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I Am Enough
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed follows Fred and his three dust bunny companions whose lives get turned upside down when an eight-year-old child moves into the bed above them, and turns their peaceful home into a war zone. Sometimes, the only solution is… cookies and conversation. What was the inspiration for your story?
I always wanted to know what the monster was thinking and feeling in all those monster under the bed stories. So, the opportunity to share a story from the monster’s perspective fascinated me, because this connects to my core mission of showing children they can handle life’s challenges when someone believes in them, because even Fred and his dust bunnies need that support and encouragement too.
Fred was inspired by my son’s purple monster puppet that he never played with. I always called him Fred, and whenever I walked by, I’d say, “Someday, I’m going to write a story about you, Fred.”
For the dust bunnies, I had my illustrator render them in a tangled-scribble style because I felt it represents how they’d actually look best.
I loved the original idea behind the dust bunnies being the ones afraid of a human, and their distinct personalities. What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
Whenever I create characters, I research best-fit names, colors, quirks, fears, dreams, likes, and dislikes.
Fred – I thought, what’s the least scary-sounding name? His color purple isn’t threatening either. Plus, he’s tall and lanky, loves a peaceful home, and focuses on keeping his dust bunnies safe—because to him, they’re his family.
The Dust Bunnies – Brutus Bunfluff, big and brave; Gunnar Puffbutz, a regular scaredy-cat; and Dust Puff Ted, who’s terrified of germs.
I thought having three dust bunnies would be perfect. Starting with their names, I looked up strong names that I don’t see or hear often. That’s how I decided on Brutus and Gunnar.
Brutus Bunfluff – Alliteration is the easiest way to convey character traits of big and brave, and the combination of Bun and fluff made me laugh. I also had the illustrator show Brutus with visible abs, which adds to his confident personality.
Gunnar Puffbutz – The opposite of big and brave is a scaredy-cat. But how to show a scaredy-cat without directly telling readers? (Cue the light bulb turning on overhead) Oversized glasses, the character always fidgets with, became his signature trait.
Dust Puff Ted – As I tried in vain to find pictures online of dust bunnies to inspire me, I looked up what they’re made from. An image of a guy cleaning in oversized yellow gloves kept reappearing in search results.
Those yellow gloves made me think of the character “Ted” from the TV show How I Met Your Mother, and how Ted was a neat freak. Having a dust bunny as a neat freak wearing bright yellow gloves cracked me up to no end, so his name naturally became Ted.
However, Dust Ted wasn’t strong enough as a name. Since bunnies have puffy tails, Dust Puff Ted rolled out of my head and off my tongue perfectly.
Character Illustrations – The illustrator’s first two attempts to render the dust bunnies made them feel flat and two-dimensional. That’s where I came up with the idea to have the illustrator retain their shapes but use different, darker colors inside them. This made all of them pop.
That’s how the dust bunnies got their colors: Brutus is charcoal black, Gunnar is dark grey, and Dust Puff Ted is midnight blue—a perfect contrast to his signature bright yellow gloves.
Then the illustrator did something on their own and added stray strands of twirly hair coming away from the bodies. These details show they’re dust bunnies without needing to state it explicitly. And that’s how all the dust bunnies came to be.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Dedication to Readers – In all of my books, the first dedication is always to the reader, where I encourage them to look in the mirror and say aloud, “I am enough.”
Children and adults don’t hear these three words often enough. Worse, sometimes all they’re ever told is the exact opposite.
For the person who needs to read, see, hear, say, and think those words most, it can make all the difference. When a person’s view and self-worth shift for the better, our world becomes better, too. One person might not be able to change the world, but one person can change another person’s life—and that mantra “I am enough” can help make the world a better place, one reader at a time.
Understanding Through Different Perspectives – Everyone’s different, yet everyone wants to be understood and accepted for who they are. Sometimes, context, greater understanding, and communication can help us come together and get along in shared spaces—like our homes, schools, workplaces, and everywhere else.
Perspective-Taking and Problem-Solving – The book teaches children that situations look different depending on your viewpoint—what seems scary from one angle might be completely understandable from another.
It also shows that problems are solvable when approached with patience, communication, and compromise rather than conflict.
Billy and the dust bunnies find common ground through honest conversation, demonstrating that we can’t always control what happens to us, but we can always choose how we respond.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
The upcoming books include:
Bella Brown Meets Pip the Domovoi
Pip’s Epic Treasure Hunt
Bella Brown—Dragonfly-Dragonfly-Dragonfly
Bella Brown—Pip’s Perfect Purple Present
Bella Brown’s Ten-Moon Mysteries
Bella Brown’s Baking Bedlam
Bella Brown’s Candy Cane Curfuffle
Bella Brown’s Turkey Trot Tizzy
Bella Brown’s Book of ABC’s
Each book maintains the core “I am enough” message while exploring different challenges—from everyday adventures to epic fantasy quests.
I wrote twelve picture books for children ages four to eight in eleven months. All of which have been edit-reviewed by a professional children’s book editor, and four of these books are currently available online.
The remaining eight books are in various stages of the illustration pipeline. Since illustration and book cover design take approximately four months per book, I’m releasing new titles as they’re completed.
All the books take place in the same universe, with Pip the Domovoi—a Slavic house spirit—appearing across multiple stories, as well as in the background of random illustrations in all of my picture books, so readers know they’re reading one of my books.
So, Bella Brown Meets Pip the Domovoi is currently queued with the illustrator and should be available by spring 2026.
Followed by Pip’s Epic Treasure Hunt, which represents a major expansion, introducing original domovoi folklore with nine distinct magical clans and domovoi children—an expansion beyond traditional Slavic mythology—and five Slavic mystical messengers working together on an epic quest to find five Slavic magical items before the immortal Sinti can, who’s always up to no good.
Because I do author visits, I’ve also developed 48 free lesson plans (24 comprehensive and 24 single-topic focused) for educators, covering grades Pre-K through fourth grade, available on my website for The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed and the first three Bella Brown books.
Each new release includes additional lesson plans, too. This ensures these stories serve both entertainment and educational goals for families, homeschoolers, and classroom educators alike.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Fred has lived peacefully under the bed for years with Brutus Bunfluff (the brave one), Gunnar Puffbutz (the scaredy-cat), and Dust Puff Ted (the neat freak). But when a boy named Billy takes over the bedroom, their cozy world is turned upside down with thunderous footsteps, bouncing bedsprings, and falling puzzle pieces.
In this delightfully twisted tale, discover what REALLY happens beneath the bed when monsters must face their greatest fear—children. Can Fred and his dusty crew make peace with the beast above, or will Billy’s messy habits drive them to declare war?
A heartwarming story about friendship, understanding, and the discovery that sometimes… monsters aren’t always monsters after all.
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed
J.W. Zarek’s The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed is a delightful tale that introduces readers to three unforgettable dust bunnies. There’s Brutus Bunfluff, bold and fearless; Gunnar Puffbutz, timid and cautious; and Dust Puff Ted, ever the germophobe. Together, they live in cozy harmony beneath a bed, passing their days with quiet mornings, playful afternoons, and evenings filled with stories.
Their calm world is suddenly shaken when thunderous stomps and clomps echo overhead. Startled and frightened, the dust bunnies believe a terrifying monster has invaded their peaceful space. What they don’t realize is that the noise belongs to Billy, a little boy entirely unaware of the chaos he causes. Determined to uncover the truth, the trio secretly observes him, eager to decide if this “monster” is truly dangerous or perhaps a friend in disguise.
Zarek crafts the story with wit and charm, flipping expectations in a clever role reversal. Here, Billy takes on the role of the monster while the dust bunnies embody the frightened children. This twist adds a layer of humor that keeps readers grinning. I found myself laughing at the dust bunnies’ wild imaginations, especially when they mistake ordinary objects, a red crayon, some blocks, even a sticky patch of cherry goo, for dangerous traps. Their horrified commentary on Billy’s messy room was equally amusing, their cries for “order” perfectly capturing their quirky personalities.
The lively illustrations bring every scene to life, brimming with color and energy that feel straight out of a cartoon. The combination of text and artwork makes the story engaging and easy to visualize. In the end, the supposed monster becomes a friend, as Billy and the bunnies share cookies, and peace replaces fear.
At its heart, this story delivers a timeless lesson: don’t judge others by appearances. Friendship often comes from unexpected places if we’re willing to give others a chance. Both fun and meaningful, The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed is a book young readers will want to revisit again and again. I highly recommend it as a joyful read-aloud for families.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B0FQ7T1WHX
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed
From the very first page, this imaginative story turns a classic childhood fear upside down. Instead of focusing on the terrified child who believes in monsters lurking beneath the bed, the book gives a voice to those very creatures. Fred and his trio of dust bunny companions, Brutus Bunfluff, Gunnar Puffbutz, and Dust Puff Ted, make for a quirky, lovable ensemble that children and adults alike will instantly warm to.
The brilliance of this tale lies in its inversion of perspective. Monsters are usually the source of nighttime dread, but here they are the ones unsettled by the “noisy human” above them. Billy, the new boy in the bedroom, becomes the unintentional menace with his stomping feet, bouncing mattress, and messy playtime chaos. This role reversal not only delivers humor but also provides an accessible way for children to confront their own fears. What if the things that scare us are just as frightened of us?
Each dust bunny has a distinct personality that adds charm and comic relief: Brutus, the brave leader; Gunnar, the jittery bundle of nerves; and Ted, the compulsive cleaner. Their antics make the narrative lighthearted and fun, while the underlying theme of learning to understand “the other” lends depth. One scene in particular that made me laugh was when Brutus says there are “booby traps everywhere” because he keeps tripping on Billy’s toys under the bed. Another memorable moment is when the monsters panic, convinced they are under attack by Billy’s red crayon. The illustrations are well done and bring the characters to life with so much to look at, offering young readers a chance to discover new details on every page.
At its core, the story is about more than just monsters and messy bedrooms. It’s about bridging differences, finding common ground, and recognizing that sometimes our fears are misplaced. The resolution, where Fred and his friends must decide whether to make peace or go to “war,” beautifully reinforces the values of empathy, friendship, and compromise.
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed is a delightful, twist-filled read that offers both entertainment and gentle life lessons. With its witty premise, laugh-out-loud moments, engaging illustrations, and warm message, it’s a perfect bedtime story for children who wrestle with their own nighttime fears. It reminds readers of all ages that sometimes, monsters aren’t monsters at all, they’re just friends waiting to be found.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B0FQ7T1WHX
An Invaluable Depth to Education
Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm follows a young girl who is in the garden with her grandmother when she is frightened by a bee, so her grandmother takes her to visit a bee farm to learn about these amazing insects. What was the inspiration for your story?
I surprised my wife, Alicia, with a visit to a local beekeeper store because she was interested in becoming a beekeeper.
While reading through the children’s books they had about bees, I realized I could write a story that would connect with young readers more effectively and help them understand these amazing creatures in a deeper way.
What were some educational aspects about bees that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The book shows eight-year-old Bella Brown’s journey from fear of bees to fascination as she learns more about them. This transformation applies to all of us – the more we understand our fears, the easier they become to manage.
After reading books about bees and researching everything I could find online, I contacted a bee farmer in Pennsylvania called Aunt Fancy, who was incredibly generous with her knowledge.
She not only answered the fifteen most common questions kids have about bees, but shared additional fascinating details – like how bees communicate with one another through a special wiggle dance.
Everything Aunt Fancy shared with me went directly into the book, which is one of the reasons I dedicated it to her. While any of us can search online for information, speaking directly with experts provides an invaluable depth to education that you simply can’t get from research alone.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
It’s a two-way tie between two scenes:
First, the scene where Grandma Yetta asks Bella to help in the backyard garden. Readers see Bella standing in the doorway, dressed in oversized garden clothes – hat, gloves, boots – hugging a larger-than-normal garden bag stuffed with every kind of gardening tool. She beams and says, ‘I’m ready!’ You can see all of Bella’s enthusiasm and eagerness to help Grandma Yetta.
Then, when you turn the page, readers see a humongous, non-threatening bee with a friendly smile splashed across its face on the far left page, following Bella, who’s on the far right page, screaming ‘AHHHHHHHhhhhhhh!’ with all her garden tools flying out of her bag.
While there are no bees that size in real life, in an eight-year-old’s mind who’s afraid of bees, this is exactly how they might perceive them. But for readers viewing the scene, this oversized, smiling, friendly-looking bee is the complete opposite of threatening, which sets up the book’s central message perfectly
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Bella Brown and the direction of the next book?
I’ve written twelve picture books for children ages four to eight. Two are standalone books that take place in the same universe, as well as ten Bella Brown books – the first eight make up the core Bella Brown series, while books nine and ten launch the Bella Brown Holiday Series.
And in all my picture books, readers with keen eyes can spot Pip the Domovoi hidden in the background of various illustrations – it’s like my signature, so they know they’re reading one of my books.
The series gets especially exciting in Book Four, Bella Brown Meets Pip the Domovoi, where Bella’s late-night encounter with a tiny, blue-haired house spirit changes everything. When Pip desperately needs her help before sunrise to prevent Sinti from threatening both worlds, Bella discovers that the butterfly locket Grandma Yetta gave her isn’t just a family heirloom – it’s a magical key that makes her the guardian between two worlds.
In Book Five, Bella Brown—Dragonfly-Dragonfly-Dragonfly, Pip comes to Bella for help saving both worlds when Sinti threatens to shatter an ancient crystal at Earth’s core. Riding on the backs of 300-million-year-old dragonflies at 60 miles per hour, Bella must use everything she’s learned about being a Key Keeper to prevent both realms from merging into darkness.
Book Six, Bella Brown—Pip’s Perfect Purple Present, brings delightful chaos when Pip borrows Papa Pip’s magic paintbrush without permission to surprise Bella by painting her bedroom purple. But the paintbrush escapes and paints everything – Bella’s cat, Grandma Yetta, houses, the school, teachers, classmates, even zoo animals – in every shade and tone of purple imaginable. Can Pip catch the runaway paintbrush and undo the colorful catastrophe before everyone’s permanently purple and before Bella gets home from school?
Book Seven, Bella Brown’s Ten-Moon Mysteries, takes readers on a camping adventure in Grandma Yetta’s backyard, where Bella and two school friends share stories about the different colored moons they’ve witnessed together – from dramatic blood moons to mysterious blue moons, golden harvest moons to rare purple moons. Each moon color becomes a gateway to both scientific understanding and cultural traditions from around the world.
In Book Eight, Bella Brown’s Baking Bedlam, Bella and Pip attempt to make Grandma Yetta’s cookies but don’t know how to measure correctly. Soon they’re swimming in a kitchen full of ingredients. This book teaches what happens when measurements go wrong and includes three delicious cookie recipes kids can actually make.
The Holiday Series begins with Book Nine, Bella Brown’s Candy Cane Curfuffle, where Bella’s class dresses as Christmas figures from around the world, leading to debates about which figure should represent their school on the parade float (Santa Claus, Christkind, the Three Kings, Ded Moroz, Krampus, and Christmas witches). Can Bella and her classmates come together and break through their Christmas figure curfuffle and participate in the town’s annual Candy Cane Festival Parade?
Finally, Bella Brown’s Turkey Trot Tizzy (Book Ten) features Bella – the slowest runner in school – participating in a charity run where she encounters classmates stuck in mud, tangled in circus balloon strings, and even escaped zoo monkeys.
Each stop to help puts her further behind, but Bella discovers that sometimes finishing last means finishing first because you’ve put others first.
And moving on to my standalone book, The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed, is told from the perspective of Fred, a monster living under Bella’s brother Billy’s bed. I wrote it because I always wanted to know how the monster felt about having noisy children above.
It completely flips the traditional story – now the monster and his dust bunny friends are terrified of the human child stomping overhead.
The other standalone book, Pip’s Epic Treasure Hunt, expands authentic Slavic domovoi folklore by creating an original nine-clan system where Pip teams up with domovoi from Earth, Air, Fire, and Dimensional clans to find five legendary magical objects before Sinti, a mischievous shadow creature who threatens both the human and magical worlds, can use them for cosmic pranks.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When a friendly bee sends Bella running through Grandma Yetta’s garden, she never imagines the amazing world she’s about to discover. What starts as a scary encounter becomes an unforgettable journey to Farmer Joe’s bee farm, where Bella learns that sometimes the things that frighten us most can become the most fascinating.
From Fear to Wonder Watch Bella transform from a bee-fearing little girl into a confident nature lover as she uncovers the secret life of these incredible insects. Through colorful observation hives and fragrant flower gardens, she discovers how bees dance to communicate, work together like tiny factories, and help our world bloom.
Perfect for Young Nature Lovers This beautifully illustrated story gently teaches children about:
How bees make honey and pollinate plants
Why bees are essential to our food supply
The amazing teamwork inside a beehive
How to safely observe and appreciate nature
More Than Just a Story Packed with fascinating bee facts, a helpful glossary, and practical tips for creating bee-friendly gardens, this book turns reading time into learning time. Young readers will finish the story eager to help these hardworking creatures in their own backyards.
From the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author The third book in the beloved Bella Brown series combines heartwarming storytelling with gentle science education, perfect for children ages 4-8 who love nature, adventure, and overcoming their fears.
Ideal for:
Bedtime reading and classroom sharing
Children afraid of insects or bees
Young environmentalists and garden enthusiasts
Parents seeking educational yet entertaining stories
Join Bella as she learns that being brave doesn’t mean you’re never scared—it means you’re curious enough to look closer!
Perfect for budding nature lovers and anyone who’s ever been afraid of something new.
Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm
In Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm, author J.W. Zarek introduces young readers to a lively tale filled with charm, discovery, and gentle lessons. The story begins with Grandma Yetta tending her garden, inviting her granddaughter Bella to join her. Bella emerges with arms full of tools, only to encounter a buzzing bee. Convinced she’s being chased, Bella flees in panic and begs her grandmother for protection. Patient and wise, Grandma Yetta explains that bees don’t pursue people out of malice; they defend themselves and their young when they feel threatened. Respect, she reminds Bella, is the key to harmony. To bring this lesson to life, Grandma arranges a trip to a nearby bee farm where Bella can see for herself the remarkable world of bees. Will this adventure transform her fear into fascination?
Zarek’s storytelling once again shines. Choosing to educate children about bees, creatures so vital to our ecosystem, feels both timely and delightful. The narrative is simple enough for young readers to grasp, yet it conveys essential knowledge: bees pollinate plants, produce honey, and maintain balance in nature. Presented in such an approachable and entertaining way, the message resonates. Children walk away not only entertained but empowered to treat bees with respect and curiosity rather than fear.
One of the highlights of the book is the thoughtful tip sheet at the end. Zarek includes practical insights: which flowers bees adore, why bug spray should be avoided, and how children can share what they’ve learned with others. This addition transforms the story from a charming read into an educational tool parents and teachers will appreciate.
The visual storytelling is equally captivating. Every page is brought to life by Anastasia, whose full-page illustrations are bold, colorful, and enchanting. The images don’t just accompany the text; they elevate it, pulling young readers deeper into Bella’s adventure and making the experience immersive.
Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm is more than a story; it’s an invitation to wonder. Children will delight in the adventure, parents will value the lessons, and readers of all ages will leave with a new appreciation for one of nature’s smallest but most essential creatures.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B0FF9C3MXF
Bella Brown’s Messier Than Messy Room
Bella Brown adores creating art while eagerly anticipating a trip to the butterfly garden with her mom. Yet, one small obstacle stands in her way: an unbelievably messy room that must be cleaned first! With her grandmother, Grandma Yetta, by her side, Bella embarks on a journey to transform chaos into order and pave the way to her next adventure. Bella Brown’s Messier than Messy Room, by J.W. Zarek, is an exquisite tale of teamwork, determination, and the bond between a grandmother and her artistic granddaughter. This charming story masterfully blends heartfelt lessons with whimsical storytelling, offering an inspiring reminder that imperfection can be beautiful. Bella’s journey teaches children how to tackle seemingly insurmountable tasks step by step, with creativity and encouragement leading the way.
The imaginative depiction of Bella’s mess transformed into monsters and role-playing scenarios is both clever and captivating. Pip the Domovoi, a delightful character, adds an extra layer of charm to every page, ensuring readers of all ages remain enchanted.
The stunning illustrations by Anastasiia from GetYourBookIllustrations elevate the story further, bursting with color and personality. Bella’s “artist hair,” dramatically billowing behind her, is just one of many delightful details that make the visuals unforgettable. This is, without a doubt, a standout children’s book that excels in every aspect. Its gentle instructional tone, beautiful artwork, and profound message about love and persistence create a timeless masterpiece. Suitable for readers of all ages, it’s a perfect gift for the budding artist or dreamer in your life.
Bella Brown’s Messier than Messy Room, by J.W. Zarek, contains exceptional storytelling and creative brilliance. This debut sets a high bar for what promises to be an extraordinary series, and I can’t wait to join Bella on her next adventure. Zarek offers readers a truly remarkable story that will inspire and delight for generations to come.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0DP9ZDZL2
The Devil Pulls the Strings
Boone Daniels is your typical knight in shining armor. His sense of justice and loyalty is strong, especially after a terrible accident at a jousting match that puts his best friend, Flynn, in the hospital. Unable to perform with his band, the Village Idiots, Flynn asks Boone to take his place in New York at a charity ball. Provided with an address and time, Boone heads to NYC to meet the Village Idiot’s benefactor, Professor Stone. Boone soon stumbles upon his true purpose for being in New York – to stop Sinti from summoning the devil and stop Baba Yaga, an immortal being who has been trapped in a deep sleep for centuries, from destroying NYC. Along with his new friend, Sapphire, Boone helps a secret organization fight a long-time war with the Dragon and Nymph society.
In The Devil Pulls the Strings, Joseph Zarek brings to life magic and monsters found in European lore. This is an exciting story that I found to be fast-paced and full of action. The author hits on thrilling plot points rapidly, moving Boone through his next steps to stopping Sinti quickly with just enough time to digest what happened before moving on.
Readers are immediately introduced to intriguing magic and mythological creatures before the main character, which sets readers up to know what kind of imaginative story they are delving into, but I feel like this prevents readers from discovering this secret world along with the main character.
Some of the information the author uses is factual and conforms to the original mythology, which I loved, but in some areas the author bends mythological rules in unique ways, which I love even more. For example, Wendigos prey on people who are socially disconnected or corrupt, greedy and/or weak. I enjoyed the author’s fresh take on these mythological creatures.
The Devil Pulls the Strings is a quirky epic fantasy adventure that is relentlessly moving forward and never forgets to entertain the reader. The modern reimagining of old mythologies and the mash-up of multiple mythologies makes this a one-of-a-kind fantasy that readers will surely enjoy.
Pages: 254 | ASIN: B09435JJ67
The Devil Pulls the Strings
Confusion is the name of the game for poor Boone. Most of the time, he doesn’t know where he is, who he is talking to, or why he is there. Boone’s life is one strange adventure after another, but none of these adventures are planned. Boone Daniels is a time traveler and an unwilling one at that. A tragic event involving his best friend, Flynn, has placed Boone in the very awkward and frightening position of finding someone called “the Professor.” Nothing about his task is appealing, but Boone is not in a position to argue. He’s on a mission to make things right.
The Devil Pulls the Strings is an imaginative science fiction tale by J.W. Zarek. Main character, Boone Daniels, has happened upon his time-traveling abilities quite by accident, and he remains in a perpetual state of overwhelming confusion when his travels take him to one century and one part of the globe after another. While he is not thrilled at the idea of going to New York to take Flynn’s place in a gig, he knows he owes Flynn and owes him big.
Boone’s travels from place to place and time to time happen quickly–very quickly. Zarek has the book’s main character moving rapidly through time to complete the mission he has been given. Readers are treated to numerous tidbits of history as Boone races through time to prevent events he knows will occur. There seems to be nothing left out when it comes to major historical events, famous names, and easily recognizable points of interest. The blend of present-day Boone and time-traveling Boone make for an engaging storyline.
The first-person point of view really makes Zarek’s book a truly engaging adventure novel. Hearing Boone describe his apprehension and his insecurities in his own voice really make the story all the more relatable. He struggles with his strange gift, and he is in a constant battle trying to figure out which way is up and how to solve the never-ending puzzle before him.
The Devil Pulls the Strings is a wildly thrilling time travel adventure. Readers who love a good underdog will find Boone Daniels the perfect main character–his constant trepidation is endearing. Zarek’s unlikely time-traveling hero, Boone, brings an element of humor and normalcy to an otherwise magnificently spun urban fantasy adventure tale.
Pages: 252 | ASIN: B09435JJ67
LITERARY TITAN 