Tag: book review

Gold: Heart of a Warrior by Eden Robins Review + Interview

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

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

A young explorer with a shocking past and an immortal warrior must temper their growing attraction in the face of a growing threat in author Eden Robins’s “Gold: Heart of a Warrior”. 

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The Synopsis

It’s just gonna be one of those days…

Empathic healer and business owner, Dora Alexander decided to celebrate her 25th birthday by exploring the stalagmites and stalactites in Kartchner Caverns. Kinda nerdy? Maybe, but you do you, right? Things take a nasty turn when an earthquake rocks the cave, leaving her alone in complete darkness. Searching for a way out, she accidently awakens an immortal warrior who’s kind of cranky after his 100-year nap. Wouldn’t you be?

Philoctetes, one of Demeter’s immortal Gold warriors wakes up to the disturbing sound of a female sobbing. Thinking she’s one of the Silver demons he’s sworn to hunt down and destroy, he almost kills her before realizing she’s human. Correction. Turns out she’s not just human. She’s also the woman responsible for sending his kind to hell and causing woe and misery for the entire human race.

Dora never asked to be Pandora reborn. And she certainly didn’t ask to be paired up with an insanely hot immortal demon hunter on a mission to save the world and redeem them both. But The Fates seem to have their own quirky ideas. One of them being if she and said hot demon hunter consummate the inferno like attraction blazing between them, they’ll simply cease to exist, with any memory of their time on earth erased forever.

Oh goody, the day just got worse.

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The Review

This was such an engaging and impressive blend of mythology and modern fantasy. The author masterfully brought the mindset and morality of the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses to life in the more modern-day setting of Arizona, with its blistering heat, technology, and desert environment. This allowed the reader to get lost in the rich atmosphere that was developed. 

The narrative did a great job of bringing out those epic, destiny-fueled adventures to life on the page, and the action and dangers the villainous Silvers represented allowed the reader to feel the stakes of this story. Yet the dynamic between the two protagonists and their back-and-forth chemistry that evolved and grew over time brought the heart of this narrative to life. Their singular evolution throughout the narrative and how they embraced their journey was unique. Yet, the growth they shared and the romantic tension were an immediate draw into the story.

The Verdict

Author Eden Robins’s “Gold: Heart of a Warrior” is a heartfelt, compelling, and entertaining novel. The narrative’s twists and turns, the emotional pull of the protagonists’ shared goals, and the shocking cliffhanger will keep readers eager for more of this incredible story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Eden Robins believes in second chances. Eden’s journey as an author started in 2000 with the release of her first book, a time travel romance entitled, Never Until Tomorrow. Over the course of the next eleven years, Eden wrote and shared nine stories from her heart with her readers. After a divorce and big changes to her personal life, Eden’s writing came to a crashing halt and her path took a different direction.

Twelve years after her last romantic tale was published, Eden found a home for her latest novel, Gold: Heart of A Warrior with Champagne Book Group. A magical, modern-day romantic romp into Greek myths come to life, this story gave her a second chance to do what she loves. Write. Connect with Eden Robins and check out her blog, Living the Path.

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Interview with Author Eden Robins

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

I’m a creatress at heart. Always have been. Creativity has been my companion and guide since I was little.  I love to create through writing, gardening, cooking, crocheting, and playing piano. I’m an avid reader who loves to get lost in a great book. I also love to move my body, whether that’s through dance, or hiking or running or jumping or working out at the gym. Moving my body on a regular basis keeps me happy. What I eat matters a lot to me as well. I switched to a mostly whole food plant-based diet several years ago, and like how that makes me feel. I enjoy being outdoors, but also can spend a lot of time writing, reading, and daydreaming inside my home. My home is my sanctuary, my respite from the rest of the world. I often interact in group settings and like to be social, but I always need to balance that with alone time to decompress for a bit afterward. I can be, at times, very “hermit-like.”

I got into writing after I finished my first book. Seriously, that’s exactly how it happened. Growing up, I journaled, penned poetry, and wrote some articles for my high school newspaper, but I never pictured writing as a career path rather than a hobby until I finished my first novel. Both of my parents were in the medical/science field, and I was (and still am) fascinated by many aspects of science. The catalyst for my dive into writing was the death of my paternal grandfather. After he died, I had regrets about not spending more time with him. I kept wishing I could go back in time to get to know him better. I felt the urge to sit down and write about it, and that’s how my first book, a time travel romance entitled, Never Until Tomorrow, was born. It was as I typed the words “The End” that I knew I was hooked, and realized writing was something I wanted to take seriously for the rest of my life.

From that point forward, I was lucky enough to find publishers interested in my work and have had the privilege of sharing ten of my published novels with the world.

What inspired you to write your book?

Each book has its own inspiration. My current release, a modern-day romantic romp into Greek mythology entitled, Gold: Heart of A Warrior, was inspired by a children’s book on Greek myths I had bought for my kids. I read a lot to my children while they were growing up and was always looking for literature that would stimulate their minds and inspire their imagination. I picked up Usborne Illustrated Guide to Greek Myths and Legends by Cheryl Evans, and the complex and juicy lives of the characters in these myths caught not only my children’s attention, but mine as well. Particularly, reading about Pandora opening the Jug of Woes and releasing evil and misery into the world pulled at something inside of me. I felt like this was a woman who had been used by the Gods (Zeus) as a pawn, and then forever punished and maligned after she had done the deed she was manipulated to accomplish. I began thinking about how her story could go in a different direction. I started wondering what would happen if Pandora was offered a second chance at life. What would she do? How would she live? Who would she become if she were no longer a pawn of the Gods, or at least less of a pawn than before?

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

The path to empowerment is always through the self, and second chances are possible at any age.

What drew you into this particular genre?

Love and hope. Although romantic fiction isn’t the only genre I write (I also write mainstream fiction and nonfiction), that feeling of falling in love is so magical. I enjoy creating that for my readers. I also like writing stories that have a happily ever after that leaves the sweet taste of optimism in my readers’ mouths. Those two reasons keep me excited about writing in the romance genre.

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

At this point, I’d have to say it’s Instagram. The reader community is very supportive, engaged, and interactive.

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

Just pick up the pen and write. It’s not about perfection or getting the grammar just right. There’s a magic in the process of simply putting your story on the page that can transform a writer’s thoughts into a masterpiece. As Michelangelo once said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” That blank page offers a writer the opportunity to unlock the story of their heart. Just start writing. The rest will come together.

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

The future feels so bright. Especially in light of the past. After my initial foray into my writing journey, with nine of my novels getting published, I hit a wall. I got a divorce, and for more than a decade after, I just couldn’t write. I came to believe my creativity had dried up. I didn’t put a book out into the world during that time. It was a frightening period in my writing, but looking back, I know that “ten years of drought” taught me so much and provided an evolution and a deepening for me that I needed. I understand now that while I wasn’t creating stories for my novels during that time, I was creating the story of my life. A story I needed to establish before I could continue my book writing journey.

Now, more than a decade with no books published, I’ve begun this second chance chapter of my life with the release of Gold: Heart of a Warrior. I’m forever grateful to my publisher, Champagne Book Group, for providing me with this opportunity to share my writing with the world once more. I’m excited to announce that editing has begun on A Warrior’s Peace, book two in my Gold series! I’m also working on a short story holiday collection of modern-day fairytales, a fallen angel romantic suspense, a magical realism retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, and a nonfiction book about the creative path. I’m so thankful to have my creatress back as my companion and look forward to her guiding me for years to come. 

Eden Robins believes in second chances. She’s been lucky enough to have a few in her life and knows there’s a magic in seizing the moment to try again. As a mentor, her heart’s purpose is to guide people into living as their full, innate, creative potential. As a writer, her heart leads her to inspire readers through her tales. Creating stories about people courageously living, loving, and experiencing life true to themselves, no matter how messy it gets, are the ones Eden wants to write and will keep writing for you…and for her. Connect with Eden at https://linktr.ee/edenrobins and check out her blog, Living the Path, https://awholeheartedme.com/blog

Concerning Decay of the Human Race (Human Condition Trilogy) by Massimo Fantini 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. 

An island isolated from the world shows the perils of social evolution (or the lack thereof) in author Massimo Fantini’s “Concerning Decay of The Human Race), the third book in the Human Condition Trilogy. 

The Synopsis

The small village of the Island of the Iguanas experiences the succession of different communities – sometimes forced to live together, sometimes taking over from a former generation. Each community possesses a culture and an assortment of certainties which it does not intend to give up, judging a priori the customs of those who preceded it as uncivilized or unreasonable.

Over the years, the community consolidates and grows, together with their prejudices, social injustices, and religious superstitions. The structural transformations of the village have repercussions on the ecosystem of the island which – starting as a protected nature reserve – becomes a hunting place, a tourist destination, and a favorable terrain for smugglers to exploit.

Thus, faced with the opportunity to adopt a new lifestyle – concerning principles of equality, safeguarding personal freedoms, and restoring the ancient harmony between man and nature – there are those who choose to follow the tested path of the government of man over man, which makes discrimination its founding principle, and those who choose to defy it. Social contrasts – delineated by origin, by social background, by acquired privileges – begin to arise within these communities, which are made up of heterogeneous families and members of different ages and ambitions.

Given the possibility to make a clean sweep of the past and rebuild the social fabric from scratch, will those who position themselves as leaders avoid the mistakes made by their predecessors or will they end up mechanically following the same steps laid out by human history?

The editing and translation of this book was done by Ian Zwaschka.

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The Review

This was such a unique and compelling narrative. The author does a beautiful world-building in this book, allowing the reader to become immersed in this island world and develop such unique cultures and different communities. The imagery the author utilizes within the narrative brings this island setting to life in a vibrant way, allowing the narrative to come alive in the reader’s mind.

Yet, as with every fantastic book in this trilogy, the author soars when delving into the philosophy and themes behind this story. The tension that builds slowly over time as readers read how each generation on this island evolves and takes on the prejudices and judgments of those who came before speaks to the very cyclical nature of humanity in a social setting and how giving into the government’s role in our society plays a significant role in that, as bigotry and injustice, along with particular religious beliefs, tend to impact the laws and social settings the rest of the community must live in, leading to a significant disparity between social classes. The exploration of why some people can rise above the bigotry of the past while others remain seething in that hatred was so remarkable to behold.

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The Verdict

Thought-provoking, insightful, and engaging author Massimo Fantini’s “Concerning Decay of The Human Race” is a must-read contemporary fiction narrative. The twists and turns in this island setting and the impeccable discussions of these themes drive the reader to make this a thoughtful and remarkable book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Greetings, readers.

I am Massimo Fantini, an Italian author and free thinker, writing from my home in the hills just outside Bologna. In quiet moments, when I am not writing, I enjoy classical music, particularly orchestral works for violin and the Italian opera.

I graduated from a university in Bologna with a degree in civil engineering. However, the studies of my youth do not represent my life’s obsession—that is, delving into those realities which unite all members of the human race: suffering, frustrations, conflicts, and the human reactions to these. They are the events and forces that take every human as an innocent in the crib and twist and turn them into 8.1 billion unique (but intimately connected) forms.

In short, I am obsessed with exploring the intimate recesses of the human condition.

In 2018, entirely dissatisfied with my job, I sought a new form of expression. Thus, I began to write. Incessantly.

I experimented with many kinds of writing. How best to give my ideas form? Then, I found my voice through stories, giving life to characters who explore, triumph, and fail for us to watch.

In each installment of my Human Condition Trilogy, these same all-encompassing issues are approached from different directions, under different circumstances, and by different characters.

Echoing the sentiment of Heraclitus, no two people may look at the same problem, because it is different to each. From the old cynical Leonard in Concerning Fanaticism to young Tommaso (a character inspired by my own youth) in Concerning Intellectual Suicide, I tried to cast a light on a path that is a constant part of our lives, but also constantly shifting.

Through my writing, I encourage readers to find their own perspective on life. Rather than embracing the comfortable mold which society provides, like a goldfish “free” to swim around in its little bowl, I hope my readers can use my books as a steppingstone toward their own unique way of thinking. And then, I wish them the freedom to pursue it.

Art is wonderful because it is a representation of what we otherwise cannot express. I seek not to provide myself and my readers with a mere distraction (what so often passes for “entertainment”). Not a hole in which to stick our heads for a few hours, only to emerge weakened and even less able to face our reality. Rather, I offer up a representation of our shared condition.

The Human Condition.

Concerning Fanaticism in The Human Race (Human Condition Trilogy) by Massimo Fantini 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. 

A seemingly simple law dispute turns into a gripping look into the human condition in author Massimo Fantini’s “Concerning Fanaticism in The Human Race”, the latest book in the Human Condition Trilogy.

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The Synopsis 

Elijah is a promising young lawyer, in love with his work and confident in the potential of the human race.

His law firm’s senior partner gives him his first important assignment. Elijah will have to follow the case of Leonard, an elderly engineer who lives in Montepastore, a small village in the Bolognese Apennines (Italy).

Leonard’s question concerns the supplementary contribution that engineers enrolled in the professional register are required to pay to Inarcassa, the Engineers’ Pension Fund. At first, the case seems simple. It was the subject of a previous ruling by the Court of Cassation. But Leonard is not satisfied with an institutional response. He wants to know why. He wants to know what hides behind the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Leonard’s demands grow meeting after meeting, and the subject of the dispute widens to include ethical, religious, and historical concerns.

As in the previous manuscripts, questions about the human condition are at the center of this philosophical debate. In the absence of answers, what is the point of writing about anything else?

The editing and translation of this book was done by Ian Zwaschka.

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The Review

One of the most compelling questions a person can ask is whether or not to trust what is being told. The dialogue and character growth that the author brings to life on the page is rich and driven, allowing the reader to get lost in the narrative. The setting and atmosphere the author can develop and the mounting tension add to an already thoughtful story.

Yet the discussion and philosophical journey that readers are presented with makes this story so inviting. The ability to question authority and tackle mounting ethical dilemmas as they are presented to us delves into our philosophy and how we interact with religion, politics, and the human mind overall. The way the author presents this discussion to readers gets the reader’s minds working and does so without going over the line of being abstract, allowing the story to shine brightly. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and gripping author Massimo Fantini’s “Concerning Fanaticism in the Human Race” is a must-read contemporary fiction that meets philosophical discussion. The twists in the narrative and the engaging character dynamics between Elijah and Leonard will keep readers on the edge of their seats while also looking inward at how we view blind faith and the ability to question authority for ourselves. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Greetings, readers.

I am Massimo Fantini, an Italian author and free thinker, writing from my home in the hills just outside Bologna. In quiet moments, when I am not writing, I enjoy classical music, particularly orchestral works for violin and the Italian opera.

I graduated from a university in Bologna with a degree in civil engineering. However, the studies of my youth do not represent my life’s obsession—that is, delving into those realities which unite all members of the human race: suffering, frustrations, conflicts, and the human reactions to these. They are the events and forces that take every human as an innocent in the crib and twist and turn them into 8.1 billion unique (but intimately connected) forms.

In short, I am obsessed with exploring the intimate recesses of the human condition.

In 2018, entirely dissatisfied with my job, I sought a new form of expression. Thus, I began to write. Incessantly.

I experimented with many kinds of writing. How best to give my ideas form? Then, I found my voice through stories, giving life to characters who explore, triumph, and fail for us to watch.

In each installment of my Human Condition Trilogy, these same all-encompassing issues are approached from different directions, under different circumstances, and by different characters.

Echoing the sentiment of Heraclitus, no two people may look at the same problem, because it is different to each. From the old cynical Leonard in Concerning Fanaticism to young Tommaso (a character inspired by my own youth) in Concerning Intellectual Suicide, I tried to cast a light on a path that is a constant part of our lives, but also constantly shifting.

Through my writing, I encourage readers to find their own perspective on life. Rather than embracing the comfortable mold which society provides, like a goldfish “free” to swim around in its little bowl, I hope my readers can use my books as a steppingstone toward their own unique way of thinking. And then, I wish them the freedom to pursue it.

Art is wonderful because it is a representation of what we otherwise cannot express. I seek not to provide myself and my readers with a mere distraction (what so often passes for “entertainment”). Not a hole in which to stick our heads for a few hours, only to emerge weakened and even less able to face our reality. Rather, I offer up a representation of our shared condition.

The Human Condition.

Our Time is Up: A Novel by Roberta Satow 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. 

A young woman struggling with grief and her journey to owning her identity showcases the heart of a psychoanalytical relationship with her therapist in author Roberta Satow’s “Our Time is Up: A Novel”.

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The Synopsis

This book is a memoir-like novel that captures an era, an ethos, and a sociopolitical sensibility through the eyes of a young woman struggling with autonomy, guilt, sexuality, and grief in the late 1960s. Both patients and therapists will recognize their own struggles in this depiction of Rose’s gradual blossoming in the sunlight of her analyst’s honesty, integrity, and devotion. I know of no other work that conveys analytic treatment, training, and passion so intimately and in such a pitch-perfect voice.

Our Time is Up is a profoundly moving dive into the nuance and beauty of the psychoanalytic relationship. Written with humor, compassion and an intimate understanding of the analytic process, the book shows love and loss and the true boundaries of time. It is a frank and refreshing fictionalized account of how a person comes comes through psychoanalysis to sit in the psychoanalyst’s chair herself. It is the important and deeply personal story of an interior journey.

Summer 2023

The Review

This was a heartfelt and compelling read. The author worked intensely to highlight the rich character dynamics between the protagonist and their psychoanalyst. The balance between the protagonist’s conflicting childhood and her work to better herself and confront that trauma in her adult life was profound and powerfully moving. The honest atmosphere that the author established during the protagonist’s sessions with the analyst and the tension that mounted as each childhood experience was peeled away like a layer in an onion made this narrative feel alive and heartfelt in its delivery.

The relationship and actions taken between the protagonist and her psychoanalyst were the pinnacle of this narrative. Through honest conversations between the patient and analyst, the reader can get a heartening insight into how therapy and working through past conflict can be an enriching experience, not without struggles but emotionally rewarding. The experience of how her past experiences in childhood color her modern experiences with relationships and her understanding of her womanhood were honest and insightful and led the reader to be moved by the author’s world-building and character development in the process.

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The Verdict

Ultimately, this was a story about being human and the human experience we all must endure throughout this life. While each person’s experience is unique, the direct nature of the protagonist’s relationship with her mother in childhood and later her psychoanalyst in her adult life made this an engaging, thoughtful, and remarkable story that has quickly become a must-read psychological contemporary American fiction novel. if you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Roberta Satow, Ph.D. is a practicing psychoanalyst in Washington, CT. She is a senior member of the faculty and control analyst at the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis. Dr. Satow is Professor Emerita of Sociology at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. In addition to her non-fiction book Doing the Right Thing: Taking Care of Your Elderly Parents Even if They Didn’t Take Care of You (Tarcher/Penguin 2006), she is the editor of Gender and Social Life (Allyn

and Bacon, 2000) and she has written a novel Two Sisters of Coyoacan (2017). Dr. Satow writes a blog for Psychology Today: 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-after-50

https://www.robertasatow.com

Interview with Author Paul G. Zareith 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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4) What drew you into this particular genre?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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About the Author

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

https://paulgzareith.ink

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

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

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

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The Synopsis

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

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

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The Review

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

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

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The Verdict

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

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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

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

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

https://www.katrinazaribooks.com

Somewhere in Minnesota: Short Stories by Jayna Locke Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

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

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The Synopsis

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

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

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

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

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The Review

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

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

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The Verdict

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

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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

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

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Ghost Hotel: Canadian Chills Book Two by Arthur Slade Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

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

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The Synopsis

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

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

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

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

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

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The Review

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

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

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The Verdict

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

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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

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

https://www.arthurslade.com

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

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

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

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The Synopsis

“Pure gold.” —Tom Dixon—

EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN

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

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

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

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The Review

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

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

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The Verdict

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

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

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

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

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

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

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