Tag: book

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The Azrael Initiative (Kayla Falk Series, #1) by K. Hanson Book Review

Reviewers Note: “I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.”

Delving into the complicated world of terrorism, this upcoming book from author K. Hanson, The Azrael Initiative (Kayla Falk Series, #1), is a
relevant look into the fight against the terrorist organization ISIS and the way in which we view the Muslim community as a result of this terrorist
organization. Here is a synopsis:

Best friends Kayla Falk, an engineering student, and Olivia Bellamy, who is studying nursing, are nearing the end of their college career when
terrorists attack their university. Through a combination of cleverness, bravery, and luck, the two manage to foil the deadly plot. A mysterious
man from the United States government, Mr. Hightower, sees their potential and attempts to recruit Kayla and Olivia for a program to take on
ISIS. They initially refuse, but another terrorist attack that strikes close to home pushes them to change their minds and join the Azrael
Initiative.

After several months of hard training, the two women are dropped into Al-Raqqah, the capital of ISIS, in Syria. Once there, they must blend in
with the locals as they strike from the shadows to kill ISIS leaders, destroy their facilities, and free captives. As Americans deep within
enemy territory, they know that they will be killed if discovered. As women, they also know that they would suffer before death. Walking the
line between vengeance and justice strains their relationship. As they work to resolve their differences, the symphony of brutality around them
ultimately pushes them closer together and forges them into the warriors that they were meant to become.

Read the first three chapters: http://www.khansonbooks.com/first-three-chapters-of-the-azrael-initiative/

You can now pre-order The Azrael Initiative at http://www.khansonbooks.com/pre-order-the-azrael-initiative/

If you receive this novel in a giveaway after pre-ordering it, you can simply cancel your pre-order.

This was a fascinating and interesting read to say the least. As someone who is personally invested in making sure no one group is categorized
as evil simply because they share the same religion or skin color as a terrorist organization, I found this to be a great read that delved into
that complicated world that we find ourselves currently living in. Showcasing the struggle of both those affected by terror attacks around the
world and those trapped under the tyrannical rule of the ISIS organization in places like Syria was a powerful use of imagery in this story,
and helped further the plot significantly. The twists and turns this story takes are heart-pounding to read, and the close-knit relationship
between friends Kayla and Olivia is palpable to read.

Now I only have one little criticism for this story, and only because I think it will help the author as they move forward with this important
series, (i look forward to the next entry in the Kayla Falk series)! While reading this book, I did notice that the book in certain passages
suffered from a case of show versus tell storytelling. What this means is that rather than showing the reader certain things through storytelling,
the author had instances where they would go into too much detail, (whether through dialogue between characters, or descriptions of scenes). I
understand this struggle more than anyone as I have written several stories that I later realized had a show versus tell problem. My recommendation
would be to allude to things more and leave some things to the reader’s imagination, rather than going into too much detail. However this
was not a problem, but rather a minute detail that did not take away from the overall narrative at all.

Overall, this was a fun, intense and important book that needed to be told. It sets up a complex world that mirrors our own world in an intense
way. With a shocking twist ending that promises more story that needs to be told in the next book, this is a must read for anyone who enjoys
action books with a strong moral theme. I give this book a 8/10 rating, and highly recommend you guys pick up your copies when it comes out on
March 3rd, 2017!

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Last Descendants (Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants #1) by Matthew J. Kirby Book Review

The beloved video game series reaches the YA genre with Matthew J. Kirby’s stellar new novel, Last Descendants!

I must admit something: I love video games. It’s not the most shocking revelation, but I actually enjoy games for the same reason that I enjoy
books: great storytelling. One of my favorite stories in games is the continuing story of the Assassin’s Creed universe, and that story has
now been driven into the Young Adult book world with Matthew J. Kirby’s Last Descendants (Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants #1). Here is the
synopsis:

Nothing in Owen’s life has been right since his father died in prison, accused of a crime Owen is certain he didn’t commit. Monroe, the IT guy
at school, might finally bring Owen the means to clear his father’s name by letting him use an Animus—a device that lets users explore the
genetic memories buried within their own DNA. The experience brings Owen more than he bargained for. During a simulation, Owen uncovers the
existence of an ancient and powerful relic long considered legend—the Trident of Eden. Now two secret organizations will stop at nothing to take
possession of this artifact—the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order. It soon becomes clear to Owen that the only way to save himself
is to find the Trident first.

Under the guidance of Monroe, Owen and a group of other teenagers go into a memory they all share within their DNA: the 1863 Draft Riots in
New York City. Owen and his companions will find themselves tested on the gritty streets of New York, and their experiences in the past will
have far-reaching consequences in the present.

I loved the transition of the series into the YA genre. Bringing together this random group of young teenagers gives the readers more of a connection
with the story of the AC universe, with each character coming from a difficult background and almost becoming the readers eyes and ears, as each
teenager is as much of an outsider to the war between the Assassins and the Templar Order. Learning about the war and the technology of the
animus, the teens go to a tumultuous time period to an era where their ancestors were at the forefront of the Civil War, showing the impact
the war had on a city divided such as New York, and the stakes of that war.

It’s message of racism and divide between the country has clearly never been more real and has not had as deep as a connection as it does in
today’s political and social scene, as our country faces a similar divide once more. The story does a great job of highlighting the struggles
each teen deals with, from racial or societal issues to questions of friendship, sexuality, disabilities and more. This is a book that is just as
multi-cultured as the video games themselves, and the deep use of the AC mythology was perfectly used in this new story. With this being the
first of a new book series, this is a fantastic read that helps start a wonderful new story-arc, and I highly recommend it! I give this book a
10/10, and hope you guys will pick up this book today!

Interview with Nicholas Nash

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Nicholas Nash, author of the recently released thriller “The Girl at the Bar”, took the time to answer a few questions for us. Check it out!


1) Tell us how you came up with the premise
of The Girl at the Bar?

I started writing THE GIRL AT THE
BAR as a pantser, figuring out the story as I went along. After the first few
chapters, I started plotting out the characters and story line.

I’ve always found the field of
cancer research very interesting. There are so many new developments that the
average person is not aware of. The biotech industry is enjoying its golden age
in terms of finding modalities to cure cancer. I wanted to highlight some of
that in my book while adding a human story around it.

I also
enjoy reading mysteries a lot and hence decided to write one – one that I would
enjoy reading. Blend all these elements and what do you get? A mystery thriller
set in the backdrop of cancer research.

 

2) What kind of research did you do to
prepare for this book?

I read a
lot about what cancer is, what it does and the latest developments in the field
to cure cancer. I’ve met a few people, including researchers, who helped shape
my understanding of the science behind cancer. At one point in my life, I also
worked with some leading cancer researchers and learnt a great deal about the
latest developments in the field from them.

The
biggest challenge though with all the background research is being able to
synthesize all of this into plain language that a regular reader could
understand and appreciate. That was the toughest part of the research. I was
constantly afraid that readers would lose me if I became too technical in my
descriptions, so that kept me on guard whenever I wrote about cancer in the
book.

Siddhartha
Mukherjee’s The Emperor of All Maladies
was a great book that I had read and helped my understanding of this disease.
That said, to my point earlier, his book was long (592 pages) and relatively
technical and I must confess, at some point, I stopped reading and did not
finish it. Irrespective, it’s still a great book and a must read for anyone who
wants to understand this disease some more.

 

3) What inspired you to dive into the world
of cancer research?

There is
some truly groundbreaking research and developments taking place in the quest
to cure cancer that the average person is not aware of. The biotech industry in
general is making huge strides in finding unique cures for cancer. I wanted to
highlight the work that I have been reading about.

The
biotech industry, particularly on the research side, is heavily dominated by
men. However, there are several strong well-rounded women who are instrumental
in the industry either as researchers, CEOs or biotech investors. Rebecca is in
some respects a composite of these real-life women who play a key role in the
progress we’ve made in the war on cancer.

 

4) What matters most to you when writing:
developing plot or developing characters?

Mostly from real life
experiences. Each of my characters is a composite of people I know personally,
people I’ve met, people I know of or people I’ve read about. Each character is
a blend of interesting characteristics from different sources.

 

5) What social media sites do you find have
been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Currently, I have only tried
Facebook and Instagram. I enjoy Facebook more as it allows me to interact with
the readers. You can find me on Facebook at @NicholasNashAuthor and Instagram at
NicholasNashAuthor.

 

6) What are your future plans?

I am currently working on my second
novel set during the last days of World War II. The book title is still under
wraps because I don’t want to give the story setting away just yet. There was
an interesting time period during the Second World War that I chose as the
backdrop.

Hitler died, having committed suicide,
on April 30th, 1945 but the war in Europe did not end with his death. Germany
continued fighting the Allies and surrendered only a week later on May 7th,
1945. During these days between his death and eventual German surrender, an
unimaginable series of events took place that remains unexplained and shrouded
in mystery to this very day. My second novel revolves around one of those
events during that period of uncertainty, with my imagination filling in the
blanks that history has left unanswered forever.

I first read about it a few years ago
and I always wondered to myself, “What exactly happened there? Why did they the
retreating Germans that? Who was really responsible? What were they thinking?”

I searched and searched and searched
and never found any satisfactory answers. That was when I said to myself, “Hmm,
that’s interesting. The magnitude of what happened then was immense and here we
are over 70 years later and we still don’t know much about it.” That’s when I
decided to write my second book around these bizarre events.

The first chapter of my
second book will be available to all readers of THE GIRL AT THE BAR. The
details on how to get it will be at the end of my first book.

The Girl at the Bar by Nicholas Nash Review

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The Girl At The Bar by Nicholas Nash Review

A one night stand turns into a nightmare as the lives of several people get ensnared in a deadly missing person’s case in the upcoming thriller,
The Girl At The Bar!

I was given this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own and unbiased.

A psychological thriller. More twists and turns than a country road. Gripping characters.

These are just a few ways to describe the thriller The Girl At The Bar by Nicholas Nash. Here’s the synopsis:

Rebecca, a brilliant cancer researcher, disappears after a one-night stand with a neurotic man with a questionable past.

Her sudden disappearance in the midst of a high-stakes quest to cure cancer between two rival billionaires sets into motion an inexplicable
chain of events as the bodies start to pile up.

No one knows why she disappeared. The race to find answers ensnares everyone around her, one of whom is a deeply disturbed psychopath lurking
in the shadows.

Is Rebecca still alive? What happened to her? Who did it? And why? Questions about her vex everyone looking for answers. No one can be trusted
and no one is above suspicion…

There were some great plot points explored in this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the author tackle a character that nearly fell into the
overly used plot of having a mental disorder that caused them to be violent, but instead this book did an excellent job of showcasing a character
who suffered with a mental illness and yet continued to strive forward and fight the preconceived notions of what living with mental illness
means, and showed that the character was flawed yet human.

I also thought it was interesting to explore the world of cancer research in such an in-depth way. I must admit I had little to no knowledge of
cancer research, and yet I feel way more informed than I did going into the book. The author did a great job of capturing the emotions that
went into the scientific exploration of this viscous disease, as well as the emotional toll of battles lost to the disease.

The plot was strong indeed, as were the vast variety of different characters involved in the plot, from the police investigating the crime to
the suspects of the kidnapping to the innocents caught in the crossfire. While I will note this: in the spirit of honesty, there were a couple
of grammatical errors that were noticeable throughout the book. However they were so minor and spread far apart from one another in the entirety
of the book, that it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book at all, and I don’t think it will for you guys either.

Overall, this was a fantastic thriller that everyone should read. The book does a great job of exploring the notion that humanity in general
is flawed, and yet being flawed doesn’t make a person evil. The villain of this story can even be attributed to both the antagonist and the
main plot point: cancer itself. Once you learn the origins of this villain, you will see how closely their rise to villainy resembles the
mutation of cancer, making this a deep emotional and psychological study of both diseases: cancer and evil. This is a must read novel, so be
sure to get your copies of Nicholas Nash’s The Girl At The Bar on February 1st, 2017. I give this book a 8/10 star rating, and hope you guys will
read it for yourselves!

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Vlog Like A Boss: How To Kill It Online With Video Blogging by Amy Schmittauer

Learn how to master the world of video with Amy Schmittauer’s incredible video marketing book, Vlog Like A Boss!

I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have been a fan of YouTube star and social media expert Amy Schmittauer for a couple of years now. So when I heard that she was writing and
publishing a book on video marketing, I knew I had to get myself a copy. I was even more stunned when I was sent an email with an advance reading
copy (ARC) of this incredible book, and I’m so honored to be one of the lucky ones to get to dive headfirst into this eye-opening book.

The book, or memoir or “how-to” book in question is called Vlog Like A Boss: How To Kill It Online With Video Blogging by Amy Schmittauer, and
I can honestly say that this is one of the most insightful YouTube and video marketing books I’ve ever read. Over the last few years I’ve read some
marketing books, but this one does a masterful job of detailing the process of getting into making video and explaining it in a way that both
seasoned filmmakers and aspiring YouTubers both can understand.

One thing that jumped out immediately was how Amy was able to write in a voice that spoke to everyone, from the young millennial eager to make
their own YouTube channel to the experienced business owner who’s seeking a helping hand using video for their work. Using fun and fascinating
tales from her own life to help explain the process, this book goes to great lengths to outline the entire video process, from identifying the
common fears of being on camera, to the equipment one will need for video and editing, to the way to identify with your audience and create a
video that will resonate with viewers.

Overall, this was a fantastic read that was both enjoyable and instructive. As someone trying to build and improve on my own YouTube channel, I
can tell you that this book has been illuminating. Taking the tools I learned from this book, I can identify problem areas with my filming, and
improve on it. From ways to generate ideas to what social media platforms work best and how they work with your videos, this is a book any
video creator will not want to miss. Inspiring, educational, and all around fun, Vlog Like A Boss by Amy Schmittauer is a must read book in
2017, and thus I give it a 10/10 rating. I will leave links to both Amy’s YouTube channel and her official book website below, and I hope you
guys will not only subscribe to her, but pre-order your copies of this book today. Vlog Like A Boss comes out on January 31st, 2017!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/savvysexysocial
Website: http://vloglikeaboss.com/

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Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space by Jave Galt-Miller

This was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review. NSFW!

As you can probably tell from the title, this was definitely not a book that normally falls within my wheelhouse. While described as a horror
comedy, Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space by Jave Galt-Miller definitely pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone, and yet I found myself open
to the possibilities of a comedic take on the horror genre, and seeing as this was my first graphic novel, I jumped at the chance to give this
a review. Here is they synopsis:

Get volume #1 of the NSFW zom-com horror series where flawed male fantasy becomes a nightmare! Includes Issues 1-4, each with the original cover,
as well as the R-rated Sexy Variant cover.

Ace just wants to film his buddy’s threesome, but suddenly all the girls in town are transforming into lesbian zombies. And these girls are not
looking for brains. He’ll have to team with an unlikely friend to run for his life and stop the funniest, sexiest apocalypse you’ve ever seen.

122 pages of full-color nudity and violence make this an ADULTS ONLY horror comic.

Sometimes when Hot Girls make out – it’s Evil!

The the hijinks of Ace and the survivors of this zombie outbreak were definitely humorous, what really struck me was the way this series has
highlighted the often ridiculous male fantasies that they dream up, as well as the stupid stereotypes that the lesbian community is often labeled
with. The story does a great job of bringing these issues to light, while also touching on the horror genre often explored in cheesy, B-movie
80’s films.

The artwork is wonderfully drawn, and the story conjures up images of a mix of various 80’s films, as if Weird Science and The Evil Dead were
combined into one giant film. While I would recommend this to my adult readers out there, I think it is a great addition to the horror comedy
genre, and so I hope you guys will pick up Vol 1 (Issues #1-4) of Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space by Jave Galt-Miller today!

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William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher

Author Ian Doescher does it again, blending the infamous Bard’s style with the engrossing story of Star Wars with “William Shakespeare’s The
Empire Striketh Back”! Here is the synopsis:

Hot on the heels of the New York Times best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars comes the next two installments of the original trilogy:
William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return. Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away
as the brooding young hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle for power, and soliloquize in elegant and
impeccable iambic pentameter. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white Elizabethan-style artwork, these two plays offer essential reading for
all ages. Something Wookiee this way comes!

Star Wars fans all know the story by now. While the plot is the same, the words that are spoken make this an incredibly fresh story that I couldn’t
put down. My love of both Star Wars and Shakespeare made this a phenomenal read that was addicting to read, and makes me want to read the entire
series this way. If you love Star Wars and Shakespeare, this is the series for you, and Ian Doescher is a fantastic author who has brilliantly
brought this series to life once more, so be sure to pick up this book today!

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Interview with Author Louis K. Lowy

1)     
Congratulations on the release of your book, To
Dream. Tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind this incredible novel.

Thank you, Anthony! It’s a long and unusual
story. The genesis for the novel came from a long forgotten short story that I
had written two decades ago. I was going through my virtual folders and
rediscovered it about the time I had finished up my second novel. Ripe to start
a new one, I became fascinated with key aspects of the three page story and
decided to build upon them. Once that train of thought was set in motion, I was
left with nine questions that needed to be answered in order for my proposed storyline
to work. I printed and mounted the nine questions on a storyboard and worked on
each one until I had plausible answers (though they were flexible, depending on
how things developed as I got more and more into the story). That process took
two to three months. Another interesting thing, Niyati Bopari, one of the main
characters in To Dream, first made a
brief appearance as a child in my previous book, Pedal—a contemporary women’s novel. Of course, at the time I never
realized she was going to play a pivotal role in my next book.

2) What was it about the science fiction genre that drew you in?

I loved science fiction from the day I was
born. First on TV, then in comic books and finally in books. Like To Dream, what draws me in is the human
element behind the technology. How do we, as people, keep our humanity in the
rapidly changing universe? I love Ray Bradbury because he seems to always be
dealing with this, no matter what or where his stories take place.

3) This is the third book you have written. Tell us a little bit about the
writing process you went through when writing this and how it differed from
your previous experiences.

This one was one of the toughest because of
the structure. As you mentioned in your review, it bounces back and forth from
the present to the future and from one planet to another. It also dealt with
four interlocking stories that had to connect in the end. Keeping up with all
of that was a Herculean task for me. In the beginning it was brutal, but
because I had taken a lot of time up front to solidify my plot, I knew where I
was heading and used those time shifts to my advantage. I could construct them
in a way that would create the proper impact at the right time.

4) Which character did you enjoy writing the most? Which was the most complex?

Those are great questions. Honestly, I enjoy
all of my characters, even the morally corrupt ones. Honestly, there is no one
that I enjoyed the most—though I can say that my favorites were Niyati Bopari,
J-1, Norma Mardeen, and Rebeka Takáts, because of their complexities—which
leads in to your next question.

           There
are two who I think were the most complex—Niyati Bopari and J-1. Niyati because
of the extraordinary measures she takes to deal with the death of her son. J-1
because he’s forced to face something he hasn’t been equipped to do—his
humanity.

5) When writing, what is the most compelling part to you: character development
or developing the plot?

Both. The type of stories I write depend on
both. Each one supports and enhances the other. A lot of this has to do with my
influences—people like James Joyce, Stan Lee, the aforementioned Ray Bradbury,
Charles Dickens, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, Jane Austen and J.R.R. Tolkien
to name a few.

6) What has the marketing process of this book been like for you?

Like all of them, challenging. I’m
fortunate to be with IFWG Publishing. They’re a small, but supportive press.
Still, as most authors know, the business of writing can sometimes be a lot
more difficult than the actual writing. On the other hand, it’s a joy when that
process leads to someone like you, who is so generous with your time and
support of people like me.

7) What social media site has been the most helpful when promoting your books?

I tend to center my attention on Facebook,
twitter, and my website, but I also love Goodreads Instagram, and Pinterest.

8) What are your future plans? Any books in the works?

You bet! I’ve finished a fantasy novel about
a gambler on the brink of death who gets the chance to save his soul, a horror
book that takes place in the late Victorian era, and I’m currently working on a
crime novel.

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To Dream by Louis K Lowy

Questions of morality and family drive this incredible new science-fiction thriller set in a future where the world is ruled by corporations
behind the scenes and humanity has evolved to a whole new level. The book, titled “To Dream” by author Louis K Lowy, explores these themes with
precision and perfect clarity as readers begin to ask themselves: what is the price we pay to advance, and is technology evil, or is it made
evil when used for ill intentions? Here is the synopsis:

Guilt ridden over the death of her 17-year-old son, Jay, scientist Niyati Bopari heads a team that creates a Humachine (human machine) for
mega-corporation Ameri-Inc. Niyati dubs the Humachine J-1 and creates it in Jay’s image. She secretly infuses it with Jay’s DNA. J-1 is the
most sophisticated robot ever created and its purpose is to replace human labor. Before J-1 and his blueprints can be transported to Ameri-Inc.
headquarters a rogue Ameri-Inc. agent attempts to steal them.

Anatomy of a Humachine is a science fiction tour de force spanning two centuries and crossing two planets. Book I: To Dream centers on J-1, an
artificial intelligence struggling to find his humanity; the grieving scientist who created him; the ruthless head of the corporation who owns
him; and the iron-willed leader of a rebel force seeking revenge for the death of her family and the destruction of her planet.

I was really taken aback by the amount of humanity this story of technology had. As a science fiction fan I was immediately drawn to this story,
and the way the story goes back and forth from the past to the future makes the twists and turns in the narrative so much more engaging. There
were so many fascinating characters in this novel, but the characters with the most development were Dr. Niyati Bopari and her struggle with her
son’s loss and the journey she goes on with her incredible creation, as well as J-1 himself, who goes on a journey of his own that will leave
the reader questioning how they view AI and technology in general. This is a must read book that was a fantastic start to the year, and readers
should definitely read To Dream by Louis K Lowy! Be sure to pick up your copies today!