Category: reviews

Fixing Avoidant and Anxious Attachment in Your Relationship by Robert J. Charles 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 Robert J. Charles, Ph.D., DMin shares the way attachment theory plays into the anxieties and issues that can plague a relationship in the book “Fixing Avoidant and Anxious Attachment in Your Relationship”.

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The Synopsis

Do you always find yourself hoping and praying that your relationship will work while never actually taking the time to enjoy it for everything it is?

Are you someone who struggles to trust your partner, constantly overthinks, and ultimately risks pushing them away?

These types of feelings are common, but that doesn’t mean you should have to endure them for the rest of your life. What I want to do right now is show you that when you come to terms with who you are and how your relationships work, you’ll be able to break free from the underlying anxiety that always seems to be there.

If you want to get a feel for what I’m talking about here, consider what would happen if you gave yourself permission to stop worrying. You would find you have so much more mental energy to spend on the things you love in life, all while realizing just how wonderful your relationship really is. The real problems that actually exist become so much more likely to be fixed now that you’re no longer distracted, and quality time becomes more and more common.

Now, you might think this all sounds too good to be true, and for a lot of people out there, it is. What makes you different? I’m going to personally connect you with a resource that will guide you through everything you need to know.

“Fixing Your Attachment Style” is the only way to change what’s wrong and celebrate what’s right. I know you can do this!

InsideFixing Avoidant And Anxious Attachment In Your Relationship, you will discover:

  • What attachment theory is and how it came to be
  • The role of childhood development in developing an attachment style
  • The four major types of attachment styles
  • Identifying your attachment style
  • How your attachment style impacts how you interact and relate with others
  • Why some attachment styles attract each other
  • Tools needed to change your attachment style
  • Overcoming jealousy and insecurity in relationships
  • Overcoming codependency and improving interdependence
  • What attachment styles exhibit codependent traits
  • Tips for building and maintaining healthy relationships
  • And a whole lot more!

One-click NOW will change your relationship!

You can be anyone you want to be, and all within the confines of a secure, loving, and caring relationship. It’s all about finding a way to deal with your anxious self so there no longer feels like there are three of you in the relationship.

Let’s make the change!

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The Review

This was a compelling and informative read. The author did an amazing job of crafting a guide and educational book that speaks both to the individual and the couple within a relationship. The fast-paced book and the healing atmosphere the author highlights throughout the book were truly engaging for a reader to behold, and the use of biblical references throughout the book will resonate with religious readers as well.

The things that really stood out to me as a reader were the emphasis on attachment theory and the way this book examined the way to strengthen relationships while also healing the wounds of our past. The way the author was able to break down each type of attachment style and the way the author touches upon things that can go wrong in a relationship, from codependency and jealousy to improving upon our self-esteem and practicing self-compassion made this a truly remarkable read.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, meaningful, and engaging, author Robert J. Charles’s “Fixing Avoidant and Anxious Attachment in Your Relationship” is a must-read nonfiction guide and self-help book on relationships and the path to healing. The emotional and educational value of this book is perfectly presented by the author’s straight-to-the-point yet compassionate writing style, making this one book that could prove essential to any couple’s relationship. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Meet Robert Charles

Robert Charles, PhD, DMin, is a life coach, mentor, pastor, radio host, and best-selling author.

He serves as a Departmental Director at the Greater New York Conference. Robert has also been an Advisor for the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University for eight years and is certified in World Literature from Harvard University.

In his inspiring books, Dr. Charles calls upon three decades of spiritual and practical experience as a mentor and pastor to help you navigate life’s challenges, live with joy, and discover your unique mission on this earth. He believes everyone is equipped with God-given talents to help them become the best versions of themselves. He says his raison d’être is to help as many people as possible tap into their strengths.

In his ministerial duties, Dr. Charles has encountered many cases of preventable/manageable mental health dysfunction and relationship breakdowns due to poor communication. This inspired his decision to take his mentorship worldwide through his books.

Some of the themes he has explored in his books and radio programs include:

• The Effects and Dangers of Overthinking

• Decluttering One’s Mind

• Codependency

• Effective Mood and Stress Managers

• Stress Management Techniques

• Physical Decluttering

• Mindfulness and Meditation

• Anxiety and Depression

• The Pillars of Self-confidence and Self-Esteem

• The Dangers of Wild and Unregulated Negative Thoughts

Dr. Charles believes every person deserves the best mental environment to grow into a balanced life and succeed.

He loves meditating, walking, and listening to inspirational music. He works in a team with his wife, Gina. They are blessed with three adult children: Ginaldy, David, and Daniela.

https://robertjcharles.com/

The Valley of Stars (The Rise of Penumbra Book 1) by Yona Katz 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 Star banished to the world they once protected must discover how to live amongst the people she once served, and discover the hidden truths her people hid from her in author Yona Katz’s “The Valley of Stars”, the first book in The Rise of Penumbra series.

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The Synopsis 

Asha, a Star, is an outstanding seventeen-year-old student in the flawless realm of the Valley of Stars. Her life’s purpose is to bring light to Adama, the world below. The promise of her perfect noble future is shattered when one day, she is caught breaking the law.

Asha’s disgraceful crime is unforgivable and requires the ultimate punishment. She is thrown out of the Valley of Stars to crash down on Adama—certain death for any Star.

Against all odds, Asha’s execution doesn’t go as planned. Not only does she miraculously survive the fall but a mysterious Adamian comes to her rescue. Her saviour is a distrusting girl who has no intention of compromising her own mission for the sake of a fallen Star.

Asha’s idea of Adama is challenged as she quickly learns that this world is not as safe as the Stars are taught. With danger hot on their heels, the exiled Star and the guarded Adamian might find that they need each other more than they think.

The Valley of Stars is the first book in the trilogy The Rise of Penumbra. This volume takes Asha on an unexpected adventure across Adama, where wonders and dangers go hand in hand, and friendship and love make anything possible.

This is a Young Adult series with no explicit content.

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The Review

The world-building in this book was incredible. The way the author was able to explore the connection people have to the stars and the cosmos as a whole was greatly felt through the themes of this book, and the amazing use of imagery in the author’s writing style was both poetic in its delivery and creative as it allowed readers to really get a sense of this world and those who live within it and above it. 

The character development was truly spectacular in this book. The way the character of Asha had a truly realized and full character arc was great to see, as her perspective on the people of Adama and the truth behind her own Star people’s role in the universe was so emotional and refreshing to see come to life on the page, and the relationships she developed along the way helped readers really connect to this protagonist. 

The Verdict

Heartfelt, richly developed, and wildly entertaining, author Yona Katz’s “The Valley of Stars” is a fantastic YA fantasy LGBTQ+ Romance that is filled with action and suspense. The twists and turns the narrative takes and the iconic story of a young woman who dared to question the world around her and was thrust into a life of adventure as a result, as well as the cliffhanger ending, made this one book 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

A citizen of the universe, Yona Katz is a financial director during the day. But as soon as the night falls, numbers and reports are chased away by the stories that live in the stars. One day, Yona has decided she is brave enough to share these stories with you.

Stone Souls by James Rourke Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Two people adjusting to life in an American Utopia discover the true cost of peace and the extreme methods that some of the new nation’s leaders are willing to go to in order to preserve that Utopia in author James Rourke’s “Stone Souls”.

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The Synopsis

What price would you pay to become a member of a vibrant society where poverty and crime have been eradicated? Medical advancements render cancer no deadlier than the common cold. You can teleport to your next destination. Art flourishes and intellectual accomplishments are celebrated the way lesser nations celebrate athletic contests.

The only cost is your soul.

Raymond and Karen Butler, as new citizens of the Common States of America, endeavor to embrace the nation’s demanding vision. The allure of prosperity collides with the ferocious realities of initiation. Their struggle to accept new customs and modes of thinking unfolds under the cruel gaze of Kurt “Stone” Adams, the secretary of internal security, who defends the nation he loves with revolutionary intensity.

Would you sell your soul for Utopia?

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The Review

This was a gripping and haunting sci-fi dystopian read. The world-building was excellent, really doing an amazing job of bringing this “Common States of America” to life in a visceral way. The horrors and shocking events that readers see come to life by this new hierarchy in order to maintain their “utopia” is terrifying, and coupled with the religious and philosophical discussions that bring to mind social and political issues our own world is facing at this time, this book is filled with so much tension.

To me, the heart of this narrative was in the unique character perspectives and the language used in this new world that speaks to the foundations of this society as a whole. The perspective readers get from both the newcomers to this society and the person practically running things was great to see as it gave a balanced viewpoint of this society, and the language very much reminded me of an almost cult-like mentality, as it often referenced a distrust of the outside world and showcased an often brutal hand of authority and standards that were impossible to live up to, leading to tragedy.

The Verdict

Memorable, haunting, and engaging, author James Rourke’s “Stone Souls” is a must-read dystopian sci-fi novel. The book’s commentary on our over-reliance on technology as a whole and the cost of perfection and a utopian society at the cost of humanity and morality as a whole made this a truly one-of-a-kind story and will stick with readers long after the book’s end. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

James Rourke has been a high school teacher of history, psychology, and philosophy for twenty-eight years. His commitment to these three disciplines guides his writing . “The Comic Book Curriculum” is praised for revealing “how major superheroes and their stories raise some of the deepest and most important ethical and psychological questions we all need to ask and answer.” This aspect of storytelling, the quest to tell stories that entertain, challenge, and uplift the reader, inspires James in his fiction as well.

A Divisive Storm: A Dora Ellison Mystery Book 6 by David E. Feldman 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 shot in his car leads an investigator into a web of conspiracy involving a group of white supremacists and a shocking series of murders in author David E. Feldman’s “A Divisive Storm”, the sixth book in the Dora Ellison Mystery series.

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The Synopsis

This dark mystery thriller features a stunning twist that turns the tables on the story’s white supremacy angle.

Ray Drucker is shot in the face while sitting in his car in a drugstore parking lot, and his wife has hired Dora to find his killer. Dora quickly learns that his murder is connected to another, five years earlier. As the bodies pile up, Dora and Missy find that the killings are connected to a dark and violent web of white supremacists.

The victims were all members of a club with a barely hidden racist agenda.

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The Review

This was yet another truly compelling and captivating mystery thriller! The author has crafted a crime thriller that continuously keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, with twist after twist forcing the reader to question who the killer may be and whether or not the victims were truly victims at all. The tension was palpable as it built over the course of this mystery, from the personal tension in the protagonist’s lives to the tension that arose with each and every new piece of evidence that was found. 

To me, the author has done an exceptional job of crafting characters that feel fully realized, and of creating a balance of chilling and heartfelt atmospheres using multiple POVs. The emotional and haunting perspective that readers get from the killer’s mindset and the complicated feelings that Dora gets as she investigates more and more of this case made this story so inviting, and the way the author was able to incorporate more personal story points like Missy’s family and the problems they face was great to see included in this story as well.

The Verdict

Thrilling, haunting, and entertaining, author David E. Feldman’s “A Divisive Storm” is a must-read mystery thriller. The powerful themes of LGBTQ-driven storylines and character growth, as well as the emotionally complex nature of this killer and the truth of these victims’ lives, made this a driven suspense thriller that readers will be talking about long after the book is finished. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

David E. Feldman has written seven books of his own and has ghostwritten many others. He has made three films, won 2 film awards and won a playwriting contest. He has an MLS degree in Library & Information Science.

You can find his books on Amazon.com and elsewhere, under his name, David E. Feldman.

They include:

The Neighborhood. (A standalone novel, about 4 fictitious families living in Valley Stream in 1973, one of whom is the first Black family in the neighborhood which was the author’s at that time.)

The Dora Ellison Mystery Series:

Storm Warnings, A Dora Ellison Short Story Prequel

Not Today, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 1 (a finalist for the Killer Nashville Claymore Best Mystery Award, 2022)

A Gathering Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 2

A Sickening Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 3

A Biological Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 4

A Special Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 5 (due out Feb. 21, 2023)

Percival (A standalone novel about a musician who contracts polio at the age of two and transcends his handicap and various mistreatments by an often cruel society, and finds joy and love. Based on the life of the author’s father.)

Pilgrimage from Darkness Nuremberg to Jerusalem

Bad Blood, a Long Island Mystery

Born of War: Based on a Story of American Chinese Friendship

How to Be Happy in Your Marriage – A Roadmap

His author website:

https://www.davidefeldman.com/books.shtml

His ghostwriting website:

https://longislandnyghostwriter.com/

His film, Everyone Deserves a Decent Life (directed, produced) won the Alfred Fortunoff Humanitarian Film Award at the Long Island Film Expo, 2014. His film, Let Me Out! (Written, directed, produced) won Best Psychological Thriller at the 2009 New York International Film Festival. His play, Love Lives On, was a winner of the inaugural Artists In Partnership Inaugural Playwriting Contest, and was produced in Long Beach, NY in Sept.-Oct. of 2022.

He has also been the owner of eFace Media (eface.com) since 1989, where he writes marketing and branding copy.

My Billionaire Casino Boss by Krichele Monroe Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A woman working for her brother’s best friend must navigate the complicated secrets of their shared past and the growing feelings they have for one another in author Krichele Monroe’s “My Billionaire Casino Boss”. 

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The Synopsis

My brother’s best friend, the billionaire casino owner, is my new boss!

I needed a job and well, he was hiring…not great!

We had a one-night stand a few years back, and we’ve kept it hidden from my brother Eric.

Eric is not the understanding type, and he would be extremely pissed to find out after all this time.

He made a pact with Thomas, when we first met, that I was off-limits in every way.

Current “fling” Hillary wants Thomas desperately, so I’m being asked to play “pretend fiance” to help get rid of her.

I really hate games…

Who would’ve guessed all our fake dates and light kisses would turn into so much more?

Now I crave this man and every inch of his chiseled, hard body. And that face…I have no words.

A whole lot of time faking it together turned into deep love (and a surprise baby)…

How will my brother handle the fact we’ve lied to him for so long?

And will he give us his blessing after all?

The Review

This was yet another fantastic contemporary romance from this incredible author. The thing I always love seeing is the chemistry and inciting conflicts that drive the protagonists together. The secret past that Thomas and Lily share and the fear of their secrets getting back to Lily’s brother are a unique twist on the will they-won’t they storyline. The fast pace of the narrative and the unique setting of Tahoe is an added plus to this gripping romance.

To me, the heart of this story rested in the tension both between the protagonists and the people surrounding them, as well as the emotional connection between these characters and the chemistry that brews between them. The shock of their shared past and the heat that builds between them as the plot of the “fake fiancee” takes hold and their close proximity grows into something far more than a simple boss-and-employee relationship was engaging and kept the reader invested in these characters, and the heat readers will feel due to the almost “forbidden” nature of their relationship as they hide it from Lily’s brother was deeply felt.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, emotional, and memorable, author Krichele Monroe’s “My Billionaire Casino Boss” is a must-read contemporary romance. The twists and turns in the story and the intense emotional connection readers will make with these characters made this a truly compelling read, and one I’d come back to time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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The Unempty Spaces Between by Louis Efron Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews3 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 Louis Efron share his debut collection of poetry in the book “The Unempty Spaces Between”.

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The Synopsis

A beautiful creation of song and scar, of emotional complexity and simple witness, Louis Efron’s debut collection The Unempty Spaces Between mingles the natural and human worlds in a series of accessible, personal, universal poems. From lush to bare, the landscapes he presents us with are so intertwined with and impacted by our actions that we realize the two have always been one. Brimming with meditations deep as winter snow and boundless compassion and curiosity, these vibrant poems remain grounded in a universal familiarity that opens us up to something greater.

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The Review

This was quite a beautifully written and deeply introspective read. The author’s handle on imagery is felt immediately in this book, allowing the reader to become lost in the worlds and narratives that each poem brings to life as if they are caught in the emotional wave of creativity that spills across the blank canvas of life. The unique structuring of each poem speaks to the deep thoughts and the working world in which the author’s mind inhabits.

The poems themselves are quite engaging, allowing the reader to see pieces of themselves in the work, and even in the poems that don’t directly speak to them, the reader is able to contemplate and look inward at their own lives to the core of each poem’s meaning. The poem “Nicked Wedding Ring” is a particular favorite, exposing the depths of deep emotion in the wake of a loss and the juxtaposition of those who seek out that same death out of greed or power, revealing how death shows us our best and our worst.

The Verdict

Memorable, engaging, and thought-provoking, author Louis Efron’s “The Unempty Spaces Between” is a must-read poetry collection. The fast pace of the collection and the way readers can easily sit and read through this book in one sitting and yet return to it time and time again speak to the author’s powerful words and the heart behind them. If you haven’t yet be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Louis Efron is a poet and writer who has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, POETiCA REViEW, The Orchards Poetry Journal, Academy of the Heart and Mind, Literary Yard, New Reader Magazine and over 100 other national and global publications. He is also the author of five books, including The Unempty Spaces Between, How to Find a Job, Career and Life You Love; Purpose Meets Execution; Beyond the Ink; as well as the children’s book What Kind of Bee Can I Be?

Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/42b0SF3

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124079828-the-unempty-spaces-between

Be Your Own Guru: 34 Essays on Figuring Out Life by Anastasia Petrenko 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 Anastasia Petrenko shares a powerful collection of essays to help break free of the narratives that don’t help you to live your most authentic and best life in the book “Be Your Own Guru: 34 Essays on Figuring Out Life”.

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The Synopsis

It’s time to shatter the shackles of mediocrity and embrace a life as it is: hard yet fascinating.

Be Your Own Guru is a refreshing take on self-help. Instead of telling you what to do and think, this book invites you to assess your assumptions and break free from narratives that don’t serve you in living your best life.

Featuring 34 insightful essays, each accompanied by thought-provoking questions and practical exercises, this book will inspire you to reflect on your beliefs and values, ultimately aligning them with your aspirations and goals.

Expect to be challenged, provoked, and even occasionally angered by the author’s observations, as they prompt you to confront your own biases and preconceptions.

This practical guide equips you with the tools and techniques needed to navigate life’s complexities. You’ll learn how to:

  • Recognize and reevaluate the expectations that cause suffering in your life;
  • Uncover your hidden priorities and integrate them into your personal values system;
  • Make decisions with confidence, knowing they are rooted in your true values and beliefs;
  • Cultivate a sense of inner peace and happiness by minimizing regrets.


If you’re tired of cookie-cutter advice and overblown claims that don’t resonate with your everyday reality, pick up Be Your Own Guru and initiate meaningful change now. No more delays, no more excuses. Step up, take charge, and create the life you want to live.

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The Review

What immediately stuck out to me as a reader was the depth of heart and passion that the author wrote. The way the author was able to dive into so many different avenues of thought, from making choices and caring about the important things in life to living life authentically and separating oneself from the media noise, allowed the reader to feel more connected to the subject matter, as it dealt with everyday life and yet felt like the importance was of a grand scale.

The thing that stood out to me the most was the author’s ability to connect with the reader. Rather than feeling like a step-by-step guide from an expert in a field, the book instead felt like an honest and open discussion from someone on the same path as the reader. The heart of each chapter came not in formal steps, but in guidance for the reader into the heart of each matter, allowing us to see the choices we make and go on an internal search for our own answers and paths forward in life. 

The Verdict

Insightful, honest, and passionately written, author Anastasia Petrenko’s “Be Your Own Guru” is a must-read book. The wonderful play on words for each chapter allows the reader to get the depth of internal searching that is required to become our own guru, and the emotional depth of the writing itself will keep readers invested enough to come back to this book 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

Anastasia Petrenko is a dynamic entrepreneur and writer, originally from Ukraine and now dividing her time between Canada and Costa Rica.

With a passion for asking tough questions and challenging common beliefs, Anastasia regularly contributes to Medium, sharing her unique perspective with a growing audience.

In addition to her non-fiction writing, Anastasia is currently working on her debut novel while sipping on cups of steaming hot tea next to her electronics.

anastasiawhy.com

Medium

Softball Strikeout: The New Girl by Ben Jackson & Sam Lawrence 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 changing schools must work to prove herself and fight to get a spot on the school softball team in authors Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence’s “Softball Strikeout: The New Girl”. 

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The Synopsis

For Olivia, a new town, school, and softball team were possibly the last things on her mind, but after being told they’d be moving, it was now becoming a reality. Not only would she need to make new friends, but she’d also have to prove herself on her new softball team all over again.

Olivia lived and breathed softball. Growing up, the only sport she’d ever been interested in was softball, and with her dad teaching her, she’d become a pretty good pitcher.

However, finding herself now living in Greenville meant that she’d have to try out for the Blue Jays and earn her spot as a pitcher if she wanted any chance of playing softball this year. Making new friends at a new school was hard enough, but fighting your way onto one of the best softball teams in the division could be even harder.

Will Olivia make the team, and will she be able to make new friends? Or would it all go horribly wrong? Read Softball Strikeout The New Girl now to find out!

Stay tuned for more books in the Softball Strikeout Series!

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The Review

This was an engaging and memorable novel for young readers. The fast pace of the narrative and the rich dynamics the author establishes between the protagonist and the other characters, both her parents and the young women on this softball team, all come together quite beautifully. The detail the authors put into the sport itself and the rich imagery in the author’s writing style really brought this narrative to life so wonderfully. 

The heart of this story rested in the incredible character development and the heartfelt themes the authors established in this book. The themes of friendship, community, hard work, and determination all could be felt in this story, and the way the authors were able to get into the mindset of this young protagonist and capture the nerves and the anxiety that goes into making new friends and fighting for a spot on a team really captured the connectivity that a book like this needs for young readers. 

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and entertaining, authors Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence’s “Softball Strikeout: The New Girl” is a fantastic book for children and young readers everywhere. The close look at team sports and the balance of competitiveness and community within team sports mirrored protagonist Olivia’s struggles and personal motivations quite well, making this one book kids will not 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 Authors

Ben Jackson was born in Tasmania, Australia, and is a successful indie author that has been writing for almost a decade. Ben is married to Sam Lawrence, and together they specialize in self-publishing children’s books. They have been married for several years and have traveled together between Australia and Canada.

Together, Ben and Sam have published a series of children’s books called My Little Fart and Hockey Wars, as well as If I Was A Caterpillar and several other non-fiction books. In addition, they have numerous publications in progress, so stay tuned for information on those by following this page and connecting with them on Facebook, Goodreads, or Instagram.

Ben manages a company called Author Services Australia to help Australian authors self-publish their books. Sam manages a company called Indie Publishing Group, which specializes in assisting Canadian indie authors.

Remember, if you enjoyed one of their books, please leave a review! As indie authors, it really helps out, and it’s 100% free and will only take a few minutes of your time.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BenandSamAuthors/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/authorsbenandsam/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15144197.Ben_Jackson

Website – http://www.benandsamauthors.com/

Sam Lawrence was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and has traveled extensively in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. She has successfully founded and operates a self-publishing company, Indie Publishing Group Inc., that specializes in helping indie authors self-publish their books. She grew up playing hockey and still plays in a recreational league. Sam is the proud mother of two boys and enjoys volunteering with the London Lacrosse Association.

The School of the Haunted River by Colleen Gerwing 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.

An outdoorswoman takes her niece on a two-week journey through the wilderness, sharing stories of her life and her passion for the outdoors in author Colleen Gerwing’s “The School of the Haunted River”.

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The Synopsis

We are all born of a river, and that in itself should be enough.

On a two-week outdoor winter snowshoeing trip in northern Saskatchewan with her niece Dilly, outdoor adventurer Jay tells stories as they hike and camp. Some are true – her outdoor training in Wyoming, her early life on the farm – and some are stories within stories within stories. A faux diamond necklace that mysteriously appears and disappears, Jay’s youthful encounters with the mysterious Cowboy, an inspiring series of books that she read on her long-ago canoe trip alone – all are underscored by Jay’s love and respect for the wild.

In The School of the Haunted River, the late Colleen Gerwing fashioned a novel based on her own life as an outdoorswoman, a novel about the natural world that will haunt and enchant even as it educates you.

The Review

This was a heartfelt and captivating read. The author does an incredible job of crafting a narrative that feels both genuine and creative all at once. The character development between Dilly and Jay is great to see, as it transcends the typical mother/daughter tension and instead brings that same energy to an aunt and niece setting, emphasizing the distance that has grown between them and the emotional journey they take both physically and mentally to come back together again. 

For me, the heart of this story rests in the honest and heartfelt writing style the author brings to the narrative. With the author’s long history of being an outdoorswoman and hiking through similar trails as the protagonists of this tale, the setting and atmosphere of the novel felt authentic and memorable, creating a strong sense of imagery in the author’s writing.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and captivating, author Colleen Gerwing’s “The School of the Haunted River” is a must-read novel. The creativity and entertaining aspect of the stories Jay tells to Dilly throughout their hike and the emotional bonds that are formed as their journey progresses made this a truly compelling read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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