Gods of Glenhaven by Stephen Statler Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A quiet suburban neighborhood turns into chaos when troublesome Greek gods move in to cause trouble in author Stephen Statler’s “Gods of Glenhaven.”

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The Synopsis

From comedy writer and McSweeney’s contributor Stephen Statler comes Gods of Glenhaven, a David Sedaris-meets-Tom Perotta, fast-paced, bighearted comedy about love, sex, death, and rock and rolland everything that happens when our white-knuckle grip on life gets pried open against our will.

When Greek gods sweep into the quaint suburban town of Glenhaven to untangle their messy love lives, the helpless mortals don’t stand a chance.

Christian Orr, struggling with work and erectile dysfunction after discovering his wife’s infidelity, has just moved into what his daughter Francesca calls the Divorced Dads Apartment Complex. His high-powered attorney ex, Sloan, is jaded and restless, leaving precocious Francesca caught in the crosscurrents of change.

Enter Dionysus-“Dee”-the god of wine, sex, and questionable decisions, who shows up searching for his estranged wife Ari and their teenage son Maron. After three thousand years of Dee’s antics, Ari has had enough. She’s struck a deal with Zeus to start fresh-as a mortal suburban mom. And what’s more normal than falling for a regular guy like Christian? If only Dee would stop tearing through Glenhaven in his quest to win her back.

Drunk on Dee’s wine, the residents of Glenhaven form chanting covens in the woods, participate in ecstatic rituals, and experience divine revelations-all while Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” loops faintly in the background of their lives.

Gods of Glenhaven is a hilarious, poignant, and confronting novel about the universal fears and follies of the human condition, and the joy and freedom we can experience by letting go.

The Review

This was such a fun and engaging mix of dark humor and mythological fantasy-driven narrative. The quick wit of the cast of characters stood out immediately, as did the way the author was able to infuse Greek gods and mythology into the story effortlessly. The way the author was able to bring laugh-out-loud suburban satire and humor that closely examines personal relationships with the madness and chaos that are often associated with the Greek gods was both hilarious and enthralling.

For every hilarious, funny piece of dialogue or ridiculous yet entertaining mythological event that took place in this story, there was an equally underlying emotional character development that played well into the idea of identity and love. The loss of a sense of self that Christian goes through, along with the disconnect Sloan feels with her daughter and the way the gods and their actions inadvertently help these individuals find themselves in the process, was a rewarding and thoughtful portrayal of modern relationships and personal development.

The Verdict

Memorable, hilarious, and entertaining, author Stephen Statler’s “Gods of Glenhaven” is a must-read dark humor and mythological fantasy narrative. The twists and turns the story takes, the dark satire that portrays life in the suburbs, and the heartfelt character development will keep readers invested in the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Stephen Statler is a comedy writer whose work has appeared in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Points in Case, and other magazines. The Breathing Show, a feature film he wrote and directed, was distributed by Film Threat. A screenplay, Big Time, co-authored with Mouncey Ferguson, is currently under option by Gulfstream Pictures. Statler lives in the Bay Area with his wife and two children.

From The Dark Forest Hence They Came (A CRY IN THE MOON’S LIGHT Book Three) by Alan McGill REVIEW

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Witch King and his supernatural army descend on a group of human survivors as a woman and her allies search for relics that could defeat the unrelenting army of the undead in author Alan McGill’s “From The Dark Forest Hence They Came”, the third book in the A Cry In The Moon’s Light series.

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The Synopsis

The Witch King and his Undead Army lay siege to Castle Parlimae. A deep ravine and high walls keep them at bay but evil does not give up so easily. Silver ammunition runs low, forcing Colonel Voelker to make an uneasy alliance as he awaits reinforcements.

Alessandra and her companions search the Dark Forest for a holy relic to defeat the undead. They arrive in Port Calibre to find it has been infiltrated by night creatures. And when the Black Fleet sails into the harbor, they barely escape with their lives.

More trouble awaits as they return to the City of Trevordeaux. The Witch King’s creatures loom amongst the destruction, for somewhere within these ruins lies a sacred book to lay all their secrets bare. But it may be too late, as an ancient evil far worse than the Witch King is on its way and time is running short.

Will Alessandra and her companions find what they need to defeat the Witch King? Can Colonel Voelker’s forces hold the castle long enough for Alessandra to return? Who will put an end to the Undead Wars.

To find out, you’ll have to look into the Dark Forest from Hence They Came.

The Review

This had to be author Alan McGill’s most explosive and compelling read to date in this series. The narrative harkens back to many horror and sci-fi fantasy reads and projects in the past, beginning with the main cast of characters, both friends and reluctant allies alike, separated by a seemingly impossible and unbeatable enemy. How these groups of survivors and heroes must face the escalating threats from the Witch King and the undead army attacking from multiple points of entry was both heart-pounding and terrifying, and yet provided enough action and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of their seats. 

The tension and atmospheric nature of the narrative felt like some of the author’s best cinematic imagery writing yet. The gothic, haunting tones of the dynamic settings of this story played well against the visceral, chilling behaviors and actions of the creatures the author brought to life on the page. Yet it was the dynamics between the cast of characters that stood out, with Alessandra a riveting protagonist to root for and become emotionally invested in, Colonel Voelker a complex and skilled survivor and soldier who must hold a castle against the never ending undead, and the Witch King a haunting figure of immense power that has an unexpected backstory readers will be shocked to see come to life on the page.

The Verdict

This may be Alan McGill’s most exhilarating and heart-pounding gothic horror thriller yet! The tension and drama that unfolds feels like a mix of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back meets the final battle with the white walkers in Game of Thrones, The Battle of Winterfell. The vast mythos and epic world-building the author pours into this narrative have unleashed a new era of supernatural horror that feels both historical and new at the same time. This is one book that readers will refuse to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

2025 BOOK OF THE YEAR CONTENDER

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About the Author

Alan McGill is an American author who lives in an old farmhouse with a clowder of cats. Alan was close to his grandparents, who grew up during the Great Depression. They were married young and remained together until his grandmother’s passing. His grandfather served in the Navy during WWII and was a gifted storyteller who wove humorous tales about tough events. Alan grew up listening to these stories of right and wrong and watching fictional heroes–such as the Lone Ranger, Adam West’s Batman and Captain America–stand up to bullies and protect those who count not protect themselves. This inspired him to always do what was right in his own life and shaped his love of storytelling. He is a multigenre author whose debut novel, A Cry in the Moon’s Light, combines horror, romance, and mystery. As with all his books, A Cry in the Moon’s Light centers on characters who strive to do the right thing regardless of the adversity they face. The book focuses on the theme of love–a pure and deep love that defeats all evil.

https://www.alanmcgillbooks.com

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8B2T7yX/

The Secret of Ophiuchus (Enigma Book Three) by Kim Idynne Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A group of heroes makes their final journey into the underworld to find and save a young girl who may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the stars in author Kim Idynnes’ “The Secret of Ophiuchus”, the third book in the Enigma series. 

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The Synopsis

In the final installment of the Enigma series, Surina and Dominic descend into the tunnels of Wupatki to rescue Hannah Hale. Their plans are tripped up by an unexpected tagalong, and Surina is uneasy about Hannah’s sympathy for Tagua, a demon sorcerer of the underworld. Hannah assures them that they can return home if they set things right in the zodiac and learn the secret of Ophiuchus—but is she willing to return alone, or will she unwittingly release Tagua into their world?

The Review

This was a brilliant end to the Enigma trilogy. The author does such a great job of building upon the character-driven narratives and world-building established in the first two books, while also bringing in new perspectives and shifting evolutions for the characters themselves. The way the author can mesh together elements of multiple mythologies and belief systems, including Greek and Sumerian mythology, was inspired and so creatively done that it felt seamless and effortless on the page. 

The imagery in the book was so cosmic and did an excellent job of showcasing the stakes of the mission Hannah and her allies find themselves on. The twists that come with Hannah and Tagua throughout the story bring into the narrative an essential theme of exploring what happens when the heroes of old legends or history itself are revealed to have caused equal or even more damage in their wake, with perspective playing an integral role in the stories we tell one another and ourselves in the end.

The Verdict

Memorable, epic, and compelling, author Kim Idynne’s “The Secret of Ophiuchus” is a must-read fantasy-driven novel and a great end to the Enigma series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the rich character development, and shocking moments that will leave readers wanting more will stay with them long after the final page ends. If you haven’t yet, preorder your copy today or grab a copy on November 30th, 2025!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kim Idynne is a Minneapolis-based writer and illustrator. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, and she has also published a variety of short fiction. Her first short story, “Meat,” was published in the February 2015 issue of Literary Mama; the following year, Idynne received a Silver Pen award for her story “Fungus.” Her artwork has been featured in journals, books, datebooks, and at galleries around the Twin Cities area. You can check out her work at idynne.com.

Author web site: https://idynne.com

Eridanus (Enigma: Book Two) by Kim Idynne Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The search for a young girl in another realm brings in new allies and new challenges in author Kim Idynne’s “Eridanus”, the second book in the Enigma series.

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The Synopsis

In this sequel to Enigma, Dominic and Surina travel to a mountainous region of Peru in an attempt to enter the celestial realm. Their plans seem to go awry when Surina becomes trapped in the stars alone. Surina and Hannah team up to solve the puzzle of Orion, but in order to get there, they will have to travel the Eridanus: the longest and most enigma-ridden river of the underworld.

The Review

This was a grand entry in the Enigma series. The introduction of new characters and expansion upon the mythos the author built up in the first book of the series was great to see come to fruition in this narrative. The fast pace of the plot and the mysterious atmosphere the author layers throughout the story help create the necessary tension and action that drives both Surina and Hannah forward in their journey.

What stood out, though, was the character development that this narrative took forward. Surina was a great new protagonist to take the reins from Dominic for most of the plot, and the ways that the stars and this new reality begin to change Hannah slowly, and her perspective as she becomes lost in this reality, were heart-pounding and tense. The development of Wibben as a character was equally thrilling to see come to life on the page.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Kim Idynne’s “Eridanus” is an excellent entry in the Enigma series and a must-read fantasy-driven book. The twists and turns continue in this mystery-driven narrative, and the puzzles and enigmas themselves were thought-provoking and compelling as the story ends on another big cliffhanger that will drive readers to read book three easily. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kim Idynne is a Minneapolis-based writer and illustrator. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, and she has also published a variety of short fiction. Her first short story, “Meat,” was published in the February 2015 issue of Literary Mama; the following year, Idynne received a Silver Pen award for her story “Fungus.” Her artwork has been featured in journals, books, datebooks, and at galleries around the Twin Cities area. You can check out her work at idynne.com.

Author web site: https://idynne.com

Enigma (The Enigma Trilogy Book 1) By Kim Idynne Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young man must travel to the underworld to save a young girl from untold danger in author Kim Idynne’s “Enigma”, the first book in the Enigma Trilogy.

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The Synopsis

When twenty-one-year-old Dominic is persuaded to rescue a young girl from the underground tunnels of Wupatki, the two find themselves lost in a strange realm of celestial enigmas, riddles, and otherworldly creatures. When Dominic arrives in the land of the dead, the underworld queen offers him passage home on one condition: he can’t return as the person he was; he must leave parts of himself behind as he travels the underworld road. Hannah is eager to prove herself an expert at solving the zodiac’s mysteries, but failure will lead to self-destruction, and unlocking the gate may unleash a powerful demon on her own world. Enigma is the first book in a trilogy, followed by Eridanus and The Secret of Ophiuchus.

The Review

This was such a compelling first entry into the Enigma series. The author does a masterful job of crafting a narrative that feels imaginative and visceral at the same time. The world-building was the first element of the story that came to life on the page, with the reader immediately transported from the desert ruins found in Arizona to a world where time and reality don’t exist, at least in the way humanity has come to think of them. The imagery of the author’s writing style brought this to life so vividly.

The character development and mythos of the story were the two biggest draws for this first entry in the series. The beginning of both Dominic and Hannah’s stories is chaotic, both dealing with harsh realities from their pasts, and yet Dominic is more of a reluctant hero to begin with, having trouble accepting this new reality. At the same time, Hannah finds herself stepping up into a role she feels born into in many ways. The discovery of her importance to the stars and the connection between ancient mythology from differing cultures and astrology kept the reader invested in this novel and the characters’ well-rounded arcs. 

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and compelling, author Kim Idynne’s “Enigma” is a grand first entry in the Enigma series and a must-read fantasy-driven middle-grade book. The twists and turns in the story, the shocking revelations, and the cliffhanger finale will keep readers on the edge of their seats and eager for the next story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kim Idynne is a Minneapolis-based writer and illustrator. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, and she has also published a variety of short fiction. Her first short story, “Meat,” was published in the February 2015 issue of Literary Mama; the following year, Idynne received a Silver Pen award for her story “Fungus.” Her artwork has been featured in journals, books, datebooks, and at galleries around the Twin Cities area. You can check out her work at idynne.com.

Author web site: https://idynne.com

PRESS RELEASE: JOURNALIST AND WRITER JONATHAN HANDEL RELEASES NEW KIDS BOOK

AI’s Promise and Perils on Display in Lyrical New Kids Book by Critically Acclaimed Entertainment Lawyer, Journalist, Poet and Writer Jonathan Handel

The text is by Handel but the 110 illustrations in Who Do You Want to Be? were generated by AI in a single day at a cost of $0.66. As kids decide who they want to be when they grow up, is AI narrowing the choices or creating new opportunities?

More info, video and pics at https://who2b.kids.

Who Do You Want to Be? (Hollywood Analytics; January 1, 2024; paper USD $14.99; hardcover USD $25.99; Kindle USD $6.99) by Jonathan Handel asks kids the eternal question: what do you want to do when you grow up?

One day my best friendSaid to meWho in the worldDo you wanna be?I thought and thoughtAnd thought and saidMaybe a firemanCuz their trucks are red?


That’s not a great reason—but there are many other possibilities in this lyrical story, a rhymed and illustrated exploration for kids showcasing dozens of jobs, careers and occupations. It’s an affirming book written for diverse kids aged 4-8 and their parents, and just might appeal to anyone who isn’t sure what they want to do for work. It’s a fun, clever book that delights kids, parents and teachers alike.

At 68 pages but only 630 words, Who Do You Want to Be? is about a 15-minute read. And because the text began life as part of a song, you can sing the book too!

But there’s an irony: Handel wrote the text, but AI did the book’s 110 illustrations (60 of them full-page). They would have cost about $15,000 and taken months to render had a human illustrator drawn them. Using DALL-E via ChatGPT, it took less than 24 hours and the equivalent of USD $0.66 (one day of a $20 per month subscription). That’s a half-cent per full-page illustration instead of $165, a cost ratio of over 30,000 to one—seemingly enough to put some illustrators out of work.

Handel couldn’t spend $15,000 on the artwork, so no illustrators actually lost work on this project. But illustrators’ past work was reportedly used by OpenAI to train DALL-E. For that reason, Handel is donating 10 percent of the book’s net revenue to The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a nonprofit organization. “It’s a collaboration of man and machine, author and automation,” he said, “so I wanted to give back.” And that’s a lesson worth remembering too.

     About the Book

Title: WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?Author: Jonathan HandelPublication Date: January 1, 2024Copyright Date: 2024Publisher: Hollywood AnalyticsPp.: 68 pp. + vi + career indexHardcover: USD $25.99; https://amzn.to/48i4vNh;  ISBN 979-8-9898418-1-3Paper: USD $14.99; https://amzn.to/47iXSsS; ISBN 979-8-9898418-0-6Kindle: USD $6.99; https://amzn.to/3H3ltTJ; ASIN B0CR8BFSL3Features: 110 illus. (60 full-page); parent/teacher resource list; career index

About Jonathan Handel

Jonathan Handel practices transactional entertainment and technology law at Feig/Finkel in Los Angeles and independently, and is also a journalist, media commentator, and writer of poetry, scripts, stories and nonfiction.

Handel has written for Puck and was a contributing editor from 2010-20 for The Hollywood Reporter, where he wrote over 1,400 articles. He’s appeared in the media as an expert over 1,600 times.

A graduate of Harvard College (applied math and computer science) and Harvard Law School, Handel is also a former computer scientist and was involved in local politics for a decade. His writing has also been published in the Los Angeles Times, Variety and elsewhere. Handel is a member of the Television Academy and associate member of the Dramatists Guild and the Society of Composers & Lyricists. For several years, he taught a film appreciation and screening class to approximately 400 students for UCLA Extension.  

More information about Jonathan can be found at jhandel.com and jhandel.news.
To request review copies or an interview with Jonathan Handel, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE: CALINE: A VLADA TALE OF THE DAMNED BY AUTHOR CHRISTOPHER DENMEAD LAUNCHES ON KICKSTARTER!

Caline

A Vlada Tale of The Damned

Brought to you by Christopher Denmead, acclaimed radio-show host and writer 

An exclusive Kickstarter for the ages that will start on August 15th 2025!!

Art by Legend Tim Vigil and covers by him and interior and cover by Matty Slay and covers by Ken Hunt, Wendy Shaner, Heather Rose, and Len Danovich 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vlada-audio-book/caline-a-vlada-tale-of-the-damned

More in the series:

Illustrations by Ken Hunt and a foreword by NY Times Bestseller, Jonathan Mayberry!

We take the entire cast of Dracula and Gender Swapped the cast, Its the classic story with new twists and turns. This is a prose novel. Very akin to Bernie Wrightson Frankenstein with 24 black and white illustrations by Ken Hunt.

Christopher Denmead has both updated and gender-swapped Bram Stoker’s life-impaired Transylvania nobleman. Vlad is now Countess Vlada Dracula, and she is now pitted against a female Harker and -of course – a new take on Van Helsing. It’s both a re-telling of the story and an original take, bringing freshness and a dark sense of fun to a story we only think we know by heart.

It’s a quick read -pause through to drink in the wonderful artwork-and a thoroughly entertaining one. Scary and smart, fast and very furious. It is -pun entirely intended – something to really sink your teeth into.  Turn the page. Take the bite.   Jonathan Mayberry, NY Times Bestselling author of V-Wars, Ink, & Rot & Ruin

Amazon.com:  Vlada a Dracula Tale: Denmead, Mr Christopher David, Hunt, Ken: 9798718583601: Amazon.com: Books

About Christopher Denmead:

Christopher Denmead is the publisher of several biographies about local businesses and film makers in New England. His most recent book is about comic book store owners. When he’s not writing he hosts a radio show Sunday nights at 10pm

The Dr. Chris Radio of Horror show in Worcester MA. The show has been broadcasting on 91.3 FM from the WCUW building since Oct, 2007.

In 2021 he published Vlada a Dracula Tale, a Graphic Novella with artist Ken Hunt.   He lives in Framingham MA.

To request additional about the Kickstarter or an interview with Christopher Denmead, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE: CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR JASON KRISTOPHER SHARES RENOWNED ZOMBIE BOOK SERIES “THE DYING OF THE LIGHT”

The Dying of the Light Series

World-ending literature at its best by critically acclaimed author Jason Kristopher

 “The best zombie book since World War Z!

 “I didn’t see Rebecca die the second time.”A group of books on the cover

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Get END today to experience a zombie thriller packed with action, emotion, and the final flickers of hope.

The Dying of the Light (4 book series) Kindle Edition

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What Survivors Are Saying

“The Walker Chronicles add to an already excellent series of books by this talented author… these are like no other zombie books.” — Amazon Review

“There are few really impressive zombie series… a well thought-out tale that manages to emphasise the plight of the survivors while keeping the reader gripped to the book. It’s got tension, humour, intelligence and above all is written in an easy reading style that belies the superb and talented prose. Zombie fan or not you should read this.” — SF Book Reviews

“Kristopher’s invigorating prose and storytelling abilities blew me away as I read. He’s created an extremely scary novel intertwining real world current events with the zombie apocalypse. I was fascinated.” — A Book Vacation

“[Beginning is] an exhilarating and satisfying conclusion to the DYING OF THE LIGHT trilogy.”— George Wright Padgett, Author of SpindownCruel Devices, Addleton Heights, and Drift Pattern.

About Jason Kristopher:

Jason Kristopher is the award-winning author terrifying readers with zombies in The Dying of the Light, thrilling them with 1940s noir in Loco Moco, and harrowing them with boy-meets-gryphon-meets-robot adventure in When Iron Wakes. With the love of his life and the dog that rescued him by his side, he plots his next traumatizing stories from Florida beaches.

Find more information at jasonkristopher.com or The Fire in Our Heads (Patreon).

To request review copies or an interview with Jason Kristopher, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE: AUTHOR D.C. GOMEZ GIVES AWAY 1 MILLION COPIES OF AWARD WINNING BOOK TO PROMOTE LITERACY

Local Author commits to promoting literacy and joy by giving away one million copies of her award winning book – Death’s Intern for the next year

Nash, Texas,

USA Today Best-selling author DC Gomez is on a mission to help readers and her fans alike by gifting in the next year one million copies in e-book format of her debut Award-Winning fantasy novel, Death’s Intern.  Death’s Intern, which kicked off the Intern Diaries series is the first book in the five-book series and also includes a critically acclaimed novella.  The book has received positive feedback from over 300 Amazon reviews including critical acclaim from positive sources such as Top 100 Amazon book reviewer, Grady Harp and reputable North American blogger, Anthony Avina. 

Message from DC Gomez:

In this climate full of uncertainties and fears, I would like to add a piece of joy to people’s life. Books have always been my escape and place of peace. When I wrote Death’s Intern, I was in a very dark place in my career. I found myself depressed, unfulfilled and hating everything I was doing. This group of characters changed my life and brought so much joy to my days. My goal is to share it with the world.

A talking cat, a boy genius, missing people, and an untrained Intern for Death. What could possibly go wrong?

Death’s Intern is book one in the humorous Urban Fantasy Series The Intern Diaries. Isis Black is thrown into a supernatural world she didn’t know existed, and learns the hard way the Horsemen are real. Her world will never be the same. If you love quirky characters and action-packed adventure with lots of sass, dive in now!

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About D.C.

D. C. Gomez is an award-winning USA Today Bestselling Author, podcaster, motivational speaker, and coach. Born in the Dominican Republic, she grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. D. C. studied film and television at New York University. After college she joined the US Army, and proudly served for four years. 

D. C. has a Master’s Degree in Science Administration from the Central Michigan University, as well as a Master in Adult Education from Texas A&M- Texarkana University.  She is a certified John Maxwell Team speaker and coach, and a certified meditation instructor from the Chopra Center. 

One of D. C. passions is helping those around her overcome their self-limiting beliefs.  She writes both non-fiction and fiction books, ranging from Urban Fantasy to Children’s Books. To learn more about her books and her passion, you can find her at www.dcgomez-author.com

To request additional information or an interview with DC Gomez, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com