Good books don't give up all their secrets at once. – Stephen King
Author: authoranthonyavinablog
Anthony Avina, (Born March 1990), is an author, a journalist, and a blogger. Born in Southern California, he has battled through injuries, disabilities, moves back and forth across the country, and more, yet still maintains a creative voice that he hopes to use not only to entertain but to inspire hope in even the darkest situations.
He writes short stories and novels in several genres, and is also a seasoned journalist for the online magazine, On Request Magazine, as well as the popular site TheGamer. Having grown up reading the books of Dean Koontz and Stephen King, they inspired him to write new and exciting stories that delved into the minds of richly developed characters. He constantly tries to write stories that have never been told before, and to paint a picture in your mind while you are reading the book, as if you could see every scene of the book as if it were a movie you were watching. His stories will get your imaginations working, and will also show that in spite of the most despairing and horrific situations, hope is never out of reach. He am always writing, and so there will never be a shortage of new stories for your reading pleasure.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
There is a reason some music genres and artists are considered “timeless”. The description suggests the music being played is something that can last a lifetime and beyond, allowing listeners from all age groups to be able to enjoy the sound. Finding an artist that can embody a certain genre or sound and make it feel relevant and fresh is quite the feat, and yet in The Heard Eye’s latest single, “Point of You,” that is exactly what they accomplish.
The single embodies the trio’s unique brand of fusion and funk, utilizing head-bopping bass that resonates in the listener’s chests and a welcome infusion of trumpets that helped make the single feel both dance-worthy and fun. The vocals were the perfect balance of gritty and soulful, making this feel like a late 60s, early to mid 70s era sound that became hypnotic and mesmerizing as the song went on.
The single has a cinematic quality to it as well, allowing audiences to feel transported to films such as Superbad, or indie rom-coms that start to play funk songs like this when introducing a unique character in a film. The upbeat and fresh tone of the song elevates the lyrics greatly, delving into the analysis of a relationship and the struggles that come with it. Relatable, funky, and engaging, this single is a remarkable funk fusion hit that fans of THe Heard Eye and beyond will have on their 2026 playlist before long. If you haven’t yet, download or stream the new single today!
If there is one universal theme that many artists throughout history have been able to write songs about, it is love. The first time a person meets another, when sparks fly and a person’s thoughts about the other consume them, inspiration arises and artists are able to capture this through powerful songs of love lost and love found. Love can even become a lynchpin for existence itself for many inspired artists, and in artist Logan Metz’s “Sunrise”, that is the inspiration that reveals itself to the audience.
A heartfelt combination of soulful vocals, light tones, and powerful lyrics, the new single from singer/songwriter Logan Metz promises to bring an introspective look into the inner thoughts of someone who has met someone great, but cannot get out of their own mind analysing the what-ifs that could arise in the future. The moving and relatability of the artist’s lyrics will instantly stick with audiences, feeling both the passion of the romance and the insecurities and anxieties that could arise if one’s inner dialogue won over, but also the lightness that giving into love can bring to a person.
The fusion of songwriter style with Midwest vibes and jazzy folk tones really does well in this single. The opening of the single reminds me of a cover done in recent years of the musical song “O What a Beautiful Day” by Jeremy Jordan, and then suddenly moves into a folksy rock guitar riff and strong trumpet and almost jazzy orchestra tones that pump the heart and gets audiences in touch with their emotions within an instant. The passion and the heart which the artist created this single with will resonate greatly with audiences everywhere. Be sure to stream or download your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A father’s desperate attempt to save his son awakens a powerful order he betrayed long ago in author J.J. Hebert’s “The Breaking of TIme,” the first book in the Chronicles of Arvynth series.
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The Synopsis
USA Today bestselling author J. J. Hebert’s brand-new urban fantasy series Chronicles of the Arvynth begins with The Breaking of Time, a novel about a devoted father whose desperate act to save his son fractures reality itself, awakening ancient magic and drawing him back into the path of an immortal order he once betrayed, where love, time, and silence collide in a race against eternity.
🏆 Mariel Hemingway’s Book Club Selection (Best Urban Fantasy): “This novel is heartfelt, gripping, and memorable in all the best ways.” —Mariel Hemingway, Bestselling Author & Oscar-Nominated Actress ★★★★★ ONE FATHER’S DESPERATE CHOICE FRACTURES TIME AND REALITY ITSELF. To everyone around him, Daniel Ward is a mild-mannered accountant, devoted husband and father in a quiet New England suburb. But when his ten-year-old son chases a runaway soccer ball into the street, straight into the path of a speeding truck, Daniel does the impossible. He freezes time.
That single act of defiance exposes the secret he’s buried for decades. His magic awakens the ancient order he once betrayed, the Arvynth, a brotherhood of immortal sorcerers devoted to stillness and death, determined to silence the world.
As his carefully constructed life unravels, Daniel must protect his family while evading the brotherhood that hunts him. Every second he steals from time feeds the void that seeks to consume it, threatening not only the people he loves but reality itself.
Forced to choose between sacrifice and survival, Daniel discovers the truth: sometimes the loudest act of love is defiance.
The Breaking of Time is a race against eternity, a supernatural thriller that fuses urban fantasy and family drama in a story about the noise of life, the cost of power, and one father’s desperate fight to keep the world from falling silent.
The Review
This was such a compelling, thrilling read. The author does a remarkable job of world-building early on in the narrative, introducing the cast of characters and the mythos of the Arvynth quickly as to allow the readers to feel immersed in the shock and awe the protagonist’s family feels when they discover his hidden world. The author’s writing style is so powerfully imaginative and uses imagery perfectly to capture the raw emotions and magic of the world with perfect clarity.
Yet it was the world-building and character dynamics that really became the backbone of this story. The shock Daniel’s wife feels when she discovers her husband’s past and the fear that comes when their family is targeted can be felt in every chapter, and yet it is Daniel’s growing desperation and the raw emotional reaction that jumpstarted the events of the book that really made the narrative feel fresh and compelling, and gave readers a rich and unique new take on the fantasy genre to delve into.
The Verdict
Memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining, author J.J. Hebert’s “The Breaking of TIme” is a must-read paranormal fantasy thriller and a great entry into the author’s Chronicles of Arvynth series. The emotional core of Daniel’s love for his family and the haunting realities his past has on his future will resonate with so many readers out there, and keep them enthralled as the Arvynth and their god, The Silence, become the specter that haunts him throughout the narrative. Filled with twists and turns that readers won’t expect, this is one new paranormal fantasy thriller readers won’t want to miss. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
J. J. Hebert is the #1 Amazon, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of eight books, including his acclaimed debut Unconventional and The Backwards K, which, according to Newsweek, is currently in development for film adaptation. His latest #1 bestsellers, both published in 2025, are The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth and The Hands-On Author: Taking Control of Your Book Marketing Journey. A lifelong New England resident, Hebert frequently weaves the region’s landscapes and atmosphere into his storytelling. He is also the award-winning CEO and Founder of MindStir Media, a leading hybrid book publisher. Join his community of over 2 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) @authorjjhebert.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An 18th century witch reaches out metaphysically to help those in the future struggling in author H.C. Turk’s “Versions of Nirvana.”
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The Synopsis
In order to save her family, an 18th-century witch entertains suicide, thereby entering a coma-like trance that lasts 300 years. In this magical state, she reaches into the future to guide other people who long for redemption.
England, 1710. Young Alba knows she is a witch, but the term means nothing until her mother is executed for witchcraft. Then Alba enters a trance that causes everyone around her debilitating emotions, just like Alba’s. The trance, which is Alba’s magic, does not appear again until years later when her mentor is arrested and sentenced to death. Panicked, Alba stabs herself in the heart. Instead of dying, she enters a “false sleep” (coma), a state of spiritual consciousness. Hoping to find peace for others, she seeks similar souls in the future:
Germany, 1942: An American soldier is mortally wounded. In his final moment, he experiences the glory of a beautiful life, if only in his dreams. He enters a spiritual realm filled with warm family adventures, metaphysical escapades that are alternately hilarious and horrific, yet always lead away from anguish. Directed by Alba’s unseen influence, Andrew fights for solace, and wins.
Indonesia, 2003: A young American woman on a Western Pacific island must relive an ancient, tortuous journey through a primitive environment in order to redeem the foreigners in the country. Influenced by a power she can only sense in her heart (Alba), Connie seeks a solution of acceptance instead of rejection.
Told with humor and compassion, the heart of the book is the longing to find peace despite haunting failure, and finding joy in helping others achieve the same.
Importantly, Versions Of Nirvana is feel-great magical realism for readers seeking more insight and originality than provided by mainstream fiction.
The Review
This was a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author does a remarkable job of creating a visceral world that feels both magical and realistic all at once. The author’s ability to jump between time periods and make the reader feel immersed in those eras was remarkable, through powerful imagery and detail that made the story come alive on the page. The heart and passion the author wrote these characters with made them feel connective and easy to empathize with through their struggles.
The heart of this narrative was the shocking story developments and the emotional themes the author explored in this narrative. The book allowed readers to connect to the characters through shared redemption and heartbreak, with the protagonist serving as both a witness and a guide to the other characters these chapters explored. Their struggles, their losses, and their experiences with everyone around them showed them the best and worst of humanity, and the way these characters struggled against oppression and the need to find inner peace became so pivotal to the narrative.
The Verdict
Memorable, honest, and enthralling, author H.C. Turk’s “Versions of Nirvana” is a powerful metaphysical historical fantasy read. The compelling character dynamics, rich imagery and settings, and the breathtaking themes will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word and eager for the next chapter as one ends and the next begins. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Listen up. Lookie here. Read ’em and weep:
Space pirates steal skinny gals. If you’re depressed by The Depression, should you waterboard a banker? Ideas are greater monsters than the demons they explain. I’d bare my soul, but don’t want to bore.
All of these Mystiphysical treasures can be found in my work: In a verbal world where art is the ultimate animal, fiction evolution never ends, rising from the depths of the psyche to sing across a new sky.
i received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young girl yearns to share her passion for dance with her class in the book “Dancing Deepa.”
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The Synopsis
Deepa LOVES to dance. She studies a dance from India called Bharatanatyam that is like moving poetry! But since her dance is different from what her friends at school do, she isn’t sure if she should share it. Is there someone like Deepa in your class at school? What passion might you two share? Read to find out how you two are alike, how you are different, and how you could be friends to one another.
The Review
This was another fantastic entry into this beautifully written children’s book series. The shift in focus to Surya’s older sister Deepa was a welcome change of pace, and gave a fresh perspective on the story. The relatability of Deepa as a protagonist and her experiences in school were well balanced by the fast pacing of the story and the warmth of the illustrations. The exploration of Bharatanatyam as a dance and the importance to Indian culture as well was phenomenal, allowing younger readers to experience a new culture while also giving younger readers of the Indian culture a story they could see themselves in.
At the heart of this book was the power of the story’s themes. The book artfully delves into peer pressure and identity again with this book, while also bringing in the power of confidence and self expression as well. The deflating feeling of feeling like you have to hide a part of yourself is a struggle far too many young people have to go through, and the power positivity and encouragment can have on a young person is greatly felt throughout this story as well.
The Verdict
Engaging, memorable, and thoughtfully written, author Suchi Sairam’s “Dancing Deepa” is a must-read illustrated children’s book. The colorful and moving illustrations when paired with the moving and powerful themes the story brings to life allow readers to greatly engage with Deepa’s character and become entranced in her experiences overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
SUCHI SAIRAM is an Indian-Texan-Minnesotan-American with her feet firmly and proudly planted in multiple cultures and identities. She is equally an engineer and artist, leader and entrepreneur, student and teacher.
Her passion is to integrate the arts, leadership, and entrepreneurship to help develop great people and spread good in the world around us.
Suchi’s nearly 40 year journey in the Indian classical arts as a student, teacher, dancer, choreographer and performer alongside her long career in corporate and small businesses gives her a unique worldview. She founded St. Paul, MN based dance studio and company, Kala Vandanam in 2002. Her first book, a multiple award-winning illustrated children’s book “Dancing Deepa” was inspired by her loving students at Kala Vandanam, and is dedicated to them and all of the young, aspiring dancers out there who just want to share what they love with others.
Suchi has devoted her time and talents to organizations supporting science and math education for girls, empowerment for women, the arts, and developing vibrant small businesses in her community.
Find Suchi on social media – instagram.com/suchisairam | linkedin.com/in/suchisairam
For more about Kala Vandanam – kalavandanam.com facebook.com/kalavandanam | instagram.com/kalavandanam
i received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young boy dreams of dancing in author Suchi Sairam’s “Singing Surya Dreams to Dance.”
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The Synopsis
Surya likes to sing. But he LOVES to dance. There’s only one problem. Surya is a boy. And boys don’t dance.
Or do they?
The Review
This was an uplifting and moving children’s book read. The author does a remarkable job of conveying a sense of heart and passion into the story, infusing warm imagery and great insight into what life a child is like, both for everyday life and for those from other cultures as well. The characters feel relatable and make the reader feel connected to both the story and the life experiences the story conveys.The depth of culture the author poured into this book was amazing as well.
What really stood out was the powerful themes of this narrative. The exploration of peer pressure, identity, and following one’s dreams is very prevelant throughout the book, giving readers a chance to see how the opinions of our peers and the world around us often hinder a person’s desire to follow their dreams or passions in life. Yet the book celebrates what makes people different, and encourages children to explore those passions with zeal and bravery. The courage and positive message the story drives home and even exploring how often ideas about what certain things are associated with certain genders and how that can impact a person exploring their passions made a strong statement in this book.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, uplifting, and engaging, author Suchi Sairam’s “Singing Surya Dreams to Dance” is a must-read children’s illustrated book. The steady pacing of the narrative, rich imagery, and the memorable themes the story explores will keep young readers entertained and help educate them on how to embrace their identities and celebrate what makes them different. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
SUCHI SAIRAM is an Indian-Texan-Minnesotan-American with her feet firmly and proudly planted in multiple cultures and identities. She is equally an engineer and artist, leader and entrepreneur, student and teacher.
Her passion is to integrate the arts, leadership, and entrepreneurship to help develop great people and spread good in the world around us.
Suchi’s nearly 40 year journey in the Indian classical arts as a student, teacher, dancer, choreographer and performer alongside her long career in corporate and small businesses gives her a unique worldview. She founded St. Paul, MN based dance studio and company, Kala Vandanam in 2002. Her first book, a multiple award-winning illustrated children’s book “Dancing Deepa” was inspired by her loving students at Kala Vandanam, and is dedicated to them and all of the young, aspiring dancers out there who just want to share what they love with others.
Suchi has devoted her time and talents to organizations supporting science and math education for girls, empowerment for women, the arts, and developing vibrant small businesses in her community.
Find Suchi on social media – instagram.com/suchisairam | linkedin.com/in/suchisairam
For more about Kala Vandanam – kalavandanam.com facebook.com/kalavandanam | instagram.com/kalavandanam
