Fresh out of high school, Calli Stockton, a volunteer at a children’s horse camp in Arkansas, is feeling uncertain about what lies ahead. What better way to figure things out than to spend the summer working alongside her best friend at a private island resort off the coast of Florida?
Little does she know, this experience will change her life forever. After a chance encounter with a mysterious man offering her a magical tattoo, promising fame and beauty, suddenly, Calli’s life seems to be perfect. Or is it?
When Calli faces an unexpected crossroads, she must make a challenging decision. Will she choose the life the magic offers, or will she walk away from her deepest desires and choose the people she loves the most?
Dive into the pages of Butterfly Ink and experience a splash of magic, first love, and fame, all while discovering what it truly means to be …”altogether beYOUtiful.”
An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze offers a poignant and insightful glimpse into the complexities of growing up during one of history’s most tumultuous times—World War II. The novel centers on Scotty Johannsen, a 15-year-old boy navigating the challenges of adolescence while the world around him is engulfed in chaos. Through Scotty’s eyes, we witness the trials of friendship, family dynamics, and the struggles of coming of age in a period marked by uncertainty and loss.
Despite its heavy themes, this book is surprisingly heartwarming and nostalgic. Richardson masterfully portrays the day-to-day life of a teenager in 1943, blending humor and warmth with the serious issues of the era. His writing captures the spirit of the time with a light touch, making the narrative both engaging and accessible, even as it tackles the profound effects of the war on those living in the United States. Richardson’s respectful and thoughtful portrayal of World War II and its impact on ordinary people, particularly teenagers, adds depth to the story. It’s fascinating to imagine how a typical teenager like Scotty managed to navigate such a complex and challenging environment. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the author’s ability to depict this experience authentically and with sensitivity. The characters, especially the siblings Greta, Scotty, and Erik, are richly developed and integral to Scotty’s journey toward maturity. Their interactions, full of both tension and tenderness, are some of the most memorable moments in the book. The way they find ways to cope with their circumstances and grow closer as a family is both touching and realistic. The chapters are well-structured, and the writing is clear and compelling, making it difficult to put the book down.
If you’re looking for a reflective yet adventurous slice-of-life novel set against the backdrop of World War II, An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze is the perfect choice. It’s a beautifully crafted story that will resonate with anyone interested in the impacts of history’s most challenging moments.
The God Fix is a profoundly unsettling and intricately layered novel that follows the young protagonist, Matthew, as he navigates a visit to his relatives in Manchester. What begins as an innocent summer trip slowly unravels into a dark exploration of family secrets, trauma, and the loss of innocence. The book dives headfirst into complex themes of abuse, the falsehoods that people use to shield themselves from reality, and the haunting impacts these have on a child’s psyche.
Alexander’s writing is stark and evocative, capturing the mundane details of everyday life while hinting at the sinister undercurrents that flow just beneath the surface. The book’s atmosphere is thick with tension, made even more palpable by the author’s skill in building suspense through the eyes of a child. The way Matthew’s perceptions shift from excitement about seeing his cousins to the dawning realization of the horrors around him is particularly well done. I found myself holding my breath during critical moments, especially when Matthew discovered the disturbing videotapes in his uncle’s wardrobe. This moment is a turning point in the novel, where the hidden darkness of the household begins to surface, and it’s handled with both sensitivity and brutal honesty.
The pacing can be slow at times, especially in the early chapters, where the focus is on mundane activities. This methodical pace is likely intentional, reflecting the slow build-up of tension, but I found myself wanting the story to move forward more quickly. Additionally, the portrayal of religious themes and the hypocrisy of the characters could have been explored more deeply. While the novel touches on these aspects, it often feels like there’s more to be said, particularly regarding how these themes influence the characters’ actions and justifications. The book does not shy away from the psychological impact on its young protagonist and paints a vivid picture of how children can internalize guilt and confusion in the face of such horrors. Matthew’s internal monologue, filled with a mix of naivety and dawning awareness, is both heartbreaking and compelling. This inner conflict drives much of the novel’s emotional weight, making it a challenging but worthwhile read.
The God Fix is a powerful and disturbing novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s a book that requires emotional resilience, as it deals with heavy subjects in a manner that is both raw and real. I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate psychological dramas and are not afraid to confront uncomfortable truths. It’s particularly suited for those who are interested in stories that delve into the complexities of family dynamics and the hidden traumas that can shape a person’s life.
Notes From After Dusk is a captivating novel chronicling the lives of two individuals, Olivia and Michael, through their poignant journal entries. These entries, ranging from several pages to succinct sentences, are written in the first person, allowing readers to delve deeply into the psyches and souls of the protagonists. This unique narrative structure adds profound depth and intimacy to their experiences.
The novel is not merely a story but a journey into a rich tapestry of universal concepts and philosophies. Olivia and Michael share their daily lives through journal entries, revealing their innermost beliefs, ruminations, and realizations. They delve into Socratic and Platonic philosophies, exploring their relevance in the modern world. Their unorthodox commentary on psychological and philosophical topics offers a fresh perspective on centuries-old teachings, sparking curiosity and contemplation in readers’ minds. The text employs symbology from various cultures and philosophies, significantly enhancing the protagonists’ relatability as they learn to heal through therapy, study, and the passage of time. The philosophical references throughout the book open several topics for readers to research or ponder for academic and inspirational purposes. The entries interweave the impact of childhood experiences on Michael and Olivia’s adult lives, connecting childhood traumas to adult mental health and personality issues. The later portions of the book highlight the ebb and flow of mental health struggles and the toll that depression takes on the human brain and psyche.
Notes From After Dusk is a masterfully composed, multifaceted novel that resonates with readers while challenging them intellectually. The numerous journal entries excel at employing the complexity of the English language, shedding light on vital topics and fostering new ruminations on philosophies studied for centuries. It is a thought-provoking novel that will captivate those who enjoy pondering the many questions the human condition presents.
Human Extinction presents an overview of the myriad of ways humanity is responsible for its own downfall, highlighting the progress and destruction that define our history. What inspired you to write this book?
Actually, it was only because of a statement by Greta Thunberg that “The Germans are the number 1 climate sinners” that I got the idea to look into this topic more intensively. I then looked into the topic more intensively and you quickly realized that this statement has no basis and that there are not only the problems of the climate, but many others, all of which are intertwined in some way.
Can you share with us a little about the research required to put your book together?
I looked at a lot of reports, statistics and documentation and put things into context. The basic principle is actually an inspiration and a lot of thinking about what effects this has on other areas of life. At the moment we are actually living in a very exciting time, because things that could help us are only now being developed or published. I’ll try to show this with an example: Everyone knows Photovaltak systems, they’re on everyone’s lips. As we all know, however, these only work during the day, but a German company (rawlemon.com) has linked this technology to “a magnifying glass” and this system even works at night, I think further development will not be long in coming . The fact that this is also available as a color or foil is very new and sounds exciting
What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write Human Extinction?
It was information with a lot of inspiration. It is a mental process of connecting things together to see what effects one has on the other.
What is one thing you hope readers are able to take away from your book?
There is always a lot to hope for. I would like more people to think about how we can shape the future of our children without doing more damage to our planet. It doesn’t help to just believe everything that prominent people say, we should think about what is being said and what impact it might have. We are not everyone in this world. We should all be a community that shapes the future together.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
If we look at the destructive way in which humanity treats the environment, natural resources and itself, the future does not look rosy for the next generations. Climate change, wars, poverty and the manipulation of politics and the media are leading humanity straight towards the abyss. But all is not yet lost. A look into the past shows that numerous technological solutions are already on the table, we just have to make them usable for the future and be prepared to bring about change where the biggest obstructors are: in power, money and influence.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
