๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: A Sister Ago ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Caitlin Buhr โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “A Sister Ago” penned by the author Caitlin Buhr is a gripping read. The story features two sisters: Christine and Rachel. Christine is a responsible sister and Rachel is a careless one. Rachel battled drug addiction. One day, she moved back home to Spokane. Christine didn’t visit Rachel after she moved back home.
Instead, she was relieved that she no longer lived at home. Once, Christine receives a call from her dad informing her that Rachel is gone. Rachel died because of an overdose. Christine’s therapist Walter Anderson wasn’t very helpful and Christine stopped visiting him. One day, she received a call from a stranger named Keji who told her that Walter had shared her contact number with her. Angry by the breach of confidentiality, the two girls decided to confront the therapist. Did Rachel die of overdose or is there more behind her death?
The writing style of the author is nice. The story moves between different timelines so one has to be careful while switching timelines. The cover photo of the book is well designed and the story is well paced. Christineโs character is written well by the author. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts. The narration is smooth and strong. I had a great time reading this book.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Invisible Soul ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: George Beasley โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Through this book, the author wants us to identify more clearly the invisible soul that lives deep within us and speaks volumes of silent destruction into our life. George has mentioned how the invisible soul within us has no morals. For Jesus to heal us, the author has mentioned it’s important for us to believe that we can be healed.ย
George believes that God is a god of restoration. He can take away our pain if we trust Him. In this book, the author has shared his struggles with us so we can understand better how Jesus has healed him. George has opened up with us about the abuse and the torture he suffered at the hands of evil people.
Through this book, the author is giving hope to the readers that Jesus can heal us of all our pain and restore us to a person of purpose and joy. I appreciate George for sharing his file with us. The language used in the book is lucid so more readers can benefit from this book. After reading this book, I realized that I have more potential in me but I give in to my invisible soul. Now, I am inspired to rise up in life with God’s grace.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: ๐ Whisper Island ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: N F Webber โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Those who enjoy reading thriller suspense books should get their hands on N F Webber’s book “Whisper Island.” The main character of the story is Ella. She was sixteen years old when Kirsten died in an accident. Instead of informing the police, Ella, Henry, Noah and others hide Kirsten’s skeleton and get on with their lives.ย
Eighteen years passed by and the police didn’t find anything about Kirsten. When Ella’s friend Lauren passed away, suddenly everyone’s lives turned upside down. Kirsten’s body was found and the police had reopened her case. Ella, Henry, Noah, Lucas, etc decided to go for a vacation at an isolated Whisper Island and discuss what they should do. They are thinking of bringing justice to Kirsten and handing them over to the law. Read this story to know what will happen when they visit Whisper Island.
This is a gripping story. The twists and turns in the story kept me on the edge of my seat. The storyline is interesting and one won’t be able to put this book down without finishing it. The characters are written well by the author and Ella’s character is my favorite. I loved the title and the backdrop setting. Looking forward to reading more books by the author in the near future. Go ahead with this psychological thriller suspense without any second thoughts.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: A Place To Hide: Equipping Ordinary Moms To Survive A Public Shooting ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Christian M. McShaffrey โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “A Place To Hide: Equipping Ordinary Moms To Survive A Public Shooting” penned by the author Christian M. McShaffrey is an intriguing read. Through this book, the author wants to prepare the readers to survive a public shooting event.ย
In this book, the author has shared practical advice for staying safe in various environments. Christian also teaches us various principles related to situational awareness, avoiding risky situations, etc.
When I first read about the school shooting in the news, I was shocked. A school shooting is the worst nightmare for a mother. Christian has mentioned the Run, Hide, Fight school safety protocol.
The writing style of the author is amazing. This book is easy to read. It is a unique read. I haven’t read any book earlier that guided me to survive a school shooting. The author has undoubtedly done great work in this book. I strongly recommend my fellow readers to read this book in advance and stay prepared for unforeseen circumstances.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Wall ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Brian Penn โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Dystopian and science-fiction fans would enjoy reading Brian Penn’s latest novel “The Wall”. The main character of the story is Asher, the last son of The Great Defiance. The year is 2099. There is The Wall located in the middle of the formerย United States of America. It separates Zion from the Middleland.ย
Asher’s fiancรฉe Sarai is in Zion and Asher is in Middleland. Both of them are eager to know whether their soulmate is alive. Sarai’s father built The Wall fourteen years ago.
Six months after her engagement, Sarai died in an accident. She was secretly given a second-life protocol. When Asher got a chance to enter Zion, he immediately agreed to it. Asher is all set to enter a territory that could be dangerous for him but he could go to any extent to reunite with his love.
I appreciate the vivid imagination of the author in world building. The character of Asher is well written and my favorite from the story. The book is well paced and there are no dull moments in it. The writing style of the author is nice. The cover photo is eye-catching and I loved the title of the book. Add it to your tbr.
Hello, Iโm Ronald Hunter, author of Angel Finally Found His Wings. Iโm 64 years old. I was born and grew-up in New York City and currently reside in the Tampa Bay Florida area. Iโm retired from US ARMY and American Airlines. Many people are shocked when I tell them that Iโm the youngest of 22 children but thatโs only a small part of my life. Dad died when I was five years old, and mom soon went to a mental institution due to her severe schizophrenia and I went to an orphanage. After several years, she was released, and I went to live with her, but she โgaveโ me to a neighborhood Boy Scout Leader. Tragically, he forced me into the child prostitution sex trade in New York City by continuously blackmailing me. If caught, he promised to have my mother sent back to the mental institution. Years later, I escaped his control and started my new life. Angel Finally Found His Wings is my story and how I survived it all. After being a part of the Oprah 200 Men Who Survived Sexual Abuse show, it inspired me to write my book.
Remember, never allow the past to define your future. I AM A SURVIVOR!
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your memoir, Angel Finally Found His Wings?
As with any writing project, I spent a lot of time determining the flow and how best to tell my story. For me, my memoir is about a horrific childhood that includes my years on 42nd Street in New York City as a child prostitute. Writing my memoir forced me to relive many difficult times. There were numerous times I put the pen down because I needed time to further process what happened to me. In fact, writing Angel Finally Found His Wings took 13 years to complete.
Additionally, there was so much to tell, I had to structure the memoir so that I didnโt overwhelm the reader to the point they would put the book down. I purposedly did not want to sensationalize my story nor embellish it.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
John Knowles A Separate Piece John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men James Frey A Million Little Pieces James Baldwin Giovanniโs Room
Q4. Whatโs your favorite spot to visit in your own country? What makes it special to you?
New York City because itโs where most of my life took place. I can reconnect to places and streets. Itโs therapeutic because I visit places and try to understand how they played a part in my life.
Q5. What inspired you to write Angel Finally Found His Wings?
For years, my friends and family that knew my story encouraged me to write Angel Finally Found My Wings. But it wasnโt until I was part of Oprahโs 200 Men That Survived Sexual Abuse Show, that I began writing. That experience opened my eyes to the amount of pain and suffering that victims of sexual abuse have and the daily struggle they live with each day. Yes, others and I were victimized but Iโm a survivor and I saw the real need for others to see themselves as a survivor and not a victim.
Angel Finally Found His Wings was written so that other survivors have a voice through me, and I want them to know weโre not broken, we can love and be love and we can trust others.
Q6. How long did it take to write Angel Finally Found His Wings?
A total of 13 years but that does not mean I wrote continuously for 13 years. There were numerous times I took a break from it to emotionally get to a better place. In fact, I wouldnโt write for a year or two. I had to seek the professional help I needed to move forward.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy Angel Finally Found His Wings?
It can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes & Noble as a hardcover, paperback, or Kindle as well as many other sites both here in the USA and internationally. The audiobook will be available soon.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and title Angel Finally Found His Wings.
The Boy Scout Leader that took me away from my mother and forced me onto the streets had destroyed every I had including pictures and other personal items. This was one of the many ways he controlled my life. But there was one single picture of me that I kept from him and that is the photo on the cover. This is me at 11โ12 years of age. In fact, until recently, it was the only photo of me from the age 6 to my late teens. Itโs also the picture I took with me to when I was a member of Oprahโs 200 Men That Survived Sexual Abuse. The torn edges of the photo represent my life. The blue cover background represents the sky.
The title Angel Finally Found His Wings was created after listening to Martina McBrideโs beautiful song,โ angel with a broken wing.โ My street name was Angel and thereโs was no doubt my wings were broken BUT I found my wings and escaped that life!
My dear friend Shayne Mackey designed the cover.
Q9. When writing the book, how do you keep things fresh for both the readers and you?
To be honest, Iโm not sure. I know my story so well and it never changes. So, for me, I simply just wrote it as if we were sitting at a table together and Iโm telling you, my story. I also wrote it as if it were being told by me as a child. I had poor grammar and sentence structure and wanted the reader to understand how I spoke at that time. The more realistic I could place the reader at that time in my life, the better. It was interesting when the editors began reviewing my memoir. They came back with hundreds of edits because of my intentional poor grammar and writing style. I told them not to change any of that because itโs part of telling my story!
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
Write about what you know. If itโs a memoir, donโt embellish it. Just tell the story.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Nadeemโs Journey: A Heart Wrenching Story of a Loving Mother Losing Her Son to Cancer ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Sherine Anniruth โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “Nadeemโs Journey: A Heart Wrenching Story of a Loving Mother Losing Her Son to Cancer” written by the author Sherine Anniruth is the bittersweet story of a mother who lost her first child. Nadeem was Sherine’s first son. From the time he was born till his last days, he continued to amaze his mother with his achievements in life.
Even though Nadeem’s journey was tough because of medical issues, nothing stopped him from achieving more and excelling in academics. Sherine’s sisters played an important role in her life in looking after Nadeem many times. The support of family is very important especially in the challenging times. What would happen when Nadeem and his mother would find out about his cancer?
This story took me on the rollercoaster ride full of different emotions. The writing is descriptive and easy to follow. I loved the cover photo of the book and the title is suitable. I really appreciate the strength and courage the author and her son displayed in their journey. This story made me realise how much the support of loved ones matters in life.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Drawn From Life ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Sarah P. Blanchard โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “Drawn From Life” penned by the author Sarah P. Blanchard is an intriguing read. The story features Emma Gillen and her cousin Lucy Harnett. Emma and Lucy were together while growing up because of the circumstances. Lucy’s mother Maggie was in rehab, running with her boyfriends, drinking, etc so Emma’s parents allowed Lucy to stay with them for a few hours, days that turned into months.ย
One night, when Emma and Lucy went to the store for food, an accident happened that claimed the lives of three people. Emma doesn’t have the memories of who was in the driver’s seat. Was it Lucy or her? Emma has been in survivor guilt for years. Read this story to find out if she will find the truth.
The writing style of the author is nice. The story is gripping and I had a great time reading this book. The title of the book is nice. The characters of Emma and Lucy are well-written. I loved Emma’s character and I appreciate her tolerance with Lucy. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Hello, or howdy, as they said in the old west, which is my regular genre. I have twenty-four western historical romance books published and one fantasy. I began writing one day in 1980 when I woke from a dream I thought should be in a book. I have very vivid, detailed dreams. Before this time I had been in college studying fine arts, but in 1971 I got divorced and moved to a small town in Utah. I always wanted to live in a small town (I grew up in South LA). I was eager to paint watercolor landscapes. There aren’t any in So. Cal. unless you drive a long way. I never had the chance. My sister introduced me to romance novels and my life changed. I had never even thought about being a writer, although I can see hints that I might have leaned in that direction now that I look back. That first book nine years because I had to learn to write, learn the industry, take classes and make connections. In 1989, I attended a writers workshop. An agent there read my first chapter, asked me about my second book I was working on, and told me my ideas were too unusual to sell to a publisher, that I should go home, write a regular romance, get it published and maybe then I could write what I wanted. That’s a bit simplistic, but I took her seriously. I wrote a romance, entered it in a contest and won first place in the historical division. That gave me the courage to enter it in the Romance Writers of America’s yearly competition, which is huge. I never expected to get anywhere in the contest, I just wanted feedback. To my surprise my book became a finalist. It didn’t win but it did get me an agent. A year and a half later, I received a three-book contract from Kensengton Books. My first book was published in 1994. I wrote five books for them before the historical market crashed in 1999. After that, my agent died, and I became discouraged. No one was selling western historical romance. One day, I was struck with an idea, sat down and wrote a book totally different from anything I’ve written before or since. Pure inspiration. That book was A Kiss and a Dare.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “A Kiss and a Dare”?
A2. I’d say my biggest challenge was knowing nothing about writing or marketing a fantasy. Actually, the writing came easily. It just flowed out of me. Even so, after having a couple of friends read it, I became discouraged and set aside. It wasn’t until two years ago that I dragged it back out and took another look. I was mesmerized by what I read and knew I had something good, no matter what my friends said. I re-edited and published it.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. Many authors have inspired me, Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, Kristin Hannah, Penelope Williamson and many more who wrote westerns. In Fantasy, my favorite author is Lynn Kurland. She writes fantastic books, some contemporary, some historical, many time-travels, and all magical.
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. My favorite spot in America is a tiny village on the Oregon Coast. It’s not a town, just vacation homes, but some friends (other writers) and I would rent a house there, go for a couple of weeks, walk the beach, watch the waves and write, write, write. I went there for about seventeen years before the owner died and the house became unavailable. We couldn’t find as good a deal as she gave us and I haven’t been back since. I miss it terribly. There was a lighthouse nearby on a bluff and I placed one of my western historical romances there, Forever Mine. It received a Reviewer’s Choice Nomination from RomanticTimes and won other contests.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘A Kiss and a Dare’?
A5. A Kiss and a Dare was, as I said, pure inspiration. An image popped into my head one day of a handsome man finding a hidden garden and lying down on some grass by a boggy pond. He fell asleep and woke up to find a frog on his chest. As he stared at the creature, it leaped and kissed him. Suddenly, a gorgeous naked young woman with long black hair lay across him. The idea so tickled me that I sat and wrote the book. It’s a reversal on the frog prince fairytale which I set in Wales. It’s been too long since I wrote it to say why I chose Wales, but later I decided to tour the UK. My sister had always dreamed of going to Ireland (we’re part Irish). When she was dying, much too young, of cancer one winter, I told her if she could live until spring, I’d take her to Ireland. She didn’t make it, so I decided to go for her. I put out the word that I was seeking a travel mate. A friend in my writers’ critique group agreed to go. Before going, I found a website for leaving messages for Welsh people. I asked for someone to help me research my book. A man answered and we became friends. When he heard I was coming, he and his wife invited us to stay with them. It was fantastic. He took us everywhere, especially the castles, and I learned so much. We even found a rugged knob of land where a Welsh castle had once stood, climbed up to see it, and it became the setting for A Kiss and A Dare.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘A Kiss and a Dare’?
A6. As I said before, I wrote the book, then let it lie, almost forgotten, for years before picking it up, dusting it off and re-editing it. I’d say it took a few months to write it initially, a few more when I reworked it.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. My books are available only on Amazon, free on KU. I tried going wide (selling in actual bookstores) but people aren’t buying books like they used to. Most authors make more from KU than from going wide. Readers can borrow the books on a special program and we get paid for pages read.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A Kiss and a Dare’?
A8. Coming up with a cover for A Kiss and a Dare is still a sort of work in progress. I keep trying to find a design that will more accurately depict the magic involved. There’s a witch, spells, two deadlines, one for the hero and one for the heroine, a newt and a dragonfly, who are friends of the heroine and are people from the 14th century put under spells. There’s even a dragon. My covers come from my vivid imagination and I use my artistic skills to create them.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. Keeping my writing fresh is always a challenge. I try reading books by authors I haven’t read before, and consult friends and my critique partners. I get sparks of ideas from small things I see on TV or read in books, maybe things heard in a restaurant or store. I try to use unusual characters unlike any I’ve created before and do the same with the situations I put them in. In my current western historical romance, the hero and his foreman (on a ranch) grew up in a circus. They keep an old lion as a pet. He’s lost his teeth and is tame unless the hero is threatened. Then he can become ferocious even without teeth. I find characteristics for my characters from a vast supply of sources, TV, books, friends, overheard snatches of conversations in public places, the list is endless.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
A10. The most valuable advice I received was probably when that editor told me no publisher would take a chance on an unusual story from an unknown author. All authors try to come up with something unique. Another was to keep dead bodies dropping. Not literally. It means to keep interesting and unexpected action going so readers won’t get bored (or the author). One bit of advice I have for beginning authors is not to expect too much from a first book. It’s best to get a few books written before you even think about publishing. Learn the craft, make connections, visit online sites where you can get your name known, participate in online groups and chats. First books rarely succeed. I’ve seen a few. One author I saw become an overnight success when a husband was in the promotions business. He made her a success with advertising that most authors can’t afford. Even after all these years, I still couldn’t afford the platform he used for her book. Promoting books is the most difficult part of publishing. It’s expensive, there are a lot of cheats out there offering the moon and giving nothing, and it keeps a writer from doing what she wants to do most–write.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. I was born in a small town in Northeast Texas, where my journey with the written word began. In middle school, I discovered a love for writing short stories, a passion that blossomed despite the challenges I faced with dyslexia. To overcome my learning disability, I immersed myself in reading books that were adapted into movies, exploring the differences between the written and visual narratives. This practice not only improved my understanding of language but also enriched my appreciation for storytelling.
With a professional background in customer service and property management that spans over 24 years, my experiences bring depth and authenticity to my writing. My diverse career has given me a keen insight into human nature, which is reflected in my characters and storylines.
My first published work was The Multifamily Housing Guide โ Leasing 101 in 2016, a guide aimed at assisting new leasing professionals in the multifamily housing industry. This guide provided practical tools and advice to help them succeed in their new career, making their transition easier and more efficient.
Building on my early success, I ventured into the world of fiction, writing the Saving History Series, a young adult historical fiction series. The five-book series has earned me the title of #1 best seller on Amazon, and the second book of the series debuted at #64 on Barnes & Noble’s top 100. My novels draw inspiration from the past, present, and future, offering readers captivating and thought-provoking narratives.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “A.N.D.R.E.”?
A2. My challenges while writing A.N.D.R.E. were mostly researching AI in general. There are so many types of AI in the world today, another challenge I ran across was how was I going to be able to make my AI different than others. I didnโt want my Artificial Intelligence Beings (A.I.B.) to be a typical bot or android being. I wanted them look human, while not having feelings or emotions in their programming. Then figuring out a way for one of the original A.I.B.s to have human feelings and emotions without a need for his creators programming, but to be more organic. Which I believe I have managed to achieve in A.N.D.R.E.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. I can tell you John Grisham is one of my favorite authors, though I also find inspiration in the works of Suzanne Collins, Stephenie Meyer, Dan Brown, and Jobie Hughes. One of my all-time favorite books is โA Painted Houseโ by John Grisham. The way he was able to tell such a unique story and for me to be able to imagine each character fascinated me. I wanted to be that created in my writing, which is a working process to say. I was inspired for โSaving History Seriesโ from reading series by Stephenie Meyer for her โThe Twilight Sagaโ, Suzanne Collinsโ โHunger Gamesโ collection, Dan Browns collection of โRobert Langdonโ books like โThe Da Vinci Codeโ, โAngels & Demonsโ, โLost Symbolโ, and โInferno.โ Then I fell in love with Jobie Hughes collection of โPittacus Loreโ books like โI am Number Fourโ all the way through โUnited as One.โ
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. I love to travel, but one of my favorite spots to visit is the big island of Hawaii, Kona. It may be the big island; it really is a small place. The beaches are amazing, the people are friendly, food is excellent, and so many tourist spots like volcanos and waterfalls.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘A.N.D.R.E.’?
A5. My inspiration for writing โA.N.D.R.E.โ came from my mom actually. She works as a movie producer and has been working on several sci-fi movies, and shorts, with her best friend for the past few years. Seeing the films they create inspired me to see what I could do if I applied myself to try writing different genres. I have written business books and a YA Historical Fiction Series, so I figured my next stop was science fiction.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘A.N.D.R.E.’?
A6. I began writing โA.N.D.R.E.โ in May 2023 and finished it the end of March 2024, so almost a year to complete it.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. My books are sold on almost all platforms. You can find my books on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble online, Books-a-Million online, and my website for links. http://www.starnesbooksllc.com
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A.N.D.R.E.’?
A8. The over art was a collaboration between my editor, Pat Carpenter with Carpenter Editing Services LLC, and myself. We spend a weekend in Florida brainstorming and bouncing ideas off each other until we found a concept we both liked. From there we just continued to change one thing or another with the buildings above ground or how humans were living underground. We spent days on the cover art and after three days of work in Florida, we had a finished product. We wanted to incorporate as much of the story in the cover as we could without giving too much away. The cover becomes obvious once you read the book.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. To keep things fresh for me is to keep an eye out for anything new happening in the world to see if it my pertain to what I am currently writing at the time. I also like to post updates on my WIPs on my social media platforms, My Facebook pages, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. I like to let my followers and fans know when they can expect my upcoming projects.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
A10. The most valuable piece of advice I have been given was to never stop writing. If you have a story in your head, write it. Every story has an audience, you must get out there and find the right audience for your story. If you have a book that you think is a failure, before writing the book off, try changing your audience. You may fail with one group of readers and excel when you find your true audience. Research categories you can place your book in. It could find into several markets. I sci-fi novel would find in Science Fiction and Romance at the same time, depending on the content. Find those different areas of your book and market it again with new audiences.
Sassy Reviews 