Michael Phoenix
Biography
I currently call the Allentown, Pa area my home, for now.
My first book, "A Dream in the Night", began as one poem / song: Goodbye. Goodbye was written when I was 15, after the death of a friend. Honestly, this is the third and final version. The first was done in 1999 on a word processor. I printed out 3 copies in binders and sheet protectors. The second was done in March, 2011. I did not know how different the formatting between Word and E-book was. So much for that idea. 4 print copies of that version exist. The entire design and every word are a part of my spirit and soul. 25 years are in this book, a long journey on a road that has ended. One life spent looking back. One ghost who believed they only belonged in the shadows.
"Memories faded. Ghosts laid to rest. One life, over. A darkphoenix has risen from the ashes of a fresh grave."
For lack of a better term, when this book ended, I re-invented myself. The person and life that created "A Dream in the Night" are dead and buried. Nothing is similar or remains, not even memories. Now is the time to look in only direction, forward. The night is still my world. I feel at home walking the streets or in an art gallery. I still like the shadows, but now, I fade into them when I choose. A new book and story has begun. How it will be written, I have no idea. No person knows what will happen from one moment to the next.
I wrote all this for one reason: I want to know that what you see with me is real. The person in the photos is who you would see on the street. The words written are who you would talk to. I know professionalism sells books and everything. My style, to a point. Realism, the moment as it happens, is more believable and is never repeated. One last thing, a quote I live by and is great advice to everyone.
"Life is not about what we do. It's about who we are. Never losing sight of our dreams. Having the courage to go after them, not matter what the odds. Believing in our dreams and ourselves, even when no one else does."
Be safe in the night and always,
Michael Phoenix
Almost forgot: mandatory trational bio part:
Hobbies: walking, reading, rock music, trying new things and ideas, writing, etc. Current projects: Vampire novel, tarot deck, reviews, movie in the 2nd half of year, another novel, recording and performing live 2 songs I wrote, learing a few instruments, for starters. Personal history: currently writing / living / creating it.
Where to find Michael Phoenix online
videos
A voice to the words
This is a quick intro / profile / bio. I love the written word, especially online and texting. I wanted to put my voice to the photo and words. Just in case anyone is curious.
Books
A Valley and Beyond - May 31
by Michael Phoenix
Price: $0.99 USD. 9540 words.
Published on June 2, 2013. Nonfiction.
A bi-weekly magazine that features reviews, interviews and photos from the Lehigh Valley, Pa area and beyond. Arts, music, books and businesses are the main categories. Be ready for surprises with each issue. Guest columnists and / or photographers are also featured.
A Valley and Beyond - May 18
by Michael Phoenix
Price: $0.99 USD. 7750 words.
Published on May 18, 2013. Nonfiction.
A bi-weekly magazine that features reviews, interviews and photos from the Lehigh Valley, Pa area and beyond.
Arts, music, books and businesses are the main categories. Be ready for surprises with each issue.
Guest columnists and / or photographers are also featured.
In a Valley... A Writer's New Beginning
by Michael Phoenix
Price: $2.99 USD. 98370 words.
Published on April 1, 2013. Nonfiction.
Not really a tourism guide. Instead, an author's new beginning as a journalist. Writing about my experiences in the Lehigh Valley, Pa area.
Reviews and Interviews include: arts, music, businesses and events. They are mixed with photos of the area.
You will find out why this author started on the journalist side.
Michael Phoenix’s tag cloud
Michael Phoenix's favorite authors on Smashwords
Smashwords book reviews by Michael Phoenix
- Slave Cynthia: Live to Serve
on April 07, 2012
Great book. It grabs your attention from the first page. Pros: very descriptive. I loved how Eros got right to the point and did not take long to build the main plot. Storyline progresses at a consistant and quick pace. The erotic factor is very high. The end leaves you wanting more.
Cons: You can tell this is part of a series. I am left wanting to know more of cynthia's backstory. At times, it moved too quick for me. Descriptions were too brief, at points.
Overall: I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. Great plot and characters.
- Zombies Don't Hop: A Living Dead Easter Poem
on April 07, 2012
Ok, this one I laughed all the way through! The rhyme was dead on (forgive the pun). Although it got slightly graphic, the story kept my interest. Combining a holiday like easter and zombies is briliant. Using poetry for the genre is beyond brilliant. Nice job!
- The Howling Winds
on April 25, 2012
10 out of 10! This is a summary of a full review I wrote. From start to finish, Jess keeps the reader off guard using a variety of styles and genres. She even switches up the style of language. The Howling Winds holds true to her description and the preface. It is dark.
The darkness in the book is on more than one level. Some may see it as depressing and morbid. I hope the majority will see it the way I did. A mirror for the side of life and reality we exist in. The side that people do not like to look at. This is a very unique book and style of writing. Please join her journey in this book. I highly recommend it!!!!! Great Job Jess!
- Blood Is Heavier
on May 22, 2012
Quick highlights from the perfect 10 review on my blog:
I put this book to an extreme test. While I was reading it took several breaks. I wanted to see if Blood is Heavier would keep my attention. I also wanted to find out if I would constantly want more. I easily did on both fronts. Once again, Ella did a near perfect job developing main and supporting characters, scenes and situations. The internal conflicts are very believable. These conflicts can also be related to if only in a distant, personal sense. The action, we are thrown into almost right away is a great way to start this book. Like I said, at points, Ella almost creates a second story that I came close to forgetting about the main one. The way she melds the backstory with current action does not lose you at all. Chapter titles are well thought out in sync with the chapter itself. The title "Blood Is Heavier" is mentioned in the story. Another nice way to combine the entire book into one, flowing / consistent entity. Visualization: everything that happens in the story is very easy to see with mind. The emotions portrayed, you can almost feel as if they were your own. For the second time, I can not say enough about a book by Ella Medler.
- Charmeine
on May 23, 2013
Emily does a great job of getting you interested in the story right off. From the start of Chapter 2, she takes you to a completely different scenario. It is, literally, a slingshot!
The main setting for Charmeine is modern day. Emily uses current and past events to help set up the story. In chapter 4, I was sitting in a limo, enjoying the conversation between Shane and Tab. Not literally, but the story was that visual and consuming.
The character believability factor is very high. At points in the story, you forget Tab is an immortal. Charmeine: One hot female who is vulnerable with an invincible side you really do not want to mess with. Shane and Dmitri, even though they are supporting characters become essential to the storyline shortly after they are introduced. Shane is pretty much your best friend.
Conflict: Internal / External. Emily does a very good job of separating and then combining the two. Each character has morals and real life, emotional, struggles. The external part? One, main, source is calling the shots. With a serious pain in the ass to Charmeine / Tab / Shane thrown in.
What I really loved about the book? The overall story. The way Emily kept me off guard by switching up without any warning. Honestly, I think Shane is my favorite character. With the setting in actual places and true events, every moment became more real. When I was reading it, I was so into the story I jumped when my phone went off. No joke here! The way Emily showed how light and darkness exist in each person.
What didn’t I really like? You know I have to give the low points. At times, Emily dragged the story out by being a little too descriptive. Especially in some of the interactions between Charmeine and Tab. I am talking about some physical descriptions that are repeated. Technical: Not being able to go right to a specific chapter from main page / side navigation.
Overall Recommendation: Definitely read this one! Charmeine is a combination of romance / suspense / historical and fantasy. High believability factors combined with excellent character development and a “not knowing what to expect next” factor. The way Emily ends part 1 will leave you saying “What the hell??? I need to find out what happens!”
- Charmeine
on May 23, 2013
Definitely read this one! Charmeine is a combination of romance / suspense / historical and fantasy. High believability factors combined with excellent character development and a “not knowing what to expect next” factor. The way Emily ends part 1 will leave you saying “What the hell??? I need to find out what happens!”