Study Tips and Tricks for School Success
​By Elizabeth Dubos
​
Students, do you often feel stressed, anxious, or nervous right before taking a test, quiz, or exam? You’ve put in extensive hours of studying in order to ace this assignment; unfortunately, when you get your results back it’s a low grade and you become extremely sad or angry. You’re questioning why you put so much energy into studying if it was going to result in a bad grade. Here’s the answer: you’re a smart, dedicated, and hardworking student, but you just need to refine your studying habits in order to succeed. Here are some study tips and tricks to help you succeed on a test, quiz, or exam.

1. Prepare Your Study Space
Before you start studying try to find a study space that’s comfortable and has limited distractions. I recommend studying in your bedroom because it’s a calm and safe place for you to think and concentrate on what could possibly be on the test. Plus, on your bedroom door, you can leave an “I’m studying, please do not disturb” sign. On this sign, you can input study times so surrounding members of your household know when you will be done studying. If you cannot study at home, then consider going to the library because it’ll be a quiet environment for you to study. Also, if you’re a bookworm, you can enjoy checking out fun books to read after a study session.

2. Find and Use Practice Tests Online
The internet is filled with practice tests and worksheets on numerous subjects to help students succeed. First, they can help you judge if you need additional time studying the subject content. Plus, if you’re stuck on a question then you can ask your teacher more about it. Secondly, if you feel nervous, freeze, and you forget the information during the test, the practice tests will help build your confidence with experience, so the testing period doesn’t seem extremely stressful. Thirdly, you can add these practice tests to your collection of notes, so it’ll be a refresher instead of worrying if you forgot past information.
            Here are some websites with free practice tests and worksheets.
            1. Math: https://www.kutasoftware.com/freeipa.html
            2. English Language & Literary: https://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/english/
            3. Science: https://www.varsitytutors.com/science-practice-tests
            4. History: https://www.ducksters.com/questions/history.php

3. Schedule Mini-Breaks
Don’t study for an endless number of hours because it will add to your stress. Schedule three to four breaks during your study session. They can be as little as two minutes or as long as thirty minutes. During your breaks try meditation, yoga, going outside, or watching a funny YouTube video. This will help your brain decompress from all the information you’re trying to learn and remember. Plus, studying won’t feel like a daunting task when you can look forward to doing something fun on your mini-break. Set an alarm for your mini-break to ensure you take it on time and do not overwork yourself.

4. Speak the Content Out Loud 
Reading and repeating the content may work for some people, but not everyone. Think of this study tip as a presentation. You can present to family, friends, or inanimate objects. How will you grab and hold their attention? Will you use study visual aids, i.e., Venn diagrams, bar graphs, pie charts, timelines, etc.? If you’re a visual learner then creating a visual aid will help you remember the content too. You can use glitter, neon colors, or different patterns to help you. After presenting to family and friends encourage them to ask you questions so you feel comfortable discussing the content.  

5. Study Snacks

Try to eat your snack during your scheduled mini-break, so food or drink does not get in your textbook or notes. Here is a list of recommended study snacks that are easy to obtain and are affordable. These snacks should be eaten in moderation and not be substituted for meals.

1. String Cheese: It’s low on calories and high in protein. Grocery stores offer different flavors, so you can try multiple ones until you find your favorite. 

2. Dark Chocolate: It helps with natural stimulation and produces endorphins to help you conquer studying. 

3. Microwave Popcorn: You can enjoy an entire bowl for yourself because it’s low in calories and high in fiber. 

4. Fruit Salad: This is a healthy option to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can either buy a mixture of fruits in the produce section of your grocery store or you can choose your favorite fruits to combine at home.

Note: Remember to drink fluids while studying! First, I recommend green tea because it contains the amino acid L–theanine that will give you energy. Secondly, I recommend water. It’s important to improve circulation in your brain and prevent overheating when you’re studying very hard. You can flavor it with lemons, limes, mint, cucumbers, or strawberries to make it more appetizing. 

6. Technology! 
Large textbooks, notebooks, and binders can be intimidating study materials. Try downloading educational study apps onto your phone or tablet to help you. Here are some affordable and free apps to download on Apple and Android devices. 

1. Quizlet: Free or for $1.99 a month receive additional upgrades. Flashcards are a resourceful study aid to practice and master what you’re learning. On the free version, users can create their own flashcards or choose from other students’. Plus you can share your flashcards with fellow classmates. The flashcards feature audio and images to enhance the learning experience. The upgraded version offers users the choice to upload their own images, get faster help from the Quizlet team, and study without ads. 

2. Exam Countdown: Free – You’ve got multiple exams and you’re starting to freak out. Beat procrastination with this app. It will help you keep track of multiple exam dates so you can schedule enough study time. Plus, you can color code exam importance. 

3. Forest: Free – This app will help you concentrate while studying. In the app you plant a seed, then as you spend more time studying, the seed will grow into a tree. However, if you leave the app and use your phone then the tree with wither. It encourages users to stay focused and gives them a sense of achievement when they’ve completed studying. 

4. Khan Academy: Free – This app included thousands of educational and instructional videos and articles that you can use to study with. Practice tests are provided too. You can bookmark information, so when it’s time for your scheduled mini-breaks you will not lose information. 

7. Incorporate Color into Notes
For paper notes use highlighters, colored pencils, Crayola markers thin/thick, and Paper Mate Ink Gel pens. The two last items will prevent note smudging. On digital devices, you can use a different font and highlight colors in your study documents. Colors are important for various purposes. First, you can color coordinate importance, so if you need to find important information you’ll find it easily. Secondly, handwriting in different colors can be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Embrace your creative side when studying because it’ll make the content memorable. Next, you can organize subjects with different colors. For example, you only write history notes in green, math in purple, and blue for history. 
Lastly, if you do not do well on one test, quiz, or exam it is not the end of the world. Continue to work hard and your efforts will show. Good luck!
Edited by London Koffler

The Bright, Shining One—Part One
by
Laurel Copes
​
Ellis felt the patter of raindrops scatter across his skin. He quickly covered his camera with his jacket and trudged along the path left in Avery’s wake. A flicker of regret flashed through his mind. Of course, she would play this sort of game. Everyone who had ever entered this field had a different story to tell about what lay inside it once they emerged. Now, standing beneath the makings of a thunderstorm, he wasn’t so sure about following her here.

The cornstalks rose higher the farther he walked, the line between the crops and her steps becoming more distinct with each stride he took. Whispering winds blew the sweet smell of summer through the maze. He looked up. The clouds were gathering; the sky ever darkening. Suddenly, he heard her. Turning slowly, his dirty Converse rotating in the freshly created mud, he scanned the line of crops for that fleeting glimpse of dark hair he’d been chasing all afternoon. Nothing appeared, and disappointment sank in his gut. Leaving her alone wasn’t an option but trailing someone who didn’t want to be found was beginning to wear him down.

A bobbing in the distance caught his eye. Thirty feet ahead he could make out the brown of the hat she’d stolen from him when they’d stood outside the sprawling corn earlier that morning. He broke into a run, trying to dissect that mysterious thing she’d said before plunging headfirst into the crops:

 “I told you not to come. This isn’t something you should be a part of. Just—don’t follow me. We can work on the photos later.”

It had seemed like she meant something more by excluding him from whatever the “something” happened to be. He’d never been particularly fond of being told what to do, and Avery was always assuming she knew what was best for him.
A startled yelp sounded to his right. 

Spinning quickly, he saw her hazily through a few feet of leaves, her back to him, perfectly framed by the greenery. At least he’d manage to get a good shot for his portfolio.

Eye pressed to the viewfinder, he centered her and clicked down just as he noticed the silhouette of a woman across her shoulder. Her voice bristled across his skin as the words the woman spoke reached him, “I’ve already seen it; there’s nothing to be done.”

He didn’t know who she was, but whatever was going on, he knew they had to get out. He steeled himself to speak.

“Let’s go, Aves. I’m done chasing you. We need to get out of here.”

Avery looked back at him, a warning lurking in her eyes.

“I told you not to come.”

A clap of thunder sounded in the sky and the woman peered around his friend. She was old. Very old. And wearing only a light pink nightgown with little flowers curling up and down the sides. On her feet was a pair of slippers. The white fluff of her hair was matted down with the rain. And her eyes, piercing and green and alert as they come, were trained on him.

“This is a surprise; I wasn’t expecting two.”

Edited by London Koffler

The Best Online Bookstores for Discounted Books
​By Elizabeth Dubos
​
Buying books online is great because customers can save hundreds on their favorite titles and textbooks and get free shipping. Customers can choose from a variety of paperbacks, hardbacks, library binding, soft covers, and audiobooks at deeply discounted prices. Here are some of the best online bookstore websites for all ages to buy discounted books.

1. BookOutlet.com
The secret to Book Outlet’s online success is that publishers sell returns or excess inventory with small lines or dots. Then, Book Outlet can resell the books for 50-90% off the original price. In addition, Book Outlet has a rewards program for buyers to earn points toward their next purchase and be the first to know about their website’s exclusive offers or coupons. Plus, free shipping on orders $35 or more. The online book retailer features numerous book categories for all ages. For example, architecture, art, history, fitness, medical, nature, study aids, children’s, tweens, and young adult fiction/nonfiction. One of the best features about Book Outlet is that customers can purchase gift cards, so no one must worry about choosing the wrong book. 

2. ThriftBooks.com
ThriftBooks is popular because they offer numerous deals, special offers, and a loyalty program for their customers. Teachers and educators can always receive a fifteen percent discount on their purchases. ThriftBooks has the advantage of selling rare and collectible books at discounted prices. For instance, customers can purchase signed books by their favorite authors. Next, ThriftBooks offers discounted audiobooks for customers too. United States customers can receive free shipping on ten dollar purchases. ThriftBooks has an extensive textbook category for students, parents, and teachers for various subjects that include: business, grammar, literature, computer science, foreign languages, and math; textbooks start at $3.79. 

3. Alibris.com
Alibris sells over 150 million books, movies, and albums across the world. Alibris is popular with students because they have a textbook buyback option and student discounts for already discounted books. Students can save up to 80% on used textbooks and find international editions for 50% less of the original price. Currently, Alibris has a Back-to-School Guide for Best Literary Books, Dorm Life, Graduate School, and popular textbooks. Alibris has a category of best book bargains starting at 99 cents. They offer exclusive offers and coupon codes too. For instance, customers can enter their email address for a five dollar coupon and receive future coupons. 

4. BetterWorldBooks.com
At Better World Books customers can shop the bargain bin and the clearance aisle and save up to 90% on textbooks, thus saving customers hundreds of dollars. They offer free shipping to any location in the world. Better World Books believes in the gift of literature and sells gift cards ten dollars and up. This online book retailer is popular for those who are environmentally friendly. Better World Books believes in spreading literature around the world and helping save the environment. Every time a customer purchases a book through this online retailer they donate a book to someone in need. In June 2018, 26 million books were donated through their Book for Book program. Better World Books recycled over 300 million books to keep them out of a landfill. 
 
 
5. BookDepository.com
Book Depository offers more than 18 million titles and low prices with free worldwide delivery. Customers can pre-order books at discounted prices too. The online book retailer offers bookmarks to let friends and family know which books you’re currently reading. In addition to already discounted books, Book Depository has a bargain shop section where customers can receive more than 50% off their favorite books. Categories on Book Depository include: audiobooks, gardening, graphic novels, travel guides, and children and young adult fiction/nonfiction. Plus, it includes popular books, textbooks, and coloring books for all ages too. 
 
Edited by London Koffler

Delicious, Affordable, and Healthy School Snack Recipes
By Elizabeth Dubos

Potato chips, cookies, and soda, OH MY! Unfortunately, these fan favorite school snacks are unhealthy because they’re high in calories, sodium, carbohydrates, and sugar. It’s easy to fall into this snack trap because nobody has hours to put into making snacks or they cannot find the right recipe for personal likes or dietary purposes. The following recipes are easy to make and involve ingredients that you probably already have in your house.

1. Apple, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Chip Sandwich
Things you will need:
            Knife
            Apple Corer (Alternatives: small circle, star cookie cutter, or knife)
            Apple
Peanut Butter (Alternatives: almond or coconut butter, Nutella, strawberry jam, or caramel)
Mini Chocolate Chips (Alternatives: sprinkles, granola, raisins, blueberries, or deli turkey slices)

Instructions:
            1. Depending on the size of your apple cut two or more slices.
            2. Use the apple corer or the alternatives to cut the center of the apple slices out.
            3. On each apple slice spread one tablespoon of peanut butter, or alternative.
            4. On one apple slice, place one tablespoon of chocolate chips or alternative over the peanut butter or alternative.
            5. Place the slice without chocolate chips or alternative on top to form the apple sandwich.

Note: If you or your children are not going to eat them right away, try brushing them lightly with lemon juice to prevent browning. Store in the refrigerator or in a lunch box next to the ice pack.
 
2. Ham & Cheese Pretzel Bites
Things you will need:
            Deli American Cheese (Alternatives: cheddar, pepper jack, provolone, or mozzarella)
            Deli Ham (Alternatives: turkey, roast beef, bologna, or salami)
            Small Pretzel Stick

Instructions:
1. Take a slice of American cheese and deli ham or alternatives to roll together tightly.
2. Insert small pretzel stick in the middle of the ham and cheese roll or alternatives.
Note: To add safety in lunchbox add more than one pretzel stick. Store in the refrigerator or in a lunch box next to the ice pack.

3. Celery Snake
Things you will need:
            Knife
            Celery Sticks
Peanut Butter (Alternatives: almond or coconut butter, Nutella, strawberry jam, or caramel)
            Green Grapes
            Chocolate Chips
            Strawberries (Optional)

Instructions:
            1. Spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or alternative in the curve of the celery stick.
            2. Place two chocolate chips on the end of the celery stick for eyes.
            3. Place grapes behind the eyes to create a green garden snack.

Optional: To add snake tongue cut small slices of strawberries. Also, you can add remaining strawberries with grapes for additional snake colors. 

Note: Store in the refrigerator or in a lunch box next to the ice pack.
 
4. Strawberry and Nutella Sushi
Things you will need:
            Knife
Nutella (Alternatives: cream cheese, whipped cream, peanut butter, strawberry, blueberry, or raspberry jam)
Strawberries
            Whole Grain Tortillas

Instructions:
            1. Cut off green stem from strawberries.
            2. Cut tortillas into one inch slices.
            3. Spread Nutella or alternative onto each tortilla slice.
            4. Place one strawberry at end of tortilla slice and roll.

Note: To help sushi stay together in lunch boxes put a tooth pick through the middle of each sushi roll. Store in the refrigerator or in a lunch box next to the ice pack.
 
5. Fruit Yogurt Bark
Things you will need:
            Parchment paper
            Square or rectangle sheet pan with at least one – two inch sides
Yogurt of choice: vanilla, strawberry, strawberry-banana, blueberry, peach, or black cherry
Freeze Dried Fruits (Choices: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, mango, or bananas)
Optional: Chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts, or pieces of Oreo cookies

Instructions:
 1. Line parchment paper over sheet pan.

Tip: Tape down parchment sides so it does not get in yogurt bark.

 2. Spread yogurt of choice evenly throughout the pan about ½ inch.

  Note: You don’t want it too thin or thick or else it won’t break easily.

  3. Place freeze dried fruits & other possible choices over the yogurt spread.

4. Freeze for more than five hours to be completely frozen.

Note: Freeze time depends on size of pan.

5. After it’s completely frozen, remove the frozen fruit yogurt from the pan and peel off the parchment paper.

6. Break into pieces and enjoy!

Note: Store in the refrigerator or in a lunch box next to the ice pack.
 
6. No Bake Granola Bites
Things you will need:
            Two medium mixing bowls
            Ice Cream Scooper
            1/2 cup peanut butter
            1/3 cup honey
            2 tablespoons brown sugar
            1 tsp vanilla extract
            1 cup rolled oats
            1/2 cup rice crispy cereal
            1/4 cup oat bran
            2/3 cup shredded coconut 
​
Instructions:
1. In one medium mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
2. In second medium mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, rice crispy cereal, oat bran, and shredded coconut.
3. Place half of second mixture into first mixture to combine.
4. Repeat step 3.
Note: Putting the second mixture in halves helps evenly coat the final mixture.
5. Put final mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Note: You don’t want it frozen, only chilled and firm.
6. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and use the ice cream scoop to shape the granola bites.
 7. Put granola bites back into refrigerator to retain shape for 30 minutes.
Note: Store in the refrigerator or in a lunch box next to the ice pack in an airtight container.
 
Edited by: Emily Chance

The Murder of Secretary Judd Cane: Adventures on Capitol Hill Series, VOL. 2
Author: Celine Rose Mariotti
Publisher: Dreaming Big Publications
Reviewed by: Emily Chance
​
ABOUT THE BOOK:
If you liked The Kidnaping of Senator Andy Thompson, you’ll be excited to read The Murder of Secretary Judd Cane. This time murder stalks the House of Representatives as Congressman Michael Rhodes is accused of murdering Secretary Cane. House Minority Leader Dack Jamison comes to Michael’s defense. While Congressman Mario Ceccarrelli and Simon Goldstein play detective, the rest of the House debates National Health Issues, and Congresswoman Priscilla Jones leads the fight for womens’ rights, Brian Travors holds a gun on Congressman Rhodes and forces him into a car. Then the political shenanigans begin to add up. If you love a good mystery with intrigue and adventure, you won’t be able to put this book down.

MY REVIEW: 3/5
I gave this book a 3/5 rating because I stayed interested most of the time, but there was a lot of describing. Many times, this is a good thing, but in The Murder of Secretary Judd Cane, the first quarter of the book seemed to take paragraphs out of the story to describe how a person looked, what state they were from, and maybe some about their family, even if that character isn’t relevant to the story. To me, it took from the story and didn’t help it flow very well. However, once the book got going and finally started to get into the investigation of the mystery of the killing of secretary Cane, I just wanted to know more. The petty nature of every congressman and congresswoman made up for all of the over describing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born in Derby, CT, and a lifelong resident of Shelton, CT. Celine is a graduate of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT where she majored in Business Administration with a minor in English. Since a child, she always loved to write.

DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.

Family
By Emily Chance
​
When I was little, my mother left my family and didn’t look back. I never understood why any mother would dare leave her husband and children for a random man she just met, and I honestly still don’t. However, over eight years later, I am living with my dad and stepmother, who I feel is my real mom. Or at least, more real than the first.

I’ve been in this little family going on about four years now and I still don’t exactly fit in. I get along with one of my stepbrothers and one of my stepsisters, and I finally had a bonding moment with my other stepsister and stepbrother, but there is still one person in the family who doesn’t accept me as family: my grandmother from my stepmom’s side.

While I understand a couple of years of forgetting or not being used to me being in the family, four years is a long time, but when my stepsister “Marie” talked to me, she said that she has been in the family for over half her life and Grandma still doesn’t recognize her as her grandchild; she is 27. Not only that, but her daughter, my five-year-old niece, Fay, has been in the family her whole life and Grandma doesn’t care or know or realize that we are those parts of the family.

Usually you could pawn it off as being paranoid and that she does consider us immediate family, except she drops huge hints, like, “Here are my grandkids! Douglas and Jo!” While Marie and I are standing right there. As well as, “Here is my great-grandkid! Lee!” While Fay just sits there and laughs, because she is not quite old enough to realize that her own great grandmother doesn’t recognize her, but soon she will be...

It’s times like this that I can accurately compare myself to Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. I have angry mood swings, everything I touch ends up falling apart or breaking, I’m accident-prone, and I had to find a family I fit in to. I want to be considered part of the family in my grandmother’s eyes, because it hurts to be rejected after four years.

Not being accepted by her is like being the last piece of a puzzle and fitting into only three of the surrounding pieces, but slighting overlapping the last. Because of not having a mom at an early age and then finally being mostly accepted into another family, I found out that just because you share blood, it doesn’t mean you’re family, however, just because you don’t share the same blood, it doesn’t mean you’re not family. I even have friends I could consider my siblings. I love them to death.

I guess I must accept that Grandma doesn’t consider me part of her grandchildren, but I know she loves me in her own weird way. So I guess that means “ohana” means family, and family means nobody gets left behind, but “ohana” doesn’t always mean blood.

Edited by London Koffler

Relationships 6 by Piers Anthony, published by Dreaming Big Publications
Reviewed by London Koffler
​
About the Book:
This is the sixth volume of stories in this series. This time there is one about the idealized love of a man for a mute wild girl, and another about an older woman who takes a hot young lover. There is one brief essay relating to my own relationship to writing. There are two story sets, one with an older man and young woman, the other relating to a fearsome god. Most are more or less mainstream, but some are fantasy adventure. The shortest story is only 500 words; the longest is 13,600 words. Some are erotic as hell, others not. In short, there should be something here to intrigue or offend any taste.

My Review: 3/5
            Most of these stories were about romantic, even erotic, love. While romance is not my typical genre of choice, this collection has stories that also bring in elements of fantasy, which I do enjoy. “Mark of Moloch” and “Mission for Moloch” are about a group traveling through a fantasy world of realms inhabited by different creatures. I enjoyed these the most, as the relationships are more of friendship and companionship than romance, and the story had such a fantastical plot. Though a short chapter, another I enjoyed is “What Am I Writing For?” which explains Anthony’s own relationship with writing. I appreciate his honesty in opening the darker parts of his life to explain his love for and devotion to writing. For me, it was still worth reading the non-fantasy stories because of Anthony’s concepts, some of which are highly imaginative and creative.
            As Anthony himself says in the description, some of these stories are “erotic as hell,” and they are unsuitable for younger or sensitive readers. Some descriptions and dialogue are very sexually explicit, and some of the age choices are a bit disturbing to me. One half of each couple is often barely of legal age. However, legal is legal and consent is given. I would recommend this book to lovers of love, erotica, companionship, and even fantasy. Based on this sixth volume in the series, I would gladly read through the others to find the gems I know Anthony is capable of creating.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.

About the Author:
Piers Anthony is the best-selling fantasy author of the Xanth series, among others. He lives with his wife in Inverness, Florida.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Relationships-6-Piers-Anthony/dp/1947381059/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530374120&sr=8-1&keywords=relationships+6
 

Mia
By Emily Chance
​
A couple months ago, a dog started to come around. After asking a few neighbors, we realized this dog was dumped on our road. This occurrence is not abnormal; this is the second or third time in two years this has happened. She seemed young, probably around a year old or so. We began feeding her and growing attached to this sweet pup, and we decided to name her “Mia.”
            Recently, however, I came home to find a three-prong fish hook stuck and hooked inside her gums, with the knowledge of nobody having seen Mia for three to four days. She hadn’t touched the food or drink we laid out for her, and I tried to call the animal clinic to no avail. Mia was dehydrated and bleeding when I found her, and unsure of what to do, my friend and I took her into the emergency animal room. I loved this dog more than I realized when I waited four to five hours in the waiting room without having eaten beforehand. I left my Chinese food on the stove, left for the clinic at 3:15 p.m., and finally got home at 9:15 p.m.
            While we were at the clinic, the doctor said that Mia’s stomach was bothering her and they were afraid Mia had eaten another fishhook and had it in her stomach. After much debate and discussing numbers and prices, it came to the decision that if Mia had a fishhook in her stomach, we would have to euthanize her. It seemed that no matter what we did or what path we were going down, it would be between $300 and $500, and if we did the x-ray and they found a hook in her stomach, we would have to pay over $1,000. We talked the doctor down to only doing one x-ray, which cut the cost down to $67.
            After we did the x-ray, we found out that there was nothing in her stomach. After this good news, we decided to go ahead and hospitalize the poor pup and put her on IV fluids.
            Here’s the thing: people need to be more careful with their belongings, even if they don’t have any children or animals of their own, because they could cause serious damage to someone else’s animal. This kind of recklessness causes families to crumble and go broke. It causes pain and suffering emotionally and physically to the animal and anyone around them. That animal happened to be my family. However, while we were with Mia, we overheard that the doctor was in surgery cutting another fishhook out of another dog’s esophagus. So it’s not just one person or one dog affected by this problem. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of dogs and other animals getting hurt from someone’s carelessness and disregard for another’s safety.
            I’m not trying to point fingers or make anyone feel guilty. All I want is for everyone to be more careful about their belongings. I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I had to go through. I love this dog, and I had to spend money I don’t have to help her, so I believe it’s fair to expect everyone to be responsible with their stuff.
 
Edited by London Koffler

Sinfonia: First Notes on the Lute: A Vampire Chronicle: Book One by David Landrum, published by Dreaming Big Publications
Reviewed by London Koffler
​
About the Book:
Nelleke Reitsma is one of the world's top lutenists and guitar players. She is very good because she has had 350 years to practice. 

Sinfonia: First Notes on the Lute records her life, beginning with her entrance into the world of the undying through friendship with Izaak, a mysterious young man who only comes out at night; and, eventually, her crossing over into that world. Leaving her native Netherlands for England, she finds herself embroiled in a fight to save the vampire community of London from destruction. She encounters Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth, and, using her connections to government and the theater, uncovers the last followers of an ancient religion that possesses power capable of destroying Nelleke and the coven of vampires to which she belongs. It is up to her to stop them. 

A fascinating and compelling piece of paranormal fiction, it abounds in danger, romance, horror, love, and beauty.

My Review: 4/5

I have grown tired of popular vampire novels and their clichés. I feel like I’m reading the same story over and over. However, in this new take on a vampire story, Landrum crosses fantasy with history. He takes the time to explain his vampires’ “rules,” some of which differ from the traditional, and he carefully weaves his tale with famous people and events in history. He explores the relationships among vampires as well as between vampires and humans. While the vampire craze of the past decade or so often focused on vampire love stories, Sinfonia finds more substantial plot points to focus on. I found it refreshing that Nelleke is so influenced and motivated by her daughter, rather than by a man. Nelleke herself is the strong female protagonist I often found missing from popular vampire novels. Despite her abuse early in the story, she overcomes and becomes a strong, independent woman and an increasingly influential vampire as she climbs the ranks of the vampire community.

While I know this is a novella, sometimes the plot moves too quickly, and events that deserve some more time are rushed or glossed over. In addition, I felt there is more telling instead of showing in some of the storytelling. I would have preferred to use my imagination to picture his world and characters. Also, because the story is set throughout history, I would expect dialogue to demonstrate that. However, sometimes the language used is either obviously modern or forcibly antiquated. Despite this, I found Sinfonia to be a fresh, unique vampire story, and I look forward to reading new additions to the series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.

About the Author:
David W. Landrum lives and writes in West Michigan. His fiction, poetry, and scholarships have appeared in journals and magazines around the world. Landrum has published over 150 short stories in such journals as The Horror Zine, 34th Parallel, Black Denim Review, Silver Pen, Erotique, Non-Binary Review, Night to Dawn, The Lorelei Signal and in many others. His novellas—The Gallery, Strange Brew, ShadowCity, The Last Minstrel, Le Café de la Mort, Mother Hulda, The Prophetess, and The Sorceress of Time, along with his full-length fantasy novel, The Sorceress of the Northern Seas, are available through Amazon. He has also published a great deal of poetry and many academic studies.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Sinfonia-First-Notes-Vampire-Chronicle-ebook/dp/B01F8BMZJ4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
 

Veterans
By Emily Chance

            It has recently come to my attention that those who don’t have very many relatives in the military don’t think about veterans very often. The only time we really think about the people who died for our freedom is on Veterans Day.

            I remember one time as a little kid; I was probably three or four. I was over at my uncle’s house for Memorial Day. We were swimming and eating hamburgers and hotdogs, and I remember wondering why we had a holiday dedicated to eating food and swimming. It wasn’t until a few years after that, that I realized it was called “Memorial Day” for a reason. We were supposed to be honoring and remembering the fallen soldiers who died for our freedom. We turned a holiday about respecting our fallen soldiers into a day of swimming and eating to celebrate summer.
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I recently decided I was going to think about our fallen and living heroes more often. Those who died so we could eat food and swim in water instead of being under a stern ruler. Instead of only remembering once a year, or one family member’s birthday, we should remember to thank them every day for what they did for us. To honor them more than once a year for their sacrifice. I want to become someone who remembers.
 
Edited by London Koffler