๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Boys Who Sailed The World ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Audrey Griffiths โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “The Boys Who Sailed The World” by Audrey Griffiths is a delightful adventure story. It follows a familyโMum, Dad, and their two young sons, Lennox and Byronโwho decide to embark on a year-long journey sailing around the world.
To keep up with their education during the trip, the boys brought along their school books, and their parents taught them various subjects in fun and imaginative ways. Along the way, Lennox and Byron also learned how to surf.
Their travels took them to places like Portugal, Spain, and the Caribbean, where they explored new cultures, made friends, and created lasting memories. The story beautifully highlights themes of family, love, learning, and adventure.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this captivating tale to my nephews. The vibrant cover grabs attention, and the title perfectly captures the spirit of the book. Audrey Griffiths has done a fantastic job creating a picture book that offers young readers a magical escape as they sail the world with Lennox and Byron.
Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
A1. I am Vincent P. Verrico. I was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1965 and grew up in the great town of Middletown, New Jersey. I always have had a love of writing stories and am very proud of this book (2016 Mom’s Choice Award Winner – Children’s Picture Book, Religion and Spirituality Categories) that I wrote in my home in Dacula, GA and to share it with you and yours. I hope reading this story before or after you decorate your Christmas tree will become a new tradition in your home. I love my family, God, my friends, writing and Christmas! I currently live in New Jersey.
What is the inspiration behind your book “Every Ornament Has Its Place”?
A2. The inspiration behind “Every Ornament Has Its Place” was an actual family Christmas crisis. My youngest son, Matthew, couldn’t find his favorite Christmas ornament when I brought out the boxes of ornaments so the family could decorate the tree. His favorite ornament was the mouse in the rocket ship. Once the crisis was resolved, I was standing on the ladder putting ornaments high on the tree, when the story of what just happened materialized in my head. It took me 45 minutes to write the majority of the story. I looked on the internet and didn’t find any Christmas stories that centered around the love of an ornament.
When did you realize you want to be an author?
A3. I realized I wanted to be an author when I was a child. I thought that a book could be read by anyone in the world was a very cool thing indeed.
Please tell us something about your book “Every Ornament Has Its Place”
A4. “Every Ornament Has Its Place” at its core is about the love of Christmas ornaments and what would a person do to find their favorite one if it went missing at the time of decorating the Christmas tree.
For which age group is your book “Every Ornament Has Its Place” suitable for?
A5. Every Ornament is for any age, It is truly a family Christmas book.
What is your favorite Quote?
A6. My favorite quote is, “There is no greater personal satisfaction than doing what others say you could not do.”
What do you like the most about your country?
A7 Freedom is what I love about the U.S.A.
What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
A8. That is an interesting question. I have been told by many parents that Every Ornament is a book that their child requests over and over. As much as I love the story, the illustrations are the highlight of the book. Marcus Williams a brilliant illustrator, had the same vision I did for the book. BIG COLORFUL ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE CHILDREN and Marcus did that perfectly. To answer your questions, if a child likes a book, regardless of the type of book, let them read it. If it’s a Christmas book and the child wants to read it year round, what’s wrong with that? Let the children read!
What does literary success look like to you?
A9. If you watch my son Matthew’s reaction in the video I took when he first saw the book about him. That four minutes of joy is everything. There is no greater success achievable for me than his reaction.
Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
A10. My inspiration in my life can be answered simply by my faith, my family, my friends and every person who gets up every morning who overcomes their own individual challenges to get through the day.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Enemy Within: A Short History of Human Conflict ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Jacksel โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: The Enemy Within: A Short History of Human Conflict by Jacksel is the second book Iโve read by this author. In this work, Jacksel explores a wide range of themes, including mental health, alcohol consumption, and the consequences faced by traitors.
The book emphasizes how mental illness has long contributed to both violent and non-violent conflicts throughout history. Jacksel notes that mental health issues are widespreadโno one is entirely emotionally invulnerable. He illustrates this with historical examples, such as Adolf Hitler, whose psychological decline reportedly began after his second rejection from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.
Another compelling topic in the book is the role of alcohol in society. The author reflects on a time, about a century ago, when people believed that banning alcohol could solve many societal problems but this strategy failed.
Targeted towards young adults, this book offers valuable insights and historical anecdotes that make it a rewarding read. Jacksel also shares reflections on how to lead a meaningful life. With its concise yet impactful content, this book is both engaging and thought-provokingโI thoroughly enjoyed every page.
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “Colonial ARTIST S.T. Gill: A Window Into Nineteenth-Century Australia Through Colonial Art” by Doug Limbrick offers a fascinating glimpse into Australiaโs colonial past. Born in 1818 in England, Samuel Thomas Gill spent three formative years in London that significantly influenced his artistic development.
In December 1839, the Gill family set sail from Plymouth and arrived in South Australia. By March 7, 1840, Gill had announced himself as a professional artist. His detailed paintings of Adelaideโs streets during the 1840s provide a vivid portrayal of nineteenth-century life in the region.
Doug Limbrick includes notable watercolour paintings such as Vale Farm and Prospect House, which were among Gillโs final works before leaving South Australia. Gillโs art was widely appreciated for its ability to capture the spirit of the colony and received considerable acclaim.
Reading this book was an enjoyable journey into nineteenth-century Australia through the lens of colonial art. Itโs an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates history and art. Gillโs imagery deepened my understanding of the eraโs lifestyle, and the author has done a commendable job bringing it all together.
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Liz by Prescilla Goraya is a captivating childrenโs book that offers a heartwarming glimpse into the special bond between a Queen and her beloved dogs. While the world knows her as Her Majesty, to her furry companions, she is simply Liz.
One evening, the dogs eagerly awaited her arrival for dinner, only to overhear that their cherished Liz had not awakened from her sleep. Grief fills the air as they come to terms with the loss of their beloved companion.
Through fond memories, the pooches recall their royal adventuresโriding in elegant limousines and being pampered with nutritious treats prepared by a personal chef. They slept on the finest bedding, wrapped in the warmth of Lizโs love.
This tender story follows the dogs as they bid their final farewell to Her Majesty. It beautifully captures the deep, loyal connection between humans and their pets, reminding us how dogs bring comfort, companionship, and unconditional love. A touching tale that may bring tears to your eyes, itโs a heartfelt tribute to a remarkable figure.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Unequally Yoked ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Ginna Andrew โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “Unequally Yoked” by Ginna Andrew is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complex interplay between faith and human desire.
At the heart of the story are Danielle Thompson and Dominic Pascale Jr. Dominic, 31, is wealthy, living off the legacy of an empire built by his father and expanding it. To Pascale Sr., Dominic was never a sonโjust a tool to expand the business. Dominic often questions whether heโs truly living his own life or merely realizing his fatherโs ambitions. Ever since Isabellaโs death, a part of him had shut down. Though pursued by many women eager to become the next Mrs. Pascale, he remains emotionally unreachable, still grieving eighteen months later.
Danielle, on the other hand, finds her grounding in her Christian faith. Her beliefs guide her every step. She joined a new job at Pascale & Pascale. Dominic, usually quick to read people, finds her a puzzle. Her presence intrigues himโboth professionally and personally.
As their working relationship grows, so does the attraction between them. The story invites readers to discover: Will Danielle surrender to her desire, or will her unwavering faith lead the way?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Itโs a beautiful reminder of the power of faith and the complexity of human emotion. The book makes you reflect on what truly mattersโdesire or devotion. Iโm truly grateful I picked it up. Itโs insightful, engaging, and absolutely worth the readโno second thoughts needed.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1: Hello there, I’m Kieran McGee, and I am the author of The Four Friends: Birthday. I come from the countryside of Gloucestershire, having lived here all my life, living essentially in the middle of nowhere. I was born in 1999, and I’ve always been a creative guy, even from a young age I was writing all sorts of silly stories, it’s only recently that I wanted to express my creative writings to the World to see. Despite this creative outlet, I myself work in IT, I actually got a Bachelor’s Degree in computing as well as several other qualifications from my education, such as English, Photography and Media Studies. I had worked for a visual effects company that worked on several films and TV shows before finding work closer to home for an e-commerce company, where I am at in this current time. As for my interests, I am big on history, film and TV, I am a massive fan of robotic combat, having attended several events over the years, I was even in the crowd during the filming of Series 6 and 7 of the BBC TV Series Robot Wars back when I was really young. To be fair, I consider myself a rather boring person in all honesty.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Four Friends: Birthday”?
A2: In terms of key challenges, I’d say one aspect is that this is the first “proper” story in a series of other “The Four Friends” stories written, in fact Birthday is technically the eighth written but the first released, and so I’m pretty new to all this, especially with costs and advertisements etc. Beforehand, I had experimented with cheaper Kindle stories, including a prequel to Birthday and The Four Friends in general, with a series of short stories called “The Neighbourhod Kids” as well as an old short story I wrote years ago called “Dinner with a Vampire”, and let’s just say the process for the Kindle stories are a lot less complex than a full on paperback. It’s all new to me, so I guess because of that, I am sort of out figuring it out as I go along, plus there’s the aspect of “will people like it?”, “Will people want the other stories?” that rings in the back of my mind during production.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3: The stories being centered on a select few cast of characters involved in menial events or tasks is based on Charles Shultz’s Peanuts comics and even the Mr Men series by Roger and later Adam Hargreaves in an odd way helped serve as inspiration for this story. However, when it comes to stories and authors I consider my favourites and are an inspiration for me to write in general, well J.R.R. Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Silmarillion were what motivated me in many ways to push forward with my writing, studying his world he created in Middle Earth and the wonderful cast of characters, rich with history and lore. Whilst Tolkien was indeed a massive inspiration, my favourite story of all time is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a story that has been retold time and time again yet the original book is one I hold close to my heart, the wonderful creativity of the creatures and the land that inhabits them, it’s rather ironic I’ve written a semi-realistic slice of life children’s book when my person favourites and inspirations are fantasy.
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4: Given that I am partially Welsh and I do visit Wales often, one of my all-time favourite locations to go to is the ruin of Chepstow Castle, a place full of history yet its tranquil to walk around it and simply embrace the stillness of what was most likely a place that used to be place that was bustling at one point in time. Mind, there are plenty of countryside walks in Wales as a whole that are simply beautiful and have a calmness that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The Four Friends: Birthday’?
A5: The story and characters I somewhat based on media around the time of the 90s and early 2000s, the sort of shows that existed around that time such as that of Hey Arnold! or Ed, Edd n Eddy. In terms of books and authors, the title itself was based on other titles like “The Fabulous Five” which in a way the casual and day-to-day slice of life is also somewhat inspired also. One other factor I wanted to implicitly use is the historical element, especially as I am big on history and the way the world works during major events that shift society By setting the story in the year 2000, there’s the feeling of the time period that seems so much more calm and relaxed compared to more modern times and it was a reason as to why the primary setting of this story is New York, primarily the original World Trade Centre complex, a sort of reminder of a world now lost.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Four Friends: Birthday’?
A6: Funnily enough, the stories were not written in order; I had written short stories for “The Four Friends” for years now as it initially came from some silly stories I did when I was young, however, it sort of came back to me around 2020, so I began a process of development where I changed a few things around and started to develop a setting and storyline throughout. Birthday was written in 2023 and because I wanted this to be the first out, this one took a few months to write and amend to get just right and thankfully, publishers read it and then approved it in December 2023. Don’t fully remember how long this one took to write in the end.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7: Available on Amazon right now as well as Austin Macauley Publishing’s website and should be available in stores as well.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Four Friends: Birthday’?
A8: The cover art was done by hired artists, I cannot draw to save my life, with advice from me. Initially, I had said it could be something simple like a cake or a present, before an alternate idea was a moment from the story. I had given them a basic rundown of the characters and the specific scene and other instructions such as “make it colourful and slightly cartoony”. The title, technically, is simply “Birthday” but because it’s part of a larger set of stories, the title is “The Four Friends: Birthday”. Like the other short stories it’s a one-word title referring to main plot point, in this case a birthday.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9: For me the characters need to be varied and interesting but they themselves need to have developed histories that will motivate and interest people to want to know more. As for the world/setting, a lot of things are subtle and don’t include many in-depth details but enough to make readers want to understand and explore more, wonder what other stories and adventures are out there. But hopefully once later stories are released, you can see a grander picture emerge, especially with the aforementioned historical context.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
A10: Best advice I can give is never let an idea go to waste, even if it’s something from years back or something you don’t want to include just now, try to use it at a later date or recreate it with better insight or motivation. No idea is a bad one, it can be refined and adjusted and who knows may even prove useful for a later time.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Etched in Obsession ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: C. Rebellion โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: โEtched in Obsession: Love Carved in Ink and Bloodโ by C. Rebellion marks the gripping beginning of the Ink & Soul series. The story centers around Yesenia Zarasi and Ink Mendoza.
Yeseniaโs past with her ex, Ethan, left deep emotional scarsโhis cruelty was so profound, it lingered even in his absence. In Los Angeles, he taught her to apologize for merely existing. But in Vegan, sheโs transformed. No longer a victim, Yesenia is the storm.
The first time Ink laid eyes on Yesenia, her striking blonde hair and bold presence captivated himโshe was impossible to ignore. When he held her, fury surged through his muscles, not because she was chaos, but because he truly saw her. A symbol from Yesiโs sketchpadโa diamond caged spiral centerโmirrors a mark etched on Inkโs own skin.
With Ink, Yesenia feels seen, desired, and undeniably claimed. Soon, she becomes his everything. But what happens when love turns into a dangerous obsession?
This story keeps you on edge, page after page, eager to discover what unfolds next. The cover is visually appealing, and the title aligns perfectly with the bookโs intense themes. Fast-paced and emotionally charged, the narrative is gripping from start to finish. Given the mature language and content, this book is recommended for adult readers only.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Howdy! I work in mental health litigation (i.e., testifying and evaluating criminals and criminal suspects) in addition to providing therapeutic treatment. My specialty is anxiety disorders (think OCD, eating disorders, panic responses), trauma, and grief. To protect my patients, I use a pseudonym. Wouldnโt want a judge throwing me out because I know too much about crime. ๐
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Dissonance”?
A2. I love an enticing, twisty story, and I love a novel that keeps me guessing, so I challenged myself to really give the reader an enjoyable experience while still being gripped by the tension and horror.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. I am a voracious reader, from classical literature to pulp detective fiction (spending my nights with Nabokovโs Despair right now), but one author really sticks out. I met Chris Claremont at a comic con a few years back, and I was overjoyed: he was the first author I ever fangirled about (donโt hate on X-Men, yaโll). He told these intricate, soapy pieces that just happened to be about saving the world. They made me feel safe, journeying with a madcap cast of characters as they faced unbeatable odds. Sometimes they didnโt win and the people they protected hated them, but they persevered and carved out an amazing world I could get lost in. Since then, Iโve always sought out those types of books: a thrilling action piece thatโs full of heart, with characters that linger long after the last page (cue loose left feeling).
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. There is a small hill in Rhode Island that a friend and I decided was a mountain one day. There is something awe-inspiring that happens when two people believe in the unimaginable or the unthinkable: to this day, that mountain feels like you can reach the stars.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Dissonance’?
A5. I work in the field and many of my patients struggle with trauma and dissociation. They were feeling frustrated that no one could seem to really capture their symptoms; ditto panic attacks and flashbacks. They felt less-than and alone, underrepresented in print and digital media. I started out simply writing a short story that I felt would better illustrate their experiences. I wanted to show them as real people, not their diagnoses or a mock-up that becomes a caricature. Then those people needed a world, and here we are.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Dissonance’?
A6. I started writing Dissonance last May. It has been through many transitions: a clip here, a tweak there. I wanted Geyerโs Lake to feel just right for a repeat visit.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. It is available as an ebook on Amazon: it will be in paperback within the next two weeks.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Deception’?
A8. My first two beta readers (bless their hearts) finished Dissonance and immediately wanted a sequel and I thought, seriously? You want to read more of my claptrap? But they did, and my next three beta readers did as well, so I wanted to take my peeps to the carnival. I worked in a haunted house during college while I was completing research on fear. While I was there, I had all these horrible visions of what could go wrong in a place like that and then one night, it did.
The cover has some fun little clues, just like Dissonance, but the pace is faster and the ride is wild; I wanted to really get a bit darker and probe some of the trauma the characters have while examining what happens when your trauma doesnโt end.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I write a few books at a time, so I have about fifteen mapped out. To keep things fresh, I explore different avenues that are influenced by my own work in forensics as well as therapy advancements. I go to the museum and library a lot, and I find nature very inspiring. Not gonna lie, I watch way more crime docs than I should, and if the FBI gets ahold of my browsing history, Iโm done.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. Thereโs always room on the bookshelf. Donโt judge your book against anyone elseโs: it is unique and beautiful, just like the author, and it will find its audience. If you love what you do, you live what you love.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Four Friends: Birthday ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Kieran McGee โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: โThis is a delightful story about four close friends. Spencer is the most average human beingโthere’s nothing particularly extraordinary about him. Yet, heโs on an important mission: to find the perfect birthday gift for Anna, a girl who doesnโt strongly like or dislike anything.
Anna has always surprised Spencer with thoughtful gifts on special occasions. Now, as her thirteenth birthday approaches, Spencer is determined to give her the most memorable present. He scours shop after shop, but nothing feels right. Thatโs when Charlie reminds the group about their upcoming trip to New Yorkโjust before Annaโs birthday.
With the clock ticking, Spencer realizes he has even less time to find the right gift. The day of the trip arrives, and heโs still empty-handed. Will he end up disappointing Annaโor will he manage to surprise her in a way sheโll never forget?
Anyone who has ever struggled to find a meaningful gift will relate to Spencerโs journey. The story is engaging, and Spencer and his friends bring it to life with their charm and energy. I look forward to reading more of their adventures in future books by the author.
Sassy Reviews 