TopShelf Magazine October 2023

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GOTHIC MOGULS MEG HAFDAHL & KELLY FLORENCE

Exclusive Interview Gothic media moguls Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence, authors of The Science of Monsters and The Science of Women in Horror, and co-hosts of the Horror Rewind podcast called “the best horror film podcast out there” by Film Daddy sit down to talk about their newest release and some of their greatest hits. Join us as we get to know these accomplished women of horror and literature.

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Q: WHAT IS THE SCIENCE OF STEPHEN KING AND WHAT TOPICS ARE EXPLORED IN THIS AMAZING READ? The Science of Stephen King is part biography and part a deep dive into the science found in the master of horror’s books. It was fascinating to discover what was happening in King’s life at the time he came up with ideas for his stories.

Whether it was his life altering accident or something he discovered when working as a custodian, he incorporated his experiences into the books we know and love.

Q: THE SCIENCE OF MONSTERS SOUNDS LIKE AN INTERESTING READ FOR THIS HALLOWEEN. WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA BEHIND THIS BOOK? Ever since we were young we both loved scary things.

Being horror fans, we found ourselves researching the real science, history, culture, and lore behind our favorite movies, television shows, and books. The Science of Monsters explores the different movie monsters that we’ve loved since childhood including zombies, vampires, and ghosts. We discovered that truth can be scarier than fiction!

Q: IN THE SCIENCE OF WITCHCRAFT, WHAT TYPE OF RESEARCH WENT INTO THE MAKING OF THIS BOOK AND WHAT TOPICS IN WITCHCRAFT DOES IT EXPLORE? Besides the reading, research, and film analysis we take on for every book, we were able to interview 6

some amazing people for The Science of Witchcraft including and Indigenous ethnobotanist, a funeral home director, writers, and directors. These insightful and inspiring talks led us down paths we didn’t even know we would explore!

Q: IN THE SCIENCE OF WOMEN IN HORROR, WHAT OTHER TOPICS DID YOU CONSIDER DISCUSSING IN THE BOOK BUT DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO EXPLORE? We could write volumes of sequels to The Science of Women in Horror and have numerous topics we’d love to write more about including gothic literature, modern female identifying filmmakers, and the sub genre of female revenge in horror.

Q: WILL READERS OF YOUR FAMOUS THE SCIENCE OF ...SERIES FIND THE SAME TOPICS EXPLORED IN BOTH THE BOOKS AND ON YOUR PODCAST OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT? Our podcast, Horror Rewind, focuses more on our thoughts on horror movies, television shows, and books that we’re currently consuming in the genre. When it began, we focused on films from our childhood to see if they lived up to our memories of them through the lens of today. Now it’s evolved to modern media and we feel spoiled to have so many things to cover!

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Q: WHAT WILL BE YOUR NEXT BRILLIANT TITLE Many times it feels better having a co-author because TO THE PERFECT COLLECTION IN THE there is someone else to bounce ideas off of, share SCIENCE OF....? discoveries with, and split the work. Because we live so far apart, we often write alone but check in with each Next up in 2024 other daily via text, FaceTime, or Zoom. is The Science of Alfred Hitchcock in Q: HOW DID YOU BOTH GET TOGETHER IN BEING COwhich we explore AUTHORS? nineteen works We met over twenty years ago and have been best friends of the master It ever since! Writing together came naturally as we both filmmaker’s. have a love of all things horror, romance, and theatre. We will include a also discovered that we love doing research so writing b i o g r a p h i c a l component as well non-fiction together feels more like fun than work. as interviews with a variety of experts at the top of their fields.

Q: WITH YOUR LATEST UPCOMING RELEASE, THE SCIENCE Q: IS IT EASIER TO BE A CO-AUTHOR THAN BEING A LONE LEAD?

OF AGATHA CHRISTIE, HAVE YOU BOTH EVER THOUGHT OF TEACHING MINI COURSES TO DISCUSS THE LITERATURE/ FILMS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN YOUR NEW BOOK?

We have been thrilled to teach many sessions at workshops, libraries, colleges, and conventions on topics contained in our books. Some talks have been geared specifically to a topic of the group’s choosing while others are more general about the process of writing. Reach out if you’d like to have us come to your organization or community!

ABOUT MEG HAFDAHL Horror and suspense author Meg Hafdahl is the creator of numerous stories and books. Her fiction has appeared in anthologies such as Eve’s Requiem: Tales of Women, Mystery and Horror and Eclectically Criminal. Her work has been produced for audio by The Wicked Library and The Lift, and she is the author of

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two popular short story collections including Twisted Reveries: Thirteen Tales of the Macabre. Meg is also the author of the two novels; Daughters of Darkness and Her Dark Inheritance called “an intricate tale of betrayal, murder, and small town intrigue” by Horror Addicts and “every bit as page turning as any King novel” by RW Magazine. Meg, also the co-host of the podcast Horror Rewind and co-author of The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King and upcoming The Science of Serial Killers, lives in the snowy bluffs of Minnesota.

Find on Amazon:

ABOUT KELLY FLORENCE Kelly Florence teaches communication at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN and is the creator of the Be a Better Communicator podcast. She received her BA in theatre from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her MA in communicating arts from the University of WisconsinSuperior. She has written, directed, produced, choreographed, and stage managed for dozens of productions in Minnesota including Carrie: The Musical through Rubber Chicken Theatre and Treasure Island for Wise Fool Theater. She is passionate about female representation in all media and particularly the horror genre. She is the co-author of The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, The Science of Serial Killers, and The Science of Witchcraft with Meg Hafdahl. They co-host the Horror Rewind podcast and write and produce horror projects together. Kelly is repped by Stacey Kondla (Literary Agent) at The Rights Factory and Karmen Wells (TV/ Film Agent) at The Rights Factory.

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT THE AMBER MENHIR JONATHAN N PRUITT

With each new dawn, the celestial body known only as 'Calamity' draws closer - and with it the end of the world. Humanity's only hope from oblivion rests in the menhirs, towering bastions of scholarship and imagination which cast long shadows across the lands. The scholars within the menhirs devote themselves selflessly to the discovery of new magic that will help avert the impending apocalypse ... or so the masses have been made to understand.

In a society divided between those with occult potential and lay citizens, Tara Langcraw is recruited into the Amber Menhir with great interest. The long-awaited heiress of a bloodline bearing the rarest of the six magical disciplines, time manipulation, she is expected to flourish within this noble citadel of learning, as are her friends and fellow recruits, Roland Ward and Peony Bianchi.

They soon find, however, that those who fail to meet expectations, or who dare to challenge the prevailing order, put more than their marks on the line. For the menhir squirms with rivalries, and those who stand against the status quo may not stand for very long.

ABOUT JONATHAN N. PRUITT Jonathan N. Pruitt is a lifelong educator, a former scientific researcher, and a provocative fantasy author. Rising from humble beginnings in a rural, economically disadvantaged county in Florida, he skyrocketed to academic success, earning a PhD at the youthful age of 24. Pruitt’s journey took him from the concert halls as a 10

child prodigy pianist to the globally recognized halls of esteemed universities including the University of Pittsburgh, Princeton University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

However, his trajectory met turbulence with an international scandal in 2020 that questioned the integrity of his research methods. Proving the human animal can make profound changes, Pruitt rose from the ashes of controversy to become a fantasy author.

With his debut novel “The Amber Menhir,” Pruitt delivers biting humor, deep human insights, and a unique scientist’s perspective.

His life experiences—from living in diverse corners of the world like South Africa, Namibia, Australia, and Canada, to navigating the wild landscape of his career—richly inform his narratives.

In Pruitt’s words, “I can be far more honest in fiction than I could have ever contemplated in nonfiction.” This theme shines within his storytelling as it defies reality yet resonates with emotional truth.

He makes readers question the differences between good and evil, and the murky area between the two.

To learn more about Jonathan N. Pruitt’s journey and his venture into the realm of fantasy literature, visit his website.

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SCROLLING WITH CAUTION NAVIGATING THE FINANCIAL PITFALLS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

by Kalee Boisvert

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isclaimer: I’m all about embracing the fun of social media, from connecting with people worldwide to drooling over food photos and enjoying a bit of Real Housewives drama (we all need some guilty pleasures, right?). But, let’s talk about how it can impact your financial well-being.

1. FOMO - Fear of Missing Out: Those globe-trotting, luxury-resortloving posts can make you itch for extravagance. But resist the urge to splurge just for an opportunity for a stellar selfie.

2. Targeted Ads: Sneaky algorithms serve up enticing ads for stuff you

didn’t even know you needed. Don’t let those ads hijack your budget!

3. Get Rich Quick Schemes: I’m all for entrepreneurial spirit, but beware of the never-ending stream of online courses and masterclasses. It’s easy to get carried away and overspend.

So, how do you keep your wallet in check?

• Follow the Joy: Stick with accounts that lift your spirits and ditch the ones that bring you down.

• Take a Breather: When you spot something tempting, step back and ponder for at least 48 hours. Give yourself time to decide if it’s a must-have or just a whim.

• Embrace Freebies: There are loads of free tools and resources to help you build your biz or boost your confidence. Give them a try before you start swiping that credit card!

Remember, social media is a fantastic tool when you

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use it wisely. Let’s keep that bank account happy while she realized she needed to find her own way to save and earn if she wasn’t going to allow her circumstances enjoying the digital world! to define her. And so, her own journey to financial literacy began.

Today, as a single mom and financially independent woman, Kalee is called to support women in their ABOUT KALEE BOISVERT financial lives. She felt the pull toward a career that would allow her to pursue this deeply personal goal to Kalee Boisvert has been advocate for women and their money, which led her in the financial industry on the path to becoming a financial advisor. Being for over 15 years, but an advisor allows her to work directly with women to her love of money empower and support them and help put an end to started very young. any money-related stress and doubts.

Growing up in a single To further her efforts supporting financial parent household, literacy, Kalee has two books being released in 2023 she watched her mom – a children’s picture book called MoneyWise Mabel’s struggle with finances Bursting Bank, and a non-fiction book called Make and wished there was Money Your Thing! Which aims to build confidence something she could do and empower people in their financial lives. to help. Around this time,

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AUDIO BOOK REVIEW MOON CURSED J.R. THORN CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS WORLD...

Audio:

by Pelican Freak

Absolutely perfect, thanks so excellent narrators and

“I AM the high Moon.”

—Katlyn

professional sound quality.

5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Not only does this pick up exactly where book 1 left off, but there’s a handy little About The recap to kick things off. (I Reviewer still recommend reading this Pelican Freak series in order.)

Pelican Freak It was another quick read, is the online but that doesn’t mean A TON alter ego of an happens—and enjoy! Fully author PA who recommend. works with authors in all Also: I loved the crossover with genres, some some of Thorn’s other books, of who are international best sellers. Pelican Freak calamity and the appearance of familiar characters. reads all genres and is brutally honest in what is Be sure to check out the reading order for maximum reviewed. enjoyment of this entire world!

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Quick & Easy

SARA PODGOREANU QUICK INTERVIEW 14

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1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD AND WHY? My favorite word is ‘elysian’. It’s characteristic and related to heaven and paradise, it alludes to beauty and hope, which is mainly what I always try to portray in my writing, and it’s also a source of inspiration for the name of my favorite fictional character.

WOULD YOU HAVE?

There wasn’t any book in particular that made me want to become an author, rather it was the profound realization of all of the intense feelings that literature evokes in me.

These fiction and non-fiction writers have made their voices heard through their creations and consequently have succeeded in influencing readers such as myself.

This is what I also strive for — to make my voice heard and leave a lasting impression on my readers.

My favorite superpower would be to stop time. If I could stop time, I could not only lengthen my life span but I could use the ‘frozen’ time to do what I want, without a care in the world. For example, I could read more books, ingest more knowledge, write more, and escape my day-to-day life.

4. WHAT’S THE FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

7. IF YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

My favorite thing about being a writer is fleshing out my characters and giving them life through my stories. I love observing their growth or downfall as the plot advances, the choices they make, and of course the resolution they’re met with.

I would tell my younger self that the world isn’t ideal, it is often filled with disappointments and unsolicited cruelty and meanness. Thankfully, the world is also filled with hope, love, and happiness. It is because of this positive aspect of the world my younger self should continue pursuing her dream and certainly not give up in the face of adversity.

2. WHAT’S THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? The last book I’ve read is ‘The Idiot’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

3. WHAT’S THE BOOK THAT MADE YOU BECOME AN AUTHOR?

5. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

My sense of humor is dubious at best. Dry and unfunny 8. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START WRITING? jokes make me crack up. It’s something about their Nothing really inspired me to start writing. I simply needed horrible one-liners that just make me loose it. an outlet for my emotions and vivid imagination. Writing just happened to be the most accessible tool for me.

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9. AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GREW UP?

piece of fiction is more or less anchored in the reality we live in, our thoughts and perspectives of the world, and the amount of knowledge we possess.

When I was a child, I was extremely obsessed with dinosaurs. Because of my love for them, I wanted to 13. STATE A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT become a paleontologist and learn more about them, WOULD SURPRISE OUR READERS. discover their fossils, and over all feel closer to them.

Despite writing being a predominantly introspective and 10. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? solitary activity, I am a very sociable and outgoing person.

I like getting to know and spending time with those around I am a firm believer that life has no inherent purpose. It is me. given to us to spend as we see fit and fill it with what we consider meaningful. Which is why, my main motivation 14. WHAT’S THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT REASON is making the most out of my life. Among other things, FOR YOUR SUCCESS? writing is a meaningful way of spending my time and energy. If I can make my voice heard and leave something My single most important reason for my success lasting behind, I will consider I have lived my life correctly. is my mother. She was the first person to believe

11. WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP TO BECOMING MORE SELF-AWARE?

in me and supported my dreams. She could have clipped my wings, but instead, she set me free on the horizon, cheering and encouraging me to soar even higher.

I believe the first step to becoming self-aware is taking 15- WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU? accountability. If we do not take responsibility for our mistakes and our traits, then we can never become linktr.ee/sarapodgoreanu self-aware. There will be things that we will not like about ourselves. Thankfully, humans are creatures that ABOUT SARA PODGOREANU are able of evolution and of change. If we become selfaware of who we are, our traits, and most importantly, our shortcomings, then we will continue to evolve and to improve. Otherwise, if we choose deception over the raw Sara Podgoreanu hails from Bucharest, Romania. She and unpleasant truth, stagnation is the only thing that lives with her family and pet dog and is an avid reader, movie lover, and gamer. She writes emotionally driven, awaits us. introspective stories that are sure to tug on heartstrings.

Fiction is her outlet and her passion, and she enjoys 12. ANYTHING YOU WOULD SAY TO THOSE JUST perfecting her craft through continued study. Oblivion STARTING OUT IN THE CRAFT? (2023) is her first published novel.

For those just starting writing, my only advice would be to search for ways to evolve constantly. By deepening your understanding of the world around you, you will become better at writing complex stories and characters. Every

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AUDIO BOOK REVIEW A TASTE OF FOREVER LILY WILDHART

by Pelican Freak

twisty. And this one felt a bit more spice than plot at times, and I’d have liked to see a few more questions answered, Thankfully (after that ending!!!) this picks up right where book 2 but mostly it wrapped up nicely.

FUN AND DARK-ISH

left off. It also provides a peek into Briar’s past, which explains some of her personality and is on-par continuity and character development-wise.

toxicity.

Scandal.

Corruption.

Group scenes.

Praise.

Rich boys who never hear “no” (but they’re actually decent people).

Toxic family situations.

Lots of dirty talk.

Step sibling romance.

Secrets and lies.

Family drama /

This was a fun read, and I loved the bit of crossover with another Wildhart series I enjoyed. Addictive, and really made the time fly by, so maybe bring it along on tasks or workouts you don’t love.

Other reviewers talk about twists—I didn’t find any.

I predicted everything, so I’m not sure what they found 18

Audio: Absolutely perfect production, seamless and high-quality.

Excellent performance as well—5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About The Reviewer 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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QUICK INTERVIEW Quick & Easy

EDO VAN BELKOM 20

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Q: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE DEATH DRIVES A SEMI COLLECTION? As a teenager, I knew I wanted to be a writer someday, but I didn’t know what kind of writer I should be. I tried writing poetry and pop songs, but every one of them was terrible, so I knew I had to find something else.

Then, one rainy day at the family cottage I read The October Country by Ray Bradbury. I was awed by the feeling each story gave me when I finished reading them. That’s when I knew I wanted to write short stories, and not only that, but short stories like Ray Bradbury that would give others reading my stories the same sense of wonder that I had reading his. That’s a very tall order, but in all artistic endeavors one should reach beyond their grasp, so that was the goal I set for myself.

Q: WHAT THEMES ARE FEATURED IN THIS HORROR COLLECTION? When I first wrote these stories and then assembled them into a collection, I really wasn’t thinking about any thematic connection between stories. But over time, people reading the collection have pointed out similarities to old EC Comics tales in the Just Deserts vein. They’ve also noted a thread of wry sarcastic humor running through the book and that’s why connections have been drawn to Robert Bloch -- who I must admit is one of my favorite writers. But overall, and this became apparent to me after reading the book once again for the 25th Anniversary publication, there is a definite examination

of the family dynamic in these stories. People growing old, young people looking for husbands, or reconnecting with their children, it’s something I didn’t set out to write about, but the proof is there and I’m happy to say that there is more here than just a bunch of stories about bad things happening to good people.

Q: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE INCLUDED AND COMPARED TO THE BIG NAMES IN HORROR FICTION SUCH AS STEPHEN KING AND RAY BRADBURY? It’s an honor any time your name mentioned in the same breath as these iconic writers of horror and fantasy. And although I’ve sometimes strived to emulate their style and success, I’ve never thought I was anywhere close to being on their level. And while it’s obviously flattering, it’s up to the reader to decide whether the comparisons are justified. I would hate to have someone pick up the book with sky-high expectations and be disappointed because I didn’t meet them. Luckily, most readers and reviews have have made those connection as well, so that’s been a relief.

Q: WHICH OF THE STORIES INCLUDED IN THIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION DID YOU ENJOY CREATING THE MOST? Whenever I give talks on writing I’m invariably asked by someone, “Which is your favorite story?” An honest question, but one that is difficult to answer.

I usually say, “Ask your parents which one of your brothers and sisters is their favorite?” The answer is, of course, that they

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love all their children equally. Obviously I’m more proud Q: DID YOU FIND INSTANT SUCCESS AS A HORROR WRITER of some over others... For example, “Baseball Memories,” OR DID IT TAKE A WHILE BEFORE YOU MANAGED TO GET TO was my first-ever published story and was picked up for WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? reprint in Year’s Best Horror Stories 20. And “Rat Food” (written in collaboration with David Nickle) won the Bram Yes and no. My first short story was published in a Stoker Award so that’s obviously high on the list. And then university literary magazine and then reprinted in a Year’s there’s “The Rug,” which was written as an homage to Best Horror anthology edited by Karl Edward Wagner.

Robert Bloch and was a Stoker Award finalist. And then Fantastic, like hitting a home run in your very first MLB there’s the bonus story, “To Be More Like Them,” which at-bat. But while it was my first published, I’d probably I think is one of the best stories I’ve ever written, from written twenty or twenty-five stories before selling that a storytelling and technical standpoint. But that’s not to one. And after that, it took a year or two to sell and publish downplay the rest of them. These are 21 of my best, and I a second story, then several more years to be able to write love them all for different and publish stories on a consistent basis. But that didn’t mean everything I wrote sold right away. There’s a story in reasons. this collection that was rejected more than twenty times before I published it in my own collection. It’s not a bad Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR UNIQUE story, it just took a long time to find the right publication WRITING STYLE? for it.

And then in terms of novels, my first four novels were work-for-hire books based on fantasy role-playing Others have pointed out games. So, I probably wrote six or seven novels before I that my writing style sold one that was all mine. People often see the end result is story-oriented, fast- -- a book on a bookstore shelf with your name on it -paced and to the point. and that’s the part of being a writer they hope for. No one I write straightforward wishes to write for five or ten years without any success, stories with beginnings, which is what’s required to eventually get things sold and middles and ends, with published. plots that never has the So, instant success, no. Eventual success, fueled by reader wondering what hard work and perseverance, yes. the heck just happened. There’s a train of thought in writing that novels are failed novellas, novellas are failed Q: CAN YOU TELL US READERS WHAT THE NEW STORY novelettes, and novelettes are failed short stories. I would INCLUDED IN THE COLLECTION IS CALLED OR WHAT agree with that view in that a story should be told as THEMES IT WILL PRESENT? efficiently as possible and that’s what I’ve always strived to do. I’ve also been cited as having a dark or sardonic The bonus story is called “To Be More Like Them,” and it wit and my stories definitely have wry twists that are a is partly based on my experiences during my three years reflection of my personality, This is gratifying because it’s as a school bus driver. Children have the ability to tease always nice to have some of your own personality make and bully their peers in a way that can be downright evil. it into your writing, which is something that hopefully I witnessed it first-hand during that time and wanted to makes my writing style unique. write a story from the victim’s point-of-view. The girl in the story was actually a hero, but is bullied by the others 22

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because of the way she looks. There’s revenge to be had, but not in the way one might think. I’m proud of the story and think it’s one of my best.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF CHARACTERS DO YOU ENJOY CREATING THE MOST WITHIN YOUR TALES? All of my stories are written in the present day, with just a hint of the supernatural.

Some of the stories don’t have any supernatural elements at all, but they are all grounded in reality. I take pride in making my characters as real and human as possible. For example, in my Wolf Pack novels -- the inspiration for the Paramount Plus TV series of the same name -- my goal was to write about regular teenagers who have all the usual problems that teens have, plus they’re werewolves.

The same idea is at play in the stories in this collection.

Q: DO WRITERS NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL CLASSES OR PROGRAMS TO LEARN THEIR TRADE OR CAN ONE SIMPLY LEARN IT BY READING AND WRITING IN THEIR GENRE?

editor, publisher, or agent. Or, at the very least, someone whose opinion the writer trusts who does not have a vested interest in the writer’s happiness. In that way there’s nothing stopping anyone from giving an honest assessment.

I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t help to read books or take classes to learn more about the writing process because I have written two books on writing, and have taught countless writing classes from the high school to university level. These things can teach you the nuts and bolts about writing, how to open a story, the way action works, how dialogue is effective, point-of-view, etc. but no one can teach an aspiring writer talent. You must have a little bit of that to succeed, but it’s not always the most important ingredient.

In my classes, I often say that there are three things that contribute to eventual success. They are, talent, perseverance and luck. The first two are easy, but that last one is a struggle to come up with. The good thing is that you can actually succeed with just two of the three elements. You can have talent and persevere and find success, but you can also persevere and get lucky (like being in the right place at the right time) and be successful.

So, you don’t necessarily have to have a blazing talent to make it as a writer, but you do need to stick with it as that eventual success could take years to come around and you have to be committed to being in it for the long haul.

It’s said that becoming a writer is the easiest business to start up. All one needs is a pen and some paper and you Q: WHAT WILL YOUR can get start.

NEXT PROJECT BE? Aspiring writers often believe that there must be some trick or inside information that they need to know in I’ve been doing short order to sell a story or novel. Truth is, there is none, other videos called Wolf than writing a story or novel that’s good enough to be Pack Facts about published. And that conclusion shouldn’t come from the the book series and writers themselves -- as writers often think everything how the books relate they write is brilliant -- but rather from someone else, an to the TV show and I REMINDER: This is an interactive magazine. Click on book cover or link to follow.

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hope to put more of those up on YouTube in the coming months. Past that -- and I haven’t even told the publisher this yet -- I’m hoping the 25th Anniversary publication of Death Drives a Semi is successful enough that we can entertain the idea of another -- all new -- collection of stories. That would be fun, because I have plenty of other stories I think are worth a second chance, and it would be my first new collection in years. But it’s not my call, so we’ll have to see.

ABOUT EDO VAN BELKOM Edo van Belkom is a Canadian author of some 35 books and over 300 short stories in the genres of horror, science fiction, fantasy and mystery. His short fiction has been published in countless anthologies such as Year’s Best Horror Stories, Year’s Best Erotica, Robert Bloch’s Psychos, the Hot Blood and Shock Rock series, as well as several anthologies based on RPGs. His stories “Rat Food” (with David Nickle) won the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, and “Hockey’s Night in Canada” won the Aurora, Canada’s top prize for speculative fiction. More recently, his young adult series Wolf Pack, has served as the inspiration for the new Jeff Davis supernatural TV series Wolf Pack starring Sarah Michelle Geller, which premieres on Paramount-Plus January 26th in Canada and the US, and the next day across the rest of the world.

As a reader, my tastes are very diverse. I have a passion for the classics and love a good adventure. As a writer, I enjoy creating memorable characters that may be a bit eccentric, but experience life on their own terms.

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THE BOOK FEST

MEET NEW FRIENDS: FALL 2023 OCTOBER 21ST AND 22ND Free to attend. Go to #TheBookFest website

The BookFest there is a new for the livestream and watch panels and giveaway for Fall 2023 is an exciting event for conversations. Sat. Oct 21st is for readers; writers to enter. anyone who loves Become a nd and Sun. Oct 22 is for writers. books and writing.

BookFester by The event brings together a diverse range of speakers and signing up for email alerts. You’ll also get the Virtual Gift attendees, offering insights and ideas on everything from Bag, which is sent at the end of each BookFest. Packed writing craft to book marketing and technology. Whether with free downloads and special offers, it is something all you’re a fan of reading, a published author, or are just starting booklovers gotta have. out, The BookFest is an event that is not to be missed.

Books That Make You is a proud presenting sponsor Mark your calendars for October 21st and 22nd for the next of The BookFest. The BookFest is produced by Black BookFest Adventure.

Château Enterprises.

More details can be found on The BookFest website.

The list of Sponsors and Bellwethers for this event Join the fun and hang out with the bookish community, includes The Author’s Leverage, The Authors Porch, Book which includes readers, writers, and industry experts. The Award Pro, Books That Make You, The Ghostwriter Summit, BookFest website streams the online event, and it can be Independent Writers of Southern California, The Relatable found on the Books That Make You YouTube Channel, too. Voice Magazine, Top Shelf Magazine, TV Guestpert, Wannabe If you like winning books, you’re in luck: The Big Press and more. Visit the Virtual Booths and support the Bundle of Books Giveaway is back. It is open to entries companies and organizations that support The BookFest. until Saturday evening of every BookFest. Winners are #TheBookFest #TheBookFestFall2023 announced at the conclusion of the Live Author Chats. Plus,

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WHY SHOULD CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS READ

by Deena Rae

B

ooks are like magical portals that can transport you to different worlds, times, and perspectives.

For children and young adults, reading is not just about acquiring information; it's a journey of imagination, discovery, and growth. Here are a few reasons why diving into the world of books is a fantastic idea: Imagination and Creativity: Books open up a world of imagination. They encourage readers to visualize characters, settings, and events, stimulating creativity in a way that other media might not.

Vocabulary and Language Skills: Reading introduces new words and phrases, helping to build a rich vocabulary. Exposure to wellwritten language enhances communication skills and fosters a love for expressing oneself effectively.

Critical Thinking: Many books present challenges and dilemmas that require readers 26

to think critically. Analyzing characters, understanding plot twists, and making predictions contribute to the development of logical reasoning.

Empathy and Understanding: Books often explore diverse characters and situations, fostering empathy and understanding. Readers can step into someone else's shoes and gain insights into different cultures, experiences, and perspectives.

Academic Success: Strong reading skills are fundamental to academic success across all subjects. Whether it's understanding math problems or comprehending scientific texts, reading proficiency is a key factor.

Stress Reduction: Reading can be a great stress reliever. It provides an escape from reality, allowing readers to immerse themselves in different worlds and temporarily forget their worries.

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Life Lessons: Many books contain valuable life lessons. Whether it's dealing with challenges, understanding relationships, or facing moral dilemmas, books offer a safe space to explore and learn from the experiences of fictional characters.

Cognitive Development: Reading enhances cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It's like a workout for the brain that contributes to overall cognitive development.

Cultural Awareness: Books are windows into different cultures, traditions, and historical periods. They broaden a reader's cultural awareness, promoting tolerance and appreciation for diversity.

Entertainment and Enjoyment: Most importantly, reading is fun! It's a source of entertainment that doesn't require screens or

electricity. The joy of getting lost in a good book is a timeless and rewarding experience.

In a nutshell, books are not just a source of information; they're companions that accompany individuals on their journey of personal and intellectual growth.

ABOUT DEENA RAE

Deena Rae was born and raised in Texas – home of bluebonnets, boots, beef and big hair – into a family that was in the printing and publishing industries.

With a total of 20 years in publishing, in 2010 she decided to branch out as eBookBuilders helping established & new authors, designing books, ebooks and websites.

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INTERVIEW Upclose & Personal

PHILIP FRACASSI 28

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Q: WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA FOR YOUR NEW BOOK, BOYS IN THE VALLEY?

Incredibly excited for that book to come out and it will be kind of fun to have a book to promote that’s more sci-fi than horror. Look forward to meeting some new readers!

A few years back I had a Hollywood “pitch meeting”, where basically I go into a person’s office and rapid- Q: DOES BOYS IN THE VALLEY END ON A CLIFFHANGER fire pitch them nine or ten ideas. When researching for LIKE LORD OF THE FLIES DID? fresh ideas, I came across an online article that relayed the story of a very real orphanage, at the turn of the I honestly have never read Lord of the Flies (nor seen the 20th Century, in rural Pennsylvania, where like half of the movie), so I can’t speak to how it ends. But I can tell you boys had mysteriously disappeared. The orphanage was that Boys in the Valley does not end on a cliffhanger, nor subsequently shut down, but this idea really stuck in my is it in any way ambiguous for open for interpretation. It head and I wanted to tell the very not real story of what I ends and ends hard. think might have happened to those boys. And then made Q: WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN it way worse, haha.

THE BOYS IN THE VALLEY? Q: IN YOUR OPINION WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE COMING-OF-AGE GENRE There’s a massive cast of characters THAT MAKES IT IRRESISTIBLE TO THE in Boys. There are thirty orphans, five GENERAL POPULATION? priests, and a couple others who enter the stage here and there throughout the I think folks like a good coming-of-age story. It’s hard to say which characters story because it takes us back to our would be the “main” characters, but I say own childhoods and lets us reimagine there’s Peter, who is sort of our unlikely how our lives might have been shaped hero. David, his friend who serves as where some crazy thing, or horrible one of the main POV’s of the book. thing, happen to us as kids. I also think Bartholomew, who is your primary orphan when your characters are children it antagonist. And three of the priests all taps into a very deep part of the reader’s share equal page-time: Father Poole, mind, a place that’s hidden behind walls Father Andrew, and Brother Johnson. All of experience but still there and still three of them have significant roles to play in the story. very raw, a place where all that childhood innocence and But those six are your core characters. imagination is trapped, waiting to be let out.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE PETER’S PERSONALITY? Q: WHEN WILL THE NEXT BOOK BE RELEASED? I think Peter is the best in all of us. He’s a good soul who I have a new story collection releasing April 1, 2024, called No genuinely wants to always do the right thing and protect One is Safe, that features thirteen stories ranging from dark and care for the other children. He’s the type of kid who and twisted to pulpy and horrific. I think it’s a lot of fun and a takes ownership of those who might need a helping hand, bit different tone for me from my last two story collections. and in a turn-of-the-century orphanage infested with evil Then, in January of 2025 I’ll be releasing a new sci-fi novel there’s a lot to take care of! That said, Peter isn’t a pushover. through Orbit Books called THE THIRD RULE OF TIME TRAVEL. He’s tough, he’s had a hard life, and he listens to his heart.

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Q: USING THREE WORDS, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE?

Q: WHERE CAN READERS FIND YOU AND YOUR WORK ONLINE?

Visceral. Unpredictable. Emotional.

I’m all over social media – Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram and (to a much lesser extent) TikTok. The best place to learn more about me and my work, however, is my website: www.pfracassi.com.

Q: INSIDE THE BOYS IN THE VALLEY, WHAT THEMES WILL READERS FIND?

I prefer to let readers pull from my stories what they want, using their own experience with the book to shape any ABOUT PHILIP FRACASSI thematic elements or philosophical / personal takeaways.

Philip Fracassi is the author of the But Boys is a coming-of-age story with some strong good award-winning story collection, versus evil themes, but more importantly it’s about Behold the Void, which won sacrifice, free will, and the conflicts within each “Best Collection of the Year” of us and how the resolution of those conflicts from This Is Horror and shapes who we are, and who we become.

Strange Aeons Magazine.

His newest collection, Q: WHAT OTHER PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY Beneath a Pale Sky, was WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT? published in 2021 by Lethe Press. It received a starred review I’m currently doing rewrites on a new horror novel from Library Journal, was named called Sarafina, then I’ll be moving into rewrites on The “Best Collection of the Year” by Rue Morgue Magazine, and Third Rule of Time Travel, and once those are put to bed was nominated for a Bram Stoker award.

I’ll start working on my new novel, which I’m very excited His novels include A Child Alone with Strangers, Gothic, about (I’ve always wanted to write a slasher). and Boys in the Valley.

Philip’s books have been translated into multiple Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WRITERS IN languages and his stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best YOUR GENRE? Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, Dark Know that there will be Discoveries, and Cemetery Dance.

The New York Times calls his work “terrifically scary.” setbacks. Know that there As a screenwriter, his feature films have been will be rejection, and selfdoubt, and that you won’t be distributed by Disney Entertainment and Lifetime able to please every reader Television. He currently has several stories under option who picks up your book. But for film/tv adaption.

Philip lives in Los Angeles and is represented by if you work hard, keep writing, and persevere, there’s a good Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Services. For more chance you’ll achieve your information, visit his website at www.pfracassi.com.

He also has active profiles on Facebook, Instagram goals. (pfracassi) and Twitter (@philipfracassi).

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AUDIO BOOK REVIEW THE GIRLS THEY STOLE J.H. LEIGH

by Pelican Freak

R*pe, múrd3r, violence, etc.

Sales of v!rg!ns as soon as they turn 18.

Young adults, on the run / in danger.

Billionaires (with sick fetishes).

THRILLING AND GRIPPING—A MUSTREAD!!

This is a dark-ish read, with dark themes and, though it isn’t shown, SA and other forms of ãbüs3. I feel that it was mostly well done: great writing, good characters, good world-building. The ‘business’ side of things was well-covered as far as motivations, executions, accuracy for depicting the sort of patrons and employees, etc.

Nicole, the female lead was strong and welldesigned. She definitely sounded much older than the 17/18 year-old she is, however this fits, since she’s in a situation where she would’ve had to grow up first and demonstrate lots of hyper-independence. At times, I questioned some of her vocabulary, but I do ultimately find it all plausible. She has dreams and aspirations that involve being well-educated. She’s also got ‘street smarts’ and isn’t gullible—it all works well together.

I also feel like the author did a good job of depicting children who come from different backgrounds, the difference between loving homes and non-loving homes, their different opportunities, portraying poverty, etc.

Just a few of the themes/tropes you’ll find here: ‘Hostile’ vibes.

Trafficking.

Neglected kids.

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Audio: Amazing, Sarah’s one of my favorite narrators and the overall sound quality was absolutely perfect.

About The Reviewer 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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QUICK INTERVIEW Quick & Easy

HEATHER VENTURA & S. D. VASSALLO 34

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Q: HOW DID YOU BOTH COME TO CREATE THE BRIGIDS GATE PRESS? We both love books. We grew up surrounded by them and made regular trips to the library growing up. Library date day is still our favorite date time. We always dreamed of owning a publishing company and in 2020 we decided it was time to stop dreaming and start doing.

Q: WHAT MAKES THE BRIGIDS GATE PRESS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMPANIES? I don’t know that I consider us all that different from other indie presses. I think a lot of us share a passion for stories and we want to see authors succeed. We also have a passion for under-represented authors and main characters.

Q: TELL US WHAT YOUR PRESS OFFERS CLIENTS.

As a voracious reader, I love these types of events. It’s a great way to get introduced to a new author or even subgenre of books. Every time I participate in one of these events as a reader, I walk away with not only free e-books, but authors who I loyally follow, waiting for the next title while I devour their back catalog. A couple days before Halloween, they will be launching a website with a searchable database for readers to comb through. The website is https://www. terrifyyourtablet.com/ We’ll also have a link to it on our website when it goes live.

We offer what we consider the standard: editing, proofreading, formatting, cover work. We try to bring Q: ONE OF YOU IS A WRITER. WHAT TYPE OF STORIES DO our passion for books and our belief in stories to every YOU ENJOY WRITING ABOUT? project.

Steve is the writer. He enjoys writing speculative fiction, Q: CAN YOU TELL US with a focus on horror and dark fantasy.

READER WHAT YOUR PRESS IS DOING FOR Q: HOW MANY AUTHORS DO YOU BOTH REPRESENT AT THE THE TERRIFY YOUR MOMENT? TABLET EVENT?

26 Terrify Your Tablet is being hosted by Q: WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO WRITERS WANTING TO BE Horrorsmith Publishing. PUBLISHED WITH A PRESS OR BIG PUBLISHER? It takes place on 10/31.

Participating Keep writing, and don’t let yourself get discouraged authors are offering by rejection. No matter the size of a publisher, their e-books for free there’s only so many books they can publish every on this day only. We year. There are a great many stories that don’t get have several authors published simply because there’s not enough time participating this year. and resources. Keep striving; keep submitting your REMINDER: This is an interactive magazine. Click on book cover or link to follow.

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work. Your time will come

the vast prairie skies of the Midwest. She continues to believe the world is a place full of magic and wonder.

Q: HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY?

ABOUT S. D. VASSALLO

We were struggling to come up with a name. It just so happened on a day we were both exhausted from the constant discussion of names, I looked at the calendar on my desk and realized it was St. Brigid’s Day. It clicked into place quickly. We knew we wanted to include the word gate because I have always seen gates as an invitation, a threshold to cross.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME BOOKS THAT YOU LOOK TO REPRESENT?

S.D. Vassallo is a co-founder and editor for Brigids Gate Press. He’s also a writer who loves horror, fantasy, science fiction and crime fiction. He was born and raised in New Orleans, but currently lives in the Midwest with his wife, son, and two black cats who refuse to admit that coyotes exist. When not reading, writing or editing, he can be found gazing at the endless skies of the wide-open prairie.

He often spends the night outdoors when the full moon is in sway.

Horror, dark fantasy, fantasy, science fiction. And one day romance. I love a good horrorromance mash-up.

Q: HOW CAN READERS AND WRITERS CONTACT YOU? admin@brigidsgatepress. com Heather and S.D. Vassallo

ABOUT HEATHER VENTURE Heather Ventura, co-founder of Brigids Gate Press, believes there are few things that can’t be solved with tea, cookies, and a good book. She enjoys reading a wide range of genres, but can’t resist fairytales and gothic novels. She currently resides with her husband, son, and two horribly mischievous black cats under 36

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DO YOU HAVE AN AUTHORITY PROBLEM? THE ANSWER MAY SURPRISE YOU...

by Gina Maier Vincent

W

hen you think of an “authority problem,” you’re probably thinking of:

* Someone who takes issue with any authority figure, a rebel without a cause, and rejects anyone telling them what to do. * Maybe you’re picturing a rebellious teenager who keeps running into issues with the teachers at school and who disrespects their parents.

Although, yes, this is one version of an authority problem, that’s not the one we’ll discuss today.

There’s a different type of authority problem — one you’ve probably never heard of before but plagues too many people to count.

I’M TALKING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH FOLLOWING YOUR INNER AUTHORITY.

societal norms, or anything else pushing you to choose conformity over individuality. We might feel it when we reach a certain age and think we can’t do certain things based on what others think. But nothing has changed other than another day has passed. Our core truths and desires remain the same no matter our age.

The problem is when you give in to these outside pressures telling you what you need to be, do, have, and strive for. So instead of following your inner compass, you fall prey to conformity, mediocrity, and sameness.

In other words, you give away the exquisite parts of yourself that stand out as an individual.

Ultimately, this leads to playing small and living a life that falls short of what it could be.

This authority problem is the root cause of many unpleasant emotions, including resentment, regret, exhaustion, frustration, and hopelessness. Plus, it diminishes creativity, discourages individuality, and fuels mundane thoughts and behaviors.

This occurs when you continually answer to an external SO WHY DO WE GIVE AWAY OUR AUTHORITY IF IT’S SO authority much more than your own.

PAINFUL FOR US? External authority can be pressure from others,

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Because societal norms strongly pull you toward sameness and “fitting the mold.” We’re motivated to follow those norms because we fear we’ll be alone, judged, or ridiculed.

And the truth is that we might experience those things, but the benefits of owning your authority FAR outweigh the potential negatives.

Not only will you find others who support you on this path and help them own their inner authority, but you will also find yourself closer to who you’re meant to be.

Because when you answer to your authority (and no one else), you’ll always make aligned decisions that bring you closer to your highest and truest self.

If you’re reading this article thinking, “That’s me! I have an authority problem, help!” Here’s what you can do… … THINK AND ACT LIKE AN ENTREPRENEUR. Entrepreneur Magazine wrote about a study published by the Journal of Neuroscience, that showed some people are predisposed to control aversion, as they called it. When others tell them what to do , they are strongly inclined to rebel and more likely to be an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs don’t answer to a boss or some other authority because THEY are the authority.

The same goes for you. Don’t give in to external authority regarding any area of your life: health, spirituality, selfexpression, relationships, social life, finances, career, parenting, or your life’s vision.

When you follow your inner authority, you control your life, feel liberated, and get closer to your dream life. So start saying “yes” to what feels right for YOU! It’s a choice you get to make every moment of every day, and the more you choose your own authority, the more aligned you are with who you’re meant to be.

SO WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?

Starting now, will you accept this invitation to say “yes” to your authority?

Or will you continue to let society or other people determine your future?

Please choose yourself, always.

You’re meant for more, and YOU know you’re meant for more, so don’t let your amazing future be held hostage by leading a dull and repetitive life.

I believe in you, and if you need more cheering on, I help exquisite people like you with this very problem, so reach out to me at gina@exquisitelyaligned.com or book a call with me to explore what we could do together.

ABOUT GINA MAIER VINCENT CREATRIX OF EXQUISITELY ALIGNED… the answers are on the INSIDE! TRANSFORMATION EXPERT | PODCASTER & TV HOST | SPEAKER | WRITER Gina is a breath of fresh air in a stagnant & stifled world.

Since 2003, she has been stretching high-achieving women’s personal boundaries. In 2017 she created Blissed-Out, Fit, & Feisty to move women to express their truest selves in their relationships, health, and wealth.

Under that umbrella, she recently launched Exquisitely Aligned; a 3-step proven strategy she discovered while advocating for her husband’s amazing future and that of their family, while he lay fighting for his life.

As a New Yorker by birth, she moves fast & does not sugarcoat things. Working oneon-one with clients, she speeds up their journey so they do not waste any more time trying to figure it all out on their own.

Gina believes when you express your finest self… you become EXACTLY what you see missing in the world.

Exquisitely Aligned is the final stop for a woman who is ready to live life on her terms, making her bigger impact, & shining unapologetically lighting the way for others.

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INTERVIEW Upclose & Personal

LIGHTNIN' CHARLIE 40

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In this exclusive interview, we delve into the world the many challenges created by the shutdown. of Lightnin’ Charlie, an acclaimed musician with THAT SOUNDS LIKE QUITE AN ADVENTURE. CAN YOU an impressive range spanning blues to rock ‘n’ Q: SHARE THE SERENDIPITOUS MOMENT THAT LED TO THE roll. He has garnered international recognition INCEPTION OF “THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH”? and accolades, including an International Blues Foundation award and repeated recognition as A: In the Fall of 2019 B.C. (Before Covid), my wife Beth the “Favorite Musician” and “Favorite Group” in the and I, along with our three kids, took a family vacation Mountain South. Lightnin’ Charlie is also the author to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. One day, just for kicks, my of the award-winning autobiography, “Off The brother-in-law wanted to show us his friend’s recording studio. The engineer was going to let us cut a couple Record– The Trials and Tribulations of a Travelin’ of songs, just for fun. The studio was inside a huge, Troubadour.” unmarked warehouse and was cluttered with tons of Q: LIGHTNIN’ CHARLIE, COULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND? A: My repertoire ranges from blues to soul, folk to country, and gospel to rock ‘n’ roll. My music is in constant rotation on radio stations worldwide, including Sirius/XM satellite radio (Bluesville). I am an International Blues Foundation award winner and was voted “Favorite Musician” and “Favorite Group” in the Mountain South for several years in a row. My autobiography, “Off The Record– The Trials and Tribulations of a Travelin’ Troubadour,” now in its 2nd Edition, is an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award winner for humor and is available in print and digital download worldwide.

Q: YOU’VE BEEN WORKING ON YOUR NEW ALBUM, “THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH,” FOR QUITE SOME TIME. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS ALBUM AND THE CHALLENGES YOU’VE FACED DURING ITS CREATION? A: For the last two and a half years, I’ve been working on my masterpiece, my new album, “Three Chords and the Truth.” And if you’re thinking two and a half years is an absurd length of time to cut an album, I agree! But I’ve been working with a slight disadvantage... I’m writing, recording, arranging, and mixing across two countries, in the midst of a global pandemic, and persevering through

beautiful, vintage gear. Getting ready to cut our first tune, I remarked to the engineer that the microphone I was preparing to sing on looked identical to one I had seen in a photo with Sam Cooke. The engineer informed me that it looked like that mic because it WAS that mic! This vintage equipment was the original, holy grail gear from famed United Western Studios in Hollywood. These were the pieces that produced more million sellers than any other studio in the world. The engineer said that Sam Cooke recorded on that mic and through this gear, and so did Elvis, and Sinatra, and countless other heroes of mine. I was in a state of shock and would’ve licked the mic if I wasn’t afraid the engineer would’ve thrown us all out!

That’s how my new album “Three Chords and the Truth” began, and we’ve been writing and recording, in the US and Canada, ever since, as the pandemic and restrictions have allowed.

Q: IT SOUNDS LIKE AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY FILLED WITH HISTORY AND MUSIC LEGENDS. CAN YOU GIVE US A GLIMPSE OF WHAT LISTENERS CAN EXPECT FROM “THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH”?

A: “Three Chords and the Truth” is an eclectic, exciting, rich, and rockin’ roots record. A juggernaut. A tour de force. Guaranteed to make your liver quiver, your bladder splatter, and your big toe jump up in your boot! This oncein-a-lifetime album is slated for release in the fall of 2023.

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I’ve released two new singles from my upcoming album, “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” and “American Eulogy,” now available for download/streaming everywhere.

Q: THAT’S FANTASTIC NEWS! BEFORE WE WRAP UP, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR FANS AND WHERE CAN THEY FIND YOUR MUSIC ONLINE? A: Looking forward to making lots of Good Music for Good People this year, spreading my cheerful earful all over the world, and putting lots of grins on lots of chins! Thank you, Lightnin’ Bugs, for this crazy carnival ride we’re taking together, and I love you all very much!

To explore more of Lightnin’ Charlie’s music and connect with him online, you can visit his website at lightnincharlie.com and access his music through lightnincharlie.bandcamp.com.

ABOUT LIGHTNIN' CHARLIE Lightnin’ Charlie is a recording artist, author, and entertainer extraordinaire, delivering a cheerful earful of soul-stirring roots music. Describing LC’s mighty mix of music in a few words is impossible…but when Charlie is asked what kind of music he plays, he says simply, “Good Music for Good People!”

Lightnin’ Charlie’s style ranges effortlessly from blues to soul, folk to country, and gospel to rock ‘n’ roll, and his music is in constant rotation on radio stations worldwide, including Sirius/XM satellite radio (Bluesville).

Lightnin’ is an International Blues Foundation award winner, and was voted “Favorite Musician” and “Favorite Group” in the Mountain South for several years in a row. His autobiography, Off The Record – The Trials and Tribulations of a Travelin’ Troubadour, now in its 2nd Edition, is an IBPA Benjamin Franklin award winner for humor, and is available in print and digital download worldwide.

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A fairy tale: In the Fall of 2019 B.C. (Before Covid), Charlie, his wife Beth and their three kids, took a family vacation to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. One day, just for kicks, LC’s brother-in-law, who lives in Hamilton, wanted to show them his friend’s recording studio. The engineer was going to let them cut a couple songs, just for fun.

The studio was inside a huge, unmarked warehouse, and was cluttered with tons of beautiful, vintage gear. Getting ready to cut their first tune, Lightnin’ remarked to the engineer that the microphone he was preparing to sing on looked identical to one he had seen in a photo with Sam Cooke. The engineer informed Charlie, very matterof-factly, that it looked like that mic because it WAS that mic! And that all this vintage equipment was the original, holy grail gear from famed United Western Studios in Hollywood.

These were the pieces that produced more million sellers than any other studio in the world, by far. The engineer said that Sam Cooke recorded on that mic and through this gear, and so did Elvis, and Sinatra, and countless other heroes of Charlie’s, which was his cue to cry! He wasn’t sobbing––but tears of joy came to his eyes at the prospect of recording on the same stuff that had literally shaped popular music in the 1950s and 60s, and was the soundtrack of his life.

Lightnin’ remembers, “Elvis and Sam Cooke sang into this mic? I was in a state of shock, and would’ve licked the mic if I wasn’t afraid the engineer would’ve thrown us all out!”

That’s how his new album “Three Chords and the Truth” began, and he’s been writing and recording, in the US and Canada, ever since, as the pandemic and restrictions have allowed.

The silver lining to all these obstacles is a truly staggering, smoking assortment of covers and originals, and what promises to be his best work ever. “Three Chords and the Truth” is an eclectic, exciting, rich and rockin’ roots record. A juggernaut. A tour de force. Guaranteed to make your liver quiver, your bladder splatter, and your big toe jump up in your boot! This once-in-a-lifetime album–– Lightnin’s baby––is slated for release in the fall of 2023.

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the principles of generosity, kindness, and respect still apply today. After all, it’s a good reminder to “not talk when you have food in your mouth” and “anything you say should be entertaining, polite, and sophisticated.”

Illustrated with original drawings by Anna Lobanova as well as eighty medieval artworks, Chivalry and Courtesy is full of good advice for everyone, whether you are a peasant or a knight, a student or a CEO, a king or a queen.

CHIVALRY AND COURTESY A surprising look at how medieval etiquette can improve our lives today, from the author of the popular How to Live Like a Monk Medieval people are often portrayed as having poor hygiene and table manners—licking their knives or throwing chicken bones on the floor. In the Middle Ages, however, such behavior was not tolerated. Medieval society cherished order in nearly every facet of life, from regular handwashing to daily prayer. There were consequences if you didn’t adhere to the rules of good behavior: you wouldn’t be invited to the lord’s next dinner, you wouldn’t win the battle, and you wouldn’t win the lady.

Author Daniele Cybulskie explores the world of medieval etiquette, encompassing table manners and interpersonal relationships as well as running a household and ruling a kingdom. With wit and insight, Cybulskie draws on a wide variety of primary sources, from handbooks for young knights to romantic poems. Though we may no longer need best practices for things like dueling or ordering about our servants,

DANIÈLE CYBULSKIE As a writer, professor, TEDx speaker, and now podcaster, Danièle has been making the Middle Ages fun, entertaining, and accessible for over ten years. She is the author of The FiveMinute Medievalist, which debuted at the top of Amazon’s Canadian charts, and through her featured articles at Medievalists.net, as well as those she’s written for several international magazines, Danièle’s work has been read over half a million times, and counting. challenge Michael Stryker for Estrada’s attention.Step into a realm where reality blurs with entertainment as you immerse yourself in “Hysterical Hangouts with The Hindlegs” — award-winning author G. S. Gerry’s groundbreaking concept — and embrace a wild ride of madness, fast-paced comedy, and jaw-dropping revelations.

TO DANCE WITH DESTINY Twin wolves howled beneath a turquoise crescent moon, their bushy manes wild and ruffled and knotted by the winds of change. “It’s us. You over my heart, and me beside you. It’s our destiny.”

In the captivating sequel of To Kill a King, ancient magic collides with modern trickery, when a Wicca high priest embarks on a thrilling journey to defy the boundaries of time and challenge the very fabric of destiny. This gripping urban fantasy novel follows Estrada who, armed with extraordinary powers, ventures into the past hoping to alter Michael Stryker’s future. A maelstrom of unforeseen events unfolds, weaving an intricate web of chaos that changes the course of history itself. For in the intricate tapestry of time, even the most well-intentioned actions can have devastating consequences.

While attempting to prevent the tragic outcome of To Render a Raven, Estrada struggles with the complexities of love, archaeologist Sorcha O’Hallorhan slips into her own time warp with a woman she once adored, and Conall Ceol, an Iron Age Druid bard, walks into the future to

W. L. HAWKIN W. L. Hawkin writes adventurous cross-genre fiction charged with "myth, magic, and mayhem" from her home in the Pacific Northwest.

Her urban fantasy series, the Hollystone Mysteries, features a coven of Vancouver witches who solve murders using their wits, ritual magic, and a little help from the gods. To Charm a Killer, To Sleep with Stones, To Render a Raven, To Kill a King, and To Dance with Destiny, follow stage magician and Wicca high priest, Estrada, as he endeavors to save his friends while working through his own personal issues.

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LEON DRAISAITL (AMAZING HOCKEY STORIES)

LORNA SCHULTZ NICHOLSON Lorna Schultz Nicholson is the author of picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction and many sports non-fiction books.

An inside look at one of the top current NHL players, Leon Draisaitl.

Born in Cologne, Germany, Leon Draisaitl excelled in many sports as a youth. Ultimately, he followed in the footsteps of his father, a professional hockey player who played in three Olympic games.

Since joining the Oilers in 2014, Leon has only gotten better in each season he’s played. A natural center who can easily switch to the wing, he has the size, speed and vision that make him effective as a scorer or set-up man with a knack for finding the open man.

With family and game photos plus 16 pages of full-colour graphic hockey action, this easy-to-read biography will teach fans all about Leon’s family connection to the game. Engaging text and action comic sequences illustrate how he made his way to the top of the points charts, earning both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, given to the League’s most outstanding player!

LOGGERHEADS: A MEMOIR

BRUCE HORNIDGE

“For a decade, the issue of forest and land use in British Columbia raged like a forest fire . . .”

Shamed by demonstrators as a “tree-killer,” Clayoquot Sound tree faller Bruce Hornidge faced soul-searing losses of identity and family livelihood.

This gripping, irony-laden memoir of a life spent harvesting in the beauty of the forest deals frankly with the nearly invisible human fallout of the inevitable move away from a resource-based economy and the impact on one man’s psyche.

Hornidge recalls his career as a faller in the West Coast forestry industry from the unique and sometimes irreverent point of view of the many loggers in Ucluelet and Tofino whose forestry careers were cut short on the other side of the demonstrators’ picket lines amid government and company doublespeak.

Three decades after The War in the Woods, we think we know what happened, and we’ve been told why. Here’s what we were never told.

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Bruce Edward Hornidge was born in 1948 in Belleville, Ontario. An Air Force brat, he grew up where his father was stationed in Gimli, Manitoba, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. After finishing school in 1967, he joined his brother Brian at MacMillan Bloedel’s Kennedy Lake logging division at Ucluelet on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. He was married on a very unusual snowy day in March of 1973 and, with his wife, Minnie, raised two boys and a girl. He felled trees for twenty-six years. After losing his job in 1997, he became a security guard in Campbell River, Vancouver, and Vanderhoof, BC. Bruce and his wife, now the Rev. Minnie Hornidge, live in Glen Williams, Ontario. There, Bruce gardens and knits. And writes.

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DEATH DRIVES A SEMI: 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

EDO VAN BELKOM Edo van Belkom is the author of three novels, including the best-selling Wyrm Wolf and Lord Soth. He has also compiled Northern Dreamers: Interviews with Famous Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writers and edited Northern Horror, an anthology of new stories. "Rat Food," a short story in Death Drives a Semi, won the Bram Stoker Award

Keep one eye on the road ahead and another on the rearview mirror.

Because, like the legendary phantom semi of this book's titular story, these stories will creep up on you and overtake you without warning.

Edo van Belkom twists his unique perspective and droll, black sense of humor into twisted observations of the sad, violent, and ironic sides of life in this special 25th anniversary release of a compilation of his most beloved horror stories.

With a voice and range that has drawn comparisons of Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson and Stephen King, van Belkom takes the reader down a most unique highway that breaths new life into classic horror tropes, all the while maintaining the essence of the best of a combination of "The Twilight Zone" and the old E.C. horror comics of the 1950s.

POETRY IN A PANDEMIC: VOLUME 1: CHANGES 2020 was a year that changed life as we know it.

In this collection of poetry and prose, Gooden explores her longing for more than her daily routine as she makes her way through a "once in a lifetime" world event.

In the middle of turmoil, she creates magic in the mundane as she examines her life in an honest, poignant, and often irreverent way.

As she reflects on life and all it encompasses through her perspective as a healthcare worker, she proves there can be light even in the darkest of days

H. M. GOODEN H. M. Gooden has been scribbling on everything since she first learned how to hold a pencil. While often told that her handwriting was atrocious, she persisted, and upon discovering computers and learning how to type, she realized that she was no longer limited by

her (admittedly) messy writing.

Unfortunately, life, work, and family have conspired to make it only possible to write in the wee hours or at coffee shops, so most of her love of reading and writing are indulged at times when only vampires and insomniacs abound.

In October of 2017, her love of writing and the characters in the world she created burst into public view in her first book, Dream of Darkness, which follows the adventures of a group of girls fighting evil with abilities that H. M. Gooden would love to have.

When not writing fantasy, H. M. Gooden writes non-fiction pieces exploring the emotions and situations that arise in her day job as a rural family doc. As a result, 4 am has never been busier, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sign up to H. M. Gooden's newsletter for information on upcoming releases and other random musings at https://www.subscribepage. com/hmgooden

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Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope..

THE LONG MARCH HOME: (INSPIRED BY TRUE STORIES OF FRIENDSHIP, SACRIFICE, AND HOPE ON THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH) Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.rs in his quest to marry the beautiful Ekemma.

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise-until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

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MARCUS BROTHERTON Marcus Brotherton is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor dedicated to writing books that inspire heroics, promote empathy, and encourage noble living.

His commendations include the Christopher Award for literature “that affirms the highest values of the human spirit.”

TOSCA LEE Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels including THE LONG MARCH HOME (with New York Times bestselling author Marcus Brotherton) THE LINE BETWEEN, THE PROGENY, THE LEGEND OF SHEBA, and ISCARIOT. Her work has been translated into seventeen languages and been optioned for TV and film.

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT CRANKY SUPERPOWERS STEVEN JOSEPH

Meet Steven Joseph – a first-generation American, son of a Holocaust survivor, masterful attorney, seasoned negotiator, engaging speaker, award-winning author, and indefatigable marathon runner. Steven doesn’t claim to know it all, but he has certainly mastered one thing: the art of effective crankiness.

In his latest book, Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles, Steven dives into the quirky, unexpected, and absolutely normal aspects of life that get under our skin. With wit as quick as his marathon pace, Steven serves up life wisdom that is as hilarious as it is profound. He invites readers to embrace the power of their inner ‘CrankaTsuris’ and use it to their advantage.

CRANKY SUPERPOWERS

Life Lessons learned from the common CrankaTsuris Chronicles Get ready to embrace your inner curmudgeon with crankiness expert Steven Joseph. In his award-winning masterpiece “A Grownup Guide to Effective Crankiness: The CrankaTsuris Method,” we learned how to navigate and celebrate our grouchy moments. Now, in “Cranky Superpowers: Life Lessons Learned from the Common CrankaTsuris Chronicles,” our journey to mastering our moodiness takes a humorous twist that is guaranteed to have you chuckling 48

out loud. The scholars within the menhirs devote themselves selflessly to the discovery of new magic that will help avert the impending apocalypse ... or so the masses have been made to understand.

Peppered with captivating tales, both fresh and familiar, “Cranky Superpowers” unveils the often-missed hilarity in our everyday grumbles and groans. But it's not all laughter—this witty guide offers priceless insights into our hidden "Cranky Superpowers," powers that when harnessed correctly, can ignite a more understanding, patient, and positively cranky version of ourselves.

“Cranky Superpowers” is a rollicking journey of selfdiscovery, one that not only entertains but enlightens. So, put on your favorite cape and tights, and get ready to unlock your potential, unleash your better self, and find a little bit of humor in the perfectly imperfect art of being human.

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REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

I read this out of order, because I was able to obtain book #s one and three for free in audio format, and and slooowwwwllly making my way through the eBook of book 2. Reading this before finishing book 2, there were spoilers for book 2 (though nothing I hadn’t already predicted from the first couple chapters), so if you dislike spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order..

That said, each book does seem to spotlight a different person and a different aspect of the drama for this gang. * Group scenes. * S3x work. * Trafficking. * Corruption. * Billionaires. * Lots of rock music. * Polyamory.

Overall: 4 stars.

—there is never a dull moment with Midnight Mayhem.

“THERE’S NOTHING I LIKE MORE THAN TAKING DOWN A QUEEN…”

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Audio: Brilliant. Performed, more than read the book, so it was easier to get and stay into it. And the overall quality of the production is high. Very professional. 5 stars on this front.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Juicy!

This is a dramatic, YA read featuring a female lead with a very dark recent past. Despite the dark themes and dark-ish (at times) environment, it still manages to be hilarious thanks to lots of witty banter and a very sarcastic female lead.

Absolutely hooked from start to finish, and as I write this, I’m waiting to be able to listen to book 2 in completion after a production issue. Excellent read. Overall: 4 stars. * Riches to rags. * Crime families. * Arranged marriage. * Violent SA (of a minor). * Awful foster parents / guardians. * Set in high school. * Mean girls / bullies. * Betrayal. * Thr33some (with minors).

Written in 1st-person POV. Audio: Mostly good—overall sound quality is good—clear and professional. The narrators did a good job, though the female narrator did have a few mistakes. She read a couple of lines twice, and she stumbled a bit once or twice.

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REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

BALLARD AND BOSCH

HISTORY, SUPERNATURAL, AND LAUGHS….

Great introduction to 2 hard charging cops for whom justice is more than a word Bosch is trying to find the killer of a young girl named Daisy who was the daughter of an addict he saved in 2 kinds of truth While surreptitiously trying to get info from LAPD he crosses paths with Ballard and the two of them decided to work together to find the killer With multiple cases overlapping Bosch is kidnapped and Renee sounds the alarm and leads the rescue.

Great engrossing read and loved how Bosch and Ballard interacted without a love-interest angle.

As Violet becomes more comfortable with her hereditary role we find that Doc is more than he seems and is an asset on her quest.

With the creatures from the other realm trying to kill her and her cohorts and clues from the ghost of her dead boss not to mention two real estate agents gunning for her, Violet has more than just a little trouble in the weeks leading to Christmas.

This story took place in just under a week but there was more than enough thrills and things that go bump in the night - and daylight too - to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Recommend Recommend to anyone who likes the idea of a mentee/ mentor relationship.

Disclaimer I received via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County Library system. It was read as a Kindle Book.

Recommend I absolutely recommend this book and this series to anyone who love humor and snark with their mysteries.

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 system. 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.”

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REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

ATLEE AND MERCY...CLOSER, CLOSER, BAM!

WEAVING OF RELIGIOUS, MYTHICAL, AND FANTASY

As Atlee gets closer and closer to unraveling the secrets of her past, her parents lives before the birth of the twins and who set the whole plot in motion, the stakes are raised even higher.

Atlee and Carol are still pulling threads, dodging killers and searching for Mercy in backwoods and cities alike.

So many near misses, missed opportunities, overlooked clues.

But in this book we finally "meet" Mercy and she's nothing that I was expecting, and her story is even more heartbreaking than what has been hinted at before. Kidnapped, abused, living off the radar with the disenfranchised.

Mr. Baldacci has woven a limited series that pulls characters from his other series and it has me wanting to read more.

These books are so imaginative and original. All of the books in the series have had hilarious dialogue, unexpected storylines, intricate backstory and a wonderful weaving of religious, mythical, and fantasy characters.

Demons, faires, trolls, vampires, God, Satan, Mother Nature, Mr Rogers and more.

Astrid & Ethan are doing what they can to raise a demon/ vampire baby, but its not as easy as it appears and there are all kinds of issues with the adorable demon-vampire hybrid and his powers.

These books are filled with creative curse words, put into sentences that I, a notorious potty mouth, would have never put together. The character interaction is excellent. These books have characters who are sexual and descriptive. I was a little put off by how quickly this book jumped into the heat, but to be honest it was actually put in the natural occurring timeframe.

Recommend Recommend to anyone who has read books 1-3 and needs on a visceral level the closing chapters. Its not all happy endings but it is satisfying.

Disclaimer I received via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County or Houston Public Library system. It was read as a Libby epub.

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Recommend Recommend to anyone who can laugh at fictionalized depictions of religious entities, demons, vampires, shapeshifters, angels, and Mother Nature.

Disclaimer I received via the OverDrive/Libby app from the Harris County Library system. It was read as a Kindle Book.

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REVIEWED BY ROXB

REVIEWED BY ROXB

HEART-WRENCHING PAGE-TURNER

LOVE IS AWESOME

Ms. McNiven hooks readers with an unexpected death in the small town. Then she brings the struggles and trials to the new addition to Magnolia Bluff Deputy Detective Madeline Dawson. Though Maddy grew up in the town, she left and only recently returned to town to restart her life on a fresh page and do a great job.

Maddy jogs through the familiar, picturesque streets that remind her of her youth each morning. Today, she’s stunned to come upon the body of a dead young girl, her neighbor. Her police training kicks in, as does her inquisitive nature. The death of Lilly Paine shrouds the community with grief and touches everyone. No one can imagine who would want to murder the delightful young person. Who would be so callous, and why?

Maddy and her partner, Detective Clay Monroe, work to follow all the clues and come up empty repeatedly. Even though they have a suspect, the lack of solid evidence prevents them from an arrest. Their leads result in dead ends. Ms. McNiven masterfully adds depth to Maddy within the threads of the story, making her a genuine, relatable character.

Who Killed Lilly Paine continues the story of the small town tucked into the Texas Hill Country. The story integrated characters created by authors in the prior twelve books and showed the perspective of K.D. McNiven, yet preserved the characteristics perfectly. ....

Mr. Collin Hall creates an endearing work of love for his daughter.

New life is a mixture of textures and colors. The descriptions are simple, but learning it all day is impossible. Questions mount but don’t need answers until time, learning, love, and family help share a new life as a valued family member. Love has no bounds when the individual is accepted as unique, memorable, and unforgettable.

Fans of love for children to help shape and nurture their development will love the message in these pages. This baby will grow into a one-of-a-kind human no one will want to miss.

Every baby needs this level of encouragement to be themselves.

Delightful short with a powerful message.

Read the complete review on the Rox's site. https://roxburkey.com/who-killed-lilly-paine/

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REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

This was a super sweet M/M ‘the one that got away’ / type read with small-town vibes. I was rooting for both leads from the start and it packed LOTS of characters I loved to hate.

Loved the ‘small town’ vibes, the super supportive family on one side, and how they stood up to the less-than-supportive people. * Tension. * Bigots (Oh how I loathed them.) * Blackmail. * Set in Missouri. * Family owned/operated resort. * Politics. * Social media personality. * Second-chance romance.

“You like to run your mouth & tear a woman down—I’ve got other skills.”

This book has such a hold on me that I want to move to Stonecut County. It features a strong female lead, a toxic ex I loved to hate, an absolutely adorable small town with a very passionate, close-knit population, and more. And it was sort of a enemies … to friends (reluctant friends on 1 side), to lovers to more. And completely you can experience the evolution into more—it’s so well done. * Small town. * Abüsive ex. * Strong family ties. * Mean girls. * Light (memories of ) bullying. * Loveable secondary canine character. * Fake relationship. * A bit of stalking. * Light suspense.

There was a bit of suspense that I’d have liked to see wrapped up I’ll draw my own conclusions there.

Overall: A quick, fun, super cute read.4 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Audio: Overall sound quality is fantastic and both narrators did an amazing job.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 4 stars

Audio: The audio was expertly done—excellent narrators. 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 54

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REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

“You were a mistake…”

If you’re in the mood for some drama, you’ll find it here!

While this lacked originality, it was still a fun, quick listen and it packed a female lead who actually owned her actions, rather than playing a victim. Ultimately I liked it and will read at least one more from this author.

This was such a fast read—not because it’s short, but because I truly couldn’t put it down. I was fully invested from the first chapter.

Some of its positive attributes: * Incestuous small town—so juicy! * Close-knit group of friends, grown apart—dramaaaa! * Sadistic police chief you’ll love to hate. * Brings the ‘toxic parental expectations’ issue to light. * Mystery / suspense / missing person. * A ‘bad boy’ determined to discover this town’s secrets at any / all costs. * Lead is a Navy SEAL with some fun, high-up friends. * Fast-paced, lots of action and confrontations. * Second-chance romance. * Small-town secrets, lies, scandals, etc.

* * * * * * * *

Sports romance.

Driven football star.

Second-chance(ish) romance.

Workplace romance.

Strong female lead.

Reality TV crew.

Former friends - to - friends again - to lovers.

Large, close family units, and twins seemingly everywhere.

Overall: 3.5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐

Audio: The audio wasn’t good—if you’re able to read this in another format, I’d recommend print or digital. The narrator opted to just dictate the words, rather than inserting any emotions, etc.

She sounded like a bot, only with a much less pleasant voice.

The overall sound quality was okay.

I would absolutely read more in this world. Kelly was already a favorite author—I may need to explore more from Dillon now.

Overall: 4 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Would love this as an audiobook as well.

Note: if you’re triggered by cheating, you may want to steer clear. (Personally, I think it all works really well for the story and I recommend giving it a chance anyway, but I realize some people cannot handle this.)

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MEET THE TEAM!

Mickey Mikkelson

Aimee Ravichandran

Co-Publisher

Co-Publisher

Deena Rae

Danielle

RoxB

PelicanFreak

Design, Writer, Reviewer

Interviewer & Reviewer

Writer, Reviewer

Reviewer

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