I Think It’s a Sign That The Pun Also Rises: Dad Jokes, Puns, Quips, Laughs, Groaners, and Playful Pensive Ponderings by Mark Leslie 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. 

Author Mark Leslie shares a collection of dad jokes and humor to inspire and brighten anyone’s day in the book “I Think It’s a Sign That The Pun Also Rises.”

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The Synopsis

Ready to groan, grin, and giggle?

Rediscover the joy of wordplay with this collection of puns, dad jokes, and clever one-liners that promises to lift spirits and inspire smiles—one groan-worthy punchline at a time.

Born from a simple mission of collecting and sharing dad jokes to brighten his neighborhood during tough times, this book gathers well over 1000 of his beloved daily chalkboard jokes into a single, joy-packed volume. It’s a treasure trove for anyone who loves language, humor, or just a good laugh. Inside, readers will find everything from meta-jokes that play with the very idea of humor, to rapid-fire dad jokes, music-themed zingers, and even a cheeky adults-only section. Each chapter is crafted to appeal to pun enthusiasts, casual joke collectors, and anyone in need of a smile.

This book makes the perfect gift for that incorrigible mirth-spreader in your life, and includes hilarious funnies perfect for sharing with friends, family, or even strangers who could use a laugh. I Think It’s A Sign That The Pun Also Rises is more than just a joke book—it’s a celebration of connection, resilience, and the simple magic of a well-timed pun. Open to any page, share a joke, and make your world a little lighter—one groan at a time.

The Review

This was a heartfelt, light book filled with laughter and joy. The author does a great job of filling this book with a wonderful collection of jokes and quips that will elicit classic and beloved eye rolls and groans that are the staple of any good dad joke. The range of jokes the author covers, from meta and personal jokes to holiday-themed and cultural jokes about music and even shower thoughts, allows readers to have a joke for any occasion and to reference the book time and time again.

What stood out to the reader was the author’s voice and tone. The humor that comes through in the jokes is grounded in the relatability of the author’s life experiences and in where these jokes arose, bringing light to tense situations and to the darkness that emerged following the COVID-19 Pandemic, and to the need for laughter and joy again in those times. This gave readers a foundation that allowed these jokes to really hit home.

AudiobooksNow

The Verdict

Memorable, humorous, and entertaining, author Mark Leslie’s “I Think It’s a Sign That The Pun Also Rises” is a must-read nonfiction book of humor and dad jokes. The collection is vast and serves as a great reference book to return to whenever the reader needs a refresher, and the lightness the book promises makes it well worth the effort to pick it up and laugh out loud. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mark Leslie would be the first person to admit he’s still afraid of the monster under his bed. That might be why most of his books explore the darker side. In addition to penning a series of true ghostly tales he also writes horror and the humorous urban fantasy action/adventure ‘Canadian Werewolf” series.

His other passions include fan appreciation/trivia books about the modern classic 1980s films and sharing stupid dad jokes.

Proudly adopting the term “Book Nerd,” Mark is most comfortable with a pen in hand, fingers on keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book. He can often be seen traveling to book events with a life-sized skeleton named Barnaby Bones.

Born in Sudbury Ontario, Mark has courted with a serious addiction to reading and writing his entire life. He has called both Ottawa, ON and Hamilton, ON home for about a decade each and currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario.

MARK LESLIE

https://www.instagram.com/markleslielefebvre/

https://amzn.to/4qvTosK

Beginning (The Dying of the Light Book 3) by Jason Kristopher 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. 

Humanity’s survivors attempt to reclaim the surface world but find new threats emerging in author Jason Kristopher’s “Beginning”, the third novel in the Dying of the Light series. 

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The Synopsis

The triumphant finale of the series called “the best since World War Z!”

He awoke and, for the first time in almost twenty-five years, remembered who he was.

Twenty years after Z-Day, humanity’s remnants prepare to reclaim the surface from underground bunkers. But as survivors venture upward, they discover a chilling truth: the world above has changed in ways no one anticipated.

When a new threat emerges that could trigger a second Z-Day, Eden Blake and the remaining heroes of AEGIS must make their final stand. In this race against extinction, the greatest enemy comes from within.

Heart-pounding action meets moral complexity in this explosive conclusion that fans of The Walking Dead and World War Z won’t be able to put down.

The Review

This was a compelling and gripping novel. The author did a fabulous job of creating a narrative that both allowed new readers into a harrowing world and paid off major storylines and character developments begun throughout the first two books of the series. The wealth of world-building and multiple POVs from various characters showcasing how humanity has divided and evolved in the years since Z-Day was both entertaining and thrilling, allowing readers to visualize the world the author created. 

The heart of this narrative was the characters and their growth. From the first chapter, readers are on the edge of their seats as blasts from the past are revealed before the curtain is pulled back, taking them to a new time period to explore. The powerful imagery in the author’s writing style makes both the zombie and human threats the book reveals feel visceral, and the action more tense. The reader will instantly connect emotionally with the characters as they grow throughout the narrative.

The Verdict

Harrowing, enthralling, and compelling, author Jason Kristophers’ “Beginning” is a must-read zombie action and adventure thriller and a grand entry in the Dying of the Light series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the shocking revelations, and the emotional endings to many character arcs will stay with readers and leave them wanting more ways to dive into the vast world the author has developed. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jason Kristopher is the award-winning author terrifying readers with zombies in THE DYING OF THE LIGHT, thrilling them with 1940s noir in LOCO MOCO, and harrowing them with boy-meets-gryphon-meets-robot adventure in WHEN IRON WAKES. With the love of his life and the dog that rescued him by his side, he plots his next traumatizing stories from Florida beaches.

The Fire in our Heads

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beginning-jason-kristopher/1145581359?ean=9781938821493

https://amzn.to/3MUDAS4

Interview with Author Cory V. McCray 

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?


I’m a proud son of Baltimore, an electrician by trade, and now serve in the Maryland State Senate representing the 45th District. My journey started with an apprenticeship — it gave me not just a career, but a path to stability, leadership, and service. Writing wasn’t my first language; I was used to working with my hands. But over time, through op-eds, speeches, and listening to the stories in my community, I realized writing was another way to build — not with wire or tools, but with words that could help shape futures.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?


The book grew out of a simple truth: apprenticeships saved my life. I wanted to create a guidebook that would demystify the process for parents, students, and mentors — to show them that the trades aren’t a fallback, they’re a way forward. I’ve seen too many young people miss opportunities because they didn’t have access or exposure. This book is my way of pulling back the curtain and saying, “Here’s how you can get there.”

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?


That second chances are real, and pathways to the middle class come in many forms. Apprenticeships are the other four-year degree. I want readers — whether they’re young people figuring out their path, parents trying to guide their kids, or counselors advising students — to walk away knowing that opportunity is closer than they think, and that hard work plus access can change everything.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?


Memoir with a “how-to” spine felt like the right fit. I wanted to tell my story honestly — the good and the challenges — but also leave readers with practical steps they can act on. It’s not just about my journey, it’s about creating a blueprint others can use.

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5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?


Instagram has been powerful — it allows me to share visual moments, connect with young people, and engage directly with readers who may not follow traditional political spaces. But I also lean on LinkedIn, because so much of this conversation is about workforce development, policy, and leadership, and that’s where those communities live.

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?


Stay true to your voice. Writing can feel intimidating, especially if it’s not your first craft, but authenticity is what resonates. Be disciplined about putting words down — even if it’s just a page at a time — and surround yourself with people who will push you to finish. Most importantly, write the book you wish you had in your hands years ago.

7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?


Right now, I’m focused on bringing The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life into as many classrooms, libraries, and communities as possible. But I also see this book as just the beginning of a larger conversation.

On a personal level, I’ve got a 10- and 11-year-old in the house — both boys — and time is flying. Writing this book gave me space to reflect on the disciplines and lessons I’ve learned through life, and I want to make sure I pass them on early so they don’t fall into the same traps I did. With my wife, our focus is on raising our four children to be good human beings — the kind who contribute to making this world a better place.

So while I’m already thinking about ways to expand on this project — companion guides, lifting up more apprenticeship stories, and maybe another book down the road — my deepest priority is what’s happening inside my own home, and making sure my kids grow up with the tools, values, and exposure they need to thrive.

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About the Author

Cory V. McCray is a husband and father of four from Baltimore who believes deeply in second chances and creating pathways to opportunity. An electrician by trade, he now serves as a Maryland State Senator, representing Baltimore’s 45th Legislative District. Cory is the author of The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life, a guidebook and memoir that shows how apprenticeships are “the other four-year degree.”

Links:

Interview with Author Roshana Ariel

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1)     Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I always enjoyed creative writing throughout school. I took a class in high school that helped nurture that little spark. My mother was an unofficial editor—as a medical librarian, she would edit doctors’ papers for medical journals. She would sometimes edit my school papers too, and they were always so much better when she touched them. That’s how I learned how powerful editing can be.

Later in life, I became an editor at daily newspapers in the Midwest, and in that role, I started writing a weekly column. That continued for many years.

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2)     What inspired you to write your book?

I wrote a Christmas column one year, in 2012, which became this book, “Merry Christmas, Cosmos.” I remember waking up over and over one night as another line of text came to me. It sort of wrote itself that night. I was inspired by the idea of evolution and some of the books that were coming out around that time—“Evolutionaries” by Carter Phipps was one.

3)     What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I would love for people to recognize that we’re all one big family on this planet, evolved from tiny creatures swimming about in primordial pools. And that Earth is our common home. I would love for the divisiveness in the world to decrease and the understanding of our shared heritage to grow.

4)     What drew you into this particular genre?

It grew out of the inspiration from the Christmas column I wrote. From that place, I just wanted to illustrate it. One of my favorite books is “Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One With the Universe,” by Yumi Sakugawa. It came out a year after my book. I love short books with a powerful message.

5)     What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Social media? I haven’t even posted my book yet on Facebook. But I will. I don’t do much social media-ing.

6)     What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Read your writing out loud; that helps a lot with hearing the rhythm in your writing. And go with your heart, and edit, edit, edit until it feels just right.

7)     What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Since I published this book, I wrote a song to go with it: “Merry Christmas, Cosmos (the song).” I’ve gone into the studio and recorded my parts and have spent many hours tweaking it for release. It should be uploaded to streaming services any day now.

And I do have a book on the horizon, tentatively named “Your Big Self.” I hope to bring clarity to what people mean when they talk about a true self, higher self, unique self, local self, etc. It will probably be in the same kind of picture-book style.

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About the Author

Roshana Ariel is a writer, editor, and musician who weaves wonder into everyday life. She’s the author of “Merry Christmas, Cosmos,” a holiday book for families that blends science, sacred storytelling, and a sense of belonging in the cosmos.

Her life’s path has taken her from playing in bands and as a solo performer across the United States, to working as a radio announcer, and eventually to journalism, where she worked her way up to managing editor at a daily newspaper.

Now living in North Carolina, she performs regularly at her local Unity fellowship and creates memes, meditations, and music that celebrate conscious living and our shared origins in a vast, unfolding universe—all in service to Goodness, Truth, and Beauty.

https://roshanawrites.medium.com/

https://amzn.to/4r88pSR

Savvy Sam’s Search for Self by Jamie Barrett 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. 

Author Jamie Barrett shares a relatable story of identity in the children’s book “Savvy Sam’s Search for Self.” 

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The Synopsis

Savvy Sam’s Search for Self is an educational story written in poetry form that provides information on how the mind works and who you are, your identity. Sam is the character in this saga and Sam was chosen so Sam could be identified as a boy or girl. This helps boys and girls alike to be able to relate to Sam and the dilemma of who you are. Concepts are espoused that thoughts are not real and can be changed. Negative thoughts and negative emotions are not who you are and can be worked through and released. More empowering thoughts can be substituted for thoughts that are not serving you.

The Review

This was an incredibly insightful and heartfelt children’s book, guiding readers through an emotional process of how children process information and how that information informs their identities. The bright, colorful illustrations are a great way to capture the young reader’s attention and to slowly introduce these concepts as the story progresses, which is highly innovative when paired with a relatable protagonist like Sam and guiding characters like the Sassafrass Tree. 

The driving force of the story, of course, is the educational value of the story’s themes, as well as the author’s unique writing style. The poetry that was infused into the writing style made the journey feel very lyrical and emotive. At the same time, the themes of identity were explored extensively at both the emotional and psychological levels, helping young readers distinguish between negative and positive thoughts and feelings and understand that these don’t define their identity.

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The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Jamie Barrett’s “Savvy Sam’s Search for Self” is a must-read children’s book. The relatable, emotional story and journey Sam goes on, and the words of affirmation and encouragement that accompany it, will empower young readers and entertain them at the same time, making this a wonderful children’s story to get into. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

https://amzn.to/4paMWGs

PRESS RELEASE: WINNING THE WAR OVER WHAT-IFS BY BILLIE CORLEY RELEASES

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn book news, Book Promotion, Creative Edge Publicity Press Releases, PRESS RELEASESLeave a comment
WINNING THE WAR OVER WHAT-ifs A Practical Guide to Living Empowered   A stunning debut of faith by writer, speaker, and bible teacher Billie Corley  Released in e-book and paperback format by Dressed In Love Press 

  

Gaining victory over the what-ifs demands fully surrendering to God’s ways, total dependence upon His guidance, sensitivity to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, unlimited trust, and giving more than you realized you had to offer. You won’t find the phrase What-if Moment in a dictionary. Inspiration to write this book came from two reasons. One came while reading biblical stories and imagining choices, actions, and reactions. For instance, consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three Hebrew children, who were forced to choose between bowing to the king’s image or being thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3).  https://bit.ly/winningthewarwhatif  “Practical, relevant, encouraging, and filled with solid truth. I enjoyed “Winning the War Over Whatifs” so much and found so many helpful truths the author pulled from Scripture. I found her writing refreshing and her teaching powerful. You can read this from cover-to-cover all at once and be blessed, or you may choose to enjoy it one chapter per day. It’s not exactly a devotional, but it could easily provide a daily thought to carry throughout your day. I highly recommend this book for your personal enjoyment or for your small group study” _ Tim Riordan Amazon Book Reviewer  
About Billie Corley 
 

Billie Corley is a writer, speaker, bible teacher and founder of Billie Corley Ministries and has been in Women’s Ministry for over twenty-one years. Her heart’s desire can be summed up in her ministry’s slogan “Seeking to Teach, Inspire and Encourage Women Everywhere for Jesus Christ.” Billie’s life drastically changed when she surrendered her heart to Jesus Christ in her late twenties. Immediately, she had a burden for ladies’ ministry and after a thirty-one-year career in Corporate America, entered full-time Christian service. Billie shares her love for God’s word through her speaking and writing. When she’s not writing, Billie spends time hosting and preparing for her annual women’s retreat and monthly bible studies. Billie is a published author of several articles both online and in print through Lighthouse Bible Studies and Dressed in Love Press. Billie serves with spiritual vigor, joy, and enthusiasm, and welcomes the opportunity to share at your ladies’ events. Billie is a wife, stepmom, grandmommie, and great grandmommie and lives in south Georgia with her soulmate, Ben, and cat named Blue. You can follow Billie on FB @ Billie Sue Strawder Corley or on her ministry page, Billie Corley Ministries. She can be found on Instagram billiesuecorley or visit www.billiecorley.com.  To request additional review copies or an interview with Billie Corley, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925   We look forward to the coverage!   

PRESS RELEASE: THE MOTH AND OTHER TANTALIZING TALES BY JAMES L. HILL RELEASES

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The Moth

And other Tantalizing Tales

A new stunning short story collection by critically acclaimed author, James L. Hill

Released by Rockhill Publishing 

The book is available worldwide in digital and print format

From the dark distant past to the far-flung fantastic future comes crimes of passion and hopeful heroes.

The world has fallen back into a more deadly Covid-19 pandemic. A journalist, Baron Beard, risks everything to uncover government secrets exposed by an internet troll known only as Veritas.

Harry, a brilliant but naïve computer hacker, finds himself drawn deeper into the underworld like a moth to a flame. Of course, there’s a woman holding the torch.

Dr. Energy has plans to save the world but only if he can avoid destroying it first. He’s 99% sure he can. Well, maybe 85%. But he still likes his odds.

You will be intrigued as you turn the pages and the plot twists in these eight amazing stories of mysteries, thrillers, and dystopian science fiction.

https://bit.ly/themothtales

More from James L. Hill

The Killer Series:

             

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About James L Hill:

James L Hill, a.k.a. J L Hill, is a native New Yorker from the South Bronx, Fort Apache, of the turbulent 60’s. He earned a degree in computer programming, his other love. A multi-genre author, his experiences seasoned his novels and the worlds he imagined. James started RockHill Publishing LLC to publish his own work and give others access to the literary world.