Tag: book review

What Was Never There: Short Stories by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo 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 Elizabeth Maria Naranjo shares a collection of short stories that taps into the theme of memory in the collection “What Was Never There: Short Stories”.

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The Synopsis

A mother and daughter lost in the woods must overcome their worst fears to find their way back. A father going through a divorce witnesses a seemingly impossible motorcycle accident,

which forces him to question the truth of his own perceptions. A little boy with a terrible secret routinely steals away at night to meet a girl beneath a willow tree—only to discover she has a

secret of her own.

What Was Never There is a collection of short stories with the common theme of memory, or rather, the way memory haunts us.

Includes Pushcart Prize nominated stories “We Never Get to Talk Anymore” and “The Dinosaur Graveyard" and the award-winning "Windows," selected for Best Microfiction 2023.

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The Review

This was such a haunting yet beautiful collection of short stories. The author does a remarkable job of creating a sense of atmosphere throughout each story as if the setting becomes just as crucial a character in each story as the characters themselves. The imagery drew the reader into the narrative, allowing the stories to evolve and grow naturally so that readers could feel drawn further into them. 

The author’s writing style stood out to this reader, as the author writes in a way that almost feels both poetic and cinematic, as if in an indie arthouse film. Stories such as Windows and Gravity highlight this writing style, as the reader can feel the artistry and emotion that these tales inspire in the readers. The depth of the characters in these stories also showcases the theme of memory quite well, exploring how memory can be a conduit to our perception of the universe.

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The Verdict

Thoughtful, imaginative, and engaging author Elizabeth Maria Naranjo’s “What Was Never There” is a must-read short story collection. The fast pace and compelling storytelling instantly draw the reader in, and their emotional connection with each story will make them eager for more of this author’s moving work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Elizabeth Maria Naranjo is the author of The Fourth Wall, The House on Linden Way, and What Was Never There. Her stories and essays have been widely published and nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best American Essays, and Best of the Net, and her short story, “Windows,” was selected for Best Microfiction 2023. She lives in Tempe, Arizona, with her husband and two

children.

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle:

Amazon Paperback:

Website: https://www.elizabethmarianaranjo.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emarianaranjo

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199240146-what-was-never-there

This Kind of Man by Sean Murphy

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 Sean Murphy shares a series of short stories exploring what it is to be a man in this world in the book “This Kind of Man”.

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The Synopsis

THIS KIND OF MAN offers an unvarnished look at life in 21st Century America, excavating the complicated, tender, wild truth of what it is to be a man across generations and relationships.

These stories interrogate the pressures and tensions of late-stage capitalism, and the ways men grapple with them, often without success. Issues such as marriage, fatherhood, aggression, alcoholism, gender expectations, generational backlash, and the inexorable dread of death, abound.

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The Review

One of the most profound aspects of this modern world is the discussion around gender and “what it is to be a man.” While I have taken a viewpoint that gender norms are nothing but social constructs, constantly changing depending on the era. Yet, as this book so artfully explores, gender norms for men, in particular, have always stemmed from some hard-hitting truths. What I think the author does brilliantly here is write stories that don’t serve as excuses but as insightful nods towards the circle of repeated behavior that has instilled anger and a sense of rash actions within men, more so now than ever. 

Each story was witty yet engaging, skirting the line between comfort and disturbance as the stories explored the many aspects of being a man in this world. Ironically, the emotional depth and honesty with which the author presented each story, and the exploration of troubling behavior linked to toxic family situations, a history of alcoholism, and unrealistic expectations of power and fortune placed on men from an early age, with a faux knowledge that people will view them as weak somehow if they don’t shut out their emotions and focus on career over family and emotions. 

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The Verdict

Vulnerable, heartfelt, and engaging author Sean Murphy’s “This Kind of Man” is a must-read collection of short stories. The author explores manhood and masculinity and how these men and their struggles impact the women around them. In doing so, he captures the mindset of many post-war American men and the often tragic circumstances between a father and their son and the relationship they form. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Sean Murphy is the Founding Director of 1455, a non-profit that celebrates storytelling. He has appeared on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and been quoted in USA Today, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and AdAge. A long-time columnist for PopMatters, his work has also appeared in Salon, The Village Voice, Washington City Paper, The Good Men Project, Sequestrum, Blue Mountain Review, and others. His chapbook, The Blackened Blues, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2021. His second collection of poems, Rhapsodies in Blue was published by Kelsay Books in 2023, and This Kind of Man, his first collection of short fiction, is forthcoming in 2024. He has been nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize, twice for Best of Net, and his book Please Talk about Me When I’m Gone was the winner of Memoir Magazine’s 2022 Memoir Prize. To learn more, and read his published short fiction, poetry, and criticism, please visit seanmurphy.net/ and @bullmurph.

Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip by Gail Ward Olmsted Review

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

A woman goes on a road trip and experiences a series of adventures along the way in author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip”.

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The Synopsis

In the fall of 1907, Katharine decides to drive from Newport, Rhode Island to her new home in Jackson, New Hampshire. Despite the concerns of her family and friends that at the age of 77 she lacks the stamina for the nearly 300-mile journey, Katharine sets out alone. Over the next six days, she receives a marriage proposal, pulls an all-nighter, saves a life or two, crashes a high-society event, meets a kindred spirit, faces a former rival, makes a new friend, takes a stroll with a future movie mogul, advises a troubled newlywed, and reflects upon a life well lived: her own!

Join her as she embarks upon her remarkable road trip.

Katharine Prescott Wormeley (1830-1908) was born into affluence in England and emigrated to the U. S. at the age of eighteen. Fiercely independent and never married, Kate volunteered as a nurse on a medical ship during the Civil War, before founding a vocational school for underprivileged girls. She was a philanthropist, a hospital administrator, and the author of The Other Side of War: 1862, as well as the noted translator of dozens of novels written by French authors, including Moliere and Balzac. She is included in History’s Women: The Unsung Heroines; History of American Women: Civil War Women; Who’s Who in America 1908-09; Notable American Women: 1607-1950; A Biographical Dictionary; and A Woman of the (19th) Century: Leading American Women in All Walks of Life and figures prominently in With Courage and Delicacy: Civil War on the Peninsula by Nancy Scripture Garrison.

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The Review

This was a heartfelt and thoughtful historical fiction meets biographical fiction novel. The life and impact of protagonist Katharine Prescott Wormeley were so fascinating to see come to life on the page, and the protagonist’s characterization engaged the reader immensely. The atmosphere and sense of adventure the book spoke to kept the reader engaged as the journey progressed. 

This novel’s themes of self-independence and living life on one’s terms were so impactful. The protagonist’s drive to live her life her way and her decision to do so despite the health, age, and social conventions others felt were a detriment to her life allowed the reader to get a sense of the real woman’s strength of character and free spirit.

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The Verdict

Adventurous, thoughtful, and fast-paced author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip” is a must-read historical fiction novel. The author does a great job of showcasing afterward the truth of the events in the book and the passion that made her life have such an impact on others. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today. 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a fulltime basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before she began Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical work of fiction featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband’s, and his wife Mary.

Her latest is a pair of contemporary novels featuring a disgraced attorney seeking a career comeback: Miranda Writes (9/8/22) and Miranda Nights (7/6/23)

For more information, please visit her on Facebook and at gwolmstedauthor.carrd.co

Past Life’s Revenge (A David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery) by Angela Van Breemen Review

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

A man discovers that in his most recent past life, he was murdered, and his murderer is still alive in author Angela Van Breemen’s “Past Life’s Revenge”, part of A David Harris and Emma Jackson Mystery series.

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The Synopsis

Have you ever had a dream that was so real, you were sure it was from a past life?

Since childhood, David Harris has suffered from debilitating nightmares. He has sought the advice of psychiatrists and other health professionals without obtaining any relief. When he meets an attractive young psychic, Emma Jackson, she encourages him to seek the help of her friend Anna Tungsten, a hypnotherapist. During an emotionally charged past life regression, David learns he was murdered in his most recent past life, thirty years earlier. When David realizes his murderer is still alive, he cannot move on and a build a new life with Emma until he has exacted revenge and stopped the murderer from killing again.

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The Review

This was such a compelling and thought-provoking thriller. The author does a remarkable job of creating characters that readers can engage with and become invested in their journey. The action and suspense of the main journey and the tension that threaded its way into the narrative made this a remarkable story. 

Yet the balance the author struck between mystery, suspense, and paranormal thriller really stood out to this reader. The concept of past lives and our connection to the universe as a whole stood out to me, and the twists and turns in the overall narrative as the protagonists delved deeper into this past life cemented the two protagonists as driven and capable characters that can drive readers further and further into this new paranormal mystery series. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and entertaining author Angela van Breemen’s “Past Life’s Revenge” is a must-read mystery and paranormal thriller. The shocking revelations and the equally shocking twists that take the protagonists to the edge emotionally and physically will have readers eager to delve deeper into this new series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Angela van Breemen is delighted to have completed her first novel, Past Life’s Revenge, a crime thriller with a twist of spiritualism. She is an avid writer of poetry, belongs to the Wordsmiths Writers’ Groupbased out of New Tecumseth, Ontario and is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and the South Simcoe Arts Council. Angela is a Soprano Soloist.

A firm believer in giving back to the community, she often sings for different charitable organizations. Music and poetry have been an integral part of her life, and in early 2024 she launched her debut album, In The Breeze. Celtic in nature, it includes three original pieces of music, based on her poetry.

Angela volunteers for Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, a group dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and safe release of orphaned and injured Ontario wildlife.

About Angela

Murder for Me by Russell Little 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.

Four people find their lives converging in shocking ways as a shocking plot starts to take shape in author Russell Little’s “Murder for Me”. 

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The Synopsis

Ava is a middle-aged socialite jogging through a wooded park near her Houston home. The trees and her earbuds provide the only escape from her problems. Little does she know another problem is waiting just ahead—the kind of problem that wants her dead.

Houston attorney Larry Lamb has his own difficulties to sort through. He’s mediocre at work and a failure at marriage, and there’s something inside him screaming to get out. It’s becoming harder and harder to control—and it’s affecting him in mysterious ways.

Ava’s husband Don is madly in love with Marilyn Ramirez, a woman with the power to convince men to do whatever she wants. Marilyn has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to have Ava murdered so she can have Don for herself.

When Don drops a six-figure retainer onto Larry’s lap to defend Marilyn, Larry schemes to dump the case and keep the money. But Marilyn has a different plan, and the minute Larry sees her, her plan starts working.

Can Larry resist Marilyn’s manipulation, or will she summon the mysterious voice hidden deep within him? Follow Larry’s journey into the mind in this dark psychological page-turner.

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The Review

This was a compelling and gripping novel. The author immediately does a fantastic job of setting up these dynamic and thoughtfully crafted characters, giving readers multiple perspectives to follow as the plot develops. Immediately, the book establishes the hint of mystery and danger as a series of failed hits on a woman unfold before the reader. Establishing these characters’ backstories and the tension that mounts over time will keep the reader on the edge of their seats.

The narrative was the heart of this book, as the novel took the time to layer the mystery and intrigue while still creating a fast-paced thriller. The complex character development and the shocking realities that unfold instantly draw the reader in, and the heavy atmosphere will stay with readers long after the final page unfolds.

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The Verdict

A dark and richly developed mystery thriller and suspense novel that blends the character development of a Dean Koontz novel with the intrigue of a Hitchcock film, author Russell Little’s “Murder for Me” is a must-read suspense novel. The twists and turns in the story and the shocking final scene will stay with readers well past the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Russell G. Little is a writer and practicing divorce attorney. Murder for Me is a fictionalized compilation of the many people he’s encountered over his lifetime and thirty-two-year career.

He lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife of thirty-two years, Melinda.

www.russelllittleauthor.com

Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America (US Travel Guide, Gifts For Fans of True Crime, Horror and the Paranormal) by Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Authors Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl share with readers a collection o the spookiest places in America in the book “Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America”.

The Synopsis

Grab your flashlight, garlic, and ghost hunting equipment. We’re taking you on the ultimate road trip of the spookiest places around the U.S.

Horror lovers, lifelong best friends, and co-hosts of the Horror Rewind podcast, Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl, have traveled around the U.S. to bring you the most thrill-inducing spots for horror, history, and true crime. They’ve compiled a list of what to do, where to stay, where to eat and drink, and where to shop to make your vacation-planning a breeze.

They’ve also delved into the history and pop culture of each spot, revealing hidden gems, most notorious true crimes, women you should know, horror books and movies set in the state, and other strange facts about some of the scariest places around the nation.

Here’s a small sampling of what you can expect to find in Travels of Terror:

  • St. Augustine, Florida: Take an open air trolley on the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour to the Old St Augustine Cemetery, Potter’s Wax Museum, Old Jail Museum, and a bevy of churches with their own macabre past.
  • Los Angeles, California: Stay at the haunted Hotel Roosevelt, where you may be visited by the ghosts of actors Errol Flynn and Montgomery Clift.
  • Portland, Oregon: Grab a cocktail at Raven’s Manor, a horror-themed bar with drinks like the Black Widow, Lilith, and Draught of Asphyxiation.
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Learn about the most famous true crime to happen there, when the wife of the Allegheny County Jail warden fell in love with a convicted murderer.
  • New York, New York: Celebrate Nia DaCosta, the first Black female director to have a film debut at the top of the box office, with the supernatural horror-slasher film Candyman in 2021.
  • Austin, Texas: Pick up souvenirs for friends and family at The Glass Coffin, a vampire parlor and horror shop.
  • Duluth, Minnesota: Visit Glensheen Mansion on the shores of Lake Superior, where Duluth’s most notorious murders occurred in 1977.

From big cities to small towns, get inspired to plan your own ghoulish getaway.

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The Review

This was such a memorable and remarkable book. When I am not reading or writing, my specialty is paranormal investigation. I have always been into everything from UFOs to cryptids and ghosts. We recently featured an episode of our latest paranormal investigation with my team, Phenomenon Paranormal, on our YouTube channel. So when this book came across my path, I knew I had to dive head first. 

The level of detail and insight the authors can give to this book drove me into the stories found within. The thing that stood out immediately was the level of different things the authors included in each city’s history, from the paranormal sightings and the infamous true crimes that put these cities on the map to the local sightings, films, and shows made there, and even the places a person will want to stay at and eat. The authors do an excellent job of not just presenting the information to the reader but instigating a sense of adventure and the need to hit the road, inspiring so many to delve into the strange, the macabre, and the unknown.

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The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and beautifully haunting, authors Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl’s “Travels of Terror” is a must-read paranormal nonfiction read meets travel guide. The knowledge and excitement that the authors bring to this subject matter and the adventurous tone the author’s writing strikes in the reader will have them returning to this book repeatedly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Kelly Florence teaches communication at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN and is the creator of the Be a Better Communicator podcast. She received her BA in theatre from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her MA in communicating arts from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She has directed, produced, choreographed and stage managed for dozens of productions in Minnesota including Carrie The Musical through Rubber Chicken Theatre and Treasure Island for Wise Fool Theater. She is passionate about female representation in all media and particularly the horror genre.

About

Bram Stoker Award nominated Meg Hafdahl is the creator of numerous stories and books. Her fiction has appeared in anthologies such as Eve’s Requiem: Tales of Women, Mystery and Horror and Eclectically Criminal. Her work has been produced for audio by The Wicked Library and The Lift, and she is the author of three popular short story collections including Twisted Reveries: Thirteen Tales of the Macabre. Meg is also the author of the three novels; The Darkest Hunger, Daughters of Darkness, and Her Dark Inheritance called “an intricate tale of betrayal, murder, and small town intrigue” by Horror Addicts and “every bit as page turning as any King novel” by RW Magazine. Meg, also the co-host of the podcast Horror Rewind and co-author of The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, The Science of Serial Killers, and the upcoming The Science of Witchcraft lives in the snowy bluffs of Minnesota. 

https://www.meghafdahl.com

Pegasus: A Journey to New Eden by James L. Hill Review

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

Two people set on a course for a new world to escape the madness of Earth discover hidden secrets on the ship they call home in author James L. Hill’s “Pegasus: A Journey to New Eden”.

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The Synopsis

Zack and Zuri are set to embark on the Pegasus for New Eden, an unknown and unexplored planet four light years from Earth. For Zack, four light years isn’t nearly far enough from the madness that has been mankind’s history. For Zuri, it is a chance to have the family she has so long desired. Pegasus is humanity’s greatest invention, a modern day Noah’s Ark, set to spread civilization to the stars. But Pegasus has secrets which some will do anything to possess, and Zack and Zuri have yet to discover. A journey to New Eden is an emotional rollercoaster that will take the pair to the depths of despair, launch them beyond heavenly delights, and into the heart and soul of humanity.

Pegasus, the first starship, will take the best that the world has to offer and transplant it on another world. Readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster as the only two people to escape the escalating madness must wrestle control of the ship from its Artificial Intelligence and restore faith in human dignity. In this work, readers see a future that is just around the corner. Beware, technology advances faster than our knowledge of what to do with it.

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The Review

What a truly epic and engaging sci-fi read. The world-building was incredible in this book, as the author not only layered the narrative with futuristic technology and the space spiders and their terrifying power, but the hero’s journey itself that these characters went on spoke to the scope of the universe that the narrative resided in.

The character development was impressive to see come to life on the page. Zack is a fantastic protagonist forced to work for a corporation in a world where corporations have more power than governments. Zuri, his beloved, is a strong female protagonist who is the perfect partner, and he compliments Zack on their adventures together. The imagery and atmosphere the author develops as the ship travels to New Eden and the shocking juxtaposition between the ship’s A.I. and the humanity Zack and Zuri represent make this an incredible story.

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The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and remarkable, author James L. Hill’s “Pegasus: A Journey to New Eden” is a must-read sci-fi thriller. The thought-provoking nature of the narrative and our relation to corporations and technology made the story vibrant and alive on the page, and the twists and turns in the book’s final pages will keep readers engaged and eager for more 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

A native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, James L Hill spent his adolescence years in Fort Apache, the South Bronx 41st precinct during the 60’s, during a time when you needed to have a gang to go to the store. Raised on blues, soul, and rock and roll gave him the heart of a flower child. Educated by the turmoil of Vietnam, Civil Rights, and the Sexual Revolution produced a gladiator. Realizing the precariousness of life gave him an adventurous outlook and willingness to try anything once, and if it did not kill him, maybe twice. 12 years of Catholic education and a couple of years in college spread between wild drug induce euphoric years, which did not kill him, gave James an unique moral compass that swings in any direction it wants. A scientific mind and a spirit that believes nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough guides his writings. He enjoys traveling to new places and seeing what life has to offer. James began writing short stories and poetry back in his early years. In his twenties moved on to novels. He worked in the financial industry and later got a degree in computer programming, his other love. James has a successful career as a software engineer designing, developing and maintaining systems for the government and the private sector. He has been programming for nearly forty years in various languages. After years in the computer world he returned to his first love, unleashing the characters in his head. Still a hopeless insomniac, he feels free to pound out plots. James L Hill is a prolific storyteller writing crime stories, fantasies, and science fiction, with a slant on the dark side of life. The next step on his journey naturally led to the business of publishing. He started RockHill Publishing LLC not only to produce his own work, but to give others access to the literary world. His computer background and experiences in word processing gives him insight into what it takes to publish good books.

https://www.jlhill-books.com/index.html

Return of the Grudstone Ghosts (Canadian Chills) by Arthur Slade Review 

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

Students at a Canadian school must discover the haunting secrets of the Grudstone school that resided where their school is now, and face the terrifying evil threatening to let loose on the world in author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts”, part of the author’s Canadian Chills series.

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The Synopsis

Terror stalks the halls of St. Wolcott School . . .

When Daphne’s sixth-grade teacher, Miss Vindez, plummets from the belfry of St. Wolcott School, Daphne and her friends Nick and Peach are plunged into a mystery that includes a long-ago fire that left behind twelve dead schoolchildren, tiny ghosts with nowhere to go, and an ancient evil just dying to break through into modern-day Moose Jaw.

Miss Vindez survives her fall, but things just aren’t the same–she’s spouting gibberish, and both Principal Peterka and the school janitor are definitely not themselves at all anymore.

Determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on, Daphne, Nick, and Peach dig up the troubled history of Grudstone, the school that used to stand where St. Wolcott is now. They uncover evidence of a crime so terrible it can hardly be believed. Worse, the terrifying perpetrator of that crime isn’t done yet–he has more horrible plans in mind. And all that stands in his way are three Moose Jaw school kids.

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The Review

This was such a fun and exhilarating read. The author does a remarkable job of combining paranormal mystery and school-age adventure in a way that feels somehow natural and relatable to young readers who have always felt that close-knit relationship amongst their friends as they seek out new adventures. The imagery and fast-paced narrative instantly draw the reader in as the mystery unravels.

The history and local culture in Canada was a unique aspect of the story, as it drew readers to the history of this area of Canada and the era in which gangsters hid contraband in hidden tunnels, harkening back to the early 20th century and the era of Prohibition in America as well. The heartfelt connection that the reader makes with the protagonists as they discover new clues and hidden pasts within the school grounds will keep them invested.

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The Verdict

Adventurous, entertaining, and thrilling, author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts” is a must-read paranormal YA thriller. The narrative’s twists and turns, the relatability of the protagonists, and the spooky yet heartfelt nature will keep readers returning to this series time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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

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

https://www.arthurslade.com/bio

Life Strikes Back (Back In A Year Series) by Candace MacPhie Review

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

Author Candace MacPhie continues to share her journey through a year of travel as she crosses through Eastern Europe in the book “Life Strikes Back”. 

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The Synopsis

Ahh—here I am—on my dream backpacking trip overlanding from Russia—through Eastern Europe—to Istanbul with my travel partner, Khadejah. Bring on the sunny days of exotic sightseeing, tasty new food, interesting people, and places I can get lost in to soothe my tattered heart.

But …

It rains most days.

Don’t even get me started on the food.

The locals are low on smiles.

And I’m drowning in grief.

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

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

__________

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

__________

Content Warning: Profanity, sexual harassment, sexual assault, consensual sexual content, parental grief, alcohol consumption, smoking, and visits to Holocaust sites.

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The Review

This was yet another compelling and engaging read. The adventurous nature of the author’s experiences and the vivid imagery that comes with the descriptive nature of those experiences, including the settings of each chapter. The rich culture of each country and the customs that went into each interaction gave readers insight into each country and their interactions and the era in which this book took place (the 90s).

The balance the author struck between her journey’s big, emotional moments and the more witty, humorous interactions she had made this an enthralling memoir. The bond she shares with her travel partner and the theme of travel being a means of healing from grief spoke to this author’s heart, as well as the connection readers can make with this deeply personal story.

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The Verdict

Thoughtfully, deeply engagingly, and incredibly presented, Candace MacPhie’s “Life Strikes Back” is a must-read memoir. The breathtaking imagery the author brings to life on the page and the thought-provoking life lessons the author experiences will keep readers invested as the book comes to a close. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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

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

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

Follow me on Instagram: @candacemacphie

Or on TikTok: @candacemacphie

And visit my website for trip photos: www.candacemacphie.com