| Donovan's Bookshelf |
|
The Eagle and the Sparrow
Claire Youmans
American i
978-1-733-9020-3-8
$14.99
Paper/$5.99 Kindle
Website: www.tokigirlandsparrowboy.com
Ordering: https://books2read.com/u/mdzrEl
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1514270536
B & N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-eagle-and-the-sparrow-claire-youmans/1137056626;jsessionid=10737C43794701A57ABADD738C8B20B2.prodny_store02-atgap14?ean=9781733902045&st=AFF&2sid=Draft2Digital_7968444_NA&sourceId=AFFDraft2Digital
Rakuten/Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/jp/en/search?Query=9781733902045&utm_source=walmarthybrid&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Draft2Digital&ranMID=37217&ranEAID=YBM6Ddr8uSs&ranSiteID=YBM6Ddr8uSs-OQW7dCknS5yqPpEeu.k_3w&siteID=YBM6Ddr8uSs-OQW7dCknS5yqPpEeu.k_3w
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/462199069/The-Toki-Girl-and-the-Sparrow-Boy-Book-7-The-Eagle-and-the-Sparrow
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1022533?ref=draft2digital
Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088Q41HF7
PB:
https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Sparrow-Book-Toki-Girl-Boy/dp/1733902031
The 7th book in the magical
realism fantasy series 'The
Toki-Girl and the Sparrow Boy' will delight prior enthusiasts of the
Japanese-centered story set in the 1800s. Here, bird-humans Toki-Girl
Azuki and
Eagle-Boy Akira and a host of others who exist on the cusp of
two very
different worlds continue their search for what it means to be and live
in
human society as something not entirely human.
Subject to changing forms,
their struggle to stay human
or integrate elements of their humanity with their animal side creates
barriers
and tests of courage as their dual natures vie with matters of the
heart.
Folklore about Japan's Meiji
era blends into a compelling
saga that requires no prior familiarity with Japanese history, but will
best be
absorbed by prior series fans with a complete command of the
environment in
which Sparrow-Boy Shota faces his greatest challenge, which
pits his heart
against his duty.
Claire Youmans creates a
vivid story of young people of
'dual nature' who struggle with a multitude of responsibilities,
ambitions,
threats, and puzzles stemming both from their natures and the world
around
them. This dichotomy and contrast between inner and outer states of
being
inserts a satisfying moral and ethical dynamic, as well as much
psychological
tension, into a story that evolves and continues to expand both the
abilities
and the dilemmas of these special folk.
Lovely black and white
drawings pepper the tale, adding
to its atmosphere and reinforcing the feel of Japanese culture with art.
Can dual-natured children
grow up to honor both their
heritages? The back and forth struggles as they attempt to achieve this
and
other impossible goals is depicted in lovely language in many thought
provoking
scenes such as this: "You want to be
a human; you want Irtysh to be a human. I want our children to be
dragons
first. They must be dragons first and foremost! Sugaar must live with
me so he
learns that. Renko was almost killed because of your insistence on her
humanity.”
As Akira faces equally
powerful changing forces in
Japanese society, he revises his vision of his place in it: "We have to take up our rightful
positions in society. We're Samurai. We belong in the military. We
should lead
the military. We can't let the riff-raff simply kick us out, national
army or
no.”
While young people are the
focus of this and all the Toki
stories, this tale is far more complex and multifaceted than a young
audience
alone could absorb. It's recommended for mature young adult to adult
readers of
magical realism and fantasy. It offers an adventure that probes the
forces of
society and those divided by their heritage, special abilities, and
uncertain
place in the world.
The numerous references to
Japanese history and culture
throughout will delight adult readers interested in the forces shaping
the
politics, society, and psychological nature of the Japanese. The
cultural and
social clashes in The Eagle and the
Sparrow form a highly recommended continuation to a series
in which each
already-extraordinary individual is forced to revise their paths,
dreams, and
ultimate strengths in response to a rapidly changing world.
Return to Index
The Illegal
Steven Cortinas
Independently Published
979-8632720298
$9.99
Paper/$4.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Illegal-First-Mexican-Superhero-Legacy/dp/B0882PXG9T
The
Illegal: The
First Mexican Superhero is the first book in the Legacy
series. It offers a
wry blend of social commentary and sci-fi superhero adventure as it
explores a
hell-raising hero who tackles the poverty and ghettos of the Latino
community.
Latinos don't have
superheroes. They do have poverty,
prejudice, and repression that cries out for one, however; and in The Illegal, a powerful individual rises
from the pits of ghetto hell to fill the gap and see that justice is
achieved.
Detective Barton was raised
in this milieu. He knows
there are no such things as miracles, superheroes, and an easy life.
His world
is one of solving violent crimes, confronting the rage, overdoses, and
gang
clashes that result in massacres. It's about to get bigger when a
mysterious
message and eyewitness reveals The Illegal's new presence and influence
on a
turf Barton thought he knew only too well.
The Illegal is a product of
Mexico’s Latin X Program: a
genetically enhanced vigilante monster with a vendetta and a mission.
As war
builds in the neighborhoods and a "nut in a costume" appears to be at
the center of escalating violence, those who live in, control, and
patrol the
Latino community find themselves facing an adversary who may be either
a hero
or a deadly psychopath. It's all a matter of perspective.
The cover of The
Illegal and the concept of a caped hero may lead some to
believe this is a
children's story, but make no doubt about it: the social commentary,
wry humor,
violence, and clashes between disparate forces place it entirely in the
adult
sci-fi reader's milieu. Superman himself couldn't thwart the kind of
drug
cartel that operates within the heart of the town. But The Illegal
could.
Steven Cortinas presents a
fast-paced, streetwise story
replete with action, violent clashes, bawdy language, and even
unexpected
romance. His descriptions are astute and compelling: "The
sane half of his psyche indeed wanted to go home, lick his
wounds, and get back to his life of obscure, nerdy poverty. But there
was that
other half: the one that hated the way things were before."
As the Illegal faces enemy
Safire's clever moves and
ten-year-old children become powerful heroes themselves, Cortinas
injects a
myriad of influences and forces from different age ranges, walks of
life, and
cultural backgrounds to create an unexpectedly diverse adventure.
This is no one-dimensional
Superman character, but a
complicated hero whose actions and reactions spawn a sense of power and
purpose
in a beaten-down community. As a real-life superhero faces a showdown
with an
equally clever villain, readers are captivated by a series of events
that
juxtaposes fast-paced action with surprising comic relief: "Before you die, I have to know: why the Illegal?
You could've
gone with the Dishwasher, or the Landscaper, or the Orange Picker, or
the
Border Jumper. Why choose such a silly name?"
Readers will find the tone,
presentation, and action of
this superhero story alternates from serious social inspection to
encounters
both violent and surprisingly fun. They will relish The
Illegal: The First Mexican Superhero's special brand of
unique
social, political, and community inspection. It's an approach that
makes this
story very highly recommended for sci-fi readers looking for something
different,
as a superhero and his young protégé confront the destruction of
everything
they know.
Return to Index
Midnight in
New
California
Lisa Renée
Julien
Rearden Publishing
Ebook:
978-1-7352037-1-3
$ 7.95
Paperback: 978-1-7352037-0-6
$12.95
Audiobook: 978-1-7352037-2-0
http://www.lisareneejulien.com
Midnight in New California blends LGBT
culture with an alternate
history set in 2030s New California, where Cora Broussard's new romance
with
the alluring Ashley Doral brings her on a journey back to her roots in
a search
for new power and meaning in her life.
Cora lives
in a
strictly controlled world where New California's Government Protection
Officers
have their eyes on everyone. Where other people may be content with the
trappings of ordinary society and life—jobs and family—Cora covets the
best of
everything. This desire gets her in trouble as she eschews normal goals
and
behaviors in favor of the exciting, edgy, superior experience that
always seems
to leave her bored and unsatisfied in the end.
Her appetite
for
power doesn't always serve her well in life, but it's about to prove
the one
strength that allows her to move away from her familiar goals into
unfamiliar
territory and survive the experience as she enters a revised life
replete with
Ashley's mercurial influence and conviction that Cora can't always get
what she
wants.
Does utopia
have the
fire and passion Cora seeks, or does it contain a dark undercurrent of
possibilities that she'd never imagined?
Lisa Renée
Julien excels in crafting the trappings of a near-future San
Francisco Bay
Area that feels familiar in landscape but unfamiliar in its social and
cultural
identity. The young characters who reside in New California are both at
home in
this alien environment and chafe at the restrictions of their lives and
directions, and the boundaries of their relationships with one another.
There is no
set
progression for the story, a satisfying entwining of the familiar and
the
outrageous, in a plot that keeps readers guessing about possibilities,
outcomes, choices, and consequences.
Family
relationships,
intrigue, and an odd phone call that injects confusion and questions
into
Cora's life power events replete with not just romantic entanglements
and
change, but social, political, and cultural confrontations.
The
characters are
powerful women whose lives, assumptions, experiences, and connections
to
California and beyond are realistically portrayed, but with a
futuristic edge
that keeps readers on their toes.
Fans of
alternate
history and LGBT romances will find Midnight
in New California fosters an eerie sense of familiarity and
strange new
worlds that keep it thoroughly engrossing and hard to put down as
Cora's new
girlfriend considers what it takes to be part of her world while Cora
herself
reconsiders family connections and a sense of place.
Return to Index
The Perfection of Fish
J.S. Morrison
Black Rose Writing
978-1-68433-506-0
$21.95
Author’s Website: https://vorpelword.net
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Fish-J-S-Morrison/dp/168433506X
Publisher: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/scififantasy/theperfectionoffish
Readers of science fiction
and fantasy who enjoy humor
paired with dystopian experience will find The
Perfection of Fish a delightfully wry and unique production
that joins an
unusual premise with an unexpected form of social commentary.
It takes the classic battle
between the sexes and moves
it into the realm of genetic manipulation in a future world where a
food
supplement lowers testosterone and brings peace to the world. (Or, does
it?)
The best intentions go awry
when special interests become
involved, as Nadia Holkam becomes an unwitting victim of this
social and
scientific experiment and her twin sister Diana gets wind of the fact
that
companies are trying to use the genetic alterations to make women
subservient.
In 2042, an isolated small
town holds only two
inhabitants: Nadia, and a strange, insane younger overseer, Berky, who
thwarts
her every small, tired attempt to defy his search for perfection and
complete
dominance over her life and mind.
His quest for the perfect
woman has resulted in a beaten,
trapped soul whose goal is to foster and force in a new era of male
domination
and female subservience.
This might initially sound
like The Handmaid's Tale, and
indeed holds some familiar themes of
repression and social commentary, but J.S. Morrison doesn't create a
black-and-white world with predictable scenarios and characters. And so
her
story expands to include an unlikely opposing force consisting of
Nadia's
sister, a one-eyed Muslim Bible salesman, an African American woman
promoting a
testosterone-reducing food supplement, and an Indian geneticist fleeing
the
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
The dystopian setting means
that the usual information
channels and options are all disrupted, as Nadia's sister discovers
when she
tries to handle Nadia's agoraphobia: "Diana
puzzled over the problem of sanity. She needed to understand the cause,
symptoms, and cure for agoraphobia to help Nadia leave Assurance. There
weren’t
any books on the subject in their skimpy home library. Her only
research option
was her sister’s ancient computer and a flaky internet connection.
Email didn’t
work. Accessible sites weren’t fully functional. The computer seemed
connected
to a walled garden, planted with a curated set of pages containing
unresponsive
interactive links."
Similar to The
Handmaid's Tale, The Perfection of
Fish takes place in a not-too-distant future when the
benefits of past
society are unavailable, yet still a memory that prompts the characters
to try
to replace information systems and technological support systems with
the new
realities at hand. This creates a believable series of scenarios that
are eerie
for their combined familiarity and newness.
Berky and Cantor struggle to
destroy the strong women who
resist this type of control and deem Nadia irrelevant to their evolving
plans
and helpless because of the agoraphobia which commands her world.
Readers
receive a powerful story of intrigue, manipulation, an AI control
system that
holds its own special interests in manipulating mankind, along with an
irreverent sense of humor that permeates the story with a special brand
of
irony.
To call The
Perfection of Fish a dystopian story of survival and social
change would be
to overly simplify the various levels of social and technological
forces that
permeate this involving story. It's made all the more powerful for its
explorations of the very different personalities and dilemmas of twins
who
harbor their own special abilities.
Sci-fi readers looking for a
near-future story replete in
original insights, an identity crisis heightened by technological
developments
and greed, and the particular perceptions of two women who struggle for
their
own identities and freedom will find The
Perfection of Fish compelling, original, fun, and hard to
put down.
Return to Index
The Pystead Group
James P. Roby III
The Techner Group
ASIN: B088QY31BM
$6.28
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pystead-Group-James-Pryor-ebook/dp/B088QY31BM
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1007941
The Pystead Group presents a frightening
near-future sci-fi story set in 2052,
where U.S. citizens fear extremists and corrupt government alike.
Cognitive
scientist Philip Russell flees his country for a job in the West
Indies, where
he finds himself in even more hot water with corrupt police and illegal
activities that include his new company's brain scanning security
technology.
Targeted by the company's
enemies and corrupt police
alike, Philip finds his job as a Pystead scientist places him right in
the
middle of everything he's hoped to avoid. His assessment of the Net and
its
injection of uncertainty affects his choices, decisions, and views of
life: "It's
just impossible to know if you've found the crux of any matter via the
Net."
Readers should know that
this is no light sci-fi
scenario. James Pryor weaves quite a bit of philosophical
inspection into
the story that offers more than casual food for thought: "In the glow of
modernity, an early metaphor may be maligned and waning, yet
informative. The
reality of the cosmos is not changed by machinations of the human mind;
the
machinations of the mind are not always changed by the reality of the
cosmos. What
is absolute in the cosmos may be deemed relative or spurious in the
mind."
This approach gives The Pystead
Group added
dimensions of complexity and value by interfacing Philip's life and
confrontations with greater questions of life purpose as he
simultaneously
pursues his new role as part of a crew navigating dangerous scientific
and
political waters and his newfound fiancée's expansion of his journey
and life
purpose.
Philip is both challenged
and changed by his new job and
life. This, in turn, results in a deep inspection of career, purpose,
and love
as he faces the impact of his own technological connections.
As Philip adapts to new
realities and the possibility of
a very different future, readers receive many insights into his world, how it got that way, its divergent
paths, as well as Philip's own attempts to reinvent his life, love, and
relationships.
Pryor places all these
concerns within a fast-paced
adventure story designed to keep readers on edge and thinking
throughout
Philip's journey.
As themes of disruptive
politics and authoritarian plays
for power, dangerous technologies, and individual perception and growth
juxtapose with a struggle for an understanding of reality itself,
readers will
find this near-future world delightfully engrossing and completely
accessible.
Is Philip really alive if he
can't embrace the extent of
humanity's and his own possibilities? Readers will find themselves
alternately
engaged and thinking throughout this satisfying, highly recommended
social
commentary and sci-fi romp through high technology, philosophy, and
ethical
quandaries alike.
Return to Index
Soulstealer
Shane Boulware
Theorybee, Inc.
978-1-7347063-0-7
$14.95 Paper, $22.67
Hardcover, $4.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734706309
Soulstealer is a series, and this first
book, subtitled Nythan, introduces
the scenario of a
college-bound student on the pinnacle of success and change who
discovers he
has a demon inside of him...one that threatens everyone around him—even
those
he loves.
How can he
achieve
his goals while struggling with a dangerous force? Should Nythan help a
deadly
demon escape his soul to free it into the world so this effort can free
him, as
well?
This teen
fantasy is
suggested for mature readers ages 16 and older, who will be able to
easily
digest some mature themes such as violence, philosophical inspections,
and
references to abuse. This audience will relish the dark fantasy which
evolves
as Nythan Dwienz, a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer
Training Corps
at the University of Central Florida, faces a destiny he never could
have
imagined as he comes of age.
As Nythan
gets to
know his 'other self', Bane, and deals with an entity which has spent
lifetimes
in hiding waiting for just this moment to emerge, he comes to realize
his own
hidden abilities and their connections to both the entity within him
and the
secret order charged with stopping it.
Fast-paced
action,
intrigue, newfound connections, and adventure permeate an urban fantasy
replete
with satisfying twists and turns. The story is spiced with
interpersonal
interactions that keep Nythan growing and changing on more than one
level: "Everything took on a whole new
meaning
when he accessed another person’s most intimate feelings. He recognized
the
depths to which she’d go to do whatever he asked."
The
philosophical
insights that weave through this story as interactions between Nythan
and Bane
are nicely presented, thought-provoking interludes to their encounters:
"Tell
me again what wú wéi means?It means non-action.
Another way to say it is
non-forcing. It’s knowledge of the tide’s pattern.
Sailing, rather than
rowing. Your heart beating is wú wéi. Your unconscious breathing is
sailing.
When you intentionally breathe, you’re rowing. Why’s this important?
Because receiving
a gift from thousands of people is much different
than hundreds."
Both must
learn new
ways of handling issues and relating to all sides if they are to
survive. This
dilemma adds an extra dimension of tension and growth to a vivid story
that
mature teens will find compelling.
Soulstealer is highly recommended for
prior fans of urban fantasy,
who will find this tale satisfyingly engrossing and hard to put down.
Return to Index
Almost
the
Truth: Stories and Lies
Aaron Zevy
Tumbleweed Press,
Inc.
9798646185571
$9.99 Paper/$3.55 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Truth-Stories-Aaron-Zevy/dp/B088T7SZ2H
Almost
the Truth:
Stories and Lies is a humorous memoir that moves into
literary fiction as Aaron Zevy presents a
blend of fun personal insights, life
reflections, and vignettes that tantalize the senses with their sense
of joie
de vievre and astute observation. Readers looking for a memoir that
crosses the
line between truth and lie for the sake of entertainment,
enlightenment, and
fun reflection will find Almost the Truth
departs from the normal staid memoir format in favor of a fun
observational
romp through life.
Take
the
hilarious opening line to 'Crossing the Nile',
for example. It draws readers in with a family probe that is anything
but a
usual Jewish holiday gathering scenario: "My
nieces and I play a drinking game at our Passover Seder. As I am both
wifeless
and childless, in addition to lacking the requisite maturity, I sit in
the
children’s section directly across from my brother who sits at the head
of the
table with the rest of the adults."
As
it
evolves into a
piece that considers both serious Seder rituals and Aaron Zevy's zany
interpretations, readers receive a fun survey of his ability to
celebrate life
in unusual, creative ways: "...we
are required to drink four glasses of wine—two before dinner and two
after. But
we decided to supplement the religious rites by adding a twist of our
own. We
would take a drink when triggered by specific words or actions of our
fellow
Seder participants. In other words, our family and close friends. I
don't
really want to throw any of them, or my nieces for that matter, under
the bus
by divulging any of those triggers but suffice it to say the word
“colonoscopy”
alone has gotten them drunk long before the pickled brisket is served."
'Golfing
with Toby
Zeigler' is another missive that readily admits the embellishments and
detriments in the original story, offering tidbits of cultural and
social
reflection that are hilarious in the retelling: "...this
woman, the wife, is at Harbourfront one afternoon and
stumbles upon Richard Schiff sitting on a bench eating a pretzel. I
don’t know
if he was actually eating a pretzel but I include it in the telling. It
establishes his New York City bonafides." The essence of a
superior
story often lies in such details, and as the piece evolves, even
readers with
no interest in golf and no prior knowledge of who Toby Zeigler is will
find
Zevy's account compelling: "Richard
Schiff replies and says thank you very much, he would love to golf but
he is
working on the shoot during the week and the only time which works
would be
Saturday afternoon. At this point Steve should have written back and
said,
“Amazing, I will send a limo to pick you up. We are playing with my
friend Ron,
who is a huge fan, and we are both really looking forward to it.” But
he didn’t
write that."
There's
a
surprise
twist at the end which proves that despite its title, the essay is more
about
getting screwed than playing golf. And therein lies the collection's
power—its
ability to draw readers with an anticipated scenario, only to have the
actual
subject prove to be something greater than the lure of the piece's
title or
initial subject.
This
approach
translates to great writing. It's entertaining, it's funny, it's
culturally
revealing, and it's steeped in the unexpected.
Almost
the Truth:
Stories and Lies is uniformly one of the more creative,
satisfyingly reads
of 2020. Readers who enjoy wry humor and life observations that depart
from any
anticipated pathway will delight in Aaron
Zevy's collection, which is often politically or culturally incorrect
in
delightful ways.
Return to Index
How to
Remodel a Life
Hope Anderson
PipeVine Press/Warren Publishing
978-1-7347075-7-1
$16.95
Paper
www.warrenpublishing.net
How
to Remodel a
Life comes from an author who was diagnosed as bipolar in her
forties,
after she became a substance abuser and struggled heavily with abusive
relationships and a life fraught with brink-of-death experiences and
constant
confrontations.
Hope
Anderson was in her
sixties when her husband's
near-death experience caused her to change drastically. She eschewed
the abuse
and pain that was part of daily life for a better vision of life
purpose and
direction that is reflected in How to
Remodel a Life. Her special blend of memoir and inspirational
guide will
offer much food for thought and hope for anyone struggling with a mood
disorder
and the life-altering challenges it presents.
Her
story doesn't just
incorporate, but embraces a
personal life of pain. Readers who want the inspirational without their
wellspring should look elsewhere, because these descriptions, such an
intrinsic
part of her growth process, can be difficult to read.
However,
the pain is worth
the many candid revelations
that serve as guideposts to others struggling with mood swings and
substance
abuse: "It was never enough just to be
me. I lied to myself about my own importance; I was never just one of
the
girls. I deceived myself and others about everything—my weight, my
name, my
marital status, my exercise routine, my talent. I did all this in an
effort to
create a persona that I
could
live with, one that seemed larger than life, better than I really was.
The
tragic truth is I spent decades being someone I was not, when my
genuine self
wasn’t so bad after all."
For
every reader who sees
adversity and too much pain in
this story, there will be ten who acknowledge that real growth isn't
possible
without building on failures and earthshaking foundations to achieve
something
bigger and better.
The
perfect audience for How to Remodel a Life
are those who will
learn and grow from the author's
self-inspection and survey of the "things that make her crazy" and
the many truths that emerge from this process: "...sometimes
we get so wrapped up in our own denial that we are
unable to see the truth about ourselves. The truth is: I need to truly
love
myself before I can love anyone else."
The
result is a road map
that goes straight through pain
and into the process of remodeling a broken life. It's one that also
demonstrates that a person is never too old to embrace a better route.
Readers
on their own
journeys through struggle and threat
will find How to Remodel a Life a
powerfully uplifting journey through angst to serenity, and will
welcome the
opportunity to follow the insights Hope Anderson cultivated from this
process.
Return to Index
Journey
of the Self
Ruth Poniarski
Warren Publishing
978-1-7347075-5-7
$15.00
www.warrenpublishing.net
Journey
of the
Self: Memoir of an Artist represents a journey not just
through personality
and ambition, but surveys how Ruth Poniarski's pursuit of her art led
her in
the direction she'd longed to realize—locating a soul mate and best
friend.
Lovely
black and white
images in acrylics pepper her
memoir. Her story shares life experiences and anecdotes, therapy pros
and cons,
encounters with various kinds of people, and goals which are challenged
and
changed by life experiences.
Poniarski's
voice is
analytical, strong in its
self-assessments, and holds important messages for those in therapy or
on their
own roads to self-discovery: "The
doctor didn’t realize the pattern of psychosis developing when a
stressful
situation evolved. My illness was difficult to understand and not
defined in
the same way as diabetes or a heart condition. His Freudian style of
therapy
was not effective in curtailing my decompensation. I needed him to tell
me the
basics for my survival within the boundaries of my limitations. I
needed to
know that I should avoid chaos and too many events happening at once.
He should
have warned me against reenrolling in an architecture program and
making a big
move into the city at the same time."
From how
she overcame a poor
self-image and recurring
episodes of mental anguish to her struggles with a worsening disorder
and her
relationship to another who struggled with his own different form of
mental
illness, Poniarski chronicles struggles, successes, challenges, and the
progression of not just her disease, but her recovery process.
Her
memoir is an
inspirational lesson plan for others who
battle mental illness. In the course of a journey to discover who she
truly is,
Poniarski provides insights not just into self-realization, but
assessing and
handling doctors and medical systems that can either enhance or thwart
the
pursuit of peace and happiness.
Return to Index
Eva Casey Velasquez
This is Resilience
Paperback: 978-1-7345358-0-8
$19.99
Ebook: 978-1-7345358-1-5
$ 5.99
www.thisisresilience.com
It's
rare that a book author
'nails' the essence of why a
reader should choose their book over many similar-sounding titles on
the
market, but Eva Casey Velasquez tackles this in the opening paragraphs
of The Monster Inside: Surviving Sexual Abuse
and Architecting a Life of Resiliency: "What
makes my story special? Why should you bother to read it when there are
hundreds of thousands, probably millions, of childhood sexual abuse
survivors
around us? This story is more about what I did after
this early childhood trauma; this book is about how I
practiced
resilience, relinquished shame, and acknowledged my unlimited
potential."
It's
refreshing to see a
title that holds its foundations
in a memoir about a social issue, but moves beyond singular experience
to probe
social meanings of abuse, self-help, and finding renewed strength and
meaning
in life despite a horrific childhood of ongoing sexual and emotional
abuse.
One
motivator for writing
Velasquez's book was to break
the code of silence and secrecy surrounding this abuse, but another was
to
reveal the nature and impact of adult choices that led away from a life
of
repression, fear, and denial.
She
wants to keep
progressing in her life and healing,
and this drive to better her world despite its early influences is part
of what
sets The Monster Inside apart from
other accounts of childhood abuse.
From
opportunities and good
and bad decisions in her
relationship choices to the insidious signs of an abuser's tactics and
approach
to life, Velasquez cultivates a sense of upward momentum and
understanding
about her choices. This offers inspirational inspections and
psychological
depth about the dynamics and patterns early abuse translates to, in
adult
lives: "He started reinventing our
history by making himself into an unwilling participant in all the
choices we
made together. He did it with such conviction and regularity that he
started to
believe his own lies."
From
systemic conflicts
between approaches to parenting
and life obligations to a developing clarity that allows her to develop
a new
mission in life (to help others), The
Monster Inside excels in creating a vivid blend of memoir and
advice guide
that will help others on similar paths understand the road map to a
new, better
life.
Revealing,
inspiring, and
filled with insights, The Monster Inside
is an opportunity for
change offered to those who would recover fully from trauma. It is
highly
recommended reading for survivors who want more than just a badge of
courage,
but the keys to building a better future.
Return to Index
Never
Turn
Your Back
on the Tide
Kergan Edwards-Stout
Circumspect Press
978-0-9839837-5-0 (pbk)
$16.99
978-0-9839837-6-7 (ebk)
$
9.99
http://www.kerganedwards-stout.com/never
Never
Turn Your Back on the Tide (Or, How I Married a Lying, Psychopathic
Wannabe-Murderer and Kinda Lived to Tell) is a hard-hitting
memoir that
Kergan Edwards-Stout never thought he'd write. After all—sometimes it's
better
to "let sleeping dogs lie". Or, is it? In this case, it quickly
becomes evident that this is a story that needed to be told not only
for the
sake of family, survivors, forgiveness and moving on, but as a lesson
for
others who might recognize themselves in it and learn from its
discussion.
Kergan Edwards-Stout and his mate 'Eyes' are
California married gay men with a one-and-a-half-year-old adopted son.
When
Kergan learns his partner was not only involved with another man, but
had
introduced their child to him, hell begins...and it doesn't release him
for
years. Before it does, everything will change.
Never
Turn Your
Back on the Tide is about this
particular brand of emotional hell, but it's as much about what
contributes to
naivety and downfall in the victim as about the modus operandi of his
partner.
This is just one defining, exceptional facet of the story, along with
Kergan's
lyrical descriptions: "For every lollipop, there is a sucker.
And to
understand Eyes, and his success in my deception, you need to
understand me.
The ultimate sucker."
His search for understanding explores a gay
man's evolution, romances, flings, and changing relationship with
parents and
the world. Graphic sexual encounters pepper this world, along with
astute
reflections on the search for love and meaning.
The processes of coupling, uncoupling,
sorrow over friends deceased, and forming often-mercurial unions before
he
becomes infatuated with Eyes is covered, along with the evolving
deceptions
that he realizes when he learns Eyes is not just having an affair, but
is
deeply involved with and actually wedded to another. And not just one
'another', either.
Another powerful facet to Never Turn Your
Back on the Tide is its explicit survey of the process of
gaslighting and
how it works. Kergan's candid explorations of his feelings, reactions,
and
conundrums during this process is astute and emotionally revealing: "The
daily barrage of lies, attempting to make me feel as it were my own
issues
which were fueling Eyes’ actions, was tearing me up."
Finally, Kergan goes the extra mile to
confront his own personality, needs, and contribution to his situation
with a
therapist. This adds a further dimension of growth to his story which
offers
many personal reflections that readers will readily understand: "I
used
to feel as if I were an alien being, alone in the vast sea of humanity.
Wherever I went, I felt this “otherness”, and it wasn’t an easy cloak
to wear.
I felt alone, even in a large group of people. It seemed that I didn’t
laugh as
easily as others, or at the same things. I had a different perspective
on
almost everything, and rarely met anyone with whom I fully connected or
felt at
ease. I would try my best to fit in, but it never felt genuine. When I
was
younger, I attributed this other-worldly state to being gay, but as I
quickly
discovered, I was just as out-of-place in the gay community as in the
world at
large. And being the odd-man-out is a lonely mantle to carry."
Compelling and graphically candid, whether
it be about gay sexual evolution or emotional journeys, Never
Turn Your Back
on the Tide surveys a powerful series of lessons that are
thought-provoking, involving, and revealing. While its likely audience
will be
gay readers interested in relationships, both sexes will find Kergan's
story
holds food for thought for anyone who would cultivate kindness and
respect,
breaking the silence of shame and secrets to contribute nuggets of
wisdom to
future generations.
Return to Index
All
Done
With It
Maggie Toussaint
Camel Press
Paperback:
9781603818322
$16.95
Digital:
9781603814393
https://maggietoussaint.com/all-done-with-it/
All Done With It is the 7th book in the
cozy mystery Dreamwalker
series and tells of Dreamwalker Baxley Powell's challenge to solve the
murder
of a jogger. Baxley's connection to the spirit world may be the only
force able
to solve the puzzle of both this and the mysterious infusion of the
dead
woman's spirit into a deputy's body, rendering him unconscious.
Leads
are
few. But
when Baxley uncovers a different kind of psychic threat that could
affect her
unborn child, she is rendered helpless by the decision that she will
have to
cut off the one unique tool that could solve this crime, dreamwalking,
in order
to protect her baby.
This
shadowy
threat
knows about her and invades other bodies, demanding that Baxley ignore
her personal
safety to use her abilities to confront it against all odds, despite
the
obvious danger. Can Baxley resist its allure, given that it is intent
on
engaging her at the expense of other lives?
Part
of the
ongoing
attraction to this story is the undercurrent of psychic connections
Baxley harbors
not just with other entities, but with her partner and deputy Native
American
husband Sam Mayes: "His gaze darted to my mom and back. “Our son will
be
born here, as your mother wishes.” I shot him a quick
private message. It’s okay. We can make the decision later.
Don’t feel
trapped by Gentle Dove’s dream."
The
communiqués which
take place in this dream/telepathy state are clearly delineated in
italics and
supplement the outward progression of events with an inward inspection
that
reveals the hearts and minds of all involved.
This
lends a
compelling, involving element to the story that lends it an
emotion-based
strength in addition to developing a solid mystery that is equally
engaging.
The
themes
of a
soul-stealing adversary, conflicts and conundrums over an unborn child,
and a
homicide that links Baxley to an evil entity keeps readers on their
toes and
guessing throughout.
As
with the
others in
the series, Maggie Toussaint excels at creating a story powered by the
interpersonal interactions of all involved. This compliments the
paranormal
mystery by adding social, psychological, and cultural depth.
One
might
think that
the 7th book in a series would require prior familiarity with some or
most of
the others, but that's not the case. All
Done With It's ability to build on the prior books, yet
remain accessible to
newcomers, makes it a highly recommended cozy paranormal mystery pick
for both
audiences, easily available and compelling.
Return to Index
Amerikana
Daniel Hryhorczuk
Golden Bough, LLC
978-1-7352400-0-8
$16.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735240001?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Amerikana follows the life of 24-year-old
Ukrainian sculptor Tanya
Bereza, who won the Most Promising Young Artist award, Biennale Arte,
in Venice
for her kinetic peace sculpture honoring the Heavenly Hundred (the
heroes who
had given their lives during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity five years
before).
Now
she's
fallen awry
of the Mafia boss who once sponsored her, and elicits the help of
journalism
student Mark to escape to Miami and beyond. Mark is doing a blog on
Americana,
searching for the "real" America. And so he unwittingly drags this
Ukrainian refugee into a whirlwind tour of artifacts that attest to
what it
means to be in America, inadvertently involving her in a global mystery
involving Dr. Kane, a global Christian media merger, and intrigue that
changes
their lives and pursuits on many levels.
Has
Tanya's
quest
taken Mark away from his? As their journeys merge and lead each on a
mission to
find themselves as well as the heart of America in such unlikely
scenarios as
the Death Valley desert, readers receive a compelling story replete
with
social, psychological, and philosophical inspection: "Here
I am, Mark thought, in the most forsaken place on Earth,
holding hands with a confessed harlot who may be leading us to
Armageddon. Yet
he could sense no evil in her. Perhaps he was the one who was evil for
judging
her. The touch of her hand was more than sensual—it was needy. She was
a
stranger in a strange land—his land, and she had asked him to be her
guide."
As
the story
thickens
with Russian spies and oligarchs, Tanya's dangerous associations that
lead her
to stay one step ahead of certain death, and Mark's equally dangerous
stumble
into political conspiracy, readers will appreciate the multifaceted
romp
through political and social danger that often mirrors the dilemmas of
modern
times: "The Russians are fracking
us. They look for the fault lines in our society and inject propaganda
to
amplify them. They try and pit us against each other. When you started
browsing
the white supremacist websites, they probably latched on to you. They
post
divisive messages on both sides of an issue and then their bots amplify
them
until they go viral. I just didn’t think that they would infiltrate us
with
provocateurs on our own soil.”
Readers
who
appreciate international intrigue, explorations of American values, an
evolving
relationship between two disparate personalities who each harbor their
own
artistic skills and perspectives on Russian and American connections,
and a
romp across America will relish Amerikana.
Its fast-paced action, encounters, and twists create a rich scenario
with
believable personalities and a whirlwind of close encounters designed
to keep
readers on their toes.
The
story is
complex,
exciting, and hard to put down, highly recommended for readers of
international
intrigue in general and Russian and American social issues, politics,
and dark
connections, in particular. Can Russia influence America's future by
infiltrating the nation's religious system? The adventure is made all
the more
powerful by its realistic possibilities and relevance to modern-day
events.
Return to Index
The
Bone
Hunger
Carrie Rubin
Indigo Dot Press
Hardcover:
978-1-7328541-4-7 $25.99
Paperback:
978-1-7328541-5-4 $13.99
Ebook:
978-1-7328541-6-1
$ 4.99
www.carrierubin.com
The Bone Hunger will appeal to medical
suspense readers who enjoy
mysteries. It returns student Benjamin Oris to the spotlight, though
this isn't
billed as "book two in a series" and in fact stands nicely alone as
well as complimenting its predecessor, The
Bone Curse.
The
story
takes place
three and a half years after Ben's last shocking mystery. Ben seems to
have
everything going for him, now. He's a second-year orthopedic surgery
resident,
he has a son, and he is surrounded by loving friends and family...and
death.
When
the
severed
limbs of his former patients begin to appear in a park, Ben suspects
that
someone close to him may be involved in the killings. Once again drawn
into a
nightmare that both connects and alienates him from his chosen
profession, Ben
embarks on yet another quest for justice that relies on his astute
medical and
investigative insights for resolution. He also tackles his own and his
coworkers' psychological traumas in the process, which makes for heady,
involving reading as the mystery deepens.
Newcomers
need no
prior familiarity with Ben's world, psyche, or approaches to life in
order to
appreciate his conundrums and challenges in The
Bone Hunger. Carrie Rubin does a fine job of incorporating
just enough past
history to make everything logical without overloading her story with
details
that prior fans already well know.
Ben
is an
emotional
man who shows love and affection to his ailing mother, cares for his
child, and
supports those around him. This aspect of his character also dovetails
neatly
with his concern for his patients both while they are alive and after
death, in
this case.
The
struggles of his
daily life mingle with mystery to capture moments of family reflection
and
insight: "At first Ben wasn’t sure
about his son seeing his grandmother in a coma, but Sophia had
convinced him it
was a good way to gently initiate him into the sad realities of life.
Had
Maxwell shown fear, they would have stopped his visits, but he seemed
to enjoy
sitting next to his grandma, showing her his trains and books,
convinced she
was equally enthralled."
While
some
might
argue that such quiet family moments and personal life insights depart
from the
tension and thriller components of the plot, they are necessary and
excellent
additions that fill out Ben's world and help draw readers into the
emotional
reactions and psychological draw of the protagonist's life.
Whether
he's
jogging
and forming connections with thirty-six-year-old epidemiology whiz
Laurette or
making sure the mother of his child, Sophia Diaz, remains safe against
mounting
threats, Ben's world comes alive in many different ways. It's a life
which
still holds the potential for miracles even as it traverses death and
dismemberment.
The
medical
community
is well drawn, with all its underlying influences and pressures.
Rubin's
background as a physician allows her to accurately explore this medical
society, portraying its undercurrents with a deft familiarity with its
processes and politics. This adds a sense of reality and purpose to the
story's
backdrop.
Rubin's
ability to
blend the investigative and medical thriller components into a
wider-ranging
exploration of Ben's psyche and his career and family challenges
creates a
story that is gripping, involving, and hard to put down.
Return to Index
Boulder
Girl, Remember Me
When the Moon Hangs Low
Cynthia L. Clark
Outskirts Press
9781977219206
$24.95
www.outskirtspress.com
Boulder
Girl,
Remember Me When the Moon Hangs Low represents romantic
suspense at its
best and follows the evolving love life of divorcee Lana Ross, whose
life
experiences are peppered with a play list of diverse music. These song
references are wound into the plot and appears at the end of the story
in a
listing of songs by chapter, which can be played during the course of
the
story.
When
Lana inadvertently
hires an old fan from high school
to change the locks on the house after her divorce, trouble begins as
the
re-infatuated Leon Alvarez covets what he can't have and both spies on
her and
plots to win her back.
This
isn't Lana's only
obstacle to freedom and success
post-husband, however. She meets the handsome, compelling Vincent
"Roadking" Romano, falls in love, and hatches her own love affair
reflecting the sparks of passion between them as a frustrated Leon
looks on,
again on the sidelines of her life and love focus.
The
resulting spree of angst
leads to murder and danger
as the three play separate dangerous games that coalesce—Roadking with
his
focus on Lana's safety after an attack, Lana with her struggles with
life and
danger, and Leon with an evolving obsession that turns him into a
monster and a
major threat.
Boulder
Girl
cultivates an atmosphere of suspense within its romantic entanglements
that
leads readers into the minds, motivations, and influences of each of
the three
main characters. It follows each character's evolving definition of
love and
connection, creating an involving tale that changes directions several
times as
it progresses to an inevitable showdown.
This is
the kind of reading
that will keep you up at
night. It speculates on outcomes, decisions, consequences, and the
evolution of
strong feelings that don't always coalesce right away. It takes time
for the
story's subtler nuances to be explored and play out, and so, of
necessity,
Cynthia L. Clark's piece is more detailed and longer than one might
expect.
This is not a quick leisure story, but a contemplative exploration of
evolving
relationships that requires from its readers a patience to fully
explore all
the facets of various interpersonal interactions.
Readers
who like their
suspense slow-building and steady
and their romance equally pragmatic will relish the atmosphere and
tension
created in Boulder Girl, and will
remain riveted until the story's unexpected conclusion, which leaves
the door
open for another chapter.
Return to Index
The
Friday
Cage
Andrew Diamond
Stolen Time Press
Paperback:
978-1734139228
$12.99
e-book:
978-1734139211
$ 3.99
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Cage-Andrew-Diamond/dp/1734139226
The Friday Cage follows Claire
Chastain through a life
transformed by a stalker who engages her with a deadly purpose in mind.
Claire
used to be good at solving others' mysteries, and had rejected the city
that
once placed her in jeopardy. Now she's on her own in that same town,
and seems
powerless to stop the stealthy perp who has penetrated her barriers and
entered
her world.
Readers
follow her
moves as she changes from chalking up her perceptions to paranoia to
realizing
that something is going on that she can't quite identify.
Claire's
discovery
process proves to her that she must be on her guard, whether in daily
life or
in love: "The question Claire kept
coming back to was, How could I have walked right into that? Why did I
not see
it coming? Your
mistake, she told
herself, was wanting something in the first place. Desire is need, need
is
weakness, and the more weakness you show, the more you invite people to
walk on
you."
As
Claire is
forced
to analyze her life and her inclinations to flee even something she
desires,
readers are brought into a world that is filled with more than mystery
and
confrontation. Psychological growth and confrontations test Claire's
many
abilities to survive and lead her to question her inclination to run
away from
some hard truths.
Intrigue
and
romance
blend in a fast-paced thriller that races through Claire's motivations,
inclinations, successes and failures alike. Andrew Diamond's ability to
weave
the greater mystery into her personal failings, shame, and
self-examination
process contribute to a believable character whose struggles are moving
and action-packed.
Claire
is
guilty of
always giving the impression and idea that she's ok when really she is
not. She
thinks she knows herself, at the beginning of the story. Part of the
draw to
this thriller lies in her process of self-discovery as much as in the
cat-and-mouse game that draws her in.
Readers
who
enjoy
solid thrillers spiced with psychological depth and revelation will
find The Friday Cage a compelling
saga that
moves in satisfyingly unexpected directions, keeping the reader engaged
in the
evolution of a character who never gives up, on either her pursuit or
herself.
Return to Index
The
Harlequin &
The Drangùe
Liane Zane
Zephon Romance/Zephon Books
978-1735131801
$14.99
https://www.amazon.com/Harlequin-Drang%C3%B9e-Book-Elioud-Legacy/dp/1735131806
Book
One in
the
Elioud Legacy series, The Harlequin &
The Drangùe, is a satisfyingly complex romantic thriller that
revolves
around a CIA undercover agent who leads a double life as a superhero at
night.
Olivia
Markham didn't expect a confrontation with demons to enter her
world of
vigilante justice, but when an altercation with a sexual predator goes
awry,
she uncovers a dangerous world of supernatural warriors who have their
own
undercover mission and a newfound focus on Olivia's abilities and soul.
As
paranormal
confrontations enter the picture of bringing justice to the world,
Olivia finds
herself caught between two dangerous creatures—predator Asmodeus, who
follows a
cult that threatens more than a few women; and the drangùe who battles him, who also wants Olivia on
his side, but comes to find her allure dangerously compelling and
complicated.
Replete with confrontations, battles, and
matters of the heart and soul, The
Harlequin & The Drangùe blends urban fantasy and
legend with a powerful
attention to detail that juxtaposes Olivia's strengths with her
femininity,
using striking action-packed encounters and images: "Olivia
kept her voice confident, shoving aside the knowledge that
the evil bastard had killed a woman in response to her goading. Best to
keep
jabbing at him. “Too bad you didn’t see it, akhi.
Bruce Willis takes out all the terrorists by himself, a
few at a time.” Hiking her dress up, she eased herself onto the
counter."
Can
Olivia
temporarily adopt another persona with her new companion despite its
allure as
a permanent possibility? "Maybe
they’d have to adopt their new identities permanently. They could be
newlyweds
Cat and Aleso by day, harlequin and drangùe
by night. Unless otherwise occupied."
The
drangùe also
struggles with
this newfound challenge to his identity and mission: "He
could not change his duty or his destiny. It had indeed been a
lifetime since he had learned that adamantine lesson. He was his
father’s son.
He was a drangùe."
As
each
struggle with
their mission, their attraction for one another, and forces of evil
which would
change everything, the harlequin and the drangùe
survey the battlefield of Europe from very different
perspectives. This
international flavor lends a fine James Bond-style atmosphere to the
confrontations to keep the plot fast-paced and unpredictable.
Readers
of
urban
fantasy, paranormal adventure, and edgy romantic thrillers are in for a
treat
with The Harlequin & The Drangùe,
which excels in powerful characters and swift action. It's especially
refreshing to note a female protagonist who is every bit as effective,
well-developed, and powerful as her supernatural male counterpart and
romantic
interest.
The Harlequin & The Drangùe is
highly recommended for its
ability to create a unique, compelling story based on the interactions,
special
interests, and clashing perspectives of two already-powerful
individuals forced
to join forces and change.
Return to Index
Into
the
Unbounded
Night
Mitchell James Kaplan
Regal House
Publishing
Paperback:
9781646030026
$16.95
Ebook: 9781646030293
$ 9.49
https://regalhousepublishing.com
Into
the Unbounded
Night is a
historical
thriller set during the Roman first century and tells of young Aislin,
who
becomes a homeless orphan when a Roman general sacks her village in
Britannia.
Bent on revenge, she journeys to a capital city richer than she could
have
imagined, moves from being a penniless waif on the streets to being the
consort
of a Roman official, gives birth to a disabled child, and starts the
Great Fire
of Rome (or believes she does), which lands her in prison.
Most
stories
would
end here, but Mitchell James Kaplan doesn't let his young protagonist
die on
the vine. He creates a further adventure over how encounters with
others in prison
enlighten her, sending her on a trip to Jerusalem where she again
becomes
involved in a revolt against the oppressive Romans.
Into
the Unbounded
Night is an epic journey that operates on many
levels: as a historical
story of intrigue; a cultural exploration of Roman relationships and
their
impacts on different peoples in the regions they inhabited; and a
lovely
celebration of the building blocks of collective memory and the power
of
individual effort.
Aislin
is
not the
only character in the story who wields an uncommon power and
determination
against impossible odds. Jerusalem scribe Yohanan is also
adept at his
art, affecting hearts and minds: "Yohanan’s correspondents never refer
to their spouses, children, or private lives, yet he feels a strong
fraternity
with them. What matters is communication itself, the flow of concepts
across
the surface of the world and through generations. For Yohanan, the
written word
seems the most precious form of love if only because it is mysterious
and
fragile, yet contains the essence of human experience, and transmits
that
essence to others, much as a perfume transmits the essence of a flower."
Both
are
involved in
preserving their heritage and culture against all odds. As the
interests of
Romans and other populations coalesce, readers receive a combination of
powerfully lyrical description and insights that weave intrigue into
the bigger
picture of survival on many different levels.
Kaplan
takes
the time
to capture not only the politics and social issues of the era, but the
environment and atmosphere in which the people operate: "The
springtime month of Nisan sprinkles the Galilean hills with grass and
forget-me-nots. The kedem, a hot wind, gusts from the east.
Groups of
pilgrims dot the roads, trekking across the land of their ancestors
with sheep,
donkeys, and camels. Most are poor, many destitute, but all imbued with
the mad
hope that this Passover will bring liberation."
While
this
attention
to detail contravenes the usual haste and nonstop staccato action of
the
thriller genre, in this case, it lends a depth, accessibility, and
believability to the story that strengthens its historical backdrop to
attract
readers of historical fiction.
The
result
is an
outstanding piece that cements action and intrigue with a sense of
place,
purpose, and perspective. This approach creates a compelling, realistic
story
hard to put down, strengthened by strong characters who clearly
represent both
personal interests and broader concerns about their choices and place
in the world.
Return to Index
Ivy
is a Weed
Robert M. Roseth
Independently Published
978-0-578-62246-0
$13.99 Paper/$2.99 Kindle
https://robertroseth.com/
Ivy is a Weed tells of a dead university
vice president, a public
relations officer who can't quite accept the police's decision that the
death
is accidental, and his subsequent search for the truth, which relies on
his
previous talents as a reporter and his ability to ask the right
questions of
possibly the wrong people.
Mike
Woodsen
is
initially attracted to the problem because the body was found right
outside his
office, and because he still harbors an inclination to probe puzzling
circumstances. His job as the university liaison is to help the police
field
media relations on any university business. But his familiarity with
the school
and its leader causes him to step away from this role and back into an
investigative position that leads him straight into danger.
Ivy is a Weed excels in a first-person
narrative that is powerfully
presented as Mike probes too many motivations for getting rid of a
leader
nobody liked: "She coughed right
into the receiver. “Well, you’ve
got
me there. People at universities enjoy displaying their feathers like
proud
peacocks, but that’s usually where it ends.” “Why did people want him…
to
disappear?” “I can give you several reasons. He was a disaster as an
administrator. His staff mostly hated him. He was disruptive in
high-level
meetings, when he deigned to attend, which was infrequently. He was an
arrogant
sonofabitch. He made very expensive wrong decisions, repeatedly. And
worst of
all, in the eyes of some of the top leadership of the university, he
could do
no wrong, so he was immune from criticism, not to mention punishment.
All this
was, however, predictable from his interviews and references. Should I
go on?”
As
Mike
considers
statements for their face value and undercurrents, interacts with other
officials on everyday departmental issues, and becomes more entwined
with the
politics and special interests on campus, he discovers that the
murderer may
have special knowledge of his actions, placing him at risk.
The
blend of
campus
politics, procedures, and an individual's search for the truth creates
an
engrossing investigative piece that draws readers into a campus
fractured not
by a death so much as Mike's persistence in uncovering the truth.
As
University
President Marchand Yarmouth becomes ever more drawn into Mike's
pursuits,
danger and bureaucracy entwine to a point where Mike must also hide the
truth.
Aided by officer manager Stella, Mike embarks on a journey that is
thoroughly
engrossing.
Robert
M. Roseth's focus on
recreating campus atmosphere,
politics, and bureaucratic processes contributes to an engrossing blend
of
mystery that centers as much around the interactions of various campus
players
as it does on the 'whodunit' portion of the story. Then there's the
humor,
which runs through the interactions of characters with a healthy dose
of comic
relief throughout as it spoofs the higher education environment and its
comedic, often klutzy processes and peoples.
Roseth
excels in slowly
building intrigue and tension,
with Mike's various motivations and discoveries exposing different
facets of a
deadly truth.
Fans of
investigative pieces
that go beyond the usual
probe of murderers and problem solvers will find Ivy is a Weed
holds
excellent, broader commentary on social institutions and political
purposes and
interactions. It cultivates characters who each find their worlds
challenged
not just by the death, but by the process of uncovering hidden secrets.
Ivy is a Weed is an outstanding romp
through the ironies and
inconsistencies of campus politics. This places it in a category above
and
beyond the traditional approach to a murder mystery in a highly
recommended
read for those who want a fun sense of discovery wound into the very
serious
topic of a campus official's demise.
Return to Index
The
Matinée Murders
Jeannette de Beauvoir
Homeport Press
Paper: 978-1-7340533-3-3
$12.99
Ebook: 978-1-7340533-4-0
$ 4.99
www.HomePortPress.com
The
Matinée Murders
is a Provincetown mystery that revolves around an inn owner and wedding
planner
who, this year, is hosting the marriage of a movie star to a
screenwriter.
Sydney Riley's inn has never been busier as the town becomes flooded
with
celebrities and their entourages and events. But there's murder in the
making,
as well, and Sydney is soon drawn into not just one death, but the
method by
which it's infected Provincetown and her world.
Jeannette
de Beauvoir does
an outstanding job of probing
not just motivations, but the lives, undercurrents, and
interconnections
between disparate groups of professionals, strangers, and townspeople.
As the
murder mystery
evolves, readers will especially
appreciate de Beauvoir's ability to capture dialogue, personalities,
and
perspectives that spice the murder event with interpersonal
relationships and
challenges: "Listen,” I said, as
persuasively as I could. “No one’s going to talk to the Staties, or
anyone from
the DA, not these people, and you know it. They come from a place where
they
eat attorneys for breakfast. But I’m already here, I’m on the inside,
they’ll
talk to me.” “You listen to me, Riley.” Her cheeks were slightly
flushed; I’d
gotten under her skin. “This isn’t a game. You’re not Miss Marple and
you’re
not Jessica Fletcher. This is a woman’s life, a real woman who had a
family,
who had friends, who had a career. You can show some respect for it by
backing
off.” She paused. “I mean it, Sydney.” “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I flapped my
hand at
her, knowing it would drive her ballistic. “Scout’s honor, officer.”
Her
sassy, forthright social
observations of film
society, individuals who move in circles far different than she, and
the effects
of social and political confrontations that change not just a few, but
spread
ripples of discord through the community as a whole, makes for a far
more
complex, engrossing probe than most whodunits provide.
In this
cozy mystery, Sydney
is more than an amateur
sleuth. She's a businesswoman and community member whose choices in
handling
this murder and its impact will hold lasting ramifications for herself,
her
family, and her job. The story is thoroughly steeped in P'town culture
and a
sense of place—and this is another of its many strengths.
Set
against the backdrop of
the Provincetown
International Film Festival and injected with engaging characters who
face a
success story gone awry and impossible situations that evolve from
this, The Matinée Murders
incorporates the
satisfyingly unexpected twists and turns of a superior murder mystery
while
maintaining a sense of place and personality. These features keep The Matinée Murders emotionally
involving and fast-paced to the end.
Cozy
murder mystery fans
will find The Matinée Murders a
delightful treat that's hard to put down.
Return to Index
The Rhythm of Evil
Dennis Koller
Pen Books
978-0-9980808-1-9
$15.99
Website: http://www.denniskoller.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Dennis-Koller/e/B00JEUR0D2
The Rhythm of Evil
is a crime thriller set in San Francisco, steeped in its politics and
culture
and astute in its analysis of good, evil, and police actions.
Poppy Garcia, who introduces the
story, was murdered in San Francisco. Thirteen years later,
SFPD Homicide
Inspector Reggie Decker re-opens her closed case's puzzle amid charges
of
conspiracy, expecting to satisfy critics of San Francisco police
procedurals,
only to find new evidence that changes everything.
As the story moves from an account of police
discrimination and gender and racial clashes to one of re-opening a can
of
worms, readers become immersed in an issue of the past that becomes
tinged with
the politics and social issues of the present-day world.
While the prologue that set the scene from
Poppy's final experiences is provided in the third person, the first
chapter
onward reverts to the first person. This creates an observational style
that
will engross crime story readers in the observations, attitudes,
perspectives
and efforts of Reggie.
More so than most police procedurals, Dennis
Koller takes the time to capture the narrator's underlying opinions
about life
and his role in it: "Becky had been
trying for some time to make me more conscious of my word choices. I
rebelled
at first, using the go-to excuse that I’m a cop and live in a
relatively
male-dominant environment. To me, using the F-word, S-word, A-word,
C-word or
hell, pick-a-letter word was nothing more than normal, everyday male
conversation, and, truth be told, increasingly female conversation as
well. At
least in my world."
This provides insights into underlying
motivations and approaches that go far in explaining how Reggie changes
his
mind and his investigation, as a result. Admitting that he's anything
but
perfect, Reggie is willing to change...and this serves him well as the
plot
unfolds and he finds himself involved in more than justifying his
department's
past and present actions.
This depth of social issues, combined with a
newfound investigative approach, sets The
Rhythm of Evil apart from the typical 'whodunnit' procedural
story,
injecting more than a light touch of social inspection, contributing
depth and
complexity to the story line.
At every point, Reggie is forced to
re-examine his own prejudices, assumptions, and investigative
processes. This
creates a multifaceted story that progresses nicely on both an action
and
intrigue and psychological growth levels.
Readers become immersed in this process, its
results, and the cat-and-mouse dance between politics and criminal
justice. The Rhythm of Evil is an
exceptionally
intriguing premise and evolutionary process that keeps readers on their
toes up
to its unexpected conclusion.
The result of a closely-held secret
surrounding Poppy's death could change everything in this a highly
recommended
story of intrigue and deception that will leave readers thinking long
past its
final revelation.
Return to Index
Rico
Stays
Ed Duncan
Terminal
Velocity, a Next Chapter Imprint
979-8643634027
$8.99
Paper/$2.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Rico-Stays-Pigeon-Blood-Red-Duncan/dp/B0884D211G
Rico
Stays is the third book
in an African American mystery
series featuring a
white anti-hero in a prominent role, but requires no prior
familiarity
with the other books in the Pigeon-Blood Red collection in order to
prove
engrossing to newcomers to Richard “Rico” Sanders, who is charged with
protecting his girlfriend against mob forces.
In this
segment of his
ongoing story, Rico is injured and
hospitalized when he steps in to confront a bully, but now needs to
recover out
of hospital, in a safe place. His good deed of the past, in rescuing
lawyer
Paul Elliott, has resulted in the offer of an isolated cabin where Rico
can
recover.
Or, can
he? Paul's savvy
girlfriend knows that his
enemies will find out where Rico is holing up—and that when they do,
all hell
will break lose.
Rico is
a killer with a
conscience: "He was a killer, but not your
run-of-the mill killer. He was
exceptional at what he did, but he was not only that. He was also a
killer with
a conscience. He didn’t kill kids, he killed women only as a last
resort, and
he only killed people who “had it coming.” Or at least that was what he
told
himself, because sometimes it was a close call. But at least he tried.
And that
made him unique, as nobody else in his business gave a hit a second
thought."
His
ability to engage the
bullies and dangerous forces of
the world comes with a price tag that has both served him well and
challenged
him in his role as an independent contractor who is an 'eliminator' in
an
uncertain form of justice.
His
determination to
confront not just one bully but the
mob that stands behind him changes Rico's life, sending him on a series
of
confrontations that tests some of the basic tenets of his belief system
and his
job: "As far as I’m concerned, this
is over,” Rico said. “You had your chance back there and you didn’t
take it. I
won’t give you another one. I don’t kill kids. But if it’s me or you,
it damn
sure won’t be me. Understand?” The kid nodded, eyes wide. “I wanna hear
you say
it,” Rico said. “Are we done?” “Yeah, we’re done.” Rico hoped so."
From
testing the underlying
ethics of a professional
killer to placing him in the role of being a hero against forces of
evil in the
world, Ed Duncan crafts a mystery thriller that is especially strong
because
its protagonist is forced to continually reexamine his motivations,
life, and
skills in the face of new obstacles and life-threatening confrontations.
It's
surprising to note that
a main character who is a
seasoned killer can hold such attractions and insights not only about
those he
confronts, but into his own inherent values systems. Most books about
killing
machines portray only their skill sets and experiences, not their moral
and
ethical challenges.
As the
story unfolds with
high drama and good
psychological and social inspection, readers are treated to a
high-octane
series of encounters designed to keep them both thinking and wondering
about
the outcome. This combination results in a powerful story that holds
the
benefit of being both a series addition and a solid stand-alone
organized crime
thriller. Its underlying social and psychological inspection and
strengths
creates scenarios that newcomers to Rico's world will relish as much as
prior
fans of this of this unusual anti-hero.
Return to Index
The
Secret Forgotten
E.J. Andrews
Independently Published
ASIN: B088ZL6Z97
$4.95
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Forgotten-Love-Mystery-Scandal-ebook/dp/B088ZL6Z97
While The
Secret
Forgotten is billed as a work of American historical fiction,
it has its
foundations in reality as it presents a romance, explores newly joined
forces
that tackle the lasting mystery of a grandfather's murder, and combines
the
best elements of a good suspense and love story.
The
story opens in 1847,
where a cruel overseer on a
slave plantation has his way with a young girl. It then moves to 2007,
where
novice attorney Darwin faces his first case with the arrival of Uncle
Griffin
and his niece Camille, who presents him with a historical secret that
seems
impossible.
Chapter
3 again moves in
time to 1904, where
fourteen-year-old teen George faces a new home and challenges; then
returns to
2002, where Camille Griffin faces the death of her uncle and the need
for
Darwin's services, convinced that the police are not investigating the
right
things.
The
timeline may feel murky
and ever-changing at times,
but the basic premise of the story has, by then, hooked readers into
the
foundations of a murder mystery which also injects a possibility of
love into
Darwin's probe of the past.
E.J.
Andrews creates an
ever-changing interplay between
past and present, building characters from different times as the story
evolves. Readers who like linear stories may feel initially stymied by
a tale
that keeps alternating between past and present worlds, but this device
is
essential for building the mystery. After some initial adjustment, the
moves
between past and present begin to feel as familiar as the unraveling of
a
complex story that flows in unexpected directions.
As the
romance evolves
between a new, dutiful attorney
and a lovely young woman, so does the mystery that they are both tasked
with
solving. Andrews traverses the boundaries of history and justice with a
keen
eye for observation, problem-solving, and courage as he uncovers
unexpected
danger to himself and his newfound love.
As the
mystery revolving
around baseball, Babe Ruth, and
a closely-held secret grows, readers are treated to a blend of ballgame
history, biography, and an uncle's strange connection to Babe Ruth as
Camille
pursues a truth that could either change everything or take her life.
It's
unusual to see legal
process wound into historical
mystery with an underlying, developing romance adding to the
complexity, but
Andrews does a fine job of keeping all these balls in the air, and
readers stay
on their toes as the story evolves.
Mystery
readers looking for
a strong inspection of social
and sports history wound into a legal thriller format and
an evolving romance will find The Secret
Forgotten an outstanding work. It keeps its story
compelling and involving through the experiences and growth of Darwin,
Camille,
Eddy, and a host of characters who are all challenged by the past and
their
approach to their futures.
Highly
recommended for
readers of legal thriller,
historical fiction, light romance, and mystery, who will enjoy the
intrigue and
legal processes of a developing relationship affected by choices past
and
present.
Return to Index
The Secret Sign of
the Lizard People
Kevin E. Buckley
Friesen Press
978-1-5255-5962-4
Paper: $15.99;
Hardcover: $28.99; eBook: $4.99
http://www.kevinebuckley.com
The Secret Sign of the Lizard People blends satire,
intrigue, and an
investigative story with elements of sci-fi, making for a
genre-crossing read
that will especially delight those who enjoy mystery, comedy, and
literary
approaches to detective procedurals.
When two homicide
detectives investigate a model's murder, they didn't expect to uncover
evidence
of a justice-busting conspiracy that changes everything. But the plot
they
reveal is just one aspect to a story that focuses on the developing
mystery and
many questions that don't hold clear answers or resolution.
Readers of police procedurals who anticipate cut-and-dried reactions
and
revelations that all neatly tie together in the end could find some of
the
subliminal uncertainty frustrating, here. But those who delight in the
unexpected and in a story line that often holds no clear path to
resolution
will find The Secret Sign of the Lizard People a
satisfyingly original
production indeed.
The quirky
characterization of homicide detectives Leafy
and Beefy is well drawn and appealing, their investigative
process with its pros and cons is solidly depicted, and the injection
of
unexpected elements of satirical observation and tongue-in-cheek humor
is
effective. This witty process even translates to some
passive-aggressive
behavior between partners who come from very different roots, exploring
comic
relief and ironic observations and gestures that enhance the reader
experience
with a sense of humor: "Beefy was originally from Chicago and
even
after all this time had never quite managed to wrap his mind around the
fact
that he now lived in an active earthquake zone that was long overdue
for a
major catastrophe. He had still been living in Illinois when the last
substantial seismic event had occurred over two decades ago, but a
recent
earthquake had registered 7.1 on the Richter scale and it had aroused
his
latent fears all over again. It had also aroused the latent fears of a
whole
new generation of Californians. Leafy, on the other hand, was
originally from
Oakland, and, like most native Californians in his age group, never
gave much
of a second thought to the occasional rumblings from the ground below.
He did,
however, experience a perverse joy in fuelling the fires of his
Midwestern
partner’s well-founded fears."
The interplays between Leafy, who acts as
the voice of reason as matters evolve, and the emotional bomb Beefy,
who is in
danger of having a stroke as tension mounts, provide comic relief to a
serious
investigative journey.
The dialogue between the two
also reflects
quirky commentary. Again—this approach might not be appreciated by
readers who
look for straightforward conversations, but will be greatly relished by
those
who enjoy comedy and plays on words and concepts even amidst a serious
situation: "Well . . . I guess we’d better take some pictures
of it
before it rises like a penis from the ashes.” “Phoenix.” “Say what?”
“Rises
like a phoenix from the ashes,” clarified Beefy. “You said penis.”
“Phoenix?
How can the largest city in Arizona rise? That doesn’t even make a lick
of
sense, Beefy.” “Then you explain to me how a penis makes sense.” “Well,
heck,
everybody knows that penises rise. That’s what they do. They rise to
the
occasion. They rise of their own accord. Some penises are late risers,
some
penises are early risers, but just about all of them eventually rise to
the
challenge. If they didn’t rise there’d be no human race. The same thing
applies
to animals. So there you have it, Leafy’s magic philosophical formula:
no
rising penises equals no people and no animals. I admit, it doesn’t
paint much
of a pretty picture, but I believe it adequately and eloquently
explains my
point.”
With its blend of police procedural and social and political
reflection; UFO
ironies and encounters; clashes between visions and reality; and alien
conferences that threaten change the world, readers of The
Secret Sign of
the Lizard People should ideally be well versed in comedy
devices, open to
accepting a blend of detective story and alien invasion piece, and
prepared to
appreciate the ironic twists that tint everything from worldviews to
the
presence of death.
Readers looking for
a literary story of intrigue and invasion will find this blend the
perfect
choice for an engrossing story that holds no predictable resolution,
but harbours
the ability to attract and maintain reader interest up to its
unexpected
conclusion.
Return to Index
Sinai
Unhinged
Joanna Evans
Pandamoon Publishing
ASIN: B087T4V364
$5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Sinai-Unhinged-Joanna-Evans-ebook/dp/B087T4V364
Sinai
Unhinged tells of therapist
Alexandra Kraig, who
works on a psychiatric ward at Sinai General, and the conundrum she
faces when
both patients and a close friend begin exhibiting signs of hysteria and
paranoia. With her own life endangered by evolving confrontations, Alex
is
motivated to probe a secret particle physics experiment hidden within
the
Complex walls, forced to become involved in her father's research and
secrets.
Sinai Unhinged combines elements of intrigue, a
psychiatric mystery, and
a scientific, ethical conundrum as Alex faces many challenges from her
work.
These range from patients who become violent and threaten her,
prompting
extreme responses for her safety and survival, to overcoming her own
aversion
to her father's science for the sake of her job and the world: "Alex
didn’t particularly want to go to the Complex. Her father had
cultivated in her
a respect for machines, a respect that bled into fear, and her stomach
hardened
whenever she caught the metallic whiff of science at work."
From the warped perceptions and drive of one
who wants to take the Destabilizer machine
and control one of the greatest discoveries of science to
Alex's own confrontation with ghosts of the past and their impact on
her
future, Sinai Unhinged moves from unstable mental
patients and peers
into a dangerous game where Alex must serve as bait in order to lure a
deadly
adversary out of hiding.
Alex might have made a great physicist, but
her heart lies in doing therapy with her patients. It's an ambition
which is
threatened and changed by the presence of a force which holds great
power to
influence everything in the world.
Joanna
Evans
creates
a gripping science thriller that moves into metaphysical, ethical, and
intellectual realms as Alex faces her own heritage and limitations. Her
strong
portrait of a dedicated woman whose rejection of her father's course
and
instructions results in a decided shortfall in her ability to address
this danger
creates a compelling character filled with both flaws and strengths.
This
strong
characterization fuels a story line that is thoroughly engrossing,
unpredictable, and centered around a personal and scientific quest that
could
make the difference between survival and destruction.
Readers
who
enjoy
intrigue laced with science will find Sinai Unhinged the perfect ticket for a combination of
moral and ethical inspection and intrigue. It's a page-turner that
grips from
the start, moves from action to inspection and back again, and proves
hard to
put down as extraordinary circumstances take their toll on everyone
involved.
Return to Index
Trojan
Horse
S. Lee Manning
Encircle Publications
978-1645991021
$17.99
https://encirclepub.com/product/trojanhorse/
Thriller
readers
looking for powerful plots replete with strong characterization and
international intrigue are in for a treat with Trojan
Horse, a fast-paced action story of American operative Kolya
Petrov, who is charged with tracking an evil descendent of Vlad the
Impaler.
Mihai
Cuza
orchestrates the worldwide meltdown of nuclear plants, but he is clever
and
cannot be touched. Everyone who gets near him dies in agony, and Cuza
shrewdly
tracks his adversaries as he hones a devious plot to benefit from
disaster: "Ion Georgescu neither knew nor
needed
to know about the fifteen nuclear power plants that would experience
meltdowns
or near meltdowns. It was a perfect plan. Georgescu, at Cuza’s
direction,
opposed expanding nuclear power plants in Romania—the opposition
supported it
as a way to combat global warming and to earn revenue. Once the
accidents
occurred, the Romanian public would turn on anyone supporting nuclear
power.
Ion could properly express his indignation at the folly of the present
government. And Cuza, who had invested heavily in companies that
cleaned up
radiation from spills or accidents and in green technologies, would not
only watch
his candidate sweep into office but would substantially increase his
net
worth."
Cuza
is
charged with
killing. His opponents, Kolya's superiors, hatch a plan to plant a
Trojan horse
on Cuza’s computer. This requires a sacrificial lamb...and Kolya's boss
deems
him the perfect choice because he has no family connections, and nobody
will
look for him. A subtle bias may be involved in this selection, as well.
Kolya
finds
himself
caught between two opposing forces who both want him dead for different
reasons,
testing his loyalties and abilities to the extreme.
S.
Lee
Manning excels
in not just planting a Trojan horse on one side, but creating one which
rolls
back out to bite the agency intent on stopping the opposition, which is
becoming like them in the process, creating an impossible dilemma for
agent
Kolya.
The
injection of
romance into this complicated dance strengthens the story line and adds
some
human connection into Kolya's life, along with further complications to
his
decision to save himself or continue his mission to stop a plot that
could kill
thousands of innocents.
The
tension
in the
thriller component is exquisite. The cat-and-mouse games between Kolya,
Cuza,
Alex, and a host of characters is well done, and the interplay between
opposing
forces who find surprising similarities in their methodology and
purposes
crafts a fine series of puzzles and confrontations between all involved.
S.
Lee
Manning does
an excellent job of not only navigating a complicated world of
international
intrigue, but exploring the underlying connections, motivations, and
forces
that struggle with one another across the game board of the world.
Trojan Horse's ability to craft a
delicate blend of thriller and
romance following Kolya's evolving closeness with another against all
odds
makes it a highly recommended espionage piece. It will attract
audiences who
appreciate nonstop action, mercurial loyalties, and the solutions of
killers
who find that murder may not solve everything confronting them in their
different worlds.
Return to Index
The
Ultra Betrayal
Glenn Dyer
TMR Press LLC
eBook: 978-0-9991173-5-4
$ 4.99
Paperback: 978-0-9991173-4-7
$15.99
Hardcover: 978-0-9991173-6-1
$27.00
www.glenndyer.net
The
Ultra Betrayal
is a World War II espionage spy thriller set in 1942 that centers on
OSS Agent
Conor Thorn, whose Allied support assignment changes when an important
Swedish
cryptographer goes missing in England.
Thorn
must find him. But
when a fellow savvy ally also
goes missing during the search, he faces the knowledge that a deadly,
clever
Nazi enemy is at work whose skills might rival his own abilities.
What
evolves is a
cat-and-mouse game that rests not only
upon solving a Nazi conspiracy, but preventing even more destruction
than the war
is currently bringing to the world.
Readers
who enjoy
combinations of history, espionage, spy
interactions, and surprises throughout as characters mingle and special
purposes are revealed will relish the fast-paced, character-driven
action in The Ultra Betrayal. It's
a story that
traverses long-time friendships, challenging political and social
interactions,
and a host of characters who all face ethical questions and ongoing
challenges
as their worlds change.
The
emotional interplays
between these individuals power
the political confrontations at work behind the scenes: "Moments
after order had been restored, Minister Kleist asked
Stuben if the scene with Thorn was really necessary. She made it clear
that if
not for her self-control, it would have been much worse. Couldn’t
Kleist see
that Thorn initiated it with his provocative behavior? She wouldn’t let
anyone,
including Kleist, make a fool of her. Reichsführer Himmler had taught
her
that."
From
Nazi ciphers and
decoding challenges to narrow
windows of opportunity to act that could change the outcome of the war,
The Ultra Betrayal crafts a riveting
blend of nonstop action and confrontation, evolving realities and
character
confrontations, and Thorn's struggle to achieve his mission, benefiting
from a powerful
blend of adventure and description. These elements keep readers
thoroughly
engrossed in his fight for life and mission success: "He
went under again and surfaced fifteen seconds later alongside
the gun boat. He could barely hear the boat’s deck guns for the ringing
in his
ears. Emily tossed a rope down to him. He grabbed it and started to
climb, but
his arms were weakened by the underwater swim, and halfway up the side,
Emily
had to reach down and pull him up with both hands. They rushed to find
cover
from the increasingly sporadic gunfire."
The
Ultra Betrayal
will delight audiences who look for solid historical background in
their
espionage thrillers. They will find Thorn a worthy character who
maintains
vision, integrity, and grit in the face of impossible mysteries and
conditions
adverse to survival and success.
The
Ultra Betrayal
is highly recommended for thriller audiences who like real history
thoroughly
embedded in the action. This explosive thriller, steeped in military
history
that's thoroughly recapped at the story's conclusion, proves hard to
put down.
Return to Index
Amandla
Alix Jans
Fynbos Pres
Paperback:
978-1-7349368-1-0 $19.95
Ebook:
978-1-7349368-0-3
$ 9.99
Audiobook:
978-1-7349368-2-7 $24.95
See author's website
at alixjans.com for
samples of text and audio
https://www.amazon.com/Amandla-Alix-Jans/dp/1734936819
Amandla is a novel about the struggle for
power in South Africa. It
begins with a single (true) fact—that Nelson Mandela buried a gun at a
secret
hideout prior to his betrayal by the CIA and capture by the South
African
Police. That gun has never been located.
Three
generations of
conflict and confrontation between Mandela's family and De Beer's
immigrant
Afrikaner family explore the politics, social strife, and power plays
within
that country in a sweeping epic that opens with the gun's discovery
before
Mandela's death. This sets the stage for the story by outlining the
intrinsic
struggles between Afrikaners and people of color in South Africa: "We had no choice,” hissed the man
[addressing Mandela]. “We faced extinction. But your people had a
choice. You
were supposed to be the golden key to unlock a future of reconciliation
and
justice. You promised a rainbow nation would emerge from the storm of
apartheid, that together we would rebuild our country and hand the
baton to the
next generation. “Well, the next generation has taken the baton,
Madiba, but
it’s running the race in reverse—back across the rainbow bridge—back
into the
anguish and oppression of our past.”
By
weaving
history
with social issues and modern struggles in that nation and placing all
into a
story that rounds out personalities, motivations, and ideals, Alix Jans
does an
outstanding job of capturing the nuances of South Africa's special
atmosphere
and conflicts for readers who may hold little prior familiarity with
the roots
of the nation's struggles and mixed heritage.
As
the story
progresses, both families face genocide, threats, and misunderstandings
with
their opponents which are both frighteningly similar and disparate at
the same
time. This ability to delineate the irony of shared experiences
perceived as
being widely divergent creates a moving interplay of forces and
personalities
made all the more compelling for their realistic roots in South
Africa's
culture and history.
Even
more
revealing
are the nuances of relationships between people
of all colors in the struggle
against apartheid, all resisting the same oppressive
regime, but
harboring different perceptions of their roles and experiences
in this
society. Jans does a remarkable job of presenting these dichotomies in
thinking: "How do you propose
to do that?” asked Kathrada [of Mandela who proposed “Africanizing” the struggle against
apartheid]. “We Indians have been among your closest friends and allies
from
the start. Don’t tell me you want to turn your back on us now, shed
multiracialism like a snake’s skin after it’s served its purpose and no
longer
convenient.” The group sat in stunned silence. These were controversial
issues
that went to the heart of the struggle. “It would be hard to reinvent
ourselves
now,” interjected Sisulu. “The Indians and Coloureds face many of the
same
issues as we do. And we have a formal alliance with them through the
Congress.”
“Ja,” replied Kathrada. “And you can’t just ignore the role Indians
played in
the conception of the Freedom Charter.” “Or that whites like
Joe Slovo are
part of the high command of Umkhonto,” added Sisulu. “It’s the spear of
the whole nation,
not
just of one group. Our struggle has never been based on the color of
anyone’s
skin.”
Anyone
who
wants to
better understand the many undercurrents affecting justice, freedom,
and
survival in past and present South Africa needs to read Amandla.
It serves as the perfect introduction and summation of the
country’s controversial history, personalizing the story with
characters who
move through generations of conflict in a desperate attempt to win back
their
worlds and freedom.
Amandla is very highly recommended for
not only its historical
roots, but for its ability to inject thriller, romance, and family
history
components into the bigger picture of South African issues and cultural
perspectives.
Return to Index
Bluff
City: A
Novel
William Graham
Independently Published
979-8608360169
$14.99 Paper/$6.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Bluff-City-Novel-William-Graham/dp/B084DD8T49
Bluff City
is set in the Midwest and offers a sweeping epic story spanning some
six
generations of a family as it experiences the vast changes of a
fictional city
that grows along with them. Readers seeking a historical backdrop that
personalizes the trans-generational evolution of a family through a
town's
growth and changes will find this is the perfect item of choice.
The story opens with a short prologue about
the Mesquakie (or Fox) tribe of Native Americans, who experience
changes and
challenges with the arrival of the white man. It quickly moves to the
1950s,
where World War II veteran Joe has moved from farming to driving a milk
truck.
The story then moves though infidelity and
shootings, Joe's lack of education and involvement in politics, men who
stand
in the paths of others and those who live with secrets of infidelity
and
betrayal, and the forces that motivate individuals to step beyond their
lives
to assume a greater community role. Bluff
City is more about the evolution of a town, but the
individuals who live
within it and interact with each other in changing ways.
It should be warned at 326 pages, this is
not your usual diminutive Kindle creation, hastily wrought and
artificially
separated into Book 1 of a series. It's a stand-alone, satisfyingly
rich
production that links a city's history with the lives of the people
within it
who aren't born to political or social positions, but work their ways
into it.
The juxtaposition of family, social, and
political evolution is particularly well done, as is the backdrop of
Midwestern
lives and changes affecting everyone.
Readers looking for a sweeping, involving
story that doesn't limit its scope or word count, but makes the most of
every
life examined within its pages, will find Bluff
City a fine read that requires only time and interest in
worlds that move
from the 1950s to the present time in order to prove satisfying.
It's highly recommended for its complete
vision of how people and societies evolve in general, and a Midwest
down's
pulse of development in particular, as the initially-narrow community
grows to
accept all peoples and religions in an unexpected way.
Return to Index
A
Child Left
Behind
Phil Hutcheon
Mudville Nine
Books/Tokay Press
978-0-9908466-1-1
$18.00 Paper/$9.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Child-Left-Behind-Phil-Hutcheon/dp/099084661X
A Child Left Behind follows five college
students who become
involved in the life of an abandoned baby, and tackles humanitarian
issues in
the course of exploring how this child changes everything for those who
become
part of a different world.
Phil
Hutcheon
cultivates a blend of social inspection and wry humor that permeates
this
story. His portrait of the "tiny new caramel-colored baby" that
changes not one but multiple lives is strengthened by the exploration
of events
from various character perspectives. These include Alicia, a restaurant
worker
under cook Clara Birdsong. Clara was born on a reservation, is of mixed
heritage, and, to Alicia, "is America" with her mixed heritage and
difficult road to small success, and others who become involved in the
abandoned baby's future.
Discussions
of white
privilege, injustice, and the perspectives of different sides of the
story come
to life in disparate characters such as Jack, who see matters from
entirely
different viewpoints: "Affirmative
Action, they call it, to make up for white
privilege and the injustices
of
the past. White privilege my ass. The only such bullshit
I ever had is I
was privileged to see the whites of the eyes of the gooks who came
hauling ass
out of the bushes to try to gut me with their bayonets when they ran
out of
bullets. If you ain’t seen that for yourself, up close and personal
like I did
for three tours, don’t try to tell me about all the advantages I took
for
granted. Save your liberal bullshit for someone who might be stupid
enough to
believe it."
As
little
Brianna
becomes part of the world of struggling college students that barely
make their
way in the world, Hutcheon cultivates a wild romp through disparities
in
lifestyles, perceptions, and cultures. This approach will delight
readers
looking for romance, comedy, and cross-cultural encounters all wound
into one
ribald story.
Why
step in
and help
one small life evolve? Because, in this story, little choices translate
to big
differences not just for the gift recipient, but for the community at
large: "If we don’t look out for our
neighbors, for our own community, for the babies and the children who
will grow
up here, who else is going to do it for us? Those kids are the ones who
will
decide what life will be like for the rest of us when we are older. If
we don’t
take care of them now, why should we expect them to take care of us
later? We
should tackle the problems that are right in front of us before we try
to solve
the world’s. If we can help Brianna, that’s a step in the right
direction.”
These
interwoven
elements of interpersonal growth and communication, cross-cultural
encounters,
and lives changed by need provide the heartening meat in a story which
holds
just enough different elements (humor, romance, social inspection) to
prove
compelling to a wide audience.
Readers
who
like
their social adventures steeped in a different sense of political and
personal
perspectives that fall together in an unlikely manner over the future
of one
small life will find A Child Left Behind
poignant, fun, revealing, and hard to put down.
Return to Index
Confronting
Religious Fanaticism Book 3: Ira Neebest and
The First Coming
Steve Shear
Independently
Published
979-8650212935
$12.00 Paper/$3.00 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Religious-Fanaticism-Neebest-Coming/dp/B089HZLXM9
The
third
book in
Steve Shear's 'Confronting Religious Fanaticism' series is best
absorbed by
prior readers of this trilogy of novels. Each book uses a different
perspective
to examine the life and times of Ira Neebest, who survived being
kidnapped by
ISIS for writing a Nobel Prize-winning novel, The First Coming,
about
the evils of religious orthodoxy, e.g., a book within a book.
This
third
book, Ira Neebest and The First
Coming,
introduces further details of lives entwined with Ira's, from his
mother
Rebecca (introduced in An Eye for
An
Eye), who continues to struggle with her Hasidic
roots and modern
religion's incarnation in an increasingly dangerous world, to Ira's
beloved
wife Natalie Perrogi (Black Hearts
& Hungry Bears), whose psyche is also
changed by religious
fanatics, rape, and kidnapping.
As
with the
other
books in the series, Ira's journey in this third book (and Finale to
the
trilogy) continues, this time exploring his reasons for writing The
First
Coming which challenges not only his world, but the lives and
hearts of
everyone around him as it confronts closely-held religious ideals and
spawns a
whirlwind of violence and controversy.
As
a result
of a
Fatwa against Ira, he becomes lost in the jungle while Natalie is in a
coma in
Arizona. That represents the culmination of his greatest critical
inspection of
the most sacred of beliefs in the world and the outpouring of revenge
that
changes all of their lives forever.
Prior
readers of the
series will find this a satisfying culmination that draws together many
strings
of inspection and circumstance. The journey to a jungle hell replete
with
ancient gods such as Hermes and Aphrodite, Ira's production of the
Great
Manifesto that changes the/his world, and his ongoing probe of the
backlash and
foundations of religious fanaticism makes for a gripping story. Like its predecessors,
Book Three is
satisfyingly complex, yet lively in its ever-changing scenarios and
challenges.
Steve
Shear's ability
to draw together disparate pieces of Ira's life and those around him,
and
important revelations about his book's impact, makes for engrossing
discoveries
and changes as Ira navigates both the pinnacles of literary success
resulting
from his own book and personal challenges that come not just from Fatwa
proclamations, but the Catholic Church itself.
Descriptions
of these
reactions and their wide reach are intriguing: "The
Pulitzer Prize was more than the powers within the Catholic
Church could take. In the case of The Da Vinci Code, both the book and
the
movie, the Church strongly urged its parishioners to boycott both and
it
conducted its own marketing campaigns to that end. However, those most
vocal
were relatively low in the ecclesiastic ranks. Indeed, the only high
level officials
leading the charge were Cardinal Bertone, Archbishop of Genoa and
Archbishop
Amato of the Vatican. Most of the noise came from lower level
officials. In the
case of The First Coming, the Pope himself stepped up to the plate. In
both a
live broadcast and in the official Vatican newspaper, he referred to
the book
as a blasphemous abomination and its author, a Jew he noted, in league
with
Satan himself. Then, after again issuing his previous reassertion that
the
Catholic Church offered the only true path to salvation, he spoke to
his flock,
to those of the Catholic faith who were on that path. He issued a
warning that
the path to salvation might also be closed to them should they take in
those
blasphemous words."
Ira Neebest and The First Coming is
certain to hold a perspective
that will offend any deeply religious believer. It also presents an
atheist's
unusual involvement in the Coming, and his key to unlocking unexpected
world
mysteries.
From
the
perils of
orthodoxy to the ironic tests that can either destroy or save Ira's
world,
readers continue the romp begun in the prior books, reaching a surprise
conclusion.
Those
seeking a
literary and religious commentary of the foundations of fanaticism,
passion,
and change will find Ira Neebest and The First Coming a fine
continuation of a
surprising story and a fitting, supportive pillar concluding the series.
Return to Index
Anthony Sciarratta
Post Hill Press
978-1642934205
$16.00
Paper/$9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Forever-1970s-Love-Story/dp/1642934208
Finding
Forever: A
1970s Love Story is set in New York City and follows the
changes
experienced by an Italian-American man who falls in love with a
Broadway
actress.
Michael
Coniglio is
on the rebound from a failed
love which changed his self-perception and life when he meets
successful
actress Elvira Vaughn, who overcame much adversity to achieve her goals.
Elvira
admires many things
in Michael despite his current
state of affairs, and gives him a sense of wonder and support that
helps him
regain some of his self-confidence to form a new vision of life's
possibilities: "The energy that
Elvira gave off was pleasant. She acted like she didn’t have a worry in
the
world. It almost seemed as if she had life figured out. She was the
polar
opposite of Michael in this one way. Her easygoing attitude
complimented
Michael’s anxiousness."
Elvira's
intuition is that
Michael is special and
different from other men she's known. She also suspects he's a helpless
romantic whose gentle inclinations are part of what kept him from
success.
Michael
also admires Elvira,
and finds himself immersed
in her life and the desire to support her talents: "Michael
wanted to do anything in his power to take her suffering
away. He couldn’t picture Elvira doing anything terrible. To him, she
was
fragile and gentle. She was this amazing woman who created a life for
herself
in one of the world’s biggest cities. She was inspiring and talented.
She had
so much to offer the world. No matter the terrible deed, he would never
judge
her. When Michael loved, it was true and unconditional."
As the
romance unfolds,
readers receive a gentle story of
evolution. Romances usually revolve around attractions between
disparate
individuals who discover in each other some degree of inspiration and
connection. These two are nothing special in this regard, discovering
in each
other some of the qualities they both admire and long for in themselves.
Where
other romances would
create clashing, high drama
centered on issues, differences, and obstacles to affection, however, Finding Forever's more pragmatic
approach eschews contrived action in favor of a slower process of
character
discoveries both about themselves and each other.
Though
readers seeking
high-octane drama and
confrontation will undoubtedly find this process slower than some,
Anthony
Sciarratta paints a simpler picture of developing love and its side
effects on
both participants.
This, in
turn, offers a more
familiar probe of daily life
and the changes romance introduces to it: "Michael
and Elvira lived the next few months in total happiness. No
relationship is
perfect, but they made it work. A relationship is like playing tennis.
You’re
always on your feet, and you need to be ready to flow with the changes.
Good
chemistry with your partner is important. The game never gets dull and
every
serve always offers something new."
Too many
romances either
assume the guise of thrillers,
wildly undulating between clashes and connections, or artificial
portraits of
perfection. In adopting a more reasoned contrast of two very different
lives that
interact and change each other, Sciarratta crafts a warm, realistic
vision of
love that will especially appeal to romance readers looking for slower,
heartfelt evolutionary revelations.
This
audience will relish
the portrait of urban affairs
and the love between talented individuals who find that their
relationship
changes everything. Finding Forever is
recommended for romance readers looking for something less sensational,
more
compellingly realistic, and truer to life's ups and downs than most.
Return to Index
In
the Realm
of Ash
and Sorrow
Kenneth W. Harmon
Eildeon Publishing
9780578591506
$12.99
https://www.amazon.com/Realm-Ash-Sorrow-Kenneth-Harmon/dp/0578591502
In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow is a
literary historical fiction
read that adds a spiritual element to the story of bombardier Micah
Lund, who
dies on a mission over Hiroshima, but finds his spirit trapped in Japan
and
living with a Japanese war widow who faces the rigors of war.
His
observation of
her hard life turns into a connection as he begins to communicate with
her in
her dreams. This forms an unusual bond that leads to his desire to
protect her
from the events that will destroy Hiroshima.
But,
how can
a ghost
impart a warning that will save lives? Even as Micah settles into
routines akin
to his military service, he is affected by an intuitive child who
readily sees
his spirit, a mother who is somehow attached to him by more than
circumstance,
and a newfound charge to save those he was once assigned to destroy.
Kenneth
W.
Harmon
crafts a story replete in psychological, ethical, and philosophical
reflection
as not only Micah but Kiyomi and her daughter are changed by war and
their
strange relationship. Kiyomi's efforts to protect what she loves while
struggling with what fate has handed her are beautifully, evocatively
portrayed: "Kiyomi thought of what
she would do if Ai died. How could she go on? How could she face the
rising sun
without a reason for living? She remembered Ai standing in the rice
field,
surrounded by fireflies, her body aglow. The moment had been surreal
but the serenity
she experienced at that instant was within reach. Their fates balanced
on a
delicate scale, and her decisions would either maintain the balance or
bring
them crashing down."
Can
a spirit
save the
living and prevent the inevitable, and can love overcome hate?
In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow is gentle,
hopeful, and thoroughly
engrossing. It offers a very different approach to the Japanese
experience and
American encounters in World War II in a powerful saga that takes the
time to
explore the cultures, psyches, and war-torn hearts of the times.
Historical
novel
readers who look for a more literary approach to these events will
welcome In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow
for its
ability to craft a strong interpersonal, cross-cultural connection that
fosters
courage and understanding in lives under siege.
Return to Index
The
Kincaids: A Novel
William Graham
Independently Published
979-8654461964
$14.99
Paper/$6.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Kincaids-Novel-William-Graham/dp/B08B7LNFDF
The
Kincaids
follows the rise and fall of a wealthy family that experiences hard
times,
dissolution, financial and social challenges, and changes. It is
recommended
for novel readers who enjoy sweeping productions, and closely examines
the
legacy of Irish immigrants who move to the Midwest to experience
disputes between
faith, economics, and family structure, decades later.
The
devout James Kincaid
loves financial success as much
as he loves his religion. His sons, scattered around the world,
struggle with
politics and their own special brands of conflict between beliefs and
life
experience. Family secrets closely held are threatened as new
circumstances
evolve, leading James' sister, journalist Catherine, to come into
direct
conflict between her desire for justice and the realities of her own
roots.
Catherine
is looking to
shake up the world by reporting
injustices. It's ironic that her own family's choices may wind up at
the top of
her list of exposés
if
she makes the choice that threatens to reveal them. Her ability to
confront and
reveal problems gets her into trouble as a portent of the bigger issue
she'll
confront in the course of this story's evolving political and social
problems: "After she had calmed herself, she
looked through her notes for possible future stories. She focused on
the
interviews she had gathered from minority-owned contractors who said
they had
been shut out of bidding for city construction and road maintenance
work.
“Those assholes at city hall have another thing coming if they think
they can
intimidate me,” Catherine said, looking at her cat, who stared and
yawned. “I’m
going to shake up their world again.”
By using
the Kincaid family
as a microcosm of world ills
and experiences, William Graham crafts an absorbing tale of change and
civil
unrest not just in America, but overseas, as the family spreads out to
influence other events.
The
combination of strong
characters and their individual
social and political pursuits, and decisions which begin at home and
evolve
into different directions, is part of what makes this story so
compelling. Its
changing perspectives, contrasted with the influence of heritage and
modern
dilemmas, creates a story that is realistic, absorbing, and
psychologically
astute.
Readers
seeking novels about
multigenerational
influences, life choices, and divergent individual paths that change
the world
and come full circle to affect family relationships and future history
will
find The Kincaids an engrossing
survey
of money, influence, and changing times. It lingers in the mind long
after the
final event is revealed.
Return to Index
Lessons
in the Wild
Wendy Isaac Bergin
DartFrog Books
978-1-951490-44-7
$16.99
Paper/$9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Wild-Wendy-Isaac-Bergin/dp/1951490444
Violinist
and concertmaster
T. Sebastian Morrow decides
to move from the big city of Houston to rural Texas in search of peace,
but
what he finds instead is anything but tranquil in Lessons
in the Wild, a survey of life changes, adversity, and the
challenges introduced by changing not just one's environment, but one's
mindset.
Sebastian
has spent his life
in the city, building his
career in its urban setting. But when 9/11 strikes, he is forced to
reassess
the world and his ideals, discovering that they no longer align. If he
can't
change the world, at least he can change the environment which no
longer serves
him. The hills to the north and west of the city seem like a good place
to move
to.
As he
moves from the frying
pan into the fire, readers
are treated to the results of a life changed and challenged by not just
a new
environment, but the people it introduces into his life.
There's
young Leo de Graaf,
a gifted musician who
holds the power to foresee some of his future, and his lovely mother,
Silvie,
who is equally compelling in a different manner. There is his sad
acknowledgment of the impending death of his wife Mary Catherine from a
stroke,
and his involuntary vision that Silvie is already assuming the kind of
importance in his new life that Mary Catherine once held in the old one.
Sebastian
has expected this
final blow for decades. Now
that it's here, the demons he acknowledged in this life long ago return
to
haunt him just as surely as life's new possibilities.
Life and
world forces
continue to affect all of them even
in their remote rural locale. Lessons in
the Wild blends a unique style of psychological and
spiritual inspection
that injects a reflective tone into Sebastian's life connections
between past
and present.
Mary
Catherine led her life
in spiritual denial. The
demon in her responded to Sebastian's prayers. As Sebastian explores
spirituality in both himself and the gifted, visionary Leo, he explores
diverse
issues such as racial prejudice in both Texas and himself ("You grade me lower because I am black.")
and revises
both his spiritual beliefs and his role as a music teacher, friend, and
more.
At each
step, he is
confronted with challenges to his
thinking, his liberal ways, and his spiritual views ("He
had never been accused of racism in his life. How could she be
so wrong and so convinced she was right at the same time?").
As the
story unfolds, it's evident that the wilderness lies not just in his
new rural
environment, but in matters of the heart.
These
descriptions and
Sebastian's evolution keep readers
engaged as he moves from one world to another, and as the social issues
affecting the nation escalate in the microcosm of his own, more limited
world.
The
result is a story
replete with various threads of
influence, from witchcraft and spirituality to changing social issues
that all
hold the power to transform Sebastian no matter where he chooses to
live.
Readers
seeking a
multifaceted story of action, change,
and transformation will find this literary piece quietly compelling,
holding
the ability to reach a wide audience from young adults to adults
looking for a
powerful story of one man's search for peace in a conflicted, changing
world of
adversity.
Return to Index
Loyal
Son
Wayne Diehl
Independently
Published
978-1657172319
$15.99 Paper/$9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Loyal-Son-Wayne-Diehl/dp/1657172317
Loyal Son is historical fiction at its
best, set in 1846 on the
cusp of the Mexican American War and centered upon eighteen-year-old
Irish
immigrant Patrick Ryan, who has been sent to America by his family to
establish
new roots. There, he finds himself immersed in a social turmoil when
the
anti-Catholic Bible Riots break out and destroy everything he's begun
to build
in America.
His
decision
to join
the army and fight is based as much on their lure of payment via land
grant and
the possibility of rebuilding his life and fulfilling his promises to
his
family both in America and back in Ireland, as in the interest of
seeing
justice achieved.
Wayne
Diehl
does a
fine job of capturing not just the politics of unrest on all sides, but
the
effects of death and loss on the hearts and minds of everyone involved.
As
Patrick faces this crushing loss and considers the lure of the army in
more
than one way, readers gain both historical and personal perspective on
the
conflict's wide-ranging issues and effects.
Patrick
has
his
family back in Ireland to think of, but his newfound loyalties to
another
country are sorely tested by its internal conflict and the progression
of war
between two nations. Diehl follows these dual themes with a solid story
that
introduces readers to the atmosphere and cultural and political
concerns of the
times.
As
Diehl
moves from
the experiences and ideals of a new immigrant to the evolving conflict
he faces
and the decisions he must make both for his present-day goals and his
family's
future, a compelling story emerges which uses strong characterization
and a
sense of place to create an evolving story of internal and external
battles.
Loyal
Son's ability to blend adventure and discovery with internal
questions of purpose and future objectives, wound within real
historical events
and facts, makes it a compelling exploration especially recommended for
readers
of immigrant experience and early America's evolutionary process. This
highly
recommended story does a fine job of incorporating individual purpose
and
perspective with the bigger-picture cultural, social, and political
concerns of
its times.
Return to Index
A New
Journey
Samantha Kannan
Independently Published
ASIN: B085D98HDK
$3.99
https://www.amazon.com/New-Journey-Samantha-Kannan-ebook/dp/B085D98HDK
A
New Journey
tells of new graduate Jurnee's journey of discovery when she receives
an offer
to teach in southern India. She sets off to realize her dream of
becoming a
teacher in a country foreign to her American upbringing, but in keeping
with
her Indian roots.
Samantha
Kannan's use of the
first person captures
Jurnee's observations of this very different culture and the role of a
teacher
in India: "I always loved an
opportunity to get out and see the village, but something different
stuck me
this time. The father of two students picked them up in a boat. A boat!
It was
a small fishing boat, and they entered it from a small dock before
rowing
across the backwaters. I looked around and was the only one amazed.
This was
their normalcy, but it was my paradise. Well, almost
paradise. There was no Wi-Fi and I rarely had cell phone
signal."
In her
new position, Jurnee
doesn't just teach in
classrooms but interacts with the students and their families,
absorbing
cultural and social lessons about India that teach her about her own
life.
As
'Jurnee Miss' learns
tricks of teaching her clever
students and absorbs the new cultural milieu, readers embark on their
own
journey from her perspective, which reveals both India's society and
the
special challenges of teaching in a foreign country.
As a
seventh grader saves
Jurnee's life and she learns
further lessons about her viewpoints, ambitions, and role in the world,
Jurnee's sense of place and home comes to rest in the relationships she
builds
in this strange new world.
Readers
interested in India,
teaching challenges, and
cross-cultural encounters will be enchanted by Jurnee's story of
discovery,
which evolves on many levels.
Her
first-person perceptions
are astute, the sense of
India's culture and environment is nicely drawn, and Samantha Kannan
has a
knack for creating scenarios that are compelling as Jurnee's story
refutes the
stereotypes of Indian people and reflects Samantha Kannan's own
experiences and
encounters, albeit with a fictional overlay.
The new
friendships and
memories Jurnee forges as she
builds her place in a world both unfamiliar yet entwined with her own
culture
creates a story that is compelling, uplifting, and revealing. A
New
Journey is highly recommended for readers interested in
Indian culture and
teaching challenges alike.
Return to Index
No
Precedent
John Uttley
Independently
Published
979-8648170971
$10.29 Paper/$3.62 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/No-Precedent-John-Uttley/dp/B089CLZMSL
No Precedent holds a lively story of two
old Lancaster friends, Bob
Swarbrick and Richard Shackleton, who face the challenges and ironies
of modern
politics and times as they navigate a world where truth is stranger
than
fiction. It's a world facing Brexit and Donald Trump, where these two
men, now
raising families, find that uncertainty and social and political
changes test
their vision of who they are as well as their futures.
This
story
represents
a romp through past and present worlds, injecting humor into its blend
of
social observations and interactions between friends and family: "Sophie sees my golden time, the early
sixties, when for that short season the white working class got a real
stake in
this country’s culture, as male-focused and at most a useful first step
in the
real feminist struggles that were to come. She’s read her Betty Friedan
about
how fifties’ and sixties’ housewives used to pretend to live a domestic
dream,
needing Valium to take away the dissatisfaction they felt from missing
out on a
career. She claims, probably rightly I have to admit, that only the
contraceptive pill changed that, although I don’t believe that either
my Mum or
sister were on tranquilisers as a result of their supposed domestic
captivity."
It's
lighthearted and
serious at different moments as Bob and his best friend Richard
contemplate
successes, failures, and changing times alike. No
Precedent brings readers into a heady series of discussions
that
range from business success and failures to religious beliefs, changing
times,
and challenges to set beliefs as events move through 2015 and into
2019,
concluding with a 2036 postscript unusual for its roundup and
contributing
author.
No Precedent does an outstanding job
capturing lives of turmoil and
chaos, including a host of characters who affect Bob and Richard's
perspectives
and choices as the story moves through the ups and downs of this
changing
world.
John
Uttley
is
especially powerful in his ability to contrast everyday life's ironies
with the
evolution of one man's routines and goals, set within the bigger
picture of
worldwide changes: "Not all is so
dismal. It’s summer, the sun is shining in Nether Piddle, and I’ve a
nice
weekend planned. The apocalypse facing the nation has been put on hold.
It’s
just a pity it can’t stay like this permanently."
His
wry
observational
style and whirlwind series of events battering Bob and Richard, their
families,
and their friends creates a winning story which is thought-provoking
and fun
all in one. No Precedent is a novel
not about the future, but about the near past and present which creates
a world
pre-plague and the social, political, and economic forces that shape it
and set
the stage for what is to come.
It
is highly
recommended reading for readers who want an entertaining, enlightening
glimpse
of how we arrived at where the Western world stands today in 2020.
Return to Index
Only Our
Destiny
A.G. Russo
Red Skye Press
978-0-9907102-5-7
$3.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/ONLY-OUR-DESTINY-G-RUSSO-ebook/dp/B08BV2T7YW
Only
Our Destiny
will appeal to readers of historical fiction set in Italy and those who
enjoy
immigrant experiences firmly rooted in the 'old country'. It opens in
southern
Italy, where the majority of U.S. Italian American immigrants have
their roots.
The
Coriello family, who lives in a small fishing
village, is led by powerful matriarch Raffaela, who faces a difficult
life with
an abusive estranged husband, ten children, and poverty. The resentment
of
relatives who should be helping but are jealous of any small success
she
experiences through her survival tactics is mitigated by the loving
concern of
these children as they age and help their mother.
The
arrival World War II
changes everything as her older
children go to war and their Jewish friends face increasing prejudice
and
danger. The kids who immigrate to America harbor dreams of rescuing the
entire
family, but are thwarted by growing prejudice against Italian
immigrants in the
land of opportunity.
Only
Our Destiny
does an outstanding job of building strong characters in mother and
children,
following their divided destinies through poverty, war, peace, and
confrontations with injustice on many levels. It probes the social and
political influences of leaders and peers in both Italy and America,
examining
the foundations of prejudice and the lasting effects of poverty,
crafting the feel
of an epic production as it follows the changing lives of the entire
family.
Under
another hand, such a
wide-ranging discourse might
have proven confusing or overly complex. A.G. Russo does an outstanding
job of bringing all the characters to life, and their responses and
ideals are
not just logical, but compellingly presented.
As the story unfolds, readers are led to
anticipate outcomes that sometimes change. This satisfying feel of the
unexpected injects a realistic tone to the story, in that not everyone
survives
and prospers. The observations of prejudice, both within Italy among
its
peoples (between Northerners and Southerners and Italians and Jews
alike) and
in America, where Italian American immigrant prejudice rises against
the
backdrop if war, make for especially important insights.
Readers come to care about many of the
characters and will follow the changing courses of their lives with
bated
breath.
The result is a story that vividly captures
not just one key point in Italian history, but the immigrant experience
and the
roots of change and better understanding among all involved. Only
Our Destiny will
delight those with a special interest in immigrant experience and
Italian
heritage. It is highly recommended reading for those who want in-depth
history-based details paired with believable, moving characters' lives.
Return to Index
Silver
Moon
Jenny Knipfer
Independently
Published
978-1733320245
$15.99 Paper/$2.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Moon-Jenny-Knipfer/dp/1733320245
Silver Moon is the third book in the By the Light of the Moon series and is
set in Ontario, Canada
during World War I, where Luis Wilson becomes involved in espionage and
moves
away from the romance he was offered previously.
Readers
who
look for
deeper inspections of war and how it changes individuals, purposes, and
perceptions will discover a fine philosophical thread of reflection to Silver Moon which is present from the
first pages of the story: "The man I
used to be haunts me and grieves me with accusations. I am a killer. I
am a
liar. I am a cheater. I'm worse than my father ever was. Does war
really give
us a bill of rights to become such things?"
Hard
questions,
indeed, for the opening slavo in a powerful saga that needs no prior
introduction to prove enlightening, compelling, and accessible to
newcomers as
well as prior series readers.
As
the story
moves
from Halifax and Canada to Belgium and the front, a series of brushes
with
death and the realities of trench warfare permeate a thoroughly
engrossing set
of inspections that move through war experiences, romance
possibilities, and
survival tactics alike.
Jenny
Knipfer excels
in creating the kind of war story that weaves together the different
lives,
perspectives, and wartime impacts on its characters in a story both
grim and
hopeful at the same time. A wide cast of characters provides different
perspectives on events. This story moves from Oshki and Jimmy, who face
their
increasing concern that the romances they left behind will not survive
their
confrontations in the trenches of the western front, to Lily, who faces
her own
challenges of prejudice on the home front as she tries to rally support
and
faces accusations of being a spy, and Rose, who is not an outspoken
leader, but
fosters her own brand of courage and commitment.
The
result
is a story
of love, death, hope, and differences that follows how different
characters
fight the war in their own ways, realize their dreams, and evolve
friendships
and uncertain love in the face of disaster.
It's
a
powerful saga
of World War I that, more than most novels of the times, creates a
compelling
cross-comparison between numerous characters who experience the war in
different ways.
Silver Moon is very highly recommended
for readers who want a
compelling inspection of love, duty, and battle based on historical
fact, but
flavored with the struggles of very different characters intent on not
just
surviving, but creating a better future for themselves.
Return to Index
The Sons
and Daughters of
Toussaint
Keith Madsen
Adelaide Books
978-1-949180-02-2
$22.40
www.adelaidebooks.org
The
Sons and
Daughters of Toussaint uses a historical backdrop to explore
the life of
Isaac Breda, who seeks to re-spark the revolution of his famous
forefather
Toussaint Louverture by fostering a new non-violent revolution that he
hopes
will have more of a lasting impact than his father's attempt.
Isaac's
story embraces his
famous father's perspective
and political attempts and outlines an alternative approach to
achieving his
goals. It is told through alternating chapters of history that contrast
the
story of Toussaint and his compatriots with Isaac's modern attempts to
encourage Toussaint’s spirit in his people.
He also
navigates uncertain
waters in developing a
romantic interest over Marie-Noëlle, who assumes a key role in
political
developments that belays her original quest for a very different career.
Keith
Madsen injects some
unexpected twists and turns
into the story, which moves from the kernel of Isaac's idea to its
reincarnation in Marie-Noëlle's character, who is forced to assume
responsibility for an idea that didn't begin with any relation or
connection on
her part, other than Isaac.
Isaac
seems to have
everything he wants in Haiti,
including romance. But, somehow, it all gets away from him in
unexpected ways
that pit ideals against practical applications: "He
never thought it would be this stressful being wanted by two
beautiful young women. Isn’t this the kind of situation most young men
dream
of? He remembered reading Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables and envying
Marius,
loved as he was by both the beautiful Cossette and the also attractive,
but
rejected, Eponine."
As a
goal birthed in France
moves to New York and Haiti
to change the lives of all who revive it, Madsen creates a moving
account that
focuses not just on the revitalization of a political goal from the
past, but
how it changes the lives, psyches, and hearts of all who become
involved. Marie
finds her modeling career changed forever after a tragic outcome from
an
uprising injects Isaac's ambitious plans into her world.
Readers
looking for a vivid
novel of the Haitian struggle
for freedom from founding to present day, from its French roots and
influences
to modern times, will find plenty of solid history within this evolving
story
of a son's passion to re-enact his father's dreams.
The
historical backdrop is
well done, with plenty of
family interactions and insights providing logical and
easily-understood
dilemmas and reactions to past heritage and modern conflicts. The
characters
who harbor their own different goals affected by events in Haiti are
exceptionally well-drawn and believable.
The
Sons and
Daughters of Toussaint is a compelling review of not just
historical facts,
but individual motivations and purpose against the backdrop of
revolution.
Readers who choose this account for its insights on Haiti will relish
Keith
Madsen's ability to create a compelling story from real elements in
this highly
recommended, lively novel of inherited passion and personal and
political
transformation.
Return to Index
Before
And After The First
Earth Day, 1970
David M. Guion
Independently Published
ASIN: B087GXYQ75
$7.99
Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/BEFORE-AFTER-FIRST-EARTH-1970-ebook/dp/B087GXYQ75
The
second expanded edition
of Before And After The First Earth Day, 1970
points out that the first
Earth Day celebration did not begin environmental efforts, as is
commonly
assumed, but in fact made the public more aware of existing
environmental
issues. Some of the leaders called into question not only the
condition of
the environment, but social institutions and democratic
processes
themselves.
Other
surveys of
environmentalism have offered a general
focus that includes Earth Day, but David M. Guion provides a specific
probe of
the federal government's role in environmental management well before
and after
the event. This focus provides a broader understanding to the history
of
environmentalism in a survey that should be on the reading lists of
anyone
concerned about the history of environmental regulation and management
efforts.
Chapters
outline the state
of environmental law,
beginning with the Truman administration and how the Eisenhower
administration's economic policies encouraged wastefulness. Perhaps
even more
importantly, it outlines what Earth Day did wrong and how its leaders
still
omitted or changed some important truths and insights about human
relationships
with the environment.
One of
the most important
(and, likely, controversial)
chapters in this book is 'Attacks on Mainstream Society', which offers
much
food for thought. For example, the issue of overpopulation led some
influential
authors to question basic democratic principles: "In
1967, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had declared
that any decision regarding family size rested with the family alone
and no one
else could make it for them. Hardin protested vigorously. And he
asserted the
impossibility of promoting population control by appealing to
conscience. It
would require coercion. He denied that it would require arbitrary
decisions by
some distant bureaucracy, but how else would a critical mass of people
relinquish their freedom to breed?"
From the
unity that Earth
Day brought to the discord that
we now experience, and how the event changed the concept of
environmentalism
from a specialty approach to a mainstream issue, David
M. Guion's important history should be required reading for any
environmentally-conscious individual. It is also a useful textbook for
courses
about American democratic and social processes. It moves from national
to state
codes and changing approaches, incorporating global views and
regulations into
a picture that evolves from the microcosm of local events and responses
to
national and international efforts.
Before
And After
The First Earth Day, 1970 is very highly recommended. It
provides a rare glimpse into history
altered by one event's lasting impact on decision-making processes and
public
and political perceptions of environmental law. It is an important
adjunct to
environmental literature that provides many social and political
connections not
made in other environmental history titles.
Return to Index
Building
Wealth After The
Apo-Collap$E
David Bonn
Age In Place LLC
978-1735075501
$10.00
Paper/$3.00 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/BUILDING-WEALTH-AFTER-APO-COLLAP-David/dp/1735075507
Readers
might believe that
this is a nonfiction title,
but it's set in 2022, is narrated by a cook in his 70s, and traces the
financial changes experienced in a world changed and challenged by a
too-realistic apocalypse in Building
Wealth After The Apo-Collap$E.
Most
books that hold
'collapse' in their titles are
dystopian or apocalyptic explorations, but this is categorized as
political or
visionary fiction. Once readers delve into the twenty-five-year history
narrated by protagonist Nigel Oopscrap, it's easy to see why.
For one
thing, it identifies
the very different reactions
and impacts of those living on day-to-day paychecks from those more
privileged,
who saw the collapse coming and responded in different ways.
In
choosing the central view
of a man who strives to make
the world a better place by his participation in it, David Bonn creates
a
compelling saga. It examines unfolding social issues and conflicts from
the
perspective of a man who attempts to do the right thing while being a
small cog
in a system replete with injustice and corruption.
One of
the frightening
messages in this story is how
easily injustice and oppression emerge and spread. Oopscrap observes
that: "All over the country, families who
could no longer afford separate dwellings were moving in together. More
houses
sat empty and apartment vacancies soared. Everybody kept waiting for
somebody
to help. But in the spring of '10, we knew help wasn't coming. But it
was an
easy lesson to forget, at least for a while, when things picked back up
mid-decade."
How
things fall apart,
evolve, or are ignored until the
tipping point is reached, and how economies change to profit some while
injuring others, are all covered from the personal perspective of a
senior who
lives through some of the most challenging years in history and
narrates them
from not just a political but a personal perspective.
This
approach lends a far
more in-depth, personal touch
to the story of one individual who reflects on how social and political
change
happens. This creates a compelling blend of realistic scenarios based
on
present-day events and futuristic insights based on choices, decisions,
and
personal, political, and social events.
Unlike
most dystopian
stories, economic decisions and
trends are the major focus in Building
Wealth After The Apo-Collap$E. From historical precedent in
how America's
Native Americans were subjugated and repressed to the impact of
coronavirus on
special interest groups, this book's uncanny blend of fiction and
nonfiction
lends it an aura that is compelling partially because its events are so
firmly
rooted in modern history and historical precedent.
Like
Stephen King's The
Stand, it traverses elements of realism and builds on
present-day social
awareness and observation to create a powerful account. This approach
will
attract not just political, social science, and visionary fiction
readers, but
sci-fi fans who look for writings that are standouts not just for their
philosophical
and social observations, but for their ability to connect individuals
to the
bigger picture that is social revolution and change.
Building
Wealth
After The Apo-Collap$E is highly recommended as a story that
feels both
familiar and frightening all at once. It's packed with in-depth detail
about a
possible alternative future and generations seeking wealth, faith, and
a sense
of purpose to it all after the Apo-Collap$e changes everything.
Return to Index
Cycle
Jay Amberg
Amika Press
978-1937484002
$14.95
Website: www.amikapress.com
Ordering: https://amzn.to/2O1YWcp
Cycle
is a book
about nature written from an unusual perspective: the different natural
forces
which describe their lives.
The
story opens with the
philosophical perspective of an
ancient redwood tree ring whose descriptions of life are astute and
inviting: "We do not have individual brains,
but
we are as a ring mindful. We understand life—just as this forest does,
just as
the earth itself does. We are cognizant of diurnal rhythms and solar
rotations.
We stand; we do not stand for something else. We respond to the world
each
moment. Every moment is integral within the cycles, and every moment is
present
for us. We are rooted in earth, nourished by air and water, and growing
toward
light."
The
blend of natural history
facts about the redwood
ring, the history of its place in a world dominated by man, and its
contributions and connections to the cycle of life makes for an
engrossing
consideration: "Stability doesn’t,
however, suggest stagnation. Our ring and this grove always grow,
always
change. The grove’s canopy is deep and multilayered. Most nearby trees
are more
than two hundred years old, but each stand adds two or three trees per
century.
And each stand loses about the same number to wind and fire and flood.
Around
us, among the woody debris, fallen trunks lie in various stages of
decay—an
ongoing reformation of matter. The grove, quite simply, exists within a
stable
cycle of birth, growth, death, decay, and birth again, all the while
recycling
the same chemicals. And within this cycle, myriad organisms, including
us,
wheel through our lives."
One of
the pleasures of Cycle is that its
perspective is always
shifting, from a wise and
ancient grove of trees to an alpha wolf mother whose place in the world
reflects her ability to survive and confront life: "The
world itself is neither predator nor prey. At once always
beautiful and always terrible, it does not take sides. Sometimes it
gives, and
sometimes it takes. It cycles dark and light, cold and warm, as often
as not
taking more from me than it gives, but it never allows the balance
among us to
tilt too far toward predator or prey. The world understands life too
deeply for
that."
This
blend of nature
observation and philosophical
inspection successfully creates a multifaceted, engrossing series of
insights
that will delight readers interested in the life cycles of creatures
and plants
alike.
Its
unique brand of
first-person inspection from the
plants and animals of the world offers readers a chance to take a deep
breath,
absorb the sense of wonder, survival, and life cycles from a non-human
perspective, and, most of all, to understand the motivations,
experiences,
history, and interconnected lives of creatures on this planet.
Cycle
is highly
recommended reading for natural history fans interested in developing a
better
understanding of the place and perspective of nature and its cycles in
human
and non-human affairs alike.
Return to Index
The Founding Fathers and the Birth
of a Nation
State
Thomas E. Sawyer, Esq.
PitBull Literary &
Publishing Services
Paperback: 978-1-7327371-5-0
$14.88
Hard Cover: 978-1-7327371-6-7
$28.88
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732737150?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
With the 2020 election year
getting ever closer (and,
indeed, for any election year), it feels important to review the
history and
politics of this nation. The problem is that many such histories either
assume preexisting
background knowledge, or are designed for students with little
understanding of
the political process.
That's why readers of all ages who
seek a basic
primer to be used as a refresher course in American history will find The Founding Fathers and the Birth of a
Nation State a solid account of the instigation, ideals, and
political
nature of exactly what constitutes a 'republic'.
The basic contention here is that
political power
should originate with the people and flow upward in a reflection of
popular
interests. It shouldn't originate at the top and move downward, which
would
indicate a monarchy or dictatorship.
Thomas E. Sawyer cements these
notions in a
historical and political examination that includes social, political,
and
philosophical reflections about the intentions of the Founding Fathers.
He then
probes how these have been translated over the years, under different
presidencies, from early to modern times.
Doctrines such as the separation
of powers and how
they enacted in American political circles and events are reviewed with
more
than an attention to historical precedent. They identify points of
confusion or
challenge in carrying out the Founding Fathers' written edicts: "... the “Doctrine of the Separation
of Powers,” standing alone as a theory of government, has uniformly
failed to
provide an adequate basis for an effective, stable political system.
Consequently, the practicalities of government have necessitated the
combining
of this doctrine with other political ideas—the theory of “mixed
government,”
the idea of “balanced government,” and the concept of “checks and
balances”—to
form the complex constitutional theories that provide the basis of
modern
Western political systems. Nevertheless, when all the necessary
qualifications
have been made, the essential ideas behind the doctrine remain as vital
ingredients of Western political thought and practice today. This
particularly
true in the American political experience; where the principle of the
“Separation of Powers” constitutes one of the fundamental foundations
of good
government."
Footnoted references point to
source materials
supporting different examinations of various plans, enactment
challenges,
conventions and legislations, speeches, and political processes.
These form a solid foundation of
argument that
pinpoints the underlying intentions and meaning of the Constitution and
the
Founding Fathers, leading to astute analysis about their incarnations
and
challenges today: "Although the
founding Fathers did not foresee the present day, rampant diffusion of
bureaucratic functions among the three national branches, the “Doctrine
of the
Separation of Powers” and the correlative “Principle of Checks And
Balances”
still represent the essence of the American political experiment; as
initially
conceived in the Federal Convention in Philadelphia and as evolved in
the
present day transformation."
The
Founding Fathers and the
Birth of a Nation State is highly recommended as a primer
on
democratic processes. It's especially valuable and well-documented
reading for
modern audiences who may already have a cursory interest in the
subject, but
who want deeper explorations of the history and intentions supporting
basic American
democratic principles.
Return to Index
Love
in the
Time of
Corona
Diana Wiley, Ph.D.
C4C, LLC
978-0-932898-99-9
$14.95
www.DearDrDiana.com
Love in the Time of Corona: Advice from a Sex
Therapist for Couples in
Quarantine is an advice guide that blends sex therapist Dr.
Diana Wiley's
tips for better relationships and sexual experiences with the new
realities of
physical intimacy in the time of coronavirus. It promotes reigniting
relationships and sexual intimacy between partners who are sheltering
in place.
New
approaches
fostered by the age of intimacy can benefit from quarantine proximity.
Restrictions can lead to actively working on and revising one's
approaches.
This will result in lifelong benefits beyond quarantine.
As
a
licensed family
therapist, Dr. Wiley well knows the types of stress and discord that
can stem
from long-term isolation and prolonged periods of being cooped up
together. But
while she acknowledges these challenges, she also poses thoughts,
routines,
exercises, and ideas that lead to better communication, understanding,
and
sexual experiences between couples. The foundation message in this book
is:
"Enjoyable sexual activity between partners can distinctly
benefit a
couple’s mental and physical health."
Chapters
explore how
this activity can be revitalized, offering couples new avenues for
understanding and pleasure. They discuss feedback, creating boundaries,
and approaches
that go beyond survival strategies and into the realm of actively
working on
improving one's relationship while sheltering at home.
This
approach is
every bit as inviting and important for long-term connections as
adopting a
hobby or expanding one's leisure life.
Many
different
lessons are introduced in the course of this exploration, from
mindfulness
meditation to unlocking deeper states of consciousness through mindful
breathing, leading to better sexual satisfaction.
Couples
sheltering in
place have more to work on than cleaning the house. This book places an
emphasis on sexual and psychological relationship strategies that take
time,
but which have been proven to work. Sheltering in place gives couples
unprecedented time together and unprecedented opportunities for
revising their
relationship and sexual encounters.
Love in the Time of Corona is the perfect
starting point for this
kind of self-improvement. It is highly recommended reading for those
sheltering
in place, offering a series of guidelines for better interactions.
Return to Index
Minivan
Mogul
Alex Perry
Warren Publishing
978-1-7341262-8-0
$23.95 Hardcover
www.warrenpublishing.net
Minivan
Mogul: A
Crash Course in Confidence for Women is a motivational
exploration of how
women can build self-confidence based on their inherent instincts and
strengths. It comes from a Midwest mom who also happens to be a noted
motivational speaker and successful business owner, as well as a speech
pathologist.
Her
admonitions and
revelations are couched in both humor
and practical experiences. As she weaves her own personal anecdotes of
being a
minivan-driving mom into broader questions of exactly how to build
self-confidence, women receive a treatise that is specific and
revealing.
Plenty
of motivational books
talk about building
confidence. This, after all, is the cornerstone of almost any endeavor
in life.
After delivering the admonition, however, too few follow up with a game
plan
for doing so—especially one based on the reader's prior life skills and
experiences.
Minivan
Mogul's
ability to deliver these connections, reinforce them, and show women
exactly
how to drive from point "a" to point "b" makes for an
accessible, lively, pointed survey on how to take the next steps into
self-confidence and a better life.
Chapter
titles imbed humor
in their subjects: 'P.S.-ing
my way out of the box', 'Ever tried to skype in Arabic?' and
'Teenager+Shopping=Angst'. Each chapter concludes with a 'rearview
reflection'
section that sums up the lessons to be learned in each of the fun,
life-pertinent examples.
As
motivational titles go,
this reviewer places Minivan Mogul
towards the top of the
vast list of inspirational reads for women. It stays true to women's
experiences while helping translate familiar routines and talents into
unfamiliar confidence-building territory and goals. It also provides
clear
admonitions based on Alex Perry's personal experiences, cultivating a
tone that
is lively, chatty, and packed with a satisfying blend of concrete
information
backed by personal reflection: "Have
you looked back and wondered what would’ve happened if you’d just told
the
other person the truth? Or have you ever had one of those moments where
you
were brave enough to tell the other person the truth? Have you ever
acknowledged the awkward truth of a situation and had it work out for
the
better? It can happen, you know; you just have to be brave enough to
skip the
white lie and own what’s really happening in the moment. Here’s a good
example
of when I really, really didn’t want to own up to the awkwardness that
was
going on in my life because I didn’t want to admit I was struggling
with
technology …"
Too many
women's
motivational titles are weighty and
translate the onus of change in a daunting manner. Perry's Minivan Mogul is just the ticket for
women who want more
accessibility, a strong dash of humor, observations of life, and
instructions
tied not just to daily experience, but their own inherent talents and
abilities. It's a highly recommended read for women seeking clear
directions
paired with appealing stories of transformation and new possibilities.
Return to Index
My
Travels With a
Dead Man
Steve Searls
Black Rose Writing
978-1-68433-512-1
$19.95
Paper/$6.99 ebook
www.blackrosewriting.com
My
Travels With a
Dead Man offers a
paranormal
story of magical realism as it tells of Jane Takako Wolfsheim, who
discovers
she suddenly can alter time and space after meeting a man calling
himself Jorge
Luis Borges, the famous literary figure, with whom she falls in love.
The
story
opens with
Jane suffering seizures in a park where she first meets the helpful but
enigmatic stranger Borges, who sees that she receives medical
attention. Borges
returns to figure more heavily in her life, but in a less positive
manner. When
her parents are murdered and Jane flees for an elusive safety, danger
follows
her and Borges, leading her to question her sanity, her purpose, and
her
future.
My Travels With a Dead Man is
satisfyingly original and riveting
from the start. It follows Jane's struggles with her Japanese and
American
roots, her uncertain love and relationship with Borges, and her
confrontation
with both inner and outer forces that keep her future uncertain: "And I should trust you because you can
quote–someone famous? Well, why the hell not? It’s sure done wonders
for me
with Borges.” But then I regretted my words, not because I didn’t
believe them,
and not to spare Bashō’s feelings, but because I still loved Borges,
loved him
blindly, without reason. Uttering his name was the worst pain of all..."
Many
surprises await
Jane as she traverses the boundaries of a world she'd never quite
acknowledged
in her life, and as she comes to accept her special role as a
'traveler' in
space and time who holds the power to change what feels like an
inevitable
world disaster.
Readers
will
become
immersed in literary explorations of time travel, prophecies, tests of
faith
and determination, and Jane's drive to assure that events turn out in
her favor
for the sake of herself and her unborn child. They will find these
flavors wind
nicely into a complex, moving story of an effort to reshape the Borges
legend
into something that rejects the evil that is slowly penetrating Jane's
world.
The
fantasy
and
adventure components are nicely woven into a story driven by Jane's
personality, passions, and love. They satisfactorily depict how a
fairly
ordinary woman falls into an extraordinary world and considers and uses
her
powers to change it. Fantasy readers, especially those with some
familiarity
with Borges, who are interested in a fast-paced, engrossing story of
belief,
faith, and changing relationships between men and women will appreciate
the full-faceted
flavors and complexity of My Travels With
a Dead Man.
Its
ability
to keep
readers on their toes with new insights into Jane's relationship with
herself,
her companion, and her spirituality are all exquisite flavors in an
unexpected
time travel journey.
Return to Index
Search:
A
Guide for
College and Life
Barbara Roquemore EdD
& Jeff Duffey MD
Cairde, Karuna &
Hedd Publishing, LLC
978-0-9862583-2-9
$14.95
www.searchaguideforcollegeandlife.com
Search: A Guide for College and Life is a
recommended college guide
for teens and those who would council them, covering many basics of
adjusting
to college and the adult world that other college handbooks neglect.
The
inclusion of
emotional strategies, changes, and life challenges into the college
prep
scenario is a welcome one in a survey based on and encouraging
self-inspection
and analysis. Search teaches teens
how to blend their life experiences before college with a focus on what
can be
expected to challenge or change those skills and focuses. It expands
its
coverage to include general life skills assessments and how to handle
common
pitfalls: "Remember that every phone
is a camera. There could be hidden cameras as well. Never allow
yourself to be
blindfolded. You don’t want your picture to show up on a porn-site or
social
media. Don’t set yourself up to be blackmailed. People can take
screenshots and
video clips of you using Skype. Your webcam can be hacked, so don’t
undress in
front of it. Never allow yourself to be tied up or taken away from the
group to
“be alone.” You should seriously consider planning never being alone
when
you’re far away from home. You should consider never trusting a
stranger and
always being on your guard."
Too
often,
guides for
the college-bound teen newly away from home and adult supervision focus
on the
practicalities of classes, studies, and college demands. The inclusion
of
overall life focuses and adjustments that stem from newfound
independence adds
value that expands the bigger picture to life itself.
Subjects
are
as
wide-ranging as handling a peer's suicide, surveying diversity
resources,
coping with stalkers and unwanted attention, and developing a
supportive circle
of friends while navigating the social pressures and problems of peer
groups.
An
extensive
index,
bibliography, references, and further resources makes for an essential
guide
for the college-bound new adult. Search:
A Guide for College and Life should be a graduation gift for
any teen
heading for independence and the start of building a positive, happy
life.
Return to Index
Stealing
First and Other
Old-Time Baseball Stories
Chris Williams
Sunbury Press
1620063832
$14.95
Sunbury Press: https://www.sunburypressstore.com/Stealing-First-and-Other-Old-Time-Baseball-Stories-9781620063835.htm
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-First-Old-Time-Baseball-Stories/dp/1620063832
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-First-Old-Time-Baseball-Stories-ebook/dp/B087HCS2QF
Baseball
fans who enjoy
memoirs, history, and sports
reflections are in for a treat with Stealing
First and Other Old-Time Baseball Stories. It captures the
ironies,
adventures, and often-zany stories of players and baseball moments that
may not
have achieved broader exploration, using language and description that
adopt a
'you are there' feel for readers who would use their home easy chair as
a
bandstand seat.
These
statistical baseball
essays pair numbers with
nostalgia to bring the sport and its notable moments to life. It does
so by
employing captivating language to draw in readers, who will feel as
though they
are not just observing a game's action, but reveling in the lives,
personalities, and perspectives of its players: "You'd
have to be a real grump not to like Germany Schaefer. Even
grouchy web trolls might have cracked a smile watching this guy play
baseball.
If anyone who ever played major league baseball processed a sense of
humor, it
was William Herman Schaefer. Nicknamed 'Germany' because of his
heritage,
Schaefer was quite the clown..."
Baseball
memoirs, histories,
and explorations typically
don't appeal to those not already thoroughly immersed in the sport
because they
tend to belay the personalities and emotions of players in favor of
technical
observations of the sport itself. Chris Williams cultivates a unique
ability to
inject excitement and personality into each story, and this in turn
offers
lessons that embrace both statistical descriptions of events and the
players
who contributed to historic successes or failures.
Quotes
from baseball classic
writings and interviews,
recreations of personalities and events, and summaries that offer
bigger-picture thinking about the sport and its players craft essays
that often
will prove inviting even to those with minimal interest in baseball
statistics
or history—although it's the avid fan who will best appreciate these
numerical
surveys of baseball history.
This
collection also
incorporates photos, a sense of
humor, and affection for the sport. For some, the many statistical
supporting
details may prove overbearing, especially given the allure of the
personality-based observations made in the introductory tale.
But,
again: this is
primarily a recommendation for avid
baseball fans who enjoy historical explorations backed by statistical
representation. The blend of amusing anecdotes and baseball statistics
supporting key moments in the sport's history will attract and delight
those
who hold a passion for the sport.
Return to Index
Transcendcorona
Greg Hoetker
TRANS(form)ed Press
978-1-7341079-7-5
$20.00
www.transformedpress.com
Transcendcorona is autobiography and
social inspection writing at
its best, documenting the new age of living with coronavirus's threats
with an
attention to daily detail that future generations will find exact and
engrossing: "I am The Doctor of all
things in print, the MJ of syllables and sky. I read, pre-read,
re-read,
release. The galloping numbers fail to compute. I smell the slightest
whiff and
hear the gentlest whisper of something harsh and snarling; so I pull my
two
teens from school to quarantine. Their wrath cuts deep. “No one else is
_____.”
And “Why are we even _____?” Unspoken profanities simmering beneath the
surface
of our family soup. By evening, after the microphone spittle of Rudy
Gobert
tests positive for COVID-19, the NBA closes the doors on its entire
season.
Followed by More Breaking News: Tom Hanks has tested positive, too. If
Forrest
Gump can get it . . . ? A box of chocolates now tastes bitter."
Greg
Hoetker
writes
of transformations and change with a keen attention to capturing the
nuances
and details of daily living. His inspections come with dates and follow
the
timeline of tragedy that absorbs daily news as he awaits better
options: "Clouds billow across the rolling
flats
of Oklahoma City. As morning becomes afternoon, the uptick of a
fifteen-mile-hour
wind. It is the same weather on the same date at the same time that I
envisioned at the end of my first novel...Tomorrow, the
twenty-five-year
anniversary of the event, now to-be-forgotten in the COVID-news
shuffle. So
many bodies. It’s 40,000 now, 168 then. It took us six years to
study-blame-execute. But how to kill a submicron murderer without a
vaccine.
Then we used a cocktail of chemicals and needles; now we need much of
the same.
They say twelve to eighteen months. But they do not truly know, how
long it
will take to find it, and how much longer to manufacture enough for
all. In the
meantime we click stories. Sew masks. Plant gardens. And wait. Wait.
Wait."
Hoetker's
ability to
capture the nuances of these strange times, weaving social inspection,
past
experience, history, and the ironies and inconsistencies of life during
COVID
in a rapidly changing era, makes for a special blend of literary
inspection and
social critique. The social and political commentary is
thought-provoking and
impeccable.
An
example
of this is
the 2020 recognition of Memorial Day weekend, when Hoetker examines his
past
celebrations and connections, contrasting them with present-day events:
"On Memorial Day the flags wave at
half-mast. The former vice-president in a Delaware cemetery wears black
mask
and aviators, looking Top Gun postapocalyptic.
My grandfather is at Union Cemetery east of town. How I loved him when
he was
here. You can’t love dirt and headstones...What was, what is. A golden
eagle
with a wingspan like Kawhi floats and swoops between stray snags.
Around 6:25
p.m. local time a man elsewhere is choked then dispatched. 3rdBorn,
KenCryce,
drop a heartbeat, run it back: One
man’s loss is my loss / One man’s loss is your loss / One man’s loss is
our
loss / One man’s loss is God’s loss. Back to the Valley,
derricks
moaning. That chasm between 100 and 109 degrees. That’s Thursday,
mercury
rising, risen, a flag waving America onwards, In
Memoriam, for our Departed,
lowered to the very bottom of the pole."
His
ethereal, descriptive
blends of past and present help delineate just what is different about
this era
and point in time, in contrast to the past. His literary inspections
and unique
voice move beyond singular experience to expressions that will resonate
universally with those living during these times.
Transcendcorona's compelling blend of
autobiography, social and
cultural inspection, and the politics and processes of world-changing
events is
highly recommended reading for anyone interested in an astute document
of our
times for present-day acknowledgement and future generations alike.
As
with
Hoetker's prior works A Leg in Oklahoma City
and BLACK CYANIDE/white pill, all profits from book sales of Transcendcorona
will be donated to charities, nonprofits, and educational institutions
aligned
with a common vision of dispersing peace.
Return to Index
When Your Child Has Cancer
Dr. John Poothullil,
MD, FRCP
New Insights Press
978-1-7338411-4-6
www.newinsightspress.com
When Your Child Has Cancer: Insights
and Information to Empower Parents surveys the basic facts about childhood cancer
with the purpose of "giving
parents and professionals new insights into childhood cancers,
particularly how
and why they are occurring among more and more children."
From how children can have cancer without
gene mutations occurring to a section of three illustrated stories
parents can
use to talk to a young child about cancer, When
Your Child Has Cancer covers
many different aspects of the disease and its causes and impact.
35 years of medical practice expertise lends
to this discussion of why, how, and when children come down with
cancer. From
insights into controlling cancer with food choices to organizing
activities for
the child undergoing cancer treatment, When
Your Child Has Cancer blends assessments of various options
with a focus on how to explain facts and handle the child in treatment.
Its
wide-ranging
approach elevates it beyond a singular production, offering recipes,
picture
book stories, medical advice, and insights on alternatives to make for
an
all-in-one guide for recovery.
When
parents
face a
cancer diagnosis for their child, it's often not possible to consult
multiple
references to get all the information needed to handle their questions
as well
as address their child's needs.
When Your Child Has Cancer resolves this
problem by having
everything under one cover, and should be the starting place for any
parent
facing a new diagnosis and cancer's challenges.
Return to Index
7th
Grade
Revolution
Liana
Gardner
Vesuvian
Books
978-1-944109-47-9
$12.95 Paper/$6.99
ebook/Hardcover $15.95 (Nov 24, 2020)
www.VesuvianBooks.com
Combine
a
detective
mystery for children ages 9-12, blend in history from Colonial America,
and
include the usual 7th grade school angst and what do you have? 7th Grade Revolution, a genre-defying
children's story that revolves around 7th graders who stage a
successful school
revolt that ejects adult guidance, only to stumble into a treasure hunt
that
pits them against the FBI.
At
first
this
whirlwind of a middle-grade book feels too wide-ranging. There is a lot
going
on. But, powered by the characters of troublemaker Dennis Alexander and
the
reclusive Rhonda Snodgrass, 7th Grade
Revolution quickly becomes a compelling survey of not just a
student
revolt, but its unexpected aftermath.
It's
unusual
to have
an adventure mystery wound into actual history based on real-world
events. Its
premise originated with a charter school's classroom experiences with a
bloodless 'revolt' scenario that encouraged students to learn about and
emulate
the challenges faced in early America. This story evolves a scenario in
which the
7th Grade wins, but now has to form a student government, determine
policies,
and run the school. Gardner imagined what would happen if this
fictional task
were true...and 7th Grade Revolution was
born.
To
further
support
the real roots of the tale, the complete Twitter stream from the actual
classroom experience at Exploris Middle
School appears at the end of the book.
As
young
readers
pursue this exciting story, they will find it far different than the
usual historical
approach, more challenging and wide-ranging than the typical mystery,
and more
exciting than either genre.
Decades
ago,
Henry
Winterfield wrote Trouble at Timpetill,
about a group of spoiled kids whose parents disappear and leave them to
run the
town. The students in Gardner's
story, in contrast, have taken a more proactive hand in their future,
rather
than having adults force their independence and decision-making
process. But
now they have to support their decisions and struggle with some very
adult
processes: "We can’t agree on how to
run the school, how can we fight the FBI?” Brooke’s voice trailed up to
a
squeak."
Lovely
color illustrations by Luke Spooner pepper this adventure, adding
visual
strength to an already-formidable story that proves hard to put down.
Young
readers interested in a problem-solving adventure story strengthened by
evolving
interpersonal relationships and student connections will find 7th Grade Revolution an outstanding
read. It offers delightful action paired with thought-provoking
insights not
just on leadership and decision-making, but how a group of disparate
students
bands together for a greater purpose and ultimately reaches their
goals, with
an unexpected lesson for all.
7th Grade Revolution is very
highly recommended
for middle graders looking for lively adventure
leisure
reading.
Return
to Index
Call for Independence
R.D. Crist
ShoRic Publishing
Paperback: 978-0-9998822-3-8
Ebook: 978-0-999-8822-2-1
$3.99
www.scarletreignbooks.com
Call for Independence
is Book 2 in the Scarlet Reign series for young adults interested in
strong
action stories of independent, proactive teen heroines facing adversity.
Natalie once saved the Sisterhood from
disaster, but its new requirements of commitment leave her
contemplating an
exit even as it once again requires the strength of her abilities to
combat a
new threat: independence.
Pulled in different directions by her
evolving powers and her connections to both the Sisterhood and the
friendships
and forces in her own life, Natalie finds herself in a whirlwind of
choices
good and bad as she tries to steer a course both within and away from
the
Sisterhood's control.
Revenge, justice, a new quest, and a
struggle against the darkness both within the world and in herself
permeates a
fast-paced story. It builds on the prior book Malice
of the Dark Witch, but requires no prior familiarity in
order for newcomers to quickly become involved in this dark tale of
sacrifice,
faith, spells, and power struggles.
Strong descriptions of violent struggle make
this a recommendation for mature teen to adult readers, who will find
Natalie's
story compelling and thoroughly engrossing.
R.D. Crist excels in outlining a dilemma in
which Natalie faces her own moral and ethical decisions over betraying
trust
and heritage or forging new paths in the world. From battles with
witches and
spells cast on both sides to the lures of order, protection, and
growing
powers, Call for Independence is
equally strong in confrontation and battle and inner inspection.
Natalie is an appealing character who
courageously faces the forces and conflicts within her evolving self as
well as
from the witches and those around her. Some support her quest for a
different
kind of life: "I’m sorry to intrude
into your matters, but you’ve been there for the Order many times: a
savior
twice, guiding their youth, and all as a child yourself. You have a
life too.
Have you not been selfless enough for their causes? You deserve to be
happy,
and this order’s direction is in contrast to that happiness.” “But I
can’t
leave the Order—” “When you can save it again,” finished the seer.
“It’s been a
pleasure for me to know you. You are indeed a unique and beautiful
individual,
but Parker is right, you are too naïve to be involved. I hope you see
me as a
friend, and as a friend, I believe we can handle this one without you.
You have
grown too much, too fast. It’s okay to take some time for yourself.”
Teens will readily relate to Natalie's
moments of self-discovery and choices, and will find this story, like
its
predecessor, offers a solid blend of action, confrontation, and
self-realization. It's more than a notch above most other fantasies or
young
adult quest stories, highly recommended for mature teens who will
absorb
Natalie's changes and dilemmas as familiar facets of their own lives.
Return to Index
Getting
By
Jaire Sims
Bookbaby
Paperback: 978-1-73486-080-1
$12.90
eBook: 978-1-73486-081-8
$4.99
http://jairesims.com
Getting
By is a
fine young adult coming of age story centered on Carver Goodman, an
African
American student who has just turned seventeen, and dreams of becoming
a
photographer.
In
addition to the usual
challenges of school, bullies,
and his ability to appreciate the pleasures of local nature, Carver
acknowledges that he’s at a crossroads in his life where everything is
poised
to change: “...lunch was where I could spend precious
time with
friends, something I valued because I knew our time together in high
school
would not last forever.”
His
ability to accept life’s
inevitable twists and turns
and his changing role in it is one of the facets that keeps readers
engaged in Getting
By.
Another
draw is Jaire Sims’s
ability to accept new
beginnings that include a blossoming relationship with his good friend
Jocelynn, questions about sexuality and life direction, and the choices
he
faces in honing his abilities in more than one way. More so than most
accounts
of African American young people, Sims cultivates the ability to
present a
multifaceted young personality on the cusp of various types of changes
and
confrontations in life.
This
approach creates a
character that has ambition,
searches for his life purpose and connections, and who moves in a world
where
getting by is not the only choice. In his case, getting by would be
falling
into an easy relationship with his good friend. But opting for
something more
brings Carver into dangerous territory: “Donnell
looked sexy not only
in khakis but in jeans as well. I know it didn’t count as cheating, but
the way
I looked at Donnell and some of the other boys at school almost made me
feel
like I was cheating on Jocelynn. When Donnell saw me after getting on
the bus,
he greeted me with a nod before sitting in the back. I was lucky enough
to
smell a hint of his cologne when he walked past me.”
Too many
young adult stories
of African Americans also
adopt relatively singular approaches, placing their characters in
ghettos where
influences are different. In creating a talented, aspiring young man
who is
facing both the pinnacle of success and some of his greatest personal
challenges for building a different future goal, Jaire Sims goes far
beyond
getting by with stereotypical scenarios and approaches.
Who is
Carver honoring when
he makes decisions based on
the expectations of others, and how can he stay true to himself and his
loved ones
while staying on an upward trajectory towards success and personal life
satisfaction?
Carver
Goodman’s decisions
and options on the cusp of
adulthood create a compelling, uplifting, realistic story of a
potentially
successful young man and introvert who faces pressures and influences
beyond
those usually wound into African American coming of age stories. Getting
By is
an exceptional, thought-provoking read.
Return to Index
Jack and
the Lean Stalk
Raven Howell
Atmosphere Press
1647646677
$12.99
www.atmospherepress.com
Jack
and the Lean
Stalk is illustrated by Sarah Gledhill and cultivates
tongue-in-cheek humor
as it tells of Jack, who lives with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Garbanzo,
on a
farm in the little town of Pinto.
His
parents are good
farmers, but Jack is not. He has a
different talent in his community: mending things.
When
there is a threat to
the magical bean crop, can
Jack's talent help?
To add
to the problems, a
Giant child appears, who
doesn't look like anyone else in the community. He hides in the
Garbanzo
family's fields, miserably isolated. Jack's talent may be mending
things, but
now he has two problems he can't solve. Or, can he?
Good
reading skills will
lend to easy enjoyment of this
'fractured fairy tale' which offers lessons about prejudice,
cultivating one's
talents, redirecting abilities and perspectives about life, and
handling the
fallout from grief.
Kids
receive a story about
the interconnected
consequences of actions and choices, the unexpected side effects of
prejudice,
grief, and isolation, and how one individual with talents that are
different
can change the world.
An
inspirational story
evolves; highly recommend for
parents seeking lessons for young readers about tolerance, wisdom,
understanding,
and problem-solving.
Return to Index
The
Lake
Never Tells
Alex Tully
Independently
Published
979-8632617598
$8.99 Paper/$2.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Never-Tells-Alex-Tully/dp/B088T2KHX6
Zoe
is a
trailer park
resident who well knows the routines of her home and the snobby
reactions of
vacationers who visit the area on holiday. But when she encounters
Ethan, a
visitor from a nearby wealthy community, an unexpected relationship
develops to
counter much of what she's come to believe in her life, in The Lake Never Tells.
Young
adults
who
choose this story for its blossoming friendship between peers and
siblings will
find it holds a darker, more inspective undertone when a body washes up
on the
beach to bring the children not just new relationships and possible
young love,
but a clash of worlds that threatens Zoe's home and future.
Readers
delve into a
story that surveys privilege, politics, social differences, and
connections
between very different individuals who learn to not just tolerate one
another,
but love each another's unique perspective on life and their special
abilities.
There's
a
lot more
going on in The Lake Never Tells
than
a simple story of an evolving relationship. The other thing that is
changing is
a clash of cultures and perspectives that brings Zoe and Ethan to the
brink of
misunderstanding and danger.
Alex
Tully
provides a
summer story of change in a manner that toes the line between a sweet
tale of
growth and understanding and the changes life brings to each
character's perception
of their world and social standing.
As
Detective
Zeller moves
closer to the truth about the dead body and Ethan and Parker's
involvement,
readers find themselves thoroughly engrossed in a mystery and a secret
that
could change everything not just for Zoe, but all who are involved in
her life.
Tully's
ability to
provide a story that touches upon many different points lends to a
multifaceted
read that maintains reader interest with strong characterization and a
shifting
plot that continually introduces new elements into the story.
The
author's
move
from romance to intrigue will keep young adults guessing until the
unexpected
conclusion. This approach crafts a riveting story that's more than a
simple
summer beach tale, but the engrossing saga of worlds colliding and
extraordinary friendships forged from adversity and new dreams.
The Lake Never Tells's unique blend of
mystery, romance, and
discovery is highly recommended for teens who want a story replete with
relationship challenges and change.
Return to Index
The Quarantine Bears
Jay & Meg Sutherland
The Booth of Us
978-0-578-72239-9
$$29.99 (coupons available)
Publisher: www.theboothofus.com
Amazon: www.amazon.com
Bookbaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Quarantine-Bears
Website: www.TheQuarantineBears.com
The Quarantine Bears
pairs a rollicking two-line-per-page rhyming picture book with the
story of a
family of bears who awaken from hibernation expecting to enjoy another
season
in the sun. But something is different this year...as they go for a
family run,
they observe that everything is closed, and people are wearing masks
outside: "The stores were all closed, the
streets were all bare/and a few folks in masks almost gave us a scare!"
They turn on the television to find that
they have woken up to a nightmare. What's a bear to do? Lay in
supplies, of
course.
As they develop new habits indoors and under
new rules, the bears discover there is actually "plenty to do", and
forge new habits and lives for themselves as they await safety and
recovery.
The Quarantine Bears's
realistic yet friendly tone makes it the perfect item of choice to help
the
very young adapt to new realities. "This
can't last forever" is one of the messages in a lively story
that does
a terrific job of pointing out new realities and how to live a good
life under
them.
Parents will find this appealing family of
bears and their observations and decisions provide easy lessons for
kids on how
to live under COVID restrictions, yet anticipate a positive new day in
the
future.
It's highly recommended for parents looking
for an introduction to COVID rules and their rationale, for the very
young.
Return to Index
Tales of
Nash
Ann Worthington
DartFrog Books
978-1-951490-52-2
$11.99
Paper/$3.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Nash-Ann-Worthington/dp/1951490525
Tales
of Nash
is a young adult coming of age story that revolves around the summer
experience
of seventeen-year-old Nash, who leaves his friends in Portland to live
in the
woods with his grandfather. Much like Jean George's classic My Side of the Mountain a decades ago,
Ann Worthington creates a saga that begins with a desire to run away
from
something, but evolves into a story of running into one's strengths and
individuality.
Nash
already likes "being
outdoors, unconfined by four walls." His affinity for
solitude lends
to his ability to make an unusual choice for his life when everything
changes
and he is accused of murder.
Unlike My
Side of
the Mountain, this isn't just a story about outward survival
skills. It
speaks of family relationships, inner resilience, and adapting to the
world's
influences and struggles.
From
escalating debt and his
mercurial relationship with
his grandfather to his personal involvement in investigating a crime to
clear
his name and more, Nash's ability to navigate death when it comes home
to hit
personally, combined with his changing relationships with the world,
makes for
absorbing reading.
One
might wonder at the
appropriateness of the murder's
injection into the overall coming-of-age theme, but Ann Worthington
does a
tasteful job of exploring Nash's evolutionary process as he considers
difficult
decisions, new adjustments to life and the revelations of a family
secret, and
the kinds of inquiries that lead to devastating revelations that change
everything. Worthington creates a powerful tale that is embedded both
in nature
and family and social adversity.
Mature
teen to new adult
readers will find Tales of Nash a
poignant story of family
ties and growth which introduces an evolving dilemma and Nash's revised
place
in the world. It's highly recommended for audiences looking for
intriguing
blends of mystery, social and family issues, and the kinds of decisions
and
bigger-picture revelations maturity brings, to usher adulthood into
place.
Return to Index
Those
Who Watch from Afar
Zach Hacker
Anywhere Press
Paperback: 978-1-7335049-4-2
E-book: 978-1-7335049-3-5
www.anywherepress.com
Those
Who Watch
from Afar is the first book in the 'Magic's Erosion' series,
providing
young adult readers with a coming of age fantasy that revolves around
Leah's
walk out of the world into an Earth that is both familiar and
unfamiliar at the
same time. It's another realm that exists on an alternate plane and
holds hope
for magical partnerships and resolution for the dying Earth's dilemmas.
Petra
narrates her story as
a special gift and lesson to
Leah, but as she interweaves a complex series of encounters and
insights, Leah
is tasked with confronting the magical legacy she's inherited and the
impact of
Petra's decisions to change the course and presence of magic on Earth.
As Leah
and readers absorb
Petra's story, mission, and
its unexpected impact, a fine story evolves of both vigorous attempts
to right
old wrongs and a passive watch that has affected the world through
inactivity as
much as action: "Earlier, you raised
a question about my complicated relationship with my mother. Well, one
reason I
find it so difficult is that I have now become her. The movement I led
has been
coopted by those who do not wish to continue the slow march of equality
on this
planet, and have instead used the last few hundred years to seize and
debase
the bondstones, circumventing what we accomplished through new magic.
They’ve
erected magical borders to pose limits on usage, and they’ve restricted
the knowledge
of magic to only themselves. It’s been disheartening, as I’ve only been
able to
watch from afar.”
Young
adults will become
absorbed by Petra's dilemmas and
history, Leah's inadvertent discoveries and newfound realizations about
the
realities of her life and world, and her latest task to accept newfound
power
and responsibility in much the way Petra did, but with different
results.
Those
Who Watch
from Afar builds a fine interplay between the characters of
these two
worlds and reviews the lasting impact of their decisions. It's
especially
powerful in exploring the psychological and social connections that
influence
Petra and Leah's decisions and approaches to life and this latest
challenge: "Leah continued, “Look, I guess I
thought if I came here you could give me some power or some weapon that
would
just fix everything and I could go back to my life. I can’t even hold
down a
job—there’s no way I can live up to this.”
In a
way, Those
Who
Watch from Afar is like an entire prologue that sets the
stage for books to
follow by crafting a believable human protagonist who just wants an
easy way of
solving huge problems both in her own life and for Earth.
The
compelling emotional
developments, the interplays
between characters, their heritage, and their future responsibilities,
and the
focus on how world-changing events are introduced and explored makes Those Who Watch from Afar an excellent
choice for young adult fantasy readers who like their quest tales
firmly
grounded in strong, believable characters.
Book 1
is the setup. Book 2
should be eagerly anticipated
by the fans of Those Who Watch from Afar.
Return to Index
Through
the Woods
Maly Kiendl
Independently Published
978-1679012112
$15.00
Paper/$5.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Through-Woods-Maly-Kiendl/dp/1679012118
Through
the Woods
is an appealing, simple picture book story that focuses on a very basic
concept: the fine art of giving to others.
Good
reading skills (or,
ideally, adult read-aloud
assistance) will lend appreciation to this story of Loxalillya, who
encounters
a Dreammaker elf in the woods. Their interactions assume a surreal
quality when
he introduces her to a brother she never knew she had.
As
Loxalillya encounters the
little boy and others who
all seem to need some form of assistance, she learns important lessons,
including how to receive without question or doubts.
Adults
will be able to
tailor the lessons of this story
to the very young, while kids with good reading skills who pursue the
themes
themselves will find it holds many pointed lessons: "If
you don't understand something right away it doesn't
matter...gain confidence by it. Don't stand in the middle of the road
and worry
about the good that came your way."
Better
editing, even for
this short piece, would have
corrected peppered grammatical issues such as mild punctuation and word
choices. Adults seeking a perfectly written message might look
elsewhere...but
the message about giving that this book contains in a series of
adventures is
thought-provoking enough that they won't be easily found in competing
picture
book stories for this age group, while the full-page color
illustrations are
exceptionally lovely.
Adults
who look for stories
for kids that embed values
lessons and perspectives about life choices will relish the kindness
and focus
of this story of giving and better understanding.
Return to Index
Walkout
Tina Shepardson
Clear Fork Publishing
978-1-950169-27-6
$16.99
Publisher: www.clearforkpublishing.com
Ordering: www.amazon.com,
Clear Fork Publishing, and
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Walkout
is a
fine picture book story illustrated by cartoonist and artist Terry
Sirrell, who
creates appealing drawings to highlight the story of young people who
decide to
show support for their school by staging an anti-violence walkout.
It's a
dual story about
political involvement and
friendship which not only advocates calls to action, but shows how
young people
can get involved in social change.
Stella
is afraid to go to
the walkout, given that the
school principal has stated that only older kids can participate. But
her best
friend Maddie is determined that they be involved in some way. But, how
can
younger kids join their elders?
As
Stella worries, Maddie
maintains that "This walk should be for all,
including the
small." But Stella just wants everyone to be safe, even if
she's the
only one holding that line and testing their friendship in the process.
A
concluding note about
school violence and
demonstrations completes the realistic story of two best friends who
face a
political choice that divides them when they should stand united.
Adults
looking to explain
activism and social
participation to the very young, as well as friendship's boundaries and
challenges, will find this story of a determined girl and her
too-cautious best
friend to be engrossing and educational. It's perfect for initiating
beginning
conversations about political involvement, school violence issues, and
risk-taking.
Return to Index
Allegra Pescatore
Ao Collective Publishing
Paperback: 978-1-952348-00-6
$17.99
Hardcover: 978-1-952348-01-3
$26.99
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Shadows-Lie-Book-Last/dp/1952348005
Where
Shadows Lie
is the first book of The Last Gift series and follows royal headaches
and
challenges when Princess Elenor's brother dies, leaving her next in
line to
inherit the Throne of Lirin.
On the
opposite side of her
reign is rebel Gabriel, who
has spent his life fighting oppression, and who believes that
eliminating the
royal family is one of the keys to liberation.
He never
expected to find
his latest task challenged by a
close developing relationship with the institution that is the
wellspring of
his country's tyranny, while Elenor discovers that her love for her
people and
kingdom can be mirrored in an alternate reality that holds truths every
bit as
powerful as her own convictions.
The
unlikely meeting and
alliance of these two disparate
individuals, and the rise of ancient forces initially released by their
clash,
creates a fantasy story that is about more than the rise of magic.
Allegra Pescatore holds a powerful ability
to set a scene and relationships, then give them unexpected twists so
that
Elenor is not only uncertain of her supporters, but comes to see that
loyalty
presents itself in strange ways: "You
still haven’t told me who it is we’re meeting,” Elenor noted, rocking
nervously
on the balls of her feet. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a
shape move
in the shadows. She leaned into Fedrik, breath coming faster. “An old
friend of
mine.” Instead of reaching for the door, he turned towards her. Taking
both of
Elenor’s hands in his, Fedrik looked down into her eyes. “Whatever
happens
tonight, know that before all else, my loyalty is yours.”
These juxtapositions of faith, life
perceptions, clashing forces, and values which unexpectedly come full
circle to
align those on opposing sides drives a fantasy replete in action,
confrontation, surprising truths, and reexaminations of everything from
alliances to puzzling events.
The undercurrent of ethical, moral, and life
examination will delight fantasy readers looking for philosophical
reflections
within character interactions in the course of a vivid series of
events: "Are you speaking of the Tellens? Why
do you take their deaths on your shoulders?” “Because they are!” If he
knew
what had happened, how could he not see that? Yet Robin shook his head.
“Did
you tell them to rebel? Did you tell your father to forgo due process?
There were
thousands of choices that brought them to that end, and you were only a
small
piece of that web, but more important than all of that is the question
that you
are not asking: what if this was their best path? What if they did
exactly what
they were meant to do, and that their Passing will help the world by
opening your eyes?”
As the story builds by adding two gods out
for vengeance, powerful being Daemon's realization that Elenor's love
changes
everything, and a host of sub characters from mock dragons to Mark
Lirion's
stranglehold on the country, sending Gabriel on a murderous mission
that
changes its course, readers will be delighted by an epic presentation
that
keeps alliances shifting and life purposes in flux.
Perhaps
the greatest strength to Where
Shadows Lie is in
its many
well-developed characters. Readers will care not just about Elenor and
Gabriel
and their motivations and lives, but those who surround them. This is
the
hallmark of superior writing.
Compared
to other books in
the epic fantasy genre, Where Shadows Lie
is somewhat longer
than most. This is because its characters and action are nicely
developed and
thoroughly compelling, giving the story a rich flavor that makes it
hard to put
down, as evocative as the best epic fantasies in the genre.
Where
Shadows Lie
is very highly recommended for mature teens on up—anyone who wants
their
action-packed story firmly grounded in the hearts and minds of not just
the
main characters, but everything that surrounds them.
Return to Index
Angels
of Stockholm
Neil D. Desmond
Adelaide Books
978-1949180541
$19.60
Paper/$7.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Stockholm-Neil-D-Desmond/dp/1949180549
Each
story in Angels
of Stockholm paints a very different portrait of decisions,
lives changed,
and different cultural and social connections between disparate peoples
around
the world, from Asia to Europe and America. There is a sense of wonder
and
achievement in all these tales, which consider revised purposes to life
and the
circumstances which both separate and draw people together.
These
literary short stories
offer social and personal
inspections filled with quiet tension, depth, and moments of despair
tempered
by revelation and change.
Believable
characters face
all kinds of circumstances,
from a 1917 encounter in 'We May Be On Our Own' which follows a mother
and
daughter facing an explosive disaster in Halifax in the absence of a
fisherman
husband to an art reflection in 'The Masterpiece' in which a part-time
student
of art history finds this world connects to life's meanings in
unexpected ways
beyond and within art. These make Angels
of Stockholm: Short Stories a compelling read which employs a
variety of
times, settings, and cultures to depict the struggles of ordinary
individuals
facing changed lives and adversity.
Angels
of
Stockholm: Short Stories opens with 'Stockholm', a piece that
traverses
Scripture, belief, war, and a contrast in very different lives between
a
spiritual, kind child in Stockholm and the experiences of Marina in
Austria,
who believes she will die in the prison camp of Mauthausen in 1945.
The
connections between
these disparate lives begins when
father Hans encounters Marina and her belief that Christians are
responsible
for the inhumanity and her plight. As he takes risks to help her, from
the
perspective that being a father to one child is to hold affection for
all
children, he makes decisions that have long-term effects on them both.
Decades
later, as a bus
driver, he reflects on his life
and how he and the world continue to be changed by the Holocaust and
decisions
made during those years. He has always stepped up to the
responsibilities life
has given him, but acknowledges that he has been changed by them all
even as
others drift through life without the will to affect anyone else.
As
living, breathing
vignettes of life's challenges, Angels of
Stockholm: Short Stories will
linger in the mind long after the final story is absorbed. It is a
highly
recommended collection for readers who like their short works literary,
diverse, and well grounded in the human spirit of resilience and growth.
Return to Index
Dreams
of a
Viking
Wedding
John David Muth
Kelsay Books
9781952326110
$18.50
https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Viking-Wedding-John-David/dp/1952326117
Dreams of a Viking Wedding presents the
poems of a
son-turned-caregiver to his aging father, who faces the special
challenges of
living his life while handling an adult who once was his leader and
rock.
John
David
Muth's own
impending first wedding at middle age and his navigations through life
create a
satisfyingly reflective juxtaposition of events past and present. Muth
captures
ordinary tasks with the astute observational style of a philosopher,
often
presenting double meanings in his free verse.
The
poem
'Ode to My
2-XL', about an attic treasure find, is one of the best examples of
this
device: "I plug the power cord into
an outlet/hoping to see the red glow of its eyes/hear the high-pitched
voice/ready to teach me once again/but nothing happens./It must have
been the
heat up here." Placed where it is, after introductory poems
outlining
his father's condition and his newfound role in his father's life, the
poem
packs power with a multifaceted conclusion.
Many
poems
weave
surprises into their dialogues and discussions, as in the surprising
conclusion
offered through the words of wisdom of an inebriated grandfather in
'Talking
with Grandpa after He's Had Ten Beers (circa 1987)', which includes the
reflection that "Sex is a crucifix to their
vampire./Truthfully,
they’re all vampires."
Irony
and
humor also
penetrates many of these life experiences, as in 'She Didn’t Seem to
Mind',
where Muth mistakes a woman's restroom for a men's room and finds
himself in an
uncomfortable position.
Wit
and
wisdom
coalesce as these poems build a foundation for understanding not just
Muth's
life and experiences, but the typical man's walk through middle age.
Dreams,
daily trials,
fantasies and truths move through poems with an ability to pair the
ordinary
experience with astute observations: "It’s
hard being inconsequential:/a machine that works, eats, excretes./For a
day, I
want to be a warrior/passionate and fierce/not a white-collared
geek/born a
thousand years too late."
Poetry
enthusiasts
seeking a free verse walk through a man's life and the rigors of
middle-age
challenges will find Dreams of a Viking
Wedding well-written, hard-hitting, thought-provoking reading.
Return to Index
The
First Lady
Pete Ballard
Bluefield Books
978-0-578-69607-2
$5.99
Paper/$0.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/First-Lady-Novella-Pete-Ballard/dp/1735091707
The
First Lady of the United
States, Doris Ann Westleigh,
attended the funeral of husband President Adam Westleigh in 1940s
America. Her
grief was carefully publicly staged, hiding an alternate feel that his
presidency has benefited herself as much as her husband and
successfully masked
the truth about the role she's played as the wife of Adam John Harmon.
With his
death, things are
about to change for the first
lady and the family that has proudly displayed their success as a
reflection of
the American dream.
As Doris
puts the past fifty
years of a lifetime of
choices into perspective, readers receive a novella replete in
contemplation of
life-changing decisions, including changing her name and persona.
Harold
invented her name and everything about her. Indeed, as the foundling
child of
sharecroppers, everything about her past has been fiction.
Pete
Ballard's short work is
a strong historical and
psychological romance that begins with death and works backwards to an
identity
invented for special purposes. It slowly reveals Doris's evolution with
Harold
always in attendance over these changes, and creates a quiet inspection
of a
revised identity that has always been impeccable and impossible, at
once.
As Doris
now seeks to get on
with her life, she comes to
question what that new life involves, its purpose, and its presentation.
The
First Lady
is a quiet inspection of transitions, life identity, and change.
Indeed, it's
so circumspect that readers who expect more action may be stymied by
its slow
psychological inspections and probe of relationships which rest on
social image
and carefully contrived public presentations that build a specific
persona.
From
depictions of changing
family relationships and
White House image revisions and challenges to the aftermath of Doris's
service
as a wife and political ally, Ballard weaves a quiet story of evolving
family
connections, relationships, and intersections between high-level
political
figures and down home environments.
The
result is a poignant
story of high society, identity
decisions, and a close-held secret that won't be passed on to future
generations or the public eye: "Our
stories will end when the four of us are gone. There will be no stigma
for the
children.”
Evocative
and revealing, The First Lady is
especially recommended for women who enjoy tales
of social interactions, family change, and the trials, demands, and
secrets of
high society in America.
Return to Index
The
Potion
Peddler’s Almanac
Colin R. James
Cresting Wave
Publishing, LLC
Paperback:
978-0988904859
$9.99
ASIN: B089Q11HFH
$4.99
https://amzn.to/2ZhmjWI
The
Potion
Peddler’s Almanac is a literary
collection of short stories
that move through time and place, capturing succinct moments of
experience that
ride the wave of the unexpected.
Take
the title
story 'The Potion Peddler's Alamanc', for example, which introduces the
anthology and represents some of its key strengths. Set in 1755
England, the
piece moves through an ancient route traversed by a common potion
peddler who
moves through the wilderness undeterred by either the elements or the
lure of
connections to mankind.
His
sojourn is
based upon peddler potions he knows are worthless, on some level. On
other
levels, he is actually peddling hope: "The art of potions
wasn’t in the
mixture, nor in the voluminous recipes laid down by generations past;
secrets
divulged by father to son, from mother to daughter; forgotten knowledge
retained by travelling folk and distributed frugally among those
outside the
inner circle. Although an initiate of the ancient rite of healers, the
peddler
knew that it took more than colored glass and powdered opiate to heal
the body
and excite the imagination."
Readers
who anticipate a
literary device that includes
the usual predicable progression of events will find, in this opening
act and
others, that the meat of the story lies in Colin
R. James's ability to capture not the nuances of a trade or a
perspective, but the ultimate underlying motivations and results of
this
pursuit.
The
stories
often
feel open-ended because it is left to the reader's inclinations and
experience
to produce the final interpretation. Yet, just enough guidance is
provided to
tailor the possibilities in that final unsaid punch line. This is one
delight
that all the stories share—a strength that allows for an open-ended
result
based not on the obvious, but upon the impact each story has on its
individual
reader.
Take
'Femme
Fatale',
for a very different atmosphere and example. Set in London in the
1980s, this
piece revolves around a new dance club, the promise of sexy dancers,
and the
scene being set by a dancer who prepares for the first audience of an
opening
act designed to take London by storm.
The
punch
line is
unexpected and invites readers to think about their perceptions and
assumptions.
This
sense
of
surprise is cultivated in each and every story. James proves he is no
stranger
to powerful dialogue with 'Blighty', set in a Somme trench in 1916
France. It
pursues the Army's interactions and experiences in the town of Blighty
and the
evolving relationships between fighters who find themselves mitigating
the
terrible events of the present with memories of the past.
Each
piece
is a
complete, succinct snapshot of time and place. Each offers a literary
delve
into hearts, minds, and misperceptions. Each will delight readers who
look for
diverse, wide-ranging short works that are powerfully rendered,
thought-provoking, and unexpected in their progression.
The
Potion
Peddler’s Almanac is highly
recommended reading for literary
audiences who look for journeys through life captured from various
angles and
gathered into a series of vignettes made more powerful for their
unified
assembly under one cover.
Return to Index
The
Torch of Hope and
Inspirations
Annalyn J. Rasul
Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
Paperback: 978-1-64515-799-1
$15.95
Hardcover: 978-1-64515-981-0
$22.95
Digital: 978-1-64515-800-4
$ 9.99
www.christianfaithpublishing.com
The
poems and inspirational
pieces in The Torch of Hope and Inspirations
are
testimonies to faith and perseverance in the world. They represent
Annalyn J.
Rasul's blend of personal writing and selected quotes that have moved
her
during her quest for spiritual enlightenment.
The
first section contains
her poems, which are both
motivating admonitions and discussions of finding strength and comfort
in
faith.
The free
and rhyming verses
sometimes struggle to present
their message within their structure, as in 'Sorrow', about illness,
recovery,
and faith: "Not quite sure if I am
physically ill,/or is it my soul that needs a heal?/I writhed with pain
and
guzzled some pill,/but nothing can heal a soul that is ill."
The
strongest pieces are
free verse creations such as
'Soft Voice', which flow unfettered by the boundaries of rhyme and
rhythm: "I hear him/in a distance,/miles
away./His soft voice fading/in the stillness/against the silence/of the
trees./It comes and goes,/like the wind/from the shore./Years
gone…/there it is
again."
These
gentle reminders of
love, loss, spiritual
questioning, and life's different journeys will especially please
poetry
readers who look for simple, clear reflections on life that they can
easily
relate to.
The
second section of the
book represents a lifetime of
quote collecting and runs the gamut from proverbs and philosophical
sayings to
literary reflections. Some of the writers and quotes are well known,
while
others are pleasing surprises.
The
uniform result of this
collection is a gentle
reminder of what it means to live a life tempered by storms, shadows,
sunshine,
and a belief in God.
Readers
looking for alluring
words and stirring writing
will find them in abundance, here.
Return to Index