NEWS & AWARDS
Beyond Sacrifice
A quick read at 250 pages, Beyond Sacrifice offers readers enough twists and unexpected turns for a novel twice its length. Dill’s intimate familiarity with military culture, lingo and dialog serves her well in the brutal, terse world Concepcion Chapa inhabits.
Fans of spy thrillers or pulpy action novels will find something to love in Beyond Sacrifice and in Chapa, a feminine combination of the brutal focus of Reacher and the cunning and seduction of James Bond. - Jon Burke
EXCERPT - The more I acted like someone else, the more I became someone else. And just like Aquila explained to me, I was perfect for this kind of work. Gone were my origins as a righteous killer. It was don’t ask, don’t tell when it came to the targets of my profession. They had to be bad, right? Otherwise, why would the CIA want them killed? Thinking about those subjects would just make my life harder than it already was.
This is a mashup between Alias and Leverage – where the bad guys are taken out by professional hitmen and women. Now it probably is closer to Alias than Leverage since no one in Leverage dies, but the concept is the same in my opinion.
I found this to be a well-written journey for this woman and what she had to give up in her life. It showcases what these people do for the sake of their country. There is plenty of action, some romance, and also some sad moments that take Concepcion/Sofia and the reader by surprise. I saw the hardness in Sofia and doing what it takes to get the job done. But at times I saw a softer side when it came to her best friend Joelle, who assumes she is dead. There is also the neighbor that she becomes attached to learning to dance and enjoy good food.
This story takes no prisoners and there is a myriad of emotions that run through the story. We give it 4 paws up. - Leslie
2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner - Thriller
2020 NIEA Finalist - Friendship
Squared Away
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards are judged by leaders of the indie book publishing industry, including many with long careers at major publishing houses. Their love of a great read and experience in the publishing arena identify books deserving a wider audience.
In an article at CNN.com titled If it's cool, creative, and different, it's indie, journalist Catherine Andrews wrote: "The term 'indie' traditionally refers to independent art – music, film, literature or anything that fits under the broad banner of culture – created outside of the mainstream and without corporate financing." That definition remains true for book publishing.
Check out the Monkeybicycle feature in which authors shed light on their recently released books by comparing them to weird things. Check out Monkeybicycle.net based out of Seattle. "Many of these—which feature amazing writing from people like Ben Loory, Roxane Gay, Laura van den Berg, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt and tons more—can still be found here"
Teresa Beasley of the HAuthors and Readers Book Corner gives a preview of Squared Away for loyal readers. What a deal!
The esteemed Midwest Book Review features Squared Away in the September features. Established in 1976, the Midwest Book Review is an organization committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing.
Ashley Hasty of the Hasty Book List features Alicia's debut novel with an interview including her favorite things. She's on her way!
