Category: reviews

Araña and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow by Alex Segura 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 hero who lost her mentor finds help from a man in the future who has lost his way as a hero himself in author Alex Segura’s “Araña and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow”, the latest YA Marvel novel!

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The Synopsis

Araña is a Spider-Girl lost in time. . . . Miguel is a Spider-Man who’s lost his way. . . . Together, they’re our only hope.

Araña. It means spider—and it also means Anya Corazon. She was a normal Brooklyn teenager with normal Brooklyn problems—until a few months ago, when she was gifted with amazing spiderlike abilities, from super-strength and heightened agility to web-slinging. A powerful mentor guided her on how best to use these new powers for good—until Anya lost him, just as she lost her mother, just as she’s about to lose everything she knows.

Nueva York. It is the future of New York City, the home of the Spider-Man of 2099, and where Anya finds herself stranded, tossed across the century. And Nueva York’s Spider-Man, billionaire CEO Miguel O’Hara, is Araña’s only hope of getting home. But Araña and Spider-Man are about to discover that the enemies they face have dark and powerful connections to both heroes—and that this unlikely team across time will need to save much more than each other. . . .

Alex Segura, the Anthony Award–winning author of Secret Identity and Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall, brings two fan-favorite Spider-Verse heroes together in prose for the first time in this thrilling new time-hopping adventure.

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The Review

This was such an incredible read. The author did an amazing job of world-building and making this corner of the Marvel universe his own. The action and adventure of the narrative were greatly fleshed out in this novel, and the story of a young woman thrust into an ancient war between two organizations and forced to become a part of a grand destiny felt fresh and unique to this world, giving a new voice to the Spider-verse as it were. 

For me, the heart of this narrative was in both Anya’s and Miguel’s stories. The shared feeling of loss and fear of responsibility that they face in going after the conspiracy that ties them together were great themes to explore through these characters. Getting to see some more Hispanic culture and representation with these characters was amazing as well, and their story is something that would be great to see explored in future MCU-related storylines in the future. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, action-packed, and entertaining, author Alex Segura’s “Araña and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow” is a must-read YA sci-fi and fantasy novel and a brilliant addition to the Marvel Universe as a whole. The twists and turns in the narrative, the shared history of family loss and surprise betrayals that both Miguel and Anya experience, and the imagery all brought this narrative to life in a brilliant way. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Alex Segura is the bestselling and award-winning author of Secret Identity, which the New York Times called “wittily original” and named an Editor’s Choice. NPR described the novel as “masterful,” and it received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist. Alex is also the author of Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall, the Pete Fernandez Miami Mystery series, and a number of comic books – including The Mysterious Micro-Face (in partnership with NPR), The Black Ghost, The Archies, The Dusk, The Awakened, and more. His short story, “90 Miles” was included in The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories for 2021 and won the Anthony Award for Best Short Story. By day he is the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Oni Press, with previous stints at Archie Comics and DC Comics.

A Miami native, he lives in New York with his wife and children.

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https://twitter.com/alex_segura

Unemployable: How I Hired Myself by Alysia Silberg 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 Alysia Silberg shares a powerful memoir about escaping a life of poverty and violence in South Africa to become a leading voice in the world of Silicon Valley startups and responsible technology development in her book “Unemployable: How I Hired Myself”.

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The Synopsis

In Unemployable, Alysia Silberg shares her powerful story of survival and success, aided by the great equalizer – technology. Growing up in poverty in South Africa, Alysia experienced violence, abuse, and even a gunshot wound. Through determination and an unwavering commitment to learning, she made her way to America and Silicon Valley, becoming a lover and funder of startups, with a passion for AI.

This “unputdownable” memoir and manifesto serves as a source of inspiration for anyone who has been told, or has told themselves, that they cannot. By embracing our own superpowers, Alysia believes we can unlock our unique brilliance and contribute to the responsible advancement of technology.

In this book, Alysia shares her unique perspective on how to:

  1. Change your mindset from “I can’t” to “I can.”
  2. Embrace learning and growth, even in the face of adversity.
  3. Unearth your unique brilliance and contribute to the responsible advancement of technology.
  4. Harness the potential of AI to create a more equitable and inclusive world while being mindful of its challenges and risks.


Unemployable is not just about Alysia’s personal journey, but about the transformative power of technology and AI as great equalizers. This beautifully crafted memoir will inspire you to defy limitations, embrace your inner brilliance, and change the world responsibly.

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The Review

This was such an incredible blend of memoir and motivational writing. The balance the author found between their personal life and the experiences that helped shape them the career path that the author set herself and the struggles that helped teach the author how to move forward in that path were so inspiring. Getting to hear about the author’s upbringing and the hardships of life in an area of the world rife with crime and violence, and the hope that the author found in her father’s legacy as a Hollywood makeup artist to the stars were very uplifting to read about.

Yet it was the emphasis the author put on not only hope but on the determination it takes to face challenges head-on and the power that resides within us all to overcome any adversity that heads our way and instead achieve great things in spite of those hardships and struggles, that made this such a compelling read. The author finds a way of writing to a multitude of different kinds of readers, using her experiences to showcase how failure doesn’t have to be the end of the road and instead uses her life stories to act as a guide to anyone pursuing their dreams or even starting their own business. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging, author Alysia Silberg’s “Unemployable: How I Hired Myself” is a must-read nonfiction memoir and motivational guide. The emotional and heartfelt delivery of the author’s backstory and the inspiring themes of hope and perseverance that the author’s professional career not only taught her but gave the reader lessons as well made this a truly great book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Alysia Silberg was born to blaze trails. As the daughter of a Hollywood makeup artist who worked with screen legends like Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and Marlon Brando, she grew up with a dream of making her own mark in a world far away. 

A math and science prodigy, she nurtured her entrepreneurial instincts while still in grade school, starting her first business, an import-export agency, at age 11.

Today, Alysia is a leading venture capitalist in Silicon Valley, where she mentors tech startups and helps them go public. She is CEO & General Partner of the investment firm Street Global. 

As a thought-and-knowledge leader, Alysia earned acclaim for her groundbreaking online radio show, Global Fireside Chats, bringing together global industry titans to share insights on our fast-changing world. She is a UN Women Empower Women Global Champion, and an international board director with sovereign wealth fund experience. 

“Unemployable, How I Hired Myself” detailing her life story and guide to financial freedom, is Alysia’s first book.

https://www.readunemployable.com/

https://twitter.com/AlysiaSilberg

https://linktr.ee/alysiasilberg

A Special Storm (A Dora Ellison Mystery Book 5) by David E. Feldman 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. 

The shocking murder of a talented young singer and special needs boy forces sleuths Dora and Missy to investigate the crime and untangle a web of shocking conspiracies no one would see coming in author David E. Feldman’s “A Special Storm”, the fifth book in A Dora Ellison Mystery Book series.

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The Synopsis

A performance of a troupe of young people with special needs is backing one of their own, the beloved singer Julian Lockhart. As he is about to sing his penultimate note, he pauses … and a crack is heard, blood spurts from his neck, and he falls to the stage. Pandemonium and panic ensue. The boy’s father hires Geller investigations, and Dora Ellison and Missy Winters set out to find his killer.

Who would kill this beautiful and talented special young man with the voice of an angel? A local NIMBY activist? The father of another special young man whose object of affection is a special young woman who has eyes only for the young victim? Or could it be a parent who was not aiming at the young singer at all but at the school’s founder, Mason Montgomery, who reneged on his promise to fund the school in perpetuity? Or … could it be someone with another as yet unknown connection to the special young singer.

Secrets and danger abound!

Book 5 of the Dora Ellison Mystery Series is a murder mystery featuring a woman sleuth who is no ordinary private investigator. Dora’s brand of vigilante justice takes the reader on a suspense-filled journey that rivals those of Lee Child, John Sandford and Harlan Coben.

The Dora Ellison Mystery Series will appeal to readers who love books about LBTQ & mystery sleuths.

The Dora Ellison Mystery Series will also appeal to teen & young adult readers who enjoy thrillers & suspense novels, especially those surrounding law & crime.

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The Review

This was a twisted and captivating murder mystery thriller The heavy atmosphere and rich character growth that the author introduces early on in the narrative were thoughtfully written. As someone new to this franchise, it was great to be able to get a sense of these characters even without prior knowledge of the series. The depth that these characters showed helped elevate the mystery greatly as it unfolded. It was also great to see the author truly represent the special needs community in a new way, both narratively speaking and as a theme overall.

To me, this story excelled due to its chilling plot and mystery elements. The way the author was able to make the reader feel like this crime was both heinous and shocking felt like something ripped out of the headlines, and the twists and turns that the protagonist goes on as she investigates showed just how personal the case became for her, taking the character in a whole new direction that speaks to her role as a new heroine in the mystery novel world.

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The Verdict

Memorable, thrilling, and entertaining, author David E. Feldman’s “A Special Storm” is a great murder mystery thriller and a great fifth entry in the A Dora Ellison Mystery Book series! The twists and turns this narrative takes and the choking revelation of the killer and their motives will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word. The constant peeling of layers around this mystery will keep readers guessing until the very end. 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.

Lessons from the Greats: How Historical Figures Can Inspire Your Personal Growth by Fadi Gorgies Toma 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 Fadi Gorgies Toma shares with readers some lessons gained from some of history’s greatest figures to help guide them on the path to bettering their own lives in the book “Lessons from the Greats: How Historical Figures Can Inspire Your Personal Growth”.

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The Synopsis

Lessons from the Greats is a book that explores the lives and achievements of historical figures, and how their stories can inspire personal growth. From world leaders to artists and entrepreneurs, this book provides valuable insights into the habits, mindset, and practices that led to their success. By examining the triumphs and failures of these greats, readers can learn valuable lessons for their own personal growth and development. Whether you’re looking to improve your leadership skills, creativity, or resilience, this book offers practical advice and inspiration from the greatest minds in history.

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The Review

This was a fast-paced yet insightful read. The author does an incredible job of not only presenting the reader with a quick rundown of the historical figures and their lives but of the lessons that can be taken from their lives in regard to a person’s personal growth. From overcoming adversity and demonstrating courage to promoting empathy and kindness, the lessons these figures have given to the world as a whole leave a major source of inspiration to us all.

For me, the way the author was able to give such a comprehensive list of historical figures and hone in on their achievements in both history and our personal lives made this such a compelling read. The impact these figures have had on history and our culture as a whole is well known, but we don’t often stop to think about how their lives can inspire us to change or grow as a person ourselves. 

Two great examples of this are the pages dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr and Fred Rogers. Not only do these two figures represent a great mix of both culturally relevant figures and historical figures, but Dr. King showcased the resilience and courage it took to face oppression and lead the Civil Rights Movement through nonviolence rather than physical altercations, while Mr. Rodgers showed the value and importance of being kind to others and understanding a person’s struggles and hardships.

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The Verdict

Thoughtful, memorable, and engaging, author Fadi Gorgies Toma’s “Lessons from the Greats” is a must-read nonfiction book on personal growth and history blended into one comprehensive guide. The thoughtfulness of the figures showcased in this book and the heart that went into the author’s research and philosophical approach to these fascinating figures made this a truly compelling book to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Windekind: A Novel by Mark Lavine 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 grieving husband hoping to give himself and his young son a fresh start after their loss finds himself caught between two warring criminal organizations in the wooded community he moves to in Vermont in author Mark Lavine’s “Windekind: A Novel”.

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The Synopsis

After the tragic death of his young wife, Sam Thibeau and his eight-year-old son Harry move from California to a co-housing community deep in the Vermont woods, where they hope to leave behind their painful memories and start over in an unfamiliar land of snow and maple syrup.

Just as they’re settling in, Sam comes across a series of strange clues and messages which appear to be meant just for him. The clues lead to what at first appears to be a financial windfall, but before long he finds himself caught between a Mexican cartel and a drug-running syndicate based in nearby Montreal.

Left with no other choice, he enlists the aid of Cindy Yates, a local police detective, who not only helps him begin the healing of old wounds, but also has an idea for a way out of his predicament. Together, they attempt a daring scheme to turn the tables on the cartel and free Sam and his son from its deadly reach.

Looking for peace and quiet in the Vermont countryside? You won’t find it here in this fast-paced thriller that’ll have you up late turning the pages.

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The Review

This was a captivating and engaging crime thriller. The harrowing experiences the protagonist endures and the dynamic setting were brilliant marks in which the reader could get invested immediately. The layering of the criminal activities and the mystery surrounding this commune the protagonist finds himself living in, as well as the mystery surrounding its inhabitants, made this story really come to life on the page. 

To me, the author found a really special balance of captivating character development, a rich setting, and dynamic imagery within the author’s writing that tied all of this together. The chemistry the protagonist found with Cindy and the complicated relationship he develops with her as he continues to mourn his wife’s loss yet still feels himself being pulled closer and closer to her makes for some stellar character arcs, and an emotional undercoat beneath the adrenaline-fueled crime story. The woods of Vermont have never felt more alive than in this thriller and kept drawing the reader in more and more.

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The Verdict

Driven, captivating, and engaging, author Mark Lavine’s “Windekind” is a must-read crime thriller. The narrative, character growth and interactions, and stellar setting all reminded me of the rich stories found in the Fargo film and subsequent series. The blend of small-town life and ordinary people caught in chilling crime settings and set in a small, northern town made this compelling narrative that readers will be hard-pressed 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

Mark Lavine is the author of four novels: Dr Prozac, ForeverChild, Victimless Crimes, and Windekind. He lives in the mountains of Vermont with his wife, daughter, and King Charles Spaniel (Luna). Luna follows him tirelessly on his many hikes and cross-country skis through the woods near his home. Luna sleeps tirelessly while Mark spends a few hours of every day working on his next book. He also loves to play classical piano, and Beethoven in particular. To get acquainted with his work, Mark recommends ForeverChild for scifi fans, and Windekind for thriller fans.

http://www.marklavine.net/

Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story by Sarah Kuhn 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 small-town teenage Lois Lane must navigate the big city and face setback after setback as she pursues her dreams of journalistic glory in author Sarah Kuhn’s “Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story”.

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The Synopsis

Can Lois Lane open herself up to friendship, romance, and being vulnerable in order to get the future that’s right for her?  She might have to change her entire life plan to find out.

Ambitious small town girl Lois Lane tackles a summer in the big city with gusto, but a cavalcade of setbacks—including an annoying frenemy roommate, a beyond tedious internship at a suddenly corporatized website, and a boss who demotes her to coffee-fetching minion—threatens to derail her extremely detailed life plan. And, you know, her entire future.

When Lois uncovers a potentially explosive scandal, she must team up with the last person she’d expect to publish her own website for young women. And as Lois discovers who she really is and what she actually wants, she becomes embroiled in her own scandal that could destroy everything she’s worked so hard to create.

From beloved author, Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl, Heroine Complex), and with expressive and lively art by Arielle Jovellanos, comes a charming YA story about the strength it takes to embrace the messiness of life.

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The Review

As a lifelong fan of Lois Lane, I loved this new take on the iconic character from DC Comics. The way the author was able to incorporate elements of DC lore and characters into the narrative without making this a typical superhero-driven story was great to see, as it allowed Lois and the cast of characters to shine in their own light. The book had a great balance of both character and narrative development, giving readers equal time to enjoy this modern take on this small corner of the DC Universe while also giving time for these characters to shine.

To me, the heart of this story rested in the retconned character development and the important themes the narrative brought to life. Lois Lane became the perfect character to voice these themes, having been a longtime icon of journalistic integrity and a voice for the truth in DC Comics. The emphasis on issues such as racism, sexism, and the complications of modern friendships in different cultures made this story flow smoothly, while the new take on Lois as an Asian-American young woman just starting out on her path to becoming a journalist allowed both her character to grow and the importance of her Asian culture to shine through in this brilliant story. Combined with the warm and creative artwork of Arielle Jovellanos made this a captivating graphic novel.

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The Verdict

Memorable, iconic, and entertaining, author Sarah Kuhn and illustrator Arielle Jovelianos’s “Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story” is a must-read graphic novel of 2023 and one of my contenders for the top graphic novel of the year. The heartfelt commentary on the battle between overall acceptance in our society versus the “anti-woke” proponents and the overall message to give people the voice to speak their truth made this a captivating and thoughtful DC Comics graphic novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Sarah Kuhn is the author of Heroine Complex—the first in a series starring Asian American superheroines—for DAW Books. She also wrote The Ruby Equation for the comics anthology Fresh Romance and the romantic comedy novella One Con Glory, which earned praise from io9 and USA Today and is in development as a feature film. Her articles and essays on such topics as geek girl culture, comic book continuity, and Sailor Moon cosplay have appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Apex Magazine, AngryAsianMan.com, IGN.com, Back Stage, The Hollywood Reporter, StarTrek.com, Creative Screenwriting, and the Hugo-nominated anthology Chicks Dig Comics. In 2011, she was selected as a finalist for the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New Writers Award.

http://www.heroinecomplex.com/

Arielle Jovellanos is a Filipina-American illustrator, writer & comic artist who specializes in narrative illustrations with an eye for character interaction and cute clothing. Her most recent projects include Black Star, an original sci-fi graphic novel written by Eric Anthony Glover for Abrams Megascope, and Evil Thing: A Villains Graphic Novel (Disney-Hyperion) adapted from Serena Valentino’s bestselling Cruella De Vil novel. Her work has also been featured in the Eisner & Harvey nominated anthology Fresh Romance and in magazines, comics, books, and branded social media campaigns. She is currently adjunct faculty in the illustration department at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

https://www.arielle-jovellanos.com/

If the Sky Won’t Have Me by Anne Leigh Parrish Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

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

Author Anne Leigh Parrish follows up on her acclaimed debut poetry collection with a sequel that delves into what it means to be alive in this complex world of ours in the book “If the Sky Won’t Have Me”. 

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The Synopsis

The poems in If The Sky Won’t Have Me weave a brilliant tapestry of the human condition, focusing on nature, the female experience, family drama, aging, politics, and regret. Images of water feature strongly, as do rebirth and regeneration, both physical and spiritual. A perfect sequel to the author’s debut collection, the moon won’t be dared, these poems expand and deepen our understanding of what it means to be alive in a complex world.

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The Review

This was the perfect collection of poems and simple yet empowering artwork. The author does an incredible job of capturing the imagination and the emotion that poems are meant to evoke, and the way each poem is able to really impact the author in a specific way allowed the song-like quality of each poem’s structure to really become melodic in nature.

To me, the heart of the book rested in the reliance on nature and morality as both conversation starters and imagery. The emotion and sparks of insight that each of these poems stirs within the reader help to elevate the almost narrative approach to the poems themselves. For instance, my favorite poem in this collection for me was “Like a Shade of Dawn”, and the way this spoke to me about the desire for change, for leaving behind the past and embracing the coming of the dawn was powerfully felt and utilized the nature motif expertly.

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The Verdict

Moving, passionately written, and engaging, author Anne Leigh Parrish’s “If the Sky Won’t Have Me” is a must-read poetry collection. The heart and thoughtfulness of each poem will speak to the quiet yet contemplative voice within us all, the empowering way the book speaks to women in particular, and the need to look at how people embrace life in this modern world of ours through the use of nature and morality will really stay with the reader long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Anne Leigh Parrish is the author of nine previously published books: A Winter Night (Unsolicited Press 2021); What Nell Dreams, a novella & stories (Unsolicited Press, 2020); Maggie’s Ruse, a novel, (Unsolicited Press, 2017); The Amendment, a novel (Unsolicited Press, 2017); Women Within, a novel (Black Rose Writing, 2017); By the Wayside, stories (Unsolicited Press, 2017); What Is Found, What Is Lost, a novel (She Writes Press, 2014); Our Love Could Light The World, stories (She Writes Press, 2013); and All The Roads That Lead From Home, stories (Press 53, 2011). Visit her website.

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39 Review

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

The best and brightest voices in the world of sci-fi and fantasy are chosen by a large panel of authors for the 39th volume of the official “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future” magazine.

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The Synopsis

In the world of speculative fiction…

Your favorite authors…

Have selected the best new voices of the year.

24 Award-winning Authors and Illustrators

3 Bonus Short Stories by Kevin J. Anderson • L. Ron Hubbard • S. M. Stirling

Art and Writing Tips by Lazarus Chernik • L. Ron Hubbard • Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Edited by Dean Wesley Smith • Jody Lynn Nye

16-page color gallery of artwork • Cover art by Tom Wood

Check out the stories Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Robert J. Sawyer, Kevin J. Anderson, Jody Lynn Nye and others chose as the best of the best.

Be amazed. Be amused. Be transported … by stories that take you by surprise and take you further and deeper into new worlds and new ideas than you’ve ever gone before….

Twelve captivating tales from the most exciting new voices in science fiction and fantasy accompanied by three from masters of the genre.

A miracle? An omen? Or something else? One day, they arrived in droves—the foxes of the desert, the field, the imagination….—“Kitsune” by Devon Bohm

When a vampire, a dragon and a shape-shifting Chihuahua meet on a beach in Key West, fireworks go off! But that’s just the background. —“Moonlight and Funk” by Marianne Xenos

Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., faces one of his funniest and most perplexing cases ever—an enlightened ogre, a salamander with low self-esteem, and a raging fire dragon terrorizing the Unnatural Quarter! —“Fire in the Hole” by Kevin J. Anderson

The Grim Reaper, trapped in an IRS agent’s dying body, must regain his powers before he dies and faces judgment for his original sin. —“Death and the Taxman” by David Hankins

In a metaverse future, a woman who exposes falseness in others must decide what is real to her—the love she lost or the love she may have found. —“Under My Cypresses” by Jason Palmatier

Vic Harden wasn’t lured by glory on a daring mission into the reaches of outer space—he was ordered out there by his editor.—“The Unwilling Hero” by L. Ron Hubbard

Dangerous opportunities present themselves when an alien ship arrives in the solar system seeking repairs. —“White Elephant” by David K. Henrickson

With her spaceship at the wrong end of a pirate’s guns, a former war hero must face down her enemies and demons to save Earth’s last best chance for peace. —“Piracy for Beginners” by J. R. Johnson

Years after the Second Holocaust, the last surviving Jews on earth attempt to rewrite the past. —“A Trickle in History” by Elaine Midcoh

When I said I’d do anything to pay off my debts and get back home to Earth, I didn’t mean survey a derelict spaceship at the edge of the solar system—but here I am. —“The Withering Sky” by Arthur H. Manner

High-powered telescopes bring galactic life to our TVs, and network tuner Hank Enos figures he’s seen everything—until the day an alien boy stares back. —“The Fall of Crodendra M.” by T. J. Knight

Knights, damsels and dragons, curses and fates foretold—the stuff of legends and stories, but unexpectedly perverse.—“Constant Never” by S. M. Stirling

Determined to save his wife, Tumelo takes an unlikely client through South Africa’s ruins to the heart of the Desolation—a journey that will cost or save everything. —“The Children of Desolation” by Spencer Sekulin

When a terrorist smuggles a nuclear weapon into London, a team regresses in time to AD 1093 to assassinate a knight on the battlefield, thereby eliminating the terrorist a millennia before his birth. —“Timelines and Bloodlines” by L. H. Davis

The Grand Exam, a gateway to power for one, likely death for all others—its entrants include ambitious nobles, desperate peasants, and Quiet Gate, an old woman with nothing left to lose. —“The Last History” by Samuel Parr

You will love this collection of the best new voices because, as Locus magazine puts it, “Excellent writing…extremely varied. There’s a lot of hot new talent.”

Get it now.

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The Review

This collection of stories was a wonderful reminder of how much talent resides within the sci-fi and fantasy community. The balance within this magazine of new stories and breathtaking artwork made this a compelling collection to get lost in. Each of these authors was able to draw the reader into their individual worlds and showcase the creativity and direction this collection began to bring together.

To me, the biggest draw of this book was the way the authors and even illustrators were able to bring such grounded and relatable protagonists to each story while also providing a believable yet fantastic fiction world to submerge ourselves into. The imagery and the atmosphere combined allowed the reader to bring these powerful stories to life in their mind, each story feeling like a cinematic display waiting to come to life in some Hulu-driven sci-fi and fantasy anthology series. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, captivating, and engaging, “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39” is a must-read issue of the acclaimed authority on all things sci-fi and fantasy. Although some attention is paid to the magazine’s namesake and despite my personal feelings on the man, the authors do a wonderful job of finding their own unique voice within their stories and providing readers a great balance of escapism and running commentary on the world around us that will delight and excite fans of the genre completely. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark by Francesca Maria 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 Francesca Maria takes readers on a journey into the depths of darkness to explore the shadowy nature of fear and control in “They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark”.

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The Synopsis

Who are we if not for the monsters that we keep?

They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark collects thirteen chilling tales that weave through the shadows, exploring the nature of fear, powerlessness, and control.

– A series of murders in a New England colony

– An untamed beast in pre-revolutionary France

– A mysterious stranger who invades 18th-century Ireland

– A traveling circus that takes more than the price of admission

– A gathering of the Dark, telling tales on the longest night of the year, and more.

Come play with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, ghouls and the devil himself. Make sure you check under the bed and don’t turn out the lights.

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The Review

The author does such an incredible job of weaving together a moving yet horrifying collection of stories. The way each story flowed smoothly and kept a great pacing, while still allowing the tension to build and the chills to build up in the reader’s mind made for a truly compelling and captivating collection. 

To me, it was the author’s use of both emotional storytelling and shocking horror moments that made each story shine. Some of my favorite stories in the collection touched upon the dark side of some of my favorite things, from ancient Egyptian mythology in the story “Imhotep”, to the shocking real story of Christmas in “Spreckles” and the gasp-worthy finale in the story “Wendigo”, each story wove between the horrors and emotions of reality with the twisted nature of the strange and the bizarre side of our world and cultures. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Francesca Maria’s “They Hide: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” is a must-read collection of horror short stories that is one of my favorite short story collections of 2023 thus far! The suspense, drama, and heartfelt connection readers make to the characters of these stories and the rich world-building that the author employs throughout this collection will keep readers engaged and eager for more as the last story ends and a new one begins. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Francesca Maria writes dark fiction surrounded by cats near the Pacific Ocean. She is the creator of the Black Cat Chronicles, a true horror comic book series narrated by a mystical black cat. And her short story collection; They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark will be out in April 7, 2023 from Brigid’s Gate Press. Her short stories and essays can be found in Crystal Lake Publishing’s Shallow Waters series and anthologies and Death’s Garden Revisited.

https://francescamaria.com/

https://twitter.com/Writer_of_Weird