Tag: book review

Ada & Eddie by Barry Harden 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. 

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS BOOK FEATURES SOME INSTANCES OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABUSE, AS WELL AS VIOLENCE AGAINST ANIMALS, WHICH MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME READERS. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

The discovery of a body sends a homeless man and a widow on a journey together to discover the identity of the victim of a heinous crime and the perpetrator in author Barry Harden’s “Ada & Eddie.”

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The Synopsis

Finding the body of a young woman on the North York Moors creates a dilemma for Eddie, a reclusive homeless man who would rather commune with wildlife than tolerate humans. Ada, a feisty widow living nearby with a secret past, comes to the rescue. Together they embark on a mission to discover the identity of the young woman – a pursuit that unwittingly brings them towards a collision course with political corruption, murder, and betrayal. Written from Eddie’s point of view, the many conflicts are seen through his naive and simplistic view of the world around him. In contrast, Ada brings a more realistic, assertive approach to the perilous twists and turns they encounter while the presence of a deeply entrenched mole within their group of confidants keeps the reader guessing his identity. Ultimately, Ada, Eddie, and their cohorts successfully bring down an unscrupulous British government official, and in a shocking finale, the enemy’s unthinkable retribution is disclosed

The Review

This was a fascinating and shocking crime thriller meets mystery novel. The story is filled with twists and turns galore, with a fast and engaging pace. The development of Ada, Eddie, and their supporting cast felt realistic and allowed the reader to invest in their journey. The use of imagery in the author’s writing style made the entire book feel cinematic, as if this were a limited series playing out on TV. 

The themes of this novel matched the mystery of the story. While honing in on the murder from the first page and keeping readers engaged from the start, the author also hones in on themes such as the homelessness crisis and how debilitating isolation can be for some, as well as the power of corruption and how it impacts the world around us daily, allowing readers to become immersed in this crime-filled world the author has brought to life on the page.

The Verdict

Twisted, enthralling, and heartfelt in its delivery, author Barry Harden’s “Ada & Eddie” is a must-read crime thriller meets drama. The mystery and suspense of the narrative will stay with readers, and the pulse-pounding, at times emotional, and shocking final twists will stay with readers long after the book ends. if you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Barry Harden is the author of a memoir, five novels, two books of poetry and a collection of short stories in the genres of political thriller, satire, Gothic fantasy poetry, and allegorical short stories. An animal rights, environmental protection, and civil rights proponent, he often injects his affinity for such in his writings.

“Words can be like gems or sticks. A coalition of words can become a diamond necklace or a broken picket fence, whichever way one wishes to use them, and as such, I use them for my works of fiction and poetry. Dark fantasy can be alluring but dark reality is sometimes unavoidable and can cascade one’s imagination deep into the hollowed skulls that litter the subsoil beneath our feet, to be returned once again to the world in the voice of a poet.” ~Barry Harden

Some of Mr. Harden’s poetry can be viewed in video format on YouTube: Dark Gothic Poetry and Stories.

www.barryhardenauthor.com

We Won’t Go Back (Farewell to South Shore Book Two) by Charlene Wexler 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. 

In ” We Won’t Go Back, ” author Charlene Wexler’s second book in the Farewell to South Shore series, a woman finds herself reuniting with her mother’s activist friends after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. 

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The Synopsis

We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Charlene Wexler’s Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb of Chicago, devoting her time to her husband and two teen daughters. When the Supreme Court signals that it is going to overturn Roe v. Wade, Babs’ life changes as she reunites with her late mother’s fellow activists from the 1970s to take up the fight for women’s rights once again. But family matters continue to intervene—a close relative’s death, meeting a previously unknown half-brother, an unplanned pregnancy, and a nostalgic great aunt who wants her 100th birthday party to be a pilgrimage to the now-downtrodden South Shore community. Through it all comes a determination that We Won’t Go Back to a time when women lacked basic rights.

The Review

This was a powerful and engaging sequel to the author’s first book in this series. The balance between relatable character developments amongst the main cast of characters and the complex storylines that embody the realistic world we live in, at least in the United States, made this a powerful narrative to get lost in. The tension that the author was able to build in the characters’ interactions with one another helped elevate the emotional climaxes of each storyline as they all came together so naturally that readers could connect with each character’s struggles.

The critical themes this book embodied were so relevant and memorable that they became the heart of this novel overall. Themes including women’s rights, the political division that has grown exponentially in recent years, and the impact that it has on everyone from friendships and relationships to families as a whole, all played a role in the dynamics and struggles that these characters endured, including personal losses and shocking revelations, allowing readers to connect on a much more personal level to the characters themselves. 

The Verdict

Moving, emotionally charged, and compelling, author Charlene Wexler’s “We Won’t Go Back” is a must-read women’s and political fiction novel. The narrative’s twists and turns, the characters’ relatability and struggles, and the relevance to our modern world make this one book readers won’t want 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

Copyright JS_ECKERT 847-373-3937.

Native Chicagoan Charlene Wexler is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She has worked as a teacher and dental office bookkeeper and as “a wife, mom, and grandmother,” she said. In recent years, Wexler’s lifelong passion for writing has led her to create numerous essays as well as fiction. Her work has appeared in several publications, including North Shore magazine; the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry’s Vision magazine; Alpha Omegan magazine; the book and CD Famous Poets of the Heartland: A Treasury of Beloved Family Poems, Talent, OR: Famous Poets Press, 2014; and the Gazette newspaper of Chicago.

https://charlenewexler.com/

Death at a Wedding by Marc Watson 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. 

Death himself attends his first wedding and must discover why rips in the fabric of time and space threaten to open up in author Marc Watson’s “Death at a Wedding,” the dark romantic comedy sequel to Death Dresses Poorly.

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The Synopsis

Death, the Grim Reaper himself, has received his first ever wedding invitation. Although perceived as an all-knowing, all-powerful being, he’s still clueless on how to act in public. That… and what to do about all the mysterious rips forming in time and space, threatening to consume all of existence.

But maybe, just maybe, Victoria can help him out with all of that before it’s too late.

In this unexpectedly dark romantic comedy sequel to Death Dresses Poorly, Ethan will come face to face with new love, old loss, completely average hamburgers, and finding out exactly what it takes to finally be free.

The Review

This was such a powerful and memorable read. The author brilliantly captured the emotional and philosophical aspects of the act of “Death” while also giving the protagonist Ethan, aka Death, a unique personality and dark humor that played well with this cast of characters. What makes Ethan such a dynamic character is that we see him wrestle with the life he had before becoming Death, and what it means to be still human while also having this ultimate cosmic power. Seeing him struggle with guilt and self-doubt while coming to terms with significant, universal concepts was refreshing and engaging.

The heart of this story was not just the grand mythos surrounding death as a concept and character, but in the end, what it means to be human and how precious life is. Getting to see both Ethan and the people he meets as both his human self and his Death self wrestle with these deep and meaningful concepts while also having a deep seated humor, especially between himself and his sister Arlene, showcases the power of life in the everyday and the mundane, not just the cosmic nature of life itself.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, imaginative, and entertaining, author Marc Watson’s “Death at a Wedding” is a must-read contemporary fiction meets fantasy and metaphysical fiction book. The twists and turns in Ethan’s journey, the dark yet relatable humor, and the mind-bending concepts surrounding death will keep readers invested in this growing series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Hello, I’m Marc Watson, and I write stuff. I’m an author of genre fiction (primarily Fantasy and Science Fiction of all lengths). I began writing at the age of 15 with a pen and paper, and I’ve never really stopped, even though until recently it was more of a background to me than my defining trait. I have been published on flash fiction site www.101words.org, as well as comedy site www.thecorrectness.com. I’ve been a student of the excellent writing classes at Athabasca University for a number of years.

I live in Calgary, Alberta, and was spawned out of the depths of Southern Ontario. I’m a husband, proud father of two, and can be sometimes found at an actual job. I’m an avid outdoorsman, martial artist of some high repute, baseball player of very little repute, and lover of all Mexican foods. One day ‘World Famous Poutine Aficionado’ will be on my business cards.

You can also find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marcwroteabook, and on twitter at @writewatson. For public appearances and interviews, I am proudly represented by Creative Edge Publicity.

https://marcwatson.ca/

When Dani Smiled by Athina Paris 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 Athina Paris explores the complicated and haunting reality of modern dating in the novel When Dani Smiled, as one young woman explores a new relationship with one man while confronting a chilling stalker.

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The Synopsis

Stranded on the side of a highway, Dani, a young fashion designer and IT expert, calls to reschedule an important interview, only to discover that her future boss is in the hospital. Nicholas, playboy and heir to Galfrey’s, can’t help but be intrigued by the young woman’s voice on the phone and races to her rescue.

Attraction is immediate and mutual, but whereas Nicholas has never waited for anything in his life, Dani quickly dampens his enthusiasm by refusing to be rushed into a casual liaison.

Sams is handsome, ambitious, and rich, but also self-centred, with huge self-entitlement issues, manipulative, and believes Dani belongs to him. A master programmer, he is also no fool and realises that he is about to lose what he has never had; Dani, and so begins a dangerous stalking game. It is up to Dani not only to outsmart Sams, but also save Galfrey’s and herself, as Sams is the keeper of a secret, which he hopes will coerce her into submitting to his twisted desires.

The Review

This book was fast-paced and instantly engaging. The author easily introduces the core cast of characters, including protagonist Dani, in a natural way that allows the world around these characters to grow and thrive in its own right. The instant connection between Dani and Nicholas, as well as the complicated history in Dani’s life that becomes an ever present entity in their growing relationship, allowed the reader to connect with the protagonist immediately, connecting on both an emotional and psychological level that spoke to the experiences many people face in this modern world.

The heart of this story and the hook that allowed readers to invest in this character’s arc is the exploration of the theme of stalking and the inherent dangers that come with it. Sams’s haunting nature and attitude in the situation, from his sense of entitlement and mentality of what Dani owes him, showcase the scary nature of this particular crime. The exploration of the psychological impact this has on victims of stalking came to life so clearly on the page.

The Verdict

Emotional, engaging, and atmospheric, author Athina Paris’s “When Dani Smiled” is a must-read contemporary romance meets suspense novel. The twists and turns, the gripping character growth, and the powerful themes will stay with readers long after the final chapter. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Athina Paris spent her formative years in Mozambique, where she was born. Years in convents and boarding schools prompted a deep curiosity, which quickly developed into an avid interest in reading and storytelling that led to a lifelong obsession with the written word and books. By fifteen she had discovered ancient civilisations and became fascinated with various mythologies.

She became a spectator of human nature, but quiet and shy, she preferred recording conduct, and so built a treasure-trove of relationship observations from which she eventually drew backgrounds for the characters in her romantic novels.

She studied Interior Design then turned to Creative Writing, and followed that with Script-writing.

Set in faraway and exotic places, Athina’s epic romances take her characters on voyages of self-discovery while dealing with catastrophic love lives in an imperfect world.

A stint as a high school English teacher polished her skills but she now concentrates on her professional goals of writing, editing, and proofreading.

http://authorathinaparis.com/index.html

Interview with Author Marina Osipova

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

The idea of becoming a writer never entered my mind until I moved to the United States from Russia. With my little English, I, inevitably, should have set my mind on studying the language seriously. I signed up for an ESL course in Manhattan, NY. To evaluate the level of my knowledge, the teacher asked me to write a quick test. “My name is . . . I was born in . . . I came from . . . Something like that,” she said. Boring, I thought. Let me write a story, I decided, and I did. It was about a young man in the subway car, who took a sit facing me. He blew his nose into his blue and white floral kerchief, scrutinized the result, then wound the kerchief around his head covered with dark, long, braided hair.

Next time I had the class, during the break, I presented my very first literary opus to the teacher. While she was reading it, I watched her eyebrows shooting up several times. Returning the paper with my scribbles, she said, “You should publish it.” Years later, after two manuscripts, one of 600 pages and the other of 260 (eventually, I buried them somewhere in the bottomless deposits of my PC) the idea of writing a story, which would be set up during WWII came to my head. Since then, I have published seven books, all WWII historical fiction, except for the last one, which is a bit different.

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 2) What inspired you to write your book?

My own life. I was born in East Germany, in Beelitz-Heilstätten, a Soviet military hospital, and since I can remember myself, I wanted to visit the place. My desire came true in 2018. The history of the place is so rich and ominous, I couldn’t help but to tell its story to my readers.

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

WWI, WWII . . . Other wars . . . Before and after . . . Wars wasted millions of innocent lives. What for? The territories? Subsoils with deposits of minerals? Somebody’s (or of a group of individuals) ambitions? Lust for power and recognition? Why do some people become murderers? Isn’t it all relevant today?

I hope the readers of my book will close the last page and ask themselves, “Why?” and “Should we remember?”

“The one who doesn’t remember history is bound to live through it again.” — George Santayana.

 4) What drew you into this particular genre?

All my published books are historical fiction. This one, to some extent, is too. To integrate my personal life experiences and biographical details, I resolved to turn to the elements of time-slip, thriller, and psychological drama so to broaden my readership, to make my book more appealing to those who are interested in these other genres.

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

Writing WWII historical fiction, I subconsciously wanted to come face to face with Adolf Hitler—his inescapable presence is obvious in all my books. I made this wish come true in this story. If you read it, you’ll feel my feelings and disgust at this evil of the 20th century. Unfortunately, his insidious influence on some minds expands—a sickening trend tendency!

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

Bloggers like you, Anthony, and FB helped me to find most of the like-minded people, writers and readers.

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

Who was it who said that everyone has a story to tell? If you feel you can’t continue living without telling your story/stories to the world or just to yourself, don’t suppress this inner push – write and see if it makes you happy. Don’t think about fame and money. Only a bunch of authors live on royalties. Do it for your inner peace and excitement. Trust yourself. Write only if you feel you’ll “drown” if you don’t. Write from your soul. If the process, however difficult, brings you joy, it’s a sign you are a writer.

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

My problem is that too many enticing stories live in my head, waiting to be spilled into my PC screen. Time will show which one will win next time.

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About the author

Marina Osipova was born in East Germany into a military family and grew up in Russia, where she graduated from the Moscow State Institute of History and Archives. When she was five, she decided she wants to speak German and, years later, she earned a diploma as a German language translator from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Languages. In Russia, she worked first in a scientific-technical institute as a translator, then in a Government Ministry in the office of international relations, later for some Austrian firms. For many years, she lived in New York, working in a law firm, and then in Austria for several years. In the spring of 2022, after spending ten months in Russia, some unfortunate world events brought her back to the United States.

A long-standing member of the Historical Novel Society, she is dedicated to writing historical fiction, especially related to WWII. Her books garnered numerous literary awards, including a 1st Place WINNER of the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards novel competition for 20th Century Wartime Fiction (a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards). At some point or another, all her books hit the Amazon Top 100 lists in Historical Russian Fiction and Historical German Fiction and even #1 or #2 in War Fiction in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Her readers praise her books for emotional realism, for taking on a subject few authors have touched, for writing with heart and compassion while not holding back from hard cold realities of war, for giving an authentic and in-depth look at a culture that tends to baffle westerners.

Osipova is passionately dedicated to the stories she writes, but when away from her desk and laptop, she, even if for one time, knows how it feels to fly with a helicopter over the Alaskan glaciers, to jump with a parachute upstate NY, to dive to the bottom of the Black Sea with a scuba gear, to fish on a little boat in the Gulf of Siam and catch a real shark however small. She brags about mounting a pensive elephant in Thailand, or an apathetic camel in Gran Canaria. She will never forget her experience riding a retired Russian circus mare who tried to throw her off, which she found much scarier than riding a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle at a speed of up to 260 km/h (about 162 mph). She experienced a thrill while zip lining through boreal forests at a dizzying height. She will never forget that feeling of humble ecstasy while performing on stage of an off-off (but close) Broadway; the most profound excitement she experienced as Marquerite in Camino Real by Tennessee Williams and Queen Elizabeth in The Dark Lady of the Sonnets by George Bernard Shaw. What other dreams does she have? Well . . . to find herself inside a Cheops pyramid (not like a mummy) and write all the stories that populate her head. The To-Write-List is big and growing.

Website: https://www.marina-osipova.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marina.osipova.14/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4701687.Marina_Osipova

Max and the Mighty Hurricane by Ben Jackson and Chrissy Hobbs 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. 

In the children’s book “Max and the Mighty Hurricane” by authors Ben Jackson and Chrissy Hobbs, a young boy learns the essential things that matter when facing a deadly storm.

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The Synopsis

A hurricane is barreling toward Max’s coastal home. Max is scared. What will happen to his family and friends and home as this monster storm roars in?

Max knows about hurricanes. Over the years, some have hit his coastal town. The locals talk about ferocious winds, heavy rain, and flooding. His mom and dad are worried about the hurricane, which is getting stronger by the hour.

Max worries his home could be blown away. He’s nervous as his dad helps them gather the supplies they will need. When his parents tell him it’s time to evacuate to an emergency shelter, Max wonders if his world will ever feel safe again.

Max and the Mighty Hurricane explores the natural fears of a young boy who is forced to face the possible loss of his life, his home, and the people he loves. As Max and his family, friends, and neighbors come together, they show us the power of community in the face of a major natural disaster.

Max and the Mighty Hurricane is an engaging resource for parents, grandparents, and educators to help young people understand and accept our natural fears of extreme weather events and plan ahead to survive them. Included are checklists for emergency supplies, links for online resources, and an Award of Merit for young weather heroes.

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The Review

This was equal parts educational and engaging. The authors did an excellent job of crafting a narrative that felt realistic and informative while also providing illustrations with rich tones and powerful images that spoke volumes about the nature of hurricanes and life in towns within a hurricane’s path.

What stood out about the book was how relatable the characters were to readers and the balance the authors struck in the terrifying reality of storms such as hurricanes and the essential things in life. While the fear that can come with dealing with powerful storms like the one found in this book is very relatable, the struggle with the destruction and loss of property is equally relatable, and not without its merits. However, the authors do a great job of showing how important it is to remember that no matter how devastating property loss can be, keeping our families safe is far more important than things, a lesson that younger children could easily adapt to now.

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The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and educational, authors Ben Jackson and Chrissy Hobbs’s “Max and the Mighty Hurricane” is a must-read children’s book. The information and the passion the authors poured into this book, as well as the connection readers will make with the characters and their struggles, will surely bring parents and children together, especially when facing a crisis of their own. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Ben is the owner and writer for Author Services Australia, while also working at Indie Publishing Group Inc.

Ben Jackson was born in Tasmania, Australia, and is a successful indie author that has been writing for over four years. Ben owns and manages a self-publishing company, Author Services Australia, which helps Australian authors self-publish their books. 

Ben is married to Sam Lawrence, and together they specialize in self-publishing children’s books. They have been married for several years and have traveled together between Australia and Canada. Ben is also a freelance writer that specializes in writing website content for businesses and a wide variety of different articles. They have published a series of children’s books called My Little Fart, Hockey Wars, as well as If I Was A Caterpillar and several other non-fiction books.

Chrissy Hobbs, also known as Sam Lawrence, is a bestselling author of the My Little Fart and Hockey Wars series. Since 2015, she has been writing books with her husband, bringing humor and heartfelt stories to readers worldwide. Before her writing career, Chrissy spent seven years as a police dispatcher, a role that profoundly influenced her passion for emergency management. Recently, she has returned to her education, expanding her knowledge in emergency management as she plans to step back into the field.

While pursuing her studies, Chrissy noticed a significant gap in children’s literature—books that help kids navigate the emotional and physical challenges of natural disasters. Having witnessed the devastation of recent global disasters, Chrissy felt called to create stories that inform and empower children during these challenging times.

Her Navigating Natural Disasters series is designed to help kids understand what happens during disasters, how to prepare, and, most importantly, how to process their emotions and find strength in their community. Through relatable stories of resilience and hope, Chrissy aims to provide children around the world with the tools to face life’s storms with courage and confidence.

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Softball Strikeout: Pitch Perfect by Ben Jackson & Sam Lawrence 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 young girl must balance her schoolwork, a new business venture, and her softball team in authors Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence’s “Softball Strikeout: Pitch Perfect.”

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The Synopsis

Olivia had been scared starting over in a new town, with new friends and a new softball team, but her worst fears hadn’t materialized, and, in the end, she was settling in as the Blue Jay’s lead pitcher and had quickly formed a small group of core friends she was growing to love.

With the first softball game of the season done and dusted, the Blue Jays were off to a great start, but could they carry their winning momentum into their upcoming games? Only time will tell.

The girls were working hard on and off the field, with a new business venture quickly taking shape and their friendship group getting a little bigger with a new addition to the trio. However, Olivia knew that she couldn’t afford to slip up. She’d need to put 100% into everything, including softball, her schoolwork, and her new business, if she didn’t want it all to come crashing down.

Will Olivia’s new business collide head-on with softball and schoolwork, or will she be able to pull it off? Read Softball Strikeout Pitch Perfect now to find out!

Stay tuned for more books in the Softball Strikeout Series!

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The Review

What a fun and heartfelt read. The authors did a fantastic job capturing the story and the characters that made the first book so relatable while providing new challenges that reflect the problems many people face in their youth, especially when juggling real life with athletics. The realistic descriptions and imagery in the author’s writing style were memorable and vividly ingrained the reader in these characters’ lives.

Much like book one, the second book in the series perfectly balanced rich and dynamic character development with personal themes that many readers can relate to. The themes of friendship, teamwork, and finding balance were well represented, and the characters were memorable and relatable. The entrepreneurial spirit that the protagonist and her friends showed in their new pet-friendly business and the struggles with acceptance and even early relationships with others in school will be something so many readers will respond to favorably. 

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, evenly paced, and entertaining, authors Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence’s “Softball Strikeout: Pitch Perfect” is a must-read children’s and middle grade coming-of-age story. The ability for young readers and parents alike to see themselves in the shoes of these characters and the struggles they faced in their youth will resonate with so many and keep readers eager for more in this series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Ben is the owner and writer for Author Services Australia, while also working at Indie Publishing Group Inc.

Ben Jackson was born in Tasmania, Australia, and is a successful indie author that has been writing for over four years. Ben owns and manages a self-publishing company, Author Services Australia, which helps Australian authors self-publish their books. 

Ben is married to Sam Lawrence, and together they specialize in self-publishing children’s books. They have been married for several years and have traveled together between Australia and Canada. Ben is also a freelance writer that specializes in writing website content for businesses and a wide variety of different articles. They have published a series of children’s books called My Little Fart, Hockey Wars, as well as If I Was A Caterpillar and several other non-fiction books.

Owner and head formatter at Indie Publishing Group Inc.

Sam Lawrence was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and has traveled extensively in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. She founded and operated a self-publishing company, Indie Publishing Group Inc., specializing in helping indie authors self-publish their books. She grew up playing hockey and still plays in a recreational league. Sam is the proud mother of two boys and one girl and enjoys volunteering with the London Lacrosse Association.

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A Song at Dead Man’s Cove by Ana Yudin 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. 

In author Ana Yudin’s ” A Song at Dead Man’s Cove,” a young woman is confronted with a terrifying reality when a spirit targets her. She must solve the mystery of what happened to this spirit before it is too late.

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The Synopsis

Never turn your back on the ocean…

2023. Another person has disappeared at Dead Man’s Cove in coastal Washington. Jaded from her job at the historic Irving Hotel, Zarya wanders to the scene of the tragedy. She has heard her Russian mother’s tales of rusalki—vengeful spirits that have died unclean deaths near a body of water—and never paid them much attention. But now, on a misty headland beside an abandoned lighthouse, Zarya locks eyes with the rusalka and is chosen to be the next victim. She must unearth the siren’s tragedy before Rusalka Week, a period in early summer when water-spirits roam freely on land.

1850. Josephine has just joined her newlywed husband in Washington, in the lighthouse erected by local businessman Hurley Irving. Marriage is not quite what she expected, and her melancholia grows over the course of the winter. The medic prescribes pregnancy as the antidote. What he doesn’t realize is how far Josephine is willing to go in order to become a mother.

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The Review

What a truly emotional, compelling, and haunting gothic horror read. The atmospheric nature of the setting and tone this novel exuded from beginning to end was intense and mesmerizing, with the reader instantly transported to this small Northwestern Pacific town. This narrative also artfully handled the idea of small-town life and deep-rooted beliefs playing a role in how events are perceived.

The heart of this narrative was the rich history of life in the mid-nineteenth century, especially life in a coastal town, and the rich character development explored in both periods. The historical fiction bend in this gothic horror story was an excellent addition that made the narrative feel more alive and pronounced on the page. The root of both perspectives and protagonists, Zarya and Josephine, respectively, explored what it truly means to be haunted in life, both emotionally and psychologically, giving readers more depth to this horror story and inviting them down the rabbit hole, so to speak.

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The Verdict

Haunting, engaging, and heartbreaking, author Ana Yudin’s “A Song at Dead Man’s Cove” is a must-read gothic horror novel that is impossible to put down. The twists and turns the story takes, and the question of what happens when the ghosts chasing us are those of people who never were, make this one book that readers will turn to time and time again, much like Henry James’s “The Turn of the Screw,” making it an instant classic. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ana Yudin is an author, content creator, and Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She writes Gothic horror, psychological thrillers, and journaling workbooks.

https://www.dranayudin.com/

The Ashes of Coral Cove: Murder and Mayhem in Paradise by J.J. Macaw 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 violent storm and a powerful fire reveal a shocking death that unravels a small town’s hidden secrets in author J.J. Macaw’s “The Ashes of Coral Cove: Murder and Mayhem in Paradise.”

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The Synopsis

A massive storm sweeps Coral Cove. Townhall consumed by flames. The city clerk’s tragic death sparks suspicion.

Maxine Harper, (Maxy) is a renowned investigative reporter who returned to her childhood hometown, steps into the web of confusion and chaos with Tony Blane, high school sweetheart turned therapist. Tom Mitchell, a retired cyber sleuthing expert and local bookstore owner, adds his unique skills to the investigative team. Recalled intimacy sparks between Maxy and Tony as they dig through the town’s past..

The arson investigation smolders under the fire chief’s incompetence, and the community’s trust burns out quickly. With remarkable skill and steely determination, the trio unravels a puzzle of cyber clues, red herrings and long buried motives.

A forgotten victim turned villain lurks amid the ashes. With vengeance in his veins and decades of rejection in his heart, he continues his arsonist rampage, targeting Coral Cove’s historic buildings.

As embers cool, the team races against time to uncover the truth before Coral Cove’s history turns to smoke. A shocking confession halts the town’s heart.

The Review

This was a short yet powerful story. The author did a great job immediately captivating readers with vibrant scenery and relatable characters they could invest in. The emotional drama and intimate relationships the story explores, while adding weight to the suspense and mystery this narrative provides, kept the short story feeling balanced and engaging.

This narrative powerfully felt the rich history of this small town and explored small-town life. It explored the all-too-familiar theme of forgotten people and what happens to those forced to live on the fringes of a society, whether that be by choice or circumstance. The emotional heartbreak of that situation and the steady pace at which this mystery unraveled throughout the story made this a standout read.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author J.J. Macaw’s “The Ashes of Coral Cove” is a must-read small-town cozy mystery and suspense thriller. The mystery’s twists and turns, and the attention to detail the author paid to developing these rich characters, will make readers eager for more stories from the author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

J.J.Macaw is a pen name, but the biographical information here is real. His  prose reflects  the experience of being a husband of 34 years, parent and grandparent.  It also reflects his four decades of entrepreneurship, having founded several companies in such diverse fields as water treatment, public policy consulting, fertilizer manufacturing and engineering. This experience lends authenticity to the settings, characters and descriptions of science, technology and business operations as they occur in his novels.

J.J. is an avid sailor spending years sailing San Francisco Bay and its environs.  He also holds Dan rank in Aikido.

There are no spicey sex scenes nor an abundance of cursing or overt graphic violence in his novels . That said, his characters do what real people do and the characters reflect the fullness of their lives.

J.J. lives with his wife and two cats (who own the house). Panama became their home  a few years ago and enjoys writing in that beautiful country.

https://www.jjmacaw.com/