Category: reviews

My Island Billionaire’s Surprise Baby by Krichele Monroe 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 woman falls head over heels for a wealthy man when she goes to his resort to review his business, and soon finds herself struggling with her growing feelings, his chaotic ex-wife, and the growing secret between them in author Krichele Monroe’s “My Island Billionaire’s Surprise Baby”.

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The Synopsis

I was robbed on my way to the billionaire’s resort I have to review. He better make this right or he’ll get a nasty report. As it turns out, he’s a silver fox… my skin heats and I blush when he says hello. Apologies and efforts to “wow” me, we spend time together, and now I’m craving him. I’m here to do my job, not fall in love with this guy. But my heart and body have other ideas… The beach, the moon, and the warm Hawaiian breeze are intoxicating, and I’m all his. The feel of his strong, tanned arms around me heat me to my core. He’s twice my age, and he’s not worried about the difference, but I don’t feel the same.. Between his toxic ex-wife and his mom calling me a gold digger, it’s best for all if I leave here.. And now the baby in my belly and I are on our way back home to Paris…

The Review

This was a heated and passionate read. The author immediately taps into the rich chemistry that immediately presents itself between the two characters, allowing their relationship to blossom and grow quickly. Tapping into themes of romances with age gaps, those with wealth versus those without, and the impact that society has on a relationship, the author was able to layer the story with dynamic settings and complex suspense and drama that kept the reader invested in the story. 

However, the heart of this narrative rested in the romance and heat that bubbled between the protagonists. The obstacles they faced along the way, from scheming exes and doubtful parental figures to their own painful experiences with love and the way the world would view their relationship, not only felt real and relatable but elevated the tension that the author was able to infuse with the imagery in the author’s writing. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, exhilarating, and thrilling, author Krichele Monroe’s “My Island Billionaire’s Baby” is a must-read contemporary romance and women’s fiction novel. The adult and heated scenes between the protagonists and the captive drama that unfolds as their relationship develops will keep readers enthralled as they hang onto the author’s every word, eager to see where this couple ends up. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Djinn: A War on Terror Supernatural Thriller by Craig DiLouie 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 searching for her father and his supernatural unit in the wake of the deadly withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan discovers the deadly force they unleashed to stop the violent attacks by the Taliban in author Craig DiLouie’s “Djinn: A War on Terror Supernatural Thriller”.

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The Synopsis

In the violent aftermath of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, a photojournalist arrives to learn the fate of the Witch Doctors, a fabled Army occult warfare unit. Holly believes her father, reported missing in action, ran this mysterious outfit that sought to weaponize black magic to win the War on Terror.

As the Taliban advances and the national government crumbles, Holly makes a harrowing journey into the deep desert to an abandoned base, which houses a terrifying secret. There, along with a group of American ex-soldiers, themselves cursed, she will face the ancient evil the Witch Doctors unleashed…

The terrors that live in the world of the djinn. The horrors that lurk in war itself.

A modern thriller, Djinn reimagines the witch for the War on Terror era, taking the reader on a journey into the heart of darkness that is both human and supernatural.

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The Review

This was such a compelling and memorable horror thriller. The vast amount of culture and detail that went into bringing both modern-day Afghanistan and the “War on Terror” to life with the ancient mythology and world-building surrounding the Djinn, witches, and faith overall was thrilling to see come to life. The imagery the author infused into the writing really allowed the setting and chilling nature of the Djinn to come to life on the page. 

The evolution of Holly as a character, from her hard-hitting journalism and the strength to plunge into the depths of war-torn Afghanistan to the respect she comes to have for the people and their culture and the bravery she shows facing this terrifying threat made her a remarkable protagonist to really root for. The character interactions that help drive this narrative forward and the commentary that the plot makes on things like America’s hand in what has happened to the country, the line between morality and cultural differences, and the impact that war has on people, in general, made this a brilliant story to get lost in.

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The Verdict

Haunting, compelling, and entertaining, author Craig DiLouie’s “Djinn” is a must-read horror thriller of 2023. The unique setting and cultural development of this narrative, as well as the attention to detail and the collective work by the characters in this story, will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.

In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.

These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.

http://craigdilouie.com/

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Walking the Dusk by Mike Robinson 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 college professor must revisit the terrors of his childhood after the passing of his father and the return of his older sister and rediscover a hidden world beyond what we thought possible in author Mike Robinson’s “Walking the Dusk”.

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The Synopsis

“Hey.”

With that one word, uttered in the dead of night, young Charlie’s life veers down a dark and unbelievable road.

Some thirty years later, Dr. Charles Barry teaches physics at a small California college. Only in dreams do those childhood events reach him: the strange presence in the house, the otherworldly visits and the shadow over his beloved older sister, Megan, whose troubled inward life he could only glimpse.

That is, until his father dies, and Megan, now an artistic wanderer, comes back into his life. With her come memories of unearthly creatures, a predatory entity and a harrowing trek behind the walls of the known cosmos, toward places of the alien and seemingly impossible, in order to save the very essence of his sister.

Now, caught once more by the same forces, Charles returns to those places in the hopes of setting certain things right—and to keep Megan from slipping away forever.

With Walking the Dusk, Mike Robinson delivers a contemporary Dantean vision, one of both sweepingly surreal vistas and intimate bonds, a mind-and-genre-warping journey into the twin infinities of the universe within, and the universe without.

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The Review

This was such an engaging, complex, and mesmerizing read. The author did a fantastic job of world-building this narrative’s setting, taking readers back and forth between the past and the present in a kaleidoscope of rushing emotions and painful memories. The layers of mystery the author delves into when discovering the complexities of the history that are shared between the protagonist Charlie and his sister Megan make their relationship such an integral part of the story.

To me, the heart of this narrative rested in the almost poetic imagery of the author’s writing style and the rich character dynamics that helped elevate the more fantastic and horror-driven elements of the narrative. The pacing allowed readers to see the psychological and emotional pitfalls of the past building between these siblings and underscored the chaos that would soon follow, but it was the dynamic between Charlie and Megan, the painful journey of a brother desperate to save his sister, not only resonated with me as an older brother but gave the fantasy and horror elements a more grounded foundation to be built off of.

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The Verdict

Memorable, engaging, and heartfelt, author Mike Robinson’s “Walking the Dusk” is a must-read occult horror meets fantasy and metaphysics novel. The twists and turns in the narrative, and the journey that Charlie goes on, reminding me of a blend between Stephen King and Peter Straub’s Black House, Dante’s Inferno, and the character development of Robin William’s Peter Pan in Hook, made this story shine brightly, and the reader will find themselves drawn to this narrative time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mike Robinson is the award-winning author of multiple speculative fiction novels and dozens of short stories which have appeared in the likes of 2019’s American Gothic Fantasy anthology, Storyteller Magazine, A Woman Unbecoming, Underland Arcana and more. He has received honors from Writers of the Future, Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Contest, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Maxy Awards and others, and is also the editor of J.P. Barnett’s popular, award-winning “Lorestalker” series.

In between, he hikes (often with his two dogs), swims, draws, tries to learn the didgeridoo and, yes, has even been known to actually write a screenplay or two, some of which have received their own notices.

www.mike-robinsonauthor.com

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But I Didn’t Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide by Barbara Rubel 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 Barbara Rubel shares the journey to help a bereaved family overcome the tragic loss of a family member due to suicide in the book “But I Didn’t Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide”. 

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The Synopsis

But I Didn’t Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide tells the story of a bereaved family and how each member copes with their traumatic loss. As a suicide loss survivor, the author wrote the story with the entire family in mind. It is written through the eyes of a child, spouse, parents, siblings and friends. We are all impacted by suicide and the chapters explore how everyone grieves in their own way. You will understand how to make meaning in loss and ways to experience personal growth. The chapters focus on a family from the day of the suicide to the anniversary one year later. At the end of each chapter, there are follow-up questions to explore your own loss.

The Review

This is a compelling and heartbreaking revelation. The discussion surrounding the topic of suicide has not always been easy to communicate, and while our understanding of this heartbreaking event has evolved and grown as more information has come to light, the pain that comes with this turn of events does little to take away the pain and suffering that comes to those who are left to pick up the pieces afterward. The author’s connection to this topic and the emotional way she connects to the reader and the subjects of this book made this a gripping book to get lost in.

The balance of support and informational guidance that the book provides to readers was so remarkable to read about. The amount of research and insight that the author poured into the book helped to elevate the more emotional and inspiring moments to help families and loved ones overcome the tragedy and grief that this event brings with it. The relatability of the author’s own experiences and work allows the reader to feel connected and understood, as so many families feel lost or isolated in the wake of this tragedy, and the author does a remarkable job of making them feel heard. 

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and compelling, author Barbara Rubel’s “But I Didn’t Say Goodbye” is a must-read nonfiction book on grief and the pain of losing someone to suicide. The way the author tackles trauma and explores both sides of the conversation, the psychological aspect of what brought their loved one to that place so that family members could try to find closure and process the grief that they in turn endured, made this an engaging and well-written book that you won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Three weeks prior to Barbara Rubel giving birth to triplets, her father died by suicide. The story of his death was featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary, Fatal Mistakes: Families shattered by suicide, narrated by Mariette Hartley. As a thanatologist, Barbara wrote But I Didn’t Say Goodbye for suicide loss survivors, like herself. Barbara hopes that the 2020 third edition of her book brings survivors comfort and helps them see that they are not alone. She is truly sorry for your loss. Barbara received a BS in psychology and a MA in community health, with a concentration in thanatology. She is a board-certified expert in traumatic stress, and a diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Visit her website at griefworkcenter.com

Hysterical Hangouts and The Hindlegs by G.S. Gerry 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. 

The lines between reality and chaos bend when a young man seeking to meet his girlfriend’s family decides to film their antics in author G.S. Gerry’s “Hysterical Hangouts and The Hindlegs”.

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The Synopsis

What happens when families stop being polite and start being real?

In a world where reality is stranger than fiction, Viktor Sniperbone’s inspired idea takes you on a hilarious wild ride filled with near-death antics, secrets, and the crazy dynamics of one unforgettable family.

Meet Viktor Sniperbone, a guy who seems to have it all — youth, good health, independence, and a promising future. But something’s missing. When he meets Mandi Hindleg, the woman of his dreams, his life takes an unexpected turn.

They’ve only been dating for six months, and yet Viktor is convinced she’s “the one”. The only hurdle? Meeting Mandi’s quirky family, the Hindlegs.

Viktor then hatches a crazy plan to secretly film the Hindleg family, capturing their real-life drama like you’ve never seen before. Get ready for an uncut, authentic reality show that will redefine the literary game and leave an indelible mark.

As family members shed their polite facades and embrace their true selves, hilarity ensues and a wild rollercoaster of events awaits. Experience the erratic highs and lows, the stomach-aching laughter, as Viktor navigates the Hindlegs’ very own unpredictable make-shift reality TV.

Will his audacious endeavor lead to discovery, chaos, or a revelation that changes everything?

Step into a realm where reality blurs with entertainment as you immerse yourself in “Hysterical Hangouts With The Hindlegs” — award-winning author G. S. Gerry’s groundbreaking concept — and embrace a wild ride of madness, fast-paced comedy, and jaw-dropping revelations.

Scroll up, click on “Buy Now with 1-Click” and grab your copy today!

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The Review

This was quite an enjoyable and engaging read. The approach to satire and parody work that the author has become known for seeps through instantly in this book, crafting a tremendous story that sees the evolution of a young man in love dealing with the demented antics of his girlfriend’s family. The imagery and tension that the book builds into the novel are perfectly paired with the humor and sarcastic dialogue that drives the characters forward.

To me, it was the themes that this satire embodied that made the novel come to life. The way the author delves into not only our obsession with reality TV through the protagonist’s filming of his encounters with the family, but the dynamics that play between romantic partners and one’s family and all the drama that ensues, made this story really pop and come alive on the page.

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The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thoughtful, author G.S. Gerry’s “Hysterical Hangouts with the Hindlegs” is a must-read satire read. The twists and turns that the narrative takes and the engaging way the author tackles the human experience both on a public scale and in private made this a truly compelling read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on September 22nd, 2023!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

G. S. Gerry is the award-winning author of Meth Murder & Amazon. He writes literary nonfiction books that are quirky and utterly unique, jam-packed with humor, suspense, satire and more. He is a father of 5, Navy veteran, cybersecurity expert, and tattoo enthusiast. He is Mastering Experiences Through Humor and writing wrongs along the way. Gerry’s original writing style has been compared to the likes of Hunter S. Thompson and Lemony Snicket. Gerry grew up in the world of books working for his father’s book bindery business when he was just a child. Little did he know the literary universe had something more in store for his life.

G. S. Gerry’s creations offer an escape from life’s harsh realities by providing a hilarious perspective in turning lemons into lemonade. Constructing a world where the unbelievable seems made up and yet, oddly relatable. Gerry’s visionary approach towards life, laughter and entertainment bridges comedy and originality with memorable creations, leaving no stone unturned to help others laugh their way to a better today.

Check out G. S. Gerry and exclusive M.M.A. content on https://gsgerry.com

Six Days in Detox by Dianne Corbeau 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 Dianne Corbeau shares an honest and painful story of her battle to regain her sobriety in the book “Six Days in Detox”. 

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The Synopsis

This memoir is a compelling story about a woman who picks up alcohol after twenty-six years of sobriety. And returns to a mental institution to begin her journey back into the beginnings of recovery. The story is a hard look at what goes on internally and externally inside of Dianne as she gives it her all to survive the battle for her life. The fast-paced read is relentless and unforgiving at times, yet it brings you the fragility of the human spirit.

The Review

This was a heartfelt and honest read that depicted the author’s internal struggle to find sobriety once again after relapsing after over two decades. The author not only shares her story with complete honesty and an almost poetic yet painful reality but balances her story out with the ways in which mental health and addiction can go hand in hand, one often leading to the other and the need to maintain both sobriety and clear mental health is vital to a person’s survival.

Yet the other half of this book rested in the author’s honest look at the practices of the medical center/rehab that she found herself in. The ways in which people approach both addiction and mental health are crucial to a person’s recovery, and the flippant and authoritative approach that some locations take with their patients is a detrimental path that leads to many painful experiences, all of which the author outlines in her book. The imagery and haunting nature of the book that the writing brings to life really captured the emotional and mentally draining nature of the author’s personal experiences.

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The Verdict

Chilling, emotional, and thoughtfully written, author Dianne Corbeau’s “Six Days in Detox” is a must-read memoir and nonfiction read. The fast-paced story and the gripping story of the author’s experiences both internally and externally were both shocking and engaging to read. The emotional weight of the author’s experiences and the open-ended ending to the author’s book will resonate with so many who are also struggling with sobriety and mental health struggles, and provide a desire to improve and engage with others to get the help they need. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Raw Flesh Flash: The Incomplete, Unfinished Documenting Of by Donovan Hufnagle 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 Donovan Hufnagle shares a collection of poetry that delves into the meanings and stories behind the tattoos that adorn our bodies within his book, “Raw Flesh Flash: The Incomplete, Unfinished Documenting of”.

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The Synopsis

Raw Flesh Flash: The Incomplete, Unfinished Documenting Of is “a careful poetic ethnography of tattooed bodies and the stories that they tell. Just as the tattoo inscribes meaning on the body, this book elegantly reveals the stories that only the body can tell. It is a book that connects tattoo-adorned bodies to a profound human truth: we are each other’s mirrors, and the artful inscriptions of our bodies connect us to each other in ways that transcend political and social divides.” Kristen Prevallet

The Review

This was such an artful and passionate collection of poems. The author does an incredible job of utilizing imagery and atmosphere in each poem to convey the tone and theme that each poem and passage is meant to. The way each story within the poems seems to tie into the deeper meaning behind not only the tattoos that people get, but the people behind the needle who curate these works of art onto a person’s body and the tattooing process as a whole made this so compelling to get lost in.

While not someone who has gotten a tattoo before, I have many family members who have, and not only have I always wanted one myself but the art behind tattoos and the meaning behind them have always moved me. The creativity, the passion, and the emotional connection for some make these tattoos feel alive, and the way this experience harkens back throughout history, even to the ancient Viking culture, was profound to lose yourself in when reading up on the subject. This is the same magic and wonder the author’s work tackles, as each poem not only tells the story of average, ordinary people, but the stories of love and loss and everything in-between that their tattoos tell of, and the sense of wonderment that overcomes you when looking upon these works of art, as well as both the good and bad emotions that come with the experience, making this a compelling collection to get lost in.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Donovan Hufnagle’s “Raw Flesh Flash: The Incomplete, Unfinished Documenting Of” is a must-read collection of poetry. The almost rhythmic delivery of each poem and the artistry that went into the delivery of the poem’s imagery was profound and captivating, making this one collection you will pick up time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Donovan Hufnagle is a husband, a father of three, and a professor of English and Humanities. He moved from Southern California to Prescott, Arizona to Fort Worth, Texas. His new poetry collection, Raw Flesh Flash: The Incomplete, Unfinished Of, is a poetic scrapbook of interviews, poetry, and documents about the universal narrative of tattoos. 

He also has three other poetry collections: The Sunshine Special, a “part personal narrative, epic poem, and historical artifact;” Shoebox, an epistolary, poetic narrative about Juliana’s “past and present, love and lack, in language that startles;” and 30 Days of 19, inverted Haiku poems juxtaposed to Trump tweets, capturing the first thirty days of the Covid 19 quarantine. 

Other recent writings have appeared in The Closed Eye Open, Tempered Runes Press, Solum Literary Press, Poetry Box, Beyond Words, Wingless Dreamer, Subprimal Poetry Art, Americana Popular Culture Magazine, Shufpoetry, Kitty Litter Press, Carbon Culture, Amarillo Bay, Borderlands, Tattoo Highway, The New York Quarterly, Rougarou, and others.

http://www.donovanhufnagle.com/

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Intentional Retention: The Essential Guide to Human Resources for Leaders by Sean Barnard 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 Sean Barnard shares his personal experiences and teachable moments to show how managers and leaders should treat and interact with their employees in a time where turnover is a constant in the world of employment in the book “Intentional Retention: The Essential Guide to Human Resources for Leaders”.

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The Synopsis

National Bestseller!! The best employees don’t stick around just because they like your product, you, or their coworkers. Turnover is the pandemic of today in the world of employment and there don’t appear to be too many cures. Leadership is rarely taught and the pressure on untrained managers and owners leads to the pitfalls that come with a revolving door of new faces who don’t stick around long enough to earn an annual bonus. Or they do stay, and you sometimes wish they wouldn’t? Sean Barnard instinctively knows how to help leaders at any level get the most out of their team members and can show you innovative ways to increase retention from the first chapter. From a middle-class background in southern England to the C – Suite in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sean tells his story in a way that leaders at all levels can easily relate. His first book is a firsthand look inside every aspect of how to manage people. He understands what it’s like to be unmotivated as an hourly employee and what it takes to turn that into a loyal and happy team player who roots for the success of everyone around him, including the company he works for. Sharing a career that spans living in three countries, leading teams from Europe to the Caribbean and the United States, the reader will hear his story, with blunders, pitfalls to avoid and the huge wins that came along the way. With a genuine commitment to telling his story, readers will walk away knowing how they will be the leader they want to be and the leader their employees deserve.”

The Review

This was a fantastic blend of memoir-style storytelling and guided education on management and leadership skills in the modern world. The importance of taking the time to learn how to speak with your employees or your team members in our modern world not because it is required, but because it is the right thing to do becomes a cornerstone early on in the author’s book was truly moving to read about, as it sets the tone for the author’s experiences and lessons immediately.

To me, the author really was able to cover a wide range of topics under the banner of leadership. From establishing excellent communication early on to determining one’s core values and even the recruitment process, the book does a great job of detailing and showcasing each step easily. The balance of personal storytelling and education that each chapter boasts was a helpful tool in relating to the reader and showcasing how leaders can always grow and learn themselves as time goes on.

The Verdict

Memorable, engaging, and thoughtfully written, author Sean Barnard’s “Intentional Retention” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and leadership that you won’t be able to put down. The inspiring and enlightening nature of the author’s work and the captivating steps that readers can take to improve their leadership skills and how the author was able to relate it to our modern workforce made this a captivating read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Sean Barnard serves as Chief Operating Officer for privately held North Carolina based Smiles Ahead LLC. His role oversees 5 brands of dentistry that include Burrow Welchel & Culp, Orthodontics, White & Johnson Pediatrics, Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry, Signature Smiles Orthodontics and Dogwood Family Dentistry. His international career spans from Europe and the Caribbean to the U.S. and includes C-Level suite positions in gaming, hospitality, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Starting his career as a casino dealer in England in 1979, he moved into junior management before emigrating to the Bahamas in 1984. In 1991 Sean was recruited to join a management team opening one of the first casinos in North America to be built outside Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

Sean enjoyed several leadership positions within the gaming and hospitality industry and worked throughout the United States. As Senior Vice President of one of the largest casinos in the U.S., he was responsible for over a 1m sf resort with 1500 employees, close to $250,000,000 in annual revenues and over $85m in EBTIDA. Sean served as President of the Missouri Gaming Association and on several non-profit boards before ‘retiring’ in 2014.

In 2016, the introduction to Dr. Dustin Burleson led to Fifty-Eight LLC, a consultancy that grew in reputation and size with a range of clients across the US. Sean has been a keynote speaker with a presentation that challenges how we all think of HR and leadership.

• Sean is a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional and Certified Kolbe Consultant.

https://www.sean-barnard.com/

Nerve: A Pulstar Prequel by Giancarlo Roversi 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 disgraced former agent must solve a mysterious murder and uncover the dangerous secrets that have put him in the crosshairs of a deadly conspiracy in author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Nerve”, the prequel to the author’s Pulstar series. 

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The Synopsis

Seeking redemption, a discredited agent investigates the perplexing death of an elderly millionaire, unearthing a macabre scheme that might involve himself.

Astralvia: a nation on the verge of collapse.

Jon Creepel, an elderly millionaire and CEO of a leading high-tech corporation, is dead.

Discredited Agent Graham Squirrel investigates this disconcerting death. It’s his chance to clear his name and return to the Federal Police job he lives for.

As he delves deeper into the inquiries, he discovers layers of intrigue, secrets, and plots on a significant macabre scale. Working alongside Zabrinah Yorkt, a mysterious and complicated intelligence agent, brings extra challenges and triggers questions Squirrel would never have anticipated.

He has to escape the sinister threat looming over him and find out why they assigned him to the case, but nothing is what it seems.

And he’s about to discover the truth … he’s about to meet the Nerve.

Join Agent Squirrel to see if he cracks the mystery of Creepel’s death and survives the investigation in this suspenseful, mystery-packed sci-fi thriller.

Nerve is the enigmatic prequel to the gripping Pulstar trilogy (although you can also read it as a stand-alone novel), which took over ten years to make and has a soundtrack in production.

The Review

This was a pulse-pounding and exhilarating read. The pacing and the world-building stood out immediately. While I did read the first book in the Pulstar series, I was able to see both the connective layers of the narrative between this prequel and the first novel, while also recognizing how much this story stood out on its own two feet. The blend of sci-fi and metaphysical dystopian storytelling the author brought to this narrative was fascinating and kept me intrigued as the story progressed.

For me, the heart of the story rested in the unique balance of character development and atmosphere. The tone and quality of the author’s writing and the philosophical discussions that were brought to the forefront as a result of the narrative reminded me greatly of why I loved Battlestar Galactica so much, and the evolution and path that Graham as a character took and the framing of the story overall felt very cinematic due to the author’s amazing handle on imagery in this book.

The Verdict

Memorable, captivating, and entertaining, author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Nerve” is a must-read prequel to the Pulstar series and a wonderful sci-fi narrative. The unique world that the author has built and the major twists that some of these characters undergo by the book’s end will keep the reader hooked until the very last page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Venezuela-born Giancarlo Roversi isn’t only a writer. He’s also a computer engineer and a musician who shared stages with artists such as REM, Oasis, Travis, Duran Duran, and Maroon Five.

When his band Fractaler broke up in 2011, he devoted the next ten years to cue the Pulstar Trilogy and three prequels in that universe.

He surrendered his personal life and wrote these manuscripts in his native language, Spanish, and then he translated them into English. He also composed a soundtrack for each book; they’re currently in production.

When he’s not living and breathing in his Pulstarverse, he loves family time, cooking, astronomy, animals, and having philosophical discussions—especially about the meaning of life—with anyone who cares to join him.

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