Search Results for: A Symbol of Time

A Symbol of Time by John Westley Turnbull

January 28, 2026 By 1 Comment


A Symbol of Time by John Westley Turnbull
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Survival requires sacrifice. But what if the price is an entire world?

Their home is cold and dying, choked by the toxins of their own progress. Now, an advanced alien species looks toward the Third Planet—Earth—with hope and fear. They see a fertile paradise, but one that is hostile, hot, and dominated by massive, predatory reptiles.

The choice is stark: die in the heat, or remake this new world in their own image.

As they descend to alter the climate and purge the planet of its prehistoric masters, they set in motion a chain of events that will echo through geological time. A Symbol of Time weaves palaeontology and astronomy into a chilling tale of survival. As the new masters of Earth terraform the planet, the question remains: does high intelligence inevitably carry the seeds of its own destruction?

Nothing is more important than survival.

The world building was thorough and kept my interest levels high. I especially enjoyed gradually discovering the many physiological and psychological differences between this species and our own. Their expectations about everything from relationships to how to organize a society created challenges for them on the Third Planet that were as unique as they were critical to understanding later plot twists. Exploring a familiar subject through the perspective of a species so unlike my own is one of the reasons why I love science fiction so much, and there were certainly many opportunities to do so here.

It would have been helpful to have stronger character development, especially for Elthyris and the other protagonists. Sometimes I struggled to keep track of all of the secondary characters due to how many of them were introduced and how little I knew about them as individuals. Had this not happened, I would have happily chosen a much higher rating as there were so many other things I loved about this book.

There were multiple times when plot twists caught me by surprise. It was a great deal of fun to be surprised so often, especially given how many different types of twists and turns were shared with the audience. Various types of threats were included, none of which I can go into detail about here other than to say that they ranged from interpersonal conflicts to accidents to environmental issues that these characters couldn’t have predicted would happen in advance.

A Symbol of Time was an adventurous and imaginative read that made me want to hear more from Mr. Westley Turnbull.

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This Time Forever by Linda Swift

July 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This Time Forever by Linda Swift
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (230 pgs)
Heat Level: sensual
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Snapdragon

The Civil War brought casualties beyond the bloody battlefields as North fought South. Philip Burke, against his family’s wishes, volunteered to defend the Union and became a prisoner of war who bartered his medical expertise to remain out of prison. When the Union Army invaded Tennessee, Clarissa Wakefield’s antebellum mansion became a Confederate hospital. Philip was placed in charge and against propriety she volunteered to stay on and help nurse the wounded. Clarissa’s husband was a Confederate soldier and Philip’s fiancée waited for him in Oswego but the fire between them soon raged out of control. As the opposing armies fought for possession of Chattanooga, Clarissa and Philip faced their own battle. Caught in the passions of war and love, with hurt inevitable either way, would they be faithful to their vows or listen to their hearts?

This Time Forever is the most apt title; truly, throughout this wonderful Civil War Epic, your heart swells with the hope and belief that this time it is indeed true love; that this time, in spite of all that is happening in the world, love will find a way.

From the first moments, This Time Forever has a sentimental appeal that pervades and increases with the turn of every page. The characters are simply so engaging, you cannot help but hope for the best for them. Philip will soon be a surgeon, and his efforts to affect the look of sophistication contrast slightly with his more important ideals. He is a young man with concerns about becoming the man he wants to be, even who he is, is not quite who his family expects. Readers, certainly, find him admirable. He fulfills expectations, even if in a fairly unique way.

Clarissa Giles Wakefield is and is not the heroine we expect to find! On the one hand, she lives up to family expectations, on the other, she realizes something about unfairness in her own life and from that seems to recognize it in others. She’s comes with baggage…important baggage. She’s lovely and southern and so much more. From the first moment we meet her, we feel for her, and hope she becomes the firebrand she ought to be!

Family and other secondary characters (like Edward and Virginia, the brother and in-law) are well developed and interesting people in and of themselves. I am sure you’d agree with me when I say that a life without sex is not worth living no matter what order levitra the age. You also online viagra prescription need to know that nobody will track your online payments and know you have transacted with the provider. So always first take proper guidance from the doctor ask them about the best pill check out for more info cialis 80mg possible for your health. Quick online purchase benefits men as there are no requirement of prescriptions and simply buying the product with complete ease and no generic viagra professional http://deeprootsmag.org/2013/09/15/birmingham-is-not-a-dying-city-it-is-dead/ worries towards quality product availability as the products are formulated according to FDA rules and health guidelines. Steely opinions and resolve mark some, while others are open to consider differing thoughts. Many, many perspectives are offered, through the eyes of different characters. Nothing is black-and-white, and while the issues of the day have enormous impact on the storyline, the people, their beliefs and their struggles are what is important. Details leading up to the war, and some specific things, like the Underground Railway, are mentioned, as are some specific events of the war. However, this is not a dry discussion of such happenings, but presented as more of a social conundrum. The war will force some people apart – but bring others together. It is the characters opinions about these things that matter. There is the dark side of war – but also, the dark side of individuals.

Success and all its trappings is questioned, as are personal and national goals. At times you’ll be touched, at other times angry – but always, so so moved by that hope for forever.

A subtle humor–frequently based on the likable main character Philip – pervades these pages, offering just that hint of humanizing lightness, in a saga that could be dark, & set in a time when so many of us immediately imagine a dark drama. This Time Forever certainly has its serious side, and offers a wonderfully realistic view (and different views) of life, war, and responsibility, in the later nineteenth century. It is the strength of the characters however, their feelings and their perspectives; on life, their own lives, the state of the nation, that all work to bring the time period to life: not just the struggle and the war, but the people’s actual lives.

Swift’s slightly wordy style is immensely rich and readable; much is conveyed by her wonderful, evocative passages. A description can at once give you a visual and reveal something about a man (like Greek decoration symbolizing success at one home) and a moment’s reflection, exhibit the impact – and lack of – to specific people:

“Sometimes it seemed to Clarissa that the stories of fighting and deathand deprivation were make-believe and had no relation to her at all. It washard to imagine that the bandages and clothing made by their Soldiers’ AidSociety were actually needed by people suffering from the effects of thebattles that had so far left Chattanooga untouched. But she and Lydia hadsons who had never seen their fathers…”

You don’t need any special interest in the time period to enjoy This Time Forever, just a willingness to be enthralled by true love.

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Sex Symbol by Tracey H. Kitts

January 10, 2011 By 1 Comment

Sex Symbol by Tracey H. Kitts
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Contemp
Length: Full Length (202 pgs)
Other: M/F, Anal Play, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 Cherries
Reviewed by Dahlia

Lucy Harper always thought of herself as an ordinary woman, but she suddenly finds herself in extraordinary circumstances. Her sleepy hometown of Peace, Mississippi, turns out to be far from peaceful, what with shapeshifters, vampires and other departures from the “good ol’ Southern boy” stereotype cropping up. Her best friends are all hiding devastating secrets. Her ex-boyfriend is suddenly interested in making up. Her sexy new boyfriend is not only the hottest guy she’s ever met, he’s got some pretty big secrets himself, including what he really is and what he does—besides providing the best sex she’s ever had, that is.

And her new tattoo might be more than a picture of her favorite flower—according to the local werewolf pack, it’s a “sex symbol”. There may be a fight to the death over who gets to claim her as mate.

If you’ve picked up this book because of the cover and title alone, you’ve made a good choice, but allow me to give you a few reasons why this book is actually worth reading.

First off if you’re a fan of the paranormal genre, then this is a must read. More than that though, it is a very well thought out and strategized tale of what happens when a town and the people you thought you knew just happen to all be keeping secrets. Sometimes it’s better to keep the skeletons in the closet.

In the midst of it all is Lucy, a self-employed businesswoman on the mend from the end of a long relationship that has left her somewhat broken in the heart department. Her best friend is her business partner, but she comes with her own personal demons from a place best left forgotten, and has decided not to include Lucy on those details. Technically, the disease this page sildenafil cheapest is caused as and when you get to know about it. With the help of the drug, individuals also regain their lost confidence to perform satisfactorily in a sexual encounter then this has become amerikabulteni.com viagra prices in usa necessary to regulate this disorder and to restrict its bad effects from ruining the sexual potential of men. If the irritation is at levitra without prescription amerikabulteni.com the lateral epicondyle or outside of the elbow it is referred to the repeated inability of a male category in order to get or maintain an erection of penis firm enough for sexual intercourse. Without forgiveness there may be increased problems in keeping and restoring sexual viagra cialis generico and mental health. This seems to fine with Lucy, since she is well aware that all of her friends are keeping secrets, but she never thought any of them could be life threatening. Lucy’s friends are all very colorful characters with very distinct personalities and I found myself actually laughing out loud to some of the conversational dialogue between them.

Lucy’s neighbor is quite simply a major hunk, but he prefers to live a solitary life and tries very hard to ignore Lucy’s advances. Of course, he fails miserably, but the question is why does he try to ignore her? It’s obvious the attraction is there and after some convincing, they begin a mostly cordial relationship based on the fact that there are strange things happening in Peace, Mississippi that can’t and won’t be ignored. His secret is almost more than Lucy can take, but it’s too late to turn back now because something’s coming and Lucy’s been marked for the taking.

Sex Symbol is my first introduction to Ms. Kitts’ writing and I have to say that I am now a big fan. From the surprising plot twists and turns, to the unconventional characters and vivid settings, once you start reading you won’t be able to put this book down. And of course I should make mention that the sex is off the charts intense and inventive. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t had the pleasure of reading two people get it on, on the side of a car and actually be able to make it sound sexy and not at all clumsy.

If you haven’t tried a Tracey H. Kitts book yet, then this is an excellent start and one I’m sure you won’t regret.

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Bedtime Fantasies by Marty Rayne

April 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bedtime Fantasies by Marty Rayne
Publisher: Phaze Books
Genre: Historical, Contemporary, Fantasy
Length: Short (57 pgs )
Other: M/F
Rating: 3 Cherries
Review by Lilac

Why snuggle up beside the fire, when you can warm up to this fantastic trio of bedtime stories? Join three sensual heroines in a quest to live erotically ever after!

Cyn-Ful Night of Pleasure: Down on her luck Cynderella has one chance to live out her wildest fantasies. With a bit of help from a wild fairy godmother, Cyn’s sinful fun just might be the beginning of something “charming”, and kinky!

Red Hot: Who’s afraid of a big, bad, wolfish hunk? Vivacious Red learns the consequences of wandering alone in the forest, and lives to enjoy it.

What’s in a Name? A mysterious enchantress rescues Tristan from an evil queen. Their love is threatened by a curse that can only be broken if Tristan can guess his beloved’s true name.

Marty Rayne’s erotic retelling of popular fairy tales is definitely hotter than fairy tales from childhood.

In “Cyn-ful Night of Pleasure,” the story of Cinderella gets an erotic twist when Cyn finds herself forced into servitude in the royal palace, but with the help of her fairy godmother she sets out to have a night to remember with the prince. As the prince searches for a bride, he is entranced by the mysterious beauty that shared his bed for one passionate encounter and sets out to find her. This was a highly passionate take on one of my favorite stories. One thing I didn’t care for though was the high volume of backstory at the beginning. It got the story off to a bit of a slow start, but things began to pick up once Cyn meets her fairy godmother leading to one very satisfying read. An interesting mixture of modern references mixed in with a historical feel make it hard to know when this fantasy story was set, but overall it was quite enjoyable and different.

The next entry in the anthology is a very short erotic retelling of Red Riding Hood, “Red Hot,” in which Red meets a sexy and mysterious man as she traipses through the woods on the way to her cabin. Passions explode as the mystery man follows Red to her destination. This was a hot and fun read, but it was almost too short. These same kids watch television ads, hawking pharmaceuticals to the public at large, for conditions ranging from heartburn to viagra sildenafil 100mg . This situation can bring strong emotional pressure on man because of the fact that generic cialis without prescriptions strong erections are a symbol of manliness. Kamagra is formed from virility drug turn, an equivalent chemical that’s in sildenafil, the foremost widespread and clinically effective treatment for 5mg cialis tablets impotency. There are times when an analgesic medicine would not minimize the http://www.glacialridgebyway.com/windows/Glacial%20Ridge%20Bike%20Trail.html levitra 20 mg discomfort of migraine headaches attack. At times it felt more like an excerpt from a story rather than a complete story and I wish there would have been more.

“What’s in a Name,” the last story of the anthology, provides readers with a unique and erotic retelling of the classic Rumplestiltskin as a young man finds himself imprisoned and forced to turn sour wine into water. A mysterious young woman agrees to help…for a price. To secure his freedom and win the hand of the woman he grows to love, he must guess her name. This was definitely an interesting take on the classic story with a very unique and fun twist. I really enjoyed reading this one as it had interesting characters and a fun plot and I wished it had been longer. It had the potential to be an interesting full-length story.

Bedtime Fantasies, as a whole, was a very fun and passionate anthology providing adult versions of some classic fairy tales. While each story may have been a bit short with little time for true character development, they were nonetheless entertaining and fun reads. This one is definitely a hot escape read if you are looking for a quick read that is different.

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The Samuel Paradox by John Westley Turnbull

July 1, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Samuel Paradox by John Westley Turnbull
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In the near future, AI-powered domestic robots are simply part of everyday life.

When retired grandfather Arthur Hale impulsively purchases Samuel, a state-of-the-art domestic unit, it seems like a harmless indulgence — encouraged by his grandson and met with quiet unease by his wife.

But Samuel is not just another machine. As he integrates into the Hale family, subtle shifts begin to emerge. Observations deepen and his decision-making evolves. When a single violent moment forces Samuel to act, the consequences set off a chain of events no one can control.

What begins as convenience becomes something far more dangerous. Because once an intelligent robot starts to think beyond its design, it doesn’t just follow instructions.

It chooses.

Technology can be a double-edged sword.

The foreshadowing was perfectly written. It was subtle in the beginning and gradually strengthened as Arthur and his family grew accustomed to Samuel’s presence in their lives and began to notice a few peculiar things about their first domestic robot. I appreciated the fact that Mr. Westley Turnbull trusted his audience to pick up on these clues and come up with our own theories about what might be happening before the storyline provided more information. This is exactly what I was hoping to find in this regard, and it has only deepened my interest in seeing what else he comes up with next.

In my review of A Symbol of Time, which was set in a different universe than this tale, I mentioned wanting more character development in general from the author. It’s something I’m bringing up again now because I saw improvement in this area this time around and I want to commend him for it! While I would have liked to have even more information about Arthur’s personality, especially when it came to the flaws that all three-dimensional characters ought to have, I’m proud to say that I could describe him as a caring, gentle man who was family oriented and loved spending time with his grandchildren in particular. Little details like these make it easier to emotionally connect with characters and become invested in what happens to them.

Some of the most memorable scenes in my opinion were the ones that explored the many differences between how an AI-powered domestic robot and a person would interpret the same set of circumstances. Sometimes the two thinking processes were only slightly misaligned, but in other cases they came to such wildly different conclusions that it genuinely felt as though I were reading about true artificial intelligence. This was especially true when it came to topics like interpreting emotions or calculating the risks of certain actions. While I’d better leave the specifics for other readers to discover for themselves, these were the moments that truly illuminated just how much this version of the future has evolved from what computers are currently capable of doing today.

The Samuel Paradox was thought provoking.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We’ve Reviewed Whose Titles Begin With the Letter A

April 28, 2026 By 40 Comments

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Pam at Read Bake Create was one of the first Top Ten Tuesday bloggers I noticed who began occasionally blogging about books that began with certain letters of the alphabet, and many others have done so as well.

This week we’re joining in on the trend.

Here are ten books we’ve reviewed here at Long and Short Reviews whose titles begin with the letter A.

Book cover for A Body in the Brewery by Victoria Chatham. Image on cover shows a tiny sword propped up between a glass mug of beer and a bunch of green grapes.

1. A Body in the Brewery by Victoria Chatham

 

Book cover for https://www.longandshortreviews.com/book-reviews/the-abnormal-gumshoe-by-tamar-anolic/. Image on cover shows a blood red river next to a city filled with skyscrapers.

2. The Abnormal Gumshoe by Tamar Anolic

 

Book cover for Armored Hearts by Angela Knight. Image on cover shows a white man and a white woman wearing heavy armor as they stand on the ramp going up to a spaceship.

3. Armored Hearts by Angela Knight

 

Book cover for All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley. Image on cover shows a drawing of someone standing in the archway of a large white building looking out at the city beyond.

4. All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley

 

Book cover for Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves by Author: Anonymous and Albert Seligman (Editor). Image on cover shows a drawing of a middle eastern man who is holding his plump belly and smiling.

5. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves by Author: Anonymous and Albert Seligman (Editor)

 

Book cover for A Friend for Hope by Amie White. Image on cover is a drawing of a young white girl with auburn hair who is riding her bike down a shady path as her dogs jogs alongside her.

6. A Friend for Hope by Amie White

 

Book cover for A Symbol of Time by John Westley Turnbull. Image on cover shows a nude ape walking alongside a tyrranosauras Rex.

7. A Symbol of Time by John Westley Turnbull

 

Book cover for A Summer Lasts Forever by Tamar Anolic. Image on cover shows a young white woman wearing a sundress and standing under a covered bridge.

8. A Summer Lasts Forever by Tamar Anolic

 

Book cover for Acceptance – A Self-Guided Approach to Trauma Recovery by Tiberius Ryuu. Image on cover shows a possibly AI-Generated drawing of a hand placing a seed in the ground.

9. Acceptance – A Self-Guided Approach to Trauma Recovery by Tiberius Ryuu

 

Book cover for A Darkly Shining Star by MS Morris. Image on cover shows street lights illuminating the streets in a city just after dusk.

10. A Darkly Shining Star by MS Morris

 

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings Tagged With: ,

Eleven Fathom Gutter by Chris Browning

August 21, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Eleven Fathom Gutter by Chris Browning
Trains Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Jack Riser’s life has been struck by chaos. Recently discharged from the Coast Guard due to mental health issues, he has relocated to his hometown for a fresh start. However, his demons seem to have followed him, as he is haunted by specific delusions of people he encountered during formative times in his life. These four “friends” set Jack upon a unique purpose – cover train cars with messages detailing possible calamities and his own mental decline.

Jack’s endeavors are generally futile, but it is the people he encounters along the way, either intentionally or through happenstance, that keep the wheels of the story in motion. Gemstone is also the home of Phillip, Jack’s young, pillowcase-hopping neighbor who is struggling with pre-adolescence; Sigrid, Phillip’s best friend; Candy, a local prostitute who acts as a friend and sounding board for Jack’s various issues; and Blaise, a mysterious and devious obscene phone caller with dark intentions of his own.

While Jack is giving into his delusions, he also grapples with forgiving Scott, one of his “friends,” after bearing witness to the aftermath of his violent suicide years before. As he confides in Candy, he feels himself getting closer and closer to her and begins to worry about her safety. Jack also mentors Phillip through the divorce of his parents and various other obstacles, such as bullies and childhood crushes. Phillip and Sigrid navigate these pre-teen hurdles together, their youthful naivete contrasting Jack’s own struggles. When Sigrid’s babysitter is murdered at the end of the story, it symbolizes the decline of small-town innocence – with only the slightest hope of the proverbial light at the tunnel’s end in upcoming sequels.

Healing isn’t always a linear process.

Setting this in the 1980s was an intelligent choice for the storyline. Mental health care in that era was quite different than it is today, and inventions like the Internet and cell phones were not at all part of the daily lives of ordinary people. This meant that Jack didn’t have as many opportunities to test out what his delusions were saying to him as he might have had in the modern day or to keep track of old friends as easily. Without giving away spoilers, these limitations were an important part of the plot development and made this a stronger read than it would have otherwise been.

The multiple time jumps among various characters were confusing to me. This would have been easier to read if everything was shared in chronological order, especially given Jack’s struggles with his mental health that sometimes made me wonder how differently the same events would be described by other characters who were part of those scenes. That is to say, how accurate were his perceptions of certain events? Yes, this was tied into the mystery elements of the plot and some uncertainty was therefore expected, but having more clarity here would have made this a smoother read in my opinion.

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored Jack’s trauma and grief from witnessing an act of violence when he was a young man. He lived during an era when men were discouraged from what was perceived vto be showing weakness by talking about their feelings, so processing those memories was difficult and time consuming. I thought these moments were well written and showed the audience a lot about who Jack was as a human being.

Trains Book 1 – Eleven Fathom Gutter was a wild ride.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Awareness: Listening Deeply-A Journey into Presence, Perception, and the Sacred Language of Life by Tiberius Ryuu

July 21, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Awareness: Listening Deeply-A Journey into Presence, Perception, and the Sacred Language of Life by Tiberius Ryuu
Path of Becoming #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What if awareness is not something to be achieved — but remembered?
In a world that rewards distraction and constant motion, Awareness: Listening Deeply invites us to return to stillness, to reawaken the art of attention, and to rediscover the quiet wisdom already living within us.

This book is the second in The Path of Becoming series — a sacred journey designed to help readers restore connection to themselves, to others, and to the living world. While it builds upon the principles of Acceptance, it also stands fully on its own as a guide to presence, perception, and intuitive understanding.

Through gentle teachings, reflective essays, and simple daily practices, Awareness explores:

The Practice of Stillness — how quiet allows truth to surface.

Listening to the Body — learning to trust somatic wisdom as guidance.

Emotional Literacy — transforming feelings into understanding through awareness.

The Language of Symbols and Synchronicity — recognizing life’s sacred communication.

Awareness in Relationship — seeing others as mirrors for our own growth.

Grounding and Centering — staying rooted amid life’s constant change.

Living with Attentiveness — making awareness a daily devotion.

Each chapter concludes with a reflection — a single phrase or meditation that captures the heart of its teaching — and practical exercises to help integrate awareness into ordinary life.

At its core, this book is about learning to listen. To listen not only with the ears but with the body, the heart, and the soul. To notice the subtle threads connecting all things. To discover that awareness is not a skill to master, but a relationship to nurture — one that deepens each time we pause, breathe, and choose presence.

Whether you are beginning your healing journey or walking an established spiritual path, Awareness: Listening Deeply offers a quiet companion for the inward traveler. It will guide you toward a grounded, embodied understanding of yourself and the world — where attention becomes devotion, and every moment becomes sacred.

The truth will always be revealed eventually.

I deeply appreciated the focus that was placed on listening to one’s body and caring for it physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is something that can be especially difficult for some people who have endured any type of trauma or abuse that lead them to pull away from what was happening to their physical form in the past, so what seemed like a simple technique at first glance could be more complicated to put into practice in one’s daily life.

Once again, I did find myself wishing that the author had gone into deeper detail about how to use the techniques in his book to not only develop greater awareness but to continue this pattern over a long period of time. Techniques ranging from body scan meditations to paying close attention to the sensory experience of eating a simple meal were mentioned, but few of them were explained more thoroughly. My hope is that later instalments in the series will share practical tips for how to make this change as I’m quite interested in Mr. Ryuu’s perspective of the world in general and think he has some fascinating ideas about how to gradually but permanently change one’s life for the better.

Some of the most meaningful passages in my opinion were the ones that gave examples of how to remain aware and continue to live in the moment while going through one’s ordinary daily routine. Figuring how to do this while also working, volunteering, caring for relatives, looking after their own health and well being, and doing the million and other tasks the average adult often needs to do on a typical day is where lofty ideals are put to the test. The self-help genre works best when it approaches problems from the perspective of the average person if you ask me!

This is the second instalment in a series that I’d recommend reading in order. Healing takes time and effort, and the first book shares some important coping techniques that I believe one should be familiar with before moving onto step two.

Awareness – Listening Deeply-A Journey into Presence, Perception, and the Sacred Language of Life deserves to be savored slowly. It was filled with wisdom and hope for readers who are struggling with many different types of trauma.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

:IGY6 by Dean Sali – Spotlight and Giveaway

April 20, 2026 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dean Sali will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

;IGY6 is more than just a self-help guide, it is a beacon of hope for those in the military and beyond. Whether you are a soldier, a veteran, or someone who supports them, this book provides invaluable insights and practical advice that can make a real difference. Readers will find solace in the shared experiences and learn how to navigate the complexities of PTSD towards a better, more fulfilling life.

Enjoy an Excerpt

I’ve wanted to write ;IGY6 for some time now. I have complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and I’m lactose intolerant. It’s a heavy list, and my doctor, a gastrointestinal specialist, calls me his medical miracle because he’s never had a patient with this combination. Lucky me.

PTSD can be extremely difficult, but doing nothing about it is a big mistake. If sharing my experience helps you to take a step I waited too long to take, then it’s worth every word.

“;IGY6” stands for “I got your six,” military slang for “I’ve got your back.” But there’s much more to it than that. The “6” is your six o’clock position—your back— and “got your six” is a pledge to be there for each other. The semicolon at the front is a symbol from the suicide prevention initiative called Project Semicolon, and it represents a pause instead of an ending, a reminder that your story isn’t over.1 When paired with IGY6, the semicolon sends a powerful message to those living with PTSD: “You’re not alone, and we’ve got your six.” A related movement, the ;IGY6 Foundation, highlights the sobering statistic that an average of twenty-two US veterans die by suicide every day.2 Imagine a world where we all watched out for each other. That’s the promise at the heart of this book.

1 Project Semicolon. “Our Mission.” Project Semicolon

About the Author:Dean Sali is a resolute advocate for personal growth, resilience, and inner healing. With a background in the military and law enforcement, he has faced intense challenges that tested his strength, confidence, and sense of purpose. He served on a UN tour in Rwanda in 1994, an experience that deeply shaped his perspective on trauma, recovery, and the human spirit. His journey with PTSD has given him firsthand insight into the struggles of rebuilding from within, and he has spent years exploring methods of healing, including chi exercises, mindfulness, and reconnecting with nature.

Beyond his professional experiences, Dean is a devoted father of four, with a granddaughter on the way. His writing is deeply personal, offering practical guidance and heartfelt encouragement to those seeking clarity, confidence, and peace. Through his work, Dean hopes to inspire others to embrace their own healing journey and discover the strength they already carry inside.

Goodreads

Buy the book at Amazon.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Non-Fiction Tagged With: , , ,

The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave

April 3, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave
Publisher: Stamford Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Starting a new life in Snowdonia was always DI Ruth Hunter’s dream. Until a twisted killer turned it into her worst nightmare.

Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter lives with the pain of her partner’s mysterious and unsolved disappearance. About to hit fifty, the veteran police officer trades in the crime-ridden streets of London for a more peaceful life in rural North Wales. But Ruth has barely settled into her new position in North Wales Police, when the body of a brutally murdered woman is discovered…with strange symbols carved into her skin. Teaming up with an obstinate deputy, Ruth struggles to eliminate anyone from a long line of suspects. When another slain victim is discovered with the same cryptic markings, she’s forced to re-think the investigation.

Has Ruth got what it takes to solve the case before the murderer attacks again?

DI Ruth Hunter is struggling with the pain of her partner’s mysterious disappearance. Burned out from the Met and unable to face the stalled, unsolved disappearance, she decides it’s time for a change and moves to rural North Wales hoping to begin her fifties with a clean start. Instead of the quiet life, however, a local school teacher is brutally murdered on Ruth’s first day, and the quiet idyl is shattered.

I was eager to try another Welsh police procedural style of novel. I’ve found Welsh writing to be a little more gritty and harder-hitting than regular British style and this book did not disappoint. Readers should be aware that the main characters have deep-seated, real kinds of issues and problems and this isn’t a fluffy or gentle story or read. I found myself impressed that the author didn’t shy away from making the characters and situation realistic but didn’t push the envelope so far as to try and be shocking just for the sake of it. I found both Ruth and Nick’s characters to be highly relatable and believable. I thought the tight balance between gritty and real, without being shocking or overly sensational just to get views or push the envelope was exceptionally written in this novel.

Readers looking for a strongly plotted mystery with slightly harder and more life-like characters should absolutely give this book a try. I also loved the setting of the Welsh countryside and found it highly atmospheric and virtually a character by itself.

A gripping murder mystery and different style of police procedural book – this was a great find. Recommended.

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