I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Alexandra Kharazi, MD, shares insights into the people in high-risk careers who overcame adversity in the book “The Heart of Fear: A Surgeon’s Collection of Stories on Adversity, Passion, and Perseverance”.
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The Synopsis
The Heart of Fear: A Surgeon’s Collection of Stories on Adversity, Passion and Perseverance is a raw and honest exploration of the internal conflicts and fears shared by professionals in distinctly different yet surprisingly comparable fields-including medicine, skydiving, and stunt driving.
Through candid interviews with people in high-stress, high-risk occupations, author Alexandra Kharazi provides insight on navigating risk in the face of fear and offers techniques on how we can ultimately transcend the limiting beliefs that hold us back from achieving our goals.
The Review
This was such an intriguing and mindful look into the tension and struggle of those in high-pressure jobs. The passion and hope that the author infuses into the themes and narrative of each story were so profound and moving, and made the book come alive on the pages. The care and compassion the author shows to bring these stories to life give a beautiful push of emotion to the stories as well.
The integration of personal storytelling through these interviews allowed the author’s message of hope and resilience to shine brightly. The impact of things like fear and doubt on a person’s mental well-being and the need to overcome that fear through determination and strength of will were greatly illustrated through each of these stories, and the quick pacing allowed readers to consume this book and the uplifting themes in each tale with ease.
The Verdict
Memorable, impactful, and engaging, author Alex Kharazi’s “The Heart of Fear” is a must-read nonfiction self-help and inspirational guide on pushing past our fears and not letting doubt cloud our minds. The impact of high-pressure jobs and the book’s emphasis on the medical career, in particular, was a refreshing change in POV, and readers would love to see the author explore more stories like this in other professions in future books. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Alexandra Kharazi, MD is a surgeon practicing in California. She has always been passionate about writing and storytelling. Her first book, “The Heart of Fear,” started as a passion project in which she interviewed friends and colleagues about their experiences navigating high risk careers. She has a special interest in exploring the motivation and mindset of those navigating high-pressure environments.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The life Angela has found herself in gets more complex when a body brings more attention from law enforcement, and a gang of elderly people seeks the killer for themselves as the killer sets their sights on Angela and her family in author D.C. Gomez’s “A Desperate Cat Lady”, the second book in the author’s The Cat Lady series.
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The Synopsis
Illegal guns. Dangerous old-ladies. Now a dead body. Angela’s life is getting more complicated by the minute.
A boring life is not in Angela’s future, with her being a black market guns dealer. Tripping over a dead-body is now bringing a lot more attention from law enforcement than she cares to have.
If only she could get control of the Silver Hair Gang, and their quest to find the killer themselves. Angela is running out of time to secure her next arms deal, and save her family from an unknown killer.
* A Desperate Cat Lady is book two in the Contemporary Humorous Fiction series The Cat Lady. Angela’s life drastically changed when she transitioned from depressed cat lady to arms dealer. Now she is willing to take on the world to protect her family and her empire.
The Review
This was the perfect blend of fun and exhilarating crime thriller meets cozy murder mystery drama. The author did a wonderful job of infusing the story with wit and humor through Angela and the Silver Hair Gang’s interactions with one another, showcasing the diverse and gripping action this unassuming group of people get themselves into when the narrative progresses. The tension rises in just the right places and the pacing keeps the reader on the edge of their seats as the story progresses.
The true heart of this narrative rested in the author’s rich narrative. The mystery surrounding the story and the pace in which the protagonist unravels the mystery plays well into the unique position the characters find themselves in with their “day jobs”, and the complex twists in the mystery surrounding the victim’s background and history made this story feel alive and visceral in its approach.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and entertaining, author D.C. Gomez’s “A Desperate Cat Lady” is a must-read cozy murder mystery read and a great addition to the author’s growing The Cat Lady Series. The twists and turns in the story showcase the author’s expert handle on the crime thriller genre. If you were looking for a story that brings the unique setting of a Breaking Bad type of show and blended it with the small-town crime storyline found in Fargo, this would be your series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
D. C. Gomez is a USA Today Bestselling Author, born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. She study film and television at New York University. After college she joined the US Army, and proudly served for four years.
Those experiences shaped her quirky sense of humor. D.C. has a love for those who served and the families that support them. She currently lives in the quaint city of Wake Village, Texas, with her furry roommate, Chincha.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Maria Liviero shares a unique journey to understanding the self and how a false self can impact the negative decisions we make for our lives in her book “Why We Make Bad Choices: The God’s Labyrinth of Good and Evil Encountering the Self”.
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The Synopsis
This book explores our sense of self and the source of the unhealthy behaviours and thinking patterns that cause us to make bad choices through the symbolic themes and characters of Genesis 1–3.
The journey towards understanding ourselves is undertaken by a character called Eve, who enters a parallel universe between Genesis and the present day only to discover the dark side of human nature that stems from God, and where she learns how to deal with the resulting false self.
This is a self-help book for anyone interested in investigating the depths of the human self and exploring how a false self can manifest itself causing us to make unhealthy choices. It will take you on a journey where you will encounter both the good and evil that exists within all of us, a journey first introduced in the creation story of Genesis.
The Review
This was a unique and powerful read. The author’s ability to write in a way that felt both educational yet relatable to everyone was a great use of voice and tone, and the philosophical discussions that the author’s work brings up help to bridge the gap between religion and psychology as a whole new way, allowing for the reader to really take the time to explore their own lives and the impact that one’s faith and morality can impact their lives directly.
For me, the connection the author formed between religion and psychology was such an impactful writing and philosophy tool. The symbolism and creativity that the author used in showcasing the story of Eve and her experiences throughout the book of Genesis, and how the author was able to relay that information to our own understanding of the universe as a whole and our place in it in regards to our own identity and psyche was amazing to see come to life.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, thoughtful, and engaging, author Maria Liviero’s “Why We Make Bad Choices” is a must-read self-help and nonfiction read for both religious and psychology enthusiasts alike. The passion for which the author wrote and the information that the book imparts to the reader made this a truly compelling read and made for a great balance with the more interactive aspect of the book’s themes. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Maria Liviero, based in the UK, has received an award for her first book that had been in the planning for five years. With the many ups and downs of writing, and to share how personal struggles can create an empty canvas to recreate the reader’s life, because there is no end but a beginning.
She obtained a psychology degree, along with MSc and diploma in psychotherapy. In her experience, the dark side of human nature is of equal or even greater importance—without being conscious of our shadow we continue to live in fear, discord with ourselves and others. Maria believes to understand ourselves we must travel the path of self-discovery. This can mean transcending our false ego to live a fulfilling life without the shackles that we have created like the internet, social media, mobiles phones, addictions, relationships, negative thinking (and behaviours), and statements.
Liviero’s passion is to show how suffering is an important part of life that must not be repressed or pushed aside by using a person, a thing or a situation to relieve us from the inner despair but take the experience to evolve emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two women in the aftermath of the Civil War must protect a small Western town and help defend the town’s citizens from malicious marauders, only to discover a much darker secret in author Zachary Rosenberg’s “Hunger as Old as This Land.”
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The Synopsis
The settlement of Grey’s Bluffs is a prosperous town. An independent community dwelling in the shadows of the mountains known only as The Hungers.
Esther Foxman and Siobhan O’Clery have grown up in Grey’s Bluffs, thriving out on the western territories in the aftermath of the Civil War. Devoted to one another and their home, the two set out to complete a regular pact at the Hungers to ensure that Grey’s Bluffs continues to prosper.
Cyril Redstone is a man who knows death well. Becoming a mercenary after the Civil War, Cyril leads the marauding Blackhawks from one slaughter to the next. Hired to destroy Grey’s Bluffs, Cyril cares little for morality, nor that he owes its founder his life.
Esther and Siobhan are left to defend the only home they have ever known from the Blackhawks, their confrontation driving them deep into the mountains.
Where the darkest secrets of the Hungers await them.
The Review
This was an absolutely compelling and gripping Western horror novel. The emphasis the author put on getting the detail surrounding the setting and western-themed atmosphere to sound just right when moving through the narrative was astounding, and the bone-chilling tension that the story built when The Hungers arrived to show their terror to the characters made this a compelling horror read.
Yet to me, the heart of this narrative rested in the author’s ability to find a natural and heartfelt way of finding inclusivity in the narrative through characters that represented people of the LGBTQ+, Jewish, and Native American people. The protagonist embodied all of these backgrounds, and her strength and resiliency when balanced with the heart and compassion in her heart made for a moving story, which helped elevate the horror and the gritty nature of the setting immensely.
The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and chilling, author Zachary Rosenberg’s “Hungers as Old as This Land” is a must-read Western horror novel that readers won’t be able to put down. The quick pacing and the rich world-building made this story feel alive on the page and kept me as a reader hanging off of the author’s every word. If this book is any indication, I think the author is set for a long career developing the next generation of great horror classics. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Zachary Rosenberg is a horror writer living in Florida. He crafts horrifying tales by night and by day he practices law, which is even more frightening. His forthcoming debut novella “Hungers as Old As This Land.” will be published by Brigids Gate press and his first novel “The Devils and the Deep Blue Sea” shall be published by Darklit Press. You may find his works released or forthcoming at Air and Nothingness Press, Dead Sea Press and Nosetouch Press.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young man seeking revenge against an “evil” genie must find a powerful new weapon capable of stopping the genies once and for all in author Hugh Fritz’s “Anomaly Aftermath”, book 3 in The Mystic Rampage Series.
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The Synopsis
Soleil is lost in time, launched through history at the hands of the Old Ticker. Now he is out of his element. He must adapt to his new home, hope it’s possible to return to his original time, and pray for a chance to correct some mistakes along the way.
Tyrell knows Flarence killed Darren. He wants revenge, though a mere human with limited resources has no chance of harming a Genie. But Roy’s body is failing to the point that not even Genie blood can sustain him. The cause of Roy’s slow death may give Tyrell the opportunity he needs to make Flarence suffer.
The Old Ticker’s designs have been leaked. Now they rest in deadlier hands and more mischievous minds. A pair of spell-casting revolvers were nothing compared with the new weapons being developed in secret. The Genies may have met their match when a scientist emerges armed with the most devastating firearm the world has ever known.
These three novellas are the culmination of the Mystic Rampage series—historical fiction, contemporary action, and near-future science fiction. Connecting them all is their shared theme of overcoming regrettable decisions to forge a brighter future.
The Review
This was a rich and captivating read. Immediately what struck me was the author’s unique format of ending this story with three novellas that culminate in this fantasy and sci-fi action series. The depth the author dives into regarding the mythos and world-building of the series overall was so remarkable, as the story skirted these fantasy elements without sacrificing the real-world setting and character development that made the reader feel more connected to the story and the world found within.
The rich dynamics of the characters and the way the author was able to get multiple perspectives of this conflict between humanity and genies, and sometimes with one another, was so gripping to behold. The bond between Flarence and Claire, for example, or the almost modern-day Shakespearean nature of the conflict between Tyrell and Flarence was so compelling and kept me invested in this story.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and captivating, author Hugh Fritz’s “Anomaly Aftermath” is the must-read action sci-fi and fantasy read you want to have this summer, and a great third entry into The Mystic Rampage Series. The twists and turns in the story and the shocking character development that sees emotional bonds formed and shattered, rise and fall, and all tied into the conflict ahead made this a truly memorable story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Hugh Fritz is thrilled to have completed his Mystic Rampage trilogy, a project eight years in the making. While writing the series he has outlined and written rough drafts of other stories ranging from horror to romance. He is currently bouncing between his works in progress, deciding which one should get his full attention. Whatever comes next will assuredly be a step in a whole new direction.
Anomaly Aftermath is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon. You can add it to your GoodReads reading list as well.
Blog Tour Dates
May 1st @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us at the WOW blog to celebrate the launch of author Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
Lisa Haselton interviews author, Hugh Fritz about his recently released book: Anomaly Aftermath. You can read an interview with the author and learn more about the Mystic Rampage Series today on Lisa’s Blog!
You won’t want to miss Joy’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by A Wonderful World of Words today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series!
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series, Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Word Magic with Fiona Ingram to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Advertising and Finding an Audience” and delves into developing a pitch as an author.
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series, Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Choices with Madeline Sharples to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Developing a Pitch for a Book-to-Film Adaptation”.
You won’t want to miss fellow author Anthony Avina’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Author Anthony Avina’s blog today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series!
You won’t want to miss Nikki’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Nikki’s Book Review blog today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series!
You won’t want to miss Judy’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Knotty Needle Creative today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series!
Hear from a teenager about Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Bring on Lemons today to hear from Carmen Otto as she reviews the book and you can learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series!
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series, Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by World of My Imagination to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Returning to School to Seek an Advanced Degree”.
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series, Anomaly Aftermath. Storey Book Reviews to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “What to do When the Series is Over”.
You won’t want to miss Glenda’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by The Mommies Reviews today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series!
You won’t want to miss Nicole Pyles’ review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Lady Unemployed today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An infamous Tech CEO accidentally discovers a means of sending back information into the past, but soon discovers the tech and financial gains pale in comparison to a far darker threat in author E.W. Doc Parris’s “The Dent in the Universe”.
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The Synopsis
It turns out “Move fast and break things” is terrible advice when developing a time machine.
To resuscitate his fading celebrity, tech CEO Stephen Lucas would sell his soul for one more hit. When the subspace network for his holographic gaming empire crashes, his hardware guru makes a discovery proving that Einstein was right once again— information can be sent backward in time.
Lucas sees a dream product for procrastinators. Want a pizza now? Send your order back in time 30 minutes. Forgot to make reservations at that chichi french restaurant two weeks ago? No worries. Buy that PowerBall ticket. Invest in that stock. Make a FaceTime call to a loved one that passed away a month ago.
It’s the time machine for the rest of us.
In a culture built on instant gratification, Lucas knows he has a hit that will seem like a dream come true on Wall Street. But when he rushes into beta testing before fully understanding the power he’s unleashing, he learns that the stuff dreams are made of can quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
The road to Hell is paved with cool inventions.
The Review
The author does a fantastic job of crafting a unique and powerful world that brings a rich blend of sci-fi and mystery storytelling. The detail the author puts into the more tech and scientific nature of the “time travel” element was great to see, and the inclusion of more business, mainstream-style approaches to the technology itself feels very real to the story being told and our own world as a whole.
This was the perfect emphasis on world-building and mythos that any hard-core sci-fi thriller has ever taken. The depths of character development and the realities of how our own modern-day “tech-bros” are seen by the broader public were greatly felt in this fictional world. The unique twist on the time travel element and the shift in tone as the sci-fi element soon takes a back seat to some more mystery, thriller, and even horror elements as the dark realities of any and all tech, but in particular this one, make themselves known and take the reader to a depth of internet hell that few could have seen coming.
The Verdict
Twisted, captivating, and thrilling, author E.W. Doc Parris’s “The Dent in the Universe” is a must-read sci-fi thriller you won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative and the climactic finale will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and the atmospheric nature of the narrative will have readers invested in the author’s unique take on the sci-fi tech genre. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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E.W. Doc Parris has a new sci-fi/horror book out: The Dent in the Universe. And there’s a giveaway – a $50 Amazon gift card.
To resuscitate his fading celebrity, tech CEO Stephen Lucas would sell his soul for one more hit. When the subspace network for his holographic gaming empire crashes, his hardware guru makes a discovery proving that, though the mechanics may differ a bit, Einstein was right once again— information can be sent backward in time.
Lucas sees a dream product for procrastinators. Want a pizza now? Send your order back in time 30 minutes. Forgot to make reservations at that chichi french restaurant two weeks ago? No worries. Buy that PowerBall ticket. Invest in that stock. Make a FaceTime call to a loved one that passed away a month ago.
In a culture built on instant gratification, Lucas knows he has a hit that will make Wall Street sit up and beg. But when he rushes into beta testing, he learns that the stuff dreams are made of can quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
Warnings: violence, torture, body horror, branding, implied cannibalism.
Stephen picked up the keyboard and typed, Watson, come here. I want to see you.
Before he hit enter, the display on his right blinked and displayed a log entry. The display directly in front of him showed the log of the interaction, a white line of text that showed what he’d typed, Watson, come here. I want to see you, and the time sent, 630231 milliseconds. The display on the right, the one that flashed before he hit enter, showed the same.
Walrus said, “Look at the timestamps. The sending input occurred at 630231 milliseconds. The receiving event happened at 629931 milliseconds.”
Stephen looked puzzled. “The clocks are off? That’s a 300…?” he checked his math, “300-millisecond difference.”
Walrus grinned. “Negative 300 milliseconds. The clocks aren’t off.”
“The time server is off?” Stephen knew that was the culprit in the outage.
Walrus shook his head. “Nope. These two chips are in perfect sync to FTL time.”
Stephen stopped and thought. The message appeared to be arriving 300 milliseconds before it was sent. “I’m not getting it,” he said.
Walrus laughed and did his little dance again. “Yes! You are! Tell me what you see.”
Stephen said slowly, “The message looks like it’s being received before it was sent, 300 milliseconds before.” Walrus grinned, and Stephen continued, “But that’s not possible. What’s causing the discrepancy? If the clocks aren’t wrong and the time server was working properly…?” He shook his head.
Walrus’s grin widened. “It’s a time machine.”
Stephen leaned back a bit from the desk. “Right.” Walrus let it sink in. “What do you mean?” He thought Walrus was speaking metaphorically.
Walrus laughed and said, “I mean, this is a time machine.”
Stephen looked at the set-up in front of him. It was a hacked sChip on a breadboard and a couple of displays strung together with cables and alligator clips. This wasn’t a time machine.
Walrus relented. “I’ve tweaked the power supply to dial in a tiny phase variance in the I/O to this sChip, like our customer did by accident. The tensor array interpreted this as an attribute, sending the signal to a point in time before it was sent. 300 milliseconds before. About a third of a second.”
Stephen recalled the chain of events. The right display refreshed a fraction of a second before he hit enter. Examining the log, what he had typed was there. Watson, come here. I want to see you.
He frowned and thought for a few seconds. “A third of a second? It’s the least impressive time machine imaginable,” he said. “This crashed the time servers?”
Walrus nodded, finished his cola, tossed its crushed container in the recycling bin, and peeled open another. “Essentially. I’ve cleaned up the effect, and I’m not messaging the time server. The timeserver would have ignored an invalid time sync transaction. It’s programmed to dump garbage bits. This wasn’t garbage, it was a perfectly normal sync transaction, but the handshake was out of order. The time server software questioned its own reality. It wobbled, tried to regain its equilibrium, and tipped into cascade failure.”
“It’s fascinating, but…” Hard-wired by the last six years to search for a new product, Stephen’s mind was searching for a use for what he was seeing. “I mean, it is cool, but it’s useless—a weird trick of physics. What can we do with it?” He thought for a little more. “This is IP data?”
Walrus shrugged, “It’s a packet like any other packet.”
“So, if it’s packets, then it’s IP, then it’s anything. Form data, text, jpegs, audio, video, holo.”
Walrus nodded and grinned, “Sure. You could surf the web of 300 milliseconds ago…”
Stephen interrupted him, “Can we extend that? Could we rig these in series? Go back further?”
“We could do it more elegantly than that—How much further?”
“You tell me, what’s the theoretical limit?”
“Well, you’d need a receiver. So whatever we end up making would only go back to the first chips that go online. We make a chip today, turn it on, in a week, we could go back to that moment but not before, right? The longer we’re online, the further back we can send things.”
Stephen shook his head. “We couldn’t go back further than tonight?”
Walrus nodded. “There would be nothing to send it to. As soon as we flip the switch on our time machine, we’d be establishing a time horizon. But say we turned on a receiving device tonight. In a year, you could send a message back to tonight. That would be a year in your past. In two years, you could send a message back two years, on and on, until the end of the world.” He laughed and said, “You know that old site, The Way Back Machine? The internet archive? This would be like that but live. You could actually surf the web of the past. Leaving comments on a video from a year earlier.”
Stephen frowned dismissively and said, “What good would that do? I can leave a comment on that same video today. The entire internet is available back to the 90s.”
Walrus smiled, “But it’d be radical!” Radical was not the goal. Stephen needed a killer application, a product everyone would want. Walrus’s stomach growled loudly. “Man,” he said, “I’m starving. Wanna order a pizza? Hey man, that’s what we could do!” he said jokingly, “We could use it to order pizza a half hour ago, so it arrives…” and he snapped his fingers.
Stephen froze. His pupils widened. Instant Pizza. Instant delivery. Instant gratification.
The entire computer industry of the last forty years was built around delivering everything as quickly as possible. Meeting the desires of the customer. Right. Fucking. Now. If no one ever went broke underestimating the American people’s intelligence, as Mencken might have said, it would follow: no one ever went broke catering to their impatience.
Author Bio
E.W. Doc Parris is an American writer known for matter-of-fact, hard science fiction grounded in the current scientific weltanschauung, leavened with wit, and kindled by the warmth of human relationships.
Born within the nation’s capital Beltway, Doc makes his home in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. A self-taught software developer and solutions architect, he’s made a decent living over the years as a set designer, graphic designer, animator, 3D modeler, iOS developer, puppeteer, and educator.
In addition to his centuries-spanning WalrusTech Reality series, Doc is currently working on his next novel, Land of Nod, an exploration of A.I., nanotech, and the human brain’s neural network.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author and poet Jeannie Hall Gailey share a rich collection of poems that showcase our ability to prevail and persevere through illness and natural disaster in the book “Flare, Corona”.
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The Synopsis
Against a constellation of solar weather events and evolving pandemic, Jeannine Hall Gailey’s Flare, Corona paints a self-portrait of the layered ways that we prevail and persevere through illness and natural disaster.
Gailey deftly juxtaposes odd solar and weather events with the medical disasters occurring inside her own brain and body— we follow her through a false-alarm terminal cancer diagnosis, a real diagnosis of MS, and finally the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The solar flare and corona of an eclipse becomes the neural lesions in her own personal “flare,” which she probes with both honesty and humor. While the collection features harbingers of calamity, visitations of wolves, blood moons, apocalypses, and plagues, at the center of it all are the poet’s attempts to navigate a fraught medical system, dealing with a series of challenging medical revelations, some of which are mirages and others that are all too real.
In Flare, Corona, Jeannine Hall Gailey is incandescent and tender-hearted, gracefully insistent on teaching us all of the ways that we can live, all of the ways in which we can refuse to do anything but to brilliantly and stubbornly survive.
The Review
I was absolutely moved and captivated by the heart and passion that the author relays her story of health battles and the pandemic. The use of story-driven, sci-fi, and dystopian genre writing styles to illustrate the author’s personal story was so remarkable and thrilling to see come to life on the page, and the humor and wit that underscores these apocalyptic-style poems made this a thrilling collection.
To me, the heart of this collection resides in the themes and imagery that the author utilizes in her work. The juxtaposition of the decay and darkness that surrounds humanity with the life and love that brings the light back into our lives was so remarkably moving, and the imagery that connects a brain scan to astronomical, and solar movements were both thought-provoking and heartfelt in its delivery.
The Verdict
Memorable, moving, and insightful, author Jeannie Hall Gailey’s “Flare, Corona” is a must-read collection of poems that speak to both the perils of health crisis and the hope that humanity draws from in times of need. The scope of the poems themselves and the creativity that they spark, and the imagery that the author’s poems bring to life made this a truly wonderful read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Jeannine Hall Gailey is a writer with MS who served as the second Poet Laureate of Redmond, Washington. She is the author of five books of poetry: Becoming the Villainess, She Returns to the Floating World, Unexplained Fevers, The Robot Scientist’s Daughter, Field Guide to the End of the World, the winner of the Moon City Press Book Award and the SFPA’s Elgin Award, and upcoming in 2023, Flare, Corona from BOA Editions. She also wrote a non-fiction book called PR for Poets to help poets trying to promote their books. Her poems have been featured on NPR’s The Writer’s Almanac and on Verse Daily; two were included in 2007’s The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror. She was awarded a 2007 and 2011 Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Prize for Poetry and a 2007 Washington State Artist Trust GAP grant. Her poems have appeared in American Poetry Review, Poetry, and Ploughshares.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A hero in the making must face a challenging new threat as he and his allies seek a new teacher and discover the temptation of a new power in author Nathan Helm’s “Kingdom Society: Broken Reality”, the second book in the Kingdom Society.
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The Synopsis
After the events of the evil Black Hood, Alyeth finds himself struggling with internal conflict at every turn. Given the opportunity, he goes with his master Xylok, Ezra, Koren, and Cindrel to learn from a powerful warlock Pyrres Galhon in Stonehaven. During his training, he learns of new forces in the universe that have their own plans for him, as well as learning more about his new teacher. When all seemed to be well on a normal Nature Extravaganza, Alyeth finds himself trapped in a precarious situation created by the devious Game Master. Alyeth must use his own instincts and intuition to find and save his team, as well as struggling with the new choice of power he is offered. Come join this action-packed adventure full of love, excitement, and new discovery and find out where our hero will end up!
The Review
This was a powerful fusion of science fiction and fantasy! As a newcomer to the series, I found the author did a wonderful job of introducing the characters in a way that made the events of the first book feel alive and fresh in this world, giving enough information to move forward in this new adventure. The world-building and mythology the author establishes made the sci-fi and fantasy elements of the narrative feel natural and cohesive in this universe, making this a compelling read.
To me, the heart of this narrative rested in character development and world-building. For me, some of the most interesting characters in a story prove to be the ones who skate the line between good and evil, and Korath is a great example of this, as his tragic backstory serves as the prologue to this narrative. The action and adventure this story breeds with him at the forefront, along with protagonist Alyeth, made this a memorable reading experience.
The Verdict
Memorable, adrenaline-fueled, and entertaining, author Nathan Helm’s “Kingdom Society: Broken Reality” is a must-read sci-fi and fantasy novel and a great addition to this growing series. The cosmic and elder god elements of the narrative and the tension that builds over time, both internally for Alyeth, and externally as these champions are chosen, made the series of twists and turns building throughout this narrative so compelling. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Award-Winning Author Nathan Helm doesn’t just have style, he puts the funk right into fantasy. Spending his days typing much faster than should be humanly possible, he creates stories for you to love and cherish. When he’s not driving his big rig bringing goods to all the country, he spends his time hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, narrating audio books, singing, watching anime, going to church, and spending time with friends and family. He hopes you love the books to come, with two separate books series titled Dreamwalker, and Planet Conquest in the works, he will not leave you with a dull moment for years to come. You can follow this author on all social media by searching Author Nathan Helm or @thefunkyfantasyman. Author website is in the works, and he looks forward to the journey with all of you. Because as he says, “There’s nothing more important than making your fans happy!” God Bless you all and happy reading!
I received a free copy of this book in e exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A group of men at a ranch discover they have no memory of how they arrived at the location nor how their secrets connect to one another in author Brady Koch’s “The Forgotten Sons of Wyoming”, the second book in the All Our Forgotten Futures series.
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The Synopsis
The men at Trinity Ranch all have something in common: none of them can remember how they arrived there or the terrible secret they all share.
The Review
Author Brady Koch has done it again. The thrilling and captivating world that the author has built shows the depth of character development blending with the mind-boggling world-building that builds upon some of the mythos established in the author’s first book in this series. The imagery and atmosphere become quite prevalent early on in the narrative, allowing the reader to feel the contrast of the serenity the men in this facility feel clashing with the violence and shock that comes with working in a slaughterhouse.
The heart of this story came in the rich mythos of the greater story blending with the mystery and suspense that this particular novel brought to life. The compassion and intrigue that the protagonist and his fellow workers conjure up take several drastic turns as the secrets of their past come to life, even to them. The shock and awe that the narrative takes as the layers of the mystery peel away one by one will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The Verdict
Memorable, adrenaline-fueled, and entertaining, author Brady Koch’s “The Forgotten Sons of Wyoming” is a must-read thriller! The tension and pacing of the author’s work really do an incredible job of drawing the reader in and the dynamic character development allows the reader to feel the shocking twists and turns that take the narrative into all new directions. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Feel free to read over Brady’s shoulder if you see him working on a new novel or short story at the coffee shop or library. Despite his penchant for crime, horror, and the unusual in his writing, he’s actually a nice guy and welcomes your feedback. Brady Koch’s first collection of short works, Guns, Gods & Robots, is now available. His debut novel, All our Forgotten Futures, will be available in Winter 2023.
