February 2019 Review Issue
The Dragon's Harvest
Jason F. Boggs
Mill City Press
9781545641347
$21.99
www.thedragontrilogy.com
Devil's Dragon
may have introduced the series with a bang, but The
Dragon's Harvest takes the adventure
a step further in a stand-alone compliment to and second book in the
trilogy.
Here, Nelson Jones is on a mission to uncover the meaning of the sun
gates that
lead humans and Aesini to confront an impossible power play.
At stake is the survival and resurrection of The
New Era,
the continued existence of aliens who value nature over technology, and
alliances forged by adversity, which face newfound challenges from
dangerous
discoveries.
Nemesis Ira Bilis returns to throw a monkey wrench
into the
mix, but as battle lines are drawn, the struggles proves far more
complex than
human, alien, or competing forces could imagine. Even as Bilis relishes
her
newfound power, its bloody aftermath, and the fact that The New Era "is back, for good this time",
a new force is unleashed that causes everyone to take a second look at
their
status, goals, and ambitions in this changing world.
From ideas of the will of Gods and questions about
whether
they can be defeated to simmering regrets over lost love, fear of
failure, and
hate tempered with love, The Dragon's
Harvest takes some unexpected turns that prior readers of Devil's Dragon won't expect.
Perhaps this is the greatest strength of The Dragon's Harvest: its ability to
build upon prior scenes, then turn them upside down to pair
action-packed
scenes of confrontation and rescue with unexpectedly thought-provoking
moments
of character growth and insight.
As Jessie Freeman and Ira Bilis clash, brute force
leads to
new power plays and opportunities that leads each to reevaluate their
relationship and lives.
The result is a fantasy that neatly juxtaposes
military confrontation
with a love/hate relationship set against the backdrop of emerging
powers and
new forces: one that leads readers on a rollicking journey through
changed
worlds and lives to emerge into a strange new world neither side
anticipated.
Prior fans and newcomers alike will appreciate the
fast-paced action, vivid confrontations, and complex relationships
between
humans, aliens, and adversaries alike in a pick highly recommended for
readers
who like their adventure fast-paced and their characters well drawn.
Return to Index
Mother of Rebellion
B.K. Boes
Beyond Here Publishing
Paperback $19.99 ISBN: 1-948673-00-2
Hardcover $29.99 ISBN: 1-948673-01-0
eBook:
$ 3.99
http://a.co/d/eRpUwOa
Mother of Rebellion
takes place long after The Schism, the great war that
divided the continent of Leyumin before an uncertain series of
smaller
conflicts finally descended upon the land, thwarting any promise of
lasting
peace.
Two nations are left to vie for the title of
Unitor: one
determined to achieve its goals by force; the other by political
consent.
The five very different individuals profiled in Mother of Rebellion are essential to
this process, and their quest for a better life unites them in
developments
replete with hardship and dreams.
As readers venture into the lives of a slave-wife,
a
warrior, a guardian of history, a disciple, and a young nobleman, they
receive
different histories, perspectives, and goals which lead them into a
shared
vision and mission.
From efforts to make peace and undo family angst
and
heritage to changing visions of faith, personal loyalty, illness and
destruction, and marriage, the complex and compelling world of Mother of Rebellion demands of its
readers an attention to detail and social and political interactions.
This
focus is amply rewarded in a plot that is visionary, revealing, and
hard to put
down: a smorgasbord of different personalities thrown into the mix of
nation-building or destruction (depending on perspective).
Mother of Rebellion
takes different journeys and common heroes and winds them
into a story of invaders, desperate missions, winning and losing, and
military,
political, and psychological transformation.
Readers looking for complex
worlds and entwined
destinies
will relish this saga for its fast pace, different characters, and
changing
notions of warriors and heroism. All these facets contribute to a rich
palate
of action and insight to keep readers thoroughly engrossed and
wondering about
the conclusion right up to an action-packed, unexpected confrontation.
Return to Index
Cooking
after Brain Injury: Easy Cooking for Recovery: Book
3
Susana Stoica, PhD
Healing Alternatives Press
ASIN: B07KWGLNQP
$9.95 Kindle
http://a.co/d/dzyZrG3
Cooking after Brain
Injury: Easy Cooking for
Recovery: Book 3 adds to the others in
this series, specifically designed as brain-friendly primers for those
with
brain injuries who typically find the usual cookbook approach too
complex and
confusing.
Those with little familiarity with brain injury
might not
realize that cooking is one of those cognitive skills that becomes a
real test
after traumatic brain injury. Even those who were accomplished cooks
prior to
the injury often find themselves unable to comprehend the basic steps
and
processes of cooking.
Cooking after Brain Injury
is from an author who experienced two such injuries on the
same day, and who spent ten years retraining herself in the kitchen.
Her work
resulted in many new approaches to cooking that adjusts for common
obstacles,
from problems with concentration and sequencing to putting together a
complimentary menu. The
recipes in the
books also address brain injury side effects like weight gain and food
sensitivities, providing reference table that help users choose the
best suited
dishes for their needs.
Introductory sections cover the basics of which
dishes to
start with, explain the classification criteria and the special codes
applied
to the recipes, and builds on the simpler recipes presented in the
first and
second books in the series (which are required stepping stones to
attempting
the dishes in this third book).
Unlike most series titles, these books are broken
down into
series for a specific reason. Those suffering from brain injury are
easily confused
and overwhelmed by too much information not properly structured for
easy
comprehension, so these shorter cookbooks are more inviting. The clear
delineation between the books allows for the progressive re-learning of
kitchen
skills.
Repetition in duplicating the dishes is encouraged.
To
avoid limited meals, Dr. Stoica encourages brain-injured users to get
together
with others to select recipes from the book so that proficiency can be
built
even as entire meals are produced.
As
cooking after brain injury is a tiring proposition,
the author provides larger quantity recipes for dishes that can be
portioned
and frozen, as well as specifying the steps necessary to process
specific
frozen dishes when defrosting.
Tips on bulk food production for the freezer and
how to
handle it and steps for cooking several dishes in a meal address
confusion and
many common obstacles that tend to making cooking problematic.
Many cookbooks promote healthy recipes for healthy
living;
but this set also promotes healing by doing, making cooking a part of
the
brain's exercise regimen during the recovery process. By providing only
author-tested recipes, strategies for foolproof production that
circumvent
common confusion areas for the brain injured, and rating recipes by
complexity
so cooks can choose among them depending on their mental fitness on a
given
day, Dr. Stoica returns independence to those who typically consider
cooking an
“impossible dream” after a brain trauma.
The recipes themselves are simply and clearly
presented,
from an Apple Plum Soup and German Potatoes with paprika and sour cream
to
Chicken Liver Pate and Eggplant Schnitzel. Appealing color photos
introduce
each new dish. Ingredients lists are common to most cookbooks, but the
clear
differentiation between preparing ingredients and the dish itself and
serving
and reheating suggestions also assume a step-by-step clarity that
leaves
nothing to wonder about. Ingredients lists, for example, include
processing
notes.
Book 1 features the very simplest of dishes to get
started,
from Asparagus with Garlic and Mushroom Soup to Tuna Salad and Berries
with
Whipped Cream. Book 2 expands the recipe selection with more difficult
recipes
requiring more attention to detail, from Cabbage Soup and Guacamole to
Bok Choy
with Garlic and Gazpacho Soup.
The emphasis on step-by-step processes that breaks
up
typical cooking directions for easy absorption and understanding by
those who
may not be able to concentrate or quickly process steps makes this
series a top
recommendation. These books should be in the tool boxes of anyone
recovering
from brain trauma and the therapists helping them regain their
independence
through brain-exercise therapies by providing, especially those who may
have
been accomplished cooks prior to their injury, a sense of
accomplishment and
feeling of being once again useful and an active part of everyday life
activities.
Return to Index
Managing
Parkinson's With Diet
Yuchi Yang RD
Independently Published
978-1731507686
$14.99
paper/$7.99 Kindle
http://a.co/d/4E5rdXh
Managing Parkinson's With Diet is quite clear
in its approach, backed by author Yuchi Yang's authority as a
registered
dietitian. It's designed for Parkinson's patients who seek to
supplement
medical treatment with dietary support, and is not intended to replace
a
physician's care. With so many Parkinson's books claiming miracles,
it's
important to note that this practical diet guide addresses a more
down-to-earth
and common concern in Parkinson's care: fluctuating diets, especially
surrounding protein intake.
Managing Parkinson's With Diet opens with the
latest research findings about Parkinson's, but the heart of Yang's
book lies
in designing a uniquely appropriate diet and understanding the special
needs of
Parkinson's patients. This is especially significant given studies that
indicate diet has a big influence on Parkinson's symptoms.
Specific examples of protein-rich, healthful
choices for
breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are accompanied by references to
balanced plans
specific to the needs of Parkinson's sufferers, who too commonly are
diagnosed
with malnourishment.
Tools are provided for self-assessment and to
supplement
the approaches of physicians and registered dietitians, from how to
calculate
one's dietary fiber needs to understanding the ratio between
carbohydrates and
protein.
The information is provided using charts, examples,
and an
unassuming tone that makes many of the concepts accessible by and
appropriate
to not only Parkinson's readers, but caretakers seeking a primer on the
basics
of nutrition.
Educational tools range from food categories to how
to
design an individual meal plan. The extensive, specific tips on healthy
breakfasts, lunches, and dinners also include Chinese, Japanese, and
Middle
Eastern theme choices, which successfully diversifies the options.
Recipes for such simple dishes as Egg Stir Fry Rice
or
Stir-Fry Onion and Kidney Beans assure all the pieces are put together
in a way
that any caregiver or Parkinson's cook can easily understand.
Doctor's offices handle medicine and treatments,
registered
dietitians working with physicians provide information, and Managing
Parkinson's With Diet completes the triangle of
empowerment by
supplementing both with clear medical research, applied to diets that
are
simple to understand and follow, and appealing.
Managing Parkinson's With Diet should be a
staple in any Parkinson's caregiver, family member, or patient's
self-help
arsenal for better health.
Return to Index
Mystery & Thrillers
Dark Touch
Ellie Lewis
Black Rose Writing
978-1-68433-176-5
$17.95
Paper/$5.99 Kindle
www.blackrosewriting.com
Dark Touch
is the first book in the Glass Star Trilogy and introduces Sloan, who
is being
stalked not by a jealous boyfriend, but by an evil entity. Unlike a
human
stalker, this evil force can stalk her through her dreams, as well.
Sloan is depicted as a strong protagonist whose
spunky,
independent Seattle world isn't dominated by dating or social
involvements: "Come on Sloan, you never date!
Seattle
guys are fun.” “How do you know I’m not already seeing someone?” She
raised an
eyebrow. “Because every time a hot guy has ever approached you I have
heard you
say the following two words—Fuck. Off.” She made little quotation marks
in the
air. Millie was not exaggerating. Fuck
off was my go to statement when guys tried to ask me out.
It worked like
a charm. “I can’t argue.”
Sloan isn't just an assistant at a law firm; she's
a
blossoming and talented young artist about to confront supernatural
forces
she'd never believed in. Her life is set to change in many ways; not
the least
of which is through a relationship with James, a man she admires, and
the idea
that she may be facing her last few days of life. This proposition
leads her to
quit her job and fully engage with a new task, which leads her straight
into
danger.
What sets Dark Touch
aside from other genre writings is its creation of a feisty, determined
protagonist who is not just believable, but compelling. Readers will
appreciate
Sloan's spunky personality and grit, essential ingredients to facing
Darrow and
his army of winged warriors.
Torn between a dark force and a white, golden
warrior,
Sloan becomes the pawn in an otherworldly. But, why is she so
important? Love,
injury, recovery, and confrontation permeate an emotionally charged,
riveting
story line that places Sloan far from her familiar life against forces
she'd
never imagined.
Readers receive more than just an action-packed
story.
Sloan's determination and clarity shine in a tale that reveals a bigger
picture
with the Dark Ones and their influence not just in human lives, but the
balance
of energies in the cosmos itself.
More so than most, Dark
Touch is hard to put down and, fueled by Sloan's drive to
survive, is one
of the best new publications to appear this season, in this genre. Very
highly
recommended!
Return to Index
The Dead Don't Talk
Lawrence J. Epstein
Fig Hollow Publishing
ASIN: B07LF13Y3G
$0.99
http://amzn.com/B07LF13Y3G
Danny Ryle isn't an investigator: he's a politician
with an
ability to fix problems. But in The Dead
Don't Talk, the problem is a murder, and Danny just happens
to have a
background that might lend to even this dilemma's resolution as he taps
the
knowledge of his retired father, a former hit man.
There's more than one issue with this plan,
however. Long
Island is replete with suspects, and Danny has no experience sorting
out the
clues in a murder mystery. Maybe he should have become an accountant,
like his
mother wanted.
The police have been very professional; but it's
obvious
they've missed something. Can Danny's talent for making things right
piece
together a string of impossible clues to do what the professionals have
failed
to achieve, solving a complex series of interrelationships?
There are no easy answers and no obvious leads, but
Danny
has something the police do not: access to master thieves and a ring of
individuals who can threaten and blackmail their way into anything.
It's these
dubious associations that provide Danny with a unique edge and a number
of
conundrums that revolve around re-election polls and an old murder
investigation.
With Danny's life on the line, it quickly becomes
evident
that the case is anything but cold. A murderer still is on the loose,
and he'll
do anything to suppress the facts. Danny is headed for trouble that
even his
savvy father may not be able to fix.
The Dead Don't Talk
is narrated in the first person, which gives it immediacy
and intimacy that draws readers in. Dialogues between father and son
move from
practical daily matters to ethereal philosophical reflections on life
and
further create connections for readers who will find themselves
immersed in the
personalities, ambitions, and perceptions of two very different
characters: "You have a lot of information
but
absolutely no solid leads in Siegel’s murder. So you have no clues, no
leads
and you’re putting your life in danger. For what, exactly? To help an
old man
find some comfort before he dies. Believe me. I’m an old man. I’d like
some
comfort. Comfort never comes. Just one day you close your eyes and
there’s
darkness. You can’t find comfort in the face of that reality. People
try by
promising angels singing in Heaven. And after the promise a guy dies
and he’s
sitting on a lawn listening to angels singing. He’d go crazy from
boredom in
five minutes. There’s no comfort in Heaven either. You just die. An
eternal
darkness, an endless void. Take your choice. You can suffer in this
life. More
than you can imagine, Danny, when you get older. Or you can stare into
the
vast, dark hole of nothingness. Life’s great.”
These explorations into relationships and problems
that
draw father and son together are part of what elevates this murder
mystery
above others, crafting scenes and encounters that go far beyond a
'whodunit' to
probe the connections, disassociations, and relationships between
family
members, politicians, and community.
Infused with political observations as well as a
foray into
the dark side of murder, The Dead Don't
Talk serves up an inviting, delicious read that lingers in
the mind long
after Danny faces an ethical conundrum that could either make or break
his
life.
Return to Index
Deliberate Deception
Joe Porrazzo
Porter House Press
978-0578-42518-4 (Hardcover)
$27.09
978-0-578-42262-6 (Paperback)
$17.99
978-0-692-15711-4 (eBook)
$ 2.00
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Joe-Porrazzo/e/B004H328YC/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Author website: https://www.joeporrazzo.com/
Don’t let the advertising fool you: Deliberate
Deception is the second book in a trilogy, but that
doesn't mean it requires prior familiarity with its predecessor, Solemnly Swear. It's relatively rare to
note a trilogy addition that truly stands alone while enhancing others
in the
series; but Deliberate Deception is
such an accomplishment, forging new ground while seamlessly integrating
all the
details of protagonist Alex Porter's life and personality. As such, it
promises
vivid interest not just to prior fans, but to newcomers who will
appreciate its
fast pace and engrossing plot.
Alex, a retired Air Force OSI agent turned private
investigator, faces another big challenge to his skills as he confronts
the results
of a greedy corporation's raffle where the unexpected prize is death.
It's been only seven months since his wife and
daughter
were killed and Alex is still in full-fledged grief; but he is
cognizant enough
to respond when a lawyer's friend goes missing in Tucson. It's no
surprise that
his probe results in his own life being in the crosshairs; but when he
uncovers
allies among those who would harm him, the story really ventures into
the
unexpected.
The first big plus to Deliberate
Deception is Alex's journey, which moves deftly from grief to
full
investigative mode with more than a few surprises during the process.
Alex is
steeped in military procedures, circles, and connections; but even
these
experiences don't translate to easy solutions to complex criminal
activities.
Joe Porrazzo's attention to detail flushes out Alex's personality,
motivations,
and conundrums to create not just compelling action scenes, but a
character who
is completely realistic and likeable.
Tough security questions, high tech answers, and
Alex's
first PI contract after moving to Tucson wind into a story line replete
with
action, intrigue, and a newfound problem that perp Diggs may just have
to
eliminate.
As a new holiday season (Alex's first without his
wife and
daughter) and romance enter the picture, readers are treated to a
fast-paced
story of a capable, authoritative PI who may be moving too quickly on
many
levels even as he perceives himself as inexplicably moving too slowly,
compared
with his past momentum. Readers will identify with his self-assessment
and
predicaments as they move through an engrossing series of changing
scenarios.
His new girlfriend Missy is also cautious about
changing
her life ("Missy turned to leave,
burdened by feelings of dread. She tried to shake them but she was
convinced
Alex wasn’t coming back. These feelings were new to her. Her whole
life, she
had fended for herself and never had to worry about anybody else. She
was in
uncharted territory and the panic wouldn’t let go."). As both
explore
new territory, events heat up to tackle themes of murder,
responsibility, love,
and unlucky, innocent people killed by greed on the cusp of what they
believe
to be their luckiest day of life.
Politics, terrorism, and greed together create a
story that
is hard to put down, filled with unexpected twists and turns powered by
Alex's
recovery and growth and Missy's newfound revelations about the world
and her
place in it. Once begun, it's nearly impossible to put down.
Readers looking for a thriller that grabs hold and
doesn't
let go will find Deliberate Deception
just the ticket for a superior and satisfying blend of psychological
detail and
suspense.
Return to Index
Triad of Murder
Trisha Sugarek
Independently Published
978-1729561751
$7.99
Print/$4.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1729561756/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_wz0rCb9FYJYJB
Book #9 in the World of Murder series is, as its
predecessors, inspired by real life events which add an extra dimension
of
authenticity to the story line. It opens with the dilemma of Penny, who
is
experiencing an independent life after being buried in childcare and
being a
wife for eighteen years. A special arrangement has been made with
husband Tony
that preserves the semblance of their twenty-year relationship while
allowing
her more freedom; but when she meets Lyle at a bar, things change not
because
he loves her, but because he, too, plans to entrap her.
Investigators O’Roarke, Garcia and Sneed, come to
investigate a murder where Penny is the victim. Could Penny's husband,
who
loves her, be the perp? As the homicide detective team uncovers a
myriad of
perps, mishaps, and convoluted triads of circumstance, readers receive
a vivid
and fast-paced investigative story that offers more suspects than
answers and
keeps the action taunt with a guessing game that holds no obvious
answers and
many possibilities.
As a love relationship and a special arrangement
morphs
into shootings, a cunning perp, and boys who inadvertently become part
of a
bigger picture they'd never planned, Triad
of Murder excels in a romp through juvenile involvements and
adult
activities that challenges investigators and a community alike.
Stella, Jack, Phoebe, and friendships gone awry
intersect
over a murder that will keep readers involved in police procedurals and
family
relationships right to the end.
While mystery fans and prior readers of the series
will
find this a compelling addition, true crime enthusiasts should also
place Triad of Murder (and the
entire series,
for that matter) on their reading radars: the reality-based events and
action
are exquisitely detailed and the story is hard to put down.
Return to Index
Born to
Hustle
Edward A. Dreyfus
Edward A. Dreyfus,
Publisher
978-0692192436
$16.95
http://a.co/d/deZkJVM
Born to Hustle is a novel about identical
twin brothers with an
abusive childhood who identify with strong figures in adulthood: con
men,
gangsters, and the personas of men who take charge, control, and action.
Their past
experience
has forged a bond that consists of co-dependency and an attraction to
power
without the kind of critical thinking that would temper that draw.
Their lack
of power in the past leads to a fascination with the avenues they
perceive as
empowering their lives; but their very closeness and choices leads to a
rift
between them that threatens to destroy everything.
In many
ways, Born to Hustle is a story of
the lasting
impact of an abusive childhood on siblings who have devised ways to
survive. In
others, it's about adulthood choices and their influences on life
trajectories.
As the brothers find their lives changed by their foundation idea that
"money is power" they come to question not only their lives, but
their close relationship, identifying ways they are different: "How
is
it that Alan can so completely detach himself from hurting people? he thought. Despite their obvious
similarities, he often thought about how different they were."
Even as they
resist
the idea of psychological intervention, their lives benefit from
self-examination and a slowly evolving layer of critical thinking that
influences everything.
On the
surface, Born to Hustle is a focus
on the
streetwise quest for authority, meaning, and power. But underlying this
series
of encounters with the 'bad boys' of the underworld is an attention to
psychological inspection that gives Born
to Hustle the flavor of an introspective slice of shattered
illusions and
perceptions as one brother confronts another's new love and refutes a
blossoming relationship's validity.
Brutal in
its
psychological honesty and compelling in its careful dance between twins
who may
not be as similar as it seems, Born to
Hustle creates a dialogue of change and growth even as it
traverses the
streets of survival and assumptions.
Readers who
like
their novels replete with psychological inspection and re-evaluation
will
relish this story's attention to recovery, self-inspection, and
evolution.
Brian and Alan exist in a world where survival has traditionally been a
knee-jerk response rather than a reasoned, critical effort. Their
individual
and shared changes, set against the backdrop of a street-savvy grasp
for power
and stability, are engrossing, realistic, and educational in this
highly
recommended, powerful drama.
Return to Index
Daring
Dreamer
Deborah King
Liberation Publishing
ISBN: 9781733588805
$10.99
www.deborahkingbooks.com
Daring Dreamer is the first book in the
Inspiration in Cologne series,
and tells of changes that transform the relationship of two best
friends living
in Cologne, Missouri. It should be mentioned early on that while the
story
intends to be part of a broader set of experiences, it is complete unto
itself,
and features neither a cliffhanger conclusion nor the feel of a
divided-up
story line.
Janna is a
young
woman still recovering from a traumatic loss in years past that haunts
her and
keeps her from forming meaningful relationships, emotional ties, and
roots.
Seeking a way out of this quagmire of ennui, she travels around the
rural areas
of Missouri until she comes upon the picturesque town of Cologne, where
she
sees opportunity for a new life far from ghosts of the past.
Her best
friend
Shelby is also in need of change and is invited to join her in forming
a new
life far from what she's known. Opening a new business together in this
new
town seems just the ticket for becoming part of the community and
embarking on
a meaningful journey.
There's only
one
problem when two friends struggle to change: one may move at a
different speed
than the other. When romance is added into the mix, Janna believes her
heart's
desires are attainable, if only she can rid herself of the lingering
trauma
that affects everything she touches.
Deborah
King's
messages about perseverance, self-examination, new beginnings, and old
limitations are nicely woven into a story about changing relationships
sparked
by new opportunities.
As Daring Dreamer evolves, readers are
treated to an uplifting first-person saga of a thirty-something woman
who
decides to take big risks and pursue her dreams against all odds, and
who sees
her change of attitude and atmosphere pay off in a big way.
In contrast,
her best
friend holds similar values but a different approach to achievement,
and their
anxiety levels, conflicting perspectives, and volatile lives are
explored
through shifts in points of view that capture not only their external
messages
and internal responses; but those of suitor Richard. As Melinda, Ginny,
and
others become involved in their business pursuit and personal dream,
many
influences coalesce to create a story that is genuinely compelling and
which
feels true to life circumstances and interpersonal relationships.
Janna opens
up to
Richard and allows romance to blossom against all odds, and readers
receive
thought-provoking insights into how she's accepting her new life ("I genuinely didn’t expect to deviate
from my life’s plan. When Todd asked me to visit Cologne with him and
investigate the property he actually wanted me
to buy, I surprised myself.
The property exuded peacefulness. I had no idea how much I wanted—no, needed—peace in my life.”),
which
are nicely juxtaposed with a shared dream that Shelby and Janna still
hold
dear.
Daring Dreamer closely examines a shared
dream, the different
avenues of achieving that goal, and the pursuits of two women who
strive for
success and who recognize their limitations and possibilities.
It is an
inspirational story that manages to combine the themes of romance and
change
with womens' business pursuits and the mechanics of re-careering and
re-envisioning the future in an excellent mix of leisure read and
thought-provoking inspection of the process of formulating and
following one's
most impossible goals.
Women who
cultivate
their own dreams will find this a powerful story filled with the
efforts and
insights of one who is a 'daring dreamer' and who invites her audience
to
become the same.
Return to Index
THE MAGIC
LIST: Girl
Invictus
Mark Tiro
Second Dharma Books
Amazon ASIN:
B07MFDFPJZ
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-948037-04-4
$3.99
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948037-05-1
$12.99
Amazon Ebook URL:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFDFPJZ
Amazon Paperback URL:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/194803705X
THE MAGIC LIST: Girl
Invictus provides another Spirit Invictus
novel to expand the experiences of the others in the series and again
turns
teen Maya's world on end.
This time she is
living a normal day which changes forever when she loses track of time,
then
finds herself lost in time. Suddenly her family doesn't see her. A pen
and
paper magically appear as she tries to navigate her familiar yet
changed life;
but their appearance isn't the only thing that's magical about her
revised
situation.
As Maya comes to
realize that she has a unique opportunity to realize all her dreams,
she also
comes to acknowledge the underlying cost of magic, and faces conundrums
that
involve old friends and magical voiceless exchanges and every memory of
every
lifetime that's been forgotten until her encounter with mysterious
David brings
them back.
Maya believes she's experiencing an afterlife; but
it's
much more than that. She holds the power to change everything, but at a
big
cost. And her failed memories, other lives, David, and mixed-up
timelines
intersect in a challenging new reality that pushes her to create a
growing list
that chronicles past, present, and future events.
From her dissolving abilities to deny and repress
to
whether or not she's the sole cause of all the effects changing her
world,
Maya's beliefs and abilities are challenged, and readers enter a world
filled
with mystery, confrontation, and experiences that border on spiritual
revelations.
Because Maya is a teenager, one might anticipate
this
series to be directed to teens. Because it involves Maya's probe of
life
purpose, a reader might anticipate a religious component. And because
it
involves her journey through possibilities, a decidedly new age element
lends
much to a metaphysical adventure.
But to relegate this latest or the series as a
whole to any
singular readership would be to do it an injustice. Maya's ongoing
explorations
of meaning in her life and the world blends a coming of age story with
a
thriller overlay, adds a personal quest through impossible situations
that
confront and revise Maya's paradigm of reality itself, and leaves
readers
thinking long past the mystery of the magic list itself.
Maya's journey continues to be captivating in this
latest
incarnation, and both newcomers and prior fans will find especially
thrilling
the underlying truths she uncovers from the ongoing puzzles in her
life. These
pull her from childhood into adulthood and lead her to acknowledge her
anger
and strength, to release them, and to be reborn.
Return to Index
Famous Dishes from Around the
World: Healthy, Tasty, and Affordable
Platos Famosos de todo el
mundo: saludables, sabrosos, y económicos
Executive Editor: Stephanie Maze
Publisher: Moonstone Press, LLC
ISBN: 9780972769723
Price:
$14.99
To order, contact:
(Website) www.moonstonepress.net/
(Distributors) www.ipgbook.com
Famous Dishes from Around the World/
Platos famosos de todo
el mundo is a bilingual cookbook
presented in English and Spanish for lovers of good ethnic foods who
may still
be unfamiliar with their ingredients. The book provides an outstanding
selection of top international dishes that are identified with a
particular country,
both with authentic recipes and variations thereof.
What sets this collection of recipes apart from
that of
other cookbooks is its focus on a single representative dish for each
featured
country. Familiar to many Americans, each of these
iconic dishes is
associated with a particular nation and is chosen with deliberate
purpose: "Beyond
emotions and memories, however, the dishes in this
book represent something deeper: They are a collection of national and
well-known culinary creations that have become intrinsically identified
with a
particular country because of their history. As such, they are a symbol
of
national pride and cultural identity with the country of origin, pride
that is
carried on from generation to generation."
Famous Dishes/ Platos Famosos includes
recipes for Irish Stew, Israeli Cabbage
Rolls, Mexican Fajitas, Swedish Meatballs, and Indian Fish Curry, among
many
others, with names that can be recognized by
those who have
sampled ethnic cuisine from around the
world. The
cookbook features a number of
advantages: ingredients that
can be shared across a variety of the featured dishes; dishes that are
budgeted
and won't break the bank; and recipes that are authentic or slightly
tweaked to
make them as healthy and accessible as possible.
Readers of this cookbook can expect to find not
only a
satisfying diversity of iconic foods, but a variety of international
dishes
that are appealing, surprising, and easy to produce as well. One of the
featured dishes – American chili – for example, includes turkey, dried
cranberries, cinnamon, and a range of many other delicious
ingredients.
Each dish is accompanied by a color
photo, a historical information sidebar, and a box
with the nutrition breakdown of each recipe.
With its emphasis on familiar-sounding comfort
foods and
hearty mainstays, Famous Dishes from Around the
World, Platos famosos
de todo el mundo is recommended over and above other
introductory
ethnic cookbooks because of its recognizable national dishes, its
diversity,
its attention to healthy ingredients, and the ease with which the
recipes can
be prepared in the kitchen.
Return to Index
Getting Past
Childhood Bullying
Stacey J. Miller
BPT Press
978-0984228539
$14.95 Paper/$6.99 Kindle
http://a.co/d/755llKi
Getting Past
Childhood Bullying: How Adults Can Recover From Trauma That Began at
School
outlines a common dilemma many adults face: childhood trauma from
bullying.
Unlike PTSD in adulthood, such trauma hold special nuances and problems
that
make them long-lasting shocks difficult to recover from.
Stacey
J. Miller goes beyond outlining situations and the
problem to create a four-part program of healing and strategies for
recovery.
Most powerful of all, however, is her examination of common adult
strategies
for handling school bullies, which too often fail to make a difference
for
either survivors or those who didn't make it: "Phoebe
should have been enjoying every
moment of her teenage years and looking forward to what came next.
Instead, she
was gone, and the teenagers who had tortured her had, at the end of
court
proceedings, walked away with probation and community service. The
South Hadley
High School administrators and teachers had avoided all legal
responsibility.
They didn't even have to take a day off work, as far as I could tell.
There was
no justice for Phoebe Prince or her family. And there was no comfort
for me,
either."
Anyone
who has been a victim of childhood bullying will
readily recognize Miller's scenarios and case histories; but again: the
meat of
the title lies not in familiar scenarios and unrequited justice, but in
strategies for recovery.
These
range from an online approach that moves from being
savvy about safety to empowerment ("Celebrities
would call it reputation management. Business leaders would refer to it
as
building brand. It all comes down to one thing: controlling what people
discover about you when they find you online. You can expand your
online
footprint so that it speaks to the abusers and others who were part of
your
childhood experiences, along with everyone else who wants to know who
you are.
Your online profile should convey exactly what you want to reveal about
yourself.") to locating and reaching out to a former
childhood bully
to achieve resolution ("It may do you
both some good to connect. While you can't change what happened in the
past,
you may be able to provide a different conclusion that would be easier
to live
with. The bully may want to atone for the mistakes he or she
made. Perhaps you will
want to open the door to allow that.").
There
are many paths to resolution, growth, and burying
one's nightmares of the past. Miller outlines recognizable methods of
doing so
and helps adult survivors handle their ongoing trauma from childhood
bullies.
Her accessible, practical, example-filled guide should be considered a
basic
primer and a 'must read' for any adult struggling with the lasting
impact of
childhood bullying.
Return to Index
Juggling - From Antiquity to the
Middle Ages
Thom Wall
Modern Vaudeville
Press
978-0-578-41084-5
$25.00
www.thomwall.com
Anybody who's ever wanted to throw a ball and
juggle
anything in life will welcome the rare opportunity to learn about its
evolution
in Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages: The
Forgotten History of
Catching and Throwing.
Readers who might think juggling holds a singular Western history will
be
surprised to learn that it actually was discovered in several cultures,
all
isolated from one another, and can be documented as early as 2,000 BCE,
in the
tombs at Beni Hasan in Egypt.
Thom Wall opens with a pointed
observation about why documenting the history of juggling is so
difficult to
pinpoint: "As with dance, so with juggling—the moment that
the
performer finishes the routine, their act ceases to exist beyond the
memory of
the audience. There is no permanent record of what transpired, so
studying the
ancient roots of juggling is fraught with difficulty."
The chronicles that follow are
arranged chronologically, from ancient writings, relics, and indicators
of
juggling to modern times. Good-sized color images of relics and
writings often
accompany footnoted research documenting juggling's evolutionary
process,
providing readers with both a visual and text record of its appearance
in art
forms, history, social interactions, and human society.
It should be noted that Juggling
doesn't just assemble historical evidence. Wall discusses the quality
of the
evidence itself and the extrapolations that can be made from it: "Though
this passage doesn’t describe a literal performance, it does serve as
evidence
that jugglers were performing with swords and on tightropes in
present-day
Turkey as early as the 4th and 5th centuries."
This approach lends an authoritative,
critical thinking perspective supplementing the historical examination,
offering readers more than just clues to juggling's appearance and
performances
over the centuries. Readers actually learn how to analyze and assess
data and
draw conclusions from a survey that is dedicated to exploring all
aspects of
juggling, from its social and sports impact to its legal ramifications:
"The
jongleur’s performances in early medieval Ireland were regulated by the
law—or
at least there were rules set forth for the compensation of audience members accidentally
injured by jugglers
during performances."
Readers will find juggling's
story broader than anticipated, crossing disciplines with a deft
attention to
detail that follows juggling's influence on not just societies and
cultures,
but gender roles: "Anthropologist Avigail Morris, who spent
considerable time studying gender roles in traditional Tongan society,
asserts
that hiko exemplified the feminine ideal in Tonga and that “the motions
and
gestures used in the game bring out beauty and gracefulness in females
of all
ages”—in particular, the flexible and graceful motions of the wrists.”
Morris
explains that hiko’s mystical origins align it with “traditional
concepts of
beauty and sexuality” and allow a girl to “show off just how feminine
she could
be” (Morris, 2009)."
This history requires of its
readers some prior affinity and affection for juggling; but richly
rewards a
reader's basic interest. What seems like (and is) a complex, scholarly
approach
to the subject takes on a lively feel through embellishments and
discussions
that successfully relate juggling skills and approaches to wider
examinations
of social organization, skills development, and cultural evolution.
Jugglers especially (but
general-interest audiences, as well) will appreciate the surprising
accessibility and depth in Juggling - From Antiquity to the
Middle Ages: The
Forgotten History of Catching and Throwing, a primer packed
with unexpected
insights and an exquisitely involving attention to detail.
Return to Index
Killing
Vincent: The Man, The Myth, and The Murder
I. Kaufman Arenberg, MD
N3M Publications
9780578406961
$44.95
www.killingvincent.com
Killing
Vincent: The Man, The Myth, and The Murder disproves
a common myth about the "mad artist", Vincent van Gogh, and his
"suicide", making a case for a far different scenario surrounding his
death. It's a combination of true crime, and an unsolved romantic
murder
mystery. It is a psychological probe into history that is a 'must' for
any
reader interested in Vincent's life and death.
Dr.
Arenberg maintains that Vincent wasn’t a depressed
and insane individual who shot himself in a wheat field. Instead, he
was not
“mad”. Yet, Vincent stumbled to his accommodations, bleeding
from an
abdominal wound that killed him. Who created that fatal injury? Did
Vincent
shoot himself? A modern forensic analysis confirms that the wound was
not
self-inflicted; therefore, not suicide, but murder.
Modern
forensic science is applied to history in an
intriguing manner, offering not just detailed insights on van Gogh's
death, but
on the process of verifying historical facts and tackling long-cold
cases of
murder, suicide, or mysterious death.
One should be forewarned that this is no casual inspection. For
example,
research into and photographs of letters in Vincent's own hand,
documenting his
'vertige' attacks, show how differences in translation approach and
generic
terms may have contributed to differences of interpretation that alter
diagnoses, perspectives, and medical viewpoints.
Dr.
Arenberg's medical background is invaluable as he
pursues an analysis that includes his opinion about Vincent's attacks,
his health,
medical diagnosis, and the impacts of his recurrent disorder on his
art.
However, Dr. Arenberg maintains that Vincent’s medical issues did not
impact
his death. Dr. Arenberg pulls no punches in giving his opinion of
popular and
possibly erroneous conclusions of the past: "In
contrast to being
remotely suicidal, you have alternately to accept that this genius's
primary
need was to create and capture all the beauty in the world that he saw
so
clearly. This unbelievable creative drive and process that generated
one or two
masterpieces a day would not willingly be snuffed out in any moment of
despair."
From
an in-depth probe into the artist's psyche, a new
diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome emerged. In addition to progressive,
investigative steps into physical evidence, such as the murder weapon,
Dr.
Arenberg leaves no stone unturned; whether it be forensic reenactments
of the
murder and discussions of the crime scene or examinations of motives
and likely
perps.
Color
drawings throughout, created by artist Darrell
Anderson specifically for the Killing Vincent Project, accompany the
author's
location photos and images from new forensic studies.
The result is simply an unparalleled 'must',
recommended
not just for art enthusiasts, but for true crime and history readers
interested
in the process of re-examining a homicide cold case and its impact on
modern-day audiences.
Return to Index
Living on the Empty Stage
Sondra Bennett
New Insights Press
9780999580165
$19.95
www.lifeperformancepractices.com
Living on the Empty Stage: Performing
Daily Life in the
Light of Self-Awareness is a
wonderfully written new guide at the intersection between self-help and
spiritual awareness. Its foundation is based on using the strategies of
acting
to improve one’s “life performance” yet at the same time seeks to help
readers
achieve greater self-awareness.
Readers seeking new methods to improve, change, and
adapt
will appreciate this guide. It offers a unique blueprint designed not
just for
immediate gratification and change, but for a life of better daily
performances
leading to a more fulfilling existence.
The book opens with the idea that the
Empty Stage Awareness is the neutral
ground from
which we can adopt any frame of mind. The chapters,
which are
presented in five 'Acts,” then explain how there are Five
Performance
Styles, and each of us is usually dominant in one or two of them. Once
you know
your Performance Style, you can begin identifying your tragic
and comic
characters, creating a ‘Performance Style Profile', cultivating a
higher
sensitivity toward humanity, and crafting a dynamic performance model
that
rises above how you approach your usual roles in life.
The chapters’ discussions show how daily events,
challenges, and perceptions can be changed to improve one's performance
at
work, at home, or anywhere, by assessing one's
abilities and
perspectives, and making social and spiritual changes that lead
to growth and transformation.
Living on the Empty Stage's
discussions of spiritual and psychological advancement will appeal to
anyone seeking a new approach to understanding our chosen roles,
performance styles,
and the process of changing and enhancing them. It is highly
recommended for
those seeking new ideas in self-help and self-awareness.
Return to Index
Poetry of Peace
Cherie Kephart
Bazi Publishing
978-1-947127-09-8
$12.95
Paper/$4.99 Kindle
www.bazipublishing.com
Cherie
Kephart's introduction to Poetry of Peace
explains that her life "...has been about
ascension. I have traveled from the innocence
of a child filled with wonder, aspirations, and belief in the
impossible, to
the deepest depths of darkness. Harnessing the strength of spirit, I
found my
way through the shadows."
In
a nutshell, this captures the essence of her lyrical
writings, designed to expose, explore, and open readers to these
nuances of
light and darkness and their impact on choices and growth.
The
Rumi quote that precedes Kephart's works is also an
indicator of her focus and direction ("The
wound is the place where the Light enters you.”) as both
complicated and
ethereal reflections move from free verse to haiku in the process of
exploring
wonder, growth, darkness and beyond.
At
times punctuation is eschewed in favor of a smooth
flow that lends to different emphases and interpretation based on the
reader's
focus and perspective: "The air
dances between us/without beauty or grace/I’m a child without a
jacket/my
mother insisted I take/a dolphin deprived of waters/in which to swim. I
am
lost/in the wreckage of what I no/longer feel,/no longer believe,/no
longer
know."
At
other times, Kephart is quite clear in her rhythm and
movement and directs readers along a path that leaves little to the
imagination:
"I escape the dungeons/of my
thoughts and leap/into tomorrow as if today/did not exist."
In
any poetry collection there lies an ethereal moment where
the connection between poet and reader has been forged and the work
speaks for
itself as it guides writer and reader in its exploration: "I pursue the parade of pink petals/countless
flowers in the
fields of grace/yet my eyes are shielded from sight./One day I will
see."
Poetry
enthusiasts who appreciate free verse,
first-person journeys and who want not just a road to peace but a
delineation
of the process of getting there will find Poetry
of Peace as much about the inner notion of contentment and
growth as it is
about wider-ranging notions of peace.
Kepart's
work is poignant, reflective, guided and
remarkably astute: just the inspirational ticket for a world or readers
struggling with their own ventures into darkness and light.
Return to Index
Small
Town Big Money
Colby Williams
Colby Williams, Publisher
Hardcover
- 9781732781023
$25.95
ebook
- 9781732781016
$11.99
Website: https://smalltownbook.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Big-Money-Entrepreneurship/dp/1732781028/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/small-town-big-money-colby-williams/1129718374?ean=9781732781023
Available for
retailers via Ingram
Small Town Big Money:
Entrepreneurship And Opportunity In Today’s Small
Town is about operating a small business in a small town, and
comes from an
entrepreneur author who owns and runs a coffee company in such a town
in
Missouri. Colby Williams doesn't deem his venture a
'small business', however. He identifies as an entrepreneur, and his
focus and
book embraces that effort.
Unlike too many books
about small business, Williams pulls no punches in outlining the pros
and cons
of any given entrepreneurial effort: "Getting
started is hard. Longevity is hard. Being financially successful in
business
seems like a million years away, and it all feels that much more
difficult when
you live in a town in which a used espresso machine costs the same as a
house
just five blocks away."
Another big
difference between this book and more general approaches is that it
considers
specifics, from gaining funding from reluctant investors and what
drives their
perception of an entrepreneur's pitch and prior successes and
(surprisingly)
failures ("People who hit the bottom
and climb to the top are a great investment, so don’t be afraid to let
your
pitch audience know how you’ve struggled to get where you are today.")
to the many differences of a startup venture created in a small
environment.
In such a place,
failure may actually be a starting point for future success: "...in a small town, failure can be
extra-intimidating. Everyone knows you and knows your family. We
already
discussed how quickly word travels here. Some of that is gossip.
There’s an
element of schadenfreude – a
few people will love dishing about your failure. It makes them feel
better
about themselves. But the vast majority will watch what you do next.
Maybe you
lose everything, go bankrupt, sell the last piece for pennies - if you
aren’t
afraid to show your face soon after, owning the points at which you
went wrong,
then a small town is a great place to receive love and support and to
start
again. As long as you haven’t lied to or tricked anyone, and as long as
you don’t
owe money to everyone in town, falling and bouncing back is something
to
respect. This frees you up to innovate, create, and take risks in your
small
town without fearing shame. Use that failure for fuel."
By covering the
basics of small town atmosphere and how its unique size and community
translate
to support systems unavailable in larger cities, Colby
Williams not only makes a big case for small town residents to achieve
their
dreams, but offers chapters that explicitly detail how to research,
fund,
manage, and grow a small venture.
By adding case history examples of success and
failures and
lessons to be learned from them, Small
Town Big Money in effect crafts the kind of atmosphere it
seeks to explore
in its subject: a small book advocating big ideas and supporting big
dreams.
The process of
realizing these dreams is quite exact. Williams outlines the roots of
achievement and identifies common pitfalls and cautions. Any would-be
entrepreneur residing in a small town will find much invaluable
information
encouraging the effort in a book that outlines the basic principles and
practices of successful business practices that hold an eye to
"building
an empire that can last."
There's
no better
place for aspiring entrepreneurs to begin than with this accessible
survey,
which is both educational and compelling with its chatty tone and
real-life,
encouraging examples of risk-takers and achievers.
Return to Index
The
Adventures of
Fawn Book 3: Far and Yet So Near
Al E. Boy
Al E. Boy, Publisher
978-1979086516
$11.99 Paper
http://a.co/d/fRlcLEg
Fans of
Fawn's
process of growth and discovery have a third book to relish in an
adventure
which continues to challenge the young reindeer with more than seasonal
expectations.
Fawn and
friends
become involved in the Reindeer Games of 1849 when Santa gives his duty
as
overseer to veterinarian Doctor Mary Weather (Santa's betrothed) and a
series
of crises evolves, from a health challenge involving TB to a blizzard.
Simple black
and white
drawings illustrate the dilemmas Fawn faces, from reindeer suffering
from
mindless trances who try to walk off cliffs to the discovery that the
reindeer
are somehow being controlled. And in the midst of such a crisis rises
an added
dilemma: will Fawn be sold?
The
atmosphere and
depth introduced in the prior books expand further with Far
and Yet So Near. Fawn continues her growth process, faces a
countdown to another (and possibly very different) Christmas, and faces
thieves, reindeer-napping, and the meaning of life when everything
changes to
where even friends and family fall apart.
Readers of
all ages
will find that spirit of adaptation, transition, and survival embedded
into a
read that would at first seem to appeal primarily to children, with its
animal
friends and Christmas setting. Far and
Yet So Near actually presents many themes suitable for older
readers, from
innovative and assertive actions to individual decisions about how to
live life
and interact with others.
Fawn is the
perfect
heroine: indecisive, yet wanting to do good and uncertain, yet willing
to
expand her skills and abilities to help others. Love, loss, and threats
to
everything Fawn holds dear keep readers involved up to an unexpected
conclusion
which nicely expands Fawn's growth and abilities.
Anyone
looking for a
gentle adventure replete with lessons on adaptation and giving will
relish
Fawn's ongoing evolution, set against the trappings of Santa's world,
in a
story recommended not just for Christmas; but for all seasons and all
ages.
Return to Index
Forgetting the Dreamtime
G.V. Loewen
Austin Macauley Publishers
97811788784308
$14.95 Paper/$4.51 Kindle/$20.58
Hardcover
www.austinmacauley.com
Forgetting the Dreamtime is Book
1 of the Kristen-Seraphim Saga and opens
with a teen protagonist rebelling against her evangelical parents' many
rules.
Kristen's stubbornness and mutinous attitude actually serves her well
in the
scenario that evolves to place her at odds not just with her parents,
but
against a threat to everything she loves.
Forgetting the Dreamtime is a
young adult coming of age story that holds
complex situations, language, and relationships between Kristen, her
parents,
and her inner voice. While adolescent correction is one of the guiding
purposes
to her parents' lives, Kristen is a rebel who can't be controlled.
Nothing is
beyond her grasp, whether it be a best friend/lesbian relationship, a
defiant
attitude towards religious oppression, or forward progress in a new
domestic
relationship with Mike.
When Mike discovers the truth
about her age, he's hit with a combination of horror and admiration
that
creates further conflict, while a "meet the parents" dinner is
replete with religious back-and-forth jockeying that will spark a smile
in readers
who may find familiar the counterstrikes and innuendos of family
struggles at
the dinner table.
Spiced by Kristen's observations of impossible things around her and larger questions of an evolving battle between good and evil, the story marches into unusual territory and becomes something much more than the journeys of a rebellious, spunky teen.
Mature teens to new adult readers will find Forgetting
the Dreamtime
difficult to easily peg. The combination of quest saga, coming of age
story,
fantasy elements, and the reality of complex family and love
relationships will
not only appeal on a broader level than the usual teen read, but
injects
questions and perspectives that lead readers to think about Kristen's
directions and choices.
It should be cautioned that racy
language and situations are embedded in this candid, striking story.
G.V.
Loewen doesn't overuse these elements (they are all key to building
story line
and characters), but they do elevate the story to audiences who can
handle a
story of evolving sexuality and spiritual inspection.
Readers
seeking a multifaceted
tale that is intriguing, involving, and filled with confrontation and
evolution
will delight in Forgetting the Dreamtime, a
chronicle that is racy,
lively, and hard to put down.
Return to Index
Strxia: The Odds Are Against Us
Maggie Daniels and Matt Michel
Bookbaby
978-1543950557
$10.48
Strxia Website: https://www.strxia.com
Amazon e-book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K8XSS86
e-book Price: $3.99
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Strxia-Odds-Are-Against-Us/dp/1543950558
Bookbaby Paperback: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/strxia
Strxia: The Odds Are
Against Us is an elementary-grade 'portal fantasy' that sets
itself
apart from so many other fantasy stories for this age range by
injecting STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles into the story
line
(physics and engineering, in particular.) The fact that these concepts
are
research-backed and not hastily tossed-in quasi-concepts, as in so many
sci-fi
and fantasy reads, elevates this story above others.
The premise revolves around parallel universe
Strxia, which
is governed by the same physical laws as Earth. An elite group of
scientists
has seized control and is trying to manipulate the laws of math via odd
number
utilization, and it's up to math-savvy geek Seth and his baseball team
to save
the day.
Many elements of Strxia:
The Odds Are Against Us would seem to indicate its
appropriateness not only
readers ages eight to twelve, but for a wider audience as well. Plays
on words
(as in the title), creative technical thinking about parallel universes
and
their influences upon one another, and the inclusion of adult special
interests
(such as the opening pages, which feature a board of directors intent
on
preserving sports programs threatened by a budget cut) make for
subjects and
approaches that are more mature than most elementary or middle-grade
fantasies
offer, with appeal to even adult readers.
Strxia
has been tested on youth test readers ages 8 to 15, as well as many
adults. The
8-year-old likes the action
and adventure, the humor, and becomes exposed to the physics even
without total
understanding or, importantly, frustration.
Older readers tend to absorb the physics principles and
want to try the
math.
That said, Strxia:
The Odds Are Against Us cultivates a lively discourse and
believable
characters who face a myriad of choices as they navigate their
different
worlds.
Strxia
is an enticing choice for children with initial interest in baseball or
science, and offers a fun challenge for any child who enjoys action and
adventure reading. Only cursory knowledge of baseball as a sport is
necessary
to enjoy the book.
While the guise is that of an inviting leisure
read, the
combination of science information, critical thinking skills needed to
absorb
the story line, and the interesting, challenging two universes whose
experiences connect them make for a story more than a cut above that of
a
casual reader.
From jocks who demonstrate surprising botanical
knowledge
to an indoor apartment-dwelling geek's confrontation with impossible
situations
such as giant talking flowers, Strxia
excels in a story filled with surprises, it stays true to its
foundation of
STEM science concepts, and it invites young readers to expand their
knowledge
through a story line that romps between worlds.
Strxia: The Odds Are Against Us
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