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.
Texas born and raised, Steven moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in writing and filmmaking. He has since joined the Screen Actors Guild, and has appeared in "The Office", 'CSI", and "A.P. Bio" amongst many others.
Over that time, he has converted his many writing works into what has now become known as "The Legacy Universe". The debut novel ("The Illegal: the First Mexican Superhero") was released on Cinco de Mayo 2020, and was followed by "Private Ivy" and "The Shadow War". The Illegal and Private Ivy have since been converted into "cinematic audiobooks" featuring full voice casts of professional actors, sound effects, and musical scores. The Legacy Universe continues to grow thanks to a building fan base and an incredible group of talented artists helping to bring it to life.
Steven Cortinas continues to live and work in Los Angeles
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
‘You need a crime, a detective, and the solution” - Kerry Greenwood. Private Ivy is the second children’s mystery book in The Legacy Series by Steven Cortinas. Ivy Virtue has a very sharp tongue, a fearless, headstrong attitude, and fantastic detective skills for a twelve-year-old. Trained by her ailing mother and drunken father, Ivy solves many mystifying cases at Virtue Investigations. She works on cases involving The Den of Thieves, the mafia, a ventriloquist and his peculiar dummy, as well as other anomalies that only place this young “Nancy Drew” in more danger. Despite her painful family and personal issues, Ivy attempts to keep her life as normal as possible. This is difficult, though, since unknown entities want her dead while others have motives for keeping her alive.
Private Ivy is by no means a quick read in the children's fiction genre; it is a deeply engaging story narrated by the protagonist, and it takes place in the 1930s. It was difficult for me to put the book down, and I didn’t want it to end either. My admiration for Private Ivy increased with her developing skills and clever, sarcastic humor, as well as the numerous action-filled cases she solved. There is a lot of exciting drama in the story, including paranormal activity, plus tearful, emotional moments that made me want to reach out to comfort Ivy and other deserving characters. Steven Cortinas is an exceptional writer gifted with an imagination that knows no bounds and a well-balanced sense of humor. His smooth-flowing writing keeps a great pace as parts of the story revert to the past, then take us to the future. Private Ivy by Steven Cortinas is a must-read for children, as well as adults.
