Tag: reading

Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana 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 woman must hide her magic and identity to join the enemy’s army and topple them from within in author Sarah Mughal Rana’s “Dawn of the Firebird.”

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The Synopsis

For fans of The Poppy War, She Who Became the Sun, and The Will of the Many, a breathtaking fantasy novel about the daughter of an overthrown emperor from an exciting new voice

Khamilla Zahr-zad’s life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she’s known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an emperor’s clan, she spent her childhood training to maintain his throne. But when her clansmen are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change. With her heavenly magic of nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield—especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za’skar. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy’s army school full of jinn, magic, and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her clan, and reclaim their throne.

To survive, she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father’s teachings. With a war brewing amongst the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible choices: vengeance or salvation.

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The Review

One of the most visceral and compelling adult fantasy reads of 2025, this novel really did an incredible job of laying out an original mythos and world-building that kept readers enthralled. The powerful imagery in the author’s writing brought this desert kingdom to life and made the bloody and gruesome wars and battles the main character witnessed feel alive on the page.

The driving force behind this story was definitely the character development and themes of identity threaded throughout the narrative. The protagonist especially felt alive on the page, as a young woman who spent her entire life torn between two different visions of her destiny that others had for her and harbored a power within herself that would change everything. The identity theme ran deep in her storyline, from questions about the importance of holding on to a people’s culture to morality versus loyalty, and so much more.

The Verdict

A gripping, tense, and entertaining fantasy-driven tale of destiny and vengeance, author Sarah Mughal Rana’s “Dawn of the Firebird” is a must-read of 2025. The epic battles, essential themes of culture and identity, and the natural way magic and fantasy creatures were embedded into the narrative allowed the character-driven narrative to shine brightly in this book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

SARAH MUGHAL RANA is a Muslim author and student who completed her bachelors with honours at the University of Toronto and is now at Oxford University, studying at the intersection of economics and policy. She is a BookTok personality and the co-host of On The Write Track Podcast where she enjoys spilling tea with her favourite authors about the book world. Her debut YA novel, Hope Ablaze, published in February 2024. Outside of school, she falls down history rabbit holes and trains in traditional martial arts.

Social Links:

Author Website: https://www.sarahmughalrana.net/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahmughal769 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769 

Buy Links: 

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/dawn-of-the-firebird-a-novel-sarah-mughal-rana/7a9c7e2bf615b04f 

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dawn-of-the-firebird-sarah-mughal-rana/

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Now Please Enjoy this Excerpt from DAWN OF THE FIREBIRD

Before…

Year 495 after Nuh’s great flood,

Era of the heavenly birds

Tezmi’a Mountains, Azadniabad Empire

I would inherit the power of the Heavens, Uma had said so.

But my power was a curse, this she did not have to say. Like any great legend, my tale began with tragedy.

In the stories later recounted from my maternal uncle, my uma had a glad-tiding the night of my birth, as all mothers of gifted children did. It was near the winter solstice in the year 495, she dreamt of light emanating from my infant body, bathing her in a cool glow. She knew the Divine had shown the power I would come to inherit: nūr, cold Heavenly light, the same spiritual power that flows through the firebird.

But that night when I sprang free of Uma’s womb, our chieftains dreamt of a world of darkness. War and destruction. She is an omen, the tribe murmured, despite my uncle the khan reprimanding their frivolous superstitions. Her mother refuses to name her, nor does her father, the Great Emperor, accept her. With his many wives and heirs, this child is but one of many. But Uma knew in her heart that blessings came with a little suffering, that was the Divine’s way. My child is neither cursed nor omen. She has the affinity of light. Uma liked her secrets. This one she tucked close to her chest.

In the spring pastures of our valley Tezmi’a, that year brought a drought that starved the lands, killing portions of herd. Other peculiar happenings sowed fear in the tribe: more raids, more deaths. When Uma suckled me, wild birds would encircle the yurt before flapping into the felt tents, spilling dried meat, spoiling the yak milk and provoking our hunting birds.

‘The girl is cursed,’ my clansmen argued.

‘The girl is simply a girl. And we are God-fearing men,’ my uncle would reprimand. ‘We blame misfortune on no one but our own sins.’

‘But the birds,’ the tribe would insist, ‘they surround the babe. She is unnatural!’ It was true – wherever I was carried there was the sweep of wings above, and birdsong from the trees.

Swaddling me close, the khan’s most favoured wife spoke. Babshah Khatun. To her, not one dared argue. ‘Enough, you superstitious fools. She is a blessing who has brought forth more birds for hunting. She is unusual; but, unusual children bear the greatest gifts. However I hear your fear. The chief folkteller has the hearts of their kinsmen, for they carry the histories of our sorrows. As your folkteller, Divine as my witness, I will make this babe my apprentice. She will carry with her the tales of your greatest joys and fears until the end of her days.’

The stern lady, though young, never broke her oaths. In irony, her oath became my curse. 

In the winter quarters, the best pastures were south of the alpine lake. That year, the khan’s tribe erected their yurts and herded thousands of yaks, wild mares and lambs at the base of the harsh snow-capped mountains, amongst the rolling green alpine meadows, thin grass growing above cold dirt. From the lake, icy streams broke through the rocky grasslands of Tezmi’a.

It was my seventh Flood Festival, commemorating the day Nuh left the ark after the Great Flood. That morning, the children competed, to see whose prized hunting bird would find the keenest prey. Before long, the khan’s favoured wife interrupted and led the children up the pastures until they reached the end of the settlement of tents, toward the thick woodland. 

Some of the tribe’s warriors, who’d escorted goods and cattle across the mountain pass for the emperor’s merchants, rested against the boundary of trees, waxing their compound bows. Others sipped apricot tea to fling back the wet chill, nodding to us in greeting. The khan sat with them, my uma – his sister – beside him. When she spotted our group, Uma scowled and stalked toward us.

‘O, Babshah, what senseless idea do you have now?’

Babshah Khatun merely smiled in silence. Uma placed a hand against my back, staring at the hunting birds cowing upon my shoulder. She warned, ‘Do not go too south of the mountain pass. There are patrols from the enemy clans who snatch away children like her.’

Still Babshah Khatun continued deep into the womb of the valley, past protruding boulders, and clumps of elm, into the tall deep grasses that fattened the wild onagers. Trails where humans rarely ventured, and the jinn-folk still reigned. The wind whispered into the children’s hair. The entombed roots of wizened trees sprawled through the woodlands, and whizzing sprites, those mischievous little apprentices to the long-passed fae of these lands, showered seeds to pollinate the flora. A deceivingly drowsy day for the violence that it promised. A place where the old ways still mattered and the Divine-made boundary between jinn-folk and human blurred.

Determined, I tripped along next to Babshah, resisting the urge to clasp the long end of her yak leather tunic, lest she think me not brave. Even my hunting buzzards on my shoulders canted their heads, curious.

Babshah sat squat and brushed her pale hand across the dirt. Her black hair swung with the wind, a dozen thin braids clasped in silver beads and an array of hawk feathers, not dissimilar to my own. The only difference was a camel-skin cord around her temple with a blue wooden block indicating her status as a wife of the khan.

‘Today, we will do a new type of hunt,’ Babshah declared. ‘Hunting by folktelling.’

The children murmured amongst themselves, but Babshah did not elaborate. Instead, she latched on to my hand – ‘Prepare yourself, my apprentice’ – before continuing along the fir path.

When we stopped, and it came time for our hunting pairings, my milk-sibling Haj refused to take me as a partner. He was ten years old, only three years my senior, but the gap was large enough to fuel his arrogance. He took his complaints to Babshah.

‘My uma says to stay away from her, else she will curse my bird’s game! I train with a spotted sparrowhawk. The girl trains with a pair of sooty buzzards. Smaller and useless, just like her. With all the birds that follow her, she will scare away the prey.’

‘I may be Ayşenor’s only child, but I am not useless,’ I muttered, keeping my lip from trembling.

***

Excerpted from Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana, Copyright © 2025 by Sarah Mughal rana. Published by Hanover Square Press.

Class Action by Gail Ward Olmsted 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 young woman fighting for her future becomes embroiled in scholarly conspiracies and complicated relationships in author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Class Action.”

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The Synopsis

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Third year law student Lennon Gallagher’s life turns from complicated to overwhelming when she receives a message meant for someone else. The text offers an advance copy of a final exam-a guaranteed “A”-but accepting it will violate the honors code she refuses to break. When Lennon declines, the collaborators behind the cheating scheme demand her silence or they will ensure she takes the fall if necessary.

Fighting for her future while balancing an internship, exams, studying for the bar, a boyfriend who no longer seems to understand her, and a mother who needs help rebuilding her life after prison, Lennon tries to handle everything alone. But when she discovers the lead plaintiff in her firm’s class action lawsuit might be the father she’s never known, it’s the final straw. She needs help.

With the support of her friend and mentor, attorney Miranda Quinn, Lennon must navigate betrayal, legal intrigue, and personal discovery. As one relationship unravels, another blossoms in this gripping story of resilience, secrets, and second chances.

A captivating read full of unexpected twists and emotional depth.

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The Review

This was yet another enthralling legal drama and compelling legal read. The author does an incredible job of layering the narrative with dynamic storytelling and a fast-paced pace that speaks to the reader and helps connect with the characters. The story itself is a thriller, but it balances well with added elements of romance, family drama, and the complexities of academic life and the legal system.

The main draw of this narrative was its rich character development and powerful themes. The struggle of those in school, especially law students who don’t come from affluent families or legacies and must make their own place in the world, was a strong theme that played well into the story. The balance the author found in bringing Lennon’s personal struggles with finding her biological father, maintaining a relationship with a distant boyfriend, and the struggles she has with her mother, who has been in and out of her life constantly, was exceptional. Pair this with characters like Miranda Quinn from the author’s previous books, and the strong characters become part of a larger world the author has carefully cultivated.

The Verdict

Suspenseful, compelling, and engaging, author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Class Action” is a must-read legal thriller and drama. The culture the author explores within law school itself and the competitive nature of it all, as well as the personal stakes Lennon faces and the twists and turns the stories take in this novel, will keep readers enthralled until the book’s emotional ending. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on December 11th, 2025 or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a full-time basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical novel featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband’s, and his wife Mary. Miranda Fights is the third book in the Miranda Quinn Legal Twist series. Olmsted enjoys writing about quirky, wonderful women in search of a second chance at a happy ever after. When not writing, she loves being on the water, especially in a kayak. She is well known for her blonde brownies, and coffee is her love language. For more, visit her on Facebook at gailolmstedauthor.

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Interview with Author Michael Ede

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

I am 68 years old now. I come from a family of 9 children, 7 boys and 2 girls. I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and lived there my entire life. I have been married to my wife Lynn for 36 years. We have two adult children, Michael and Shannon. We have 3 grandsons- 4 year old Jack and 3 year old identical twin boys, Parker and Henry. The children and grandsons are our world! I attended Catholic elementary and high schools and completed almost 2 years of college at Miami, Ohio, Kent State and Akron University. After various boring jobs I became an East Cleveland  firefighter at the age of 31. I spent my entire 26 year career in East Cleveland and retired at the age of 58. I got started in writing almost by accident. I never really had  a desire to write a book. After working in East Cleveland for a few years I decided that, because of all the unusual and outrageous events that seemed to occur on a regular basis, this story needed to be told. I felt like I was a decent writer so I decided to give it a go. I decided that the book would be a start to finish compilation of a career firefighter. I knew that the book would take years to write. Little did I know that writing a book was not so easy. I gained a new respect for authors. I now understand what writer’s block is. It took me over 20 years to get this book done! 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I think what inspired me most to write the book was the unique and unusual events that took place at the emergency scene as well as inside the engine house. The average Joe would never experience events like these. I remember a fellow firefighter remarking that “you can’t make this shit up” and “working in East Cleveland is like writing a book that writes itself”. That was so true! So I decided then to compile information. I wrote down as they occurred, unique and unusual fires, rescues, extreme emergency medical runs, as well as comedic instances, as there were many. As I gathered information I realized that it would make the most sense to make this a story of a new recruit firefighter and what he experiences over his entire career and finally into his retirement.

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

I hope that readers will gain an appreciation of what a firefighter goes through on a daily basis. The nights when they get no sleep and are called to fight multiple fires, wearing wet carcinogen laced, stinky gear, in the dead of Winter, and it takes a couple days for your body to recover. The call for an infant not breathing or choking on a foreign object. The shooting of a young man who is tossed to the sidewalk in broad daylight. The numerous horrific vehicle accidents and car fires where bodies are burnt up so bad that they are unrecognizable! The list goes on. I didn’t want the readers to think that I felt like all firefighters were heroes, because they are not. They need to earn the label of true hero. I just wanted people to see inside our world and gain an appreciation for what firefighters go through on a regular basis.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

 I was drawn into this genre because it was the perfect fit for me, being a career firefighter. I probably could have written a book on golf or painting houses, two things that I am quite familiar with, but who cares about that? Writing about firefighting seemed like a no brainer. Firefighting is hardly as simple as ” putting the wet stuff on the red stuff”. It is much more complex and strategic than most people think. I realized that most people don’t know much about what the life of a firefighter is all about. So I chose this genre because firefighting is both informative and extremely exciting at times. I knew that there is an audience out there for this type of book.

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

As far as social media promotion of my book goes, Facebook has helped sell the most books. Friends and familiy and Facebook posts/shares, have been the most helpful to me. I realize that social media marketing would really give the book sales a nice boost but I haven’t been very active on Twitter, Instagram or Tik Tok. It takes a lot of followers to move the needle and I dont have the time or desire to try to gain followers. I know very little about how to promote a new book on social media.I may try to hire a freelance social media marketer to promote the book if I can find a reputable one who is fairly priced. If not I am OK to market the book here and there as opportunities arise. Regardless I am pretty much ecstatic to finish the manuscript and get the book published. I can now proudly check this one off my bucket list. It feels good to call myself an author.  

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

The best advice I can give to a young aspiring author is to never give up. If writing a book is what you want to do, then realize that it is not easy but anyone can do it. If you put your mind to it and persevere you will get it done. I am a prime example of that. There were many times during the course of writing this book that I put it on the back burner for months at a time. Sometimes I wanted to give up. But I always eventually got back to it. Realize that you will get writer’s block and when you do, just take a break and don’t get stressed out. Have fun with it and enjoy your creation. Read it over and over and continue to edit the manuscript. Hire a professional editor when you are finished. It will be money well spent. But most of all don’t give up if you truly believe in your story. The same goes for publishing the book. Don’t quit until you find the right publisher. There are many great helpful publishers out there just waiting to share your story. Don’t give up! 

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

I am most likely “one and done” as an author but you never know. I cannot rule out writing another book but it isn’t in my near future. I realize that writing a book is quite challenging, probably more so for people like me who kind of got into the role of author unexpectedly. I enjoyed writing my book but I really enjoyed it when it was finished and sent to the publisher. Then to see the covers and photos and book in print was quite amazing. I am proud to be a part of the group called “author”. It was not easy but I am extremely satisfied to hold the finished paperback in my hand and realize that I accomplished something pretty cool!

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About the Author

Author of the book, Working Fire in East Cleveland, lives in AKron Ohio with his wife, and has two adult children… one of them is a firefighter.

Working Fire in East Cleveland – new firefighter book

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To Save One by Kimberly Fiese Yule 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 young woman in grief begins a project to tackle mental health and help others in author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One.”

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The Synopsis

Find solidarity in loss, friendship, and the fight to bring light into the darkest moments.

“A brave and tender story that speaks to the heart of every teenager, and every parent who loves one.”

When Evy loses her boyfriend to suicide, her life unravels in grief and unanswered questions. With the help of her best friend Henry and her classmate Chloe, who carries her own hidden struggle, Evy channels her pain into The Happy Face Project, a senior film that dares to talk openly about mental health.

What begins as a school project becomes something bigger: a mission to break the silence, to offer hope, and to save at least one life before graduation. Along the way, Evy, Henry, and Chloe discover that healing is found in music, courage, and in standing together when it matters most.

For anyone searching for connection and for every parent or educator who wants to better understand what today’s youth are facing.

A story of heartbreak and resilience, it offers both a mirror for young adult readers and a conversation starter for families, schools, and communities.

The Review

This was such a powerful and moving read. The author did an incredible job of delving into a subject that is both sensitive and heartbreaking, and did so with a reverence and care that truly resonated with readers. The powerful imagery that sets up each chapter’s scenery and tone is compelling, and the depth of world-building the author puts into the story itself speaks to the themes of this story, telling a story that weaves into the fabric of all of our lives. 

Ultimately, this story served as a testament to thought-provoking themes and empathetic characters. The tragic circumstances of Briggs’s story and how his loss impacted so many people in the story were equally on par emotionally as protagonist Evy’s exploration of grief and loss, and the raw moments of her grief that pop up throughout the book are truly relatable to anyone who has ever felt grief like that before. The honest and sympathetic portrayal of mental health and those who suffer from this subject matter, including both those who have become victims of this mindset and those who have been left behind as a result, all have a voice in this story and bring the emotional resonance that makes this story so engaging. 

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The Verdict

A compelling, engaging, and heartfelt YA drama, author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One” is a must-read novel. The book also touches upon other themes naturally, including overall health struggles and the impact of a support system, as well as creativity in times of grief and how music can connect people. The book can be haunting at times, and definitely heartbreaking, and yet it is with a strong and compassionate voice that the author brings this rich story to life. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kimberly Fiese Yule believes life is better with sand between your toes, music in your ears, and a story that makes you feel seen. A mother of three, her greatest pride and joy, she is also a former women’s health nurse practitioner and a lifelong wanderer. Depending on the day, she calls Texas, California, or the Caribbean home, always finding inspiration in sunshine, connection, and the beauty of everyday moments.

https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyyule

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Aria’s Compass: Happiness Playbook for Tweens and Teens by Parul Sharma 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 woman’s discovery of a family secret helps her navigate the science of feelings in author Parul Sharma’s “Aria’s Compass.”

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The Synopsis

What if your feelings had a voice, and it sounded a lot like you

Aria worries. A lot. About friendships, school, being “too much” or “not enough.” 

But everything changes the day she finds a tiny AI companion named Zylo and a glowing compass hidden in her late grandfather’s trunk in her attic.

As Aria follows the clues he left behind, she uncovers a hidden Echo Room, and a family secret tied to her emotions. With the help of her friend Eli and the tech her grandfather built, Aria begins to understand the science of feelings, and the power of listening to them.

Aria’s Compass is a story for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed, invisible, or different. It’s about curiosity, courage, and finding the tools to navigate your own inner world.

Because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do… is feel.

The Review

This was such a compelling read. The author does an incredible job of building a story and a cast of characters that feel relatable and enthralling. The unique blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements, such as the AI companion and the connection this tech had to a person’s emotions, was a great way to highlight the story’s emotional core. The power of the author’s use of imagery was astounding, capturing the sensory aspects of anxiety and the protagonist’s struggle with creativity and wit.

The short yet powerfully introspective story is best when readers connect with its characters, especially the protagonist, Aria. The reality of anxiety and the stresses teens face these days, especially in social situations, was expertly navigated through Aria’s journey. The lessons the author poured into the narrative, primarily through narrative devices like the compass Aria discovers or anything of her late grandfather’s tech, made this a story filled with emotional depth that readers can connect with.

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The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Parul Sharma’s “Aria’s Compass” is a must-read sci-fi, coming-of-age novel. The fast-paced narrative, its twists and turns, and the emotional depth of its themes will keep readers invested in the characters and in the sense of warmth and hope the narrative inspires. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I am a global leader, neuroscience coach, speaker, and strategist, blending science, psychology, and leadership to help people unlock their highest potential. From boardrooms to brainwaves, my work focuses on future-ready Women and leadership

Think Ahead. Act Boldly. Lead Consciously.

https://www.instagram.com/ariascompass

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BLOG TOUR: BARRY MAHER’S THE GREAT DICK AND THE DYSFUNCTIONAL DEMON

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book EventsLeave a comment

Today on my blog I’m excited to feature Barry Maher’s darkly comic supernatural thriller, The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon. If you love stories that bend reality, dive into the occult, and keep you turning pages late into the night, you won’t want to miss this one.

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SYNOPSIS

In 1982, failed songwriter Steve Witowski is running from both the law and his past when a reckless act of heroism—saving a woman from a brutal assault—pulls him into a world far darker than he ever imagined. That woman, Victoria, has just purchased a decaying church steeped in sinister history, and with her comes a web of occult rituals, crypts, and grave-robbing secrets that refuse to stay buried. As Steve becomes entangled in her dangerous world, the presence of a desperate demon closes in, blurring the line between delusion and reality. Haunted by visions, hunted by forces he refuses to believe in, and marked by the face of the man he killed, Steve is dragged deeper into a nightmare of dark magic, betrayal, and blood-soaked revelations where survival may cost him his soul.

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EXCERPT

Back in the 60s . . .

On Wednesday October 13th, 1968, a faculty panel recommended the dismissal of Professor John Harris—in absentia, as no one at Harvard had seen or heard from him in weeks. Harris later bragged about delivering his final lecture on “one shitload and a half of LSD.” According to the recording made available to the faculty panel, this was the sum total of that lecture:

“Good afternoon. Wow. American Literature, hunh? Let’s see. Moby Dick today. Right?”

 “Moby Dick?” asked a confused voice. “No. What happened to The Scarlet Letter?”

 “Right. Moby Dick,” Harris continued. “Great book. None of you have read it. None of you are going to read it. Nobody ever does. What you need to understand is that as far as I’m concerned—and I’m the fucking professor—Moby Dick is the same story as The Great Gatsby, which some of you may read. I call it, ‘the half-assed struggle of the individual to put their world to rights in the face of a failure that threatens to define their life.’ I think that’s from my thesis. Though maybe it’s not pretentious enough.” 

Harris laughed. “Hey! How about this? Great Gatsby/Moby Dick: same story, different era, right? So, if someone someday tries to write that story for this generation, they should call it The Great Dick. That’d be perfect, wouldn’t it? The Great Dick. Alright, that’s got to be almost fifty minutes. See you next . . . whenever. Wow.” 

SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 1982
Two Women and One Corpse


“Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to lie well.”
                                                                                        —Samuel Johnson

CHAPTER 1

Okay, let me start out by admitting that I was an asshole. I know that. The ludicrous amount of fame and acclaim and money I’ve had dumped on me since that time only makes it more glaring. The fact that we lived in a different world back in 1982 is no excuse. It was the same world. It just wasn’t the world we thought it was. 

I remember it was a Sunday night. Sundays always feel different. Looking back now and Googling a 1982 calendar, I’d guess it was Sunday, March 21st. I remember waking up and within minutes making the decision to leave. Quickly, before I could change my mind, I eased myself out of the rickety hide-a-bed. 

Immediately, Maria rolled over into the spot I’d just vacated, breathing loudly through her nose and mouth, not quite snoring. I hate to say it, but she looked every minute of her thirty years. Her thick dark hair clung damply to her face; her heavy arms stretched outward. The cast on her left wrist looked like a giant manacle.

The grandfather clock beside the cigar store Indian read 1:37, though a few minutes before, it had chimed four times. That made as much sense as anything else in my life. I was thirty-five years old, a Harvard grad who’d spent the previous two years faking his way through a $13,500 a year job as a territory rep for the Richmond Tobacco company. That $13,500 was the most money I’d ever made. You’re probably thinking that when you adjust for inflation and translate that $13,500 into today’s dollars, it’s a lot more impressive. 

No, it’s not. 

I slipped on my jersey and my jeans and gathered the rest of my  things in my old gym bag.  Fortunately, enough moonlight crept in around the edges of the tattered drapes to give the room a dim glow. I wondered if it would be safe to hitchhike out of there, or if Indiana had already notified the California Highway Patrol that I was wanted.

My situation was bad. But not bad enough to, say, crawl into a grave with a rotting corpse. 

That would come later.

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GUEST BLOG POST

Where Do You Get Your Ideas from?

A while back, I was speaking on an Asian cruise when I realized I could no longer figure out what the hands of the clock meant. The next day, during a session, I introduced the ship’s captain. Twenty minutes later I picked him out of the audience and asked him what he did for a living. (The uniform did look a tad familiar.) That same day, I gave up trying to understand foreign currency. Even American money was getting tricky. In Viet Nam, I handed a vendor two hundreds and a five for a $7.00 baseball cap. It was a very nice cap.

Back home, the first thing my doctor did was have me draw a clock face at ten to three. The second thing he did was take away my driver’s license. Then he sent me for an immediate MRI. The nurse there wouldn’t comment on the results, but when I asked where the restroom was, she said, “I can’t let you go in there alone.”

I explained that bathroom visitation was a particular expertise of mine. 

“Like telling time?” she asked. “You need to talk to your neurosurgeon.”

“I have a neurosurgeon?” Just what I always wanted.

I also had a brain tumor—the size of a basketball. Or maybe the neurosurgeon said “baseball.” I wasn’t tracking too well at that point. Still, I quickly grasped he was planning on carving open my skull with a power saw. 

“I don’t really need to tell time,” I said. “Or I can just buy a digital watch.”

Everyone said my neurosurgeon—or, as I thought of him, “Chainsaw Charlie”—was brilliant. My problem was that I’ve spent my life around intelligent people, and I’ve always believed human intelligence was overrated. To me, on a scale of everything there is to know in the universe, the main difference between Einstein and Koko the Wonder Chimp was that Einstein couldn’t pick up bananas with his feet. (As far as I know.)  

Still, I went under the knife—or in this case, the power saw.  Maybe I had a seizure. The doctors weren’t sure. That might explain what happened. Because I came out of the surgery with Lady Gaga singing non-stop in my head and an unforgettably vivid story, like a memory of something that I’d just witnessed. 

Reacting to the intrusion,  I  suppose my brain could have given me Citizen Kane or a nice rom/com or a few episodes of Seinfeld. Instead I got open crypts, bizarre spells, sudden death and the Ralph Lauren version of the Manson Family. “How did my operation go? Well, I’m doing well, but the people in my head—or wherever they were—they went through Hell.” 

Lady Gaga went away after a day or so. But the story stayed with me. And when I was able, I spent a couple of years putting it all down, working it out, trying to get it just right. And that became The Great Dick: And the Dysfunctional Demon.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barry Maher’s career has been anything but ordinary. He’s been an award-winning (if modestly so) poet, a magazine writer with bylines across the country, a speaker for some of the world’s largest corporations, and a man who once lived literally on the beach, seagulls and all. His syndicated column Slightly Off-Kilter and his darkly comic fiction reflect that same unpredictable spirit. Media appearances range from The Today Show to CNBC, with features in The Wall Street Journal and even Funeral Service Insider. Connect with him at BarryMaher.com or on Facebook.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/41Vv4a6

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239608581-the-great-dick

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Interview with Author Kevin Glaser

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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

As far back as I can remember, I have loved to write. Starting in high school, I earned praise from my teachers about my writing skills – which led me to focus more on my writing talents. In college, recognition of my writing abilities continued, and I earned the highest score in my Legal Research & Writing course during my first year of law school.

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What inspired you to write your book?

The first book that I wrote was Inside the Insurance Industry. I wrote it after encouragement I received from my oldest son. He wanted me to share things that I had learned during my insurance career and as the owner of a risk management consulting business. As an amateur songwriter, I can share that writing songs is like writing books. Sometimes the words come easy and sometimes they do not. My first book was an easy endeavor.

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

My intent in writing each of my nonfiction books has been to provide information that is not available elsewhere. Readers learn useful things about the ins and outs of the insurance industry in my insurance-related books, and learn about the life and times of Tompall Glaser in my The Great Tompall: Forgotten Country Music Outlaw biography. This book about my uncle was so interesting to write since it shares stories about an interesting life and time that were so different than mine – and different than most other people, as well. 

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What drew you into this particular genre?

While I have dabbled in writing fiction – and most songs I have written contain fictional situations – I have always enjoyed learning and sharing facts. While many people write nonfiction books, I try to set myself apart by writing about things that others have not written about and doing so in a way that differs from others.

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

Honestly, the area of social media is something that I need to work on. For now, I rely on my website (www.rtsidecreationsllc.com), my Author’s Page on Amazon, Baker & Taylor, and several eBook sites to promote my book. Social media is something that I intend to learn more about to take advantage of its wide potential.   

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

When people find out that I have written books, quite a few times they have told me either that they have always dreamed of writing a book themselves, or they will tell me that they are planning to do so. When I hear these types of comments, I chuckle to myself a little bit because most people have no idea of how difficult it is to become a successful author. While anyone can type words on a page, few finish a manuscript, and even fewer attempt to find an agent or publisher, or to otherwise try to actively promote their books themselves.

So, my first piece of advice to aspiring or new authors is not to underestimate the amount of work it will take to become a successful author. However, I realize that people have different aspirations and definitions of success. Some may want only to write a book and offer it for free on a website, which is a relatively low bar to jump over. While others want to sell thousands of book copies and to make book writing a career. If the later applies, just know it takes a lot of time, money and time spent learning about the industry.     

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

Since I just published Inside the Insurance Industry – Fourth Edition, I am spending a great deal of time promoting it and have not started working on anything new. But I do have some new book ideas rolling around in my head. So, there may be more books on the horizon for me…stay tuned!

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About the Author

Inside the Insurance Industry – Fourth Edition: Insurance Help for Individuals and Businesses is Kevin Glaser’s most recent book. This edition expands prior topics, contains several new ideas to help readers save money, and assists with making informed decisions. Ultimately, it helps to avoid out-of-pocket payments resulting from inadequate coverage or failing to address uninsured risk exposures.

He has written other well-received books. Inside the Insurance Industry – Third Edition is a consumer-focused book that describes topics such as the inner workings of insurance companies and how insurance is sold. By better understanding the insurance process consumers can both save money and obtain broader coverages.

The Great Tompall: Forgotten Country Music Outlaw is an in-depth biography of Kevin’s uncle, Tompall Glaser, an iconic and influential country music performer and business owner during country music’s outlaw era. Tompall often stood alone in his fight for artistic freedom for Nashville musicians and he paid the price. While he became the “forgotten outlaw,” this book explains the significant roles he played in the development of country music during the 1950’s through the 1980’s.

Glaser’s primary occupation involves providing insurance and risk management consulting services, litigation support and expert witness testimony across the USA.

https://amzn.to/3JXuzpS

Gods of Glenhaven by Stephen Statler 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 quiet suburban neighborhood turns into chaos when troublesome Greek gods move in to cause trouble in author Stephen Statler’s “Gods of Glenhaven.”

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The Synopsis

From comedy writer and McSweeney’s contributor Stephen Statler comes Gods of Glenhaven, a David Sedaris-meets-Tom Perotta, fast-paced, bighearted comedy about love, sex, death, and rock and roll–and everything that happens when our white-knuckle grip on life gets pried open against our will.

When Greek gods sweep into the quaint suburban town of Glenhaven to untangle their messy love lives, the helpless mortals don’t stand a chance.

Christian Orr, struggling with work and erectile dysfunction after discovering his wife’s infidelity, has just moved into what his daughter Francesca calls the Divorced Dads Apartment Complex. His high-powered attorney ex, Sloan, is jaded and restless, leaving precocious Francesca caught in the crosscurrents of change.

Enter Dionysus-“Dee”-the god of wine, sex, and questionable decisions, who shows up searching for his estranged wife Ari and their teenage son Maron. After three thousand years of Dee’s antics, Ari has had enough. She’s struck a deal with Zeus to start fresh-as a mortal suburban mom. And what’s more normal than falling for a regular guy like Christian? If only Dee would stop tearing through Glenhaven in his quest to win her back.

Drunk on Dee’s wine, the residents of Glenhaven form chanting covens in the woods, participate in ecstatic rituals, and experience divine revelations-all while Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” loops faintly in the background of their lives.

Gods of Glenhaven is a hilarious, poignant, and confronting novel about the universal fears and follies of the human condition, and the joy and freedom we can experience by letting go.

The Review

This was such a fun and engaging mix of dark humor and mythological fantasy-driven narrative. The quick wit of the cast of characters stood out immediately, as did the way the author was able to infuse Greek gods and mythology into the story effortlessly. The way the author was able to bring laugh-out-loud suburban satire and humor that closely examines personal relationships with the madness and chaos that are often associated with the Greek gods was both hilarious and enthralling.

For every hilarious, funny piece of dialogue or ridiculous yet entertaining mythological event that took place in this story, there was an equally underlying emotional character development that played well into the idea of identity and love. The loss of a sense of self that Christian goes through, along with the disconnect Sloan feels with her daughter and the way the gods and their actions inadvertently help these individuals find themselves in the process, was a rewarding and thoughtful portrayal of modern relationships and personal development.

The Verdict

Memorable, hilarious, and entertaining, author Stephen Statler’s “Gods of Glenhaven” is a must-read dark humor and mythological fantasy narrative. The twists and turns the story takes, the dark satire that portrays life in the suburbs, and the heartfelt character development will keep readers invested in 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

Stephen Statler is a comedy writer whose work has appeared in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Points in Case, and other magazines. The Breathing Show, a feature film he wrote and directed, was distributed by Film Threat. A screenplay, Big Time, co-authored with Mouncey Ferguson, is currently under option by Gulfstream Pictures. Statler lives in the Bay Area with his wife and two children.

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The Secret of Ophiuchus (Enigma Book Three) by Kim Idynne 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 group of heroes makes their final journey into the underworld to find and save a young girl who may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the stars in author Kim Idynnes’ “The Secret of Ophiuchus”, the third book in the Enigma series. 

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The Synopsis

In the final installment of the Enigma series, Surina and Dominic descend into the tunnels of Wupatki to rescue Hannah Hale. Their plans are tripped up by an unexpected tagalong, and Surina is uneasy about Hannah’s sympathy for Tagua, a demon sorcerer of the underworld. Hannah assures them that they can return home if they set things right in the zodiac and learn the secret of Ophiuchus—but is she willing to return alone, or will she unwittingly release Tagua into their world?

The Review

This was a brilliant end to the Enigma trilogy. The author does such a great job of building upon the character-driven narratives and world-building established in the first two books, while also bringing in new perspectives and shifting evolutions for the characters themselves. The way the author can mesh together elements of multiple mythologies and belief systems, including Greek and Sumerian mythology, was inspired and so creatively done that it felt seamless and effortless on the page. 

The imagery in the book was so cosmic and did an excellent job of showcasing the stakes of the mission Hannah and her allies find themselves on. The twists that come with Hannah and Tagua throughout the story bring into the narrative an essential theme of exploring what happens when the heroes of old legends or history itself are revealed to have caused equal or even more damage in their wake, with perspective playing an integral role in the stories we tell one another and ourselves in the end.

The Verdict

Memorable, epic, and compelling, author Kim Idynne’s “The Secret of Ophiuchus” is a must-read fantasy-driven novel and a great end to the Enigma series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the rich character development, and shocking moments that will leave readers wanting more will stay with them long after the final page ends. If you haven’t yet, preorder your copy today or grab a copy on November 30th, 2025!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kim Idynne is a Minneapolis-based writer and illustrator. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, and she has also published a variety of short fiction. Her first short story, “Meat,” was published in the February 2015 issue of Literary Mama; the following year, Idynne received a Silver Pen award for her story “Fungus.” Her artwork has been featured in journals, books, datebooks, and at galleries around the Twin Cities area. You can check out her work at idynne.com.

Author web site: https://idynne.com