September 2021 Review Issue
Literature Mystery & Thrillers
Forged in the Fallout
Ben Green
Loamseed Press
978-1-7348218-1-9
$14.99 Paper/$4.99 ebook
Website: www.loamseedpress.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Forged-Fallout-Rimduum-Book-1-ebook/dp/B098GB7YZP
Forged in the Fallout challenges pat
categorization in a satisfying
manner. At once a coming-of-age dystopian fantasy story that embraces
magic and
intrigue alike, "action-packed" seems too mild a term to describe the
riveting, charged scenes throughout a story that open with a bang: "Conflict is a stone wedged between my
shoulders. I’m at eighty feet, leaning from a sandstone cliff on the
western
edge of our family property, my hands braced in a gap. It's mid-October
in the
Blue Ridge Mountains. Red-orange trees glitter on display. The sun is a
neon
half circle on the horizon, throwing the forest into shadows and
dappled
patches of light. But I only have a few minutes to soak up the sunset,
feel the
cool wind on my face, the grit of the rock against my fingertips. I
wanna
freeze this moment, catch it in a bottle like a firefly. This is
everything
simple about the world."
Fourteen-year-old
Clayson Spangler, the narrator, is his father's caregiver. He also
falls privy
to a family secret about their true heritage, the presence of another
world
that lies beneath their own under the Rocky Mountains, and the real
truth about
his mother's absence.
All this
propels him
on a journey that leads in unexpected directions from the usual quest
theme as
his father goes on the lam and his mother faces trial for treason.
Clayson
himself is charged with entering a previously unidentified world of
magic to
form new relationships and ferret out the truth behind the wall of
secrets that
has kept him from a big part of his life.
The reason
why Ben
Green's production is self-described as "genre-bending" lies in the
author's ability to weave a multitude of facets into his adventure—so
much so,
that the story remains accessible, creative, and challenging all at
once.
Part of what
lends
depth to the action, adventure, and thriller components is Green's
careful
inclusion of psychological depth and detail that brings Clayson's
experiences
and dilemmas to life: "This place
under the mountains is my new home, but I don’t want it to be. Living
here in
Tungsten City—it's what Dad wants. But I don’t know what I want.
There’s always
been the safety of the cliff near the cabin to work out my thoughts.
Now I have
only a hollowed-out room in a mountain of stone. In the silence of the
vault,
everything catches up with me."
As he makes
some odd
new friends, faces powerful forces, and considers the impact of his
choices on
not just his life but everyone around him, Clayson is forced to
acknowledge a
host of issues that keep him on edge and second guessing his own
decisions: “I hate this plan,” I say. Rugnus
raises an
eyebrow. “I don’t really like it either, but it’s your plan.” “I know.
I hate
it.”
From
unexpected, wild
twists and turns of plot to Clayson's evolving sense of place and
purpose in
two very different worlds, the Kingdom
of Rimduum and its people come to life with adventures and action that
keep all
ages on edge and looking for more.
Deep under the layers of reality and this
world lays another world, Rimduum, which goes far beneath the surface
of
everything familiar. Clayson "stands on the wall between
creation and destruction" in
both worlds. His experience both changes everything and paves the way
for more
with a conclusion that is satisfying and open-ended at the same time.
While teens may choose this title for its
coming of age qualities, adults will find Forged
in the Fallout equally
compelling. The genre bend lies in Green's crafting of a story that
will cross
interest levels, from sci-fi and fantasy enthusiasts to readers of
young adult
fiction, coming of age stories, action and thriller tales, and mystery
enthusiasts happy to accept more than a light dose of fantasy in their
stories.
Return to Index
The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper
Mary K. Savarese
Indignor House
ISBN:
9-781953278210
$19.95 SB
ISBN:
9-781953278203
$29.95 HB
ISBN:
9-781953278227
E-book
https://www.maryksavarese.com/
Fantasy
readers of
all ages will find The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper an intriguing story that opens Book 1 of The
Star Writers Trilogy with a bang.
Twelve-year-old Tyler Charles lives in the
modern world. The girl he loves, Callalyly, lives in the past—two
centuries
ago, to be specific. When Tyler is pulled into the two-dimensional
world of the
toile wallpaper and finds her there, his life changes and is never the
same.
His journey into the past opens with
cracking a wizard's spell. Where most stories would end on this note,
it's only
the beginning of Tyler's journey as he encounters Lyly, bonds with
cats, and
comes to realize that he'll be forever trapped within the wallpaper
unless he
can rescue Lyly.
Mary K. Savarese is adept at description;
the details of which make this book recommendable not to middle grades,
but to
high school readers and older, who will appreciate the detail and
complexity of
her words: "The shadows formed into a miniature print, each
arranging
itself according to the direction of the evil man. The man was painting
a
distressing scene through the movements of his symphonic
hands. The wizard swiped
along the floor and the girl was jerked into the air. She hovered for
only a
moment before spinning as easily as a spinning wheel. Then as if no
friction ever
existed, the girl screamed and the wind sucked her into the cloth paper
… the
girl was gone."
Fantasy readers will find Tyler's
discoveries and adventures thoroughly engrossing as he encounters Lyly,
considers the physics and facts that have entrapped them both, and
absorbs the
culture of the Houses that rule this past world and offer Lyly both
hope and
threat.
As changing points of view ripple between
humans, cats, and a range of characters, readers will delight in the
conundrums
that come to light from different vantage points.
Savarese is skilled at contrasting medieval
and modern worlds, flowing between them in a manner that is
enlightening and
creates no confusion in the transition process. This creates a seamless
story
based not just on one or two main characters, but a host of special
interests
and objectives.
Fantasy fans of high school age and older
who look for a blend of mystery, history, and spell-binding intrigue
will
relish Tyler and Lyly's journeys and discoveries which defy time,
space, and
death.
The complex story comes alive in a manner that is satisfyingly unpredictable, firmly rooted in strong characters that each draw readers into a story that is hard to put down.
The
Girl In The Toile Wallpaper
Return
to Index
The God
Question and The Galapagos Colony
Stan Freeman
Hampshire House
Publishing Co.
978-1-7344384-4-4
$13.95
www.amazon.com
The appearance
of two novellas under one cover in The
God Question and The Galapagos Colony assures that readers
receive a
thought-provoking juxtaposition of hard sci-fi and spiritual philosophy
that
dovetail nicely with one another.
What would you
ask an all-intelligent being if you had only one question?
"The God
Question" presents a supercomputer AI that, when brought on line,
attacks
the internet and status quo so much that it is shut down as a threat.
What isn't
stopped is mankind's determination to find answers to the biggest
question of
all. This means restarting a singularity that could change not just
human
beings, but their perception of their place in the universe.
Sci-fi and
religion are on a collision course, here. As IVAN attempts to impart
the truth
about the biggest question of all, a human-computer interface develops
which
questions the wellsprings of humanity itself.
As IVAN keeps
resetting and the question and its answer remain oblique, readers
receive a
satisfying blend of thriller, philosophical and spiritual reflection,
and
social consideration that takes an unexpected journey in questioning
who is the
top dog—humans or machine?
Who really
holds the answers? And why ask a machine without emotions about the
sources of
human love, pain, and longing? What is really being asked?
Stan Freeman's
novella offers thought-provoking inspections, suspense, and surprises
throughout. It will particularly delight hard sci-fi readers looking
for an AI
story of a different ilk.
In contrast,
"The Galapagos Colony" takes place not on Earth, but in space in
2242, where a lost spaceship finally finds a hospitable planet, only to
have
all the adults die from a disease.
With only a
few pamphlets and directions at their disposal, the young survivors
build a
colony that turns in a direction very different from what the adults
would have
dictated.
This is
brought home when, two centuries later, a probe learns of their
presence and a
space ship is sent to the colony to discover what this group of
survivors has
become, generations later.
What kind of
colony has grown without knowledge of human history or any cultures
that were
human? Will those who are cut off from humanity evolve in a different
direction?
As Freeman
explores these questions, his fascinating story of evolution also adds
issues
of spiritual direction and faith to compliment a scientific process
that probes
an extraordinary event's outcome and impact.
Both stories
are interrelated, in that they consider fundamental issues of what
constitutes
the essence of humanity, faith, and systems of living and inquiry.
The appearance
of both novellas under one cover provides an exceptional opportunity
for thinking
sci-fi readers to consider broader philosophical, social, and religious
ideas. The
two presentations compliment and support these concepts in different
ways.
The God Question and The Galapagos
Colony is highly recommended reading for sci-fi
readers who look for thought-provoking scenarios and stories.
Return to Index
Lightship
Stephan Besik
Artiplex
Publications
978-1-7331365-2-5
$3.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0978LNWH5
Readers of near-future sci-fi who enjoy
short stories of technological and social change will find Lightship
an
intriguing collection of ideas that explore technology gone awry. Its
themes
and insights make Lightship a recommendation for
adult audiences and
mature teens, but this audience will find the juxtaposition of social
issues,
science, and politics to be intriguing.
The title story, "Lightship,"
revolves around the notion of a solar-powered spaceship which Kevin Lee
outlines in his dissertation. His
proposal involves him in an effort that challenges technological
development,
immersing him in a project that commercializes and politicizes space in
a
dangerous way.
The issues raised in this story will keep
readers thinking beyond its examination of the commercialization of the
moon
and special interests in space.
Five years in the making, Lightship's
insights on military, social, and political special interests are
complex and
revealing.
"The Old Man," the second story in
the quartet, tells of Bob, who "is no youngster." His relatively
unique medical situation has not attracted the interest of the forces
that can
resolve it.
Bad times have come and gone, recovery is
well on the way, and new possibilities are opening up in space. For all
that is
positive, there are thought-provoking changes taking place on the heels
of
famines and accidents which have largely eliminated old people from the
world.
As Bob reflects on the Water Wars, the
Cyclone Decades, and the environmental changes which have led to him
being one
of the few older survivors, he considers what it means to enjoy
longevity in
such a changed world, with so many missing connections.
Bob needs a big change. Space travel offers
something completely different. But is this the kind of change he needs?
Each story excels in juxtaposing the human
condition with the human race's endeavors to reach beyond its planetary
natal
birthplace. Each does a fine job of portraying characters that stand at
pivot
points of change, interspersing dialogue and other characters into the
picture
to cement technological, moral, and ethical challenges with
considerations of
everyday lives.
Stephan Besik's collection of four
hard-hitting stories isn't for those who want sci-fi action alone; but
is highly
recommended for the literary reader who looks for psychological and
social
inspections against the backdrop of humanity's reach for new meanings
and
ventures in space.
This audience will find these four
thought-provoking stories compelling, creative, and unique
reading—standouts in
the genre.
Return to Index
Powers
Revealed
C. T.
Fitzgerald
Emerald Books
978-1954779105
$14.99
Paper/$2.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Powers-Revealed-Threat-Angeals-Fitzgerald/dp/1954779100
Powers Revealed is the second book in a series,
provides an
introduction of the story's main players, which helps newcomers absorb
the
setting, in the opening preface, and cements the action with a mission
by ship
captain Torvyn Lok to
learn what is happening to his country.
His decision
to sneak into a small fishing village with a few men to gain
information leads
them straight into danger on the island nation of Athlan,
which is in
the throes of tearing itself apart. Stellar Angeals Cath and Dorchada,
power
brokers for the Celestial Travelers, have unleashed their forces to
stir the pot of rebellion and battle.
What has
Athlan come to? Lok wonders about the source of its struggles as he
faces
giants with strange powers and comes to acknowledge that Athlan's
strength in
the face of them may fall far short of anything that could bring
success. Sith-ast,
one of the Mighty Twelve, servant of the Bas Croi, Soldier of Darkness,
seems
to be invincible, and the microcosm of the island's conflict portends a
broader
battle in which the struggle for Earth seems doomed.
As Lok faces dire
circumstances and the impact of his
decisions, the battle appears to be heavily weighed in favor of the
forces of
darkness: "He had witnessed useless
death, random death, almost whimsical death and he knew with absolute
certainty
that goodness had nothing to do with it. His plan had been a disaster.
Dedicated men, friends, were killed, no real information gained, and
KT’s life was
in jeopardy. What should he do?"
C. T.
Fitzgerald takes the classic good-versus-evil confrontation and gives
it a
satisfying twist. Epic fantasy readers who appreciate vivid battle
scenes
juxtaposed with thought-provoking considerations of how good intentions
can win
over evil forces will relish the action and insights featured in Powers Revealed.
Fitzgerald
excels in depicting a range of characters affected by the battle for
the planet
and the dilemmas faced not just by those who oppose these devastating
forces,
but those who operate under the Angeal's direction: “Too much is withheld from us. We fight and die but
you pull the
strings. There are rules, you say, but we don’t know them. Our enemy is
led by
someone just like you. The Bas Croi and his men are just like us. We
are placed
on a board not of our choosing and you say to play, fight, win, lose—it
is all
up to you. If it was up to us, we may decide not to play at all, as I
chose not
to play when tested, but we must play or die, because this is the game
you have
created and we can not escape.”
The result is
an especially delightful conflict strengthened by the questions
presented on
both sides as events unfold, blurring the line between good and evil
with a
gray area that keeps readers involved and guessing about outcomes and
motivations.
Powers Revealed is an epic fantasy especially
recommended for
prior readers of the first book in the series, as well as those who
like battle
scenes marked by massive struggles between humans and non-human
opponents who
all become caught up in the machinery of war; puppets,
perhaps, until
the end.
Return to Index
The Unzoned
Gods:
Moon
Teri Hitt
Soul Secret Service
9781493672868
$7.99
www.theunzonedgods.com
The Unzoned Gods: Moon is the first book
in the Unzoned Gods
series, and will appeal to sci-fi fans that enjoy ethereal works
written in
unusual forms—in this case, as a freestyle script (as if for a play).
It holds
several differences from the typical sci-fi story.
For one,
main
character G's dialogue is written in regular type, and her internal
dialog in
italics. The narrator is one of twelve psychic empaths asked to go to
the moon
for a consciousness project, receiving the invitation and contact phone
number
in a dream state.
Calling the
number
results in information about the proposal given by an agent from the
Skylark
Project, raising more questions than it answers. How did they access
G's
dreams? What's really happening on the moon?
Readers used
to the
verbosity of the sci-fi genre may be surprised at only 88 pages to the
story,
but Teri Hitt winds a lot of action, detail, and insights into these
pages by
making the most of every word, description, and character.
Another
surprise is
the depth and variety of scenarios covered in the a short production.
There's
the Haarp technology patent, for example: a method for altering the
Earth's
atmosphere, ionosphere, and/or magnetosphere. It may also be used for
mind
control. The planetary modification threat and promise is intriguing
and
portends psychic as well as physical changes.
Messages and
revelations identified as "incoming" are highlighted in black
background pages to reflect insights that come from a being from
another
dimension.
Black and
white
photos and drawings also pepper the story, accenting its progression
with
visuals.
There's
nothing quite
like The Unzoned Gods: Moon in
print.
At once a play, the story of a communiqué from another dimension, an
experiential adventure surrounding a group of psychic empaths charged
with an
unusual mission from a dubious project, and a spiritual and
psychological
probe, the story is challenging, exciting, inviting, and
thought-provoking, all
in one.
If sci-fi
readers
don't think that extraordinary concepts, encounters, and mind-bending
scenarios
can be packed into a book under a hundred pages long, they should pick
up The Unzoned Gods: Moon as
evidence that
this can be done.
Teri Hitt
demonstrates, with a creative format and lively interactions, that
anything is
possible. Under her pen, the extraordinary comes to life.
This
compelling read
is especially highly recommended for literary sci-fi fans and those who
like
stories of inter-dimensional travel and psychic challenges. The
thriller
elements woven into the tale keep it riveting and unexpected.
Return to Index
Back Cut
Ann Spiers
Black Heron Press
978-1-936364-38-1
$16.00
www.blackheronpress.com
Ann Spiers
has
attempted much in her short presentation. Incorporating all these
facets of
observation and interaction is no light feat, but as the rhythmic
give-and-take
of husband and wife (represented in poems which clearly outline the
speaker in
the title) unfolds, a delightful love story is revealed that stems from
the
foundations of experience and adversity.
"Methuselah's
Beard" opens the saga from the wife's perspective as her husband splits
cedar shakes and Old Man Sampson drives the effort and interaction
between
them.
The poem
takes four
parts to unfold. Each offers a gem of understanding as the story moves
from the
old man and his protégée to the wife's reflection on their
relationship, her
husband's penchant for drink, and the foundations of desire and love: "We buck down the road/I say Old
Man Sampson knows what he is about/I
hang my arm out the window/my fingers combing/the dismal light/we roll
through
woods/hung with Methuselah’s Beard/a lichen/so proficient/it eats the
air/I say
I don’t mind being here/the
smell of cedar/holding me."
Each poem
appears in
various parts, like the acts of a play, unfolding flowers of experience
and
encounter with delicate precision and capturing a sense of place,
purpose,
love, and blossoming connections.
As the
monologues
evolve, it becomes evident that the husband is battling addiction and
the wife
struggles with a tendency to withdraw from the world. The couple's
quiet
delights and pain come to light in poetry that is compellingly and
poignantly
presented, holding foundations in the little daily acts of living,
redemption,
and love.
Often, these
vignettes are filled with revelation about the inadvertent impact of
actions
each chooses: "She comes out on the
porch/raises my rifle/for one shot/at the cursed crow/she never
considers/I
might step sideways/or cringe at the memory/of blood spraying/across
the
snow."
Back Cut is a collection that closely
examines the entwined lives
of a couple alienated in different ways from the world and possibly
each other.
The connections they build, the love and experience they bring into
their
interactions and the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest come to life in
a portrait
of quiet desperation and evolution that is particularly recommended for
poetry
readers who enjoy accounts of interpersonal relationships and growth.
Return to Index
Darkness: A
Collection of Stories
Dubhghlas Kraus
Graymalkin Publishing
979-8513092001
$12.99 Paper/$3.99 ebook
Website:
dubhghlaskraus.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096924485/
Darkness: A Collection of Stories
provides a literary collection of
investigations into the darkness of mind, heart, and environment. It
uses this
focus to cast a light into understanding the wellsprings and
incarnations of different
forms of darkness.
After
providing a
definition of these darknesses, the stories shape themselves around it.
Take "Old
Dog
Old Man," for example. Here, Preston Taylor, an old man in pain who
longs
for the final darkness of relief from his physical body, considers the
growing
darkness he "fears, hates, and longs for," but agonizes over what
will happen to Jake, his beloved eighteen-year-old dog, when death
comes.
The ravages
of age
and loneliness have brought him to this point in time where "He closed his eyes, regretting the passage
of years, and regretting that he hadn’t done more with his life when he
was
healthy enough to do so. There were many things he should have done
when he
could have."
As he and
Jake
journey to a place they haven't visited in thirteen years, and memories
which
carry them into the past, readers receive a trip down memory lane and
insights
into the tragedies that have led Jake and Preston into isolation. The
love of
these memories and his dog help Preston explore a different form of
darkness.
"Eleven-Fifteen"
is another story of solitude and revelation that revolves around loner
Tony
Fegalli, who has "been alone his whole life."
The fact
that he was
adopted only lends to his feeling of that he doesn't really belong
anywhere. How he is
treated differently from his
sisters only reinforces the idea that his life will be both difficult
and
isolated.
Charged with
making
his own way, Tony finds himself with "No
one to invite him to a party or to watch television and share a pizza
with. He
was forty-eight years old with a lousy car, a lousy apartment and no
job."
It feels
like there's
nothing he can control about his life or the many people who have
demonstrated
they haven't wanted him. But, there's one thing he can control.
Each story
provides
history, depth, and psychological inspection. Each offers a different
glimpse
into that special darkness that resides in heart and soul, its origins,
and the
choices of different characters that choose to finally confront it.
Readers of
literary
short fiction will find these stories well written, thought-provoking
examinations of different roads to isolation and how final outcomes are
chosen.
Darkness: A Collection of Stories is
highly recommended for
literature and psychology collections alike.
Return to Index
Good Morning to Everyone Except Men Who Name
Their Dogs Zeus
Lannie Stabile
978-1-8382206-1-7
$12.99
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Morning-Everyone-Except-Their/dp/1838220615
Good
Morning to
Everyone Except Men Who Name Their Dogs Zeus
offers poems powered by a damning view of patriarchal attitudes in man
and nature alike. It is a startlingly crisp free verse collection that
will
draw poetry readers attracted to social and political inspection.
Symbols and circumstances of masculinity
(such as a dog named Zeus), oppression, manipulation, and assault blend
Greek
mythological references with modern-day social struggle in poems which
are
hard-hitting.
The fact that these observations pull no
punches is evident from the very start in poems such as "Leda," which
contrasts male and female pursuits and perspectives in all manner of
beast: "If
you’ve ever seen swans fuck,/you’d know/it’s a folded napkin in a
dither,/while
a second lays flat, soiled,/praying for dinner to end./The male tops
the
female/in a freshwater body./She must float them both."
The illusion
of an
attractive countenance which turns brutal to reveal its true self, the
terrible
darkness of an alluring date with a stranger that turns deadly in "Her
Worst-Case Scenario," and the perseverance against all documented in
"These Boots Are Made for Trauma" in which the narrator acknowledges
the suffering of a life which tries to confirm to social norms that are
damaging ("...there is a
certain/suicide/to the rhythm/of rubber slapping/the cheeks of a street
on
which a boy/first wore me out/But let’s
keep going") makes
for
angry, painful, hard-hitting reflections of male-female interactions
gone awry.
This is not a meal recommended for every
poetry consumer to imbibe. Its powerful connections to emotions in the
face of
suicide and sexual assault and its poignant, angry response to the
status quo
and reinforcements that not only foster but subliminally encourage such
scenarios may be hard to digest, for some.
For others, Good Morning to Everyone
Except Men Who Name Their Dogs Zeus gives voice to the pain
of oppression
in a way that validates and acknowledges the underlying currents of
rebellion
and survival alike: "When I said I recently learned how to
cry,/I meant
my emotions tried to drown me/in my own fucking sea/I was not born a
social
animal,/and I’ve never learned to talk to boats or fish or
sirens/Anything that
might carry me to the shore/So, here I am, choking on a petty
memory,/as the
tide rushes down my throat..."
Compelling, powerful, and revealing of
emotions too often buried beneath the tides of conformity, Good
Morning to
Everyone Except Men Who Name Their Dogs Zeus is a poetic cry
for help and recognition
that offers fellow sufferers the opportunity to confront the rapists
who change
everything—starting with acknowledging their trauma: "When I
said the
future looked brighter,/I meant I’ve been combusting all along,/hurling
toward
an angry star..."
Return to Index
Granddaughter
of
Dust
Laura Williams
Atmosphere Press
978-1637528778
$16.99
www.atmospherepress.com
Granddaughter of
Dust is a poetry collection of
works that explore and expose the timeless,
interconnected nature of human experience. It presents these works
using a
literary style that both deviates from the normal free verse and
supports it in
a fine, original manner.
Take
the opening
"The Horse Fair," which was inspired by a painting by Rosa Bonheur.
The painting was "massive; precise," but what lends it life for
audiences who may not have seen the image is the juxtaposition between
observer
and reality: "I heard the rushing hooves, the wind roaring,
how the
horses/would neigh and whinny, the crack of the riding crop, the
men/shouting,
thinking they had control—I’ve ridden horses; I’m not/so sure those men
were
right...The horses could prance off the wall, surely, cavort around/me.
I could
tangle my fingers in a mane, another and another,/my hands growing
slick with
sweat, grit in my mouth from
the dust stirred up by a hundred horses—/But the
floor is tile beneath my shoes."
There
are also religious
inspections which defy convention with challenging reconsiderations
such as in
"Mary, Mother of God": "i wonder how you,/Mary, Mother of
God,/felt when the Spirit/tore through you, not even/seeking
permission,/invading you/in the rape of rapes—/did you feel anger, for
even/a
moment, or merely pain?"
Each
piece cultivates
a different flow, meaning, and impact. Each offers startling contrasts
between
perception, experience, and belief systems.
Together,
the
poems in collection form a representative series of questions and
insights
about collective experience and the dance between life and death.
Readers
seeking
diverse free verse formats and expressions that are as startling as
they are
delicately woven will find much to like and discuss in the evocative
words of Laura
Williams, which should be included in
any modern poetry collection.
Return to Index
I Would Tell
You If I
Could
David Sylvester
The Troy Book Makers
ASIN: B084KJY74G
$4.99 Kindle
Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/Would-Tell-You-If-Could-ebook/dp/B084KJY74G
Paperback: https://www.davidsylvester.net
I Would Tell You If I Could: and Other Stories
is a debut literary
collection of short works that focus on characters of all ages poised
the cusp
of change.
Each person
navigates
changed circumstances and tries to re-envision and better understand
their
lives and how they arrived at this point. Each very different life
holds an
opportunity for doing things differently or perceiving things in a new
way.
Take the
opening
"The Ghost of Frankie Greengrass," for example. The first-person
narrator, Pete, is "sitting at the bar in Doyle's Tavern drinking
Miller
drafts with Frankie Greengrass, trying to pretend that thirty years
hasn't
really passed."
It's hard to
pretend
when the tavern is filled with the ghosts of yesteryear, but Frankie
isn't a
spirit. Not yet. And the narrator acknowledges that he hasn't lived in
this
area since college; after which, the ravages of time have changed
everything.
As readers
absorb
Pete's nostalgic consideration of relationships past and gone and the
self-loathing that invites these ghosts of the past to take hold in his
life,
they receive a sketch of Pete's life and a series of interactions with
Frankie
that stretch the boundaries of past and present connections.
The
ever-present
ghosts wait in the wings as Pete ties up loose ends and solidified
family
duties, and carries out his future options.
With
succinct and
evocative prose, Mr. Sylvester portrays the nuances that influence Pete
as he
moves into this changing world.
Consider, in
contrast, "Richie's Girl," which depicts a dance between Kathi
(Richie's girl) and the narrator. The year is 1974; and booze,
cigarettes, and
drugs are the cultural crutches of the times.
The narrator
has
known Kathi for five years, but Richie has claim to her because he's
older and
has a car. Kathi never paid much attention to the narrator...until
tonight,
after she breaks up with Richie.
Frankie
Greengrass
returns to this story to make an appearance that portends that they are
in the
waning years of best friendship—a "...relationship that by its nature
must
be consigned to the attic of nostalgia."
As the
Doyle's Tavern
crowd of irregulars, regulars, and friends heats up, a decision is made
to act
in a way that will change forever old friendships in one night.
The New York
milieu
of some of these pieces and people and the shifting tides of their
relationships to each other and their self-perception permeate stories
that are
thought-provoking slices of life incorporating the elements of personal
change
and interpersonal connection.
The
interconnected
settings, characters, and messages capture the thin line between
familiar
routines and unfamiliar responses to changed circumstances and times.
Throughout
these
stories, Mr. Sylvester creates a series of questions about how
characters let
go of the past and move in new directions.
The
psychological
depth, social introspection, and lives of quiet desperation will
especially
attract readers who like their short literary works to resonate with
the pulse
of everyday life challenges through short reads that impart much food
for
thought.
Return to Index
Impressions
Ameya Pandit
Independently
Published
978-1-7371045-0-6
$6.99
https://www.amazon.com/Impressions-Short-Letters-Ameya-Pandit/dp/1737104504
Ameya
Pandit's debut
collection Impressions: Short Letters
symbolize his thoughts throughout a span of years, and represents a
search for
life meanings through an examination of memories and world experience.
If this
sounds like
heady reading, be advised that the short pieces in Impressions
cultivate a tone and inspection that is meant to linger
in the mind without challenging the reader's ability to easily absorb
their
messages.
Take "On
Childhood," for example—the opening piece in the collection. Pandit's
memories and reflections of youth are presented in a series of
vignettes, some
of which may be accused of being run-on sentences unless the reader
absorbs
that these stream-of-thought associations are actually connected jigsaw
pieces
of impressions that, when linked together, form a uniform evolutionary
experience: "I hear an anthem, I see
the march of the troops, there is a show of strength, of stature; this
is the
anthem of a nation, a nation celebrating the continuance of a new era,
the
birth of its freedom; then after a while as the celebrations wind down,
I hear
a cry, a cry of a new life, one who may be a few months old; this I say
is also
an anthem, perhaps a far superior one, one that our ears invariably
tune in to;
one that needs no salute, no flag, no armor; one that lives in all yet
unique
to each, and one that a child speaks well before he knows his nation or
his
God; even the brave soldier lends his hand to protect such a one, for
this
anthem transcends every other, this is the anthem of life, the anthem
of our humanity."
This is just
one
example of the form these reflections cultivates: a blend of metaphor,
meaning,
and memory that serve as testimonies to the rhythms and sequences of
life.
As readers
progress
through the collection, it's evident that Pandit's works are diverse,
philosophical, and reflective in nature. They hold the ability to link
individual experience with the broader historical backdrop that is the
human
condition.
Presented in
the
short forms they are, these impressions serve up digestible thoughts
cemented
by real-world contacts that make them particularly accessible to either
busy
readers or those with short attention spans: "Every
feeling of happiness, every celebration of victory, every
excitement of a journey, and even every moment of joy comes to an end
in due
course. These rules apply to one and all, to every life, as history
repeats,
civilizations rise and fall, species come and go, to make way for what
is new
in form but carries much the same in spirit—the spirit of nature
herself."
Perhaps
there was no
better time to publish Impressions
than now, when the Twitter generation and others look for meaning in
succinct,
brief form rather than in "longhand."
With its
focus on a
variety of topics, from music and the arts to poetic metaphors of life
experience and growth, Impressions
is
an item of choice for a variety of readers. It will reach literature
enthusiasts and philosophy students as well as those who look for
beautiful
expressions that use the mechanism of language to translate the
thoughts and
experiences of life into a meaningful draw that illustrates both the
"power of the pen" and the ability to assemble "worthy thoughts"
that lend to discussion and life celebration alike.
As debut
collections
go, Impressions is a clear literary
winner.
Return to Index
Shall We
Dance?
Susan K. Hagen
Antrim House Books
978-1-943826-83-4
$17.00
www.antrimhousebooks.com
Shall We Dance? Poems of Desire and Meditation
comes from a poet
who has 40 years of teaching medieval literature. This background
allows her to
craft especially artistic reflections strongly rooted in poetic
tradition and
form: something the typical free-verse presentation too often eschews.
Many of
these
reflections stem from literary experience, as in "After Reading
Hafiz." Many of these poems will benefit from a literature-savvy
reader: "Herbert tried. And Donne knew the
body/was kin to the spirit,/but prayed to be battered rather than
beloved."
But one
needs no
literary background in order to appreciate the reflections on desire
and
gratitude embedded in many of these pieces: "In
the gray of morning just before the/orange-red rising of the sun,/I put
a flame
to incense,/breathe gently on the ember glow,/watch bluish smoke
rise,/a
spiraling image of gratefulness/and supplication,/dispersing into air."
As
environment,
desire, and life themes coalesce, Hagen ultimately celebrates the
spirit
reflected in nature with lyrical works that sometimes contain a
surprise twist,
as in "True Subjunctive."
Each poem
reflects
"the difference between tourist and pilgrim." The fine lines explored
here traverse human nature and contemplate interactions with the
natural world.
Hagen's
works also
reflect her professional familiarity with the works of Rumi and Hafiz's
mystical poetic styles of observation. This will especially appeal to
readers
already familiar with these poets and their special blend of spiritual
and
nature observation.
Poetry
collections
seeking modern works rooted in literary approaches of the past will
find Shall We Dance? a fine
celebratory
collection.
Return to Index
Alabama
Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister’s Passage
Out of Hiding
Cedrick D.
Bridgeforth
Precocity Press
978-1737353959
$19.95
https://www.amazon.com/Alabama-Grandson-Ministers-Passage-Hiding/dp/1737353954
Alabama Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister’s Passage
Out of Hiding
details Cedrick D. Bridgeforth's coming out journey, his family
relationships,
and the processes of both living in hiding and finally revealing the
truth to
loved ones and those around him. It's a familiar story on one level,
and yet
the spiritual and social impact of being a black Southern minister adds
extra
dimensions of dilemma and complexity to the story.
The
hard-hitting
preface, a letter to his dead grandmother, provides an early inkling of
how
soul-wrenching his experience is: "On the short walk from my
car to
your gravesite across the ankle-high Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda
strands,
I’m consumed with anguish. Would you appreciate who I have become?
Would you
accept me or would you rebuff me? You were a wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin; you were Southern Baptist,
working
class, conservative. You had a sixth-grade education. You were a
seamstress, a
midwife, and a great cook. You were impeccable with housework, a wiz in
the
garden, thrifty, a generous giver. Yet you never came across as a
complex
person. You were settled and secure in who you were. I crave a similar
clarity
and confidence in my own life. But instead, I have struggled to embrace
my own
identities and celebrate my existence. I learned to lie about who I am.
I
learned to hide in plain sight."
These
contrasts
between lifestyles, inherent belief systems, social experience, and
close-knit
bonds tested by Bridgeforth's efforts to stay true to family and self
alike
make for engrossing reading.
While gay
readers
will readily relate to these experiences (and perhaps will be the most
likely
audience for this memoir), it's the Southern or black reader who really
should
be the interested party, here. Alabama
Grandson is as much about being black and religious in the
South as it is
about a truth the author struggled to reveal, both in himself and to
the world.
It incorporates his entire experience, from moving to California for
new
opportunities and the engagement he entered into, to his evolving
decision to
stay true to himself: "I also had a
responsibility to follow opportunities and options that would improve
my
standard of living and move me into greater understanding of my life’s
purpose.
Domino’s was not doing that for me. It was a reminder of what I was not
accomplishing and of who I did not want to be in the world."
As
Bridgeforth
reflects on his own steady family's heritage and remaining unresolved
questions
about its legacy, the dissolution of relationships he'd hoped would
last
forever, and the importance of solid life lessons he absorbed from his
upbringing, readers receive an unusually astute consideration of how he
comes
to live a more authentic life, incorporating this background into not
just his
development, but his vision of the future: "The
lessons learned since early childhood have shaped me and informed how I
show up
in the world. There are those who celebrate with me and there are those
who do not
understand why I do what I do. I have tripped over just as many
obstacles as I
have overcome."
Alabama Grandson reviews more than just a
gay man's coming out
experience. It's the story of how family heritage passes along values
and
approaches to life that remain vivid, relevant, and powerful under the
most
challenging conditions.
It's a
powerful story
of the South, of love, of black men and oppression, and of
self-realization
that leaves readers thinking long after Bridgeforth's story concludes,
with another
powerful letter to his grandmother celebrating his journey.
Return to Index
Gay Escort
and Client to Best Friends for Life: A True
Story
Alexander Brilee
Independently Published
978-0578958798
$24.50 Hardcover
https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/alexander-brilee/gay-escort-and-client-to-best-friends-for-life/hardcover/product-zn2d6g.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Author website: https://alexanderbrilee.com
LBGTQ readers
interested in memoirs of love, friendship, and growth will find
Alexander
Brilee's Gay
Escort and Client to Best Friends for Life: A True Story embraces the full flavors of experience of
gay lifestyle and friendship story. It's a read especially recommended
for
those who look for the added touch of different perspectives—a rare
format for
a memoir to take.
Brian and Lee's long
friendship defied the norms in many
ways; not the least of which was the unspoken rule (applicable to
escorts and
clients alike) that "The advice that
you will find on the web for someone thinking of calling an escort is
that you
should never call an escort if you're looking for a friend. An escort
should
not think of a client as a friend."
The big question that
remains is: "Is it possible then to go from
an escort-client relationship to a
relationship of best friends and for that new relationship to last?"
If Brian
and
Lee's experience is any indicator, the answer is a resounding "yes,"
and their memoir tells of this transformation and how it happened.
As readers
absorb the
world of gay escorts and their clients, those whose experience lies
outside
this milieu learn much about the escort business and its possibilities
and
unwritten rules.
From Lee's
struggle
with a dyslexia he didn't know he had until it was diagnosed when he
reached
adulthood and his entry into escorting to resolve his ongoing financial
issues
to how he was initially controlled by older man Patrick, who made sure
his
contacts consisted of unattractive men, the story winds through Lee's
experience and then Brian's life.
Each
receives equal
attention as Brilee surveys how they entered into the escort world from
different
backgrounds and expectations, their encounters with each other, and the
elements that would build an unexpectedly long-lasting friendship.
Also
included in the
story is the background of Britain, the ravages of AIDS and its social
and
psychological effects on the gay community, and shared experiences in
travel
and social encounters which were initially tempered by caution: "It was difficult at first for Lee to
believe that Brian was someone he could trust, someone who really loved
him and
would always care about him."
One might expect a romance
with such connections, but
another special note to the story is that Brian and Lee are loving best
friends. This operates outside of a love relationship and raises
questions of
identifying partners and best friends separately, and how a best friend
can
exist alongside and within a partnership or marriage relationship.
Gay
Escort and
Client to Best Friends for Life ultimately considers the
roles and
influences on connections between friends, what makes for a long-term
friendship, and how that differs from a love relationship.
These questions and more,
set against the backdrop of
evolving friendships, relationships, and experiences, make Gay Escort and Client to Best Friends for Life
a standout not only
in LBGTQ literature; but for anyone interested in how close
relationships are
maintained, evolve, and grow against all odds.
It should be noted that
Alexander Brilee is a pseudonym
for the two authors of this dual memoir. It was written together by
Brian and
Lee, which are pseudonyms used throughout.
Any library
strong in memoirs, LBGTQ literature, or
probes of friendships and lifelong connections will want to add Gay Escort and Client to Best Friends for
Life to their collection.
Return to Index
Holding Fast
Susan Cole
White Bird
Publications
978-1-63363-537-1
$18.99 print; $7.99 Digital
Website/ordering
link: susan-cole.com
Any woman
who has
ever bought into a partner's dream and embarked on a life-changing
journey
because of this decision will recognize themselves in Susan Cole's
memoir Holding Fast. On the
surface, it's a
memoir about sailing. In reality, it's a foray into not just adventure,
but
loss, as a young family embarks on a trip that not only challenges
conventional
notions, but Cole's own trajectory in life.
From the
start,
sailing was her husband John's dream—not hers. Having a child only
solidified
their different visions of the future, so when it came time for his to
be
brought to life, Susan was not exactly on board: "Kate
told her class the next day that she was sailing to the
Caribbean and snorkeling, and she wasn’t going to school anymore. Her
teacher,
a sailor, was thrilled for her and asked her to write the class about
her
adventures. She promised they would write back. I wish it had been that
simple
for me. I did not want to go. John would tease me and say, 'I’ll have
to drag
you out kicking and screaming, clinging to the garden.' I imagined
myself
red-faced and shrieking, my fingers black with dirt, while John yanked
my legs
and Kate stared open-mouthed."
Cole brings
the
adventure component to life as their little boat sails through waters
uncharted
in her experience: "In over twenty
years of sailing, I had been frightened before: on a friend’s sailboat
when the
mast split in half and swung menacingly over the deck, or on an
ill-fated
drunken attempt to tow Phaedrus when
the tow-boat capsized, throwing John and me into the cold water of Long
Island
Sound, or on Block Island when Phaedrus
went aground in the channel and in our zeal to free the
boat, John broke
his hand on a spinning winch. But none of those occurrences took place
in the
middle of the night out in the stormy Atlantic with our young daughter
aboard.
The other times, we were near the shore, and in Block Island, we went
aground
in front of the Coast Guard station. Now, if we tumbled into the water,
we were
on our own."
Those who
harbor
similar dreams of sailing off into the sunset receive a realistic
portrait of
both the positives and the negatives of doing so, while women who have
followed
a partner's dreams receive a healthy dose of reality as Cole navigates
not only
uncharted waters, but the special challenge of keeping her family safe
in an
uncertain environment.
From solo
encounters
with Hurricane Mitch, possibly stranded off-boat in a tropical paradise
battered by uncertainty and winds, to a health crisis which brings with
it
unexpected reliance on the survival tactics the family honed on their
little
boat, readers are treated to a thoroughly absorbing story that embraces
different facets of confronting life's unexpected moments.
Cole's
ability to
bring her memoir full circle from a sailing adventure and adjustments
the
family must make to a struggle with personal adversity links the two
subjects
in a satisfying, unique manner: "When
we had sailed in New England, we often ran into fogbanks, seeping gray
mists
that hardened into sheets with blue sky right up to the edge. When I
recognized
a telltale gray wall on the water, my stomach clenched, and fear would
take
over. I begged John to turn the boat around. But he sent me forward to
keep a
lookout and on we would go. He took our bearings every few minutes, so
we kept
our course. Once we were in the fog and could see immediately around
us, the fear
abated. Moving forward cautiously was a template for facing danger."
The result
is a vivid
story of survival and adaptation that operates on many different
levels,
promising to attract not just readers of true-life adventure, but those
who
want stories of endurance and moving forward.
As Cole
ultimately
did, just say "yes" to this enlightening, moving story, which is
highly recommended reading not just for memoir enthusiasts, but for
those
interested in stories of adventure, family, and survival.
Return to Index
In Search of
Love,
Science, and God
Sadhan Majumder,
Ph.D.
Independently
Published
979-8735256304
$12.95 Paper/$5.95 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Search-Love-Science-God-Scientist/dp/B095VY47DY
In
Search of Love,
Science, and God: A Memoir by a Cancer Scientist comes
from a
professor of genetics at a major cancer center in the United States who
has
already published an extensive list of research materials.
His memoir offers something
different: the opportunity to
consider lessons from the microbiology lab as they apply to health,
life, and
the pursuit of happiness. It imparts these considerations in a sweeping
examination of his life in India, his research studies, and his
experiences
navigating American culture and exciting new studies alike.
It should be stated that,
first and foremost, In Search of Love,
Science, and God is a
memoir. As it follows Dr. Majumder's
life experiences and the influences on his perspectives, the story
surveys the
successes and failures that honed his experience and expertise as well
as the
focus of his research: "I failed my
qualifying exam. I had to rewrite the proposal and take the exam again.
I
passed on my second attempt. But I learned a valuable lesson for
writing real
grant proposals in my future life. The grant proposal needed to be very
specific and focused. When I would be a grant reviewer for NIH, I saw
so many
grants rejected based on being “overambitious.” Although I did not like
the
outcome on my first exam, the examiners made me a better scientist."
From what it means to be a
scientist to how research
contributes to broader goals and meaning in life, Majumder's story
captures
scientific, philosophical, and autobiographical processes and
juxtaposes them
for maximum impact: "I realize how
my contribution to science so far is like a drop of water in a flowing
river to
which other scientists have contributed their drops. Perhaps one of the
most
significant changes in patient care I have witnessed, particularly in
cancer,
is a continuing shift in the treatment regimen, from
single-molecule-based
treatment for all to individualized treatment based on personalized
molecular
circuitry. I feel good about my contribution and hope others will go on
to make
even more far-reaching discoveries to help humankind. Science at its
best
always works that way."
This memoir will especially
appeal to readers of
scientific process, science and health professional memoirs, and
accounts of
how science dovetails with real-life challenges and choices, but it
also
contains humor and wry observation as well as a focus on overcoming
adversity
in all walks of life, from an initially unrequited love that he turns
into a
romantic connection to how he tackles racism and politics in the
science world
and his new milieu as an American immigrant.
Many of his research and
scientific discoveries also link
directly to personal discoveries and mirror controversies and obstacles
in
society. One example is how his first lab lesson ties in directly to
COVID-19
events and challenges.
Another is how science
connections to God in unexpected
ways: "The precision with which our
body, which on the average contains about 30 trillion cells, is formed
from the
one-cell embryo without making mistakes is simply stunning. This
precision was
accomplished because of billions of years of evolution—a process of
making
errors (mutations) in the genetic information, selecting the mutations
that are
most suitable for our survival and generating progeny, and passing this
information on to the next generation. As I mentioned earlier, to me,
God used
evolution as a means to create us. Who we would become is a combination
of the
genetic gift of our earlier generations and the environment in which we
grow
up."
As Dr. Majumder
weaves his growth as a scientist, professional, and American into
bigger
pictures of personal discovery and evolution, readers begin to realize
the crux
of this memoir's difference from most other stories of scientists or
immigrants.
Dr. Majumder's
ability to connect micro and macro worlds, from lab studies to
behavioral
traits that lead to not just rebellion or growth, but ultimately
survival,
draws direct links between science, human nature, and the process of
discovery
and transformation on many different levels.
Readers of health and
science topics alike will find In Search of
Love, Science, and God is
both a personal and professional voyage into research avenues that link
directly into improving as well as saving lives, and will find its
philosophical and scientific inspections astute and revealing, all
cemented by
the backdrop of personal experience for added connection and attraction.
Return to Index
Kiss My Mike
Mike Talplacido
Independently Published
979-8517600318
$15.99 Paper/$8.99 ebook
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-My-Mike-Talplacido/dp/B096TJNGC7
Author website: www.kissmymike.com
Kiss
My Mike is the memoir of a
Filipino immigrant to
America who navigates not only a new country, but the challenge of
being young,
gay, and both enthralled by America, yet rooted in his native country.
Mike Talplacido was only ten when he became
fascinated with American culture in the Philippines in 1989. As the
memoir
opens, this attraction blends into daily family life through an
exploration of
meaningful family interactions, Catholic religious foundations, and the
culture
and foods of the Philippines.
Three years later, the narrator receives his
first clue that he might be gay, with summertime sexual experiences
revealing
new possibilities about his psyche, preferences, and life. The cultural
expectations and milieu that enters into these early encounters is
especially
well done: "Culturally, the expectation in the Philippines
was that
boys would eventually marry girls. If not, they would end up being a
priest. So
even though Paul touched me, it meant nothing as I was still on track
with
fulfilling my destiny of one day marrying a girl."
As Mike grows and evolves, so do his
interests and his blossoming sexuality, which leans more and more
towards
homosexuality despite social pressures and norms.
As he enters high school and questions
whether or not he's gay, readers receive inspections that reflect a
dual
interest in pop culture and both sexes. Mike discusses courtship norms
in the
Philippines, explores his changing self and world, and embarks on a
journey
that eventually leads him to come out to his family.
It should be cautioned, at this point, that
the sexual encounters are quite graphically portrayed. Readers who seek
more
circumspect accounts should look elsewhere; but those who want no
punches
pulled will find these descriptions part of the candor Talplacido
cultivates in
narrating his story.
The coming out portion of this story feels
familiar, resonating with so many similar accounts: "I wasn’t
sure what
to expect when I came out to my family. I knew in my gut that I wanted
to do
it. Partly because I felt like I was no longer sharing my life with
them. I
felt like there was a part of me that was hidden, and it was affecting
our
relationship as it felt everything else was simply becoming too
superficial and
that our connections were not growing. On my phone calls with my
family, they
often asked me about my work, and about my health, and then about other
random
basic stuff that, quite frankly, never had any depth."
Readers who seek memoirs about gay life and
immigrant experience which embrace a sense of family and change will
find Kiss
My Mike to be frank, honest, revealing, and focused on all
kinds of
evolving relationships.
It dovetails well with other memoirs, and is
recommended for any collection strong in LBGTQ stories and social and
family
connections.
Return to Index
Lancaster
Bakery
Anita Hinson Cauthen
Warren Publishing
978-1-954614-27-7
$28.90
www.warrenpublishing.net
Lancaster Bakery: Thank you, Come
Back to See Us blends a memoir with a cookbook, juxtaposing recipes
with memories as it explores the family history of a small Southern
bakery that operated during the 1940s through the 80s in Lancaster,
South Carolina.
Anita Hinson
Cauthen's childhood was influenced by this family business, which
affected her
world and that of her identical twin sister Rita. From the processes,
interactions, and personal and business relationships of the extended
family
that ran this icon of success to its intimate depiction of bygone times
and a
vanished way of life, Lancaster
Bakery pairs sweet
memories with bakery recipes
adapted for home cooks in a manner that will delight readers seeking
more than
just another collection of restaurant specialties.
The memoir is arranged "...into small sections, based on the seasons and
my childhood
memories, each with its own tastes, smells, and emotions."
These
digestible pieces allow for easy reading based not on the usual recipe
oriented
format, but the seasons, experiences, and celebrations that marked
special bakery
days and processes.
Through Cauthen's eyes and
memories, readers gain a sense
of Lancaster then and now as an 1896 town primed for success with the
opening
of the Lancaster Cotton Mill changed into a commuter town in 1993 when
the mill
closed, forcing residents to locate jobs further afield.
Of special note, too, are
the vintage black and white
photos liberally peppered throughout which mark such notable bakery
achievements as Belk's regal birthday anniversary cake, proudly labeled
and
served with
Famous Tetley's Tea'. The
price and personality of the
bakery's production and the era are captured in these compelling images
of
yesteryear.
As for the recipes, there
are many surprises, from a
Japanese Fruit Cake of raisins, apples, and spices to Oatmeal Rocks
Cookies...which may sound unappetizing, but which are packed with
pecans,
oatmeal, and raisins and are based on a vanilla pound cake mix.
Bakery best-sellers are
arranged in their own chapter,
while other baked goods receive profile.
Juxtaposing the accounts of
community, business, and
social changes are observations of sister Rita, who suffered from
epilepsy that
led to researcher interest in why one twin had the condition while the
other
did not, and resulted in her twin leading a socially isolated life.
The insights on how busy
bakery seasons formed the
foundations of family life are particularly well presented, woven into
the
bakery recipes that will attract cooks interested in regional bakery
fare.
These bring the recipes to life by adding a special ingredient not
usually seen
in the ordinary cookbook—the personal touch of experience and loving
memory: "During the week of Mother’s Day, the
bakery’s bestseller was a twelve inch coconut cake decorated with one
long-stem
red rose."
Lancaster
Bakery:
Thank you, Come Back to See Us offers a bit of something for
everyone, and
will attract memoir readers interested in culinary journeys and local
history.
But it also holds the fine taste of history for anyone who would absorb
the
flavor of small-town living in bygone years.
Return to Index
Love Has No Limits
Arminé Papouchian
Light Network
978-1735664811
$15.99
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Has-No-Limits-Resilience/dp/1735664812
Love
Has No Limits is an Armenian
memoir charting a powerful
journey that began when sixteen-year-old Arminé fell in love, but had
to leave
that love behind when her parents decided to immigrate to the United
States.
What her parents saw as new opportunities
translated only to grief and loss for the teen, who did not view
America in the
same way.
As events that began in 1963 blossomed to
newfound determination, choices, and repeated challenges to finding
lasting
happiness, Arminé kept the connections between herself and Alex alive
in hopes
of a better future outcome, and overcame many obstacles in the course
of
realizing her dream.
Before that time came, Arminé cultivated new
dreams and romances, compromising on cultural differences not just in
her
relationship with Americans, but fellow immigrants born in other
countries.
As she and Alex both marry others but
somehow stay connected through those who know them both, their lives
and
experiences broaden, in their different countries.
Although she keeps making mistakes, Arminé's
resilience, and the life experiences based on her choices, contribute
to an
upward trajectory that keeps readers engaged and interested in her
growth
processes.
Arminé Papouchian narrates a story that
holds no linear progression, no simple answers, and many insights about
immigrant experiences, choices, and love.
Readers who like true romance stories as
well as accounts of perseverance and learning will find much to
appreciate as
Papouchian's life evolves.
At once a romance, a story of personal
revelation and learning, and an immigrant's account of creating a sense
of
place and family in a new environment, Love Has No Limits
will appeal to
memoir readers looking for strong writing, stories of love, and
accounts of
survival on many different levels: "Somehow, I knew I was
going to be
OK and just as before, life would move on and although it had only been
seven
months, it felt like I was at a better place and I no longer wondered
how I was
going to survive another loss. I had learned that the pain from loss
never
diminishes but your life around it grows so that the pain occupies a
small
place. I needed to once again refocus on what I had rather than what I
had lost
and make a conscious effort to be in the present moment, appreciate the
present
moment and what was around me and how my not-so-desirable experiences
were
helping me grow in ways that I would otherwise never have had the
opportunity
to."
Why did she write about her journey?
Papouchian says it best: "I knew I needed to continue to grow
as a
person. I knew I had to think way beyond myself. Everyone had a story
and I
wanted my story to inspire others."
Inspire, she does!
Return to Index
The Married
Widow
Diane E. Papalia
Zappa
Bold Story Press
978-1-954805-02-6
$17.99
Publisher: www.boldstorypress.com
Ordering:
https://www.amazon.com/Married-Widow-Journey-Bob-Zappa/dp/1954805020/ref=mp_s_a_1_3
When Diane
Papalia
met Bob Zappa, each felt a powerful connection at first sight. There
was only
one problem. They both were married. And neither would commit to each
other and
give up their vows and partners.
So far, this
story
feels familiar. But, add the thought that their encounters would
continue over
a twenty-seven year period and The
Married Widow begins to assume a countenance few other love
stories can
match.
Diane
Papalia met Bob
in 1986, but it wasn't until 2013 that they could cement their ongoing
connection. Before that happened, there was divorce, breakups between
them, and
a storm of connection and adversity that operated on many different
levels. All
these are described here, along with family relationships and
influences.
Bob Zappa's
famous
brother, Frank Zappa, and his family are explored in the course of a
love story
that lives beyond death. Papalia Zappa's experience with psychic Drew,
who
transmits additional comfort from the afterlife, is equally intriguing,
testifying to the timelessness of love's bonds: "This
experience with Drew was life changing. Nothing that Drew
said could be Googled or otherwise found on line. These were exactly
the
feelings Bob would have expressed to me in life. And it reassured me
that
although he isn’t physically present, he is very much with me."
How does
love endure
the test of time and the challenges of separation and life experience?
Papalia
Zappa provides some answers in her story, but she also crafts powerful
insights
into how this process works long-term.
The Married Widow is an involving
account, highly recommended for
readers who enjoy love stories, and who are intrigued by the process of
connections that grow over decades, leading lovers in unexpected
directions
that always come back to each other.
This memoir
of love
and faith will reach into many hearts and deserves a place not just in
biography collections, but in romance and spirituality sections as a
solid
segue between romance fiction and life's reality.
Return to Index
Naked
Ink: Diary
of a Smalltown Boy Vol. 1
Tobias Maxwell
Libero Printemps
Books
9781627878791
$21.95
Available on Amazon.com, and bookstores everywhere, after October 1,
2021
Naked Ink: Diary of
a Smalltown Boy Vol. 1 should be
in any collection strong in LGBTQ
issues, and provides a multifaceted autobiography which embraces many
subjects.
It comes from a struggling wannabe actor and art model whose pursuit of
sex and
fame in the early 1980s led to confronting his trauma as a teen and
realizing
its lasting impact on his life choices.
Volume
1 covers
the years 1978 and 1979 in New York City, where Maxwell charts the
process of
moving on from his past and his preoccupation with sexual fantasy.
The
diary format
by which he chronicles each day's reflections, achievements, and
challenges
follows Maxwell's determination to remain positive about his future
against all
odds. It also captures the immediacy of opportunities that come with
creating
and assessing personal connections and interactions.
As
Maxwell
navigates his dream of acting and his core beliefs of what it means to
be part of
a couple and to form meaningful, committed relationships, readers get a
close
inspection of a young man who not only kept a journal of everyday
experiences,
but paired these entries with commentary about their underlying belief
systems:
"It says something of my egotistical, myopic view of the world
that I
didn't consider the fact that someone else was more suited for the
part. That
someone else may very well have been more talented. Obviously, my
emotional
responses suggest that these two ideas crossed my mind all the time as
I lost
out to others, but to survive you had to do psychological jujitsu. Tell
yourself you were as good as the next, better than some, and lacking
compared
to others. The trick was thinking you were worthy, if not even great,
at the
time of your audition."
Would-be
actors
new to the process of auditioning and the success and failures in the
industry
will be particularly attracted to the manner in which Maxwell
perseveres, while
LBGTQ audiences will likely find familiar this young man's professional
and
personal growth process as he searches for his role on and off stage.
As
he embraces
the pain and joy of new loves and revisits old ones, readers will find
this
first volume of Naked Ink thoroughly engrossing,
both for its personal
reflections and for its interpersonal approaches to life.
Return to Index
Naked
Ink: Diary
of a Smalltown Boy Vol. 2
Tobias Maxwell
Libero Printemps
Books
9781627878807
$21.95
Available on Amazon.com, and bookstores everywhere, after October 1,
2021
Readers
of the
first volume of this two-book memoir will be intrigued with Naked
Ink: Diary
of a Smalltown Boy Vol. 2, that covers the years 1980 to '82,
as Maxwell
moved "from no to yes, seemingly overnight" and becomes involved in a
committed love relationship.
Again—the
chronological order of diary entries paired with contemporary
commentary on his
state of mind and contents affords a detailed review of life both at
the time
of the events and in hindsight; an approach that shows an evolving
wisdom.
From
getting
married to getting mugged and progressing in the art modeling business
while
navigating life in New York City, Volume II continues the
growth-oriented
examination as the author embraces life-changing experiences and
reflects upon
them.
The
developing
maturity Maxwell demonstrates between these two volumes of
diary/journal
entries is more than evident, allowing readers to absorb the influences
of a
life on the cusp as Maxwell and Coo move forward as a couple.
The
road trip
they embarked upon represents a momentous change in perspective, place,
and
ambition as Maxwell continued to expand his boundaries in unexpected
ways,
bringing readers along for the ride.
LBGTQ
readers
seeking an in-depth analysis filled with reflections on growth and
sexuality
will find this book and its companion thought-provoking reading.
Return to Index
No Rules: A Memoir
Sharon Dukett
She Writes Press
978-1631528569
$16.95
Website https://sharondukett.com/
Distributor: https://www.ingramcontent.com/publishers/publisher-services
Author Sharon Dukett came of age during the
1970s, and No Rules: A Memoir captures this era in
a series of memories
that begin in January, 1971 in Connecticut. Here, readers receive the
specter
of a sixteen-year-old girl dressing to run away to California, to join
the
hippies.
As the older Eddie, sister Anne, and Sharon
embark on a cross-country journey, readers receive a compelling story
of escape
motivated by the author's desire "not to drown" in her parents'
misery.
The child of immigrant parents, Dukett
describes how she was raised "as though we were living in England."
Her mother's determination to raise better-behaved children than the
usual
American child resulted in rules and guidelines that deviated from the
neighborhood kids and Dukett's peers.
When young, she assumes her mother knows
best. As she grows older, she rebels. Her sojourn into a counterculture
world
in search of an elusive happiness her parents never seemed to
incorporate into
their home environment offers many thought-provoking moments as readers
follow
Dukett into a world of drugs, sex, and the rise of women's liberation.
As the story moves from California back East
to Boston and Provincetown, the narrator considers the many people she
meets
and her search for an elusive love which leads her to question her
relationship
with perfectionist Ernie.
As commune life introduces her to other
couples and raises possibilities of yet another kind of future, Dukett
brings
readers into not just counterculture worlds and thinking, but the
origins of
belief, conviction, and lifestyle changes influenced by both parental
teaching
and a search for self.
She excels at contrasting these outer and
inner influences and the quandaries she faces between her idealism and
the
reality of her choices.
These features strengthen a memoir that is a
portrait in opposing values systems and forces, growth, and
interpersonal
relationships during an era in which social norms were being tested.
What losses lead Dukett and her friends to
reconsider the trajectory of their lives? As she charts the influences
that lead
to revelation and change, readers will find her story of the 1960s and
1970s
(and, particularly, the kinds of social changes that guide her own
search for
love and self-identity) to be particularly compelling reading.
Readers seeking a memoir that embraces
personal, social, and cultural change and epitomizes the atmosphere of
these
times will find No Rules an intriguing examination
of power, control,
influence, and evolution. Its ability to capture the process of
questioning and
growth and the logical and illogical deductions that emerge during this
process
is particularly well done, and will lend to discussion as well as
insights
about the times.
Return to Index
Racing with Aloha
Fred Haywood
Morgan James Publishing
9781631953712
$14.95
Website: www.racingwithaloha.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Racing-Aloha-Inspiring-Barefoot-Champion/dp/1631953710
Racing with Aloha:
An Inspiring Journey from Humble
Barefoot Maui Boy to Champion in the Water
will delight readers who love memoirs steeped in the atmosphere of
Hawaii and the culture of surfing. It deserves a spot in any collection
where
sports and Hawaiian culture are a strength.
First,
it should
be noted there are some fifteen pages of accolades preceding the story,
plus a
foreword by a fellow windsurfing competitor and fitness leader Laird
Hamilton,
who outlines why readers unfamiliar with Haywood or windsurfing should
find
this memoir appealing. A note by Mike Waltze comments on Maui's rise to
become
the Mecca of windsurfing.
While
normally
such volume would be less than desirable at the start of a book, each
testimony
offers more than praise, adding further insights into author Fred
Haywood's
personality, background, and experience that, together, serve as a fine
introduction to his book.
Almost
thirty
pages into the book, Haywood's voice finally comes to light. Its
deceptively
mild start disguises a powerful current to his story: "I had
just set
the windsurfing world speed record in 1983, breaking the thirty-knot
barrier in
Weymouth, England, but that’s not how I made my name in the sport. My
fame came
on a day when I was surfing alone, thanks to an eccentric and very
wealthy
fellow windsurfer and cover photographer for such magazines as Vogue
and Life,
who showed up to watch me after everyone else had left the beach for
the
day."
As
the memoir
unfolds, readers receive a contrast between Hawaiian culture and life
and
Western attitudes and perceptions, whether it's about education and
language or
sports: “I’m bilingual. I speak English and Hawaiian pidgin.
So just put me
through bonehead English. I’ll be out of your hair in four years.”
Another
pause. Then, the dean laughed. And I laughed. Then I got serious. I
assured him
I intended to improve my verbal skills. I explained that my whole
future was at
stake, and I knew it. It was the reason I had left Maui to swim for
Santa Clara.
I wanted to attend Stanford. It was my ticket off the plantation."
Haywood
meets
each of the challenges that change his world, from real estate ventures
to
encounters with sharks and ill winds that blow him into danger on the
seas.
How
he came to
set world records and ride the biggest wave in the world makes for
invigorating
"you are here" reading that will delight avid surfers and armchair
enthusiasts alike.
To
view Racing
with Aloha as a memoir alone would be to do it a disservice.
Haywood's
exploration of surfing, Hawaiian culture, and how his own life unfolds
creates
a multifaceted read recommended not just for memoir readers, but anyone
with an
interest in Hawaii and surfing culture.
Return to Index
All
the Whys of
Delilah's Demise
Neve Maslakovic
Cosmic Tea Press
9781736697917
$14.99 Paperback/ $4.99 ebook
Website: http://www.nevemaslakovic.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NLL8DXL
All the Whys of
Delilah's Demise blends a
dystopian thriller with an
investigative mystery, and will draw from sci-fi and suspense audiences
alike
as it probes New Seattle resident Delilah's fall from a balcony and the
suspicion that falls upon nineteen-year-old Scottie as being involved
in her
demise.
Before
the
accident, Scottie was a new intern at New Seattle’s Social Agency,
charged with
being the liaison with Delilah. Before the last morning of Delilah's
life,
Scottie had just decided she wanted to be more visible. But, not this
way.
Cece
is a neural
mesh embedded in Scottie's brain that acts as her personal assistant,
but
becomes much more than a communication chip, accessing a knowledge
databank
after Delilah's death.
As
Scottie
tracks down the real perp and opens a can of worms in the process of
her
investigation, readers are carried into a future world where threats
evolve
from unusual places.
Scottie's
story
embraces her relationship with Dax, one of her PALs ("Permanent Allies
in
Life, a link more formal than friend but less binding than family"),
covering Cece's evolving importance in guiding her away from trouble as
she
skirts the threats of disaster that come from the Code Enforcement
Office and
other sources.
Neve
Maslakovic's story is a standout not just because of its smooth
marriage
between dystopian sci-fi and murder mystery, but because of the many
social
inspections that are woven into the story. As an unlikely hero who
develops a
People List of others who may be similarly targeted, Scottie explores
her own
motivations and life in the course of becoming increasingly involved in
a
dangerous effort to uncover the truth.
All the Whys of
Delilah's Demise is about more
than why Delilah died. It's
about a new adult's interactions with technological enhancements, her
search
for self, her probe of illusions, memories, perceptions, and her
ability to
think independently.
What
will it
take to find home, love, and safety in a manipulated world? Scottie's
journey
to find out reaches into the reader's heart as she considers what it
means to
be a controlled, automated product of society versus a thinking, free
young
woman surrounded by family and friends who truly love her.
All the Whys of
Delilah's Demise is a
thought-provoking story that marries
high technology, social inspection, mystery, and dystopian sci-fi under
one
cover in a seamless manner to keep a wide audience guessing about the
outcome.
Return to Index
American
Conspiracy
M. J. Polelle
Lido Press
978-0960086320
$14.95 paper/$3.99 ebook
www.mjpolelle.com
Imagine you
are in
charge of protecting the President of the United States. Picture that a
quick
lapse in your attention resulted in his assassination. Wouldn't you try
to make
amends for your terrible failure? American
Conspiracy takes this scenario and turns it upside down as
Chicago police
detective Jim Murphy struggles to address his failures, his
ruined career,
and a new case involving the disappearances of several Chicago gang
members.
But there's
more
going on than redemption and ruin, here, because young vice president
Dallas
Taylor is thrust into power to confront the likelihood of a conspiracy
that
continues to threaten not just the highest levels of political circles,
but
America herself.
M. J.
Polelle creates
a tense thriller that explores both political and personal circles of
challenge
within two very different individuals who both struggle with their
vastly revised
roles and duties.
As Sebastian
Senex and his gang plot a coup that will change the face of
America,
perceiving Dallas Taylor to be a threat to the nation, D.C. politics
and
personalities clash in efforts which should be uniform, but often work
against
one another.
Polelle
builds
tension through fine characterization and quickly changing
circumstances that
intersect the special interests of the Chicago Police Department and
Capitol
cops. From issues of trust to international influences on America's
politicians
and criminal influences, Polelle creates a multifaceted journey which
holds no
predictable conclusion as it traverses many complex relationships that
operate
on different levels.
Many
experienced thriller
readers won't see many of these twists and turns coming. And even the
most
seasoned genre fan will find American
Conspiracy replete in a social and political arena and
investigation that
is as much about ideals and perceptions as about solving a murder
mystery.
With the
added
injection of romance into the story, American
Conspiracy becomes a close inspection of idealism, values
gone awry, and
good intentions turned bad. Its political suspense story and mystery
will
thoroughly engross readers seeking a solid examination that embraces
different
generations of Americans and the chasms between their beliefs and
commitments. This
becomes a solidly thought-provoking, action-packed story that's hard to
predict
or put down.
Return to Index
The
Body on the
Bed
Leonard
Krishtalka
Anamcara Press,
LLC
978-1-941237-66-3
$21.99
www.anamcara-press.com
On
April 28,
1871, Mary Fanning discovers the body of her neighbor, who has been
poisoned in
bed. As she becomes the first female reporter for the Kansas Daily
Tribune in
an effort that leads to a meteoric rise in political involvements, The
Body
on the Bed becomes an engrossing blend of detective story and
social
commentary that follows Mary into not just into a murder investigation,
but a
sea change.
Readers who expect a whodunit will find this story much more multifaceted as it explores one woman's evolution into becoming a powerful, conscientious force in Lawrence, Kansas.
This
overlay of
true crime and real-world biographical history elevates the entire
story to a
much more complex, intriguing level than fiction alone could have
achieved.
Another
note is
that the main character is spunky and forthright, taking advantage of
plenty of
opportunities to educate her fellow man (and woman) about changing
social
norms: “Will you have that drink now, Miss Fanning?” He
motioned to the bar.
“I have news. It … uh … it would interest you.” “Thank you, Mr.
Furguson. It’s
not ‘Miss’ but ‘Mrs.’—Mrs. Apitz, to be exact, as you will learn when I
take
the stand. The English language denies women a simple salutation that
is
independent of marital status. Much like the government denies us the
vote. Men
are ‘Mr.’—married or not. Plus they have the vote. Why don’t you write
an
editorial about this egregious inequality for your newspaper. Then I’ll
buy you
a drink.”
From
the 1800s
judicial system and its processes to Mary's discovery of a plot that
challenges
not only her investigative skills and determination, but her struggles
for
women's independence, The Body on the Bed
incorporates so many elements
of social inspection that to call it a detective story alone would be
to do it
a grave injustice.
Because
it is
also complex and involving, however, many a mystery and detective
reader,
especially those who enjoy historical backdrops and strong female
protagonists,
will find The Body on the Bed thoroughly
engrossing. From its literary
prose which is both astute and compelling writing to Krishtalka's
phrasing and
ability to craft an atmospheric read, it's filled with surprises and
twists
right up to its unexpected ending, which proves that a woman can do
anything...even if this is not necessarily a good thing.
Return to Index
Capitol
Murder
Mike Brogan
Lighthouse
Publishing
9781733803731
$10.95
Website: www.mikebroganbooks.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Capitol-Murder-Mike-Brogan/dp/1733803734
Capitol Murder is a political suspense thriller centered on a
big-ticket healthcare
contract that results in special interests who will murder high
officials to
keep the bill from passing Congress.
Madison
Parker's
advertising agency has won the healthcare account that stands to gain
from a
positive vote, but she becomes involved in a murder investigation when
members
of Congress begin to die. One of these deaths is her best friend
Ellie's
father.
Someone
needs to
probe these killings. Although the FBI is on the case, Madison and
Ellie have
personal stakes in its outcome and join their investigation, only to
face
personal danger as a too-lucrative contract threatens some 5,000
independent
healthcare plans which face demise if healthcare coverage is provided
to all
Americans.
While
the
mystery drives an involving plot, the real meat of Capital
Murder lies
in its social and political inspections of who tends to gain and lose
in the
healthcare industry in behind-the-scenes manipulations and maneuvers.
The
Guardian
emerges, in this story, as a force to contend with, overseeing these
special
interest groups and protecting them with a heavy hand.
Mike
Brogan is
adept at capturing the political atmosphere of Washington D.C. More
than a
murder story alone, the injection of Congressional processes, the
influence of
special interest forces, and Ellie's evolving pivotal role in the fate
of the
entire U.S. healthcare industry makes for enlightening, compelling
reading that
probes interpersonal relationships and political interests alike.
The
tension is
well drawn and continuous throughout, but it's the juxtaposition of
personal
and special interests with US Congress actions and objectives which
lends a
realistic feel to the murder mystery as it unfolds.
Capitol Murder is political murder mystery writing at its best.
It is highly
recommended reading for those who seek far more than a whodunit, but a
close
probe of how special interests go beyond the call of democracy in their
efforts
to support wealth-producing programs at the expense of the American
people's
health and welfare.
Return to Index
Dead
Code
Glenda Carroll
Indies United
Publishing House, LLC
978-1-64456-378-6
$14.99 Paper/$4.99 ebook
Author Website:glendacarroll.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Code-Trisha-Carson-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09CFSHF29
Dead Code
is the third mystery
in the
Trisha Carson series set in the San Francisco Bay area, and will
delight
readers familiar with the area as Trisha confronts yet another
challenge.
The story
opens with
a very realistic scenario: Trisha has been convinced by her sister to
embark on
open water swimming in a beautiful Napa lake in order to lose a few
pounds.
For anyone
else, such
a venture might be challenged only by swimsuit sizes. For Trisha, it's
also an
exercise in confronting her fears; for not long ago, she was forced to
swim in
a very similar environment to escape a psychotic murderer.
Entering a
lake again
calls forth PTSD memories that resurface, but there's more going on
here than
recovery from trauma. Trisha also unearths a puzzle that continues to
grow even
as she vanquishes one black cloud, only to confront another.
As
the story
unfolds, Glenda
Carroll
creates a powerful portrait of not just another murder mystery, but an
investigator still recovering from the last one.
Carroll
takes the
time to craft family backgrounds steeped in Bay Area culture and
interpersonal
relationships: "I lived in Earl’s
house now. A well-known architect constructed the beautiful estate in
Kentfield
north of the Golden Gate Bridge, on the edge of La Cruz Canyon. Earl
had been
my father’s friend for years and Dad lives there, too. Last year, I
moved out
of my sister’s extra bedroom in San Rafael when I found out she was
expecting
the plump little guy passed out in the stroller next to me."
These lend a
realistic tone and absorbing backdrop to Trisha's experiences and lead
old fans
and newcomers to her adventures to appreciate her history, connections,
and the
meaning of the new paths she attempts to forge in her life.
These, in
turn,
contribute a solid foundation to the mystery that embraces her and
causes her
to return to many prior scenes of trauma in the course of her
investigation.
The contrasts between past experience and present-day mandates are very
nicely
juxtaposed: "I hadn’t been out to
China Camp since the summer before, when Shari Granter’s body washed up
on the
shore. Sheri and Lena grew up together and spent afternoons in pools
all around
the county. Her death was deemed a murder. It shocked everyone. I’d
spent a lot
of hours driving back and forth on the winding road to the popular
state park
on the edge of San Pablo Bay trying to figure out who had done it and
why. This
time, driving there didn’t have the same fierce sense of purpose. I
wanted to
talk to my dad about the missing/not-missing Tyler, even though I’d
promised I
wouldn’t. But really, I just wanted to see him."
As in life,
there is
little straightforward as the story unfolds; either in Trisha's family
relationships or in the mystery which hits too close to home.
As she falls
into
danger due to Earl's choices, high-tech houses and AI technology enter
the
picture to provide intriguing components that elevate Dead
Code beyond the usual whodunit approaches.
From hackers
to
missing friends, Trisha follows a convoluted path. Even genre-savvy
readers
will find themselves surprised by the unexpected twists and turns the
story
takes.
Dead Code is not your usual murder
mystery. With its satisfying
psychological and technological backdrops, its portrait of PTSD
recovery as new
dilemmas continue to evoke bad memories and challenge Trisha's
abilities to
solve problems, and its consideration of a woman who doesn't know if
she loves
swimming, investigating, or high-tech problem solving, the story is
multifaceted and complex. It lingers in the mind long after Trisha
arrives at
solutions that open doors to new problems and opportunities alike.
Return to Index
Don't Get
Caught
Jamie Stoudt
Beaver's Pond Press
978-1-64343-812-2
$8.99 ebook; $23.99 hardcover
Publisher: www.BeaversPondPress.com
Author Website: www.Jamiestoudtbooks.com
Legal
thriller
readers will find Don't Get Caught
a
powerful story made all the more intriguing by its roots in a real
crime that
occurred in the Midwest. Jamie Stoudt loosely bases this story on these
events,
fictionalizing the narrative for added dramatic impact.
Victor
Driscoll is a
respected Minnesota statesman who runs a truck leasing company.
Narrated by his
son, Victor's activities, business, and dubious actions are revealed
with a wry
tone of truth and insight: "His
little business had more customers than he could count, but they all
needed
financing, and Dad claimed all bankers were bastards back in the
seventies. He
was well educated, a veteran, a great salesman, and everybody’s friend.
Unfortunately, he didn’t know a damn thing about heavy trucks, so that
first
day of business at Minnesota On-Road Equipment Company (More-Co) was
one step
on the long and exciting journey toward its failure."
Respected in
the
community, Victor Driscoll is also a war hero. But his sons Kelly and
Ryan
become involved when evidence of fraud emerges to threaten everything
Victor
has built from the leasing business. The truths they discover about
their
father's activities and subterfuge will shake the community.
The sons,
too, hold
different goals in becoming involved in the investigation. Ryan only
wants to
exonerate his father, while Kelly wants the real truth to come to
light. It
seems unlikely that either can achieve their goal by hiring
foul-mouthed,
temperamental office manager/investigator Margaret Kratski and equally
feisty,
angry ex-Marine Donna Carlasccio to help them track down the truth and
perps.
As the
unlikely foursome
embark on an adventure of exposé and discovery, readers will find Don't Get Caught replete in moral and
ethical conundrums, dubious business operations and concepts, and a
sense of
the times that brings the economic, social, and political milieu to
life.
Vic Driscoll
is
playing a dangerous game, indeed. It's one that will ultimately
threaten his
reputation and his wealth, and which draws his sons into the future of
More-Co
Leasing in ways neither could have anticipated.
To call Don't Get Caught a legal thriller alone
would be to do it an injustice. The political, social, and
psychological twists
and turns, spiced by irony and humor along the way, reach out to
readers with
more than just a foray into legal concerns.
Jamie Stoudt
is
especially skilled at portraying confrontations between characters
which are
action-packed, spicy, and wry: "The
look Rhonda Jane gave me could weld steel, but once she figured out
that a
staredown might take the rest of the week, she gave it up. “I need to
talk to
my attorney...Rhonda Jane got out of the booth and stormed toward the
kitchen
and the back offices. The sheriff turned toward his lead deputy and
said, loud
enough for her to hear, “Lane, please follow Ms. Teske, and if she
picks up
anything other than her purse, give me a shout. If she heads to the
ladies’
room, follow her in. She can pee at home.”
Stoudt's
ability to
capture moral, ethical, family, and interpersonal dilemmas against the
backdrop
of a bigger picture involving schemes and plots creates a thriller
filled with
satisfying twists and turns.
Don't Get Caught is fast-paced, nicely
populated by intriguing
characters, and filled with questions about motivation, good and bad
intentions, and business interests gone awry.
Thriller
readers are
in for a treat.
Return to Index
The Final Yen
R. Sebastian Bennett
Milford House
Press/Sunbury Press
978-1-62006-870-0
$16.95
www.sunburypress.com
There are
some
professional invitations you can't say no to. And when you do say yes,
there
are dire consequences that embrace many different levels of threat.
In Tokyo, in
1989, a
young American businessman is framed for a crime he didn't commit, and
is
threatened with imprisonment. Nobody will help him. The witnesses to
this
supposed crime were his friends.
The Final Yen documents his flight from
Japan and his interactions
with its culture; but more importantly, this is a survey of Japanese
culture
and business community that lends many insights into not just Japanese
society,
but the interactions between men and women within and outside of that
world.
R. Sebastian
Bennett
excels in injecting many insights about Eastern and Western
interactions and
perceptions throughout the story, from the start: "All
Japanese businessmen drank Scotch, just like they all used
chopsticks to eat their sticky rice. Ono leaned forward. “It is good
business
to drink together,” he said...“We are all Tokyo businessmen, and we
need to
drink.” Ono’s words were a little slurred, but I understood his real
point. He was
trying to minimize our differences, to group us all together in a set
like
dominoes. In a way, it was touching."
From
contrasts
between Western and Eastern perceptions of beauty and propriety to the
types of
interactions that present challenges to Westerners doing business in
Japan,
Bennett creates a powerful story packed with insights and descriptions:
"I clasped my hands together in front
of me in an attempt to show how cooperative I intended to be, how
innocent I
was, and how much I ought to be released. I tried not to think about
the
statistic that in Japan, 99% of all accused
individuals were eventually found guilty…"
Social
reflection and
business philosophy blend in a powerful story surrounding a mystery, a
challenge, and a set of seemingly casual circumstances that quickly
become
puzzling and dangerous to the protagonist. A subtle but notable touch
of
underlying humor marks many of the interactions.
Bennett
excels at
weaving action into many of his insights about not just the culture but
the
sights, sounds, and experience that is Japan: "I
had tried to optimize Tokyo transportation, but I had failed.
Maybe I just tried too hard. Or was this my karmic punishment for being
a shikan, a train pervert, if that’s what I was? I couldn't
think clearly anymore. All I knew was that my head was throbbing. It
hurt like
hell. And I just wanted to sleep."
This
approach, which
juxtaposes intrigue, action, and cultural inspection, brings The Final Yen to life in a gripping
story that will delight a wide audience, from thriller and mystery
readers to
those who appreciate the added depth of intellectual inspection and
cross-cultural encounters.
The Final Yen is a compelling story
recommended for business
readers, those interested in stories set in Japan, readers who want to
absorb
East/West incongruities and etiquette, and suspense readers who just
want a
fine, vividly portrayed read that embraces a sense of place and purpose.
Return to Index
FitzDuncan
John J. Spearman
Independently
Published
9798524729644
$8.99
https://www.amazon.com/FitzDuncan-John-J-Spearman/dp/B097DSJDDV
Historical
mystery readers will find FitzDuncan is set in
medieval times and tells
of P.I. Casimir FitzDuncan, whose latest case revolves around a woman
seeking
to escape an oppressive marriage contract with man who holds a
reputation for
abuse.
After
their
initial meeting, she is kidnapped, prompting FitzDuncan to embark on
both a
mission to recover her and an effort to clear his own reputation,
called into
question since he was the last person to see her.
When
the story
opens, however, it's FitzDuncan who has been abducted, awakening in
prison with
a knot on his head and his quasi-friend Sir Oliver (Ollie) grilling him
about
the whereabouts of Miss Julienne Traval.
One
satisfying
feature of this story is that FitzDuncan operates on both sides of the
law.
Neither good nor bad guy entirely, his reputation for both brings with
it a
murky set of objectives and influences that cause many to doubt his
word and
intentions.
Despite
his
ancestry (he's the eldest son of Duncan Barry, Earl of the Eastern
March),
FitzDuncan goes his own way and has developed a wry sense of propriety
and
impropriety that often lands him in trouble as well as lending him a
reputation
for fact-finding savvy.
Both
get him
into dire straits in this story, which excels in presenting a flawed
hero who
doesn't always make the right choices.
As
the tale
progresses, John J. Spearman deftly juxtaposes history, fiction, and
P.I.
investigative tactics in a multifaceted story designed to please a
diverse
audience, whether they originate from historical interests or choose
the story
for its investigative mystery components.
It's
no light
task to represent medieval politics, culture, and people in such a way
that all
come to life; especially for readers who may be unversed in this era.
Spearman
accomplishes both while viewing events from the first-person
perspective of
FitzDuncan, which lends a personal and immediate tone to the world
around him
and his choices.
As
the mystery
evolves, a surprise is embedded when FitzDuncan discovers that the
target of
the kidnapper isn't actually obvious at all.
From
the
political conundrums he faces on who to trust and who is dangerous to
his
pursuit of a dangerous force steeped in deadly rituals, FitzDuncan
interacts
with royalty and dark forces alike.
His
pursuit of a
questionable truth and elusive justice is especially well written in
the first
person and presented through his encounters with friends, superiors,
and those
who confront him: "I thought quickly. “Your Majesty, I have
prayed that
you would listen to what I have to say with an open mind. Your
willingness to
dismiss your son from our meeting gives me hope that you will. I must
also beg
for your patience since it will take time for me to explain to you what
I know.
As for my innocence or guilt, I requested the King’s Justice. That will
be for
you to decide.”
Spearman
does
more than provide mystery readers with a detailed investigative probe.
By
setting his character in medieval times and thoroughly immersing him in
the
politics and processes of this era, he brings history to life,
personalizing it
with a first-person observational style that requires no prior
familiarity with
history in order to prove accessible.
The
only
prerequisite to enjoying this story is an interest in problem-solving
and a
rollicking good read that romps through cultural norms and politics,
turning
them on end as FitzDuncan struggles to arrive at the truth even as his
beliefs
get in the way of reality.
History
and
mystery collections alike should select the well-detailed FitzDuncan
as
a crossover title appealing to a broader audience than either genre
alone.
Return to Index
Havana Brown
Lynn-Steven Johanson
Level Best Books
978-1953789587
$16.95 Book/$5.95 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Havana-Brown-Joe-Erickson-Mystery/dp/1953789587
Havana Brown is a prequel to Rose's
Thorn, but no familiarity with the prior story is required in
order to jump
into the mystery and serial killer dilemma facing Detective Joe
Erickson.
The murders
are
piling up, and the only clues to the perp's identity are cat hairs.
Joe's
inability to stop these murders keeps him up at night and stresses him
to the
point where his investigative abilities become questionable as the
story
unfolds.
Where are
the
boundaries between work and obsession? As Joe questions evidence and
tracks
down a killer, becoming involved with alluring Destiny at the same
time, his
efforts become akin to the plot of a bad television show as he faces
possibilities of a faked death and a too-alive threat that may stem
from a cold
case.
Lynn-Steven
Johanson
builds a story that opens with a graphic description of the murderer's
modus
operandi. As a cat-and-mouse game evolves, readers receive perceptions
from
both the killer and the detective's perspectives, which keep the plot
involving
on different levels.
As they
pursue a
convoluted possibility that at first feels impossible and then begins
to make
more sense, Joe Erickson and his partner, Sam Renaldo, face the kind of
probe
every detective dreads: one with too many dead ends and impossibilities.
Johanson
weaves the
relationship with Destiny and its separate evolving emotional ties and
conundrums into this fast-paced story, presenting scenarios which
challenge Joe
and Destiny's choices and future together: "She
couldn’t understand how her love for Joe could prove detrimental to his
recovery.
Wouldn’t someone’s love and support help a person recover rather than
hinder
it?"
Joe is a
police
detective who is pushing too hard on this case, and it all comes home
to roost
in unexpected twists and turns. These reveal the underlying
psychological
obstacles Joe faces in his own psyche, which thwart his ability to
resolve both
the case and his own emotional evolution.
This dual
presentation of adversity and the perils of personal strength when
facing
over-thinking and overwork makes for a particularly compelling story as
Johanson considers how even the most adept personality can experience
PTSD and
overload.
These story
facets
bring the police procedural portion to life in an unexpected way. While
readers
interested in a whodunit focus may find the psychological inspections a
distraction, they do add to the overall strength of a story that goes
beyond
problem-solving to investigate matters of the heart.
Mystery and
detective
readers who like more than a casual dose of psychological inspection
will find Havana Brown a powerful
story outlining
conflicts on many different levels, both within the psyche and between
characters.
Return to Index
Implosion
Carolyn V. Hamilton
Swift House Press
978-0990966449
$17.95 Paper/.99 Kindle
www.carolynvhamilton.com
Implosion combines mystery with humor in
an unusual story
especially recommended for genre mystery readers who want more than a
simple
whodunit tale.
It tells of
the
Desert Palace, an aging Las Vegas once-lofty casino slated for
demolition, and
the mystery of stolen money that might still be hidden there.
Journalist
Nedra Dean
has an eye for intrigue and a nose for trouble. What she doesn't have
is a
scoop that will make her feel like a million dollars.
And she's
not the
only one who's after the dough—and the truth.
Carolyn V.
Hamilton
fosters charm from the start through a host of fun characters, from
Desert
Palace Hotel & Casino owner Foxy Craig to Juniper Johnson, an
efficient
secretary charged with not only smoothing her boss' world, but
maintaining his
artificial jellyfish aquarium.
It's been
eleven
years since six million dollars vanished during a robbery. Foxy has
long been
obsessed with the building's layout and possibilities for recovering
the loot,
but with its impending sale and implosion, these possibilities are
about to
come to an end.
Or, will
they?
From
cocktail
waitress Linda Mayo and her fifty-two-year-old boyfriend KingBob
Berenson's
involvement in highly-placed drug clientele to changing relationships
and
feelings ("Lately she’d had the
thought that he reminded her of a slinkie—not real useful, but it would
be fun
to watch him tumble down the stairs."), Hamilton's story
traverses all
kinds of colorful characters from disparate walks of life who each have
their
eye on an elusive prize...and, now, a limited timeline for getting it.
From
Russians and a
"caviar picture" to Nedra's unexpected success with a
caviar-plane-bust story, Hamilton creates intrigue, subterfuge, and
mystery as
she surveys betrayal, lust, mafia influences, and greed against the
backdrop of
a hotel's demise.
Readers who
enjoy
blends of whimsical description, intriguing dilemmas, and the addition
of a flesh-eating
curse added to the action for good measure will find Implosion
replete with satisfying twists and turns. This will
delight mystery fans with laugh-out-loud encounters that inject
unexpected,
sometimes-black humor into the mix for a fresh taste of originality and
surprise.
Return to Index
Mind Trap
Matt Cost
Encircle Publications
978-1-64599-272-1
$27.99 Hardcover/$17.99 Paper/$4.99 ebook
www.encirclepub.com
Mind
Trap returns investigator Clay
Wolfe and his
partner Baylee Baker to mystery fans who enjoyed his prior appearance.
This
time, he's investigating a missing daughter, violent attacks, and
events
leading up to Leap Day which portend disaster.
The prologue begins a month prior, as a
woman bares every secret of her shameful past to twelve Disciples, who
sit in
judgment of her as part of a ritual to allow her to belong to their
cult.
Thirty-six hours of confession lead to what she thinks is the promise
of
enlightenment, but instead is the portent of horrors to come.
Chapter 1 introduces Clay Wolfe's first sign
of events that swirl around mother Martha Abbott, who has vanished
along with
her daughter, and the Port Essex world that Clay must probe in order to
find
them.
As facts emerge about Martha's emotional
abuse by her husband Doug, her decision to leave the material world
behind and
bring daughter Jenna along for the ride, and the evolving lure and
danger that
comes from Marduk and his high priestesses, the mystery grows around
the
community's people and their own hidden lives.
Matt Cost creates a fine story that
revolves around the
cult's tightening trip and the conundrums its members and outsiders
face in
dealing with its lure, and Clay's challenges in uncovering its members,
motivations, and threat.
A variety of characters come and go
(some are murdered) in
the course of Martha's pursuit and Clay's attempts to stop the
slaughters, but
the real strength of this story lies in unexpected expressions of
motivations
not just of the killers, but Clay's moral and ethical purposes: “We got a nice town, Crystal. I don’t like
what’s been happening. Sometimes you just got to do what’s right.” “I’m
just
yanking your chain to get you to say some fucking lame shit like that,”
Crystal
said, her voice warm with affection. “I know we got to do this. But,
Jesus,
that is some pure Mr. Rogers bullshit that just tumbled out of your
mouth.” She
left the doorway and went to her desk out of sight. Clay’s face
colored, not
helped by Baylee’s poorly suppressed chuckles. “What are you laughing
at?” he
asked. “I can picture you in a red button-down sweater and tie,” she
said. “All
of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or
receiving
help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world.
That’s one
of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of
us is a
giver and a receiver.”
One doesn't expect inspiration from
Mr. Rogers, nor the
undercurrent of humor that runs through character interactions to
inject comic
relief into serious challenges: “I love
Mr. Rogers. If I were you, I’d take it as a compliment.” “I’m more the
Eddie
Murphy version, don’t you think?” “Yeah, you’re real ghetto, as long as
the
hood has a twenty-four-hour dry cleaner,” Baylee said."
As the cult drives to gain the
ultimate reward (Heaven)
heighten the sense of urgency and danger, Cost excels in juxtaposing
swift
action with psychological and spiritual manipulation. Scenarios engross
readers
with accounts of cult methodology, mind games, and the wellsprings of
strength
that Clay must tap in order to overcome a charismatic leader and
smitten
believers.
Mind
Trap's contrast between
investigative
motivations, cult processes, and the method by which an ordinary but
psychologically damaged housewife turns killer makes for an absorbing
read.
It's not only filled with twists and turns that will delight murder
mystery
fans, but adds psychological insights that will attract readers who
look for
depth in their stories.
It's a top recommendation for prior fans,
but stands nicely alone for newcomers. Mind Trap
deserves a spot in any
collection strong in murder mystery writing.
Return to Index
The Narcissism of Small
Differences: A Noir Detective
Novel
Dennis Dorgan
Bookbaby
eBook: 9781098392284
Paperback: 9781098392277
print: $16.99; eBook: $4.99
https://store.bookbaby.com
The
Narcissism of
Small Differences is a fast-paced story that opens with a
mix-up situation
when a different ten-year-old child, Belfast-born Conor, is delivered
to
Grandmother Raven than the anticipated Ojibwe child Henri. The
substitute child
is mute, but Grandmother compels Conor to reveal his story to her
through a
series of blinks. What emerges is a striking account of a cojoined twin
separated from his brother, who died during the procedure. His fate was
sealed
when a bomb planted at a restaurant mixed his identity with that of
Henri
Bouchard, who remained in a foster home in St. Paul while Conor wound
up sent
to the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and Grandmother Raven.
Fate is a strange thing.
Cody's death has resulted in
alienation and suffering. The mix-up between the boys brings with it
new
possibilities.
The story quickly moves to
an investigative probe of a
psychopathic serial killer.
Delaney is a smart detective
with a hidden talent for
hypnosis and detecting lies. These twin abilities heighten his
effectiveness
and will prove a required asset to track a killer whose signature
method
involves placing an apple in his victims' throats.
Henri Bouchard's involvement
in the evolving case, a
police culture that reduces criminal activity but comes with a heavy
price tag
in an Agreement between police forces and criminal organizations, and
the
mystery of who killed Katheen Martin coalesce in a read that embraces
different
cultures and the forces driving them.
Dennis Dorgan is skilled at
evolving a whodunit detective
piece that works on many different levels. From tribal gifts and
abilities to
see differing forms of darkness and light to Owl Eyes Conor's
realization that
"“These divisions are the children
born of narcissism and fear. They are the kind of small differences
that have
led to patriotism, bigotry, cruelty and war,” The Narcissism of Small
Differences's messages
about
fate, psychic forces and abilities, choice, and leftover impacts of
childhood
experience makes for a gripping story.
Readers looking for intrigue
and detective stories that
operate on many different levels will find The
Narcissism of Small Differences more demanding (and thus
more satisfying)
than your typical crime piece. Its embrace of others cultures,
perspectives,
and life challenges create a multifaceted read that is satisfyingly
complex and
thoroughly engrossing.
Return to Index
Ninety-Five
Lisa Towles
Indies United
Publishing House, LLC
978-1644563342
$12.99 paper/$3.99 ebook
www.indiesunited.net
In Ninety-Five, Zak Skinner is a college
student bent on exposing a dangerous scheme—one that initially seems to
involve
a campus crime, but quickly evolves to a savvy crime ring that uses the
dark
web.
As the story
opens
with Zak's first-person observation of this scam in action, readers
receive a
fast-paced opening that talks of new beginnings and a frat environment
that
leads to a dangerous confrontation, even though Zak reflects that he is
"New to campus, barely social, not
wealthy. What attributes would be of value to them?"
Not only is
this not
the fresh start Zak and his mother had in mind by moving him from NYU
to the
University of Chicago, but it holds an immediate, different threat that
brings
with it the coordinates of an even greater danger.
Thriller
readers will
appreciate the time taken to describe both the college environment and
Zak's
encounter with a bigger picture of danger.
As the story
evolves
to where he is ambushed and separated from his support systems, Zak is
continually challenged to track down the truth—even if it means he will
be
pursued by powerful adversaries, and even if this means he has made the
leap
from concerned citizen and savvy college student to radical activist.
Zak's
social,
political, and investigative transformation is a powerful part of this
thriller. It enhances the suspense element as Zak walks a thin and
challenging
line that leads straight into a potential murder investigation.
As Zak and
his only
trusted friend Pat Riley field an increasing number of threats and
possibilities, they move from their college milieu into an adult world
replete
with different kinds of challenges.
Lisa Towles
excels in
keeping the action fast-paced, but always firmly rooted in Zak's
expanding
abilities, perceptions, and social and political savvy. Her depiction
of the
college environment and the move into adulthood are especially astute
and
realistic, embracing all the technological toys of modern times and the
attitudes of those who wield them with power and purpose.
The
underlying
psychological encounters that motivate and drive the characters are
very well
done: "His outlandish creation myth,
however, of being the vast force behind the whole operation, lacked
credibility
considering how desperate he looked asking me for the receipts. He was
pleading
with me, vulnerable almost, friendless in his tower of control, trying
to
appeal to my sense of compassion. Sorry, fresh out."
The result
is a
well-written romp through college and adult underworlds alike. Ninety-Five's ability to follow Zak
through a series of puzzles that challenge his survival skills and his
determination, as well as his problem-solving abilities and alliances,
makes
for a story hard to put down. Ninety-Five
is a standout in the genre of new adult thriller reads.
Return to Index
Performing Murder
Joseph LeValley
Book Press Publishing
978-1-947305-33-5
$27.95
Hardcover/$8.99 ebook
www.BookpressPublishing.com
A movie production comes to
the small rural Iowa town of
Orney, bringing with it a large cast of Hollywood actors, producers,
and
cameras. The town's excitement builds, in Performing
Murder; but the shoot turns lethal when a dead body is
discovered floating
in the country club swimming pool, further challenging the community
with
unwelcome change.
Tony Harrington (a writer
for the Orney Town Crier, one
of the smallest daily newspapers in the Midwest) was one of the
community
members most excited about the production. Ironically, a loved one
becomes a
murder suspect, and Tony is drawn to investigate. After all, it was he
who is
at least partially responsible for Hollywood's choice of Orney as a
shoot
location.
What he uncovers is a
hornet's nest of secrets and issues
that go far beyond perp and victim to strike at the heart of a town
Tony had
thought staid and straightforward, introducing questions and threats
that rock
the foundations of his world.
Joseph LeValley does an
outstanding job of involving
readers in this blossoming mystery, from the opening racy scenes in
which a
lovemaking couple stumble upon the body in the pool to Tony's love for
his
small town and his well-meaning efforts to see it (and his career as a
newspaper reporter) prosper.
Tony has stars in his eyes
about all the possibilities,
at first, but events quickly turn into something more sinister.
LeValley brings
both the intrigue and Tony's maturity process to life in a series of
encounters
that challenge Tony and readers to uncover the underlying influences
for not
just murder, but choosing evil over good.
Tony's coming of age and
relationships are nicely
described. They grow and change during the course of his interactions,
lending
the whodunit component a perfect combination of intrigue and
psychological
depth. This will especially delight suspense story readers seeking more
than a
simple investigative procedural alone.
Even when Tony's guesses
prove correct, the case is not
resolved. Instead, it takes another twist of danger that places Tony in
the
position of being responsible for another's life or death.
From the
undercurrents and forces that affect this small town from within and
outside to
Tony's growth process of becoming more savvy and effective, LeValley
creates a
compelling read, in Performing Murder,
that captivates on many different levels.
Return to Index
The
Reversible Mask
Loretta Goldberg
MadeGlobal Publishing
978-84-948539-5-1
$21.99 Paper/$2.99 ebook
Author website: www.lorettagoldberg.com
Ordering: www.amazon.com
Readers of
historical
mysteries will appreciate the Elizabethan backdrop of The
Reversible Mask, as well as its vivid portrait of 1500s life.
Sir Edward Latham makes the difficult decision to turn his
back on family
heritage, title, and political position in favor of following the
Catholic
religion, traveling to continental Europe.
As Europe's
religious
wars rise to threaten his Protestant family in England, Latham must
choose
between religion, country, and family in a difficult decision that
leads him to
accept the role of being a spy for Queen Elizabeth.
Loretta
Goldberg does
an exceptional job of depicting Latham's uncertain balance between
loyalty and
belief. Her ability to inject suspense and thriller components into a
historical setting and then add elements of social and philosophical
reflection
for a broader mix of dilemmas and subjects creates a full-faceted story
that
nicely captures the times.
Goldberg is
especially adept at portraying conflicting matters of the heart that
keep
Latham second-guessing his decisions and their consequences: "Latham’s feelings about this royal
progress were complex. He resented the discomfort and expense, the
accumulation
of small miseries for all but the sovereign. But he didn’t reject court
ceremonies. At a distance, he could almost
smirk at them, but almost was
the keyword. Up close, when he was
the bowing one, he thrilled at being a courtier and knight. At heart,
he was a
traditionalist, and protocols affirmed feudal hierarchy’s vital role in
warding
off anarchy. He had sound reasons for his ambivalence and was acutely
aware of
his inconsistency."
He occupies
a unique
and tricky position in the world that affords him many opportunities as
well as
unprecedented conundrums. This is as starkly portrayed as the actions
that
place him in jeopardy in a world of spymasters also working behind the
scenes.
Both
dialogue and
setting are compellingly written: "Elizabeth
turned in front of a gilded heraldic falcon on top of a striped pole.
She eyed
her spymaster without sympathy “Dour thoughts, Master Moor. Is hatred
of this
Dutch/Spanish truce braiding your gut? You’ll have to stop shrewing me
to send
English troops, the perils of which you won’t see.”
From battle
strategy
to pirates, Spanish warships, and political manipulations, Elizabeth's
rule is
shaken by spies, intelligence, and complex missions on both sides.
While
readers might expect that some basic familiarity with the times is a
prerequisite for enjoying this historical thriller, Goldberg provides
all the
background needed, winding it seamlessly into a series of encounters
that test
her protagonist's resolve, religious convictions, and political savvy.
Sit back and
enjoy
the cat-and-mouse games which play out in 1500s Europe. It's a story
that will
prove as engrossing to newcomers to the times as those already well
versed in
its culture and setting.
Return to Index
Shooting Star
Sasscer Hill
Misterio Press,
LLC
978-1947287228
$13.99 Paperback
https://SasscerHill.com/books
Shooting
Star is Book 5 in the Nikki
Latrelle thriller series, and opens not with a murder, but with the
thrill of a filming session: "The
movie camera’s dark eye unnerved me. Like a hungry bird of prey, it
swept after
me as I raced the horse down Santa Anita’s backstretch." This
unusual
introduction to a mystery thriller is the first indication that Sasscer
Hill's
story belies the usual formula production in favor of an original and
creative
approach to capturing and maintaining attention and building tension.
Horses, stunt acts, and
filming are only part of the
story that revolves around Nikki's latest task: to watch over and
protect the
horses being used to film a movie at Santa Anita Racetrack.
Complicating her
assignment is the fact that it comes from an ex-lover, while a sexy
Hollywood
actor has focused his attention on her, and an assassin on the set has
targeted
the cameraman standing right next to her.
This kicks Nikki's sleuthing
abilities into high gear as
her initial charge to protect the horses extends into an effort to
protect
everyone on the set from a deadly killer who has more in mind than a
random
shooting.
Mystery
readers who enjoy horses, Hollywood, and
dangerous confrontations alike will find Nikki a savvy sleuth who faces
the
blade of a knife, the whisper of a sniper's shot, and the tension of
movie-making efforts with equal courage despite any reservations about
her
roles: "A radio hooked to Pinky’s
belt clicked on. When a male voice said, “Ten minutes,” I felt like a
herd of
tiny wild horses was galloping in my stomach."
Hill's
descriptions
of the filming process, its politics and people, and Nikki's changing
role as a
protector and sleuth to a widening number of people creates a fast pace
that
also embraces roots in atmospheric description, from the California
backdrop to
new love actor Jamie's infatuation with her.
The focus on
her budding
romance, developing dangers and threats, and bigger pictures makes for
a story
that is more than a wrap. It's an engaging probe of the Hollywood film
industry
and a feisty female sleuth's determination to save what she
loves—including her
independent spirit—that will keep readers coming back for more as the
story
grows.
As with the
Dick
Francis mysteries, horses are an intrinsic part of the plot. Unlike
Francis,
Hill cultivates an emotional and psychological depth that keeps readers
completely engaged through Nikki's first-person perspective and
reflections of
her life and its latest challenges.
Mystery
readers who
want more than a light dose of thriller elements added for exquisite
tension
are in for a real treat in a story that should be added to any mystery
collection.
Return to Index
Shopping Can Be Deadly
Charlotte Stuart
Walrus Publishing
978-1940442426
$16.95
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Shopping-Deadly-Discount-Detective-Mystery/dp/1940442427
Website: www.charlottestuart.com
Shopping
Can Be
Deadly is the third book in the 'Discount Detective Mystery'
series and
revolves around widow and single mom Cameron Chandler, who works for
Penny-wise
Investigations as a detective. This is no ordinary PI agency. It bills
itself
as a 'discount' operation, is located in a mall between a candle shop
and a
notions store, and sports the catchy motto "Vigilance You Can
Afford."
Her job becomes harder when
a mall shooting leads to her
rescue by Gary, who confesses he was the target of the shooters,
engaged in a
secret operation gone awry.
Cameron agrees to take on
his case and finds herself in
over her head as she navigates a treacherous series of encounters that
places
her family in jeopardy, as well.
As a black dog, Operation
Cell Phone, and other
circumstances introduce complexity into a job that was supposed to be
straightforward, Cameron questions her career choice and its ultimate
impact on
her life: "Not that I blamed my
mother for being concerned about me being a single mom and having a job
that
brought a fair amount of uncertainty and disruption as well as
intermittent danger
into our lives. Although I was happier than I’d been in a long time and
loved
my job, I frequently questioned whether it was right to put my family
at risk
to satisfy the Nancy Drew fantasies of my childhood. I was all too
aware that
there are consequences for every choice made, for good and for bad
decisions."
Introspective considerations
like these pair nicely with
the action and tension created by her latest challenging case, making
Cameron's
world three-dimensional, believable, and compelling. Mystery readers
who like
believable female PIs whose lives are rooted in real-world conundrums
beyond
the investigative process itself will be delighted by Shopping
Can Be Deadly's multifaceted approach.
Whether fielding family
concerns or interpersonal connections
outside the home, Cameron is adept at considering the options, her
reactions,
and her responsibilities: "...it
makes me really angry. Bondo is so . . . so . . .” “Arrogant? Smarmy?
Deceitful? Rude? Overbearing? Am I coming close?” PW asked. “All of the
above.”
“If you let every man you meet who fits these labels get to you, you
will spend
a lot of time angry.” She sounded half-serious, like she had been
there.
“You’ve made your point. I will let it go.” Hearing the truth doesn’t
always
help when you’re angry, but intellectually I knew it was time to move
on."
This mystery is particularly
intriguing not just because
of its nonstop series of confrontations and threats, but because its
main
character takes the time to consider and wonder about her choices,
options, and
their ultimate effects on those around her.
Readers who like stories
that evolve to embrace
international affairs, yet remain thoroughly grounded in strong
characters
whose lives remain at the forefront of their decision-making processes,
will
relish the adventure and intrigue of a P.I. who faces personal and
political
conundrums as well as investigative challenges.
Return to Index
Against the Glass
Linda Habib
Feme Press
978-1-7375560-0-8
$16.99
Paper/$3.99 ebook
Author Website: www.lindahabib.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C27Z9N1
Against
the Glass
is a medical novel set in 1983 in New York City, where Dr. Candace
Madeleine
has just opened her fertility clinic. It feels like she's been holding
her
breath towards this moment for years. She's overcome a host of
obstacles and
years of setbacks to arrive at this moment, but remains shaken by the
possibility that her goal of fostering fertility will inevitably lead
to some
disappointments in some clients.
Rewind to the past that led
to this moment of uncertain
(to her mind) success, where Candace's story unfolds.
She's just another
nineteen-year-old involved with a
flighty football star who leaves her pregnant. When an abortion results
in
infertility, Candace becomes motivated to put her interest in science
to better
use, overcoming many pressures, both personal and social, to succeed in
a medical
field dominated by men.
From confrontations with
misogynists and fellow students
to a cruel professor determined to break her resolve, Candace faces
many
challenges beyond intellectual ability alone, that test her path
forward into
the medical field.
Young women who choose Against the Glass for its exploration of
a woman's path to success
may be surprised at the extent of the blatant prejudice and misogyny
Candace
faces during her journey. While these are realistically portrayed (and,
indeed,
created barriers to success to some of the first women of their
professions),
they are rarely talked about in much detail today, aside from casual
references.
Linda Habib's stark
presentation of situations that seem
incredible on the surface is actually a realistic representation of how
it felt
to be an ambitious young woman hitting a glass ceiling not just in the
business
world, but in school and science communities.
Habib's ability to bring all
this to life and yet follow
the wellsprings of Candace's determination to succeed against all
odds—including doubts in her own heart—drive a story line that is
explicit and
hard-hitting. Perhaps this will feel artificially powerful to some
readers, but
so little has been written about the many physical and social barriers
of these
times that, in this case, the novel's tendency to bludgeon readers with
shocking events and emotional impact is not just acceptable, but
necessary.
Against
the Glass
is highly recommended because, in order to understand the present, it's
essential
that the decisions and impact of decades past are fully understood. New
adult
readers fresh to these experiences and social atmospheres will find Against the Glass hard-hitting,
enlightening, and revealing.
Return to Index
As It Should Be
Shawna James
Drummond Martin Publishing
9781777257859
$17.95
https://www.amazon.com/Should-They-Loved-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B093RVCNYJ
Canadian couple Andrew and Stephanie think
they've found their dream home in Norway, but their dreams turn into
nightmares, forcing them to return to Canada where further trouble
awaits them.
As Shawna James unfolds the story of a
couple that manages to maintain their positive view of the world
against many
odds, readers gain an enlightening story of how attitude plays into
events to
change their outcomes and reinforce relationships.
The ongoing love between Andrew and
Stephanie is not shaken but is strengthened by these adversities. Their
family
connections are strong and, though tested, prove equally resilient as
James
crafts a story of redirected money and romance that holds many
satisfying
twists.
Love is a big part of this story, but so is
the ability to be resilient and proactive in the face of the
unexpected. Andrew
and Stephanie tackle problems head on and protect their family and each
other,
yet still hold an engaging trust that things will work out. As they
navigate
all these changes, their purposes and life only gets stronger. This
provides
readers with a positive perspective that comes full circle; from love,
into
love.
The blend of romance, intrigue, and
conundrums that test this love form the foundation of a vivid story set
against
the backdrop of Canadian culture.
As
It Should Be will please literary
female readers who
look for Canadian and Scandinavian settings, stories that revolve
around
intrigue, romance, family, and social and legal challenges that lead to
new
friendships, relationships, and strife.
It's recommended for romance readers and
literary collections alike—but especially for women who look for good,
clean
reading that juxtaposes action with thought-provoking discussions of
intention,
choice, and consequence.
Return to Index
The Best
Thing About
Bennett
Irene Wittig
Independently Published
9798746367600
$13.99 Paper/$19.99
Hardcover/$3.99 Kindle/$15.99 Large Print Edition
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Thing-About-Bennett-middle-aged-ebook/dp/B094GLPWBJ
Bennett Hall
is
taking early retirement against her will, but she's prepared to make
the move
with good grace. She's become "increasingly invisible" in her job
anyway, so the move, after twenty-seven years with Bancroft, Chandler
and Co.,
is not entirely unexpected.
Deemed
professionally
competent but socially incompetent, Bennett has persevered up to the
point that
her loyalty to the Company is rewarded by being let go, escorted out
the door
by a security guard.
Tired of the
rat race
of familiarity, Bennett decides to cultivate a quieter life. But fate
intervenes to introduce her to handsome widower Joe Muir and his two
adopted
Ugandan children; and with this event, many new possibilities divert
her from
her plan of self-isolation and quiet living.
As Bennett
absorbs
the poignant story of his losses, his childrens' trials and hidden
fears, and
how Joe came to end up in Wilmington, she is "shaken by the recognition
of
her own weaknesses" and comes to feel that her goals in life may be
wider-ranging
and more important than her quest to isolate and quietly vanish.
Bennett
keeps secrets
of her failures from Joe, yet continues to explore new possibilities
that even
lead to a new possible career. Her evolution will delight women who
look for
novels replete with growth and insights into how meaningful connections
are
formed in later life.
Irene Wittig
is
especially astute in following Bennett's upward learning curve, showing
how
Bennett moves from a staid life to one in which risks are taken and
opportunities
are not only perceived, but grasped with both hands.
Bennett's
search for
left-behind older girl Grace sends her to Uganda on a mission that is
about
redemption, resolution, and love.
Her
ability to move far past her carefully construed comfort zone to reach
into the
world results in rewards that introvert-type readers will especially
appreciate
for their challenges and difficulty.
Readers of
women's
literature will relish this eye-opening saga of personal and
interpersonal
transformation.
Return to Index
Cenotaphs
Rich Marcello
Moonshine Cove
Publishing
9781952439117
$14 paperback, $6.99 Kindle
Website:
www.richmarcello.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Cenotaphs-Rich-Marcello-ebook/dp/B097Q3WR2X
It seems
unlikely
that retired do-gooder Ben Sanna and New York hedge fun manager
Samantha
Beckett would move outside their comfort zones to form a relationship,
but in Cenotaphs, they meet in
Vermont and
marry their disparate interests and concerns in an unexpected manner.
Ben's story
opens
with a philosophical contemplation of his life: "The
parts recur––the son, the lover, the husband, the father, the
friend, the citizen. They come in whispers and fragments, in the
unwinding of
memory. They come in your smile, in the laughter of our children, in
nightmares, in bursts of violence against once precious objects. How do
you
gauge the parts of a life? Did I perform any of them well? How do you
summon
them into an unfettered whole?"
Ben's
longing for
"a more structured time" and his attempts to reconcile past with
present and his evolving memory and feeling of loss contrasts with Sam
Beckett's detour off the highway, which brings her into Ben's world.
Sam has
developed her
own unique method of establishing her power and abilities in any
encounter with
strangers: "Putting men on the
defensive, at least at the start, comforted me. I wanted them to
believe I had
all the power, to cower to my skills and intelligence, to glimpse who
I’d
become, glimpse the impenetrable just underneath. And most of the time
they
did."
She's never
met a
wise, kind old man like Ben. Ben doesn't think he is either, but he has
cultivated the finer art of listening well.
As the two
interact
on different levels, their viewpoints change. So does the reader's
expectations
of their relationship and the process of entwining lives later in life.
Rich
Marcello does a
fine job of exploring these transition points. Readers can expect a
good degree
of philosophical reflection on aging and growth as Ben surveys his
present and
considers the past events that brought him to this point.
He's
especially good
at presenting perspectives that embrace both the aging process and the
evolution of a special brand of wisdom that allow Ben unexpected
flexibility
and understanding later in life: "Old
men love each other more. Collectively, we’ve witnessed the ups and
downs of
life and, as a result, we’re not so competitive about the things of our
youth.
We don’t care about promotions, getting the beautiful woman, money, or
winning
in general. Sometimes I see young men fighting, lusting, or working at
the
expense of all else, and I wish I could tell them about us old guys,
about how
those things don’t matter much. Though if I could magically tell my
younger
self what I now believed, my younger self wouldn’t listen."
Sam and Ben
are on
track to be completely honest with one another—the good, the bad, and
the ugly.
Their relationship, revelations, and the impact of their choices both
in the
past and with each other create a powerful story of love, loss, and how
friendships and connections evolve. This will attract audiences
interested in
the aging process and the value of love in later life.
Thought-provoking,
poignant, and psychologically gripping, Cenotaphs
offers a satisfying emotional inspection that is revealing and
passionate: a
rare glimpse into platonic love, friendship, and later-life changes.
Return to Index
Clochán
Lawrence P. O’Brien
LoonCE
978-1-7778155-0-9
$17.99
www.lawrenceobrien.ca
Novel
readers who look for vivid historical tales of Ireland will find Clochán a powerful story set during the
Irish Rebellion of 1798, where child Kevin Neal loses everyone he loves
to a
war that continues to roar through his world, changing everything.
As an
orphaned survivor, Kevin is determined to face the beasts that appeared
to him
in a battle scene, in his dreams, and among the shadows of the dead
that keep
falling. Kevin’s attempt to keep Anastasia (Anty) Kelly safe is made
difficult
as he tries to deal with the superstition, lawlessness, corruption, and
sectarian violence in a restless, threatened countryside.
More so
than most historical novels about this era, Lawrence P. O’Brien
cultivates an
ability to bring the early 1800s to life through Kevin's eyes as he
evolves
from child to man. The focus on postwar experiences, ongoing struggles,
and
elusive promises keeps him alive and engaged as friendships form,
break, and
are lost, providing life to the period and enhancing a compelling saga.
Kevin’s
journey takes him full circle in unexpected ways as he embraces a
mystery and a
mission, manages to survive both, and acquires a newfound purpose.
Readers
seeing through his eyes absorb the milieu of the times, politics, and
the
impact of war and tragedy in the Irish south-east.
Clochán's ability to capture a singular
experience and
expand its circle of encounters and to take in the changed worlds,
perceptions,
and objectives of a range of intersecting characters reflects a vivid
story,
indeed.
Return to Index
Despite the
Devil
Shawna James
Drummond Martin
Publishing
978-1-7772578-3-5
$17.95 Paper/$22.95
Hardcover/$20.00 Audio/$3.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Despite-Devil-Loved-Collection-BOOK1/dp/1777257832
Despite the Devil is the first book of
the They Loved collection
and is a fine romance about meeting the perfect man, only to discover
that he
comes with baggage.
Co-worker
Andrew, the
new sports teacher, attracts fellow teacher Stephanie; first physically
and
then with a demeanor she finds appealing: "Stephanie
gazed at Andrew’s clean-shaven, long and slender face. His dark green
eyes were
captivating. His brown hair was neatly combed to the side. His eyebrows
were
thick and kind of joined in the middle, and his nose looked even
sharper from
the angle at which Stephanie was now looking at him. Girl, he’s
handsome!’
Stephanie thought, And that accent!’ There they stood, both having
embarrassed
themselves by saying foolish things and not wanting to say anymore."
As the story
(and the
relationship) unfold, Stephanie must consider whether Andrew's appeal
is worth
the trouble he introduces to her world.
Shawna James
does a
fine job of juxtaposing passion and practical everyday living with the
circumstances of a blended family that makes romance not a
straightforward,
linear production, but something more complex.
Even after
commitment, Stephanie finds that threats from the past and financial
difficulties introduce stress into her vision of 'happily ever after'.
It's not
enough to always belay that feeling, but the conflicts that evolve
challenge not
just Stephanie but her new family as they struggle to get back on their
feet.
The
realistic life
details of Despite the Devil makes
for a story that is a notch above more staid or predictable romances.
Both
Andrew and Stephanie struggle with past, present, and future, but the
positivity that each harbors for the outcome of their relationship and
newfound
family unit is always a part of the bigger picture.
James
presents these
challenges in a satisfyingly meaningful way that will keep readers
engaged in the
story and interested in the outcome of Stephanie's pursuit of love and
life.
This lends
to a
special brand of romance that builds on relationships, revelations, and
a fun,
idyllic life that embraces movement and change on more than one level.
Romance
readers
seeking the passion of love married to the practicality of evolution
will
welcome Despite the Devil 's
special
blend of romance, intrigue, and family life.
Return to Index
The Imperial
Orchid
Nicola Italia
Cresting Wave
Publishing
A Five Birches
imprint
978-1-7354135-7-0
Paperback: $9.99/Kindle: $1.99
https://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Orchid-Nicola-Italia-ebook/dp/B097QZ36WC
The Imperial Orchid is a historical
romance recommended for readers
who like their stories rooted in horticulture, history, and adventure.
It is
set in England at the end of the Victorian era, where an expedition is
mounted
to locate rare orchids from faraway Ceylon.
Frances
Wakefield is
a female illustrator and expert chosen for this largely male endeavor,
selected
by Lord Holloway himself, president of the Royal Horticultural Society
in
London, to make the journey.
When a
stopoff in
Egypt adds Lord Holloway's spoiled, obnoxious son to the roster,
Frances
problems begin to surface. And when they arrive at their destination
only to
find a competing group with an equal interest in the rare orchid is set
on
thwarting their mission, all hell (and love) break loose.
Nicola
Italia adeptly
captures the atmosphere, times, botanical interests, and interpersonal
relationships to fuel a vivid story of adventure that operates on more
than one
level.
The Imperial Orchid is everything a
historical romance reader will
like, blending action and adventure into the romance and adding depth
through
factual backgrounds and history to keep the story alive and compelling.
Italia's
attention to
detail and description adds three-dimensional value to a plot that is
as astute
about describing romance as it is about contrasting a professional
woman's
goals with matters of the heart, as in this passage, where Frances
prepares for
her long journey around the world: "She
remembered being underneath the bed, looking at him in the darkness,
feeling a
sense of closeness and intimacy that unnerved her. His words seemed to
echo in
her ears: I was alone with a lovely
woman for ten minutes or more, and I didn’t kiss her once. She
felt
uncomfortable recalling the conversation, remembering his hot eyes on
her. She
sat up suddenly, pulling the pins from her hair and letting the locks
fall down
her back. She had no time to dwell on frivolous thoughts when she had
so many
more important things to think about and plan."
Her
encounters with
an at-first unwanted potential romance are lively and include an
undercurrent
of humor in many of the passages: “When
he dragged you into the broom closet,”
he said, emphasizing the words, “how did he pull you into his arms?
Cautiously,
not wanting to scare you, or more aggressive like this?” He pulled her
tightly
against him. She looked up into his handsome face, trying to keep her
breathing
normal. “I wonder if the London Zoo is missing any of their gorilla
population?” she said, pushing her hands against his chest."
Whether
describing
the heart of passion or the heat of intrigue, suspense, and discovery, The Imperial Orchid is a vivid, moving
story that romance and history readers will find energetic, with strong
characters and an underlying subplot adding authenticity and spice to
the
interpersonal connections.
Return to Index
In the Palace of the Great King
Julie Ash
Verbum Bonum Books
978-0-578-94257-5
$24.99
www.julieash.com
In
the Palace of
the Great King is subtitled
"a Catholic novel." What does this mean? It means that Julie Ash has
embedded within her story a sense of religion and culture that sets it
into the
category of astute religious reading as it explores prayers,
parishioners,
priests, and the meanings and contradictions of Catholic influence on
ordinary
peoples' lives.
Ash provides thoughtful inspections of these
lives as she introduces devout characters who reflect the rituals and
beliefs
of the modern Catholic Church while considering its impact and
influence: "Priests
and bishops never talk about Hell anymore, she reflected. It didn’t
seem to fit
with the modern idea of a loving, forgiving God. But many of the saints
had had
powerful, life-changing visions of Hell and Purgatory. Mother
Bonaventure hadn’t heard of any modern
saints reporting visions of Jesus saying, “No, my child, you don’t
understand.
When I said to fear the one who could send body and soul to Hell, I was
only
speaking metaphorically.” Until then, she intended to go right on
praying for
God’s mercy on the dying and the salvation—the saving—of souls. No need
for a
Savior if there is nothing to be saved from, she thought."
From dwindling numbers of young people
choosing to enter the priesthood to radical assaults upon the Church in
the
1960s and 70s, Mother Bonaventure faces vocation problems and
challenges,
changes after forty years of devotion and a sense of place and purpose,
and
interacts with contemporary families who hold different ideas of
Catholicism's
relevance in their lives.
These issues are brought to the forefront by Char
and Tia, the main characters, who come to the monastery from very
different
backgrounds and experience, defying cultural norms and familial
expectations.
Each girl struggles with issues of identity and belonging—Tia is
biracial and
growing up in a single-parent home with a special needs brother, while
Char
experiences social awkwardness and isolation despite having privileged
parents.
Catholic readers, in particular, will
consider Julie Ash's novel to be thought-provoking as it presents the
Catholic
Church's milieu with a contemporary twist that embraces adult and
childrens'
perceptions alike. One example is how Char's friend Celia maintains
that the
movie E.T. is actually an allegory for the story of Jesus.
As readers absorb the characters and lives
presented in In the Palace of the Great King, they receive lessons in how Christian and
Catholic beliefs are embedded in and reflect all kinds of lives, at all
levels
of society.
Daily life challenges experienced by the
girls and their families reflect the presence and evolution of
spirituality and
belief in everyday circumstances and experiences.
From descriptions of parishes and threats to
their existence to metaphysical spiritual beings and dimensions of
influence
that emerge, Julie Ash crafts an iconic tale of demons, angels,
beliefs, and
the reality of what it means to give one's life to God. This will
delight
Christian readers in general and Catholic audiences in particular.
The blend of contemporary perspectives and
dilemmas and struggles between good and evil forces within church,
self, and
spiritual realms is nicely done, contrasting monastery life with
everyday
experiences and perceptions in a satisfyingly religious inspection.
Return to Index
Just My Luck
Lelia Coles & Rosilyn Seay
PicBooks Publishing
978-0-9985576-5-6
$12.99
Paper/$6.99 ebook
http://picbookspub.com
Just
My Luck
portrays Tina Brooks and her mother Antoinette, who have each been
victims of
circumstances, life events and just all-over bad luck.
As a young girl, Antionette
(Twanie) became a victim of
abuse, which led to single motherhood and the end of many dreams. Is
daughter
Tina destined to follow in her footsteps when Antoinette vanishes and
leaves
her thirteen-year-old daughter to fend for herself?
Thankfully, strangers come
to the young girl’s rescue.
But later, as Tina navigates her changed world, she is faced with a
co-worker's
murder and secrets that affect her future, she finds that more than
luck is
involved in affecting the course of her life and her choices.
Sisters and authors Lelia
Coles and Rosilyn Seay create a
realistic, powerful account of women under siege in many ways; from
both within
and their own experiences and choices, and in the environments they
move
through.
As murder and intrigue
threaten Tina's motel job and her
personal well-being, readers are drawn into a story that operates as
both a
murder mystery and a social commentary piece: "Just
like that, everything changed. We all agreed that the person
who committed the awful crime was a threat to all of us, mostly me. The
man
from the bathroom had seen my face and he knew exactly where to start
looking
for me, even if I couldn’t remember what he looked like."
Tina's versatility, survival
instinct, and ability to
absorb many changes in her situation create a powerful protagonist who
does
more than just survive adversity. She tackles it head-on with full
knowledge
that her heritage and its influences are affecting her future wellbeing
and
ability to move beyond her mother's world.
Readers will find this story
compelling not just in how
Tina and her group of friends tackles problems, but how she grows
relationships, solves problems, and comprehends new situations that
come with
challenges—and opportunities—connected to the past.
Lelia Coles and Rosilyn Seay
create a compelling story of
a spunky, savvy young woman's coming of age. Her problems, solutions,
and
discoveries come with a charge to "go find herself." How Tina does so
goes beyond expectations in a gripping story that fully embraces love,
death,
and a life that evolves to reach past adversity to new possibilities.
The portrait of this process
will especially appeal to
readers of women's contemporary fiction, urban fiction, and African
American
literature. But any reader will find, in Tina and her mother, role
models for
perseverance and flexibility.
Return to Index
Messianic
Reveal
Ethan T. Burroughs
Morgan James
Publishing
9781631951459
$16.95
www.MorganJamesPublishing.com
Messianic Reveal is a Clayton Haley
action-packed political
adventure that should be high on the reading lists of anyone who would
absorb
the history, culture, and politics of the clashes between Shia and
Sunni forces
in the Arab world.
Because
these
encounters are key to understanding much of what drives and challenges
the
historical and modern Middle East, this novel's backdrop and easy way
of
absorbing the personal impact of these conflicts is especially
important.
Another
facet to
mention before the plot is revealed is that author Ethan T. Burroughs
holds
personal familiarity with the Middle East, having developed
connections,
friends, and personally lived and worked in the region. He bases his
fiction on
events which are either true or otherwise widely believed as being true
in the
Middle East.
Clayton
Haley is
fulfilling his consular duties when he meets a man he thinks could be
connected
to the 1979 Grand Mosque siege in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
When he
investigates,
he uncovers a host of political connections and a plot that moves from
the
Middle East through Europe to affect Western and Middle East interests
alike.
The more
that Clayton
investigates, the more he learns of a convoluted history that underlies
not
just modern-day conflicts, but the special challenges of his own
duties: "To understand current relations, you
must know history, and if you don't mind me saying, you Americans
aren't very
good history students. I think you spend more time trying to make
history than
studying it."
His
ignorance as well
as his increasing cultural and political savvy place him in the heart
of danger
as Clayton comes to discover that evolving crimes hold dangerous
impacts and
implications beyond their singular enactment.
As hot
missions,
interrogations, threats, and a new assignment as a political officer
challenge
his growth, experience, and evolution on personal and political levels,
readers
gain a vivid insight into the complex mire of Middle East politics that
is
spiced by conspiracy in a story which becomes hard to put down.
Given the
complexity
of Middle East history and relationships, it's a real achievement to be
able to
describe all these undercurrents of controversy against a backdrop of
so much
information, yet tailor it in such a way that newcomers to these
details still
find them absorbing. This is an intrinsic part of why the thriller
component
plays out so strongly and smoothly.
Messianic Reveal is a powerfully-written,
fact-backed suspense
story that reviews the challenges of American diplomacy and
perceptions, the
realities of life in the Middle East, and the special assignments and
conundrums of one man who finds himself caught in the middle of it all,
acting
as a pivot point in a series of extraordinary encounters.
Return to Index
Nevergreen
Andrew Pessin
Open Books
978-1948598521
$17.95
Paper/$9.99 ebook
http://www.open-bks.com/library/moderns/nevergreen/about-book.html
Nevergreen
is
an academic satire that primarily targets campus “cancel culture” and
its
excesses, as its title, a nod to the notorious 2017 controversy at
Evergreen
State College, suggests. But also it is a novel about irreverence,
chance, and
the perils of academia as a disillusioned middle-aged physician is
tapped to
offer a lecture about his peculiar art and medical knowledge
lending to
paintings of corpses and dissections.
The first indication that J.
has entered a nefarious
world rather than a simple college campus job is when his driver to the
school
invites him to choose directions at a fork in the road, then lets him
know that
"all ways lead to the
asylum."
The funk J.
has
experienced in his life prior to this point is typical of middle age: "The truth
was,
of course, that there was nothing wrong with being a
physician, and a
reasonably successful one—even if he was losing faith in the
contemporary
practice of medicine, was painfully aware that every patient ended up
deceased
no matter how he treated them, and even more painfully aware that he
had
already crossed the hump of his own life and was very much on the
descent. Yes,
something was surely off lately, more than just lately. His gentle
demeanor had
developed rougher edges; his great capacity for compassion was
declining; his
once legendary sense of humor was becoming, how did Debra put it, more
mythical."
But the
fruits of his
odd passion and interest, and the course of his life as he becomes a
central
point in a swirl of cancel controversy that assumes a dangerous
overtone,
create a story that is far more than the initially anticipated tale of
a
middle-age crisis.
Andrew Pessin injects into
his character's experiences a
newfound purpose as J. is shaken from his comfort zone to becomes mired
in the
campus's philosophical, political, and social controversies.
J.'s obsession with the
medieval image of “Wound Man,” a
medical textbook figure illustrated with every type of bodily wound,
dovetails
with the mystery and threat surrounding the campus, his new life, and
its
choices.
Pessin excels in vivid
descriptions of this life, which
at times may be described as long 'run-on' sentences, but which impart
the
passion and color of J.'s evolving world: "If
Wound Man now resembled J. so too did these agents of hatred, as they
were all
wearing the masks that Big Chief Corrie had had made from the
photograph, the
large masks with J.’s face on them with sinister slits cut for their
eyes
within the sinister shadows of his
eyes in the photo, the masks handed to them as they were expelled into
the
environment, streamed into every hexant and beyond, hollering and
whooping and
signaling their V for virtue signs, their V for Wagner’s “Valkyries”
that was
pumping all over from the campus speakers."
Pessin's
ability to
inject dark humor into this story of evolving intrigue and change, as
well as
his review of campus personalities, life, and social conflict, creates
a
literary examination that is engrossing, unexpected, and colorful in
its
evolution.
Readers looking for a
novel that blends college life with an aging physician's stumble into
an alien
world that challenges his life and perceptions will find Nevergreen
eerie, terrifying, and unexpectedly, darkly
fun as it romps through J. and his wife Debra's world and turns
everything
upside down with new realizations.
Return to Index
One
Afternoon in
April
Pete KJ
Kindle Direct
Publishing
9781732563322
$1.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C6FGP3Z?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
One Afternoon in April is a literary novel about
racial interactions and
opens with an unusual encounter between a white older woman ("WOW")
and a Black woman who owns an alpaca.
Thirty-nine-year-old
Eugenia ("Genie") Mitchell is hiking a trail in April, with her
alpaca Evan in an effort to clear her head when an unexpected clash
between her
and the WOW involves witness Max, a "cute young Asian dude" who rides
a mountain bike and who observes that Genie is a very different kind of
person,
from her colorful clothing to her choice of pet.
The
time is
post-Coronavirus, where people are emerging from hiding to re-enter a
changed
world. Unfortunately, some things haven't changed, and the
confrontation which
ensues from this chance encounter wraps three very different
individuals in a
dance of changing perspectives, purposes, and prejudice.
As
Max, Genie,
and Amy find their lives coalescing in unexpected new ways, travel
opens up as
their possibilities grow. Ties to the past become less solid; from the
one-year
anniversary of the death of Amy's husband (for which she will never
forgive
herself) to Genie and Max's ability to move between countries again,
embarking
on new discoveries.
Amy's
decision
to pursue justice for the perceived threat Genie's alpaca poses, and
the moral
and ethical conundrums that play out both in court and outside of the
law, make
for involving reading as the characters pursue different desires for
revised
lives, post-Corona.
Pete
KJ crafts a
memorable story that embraces these changing perceptions, challenged
lives, and
the dreams and destinies of all three characters. As Genie dodges one
bullet
only to find that she faces more strife, the lives of all three grow,
change,
and become interconnected in unexpected ways.
The
changing
points of view are wonderfully done, allowing for a full-faceted feel
of each
character's purposes, past, and perceptions. Their contrasts in
approaches to
life, grief, and recovery are nicely portrayed and promote depth in a
saga of
how lives change under duress.
Readers
looking
for a story of racial interactions and post-Coronavirus transformations
will
find One Afternoon in April an excellent story of
adversity, recovery,
and the processes and encounters which challenge and change hearts and
minds.
It’s a literary novel replete in social and psychological interplays
and
inspections, designed to keep readers thinking about the roots of
prejudice,
love, and change.
Return to Index
The Price of
Betrayal
Phillip Otts
D.X. Varos, Ltd.
9781955065-06-1
$18.95 Paper/$4.99 ebook
Publisher: www.dxvarous.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Price-Betrayal-Harvey-McCrary-Adventure-ebook/dp/B098M2WSQC
Historical
fiction
readers who choose The Price of Betrayal
will discover that Phillip Otts spins another fine tale set in Civil
War times.
It's especially recommended for those already familiar with and
following the
prior Harvey and McCrary series titles because its grand finale ties in
so well
to these prior events, providing a satisfying conclusion to the saga of
brothers John and Martin, who share a father but very little else.
Indeed, John
and
Martin represent the epitome of the nation's divide. Harvey is a freed
slave
and John is white. When a shipwreck throws them together, their
heritage and
the backdrop of war changes their lives and perceptions.
In The Price of Betrayal, the brothers'
experience at Fort Sumter is long over, and they have parted. Years
later,
McCrary’s daughter locates her uncle, who is hiding and living in the
Caribbean
where the family narrative he relates continues to affect and change
new
generations.
Harvey's
dream of
making a new life for himself and his family hasn't come to fruition,
and
murder has left him isolated with dreams that never came true.
The arrival
of his
niece awakens the pain of these losses, and as he and Anne McEachen
share their
family stories and make new discoveries about truths they hadn't known
before,
their lives and perceptions of past, present and future changes.
The stories
of
heroes, traitors, and American involvements in the Caribbean move from
American
soil to international waters as Harvey becomes involved in rebellion,
attacks,
and the lasting impact of America's slavery actions and history. The
fight in
Charleston has followed him to the Sea Islands. Will he ever find
peace, and
will the conflict ever subside?
From
Reconstruction
politics and processes to how life in the Caribbean was affected by
events on
American soil, Phillip Otts brings all the social, political, and
personal
facets of change to life.
Readers who
want a
much broader inspection of the Civil War's effects at home and abroad
will find
Otts especially adept at translating this history into personal lives
and
perceptions.
His focus on
loyalty,
courage, betrayal, and the lasting price of civil war brings the times
to life,
adding the final piece of the puzzle for prior fans of the two brothers
and
their tumultuous times.
As a
powerful
conclusion to the story, The Price of
Betrayal should not be missed.
Return to Index
The Pursued
and the Pursuing
AJ Odasso
DartFrog Books
978-1953910875
$17.99 paper/$4.99 Kindle
www.DartFrogBooks.com
Readers of LBGTQ
romance will find much to like about The Pursued and the Pursuing, which builds upon F. Scott Fitzgerald's
literary classic The Great Gatsby. Quite a different turn of
events takes place when
Jay Gatsby survives the bullet to take on a very different life and
pursuit of
happiness—with a man.
Gatsby is not the only
Fitzgerald character to return
from the dead. Daisy Buchanan, too, reappears...only
to find that Nick and Gatsby are a couple who have built a life
together—a beacon of hope for her teenage daughter, Pam, who envisions
a
different life than the one toward which her parents are trying to
steer her.
Narrated by Nick, Jay's
companion, The Pursued and the Pursuing
romps through Gatsby's world with an
attention to social norms, changing ideals and values, and a brand of
honesty
flourished by Pam that challenges the adults around her: "You
must be awfully smart, Uncle Nick, to make Mother so afraid,”
the girl continued, and I felt a thrill of hope at the winking sarcasm
in her
voice. “Mother’s very afraid
of
smart people.” At this juncture, I heard a struggle in which the phone
got
wrestled away from Pam. “As you might have guessed,” said Daisy,
breathlessly,
“I can’t take her anywhere.” “Oh, I don’t know about that,” I said
coolly. “I
think Boston will like her just fine.”
Wry humor, observational
ironies, and social inspections
embrace the diverse personalities of Gatsby, Nick, Pam, and Daisy,
producing
thought-provoking conversations and delightful moments: “Jacqui
thinks we’ll be too soft with each other,” Pam scoffed. “She
told us to, I quote, go home and do
some research. That was awfully cagey. Before you ask,
she knows about
us. What’s the difference, whether it’s love between men, or love
between women
or love between anything else? It all looks the same to me. She must’ve meant something
different.”
As Pam and Daisy change Nick
and Jay's lives, readers who
have recently reread The Great Gatsby
will, in particular, delight at AJ
Odasso's ability to stay true to literary precedent while formulating a
very unusual
take on Gatsby's evolution.
Readers of
the
classic who want a contemporary twist and the same attention to social
inspection,
but carried a notch further, will find The Pursued and the Pursuing an excellent tour de force, and a fun
extrapolation of events.
Return to Index
Pursuit: The
American
Way
Thomas Holladay
Cinema
Enterprises
ASIN:
B098KZCZSG
$4.99
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098KZCZSG
PURSUIT: The American Way is sequel to DELIBERATE JUSTICE: The American Way and
brings back that novel's
main character, Major, the Count Mikhail Diebitsch-Zabalkansky as Mike
Zabel
(Count Mike), a San Francisco Family man. He holds the limelight as a
relentless killer operates against the backdrop of early post-Civil War
San
Francisco.
Pursuit takes
place on many levels, from Mike's pursuit of a murderous cannibal who
threatens
Mike's family and home to the hunt of justice for immigrants of
different races
while he fights old foes who arrive in San Francisco seeking vengeance
for
perceived wrongs of the past.
While
familiarity
with Mike's history in the previous novel will lend a special
appreciation for
the background that leads to events in Pursuit,
newcomers will
easily fall into the story's present circumstances and references to
past
history as they absorb Count Mike's latest adventures.
No longer a
Russian
immigrant learning about American ways, he's found a solid place for
himself in
San Francisco, and is respected by many. His involvement in the social
and
political issues of his times is personalized by confrontations with
friends,
enemies, and a social order shaken by a sadistic killer whose
objectives are
forever changing and deadly.
Thomas
Holladay
neatly walks the line between history, action, and adventure as he
narrates the
story, incorporating early California history and personalizing events
through
the eyes of the Count, his family and friends, and those who oppose
him.
The result
is a fine,
multifaceted story that brings the times to life without requiring any
knowledge about the era or the prior book's adventure.
Pursuit:
The
American Way is historical fiction at its best.
It's lively,
replete
with changing dilemmas, and features a central character who continues
to find
his way in America's culture, introducing a broad spectrum of special
interests
and approaches that influence San Francisco's growth. This compelling
story
provides just the right amount of psychological and social inspection
to keep
the tale vivid and fast-paced to the end.
Return to Index
The
Reunion
Gary Wells
Independently
Published
978-1736475713
$14.99 paper/$7.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Reunion-Coming-Age-Aquarius/dp/1736475711
The Reunion: Coming
of Age in the Age of Aquarius is
a historical novel that will especially
appeal to readers enamored of the 1960s. It revolves around memory
savant Nick
Taylor, who (sometimes unfortunately) can't forget anything he's
experienced in
life. His trip down memory lane emerges full force when he decides to
attend
the 50th reunion of the Class of 1969; there to confront his coming of
age
experiences and the legacy of growing up in the 1960s.
The
first thing
that catches the eye is the chapter titles. The descriptions each are
compelling, whimsical, and a portent of the tone Gary Wells cultivates
in this
romp through the past: “The Mighty Quinn” -- Nick talks to
his best friend
from high school and college—a ski coach in the West—who finally
arrives. He’s
as extroverted as Nick is introverted. They still give each other crap,
but
never crap on each other. You want to keep friends like that. They’re
hard to
find."
Another
strength
to this story that keeps it lively and involving is the attention to
dialogue
and interactions which also preserve a sense of humor and fun
throughout: “Would
you like some Clorets?” Bren fished in her purse. “Anytime someone
suggests
Clorets,” I said as we drove, “I make it a habit to accept. I always
figure
there’s a reason for the offer.” We both laughed. That was about as
smooth as I
could be. After all, if I tried to woo a girl by saying, “Come with me
to the
Casbah,” it was likely to come out as, “Come with me to the Cash Bar.”
As
Nick selects
memories to explore and considers what sparks some over others, readers
come to
know not just his life story and relationships with family and friends,
but the
major influences of the times.
Much
in the way
of Proust, songs and other stimulations provoke the emergence of
memories that
bring the sights, smells, and sensations of the times to life.
Everyone
harbors
their own memories of this era, which often are softened or
misinterpreted over
time. Nick's power lies in a recall that defies these modern
interpretations to
reveal the truth of what really was experienced. And it's not always a
welcome
revelation to others—or himself: “Tracks of My Tears” by
Johnny Rivers. Are
there tracks of my tears? Ha, no. They flow way too wide on my face to
leave
tracks. More like four-lane highways. I drove down back roads, on a
shortcut
learned from my dad, one day that summer singing THAT song at the top
of my lungs."
Readers
who join
Nick on this walk down memory lane will discover a serious inspection
couched
within the guise of wry humor that considers choices, consequences, and
the
lasting impact of the 1960s.
More
so than
most novels set in this era, The Reunion captures
not just a sense of
the times, but uses the vantage point of decades later to consider what
was
important then, and how it translates to and affects life today.
Anyone
with a
special interest in the 1960s will find The Reunion
an unexpected journey
that re-evaluates the best and worst years of American history and the
protagonist's life.
Return to Index
A River For Gemma
Debra Whiting Alexander
The Wild Rose Press
978-1-5092-3406-6
$18.99
paper/$5.99 ebook
www.debrawhitingalexander.com
In A
River For
Gemma, the small town of Sugar Creek, Oregon is home to
twenty-six-year-old
Gemma Porter, who has long ago been assigned the label of being
intellectually
disabled.
This designation has
affected parts of her life; but not
her grandmother's love. Her warm relationship with her grandmother
leads Gemma
to want to be a mother herself, to pass on this Porter legacy.
But what she doesn't know
can thwart her dreams, and as
she discovers a hidden secret of the past which rears as a threat to
her future
happiness and ambitions, readers become drawn into a story replete with
insights about Gemma's real abilities.
Debra
Whiting
Alexander writes with a passionate, descriptive hand that exudes color
and she
defies pat categorization of her characters, instead celebrating their
strengths: "...the world would not
accept the truth about Gemma Porter—even though it radiated from her
like
Creator’s flaming medallion in the sky. Yet the truth was simple. Gemma
had
different abilities, not “disabilities.” And it was Gemma who sparked a
chain
of miracles that year."
Her blend of
candid
assessment and embrace of the miracles and surprises that lie in
relationships,
ambitions, and potential is a breath of fresh air in the family
relationship
novel genre, offering readers a tangible sense of place and person
through
descriptions that wrap themselves around the smells, tastes, and
perceptions of
the characters.
Gemma is
portrayed
not as a dependent adult/child, but an independent young woman who
holds a job,
has her own apartment, and holds emotional and empathetic abilities
that more
than make up for any intellectual deficiency.
From her
lifelong
friendships with local Native Americans and others to encounters with
the
spirits of the dead and living and truths that reach out from beyond
the grave
to shake up her worldview, Gemma's perspective is nicely supplemented
by other
characters that revolve around and affect her world.
As mothers' hearts
past, present, and possible future are revealed and tested, A
River For Gemma
becomes a
sterling story of love, threats, and a grandfather's dying wish that
drives the
confrontations which Gemma and her grandmother face from too-familiar
local
forces.
A
River For Gemma
blends action, intrigue, and suspense into its family saga. It's an
exceptional
presentation of how Gemma navigates and sees her world and belays any
notion
that intellectual challenges translate to deficiencies in emotional
maturity
and the ability to make good decisions and lead an effective, loving
life.
This facet, especially,
makes A River For Gemma recommended
as inspirational reading for a wide
audience.
Return to Index
Root of All
Evil
Ayura Ayira
BroadwayDern
Publishing
ASIN:
B09BJWV7YY
Price: Tokens unlock
episodes
ROOT
OF
ALL EVIL | Kindle Vella (amazon.com)
"Sometimes the only response to unspeakable cruelty
is
cruelty."
In Root of All Evil, a child groomed to be
a soldier grows up to become a ruthless political leader in a story
that offers
not just a compelling vision of how evil is cultivated, but what
happens when
the roots of childhood expand into adult pursuits.
Zayani Ada
is rich
and renowned for her wealth and beauty. But it's a flawed heritage on
many
fronts, because under the mask of achievement is the countenance of
cruelty.
The story
opens with
a heart-stopping account of childhood betrayal on a level that goes far
beyond
playground spats and into the adult world of murder. Chinasa is charged
with a
strange form of mercy killing involving her best friend.
This
introductory
scenario is a far cry from Chapter 1, where Chinasa (Zayani, now) is at
a rich
cocktail party where she's identified by a stranger as being a "world
changer." Little does he (or she) know how prophetic these words will
prove.
Ayura Ayira
creates a
powerfully compelling saga that traces a young woman's evolutionary
process,
moral and ethical challenges, and her effects on the world around her.
From her
brutal
village roots that she still hasn't completely come to terms with,
during which
she watched her family die and formed connections with their
executioner in
order to survive, to her conviction that something is wrong with her
psyche and
perspective as a result of unresolved trauma, Zayani navigates her new
world
facing many choices about exactly how she'll come to terms with past
and
present.
In her role
as Madam
First Lady, Zayani negotiates the reconstruction of a country torn by
tribal
strife and ongoing hatred, yet harbors within her a thirst for revenge
as well
as nation-building which are at odds with one another.
"Why fight a
ghost?" Because it continues to haunt.
Speaking of
'haunt',
Ayira crafts a truly haunting social, political, and psychological
inspection
that embraces many realities of many nations.
Her
juxtaposition of
emotions and political responses, her central figure of a girl who
grows up to
both reflect and deflect the circumstances of her troubled and violent
life,
and her ability to capture succinct descriptions of environment and
inner
turmoil are powerfully written.
Readers
interested in
a compelling story of a strong woman who both rises above her
circumstances and
embraces some of these roots of evil in unusual ways makes for a
thought-provoking story that is hard to put down.
Anything but
a light
read, Root of All Evil challenges
the
reader's heart and mind with emotional and political changes that keeps
the
story fast-paced, action-packed, and thoroughly engrossing to the end.
Return to Index
Runaway Train
S.W. Capps
D. X. Varos, Ltd.
978-1-955065-04-7
$18.95 (paperback); $4.99 (ebook)
Publisher: www.dxvaros.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Train-S-W-Capps-ebook/dp/B099QSX2RD
Runaway Train opens in 1987 Oklahoma,
where young man Bill Stacy
receives a job offer that leads him to move across seven states to
accept a new
career as a reporter, just as a serial arsonist threatens Texomaland.
Perhaps even
more key
to events is the fact that the Fairness Doctrine guiding and limiting
reporting
has just been suspended, creating an instant, ratings-driven
environment in
which TV news will do anything to encourage sensational news and viewer
attention.
Stacy finds
himself
in a maelstrom of political and social confrontation as the job becomes
one of
not just numbers, but challenging ethical and moral conundrums in the
pursuit
of success: “If there’s no news, he creates news. You saw what he did
last week. He set that cop up. Chip said he bragged all over the
newsroom the
next day.” “If
Larry’s guilty of
anything, it’s being a workaholic. I mean, the man never sleeps.” How would she know that? “News is his
life, Stacy. And regardless of how you feel about him, you can’t argue
with
success.” “Is that
all you care
about?” “Why
shouldn’t I care about it?”
Her eyes looked duller than he remembered. “We finished a point behind
Channel
2. We’ve never even come close to those numbers."
S.W. Capps
does a
fine job of melding political, social, and personal tipping points,
from
Stacy's mother's stroke to behind-the-scenes manipulations in the name
of
better ratings as part of the fallout from the Fairness Act's
cancellation: "People look up to us now. They
think
we’re something special.” “Something
special?” he chuffed. “Because we B.S. our viewers? Hype
every story?
Because our ‘award-winning’ news director lies to his own employees?”
Smoke
curled from the ashtray like a sickle. “He wouldn’t tell us why we were
going
to that motel, Katie, because he didn’t want an argument. We were his
pawns.
And then, worst of all, he let us take the fall for him.”
In many
ways, the era
of honest reporting's transition to an entertainment-value medium is
reflected
in these pages and Stacy's experience. This will especially attract and
delight
media professionals and anyone who has wondered why the news of modern
times
doesn't hold the same feel and, often, authority of that in past
decades.
From the
investigative suspense story that evolves to the social and political
issues
that reach into news reporting, Capps is adept at capturing all sides
of the
story and the dilemmas that emerge when reporter and news become
entwined with
special interests and the drive for financial reward.
Runaway Train is a novel that is
compelling on many different
levels, from social commentary to intrigue and personal revelations.
It's a
story especially highly recommended to anyone interested in media
relations and
politics, but will equally captivate those who just want a solid,
fast-paced
action piece in which a newsman author inspects the process and demise
of
unbiased reporting methods.
Return to Index
The Sword of
David
Charles Lichtman
Bombardier
Books /Post Hill Press
978-1637580066
$28.00 Hardcover/$9.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Sword-David-Charles-Lichtman/dp/1637580061
The Sword of David is a high-octane
thriller on the level of an
Indiana Jones-style international treasure hunt—but with more political
subterfuge added, for good measure.
The story
opens in 70
A.D., when the Jews are anticipating a reign of destruction by the
Romans. 55,000
Jews have already perished at their hands in one month. General Titus
is about
to lead his army on a final offensive to eradicate them entirely.
Mordechai
and a
temple High Priest are convinced that God will save them...but in very
different ways. Their actions to protect the treasured Ark of the
Covenant and
the Ten Commandments lead to a centuries-old mystery that reaches into
the
future in Chapter 1, which opens in 2019 Jerusalem. Here, Chaim Klein,
an
Israeli Special Forces officer, stumbles on a dangerous artifact that
attracts
Islamic organizations that embark on a modern-day reign of terror
designed to
destroy Western and Israeli interests alike.
Klein finds
himself
not only at the center of this swirling controversy, but wielding the
Sword of
David as he pursues dreams and struggles with nightmares.
From Muslims
for
Peace rallies in London to an effort by Klein and his boss, Dan Beer,
to track
down the treasures and avoid even greater disasters than are already
brewing, The Sword of David is a
story of
struggle and the survival of Jews against the forces that would bring
down
civilization.
Charles Lichtman brings a
great deal of history into his
story, but does so in a way that is inviting, revealing, and tied into
the
adventure component of the plot. This means that Middle East history,
archaeology, religion, and influences are imparted seamlessly to
support the
blossoming drama, making it easy for non-history readers to absorb
while
delighting those already somewhat versed in the historic events of the
region,
past and present.
Lichtman
also does an excellent job of building tension,
mystery, and interpersonal connections as he pits various factions
against one
another in a cat-and-mouse game revolving around an ancient world's
most
precious truths and relics.
A host of
colorful
characters on both sides of the conflict immerse readers in events
which
revolve around a biblical dilemma and a world-hopping struggle not just
between
Islamic and Western political entities, but between religious groups.
How these
groups
either support or vie with one another, Khaled's growing position of
power (which
leads to a choice of whether to destroy world leaders in a single
gesture or
await the opportunity to take out some of the most revered religious
icons in
history), and a network of cells involved in deadly pursuits that is
awakened
and set to detonate makes for heady description and nonstop action.
The depth
added by
religious and historical insights, paired with a close attention to
detail,
makes The Sword of David a powerful
thriller. The story draws from the start, builds a solid foundation
based on
historical and religious facts, and leads to a fiery conclusion that
leaves the
door open for more while firmly resolving the dilemmas created by
missing
treasures and ethnic groups locked in a centuries-old struggle.
Thriller
readers who
like strong characters, solid explorations of history and belief, and
an
action-packed treasure hunt driving disparate forces will relish the
powerful
twists and turns and events of The Sword
of David, which should be a mainstay in any thriller
collection.
Return to Index
Twisted Silver Spoons
Karen M. Wicks
Atmosphere Press
978-1637528198
$18.99
www.atmospherepress.com
Twisted
Silver
Spoons is an atmospheric story
about
the legacy of heir George Leibnitz, who struggles with the wealth and
power he
is destined to control. The
prologue,
set in 1985, describes this scenario: "The silver spoon
lodged in
George’s throat was choking the life out of him."
From this
introduction, events circle around "a continent of stifling duty" as
George faces an inheritance of power, sinister possibilities
surrounding his
grandfather's death, and family influences upon the roles he and other
family
members were born into and are expected to assume.
George's
complex
relationships receive another layer of possibility when he meets M, who
shakes
George's resolve and invites him to assume a different position in his
family
than the path which has been predetermined for him.
Can he
increase the
family's wealth and follow tradition while remaining true to his desire
to support
philanthropic programs?
George
operates in a
world of yachts and Fire Island and Martha's Vineyard gentry, and is
feeling
hemmed in. His heart's desire seems to clash with his inheritance: “I’d really like to find my own path,
explore my interests in art, philanthropy, something outside the family
business. But that will never happen.”
His
relationship with
M seems to challenge his belief that his future is set in stone and not
under
his control—but, first, he'll have to deal with an equally powerful,
alluring
young woman who wields her own power in his life in an unexpected way.
Karen M.
Wicks is
adept at capturing the world of the rich and politically
interconnected. Her
portrait of George's dilemmas, relationships (both within and outside
the
family), and the mysteries and influences which dictate its course is
astute
and realistic.
The dilemmas
George
faces are not singular, but are many as he looks for a more forceful,
engaging
approach to life, but finds many of his desires thwarted from
unexpected
connections in the past and influences on his future.
As M becomes
George’s
fiancée, her role in this family also falls into question as
inheritance,
motivations, greed, and manipulations come into play from many sides.
Wicks
provides a
satisfying blend of psychological suspense, mystery, and family
interactions
that keeps readers involved in George's choices and possibilities.
Hers is a
portrait of
wealth and obsession that will especially intrigue women interested in
family
dynamics and the influence of prosperity and family history on heirs
who would
change their worlds in a different way.
Twisted
Silver
Spoons is highly recommended as
an
intriguing story of George's pursuit of love and meaning both within
and beyond
his family upbringing. It calls into question what is valuable, and
considers
how a family's dreams for its future can incorporate different visions
of
success.
Return to Index
Windswept
Annabelle McCormack
Independently Published
9781736809501
$16.99 Paper/$6.99 ebook
Website: www.annabellemccormack.com
Ordering: http://mybook.to/WindsweptBook1
Windswept
takes
place during the British Gaza Campaign of World War I. It outlines the
dilemmas
faced by Ginger Whitman, a young woman of privilege who becomes a
battlefield
nurse to help the cause, only to find herself in quite a different role
when a
dying soldier gives her a coded message that could change the course of
the
war.
Charged with making sure the
message gets into the right
hands, Ginger doesn't know whom to trust as she navigates unfamiliar
terrain in
foreign countries. She must also decide whether to accept the help of
the
handsome British intelligence officer Major Noah Benson.
Is he a threat, or someone
she can trust? As the story
evolves, it feels akin to an Arabian version of Gone
With the Wind, juxtaposing history with romance with a depth
that few World War I novels achieve.
As Ginger explores a world
of intrigue in which boldness
and scandal underlie subterfuge and secrets, readers receive both an
engrossing
romance and a series of challenges as Ginger navigates completely
unfamiliar
terrain in different worlds.
Ginger is no dummy, and
Annabelle McCormack successfully
captures her feelings about her affair and the duty she has unwittingly
accepted by being directly involved in the war.
The dialogue surrounding
these events realistically
captures her attractions and challenges: "A
warm feeling spread through her. “You don’t have to woo me now, Major.
I’m more
than a willing participant in this affair of ours.” She cocked her head
at him.
“Are you really Irish?” He smiled. “Tá
mé.” She raised a brow. He wrapped his arm around her
more tightly. “I
am.” “But how is it you sound so English? And how many languages do you
speak?
In the desert you used both Arabic and Turkish—” Noah held her hand. “I
don’t
want to talk about anything from the desert now.”
Readers seeking a blend of
passionate romance, political
inspection, and the challenges facing a feisty young woman who finds
herself over
her head in many ways will find Windswept
does an excellent job of depicting matters of heart and loyalty alike.
As Ginger traverses the
realm of wealthy families in
Cairo and faces the fiancée of the man she's in love with, readers will
welcome
the complex interpersonal relationships that are woven into the story
line.
Readers who like romance,
Middle Eastern settings, and
history, intrigue, and social inspection will find all these elements
and more
incorporated into the persona and whirlwind of action surrounding the
spirited
Ginger.
Its special blend of history
and politics, suspense,
action, and romance keep the narrative fast-paced and thoroughly
engrossing,
but Windswept is especially
recommended for readers who look for more than the usual European
backdrop that
World War I novels are too typically centered in.
Return to Index
Awakening
Your Soul's
Truth
Anya Goode
Liminal Phoenix Media
978-1-7372917-0-1
$20.99 Paper/$9.99 Kindle
Website: www.anyagoode.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Your-Souls-Truth-Transformation/dp/1737291703/
Awakening Your Soul's Truth is a
spiritual self-help guide highly
recommended for new age, spirituality, and alternative health
collections
alike. It comes from an energy healer and spiritual teacher with over
twenty
years of spiritual, healing, and teaching activities to her name, and
requires
no prior familiarity with new age or spiritual concepts in order to
prove
accessible.
Anya Goode
does all
the legwork in introducing these concepts for audiences unfamiliar with
energetic intuitive healing or spiritual development.
Chapters
introduce
these efforts with a historical overview of belief systems, charting
how they
developed and their basic tenets and contrasting different types of
belief
before moving to belief's connection to the healing process, discussing
how
emotion plays a big part in choice, action, and consequences both on a
physical
and a spiritual realm.
Ideally,
readers will
be prepared to do the work that is proposed later in the read, after
this setup
covers basic concepts and their applications. This is where self-help
proves a
powerful and necessary component for effecting real change and
measurable
results on many different levels.
These later
chapters
embrace passion and perception as they entwine the results of rising
consciousness: "One day our masks
come off, our consciousness shifts, and we become aware of the truth,
our
truth. We become aware that we are all kin, and that when we fight to
defeat
each other, we eventually become defeated ourselves as well. When our
masks
come off, we grieve the unconscious life we have lived and the errors
we have
made as a result of living life through the mask, through our cloaks.
We grieve
with the knowledge that so many continue to fight the battle of belief
unconsciously as we once did. And then we forgive."
Goode
doesn't promise
that this will be an easy or intuitive process. She often uses examples
of her
clients and her own self-inspections to cement the fruits of this
process,
emphasizing that the undertaking, while vastly rewarding, is no simple
procedure: "I had many clients in
the past who had suffered sexual abuse. I remember watching the healing
process
unfold, thinking how lucky I was that it wasn’t me who had to
experience that.
It is truly amazing how the mind and body can protect us. The memories
that
came back to me, that I had to remember and relive to release, replayed
in my
mind and body as visceral flashbacks over the course of weeks. The
beliefs
formed through that trauma took many months to work my way through.
Luckily, I
knew through my work and experience as an energy healer exactly how to
heal the
trauma from such tragic events, yet it was still an excruciating
full-time
job."
From
illusions about
her past which needed to be realized, remembered, confronted, and
shattered to
effect real healing to handling different forms of anxiety and
understanding
how emotion, trauma, and belief intersect at different levels of
healing,
readers receive a template for identifying and working through their
own past
experiences.
Awakening Your Soul's Truth comes with
the prerequisite of an
inquiring mind willing to do the work to understand the roots of
anguish and
effect real change.
Self-help,
spiritual,
new age, and health collections interested in specific techniques for
arriving
at and embracing new truths and lasting change from the effort will
find Awakening Your Soul's Truth
just the
ticket to begin an intensive, fruitful process.
Return to Index
Black
Rocks and
Rainbows
Susan C. Riford,
Author
Suzanne Ford,
Narrator
Suzanne Ford and
Blackstone Publishing
978-1665059275
$29.95 CD/$20.19 Audiobook
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Rocks-Rainbows-Adventures-Opukahaia/dp/1665059273
Black Rocks and
Rainbows: The True Adventures of Henry
Opukahaia, the Hawaiian Boy Who Changed History is the perfect example of how a story can come
alive in audio in a
vivid manner that print cannot quite match.
One
reason for
this attribute here is narrator Suzanne Ford's performance. Cultivating
a
compelling, clear, smooth and evocative voice is no light feat;
especially when
it applies to an entire book.
From
the opening
moments of the story, punctuated by Hawaiian musical embellishments, to
Ford's
dramatic style, which brings to life fifteen-year-old island boy Henry
Opukahia's 1800s adventure on a ship bound for America, the audio
shines with
spirited, captivating descriptions.
Young
adult to
adult listeners will find this style of learning history inviting. It's
hard to
press the 'pause' button as Henry faces pirates, the white foreigners
that
enter his world, and his own destiny in enacting changes that
ultimately lead
to his role as a scholar, writing down Hawaii's language for the first
time.
Ford's
ability
to bring all this to life through a focus on such atmosphere as the
"dark,
shifting sea" and "the air was still and steaming hot" is
wonderful. Dramatic moments are conveyed in a low, sultry, hushed voice
that
captures the atmosphere of early Hawaii's environment.
As
the
circumstances surrounding Henry's birth, life, and journey are
narrated,
readers of all ages will enjoy audio embellishments which bring the
times and
Henry's special challenges, as well as early Hawaiian culture, to life.
Stories
directed
to ages 12 and older rarely captivate adult audiences, but Ford's
reading
allows those with relatively little familiarity with Hawaiian history
and
culture to absorb both in an accessible, enlightening, engrossing
manner.
Henry
does more
than grow from his experiences. He develops talents that lead him into
a key
role in capturing and preserving Hawaiian culture for his people and
for
mainlanders, as well. The politics and history of Hawaii's relationship
with
the mainland is nicely captured within Henry's experiences.
The
written
version which will be available in the near future reflects an
attention
towards a youthful audience; but the audio expands these spectators
through its
ability to reflect the compelling drama of the written word.
Black Rocks and
Rainbows is the perfect example
of why audio and written word may be equally
inviting to different audiences. In this case, both contribute a
delightful
sense of place and perspective to a historical drama that is highly
recommended
for young readers in book form and a wider range of listeners in audio.
The
audio can be
enjoyed now, while readers await the publication of the written version
down
the line!
Return to Index
Children of Violence
Luke Gherardi
Independently Published
978-1-09832-119-2
$12.95
Paper/$4.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Children-Violence-Luke-Gherardi/dp/1098321197
Readers of coming of age
stories will
find the contrast
between four very different young adults in the novella Children
of
Violence to be absorbing and
especially enlightening.
Each young person has their own cross to
bear, from a parent who is a cult member to the son of an addict
rearing his
younger brother virtually alone, a girl whose father is connected to
the mafia,
and the son of an alcoholic killer.
The story opens with a big bang: "We
robbed a bank. A fucking goddamn bank. Brilliant...It was a strange
moment in
time. Something I think about every day. The one wrong decision in my
life that
spiraled into the hell of my existence today."
This is only one of the pivot points that
mark what each young person's life has evolved into; but these children
of
violence absorb and reflect their upbringing in very different ways.
And
therein lays the strength of their stories, which makes this novella
more than
just a predictable survey of the end results of adversity.
Gracie got her fearlessness from her father.
It's a quality which will serve her well in her efforts to move beyond
her
gangster father's decisions, which make her family well off for life
until he
goes to work for Mr. Kearsey to become a hired killer.
Gracie's astute observation of this process
and its impact on their family is nicely done, offering deeper
reflections than
those about conflict alone: "When you live with people long
enough, you
know there’s some things about them that they never show the outside
world.
Some things stay in their hearts behind closed doors, yet define their
being at
all times."
As her perceptions evolve from that of a
child to an adult's considerations, Gracie's move towards adulthood
takes a
different course.
The same goes for each of these young
characters, who evolve a sense of purpose, place, and personality that
diverts
from their parents.
Luke Gherardi pulls no punches in his candid
stories. There are violent confrontations, cursing, and threats that
assail the
characters and their readers. His is a world of cruelty, survival
tactics, and
discovery.
Each child is charged with taking their
parents' worlds and realities and surviving it physically, mentally,
and emotionally.
Each cultivates imperfect decisions based on the information they have
and the
environments they were raised in. And each solves their problem in a
very
different way.
Gherardi's thought-provoking stories are
portraits of violence, survival tactics, and family influence that
direct how
these concepts of survival plays out.
The juxtaposition of very different young
adults caught up in a cycle that demands unique responses and choices
that
result in different consequences creates as much a social issues
examination as
a contrast in coming of age. All these elements make Children
of Violence
highly recommended for socially conscious readers unafraid of stepping
into the
milieu of kids facing the results of poor adult choices and challenging
lifestyles.
Return to Index
Combative to
Collaborative
Teresa Harlow
Promethean Publishing
9781736761144
$14.99 Paper/$9.99 ebook
Publisher: www.prometheanpublishing.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Combative-Collaborative-Co-parenting-Teresa-Harlow-ebook/dp/B091YF5NKB
Combative to Collaborative: The Co-Parenting Code
is recommended
reading for any stepparent, divorced parent, or blended family member
looking
for guidelines and concrete steps for co-parenting success. It outlines
pitfalls and processes that will help avoid typical issues and resolve
common
problems. Its code of conduct will help dissolve the differences
between
parenting styles and approaches in parents who harbor personal and
ideological
differences over how parenting should ideally work.
One shared
goal of
parents is that they want to do the best for their children. Starting
from this
common ground, Teresa Harlow surveys what "the best" looks like from
different angles, focusing on how parenting relationships change these
objectives.
Anecdotes
from her
experiences and those of other co-parents illustrate the difficult move
from
adversaries to partners, pinpointing revised approaches that ultimately
resulted in success stories.
These
specific
examples outline not only interpersonal obstacles, but challenges that
come
from a child's other support systems (such as school), showing how they
may be structured
towards only live-in parents: "Some
parents are more comfortable being in complete control and shut the
other
parent out intentionally from information about their child’s
education. Some
avoid these communications for fear they will turn negative,
accusative, or
just plain uncomfortable. Others simply don’t think about it. Schools
are
beginning to recognize that all parents do not live together and are
doing more
to accommodate the needs of parents and children living in two homes.
Some
school systems now provide communication to both parents. But this is
not
always the case."
Discussions
include
co-parenting ideological challenges and the mechanics of assuring that
blended
families and extended families receive their due 'child times' even at
major
holidays. They acknowledge the special juggling acts that occur at
these times.
Blended
families and
co-parents face a host of obstacles to smooth interactions and
cooperative
thinking, but with the aid of the practical considerations and creative
techniques
in Combative to Collaborative, many
of these obstacles can be acknowledged and conflicts short-circuited.
The
reasoned collaborative recommendations not only support the children,
but both
sides of their families and extended relations.
Readers
motivated to
improve interactions and make better choices must add Combative
to
Collaborative to their arsenal of
positive change!
Return to Index
The
Experience
Maker
Dan Gingiss
Morgan James,
LLC
9781631954580
$26.95
Hardcover; $17.95 Paper; $9.99 ebook
www.MorganJamesPublishing.com
The Experience
Maker: How to Create Remarkable
Experiences That Your Customers Can’t Wait to Share is recommended reading for any salesperson or
marketer who wants to
reach customers on more than a financial level. It shows how to go
above and
beyond most sales routines to create and transmit an experienced-based
form of
success.
Why
should a
salesperson or marketer consider this above other tried-and-true
methods?
Because traditional approaches aren't working as well as they used to.
Customers are seeking an experience, not the pitter
patter of trite
sales approaches, and those who can create a positive experience stand
to make
many more sales, references, and repeat customers than those who employ
a
lower-key effort.
The
question
then becomes: how to create such a milieu? That's where The
Experience Maker
comes in.
Chapters
focus
on facets outlined in the sterling Foreword that is written by Ann
Handley
introducing Dan Gingiss and his approach: "What if we thought
more
systematically about creating consistently remarkable experiences that
matter
for our customers? What if we looked more intentionally at creating
extraordinary moments they can’t forget?What if we didn’t practice
messaging
karaoke—singing the same song everyone else sings, mimicking the same
words in
the same voice—but instead found new and creative and witty approaches
that
reflect our true identity?"
They
provide not
ethereal interpretations of what constitutes a compelling experience,
but
contrasts between different kinds of experiences: "Remembering
that the
definition of customer experience includes every single interaction a
customer
has with a brand, we must consider how every experience looks when
shared. This
can range from digital imagery in an advertisement to almost any
element of a
physical experience."
Descriptions
focus on how to stand out in the best possible way through every
approach and
representation of a company's product or service: "...with
every part
of your company’s experience, you have to ask yourself if you want it
shared on
social media. This is not just about being afraid of what people might
say,
it’s about how you design it so people want to share the experience."
Making
the move
from traditional to experience-emphasizing approaches will be no easy
task for
existing companies and businesspeople. The effort represents a
transformation
on the most fundamental levels—a challenge which is not ignored by
Gingiss; but
embraced.
The
juxtaposition of old and new methods, the methodology of incorporating
them
into existing business structures and plans, and the nuts and bolts of
crafting
an experience to reflect a vivid, flexible, changing company is
outlined in
many specific admonitions and case history examples that take the
guesswork out
of the theory's application process.
Any
business
collection and many an entrepreneur, business manager, or owner will
want to
take a look at The Experience Maker. Like its basic
premise, it's a
standout in the crowd of business transformation titles already on the
market,
serving as a powerful example of not only what is possible, but how to
get
there.
Return to Index
For Victims
Yours and Ours
Natalie Graszewicz
& Dominik Socha
Sleepless Writers Ltd
978-1-5272-5666-8
£49.99
https://forvictims.co.uk/
When Natalie
Graszewicz & Dominik Socha embarked on a mission to preserve
knowledge of
Anglo-Polish history and heritage in the UK, they uncovered a
systematic,
unlawful destruction of Anglo-Polish cultural and religious heritage in
Fawley
Court—one that embraced some 2,000 years of history during which London
elites
became powerful enough to rewrite the sagas of England's people and
ethnic
groups.
As British
authorities breached English, European and international law in their
pursuit
of modifying the truth about the Anglo-Polish heritage, this resulted
in the
destruction of the heritage site that once had protection under
international
law.
Their
investigation,
campaign for justice, historical discoveries, and information about the
economic and elitist rise of power and purpose in both the UK and the
US
contribute to a powerful scholarly examination that, at first glance,
might
seem to hold a narrowed scope primarily of interest to those of Polish
heritage
and UK residency.
But, soft: anyone
interested in an interdisciplinary approach to major world issues
surrounding
historical representation, economic forces, and social activism needs
to absorb
the discoveries and their impact in For Victims Yours and Ours.
Its powerful testimony to
the ongoing forces of
repression, social and legal challenge, and historical representation
that is
changed to reflect the points of view of special interests and elite
societies
makes for thought-provoking reading relevant to all ethnic groups and
social
circles around the world.
More importantly, For
Victims Yours and Ours offers a compelling
look that draws in many facets, from science and technology to
individuals and
parties who have influence on the City of London, agreements between
nations
and peoples, the impact of terrorism on the world, and disturbing
contrasts of
differences between official reports and eyewitness experiences.
As it draws together an
alternate history of influential
forces on various peoples, this book expands to embrace the concerns of
not
just UK or Polish residents, but anyone interested in who really pulls
the
strings of influence behind the scenes: "Since
its inception in 1913, U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE did not work for the
benefit of the
American people but a narrow group of corporate and banking Fraternity."
Poland's experience serves
not just as a microcosm for
understanding, but as a foundation for expanding knowledge of the
hidden forces
which have affected the currents and choices of nations, leaders, and
groups.
This wide-ranging survey and
history is highly
recommended reading for college students who would consider the
underlying
origins of and influences upon historical precedent, decisions, and
national
experience.
Heavily footnoted,
authoritatively referenced, and broad
in its scope and information, For Victims
Yours and Ours is no casual survey, but demands from its
readers a
scholarly, college-level educated awareness that is equally suitable
for study,
classroom debate, and social awareness development.
Return to Index
Move Over,
I’m
Driving!
Damian McGee
McGee Legacy LLC
978-1-7368829-0-0
$21.00
www.imdrivingbook.com
Reading Move Over, I’m Driving! A Road Map for
Reclaiming Control of Your Life is like pressing 'restart' on
one's
computer. It's about rejecting conventional ways of approaching one's
problems
and life in favor of cultivating paths that lead away from failure and
self-flagellation and onto better roads of success. This approach is
especially
recommended for self-help readers who already have had some therapy or
read
some inspirational books, but still feel stuck.
Damian McGee
has
"been there/done that," and is in an excellent position to tell what
makes a difference, what is useful, and how seemingly-helpful advice
can serve
as an obstacle to growth: "I spent
years not moving forward because I was waiting to be happy. I was
waiting to be
healed. I was waiting to forgive everyone. I was waiting for people to
forgive
me. I was waiting for the closure I was promised. Well, it never
happened, and
I was miserable."
As in a
cookbook
where the heart of the title lies in the main course, the dishes of
advice
served up here surround the crux of a contention that "...my
approach focuses on the various situations that alter our
reality, cause us to lose focus on
our goals, and try to shift our priorities from what we want to what
someone
else deems to be a priority." The key lies in identifying and
separating outside forces from one's perspectives about life and the
pursuit of
happiness and success.
As chapters
move
through this process of identifying better routes to change, they
identify the
many typical self-help admonitions that actually can translate to
slowing or
limiting opportunities for transformation: "If
I challenged you to list a few goals, dreams, or aspirations you have
for
yourself, I doubt you would have any difficulty to be able to come up
with at
least one....a list of things you know you need to do, have to learn,
or need
to know to start your process. Unfortunately, for many people, that
list
becomes the very thing holding us back from progress. Many of us forget
the
resulting list is nothing more than a to-do list. It’s a list of things
you can
start to do this very second to get moving in the right direction.
Instead, the
list becomes a sort of ball and chain that you drag along every time
you try to
make progress. It goes from being a list of things to do to being a
list of
reasons you can’t do something. Instead of being next steps, they
become
reasons to stall. To make matters worse, we then begin putting delayed
timelines on things to ensure we never reach success."
Refuting
typical
self-help guidelines, McGee provides the reasons why so many of these
well-meaning approaches don't work. Their limitations lie in how they
are
translated into action and how they can serve to increase pressure and
ennui
rather than alleviating these forces.
As
exercises,
real-life examples, and admonitions about reality and change come to
light,
readers receive a real game plan for personal change, a better vision
of what
constitutes success, and a course of action rooted not in just ideals,
but in clues
on how to build a real momentum towards change...one that identifies
opportunities and teaches how to keep moving forward.
It's that
last piece
that truly sets Move Over, I’m Driving! apart
from other self-help books. When momentum is achieved, all the other
pieces of
the puzzle fall into place. This guide provides all the tricks and tips
and
covers all the pitfalls involved in this process, and should be
considered a
"must" for those who have felt bludgeoned or trapped by their own
desires and the typical self-help approach, and who are looking for
something
different with a better path forward.
Self-help
libraries
will want to consider Move Over, I’m
Driving! a key acquisition.
Return to Index
Self-Help Sucks
Tony A. Blankenship
Mason Jar Publishing
978-1-7367746-0-1
$14.95
www.tonyblankenship.com
Fans of self-help and
self-improvement guides should
prepare for a surprise, because Tony A. Blankenship maintains that most
of
these admonitions don't solve problems—because they don't adequately
address
them.
The roots of improvement lie
in both connections to a
Higher Power and using the resources and help of supportive individuals
to
foster the process of recovery.
If this sounds familiar,
it's because it's modeled on
Alcoholic Anonymous's 12-Step program—with a slightly different focus.
Here, the objective is to
identify and promote a healthy
lifestyle. Blankenship, having himself been in the position of
consulting many
of these promising yet "fluffy" contentions of self-help
effectiveness, here provides meditations, exercise, and prayer to
reinforce the
standards of healthy daily living that he outlines as a blueprint to
success.
Where other books might
promote vision boards,
affirmations, chants, rituals, and various forms of self-inspection,
Blankenship maintains that "without the help of a Higher Power and the
support of others, we will not be able to change ourselves."
Self-Help
Sucks,
in contrast to most others, provides a spiritual approach that moves
step-by-step
in connecting these spiritual reflections to processes that enhance
their
understanding: "There are so many
ways for each of us to approach this step. For example, it was
important to me
to use my own words and terminology to convey what I wanted. Some
people may
want to go to a church, go into a room, sit at an altar, or just be in
their
house at their kitchen table. Go where it feels right for you, where
you feel
the most connected. You can also go outside for a walk in nature. Go to
the
woods, the river, the lake, mountains, parks, grassy fields, or even
just
around your neighborhood. Just go. Turn off your phone, turn off your
music,
and start to walk at a gentle pace. This is not meant as exercise; it's
a
pleasant stroll. As you begin your walk, say a prayer or, if you wish,
an
earnest request to open your heart and your mind and lay aside
everything you
think so you can have a new experience. Walk for thirty minutes. At the
end of
thirty minutes, stop, sit down, take a breath, take another breath. Look
around you."
With each of
the
simple six-step instructions, Blankenship links intention and new
possibilities
with concrete, world-redefining moves that are backed not just by
self-inspection, but a broader view of giving back responsibly to those
who
have influenced a better path: "Once
I admitted that I cannot do things on my own, I had to find a Power by
which I
could live who could give me the strength to do what was needed. Part
of
forming the relationship necessary to that Power requires clearing away
what
has blocked me from it and finding the things that connect me to it.
The thing
that has consistently kept me connected is being of service to others."
Because
these
reflections on and admonitions for self-help are firmly rooted in a
spiritual and
social component, Blankenship is able to effectively guide readers
without the
pomp and fluffy promises of self-help guides that are more ethereal,
but
lacking in practical applications.
It of course
is a
requirement that the reader come to believe in a Higher
Power...ideally, before
pursuing this guide. Those who already have such a basic foundation of
belief
will find that its advice supports and builds upon this spiritual
wellspring.
Twelve-step
followers
who believe this book just repeats the better-known AA guidelines will
be
pleased to note that it expands upon these, into areas more concretely
defined
and outlined for easier, more productive absorption. Strong
interpersonal and
religious connections are key to this process.
The result
isn't just
another self-help guide (because most of those do suck). It's a
blueprint for
how to choose, identify, and live a healthier, more productive
lifestyle
overall, and is highly recommended for those who have delved into the
self-help
book world before and found it sadly lacking.
Because
Blankenship
has spent much time and money following these barren paths to promised,
elusive
success, he's in the perfect position to both acknowledge their
failings and
point to a better approach.
Return to Index
The Silent
Agreement
Wil Shelton
WilPower Integrated
Marketing
978-1-7368613-0-1
$19.95
https://www.thesilentagreement.com/
Every business and
social issues library should contain a copy of The Silent Agreement: An
Illusion of Inclusion in Black Corporate America. The survey is that unique—and that central
to formulating a better understanding of the fight for inclusion and
diversity
in the workplace, and how that struggle is more an effort to change
mindsets
and preconceptions than it is about instigating rules and methods to
promote
equality.
The strength of Wil
Shelton's approach in The Silent Agreement lies
in the nature
of the subject and especially how he approaches it, in that a degree of
discomfort will take place on the part of even (perhaps especially?)
liberal-minded readers and Black businesspeople who believe they are
already
enlightened about diversity to some degree.
Shelton comes out punching
from the very first chapter
(the book is filled with boxing connections from the author's dual
background
as an athlete): "Black executives
inadvertently make silent agreements to be content with less, to not
fight for
what they deserve, and to fully support the demands of the corporate
administration even when those demands conflict with their own
community,
culture, and conscious. Those who comply with these unwritten contracts
with
corporate America almost always find out the hard way that the other
side
hasn’t signed."
With several adept strokes,
Shelton jabs at concepts of
what inclusion, getting ahead, and the illusion of equality really mean
in the
business environment, attacking the "facades of conformity" that lead
Black business folk to blend in and compromise when they should be
actively
fighting.
Part of this battle lies in
the ability to recognize the
forces that encourage silence, acquiescence, and the status quo. These
may be
reinforced not just by corporate structures and business environment,
but by
minority groups who participate in them and serve as silent partners to
oppression. Shelton's survey of how white corporate leaders and
structures
knock out true Black achievement, status, and opportunity is backed by
a blend
of facts and astute analysis.
From the methodology in
sports and business worlds which
are committed to creating the illusion of diversity without truly
promoting its
foundations in effective ways, to how individuals fall into the trap of
participating in these illusions, Shelton proves hard-hitting facts,
backing
them up with examples from real life experience: "The
NFL is a prime example. While the institution continues to
uphold racism in its practices, it needs Black talent to compete, so it
creates
token positions for Black executives to appear as a
diverse organization.
Unfortunately, those positions are few and far between."
Shelton does more than offer
critical analysis and
perspectives. He ties them into social situations ("The
pandemic, the racial tension, and the economy have all affected
each other as a seemingly deplorable trifecta that has led American
businesses
to consider getting more Black faces into C-suite positions versus
repeating
age-old practices with simpleminded views of race, sex, and
leadership.
Unfortunately, not enough corporations have made the jump. Most have
just given
lip service and grabbed a few Black actors for “photo ops.”)
and also
identifies and celebrates companies which have made and succeeded in
real
efforts to be truly inclusive, such as Netflix.
The
Silent
Agreement covers more than the tactics of illusion. Its
discussion embraces
real-world scenarios and how enlightened, empowered companies, leaders,
and
workers can make headway against engrained corporate standards and
prejudices
to achieve true change through a variety of approaches, from mentorship
to
understanding the roots of success, defeat, and how to foster
credibility and
authority in the workplace and life.
No business or social issues
collection should be without
this book, which is especially recommended for classroom and group
discussion,
both in school and in the workplace.
Return to Index
Sounding Out
Semantics
R.J. Mott Jr.
Huge Jam Publishing
978-1-911249-48-1
$25.95 Paper/$11.99 ebook
Website: www.soundingoutsemantics.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Sounding-Out-Semantics-contribution-philosophies/dp/1911249487
Sounding
Out Semantics: The
Limits of Philosophy
is the
fruit of years of research in semantics and philosophy. It provides a
work of
analytical philosophy that reviews the philosophies of language, mind,
mathematics, epistemology and science, adding Mott's original theories
to the mix.
Sounding
Out Semantics is not
the usual survey of Western philosophies, but represents a radical
rebellion
that maintains that much of what is considered philosophy, these days,
simply
is not...it's platitudes and advice that come in the guise of
philosophy, but
lacks the backing and credentials to achieve this status.
In the pursuit of what
constitutes real philosophy,
language is key to the process. This is the focus of Sounding Out Semantics,
which
strives for clarity in a discipline that has become muddied and murky
over the
years.
College-level
readers
of linguistics or philosophy will find Mott's scholarly approach
embraces the
history and linguistic challenges of philosophy in a dual examination
of both.
Mott
includes a
caveat at the start of his discussion which acknowledges the underlying
difficulty in the analytical process and its choices: "All
of linguistics is afflicted with terminological mayhem. Any
survey of linguistics will find a total lack of terminological
discipline.
Hundreds of terms are used in a multitude of inconsistent ways. Even
basic
terms such as “statement”, “syntax” and “language” are redefined
regularly to
fit the needs of theorists. Theoretical terms such as “productive” and
“inflectional” appear to be even more flexible. Nevertheless, I will be
using
many of these terms without defining them. In reading the book you will
learn
why."
The
linguistic
odyssey is revealing, critical, and embraces history, usage, and
accompanying
pitfalls alike: "Studies
consistently indicate that different frames of reference and
spatiotemporal
metaphors in various languages produce different thinking about time
and space.
There is no longer any doubt that the use of any language has effects
in
non-linguistic cognitive domains. The question now is: How much language affects
non-linguistic thinking and
behavior?"
From
mathematical
rules to social cognition from childhood upward, conditioning
processes,
perception, and usage (such as the word "certainty") is examined and
supported by researched footnotes as Mott navigates scientific
disciplines that
support and lend to philosophical thinking.
Because Sounding Out Semantics: The
Limits of Philosophy
creates such a detailed and in-depth
survey that crosses disciplines to challenge common perceptions and
linguistic
descriptions, it is especially highly recommended reading for
college-level
students of science, philosophy, and linguistics.
The
intersection of
these disciplines proves, in Sounding Out
Semantics, key to the process of real comprehension—if not of
philosophy,
than the special challenge of its processes.
Return to Index
Tales of the
Public
Domain
Champ Clark Vaughan
Independently
Published
979-8501618466
$15.00 Paper/$4.00 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Public-Domain-History-General/dp/B094KDHZWH
While Tales
of the Public Domain: A History of the United States General Land
Office in
Oregon will
primarily appeal
to Oregon collections, it would be a shame to limit its readership to
that
state alone.
In effect, Champ
Clark Vaughan has crafted, in his history of Oregon's public land
development,
a geographic and cultural inspection which examines the evolution of
public
land laws and management systems, reviews the roles of the General Land
Office
(GLO), and embraces the social and cultural challenges of such issues
as Indian
rights and lands and settlement laws, in the process.
The fact
that Oregon
holds a diverse history in addressing all these issues, and that its
various
actions, acts, land status records, and public domain controversies
mirror many
facets of U.S. land management experience and issues means that the
state can
be held up as a microcosm of experience and history relevant to other
state experiences,
as well.
Champ Clark
Vaughan's
position as chief, Branch of Lands and Minerals Operations in the
Bureau of
Land Management Oregon-Washington State Office lends authority to his
history,
as does his background as a geographer and land law examiner.
These dual
backgrounds in geography and land law create a powerful consideration
of
settlement issues over the decades that hold much food for thought and
relevance to modern-day issues that arise from changing laws, values,
and
perceptions.
Anyone interested in
the history of U.S. settlements, land management, and changing legal
decisions
and rights needs to place Tales
of the Public Domain
at the top of their reading list.
Collections strong in references about Oregon history and public domain
concepts
in general will find it a worthy acquisition.
Return to Index
The
Vice
Chairman's Doctrine
Ian Domowitz
Independently
Published
979-8529442296
$9.99
https://www.amazon.com/Vice-Chairmans-Doctrine-Rocking-Industry/dp/B098WK1YXM
The Vice Chairman's
Doctrine: A Guide to Rocking the
Top in Industry 4.0 comes from a
former public company Vice Chairman and CEO who offers a different
business
take than in most books. His focus on transformative business
experiences, the
wellsprings of creativity and flexibility that lead to success, and the
stories
that back these experiences set this business book apart from almost
every
other discussion on the market.
For
one thing,
Domowitz does not use a single company for his corporate examples.
Instead, he
weaves the perspectives, knowledge, and power of leadership and change
into
each different story to provide not just business lessons, but
emotional
connections to events and growth experiences.
Another
strength
lies in its addition of dramatic flourishes to capture audience
attention. Much
like fiction, these references may be otherworldly or emotional draws.
But,
with the best acuity of nonfiction, Domowitz supports them with real-world incidents,
examples, and
facts to educate and transform business readers.
Those
who
anticipate and even look for staid accounts filled with facts and
supporting
diagrams may be stymied by this approach. The Vice Chairman's
Doctrine
is a manifesto of change not recommended for business leaders who base
their
corporations, decisions, and lives on statistical references alone.
It's
an
invitation to embrace a new form of corporate identity, and excels in
reframing
the business perspective through a clear doctrine that defines
approaches to
this process: "The Vice Chairman’s product is the company
itself.
Common priorities of innovation, branding, and culture are refashioned
through
unorthodox lenses. The glass is ground through process, and three
factories occupy
the Vice Chair’s attention. They are design thinking, the AGIL system
of
societal action, and the psychology of cognitive appraisal."
The
strategies
employed to craft and reframe a winning game are clear and are based on
many
different frameworks: "In order to understand why tit for tat
(TFT) is
a solution to our second problem of contingent rewards, ask: why did
the
strategy do so well in comparison to others? Academics have complex
answers to
this question, but mine are relatively simple. TFT is a strategy which
can be
implemented in games with repeated moves or in a series of similar
games. This
is a requirement in both marriage and business."
Business
readers
used to a "one size fits all" approach to success will welcome the
flexibility advocated in Domowitz's approach. By considering
bigger-picture
thinking, leaders are challenged to incorporate many ideas that promote
and
change not just the concept of doing business, but their own roles in
the
transformative experience: "Influence the influencers. The
culture of
the firm may be oriented towards maintaining client relationships but
is
nevertheless sensitive to changes in the clients’ environment. The
intrapreneur
attempts to demonstrate those changes, even if they are latent. Once
the
advertised change is bought as a concept, change management in behalf
of the
client becomes the sale. Pattern maintenance now includes change
management.
Cultural differences are mitigated in pursuit of a common objective:
make the
client happy. The phrase could define the culture itself."
Of
course, the
key to successfully absorbing this book lies in an acceptance of the
concept of
"change management." Everything else falls into place in chapters
that discuss and promote how this happens. It's that simple to
absorb—and that
radical to instigate under traditional corporate settings.
Business
leaders
interested in innovative concepts and creative envisioning of
traditional
approaches to goal attainment, adaptation, and change will welcome the
stories
and examples packed in an inspirational survey of many new
possibilities and
visions of success.
Return to Index
The Zodiac
Revisited
Volume 1: The Facts of the Case
Michael F. Cole
Twin Prime Publishing
978-0-9963943-0-7
$16.95
Hardcover/$10.95 paper/$4.99 Kindle
www.zodiacrevisited.com
Anyone who
resided in
the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 60s through early 70s well
recalls the
atmosphere of terror a mysterious serial killer fostered as he
instigated a
murder spree, taunting investigators through anonymous letters to
newspapers.
One might
believe
that in 2021 this case is more than cold and closed, but The
Zodiac Revisited Volume
1: The Facts of the Case reawakens events, reconsiders clues,
and
reevaluates the lingering questions of the Zodiac's identity and
motivations.
It is highly recommended reading for true crime readers looking for a
different
angle on the subject.
Michael F.
Cole's
revisit occurs at a point in the far future where the hope for justice
is
almost certainly gone. What remains is a quest for lasting closure by
identifying the Zodiac once and for all and pulling together the pieces
of the
puzzle surrounding his elusive persona.
The Zodiac Revisited begins with a
powerful introduction which
outlines why the Zodiac mystery remains one of the most compelling
serial
killer cases in American history. Cole reviews the killer's actions, as
so many
coverages before him have done—but what stands out is the ciphers
Zodiac gave
to the newspapers as clues—puzzles which stymied law enforcement and
cryptologists alike. One puzzle was only solved in December 2020, and
two
remain unsolved.
Ciphers and
the
Zodiac's real identity weren't the only lingering questions on this
case. The
Zodiac boasted of some 37 murders over his spree; yet law enforcement
could
only account for five of his victims. Were the others figments of his
imagination, portents of his future goals, or real victims so cleverly
disguised or hidden that they could not be credited to him?
Few new
clues have
emerged since the last swirl of excitement in 1978. Investigators
amassed an
impressive mountain of evidence that led nowhere, including over twenty
pages
of writings the killer contributed himself over the life of his crimes.
Much is
known, but little is understood—and that's where The
Zodiac Revisited shines.
Cole
recreates the
Zodiac's entire story, from his logical starting point in Vallejo and
Benicia
to each of the murders, including reproductions of the Zodiac letters
which
followed.
Crime story
readers
will be particularly delighted by the meticulous sifting of clues which
publishes images of letters, documents, and other key evidence that
allow
readers to look at everything the investigators developed or had access
to.
Considerations
of
each murder and its clues and challenges are specific and intricately
detailed,
complete with footnoted references: "Police
initiated a thorough review of all the details that had been published
about
Cheri’s murder. Although multiple accounts had mentioned that the
distributor
coil and condenser had been torn out, no reports had included any
mention of
the perpetrator pulling out the middle wire of the distributor — which
was, in
fact, true. Though police publicly allowed for the possibility that the
letter
may have been written by someone other than the murderer, the reality
was that
they knew the author and the killer were one and the same. The Chief of Police would
later privately
describe his conclusion on the matter by saying: “There is no doubt
that the
person who wrote the confession letter is our homicide suspect.” As of
the
writing of this book, the murder of Cheri Jo Bates remains unsolved."
Cole's
ability to
capture the drama surrounding the Zodiac's era (including the Bay Area
culture
and residents) through stories of the murders and the terror they
sparked
brings this story to life; but it's Cole's attention to detail that
sets this
history apart from any other Zodiac consideration (and, there are more
than a
few).
Rich with
insights
about the quagmire of legal, social, psychological, and political
challenges
The Zodiac's modus operandi uniquely presented to the community at
large, it's
hard to put down this true crime story, which blends elements of a
thriller
into a meticulous historical probe that leaves no stones unturned.
Volume One
of this
three-part investigation is a huge draw. The conclusion of this segment
paves
the way for more in a compelling manner that makes it hard not to want
to know
what happens next: "Many had reached
the point where they would be happy with the story of the Zodiac simply
going
away. To a large extent, that’s exactly what happened."
The Zodiac
may have
gone away, but Cole's book certainly won't vanish in the reader's mind
any time
soon.
Return to Index
Embargo on Hope
Justin Doyle
Atmosphere Press
978-1637528167
$16.99 Paper/$9.99 ebook
Website: starmarked.mailchimpsites.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Embargo-Hope-Justin-Doyle/dp/1637528167
Embargo on Hope is recommended for teen
sci-fi readers who look for
stories replete with action and social inspection.
On the
planet
Vastire, the choices of a father fall upon the shoulders of his son.
Sixteen-year-old Darynn Mark faces poverty as an aftermath of the
revolution
his father incited, which resulted in the P.A. embargo on their planet.
An alien
ship manages
to reach Darynn with a message: finish his father's work, and the
poverty-inducing embargo might be ended.
Darynn is an
astute
observer of his world and is more than cognizant of the social and
political
forces that have conspired to bring them to this juncture: "The P.A. wanted to help slum-rats like Pavlar and
me, since we
have about the same rights as sheep, but those bureaucratic idiots
didn’t
realize that an embargo would just mean things would get worse for the
Olan-Har."
This level
of
political savvy will delight older teens who look for more insights and
depth
than the usual sci-fi adventure quest contains. It reflects many
familiar
situations of poverty in which forces that would help actually add to
the
dilemma.
In a
dog-eat-dog
world, Darynn understands that his choices, like his father's, may
affect and
change not only the status quo, but his own life and those around him.
Charged with
a
mission that leads him to confront spies, monsters, vampires, and more,
Darynn
confronts his heritage and lessons in the course of learning more about
his
abilities and the complexity of his task: “Were
you a good friend of his, Mr. Viln?” Fyra asked. “If Kawto wasn’t
around, he’d
come to me for advice or to rant. We worked together on a few missions,
too. He
was a rare man—both skilled and disciplined. It’s hard to find men like
that.” I’m neither of those things. At
least, according to Kaylaa. She was probably right though. But was that
my
fault? Maybe I should have inherited those traits. Or maybe he would’ve
taught
them to me, had he been around longer."
Justin
Doyle's
ability to juxtapose political and social inspection with personal
growth and
revelations creates a gifted story that is exceptionally compelling.
He
accompanies
Darynn's first-person insights and observations with notes by Polek
Viln and
others, who solidify objectives on different sides, and adds
inspections of the
underlying motivations of fighting forces and a son who both admires
his father
and struggles with his insanity.
Embargo on Hope is about more than a
social and political struggle.
It's about a son's legacy and ability to grow into his powers and make
a
difference in his world's future, and the Olan-Har caste's lives, joys,
and who
is ultimately responsible for their condition.
Young adult
sci-fi
readers who enjoy more than a light social inspection are in for a
treat.
Return to Index
Goodnight
Star,
Whoever You Are
Jodi Meltzer
Mascot Books
978-1645438977
$16.99
https://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Whoever-Choice-Award-Winner/dp/164543897X
Goodnight Star, Whoever You Are is an inviting picture book discussion about
overcoming grief and loss after a loved one dies; but it's also about
the
bigger picture of finding meaning and ongoing love from that loss.
As
a mother and
child are driving home at night from a wonderful beach day, the child
notices
that a star seems to be following them.
The
mother
provides a solid scientific explanation, then offers her own idea—one
that goes
beyond science to enter into the realm of recovery and new
possibilities in a
star "...all full of magic and promise and light. It made the
dark
night seem so bright."
The
gentle
reminder that love is timeless and never dies is reinforced as the
child
considers her wisdom and finds comfort in the possibility that those
lost are
always within.
Jody
King
Camarra provides simple, engaging illustrations that kids will relate
to. The
colorful drawings are fine compliments to a story that gives just
enough ideas
to encourage a dialogue about grief, death, and loss between adults and
children.
This
is a
satisfying difference from some picture books which attempt to fill in
all
blanks about these subjects. The open-ended inspirational idea
encourages broad
conversations between adults and children, making Goodnight
Star, Whoever
You Are an uplifting beginning for discussions that sets the
stage for a
positive, creative viewpoint using a metaphor about lasting love beyond
death.
Any
collection
strong in picture books that open the door for emotional insights will
find Goodnight
Star, Whoever You Are a welcome addition that's very highly
recommended.
Return to Index
If You Shut
Your
Eyes, You'll Hear Some Cosmic Verse
Ellen Palestrant
Ep Creative
Enterprises
9780997478389
$11.95
www.EllenPalestrant.com
The poems
and black
and white line illustrations in If You
Shut Your Eyes, You'll Hear Some Cosmic Verse will appeal to
all ages, from
young poetry readers to adults well versed in the genre. They provide
humorous,
thought-provoking, imaginative creations that at first appear to hold
more
insight for the young. However, many an adult who cultivates being
young at
heart will find these short works whimsical and imaginative
explorations of
"a new world from a new dimension."
Take
"Nincomdroops!" for one example. This builds on previous observations
to note that "The Droops of
Evil/cause upheaval/everywhere they go./Can't walk in a line./Can't
read a
sign./Go fast instead of slow."
The
intergalactic
journeys, hilarity, and bouncing, rollicking rhythms that describe
alien places
and spaces will also delight read-aloud parents who encourage levity
and
celebration in the young, cultivating an appreciation for poetry that
mixes
fanciful environments with fun wordplays and fantasy observations about
the
creatures that inhabit these other realms.
Kids are
encouraged
to absorb multiple word interpretations and differing observations and
conclusions about these intergalactic environs and their inhabitants as
they
romp through a cosmic and literary journey.
Adults
looking to
introduce kids to a variety of poetic forms will appreciate the
diversity
Palestrant employs in these celebratory explorations, the humor, and
the fantastic
descriptions. Her black and white illustrations provide just the right
zany,
simple touch to help these cosmic verses come to life in a presentation
especially recommended for young readers new to poetic experiences.
Return to Index
Kiki Goes to
Brazil
Victor D.O. Santos
Linguacious
978-1-64962-099-6
$13.99
www.linguacious.net
Parents
seeking to
introduce the concept of foreign languages, words, and polygot speakers
at an
early age will find Kiki Goes to Brazil
another fine addition to the Linguacious picture book collection that
promotes
multicultural encounters, understanding, and language skills.
The polygot kids are
traveling to Brazil, the country of their father's birth, where they
enjoy the
warm Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro
and encounter people from different countries.
Words in their mother's
tongue (Ukrainian) as well as in Chinese
and in Portuguese introduce some new concepts to kids, but the action
swirls
around pet chicken Kiki, who goes missing.
Even more important than the
adventure and language
lesson is the example of being helpful and sharing new experiences. The
story
of an evolving friendship that introduces yet more possibilities to the
polygot
family creates an inviting story about being open to and understanding
cultural
differences.
The contrast between
different cultures and how they
become friends is the real heart of a story. Colorful, inviting
illustrations
by Eszter Miklós illustrate the tale of how a travel encounter creates
new understanding
for all ages.
Collections strong in
cross-cultural representation and
lessons supporting positive attitudes and encounters among diverse
ethnic
groups will find that Kiki
Goes to Brazil is delightful in its
presentation and perspective.
Return to Index
Old Kicker Legs
Robert and Ross Rubenstein
Independently Published
979-8514534746
$6.20
Paper/$3.00 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Old-Kicker-Legs-Robert-Rubenstein/dp/B0991J4PSV
Old Kicker Legs tells of a grandfather's
walk with his grandson,
and reviews the activities they can and cannot do together. Based on
real
events that happened over several seasons in 2021 Maryland, the story
embraces
nature, Native Americans, family relationships, and themes of aging and
renewal.
Grandpa ("Old
Kicker Legs") has a carved walking stick named Joe Elm. Joe has his own
sage persona and observational style as he narrates his revised life
since
treehood: “This
is a concrete world,” Joe Elm says. He misses the mountain near the
tree between three rocks where he began to breathe."
Old Kicker Legs is cognizant
of the fact (and informs his
grandson) that he must tread carefully through life. His "old
bones can crack like crystal. And he'll be gone."
Robert and Ross Rubenstein
employ lovely, lyrical
language to explore relationships between people and between humans and
nature
in this story. This feature pairs beautifully with colorful, original
art by
Victor Nario, which receives an added boost through the choice of the
first-person in the young narrator's interactions with his grandfather.
Readers who expect a sage
walk, given Old Kicker Legs'
physical limitations, will find that what the body resists, the mind
embraces.
This grandfather is more than willing to accompany his grandson through
different adventures, from the joys of mud puddle play to an unexpected
soccer
challenge with a young player.
"What the old man can be" is
still an active,
engaging, fun-loving personality.
The lessons imparted by this
adventure are delightfully
unexpected, presenting a fine contrast between attitude and physical
ability.
Parents using this book to help kids understand older adults and their
various
possibilities will be pleased that the Old Kicker Legs portrayed here
still
holds gumption, creative thinking, and an interest in the world that
succeeds
in embracing his grandson.
Adults looking for a
different kind of story about elder/child
relationships will find many lessons and unexpected turns in Old Kicker Legs, which is especially
recommended for collections looking for something different in the way
of
family interactions in general and grandparent depictions in particular.
Return to Index
Pickleball
Patsy And
Her Lucky Pickle
Gerrie Lewis
Independently
Published
978-1648710841
$15.00 book/$2.99 ebook
Website: www.pickleballpatsy.com
Ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Pickleball-Patsy-Her-Lucky-Pickle/dp/1648710840
Pickleball Patsy And Her Lucky Pickle
tells of a girl who loves to
play pickleball. But, before every game, she sucks on a sour pickle
that she
deems lucky, and which (she thinks) assures her of a winning streak.
One day,
she loses her lucky pickle. Can she ever win again, without her ace in
the
hole?
Randy
Jennings
provides vivid, compelling illustrations that nicely accept Gerrie
Lewis's
story of a girl who thinks her skills come from luck. Even though her
mother
tries to tell her that she doesn't need luck to win, Patsy is convinced
that
she can't play without it.
Her idea is
backed by
a losing streak that began when luck went missing. Can Patsy regain her
winning
approach to pickleball on her own terms?
Gerrie Lewis
provides
young picture book readers with a vivid story about winning strategies,
belief
systems, problem-solving, friendship, and creative approaches to
adversity.
Much to her
credit,
Lewis tailors Pickleball Patsy And Her
Lucky Pickle to go in an unexpected direction right up to the
conclusion,
which involves a surprise twist neither young readers and read-aloud
parents
will see coming.
It's a fine
story of
determination that considers different viewpoints and ways of winning
in life,
and will delight adults who want to teach kids about positivity and
perseverance.
Return to Index
The Red Fence
Ed Diamano
Mascot Books
978-1-64543-626-3
$14.95
www.mascotbooks.com
The Red Fence is a picture book story set
in the town of Vanderloo,
where "everyone, everywhere, has the same view."
Jenn Polk
provides
lively, whimsical character drawings with the look and feel of a Dr.
Seuss
classic as Ed Diamano employs a rollicking rhythm to explain and
explore the
town's creed, which "echoed far and near/That difference wasn’t wanted
here."
When the
Bean family
moves in, though, nothing is the same again. Their differences are
brought home
when they decide to paint their fence a (shocking) red, challenging the
town's
commitment to bland uniformity with a flagrant slash of color they
can't
ignore.
Efforts to
change the
fence back to a more-acceptable white not only fail ("The
Bean family laughed, and they cried out with glee,/“You can’t
change our fence, so just let it be!/It doesn’t affect you, so just let
it
go!/A little change is good, or didn’t you know?”), but
provoke a series of
changes that horrify those who think that any change is bad.
Kids receive
a fine
message about diversity in the guise of a town's special challenges,
and will
readily understand the problem and its solution in a whimsical read
that romps
through a lesson about being different.
Parents who
choose The Red Fence for
read-aloud, as well as
independent young readers who grasp the basic message of this story,
will find
it thought-provoking, lending to discussion and wisdom at a very early
age.
Return to Index
There's a
Light at
the End of My Muddle
Ellen Palenstrant
Ep Creative
Enterprises
9780997478396
$12.95
www.EllenPalestrant.com
Poetry
readers of all
ages (but especially the young) will find There's
a Light at the End of My Muddle a whimsical invitation to all
kinds of
verse that encourages both imaginative thinking, read-aloud, and
performance
fun alike.
The idea,
expressed
in the beginning of the collection, is to 'open up new doors' of
variety and
creativity for readers of all ages. This sentiment is best expressed in
"Living Life in Pause," which offers a thought-provoking survey of
being overly cautious about life experiences:
"Are you.../living Life in Pause,/tidying up your drawers,/sweeping
clean
your floors,/stepping...gingerly...outdoors?"
Further
examples of
these attitudes and how they can influence perception and life
experience lie
in poems such as "Mrs. Naysayer," who "considers negation her
ongoing victory."
Because such
works
may require some degree of interpretation for the very young, this is a
collection that excels in being employed by read-aloud parents. This
audience
will find much discussion fodder for interacting with kids about
positive life
attitudes and fun encounters in daily and routine experiences, from a
rudely-slurping uncle to an angry tabby cat.
Palestrant's
simple
yet whimsical black and white illustrations throughout add interest to
her
words.
Adults who
want
opportunities for engagement with young poetry readers will find this
collection the perfect place for exploring characters, emotions, life
circumstances, and whimsical observations; all couched in a literary
expression
that is delightfully unexpected in its various portraits.
Return to Index
Trick or
Treat
Antoinette
Corley-Newman
Summit Street Books
978-1-63877-585-0
$24.99
www.summitstreetbooks.com
Trick
or Treat: The
Story of the Switch Witch and How She Came to Be is
a picture book
that portrays how the witch and warlock children of Transylvania use
October
31st to haunt the nearby town, and is a whimsical, delightful take on
Halloween
that read-aloud parents will find fun.
Abigail, the smallest of the
witches, wonders why they
are limited to mortal sweet treats only during Halloween festivities.
Why can't
they enjoy them year-round?
When Abigail observes the
rare treats are being passed
around by mortal children after the holiday, her wise mother lets her
know that
only on October 31st can the witches and warlocks of their town safely
mingle
with mortals, because everyone is in costume and nobody will notice
their true
forms.
As Abigail continues to
observe not just sweets but
games, sleepovers, and other pleasures the local children enjoy, she
gets a
brilliant idea for the upcoming Halloween celebrations...something that
will
solve her problem with a different approach to the holiday.
Kids who enjoy stories about
Halloween's rituals will
delight in the clever solution Abigail conjures up to solve her problem
of too
few sweets and too little Halloween time.
The surprise twist will also
delight parents, while the
large-size, colorful illustrations throughout by Noor Alshalabi add a
whimsical
tone to the story that make it a perfect read-aloud choice for the very
young
and parents who choose not to associate Halloween with scary stories.
Trick
or Treat: The
Story of the Switch Witch and How She Came to Be is
about
problem-solving at its best, and is delightfully original.
Return to Index