Tag: author anthony avina

Interview with Author Jill K. Thomas

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

Even though I have written 3 full-length books and several hundred blog posts, I still don’t really consider myself to be a writer.  I think of myself more as a Hypnotherapist who writes.  When you own a business writing becomes a necessary part of getting your message out and I love doing it..so maybe I am a writer…Hum, you are making me think, I love that!!.. I will say, it’s fun, people I am not related to say I am good at it so I will keep it up.

But to answer your question about how I got into it I will say I have been journaling since I was a young child.  I used it as a way to handle difficult emotions and over time as I got better and better at crafting a concise message, I started to use it in my pre-hypnotherapist professional life and career.  As in “We need someone to write a blog or 10 for the company website, who will take on that task..”  Me, always me.  

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What inspired you to write your book?

The book, which is about how to create a successful healing arts practice, came out of frustration.  I kept seeing new hypnotherapists, reiki masters, massage therapists and even a few psychics in my office trying to figure out how to turn their gifts into a business and I kept repeating the same advice over and over again. Eventually, I thought “What if I just write all this down and tell them to read the book” It took a few years but here it is.

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

You are important, your dreams of financially freedom and creating a successful business of your own are important and most especially you and your gifts really needed right now. Its time to get started making your dreams a reality. Entrepreneurship it’s not as hard as you think, this book shows you how to do it.

What drew you into this particular genre?

HA! Because I don’t know how to write books about vampires with a lot of sex in them.  Love reading those books thought, wish I could write like that but I’m more of a “this is how you solve your problems” kind of writer.  

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

Well, I am embarrassed to admit this but, not so savvy on the social media.  The only one I have used with any kind of success is Pinterest because my “7 ways to solve… (insert problem here)” posts seem to do better on Pinterest than on any platform.   And frankly wading through Facebook, Instagram and whatever todays latest trending social media site, just isn’t fun for me and I figured out a long time ago that if it isn’t fun, I won’t do it.  

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

Therapy, lots of therapy.  HA! There will be a lot of “no” and even more common, silence when you send out inquiries about finding a home for the books and or articles you are writing.  Know that this is part of the game and is not a reflection of who you are as a person or your value in the world.  Every writer has gone through this.  Learn who you are as a person and create a practice of loving yourself no matter what before you really start wading into the very cold pool of book agents, publishers and radio show producers.

Also, Work on getting a good social media following, years before you have a book to sell.  That is one of the first questions the publishers ask, and my career would have been much easier if I had done that work before I released my books.  

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

Yes, actually I have a book about Emotional overconsumption that keeps waking me up at night wanting to be worked on.  As many writers will tell you, a book can be a bit like a petulant child pestering you and wanting your attention.  I keep having to tell it at 3AM that it needs to wait its turn, its very impatient but I need to launch my current project first then I will give it my full attention.

But yes, I appear to be pregnant again with another book.  

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About the Author

As an Intuitive Hypnotherapist, Clairvoyant Reader, Author, Medium and Vocal Channel, Jill K Thomas, CHT has over 18 years’ experience helping clients move past limiting beliefs, discover their authentic selves, and create a life of peace and harmony. Jill has helped thousands of people realize lifestyle and wellness goals they could never before achieve, including attracting prosperity and success, overcoming debilitating phobias, healing toxic relationships, and losing weight.

Among many of her accomplishments, her most recent book, “The High Income Healer: How to Turn your Healing Gift into a Full-time Business” helps healers take their business to the next level. Her other books include “Tales From the Trance”, published by Ozark Mountain Publishing, and her well known weight loss book “Feed Your Real Hunger: Getting off the Emotional Treadmill that Keeps you Overweight”.

She has appeared on numerous radio shows, maintains her popular online blog “Confessions of a Hypnotherapist”, and has authored articles for magazines read across the nation. Her “30 Day weight loss Jumpstart” CD has also helped many people finally lose the pounds, after years of trying.

https://www.jillkthomas.com/

https://twitter.com/hypnotistjill

City at My Feet (Mannahatta Series Book 1) by Thomas Moore 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. 

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A young woman must go through a portal and save her sister from a hideous mythological beast in author Thomas Moore’s “City at My Feet”, the first book in the Mannahatta Series. 

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The Synopsis

If you are looking for a captivating novel with an amazing heroine and which includes parallel universes, mythology, and time travel all in one, then look no further than City At My Feet, Book 1 of the Mannahatta Series.

From the very start of the novel (the “ordinary life” phase, if you are a fan of the hero’s journey) we are introduced to an alternative and futuristic culture, a culture that still honors its past as well as its present. The land is an alternate version of Manhattan wherein the Europeans had never arrived.

We meet Sakima (suh-KEE-muh), a young woman intent on being a warrior and we learn about her dreams. She is a character you’ll love and root for as she battles against impossible odds. Soon after, her dreams are put to the test as she uses a portal to go to current-day New York City to save her younger sister who had been kidnapped by a gigantic and hideous mythological monster called Yakwahe (yuh-KWAH-hay). We also meet her sympathetic parents, family, and friends, each who play a key part in this story’s plot.

Sakima’s adventure gets her nearly destroyed many times in many places in the multiverse (called the Many Worlds in her culture) as she fights this monster as well as human monsters; gains friends; and discovers her own strengths and weaknesses.

This is a great, page-turning read, the first in a series (the second book comes out in the Fall of 2023). Read City At My Feet for a fun, shocking, and satisfying story. Highly recommended and look for more soon from this aspiring new author, Tom More!

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The Review

I absolutely loved this book. The author did such an incredible job of world-building in this narrative, immediately introducing readers to a world in which Europeans never landed on the North American continent, and the Native American people were allowed the thrive and grow. The narrative then expands to multiple worlds, and the creature development the author draws upon was unique and something not seen often in modern-day YA fantasy and sci-fi series.

Yet to me, it was the character development and cultural inclusivity that really stood out to me. Seeing the emphasis the author put on having a strong, powerful yet relatable, and vulnerable female protagonist was great to see come to fruition, as she embodied the need to embrace our true selves and fight for the future we want for ourselves. The attention to detail the author paid to Native American lore and culture was also amazing, as the culture played a major role in the development of Sakima as a protagonist and the role that family played was also greatly explored through that cultural lens. 

The Verdict

Thrilling, captivating, and entertaining, author Thomas Moore’s “City at My Feet” is a must-read YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy novel and a great start to the Mannahatta series. The amazing development of this protagonist, the epic world-shattering action that keeps the reader’s blood pumping, and the thoughtful imagery that brings these worlds to life in the reader’s mind made for a brilliant reading experience. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Thomas More holds an advanced degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. Although college-educated in the art, craft, and labor of writing novels, he is self-taught when it comes to science fiction and its associated tropes, its readers, and the best of its writers. His favorite pastime is going for long motorcycle rides on city streets, country roads, and beaches (where allowed, of course!).

Website:

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https://twitter.com/thomasmorebooks

Preview of City At My Feet:

https://cityatmyfeetfreepreview.com/

Interview with Author Maggie Lovange 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

I am a person of action. I always have to have a goal. To do something useful. I don’t know if it’s my ADHD, nature, or upbringing, but I’m always looking for challenges. I have achieved many things in my life, professionally and personally, but I am most proud of raising my 3 children.

Looking back on my life, everything has led me to this moment to become a writer. Now I am in that period of my life when I have achieved everything I could possibly want; a home, family, and career. While many people will say this is the time to sit back and enjoy your achievements, I felt weightless. You know, like, “Now what?” So the idea for the first book Dealing With Teen Anxiety, came to me at just the right time. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

A year ago, our family found itself in crisis. A crisis caused by the anxiety of our youngest child – Renee. As always, I turned to the books to find a solution to the problem. But the more I read, the more depressed I became. Because I couldn’t see the solution to our problem. I continued to look for answers in parenting forums and in scientific studies. But the solution came when I came across the speeches of teenagers. It was so painful to read them that I cried. But then I realized what the solution was. After 3 months, I already had my child back. We had a lot of work to do with the anxiety, but at least I could talk to her now.

This inspired me to write a book for parents who want to help their children not just deal with anxiety but also become stronger.

The book is short, and I can see from the readers’ feedback that they have many questions. Visit my site and www.maggielovange.com and contact me. I will be happy to give you more information about everything.

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

This is a book about hope and love. The strongest love – is the love of a parent for a child. It is no coincidence that the last two chapters are about how to make deep bonds with our kids. It’s important because soon your teenagers will grow up and go their separate ways, but if you have a strong relationship, they will always be close to you.

4) What drew you to this particular genre?

As I said before, I am most proud of my children. Not because they are intelligent and beautiful but because they have achieved their goals and found happiness.

In the last 10 years, there has been a lot of talk about positive parenting. Well, I’m 2 steps ahead. My grandparents on both sides raised my parents this way. My parents added something to that upbringing, and I added more. I think I can help many parents by telling them about these 2 steps forward.

In my opinion, parents’ job is not just to feed and educate their children but to teach them to deal with life’s problems. And something more important: It is unproductive to raise children in an environment without consequences.

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5) Which social media site has been most helpful in growing your readership?

Well, I’m still at the beginning. I am still developing my marketing strategy and looking for a way to reach more parents. Perhaps on Facebook, it is easiest to contact parents. But if I want to reach younger people, it’s Instagram and Tik Tok.

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or budding writers?

Do your target audience research. Do thorough research on the topic that interests you. Don’t write just to write something – be useful, and write from the heart.

7) What does the future hold for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

I already have several projects in my head. I am currently working on my website, Make Parenting Easier. 

The next is about the stages of a child’s development from a psychological point of view – not just how to deal with the crises that children go through, but what we need to teach them to build a strong psyche.

The other project is about ADHD – this is something that needs to be addressed early on – in the early years of development. How to turn weaknesses into strengths because of how we were raised.

You can look at www.MaggieLovange.com for those who want to receive notifications about my new projects. There you can also leave the questions and opinions you have. The more honest they are, the better my next book will be.

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Maggie.

My name is Maggie Lovange, and I am an M.S. in mathematics, graphic designer and author. But what makes me proud are my three wonderful children.

Why my work will be helpful to you

I have experience raising children, not just as a stay-at-home mom but as a working mom. I was a single mother with my first child. I am the parent of a stepson, and of course, I am familiar with the problems when two parents raise children. The experience I gained, the issues I faced and the final result I achieved are helpful.

In today’s informational world, we are overwhelmed by a lot of information. Very often, the information you can find about a problem needs to be more consistent or made up. I am a mathematician, and my logic is very highly developed. On the other hand, I love reading and discovering new concepts and ideas. What I do is find the connections between different scientific studies and explain them in a way that is practical and easy to understand. A great example of this is cognitive behavioural therapy – which is complex. It took me about three months to research it and find different sources to be able to explain it as something utterly applicable in every person’s daily life.

Of course, being an author and a mother is not always easy. There are days when I feel like I am pulled in a million different directions. Seeing the impact that my writing has on others is the most rewarding thing I could ever ask for. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

As my children grow older, I know that new challenges and topics will require my attention as a writer. But I am ready for whatever comes my way. Writing is not just a job or a hobby for me; it’s a calling. It’s a way to connect with others and make a difference in the world.

Writing a book is not easy, but the rewards are immeasurable. And as a mother, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that you have positively impacted your child’s life and the lives of others.

http://maggielovange.com/

https://www.facebook.com/miminiki1234

Interview with Author Arthur Hartz

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

I’m an MD PhD, medical researcher who no one imagined would write social commentary, especially using cartoons. They didn’t know that my secret identity is a Margaret Meade type anthropologist fascinated by how the people in my primitive society interact. I first began creating cartoons as a tool for teaching medical students. Later, after writing some research papers as a wannabe anthropologist, I found that cartoons could present observations in a simple, entertaining, and relatable way that were clunky to present in words. I later added aphorisms and commentary to focus or expand interpretations of the cartoons. 

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What inspired you to write your book?

I read a lot of social psychology about how people treated each other. My observations were often inconsistent with what I read. I thought that these observations may be interesting to others.

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

Being a good guy doing the right things does not solve relationship problems. Our genetics and our culture make good relationships much more difficult than simply behaving well.

What drew you into this particular genre?

So much of the conventional wisdom about how to have good relationships didn’t fit with what I was seeing. I wanted people to think harder about what their needs really were and how they behaved.

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

I have not developed a successful social media site.

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

I hope that in a year or so I will have had enough success that I am qualified to give advice.

What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

For several months, I have been marketing my books.  I hope that I will now have more time to spend time writing creating new cartoon books and other books that will be interesting to a mass audience. 

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About the Author

After retiring from a career as a medical researcher, Arthur Hartz worked with a team of artists to produce a series of cartoon books, the Slings and Arrows of Mundane Fortune. Slings and arrows in the title of this series refers to the daily attacks most people face on their self-esteem and relationships. From a distance these attacks are interesting and often funny. Four books have been completed with cartoons and aphorisms grouped according to the sources of the slings and arrows:

1. Winners and Losers, Heretical Cartoons About the American Religion of Winning

2. The Autumn Years, Cartoons from the Front Lines of the Battle Against Aging

3. Love and Marriage, Cartoons About Imperfect People Managing Their Most Important Relationship

4. Friendship, How Hard Can That Be

The talented artistic team for the series of cartoon books includes Aleksandar Jovic from Serbia, Mike Wolfe from Salt Lake City, and Heroud Ramos from Peru. Hartz describes what he wants, the artists draw what they like, and then they work it out — amicably.

Dr. Hartz was born in Baltimore; raised in Farmington, New Mexico, and worked in medical schools in Milwaukee, Iowa City, and Salt Lake City. Currently he and his wife, Ellen, live in St. Louis. He enjoys his grandchildren and talking to people in Latin America who can tolerate his Spanish.

https://mundanefortune.com/

https://twitter.com/arthur_hartz

The Black Athlete Revolt: The Sport Justice Movement In the Age of #BlackLivesMatter by Shaun M. Anderson 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. 

Bookbaby.com helping independents – whether authors, publishers, musicians, filmmakers, or small businesses – bring their creative efforts to the marketplace.

Author Shaun M. Anderson shares with readers the history behind black athletes using their status to incite social change and how the modern era of black athletes are able to use social media and their ever-growing popularity to bring attention and force change in a broader, much more important light in the book, “The Black Athlete Revolt: The Sport Justice Movement in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter. 

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The Synopsis

A timely and significant examination of how Black athletes have used their influence to create meaningful change and reform for Black Americans.

In the age of social media, athletes have a powerful influence like never before. Many Black athletes have used that power in positive ways, galvanizing their platforms to create impactful educational opportunities, donate to Black social causes, and raise political awareness on important issues.

In The Black Athlete Revolt: The Sport Justice Movement in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter, Shaun M. Anderson examines the Black athlete’s rise in advocating for social justice and how today’s athletes have moved beyond protesting to create substantial change for Black Americans. Anderson reflects on the history and evolution of Black athlete activism, breaking down its importance during the civil rights movement, the commodification of athletes during the 1990s, and how twenty-first century athletes have utilized their wealth and influence to create lasting societal change in the age of #BlackLivesMatter.

With fascinating portraits of notable individuals in the history of Black activism, as well as insights from athletes and allies who discuss the future of athlete activism, The Black Athlete Revolt reveals the ever-evolving and crucial role of Black athletes beyond the world of sports.

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The Review

This was such a powerful and insightful read. The author really brought the reader a moving message of hope and standing for one’s beliefs in the face of oppression, and how those who gained fame and fortune used their power to bring attention to these important issues. The way the author was able to bring a balance of historical, moral, and philosophical discussion into the narrative helped elevate the message of hope that these athletes helped inspire not only in today’s world but throughout the Black community’s history of athleticism and involvement in the world of sports. 

What really moved me was the history of black athletes using their position as an athlete to speak up for injustice, and the way the author used sports to highlight the societal and moral battles that the Black community as a whole have had to fight against for so long, even before the Civil Rights Movement. The examination of athletes from all different fields of sport, the defining moments throughout the past century in particular, and the ways in which modern technology and growing social movements like the Black Lives Matter movement have catapulted black athletes and their activism to new heights were so powerful and moving to read about and inspire so many to take up the cause themselves. 

The Verdict

Engaging, thoughtful, and hopeful in its approach, author Shaun M. Anderson’s “The Black Athlete Revolt” is a must-read nonfiction book on athletics, activism, and the need for equality and justice for all people. The inequality, police brutality, and hatred that the Black community has been forced to endure for so long is something I personally will never be able to fully understand, but I can help elevate strong and moving voices such as this incredible author to showcase the wealth of importance that these issues have, and the way in which he highlighted through meticulous research and skill the many athletes who used their position to inspire change and growth in the world made this a truly compelling book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dr. Shaun M. Anderson is an internationally recognized scholar, proud HBCU graduate, and award winning professor at Loyola Marymount University. His work focuses on the intersections of sport, politics, race, and society. He has been featured in several media outlets including ESPN, HuffPost, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is also the founder and CEO of CSR Global Consulting, LLC, a consultancy that aides sport organizations in building social responsibility initiatives.

https://www.shaunmarqanderson.com/

https://twitter.com/shaunmarqspeaks

Everyday War: The Conflict Over Donbas, Ukraine by Greta Lynn Uehling 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. 

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Author Greta Lynn Ueehling takes readers on an emotional and harsh journey into the realities of noncombatants living in constant warzones in the book “Everyday War: The Conflict Over Donbas, Ukraine”. 

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The Synopsis

Everyday War provides an accessible lens through which to understand what noncombatant civilians go through in a country at war. What goes through the mind of a mother who must send her child to school across a minefield or the men who belong to groups of volunteer body collectors? In Ukraine, such questions have been part of the daily calculus of life. Greta Uehling engages with the lives of ordinary people living in and around the armed conflict over Donbas that began in 2014 and shows how conventional understandings of war are incomplete.

In Ukraine, landscapes filled with death and destruction prompted attentiveness to human vulnerabilities and the cultivation of everyday, interpersonal peace. Uehling explores a constellation of social practices where ethics of care were in operation. People were also drawn into the conflict in an everyday form of war that included provisioning fighters with military equipment they purchased themselves, smuggling insulin, and cutting ties to former friends. Each chapter considers a different site where care can produce interpersonal peace or its antipode, everyday war.

Bridging the fields of political geography, international relations, peace and conflict studies, and anthropology, Everyday War considers where peace can be cultivated at an everyday level.

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The Review

This was a gripping and thought-provoking read. The author does an incredible job of capturing the heart and emotion of the subjects that are interviewed throughout this book while also providing a clear and concise image of the direction that the conflict in the Donbas region had taken during this time. In light of the recent changes of events that have seen Russia launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it the importance of understanding how conflict impacts everyone, not just the politicians ordering the war or the soldiers fighting on the front lines, but the people and noncombatants who are stuck in the middle of this conflict, is more crucial than ever before. 

What really stands out to me about this book was the author’s approach to the subject. Rather than focusing on the more scholarly or regimented facts about the situation, the book hones in on the more personal and emotional moments of the conflict. The blend of personal interviews with Ukrainian citizens who experienced the conflict firsthand, along with the author’s own foray into the war-torn nation and the experiences that the author and these individuals all shared showcased the deeper meaning of modern-day warfare. Far more often than not, war is being fought not on some distant isolated land or battlefield, but in residential neighborhoods and people’s private lands and even major metropolitan cities within the nations fighting with one another. The emotional impact of these stories,  especially when combined with the imagery and videography showcasing the horrors Ukraine is still enduring, all bring together the theme of finding peace and hope in times of great distress and chaos, especially in a military-driven war.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, important, and engaging, author Greta Lynn Uehling’s “Everyday War” is a must-read nonfiction book on the political and sociological effects of war, in particular the conflict nearly a decade earlier in the Donbas region. The way the author was able to bring to light the multitude of “players” in the field aside from the soldiers themselves, as well as the devastating losses people endured during the war, from property loss and injuries to emotional distress and even loss of loved ones, helped readers to gain a better, more nuanced yet equally moving idea of what these battles do to those struggling to survive in the midst of war and hopefully paved a path for future conflicts to be avoided or fought on a different road. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Greta Uehling began her career by working directly with refugees, helping them find work in the United States. Her experiences in refugee resettlement motivated her to pursue a PhD in cultural anthropology, and have informed her career ever since.

After earning her PhD, she became a consultant with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Geneva, Switzerland, working in the Evaluation and Policy Analysis Unit. Her work on irregular migration there led to another migration-related position as a Family Reunification Coordinator for minors smuggled across United States borders from Latin America and China, in Washington, DC.

Named after the globe-trotting Swedish actress Greta Garbo, she has traveled and worked in many regions. Her interviewees have often remarked about the rapport they feel during conversations. Her colleagues in anthropology note how this rapport, and Uehling’s writing, centers previously unheard voices.

With her current project, Uehling sought to tell the story of internal displacement in Ukraine in a way that is multivocal. She uses the language of lived experience to take readers on a journey through Ukraine that deepens understanding and solidarity.

Uehling dedicated Everyday War to her students because they inspire her to write with their many and insightful questions.

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Once Upon a Wonderland by DJ Stoneham 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. 

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An older and more determined Alice must rescue several fairy tale creatures and figures from Wonderland in an effort to mend Time itself and return home in author DJ Stoneham’s “Once Upon a Wonderland”.

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The Synopsis

Once upon a Wonderland

Can Alice uncover the truth to escape her twisted fantasy?

—

“Fee-fi-fo-fum!” boomed the ogre.

“Why do you keep quoting Shakespeare’s King Lear?” asked Alice. “And while we’re on the subject, why can you only smell the blood of Englishmen? Why not other nationalities? Or English women come to that?”

—

A poltergeist in tattered leotards, a queen suffering from hypersomnia and a psychotic arsonist. These are not the Rumpelstiltskin, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella that Alice knows and loves. Nevertheless, she needs to get them and other fairy tale characters out of Wonderland if she’s to mend Time and return home. And rescue Jack, the feathered boy she’s in love with.

Alice’s quest is not helped by accusations of treason from the local inhabitants, the advances of an arrogant Pied Piper and the fact that she is growing younger by the hour. And then there is the Queen of Hearts and her cohorts to contend with.

Alice’s journey is peppered with surreal events, gritty wordplay and the sinister backstories to popular fairy tales, making this stand-alone follow-up story to Alice Falls Again a must for younger and older adults alike.

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The Review

This was such a beautiful and captivating fantasy world the author developed. The amount of world-building the author was able to achieve in this book was phenomenal, and the powerful imagery the author’s writing instilled in the reader not only helped bring this maddening and fantastical world of Wonderland to life but captured the mental and emotional depth of the characters and their struggles as well. The exploration of other fairytale creatures and figures in the context of the Wonderland universe was a great way to expand upon the existing mythos. The way the author was able to tap into the heart of what made the original story so beloved and yet brought such a mature and insightful new direction to the story made this a stupendous read. 

What stood out to me was the incredible character development that the author achieved here, especially for Alice. For so long, Alice has been portrayed one of two ways: the innocent young girl whose journey into another world was either real or a work of fiction within her own mind, or in some scarier cases, a woman who went completely mad and becoming a danger to herself or others. Yet we find neither of those portrayals here, as Alice is a grown woman now, and has become more assured of herself and her experiences than ever before. The struggles she faces with her family as they seek to find her stability in the world through marriage as she seeks to find her independence was a great way to showcase the strength and leadership skills she has and needs to carry out her mission in Wonderland. The relationships she develops with the people of Wonderland, and the romance that showcases Alice’s maturity and determination make this a memorable and heartfelt reading experience. 

The Verdict

Captivating, iconic, and engaging, author DJ Stoneham’s “Once Upon a Wonderland” is a must-read folklore and fantasy-driven fairytale novel. The wealth of mythology the author adapted for this book and the way the author was able to utilize the narrative of Alice and Wonderland simultaneously to showcase a new way of exploring our perception of mental health overall allowed the reader to enjoy the journey Alice goes on and the emotional connection she forms to so many of the people of this magical land. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Having dived headlong down into his own personal rabbit hole after a career in communications and sustainability, David Stoneham is now pursuing a lifelong dream of writing fantasy. Rather like the heroine of this book, he finds himself drawn to the curious, the fantastic and the peculiar.

Following his first novel in 2018 – Alice Falls Again – David published the epic fantasy duology – Outcast and Havoc – in 2021 before completing Once upon a Wonderland in early 2023.

Although new to publishing his own fantasy works, back in the 1990s, David co-wrote a best-selling series of schoolbooks for English teachers and co-created a private anthology of short fiction, with foreword by Nicholas Negroponte and Arthur C Clarke. 

Born in London, David grew up on the south coast of England and after a few years in China, now lives in Finland.

For more information, follow the White Rabbit

email: david@communicado.fi

website: www.djstoneham.com 

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Once upon a Wonderland paperback on Amazon.com Once upon a Wonderland: Stoneham, DJ: 9789526506425: Amazon.com: Books

2023 Favorite Fan Competition Announced for Opëshum’S “gods on Trial: Book One: Beyond the Father”

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn book newsLeave a comment

🏆💜2023 FAVORITE FAN COMPETITION💜🏆

World Famous author, Opëshum, will be opening The 2023 Favorite Fan Competition on June 1st and closing it for entries on June 30th.

If you love SciFi and Fantasy Fiction Novels, and have a solid following on Instagram, you are eligible to enter the competition, and compete with others for the title of being her FAVORITE FAN of 2023 along with a cash prize of $75 U.S.

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👉🏼CONTEST RULES:

• Read “Beyond the Father -Book 1 of gods on Trial: The Series™️”

• Prepare a four minute video reel and post on your Instagram, sharing your detailed analysis of the book, the plot, theme, greatest problems facing at least two characters, and what you liked most about the book. 

• Reels must be authentically yours and reflect ACTUAL content in the book. Brief recap summaries of the book synopsis are not eligible to win.

• The competition opens on June 1, 2023 which means those competing may start posting their Instagram reels as early as June 1st.

• The competition closes on June 30, 2023, meaning the last eligible reels must be posted on Instagram no later than 12 midnight EST on June 30th

• Opëshum and staff members from 1iR3 Publishers will be viewing each reel to judge them for quality, depth, and to look for the person who provided the most thoughtful analysis on the book. The person with the most intriguing analysis posted to Instagram will be selected as Opëshum’s Favorite Fan of 2023!!

The winner will be named in mid July via 1) an announcement on Goodreads, 2) the author’s Instagram, 3) the 1iR3 Publishers Twitter page and 4) on the publisher’s website 

• Only ONE winner will be selected. 

• Contestants can borrow a copy of the book from a friend, grab a copy from the library or get a copy of the book on Amazon here:

• REGISTRATION TO ENTER THE COMPETITION IS FREE!!  However, you must email the author directly to register for the competition before you are an official contestant. Email Opëshum Patroz directly at  BookReviews@GodsOnTrial.com 

• In your email include your name and link to your Instagram page so that the author and judges at the publishing house can view your reel when it’s time to start posting your book analysis in June.

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• The winner will receive:

🏆 $75 U.S 

🏆 A personally autographed paperback collector’s copy of the paperback version, signed with the author’s famous purple pen

🏆 A gods on Trial T-shirt 

🏆 And the coveted title of Opëshum’s FAVORITE FAN OF 2023!! 

Interview with Author Peggy Payne

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

My first thought of being a writer came in third grade in a paradoxically backwards way. My thought was: I could never be a writer because everything I write sounds like me and not like real writing. I didn’t realize at the time that a distinct voice was an advantage. But I see now that I was thinking then about writing.

Next milestone was eighth grade: my version of a homework assignment to write three paragraphs of description turned out to rhyme. More important, I found it hugely intriguingly fun to do. My course was pretty much set then.

I worked briefly for a newspaper, then began freelancing, which has led to four books and stories from more than 25 countries.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

My LIfe On Earth And Elsewhere is the first novel I began writing. I had just been sitting in a committee meeting as a news reporter and was frustrated that the committee wasn’t taking action. I felt powerless  and that led me to start doing a little world-building on paper. I started this novel that afternoon, immediately after leaving the meeting.

Why this story and not a different one? I wanted to write about out-of-body experience.

The book didn’t find a publisher then, though an editor at a major house wanted to publish it if, shockingly, I took the fantasy out. No way was I going to do that.  I put it aside, wrote several other books, and then came back to it about forty years later.

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

Almost anything is possible. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Writing about an out-of-body experience led me into another realm.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would ask Risto to tell me more about life before birth and after death.

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

I’m only now beginning to have a significant presence on social media (other than socializing on Facebook). When my previous book came out, social media was not as large a force. And I was running behind in developing it.

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

Don’t let anything deter you. Just keep writing and seeking publication.

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

I’m on the verge of finishing two other books, one based on my blog Emails To My Therapist and one a combination biography/memoir Miss Chant of Cottage Lane: The Making of a Mystic.

Links:

   A video of author Peggy Payne’s reaction to Author Anthony Avina’s review

Pre-order now: 

   Amazon

 Barnes & Noble

Quail Ridge Books

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About the Author

Peggy Payne likes to write about difficult people and how they got that way.

Her novels usually venture into the realm of the supernatural, ranging from mainstream religions to the occult.

Her writing inevitably touches upon the intersection of sex and spirituality — to her surprise and no doubt that of everyone who was in high school with her. This pattern didn’t become startlingly clear until she’d published her third novel, Cobalt Blue, and reached the supposedly staid age of 65.

By the time she’d started her first novel, Revelation, she’d spent years as a travel writer, TV and newspaper reporter, magazine nonfiction writer, from Ms. Magazine and More to Travel & Leisure and Cosmopolitan. After writing from more than 25 countries, she had expected to keep rambling about the world for the rest of her days.

But then came the overwhelming need to write fiction, an event much like a spiritual awakening.

Peggy dates her first glimmers of interest in writing fiction to the third grade, when she thought:  “I could never be a writer, because everything I write sounds like me (not like real writing.)”

Home

https://www.facebook.com/peggy.payne.142

Links to my other books:

Sister India

Cobalt Blue

Revelation

The Healing Power of Doing Good, with Allan Luks