Beyond the Cover: Exploring Passions

Book Review: 674 My Take What if healing came not from forgetting your past, but by walking straight through it somewhere far from home? Things That Go Dark in the Light by Stan G. Duncan,  explores this in the most unexpected, beautiful way.  This book is a thoughtful, moving, and unforgettable read. The highlight I loved about this book is how grief, history, and hope have been brought together without ever feeling forced. The storyline is layered with emotional depth, a sense of place, and quiet revelations that keep building till the end.  The author has created a narrative that feels human and grounded, while still carrying emotional weight. The writing is smooth, honest, and wonderfully paced never rushed, never flat.  This book is a great read for anyone who enjoys stories of personal transformation, cultural immersion, and emotional depth. I found this book to be soul-stirring, with just the right mix of pain and promise. The journey it offers is quiet but pr...

1. Could you please introduce yourself to us?  Hi, my name is Stan Duncan, and I'm a retired economic development advisor, social worker, church pastor, van driver, ghost writer, restaurant owner, short-order cook, and a few other things I can't remember.  2. Congratulations on your book! What inspired you to write it? I lived in El Salvador for several years bck in the 80s, during their civil war and for years since I thought novel set in that painful era would be important and engaging to a good many readers. While writing I realized that El Salvador was attempting to become a democracy and we in the US are attempting to keep ours, and many of the similarities seemed very strong.  3. What is your book about? David, the protagonist has suddenly and tragically lost his wife and in his dispair and depression a colleague in the states, but from El Salvador, offers him a job working with nonprofits in El Salvador. On a desperate whim, he takes it and then finds himself in a ...

Book Review: 672  My Take: What will you do if your career path had a smarter, faster lane and no one told you about it? Well,  Six Steps from Perm to Contracting by Fizza Khan  uncovers that path with clarity, confidence, and just the right dose of real talk. This book is a smart, empowering, and refreshingly practical read. The highlight I loved about this book is how it turns an overwhelming shift moving from permanent roles to contracting into a structured, step-by-step plan that actually makes sense. The storyline is built around personal insight, market wisdom, and mindset growth, all delivered in a relatable tone.  The author has shared hard-earned knowledge with honesty and precision, making the book feel like advice from a trusted mentor rather than a manual. The writing is engaging, approachable, and filled with actionable tips that never talk down to the reader.  This book is a must-read for anyone stuck in a routine job but craving freedom, growth, a...

Book Review: 672  My Take: Ever seen a behind-the-scenes life of IT contractors which is more entertaining than your favorite sitcom? Well, The Diaries of An IT Contractor, the 1st book in the untold circus series by Fizza Khan, proves that reality often beats fiction with humor, chaos, and sharp observations. This book is a witty, brutally honest, quick and hilariously relatable read. The highlight I loved about this book is how it turns real work frustrations into hilarious storytelling from the interview process to the awkward first week of starting work.  The storyline is a wild mix of strange office characters, ridiculous deadlines, and those “is-this-really-happening?” moments that feel all too familiar. The author has a brilliant gift for observing chaos and wrapping it in humour. Every page reflects a lived reality, but with a comic twist that makes you grin.  The writing is breezy, fun, and cleverly delivered it reads like a conversation with a friend ...

Book Review: 671 My Take: Really, when was the last time poetry made you feel something so raw it lingered long after? Fragments by ML Wissing isn’t just poetry; it’s truth wrapped in verse. This book is a deeply personal and unforgettable read. The highlight I loved about this book is how emotions like pain, courage, and healing have been laid bare without filters. The storyline is not a linear tale, but a powerful journey told in fragments, each one hitting the heart differently. The author has poured soul and experience into each page. Every poem reflects a lived reality and gives voice to those often unheard. The writing is sincere, graceful, and piercing simple words used with deep impact. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates honest storytelling, emotional depth, or seeks to understand the invisible battles of soldiers and veterans. I found this book to be a moving experience each poem felt like a quiet echo of truth, strength, and survival. The author’s ability to ...

Book Review: 670 My Take: Really, what if Earth could speak and we finally understood it? Message From Inner Space: When Earth Has Had Enough by John Landrine takes that very question and turns it into a mind-bending, sci-fi experience unlike anything else. This book is a fresh, exhilarating, and eerie read. The highlight I loved about this book is its completely unique premise, a warning not from the sky but from the very core of our planet. The storyline is bold and original, packed with scientific curiosity and emotional intensity that keeps readers glued. The author has delivered a truly standout narrative, bringing together global science, mystery, and an apocalyptic twist with stunning precision. The writing is sharp, accessible, and filled with energy; it hooks without overwhelming. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys bold, intelligent science fiction that makes you think deeply about the planet and our place in it. I found this book to be completely captivating, from...

Book Review: 669 My Take: Do you ever wonder how a story can quietly pull you in without dramatic noise or flashy turns? Partners by David M. McGowan, this book builds that kind of connection through emotion and realism rather than chaos and spectacle. This book is a deeply moving and unforgettable read.  The highlight I loved about this book is how human emotions, struggles, and unexpected companionship have been subtly layered. The storyline is both reflective and gripping, creating a space where survival meets purpose.  The author has done an incredible job of turning ordinary moments into something profound. The characters’ journeys have been shaped with depth, and even the silences speak volumes. The writing is smooth, honest, and unforced, creating an immersive and natural rhythm.  This book is a heartfelt read for anyone who enjoys slow-burn stories filled with realism and emotional depth. I found this book to be honest, quietly powerful, and impossible to ignore o...

Book Review: 668 My Take: Do you enjoy discovering stories that instantly pull you in and won’t let go? This book, Gunfighters, Thieves and Lawmen, blends history, mystery, and action in a way that feels incredibly real. This book is a gripping and unforgettable read.  The highlight I loved about this book is the way suspense and western grit have been mixed with a clever narrative. The storyline is packed with tension, curiosity, and just enough unpredictability to keep pages turning. The author has once again impressed with his ability to paint vivid scenes and build realistic conflicts. The writing is crisp, well-paced, and filled with authentic atmosphere, drawing you straight into the world without overloading you with details. This book is a perfect pick for anyone who enjoys fast-moving western tales, layered with intrigue and quiet intensity. I found this book to be emotionally rich and thoughtfully structured, and it stayed with me even after I’d closed it. The author's wr...

Book Review: 667 My Take: Do you enjoy stories that stir both the heart and the mind? The Making of Jake McTavish by D. M. McGowan, this book, takes place in the Canadian frontier of the 1890s, and the emotions captured feel just as raw and real today. This book is a deeply moving read. The highlight I loved about this book is the emotional strength layered through the plot. The storyline is woven with grit, sorrow, and resilience, making it a compelling journey. The author has brought history alive with a powerful blend of emotion and detail. The writing is clear, absorbing, and vivid each page has been crafted to transport readers into the rugged past. This book is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys emotionally rich historical fiction. I found this book to be incredibly gripping and honest, with a natural flow that made it hard to pause. It connects you with the raw struggles and strength of its characters in an unforgettable way. The author’s storytelling is filled w...

Book Review: 666 My Take: How do stories from the 1880s still feel relevant today?  It’s because some tales, even set in the rugged Canadian frontier, are rooted in timeless values like determination, justice, and heart.  That’s exactly what has been beautifully reflected in Homesteader: Finding Sharon, the second book I’ve read by this incredibly skilled author. This book is a rewarding read. The highlight I loved about this book is how it combined grit with emotion, blending raw frontier life with a search for belonging. The storyline is bold, grounded, and gives a strong sense of place and purpose. The author has delivered yet another memorable tale. His storytelling is sharp, balanced with heart, and layered with grit. The writing is fluid and confident, making the journey through the Canadian wild both vivid and smooth. Readers are pulled in effortlessly hooked by both tension and tenderness. This book is a heartfelt read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a bl...

Book Review: 665 My Take: Do you ever wonder how a book can feel both historic and refreshing at the same time? The Great Liquor War by David M. McGowan, this book not only explores the Canadian frontier of 1885, but it also delivers a unique blend of adventure, realism, and wit. The Great Liquor War by David M. McGowan, the first book I’ve read from the author, has been an unexpectedly delightful ride. This book is an engaging and thoughtful read. The highlight I loved about this book is how history, action, and dry humor were blended seamlessly.  The storyline is filled with tension, yet it unfolds in such a relaxed, entertaining way that it never felt heavy. The author has painted the setting with vivid strokes, making every scene feel authentic and easy to picture.  The writing is straightforward, charming, and totally enjoyable without complex words or overwhelming details. This book is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys light historical fiction with smart storytelling....

Book Review: 664 My Take:  What if Trust were on trial? That question pulled me into this brilliantly original book and I must say, I was not ready for the emotional courtroom it created. Trust on Trial by G. S. Gerry is not just a novel; it’s a smart, engaging, and creatively structured reading experience. This book is an unmissable and thought-provoking read. The highlight I loved about this book is how it challenges the reader to reflect deeply on personal beliefs. The storyline is unique blending courtroom drama with life’s biggest moral questions in a refreshing format. The author has delivered a rare concept with so much clarity, imagination, and heart. The writing is clever and crisp, moving from humor to gravity seamlessly. The courtroom setup makes you feel like a part of the jury it’s fun, bold, and compelling! This book is a powerful read for anyone who enjoys layered fiction with a deeper message. I found this book to be incredibly engaging and different from anything I...

Book Review: 663  My Take:  What if history wasn’t recorded, but engineered? That chilling thought gets deeply explored in The Horsemen’s Shadow (Book 2 of The Septem Cycle), an incredibly immersive and fast-paced thriller written with masterful precision by Joe Nathan Paul. This book is a gripping read that’s packed with mythology, ancient secrets, and nonstop action. The highlight I loved about this book is how effortlessly mystery and history were blended. The storyline was filled with suspense, exotic settings, and mind-bending twists. What truly made it stand out was the way it kept surprising the reader page after page. The author has done a fantastic job in crafting a world that feels dangerously real. His pacing is sharp, his imagination vivid, and his characters unforgettable. The writing is engaging, lucid, and designed to pull readers in from the very first sentence. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys high-stakes adventures with a touch of the mysterious...

Book Review: 662 My Take: The Quiet Becoming How often does a book feel like a deep breath for your soul? The Other Side Of Awakening: A Memoir of Madness, Magic, and the Making of Me, is the 1st book in the Sacred Spiral series written by Rilee Astraea, and offers just that, a rare, moving experience that blurs the line between memoir and spiritual meditation. It’s not just a story of pain or healing, it’s a graceful unravelling into truth. This book is a soulful and beautifully reflective read. The highlight I loved about this book is its poetic honesty. The storyline is not bound by a typical structure it flows like thought and feeling, taking you through grief, shadow, and self-discovery. It feels more like being gently held than simply being told a story. The author has poured heart, wisdom, and raw vulnerability into each page. There’s a quiet magic in how she allows her experiences to teach without preaching. The writing is lyrical, introspective, and powerful. It invites you to...

Book Review: 661 My Take:  A Hilarious Peek Inside the Courtroom Do you ever wonder what really goes on in the mind of a criminal defense lawyer? Bad Boys, Bad Boys: What Does A Lawyer Do? Plus Interesting Stories Curious Minds Want To Know by Robert Wegman, this book offers a witty, outrageous, and surprisingly insightful answer. Through short anecdotes and cheeky observations, a delightful world of absurdity is opened one where the truth is often stranger (and funnier) than fiction. This book is an entertaining and smartly written read. The highlight I loved about this book is the way humor is used to shed light on topics that are usually taken too seriously. The storyline isn’t linear but that’s the beauty of it. Each chapter stands alone, yet collectively forms a hilarious picture of a life lived on the legal edge. The author has brilliantly turned real-life legal chaos into laugh-out-loud moments. His ability to blend satire with genuine wisdom is impressive. The writing is ir...

Book Review: 660 My Take: A Spellbinding Fantasy Escape How often does a fantasy book pull you into a world so vividly imagined that it feels real? Nefarious Allure by M.R. Mathias, that’s exactly what this first book in the Devious Arcana series achieves delivering an immersive, adventurous experience that’s packed with magic, mystery, and momentum. This book is an exciting and richly layered read. The highlight I loved about this book is how it effortlessly blends traditional fantasy charm with modern storytelling energy. The storyline is action-packed, unpredictable, and full of surprising turns that keep the pages flying. The author has created a dynamic fantasy world, bringing fresh characters and high-stakes drama into an already beloved universe. Each scene feels cinematic, with a great balance of tension, heart, and world-building. The writing is smooth, engaging, and filled with imaginative detail. It draws you in with charm and then keeps you locked in with danger, emotion, a...

Book Review: 659 My Take:  A Riveting Sci-Fi Ride How does one rediscover themselves when the past is lost but the future depends on them? Transcendence by James Azinheira, is a gripping story from The Alphamind Odyssey series answers that with a thrilling mix of memory, technology, and survival. This book is a tense and thought-provoking read. The highlight I loved about this book is the intense emotional pull paired with high-stakes sci-fi. The storyline is built around a lost identity, unraveling mysteries, and a race against an evolving future a combo that makes it hard to put down. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving action with vulnerability, blending a futuristic setting with very human emotions. Every chapter adds to the suspense and layers of discovery. The writing is sharp, vivid, and packed with momentum, making each twist more thrilling than the last. This book is a great read for anyone who enjoys futuristic stories with emotional depth and fast-paced action...

Before we dive into our exciting conversation with today’s remarkable author, let’s start by getting to know the creative mind behind the diverse and captivating stories. 1. Could you please introduce yourself to us? I am an entrepreneur by profession with a strong passion for writing. I consider myself a lifelong learner, dedicated to acquiring new knowledge and skills. My name is Simin Danishyar, which means "Simin, the one who loves knowledge and continues learning." Originally from Afghanistan, I have lived in India for over twelve years and currently reside in Canada. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Humanities, along with two Master of Business Administration degrees—one with a concentration in Finance and the other in International Business. Currently, I am pursuing a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship.  In addition to my academic pursuits, I manage two companies involved in international export-import business. I am also a proud parent of three ch...

Before we dive into our exciting conversation with today’s remarkable author, let’s start by getting to know the creative mind behind the diverse and captivating stories. 1. Could you please introduce yourself to us? I’m Timothy Ongeche, a Kenyan author based in Porto. I write to explore moments of pause, transition, and quiet transformation—blending story with reflection. My work moves between nonfiction, sci-fi, and memoir.  At the heart of it, I believe words can help us slow down, make sense of the in-between, and begin again 2. Congratulations on your book! What inspired you to write it? Blank Book began as a collection of thoughts pulled from my personal diary — short “what if” reflections I’d write during quiet moments. Over time, I realized these fragments weren’t just mine. They echoed the thoughts, questions, and struggles I’d shared in conversations with other likeminded people. So I decided to blend them into a book — not to give answers, but to create space for reflect...

Before we dive into our exciting conversation with today’s remarkable author, let’s start by getting to know the creative mind behind the diverse and captivating stories. 1. Could you please introduce yourself to us? I am a short story/skit author, novelist, and award winning article writer. Although a management consultant by profession, I have an eternal passion for writing. I have been scribbling since I was thirteen -- when my very first, hand-scrawled, fortnightly magazine(s) found its way into my kid siblings' hands. Followed by scripts/ short stories that were devoured by school mates, skits that made it to school/college stages, and articles/flash fictions that featured on competitions.  Being raised in Mumbai - the city that never sleeps, has had a big impact on my writing...my debut novel Bombay, Decoded, a first of its kind World War II genre fiction for young adults, is a fitting tribute to the city of Bombay, its spirit, its will and its heart. 2. Congratulations on yo...

Before we dive into our exciting conversation with today’s remarkable author, let’s start by getting to know the creative mind behind the diverse and captivating stories. 1. Could you please introduce yourself to us? My name is Trish Hilderley and I am a fictional Romamce writer. 2. Congratulations on your book! What inspired you to write it? Three years ago, my life took a drastic turn when I was diagnosed with Spondylosis and anterolisthesis, conditions that left me with chronic low back pain. As a health care professional, this news was devastating. The job I loved required me to be on my feet for long hours, and now, even the simplest tasks seemed impossible. There were days when I struggled to get out of bed, the pain searing through my body like a relentless storm. I spent countless hours laying in bed, feeling helpless and lost. It was during one of these dark moments that a strange dream visited me, a dream that would change the course of my life forever. In this dream, I found...