Category: reviews

Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, reviewsLeave a comment

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

Author Catherine Forster takes readers on an emotional journey through a turbulent childhood and the pursuit of a new beginning in her book “Chasing Tarzan”.

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The Synopsis

In the 1960s, a relentless school bully makes Catherine’s life a living hell. She retreats inward, relying on a rich fantasy life––swinging through the jungle wrapped in Tarzan’s protective arms––and fervent prayers to a God she does not trust. She fasts until she feels faint, she ties a rough rope around her waist as penance, hoping God will see her worthy of His help.

As the second of eight children, Catherine is Mommy’s little helper, and like Mommy, Catherine is overwhelmed. The bullying and the adult responsibilities together foment her anger. She starts smacking her siblings, and becomes her younger sister’s nemesis. Spooked by who she is becoming, Catherine vows to escape for real, before she hurts someone—or herself.

Catherine finds salvation in a high school exchange program: new town, new school, new family, new persona. A passport celebrity. In New Zealand, nobody knows her history or her fears. Except for her Kiwi “mum,” who sees through Catherine’s façade and pulls her out from her inner safe-house.

Exposed, her sense of self implodes. Catherine must finally rethink who she is.

The Review

This was both a heartbreaking and inspiring read all at once. The author’s story truly held an emotional depth that so many readers are going to be able to relate to, and the authenticity for which the author writes captures the intensity of the author’s experiences growing up that led to her behavior and struggles to go into the exchange program. 

The imagery and tone the author struck early on in the book were so passionate and heartfelt and highlighted the anxiety and hardships that the author endured early in life. The themes were the heart of this narrative, as the exploration of the impact bullies has on a child, the cost of trauma on our outlook on life, and the need for changes in our lives to thrive and grow all played a pivotal role in the author’s story.

The Verdict

A moving and captivating coming-of-age meets memoir narrative, author Catherine Forster’s “Chasing Tarzan” is a must-read book filled with emotional storytelling, thoughtful attention to themes, and an honesty that cannot be replicated. The relatability that this story has will compel readers to dive into the story, while the travel and foreign exchange program aspect of the book will have readers invested as the author’s journey continues. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Purchase a copy of Chasing Tarzan on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

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About the Author

Catherine Forster honed her powers of observation early on, and later applied them to artistic endeavors. Although it didn’t happen overnight, she discovered that seeing and hearing a bit more than the average person can be beneficial. As an artist, her work has exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States and abroad. Her experimental films have won accolades and awards in more than thirty international film festivals, from Sao Paulo to Berlin, Los Angeles to Rome, London to Romania. Through her work, she explores the dynamics of girlhood, notions of identity, and the role technology plays in our relationship with nature.

In her capacity as an independent curator, she founded LiveBox, an eight-year project that introduced new media arts to communities at a time when few new what media arts was. For the past four years she has been a member of the curatorial team for the Experiments In Cinema Film Festival held annually in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She received a Masters of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a Masters of Business from the London Business School, and a fellowship in writing from the Vermont Studio Center. She is also included in the Brooklyn Art Museum’s Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.

You can follow her on her website as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Blog Tour Calendar

October 24th @ The Muffin

Join us as we celebrate the launch of Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster. We’ll be interviewing the author, sharing information about the book, and hosting a giveaway. 

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

October 25th @ Pages and Paws

Join the Pages and Paws blog and read the review of Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

https://pagesandpaws.com/

October 25th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews & Interviews

Join Lisa as she interviews author Catherine Forster about her book Chasing Tarzan.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

October 26th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog

Visit Anthony’s page and read his review of Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

https://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/

October 27th @ Chapter Break

Join Julie as she shares a guest post by Catherine Forster about the role of imagination when children suffer torment.

https://chapterbreak.net/

October 30th @ Rockin Book Reviews

Join Lu Ann as she reviews Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

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November 2nd @ The Mommies Review

Join Glenda as she reviews Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster and hosts a giveaway on her blog.

https://themommiesreviews.com/

November 3rd @ Sioux’s Page

Visit Sioux’s blog as she reads and reviews Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

http://siouxspage.blogspot.com/

November 4th @ The Faerie Review

Join Lily as she reviews Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

November 5th @ Jill Sheets Blog

Jill interviews Catherine Forster about her memoir Chasing Tarzan.

http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/

November 7th @ Clueless Gent

Join Michael as he reviews Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

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November 10th @ Word Magic

Come by Fiona’s blog and read a guest post about the mother-daughter relationship in all its complexities.

http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

November 12th @ Just Katherine

Jamie shares her thoughts about Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

November 13th @ Writer Advice

Catherine Forster shares a guest post about how her idea for her memoir came to be and how she turned it into a novel.

https://writeradvice.com/

November 15th @ Choices

Madeline shares a guest post by Catherine Forster about the long-term effects of bullying.

http://madelinesharples.com/

November 17th @ All the Ups and Downs

Join Heather as she features a guest post by Catherine Forster about the role of adults and how they can be the potential savior for the wounded child.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/

November 19th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion

Join Linda as she interviews author Catherine Forster about her book Chasing Tarzan.

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/

November 19th @ Life According to Jamie

Jamie shares her thoughts about Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster.

https://lifeaccordingtojamie.com/

The Shadow Realm by Anya Costello Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

A young girl finds herself transported to another dimension after living in a world in which her parents disappeared and the mysterious Shadow Hour loomed every day over the world, and soon she must fight to survive and find a way of saving both her new friends and humanity in author Anya Costello’s “The Shadow Realm”.

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The Synopsis

A teenage girl is transported to a dangerous realm and must learn to trust others if she and her friends have any chance of survival. The protagonist Amber is a thirteen-year-old girl just trying to keep up her grades and survive the daily Shadow Hour that has taken over her world. Amber has lived with her aunt since the strange disappearance of her parents and the loss of her memories. Left alone with her aunt, trying to move on from the mystery of her parents’ disappearance, and wary of the threat that the Shadow Hour poses to her and everyone around her, Amber becomes fiercely independent and motivated though reluctant to reach out to others or accept help. Only when Amber is swept into another dimension and forced to work with an unlikely group of friends does she begin to open up and realize that she doesn’t need to face the world alone.

In this Hunger Games-like fantasy adventure novel, Amber is banished from the dangerous near future of her own reality to another realm known as the Shadow Realm. There she must survive a series of deadly obstacles in order to save not only herself and her friends, but humanity as well.

The Review

This was such a brilliantly written and imaginative read. The author, a young teen author, showcases an incredible command over world-building and atmosphere, both of which this novel has plenty of. The tension and unique settings of this dark dimension highlight the surreal dangers and newfound threats facing the world, while the action and suspense keep the reader on edge as the journey progresses. 

What really stood out to me as both a reader and writer was the author’s ability to develop complex and engaging mythology in this world of the Shadow Realm and the various creatures and figures that inhabit it, as well as the emotional character development that occurs between the protagonist and other survivors of this world. The mystery of the young woman’s past and family mix with the theme of opening up and letting others into her life, which proves crucial to her survival. The losses and struggles that occur over time as the trials continue to make this story’s narrative feel thrilling and heart-pounding as each chapter plays out.

The Verdict

Harrowing, entertaining, and exceptionally well written, author Anya Costello’s “The Shadow Hour” is a superb new YA Fantasy meets dystopian thriller. The first in what one can only hope becomes a series, the lengthy read starts out strong and never slows down, giving the reader an engaging experience that keeps them invested in the protagonist’s journey and the emotional bonds she forms. The way the author brought the iconic theme of the Hero’s Journey to life in a fresh and brand new way showcases a growing talent in the literary world that will only get better and better as time goes on, so if you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of this incredible novel today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Anya Costello is a teen author whose manuscript won first prize of the International Writing Contest of Stone Soup magazine and Mackenzie Press.

Anya says: I have been writing stories since the age of four and at age ten, I attempted my first full length work of fiction, The Shadow Hour. I have always been drawn to writing fantasy and fiction. Building worlds that follow different rules from our own, like the Shadow Realm, and creating the characters that live within them allows me to put aspects of my own life, experiences, and thoughts in an entirely new context.

Anya has been presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair and has received a citation from United Sates Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III.

Anya was born and raised in Massachusetts where she currently resides with her family.

Local Teen Author of ‘The Shadow Hour’ Joins Studio 10

Author Anya Costello On How To Write A Book That Sparks A Movement

‘The Shadow Hour’

https://twitter.com/WrittenByTeens

The Personal Cybersecurity Manual: How Anyone Can Protect Themselves From Fraud, Identity Theft, and Other Cybercrimes by Marlon Buchanan 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.

Author Marlon Buchanan takes readers on a journey into the must-know details surrounding cybercrimes and cybersecurity in his book “The Personal Cybersecurity Manual: How Anyone Can Protect Themselves From Fraud, Identity Theft, and Other Cybercrimes”. 

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The Synopsis

Cybercriminals can ruin your life—this book teaches you to stop them before they can.

Cybercrime is on the rise. Our information is more valuable and vulnerable than ever. It’s important to learn to protect ourselves from those who wish to exploit the technology we rely on daily. Cybercriminals want to steal your money and identity and spy on you.

You don’t have to give up on the convenience of having an online life. You can fight back and protect yourself and your loved ones, all with the tools and information in this book.

This book will teach you to protect yourself from:

Identity theft

Ransomware

Spyware

Phishing

Viruses

Credit card fraud

…And so much more!

Don’t be a victim of cybercrime. Anyone can follow the information in this book and keep hackers and other cybercriminals at bay. You owe it to yourself to read this book and stay safe.

The Review

The author did an incredible job of providing a balanced guide to both the types of cybercrimes that a person could face in this day and age and the steps that one could take to protect themselves from those same threats. The detailed work the author put into the research and knowledge the book contained was incredible to behold, and the depth of information that was put into this short read made for a thorough and educational reading experience.

For me, the balance of expertise and easy-to-understand knowledge the author was able to impart to the reader was superb. From understanding what cybersecurity is to know the best times to change your passwords to have a secure plan in place for disasters to a person’s secure home network, the author was able to delve into some detailed and thoughtful knowledge that will help readers to prepare and install the necessary security that our modern world of technology requires.

The Verdict

With the advancements in technology bringing us further and further into the future, the importance of having a modern security system in place for both our home and personal lives and the technology that runs it is vital to our security overall. Thought-provoking, engaging, and important, author Marlon Buchanan’s “The Personal Cybersecurity Manual: How Anyone Can Protect Themselves From Fraud, Identity Theft, and Other Cybercrimes” is must-read nonfiction read for those who are in need of help in securing themselves against the growing threat of cybercriminals. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Best-selling author Marlon Buchanan is an IT Director by day and a home technology hacker (the good kind) by night. He has over 25 years of combined experience as an IT director, software developer, systems analyst, college instructor, and smart home consultant. He has a bachelor’s in computer science and engineering from MIT and master’s degrees in business administration and software engineering from Seattle University.

He has been automating things around his house since he was a kid. Now, his wife and kids get to enjoy the fruits of his smart home exploits. He is best known for his smart home, home networking, and cord-cutting articles on his blog HomeTechHacker.com, and his book, The Smart Home Manual.

MarlonBuchanan.com

HomeTechHacker.com

twitter.com/HomeTechHacker

Below by Kev Harrison 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 is eager to share his grandfather’s legacy and a woman seeking an opportunity of a lifetime head into a recently uncovered mine and discovers something far more disinter is dwelling below in author Kev Harrison’s “Below”.

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The Synopsis

Nick has revered his grandfather his entire life. The absent hero, his namesake, buried alive in his final act of courage an ocean and thousands of miles away. Jess has outgrown her status as an all-action social media celebrity and the endless demands that come with it.

Adventure Travel TV has thrown this unlikely duo together, promising Jess the launchpad she craves and Nick the chance to tell his grandfather’s story first-hand, in the newly uncovered mine that still holds his remains from the twilight days of the gold rush. Is it a dream come true or a nightmare as someone or something stirs…BELOW.

The Review

This was such a powerful and chilling read. The author did an incredible job of building tension and elevating the mythos that surrounds the unknown that is often associated with ancient mines and abandoned places around the earth. The haunting atmosphere immediately drew me into the world the author was crafting, and the fast-paced tempo of the story itself kept me on the edge of my seat as the characters descended further and further into the depths of this mine.

The world-building and character development the author was able to achieve in such a short read made for a truly captivating novel. The dynamic between Nick and Jess was so rich and engaging for a reader to behold, while the haunting portrayal of the threat facing the duo as they venture into this mine not only brings chilling imagery to the narrative but plays into the culture and history of our world so perfectly when it comes to disasters and lost people in isolated locations, making this story so unique.

The Verdict

Thrilling, entertaining, and exhilarating, author Kev Harrison’s “Below” is a must-read horror thriller novel that will keep readers on edge in the best way possible. The twists and turns the story takes, especially at the identity of the threat facing them, will have readers’ heart’s pounding out of their chests as the epic final pages come to a close. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kev Harrison is a writer of dark fiction and English language teacher from England, living and working in Lisbon, Portugal. He has previously lived in various areas of the UK, as well as Turkey and Poland.

He is a staff writer for This is Horror and has had short fiction published in a variety of magazines and anthologies, including Lost Films, from Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing, Below the Stairs: Tales From The Cellar from Things in the Well, Aphotic Realm Magazine’s ‘Fangs’ issue and ‘In Darkness Delight: Creatures of the Night from Corpus Press. He has also had short fiction featured on The Other Stories and Tales to Terrify podcasts.

He has two entries in Demain Publishing’s Short Sharp Shocks series: ‘Cinders of A Blind Man Who Could See’ and ‘Curfew’. His debut novella ‘The Balance’, is available now from Lycan Valley Press and his debut collection ‘Paths Best Left Untrodden’ is out now from Northern Republic.

His latest novella, ‘Below’ is available now from Brigids Gate Press

https://kevharrisonfiction.com/

Sticks and Stones: Full Story Edition by Chelsea DeVries Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

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

Author and poet Chelsea DeVries take readers on a journey of finding the strength to rise above the toxicity in life in the book “Sticks and Stones:  Full Story Edition”.

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The Synopsis

In Sticks and Stones, DeVries paints a poetic picture of rising above toxicity, love found and love lost, and delves into what it means to find strength in the human spirit. Through poetry, the reader finds a voice of strength and the rebuilding of one’s heart a home with all the sticks and stones thrown upon it. Newly expanded with more full color photos, 41 new poems, and a rewrite of Drowning in An Ocean of No Tomorrows, DeVries shows a full poetic picture of turning pain into poetry in order so you can rise above whatever is pulling you under.

The Review

This was a brilliant and heartfelt collection of poetry. The author did an incredible job of creating poems that evoked strong emotional responses within the reader while also speaking to the reader on a multitude of levels. The imagery and tone the poems struck were particularly powerful, as the poems crafted their own narratives in the reader’s minds that evoked the raw feelings that the author was able to put onto paper.

For me, the themes the author explores in these poems made them feel that much more compelling. The ways in which the author brings important topics to life,  such as mental health, workplace harassment and harassment in general, toxic behavior, and the prospect and loss of love, made this collection feel truly engaging and mesmerizing.

The Verdict

Haunting, emotional, and thoughtful, author Chelsea DeVries’s “Sticks and Stones: Full Story Edition”, brings hope in the face of adversity through powerful poetry in this must-read collection. The personal and thought-provoking experiences the author shares with readers at the beginning of this book keep the reader invested in the author’s journey, and speak to the hope and strength that they drew upon to face down those adversities to become the person they are today. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Chelsea DeVries wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. Her first publishing credit came at the age of 14 with a poem in a student anthology. She then wrote nonstop while doing IB classes in high school. She published two YA novels while still in high school which after over 10 years she rewrote as a NA romance that she looks to put out as her next publication. She is a seeker of justice and uses her words to free this world’s outcasted, peculiar, and underdogs from the chains that bind them. When not writing she runs and does PR for authors and musicians with her bookish brand The Smart Cookie Philes. Though she’s Florida born and raised, she has New Jersey in her veins. She currently lives in Port Richey, FL with her squad of two dogs. In October 2020, DeVries was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of Autism.

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The New Empire by Alison McBain 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.

The youngest son of a Chinese emperor finds himself captured and purchased by an Elder of two Native American tribes and must find the truth behind the idea of freedom in the historical fiction novel “The New Empire” by Alison McBain.

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The Synopsis

In the alternate history novel The New Empire, the world undergoes a drastic change in the 14th century when Chinese ships land on the west coast of what we know as the Bay Area of California. Fast forward four hundred years to a much different America than we’ve read about in the history books, a land dominated by a cross-continental tribal confederacy grown out of a strong alliance with Beijing. This new empire has been built on the backs of enslaved Chinese political prisoners and a profitable trading partnership overseas. Into the mix comes Jiangxi, youngest son of the last Chinese Emperor. When he arrives from across the ocean as a boy, he is purchased by Onas, a renowned tribal Elder of both the Haudenosaunee and Mutsun tribes. As Jiangxi grows up, he’s caught between the two worlds of his past and present, forced into choosing between opposing ideas of freedom. Told from the main perspective of a Chinese slave in a Native American world, The New Empire paints a vibrant picture that draws strongly on a non-Eurocentric worldview.

The Review

This was such a powerful and engaging read. The world-building and culture that embedded itself into the narrative were mesmerizing, and the way the author was able to capture an 18th-century North American continent that featured a Non-Eurocentric worldview was incredible to behold. The brutality and chilling imagery the author was able to infuse into the narrative really painted a grim picture of the horrors of slavery and the cost of freedom overall to so many throughout human history, as well as the importance of a person’s heritage and culture when it conflicts with the life that has been thrust onto them.

Yet for me, the underlying themes of family, betrayal, and freedom really captivated me throughout this story. The haunting nature of how Jiangxi came to be enslaved in the first place as the result of a chilling uprising and power grab by his older brother made the protagonist feel the sting of betrayal and loss. The relationship he develops with Onas and Daiyu throughout the narrative was so compelling and spoke to the dual reality of his life as he becomes an apprentice in a land of laws yet struggles with the identity of the slave he was made into all those years ago and recognizes that struggle in his newfound allies. The fight for freedom takes a heavy toll throughout the narrative, and the morality that the protagonist faces is incredibly compelling. 

The Verdict

Captivating, engaging, and brilliantly written, author Alison McBain’s “The New Empire” is a must-read historical fiction novel of 2022. An incredible and highly creative book that highlights the realities of what our world’s trajectory could have looked like if an Eastern exploration had led to a more Eastern-led American continent was fascinating to see come to fruition, and the rich character dynamics and emotional storytelling will keep readers invested in this amazing author’s work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Alison McBain is a Pushcart Prize-nominated author with over two hundred short stories, poems, and articles published worldwide. Her books have been honored with gold in the Literary Classics International Book Awards, as well as being finalists in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards and IAN Book of the Year. Her forthcoming novel, The New Empire, won gold in the When Words Count Pitch Week contest and will be published in October 2022. When not writing, Ms. McBain is the associate editor for the literary magazine Scribes*MICRO*Fiction, co-editor of Morning Musings Magazine, and pens an award-winning webcomic called Toddler Times. She lives in Alberta, Canada.

https://www.facebook.com/alison.mcbain.9

http://www.alisonmcbain.com/

http://www.fairfieldscribes.com/

Hoppin’ Hankaroo: Zoo Adventure by Janet Earnest-Jenkins 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 young girl named Kathy goes to the zoo and makes friends with an unusual bird in author Janet Earnest-Jenkins’s “Hoppin’ Hankaroo: Zoo Adventure”.

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The Synopsis

Join Kathy and Hankaroo on their trip to the zoo where they meet some silly animals and make a new friend who is the funniest bird they’ve ever seen! Appropriate for ages 0-6 years, Hoppin’ Hankaroo is a rhyming book, which makes it easier for little ones to remember the words. The illustrations are done in crayons as if a child colored them. A great learning tool and fun story, your child will want to read this humorous picture book again and again! 

The Review

This was such a fun and engaging read for children. The author did an amazing job of crafting an easily accessible and entertaining narrative that kids will be able to jump into immediately. The chemistry between Kathy and Hankaroo as they journey through the zoo was relatable as many kids bond so closely with their pets. 

The imagery will be so impactful to younger readers, as the use of crayon drawings will make the child feel almost like they are reading a story that they themselves could have made. The exploration of the animal kingdom with the highly creative imagery and atmosphere the author has created will leave the younger readers eager to read the next adventure in the author’s children’s book series.

The Verdict

Captivating, entertaining, and fun, author Janet Earnest-Jenkins’s “Hoppin’ Hankaroo: Zoo Adventure” is a must-read children’s book read. The fast-paced narrative and the wild and exciting creative nature of the imagery will have readers engaged in the story and eager to read more adventures featuring Kathy and Hankaroo. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Janet is a grandmother of five and loves creating stories and writing fun poetry for early readers. Her stories keep the young imagination entertained and tickle the funny bone. Janet spent 36 years as the executive secretary to the chairman and CEO of an engineering company. Janet currently lives in Bonneau, SC.

Angry Octopus: A Relaxation Story by Lori Lite 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.

Author Lori Lite takes young readers on a journey to learn the technique of muscle relaxation through the journey of the Angry Octopus in the book “Angry Octopus: A Relaxation Story”.

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The Synopsis

Children love to unwind and relax with this fun exercise known as “progressive muscular relaxation.” Children relate to the angry octopus in this story as the sea child shows him how to take a deep breath, calm down, and manage his anger. These effective stress and anger management techniques for children focus awareness on various muscle groups to create a complete resting of the mind and body. Muscular relaxation can lower stress and anxiety levels. It can be used to decrease pain and anger. This engaging story quiets the mind and relaxes the body so your child can let go of anger and fall asleep peacefully. 

The Review

This was a truly memorable and thoughtful read. The author did an amazing job of crafting a narrative that felt informative and yet enthralling for children and parents alike. The warm watercolor style illustrations did an awesome job of capturing the life under the sea vibes that the narrative was trying to bring to life, and the rich atmosphere brilliantly brought the sea life surrounding the Octopus to life.

The author’s ability to balance the rich character growth of the Octopus and the Sea Child with the educational techniques in using muscle relaxation as a means of controlling one’s anger and stress was truly inspiring. The simplicity of the narrative allowed the techniques and emotions the author was conveying to come through smoothly and made for a memorable reading experience between both child and parent alike.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, inspiring, and engaging, author Lori Lite’s “Angry Octopus: A Relaxation Story” is a must-read children’s book. The depth of emotions these characters confronted and the thoughtful approach to simple yet powerful techniques to push through those rushes of emotions made for an educated yet entertaining read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ms. Lite’s titles are considered a resource for parents, psychologists, therapists, child life specialists, teachers, and yoga instructors. Her Indigo Dreams® audio book/CD series has been awarded the CNE Award of Excellence. Ms. Lite has been interviewed and written articles for several media outlets, including: Family Circle, NY Times, MSNBC, ABC Radio; CBS News; USA Today; Web MD; Stress Free Living; Mind, Body, and Soul; and Job Club with Tory Johnson. She has also been featured in several publications which include Prevention Magazine, Parent Guide New York, Family Circle, Kiwi Magazine, and Aspiring Woman. Lori is a certified children’s meditation facilitator and Sears’ Manage My Life parenting expert. She gained national attention when she appeared on Shark Tank, an ABC/Mark Burnett production.

Lori and her husband have aligned with IngramSpark to help other authors achieve the same success they have. More information can be found under experts on the IngramSpark website or at http://stressfreebookmarketing.com 

Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm: A Self-Help Kid’s Coloring Book For Overcoming Anxiety, Anger, Worry and Stress by Lori Lite 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.

Author Lori Lite takes readers on a journey through mental health and child development through an 80-page coloring book to challenge children to overcome their rising emotions in the book “Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm: A Self-Help Kid’s Coloring Book For Overcoming Anxiety, Anger, Worry and Stress”.

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The Synopsis

Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm is a light-hearted, self-help coloring book designed to guide 4-11 year olds and their parents, teachers, or counselors through simple everyday techniques that can be used to control anger, reduce stress, and increase happiness. This interactive coloring book is filled with simple strategies to self-sooth, manage anger, and improve emotional intelligence. Children are empowered to manage their BIG feelings while coloring 38 illustrations. Each mindful page motivates children to express themselves peacefully without having a tantrum, meltdown, or outburst.

Dozens of coloring pages designed for children. Underwater scenes, Garden designs, Angry Octopus and Friends, and a Mandala. Each coloring page is designed to help relax, motivate, and introduce an anger or stress management technique in a playful manner. The variety of pages increases emotional intelligence while offering something for every skill level. Each coloring page is on a separate sheet with light-hearted text on the opposite page. User-friendly for children, parents, classrooms, homeschoolers, and private practice. Perfect addition to the Stress Free Kids Curriculum and Lesson Plans. Do you feel angry, worried, stressed, or confused?

Angry Octopus has great techniques to use.

He expresses his feelings throughout the day,

and tries to relax in healthy ways.

Your feelings are yours and they are real.

Express with coloring how you feel.

So, open this book to any page.

Coloring is fun for any age.

Angry Octopus is a kid-friendly character that children around the world relate to. He made his television debut on ABC’s Shark Tank. I wrote my first relaxation story to help my own son fall asleep when he was just 5 years old. Now, a man, he is helping me write for others. It is a great gift that my son has shared his voice throughout this coloring book. The quotes within were contributed by Austin Lite.

Angry Octopus books, stories, parent guide, curriculum, CDs, music, and lesson plans by Lori Lite are also available. 

The Review

This was such a heartwarming and beautiful read for children and parents alike. The artwork and narrative of the book did an incredible job of pairing whimsical and interactivity with the more thoughtful and active educational tools that this book provides to both children and their parents as they come to terms with their growing emotional states. The writing style seemed to do a great job of reaching younger readers while also giving the adults who work with their kids on these issues to see and understand the lessons in a clear-cut manner. 

What struck me as brilliant on the author’s part was the way in which the overall narrative of the Octopus and his activities mirrored the lessons the author was intending for the reader, as well as the overall flow of the pages as the author weaves in different emotional states to tackle head on and overcome. The reader’s ability to color the fun and lighthearted pictures give the children more control over the narrative and the self-help nature of the book, making this such a unique read.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, memorable, and engaging, author Lori Lite’s “Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm” is a must-read children’s book and self-help guide for parents to help their child deal with complex emotional states. The interactive nature of the book will compel readers and keep children invested in the lessons that the author has woven into the book. If you have not yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ms. Lite’s titles are considered a resource for parents, psychologists, therapists, child life specialists, teachers, and yoga instructors. Her Indigo Dreams® audio book/CD series has been awarded the CNE Award of Excellence. Ms. Lite has been interviewed and written articles for several media outlets, including: Family Circle, NY Times, MSNBC, ABC Radio; CBS News; USA Today; Web MD; Stress Free Living; Mind, Body, and Soul; and Job Club with Tory Johnson. She has also been featured in several publications which include Prevention Magazine, Parent Guide New York, Family Circle, Kiwi Magazine, and Aspiring Woman. Lori is a certified children’s meditation facilitator and Sears’ Manage My Life parenting expert. She gained national attention when she appeared on Shark Tank, an ABC/Mark Burnett production.

Lori and her husband have aligned with IngramSpark to help other authors achieve the same success they have. More information can be found under experts on the IngramSpark website or at http://stressfreebookmarketing.com 

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