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Book Review: Keys of Destiny by Adin Kachisi

When a novel has a bibliography, you know you are about to embark on a journey that aims to separate fact from fiction!


adin kachisi headshot
keys of destiny book cover

(click the above picture to see reviews on Amazon.com)

Keys of Destiny is Adin Kachisi’s fourth novel. He delves deep the ancient cultures of the world, showing how they connect present-day societies and current events. From beginning to end, Keys of Destiny pushes the reader to a broader understanding of the world, both geographically and spiritually.

Keys of Destiny is able to keep your attention regardless of your level of knowledge of world history. If you are totally unfamiliar with ancient history, conspiracy theories and secret societies, you will stand to learn a lot about how different religions and groups of people from various time periods are connected. If you are well-versed in historical studies, Key of Destiny is a refreshing utilization of nonfiction in a fictitious setting.

The main character, Kazra Moore, is a professor at City College in New York City. He is educated and trained in Western philosophies. He is overwhelmed by his spiritual awareness of the shift that slowly takes place around him. Things like this preoccupation with the number 11 and the Mayan apocalyptic theory involving the year 2012 seems to be related but Kazra can not figure out why. Things begin to unfold when he gets a phone call from Rick, his favorite student. Rick’s uncle is a Creek Elder and wants to meet Kazra.

That meeting with Uncle Yuccah in Carterville, GA, proves to be much more than Kazra could have imagined. The sacred crystals, known as the Keys of Destiny, are scattered around the globe and must be gathered and brought back to the Creek Elder Yuccah to initiate an aspect the Purification ceremony which will eliminate the negative energy stuck on the Earth’s physical plane. Otherwise, two-thirds of humanity will perish in the Earth’s natural cleansing process. This is the same purification previously prophesied by many ancient cultures and currently seen manifested in the natural and man-made disasters around the world.

Yuccah already possesses one of the keys. It’s Kazra’s spiral-shaped birthmark reveals him to be the person who has the task of gathering the three remaining keys. Kazra must use his spiritual awareness and deductive reasoning to figure out where in the world to go – literally. Kazra travels from the United States to Ireland to Ethiopia to Zimbabwe to Korea. He is lead to each location by by his intuition and connects with religious and historical scholars at each location who are able to connect him with the keys he needs. Each location is beautiful but equally dangerous since Kazra is followed by the Illuminati Order of Kingu, an evil cult in search of the same Keys.

Great dialog and attention to detail makes this novel easy to read and hard to put down. Although many of the conversations are intellectual in nature, Adin Kachisi allows the characters to give you the facts in easy-to-digest, bite-sized chunks. He has also mastered the use of imagery that is so vivid, you can mentally visualize the natural settings, peoples and languages. You can also picture the super-natural beings, both good and evil. These characters are sprinkled throughout the story and easily transform Keys of Destiny from National Geographic to X Files and back again.

5 Minutes 5 Questions With… Miki Starr Martin, author of Blueprints

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Miki Starr Martin, author of Blueprints
(ReignStorm Publishing)


miki starr head shot
blueprints book cover

(click the above pictures to see the reviews of this book on Amazon.com)

On the surface it appears that Nate has everything. However, unbeknownst to those closest to him, Nate is in turmoil as his true closeted sexual identity threatens to surface and destroy the façade that he has worked so hard to build and maintain. With the encouragement and support of his only friend, Mike has worked hard to achieve a level of success that previously seemed unattainable. But old habits die hard, and a terribly troubled past that he’s been unable or unwilling to let go of threatens to destroy everything he has worked so hard to accomplish.

Without Nate’s support Sierra would be lost. Despite her very strong belief and faith in God, she cannot manage to turn the tainted memories of her damaged childhood over to Him. Only Nate knows her secret, a secret that could ultimately ruin her marriage. United by pain, loss, fear, and more importantly hope, these three friends are forced to confront the issues of their youth in a most devastatingly unimaginable way.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Blueprints?

Miki Starr Martin: The inspiration for all my stories are born from the same place – curiosity. I love exploring those things which I know absolutely nothing about. My main character being a closeted homosexual was something definitely out of my league. I pondered what it may feel like to be that person in hiding while growing up with very homophobic men.

JP: What sets Blueprints apart from other urban fiction/romance novels where the main character is torn between a hidden sexuality and love?

MSM: Comparing it to other stories that I’ve read, what makes this one unique is that it is a continuous struggle for him. Nate isn’t the guy sleeping with dudes for years and hiding it from his friends. He isn’t the “down low” brother that many single sisters are petrified of running across. He is the guy that is determined to avoid it completely. Even when he is confronted with it, he is still adamant about rejecting that part of him by any means necessary.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Blueprints getting out to the public?

MSM: My resilience. I have been nudging and knocking on the doors of publishers and agents ever since my first manuscript Well Runs Dry was self published back in 2002. I was being rejected at every turn. I learned to do the work myself. I got better at graphic design, typesetting, learned to tell a better story, and learned (and am steady learning) how to utilize my resources.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Blueprints?

MSM: Blueprints was actually written in 2001 and likely took me about 4-5 months. Typically I write backwards. I normally know the outcome. I go back and find the path to getting there. I start with a basic three part outline that says what happens in part 1, 2 and three. That outline is broken down to call out the specific events that have to occur chapter by chapter to meet the goal. Once that is done, I write and let the characters fill in the gaps.

JP: What’s next for Miki Starr Martin?

MSM: I’ve just completed my 4th self publication of a new tale titled Zella Dora, a contemporary literary fiction novel about a young woman struggling to regain her independence after the unexpected death of her mother.

Thanks Joey!!

Peace, Miki Starr Martin
Web Production Artist / Author
www.mikistarr.com

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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or myspace.com/joeyreviews

5 Minutes 5 Questions With Thomas Allen author of Suspended in Time: The Price of Loyalty

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Thomas Allen, author of Suspended in Time: The Price of Loyalty
(Imanera Publishing)

Deshaun had an unusual relationship with his father. At a tender age of twelve, his father always had doubts about him being his biologically son. Subsequently, Deshaun was driven to the streets. Hanging out and being loyal to friends nearly cost Deshaun his life.

After evaluating himself, De was faced with the possibility of never coming home. While incarcerated, he met all kinds of criminals. He had to distinguish himself amongst the predators. Only the strong survived. Being a stickup kid growing up in the eighties gave him the strength he needed to stay alive.

There was still a void in his life. De needed to find out the truth about his father and the things he encountered. Trying to accomplish this nearly made him hit rock bottom. It is later on in life that he figures out the reason for his estranged relationship with his father.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Suspended in Time: The Price of Loyalty?

Thomas Allen: The inspiration to write Suspended In Time came a few years ago when I used to work for a company where I ran the freight elevator. I used to be bored, so I used to write on a notepad playing with different characters and ideas.

It wasn’t until the results I got from a DNA test which ultimately compelled me to write. I didn’t want to take this to the grave with me, so writing became therapeutic. I wanted to share my story with the world.

JP: How long did it take you to write Suspended in Time?

TA: It actually took me seven years to complete that project, but that’s only because I was in college and working. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I would dib and dab when I could.

It wasn’t until I lost my job that I was able to release my inner book. That was a blessing in disguise because I don’t think I would’ve been able to do so otherwise.

JP: What sets Suspended in Time apart from other urban fiction novels?

TA: What sets Suspended In Time apart from other urban fiction novels is the fact that a lot of people can identify with my characters. Kids, as well as parents, will be able to learn from Suspended In Time because it’s a true story.

It’s not the same genre of writing that we’re accustomed to. There is a message in that book for everyone, especially the families of young incarcerated men and women.

I poured my heart and soul into that book. This is what sets it apart from other literature. Not all stories are the same, which is why mine is a unique one.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Suspended in Time getting out to the public?

TA: The keys to success for me would have to be reaching out to any kid who is leading down a path of destruction. If they can learn from my book and not make the same mistakes that my character did, then I feel I have accomplished a lot.

JP: What’s next for Thomas Allen?

TA: I just completed my second book “Chasing a Dream”. I’m working on my third manuscript as we speak. Thanks for everything.

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