#Bookreview of A Tail Tale

By: Christine Kessides

Illustrated by: Sarah Gledhill

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: January 7, 2025

ISBN: 979-8891324152

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: December 30, 2024

Wally is a new kid at his school and all he wants to do is fit in, but no one seems to want to be his friend in A Tail Tale by Christine Kessides. The other kids don’t offer to play with him in the schoolyard or even sit with him on the bus. As he gets off the bus, he decides to sit by the large tree in front of his house. He decided if those kids weren’t going to be nice to him, then he really didn’t want to be like them. He wanted to be different.

It seemed as soon as he said those words out loud, the craziest thing happened. Out of nowhere, appeared someone dressed in a funny hat and coat with bits of fur and feathers all over him. The man introduces himself to Wally as the Tailor, and explains that he makes tails for all different animals. Since Wally explained he wants to be different, the Tailor feels giving him a tail will do the trick. But while they’re talking, Snake appears and tells Wally that he should reconsider having a tail because when the Tailor gave him a tail, he turned into a snake. Now no one associates with Snake and Wally will continue not having friends. Does Wally take the advice from Snake? Does Wally make friends with Snake? Does he start making friends at school?

This was a very endearing story because readers will empathize with poor Wally because he was new in school and no one wanted to be his friend. Instead of getting to know him, they were rude to him. This story teaches children two lessons. The first is that when you see a new person in school, or joining a club or sport you play, introduce yourself to the new person. Help them feel accepted and part of something together as a group. Second, when someone is mean to you, take that energy and project kindness back to them. Don’t let their negativity tarnish your feelings. By being kind to someone who is being unkind to you, this may very well change that person’s attitude for the better.

The illustrations done by Sarah Gledhill were adorable in revealing Wally’s story. They fit perfectly in telling the author’s story in picture format. Plus, the creativity she entwined in each illustration, which was found on every page throughout this children’s book, was just magical, while she also provided a few humorous things readers will enjoy laughing out loud about when they find them scattered throughout the pages.

Interestingly enough, Kessides first imagined this story when she was a student, but never considered writing and publishing it until years later when her first grandson was born. If you enjoyed this story, rest assured there is a sequel forthcoming.

Quill says: A Tail Tale by Christine Kessides will have its young readers learning a few lessons on how to be a proper friend to new people they meet. It’s an adorably clever story that will have you smiling as you turn the pages. It comes highly recommended!

For more information about A Tail Tale, please visit the author’s website at: christinekessidesauthor.com.

 #Bookreview of The Success Guidebook: How to Visualize, Actualize and Amplify You

By: Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino

Publisher: HCI/Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: April 23, 2024

ISBN: 978-0757324802

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: December 28, 2024

The motivational, award-winning book The Success Guidebook: How to Visualize, Actualize, and Amplify You by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino offers advice on how to envision and achieve success in both your personal and professional life.

Elizabeth spent years studying the essential elements of success and how they manifest in various people. She, however, found the conventional metrics for success irrational and unreachable. She aims to present success in this book in a fresh, genuine way as a multifaceted phenomenon that is closely related to several factors that, when obeyed, consistently result in enduring and life-changing impacts.

Elizabeth was from an affluent family, but an unforeseen event caused them to lose everything, including the home she had lived in since second grade and other properties on Minnesota's Lake Vermillion. Following this sudden shift, she developed a fresh viewpoint and redefined success, not in terms of wealth or notoriety, but rather as implied by the famous statement made by the late, great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden: "I knew what success was not. I didn’t see recommendations, promotions, points, scores, trophies, medals, and money as accurate measurements. Such items may result in status, but status isn’t necessarily success.” He went on to say, “Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of being.”

Drawing from her experience as a master coach and the creator of The Best Ever You Network, Elizabeth provides 10 tried and true strategies for taking creative action to help the reader envision, achieve, and magnify success and excellence. She breaks out her deep realization into three sections: Imagining your success, Actualizing it, and Amplifying it. She further deconstructs it into smaller subjects, which include Believe and Focus, Ask and Network, Sustain, and Adjust among others. These well-explained issues are both educational and intriguing, drawing heavily on her own and others' experiences in what she refers to as "Stories from the Heart." These featured stories show individuals who have persevered in the face of adversity and managed to create a life that inspires others.

The Success Guidebook: How to Visualize, Actualize, and Amplify You promises to assist you in letting go of the need to prove yourself to others or disprove their beliefs. Furthermore, it guarantees permanent understanding and alignment with your true self. You are prompted to take action by this fantastic tool, which also informs you that you are already very successful. Significantly, it deviates from the conventional definition of success, which the author has discovered overrides a great deal of our personal lives.

Quill says: In her exquisite work, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino offers a groundbreaking discovery that ensures lasting life happiness and fulfillment. Her skill as a writer and desire to convey simply understood information to her audience is reflected in her word choice and timely topics. She stands out as a mentor and potential multi-award winner whose work will change your mindset.

For more information on The Success Guidebook: How to Visualize, Actualize, and Amplify You, please visit the author’s website at: www.besteveryou.com/successguidebook/

 #Bookreview of Hang Fire

By: Anthony Mora

Publisher: The Royal Penny Press

Publication Date: January 15, 2025

ISBN: 978-0-9912370-3-6

Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose

Review Date: December 28, 2024

Unfolding at the heart of Hollywood, Hang Fire is a satirical comedy portraying the desperate dreams and crazy aspirations of a motley group of characters pulled straight from the back alleys of the industry. We have our protagonist Jerry, who is a delusional wannabe producer-director; then there is Jerry’s psychotherapist, Kimberley, who is a thirty-seven year old blond woman harboring a secret desire to make her name on the big screens; there is also Amber, a young up and coming actress who still feels threatened by other potential actresses and driven by her insecurities, takes drastic measures to secure a role that will guarantee her some commercial success. Another significant character includes Stangerson, a famous but sleazy film director whose power seems to be on a steady decline as he often resorts to sexploitation to churn out movies that he believes will become the next blockbuster hits.

On the sidelines, we have Lannier, embodying the role of an overlooked PR agent who keeps adding fuel to the fire by circulating various rumors about the celebrities, while trying to manipulate them into striking a business deal with her. And lastly, there is James, forming the nucleus of the story, Jerry’s long time best friend who is drastically different from him. Jaded by all the pointless drinks and meetings at lavish hotels, people’s constant disrespect towards him and their total lack of interest in his book, James finds himself increasingly disillusioned and frustrated by the political strife and cut-throat competitions within the inner circles of the film industry. The moment he decides to pull out from that circle of power-hungry people, who were clearly more curious about Kimberley than about making a film based on his novel, they sniff out a potential chance of riding James’ imminent fame and plunge to fight each other tooth and nail for any scraps of his attention, symbolizing the present sorry state of the once glorified American dream that was Hollywood.

However, the idea that Hollywood would appreciate indie films or art house movies seems to be slightly misplaced as it generally represents mainstream movies which are indeed box-office hits but not necessarily critically acclaimed or independent productions, the latter being usually small scale and having a different target audience than that of a typical Hollywood film. So criticizing it for not appreciating art for art’s sake or putting commercial success as its higher priority might not hold as much of a strong influence over readers as it was expected to because it has always been that way. The fact that Jerry refers to a film called Exposée multiple times as some kind of benchmark for himself shows that despite following the formulaic eye-candy and steamy scenes rule, his benchmark film hadn’t gained much publicity either, proving how there is no set rule for success in the film industry.

However, some of the details definitely help us gain a new unflattering insight of the industry from another perspective. Like riding a taxi through the back alleys of a cosmopolitan city, the book manages to capture the dirt and grime of this dreamscape like a dash of cold water on our faces to break us out of our reveries. It encourages us to scrutinize the illusion created by Hollywood and its paraphernalia, allowing us to step out of our bubble, even if momentarily.

Although the story feels a bit repetitive in the first half of the book, as Jerry keeps rambling on about his delusions trying to manipulate both his friend and therapist to act in the manner he wishes them to, the narrative picks up its pace in the second half, with tensions escalating and unexpected conflicts brewing. It was particularly interesting to note how Amber longed to be among other ordinary people, to walk incognito in the streets with them and remain unidentified. It touches a chord somewhere deep, showing us a side of her that is quite surprisingly humane and vulnerable, despite her outer-worldly glamour and her frequent engagements with bitter politics in the industry.

Quill says: Hang Fire is not an occasional read for the hopeless romantic, but if you’re into dark comedy, betrayals, deceptions and stories about the nitty gritty details of human failings, this one is for you!

For more information about Hang Fire, please visit the author’s website at: anthonymorawriter.com.

 #AuthorInterview with Michael Okon

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Ephantus Muriuki is talking with Michael Okon, author of Dragged Down Deep.

FQ: Congratulations on this novel. What got you started writing a novel in this genre?

OKON: I was on a creature feature binge one weekend, Universal Monsters in particular, and I said to myself, "how in this crypto-creature-living-world, has no one ever written a techno thriller set in the Hamptons with the creature from the Hamptons lagoon as the primary antagonist.” I grabbed my laptop and started beating out the story as the credits started rolling to the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

FQ: You write so well in the action thriller genre. Is there another genre you would like to venture into in the future? 

OKON: My wife, my mom, my brother and my kids continue to tell me, do what you know best. Until I can write sweeping civil war romances, I’m going to stick with the action thriller monster genres for the foreseeable future. Plus, it brings out my inner 80s child, which has been incredibly therapeutic to me.

FQ: Your main character is a cryptozoologist. Do you have an interest in cryptozoology as a field of science in real life?

OKON: Yes. 100%. Bigfoot, Nessie, and the moth man are all real. Erm, real in my head at least. I’m fascinated with the myths and creatures of all folklore. I conquered werewolves, vampires and zombies in Monsterland. Cryptozoology was the next logical step with Dragged Down Deep. Cryptozoology felt more real to me.

FQ: What was the most fun scene to write in Dragged Down Deep? 

OKON: That’s like choosing a child, but if I had to choose it would be the opening Thunderbird scene. It felt like I could create my own Indiana Jones in a cryptozoology universe. It was titillating to write.

FQ: The epic scene in the book culminates in a conclusion that involves Logan and the mysterious Mermaid. Did you write this particular part in one sitting or several sittings?

OKON: My process has always been to write the screenplay first…just in case Hollywood calls (which they kinda already have, and I’m just waiting for the follow up) but I digress. Once the screenplay is complete, it gives me a roadmap to flesh out the chapters and characters. That last scene between Logan and the creature was done in one night. I honestly didn’t sleep because my mind was so excited (and exhausted) from playing out the dance between the two. It was a movie scene in my head that I put down on Final Draft, then turned it into a longer movie scene in the novel. Loved writing it.

FQ: The storyline in this novel would do well as a blockbuster movie. Is transforming this novel into a film something you would consider in the future? 

OKON: That means the world to me. Seriously. That is my ultimate goal – to have my works on the big screen. I’m very visual so writing comes from watching hundreds, thousands of movies over my lifetime. Again, every story I’ve ever written starts as a screenplay. Screenplays are 100 pages. The lines are short and punchy. It’s a roadmap to a much larger story. I’m already working on another screenplay and novel with a studio. Fingers and toes crossed. Dragged Down Deep would absolutely be next.

FQ: Logan Osborne is a character that evolved as the book progressed and readers will, like me, root for him every step of the way. How about writing a sequel about him? 

OKON: Already in the works. Logan’s story is far from over. I’m currently doing a lot of research on Chupacabras and Chile. A South American adventure is in the works.

FQ: It was evident to me that potential readers who come across this work will find themselves waiting for your next port of call. Do you have something in the offing for us?

OKON: I have ten beat sheets for ten screenplays with ten novels behind them. I’m never going to stop writing. There will be many more stories to tell, especially in the Dragged Down Deep universe.

FQ: What is the most challenging thing about writing a novel in this genre?

OKON: Honestly, nothing. When you write what you love and understand, it comes quite naturally. If I had to choose one thing, it’s not making the novel too long. I don’t like fluff and drawn-out stories. I like movies, but in a novel format. Beginning, middle, end. Clear visuals. Clear motives. A great protagonist. An amazing antagonist. And a hero’s journey where everything that can go wrong will.

FQ: As I conclude, I would like to ask what takeaway you would like your readers to carry on as they invest their time in reading Dragged Down Deep?

OKON: Is what we are being told by our government, by our society, by social media, by the masses, the truth about what our reality really is? Dragged Down Deep answers that question.

 #Bookreview of Ancient Chinese Inventions That Changed The World

By: Barbara Hall

Publication Date: November 24, 2024

ISBN: 979-8301058011

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: December 18, 2024

"Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the foundation of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.” This quote by J.K. Rowling sums up Barbara Hall's quietly powerful sparkling book, Ancient Chinese Inventions That Changed The World.

Do you like your morning or evening tea? Ever wondered how the world transitioned from carrying bulky metal coins to paper money? Or the role that ancient Chinese inventors played in science and technology? How about the person behind the invention of the compass, which made it easy for explorers and sailors alike to travel and navigate the waters with ease? This incredible book answers these and many other questions as it takes young readers on an exciting and illuminative journey back into history to seek out Chinese inventions that still impact our world today.

Here, curious minds will have a fun time making all types of discoveries centered on Chinese civilization that dates back to two thousand years ago. An example is the invention of the umbrella, which the Chinese made from bamboo and oiled paper to keep dry in the rain. Readers will also discover that they also made contributions to space travel, inventing the rocket a thousand years ago, powered by gunpowder to launch astronauts into the sky. In yet another, the author explores the long line of creativity in meteorology, with the invention of a seismograph, a device used to detect earthquakes by Zhang Heng, a Chinese scientist.

Barbara Hall understands the power of vibrant and colorful illustrations and their aesthetic role in conveying the message in the book and employs this deftly. Also, these illustrations provide contextual clues that accentuate the stories within the pages. The brevity of the stories and the accessible language used are artistic elements that the intended audience will instantly respond to, and which will encourage their appreciation for the Asian culture and the contributors of this region in making transformative inventions. Further, kids will learn the importance of hard work and resilience, as well as boost their creative spirit.

The author's background as a teacher, librarian, and content creator presents the perfect backdrop for this richly detailed gem. Her signature medley of eloquent writing and graceful prose is perhaps the book's main strength, elevating it above books of its genre. The brief but impactful introduction of the book is largely composed of rhetorical questions, which are sure to grab the attention of both attentive and disinterested kids to the pages that follow.

Quill says: A fun and educational read, Ancient Chinese Inventions That Changed The World by Barbara Hall is an intriguing text that deserves a special place on the book shelves of early readers. It can also serve as an intermediate class reader in a history lesson.

For more information on Ancient Chinese Inventions That Changed The World, please visit the author's website at: www.barbarahall.ca

 #Bookreview of Dragged Down Deep

By: Michael Okon

Publisher: Chelshire

Publication Date: December 5, 2024

ISBN: 978-1-950080-14-4

Reviewed by: Ephantus Muriuki

Review Date: December 18, 2024

In prolific author Michael Okon's sweeping novel, Dragged Down Deep, a middle-aged scientist determined to appease his late father's death finds himself plunged into a well-planned and dangerous conspiracy involving the hidden existence of a mythical creature.

Logan Osborne, a cryptozoologist, had missed the good old days as a child before his mother had left. His father, an ichthyologist, later receded into a shell, being labeled a weirdo by the local community due to his obsession with proving the existence of a mythical creature, drawing further away from traditional subjects. Now an adult, Logan painfully recalls the death of his father following a tragic attack on one of his nightly excursions with him to find the mermaid of Minetuck. This incident would remain etched in his mind twenty years later and was the source of his unending nightmares as well.

Surviving a near-death experience in his expedition on an Arizona mountain to prove the existence of the Thunderbird, a legendary bird whose known information was scanty, he embarks on a new mission to validate his father's research of a mysterious creature based on true findings together with his faculty colleague Elliot Sheppard and friend Penny Swanson. They find themselves plunged into a long-minded and precarious road marked by well-covered secrets, mysterious disappearances, a corrupt police system, and unexplained hostility from the locals. Aimee, Logan's former flame, re-emerges with her secrets that go back to his past.

Once in a while, you stumble upon a book so good that it is well worth your reading time. This tale delivers more than it promises in its synopsis, taking you deep into a beautifully-realized setting packed with action, supernatural elements, and mystery. Okon melds complex yet relatable characters demonstrating his tenacity in handling complex themes that are relevant today. The book starts on a trifecta, with a high-voltage scene wrapped with insight and verve, with Logan high up on an Arizona mountain with a local guide, in a once-in-a-lifetime quest, hoping the result would legitimize cryptids. The potent storyline adds new characters effortlessly, offering ample backstories that make readers feel at ease with them.

Quill says: Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon is one of those books that do not disappoint. It will appeal to readers who enjoy an exhilarating odyssey full of adventure and action. Every scene leaps out of the pages with ease demonstrating the proficiency of Okon's artistic pen.

For more information on Dragged Down Deep, please visit the author's website at: michaelokon.com.

 #Bookreview of Our Mother Can Turn into a Dragon and Speak in Tongues

By: Theodore Jerome Cohen and Pamela Geiger

Publisher: Wood Bridge, a Division of TJC Press

Publication Date: November 11, 2024

ISBN: 979-8345674826

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: December 17, 2024

In Our Mother Can Turn into a Dragon And Speak in Tongues by Theodore Jerome Cohen and Pamela Geiger, we are introduced to a family of two younger children, Mary Beth and Ryan, and their parents, Lisa and Robert. Since their mom grew up in New York City and their dad on a farm in the Midwest, they compromised to settle their family on a small farm west of New York City. This would allow their family the peace and beauty of living out of the congested city, but be close enough to the city for all their conveniences. Mom worked for a big book company as a book editor from her home office set up in the farmhouse loft, while dad commuted daily into the city for his office job. All seemed perfect for all of them. Or so they thought.

No matter how hard Dad would try to keep his wife happy, he found himself in plenty of hot water all the time. Since he had to do a daily commute into New York City, he never had the time to do the chores like mowing the lawn. This would make Mom mad and she would turn into a dragon and begin speaking in tongues all the time. So Dad decided to buy two goats to solve the long grass problem. It sounded like a great plan, but it turned into another huge disaster for Dad when Mom would hear one of the goats stomping his feet on the roof above Mom’s home office. Or when she found the other goat standing on top of her new car eating her radio antenna. So mom the dragon made another appearance to poor old Dad. Did the family ever find a happy medium to solving their problems without getting Dad into trouble and Mom not having to turn into a dragon all the time?

This reviewer found this children’s story hilariously fun to read and honestly couldn’t wait to see what poor Dad was going to do wrong next. Then when Mom turned into a dragon and started speaking in tongues toward Dad, the laughs just kept coming. It was refreshing to see the family dynamic expressed in this children’s story and to have the story told through Mary Beth and Ryan’s eyes was just the icing on the cake.

The illustrations that were provided on every other page were also refreshing to see because they weren’t the customary hand drawn or computer illustrated pictures you usually see in children’s books. Instead, they were stock photos chosen, which perfectly fit telling the story from Mary Beth and Ryan’s point of view. This reviewer especially enjoyed the goat pictures put in the story because it made the goats’ antics even more hilarious by seeing a visual of the chaos they were causing the family.

Quill says: If you are looking for a fun and hilarious book to share with your children, Our Mother Can Turn into a Dragon And Speak in Tongues by Theodore Jerome Cohen and Pamela Geiger is one you must consider. It has a fun storyline, great characters (the goats included) and is packed with plenty of laughs to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

For more information about Our Mother Can Turn into a Dragon And Speak in Tongues, please visit the author’s website at: theodore-cohen-novels.com.

#AuthorInterview with Shelly Frome

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Lily Andrews is talking with Shelly Frome, author of Fast Times, Big City.

FQ: Congratulations on this novel. It was a fascinating read for me. How did you develop your characters? Are they based on real people?

FROME: One advantage I seem to have is based on all my years being an actor in New York and then, for a time, a playwright and teacher of acting at the University of Connecticut. In short, it’s as if I realized I need someone to play Bud who has all these attributes, background and shortcomings. Every step of the way I let Bud be Bud and respond to the moment. In short, I simply become each needed character in terms of this particular dynamic.

Author Shelly Frome

FQ: From the onset, the book does not dally in its progress and hooks the reader's mind effortlessly. How did you arrive at the first chapter? Was it pre-meditated, or did you dive right into the storytelling?

FROME: As a playwright I was taught that in order for a play to “play” this can’t just be another day. It starts out at a point of delicate balance so that, say, after only a few opening moments there’s a disturbance that sets things in motion that will carry me through a number of proliferating consequences until everything resolves.

FQ: One of the book's strengths lies in the period in which the book is set. What was the inspiration behind this moving backdrop?

FROME: Actually, I missed the Miami and New York of old. When Miami was a sleepy, tropical town and, in contrast, you could take off and afford to be a starving actor in a place where it seemed everything was on the brink—live TV dramas, the heyday of the Actors Studio, the new wave in Greenwich Village, etc. I simply wanted to return as someone unlike myself, who had enough maturity to take it all in and, in some way, deal with it.

FQ: What was the most difficult part to write in this novel? Why so?

FROME: It became a juggling act. I had to keep mobster Jack Reardon at bay while Ben gets acclimated to a world that’s totally over his head. In other words, it was the progression of the mobsters’ scenario, Ben’s quest and what was happening those precise two weeks with Castro in the mountains of Cuba.

FQ: Besides offering escapist entertainment, what other takeaway do you intend for readers to carry?

FROME: To consider the possibility you have to venture beyond the safe and predictable to find your true self and perhaps your hidden calling.

FQ: In my view, Bud is a proactive character who I liked and enjoyed rooting for and deserves to be in a sequel. Is this a plan you have in the future, or would you wish to start from scratch and write on a new protagonist?

FROME: Maybe it’s a shortcoming on my part, but something has to trigger my writing. Some unfinished business, a realization that a certain basic assumption isn’t true anymore or some venture or misadventure that will carry me through.

FQ: No mean feat, the crime thriller genre requires the skill and creativity of an author, which you deftly executed in this tale. Is there a particular reason that you drew you to write a novel in this genre as opposed to other genres?

FROME: Simply put, there’s always something vital at stake that drives the narrative.

FQ: I have read positive reviews online about this novel. How does it feel to have this positive feedback from readers?

FROME: It’s gratifying or, as venerable actress Ruth Gordon once said in response to the applause, “I have to say this is very encouraging.”

FQ: Thank you so much for the interview. My last question is related to your writing career. Are you currently working on something else for readers who, like me, love your work?

FROME: I’m working on a mystery driven by a handyman who feels he’s squandered his life and suddenly finds himself in a quandary. The working title is Charlie and the Grifters.

 #AuthorInterview with Ann Mullen-Martin

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Rebecca Jane Johnson is talking with Ann Mullen-Martin, author of We All Want To Be Happy: A Book of Thoughts, Volume 2.

FQ: Thank you for writing We All Want to Be Happy, Volume 2. Your stories strike us with wit and brevity. Is there a person, an author, a teacher(s) you credit for helping to guide you through your life with the skill of finding the humor in struggles? Can you talk about your gift for humor?

MULLEN-MARTIN: My mother was the greatest influence on my life and she began early is teaching me how to see the positive in every situation.  Oftentimes, the positive side involved the ability to laugh as life.  The ability to laugh has saved me from many times of sad remembrances by replacing them with the joyous memory of laughter.  My personal opinion is that the ability to find the humor in life is a secret ingredient toward happiness.

FQ: What is the secret to writing effective and relatable humor?

MULLEN-MARTIN: So many people are head and shoulders above me in sharing humor.   For me, it is allowing myself to get lost in the character’s situation – even when that character is me.  Then I just write what I feel.

FQ: How did you cultivate such vivid memories of the events in your life? Did you keep a journal every day?

MULLEN-MARTIN: I have kept journals off and on through out my life and have a lot of little tidbits available to remind me of times gone by.  I have also made it a standard practice to share as much with my own children and grandchildren through telling stories of times gone by.  Sometimes a response to a story allows me to add other details as I’m questioned by my family.

FQ: Do you have a writing routine or ritual that you’d be willing to share?

MULLEN-MARTIN: The only real routine writing ritual I have is to make a note when I hear something of interest to me – a saying, a quote, whatever.  For instance, I recently heard someone use the phrase, ‘If the ox is in the ditch…….”   I had not heard that phrase since my childhood.  It was a favorite of my mom’s and I immediately wrote it down for use in an upcoming Volume 3 of Happy Thoughts.

FQ: Family is central to your stories and life. How do members of your family relate to your literary pursuits?

MULLEN-MARTIN: My family is very encouraging and seem to enjoy seeing the stories in print.

FQ: What is a favorite piece of commonsense wisdom you can share now that may not have appeared in the book? Or, perhaps share a small lesson here that you earned this past week?

MULLEN-MARTIN: I don’t know that I learned this lesson in the past week, but one I believe in was again confirmed.  The young boy across the street, for whatever reason, has  taken an interest in ‘looking after me’ because as her put it I am “a little bit old and live alone”.  He’s a really sweet kid who knocks on my door almost every day just to make sure I’m okay, always brings in my mail or moves a box when needed.  His parents are older – more grandparent age – and decided not to do a Christmas or major decorations.  I do talk about Collin a lot to everyone.   Yesterday, without any encouragement from me, my daughter, Mary, showed up at my house with a small lighted tree, 12 wrapped gifts underneath, all with Collin’s name on them.  She added a card that says, “Thanks for taking care of my mama.”  Collin came over and it just blew his mind.  He was so excited, so pleased and so grateful.   The lesson I saw confirmed was threefold: 1) There are blessings in watching others be happy. 2) Good deeds and/or intentions are often recognized and better recognized with the doer is unaware and unexpectant of a reward. And 3), the giver receives at least as much joying in giving as the receiver does in receiving.

FQ: Do you have advice on how to receive the wisdom a life struggle may be offering?

MULLEN-MARTIN: Open your mind to the full situation – not just your small or large part.  See those around you and be aware of their plights, their reactions, etc.

FQ: What do you hope readers takeaway from reading We All Want to Be Happy Volume 2?

MULLEN-MARTIN: Life is good.  Life is a temporary opportunity to learn lessons presented to us every day. The route to happiness begins within each person’s heart; it is their responsibility to look for it.

FQ: If you don’t mind sharing, what are you working on now that we can look forward to reading from you in the future?

MULLEN-MARTIN: I recently published a memoir: Growing up in Rural Louisiana, 1943-1963. I am currently working on the 3rd volume of We all Want to be Happy. It has more an opinion-based content. After that, not sure where I want to go with my writing. I have some travel plans for the first half of 2025, and may do something with that.

 #Bookreview of The Rocket Man's Daughter: A Novel of Family, Faith, and Resistance in Nazi Germany

By: Bruce Gardner

Publisher: Zino Publishing

Publication Date: January 10, 2025

ISBN: 978-0-9998811-6-3

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: December 16, 2024

In 1934, Adolf Hitler rose to the position of undisputed, supreme power over the German nation in The Rocket Man’s Daughter: A Novel of Family, Faith, and Resistance in Nazi Germany by Bruce Gardner. Every German citizen had to make some serious decisions regarding themselves and their family members. If you were a professing Christian and chose to demonstrate your Christian faith by helping to hide your secret Jewish friends or helping them escape the country, under Hitler’s regime you could face concentration camp or even execution for trying to help members of what the Nazis believed was an inferior race. The alternative—caving in and following Hitler’s beliefs and antisemitic decrees—may preserve your life and livelihood, but like anything else in Germany during this conflicting time, nothing was a guarantee.

Klara Neumann, a fourteen-year-old at the time of Hitler’s rise, has a hard time acting like she truly believes in everything Hitler stands for. But her family tries everything in their power to ensure her outward obedience to Nazi principles and laws, so that their own lives and professional careers will not suffer during one of the most horrific wars of all time. As Klara grows older, her disgust with Nazi government decrees becomes an unbearable burden—one that finally compels her to undertake dangerous acts of clandestine resistance. But since her father has now become a renowned V-2 rocket scientist, he is drawing increasing SS-police attention to Klara’s strange new behaviors. With this extra scrutiny, how will the Neumann family and those close to them survive Hitler’s reign? What horrific trials and tribulations will Klara and her loved ones have to endure? What agonizing decisions will they be forced to make?

This was one story that was simply mesmerizing. The way Mr. Gardner tells this story immediately draws the reader in. You feel as if you are another character seeing and feeling everything firsthand. The fears, hopes, and desires of each character were so palpable you truly feel you are taking part in Hitler’s invasions of other countries and his crushing of all forms of resistance within Germany. When Klara decides to be more rebellious toward Hitler and his SS henchmen, she puts her entire family’s well-being at stake. As she tells her version of the story, you easily feel the intense emotions she experienced at different stages of her life. There were times this reviewer felt absolutely gutted by the actions Klara and her family had to do just to survive.

Gardner pens raw emotions into every character and literally takes his readers on the emotional roller coaster with each character as they try surviving during Hitler’s reign. Plus, the extensive research he has conducted for some of the true events that happened in history are so realistic that readers will feel they are fighting for their own lives as they turn the pages. When a ruthless German SS officer interrogates Jews and others accused of criminal activity, readers will feel they too are being interrogated. When a character is fighting for the German army in Russia, readers will also feel they are fighting on the front lines. The storyline is truly realistic and readers will surely be consumed by the rich details of this well researched novel.

Quill says: The Rocket Man’s Daughter: A Novel of Family, Faith, and Resistance in Nazi Germany by Bruce Gardner is one novel where readers will absolutely lose themselves, captivated by the engaging storyline and characters that have been penned with true authentic flair. Well done, Mr. Gardner!

 #Bookreview of The Magnificence of the 3

By: Timeout A. Taumua

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing

Publication Date: August 24, 2023

ISBN: 979-8890436788

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: December 15, 2024

In The Magnificence of the 3, author Timeout Taumua takes readers on a journey to answer the age-old question of if science is accurate, then is God real or, if God is real then did science in any way play a part in the development of life. There are people who fall on both sides of the argument. In this very interesting and thought-provoking book, Mr. Taumua presents his very compelling ideas on how both of these ways of looking at life are completely correct and there exists verification that God and science are intertwined.

The author uses a quote from Nikola Tesla to begin the book: “If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6, and 9, then you would have a key to the universe.” Of course, being one who does not have a huge background in science myself, but has a large respect and belief in a higher power I immediately said to myself, “Huh?” Moving forward, I found the author offered many solid views on the quote and his own ideas. Mr. Taumua takes the position that the quote is actually talking about the atom and its three parts; positive would be good, negative would be bad, and the neutral part of the atom would be God. Confused yet? I certainly was, but the author went on to explain his thoughts and ideas in a way that allows even the least scientific mind (like mine) to understand where he is going with the book.

By incorporating plenty of the scientific discoveries that have come about in the world with many different Bible stories/elements such as The Tree of Knowledge and the Ark of the Covenant among others, the author slowly builds his concepts up and attempts to show the connection between the ideas of faith and logic to his readers. He does so by bringing to the forefront the idea that God was aware of science and used it in his own way to create the world, even including in the book ideas surrounding the Big Bang Theory.

The book is well-written and presented in a very logical manner so that the ideas build upon each other as you progress through the pages. It is very apparent that the book has been well-researched by the author and there are numerous sources cited and footnotes provided that prove to the reader that this book was a serious project that was undertaken in a very professional manner.

While The Magnificence of the 3 will not be for everyone, for those who think often about the study of either science, religion or both, it will be a must-read. Mr. Taumua makes a very interesting case and one that will challenge readers to look deeply at their own beliefs and possibly reconsider the relationship that may exist between God and science. The book is truly thought-provoking and one that will be of interest to many.

Quill says: If you are a fan of fiction stories with lots of action or romance, then The Magnificence of the 3 is probably not for you. However, if you are a fan of non-fiction, science, religion, or simply very well-researched and presented material that makes you think hard, then this book is definitely for you!

For more information about The Magnificence of the 3, please visit the author's website at: tm3.club.

 #Bookreview of Fast Times, Big City

By: Shelly Frome

Publisher: BQB Publishing

Publication Date: February 27, 2024

ISBN: 979-8886330267

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: December 12, 2024

From prolific author Shelly Frome comes Fast Times, Big City, which delivers a whole gamut of emotions and an unreluctant hero who is plunged into an unfamiliar and dangerous world.

Set in the 1950s, the book follows Bud Palmer, a sports columnist for the Miami Herald. When his mother takes a Caribbean cruise with his dad, she asks her twenty-nine-year-old son to look out for her kid brother, Uncle Rick. Uncle Rick’s predisposition for landing into trouble was well known in the family. When Rick calls Bud, demanding his immediate presence, the sports writer meets up with his grifter uncle, who confesses to his murky entanglement of compulsive gambling with a nefarious Chicago group. They demand that Rick retrieve a valuable briefcase stolen from them by an innocent-looking woman or face dire consequences. Rick turns to Bud for help in tracking down the mysterious young lady and locating the case, a situation he reluctantly agrees to, owing to his familial obligations.

His plans to take his niece Katie to the Parrot Jungle for an eco-adventure now disrupted and still having no clue as to what he may be in for, Bud journeys to the Big Apple to find the target who dreams of becoming a famous actor like her idol Marilyn Monroe, hoping to get him and his uncle out of the woods. He is consequently thrown headfirst into the globules of New York City, bustling with life, art, music, and neon lights, but beneath the glitz, glamor, and refinement, Bud finds danger lurking at every corner.

Author Shelly Frome offers readers a perfect mélange of suspense, astonishing twists, and humor in sizeable bits that keep them invested throughout the story. Set against the fitting backdrop of an interesting period, Frome does a solid job of stirring things up by pitting characters against each other and providing thematic fulfillment on the absurdity of our existence, the destructive effects of money, and the vulnerability of human life. Bud is a charming character and a risk taker whose actions are vividly drawn and his temperament expressively written and realistic, and readers will enjoy cheering him on. The villains are unhinged and callous, and an equal match for the protagonist, sometimes pulling unlikely strings before he can figure things out, ultimately making this tale a compelling one.

Peppered with playful banter and light mirth, this novel wears complex emotional and aesthetic influences on its sleeve, tackling modern issues with precision and cadence. Nuanced interludes of Flugencio Batista, the general who took over power in Cuba in a military coup and the Cuban Revolution, are thoughtfully infused and surprisingly anchor the narrative.

Quill says: Fast Times, Big City by Shelly Frome is an accomplished urban crime thriller with much to savor for fans of this genre and does not disappoint.

For more information on Fast Times, Big City, please visit the author's website at: www.shellyfrome.com

 #Bookreview of We All Want To Be Happy: A Book of Thoughts, Volume 2

By: Ann Mullen-Martin

Publisher: Annmuma Publishing

Publication Date: December 15, 2024

ISBN: 979-8-9914644-8-2

Reviewed by: Rebecca Jane Johnson

Review Date: December 11, 2024

We All Want To Be Happy: A Book of Thoughts, Volume 2 is just as generous as Volume 1, and it warms the heart with charming anecdotes and relatable humor.

The author, Ann Mullen-Martin, grew up as Olevia in Louisiana, moved to Dallas, fell for a man she met on the road; they got married and on their wedding night, he gets arrested. Everything may or may not work out in the end, but that incident lives on to color the author’s life. Another story describes memorable holidays; another story reveals the importance of first impressions. The characters in each story go about solving their everyday problems with sensible solutions. Each story is told with an artful grasp of the most necessary details for a compelling story. Each character comes alive through witty dialogue. There is plenty of honest truth-telling, humanity, and authenticity in these short stories. Yes, there is sincere sentimentality, too. When a grandmother and granddaughter think of the best Thanksgiving ever, they discover the art of domestic coziness and contentment.

The ends of each episode satisfy the reader by extending pithy remarks that reveal lessons learned and hard-earned wisdom won. These remarks invite the reader into an intimate, shared contemplation. Other readers have likened the experience of reading this book to chatting with a shrewd and dear friend across the kitchen table—the two of you, eyes alive, ending every conversation in awe or laughter.

One of Mullen-Martin’s wise gems says, “We can’t always plan the events that will mark our lives forever. But we can look back and pick the best parts of each planned and unplanned event to create important additions to the family fabric. Those pieces come together to create a warm quilt of love and acceptance.” So, relax, advises Mullen; we don’t need to control life.

Quill says: This is a wise book from a mature author who has proof to reassure readers that life’s struggles are difficult, but struggles also reveal the key to contentment.

For more information on We All Want To Be Happy: A Book of Thoughts, Volume 2, please visit the author’s website at: www.annmuma-publishing.com

 #Bookreview of Harpazo: Book One of the Trib Trilogy

By: Nathalie Bujold Ryan

Publisher: Big Blue Sky Internet Marketing, Inc.

Publication Date: January 15, 2025

ISBN: 978-1-7381061-5-8

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: December 9, 2024

In Harpazo by Nathalie Bujold Ryan, we are introduced to a wide cast of characters that tell the story through each one of their eyes. One day life is normal for each of them, and the next day everyone’s world spins off its axis. The odd thing is that people instantly just start disappearing out of thin air, literally. All that remains of the individuals is their pile of clothes. It seems that only certain men and women, along with all children, are snatched out of their lives with no notice as to where they are going and why they were one of the chosen ones.

With a mix of different characters, men and women must try to find some rational explanation as to why their family members, coworkers and neighbors were taken and they weren’t allowed to go with them. The rumor has it that this could be the time of “The Rapture,” which is found in the Book of Revelations. The Rapture is the sudden instant vanishing of all true-believing Christians on the earth. These people were chosen because they all are true believers of God. If you weren’t one of the chosen, the remaining people are presumed to be in serious trouble with their lives. Is this the time of The Rapture?

The reviewer found this book very intriguing with the entire concept of The Rapture. Ms. Bujold Ryan did a remarkable job entertaining her readers with this concept from start to finish. There was a large ensemble of characters and each gave their own perspective of how they saw things and how they were trying to adapt to their new world of missing their friends and family members. It was a bit puzzling, however, that there never was a definitive answer to where all the “innocents” went.

Since there was such a diverse cast of characters, it was easy to find a few that you could fall in love with and feel as if they could be a real people in your life. The author did a great job of making these characters vulnerable and some naive enough to have them continually question why they weren’t one of the chosen ones as their friends and family members were. Some on the other hand, were obnoxious, and certainly readers will grow to dislike their rudeness to others as the remaining people who weren’t chosen had to learn to navigate their new world.

This is book one in the Trib Trilogy and it’s uncertain if book one will flow into book two’s storyline or not. It did seem that the ending of book one was left too open ended for readers to feel satisfied enough with the ending being conclusive. There were many questions left unanswered, and one can only hope book two will pick up where this one left off in order to fill in more of the blanks.

Quill says: Harpazo by Nathalie Bujold Ryan is one story which will intrigue readers with the concept of the Rapture and entice them to seek their own answers while reading this unique storyline.

For more information about Harpazo, please visit the author’s website at: nathaliebujoldryan.com.

 #AuthorInterview with Michael Pronko

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Tripti Kandari is talking with Michael Pronko, author of Tokyo Tempos.

FQ: Did the writing process of Tokyo Tempos evolve your prior perspective on Tokyo’s identity?

PRONKO: Absolutely. It’s an ongoing process of reevaluating. I’m constantly changing my ideas about Tokyo. “Ha! Wrong again!” I think—or worse, half-wrong. Identity is tricky to pin down. I think I can see Tokyo from more different angles now. It’s like a Japanese garden—you can’t see all of it from any one vantage point, either in space or time, so when you move, you see it altogether differently. So, I try to keep moving, keep looking, keep evolving. Tokyo changes, and I change, so the writing changes.

FQ: How did you ensure that the cultural nuances of Tokyo are portrayed authentically in the book? Were there any challenges you faced in this regard?

PRONKO: There are huge challenges in doing that, especially when you’re not ‘from’ a place. Still, I’ve lived here a long time. Longer than my students, I often remind them. I’m not trying to gaijin-splain Japan, nor am I doing an academic analysis, but rather, I want to respond to Tokyo authentically as myself. With narrative, vignette, or observation, you’re freer than writing a history or academic analysis. Of course, I try to “get it right,” but if I miss something, that forms part of the process of understanding through writing. I can’t look at Tokyo like a Japanese person can, but I can write about my experiences in Tokyo.

FQ: What measures will you suggest to an author writing about a city and culture that they have been a part of but not immersed in deeply to ensure authenticity in their portrayal?

PRONKO: I think one can always write from one’s point of view if one is honest about it. Fascinating books have been written by people who only visited a city or country once. The standpoint matters, and being upfront about it is key. Saying something like, “The first time I went to Paris, I…” positions you as a first-time observer, though in hindsight or years later, after more visits, you might have changed your mind. A writer can write authentically by making sure the internal response and the external experience connect. Having a good sense of oneself, one’s position, and one’s voice, not to mention a sense of humor, all help.

FQ: Tokyo Tempos is in the form of discursive essays. Which one of these did you enjoy writing the most and why?

PRONKO: Some come easily, so that makes the writing enjoyable in that sense. I loved writing about the change of tatami mats in my home, for example, because I was standing right there, out of the way, as they worked to redo the mats. I was amazed at the whole process. Some hit me like lightning, so it’s enjoyable to have them arrive fully formed in my mind, like the essay on fireworks. But I also like to work through them slowly, like the essay about riding trains. That essay took decades of train riding, but it’s also one of the most enjoyable to finally finish. Stopping to think about ordinary experiences always brings me joy because the writing adds meaning or uncovers deeper layers of meaning. So, it's enjoyable whenever I discover a deeper meaning to things, like toads in my backyard.

FQ: Was there any more challenging or demanding essay to write than others? If yes, what made it so?

PRONKO: I found it hard to write about my student’s death. No surprise there. I wrote about undergoing surgery. Ugh. Some topics seem easy at first but end up being a pain to figure out. I’ll jot down an idea, confident I’ve got a winner. But then, as I work on it, it’s just a giant knot, and I can’t get the words to work. I abandon some essay topics. My folders are chock full of ideas, notes, and beginning paragraphs, seeds that didn’t sprout. Some are embarrassing, like being nervous about giving a wedding speech in Japanese. And it’s often inverse—if the experience is easy, the writing is hard, and vice versa.

FQ: Tokyo Tempos touches on aspects of Japanese culture. How do you expect the Japanese readership to react and interpret the themes in the book?

PRONKO: The Japanese readership was quite welcoming when I wrote for Newsweek Japan and for the Japan Times. “I never noticed that,” was the usual response. My editors were Japanese, so they would help sift through my topic suggestions, so I internalized their filter. Japanese are fairly receptive to misunderstandings, up to a point. So, I try to think of things that no Japanese person has said to me or about things they might not have seen themselves. In an earlier book, I wrote about Japanese wall menus. Looking at the menus on the wall was like being immersed in culinary poetry. Japanese usually welcome that kind of comment from “outsiders.”

FQ: When you reread your essays, do they feel different from what they did when you wrote them initially?

PRONKO: Sometimes, I feel the same, but often, my perspective has shifted, so topics gather new meanings that I didn’t have at first. If I took any one of the pieces now and went back into it, I’m sure I’d add more or emphasize something differently. We too often read for hard and fast answers instead of searching for questions that keep us thinking. I hope the essays are worth re-reading for new feelings.

FQ: I find Tokyo Tempos part of a broad conversation around cultural change and preservation. How do you hope your readers contribute to that conversation after engaging with the work?

PRONKO: I hope it is part of a broader conversation. I’ve had readers write to me from all over, saying they want to start writing about their own country, Korea, India, Germany, or wherever. I think it’s great if readers develop their own processes of observation and expression. I hope readers start to observe that in their own lives, wherever they live. We are at a point in world history where there is a rich storehouse of traditional ways of thinking and living that deserve preservation. But there are also a lot of changes that remain to be made. Cross-cultural comparisons are one way to enhance that conversation.

 #AuthorInterview with Sharon Curcio

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Shrubaboti Bose is talking with Sharon Curcio, author of Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan.

FQ: What inspired you to write this story? Is the protagonist based on someone you know or have met in real life?

CURCIO: My inspiration to write Asayi stems from an experience I had while taking classes in sumi brush work when I lived in New York City in my late twenties. I learned to paint and painted Japanese and Chinese language characters but of course could not decipher the meaning of the characters. This influenced the development of Asayi – a copyist who can brush the characters on paper but doesn’t know the meaning of the characters (or language) she is working in.

Author Sharon Curcio

FQ: Why did you choose Japan as your story’s setting? Have you visited the country or do you share a special interest for its culture and history?

CURCIO: For years I’ve been fascinated by Japanese culture, from the very spiritual tea ceremonies to samurai traditions. This past year I did visit Japan and find their values engaging. People are polite and efficient; their cities are impeccably clean, and they care for their land and space. All quite refreshing.

FQ: Is this your first published work? Would you like to share about your publishing journey and the challenges you faced as an author?

CURCIO: Asayi is my first published novel, a historical fiction, and grew from a screenplay I wrote in 2018. The screenplay had the historical time period, 1439-1441, embedded within it and provided plot structure, but the novella required additional research. Fortunately, several good non-fiction resources came my way and expanded the detail and dimension I could add to Asayi. As for the challenges of a first novel, in my case it was technical hurdles: formatting, the need for a submission editor, cover design, audiobook production, and finding the right narrator. A friend recommended the cover illustrator, Craig Gundry, and auditions revealed great strengths of Jennifer Aquino, the Japanese voiceover for the Asayi audiobook. All of these steps in creating a first novel were daunting, time-consuming, and expensive, but were best tackled sequentially in the flow of the work.

FQ: Writers tend to follow different styles; some prefer to stick to a routine while others like to work when they feel motivated. What about you? Do you like to plan out the plot structure before you start writing or do you prefer to go with the flow and keep it spontaneous?

CURCIO: When asking a writer “how does he or she create” clearly responses will vary, but the process remains highly individualized. My screenplay provided the plot structure to ground the Asayi novel. For my second novel in the Asayi series, currently in progress, plot structure evolves as I examine the theft of the Imperial Regalia from the Northern kingdom by the Southern Kingdom. Of course, Asayi has a fictional role in the recovery of the Imperial Sword (the “owner’ of this weapon has the mandate to rule) so it is a highly coveted weapon. Volume two contains the real historical “actors” and the chain of events for the theft of the sword and its recovery. I don’t outline but follow the historical sequence of events and narrate what people on both sides of the conflict do, then add in my fictional characters to augment the drama. So Asayi volume two retains accuracy but is also highly “unscripted!”

FQ: Given that the story unfolds in medieval-age Japan, to keep it authentic and faithful to the established time-period, you have made use of several Japanese words and phrases. Can you elaborate on the research process involved in writing such a novel, especially one that features an autistic teen as the main character?

CURCIO: Jennifer Aquino told me I had used ninety-eight Japanese words in my first novel, but those emerged from my research and were appropriately used when necessary. The second novel also contains a bevy of Japanese words which are explained in context so as not to confuse the reader.

FQ: Tell us a little about your reading and writing habits. What kind of books do you like to read--any favorite genres? Which authors would you consider as your greatest source of inspiration?

CURCIO: Writers who have influenced me include John Milton, Ambrose Bierce, Amy Tan, Lisa See, Kazao Ishiguro, George R.R. Martin and Ken Follett. These writers create worlds, and immerse a reader in another place and time that feels very real and alive. Plus, I was an English-History major and believe that to know what any writer is saying one must know the historical context that shaped the writer. One cannot separate writing from time or a time period. Thus to correctly interpret what a writer is saying one must know the events and issues of his or her day.

FQ: Do you have a new story in mind? Will there be a sequel to Asayi? Would you like to share with us your upcoming projects, if any?

CURCIO: In the second novel, Asayi achieves some literacy as the Buddhist nuns who she lives with train her to connect the characters she can paint or draw with the meanings of those characters. So Asayi develops some ability to converse in writing with others by inking a few characters.

FQ: How was the overall reception of Asayi? Are you satisfied with your work?

CURCIO: Although surprised and not surprised at the same time, I feel Asayi as a novel has fared well given the multiple five star ratings the novel has received. My readers mirror the impression Asayi leaves them with and if they find Asayi’s saga memorable and instructive, this is the best I can hope for.

FQ: In what ways did your past experiences, both professional and personal, shape you as a writer? Is there anything you wish you knew before becoming a published author?

CURCIO: I retired from almost three decades of teaching high school English in 2018, and my experience with autistic students was rather peripheral. I observed students with mild autism in school settings and knew teachers with autistic children. But autism has a wide spectrum – from barely noticeable to severe. Children in the latter category are not mainstreamed into public schools but taught in more specialized settings or in private schools. My challenge with Asayi in the first novel was having an autistic lead character/protagonist who does not speak, so I used italics to reveal her thoughts and feelings throughout the novel so readers could track her inner dialogue. Most readers have commented that the italics were effective and gave Asayi a voice that they could understand.

FQ: Please share some tips for other emerging writers who wish to publish their works.

CURCIO: My guidance for emerging writers is to get feedback, and not just from friends and family but by those the writer may not know very well. These readers are more aligned to the future audience your novel will face, so get to know those you don’t currently know and take their input seriously. Collect these insights, seriously weigh them, and adjust where opinion centers.

 #Bookreview of The More the Merrier

By: Meridith Taylor Strout

Illustrated by: Remesh Ram

Publisher: Stride Publishing

Publication Date: October 19, 2024

ISBN: 979-8989419500

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: December 3, 2024

It is Ella’s birthday and she is so excited in The More the Merrier by Meridith Taylor Strout. With a big pile of presents and a lot of excitement, Ella is about to learn that it is more fun to share the presents with others and to make new friends than it is to play alone.

On Ella’s special day she receives a lot of gifts but her favorite is a group of five musical instruments that make fun sounds. The present makes her so happy but, unfortunately, Ella quickly realizes that she only has two hands and cannot play all of the instruments at once, which is not as much fun since she loves all of the different sounds. So, how does a little girl solve the problem? She gathers all of the instruments together and goes to the park to show her best friend. Kate is also really excited and picks an instrument that makes a sound she loves. Now Ella starts to look around the park and finds other children she does not know who are playing alone. Without being nervous or unsure of herself, Ella boldly walks up to each of the three children and introduces herself and asks if they want to be in her new band. As the children pick an instrument and begin playing, Ella has put together a new group of friends who then play for the crowd in the park.

There is so much about The More the Merrier that makes it appealing and it is a great book to share with young children to help teach them to share. It is also an excellent way of teaching that everyone should be included when you are having fun and that it is important and enjoyable to make new friends and to be brave enough to do so no matter who they are. There are very important lessons to be learned in this story: from playing together, to learning to get along, to sharing, to making sure no one is rejected and even just a lesson on appreciating music in general. Each of these lessons are explained in the story in a simple and straightforward manner that will be fun for young children.

In addition, one of the best parts of this story are the wonderful illustrations. They are bright and cheerful and they show the diversity amongst the children, which is another lesson to be taken from the story. On a side note, I absolutely loved the little squirrel which was included in most of the drawings and he could definitely be his own lesson in learning to count as young readers try to determine the number of times he pops up in the pictures.

The More the Merrier is a great story, an excellent teaching tool, and very engaging. I would recommend it to all parents and teachers out there to read to the little ones in their care. This is a perfect example of a story that will make learning fun.

Quill says: The More the Merrier is a book that should be read to all children as it teaches such important lessons in such a fun way. All parents want their children to be social and to make friends easily, and this story helps equip kids with the tools to accomplish that goal.

 #Bookreview of Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan

By: Sharon Curcio

Publisher: Fifth Wind

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

ISBN: 979-8-9900358-0-5

Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose

Review Date: December 3, 2024

Set in medieval-age Japan, Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan revolves around Asayi, the teenage daughter of the chief scribe, Oktani, who worked for the Shogun Yoshinori Ashikaga. Although Asayi could not make any audible sounds or respond verbally, her father never forced her to speak. She had lost her mother when she was very young and barely had any memories left of her. But both father as well as daughter missed lady Omari’s kind presence dearly. They were a close-knit family and with one member gone, the two relied on each other for company. While talking to the housekeeper, the old scribe fondly recollected how Asayi used to laugh more around her mother while she was still alive.

Asayi could not vocalize her thoughts, but she communicated with her brush. She was highly skilled at copying despite not understanding the meaning of the characters. She loved working on the scrolls diligently, sitting beside her father in the workroom and helping him quietly. But Oktani was worried about her future. He decided to ask the Shogun to help him arrange his daughter’s marriage. Little did he know that soon after his death, the Shogun would give the young girl’s hand in marriage to the old man’s former rival Nabui, a cruel and greedy copyist who had taken over Oktani’s position as the chief now. That marked the beginning of Asayi’s nose dive into a period of misery and torture.

Her downfall is painstakingly portrayed by the author, allowing readers to see her subjected to multiple layers of injustice, deception, betrayal and repeated physical abuse at the hands of her changing masters from Nabui to the Eta household. Her inability to speak, a prominent characteristic of people with autism, drew more wrath and fury than sympathy wherever she went. Asayi’s suffering and agonizing experiences symbolizes the kind of injustice and discrimination that autistic people often undergo in our society, thus serving as a reminder for us to be more empathetic.

It is interesting to see how Asayi evolves throughout the story from a timid submissive character to one with a stronger will to survive and reclaim her dignity on her own terms. The fact that she remains mute despite the drastic transformation of her personality and it doesn’t undermine the impact of this change, makes it even more inspiring and relatable. If she were to magically transform into a brave soldier who is able to bark orders, that would have seemed rather superficial and unrealistic. Assuming the role of a vengeful spirit was in a way empowering, as it upholds the legitimacy of feminine rage, which is often misrepresented as an evil spirit or mad women in folk tales. However, it would have been beneficial to allow the character of Lady Moira to play a more influential role in Asayi's life, exploring their familial bond and mutual understanding of each other.

Quill says: Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan brings a breath of fresh air with its Japanese cultural references and a strong female lead.

For more information on Asayi: An Autistic Teen's Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan, please visit the author's website at: sharon-curcio.com