“SHE IS” is a motivational children’s book written by the author Charde Vera and illustrated by Nayomi Montes and Aneeza Ashraf.
Through this book, parents could make their child learn that they are valuable and special. This book will help little girls to believe in themselves. It tells them that they could achieve anything they desire and nothing is impossible for them. Through this book, little readers will be glad to know how much important and talented they are!
The story is fast paced and exciting. I will surely share this story with my friends. Language of the book is easy so kids could easily understand it. Author has very well represented this story and I am happy to get my hands on this lovely book. Illustrations are awesome and won my heart. Parents should gift this book to their kiddos.
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Eddie Brophy, I am a published and award-winning writer and poet. My poems have appeared in several print and online literary magazines which include The Parliament Literary Journal, Terror House Magazine, Better Than Starbucks, In Parenthesis Literary Magazine, and Ghost City Press. I have a short story entitled “The B.K.R. Killer” that was published by Haunted MTL. I am the author of Nothing to Get Nostalgic About which is my debut novel that was inspired by my childhood growing up between 1994 and 1998.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Nothing To Get Nostalgic About’ book?
Revisiting traumatic events in my life and having to relive a lot of the pain that I had spent a significant chunk of my life trying to mitigate through escapism and self-medication. There came a point where I could not write entire chapters without being completely manic or hysterically crying. I just felt that it was something I could no longer elude for the sake my six-month-old son at the time. I did not want him to grow up the way I did, and I feared that if I didn’t find some way to purge all of the negative and detrimental feelings about my childhood it was going to be detrimental to his life…almost like a cruse that I had no intention of passing on.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Its hard to say that no books or authors directly influenced my writing because anyone who reads this or has read if will surely pick up on some notable Stephen King vibes. What can I say? I grew up in New England. Historically? This place has a VERY spooky history. I grew up with a penchant for the macabre, so I was drawn to 80s horror films, Stephen King, and grunge music. Initially, I had wanted to be a poet/lyricist based on my love of Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Maynard James Keenan’s lyrical content.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Growing up as a kid, one of my favourite places to go was Pine Banks Park. I do not know why; I just took to this place immediately. When I was younger, I used to love seeing the animals they used to have. As I grew older, I just had an affinity for walking around in the woods with my headphones on. Maybe I found some sort of serenity there, I am not too sure. I just loved sitting on the rocks with a notebook and pen and enjoy any moments of clarity of creativity came from it. When my oldest son was born, I used to take him to the same playground I used to play at and take him to the water to see if we could spot any turtles or frogs. For someone who does not like to consider himself nostalgic I guess I cannot help it when positive memories of my childhood take me to a better moment in time before so much of my life turned upside down.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I would not consider myself a very disciplined person when it comes to approaching a book. I know lots of authors and writers who subscribe to a myriad of different techniques before diving into their work. I have always been a big fan of stream of consciousness. I guess I think the more preparation I try to put into something the more likely I am to talk myself out of committing certain thoughts or choices to paper. It can also be spontaneous or sporadic how ideas or material manifest. I might hear a song or see something, and it’ll resonate with me so profoundly that I am able to create an entire narrative around it.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Nothing To Get Nostalgic About’ book?
The initial writing started in the fall of 2017. I was a new dad, had just turned thirty and still reconciling over the lack of emotional and mental resolution that lingered after my father passed from cancer in 2014. We had a very contentious relationship and his death brought up several existential concerns and memories that I realized I could not ignore or outrun. In that sense the story’s primary protagonist Charlie is very much me. I reached a point where the book just became so exhausting that I had to walk away from it. Prior to this manuscript I had already finished four previous manuscripts that had been rejected by hundreds of agents. In the spring of 2018, I found myself compelled to finish Charlie’s story and close the proverbial chapter on my own life. When it was finished, it was met with the same futility of all the other manuscripts I tried to land an agent with. In 2019, I nonchalantly just decided it to submit it to Atmosphere Press with zero expectations. They were the right publisher at the right time. Typically, it can take me anywhere from two to six months to finish a manuscript. This one was more challenging because of how autobiographical a significant portion of it was.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Nothing To Get Nostalgic About’ book to buy?
It is available through Indiebound.com which I love because it helps support independent book stores. You can also find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, etc. Indiebound is the one I try to promote the most due to the fact that I love the idea of supporting local businesses and smaller book retailers.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Nothing To Get Nostalgic About’
The cover was created by Josep Lledó who works with Atmosphere Press. Nick Courtright (the founder of Atmosphere Press) asked me to send him some covers of books that I really loved so he could get an idea of what I wanted conceptually. I wound up sending him a lot of old horror paper backs from V.C. Andrews, Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, etc. I really wanted a cover that would either entice readers based on the strength of the artwork or scare them so badly they would be morbidly curiously about the content of the book. I was showing the mockups to my wife, and she immediately felt a connection to this one. It checked off all the boxes for what I wanted. It did not give anything away about the book and it looked like a paperback that I would have found in my big sister’s closet in the 90s (she was a hardcore horror novel nerd).
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Even though the story dealt heavily with the 90s, I wanted to make subtle gestures to notable events that were going on in present day. Particularly the ubiquity of fear going on in the country. Initially, the Jimbo stuff was ENTIRELY different. It was based off my relationship with a good friend of mine and our respective battles with depression. I had gone into a liquor store one night to self-medicate and as I approached the counter the clerk who had become something of an acquaintance had started talking about the potential of a civil war and had offered for my wife and baby to go up north to stay at a bunker he had. I remembered walking out of the liquor store thinking…what in the actual hell is going on? Yet, that moment felt oddly apropos of where I was in the writing. Charlie is a man who can’t outrun his past and yet, his future seems destined to resemble so much of the toxicity he grew up around. I grew up with a glorified sociopath who once threatened to burn the house down that his ex-wife and children were sleeping in. At that point and time, the world felt like one perpetual version of that very scary night in 1992 when I was a young boy.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
The house and the lore around the house are very real. I grew up in a haunted house with a sordid history. Frankly, I don’t know if my family was always bound to turn into a train wreck or if the house managed to exacerbate some of the issues that had been subdued prior to living there.
Book: No Damn Excuse: The Survival of a Celebrity Assistant
Author: Darius Bradley
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 4/5
“No Damn Excuse: The Survival of a Celebrity Assistant” written by the author Darius Bradley is a must read book. This book gives the sneak peek to the readers into the private world of the celebrity assistant.
All his life till high school, Daruis had spent most of his time with his family or cousins. But attending a community college gave him an opportunity to shine. When Darius was 6 years old, he lost his relationship with his dad. But Daruis’ dad accompanied him on the first day of college Ivy Tech, Indiana. At college, for the first time in life Darius got a roommate who doesn’t share his last name. After sometime Darius left Indiana and Indiana Tech. Darius’s reason to move out of Indiana is to experience diversity and New Jersey Institute of Technology gave him the chance to make new friends from various countries, nationalities, etc.
The only thing I wanted to be better in this book is the text size. It is too small and requires effort in reading by zooming it. Apart from that, I enjoyed reading Darius’ story. Cover photo is nice and title is suitable. Written in approx 100 pages one could read this book in a single sitting.
“Nothing to Get Nostalgic About” written by the author Eddie Brophy is a horror fiction. Story is set in Maine. Main character of the story is Charlie Harris who is haunted by his own childhood. Charlie thinks that we cannot outgrow our fears. As a child, he couldn’t conquer his fear of the dark. Charlie is a father of a blue eyed baby boy Dylan. His wife Lorraine thinks that he is drunk even though he is sober. This is because of Charlie’s strange behavior and Lorraine often stays mad at him.
Charlie was once a struggling student but he managed to graduate and is now a published author. Jimbo (once a professor at Southern Maine University) advised Charlie that he need to learn how to battle his demons. Rain wanted to have another baby but Charlie is afraid that he may pass the curse to the kid. Charlie is suffering from depression too but he is not taking his prescribed meds properly. He is an award winning author and even addressed the audience at QnA event. But when the life of his only son is in danger, what Charlie will do?
Language used in the book is simple and I really appreciate author’s choice of title for this book. The story needs to be read with more concentration as it is full of different actions. Eddie’s writing is professional and I loved the plot.
This is a dark horror and disturbing tale that will keep you on the edge as you read the story. If you are a fan of dark horror then grab this book. It’s worth reading. It would be amazing to see this story as a movie.
The Blighted Road is the 17th Century tale of Plague and Witch Hunts written by the debut author Anna McCormac. Story features two female characters: Orla from 1650 and Abigail from 1666 London. Abigail Midwinter resides in London in a family of 5. Soon plague affected all of her family members and Abigail became the last living daughter. Before dying, Abigail’s mother asked her to make her way to Wilton where Goody’s sister Bess lives. After losing all her family members, Abigail escaped her house and the locked gates of London.
On the other hand, Orla is a trusted healer in her village. She is a midwife helping village women in their delivery. Already due to Puritan ideals, there is a shortage of midwives. The winter is a cold and deadly season and many had just frozen to death while sleeping.
This is an intriguing story that kept me on the edge of my seat. During this time of pandemic, I was able to relate few things from the story to our current situation. Author has used good vocabulary in the story and I often had to refer dictionary. This story helped me to build my vocabulary more. Cover photo is nice and title is suitable. I enjoyed every bit of this story and like to recommend it strongly to my friends.
Q1. Hello Mam, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hi I’m Rachel I have been an artist / illustrator for 30 years I live on a farm near a small village in the Cotswolds. I spend my days doing art work and caring for my daughter who has a chronic illness. All of the proceeds from my art and these books goes to her fund. She was undiagnosed with a life threatening illness for 14 years. She is now 22 & has a poor quality of life because she became so poorly due to non diagnosis. I am hoping The Biscuits will become a thing so I may give her all of the medical treatments and medications she needs to make her well again, here is a link for more about Molly http://www.mollysmiracle.co.uk. I’m also mum to another 3 children Primrose poppy & Joshua & have a husband called Martin. We have lots of animals & live in a beautiful part of the world.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Biscuits’ book?
I came up with the idea of the Biscuits a long time ago… it came about as my son was dunking a Biscuit. Duncan Biscuit was born. The only challenges I found whilst writing this first book Mr Richard Tea was managing everything else around me. We were in lockdown at the time because of covid. As molly was clinically extremely vulnerable we were all very very worried & fearful for her. Other than that it was a great stress relief.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I think Roahl Dahl has to be my most favourite author, his sense of humour and creative mind was just brilliant.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I think our favourite spot in the country other than home has to be Cornwall. We visit Cornwall for our summer holidays as we have never been able to take Molly abroad. It has uch a beautiful cost line and the beaches are fantastic ( if of course the old British rain holds off)
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I normally illustrate books so have been doing the job for quite some time. I found that to invent all of the characters first was very helpful as I could see them in my mind when writing the story.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Biscuits’ book?
It took about a year on and off mainly because the illustrations take so long. I also did a few too many illustrations which I have put on the website I know my page numbers now I’m writing book 2. My publisher was really good with the knowledge he has and so I’m glad to have him on board. I find it so much easier to write the story illustrate each page and then re write the story, this is how it all eventually comes together
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Biscuits’ book to buy?
The Biscuits Mr Richard Tea is available on Amazon, in shops locally and will soon be ready to order from bookshops. It’s also available on the website http://www.thebiscuitsofcrumbleton.co.uk
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Biscuits’?
The cover is simply the character Mr Richard Tea. There are 20 books in the series I am currently working on Custard Queen. Each cover will have the character on the front as to who’s story it is
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I find so much inspiration from just general life really. There is always something going on here on the farm…. like my husband chasing an escaped horse down the lane, the sheep escaping & running loose all over the place. The cows once came in to my garden & dug up the new lawn… these things go on constantly and with my big family well they are always up to mischief too… I have so much material I’m sure I could write Biscuit books for the rest of my days
Time Nova penned by the author Derrick Bliss is a Science fiction. Story is set in the year 2052 and 1700s. Main character of the story is a tech tycoon Wellington
Brackford who lives in 2052 Brooklyn, New York along with his sixteen years old son Kyle. Welly’s relationship with his son Kyle is not that healthy. Many times he have to struggle to make Kyle listen to him.
Welly is now a middle-aged white guy. After having the waking dream feeling washed over him, he felt about the history modification. Recognizing a history mod is a tricky part. He picked up his slab to download his thoughts about American Revolution so he could reference them later just in case history mod happens. Grab a copy of this book and read it yourself to know what gonna happen as the father-son duo travels in a vehicle that travels through time via nova.
I enjoyed every bit of this story. The way Derrick has mixed science fiction with history is mind blowing. Reading novels of mixed genres is a great experience. Language used in the book is lucid and cover photo of the book is attractive. Derrick’s writing style is fantastic and I am looking forward to read more of his work.
“Harry A Cat’s Tale A Purrfect Day” is a children’s book written by the author Sue Lawrence.
It is a tale of a large tabby cat Harry who on a purrfect day found himself in the garden of Eighty Nine Pavilion Way. Harry lives with his mum and brother. When Harry was a kitten he was adopted in the family. One purrfect day, Harry saw a Hare coming to him with a wooden crate. The delivery is for Harry’s next door neighbour, Mr Pringle. When Harry’s eyes fell on fresh and juicy grass in the crate, will he take the delivery that is not his?
Visuals used in this book are eye catchy. The story is fast paced and exciting. It is a good read. Delightful fable that I recommend strongly for little readers. Brilliant story, great pictures kept me hooked from start to finish. Story is interesting and I enjoyed it a lot.
“The Biscuits Mr Richard Tea” is a children’s book written by the author Rachel Pegler.
Story features Mr Richard who lives in the largest mansion house i e. Crumbleton Manor on the outskirts of Crumbleton. One day Richard left his home and caught the bus into town. Richard’s mother left huge amount of money with Mrs Cookie so she can provide for Richard in her absence. Give a quick read to the story to know more about Mr Richard’s Tea adventure. It will be great to know how and when will he return to his mansion.
The story is visually appealing and delightfully imaginative. It is fast paced and exciting. Language used in the book is simple but has some difficult words too so kids can build up their vocabulary through this story. Illustrations are nice. Story is worth reading and I like to recommend this book for little readers.
Q1. Hello Maám, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Bethany, I grew up home-schooled and an only child ‘til I was 10. Then my little brother came along and he was better than being an only child. My Mum would read to me every day and my Dad told me stories every night before bed so I grew up telling myself stories and making people repeat themselves multiple times before I heard them from inside the book I was reading. One day I’d like a pet Aardvark. And otter. And lion. That’s not too much to ask from life right?
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Bad Dreams’ book?
Bad Dreams was a kids book so the main problem I had with it actually getting the whole story written. I tend to write a chunk of something down then write the rest in my head and never put it on paper.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
The Bible has wonderful language and expressions in it so I probably got my first appreciation for the English language from that. As a kid I loved, and continue to love, books like The Silver Brumby by Elyne Mitchell, Seven Little Australians, Enid Blyton books, Narnia… anything that could pull me completely me into its world or had especially beautiful writing. Recently I discovered Tolkien and he’s probably had the biggest direct influence on my writing.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Any beach. I think the beach is my favourite part of God’s creation. You can walk on it, sit beside it, explore, listen to it… It never gets boring.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
Yes and no. I have heaps of ideas that I’ll write down either in one of my writing books or my phone and that’s easy. But actually putting it into a proper story format takes a LOT longer because I don’t have a lot of spare time.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Bad Dreams’ book?
I can’t actually remember how long it took me to write it. I wrote it a few years ago and I wrote a couple of others pretty similar all around the same time. I probably wrote the main idea in one go and then came back a few times to edit it.
Q7. On what platforms can readers find ‘Bad Dreams’ book to buy?
It’s being sold on Book Depositary, Amazon, Ebay, from Austin Macauley, and BookTopia.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Bad Dreams’?
The book cover was mostly the illustrator. The only thing I’d really thought about was the lettering of the Title. I called it Bad Dreams because… that’s what the story was about. Looking back I would have called it something VERY different but, clearly I didn’t think creatively about my titles when I was younger.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I’ve never really had the problem of wondering how to keep things fresh for my readers. I’m still VERY new to this whole… author thing. Frankly I’d be quite happy to have that problem because that would mean I did HAVE some readers! I do worry about character development in the stories I have in my head, can I actually create individuals with their own personalities that will be realistic or am I just making boring cardboard copies?
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I don’t know about secrets but the illustrators very kindly changed the dog in the book from a small dog to a big dog. We have a big dog and I thought it’d be nice if Liam’s dog was big too.
Sassy Reviews 