Tag: author anthony avina

Guest Post: Breast Cancer Patient and Awareness Advocate by Lisa Braxton (Blog Tour for Author’s “Dancing Between the Raindrops”

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, Guest PostLeave a comment

I had an appointment for a breast MRI and biopsy on my husband’s birthday, May 1, 2019. We spent that day at the imaging center. It was a cold, drizzly, gunmetal-gray day out. The rain was just spitting. I spent hours in the imaging machine, holding onto the panic button they give you, earplugs in my ears. I was praying the whole time with my eyes pressed shut: Please, please, please, God. Let me not have breast cancer.

The test was grueling. I was in the MRI machine for hours. They’d numbed my breasts; I could hear the biopsy machine making that whirring, drilling sound, and I was thinking, I cannot wait to get out of this thing. When they rolled me out, my back was killing me—you’re in there for so long with your arms stretched out in front of you. The surgeon who did the biopsy said, “I don’t like to let people wait around with false hope. Lisa, I want you to know that the area I saw had jagged edges around it. It looks like it’s cancer.”

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I could not believe it. I’ve been such a health nut my entire life, and I never thought it would happen to me. I work out a lot—tennis, the gym, ice skating. When she told me it looked like breast cancer, I felt like I was floating over myself and the doctor in the exam room, watching the conversation. All I could think about was dying. I wondered how much time I had.

Fast forward to now. After a lumpectomy and being prescribed a pill I take every day to rid my body of the hormone that fed my cancer, I’ve been cancer free for five years. In that time, without intending to, I’ve become a breast cancer awareness advocate. I appeared in a local television commercial celebrating the milestone anniversary of Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I walked in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society, wrote a column for a local magazine about my breast cancer journey, and participated in a photographic exhibit of cancer survivors focused on sharing stories of faith and survivorship to encourage the demystification of cancer. 

One event I reflect upon the most is a “fireside chat” in which another survivor and I spoke to high school and college students who are doing internships at Dana Farber. I spoke about self-care, how I met the challenges of the disease and the importance of empathy on the part of health care providers. The future health care professionals were engaging, had many questions and indicated that they benefited in their learning process by hearing from us.

Now each May 1st I focus on celebrating my husband’s birthday with him and he celebrates me for attending to my breast heath and advocating for awareness.

Summer 2023

Book Summary

Dancing Between the Raindrops: A Daughter’s Reflections on Love and Loss, is a powerful meditation on grief, a deeply personal mosaic of a daughter’s remembrances of beautiful, challenging and heartbreaking moments of life with her family. It speaks to anyone who has lost a loved one and is trying to navigate the world without them while coming to terms with complicated emotions.

Lisa Braxton’s parents died within two years of each other—her mother from ovarian cancer, her father from prostate cancer. While caring for her mother she was stunned to find out that she, herself, had a life-threatening illness—breast cancer.

In this intimate, lyrical memoir-in-essays, Lisa Braxton takes us to the core of her loss and extends a lifeline of comfort to anyone who needs to be reminded that in their grief they are not alone.

Publisher: Sea Crow Press

Print length: 158 pages

Purchase a copy of Dancing Between the Raindrops on

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Between-Raindrops-Daughters-Reflections/dp/1961864088/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dancing-between-the-raindrops-lisa-braxton/1144935014?ean=9781961864085

You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208947069-dancing-between-the-raindrops?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WYkO4vLd07&rank=2

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About the Author

Lisa Braxton is the author of the novel, The Talking Drum, winner of a 2021 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards Gold Medal, overall winner of Shelf Unbound book review magazine’s 2020 Independently Published Book Award, and winner of a 2020 Outstanding Literary Award from the National Association of Black Journalists and a Finalist for the International Book Awards. She is also an Emmy-nominated former television journalist, an essayist, and short story writer. 

She is on the executive board of the Writers Room of Boston and a writing instructor at Grub Street Boston, and currently serves as President of the Greater Boston Section of the National Council of Negro Women and is a member of the Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

You can follow the author at:

Website: https://lisabraxton.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.a.braxton/

Twitter: @Lisaannbraxton  OR @LisaReidbraxton

Instagram: @lisabraxton6186

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisabraxton/

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Blog Tour Calendar

April 29th @ The Muffin

Join us at WOW as we celebrate the launch of Lisa Braxton’s memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops. Read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

May 1st @ Beverley Baird

Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops, shares the experience of being an adult orphan.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

May 3rd @ A Storybook World

Start the month with a touching memoir. Read more about Lisa Braxton’s Dancing Between the Raindrops.

https://www.astorybookworld.com

May 3rd @ Beverley Baird

Bev reviews Dancing Between the Raindrops, a memoir by Lisa Braxton.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

May 5th @ Choices

How important is it to be part of a writing group? Dancing Between the Raindrops author Lisa Braxton gives her opinion on writing groups.

http://madelinesharples.com

May 6th @ Anthony Avina

Stop by for a surprise guest post with Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

May 8th @ The Shaggy Shepherd

How to answer the question “Do You Have Kids?” with guest post Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com

May 9th @ Boys’ Mom Reads!

Find out how a Boys’ Mom feels about the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops with today’s review.

https://karensiddall.wordpress.com

May 13th @ Word Magic

Stop by for a guest post about growing up in the family business by Lisa Braxton, author of the memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com

May 14th @ What Is That Book About

Looking for a new book for your TBR pile? Stop by for a spotlight on Lisa Braxton’s memoir Dancing Between the Raindrops.

www.whatisthatbookabout.com

May 15th @ From the TBR Pile

Dancing Between the Raindrops author Lisa Braxton will be visiting with a guest post today.

https://fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com

May 16th @ Fancy That!

Lisa Braxton, author of Dancing Between the Raindrops, is at Fancy That today writing about grieving the death of elderly parents.

https://fancythatblog.com

May 23rd at Words by Webb

Read a review of Lisa Braxton’s Dancing Between the Raindrops today.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

May 24th @ World of My Imagination

Enjoy Nicole’s review of Dancing Between the Raindrops, a memoir by Lisa Braxton.

Welcome! I’m Glad You’re Here.

Interview with Author Paul G. Zareith 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

As a child, I grew up reading books by Tolkien, Hobbs etc. and developed a strong interest in fantasy. In school, I found history to be a difficult subject and a trick I grew fond of was to substitute real events with more fantastical versions of them incorporating elements of magic and sorcery to make them more interesting and thus easier to remember. Even long after school, I’d look back at important historical moments and altered variations I had cooked up in my mind. Even to this date, I find these altered histories more interesting than novels that have clear demarcation of good and bad characters and ones featuring happily-ever-after endings.

For the last decade my focus has been on software and cloud infrastructure consulting. While architecting software systems, I have often wondered what if the real world was programmable like a computer. What if there was a system in place to enable us to define precise contracts and this system was freely and fairly accessible to all of mankind. I wondered if this would lead to betterment of humanity or bad actors would just find more creative ways to exploit it. The concept of runecraft in my books embodies this concept.

For many years, I built up adhoc storylines along these ideas and for a long time they were just disconnected fragments in my mind. But a year ago during a career break due to illness I decided to put my thoughts into words. To my surprise, I did manage to mash them together into a coherent storyline and the emerging result looked like something that at least one reader would enjoy – me.

So now I am taking the chance and putting in a bit more effort into transforming this into something that others may also find enjoyable. Whether or not that actually happens, remains to be seen.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

The primary inspiration is the observation that evil lurks in every corner and every heart. I am not a nihilist but one historical theme that has been very close to my heart is that cost of small mistakes and wrongdoings by many individuals add up over time, often catastrophically.

The atrocities committed by East India company in India, the brutalities by Mughal invaders before that, the injustices against lower castes by Brahmins, were all possible not because of a grand master plan by an evil genius but due to many many individuals making separate wrong decisions in self interest. Same holds for global events like rise of Nazis & fascists in the west or the bombing of Japan in the east.

We only realize the true impact of these decisions after catastrophic events like the genocide of ’71 (একাত্তরের গণহত্যা) in Bangladesh (where part of my family originally hails from), the Bengal famine of ’43, Massacre of Jallianwala Bagh etc. but by then the chain of misdemeanors is so long that there is no realistic way to serve justice meaningfully.

The storyline for The Revenge of the Wraith Paladin stems from a question I asked myself as a child – what if the Mughal invaders of India were an alien race from beyond this world.

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

I hope to inspire to inspire people to look beyond broad categorizations of good and evil and focus more on nuances and to question all they see and hear.

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4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I was inspired by many many authors whose great works I have had the pleasure of reading over the years. In particular, I’d like to thank:

1. Michael Moorcock: For demonstrating that flawless elegance and mind-numbing horror can be blended together seamlessly

2. John Bierce, Stephen King and Sanderson: For demonstrating that complex plots and intricate systems of magic can and do work well for fast paced fantasy

3. Tower curator: For demonstrating that blood sorcery can be elegant.

4. Will Wight: For demonstrating that the concepts of authority and ascension can be such amazing plot drivers.

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

I’d sit down with Nazaar, the grandmaster. I’d try to understand how, despite of all the obstacles that he continues to face at every turn, he finds the courage to keep plodding forward with ever more ambitious plans.

He was the only character in my book who seemed to evolve on their own during my writing. Most of what we read about the grandmaster in The Revenge of the Wraith Paladin series, was just not present in my original plot plan.

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

Primarily twitter, discord and to some extent Reddit, where I have had some really nice interactions with people who love books & fantasy. I’d like to thank them all for the valuable advice and criticism that they took out the time to share with me.

I also remain very optimistic about the future of federated social networks like Bluesky and mastodon – they have small but rapidly growing community of book lovers. I’d encourage more people to be a part of these networks.

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

Bit too early for me to answer this, but I’d like to advise folks to write things that at least they themselves would enjoy as a reader. But if you do have something interesting to say, modern technology has made it easier than ever to put your thoughts forward and connect to a global community. Don’t wait too long – YOLO.

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

I am currently working on a parallel series titled “The Grandmaster’s Gamble” that explores Nazaar’s past. It has some overlap in characters with Revenge of the Wraith Paladin, but can be read independently. The second book of this series is also planned to be released later this year.

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About the Author

Avid fiction aficionado and fantasy author dabbling in the grimdark, arcane and all things forbidden and forgotten.

https://paulgzareith.ink

The Princess from Earth (Warriors of Mirral Series Book Three) by Katrina Zari Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

The vastness of the Multiverse is put to the test in author Katrina Zari’s “The Princess from Earth”, the next chapter in the Warriors of Mirral series! 

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The Synopsis

Worlds with Magic.
Worlds with Space travel.
Worlds where everything gets connected.
The Multiverse is unlimited, but the Worlds have their limits.

“The Princess from Earth” is the next chapter of the “Warriors of Mirral” series.

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The Review

What another fantastic entry into the epic sci-fi and fantasy series. The author found the perfect fusion of science fiction and fantasy, with advanced technology melding with magic wielders to craft a wholly original story that mirrors our world’s beliefs and studies. The idea and theory of the multiverse are ones I’ve personally been fascinated with for years, and the author’s navigation of this concept showcases both the creativity and insight that this plot device has given so many properties over the years.

The character development was incredible. The journey not only delves into protagonist Kira’s adventures to find her purpose and mission in life, as her father and the King of her people think her duty as princess comes first, but a secret mission turns into a shocking revelation on a haunting past for Kira as she is reunited with a surprise person from her childhood. The world-building and atmosphere the author created allow the dynamics between these characters and their relationships to shine.

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The Verdict

Remarkable, thoughtful, and entertaining author Katrina Zari’s “The Princess from Earth” is a must-read sci-fi and epic fantasy. The narrative’s twists and turns and the author’s ability to maintain a tether of connectivity despite the use of parallel worlds between these characters make this a compelling novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Katrina Zari, an author born and raised in Russia, spent a significant time of her life immersed in its rich culture before transitioning on a life-changing journey to the United States two decades ago. Her decision to relocate was driven by love, as she followed the one and only person who held her heart. Throughout her upbringing, Katrina developed a strong passion for literature, particularly science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. The local public library became her second home, where she would lose herself for countless hours in the captivating stories written by Asimov and Bradbury, King and Tolkien, Verne and Stephenson, or any other Si-Fi book she could access.

Inspired by these literary giants, Katrina’s creative mind was crowded with stories of her own imagination. She always wrote stories in her head, inspired by those great books. She was adding her own characters and coming up with their new adventures. It was no surprise that her stories predominantly featured a courageous female protagonist, a reflection of her deep understanding of these inspiring heroines whom she gladly associated herself with.

Years later, she found the courage to transition those stories from her thoughts onto paper.

https://www.katrinazaribooks.com

Somewhere in Minnesota: Short Stories by Jayna Locke Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

Author Jayna Locke shares a wonderful collection of short stories that reflects on the human condition in the book “Somewhere in Minnesota: Short Stories”.

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The Synopsis

With springtime in the air, a toddler chases a ball onto a melting ice-covered lake far beyond his parents’ reach.

As the chill of Autumn comes to Minnesota, Max opens the door to find a grizzled drifter on the doorstep. Then Max realizes he knows the man.

When Julie returns to her mother’s home on the shores of Lake Superior, she sees an odd shape tossed by the waves onto the beach. What is it?

Somewhere in Minnesota is a short story collection about the frenetic human experience and the ways in which life manifests itself and delivers defining moments. With Minnesota lakes and seasons as the backdrop, each story shares a different tale of characters experiencing life’s unexpected turns – from peculiar circumstances to moments of crisis – that at least temporarily set their world off its axis.

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The Review

This was a heartfelt and moving collection of short stories. They found a way of capturing the heart and compassion within families and relationships. The use of Minnesota as a standard setting for all of these stories was inspiring, giving readers a look into the local culture and background of these characters while bringing Minnesota to life on the page. 

Yet the themes of family and relationships stood out in this election. Whether that was found in the story of a woman who had to decide if she was staying in a relationship for love or comfort, or the story of a father who recently returned to his family, and so much more, each story delved into the inner workings of the human heart and experience. The rich dynamics between these characters and the thoughtful approach to world-building in these stories made this quite a memorable read.

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and captivating author Jayna Locke’s “Somewhere in Minnesota” collection is a must-read short story. The honesty that the stories invoke within the reader and the relatability of the characters and the situations they face will keep readers eagerly gripping their copies of the book in their hands. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jayna Locke is the author of Somewhere in Minnesota, a collection of short stories about characters experiencing life’s unexpected twists and turns, and about grit, hope and resilience.

She is a Minnesota writer who has had a lifelong love of fiction. She earned her MFA from the University of New Hampshire. Her work has appeared in various literary journals, as well as several anthologies — all available on Amazon. She is reachable through her website, jaynalocke dotcom, or on X at jaynatweets.

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Ghost Hotel: Canadian Chills Book Two by Arthur Slade Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Two children are led by a ghost back to a mysterious hotel, and encounter a strange series of events in author Arthur Slade’s “Ghost Hotel”, the second book in the Canadian Chills series.

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The Synopsis

Can two modern-day kids solve mystery of the ghost that haunts the old hotel–or will they be trapped in the past forever?

Walter Biggar Bronson (a.k.a. Wart) and his friend Cindy meet a ghost one night after school. The small, mournful boy leads them across the Broadway Bridge to the gracious Bessborough Hotel. After a strange incident in the elevator, they find themselves still in the hotel–but back in 1936.

Some spooky things are going on. The room numbers are all mixed up. The library on the mezzanine is filled with hundreds of copies of the same book. And out on the street, the cars are all the same–vintage Studebakers.

Back in the present, Wart and Cindy follow their motto–“Gather, identify, solve”–as they attempt to crack the case, with help from Wart’s distinctly odd parents and the loan of his mother’s time-travel-proof cell phone.

If they fail, they may be trapped in the ghostly past forever . . .

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The Review

First and foremost, this was a truly entertaining and compelling children’s book. The author does a remarkable world-building in this book, building upon the core characters from the series and adding to their adventures in a natural yet fun way. The imagery and atmosphere in the book allow the reader to get lost in the rich mythos of the world the author has created and easily enjoy the fun and spooky moments in this novel.

Yet, for me, the true heart of this story came in both the setting and the subject matter of the narrative. First, the setting of Saskatoon in Canada was fantastic, as it speaks to the culture and way of life that anyone not from Canada may not realize occurs and allows readers to experience life for those who do live there. Second, the paranormal investigator backstory for the two protagonists was phenomenal. As a paranormal investigator, I saw two young characters embracing the paranormal so heartedly and embracing that sense of weirdness, adventure, and curiosity, which was fantastic to see translated on the page.

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The Verdict

Wonderfully written, haunting, yet thoroughly engaging, author Arthur Slade’s “Ghost Hotel” is an excellent addition to the Canadian Chills series and a must-read children’s paranormal mystery book. The twists and turns in the narrative, the emotional story developments of certain characters, and the adventurous tone that occurs will keep readers coming back for more and more of this epic series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or grab your copy on June 11th, 2024!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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Arthur Slade was raised on a ranch in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan. He is the author of twenty five novels for young readers including The Hunchback Assignments, which won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and Dust, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. His lifetime of work has also received the prestigious Kloppenburg Award for Literary Excellence.  All of these awards mean that when he drinks tea he has to raise his pinky. It’s very fancy. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada. 

P.S. He does all of his writing on a treadmill desk. And he listens to heavy metal. At the same time.

https://www.arthurslade.com

Chasing Aphrodite: Stories of Life, Love & Travel by Emil Rem Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Author Emil Rem takes readers on a unique journey through his many travels around the world in the book “Chasing Aphrodite: Stories of Life, Love & Travel”. 

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The Synopsis

“Pure gold.” —Tom Dixon—

EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN

Join Emil on his adventures around the world in a series of beautifully written and illustrated stories—heartfelt, and uniquely insightful this book will take you from England to Africa, from Canada to Cypress—all through the author’s skillful storytelling lens…

…“As he gazed out at the revellers on the beach, he was transported to a beach in Africa, where a native boy peered at him from behind a sand dune, much as he had spent his life peering at the alien world around him, trying in vain to understand it, to make it more manageable.

And so he oscillated between the past and the present—the past so dangerously more real…”

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The Review

What a memorable and engaging read. The author does a fantastic job of delivering this blend of travelogue meets memoir with a sharp wit and thought-provoking writing style that highlights his adventure and learning experiences during this trip. The detailed descriptions and whimsical yet engaging illustrations before each chapter brought the author’s heart and passion for each location along his journey to life. 

The author’s capture of the culture and humanity behind each step on his journey, along with the depth of his experiences along the way, made this a powerful read. The thoughtfulness of delving into what travel is, and whether we make these trips to discover new locations and worlds or find the familiar and our way back home, made the book so inviting and easy to read.

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The Verdict

Remarkable, enlightening, and moving author Emil Rem’s “Chasing Aphrodite” is a must-read travelogue meets memoir. This nonfiction book not only brings these locations to life perfectly, but the heart and transportive nature of the author’s writing allowed the reader to immerse themselves in each stop of his journey and showcased ultimately a love story that made the trip that much more impactful. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Emil Rem, an eccentric accountant becomes a writer of eccentric characters, in exotic locales—each chapter taking us on a trip into his fascinating twisted world. Born to a close knit, middle class Muslim East Indian family in Dar-es-Salam, Africa in the 50’s, he is then moved to Maidenhead England at the age of five. The next twenty years are spent shuttling between England and East Africa, wearing a St. Christopher’s cross one minute and attending church, to wearing a green armband and attending Muslim religious classes in Africa the next. Moving to Canada, marrying a woman from the Philippines and having two boys only adds further texture to his stories.

At the age of five, his mother who possessed no education, but held impossible ambitions, divorced his father and moved to England with Emil in tow. The only work she could get was as a trainee nurse but found she could not look after Emil. An English working class family volunteered to take him in until she found a permanent home for him. The initial two weeks turned into 12 years…

His father continued to work for an airline which permitted Emil to travel free(ly) on standby and from the age of 12 he began to travel the world on his own…

“Neither of my parents could afford to come with me. My mother gave me a pittance for my travels—it was all she could afford. I would arrive at London airport with a carry-on bag and a wad of tickets and take whichever airline had space available. I could be in Moscow or Rio de Janeiro, I never knew. Nor did my family.”

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W(h)ine and Cheese (One ’n Done) by S. Atzeni Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A perfect storm hits a college off-campus party in author S. Atzeni’s “W(h)ine and Cheese), the next entry in the One ’n Done series. 

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The Synopsis

Social engagements are the cornerstone of the college experience. Unfortunately, this is not one of them.

A broken heart, something to prove, and discounted dairy products create a perfect storm of disaster at a party where the wine is actually a dollar store garbage can mixed with unidentified blue liquid.

A campus novel mostly off-campus, W(h)ine and Cheese is a story of friendship, privilege, and bad ideas. In their next One ‘n Done installment since The Legend of Dave Bradley: a Performance Piece, S. Atzeni returns to ask the all-important question, “did this really happen?” The answer is simple: don’t worry about it.

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The Review

This was a unique, creative, and heartfelt story. The fast-paced and honest atmosphere the author establishes in this narrative stands out immediately. The setting of college life separates this book greatly, allowing for a very pointed and unique story that captures the world of college life.

The heart of this story is in the relatability of the protagonist’s situation and the themes of heartbreak, friendship, and the consequences that follow bad decisions. The author’s ability to hone in on the path of privilege that so many people hold in life and the real-life consequences that await those who don’t share that same privilege was engaging to see come to life on the page. 

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The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and heartfelt author S. Atzeni’s “W(h)ine and Cheese” is a must-read novel. The twists and turns the character’s story holds and the way the situation escalates repeatedly allow the poetic and imagery-driven writing style to shine through so perfectly that readers will come to find this story again and again. If you haven’t yet, preorder your copy today or grab your copy on July 23rd, 2024!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

S. Atzeni (she/they) is a multi-genre, award-winning writer of prose, comics, and academic scholarship. They are the co-author of The MOTHER Principle graphic novel series and The Legend of Dave Bradley and the upcoming W(h)ine and Cheese in the bestselling One ‘n Done series. S. Atzeni holds a B.A. in Professional Writing and Journalism and a Master of Arts in English from The College of New Jersey.

When not being an adjunct professor and academic of ethnography, sequential art studies, and trauma theory, S. Atzeni is the co-founder of Read Furiously Publishing, its editorial director and its head of acquisitions. Through Read Furiously, S. Atzeni is proud to publish great books, be a part of an amazing independent literary community, and participate in literary activism.

https://readfuriously.com/pages/samantha-atzeni

Trusted Friends and Lovers by Burkey & Breakfield Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Authors Burkey and Breakfield take readers into a series of short stories to explore love and romance in the collection “Trusted Friends and Lovers”.

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The Synopsis

What makes a person a trusted friend or lover?

How does it feel when you have that status? It takes years to earn and seconds to destroy.

Dive into these selected short stories, exploring romance, friendship, and the rocky roads. Trust is a key element in any successful relationship.

Explore the bonds of trust and love. The journey determines the destination for these friends and lovers.

Enjoy the stories.

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The Review

This was a remarkable and heartfelt story. The author’s incorporation of characters from other books in the Enigma Series into their stories was fantastic, as readers got to return to these beloved characters and witness a whole other aspect of their journey. The raw, emotional beats the authors explore in this book and the relatability of the experiences these characters share will instantly draw the reader in.

The character development is the true heart of this collection, as each story packs a powerful punch thanks to how each character develops. From finding balance within a relationship to the threat of loss putting things into perspective, the authors explored romance, mysteries, and thrillers in this fantastic collection.

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The Verdict

Burkey & Breakfield’s “Trusted Friends and Lovers” is a must-read story collection of Heartfelt, emotional, and compelling authors. The connection to the greater Enigma universe and the core theme of love and romance that permeates each story made this one collection readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Rox Burkey is a Customer Experience Specialist who works with businesses around the world. As a gifted speaker and accomplished listener, she bridges the chasm between business problems and technical solutions to optimize business productivity. She has written technology papers, white papers, but launches into high gear when plotting our next technothriller or short story. 

As a child, she led the other kids with her highly charged imagination generating new adventures with make believe characters. She is proud of being a Girl Scout until high school, and contributed to the community as a member of a Head Start program. Rox enjoys her family, learning, listening to people, travel, outdoor activities, sewing, cooking, and thinking about how to diversify the series. 

BREAKFIED AND BURKEY

We have traveled to many places around the world. These travels are pulled into stories that requires real knowledge of specific locals. We deliver well-rounded thrillers that include levels of humor, romance, intrigue, suspense, and mystery. 

We love to talk about their stories at private and public book readings or events. Burkey conducts podcast style interviews with a couple of author groups, and enjoys extracting the tidbits from authors, especially new ones. Her first interview was, wait for it, Breakfield. You can learn where they will be from the calendar on their website. 

EnigmaSeries.com has information on the Enigma Series, 12 books, 10 short stories, audio books, book trailers, and the newest series Enigma Heirs releasing in 2023. We have proudly earned multiple awards for our fictional creations. 

We are also part of the Underground Authors group writing cozy mysteries/murders in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. We are committed to providing an installment for Season 2 and Season 3 to accompany The Flower Enigma, released in Season 1.

Please enjoy snippets of our stories, book trailers, audible sections, CONTEST and get FREE stuff at www.EnigmaSeries.com. 

BREAKFIELD-Charles works as a data/telecom solution architect and supports digital security, blockchain solutions, and unified communications. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding often provides writing topics.

Much of his personality comes from his father who served in the military for 30 years and three wars. Charles grew up on multiple bases and different countries. The multi-cultural exposure helps him with the various character perspectives they bring to the series. His personal ambition is to continue to teach his co-author Burkey, humor.

BREAKFIELD AND BURKEY together build stories as fictional story writers. Storytelling is the best method to share excitement, thrills, and insights to today’s technology risks.

EnigmaSeries.com has information on their 12 books, 10 short stories, audio books, book trailers, and the upcoming Enigma Heirs. 

Look for our cozy mysteries/murders in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. 

Never Say Sever in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Series Book 12) by Ann Charles Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A strange break-in at a local taxidermy brings a young woman with a bounty on her head into contact with local troublemakers in author Ann Charles’s “Never Say Sever in Deadwood”, the twelfth entry into the Deadwood Humorous Mystery Series. 

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The Synopsis

All Violet Parker wants is a day off. Better yet, just a “normal” day. But things never go as planned, especially in Deadwood.

Someone—or rather something—broke into the local taxidermy shop and took bites out of the critter displays before racing off into the dark. But this is no random crime and Violet knows it. With a bounty on her head and troublemakers zeroing in on her, she soon goes from being the hunter to the hunted.

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The Review

This was such a humorous yet action-packed paranormal mystery. The use of the supernatural in this story was perfect, as it added just enough action and suspense to the narrative to balance out the natural chemistry and wit of the characters that populated this narrative. The use of imagery in the author’s writing style helped elevate the story, as it brought this mixture of Western meets modern paranormal fiction to life in an almost cinematic way.

The characters once again dominate this series, as the protagonist’s sharp wit meets the driven mindset of the cast of characters in this town. The crisp winter setting and tension creep into the reader as the constant threat of both the bounty and the enemies she faces make themselves known quite well as the narrative progresses. The moments of warmth, romance, and hilarity brought fantastic banter and a perfect reprieve from the drama and chilling paranormal forces at work.

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The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and compelling author Ann Charles’s “Never Say Never in Deadwood” is a must-read paranormal mystery thriller. The twists and turns the protagonist faces, and the shocking events that jump-start this new mystery will keep readers hooked and eager to continue in this long-running series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ann Charles is a USA Today bestselling author who writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance, paranormal, and whatever else sounds fun. A member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America for many moons, she has a BA in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. When Ann is not holed up in her writing lair working on her next book, she’s hanging out with her family and basking in the Arizona sunshine.

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