Category: reviews

Sell More With Webinars by Stefan Ciancio and Philip Schaffer 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. 

Authors Stefan Ciancio and Philip Schaffer share the benefits and steps to selling to a larger audience in the book Sell More With Webinars. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Are you tired of constantly chasing clients, working long hours, and still not seeing the results you dreamed of when you started your business? Sell More with Webinars reveals how to reach more people, make more sales, and gain more free time by leveraging the power of one-to-many selling. You’ll learn why webinars work in any niche, the latest framework for turning strangers into buyers in minutes, and psychological secrets to becoming the go-to expert in your field. Plus, discover how to create high-converting webinars quickly using Al tools and set up automated funnels that sell 24/7 without live presentations or tech skills. Packed with real-world examples, step-by-step systems, and proven strategies from over a decade of experience, this book is your guide to maximizing profit potential from one simple webinar. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business, Sell More with Webinars offers actionable insights to transform how you work and achieve the business you’ve always dreamed of-one that serves you instead of enslaving you. Grab your copy now and start making more while working less.

BOPIS

The Review

This was an informative and compelling read. The authors do an amazing job of writing succinctly and thoughtfully, allowing the book to speak to readers looking to boost their business and understand the true nature of webinars. The attention to detail and the way the authors examine the software related to webinars and how integrating AI works with the software made this a gripping read. 

What stood out about this book was not just the expertise and skill that the authors delivered, but the drive and swift delivery of these steps the authors laid out for readers kept readers coming back to this book time and time again. The authors go into what makes a webinar function, how to launch a webinar, how to get content for the webinars, and even functioning marketing strategies to drive targeted traffic to those webinars. 

The Verdict

Insightful, thought-provoking, and engaging authors Stefan Ciancio and Peter Schaffer’s “Sell More with Webinars” is a must-read nonfiction book that guides modern-day business strategies. The author’s passion for this subject matter, attention to detail in exploring the art of webinars and the software behind them, and thrilling descriptions of the modern business world and how entrepreneurs can use this to build their businesses make this a remarkable book to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Stefan Ciancio is a renowned digital marketing expert, serial entrepreneur, and Amazon bestselling author who has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners achieve success online. With extensive experience in digital marketing, course creation, and online business development, Stefan has built a reputation for creating practical, actionable strategies that deliver real results.

Known for his straightforward teaching style and deep expertise in webinars, email marketing, affiliate marketing, product creation, and traffic generation, Stefan helps people navigate the complexities of online business. His work focuses on providing proven, step-by-step systems that beginners and experienced marketers alike can implement to grow their online presence and sales through automation.

Beyond his own success in digital marketing, Stefan is passionate about educating others and has trained thousands of students worldwide. His teaching approach combines cutting-edge marketing strategies with practical, easy-to-follow methods that have helped countless entrepreneurs build sustainable online businesses.

https://getwebinarkit.com/

Cursed Mage (Catenarian Chronicles Book 1) by TC Marti 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 woman discovers her powers and lineage just as she discovers she has a long-lost sister who is in danger from a ruthless regime in author TC Marti’s “Cursed Mage,” the first book in the Catenarian Chronicles Series.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Every family has secrets. Hers are trying to kill her.

Kaija can’t wait to dive into university and leave the wreckage of her past behind. But becoming an orphan and moving in with her weird rich uncle wasn’t on the cards. Neither was discovering she’s a mythical Mage—and something rarer that the unscrupulous ruling party would kill to possess.

Now she’s dredging up long-buried family secrets, chatting with drowned ghosts, and dodging elite assassins and a ruthless mercenary Mage. All while learning to control magic so she can rescue the sister she didn’t know she had from the clutches of an oppressive political regime.

If Kaija fails, she and her sister won’t just lose their freedom, they’ll lose their lives… or worse. And the nation will pay the price.

Cursed Mage is the pulse-pounding first book in the Catenarian Chronicles. If you love chosen one dark paranormal fantasies packed with political intrigue, high-stakes action, and unforgettable characters, hang on for the ride of your life. Start reading today!

Flea and Tick

The Review

What a remarkable and exciting start to a brand-new metaphysical fantasy series! The world-building and mythos the author establishes between the Mages and the magic system itself are fantastic and well-established on the page. The balance of action with character growth and story development made this feel like a gripping and well-defined world to get lost in. The compelling world the author creates gives the reader a sense of familiarity while also transporting them into a world filled with magic and wonder. The thoughtful approach to the imagery used in the author’s writing style helped simultaneously elevate this setting and cement the mythos.

The heart of this story rests in the development of the protagonist and her journey. Kaija was both relatable and engaging as a character, bringing the same sense of wonder and awe that the reader felt discovering this hidden world and the power that rests in the hands of the Mages, all while layering the story with elements of mystery with her discovery of her sister and the intrigue that comes with the introduction of a potential boyfriend, with a supernatural twist. The story and the mythology the author establishes help elevate Kaija’s journey to an entirely new level.

AudiobooksNow

The Verdict

An intense, heartfelt, and powerful dark fantasy novel that readers won’t be able to put down, author TC Marti’s “Cursed Mage” is a must-read thrill ride. The heart and emotional story behind Kaija and her evolution throughout the narrative, the well-rounded supporting cast, and the blend of action with magical suspense made the author’s world feel alive and vibrant on the page. The twists and turns that the protagonist and her story go through and the epic world-building the author deploys make this feel like a concrete, engaging world that readers won’t stop getting lost in time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

TC Marti is an avid workout warrior and author of the dystopian fantasy shared universe, the Renegades Epic. After spending years devouring the works of J.K. Rowling, George Lucas, and some of the greatest libertarian thinkers in world history, Marti has fused his imagination with free market principles whenever he metaphorically puts pen to paper.

Daadi Maa’s Diary of Secrets (Picture Books For Big Kids and Adults Book 1) by Monita Kumari 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. 

In author Monita Kumari’s ” Daadi Maa’s Diary of Secrets, ” a young boy tired of his grandmother’s behavior soon discovers a hidden past that explains who she is.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Seven year old Vivek thinks his Daadi Maa (Indian Grandmother) is a mean old lady until he finds her diary. Although the first few entries are hilarious to him, Vivek soon realizes it was not meant to be funny. As he reads on, he recognizes that Daadi Maa is trapped in a vicious cycle. Her obsessive pinching is a coping mechanism. Although Daadi Maa has persevered outwardly, she still suffers silently. The diary brings the issue to the forefront and light is finally shed on the death of Daadi Maa’s brother Bhola, which is the crux of the problem. It also brings attention to the guilt she feels about the death of her son – Vivek’s father. Although Vivek’s mother has forgiven her, the fact remains that the last conversation Daadi Maa had with Vivek’s father was an argument about her pinching habit – which is why she cannot forgive herself. This obsessive-compulsive behavior which Daadi Maa suffered from most of her adult life touches the issue of neurodiversity. It is only after Vivek finds the diary that Daadi Maa faces her guilt. Here, she finally realizes that she doesn’t have to do it alone. She has a smart, educated family that will support her and love her as she is. No one will think less of her. All she needs to do is open up and ask for help even if not in those exact words. Daadi Maa’s Diary Of Secrets is a beautiful tearjerker picture book for young adults with twenty-two vivid and detailed illustrations (six of which are center spreads) that make the book come alive! The story explores the delicate issue of death in the family in a gentle way that young adults can relate to.

AudiobooksNow

The Review

This is a genuinely heartfelt and compelling read. The author’s ability to bridge the gap between adult and young readers through this story and the emotional connection the reader makes with Daadi Maa and her journey will stay with readers long after the book ends. The powerful imagery and thoughtful themes the author delves into create a harrowing yet poignant conversation for readers to deal with.

That conversation surrounds the topic of loss and its overwhelming nature. The book showcases the hardships and struggles that loss can have on a person and how it can dictate how they behave later in life. The book also shows the classic theme of not judging a book by its cover. The story shows the protagonist how their grandmother is not the way she is due to her just being mean but because of the experiences that life has given her.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, meaningful, and heartfelt author Monita Kumari’s “Daadi Maa’s Diary of Secrets” is a must-read illustrated young adult book. The themes of death, loss, and how to cope play a powerful role, and readers will instantly connect with and become invested in the narrative overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Born and raised in Fiji Islands, Monita is a trained medical professional, an artist and an amateur sitar player. She is a descendent of laborers brought to Fiji through the Indenture System from India, so her life has been a colorful mixture of both Fijian and Indian culture. When she has time to spare, she likes to watch her backyard birds. Monita lives in California with her family.

For more information, visit her website MonitaKumari.com

Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven (The Ferren Trilogy Book Three) by Richard Harland 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. 

As the final battle between the forces of Heaven and Earth commences, an angel and a human must contend with developing feelings for others, and the terrifying new leader of the Humen sets his sights on a full invasion of Heaven in author Richard Harland’s “Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven,” the third book in the Ferren Trilogy. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

In a retro-future world, the continents of our planet have been reduced to ruined wastelands after a thousand years of war between Heaven and Earth. The war began ten years on from our present time, when human medical scientists pushed over the boundary between life and death, resuscitated a human brain, discovered the reality of a Heavenly afterlife and ended up fighting against the angels. Now, Earth’s military forces are composed of artificially created Humen, while the original human beings have been reduced to a mere survival existence, living in fearful, isolated tribes.

Miriael is the angel who was shot down, fell to Earth and miraculously survived; Ferren is the young tribesman who found her. Together they’e been building a Residual Alliance of human tribes willing to cast off their slavish ‘alliance’ to the Humen and stand up for themselves.

In Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven, the Residual Alliance is almost ready to act when the Humen find themselves a new leader and act first. Asmodai is a traitor angel far more dangerous than any Humen ‘Doctor’, and brings his own special powers to reinforce the secret weapons of Earth’s armies. With Asmodai in charge, the Humen launch their long-planned invasion of Heaven.

Asmodai also has a particular interest in Miriael, who once fell in love with him. She has to untangle her new, human-like feelings, while Ferren has to sort out his own tangled feelings when Zonda reappears. Now he must deal with that past relationship while working through his new feelings for Kiet, which have become more than feelings of ordinary friendship.

The third book of the trilogy contains shocks and betrayals, a desperate pursuit, close encounters with the highest archangels, an amazing journey up to Heaven, and the wonders and terrors of terra-celestial warfare. The final battle in Heaven will be the turning point that decides the entire thousand-year war. But there are more twists to come before the end …

From the author of Worldshaker, an extraordinary dystopia of angels and apocalypse.

AudiobooksNow

The Review

What a profound and exhilarating final chapter in this YA dystopian and fantasy series. The depth of world-building and the emotional beats that the author builds upon with this cast of characters was incredible to see come to life. Seeing Ferren grow and become the leader he was meant to be and seeing Miriael embracing humanity fully and leaning on each other while also dealing with their own personal turmoil was fascinating and emotionally invested as a reader.

The chilling nature and villainous charisma of Asmodai set a haunting tone for the novel, and his growing power and the threat of the Humen made this novel’s action and major battles easily flow. The heart of this novel, though, rested in the personal and in-depth connections these characters made with their own humanity, both for Miriael as she wrestled with her celestial identity and her life on Earth. For Ferren and his growing feelings for someone, as he tries to unite a broken world, all felt natural and authentic to their development. 

The Verdict

A rich, dynamic, and powerful read, author Richard Harland’s “Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven” is a must-read novel. As a centuries-long fight nears its end, the larger-than-life stakes and the shocking twists and turns the narrative takes, especially the fate of both heroes and villains alike, will stay with readers long after the emotional final page turns. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or grab your copy on February 26th, 2025!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

I’m the author who nearly wasn’t – it took me 25 years to beat writer’s block. In those 25 years, I migrated from England to Australia, became a singer/songwriter, a poet and a university lecturer. But all I wanted to do was write speculative fiction.

Finally I finished my first novel, the comic macabre, The Vicar of Morning Vyle. With its prequel, The Black Crusade, it grew into a cult. When mainstream Australian publisher Pan Macmillan contracted my next novel, I resigned my lectureship, and I’ve been a full-time author ever since.

I live south of Sydney between green escarpment and golden beaches, with partner Aileen and Yogi the labrador. Writing non-stop… I have 25 missing years to make up for!

My big international success has been with my YA steampunk novels, Worldshaker, Liberator and Song of the Slums (published by Simon & Schuster in the US).

Ferren and the Angel came out in November 2023. I swear it’s my best yet! An amazing retro-future world of angels and apocalypse!

Home

Galaxy Astronomy: Field Guide for Kids by Ray Franklin 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 Ray Franklin shares a kid-friendly and educational look into the vast universe and the galaxies that make it up in the book “Galaxy Astronomy: Field Guide for Kids.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

How many galaxies fill the universe? What is light we can’t see? Are Imperial Space Penguins dangerous? Kids ask such questions every day, and Galaxy Astronomy has answers!

The author’s enthusiasm for NASA and the Hubble Space Telescope ripples through this journal of galactic growth. Forty-eight Kindle-wide, full-color images of spectacular galaxies punctuate the field guide. It’s filled with facts vetted by a professional astrophysicist. Kids learn of galaxy types, light-years, invisible light and galactic feeding frenzies. While identifying galaxies, kids see how these gigantic star formations change and evolve over billions of years. They’ll understand how astronomers use ultraviolet light to locate young stars, and infrared light to find stars hiding inside enormous dust clouds. It’s a fun, fascinating and factual read.

If you know a kid who likes science and goofy jokes, give your young astronomer Galaxy Astronomy today!

AudiobooksNow

The Review

What a fun and educational read. The author does an incredible job of bringing his background and passion for astronomy to the reader. The author’s writing style is very inviting, with the reader able to understand the overall subject matter of each chapter while also getting enough new information to challenge the reader to learn more and do the work to research and engage with this material.

The breathtaking and vibrant illustrations the author provides for the galaxies in this book and the star systems in place make this a compelling book to get lost in. The way the book stokes the flames of curiosity in young readers and the lessons the author could impart, including the fascinating structure of Seyfert galaxies and what makes them so dangerous, allowed the reader to lose themselves in the material.

The Verdict

The heart, passion, and thoughtful presentation of galaxies and their structure to readers made this a remarkable book. The balance the author struck between education and entertainment for young readers and how the author rewarded the reader’s curiosity with information that kept the reader eager to learn more and dive into the subject of space and astronomy. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Ray Franklin grew up in Houston, Texas, the home of NASA. He followed the space race for years and stayed up late to watch Neil Armstrong step onto the moon. Years later, when stunning images from the Hubble Space Telescope became available, he saw expansive possibilities. Being a father and working with kids as a volunteer had given him an appreciation for how fast children can learn complex topics with the right mix of fun and challenge. This is what drove him to write ‘Galaxy Astronomy: Field Guide For Kids.’

Helioza.com

The Silver Crystal (The Red Kingdom Book 1) by Ryan Lanz 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 bounty hunter brought in to help stop rebel factions outside of a kingdom soon discovers that everything he thought he knew is not as it seems in author Ryan Lanz’s The Silver Crystal, the first in the Red Kingdom series.

The Synopsis

A wise man once said that true victory is bloodless. That man was wrong.

The Red Kingdom is divided. Bounty hunter Rhael is brought in to subdue the rebels outside the city, except they aren’t normal rabble. These Corrupted have unnatural abilities too powerful for the rest of society—something Rhael learned firsthand when they killed his father years ago.

But this mission is different, and Rhael is quickly confronted by everything he once knew, and he discovers he has more of the enemy in him than he thought possible.

One day is all it takes to break a belief.

One day is all it takes to break a city.

One day is all it takes to break a man.

AudiobooksNow

The Review

This was a powerful and memorable read. The incredible world-building that went into this story, as well as the mythology behind the outcasts of this kingdom and the ways people become “corrupted” in their society. The imagery and the depth of detail the author pours into this narrative and the rich history that the narrative unfolds both for this world and the protagonist speak to a depth of passion for this genre that fans will immediately connect with.

The action and intrigue perfectly elevate protagonist Rhael’s character growth, and the themes that the narrative plays on speak to a profound social calling that people don’t always consider. The twists that put the protagonist in the role of a social outcast and show how those often marked as outcasts by society are hunted or persecuted made the action and fantasy elements feel more grounded and engaging overall as the story progressed. 

The Verdict

Harrowing, entertaining, and epic in every sense of the word, author Ryan Lanz’s “The Silver Crystal” is a perfect start to this grand fantasy series. The shocking moments this story takes and the complexity of these characters and this world will draw the reader further in, eager to see where the rest of the series takes them. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Ryan Lanz was born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. He spent five years with a music touring group, traveling to a dozen countries on three continents. Now living in the Midwest, he enjoys writing novels and entertaining his macaw parrot.

The Poet and the Magician by Jennifer Renson 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 poet is drawn to a charismatic magician in a world of danger and secrets as their fates become intertwined in author Jennifer Renson’s “The Poet and the Magician.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Like a bird trapped within a cage, Fawn yearns for freedom. But the journey since her harrowing escape veers in a direction she could never have foreseen. She meets an enigmatic stranger, Taikuri, whose eyes conceal secrets as deep as his charm is irresistible.

What begins as a chance encounter draws them into a world of crumbling kingdoms and breathtaking landscapes. Will their bond, both exhilarating and dangerous, lead to something more? Fawn isn’t the only one running from her past. As their relationship deepens, could their plights unite poet and magician or destroy the fragile connection they’ve built? When Fawn questions the cost of such secrets, she must ask herself: is she trading one birdcage for another?

The Review

The author’s world-building in this novel was incredible. The tension and gritty nature of the world the protagonist inhabits make the high-stakes nature of the narrative feel alive on the page. The imagery in the author’s writing made this kingdom and the territories the characters travel through feel vibrant and engaging. 

At its core, however, this novel is a story of fate, destiny, and our connections with others. The protagonists of this novel, Fawn and Taikuri, feel an instant bond as if drawn together by some unknown forces. The mystery and intrigue that both of their pasts hold and the almost Shakespearean nature of their journey delve into the rich history of this kingdom with ease. 

The Verdict

Memorable, enthralling, and beautifully written author Jennifer Renson’s “The Poet and the Magician” is a must-read fantasy novel. The twists and turns this narrative takes, as well as the emotional pull of the protagonists and their bond, help elevate the grand mythos and world-building that this author has become known for throughout their previous books and leave readers eager for more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Writing has been my passion since childhood. Now I am able to take my passion and turn it into a career.

My writing career has spanned from articles in Lost Treasure Magazine to Fansided’s Show Snob. Presently I am a mother and wife and enjoy spending time with family, friends, writing, crafting, and reveling in Victorian Era ambiances while living in New Jersey.

Instagram: @jenny.renson

Twitter: @JennyRenson

Facebook: Books and Poetry by Jennifer Renson

Home

A Remembrance of Death (The Castle Drogo Series) by Andrew G. Tweeddale 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 man and woman are brought back together in the declining years of the British Empire and must confront their pasts to find their future in author Andrew G. Tweeddale’s “A Remembrance of Death”, the latest entry in the Castle Drogo Series.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Set in the final years of a declining British Empire, A Remembrance of Death is a beautifully crafted novel that deals with regret, loss, love, and hope. Spanning forty years, the story examines the relationship between Basil Drewe and Celia Lutyens, and how love like rain cannot choose the grass on which it falls.

As he arrives at Oxford in 1917, Basil Drewe is coming to terms with the recent death of his brother Adrian in the Great War. Meanwhile at Ojai in America, Celia Lutyens and her illegitimate son Robert struggle to find their place in a foreign country. On returning to England, Celia renews her acquaintance with Basil and finds she must deal with the mistakes of her past and the constraints placed upon her by society and its expectations. Their journey takes them to India, Vienna, London, Nuremberg and Kenya. Finally, they return to Castle Drogo, the place where they first met, however, the castle no longer represents the ideal it once did for Celia but is now a mausoleum.

A Remembrance of Death was short-listed for the Yeovil Literary Price and received a high commendation. It was described as, “prose with a classic sensibility … evoking a clear and present time and place, the characters lifting effortlessly from the page with authentic dialogue and engaging set pieces.”

AudiobooksNow

The Review

A truly heartfelt and engaging historical fiction read. The author does a marvelous job of balancing the more significant historical events and settings with the more personal, emotional moments the characters endure during the story. The awesome use of imagery throughout the writing allowed the reader to feel immersed in the narrative, stepping back in time and experiencing life at the end of and after WWI in a unique way.

Yet the author did that without sacrificing the important character development that played such a vital role in the story. The honest and powerful themes the author explores in this historical setting, from the power of grief and loss and how it impacts a person to the overwhelming nature of love and even the impact that colonialism overall had on the world, a commentary on the legacy of the British Empire before it fell to be sure, made this such a powerful and moving read. The care and attention that the protagonist Basil took to the other characters in this story, Celia for sure, and also characters like Indian student Laxman, showed the heart and drive that made Basil such a memorable protagonist. 

The Verdict

Author Andrew Tweeddale’s “A Remembrance of Death” is authentic, detailed, and engaging historical fiction. It is a must-read novel. The emotional and heartfelt moments between the characters and the rich historical narrative that develops will keep readers invested and eager for a third book in this passionately written series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Andrew has worked as a chef, a lawyer and is now an author.

‘Of All Faiths & None’ was Andrew’s first novel, published in 2022, and tells the story of the Drewe and Lutyens families in the final years before World War 1. The novel is centred around Castle Drogo, the last great castle to be built in England. The castle is out-of-place in a modern world and its construction reflects the turmoil of the times. However, foremost the novel is a romance where relationships are shattered by an unrelenting war. Andrew’s second novel ‘A Remembrance of Death’ takes the story from 1917 to 1955 and deals with Basil Drewe and Celia Lutyens and their relationship during the darkest moments of modern history. Andrew is currently writing a third novel in the Castle Drogo series which he hopes will be publish in 2026.

https://www.ofallfaiths.com/

A Gilded Redwood Coffin (The Roddy and Val DeVere Gilded Age Series by Cecelia Tichi 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 mission to save a young woman’s life turns into a twisted murder investigation in the Gilded Age in author Cecilia Tichi’s “A Gilded Redwood Coffin,” the latest entry in The Roddy and Val DeVere Gilded Age Series.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Western silver heiress Val DeVere expects nothing but joy at an elegant Newport picnic in 1899, only to be abruptly summoned to New York by a close friend’s urgent and cryptic plea: “PLEASE HELP…THEO B.”

In New York, Theo confides in Val, begging her to save his lively cousin Phoebe from a cunning Irish manservant who, he claims, is plotting her “accidental” death in the Rocky Mountains—just as he allegedly orchestrated the death of her twin sister in Boston a year earlier.

Determined to help her friend, Val, now Mrs. Roderick DeVere, tries to convince the headstrong Phoebe to delay her trip to the Rockies. Yet the Irish servant, whom Theo accuses of murder, reminds Val of her beloved late father, an Irish immigrant and “Silver King,” whose charm and brogue are unsettlingly familiar.

When Phoebe is found murdered in her New York apartment, suspicion falls squarely on the Irishman, appearing to wrap the case up neatly. But for Val, the truth feels far more elusive. Is she blinded by sentiment, or is there another killer lurking in the shadows? As doubt creeps in, Val faces a race against time to uncover the real culprit, all while risking arrest as an accessory to murder.

AudiobooksNow

The Review

It is a genuinely tremendous and engaging read. The author does an excellent job of finding the means of balancing the high society background of Val’s character with the mystery and intrigue that the narrative provides. The imagery and atmosphere of the Gilded Age translate perfectly on the page, and the historical aspect of the setting draws the reader into the story more and more.

The character arcs in this novel were engaging. Val’s strength and resilience showcased her character’s overall growth throughout the series, yet the book allows new readers to jump into the story quickly. The haunting nature of the case and the shocking twists and turns the narrative takes will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager for more adventures in this fantastic historical fiction thriller. 

The Verdict

A brilliant fusion of high society meets gritty murder mystery, author Cecilia Tichi’s “A Gilded Redwood Coffin” is a must-read historical fiction meets mystery thriller. The twists and turns in the author’s story and how the narrative builds upon the character development of previous entries in the series will keep readers engaged throughout the narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

AUTHOR LECTURER PROFESSOR

A fresh start for every new book, and author Cecelia Tichi’s zest for America’s Gilded Age and its boldface names draws this seasoned writer to a crime fiction series while uncorking the country’s cocktail cultures on the printed (and ebook) page. Tichi digs deep into the Vanderbilt University research library to mine the late 1800-1900s history and customs of Society’s “Four Hundred,” its drinks, and the ways high-stakes crimes in its midst make for a gripping “Gilded” mystery series that rings true to the tumultuous era. The decades of America’s industrial titans and “Queens” of Society have loomed large in Tichi’s books for several years, and the titles track her recent projects:

Civic Passions: Seven Who Launched Progressive America (and What They Teach Us)

Jack London: A Writer’s Fight for a Better America

What Would Mrs. Astor Do? A Complete Guide to the Manners and Mores of the Gilded Age

Gilded Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Golden Age

Jazz Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Roaring Twenties

A Gilded Death (crime fiction)

Murder, Murder, Murder in Gilded Central Park (crime fiction)

A Fatal Gilded High Note (crime fiction)

COMING SOON IN THE ‘GILDED’ CRIME SERIES:

A Gilded Free Fall.

She enjoys membership and posting in Facebook’s The Gilded Age Society. You can read more about her work by visiting www.cecebooks.com.