Tag: writing

Interview with Author Audrey Zeigon 

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

I am currently a sophomore in high school, and The Pinewood Prowler is my debut novel. I have always loved reading and stories, but I only discovered my true passion for writing a few years ago. Since then, writing has been an outlet for me and I have been extremely invested in it, even attending Dartmouth’s Summer Scholars creative Writing course this past summer. I began writing the Pinewood Prowler when I was around 13 without any intention of publishing it. About a year later, I decided to pick it back up and got it published at the age of 15. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

Last year, I had a rough draft of my current book that had been untouched for almost a year. As a young teen, I wanted to develop the story and share a piece reflecting the intentions and feelings of teenagers.

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

The message I hope readers take from my book is to be careful what you wish for. Curiosity can be both powerful and dangerous, and sometimes the truths we seek are better left undiscovered. And beneath the surface of familiarity, there lies deception. This message encourages readers to be curious, but also warns against the dangers that can arise from such curiosity.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I was drawn to this particular genre due to my love for the suspense and adrenaline evoked in the horror genre and my desire to create a mystery for the readers, urging them to read on due to curiosity and suspense. I have always loved reading and writing in a thrilling and suspenseful tone, and wanted to share this with others. 

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

I would sit with “The Pinewood Prowler” because I would like to see into the criminal mind and what truly compels a serial killer to kill. I believe this is my most complex character, as the Pinewood Prowler has the ability to blend into society while also murdering at night. I would ask, “What thoughts went through your head when you were killing your first victim, and have you ever felt remorse?”

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

Since this is my debut novel, I am just starting to create social media platforms for this book, but I will keep searching for ways to spread my book. 

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

As this is my first attempt and I am only 15, the only advice I believe I am credible to give is to just go for it. If you have an idea and want to write it, there is no harm in sharing your work. 

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

I am currently working on growing my writing and am exploring new ideas for my next book. I am certain that I want to continue developing as an author and am excited to see what is in store for me as a young writer. 

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About the Author

Audrey Zeigon was born in 2010 in New York City. From an early age, she developed a strong passion for reading and horror. These interests inspired her to write her debut novel, The Pinewood Prowler. Audrey has enjoyed immersing herself in this story and looks forward to sharing it with her readers. 

https://www.instagram.com/thepinewoodprowler/

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Interview with Author Wendra Colleen 

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

– I’ve been writing on and off since birth, probably since my mom is a writer, but I really started taking myself seriously in 2011. It’s not easy to get published nor build a fan base, but I can’t imagine life without writing. To paraphrase a famous movie line, writing completes me.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

– I was inspired by a dream in which I met a ghost who was saying all the things she planned to do. I said, “But…you’re dead!!” and she responded that just because she was dead didn’t mean she couldn’t still make a difference. 

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

– I hope they realize that nothing is ever truly hopeless, that there is always someone to call for help, and that they should always live as honestly and openly as possible because you never know what’s going to happen. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

– I have to again thank my mother. She has been talking to me about ghosts and supernatural phenomena since I was a kid. And while I’m not someone who desires to see a ghost, I’m endlessly fascinated with reading about paranormal experiences. 

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

– My first thought was that I’d shake J.T. and say, “HOW COULD YOU BE SO MEAN TO SYLVIA??? HOW??” However, I know exactly why he did it (and he tells the reader, too), though it still upsets me a lot as someone who experienced her fair share of bullying. 

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

– I am HORRIBLE with social media so it hasn’t helped at all, to my knowledge, because I’m only on there once a week for five seconds! That said, I love putting out a monthly newsletter. If anyone wants book reviews and tales of the supernatural, reach out to me at wendracolleen@wendracolleen.com

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

– The only way you fail is by quitting! Whether you go traditional or go indie, GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT. Join critique groups, get beta readers, submit to magazines, query agents, try it ALL, see what WORKS. And just keep writing! 

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

– Yes, I will be putting out a third book next October called MYTHFITS:

When Michael transforms from human to random shapeshifter and joins a tribe of monster misfits, he only wants to be human again. But when a group mortally threatens his best monster friend, he gets to know a human female vet to gain intelligence on them, leading him to question being human versus monster as he races to help the tribe he once tried to flee.

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About the Author

Wendra Colleen’s motto is “Embrace your weirdness.” Her dark and humorous short stories, screenplays, and novels show how unique, unusual, and unconventional individuals transform adversity into empowerment. Funky facts include that she has a PhD in experimental psychology and deployed to the Iraq War as a civilian, all of which was a breeze compared to learning how to embrace her unique, unusual, and unconventional qualities in high school. Want to learn more about Wendra’s work, how to be a writer, or how to be empowered? Check out www.wendracolleen.com

Social Media:  @wendracolleen.bsky.social [I’m also on FB and Insta, but I really prefer Bluesky]

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Never Fire Anyone: A Leader’s Guide on How to Lead People Not Companies by Mark Kenneth Morgenfruh Review

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

Author Mark Kenneth Morgenfruh shares the power of leading a business by working with people and not focusing on the company’s optics and bottom line in the book “Never Fire Anyone: A Leader’s Guide on How to Lead People Not Companies.”

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The Synopsis

Delightfully obvious, just like All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. This book takes some unique and colorful perspectives on Leadership, Business, Talent, Communication, Artificial Intelligence, Contradictions, DEI, Giving Up, Slowing Down, Forgiveness and the Stupidly Obvious. A lot we may already know, but forget to practice.

When you grow up in Vineland, NJ you grow up everything Philly. Broad Street Bullies. Today’s Brotherly Shove. Sarcasm that can almost pierce skin. It really is the City of Brotherly Love. Tough Love. Mark Morgenfruh lives and writes in blunt, colorfully-worded, provocative and logical Philly-style prose. Not everyone’s cup of tea, to be sure.

But if you can get past the initial cold-water shock, and believe kick-ass leaders can be taught to stop the avoidant “happy talk” that’s fatal to teams and organizations, the level of success you’ll have is obscene.

Let’s disagree. Let’s even get angry. Then when all the cards are on the table, let’s talk it out and solve problems, lead others with clarity, and go have an ice-cold beer when it’s all done for the day.

The Review

The first thing that stood out about this book was the author’s straightforward writing. The unapologetic way the author confronts the need to step up as a leader in business was powerful to feel, covering everything from the bias that exists when hiring, to being able to be empathetic to others in a work environment, and even how to confront and properly work with those who may be underperforming in their duties. 

The author’s honesty and bold writing style really do a great job of connecting with readers. Authenticity and accountability seem to be two cornerstones of the author’s leadership philosophy, tackling the truth behind why DEI in the workplace is so important and why it needs to be appropriately utilized to maximize potential and foster a culture of growth. The book also tackles topics such as AI integration and so much more.

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The Verdict

Detailed, compelling, and thought-provoking, “Never Fire Anyone” by author Mark Kenneth Morgenfruh is a must-read nonfiction book on leadership and business. The practical applications managers can apply to their leadership skills, and the way the author relates to those in management positions and connects with them to confront the things that make life difficult, make this book invaluable and well-written. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mark Morgenfruh is an HR practitioner with more than 30 years of experience across mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, compensation and benefits, cultural transformation, organizational development, performance metrics alignment, and HR technology. He is a trusted Senior Advisor to multiple organizations, offering expertise in human capital due diligence, post-close integrations, total rewards design, and HR strategy, delivery, and technology.

Since 2017, he has successfully operated his own consulting practice, building on a foundation of leadership experience from executive roles in prominent global and domestic organizations.

Recently publishing his first business book, Never Fire Anyone, Mark has started to distill more than three decades of observations and experience into his first of what he hopes will be many creative works. It is a brilliant new model and way to think about how we should stop leading “companies” and start to lead the people that are the cause of success.

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The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane by Steve Schlam 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 broken and used man must contemplate the truth behind his own existence in author Steve Schlam’s “The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane.”

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The Synopsis

Haystacks Kane is a professional wrestler. A 607-pound professional wrestler. He has been preyed upon, handled, his innate kindness and gentle good nature harvested by unscrupulous promoters and his conniving manager, an ex-wife and fellow denizens of the seamy netherworld he inhabits, the ravenous crowds with a thirst for violent cheap thrills-and sometimes for blood.

Now, gravely injured and unable to speak, he lies motionless in his hospital bed, immobilized, his body broken. Visitors from his past and present enter and leave the room-or perhaps only his disordered inner world. They offer up counterpoint to his own silent ruminations as he drifts in and out of consciousness seeking to uncover the deeper truth of his existence, rummaging through the trunk of his memories to discover exactly what ‘it’ is-the ‘it’ that has deprived him of his wife, taken every member of his family from him, laid him low, and the ‘it’ that will release him from the bonds of his history and transport him to Greece, the Eden he dreams of, his true self set free at last.

The novel’s final moments prompt the reader to decide for him- or herself what Haystacks’ ultimate fate will be-a decision that will reveal in turn the reader’s own worldview, where he or she can be found on the continuum of hope vs. fear.

The Review

What instantly stood out in this story was the unique writing style the author deployed here, giving readers a stream of consciousness style of writing that really did a fantastic job of invoking that sense of an out-of-body experience that someone in the hospital, either in a coma or on death’s door can experience as they dip in and out of memories and the present day. The narrative’s reflective nature was a direct result of this writing style, and the reader was left reeling with emotion and curiosity about Haystack’s journey that brought him to this pivotal moment.

The concepts of legacy and dreams are well-woven into this narrative. Haystacks and his ambitions, and how others manipulate those ambitions and good intentions to use him, are pivotal to the story. The introspective nature of his time reflecting on those choices and the purpose of his life overall is a stark reminder for everyone to live life with intention and no regrets, and to consider the path we tread every day carefully.

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, thought-provoking, and engaging, author Steve Schlam’s “The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane” is a must-read literary fiction novel. The profound emotional depth and compelling character study this narrative offers, and the skillful, almost haunting writing style and detailed imagery the author pours into it, will keep readers invested until the book’s contemplative, open-ended finale. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

STEVE SCHLAM first gained entry to the City of Words through the doors of the public library in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and spent a good part of his childhood; and has maintained his residency ever since while living in cities and towns across the United States and in Mexico. An actor as well as an author, he has performed on stages in all the places he has called home, and earned a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing and English under the tutelage of Joseph Heller, renowned author of “Catch-22.” He lives currently in Southern California in a pretty little Craftsman bungalow with orange and lemon trees growing in the backyard, in the company of his wife, Liora. “The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane” is his first published novel.

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https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-harvesting-of-haystacks-kane-steve-schlam/1145014270?ean=9781926716701

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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Interview with Author Crystal Quast

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

Reporting on business during the early days of the internet was one of my first writing jobs. I loved the fast pace, and soon transitioned into TV as a producer at a popular news outlet. I wrote broadcast copy for newscasts, and thrilled at paring back long sentences into crisp one-liners.

Journalism was already under fire way back then, and I made the switch to PR, where I’ve worked in corporate communications for 20 years. While many think business is boring, it’s full of invention and progress, driven by fascinating personalities.

Then, late last year, after years of telling other people’s stories, I wanted to tell one of my own. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

When I started the Serenity Acres Series, I planned five volumes, with a strong idea about volumes three, four and five. I was stumped on how to progress from Dinked until…

I fell prey to an age-old publishing scam, backed by a slick overseas operation.

When I discovered the duplicity, I was shocked. I went through all of the typical emotional stages of fraud.

I also laughed at the irony. Dinked already contained an Amazon phishing subplot. Life imitating art.

And what domestic thriller writer wouldn’t dream of taking revenge on the very people who burned her?

The more I learned about the people behind my fraud, the more I questioned their true identities. I don’t know who the real John Eden or Jordan Delgado is, or where they live. Certain things they said resonated when I read articles about people in Southeast Asia swept up into call centres and forced labour.

Was I catfished by prisoners? I don’t know and never will. But I got my frustrations out in Shafted.

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

There are no takeaways of values in Serenity Acres! Everyone’s a hot mess with a secret. I do think the residents might benefit from self-reflection.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I grew up watching staples like Colombo and Murder She Wrote, where every camera zoom or lingering shot hinted at a clue to be placed into an orderly conclusion.

That, and a heavy dose of daytime soaps, which my Mom loved while ironing! I loved the absurd twists; double-lives, dramatic affairs and anything but domestic bliss.

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

Daphne! I would love to know why she shops so much! She seems to have it all but is intent on throwing it away. Irwin is devoted to her and they have two great kids, but she’s focused on everything but, including her pet costume biz.

Oh, and Clara. But I might be afraid to get too into her head.

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

Facebook. I’ve shared character cards and reels with great engagement. I know I should use TikTok but haven’t gotten to it yet. I sort of hate the idea of another platform.

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

Stay true to your story; you know the way you want to tell it.

Most of my characters are quantifiable jerks, but with redeeming qualities. Much like real life: faulted, vulnerable and complex. Have a plan and move it forward with clarity. Keep details relevant and tied together at the end. No one cares what kind of cookie a character likes, unless they’re going to kill someone with it.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

With over twenty years of spinning stories in corporate communications, Dinked: Serenity Acres. Where Secrets Barely Stay Hidden is Crystal Quast’s debut novel. When she’s not writing, Crystal loves playing pickleball and tennis, paddleboarding, hiking, and spending time with her family.

https://amzn.to/47pvxEt

First Light, Last Light by Glen Sorestad Review

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

Author and poet Glen Sorestad shares the reflections on life and the wildlife around us all that readers have come to expect from him in the book “First Light, Last Light.”

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The Synopsis

A new book of poetry from Glen Sorestad, one of Canada’s elder literary icons, is cause for celebration.

First Light, Last Light is the first book in six years by Sorestad, who was Saskatchewan’s first poet laureate, serving two terms. As might be expected from a poet now in his 80s, the work in this volume is a mix of reflections on family, memories of youth and friends, and the not-always-pleasant aging process, all viewed with compassion, wisdom and, often, humour.

Sorestad is also a keen observer of the wildlife around him, from the birds who come to the feeder outside his window – damn those bully crows! – to the foxes and other wildlife he and his wife sometimes encounter on their morning walks.

First Light, Last Light is a book to read again and again, and treasure.

The Review 

A stunning and compelling collection of poems, this book does a remarkable job of balancing the author’s memories and personal experiences with musings on life and the world around him, including the nature and animal life that make the Canadian region so revered. The straightforward, almost storytelling aspect of the author’s writing style stood out immediately, as if the reader were stepping into the author’s life with them and living through these moments together.

The imagery and themes of this collection are what stood out the most. The emotional themes of grief, memory, and connection are palpable in poems like “My Father’s Voice” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers.” In contrast, poems like “Mid-Winter” captured the cold, chilly, and stark beauty of winter in Canada, and each word felt almost tactile when delivered in the author’s unique voice. The author’s ability to convey these powerful themes through the portrayal of ordinary events, such as missing out on his father’s unique talent or going to the grocery store, highlights how emotion and heart can exist in the smallest of moments —a message that permeates this collection.

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The Verdict

Emotional, heartfelt, and memorable, author and poet Glen Sorestad’s “First Light, Last Light” is a must-read poetry collection. The fast-paced collection and the way readers can pick up, put down, and pick back up again showcase the power and depth of these poems, as well as the emotional weight they carry when readers delve into a collection that feels personal and introspective in its own right. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Glen Sorestad is a Canadian poet, born in Vancouver, but living most of his life in Saskatchewan. He has been a teacher of literature and writing, a literary publisher and a writer, best known for his many books of poetry. He has been a recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and is a Life Member of both The League of Canadian Poets and the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2010. Sorestad loves travel, fishing and is an ardent fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-light-last-light-glen-sorestad/1147028154?ean=9781998273461

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Taking Action for a Better Tomorrow by Jeremy P. Boggess Review

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

Author Jeremy P. Boggess shares the steps that can be taken to better ourselves and our world by examining the changes already occurring around us in the book “Taking Action for a Better Tomorrow.”

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The Synopsis

In our world today there are monumental and exponential changes occurring. These changes are happening not just in the local, international, or global arenas, but even within ourselves. Let us explore the necessary actions and responsibilities that will help guide us through these changes within ourselves and our world.

It is important to look beyond isolationism or globalization for the reasons of these changes. Politics, the different governments in the world, and our environment are significant contributing factors, but we must also look at the entire world around us. We must also look at the society where we live, our human behaviors, and all of humanity.

The purpose of this book is to have you ask a variety of engaging questions, both of yourself and about the world around you. I want to help you explore the deeper questions so you can, find answers that will ultimately help you survive these intense upheavals.

The Review

This was such an insightful and engaging read. The author does an incredible job of taking the time to thoughtfully and carefully examine the growing tension and chaos of our world from both a societal and an introspective look. The reader can sense the tension mounting as the author delves into the rapid increase in chaos. This phenomenon is evident in the news and in everyday interactions with people. It was fascinating to see the interconnected way that global, societal, and individual roles influence how people interact with one another come to life on the page.

What struck me as interesting from the outset was how the author addressed the need for flexibility and adaptability. From teaching resources and addressing the teacher-to-student ratio that has disrupted educational services, to exploring how inequality in any society can lead to instabilities within that society, the author emphasizes the need to change how society and individuals process and utilize information, rather than clinging to the ways things used to be. The author did a fantastic job of using an informative yet relatable tone in their writing style to engage readers and explore solutions that could bring a more hopeful future than the one the world is currently facing.

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The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and memorable, author Jeremy P. Boggess’s “Taking Action for a Better Tomorrow” is a must-read nonfiction and philosophical book. The knowledge and balance of fact with vision that the author provides for readers, along with the introspective mindset the reader is left with, which allows them to look inward and explore their own role in this future, will have readers returning time and again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ever since I was a small child, I have felt that there would be a chain of events set in motion and my task would be to help us through these changes.

I was born in 1971 in the United States of America, where I was raised. I have been in Europe since 2016. In the 2000’s I had hoped in continuing to make contributions in the United States by running to Idaho State Senate several times as an independent. While running for office I self-published my first book of philosophical observations “Thoughts & Responsibilities” in 2008. I do have college and university degrees in business, but I have been since a very young age interested and studied philosophy and sociology.

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Working Fire in East Cleveland by Michael C. Ede 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 and firefighter Michael C. Ede shares the true stories and harrowing realities of life not only as a firefighter, but as a firefighter working in the struggling city of East Cleveland in the book “Working Fire in East Cleveland.”

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The Synopsis

A career firefighter with a personal commitment that: everyone gets home safe!

26-year firefighter, Michael C. Ede, a career firefighter with a personal commitment that “everyone gets home safe,” shares true stories of emergency calls, working relationships, and life inside and outside of the firehouse in the financially and morally crumbling city of East Cleveland, Ohio.

This book offers readers a unique opportunity to enjoy a completely transparent, start-to-finish 26-year career highlights of a firefighter in a busy urban department. Readers will benefit from an honest appraisal of what a firefighter experiences both, inside the engine house, and at the emergency scene throughout the span of an entire career. The transformation from young, inexperienced rookie, to old, seasoned veteran, is chronicled in a way that keeps readers anticipating each new phase.

There are three unique topics within the book that allow the readers to benefit from a very unusual and special work environment. The fact that the story takes place in a nearly all African-American impoverished city. A black-to-white employee ratio of 50/50 in the fire department, coupled with raw honest story telling, makes this story extremely eye-opening to most readers who have never experienced this type of work and racial makeup within the work force. The contrast of the firefighters is portrayed throughout the book, and the successes, as well as the failures, are brought to the forefront. The work environment is absolutely unique. It answers the questions in a reader’s mind pertaining to how well white and black firefighters work together. Suspenseful, gripping details reveal the answer, and show that when white and black firefighters work together, great things can, and often do, take place.

Reader be warned, there are no cover ups, embellishment, fluff, or exaggeration in this book. Action, hard–hitting humor, & raw honesty tell the story of inner-city career firefighter, Michael C. Ede.

The Review

This was an insightful and engaging read. The author did an incredible job of giving insight and knowledge surrounding life in service to the fire department and the inner workings of life in East Cleveland, OH. The balance the author found in conveying personal experience with the training and education, so few have surrounding fires in general and fighting fires with specific procedures, was engaging, and early stories, such as the one in which the author came close to a near-death experience with a 2-story fire, helped illustrate how firefighting departments learn from these experiences. 

The author not only discussed the educational and experiential factors involved in firefighting, but also the social aspects. The idea of brotherhood among firefighters is unique, and the author’s emphasis on the unique racial harmony found between both black and white firefighters in East Cleveland, which at the time boasted an even 50/50 ratio, was so interesting and well-received, speaking to how living together and facing untold dangers can shed many prejudices and bring people together. The camaraderie and heart that the author poured into these chapters, along with the personal writing style that brought them to life, made for a very engaging reading experience.

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The Verdict

Memorable, insightful, and compelling, author Michael C. Ede’s “Working Fire in East Cleveland” is a must-read nonfiction book on the subject of firefighting. The detail and relatability of the author’s writing style, along with the unique perspective this book offers, will give readers an engaging look into the lives of the unsung heroes who face these blistering fires daily. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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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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