Friday, May 11, 2018

ALL ROADS DESTINED Readers Favorite 5/5 Stars Review

All Roads Destined

All Roads Destined

A Collection of Dark Fiction and Poems
 * * * * * 

Fiction - Short Story/Novela
270 Pages
Reviewed on 04/05/2018
Buy on Amazon

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Dark fiction author, Lisa Diaz Meyer lives on Long Island, New York with her family.

    BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
All Roads Destined: A Collection of Dark Fiction and Poems by Lisa Diaz Meyer is the second book in Meyer's All Roads trilogy, arriving on the heels of the highly-rated first book, All Roads Home. The anthology begins with the second installment of the author's remarkable Outposts saga, followed by a collection of independent short stories and fifteen poems. The Outposts II carries on the story of Zaxton Mitchell and George/Georgia - with a greatly anticipated wedding - in the post-apocalyptic drama, taking a comfortable and perfectly executed turn into the realm of science fiction. Meyer's short stories include gems such as Friendship 59, which reads like a futuristic Siren tale, and poetry with prose that both sings and shatters the heart, such as The Climb.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that All Roads Destined by Lisa Diaz Meyer is gripping in a way that watching a tragedy unfold might be. Aristotle once told us that the aim of tragedy is to bring about a catharsis, and Meyer certainly forces a reader to dig deeper in the most unforgiving, morbidly cleansing way. Her short stories rarely have a happy ending, something of a reflection on the realities of our human experience she is able to tap into with little in the form of beings that are actually human. Her work might be dusky and dark (or macabre and funereal, as she unapologetically describes it) but the quality of Meyer's writing makes it not just palatable, but enjoyable too. For those waiting to see how The Outposts series unfolds, they won't have to, as All Roads Shattered, the saga's finale, is already available.

ALL ROADS HOME Readers Favorite 5/5 Review




All Roads Home

All Roads Home

A Collection of Short Stories
 * * * * * 

Fiction - Short Story/Novela
332 Pages
Reviewed on 04/09/2018

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Dark fiction author, poet and playwright Lisa Diaz Meyer lives on Long Island, New York with her family.

    BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
All Roads Home: A Collection of Short Stories by Lisa Diaz Meyer is the first book in the author's All Roads trilogy, followed by All Roads Destined and All Roads Shattered. This anthology begins with the onset of Meyer's wildly popular and highly rated saga, The Outposts, a story that spans over the course of all three of her compilation books. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Georgia - who has been raised in secrecy as a boy with the name George - is one of the few women left able to bear children. She makes a daring escape, only to find that while life outside her outpost allows for freedom (and love), the issues that arise can be equally gruesome to the horrors she left behind. All Roads Home also features the first flush of Meyer's delightfully dark poetry and play-writing.

In the interests of full disclosure, I feel the need to point out that I read this trilogy backwards. This was unintentional, but in my opinion it lends greater credence to the author's skill that The Outposts, in particular, can be read in any order without losing your way in the story. It's evident that Meyer has experienced genuine growth in her work as the books get better with each release (and given this is the intro, that says quite a lot about her talent). The Outposts might be the star here, but I'm of the opinion that, first and foremost, Meyer is a poet...and an exceptional one at that. I can't recommend this trilogy highly enough, and All Roads Home kicks it off with a sensational launch.

Interviewed on author Cheryl Holloway's Blog

Before I post the blog and the website, I want to say how excited I was to receive an email from Cheryl Holloway asking for an interview to talk about my latest publication ALL ROADS SHATTERED. Before this interview, I had only been interviewed one other time before about two or three years ago by the charming Debbie DeLouise on her Ruff Drafts Blog. 

Without further ado here is the link and a huge thank you to Cheryl Holloway for having me on her blog about all things writing... 

http://www.cherylholloway.net/blog/2018/05/07/guest-author-interview-lisa-diaz-meyer/


Guest Author Interview – Lisa Diaz Meyer

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Title: All Roads Shattered: A Collection of Dark Fiction Short Stories and Poems
Genre: Short Stories/Anthologies
Synopsis: All Roads Shattered, the third book of Lisa Diaz Meyer’s All Roads Collection contains two short story sagas, five multi-genre, dark fiction short stories and twelve macabre poems.

Lisa Diaz Meyer, Author
CH: Today’s Guest Author is Lisa Diaz Meyer. She relates to the odd, macabre and funereal. Welcome to my blog, Lisa.
CH: Since this is a combination of dark fiction short stories and macabre poems, can you give us a brief synopsis of the book?
LDM: All Roads Shattered contains the Outposts III, a continuing post-apocalyptic science fiction saga that runs throughout all three of my books, thus far. People of Gods, another saga that will continue on in future books is a dystopian science fiction drama. Then, there are five independent, multi-genre, dark fiction short stories and twelve macabre poems.
CH: How did you come up with the premise for this book?
LDM: I needed to move the Outpost stories along from the first two books, so I decided to transition the plot from post-apocalyptic to science fiction. The other short stories just come to mind, as well as, the poems, when inspiration hits.
CH: With that in mind, was it hard creating believable situations and issues or did you take them from real life and elaborate?
LDM: A little of both. For example, in the dystopian People of Gods short story, the plot is about a holocaust, an extermination of a gentle race of people. I don’t feel it was difficult to write or elaborate. I enjoy taking what is real and unreal and adding a twist.
CH: How did you come up with the premise for this series?
LDM: I liked the thought of creating short stories or many different worlds, instead of dragging things out. The idea is to pack a lot of punch in a small amount of pages, as well as, creating characters to love or hate in a short amount of time.
CH: When you wrote the first book, did you know that it would be a series then? 
LDM: No. I knew that I’d continue writing short stories, poems and stage scripts, but with the later, unexpected addition of the first Outpost story, I learned I enjoyed the characters so much that I decided to keep going.
CH: Did you run into any challenges while writing this book?
LDM: No, I feel it went smoothly.
CH: Did you have to do any special research to write this book?
LDM: No research was required. It was complete imagination.
CH: What is different and exciting that you bring to your readers through your writing style? 
LDM: The odd premises and the fact that I need to produce worlds and characters quickly, requires a certain flow that readers need to identify with almost immediately. Toward the end of each story or poem I’d like the reader to use their imagination, so that the characters and story linger a bit.
CH: Of the books in the series, which character was hardest to write?
LDM: None. I loved all my characters from victims, villains to heroes.
CH: In this book, which character was hardest to develop in the short stories?
LDM: There were two, Duma and Ernie of the Outposts. Lovable Duma, because he is stubbornly complacent; yet, change is constantly thrown at him. And Ernie Coy, always the outsider, who was tortured in order to learn his abilities, later seeks revenge on his teacher and tormentor.
CH: Is there a message in your novel that you want the readers to grasp?
LDM: That in a way, we are all the same. That we do need other people to get what we need in life, even if it’s not the way we’d think or maybe even want.
CH: What kind of feedback are you getting from readers of this book?
LDM: Very positive. All Roads Shattered just received a coveted 5 star review from Reader’s Favorite.
CH: Where do you get your inspiration and ideas from when you write?
LDM: It could be anything; a dream, art, music, or even a video game.
CH: What can we expect next from you?
LDM: I am currently working on the next All Roads installment, which will include more short stories and poems. I’ll also be appearing with other writers at Long Island, NY Author Events. And my website details book availability, where I’m appearing next, synopses and photos.
CH: How to Find Lisa Diaz Meyer:
CH: Can you tell my audience where this book is sold?
LDM: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Outskirts Press. Going to my website will also have the links.
CH: Any closing remarks on this topic?
LDM: If anyone likes their reading on the darker side of life or afterlife, please check out my All Roads Collection. Right now the first book, All Roads Home has a 4/5 star Readers Favorite review. All Roads Destined has a 5/5 star Readers Favorite review, a New Apple 2017 Official Selection in Poetry and was a CIPA EVVY Award nomination. All Roads Shattered , also received a 5/5 star review at Readers Favorite. All three books have a 5/5 Amazon rating. All three books were featured at NYC Book Expo & BookCon of 2017.
I would like to thank the wonderfully talented Cheryl Holloway for having me!
CH: Thank you so much, Lisa Diaz Meyer, for taking time out of your very busy writing schedule to join me and my blog followers.  It has been a real pleasure discussing your book with my audience.  And readers, if you’re like me and would enjoy this book.  I suggest you pick up a copy at your earliest convenience. 
Note: Photos/Clip art are compliments of the Internet, Lisa Diaz Meyer and Cheryl Holloway.
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*** Less than a week after this interview my 4/5 Stars on Readers Favorite was upgraded to 5/5 Stars.

5 Stars for BRAVE SOPHIA: A Children's Book About Bravery and Courage by Tamala Johnson J.D.

 Brave Sophia should be a must in every child's home bookshelf. The lesson towards bravery and courage builds and builds its way up exactly as a child's mind needs to understand it. Most adults can learn something from this too. We identify with poor Sophia when she has to give an oral report in school but is too afraid. Sophia decides life would be easier if she was a hapless butterfly. Instead, she finds strength and courage to follow the path that will lift her up. I certainly hope Tamala Johnson J.D. writes future encouraging books. I want to add that the delicate illustrations are what drew me to Brave Sophia. So not only are our children taught a valuable lesson but they can admire the artwork, as well.

My 5 STAR REVIEW on Amazon ...Brave Sophia is a wonderful children’s book that teaches the steps to bravery and courage. Its so delightful parents can read this book to their children over and over.

My 5 STAR REVIEW for FEAR INDUCER by Ellie Douglas

Horror, you say? Then horror you shall get! If you like gore and/or creepy villains (like I do) Fear Inducer by horror author Ellie Douglas is right up there receiving a 5 Star review from me.

Our villain is disturbed genius Dr. Felix Bloom, a compassionate psychiatrist who wants to cure your phobia. Or not, because he's also maniacally bloodthirsty. I really don't want to give more away but if you're seeing a doctor about a phobia, well let's just hope their IQ isn't as high or as twisted as Dr. Bloom's. 
 My 5 STAR REVIEW on Amazon and Goodreads : If you like horror and gore, Fear Inducer is perfect from beginning to end. Dr. Felix Bloom might be my favorite psychopath as his calm and chillingly likable demeanor lure the reader, as well as his victims right in. Author Ellie Douglas knows how to unforgivingly unnerve her audience with each turn of the page. Perfect!

WHAT'S YOUR PLAN by James DeMeo my 5 Star Review

About JAMES DEMEO'S extremely important book WHAT'S YOUR PLAN ...These are indeed most difficult, trying times. The world we find ourselves living in is one filled with conflict and turmoil. The purpose of this book is not to create fear but rather instill a heightened sense of awareness for you and your family. After having spent 21 years in law enforcement, a noble but dangerous profession, James DeMeo should know about trying times.

Do you have a plan to keep you and your family safe during an emergency? This book comes complete with exactly how to do that. WHAT'S YOUR PLAN can be found on Amazon. I believe it's hit best selling status.
My 5 STARS : A quick, easy read to prepare you and your family during a crisis situation. What to do checklists on safety for moms to college students, families at sporting events, malls and more. Educational and interesting, What's Your Plan drives home the importance of having a solid plan in place.

My 5 STAR Review of JEREMIAH STROUT AND THE CURSE OF THE GOLDEN HARP

JEREMIAH STROUT AND THE CURSE OF THE GOLDEN HARP by Karen T. Harter... Jeremiah and his mother move to a new town to start over after his parents divorce. While going through the basement of the house they will be living in, he finds a Golden Harp and each time the strings are plucked something crazy and magical happens! Not always for the better! Thus begins the story of new friendship and adventure.

Endearing and delightful, Jeremiah Strout and the Curse of the Golden Harp has everything going for it. Family, friendships and adventure. A story children will remember and cherish.

If you are looking for a new adventure story for your children, grades 4 to 8, Karen T. Harter's book is one I recommend. Recently, it has received a 5 Star Review from READERS FAVORITE! Please look for it on Amazon.