Tag: fiction

Fables from Villa Viva: The Stupid Goose by Lars Bo Appel 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. 

Author Lars Bo Appel discusses the dangers of losing one’s sense of self in the modern world and self-expression in the book Fables from Villa Viva: The Stupid Goose.

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The Synopsis

Step into Villa Viva, a world where fables aren’t just stories—they’re a reflection of the world we live in. A compelling and insightful tale, The Stupid Goose delves into the struggle for true freedom in a world where independent thought is often dismissed. Inspired by classic storytelling but deeply relevant to today, this book challenges the dangers of group behavior and the loss of self-expression in modern society.

Meet The Stupid Goose:

In this first tale, we follow The Stupid Goose—a character as insightful as she is misunderstood. While others turn a blind eye, she sees what they refuse to acknowledge. But rather than being praised, she’s dismissed as ‘stupid’ by those who prefer comfort over truth. Her journey is a reminder that seeing clearly and speaking up can be lonely—but it’s a path worth taking.


Why This Book Is for You:

  • A Thought-Provoking Fable: Blending humor, charm, and a touch of philosophical wisdom, The Stupid Goose invites readers to think for themselves and see beyond the surface of the world around them.
  • Relatable Characters, Real-World Parallels: The struggles within Villa Viva mirror real-world challenges—peer pressure, personal responsibility, and the courage to stay true to yourself.
  • For Readers Who Value Independent Thought: If you’ve ever questioned something that others blindly accepted, this book is for you.

Perfect For:

  • Fans of classic fables and innovative storytelling, where lessons bear real-world significance
  • Curious minds and lifelong learners who enjoy stories that entertain while stimulating deep reflection
  • Educational settings—whether in schools, homeschools, or one-on-one learning—as a valuable teaching resource.

…

Dare to think differently—step into Villa Viva and see the world through new eyes. Get your copy of The Stupid Goose today.

The Review

What a fun and engaging read! The author did a remarkable job of capturing the tone and heart of a fable, expertly crafting a narrative that felt fresh and unique in each tale while showcasing a unique theme or message. The warm and creative artwork accompanying each fable felt like a great way to harken back to one’s youth and explore essential messages for a more modern audience. 

The themes these fables played with were so thought-provoking as well. The idea of corporate overreach and how it impacts smaller businesses and individuals as well came to life perfectly in the first fable, while further themes of individuality versus conformity and how free thought and expression are so important in this modern and digital age, and allow readers to see how free expression is needed even in our literature in an age when censorship is at an all-time high.

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The Verdict

Exciting, fun, and yet profound in thought, author Lars Bo Appel’s “Fables from Villa Viva: The Stupid Goose” is a must-read modern-day book of fables. The twists and turns each fable takes and the necessary and valuable lessons modern-day readers can take away from them will make a lasting impression while entertaining readers. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Website – https://wildernessstate.com/

Amazon Link – https://www.amazon.com/Fables-Villa-Viva-Independent-Responsibility-ebook/dp/B0DK5T6DPT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MEJ57Z25LDEW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T9zCaayV9QeQ6jM_AY0RIA.QAjM39Z7pvlquHixm4_dnUXwTzAYIvDxl1D60RfgwQA&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+stupid+goose+villa+viva&qid=1731938129&sprefix=the+stupid+goose+villa+viv%2Caps%2C338&sr=8-1

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wildernessstate/

Amanita Virosa: The Destroying Angel by Barry Harden 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.

In author Barry Harden’s novel Amanita Virosa: The Destroying Angel, a band of citizens rises up to fight against the corruption of 1980s London.

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The Synopsis

It’s the 1980s, and London is crumbling under the weight of political corruption while the have-nots are further victimized by unfettered rogue gangs. Children are lured into the dark, lurid chambers of Whitehall, some never to be seen again. Citizens are coerced through intimidation and threats of harm against their families. Utter chaos reigns. Amanita Virosa, a courageous Roma fighter who fled the horrors of war-torn Bosnia, sought refuge in the heart of North London, only to discover that the specter of corruption and injustice haunts her adopted home. Forming an alliance with Everard, a young, homeless firebrand, and Doris, a feisty pensioner, the group embarks on a daring mission to sever the insidious grip of Whitehall’s corruption and the extortion and violence perpetrated on the innocent. Sedition, conspiracy, murder and betrayal all have a voice; some are quickly silenced, while others persistently challenge the very existence of those bold enough to defy the status quo. Loosely based on actual sociopolitical events in eighties London, Amanita Virosa is a riveting warning about the perils of government overreach and the indomitable power of the individual to resist oppression. Will their collective courage be enough to shatter the chains of oppression, or will they become casualties in a war that demands the ultimate sacrifice?

The Review

This was a compelling and intriguing read. The author established a visceral, gritty atmosphere and tone that set the stage for a unique setting that has not been widely discussed in modern history. The action and graphic violence the book depicts highlight the narrative naturally, allowing these relatable and impactful characters to grow and evolve at an even pace as the story and the stakes escalate. 

This fast-paced read prominently displayed the themes of greed, power, control, and fighting against corruption. The way the author stepped into this grim reality immediately allowed the reader to feel the desperation and how these characters became fed up and disillusioned with how those living on society’s fringes were treated. The personal connections these characters form with one another and the emotional bond they form with one another, especially Amanita and Richie later on in the book, keep the reader engaged and invested in this growing and dangerous world the author has brought to life on the page.

The Verdict

Author Barry Harden’s “Amanita Virosa: The Destroying Angel” is a must-read thriller that is memorable, engaging, and chilling. The real-life connection to historical events in London during the 80s and 90s and the adrenaline-fueled action gave readers a unique perspective and thrilling narrative that is nearly impossible 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

Barry Harden is the author of a memoir, five novels, two books of poetry and a collection of short stories in the genres of political thriller, satire, Gothic fantasy poetry, and allegorical short stories. An animal rights, environmental protection, and civil rights proponent, he often injects his affinity for such in his writings.

“Words can be like gems or sticks. A coalition of words can become a diamond necklace or a broken picket fence, whichever way one wishes to use them, and as such, I use them for my works of fiction and poetry. Dark fantasy can be alluring but dark reality is sometimes unavoidable and can cascade one’s imagination deep into the hollowed skulls that litter the subsoil beneath our feet, to be returned once again to the world in the voice of a poet.” ~Barry Harden

Some of Mr. Harden’s poetry can be viewed in video format on YouTube: Dark Gothic Poetry and Stories.

www.barryhardenauthor.com

The Hungry Bear: A Story of Courage and Compassion by Ronnie J.C. 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 bear learns the power of self-love and acceptance in author Ronnie J.C.’s children’s book, “The Hungry Bear.”

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The Synopsis

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A very hungry bear searched the forest for something to eat when he bumped into a few mean critters along the way. Bear’s spirit was broken after he was called a few mean things. He tried to hide in his cave until his friends came to cheer him up and gave him some advice. Bear learns a valuable lesson in courage and self love thanks to the power of friendship.

The Review

What a moving and heartfelt read. The author perfectly captures the trials and hardships that so many children face in their formative years, allowing younger readers to easily see themselves in the main character’s life. The powerful imagery (both the warmth of the illustrations and the symbolic nature of the book’s themes) allowed the reader to engage with the story while allowing parents to have honest conversations with these young readers simultaneously.

The theme of self-love and acceptance is widely felt throughout this book. The author showcases how cruelty and meanness can seep into everyone and anyone’s life at any turn, but having the courage and strength to rise above their words and embrace what makes a person special and unique will ultimately pay off and make life much more enjoyable. 

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The Verdict

Author Ronnie J.C.’s “The Hungry Bear” is a must-read children’s book. Its heartfelt, thoughtful, engaging themes, strong imagery, and fun and relatable nature will speak to modern audiences and keep parents and children alike engaged. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die by Marina Osipova 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 Russian-American writer on a journey of discovery unearths dark secrets tied to WWI and WWII in author Marina Osipova’s “BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die.”

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The Synopsis

What if rediscovering your birthplace unearthed a secret so powerful it could rewrite history—and your own identity?

A Russian-American writer obsessed with her birthplace – a ghostly derelict German military hospital near Berlin

Her Austrian husband, who pines for the father he never met

A passionate young doctor destined for darkness

A demonic figure who changed the course of history

Interrogation reports stolen from the Soviet secret police

What mysterious force connects them all?

This genre-bending time-slip narrative bridges 2018 to the haunting eras of WWI and WWII, interweaving together the ghosts of history and a shocking secret that threatens the present.

The story will appeal to fans of Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden and Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale.

The Review

What a profound and moving read! The author did a remarkable job of finding a unique balance between the rich history set during both world wars and the thriller and romance settings with a paranormal time-bending twist. The characters feel dynamic and vivid, harkening back to eras long gone yet familiar in their motivations and emotional depth, drawing readers further into the narrative. 

The almost rhythmic nature of the author’s writing style was a significant draw into the story more and more. The imagery brought these settings to life so eloquently, highlighting the stark contrast between the desire of the protagonist to understand her birthright and the horrors of war and the growing hostility that grew for certain marginalized groups amongst the people of Germany at the time. The honesty and depth for which the author explores both teh highs and lows of humanity as a whole, from the emotional connection the protagonist and narrator forms with the figures of the past she comes into contact with, to the haunting realities of Nazi experimentation and heinous acts they committed during WWII, allowed the reader to connect with the protagonist on a more personal level.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Marina Osipova’s BEELITZ-HEILSTÄTTEN: Where Ghosts Never Die is a must-read historical fiction meets thriller and paranormal mystery novel. The narrative’s twists and turns and the complex emotional journey the narrator finds themselves on speak to the questions of identity, being honest with oneself, and learning from the past that this book’s themes explore easily. 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/

Every Day Magic by Melanie Lane Durham 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. 

In Melanie Lane Durham’s children’s book Every Day Magic, a young girl learns the power of ritual in everyday life.

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The Synopsis

Edie is tired of her days all feeling the same.

Luckily, with the help of her Mother,

she soon realizes that she had the power

to make every day feel magical all along!

The Review

This was such a fun and powerful children’s story. The author did a remarkable job of captivating readers with thoughtful and relatable characters that children and parents could connect with. The story also helped illustrate the importance of teaching children to appreciate the small moments of everyday life that people often take for granted.

As someone who regularly investigates and talks about the paranormal community, I found it refreshing to see a children’s book that delved into holistic and magical elements of the story. The word ritual became a powerful theme in the book, often misconstrued as something “evil” by certain groups. Still, in reality, it speaks to the everyday moments that become part of everyone’s routines. I appreciated this approach to the idea and concept of both ritual and magic as a whole and its connection to the natural world. 

The Verdict

Fun, engaging, and thoughtful in its approach, author Melanie Lane Durham’s “Every Day Magic” is a must-read children’s book. The heart and passion the author poured into the story and the rich themes that readers will instantly connect with made this such a compelling children’s story to get lost in. If I am ever lucky enough to have children someday, I would want this to be a book I read to them nightly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Melanie, and I’m so grateful you’re here! As a small business owner, mom of two small children, and lover of magic and mindfulness — the opportunity to share my book with the world is a dream come true. I have loved to write since I was a young girl and I hope getting my words out there shows readers, young and old, that it’s never too late to follow your dreams! When I am not writing or working in my business, you can find me chasing my two littles (and the dog!) around my Northern California backyard or spending time with family friends.

My Story: I believe in the power of life’s little wonders. Born out of a personal journey, Everyday Magic is one of those wonders! In 2023 I was met with the sudden onset of a chronic illness caused by unforeseen circumstances with roots going back to my early childhood. What felt like overnight, I found myself going from an active entrepreneur to a woman often stuck in bed.

I began dreaming up ways to engage with my kids and make meaningful memories, even when my energy was low. These ideas became the heart of this book, a story crafted with love, imagination, and the belief that magic isn’t something we find; it’s something we create! I believe every single one of us has the power within to bring that magic to life.

I hope this story sparks wonder, connection, and a little bit of magic for you and your family- just as it has for mine!

Interview with Author Andrew Tweeddale

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I started my working life as a chef, and after 6 years, went to university as a mature student to read law. I worked as a criminal barrister between 1992 and 1994 and then worked as an international construction lawyer until April 2022. I got into writing in 1995, when my wife came home one day and told me she had signed us up to write a book on arbitration law. I wrote two arbitration textbooks with her, and in 2004, I decided to write something more interesting and started on my first novel, Of All Faiths & None. When I gave up the law in 2022, I published that book and started on my second novel, A Remembrance of Death. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I visited Castle Drogo about twenty years ago. Work started on the castle in 1911 but was delayed by World War 1. The owner, Sir Julius Drewe, lost one of his sons in the war, and I thought it would be the perfect location to set an anti-war novel.

I wondered why Sir Julius wanted to build a castle in the first place, what it symbolised to him and how it must have felt to have your child die in the war. I also wondered what drove the architect Edwin Lutyens to design a Norman-style castle with all mod-cons, and how society viewed this folly. In my latest book, A Remembrance of Death, the Drewe family has to live with the loss suffered in World War 1, and the book is about living with grief and the loss of love.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

The main themes of A Remembrance of Death are love, loss, and the constraints of society. These themes are all part of the human condition and relationships. These are the books that stand the test of time because the subjects of love, loss and social constraint are as relevant now as they were a hundred or two hundred years ago.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Having decided to write an anti-war novel based at Castle Drogo, the genre chose itself.

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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

One of the characters that appears in Of All Faiths & None and A Remembrance of Death is called Jiddu Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti was a real person who Time magazine described as one of the five saints of the 20th century. In 1910, the Theosophy Society thought he would be the vehicle to carry the spirit of the World Teacher (i.e., the Messiah). In 1922, he rejected this idea and returned the wealth donated to him with the words, “Truth is a pathless land.” I would ask him whether he thought all religion was wrong, as it seems to me that to understand ‘life’, you cannot limit yourself to following an individual religion or path.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Facebook is probably the most helpful because of the Facebook ads facility that allows a writer to market to readers with interests in similar books. 

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

There is an old saying that if you want to be a writer, write. It’s true. Sit down five days a week and write.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

The third book in the Castle Drogo series will be out at the end of the year or early next year. The first draft of my new novel, Only Breath & Shadow has been completed, and I am at the stage where I am editing it. After that, I intend to take a break from the Castle Drogo series and start on a project about the Battle of Imjin River and the stand of the Glorious Glosters. I am not sure about what comes next, although I have two more ideas for novels in the Castle Drogo series and perhaps a play.

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About the Author

Andrew has worked as a chef, a lawyer and is now an author. 

‘Of All Faiths & None’ was Andrew’s first novel, published in 2022, and tells the story of the Drewe and Lutyens families in the final years before World War 1. The novel is centred around Castle Drogo, the last great castle to be built in England. The castle is out-of-place in a modern world and its construction reflects the turmoil of the times. However, foremost the novel is a romance where relationships are shattered by an unrelenting war. Andrew’s second novel ‘A Remembrance of Death’ takes the story from 1917 to 1955 and deals with Basil Drewe and Celia Lutyens and their relationship during the darkest moments of modern history. Andrew is currently writing a third novel in the Castle Drogo series which he hopes will be publish in 2026.

https://www.ofallfaiths.com/

Links to purchase the books:

 Amazon link (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0BDX43P8J             

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/andrew%20tweeddale    

Apple Books – https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-remembrance-of-death/id6738423011     

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550014597188

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofallfaiths/

X: (17) Andrew Tweeddale (@AndrewTweeddal1) / X    

Tick Town by Christopher A. Micklos 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 small town becomes infested with mutant ticks in author Christopher A. Micklos’s “Tick Town.”

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The Synopsis

Welcome to Tick Town


Tomahawk Hollow has a huge problem. Slaughtered livestock. Disappearing townsfolk. And something in the woods hungry for blood. When a young reporter and her boss investigate, they discover a band of giant mutant ticks have made the rural Wisconsin tourist town their feeding ground.

Now, with the annual Harvest Moon Jubilee about to begin, Emmaline and Jackson must race to find the queen tick and her nest before a massive clutch of monster eggs hatch…and thousands more terrifying ticks are unleashed into the world!

Bursting with cinematic action, horror, fun, and suspense, TICK TOWN is an old-school, pulse-pounding pulp horror adventure. If you like classic creature feature horror fiction like JAWS and NIGHT OF THE CRABS or b-movie monster mayhem like THEM! and STARSHIP TROOPERS, you’ll love TICK TOWN!

The Review

I loved this pulp horror novel. The instant I was hooked on this narrative, I was transported back to my youth, when my family and I watched the pulp horror meets creature feature Eight Legged Freaks, with giant spiders taking out a small town. The author perfectly captures this same theme, tapping into the everyday fears people associate with insects and the inescapable feeling of trying to outrun threats far bigger than ourselves. The vivid imagery and the fast pacing of the narrative instantly transport the reader into the action, getting lost in the growing threat these creatures pose and the dangers they pose. 

To me, the true heart of this book was in the fantastic attention to detail the author put into making classic horror tropes work, making them feel both classic yet fresh in this narrative. From the small town setting of Tomahawk Hollow, to the teens hanging out in the woods they know they shouldn’t be in, to the abandoned building no one goes near but these kids do, and so much more, this novel oozes the iconic horror tropes that have made people such fans of the genre. The characters felt familiar, from the out-of-town visitors who seemed up to no good, the citizens put into the role of heroes, and even the laughable and reviled characters you either love or love to hate.

The Verdict

Haunting, thrilling, and entertaining, author Christopher Micklos’s “Tick Town” is a must-read pulp horror classic in the making, and one horror novel readers will want to watch out for this summer. The twists and turns in the narrative and the mixture of fun and horror readers get when delving further and further into the narrative will stay with them long after the story ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or pick up your copy on June 24th, 2025. 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Christopher Micklos is a life-long horror junkie, an award-winning filmmaker, and a frequently published writer of horror-themed fiction and non-fiction. A member of the Horror Writers Association and the Wisconsin Writers Association, Christopher recently received the Wisconsin Backbone of Horror Award for “crafting amazing horror experiences” and “supporting Wisconsin horror.” His two feature films, THE NURSERY and THE HEADMISTRESS, are widely available streaming and on DVD; and his writing has appeared locally in numerous national outlets, including Rue Morgue Magazine, Sci-Fi Lampoon Magazine, and many others. . Christopher lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, daughter, two frisky ferrets, and their monstrous mini-labradoodle Ygor.

https://christophermicklos.com/

The Way of Stones (The Red Kingdom Book Two) by Ryan Lanz 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.

In the aftermath of a failed attack, a group of rebels must regroup while dealing with a traitor in their midst, while a former hunter of the Corrupted struggles with becoming one of them, and the mission he has been given as well in author Ryan Lanz’s “The Way of Stones”, the second book in the Red Kingdom series.

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The Synopsis

In a changing world, old loyalties might not survive.

The attack on Abalreen has failed. Phessipi’s band of rebels have regrouped in the forest, but she’s missing some of her key people. She’s finding it hard to move forward and even harder to come up with a new plan, especially now that The Order has its sights set on revenge.

Levas just wants things back the way they were, before the Corrupted attacked Abalreen, damaging his city and The Order’s trust in him at the same time. He used to be Lord Commander of the army, but now, he’s on the run, desperate to get back home.

Rhael is still coming to grips with having an ability, something that could get him arrested or killed. He knows how this works—he used to hunt Corrupted before becoming one of them. So when the most powerful man in Abalreen gives him a mission, he knows he needs to pay attention…even if it means betraying others like him.

The fight for survival always leaves casualties behind.

The Review

As with the first book in the series, this novel did an incredible job of world-building, not only with the world readers were introduced to in the first book, but also with the new faces and places that readers became acquainted with in this novel. The slow, methodical pacing allowed the author to draw the reader into this narrative, and the rich dynamic between the political nature behind the divisiveness of this kingdom, the power moves those in power make, and the fantasy mythos the world embraces wholeheartedly, made this narrative shine.

The standout moments of this novel came in the character development that transpired throughout this narrative. Readers get multiple perspectives throughout this book from characters like Rhael and his allies as they struggle in the aftermath of such a brutal battle. He remains conflicted about his new reality, and Phessipi’s struggles in the wake of such a monumental loss, the author did a masterful job of reconnecting readers with the characters of this series. Yet it also served to introduce new perspectives and engage with new readers, such as the introduction of Jaheim’s story and how his perspective introduced the theme of loss, hidden secrets, and how war impacts those caught in the crosshairs. 

The Verdict

Memorable, heart-pounding, and entertaining, author Ryan Lanz’s “The Way of Stones” is a great way to delve back into the Red Kingdom series and a must-read fantasy story. The twists and turns that come and the rich mythos this unique fantasy world builds upon will keep readers thrilled and eager for the next entry 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

Ryan Lanz was born and raised in Hawaii, but now lives in the continental United States.

When traveling the world with a theater production and music education company, he was exposed to a broad range of people, culture, stories, and experiences.

Now he spends his time writing fantasy books, usually with his pet parrot supervising.

Iguana by Vincent Traughber Meis 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 losing his parents and ending a long-term relationship, a man relocates to Mexico to find a new beginning. In Vincent Traughber Meis’s “Iguana,” he begins a complex relationship with a divorced young father.

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The Synopsis

Reeling from the end of a long-term relationship and the death of his parents during the COVID years, Dawson Wozniak attempts to reinvent himself in Mexico. He is able to continue his job, working remotely as an editor for a West Coast publisher. He dives into this new world, making friends with ex-pats and Mexicans, including a best-selling author who has abandoned writing, the author’s wife who guides him along the path of his new life in a fun-loving seaside town, and a quirky repatriated Mexican with new-age ideals. 

One night during a raging thunderstorm, Dawson has an encounter with an iguana and then steals a kiss from a young man unsure of his sexuality. A minute later the two men witness the death of a young Mexican falling from the roof of Dawson’s building. These events are forever connected in his head, charting a course for a rocky relationship with Ivan, the divorced father with whom he shared the kiss. Dawson is forced to take a hard look at himself and what it means to be a foreigner in Mexico, causing him to make decisions that complicate his life and Ivan’s. They are thrown into a web of emotional, psychological, and moral dilemmas. Despite the complications, Dawson believes his new life is the antidote to the unfulfilling life he left behind in the States. The enigmatic attraction between the two men finds its own tempo and they keep coming back to each other against all odds while Dawson’s other friends alternate between warning him about and applauding his new relationship. 

The Review

What a profoundly engaging and memorable read! The author created complex, relatable, and thoughtful characters that readers could identify with and become enamored with. The delicate balance between living one’s truth and understanding the complexity of society plays into the narrative as the story evolves and grows, and readers become immersed in the characters’ lives so thoroughly.

The heart of this story is the web of themes that intertwine with one another. The heartbreak that comes with loss, from the protagonist’s parents and the young man who falls to his death, to even the encounter with the titular Iguana, made this theme stand out firmly from the beginning. Mixed with this is the theme of identity, and seeing the protagonist own his sexuality while having to learn about the cultural and societal hardships that the people he becomes close with throughout the narrative made this a powerful story to read.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, heartfelt, and engaging, author Vincent Traughber Meis’s “Iguana” is a must-read novel. The narrative’s nature, delving into the losses that so many experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the idea of personal identity in a changing world still embedded in deep cultures, makes it one of my favorite reads of 2025 thus far. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Vincent Meis grew up in Decatur, Illinois and graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans.

He has worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, publishing many academic articles in his field as well as articles about teaching ESL overseas. He has also traveled extensively in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and South American. He is fluent in Spanish. As result of his travels and time abroad he published a number of pieces, mostly travel articles, but also a few poems and book reviews, in publications such as, The Advocate, LA Weekly, In Style, and Our World in the 1980’s and 90’s. His travels have inspired four novels, all set at least partially in foreign countries: Eddie’s Desert Rose (2011), Tio Jorge (2012), and Down in Cuba (2013) and Deluge (2016). Tio Jorge received a Rainbow Award in the category of Bisexual Fiction in 2012. Down in Cuba received two Rainbow Awards in 2013. Deluge won a Rainbow Award in 2016. Recently his stories have been published in several collections, including WITH:New Gay Fiction, Best Gay Erotica Vol 1and Best Gay Erotica Vol 4. In December 2019, his fifth novel Four Calling Burds will be published. In 2021, he has published two books with NineStar Press, The Mayor of Oak Street, a novel, and Far from Home, a collection of short stories.

https://www.vincentmeis.com/