Chapter 3 of my YA holiday supernatural book Frost is now live on Wattpad!
Tag: anthony avina
Chapter 2 Now Live!
The next chapter of my YA fantasy Christmas novel Frost is now live on Wattpad. I hope you all enjoy it and follow for updates on the next chapter.
New Chapter in Ya Santa Story on Wattpad
Hello everyone! Chapter 1 is now live on Wattpad of my YA Santa and Krampus story Frost. I hope you’ll give it a read and enjoy.
Newsletter: Happy Thanksgiving 2025!
Happy Thanksgiving! From my family to yours, for those of your who celebrate the holiday season, may you all have a fun, safe, and relaxing holiday.
This month’s recommended reading is a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading recently, from an author who has been such an inspiration in the indie author space and has a fantastic voice that builds worlds that feel both within our grasp and yet magically transportive as well. That book is author Kristen Martin’s “All We Keep Hidden.” You can read my full review and find the link to purchase your copy here:
As a special thank you for all your support, my book Identity is having a special Thanksgiving sale, marked down to just $1.99 on sites like Kobo, Apple Books, and so much more. Use the following link to find your retailer and grab this book while the deal lasts. This price lasts from November 27th, 2025 to November 29th, 2025, so if you love spooky horror thrillers with serial killers and a private detective with his back against the wall, be sure to grab your copy today.
Also starting December 8th, I will have four books be part of the Smashwords/Draft2Digital End of Year sale. All 4 books will be marked down by 50%, This is a chance to get my book, along with books from many other great authors, at a promotional discount.
You can find the promo here: http://smashwords.com/sale
If you wouldn’t mind lending a hand to me and the other indie authors taking part in this sale, you can share this promo with your friends and family. Just forward this email to anyone who would love a chance to find their next favorite book!
Thank you for your help and support!
Happy reading!
The Hungry Bear: A Story of Courage and Compassion by Ronnie J.C. Review
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A bear learns the power of self-love and acceptance in author Ronnie J.C.’s children’s book, “The Hungry Bear.”
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The Synopsis
A very hungry bear searched the forest for something to eat when he bumped into a few mean critters along the way. Bear’s spirit was broken after he was called a few mean things. He tried to hide in his cave until his friends came to cheer him up and gave him some advice. Bear learns a valuable lesson in courage and self love thanks to the power of friendship.
The Review
What a moving and heartfelt read. The author perfectly captures the trials and hardships that so many children face in their formative years, allowing younger readers to easily see themselves in the main character’s life. The powerful imagery (both the warmth of the illustrations and the symbolic nature of the book’s themes) allowed the reader to engage with the story while allowing parents to have honest conversations with these young readers simultaneously.
The theme of self-love and acceptance is widely felt throughout this book. The author showcases how cruelty and meanness can seep into everyone and anyone’s life at any turn, but having the courage and strength to rise above their words and embrace what makes a person special and unique will ultimately pay off and make life much more enjoyable.
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The Verdict
Author Ronnie J.C.’s “The Hungry Bear” is a must-read children’s book. Its heartfelt, thoughtful, engaging themes, strong imagery, and fun and relatable nature will speak to modern audiences and keep parents and children alike engaged. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Andru Gomez’s “Drunk at Church” EP Review
One of modern music’s greatest pastimes is that of the singer/songwriter. In the United States especially, indie artists have found a way to weave their unique sound and passion into iconic genres like folk and singer/songwriter to create a heartfelt and relatable album or EP that resonates with many people. One such artist out of Idaho named Andru Gomez is set to do just that with the upcoming release of his EP, “Drunk at Church.”
It has a voice and a sound that blends the soulful tones of artists like Bob Dylan while still appealing to modern audiences with a grit and tone that evokes lighthearted fun and a depth of soul that speaks to the heart. The way this artist can shift from a simple yet prolific melody into a more thoughtful and nuanced vocal harmony will instantly draw listeners into the mix, eliciting the listener to get lost in the lyrics that straddle that line between humorous and profound.
When listening to a new artist and their music, I often close my eyes and try to imagine what kind of other media I could imagine this music being utilized in. Songs off the upcoming EP, such as “In a Dream” and “75 75” could easily be used in shows such as Sons of Anarchy or Peaky Blinders, capturing both the wildness and gritty tones those dark dramas hold in such reverence while also capturing the cinematic quality of the songs, while other songs on the EP such as “Pope Song” had a very storyteller driven vibe, which almost reminded me of The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash, which was featured in the introduction of 2004’s Dawn of the Dead.
If you want to become enraptured and consume great lyric-driven and soulful indie music that is both singer/songwriter and Americana-driven, then look no further than Andru Gomez’s upcoming EP, “Drunk at Church”. The heart and passion the artist poured into the music and the rich diversity in each song’s delivery will stay with audiences and have them yearning for more from this artist. This EP’s release date is TBD, so follow the artist and be on the lookout for this EP soon.
https://www.instagram.com/andrugomezmusic
I’ve Been Featured on Shepherd!
Hey everyone, I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve been given the opportunity to share my book, Identity, as well as my list of books that speak to the theme of identity. From Stephen King and Dean Koontz to Alan McGill and more, this list will showcase the high points of what my book and the theme encompass. I hope you’ll check it out for yourselves.
https://shepherd.com/best-books/thriller-books-that-question-identity
Windekind: A Novel by Mark Lavine Review
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.
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.
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.
