Review of Realm of Nuance
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Visions are what dreams are made of. We all seek to express our thoughts, feelings and ideas and hope that others will read and appreciate what we have penned. Creativity comes from many different sources. Some of us are writers, artists, photographers, poets and painters. Written and artistic expression often goes hand in hand as you view the art of many masters’ in a museum and read the captions under the painting, sculpture of lithograph that will illuminate the message of the artist. Authors Tony Angelo and Bethany Halle have done just that. Reaching out to authors throughout the world and collectively choosing just the right pieces, which are edgy, imaginative, expressive of the writer’s innermost thoughts and feelings, collaborating their multiple talents and created a new magazine for the 21st Century called “The Realm of Nuance.”
Imaginative, original, filled with short stories, heartfelt poems, personal issues, humorous clips and comical photos and more, this magazine has something for everyone. Allowing the authors full reign to express their feelings, thoughts and innermost dreams, frustrations and desires, creators Tony Angelo and Bethany Halle provide a cutting edge forum for new writers, photographers, poets and artists to see their work in print, become published in a first rate magazine and have their work read by people all over the world.
As I read the many short stories and poems I one stood out among the rest. The story titled, “The Little Bus,” relates the author’s real life experiences working with her son, who is autistic, and her daily frustrations, limitations and the narrow-mindedness of many people who do not understand the world of a child with learning disabilities. Told in the first person, the voice of the author comes through loud and clear, her hopes for her son communicated and the discussions she had with a parent of a child who is a typical child, as she stated, whose main concern is to get her son a seat on the bus so she does not have to drive him to and from school daily. The reasons why and the outcomes you really need to read for yourself. This is one story you definitely want to read from start to finish. Another is Terry’s account of her real life tragedy and her battle for survival. Proving her doctors wrong, and fighting for her life and recovery, Terry describes what is keeping her alive, focused and filled with determination as she uses her writing, thoughts and free expression to let the world know she has much more to do and say and won’t give up on herself. Her piece about why she writes is heartfelt and I can’t wait to read her next submission in the next edition of this magazine.
“ Creating stories that I hoped would touch the world,” writes author Tony Angelo. Forming Realm Multimedia he hopes to inspire new artisans and provide an outlet for them to have their work showcased. Reaching out to authors and talented people throughout the world, the stories are told in the first person allowing the reader and writer to form a mutual bond as you hear, feel and understand not only the voice but also the writer’s origins and culture.
Standing out are two poems. The first is one written by Tony Angelo titled Homeless and the second is The Woman by Dwayne Carter. In Mr. Angelo’s poem he creates a visual image of this person’s life, first hand experiences living on the street and you can hear the fear, feel the pain as he write,
All alone with control over my life
Feeling Pain, sensing danger
Only on basic urges and emotion, I exist.
Focusing on a crucial issue, Abortion, Mr. Angelo tells his story through the voice of the unborn child. In his poem The Woman, Mr. Carter, paints a picture of a beautiful woman and her special qualities and how she inspires him to live and survive. The simple sentences, the adjectives that help you picture her are beautiful, simple and leaves the reader breathless and wanting more.
“All That Lingers,” written by co-creator Bethany Halle, sets the bar really high. As she relates the sorrows, sadness and mental anguish of one person telling the story of a lost love and the abuse inflicted on her by the person she no longer sees.
Picture the wine splattered, hear her strangled screams and fell the cold steel as he inflicts his pain on this innocent victim. What will be her fate and how will it be resolved? This poem you need to read for yourself to get the answers. Bethany takes us on a journey from start to the present about her writing experiences, the her other talents and how she and Tony Angelo came to collaborate, dream, vision, and create this first rate new-wave magazine of the future.
Added to the poems, short stories are humorous clips, beautiful photographs of nature depicting our world, as it should be. I really love the one of the Moon lighting up the sky; dreams in color, and the last page Dare to Dream. What you see a landscape that the someone standing at the top of the hill or cliff would see an endless skyline and an ocean that goes on forever. Dare to Dream: Don’t Stop: This is only the first step to fulfilling a lifelong dream, vision and hope to inspire new writers to create. But, there is more. Splendor, their sister magazine is the creation of author Bethany Halle, and will include cook ideas, cultural articles and provide a venue for romantic writers and much more.
This is a magazine that should target a wide audience of readers. Younger, older and even teens will want to read the stories, poems and understand the many cultures, voices and themes and issues that make up this magazine. “The Realm of Nuance,” is a great magazine with a bright future. I am honored to have reviewed this first issue and hope that I can contribute in other ways in the future. Congrats to Tony and Bethany and the many authors whose voices and writing will be heard and read by many.
KEEP DREAMING!
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
My 2nd book is out now for Christmas: 'Honey, I'm Home" is a children's picture book with A simple story of learning to trust. Illustrator Stephanie Spiegel.
This is a story for the early reader about learning to trust others who are different than themselves. The bear and the bee become unlikely friends as they find each others needs and wants. Their trust wasn’t just given, it was earned. It’s a simple lesson we all must learn.
Children can also be inspired through their own creativity in both art and reading. The illustrations can be easily copied and new stories can be told from their experiences.
Bears love honey and bees make it. How can these two unlikely creatures work together and form an alliance, well author Tony Angelo figured out a way to show that all creatures can get along. Sleeping away the winter and waking up in spring, Lee, the Bear meets Honey the Bee and they become fast friends. This is a tale that teaches the reader that differences can be put aside and friendships created when you look past outer appearances. How can a bear and a bee become friends? Author Tony Angelo’s story Honey in Home is a heartwarming tale that teaches the reader that friendships come when you least expect it. Honey Bee and Lee the Bear take the reader on a wonderful journey into the lives of many of the animals in the forest teaching both children and adults: what else: Who loves Honey and who does not? What other animals eat and what they do not? Friendships, understanding, teamwork, and humor fill this great new story by the master of storytelling, Tony Angelo. For those honey lovers, you might want to make friends with these two great characters and get your own supply the golden sweet treat.
Fran Lewis
My first book: go biz Nebi ‘very clever firefly
Illustrations by Maribeth Jenkins Lubitsky
Publisher is Publish America
Endorsement for A Very Clever Firefly
A Very Clever Firefly goes behind that of most children’s books. As an educator I find this book an invaluable resource to teach children character education and family values. Even more it has a treasure chest of lessons that can be used when teaching lessons in multi-culture, diversity and tolerance. Kindness, patience, understanding, teamwork and life skills are all valuable lessons that are taught in Sunday schools. Using this book as a resource to start the lesson would definitely create a definite spark of interest in the children and keep them engaged in the lessons being taught.
The firefly is like the universal father of all insects and creatures in this story. You fall in love with him and all of the insets in this story. It even takes away the fear you have of getting stung by a bee.
With children having to learn that not everyone grows up the same way and sometimes the differences in our appearances hamper how we look, walk or act, this story teaches in a positive manner how using our intelligence, thinking and listening to the answers for the questions we ask is better than anger, hate and being mean. You can hear the sounds of all of the creatures working together at the end of the story sounding like their own rock band. To me it is a like a newly created symphony of beautiful sounds to hear and to behold.
Fran Lewis
Author, Tony Angelo's "Firefly Story" is a very imaginative children's book. It will help parents and others affirm the value of each child through the content of the book. I found the story to give instruction in bite sized pieces that small children can understand and enjoy. Children love bug stuff so I can hardly wait to read it to my granddaughters.
Elaine Littau, author of Nan's Journey
"This is a sweet story that shows young children that people of all kinds—even those who are "different"—make important contributions to our world."
Deirdre Wright, Founder, ASCEND Group, the Autism and Asperger
"Children will adore this book because of what it teaches them about life. Their parents will love the book because the book's lessons are so valuable and important."
-- Dave Lieber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
"An engaging story for children. It teaches diversity without being heavy-handed. I enjoyed the author's use of the interaction of insects as metaphors to teach about "roles" in society. Very clever!"
- Kevin Jackson, Founder of The Black Sphere, LLC, and author of The BIG Black Lie
