1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’ve pretty much always loved reading and writing. I wrote spec screenplays for a while. While I won a contest and got an agent, I still didn’t sell anything. Never-the-less, screenwriting taught me the importance of developing your characters while keeping the story moving forward.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
Having had a religious upbringing, I’ve always been interested in the origins of religions and what their earliest ceremonies might have looked like. In Greece, for example, the Eleusinian Mystery religion most likely had some sort of hallucinogen at their annual festival. This sacrament enabled their faithful to actually have a firsthand mystical experience. (Sidenote: medical researchers are now discovering that hallucinogens are having positive results with patients with trauma, addictions, depression. It turns out, having a mystical experience can change one’s perspective in healthy ways.) Anyway, I really liked the idea of a shaman bringing a cure into a fragmented modern world. That was the impetus.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
It is possible to cut the cords of addiction, find acceptance/healing from traumatic memories, and discover your own spiritual path.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I fell into speculative fiction because it’s where the story took me. With speculative fiction, you have the ability to really let your imagination go. I have always admired futuristic authors who can also work with spiritual ideas; writers like Philip K. Dick, Arthur C. Clarke, Aldous Huxley, and Herman Hesse.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
While I identify with the protagonist (Matt), I think the “Peacemaker” is the most interesting character. A chameleon, he can be whoever he needs to be in the moment. He also seems to have access to ancient esoteric wisdom. Not only does he know about sacred plants, he also comprehends their chemistry and sees no conflict between the scientific and the spiritual. In fact, he finds a way to merge the two worlds. This book allowed me to ask him most of the questions I have, but I think he still has more to tell me.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I do not have much of a social media presence so I’m probably not the right person to ask.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
If you write in a specific genre, learn its rules. Whatever you write, do it because you truly enjoy the process. Obviously, it’s hard work and can be a grind at times. However, I think it’s important to find the fun and creativity in telling your story – a story that you would want to read.
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8) What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?
Yes, I’m working on a second ‘Peacemaker’ book that takes place a couple of years after the last one ends. It is set in another fictionalized city and has many of the same characters and several new ones.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author and Poet Gary E. Moore use his experience living in Chicago’s South Side and as an inner-city school teacher and father to deliver a collection of poetry that dispels the trope of the “angry black man” and instead paints a realistic yet emotionally-driven image of vulnerability in his book, “Songs for the Cleveland Avenue Warriors”.
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The Synopsis
Some poets spend their lives within the cloistered walls of colleges and universities.Gary E. Moore has spent his life dedicated to education-but not behind cloisteredwalls. In over fi ve decades on Earth, he’s been educated by the streets of Chicago’ssouth side, by a system designed to deal out law and order disproportionately, andby a culture which rejects the idea of the nurturing, gentle black man. In his poeticdebut, Moore draws on his experience as an inner city schoolteacher, as a father, and as a former child himself to paint an emotional landscape which is alternatelypoignant, shocking, witty, and furious.
In “Songs for the Cleveland Avenue Warrior,” Moore breaks the strangling troupeof the angry black man with the vulnerability of his message, the melody of hislanguage, and the passion for nurturing which is woven throughout the work.Written in three sections, in honor of ancestral gemetric wisdom, “Songs” is a timemachine, a critique on the present, and a piercing ray of hope which illuminates ourcollective humanity.
The Review
I absolutely loved this book. The collection brought such a harmonious tone to both the emotions each of these poems conveys with the narrative style of poetry the collection took on. Exploring life and the adversities he faced over his life, the poems did an amazing job of putting the reader into the author’s world and visualizing the experiences and accompanying emotions that came with those experiences.
The themes and representation that the author included in this book were perfect. The examination of race, class, and family set against the backdrop of the Chicago South Side was an inspired and heartfelt choice. The examination of our nation’s broken system and how it impacts various communities, in particular the Black Community, was perfectly represented here. Yet it was the way the author’s poems contradicted and erased the stereotypes often thrust upon the Black Community, especially young black men, that was so captivating and emotional to read.
The Verdict
A beautiful, thoughtful, and highly creative collection of poems, author Gary E. Moore’s “Songs For the Cleveland Avenue Warriors” is a must-read book. The imagery and honesty the author conveys in these poems and the way not only his own personal experiences impacted the narrative style poetry found within but how readers will be able to read into these poems was truly awe-inspiring. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
**SPECIAL NOTE**: This book, as expressed by the publisher, was written in the manner in which the author himself speaks, and all misspellings and particular language used in the book is a result of the publisher choosing to honor and celebrate the voices from Black and Indigenous communities from all around the world. Therefore, any strong language found within the review title, synopsis, or author bio is a result of the idiosyncratic language used by the author himself and not a reflection of this reviewer’s language. I am proud to be able to share unique voices and respect the author creating an authentic and cherished story that reflects his own way of speaking.
A young Black man who dies as the result of gun violence finds himself taking on the role of Death and collecting souls from those whose time has arrived, but finds himself starting to empathize with those whose souls he takes in author Duvay Knox’s “Soul Collector”.
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The Synopsis
Collecting souls is the job, and the bosses in Hell are some shady motherfuckers. With new rules and reeling revelations with every assignment, the job doesn’t seem to be quite what it appears-and promotions come at a price.
A quick-paced supernatural thriller, “Soul Collector” follows the journey of Sippian, a young victim of gang violence, who in Hell assumes the role of Death and struggles to understand the convoluted rules and shadowy figures-and morality-he faces in the afterlife. What will it take for him to become, and remain, DAT Nigga? What will it cost? And who’s setting the price?
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Every era has its Bard. Its keeper of historical, scientific, and cultural knowledge. Its spiritual lightning rod. Its wizened satirist. Its destroyer of old and top-heavy ideas. In the era of Late Stage US Capitalism and COVID-19, Duvay Knox is that Bard. A long time urban folklorist, first time formally published writer, and holder of countless secret titles, Knox’ work in “Soul Collector” is both page-turningly fascinating, and spiritually salient to our times.
The Review
This was a gripping and mesmerizing work of urban folklore. The author did a great job of balancing his unique voice and perspective with a creative and thought-provoking fictional tale of death and those caught in its clutches. The world-building and character development were amazing and did a great job of elevating the theme and tone the author set from the beginning of this fast-paced noir read.
What stood out of course was the author’s brilliant dedication to representation and keeping a truly authentic voice for this book. The story wasn’t just entertaining, but socially and culturally important as it gave a community not often recognized quite as authentically as others in the folklore/horror noir genre a true voice. The imagery and atmosphere the author layered onto the narrative were amazing, as was the exploration of the protagonist’s moral dilemma when dealing with the business of death.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and honest yet vividly creative, author Duvay Knox’s “Soul Collector” is a must-read book. Comedy and satire wrapped into horror and urban folklore box and delivered with culturally relevant and dialogue-driven narrative, the author really gave readers a personal yet relatable experience that not only represents the author’s own authentic voice but allowed for a thought-provoking message woven into a highly entertaining noir read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
I cum outta the South, by way of Louisiana and Tennessee, wit these Tales you see listed on this page. Life has turned me into a Savage Writer of black pulp fiction, black exploitation, black folklore, and black erotica – gritty shit that makes you wanna laff, cry, scream or make nasty love. RUMOR has it I was born frum the last nut in my Daddys sack. And came into this world when HE came. Needless to say, my birth was traumatic. Thus, I arrived heah wit an Attitude. The Doctor slapped me, and I slapped him back. And so mah Journey began. To find Myself. I ran them Streets. I walked the Path. I graduated frum Sidewalk University. I got my PH.D frum the School of Hard Knocks. I still haven’t found Myself. But I did find my VOICE. So Imma take my time and tell my Stories.
1,) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
One of my fondest memories from childhood was an “ah ha” writing moment. My 4th grade teacher chose my story for the class reading circle, but she didn’t tell the class I’d written it. At the end she revealed one of thier classmate had written it. The class gasped in appreciation and burst into applause. From that moment I was hooked on writing! I had loads of natural creativity, but my teacher got after me grammar and spelling. She explained how important these two things would be if I was going to be a good writer, so thereafter I became a meticulous spelling, punctuation and grammar-checker, which made me a proficient editor. I have a good teacher to thank for her encouragement, but also for requiring me to push myself to master the difficulties of the English language.
As an adult, my life coaching clients inspired me to write my recovery workbook, “Never Enough”, while a lost love inspired me to write “Aphrodite’s Cup: Passionate Poems”. “God on Fire: Spiritual Poems” was written after discovering Rumi’s spiritual poetry; I’m a big Rumi fan! “Once The Storm Is Over: From Grieving To Healing After The Suicide of My Daughter” was written so I could share my journey from grief to healing with other suicide survivors, and with teens and young adults struggling with depression.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
After 4 years of struggling with serious depression my 15 year old teen daughter secretly took herself off of her depression medication. It proved to be a deadly decision, because 3 days later she took her own life in the next room as I slept. I wrote about my journey through grief in my autobiography, “Once The Storm Is Over: From Grieving To Healing After The Suicide Of My Daughter” (Big Table Publishing, 2015). Walking had become like therapy for me, so several years later I was walking my dog when I distinctly heard my daughter’s voice. It startled me so much that I came to a complete halt. All she said was: “Mama, listen for the voice.” I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. The 2nd anniversary of her death was fast approaching, and I had been thinking as I walked that day of how Moriyah might look in the afterlife, her face glowing and celestial. I didn’t know what voice she was talking about, but I promised her that I would be listening for it. It was several weeks later that I received the first message from Archangel Metatron. It took me 3 years to compile all 30 messages, and I added a study guide with 30 lessons. “Messages From Metatron” is a powerful curriculum for those seeking to achieve spiritual transformation.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I have taken what I was told and tried to stitch it together to present a unified explanation of how the universe is structured. The book answers larger existential questions, including, who is God and what is our purpose? All the messages have one theme in common, that of unity. They all seem to be stressing: we are one. Another favorite theme is that of reality. I found myself asking, what is real? From an angel’s perspective, reality is not only the world of matter, but the world of thought and feeling. Lastly, the book reminds us that we are a piece of the universal tapestry that affects the entire fabric of the cosmos. Without your contribution the world wouldn’t be whole.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
All of my books are nonfiction indies except for my autobiography. In my opinion, fiction requires a publisher’s hand in shaping the storyline and characters, while nonfiction can often stand alone because it is the truth, and this is a plus if you want to self-publish. The other advantage of being an andie author is that you retain the lion’s share of the royalties, and you can choose how to best market your book. Being an indie author doesn’t pay like having a fulltime job does; I advise people to do it on the side because in the book market, competition is fierce. I became a writer because I have to do it; something compels me to keep writing. If you cannot not do it, then you’re meant to write.
5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I am most active in posting to my Facebook and Twitter accounts because I can interact more with the readers there. It’s more “personal.” Something I was surprised to find is how readers want to know something about you before buying your books. I started my blog in 2011 and have seen it’s readership grow over time, but most visitors to my blog heard of it through a social media posting. I don’t use other popular forums because I’ve only got so much time to devote to social media, so I focus on Facebook and Twitter because of their interactivity.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Just keep writing. Be fluent in writing. Write when you feel like it and when you don’t. Get used to writing frequently. Don’t allow your mind to lie dormant for too long. Keep hammering away at your craft and someday you’re ganna surprise yourself. And I suggest writing through writer’s block. Sit and write whatever comes, whether it’s excellent material or it’s going to wind up in the trash. I don’t believe in writer’s block. There’s always something to say on any given day, it just may not be publishable. Plow through the blockage, don’t give it much of my attention or judge whether it’s good or bad writing. When I ignore blockages they tend to go away.
7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Ten Archangels Teach You How to Live an Inspired Life is the second book in the Archangel series of a three-book curriculum, beginning with Messages From Metatron, thatteaches a non-denominational and universal spirituality. Celestial communications from ten Archangels of the Tree of Life including Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Their words of wisdom will help readers recover from life’s setbacks and find new strength and purpose. Publishing 2022.
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About the Author
Award-winning Author of 10 books including, “Messages From Metatron: A Course in Self-Transformation.” A Life Coach and Clinical Hypnotherapist of 18 years in Tucson, Arizona, Devi Nina is currently working as an Intuitive Counselor who channels the Archangel Metatron, providing intuitive readings for live audiences. Podcast host in 2022 of the “Messages From Metatron Podcast Study Group” on CView Quantum Network. To learn more about the virtual study group go to: http://tobtr.com/12016606
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
A: My day job is being a computer geek for a global technology company. I’ve always been a geek and proud of it. Technology was always in my blood. My first job was an avionics system control specialist on F-111 fighters in the US Air Force. I started writing to quiet the voices in my head! Ok, seriously…I always felt I had better ideas for stories and movies than most. It was sometime in 2011 that I kept getting ideas waking me in my sleep and disrupting my day-to-day activities. Finally, I had to write. It was the only action that helped calm the voices.
Q: What inspired you to write your book?
A: I used to play Shadowbane online and was intrigued by the lore. The game designers intertwined Greek, Celtic, and Nordic mythologies so well that I had to expand upon it. So many ideas rattled around in my mind until I just had to pour them out onto paper…or a computer to be precise. This was my second book but I kept writing and writing until I realized…this was my first full sized novel. I was horrible in high school English classes. I wanted to write creatively, but the teachers wanted uniformity, conformity, and structure. I felt as if they were drowning me with rules and restrictions.
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Q: What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
A: I would like readers to feel that anything is possible. You never know where life will take you or what destiny may lie ahead of you, just waiting for you to discover it.
Q: What drew you into this particular genre?
A: I’ve always loved the SciFi and Fantasy genre. I find everyday life boring and sometimes limited, but in the Fantasy genre you can create anything you like. Create a new realm, a new creature, or anything you can dream…your imagination is the only limitation.
Q: If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
A: It would choose Gaal. I loved creating this character and developing an arsenal of witty comebacks for him. I would ask how he felt about always being referred to as an abomination and what it was like growing up in the Carloon Outpost as a Shade. I always felt I could have elaborated on his life, but then again…I doubt the Shade would be very forthcoming with details.
Q: What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
A: Goodreads and BookBub. Most other sites would reach out to just any members, even if they did not know you were a writer. With my last name being French in origin I mostly received scammers speaking French wearing revealing clothing.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
A: If you’re writing for a profit, find a new line of work. If you just care about publicity, then you can write what you “think” the public wants to hear. However, if the desire to express yourself and the yearning to create new worlds, stories, and characters just burns deep in your soul…write what you want, when you want, and how you want. If your one true desire is to be a creative writer, then write what you want. If they like it, great. If they don’t…then screw them! At the end of the day the only person you have to answer to, and that you can’t lie to, is yourself.
Q: What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
A: Due to life and health issues, I’ve had to take a hiatus from writing for a few years but I hope to get started on a trilogy series soon featuring a young female protagonist who is a strong leader and not afraid of showing it. I’m tired of some showing that females have to have a soft side and that they are so easily hurt, while the males are brave and fearless. It doesn’t always work like that in the real world. Also, I might write the prequels to the Shadowbane series, since I loved writing the Age of Aelfborn.
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About the Author
By day, Paul Francois is a mild-mannered IT professional. He has been in the technology field for over 20 years. One day, in 2011, he started pondering story ideas until they leapt out of his brain and onto paper…onto the computer to be precise.
Join him as he discovers which genre suits his writing style best. Fantasy, Sci Fi, Thriller, or perhaps…all of the afore mentioned. The road is dreary and his journey long, sit back and enjoy a tale as we travel it together.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A heartbreaking breakup between two immortals sends one on a quest to find comfort and warmth among humanity while the other struggles to keep the peace between their people and those they’ve made peace with in author Courtney Maguire’s “Blood Bound”, the third book in the Youkai Bloodlines series.
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The Synopsis
Two hundred years can strain even the seemingly eternal love of the youkai.
When Hideyoshi’s coldness drives them apart, Hiro finds comfort in his friendship with Takanori, a vociferous human man he met at a ramen shop and can’t seem to keep away from.. Everything Hiro had to fight for from Hideyoshi, Takanori gives freely, making it all too easy to turn away from his responsibilities–and Hideyoshi–in favor of something sweeter.
But while Hiro is off playing human, danger is brewing among the Youkai. Hideyoshi, still reeling from his breakup with Hiro, struggles to uphold the promise they made to the Hunter leader, Kyo, but the Youkai’s loyalty has been challenged by Hiro’s abrupt disappearance. With Hunters literally banging at the door, Hide must find a way to bring Hiro home or risk igniting the war they’ve spent the last two hundred years trying to prevent.
Content Warnings: graphic violence, terminal illness, depictions of grief and depression/mental illness, suicidal actions
The Review
As a relative newcomer to the series, I appreciated that the author did such a fantastic job of crafting a well-balanced narrative both for newcomers like myself and longtime fans of the series. The mythology and world-building the author did with the Youkai and the Hunters and the conflict that had brought them to this tumultuous point was amazing to dive into, for it gave a whole new mythological journey to the typical “vampire” story.
The two things that stood out to me were the character growth these protagonists had and the attention to detail the author gave the inclusion of Japanese culture and history. The emphasis on the psychological and spiritual nature of who the Youkai are and their struggle to maintain their humanity gave weight and emotional pull to the character’s arcs, and made readers invested more into their personal developments over the narrative. Meanwhile, the author really did a fantastic job of conveying the emotions and heartbreak that comes with grief and loss, and really brought that raw pain to the pages early on, examining what the pain of loss is like for those who will always outlive those who surround them daily.
The Verdict
A masterful, entertaining, and incredible read, author Courtney Maguire’s “Blood Bound” is a must-read LGBTQ+ Fantasy novel. The attention to detail in the character’s backgrounds and sexuality perfectly mirrored the attention to detail surrounding Japanese culture and mythology and elevated the emotional undercurrent of themes surrounding grief and loss in this supernatural fantasy world the author has crafted. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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Courtney Maguire has a new MM paranormal historical romance out, Youkai Bloodlines book 3: Blood Bound. And there’s a giveaway!
Two hundred years can strain even the seemingly eternal love of the youkai.
When Hideyoshi’s coldness drives them apart, Hiro finds comfort in his friendship with Takanori, a vociferous human man he met at a ramen shop and can’t seem to keep away from.. Everything Hiro had to fight for from Hideyoshi, Takanori gives freely, making it all too easy to turn away from his responsibilities–and Hideyoshi–in favor of something sweeter.
But while Hiro is off playing human, danger is brewing among the Youkai. Hideyoshi, still reeling from his breakup with Hiro, struggles to uphold the promise they made to the Hunter leader, Kyo, but the Youkai’s loyalty has been challenged by Hiro’s abrupt disappearance. With Hunters literally banging at the door, Hide must find a way to bring Hiro home or risk igniting the war they’ve spent the last two hundred years trying to prevent.
Warning: graphic violence, terminal illness, depictions of grief and depression/mental illness, suicidal actions
You can live a hundred lifetimes and the world will still surprise you, hit you like a high-speed train and drag you along the rails before dumping you off a thousand miles from where you started. Sometimes, the ride isn’t as violent as all that. Sometimes, it feels like a vacation, an escape, like falling in love. But, the end of the line is always the same—a broken, bloody mess far from home.
Sitting on a hard cobblestone path in my two-day-old funeral suit, I stared at a pillar of granite with his name on it, a fifth of Jack in my gut and my soul shattered into a million pieces. Aikawa Takanori—the name of the train that hit me.
A broad shadow fell over me and I closed my eyes against it. I knew who it was, knew the sound of his steps, the way the air trembled in his presence. Sakurai Hideyoshi. He sat down beside me on the stone path without a word, so close our shoulders touched. Over two hundred years had passed since the day we met, and his nearness still made my skin prickle. His fingers brushed against mine as he slipped the nearly empty bottle of whiskey out of my hands and raised it to his own lips.
“You knew it would end this way,” he said, his voice low and cold. Not a judgement or an accusation, just a statement of fact.
“If you’re here to lecture me, you can save it,” I said, snatching the bottle back out of his hand.
There was something shocking about seeing him again, sitting there like an inkblot on my vision. The same solid frame, the same dark features, sharp as cut granite and just as immovable. How much time had I spent pounding myself against that hardness, like the ocean against a rocky cliff, trying to break it away? Now I observed him as if from a distance. Something bitter pushed up against my grief, but there was no room for it, so it settled back into my gut. He had been my home before Takanori, but now he was almost unrecognizable. He hadn’t changed, of course. I was the one who was different.
“How long since you’ve drank something besides whiskey?”
“Not since—” I broke off, my eyes darting to the gravestone. My hands trembled as I took a long pull off the whiskey bottle. It could have been hours or years, every second since that day stretched into an eternity.
“Come with me,” he said, pulling himself gracefully to his feet. I didn’t move. “Hiro.”
“I can’t,” I choked. I struggled to breathe around the ball of grief wedged in my throat. He was here for a reason. He wanted something and I couldn’t give it to him. “I’m not…ready…”
“He’s dead. It doesn’t matter if you’re ready,” he barked. The words were sharp, the edge of a blade iced over, and they cut deep.
He grabbed the collar of my jacket and yanked me to my feet. Without even waiting for me to catch my balance, he turned and stomped off down the path. It had been this way since the day we met, Hideyoshi plodding ahead without looking back, so confident I would follow. I found it comforting somehow, like nothing had ever broken between us. We would always be Hideyoshi and Hiro. The shape of his back would never change. He would never get sick and die.
I ran my hand over Taka’s name on the granite and felt my heart tugged in two different directions. Another train had come, this one promising to take me back to somewhere familiar, but part of me was afraid. What if I got there and found it wasn’t my home at all anymore, but just another strange place that would leave me even more broken?
But, Hideyoshi was right. Taka was dead, the home I could have had here reduced to ashes. I had nowhere else to go.
My chest constricted and I cursed under my breath as I ran to catch up to Hideyoshi, falling in step just a few paces behind. The sun was setting as we exited the cemetery and darkness fell quickly over the narrow streets of Tokyo. Neon signs lit up one by one with an electric pop as we passed, the early evening crowds already taking their places in the izakayas that lined the street and disappearing into basement bars. Hideyoshi led me all the way to Ikebukuro and the busy streets surrounding Sunshine City. Wires hung like spider webs overhead, feeding power to the garish artificial light. Loud music and cigarette smoke filled the streets and the smell of sweaty bodies started a scratching under my skin that had me gritting my teeth.
He stopped in the most crowded part of the busy street and looked over his shoulder at me for the first time. My gut clenched. I knew what he wanted. I scowled and shook my head, but he simply pinned me with those needle-sharp eyes that didn’t take no for an answer until I relented.
His silent command: Sing.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The scratching under my skin intensified and the sounds of the city died away as something else rose to the surface, something dark and dangerous. When my eyes opened again, the electric lights paled behind the glare of human life, every movement leaving a streaky after image in blue and white. My pulse sped and my mouth watered. I pulled in a deep breath and my voice rose from the depths with an old song, something traditional that took me back to a different Tokyo, and despite its terrible purpose, it warmed me. My heart swam in it, cleansed its wounds in it.
Author Bio
Courtney Maguire is a University of Texas graduate from Corpus Christi, Texas. Drawn to Austin by a voracious appetite for music, she spent most of her young adult life in dark, divey venues nursing a love for the sublimely weird. A self-proclaimed fangirl with a press pass, she combined her love of music and writing as the primary contributor for Japanese music and culture blog, Project: Lixx, interviewing Japanese rock and roll icons and providing live event coverage for appearances across the country.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author and poet Judy Croome takes readers on an emotional and calming journey through the modern-day anxieties we all face through a return to the meanings and power behind ancient Nordic runes and poetry in her collection, “the dust of hope: rune poems”.
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The Synopsis
Judy Croome’s latest collection of poetry returns to the ancient ways of the Nordic runes, to shine a light of hope and healing as we navigate through the wilderness of anxiety permeating these early years of the twenty-first century.
The simple verses console the reader with a calm acceptance that, even during a global pandemic, everyday life ebbs and flows with the natural rhythms of the timeless oceans.
Here are poems that invite us to stop, to breathe, and to see the world around us from a new perspective birthed within the centre of our souls.
The Review
This was such an intriguing and captivating book of poetry. As someone who has been fascinated with mythology, ancient history and cultures, and the study of ancient belief systems, this book really spoke to me. The idea that each of the author’s poems represented an individual rune was so unique and was amazing to see connect with the author’s message and themes. The way the author was able to captured personal experiences and emotions they had been going through and tie them into the overall narrative of this collection was a brilliant sign of the author’s ability to invoke imagery and tone within her poems.
The balance the author struck between the representation of the ancient runes with the modern-day struggles both internally and externally we all face was perfectly captured. The eloquent yet powerful way the author captured the isolation and pain that the quarantine and COVID-19 Pandemic has caused over the last couple of years was not only relevant but emotionally hard-hitting and gave voice to an emotion we all have felt at one time or another over the last couple of years.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, beautifully written, and thoughtful in its approach, author Judy Croome’s “the dust of hope: rune poems” is a must-read book of poetry. The woven way the author brings together the personal experiences and emotions they hold with the magic and healing nature of the runes and their history made this such a calming and intuitive experience, and a wonderful read overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Judy Croome lives and writes in Johannesburg, South Africa. Shortlisted in the African Writing Flash Fiction 2011 competition, Judy’s short stories, poems and articles have appeared in various magazines, anthologies and newspapers, such as The Sunday Times, The Huffington Post (USA) and the University of the Witwatersrand’s Itch Magazine. In 2021 and 2016, Judy was the poetry judge for Writers2000’s Annual Writing Competition. In 2021, Judy presented an hour long workshop to Writers 2000 called “The Gift of Poetry”
Judy loves her family, cats, exploring the meaning of life, chocolate, cats, rainy days, ancient churches with their ancient graveyards, cats, meditation and solitude. Oh, and cats. Judy loves cats (who already appear to have discovered the meaning of life.)
Her fiction and poetry books ‘the dust of hope: rune poems” (2021); “Drop by Drop: poems of loss” (2020); “a stranger in a strange land” (2015),”The Weight of a Feather & Other Stories” (2013), “a Lamp at Midday” (2012) and “Dancing in the Shadows of Love” (2011) are available from Aztar Press.
“Street Smart Taxpayers: A practical guide to your rights in South Africa” (Juta Law, 2017) was co-authored with her late husband Dr. Beric Croome (1960 – 2019). Follow her on GoodReads, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The emotional and spiritual journey that both patients and caregivers can undergo working and living within a hospice care situation can lead to times of contemplation and understanding, and in author Danny Blorian’s “Hospisophy”, the reader is treated to a series of personal experiences and stories from both the author’s work experience and the personal experiences of patients as relayed to him.
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The Synopsis
Every man, and every woman, has a story – and stories beget wisdom.
Those who know their days are numbered gain a certain clarity that far exceeds the common knowledge we are often trapped in during the day to day.
From the clear, sober perspective of people who know they are no longer dealing with an uncertain future, but with how to cope with impending death and the meaning of the life they have led, a moving, insightful string of stories emerges, stories of deep, penetrating wisdom and life lessons under whose reflective light an individual can better live.
This book collects the life stories of men and women who have related them in the last days of their lives. Stories of people who felt unable to leave this world without their telling. They are short, illuminating stories about the variety of ways a life can be lived, and the various ways it is possible to prepare for death.
It is surprising how simple things can appear to be when exposed to the core, and this is true of the stories in this book. All can be read from a healthy sense of curiosity, from a need to look into other people’s lives, as well as a guide to use to avoid all those missed opportunities in life, the crossroads where so many of us take a wrong turn.
The Review
This was such an emotional and heartfelt read. The author takes an inspirational and grounded approach to a very sensitive and emotional part of a lot of people’s lives. Whether it is the reader who finds themselves nearing this point in their own lives or the reader who has a loved one enduring this moment themselves, the book speaks to everyone and delves into the human condition in a raw and real way.
Yet it is the way the author and the people he spoke with and shared their stories use these emotional moments and memories they share to inspire the reader. Delving into five areas under the subject known as “Regrets” in the book, each story and experience the author shares deals with an important life lesson that the author hopes will encourage others to take advantage of the life they have left and do the most with it. The writing was compelling and did a great job balancing storytelling with establishing an emotional connection between the reader and the subjects of this book.
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The Verdict
A memorable, honest, and emotionally-investing read, author Danny Blorian’s “Hospisophy” is must-read nonfiction and inspirational read. Exploring the concept of death itself and how it impacts life, the author does a phenomenal job of taking these personal and impactful stories from these patients and their families and showing readers how to live a life without regrets. A life fulfilled, and with a sense of purpose that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A renowned war hero who saved Imperial China and became an icon for women warriors everywhere finds herself in new circumstances when she is crowned the heir to the throne of China and must contend with threats within and outside of her new kingdom in author Livia Blackburne’s “Feather and Flame”, the second book in the Queen’s Council series.
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The Synopsis
She brought honor on the battlefield. Now comes a new kind of war…
The war is over. Now a renowned hero, Mulan spends her days in her home village, training a militia of female warriors. The peace is a welcome one, and she knows it must be protected.
When Shang arrives with an invitation to the Imperial City, Mulan’s relatively peaceful life is upended once more. The aging emperor decrees that Mulan will be his heir to the throne. Such unimagined power and responsibility terrifies her, but who can say no to the Emperor?
As Mulan ascends into the halls of power, it becomes clear that not everyone is on her side. Her ministers undermine her, and the Huns sense a weakness in the throne. When hints of treachery appear even amongst those she considers friends, Mulan has no idea whom she can trust.
But the Queen’s Council helps Mulan uncover her true destiny. With renewed strength and the wisdom of those that came before her, Mulan will own her power, save her country, and prove once again that, crown or helmet, she was always meant to lead. This fierce reimagining of the girl who became a warrior blends fairy-tale lore and real history with a Disney twist.
The Review
As a longtime fan of mythology, history, and Disney, I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to review another great book from Disney Hyperion. The author did such a beautiful job of bringing ancient China to life in such a vivid and magical way. The balance the author struck between the Disney story we know and the historical accuracy and mythology of the novel’s backstory within this series was superb. The setting of the narrative felt so alive and the author’s style of writing took on a very cinematic tone, allowing readers to read and bring to life this adventure in their mind’s eye.
The character development was outstanding in this novel. The way the author delved into Mulan as a person when confronted with her new reality was amazing, as was her relationship with Shang. Not only did the narrative do a great job of tackling the issues of equality amongst the women warriors and showing the balance one must find between showing strength and courage in the face of adversity without losing who they are inside, but the author also did an amazing job of showing politics and power struggles within ancient China, giving Mulan’s story more depth and intrigue this time around.
The Verdict
Action-packed, entertaining, and brilliant written, author Livia Blackburne’s “Feather and Flame” is a must-read historical fiction/fantasy book and the next great addition to the Queen’s Council series. A fantastic series of twists and turns in Mulan’s saga and her battle both with another invading Hun army and her own political rivals will keep readers hanging on the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of this amazing read on June 14th, 2022, or preorder your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Livia Blackburne wrote her first novel while researching the neuroscience of reading at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since then, she’s switched to full-time writing, which also involves getting into people’s heads but without the help of a 3 Tesla MRI scanner.
She is also the author of MIDNIGHT THIEF (an Indies Introduce New Voices selection), DAUGHTER OF DUSK, and ROSEMARKED (an Amazon best book of the month and YALSA Teens Top Ten Nominee).
