𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Flash in a Flash 📚 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Amy Elizabeth Romano ✍️ . .
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: “Flash in a Flash: A Quick Read for the Impatient” penned by the author Amy Elizabeth Romano is an interesting read. This book is a collection of dark flash fiction.
Pillow Talk is an interesting short story that would make you wonder what real love is. I have heard from many married people that love takes a back seat in a marriage. In books, we are told about only happy endings but the story actually begins after getting married. The author has mentioned how married people or those who are in a long relationship are miserable. Especially in this social media age, people move quickly from one person to another.
Other stories like The Inheritance, Home on the Range, Gossip Girl, etc are gripping. These stories are quick to read and you can know the ending of each story within a few minutes.
Those who are fans of dark flash fiction should get their hands on this book. The writing style of the author is amazing and I had a great time reading this book. This book is a perfect pick by impatient readers.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Eoin Leydon O’Connor, I’m a fiction writer from Sligo, Ireland. I have always wanted to be a novelist ever since I was a kid. Both my parents are big book readers, so I got my love of literature from them. The idea of being able to create an entire world with characters just by using a pen and paper was like magic to me. The fact that you could do it anywhere at any time was brilliant. When I was sixteen, my short story Bullets (one of the short stories in Rural Tales) won 1st place in the under-19s category at the Allingham Short Story competition in 2014. This was the very first time I’d ever received validation for my work, really. I went to college to study a Bachelor of Arts in Writing & Literature in 2017, where I studied writing, both fictional and academically. I studied screenwriting, playwriting, poetry, modernism and postmodernism to name a few. Over the years on the course, I’d compiled several short stories that I wanted to publish. After graduating from college, I studied a Masters of Arts in Creative Practice. In 2023, I decided to try and self-publish my own work on Amazon and hence ‘’Rural Tales’’ was born.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Rural Tales”?
A2. The biggest challenge was more so publishing the book. Writing each of the stories was enjoyable and I’ve always liked to edit my own work as well as other people’s. Since this was my first time self-publishing, a friend of mine named Lyndsey Gallagher, who writes contemporary romance novels and self-published on Amazon as well, was able to give me some pointers and guide me in the right direction. I had to figure out the formatting and buying an ISBN as well as trying to price the book and organise the marketing all myself. All of this can be tough if it’s your first time, but it was all worth it.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. I’m a big fan of Stephen King, so I think he has influenced my writing over the years. I’ve also read Cecelia Ahern and love her sense of humour in her books. As a child I read R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and The Nightmare Room book Don’t Forget Me, which really freaked me out. All of these have definitely affected how I write.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. I love visiting The Burren in Co Clare, because of how its landscape inspired Tolkein to create Middle Earth in Lord of The Rings and C.S. Lewis to create Narnia. I visited it during a misty, rainy day and it looked like something straight out of LoTR, even inspiring me to write one of my own horror shorts.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Rural Tales’?
A5. I had been having something of a creative blockage – writer’s block if you will – during my second year of college. I was working with author Eoin McNamee as he was mentoring us students on writing fiction. He showed me a page from the UK missing persons website where the body of a man had been found in the woods, hanging from a tree with yellow cable. All the brand names on the man’s clothing had been cut off, which made me wonder if he had done it himself. I asked Eoin McNamee if he thought someone had strung the man up there to make it look like a suicide, to which Eoin smiled and said; ‘That’s how your imagination works, Eoin.’ He told me that the image of that man’s body was vivid in my mind’s eye and to try and draw from that for inspiration. His advice was to think about my own upbringing in Sligo and to try and use that in my writing. Not long after our conversation, 4 different ideas for short stories popped into my head. These ended up being the first 4 short stories in Rural Tales. I wrote them all back to back before the 5th came along and before I knew it, I had 8 stories that I could publish.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Rural Tales’?
A6. I started writing the first 5 short stories in October 2018, with the 6th and 7th having already been written from when I was a teenager of about sixteen. The eighth and final one came about a year later, around the summer of 2019. So overall it was about a year in the making.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Readers can get ahold of Rural Tales on Amazon, both in paperback and Ebook for their Kindle. It’s also available on Google Books.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Rural Tales’?
A8. I had figured out the title ‘Rural Tales’ I think during Covid, when I was at home during lockdown. The cover of the book was something I spied while scrolling through a website called Canva, where you can create your own book cover, editing the photographs and altering them to suit you. Most of the stories I had written took place in rural Ireland, hence the name and the cover of the countryside.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. As I come up with ideas and try to flesh them out, I always try to be experimental and push myself to put a unique spin on whatever I’m writing. I don’t want to write something that seems cliche and tired, because I think readers pick up on that very quickly. Especially in the Horror genre where people are very familiar with all the tropes and cliches that get passed around. I would say I’m quite picky about what I choose to read and watch, so when I try to write, I want to come up with an idea that will interest people and make them want to read on, because they haven’t quite seen something like it before. That way, it’s more fun to write and hopefully will be to read as well.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. People have told me and others that you need to let yourself write a first draft that is terrible and then rewrite it to make it better. I used to fret about making the first draft perfect, but now I think I’m better at just writing it all down, knowing I can come back and fix it up in the next draft. Working with that in mind definitely helps assuage your fears that you’re no good.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Rural Tales: Collection of dark, fantasy short stories 📚 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Eoin Leydon O’Connor ✍️ . .
🚀 Review: “Rural Tales: Collection of dark, fantasy short stories” penned by the author Eoin Leydon O’Connor is a gripping read.
The story Bullets has Jesse as a narrator. He was bored at different classes that he attended. When he heard the sound of bullets, he thought it was fireworks. When Jesse realized it was not fireworks, instead it was the sound of bullets, he tried finding an exit.
Glass Teeth and Copper Red Rain are also interesting stories. Every story is 5-7 pages and one could read a couple of stories in a single sitting. Some stories are spooky and would scare you more at night. I read this collection at night and enjoyed every bit of it even though I was a bit scared.
If you enjoy horror and thrillers then you should definitely go ahead with these dark fantasy paranormal tales. The world building is done nicely by the author. These stories kept me on the edge of my seat and I kept wondering with every turning page what would happen next. Great work done by the author in this collection.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Roxanne Seubert and Sasquatch is my debut novel. I love telling stories and particularly love fantasy, any books that include Dragons, Witches, Faries, etc. If I open a book and there’s a map in the beginning, then I know almost immediately that I’m going to be a fan. My dream is to continue to publish books for both middle-grade and young adults to read and enjoy.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Sasquatch”?
A2. To write the story, I had to do a lot of research about Sasquatches. Where do they live? What do they eat? What do they look like? How big are their feet? etc. There is a ton of information, books, tv shows, folklore, which I had to sort through. I spoke to several people who had encountered real-life Sasquatches to learn what their first-hand experiences were like. And I took my family out to Money Creek Campgrounds to get a lay of the land. We hiked around the campsite and up a few trails and took hundreds of photos. The research was both interesting and inspiring.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. There are too many to count, but my favorites are Rick Riordan, Johnathan Stroud, Michael Crichton, Taran Matharu, Holly Black and Margaret Rogerson.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. I love going to the Oregon Coast around Cannon Beach where, “The Goonies” was filmed. I love walking along the beach, looking at the tidepools, smelling the ocean air, and listening to the waves crash against the shore. It’s a beautiful place especially with the view of Haystack Rock and the Needles, which are geological formations of large rocks standing out in the ocean. It’s a peaceful place and always brings me joy.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Sasquatch’?
A5. I’ve always believed there are creatures out there which we haven’t encountered yet. Scientists are always discovering new species or finding out that we were wrong about previous beliefs. The folklore of Sasquatch has always fascinated me. There are so many people who swear they’ve seen one. So why can’t they exist?
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Sasquatch’?
A6. It took a year to write and collaborate with an amazing illustrator J. Pares to create the cover and internal illustrations. Then it took another year to edit, and a year to publish the book. So approximately 3 years in total from start to finish.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Right now, the e-book, paperback, hardcover, and audio book are available through Amazon. The e-book is also available through Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and IngramSpark. However, I’m getting the paperback and hardcover available through these additional platforms soon.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Sasquatch’?
A8. I’ve always loved the Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin Bigfoot footage. The unidentified creature was filmed in 1967 in a grainy black and white movie. It is the only real-life Bigfoot footage that experts haven’t been able to debunk. The most famous section of the film is slide # 352 of the Bigfoot looking back towards the camera. This was the inspiration for the cover. It’s a well-known image and seen in lots of merchandise. I decided to call the book Sasquatch because I grew up knowing the creature by this name. It wasn’t until much later in life that I learned there were many other names for the same creature, Bigfoot, Yeti, Yowie, Tek Tek, etc.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. Once I had the idea for the book, to tell a story about a group of young kids finding the Sasquatch in the woods, the story blossomed from there. I had a great idea for the ending but when I pitched the idea to my friends, they told me that it had been done before in the movie, “Harry and the Hendersons,” which I hadn’t seen. So, I watched the movie and decided I had to rethink the ending to my story. My friends said I still could use fake Sasquatch prints in the snow to lead the hunters away. But I felt it had been done before and I needed to produce something new. This is how I came up with the chase seen for Connor running away from the hunters.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. The best writing advice I have ever given is that while you are writing and realize you don’t know the name of something or need to research a place, just add a placeholder. This way you can keep writing until the scene is done and you have momentum. Then later, you can go back and research the object or location you need to add. This way you don’t interrupt your flow and keep yourself from getting sidetracked. It really helps.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Karmic Selling: Earning Business by Earning Trust 📚 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Stan Gwizdak ✍️ . .
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: “Karmic Selling: Earning Business by Earning Trust” penned by the author Stan Gwizdak is an insightful read. In this book, the author has shared the successes and failures that helped him grow his business. This book is a testimony to when we do good, even more good will come our way.
The case studies and reflection exercises would help readers a lot. The author suggests us to have an however-i-can-help mindset. I could relate with Stan when he mentioned that not everybody wants to be helped. I learned this fact the hard way after being wronged. I loved the ideas to spark a connection. By taking notes, we can remember important things about a person. I appreciate the author’s tips on creating genuine connections so we can create our own circle.
This book aligns with my values and inspires me more to serve with a clean heart and cultivate lifelong business relationships. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially business professionals. Once you start reading it, you won’t be able to put it aside. I really appreciate the author’s choice of title for this book. It is a wake up call for the readers to build genuine connections as connectivity benefits us personally and professionally.
I am going to implement these tips in my personal and professional life. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: “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. Christine’s 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.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Invisible Soul 📚 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: George Beasley ✍️ . .
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 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.
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.
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 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.
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.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: A Place To Hide: Equipping Ordinary Moms To Survive A Public Shooting 📚 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Christian M. McShaffrey ✍️ . .
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: “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.
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.
🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 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 former United States of America. It separates Zion from the Middleland.
Asher’s fiancée 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.
Sassy Reviews 