Category: reviews

Aoh by Jennifer Renson 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 is forced to return to Egypt after being cared for in Babylon by the queen, now forced to protect the woman who holds the Pharaoh’s heart in her hands as untold dangers swirl all around them in the book Aoh by Jennifer Renson.

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The Synopsis

Upon fleeing her homeland of Egypt after her village is attacked, Aoh finds herself living in an immaculate Babylonian palace under the care of the queen. For a young peasant girl, it’s a life of luxury beyond her imagination. But unforeseen circumstances cause Aoh to return to Egypt, where she finds herself living in another palace disguised as a servant. She must face many dangers if she is to protect herself and the woman who holds the pharaoh’s heart. Will Aoh survive and find love in a place where deception and loyalties rule?

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The Review

This was a compelling and captivating read. The blend of YA and historical romance really elevated the story to new heights. The incredible imagery the author utilized in their writing allowed the vast deserts and grand palaces of Babylon and Egypt to come to life so beautifully on the page. The tension that built both during Aoh’s time in Babylon hiding her identity and her time serving the Pharaoh and her role as a protector was so well placed here and allowed the reader to feel the political and social problems being stoked by the royalty and those scheming behind the scenes.

The heart of this story rested in the fantastic character development, especially with the protagonist Aoh. The story felt like a full hero’s journey for her, as she went from this young woman with a bit of wonder for the world outside her own to a powerful warrior and stealthy protector as she moved through the noble houses of the elites. The bond she formed with Laggus was great to see play out, and the way the story highlighted the need to end the violence and bloodshed between people who fight because they come from different backgrounds or areas altogether was great to see unfold in the action and suspenseful moments of the narrative.

The Verdict

If you were to cross the politics of Game of Thrones with the action of 300 and the rich romance and character growth of The Mortal Instruments Series, then this will be the book for you. Author Jennifer Renson’s “Aoh” is a must-read historical fiction meets romance and YA novel, and the incredibly rich settings and deeply emotional and engaging character growth this book develops, as well as the open-ended ending, will have readers wanting more of this incredible novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jennifer Renson-Chiappetta’s passion for writing began in childhood. Her writing career spanned from articles in Lost Treasure Magazine to her self-published poetry books; Delightfully Dark: A Collection of Poems and Tales, Eo: Go, walk, ride, sail, pass, travel and Uncharted. She is the author of the modern-day fairy tale novel Carousel. Presently she is a mother and wife; she enjoys spending her time with her family and friends, writing, crafting, specifically cross stitching and reveling in Victorian Era ambiances while living in New Jersey. 

Social media links:

Instagram  @jenny.renson Jennifer Renson-Chiappetta (@jenny.renson) | Instagram

Facebook Book and Poetry by Jennifer Renson Facebook

Goodreads  Aoh by Jennifer Renson | Goodreads

Purchase links:

Amazon.com:  Aoh: Renson, Jennifer: 9798397459280: Amazon.com: Books

Barnes & Noble: Aoh by Jennifer Renson, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Batman: One Bad Day: Catwoman #1 by G. Willow Wilson 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 G. Willow Wilson and artist Jamie McKelvie share a unique and captivating story of Selina Kyle that showcases a key part of her past and a haunting new villain in the book Batman: One Bad Day: Catwoman #1.

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The Synopsis

Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, is the greatest thief that Gotham City has ever seen. She’s effortlessly stolen countless items of immense value over the years and successfully evaded the GCPD and Batman. But when Catwoman finds out an item from her past is being sold for way more than it used to be worth, it sends Catwoman into a spiral, and she’ll do everything in her power to steal it back. Batman tries to stop her before she goes too far, and a mysterious figure known as the Forger will change Catwoman’s life forever. The all-star creative team of G. WILLOW WILSON (Poison Ivy, Ms. Marvel) and JAMIE McKELVIE (The Wicked & The Divine, Young Avengers) unite for this epic story!

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The Review

This was such a compelling read. Author G. Willow Wilson has written for some of my favorite comic book characters, from Poison Ivy and Wonder Woman to even helping craft the Ms. Marvel series for Marvel Comics. So I knew going into this that the story was going to have a truly complex and heartfelt narrative driving this equally complex character. Catwoman has always been so fascinating, as she walks the fine line between villain and anti-hero. The beautiful illustrations and the melding of bright lights against a dark and gritty background made this story so superb to behold.

To me, the heart of this narrative came in Catwoman’s backstory and the emotional connection she made with the characters in this story. The story honed in on one of her and her sister’s earliest memories involving their mother, and the path that took her on not only forced her to look back at her life and the decisions she’s made but on the impact her own actions have had on those around her. The chemistry between her and Batman was on full display, and the understanding between the two of them was phenomenal to watch unfold. 

The Verdict

Captivating, entertaining, and thoughtfully written, author G. Willow Wilson and artist Jamie McKelvie’s “Batman: One Bad Day: Catwoman #1” is a must-read DC Comics graphic novel and an essential read for all Catwoman and Batman fans! The twists in the narrative, the mysterious new villain, and the heated chemistry between the Bat and the Cat, along with the emotional relationship between Catwoman and her sister, made this a must-read graphic novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

G. Willow Wilson is the author of the acclaimed novel THE BIRD KING (2019), co-creator of the Hugo and American Book Award-winning series MS MARVEL (2013-2018), and has written for some of the world’s best-known superhero comic book series, including THE X-MEN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN. Her first novel, ALIF THE UNSEEN, won the 2013 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, was a finalist for the Center For Fiction’s First Novel Prize, and was long-listed for the 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction. In 2015, she won the Graphic Literature Innovator Prize at the PEN America Literary Awards. Her work has been translated into over a dozen languages. She lives in Seattle.

https://www.gwillowwilson.com/

Jamie McKelvie is an artist and writer from the United Kingdom. 

He’s best known for his creator-owned comic series THE WICKED + THE DIVINE and PHONOGRAM, both with writer Kieron Gillen. He has worked for Marvel doing character designs for CAPTAIN MARVEL and MS MARVEL among others. He wrote the CAPTAIN CARTER series for Marvel and did the art for CATWOMAN: ONE BAD DAY with writer G. Willow Wilson for DC. He also designed the Armored Advanced Suit for the SPIDER-MAN PS4/PS5 video game.

Jamie’s produced artwork for bands such as CHVRCHES, ART BRUT, and TEGAN & SARA. He co-directed the video for the CHVRCHES song Bury It with Darren Price and the animation studio Mighty Nice.

He’s currently working on Kickstarter exclusive issues of The Expanse: Dragon’s Tooth, a 12-issue series from Boom! by Andy Diggle and various artists and his own creator-owned projects for DSTLRY.

https://www.jamiemckelvie.fyi/

A Writer’s Guide to Launching a Book: The Ultimate Book Launch and Author Platform Planner by Ashley Earley 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 Ashley Earley shares helpful tips and tricks to make social media more of a priority to authors and help utilize it to increase sales and views on their books in the book “A Writer’s Guide to Launching a Book: The Ultimate Book Launch and Author Platform Planner”.

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The Synopsis

Today, whether self-publishing or going the traditional route, a writer can’t get away with publishing a book without the resource of social media. Despite the growth and near necessity of social media, it is a confusing and difficult thing to master. As a writer, social media likely isn’t at the top of your list of priorities, but because of its resources and significance, it’s time to put it on the list. But where do you even start? What are you supposed to do with social media? What should you post? How can you use it to sell your book?

In A Writer’s Guide to Launching a Book, author and editor Ashley Earley provides ways in which one can increase their visibility as an author and a brand to increase book sales. In A Writer’s Guide to Launching a Book, you will learn:

  • To create an author platform and use it to create a following/fanbase.
  • The definition of “platform” and what a book launch is.
  • The different types of social media platforms and how they can be useful to you as an author.
  • Utilize social media to launch the publication of your book.

Not only is this the resource for your social media needs, but the resource to learn how to apply social media to the publication of your book. If you’re serious about building an author platform tailored to you and your writing, look no further than A Writer’s Guide to Launching a Book: The Ultimate Book Launch & Author Platform Planner.

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The Review

The author does a wonderful job of crafting a guide and book that lays out the need for authors to be their own promoters in a way for their own books. The succinct and clear direction the author takes when outlining these steps was great to see, as it showcased the relatability the material has to authors specifically and spoke to the mental and emotional core behind the author’s struggles with social media and promotion in general.

The steps the author outlines are perfectly crafted, allowing the reader to follow a clear and concise pattern that gives authors the power to reach directly to their readers. The author does a great job of speaking to both nonfiction and fiction writers and emphasizes the need to create online content to promote your book to readers specifically. The attention to detail the author gives when talking about specific social media sites and trends that can help an author grow their audience, as well as their own author network, made this a compelling book to get lost in.

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and thought-provoking, author Ashley Earley’s “A Writer’s Guide to Launching a Book” is a must-read nonfiction writer’s guide to both launching a book and building a solid author platform that readers will be excited to be a part of. The book allows authors to return to the guide time and time again, discovering new information and helping form the platform they need to connect with the readers waiting to discover their work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ashley Earley grew up in Georgia, where she spent most of her time running wild in the woods of her backyard, building forts to create her own fantasy worlds, obsessing over books, and experimenting with her writing.

Today, she lives in Colorado with her dog and still spends her time devouring any book she can get her hands on, writing, and editing for her clients at Earley Editing, LLC. In May of 2021, she graduated with distinction from University of Colorado Boulder, receiving a B.A. in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. She also enjoys snowboarding, exploring, annoying her dog, constantly eating chocolate, and sharing her writing adventures on Instagram.

Her Thriller/Suspense short story, Chasing Hair of Gold, won first place in the 2016 Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards.

As a writer, she leans into fantasy or horror due to her love of all things creepy. As an editor, she loves a little bit of everything. Give her that steamy, forbidden romance, give her vampires, or even that young lovey-dovey stuff with all the twists and turns!

Visit her at: www.ashleyearley.com or www.earleyediting.com for her professional book editing services!

Ashley would love to hear from her readers:

Instagram: @ashley_earley

Twitter: @ashley_earley

TikTok: @ashley_earley

Cybersecurity Handbook for Small to Mid-size Businesses by Oscar Fernandez 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 and technologist Oscar Fernandez help demystify the concerns business owners have of cybersecurity and data protection for their new businesses in the book “Cybersecurity Handbook for Small to Mid-size Businesses”.

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The Synopsis

If you are like most business owners, you may feel overwhelmed (and sometimes intimidated) by the topic of cybersecurity. You’re not alone! The good news is that help is here. The Cybersecurity Handbook for Small to Mind-size Businesses is designed to demystify cybersecurity and data protection for you. It provides essential knowledge about these topics, as well as cost-effective solutions you can use to protect your business. Plus, you’ll better understand the security risks your business faces and learn some of the best practices for protection. Armed with this information, you can confidently take steps to safeguard your company’s valuable data.

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The Review

This was a compelling and informative read. The author does an incredible job of writing in a concise and educational matter that conveys the importance of cybersecurity while also informing the reader on what each topic means. The way the guide kind of emphasizes the vastly growing business world and how starting your own company must include a plan for digital services to be protected was great to see.

To me, the way the author was able to quickly and expertly walk the reader through each step of the process behind cybersecurity and understand not only the types of protections that work best for cybersecurity but the different types of attacks that be launched without the proper protections in place. It helps to understand the attacks that could impact your business so that you can understand the ways in which these security programs can protect your business assets. 

The Verdict

Succinct, engaging, and informative, author Oscar Fernandez’s “Cybersecurity Handbook for Small to Mid-size Businesses” is a must-read guide for aspiring or newly established business owners looking to improve their knowledge of the best practices to protect their digital landscape. The fast pace of the read and the ability to inform to the point that readers can return to the handbook repeatedly as they need it made this a compelling book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Oscar is an avid technologist with over fifteen years in the IT industry. He has worked and consulted with IBM, Apple, Anthem, Genentech (Roche), small to mid-size businesses, non-profits, city government, and most recently with TC Energy.

His ability to understand business processes, network security and find IT solutions to fulfill business needs is unparalleled.

Oscar holds a master’s degree in Global Management from Georgetown University and ESADE School of Business. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Notre Dame de Namur University, and he also obtained an Entrepreneurial Management Certification from UCLA Anderson School of Business.

Oscar is Cronus Cybersecurity’s CEO, and through his networking abilities and international experience, he has led the company to new highs. 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5465RP7 

Website: www.cronuscyber.com

Instagram: cronuscyberbiz

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/oscarfern

Ferren and the Angel (The Ferren Trilogy Book 1) by Richard Harland 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.

An angel who fell in battle and a human with a natural curiosity for life must band together when the war between angels and Humen is at an all-time high and the fate of the cosmos hangs in the balance as the dark secret behind the Humen is revealed in author Richard Harland’s “Ferren and the Angel”, the first book in the Ferren Trilogy series!

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The Synopsis

An angel falls from the sky and crashes to the ground! Miriael, the Fourteenth Angel of Observance, has been shot down in the thousand-year war between Heaven and Earth. Damaged and helpless, she prays for extinction.The young tribesman Ferren finds her lying in the grass. She ought to be an enemy, since his people are on the side of the Earth. But seeing her there, unable to fly, his curiosity outweighs every rule and every warning.Ferren knows almost nothing about the terrifying world he’s grown up in. Now he’s going to learn the truth about the war, the Humen army camp and what military service really means. His unique friendship with Miriael is about to change the course of history.Richard Harland, author of the Worldshaker books, creates a whole new world of angels and apocalypse!

The Review

This was a compelling and magnificent sci-fi and fantasy dystopian read. The visceral nature of the post-apocalypse and the grueling war between the humen forces and the angels serve as a great background for the core story. The imagery in the author’s writing really captures the gritty and gnarled images that the setting conjures up in the reader’s mind.

To me, the world-building and the character development were the true stars of the book. The mythos the author is able to develop both for the “celestials” and the “Humen” was both fascinating and engaging, and the journey to uncover what happened to start this war, to begin with, was remarkable to behold. The bond and experiences that Ferren and the angel Miriael are so engaging, as it showcases the fear and mistrust that has built between both sides of this war and the misconceptions each had for one another, and the book expertly showcases both the beauty and ugliness of human nature overall.

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The Verdict

Thought-provoking, memorable, and entertaining, author Richard Harland’s “Ferren and the Angel” is a must-read sci-fi and fantasy dystopian post-apocalypse novel. The twists and turns in the narrative and the adrenaline-fueled, emotional, and moving world-building and character growth that the reader is treated to will have readers hanging onto the edges of their seats. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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

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

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

My big international success has been with my YA steampunk novels, Worldshaker, Liberator and Song of the Slums. The French Le Worldshaker picked up the Prix Tam-tam du Livre Jeunesse. In the US, Worldshaker and Liberator were published by Simon & Schuster.

Next up: Ferren and the Angel!

https://ferren.com.au/

Something Known by Joseph Atman 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 former monk turned businessman returns to purchase the land near the monastery he fled as a young man, and must contend with his former brotherhood as he uses the secrets they kept hidden from the world to help a small town prosper and prove the world is ready for this powerful secret in author Joseph Atman’s “Something Known”.

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The Synopsis

When a young monk escapes his monastery with an all-powerful secret, he implements it on a town whose inhabitants reap the benefits – and hidden disasters – of its omnipotent, but dangerous knowledge.

Eli Deo is a young monk who finds himself spending less and less time at his monastery. During most of his days he walks to the forest’s edge and thinks about what the world is like beyond his simple life of prayer and aestheticism. He longs to go out and see the vast places beyond the forest and live as a regular person. But there is a problem: Deo belongs to a sacred order – a powerful, yet unknown brotherhood that protects a great secret. He cannot simply leave the monastery, or the knowledge he possesses may be compromised. Knowing that the other monks will never let him go willingly, Deo flees.

Some time later, Deo returns as a wealthy investor and purchases land near his former monastery, where he builds a town and uses his knowledge on the residents in order to demonstrate to the other monks that their secret is ready to be heard by people at large – an undertaking that does not sit well with the brotherhood from which Deo has escaped. An internal debate rages amongst the brothers as to what should be done with Deo and his town. Should he be allowed to continue his experiment to see if the implementation of the secret is successful? Or should Deo, the town, and all of its inhabitants be eliminated so as to protect their knowledge from a potentially disastrous contamination?

Filled with magic and humanity, Something Known is a story of a community that, person by person, deals with the sufferings of morality and the miraculousness of daily life.

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The Review

This was such a compelling novel. Readers easily will get lost in this rich and dynamic world, filled with magical realism, theology, and mythology all rolled into one explosive narrative. The imagery the author’s writing produced allowed the novel to take on a cinematic quality, allowing the reader to see the story play out in their mind’s eye. The themes of morality, belief, and the mysteries that life has to offer all played a big role in the story, and kept the reader invested in the novel.

For me, the character development and the world-building were the biggest draws of the narrative. The story immediately brings the reader into this isolated, religious community and monastery that houses a powerful secret, and then quickly jumps into the action as time passes and the town begins to build up all around them. The tension that builds from the former monk’s return and the way magic plays a major role in these characters’ development was remarkable to read.

The Verdict

Entertaining, thought-provoking, and thrilling, author Joseph Atman’s “Something Known” is a must-read magical realism novel. The rich characters and dynamic world-building meshed well with the themes and mythos the author built and made this a compelling novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Joseph Atman is a writer, musician, and theologian from Barrington, Illinois. He received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in writing and philosophy from Hofstra University where he spent nearly ten years as a student and employee of the school’s New College program before becoming a PhD fellow in the philosophy of religion and theology at Claremont Graduate University. He then went on to receive a Sacred Theological Doctorate from St. Mary’s Seminary. He is currently the Chairman and Executive Director of Middle Tree – a nonprofit supplemental education center in Claremont, California.

https://www.josephatman.com/

Becoming Flawesome: The Key to Living an Imperfectly Authentic Life by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani 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 Kristina Mand-Lakhiani shares the secrets to embracing our flaws and overcoming the need for perfection in the book “Becoming Flawesome: The Key to Living an Imperfectly Authentic Life”.

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The Synopsis

Overcome perfectionism and self-doubt by unapologetically embracing your fully awesome self—flaws and all—with the co-founder of Mindvalley, a global school that delivers transformational education for all ages.

It’s odd to think that we can simultaneously be living as ourselves without ourselves. As life happens, we fall in love with the idea of who we could be instead of with who we actually are—leaving parts of ourselves behind and losing sight of what and who is truly important within ourselves.

By sharing revelatory personal anecdotes and reflection prompts, Kristina Mand-Lakhiani, co-founder of Mind Valley, helps to guide you toward:

  • Finding your own truth despite the external and internal critics
  • Transforming from the Perfect You into the Real You
  • Embodying a life where no one needs fixing

Reclaim your happiness as your gift to the world and take the first steps to living truthfully within your flawesomely beautiful reflection.

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The Review

This was a memorable and well-developed self-help and motivational guide/book. The author does a remarkable job of writing in a way that readers can relate to as if the book is an ongoing conversation between the author and the reader. The relatability and pop culture references that the author uses in the book help elevate the core themes and messages that the author attempts to convey.

The author’s attention to detail and ability to inspire with her words is a true gift. The things that stood out to me were when the author spoke of self-love versus self-care, and how happiness was a skill we all had to learn. These spoke to me personally, as oftentimes self-care can feel like a chore rather than the love we need at the time, and speaks to the need for an inner dialogue with ourselves from time to time. The trait of happiness and the skill to utilize it also talked to me, as it takes a lot of work to find joy and hold onto it, and it doesn’t always just happen. The emphasis on hard work and yet reveling in the imperfections life throws our way was truly moving.

The Verdict

Memorable, well-written, and engaging, author Kristina Mand-Lakhiani’s “Becoming Flawesome” is a must-read nonfiction and self-help book you won’t want to put down. The heart and passion for which the author writes, and the use of reflection points at the end of each chapter allow the reader to put in the work to make use of the points they emphasized in each chapter. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani has been engaging in the personal transformation industry for over 15 years, collaborating and playing with leading thinkers and teachers in consciousness, relationships, human performance, and life optimisation. She started her career working for the government of Estonia before joining the non-profit sector and working for organisations such as the United Nations, Oxfam, and AIESEC. In 2003, she co-founded Mindvalley, a global school that delivers transformational education for all ages. Visit her at kristinamand.com.

https://www.instagram.com/kristinamand/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414/

https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand

I Like Mud: and other poems for the young and young at heart by Margaret Grote Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

The late author and poet Margaret Grote has her collection of poems shared and illustrated thanks to her son David and his cousin and children’s book illustrator Marcia Wheelan Coles in the book “I Like Mud: and other poems for the young and young at heart”.

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The Synopsis

In the final year of her life, award-winning poet Margaret Grote (1922-2005) handed a collection of poems to her son, David, with instructions to “do something” with them. David jumped right on it, and 17 years later approached his cousin, Marcia Wheelan Coles, a children’s book author and illustrator. Truth be told, these whimsical and sometimes poignant poems were gathering dust in David’s closet until Marcia brought them to life with her beautiful artwork. Growing up during the Depression, Margaret came to appreciate life’s simple pleasures, a theme recurrent in these poems. Mother of four, she was an artist, photographer, writer, and poet. She taught fourth grade for 35 years. Her love of children is on full display in these pages, and although the writing is meant for children, young-at-heart adults will also love this collection. Somewhere, Margaret is smiling, knowing that her son finally kept his promise and that her work lives on, bringing joy and laughter to a whole new generation of children

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The Review

This was a truly moving and engaging collection of poetry. The balance that can be found in the simple and eloquent imagery and themes the collection evokes in young readers with the nostalgia and childhood wonder that adults can find in the book. The poems tackle everything from the color pink and friendship to the bond between a child and their dog and the ways in which children consistently question the universe. 

The beautiful illustrations and the way the poems speak to a variety of different readers made this a remarkable poem collection. The warmth and thoughtful approach to the poetry and the heartwarming story behind the author’s son carrying on his mother’s legacy like this made the book such a delight to behold.

The Verdict

Memorable, emotional, and engaging, author and poet Margaret Grote’s “I Like Mud” is a must-read collection of children’s style poems and poetry. The heart behind the poet’s words and the delight and joy that the heart of each poem brought allowed parents and children alike to be drawn into the poems themselves. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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The Cult from Beyond (Randolph Landon, P.I. Book 2) by Alan Golbourn 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.

After being pulled back into the investigative world when a grieving widow asks for help finding his missing son, P.I. Randolph Landon discovers a cult dedicated to otherworldly beliefs, a mysterious girl with green hair, and an illusive preacher with glowing green eyes in author Alan Golbourn’s “The Cult from Beyond”, the second book in the author’s “Randolph Landon, P.I.” series. 

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The Synopsis

Paradise Comes at a Price …

Now settled in Lincolnshire with his family, having given up his private investigator business, Randolph Landon believes he is done with the job. That is until Norman Parker comes along. Shortly after losing his wife, Norman’s son, Oliver, goes missing. Randolph decides to take on the case to help the grieving widower and discovers a strange symbol on the back of a photograph.

Discovering that Oliver has become involved with a strange cult and a mysterious green-haired girl, Randolph finds himself getting in deep once more — and ventures down yet another dark and chilling path. With the help of a detective friend back in London, things soon lead to a terrifying confrontation with an illusive preacher — with glowing green eyes …

The Review

 This was a powerful and captivating thriller. The way the author was able to flip the script of this series from occult horror into a steely and gripping sci-fi thriller was great to see play out in the novel. The tension that builds as the protagonist makes his way further and further into the cult and the mystery that swells as the detective seeks answers to the true origins of the cult made this narrative truly shine brightly in the genre.

To me, the heart of the narrative rested in the author’s strong character progression. Fans of the first book will be delighted in seeing the progression and growth that the protagonist exhibits, giving him real stakes as his family’s happiness and safety motivate him to keep going in his investigation. The mythos surrounding the cult and its origins, including the small town they end up engaging with as the protagonist seeks answers, all kept the reader invested in the narrative.

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The Verdict

Thrilling, action-packed, and entertaining, author Alan Golbourn’s “The Cult From Beyond” is a must-read sci-fi thriller novel you won’t be able to put down. Capturing the enigmatic rise of sci-fi cults in that era of time and adding a twist of genre-bending mythos, the author was able to infuse the spirit of the great detective narrative with a bit of Irish folk horror and powerful sci-fi storytelling to create a book that is impossible 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

Alan Golbourn was born in Essex, England. He has enjoyed writing stories since a young age, when he was recognised early for his writing abilities. Amongst several interests and hobbies, including football and computer games, he holds a love and compassion for animals.