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Posted in Books, reviews, Science fiction, Uncategorized

Exploring Nina Munteanu’s Gaia’s Revolution – a book review.

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Gaia’s Revolution by Nina Munteanu is a hard science fiction novel that has great potential to go down as a book many will remember in the future. The book follows the Vogel brothers, Damien and Eric, as they clash about ideas, morals, revolutions, and their own family. The Vogel brothers go from simple arguments over climate change to political intrigue and opposing factions as the world violently heaves around them, forever changed by their own actions and the influence they wield. As other characters are introduced to the lives of the Vogel brothers and their futures unfold, we are given a dramatic story of family betrayal, chaos, and sex, a kuddelmuddel even.

Gaia’s Revolution by Nina Munteanu is an interesting read. Admittedly, the book starts off a bit slow with a lot of explanation of the past of the brothers and their family. Interesting as it is, there is a lot to take in all at once and, admittedly, it comes off as dry. The information could be added later in the book as needed, but it is not all bad and serves a purpose. Fortunately, the first couple of chapters pass quickly, and we are soon brought into the story. With the addition of new characters comes more interaction and drama, which leads to more story. After we get through the exposition of the first chapters, the story picks up, and we are thrown headfirst into the Vogel brothers’ influence on the human race and the world around it.

While this is certainly a hard science fiction book about climate change, it manages to avoid coming off as preachy and demanding. It gives us a firm understanding of the literally Earth-shattering possibilities and the influences that drastic change (good or bad) can have on the environment and lifeforms of the planet. It may still come off as preachy to some readers who are not interested in the facts presented. In all honesty, if you have the opinion that the world is fine the way it is, then this is not the book for you. Also, if sexual encounters offend you, you may not want to pick it up either. However, for many, this is a book that deserves the utmost attention.

I will be revisiting this book again in the future, I believe, with a deeper look at it.

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Fan Expo Denver and Cosplay!

Posted on by Tawny Molina

So with my continued pumping and excitement for Fan Expo Denver coming up, I figured we would take a look at the fun things the website tells us we can expect. This time we are going to look at cosplay.

Now I am not much of a cosplayer myself but I do enjoy watching contests and seeing what these really skilled creators come up with!

Below you can find a link displaying some of the organized fun Fan Expo Denver has for cosplayers! Looking forward to watching the contests myself.

https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/cosplay/

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More News about Fan Expo Denver!

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Are you a Star Wars fan? Are you particularly fond of the prequals and Hayden Christensen? Well boy oh boy do I have news for you! He will be at Fan Expo Denver! If you check out the link below you can get the price details but they seem really reasonable! Autographs, pictures and more all possible! How exciting!

https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/an-evening-with-hayden-christensen/

I know I personally plan on trying to do this. You all should as well!

Posted in Artist, Books, Business, Games, Interview, Reviews, Stories, Tech, Uncategorized, Updates

CONVENTION SURPRISES~!

Posted on by Tawny Molina

As most of you know, I attend a few conventions every year. Central Florida Comic Con here in my home state is always a blast. And I’ll be hitting up Atlanta twice this year for the usual MomoCon and an additional DragonCon! (Don’t worry, I’ll talk about you all as you get closer.) But this year, I’m going to be able to add an exhilarating dash to a higher altitude and a different time zone. Drumroll please… (Yes, this is text. Just work with me here, guys!)

FAN EXPO DENVER!
Website here: https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/

Believe it or not, actually not a surprise, but I heard about this delightfully geeky gathering from a streamer and fellow nerdy friend PlayingWithRemy. Who will also be visiting this con. I am looking forward to a local showing me some good food. (YOU KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU REMY!)

Now, as a lifelong east coaster, I never considered going to another timezone for a con but let’s be honest, the number of celebrities coming to this con is mindblowing. You can find the complete list on the site at the link below, but I am excited!
https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/celebrities/

I am particularly hyped about Michael Dorn, Bonnie Wright, and Christina Ricci I hope I can get to speak to them. And maybe get my husband a few autographs while he pouts from states away.

I am also looking forward to taking some walks through the exhibition halls. I am a frequent buyer of the same products over and over here at home. I am excited to see what people have to offer in Colorado.

I’ll share more and more as we get closer to this convention. There is so much going on!

Also, I hate to admit this, but I have been spelling Denver wrong forever.

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When The Smoke Cleared – Book Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

When the Smoke Cleared a Murder Mystery in Malden by Bill Powers is an exciting and informative actual crime police procedural. Bill Powers was the lead investigator at the time, which gives him a particularly significant position to write about the case even though it’s been a good twenty years since the time of the crime. Bill walks us through the story of this investigation which begins as a fire investigation and quickly shifts into a murder investigation when one of the sniffing dogs alerts on to a possible scent of remains. As the investigation continues, the police finally learn that this fire was where a young girl was murdered, and from there, the search for her killer and to bring him to justice expands.

So I read and watch a lot of true crime stories. They have interested me since I was a child watching Unsolved Mysteries episodes in the 90s. However, I was particularly interested in reading When the Smoke Cleared by Bill Powers because I grew up in Massachusetts, not in Malden, where this story takes place, but about half an hour away in Lynn. So it was interesting to read about some locations I recalled seeing or being at. It was also stomach-churning to realize that the young girl who had been killed was only a couple of years older than me and stuck in a similar complicated parent-child relationship and DSS issues. With these things in mind When the Smoke Cleared may have proven a much more poignant read for me than others.

Bill Powers has given us a fantastic explanation of the court system, from the police gathering the needed information to the attorneys and other individuals helping to put the case together to a remarkably detailed description of the court process. We are all used to being given dramatized examples of these things—dramatic and short dramatizations of raised voices and death threats over concise explanations of the procedures. Bill Powers, however, has not shortened or dramatized any of the information. Instead, he has presented us with the necessary knowledge and how things are processed. When the Smoke Cleared is far from a dramatization, some parts of the book seem a bit dense, but this is not a novel. Instead, this is a procedural explaining a murder that happened to a real person by a real person.

If you enjoy learning about True Crime and the realistic process of catching and convicting a murderer, then When the Smoke Cleared is perfect.

If you are a bit more interested in Bill Powers I am happy to say I have a guest power from him which you can read below.

Most books in the true crime genre are authored by writers whose observations came from the side of the yellow tape where the words, “Do Not Cross” prevented their access to the crime scene. My book is different because I was the senior supervisor of a team of detectives who investigated a horrific murder case and eventually brought justice for the victim and her family.


I literally got my feet wet in the investigation when I stood on a carpet soaked in blood and water in the function room of a condo complex in Malden Massachusetts. What first appeared to be an arson fire quickly exhibited all the signs of a brutal murder By days end we developed a “person of interest”, but had no motive, eyewitnesses, weapon or body. Not the best way to begin a case, but a great challenge to all of us and one we accepted and worked on as a unified team.


Written from my first-hand perspective and in my voice, this book will appeal to all followers of the true crime genre. It is a classic police and courtroom procedural offered in minute detail. The book belongs on the Recommended Reading List or course syllabi of any criminal justice or law school class about criminal procedure. Additionally, it is perfect for college students who plan to work in one of the many disciplines related to the forensic sciences.

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The Reborn Prince – Book Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

The Reborn Prince by Julianne Munich is an exciting historical fantasy novel and the first in the Mages in the Mundane series. It follows young Luc Bisset, formerly Prince Renaud d’Orleans, a bastard of a royal family who has had his memory magically wiped by his mother, attempting to protect and punish him for the attempted murder of his brother. Unfortunately, using magic to wipe one’s memory, more so on a human with no magical ability, is illegal, and the two end up hiding. His mother keeps them safe while he has no idea what is happening around him and continues to live as daily as possible.

One of the first things that struck me about this book was the beautiful world-building. Sure, the mundane aspects of this story take place in historical France, but the magical elements built into the fabric of the story are creative and well done. Munich’s color magical world is woven into the Parisian lifestyle, and the way the magically inclined hide their abilities from the average person is interesting to read about. The idea of mages having to conceal their magical powers from mundane people is certainly not new in the world of literature, but seeing new ways that authors come up with is always a fantastic thing to read.

Moving on from world-building, we have interesting characters. To start with the main character of Luc, for much of the book, I hated this man. I was quietly hoping something dreadful would happen to him, and when it finally did, I felt vindicated in my hopes. However, as the story progressed, I was satisfied with his character development. Another exciting aspect of this drastic character development came from the romance. Fitting for the setting, these fanciful courtships are sweet and quaint. Cute kisses and forest walks. Munich gives us an exciting affair that remains clean and sweet while still allowing you to feel the character’s passion for one another. While the aspects of the romance are easy to see coming from the introduction of the romantic partner, it is still satisfying to see it happen.

My only complaint about this book is the drastic cliffhanger it leaves us on. This is a good thing, as it means I will have to pick up the second novel in this series as soon as possible. I am looking forward to it. You should pick up this first book in the series and enjoy a new magical world.

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Amazon Finds – Arthritis glove!

Posted on by Tawny Molina

This post includes an Amazon Affiliate link. when you make a purchase using my link I get a percentage that goes towards supporting this website. You can find my full affiliate disclosure here.

Okay, so if you are anything like me you type a lot, and game a lot, and text a lot and just in general work with your hands in a matter that they are not meant to be used. Well have I found a great little product for you. This Tolaccae Arthritis glove is great for helping with that. You can heat it in the microwave or cool it off in the fridge, whatever helps with your particular hand arthritis issues. I love it and personally suggest it for those really sore days!

You can find it on Amazon here!

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Flock Without Birds – Book Review

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Flock Without Birds by Filip Dousek is an interesting concept followed by an interesting concept. Admittedly, unless you are an academic, the idea of picking up a book about a data scientist or a mathematician sounds like a massive chore. A painful experience for any right-brain creative type. But that right there is sort of the plot of much of this book. A young man with a science-based mind doing his best to cope with being a young man and finding a life and study balance. It is a concept many of us have had to wrangle.

However, we are also presented with other philosophical ideas. Is God dead? Did he ever exist? Did science kill other gods as well? Are we all just worshiping the leftovers of some dead cult? None of this will be answered for you when you read this book. What this book will give you, however, is a thought-provoking adventure as you read the story from the narration of young Adam by his older self, complemented by data analysis and old-world minds.

I will not try to tell you this is the perfect book for everyone. But it is a delightful view into a talented writer’s mind and worth picking up.