The Code Hunters – A Nicholas Foxe Adventure by Jackson Coppley Review

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

A shocking discovery leads to a massive hunt to decipher a tablet that could change the world and leads to an action-packed thriller like no other in author Jackson Coppley’s “The Code Hunters – A Nicholas Foxe Adventure”. 

The Synopsis

Get Ready for Action and Adventure! 

Meet Nicholas Foxe and his team of code hunters…

• In Afghanistan, a young boy stumbles into a fierce firefight. 

• An Army Ranger makes a snap decision that sets in motion events beyond his imagination.

• In New Mexico, caver Tom Littleton discovers a 10,000-year-old coded tablet far too advanced for ancient people to have created it.

• In Boston, Rachael Friedman, a leading physics professor, unlocks a key to the mysterious code.

• And in Italy, a violin maker and his autistic daughter show the way to a secret chamber where a medieval scholar has locked away more clues.

Wealthy adventurer Nicholas Foxe leads this unlikely team to solve the mystery of the code. But dark forces threaten to destroy The Tablet and the people who know about it…

• The Televangelist who intends to profit from his “religious” interpretation of The Tablet.

• A Washington Senator who secretly serves a powerful constituent.

• The mysterious Texan who foresees extraordinary wealth by owning The Tablet.

• A Bombmaker in Queens who serves the latest in destructive products.

The Code Hunters is a Thriller for the reader who:

• Wants the Adventure of Indiana Jones,

• Likes the pace and puzzles of The Da Vinci Code,

• Or just enjoys a Mystery Page-Turner. 

The Review

My first reaction as a reader is…wow. Just a fantastic collection of action, adventure and thrills that delve into so many different genres and facets of the story that it immediately draws readers in. From the introduction of the mystery discovered in caverns by cavers to the people brought together by Nicholas Foxe to decipher the mysterious discovery and the people trying to exploit or profit from it, the author does an amazing job of creating a cast of characters readers will either love or hate. 

What really stuck out to me as a reader was the various moving parts of the novel thanks to the wide array of characters the author brought into the narrative. The way readers are given a look into the mindset and actions of each character really set up the shocking action scenes and built up the importance of the discoveries to be had. The use of a slow burn to build up the suspense early on before revealing the discoveries was an inspired choice of writing style, and created an engaging read that is not to be missed.

The Verdict

This is a brilliant thriller that really gets the mind working and the heart pumping. A lengthy read to be sure, the novel does an amazing job of keeping the reader interested and creates a cast of characters readers will thoroughly enjoy reading about and becoming invested in throughout this story. It’s a must read action/adventure and thriller that captures the spirit of classic mysteries, blending a mix of Indiana Jones style action and history with a The Historian thrill. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of “The Code Hunters” by Jackson Coppley today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Jackson Coppley, a consummate storyteller, illuminates in his writing what happens when technology intersects with human behavior and emotion. Coppley weaves his stories from a sophisticated knowledge of technology and an understanding of human behavior. Coppley’s resume includes a dynamic career with leading world communications and technology companies, and the launching of what the press called “a revolutionary software program” during the rise of personal computing. As a world traveler, Coppley developed an interest in and an understanding of cultural differences and nuances which play an important role in his stories. His YouTube video on the Hmong people of Vietnam, as an example of how he investigates other cultures, received thousands of hits. It is this sensitivity about human behavior combined with the understanding of the potential of technology that brings to his writing a glimpse of what is yet to come.

Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/jcoppley

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jcoppley

Website: www.JacksonCoppley.com

Ration by Cody T. Luff Review

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

A harsh world where food is scarce and two young women must decide what they are willing to do in order to survive and whether they can help others survive in the process in author Cody T. Luff’s novel “Ration”. 

The Synopsis

Cynthia and Imeld have always lived in the Apartments. A world where every calorie is rationed and the girls who live there are forced to weigh their own hunger against the lives of the others living in the building. It’s a world where the threat of the Wet Room and Ms. Lion always lingers, and punishments are doled out heavily both by the Women who oversee them and the other girls.

When Cynthia is wrongly accused of eating an “A” ration which leads to the death of another girl, her peers punish her harshly. In seeking revenge, she is forced from the only home she has ever known, out into the broader world with one of the Women—Ms. Glennoc—who has tormented her for years. Hunger mixes with politics, intrigue, and social status, and Cynthia needs to figure it out quickly if she’s going to survive and make it back to the Apartments to save Imeld.

With her friend and Ms. Glennoc gone, Imeld is lost. Ms. Tuttle forces her to step into Ms. Glennoc’s shoes, taking on the role of a Woman in charge of all the girls, the punishments, and the Wet Room. The new role feels wrong, especially as Ms. Tuttle’s behavior becomes more and more erratic. Imeld can’t turn her back on the other girls in the Apartments, but how can she save them when she isn’t sure how to save herself? If they rebel against Ms. Tuttle and the other Women, will they starve?

Set in the far future, Ration is an unflinching take on the ways society can both thrive and go wrong as the pressure to survive builds. 

The Review

This book was incredibly well written. From the novel’s first pages, readers get a sense of being in the opening scene of Stephen King’s Carrie, if Carrie took place in the world of author Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale. A world ravaged by an unknown virus that has taken the lives of all men in the world, and the women left created a brutal system of survival like no other. 

The two main perspectives shown throughout the novel are stark contrasts with one another, as we see the innocent protagonist Cynthia thrust into a cruel reality and fighting not just to survive, but to find a way to punish those who made her and her fellow “girls” suffer. Then there is Ms. Tuttle, the strict leader of the Apartments, who follows the rules to a T but finds herself caught between a secret of her own and the harshness of her mother and the political world they come from. 

A truly gripping tale, the novel does an excellent job of delving into the despair of a dystopian novel while inciting horror and terror into the actions and ways in which the survivors of this world have adapted, where flesh and lower class “girls” are a commodity for the higher class “women” to use as they please, and even amongst advocates for change, no one can truly be completely trusted. 

The Verdict

This is a breathtaking thriller and horror adventure like no other. While the book has it’s gruesome moments when delving into the specific “payments” made by the girls, it is the pacing of the author’s writing that sells the horror aspect of this novel. Combine this with the despairing the reader feels in the dystopian setting, and readers can expect a truly engaging read that is sure to become a cult classic in the genre. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of “Ration” by Cody T. Luff today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Cody’s stories have appeared in Pilgrimage, Cirque, KYSO Flash, Menda City Review, Swamp Biscuits & Tea, and others. He is fiction winner of the 2016 Montana Book Festival Regional Emerging Writers Contest. 

Cody teaches at Portland Community College and works as a story editor. He completed an intensive MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. Cody grew up listening to stories in his grandfather’s barber shop as he shined shoes, stories told to him at bedsides and on front porches, deep in his father’s favorite woods, and in the cabs of pickup trucks on lonely dirt roads. Cody’s work explores those things both small and wondrous that move the soul, whether they be deeply real or strikingly surreal.

https://codytluff.com/

http://www.mindbuckmedia.com/

Secrets of the Sanctuary (Coven Chronicles #2) by Octavia J Riley Review

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

An influx of magical creatures seeking asylum drives Thea Bauer to search for the answers that the Coven seeks in author Octavia J Riley’s “Secrets of the Sanctuary (Coven Chronicles #2).” 

The Synopsis 

Thea Bauer has earned her way to being a highly skilled member of the Coven. Ranked as a Spellweaver, she’s assigned the more dangerous missions. Corralling a herd of wild unicorns? No problem. Taking down a witch riding the high of black magic? Piece of cake. Finding out why magic-based creatures are suddenly flooding the local sanctuary, protected by a powerful sorceress with a hatred for the Coven? Thea might need more than her tethered demonic partner to see this mission through.

She calls upon Summoner Rafe MacBain, a trusted colleague she’s known for years whose dreamy eyes might keep her up at night—but she’s not admitting that to anyone. He’s got his own demonic companion, and altogether they’re a force to be reckoned with. But, even with their combined strength, it might not be enough against feral demons escaping some of the farthest reaches of Hell.

As if that weren’t bad enough, Thea must conquer her own demons residing within herself that conjure up a painful past. Will she be able to overcome herself, or will the memories she’s tried to stray from keep her from fighting enemies in the physical realm? Thea is starting to wonder if the sorceress may be one of those enemies too. What secret is she hiding at the bottom of the sanctuary, and how will it affect everything Thea has come to know?

The Review

This was a fun and fascinating read that fans of the Fantasy/YA genre will love. While the second book in the series, newcomers like myself will easily be able to get into the narrative of this magical world where magic and magical creatures are an everyday part of life. Readers are instantly drawn to the characters introduced early on in the story, from protagonist Thea and the Summoner Rafe to the Kelpie she calls an ally and friend and the mysterious forces working all around them.

What was truly fascinating was the world building the author did for this novel. As part of a series with another author, this second book showcased the various levels of hell from which certain creatures or either summoned or imprisoned, and seeing the way each creature was categorized and divided up amongst the others was a major draw for any fans of the fantasy/YA genre. Readers truly felt immersed into the world as Thea and her friends went looking for answers, and found some of hell’s deadliest creatures loosed upon the world. Readers will love diving into the complex mythology created by the authors for this series, and the dangerous creatures chosen as the book’s antagonists.

The Verdict

This is a truly engaging and entertaining read that truly lives and breathes the YA/Fantasy genre in every page. Filled with mysteries, action, scares and a healthy blend of character and world building, this evenly paced read is something that will keep readers attention heavily focused in the moment and by book’s end, will have readers on the edge of their seat as the shocking conclusion plays out. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy of “Secrets of the Sanctuary” by Octavia J Riley today or grab your copy when it is released on October 15th, 2019!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a passion for story-telling.

I grew up in and around Nashville and the surrounding suburbs until I was old enough to co-sign on an RV with my mother. Together, we traveled the southeast searching for the next phase in our lives.

We found it next door in good ole South Carolina, though not in the ways we planned. This is where I first met Nia Rose. From there, Coven Chronicles was born. The world we helped create together strengthened our friendship, and our friendship spawned more ideas that bled into the early hours of the morning, broadening the boundaries we had placed on ourselves and our imaginations.

Currently, I’m pursuing my BA in English Language & Literature at Southern New Hampshire University, writing my second novel (book four in Coven Chronicles), brainstorming ideas for a standalone, learning a second language, and working part-time. I have plans to teach English overseas one day, maybe find Mr. Right, and expand on the world I’ve come to love so much.

Who knows, though. Life is unpredictable. Just ask my characters.

– Octavia 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poisonedapplepub/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poisonedapplepublishing/?hl=en

Website: https://www.poisonedapplepublishing.com/

Screamcatcher: Web World by Christy J. Breedlove Review

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

Four teens find themselves in a nightmarish landscape with more questions than answers as they fight to find an escape from whatever world they’ve awoken to in author Christy J. Breedlove’s novel “Screamcatcher: Web World”. 

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The Synopsis

When seventeen-year-old Jory Pike cannot shake the hellish nightmares of her parent’s deaths, she turns to an old family heirloom, a dream catcher. Even though she’s half blood Chippewa, Jory thinks old Indian lore is so yesterday, but she’s willing to give it a try. However, the dream catcher has had its fill of nightmares from an ancient and violent past. After a sleepover party, and during one of Jory’s most horrific dream episodes, the dream catcher implodes, sucking Jory and her three friends into its own world of trapped nightmares. They’re in an alternate universe—locked inside of an insane web world. How can they find the center of the web, where all good things are allowed to pass?

The Review

This was an exceptional new YA Horror/Fantasy novel like no other. So many novels in this genre explore well know and already established mythology, such as that of the Greek gods or the Norse gods, etc. Yet it is rare to find a novel that not only incorporates Native American folklore, but does it in a fresh, unique and action-packed way.

The story not only has fantastic and horrifying creatures, tales of survival and growing romance, but also has a deeply rooted emotional core in the character’s journey. Most notably Jory, the protagonist, brings a lot of heart and struggle to the tale, as she deals with the recent loss of her parents that slowly begins to mirror her adventure inside the nightmarish world she and her friends awoke in. The author does a brilliant job of creating relatable characters that readers will identify with and also creating natural bonds between them all that elevate the drama of the journey to find a way out of this hellish landscape they’re in.

The Verdict

This is a must read YA Horror/Fantasy novel. Filled with twists and turns, scares and thrills, and most importantly an emotional rollercoaster of a journey, this is a brilliant work of fiction that is deserving of a series, and I can only hope to see what happens next in Jory and her friend’s adventures. This is a candidate for YA Horror/Fantasy of the year. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of Screamcatcher: Web World by Christy J. Breedlove today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I became a story teller. I’m a diehard frantic creator of Young Adult fiction, whether it’s paranormal, science fiction, suspense or fantasy. I believe in pure escapism with unceasing action adventure and discovery. If you want a moral message or cultural statement, you’re apt to get a small one. But let me tell you something, reader, I want to make you laugh until you gag, cry until you’re dry and tear out tufts of your hair. Today, young adult lit needs a resurrection. How soon we’ve forgotten about Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Divergent and Twilight. Oh, the mania! Where has it gone? Are we losing our young readers? We need something really fresh and new. I and several writers are going to pour everything we have into that end. You are the kindly judge–help us get there and we will deliver!

Amazon Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Harold-Stevenson/e/B001K8UUBK

Christy’s Website:  https://christysyoungadultfabuliers.com/

Blog:  http://guerrillawarfareforwriters.blogspot.com/

Far and Yet So Near (The Adventures Of Fawn #3) by Al E. Boy Review

The award-winning children’s fantasy series returns in a grand fashion as Fawn finds herself facing a whole new danger: the outside world. The third book in the holiday series takes the story to all new heights in author Al E. Boy’s novel “Far and Yet So Near (The Adventures of Fawn #3)”. 

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The Synopsis

Fantastic! Fun-tastic! Fawn-tastic!!!

Far And Yet So Near is the exciting, award-winning third installment in The Adventures of Fawn, and finds the young reindeer and her faithful friends on yet another rescue mission. All of the adult reindeer suddenly fall under the control of a mysterious stranger, and mindlessly march off towards directions unknown. Fawn and company must trail the reindeer and try to bring them back home again. 

After surviving dangers like ‘Hangnail Pass’ and the ‘Wandering Bridge’ the group are led to an underground cavern where they are confronted by the stranger, who intends to steal the reindeer team. Santa and Wajic turn up in the nick of time…and it looks like everyone is safe. But the stranger has a few tricks up his sleeve, and explosions unexpectedly rock the cavern as he makes good his escape. But not before he ‘reindeer-naps’ Fawn. 

She soon finds herself a pet in an English manor house near London. Will Fawn ever return to the North Pole and Santa’s Village? Will anyone ever be able to find her? Did Santa, Wajic, Doctor Weather, Bunny and the others all perish in the explosions? What will become of Fawn? What will become of Christmas? Read “Far And Yet So Near” to find out!

The Review

While the book began with a lot of action and edge of your seat thrills, the novel overall felt much more personal and emotional than the previous novels in the series. The author did a marvelous job of focusing more on the emotional journey of Fawn, her parents, and everyone in Santa’s close-knit circle as they searched for the missing Fawn and fought to survive the initial attack. Along the way Fawn finds herself bonding with a young girl suffering from a terrible illness, and discovers that the two worlds she has lived in, (the human world and the magical world at Santa’s Village), may not be as incompatible as they once believed. 

Readers will love delving into this story as characters backstories like the powerful and mysterious Wajic are explored when an old foe from his past comes back to haunt him and his makeshift family. The book also expertly explores Fawn’s journey as she grows up in her months away from her home, and showcases the heartbreaking affects of losing a child both in Comet and Vixen’s narrative and the story of the young girl’s parents whom Fawn has found herself bonding with. 

The Verdict

Overall this was a well written, emotional and magical tale that solidifies the series as a new holiday favorite. An evenly paced read that focuses more on personal storytelling aspects rather than the larger than life magic of past novels, this story felt like the most connected the reader has ever been with Fawn, and brought a whole new element to the series that fans will love. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of “Far and Yet So Near” by Al E. Boy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Through almost 40 years as a Santa Claus, Al E. Boy developed quite a repertoire of tales to explain and answer the many questions children ask about Santa, the North Pole, his reindeer, and his friends, the elves.

It was this collection of tales which prompted him to begin writing The Adventures of Fawn. Through the young daughter of legendary reindeer Comet and Vixen, he’s been able to weave an exciting, colorful, imaginative world which will delight readers of all ages!

Mr. Boy not only hopes you enjoy these tales, but make reading them part of your Christmas traditions, as well.

Additional info: ‘Til the Last Snowflake Falls was awarded the Bronze Medal in Dan Poynter’s 2017 Global E-book Awards, is listed as ‘Recommended Reading’ with The US Review of Books, and was awarded an Honoree Medallion by indieB.R.A.G.. In addition, it has garnered a number of favorable reviews.

Enjoy a good holiday book series to read with your kids? Look no further than author Al E. Boy’s “The Adventures of Fawn” series. Read the review of the latest in the series here! #holidaybooks #bookreviews #bookblog http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36291145-til-the-last-snowflake-falls

http://aleboysnowflake.wixsite.com/fawn

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/The-Adventures-of-Fawn-740272912731782/

The Ona Pendulum: The Adventures of Fawn #2 by Al E. Boy Review

The secret history of Kristoff Kringle is explored as an ancient evil Elf Princess threatens to destroy Santa, his village, all it’s inhabitants and Christmas itself in author Al. E Boy’s novel, “The Ona Pendulum: The Adventures of Fawn #2”. 

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The Synopsis 

Fantastic! Fun-tastic! Fawn-tastic!!

The Ona Pendulum is the second award-winning book in The Adventures of Fawn series! Fawn and her friends find themselves trying to stop an evil former elf Princess from destroying The Ona Pendulum…a device that enables Santa, Wajic, the elves and reindeer to live for hundreds of years. 

The citizens of Santa’s Village…and Christmas itself… are all in great danger! But before the young reindeer and her faithful companions can start off on their mission, they must first learn how a young woodworker named Kristoff Kringle went from his family’s workshop to become the leader of hundreds of elves, and an icon of Christmas. They’ll discover how he began delivering toys, how he met the elves, and where his famous, “Ho-Ho-Ho” comes from. They’ll also learn about the Rua Ondos…wonderful, magical shooting stars which fell to Earth on the very first Christmas. The Ona Pendulum is an exciting adventure for children of all ages!

The Review

This is a brilliant continuation of an award winning children’s fantasy series. The author does a great job of upping the ante in the series as readers are treated to an original and unique origin story unlike any other. Getting to explore the history of Santa was not only fun, but the story created in this novel was more detailed, more action-packed and had more twists and turns than any other origin story for the holiday figure. 

A story of tragic losses, the past coming back to haunt the present, a perilous journey to save an iconic holiday hero, and tales of redemption make this story so engaging and hook the reader throughout the entirety of the story. Another evenly paced read, the novel does a great job of balancing the fantasy and magical elements of the novel with fantastic character building and interactions that make the story flow smoothly.

The Verdict

This is a brilliant sequel to a growing children’s fantasy series that redefines the Christmas season and the origins of Santa as a whole. The inclusion of Elven lore, the struggle for two very different worlds to find common ground and live in peace, and the pursuit of good and the will to do what’s right make this an inspiring story of children and parents alike to enjoy with one another, and is a great new chapter in the holiday season genre. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab author Al E. Boy’s novel “The Ona Pendulum” today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Through almost 40 years as a Santa Claus, Al E. Boy developed quite a repertoire of tales to explain and answer the many questions children ask about Santa, the North Pole, his reindeer, and his friends, the elves.

It was this collection of tales which prompted him to begin writing The Adventures of Fawn. Through the young daughter of legendary reindeer Comet and Vixen, he’s been able to weave an exciting, colorful, imaginative world which will delight readers of all ages!

Mr. Boy not only hopes you enjoy these tales, but make reading them part of your Christmas traditions, as well.

Additional info: ‘Til the Last Snowflake Falls was awarded the Bronze Medal in Dan Poynter’s 2017 Global E-book Awards, is listed as ‘Recommended Reading’ with The US Review of Books, and was awarded an Honoree Medallion by indieB.R.A.G.. In addition, it has garnered a number of favorable reviews.

Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36291145-til-the-last-snowflake-falls

http://aleboysnowflake.wixsite.com/fawn

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/The-Adventures-of-Fawn-740272912731782/

Plagued: The Devil Did It by Shakil Somani Review

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

A chance encounter turns into a nightmare for a young British filmmaker when his latest “hookup” turns out to have very powerful connections in the indie horror comic book “Plagued: The Devil Did It” by Shakil Somani. 

The Synopsis 

Lukas “Kas” Green, a successful British filmmaker and billionaire living in Los Angeles, takes the wrong girl home one night – she turns out to literally be the daughter of the Devil. 

The Devil punishes Kas by overrunning his brain with the creativity his film career has been built upon. 

Consequently, anytime Kas even thinks about sex, his mind is overcome with sketches and hallucinations. 

Kas attempts to cure himself of this plague of ideas and distractions, whilst balancing his movie-making career, the overpowering sketch-like stories in his mind and of course, trying to rejoin the population of Bonetown. 

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The Review

In this horror/comedy mashup, the author does a marvelous job of building an original storyline that engages readers on multiple fronts. A combination of Preacher and a sex-fueled comedy, the story is both humorous and character driven. 

While the characters were memorable, the first issue’s storyline was what really stood out to me. The protagonist didn’t come across like many of the classic “sex-obsessed” jerks that come with this genre of comic book. Instead you found a charming, sometimes forward but otherwise humorous protagonist who found himself trying to find a way to balance his creativity with his sexual desires, and in the process discovered the limits of both sides of the coin. 

The Verdict

This was a strong start to what promises to be an engaging and fun indie horror comic book series. While personally in future stories I think the overall narrative could improve with a bit more backstory to the characters and some natural transitions between scenes, overall the comic book worked well and entertained the reader greatly. 

With a mystical realism attached to the imagery thanks to the wonderful illustrations of Mark Superales, this comic book was an awesome first issue that will leave readers wanting more. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of “Plagued: The Devil Did It” by Shakil Somani today!

Rating: 8/10

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About the Author

I’ve always hated words, as long as I can remember they’ve done nothing but cause heartache. Words like; “Fluffy’s not going to make it. Sorry, not Sorry”, “I don’t love you any more” and “We’re having a girl!”. 

Like most, I endured them for a long time, until about 2 years ago when I decided I to fight back. 

But to liberate oneself from darkness, you must first step deeper into it. So for now I will read and write, trying my best to engage and entertain and once I’ve won the words over, convincing them that I’m their friend, they’ll relax, let their guard down and without even realizing, they’ll give me all the tools I need to eradicate them from society.

My mission is to destroy all words, forever and to make the future look like the distant past, where people would communicate in person through emotional, meaningful touches and primal sounds. Where the distance that ‘civilized’ beings create from each other through books, magazines and devices will evaporate.

Where sex will once again only be the sticky, messy and powerful expression of two to seven people inexorably bound in the same moment. Skype sex, phone sex and text sex will be relegated to the pages of books long-destroyed.

The first words I will erase are; border, wall and president.

I understand my crusade may be polarizing, as even those words you might think of as wholly positive must be culled, because at their core they are the seeds of humanity’s decay. That said, baby, monkey, and cupcake will be among the last to fall.

Thus far, my attempts at gaining the words’ trust have been in the form of; a comic book series – with new issues quarterly and an android game, to be released later this year. 

At present, I’m working on my debut novel and live in a flat/ War on Words H.Q in East London, with my current wife and my 2 dogs; Candy, Sparky and TamTam respectively.

Let me know what words you hate at BrainMilkProductions@Gmail.com and I might put them to the top of the kill list.

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46205035-plagued?from_search=true

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SS5PD2M

Read for free link  https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/plagued/list?title_no=310449

Arid by Anne Joyce Review

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

One small group of survivors in a world where water is sparse and only the wealthy can afford it must find a way to survive the harsh cruel world they’ve been forced into in author Anne Joyce’s novel “Arid”. 

The Synopsis

It’s the distant future and the country is overtaken by wealthy moguls who dominate the water supply and sell it back to the public at ridiculous prices. After a drastic crime increase “indigents” who can’t afford water are stripped of their belongings and forced out of town by an army of brutes called Purifiers. 

Life becomes harsh and ominous for the bright, ambitious Joshua Wyman and his group until they begin to occasionally receive food and other basic amenities from the Brutes. When a blatant abuse of Purifier power during a routine visit leaves them reeling Joshua and his friends reach their breaking point. 

They devise a plan to steal the Purifiers’ vehicle during their next visit and find a place where water is affordable. Their journey across the uncharted wastelands filled with murderers and thieves proves to be far more than this civilized, benevolent crew bargained for. Growing tensions within the nearby towns may cause the two worlds to collide, creating an epic storm.

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The Review

The author has done a spectacular job of fully immersing the readers attention into the harsh setting of this post-apocalyptic world. With the affects of global warming and climate change becoming an all too real aspect of our daily lives, the world in which the characters find themselves seems all too plausible to believe, despite the apocalyptic setting of the narrative.

The character development is what shines the brightest in this novel, with a protagonist and supporting cast of characters that mesh well together and showcase the power of family, even a makeshift family created in the cruel desert sun of an apocalyptic America. The story was evenly paced and did a marvelous job of setting the tone of the narrative, giving the reader a realistic and edge of your seat feeling that only the world created in this novel could provide. 

The Verdict

This is a must read novel for anyone who enjoys a good post-apocalyptic story. An adult outlook on the dangers of global warming and the possibility of water becoming a commodity, the story is engaging and keeps the readers invested with every chapter, and will quickly make any casual reader a fan of this amazing author. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of Arid by Anne Joyce today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Anne Rasico (AKA Anne Joyce) was born in a small town in Indiana you’ve probably never heard of. She composed short stories and comic books as a child to amuse her family and began writing poetry at the age of thirteen.

In 1998 she received an Honorable Mention for Literary Excellence for her poem “She Didn’t Come Home.” She attended business school and made the Dean’s List for three consecutive years, putting her love for writing on the back burner. It wasn’t until her mid-twenties that a political post on social networking rekindled her literary flame that has since become a bonfire.

In 2013 her novella When the Chips Are Down was named a Finalist in the MARSocial Author of the Year Contest. When she is not writing, thinking about writing, or going insane from writing she enjoys camping, fishing, swimming, and otherwise spending time with loved ones. She is mother to three extremely spoiled cats. Crazy cat lady? Probably.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7159849.Anne_Rasico

Anne Rasico (AKA Anne Joyce) (@AnneRasico) | Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/AnneJoyceWriter

Heal Yourself with Journaling Power by Mari L. McCarthy Review

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

The therapeutic nature and power of journaling is fully explored in author Mari L. McCarthy’s novel “Heal Yourself with Journaling Power”. 

The Synopsis

Heal Yourself with Journaling Power reveals the inner strength and grace that comes through the proven therapeutic power of expressive writing.

You’ll discover the life-changing magic of journaling through moving personal stories told by just a few of the thousands of people who have tapped into this highly-effective way to heal, grow, and transform your life

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The Review

This is a quick yet detailed read that fully explores the process and progress of journaling as a form of therapy. The author’s experiences with health concerns allowed her to explore journaling in a whole new light, and in the course of this book has showcased the ways the journaling power has helped with her health, her business and various aspects of her life in general. 

From releasing stress and tensions through journaling about whatever creates those stresses, to improving relationships by writing down whatever disagreements you may share with someone and boosting memory by using cognitive recall which hardwires information into one’s brain more readily, this novel covers a wide array of topics that will help anyone seeking a new form of therapy to deal with physical, mental or emotional struggles or seeks to improve areas of one’s life. 

The Verdict

This book gives a great guide on how to utilize and better use journaling to help with various aspects of your life in new and exciting ways. It allows the reader to reconsider or look at different things in life through a new lens. From using journaling as an alternate to therapists by allowing the journal writer to be 100% honest with themselves to how journaling can help anyone going through a struggle to make a major comeback, this is a novel few are going to want to miss out on, so be sure to grab your copy of Mari L. McCarthy’s novel “Heal Yourself with Journaling Power” today! 

Rating: 10/10

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Print Length: 143 Pages

Genre: Non-Fiction/Self-Help

Publisher: Mari L. McCarthy

ISBN-13: 9780463807361

ASIN: B07R47JT1T

Heal Your Self with Journaling Power is now available to purchase on Amazon.comKobo.comBarnes and Noble and also on Mari’s website CreateWriteNow.com (where you can get a signed copy).

Praise for Heal Your Self with Journaling Power

Mari McCarthy’s latest, Heal Your Self with Journaling Power, represents the voice of a warm friend who not only talks the talk but also has lived first-hand the transforming power of writing. Packed with focused, fun prompts to jump-start the journaling process, this book is a motivation and an uplift! I especially enjoy the stress-bucket exercise. Not to be missed.”

–Melanie Faith, educator and author of In a Flash and Poetry Power,

In a world of ever-present scary news, stress, and technology that distracts us from genuine human encounters, Mari McCarthy invites us to do something both simple and radical: pause daily to encounter our own souls. And she not only tells us to just do it, she shows us how with her own life story, the stories of others, and her many ideas about how to maximize the transformative power of journaling time.

— Kevin Anderson, Ph.D., Author of Now is Where God Lives: A Year of Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul and The Inconceivable Surprise of Living: Sustaining Wisdom for Spiritual Beings Trying to Be Human.

The most important lesson illustrated in Heal Your Self with Journaling Power is that anyone can enhance their health and wellbeing through the therapeutic power of expressive writing. This is the definitive book that shows you how. So just grab a pen and a pad of paper and do it!

—Mike Bundrant, Co-Founder, iNLPCenter.org

Testimony from Casey Demchak, copywriter and consultant; also featured in Chapter 8, “Design Your Future” of Heal Your Self with Journaling Power

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r5adDOqsoCH64xtiotvzkLOOI2O9GBV5/preview” width=”640″ height=”480″>

About the Author, Mari L. McCarthy

Mari L. McCarthy is the Self-Transformation Guide and Founder/Chief Inspiration Officer of CreateWriteNow.com. She is also author of the international-bestselling, award-winning book Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live.

Mari began journaling to relieve the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) over 20 years ago. Through journaling, Mari was able to ditch her prescription drugs and mitigate most of her MS symptoms. Now she teaches people throughout the world how to heal, grow, and transform their lives through the holistic power of therapeutic journaling.

She lives in a gorgeous beachfront home in Boston, where she has the freedom, flexibility, and physical ability to indulge in all her passions, which include singing and recording her own albums.

— Blog Tour Dates

June 17th @ The Muffin

What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Stop by Women on Writing’s blog The Muffin and read an interview with author Mari McCarthy and win a copy of her book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

June 18th @ Karen Brown Tyson’s Blog

Visit author Karen Brown Tyson’s blog today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about why you might still be experiencing writer’s block.

https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/

June 19th @ Conversations Live with Cyrus Webb (Originally Aired June 12th @ 10:30 AM EST)

Cyrus Webb interviews Mari McCarthy of Create Write Now about her latest bestseller Heal Your Self With Journaling Power.

http://cyruswebb.com/category/conversations-live-radio/

June 20th @ Look to the Western Sky

Visit Margo’s blog today where you can catch her review of Mari McCarthy’s incredible new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://margoldill.com/

June 22nd @ Lapidus 

Visit Lapidus, words for well-being association, where you can read Francesca’s review of Mari McCarthy’s eye-opening book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. 

https://lapidus.org.uk/news

June 23rd @ Life Like a Galaxy Girl

Stop by Alanna’s blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. 

http://lifelikeagalaxygirl.com/

June 24th @ Thoughts in Progress

Do you love the energy in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Well, if you do, you will not want to miss today’s post at the blog Thoughts in Progress where Mari McCarthy shares her tips on how to recreate the magic of NaNoWriMo in any month.

https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com

June 25th @ Bev Baird’s Blog

Make sure you stop by Bev’s blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

June 26th @ A Storybook World

Visit Deirdra’s blog today where she highlights Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

http://www.astorybookworld.com/

June 27th @ The Frugalista Mom

Make sure to Rozelyn’s blog and read her review of Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. Plus enter to win a copy for yourself!

https://thefrugalistamom.com/

June 29th @ Coffee with Lacey

Grab your coffee and visit Lacey’s blog today and read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s powerful new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://coffeewithlacey.com/

June 30th @ Wild Woman Writer

Visit Anne’s blog today where you can catch her review of Mari McCarthy’s inspiring new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://wildwomanwriter2018.blogspot.com/

July 1st @ Choices

Visit Madeline’s blog today and read Mari McCarthy’s poignant guest post about our conversations with our inner critic and how to silence them.

http://madelinesharples.com/

July 1st @ Writing Through Life

Be sure to stop by Amber’s blog and read her interview with author Mari McCarthy and also enter to win a copy of the book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 2nd @ Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

If you are in need of a new book in your life, make sure to stop by Lindsey’s blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://russelllindsey.blog/

July 2nd @ The Frugalista Mom

Stop by Rozelyn’s blog again today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about why we procrastinate and how to avoid it.

https://thefrugalistamom.com/

July 3rd @ The World of My Imagination

Visit Nicole’s blog today and catch her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

July 5th @ Bring on Lemons

Make lemons into lemonade today when you visit Crystal’s blog today and read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

July 7th @ One Sister’s Journey Keeping it Real

Visit Lisa’s blog today where you can read Mari’s blog post about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with yourself.

https://www.lisambuske.com/

Want to inspire your kids to journal? Visit Ashley’s blog today and read Mari McCarthy’s guest post featuring imaginative journaling activities to do with kids. 

July 8th @ A Day in the Life of Mom

https://adayinthelifeofmom.com/

July 9th @ Bev Baird’s Blog

Visit Bev’s blog again where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about mindful journaling for mindful eating. Don’t miss!

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

July 9th @ Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde

Visit Lindsey’s blog again where you can find out more about Mari McCarthy and her book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://russelllindsey.blog/

July 10th @ Lapidus

Join Francesca at Lapidus again where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about why journaling is part of self-care.

https://lapidus.org.uk/news

July 10th @ Look to the Western Sky

Make sure you visit Margo’s blog again and read Mari McCarthy’s guest post featuring more imaginative journaling activities you can do with your kids.

https://www.margoldill.com/

July 12th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog

Stop by author Anthony Avina’s blog today where you can read his review about Mari McCarthy’s inspirational book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

July 12th @ Bookworm Blog

Visit Anjanette’s blog today where you can read her interview with author Mari McCarthy and also be sure to check out Mari McCarthy’s guest post about journaling power for emotional health.

https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/

July 13th @ A Day in the Life of Mom

Make sure your day today includes visiting Ashley’s blog where you can read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s life-changing book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://adayinthelifeofmom.com/

July 14th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog

Do you procrastinate too much? Well, visit Anthony Avina’s blog again today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post on how to use your favorite types of procrastination to your advantage.

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

July 15th @ Strength 4 Spouses

Do you like to journal? Stop by Wendi’s blog today where author Mari McCarthy talks about journaling power for mental health. Don’t miss it!

July 16th @ Reading Whale

Visit Caitlin’s blog today and read her interview with Mari McCarthy as they talk about Mari’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://readingwhale.com/

July 17th @ Michelle Cornish Blog

Stop by Michelle’s blog where she reviews Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. You can also check out her interview with Mari and find out more about the author!

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

July 19th @ Strength 4 Spouses

Do you love journaling? Well if so, you will want to visit Wendi’s blog where she shares her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s powerful book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 19th @ Bookworm Blog

Visit Anjanette’s blog again where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/

July 21st @ Jill Sheet’s Blog

Visit Jill’s blog today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s blog post about overcoming writer’s block. Don’t miss this if you are struggling with staying inspired!

https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/

Have you ever wanted to start therapy but didn’t know how much it would cost you? Look no further as my friends at BetterHelp show you how much it would cost to get a counselor and seek therapy.