December 2017 Review Issue
The
Silver Spear
J.R. Roper
CHBB Publishing
978-1979507516
$12.99
http://www.joerroper.com
The Silver Spear is the final book in the four-part Morus Chronicles series, continuing the story of Mel, who is charged with finding the evil Maura, saving Detsry (who has fallen into her clutches), and righting the wrongs she has inflicted on others through her choices and actions in previous books in the series.
Here she struggles with grief for those she has wronged; not the least of which is the love she still holds for Ethan, even though her previous actions crushed that opportunity for them both. She's prepared to fight to make amends for all these bad choices, but both Mel and Ethan have more decisions to make that will affect their world and their places in it.
These choices revolve around an ancient, lost silver alvar spear taken by the Great Power during battle. Ethan faces a real conundrum: does he go after the spear first, which may give him an edge in his own resolve to rescue Destry; or does he rescue his sister first and possibly forego an opportunity to change everything with a powerful new force?
As Maura makes new alliances, raising an army and strengthening her spells, Ethan faces Maura's new challenges with a newfound weapon that he can only minimally control.
Mel and Ethan face changes that could bond them together as outcasts as the story moves in unexpected directions, taking two young teens and pitting them against seemingly impossible odds and forces of darkness. Powerful tools have the ability to corrupt. Can Ethan avoid their deadly trap?
Teen readers of fantasy will certainly want to have this book's predecessors under their belts, for it builds strongly upon prior events and characters to reach a crescendo of confrontation that provides a satisfying and riveting conclusion to their adventures, which began with a reluctant summer on an old farm that led to Ethan's discovery of his own special abilities and place in the world.
The Silver Spear
Return to Index
History
Leah's
Story
C.M. Huddleston
Interpreting Time's Past Press
9780996430456
$7.99 Paper; $4.99 ebook
www.cmhuddleston.com
Leah's Story tells of a girl born on a rice plantation, who grows up to serve her rich owners in Georgia. Her life, like so many others, could have ended there were it not for emancipation and education, which give her and her children new opportunities to revise their lives and dreams.
C.M. Huddleston is a historian and retired archaeologist whose background lends to a story that draws from both imagination and a real-world historical mystery, presenting Leah's saga in chapters arranged chronologically by year to reinforce the changing times, from 1827 to 1903.
Huddleston discovered Leah's narrative in a small traveling trunk hidden in a corner of a museum attic, and here reproduces her own words, as written down by the equally mysterious 'S.B. Elliott'.
One notable aspect of this story is its dialogue which is crisp, real, and involving, personalizing the diary and experiences of Leah: "Now, Miss Elliott, don't take my words wrong. Daddy William and me, we was happy. We had good food each and every day and nice clean clothes. I could read and write, though Mistress Martha had suggested I not tell anyone 'ceptin' William I could. Most white people didn't hold with teaching coloreds to read and write. Figured it made them more likely to escape and go North."
Where fictional approaches might miss some of the subtler nuances of Leah's times, the journal chronicling her life captures its daily politics, joys, heartbreaks and intricacies - and this, combined with the overlay of the mystery about her life, makes for a powerful story indeed, highly recommended for history readers and especially for collections strong in documents about a slave's move to freedom during tumultuous times.
Leah's Story
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Out
of Rushmore's Shadow
Lou Del Bianco
Niche Content Press Corporation
ISBN: 978-0-9989987-2-5
(paperback)
$18.95
ISBN: 978-0-9989987-3-2
(e-book) $
9.99
ISBN: 978-0-9989987-4-9
(hardcover)
$29.93
http://a.co/d9ot4J5
Out of Rushmore's Shadow: The Luigi del Bianco Story - An Italian Immigrant's Unsung Role as Chief Carver should be in every American history collection because it's far more than a singular biography of the author's grandfather; but an in-depth exploration of Mount Rushmore's creation - a history that would have faded into relative obscurity were it not for Lou Del Bianco's efforts to explore the life and relatively unsung achievement of his grandfather, a master carver in the Rushmore project.
Lest readers think that the Rushmore story is already adequately represented in general American history titles, it should be pointed out that when his grandson began researching its history, his grandfather's role as master carver on the project was not mentioned anywhere in the literature.
Thus began a research effort to detail his grandfather's role, experiences, and influences in the Mount Rushmore project: an occupation and calling that would consume his life.
Even more important is the secondary story of Luigi del Bianco's immigration to America and how this immigrant came to serve such a key role in the creation of one of the nation's greatest monuments.
Perhaps the introduction by Anthony Fasano of The Italian American Podcast best sums up the importance of this book to all Americans and explains why it's a highly recommended pick for any American history holding deeming itself authoritative: "Immigrants did shape the United States of America, and in Luigi Del Bianco’s case, he shaped the face of one of our most important symbols."
From the five-year-old author's initial visits to his grandfather and his early observations of his carving abilities to his discovery three years later that his grandfather was a Master Carver on the Rushmore project, this documents a twenty-five-year struggle to research documents about the project and his grandfather's contributions to it, and to make these documents a part of Rushmore's history.
Photos, letters, and family information enlarge the story from that of an immigrant's lasting achievement to his experiences in forging a meaningful new life in his adopted country. Lou Del Bianco's special blend of family history, probe into immigrant experiences and prejudices, and his captivating quest to see his grandfather's influence exposed and immortalized makes for a thoroughly engrossing narrative.
Perhaps the most powerful question of all is how this key story came to be omitted from the chronicles of American history until now. An early chapter sums it up perfectly: "In 1985, the most definitive book on Mount Rushmore was published. It was titled, The Carving of Mount Rushmore by Rex Alan Smith. No book since has told the story as well (or so we thought). On Christmas Day, 1986, after a marvelous meal of chicken parmigiana, the family sat down to chat. I can still see Caesar yelling at the air, flailing his arms and shouting, “The goddamn book doesn’t mention my father once! That’s like talking about the Yankees and not mentioning DiMaggio!”
The processes of prejudice, the deliberate omission of historical facts, and the construction of misinformation come to life in the course of a story that never should have been forgotten; and this process, as much as the author's efforts to fill in the blanks and rectify a glaring omission, makes for a powerful testimony on how history can be manipulated and changed: "If Rex Alan Smith’s “hook” was about untrained miners carving a masterpiece, surely my grandfather would have disrupted the theme of his book. So, what does he do? He decides not to mention the Chief Carver. A Chief Carver would only imply that there were in fact trained hands involved in the finishing of the faces. Also, Alan Smith was from that specific area of South Dakota. The Borglum Papers from Washington are not mentioned once in his research. If you were going to write the definitive book on Mount Rushmore, wouldn’t you do your homework and read the writings of its designer, Gutzon Borglum? Rex Alan Smith had to know those papers existed. Instead, he chose to write a book that was solely “Dakota-centric” in its chronicling of the Rushmore experience, leaving out crucial details that would have told the whole story. You now have an incomplete story with an agenda that Wenk and Popovitch not only embrace but also fiercely protect; not only does Luigi not fit into Rushmore’s incomplete story, he is a threat to it."
It's easy to see that Out of Rushmore's Shadow should be an intrinsic part of any American history collection. Far more than a family chronicle or a biography, it asks some powerful questions and delivers equally potent answers about the shaping, validation and delivery of American history itself.
Out of Rushmore's Shadow is very, very highly recommended.
Out of Rushmore's Shadow
Return to Index
The
Rise of the Nation-State in Europe: Absolutism, Enlightenment and
Revolution,
1603-1815
Jack Schwartzwald
McFarland
978-1-4766-6547-4
$65.00
https://www.amazon.com/Rise-
The Rise of the Nation-State in Europe: Absolutism, Enlightenment and Revolution, 1603-1815 is a close inspection of political change in Europe from 1603-1815, a period when the concept of government evolved from absolutism, wherein monarchs attempted to make their nation-states into veritable personal domains through a combination of political and religious authority, to attempts at benevolent rule by Enlightened despots and finally to citizen revolt in the pursuit of personal freedoms and liberty.
By choosing this particular era with its three major transformative changes and providing a close analysis of the environments and conditions under which each revolution came about, Kingship and Cataclysm provides history students and scholars with an in-depth analysis of pivot points of political, military and social change in modern Europe and their lasting impacts.
A major difference between Schwartzwald's survey and other historical pieces about this period lies in its meticulous research, represented in extensive footnoted references that will delight scholars interested in documented, supporting research. By placing these references in their proper context, Schwartzwald crafts a livelier tone in his discussion that overcomes staid, dry analysis to create a bright, involving discussion accessible even to non-scholarly readers: "The legislature was a confused jumble of four houses. Two of these—the Council of State (which proposed laws) and the Senate (which could veto them)—were directly appointed by the executive, while the other two—the Tribunate (which could debate laws but not vote) and the Legislative Corps (which could vote but not debate) were appointed by the Senate from a roster of candidates “elected” by universal suffrage. The Senate, however, did not see this roster until it had been pared down to a rump by three intermediate tiers of electors. The voters seem to have taken it all in stride, even joking amongst themselves that the sole word of import in the whole constitution was “Bonaparte.”
These references go beyond citations of documents, authors, and pages and often include their own comments and reference notes, further explaining the source material's importance.
Given
its attention to scholarly detail and coverage of how the old European
dynasty
structures gave way to other systems, one might expect The Rise of the Nation-State in
Europe: Absolutism,
Enlightenment and Revolution, 1603-1815 to
be less than lively;
but the final crowning glory of this piece lies in its studious yet
accessible
approach, making it a top recommendation for European history
collections and
general-interest audiences alike.
The
Rise of the Nation-State in Europe: Absolutism, Enlightenment and
Revolution,
1603-1815
Return
to Index
Divine
Order Book of Peace & Happiness Volume
01 Spiritual
readers who discover the works of La Resa Edwards should be advised
that her
book is no casual read or commitment, but a challenging compilation of
thoughts
representing translated messages directly from God by a daughter who
maintains
that her "professor is the author of All" and that she has been
instructed to transmit specific instructions key to the human race's
future. As
such, her document represents an admonition, a call to action, and a
set of
instructions that provides specifics on God's Program - and does so
using
capital letters to emphasize connections, action words, and
growth-oriented
ideas. Of
necessity, Edwards does not always follow the conventions of grammar
and
punctuation. In a treatise where each sentence is a thought, slow
reading and
careful consideration take precedence over typical rules of
capitalization and
structure, especially when the information is so dense that it
addresses a
sweeping range of insights about the nature of life, reality, God, and
human
purpose. Readers
who expect rules of convention in their spiritual instruction manuals
should
note that Divine
Order Book of Peace & Happiness defies
conventional approaches in many
ways, representing a series of departures from the norm that will
challenge
readers with new approaches to thinking. Edwards
employs a chatty tone to offset the
seriously dense information in her book: "Hey,
My Friend; nice to see you. Come with me so I can introduce you to
Satan,
Disorder, and the Theory of Negativity." Time
travel, Biblical messages ("You Believe
The Bible is trying to Reveal God's Chosen as people belonging to a
race or
territory. My Friend, what does color or land have to do with Human
Behavior?
The Whole of Today's Worlds, including Healthcare Professionals, are
Hopelessly
Lost. They will never find the answer to the Black Plague until they
acknowledge who I Am."), and a blend of history,
religious
inspection, and admonitions to understand the physical brain's
metaphysical
connections make for a series of messages that offer powerful insights
and a
different approach to God's purpose and actions and how His directions
are
transmitted. Divine
Order Book of Peace
& Happiness
represents the first step in cosmic understanding - and it's a big one.
Each
sentence contains a world of thoughts. No easy journey, this; but La
Resa Edwards isn't here to provide a quick or easy route to
understanding, and
her book shouldn't be viewed as a light read. Additionally, it should
be noted
that any attempt to describe this book's multi-faceted and diverse
contents
will only scrape the surface of the many, many topics under
discussion. Spiritual
readers with background in Biblical and Christian approaches and an
openness to
new age and expanded spiritual thinking will find Divine Order Book
of Peace &
Happiness not
just intriguing, but densely packed with much food for thought that
demands
careful pursuit not just over a period of weeks, but far beyond. The
Jimarian Bible The
Jimarian Bible explains the inner
consciousness
of both the author and Jimar, making a case for 'bigger picture
thinking' as it
points out that individuals may experience 100 years on the planet, so
have
numerous opportunities to make a difference in its evolution. With
that in mind, The
Jimarian Bible
moves on to explore not only underlying purposes in human life on
Earth, but
the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity, Taoism, and other major
world
religions and their guidance on the subject. As
chapters unfold, a wide-ranging discussion of belief systems turns into
pointed
considerations of self and moves into wider concerns, from an
over-populated
world and the risks and rewards of parenting to human psychology,
expanding the
underlying probe (why humans are on Earth) to consider how people
interact with
the universe. Its
surveys ranges from how societies construct laws and administer justice
to
artistic portraits of experiences as influencers on the progress of
humanity
("The magnitude
of the evil perpetuated
by the artistic community compared to the individual seduced by such
influence
is, however, the difference between that of a torrential downpour and a
drop in
the bucket."). From
'holy constants' to the gods of man and choice, readers receive several
things
from The
Jimarian Bible: a
sweeping blend of spiritual application and social inspection,
admonitions
presented in large print and bold type that reinforce the more powerful
points
throughout, and an attention to details that link the microcosm of
individual
experience and purpose to the macrocosm of social and spiritual
impact. The
ideal reader thus should be those already on a spiritual path that
embraces
social reflection and change - and one who is not stymied by
complexity. As
Jimar maintains in a caution built into the read: "It is not anticipated, that in
your first or second
reading of the JIMARIAN BIBLE, that you will fully comprehend that
which is
revealed. If you persevere in the third full reading of the Bible and
each
time, complete all the exercises, understanding of this poetic
enlightenment
should become very clear." Some
grammatical improvements would make for a smoother, error-free read. Enlightenment
is not a process of speed-reading or quick absorption - after all,
other
religious documents receive lifetimes of inspection and consideration. The Jimarian Bible
deserves no less, and
will benefit from the open minds and hearts of readers intent upon
changing not
just their lives and perspectives, but their purpose on Earth.
La Resa Edwards
http://www.thebssplitter.com/
Divine
Order Book of Peace & Happiness Volume
01
Return
to Index
Jimar
Bookbaby
978-1483583839
$39.95 Hardcover; $5.95 Kindle
http://a.co/8Lq2DSR
Be forewarned: this is no light treatment. There are 10 books wrapped
into this
Bible, and each one addresses a different set of concerns. Each holds
its own
table of contents, making it easy to locate topics; and each moves from
individual concerns to family, community, and social issues after
building a
spiritual foundation for the journey.
The
Jimarian Bible
Return
to Index
The
Chaos of Change
J. T. Riggen
Independently Published
ASIN:
B0752YHFYV
$4.50
Book Website: https://www.amazon.
Author website: www.jtriggen.com
The Chaos of Change is political thriller writing at its best, and is set in America's near future, when states that see the collapse of federal power move to become more autonomous, and when a political move to dissolve the ineffective federal structure divides the country into three sovereign entities.
Thaddeus had a promising career in politics as the son of the former President of the U.S. before he saw the winds of chaos and fled to Alaska to live a solitary life away from his politically bickering family, but it's not long before government forces come looking for him, recruiting him as a negotiator between his Republican family and the liberals to the north, who are now butting heads over their new realms.
The elite team tapping Thaddeus for help is committed to avoiding a new civil war at all costs - and to bringing back a semblance of democracy in the face of chaos.
As the team and its members solidify their purposes and newfound political objectives, Thaddeus finds himself unwittingly drawn into a deadly game where lessons of the past are ignored and special interests manipulate worlds.
From a harrowing journey to the Federal North Pole to negotiations with the King of the South, J. T. Riggen provides an action-packed, politically charged set of questions that keeps readers thinking about this new America and its changed values.
Independent nations that strive for controlled havoc, CIA efforts to restore peace to a broken nation, and the potentials of a new community and technology that lure Thaddeus away from his isolation all coalesce in a riveting political adventure that will attract readers of survival fiction, political thrillers, dystopian worlds, and solid action stories.
The satisfying blend of fast-paced action and strong characterization makes for a fine story that's riveting, realistic, and hard to put down.
The Chaos of Change
Return to Index
Choke
Hold
Gerald Everett Jones
LaPuerta Books and Media
9781537843940
Website / ordering links:
Pronoun - https://books.pronoun.com/
Paperback
(Amazon): http://amzn.to/
Publisher: http://www.lapuerta.tv
Author's blog: http://geraldeverettjones.com
Choke Hold sounds like a legal thriller, but it opens with a dose of unexpected humor: "Putting a law firm above a funeral home might seem an unwise marketing decision. But the price was right on the rent." Both businesses are struggling, and both proprietors are involved in civil rights issues in their community which take them away from their appointed positions and into dangers which include confronting injustice and murder.
Subtle humor is injected into a story line that holds emotional connections, action, and social issues alike ("Whenever they turned on the waterworks, he could feel the size of his retainer shrinking...So, here she was - no cash, no credit - and probably (and this was the real challenge) with no idea whatever where chubby hubby had his assets hid."). The infusion of all these elements into a story that ultimately revolves around murder and survival makes for a multi-faceted production that is, in turn, a gripping story of lost causes, choking situations, and heartbreak.
It should be noted that Choke Hold is replete with descriptions of urban noir culture and a sense of the urgency of race relations in the 1980s. Issues of oppression and justice are wound into the overall story of character choices and interactions, making for a saga that takes one man's ill-fated encounter with the police and expands the tale to demonstrate its wider-reaching impact on individuals and the community.
What happens when authorities and justice systems don't seem to care about injustice and the outcome of brutality?
Choke Hold succeeds in posing some hard questions in the course of its descriptions of a personal injury lawyer's special challenge, making it a top recommendation for those who like police and legal procedural mysteries tempered by a healthy dose of social inspection and a light dash of wry humor throughout.
Choke Hold
Return to Index
Coattails
and Cocktails
Rumer Haven
Fallen Monkey Press
1999819705
(paperback)
$11.99
1999819712
(Kindle)
$ 2.99
http://getbook.at/
http://getbook.at/CAC (Kindle)
One doesn't expect a 1929 dinner party in Chicago to lead to a murder mystery; but there's much potential for murder at the dinner table when drinks, desire, and a disparate group of individuals gather.
Coattails
and Cocktails: Murder Straight Up with a Twist
takes the dinner party murder to new levels as it pairs an
old-fashioned
whodunit with a close inspection of possible perps and a penchant for
mixed
drinks.
Chapter headings take the form of food and wine terminology ('Apertitif to Whet the Appetite', 'Pairings to Enhance the Dining Experience'), lending a wry and unexpected sense of humor to the story as it winds through icy affairs, libations of the wealthy, a leader who emerges to rule a small fiefdom from the rubble of disaster, and more.
Rumer Haven doesn't just serve up a spicy concoction replete with mercurial relationships, the lifestyles of the rich, and a notorious death; she weaves in choices involved in reporting and investigations and employs a deft hand in describing evolving relationships, motivations for all kinds of actions and choices, and indelicate questions that reveal the presence of more than one perp.
Murder mystery fans will delight in an atmosphere replete with satisfying twists and cocktail references which creates an original concoction to delight fans of food, drink, frenzy and fear. Coattails and Cocktails is very highly recommended for its refreshing approach and culinary murder story.
Coattails and Cocktails
Return to Index
Gun
Kiss
Khaled Talib
Imajin Books
978-1-77223-348-3
eBook
- $5.99; US Trade paperback - $16.99
www.khaledtalibthriller.com
Take a deep breath, because Gun Kiss's special brand of high-octane action is on its way to market, and it's a hell of a ride especially recommended for thriller readers who like their action not only nonstop, but tempered with a bit of romance and a lot of world-hopping political confrontations.
The tension begins in the first paragraph as a Lincoln re-enactment event in Washington, D.C. results in a hostage and a bomber intent on thievery. Rick achieves his goals with almost casual precision: it's clear he's not only planned his escapade down to the second, but that he's a pro.
As a missing Deringer from The Ford Theatre Museum involves a host of special interests, the story heats up to become a globe-trotting series of escapades and encounters by disparate individuals who each harbor their own special interests.
A network involved in piracy and smuggling, a monied Chinese drug trafficker who works out a deal that lands him in Tijuana, Goldie's strange party for the paparazzi, and Blake's need for a holiday away from intrigue and complications all join with a range of subplots designed to keep Gun Kiss unpredictable, unexpected, and sometimes unsettling as events keep on creating new connections and surprises.
As a stolen artifact evolves into crimes surrounding a maniacal drug lord, challenges to U.S. and Mexican government relations, and deadly escapades that involve faked deaths and real kidnappings, readers experience a supercharged plot that grabs interest tightly and does not let go.
The mark of a superior thriller lies in its ability to seamlessly transcend borders, boundaries, and special interests to provide a series of interwoven subplots that all come together in a satisfying crescendo of intrigue designed to keep readers on edge right up to the end.
Take a deep breath before reading Gun Kiss. Its special brand of activity and complex personal and criminal interactions makes it hard to put down, and highly recommended for thriller and crime readers alike.
Gun Kiss
Return to Index
Head
On
John Monaghan
History Publishing Company, LLC
9781940773230
$18.95
http://a.co/2VkUTlP
Head On: NYPD Takes On ISIS affords a literary thriller that romps through the streets of New York City as readers follow the intersection of Arab terrorists, Russian mob interests, and NYPD Captain Jimmy Gallagher, who is just beginning to understand their connections when the FBI pulls him off the investigation.
Convinced that a deeper danger exists, Jimmy persists, is suspended from the force for his perseverance, and finds himself at odds with both the law and order he's compelled to support and Russian mafia and Arab terrorists alike.
Caught in the middle between corrupt forces on all sides, Jimmy is forced to question police procedure, politics, and decisions he was never good at making, relying on his instincts to guide him through a labyrinth of confusing associations.
One standout aspect to this thriller is John Monaghan's attention to fully developing the different perspectives of not only the protagonist, but all the characters involved. Readers receive in-depth observations on all sides which perfectly capture motivations and concerns: "Khalil crossed the sidewalk. A few passersby stopped in their tracks. One bowed to him, the others just waited impatiently for him to pass. Khalil frowned and crossed to the waiting cab. His deep hatred for western civilization made it difficult for him to relate even to his fellow Muslims living in this land. He found himself angry all the time."
Tip-offs and traps, fighter jets and rebels, hostages, and confrontations with savages all lead to a standoff that ultimately questions whether survivors (and Americans) are good or evil. In such a conflict, there is no single hero. Jimmy's greatest challenge involves getting hostages and survivors to believe that each of their actions and choices can make a difference.
Replete with fast-paced action and nonstop confrontations, Head On represents the kind of thriller that makes readers stop and think about choices, consequences, and the intersection between political purpose, special interests, and the greater good. It is highly recommended for readers of suspense novels about international terrorism and crime.
Head On
Return to Index
Hidden
in Harmony: Danger is Imminent
JR Thompson
CreateSpace
978-1547194278
$2.99
Ordering link: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-
Author
website: https://www.jrthompsonbooks.
Book
trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Altruism isn't always a good idea, as Hidden
in Harmony: Danger is Imminent reveals in a
story that covers the
ramifications of a good Samaritan's decision to help a homeless man; an
act
which unleashes a tangled web of intrigue and murder.
Scriptural references are just one surprise to Hidden in Harmony: Danger is Eminent, the first book in 'The Harmony Series' (the sequel is expected in a few months) which sets the stage for a Christian story of good deeds and dubious rewards.
Readers receive much food for thought from the start, from a son's reaction to the specter of a homeless man right outside their lives ("Mom, Dad, I know I’m supposed to be in bed, but I can’t sleep. I just keep thinking about that guy out there — it’s not fair!” “What’s not fair, bud?” Dad asked. “I’m in there in a warm, comfortable bed. I have a pillow to lay my head on, nice clothes, and a full belly. I can’t sleep knowing somebody is outside freezing and hungry without a comfortable place to lay down.” “We know,” Mom said, gently hugging him from the side, “but we have to do the responsible thing. We don’t have a big house. We don’t have any extra bedrooms for him to sleep in.") to the consequences of being a giving person.
Collin believes God has admonished him to go investigating - and with the Lord on his side, he journeys into an unfamiliar wilderness. As his faith bolsters and supports his decisions, the entire family finds themselves entering a maelstrom of promises, warnings, and threats that takes them to places they'd never known existed. At times, faith is all they have to survive on.
From human trafficking to individual plights, Hidden in Harmony: Danger is Imminent crafts an engrossing story which is hard to put down, filled with changes that sweep two families into an unexpected relationship with each other, God, and danger.
Christian readers especially will welcome this blend of spirituality and intrigue which drives a moving, engrossing story line to an unexpected conclusion.
Hidden in Harmony: Danger is Imminent
Return to Index
Lucifer
in Celestial Gardens
A. J. Harris
Murder Mystery Press
978-0-9993570-0-2
$19. 95
www.murdermysterypress.com
Lucifer in Celestial Gardens tells of Lou Siffer ("Lucifer"), the son of a small-town Illinois undertaker who is used to seeing corpses in the basement of their house, as part of his father's profession and the family routine. He becomes embroiled in death in a different way when scandal strikes the town and Lou becomes peripherally involved in adult matters that include a father's conviction that suicide was not the cause of a death, a corruption case that changes this perspective, and a series of circumstances that lead an already-distant son to feel even more alienated from his father: "My father, my stalwart beacon of integrity had fallen to—what I didn’t know exactly, but from that time forward, I regarded him differently."
Lou resolves at an early age to never become an undertaker, but death has him on the radar - and so a case that happened twelve years ago continues to haunt him as he grows up to face a real-life dilemma that still holds too many unanswered questions and special interests.
Lest readers think that Lucifer in Celestial Gardens is a murder mystery alone, it should be advised that A. J. Harris weaves fine coming-of-age experiences into events that follows Lou through romance, changing relationships with parents and peers, and a puzzle that plagues him throughout his life.
From an exciting but controversial project planned for the small town's elderly to events at a town hall meeting, an Odd Fellows Lodge, and more, scandal leads to three friends finding their lives challenged and changed.
Lucifer in Celestial Gardens doesn't follow the conventions of formula mystery writing. This may stymie genre readers who expect a succession of clues, whodunit subplots, and a clear murder scene, perp, and detectives. The strange culture and interactions of Winonka are as much a focus as the corruption and murder in a story that follows a funeral home scandal to its aftermath and considers its lasting impact upon a boy who grows up, interacts with others, and forms relationships against its shadow.
From retirement home profits and phony insurance policies to a mounting number of deaths, Lucifer in Celestial Gardens is unpredictable, engrossing, and follows murder cases that have no statute of limitations or age restrictions. It's also unusual to have the story begin with a young boy who evolves into adulthood against this backdrop of loss and sadness that affects everything around him.
The evolutionary process of disgrace, death, and special interests contribute to a powerful, multifaceted story that moves through time, space, and intrigue to present a solidly complex murder story that's hard to put down.
Lucifer in Celestial Gardens
Return to Index
Margaritas,
Mayhem & Murder
Mary Cunningham
Imajin Books
978-1-77223-345-2 $12.99 Paperback
978-1-77223-345-2 $3.99 Ebook
http://www.imajinbooks.com/
Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is an Andi Anna Jones mystery that presents a protagonist in an unlikely position to solve anything - including problems in her own life and career. A mediocre travel agent in a dead-end job, Andi has little to motivate her until a late-night call from a hysterical stepmother (but then, she's prone to hysterics, Andi knows) leads to an emergency flight to Cancun to investigate why Ruby is being fingered as the murderer in a lounge singer's death.
Before this event, Andi was anything but a sleuth - but in the course of being forced on a path far from what is familiar, she hones skills that lead her into not just another country and the plight of an innocent woman accused of murder; but the sordid truth of what really happened.
One feature to note about the story line is the feisty attitude that is one of Andi's trademarks, evident even as she deals with officials and skirts the line between investigation and involvement: "Aggressive? Demanding? Oh, yeah. That’s Ruby. And, you can add horny to the list. But, what I said was, “That doesn’t sound like the Ruby I know.” Lying to the police. Andi, watch out or you’ll be in the hoosegow next to dear stepmom."
This attitude translates well as Andi travels between locales, tracking down evidence and information key to building a case for her stepmother's innocence which, of necessity, involves tracking down the real killer. The fact that author Mary Cunningham was herself once a travel agent familiar with journeys, hotels, and different environments lends a realistic background feel to Andi's experiences and personality: "I tilted my head from side to side. The cracking and crunching of my neck helped loosen shoulder muscles that had me in a vice grip. You’d think sleeping on a three-thousand-dollar pillow-top mattress would make every twinge of back pain disappear. No such luck. I grabbed my Tweety watch off the table and pulled on the sweats I’d packed for lounging purposes. Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the full-length mirror, I paused. “Andi, you shouldn’t be seen in the privacy of your own room dressed like this, let alone in public. Ah, screw it.”
These are just a few examples demonstrating that the mystery reader is in for a rollicking ride from Cancun to Florida and beyond. Prepare for a solid, involving journey; for Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder offers plenty of twists and turns to keep its ultimate destination a surprise right up to the end, all supercharged by the attitude and determination of Andi, who may have made a mediocre travel agent, but who employs these skills with precision and authority in her new role as an investigator.
Charming, lively, and unpredictable, Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder excels in a vivid story mystery fans will relish.
Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder
Return to Index
The
Prize
Geoffrey M. Cooper
Bookbaby
Print 978-1-54391-217-3
$12.99
Ebook 978-1-54391-218-0
$ 2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Prize-
https://www.barnesandnoble.
The Prize considers the ultimate impact of a discovery for curing Alzheimer's disease, setting this revelation against the backdrop of a thriller when a promising new drug developed by Pam leads to violence, the involvement of special interests, and a confrontation with greed and corruption that threatens the prize itself.
Dr. Eric Prescott finds himself caught up in the discovery, Pam's life, and greater issues as the story weaves through fraud, research efforts, and betrayal.
A postdoc steals the promising drug, then apparently kills herself, leading to Pam's realization that the person she has trusted is the one who poses the most danger to her and her discovery. The Prize features many satisfying twists and turns as it considers the costs of special interests and individual involvements in research and development results, examining what happens when a prize-winning achievement goes awry.
Pam needs to get back to thinking about science rather than subterfuge. Her greatest challenge lies not in the lab, but in understanding the process that produced the monster she now faces.
Fans of Robin Cook-style medical thrillers will relish the interpersonal relationships, drama, and contrast between lab and scientific research special interests that Geoffrey M. Cooper so realistically profiles in The Prize. Tension is well developed, various characters interact on different levels that outline different objectives and passions, and the result is a thoroughly engrossing science odyssey that touches upon social and research issues alike.
The Prize
Return to Index
Srepska
Lucas Sterling
Nurrebbul Productions
9780999338711 $2.99
ebook
$9.99 paperback
www.srepska.com
A cyberattack in Kenya that empties bank accounts throughout the country is only one indicator that the world is threatened in a new way, and as the thriller Srepska heats up and moves around the world, readers follow the trail of intelligence investigations, assassins, and a successful, dangerous test that threatens to move into the U.S.
One of the driving forces of this thriller lies in its excellent attention to powerful characters throughout. They sweep readers into the drama and chaos that ensues when the banking industry goes down.
But banking isn't the only or even the major institution under attack: more plans are being made, and Srepska's hand is everywhere, threatening even seasoned spies who have their own good connections.
Srepska has caused chaos in Africa. Next step: the world, with the U.S.A. the biggest prize of all. The heart of matters is a new kind of war: an economic war that can be conducted against the largest of nations by the smallest. This change of power has everyone scrambling as Srepska proves to be no figment of the imagination, but a real force that is everywhere and nowhere all at once.
This force keeps Lars, Fredric, Sam, and others completely immersed in a tense cat-and-mouse game in which the opponent is mercurial and legendary, the world is filled with pawns at the mercy of a clever enemy, and only a few cold-blooded and determined individuals may prevent the fall of civilization.
Engrossing and powered by characters who each harbor their own well-developed fears, abilities, and challenges, Srepska documents a new kind of war and will delight thriller readers with a riveting story that excels in exquisitely precise tension from start to finish.
Srepska
Return to Index
Trace
Archer
Mayor
Minotaur Books
ISBN 978-1-250-11326-9 (hardcover) $25.99
ISBN 978-1-250-11327-6
(ebook)
$12.99
www.minotaurbooks.com
Trace is the 28th book in Archer Mayors' riveting Joe Gunther detective series - and it is undoubtedly one of the best. Ironically, it's also one in which Investigator Gunther takes a leave of absence from his work to care for his ailing mother, placing three very different and troubling cases in the hands of other team investigators. It might seem odd to have a story billed as a particular person's adventures not revolve around that person's experiences; but Trace is on a different mission. It does a brilliant job of capturing a true team effort - Joe Gunter's team - and anyone familiar with their previous sleuthing will find that Trace richly explores each team member's talents, personality and eccentricities.
Evil against innocents, violence, and investigative conundrums in three locations - bucolic Vermont, Albany, New York, and Springfield, Massachusetts - lead team members into areas of challenge and darkness that probe the characters of Joe, Sam, Willie, Lester, and Beverly as much as the circumstances surrounding the cases they're investigating.
Joe Gunther and his team all come to life in their course of their investigations: readers receive solid insights into not only their approaches and problem-solving prowess, but their characters and personal concerns.
As the three cases provide gripping moments and tense encounters, Joe returns at the end to tie loose ends together.
While newcomers will find Trace quite accessible and intriguing, readers who have a prior familiarity with this outstanding procedural series will be rewarded in special ways. Mayor's attention to expanding upon details and building more background about his familiar secondary characters is masterful. It also elevates and deepens the entire series as a whole, by using the three investigations to reveal team members' underlying belief systems and philosophies about life's meaning.
Trace
Return to Index
Bear
Medicine Bear
Medicine follows the stories of two
women, Anne and Brooke, who are connected by two Native American women,
Maggie
and Leila, who help them. One has been attacked by a bear while
training for a
marathon in Yellowstone; the other woman lived over a hundred years
earlier and
was camping in the park with her husband when he was captured by
Indians. Both
not only survive, but discover new connections and perspectives from
their
ordeals. It's unusual to see a novel where all the main
characters are
female, and where parallel lives are nicely contrasted between modern
times and
the 1800s. The
account opens with a bang, presenting Brooke's reflections in August of
2017 as
she sets out on her life-changing journey without the support systems
and
connections she needs from life: "Life
had already grabbed me by its enormous jaws, its fangs scratching at
the
surface of my sanity. Carson had no time for me anymore. Delaney hadn’t
spoken
to me for months. And my dear husband, Shane? Let’s just say he was the
main
reason I was 800 miles from home in the middle of Yellowstone National
Park. I
had needed to get away, to capture some time for myself. To run, to
think, to
be me." As
her introduction ends with the bear attack and the near certainty of
her death,
Anne's parallel brush with death in August of 1877 is then presented: "I am your husband, he often
reminded me, as though I
would ever forget the vows I had so naively taken vows that neglected
to
mention the promise of gentle behavior on his part in the course of
these
intimate affairs. Closing my eyes, I turned my head to the side and
waited.
While he proceeded, I listened beyond his moans to the sounds all
around us: a
swan’s honk, a loon’s wail, an ever‐so‐slight
drumbeat." Brooke
and Anne start out fighting for their lives and ultimately wind up
fighting for
their freedom. Both are influenced by abusive husbands in their lives
and the
challenges of surviving the wilderness when bears change their
lives. Creating
an interwoven story that begins with not only two different women but
two
different timelines is no easy task; but G. Elizabeth Kretchmer
provides a
seamless integration that, thanks to chapter headings, includes no
confusion
between the historical eras of each woman's life and the different
perspectives
that evolve from their lives. One
doesn't expect issues of abuse, women's roles, wildlife management, and
American Indian issues to coalesce under one cover, much less in a
novel that
covers two women's perspectives on these topics; but one of the
pleasures of Bear
Medicine is its unpredictability and
ability to focus on bigger pictures while exploring their
lives. Each
decision and those who change these lives and their trajectories lead
Anne and
Brooke to grow, creating a secondary story that powers the plots of
both
experiences, eventually melding them into a potent story of leadership,
achievement, growth, and change. The
women find themselves making unexpected journeys as they search for a
better
sense of self and their place in the world, both finding refuges where
they can
heal from their ordeals, forming new perspectives about nature, Native
Americans, and their roles in life in the process of accepting
change. To
call Bear
Medicine a novel about
any singular objective would be to understate its importance as a
multi-faceted
story that embraces several different issues. Readers seeking a strong,
woman-centered story that gives much food for thought about these
challenges
will find Bear
Medicine an
absorbing, purposeful read where the power of the bear results in
rebirth and
revelations. Come
to My Brother Personal
Website Ordering Link: http://www. Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/239887177 Come
to My Brother begins as a romance,
telling of two best friends who become brothers and then lovers, united
by a
love of music and men; but what seems like a novel of gay love evolves
into a
horror piece as Daniel disappears for years, only to return as a
dangerous man
whose newfound interaction with David could change the world. Meanwhile,
David has adjusted to Daniel's absence in his life, and has honed a
career in
film and fetish porn. Surprisingly, it's something that will fit
perfectly with
Daniel's revamped (so to speak) purpose in life - if he can convince
his former
lover to change. Come
to My Brother's readers should
expect
graphic sexual scenes, vivid interactions between characters, and the
kind of
language and gritty encounters that speak more of changing
relationships than
urban culture or California's porn film industry. Sex,
horror, and psychological depth aren't common partners in novels (at
least, not
to the lengths described in Come to My
Brother), but Christopher Zeischegg provides
just enough detail and
changing perspectives to make each facet come to life without having
the story
line become mired in a particular approach. This
defies formula writing and genre identification but results in a
satisfyingly
intense story that belays any attempt to market it as 'gay romance',
'horror',
or a 'psychological fiction' but entwines elements of all into a tale
that is
hard to put down. California
readers will appreciate the realistic setting as they absorb a
different kind
of love story that holds powerful consequences not just for Daniel and
David,
but for humanity's future. Fake
News Fake
News: Strange Historical Facts Reimagined In The World
Of Donald Trump offers a blend of
political satire and a
fantasy 'what if' romp as it imagines a different set of circumstances
evolving
from Trump's Presidency and ego, beginning with his plans, on his
second day in
office, to replace the Lincoln Memorial statue with one of himself: "Spicer,” he said, while logging
on to Twitter, “we’re
replacing the statue at the Lincoln Memorial with one of me and
renaming the
whole thing the Trump Memorial. I’m about to announce it on Twitter,
but I need
you to tell the media, as well.” Instantly wide awake, Spicer said: “Mr
President, I don’t think that’s a good idea, especially not on your
first day
in office.” “But I’m the best President ever!” “Yes, but we need more
evidence
to back it up.” “I’ve got a letter from my doctor saying I’m the
healthiest
President ever and that my test results were astonishingly excellent.”
“I think
the media won’t consider that a reason to replace Lincoln’s statue.” “I
hate
the media,” Trump grumbled. “They treat me very, very unfairly. So,
let’s just announce
it on Twitter and leave it at that.” Things
only get crazier as an aborted and ill-fated invasion of North Korea
results in
a missing nuclear bomb and the event is denied by the President ("That’s fake news!” Trump replied
angrily, as Conway
sat down at the table. “The invasion wasn’t aborted – it was incredibly
successful, and General Brooks presented some tremendous evidence for it.”),
a visit to North Korea turns into a geographic snafu ("I never forget a face. It’s just
names that I’m not
that good with – although to be fair, it’s also confusing for people
from the
developed world because you and the North Korean Kim have the same name
but you
have different capital cities, so it’s hard to keep up.” Smiling
forgivingly,
he added: “It’s cultural differences.” “Cultural differences?” Kim
repeated,
incredulous. “And what about the cultural differences between South
Korea and
North Korea? How could you possibly end up in Seoul if you want to go
to
Pyongyang?” “I don’t know how that happened,” Mnuchin said defensively.
“We did
go through the demilitarised zone, but then we must have accidentally
crossed
back into South Korea. It was very poorly signposted.” “I noticed that,
too,”
Trump agreed. “All the road signs were in Chinese first and English
only underneath.
Makes it very hard to spot for drivers.”), and a
series of
incidences reinforce forms of logic and rhetoric which are employed in
the
pursuit of identifying what is fake and what is the new
reality. David
Hutter's ability to take the psychological and political presence of
Trump's
most striking approaches and turn them into a tongue-and-cheek satire
that
remarks on their illogical foundations contributes nicely to a spoof
that is at
once funny, sad, and thought-provoking. Trump
fans probably won't appreciate Hutter's effort, and that would be a
shame;
because there's much to reflect upon in a satire that takes real
approaches and
extends them to the boundaries of irony and odd behaviors. Fake
News offers one of the saddest,
funniest commentaries in print on the state of the Trump presidency,
and is
highly recommended reading for anyone who would seek a light-hearted
but
hard-hitting blend of satire and political observation mixed with
elements of
fantastic imagination about the state and future of the world. Kathleen Kathleen
Larson has been a school crossing guard for some twenty years now, and
is at a
crossroads herself, in her life and career. She likes her job, she's
never
missed a day of work - and there must be something more to life, at
almost
sixty-eight years of age, than being faithful and protecting children
from harm. There
is
something more, as Kathleen
discovers just as she decides to make changes before life intervenes
with
alternate plans. Her daughter Tillie would more than willingly help her
with
finances and care, but Kathleen has many secrets from her and values
her
independence. She has money and accounts hidden from view,
relationships (such
as the handyman) which she doesn't acknowledge to her concerned adult
daughter,
and plans for a life that not only doesn't involve Tillie, but would be
happier
without her daughter's constant attention and concern. She is "mistress
of
her castle" and wants to keep it that way. An
accident was the last thing Kathleen expected - and something she can't
take
charge of or have control over. Its consequences will change her life -
and not
in the direction she'd intended. More convinced than ever that she
should take
over her mother's finances, Tillie makes a claim on her life that
should offer
comfort and safety, but instead threatens Kathleen's
carefully-construed life
and independence. Kathleen's
conflict and choices in giving over the power of attorney and Tillie's
plan to
take over Kathleen's assets evolves into a power struggle that involves
money,
subterfuge, and eventually a puzzle over Kathleen's disappearance and a
new
identity forged from devious intentions. Will
Kathleen ever get to go home again - and what will change in her life
if she
does? An
involving story of a feisty, independent woman and a relative who may
not
always have her best interests in mind is juxtaposed with issues of
aging and
changing purposes in life, creating a story that is vivid, engrossing,
and
filled with not a few unexpected twists and turns. My
Tired Shadow Ritchie
“Redrum” Abruzzi is a boxer extraordinaire with a genius in the ring
that is
seldom matched. So why did he quit, and why won't he respond
to
invitations to a comeback? It's because he's discovered the more
lucrative
world of underground boxing, which results in higher stakes at bigger
costs.
It's also because he's struggling outside of the ring, as
well. These
disparate forces weave a web of intrigue paired with too many
challenges in
Ritchie's life to successfully draw even non-boxing-fan readers into
the
choices he faces as he struggles with the shadow of his more successful
boxer
father, the threats of a son bent on revenge for the death of his
father at
Ritchie's gloves in the ring, and an ex-wife who is after him. Contrast
these challenges - any one of which would beat down an ordinary
contender -
with the opportunities that are simultaneously posed for Ritchie to
escape the
ghosts of his past and the dead-end trajectory of his future for an
engrossing
story of a tiring boxer's world that will prove compelling to boxing
fans and
lay readers alike. Part
of what makes My
Tired Shadow
such a standout is its ability to take one man's struggling life and
career and
depict its evolution away from the dead ends that are the logical
consequences
of Ritchie's choices. The
other compelling aspect lies in its succinct, involving descriptions of
places
and people ("New
York just killed you
up front with no time wasted. L.A. tricked you with its beauty first,
with its
beaches and its sun, and then it did the job on you.")
which
contrast different environments, perspectives, and outcomes. There
are also satisfyingly diverse characters and scenarios that contrast
nicely
with Ritche's more familiar, predictable boxing world and its
predicaments. In
this world are aspiring actresses, zombie films, and the milieu of a
Los
Angeles underworld where Ritchie faces some traumatic fights,
presenting a
taste of something different. Anyone
who enjoys stories of struggle, the lure of riches and specters of the
past,
the challenges of boxing and living life, and struggles to stay alive
against
all odds will find much to like about Ritchie and his uncertain world
and
future. Boxing fans in particular will appreciate the juxtaposition of
the
sport's politics and processes with the wider world beckoning a tired
young man
who searches for a different future. The
One Apart The
One Apart is a reincarnation story
with a difference: Tres has lived many lives before, and he remembers
them all.
As a newborn with an adult's memories, he finds himself struggling,
along with
his teenage mother Sancha, to adapt to a life that once again places
him well
apart from not only his peers, but every other human in the
world. It's
rare to find a reincarnation story that begins in the womb, with the
pre-birth
thoughts of a boy who discovers (to his horror) that he is going to be
born
again, fully aware of his pasts and fully cognizant. Justine
Avery takes the time to fully explore Tres' experience, drawing readers
into
the idea of an old soul trapped in a new body's slow development: "Unable to reach, grasp, or even
roll over, he was
trapped by his own rotund, untrained form, even as his newborn brain
rapidly
developed. The limitations of cell reproduction, tendon growth, and
even his
small size stifled his physical ability while his brain charged with
electric
pulses, new synapses, and mental connections at an exceptional rate.
His body
grew unbearably slowly; his mind raced to adapt, process, and encompass
the
timeless, intangible knowledge contained in his consciousness." It's
her attention to such depth and detail that makes The One Apart
more than just another story of living
multiple lives, fully immersing readers in the growth experiences,
struggles,
and thoughts that shape Tres/Aaron's life. As
Tres/Aaron faces the usual challenges of peer relationships and growing
up, he
also faces the fact that there's a reason why he's being reborn time
after time
- and that reason involves a threat only he can perceive. Tres
becomes educated about more than one realm, and begins to
uncover not
only his own purpose, but those of others around him who do not harbor
his
memories and special condition: "Aself
selects corporeal life—the environment of a specific aspect—for the
purpose of
attainment, Fei imparted. Aself
is inclined to seek experiences—situations, challenges,
relationships—serving
aself’s mien. It is... The Natural Order of Things. I chose... my
life—this
life? The people in it... everything that happens to me? Indeed—of a
sense and
to an extent—and for all of them, for each of aself’s corporeal
lives." Fans
of Cloud Atlas
and other similar
stories of reincarnated lives and special purposes will find The One Apart
offers special spiritual and
psychological insights and a complexity that more casual approaches
don't
provide. Indeed, Cloud
Atlas
would be one solid comparison for readers who enjoy reincarnation
stories that
present insights into special purposes in and approaches to
life. From
considerations of life purpose and evil to the realization that death
is not a
limitation or an end, but affords new beginnings, readers who follow
Tres on
his journey will find The
One Apart
an outstanding, well-detailed story that is hard to put down,
evocative,
thought-provoking, and filled with surprises and hope. The
One Apart is very highly
recommended;
especially for fans of reincarnation scenarios who can expect far more
insight
from this read than most, tempered with a purposeful saga to keep
readers
thoroughly engrossed to the end. A
Police Action Specialist
Fourth Class James Coppi thought he was going to escape seeing action
in
Vietnam. After all, he has only ten months left to serve; and it'll be
only six
month left after he's completed training. The differences between
career Army
veterans and untested new men becomes clear as Coppi works with a
platoon, is
entrusted with a special job, and finds ways to mitigate the relentless
duties
and stresses of military life. Changing
strategies, ambushes, a suicide mission into near-certain disaster,
Texan girl
Samantha Powers, who takes a soldier boy home and faces an unexpected
friendship at a time when she needs it the most, and circumstances
which lead
James to help a young woman who is pregnant with another man's child in
the
wake of war makes for an engrossing story of lives changed both abroad
and at
home. "When
you want something, you don’t let anything stand
in your way.” But what do James
Coppi and Sam wish for in
this changing world? Sam thinks she knows, but her best efforts still
don't
result in her heart's desire. As
military actions turn into romance, readers are lead through the
grueling
battlefields of Vietnam to an emotionally demanding landscape where two
very
different individuals explore their choices in a tumultuous
world. From
issues of independence and control to military living far from the
peace of
paradise, Sam and James's worlds come together in unexpected ways to
form a
different kind of military saga in which two wandering souls face the
trials of
war to forge new lives in ways they hadn't anticipated. Readers
seeking a blend of Vietnam saga and romance will find A Police Action
an engrossing tale that
moves deftly from the battlefield to the heart. Pressure
Cooker Christmas Pressure
Cooker Christmas may hold a
holiday theme, but it's safe to say that it is like no other Christmas
book. In
fact, even the protagonist admits this possibility in her reflections
about the
quickly-approaching holiday: "I
promised myself this Christmas would be different. But already my life
felt
like a runaway train, and it was only the day after
Thanksgiving." For
one thing, Christmas efforts and traditions don't feel as joyful to
Marlene as
they should be… Where is her holiday spirit hiding? As
dysfunction,
family ties, and pressure ramps up, readers are treated to a solid
description
of very different perspectives about the holidays dosed with a warm set
of
dreams that neatly juxtaposes the challenges leading up to Christmas
Day. The
dialogue is crisp and involving, different characters' perspectives are
nicely
laid out, and the challenges of the season are outlined using a blend
of quirky
observation and involving insights. It's
the twelve days of Christmas with a big difference. Readers who enjoy
holiday
stories with angst added into the mix will find Pressure Cooker
Christmas a
fine tale offering more realistic twists and turns than most, tempering
idealism with despair and adding an injection of warmth just when one
comes to
believe that all may be lost, this particular holiday season. It's a
holiday
read like no other, especially recommended for women's fiction
enthusiasts and
served up as a satisfyingly realistic contrast to the usual sanguine
Christmas
story. The
Redemption of Michael Hollister The
Redemption of Michael Hollister
represents the second book in the Middle Falls Time Travel series, but
it is a
stand-alone read that doesn't require knowledge of the prior book, The Unusual Second Life of
Thomas Weaver,
to prove accessible. As
part of a series, it supports the time travel theme without linking the
books
to the point that plots co-mingle - and this is quite satisfying as new
readers
are introduced to Michael Hollister, whose suicide in jail doesn't
result in
his demise, but opens the door to new worlds. Convicted
of murder, Michael hangs himself only to find himself reborn in his
eight-year-old body with his memories intact. He's been given the
chance to
begin again - if he can prevent fate from taking a hand in his
decisions and
directing them once again to a dark future. Consigned
to military academy by his father, where "I’ll
be the smallest one there, then, locked in with a troop of GI Joe
wannabes.",
Michael leaves both his greatest challenge and his support system
behind as the
story follows the making of a psychopathic killer and the alternatives
to his
future direction. It's
a challenge finding empathy for a killer, and anyone familiar with the
first
book might resist the notion that such empathy could be directed
towards
Michael, but prior readers and newcomers alike will find this focus
offers much
food for thought and a surprising twist as the killer is portrayed as a
very
likeable human being struggling against all odds. It's
especially notable to find that a character so fiendish in the first
book could
find redemption not only in himself but in the eyes of readers in the
second
book; but that's one of the many surprises of The
Redemption of Michael Hollister, which offers a
satisfyingly
different perspective on a boy's evolution and efforts to survive his
world. The
result is especially recommended for prior readers of The Unusual Second Life of
Thomas Weaver, who
will receive the full flavor of Michael Hollister's prior life and why
his
turnaround here is so special; but newcomers will find it quickly and
easily
accessible, as well. She
Was Born a Good Girl It's
the final year at a prestigious Jamaican boarding school, and four
seniors
should by now be well on the road to being young ladies. The trouble
is:
hormones and peer pressure have kicked in, and Zoe, Nola, Myra, and
Anona are
each on the cusp of danger, even though they come from very different
backgrounds and perspectives. Each
approaches life differently but confronts similar uncertainties and
challenges,
and so She Was
Born a Good Girl is
a story of not just sexual awakening and the stirring of desires, but
the
sorting out of peer relationships and influences in the bigger picture
of the
wider world they are about to enter beyond the boarding school's walls
and
training. Zoe
never wanted to go to Rosemount, but her mother was convinced it would
add
direction to and simplify her life at a point where coming of age
brings its
own pressures. At the opposite end of the sale is little Myra, who is
determined to go to Rosemount against all odds because she wants to
become a
lady. Mix
up these very different peers with their very different life
experiences and
perspectives, add a healthy dose of sexual exploration and maturing
processes
(both physical and mental) as the girls come of age in the school's
environment, both chafing at learning from its wisdom, and confronting
one
another and themselves. From
pecking orders and body changes to jealousy, fighting, chasing boys,
and yes,
learning, She
Was Born a Good Girl
mixes up different perspectives and perspectives on life to bring a
fine sense
of boarding school and Jamaican culture; but most of all, it captures
adolescent girls who, in the blossoming process, confront themselves
and each
other in the wake of vast psychological and physical changes. Expect
a saga which is gritty, candid, sexually charged and emotionally tense
at
times; but which succeeds nicely at depicting 'girl culture' and
adolescence at
the same time. Scandal, swearing, sex and the ultimate lessons of
Rosemount
combine in a powerful story that's hard to put down, recommended for
adults who
want a taste of both Jamaica and boarding school culture wrapped up in
a
four-fold account of coming-of-age processes. This
Second Chance This
Second Chance tells of a perfect
wedding where Rachael finally has a new family and the mate she's
dreamed of.
Only one thing has made her special day imperfect: the anonymous gift
of a snow
globe, which brings to mind her first marriage and its abuses. The
snow globe is only the beginning to a story where supernatural forces
in the
form of angels and devil 'evildwel' influencers try to ruin Rachael's
new life
and happiness. Fate
and inevitability, the methods by which human beings determine and
influence
their destiny, opportunities for second chances which involve powerful
changes,
and the nature of conscious evil actions and redemption are all closely
examined in a fast-paced story that centers not just about Rachael's
new
family, but on the opportunities for redemption presented in the
afterlife. As
family interactions move from mundane daily affairs to constant
confrontations
with evil and danger, readers will find themselves absorbed by a story
line
filled with unpredictable and thought-provoking insights into the real
nature
of second chances. From
daughter Kelly's ability to sense that a force not quite human is
influencing
the 'accidents' affecting their family to different motivations for
confronting
pure evil, This
Second Chance
provides a moving, engrossing story especially recommended for fans of
women's
fiction who enjoy supernatural elements woven into the story of a
woman's new
marriage and its special challenges. Under
the Maginot https://nicholasjknowlton. Frankie
plans on a special summer after he graduates high school, and is on
track to
enter college in the fall of 1939, but though he dreamed of adventure,
he
didn't anticipate adversity. When
his family falls apart, he finds himself on an ocean liner bound for
Europe,
involved in with man who may hold the key to a war looming on the
horizon which
will change not only Frankie's world, but everything. Under
the Maginot is a powerful saga
that's hard to put down - and is just as hard to easily categorize. It
could be
called a 'gay novel' because the main characters develop a relationship
that
both changes and defines their lives, but it doesn't follow the usual
sexually-charged descriptions of so many stories of gay
relationships. It
opens with a torture scene made especially vivid through a first-person
narration that pinpoints exactly how the protagonist came to be in this
situation: "I
ran eagerly behind him
through all the madness of Europe on the edge of war. Like the Pied
Piper, I’d
followed him, as long as it wasn’t where I had come from. I was like
almost any
other youth, intoxicated by adventure, money and sex." As
Frankie's world changes, readers follow him through the madness that
follows,
from a life that begins innocuously ("I
set out toward that moment on a day that did not foretell any change.")
to one involving an identity revelation, romance, a powerful landing in
Europe
at exactly the wrong moment in its pivotal history, and a German
motorcycle
odyssey through Maginot lines, war, a new boyfriend's secret political
and
military involvements, and ultimately, a test of faith, love, and
self. As
he comes to understand Ray's real goal and efforts, Frankie faces
moments that
promise to change his world as his journey provides readers with a
gripping
saga of horrible suffering, life's promises and potentials, and the
realities
of gay relationships in the 1940s: "To
the world I was just a working bachelor, too busy to find a nice wife.
Even the
few men I met who were like me only knew the sexual side of it. The
idea of any
stronger bond simply didn’t occur to them as an option, not even in
their
greatest imaginings." The
result probes relationships, gay survival practices, and war's effects
on
everything as it overlays Frankie's life and ultimately determines his
future. Under
the Maginot is a spellbinding read,
highly recommended for followers of gay fiction who want more depth and
detail
than the sexual encounters and ribald, racy descriptions offered in
typical
genre reads. The
Whale in the Cave An
invitation, a packet of information, a very puzzling quiz, and an
opportunity
to change his life leads Luke Balena on an unexpected adventure in The Whale in the Cave.
The story begins
with revelations about the exclusive, secret community of Malibu Oaks
and its
odd perspective and purpose which dovetails with Luke's new position as
a
secret investigator. This
opener deftly introduces a winding saga that tells of an unusual effort
to
retain residents of this exclusive realm by injecting actors into the
community. Their purpose is to convince its residents that there’s
value in
staying there - a value that’s worth the high community fees. But Luke
failed
the test that would have enabled him to be a happy quasi-resident:
instead,
he's assigned an investigation which questions the nature of happiness
in what
might be a dubious paradise. Why
do investigators have so much time off? What are they supposed to be
investigating, and what is the data they collect really being used for?
And
what does all this have to do with the discovery of a beached whale,
holes in
heads and hearts, and an evolving relationship that moves in unexpected
directions despite the surreal challenges of Luke's new job? Mistakes
are made, Luke winds up with more information than he's supposed to
know, and
he quickly finds himself underwater and in over his head as his own
private
investigation leads him to a cave and a situation that defies anything
in his
job description and everything in his skills sets. The
Whale in the Cave at times feels
like
the iconic old TV show, 'The Prisoner'. There are residents who don't
understand the motivations of the Board that attempts to govern their
reality,
a job applicant who finds himself captive in a different kind of
position that
challenges everything familiar, and a higher purpose in life that
examines
romance, friendships, and adversity alike. Perhaps
a simple phrase later in the story best sums up Luke's overall
adventure:
"Whatever is
pulling me is stronger
than I am anyway, so I let go." Luke
flies, falls, and floats through this strange blend of real and surreal
situations, and as readers follow him, they receive an engrossing story
filled
with references to oceans, whales, and alternative living. The
Whale in the Cave asks questions
and
creates thought-provoking moments as Luke seeks to better understand
his
special purpose and trajectory in this world in a story that draws
readers into
a compelling saga that's hard to put down: "...have you gotten to the point
where you actually realize that this is
far better than the life you were living?”
G. Elizabeth Kretchmer
Dancing Seeds Press
Print ISBN:
9780996103862
$18.93
Digital ISBN:
9780996103879
$ 5.99
www.gekretchmer.com
Bear
Medicine
Return
to Index
Christopher Zeischegg
Independently Published
9780692919491
$14.95
Amazon Ordering Link: https://www.amazon.com/
Come
to My Brother
Return
to Index
David Hutter
Self-published via Amazon
9781549898303
Ebook $4.99, paperback $7.50
https://www.amazon.com/FAKE-
Fake
News
Return
to Index
William F. Kelly
Warren Publishing
978-1-943258-51-2
www.warrenpublishing.net
Kathleen
Return
to Index
Joseph Hirsch
Underground Voices
978-0-9988923-2-0
Website/Ordering Link: TBA
My
Tired Shadow
Return
to Index
Justine Avery
Justine Avery, Publisher
ASIN: B076B7RDWY
$6.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/
The
One Apart
Return
to Index
A. A. Freda
Dorrance Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4809-4351-3
eISBN: 978-1-4809-4327-8
www.dorrancebookstore.com
A
Police Action
Return
to Index
Ann McCauley
978-0-9993415-0-6 $14.95
Paper
978-0-9993415-1-3 $ 4.99 ebook
www.annmccauley.com
Pressure
Cooker Christmas
Return
to Index
Shawn Inmon
Pertime Publishing
978-1978028449
$14.99
http://a.co/3m2yUF3
The
Redemption of Michael Hollister
Return
to Index
Garfield Whyte
Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B075W45CW1
$1.99
www.garfeel.com
She
Was Born a Good Girl
Return
to Index
D.L. Finn
D.L. Finn, Publisher
978-0997751901
$2.99 Kindle/$9.99 Paper
http://a.co/0iVsuO3
This
Second Chance
Return
to Index
N.J. Knowlton
Indiereader Publishing Services
978-0990887133
$25.99
https://www.amazon.com/Under-
Under
the Maginot
Return
to Index
Mike Avitabile
Lumberloft Press
978-0-9993743-1-3
$19.99
www.mikeavitabile.com
The
Whale in the Cave
Return
to Index
The
12% Solution The
12% Solution: Earn A 12% Average Annual Return On Your
Money, Beating The S&P 500, Mad Money's Jim Cramer, And 99% Of
All Mutual
Fund Managers... By Making 2-4 Trades Per Month should
be read by anyone just starting out in the stock market, who doesn't
have an
active, proven strategy for successful trades, or who has experienced
frustration with existing strategies - especially those who still
believe that
an effective game plan is possible. This
audience will find plenty of tips in The 12%
Solution, a refreshing approach to investing
which doesn't promise
big results, but a steady, predictable growth that beats the market and
most
mutual funds. Readers
receive a precise blueprint for investment success which is based on
years of
solid results, which is directed not to bare-bones newcomers to the
stock
market (plenty of other books on the market will better appeal to
them), but to
those with some prior familiarity who seek a strategy that has been
"hiding in plain sight for years." Intrigued?
You should be. As The
12% Solution
reveals this strategy, there are discussions of everything from
marketing and
promotions and their impact on investment choices and prices to
understanding
the strategy behind hedging one's bets and the once-a-month trading
routine
promoted in The
12% Solution, and
considering how monthly rotation enhances investment potentials and
increases
profits. From
identifying these rotation candidates to ignoring the lure of daily
market
'notices' that can lead to detrimental trading decisions, The 12% Solution
is not only clearly
presented, but offers a clever, surprisingly easy solution to volatile
markets
and emotion-based trading. From
brokers and fees to comparing ETF returns and understanding hidden
fees, The 12%
Solution offers a solid program
that investors will want to consider. There is no magic involved and no
'get
rich quick' promises: just a concrete, steady strategy that takes
little effort
to enact and only a basic knowledge of stocks, all covered in a guide
that
investors will find easy, specific, and actionable. The
Death of Galahad https://www.amazon.com/Death- One
may view this poetic saga in several ways: as a more mythical form of
Danté's Inferno
figure in which Galahad navigates
an alien landscape; as a commentary on modern European dilemmas and
changes;
and as a powerful epic free verse poem narrated in a style of
yesteryear using
the elements of language and drama of modern times. The
latter is perhaps all the more remarkable because although English is
Domenico
Iannaco's second language, it's deftly and powerfully used here to
capture the
landscape of a changed world, and suffers from none of the usual
awkwardness of
phrasing and puzzling word choices too common in literary efforts of
those
whose English is a second language. Galahad,
the symbol of chivalry and bravery, seeks purity from an impure world,
and his
efforts to both navigate and rise above his circumstances lead to
powerful
observations of connections between and differences in landscape and
self:
"When you lose
the landmark,/The
shortcut is sad./Mull over the lavishness/That is everywhere./You’ll be
disgusted because you are the heir./I mean that/The world is rich/In
feeling,
sensations, everywhere,/But you are there/With yourself." From
observations on how 'decency stifles' to Galahad's desperate efforts to
resist
the Everyman that he may be destined to become, literary and
philosophical
allegories abound. Students and enthusiasts of Plato, Danté, Arthurian
legend
and underworld literature alike will recognize many powerful references
which
use these various platforms to create a vivid, new inspection of
Galahad's
psyche and adventures. Obsessions,
idols, quests, passions, pledges, and not a few surprising revelations
about
Galahad and the author himself abound in an epic work that deserves a
spot in
any poetry collection strong in modern literary works. The
Death of Galahad is especially
highly
recommended for high school to college-level poetry students with
backgrounds
in epic poems, Arthurian legend, and philosophy, and will form the
foundation
for many engrossing classroom discussions. The
LGBTQ Meditation Journal With
The
LGBTQ
Meditation Journal, the fourth volume in their
books
of guided meditations, Christopher Stone and Mary Sheldon have given us
an
effective, practical, and simple blueprint for increasing
self-acceptance,
love, peace, pride, and dignity in our lives. The
LGBTQ Meditation Journal provides a
month of guided spiritual meditations in a workbook that joins others
in a
series on meditation, but which is specifically directed to the LGBTQ
community. This
means that the journal's focus is on cultivating pride,
self-acceptance,
dignity and peace at a level few other meditation guides focus on, with
chapters offering key information on the types of conflicts common to
those in
the LGBTQ community. It
should be noted that book readers receive plenty of journal space to
record
their notes on this book's thirty meditations. In order to duplicate
this
experience for ebook readers, free software journal app is recommended,
and a
list of free downloads is provided. The day and meditation number are
entered
into each journal for recording purposes as readers move through the
meditation
instructions and experiences fostered by this book. Readers
should approach these meditations by keeping spirituality in mind as
they move
through processes designed to foster acceptance and love and counter
the toxic
attitudes many people harbor for one another. Many
of these self-guided meditations take only five or ten minutes, and
each builds
upon the other. Readers are given all the tools to visualize dreams,
emotions,
and changing goals in life and connections with others. Those
with some prior experience in meditation techniques will find The LGBTQ Meditation Journal
filled with
guideposts to better self-awareness, self-acceptance, and more positive
interactions with others. Kris
Jacen edits a powerful account that will find its place in the LBGTQ
community
as well as any new age collection and in any community struggling with
peace,
pride, and self-worth. Silent
Drums Eye-opening,
hard-hitting, and an excellent, compelling read; this
book will prove
hard to put down, cultivating an intense roller coaster of emotions
designed to
involve readers not just in social or military issues; but in the
perspectives of
individual lives. Four
years before the Stonewall riots, one Bob LeBlanc informed Marine Corps
investigators "you have no right to ask" when they asked if he was
homosexual. He did so again a year before Stonewall. In 1975, for the
first
time in American history, a federal judge issued a restraining order
against
the U.S. Military to halt the court martial of Bob for allegedly being
gay.
Bob's final legal fights with the Marines in 1975 and 1976 would fuel
the
fledgling gay rights movement throughout the U.S., which has evolved
into
today's LGBTQ Civil Rights movement - and yet until the publication of Silent Drums,
these facts themselves were
buried. It
can be said that Bob LeBlanc is the Rosa Parks of today's LGBTQ Civil
Rights
movement. Silent
Drums: Adapt, Improvise, Overcome! is
thus a military saga like few others, tackling overcoming adversity at
the most
unexpected of places: among the Marine Corps ranks. It centers on LBGT
rights,
gay marriage, and the experiences of one military man who struggled not
on the
battlefield against enemies, but against his own peers and an
establishment
which discriminated against gays long before "don't ask/don't tell"
policies were enacted. The
biography of Robert Lyle LeBlanc is provided in the form of
descriptions that
read with the vividness of fiction and the immediacy of a social issues
discussion, reaching beyond the usual nonfiction approach to immerse
readers in
a piece of military history that stems from one man's actions and an
organization's changes. It remains true to its research roots, however.
Pam
Daniels spent three and a half years researching and confirming where
Bob
LeBlanc was during his two combat tours in Vietnam, before spending
four and a
half years writing, editing and publishing Silent
Drums. The book incorporates scans from actual
Marine Corp
documents, and even adds some of the reports he dictated to HQ during
the
fierce battles he was part of. This
is not to say that military action isn't a part of the story. Bob faced
battles, struggles, life-changing brushes with death, and, forty years
later, a
witch-hunt affecting his service as a military policeman that seemed to
belay
everything he battled for and believed in, in his life. Bob
put his life on the line in Vietnam, serving his country. Now, at home,
he puts
his heart on the line and faces an enemy even more deadly than the Viet
Cong. Silent
Drums exposes an aspect of military
involvement that too commonly is hidden from the eye. Bob's story moves
deftly
between past and present experience as he faces various challenges in
his life
both within and outside the military, and as he fights the ban on gays
in the
military before the policy of "don't ask/don't tell" became
established. Readers
who find his story compelling should be aware that the timeline jumps
back and
forth between different periods in Bob's life, and that his account
reads with
the third-person drama of fiction as it explores his world, his
choices, and
their lasting impacts. A thought or emotion can transport him back in
time even
as he's in his partner's kitchen cooking dinner, for example. Such
jumps are
nicely done and are not confusing; but they may stymie readers seeking
a
methodical, linear story line that stays true to its timeline and
progression
of events. However,
in choosing this special form of delivery, Pam Daniels assures that the
connections between past experience and the choices and lives they've
affected
and created are clearly delivered. Readers also receive visuals which
take the
form of Marine command incidence reports, journal entries, and logs
that
support the battles and events that immerse Bob and his comrades in
various
struggles. Silent
Drums is not a singular story in
any respect. It's not straight biography, military history, fiction or
social
probe; but incorporates all these elements in a powerful, hard-hitting
and
solid work of journalism designed to give readers much food for thought
and
insights on a relatively little-known aspect of military history and
processes. The
result blends Marine Corp culture with a powerful story of dangers that
come
from unexpected places. As Bob adapts to and changes from his
experiences and
faces after-battle health issues that continue to threaten his life, a
personal
struggle for full equality in the military assumes a life of its own in
a story
which embraces and reflects the entire timeline of the LGBT civil
rights
movement. This
story of how a Vietnam Marine fought anti-gay attitudes in the military
should
be on the reading lists of anyone concerned about gay rights history in
general
and military culture in particular. It's eye-opening, hard-hitting, and
compelling reading that will prove hard to put down, cultivating an
intense
roller coaster of emotions designed to involve readers not just in
social or
military issues; but in the perspectives of individual lives. Very
highly recommended, Silent
Drums
is a portrait of courage operating on more than one level, and deserves
a medal
for its in-depth research achievements.
David Alan Carter
Independently Published
ASIN Number: B0759X92Z6 $4.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/
The
12% Solution
Return
to Index
Domenico Iannaco
Mica Press
978-1-869848-06-4
$ 12.99
http://www.micapress.co.uk
The Death of
Galahad represents a
poetic form not usually seen in contemporary writing: an epic long poem
consisting of over twenty-five sections which depicts the Arthurian
hero
Galahad as he navigates the landscape of a hell in which vision and
purpose
have been lost in Europe.
The
Death of Galahad
Return
to Index
Christopher Stone and Mary Sheldon
MLR Press
978-1-64122-041-5
(print)
$14.99
978-1-64122-032-3
(ebook)
$ 5.99
https://www.amazon.com/LGBTQ-
The
LGBTQ Meditation Journal
Return
to Index
Pam Daniels
Independently Published
ASIN: B01H2WCYM0
$2.99
Kindle; $12.99 Paper
http://a.co/h8TFk87
Silent
Drums
Return
to Index
10
Gulab Jamuns
Sandhya Acharya
Mascot Books
978-1-68401-261-9
$14.95
https://shop.trycelery.com/
10 Gulab Jamuns: Counting With An Indian Sweet Treat receives engaging, colorful illustrations by Vanessa Alexandre as it explores the author's experience with a sweet tooth through the eyes of two sons who view their mother making the Indian sweets 'gulab jamuns' (ten of them) that they are supposed to save for guests.
The problem with a sweet tooth is that it doesn't always recognize limitations; and, perhaps predictably, the boys who are sent away to play can't keep their minds off the freshly-made, albeit forbidden, gulab jamuns.
A counting lesson ensues as hungry children decide to ignore warnings and consume the gulabs one by one, giving their mother the sudden problem of not having enough dessert for the guests. Her idea to involve her children in helping her solve the dilemma offers a refreshingly positive approach to their anticipated punishment for over-indulgence.
The result is a warm, family-oriented story that blends a counting story with insights based on positive problem-solving and family cooperation. Add a real recipe and color photos of the Indian treat for a final dash of flavor and class in a picture book story that will appeal beyond India's borders with its powerful combined lesson on math, sweet teeth, and taking responsibility for one's choices.
10 Gulab Jamuns: Counting With An Indian Sweet Treat is highly recommended for parents seeking picture book read-alouds that hold multicultural elements and different insights.
10 Gulab Jamuns
Return to Index
How
to Turn Your Mom Into a Monster
Aurora Whittet
Wise Ink Publishing
9781634890878
$9.99
www.aurorawhittet.com
How to Turn Your Mom Into a Monster was inspired by Aurora Whittet's five-year-old son and his friends and offers a positive perspective of young trouble-makers and their antics.
Parents who look for creative, fun read-alouds for youngsters attracted to funny-looking monsters and picture book stories that include psychological insights will relish this story of how children have about ten hours in a day to turn a smiling mother into a Cuddly Monster.
This account takes the form of a how-to manual that gives clues on how to 'bother Mom' that range from flinging her purse into the floor and writing her name on the wall with her lipstick to starting a fake fight with one's sibling.
The purpose? More bed-time cuddles. But, bed-time is the prime time for resistance...isn't it?
Kids and parents will relish a funny story that takes many unexpected turns and encourages dialogue and laughter in read-aloud settings.
Too many bedtime and read-aloud picture books are overly predictable. The serious and fun story presented here offers exceptional psychological insights in a fun and different story, not to be missed.
How to Turn Your Mom Into a Monster
Return to Index
Idiot
Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy
Richard Due
Gibbering Gnome Press
Print: 9780983886792 $9.99
Ebook: 9780983886785 $4.99
www.WillaSnap.com
Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy pairs lovely illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio with the first book in a satisfyingly original, compelling series for ages 9-12, introducing Willamina Gilbert Snap, an eleven-year-old who discovers there's a force keeping the world from destruction - and that force is comprised of Idiots.
She should know: she's apparently one herself, and her destiny is to never see home again - among other things.
Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy represents Willa's "first highly illegal memoir" and details her venture into Grandeur, a city of time-traveling dragons, talkative cats, and scientific discoveries unknown to Outside.
There's a lot to relish about Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy; not the least of which is an approach that offers much food for thought about the structure of Willa's world and the science and psychology behind it: "The problem is that geniuses - both capital G and small g - either think you understand everything they've said as perfectly as they do, or that you're as dumb as dirt. It's one of their biggest flaws."
From the baristas' strange brewed creatures ("a hermit crab the size of a basketball, a foxlike cashier wearing a hat and vest, and a small winged dragon perched in a cage, preening its bright green feathers") to devices that rent unused brain space, Willa sweeps readers along. Sentient Clockwerks, a cat-run curiosity shop, and steam-powered rhino cabs coexist in a setting the author describes as "polypunk."
It's unusual to see such sci-fi depth and detail in a title directed to young adults, but this is precisely what makes Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy such an appealing production: the characterization is solid while its fantastic setting will intrigue ages well beyond its intended 9-12-year-old audience.
Time vortexes, ghosts, and the costs of navigating this odd world make for a complex but thoroughly engrossing story recommended for young sci-fi and fantasy fans who hold a prior attraction to books such as John Bellairs' House with a Clock in its Walls. From its engaging drawings to its powerful message, Idiot Genius will leave readers musing about Willa Snap's adventures long after the winding story concludes. It is highly recommended for young adults seeking something compellingly different in tone, approach, and perspective.
Idiot Genius: Willa Snap and the Clockwerk Boy
Return to Index
The
Prison of Doom
Rory Kadish Lamboy
Blog: Rhorywriter.com
Email: TheSchoolWorkGuru@gmail.com
Jake was diagnosed with a learning disability early in his life and has adjusted to it over the years. He's now in seventh grade, facing a grim teacher who humiliates him in front of his classmates and mocks him for 'being special' - a label he's long tried to avoid as he struggles to fit into regular school circles and get away from the stigma of special ed.
But Jake's talented in different ways. The main way he can recall and work with the world is through rhyme, and his hundred-line rap rhyme 'The Prison of Doom' may actually spell a way out of his struggles with school culture and life.
There are too many things going on in Jake's world, these days. His family is still mourning the death of his mother, there's a creative writing contest going on that he doubts he'll enter despite his poetic skills, and peer relationships - even with his best friends - keep changing.
When
a foolproof stunt goes awry, getting Jake and his friends in trouble,
even his
favorite teacher becomes a potential enemy, and his 'safe places' are
threatened. Jake's life seems to be over ... or, is it just beginning?
From grief and imaginary and real battles to a creative punishment that holds some unexpected results, The Prison of Doom provides a snapshot of a particularly moving episode in Jake's young life and the moments that change his perceptions of not only his world, but his place in it.
Middle grade readers will find Jake an engaging character with disabilities and abilities that contribute to a growth process involving not only acceptance, but new paths in life.
From how Jake interacts with adults and peers to the circumstances that help him grow, The Prison of Doom offers much food for thought in an enlightening story of a young boy's newfound control of his future and the friendships and relationships that drive his evolutionary process.
The result is an engrossing read that is especially recommended for stories of special ed kids facing not just disabilities, but paths in life.
The Prison of Doom
Return to Index
The Shadow Girl
Misty Mount
Between the Lines Publishing
978-0-9979395-8-3
$14.99 Print;
$3.99 Digital
www.btwnthelines.com
Thirteen-year-old Zylia feels nearly invisible in her life. She blends into the background, is shy, and has always known that she's nearly invisible, even before real invisibility began to overcome her. The surreal spills into reality as Zylia's initial feeling of being 'unnoticed' seven years earlier begins to translate to true invisibility.
Zylia has always had mixed feelings about her condition, both relishing anonymity and chafing against its increasing power ("... the very curse that plagued me was also my protection.").
Only one thing can keep her in the world: investigating an old family mystery surrounding a great-aunt's disappearance long ago. If she can uncover the truth, perhaps she can prevent the same thing from happening to her.
As Zylia explores the circumstances surrounding her great-aunt's vanishing, she gains clues from an old journal, makes some unexpected friends, draws some surprising connections between her familiar world and other dimensions, and slowly begins to learn the truth about her relative's fate and her own future.
With her very survival linked to her ability to move beyond her familiar world, Zylia faces the 'in-between' and her possible role as a Shadow Girl who is brave and visible: everything that she is not, in the world she's always moved through.
Young adults will find The Shadow Girl a powerful fantasy that combines a coming of age theme with insights into changing family relationships, the impact of past worlds on present lives, and a shy girl's unexpected changes. Zylia's character is nicely drawn and realistic, her dilemmas are compelling and vivid, and her strange adventure becomes the start of building a new persona and purpose in her life.
Teens who enjoy compelling plots and a protagonist whose dilemmas weave into bigger issues of character and life purpose will find The Shadow Girl an involving read, filled with astute observations and surprises right up to the end. The Shadow Girl is especially recommended for readers who enjoy fantasies that incorporate real-world elements of change and growth.
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The
Travels of Adventurous Alexander and Restless Russell: Dominican
Republic
Kristina Kozak
Mascot Books
9781664013920
$14.95
www.mascotbooks.com
The Travels of Adventurous Alexander and Restless Russell: Dominican Republic is a picture book that will require either good reading skills or adult read-aloud assistance in order to prove accessible to beginners who would learn about the geography of the Dominican Republic through the fun travels of two real-life young visitors to the island.
Photos, colorful, simple drawings, and maps accompany an exploration of an island too seldom given separate attention in picture books. The story defines various types of adventure, from sushi eating to four-wheel jeep experiences, as the two children explore the island and develop insights about how its people live.
Waterfalls, snakes, horseback rides abound as the kids tour the island. Young readers are introduced to the Dominican Republic's people and culture with sidebars of facts that supplement dramatic descriptions of the two boys' adventures.
The result uses the dramatic elements of fiction as it provides nonfiction geography facts and the real-world adventures of two boys in a production that will delight youngsters with its attractive drawings and an exploration that results in many revelations about the island's lifestyle. It's perfect for young geography learners who want more interest than the usual fact-filled nonfiction survey can offer.
Those who enjoy this format should know that this is the first of a series. The next book will be Costa Rica. Others would include Panama, Florida Keys, Italy, Arizona, and more.
The Travels of Adventurous Alexander and Restless Russell: Dominican Republic
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