This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
R.D. Crist is a psychotherapist who generates creativity via long walks and majestic views of nature. True inspiration to write, however, derives from personal hardships that have sparked a desire to help others manage life’s various struggles.
Although R.D. Crist has only released one book, three have been written and several more begun, which span a variety of genres. The focus of these stories are intended to center on Crist’s favorite dynamics of a story – personal conflict, relationship development, inner growth, and social revelation. Each story is created with a greater purpose to stimulate a person to reflect on common challenges, be they personal, interactive, or in principle.
Childhood influences include Ray Bradbury stories and character conflict movies like Twelve Angry Men.
Socializing, listening to people’s stories, spending time with family, and relentlessly exercising (as if those last ten pounds cared) are some of Crist’s favorite ways to pass the day.
Reviewed by A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite
In R.D. Crist’s Scarlet Reign: Malice of the Dark Witch, we are introduced to fourteen-year-old Natalie who is sitting by her mother’s deathbed. Taking possession of her mother’s beloved ring, Natalie is whisked away by Ava, a stranger claiming to be a long-lost relative. Together, they flee a sinister enemy, heading for the refuge of a girls-only orphanage that houses an order of witches. With Ava’s encouragement and due to the perilous circumstances she finds herself in, Natalie struggles to discover her previously unknown roots in magical ability, to master her self-doubt, and to accept her destiny. When an evil force bent on revenge attacks the orphanage, will Natalie and her demanding mentors and her new friends be able to defend themselves?
R.D. Crist’s Scarlet Reign: Malice of the Dark Witch plunges us into a world that is familiar with its cities, planes, and trains yet fantastical, a place of magic, both benevolent and malicious. Natalie’s battle to control her emotions and develop her own intuition ring true given her age. Several passages recount her being given counsel and comfort as she fights to balance her often overwhelming emotions with cool calculation, typically a skill developed with time and experience. Crist also gives readers a hierarchy of magical practitioners both familiar and unique, yet always credible and true to the world Crist has created. The characters are flawed and therefore very human, despite their magical abilities. Scarlet Reign is fun without being too preachy about teen angst. I particularly enjoyed the final battle. This book shows us personal growth, forgiveness, loss, and redemption while being a thoughtfully enjoyable read. All in all, a good story.
