ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE OF LITERATURE OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 (Vol IV, Issue XXIV) | Article Published on: 27TH DEC 2022 | www.demodemagazine.com
'A KIND OF HUSH' BY AUTHOR JoDEE NEATHERY
'THE EXIT STRATEGY' BY AUTHOR LAINEY CAMERON
'SUCH EXQUISITE CALAMITY' BY AUTHOR SYDNIE BEAUPRE
'ENCOUNTERS' BY AUTHOR NADINE THOMPSON
'HELL AGAIN' BY AUTHOR MIHRET ADAL GIDI
'KNIGHTMARE ARCANIST' BY AUTHOR SHAMI STOVALL
'REMNANTS OF BLOOD' BY AUTHOR H.F. CUNNINGHAM
'BURNT TO A CRISP' BY AUTHOR MICHAEL O'KEEFE
'HEAVY IS THE HEAD' BY AUTHOR KATRINA N. LEWIS
'THE DARKEST GIFT' BY AUTHOR LEN HANDELAND
1. 'A KIND OF HUSH' - BY AUTHOR JoDEE NEATHERY
A Kind of Hush, a work of literary crime fiction, examines how life is seldom a tidy affair exploring whether there is a grey area between right and wrong. The novel begins as the Mackie family struggles to put their lives back on track after suffering the unspeakable loss of their young son, Griff, nicknamed Boo, who accidentally died while in the care of Willa, their ten-year-old daughter – each person searching for a way to heal and move forward after the tragedy. Four-year-old Gabe, an old soul with wisdom beyond his years, retreated into his whisper room, “a windowless enclave with lavender walls brimming with daydreams, obscured from reality.” Summer Mackie yielded to her debilitating grief while her husband, Matt, relegated his own grief to the backburner focusing on the needs of his wife, preteen daughter, and young son. A family that once reverberated with laughter and closeness now wallows in silence, division, and heartbreak. After years of counseling and the compassion of friends and family, the Mackies resumed the habits and routines that dictated daily life until a road trip once more toppled their lives into disarray
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BOOK REVIEW
“"A Kind of Hush is about a moment in time that changes a family forever, surrounding it in tragedy, mystery, and unspoken challenges. Its special brand of intrigue and soul-searching engages readers from the beginning. JoDee Neathery's literary novel embraces psychological and spiritual elements...adding moral and ethical dilemmas leading readers to consider the foundations of what it takes to forgive and move on from tragedy." - D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR JODEE NEATHERY
JoDee Neathery is a firm believer that dreams do come true with the release of her debut award-winning novel, Life in a Box, in July 2017 asking the question, how much would you sacrifice to hide a secret? A few colorful characters were plucked off her family tree, encasing their world inside fictional events to create her literary novel. The idea for her latest novel, A Kind of Hush, appeared in the middle of the night with the profile of the young boy and the first few sentences scratched out on the ever-present notepad on the nightstand beside her bed. “I didn’t know the whole story, but I knew that whatever I wrote next, this young lad had to play a major role in the narrative and Gabriel Edward Mackie doesn’t disappoint.”
JoDee was born in Southern California moving to Midland, Texas at the age of five – a wonderful place to grow up full of dreamers and doers and the friendliest people on the planet. After graduating high school, her eyes were on attending a small liberal arts college in Louisiana majoring in dance with aspirations of a Broadway career. Her beloved daddy filed that pipedream away suggesting that unless she was going to be a nurse or teacher, finding a job was a better option. She began her professional career in the banking industry prior to branching into public relations executive recruiting for Dallas and New York agencies. Her dream “job” has been chairing and writing minutes and reviews for the community book club, Bookers, for 18 years and it was those members that championed her novel-writing journey. Relocating to East Texas offered more opportunities to write, handling public relations, writing freelance articles, trade publications, and newsletters. JoDee and her husband live in close proximity to their only daughter, son-in-law, two teenage grandsons, a bird dog, four cats, a donkey, and a few heads of cattle
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR JoDEE NEATHERY - www.jodeeneathery.com
Read Author JoDEE NEATHERY's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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2. 'THE EXIT STRATEGY' - BY AUTHOR LAINEY CAMERON
Silicon Valley investor Ryn Brennan is on the verge of achieving everything she dreamed of. She's succeeded in the male-dominated venture capital world, has a supportive husband, and is about to close the deal of her career. Everything is going exactly as planned, until she meets Carly, her husband's mistress, across the negotiating table. Carly clawed her way back from being a teenage runaway to become an accomplished scientist, caring single mom, and co-founder of her startup. Once she marries her loving fiancé, she'll secure the complete family she craves. But she's blindsided to discover her not so perfect fiancé is already married to Ryn, her company's biggest investor. In an industry full of not-so-subtle sexism, can the two women rise above, and work together to overcome heartbreak, and ensure their success?
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BOOK REVIEWS
“SO MUCH FUN. Incredibly fast-paced and satisfying, with two believable protagonists and one guy so bad you'll be dying to see if he gets what he deserves. Bonus for insider juice on Silicon Valley and going all in with the con artist plot. I read this in one sitting.” - K J Dell’Antonia, NY Times best-selling author BOOK REVIEWS “Lainey
Cameron’s debut novel blasts out of the starting gate on the first page and never slows down. Well-crafted characters combined with some (admittedly) real-life scenarios and never knowing just how it’s all going to turn out, had me wanting more.” - Patricia Sands, Award-Winning author
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR LAINEY CAMERON
Lainey Cameron is an author of women's fiction and a recovering tech industry executive. Her award-winning novel, The Exit Strategy, was inspired by a decade of being the only woman in the corporate boardroom. Since its release, it has become an Amazon #1 bestseller & won eleven book awards, including the 2021 American Fiction Excellence Awards, the 2021 independent Publisher Awards, and the 2021 National Indie and Book Excellence Awards. The book has been called “fast-paced, satisfying”, and a “provocative, edgy page-turner” with “characters who are ingeniously crafted” and a “rallying call for women to believe in themselves and join together”.
It tells the story of a Silicon Valley investor who first meets her husband’s mistress across the negotiating table. Lainey is a digital nomad, meaning she picks locations around the world to live (and write) for months at a time, and she loves to share her travels on Instagram. She’s the founder and host of The Best of Women’s Fiction podcast, where she interviews authors she admires and highlights the latest great book releases. She’s also an active volunteer with the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, believes community makes the author's life worthwhile, and is on a mission to obliterate the term aspiring writer. Lainey is originally from Scotland and has a soft spot for kilts and good malt whisky.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR LAINEY CAMERON - www.laineycameron.com
Read Author LAINEY CAMERON's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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3. 'SUCH EXQUISITE CALAMITY' - BY AUTHOR SYDNIE BEAUPRE
Spencer and Cayden have always known that they were different from each of their parents, but when Spencer saves Cayden from a stab wound using only her tears and sheer willpower, they find out exactly what they are: the only two of their kind, born under a prophecy. Not Caster, not Familiar, but an impossible combination of both known as The Two, or The Lovers. Stumbling through the new world of Casters, Familiars, and Demigods togethproveves dangerous for the pair, and unwanted enemies arise as emotions between them become more and more complicated. Will Cayden and Spencer be able to find themselves amidst the chaos? Or will they succumb to the power of those trying to stop them?
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BOOK REVIEWS
“TWO OF A KIND!” I enjoyed this YA Fantasy Romance book. The story follows two young people, Cayden and Spencer, who know they are different having powers and abilities that humans don't. They are desperate to find out everything but no one is allowed, by law, to give them any information relating to their history or current status. They have an uphill battle as people fear difference but will they succeed against their enemies? A unique storyline, very different from what I've read before but would recommend it to anyone who loves this genre. Keeps your interest from the start all the way through, hoping that The Two will find their way in more ways than one! Enjoyable read! - Karen Inkle (Reviewed in the United Kingdom)
Quality. Gripping. Realistic relatable characters. Diverse. Unique.
I was very impressed with the quality of the book. The matte finish, the smoothness of the pages, and the density of it. The story was gripping and I found myself saying 'Okay one more chapter.'. Characters were relatable and had a realistic tone to them. I like the addition of real-life troubles, mental illness, and trauma. As well as diversity. Very interesting unique concepts too! - Adrian Doherty (Reviewed in Canada)
This author is truly growing as a writer!! Not gonna lie...I loved this book. I even dreamt about the world and the characters in it. Can’t wait for book 2! - Sher Monty (Reviewed in Canada) Two of a Kind! - - Reviewed in the United Kingdom I enjoyed this YA Fantasy Romance book.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR SYDNIE BEAUPRE
Sydnie Beaupré is more than just a girl: they're an openly LQBTQ2IA author that lives in their own imagination: a post-apocalyptic, zombie-inhabited world, where magical creatures and supernatural occurrences are simply the mundane. Outside of that, Sydnie can often be found in Montreal, Quebec where they were born and raised - and also where they chose to set their second novel, Such Exquisite Calamity. When they're not struggling to write at least one paragraph a day, you can find them reading the same six books they've been reading for the last two years out of obsession, playing their three-stringed violin, or singing very off-key despite being a great singer. And reliably, you can always find Sydnie spending time with their amazing friends and crazy family over a good cup of coffee or tea.
Read Author SYDNIE BEAUPRE's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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4. 'ENCOUNTERS' - BY AUTHOR NADINE THOMPSON
"Encounters" is a compilation of poems written over the course of five years. I got the idea to name the collection “Encounters” when I was living in Japan. At the end of the school year, we would say goodbye to both Japanese and foreign staff members. It felt quite final as if we would never see each other again, especially because we were all from different countries. When the time came for me to leave Japan, I realized that encountering a place can have a lasting impact on our psyche channeling how we felt through various situations.
The first section of the book chronicles “Encounters with Places”. The first poem, ‘Japan for JETS” is a tribute to the Japan Exchange Teaching Programme. I was on the JET programme as an ALT- Assistant Language Teacher from 2006-2011. I lived on an island in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima called Amami Oshima which was a tropical island that reminded me so much of Jamaica. The first poem collectively looks at what Japan and the JET programme meant to those who were part of the programme. The second set of poems is about ‘Encounters with a myriad of feelings”. The poems showcase a feeling of transience in love. The third section “Encounters with Spiritual/ Positive Light has four poems that came about after a period of meditation. The final section of the book captures “Encounters with Love and Loss”. The first poem “Lily Cups” speaks of deep hurt. The book has one long poem at the end called “I want your life”. Two women, one married and the other unmarried compare their lives. We need to be grateful for the life we have instead of comparing ourselves to others. This section ends with a poem called “Peace”.
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THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR NADINE THOMPSON
Author Nadine Karen Thompson was born in Jamaica to parents Videl and Sydney Thompson. She grew up with her three sisters Ann, Judy, and Chrissie. As a child, she loved reading books and also started writing poems at age nine. She loved reading the beautiful lines found in birthday and other greeting cards. At age 11 one of her teachers gave her a small book of poems which became her most prized possession. She told herself back then, that one day she will be a published writer with her own anthology of poems.
After graduating from high school she went on to pursue A’ levels and continued to study English Literature. She has a 'Bachelor of Arts Degree in 'Applied Linguistics' from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
She had English Literature as a minor at university. One of her favorite courses in literature was “Love, Death, and Poetry”
She is an educator now. She taught Spanish and English Literature in high school in Jamaica. She worked in Japan as an ESL teacher and is presently working in China as an IB PYP teacher. She is also a member of the Hangzhou Writer’s Association group of ex-pats in China. She has attended two writer's workshops since being in China, one of them was a silent writer’s workshop. In the past, she also enrolled in an online poetry course which helped her to learn more about the form of poetry. At university in the UK, she had the opportunity of listening to poetry performances in the form of slam poetry. She thinks of herself as a writer more than a performer. She enjoys reading poems for friends and family at weddings, graduations, and eulogies at funerals. She strongly believes that words can heal and words can wound, but it is very important to use words to heal.
Read Author NADINE THOMPSON's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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5. 'HELL AGAIN' - BY AUTHOR MIHRET ADAL GIDI
Hell Again is a romance and fantasy genre novel. It is a story about a young lady who meets a stranger on her bachelorette night, who soon will change her life path in an unexpected way. It is a 282-page novel published by Austin Macauley publishers. It's intriguing and an engaging story to read.
Hell Again written by the author Mihret Adal Gidi is an intriguing story. Story features Adah Bamlakfekad Aschalew. Adah has come from Canada to her hometown Ethiopia. She is about to marry Teddy who is not her father's choice. But still, somehow, Adah's father agreed to their marriage. Adah went to a late-night party with her bridesmaids the day before the wedding. Her friends offered to drop her home but she insisted on taking a taxi.
Unfortunately, the taxi was having issues so Adah decided to walk. She met a stranger on the way and he is quite handsome. Adah found herself attracted to him. She was attracted to him to the level that she didn't mind spreading her legs for him. She lost her virginity to a stranger just before the day of her wedding. The next morning, Adah noticed that she was in a strange place that seemed magical and like a dream.
What is Adah gonna do? Will she still marry Teddy? The plot of the story is unique and interesting. The cover photo looks awesome and according to the story. We appreciate the author's choice of title for this book. The writing style is nice with a smooth narration and we enjoyed reading this novel. Worldbuilding is amazing. Go ahead with this book. We're sure you won't regret picking it.
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BOOK REVIEW
Mihret Adal Gidi's Hell Again is a story that captivates the readers from the first page. The story started with a couple that ran away from their home because their parents were not getting convinced about their marriage. Then, it moved to Adah. A bride-to-be who has landed in her hometown in Ethiopia. She has a strict father. Her parents don't live together anymore but they are not divorced either. They still love each other and haven't yet moved on. Adah's father agreed to her marriage to a guy who isn't much aware of their culture. According to her father and her friend Meron, culture is important. On the last night before the wedding, when Adah was walking home, a stranger crossed her path. The next day, Adah was in the bedroom which was not hers. She felt she had seen a shadow-like figure standing behind her and that too with eyes like a red light. The dialogues are quite lively. Writing is so clear that even if you are a beginner you will be able to understand the story. Characters are unique and interesting. The book feels like I am watching some movie in the darkness of the night. The cover of this book is what caught my attention. A story worth reading.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR MIHRET ADAL GIDI
Mihret Adal Gidi is a novelist who emerged from East Africa, Ethiopia. She has dreamed of being an author and has always been known for being a storyteller among her friends and family members. She finally made her dream come true, officially publishing her first novel on May 31st, 2019, Bleeding Hearts of a Butterfly and on July 30, 2021, Hell Again. She is known for her never-dying, hard-working persistence that she aims to mature as an author.
Read Author MIHRET ADAL GIDI's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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6. 'KNIGHTMARE ARCANIST' - BY AUTHOR SHAMI STOVALL
Knightmare Arcanist is the winner of the B.R.A.G. Medallion for Fantasy, the New Apple Literary Award for Fantasy, and the Coffee Pot Book Club's Pick for 2020 Reading. Critics love this fantasy adventure, the first in the series!
Magic. Sailing. A murderer among heroes. Gravedigger Volke Savan wants nothing more than to be like his hero, the legendary magical swashbuckler, Gregory Ruma. First, he needs to become an arcanist, someone capable of wielding magic, which requires bonding with a mythical creature. And he’ll take anything—a pegasus, a griffin, a ravenous hydra—maybe even a leviathan, like Ruma. So when Volke stumbles across a Knightmare, a creature made of shadow and terror, he has no reservations. But the Knightmare knows a terrible secret: Ruma is a murderer out to spread corrupted magic throughout their island nation. He’s already killed a population of phoenixes and he intends to kill even more. In order to protect his home, his adopted sister, and the girl he admires from afar, Volke will need to confront his hero, the Master Arcanist Gregory Ruma.
A fast-paced fantasy with magical creatures for those who enjoy the Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera series) by Jim Butcher, Unsouled (Cradle Series) by Will Wight, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
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BOOK REVIEWS
Knightmare Arcanist by Shami Stovall was rollicking good fun! Perfect for those who enjoy the Codex Alera series, the Homas Wildus series, and the Harry Potter series. Stovall is quickly becoming a name I look for." - Seattle Book Review
"Richly crafted and laced with wry humor and intriguing magic, Knightmare Arcanist is a page-turner." - The Prairies Book Review
"Volke carries readers into a darkly engrossing world with a passion that makes Knightmare Arcanist satisfyingly unique and hard to put down. Readers looking for a magic-based quest fantasy will find this story compelling and nicely written, with strong characters propelling action which is often unexpected and revealing." - Midwest Book Review
A spellbinding first installment of what promises to be an addictive series, Shami Stovall has produced a mesmerizing story of magic, intrigue, and true adventure." - ManyBooks
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR SHAMI STOVALL
My name is Shami (yup, just those 5 letters) was born in Utah, but grew up in California with my mother and little brother. After graduating high school, I went on to earn my BA in History from Stanislaus State, and then my Juris Doctorate from the Laurence Drivon School of Law.
My favorite novel as a child was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. It opened my idmsdasgsinsation to possibilities I had never considered, and to this day I can still remember the impact it had on me.
As an adult (albeit still a kid at heart) my favorite novel is Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. His take on a perfect world again opened my mind to possibilities I had never considered, and Jubal Harshaw is the fictional character I most aspire to be.
I love telling stories, playing video games, reading, and writing about myself in the third person. As an author, nothing gives me more pleasure than hearing others enjoy my work, so here’s hoping you find something you enjoy!
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR SHAMI STOVALL - www.sastovallauthor.com
Read Author SHAMI STOVALL's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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7. 'REMNANTS OF BLOOD' - BY AUTHOR H.F. CUNNINGHAM
Remnants of Blood is the first book in a planned trilogy that takes place in the Scotland-inspired realm of the Five Kingdoms. With strong character dialect and references to Gaelic festivals and traditions, you’ll be transported into a vibrant Celtic world with danger and magic around every corner. Remnants of Blood is a dark rich fantasy novel that is filled with wit, dry humor, and characters that you can’t help but root for. Ideal for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree, Crier’s War, Shadow, and Bone, or The Cruel Prince. Set in the city of Armodan, capital of the Brochlands, Remnants of Blood follows 17- year old Tannin – a bakery assistant whose sharp wit, a sharper tongue, and healthy disregard for authority gets her in enough trouble as it is - after her grandfather passed away leaving cryptic clues that lead her into a secret world of magic and monsters. What Tannin always thought were myths and legends about the Fair Folk and their descendants with magic in their veins turn out to not only be true but far closer to home than she could ever have imagined. Remnants, as they are called, are real and they’re being hunted by a group that calls themselves the Triquetra. And she might just be on their hit list. A childhood illness left Tannin with little to no memory of her past and her grandfather’s old paranoid journal entries are all she has to go on to try and piece together a life she doesn’t remember but one that is catching up to her quickly. But with secret societies out to get her, a crushing debt left behind by her grandfather to a formidable local Laird, not to mention her own strange and confusing powers, Tannin doesn’t have much time to dwell on her conflicting feelings for Ava…much.
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THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR H.F. CUNNINGHAM
HF Cunningham is the author of Remnants of Blood – a Young Adult/Adult dark fantasy novel that debuted on 14th September 2021.
HF Cunningham was born, and grew up, in Scotland and it holds a special place in her heart, and elements of Scottish mythology, geography, and history, as well as distinctive dialects,s can be found throughout her book. Now living in Germany with her partner and their spoiled fluffy cat, Cunningham speaks English and German although admits her German grammar is still atrocious.
Cunningham studied to become an Electrical and Mechanical Engineer at the University of Strathclyde and worked as an engineer in the automotive industry for several years. However, fantasy books and reading were always important to her and she had always had the idea of writing her own in the back of her mind.
She started writing seriously after losing her job in the Corona Pandemic which she now considers a blessing in disguise as she was able to develop her true passion for writing and storytelling. Now working part-time in order to dedicate more of her time to writing and publishing, Cunningham is actively working on the next book in the Remnants series.
Cunningham is a self-published author and worked with a number of freelance artists and editors to bring her book to life including a wonderful fantasy map that the characters will get to explore as the series progresses. The publishing part of being a self-published author was one of the more challenging aspects for Cunningham as it was a brand new territory with a myriad of options and routes to follow. She credits a lot of her success with the final product to the freelancers she worked with but also to the self-published authors she came into contact with who provided advice and resources.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR H.F. CUNNINGHAM - www.hfcunningham.com
Read Author H.F. CUNNINGHAM's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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8. 'BURNT TO A CRISP' - BY AUTHOR MICHAEL O'KEEFE
Detective Paddy Durr is back in Burnt to a Crisp, Michael O'Keefe's third installment in the Durr series. This time out, life hasn't gotten any easier for Paddy and his heroic wife, Mairead. She is near death from 9/11 cancers, contracted from her time volunteering at Ground Zero after the attacks nineteen years earlier. Paddy is distraught, operating under the prospect of losing her
An enemy from within the NYPD has bared her fangs and is coming after his job. Dr. Deborah Levine is a department psychiatrist out to get Paddy's guns taken away, in retribution for scorning her sexual advances a year before. She tried then without success, but this time she has the power of the corrupt mayor and his insidious wife's backing.
Through all of this, Paddy has just caught an Arson/Triple Homicide that no one but him and his partner seems to want to be solved. A drug lord from the neighborhood has placed an embargo on the witnesses, refusing to let them tell Durr what he already knows. He has a suspect and a motive, but only reluctant witnesses. Forensic evidence is at a premium, but when fire is a killer's modus operandi, there is little left that didn't burn away in the flames
With cancer destroying his personal life, and a vindictive doctor trying to end his career, the clock is ticking. Durr will need a miracle to save his wife and career, and some luck and old-school detective work to solve his case and give his innocent victims justice. But time isn't on Paddy's side, and he has learned not to expect a miracle from a God he is sure has forsaken him
It's no wonder Durr is Burnt to a Crisp.
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THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR MICHAEL O'KEEFE
Michael O’Keefe is a retired 1st Grade Detective from the NYPD, and a novelist, poet, and playwright. Working in the toughest neighborhoods in New York, specializing in homicides and other violent crimes, he was born and raised on the dangerous streets he likes to write about
His debut novel, Shot to Pieces, the first installment of the Detective Paddy Durr yuyuy www.michaelokeefeauthor.com 58054835-burnt-to-a-crisp series premiered in early July of 2016. For its realism and attention to detail, it has been included in the curriculum at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and St. John’s University.
13 Stories-Fractured, Twisted & Put Away Wet is a collection of prize-winning short fiction released in March 2019.
A Reckoning in Brooklyn, a historical crime thriller released in November 2019, is the prequel to Shot to Pieces. The book introduces Paddy Durr as a seventeen-year-old and reveals what prompted him to become a Detective.
Book III in the series, Burnt to a Crisp, debuted in late spring 2021 to critical acclaim. True crime impresario T.J. English, the author of the classics, The Westies, Paddy Whacked, and, Where the Bodies are Buried, said about it, “Nobody writes New York cops—or police work—better than Michael O’Keefe. With Burnt to a Crisp, he reintroduces Paddy Durr, a stellar detective, and a flawed human being, and sends him on a roller coaster ride of an investigation involving arson and murder. If you want to experience the granular detail of detective work through the experiences of fully realized characters who happen to be police officers and public servants, do yourself a favor.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR MICHAEL O'KEEFE - www.michaelokeefeauthor.com
Read Author MICHAEL O'KEEFE's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
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9. 'HEAVY IS THE HEAD' - BY AUTHOR KATRINA N. LEWIS
It was a bright spring day when Calla Emery kneed the man her mother sent to woo her, deep in the crotch. Her knee went rather high and deep. Probably because his cock is little, she thought with a snicker. He doubled over, stumbling to the door and falling against it. The bell jingled harshly and while she hoped the scene wouldn’t gather a crowd outside the shop, she was more concerned about this man being gone. He had tried to kiss her, without her permission, and wouldn’t stop when she said so.“And don’t come back!” Calla yelled at him. It was the third man she’d chased off this week—a rather slow pace for her mother.
Paths Cross. Love Blooms. War Rages.
"By order of His Majesty the king..."These words changed Calla Emery's life forever. With her father missing and her mother falling ill, Calla is forced to enter the world of nobility to leave her family's commoner status behind to land a wealthy husband - despite her family's messy history with the royal family. Little does she know, beyond her wildest dreams, that there's the magic that lies behind the castle walls, both good...and evil. And she's going to get more than she bargained for. "The sun will never set on the kingdom of Dragoon." Prince Mekai Okoro would do anything for his father. He would fight in any war, at any cost - or so he thought. With a civil war looming in the realm, a fight for the royal crown brewing, and dragon magic coursing through his veins, Prince Mekai must decide if he will be his own man or will he be who his father wants him to be, a warmonger. And, what will Calla and Mekai do when they realize that love is their greatest adversary...and ally?
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BOOK REVIEW
So good you won't want it to end. I received this book in exchange for a fair review. I bought the ebook because I loved it. It took me a while to read this book and I realized that it was because I didn't want to let it go. I think that's the greatest compliment I can give any book; I read slowly because I didn't want it to end. It is a fantasy romance with all the twists and turns of Game of Thrones, but with more heart. I loved it. - Arietta (Reviewed in the United States)
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR KATRINA N. LEWIS
Katrina N. Lewis is an indie author who enjoys writing all things fiction - fantasy, romance, sci-fi, drama, you name it! She loves a good story. In fact, her favorite subject is history! Katrina is a Philly native and proud grad of Temple University. She's passionate about creating stories about extraordinary adventures with diverse characters and worlds.
With a love for worldbuilding and creating interesting characters, Katrina had a passion for writing since she could pick up a pen or use a keyboard. And with the help of the inspiring words of her father, has always wanted to chase her dreams to become the storyteller she’s always wanted to be.
Katrina's most recent work includes A Crimson City, a fantasy, romantic, short story drama that takes place in the fictional kingdom of Dragoon, and its full-length sequel, Heavy is the Head: Love & War that can be purchased on Amazon in eBook and paperback format.
When she isn't writing, Katrina loves re-watching her favorite movies and TV shows like Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Avatar the Last Airbender, and Game of Thrones. She also loves to dance, eat good food and spend time with her big family and wonderful fiancé.
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Read Author KATRINA N. LEWIS's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
Download/Order the full issue here.
10. 'THE DARKEST GIFT' - BY AUTHOR LEN HANDELAND
Two worlds colliding, one man, the other a vampire—who form a strong bond and eventually, bound by a blood covenant known as the dark gift, are destined to create a world of their own until their love is violently ripped apart by jealousy and rage. Love eventually triumphs over despair and misery, only in a different place and time, but are they destined to be together? Laurent Richelieu is a 250- year-old vampire whose lover and vampire maker Fabien Levesque—is destroyed in front of him in a jealous fit of rage by his vampire maker Stefan, exacting revenge for Fabien's rejecting him. Laurent narrowly escapes— leaving Paris to set forth to settle the New World and seek shelter and refuge in the newly established city of New Orleans anonymously with his trusted servant Barthelme sworn to Laurent's secret.
Cloaked in darkness—Laurent struggles with modern times and, in deep despair, haunts the French Quarter's jazz bars —listening to beautiful music and seeking out dark tables in the back to hide hisblood-soakedd tears to mourn the loss of his long-lost love Fabien. Deep isolation and loneliness consume another: Jack Devereaux, a man's man, and a self-loathing gay man. Jack recently, having come out as gay from a ten-year failed marriage to a woman. Jack feels estranged from connecting with his gay community - his Catholic faith forbids it. He feels as if he's unable to exist as either straight or gay. His reluctance in accepting his true sexuality leads him from one disastrous sexual encounter to another. Swearing off his same sex attraction leads Jack back into a straight jazz bar where, unknowingly—he meets a refined and elegant gentleman that entices, attracts, and, oddly, disturbs Jack. Are they destined to be together?—does Laurent honestly care for Jack?
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THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR LEN HANDELAND
Len Handeland has always enjoyed writing and drawn to being creative— as far back as he can remember. Back in middle school, when he and his classmates were assigned a book report, and the others groaned, Len cheered—not only being given an exciting novel to read but also to compose the essay assignment as well. Everything had to be perfect, the spelling, grammar, and accuracy is 21426110. Len_Handeland regarding the subject matter. Later on—in his late teens, Len attended FIT in Manhattan studying fashion illustration; years later, he decided to pursue a career in the hair industry using his artistic training and creativity to excel in hair. He decided to pursue writing after reading many of Anne Rice’s work (having read all of her Vampire chronicle books) and after having attended many creative writing classes and attending the San Francisco International writers’ conference— decided it was time for him to write a Vampire story of his own; in his words, given Len’s affinity for vampires.
Handeland says, “I wrote “The Darkest Gift” as I felt no other author had written an enthralling vampire romance novel since Anne Rice, which was a breakthrough in featuring two vampires of the same gender as a couple. Being a lifelong fan of vampires starting when I was a small child and into my adult years, I wanted to write a compelling and enthralling book where the characters are complicated (both my human and vampire characters) and that same sex couples are far less ambiguous about their sexual orientation than in vampire books of the last century. Where the emphasis is on love, whether between a human and a vampire or two vampires (of the same gender), it was vital for me to avoid anything graphically sexual, but instead, the focus is on the sensual aspect of two men together.
In August of this year (2021), Author Len has started writing his 2nd novel entitled “Requiem for Miriam".
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR LEN HANDELAND - www.lenhandelandauthor.com
Read Author LEN HANDELAND's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2021 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
Download/Order the full issue here.
[ Want more? Check out our list of 10 BOOKS TO READ THIS FALL]