An Exception I do not normally review outside of Reader’s Favorite; however, this is a rare exception that is unlikely to be repeated soon. For our very own @AutisticRedHead , your review is below. As this is outside RF, I’m not going with a star rating. Instead, I’m giving you something even many 5 star reviews do not get, a recommendation. “Their lines were predictable, and their rhythm felt mechanical. Their world was a play that had gone on too long without rewriting—too simple, too flat, too empty.” The world in Hanneh, a novella by author Gabriella Nøhr, isn’t just simple; it’s picture-perfect on the outside while stifling everything that makes us human. The setting is a happy little country, particularly an even happier little town called Vejle, where a woman named Hanneh struggles to recall how she came to be there. Behind a carefully manicured façade of harmony, Hanneh realizes that only sterility and conformity are permitted, all in the name of ‘wellness.’ But what is well? What is normal? And who gets to decide the parameters? As Hanneh explores her surroundings and, more importantly, herself, she is about to discover an age-old truth: Normal is sometimes an artificial concept imposed by a society when it can’t define, categorize, or accept an individual for who they truly are. Clever and sharp, Hanneh by Gabriella Nøhr is an original and uniquely relevant portrayal of modern dystopia disguised as a gilded cage. The plot itself follows a woman suffering from a neurodevelopmental condition as she struggles to acclimate to a state-controlled ‘safe-place.” However, another interpretation is that the entire novella is a pertinent metaphor for every person who has ever felt like an outsider or the ‘other’. In addition, a not-so-subtle dig is thrown at the medical profession, which tries to treat a condition without knowing exactly how the people suffering from it feel. Gabriella’s writing style is focused and sharp, but she does break a couple of rules. The formatting is not what the industry expects, and while I cannot know whether this was an intentional stylistic choice, I would urge that it not be changed. The story works better without conforming to that norm. Additionally, the pace is very brisk and the English Translation impeccable, though at times the story seems slightly abrupt. Overall, Hanneh is a great read for anyone who has ever felt out of sorts in a society that shaped itself without understanding a part of humanity. I easily recommend it.

Hey! A Resurrection of the Ruby Skull review!

A Noir Kind Of Day While I review multiple genres, it's no secret that I like some more than others. This little gem below crossed my path a while back. So if you're into Noir, take a look. You can't hide inside a bottle when what haunts you comes from within. After Pearl: A Nicholas Bishop Mystery by Stephen G. Eoannou exemplifies this idea through the challenges confronted by its protagonist, Nicholas Bishop. The has-been private eye wakes up in his room with a raging hangover and a one-eyed pup staring at him. His gun has been fired, but Nic can't remember a thing, least of all how he got the mutt. As he struggles to remember what happened, he navigates a city filled with socialites, drunks, and villains, all against the backdrop of a world at war. But there's a hitch. No one likes Bishop because he is, after all, a poor excuse for a human being. With no one to trust save his secretary, Gia, and friend Ira, Nic must unravel a crime in which he is the prime suspect, ultimately revealing something far more sinister than he could have ever imagined. Entertaining and beguiling, After Pearl by Stephen G. Eoannou is a gritty noir throwback that delivers, and even the title is a clever play on words with multiple meanings. The plot of this first-rate mystery focuses on solving a puzzling crime, which leads to a greater conspiracy behind the scenes. While themes of good versus evil and classic tropes are present, they are overshadowed and dominated by the protagonist's struggle to rebuild his shattered life and seek redemption. Bishop highlights top-notch character development, but Gia steals the show and makes me smile. The pace is what you would expect from a novel like this: quick, witty, and reminiscent of Bogart and Cagney in their heyday. Exceptionally well-written and immersive, After Pearl is a page-turner steeped in nostalgia and a bygone era. Review on Readers Favorite >>> tr.ee/yNF2zW #ReadersFavorite #ByGaiusKonstantine

I'm 30 star ratings away from 100 ratings the The Hunter. Would love to hit 100!

Don't take my word for it! #ebooks #audiobook #kindleunlimitedbooks mybook.to/thecorvidskey

Sometimes the most powerful stories come from our hardest moments. In this #AuthorSpotlight, @AmberDevlin01 talks about how loss shaped her debut novel The Book of the Goddess.   Read more >>> tr.ee/oAmQGw   via @justcastellon #JustReadingNook #WritingCommunity

This book was hard to write as a #dyslexic! & is even harder to pin down. Nameless - A cross genre Novella that reflects on what it is to be human! #Gaslamp fantasy #SciFi & a touch of #Romance #Dicken's #Bladerunner Paperback = 14 Special #codeart mybook.to/J6k9MpB