities I enjoy practicing.  

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there? 

Read a lot of good books in your genre!

Do your research for the genre you want to write in to learn what works for genre from storyline, characters, book covers, etc.

Connect with other authors and find ways to share your writing with people who can give constructive criticism to your work. Their are author groups online, so no need to limit yourself to who is local!

When you are finished writing, get a good editor to help you take the book to the next level.


 7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?


 Right now I am focusing on my other artistic talents – photography. I teach contemplative photography and am working on putting together an online course. There are several novels playing around in my head, so you might see some of these stand alone novels some time in the future! 

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Author Bio


Denise Bossarte is an award-winning poet, writer, photographer, and artist. Denise is a certified meditation facilitator and contemplative arts teacher. She is an information technology (IT) professional working for a large urban school district. Denise holds a BA in chemistry, an MS in computer science, and a PhD in developmental neuroscience. And she is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

Awards

Thriving was Quarterfinalist in the 2019 BookLife Prize Nonfiction Contest, Self-help Category (as  an unpublished manuscript.)

Thriving was honored with a GOLD AWARD by the Nonfiction Book Awards, via the Nonfiction Authors Association! https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/book-award-winner-thriving-after-sexual-abuse/.

Check out the awesome review here: https://thrivingaftersexualabusebook.com/awards/
 
And Thriving was selected as a semi-finalist in Non-fiction in the 2021 Kindle Book Awards! Finalists announced Oct 1st, Winners announced Nov 1st.  https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/2021-book-award-semifinalists/
 
Thriving was selected by Kirkus Reviews Indie editors for the August issue. According to Kirkus Reviews, less than 10% of Indie authors are selected for this. The review is 1 of 35 reviews in the Indie section of the magazine! You can read the full review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/denise-bossarte/thriving-after-sexual-abuse-break-your-bondage-to-the-past-and-live-a-life-you-love/
 
And finally, Thriving’s book cover was selected as a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards Best Book Cover – Adult contest. https://www.thewsa.co.uk/finalists2021/. 

Social Media

https://thrivingaftersexualabusebook.com

https://thrivingaftersexualabusebook.com/blog/

https://twitter.com/AmThrivingAfter

https://www.facebook.com/thrivingafter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-bossarte-phd-39975841

Any Dumb Animal by AE Hines 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. 

Author and poet AE Hines shares his memoir in a unique in-verse collection of poetry detailing the life of a gay man born and raised in the South, who came of age during the AIDS crisis in his acclaimed book, “Any Dumb Animal”.

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The Synopsis

Any Dumb Animal (Main Street Rag, 2021), the debut poetry collection by AE Hines, presents a memoir-in-verse as told by a gay man raised in the rural South who comes of age during the AIDS crisis. Flashing back and forth in time, a cast of recurring characters and circumstances are woven into a rich tale of survival and redemption, exploring one man’s life as a queer son, father, and husband, over a span of more than thirty years.

The Review

These poems were so incredibly emotional and moving to read. The mark of a truly great poet and writer is always when they can convey in words the emotions that ran through them at that moment, and I can say that the conflicting thoughts and emotions that the poet underwent here were felt greatly. The struggle to understand ourselves and our own identities are hard enough in this world, but the author and poet’s struggle against a toxic relationship with his father and later his own marital struggles really elevates these conflicting feelings tenfold.

What really stood out to me was the near cinematic and storytelling quality that the poems themselves took on. Each poem painted an image in the reader’s mind as the overall narrative of the writer’s life took shape. The balance the author found between the raw emotions these events evoked within himself and the narrative approach to these poems made this collection feel so alive and passionate in its delivery. 

The Verdict

A heartfelt, heartbreaking, and engaging collection of poetry, author AE Hines’s “Any Dumb Animal” is a must-read book of 2021! The narrative quality of the poetry and the way the author was able to relay something so personal to himself and make it relatable to the reader as well as incredible to see unfold. I felt myself tearing up as the author’s words pierced my heart and I felt his pain, making this a true one-of-a-kind story that everyone should read for themselves. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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SPOTLIGHT: ANY DUMB ANIMAL PRESALE PURCHASES TO BE MATCHED FOR THE TREVOR PROJECT

About the Author

AE Hines (he/him) grew up in rural North Carolina and currently resides in Portland, Oregon. His poetry has been widely published in anthologies and literary journals including I-70 Review, Sycamore Review, Tar River Poetry, Potomac Review, Atlanta Review, Crosswinds Poetry Journal and Crab Creek Review. He is winner of the Red Wheelbarrow Prize and has been a finalist for the Montreal International Poetry Prize. He is currently pursuing his MFA in Writing at Pacific University. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

https://twitter.com/PoetAEHines
https://twitter.com/PoeticBookTours
https://twitter.com/TrevorProject
Any Dumb Animal / AE Hines

The Fire Starters (Nicholas Foxe Adventures #3) by Jackson Coppley Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Adventurer and history-searching hero Nicholas Foxe returns, this time racing against the clock to stop a guild of fire starters who trace their origins back to the days of Ancient Rome as a plot to target places in the United States in author Jackson Coppley’s “The Fire Starters”, the third book in the Nicholas Foxe Adventures series.

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The Synopsis

In The Fire Starters, Nicholas Foxe uncovers a guild of pyromaniacs that traces its roots to ancient Rome. Were these modern-day fire starters responsible for the fire at Notre Dame? Were they responsible for a firebombing at The London Eye? Do they now have targets in the United States?

Nick finds an important clue deep in the ruins of Nero’s buried palace and realizes the fire starters work has just begun. The lives of thousands are at stake. Can Nick and his team stop the fire starters before it’s too late?

The Review

Jackson Coppley has done it again! The perfect blend of deep dives into history and mythology from around the world and incredibly rich and complex character development, the third book in the Nicholas Foxe Adventures series was an instant hit. As a fan of history, I loved the author’s research and the highlight of Ancient Rome and the surrounding cultures of the age of Emperor Nero showing off during the early chapters of the book, while also adding very human and personal character connections to highlight the danger and mystery that our world houses.

The thing that always makes a Nicholas Foxe adventure stand out for me is that the protagonist, Nicholas, remains vital to the narrative, and yet allows the story to develop fascinating characters with backstories that feel solid and well-developed, whereas some thrillers tend to have rushed character development instead. Having Nicholas’s connection to newcomer Ray Woodward was an amazing way of introducing this mystery of the fire starters, and gave the narrative a much more rich connection between the history and the characters overall.

The Verdict

Indiana Jones meets The Da Vinci Code, author Jackson Coppley’s “The Fire Starters” is the perfect next chapter in the Nicholas Foxe series. The novels feel so cinematic and engaging, that one can only hope these stories make their way to the silver screen someday. The way the author makes history feel more alive and pronounced than it has in a long time in the literary world is great to see unfold, and I do hope that fans and I alike will be treated to more Nicholas Foxe Adventures in the future! If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jackson Coppley weaves stories from a sophisticated knowledge of technology and a keen sense of adventure. Coppley travels the world with his vivid imagination at work to create exciting stories with characters readers feel they know.

https://www.jacksoncoppley.com/

https://twitter.com/jcoppley

This is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lepore Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Two students from very different walks of life find themselves working together after they discover the body of a young teen girl floating off the coast of their small town, and discover students from both the local prep school and reform school all have secrets to hide in author Gabriella Lepore’s “This is Why We Lie”. 

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The Synopsis

Riverdale meets One of Us Is Lying in This Is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lepore, a standalone thriller following two teens who discover a body off the coast of their seaside town. As they search for the killer, they will learn the students of both the local prep school and the nearby reform school will do anything to protect their secrets.

Everyone in Gardiners Bay has a secret.

When Jenna Dallas and Adam Cole find Colleen O’Dell’s body floating off the shore of their coastal town, the community of Gardiners Bay is shaken. But even more shocking is the fact that her drowning was no accident.

Once Jenna’s best friend becomes a key suspect, Jenna starts to look for answers on her own. As she uncovers scandals inside Preston Prep School leading back to Rookwood reform school, she knows she needs Adam on her side.

As a student at Rookwood, Adam is used to getting judgmental looks, but now his friends are being investigated by the police. Adam will do whatever he can to keep them safe, even if that means trusting Jenna.

As lies unravel, the truth starts to blur. Only one thing is certain: somebody must take the fall.

The Review

A truly gripping and engaging thriller for YA and murder-mystery fans, author Gabriella Lepore has crafted a mind-bending tale of suspense and secrets that readers will not be able to help to fall into. The twists and turns that this novel takes both for the characters and the narrative itself are truly captivating, and the author does a fantastic job of setting up solid pacing to peel back the layers of this mystery one by one. 

The growth of the characters was what drew me into the narrative, to begin with. The emotional depth that both protagonists have gone through in their pasts, and how these two young people who have had to learn to trust only themselves and have experienced hard family lives make their way to one another in the midst of great tragedy was so enthralling and mesmerizing to see unfold and really tugged at the heartstrings as well. This in turn really balanced out the emotional beats with the suspense and drama of this murder mystery and small-town life. 

The Verdict

Pretty Little Liars meets Riverdale, author Gabriella Lepore’s “This Is Why We Lie” is a must-read YA Mystery of 2021! Perfectly crafted and shocking as the final reveal of the killer is shown, this novel delivers powerful characters that readers might be able to relate to, and a great exploration of both the contrast and similarities people from different walks of life can truly have. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of this incredible book today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gabriella Lepore is a YA author from South Wales in the United Kingdom. She lives in the countryside with her husband James and daughter Sophia. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can usually be found exploring the coastline. She enjoys cups of tea, bookstore coffee shops, stormy beaches, and autumn days.

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/this-is-why-we-lie/9781335418609 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-is-why-we-lie-gabriella-lepore/1138317761 

Powells: https://www.powells.com/book/this-is-why-we-lie-9781335418609 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/This-Why-Lie-Gabriella-Lepore/dp/1335418601

Target: https://www.target.com/p/this-is-why-we-lie-by-gabriella-lepore-hardcover/-/A-82007842 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gabriella_Lepore_This_Is_Why_We_Lie?id=eqsJEAAAQBAJ

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/gabriella-lepore/id1153311848

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/this-is-why-we-lie 

SOCIAL LINKS: 

Twitter: @GabriellaBooks 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gabriella-Lepore-Books-240139339377522/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellalepore_books/?hl=en 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814169.Gabriella_Lepore 

Here is an Excerpt from “This Is Why We Lie”

JENNA

Gardiners Bay at dawn is my secret. There’s a moment, right before the day starts, when the ocean is bathed in amber light. That first golden breath of morning. Everything is still, apart from the pelicans gathering near the water, their plump bodies shuffling along the shoreline. Sometimes I sit on the promenade for hours with my legs suspended over the pebble beach below, just watching the night turn to day. Watching the darkness turn to light.

It’s often like this, just me and the birds. The only other people I tend to cross paths with at this hour are fishermen wearing heavy-duty gear and hugging their thermoses. They sit on the benches and swig their hot drinks while skimming the daily newspaper. Then they leave. A little while later, their boats drift out onto the water.

Today, though, I’m the only one here.

I raise my camera and adjust the focus, capturing the new light as it spills over the ocean. In the muted daylight, the silver tide is a murky, dull gray and frothing as it slaps against the shore.

“Help! I need help!”

My eyes dart across the shoreline. There’s a boy on the stretch of beach at the foot of Rookwood Cliff. He’s kneedeep in the water, fully dressed.

He shouts again.

I spring to my feet and run along the promenade. Ducking beneath the boardwalk railings, I jump down to the pebbled cove.

The soles of my feet sting at the impact of the stones beneath my Converse. I scramble toward him, my footing slipping on the damp pebbles.

It’s then that I recognize him.

Adam.

His jeans are soaked to the thigh. He’s wading through the shallows, his legs tangled in fishing net and seaweed. And a body lies limp in his arms. A girl. She’s swollen, her skin has turned purple, and one arm is swinging downward with the momentum of Adam’s labored movements.

I press my hand to my mouth.

“Call an ambulance,” he shouts.

But all I can do is stand there, paralyzed by the sight. He lowers the girl onto the sand and begins CPR, breathing into her mouth.

It’s too late, I want to tell him.

She’s already dead.

Excerpted from This is Why We Lie by Gabriella Lepore, Copyright © 2021 by Gabriella Lepore. Published by Inkyard Press. 

Interview with Author David B. Seaburn

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I began my career as a Presbyterian minister serving a country church. I went back to school to get a degree in counseling and entered the mental health field. Eventually I got my PhD in psychology. I was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where I directed the Family Therapy Training Program in Psychiatry and coordinated the Psychosocial Medicine Rotation in a family medicine residency program. Later I directed a free family counselling center in a local public school district. I started writing stories, poetry and personal essays when I was in the ministry. I wrote extensively at the Medical Center (two books, over sixty articles). It wasn’t until 2000 that I started writing long fiction. I had had an idea for ten years and finally took the leap. I published that first novel in 2005. I been writing novels ever since. Broken Pieces of God is my eighth novel. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

Eight years ago, I read an online news article about a man whose wife was gravely ill. He prayed to a statue of Jesus that she would be healed, and she was. To repay this blessing, he cleaned the old statue, only to have it fall on him, crushing his legs. I couldn’t let go of the story and finally created a broader narrative to go with it. 

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I am always interested in the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people. This novel is no different. It follows several characters coming to grips with tragic events in their lives (life threatening illness, job loss, rape, and more), some of which have been kept secret for many years. And though they may end up with scars, they find ways to emerge with hope and resilience. I think that’s a particularly important perspective in our current time. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

As a marriage and family therapist and a minister, I have always been fascinated with the stories that people have to tell, especially stories of hardship and triumph. Broken Pieces of God, like my other novels, is character driven. It delves into the deeply human foibles and strengths that we all have. I hope it speaks to the lives of my readers.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

This is a tough question. I think I would like to talk with Gayle Kimes, who is facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. She concocts an over-the-top solution to a problem that she and her unemployed husband face. I would like to ask her where she got the strength to face these problems simultaneously and gracefully. And—What happened next in their lives?

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I wish I were better at this. I use Facebook and Twitter mostly. Goodreads, Netgalley, and Reedsy have been useful. Email blasts have worked. I’ve used virtual book tours. A little bit of everything.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly where your story is going or how it will end. Keep writing. Let the narrative, the characters, lead you.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Usually, immediately after I’ve sent a manuscript to my publisher, I start a new novel. This time is no different. I am about half way through the next one, which will be entitled, Give Me Shelter.

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About the Author

David B. Seaburn’s first novel, Darkness is as Light, was published in 2005. He followed with Pumpkin Hill (2007), Charlie No Face (2011), a Finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award in General Fiction, Chimney Bluffs (2012), More More Time (2015), and Parrot Talk (2017), which placed second in the TAZ Awards for Fiction (2017) and was short listed for the Somerset Award (2018). Seaburn’s latest novel, Gavin Goode (2019), was an American Book Fest Finalist for “Best Book” in General Fiction (2019) and Semi-Finalist in Literary, Contemporary and Satire Fiction for the Somerset Award (2019).

Seaburn is a retired marriage and family therapist, psychologist and Presbyterian minister who lives in Spencerport, NY with his wife, Bonnie. They have two daughters who are married and four wonderful grandchildren. After serving a rural parish for six years, Seaburn entered the mental health field. He was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center for nearly twenty years. There he was Director of the Family Therapy Training Program (Psychiatry) and Coordinator of the Psychosocial Medicine Rotation (Family Medicine). He published over sixty academic papers and co-authored two books. In 2005, Seaburn left the Medical Center to become Director of the Family Support Center in the Spencerport Central School District, a free counseling center for students and their families. Seaburn is currently a writing instructor at Writers and Books in Rochester, NY.

Seaburn’s novels are available through Amazon, and can also be ordered through your favorite bookstore. He is available for readings and can be reached at dseaburn@gmail.com. Visit his website at www.davidbseaburn.com. Read his Psychology Today magazine blog at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/going-out-not-knowing.

https://twitter.com/dseaburn

Batman: The Audio Adventures Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

In honor of Batman Day, I thought I’d share this incredible new podcast series that DC Comics fans will not want to miss. HBO Max has decided to bring their own creative spin on iconic and classic radio show style programming and fusing the lore and history of DC Comics into the narrative in their latest project, Batman: The Audio Adventures!

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The Synopsis

A tale of life and death in Gotham City. After years of vigilante crime fighting, Batman prepares  to become an official Gotham member of the Gotham City Police Department, deepening the rift between himself and Catwoman, who’s been using Gotham criminals as her personal ATM. Meanwhile, Two-Face is deteriorating, his two halves at war and his obsession with duality out of control — which his rival the Penguin is more than happy to take advantage of. The Riddler, after years in the shadow of Batman’s A-list foes, is desperate to have his work taken seriously. And the Joker has big, big plans for Valentine’s day… #Batman

The Review

I was enthralled with this engaging series from the very start. Having listened to the first couple of episodes, I can say the writers and actors have produced a truly haunting and entertaining series. The actors manage to create a very cinematic quality to this audio series, bringing such a strong energy to the narrative that it crafts an image in the author’s mind as each story within the episodes play out. 

The format of this audio series itself is what really drew me into the story. The creators managed to capture the engaging and entertaining quality of classic radio shows from the 1920’s, crafting imagery of the family surrounding the radios in their home as prolific narrators paint an image of the story in the listeners minds. It also managed to craft a well-rounded insight into Gotham City itself, including commercials and ads that brought the Batman mythos into the story. Gotham’s vibrancy and clash with chilling and gritty imagery comes through perfectly in the delivery of this series, making this series highly creative.

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The Verdict

A memorable, iconic, and mythological new dive deep into the bowels of Gotham City, HBO Max and DC Comics new series, “Batman: The Audio Adventures”, is a brilliant work of art in a new medium that fans of the characters and comics will be able to get behind. Capturing the very noir atmosphere that classic radio shows always had, this series promises to give readers the much-needed dose of Batman they need in this time of isolation in our needed quarantine, and will entertain listeners for sure. If you haven’t yet, listen to the audio series today!

Rating: 10/10

Stream Batman: The Audio Adventures on September 18 on HBO Max: http://itsh.bo/hbo-max

The series stars Jeffrey Wright as Batman, Rosario Dawson as Catwoman, and John Leguizamo as The Riddler, and includes a number of SNL alums and A-List actors. 

An Impossible Promise (Providence Falls #2) by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A man out of time must choose between a moment of happiness with the woman he loves or his soul and his true love’s own true love in authors Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets’s “An Impossible Promise”, the second book in the Providence Falls series. 

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The Synopsis 

Book 2 in the Providence Falls Trilogy. Outlander meets The Lake House (movie) in this epic love story that crosses continents and centuries. Master storyteller Jude Deveraux joins forces with up and coming author Tara Sheets to create a series that will appeal to women’s fiction and romance readers alike. A rogue thief in 1840s Ireland is sent by angels to a contemporary small town in America to make amends for his crimes in the past. Forbidden to tell anyone why he is there he must convince the woman he loves to marry another man or be damned for eternity.

In one century she loved him madly, and in another she wants nothing to do with him

In this second book of a trilogy, the story of Liam O’Connor and Cora McLeod continues. While they were lovers in the past, things are very different in the present. Liam and Cora are both police officers and roommates in Providence Falls, North Carolina. Liam is trying to do as the angels have commanded–make sure Cora falls in love with another man—but Cora is not the impressionable innocent girl Liam remembers. She’s strong and smart and not easily manipulated. Liam is forced to face the truth about himself as he comes to realize that he truly isn’t the right man for Cora. But, as Liam is coming to that conclusion, Cora is starting to see him in a new light.

Liam wants Cora for himself, but with his soul hanging in the balance, he must choose between a stolen moment in time or an eternity of damnation.

An Impossible Promise is romantic, fun and pure escape.

The Review

What a fascinating and engaging read! The author brilliantly finds a balance between passionate romance and mystery, drawing in a multitude of readers who can find a connection to it. The history, the more supernatural elements to the past-lives and destiny aspect of the narrative, and even the romance all sang in perfect harmony with one another as the story progressed, creating a perfect fusion of genres that many fans of contemporary women’s fiction and romance will love. 

The characters really were the heart of this narrative. The growth that each of these characters saw and the torn feelings of the protagonists really tugged at the heartstrings as the question of whether passion and love could matter more than destiny and romance took center stage. Getting to see Liam find his reflection in newcomer Magnus and seeing Liam’s evolution as a result of this was amazing character writing on the author’s part, and really drew me into the narrative further.

The Verdict

A heartfelt, engaging, and soulful read, author Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets’s “An Impossible Promise” is a must-read contemporary romance of 2021. The perfect follow-up to the first book in this series, the authors did a great job of crafting a story that could stand on its own while providing fans of the series a new series of twists and turns in the growing mystery and leaves a massive cliffhanger that will leave fans and Liam both shocked at the importance of Cora’s destiny. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Jude Deveraux is the author of forty-three New York Times bestsellers, including For All Time, Moonlight in the Morning and A Knight in Shining Armor. She was honored with a Romantic Times Pioneer Award in 2013 for her distinguished career. To date, there are more than sixty million copies of her books in print worldwide. Jude lives in Kansas City, Missouri

Tara Sheets is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Her work has earned first place recognition in literary contests nationwide, and her debut novel, DON’T CALL ME CUPCAKE, won the 2016 Golden Heart® award sponsored by Romance Writers of America. Tara lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/an-impossible-promise/9780778332084

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/077833208X/thebookreport01 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-impossible-promise-jude-deveraux/1138489641?ean=9780778332084

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Impossible-Promise/Jude-Deveraux/9780778332084

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B08QZ29VZ5/thebookreport01

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/an-impossible-promise/id1545574010?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ct=books_an_impossible_promise&ls=1

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jude_Deveraux_An_Impossible_Promise?id=Ud4PEAAAQBAJ

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-impossible-promise-jude-tara-deveraux-sheets/1138876782?ean=9780369703071

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/an-impossible-promise

SOCIAL LINKS:

JUDE DEVERAUX:

Author website: https://judedeveraux.com/

Twitter: @JudeDeveraux1      

Facebook: https://facebook.com/224518397561073 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judedeveraux/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/28574.Jude_Deveraux 

TARA SHEETS:

Author website: https://tarasheets.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraSheetsBooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarasheets/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17082616.Tara_Sheets 

Here is an Exclusive Excerpt from “An Impossible Promise”

PROLOGUE

THE CELESTIAL CHAMBER OF JUDGMENT WAS not cozy by any stretch of the imagination. Most of the time it appeared to be nothing more than white roiling walls of mist, which the angel Agon found downright dreary. But his associate Samael deemed it necessary, believing that human souls facing judgment were better off with no distractions. This was probably why Samael’s face was now scrunched in open disapproval—an expression Agon had grown used to over the centuries.

“What,” Samael demanded, pointing an elegant finger at the object against the chamber wall, “is that?” With his blond ringlets and cherub cheeks, he looked like a Renaissance painting of a frazzled choir boy.

It made Agon want to smile, but he refrained. For an angel as old as himself, he’d learned a thing or two. Instead, he drew up to his full height, impressive even by angelic standards, and stretched his snowy wings wide. “It’s called a recliner,” he said cheerfully. “For sitting and resting. Very comforting to humans, from what I gather.”

Samael looked incredulous. “I’ve told you before, this is no place of solace. Human souls are summoned here to face judgment, and not all of them are headed to a comfortable destination.”

“True.” Agon sat on the edge of the overstuffed chair, swiveling left, then right. “But I see no harm in offering them a place to rest while we review their lives. If nothing else, it will provide an alternative to their usual pacing and wringing of hands and stumbling about in distress. It is pitiable when they do that, you must admit.”

Samael sighed, shook his head and turned toward the wall of mist. A good sign, Agon decided. For now, it seemed the new chair could stay. Perhaps later he could bring in a few other earthly things to liven up the place, but what was that human expression? Ah, yes. Baby steps.

“We haven’t time for your antics,” Samael muttered, waving a hand at the wall of mist. “Our wayward rogue is about to learn a valuable lesson.” 

The mist cleared, revealing a city street at night. A swarthy stranger in a black leather jacket and designer jeans pulled his motorcycle to a stop outside a sports bar.

Agon rose from the chair and went to stand beside Samael as they watched the scene unfold. “You’re sure this man is just like Liam O’Connor?”

“He has all the same traits as the rogue,” Samael said. “The arrogance, the selfish motives, the questionable morals. He wasn’t originally scheduled to cross paths with Liam, but it was easy enough to arrange.” 

Agon tilted his dark head, studying the man who was now sauntering toward the entrance of the bar. A neon sign that read ROOKIES blinked above the door. “And you’re certain introducing this man to Liam will serve a useful purpose?”

Samael crossed his arms. “It will be good for Liam to see his own personality traits reflected in someone else. Perhaps then, through serious introspection, the rogue will realize his many faults and be at peace with the task we’ve given him.”

“Perhaps,” Agon said, though he wasn’t so sure. Liam O’Connor and peace did not seem to mix. The man was hell-bent on winning Cora McLeod for himself, no matter how much he assured the angels he was trying to help Cora achieve her true destiny by marrying Finley Walsh. Agon knew what desperation looked like in a man’s eyes, and paired with determination, it could be a dangerous combination. Liam had both in abundance. “I hope it works. He only has two months left to achieve his task.”

Samael let out a huff. “It has to work. We can’t interfere with his free will, and this is the last thing I could think of to help steer him in the right direction. We’ve already agreed to some of the ‘boosts’ he’s asked for. Rudimentary computer knowledge. Fair warning when we plan to visit. We’ve even made it so he’d no longer feel pain whenever he and Cora touch.” He gave Agon a stern look. “That last one was only because you advocated so strongly on his behalf.”

“I think we can trust him to make the right decisions,” Agon said. “I know he seems like a lost cause, but let us have faith that he will prevail.”

“Mmm, faith,” Samael said as they watched the tall man disappear into the bar. “In a rogue. What could possibly go wrong?”

Excerpted from An Impossible Promise by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets. Copyright © 2021 by Deveraux Inc. Published by MIRA Books.