1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
As far as I can remember I have loved story telling—in all forms. As a child I would spend every Saturday at the library, devouring books like there was no tomorrow! This quickly led to writing short stories wherever that had a surface! I think there is so much beauty in the world with many stories to tell and feel like there are endless possibilities of ways to communicate them.
Advertisements
2) What inspired you to write your book?
I love creating different worlds in my head. There is such a freedom in writing. A lot of inspiration was drawn from real life experiences, lived out by fictional characters, and of course, the fictional town of ‘Aringdale’.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
This book weaves together themes of self-identity and toxic relationships— issues I feel are prevalent in society that many people can relate to. It is my hope that my readers know that who they are is enough, that no battlelife has thrown at them defines them or their worth. We are strong, brave, resilient and capable of anything we set our mind to.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I have always been a bit of romantic. In saying that I realise that life doesn’t always end in ‘happily ever after’ the way most romance movies and fairy-tale books lead us to believe. Let’s face it, Life is complicated, relationships are complicated. I wanted to create a story that highlights this, but in a way that stirs faith and hope within the reader.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I think it’s safe to say that there are a few readers that have been frustrated with Sienna’s decision in tolerating a toxic relationship for so long. Instead of asking Sienna why she didn’t leave, I would ask her what she would be most afraid about if she did.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Facebook has been the most beneficial. I started promotion my book months before its release. I found that Facebook ads have really helped drive people to my website and subscribe to my newsletter which is wonderful.
Advertisements
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Read, read, read! The more you read, the better you will be able to refine your craft and gain a deeper insight into the genre that most inspires you. Also know that your writing will never be perfect and that there will always be someone who doesn’t like your work. You could be the juiciest, sweetest, ripest peach in the world, but not everyone likes peaches! This is true with writing, too. Understand that your debut book will not be your best, which is actually exciting because it means you will only continue to grow as a writer!
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I have very recently launched my debut novel NINE YEARS and about to embark on the sequel; HERE I STAND. I will be spending a lot of the summer in hibernation, writing! Stay tuned. 🙂
Jessica is a 30-year-old school teacher, former fitness professional and dancer. She was born and raised in Bendigo, Victoria before moving to Melbourne in 2008. For as long as she can remember she has had a passion for storytelling—in all forms.
From writing countless short stories as a child to later completing a creative writing course, written by her favourite and best-selling author, Karen Kingsbury, Jessica was adamant to become a published author. NINE YEARS is the first book in the two-part series BENEATH THE CLOUDS.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I didn’t really get into writing; writing got into me. It happened for the first time when I was five years old. My folks and I went to visit my grandparents and my grandfather showed me his handgun. I asked him what it was for and he said, “Killing bad guys.” He didn’t explain much more. I knew from cartoons that guns fired bullets. It didn’t occur to my tiny brain that bullets could kill people. On our way home, we passed our local sewage treatment plant. It stunk like rotting bodies in a wet room. I asked my father why that was. He said, “Because there’s a river of shit running through it.” We got home and I went to bed. The next morning, I went to school. I was teased ruthlessly, as usual. I came home in a foul mood. I ate dinner and went to my room. Instead of diddling myself or playing videogames, I decided to draw. I grabbed a pencil and a stack of paper. As I sat there scribbling, I let my mind go. I thought about the handgun and what my gramps had said. I thought about the kids who teased me and the sewage treatment plant. Suddenly, a force shot through me; I was like a metal rod pulling lightening from the clouds. When the sensation ceased, I looked down at the page. I had written and illustrated (albeit terribly) a story about a handgun that came to life, floated over to the sewage treatment plant, shot down the sign warning people of the “river of shit,” so that when all the kids that bullied me at school walked by it, they didn’t see it and thus fell in and drowned. I was immensely proud of my little story. I ran into the kitchen screaming and showed it to my mother. She smiled at first. As she read, her smile dropped. When she finished, she looked up at me. Her expression was one of pure terror. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I’ve been writing ever since.
Advertisements
2) What inspired you to write your book?
I wrote my book about a trip I took around the world with my childhood buddies in 2006. I guess you could say the trip is what inspired me to write the book. But the thing that pushed me to write it was a night of unprotected sex some three years later … I’d woken up the next morning and realized I’d forgotten to use a condom. I didn’t know the woman I’d fucked, and I was hungover, and when I’m hungover, I get paranoid. I started thinking I’d contracted HIV. I worked myself into a frenzy and was huffing and panting and screaming the whole drive home. When I arrived, I ran upstairs and took a shower. As I was scrubbing my junk and banging my head against the tiles, I realized that it wasn’t HIV I was afraid of, it was dying before I released all the words inside of me. I was 27 and set to go to grad school. I got out of the shower, called the director of my program, cancelled my enrollment, sat down at the computer, and wrote the first chapter of “Chuck Life’s a Trip.”
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I don’t want them to take away any theme or message in particular. All I ask is that they embark on the trip that is my book with an open mind and an open heart.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
My genre, if you could call it that, is “fictionalized memoirs.” I can’t say what drew me into it. But I can say that I like the idea of writing about my past without the encumberment of sticking to the facts.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
If I could sit down with any character in my book, I would sit down with the main character, whose name is Johann Klaus Felmanstien, and ask him why he chose to represent us with such a stupid fucking name.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Seeing as how I’ve only used Blogger and Facebook to promote my work, I’d have to say those two. I wish I could say I haven’t used any social media sites to promote my work, and that my readership has grown strictly through reading and word-of-mouth, like in the good old days when people actually read books and then talked about them face-to-face with other people, but those days are dead, buried, and rotting, so yeah, Blogger and Facebook.
Advertisements
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
If you’re doing this for money, fame, sex, or any combination of the three, kindly take your computer, and any other instruments of writing you may own, form a pyramid with them in your backyard, douse it with lighter fluid, strike a match, and toss it at the belly of that bitch so that it may go up in flames along with your dreams … However, if you’re in this for the good fight, and by that I mean putting words on the page so that a decade from now they reach some poor bastard ready to stick a gun to his head, and he reads them and decides to give life one more shot so he can take his kid to the park, then write everyday with honesty and vigor and don’t stop until you croak.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m currently editing my second novel, which is based on my service as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan. I have also written a compilation of poems and book of short stories, both of which I will release at a later date … As for my future, I have no idea what it holds. I only know that with writing, I’ve crossed the point of no return, and it scares the shit outta me.
Hans Joseph Fellmann currently lives between Prague, where he teaches to keep the lights on and writes to keep from going nuts, and Livermore in Northern California, where his funky little ass grew up. During the last twenty years, Hans has been tiptoeing the globe and scribbling it all down. To date, he has visited over eighty countries on six continents, and he continues to “blow it up” each summer.
By the skin of his teeth, Hans earned a BA degree from the University of California at San Diego in International Studies, with an emphasis on the Middle East. His articles and short stories have appeared (albeit not magically) in the UCSD Guardian, the San Diego Union-Tribune and The Prague Revue. To improve his craft, and to buy his folks keychains so they could claim their son went to grad school, he attended the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 2013.
His first novel “Chuck Life’s a Trip,” which is based on a trip he took around the world with his childhood buddies in 2006, is now available on Amazon. He recently completed a second semi-autobiographical novel which he is “polishing.” It is about his pants-on-the-head-crazy experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan.
In his spare time, Hans likes to study languages, the more obscure the better. He speaks ten, including Czech, Turkmen, Farsi and Spanish, with varying degrees of proficiency. He is also a huge geography and book nerd. When he’s not backpacking where he shouldn’t be or rattling off in some foreign tongue, he’s got his eyes crawling over a map of a long-forgotten Central Asian republic, or his nose buried deep in a book by a fellow B.A.M.F.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young boy gifted with incredible power discovers a family secret and the existence of ancient creatures as government agents converge on a small North Carolina town in author Brian Kacica’s Jake & The Dragons Of Asheville.
Advertisements
The Synopsis
In a small, sleepy town in North Carolina, thirteen-year-old Jake Winston has discovered he carries a unique genetic trait; one that a covert government agency will stop at nothing to obtain. After the tragic death of his father, a local firefighting hero, Jake’s absent grandfather returns and sends him on a journey into the gated forest at the edge of town, bringing Jake face-to-face with a family of ancient dragons thought long extinct.
Determined to grasp the power of the blood flowing through Jake’s veins, the agent from the secret ONX facility begins killing every dragon in his path. This forces Jake in the middle of a battle between the government and the dragons of Asheville, where the true potential of his power is revealed.
The Review
A fun, engaging blend of sci-fi and fantasy, this amazing novel feels like a mix of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial and Game of Thrones. Blending fantasy driven heroics with government conspiracies, sci-fi action and teen drama and humor, Jake & the Dragons of Asheville tell a fantastic, evenly paced story of a young boy who goes on a journey after losing his heroic father, and discovering a destiny no one could have ever seen coming.
The author does a great job of blending emotional character development as the story delves quickly into the pain of losing a loved one, especially a parent at a young age, and quickly turns that into a coming of age tale of discovering a hidden power within oneself and finding the path that leads them to their destiny. The friendships and relationships Jake has with his friends, family and new allies on his journey make the story as entertaining and engaging as it is, making this a novel that evenly incorporates mythology, fantasy and sci-fi adventure with drama, humor and the journey of a young boy in the midst of leaving childhood behind and becoming a teenager.
The Verdict
A must read sci-fi/fantasy adventure like no other! Author Brian Kacica has done a fantastic job of creating a new mythology for those who love fantasy and dragons in general, relaying their history and journey in the world to the journey to the “New World” or America, and the price that comes from those like the government agents pursuing Jake and the Dragons seeking power at any cost. A powerful read that everyone can get into, this is a fantastic read for 2019 and the holiday season. Be sure to grab your copy of “Jake & the Dragons of Asheville” by Brian Kacica today!
Brian Kacica lives in the perilous hills of San Diego, fending off coyotes, tarantulas, bobcats and rattle snakes with his beautiful, valiant wife, three courageous children and chubby chocolate Lab, whose plump legs are routinely a chew toy for her spunky Boxer sidekick. JDA is his debut novel.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A beautiful and beloved housewife is found brutally murdered, and the seemingly perfect life she was seen leading soon proves to be a mere disguise over a more tragic and cruel reality in author Margot Hunt’s novel “The Last Affair”.
Advertisements
The Synopsis
Gwen Landon—poster woman for perfect wife, mother, and suburban bliss—is found brutally bludgeoned to death behind her Floridian McMansion. Beautiful and beloved by her community, Gwen makes an unlikely victim. But just a scratch below the surface of her perfectly curated world reveals one far more sinister. When looking back over the six months leading up to her death, the question of, “who would do this?” quickly shifts to, “who wouldn’t?”
Commercially successful food blogger and mother of three, Nora Holliday never imagined she would have the nerve, let alone time, to get involved an affair. Trapped in an unhappy marriage, she does whatever it takes to keep it all together. But when Nora runs into Gwen Landon’s husband at a hotel in Orlando, his easy kindness and warmth proves too tempting to resist. As their affair spirals dangerously out of control, it seems things can’t get more complicated—until Gwen turns up dead.
The Review
One of the most intriguing murder mysteries of the year! Margot Hunt has done a fabulous job of creating a narrative that showcases the mystery of the murder while exploring the intimate lives and decisions of these families in a local community. Expertly crafting the tale to present the crime first, then spending the majority of the book showcasing the various individuals and acts that could lead to who committed the crime, the author creates a story that draws readers in instantly.
The story showcases that the world is not as black and white as most like to believe, and sometimes the path some take towards affairs come from troubled lives themselves, and their desperate need to find solace can start a chain reaction that leads to dire consequences. A complex cast of characters help drive this narrative forward, with each suffering from their own internal and external problems that continue to help the situation spiral further and further out of control. In this story, no one is innocent, and even the victim herself hides a dark side to herself that could lead to who took her life.
The Verdict
This was an amazing read that fans of murder mysteries, dramas and thrillers will absolutely love. With thematic and tonal qualities reminiscent of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, this new thriller is something fans will not want to miss out on this holiday season, so be sure to grab your copy of Margot Hunt’s The Last Affair today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Margot Hunt is a critically acclaimed author of psychological suspense. Her work has been praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews.
Other than the woman’s blood-covered body splayed facedown in the grass, it could have been any typical upscale Floridian backyard.
There was the ubiquitous pool with a water fountain feature, a patio furnished with both a dining set and outdoor sectional couch, and an enormous gas grill capable of cooking hamburgers by the dozen. A large pergola with a tropical vine trained over it covered part of the patio. The dining area was shaded by a black-and-white-striped awning. It was the very picture of suburban domestic bliss. It could have been the set for a commercial advertising anything from laundry detergent to allergy medicine.
Again, except for the dead body.
The area had already been taped off. The first officers on the scene appeared with an ambulance in response to a frantic 911 call placed by the woman’s daughter. The paramedics had assessed the situation, and quickly determined that the woman was dead. The fact that the back of her head had been bashed in with what looked like a paving stone, conveniently dropped next to her prone body, made it immediately clear that it had not been a natural death. The responding officers called the sheriff, who responded by sending in a full investigative team. The medical examiner was now doing a preliminary examination of the body, while police officers combed the area for additional evidence. Two detectives, Mike Monroe and Gavin Reddick—separated by twenty years and sixty pounds—were overseeing the operation, standing at the edge of the patio under the shade of the pergola. It was the third week in April, but this was South Florida and the temperature had already climbed into the low nineties.
“The paving stone came from the stack out in the front yard. They were delivered last week by the company who’s installing the driveway,” Detective Reddick said. He was the younger of the two men and had a wiry frame and angular face.
“Weapon of convenience. Suggests it wasn’t premeditated,” Detective Monroe said. He had a ruddy complexion and a full head of thick dark hair, swept back off his face. A strand never moved out of place, even in a strong wind.
“Plus he dropped the weapon, rather than taking it with him. Probably panicked.”
“Could be a she,” Monroe said mildly.
Reddick shrugged. “Blunt force trauma to the back of the head? You know the stats. Overwhelming likelihood that it’s a man, and probably someone the victim was intimately involved with. Husband, maybe a boyfriend.”
“The husband was with the daughter when she called it in.”
“Doesn’t mean he didn’t do it, and then had her place the call.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
The family had been sequestered indoors, both to keep them out of the way, and so that the officers waiting in the house with them could observe anything they did or said. Other than the husband, there was a daughter in her early twenties and a teenage son. The daughter was reportedly distraught, while the husband and son had both been eerily quiet. It was possible they were in shock.
“Do we have an ID on the victim?” Reddick asked.
“It’s her house,” Monroe grunted.
“Yeah, but I like doing things the official way, you know? I’s dotted, t’s crossed, all of that. Building a case, basic detective work.”
Despite the chilling scene in front of them—the woman’s body still sprawled on the grass, the back of her head a pulpy, bloody mess—the corner of Monroe’s mouth quirked up in a half smile. “Sure, kid, tell me all about basic detective work. I’ve only been doing this for, what…thirty-two years now? The husband ID’d her. Victim is Gwen Landon, age forty-nine. Married, mother of two. Husband said she hasn’t had any recent conflict with anyone.”
“Other than the person who caved in the back of her head with a paving stone,” Reddick pointed out.
“Wouldn’t be the first time a husband didn’t know his wife as well as he thought he did.”
“Possible. But there’s another possibility, too.”
“What’s that?”
Reddick turned to look at his partner. His eyes were small and dark, and he had a habit of squinting when he concentrated intently on something.
Barbara Gordon looks to add a new bullet point to her already impressive Batgirl resume: travel agent. Having just (barely!) survived the Battle of Burnside and verging on an Arkham-worthy breakdown, the star pulls a Kerouac and gets on the road to find herself.
Follow Babs on her worldwide quest in Batgirl, Volume 1: Beyond Burnside, with New York Times best-selling author Hope Larson and award-winning artist Raphael Albuquerque leading the way!
Collecting: Batgirl 1-6
Verdict
A strong, gripping return of everyone’s favorite tech expert and crime-fighting hero! Barbara Gordon combines the humor and wit of her day to day personality perfectly with the expert crime fighter and brilliant technical mind to create a fully rounded character fans can rally behind. Showcasing Batgirl on a journey of self-discovery leads to a run-in with an old friend and soon leads into a long road of training, romance and self-realization that is somewhat reminiscent of the journey Batman himself took in the years before he returned to become the dark knight of Gotham. It is a fantastic start to Batgirl’s Rebirth era storylines.
The writing’s been on the wall for months now…Old Man Logan is dying. And he ain’t going to get better this time. Sick from the Adamantium coating his skeleton, Logan’s search for a cure has led to nothing but dead ends. But for once, he’s actually trying to leave this world with some unfinished business. Can Logan take his last breath without slaughtering the X-Men again? Not if Mysterio has anything to say about it! The villain means to set in motion the mutant massacre at the crux of Old Man Logan’s apocalyptic future timeline. But is someone pulling Mysterio’s strings? The master of illusion’s newest benefactors will surprise you…and Logan!
COLLECTING: Dead Man Logan 1-6
Verdict
One of Marvel’s greatest characters developed over the last decade, Old Man Logan’s final chapter in his long life is a great story to be told. The story of a hero facing the final end he’s waited for for so long is beautifully written and executed, showcasing not only his mission to prevent the war he lived through from ever happening again, but the long road of acceptance that comes to those facing the end of their lives. A powerful hero like Logan deserves a final story worthy of the person behind the hero, and this first story arc in that final chapter is incredibly well written and engaging. A must read for any die-hard Marvel and specially X-Men fans out there!
The mystical city of K’un-Lun lies in ruins. The chi that fuels Danny Rand’s power is wavering. Can there be any future for the Iron Fist? Danny must push himself to the breaking point, finding rivals against whom he can prove his worth. But a bigger battle than he can handle may have just found him: On a mysterious island stand seven deadly kung fu masters. Can Danny run a gauntlet through all of them and regain his place in the world? As the game of death begins, the Iron Fist is in for the fights of his life – against the Serpent, the Wolf and more! As a dark history is revealed, the war for the chi of K’un-Lun is about to get very bloody!
COLLECTING: IRON FIST 1-5
Verdict
Visually stunning and amazingly written, this chapter in Danny Rand’s story is fantastic to see unfold. The artwork reminds readers of a gritty, classic martial arts film playing out on the pages before them, while the story expertly showcases Danny’s introduction to a whole new story in the K’un-Lun mythology, as well as the Iron Fist, as he tries to regain his power and return to the city he failed to protect when they needed him most. A blend of Danny’s humor in battle with his inner power and resolve make this a phenomenal chapter in the Iron Fist saga.
From the pages of Aquaman comes a brand-new adventure starring Mera, in her own title for the first time ever!
As the brutal Atlantean Civil War rages, Mera must keep the peace between the surface world and Atlantis as its newly anointed queen in exile. But when Aquaman’s brother Orm, a.k.a. Ocean Master, learns of his homeland’s fate, he feels he must return to Atlantis as its king and savior! But Orm is now torn between his duty to Atlantis and his love for his new surface family–and both he and Mera will clash over the futures they choose to fight for!
From the critically acclaimed author Dan Abnett (Aquaman) and Eisner Award-winning artist Lan Medina (Fables), Atlantis gets a new ruler in Mera: Queen of Atlantis! Collects #1-6.
Verdict
One of the best Mera-driven stories in DC Comics, this series does an amazing job of exploring the life, history and power of one of DC Comics most underrated heroes, Mera, Queen of Atlantis. Her blend of strength and resolve for her people and her limitless love for Arthur make her such a well rounded character and hero, and her journey to reclaim her power and her throne are amazing to see unfold. Even more, the complex nature of Ocean Master, aka Orm, and his interactions not only with Mera but the family he began to make on the surface world are great to see unfold, making for some amazing character development. A fantastic new chapter in the Atlantis history of DC Comics.
The first two volumes of Aquaman as a part of DC Universe: Rebirth are collected here in hardcover for the first time ever!
Aquaman, the King of Atlantis, has never found a true home in either of the worlds that he was born of. In his undersea realm, Aquaman is both king and outsider. And on the surface world, he’s a hero and an outcast.
In this brand new series by fan-favorite writer Dan Abnett (Titans Hunt) and all-star pencillers Brad Walker (Sinestro), Phillipe Briones and Scot Eaton, the King of Atlantis attempts to broker a peace between Atlantis and the surface. But this noble quest might force Aquaman to finally choose whether to live his life above the waves, or below them. Plus, Black Manta makes his bloody return and seeks to destroy everything and everyone Aquaman loves!
Collecting: Aquaman 1-12, Rebirth
Verdict
This deluxe, double volume chapter in Aquaman’s Rebirth era is a great addition to the DC Universe in the Rebirth era. Not only does the story do a great job of exploring the rich mythology, culture and political intrigue of both Atlantis and it’s association with the surface world, but the story itself reflects the political upheaval that comes from nations like the United States interacting with a relatively unknown or mysterious nation that has yet to immerse itself into the United Nations. The fear and mistrust that comes from a nation of great power interacting with the larger world is a great concept, especially when that nation is the mythological Atlantis with a Justice Leaguer for a King and untold power at their fingertips. This is a wonderful start to Aquaman’s Rebirth storyline.
Fifty years from now, Logan – the man who no longer calls himself Wolverine – will have endured many atrocities: The Marvel Universe’s villains will have banded together and rid the world of its heroes. Logan’s closest friend, Hawkeye, will have been murdered in cold blood right before his eyes. And driven mad by the same radiation that gave him his superhuman strength, Bruce Banner will have fathered a family of hillbilly Hulks…that eventually went on to slaughter Logan’s wife and two children. But now, in the present, Old Man Logan wakes up to discover himself in a world before these atrocities, before the Wasteland. And he’s going to seize this opportunity and change history to ensure that his future never comes to pass…
Collecting: Old Man Logan 1-4, Giant-Size
Verdict
A fantastic new chapter in the life of one of Marvel’s oldest, most complex heroes and mutants to ever live, Wolverine. Now known as Old Man Logan, this man from an alternate world and future where he lost everything and the world was destroyed by the villains of the Marvel Universe, this story does an excellent job of shifting back and forth between Logan’s history and past with the present day 616 Marvel Universe. The struggle for a former hero desperate to change the past and save those he loves takes an interesting turn as Logan slowly discovers not everything is the same as it was in his future, and the heroes of the Marvel Universe discover a man broken by the past and fighting to save the future. It’s a wonderful character study of Logan and his mindset after enduring more pain than any Marvel hero thought possible, making this a must read Marvel comic.
Batman: Detective Comics, Volume 1: Rise of the Batmen
Detective Comics is back! Follow the adventures of Batman, the world’s greatest…teacher?!
The Dark Knight and series co-star Batwoman team up to take new protégés Red Robin, Spoiler and the villainous Clayface under their leathery wings! The only problem is, neither new super-instructor knows exactly what they’re in for as the attempt to train these would-be heroes before a mysterious army takes Gotham for themselves.
From the new creative team of writer James Tynion (Batman/TMNT) and artist Eddy Barrows (Martian Manhunter), Detective Comics brings back the characters you know and love and thrusts them into dangerous, new adventures!
Collecting: Detective Comics 934-940
Verdict
A fantastic new chapter in the Batman saga. The biggest draw of this story is the character developments and interactions between the team Batman and Batwoman are creating. Getting to see each character introduced and fleshed out is amazing to see. One of the biggest shocks was seeing the beginning of the redemption arc for Clayface, and how each of these heroes interacts with one another. From Batman and Batwoman’s heart to heart and the beginning of their partnership, to the evolution of Tim Drake’s Red Robin and the shocking conclusion that left fans and the team reeling emotionally, this was a brilliant first chapter in the new Batman Rebirth era.
New Green Lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz debut a new era of emerald greatness, tackling the universe’s toughest beat: Earth. These rookie Lanterns promised to protect others in brightest day or blackest night, but as the “Red Planet” begins to rise, the duo finds themselves confronted with an unimaginable threat from Bleez and the Red Lanterns!
Rising star writer Sam Humphries (Planet Hulk, Starlord) and artist Robson Rocha (Earth 2: Worlds End, Birds of Prey) put on the rings with Green Lanterns, Volume 1: Rage Planet!
Collecting: Green Lanterns 1-6, Rebirth
Verdict
A fantastic new chapter in the Green Lantern saga, especially moving into the Rebirth era. Giving Hal Jordan his own comic series to run gives room for the two newest and perhaps most diverse and engaging Green Lanterns to make a name for themselves. Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz being partnered together to patrol Earth and the sector it resides in is a brilliant move storytelling wise. Each character is relatable in this modern age, between the cruel reality of Baz’s culture making him a target in modern day America to Jessica’s anxiety and internal struggles conflicting with her heroic nature as a Green Lantern make for amazing storytelling and character arcs in this series. Then making the Red Lantern Corps the hero’s first major foe as their partnership is just beginning was amazing to see, as was the shocking powers Simon Baz unleashed in the first chapter, making this a must read for any longtime Green Lantern fans.
The team that brought you AVENGERS: NO SURRENDER re-unite for an all-new weekly AVENGERS adventure! Night has fallen across the universe. Now seven Avengers – and one new addition – journey forth to bring back the light. But when the threat they face has destroyed even the Gods…will anyone make it home?
COLLECTING: AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME 1-10
Verdict
A fantastic story! One of the more unusual, fun and engaging heroic teams in Marvel Comics, this group of heroes are bought together to battle a threat unlike anything they’d ever seen. Traveling between worlds, times and events, getting to see heroes like Scarlet Witch, Hercules and Vision shine brightly as they are pushed to their limits of loss and must fight to keep the world and the light of the universe from being snuffed out. A great character study and deep dive into the mythology of the hero Hercules and the gods themselves, this is a fun, exhilarating and engaging read for Marvel fans!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Chandra Lahiri takes readers on a journey through the history of the Native American people and showcases both sides of that history in an honest and incredible way in the novel “Red Road Across The Great Plains”.
Advertisements
The Synopsis
A life-changing solo voyage of discovery across the blood-soaked Great Plains. A pilgrimage to momentous sites of Native American heritage.Meet the amazing “invisible warriors” fighting impossible odds to reclaim their heritage and share in the American Dream without losing their unique identity, much as their ancestors fought on the battlefields to save their way of life.
Nurturing a half-century obsession with Native America and the Old Frontier, this now-retired corporate CEO takes the reader along on his astonishing solo road-trip through haunting places of intense tragedy and stunning triumphs, through Native American spiritual experiences that shook the atheist in him, plunging into the rough and tumble worlds that were Deadwood and Dodge City, chuckling gently over modern American idiosyncrasies. Neither a “white historian” nor a “red commentator,” he visits both sides of the Native American experience and, in the most depressed Native Reservations, discovers exciting sparks of a brighter, more hopeful future emerging – a very different take on the usual Reservation stereotypes and stories of misery. This is an unusual and enthralling odyssey effortlessly plaiting space and time, easy to read, without pompous sermonizing.
The Review
Part history, part travel, author Chandra Lahiri’s novel does an amazing job of creating a narrative that showcases the authors real life journey to these iconic, historic and sometimes tragic locations in the West and Mid-Western United States. The evenly paced read delved deeply into the violent, heartbreaking and blood-soaked history of the Native American tribes and the impact on both their culture and the white settlers as they expanded their territory further and further westward.
From the genocide that was the Trail of Tears to the Civil War and more, the author lays out the history behind the Native American people and highlights the struggles they endured. However this history is broken up naturally by the travel aspect of the author’s journey, showcasing the modern day experiences the author had while seeing first hand the locations and the history of the United States as it settled westward.
The novel is expertly written, with a voice and tone that speaks of personal experiences the author had on this trip with historic facts that are both known and tragically some that are overlooked or forgotten, for as the author points out in the book, history is written by the victors, but often history is only half true or inaccurate if only written by the victors.
The Verdict
This was a brutally honest, emotional and well written historical/travel novel. An even mix of historical research, graphs and statistics that really put the history of the Native American people and culture into perspective, with the natural observations and personal stories brought to life while on a life-changing trip like the one the author experienced, this novel has something for everyone, and is not to be missed. So if you are a fan of travel stories or are just a major history buff like myself and want to experience the emotional journey of the Native American tribes of the United States, then be sure to grab your copy of author Chandra Lahiri’s “Red Road Across The Great Plains” today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Chandra Lahiri is an “Indian from India” who lives in the Sultanate of Oman. After many years as a global CEO, he now focuses on his lifelong passion for Native American heritage. His wife is a Special Needs Educator in Oman, and his two sons live in the USA. He loves hearing from like-minded readers, at www.dawnvoyager.com
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman shares the journey her life takes a decade after the loss of her husband and the mission she undertakes to “redefine the impossible” in author Barbara Barth’s memoir, The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
Advertisements
The Synopsis
Picking up where The Unfaithful Widow ended, Ten Years Later continues the author’s journey from widow to a slightly askew woman. A memoir written with warmth and candor on being single again, aging, and finding a creative path surrounded by dogs, friends, laughter, and a bit of craziness. Barbara Barth shares stories on the adventures that followed her first year alone as she moved headfirst into a new life, listening to her heart, sometimes not so wisely, but always full speed ahead. Join her on the ride of her life, from owning an antique shop to moving to a Victorian cottage outside of Atlanta, and all the follies in between. Going into the next decade with six dogs by her side, the author proves you are only as old as you feel, and happiness begins with a grateful heart. A funny and engaging memoir for anyone who wants to be their own superhero facing life’s good and bad moments.
The Review
A truly well written, honest and fascinating read, author Barbara Barth has created a fantastic novel that openly and honestly explores life after losing a spouse or loved one, while also exploring the journey to redefine or find your true self in this world.
While I haven’t read the first book that this novel is a sequel of, the authors straight forward, truthful and eye-catching way of writing will instantly draw readers in, and the following chapters will keep readers engaged as the author explores a year of her life in each chapter for the last decade.
From her purchase of an antique store to moving into a Victorian home in a historic small town outside Atlanta and the journey she took along the way, the author has created a wonderful work of art that many readers, especially those who are older and feel the pressure put on them by society to become “old”, will find inspirational as the author proves age is just a number, and there is no age limit on following your dreams, pursuing your goals or finding life after loss.
The Verdict
A thrilling and truly honest memoir that cannot be missed, author Barbara Barth has done an excellent job of creating a narrative readers will not be able to put down once they get started. A fairly evenly paced read that keeps the reader invested throughout, the author showcases a wonderful talent for bridging the emotional aspect of loss and life, and the thrill of adventure that comes with exploring what life has in store for us. It’s a must read novel and a top memoir of 2019, so if you haven’t yet be sure to grab your copy of “The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later” by Barbara Barth today!
Author, blogger, sometimes antique dealer, dog hoarder, bedazzled by life. Widowed ten years ago, Barth writes about finding a creative path back to happiness. Her recent move to a 1906 historic cottage brought many surprises, including discovering the Monroe–Walton Center for the Arts where she started the monthly Walton Writers group and is on the MWCA Board as Literary Arts Chair. Barth is a contributor to Walton Living Magazine and a former blogger for The Balancing Act, Lifetime Television’s morning show for women. Currently she lives with six dogs, rescue dogs that rescued her.
The Unfaithful widow Ten Years Later is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon.com
Advertisements
Blog Tour Dates
Today @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us in celebrating the launch of Barbara Barth’s new book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
Stop by Lori’s blog today where you can read her interview with Barbara Barth and read her review of Barbara’s book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
Be sure to stop by Deirdra’s blog today and check out her spotlight of the book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later and enter to win a copy of the book!
Stop by the blog Women’s Writing Circle and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about adopting dogs while all her friends are having grandkids. Don’t miss this one!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Three men must work outside of their comfort zones and face the world in new and unimaginable ways in author Hugh Fritz’s novel, “Made To Be Broken”.
Advertisements
The Synopsis
Flarence knows that Genies are supposed to help their masters by granting wishes, but he’s never been comfortable taking orders. To him, pummeling bad guys with magically enhanced weaponry feels like a much better way to use his powers.
Darren is a gangster who wants to leave his reckless life behind so he can focus on providing for his family. Unfortunately, there are people in the neighborhood who won’t let him move on.
Soleil is a humble man who tries to lead a passive lifestyle. In times of peace or times of war, he can be found cleaning his cafe or singing along with rock-’n’-roll tunes while tending to his houseplants.
Darren, Soleil, and Flarence will have to work together and step outside their comfort zones when a rogue Genie and a hot-headed police officer threaten the lives of their loved ones. Flarence will be challenged to work with a criminal, Soleil will be forced to leave his sanctuary and act to help his friends, and Darren will face the possibility that being a gentle and caring family man may not be an option for him.
The Review
A fantastic blend of action and adventure with fantasy, mythology and character-driven narrative. The author has done an excellent job of creating a diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds and personalities, creating amazing character interactions and crafting plot twists that readers won’t see coming.
Exploring each of the men’s backgrounds, personalities and views on life, the author does an excellent job of exploring the affect power has on each individual person, and how that power either corrupts or helps those who end up wielding it. Giving readers a new take on the mythology surrounding Genies in general and how magic would work in our gritty, real-world drama and adventure, this novel instantly draws the reader into this growing narrative and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, anticipating the next chapter of this growing story.
The Verdict
A smash hit in the action/adventure and fantasy genres! Fantastic world building mixed with relatable, realistic yet magical character arcs that readers will instantly gravitate towards makes “Made to Be Broken” by Hugh Fritz an excellent first novel in the growing “Mystic Rampage” series, and a must own novel of 2019. It is truly gritty, violent yet powerfully integrating of the fantasy genre into our world, making for one of the more adult and unique reads of the 2019 fantasy genre. Pick up your copies today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Hugh Fritz is a fan of monsters, mad scientists, sorcerers, and anything that involves being with incredible powers beating each other senseless. After years of writing research papers, he decided it was time to give reality a rest and let his imagination run wild. This is his first book, and it has been an illuminating experience making the transition from reader to author.
He was born in Chicago where he spent most of his life until moving to the Southwest in 2015. He finds inspiration bouncing ideas off other novelists in a critique group, but hours of television and finding the right songs to put him in the writing mood play an important role as well. He has no plans to end the Genies’ adventures here, so be on the lookout for more magical mischief in the next book of the Mystic Rampage series.
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us as we celebrate the launch of the blog tour for author Hugh Fritz’s book Made to be Broken. Read an interview with the author and win a copy of the book.
Learn more about Hugh Fritz and his new book Made to be Broken as he shares a few thoughts in an interesting interview with Nicole Pyles at World of My Imagination.
Middle Schooler Carmen Otto raves about the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – she encourages everyone to read Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz! Find out more today at Bring on Lemons.
Nicole Pyles reviews Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz – find out what you’re missing and learn about the first book in the Mystic Rampage series – if you love sci-fi you’ll love this book!
Anjanette Potter interviews Hugh Fritz as well as reviewing his book Made to be Broken – find out more about the first book of the Mystic Rampage series – now available!
Today’s Book Spotlight at Breakeven Books is Made to be Broken (first book in the Mystic Rampage Series) by Hugh Fritz – don’t miss this great opportunity to add this exciting new novel to your collection!
Sreevarsha reviews Made to be Broken by Hugh Fritz and delights readers at To Write or Not To Write with her thoughts about this fast-paced novel – it’s the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – don’t miss this!
Don’t miss today’s publicity post at A Storybook World as readers at Dierdra’s blog are introduced to the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – you’ll want to run out and get your own copy of Hugh Fritz’s Made to be Broken!
November 21st @ Lisa Haselton Reviews and Interviews
Lisa Haselton interviews Hugh Fritz about the first novel in the Mystic Rampage series, Made to be Broken. Readers will delight in learning more about this science fiction story with intriguing plot and multiple plot twists!
Don’t miss today’s author interview with Hugh Fritz as Cathy Stucker finds out more about his latest release Made to be Broken – the first book in the Mystic Rampage series.
Wisconsinite Tara Forst shares her thoughts after reading the first book in the Mystic Rampage Series – find out more in her book review of Born to be Broken by Hugh Fritz.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
When I was about ten or eleven I started writing a kind of science fiction/fantasy/horror novel. I suppose it was a kind of escape; I was not the happiest of kids. I wrote the beginning in longhand, but after a couple of months taught myself to type on an old manual typewriter that was sitting around in my room. The book wound up being exactly 138 pages, single-spaced. I’ve been writing ever since, with long lapses until I hit my late twenties and decided to really make a go at doing it professionally.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
Well, in the case of Net Force, which was a previously existing—if long dormant—bestselling franchise, it’s kind of different from a novel I would conceive entirely on my own. I was initially asked to relaunch the series, but the whole process took a while, and there were extended lulls before it all came together. Finally I made a big push to convince everyone involved that the time was right to get it done, cybersecurity and the evolution of cyberspace being very much at the forefront of our collective awareness nowadays. It took a lot of work and patience, but here we are, happily!
Advertisements
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I have three epigraphs. One quote is from President John F. Kennedy: “What unites us is far greater than what divides us.”
I like the word “theme” better than “message,” and if the series does have a theme, JFK put it very succinctly. We’re living in a time of great challenge. Political, moral, ethical, environmental, technological, social … this is a hinge-point in terms of our very survival and evolution as a species. If humanity’s going to make it, we’re going to need heroes of all nationalities and ethnicities and genders to stand up against the forces that threaten our freedom … and our existence.
That’s where Net Force comes in.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve written books of almost every type, and like working in many different genres. I don’t think of Net Force as being one thing or another … to me it’s just a thriller, with elements of mystery, suspense, cyberpunk and other categories. I get to use my whole toolkit, and that’s part of the fun.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Hands down, it’s Kali Alcazar. But I wouldn’t ask her anything in particular. I’d just want to have a long conversation with lots of good, strong coffee for us to drink. Kali is 28 years or so and going on a thousand; an old, old soul. There are oceans of depth to her. You could know Kali for years and still feel she’s a mystery. But there’s a core certainty about her, a knowingness, that’s rock solid. Once Kali makes a decision, she never questions it, never second guesses herself. That’s very different from how I’ve been most of my life, though I’ve gotten more like her in recent years. Kali’s someone you can depend on in extreme moments. At the same time, she isn’t infallible. She is who she is by choice, and some of those choices have taken her down difficult roads. But she’s true to herself and her values and the things and people she cares about. If she’s on your side, she’ll stand with you through any hardship and danger … but don’t cross her or you’ll regret it!
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
To be completely honest, I’m not convinced social media works that well. It still seems to me that one good radio or tv appearance is worth any number of tweets or Facebook posts. But I’m keeping an open mind and staying at it, so let’s say the verdict’s still out.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
If you really want to write, be disciplined, and don’t sit around waiting for inspiration. I love baseball and always use the analogy of a batter getting in his daily repetitions, or reps. Hitters need routine, they need steady, regular at-bats. Sit them for a few days, and they slip off their game. My father toiled in a factory most of his life, a garment sweatshop, and what I got from him was my work ethic. He never missed a day of work in his life and I admire that. You do it every day. Doesn’t matter how you feel. You get up and go to work.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I finished the first Net Force enovella—a prequel that spotlights Kali and CIA manhunter Mike Carmody—last August. It’s called Eye of the Drone and will be out in June and it kicks butt. And I’m currently writing my second Net Force novel, which will be released in the autumn of 2020. Last but not least, I have a Civil War narrative history about a colorful character named Will Cushing that’s due out in October 2020. So, thankfully, I’m keeping busy!
Jerome Preisler is the prolific author of almost forty books of fiction and narrative nonfiction, including all eight novels in the New York Times bestselling TOM CLANCY’S POWER PLAYS series.
His latest book is NET FORCE:DARK WEB (November 2019), the first novel in a relaunch of the New York Times bestselling series co-created by Tom Clancy. Forthcoming in May 2020 is the enovella NET FORCE: EYE OF THE DRONE.
Among Jerome’s recent works of narrative history are CODE NAME CAESAR: The Secret Hunt for U-boat 864 During World War Two, and FIRST TO JUMP: How the Band of Brothers Was Aided by the Brave Paratroopers of Pathfinders Company. His next book of nonfiction, CIVIL WAR COMMANDO: William Cushing’s Daring Raid to Sink the Invincible Ironclad C.S.S. Albemarle,will be published by Regnery Books in October 2020.
