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About Marina Dora Martino

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So far Marina Dora Martino has created 112 blog entries.

Review: The Clock in the Water by Crissi McDonald

The Clock in the Water by Crissi McDonald

The Clock in the Water by Crissi McDonald is a startlingly original take on magic realism – a mixture of mythic fantasy and romance. Set in the present day on an island in the Pacific Northwest, the novel uses the ocean in all its depth and mystery as a backdrop for a story about love, family, trust, and friendship.

The characters in this story have a profound connection with the ocean where they live – a connection that transfers to the reader, drawing you into their mystical connection with the sea. The Keykwin, an ancient people who are both men […]

2024-03-22T17:47:35+02:00August 24th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

New Beginnings by Helen C. Kelly

New Beginnings by Helen C. Kelly

A romantic novel that explores the aftermath of breakups, New Beginnings by Helen C. Kelly is a stirring, emotional read. Jane, a music teacher and talented singer, is coming out of a long and painful history when she meets David, a divorcee who runs a restaurant in her village. As they deal with feelings of betrayal, David and Jane realize that their painful experiences ultimately helped them understand what they really looked for in a relationship, strengthening their bond together. With its earnest, tender look at second-chance relationships, this is an intimate deep dive into issues of love, trust, and […]

2023-08-23T16:27:33+02:00August 23rd, 2023|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

The Magic In Metaphor by Harley Sears

The Magic In Metaphor by Harley Sears

With twenty-five imaginative, funny, and tender stories, The Magic In Metaphor: Empowering Children Through Healing Stories by Harley Sears is an invaluable teaching aid for adults and an inspiring read for children. Using metaphor as a therapeutic device, Sears crafts insightful stories on topics such as self-esteem, anxiety, emotional management, empathy, and friendship, while also addressing some contemporary concerns such as the increasing dependency on digital tools. Full of captivating characters, and equipped with fun activities, this is a book for adults and children seeking to have a deeper understanding of themselves and each other, for a highly original and […]

2023-08-22T13:26:46+02:00August 22nd, 2023|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Emerging From the Dark by Terence Ang

Emerging From the Dark by Terence Ang

A refreshingly candid look into the experiences of stroke survivors, Emerging From the Dark by Terence Ang is both informative and inspiring. Arranged as a series of essays, the book uses original illustrations as a companion to the text in order to examine myriad topics faced by stroke survivors: physical and mental health, depression, loneliness, as well as the determination to get better and start a new life. Powerful and unabashed in its comprehensive overview of what people might face, this is a book for anyone who is struggling after a stroke and needs some inspiration, as well as for […]

2023-08-17T15:50:00+02:00August 17th, 2023|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Wonders in the Waves by Jennifer Collins

Wonders in the Waves by Jennifer Collins

Heartwrenching, honestly written, and challenging, Wonders in the Waves by Jennifer Collins is a novel about family, love, grief, and courage, and a compelling sequel to Comfort in the Wings. Striking a delicate balance between the intimacy of first-person narration, and the excitement of a rich plot full of relatable characters and twists, this multilayered book is at once intimate and page-turning.

Larissa is a 51-year-old mother that is at risk of getting lost in grief. Her sweet daughter Emma, 21, passed away less than a year prior, leaving a gaping hole in her life, and that of Emma’s […]

2023-08-16T13:07:24+02:00August 15th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

The Birth of Agent Big Butt by Amy Winfield, Illustrated by Tom McWeeney

The Birth of Agent Big Butt by Amy Winfield

The Birth of Agent Big Butt: Butt of Steel, Heart of Gold by Amy Winfield, with brilliant illustrations by Tom McWeeney, is a hilarious and supremely original children’s book about a baby who was born with an enormous rear end as hard as steel, as he takes on local robbers while outwitting a mad doctor. With wisdom and intelligence beyond his years, this heroic baby understands the deadly nature of his weapon and desires to use it for good – a hysterically ridiculous take on “With great power comes great responsibility.” Lighthearted and funny throughout with a cheerful take on […]

2023-08-10T11:43:18+02:00August 10th, 2023|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Four Year Hitch by Don Cox

The Four Year Hitch by Don Cox

A heartwarming novel that plays with narrative stereotypes about love and happy endings, The Four Year Hitch by Don Cox is an affecting work of romantic contemporary fiction. Although the main characters are clearly destined to be together, circumstances and individual mistakes keep them apart for a long time, making this tender piece of fiction feel as romantic as rooted in reality.

Joshua and Julie have been best friends since they were seven years old. They know everything about each other, all the little quirks, dreams, and secrets, starting from their big life aspirations all the way down to […]

2023-09-14T16:14:46+02:00August 1st, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

AlieNation by Jayma Anne Montgomery

AlieNation by Jayma Anne MontgomeryAlieNation: The Imitated Life by Jayma Anne Montgomery is a surprising autobiographical work reflecting on family, culture, and identity, particularly in the context of immigration and mental health.

Until the age of five, Jayma lived with her aunt and uncle in Jamaica, and she never realized her family was poor. Only when her mother brought her to the United States did she discover that a different life was possible, though she finds that poverty isn’t the only obstacle to one’s safety and well-being. Dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and the difficulty 0f assimilating into a frequently hostile culture, Jayma must […]

2023-07-21T12:08:18+02:00July 21st, 2023|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |
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