Tag: fiction

The Voice in the Well (Migrant Birds Book 3) by Magdalena Stanhoff 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. 

A young man returns to the city he grew up in, hoping to reconnect with a lost flame, only to discover she is different than he even knew, and perhaps they both need each other, in author Magdalen Stanhoff’s “The Voice in the Well,” the third book in the Migrant Birds series.

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The Synopsis

Kamila never thought she’d need saving. Nor did she peg Taeyeon as romantic hero material. Wrong—on both counts.

At eighteen, Taeyeon had to leave the city where he’d grown up, his laid-back life, his school buddies…and Kamila. He always intended to return and find her again, and now he’s finally free to give that old dream a good chase. But nothing goes as expected.

The unfriendly ghost he meets in Warsaw hardly resembles the dauntless girl from his memories. Something happened to her while he was away, but as Taeyeon digs around for clues, it also becomes clear that he never knew the real Kamila in the first place. And that he needs to make up for it—fast.

Kamila’s life is unraveling: her friends have scattered all over the world, she’s dropped out of college, and what’s left of her family is quickly falling apart. And then, that juvenile player from her teenage years, the devil-may-care boy she never expected to see again appears out of the blue and starts messing with her miserable existence.

Only, Taeyeon’s not a boy anymore, and he will do anything to wake Kamila up. Upon which, she may discover she’s not the only one who needs to be saved…

The Review

Emotionally driven and relatable, the author has crafted a novel that speaks volumes with subtle scenes and powerful character development. The reflective nature of the book’s themes and character arcs was both unique and insightful, allowing the reader to become engulfed in the drama and the heartfelt romance of the story while also reflecting on the real-world experiences the author infused into the fabric of this story, such as the border conflict between Poland and Belarus, as well as the theme of going home again and helping others in their time of need. 

The driving force behind this story, though, was the romance between the two protagonists, Kamila and Taeyeon. The hardships they both endure, together and in their respective corners of the world, and how they come together to find solace in one another’s orbit, give the reader a relationship to become hooked on and an emotional connection to the characters. The imagery and poetry of the author’s writing style brought these scenes vividly to life, giving readers a cinematic quality, much like watching an indie romantic drama for the first time.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and thoughtful in its delivery, author Magdalena Stanhoff’s “The Voice in the Well” is a must-read novel and a grand entry in the Migrant Birds series. The romance, drama, and complex themes of identity, cultural clashes and cohesion, and the evolution of relationships will keep readers invested until the very last page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Magdalena Stanhoff loves traveling and is vividly interested in how diverse cultures coexist, clash, and mix, and how it influences people’s life. Her contemporary novels explore romantic love, family bonds, and friendship in their various forms and shades, and since the author is an incurable dreamer, they always end with the HEA.

Splenditude by Eileen T. Lynch 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.

Trigger Warning: Storylines of mental health, suicide, and self-harm are part of this novel. Reader’s Discretion is Advised.

A woman with dreams of being a writer, struggling with her own mental health, finds solace in helping children with similar struggles. However, her world is turned upside down by the reappearance of a long-lost acquaintance whose motivations may be darker than she realizes, as depicted in the novel “Splenditude” by Ellen T. Lynch. 

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The Synopsis

Version 1.0.0

A book bearing her name on the spine is Deirdre Collins’ driving passion. A book that a reader will remove from a library shelf to take home on a rainy afternoon. A book she can dedicate to her late father. Her dream is to join the Chicago school of writers led by Saul Bellow, Nelson Algren, and Stuart Dybek.

When she is unable to publish her first novel, depression lands her on suicide watch in an Albuquerque behavioral hospital. There she meets Max Fletcher, a handsome young man with drive and genius who is battling demons of his own.

After discharge, they move to different parts of the country and lose track of each other. Max becomes a successful entertainment producer for a late night talk show.

As her father’s health fails, Deirdre leaves the artistic community in New Mexico to lead a quiet life in a rural Illinois town. She writes and tends her great aunt’s garden. One morning she finds a teenager on her property with a gun. After reporting the incident to her local high school, she lands a job supervising a room for at-risk kids. A healthy life style and a commitment to her writing enables her to conquer mood swings that derailed her as a young woman. Working with kids who struggle with depression and anxiety, mood disorders, and other behavioral problems opens her mind and then her heart to the wide range of sorrow and joy on the human spectrum.

A call from Max Fletcher upends Deirdre’s peaceful existence. Max promises publishing connections which have eluded Deirdre. She is flattered by Max’s attention and his desire to help her achieve her dreams. Then she discovers his true intentions. A confrontation in New York reveals Max’s deteriorating health which he believes is untreatable by medication or therapy. When Deirdre discovers that Max has plagiarized her work, she must decide whether to take legal action against him.

The Review

This was a profoundly moving read. The author did an incredible job of creating a heartfelt drama that was character-driven in every aspect. The narrative was very introspective, allowing the reader to feel the inner workings of the protagonist’s mind and their struggles through a slow-burn style of storytelling. 

The heart of the story was in the theme and the authenticity the author brought to the story and characters. The importance of focusing on mental health and the artistic process, as well as the nuance that comes with discovering our passions and drives in life, was well-developed in the narrative. The balance of the dark moments the characters faced, combined with the hopeful notes the future brought to their lives, made this story so emotionally heartwarming in its delivery.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and heartfelt, author Eileen T. Lynch’s “Splenditude” is a must-read genre fiction drama. The emotional and vulnerable themes the author explores, along with the wealth of character development and hopeful undertones, create a well-balanced narrative that readers can relate to and identify with. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Eileen Lynch is a writer, editor, and teacher who has lived in Chicago, IL and New Mexico. The city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs are a backdrop for her work.

Cassandra’s Shadow by M. Brosh 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. 

Author M. Brosh shares a daring and thrilling look into the secret world of Israel’s Intelligence agency in the novel “Cassandra’s Shadow.”

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The Synopsis

A gripping Mossad thriller based on real-life intelligence operations.

Since its founding in 1949, the Israeli Mossad has stunned the world with bold, often seemingly impossible missions carried out across the globe. Now, for the first time, many of the secrets behind these covert operations are revealed in a fast-paced, suspense-filled espionage novel.

Blending fact with fiction, Cassandra’s Shadow dives deep into the hidden world of Israeli intelligence, recounting dramatic Mossad operations across European capitals, in the streets of Tehran, beneath the sea aboard stealth submarines, and inside Iran’s secret nuclear facilities. These episodes, inspired by real missions, expose the methods, risks, and sacrifices of one of the world’s most advanced—and most daring—intelligence agencies.

Told in cinematic prose and packed with high-stakes tension, Cassandra’s Shadow is more than just a spy novel. It’s a riveting journey into the shadows of global espionage, based on true events that have shaped the course of modern history.

Perfect for fans of international spy thrillers, political intrigue, and real Mossad operations.

The Review

From the outset, readers are immersed in a world of intrigue and suspense as an intense mission unfolds to prevent a new nuclear power from emerging. The realism and visceral nature of the operations and missions undertaken by the characters, especially given that much of the book is based on real missions carried out by Mossad agents, kept readers engaged and invested in the developing narrative. The adrenaline-fueled action and the powerful imagery of each setting allowed the reader to experience the novel in a very cinematic way, delivering a complex espionage thriller that mirrored the action of live-action projects like 24 and The Jason Bourne series.

The authenticity the author brought to these settings and characters was what stood out in this story. The way the author gave everyone involved in these missions a voice, from the soldiers and military leaders to scientists and spies, felt very well-rounded in delivery, and the realistic nature of the story allowed the more high-stakes, heart-pounding moments to feel visceral in their delivery. 

The Verdict

Action-packed, entertaining, yet thought-provoking all at once, author M. Brosh’s “Cassandra’s Shadow” is a must-read spy thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative, the fast-paced story, and the gripping characters that readers will instantly engage with, make this one thriller readers won’t want to put down this summer. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A member of a kibbutz in central Israel, M. Brosh has always been drawn to what lies beneath the surface. His writing reflects a quiet familiarity with the hidden layers of reality—shaped by life experiences rarely spoken of, but deeply felt between the lines.

The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter by D.K. Thorne Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

A mind extractor in a dystopian virtual world discovers a hidden secret that could hold the key to saving humanity in author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter.”

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The Synopsis

What if reality is a relic?


What if neural decay silenced your language—and killed thought itself?

Splinter launches you into Onyros, a virtual reality dystopia where thought is currency—and extinction is everywhere.

  • Neural mercenaries dive into synthetic paradises to harvest memories before flesh decays (a true mind-uploading sci-fi thriller)
  • Logan Bochniak is a dying breed—one of the last Splinters racing toward cognitive failure in a post-human cyberpunk world.
  • An impossible signal echoes through the system: an anomaly in the system itself.

Memory is a maze. Reality is a rumor. Your only hope is a fraying mind.

For fans of Red Rising, Cyberpunk 2077, William Gibson, Peter Watts, Black Mirror and YA dystopian books —and anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the end of meaning.

The Review

This was both entertaining and thought-provoking to dive into. The dark, gritty tones of this sci-fi dystopian world were immediately felt, and readers were thrust into a world of intrigue and mystery that felt chaotic and oppressive, as the mystery deepened further. The angst and the forboding nature of the larger threat to humanity are felt in every chapter, and the rich imagery in the author’s writing style captures the darker underbelly of this cyberpunk narrative. 

The heart of this story lies in the grand themes the author explores and the compelling character dynamics at play. Logan, as a protagonist, is a powerhouse, revealing depth and complexity as he navigates the tension between his cold indifference, shaped by life experiences, and the harsh reality of the impact this virtual world has on humanity, as well as the secret he uncovers. The author’s commentary on technology and science as a whole, especially virtual reality and AI, is astounding, focusing not just on world-building but on the neurological and physical impact that being immersed in a virtual setting for long periods can have on the human body.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, enthralling, and memorable, author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles book 1: Splinter” is a must-read cyberpunk dystopian thriller. The connection the author makes between consciousness and its interweaving with our biology, as well as the plethora of unique characters and the epic world-building of Onyros as a whole, make this a sci-fi epic that readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

D. K. Thorne studied philosophy and sociology, holding a B.Sc. in Psychology. With philosophical science fiction as his first love, Thorne crafts stories that explore the complex intersection between consciousness and reality.

The Onyros Chronicles is Thorne’s labor of love—a high-paced dystopian saga spanning multiple volumes that ventures into uncharted sci-fi territory.

When not writing, Thorne can be found working in abandoned Polish cabins and quiet attics. An award-nominated writer, he enjoys collaborating with artists from all over the world.

https://www.instagram.com/d.k.thorne/

The Ageless by Timothy Hernandez 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. 

A series of disappearances in early 20th-century London leads an investigator into a dark mystery in author Timothy Hernandez’s “The Ageless.”

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The Synopsis

From the Personal Archives of Richard Matthews – London, 1905

What follows are the recovered journal entries of Richard Matthews—a private investigator by trade—and his involvement in the infamous case of London’s vanishing children. These documents, long thought lost, shed new light on one of the city’s most perplexing mysteries, and the man Commissioner Edward Richard Henry trusted to solve.

The official records confirm 12 disappearances—9 of which were children. With no signs of forced entry and no helpful clues, the lead inspector assumes foreign spies are the culprit, eager to get their hands on naval shipping secrets.

But these journal entries suggest a darker tale.

Whether these pages contain the ramblings of a man lost to his vices, or a truth too terrible for history to acknowledge, I leave to the reader’s judgment. The journal, along with its accompanying letters, offers a window into one of London’s most enigmatic cases—a mystery that has come to be known as “The Ageless.”

What follows is his story, presented in its entirety for the first time.

Reader, be warned: some doors, once opened, cannot be easily closed.

The 64K Society

The Review

This was such an engaging and captivating read. The author found an outstanding balance between late 19th-century and early 20th-century London investigations with Gothic, dark fantasy-driven horror. The narrative was delivered at a quick pace, yet still managed to create a haunting, dark atmosphere that captured the cold, cobblestone-laden streets of London in the 19th century. 

What stood out as the heart of this story was the natural development of mythology and fantastic character development. The protagonist, Richard Matthews, is a figure haunted by the past, and yet determined to stop a great injustice from being unleashed on London once more. The first-person narrative allowed the reader to experience the setbacks, frustration, and determination that Richard exuded on the pages, while also sensing the mystery behind the words Richard wasn’t saying throughout the investigation.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Timothy Hernandez’s “The Ageless” is a must-read thriller that blends dark fantasy and horror. The Gaslamp fantasy element of the narrative, the haunting atmosphere of the setting, and the shocking twists and turns that upend a classic children’s story, as well as the origins of this mystery, make this a compelling novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Drawing from his experience working for several fortune 500 companies, coupled with his passion for visual storytelling and digital cinematography, Timothy Hernandez brings a filmmaker’s eye to the complexities of corporate culture and personal transformation. After building a successful career in regional and training management, a recent disability shifted his perspective, inspiring him to craft a powerful narrative about adaptation and resilience—weaving together his deep understanding of storytelling techniques with raw, honest insights about how unexpected life changes reshape our journey.

https://linktr.ee/timothyhernandezauthor

The Boy, The Cube, and the Elf (Central Fire Series Book One) by Brent Golembiewski 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. 

After his parents’ sudden disappearance, a boy must partner up with a mysterious young girl and flee the only space station he has ever called home to evade a deadly bounty hunter in author Brent Golembiewski’s “The Boy, The Cube, and the Elf.” The first book in the Central Fire Series. 

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The Synopsis

Unexpectedly abandoned, Nico is determined to find the reason behind his parents’ mysterious absence. Problem is, he’s never left the space station he’s called home for all of his twelve years. As if his situation isn’t bad enough, a young girl arrives on a spaceship demanding to meet his father. While searching the station, they’re attacked by a vicious bounty hunter. Nico and his reluctant new ally must escape at all costs. Thrust into a world he doesn’t understand, Nico has to tolerate and put his trust in a stranger with objectives of her own if he hopes to evade deadly enemies, find his parents, and learn the answers to the questions that seem to pop up at every turn.

The Review

This story was fun, action-packed, and engaging for young adults and middle-grade readers. The pacing was fast-paced, allowing the reader to understand the world-building the author brought to life on the page without sacrificing action or suspense surrounding the story itself. The imagery in the author’s writing captured the wilds of space travel, making the idea of Earth a long-lost part of history to the protagonist while vividly bringing space stations and ships to life with relative ease.

Yet the heart of this story was in how the author effortlessly meshed the fantasy and science fiction genres together seamlessly. The way Nico was able to look at life in space with such relative ease, and yet find the magic and wonder of fantasy elements, such as the inclusion of Maddie, an elf, into the cast of characters, as well as creatures like goblins or even dragons. The mythology the author can draw out is impressive, revealing enough to draw the reader in and yet leaving enough mystery to keep readers invested in future books.

The Verdict

Entertaining, thrilling, and phenomenally written, author Brent Golembiewski’s “The Boy, The Cube, and the Elf” is a must-read YA and middle-grade sci-fi meets fantasy novel, and a grand entry into the Central Fire Series. The twists and turns the book takes, the humorous dialogue and character development between Nico and Maddie, and the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Nico’s parents will leave readers with a cliffhanger that will instantly keep them intrigued for the release of 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

Brent Golembiewski is a U. S. Air Force veteran with 20+ years of service. He started his career as an enlisted troop, working as an Electronic Warfare Technician, and completed it as an officer, never working a day as a Helicopter Evaluator Pilot, flying the mighty UH-1N “Huey”. After retiring from the USAF, he began Valkyrie Air, providing aircraft charter operations for people who find value in time. He met the love of his life in the second-worst place he’d ever been stationed and she’s still on active duty. Together they have two boys, the terrible Ts, and one old caricature of a dog that will never die.

www.authorbrentg.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066743936699

https://www.instagram.com/authorbrentg/

Naga’s Wings: A World Where Everyone Belongs By G.P. Fripp 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. 

A young girl discovers the power of being herself wholly and entirely in the book “Naga’s Wings: A World Where Everyone Belongs” by author G.P. Fripp. 

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The Synopsis

Meet Naga, a bold and imaginative girl who never apologizes for being different. With a heart as strong as her emotions and dreams that soar like the wings of a dragon, she embraces her uniqueness in a world that often misunderstands her. Naga’s Wings is a heartwarming story about the power of diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. As Naga journeys through her colorful world, she discovers that true strength lies in being herself—and that everyone deserves a place to belong. Let your imagination take flight with Naga, where differences are celebrated, and every child can find their own wings.

The Review

This was such an imaginative and kind-hearted children’s story. The author crafted a vivid and colorful world celebrating uniqueness and originality, which is much needed in our current world. The pacing was perfect, allowing young readers to enjoy the vibrant world the author brought to life on the page while also getting lost in the overall story and characters. 

The powerful themes of acceptance and celebrating what makes us all unique blended well with the memorable and relatable characters that made this book feel so connected. The natural fusion of the natural and magical worlds in this story and how protagonist Naga challenged the judgments and pressure so many kids face from their peers in school by embracing her differences were inspirational and engaging for young and older readers. 

The Verdict

Iconic, creative, and thoughtful, author G.P. Fripp’s “Naga’s Wings” is a must-read children’s book. The well rounded nature of Naga as a protagonist, showing both her fierce bravery in the face of peer pressure and her vulnerability as she works to curb her emotions in the heat of a moment, allow the reader to connect with the overall story at a time where this world needs to be willing to accept our differences without forcing what makes us unique onto other people, but allowing ourselves to celebrate those differences at the same time. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

G.P. Fripp is a dedicated children’s book author, proud mother, and immigrant, who has often felt like an outsider as a minority woman. Drawing from her personal experiences, she creates stories inspired by her children that champion kindness, inclusion, and acceptance. Her characters, like the Naga—Balinese for dragon—carry a spirit of strength and strong emotions, reflecting her own journey and resilience. Her books aim to foster understanding and empathy in young readers, encouraging them to embrace differences. Outside of writing, G.P. Fripp loves spending quality time with her family, traveling to places to understand local cultures, cooking, taking nature walks, biking, practicing yoga, and mindfulness meditation. A lifelong lover of books, she believes in the power of storytelling to create a kinder, more inclusive world.

https://www.enjoylifereading.com/

Too Many Wolves in the Local Woods by Marina Osipova 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.

As two women face oppression from an invading army during WWII, a daughter years later attempts to uncover her mother’s heroism, only to discover a shocking truth in author Marina Osipova’s “Too Many Wolves in the Local Woods.”

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The Synopsis

Two unlikely women with a shared history, two different turns of fate.

The end of the 1930s. The specter of twisted paranoia of Stalin’s unrelenting dictatorship continues to tighten over the Soviet Union. NKVD, the country’s secret police, coerces University graduate Ursula Kriegshammer, a Soviet Volga German with special skills, into serving this regime.

Natasha Ivanova, a worker at a metal plant in Vitebsk, a city at the western border of the Soviet Union, still can’t recover from the betrayal of the man she loves.

When in 1941 the German Army invaded Byelorussia, both women seem to be helping the cause to fight the ruthless occupiers. But when their paths cross, tragedy strikes, and one must carry the burden of guilt. Will she ever find peace with herself and the way out of the trap fate prepared for her?

Years later, the daughter of one of them launches on a quest to uncover the heroic nature of her mother’s role in WWII, only to discover a heart-shattering revelation of her own parentage.

The Review

The attention to detail in this book was incredible. The visceral imagery in the author’s writing style captured the haunting, cold, and chilling nature of not only WWII, but the Stalin-era Soviet Union as well. The balance the author found in character development and history was excellent, and the way the author captured the humanity behind these characters and explored how the way of life under Stalin’s rule impacted how they evolved and grew over time was fantastic. 

The duality of Ursula, one of the protagonists, as she struggles with her ties to Germany and Russia, especially regarding her duties, was compelling to get lost in as a reader. The slow build-up that turns into a sudden and thrilling WWII era plot and the honest depictions of the Nazi occupation and Stalinist Russia was truly haunting. The complex romance and family drama the author infuses into this narrative will elevate the story tenfold and leave readers invested in an emotional wellspring that will endure long past the book’s end.

The Verdict

Author Marina Osipova’s “Too Many Wolves in the Local Woods” is a must-read historical fiction thriller that is visceral, thrilling, and engaging. The natural infusion of romance and drama into this WWII story and the chilling and introspective look into how patriotism can be used against people to the point of corrupting their principles and turning people against one another kept readers engaged throughout this entire novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Marina Osipova was born in East Germany into a military family and grew up in Russia, where she graduated from the Moscow State Institute of History and Archives. When she was five, she decided she wanted to speak German and, years later, she earned a diploma as a German language translator from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Languages. In Russia, she worked first in a scientific-technical institute as a translator, then in a Government Ministry in the office of international relations, later for some Austrian firms. For many years, she lived in New York, working in a law firm, and then in Austria for several years. In the spring of 2022, after spending ten months in Russia, some unfortunate world events brought her back to the United States.

A long-standing member of the Historical Novel Society, she is dedicated to writing historical fiction, especially related to WWII. Her books garnered numerous literary awards, including a 1st Place WINNER of the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards novel competition for 20th Century Wartime Fiction (a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards). At some point or another, all her books hit the Amazon Top 100 lists in Historical Russian Fiction and Historical German Fiction and How Dare the Birds Sing even #1 or #2 in War Fiction in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Her readers praise her books for “emotional realism,” for “taking on a subject that few authors have touched,” for “writing with heart and compassion while not holding back from hard cold realities of war,” for “giving an authentic and in-depth look at a culture that tends to baffle westerners.”

To learn more about Marina Osipova and her captivating books, visit her website at marina-osipova.com

You can find her also on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marina.osipova.14/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4701687.Marina_Osipova

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marosikok

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-osipova-65b81418/

All the Time by Lincoln James Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

A man looking to reconnect with his dying mother finds himself transported back in time and must find a way to get back to his own time before it is too late in author Lincoln James’s “All the Time.”

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The Synopsis

The past isn’t just a memory… It’s a trap.

When Carter sets out to reconnect with his dying mother, he never expects to arrive at her house years before he was born. Stuck in the past with nothing but his car, a bag of clothes, and a barely working iPhone, Carter faces an impossible question: how did he get here—and how can he get back?

Time is slipping through his fingers, and every moment spent in the past pulls him further from the future he’s desperate to return to.

Caught between what was and what could be, Carter begins to question if time is something you can outrun…or if it’s already run out.

 The Review

This was such an emotional and engaging read. The author did an incredible job of layering this story with heart and compassion, exploring some deep themes of love, loss, and the hardship of connecting with lost parents. The imagery and atmosphere the author can infuse into this story are remarkable, giving readers both an artistic use of said imagery and a cinematic storytelling path that plays in the reader’s mind like a film.

The two things that stuck out were how much attention the author paid to the time travel elements of the story, as well as the fast pacing of the narrative. The author can still take the time to build up the world around the protagonist and capture the different periods that this narrative spans, while still moving the story along smoothly without slowing down or giving away too much unnecessary detail. The emotional depth of how time itself was treated, not only in terms of the sci-fi genre and time-bending overall, but the feeling of time slipping away in anyone’s life when facing the loss of a loved one, allowed the reader to engage with the protagonist on a much deeper level.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and thrilling, author Lincoln James’s “All the Time” is a must-read YA sci-fi novel. The author’s atmosphere and emotion in this narrative felt like a mix of Stephen King and Peter Straub’s The Talisman meets Mike Flanagan’s take on The Midnight Club. The thoughtful approach to such heavy and gut-wrenching themes will keep readers invested until the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Lincoln James, your favorite author’s favorite author, is celebrated for his haunting love stories, vintage thrillers, and slow-burn suspense. His characters feel, ache, and bleed, often trapped between the past and the people who won’t let them forget it.

In 2025, James was featured in The New York Review and named Best New Thriller Author in New York by Best of Best Review, honors recognizing his compelling storytelling and emotional depth.

When he’s not writing, James is an English and Communication professor in New York City and cherishes moments with friends and family, proving that the most thrilling tales lie in the love and laughter shared with those closest to us.

https://thelincolnjames.com/