Tag: author anthony avina

The New England Comic Book Store Owners by Christopher Denmead 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. 

In “The New England Comic Book Store Owners,” Author Christopher Denmead shares the experiences and stories of comic book store owners across New England.

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The Synopsis

The New England Comic Book Store Owners is a look at the lives of comic Shop retailers and the love for their stores, their products and both their customers and their employees.

Dive deep-into what keeps them going day to day and how they survive a crazy business environment in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island.

The Review

What a unique and compelling read! The author does a remarkable job of revealing the experiences and inner workings of the comic book shops of New England. The focus on each comic book owner’s way of running their stores and their approaches to both the business side of things and their passion for the industry made this book flow smoothly.

The heart of this book was in the passion for comic books that each owner shared and how they came to be in the comic book business as a whole. The love for these stories of horror, fantasy, nd science fiction and the different ways comics were bought over the decades was remarkable to witness across the pages of this book. The way some owners embrace new comics and the popularity of modern pop culture merchandise in their stores versus those who appreciate the classics and iconic comic books in general was so passionately written and insightful into this industry. 

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The Verdict

Insightful, thought-provoking, and very relatable for comic book fans and passionate comic book owners everywhere, author Christopher Denmead’s “The New England Comic Book Owners” is a must-read nonfiction book. The reliability and the insight that readers gain from these stories and the passion that readers gain from these stories rom these comic book owners will inspire readers looking to understand people’s love for the comic book world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

RATING: 10/10

The Pythagorean by Alexander Morpheigh 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. 

In author Alexander Morpheigh’s ” The Pythagorean, ” a young man finds himself transported back in time and in the body of another young man from Ancient Greece and must find a way to get back to his present. 

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The Synopsis 

The protagonist, a young man named Theodore, is about 36 years old and resides in Athens. Following a car accident, he finds himself in the body of a young man from Ancient Greece who attempted suicide. Confused about his whereabouts, Theodore sets out to find people and seeks guidance from the Delphic Oracle – Pythia.

Pythia reveals to Theodore that he must meet his true teacher, who alone can return him to his own time. To prepare spiritually for this encounter, Theodore’s best bet is one of the greatest teachers of European civilization – Pythagoras, who coincidentally lives during that era. Theo seeks out Pythagoras and becomes his student. Throughout his education, Pythagoras explains to Theodore why he ended up in the past and the significant mission awaiting him in the future. In the process, Pythagoras imparts a wealth of intriguing facts to Theodore, blending authentic Pythagorean teachings with alternative viewpoints from contemporary science.

Theodore’s beloved Elena remains in Athens, and his lack of attention towards her weighs heavily on him. Through his studies, Theodore learns the practice of lucid dreaming, enabling him to communicate with Elena in his dreams and share his experiences. In a critical turn of events, Theodore steals a bottle of expensive wine, leading to his arrest. Pythagoras intervenes, securing his release on bail. However, Theodore learns he can only remain on the island for a month. With his limited time, he must pass an interview with the local ruler. In another lucid dream, Theodore meets Alkeus, the young man from ancient Greece, who now inhabits his body in the present. Alkeus’ adaptability to modern life is hindered by amnesia, and he relies on others to remind him of his past.

As Theodore’s training progresses, Pythagoras not only introduces alternative, scientifically backed perspectives on the Universe’s structure and the existence of parallel worlds but also takes him on journeys to explore them. Theo’s situation becomes dire – execution awaits him if he stays in the past, while arrest and imprisonment await him in the future. In a lucid dream, he encounters his future self in a café, realizing that his true teacher is none other than himself. Spiritual purification is the key to his return to the present. Is he prepared to embark on his crucial mission?

Take a Food Journey Around the World!

The Review

What a fascinating and compelling twist on the time travel genre. The author does a spectacular job of crafting a unique and original way of taking these characters through the time travel trope and expanding upon it. The balance the author found in historical accuracy and sci-fi mythos was remarkable, with the use of imagery in the author’s writing style bringing both the past and present to life vividly and viscerally. 

The heart of the narrative, however, was in both the philosophical journey and emotional character development that the novel took on. Theo’s evolution throughout this novel, from a typical life led as a programmer in Athens to being forced to live in Ancient Greece and, in the process, learning more about himself and what matters most to him in life, made the narrative pop off the page. The way he adapts to life in Ancient Greece and becomes a mentee to Pythagoras himself was fun and fascinating, delving into some of the higher concepts of philosophy that the era became known for. Theo’s love and romance with Elena were heartfelt, and they kept the reader invested in these characters as the story progressed.

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The Verdict

Trippy, compelling, and thoroughly entertaining, author Alexander Morpheigh’s “The Pythagorean” is a must-read historical fiction meets sci-fi thriller. The narrative’s twists and turns and the author’s exploration of unique time travel and sci-fi concepts like higher forms of reality, parallel dimensions, and the idea of consciousness itself made the story feel alive and fresh for the reader while also giving a story that felt personal and engaging from the characters’ point of view. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

PRESS RELEASE: FINDING COLOR: THE BACK IN A YEAR SERIES BEGINS WITH THE STUNNING DEBUT OF AUTHOR CANDACE MACPHIE

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A hilarious and messy backpacking adventure in the ’90s

The Back in a Year series begins with the stunning debut of author, Candace MacPhie

The book is available worldwide in print and e-book format

Grab your backpack and get ready for an adventure in the ’90s when the Internet was scarce but laughs weren’t. Finding Color is book one in the five-part Back in a Year series, the true story of a young woman traveling around the world. Each book can be read independently, but it’s more fun to take the full trip.

More From Candace!

Then the sun finally comes out. With the help of my friends, George Michael’s music, and laughter we tackle culture shock, wild interactions, changing plans, and uncover gems I never thought I would see with my own eyes.

But the leers, catcalls, and gropes are never-ending. Regardless we persevere … until a vicious and humiliating encounter causes me to question if life on the road will save me or break me.

Back in a Year Series (2 book of series) Kindle edition (amazon.ca)

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About Candace

A close-up of a person smiling Description automatically generated

Born in Montreal, Quebec, I spent years backpacking and working around the world. I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree, an MBA, and worked for twenty years on four different continents and now call Calgary, Alberta home.

I got married, had kids, and things got busy. Time was moving by quickly and my kids were growing up fast. I shifted gears and quit my job to spend time at home. During the COVID lockdown, I had time on my hands, decided to try writing, and started writing the Back in a Year series.

When I’m not at my computer yelling “Just a few more pages, then I’ll make dinner,” I love hiking in the Rocky Mountains, hot yoga, reading romance novels, and making up new cake recipes. I especially like to laugh and spend time with my husband, the self-proclaimed grumpy motherf*%ker, and my three awesome kids.

www.candacemacphie.com 

PRESS RELEASE: Nuggets Of Hope Cultivate Kindness: AN AWARD FINALIST IN THE GLOBAL BOOK AWARDS BY CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR, KIM LENGLING

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Kindness is a beacon of hope and connection in a world often overshadowed by stress and uncertainty. Nuggets of Hope invites you to embark on a journey of compassion towards others and yourself. The author reveals the transformative power of simple acts of kindness through heartwarming personal stories and practical advice.

In Nuggets of Hope, you will find Personal anecdotes of sharing physical “Nuggets of Hope,” illustrating the profound effects of kindness. Practical tips for integrating kindness into your daily life, regardless of how busy or stressed you might feel. Insights into the importance of self-compassion and how being kind to yourself enhances your ability to be kind to others.


Join the author in spreading hope and positivity. Remember, it costs nothing to be kind, and its rewards are immeasurable. Choose to cultivate kindness and watch your part of the world transform into a more connected, compassionate, and hopeful place.

More from Kim Lengling:

Nonetheless, we celebrate the moments shared with our pets and the memories that will always be with us. What would our world be without our furry friends?

The stories acknowledge the joy that comes with opening your heart and home to a furry companion and is a testament to the eternal bond between humans and our animal companions.

With tales of loyalty, bravery, and above all, unconditional love, this book is a reminder of the powerful impact pets have on our lives. So grab a blanket, curl up with your own furry friend, and let the charming stories within “Paw Prints on the Couch” touch your heart and soul.

“Unconditional love is just a belly rub away! Paw Prints on the Couch is a collection of touching pet stories from individuals whose hearts have been forever marked by a furry friend and includes bonus perspectives from furry storytellers, Dexter and Kitsie. From the humorous to the sad, Paw Prints on the Couch shares personal memories that refuse to fade.” _ LitPick Reviews    

                

  

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About Kim

Kim is a multi-published author who shares her love of nature and animals, her life with PTSD, and her mission to toss out Nuggets of Hope through her writing and podcast, Let Fear Bounce.

Kim is the lead author and coordinator of six anthologies, with her newest, the Paw Prints Series: Paw Prints on the Couch and Paw Prints on the Kitchen Floor, with the third, Paw Prints on the Front Porch, coming August 2025.

Her newest book, Nuggets of Hope, was released in November 2024.

In addition to writing, she hosts the podcast Let Fear Bounce, which spotlights people who have faced and overcome personal fear(s) to make a difference in their slice of the world through writing, coaching, film production, music, philanthropy, teaching, founding non-profits, public speaking, or simply being an amazing human being.

You can regularly find Kim drinking coffee, reading, and taking long walks with her dog, Dexter.

Visit her website, www.kimlenglingauthor.com, to keep up with everything happening in her realm.

PRESS RELEASE: The Ghost Wrangler: Gold Winner in the 2024 Global Book Awards by critically acclaimed author, Matthew Hughes

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In a world of wizards and walled cities, Galabras Nachecko is a necromancer in the seaport metropolis of Golathreon, connecting the living with deceased relatives and associates to answer questions left unresolved at the time of death.

Then he is tasked by Duke Simisson’s conniving seneschal to capture the ghost of a notorious land pirate scheduled for execution. He snags the spirit but finds that the assignment has made him a man who knows too much.

Nachecko is propelled into a new career—secret agent segueing into diplomat—that leads him far from home, plunges him into perilous adventures, and brings him both true love and tragedy.

More from Matthew Hughes:

Praise for Matthew Hughes:

“I really enjoyed Barbarians of the Beyond. Matthew Hughes does Jack Vance better than anyone except Jack himself.”  — George R. R. Martin

“Lock the door, turn off the phone, get into a comfy chair, and deep-dive into a marvelous continuation of Jack Vance’s Demon Princes series. Matthew Hughes is a treasure and Barbarians of the Beyond is a terrific adventure.”  — David Gerrold

“Matthew Hughes follows nimbly in Jack Vance’s footprints, then breaks some fresh trail. First-class space opera.”— Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Hominids

“Engaging and enchanting…a fine companion adventure to Jack Vance’s The Demon Princes series, told with Matthew Hughes’s excellent sense of charm, ethical complexity and exotic worldbuilding. Let’s hope this is just the beginning!” — Kurt Busiek

“Barbarians of the Beyond is just plain old-fashioned space opera fun with a relatable heroine who is sometimes fallible, rather than some Shaolin Temple kung fu megamaster. I enjoyed it a lot.”
— Glen Cook

“…a tale that captures that special ‘golden age’ feel in which mankind has travelled far into the stars yet still behaves as though it’s the Wild West.” — David White, RNR Magazine

About Matthew:

 Matthew (Matt) Hughes writes fantasy, space opera, crime fiction, and historical novels. He has sold 24 novels to publishers large and small in the UK, US, and Canada, as well as 101 works of short fiction to professional markets. 

Besides the Global Book Award in the dark fantasy category, he has won the Endeavour and Arthur Ellis Awards, and has been shortlisted for the Aurora, Nebula, Philip K. Dick, Endeavour, A.E. Van Vogt, Neffy, Derringer, and High Plains Book Awards.  He has been inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association’s Hall of Fame

People who sign up for his monthly newsletter will receive a free ebook of his short story collection, 9 Tales of Henghis Hapthorn:  http://eepurl.com/cyNSA9

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Hughes_(writer)

PRESS RELEASE: Sanctity Of Freedom: An Inspector William Fox Adventure BY PETER PONTSA

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While Inspector William Fox and girlfriend Tracy Jordan cruised on his cigarette
boat The Midnight Fox, a crackle of the police scanner informed him a body had
washed up on a beach. Much to Tracy’s disapproval, William chose to investigate. The
Montreal police investigator already on the scene discovered a note on the body
intended for William’s friend and taekwondo master, Mr. Kim. He is certain the note
was from his long-lost sister, Mi-Cha. Kidnapped, while still a child, and trapped in
North Korea, Kim is convinced she is still alive and implores William to help get her
home.

Sanctity of Freedom plunges RCMP Inspector Fox and FBI Special Agent Patrick
Reilly into an investigation of a savage assassination of a Canadian diplomat and two Australian intelligent agents.
Meanwhile, Kim and his old friends chase down leads to find his sister that point to Pyongyang, the North Korean
leadership, and the shadowy operatives of Bureau 39 who skirt the NATO sanctions.
All of them get drawn into a murderous game of cat and mouse leading Mr. Kim to face the man who took his sister
and William Fox to match wits with the cunning killer.

https://bit.ly/49Yr0IXSanctityoffreedom

The Book that started it all!

Sometimes Inspector William Fox likes to go off script, like when chasing
gangsters in his cigarette boat on the St. Lawrence River. For one case, the RCMP
officer with a penchant for luxury fashion finds himself teamed up with FBI Special
Agent Patrick Reilly, an Irish lad who prefers absinthe to Guinness. The pair travel
overseas to track down members of a gang who have kidnapped Tracy Jordan, an
American academic and archeologist with teenage ties to William. In China, Tracy
has been stealthily searching for evidence of Admiral Zheng He’s 15th-century
connections to the area that would later be known as Nova Scotia. It’s here that
Tracy and her team discover what might be Ming dynasty artifacts transported by
Zheng He’s “massive treasure ships” left behind on Mi’kmaq peoples’ ancestral
land.

Outfoxed — a William Fox Adventure is a slick, globe-trotting adventure that involves the RCMP and FBI chasing
the Foo Dog Triad operating in Hong Kong, mainland China, and New York City. Like Tracy and Kevin Steptoe, a
Mi’kmaq lawyer, the gangsters are after the ancient Chinese treasures. Outfoxed is also a political thriller, diving
deeply into the power struggles of the Communist Party of China and its shadowy operatives. It wades into the Fox
family’s political past in South Korea, where a tragedy took place that still haunts William years later.
https://bit.ly/Outfoxed-inspectorfoxadventure


About Peter Thomas Pontsa:

During the years Peter Thomas Pontsa operated his dental supply business, he shared
his knowledge writing dental articles which appeared in many dental journals. He was
president of the College of Dental Technologists of Ontario, where he helped develop
the quality assurance program and was an associate publisher for a denturist
magazine. He is an avid British sports car enthusiast and while president of the
Headwaters British Car Club, wrote numerous stories about cars in the club’s
newsletter, “British Driven.” Peter spent two seasons racing with Jagged Edgers
Motorsports and is a student of Taekwondo and holds a second degree blackbelt. He
belongs to the Wordsmiths and is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada. Peter
Pontsa lives in Loretto, Ontario, with his wife, Angela, and their orange tabby, Mr.
Tee, where he combines his passions—British cars and writing.

More information can be found at his website: Welcome – Peter Thomas Pontsa

Breakfield and Burkey, critically acclaimed writing duo and now multiple Book Award Winners

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The remarkable writing Duo, Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey have been acknowledged as
Award Winners with two separate books in two separate awards. Their critically acclaimed novel,
Enigma Forced, which is the second book in their Enigma Heirs trilogy, was the recipient of the
2025 Independent Press Award in the Techno-Thriller category. In addition, their short story
collection, Trusted Friends and Lovers, was the winner of the 2025 Pencraft Seasonal Book Award
Winter edition.


These awards are the latest highlights in several accomplishments, including positive Five-Star
reviews by Publishers Weekly and Readers Favorite along with other Award wins including the
reputable Page Turner Awards, the ABR Award, which focuses on audiobooks and is sponsored by
Audio Book Reviewer, and Gold and Bronze Award recognition at the prestigious Global Book
Awards.

https://www.independentpressaward.com/subscribe

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About Charles and Rox:

Rox Burkey is a technology professional who excels at optimizing technology and business
investments. She works with customers all over the world, focusing on optimized customer
experiences. Rox writes white papers and documentation but has a marked preference for fiction. 
Together these Texas authors create award-winning stories that resonate with males and females
and young and experienced adults. They bring a fresh new view to technology possibilities today in
exciting stories. Visit their website for more information and free
stuff. Https://www.EnigmaSeries.com

PRESS RELEASE: Tong Ge, critically acclaimed author and now multiple Book Award Winner

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Critically acclaimed author Tong Ge is now a multiple Award Winner. Her critically
acclaimed historical epic, The House Filler was the recipient of the prestigious 2024
National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) Award for Literary
Fiction.
This recognition of acknowledgement in a contest of this magnitude is a first for this up-
and-coming author and is the latest highlight in a number of accomplishments including
an award win at the 2024 Independent Press Award for new fiction as well as being a
finalist at the 2023 Eyelands Book Awards and the 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards
for fiction.

2024 National Association of Independent
Writers and Editors Award for Literary Fiction
“We are pleased to share with you that your book, The
House Filler, was selected from ​over 100 entries in the
2 nd  Annual NAIWE Book Awards Contest! And it was
selected to represent this category because ​of the literary
skills you used to successively develop the story and the
descriptive language you wrote in to allow the reader to
understand the community in which the main character
lives!”

About NAIWE


NAIWE is a professional association for all publishing professionals! We exist to help
members succeed with our unique focus on creating multiple streams of income.
We’ll cheer you on when your first novel hits the shelves or the first printing of your
business book sells out. We’ll support you as you add new skills to your repertoire and
learn to make a great living doing what you do best.


We believe in professional freelancers and in-house publishing professionals who love
the rhythm and cadence of the language and are committed to polishing even the
humblest prose to its highest luster.


At NAIWE, we know that a career in the publishing industry isn’t all about the art. It’s not
all about the money either. Your work is about the joy of creativity, the freedom of
working independently, and the fulfillment that comes from creating an authentic,
abundant life, earning a living doing what you love to do. We believe that taking the road
less traveled is often the best way to go.


We encourage everyone in the publishing industry to belong to two professional
organizations. The first is a large, general, career-building association such as NAIWE,
and the second is a smaller craft- or genre-focused association that will help develop
additional skills in the minutiae of your craft.

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About Tong Ge

Born and raised in China, Tong Ge moved to Canada in the late
1980s as an international student, earning a Master of Science degree
from the University of Saskatchewan in 1992. Since 2012, she has
written under both her real name and the pen name Tong Ge,
publishing poetry, prose, and short stories in English and Chinese
across North America, England, and Taiwan. A recipient of five literary
awards and a finalist for five others. Her debut novel, “The House
Filler,” was published in Canada in 2023. It is a finalist for the 2023
Eyelands Book Awards and the 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards for fiction and won the 2024
Independent Press Award for new fiction and National Association of Independent Writers and
Editors (NAIWE) Award for Literary Fiction.

Can I Have a Hug First? By Mary Paula Hunter 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 unique blend of humor and tragedy comes to life as author Mary Paula Hunter turns years’ worth of performance art into short stories in the collection “Can I Have a Hug First?”

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The Synopsis 

CAN I HAVE A HUG FIRST? is a short story collection born out of author Mary Paula Hunter’s career as a performance artist. Her monologues turned short stories feature midlife adults struggling to align their crazy minds with an equally crazy world. Hilarious and tragic in a high energy mix, these stories will get the reader questioning what came first— the whacked mind or the whacked world?

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The Review

What a powerful and memorable read. The author establishes a tone of humor and realism in the narrative of each story very early, showcasing the haunting realities that so many women have to face on any given day and how some people cope with those realities. The originality and artistry behind the prose the author utilizes will stay with readers within each story, as the tension in each story is undercut by humorous dialogue or observations of the everyday life people encounter during these situations.

The themes and feelings of strength and paranoia in each story resonate with the harsh experiences that so many women are left to face. The unique delivery of the stories as an almost first-person monologue in a way allowed the reader to feel as if these stories represented personal conversations between the reader and the author. The titular story is an excellent example of this, with the narrator gradually becoming more and more afraid as she has strange encounters and is soon face to face with a unique outcome. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, performative, and engaging author Mary Paula Hunter’s “Can I Have a Hug First?” is a must-read fiction and speculative fiction genre. The poignant and carefully crafted narrative behind each story and the rich character dynamics built in such a short amount of time in each story made the collection both relatable and alive on the page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mary Paula Hunter is a writer living in Providence, Rhode Island. She received early praise for her writing when as a dancer and choreographer, she told stories about her eccentric Midwestern family while she danced.

Laurie Stone, in the now-defunct VILLAGE VOICE wrote that Mary Paula’s writing was brilliant. Jennifer Dunning in THE NEW YORK TIMES also praised her hybrid work, especially the honest storytelling.  Finally the writing won out… although she still creates dances (mainly in her kitchen), and works on performance art projects.

Visit Mary Paula Hunter’s Performance website.

https://www.marypaulahunterwrites.com/