Month: June 2022

Bed of Rose and Thorns by Lee Hunt 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 warrior returns to the Queendom he was banished from over a decade later to find the Queen he has dreamed of for years is isolated and alone, and the nation in rebellion as he searches for the truth and his Queen in author Lee Hunt’s “Bed of Rose and Thorns”.

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The Synopsis

Sir Ezra is an Elysian Bell; he has a frightening potential that he keeps hidden deep beneath tight layers of steel armor. He secretly loves a dark Queen whose touch would mean his death.

Banished for brutally slaughtering the Prince of Erle and husband to the Queen, Sir Ezra can only dream of seeing her again. Every night, his soul travels to distant lands, remembering the Queen, her deep convictions, brilliant mind, unending work, hidden loneliness, and a single night of horrific bloodshed.

Recalled to the Queendom after eleven years, Ezra hopes to catch at least a fleeting glimpse of the woman he was sacrificed for. Instead, he finds a nation in rebellion and the Queen to be an elusive phantom. His only friend, Sir Marigold, challenges his presence and tells him that he is not needed in the capitol. Looking for both the truth and the absent Queen, Ezra finds only more secrets and enemies.

Ezra’s armor is dented, scarred, and ruined by friend and enemy alike; his secret potential is about to become unbound.

The Review

This was such a fantastic read. The author did an amazing job of capturing the raw magic of the dark fantasy realm while also developing rich mythos for the narrative. The dark and tense tone the author instilled into the novel was felt early on, and the almost medieval-like setting came to life on the page and in the author’s mind through some pretty incredible imagery used by the author in their writing.

However, the heart and soul of this read was character growth, especially for the protagonist, Ezra. The tormented warrior finds his world flipped once more, and the staggering height of his passion and love for his Queen is phenomenal to read. The secrets and mystery that build as he searches for her and her evolution as a character became central to the mythology and narrative as a whole. 

The Verdict

Action-packed, dark, yet powerfully romantic, author Lee Hunt’s “Bed of Rose and Thorns” is a must-read dark fantasy and LGBTQ-driven novel of 2022. The captivating characters, blood-soaked battles, and intrigue the narrative sets up move the reader into the depths of the emotional pull of these characters, and the beautiful way the author incorporates poetry and an almost lyrical style of writing throughout the narrative will have readers invested into this darkly magical world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Bed of Rose and Thorns - Lee Hunt

Lee Hunt has a new dark fantasy/fairy tale out: Bed of Rose and Thorns. And there’s a giveaway!

Sir Ezra is an Elysian Bell; he has a frightening potential that he keeps hidden deep beneath tight layers of steel armor. He secretly loves a dark Queen whose touch would mean his death.

Banished for brutally slaughtering the Prince of Erle and husband to the Queen, Sir Ezra can only dream of seeing her again. Every night, his soul travels to distant lands, remembering the Queen, her deep convictions, brilliant mind, unending work, hidden loneliness, and a single night of horrific bloodshed.

Recalled to the Queendom after eleven years, Ezra hopes to catch at least a fleeting glimpse of the woman he was sacrificed for. Instead, he finds a nation in rebellion and the Queen to be an elusive phantom. His only friend, Sir Marigold, challenges his presence and tells him that he is not needed in the capitol. Looking for both the truth and the absent Queen, Ezra finds only more secrets and enemies.

Ezra’s armor is dented, scarred, and ruined by friend and enemy alike; his secret potential is about to become unbound.

Amazon | Universal Buy Link

Giveaway

Lee is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour:

a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47240/?

Excerpt

Bed of Rose and Thorns meme

A man alone, thirsty, falls asleep.

***

“Where am I?” asks the man. He seems to be bobbing high in clear aquamarine water. All he can see is a vast expanse of ocean and a clear crystalline structure that floats nearby. Something seems familiar. He had been in a desert, travelling with friends, but now he swims upon an endless ocean.

“Have I been here before?” he asks. The tug of oceanic currents and the endless blue horizon pull on some memory . . . something important.

“You are in the sea of Eydos,” says the crystalline structure. It has been floating toward him, quietly, its approach, until then, unnoticed.

“And you are an iceberg,” the man says, smiling, unconcerned, unsurprised by the nearness of the mountainous structure. He does not know what Eydos is, but he thinks he may recognize this vast icy creature. Something tells him that he may have seen her before, though his memory is as difficult to make out as a words written on water.

The iceberg shakes from side to side, creating little ripples and dancing waves. “I suppose that I am.”

“Your sides are so smooth,” says the man. “I like you.”

The iceberg shakes again and glides right up beside the man. He floats high enough in the water that her ripples of laughter do not threaten to drown him. “You are brave, aren’t you?”

“I am not afraid to look upon that which I like. And say so.”

“Look down then, man, and tell me what you see.”

The man dives down a few body lengths, searching. When he resurfaces, he is smiling even more widely than before. “You go down and down, out of sight, beyond light and reckoning.” He shakes his head at her. “Most of you is down below, unknowable. How vast are you?”

“Never ask a lady her size,” the iceberg says, creating even bigger waves as she shakes the waters, laughing. “My size is my depth, and my depth is my size.”

“Well, I like it. I am just a man. Not vast or mysterious like an iceberg.”

“An amusing man, I think,” replies the berg.

The man asks, “Where are you going?”

“On currents that are my own, on purposes that are my own, for reasons that are my own.”

“I don’t know what I am doing here or where I am going,” says the man.

“Typical,” replies the iceberg lightly. “Most do not.”

The man, swimming hard beside her, says, “You are certainly moving fast through this ocean.”

“Indeed,” says the iceberg. “I am an agent of my own destiny.” After a moment, she adds, “If you come around back and swim in my eddy, you will be pulled along. You can rest while we talk.”

The man looks at the smooth surface of the iceberg. “Can I not just slide up onto you and rest there?”

“No!” says the iceberg, firm. “I am hard and cold. I would burn you. If you touch me, you will be undone.” Her voice softens as she adds, “It is nice in my eddy. Swim there, man.”

He shrugs and does as she says.

“Oh, this is nice,” says the man. “I can look at you and talk at the same time.”

“Glad to help you do two things at once,” giggles the iceberg, making tears of water jiggle and parade.

And they talk on through the day, the man endlessly curious about the magnificent creature of the waters.

***

“I love you, iceberg,” declares the man.

“That’s nice, but you don’t even know a tenth of me.”

“Good point,” laughs the man. “I need to dive deeper.” He takes a deep breath and dives into the dark again.

Missing completely the iceberg’s cry of “No!”

The water starts at a clear color, or is it green? Then it turns light blue, and then to deeper and darker shades. The man pushes and kicks, fighting his buoyancy, feeling the weight of water build and build, following the clean lines of ice down into oblivion.

Heavy, crushing pressure begins to squeeze him. It is like the weight of memory, everywhere pushing, everywhere trying to change and deform him from his human shape, trying to make his courage fail and shatter his hope. But he loves the iceberg and he needs to follow her down.

At the utmost point of indigo darkness, he finds a new light. It shines from a clear chamber in the ice where a figure waits. Lungs bursting, he pushes deeper, drawing level to the translucent walls and the woman who lies inside.

She is naked but for her long, tawny hair. Like a lion’s mane, it frames her long, pure face and spills over her delicate, perfect shoulders. She looks at peace. Her eyes are closed, but she is smiling.

This is the heart of the iceberg, the man thinks, in the crushing pressure of the deep. So beautiful.

Then he sees that she rests upon a bed of long, sharp thorns.

Author Bio

Lee Hunt

Born with only one working lung and having had the last rights read to him and dying of an influenza related viral pneumonia, 25-year-old geophysicist Lee Hunt experienced several near-death dreams. The power of communication and the need to both understand and be understood was at the heart of each. He had already found that nothing was more important than being able to cross the distance between people.

Lee’s interests are eclectic. He is an Ironman Triathlete, hiker, traveler, and an enthusiastic sport rock climber. Lee also continues to work as a geophysicist on Carbon Capture and Sequestration projects, and is a writer for BIG-Media.ca.

The dream of understanding and being understood has never left his mind, and Lee continues that in his works of fiction through metaphor. His works include The Dynamicist Trilogy, Last Worst Hopes and Bed of Rose and Thorns.

Author Website: https://www.leehunt.org/

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052376555360

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/DynamicistAuthor

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1196106.Lee_Hunt

Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/lee-hunt/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Hunt/e/B082YFTMCK

 

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Interview with Author Andrew D. Daily

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

I never grew up with an interest in writing, books, or television. Writing always came naturally to me, and I always got A’s on my high school reports despite struggling with ADHD and dyslexia. I loved to play with words and implement them in rap and songwriting. Eventually, I gave up on music because I couldn’t accomplish what I wanted in that artform. It wasn’t until watching television’s Lost and Breaking Bad that I found an interest in writing television. The serialized style of those shows made me aware of what was possible. After studying the craft, I gave it a try. Seventeen scripts and eight years later, I’m now pitching shows to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO Max, etc.

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2: What inspired you to write your book?

La Entrada was initially written as a television pilot to get in front of a leading Mexican production company. I believe it was my fourteenth script, and I was frustrated at the time with script after script dying without anything to show for it. I thought this one would be better as a graphic novel and decided to connect with an artist to show my work to friends and family.

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

I hope that readers are inspired to face disappointment with perseverance. Mirna and Carlos have both been overlooked and experienced hope deferred, but they keep chasing their desires. In future books, we will see how that works out for them in unexpected ways.

4: What drew you into this particular genre?

This genre is one that I hadn’t tried to tackle in the past. I wanted to try something new while starting from a grounded place. I’m excited to lean heavier into the genre in the next book as we explore what is beyond the portal. 

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

I’m curious to know more about the pain of Mirna’s younger years. How has her upbringing led her to a relegated position in society? I would also like to ask Loisha what happened to her that she feels the need to maintain loyalty to the President.

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

Instagram has been huge for me. I have a production Instagram where I post all the pages from La Entrada, but my personal account has been most helpful. My friends that I grew up with and former Home Depot co-workers have come through for me. I’m honored by the outpouring of support. Pinterest is also helpful for me to promote the artists that I work with at the same time as my writing.

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

Read, study, and write. I have countless friends who claim they want to be writers but never write. I also have many friends who write but don’t study their craft, and their books or scripts fall flat. You have to know why you are doing what you are doing, regardless of how naturally talented you are.

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

Reality television is my primary form of income currently. I’m about to return to Shark Tank as the primary production manager. I’ll oversee logistics, personnel, and finances for the show. I hope to make some time soon to finish the next La Entrada graphic novel. Also, I have a couple of shows that I’m pitching. I’m looking for a production company to partner with on a political drama and a YA mystery. Who knows where the future will lead? I’m just enjoying the process.

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About the Author

Andrew is a television writer, producer, and production manager living in Los Angeles, CA.

Shark Tank on ABC was his first big break in TV as an art department production assistant. He was quickly spotted for his administrative skills and found mentors in production management, where he climbed the ranks. The unscripted shows he has worked on include Miss Universe, Paradise Hotel, The Voice, and The Grammy’s. He has also worked on several scripted shows, including Blunt Talk, Dr. Ken, and Insecure, as well as digital content when he co-launched The Rock’s YouTube channel as a line producer and writer.

For its three-night live presentation, Andrew co-wrote O Little Town of Bloomington, a Christmas musical that sold out the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, CA.

Before transitioning to full-time writing, he developed his craft by breaking down scripts minute-by-minute and writing over twenty pilots of his own. He created several Graphic Novels, including La Entrada, available through Amazon.

Follow him on Instagram: @dailyman

https://www.hawthorneent.com/

Interview with Author Valeri Stanoevich 

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

I am a former engineer and forensic expert from Bulgaria. I prefer silence and loneliness.

From what I read over the years, I realized that some books are like portals to other worlds, and that these worlds become real when they meet the deep thought of the author and the imagination of the reader. I started writing because I decided I could create my own worlds that I didn’t find in the books I read.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

My book is an attempt to answer the question of whether it is possible to overcome the limitations of existing and creating a new world of dreams comes true. My characters are not looking for excuses but for a path (sometimes wrong) to their own identity.

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

Some of the themes in my book are: change as a path to salvation or destruction, the clash between being and mind, dream as a path to one’s own unknown worlds.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

My great addiction to fairy tales and fields of imagination. I try to reach the limits of my imagination and express the inexpressible.

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

Each of my characters is part of my imagination, but at the same time an independent subject. I would not like to ask them questions. They themselves choose the questions they seek answers to.

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

Any site that broadens their horizons. One of my favorite sites, for example, is the Online Etymology Dictionary.

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

They must first understand what they want. If they want to please the audience — to follow the prevailing fashion in writing. If they think they have a voice of their own that needs to be heard, they should start studying themselves and assess whether they have the strength to endure the inevitable disappointments in their path.

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

It would be a weird story collection about new challenges such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, loss of identity and their collision with a human mind.

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About the Author

Valeri’s is a moody and particularly well written book.  His prose is eloquent and artistic, as he shares his intriguing tales of mystery, melancholy and perhaps macabre.  Despite a wide variety of genres, which seem to range from horror to sci-fi to historical fantasy, there is a common style throughout, and at times, as he moves from one narrative to the next, it becomes a little difficult to discern between them.  That said, each of these little anecdotes is a distinct work of art and character.

He is a gifted author, with a talent for atmosphere.  This collection of short stories is best read of an evening, ideally by candlelight, while fully immersed; in any other setting, the metaphorical and philosophical feel of it may be a touch more difficult to engage.  They deserve no less than to be absorbed and indulged, and to do that you really need to get onto the author’s wavelength, which can best be described on occasion as abstract.  I realized very quickly into the first tale that there was concentration and commitment required to optimize the full experience of this wonderful piece of work. 

https://www.instagram.com/valeristanoevich/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeri-stanoevich-30bbb81b7/

Mallory’s Manly Methods by Thomas Keech Review

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

A man constantly trying to play the system and those around him falls into a series of missteps through his work, his romantic pursuits, and even the law in author Thomas Keech’s “Mallory’s Manly Methods”.

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The Synopsis

Kevin Mallory is so good at lying he has convinced himself he has almost an average life. He tries to use his exceptional skill at prevarication to hang onto his job without doing any work, win the love of his co-worker without recognizing who she really is, take advantage of the young Black man who moves in next door, and manipulate the police and the courts into accepting his warped idea of justice.

The Review

This was definitely one of the most interesting reads I’ve had so far this year. The author immediately flys in the face of traditional humor books out there by crafting a protagonist that is not very likable at all. That is a good thing for this read, for in my mind’s eye the author crafted the everyman’s version of a Larry David or George Costanza but in the era of the Trump age. The ignorance, obliviousness, and tone-deaf way Mallory goes through life as he pushes the buttons of his bosses, his coworker Nelly, and even his neighbors, a young Black family, are so cringy and yet so beyond ridiculousness you can’t help but laugh not with him or in agreement with his views, but at his ridiculous nature. 

Yet when the humor is gone, it is easy to relate this character to someone we’ve all come into contact with at one point or another in our lives. Especially in the current political climate our society faces. Someone who is oblivious to the world around them. Someone who understands nothing about social interactions. Someone who believes themselves smarter than those around them, even though the situations they dig themselves into are beyond their grasp. The author captures this tone and atmosphere the character creates perfectly, creating the balance of humor and social tension that highlights the struggles many faces in this world, from sexual harassment to narcissistic tendencies and so much more.

The Verdict

Witty, shocking, and engaging, author Thomas Keech’s “Mallory’s Manly Methods” is a must-read satire and humor fictional read. The protagonist is unusual and easy to root against, and yet so fascinating to delve into his psyche in an effort to understand the decision-making process and how these situations arise in the world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mr. Keech has written seven well-reviewed novels based on his experiences as a juvenile counselor, a legal aid attorney, an administrative law judge, and an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland as well as his time spent as a father and a former teenager himself. Besides writing, he has worked as a volunteer attorney and is a member of the ethics review panel of his local board of education.

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Interview with Author Iris Novak

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

I have always liked writing. It began with essays in the elementary school, continued with writing to at least ten pen pals from the whole world, and I had to do a lot of writing also in the companies for which I worked. In the last twenty years I wrote a lot of textbooks for my students. My memoir is a bit different writing and I must say that I enjoyed it.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I wished to let my children know how life was when their mother was young. I also wanted to show women that it was possible to join career and family life even in the ex-Yugoslavia where management places were reserved for men who were members of the Communist party. 

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

I hope that readers will understand and support one of the main points, namely campaign against domestic violence. And I also hope that they will struggle to achieve their dreams just as I did although I was a poor and frightened country girl.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I adore reading biographies, autobiographies and memoirs so it was easy to decide that I should write also my own memoir. I am thrilled if I read a full description of somebody’s life and it is not necessary that this person is a celebrity. Everyone’s life is something special and worth reading.

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

Social media are (at present) my weak point. I have recently asked one of my colleagues to help my organize Facebook and I hope that I will soon get used to it. I normally communicate by e-mail and I respond each mail that I receive: info@leila.si. 

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

Everybody has an interesting story to tell. Do not keep it for yourself, share it with us! Read a lot to get the necessary writing skills and be honest and objective when writing.

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

I would like to describe the second half of my life when I had to struggle with my son’s Crohn’s disease and with Slovenian government to establish a private college. I would also like to write about my pilgrimage Camino de Santiago (walking, about 800 kms). Perhaps I will find time to write one or two biographies of Slovenian women.

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About the Author

The author writes under the pseudonym Iris Novak. She was born in the second half of the twentieth century in Slovenia, the northern part of the then Yugoslavia. She graduated from English and German, acquired her MA in Management and PhD in Librarianship. She worked in the international business, in librarianship, was director of a school for foreign languages and finally established her own business: employment agency and a college. The author lives in Slovenia, is married and has three children. 

Readers can contact her on info@leila.si.

Iris Novak: AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN IN YUGOSLAVIA: 2 excerpts

Chapter 18, excerpt: University

The next morning, I came to the lectures again and many other students, too. The first two hours were cancelled. Then an old teacher began to lecture about old English literature. When he started speaking, my neighbors and I exchanged looks. His pronunciation was so poor, and he spoke English with such a horrible Slavic accent that we could not imagine how he’d become a university teacher. Of course, he had a PhD in English literature, but how did this justify such poor pronunciation? His lectures were boring, and he spoke so quickly that we could not write down his words. When we argued that we could not put down his words, he said that we could study old English literature in the library. The loudest student, the one from Texas, asked if we could borrow or buy one of his books, but he said that there weren’t any. 

“So, we have to take down notes, don’t you think so?”

“You can, if you can’t remember what I say,” and he looked at her as if it was obvious that her intelligence quotient was under average. “But do not write everything, put down just what is essential. Only perfect fools put down every word that the teacher says.”

Some students tried to show that they were intelligent, so they stopped writing, but the majority of us silently admitted that we were simpletons and that we could not differentiate which of the teacher’s words were important, and which were not. All those who did not write notes and learn them by heart failed their exams. Then they borrowed our notes and some managed to pass.

This approach to teaching was the norm in Yugoslavia and has continued at the university level in Slovenia, with few exceptions until now. Even now, many people are not aware that students deserve fair treatment and respect. If one starts to say that teachers should focus upon students, he often hears that only really strict teaching, as was used in the previous century, forms really good professionals. What brainwashing we endured! 

Chapter 50, excerpt: Everything Changed

Our youngest child brought a lot of happiness to our family. Both girls were old enough that they could sometimes take care of him, feed him or change his nappies. Lili was nine, Vali was six and Martin was two. The whole family observed how he started to raise his head, fix his eyes and stare at something for a long time, how he started to crawl and then walk. 

            During his first months, he enjoyed it when Tone held him in his arms, and it made my heart thrill when I watched them. As soon as Martin could sit at the table, we placed him in a special chair as an equal member of the family. 

            Each time I served a meal, my little boy showered me with compliments: “You cook so well, how beautiful, how wonderful you are!” 

            The child gave me more praise in one week than my husband in our whole life. I mentioned that Tone could try to imitate Martin, and Tone started with his old excuses, saying that he was not like other men who flattered women. He always spoke the truth and I should appreciate it, instead of expecting stupid courting behavior that was beneath him.  

“I’m not speaking about courting. What I want to say is that you could sometimes praise me if I am well-dressed or if I cook something good. I do not expect you to bring me flowers.”

“Why should I speak such nonsense? You are certainly well-dressed, because your closet is full of clothes. I just don’t know why you always look as if you were going to a business meeting or to a concert. Other women dress in a sportier way. And I also don’t know why I should praise the food that you prepare. I eat everything, isn’t that enough?” 

Martin interrupted him: “Mum cooks well, the best in the world.”

Tone stared at him: “Well, I wouldn’t believe that some people can flatter women even when they still wear nappies.”

“That’s not flattering – it’s a sign of love. The little creature loves me and tells me that, while you don’t care about me anymore.”

“Oh, come on, don’t speak like that. OK, if you want to, I will from now on start saying that I love you and that you cook well. Tomorrow, in the evening, I will be the first to praise you.”

On the next day, he came to dinner, sat down, placed his spoon beside his plate and tried to invent an appropriate compliment. 

But Martin already stroked my hand and chirped: “What a good cook you are. I love you so much.”

Interview with Author Ethan Avery

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

Hi, I’m Ethan Avery, a Young Adult Fantasy writer, amongst other things, and I’ve been writing for so long now I can’t remember how it all began. Reading and watching my favorite stories as a kid and wanting to create something as imaginative and amazing I’m sure was the start. Fast forward to now and I’ve written so much that it’s hard to keep track of it all. I suppose my love for the art of the craft is what keeps me coming back. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book? 

Sword and Sorcery: Frostfire my debut novel started as an idea about 15 years ago as I, unknowingly at the time in my youth, discovered my love for worldbuilding alongside my good friend Lamont Turner. It was just a bunch of random fantasy stuff at first, that over time was refined into an actual story. Worldbuilding is tricky like that for fantasy writers, it can be easy to delve so deep into lore that you need to make sure you’re staying focused on actually telling a story.  

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

I’m big on the idea of artists not telling people how to view their work. I’m sure that for some people it’ll have a bigger impact for them than others and there’s nothing wrong with that. I believe there’s a story out there for everyone that’ll speak to exactly what they’re going through right now. Sword and Sorcery: Frostfire might be that for someone today. Which is the real treat of being an artist. Someone else might connect with what we’ve done in a way we never expected or imagined, and it might only be that one person. But to me, that’s still more than worth it. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre? 

The books and movies my father passed onto me. He loves stories as much as anyone I’ve ever known and I can’t thank him enough for sharing his passion. Without him, this book would’ve never came to be. 

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

I’d ask them all what they thought of each other. There’d be some clever responses for sure. 

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

Hmm, I’m not actually sure. YouTube maybe? 

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

Stop editing, stop starting over, and just FINISH IT. It will be bad. That’s ok. You can edit it afterwards. But you have to finish it first. 

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

Plenty! I have an upcoming film, then it’s onto writing more books! 

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About the Author

Ethan Avery believes in the power of stories. As a child growing up in Ohio, they gave him a chance to see a bigger world, and to hear what life was like for people that didn’t look like him or believe what he did. And now, years later, he hopes to do the same for others. When he’s not writing novels, directing movies, or wasting other people’s time with his YouTube channel, Ethan plays video games (poorly), basketball (painfully), and D&D (problematically with praiseworthy peers). For more information on Sword and Sorcery and what Ethan’s writing next, please visit www.storiesbyethan.com

Social Media Links

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22259098.Ethan_Avery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/storiesbyethan

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Lfr4HtLE4fN-T7-EugUaA

Until Next Sunday by Audry Fryer 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 Italian immigrants in 20th century America fight to reunite and find comfort in their letters to one another in the interim in author Audry Fryer’s “Until Next Sunday”.

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The Synopsis

Until Next Sunday is a sweet Historical Romance inspired by a true story. It is based on actual Italian love letters which were discovered a century after they were written (some of which are contained in this book.)

Rosina leaves Italy to build a better life, but the reality in America is nothing like the dream.

She is far from the Italian countryside and the beautiful olive groves where she grew up. Here the work is endless, and the winters are cold and desolate. She never expects to find love in such a place.

Then she met him.

Gianni, the shoemaker’s apprentice, is gentle, handsome, and everything she never knew she needed in her life.

But when Rosina falls ill and is quarantined, their future is at stake. All she can do is cling to the beautiful letters Gianni writes. Each week she tries to survive the long, lonely days until next Sunday for his brief visit.

Will fate bring Rosina and Gianni together once more? Or are they destined to remain star-crossed forever?

It is a portrait of the times, and a true immigrant experience. Feel the force with which these two lives find love, against all odds.

The Review

This was such a powerful love story. The world-building and setting the author is able to bring to life through incredible writing that evokes a great sense of imagery made the story feel so vibrant and captivating to read. The powerful themes of love and the “American Dream” during a time when many people from Italy were immigrating to the United States were both captivating and brought a sense of community to the narrative as well.

It was the cast of characters that really sold this narrative. The emotional connection between Gianni and Rosina was so impactful, and the way this fictional narrative was fit around the love letters of real-world individuals made the connection readers had to this story that much more powerful. The way this aspect of the narrative was able to be more prominent in the novel was great to see, as the history portion of the historical fiction romance read was brilliant for a history buff like me, but with romance being such a focal point in this novel, as well as family, it was great to see the history lift up and add a spotlight to the romance more so than anything else.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, captivating, and entertaining, author Audry Fryer’s “Until Next Sunday” is a must-read and mesmerizing historical fiction romance novel! The emotional depths of the romance between these two main characters were amazing to read, and the natural way the history of the era played to the themes of love and the story many immigrants had during this point of history was inspiring to read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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I’m excited to announce the WOW! Women on Writing book blog tour with author and Audry Fryer and her book Until Next Sunday. 

This book is written with so much heart – you can’t help but fall in love with the characters from this historical romance! 

Here’s a bit about the book:

 After bravely leaving the life she knew to come to America, 
illness threatens Rosina’s happily ever after. 
When separated, will letters keep their love alive? 


Rosina leaves Italy to build a better life, but the reality in America is nothing like the dream. She is far from the Italian countryside and the beautiful olive groves where she grew up. Here the work is endless, and the winters are cold and desolate. She never expects to find love in such a place. 

Then she met him. Gianni, the shoemaker’s apprentice, is gentle, handsome, and everything she never knew she needed in her life. 

But when Rosina falls ill and is quarantined, their future is at stake. All she can do is cling to the beautiful letters Gianni writes. Each week she tries to survive the long, lonely days until next Sunday for his brief visit. 

Will fate bring Rosina and Gianni together once more? Or are they destined to remain star-crossed forever? 

Until Next Sunday is a sweet Historical Romance inspired by a true story. It is based on actual Italian love letters which were discovered a century after they were written (some of which are contained in this book.) It is a portrait of the times, and a true immigrant experience. Feel the force with which these two lives find love, against all odds.

Purchase your own copy on: Smashwords, Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo!

About the Author





Audry Fryer is an author and professional freelance writer from Pennsylvania. Formerly a teacher, Audry wrote her first novel while her toddler son and twin babies napped. As her children have grown into teenagers, she has expanded her writing career. Audry lives with her family and two pugs in a quiet corner of Southeastern PA. To learn more about Audry, please visit her website at www.audryfryer.com

Social Media Links:

#untilnextsunday

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudryFryerWriter/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/audryfryerauthor/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AudryFryer Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/awdry/_saved/
Goodreads link https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60169629-until-next-sunday




– Blog Tour Calendar

May 9th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Until Next Sunday by Audry Fryer. We interview the author about her book and also give away a copy to one lucky reader.

May 10th @ Create Write Now 
Today’s guest post at Create Write Now comes from Audry Fryer as she pens an article titled: “The Importance of a Talented Editor”. Hear from Audry on this important topic and find out more about her latest work: Until Next Sunday.

May 11th @ Pages & Paws 
Kristine from Pages and Paws reviews Until Next Sunday by Audry Fryer. This historical romance is delighting readers – find out what Kristine thinks!

May 13th @ Rebecca J. Whitman
Audry Fryer pens today’s travel inspired guest post on Rebecca J. Whitman’s blog. Find out more about Fryer’s book Until Next Sunday and the region of Italy featured in the book.

May 16th @ What is that Book About
Today’s book spotlight at What is that Book About is none other than Audry Fryer’s latest Until Next Sunday. Readers will want to add this gem to their TBR pile right away!

May 16th @ Rebecca J. Whitman
Don’t miss today’s podcast with Rebecca J. Whitman as she features Audry Fryer and Audry’s latest book Until Next Sunday.

May 17th @ Beverley A. Baird
Beverley A. Baird welcomes Audry Fryer to her blog today. Stop by and learn more about Fryer’s latest book Until Next Sunday and find out the inside story about “How 100 Love Letters Became a Novel”

May 18th @ Linda Appleman Shapiro
Behavioral Psychotherapist, Linda Appleman Shapiro, reviews and shares her thoughts after reading Until Next Sunday by Audry Fryer. Don’t miss Shapiro’s insight on this beautiful historical romance.

May 19th @ A Storybook World
A StoryBook World welcomes Audry Fryer and Until Next Sunday to the spotlight today! Stop by and find out more about the historical romance everyone is talking about!

May 20th @ Rebecca J. Whitman
Rebecca J. Whitman reviews Audry Fryer’s Until Next Sunday and shares her thoughts with readers on her blog; don’t miss a chance to learn more about this historical romance that is delighting readers young and old!

May 20th @ Word Magic
Readers at Fiona Ingram’s blog will hear from Audry Fryer today as she writes about the difference between historical romance and historical fiction. Is there a difference? Find out today and learn more about Fryer’s latest work Until Next Sunday.

May 24th @ Mindy McGinnis
Readers at Mindy McGinnis’ blog will hear from Audry Fryer today as she writes about how to create a book club kit for your readers. Sop by and learn more about Fryer’s latest work Until Next Sunday.

May 24th @ Author Anthony Avina
Readers at Anthony Avina’s blog will hear from Audry Fryer today as she writes about Roses and what they symbolize in books. Stop by today and learn more about Fryer’s latest work Until Next Sunday.

May 25th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Fellow author Madeline Sharples has Audry Fryer and Until Next Sunday in the spotlight at her blog today! Stop by and see what all the fuss is about!

May 30th @ Bring on Lemons with High School Student, Carmen Otto
Teenager Carmen Otto offers her 5 star review of Audry Fryer’s Until Next Sunday. Otto can’t wait for her school library to add this gem to their collection! Read more from Carmen about this historical romance today!

May 31st @ Reading is My Remedy
Chelsie Stanford of Reading is My Remedy offers her review of Audry Fryer’s Until Next Sunday – find out what Chelsie has to say about this historical romance and it’s talented author!

June 1st @ Lisa’s Reading
Lisa from Lisa’s Reading has Audry Fryer’s Until Next Sunday in the spotlight today! Stop by and see the historical romance everyone is talking about!

June 2nd @ KnottyNeedle Creative
Judy from the Knotty Needle offers her review of Audry Fryer’s Until Next Sunday for readers of her blog. This is a delightful historical romance and readers will want to hear what Judy has to say!

June 2nd @ Beverley A. Baird
Beverley A. Baird reviews Until Next Sunday by Audry Fryer. This historical romance is getting lots of attention – find out what Beverley thinks!

June 3rd @ Author Anthony Avina
Author Anthony Avina reviews fellow author Audry Fryer’s latest historical romance, Until Next Sunday. Find out from one author to another what Anthony thinks of this book!

June 4th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Linda of Boots Shoes & Fashion interviews Audry Fryer about her latest historical fiction, Until Next Sunday; don’t miss this insightful interview!
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/

June 5th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Madeline Sharples welcomes a guest author to her blog – today, readers will hear from Audry Fryer about Until Next Sunday as well as learning what Audry has to say about Top Strong Female Characters in Literature.

June 9th @ The Frugalista Mom
The Fruglista Mom, Rozelyn, shares her review of Until Next Sunday by Audry Fryer! This is a book and review you won’t want to miss!

June 10th @ World of My Imagination
WOW! Blog Tour Manager Nicole Pyles shares her review of Until Next Sunday by Audry Fryer. Nicole’s review wraps up the book blog tour for this historical romance – find out what Nicole has to say about this beautiful story!

In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura 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 woman mourning the death of her brother finds herself forced to embrace her gifts when an old foe breaks out of prison to destroy her life in author Christian Cura’s “In the Midst of Magic”.

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The Synopsis

Meet Kara Hartman, a photojournalist who is hiding her magic from the world. Traumatized by her brother’s death, she wants nothing more to do with magic. But just when she thought she could neglect her gift, it becomes apparent that the universe has other plans for Kara. When she discovers that an old foe has broken out of prison, hellbent on destroying her new life, Kara has no choice but to embrace the only power that can stop her.

The Review

This was a powerful story. The author did an amazing job of finding the right ratio of fantasy-driven world-building and emotional and captivating character development. The mythos and action of this narrative keep readers engaged from the start, showing the dangers and threats that keep the protagonists working to stop the destruction of all they hold dear. 

I was so fascinated by the character growth and perspectives from which this story was told. The theme of loss played heavily into this narrative for so many of the characters, from the way loss drives us to retreat from the world, while others are driven to take their pain out on others, and so much more. Getting to see the perspectives of so many different characters made the story feel so much more vibrant and alive on the page, and added to the depth of the emotional journey that this story provided the characters. 

The Verdict

Heartfelt, magical, and entertaining, author Christian Cura’s “In the Midst of Magic” is a must-read LGBTQ Fantasy read! The themes and emotional character growth that developed throughout this narrative will connect readers to the story greatly, while the action and twists and turns this narrative takes will have readers eager for more from this incredible author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Christian Cura is a new author who just recently published his debut novel Dreams of Fire. Ever since he read Lord of the Rings as a teenager, it has been his dream to write and publish a novel of his own. His favorite authors include J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, and Robert Jordan.

Christian lives in Northern Virginia where he lifts weights and creates artwork. He is a Gryffindor, an Earth-bender, and a loyal follower of Optimus Prime. When he is not writing, he can be found drawing or getting beaten up at his MMA gym.

https://www.authorchriscura.com/

Lethal Keystrokes by John D. May 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 group of people who feel wronged by the world seeks their revenge, and one group of people must stop them before it’s too late in author John D. May’s “Lethal Keystrokes”. 

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The Synopsis

America’s vulnerability is its hidden fanatics, those individuals who harbor fury, grief and a driving desire for revenge. While blending in with their neighbors, co-workers and customers, they plot the demise of their country. They have a network. They have resources. And they have the courage to make it happen.

Lethal Keystrokes is the gripping story of a small group of revenge seekers and those who try to keep America safe.

The Review

This was a truly captivating thriller. The author did a great job of layering the narrative with characters that kept the novel’s story intense and entertaining, and yet also brought an emotional depth and human angle that allowed readers to either recognize or identify with. The tension and fast-paced atmosphere and the story itself left me as a reader hanging off of the author’s every word, enthralled by the twists and turns the story took.

Yet in this book, it was the theme and setting that really brought this thriller to the forefront of the reader’s mind. The exploration of modern technology and our dependence on it both as individuals and as a society was remarkably felt through this novel, as the threats and high stakes of the novel really put our dependence on technology for so many aspects of our lives into a whole new perspective. The modern era has presented a host of new challenges to face, and the genre the author explores allowed these characters to feel much more relevant and alive on the page.

The Verdict

Heart-pounding, thoughtful, and entertaining, author John D. May’s “Lethal Keystrokes” is a must-read techno-thriller novel! The action and suspense of the novel will thrust readers into the 21st century with a vengeance, and the emotional chords the backstories and characters bring to the narrative give the heart that this modern thriller needed to keep readers invested throughout this novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

John D. May was born in London, Ontario. He has balanced multiple passions over his life, including his work as a biologist, his career as a physician, his volunteer service at medical outreach clinics in Guatemala, singer-songwriting, and storytelling. He has written several songs for well-known Canadian artists and released two CDs, available on iTunes and Spotify under the name Johnny May. His time is divided between his rural farm property near Toronto and the south of France.

https://linktr.ee/JohnnyMay