Tag: book review

The Last Magdalene: Book One of the Magdalene Chronicles by Donna D. Conrad 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.

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A young woman must wrestle with her family and her destiny in author Donna D. Conrad’s “The Last Magdalene: Book One of the Magdalene Chronicles”.

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The Synopsis

The Last Magdalene does for the New Testament what The Red Tent did for the Old Testament.

The temple of Asherah has existed in Jerusalem for hundreds of years, disguised as a benevolent society for widows and orphans. Within the sheltering walls, priestesses are taught to honor the goddess through rites of passion passed from mother to daughter and from priestess to priestess. Into this world, Miriam of Bethany, is born.

Miriam longs to become The Magdalene, High Priestess of Asherah, as her mother and grandmother before her, but learns she is to marry an obscure rabbi from Galilee, Yeshua bar Yosef. Determined to control her own life, she runs away and is brutally attacked in the streets of Jerusalem. Broken in body and spirit, she resigns herself to her fate.

Yeshua, hailed as the Messiah, teaches love and acceptance, and places Miriam in the forefront of his followers. Together they find the courage to face the hostility of the priests and the brutality of Roman occupation. But Rome is a power unlike any the world has known, and Rome deals harshly with those who oppose its rule.

The Last Magdalene is an exquisite story of passion and love, and the lasting power of one woman’s voice which refuses to be silenced.

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The Review 

The author really did an incredible job of creating a wholly unique and engaging story while also leaning into the history and culture of the narrative. The story captured a time when the concept of gods still held, and getting to witness both the beliefs of this ancient civilization and the politics and inner workings of life within the temple made this such a compelling story.

Yet the family dynamics around the protagonist and the themes of fate, sacrifice, and our connection to those around us ultimately played a significant role in the protagonist’s journey. The emotional journey that the protagonist had will resonate deeply with readers as she confronts her place within the only life she’s ever had and the destiny that awaits her.

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The Verdict

Tense, heartfelt, and engaging author Donna D. Conrad’s “The Last Magdalene” is a must-read political and spiritual historical fiction meets women’s fiction novel. The shocking twists in the protagonist’s story and the detailed imagery in the author’s writing made this a compelling read. If you haven’t yet, preorder your copy today, or pick up a copy on April 9, 2024.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Donna Conrad is an award-winning author, journalist, activist, and teacher. Her core values revolve around the concept of individual empowerment, a sustaining ideal running through the books she writes. Her writing interests are varied and include articles for fine-art periodicals, memoir/narrative non-fiction, as well as historical, flash, and paranormal fiction. She is a regular presenter at writers’ conferences.

Her first published book, “House of the Moon: Surviving the Sixties,” is a memoir that explores life in the tumultuous decade that changed the world.

Donna’s life is as varied as her writing. She embraces change as an exciting adventure. She has studied writing with the likes of Alan Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Jack Whyte.

Her upcoming four-book historical fiction series, The Magdalene Chronicles” has been acquired by Cold Creek Press. Book One, “The Last Magdalene,” will be released April 9, 2024.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their three cats. When she’s not writing, you can find Donna cruising the back roads in her black-on-black Miata MX-5, Maya – named for one of her favorite poets, Maya Angelou.

Visit me at https://DonnaConrad.com

Releasing Religion: A Minster’s Wife Goes Rogue by Gaye Kick 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. 

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Author Gaye Kick shares her story of marrying her musician boyfriend, only to become a young minster’s wife instead and the long path it took to find her own spiritual path that resonated with her in the book “Releasing Religion: A Minster’s Wife Goes Rogue”.

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The Synopsis

She was the proverbial good girl, obeying all the rules and expectations of others—until she took control and changed the rules.

Gaye was an optimistic college music major when she agreed to marry her senior music major boyfriend after his graduation. She never expected that before their wedding, he would upend his career and toss her unprepared into the role of a minister’s wife at age eighteen.

But the people-pleaser in Gaye is compelled to stand by his side, even if it means living in a fishbowl where the expectations of others disrupt her sense of self. Gaye walks this path that was never meant to be hers for fifteen years before beginning to realize that only by reclaiming her identity can she unleash her inner power and become the unstoppable force she was meant to be.

In a relatable and moving account of overcoming obstacles, Gaye Kick provides an eye-opening peek into the ups and downs of a clergy wife who yearns for a spiritual path that resonates with her soul. Her story will inspire other seekers to examine beliefs hindering them from living the life they desire so they, too, can go on an incredible journey of breaking free.

Releasing Religion is an honest, heartfelt memoir. If you like engaging narratives, funny self-reflection, and journeys of discovery, then you’ll love Gaye Kick’s uplifting search for freedom and identity.

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The Review

This was both informative and engaging for readers. The author did an incredible job of capturing the raw emotion of having to endure a life that never quite felt like the life you imagined yourself living and adding humor and charm to the writing to bring readers into the author’s story. The insight and relatability of the author’s story really help readers resonate with the author on both an emotional and social level.

The thing that drew me into this narrative was the author’s perspective on this topic. As someone who grew up with a religious parent and years spent in religious schools, and having left organized religion; as a result, it was so fascinating to see (or read) from the perspective of someone who married into the religion and spent their childhood with that religion as well. The way the author captured the struggles the faith can bring upon those who live within it so closely was fascinating and heartbreaking to read, yet the author’s story inspires hope within the reader.

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, compelling, and engaging author Gaye Kick’s “Releasing Religion” is a must-read memoir and nonfiction read. The memorable story the author’s life became and the knowledge that readers will gain as they see through the eyes of a minister’s wife, as well as the empowering message the author’s story inspires, will keep readers enthralled. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gaye Kick graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield, where she studied writing under novelist and children’s book author Jaqueline Dougan Jackson. She writes humorous short stories about finding balance and inspiration as she navigates the highway of life. In addition, Gaye is a talented pianist, singer, and songwriter specializing in new thought music. Explore her work at www.gayellenkick.com

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Mink Eyes (A Peter O’Keefe Novel) by Dan Flanigan Review

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. 

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What begins as a simple Ponzi scheme investigation becomes a race against time for one private investigator as he comes across a conspiracy of drugs and murder in author Dan Flanigan’s “Mink Eyes”, A Peter O’Keefe novel.

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The Synopsis

October 1986—the tarnished heart of the “Greed is Good” decade.

Private detective Peter O’Keefe, a physically scarred and emotionally battered Vietnam vet, is hired by childhood friend and attorney Mike Harrigan to investigate what appears to be a petty mink farm Ponzi scheme in the Ozarks. But quickly O’Keefe finds himself snared in a vicious web of money laundering, cocaine smuggling, and murder—all at the behest of a mysterious mobster only referred to as Mr. Canada. Also caught up in Mr. Canada’s illicit network is the exquisite Tag Parker, who seems to dance between roles as the woman of O’Keefe’s dreams—and his nightmares.

From start to finish Mink Eyes delivers classic noir crime fiction at its finest. In a category filled with formulaic and predictable characters and plot lines, reviewers are calling Mink Eyes absolutely “unique and unexpected.”

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The Review

This was a gripping and captivating noir thriller. The hard-broiled, gumshoe-style noir meets detective thriller found the perfect balance between the more modern (relative to most noir storylines) setting and the style and genre noir is known for. The gritty tone and the atmospheric way the novel’s mystery is brought forward kept the reader engaged with the characters themselves.

The character development in this book really brought this novel home. The classic themes the author plays on, including the detective being a war veteran, add depth and emotion to the protagonist’s arc, as he struggles with the haunting imagery that his time in Vietnam had on him whilst wrestling with the complex yet truly villainous Mr. Canada.

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The Verdict

Memorable, gripping, and entertaining author Dan Flanigan’s “Mink Eyes” is a must-read noir thriller. The twisted, shocking revelations and action-packed mystery will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dan Flanigan is a novelist, playwright, poet, and practicing lawyer. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Rice University and J.D. from the University of Houston. He taught Jurisprudence at the University of Houston and American Legal History at the University of Virginia. His first published book was his Ph.D. dissertation, “The Criminal Law of Slavery and Freedom, 1800-1868.”

He moved on from academia to serve the civil rights cause as a school desegregation lawyer, followed by a long career as a finance attorney in private law practice. He became a name partner in the Polsinelli law firm in Kansas City, created its Financial Services practice, chaired its Real Estate & Financial Services Department for two decades, and established the firm’s New York City office and served as its managing partner until October 2022.

Taking a break from the law practice for two years, he and his wife, Candy, founded Sierra Tucson, a prominent alcohol and drug treatment center located in Tucson, Arizona.

Recently, he has been able to turn his attention to his lifelong ambition—creative writing. In 2019 he released a literary trifecta including “Mink Eyes,” the first in what has become the Peter O’Keefe detective series, which was a 2023 Best Book Award Legacy Fiction Finalist, “Dewdrops,” a collection of shorter fiction, and “Tenebrae: A Memoir of Love and Death.”

“Tenebrae” is a bracelet of verse and prose poems dedicated to his wife, Candy, to honor her last illness and death and their 40-plus years together, a work that has been described as “celebratory” and “heartbreaking and exquisite.” It was a Finalist for both the 2022 IAN Book of the Year in Poetry and in the 2022 American Book Fest “Best Book” Award in the Legacy: Autobiography/Memoir category.

“The Big Tilt”, the award-winning second book in the Peter O’Keefe series, was published in 2020 and has been described as “deft, hard-boiled, but literary prose that’s reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s best work.” The Big Tilt won the 2022 National Indie Excellence Award for Crime Fiction and was a Finalist for the 2022 Independent Author Network’s Book of the Year in Thriller/Suspense. Most recently, “The Big Tilt” was a Legacy Fiction finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award as well as making the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize Short List.

“On Lonesome Roads,” published April 26, 2022, is the third book in the series and continues in the award-winning tradition of its predecessor. Honored as a Notable 100 Book in the 2022 Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition, “On Lonesome Roads” has more recently been a finalist for Crime Fiction in the 2023 National Indie Excellence Awards (after “The Big Tilt” won the award in 2022), a silver medalist for the 2023 IPPY Ebook awards, and winner of the 2023 American Fiction Awards in the Mystery/Suspense category.

Dan has also written stage plays including “Secrets” (based on the life of Eleanor Marx) and “Moondog’s Progress” (inspired by the life of Alan Freed), which was awarded the 2022 Honorable Mention in the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition for “Script.”

His novella, “Dewdrops,” was originally written for the stage and enjoyed a full-cast staged reading at the Theatre of the Open Eye in New York. The short story collection comprised of “Dewdrops,” “On the Last Frontier” and “Some Cold War Blues” was a Finalist in the 2022 Independent Author Network Book of the Year for Short Story Collection and a 2022 American Book Fest “Best Book” Award Finalist in Fiction-Short Story.

Dan serves on the Board of Directors of Childhood USA, the U.S. arm of the World Childhood Foundation, established by Queen Silvia of Sweden, working to end child sexual abuse and exploitation everywhere. He divides his time among Kansas City, New York City, and Los Angeles.

Dan Flanigan

The Hiding (The Seer of York Book One) by Alethea Lyons 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. 

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A killer is loose in York, and a young woman must navigate the worlds of both humans and the supernatural in order to stop this ruthless killer in author Alethea Lyons’s “The Hiding”, the first book in The Seer of York series.

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The Synopsis

Arcane archivist Harper has always been plagued by dreams of grotesque creatures and bloody deaths. When she bumps into a ghostwalker in the Shambles and has a visceral experience of his execution, she knows it’s a foretelling. Yet fear of the Queen’s Guard stops her speaking out. When her vision indeed comes true, the unusual markings on the ghostwalker’s corpse, combined with his neatly excised vocal cords, send a ripple of terror through York.

The witch hunt is on. As the body count rises, Harper knows her magic is the only way to find the killer – if she can avoid being hanged as a witch. To protect both human and supernatural, Harper walks the thin line between their worlds. She and her demonhunter foster-sister form a multi-faith team with a forensic scientist, a spirit Harper accidentally summoned, and a techno-witch, to catch the killer before more people die.

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The Review

This was a compelling and fascinating read. The author does an incredible job of layering this story with mystery and intrigue. The infusion of the supernatural into the narrative felt very much integrated into the fabric of this world. The balance between this thriller, dark, and horror-filled storylines and the pops of humor and heart amongst the characters really brought readers into the narrative in a fun way.

Yet, it was the character development and setting that really made this story shine. Setting the narrative in and around the town of York and yet merging this shadowy, supernatural realm all around it allowed the town to feel like its own character. The banter and relationship between the main character and her sister will draw on the reader’s heartstrings, and the hint of romance that the author uses to shake up the main character’s world, even more, is also a great draw. Yet the complex themes of the blending of cultures and the hardship some face when met with criticism and judgment from overzealous minds really kept the narrative alive.

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The Verdict

Heart-pounding, gripping, and engaging author Alethea Lyons’s “The Hiding” is a must-read horror/thriller that is not to be missed. The perfect way for horror fans to kick off the 2024 spring season, the twists and turns in the story and the shocking open-ended ending will leave fans eager for more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on March 5th, 2024!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Alethea (she/ze) writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. She enjoys writing stories with subtle political and philosophical messages, but primarily wants her stories to be great tales with characters readers will love. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. Her short stories can be found in a variety of publications and links for these are on her website.

Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime.

Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website.

Socials: @AletheaRLyons

https://alethealyons.wixsite.com/stories

Blue Eyed Devil by M.J. McDuffie 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. 

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An FBI agent with a unique gift must team up with a recently widowed woman with unique gifts of her own as she is thrust into the middle of a powerful supernatural and political conspiracy that will take them to parts unknown in author M.. McDuffie’s “Blue Eyed Devil”.

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The Synopsis

In this riveting paranormal political thriller, prepare to embark on a dangerous pulse-pounding adventure where the past and present collide, whilst around every corner – evil lurks in the shadows. 

When fate intertwines the path of Remy Montgomery – an FBI agent with the unique ability to see auras with the captivating widow, Belle Brooks – who finds herself entangled in the dark legacy of her billionaire criminal husband – their unusual lives turn upside down. 

But Belle has some secret magical gifts of her own – ones that seem to defy logic. 

As their connection deepens, they become mixed up in a supernatural web of mystery, secrets, and danger. Amidst this tangled history, a malevolent force sets its sight on Belle, forcing the two of them to navigate treacherous obstacles including an old IRA bombing, along with several rigged presidential elections which somehow factor into a mega conglomerates new miracle drug awaiting FDA approval. 

But how are they all connected? 

Armed with two keys, Belle and Remy must race against the clock to unravel the sinister plot and stop the malicious monster determined to possess the new widow…at all costs. Blue Eyed Devil is a supernatural spine-tingling political escapade that leads you across several continents and throughout history, while fate hangs in the balance. 

Can they stop the savages targeting them before it’s too late? Brace yourself for an electrifying ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the climatic final showdown. 

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The Review

This was such an incredibly powerful and gripping narrative. The author did a fantastic job of creating an equilibrium that made the story’s political and supernatural elements. The book immediately sets the stage in the opening chapter, creating a haunting atmosphere rich with imagery and tension that instills a sense of mystery in the reader immediately. 

The true power behind this novel, however, rests in the hodgepodge of genres that the author embodies and the compelling character dynamics that are created. The book not only highlights the political scene and the supernatural so well but adds elements of mystery, romance, historical fiction, and even Celtic mythology that speak to this remarkable narrative’s rich cultural aspect.

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The Verdict

Thrilling, haunting, and entertaining author M.J. McDuffie’s “Blue Eyed Devil” is a must-read novel. The heart-pounding atmosphere, the action-packed, globe-trotting mystery, and the suspense behind the conspiracy the two protagonists face will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word, ever for the next book in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

When tragedy struck more than a decade ago, she never dreamed the movie inside her head would help cope with the overwhelming grief life had dealt her. The therapy of writing blossomed into a thought provoking and action-packed mystery thriller. Also, adding to the unique captivating plot twists – a dash of paranormal. 

It’s impossible for the Nana of 3 to be far from the sea. Although M.J. is a native Washingtonian, she has lived in the sunshine state of Florida for almost twenty-five years and now considers it home. This novel happened because one beautiful woman believed in her enough to convince an old marketing and broadcasting executive to give book writing a try. 

The former DC swamp rat and die-hard University of Maryland fan is currently working on her second book in the series, Green Eyed Monster, which will debut in early 2024. An electrifying international tale of deceit and intrigue, which she will weave into another suspenseful and action-packed novel. 

https://mjmcduffie.com/

Death in a Gilded Frame by Cecelia Tichi 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. 

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A Western silver heiress gets embroiled in a dark murder mystery in author Cecelia Tichi’s “Death in a Gilded Frame”. 

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The Synopsis

Newport Summer 1899—yachts, balls, and famed artists eager to paint portraits of Society’s “Queens.” 

Western silver heiress Val Mackle DeVere (Mrs. Roderick W.) agrees to “sit” for a portrait for her beloved Roddy, only to stumble on a scene of bloody, grisly homicide at an art gallery. 

Like a figure from Pompeii, the dead Newport gallery manager screams in silence, his hands like claws clutching at a gilt frame pulled down over his head and shoulders while blood darkens his cream-colored suit.  

Impulsive, Val reaches for the murder weapon and will find herself suspected, shamed, and shunned as she seeks the killer while learning yet again a lesson taught by Cornelius Vanderbilt IV: “No city on earth is as hostile to outsiders as Newport.” 

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The Review

This was a fun and engaging historical fiction meets mystery drama. The author found the perfect balance in the story between examining “high society” within communities such as Newport and honing in on the narrative’s mystery and thriller aspects. The creative way the author infused drink recipes into the narrative for readers to enjoy through one of the main characters was also inspired, as it allowed the reader to really become invested in the story.

The heart of the narrative rests in the solid historical accuracy of how society and the world viewed women and their role in that era, with the solid and engaging character growth of the protagonist and those around her. The setting and imagery in the author’s writing highlighted this time period well, and the way the protagonist has to battle her way through both suspicion and social shame to regain her status and catch a killer in the process will have readers enthralled with this novel.

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The Verdict

With iconic storytelling, rich character development, and entertaining world-building at its finest, author Cecelia Tichi’s “Death in a Gilded Frame” is a must-read historical fiction novel that you don’t want to miss. The twists, turns, and shocking revelations are just a tiny part of the glamour and appeal readers will find in this historical piece, and the dynamic way the author brings readers into this era will leave readers wanting more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A fresh start for every new book, and author Tichi’s zest for America’s Gilded Age and its boldface names draws this seasoned writer to a crime fiction series while uncorking the country’s cocktail cultures on the printed page. Tichi digs deep into the Vanderbilt University research library to mine the late 1800-1900s history and customs of Society’s “Four Hundred,” its drinks, and the ways high-stakes crimes in its midst make for a gripping “Gilded” mystery series that rings true to the tumultuous era. The decades of America’s industrial titans and “Queens” of Society have loomed large in Tichi’s books for several years, and the titles track her recent projects:

  1. Civic Passions: Seven Who Launched Progressive America (and What They Teach Us) 
  2. Jack London: A Writer’s Fight for a Better America 
  3. What Would Mrs. Astor Do? A Complete Guide to the Manners and Mores of the Gilded Age 
  4. Gilded Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Golden Age 
  5. Jazz Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from the Roaring Twenties. 
  6. A Gilded Death (crime fiction) 
  7. Murder, Murder, Murder in Gilded Central Park (crime fiction) 
  8. A Fatal Gilded High Note (crime fiction)
  9. A Deadly Gilded Free Fall (crime fiction)
  10. A Gilded Drowning Pool (crime fiction)
  11. Death in a Gilded Frame (crime fiction)

She enjoys membership and posting in Facebook’s The Gilded Age Society. You can read more about Cecelia by visiting her Wikipedia page at: https://bit.ly/Tichiwiki or her website: https://cecebooks.com.

Is He Ever Going to Leave His Wife?: The Answers to the Questions You Desperately Want to Know by Martess A Dowling 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. 

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Author Martess A Dowling shares the guidance and help that women who find themselves in relationships with married men need to hear in order to become clearer and more empowered in the book “Is He Ever Going to Leave his Wife?: The Answers to the Questions You Desperately Want to Know”.

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The Synopsis

Are you the ‘Other Women’, stuck in a relationship with a married man?

Do you desperately want to know if he is ever going to leave his wife?

This book will help you answer the many burning questions you have about your relationship with a married man so that you can be clearer, calmer, and empowered, ready to take responsibility for your life and achieve the happiness you deserve.

In her work as a tarot reader, author Martess Dowling heard one question far more than any other: ‘Is he ever going to leave his wife?’ After hearing this time and time again, she began to see just how widespread this type of situation was and was compelled to dive deeper into the world of the’ other woman’, to discover the reasons behind the why. Her conversations uncovered some startling truths, exposing the reality of living in the shadows, in a constant state of yearning while the married man returns to his wife. Martess also discovered that the majority of these women suffered in silence, with few supports available to them. Unable to share the affair with anyone, they stayed alone, waiting and hoping that things would change and one day they could be together.

These heart-wrenching stories prompted Martess to research further in an effort to provide some hope and guidance to the many other women out there who are struggling. It was clear that there was a need for sound advice and practical solutions – and Is He Ever Going to Leave His Wife? The Answers to Questions You Desperately Want to Know was born.

In this unique and groundbreaking book, Martess offers a step-by-step guide to addressing the key issues within your situation. Covering a broad array of topics, from grief and obsession to narcissistic behavior and polyamorous relationships, Martess unpacks the plight of the ‘other women’. Written in an accessible and easy-to-follow way, you will learn how to make decisions to progress and empower your life so that you’re not just waiting for him to take that step out of his marriage. With handy quick reference guides sharing the telltale signs to look for if he intends to commit to you, along with the danger signs that point to a lifetime of pain, this must-read book is your pathway from confusion to clarity.

If you are stuck in a relationship with a married man, this practical guide will give you the strategies and confidence you need to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of his relationship with his wife and with you. It will equip you with the tools you need to stop yourself from obsessing about him and start making sound choices for yourself, so you can finally move forward in your recovery journey with a clear understanding of where you stand in the relationship.

If you need direction or answers, this book is for you. It may be hard to read, but the truth will set you free, allowing you to achieve the happiness and security you deserve.

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The Review

This was a thoughtful and engaging read. So many relationship books take time to focus on the ideal pairings that society has given us, such as a husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend. But romance is so much more complex than that, and the relationships we find ourselves in are not always fairytale endings. When relationships involving “the other woman” are examined, the other woman is often viewed from a more sinister point of view, as if they were always the core instigators of this tangled web of lies and deceit. Rarely, if ever, is it shown how these women are also part of that web of lies and lied to and used themselves by these men, until this book that is.

The author’s use of humor and wit in the book’s writing style helps alleviate some of the heavier subject matter within the book. The way the author examines everything from how women get into these types of relationships to what drives the men’s behavior in this relationship and so much more allows the reader to feel both connected to the author’s work and the emotional and mental toll that being caught up in this type of relationship can do to a person. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, authentic, and engaging author Martess A. Dowling’s “Is He Ever Going to Leave His Wife?” is a must-read nonfiction book on relationships and what life is like for “the other woman.” The insight and heart that goes into the author’s work and the layered analysis of these relationships will resonate with many women. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Born in Malta in 1961, and two years later immigrated to Australia to the seaside suburb of Glenelg with her parents, this is where she loved to watch the activity along the beach and developed a fascination with people. Throughout her early school life, she loved to draw, be creative and organize school plays. She became involved in the school newspaper in high school, and encouraged by Mrs Jerome, her love of writing grew.  

Martess had a beautiful baby boy after she and Alan moved to Adelaide. When he began school, she worked in retail, on a tarot line, sewing wedding dresses, then became a marriage celebrant and loved every second. She still writes and lives a spiritual life with her husband in their beach suburb home with their beloved cats, Dalia Grace and Pip Saru. 

The Pit Road War by Caroline Taylor 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. 

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A woman seeking to escape her abusive husband finds herself caught between the federal government and the rising insurrectionist movement of the South in author Caroline Taylor’s “The Pit Road War”.

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The Synopsis

Grace Burgess is fleeing her husband’s fists. Jeff Kingston has escaped from prison. Their paths collide at a secret government installation deep in the countryside, guarded by men on a mission who capture Grace.

It’s 2019, and plans are under way to rise up and reclaim the South. But planning takes time—time that’s interrupted when federal authorities get wind of the budding insurrection. Seeking to stop the feds, the rebels’ leader decides to use Grace and other unfortunate “trespassers” as human shields.

Can they free themselves before bullets begin to fly and hundreds of lives are lost?

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The Review

This was a compelling and gripping thriller. The author did an incredible job of layering the mystery and atmosphere into this book’s writing, elevating the characters and keeping the reader invested in the overall narrative. The writing style, allowing multiple POVs for the characters in this book, felt very reminiscent of a Dean Koontz novel, giving each character’s voice a part of the overall story.

The heart of this narrative rested in the author’s ability to use imagery and tension to build up the growing suspense that this narrative held. The attention to detail the narrative gave to today’s political and social conflicts really helped bring the reader into the narrative more fully, and the growing horrors that these characters faced felt more shocking as they reflected our own world much more thoroughly.

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The Verdict

Harrowing, compelling, and entertaining author Caroline Taylor’s “The Pit Road War” is a must-read mystery thriller that you won’t be able to put down. The way the author can transport the reader into this narrative so crucially and the surprising twists and turns the story takes will keep readers enthralled until the end. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Caroline Taylor is a novelist and short-story writer who grew up in the mountain west and traveled widely, including a brief stint in the Foreign Service. A former publications manager and editor of Humanities magazine, she is the author of several mysteries, one short-story collection, and a nonfiction book. Two of her novels won the Firebird Book award, and a third was a finalist for the Freddie Award. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she lives in North Carolina. Visit her at www.carolinestories.com

NeuroMastery: Retraining Your Brain to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Attacks by Ugochukwu Uche MS, LPC 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 Ugochukwu Uche MS, LPC offers readers a guide through the brain’s anatomy and what drives people to fear and anxiety in the book “NeuroMastery: Retraining Your Brain to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Attacks”.

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The Synopsis

Based on the latest research on cognitive neuroscience and counseling psychology research, this book offers a comprehensive guide to reshaping your brain’s response to anxiety, fear, and panic attacks. You will learn about the brain’s anatomy, the path that stress takes through your brain, and how negative thought patterns contribute to anxiety and fear.

This book also introduces effective cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness techniques, and lifestyle modifications to manage anxiety. Learn how to face your fears through exposure and desensitization and discover how resilience and positive change can be nurtured by understanding and harnessing neuroplasticity.

“NeuroMastery: Retraining Your Brain to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Attacks” is more than just a book—it is a roadmap to a calmer, more controlled, and resilient life.

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The Review

This was a thought-provoking and engaging read. The author does an incredible job of presenting research and understanding surrounding these subjects. As someone who has struggled with anxiety off and on throughout my life, having the author share the connections made in our minds to fear and how we can reshape our understanding and acceptance of those fears to work through our anxiety in a much more effective way.

The way the author bridged the gap between biology and psychology was also excellent to see. Seeing the physical impacts that can cause our brains to process these fears and emotions made the book feel more strategic and thoughtful in its approach. The author also presents these ideas and practices to the reader very efficiently, allowing the reader to absorb this information for themselves and leaving room for more research down the road.

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The Verdict

Anxiety and fear can impact us in numerous ways, from struggling through loss and grief to the financial instability that the loss of a job can present. Author Ugochukwu Uche MS, LPC’s “NeuroMastery: Retraining Your Brain to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Attacks” made this a compelling must-read nonfiction book. The education and insight this book provides, as well as the moving direction the author brings the themes of this book to by connecting biology with psychology, make this a one-of-a-kind book that is not to be missed. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ugo is a psychotherapist with 22 years of experience. He is the author of two psychology-based self-help books to date. The first is Anger Management 101, and the second is NeuroMastery: Retraining Your Brain to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Attacks. He is currently in private practice, and the name of his practice is, Road 2 Resolutions PLLC, and he has been in private practice since 2009.