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NJ Ayuk is the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, CEO of pan-African corporate law conglomerate Centurion Law Group, and the author of Amazon bestselling book “ A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History With An Energy Mix ”, “ Big Barrels ” as well as Amazon and Wall Street Journal’s bestselling “ Billions at Play: The Future of African Energy and Doing Deals ”.
Q: HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO JUGGLE BEING AN EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, A CEO, AND AN AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR ALL AT ONCE?
I lived, studied, and worked in the U.S. and the things that stood out to me when living there were the American sense of optimism, personal responsibility, and a strong work ethic. I bring all of that to my work. Even now, during these troubled days, that mindset is still there. Living in America offers unique opportunities; people can start with very little, work hard, and make a better life for themselves for their children, and the generations that follow.
Achieving those things— the American Dream—doesn’t happen for everyone. But it does happen enough to make it more than a myth or fantasy. I saw it with my own eyes. So, can Africans aspire towards the same things? Can we achieve an equally powerful African dream? A dream of stability and prosperity? My answer is a resounding yes! As the Executive Chairman of the AEC, I want to ensure that this happens to Africans, and I must find the time to write and tell an African story.
Q: YOUR LATEST BOOK RELEASE, A JUST TRANSITION: MAKING ENERGY POVERTY HISTORY WITH AN ENERGY MIX, SAYS A LOT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE SWITCHED TO GREEN ENERGY AND ARE STRUGGLING. DOES YOUR NEW RELEASE DISCUSS THIS ISSUE?
have no access to electricity, and900 million Africans have no access to clean cooking technologies, most of them women. Honestly in Africa no one wants to breathe clean air in the dark. Energy poverty and climate change re two sides of the same coin and must be dealt with. Natural gas is not the problem, CO2 emissions are and we should deal with it.
Yes, I know that renewable energy can help meet Africa’s power needs, too. But Africans shouldn’t be pressured to make either-or decisions in this area. The green transition must be made strategically and soundly, carefully considering the needs of the African people. Keep in mind that hundreds of millions of Africans have insufficient access to electricity in the current configuration, with hydrocarbons still in the mix. Take away what little availability they have to fossil fuels, and they will — quite literally — be left in the dark.
Telling Africa not to develop its resources is akin to making Africa “pay for the sins” of other regions. I say, trying to dictate what Africa does with its own resources is insulting, hypocritical, and frankly, an overstep.
Q: WHAT ARE THREE MAIN POINTS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO CONSIDER FROM READING YOUR NEW RELEASE?
Europe is returning to coal because they transitioned to green energy in a reckless fashion. 600 million Africans
Energy poverty and climate change are two sides of the same coin. Africa has the need to industrialise, and it is not going to done by renewables alone. We need baseload energy. Free markets and limited government are key to
Africa’s growth not foreign aid and handouts. How are we going to drive a Tesla if we have no electricity?
Q: WHY DOES YOUR BOOK MOSTLY HIGHLIGHT THAT OF AFRICA’S ENERGY MOSTLY INSTEAD OF EXPLORING SOMETHING THAT COULD BENEFIT THE WORLD, WORLDWIDE? YOUR FOCUS POINTS ARE ON AFRICA AND EUROPE AS STATED IN A PRESS RELEASE.
The energy transition is unjust to poor Africans; their voices must be heard. African energy poverty is critical and has not been put on the global stage. Greenhouse gas emissions are lowest in Africa; the continent needs to industrialise and the wealthy nations need to decarbonise.
What’s behind the vested interest in African natural gas production? Does the world really have our best interests at heart? Sure, reining in greenhouse gas emissions is an admirable goal. But consider this. Over the last 300 years, all of Africa has emitted seven times less carbon dioxide than China, 13 times less than the United States, and 18 times less than the combined countries of Europe. Attempting to phase out Africa’s oil and natural industry to prevent climate change is like snuffing out a small, controlled campfire instead of focusing your attention on kilometres of blazing forestland.
It is funny that the keep-fossil-fuels-in-the-ground argument is a Western construct promoted by countries that developed their economies with fossil fuels.
gas hurts poor people. We need to look at Africa differently because Africa is more than capable of building a better future for itself, strengthening its economy, and improving the lives of everyday Africans by beating energy poverty.
Who is going to do it, if not us? Ourselves. It’s not going to be done by foreign aid and handouts. Africa needs a hand up. And really, nobody besides us can truly make Africa the place we want it to be.
To African leaders and the cleaver global intelligentsia that are clamouring for aid and handouts, Africa’s future is our responsibility. So, what is holding us back? Ourselves. If we want to see widespread change for the better, we need to stop dwelling on our obstacles or blaming people, governments, or circumstances for our difficulties. If we want to make things better, then we need to be the ones to make it happen. We need to find unique solutions for our unique challenges and work as long and hard as necessary to make our strategies successful.
Essentially, we need to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. I’ve shared those ideas in the past, and in this book and some people don’t like them especially the elitist Africans and wealthy and privileged westerners.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO
My message to world leaders is that we need to have a engage in energy issues with pragmatism and common sense. The polarisation and demonisation of natural
They tell me I’m failing to consider Africa’s history of colonialization and oppression and the corrupt government systems we have in Africa, the poverty, lack of infrastructure, and many dangers that are everyday realities for many. My response to that is, I’m not, for a minute, diminishing Africa’s painful history or dismissing the problems the continent faces today. I just wonder, how long are we going to use our hardships as excuses not to move forward?
Because if we can agree we want more and commit to doing the really hard work that it takes to get it, we can make transformational changes in Africa and beat energy poverty.
Q: YOUR BOOK MENTIONS THE REALITIES OF ENERGY POVERTY IN AFRICA. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US, READERS, WHAT THOSE ARE?
The most important reason why Africa should be free to continue hydrocarbon production is this, Africa’s huge natural gas reserves are the continent’s best shot at alleviating energy poverty. Today, more than 620 million people in sub-Saharan Africa don’t have electricity. That’s two-thirds of the population.
Hundreds of millions more have unreliable or limited power. What does that look like? Without electricity, you’re cooking your food and warming your home by burning wood, charcoal, or maybe even animal waste.
Your regular exposure to indoor air pollution increases your risk of respiratory infections and chronic conditions. If you need to go to the hospital for treatment, it will be by lantern light or, worse yet, in the dark. Equipment that requires electricity, like MRI machines and ventilators, is probably not an option. And that’s just one aspect of your life. It doesn’t even touch on how a lack of electricity impacts your children’s school or limits economic growth in your community and your employment opportunities.
Gas-to-power technology which, incidentally, generate fewer CO2 emissions can bring reliable electricity to Africa. But we must be allowed to unleash our resources, not constrain them. The good news is thirteen African countries are using natural gas they produce themselves or import from neighbouring nations to generate electricity.
Q: HOW DOES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COME TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN HELPING THE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA? WHAT TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL TECHNOLOGY DOES YOUR BOOK MENTION?
Over the last two decades, the world has entered a new stage of digitalization. Some have gone so far as to call it the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In this new stage, technology isn’t just a means to an end; it can also be a part of the decision-making process.
Every African country and every African company involved in energy projects ought to embrace AI technologies. Yes, I mean every single country and every single company. Yes, even if they were originally meant to benefit non-African users working in non-African environments. Yes, even if they were designed to operate in places where energy markets and infrastructure are, on average, more developed than they are in Africa. Yes, absolutely!
Why? Because the existence of these technologies and tools gives Africa the chance to engage in another bout of leapfrogging. If African stakeholders follow this path, they’ll have opportunities to save time and money. They’ll be able to do more than just develop their own hydrocarbon resources, expand their own electricity production, and support their own local electricity and
fuel markets. They’ll be able to adopt and integrate new technologies as they do all these things. They’ll be able to explore every option for making the African energy sector as efficient and productive as possible.
Q: DOES ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY REPLACE JOBS THAT HUMANS COULD DO THAT WOULD HELP THE ECONOMY?
No, they do not. However, we need to embrace technology and upskill our people for the future. I want Africa to use all the innovations and inventions that are available now, even if they weren’t available in Africa first. I want Africa to seize this opportunity, as it has done with mobile telephones. So, let’s skip as many intermediate stages of development as we can. Let’s set milestones for new technologies as we pursue our goals for energy.
Q: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR OTHER BOOKS, BILLIONS AT PLAY AND BIG BARRELS?
In both books I set out to have a discussion and solutions for Africa’s Oil and Gas industry. Africa’s oil and gas resources have been associated with a “resource curse” but if African countries harness them strategically, they can create a better future for everyday Africans. The books deal with the role of women in our energy sector. Women continue to make up small percentage of energy industry workforce. There are even fewer women in energy industry leadership roles and that’s very disappointing. We need to encourage women in management and leadership positions in Africa’s energy industries
Q: HOW URGENT IS THE ENERGY CRISIS IN AFRICA?
Energy poverty is a serious concern. Making the solution more difficult to address is simply wrong. You are going
to see potential civil wars and coups in many countries if we don’t deal with our energy crisis and that will be a setback for democratic gains, social advancement, and good governance.
Q: WHAT OTHER PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I am currently negotiating a deal to produce a documentary about Africa’s energy transition, climate change and energy poverty. I am launching a podcast on energy issues and Africa soon so watch this space!
This book can be found on Barnes and Noble, Amazon and many online bookstores.
NJ Ayuk is the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, CEO of pan-African corporate law conglomerate Centurion Law Group, and the author of Amazon bestselling book “A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History With An Energy Mix”, “Big Barrels” as well as Amazon and Wall Street Journal’s bestselling “Billions at Play: The Future of African Energy and Doing Deals”.
His experience includes advising major companies and governments on energy issues and investment strategies.
NJ graduated from the University of Maryland College Park and earned a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law and an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology.
follow.
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by Matthew Hughes
Most genre novels, and most Hollywood movies, for that matter, are built along the same lines. You start with a character who has a normal situation. The situation may not be normal to us, but it is to the character. Then something happens that propels the character into a new situation. The something-thathappens is variously called Plot Point One or the Initiating Incident or just The Thing That Happens. It’s when Dumbo wakes up in a tree and can’t account for how he got there, or Luke Skywalker prods a droid and sees a hologram of a princess who needs rescuing, or when Dorothy’s house gets swept up in a twister and lands on a witch in Munchkinland.
From then on, the character’s situation changes. The new situation is full of conflict. There is an external threat/goal/need to be dealt with. The character acts to deal with the external conflict, which only intensifies, so that the character meets continual resistance until the story arrives at a moment of crisis. The character then makes a critical choice that resolves the external conflict and the story comes to its climax, then a denouement.
But there’s been another conflict going on all
the way along the yellow brick road that leads to the moment of truth: an internal conflict that is tied in with the external struggle. Dumbo doesn’t believe he can fly; he credits his ability to a magic feather; Luke doesn’t believe in all this Jedi-and-the-Force business; Dorothy ran away from the home where she was loved because she thought he would be happier over the rainbow.
The moment of truth resolves both conflicts at once, because those conflicts are inextricably bound together in the person of the character and his/her situation.
Dumbo, stuck at the top of the circus tent, without his talismanic feather, has to take a leap of faith in his own specialness—his “hero-
ness”—and saves his mother; Luke has to turn off his computer and trusts the Force to make the crucial shot that will blow up the death star; Dorothy has to realize that there’s no place like home, because only that realization will get her back to where she truly belongs.
The trick to doing these stories is the creating of the two linked conflicts then bringing them together at the moment of choice. Paying off both conflicts at once gives the readers the satisfying experience that they’re paying for.
The other crucial elements are that the hero has to solve the problem for him/herself, and that the conflict that began with the initiating incident has allowed the hero to develop to the point where he/she has become capable of making the choice. Dumbo could fly when he woke up in the tree, but he didn’t have faith in himself; Luke had the Force all the time, but he had to come to accept his destiny; Dorothy thought happiness lay over the rainbow, and had to learn the truth before she could go home and know it was where she belonged. This process of developing the character is crucial to creating character-driven fiction.
The hero can be guided toward the crucial decision, can have a Sancho Panza helper who plays a vital role, but it must come down to the hero’s own choice to do the right thing. If some external force solves the problem, then you’ve got the deus ex machina failure.
WINNER:
• Surrey International Writers Festival Special Achievement Award, 2001
• Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award, best story of the year, 1999 (One More Kill)
• Endeavour Award, best novel, 2021 (What the Wind Brings)
FINALIST:
• Aurora Award, novel (Black Brillion)
• Nebula Award, novella (The Helper and his Hero)
• Philip K. Dick Award, novel (The Other)
• A.E. Van Vogt Award, novel (The Other)
• Endeavour Award, novel (The Spiral Labyrinth)
• Endeavour Award, novel (Costume Not Included)
• Derringer Award, story (One More Kill)
• Neffy Award, novel (What the Wind Brings)
• Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, novella (The Emir’s Falcon)
STARRED REVIEWS:
• Hespira: A Tale of Henghis Hapthorn (Publishers Weekly)
• Fools Errant, (Canadian Materials Magazine)
• The Emir’s Falcon (Best Books for Kids and Teens)
BIO
Matthew Hughes is a Canadian author of science fiction and fantasy.
His speculative fiction novels are: Fools Errant, Fool
Me Twice, Black Brillion , Majestrum , The Commons , The Spiral Labyrinth , Template , Hespira , The Other, The Damned Busters, Costume Not Included , Hell to Pay, Song of the Serpent and Wolverine:Lifeblood
(both as Hugh Matthews) , A Wizard’s Henchman, A God in Chains, Baldemar , and Passengers & Perils . .
His magnum opus is What the Wind Brings , a historical novel with magical realism elements. It was the first Canadian work to win the international Endeavour Award. He waited more than forty years to write the novel, and spent a year composing several drafts, made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.
His major influence as a writer of speculative fiction is the Grandmaster Jack Vance. Booklist has called Hughes Vance’s “heir apparent.”
In 2021, Vance’s estate (Spatterlight Press), published Hughes’s Barbarians of the Beyond , an authorized companion novel to Vance’s iconic revenge series, The Demon Princes . The book prompted George R.R. Martin to say, “Hughes does Jack Vance better than anyone except Jack himself.”
His short fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Lightspeed, Pulp Literature, Postscripts, Storyteller, Interzone , Amazing, Unfit, and several anthologies edited by Gardner Dozois and George R.R. Martin, including the bestseller, Rogues.
His works have been short-listed for the Aurora, Locus, Nebula, Philip K Dick, A.E. Van Vogt, Neffy, Alberta Book Publishing, and Endeavour Awards.
In 2020, he was inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association’s Hall of Fame.
Before turning to writing fiction, he spent three decades as the top-ranked speechwriter in British Columbia, writing for leaders of all three provincial political parties and CEOs of the province’s largest corporations.
Since 2007, he has traveled the world as a housesitter, living in twelve countries.
His web page is at https://www. matthewhughes.org
Victor, ID — Author Korynn Newville will release her first book, Indiscernible Elements: Calcium, exploring the vital role of calcium not only in the body but also in architecture and human relationships.
Calcium is a vital element that plays a fundamental role in various physiological processes in the body. As an architectural designer, Newville tells us how this element connects all of us, beyond our bodies.
“A lot of building materials are made of pieces of calcium,” Newville says. “My teeth are made of the same things as dry wall. Buildings are made of bones. These structures are just like us.”
With a focus on practical advice and evidence-based research, Indiscernible Elements: Calcium provides readers a new perspective of this element, and helps readers look at the world differently.
Her book stems from her thesis work on how architecture needs to practice with living and dying. Newville envisions a series of future books focusing on more elements, and is embarking on a journey of sharing her art through events, media, and other vehicles.
Newville adds, “This book is just the beginning of what could be. By breaking us down to our core elements, we can understand the importance of our connection to the planet. And maybe that will help prepare us to live in a
".I am in your teeth, your bones, your nails. I help your muscles contract. I will help your heart beat. You need me.
world that is rapidly evolving and changing.”
Indiscernible Elements: Calcium by Korynn Newville is available as an advance reading copy on NetGalley.
Korynn’s drawings and passion for the environment are the catalysts that lead to her writing. Her book, “Indiscernible Elements” derives from her architectural thesis work on how architecture needs to practice with living and dying and can no longer draw, design, and think from only a human perspective.
Korynn received her Master of Architecture from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her Bachelor of Design from the University of Minnesota. She is an architectural designer and artist. Explore Korynn’s world on her website.
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I am 38 years old. A husband and father of 3 kids. I work as an electrician in the construction industry and have been on a volunteer fire department for a number of years.
My wife and I live together with our children in Belleville, Ontario.
I am busy with my kids, they play lots of sports and we try and do as much as we can with them as a family. I read and try and run as much as I can.
Coming to the end of 2020, and with COVID shutdowns almost encouraging me to drink more alcohol, I was feeling very lost and confused. Having tried a few things in the past and not having felt much luck, I decided a journal would help me get some thoughts down on paper without causing an argument with my spouse or giving my family the impression that something was wrong. Journaling was always something that I was led to believe was not for me. A man is tough, a man doesn’t show weakness and a man doesn’t keep a journal. Because of this, my journal was a secret. I was not nice to myself in this journal and I didn’t know what to do. 2021 started and I set a couple of goals for myself, including taking a break from drinking alcohol. Not knowing how long this break was going to be and how I would do it, I started with “Dry January.” What eventually led to an entire 2021 (and to this day) I decided that what I went through, a few techniques that I used, and my overall vulnerability was something that I could share for the
benefit of helping my former self.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS:
Strong, Vulnerable, Genuine
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
There were times that the examples set for me were not ideal. There was no way for me to know this when I was younger. I am inspired to end this and provide a
better environment for my family. To be less irritable, to have more patience, and to be more present, I will achieve this.
While the journey started as a break from drinking alcohol in a pursuit of living a more healthy life. It has snowballed and I have been able to do so much more. I have lost 100 lbs in the last 2 years as well. And I have no intention of going back to drinking.
As mentioned, I decided my journal, my thoughts, and techniques were something that I needed to share for anyone that needs it to encourage them to try and change their life. It was my realization that this story was not unique. More people can benefit from my experience.
Covered above but to add, I had always had an understanding that alcohol was more harmless than I thought. I felt I was chasing the buzz that I remembered from younger drinking days and I couldn’t find it. I avoided light beers because I felt like they couldn’t get me drunk enough, I would mix alcoholic drinks together like some kind of scientist and I would drink in abundance. Something needed to change. Working construction and on the fire department, which were both very masculine environments, it just emphasized that I needed to be tough and not show weakness by working on my mental health and being that person that journals, listens to podcasts and reads books. This is so wrong but all that I knew for a very long time. To show weakness would have brought out various bullying and hazing in response from the people around me.
I am continuing to work on myself. To share this experience with anyone that may be interested and to continue being a better version of myself. I may write a follow up about my weight loss and where this journey has evolved from the end of last year, I am undecided.
To bring my kids up knowing that they can vulnerable and still be strong. To allow them to grow up and not feel like they need to carry themselves a certain way because of the pressures from others. And to never stop learning and my own personal development.
Website: https://seanrobinson.ca/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCY 67 tZFEb 2 P 051 GhUDW_mQg/featured Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id= 100086376760527
Sean is a 38 years old, a husband and father of 3 children. He works in the Construction Industry and has been a Volunteer Firefighter for a number of years. Going Dry: My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking is his first book.
Website YouTube Facebook Profile
The first book in “The Paraxous Star Cluster” series invites readers to root for the main character, young telepath Twyla, as she runs from one the most notorious crime families in the Universe—the one led by her mother.
Rebecca Inch-Partridge’s first novel, Escaping the Dashia, is a meticulously crafted, immersive young adult (YA) science fiction (SF) novel that explores the complexities of family, betrayal, and the painful feelings of being an outsider. The first installment of the epic “The Paraxous Star Cluster” series, the book releases March 14, 2023, from Black Rose Publishing.
Escaping the Dashia follows young telepath Twyla, who is abducted by her mother and forced into her family’s criminal enterprise. Now, Twyla must navigate the blurred lines between right and wrong, good and evil, and the precarious position her family has put her in. Rebecca Inch-Partridge, a longtime SF fan, writer and speaker at science fiction conventions, uses her world-building skills to craft a richly detailed universe.
“I believe science fiction and fantasy has the power to challenge us and to inspire change,” says Inch-Partridge. “With Escaping the Dashia, I hope to engage readers in a
thrilling adventure while exploring important issues such as family dynamics, morality, and justice, all within a universe that I hope readers will enjoy exploring as much as I enjoyed creating it.”
Inch-Partridge’s short stories and articles have been published in several magazines, and she has received Honorable Mention in both Writer’s Digest and Writers of the Future contests. She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and Broad Universe. As someone who grew up imagining a more inclusive world for women in SFF, today she is a strong supporter of women in SFF as well as women in STEM.
“Don’t listen to the naysayers,” says Inch-Partridge says. “If writing is what you cannot not do, then don’t try to stop. Eventually, when the time is right, your dream can come true.”
Thankfully, book 4 picks up right where book 3 left off because man, that cliffhanger! Tensions are high and it’s very well done. The entire book went by in a breeze, it’s fast-paced due to all the non-stop action and still manages to be humorous and super sweet at times. These leads have a ton going on, but it’s all wrapped up in this final installment and it’s done so with stellar continuity.
This author has a talent for writing PURE CHAOS, while still demonstrating advanced character development and inserting just the write amount of drama. There’s lots of violence and this is well-executed in a way that for the most part, it’s pretty satisfying. As someone who had a very dark start to life, I found parts of this series thought-provoking and even therapeutic at times. Thank you, author, for sharing your talent in this manner.
5 stars for making me think and executing everything so expertly
Audio:
This narrator is amazing—I really felt like I was listening to the female lead herself. Tone, emotions, etc. were perfect throughout the series (or at least books 2-4, as I missed book 1). Perfect sound quality as well–5 stars.
by Pelican Freak
Pelican Freak is the online alter ego of an author PA who works with authors in all genres, some of who are international best sellers. Pelican Freak reads all genres and is brutally honest in what is reviewed.
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I never planned to write a series. My plan was to write one book about an ordinary young woman who found herself in extraordinary circumstances. I decided to write it about eight years ago. I’d just been made redundant from my office job and the economy in Ireland was terrible at that time so I knew it would be ages before I got another job. I’d always planned to try writing a book at some stage, so I decided this was my chance. As I was new to writing, it felt safest to write about something I knew well. I’d spent my entire working life in an office, so that is the setting for my first book, Girl Targeted. My main character, Aoife, is pregnant with her first child when she accepts a job in an office in Dublin. On her second day, she finds her boss hanging from the ceiling.
As I had no idea what I was doing, I needed a lot of help to write Girl Targeted and the entire process took almost two years. I had no plans to write a second book but when I was doing a final read through of Girl Targeted, I came across a paragraph which mentioned that Aoife’s father-in-law, Danny, had walked out on his family when his kids were young. This gave me the idea for a second book. What if Danny hadn’t deserted his family? What if he had been murdered? That became the plot of Only Lies Remain. Danny’s body is discovered fifteen years after he disappeared and his wife, Maura, is the obvious suspect. Aoife doesn’t believe Maura is capable of murder and sets out to prove her innocence, but the more secrets Aoife uncovers, the guiltier Maura appears.
I was now working part-time so it took me about a year to complete Only Lies Remain. I had no plans for a third book. Then one day I was talking to a friend about a recent tragedy that had happened in Ireland. A man killed his wife
and kids and then himself. There appeared to be no reason for the murder and mid discussing this, I wondered what if the father hadn’t killed his family? What if somebody else killed them and made it look like the father was the murderer? Of course, this isn’t what happened, but it gave me the plot for my third book, The Silent Speak.
Again, it took me about a year to get that book finished. At this stage I assumed I would write a fourth book, but I didn’t have any plot in mind. I figured something would occur to me eventually and that’s what happened. One day I was listening to the news when I heard about two young men who were walking on a cliff path. One of the young men fell to his death.
Because my mind now sees everything in terms of murder plots, I wondered why everyone was so sure it was an accident if there were no witnesses. That gave me the idea for Where Loyalties Lie. In Where Loyalties Lie, four young people are walking on the Cliffs of Moher when one falls to his death. His friends say it was an accident but a stranger who witnessed the incident swears that one of the young men pushed his friend off the edge.
A year later I was looking for inspiration for my fifth book when my sister mentioned a story my mother told her. Years ago someone my mother knew was on her honeymoon. She and her new husband were lying on a beach when the woman fell asleep. When she woke, her husband had disappeared and she never saw him again. I used that story as the plot for Dying To Tell. In Dying To Tell, Nicole and Matt are on their honeymoon. They’re lying on the beach when Nicole falls asleep. When she wakes, Matt has disappeared and is never seen again. In reality the man my mother spoke of disappeared without trace and it’s presumed he drowned, but obviously that’s not the
fate of my character.
As I never had any plans for a series, all my books are standalone thrillers and can be read in any order. What makes them a series is Aoife’s personal life. In Girl Targeted, Aoife is happily married and pregnant with her first child. In Dying To Tell she has a five-year-old. At the end of each book, the murder is solved, and the next book starts with a new murder and a new cast of characters. The only characters carried from one book to the next are Aoife, her family and her friend, Orla.
Q: WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN YOUR LATEST RELEASE, DYING TO TELL?
In all my books, the main character is Aoife. But the murder in Dying To Tell centres around Nicole and Matt. Both are in their twenties. They are recently married and on their honeymoon when Matt disappears.
Q: WHAT ARE THE PERSONALITIES LIKE FOR PART-TIME JOURNALIST AOIFE AND HER BOYFRIEND, DETECTIVE CONOR MOLONEY?
In Dying To Tell, Aoife is in her late twenties. Conor is in his thirties.
Aoife lost both her parents when she was eighteen. The tragedy changed her from a confident, happy teenager to a young woman who was drowning in grief and terrified of being alone in the world. Her college friends were initially sympathetic but had no idea what she was going through and couldn’t understand why she was still grieving months later. Jason was the only one of her friends who seemed to understand. Aoife, whose relationship with Jason prior to her parents’ death was little more than friendship, found
herself clinging to him and relying on him to handle situations she didn’t feel strong enough to cope with. They married young and when Girl Targeted begins, Aoife is pregnant with their daughter, Amy.
At this stage it’s five years since her parents’ death and Aoife has come to terms with her grief. She’s becoming more of her own person and begins to see the cracks in what she previously believed to be a blissfully happy marriage. As the series progresses, Aoife’s confidence increases and she becomes more independent. It takes her a long time to accept that she and Jason have no future, and even longer to let another man into her life, but by the time Dying To Tell begins, Aoife has committed to Conor. She was initially scared of trusting another man, but she has come to believe Conor will never hurt her.
Conor first met Aoife in Girl Targeted but he didn’t really notice her until Only Lies Remain. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start. Conor believes Aoife’s motherin-law, Maura, killed her husband and Aoife is convinced Maura is innocent. In time, Conor realises he has feelings for Aoife but the investigation isn’t the only thing keeping them apart. Aoife is still married to Jason and they have a young daughter. Conor has a low opinion of Jason and feels Aoife deserves better, but he doesn’t want to be responsible for breaking up a family so he keeps his feelings to himself.
Conor as a son, Blaine, the result of a teenage fling. Blaine was seven before Conor even learned of his existence. From then on Conor’s life revolved around Blaine who now lives in England with his mother. Conor has known Aoife’s daughter, Amy, since she was a toddler and has a good relationship with her.
Aoife had to grow up quickly when her parents died, and Conor’s period of sowing wild oats came to a screeching halt when he discovered he was a father. Their experiences developed their serious sides but they’re still young and see in each other the opportunity to capture some of the excitement and joy they missed out on earlier in their lives.
Q: WHAT THEMES WILL READERS FIND IN YOUR NOVEL, DYING TO TELL?
The main theme in Dying To Tell is do you ever really know another person.
Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN WRITING HEART-PACING THRILLERS?
I love reading thrillers. I occasionally wander into other genres but I always return to thrillers so, not surprisingly, thrillers turned out to be the genre I most enjoy writing.
Q: DID YOU ALWAYS FORESEE A FUTURE AS A WRITER?
No, not at all. I wrote a lot when I was a kid but I stopped when I was about ten. At that stage I was old enough to realise fiction should include dialogue and my first attempts at dialogue didn’t impress me. I was a bit of a perfectionist back then and I decided if I couldn’t write perfectly, I wasn’t writing at all. I didn’t write another word until I was an adult, but I never forgot that I had enjoyed writing and at the back of my mind I thought that some day I would try my hand at writing again. If I hadn’t been made redundant, I doubt I would ever have found the time.
Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WRITERS IN THE SAME GENRE?
When I started writing, I was freaked out by people insisting I had to plan my story before I could begin writing it. They made the point that thrillers in particular had to be meticulously planned or you could never hope to tie up all the loose ends. My advice is to ignore other people’s advice.
Everyone’s process is different. Do what works for you. I can’t plan but I don’t let that stop me. You know instinctively what is right for you. Listen to those instincts.
My books are on Amazon and can be purchased from all major booksellers. You can find an excerpt from/ purchase links for each book on my website here: https:// valcollinsbooks.com/ books/
Val Collins is the author of the award-winning psychological thriller GIRL TARGETED and the international bestsellers ONLY LIES REMAIN , THE SILENT SPEAK and WHERE LOYALTIES LIE (March 2022). All four books feature heroine Aoife Walsh. They are all standalone thrillers and can be read in any order.
A native of Ireland, Val began reading at the age of three and still devours books at the rate of one per week. Her favourite authors range from Philippa Gregory and Sophie Kinsella to Lee Child and Linwood Barclay. Join Val online at valcollinsbooks.com, and on social media @valcollinsbooks.
Pinterest @valcollinsbooks
Twitter @valcollinsbooks
Instagram @valcollinsbooks
Facebook Page @valcollinsbooks
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Hawk is a wounded doctor bent on losing himself on the Chippewa reservation.
Jesse's a vegan nature photographer trying to find herself on that same wild land.
When Hawk shoots the deer Jesse's photographing, passions flare. Then Jesse hears that Hawk's friend is dying and sets off alone on horseback to warn him. He deserves the chance to say goodbye she never had.
But danger lurks everywhere near the small midwestern town of Lure River.
Jesse's just discovered the twenty-year-old bones of a missing Indigenous girl in her shed and drawn the unwanted attention of two local men.
Ruby Little Bear's tragic tale weaves through the narrative, reminding us that one moment can change everything.
Winner National Indie Excellence Award
Winner Crowned Heart Award – InD’Tale Magazine
Finalist in the UK Wishing Shelf Awards
Nominated for an Eric Hoffer Award
W. L. Hawkin writes the kind of books she loves to read from her home in the Pacific Northwest. Because she's a genre-blender, you might find crime, mystery, romance, suspense, fantasy, adventure, and even time travel, interwoven into her stories.
If you like “myth, magic, and mayhem” her Hollystone Mysteries feature a coven of West Coast witches who solve murders using ritual magic and a little help from the gods. The books—To Charm a Killer, To Sleep with Stones, To Render a Raven, and To Kill a King—follow Estrada, a free-spirited, bisexual magician and coven high priest as he endeavors to save his family and friends while sorting through his own personal issues. Book Five, To Dance with Destiny, is launching late 2023.
"Danger lurks everywhere near the small midwestern town of Lure River
This was a fun, fast-paced read that took some interesting approaches:
First of all, it was refreshing to read mafia book where the family actually likes each other—I’m so used to betrayal, people selling off their daughters, and things along those lines that this was unexpected throughout. I kept waiting for things to turn much darker, and they really didn’t. Props to Vincent for showing this totally *can* work in this trope—I enjoyed it!
As for the steamy bits, she manage to pack a lot of k!nks into not a lot of space and still managed to pretty much make it feel natural. You’d think it’d look forced, reading that, but it really didn’t.
The pseudo-incest thing took a bit of getting used to, but it really did work well, ultimately. There’s a bit of action and suspense, a lot of drama, strong family vibes, lots of loyalty and wholesomeness on this front and a fair bit of violence. It also manages to be sweet in just the right moments—expertly woven.
Audio:
Truly perfect. 5 stars.
by Pelican Freak
Pelican Freak is the online alter ego of an author PA who works with authors in all genres, some of who are international best sellers. Pelican Freak reads all genres and is brutally honest in what is reviewed.
Book and author conferences serve multiple purposes and play a significant role in the literary world. Here are some of the key purposes and benefits of attending these conferences:
Networking: Book and author conferences provide a valuable platform for networking with industry professionals, including publishers, literary agents, editors, and fellow writers. Building relationships with these individuals can open doors to potential publishing opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship.
Learning and Education: Conferences often feature workshops, panel discussions, and presentations by industry experts. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including writing techniques,
by Deena Rae
publishing trends, book marketing strategies, selfpublishing tips, and navigating the literary landscape. Attendees can gain valuable knowledge and insights to enhance their writing skills and understanding of the industry.
Inspiration and Motivation: Listening to successful authors share their experiences and stories can be incredibly inspiring and motivating. Conferences provide an opportunity to hear from accomplished writers, learn about their creative processes, and gain encouragement to pursue one's own writing goals.
Book Promotion and Exposure: For authors, conferences can be an effective platform for promoting their books and gaining exposure. Book signings, author panels, and readings allow authors to connect directly with
"Book and author conferences serve as vital platforms for networking, education, inspiration, promotion & community building.
readers, generate interest in their work, and potentially secure book deals or collaborations with publishers.
Discovering New Books and Trends: Conferences often include book fairs or exhibitions where publishers showcase their latest releases. Attending these events gives readers a chance to explore a vast array of books, discover new authors and genres, and stay updated on current literary trends.
Community Building: Book and author conferences bring together like-minded individuals who share a love for literature. They provide a sense of community where attendees can connect with fellow readers and writers, discuss books, exchange recommendations, and forge lasting friendships. These connections can lead to ongoing support, critique groups, and a sense of belonging in the literary world.
Professional Development: Conferences offer opportunities for professional development, whether
through pitch sessions with agents, manuscript critiques, or workshops on improving writing skills. Attendees can receive feedback on their work, gain valuable industry insights, and improve their chances of success in the publishing industry.
Overall, book and author conferences serve as vital platforms for networking, education, inspiration, promotion, and community building within the literary world. They play a crucial role in fostering creativity, advancing careers, and expanding knowledge and appreciation for literature. In summary, book reviews play a crucial role in promoting authors and their books. They increase visibility, provide social proof, contribute to sales and readership, offer feedback for improvement, aid in professional growth and recognition, facilitate author-reader connections, and serve as marketing tools. Authors greatly benefit from the support and engagement of readers through their reviews.
Born of steel, fire, and black wind, J.V. Hilliard was raised as a highlander in the foothills of a once-great mountain chain on the confluence of the three mighty rivers that forged his realm’s wealth and power for generations. His father, a peasant twerg, toiled away in industries of honest labor and instilled in him a work ethic that would shape his destiny. His mother, a local healer, cared for his elders and his warrior uncle, who helped to raise him during his formative years. His genius brother, whose wizardly prowess allowed him to master the art of the abacus and his own quill, trained with him for battles on fields of green and sheets of ice.
Hilliard’s earliest education took place in his warrior uncle’s tower, where he learned his first words. HIs uncle helped him to learn the basics of life—and, most importantly, creative writing.
Hilliard’s training and education readied him to lift a quill that would scribe the tale of the realm of Warminster, filled with brave knights, harrowing adventure, and legendary struggles. He lives in the city of silver cups, hypocycloids, and golden triangles with his wife, a ranger of the diamond. They built their castle not far into the countryside, guarded by his own two horsehounds, Thor and MacLeod, and resides there to this day.
I am from Pittsburgh, PA in the States. I’ve lived here most of my life but professionally traveled the globe and have had stints in places like Michigan and Washington, DC, for work.
I am a table-top roleplaying game enthusiast, focusing most of my time as a dungeon master for Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. I’ve been doing that with family and friends for over two decades and enjoy the shared experiences that come from it. They’ve helped me prepare to write The Last Keeper and the other books of the Warminster saga.
My wife and I have two dogs, which do take up some spare time, but in a good way. They are family and love to go for walks and play with other neighborhood dogs. MacLeod is our red-fox Labrador Retriever and Thor is our Siberian husky.
I started my writing career late for most. By day, I am a DC lobbyist that focuses on helping tech companies and defense contractors interface with the US government, mostly on research and development of new technologies that provide for the common defense or promote the general welfare.
But when Covid gripped the world, my professional days were left empty and my work became remote like many, so I used that down time to draft my manuscript for The Last Keeper, and presented it to my publisher, Dragon Moon Press. I was picked up and decided to publish a four-book series, of which The Last Keeper is the first release.
… creative… relentless… resourceful.
I am inspired by my uncle, who was paralyzed in the Vietnam war. I grew up by his side, and he didn’t let his condition hold him back. He used writing as his form of escapism and showed me at a young age how to be undaunted, even in the face of monstrous adversity. I write because of him.
I am a vampire legend enthusiast and consume most everything I can find about the subject—old books, movies, legends, stories, TV shows, documentaries, etc., regarding vampirism. I hope one day to write something out of my genre about vampires and I think I have a pretty good idea for a novel. So, hang tight!
As I mentioned before, I started writing when I was very young. My uncle was paralyzed in the Vietnam War and when he returned home, my mother was his nurse. I practically grew up by his side and the kind of activities he could engage in were limited. But writing was something he could do, and so I started into creative writing and playing Dungeons & Dragons with him as a form of escapism from real life.
Writing has been a passion since I was a child. In elementary school, I read The Hobbit by Tolkien in one of my English classes and the story opened my eyes to the fantasy world (and genre) in general. That Christmas I received my own copy of The Hobbit from my uncle— and the basic box set of TSR’s Dungeons & Dragons game. My family started playing the game and from that time on, my love of all
things sword and sorcery grew.
Over the years, I started to memorialize certain characters, campaigns, and unforgettable moments from my time as a player character and as a dungeon master in small, campaign-specific diaries. This collection of adventures and stories became the basis for many of the protagonists and villains in The Last Keeper—and make up various parts of the realm of Warminster.
Shared experiences from my various Dungeons & Dragons campaigns have always been at the heart of my work. If you are a TTRPGer, I’m sure you get this. Playing D&D with friends and family scattered through several decades really generated a lot of ideas that I could mesh into The Last Keeper, but also allowed me to go off script and away from D&D, creating unique monsters like the Antlered Man.
The second book in the Warminster saga—Vorodin’s Lair— and the third in the series—The Trillias Gambit—The final installment—Echoes of Ghostwood—will be released in July 2023.
I want to finish the Warminster saga early next year and work to promote the series to readers around the globe. I hope one day to option it into a video game or into the movies, as I believe fans of the books would appreciate seeing it available through those media sources as well.
Website: www.jvhilliard.com
Twitter: @jvhilliardbooks
IG: @jvhilliardbooks
TikTok: @jvhilliardbooks
Facebook: J.V. Hilliard
Vimeo: J.V. Hilliard
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by Pelican Freak
This picks up right where book 1 left off, but you could start here, as it quickly launches into a recap, so you’d know everything you need to in order to enjoy this one in the first chapter. Though, I enjoyed the slow-burn of getting to know the world and the characters that book 1 provided, so I do recommend reading them in order.
I’ll attempt to list specific tropes, etc. that I know people to both,seek out, and also avoid due to triggers, etc.
Omegaverse (with your typical hierarchy).
Reverse harem.
History of domestic abuse which is sometimes described in detail.
Protective alpha & betas.
M/M.
F/F.
Group scenes.
Toxic parents I loved to hate.
A fun, lovable bodyguard.
Suspense, action, danger, arson.
The world-building is epic—every time I read a book in this series, or pick one back up, I’m instantly transported into this world. It’s contemporary, but with the omegaverse hierarchy— impressive, as it felt very plausible and well done.
Overall: 4 stars.
And uh … where’s this author from? Talking about a hurricane, “... it’s been wild but not bad enough for Waffle House to close or anything.” Amazing.
I cannot wait for book 3—I mean, just look at that tagline: “She knew how to run and hide. Now she must learn how to stand and fight.”
Audio:
Seriously impressive! Overall sound quality is perfection, as usual when PFP is involved. I can clearly see that 2 narrators are credited, but I’d have believed this were a full cast, if not for that. These 2 narrators did amazingly well with different voices and accents throughout. Phenomenal.
Pelican Freak is the online alter ego of an author PA who works with authors in all genres, some of who are international best sellers. Pelican Freak reads all genres and is brutally honest in what is reviewed.
ThrillerFest is the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers. This unique, popular, and rapidly expanding organization was created in 2005 by several bestselling authors in order to bring thousands of writers. Readers. Publishers, producers, editors, and agents to promote and support thriller authors everywhere.
The ThrillerFest conference has six main components:
debuts, and midlist authors where they gain advanced training from the masters of craft in an intimate, day-long training session.
Master Class:
Provides an educational workshop for aspiring writers,
CraftFest:
Showcases bestselling authors and subject matter experts who kindly offer their advice and assistance to advance attendees’ writing techniques. There is also a CareerFest track under this heading, which helps educate attendees about the business aspects of the publishing industry.
Clare Mackintosh MasterClassQueryFest:
Offers instant feedback on a query letter or first two pages of a manuscript by an industry expert.
PitchFest: Pairs writers with agents, producers, and editors, providing an opportunity for attendees to pitch their manuscripts.
ThrillerFest: the final two days of the conference, provides readers
with an opportunity to network with authors—everyone from debuts to bestsellers. Expect innovative panels, spotlight interviews, and workshops to educate and inspire.
The Thriller Awards Banquet honors the year’s ThrillerMaster, Silver Bullet Award recipient, Thriller Legend, Thriller Fans, and Thriller Award winners.
Find out more about this exciting five-day thriller extravaganza by browsing our website at www.thrillerfest.com.
Lisa Unger--Heather Graham--Charlaine Harris--Walter Mosley--RL StineThis is an interactive magazine. Click on book cover or link to follow.
REMINDER: This is an interactive magazine. Click on book cover or link to follow.
Q: TELL US ABOUT YOUR DEBUT RELEASE, THE IMPROV MINDSET. Sure, getting to it right off the bat- I like it! I have been doing improv, which means what... studying, performing, teaching, thinking about?... yes, all of the above for
about 20 years, from as many different sources as possible – which includes every major training center in the country, as well as performing and teaching groups, companies, and major film studios across the globe. Now, I’m not just saying all of this to brag (not just), but to say that all of that experience is distilled down into this book. The more I teach, or even talk about improv to different people, the more I realize that while improv is great for creative people like writers or performers such as myself, all of the skills are applicable to basically every human on the planet.
As I have been quoted as saying, we improvise every day. No one has a script when they go about their lives, and since that’s true, then learning the skills of improv to apply to our everyday lives, I believe, is incredibly important and something that isn’t done.
And for those who already have an interest in learning improv, usually you have to live close to where one of these improv schools are located, usually in a major city in the United States or even increasingly so
across the world. There are more and more options of online classes that have become available, but still, you usually can only practice improv with some sort of a group. Well, both of those seem to be a big hindrance to learning these skills, doesn’t it? What happens if you don’t live close toa. schol, or don’t have the same schedule as classes offered. Guess you can’t learn these things...sorry.
Not true! So, the very long answer to your short question is that this book is to help people learn these skills of improv without any excuses. You don’t need a group, a class, or even an internet connection; all you need to do is read this book, which lays out extensive exercises and scenarios that you can practice improv skills in to get better at this type of mindset in your everyday life.
I was working on the book for close to a decade, and as I would learn new things, I would have to go back and rewrite everything. But I’m very excited that it’s finally available to the world and excited to see how, as more and more people read it, it might change their lifestyles from being shy and scared to be themselves to someone where they’re more fearless and enjoy life a little bit more.
Wow, are there really a million books about improv available? I haven’t counted, but you could be right.
This was a major thing that I was taking into consideration while working on this book. Does the world really need another book about how to ‘do improv?’ Maybe not, which is why my book is specifically approaching Improv not for someone who has studied improv for a long time and wants to get some more tips on how to perform the perfect Herald (those who know what that means, know) but how to use the skills such as being present and using your own experience for new ideas to everyday situations.
Again, the book is not specifically something for you to bring with you to an improv group practice where you can play games, but something that you can carry around with you and practice exercises at home by yourself and then eventually in the real world, all that activates thinking as an improviser.
I myself have found that people who perform improv are usually quick-witted, more laid back, and not as nervous to handle spontaneous situations as they occur. But just because you’re someone who doesn’t ever want to get on stage doesn’t mean you can’t be that way too, and that’s what this book is really about.”
Improv-LA is the creative training center that I founded in 2010, based in Los Angeles which you probably could have guessed by the name. It truly served as the
homebase and testing ground for everything that’s in the book. So, if you read the book, or just don’t like reading, but live in Los Angeles and want to learn these things directly, well, come on by and join us.
We offer multiple classes for all skill levels of improv, ranging from Level 1, where you never have had to even speak in front of another human being, to Level 4, which dives deep into the philosophy of performance and fearlessness as an improviser. We also have classes in sketch comedy writing, voice over, and other things I’m probably forgetting right now.
Even if you don’t live close to Los Angeles, we have launched the first-of-its-kind on-demand streaming improv class. Think of it like those celebrity Masterclasses, but for improv. It features a collection of videos where you receive one-on-one coaching from myself, allowing you to work on improv skills at your own pace.
Look, when I first learned improv, I was in a location with very limited resources. I want to ensure
that anyone who wants to improve their lives through creativity can access these resources in whatever way suits them best. Like everything these days, we have a website, Improv-LA.com, which provides all the information about everything I just mentioned, and more fun stuff.
Q: NAME SOME OF THE TOPICS THAT YOUR BOOK DISCUSSES THAT ARE CRUCIAL FOR IMPROVING THE MINDSET.
Oh, there are so many, I don’t even really know where to begin. But something that I really like is the chapter on how to initiate. The hardest thing to do in improv is to come up with the first thing, and sometimes that’s also the hardest thing to do when trying to talk to someone - what do you even say? In all of my years of studying improv, I never had a teacher really explain to me how to start or initiate an improv scene.
But in the book, there’s an entire chapter on the six ways, that cover every single possibility, on how to initiate in improv and in conversing with other people. The trick is, you don’t really need to think of an entire thing to say, you just have to do something. The book breaks it down with examples so you can really understand it.
Do you want me to tell you what they are right now? Well, I’m not going to. That’s what the book is for, silly!
Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE IMPROVING THE MINDSET BUSINESS? DOES IT
Well, I think to improve one’s mindset, there are many different ways to do that. One wonderful way is through therapy, with a trained professional who has a degree they worked and studied very hard for.
Luckily I’m not claiming to be that at all. I simply am offering a different perspective on how we might look at the world around us. We’re taught many things by people who really didn’t know much better but
just had a little bit more experience than we did—our parents, for example—and we take on those traits, and they become who we are.
But having the Improv Mindset teaches us to be more present and to look at things in a fun and creative way. Through my own journey of improv, I noticed how while learning it to be a better performer and writer, it affected every other area of my life in such a positive way. That’s part of what this book’s goal as well—show you how the skills of Improv can maybe, possibly, perchance, change the way you look at the world.
Q: WHERE CAN READERS FIND YOU AND YOUR BOOK ONLINE?
You can most likely find me at a vegan establishment or someplace serving tea in and around Los Angeles. If not there then I’m probably somewhere in nature. And if not those places then most likely in front of my computer writing. But why you stalking me, bro?
For real, you can find all about the person that is me at www.keithsaltojanes.com and get a copy of The Improv Mindset for yourself on Amazon or anywhere else that you like to purchase books- it›s only a matter of time before an illegal bitTorrent PDF is available on the internet too. But for now, you can buy it. Thanks for the chat fellow human.
Keith Saltojanes is the Founder of Improv-LA, the internationally known creative training center based in Los Angeles. He has taught improv techniques in over 10 countries and for executives at some of the biggest companies around (including Disney, Netflix, Amazon, IBM). He also has a Guinness World Record for the Longest Improv Show and was a writer for National Lampoon and for comedians from SNL, MADtv, In Living Color, and Mr. Show.
I was raised by a single mom who didn’t receive any child support. Despite her efforts, money was a constant source of stress and struggle in our household. More than anything I wanted to help out and relieve some of the burden.
As I saw how some people didn’t face the same financial scarcity, I became curious about money. I believed that if I could understand it better, I could somehow change our circumstances. So, I threw myself into learning everything I could about money.
That passion stayed with me throughout university, where I pursued a business degree with the goal of making a positive impact. Right after graduation, I stumbled upon a listing for a role in the financial industry. It felt like a perfect opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.
Starting as an assistant to a financial advisor, I quickly realized that I wanted to become a financial advisor myself. Witnessing my mom’s financial struggles fueled my desire to help others overcome their own challenges. I was determined to design an inclusive and empowering approach that provided tailored support to inspire and equip women to take control of their financial futures.
Financial literacy is essential for developing confidence around one’s finances. It’s the key that unlocks the door to achieving your biggest money goals. Without a solid understanding of financial concepts, it’s challenging to take meaningful action.
Unfortunately, we don’t learn these concepts in school. Formal education often falls short when it comes to teaching financial literacy. Many individuals don’t have the opportunity to learn about money until adulthood. Initially, it can feel overwhelming, like trying to drink from a fire hose. But if you commit to learning and expanding
your financial knowledge, it can pay off by boosting your confidence.
Once you’ve built that confidence, you’ll be ready to take empowered action. Gone will be the days of stress and selfdoubt. Instead, you’ll focus on making informed decisions and taking the necessary steps to achieve your financial goals. Embracing financial literacy is the first step to taking control of your financial life.
Q: TELL US SOME OF THE KEY POINTS FROM YOUR LATEST RELEASE, MAKE MONEY YOUR THING!
This book is here to boost your confidence when it comes to money and investing. Many women often lack the confidence they need in this area, but it’s time to let go of excuses like “I’m not good with numbers” or “Money just isn’t my thing.”
The truth is, it’s never too late to make money your thing! Anyone can develop a positive relationship with money. When you embrace money as your ally, it will support you in achieving your biggest goals.
The journey begins with self-reflection. By examining your money habits, thoughts, and preconceptions, you’ll gain a better understanding of your financial mindset. The book provides powerful strategies and tools to overcome obstacles and develop a healthy money mindset.
Building confidence starts with knowing where you
stand. The book also helps develop your money awareness so you can assess your starting point.
One important message throughout the book is that nobody will love your money as much as you do. By actively engaging with your finances, taking control, and making informed decisions, you reclaim your financial power. Instead of relying on others, you become the primary driver of your financial journey. The book also emphasizes adaptability, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances may arise. While you can’t control everything, you can adapt and make the most of the situations that come your way.
Finally, the book helps you solidify your newfound confidence by aligning your financial goals with your personal values. It encourages you to embrace your role as a money boss and identify the deeper desires behind your financial aspirations. By
reflecting on values like personal freedom, purpose, and adventure, you’ll see how money can help you achieve these aspirations. This connection between money and core values will infuse your financial journey with purpose, fulfillment, and meaning.
Q: AS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON TOPICS THAT YOU DISCUSS WITH YOUR CLIENTS?
As a financial advisor, my main goal is to have open and meaningful conversations with my clients to gain a better understanding of their unique needs. Conversations can vary greatly, but one common theme that often arises is the desire for action and change. Many people come to me feeling unsure or lost about their financial situation. They want to take charge and make positive changes that will support them in reaching their financial goals. By working closely with my clients, I strive to provide the guidance and support they need to feel empowered and on the right track.
It’s also essential to acknowledge the emotional aspect of money. Money can evoke strong emotions, and my role as a financial advisor extends beyond just numbers and strategies. During challenging times in the stock markets or when the economy faces uncertainties, I am there to support my clients emotionally. I regularly check in with them to ensure they are staying on track with their goals and offer proactive advice on rebalancing or adjusting their investment approach. This personalized support helps clients navigate the emotional rollercoaster that financial markets can sometimes be.
Every client brings their unique circumstances and concerns to the table. It could be planning for retirement,
saving for a child’s education, managing debt, or navigating tax implications. Whatever their individual needs may be, I strive to address them comprehensively and provide guidance to help them achieve financial success, taking it one step at a time.
Q: WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO TURN YOUR KNOWLEDGE INTO BOOKS AND WHY?
I made the decision to turn my knowledge into books at the onset of the global pandemic. The shift in my daily routine, from working in an office to working remotely from home, provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my approach and recognize that I was ready to delve deeper into supporting women. With over 12 years of industry experience at that time, I felt confident and prepared to share my insights.
As I contemplated the message I wanted to convey, I considered what I would want my daughter Ivy to learn about money as she grew older. This inspired the topics for my book, which I believe are relevant to every woman. Essentially, I aimed to create a guidebook for those who are ready to take action but may be unsure of where to begin.
Writing this book was significant to me because it offered a chance to reach even more women and transform their relationship with money. I recently received a call from a woman who expressed her realization that it was time to take control of her finances. She had been neglecting them, citing that she
had assumed one day she would get married and her husband would handle them. I firmly believe that women should never assume they need a partner or to rely on others to manage their finances in order to achieve financial success. Women possess all the necessary tools to make money their thing right now—no Prince Charming required!
Q: YOU HAVE ANOTHER BOOK COMING OUT, CALLED MONEY WISE MABEL’S BURSTING BANK, FOR CHILDREN. WHY IS IT CRUCIAL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TO LEARN FINANCIAL LITERACY?
MoneyWise Mabel was born out of the most common regret I hear from people about their financial lives— that they wished they had started earlier. This made me wonder, how early can people actually start? Well, how about really, really early! With my own daughter at the age of 6, I knew I wanted her to have financial empowerment from the start. And that’s what inspired me to create this book for children, offering them an early introduction to financial literacy.
MoneyWise Mabel is a book that teaches children the value of resisting instant gratification and shows them how to work towards bigger financial goals. It instills in them the power of savings and helps them realize that their money dreams are completely achievable. As adults, life often becomes hectic and filled with responsibilities, causing us to lose sight of the power of possibilities and what it’s like to dream.
I want children to grow up with a mindset of possibilities when it comes to money, without feeling limited by their circumstances. Poverty doesn’t have to be a cycle that repeats itself in future generations. It can change when young minds believe in themselves and in the endless possibilities ahead. MoneyWise Mabel is designed to inspire and ignite the imaginations of young kids, so they can embark on their own financial journeys with hope and confidence.
Q: HOW CAN CHILDREN BECOME FINANCIAL LITERATE?
When it comes to teaching children about money, open communication is absolutely crucial. As parents, we have a wealth of experience with money, and sharing that with our children helps shape their financial behaviors and beliefs.
From a young age, we can create a safe space where our little ones feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts about money. It’s about fostering an environment where they know they can come to us with their moneyrelated concerns, dreams, and even mistakes. By being open and approachable, we can lay the foundation for healthy financial habits.
When we talk openly about money with our children, we’re not just giving them knowledge and skills. We’re also instilling in them a sense of financial empowerment and confidence. They learn that money is not something to be feared or hidden away, but rather a tool that can be managed and used wisely.
But it’s not just about talking at them; it’s about engaging them in the conversation. We can involve them in financial decisions, like budgeting for family expenses or discussing the pros and cons of certain purchases. By actively involving them, we’re teaching them valuable lessons about priorities, trade-offs, and the importance of thoughtful decision-making.
You can check out my website at kaleeboisvert.com, as well on Instagram @kaleeboisvert. And the books can be found on Amazon at:
Make Money your Thing!
in US: https://www.amazon.com/Make-Money-YourThing-Design/dp/1738670287
in Canada: https://www.amazon. com/Make-Money-Your-Thing-Design/ dp/1738670287
MoneyWise Mabel’s Bursting Bank
In US: https://www.amazon.com/ MoneyWise-Mabels-Bursting-BankKalee-Boisvert/dp/1684632285
In Canada: https://www.amazon. ca/MoneyWise-Mabels-BurstingBank-Kalee-Boisvert/dp/1684632285
Kalee Boisvert has been in the financial industry for over fifteen years, but her love of money began very young. Growing up in a single parent household, she watched her mom struggle with finances and wished there was something she could do to help. She wasn’t going to allow her circumstances to define her, and thus her own journey into financial literacy and wealth management began. Kalee now has an MBA in Finance from the Haskayne School of Business and is a financial professional whose focus remains on sparking healthy and positive conversations around wealth and investments. She is also a proud mom to eight-year-old Ivy and new baby Jax. She lives with her family in Calgary, Alberta. MoneyWise Mabel’s Bursting Bank is her first book for children. Her self-help title Make Money Your Thing will be released by RE: Books in Spring 2023.
Website kaleeboisvert.com/
Facebook @kaleeboisvertwealthandwellness
Instagram @kaleeboisvert
Twitter @BoisvertKalee
LinkedIn @kaleeboisvert
Amazon
Two brothers on opposite sides of the law … Life is hard in 1869 Nebraska for the Warner family and brothers Colt and Brick. After the tragic loss of their mother, their father decides to take his sons west to California–but he dies along the way, leaving Colt and Brick, aged just twelve and ten, to finish the trip and fend for themselves in the Wild West.
With the help of a former gunfighter, Jim Borden, the pair forge their way together–until Brick decides to become an outlaw.
After years on opposite sides of the law, the two find themselves locked in a showdown where they must decide what matters more: following their own paths or their shared bond of brotherhood.
T.D. spent his adolescence reading authors such as Agatha Christie and Louis L' Amour and his adulthood reading true crime and
Something is outside; in the fields, by the ditches, on the roads. Something old and cruel and vicious.
When Luke Sheridan moves out of Dublin city to rural Kilcross with his wife and baby, he imagines the worst part will be his extended commute to work. They can look forward to enjoying the countryside and being part of a small community. After all, his old friend Declan Maguire lives in the house next door and is a Garda in the nearest town.
But Declan’s devilish attitude towards drink, drugs and women means trouble is never far from his door. And worse, gruesome murders and the appearance of sinister figures at night mean the countryside is becoming a very dangerous place to live.
Country Roads—don’t go outside alone..
watching countless hours of crime-related television.
He is the author of two published works, Amazing Grace and The Brand of Brotherhood
To hone his writing skills, T.D. also writes short stories that can be found on the platform page vocal.media/authors/t-d-zummack. He is a true crime and mystery nerd and when not writing he can be found lounging around his house with his family and their pets..
Some grotesque creatures lurk in the ancient countryside of Co.Meath, Ireland. Colin Leonard is one of them. His stories have appeared in various online venues and been published in the anthologies Eyes from Gravestone Press, It Calls From The Veil from Eerie River Publishing, Horror Library Volume 7 by Dark Moon Books and The Vampiricon from Mind’s Eye Publications. His first novel, Country Roads, is published by Brigids Gate Press and is brimming with nasty Irish monsters.
More at: www.collyleonard.com
According to Dante, a sin is the misdirection of love - the human will, or essentially, the direction of our beings. Love the Sinner is an examination of just how those sins can kaleidoscope into horrific consequences creating a distorted and deadly landscape. These stories stand stark before you in full glaring misstep and macabre to show the human psyche in all its twisted reality.
From grief and its rage to medical meddling to ensure a new world order to bloody revenge within a quantum leap, these stories seek to solidify one absolute truth: man is the scariest monster.
Mo Moshaty is an Afro-Latina screenwriter, author and producer. Raised within the clash of her mother's Yaqui heritage and her father's strict Southern Baptist upbringing, Mo's work contains worlds in which characters of color strive for identity, sentiment and belonging within
“With tender care and deep empirical knowledge gained over many years, Colleen Gerwing invites readers into the landscape she loves best: northern Saskatchewan. This autobiographical novel’s language, imagery, narrative flow, and characters all bring her story to vibrant and compelling life. Gerwing offers wise, helpful, and illuminating insight into the nature of life and death, into that fine line between ‘now’ and ‘then,’ and the enduring and essential connections between us and the natural world.”
— J. Jill Robinson, award-winning author of More in AngerWe are all born of a river, and that in itself should be enough. On a two-week outdoor winter snowshoeing trip in northern Saskatchewan with her niece Dilly, outdoor adventurer Jay tells stories as they hike and camp. Some are true – her outdoor training
the comedy, horror, and sci-fi genres.
Co-producer and member of Nyx Horror Collective, she’s partnered with Stowe Story Labs to provide a fellowship for women genre writers over 40, and has also partnered with horror streaming giant, Shudder Channel, to co-produce the 13 Minutes of Horror Film Festival 2021 and 2022.
Still engaging with her first love, short horror literature, her work can be found in "A Quaint and Curious Volume of Gothic Tales", by Brigid's Gate Press and "206 Word Stories" by Bag O' Bones Press. "Love the Sinner", a psychological horror collection of short stories will be released by Brigids Gate Press in July 2023 as well as "Clairviolence: Tales of Tarot and Torment Vol 1 & 2" by Spooky House Press in 2024.
Mo has lectured on Trauma in Cinema with Prairie View A&M Film & TV Program, Horror Studies BAFSS Sig, and the University of Sheffield in the UK.
in Wyoming, her early life on the farm – and some are stories within stories within stories. A faux diamond necklace that mysteriously appears and disappears, Jay’s youthful encounters with the mysterious Cowboy, an inspiring series of books that she read on her long-ago canoe trip alone –all are underscored by Jay’s love and respect for the wild.
In The School of the Haunted River, the late Colleen Gerwing fashioned a novel based on her own life as an outdoorswoman, a novel about the natural world that will haunt and enchant even as it educates you.
What will Boomer find?
Boomer is a curious bunny who loves excitement. Staying home doesn’t offer him the same fun it gives his brothers and sisters, so he hops off to see what he can see. When he does, what do you think awaits him?
Join this adorable furry rabbit as he heads off into the city where he meets a range of characters and goes on a variety of adventures. Will his discoveries be the joyful experiences he expects?
Written for children ages 3 to 9. This is a delightful tale for parents to read with their kids or for young readers to enjoy.
Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author. Diann writes children's books and young historical fiction adult books. In addition, Diann writes books to inspire kids to be kind, like
Alone, back in slavery, Lexil must figure out a way to survive...
Lexil is back in Anstetor where it all began. Back to who she once was. Not only has she been separated from everyone she knows, she is imprisoned by a group of rogue Retrievers who want to brutally punish runaway Reborns.
Though obstacles are placed in her path, she continues her quest to rid the land of prejudice and slavery. Will she achieve her goal? Will she change beyond recognition by the choices she is forced to make?
Aided by unlikely sources, Lexil forges deeper into Anstetor, revisiting familiar places and haunting memories. New truths are presented to her. Relationships are challenged. Her body, mind, and emotions are pushed to the limit. And Lexil will end up sacrificing more than she ever imagined....
themselves, peace, and to "Embrace Imagination”. You can find all her books on Amazon.
Diann was born to the parents of George and Mabel Floyd in Tulsa, OK, but grew up in Texas with her five brothers. She has traveled extensively to many parts of the world and lived in Dubai for 14 years, where her husband worked for the American Law Firm Norton Rose Fulbright for 14 years. She has a Bachelor of Education from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and her kindergarten certification from The University of Texas @ Austin. Diann has taught in the classroom overseas as well as stateside. more about Diann @ https://www.diannfloydboehm.com
Diann is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a former classroom educator. Throughout her life, Diann continues to be involved in various humanitarian projects.
Learn more about Diann and her books at: https://www.diannfloydboehm.com
Jenna Greene is a writer and teacher, as well as a clumsy dancer, enthusiastic dragonboat paddler, and a semi-professional napper..
“A sublimely chilling story.” —Library Journal, STARRED review
St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys.
Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.
Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future...a family.
Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides.
Others turn up dead.
Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives — and perhaps their eternal
On the evening of July 11, 1967, a Navy surveillance aircraft spotted a suspicious trawler in international waters heading toward the Quang Ngai coast of South Vietnam. While the ship tried to appear innocuous on its deck, Saigon quickly identified it as an enemy gunrunner, codenamed Skunk Alpha.
A four-seaborne intercept task force was established and formed a barrier inside South Vietnam’s twelve-mile territorial boundary. As the enemy ship ignored all orders to surrender and neared the Sa Ky River at the tip of the Batangan Peninsula, Swift Boat PCF-79 was ordered to take the trawler under fire. What followed was shipto-ship combat action not seen since World War II. Capturing Skunk Alpha relates that breathtaking military encounter to readers for the first time.
But Capturing Skunk Alpha is also the tale of one sailor’s journey to the deck of PCF-79. Two years earlier, Raúl Herrera was growing up on the west side of San Antonio, Texas, when
souls — are at risk.
Philip Fracassi is the author of the story collections Beneath a Pale Sky (named “Best Collection of the Year” by Rue Morgue Magazine and a finalist for the Bram Stoker award) and Behold the Void (named “Best Collection of the Year” by This Is Horror). He is also the author of several novellas, including Sacculina, Shiloh, and Commodore.
Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages and his stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, Southwest Review, and Interzone.
The New York Times calls his work “terrifically scary.”
he answered the call to duty and joined the US Navy. Raúl was assigned to PCF Crew Training and joined a ragtag six-man Swift Boat crew with a mission to prevent the infiltration of resupply ships from North Vietnam.
The brave sailors who steered into harm’s way in war-torn Vietnam would keep more than ninety tons of ammunition and supplies from the Viet Cong and NVA forces. The Viet Cong would post a bounty on PCF-79; Premier Nguyễn Cao Kỳ and Chief of State Nguyễn Văn Thiệu would congratulate and decorate them for their heroism. Capturing Skunk Alpha provides an eyewitness account of a pivotal moment in Navy operations while also chronicling one sailor’s unlikely journey from barrio adolescence to perilous combat action on the high seas.
With inspiration from her own life, Kalee Boisvert has developed an easy-to-use system for women, young and old, to take control of their finances.
Make Money Your Thing is an approachable guide to take women on a journey from avoidance and overwhelm to feeling comfortable and in control of their finances. This book provides simple action steps to learn the basics of money management, understand the importance of balancing the books, and embrace the uniqueness of your own personal situation. The end result is women feeling good about where their finances are right now, and building a solid foundation for where you want to go in the future. When money is your “thing” you can feel completely at ease about making it work for you–and feel confident that your financial goals and dreams are all very possible. With clear, simple steps, and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be making money your thing in no time!
Some of the concepts you’ll explore in the book.
• Transforming money mistakes into money
wisdom
• Keep the focus on what you can control
• Step into your power: become a money boss
• Go on a date with your money
• Embrace your money uniqueness
Kalee Boisvert has been in the financial industry for over fifteen years, but her love of money began very young. Growing up in a single parent household, she watched her mom struggle with finances and wished there was something she could do to help. She wasn’t going to allow her circumstances to define her, and thus her own journey into financial literacy and wealth management began. Kalee now has an MBA in Finance from the Haskayne School of Business and is a financial professional whose focus remains on sparking healthy and positive conversations around wealth and investments. She is also a proud mom to eight-year-old Ivy and new baby Jax. She lives with her family in Calgary, Alberta.
I was actually very bored until about chapter 23, but when it picked up, whoa, it really picked up! Suddenly there was action, betrayal, kidnapping, more things I won’t say here, etc. And … suddenly the previous 23 slow-paced chapters made sense—that bit of backstory & time getting to know certain characters and this world was necessary and made this so much better.
Well played, author.
After that bit, it wasn’t the most fast-paced thing I’ve read, but it did get juicier and a bit mysterious and I enjoyed it. I’d even like to see how the next book unfolds.
Overall, well done. 4 stars.
Audio: Perfection, as usual!!
(Thanks for helping me to discover yet another awesome author!)...
You’d think for a 2-hour listen, it’d be more p0rn than plot, but Mint manages to pack in both, for this and the other one I listened to. There’s just enough drama and angst to keep it fun.
The steamy scenes didn’t have the best writing at times, overall they were okay but there were a few lines that didn’t really fit, IMO.
Overall though, the author does a good job of writing characters that I attach to quickly—open to more from this author.
3.5 stars.
Audio: Excellent production—perfection. 5 stars.
In this book of Harry Bosch (Book 8) Bosch starts out the new year with a new case. When a dog on a sleepy cul-de-sac goes off for a run and comes back with a bone Bosch is thrust into a a case that no one has known about for 20 years.
With this visit into the Bosch universe Hieronymus Bosch meets rookie Julia Brasher and it looks like a relationship is just getting started.
While Bosch tries to find out who the victim is he is testing further a relationship with rookie Patrolman Brasher. This budding relationship leads to some expected ribbing about being involved with a female so far below him in rank.
Bosch and Jay Edgar turn over various stones trying to figure out who killed, speaking with a forensic anthropologist to find the tale of the bones tells a sad and horrifying story of prolonged abuse at the hands of someone larger than the young boy.
With the plot twists that are expected of Michael Connelly's books this one is right on par. The plot was amazing the who done it was unexpected and the action jumped off the page. Yes, as with the previous books in the series, plot lines are part of the streaming series, sometimes with minor changed and other times with major changes.
...
Read the complete review on the EBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/city-of-bones/
REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE
I love reading Ann Charles Deadwood series... Just the perfect balance of laughs with the thriller as the perfect palette cleanser after hard core police thrillers.
We are learning more of the history and backstory of Vi and her family tree with each book in this hilarious paranormal mystery series. These books get better and more intense further into the series and I am loving it.
This book especially had some laugh out loud scenes including a Halloween get together with Nat, Coop, Vi and Doc. So many laughs and just the perfect about of steam to give a break from the mysteries. Cara Mia, it's a great read.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was asked to review this book from the author's publicist, but I received the digital book via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County or Houston Public Library systems. It was read as a Kindle Book.
I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
FAST PACED, QUICK READ.
Fast paced, quick read.
Man, what a who done it of a semi legal thriller. Murderous lawyers, myopic cops and more twists than allowed by law An excellent start to a series with the law and lawyers as the main draw.
You have a smart, sarcastic and string heroine in Bennie Rosato. With a murdered ex-boyfriend and legal partner, an unexpected love interest, a homicidal animal rights activist and a lawyer with a deadly addiction, this book had everything.
Ms Scottoline writes smart, strong female lead characters like a master and allows for quirks and insecurities to come through making all the characters fully developed and either likeable or unlikeable.
Disclaimer
I received via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County Library system. It was read as a Kindle Book.
REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE
LOTS OF DESCRIPTIVE, ACTIVE SENTENCES, SOME OVERBLOWN.
Lots of descriptive, active sentences, some overblown. "... because the air itself was permanently imported with terror." Fanciful rather than clinical. So far a crime drama with heart and emotion.
This story seems to focus mainly on Detective Thomas Moore before it slowly starts to favor Det. Jane Rizzoli. Rizzoli is at first abrasive and unlikable but slowly, the reader sees how they male detectives test her because she's a woman and you understand that the abrasiveness is warranted.
While Rizzoli does play a part in the book, although not the main character, Dr. Isles is not in the cast of characters at all, not even mentioned. I did read somewhere that when Ms. Gerritsen started writing the book, she initially had planned on having Rizzoli get killed but as the way with many plans by authors, the character took on a life of her own, completely shifting the storyline. And aren't we glad because we were rewarded with the brash and loveable character in the series and TV medium.
I am excited too read the next book in the series to see if it has more of the feel of the TV series which I loved.
Disclaimer
I received via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County Library system. It was read as a Kindle Book.
Cindy Davis adds book 11 to the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles with Bliss roaring into town on her motorcycle. The small town embraces the quirky girl with songs in her head that make you tap your feet. Diablo, her fruit-eating toucan, joins Bliss lending a touch of psychic paranormal to this cozy mystery. Upon her return to town, she learns her ex-boyfriend, Brad, was killed and found beneath the bonfire during the town’s Celtic Festival. Even though she has not seen Brad in months, Police Chief Tommy Jager arrests her for the murder. Even the people of Magnolia Bluff seem divided on her guilt versus innocence. Suspense builds when these two threads get superbly interwoven with realistic dialogue between Mari and Derek. These perfectlypaired diverse characters have each other’s back and portray an uncanny sense of one another’s next actions. Derek heads in one direction while Mari takes another, upping the uncertainty with the fast-paced acceleration of this thriller. Each page brings snippets of answers yet creates more questions allowing for dramatic twists and unexpected connections.
The character development in this mystery is superb and a trademark of Ms. Davis. The twists and turns bring readers deep into this story as layer after layer gets peeled back. When Bliss gets released from jail, she hunts for the murderer with cryptic clues delivered by Diablo. Being out of jail could cost her life if she cannot find the culprit....
Read the complete review on the Rox's site. https://roxburkey.com/bad-things-happen-to-good-mice/
REVIEWED BY ROXB
Pat Garcia delivers a short story about girlfriends who share everything about their lives. These women enjoy discussing their husbands, children, and dreams. Na-Doo, a nickname for the oldest of the group, didn’t have a forever love in her life. Her professional career keeps her busy and allows her to help children. Her background and passions are perfectly captured, including her resignation that her life dreams may go unrealized.
Daniel Incognito is a new neighbor with seven precocious boys. The youngest child makes her laugh and invites her to his house to cook. The child is irresistible to Na-Doo and his brothers’ plot to win her attention. Daniel enjoys her company perhaps more than she wants. The story is fast-paced and witty, with lines to make you smile or laugh aloud.
Fans of short stories about strong, empowered women will enjoy this late-in-life romance. Ms. Garcia captures readers at page one with rapid page-turning until the end. I highly recommend this for your summer reading.
OMG, WHAT A LAUGH A MINUTE READ. THIS BOOK HAD ME LAUGHING FROM PAGE ONE.
OMG, what a laugh a minute read. This book had me laughing from page one.
Filled with smexy vampires, wise-cracking fairies, pottymouth angels and all the Prada a fashionista could want, this story is a must-read for those that like heat with their paranormal mysteries.
I found this author when I was reading a book by Ann Charles that had a sneak peek of this book in at the end. I am so glad I went ahead and read the excerpt and immediately went on Libby to see if my library had the books or ebooks.
This is not Twilight vamps and they aren’t Anne Rice’s oh so serious vamps, these aren’t even Sookie’s snarky vamps, these vamps are designer obsessed, snarky, and so funny. With Vamps, Angels, Demons and other mythical beings, this book is a must read.
I am not-so-patiently waiting to read the next book. This book was perfect for switching from hardcore police procedurals to some light hearted escapism.
I received it via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County Library system. It was read as a Kindle Book.
REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE
GREAT INTRO TO SUPER FOODS AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF EACH LISTED.
70+ recipes of salads. I love salads of all types and many in this book are combos I hadn't tried before. There are also some smoothie recipes, condiments, appetizers, and side dishes.
If you are on a healthy eating journey and want some salad recipes this is a good book to have on hand, mainly because the author gives so much information about superfoods and has taken the time to do some testing of different combinations of the foods. Some recipes were repetitive, but really, when you are dealing with a finite number of ingredients it is not like there is going to be a sudden appearance of a new vegetable.
I had some issues with the layout. Many recipes had photos as well as nutritional tags, but the nutrition facts weren't listed for all of them. The images could have been larger and wider angles. I would have suggested consistency in information - all recipes having images, nutritional breakdown, calorie breakdown, etc. after all it's hard to lose weight if you are not aware of the calorie count to let you know if you are going to be operating at a calorie deficit or not.
Recommend?
A good read for someone who wants some background and information on superfoods.
Disclaimer
I received via Amazon as a Free ebook/Kindle Unlimited. It was read as a Kindle Fire ebook.
In this, the 2nd book in the world of Lincoln Rhyme and his crime scene investigation, Rhyme is called in to help catch the Coffin Dancer – an assassin for hire. The Coffin Dancer utilizes multiple killing methods for anyone willing to pay his price. In the past, this assassin was responsible for the death of two of Rhyme’s crime scene techs with a bomb placed in the wastebasket left to obliterate all the trace evidence at a crime scene. Needless to say, Rhyme is personally involved in making sure this killer is caught.
With subterfuge and cunning, the killer stays steps ahead, and as the cops are hunting him, he is hunting them.
As with thrillers, some things made no sense until they did. This book didn’t have the overabundance of technical terms as the first in the series but I was glad that I read it on a Kindle that had easy access to a dictionary and Wikipedia.
I recommend this to people who like smart and surprising reads.
I received via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County or Houston Public Library system. It was read as a Kindle eBook.
After attempting to watch the television series, I felt the need to re-read this book to cleanse my brain of that monstrosity. Once again, I have had my hopes raised that a movie or series of a particular favorite series of books that I have read will be awesome, I am let down horribly. Television series “based” on the book series? If having characters of the same names okay, other than that I had to give up after the first two episodes. What an absolute waste of what could have been an epic series spanning several years
Okay, now on to the book...I will be reading the entire series even including the Vampire crossovers because I feel that Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches series needs to be treated as the epic masterpiece it is.
So for the first book in the Mayfair Witch Chronicles I have to say this is probably my favorite Anne Rice book.
Ms Rice gives the perfect balance of show and tell with her descriptions. Ms Rice fills the story with descriptions so rich in detail that the reader:
...
Read the complete review on the Deena Rae's Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3487207704
Deena Rae
Design, Writer, Reviewer
Danielle Interviewer & Reviewer
RoxB Writer, Reviewer
PelicanFreak Reviewer
Mickey Mikkelson
Co-Publisher
Aimee Ravichandran
Co-Publisher
