International Review of Books Magazine - Summer 2022 by BooksGoSocial

International Review of Books magazine Executive Editor - Laurence O’Bryan Editor-in-Chief - Tanja Slijepcevic Editorial Assistant - Eva Newland Editorial Assistant - Danielle Sparrow Reviews Editor - Masa Radanic Graphic Designer - Mirna Gilman Ranogajec

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Editor’s letter

You are very welcome to our International Review of Books magazine! Dear Readers, Within these pages lies a treasure trove of books our reviewers fell in love with. We hope our editorial reviews will help you discover the perfect book, waiting just for you. Should you find one (or two, or twenty) that intrigues you, you are but a click away from calling it your own. And books are not the only thing here awaiting curious eyes. Get a glimpse behind the curtain, laugh and learn! But keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems, and perhaps a free book...

Dear Authors, Here at The International Review of Books, once your book is chosen and read by its reviewer, they fill out following sections: • A general summary for context • Concise review • General thoughts on the novel Furthermore, we have a section that allows the reader to offer supportive critique, which can offer a fresh perspective and constructive input. We will also award each book a gold, silver, or bronze seal to show visually what the reviewer thought of the work.

Welcome readers and authors, we look forward to you finding each other in these pages! Masa Radanic Reviews Editor

A heartwarming and gripping story of the hardscrabble life of a coal miner who reinvented himself at every step and outwitted everything that life threw at him, to finally achieve his ambition.

Be transported back to Ireland’s Iron Age in a riveting tale of the bond between two men that transcends loyalty and devotion against the cruelest of odds.

An uplifting book set in the fourteenth century chronicling a tale of anti-Semitism and despair, but also of courage and hope. We are taken on a journey through abuse, kindness, violence, retribution, and closure.

One courageous woman’s fight against a corporate giant is a race against radium poisoning. Will she be able to get justice before the poison takes her life?

A gory historical fiction about an indentured servant determined to make his way in the troubling frontier. While trying to protect his love, the price of salvation might prove to be too much.

After Jack is accused of a murder he did not commit for the second time, he tries to prove his innocence and renew a relationship with his daughter while avoiding the brother that framed him.

After a break up trip goes awry, Lianna is arrested for murder. Mairi must find the real killer to get her friend released. A murder mystery through the streets of Paris will keep you guessing!

A modern-day political thriller about what happens when a psychopathic nazi and a no-nonsense Attorney General are battling to save their version of America.

A fast-paced crime novel about life catching up with you, even if you do your best to outwit everyone and everything. Once you get on this rollercoaster ride, you don’t stand a chance of stopping.

A well crafted psychological thriller. I loved getting to know the characters, who felt very real. There were so many great twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

An emotional and character driven story of two people losing themselves while finding each other. Set in the beauty of the Scottish highlands, volatile Katie and stormy Jamie must choose between love and loss.

Sara Flores stumbles into the kidnapping of a little boy, and after an ugly scuffle, uses her werewolf senses to hunt the kidnappers down. This story is gripping and the pace is deliciously fast!

With a murder, bribery of a senator, and the wellbeing of the tribe at risk, Mason decides he can’t keep his nose where it belongs. Sara Flores is called, and she doesn’t mess around. Brilliant!

After a top pilot is grounded because of a health problem, he struggles with civilian life. A chance meeting with computer expert Katie reminds him that there are things worth fighting for.

As a werewolf, Sara has the ability to smell things other people can’t. She uses this skill to discover the truth behind her friend’s death, beginning a wild ride of confrontations, dangerous situations, and dishonest cops.

Described as an enjoyable ride through time and space, scientist Tom and his daughter must navigate a complicated world where nothing is guaranteed and there might be aliens next door in this debut novel.

Dylan, a young man who defies the mighty Vexor empire must face drones, holograms, and ray guns all while searching for the most important thing of all: hope for a broken world.

Kat is tasked with concealing her identities until she has ultimately reached the pinnacle of success—registering a new planet into the Hall of Records. Will she beat Nestor in the race for the new planet?

A literary smorgasbord where each new story comes with a feeling of excitement and mystery. With so many short stories one might imagine it easy to put down, but instead it’s a binge read. Just one more, you think, and the next thing you know the entire book is gone!

As Serbinand and his buddies navigate their imaginations, we are swept up into the zaniness and unfamiliarity of this laugh-out-loud escape from reality. It’s so ridiculous it’s a riot to read!

A well-written and imaginative story about an alien who encounters the kindnesses and cruelties of human beings. With extraordinary imagination, the novel explores the possibility of lives and beliefs different from our own.

A mix between sci-fi and a physiological thriller, it’s a heartpounding read that leaves the reader angry, horrified, and most of all, deeply invested. Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down!

A wrenching descent into the depths of human despair and the ascent to victory. It’s the best of action and mystery, mixed with epic science-fiction and galactic intrigues. Try to put it down, I dare you!

With the protector of the Wood ill, this group of heroes are back on the hunt. There are surprises in store, and each character will be challenged to defeat the warlock while saving each other.

A wonderful mix between high-fantasy and paranormal with a take on vampires that is truly unique and unexpected. Recommended for anyone who loves high stakes fantasy and complex plots with healthy doses of romance!

An origin story of Sara Flores, a woman with an uncanny sense of smell and an ethical dilemma. Will Sara take charge of her new reality? Or turn into a killer of epic proportions?

Al Case has a delightful ability to turn ordinary words into clever wit that shows up in unexpected places. This novel is a fast-paced mix of fantasy and fun that was genuinely difficult to put down.

In both a love story and a description of political unrest, we meet Tom and Izzy. They slowly realize that their political views are not as different as they first assumed. Totally engrossing.

An old man living with a sinus problem that impacts his speech is given another chance after a successful operation removes a polyp. With new confidence, he shocks the town at the talent show.

Caught with drugs and powerless to make the authorities believe in her innocence, Cathryn is imprisoned under barbaric conditions. This is a shocking firsthand account of one woman’s journey to survive against all odds.

Six million dollars missing, an inescapable curse, and a hotel destined for dynamite. Will the crew work together to save each other? Or will the building be brought down before anyone finds the prize?

A sweet and enjoyable romance with enough mystery and danger to keep the pages turning. While it is indeed a romance novel, it’s also about families, hope, and the bonds of love overcoming all of life’s difficulties.

The story is a mixture of budding romance and inexplicable threats – hooking you into an enticing plot. This slow, seductive, and sensual novel is easily imaginable as a modern TV show.

The simple text and charming illustrations make this children’s book about a grateful kitten a must for the before bedtime story rotation. Fun rhyming and warm pictures will warm the hearts of all ages.

An adorable sausage dog tries to do a good deed, garnering praise, affection and treats along the way. He loves being petted and told he is a “good dog” almost as much as pancakes!

A wonderful children’s book about two brothers who are faced with tough decisions and conflicting advice. The story is fun and engaging, the underlying morals are timely and relevant, and the illustrations are just perfect!

This is a wonderfully charming, thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated children’s book. Highly ecommended should you have a young child dealing with fears!

A fun adventure into childhood fears of monsters and the dark, and a wonderful portrayal of the universal truth that logic often doesn’t make a difference against irrational fear.

Jack, a young boy thrust into a magical world he doesn’t understand, must battle nightmare creatures and arrogant demigods to save his world from the nightmare realm.

A foray into the secret lives of animals, fun and funny, that kids of many ages will enjoy. But it is also a book about the deeper meaning of life, and the source of true happiness.

A spectacularly spooky and maliciously humorous satire of different people at different points in their lives and the dark thoughts and actions that tie them together.

A factual account of an Asian woman’s fight to maintain her professionalism as she seeks to remain employed in a workplace that consistently undermines her value and worth as an employee and a human being.

This memoir is a captivating and often hilarious peek into the author’s life and mind where the reality was as delightful as the fiction.

An amazing and sometimes difficult to read journey into the lengths people will go to in their desire not only to do the right thing, but to encourage others to do the same.

Stories told from the perspective of a New Yorker with humble beginnings and a penchant for misadventures. Watch Matt navigate career changes, rude friends, and some things that can only happen in the Big Apple.

A forward thinking book focused on the ability of consistent and mindful journaling in a healing journey. It explores selflove in both chapters and journal prompts and encourages everyone to give journaling a try.

Not just another how-to meet-the-love of your life book, but instead offers a practical, no-nonsense approach to those who wish to get out there and find the one.

It starts with three simple steps: desire, believe and act. This book offers support and advice for those who aren’t quite there yet, hope for those who are, and humor for everyone.

A clear and honest guide for getting through your high school years. I wish I had read this book while I was in high school—it would have made my life a lot easier!

A personal and well researched advice book that is a result-oriented take on effective risk management for small businesses. A must read for small business owners.

did, would we approve or be horrified? Dunham a.k.a. The Architect will use whatever means necessary to manipulate world markets to become the wealthiest and most powerful man in the world, no matter who he has to step on, step over, or eliminate. However, a journalist has received files and information detailing his nefarious and dangerous plans, and she is on a quest to find people to believe her. A gut-wrenching, heartstopping thrill ride into the workings of our elected officials. But beware. You might not like what you discover!

The Architect, a billionaire intent on controlling the world and becoming Emperor of the United States, has great plans in which to make this happen (I.e. The Manifesto). He’ll go about this with his trusted cronies who, over the years, have proven their loyalty by eliminating individuals who were not in agreement with the plan set forth by this master of deceit. What transpires is murder and mayhem at the highest levels of the United States government, which then brings to light the question: do we really know what our leaders are doing to make this country great? And if we

I was absolutely riveted while reading this page turner, wondering who would prevail. There were no holds barred and I held my breath until the final, shocking end. It blew me away!

Thus begins a mindblowing journey to stop a chemical attack on Europe as well as numerous attempts at destrying Russia. We meet sub-humans, creatures of the night, and a strange and violent species who are intent on killing everyone who gets in their way. There are many different humans, sub-humans, and creatures that weave in and out of the storyline and the overall plot, and I was swept along in the whirlwind. I enjoyed the constant stimuli from such a fastpaced novel, and found myself immersed in the vivid descriptions of the violent attacks, the struggle to defend, and the vivid emotions that coursed through the characters in these tense moments.

This novel begins with a man who attempted to burn down the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, but who failed in his selfappointed mission. This was a source of great shame to him, a man not used to failing at anything. The only good thing was that he was never caught and charged for his attempted crime. Fast forward twelve years and we meet a young woman, a British reporter who, through her connections and boyfriend Atticus, had helped to end the current war and to rescue members of the Israeli government.

obstacles in order to be reunited with those you have loved and lost. Can happiness be found again? Absolutely. We learn that here, as the women find renewed happiness after opening themselves up to the possibility. An enlightening and dynamic plot that weaves its way into our hearts and teaches us that all is not lost as long as we have faith in life and those we love.

How many of us have spent time thinking about individuals who are connected to us by blood, who we have never met? Would it be empowering to finally meet these people, or would it be like opening a Pandora’s box? Thus begins the story of one family who decides to open that box, unspooling this story of discovery, truth, and lies. Tied in with unrequited love and different romantic connections, we are taken on an extraordinary journey spanning the course of many years. Truly an extraordinary tale of misfortune, evil, and overcoming

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. A good story makes us empathize with the characters as well as fear those that wish to do harm to others. And this is exactly what I felt, straight through to the very last page of the book. I highly recommend it to all those who enjoy reading a saga that spans several generations, but also for those who just like a really touching and realistic story with characters who you can relate to.

a good mystery—and this is indeed a GOOD mystery. Our heroine—a mom and a future sleuth—is both likable and compassionate. On the cusp of marrying her true love, she has lived through the worst possible experience—the kidnapping of her son— but has come through it stronger and smarter. Her beau is devoted to his future bride and her son, as he helps justice win out over deceit and treachery. We share in their successes, feel sorrow at what they have faced, and rejoice when they emerge victorious.

There is more than one mystery here. We receive an intimate, first-hand look at the lives of the characters in the novel, which the author cleverly weaves together in the conclusion. An intricate tale told in a way that ratchets up the suspense until we can’t wait a moment longer for the whodone-it conclusion. A real page turner and what I would call “unputdownable.”

A wonderful book for all those that enjoy not only a good solid mystery (of which there are quite a few within this novel) but also elements of romance and suspense, making for a truly delightful reading experience for those fortunate enough to be reading this book.

Well written and exciting from beginning to end, this is a novel that leads the reader through twists and turns that will leave you breathless. Who doesn’t love

The book has excellent flow and pace, which again keeps the readers interested and the snappy writing style builds the tension and helps to keep the book moving along at a wonderfully quick pace. The dialogue was equally excellent and feels so natural. I watch a lot of police procedurals on TV so I feel that the dialogue was as accurate as it could possibly be. While the author has a disclaimer about the 16th precinct being fictional, along with the characters, you get a true sense of being in central New York along with all the sights and sounds. Right down to the errant bike messenger who nearly gets a smack from Nick’s car at one point!

An excellently written crime thriller following Nick Larson and his partner as they chase a killer and seek justice for the victim. I don’t often dip into crime thrillers, but I’m very glad I did in this case. The writing is crisp, clean and very well done. There’s great tension from the beginning which keeps the reader interested and the characters are so well developed, you could almost believe the author was really right there with them as the action is happening. Speaking of action — there’s a good deal of that too!

I really enjoyed this book! It is an excellent read, and I’ll be looking out for more stories featuring Detective Nick Larson.

vI enjoyed Dylan’s character—first as a clueless student and later as a gun-toting, knifewielding vigilante. The scenes feel realistic and well researched. I enjoyed the story immensely and was both frightened for Dylan and proud of how he learned to handle the catastrophic situations he found himself in. This book is a dark and twisted look at mafia life. It is not for the faint of heart, as the novel contains graphic descriptions of violence, crude language, and mentions of sexual assault. A full list of content warnings can be found inside the book. Based on interviews with real life Utica members and Hamilton college alumni, this is a highly enjoyable read with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. It might make you question everything you know.

Dylan Woodger got involved with the mafia but can’t remember how he got there. After waking up with limited memories of the previous three years, Dylan is told that he stole money from the mafia. Kidnapping and torture follow, and Dylan is told that they will kill him if he can’t return the money. Dylan must decide who he can trust, if anyone. Dylan has flashbacks from his first year of college, including discovering his mother’s involvement with the mafia. As Dylan slowly remembers his past, he is wrapped up in mysteries that put his life in the balance.

A wild ride in a land where goodness and decency don’t always win out. While at times a bit brutal, this is truly a memorable journey. Not all fantasies, particularly the most spellbinding ones resemble sweet fairytales. This novel has much more substance than that, and we are able to literally see into the minds of these characters and observe how they interact—and feud— with each other. Particularly riveting is the relationship between Jaks and Meila, despite them coming from different civilizations and having unusual abilities. I greatly enjoyed reading it, and was swept away into this unique world of populations from different planets colliding and then bonding. Surrounding the two main characters are siblings, friends, and enemies, and I found it so interesting to analyze how these people were thinking and how each of their actions impacted their goals and desires. It was an entertaining and enjoyable read.

This is the story of Jaks, born into a life of riches and privilege, but also one of abuse and terror at the hands of his father. Desperate to protect his sisters, as well as redeem himself with a noble occupation, he yearns to become an apprentice to one of the noblemen in power. His efforts are, for the most part, futile - until he comes across the beautiful and intelligent Meila. So begins their harrowing journey towards freedom and salvation, which comes along with pain, sacrifice and loss.

has believed himself to be, nor is the kingdom he is fighting to save, nor is Illustra. As Marco begins to unravel the web of lies, he is forced to confront the pain and darkness within his own soul, and clings to the light within himself. D.E. Cunningham is a master at creating cliffhanger chapters that result in a frantic and nailbiting suspense. It’s Marco, his protagonist, however, that truly gripped me. Not so much the action and adventure, though it was there in spades. Marco gripped me because of his inner quest for forgiveness and love. After Marco Swift’s father dies, his mother takes him and his little sister to Sicily to live with a family they don’t know, while she tries to find a way to become healthy once more. One day, after finding his way into an eerie and foreboding castle at the top of a mountain, he is offered a way to make his mother well himself; he won’t reject it.

This book is a wonderful blend vof action, adventure, excitement, and redemption. It is a beautiful glimpse into the human soul and the struggle to forgive and find love through the darkness of life’s struggles. Marco leaves on a quest to save his family and the kingdom, but ends up saving himself along the way.

The Queen of Souls is beautiful and powerful, and Marco enters into training that he will require in order to find the sword necessary for the queen, Illustra, to save her kingdom. Then Marco begins to realize that he is not what he

historically accurate life in poverty on a small American farm. But where Warrensburg truly excels is in the hypnotic way that Fleury Sommers turns normal words into literary artwork that flow with such pleasant and beautiful smoothness that you leave the book feeling elevated, captivated, and hooked. The imagery within the book brings the story alive in ways that few authors accomplish, and the lyrical prose is so captivating and gripping that it’s disorienting as one is dragged unwillingly up from the novel and back to reality. While reading I honestly had no idea if I wanted to lock myself away and devour the book cover-to-cover, or if I wanted to ration it like water in a desert. I’d recommend Warrensburg to anyone who loves historical fiction. Anyone!

Josh’s twin sister Millie suffers from epilepsy, and when they are told to not return to church because of it, it starts the entire family on a path of darkness and justice. In an era when men and women are sterilized because of mental or physical conditions so as to not taint humanity with their offspring, Josh and Millie’s mother decides to take matters into her own hands, and feeds her own daughter up to the authorities. It’s a gripping dive into betrayals, injustice, and historical superstition. It’s a book about the true meaning of family set against the backdrop of a

fraught with perils, she finds a home in one of the great estates. There, she is courted and wed to the Baron despite his mother’s anger and displeasure. She bears a daughter but is soon cast out of her home by the evil Barona. An enticing and moving story for all ages to enjoy. It’s not often a novel moves the emotions of the reader—from pride to fear to anger all the way to relief when things finally turn towards a positive outcome. It’s an unusual story set in primitive times, with customs and rules that are unfamiliar to us. However, it is this strangeness and uniqueness that gives the book and its heroine depth and tenacity. You will be shocked at the violence, but will cheer Bruno on as she surmounts all the obstacles placed in her way—right up until the fulfilling ending.

A wonderful and moving story, well written with great characterizations. A mother-inlaw from hell, a naive young girl, and a wealthy suitor who is unable to truly loosen his mother’s grip on his future. You will cheer at the ending but wish for more. Absolutely excellent. One young woman’s odyssey as she runs away from everyone she knows to escape an arranged marriage. Although the potential husband is seen by her (Bruno) as a kind and gentle soul, she feels that at mere 15 years of age, marriage and motherhood are not yet what she aspires to. So she runs off, and on a journey

then. I loved that all of these diverse elements are used to create such a magical experience, and that there is a lot of heart to the story. I had enjoyed the first two books in the series, so I was looking forward to reading this book. It had all that I enjoyed about the first two novels and still added to the world. I loved getting to know more about Sofia and loved the way the author incorporated different cultures and historical elements in the book. Ms. Kobayashi does a wonderful job at making you truly care about the characters.

Only Sofia-Elisabete is a novel about a 15-year-old girl who goes on a journey traveling to different countries, following her dreams while dealing with the many difficulties that come from being a woman in the 1800s. It follows a year of her life and is strewn with dangers and perils.

This was a wonderfully done coming-of-age story - not just a love story, but one of suspense, as it draws you into all the perils that Sofia has to overcome, in a beautiful transformation from an inexperienced girl into a woman.

You’re invested from the moment Sofia’s mother arranges her marriage, and you remain so all throughout Sofia’s escape from the set path to her own adventure. The novel is rich with descriptions from many different countries, cultures, and the arts. There is also a great amount of action and danger it doesn’t sugarcoat the troubles that women went through back

have encountered. Despite his firm insistence that he will never succumb or truly live again, he meets Tailith, and what follows is an erotic journey of their physical relationship and the strengthening of their emotional bond. I found Kailan to be a masterful hero, both humble and accommodating of the needs of others. He is astounding in his strength but believable in his weaknesses, a character I feel the readers can fully empathize with. Kailan, a revered and handsome Scottish knight, loses his beloved Nadrine during his struggle to prevent the extinction of his race. He realizes he must continue his pursuit of survival against all creatures that stand in his way. During the course of his journey, he is fortunate to meet the beautiful sorceress Tailaith. What follows is their love story as well as their joined goals of saving those they hold dear. Set in the realm of the paranormal, we meet elves—both good and bad—vampires, evil creatures, and individuals who are noble and virtuous. Kailan, the hero of the story, is one of these moral and brave knights who seek justice for the evil wrongdoings of those they

We mourn along with the hero as he reels from the death of his lover, we empathize as he vows to only become involved with women who mean nothing to him, and we cheer as he falls in love for the last time in his life. A true fairy tale ending, with love conquering all. Heartwarming and brutal at the same time, but despite everything, love rules over all obstacles.

and the facts we learn at the end justify the means used—all of which creates a cohesive and exciting read. I always appreciate novels that don’t drop characters into their stories as if they’re plopping fish into goldfish bowls. I like to be offered insight into the psychology and minds of the people I am reading about, and this the author does extremely well. We learn about the deaths that have taken place, remarriages and close family members that have experienced more than their fair share of pain and loss. We are also provided with a realistic firsthand look at evil and psychotic behavior, which lends itself to the overall gripping plot as it unfolds.

Filled with intertwining tales, which merge into one blockbuster of a plot. We gain insight into each of the characters in the story, which allows the reader to either empathize with, or dislike them. As the story progresses, there are surprising twists and turns, with the reader attempting to determine whether the beginning of a major war and the demise of mankind is imminent—or if this planned destruction will be foiled by the officials in charge. One of the officers has a disgraced past, which makes the story all the more interesting as we decide for ourselves whether her actions are justifiable—or not. All of these factors come together effectively,

This is a realistic and probing mystery and crime novel which, whether you can relate or not, will make you think. A mesmerizing story overall, and one which also touches on the frightening ramifications of bullying, an all-too-common occurrence in today’s society.

Vertigo Of Silence is a story about secrets and broken families. It offers a view of the human experience that is as beautiful as it is abrasively honest. It holds nothing back, but within the gritty imagery is an undercurrent of the mythical, and the contradiction is truly hypnotic. The characters are achingly real, the story is tragic but alluring, and the writing is lyrical and beautiful.

This book follows the lives and stories of three women: Marishka, the mother and grandmother who fights to keep her family safe and as together as they can be; Paulina who falls in love with her sister’s husband and drives an unintended wedge into an already troubled family; and Emily, whose mother (Paulina’s sister) is mentally unwell, and who feels like she has lost it all when her grandmother dies. Then Emily’s life is shattered when she realizes her mother and Aunt Anna lied for years. Her father was not dead, and her grandmother had three daughters, not two.

And while it is indeed a story about secrets and broken families, it’s also a story about hope and the desire for redemption, and about the war between pain and forgiveness. It’s a story about the bonds between families, torn by lies, but ultimately unbreakable. The haunting emotion of the story will linger for far longer than I ever could have imagined. And yes, I cried.

it’s never wrong to stand up for others and try to help. These are the kinds of concepts that just may well help humanity usher in a new era of peace and cooperation among our nations and peoples. The texts and illustrations show that differences are normal and should indeed be celebrated rather than mocked. I’m certain it could be useful across many different cultures. If only there were a way to teach the current adult generations how to behave and embrace differences!

A children’s book designed to encourage children everywhere to become leaders in all walks of life. It is a wonderfully illustrated book with supportive and encouraging text meant to show children from all walks of life that they can and possibly should become leaders. There are no difficult words here, so it can be read by any child. To make it even more appealing to children, the text also rhymes in just three short sentences. The illustrations are superb little works of art - it is rare to see such high-quality illustrations in a children’s book. They are warm and engaging, and work as an integral part of the message.

Beautifully illustrated and nicely written. I only wish these sentiments had been around or encouraged when I was a victim of bullying and intimidation. I genuinely mean what I say in that I feel it could and should be read to children worldwide.

Each mini segment has its own theme, yet the overall theme is that

numerous obstacles. The author indicates that she is generally an extrovert who has a lot of friends, and from her perspective, spirituality and family traditions are very important. She adds that disappointments will be present throughout your career, and you should learn how to manage them. She gives various examples of incidents that occurred in her life and which left a deep impact on her. The well researched facts and statements buttressed by data sources at the end of the chapters give a high level of credibility. I liked the overall theme of positive reinforcement, and the underlying message of never giving up hope struck a chord in me. A very well written book that I would recommend to both men and women, especially women of color, as it can help us realize how to overcome problems that life throws at us and how to come out victorious.

The book is part memoir and part self help guide, written by an author who is also a successful business woman and executive coach. The book follows the trials and tribulations of the author, who has experienced multiple issues in life and shows us how she managed to emerge victorious. The author believes that by sharing her life lessons, others could also gain much insight and knowledge from them, helping them lead better lives. A deep and thought provoking story about the difficulties faced by a woman of color as she tries to come up in life despite facing

A thought provoking book written with eloquence and sensitivity, the author does not push her pro-life stance on the reader. Instead, she focuses on the ways we can give women the care and support they need so that they can make an informed decision. Told from a firsthand experience, the author describes what we are never told—how the decision to have an abortion is sometimes made in haste and can lead to a lifetime of regrets. Bringing to mind issues many of us would prefer not to think about, this is still something we might face. It can indeed be a cold cruel world out there, but we can lead with love rather than anger. I highly recommend this book not just for women, but to all individuals who want to eliminate judgment and anger from their lives and replace those negative emotions with compassion and emotional support.

Rather than condemning those who have had abortions, this book instead focuses on the lack of information and support women receive when they are faced with an unwanted pregnancy. All too often abortion is seen as the easy way out for women, but the reality is—as the author clearly points out—it is a life-changing decision that has far reaching consequences that last throughout one’s lifetime. The author makes clear, as well, that screaming protesters picketing in front of abortion clinics is definitely not the way to go.

This is not just another book on the Holocaust. This is a masterpiece. The writing is beyond anything I have read before, and Ms Garibaldi holds nothing back as she describes the terrible living conditions these people had to endure and their inhumane treatment. For those of us—myself included— who thought the aftermath of the war was peaches and roses, this book is truly an awakening. It reads like a novel of fiction, but is altogether true. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, or even to those who choose to discover the truth which is altogether different from what we have always assumed to be fact. Written by someone as if they were really present, those of us lucky enough to find and read this book will not be able to put it down. I read it in one sitting; devoured each word, each sentence, each paragraph. Never have I read a book this enthralling.

Written by the great granddaughter of Carl Katz, who describes in riveting detail, backed up by research, his life both during and after the fall of the Third Reich. In mesmerizing and extraordinarily vivid writing, we follow Carl as he endures unspeakable atrocities while still keeping the safety of his family a priority. Through his determination and an indomitable force of will, he struggles to survive amidst the most heinous treatment and crimes against humanity. The reader is taken on an extraordinary journey, and I felt connected both physically and emotionally to what he and the other characters were experiencing.

the sex, drugs, and high life of the MGM Grande with a historical account of Las Vegas, but what I found in the pages was a reminder of what it means to be human, and to succeed, to fail, to want, and to try. Coming To Las Vegas by Carolyn V Hamilton isn’t a book that everyone will innately enjoy. I wouldn’t say that I did, but this particular memoir is a should-read for just about everyone. In experiencing a slice of her life through her lens of brutal honesty, I found a resolve reawakened in myself to view my own life the same, and to show to the world what is real about me rather than what is falsely glamorous or safe.

In a world where social media reigns, and pictures are photoshopped or filtered, lives are edited to show only the best and brightest moments, and honesty on public platforms is often in short supply, Carolyn’s candid and often brutally honest memoir leaves a reader with the feeling of relief at having a bird’s eye view into a life that hasn’t been photoshopped or filtered before being placed on public display.

So, for Coming To Las Vegas, I say read it— everyone should—and be entertained, but also remain open to the idea that you might, like I did, come out at the end of it changed.

It’s unsavory and blunt, but it’s also fast-paced and often gripping. It broaches difficult subjects without whitewashing human aspirations or failures, and without masking the human condition. Editorial and reader reviews for this memoir mention

to remission to stem cell replacement surgery, he somehow maintains a sense of humor and determination to meet every obstacle head on. With out-of-body experiences and nurturing medical staff, he waits to come through to the other side, once again a healthy and grateful human being. Chimera, the title of the book, implies different things in mythology, but here I focused on what it meant to me as the reader of this memoir—a “mixing of different forms” as Jody would have not one but two sets if DNA in his body after his sister donates part of her healthy bone marrow to replace his damaged ones. A fitting title to a wonderful story of love, devotion and selflessness.

Do any of us really know what we can handle unless it actually happens? Here we have a young man, still in his teens, who is about to embark on the most important and perilous journey of his life— the fight against the cancerous cells invading his body. We follow his journey with bated breath as he delves into the research about his disease. Mixing spirituality and mythology together into his learnings.

Although it was an emotional page turner and at times difficult to read, it was a wonderful story of an amazing young man as he fights the greatest battle of his life.

A thought-provoking intense look at what some cancer patients have to go through in order to fight the enemy—Death. From his initial diagnosis to grueling treatment

from popular movies and books, and practical applications, it helps to explain the abstract concepts while remaining quite a fun and fascinating read. The writing style is lucid and not at all condescending.The layout of the treatise is very simple and structured, and some of the more abstract concepts around how one masters the scene writing are made easily understandable and engaging. It is a positive and inspirational experience. It is structured in a way that enables one to master scene writing.

A slim, concise and well focused treatise on how to write and master scenes and how writers can become authors by mastering scene writing. The various elements of a scene are discussed with well known examples, the key facts of each element are presented in depth, and with a well laid out structure.

I would recommend this book to budding writers and movie script writers first, but also to any avid reader that would like to learn more about the mechanics behind the magic of a gripping book.

The author uses astute observations based on personal experience in every area of study, adding to the utility of the subject matter. Full of wellresearched facts, great examples

they have been through and how they can better react in order to not become a victim of despair and depression. These worksheets are thoughtprovoking and designed to stimulate the act of positive thinking, and they can and do work when they are answered honestly and with careful thought. A no-nonsense, honest and forthright story of what one woman went through— until she realized she was not doing all she could to navigate her way through her accident and life while dealing with depression, anxiety, and illness. An insightful look at how she, while being knocked down and out every which way, managed to survive and come out the other side a stronger, wiser, and more compassionate individual. With the guidance, insights, and techniques offered in the pages, this autobiography helps us to examine our own lives as we navigate the journey that is called life.

Self-help meets workbook meets autobiography that describes one woman’s journey into and out of the abyss known as depression. Is it really possible to learn to control our feelings and emotions so that sadness and depression have less of a hold on us than they ordinarily would have? The author says yes, but is completely honest in stating that while we undoubtedly will not be able to completely eradicate depression from our psyche, we can learn to lessen it so that it becomes more manageable and less debilitating. Interspersed throughout the book are worksheets where the reader can think of similar situations

Young Kitt delves deeper into the mountains, and encounters many challenges on his path. Through his skill and cunning, he emerges victorious in all these battles.

A true fantasy of hunters, swordsmen and monsters eager to kill or be killed. Yet in the midst of all the violence and horror is a teenaged boy named Kitt, who leaves the only home he has ever known to enter the wilderness and become a warrior. We follow his adventures as he learns to defend himself over and over again while he forges a tentative relationship with a member of royalty.

He is a fearless warrior, but with a conscience that justifies and rationalizes each killing. He thinks it is either kill or be killed, as he is forced to defend himself from ruthless humans and nonhumans. With the ability to

He meets Ardri, the young Prince of Rilante, fresh from a long year spent learning—among other things—the vital metals and environment. Not versed in the art of friendship, he is cautious and mistrustful. Not for the faint of heart (or mind) but a searing and poignant journey where you can immerse yourself into the survival of the fittest. A deeply moving tale of one boy’s struggle not only to survive in unimaginable circumstances and terror, but to emerge unscathed and more determined than ever. The reader both sympathizes

and is shocked by what appears to be unremorseful actions, but a greater understanding of his psyche unfolds as you read on.

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blend into both rock and shadow, as well as keep motionless, he is successful.

It is a fascinating experience, not dissimilar to a 3-D movie. This is a novel that must be read by someone who is open minded and eager to encounter the unimaginable. I loved it.

haunting him. On top of that, a jousting accident injures Boone’s best friend, Flynn, forcing Boone to step into the spotlight. Rather than facing his demons, both literal and figurative, Boone is sucked into a race against time to stop two secret societies from taking possession of three invaluable pieces of music composed by Niccolo Paganini. When played together, these three pieces can summon

If you are looking for a dark and twisted adventure that will keep you up late, look no further than this book! Boone, a troubled soul who tends to drift through life without experiencing any of the joys, has had a tough life. He carries guilt over his parents’ untimely death from when he was a child, debilitating panic attacks, and a wendigo is also

A thrilling roller coaster of a ride, with twists and turns galore. There are plenty of mythological creatures from across the world making an appearance in Boone’s story and representation from several different folktales and mythologies. As each evil creature appears and is conquered, a more powerful one takes its place. With occasional humor, we are treated

to a glance inside the protagonist’s mind, and we silently revel in his successes and wince when he is harmed. A surprise ending leaves you guessing until the very end, which is fitting and praiseworthy.

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the Devil and catapult the world into a war with no winners. With the help of the beautiful violinist Sapphire, Boone is wrapped up in music and magic in the bustling center of New York City, with two days to achieve the impossible: saving the world.

You are Michaelangelo’s angel in the stone, and you are Michelangelo. You will keep chiseling away until the masterpiece within you is released, and the masterpiece is called “Me.”

I come from a healthy family, and read self-help books mostly as a hobby, and only if they deliberately come into my life. I expected from this one the same as I usually expect from all of them: a different take on the human condition that will be interesting, but unlikely to pertain to me. So when I got exactly none of that, nobody could have been more shocked and humbled than I was.

I’m going to start this review off by saying that I’m not the target audience for this book. The Artfully Lived Life is a self-help book focused on mindfulness, and spiritual, mental, and emotional healing.

The book was beautiful, full of love and acceptance, offered with a writing style that is as soothing as it is gentle. It’s a book that tugged at my heart, changed my views on what it means to be human and possibly to feel broken, and it made me rethink what I know of empathy. And if it can do these things for me, who doesn’t feel harmed or broken, then what could it do on behalf of those for whom it was written? The question burned as I read, the same as it burns now, and if I could recommend it to anyone it would be the world.

This is a book that I believe transcends the boundaries of the audience, and speaks to the heart and soul as much as it does to the mind.

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What should I say now, struggling as I am with the words?

It was a work of art and a gift, and I feel as if something changed somewhere deep inside me for having read it!

“And through the fidelity of that individual, the complex interrelationships carefully constructed by the powerful to order society to fit their personal ideologies and selfish interests collapse under the weight of justice and moral right.”

children, individuals who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and many others. A sham trial ensues — or what Meriel’s adversaries deem as a completely fair and legal process — which could mean the end of Meriel’s life or permanent incarceration.

An intriguing story about an individual named Meriel who is wrongfully accused of a heinous crime which claimed the lives of

We follow the remainder of Meriel’s family after tragedy strikes down her parents. What occurs in this highly complex

The book is a well written science fiction tale of those who strive to fight for justice despite the obstacles in their way. Its plot and the cast of characters were mesmerizing. I felt I could actually feel the rise and fall of the temperature—the heat and the cold—as if I were right there with them in this other world. I deeply empathize with many of the characters in the story, some more than others (Meriel, John, and Sandy, for example), but all were believable and richly

detailed with human emotions set against the backdrop of a distant sciencefiction existence.

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novel is the fight against injustice and the desire to move upwards towards the stars in the distant galaxies.

Throughout this story, we learn how insurance companies can “pretend” to investigate honest claims from their participants while fully intending to deny them from the beginning.

Intrigue, corruption, and violence make this sequel so intensely gripping that you will be unable to put this book down. Exploring how one person’s attempt to herald a new Revolution and a New Third Reich, this novel forces us to question our own government institutions. Are those in power truly trustworthy? Who is to blame for revolutions?

After one too many reports of corruption, Attorney General Sam Collins’ investigation is reaching a fever pitch. Collins is an ethical California official determined to stop the

Charles Stone cannot fail. Corporate America is deadly, and the way to survive it is to keep making a profit, no matter the cost. When Collins starts getting too close for comfort to secrets that Stone has held since childhood, it will become a fight to the death to see his father’s ambitions for America, and for his son, come true.

Gripping, intense, and scarily realistic—a novel not to be taken lightly. From California to the Deep South, two men determined to see their version of America prevail keep readers guessing from the first page. Fans of political suspense will enjoy this novel.

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insurance mongrel Charles Stone from taking advantage of people and taking down the government from the inside. He has spent four years dodging attempts on his life, but Collins has finally found the key to catching Stone.

hope, this book covers it all.

This memoir tells the story of Frederick Reynolds, a shy and sensitive boy growing up in Detroit, and his journey to becoming a cop and eventual detective in one of the most dangerous places in the States: Compton, California. Frederick’s memories and stories weave a captivating picture of his own experiences and the historical events that shaped them. From racism and violence to corruption and

Frederick has written a book of pure gold that blurs the lines between action and mystery and the master touch of storytelling. This book is a memoir, but as his life unfolded in the pages, empathy mixed with sadness, horror mixed with hope, and every time I was forced to draw myself up from the book, it was with a slight feeling of awe. Frederick’s friendships with

This memoir covered not only Frederick’s inspiring and sometimes harrowing career but also his struggles with meaningful relationships, family matters, and tragedy. Frederick is broadened beyond his astounding career into a flawed and genuine human. It isn’t just that his writing is hypnotic and that his life story turns tragic. It is that Frederick, as a human being, sees the world through a lens that is compelling, unique, and sincerely real. And the contrast between his rough

experiences as a cop and the depth of his soul that he wrote into these pages will stay with me for a long time!

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colleagues, interactions with victims, and detailed retelling of important cases keeps his work feeling relevant today.

A string of equally horrifying murders follow. Bodies are piling up, and Bryce tries desperately to uncover the motive behind the senseless killings. The killer is targeting people with plastic surgery, but why? Bryce and Dean must work together to stop the killer before time runs out and every nip and tuck becomes a death warrant.

Dr. Bryce Davison, a therapist with a troubled and violent history, is just starting to get back to his normal life. He has good friends, an extremely popular talk show, and a budding romantic interest. Just when Bryce thinks that his life is finally settling down, his best friend and police officer Dean brings him in after a prominent doctor was found brutally murdered. 76

I loved the novel and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a well-written mystery that

keeps you guessing until the final chapters. I’d love to read more about Dean and Bryce and what happens next in their lives. Tragedy? Success? I want more!

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What a wonderful and gripping read! This book had me from page one. The writing is skilled, and the characters are explained so that we can feel what they feel and think what they think. Dean and Bryce are flawed and damaged, but they understand their shortcomings and use their knowledge to benefit others. Their friendship is realistic and heart-warming. The plot progresses well and at a fast enough pace that the reader is kept “on the hook,” so to speak, wondering what the next chapter will bring.

Emilia is the illegitimate daughter of a Native American and a Spanish officer who doesn’t want her. She has a wonderful relationship with her mother, Maria, which blunts many of the hardships Emilia is forced to face. She is determined to make a better life for herself and improve her circumstances. She learns how to read and write, and falls in love with her childhood friend, Damaso. But

even there, life’s harsh twists try to keep them apart. A rape, then a murder, then a break from jail... and then Maria’s death. And so the tragedy continues... for a long time. Before the Alamo by Florence Weinberg is a dark and raw historical fiction novel that is as aching as it is beautiful. The characters, scenes, and details are so vivid that there is a deliberate

Is it worth it? It is! It’s the truth of the past, eased by the beauty of writing and fiction, that deposits the reader into a world of hope and horror. There is no whitewashing history for the sake of acceptance, and no glossing over the harshness of that reality for the sake of a

falsely romantic tale.

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feeling of being removed from time and space. It’s history at its most powerful! Were I to focus only on the beauty of the book in this review, it would be filled with descriptions of the captivating and melodic writing, and the brilliance of the historical and fictional world. And were I to focus only on the tragedies, the review would be filled with descriptions of the stabs of pain and sorrow I got while reading it.

Before the Alamo is a love story between mother and daughter, and then between that daughter and her own heart. I’d recommend it not only to those who usually read historical fiction, but also to anyone who can appreciate the exquisiteness and fluidity of beautiful writing!

romantic story. The characters are both complex and volatile, yet also sympathetic and endearing. We have Beverly, first and foremost, from a troubled and dysfunctional background struggling to make her marriage work despite the fact that she initiated a trial with claims of domestic abuse against her husband. He is able to get past that, however. It appears to be ambivalent in general, and he is

“My sessions with Dr. Taylor made me see why I clung on so tightly to Eric.” A Violent Turn Part II is a sequel from the short stories in Torn Lives. This tale holds no boundaries: pain, love, and lust linked in one breath. Yet revenge runs deep. Love, lust, and betrayal, all wrapped up in one erotic and 80

The overall storyline and plot is enticing, definitely. Beverly is an extremely strong-willed, determined woman attempting to raise her son with the assistance of her mother. By being thwarted at every turn, she continues to persevere, and the reader develops an affinity for her as well as the other characters in the story.

Interspersed with her struggles and relationships with Eric and another man she is attracted to, we are treated to scenes of foreplay and sex, which keep the story lively and exciting!

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torn between his feelings of desire for his wife and confusion and anger at the situations he constantly finds himself in the midst of. A competitor for his wife’s affections is Ricardo, a married man also conflicted and torn between his desire for another man’s wife and his affections for his own partner.

around or even shown interest in Abbie besides her loyal, sometimes gassy, bulldog Sumo. However, a sweet twist of fate puts Abbie in the arms of Miller, the handsome Best Man from America. Sparks fly, and Abbie is swept up in the romance of her dreams, except for one problem. Miller refuses to leave the city that he loves, and Abbie cannot imagine leaving her little town, which is her last connection

Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story - and this is a particularly wonderful one. Our main character Abbie Carter has been rather unlucky in love. Abbie spends lots of time as a bridesmaid, but she has yet to find anyone in her little town of Dilbury to sweep her off her feet. Abbie is sweet and has a habit of embarrassing herself in public, especially as a bridesmaid. No man has stuck 82

Sometimes a laugh-out-loud story, and other times a will-they-orwon’t-they type of feeling, but always an enticing, emotional experience that made me want to be in each of those moments with her. I couldn’t wait to turn to the next page and learn if what I hoped would happen—actually would! I was mesmerized by each unfolding event in Abbie and Miller’s blossoming love affair, and I was constantly holding my breath during each poignant moment Engaging, entertaining, and a warm-your-heart kind of novel,

this book will make you laugh, cry, and believe that love does conquer all.

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to her family. Can their romance survive across the pond?

The author shares his complex and difficult experiences; how he grew up facing abuse, drug addiction, mental illness, physical pain, and a host of other issues which many people do not face in their entire lifetime. He also recounts how he had to live through the almost Sisyphean ordeal of relapsing into his former state many times until he overcomes them and is on the way to becoming more successful in life.

This book is a self help transformation guidebook on how to overcome your ordeals like addiction, abuse, alcohol dependency and other issues against the backdrop of your everyday life. The author narrates his life struggles to enable the reader to visualize the disheartening issues that he overcame in order to finally hope to lead a successful life in the future.

I liked the honest attempt at trying to explain extremely

difficult and complex pitfalls of life, and especially the author’s great persistence and wisdom to finally overcome them and lead a successful life. I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with their personal dark ordeals and is looking for an honest, courageous, and permanent way to overcome them and lead a successful life.

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He demonstrates his passion to help other people overcome their dark ordeals by sharing his learnings through his book, blog, and other media. And yet, he shares all this with us in a breezy, honest, and easy style. A very honest, compelling, and engaging style that invokes in you an inspirational feeling and a sense of hope to overcome challenges like drug addiction, abuse, alcohol dependency, mental illness, and other issues. He gives us confidence that we too can do the same, if we develop our willpower and focus on overcoming our issues as per the steps and guidelines outlined in the book.

Not just your average runof-the-mill self-help book with the usual cookie cutter approach espousing “learn to love yourself ” or “embrace your uniqueness.” Instead, this is a practical guide/workbook that allows the reader to use the tool of writing to record how they’re thinking, feeling, and acting and use that information and knowledge to modify their behavior. The author states (and I agree) that the very act of writing is not only cathartic but thought

provoking and results-oriented. Not only are we provided with certain tasks, which enable us to analyze more clearly how our thoughts affect our behavior, we are also given spiritual guidance. These “proverbs” are each carefully chosen to reflect the specific nature of each separate task, which—if we are successful—will help us towards our goal of greater happiness and contentment. The author begins by providing

the work rather than simply lecturing us on why we make the poor choices we do. I also believe strongly in the power of a higher being as well as the enormous benefits we can receive simply by taking a pen in hand. A truly objective, non-judgmental guide so that we can learn to help ourselves, as well as gain a greater understanding of why we do the things we do.

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us with a glimpse of her personal life, with the problems she had to face.

This book was the result of many hours of introspection and even emotional pain as she learned to live as her authentic self. This is a stepby-step guide to recognizing how our thoughts control our feelings, and how those feelings control our attitudes and behavior toward friends, family, and colleagues. By retraining our minds to overcome negative thinking, envy and discontentment, we can enjoy more fully our relationships and careers as we go through life, trusting that our faith in God will assist and guide us.

A thought provoking self-help book/workbook that asks us to do

No Stone Unturned: A Remarkable Journey to Identity by Nadean Stone LOGLINE Philomena meets Lion in this captivating memoir—the story of an orphan abandoned on Christmas Eve by her young, unwed mother and the journey undertaken to find her.

SYNOPSIS

BOOK TRAILER

Between 1945 and 1973, about 350,000 unmarried Canadian mothers were coerced or forced into giving their babies up for adoption. Many babies, like Nadean Stone, were illegally given away, like a puppy at the pound, for a nominal donation to the church. No Stone Unturned is a real-life story that contains elements of a movie or TV series: drama, pain, suspense, romance, royalty, politics, and more. It has multiple unexpected twists and turns, a kidnapping, a harrowing escape from a Caribbean island, and an emotional narrative throughout. An inspiring memoir of courage and perseverance, proving miraculous and happy endings can be achieved when we never give up!

REVIEWS Taleflick, an LA based company has recommended No Stone Unturned for a film or TV series and selected it a Taleflick Pick! This memoir represents a remarkably compelling and emotional story. The protagonist is determined and courageous, yet at the same time so much of her strength comes from her deep feelings. The willingness and ability of the author to share with the audience the vulnerability in her own story is what truly makes this a must read.

She is honest and heartfelt on every page, and it effortlessly sweeps the reader along for the ride. The anecdotes within are at turns comedic and tragic, and they’re all unique and specific to her experience. This is a story that will stick with you. Parklander Magazine Review If ever a cable series suggested its own sequel that promised to be just as or more captivating than the original, The Handmaid’s Tale, this would be it.

NadeanStone.com

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The Amazon Bestseller, reminiscent of the best historical fiction, with characters that are wonderful and full of life. An unforgettable story inspired by real events . . . “Constantine was arguably the greatest European emperor ever. O'Bryan's tale has an equally great supporting cast of villains and allies. This is great historical fiction.” Hostage for his father’s enemies. Expected to die. Saved by a woman who was both orphaned and enslaved. It’s the year 306. The Roman Empire is in turmoil. Constantine, the son of the Emperor of the West, is fighting Persians. In a daring raid on the Persian camp he frees a slave named Juliana. She is half Persian, half Roman. As they are pursued to Britannia over land and sea, he learns that she can see the future - his future.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION When young art prodigy Ingrid Kraemer is told that the woodland elf that has befriended her is actually an android, she can't believe it. Neither can the NRG robotics corporation that dominates the country with tyrannical control. With a virtual monopoly on all robotics, they know this android masquerading as an elf isn't one of theirs. Ingrid just wants to pursue her passion for art, but after she draws a detailed picture of the elf, she finds herself thrust into the middle of a worldwide battle for technological supremacy... and it all revolves around a painting from 1918.

REVIEWS "This book is a wonderful adventure into the life and transformation of a young and naïve art prodigy from bystander to the pivotal role in a revolution. A great read ...and a warning about corporate greed, dominance and control of society. Punctuated with mystery and evil, great characters, a surprise ending, and an Italian setting so real you can smell the espresso, Ingrid is delightful and adventurous. I can't wait for the sequel!"

"Ingrid is an engaging and disturbing work that is increasingly relevant as national and international politics play out daily. Robert Golino’s Ingrid reminds us of the personal responsibility required to protect freedoms and access to the truth."

"Author Golino explores tensions between art and technology, humanity and artificial intelligence, benevolence and control, selling big and selling out, surviving and thriving, and the powerful roles of technology, personal responsibility, and hegemony in the creation of culture. Who knows best, and whom can we trust? Read Ingrid for a haunting exploration of these themes."

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BOOK DESCRIPTION Author L.M Bollers' inspiring and adventurous memoir is a tribute to his beloved mother, a woman whose unwavering love for her family created firm roots that would be an anchor for her biracial son while growing up in a society fueled by racial tensions, crime, and poverty. Determined to overcome the evolving political climate in his home country of British Guiana, Bollers was driven by his mother’s indefatigable spirit. Highlighting adventures and life lessons on speaking truth to power, the book tells the story of a family whose dreams are intertwined, sometimes put on hold but never forgotten. An extraordinary tale of resilience and resistance in the face of racial inequality, and an inspiring read for anyone looking to combat social injustice.

REVIEWS "I loved this book because it make think about my own life and how simple it is compared to what this young man went through. Now a days we don't really think about the ones who came before us and the struggles they went through to make a better life for themselves. This book is sensible, realistic, and thought provoking."

"Loved it! I found myself craving; all the juice stories about life,love,lost,struggles and missed opportunities. All the very best to you. Hope your readers get a change to follow you as you continue your life journey...."

"I enjoyed reading the book. I’ve learned so much from it. How The Bollers family had to struggle in life. A son’s LOVE for family. How Monty had to leave school as a teen to help out financially. The struggles/obstacles Monty went through had me in tears. At one point I wished I was there as his guardian angel. "

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IF YOU ENJOYED THE LITTLE PRINCE OR THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS YOU WILL LOVE THIS STORY! Jacob’s idyllic life is shattered when his young daughter is killed in a dreadful accident. Locked in a crisis of faith, he sets out to find God to ask why he allowed her death to occur. He wonders if God even exists, or which religion is the one path to reach him. To find answers, Jacob passes through the Ancient Gates of Abraham and wanders down the prejudiced roads in the Kingdom of Religious Confusion. He is confronted with the challenge of keeping an open mind as he meets the righteous, the devout, and the unbelievers.

REVIEWS “Schade has combined, so eloquently, the facts of many major global religions

—Catherine Bradford: Host The Wellness Roadshow - Searching for the Whole Being

and woven them into a tender, inspiring and heartfelt novel.”

"Extremely well written, Schade's prose is priceless, and his subject matter forces each of us to explore beneath the surface of man's purpose and direction in

—Denise M. Clark: Author and Editor

troublesome times."

“I was enthralled with the interweaving of physical and spiritual threads and

—Brenda Arachel:

empowered by the concepts presented throughout his book”

Goodreads Author and book reviewer "...it is as if I am there with Jacob. AW Schade's portrayal of Jacob - his confusion, his anguish, his hope in some instances, his doubts in others, the warmth and hatred he experiences in various engagements, including almost being physically attacked - is brilliant.”

Verified Amazon reviewer.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION Steph Hammerman has been motivating herself and others her entire life. Since defying the odds by surviving as a one-pound, fifteen-ounce baby and weeks later being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, to beating Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stage 3B cancer in 2016, Steph has been a living example of overcoming seemingly insurmountable objects in order to achieve the impossible.

REVIEWS "There is no one I know more honest about her feelings other than children who haven't yet been conditioned to think that there are set, cultural perimeters of praise and judgement that we should all adhere to, ultimately. My friendship with Steph has liberated me in helping to live a more honest, more love based life. The pain of life is preexisting, it is inevitable. How we approach it is what separates feathers from anchors. Listen to her words, and fly."

Actor, Josh Brolin "Steph's personality resonated the moment we met. As a coach, I was immediately struck by her drive and commitment as well as her grit. Steph has never leveraged her limitations. She always viewed limitations as opportunities to learn and build self-confidence. This behavior mirrors the mindset of every champion I've coached. Driven is an incredible story of Steph's perseverance and, ultimately, her journey to greatness."

Chris Hinshaw, former Ironman champion, renown coach, and founder of AerobicCapacity.com

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Victim !f the Defense is a page turner with unforeseen twists and turns. It's a book you will not be able to put down.

BOOK DESCRIPTION At the age of fifty five, attorney Megan O'Reilly has practiced law for over thirty years. After all her hard work and dedication she is on track to be made a partner at the large powerful D.C law firm where she works. The firm was founded by Arthur Tarkington, currently a United States Supreme Court justice. When the day comes for her to be made partner she is given shocking and devastating news.

After being blindsided by her law firm, Megan who has a background in criminal prosecution specializing in sex crimes, meets a young woman who has been raped by a powerful, high profile man in D.C. The victim, Lucy Hatfield, is a nonpracticing attorney and the mother of a gravely ill young child. For her own personal reasons that are unknown to anyone else, Megan agrees to help Lucy pursue litigation against her rapist.

The story unfolds at a breakneck speed with Megan and Lucy facing endless obstacles in their effort to help Lucy's daughter and to be champions for women everywhere to find their voices and stand up against rich and powerful men who sexually assault and abuse them.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION After two heartbreaking losses, Luna wants adventure. One in which she can also make some difference. Lucien, a well-traveled young architect, finds a stranger's journal at a café. Though he has qualms and pangs of guilt about reading it, they don't stop him. Months later, they meet at a bookstore. Fascinated by his stories and adventurous spirit, Luna goes on a Peace Corps stint to a rural rice-growing village in Cambodia. She finds a world steeped in ancient culture and the lasting ravages of a deadly history. Will she leave this world unscathed? An epistolary tale of courage, resilience, and the bonds that bring diverse people together.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION American music mogul Teddy Wilson combines the beauty of opera with the marketability of pop and creates the pop-opera multinational singing group called “Bel Homme.” French for “Beautiful Man,” the four performers he chooses are much more than that. Gabriel Grenier is already a huge celebrity in his native France, but he’s bored and lonely and still wants more, so he accepts Teddy’s offer. American music teacher Annie Morgan is brought into this venture by Teddy’s executive assistant. Annie becomes Teddy’s special emissary in this new undertaking—but she’s not prepared for her instant attraction to the charismatic Gabriel. What happens when beautiful music meets predestined love? Seduction always wins.

REVIEWS Kirkus Reviews

"A fun, sexy escape."—

"Romance reading at its best."—D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

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BOOK DESCRIPTION British member Jamie Stratton joined the world famous pop-opera singing group called “Bel Homme” for one reason only: money. It’s a year later now, and he’s rolling in it. But Jamie also possesses a spiritual side he can’t deny. He was raised by his gran at the most legendary place on earth: Stonehenge. She is an eccentric old bird who reads her Tarot cards and predicts true love is coming into Jamie’s life. Jessica Evans is an American psychic medium who’s always believed in astral protection. While she lies near death in a coma, she dreams of a stranger who is her destiny. That’s when Fate steps in and brings Jamie and Jessie together. Love or money: which would you choose?

REVIEWS —Kirkus Reviews

"Lovers with killer chemistry"

Self-Publishing Review, 5

"A story that sweeps the reader away."—

Stars!

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Freaking Out is a glimpse into the stark reality that is the modern day housing crisis.

BOOK DESCRIPTION Roxi, at age 65, finds a 60-day notice to vacate on her apartment door. Having lived at the same place for more than 25 years, the idea of being homeless provides enough pain for her to freak out. Working 4 jobs, she makes enough to pay a reasonable rent, buy food and put gas in her old Volkswagen Bus.

Roxi is getting prepared to sleep in her car, like many others homeless people have to do, if they have a car. An older lady with serious health issues, unbeknown to Roxi, is doing all she can trying to get Roxi into lowcost housing.

Will she succeed? Not enough?

…so much more…to have Roxi Freaking Out!

Find out more at the author's website.

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"The story of the Raines family is raw and haunting making you want to reach out and touch them. It is well written carrying you along not knowing where it would end. I was really stunned at the end of the book and that alone makes it 5 star. Well done Gene." - Barbara C. Svetlick

"Lee did a fantastic job of creating the atmosphere for the different time periods. Both are interesting times in American history, so as someone who loves to read historical fictions, I thought that the generational parallel was a clever way of getting to explore more than one piece of history. I thought that Lee did a superb job of researching real historical facts, battles, etc." - Emerson Rose Craig

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The Apprenticeship of Nigel Blackthorn Five stars! My favorite western author has always been Louis L'Amour - but I think, in reading The Apprenticeship, Frank has ranked with him.

This is a well researched novel about Nigel, an orphaned English boy, and his harsh introduction to western America in 1853 when America was still a fledgling country. I very much enjoyed the plot and the character development, I found myself thinking about young Nigel long after I’d finished reading the book.

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"Not what it seems but better! When I read the synopsis of the story, I thought it was going to be about a man who meets a woman with similar issues and an affair begins. What I was not expecting was the story that unfolded. Yes, Frank meets a doctor whose dad also died around autumn just as Frank's did, and yes, a bond is created. The rest though came out of left field. I think the characters were well-rounded in many aspects, and I love that we are told the background story of Frank's life prior to the start of the novel. It does not deter from the main plot and actually gives insight as to why Frank is the way that he is. His bond with Laurie, the doctor, might seem like a love one, but it could also be taken as two people needing to heal and finding that in each other and what they set out to do. Truly a remarkable story, I highly recommend it. Wonderfully written and emotional. "

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"A compulsively readable mystery. AlonsoSierra smoothly blends the fine elements of a police procedural with a close look at the psychologies of her characters and delves into the issues of mental illness, childhood trauma, relationships, resilience, and justice." The Prairies Book Review

"With engaging characters, a transfixing plot, and a suspense-filled storyline, the book promises to entertain everyone who enjoys murder mysteries that are intense and exciting from beginning to end!" Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite.

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"This book is a must-read for everyone who wants to thrive at customer service, success and retention. It brings together the required tools and information under a Golden Recipe for success." By Shep Hyken, New York Times bestselling author of The Amazement Revolution

"All leaders and managers need to read Customer Escalations Management. This well-written, easily accessible book provides powerful and practical tools to develop systems and organizational competencies that will turn service breakdowns into customer experience breakthroughs. When you leverage the power of Customer Escalations Management, your team members and customers will thank you!" By Joseph Michelli, Ph.D. - New York Times #1 Bestselling author of books like Stronger Through Adversity, The Airbnb Way, and The Starbucks Experience

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5 STARS “Speed and joy? This fastdrafting approach is not your average boot camp. It’s designed to help writers spend more time in that exhilarating state of “flow,” when worries and time fall away and the creativity just flows.” ---Jill Schultz, author & editor 5 STARS

"The most useful and usable how-to writing workbook I have seen in a long time – maybe ever." ---Christa Bedwin, Professional Editor

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...this is an incredibly intriguing novel with a superb plot and quality writing. Descriptions and the deep understanding about the subject matter is clearly comprehensive being professionally researched. The storyline in which it intwines is also extremely professionally written. This is the kind of novel that should attract movie sponsors. The subject matter being something that all of us can relate and wonder about. Definitely recommended for science fiction fans wanting something different.

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“Exciting science fiction with riffs on politics and government, free will and fear, religion and faith, NANOMORPHOSIS will keep science fiction aficionados turning pages with awed wonder and intrigue." - Mallory A. Haws, The Haunted Reading Room Reviews.

"[W]ell-paced throughout, effectively addressing the dangers of nanobots, for instance, without losing sight of the controversies surrounding space travel. The story offers much excitement... A thoroughly creative tale..." - (Kirkus Reviews)

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"This book was so so so so so good! … I wish I could invent more social media sites so I could put this book on there and this book was so good and I mean IT WAS SO FREAKING GOOD! I highly recommend this book, I gave it five stars and it definitely deserves all of them. If you love historical fiction and happy endings you need to read this book. I absolutely loved it!" - J. Prude, Goodreads.com

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“I found this to be a gripping romantic suspense novel with terrific characters that are well developed, intelligent, and strong. The storyline is well written and kept me on the edge of my seat.”

“This story starts off fast and grabs your attention right from the first paragraph. The book is an exciting blend of suspense and human emotion with lots of twists that leave you guessing until the very end. A great read!”

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Follow the 8 simple steps in Simple Steps to Sentence Analysis and learn easy it is to analyze and write English sentences. A Sentence Analysis Map and a link to printable practice exercises and tests is included. This book is helpful for teachers, college students, and homeschool instruction. Buy Now on

In 1989, US special operator Jo Geary, the White Vixen, completes a mission in East Africa and decides to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro before heading home. But there are people who don't want her to come down alive. Pursued by a desperate enemy in one of the planet's harshest environments, the Vixen Buy Now on

will need all her skills to survive. (Book 3 in the series.)

Vampire-like beings guard the earth against the supernatural. Drake, a telekinetic Elder, lives worry-free in New Orleans frequenting bars and courting women... till he gets called into work one day. Then, there is death, disease, dark war, and the end of the world. Buy Now on

Racist attorney Hiram Garbuncle doesn’t know the danger he’s getting into when he reluctantly defends a black man brutally beaten by police in a traffic stop. The lawyer’s negligence causes a mistrial, and he then discovers incriminating evidence against the cops. His new challenge becomes keeping himself and his client alive pending a new trial. Buy Now on

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In London, Chase Martin should be enjoying his fame, yet he is contemplating walking away from the group - The Band 4. Marguerite Angeli on a holiday in London, wants freedom and adventure after enduring a difficult and abusive childhood.. Until one rainy night – they meet by chance in a London coffee Buy Now on

shop where their connection is powerful, immediate and intense.

Ed was the biggest singer/songwriter on the planet. Every woman thought his songs were written for them alone. Chase was the only one who knew Ed had fallen in love with an older woman, who survived a terminal illness, just long enough for them to find each other, fall in love and be married. It was only after decades had passed, that Chase and Marguerite would Buy Now on

be asked to help him reunite with his lost love – the woman whom all his songs were truly written.

In this final book of the trilogy, Mam and Chase - along with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren - look back on their lives, revisiting memories both joyful and devastating, and uncovering truths long-buried as they come to terms with the fact that their unbelievable lives are finally, Buy Now on

inevitably, nearing the end.

Paul Tanner and Nicky Newman were two of the most highly recruited Point Guards in the country for Division II Basketball. Everything was going fine until Paul let fame and the attention go right to his head. He partied hard, drank, and did drugs. Until….Paul met Maggie Sardo. He didn’t want to fall in love with her and knew she would hate his drug friends and habits Buy Now on

but he just couldn’t help himself.

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Articles

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5 Ways An Author Mug Can Help Boost Your Brand

With so many books out there, it is no wonder many authors and publishers struggle when it comes to marketing their books effectively. According to Toner Buzz, the 2021 global book market was valued at $138.35 billion and by 2030 is estimated to be valued at $164 billion. While this is great news for authors and publishers, it also means that with the increasing number of books being produced each year, it has become more important than

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ever to find unique ways to market your books and to give your author brand that leading edge. And what better way to think out of the box than a mug with your book cover on it? Did you know that there are more than 1 billion people all over the world drinking coffee daily (according to Deals on Health) or that the global tea market is set to be valued at $267 billion by 2025 (Statista)?

Donate Causes

Which can only mean one thing – there’s always going to be a demand for something to drink from! And a mug with your book cover on it could be that extra special flavour your book marketing needs!

Charitable

Today, it is all about personal branding, and what better way to enhance your personal brand than by donating to good causes? According to a study by Zeno, consumers are more likely to purchase from or champion a brand that they feel supports a good cause, by as much as four to six times. Supporting a cause builds trust in your brand and this is a good way for others to recommend your author brand or books to others.

Here are 5 book mug tips to give your marketing a boost:

Competition Prizes and Giveaways A mug with your book cover on it makes a great prize for a competition to keep your readers/email list engaged. A mug can also be used as an extra incentive for someone to enter into a lucky draw for a signed copy of your actual book.

And imagine the personal satisfaction you’ll feel when donating some of your author mugs to a local charity shop, a cancer hospital, or other causes you feel strongly about. Good actions cause ripples and the positive results will be more impactful than you can even imagine!

For example, you could ask readers to buy the mug and then send you a photo of themselves with your mug. This could be the proof of entry to the draw. For even more marketing opportunities, the photos could also be shared across various social media channels – yours and theirs! Or you could step it up a notch and ask readers to film a short video clip of them sipping from your mug in a fun location.

Extra Exposure Getting your book cover on a mug can lead to extra exposure to readers who might not ordinarily have come across your book. For example, if you are back working in the office, your mug could be a great birthday gift or co-worker gift for your colleagues. Donate a few to the office kitchen or reception area. Besides the extra publicity for your book, it goes without saying how cool it will be to have your colleagues gathering around the board room table, sipping from your mugs.

The mug can also be given away with your book, giving a reader another incentive to buy your book. Two for the price of one! Or it can be used to get more people to join your mailing list. You could ask your current list members to spread the word about you and if they can refer 10 or more people to you, then you can give them a mug! Yes, it’s that easy!

Social Media Posts Post funky photos or short videos of you or others sipping from your book

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mugs on your various social media platforms and blogs. Be creative with your posts! Visual content remains a key driver today in enhancing your brand, and as an entrepreneur or author this applies to you too! According to Website Planet, visuals across all types of content increase the viewer’s desire to engage by 80%, while blog posts containing images experience 650% higher engagement than posts which only contain text.

Motivational/inspirational A mug with your book cover on it can serve as the perfect inspiration when you find yourself struggling with writer’s block (or writer’s stuckness, as I was once convinced to describe this dreaded condition that all authors can relate to!). It screams out at you “Look what I have achieved!” and “If I’ve done it before, I can do it again!”

Motivational sips to success! Bevan Frank is the author of the Amazon bestseller The Mind of God (A Thriller Novel), a creative entrepreneur, and stroke survivor. To learn more about him, please visit www.elmparkpublishing.com. Bevan is helping authors by designing funky book mugs on Fiverr (search for seller name: bevanf). Message him on Fiverr before you place an order, quote BOOKSGOSOCIAL and receive a 10% discount on any package. Mugs will then go on display at Trailblazer Gifts.

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Finding Your Next Favorite Sci-Fi or Fantasy Author

Readers and writers are always looking for great stories, but even more so for that special author who strikes every note with an audience, making the readers actively search out anything and everything they publish. Well, here is a resource for discovering new talent! There is an international writing contest for NEW writers. You have not yet discovered these authors because they are not professionally published. The winning stories are published in an annual

anthology, so the judges have already done the work of seeking out the best of the best of these new voices. As bestselling author and contest judge Robert J. Sawyer describes it, “the best of the best culled for you, curated and selected in a single volume every year.”

Writers of the Future Contest L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future Contest to help authors succeed in an industry that can be hard for new talent

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to break into.

Larry Niven, Robert J. Sawyer, Katherine Kurtz, Eric Flint, Dean Wesley Smith, and many others.

The Contest accepts submissions four times a year, with NO reading fee.

Each year, the three winning stories from each quarter are published in the anthology, giving the 12 new authors the writing boost of a lifetime. Their stories are illustrated by the 12 winning illustrators. Each book has a 14-page full-color art gallery of these illustrations.

The entries are judged blind, so there is no discrimination according to sex, race, country of origin, etc. I appreciate the fair playing field for the diversity of talent. The judges include New York Times bestselling authors such as Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert, Jody Lynn Nye,

The winning authors and artists are paid professional rates for their work and awarded $1,000, $750, and $500 for the 1st, 2nd,

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and 3rd place winners. The artists win $500 each. They all keep the rights to their work. The winners are flown out to Hollywood a week before the awards ceremony for an exclusive writing and artist workshop. Those leading the workshops are bestselling authors, worldclass artists, and other industry professionals. They share insights into the industry’s business side that are not taught in university. The workshops are often more sought after than the awards or prize money. The week culminates in a black-

tie awards gala with celebrities. The winners are given trophies and an opportunity to share their stories while the event is streamed live to millions of viewers. This is when the Golden Pen and Golden Brush (the grand prize) winners are announced and presented with an additional $5,000. There is nothing like this for new authors of genre fiction.

The Annual Anthology In addition to the winning entries, the Writers of the Future volumes always include bonus

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short stories and non-fiction articles detailing expert writing advice by L. Ron Hubbard and the Contest judges.

Volume 38 paid special a tribute to Frank Herbert, the author and creator of Dune. Frank was one of the original judges for the Contest and wrote an article for For example, here are some the Contest before passing on. of the previous volumes with This article and one of his rare insightful essays for new authors: short stories are in the new book. Orson Scott Card is in Volume 37 https://www.amazon.com/ Also, long time coordinating dp/161986701X/, Volume 34 judge for the series and the https://www.amazon.com/ Golden Pen Award winner of dp/1619865750/, and Volume Writers of the Future Volume 3, 31 https://www.amazon.com/ David Farland, wrote an original dp/1619863227/ piece of flash fiction inspired by Sir Sean Williams is in Volume the cover. Sadly, he passed away 36 https://www.amazon.com/ earlier this year. The book and dp/1619866595/ cover art were dedicated to him. Mike Resnick is in Volume 35 His personal passion for helping https://www.amazon.com/ new authors will inspire many dp/16198660480

Anne McCaffrey is in Volume 33 https://www.amazon.com/ dp/1619865297/

Tim Powers is in Volume 32 https://www.amazon.com/ dp/1619865025/

Robert Silverberg is in Volume 30 https://www.amazon.com/ dp/1619862654

Many of the books in the series are still available: https:// w w w. a m a z o n . c o m / d p / B07XXCD2DQ

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generations to come. Here is a short description of all of the bonus content in Volume 38 [https://www.amazon.com/ dp/161986763X/]:

“Boos and Taboos” by L. Ron Hubbard: L. Ron

Hubbard challenges the restrictive “taboos” of writing for publications that bind stories in formula straitjackets. Urging writers to flout by-prescription storytelling, he describes his own conspicuous success in doing that, with a final, telling reflection on creative energy, sales—and writing stories that will be remembered.

“The Single Most Important Piece of Advice” by Frank Herbert: The last essay from

Frank Herbert was written with the clear purpose of fulfilling what he saw as a paramount obligation to his art and craft— he provided the single most important piece of advice he would give a beginning writer.

“Teamwork: Getting the Best Out of Two Writers”

by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson: Together, Brian

and Kevin have written over twenty novels and numerous short stories. They expanded Frank Herbert’s Dune universe and wrote the original SF epic Hellhole Trilogy. Here they share the pitfalls and successes of their process and how they make it work.

“The Third Artist” by Diane Dillon: Leo and Diane Dillon

chose to blend their talents, working together as one artist— the third artist—beginning a career that spanned fifty-four years. As an interracial couple, they dedicated their career to being inclusive of all races and cultures to reflect the world we live in.

And the Bonus stories: “A Word of Power” by David Farland: When Fava, a

Neanderthal shaman, discovers the men of metal driving away her mammoths, she must find magic powerful enough to save the herd.

“The Daddy Box” by Frank 115

Herbert: An abused boy finds

an alien artifact that gives him the strength to reshape his life and stand up to his violent stepfather.

year’s WotF winners, which is reflected by the overall high quality of the stories. This

“The Professor Was a Thief ” by L. Ron Hubbard: Grant’s

Tomb—missing! Pennsylvania Station—missing! The Empire State Building—missing! New York City is disappearing piece by piece… The critical acclaim for the new book has already started to come in: “It’s a binge read. Just one more, you think, and the next thing you know, the entire book is gone! “My favorite line from any book ever (pure gold): ‘Everyone’s got a story to hide, and I enjoy stealing it out of them.’” “I truly enjoyed it. As each story comes up, you never quite know what you’re going to get, and it’s so delightful finding out.” —The International Review of Books, Gold Badge “This anthology includes last 116

anthology contains thirteen original stories that are described as powerful, unpredictable, nicely crafted, appealing with many twists, engaging, one successfully re-invents time travel stories, and another pulls the reader in from the mystery’s opening and zips along until the shadowy end.” —Tangent Online “Captivating, compelling, and exceptionally well-edited. It delivers.” —OnlineBookClub. Org You can download the Book Club questions and discussion guide here: https://dl.bookfunnel. com/6a5l9ldka1

You can get it from most major retailers (the paperback release in UK, Australia and South

Africa in September):

books. Past illustrator winners have equally impressive stats: artwork for 68 TV shows, 40 movies, 360 comic books, and 624 album/book covers.

Kindle Amazon B&N Books a Million Bookshop US Indigo

So, whether you are a writer working hard to get your next break or simply a reader looking for your next favorite author, Writers of the Future is a resource you need to check out! For more information on the Writers of the Future Contests, writing course, podcasts, and writer’s forum, visit their website: www.writersofthefuture.com.

Great Authors Discovered By the Contest I have discovered many authors whose work I love, and I read anything I can find from them. Here are a few of the authors that have gone on to be New York Times bestselling authors since winning the Contest or becoming a finalist: Nnedi Okorafor, Eric Flint, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, Sean Williams, Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Martin Shoemaker, Ken Liu, and Elizabeth Wein.

Contest Quick links: Enter the Writing Contest Free Writing Workshop Writing Podcast Writers Forum Writing Contest Rules Contest Judges Contest Blog Contest Social Links WotFContest List of Writers of the Future & L. Ron Hubbard books

Writers of the Future enables writers and artists to succeed and spread their words and images to the world. Of the past Contest winners, 33 have gone on to be New York Times bestsellers selling over 60 million 117

Show, Don’t Tell By Rob Samborn

“Show, don’t tell.” Writers hear the phrase all the time. But what exactly does it mean? How do writers “show” through words? It’s not an unwritten rule, but rather an axiom that can help writers elevate their craft. I’ve heard writers say “show, don’t tell” is nonsensical, since you can’t possibly show something by writing about it. Not only can

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it be done, doing so invariably improves writing. On the face of it, as the late, great Sol Stein wrote in the writing classic Stein on Writing: Telling is conveying information. Showing is evoking emotion. An easy example of showing vs. telling is describing the weather.

Telling:

Jack felt it was hot.

Showing:

would’ve puked if they weren’t so tightly twisted.

Jack wiped the perspiration off the back of his neck.

In which version do you “see” the story through Jack’s eyes? Which version makes you feel what Jack feels?

These are both simplistic examples, so let’s put them into a narrative.

Telling:

The second example is longer to illustrate the point that showing doesn’t end Jack’s feelings on the weather. We see how the weather affects him in this particular situation. Along with the rain and time of day, we’re also shown how Jack feels about his last job and his contact being late. You’ll notice in the second example, it doesn’t explicitly state he’s waiting for a contact. By removing the specifics, but knowing that he’s nervous and conscious of the time, it heightens the tension—by evoking emotion.

It was a hot and rainy night in the small town. Jack was standing on the corner in the black suit he always wore on the job, and this was his last. He was waiting for his contact, who was late. Something was wrong.

Showing:

Jack leaned against the lamppost, his black suit camouflaging him into the town’s quiet main street. The lone streetlight illuminated the fat rain drops pelting the brim of his fedora. He wished he could remove his jacket and cool his skin, soaked more with perspiration than precipitation, but he needed to maintain his professional reputation—for one last job. For the twentieth time in half as many minutes, he glanced at his watch. Knots rolled his gut. Those knots had saved his life on more than one occasion and tonight, he

Be sure not to mix showing with description. Description is painting a mental picture. Likewise, don’t mix evoking emotion with being emotional. Evoking emotion means letting readers feel what the characters feel—whether that’s an internal sensation or one of the five 119

external senses, including sight. Saying an air conditioner is on is better than saying it’s hot, but that doesn’t show us what the character feels. Two tips for showing instead of telling are: 1) write perspective from a character’s deep POV; and 2) avoid the use of the verb “be” as much as possible. When writing from a character’s perspective—from deep inside their head as if you were there—will almost always show the reader what that character feels. This is true for both firstor third-person narrative. It goes beyond whether or not it’s hot, for example. How does the character feel about it being hot? Do they like it? Does it bring back memories? Does it affect them physically somehow? Is it hot outside but the air conditioner is running too high, making it too cold inside? Put yourself into that character’s shoes and show us their emotions through evocative writing, and similarly, what they touch, smell, see, hear, and taste. 120

By focusing on feelings, a writer will also naturally avoid the use of “was,” “were,” or “is.” The word “be” typically makes writing passive, especially if used in conjunction with the gerund verb form (+ing). It’s possible to have showing writing that’s passive, which is preferrable to passive, telling writing, but always strive for showing, active writing. In summary, ‘showing writing’ evokes emotion. To accomplish this, write from a character’s perspective using active verbs that make us feel what it’s like to be in the character’s head. Rob Samborn is the author of The Prisoner of Paradise (out now) and Painter of the Damned (Oct. 25), thrillers blended with historical fiction set in Venice, Italy. You can read more of Rob’s articles and find his contact and social media links at www.robsamborn.com.

AUTHORS

It's time to take your book marketing into new waters! Get your book cover onto a mug... ...and displayed in my Etsy gift store, Trailblazergifts. com Order on Fiverr.com You can find me at https://www.fiverr.com /share/05qQxv

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International Review of Books Magazine - Summer 2022

Articles inside

Finding Your Next Favorite Sci-Fi or Fantasy Author

Show, Don't Tell by Rob Samborn

5 Ways An Author Mug Can Help Boost Your Brand