I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man serving the final part of a 30-to-life sentence reflects on the life that brought him to this redemptive arc in author Paul Cody’s “Walk the Dark”.
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The Synopsis
Oliver Curtin grows up in a nocturnal world with a mother who is a sex worker and drug addict, and whose love is real yet increasingly unreliable. His narration alternates between that troubled childhood and the present of the novel, where he is serving the last months of a thirty-years-to-life sentence in a maximum-security prison in upstate New York, for a crime he committed at age seventeen. His redemption is closely allied with his memories, seen with growing clarity and courage. If he can remember, then life in the larger world is possible for him.
The Review
This was such a compelling and rich novel. The author expertly weaves a drama that delves into the prison system and the impact incarceration can have on individuals. The heavy atmosphere and the stellar use of tension and time jumps throughout the narrative elevated the protagonist’s story considerably.
The psychological impact of both life in prison and his complicated relationship with his mother and the women in his life made Oliver’s story so dynamic. The blurred lines between the past and the present as the author jumped around Oliver’s life allowed the reader to peel back the layers of the character’s experiences perfectly. The examination of what life for prisoners is like once they get out, especially after long sentences, gives readers a haunting image of the anxiety and stress that they face in the “real world.”
The Verdict
Author Paul Cody’s “Walk the Dark” is a must-read novel. It is memorable, engaging, and artfully written. The personal and character-driven narrative and the heartfelt exploration of this man’s life will keep readers hooked on the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
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A professor and environmental activist accused of cybercrime must make his way to a safe haven, encountering unusual characters and situations along the way in author Gretchen McCullough’s “Confessions of a Knight Errant: Drifters, Thieves, and Ali Baba’s Treasure”.
The Synopsis
Confessions of a Knight Errant is a comedic, picaresque novel in the tradition of Don Quixote with a flamboyant cast of characters. Dr. Gary Watson is the picaro, a radical environmentalist and wannabe novelist who has been accused of masterminding a computer hack that wiped out the files of a major publishing company. His Sancho Panza is Kharalombos, a fat, gluttonous Greek dancing teacher, who is wanted by the secret police for cavorting with the daughter of the Big Man of Egypt. Self-preservation necessitates a hurried journey to the refuge of a girls’ camp in rural Texas. Then a body turns up nearby that is connected to Middle East antiquities, and they are on the run once more.
The Review
This was a compelling and humorous genre fiction tale. The author did an amazing job of crafting a narrative that felt both original and literary genius at the same time, capturing the tone and thought-provoking narrative style that made the infamous Don Quixote so infamous. The imagery in the writing itself really brought these settings to life, showcasing the vast settings that these characters walked through in their adventures.
Yet it was the balance of character development and an almost episodic format to the novel overall that made this story shine so brightly. Each chapter and section took on an almost individualistic approach as if the story was a television show playing out across 24 episodes. The way the author was able to create these unique and original characters in the narrative while still giving the protagonist and his companion enough time on the page to fully develop made this a fantastic narrative to get lost in.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, memorable, and compelling, author Gretchen McCullough’s “Confessions of a Knight Errant: Drifters, Thieves, and Ali Baba’s Treasure” is a must-read genre fiction and humor novel. The twists and turns in the protagonist’s journey and the rich cast of characters will have readers eagerly devouring this book for years to come. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Gretchen McCullough was raised in Harlingen Texas. After graduating from Brown University in 1984, she taught in Egypt, Turkey and Japan. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and was awarded a teaching Fulbright to Syria from 1997-1999. Her stories, essays and reviews have appeared in The Barcelona Review, Archipelago, National Public Radio, Story South, Guernica, The Common, The Millions, and the LA Review of Books. Translations in English and Arabic have been published in: Nizwa, Banipal, Brooklyn Rail in Translation, World Literature Today and Washington Square Review with Mohamed Metwalli. Her bi-lingual book of short stories in English and Arabic, Three Stories From Cairo, translated with Mohamed Metwalli was published in July 2011 by AFAQ Publishing House, Cairo. A collection of short stories about expatriate life in Cairo, Shahrazad’s Tooth, was also published by AFAQ in 2013. Currently, she is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Composition at the American University in Cairo.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
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A young man struggling with his life must find a path forward in author Anne Leigh Parrish’s “A Summer Morning”.
The Synopsis
As Timothy Dugan makes his way through life, he is beset by a growing list of problems.
His girlfriend, a full-time college student, wants to have a baby, he hates his job, and his mother announces that she and his father, long divorced, plan to remarry. He copes by drinking too much. When his mother suggests it’s time for another round of therapy, Timothy loudly resists. He knows his outlook is sour and vows to do better. Then Harcourt, a former fraternity brother, presents him with an attractive business opportunity to get in on a home-building business, and things start to look up. Timothy happily resigns his position as manager of the local GAP store. Harcourt, however, has a bad habit of cutting corners to save money and things fall apart. Timothy feels the best way to get his feet back under him is to nail things down with Sam, so he buys her an insanely expensive engagement ring she says is all wrong. She comes around to the idea of marriage after meeting Melissa, Timothy’s former girlfriend, who has a son Timothy didn’t know about. Timothy’s feelings are stirred up by Melissa’s presence, and he goes into a slow-motion train wreck. Promise after promise is broken until Sam reaches a breaking point. She’s committed to Timothy, but their future is dark. Will her love light the way again? Or has she finally had enough?
The Review
This was a complex yet engaging narrative that didn’t let go. The author did a remarkable job of crafting a story that felt organic and locked into the realities of what goes into a modern relationship. The engaging atmosphere and the rich tension that builds within these character dynamics will instantly hook readers into the narrative.
To me, it was the blend of deep-seated emotional storytelling with captivating character development that made this story shine so brightly. Rather than shy away from the truths that so many people live through in relationships, the author perfectly highlights the struggles and hardships that can occur in a relationship, and how the outside forces in our lives, from work to past relationships and more, can have an impact on the relationship that matters most to us.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Anne Leigh Parrish’s “A Summer Morning” is a must-read genre fiction, romance, and drama novel that is not to be missed. The upcoming book will delve into the detailed struggles of modern relationships, bring about realistic characters readers can latch onto, and bring an emotional end that will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Anne Leigh Parrish lives in a forest in the South Sound Region of Washington State. She is the author of twelve previously books which include short stories, novels, and poems. She has recently ventured into the art of photography. Find her online at anneleighparrish.com.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
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A simple traffic accident begins a rage-filled confrontation between two families set against the backdrop of toxic culture in American society in the book “Take the Lively Air” by Mick Bennett.
The Synopsis
In Take the Lively Air, a minor traffic collision escalates into a confrontation between two families haunted by their pasts and apprehensive of their futures. Rage and regret butt heads against the background of America’s toxic cultural climate. But saner voices discover that human frailties are best viewed through the microscope of compassion, and our common humanity must be acknowledged to make way for our futures.
The Review
This was a thoughtful and beautifully crafted novel. The way the past and present clash with one another and come to a chaotic halt in the course of this one accident really allows the tension and atmosphere to climb and settle over the reader. The wonderful use of imagery in the author’s narrative allowed the vibrant settings along the New Jersey beach to come to life on the page, and bring that relatability that the narrative has.
The heart of this story has to be in the character growth this story holds. The story perfectly examines the complex family dynamics that can be found in a modern home, while also showcasing how the past and the ghosts of that past can impact our present and how we treat one another as well. The steps the protagonist takes to make amends and see life not through the rage and anger that society is holding onto, but the compassion and understanding that we all crave made this a memorable read.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, enlightening, and heartfelt, author Mick Bennett’s “Take the Lively Air” is a must-read literary fiction read. The twists and turns in the narrative and the emotional connection that readers will make with these characters make this quite a compelling narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Mick Bennett is from Belmar, New Jersey. Bennett attended Gettysburg College, and after graduation in 1975, found a job at a high school 15 miles from Gettysburg where he taught for 33 years. Bennett is the author of four books: Missing You in Belmar, Summer Mirrors, Boardwalk Man, and Beat the Blues.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Barry Robbins takes readers through a unique trip into the past as infamous figures through history encounter the objects that remained just out of reach of their fame in the book “Lessons from the Sidewalk: Encounters with the Discarded”.
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The Synopsis
Lessons from the Sidewalk: Encounters with the Discarded plunges you into a world where the mundane meets the monumental. Imagine a scenario where Leonardo da Vinci stands transfixed by an old, forgotten yo-yo, or Winston Churchill finds himself deeply contemplative over a dented trash can. What could these everyday objects possibly share with such towering figures?
Unravel the tapestry of unexpected encounters as icons from history, from Napoleon Bonaparte to Hamlet, face off with the most ordinary, discarded items. But there’s a twist—each seemingly trivial find becomes a mirror, reflecting profound truths about existence, ambition, and the echoes of the human soul.
Every chapter is an expedition, navigating through the annals of history, the depths of iconic personalities, and the shared experiences that bind us all. Discover the profound lessons nestled in life’s seemingly insignificant moments and items.
Step into a world where the forgotten gains voice, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and history’s giants are seen in an entirely unprecedented light. Dive in, and see yourself reflected in the unexpected corners of history and everyday life.
The Review
This was a compelling and captivating genre fiction read. The blend of historical fiction with historical and celebrity psychological deep dives made this such a gripping read. The way the author is able to tackle so many different historical figures and pair them with so many different ordinary objects really shows off the creativity and insights that the author has.
The most striking aspect of this book was how the author’s use of these everyday objects with these historical figures spoke to the historical figures’s mindset about the humanity that resided within these figures outside of their fame. The importance of these everyday stories and objects and the role they place in the world, along with the mindset and way in which these characters view the world made this a remarkable read.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Barry Robbins’s “Lessons from the Sidewalk” is a must-read genre fiction novel. The historical fiction aspects of each figure’s story and experience with these objects and the human condition they speak to make this book fly by and become one of the more introspective reads of the year. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Barry Robbins is a celebrated author, having penned five notable satirical works that earned him three gold medal awards, and the first book in his ‘icons’ series. With a 26-year tenure as an accountant for an international firm under his belt, he took a bold leap, relocating to Finland’s tranquil shores. There, amidst its enchanting landscapes and in the company of his Finnish wife and two beautiful daughters, he found a renewed passion for storytelling and mastered the subtle intricacies of expatriate life (including, notably, the fine art of taking out the trash). Now, from his home in Florida, Barry crafts tales that are both engaging and thought-provoking, adding to his diverse literary canvas.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
As I often—maybe crassly—put it, writing was my brain’s way of going to the bathroom. I had the fortune of being read to at a very early age, which gave me an appreciation of storytelling and the written word. Soon, the ol’ (or, young) creative bladder was full of ideas that had to come out. There were some detours—for much of my adolescence, I routed my creative energy into screenwriting and designing video games—but I returned to prose for its refreshingly solitary nature. With fiction, I’m not producing a blueprint. I’m making the thing, and it’s all on me if it doesn’t get done. So I began selling short stories when I was about 19, and wrote a novel a year till I sold one—Skunk Ape Semester—to a small press when I was 27.
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What inspired you to write your book?
Like a lot of my books, it came from the intersection of different interests: physics, cosmology, mythology (from ancient Egypt to Celtic), paranormal phenomena, spirituality, and more. All these swirled together like cosmic debris for a while, before my subconscious eventually coalesced them into workable galaxy of an idea, which became Walking the Dusk. My books tend to be strange marriages. Dreamshores: Monster Island mixes stop-motion B-movie monsters with pantheism and the nature of consciousness.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Mostly to meditate on the vastness of not only the universe out there, but the universe within you and other people. Altogether, we inhabit, share and exist as one great mystery, and the book fancifully explores the possibilities of that mystery based on what crumbs we’ve been able to sweep together, as well as the limits of what a human brain can know.
What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve always been drawn to speculative fiction—meaning any shade of fantasy, science fiction and horror. Particularly what’s now called “curio fiction”, which takes our world gives it an offbeat, mystical or fantastical edge. I think it’s a perfect vehicle to combine what I see as the more attractive qualities of a “literary” story—psychology, philosophy, culture, intellectual insight—with the broader imaginative probing of the supernatural, the nature of existence, God, consciousness, otherworldly realms, etc. The ideal is to fulfill the best that both “literary” and “genre” have to offer.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I would ask Megan Barry, the protagonist’s sister, how she reconciles in her head the bizarre things she witnessed as a child, and what worldview grew out of that that compelled her as an adult to seek whatever it was she sought. Did she know exactly what she was seeking? Does she now? She sort of represents a fear of mine: bright, creative, and restless, with no outlet, and no real direction.
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What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
If any, it would be Facebook, my only one. I’m taking a stand against all our time with social media. I think it’s been a net drain on society, honestly. And the years I tried building a platform on Twitter yielded little more than a sea of bots and people rudely and nakedly out for themselves. Sorry to sound like a downer. I just think we could all benefit from scaling back. Way back.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Keep the balance between hubris and humility. Hubris keeps you doing, from idea to idea, rejection to acceptance. It affirms you have a contribution to make. Humility allows you the self-awareness to make that contribution shine, to know when to check your worst impulses, or when your editor is right, and to ultimately grow your craft and career. Go to conferences, too. Meet people—in real life. Listen to what others have to say and develop a fine enough radar to know when it applies to you, and when it doesn’t. It’s unhealthy to always accept or always reject a piece of advice.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I have a dark urban fantasy coming out February 29th, 2024, Ancient Tides Ashore, which takes place on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and explores a psychic connection between a modern woman, an ancient Polynesian, and a mysterious elemental spirit in the local waters. I also have stories coming out in the anthologies December Tales II (Curious Blue Press) and Tangle & Fen (Crone Girls Press).
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About the Author
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mike Robinson is the award-winning author of multiple speculative fiction novels and dozens of short stories which have appeared in the likes of 2019’s American Gothic Fantasy anthology, Storyteller Magazine, A Woman Unbecoming, Underland Arcana and more. He has received honors from Writers of the Future, Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Contest, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Maxy Awards and others, and is also the editor of J.P. Barnett’s popular, award-winning “Lorestalker” series.
In between, he hikes (often with his two dogs), swims, draws, tries to learn the didgeridoo and, yes, has even been known to actually write a screenplay or two, some of which have received their own notices.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young man stuck in a conservative high school seeks a life of carefree aloofness and finds himself thrust into the center of the psychedelic movement of the 60s in author Paul Justison’s “Lost and Found in the 60s”.
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The Synopsis
Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye returns as Mark Stenrud to bring the psychedelic era vividly life in Lost and Found in the 60s. Alienated from a toxic mother, and in constant conflict at his conservative high school because of his radical politics, Mark Stenrud escapes for Haight-Ashbury, where he takes a job in the post office and settles into a carefree existence in the psychedelic center of the universe. LSD chemists notice his organizational skills and calmness in the face of danger and recruit him to join their enterprise. He accepts and has free time for romance, adventures, and street justice. After months of success, he loses his touch, leading to narrow escapes, bad decisions, and his own downfall. Along the way, he learns about loss, forgiveness, and the meaning of self-respect.
The Review
This was such an incredibly powerful and captivating historical fiction meets genre fiction read. The author does an amazing job of building the atmosphere and setting through some stunning uses of imagery in the writing. The way the author was able to layer in these deep themes of accountability, finding one’s place in the world, and the anti-war sentiments of the 60s, made this narrative feel alive on the page and did an incredible job of making the story capture the era so effortlessly.
Yet for me, the novel itself was the perfect character study that truly did embrace the Holden Caulfield vibe of J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. The breathtaking and emotional journey that Mark goes on in this novel showcases the highs and lows of the psychedelic era. The atmosphere of the decade and the setting itself (San Francisco) made the story perfectly set up the protagonist’s rise and fall and mirrored the events of the era seamlessly.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, captivating, and engaging, author Paul Justison’s “Lost and Found in the 60s” is a must-read historical fiction and genre fiction read. The twists and turns in the character’s arc and the profoundly moving experiences the protagonist underwent that defined his character evolution kept me 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
Paul Justison dropped out of high school in 1966 and fled to Haight-Ashbury, spending most of the next two years there and in Marin County engaging in all the pleasures and follies that magical time had to offer. After the sixties ended, he went to college, started a career, and raised a family. He has been published in The Rumpus, The Gambler Mag, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Fiction on the Web. Lost and Found in the 60s is his first novel.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A former player for the All-American Girls Baseball League finds herself facing a new battle as she works to save the land her family held and the horses that live within it in author Gayle M. Smith’s “Thickwood”.
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The Synopsis
Raised on a ranch in Saskatchewan’s rugged Thickwood Hills, where the prairie transitions to the forest, Willomena Swift, home from playing for the Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, finds a precious foal killed by a rogue stallion.
The stallion’s owner, once Willo’s baseball coach, now chairs the committee heading up the new cooperative pasture—a pasture that is set to swallow her family lease, where she grew up, learned to love and understand horses and dreamed of returning to raise them.
Facing numerous challenges with both the stallion and his owner, Willo remembers her past years playing professional baseball as she struggles to realize her dreams in the present.
Amid romance and tragedy, Willo must find a way to stand on her own and assert her rightful place in her beloved Thickwood.
The Review
This was a truly engaging and richly developed period drama meets genre fiction read. The author expertly wove a special story of facing adversity head-on and overcoming the tragedies we are hit with in life in an effort to move forward, pursue our dreams and maybe even find love. The atmosphere and tone helped elevate the novel’s deep-seated themes and powerful character development, and the rich setting of the late 1940s, early 1950s era middle America kept me invested in these characters with some fantastic history.
Yet as I mentioned before, the character growth and themes that this novel explored really made it something special. The ways in which the protagonist not only grew into the role of the independent and secure land owner but also used this growth to highlight the themes of empowerment, the struggle through adversity, and the will to find our passions in life, made this novel such a stunning work of art. The history and culture of middle America during this period of time were so rich to see come to life on the page, as it highlighted the struggle many independent women had as our nation came out of the war and women were found to be running the lives that these men had left behind during the war.
The Verdict
Captivating, thought-provoking, and entertaining, author Gayle M. Smith’s “Thickwood” is a must-read genre fiction novel. The period piece does an excellent job of showcasing both sides of Willo’s life, from her past as a star player to her desire to run her family’s livelihood and care for the horses that brought her so much joy as a child. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Gayle M. Smith, author of Thickwood, grew up in Alberta. She distinctly remembers her family life on a mixed subsistence farm in central Alberta where, as a young child, she developed a love for animals, especially horses, and a love for reading and writing illustrated stories.In 1989, Gayle married a Saskatchewan farmer and settled into rural life to raise three children, numerous crops, purebred and commercial cattle, and horses. Gayle and her husband used the local PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) Federal pasture program for their commercial cattle. They also used their horses to gather and trail their cattle to various home pastures. Gayle was accepted into the 2011 Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Mentorship program, where she drafted her first novel. Gayle has also been a member of a writer’s group for over ten years. In 2015, Gayle graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Master of Fine Arts in Writing.Yearly wilderness pack trips in Northern Saskatchewan with her horses inspire her writing. She also rides in the mountains, competes in numerous equestrian events, and owns and operates a horse boarding facility. Gayle’s love of the environment, history, and adventure shines in her writing. She daily interacts with her beloved partner, her family, her horses, and her rural home, while contemplating and exploring through her writing the struggle and dilemma of being human.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The youngest son of a Chinese emperor finds himself captured and purchased by an Elder of two Native American tribes and must find the truth behind the idea of freedom in the historical fiction novel “The New Empire” by Alison McBain.
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The Synopsis
In the alternate history novel The New Empire, the world undergoes a drastic change in the 14th century when Chinese ships land on the west coast of what we know as the Bay Area of California. Fast forward four hundred years to a much different America than we’ve read about in the history books, a land dominated by a cross-continental tribal confederacy grown out of a strong alliance with Beijing. This new empire has been built on the backs of enslaved Chinese political prisoners and a profitable trading partnership overseas. Into the mix comes Jiangxi, youngest son of the last Chinese Emperor. When he arrives from across the ocean as a boy, he is purchased by Onas, a renowned tribal Elder of both the Haudenosaunee and Mutsun tribes. As Jiangxi grows up, he’s caught between the two worlds of his past and present, forced into choosing between opposing ideas of freedom. Told from the main perspective of a Chinese slave in a Native American world, The New Empire paints a vibrant picture that draws strongly on a non-Eurocentric worldview.
The Review
This was such a powerful and engaging read. The world-building and culture that embedded itself into the narrative were mesmerizing, and the way the author was able to capture an 18th-century North American continent that featured a Non-Eurocentric worldview was incredible to behold. The brutality and chilling imagery the author was able to infuse into the narrative really painted a grim picture of the horrors of slavery and the cost of freedom overall to so many throughout human history, as well as the importance of a person’s heritage and culture when it conflicts with the life that has been thrust onto them.
Yet for me, the underlying themes of family, betrayal, and freedom really captivated me throughout this story. The haunting nature of how Jiangxi came to be enslaved in the first place as the result of a chilling uprising and power grab by his older brother made the protagonist feel the sting of betrayal and loss. The relationship he develops with Onas and Daiyu throughout the narrative was so compelling and spoke to the dual reality of his life as he becomes an apprentice in a land of laws yet struggles with the identity of the slave he was made into all those years ago and recognizes that struggle in his newfound allies. The fight for freedom takes a heavy toll throughout the narrative, and the morality that the protagonist faces is incredibly compelling.
The Verdict
Captivating, engaging, and brilliantly written, author Alison McBain’s “The New Empire” is a must-read historical fiction novel of 2022. An incredible and highly creative book that highlights the realities of what our world’s trajectory could have looked like if an Eastern exploration had led to a more Eastern-led American continent was fascinating to see come to fruition, and the rich character dynamics and emotional storytelling will keep readers invested in this amazing author’s work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Alison McBain is a Pushcart Prize-nominated author with over two hundred short stories, poems, and articles published worldwide. Her books have been honored with gold in the Literary Classics International Book Awards, as well as being finalists in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards and IAN Book of the Year. Her forthcoming novel, The New Empire, won gold in the When Words Count Pitch Week contest and will be published in October 2022. When not writing, Ms. McBain is the associate editor for the literary magazine Scribes*MICRO*Fiction, co-editor of Morning Musings Magazine, and pens an award-winning webcomic called Toddler Times. She lives in Alberta, Canada.
