Tag: author anthony avina

The Oracle of Yuggoth: Stellarum Collection by Quico Vicens-Picatto 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. 

A small crew traveling through space encounters an ancient power that invades the mind and distorts reality in author Quico Vicens-Picatto’s “The Oracle of Yuggoth,” part of the Stellarum collection.

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The Synopsis

✨A CHILLING TALE OF HOW VENTURING TOO FAR INTO SPACE CAN SHATTER THE HUMAN MIND.✨

What if the ego were not the solid psychic structure it appears to be here, in the safety of Earth?

🚀 Aboard the Persephone, the crew will discover that the real dangers of deep space are nothing like anything found on Earth: threats that invade the mind, erode identity, and distort reality itself.

This is a warning to all of humanity: a warning of an unimaginable fate, a silent threshold that must never be crossed and a godlike presence waiting beyond eons of darkness, hidden in the frozen confines of Pluto.

🐙 Perfect for readers of cosmic horror, space horror, psychological horror and the Cthulhu Mythos: a Lovecraftian descent into madness, chaos and the unfathomable.

Based on the bestselling Call of Cthulhu scenario of the same name, written by the same author.

The Review

The term cosmic horror takes on an all-new meaning in this stellar novella. The author did an incredible job of layering this horror novella with powerful imagery that not only brought these eldritch gods and creatures to life with ease but also captured the mind-blowing, altered states that the cast of characters experienced. The world-building was incredible, not only in terms of the Cthulu mythos that was infused into the fabric of this universe, but in the state of the universe itself between this secret organization known as the Brotherhood and the Free-Worlds coalition, and how humanity has evolved and grown in this near future. 

The heart of this narrative was in the exploration of the main cast of characters as individuals and how they experienced this horror together. Kolab’s experiences living Harun’s life through shared memories hit really strongly in the narrative, and the compelling blend of action and spine-chilling, mind-breaking horror made this story really shine.

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The Verdict

Haunting, terrifying, and compelling, author Quico Vicens-Picatto’s “The Oracle of Yuggoth” is a must-read cosmic horror novella. The author explores the limits of humanity and the mind, and how certain boundaries are not meant to be crossed, providing readers with a chilling experience that will linger long after the story concludes. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Quico Vicens-Picatto is a writer and illustrator who has spent much of his life creating worlds where horror, fantasy, science fiction and the inexplicable intertwine in an eternal flow as irrational as human existence itself. His work, both literary and visual, is born from the drive to always go one step further: beyond what is established, comfortable, or safe.

With more than 10 titles turned into best sellers for the acclaimed Call of Cthulhu role-playing game—such as At the Gates of Carcosa, The Abyss in Their Eyes and Ghatanothoa, the Forgotten One—he has established himself as an independent voice within cosmic horror role-playing, seeking to transcend the safe spaces in which cosmic horror usually moves, delving into the realms of philosophy and combining them with the great themes of the genre.

Influenced by Lovecraft, DeMaio, Spare, Moebius, Faber-Kaiser, Bakunin, Moore, Jodorowsky, Campbell, and fiercely iconoclastic, Vicens-Picatto writes for those who seek questions rather than answers. He does not believe in pure genres, unmovable rules, or doing things “the way they should be done.” He believes in vertigo, in mystery, and in the need to challenge reality itself when it seems to go no further than the prevailing and decaying social conventions of our time.

Portfolio https://www.artstation.com/quicovicenspicatto

https://es.linkedin.com/in/quico-vicens-picatto-1425902b/en

https://amzn.to/4hLdufq

Swallowing the Muskellunge by Lawrence P. O’Brien 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. 

A family’s journey to a better life takes a dark turn in author Lawrence P. O’Brien’s “Swallowing the Muskellunge.”

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The Synopsis

London Oxford was prepared to do whatever it took to get to the promised land, but can he get his family safely across the border?

Young Abner Oxford has kept something of his mother’s. Something else needs what he has. It’s patient, can be quite disarming, and has a monstrous, fierce appetite. Abner and his family, along with a caravan of sleighs, are moving north.

The frigid cold and the blinding white have made the adults slow, weary, and numb. Very few questioned the drag marks in the snow or the mounting number of disappearances. Abner’s father felt like that—until it woke him up.

Fans of The Terror, the Fisherman, and El Norte will be hooked.

The Review

This was such a rich and compelling historical fiction meets folklore horror novel. The powerful imagery of the harsh, wild landscapes the characters traverse, along with the tension that fills the air in every chapter, kept readers on the edge of their seats. At the same time, the balance the author found between the violent supernatural events of the story and the need for survival that takes center stage in the narrative made this novel soar.

As a fan of fantasy, horror, and folklore storytelling, I loved the idea of the Wìsakedjàk being such a powerful force in the worlds of North American folklore and culture, and taking on a physical presence in the wilds of this setting. Yet it was the powerful themes of this book that stood out. The exploration of Manifest Destiny at the expense of indigenous people, as well as the struggle for identity, is what many people in the Black community felt when they attempted to create their own path in life, but felt the confines of labor for others take control. The exploration of freedom vs servitude, as well as the freedom of nature versus the conquest of land and the rights mankind has to dominate the world, made this narrative so compelling and thought-provoking.

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The Verdict

Harrowing, dynamic character arcs and powerful themes, author Lawrence P. O’Brien’s “Swallowing the Muskellunge” is a must-read historical fiction meets folklore horror novel. The emotional resonance readers will have with these characters, the struggles they endure, and the depth of survival they must go through highlight the hardships of life in this era, while also bridging the gap by infusing supernatural terror into the narrative fabric that feels strangely natural. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Lawrence was raised across from a hill shadowing Black Rapids Creek in Ottawa, Canada. The towering toboggan hill fed an early appetite for challenge, tall tales and doing the impossible. The black forested river valley set his dreams.

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http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781777815561

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https://www.smashwords.com/books/1898125

PRESS RELEASE: Forsaken Souls: Book Four of the Callum Walker series; The critically acclaimed supernatural series continues by J.M. Shaw

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The book is available worldwide in print and digital formats

 Driven south by their brethren in the Northern Kingdom, the Der’geron have bided their time for nearly two centuries, nursing hatred and plotting vengeance since their defeat in the great elven war. As a new conflict draws ever closer, Queen Jobella struggles to assert her authority over her northern domain—battling civil unrest, sabotage, and misinformation while attempting to mend fractured alliances.

Meanwhile, Callum and Jax set out on a perilous journey to repair the veil separating the magical realm from the human world. Unbeknownst to them, their path leads directly into the heart of danger, where they are captured by the Der’geron. Imprisoned in the hellish grotto beneath the subterranean city of Elfarian, Callum and Jax are forced to work or die at their enemy’s command.

 However, danger turns to horror when Callum learns of the Der’geron King’s plans for the Northern Kingdom and the rest of the realm. What is to come will be a reckoning, not a war. It will be a battle for the ages, where both lives and souls are at stake, and death is not the worst outcome.

 Imperilled by violence, assailed by evil energy, and tempted by dark magic, Callum must stand against the rising darkness, but first, he needs to find the strength to face his buried anguish, even at the risk of fracturing what remains of his sanity. Yet, there is hope for a happy ending, if only Callum can summon the courage to accept it.

“I absolutely loved the 3rd book on the Callum Walker series. I had a hard time putting it down. I really want to know what happens next for Callum, Jax and some of the other characters. I love how the author creates and develops her stories. I can’t wait until the 4th book comes out ”_Guardian, Amazon Reviewer

More Books in the Callum Walker series:

             

About J.M. Shaw:

J.M. Shaw lives in Airdrie, Alberta, with her husband and two young children. She and her family embarked upon a journey of understanding, acceptance, and life-long learning when they discovered their shared diagnosis of autism and ADHD.   Writing is her passion and, with experience and interests in healthcare, psychology, martial arts, and personal training, she pours her unique insights and knowledge into all her creative fictions.

PRESS RELEASE: KILLSWITCH OVERKILL, THE NEWEST EPIC BY CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR, MARK EVERGLADE

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Released and published by Rockhill Publishing


The book is available worldwide in e-format in May 2025


“It’s Waterworld meets Neuromancer, with a touch of The Sixth Sense.”


Sabrina Underfoot is no hero. After attacking the largest cities on Gliese 581g, she contributed to a
chain reaction that flooded half the world. Poisoned with power, she’s dying to redeem herself, but
when the world’s most dangerous A.I. hijacks her mind to end humanity, dying may be the price she
pays. When the world is issuing its dying breath, there’s little left to grasp.


Gliese 581g is an unforgiving world where bio-cities get viruses, where you can download your
friends’ emotions as easily as swapping clothes, and where half the planet is so flooded you can
leap off a skyscraper and hit the water a second later.


Sabrina must restore balance, extract the malevolent Id.Entity from her mind, and find redemption
while being hunted by assassins, surveilled by drones, and fired upon by droids. The final battle
must be fought within herself, however, by restoring her faith in love and friendship and finding the
strength to forgive and accept herself. She’ll have to trust old enemies, form new alliances, and save
a mysterious child who may hold the key to everything.

Amazon.com: Killswitch Overkill eBook : Everglade, Mark: Kindle Store

More from Mark Everglade:

As a planet spins out of control, a young geophysicist, Ash, and her father must solve the
ecological crisis using the latest cybernetics, while evading an oppressive regime profiting off
the destruction. 

Gliese 581g is the last remaining colony of the human race,
located twenty light years from Earth. The planet was once tidal
locked to its sun, with one side draped in darkness and the other
half always bright. This changed after a radical group
called O.A.K. increased the planet’s rotation to bring daylight cycles
to all in the name of equality. All was not well, however, as decades
passed, and new generations dealt with continual floods as the
newfound sunlight melted the icecaps. Entire neighborhoods went
aquatic from rising sea levels.


Soon, the planet was spinning out of control, with sunrises
occurring every few hours.


Ash Rivenshear works as a geophysicist at Geosturm, a company
contracted by the New Order to monitor the geological crisis. As she investigates the planet’s
increasing rotation, she uncovers classified data indicating that someone is intentionally
manipulating it to their own ends. An attack on her life is made to cover up the intel. After surviving,
she contacts her estranged father for help, Severum Rivenshear. Having no idea he had a
daughter, Severum agrees to help, but the tension of his absence throughout her life builds as he
works to build a relationship with her.


Ash and her father discover a research lab where Severum uncovers a connection between
Geosturm and the Old Guard, a scion of the now defunct Government of Evig Natt led by Eduardo
Culptos. The Old Guard seek to restore their power over the hemisphere by accelerating the planet’s
rotation at breakneck speed, exacerbating the negative ecological effects, as they convince the
public that the planet was better off in darkness. They’re motivated by the wealth they obtained back
when light was scarce and commodified, and seek a restoration of their influence. Severum catches
glimpse of a scientist being held captive at the lab during his reconnaissance, but he’s forced to back
down due to being outnumbered, and unable at the age of sixty-nine to fight efficiently due to his war
injuries.


Severum approaches K.O.A., an offshoot of O.A.K., for help at their commune where he obtains
equipment, and cybernetic upgrades to offset the effects of aging. Eventually, he learns that most of
those effects were in his mind and not actual limitations.

Amazon.com: Inertia: 9781945286704: Everglade, Mark, Paris, Athina: Books
Inertia eBook : Everglade, Mark, Paris, Athina: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

What Readers are Saying:

“Severum is positioned as a critique of our vision of a neat split between nature and
corporate existence. The tension of a world that is now connected but with cultural
practices that reflect that old divide was fun to explore!”_ Dr. Joseph Hurtgen, Sci-Fi
Scholar and Professor

About Mark:

Mark Everglade has spent his life studying social conflict. He runs the
website www.markeverglade.com where he reviews cyberpunk media
and interviews the greats. He also runs Cyberpunk Day each year with a
group dedicated to bringing dystopian fiction to a new generation. His
short stories have been featured beside legendary authors like Cory
Doctorow and Walter Jon Williams.

PRESS RELEASE: Soul Rich: For the Woman Coming Home to Herself and her money; Not another money book, this one starts with YOU by critically acclaimed author and Financial Expert Kalee Boisvert 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Creative Edge Publicity Press Releases, PRESS RELEASESLeave a comment

• Reclaim your worth independent of your bank account
• Release guilt, shame, and the pressure to have it all figured out
• Let money support the life you actually want
• Learn to receive, rest, and feel safe with enough

This isn’t about getting rich fast.
It’s about building a relationship with money that actually feels good.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to do it all alone.
If you’ve ever wondered when it’s your turn.
If you’re ready to feel at home in both your life and your finances.

This is your invitation.  

And you are allowed to be soul rich.

https://bit.ly/soulrichkaleeboisvert

More From Kalee:

           You’ve spent your life showing up for everyone else.
            But lately, something inside you is whispering—
            “What about me?”

  • Who you were before the world told you who to be
  • That your sensitivity is not a flaw—but a strength
  • That it’s not too late (it never was) to come home to yourself

      This isn’t just a book to read.
      It’s a book to feel.
      To carry.
      To return to—again and again.

      Because once a woman remembers who she truly is,
      she cannot forget again.

https://bit.ly/therememberedwoman

About Kalee Boisvert

Kalee Boisvert has spent over fifteen years in the financial industry, driven by a desire to rewrite the money story she grew up with. Raised in a single-parent household, she became passionate early on about financial empowerment and helping others create freedom and confidence through money. But her path didn’t stop there.

Over time, Kalee’s work expanded into something deeper: a soul-level invitation for women to remember who they are. Today, she writes both financial and spiritual books—offering practical tools, tender truth, and gentle reminders that you are already enough.

PRESS RELEASE: IMMUNE: RISE OF THE INFLICTED: A new spin on post-apocalyptic suspense by new up-and-coming dark fiction author Seth Voorhees

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The book is available worldwide in paperback format 

This is not your parents’ apocalypse story.

My Titles – Home

More from Seth Voorhees:

            

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About Seth

Seth Voorhees is a Black Hills author who lives in Rapid City, South Dakota. He describes himself as a writer of dark fiction. He draws on his experience as a counselor and educator in adolescent development and mental health to develop his characters and their journeys through morality and life’s challenges. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Psychology from Black Hills State University. He lives with his partner and stepdaughter. More information can be found about Seth at: Home – A Black Hills Author

Interview with Author Scott Alldridge 

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

I have been an entrepreneur since I was 19 years old, starting in software development and sales.  I have reinvented my businesses over the last 30 years evolving in technology, from software to network integration, to Managed Services (MSP) to now an (MSSP) – www.ipservices.com

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What inspired you to write your book?

My teams and myself in the early 2000’s felt strongly about IT process documentation, things like configurations and changes to IT infrastructure and software systems.  This led us on a journey to discover the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and we developed a methodology we branded VisibleOps and wrote the original VisibleOps handbook and started the IT Process Institute – www.itpi.org / with he mission of providing IT science backed methods through research, benchmarking, and the creation of prescriptive guidance, thus the VisibleOps series of best practices guidance for IT Processes, Security, Operations, Private Cloud, and my latest VisibleOps Cybersecurity and soon to be released VisibleOps – AI focusing on AI governance with security and risk management in mind.  So my passion fo technology and managing it with proven best practices and practical guidance is my inspiration.  Manage by fact, not belief!

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

Practical guidance on how to improve a companies cybersecurity posture, starting with leadership and then implementing layers as prescribed by the Zero Trust methodology.  It starts with leadership, then recognizing IT Processes matter because no security breach happened without a change or a need for a change, a bit of a riddle.  The reality is either a threat actor breaks into a network or system and changes something, or they convince someone with access for need for a change i.g. – phishing, smishing (social engineering), clicking on a link or a nefarious website.

What drew you into this particular genre?

Growing up I always enjoyed technology, even though it was not popular in the late 70’s early 80’s = this ultimately led me to open a technology business and from there the story evolves from being a technologist, techpreneurnuer, to researching best practices, and now cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

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

Linked-In has been the most helpful, I also have a large Instagram following.

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

Start with something you are passionate about, then make sure you do your research an truly are a subject matter expert – from there think about the altruistic impact of what you are writing, how does it make the world a better place!

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

Yes, I am now researching and writing a new book my VisibleOps Series –  Titled:  VisibleOps AI – AI Governance with Best Practices

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 About the Author

Scott Alldridge holds an M.B.A. in Cybersecurity and is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO), ITIL Certified expert, and Harvard Certified in Technology and Privacy, and is a nationally renowned expert. Scott is a distinguished leader with over 30 years of experience in IT management and cybersecurity, specializing in protecting critical IT systems that businesses rely on today. As the CEO of IP Services, Scott has played a pivotal role in delivering advanced managed IT and cybersecurity solutions across various industries. His strategic use of the TotalControl™ framework aligns technology investments with business goals, ensuring enhanced security, operational excellence, and resilience.

In his role as President of the IT Process Institute (ITPI), Scott co-authored the renowned VisibleOps series, with over 400,000 copies sold globally. His expertise spans IT management, cybersecurity, risk management, regulatory compliance, and cloud computing. Scott is also a recognized thought leader in modern cybersecurity strategies, including Zero Trust and Integrity Management, which are critical to safeguarding today’s complex IT environments.

Through his leadership, Scott has guided organizations in strengthening their security postures and navigating the complexities of today’s threat landscape. His contributions, including white papers, keynote addresses, and innovative frameworks, continue to shape the cybersecurity industry and influence best practices for protecting essential IT systems.

Please check out my podcasts, articles, blogs, and more on my author website: 

To Save One by Kimberly Fiese Yule 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. 

A young woman in grief begins a project to tackle mental health and help others in author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One.”

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The Synopsis

Find solidarity in loss, friendship, and the fight to bring light into the darkest moments.

“A brave and tender story that speaks to the heart of every teenager, and every parent who loves one.”

When Evy loses her boyfriend to suicide, her life unravels in grief and unanswered questions. With the help of her best friend Henry and her classmate Chloe, who carries her own hidden struggle, Evy channels her pain into The Happy Face Project, a senior film that dares to talk openly about mental health.

What begins as a school project becomes something bigger: a mission to break the silence, to offer hope, and to save at least one life before graduation. Along the way, Evy, Henry, and Chloe discover that healing is found in music, courage, and in standing together when it matters most.

For anyone searching for connection and for every parent or educator who wants to better understand what today’s youth are facing.

A story of heartbreak and resilience, it offers both a mirror for young adult readers and a conversation starter for families, schools, and communities.

The Review

This was such a powerful and moving read. The author did an incredible job of delving into a subject that is both sensitive and heartbreaking, and did so with a reverence and care that truly resonated with readers. The powerful imagery that sets up each chapter’s scenery and tone is compelling, and the depth of world-building the author puts into the story itself speaks to the themes of this story, telling a story that weaves into the fabric of all of our lives. 

Ultimately, this story served as a testament to thought-provoking themes and empathetic characters. The tragic circumstances of Briggs’s story and how his loss impacted so many people in the story were equally on par emotionally as protagonist Evy’s exploration of grief and loss, and the raw moments of her grief that pop up throughout the book are truly relatable to anyone who has ever felt grief like that before. The honest and sympathetic portrayal of mental health and those who suffer from this subject matter, including both those who have become victims of this mindset and those who have been left behind as a result, all have a voice in this story and bring the emotional resonance that makes this story so engaging. 

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The Verdict

A compelling, engaging, and heartfelt YA drama, author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One” is a must-read novel. The book also touches upon other themes naturally, including overall health struggles and the impact of a support system, as well as creativity in times of grief and how music can connect people. The book can be haunting at times, and definitely heartbreaking, and yet it is with a strong and compassionate voice that the author brings this rich story to life. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kimberly Fiese Yule believes life is better with sand between your toes, music in your ears, and a story that makes you feel seen. A mother of three, her greatest pride and joy, she is also a former women’s health nurse practitioner and a lifelong wanderer. Depending on the day, she calls Texas, California, or the Caribbean home, always finding inspiration in sunshine, connection, and the beauty of everyday moments.

https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyyule

https://kimberlyfieseyule.com/

https://amzn.to/47L4hzk

Singing the Forge by G.H. Mosson 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 and poet G.H. Mosson shares poems and vignettes that explore the things that have shaped us in the book “Singing the Forge.”

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The Synopsis

Version 1.0.0

Singing the Forge explores the singing of what’s shaped us and what we’ve shaped for ourselves. Through poems at times personal, plus vignettes from men and women of the past two centuries in the book’s middle section, these poems offer mirrors of becomings. Across free verse, meter, and poems of organic form, you might just see yourself.

The Review

Immediately, I was drawn to the author’s ability to create poems that felt very lyrical in nature, bringing a story-like quality to each poem that conveys a theme and evokes an emotional response in the reader. The powerful imagery these poems delve into is compelling, as seen in the poem “Domination of Tulips in Washington D.C.,” where Rock Creek Park comes alive on the page and petals become doorways to the heart of the flower. 

The draw of this collection lies in the strong, powerful themes of forging and awakening that the poems explore. The concept of forging not only brings to mind the idea of creation, but the idea of reshaping things and reinforcing things through fire, a visual and visceral theme the author uses to connect readers with the raw poetry that calls for those moments o f personal change and growth through trials and tribulations, both on an individual scale and even some on much more cosmic scales, such as the idea of time and memory itself taking on whole new meanings.

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The Verdict

Thoughtful, moving, and engaging, author G.H. Mosson’s “Singing the Forge” is a must-read collection of poetry. The deliberate, emotive, and introspective nature that the author brings to each poem, along with the almost lyrical and passionate style of writing, will stay with readers and keep them coming back time and again to delve into this collection. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

G. H. Mosson’s poetry has appeared in The Tampa Review, The Lyric,

Smartish Pace, California Quarterly, and has been nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize.

This is his sixth book of poetry. For more, see www.ghmosson.com

https://www.davidrobertbooks.com/mosson.html

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/singing-the-forge-g-h-mosson/1147326480?ean=9781625494801

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