I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four authors take a unique deep dive into a beloved sci-fi collection in the book “Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter Book 3: Volume 1”.
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The Synopsis
Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter: Book 3: Volume 1 Digital Download (English)
The Shadow Agent By Amy Marsden Illustrated by Massimiliano Longo
A debt to the Planetary Council can be a death sentence if left ignored, so Jensen has no time to waste and zero room for mistakes.
Last Ride By Bradley Heywood Illustrated by Leonardo Guinard
You can’t teach an old horse new tricks, but can the Dirty Man Dyson learn to let go of the past?
Bunker 787: Blood & Fortune By Azalan Reign & Julian Fernandes Illustrated by Luis Bazzan
The island infested with Howlers has more secrets to reveal as shipwrecked members of the Oceanic Alliance and pirates clash for control of the abandoned PC bunker and its hidden treasures.
Homestead Refugee By C.M. Alongi Illustrated by Anastasia Nesterova
Dalmar knows to never trust anyone from Homestead, so when someone from the community of cannibals moves to her town, she is forced to stay vigilant and keep her friends close.
EFC Connections:
Light Connectivity- Book 8: Homestead Hunts, Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter: Book 2, Book 13: Elutheramania: Freedom City
The Review
What a fascinating, unique, and highly creative sci-fi adventure. Each story holds an extraordinary voice to the writing style, immersing the reader in the futuristic world. The mesh of different elements, from bounty hunters in the seedier parts of the world to mutants and cannibals in a lawless land and so much more, made these stories feel like a cross between Westward and Fallout.
The dynamic characters and rich storylines each story held were thrilling to get lost in. A personal favorite was The Shadow Agent by Amy Marsden and the protagonist Jensen’s journey. The twists and turns the author threw at the protagonist, and the following revelations kept the reader on the edge of their seat as the world came to life around them. The rich imagery in each author’s story, both the illustrations and the writing style, allowed each tale to come to life on the page, immersing the reader in their vast world.
The Verdict
Memorable, thought-provoking, and action-packed, “Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter Book 3: Volume 1” is a must-read sci-fi collection. The balance of emotional character development and action-driven narrative will keep readers invested until the final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four authors bring a unique collection of folklore with a modern twist in the book “Dark Tales of Whimsy”.
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The Synopsis
Dark Tales of Whimsy
Dark Tales of Whimsy is a collection of four short stories which weave elements of folklore with modern influences, engaging readers with tales of danger, curses, and more than a little mischief. This collection also includes illustrations by Oz Osborn.
Tooth, written by Simone Le Roux
In her short, Tooth, Simone LeRoux introduces us to Peg, who is feeling the pressure of surviving tooth to tooth. Join Peg and her ambitious cousin, Orla, as they aim to evade the woeful fate of Tooth Fairies who break the rules.
Anti-Cupid, written by Carlotta Cosmai
In Carlotta Cosmai’s story of love, we follow dead-beat husband and father, Cupid. In time, his arrows have been replaced by an enchanted smart phone, and his desires have become sleazy and self-serving. Follow his daughter, Pleasure, as she tries to bring true love back to Rome.
Little Miss Muffet Meets Anansi The Spider, written by Remy Fernandes
It’s been a while since ‘The Spider Incident,’ when Missy lost her foot from the bite. Now, she has grown to adulthood and landed a job at the Ice Cream Hut at the zoo. When her lunch break is interrupted by a talkative spider, Missy finds herself in a deal with a hungry, eight-legged intruder, whose antics could cost Muffet more than her job.
Three’s Last Stand, written by Alyssa Blackmon
In Alyssa Blackmon’s re-telling, we meet Three, the brick house-maker, who now has spent years being hunted by the big bad werewolf and his turned brothers. The day has come that Three can finally find closure with his brothers, and gain vengeance on the wolf.
The Review
One of the most challenging genres to break into is the retelling genre, which involves taking classic tales and giving them a fresh spin. Yet, in this collection, the authors have done just that, taking some of the world’s most iconic myths and legends and providing a unique, adult, and engaging spin. The amount of world-building that each tale can incorporate in such a short time is fantastic, and the haunting atmosphere that each story provides brings about that dark fairytale feeling that the collection aims to provide.
This was a short story collection driven by character dynamics. The heart of this collection was the way each story provided a unique, vulnerable, yet impressive protagonist to stand behind and a worthy problem to overcome. The chilling take on the black market and illegal thefts of children’s teeth regarding the lore of the tooth fairy was such an inspiring twist in the first tale and brought a standard of dark whimsy that each story thereafter lived up to.
The Verdict
“Dark Tales of Whimsy” is a must-read short story collection that is captivating, enthralling, and memorable. The chilling adult storylines and unique twists on iconic fairytales made this compelling collection richly developed and mesmerizing to behold. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Stephen E. Smith shares a vivid memoir from the mid 60’s that helps cope with the global COVID-19 virus in the book “The Year We Danced”.
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The Synopsis
With the number of Covid cases increasing and the death toll steadily rising, award-winning writer Stephen E. Smith decided it was appropriate — maybe even necessary — to write about happier, less stressful times.
In a box of forgotten files, he rediscovered loose-leaf binders and keepsakes from his first year of college. It had been more than half a century but reading through his course notes, personal observations, and the clippings he’d torn from magazines and newspapers, he pieced together the events, good and bad, tender and tragic, that shaped his freshman year.
Much of what he writes is disarmingly funny, but recalling the Civil Rights Movement, the War in Vietnam, and the complexities of finding himself a stranger in the South forced him to reassess a period of his life he’d long recalled as carefree. In this vivid and poignant mid-60s memoir, readers come to understand how friendship, a love of language and music, and the bittersweet remembrance of lost love can help sustain us through difficult times.
The Review
The biggest takeaway from this incredible memoir is the relatability so many readers will be able to have with it. The honesty and everyman-style of writing really speak to the author’s experiences and life well, and the way the author was able to incorporate humor and showcase the lessons and insights that the author gained during his life made this a compelling book.
The artistic and poetic nature of the author’s vision for this book was evident in every chapter. The author brought readers into these memories and experiences as if they lived through them. The rich and dynamic individuals that the author brings into the book from his life and the absurd humor that keeps the book fun and light while honest and enlightening in other moments make this a great book to get lost in.
The Verdict
Author Stephen E. Smith’s “The Year We Danced” is a humorous, relatable, and engaging memoir. Its unique absurdist writing style, entertaining memories, and heartfelt attention to detail about the era it describes make it a wholly unique read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man serving the final part of a 30-to-life sentence reflects on the life that brought him to this redemptive arc in author Paul Cody’s “Walk the Dark”.
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The Synopsis
Oliver Curtin grows up in a nocturnal world with a mother who is a sex worker and drug addict, and whose love is real yet increasingly unreliable. His narration alternates between that troubled childhood and the present of the novel, where he is serving the last months of a thirty-years-to-life sentence in a maximum-security prison in upstate New York, for a crime he committed at age seventeen. His redemption is closely allied with his memories, seen with growing clarity and courage. If he can remember, then life in the larger world is possible for him.
The Review
This was such a compelling and rich novel. The author expertly weaves a drama that delves into the prison system and the impact incarceration can have on individuals. The heavy atmosphere and the stellar use of tension and time jumps throughout the narrative elevated the protagonist’s story considerably.
The psychological impact of both life in prison and his complicated relationship with his mother and the women in his life made Oliver’s story so dynamic. The blurred lines between the past and the present as the author jumped around Oliver’s life allowed the reader to peel back the layers of the character’s experiences perfectly. The examination of what life for prisoners is like once they get out, especially after long sentences, gives readers a haunting image of the anxiety and stress that they face in the “real world.”
The Verdict
Author Paul Cody’s “Walk the Dark” is a must-read novel. It is memorable, engaging, and artfully written. The personal and character-driven narrative and the heartfelt exploration of this man’s life will keep readers hooked on the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Massimo Fantini delves into what drives people to switch off their brains and engage in irrational behavior in the book “Concerning Intellectual Suicide in the Human Race: a debate on the human condition”.
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The Synopsis
Intellectual suicide corresponds to the more or less conscious decision to switch off the brain and renounce rational thought in favor of attitudes dictated by superstitions, by established habits, by prejudices, by common places. The effects of irrational choices – made with the brain switched off – can be devastating for oneself and for the others. Examples range from conformism, to religious superstitions, to ideological fundamentalism, just to name a few possibilities.
Tommaso, the protagonist of this debate, is the victim of his parents’ intellectual suicide, perpetrated through procreation. Procreation – the unilateral act by which a couple throws innocent individuals into the stillicidium of life, without weighing the consequences that the hell of existence will have on them – is the most heinous form of intellectual suicide in the human race, not least because of the scale of its consequences.
The author’s intention is to shine the spotlight on the one reality that unites us all, that accompanies our lives from birth until death, but which is casted to our periphery: the human condition.
The editing and translation of this book was done by Ian Zwaschka.
The Review
This was a thoughtful and compelling philosophical read. Using satire and fiction to bring about the themes of conformity and forgoing critical thinking in society was a brilliant way to illustrate the author’s points. The idea that by engaging in superstition and even religious practices, one is essentially committing intellectual suicide, or in other words, ignoring rational thought and thinking for one’s self, was truly thought-provoking and kept the reader engaged thoroughly.
The unique thing about this book is that the author utilized a fictional, albeit satirical, story. Yet, the protagonist, the cast of characters, and even the setting all played a supporting role in this narrative. Instead, the book’s story helped elevate the themes the author was exploring and became a philosophical discussion between the author and the reader as Tommaso’s experiences reflect the intellectual journey the author encourages us all to embrace.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and compelling author Massimo Fantini’s “Concerning Intellectual Suicide in the Human Race” is a must-read satire meets philosophical book. The extensive discussions the narrative inspires, and the call to arms that allows readers to think for themselves and not because of others allowed this book to flow smoothly and keep the reader invested. 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.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Dolores Reynals goes on an emotional and heartfelt journey of self discovery, finding her true self and living life authentically in the book “The Smallest Wave”.
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The Synopsis
“There is fierceness in the smallest wave, even the tiniest ones that reach the shore do what they do with all their might. They don’t ask for permission, and they don’t care that they are small.”
Dolores Reynals was born with an insatiable curiosity and a longing to explore beyond the confines of her family and a conventional environment, giving her a strong determination to dive into the unknown and grow into her true self away from the influences of her youth.
Her quest leads her from her hometown of Mendoza, Argentina to Spain, London, Los Angeles, and Mexico. Sometimes settling and sometimes wandering, Dolores confronts questions that echo those of her past, contemplating femininity, authenticity, and the elusive meaning of home.
With raw emotion and poetic insight, The Smallest Wave is a woman’s journey to live true to the person she is, even if it means releasing everything else.
The Review
What a compelling and heartfelt memoir. The author does such an elegant job of capturing the sense of adventure and discovery that travel can bring to people. The use of imagery in the author’s writing, as well as a poetic writing style, allowed the reader to feel transported each time the author took a new step towards a new location and a new journey. The writing style was as sophisticated yet honest as an artist with a paintbrush, allowing readers to get lost in the words the author brought to life.
The themes of identity, self-discovery, womanhood, and home all felt very prominent in the author’s memoir. The thoughtfulness and honesty that allowed the author to deliver not only the experiences she had but the lessons she learned and the impact of those decisions on her overall journey made the book flow perfectly. The reader was able to feel like they were growing right along with the author as the trip progressed, and readers could instantly make a connection emotionally with the author as well.
The Verdict
Adventurous, heartfelt, and engaging author Dolores Reynals’s “The Smallest Wave” is a must-read memoir. The relatability of so many people, especially women who are looking to discover themselves, was remarkable to see a spark to life on the page. The amount of sympathy, heart, and compassion the reader feels for the author and considers the author brings to her own life as each experience teaches her something new will have readers returning to this book 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
Dolores Reynals was born in Mendoza, Argentina. She started out as a radio actress before moving to London to attain her BA (Hons) in Drama from the University of Surrey. Since then she has worked internationally and now lives nowhere in particular, often between Europe and Mexico.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A grocery store comes alive at night in author Daphne Herlihy’s “Oatis and Muriel: A Grocery Story”.
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The Synopsis
“What happens at night in the grocery store when the lights are out and the customers have gone home?” This is the question that the author asked her children that inspired this heartwarming and charming story. Together, they imagined a whimsical world in which the foods come to life and engage in play. The oats wear fancy coats, the fruits don formal suits and music is played by the string cheese quartet. But nobody could have predicted what happened one night. When Oatis stumbles, it is up to mopey Muriel to see if she can be brave and creative enough to save the day. Together, the friends learn that sometimes helping a friend in trouble is the best way to find out that you can shine brightly too.
The Review
This was a fun and playful story for children to get lost in. The vibrant illustrations and use of grocery store foods as the cast of characters were both imaginative and engaging, allowing children to interact with different food groups and have fun with the scenes of dancing and laughter that the foods displayed.
This book plays well with the themes of friendship and overcoming the odds through teamwork. Oatis’s work to cheer up Muriel and how Muriel snaps out of her funk when Oatis is in danger are great lessons for children to appreciate life’s small things and not take our friendships and relationships for granted.
The Verdict
Memorable, fun, and entertaining author Daphne Herlihy’s “Oatis and Muriel: A Grocery Story” is a must-read children’s book. The fast pace of the narrative and the balance of humor and heart will keep young readers engaged and prove to be the perfect bedtime story for parents. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Donna Carr Roberts shares the painful realities of loss and how to face it when it happens in the children’s book “When Bad Things Happen”.
The Synopsis
Join Mr. Fuzzy Ears and his family on a journey that transcends the boundaries of life and death. In this beautifully illustrated tale filled with laughter and tears, we all learn the timeless wisdom that even in the face of loss, love endures, memories persist, and the angels above us promise an everlasting connection.
When Bad Things Happen is a poignant exploration of the circle of life, inviting readers of all ages to find solace and joy in the bittersweet embrace of saying goodbye.
These delicate threads of life intertwine to create a timeless tapestry of hope and remembrance. The warmth and grace of the illustrations in this book depict love that says every goodbye is but a prelude to a new beginning.
The Review
This is definitely a much more emotional yet much more engaging entry into the author’s children’s book series. The warmth of the watercolor images is a great juxtaposition of the cold reality of loss and the pain that can result from it. Yet the author does a remarkable job of showing the solace and warmth that can come from keeping the memory of those we lost in our hearts and cherishing the good times over the bad.
As a pet parent myself, who in recent months lost one of my fur babies, it is incredibly relatable and memorable to see how the characters react to the loss. The author does a remarkable job of not only diving into the complex reactions and feelings that loss can bring but also creating conversations between children and their parents to better understand when these sudden tragedies occur.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, heartfelt, and engaging author Donna Carr Roberts’s “When Bad Things Happen” is a must-read children’s book. The book offers notes of sadness yet hopeful tones of love and enriching lessons that parents can help teach their children through it. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Donna Carr Roberts is the author and illustrator of The Adventures of Mr. Fuzzy Ears book series. She has been the Artist in Residence at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and a professional portrait artist.Donna has had a lifetime of business careers but none as much fun as working on Mr. Fuzzy Ears. The funny antics of her dogs, Scamp, Izzy, Sofie and Teddy inspired her to write this book. The funny, loving, caring fables help children discover that all of us have the power to make life better for these helpless animals who offer us unconditional love. As a child, her favorite books were My Book House with remarkable stories and illustrations that have influenced her work today. Donna is a member of SCBWI, Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, and a Member with Distinction with American Women Artists.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman with a target on her back and a man haunted by his past must work together to prevent armageddon in author Bruce Farmer’s “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge”.
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The Synopsis
Dive into the heart-pounding world of “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge,” where the stakes are high, the tension is palpable, and every page brims with adrenaline-fueled action. Author, Dr. Bruce Farmer delivers a tour de force military thriller that rivals the best of Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher.
Meet Haddy Abrams, a fearless warrior whose resolve is matched only by her inner demons. After a daring sniper shot in the treacherous Hadhramaut Mountains of Yemen, Haddy becomes the target of a nefarious Eastern European oligarch known only as “X.” Surviving an assassination attempt only fuels her determination to bring justice to those who seek to destroy her world. But as she battles her personal demons, she’s haunted by a mysterious man from her past, a man who seems more like a ghost than a memory.
Meanwhile, halfway across the world, New York City detective Wolf James is thrust into a covert operation in Ukraine, his dreams haunted by the enigmatic dark-eyed woman he once glimpsed atop Mount Rainier. As Wolf grapples with his own demons, he finds himself face-to-face with the woman of his dreams, joining forces with her without hesitation.
Against a backdrop of global intrigue and impending doom, Haddy and Wolf embark on a perilous journey to save the world from Armageddon. Dr. Farmer weaves a complex web of secrets, twists, and heart-stopping moments, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge” is a character-driven masterpiece that explores the depths of human resilience and the power of redemption, leaving readers breathless and begging for more.
The Review
This was an action-packed and adrenaline-fueled thriller. The author’s attention to detail in the military jargon and activity and the rich character dynamics between Wolf and Haddy made the compelling action scenes and mesmerizing emotional connections that formed much more enticing.
The way the author brought such a strong and badass female protagonist to the page was great to see and much needed in the military thriller genre. The tension, chaotic atmosphere, and the chilling antagonists the heroes must face make this thriller stand out, compelling the reader to get lost in this mesmerizing globe-trotting suspense drama.
The Verdict
Harrowing, engaging, and memorable author Bruce Farmer’s “Blood Sapphire’s Revenge” is a must-read thriller. The twists the author gives to readers throughout this novel and the compelling military action fans of the genre have come to expect make this a remarkable story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab this debut novel from author Bruce Farmer today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
A far-ranging and adventurous life has taken author Dr. Bruce Farmer to multiple countries and through multiple careers.
Whether practicing emergency room medicine, teaching Science and Theology at a small liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, or developing a new approach to physical therapy that can relieve back pain and restore healthy function, Dr. Farmer’s diverse and far-ranging life inspires both his characters and his writing.
An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Farmer enjoys hiking, mountain climbing and skiing. He has summited numerous peaks throughout the Cascades Range in both Oregon and Washington.
In developing his characters, Bruce draws inspiration from the outdoors and what they can reveal in one’s character and soul.
Bruce is a father and grandfather, with three children and five grandchildren. He lives just outside of Portland, Oregon.
