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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
A Presentist Path to World Peace
M. G. Person
Houdini Publishing
3797 Prosperity Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89147
www.houdinipublishing.com
www.presentistpath.com
Word Slinger Publicity
9781936759361, $15.00, 102pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Presentism is the belief that the present, the now is the only reality. "A Presentist Path
to World Peace" presents an interpretation of experience which reconciles science and religion
through recognition of 'Presentism' as a valid, comprehensive world view. The author M.G.
Person is concerned about religious-based violence occurring worldwide and convinced that the
first step to begin meaningful dialogue to resolve legitimate differences is to first resolve
religious differences.
Critique: "A Presentist Path to World Peace" is a thoughtful and thought-provoking read that is
strongly recommended to the attention of anyone concerned with the impact of destructive
religious beliefs is having upon humanity. Articulate, inspired and inspiring, "A Presentist Path
to World Peace" deserves as wide a readership as possible in these troubled times. It should be
noted that "A Presentist Path to World Peace" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).
Leaning into Love
Elaine Mansfield
Larson Publications
4936 NYS Route 414, Burdett, NY 14818
www.larsonpublications.com
9781936012725, $14.95, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "I'll find a way to be all right", Elaine promised Vic, her dying husband and best friend
of 42 years. Leaving the hospital after he passed, she had no idea how. "Leaning into Love: A
Spiritual Journey through Grief" is her uplifting and personal story of love, hope, determination,
and triumph is a gift to the half million women who lose spouses each year. "Leaning into Love"
showcases the extraordinary closeness of Elaine's marriage, how she and Vic transform their
struggle with cancer and despair into a conscious relationship with mortality. After Vic's death,
Elaine leans into her ongoing love as grief leads her through overwhelming emotional and
spiritual depths on a journey beyond their time together into her new life.
Critique: "Leaning into Love: A Spiritual Journey through Grief" is as candidly articulate and
engaging as it is inspired and inspiring. A rewarding read from beginning to end, "Leaning into
Love: A Spiritual Journey through Grief" is highly recommended for community library
collections and especially the personal reading lists of anyone having to struggle with the issues
of personal loss resulting from the death of a loved one. It should be noted that "Leaning into
Love: A Spiritual Journey through Grief" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.89).
Seeking The Face Of Love
Hadrian Bradley
Bradley House
9780692301272, $13.95, 260pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Humanity is connected by the energy of light and love - a connection often broken by
learned cultural norms and personal attitudes. When light energy diminishes, the energy of
darkness naturally gravitates to the space once inhabited by the light. What causes the light of
love to falter and weaken against the dark? Restrictive religious doctrines, bullying, environment
destruction, poverty, homophobia, and prejudice strengthen spiritual darkness in both oppressors
and their victims. In "Seeking the Face of Love", Hadrian Bradley offers opportunities for
humanity to replenish its light, countering our natural inclination for dark thinking. Combining
inspiring purpose with matter-of-fact logic, Bradley explains the karmic danger of operating from
a mindset of superiority, the very antithesis of spirituality. Bradley's most controversial claim
(that Christ came to earth to replace religion with love) will shock many who rely on religious
dogma to justify their darker thoughts and actions. Heterosexual supremacists, conservative male
masters and their willing female subordinates, and the economically powerful will find Bradley's
philosophy deeply bewildering. Perhaps they can now push through the darkness to understand
that their actions hurt themselves as much as those they oppress.
Critique: Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, iconoclastic and
inspiring, "Seeking The Face Of Love" is an invaluable reading experience that is enthusiastically
recommended -- especially to members of the Christian community regardless of denominational
affiliation. Very highly recommended for community library collections and personal reading
lists, it should be noted that "Seeking The Face Of Love" is also available in a Kindle edition
($9.95).
The Photography Shelf
Bridges of Paris
Michael Saint James
Citron Bay Press
Smith Publicity
9781928595502, $85.00, 280pp, www.bridgesofparis.com
Synopsis: Thirty-seven bridges cross the Seine River in Paris. Collectively they weave a unique
and remarkable tale of the city's history. "Bridges of Paris" is a large-format "coffee table" book
featuring over 350 original photographs, including stunning portraits of each bridge, which cast
new illumination on the City of Light in all seasons. "Bridges of Paris" creates a kaleidoscopic
collage that shifts focus from the monumental to the intimate riverside moments that make up the
quotidienne (daily life) of the beloved French capital.
Critique: "Bridges of Paris" showcases not only the exquisite beauty of the Parisian bridges, but
documents Michael Saint James complete mastery of travel photography. Superb reproduction
values make "Bridges of Paris" a pure delight to browse through and is especially recommended
as a Memorial Fund acquisition selection for community and academic libraries.
The Biography Shelf
What It Looks Like
Marta Maranda
Alchemadhi Publishing
638 N. US Hwy 1, #156, Tequesta, FL 33469
News & Experts
9780985781408, $19.95, 432pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Marta Maranda doesn't drink, smoke, use drugs, or have destructive sexual patterns.
She is committed to exercise, eats healthfully, and has never had a cup of coffee in her life. But
despite not having the substance or behavioral addictions widely associated with rehab, she
checked herself into a five-week program, one week after a family member checked out, to
discover her part in the dysfunction of her life. ''What It Looks Like'' tells the story of the events
that led to her decision to enter rehab voluntarily and sober, her five weeks in the clinic alongside
nearly 70 addicts, and the changes in her life after she left. Her journey takes her inward on a
quest of self-exploration and healing, out into a world of war, politics, history, sports, and
spirituality, and finally home as she rebuilds her life piece by piece. And this is what it looks
like.
Critique: Informed and informative, "What It Looks Like" is written with an extraordinary candor
and accessibility. Offering a unique 'window' into a rehab center's operations and the kinds of
men and women serviced there, "What It Looks Like" is an exceptional read and very highly
recommended for community library Contemporary American Biography collections. Certain to
be of particular relevance to non-specialist general readers with an interest in rehab center
activities and resources for drug and alcohol addiction treatments, it should be noted that "What
It Looks Like" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
For The Record
Eric Focht
Bookstand
c/o F-Clef Publishing
P.O. Box, Wharton, NJ 07885
www.f-clefpublishing.com
9781618637918, $19.95, 326pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: At the height of his musical career, Eric Focht was in contract discussions with record
producers of such famous musicians as and David Bowie, Trent Reznor, and U2. "For The
Record" is Eric's autobiographical story of his difficult attempt at fame and stardom - and so
much more. His memoir is a deeply moving cautionary tale, from his earliest days as an adopted
child, all the way through to his darkest hour of personal anguish four decades later. Eric talks
candidly about the odyssey of his unorthodox life; of his pressures as a preachers' son in a small
town; of his sexual adventures at an alarmingly young age; of his unique musical education in
college; of his distressing, difficult days in the rock band EGO; of his emotionally empty
marriage; of his misguided misogyny in his 30's; and of his near fatal battle with alcohol and
depression. "For The Record" weaves in Eric's own personal anecdotes, perspectives from his
friends and family members, but also offers a scathing indictment of society and a call to action
for a divided nation currently subject to scrutiny. "For The Record" is also a piercing social
commentary on his generation and a gripping account of how he survived.
Synopsis: Exceptionally well written with considerable candor and impressive insight, "For The
Record" is an informative and inherently fascinating read from beginning to end, making it very
highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library biography
collections.
Fireflies at Twilight: Letters from Pat Adams
Cate Adams & Carole Milks Turner, editors
First Person Productions
http://www.firstpersonprod.com
9780984727650, $12.95, 184pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A true Aquarian-age woman, Pat Adams was equally as comfortable swinging a
hammer on a building crew to gardening at home or working as a public school teacher's aide for
children with autism and other special needs. Pat lived the last 15 years of her life with cancer
and its repercussions. However, Pat was more annoyed and irritated by cancer than ever stopped
or labeled by the disease. Pat writes letters, emails, and journal entries to her mother, husband,
children, and her many relatives and friends, and highlights her daily life on a southern
Wisconsin farm, her appreciation of the natural world, and her courage and vivacity to live fully
each day.
Critique: Deftly compiled and co-edited by Cate Adams and Carole Milks Turner, "Fireflies at
Twilight: Letters from Pat Adams" is a compelling and personal read. The candor is consistently
impressive. The observations unusually insightful. Informative, intensely personal, thoughtful
and thought-provoking. "Fireflies at Twilight: Letters from Pat Adams" is an extraordinary and
enthusiastically recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as community and
academic library American Biography collections. It should be noted that "Fireflies at Twilight:
Letters from Pat Adams" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).
Accidental Brownie: A Childhood Memoir
Paul Froiland
Elementa
9789187751790, $20.60, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Accidental Brownie comprises the tender, mostly factual, often very funny
recollections of Paul Froiland who describes himself as being "an incredibly naive and honest
kid" growing up in middle-class south Minneapolis during the fifties and sixties. His tales are
populated by a memorable cast of exasperated parents, gimlet-eyed teachers, pretty but tragically
inaccessible girls, and assorted mischief-makers, bullies, and oddballs.
Critique: Candid and articulate, Paul Froiland's memoir captures a time and an American culture
that has passed and will never come again. Yet his stories are universal and read with recognition
by new generations of readers who have similar 'coming of age' stories of their own youth.
Exceptionally well written and presented, "Accidental Brownie: A Childhood Memoir" is an
inherently fascinating and enjoyable read from beginning to end, making it very highly
recommended for community library American Biography collections. It should be noted that
"Accidental Brownie: A Childhood Memoir" is also available in a Kindle edition ($5.59).
A Blessing Well Disguised
Lloyd Burlingame
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
MM Book Publicity
9781500190927, $33.99, 276pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Confronting the catastrophe of sight loss, Lloyd Burlingame is an artist who embarks
on an inner odyssey attempting to find new meaning for his life. Discovering the reality of the
powers of the psyche, he is guided by dreams, whose healing images he paints as his sight fails.
This long journey takes him from blackest depths of despair to bright heights of hope. He seeks
answers to profound questions: "What good is a blind man?" on his quest to find his true self.
Looking back on his long road of transformation, he realizes his journey is unique as an
individual but also one he has in common with all men and women... his story is our story.
Critique: Intimate, candid, inspired and inspiring, "A Blessing Well Disguised: A blinded artist's
inner journey out of the dark" is exceptionally well written and presented. Informative and
thoughtful, Lloyd Burlingame's personal story is an exceptional and highly recommended read
that would prove to be an enduringly popular addition to any personal reading list or community
library American Biography collection. It should be noted that "A Blessing Well Disguised" is
also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).
Prisoner of Belief
John Van Dixhorn
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 South Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
www.outskirtspress.com
9781478736318, $12.95, 212pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Prisoner of Belief: One Man's Odyssey to Reclaim His Soul - From Evangelical
Minister to Searching Psychologist" is the personal story of John Van Dixhorn, a man who fights
for his soul against the crushing power of religious orthodoxy and evangelical zealotry to become
a modern man in the modern world. Raised by rigid Calvinists, Van Dixhorn became an
evangelical minister, a successful pastor with prosperous churches. But intellectual honesty and
emotional longing led him to challenge his faith, his church, his family, his friends and his
vocation...and to eventually leave the ministry and become a secular psychologist. To live this
life and write this book takes courage. "Prisoner of Belief", then, is a memoir of a courageous
man. Through the numerous sharp and painful (and sometimes very funny) anecdotes we begin to
realize what it means to confront all the significant figures and forces in one's life, from self to
mom, to brother, church, faith, ideology, Jesus, and finally to God...and the world-view that
holds all this together in one neat theological package. Van Dixhorn provides enough historical
background so that otherwise obscure theology may be understood. As a psychologist, Van
Dixhorn takes us deeper to see how doctrine affects emotional life, how belief affects our psyche,
our sexuality, and our sense of self. As Van Dixhorn leads us through his life, we learn so much
from this honest and courageous story.
Critique: Told with extraordinary candor and unusual insight, "Prisoner of Belief: One Man's
Odyssey to Reclaim His Soul - From Evangelical Minister to Searching Psychologist" is
exceptionally well written, organized and presented. A fascinating reveal of the power of the
human spirit to emancipate itself from the strictures of custom, tradition, orthodoxy, and
repression, "Prisoner of Belief" is an informed and informative read, making it highly
recommended and an enduringly valuable addition to community and academic library American
Biography collections. It should be noted that "Prisoner of Belief" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($9.99).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Heraclix and Pomp
Forrest Aguirre
Underland Press
c/o Resurrection House
310 North Meridian, Suite 204, Puyallup, WA 98371
www.resurrectionhouse.com
9781630230012, $24.95, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Heraclix was dead and Pomp was immortal. That was before Heraclix's reanimation
(along with the sewn-together pieces and parts of many other dead people) and Pomp's near
murder at the hands of an evil necromancer. As they travel from Vienna to Prague to Istanbul and
back again (with a side-trip to Hell), they struggle to understand who and what they are: Heraclix
seeks to know the life he had before his death and rebirth, and Pomp wrestles with the language
and meaning of mortality. As they journey across a land rife with revolution and unrest, they
discover that the evil necromancer they thought dead might not be so dead after all. In fact, he
might be making a pact to ensure his own immortality . . .
Critique: "Heraclix and Pomp: A Novel of the Fabricated and the Fey" is an especially well
written and presented fantasy novel. Complex but integrated plot, memorably crafted characters,
and a terrifically entertaining read from beginning to end, "Heraclix and Pomp" is very highly
recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections. It should be noted
that "Heraclix and Pomp" is also available in paperback edition (9781630230296, $16.00); in
Kindle edition ($10.49), and as an Audio Book Download ($14.95).
Curse of the King
Omari Pye
iUniverse, Inc.
c/o Author House
1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300, Bloomington, IN 47403
www.iuniverse.com
Bohlsen Group
9781491702215, $21.95, 140pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It is 1655, and King Dahon of the South African Hiandi tribe is a powerful leader with
one flaw: an insatiable lust for power. Obsessed with his hunger for control, Dahon has been
wiping out entire civilizations for years. Now, as he begins sacrificing his own people in order to
appease his animal gods, the curse of an old woman changes his family's destiny for generations
to come. As Dahon is cursed, his mind and body both transformed into a creature called a
Vandara, he pays a million times for the lives he has destroyed. Worse, his sons are cursed as
well, guided by an instinct to kill the king and carry on the curse. The Vandara kings would rule
for centuries. In present-day Atlantic City, Eddrin Mather is the new king who has reigned since
defeating his father and brothers. With his aging process slowed by the curse, Eddrin, who once
used his demonic form to battle the mob, now uses his gifts to assist the police as a detective and
bounty hunter who works in the shadows to capture criminals. But as the curse becomes stronger
and shredded bodies begin showing up around town, Eddrin fears the worst: another Vandara
king may be ready to reign. In this fantasy tale, a modern-day ruler must use all of his powers to
fight for what he believes should be his -- to be the only Vandara king forever.
Critique: A superbly crafted action/adventure fantasy, "Curse Of The King" offers a unique twist
on the history and nature of a malignant curse that afflicts generation after generation. A solid
entertainment from beginning to end, "Curse Of The King" is enthusiastically recommended and
will leave its readers looking eagerly toward author Omari Pye's next epic tale. It should ben
noted that "Curse Of The King" is also available in a paperback edition (9781491702222,
$11.95) and in a Kindle edition ($3.99).
The Implacable Absence
Henry E. Gorton & David J. Keffer
Poison Pie Publishing House
2207 Island Home Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37920-2744
www.poisonpie.com
9781502787453, $9.99, 212pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "The Implacable Absence: A Non-Idiomatic Improvisational Duet" is a post-existential
fantasy in which a mushroom man, a talking bug and a doppelganger traverse Faerie, Nirvana,
and other planes of existence in search of the Deadly Galerina, an ambiguous deity from the
Kingdom of Fungi. The novel is a non-idiomatic improvisational duet because two authors
engaged in a genre-defying, spontaneous (improvisational) creative process, rather than a
preplanned (compositional) activity. To add intrigue to the process, one author opted not to
commit to paper his passages, contributing instead an imaginative silence. Just as in a musical
duet in which one participant decides not to perform, the duet becomes equally defined by the
notes one musician plays as by the absence of the notes that the other musician does not play.
The active musician still responds to the other, albeit now only to the other's silence. To call this
half a novel is a misnomer. It is rather a complete novel, written by two authors, one of whom is
expressed in silence.
Critique: Unique, engaging, superbly written and presented, "The Implacable Absence: A
Non-Idiomatic Improvisational Duet" is a seminal reading experience from beginning to end.
Erudite, complex, and solidly entertaining, "The Implacable Absence" is very highly
recommended for community and academic Literary Fiction collections and personal reading
lists. It should be noted that "The Implacable Absence" is also available in a Kindle edition
($3.99).
The Scent of Eternity
Alan T. McKean
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781612963792, $15.95, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The evil time travel organization PATCH seeks to change history to their agenda.
Time traveler Drew Faulker attempts to counter their efforts while others try to end his life.
Amidst a mix of adventure, kidnapping, and attempted weddings surfaces the realization that the
fight against evil never ends.
Critique: "The Scent of Eternity" is the third installment of Alan T. McKean's 'The Scent' trilogy.
The first two volumes in this outstanding science fiction series are "The Scent of Time"
(9781612961286, $14.95 PB, $6.99 Kindle) and "The Scent of Home" (9781612962023, $17.95
PB, $6.99 Kindle). An exceptional final volume to an outstanding three volume series, "The
Scent of Eternity" is a terrifically entertaining read from beginning to end and enthusiastically
recommended to science fiction enthusiasts who appreciate a well crafted time-travel theme
novel. Although helpful to be familiar with the first two books in the series, nonetheless, "The
Scent of Eternity" is also a very satisfying 'stand alone' read in and of itself. The trilogy itself
would make a very popular and highly recommended addition to community library Science
Fiction & Fantasy collections.
The Poetry Shelf
Soul Splitting: Volume I
LeRoy Flemming
Xlibris Corporation
1663 South Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403-5161
News & Experts
9781493180691, $19.99, 147pp, www.xlibris.com
"Soul Splitting" is the first of a proposed series showcasing the free verse poetry of LeRoy
Flemming. Of special note is the construction and presentation of "Soul Splitting" with each page
resembling lined stationary with the typeface being that of cursive printing. Each poem is dated
at the end and given the time of day at the top. As distinctive as its presentation, the poetry of
Leroy Flemming is an inherently fascinating and highly recommended read. 'At Ease': I'm trying
to find my way through / this life but it all seems to be filled / with strife. People offer me advice
/ and that is nice but what is one to / do when they are confused. // Looking deep within I try to
find the / line between joy and pain. is there / happiness to gain? The world of / man is always at
war for our future / who knows that lies ahead. // Children walking the earth have no / working
knowledge of how wars are / started. All they want at home is their /mother and father. // The
mind is where it all begins. Maybe / the way we think is our biggest sin. If / we anted to make our
world right, we / could do it without a physical fight.
To The House Of The Sun
Tim Miller
S4N Books
PO Box 312, Glenshaw, PA 15116
9780979870743, $24.99, 626pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "To the House of the Sun" is a long narrative poem presented in thirty-three books,
culminating with a young man's experience of illumination in the summer of 1865 and his
ascension into the air above California. It begins a few years earlier, on a beach in Savannah, as
he broods over the death of his fiancee and the civil war just beginning to tear the United States
apart.
In between, we journey with him through a panorama of America at war: from Georgia through
the Deep South, he meets escaped and freed slaves, families facing hardship, and soldiers from
the recent battles. In the North, he befriends a weary Walt Whitman, and together they tend to the
wounded in Washington, before he leaves the poet and briefly joins the Union Army. After this,
he walks West, shedding any identity he may have once had - as an immigrant Irishman, a
Catholic, a Southerner, a son - so that what began as an epic of history has slowly become
something like a new sutra or gospel, the hagiography of some strange man who appears in the
American West teaching, healing, and even raising the dead.
More than a decade in the writing, To the House of the Sun is consciously dependent upon the
sacred literature and poetry our own culture is heir to, and following the poem is a generous
selection of notes detailing these borrowings, which itself constitutes an anthology of sacred
literature and folklore. Built as it is upon the great inherited tradition of history and religion, in
the end the entirety of the poem becomes one of those very stories itself, as well as a song of
suffering and love, and finally of empathy.
Critique: An incredible well executed epic saga in a poetry format, "To The House Of The Sun"
is complex, with manifold characters, plot developments, and internal rhythms. Simply stated,
"To The House Of The Sun" is a literary phenomena on a scale with the Iliad or the Odyssey. A
critical success, "To The House Of The Sun" is especially appropriate for academic library
Literary Studies and Poetry Studies reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
It should be noted that "To The House Of The Sun" is scheduled for an official release date of
April 15, 2015, and that those interested can go to www.s4nbooks.com for additional content,
including four hours of readings by Tim Miller from eighteen of the poem's thirty-three books --
nine of which are in their entirety.
Psalmandala
Michael Patrick Collins
ELJ Publications LLC
PO Box 904, Washingtonville, NY 10922
www.eljpublications.com
9781942004066, $13.54, 84pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The poetry comprising Michael Patrick Collins anthology "Psalmandala" will have
special appeal for students of Jungian psychology and those with an interest in esoteric religion.
These are free verse poems that evoke primal yet reflective responses within the mind and soul of
the reader. 'Don't get mad at me, Jesus': You Know how lots of people scream your name when
they're angry. I don't do that. Well, not every time. And I listen to that thing you said about
turning the other cheek. I just turned it again when this jackass kicked my bag halfway across the
coffee shop. Then yelled at me for using it to trip him....
Critique: Every poem in this collection is a separate gem to be savored and distilled into a very
kind of wisdom arising from the human experiences of us all. An exceptional collection of
exceptional poetry, "Psalmandala" is very special and very highly recommended.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Honor Above All
J. Bard-Collins
Allium Press of Chicago
1530 Elgin Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130
www.alliumpress.com
9780989053570, $17.99, 326pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Pinkerton agent Garrett Lyons arrives in Chicago in 1882, close on the trail of the
person who murdered his partner. He encounters a vibrant city that is striving ever upwards, full
of plans to construct new buildings that will "scrape the sky." In his quest for the truth Garrett
stumbles across a complex plot involving counterfeit government bonds, fierce architectural
competition, and painful reminders of his military past. Along the way he seeks the support and
companionship of his friends - elegant Charlotte, who runs an upscale poker game for the city's
elite, and up-and-coming architect Louis Sullivan.
Critique: "Honor Above All" is an historical novel embedded throughout with meticulously
accurate details that bring early 1880s Chicago to life as a backdrop to a fascinating and engaging
mystery/suspense story. Exceptionally entertaining from beginning to end, "Honor Above All" is
very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections. It should
be noted that "Honor Above All" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99).
Diamonds For Death
Gregory C. Randall
Windsor Hill Publishing
119 Poppy Court, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
9780965651066, $14.99, 298pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Sharon O'Mara's newest client doesn't need her help for what he's done, but rather for
what he left behind. When baseball great, Toro Rodriquez, defected he had to leave his wife and
child in Cuba. Now a ruthless government agent whose allegiance isn't to Castro, but only to
herself, holds them prisoner. Since O'Mara's friend, Kevin Bryan, is off on a security gig in
London to prevent the theft of diamonds worth a quarter of billion euros, she turns to old friends
and comrade-in-arms to help rescue Toro's family. Her team's failure may mean vanishing into a
Cuban prison or... worse. O'Mara and Bryan have no idea their client's paths will not only merge
but crash bloodily into each other on the night of baseball's All-Star Game in San Francisco.
Critique: The fifth novel in author Gregory C. Randall's 'Sharon O'Mara' series, "Diamonds For
Death" is a carefully crafted mystery adventure that continues to demonstrate and document
Randall as a total master storyteller. Exceptionally well written, "Diamonds For Death" is a solid
entertainment from beginning to end and highly recommended for mystery/suspense enthusiasts.
It should be noted that "Diamonds For Death" is also available in a Kindle edition ($4.99).
Minister's Shoes
Celine Rose Mariotti
Cambridge Bppls
9781613862445, $18.95, 170pp, www.amazon.com
Corning, Alabama is a small southern town rife with gossip, casino gaming, extramarital affairs,
embezzlement, and the occasional murder. It is also has the Rev. Castle, a Baptist Minister,
solving crimes. When Sada Sampson's husband, Trevor is missing, she asks Rev. Castle to find
him. She promises to give him a new pair of shoes if he can find Trevor. The Lord appears to
Rev. Castle and gives him clues that help him solve the case. Rev. Castle meets up with a lot of
nefarious characters. His quest to solve the case takes him to the Florida Keys and Gulfport,
Mississippi. He must prove Trevor's innocence when he is accused of murdering Cartwright, a
partner in the Casino deal.
Critique: A deftly crafted and imaginative mystery/suspense, "Minister's Shoes" is a compelling
and entertaining novel that holds the reader's rapt attention from first page to last. "Minister's
Shoes" clearly documents author Celine Rose Mariotti as a major literary talent and master of the
genre. "Minister's Shoes" will leave it's readers looking eagerly forward to her next Rev. Castle
mystery! Very highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it
should be noted that "Minister's Shoes" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.50).
Beg For Mercy: The Sin City Chronicles
Miles Felony
Bottom To the Top Publishing
c/o Imagine Communications
11500 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 250, Henderson, NV 89052
www.milesfelony.com
9780615771441, $20.00, 338pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Have you ever heard stories of wickedly deranged individuals who commit heinous
acts, such as Jeffery Dahmer, Ted Bundy, or John Wayne Gacy? After being shocked and utterly
repulsed by what they've done, you probably wondered "what happened in that individual's life to
cause him to become such a monster?" Something inside of you tried to rationalize their actions
and find the algebraic formula that could add up to someone doing such horrible things. You
argued "no one is born evil, right?" But maybe you were wrong. Maybe the universal law of yin
and yang that guides us all allows for some to be born with a predisposition to being bad while
others are predisposed to being good. It was with these thoughts in mind that the character
Charlie Doyle was created. Beg 4 Mercy: The Reason is not meant to answer these questions,
rather "Beg For Mercy: The Sin City Chronicles" walks you through Charlie's life and shows you
his evolution from an introverted child raised in the church, to a disillusioned bi-polar Vietnam
Vet who becomes a serial killer on the streets of Las Vegas. Decide for yourself; was Charlie
born predisposed to kill or did he choose that life for himself?
Critique: A chilling but deftly written novel, "Beg For Mercy: The Sin City Chronicles" is a
compelling read that is backgrounded against such contemporary social issues as homelessness,
endemic poverty, abandoned veterans, mental illness, and a malfunctioning judicial system.
Recommended and thought-provoking reading, "Beg For Mercy: The Sin City Chronicles" is
recommended for community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it
should be noted that "Beg For Mercy: The Sin City Chronicles" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($2.99).
Summer Shadows
Killarney Traynor
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781500751982, $14.95, 414pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When Julia Lamontaigne arrives in Franklin, New Hampshire, she's looking for an
escape from the tragedies that have taken over her life. Haunted by the legacy of her beloved
sister, and entrusted with her sister's three orphaned children, Julia hopes for a summer of
peaceful healing... And hopefully, bonding. At first, the small New Hampshire town seems to be
the perfect location. They quickly settle in and make friends with their eccentric neighbors, then
begin work on their summer house - while Julia is drawn into a relationship with Robert Wilde,
the handsome cop next door. But Franklin is haunted, too - by the decades-old murder of a
beautiful young artist, killed in the house at the end of Julia's street. Even though everyone says
that the case is solved, Julia can't escape the feeling that there's more to the story than she's being
told. She's right. Someone doesn't want the murder case re-opened. And they're willing to kill
again to stop it. The house at the end of the street hasn't begun to give up its secrets.
Critique: With "Summer Shadows", author Killarney Traynor demonstrates a complete master of
the romance/mystery genre with a riveting story that holds the reader's rapt attention from
beginning to end. This is a true page-turner of an entertainment with Traynor's skillfully crafted
characters deftly embedded in a complexly woven story replete with unexpected twists and turns.
Very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections, "Summer
Shadows" will leave the reader looking eagerly toward Killarney Traynor's next novel! It should
also be noted that "Summer Shadows" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99).
The Fiction Shelf
Son Of A Son
Marilyn Amster Gould
Privately Published
www.marilynamstergould.com
News & Experts
9781939758842, $20.00, 492pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: 1898-a spring day in Presov. Meyer, thirteen, dances down the cobblestone street
balancing a tray of his father's freshly baked strudel to be delivered to Gereaud's Restaurant after
which he will secretly meet Mary Catherine in front of the Church of St. Nicholas. But as he
rounds the corner he's met with groups of angry men slinging rocks at windows, smashing doors
of shops, overturning carts, wagons, baby carriages, slashing at the shocked onlookers with
whips, and shouting, "Kill the Jews! Kill the Jews!" This is an organized uprising-a pogrom.
Fearing the rise of anti-Semitism and rumors of compulsory conscription, Meyer is sent from the
world he loves to the strange "golden land" of America. As history unfolds in the background,
from the nineteenth century and the Belle Epoque, to the twentieth century and the Age of
Aquarius, Meyer journeys you through success and defeat, love and loss, and unexpected
obstacles and challenges from l'dor v'dor, generation to generation.
Critique: Written with a keen eye toward an historically accurate backdrop, "Son of a Son:
Fathers and Sons Unconditional Love and Unintentional Misunderstandings" is a deftly crafted
novel of impressive complexity and sophistication with respect to the creation of memorable
characters embedded in an never-failing-to-engage multi-generational plot. A solidly entertaining
reade, "Son Of A Son" is a very highly recommended addition to both personal reading lists and
community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted that "Son Of A Son" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).
Sleeping Truth
Martin Vesole
Shalom Rav Publications
News & Experts
9781937416027, $19.95, 362pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Rabbi Hertzel is being held for a murder everyone knows he did not commit. Could it
be because of his support for a newly-discovered ancient scroll found in a cave in Israel that
challenges the very underpinnings of Christianity? Are the rich and powerful out to get him? Will
Mary be able to help him? Will God help save him? This book tells about the discovery of the
ancient scroll, known as the Book of Emet, and what follows. A panel of experts is convened to
evaluate the truthfulness of the Book of Emet, while a growing mob is threatening them from the
outside. In this charged environment, a forbidden love story develops, there is a mysterious
murder, and the fix is in to blame the Rabbi for it. As the Rabbi tries to escape his fate, he tries to
find an understanding of God that works in the 21st Century.
Critique: An extraordinary and original mystery that will hold the reader's rapt attention from
beginning to end, "Sleeping Truth" documents author Martin Vesole as a master storyteller who
will leave his readers looking eagerly toward his next novel. Strongly recommended for
mystery/suspense enthusiasts and community library collections, it should be noted that
"Sleeping Truth" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.99).
Omari And The People
Stephen Whitfield
Shirley Castle Press
Ingram/Lightning Source (distribution)
9780964429031, $14.95, 366pp, www.amazon.com www.bn.com
Synopsis: In a squalid ancient city on the edge of a desert (based in part on the African Sahara's
Empty Quarter) a weary, thrill-seeking thief named Omari sets his home afire to start anew and to
cover his many crimes. When the entire city is unintentionally destroyed by the flames, the
cornered thief tells the displaced people a lie about a better place which only he can lead them to,
across the desert. With the help of an aged, mysterious woman who knows a better place actually
does exist, they set out. The disparate people must come together to fight their way through
bandits, storms, epidemics, and more. As a result of Omari's involvement with Saba, a fiercely
independent woman who is out to break him in the pay of a merchant whom he has offended, his
ability to lead is jeopardized.
Critique: an extraordinarily entertaining read, "Omari And The People" documents author
Stephen Whitfield as a truly skilled storyteller with an impressive ability to create memorable
characters and then deftly embed them into a complexly woven and engaging novel from
beginning to end. Very highly recommended for personal recreational reading lists and
community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted that "Omari And The People"
is also available in a Kindle edition ($0.99).
Amlethus
Carl Melanson
Biographical Publishing Company
95 Sycamore Drive, Prospect, CT 06712-1493
www.biopub.us
0991352149, $19.99, 554pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Amlethus" is a Metamodernist novel about a singer-songwriter, poet, and physicist
from Greenwich Village by the name of Solomon Roy. He is also schizophrenic, with delusions
of grandeur and great power. Is he crazy, or are these things really happening to him? Is there
really a Revolution going on, or is it all in his mind? There is simply no way to tell -- such is the
prowess of his disorder. Amlethus is a novel, whose poetics account for the prosody of man. All
in all, it is a rhapsody about the effects of mental illness and solitude on the mind of a genius - a
loner's sacristy; the thin line between genius and madness. And so we have the life and times of
Solomon Roy, a young man's quest to join the Illuminati. It all begins with Solomon Roy's
biography: "Illuminati." Then there is a dream about Lucifer in a lighthouse titled: "Apollo's
Wake." This is followed by "The Principle of Equilibrium," a real-time physics book about the
structure of the Universe. Then there is a poetry book titled "The Complete Works of Amlethus."
And finally we have "!Okarma!" an acoustic album about the death of Postmodernism. All of
these works have been written by Solomon Roy -- who is also known as the Antichrist.
Critique: Erudite, iconoclastic, and truly exceptional, "Amlethus" documents author Carl
Melanson as an astutely gifted and imaginative novelist with an impressive command of
language. As imaginative and unique, as it is entertaining and thought-provoking, "Amlethus" is
a very highly recommended read with is principally available in a Kindle edition ($6.99).
Everyday Mercies
Evie Yoder Miller
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781496152718, $15.00, 354pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Carrie's dad is a dairy farmer, but she has a different idea about working the land when
she returns to her south central home in Wisconsin for four days. As a young adult, she needs her
parents' support to move back north from Appalachia and grow organic vegetables. Carrie finds
her mom, Charlotte, consumed with plans for the traditional Thanksgiving meal with extended
family, while Carrie's dad, James, struggles whenever the thought of change comes to the fore.
Her brother, Chad, lives in his own high school world of basketball, girls, and excuses to get out
of the house. During the holiday meal and the days that follow, Carrie's grandmother, Martha,
and other family members also provide surprises that propel events forward. There's an
unexpected dinner guest, an extra dessert, and an unplanned trip to the family cemetery plot.
Martha often retreats to her bedroom to read her mother's diaries that reveal a life lived in a
vastly different world of patriarchal privilege and pietistic language. The tensions and humor of
family living spill out in the most ordinary of interactions. Whether in everyday routine or in
shocking revelation, this novel gives a lively look into four generations of women coming from
conservative Mennonite and Amish backgrounds.
Critique: A thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to end, ""Everyday Mercies" showcases
author Evie Yoder Miller's impressive storytelling talents with its deftly crafted characters in a
superbly woven novel that holds the reader's complete attention from first page to last. Very
highly recommended for personal recreational reading lists and certain to be an enduringly
popular addition to community library General Fiction collections it should be noted that
"Everyday Mercies" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.00).
Shadowlands
Mark E. Prior
Lulu Publishing
3101 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5436
www.lulu.com
9781483411613, $14.99, 234pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Two tours of Afghanistan have left Matt Graydon, 28, shattered by battle. Now he
must return home to his family's farm to care for his estranged mother Shirley, who is fighting
her own war of early-onset Alzheimer's. Yet while the struggle with their demons threatens to
unravel them both, Matt and Shirley come to discover each other in a way they never could have
imagined. A commanding and emotionally volatile novel of war, fear, and love, "Shadowlands"
is an enthralling and touching exploration of a man and his mother's battle with their enemies,
both known and unknown. Unpredictable and explosive, it is ultimately a story of strength and
forgiveness.
Critique: An extraordinary and engaging novel from beginning to end, "Shadowlands"
documents author Mark E. Prior has having an impressive set of storytelling skills. Very highly
recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted that
"Shadowlands" is also available in a hardcover edition (9781483411637, $33.99) and a Kindle
edition ($8.09).
The Other Shakespeare
Lea Rachel
Writer's Design Press
The Cadence Group
9780990861607, $9.95, 204pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Judith is talented, creative, and driven to accomplish great things. But, alas, she has
one "shortcoming" that stands in her way of her professional success. She is female. Set in
sixteenth-century England, "The Other Shakespeare" tells the tale of Judith Shakespeare, older
sister to the famous William, as she struggles to develop her talent and gain acceptance in a
world that won't recognize her because of her gender. Consistently denied her independence,
she's forced to engage in extreme measures and difficult decisions to get what she wants out of
life. The character of Judith Shakespeare was originally introduced in acclaimed author Virginia
Woolf's masterpiece "A Room of One's Own". In "The Other Shakespeare" Judith's full story is
told and in the telling answers the ultimate question, "What if Shakespeare had been born a
woman?"
Critique: An extraordinary and imaginative novel, "The Other Shakespeare" is a solid
entertainment of deftly crafted characters and a compelling plot. An extraordinary and unique
entertainment, "The Other Shakespeare" is especially recommended for community and
academic library Literary Fiction collections. Especially commended to William Shakespear and
Virginia Wolf enthusiasts, it should be noted that "The Other Shakespeare" is also available in a
Kindle edition ($3.99).
Little Miss Sure Shot
Jeffrey Marshall
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
KamaTimbrell Communications
9781495450600, $8.95, 148pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Little Miss Sure Shot: Annie Oakley's World" is a fictionalized account of the life of
Annie Oakley, drawing heavily on the real timelines and events of her life. However, "Little Miss
Sure Shot" is not a biography because it invents situations, people she meets, and a myriad of
conversations. Moreover, while "Little Miss Sure Shot" is presented chronologically (apart from
the prologue) and skips certain periods and in the attempt to focus on those that are especially
vital, such as the early years Annie spent with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, including her
tours through Europe. A special feature of "Little Miss Sure Shot" is the framing of Annie's
loving marriage to fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler, whom she married at sixteen and remained
married to for 50 years until her death. Frank was far more than just her husband -- he gave up
his own shooting career to become her manager and her constant companion. "Little Miss Sure
Shot" closes with an epilogue in Frank's voice, presenting an overview of their lives together and
the circumstances of her death in 1926.
Critique: A superbly written historical novel, "Little Miss Sure Shot: Annie Oakley's World" is a
solidly engaging and entertaining read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for
personal reading lists and community library collections, it should be noted that "Little Miss Sure
Shot: Annie Oakley's World" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.95).
The Puppet's Tattered Clothes
Alan Bray
Bartleby Snopes Literary Press
2219 Grimm Road, Minneapolis, MN 55318
http://www.bartlebysnopes.com
9781312331495, $9.99, 46pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When Kevin meets a family of traveling puppeteers, he finds a glimmer of hope in his
broken life. Intrigued by the inner workings of the complex and delicate puppets, Kevin
accidentally breaks one while exploring the potential secrets that lie within. Will Kevin be able to
repair it without the owners finding out, or will his careless mistake cost him the chance for a
new future and the affection of a young woman?
Critique: Flash fiction is a style of fictional literature or fiction of extreme brevity. There is no
widely accepted definition of the length of the category. Some self-described markets for flash
fiction impose caps as low as three hundred words, while others consider stories as long as a
thousand words to be flash fiction. "The Puppet's Tattered Clothes" is a flash fiction novel and
author Alan Bray's first published effort (and the fourth flash novel to be published by Bartleby
Snopes Press). An inherently interesting and distinctively entertaining effort, "The Puppet's
Tattered Clothes" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).
So What's Next!
G. J. Griffiths
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
9781497423992, $12.99, 308pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Molly Pearson is a young Biology teacher with two passions in her life: a strong
commitment to protecting wildlife; and a desire to encourage the children in her classes to feel
the same enthusiasm for Nature. When her class decide they would like to restore the school's
neglected and vandalised nature corner her hopes are raised and challenged at the same time. The
hurdles that she meets along the way will include bullied and bullying pupils, as well as the
expected ones of finance and willing manpower. But leaping those fences does not prepare the
ambitious Molly for a dramatic fire and the confusion of a new passion in her life, in the form of
Oliver Shrimpton. Will he become that significant someone, or is he just another obstacle for her
to overcome?
Critique: The sequel to G. J. Griffiths' "So What! Stories or Whatever!" (978-1484987100,
$13.50, 372pp), "So What's Next!" continues the trials and tribulations of Molly Pearson and the
students of Birch Green High School. Of special note is the helpful information on creating and
maintaining 'wildlife friendly' gardens. Very well written and presented, "So What's Next!" is
solidly entertaining from first page to last and clearly documents G. J. Griffiths as a master
storyteller of the first order. It should be noted that "So What's Next!" is also available in a
Kindle edition ($0.99).
Einstein's Beach House
Jacob M. Appel
Pressgang
4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208
www.pressgang.butler.edu
9780984940585, $15.95, 188pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A couple adopt a depressed hedgehog; a mother is seduced by the father of her
daughter's imaginary friend; a man kidnap's his ex-wife's pet turtle. In eight tragicomic stories,
"Einstein's Beach House" features ordinary men and women rising to life's extraordinary
challenges.
Critique: An anthology of impressively well written and original tales, "Einstein's Beach House"
clearly documents author Jacob M. Appel as a master of the short story format. Solidly
entertaining, the short stories featured are Hue and Cry; La Tristesse Des Herissons; Strings;
Limerence; The Rod of Asclepius; Sharing the Hostage; Paracosmos; and the title story Einstein's
Beach House. Enthusiastically recommended and solidly entertaining, "Einstein's Beach House"
will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library General Fiction collections.
It should be noted that "Einstein's Beach House" has a deliberately 'scuffed and worn' appearing
front and back cover to give it a feeling of being a much used and beloved read.
Slave and Sister
Sabra Waldfogel
Privately Published
www.sabrawaldfogel.com
9780991396443, $14.99, 378pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Adelaide Mannheim and her slave Rachel have grown up with a shameful secret.
Adelaide's father is Rachel's father, too. Their secret shadows their girlhood together and follows
them into Adelaide's marriage. As the Civil War breaks out, Adelaide's husband falls in love with
Rachel, and the lives of mistress and slave are torn apart. Slavery made them kin. Can the Civil
War make them sisters?
Critique: An original and superbly written story, "Slave and Sister" establishes author Sabra
Waldfogel as a skilled and talented storyteller. An engaging and solidly entertaining novel from
first page to last, "Slave and Sisters" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library historical fiction collections. It should be noted that "Slave and Sister" is also
available in a Kindle format.
Both of Me
Jonathan Friesen
Blink
Spark Point Studio
9780310731887, $16.99, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It was supposed to be just another flight, another escape into a foreign place where she
could forget her past, forget her attachments. Until Clara found herself seated next to an alluring
boy named Elias Phinn - a boy who seems to know secrets she has barely been able to admit to
herself for years. When her carry-on bag is accidentally switched with Elias's identical pack,
Clara uses the luggage tag to track down her things. At that address she discovers there is not one
Elias Phinn, but two: the odd, paranoid, artistic, and often angry Elias she met on the plane, who
lives in an imaginary world of his own making called Salem; and the kind, sweet, and soon
irresistible Elias who greets her at the door, and who has no recollection of ever meeting Clara at
all. As she learns of Elias's dissociative identity disorder, and finds herself quickly entangled in
both of Elias's lives, Clara makes a decision that could change all of them forever. She is going to
find out what the Salem Elias knows about her past, and how, even if it means playing along with
his otherworldly quest. And she is going to find a way to keep the gentle Elias she's beginning to
love from ever disappearing again.
Critique: A riveting novel of complex storytelling and deftly crafted character dialogues, "Both
Of Me" is a thoroughly entertaining read that is very highly recommended for both personal
reading lists and community library collections. Simply stated, Jonathan Friesen is a
compellingly gifted novelist who will leave his readers looking eagerly toward his next literary
effort. It should be noted that "Both Of Me" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.78).
divine roosters and angry clowns
Frank Crimi
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
9781500906924, $15.95, 310pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Major league baseball scout Riley Knight is in search of a once-in-a-lifetime pitching
prospect when he finds himself stranded at a remote mountain diner after a gigantic solar storm
destroys electrical power grids worldwide. The gathered collection of eccentrics include a
self-medicating man with a murderous new bride; a post-traumatic stress suffering senior on the
lam; a world-class tap dancer and her psychoneurotic dog; a recovering science fiction
memorabilia addict; a beautiful meteorite hunter; and a fry cook with several dark secrets. Cut off
from the rest of the electricity-deprived world, the group finds themselves forced to rely on each
other with laughingly absurd results. As their situation rapidly deteriorates, the town of Jericho
becomes their only hope for survival. But the road to Jericho is fraught with peril that includes
menacing fish farmers and a dangerous militia group. Complicating matters is that Jericho may
not prove the refuge they hope as the town has been overthrown by its crazily disturbed sheriff.
How Riley and his quirky companions survive is anyone's guess!
Critique: "divine roosters and angry clowns: an unexpected gathering" is an exceptional and
original novel that holds the reader's fully entertained attention from beginning to end. An
impressive and deftly crafted novel populated with memorable characters and unexpected plot
twists and turns, "divine roosters and angry clowns: an unexpected gathering" is very highly
recommended for community library General Fiction collections and individual reading lists. It
should be noted that "divine roosters and angry clowns: an unexpected gathering" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($6.99).
Wild Game
Blayne Davis
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
Smith Publicity
9781497354678, $22.95, 516pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Behind modern glass doors, high above the streets of Manhattan, an underground
operation works around the clock. The Ivy League boys wearing pinstriped suits are discreetly
siphoning off millions in the world's gambling markets. Their information is brilliant and their
execution is flawless, as they plunder the world of sports betting. An unlikely betrayal sets off a
chain reaction that puts the AQSR Group on the radar of the FBI and international police.
Investigators and prosecutors start to unravel a sophisticated conspiracy that shocks to the core.
They have the case of a lifetime and won't stop until they get what they want. But they've met
their match with opponents equally determined not to get caught. A story with twists and turns
that cut deep into the secret lives of men playing a game that none can afford to lose. This
high-stakes thriller will keep you in suspense as you crisscross the globe in luxurious settings
from Nassau to Macau.
Critique: Smoothly complex with deftly crafted plot twists and turns, memorable characters and
superbly descriptive settings, "Wild Game" is an action/adventure novel of the first caliber. A
solidly entertaining read from beginning to end "Wild Game" clearly establishes author Blayne
Davis as a skilled and gifted novelist whose readers will be looking eagerly toward his next book.
Very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library General Fiction
collections, it should be noted that "Wild Game" is also available in a Kindle edition
($9.99).
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Contacts With The Gods From Space
George King
Aetherius Society
757 Fulham Road, London, England, SW6 5UU
6202 Afton Place, Hollywood, California 90028
David Trimble
www.aetherius.org
9780937249154, $14.95, 153pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Contacts With The Gods From Space: Pathway to the New Age" contains the greatest
series of close encounters on record. Among the myriad of claims of contacts with UFOs during
the latter half of the 20th century, one man stands out: Dr. George King. For over 40 years he was
in regular communication with extraterrestrial intelligences, bringing the most revealing glimpse
of their science and religion ever recorded. "Contacts With The Gods From Space" will give the
reader the key to a new way of life. UFO enthusiasts will be able to take advantage of Spiritual
opportunities never dreamed possible and understand, as never before, the real meaning of the
New Age.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Contacts With The Gods From
Space: Pathway to the New Age" should be considered a "must read" for all UFO enthusiasts and
students of Metaphysical Studies. A strongly recommended addition to personal, community, and
academic library UFO Studies and Metaphysical Studies collections, it should be noted that
"Contacts With The Gods From Space" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
The Relationship Shelf
SoulMating
Basha Kaplan & Jeffrey S. Kaplan
Collage Books
4244 Corporate Square, Naples, FL 34104
www.collegebooks.com
9780938728306, $19.95, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "SoulMating: The Secret to Finding Everlasting Love and Passion" recognizes the
significance of a soulful connection by championing the development of intimate and enduring
bonds built on romantic friendship. Fostering self-knowledge and authenticity over
game-playing. "SoulMating" is a step-by-step guide that offers a unique and innovative way of
looking at partnership, with tools and attitudes that not only guarantee a more fulfilling life, but
that naturally lead to finding a nurturing and loving life partner. Among its 'Secrets Revealed":
SoulMating is a journey, not a destination; Share your soul before you share your body; A great
date does not make a great mate' Learn to search for love in all the right places; Rejection is not
personal -- it is a gift; Usie online dating to represent who you truly are.
Critique: As informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, "SoulMating:
The Secret to Finding Everlasting Love and Passion" is above all realistic its approach and
practical in its application. Truly extraordinary, "SoulMating" is very highly recommended for
both personal reading lists and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections.
The Money/Finance Shelf
How To Avoid Bag Lady Syndrome
Lance Drucker
Drucker Wealth Management
2 Park Avenue, Suite 300, New York, NY 10016
http://www.druckerfinancial.com
9780692296578, $16.95, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: According to a study conducted by the National Center for Women and Retirement
Research in 2007, 90 percent of married women will be solely responsible for handling finances
at some point in their lives, either because of divorce or because of the simple fact that they
outlive men. 100 percent of single women are responsible for handling their financial affairs.
Furthermore, one USA Today study revealed that over 50 percent of women in the US-no matter
what their current financial standing-fear becoming a "bag lady." "How to Avoid Bag Lady
Syndrome (B.L.S.): A Strong Woman's Guide to Financial Peace of Mind" tackles women's
unique financial concerns-in an engaging, witty, and matter-of-fact manner. Drawing on thirty
years of experience with thousands of female clients, Lance Drucker provides you with the tools
and information you need to feel confident that you can make smart decisions that will help you
achieve peace of mind about your financial future. Whether you live close enough to actually
meet with the premier team at Drucker Wealth Management, or on the other side of the country,
when you put "How To Avoid Bag Lady Syndrome" down, you will be armed with new
knowledge and practical advice that you can put into practice immediately to make your dreams a
reality.
Critique: As practical and informative as it is 'user friendly' and instructive, "How To Avoid Bag
Lady Syndrome" is especially recommended to the non-specialist general reader seeking to plan
for her both her short term and long term financial future and fiscal security. It should be noted
that all profits from the sale of "How To Avoid Bag Lady Syndrome" will be donated to The
Wounded Warrior Project.
The Jobs/Career Press
Handwriting Analysis: Discover Your Own Vocational/Career Potential
David J. DeWitt, GA
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 South Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
www.outskirtspress.com
9781478729396, $14.95, 148pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Handwriting Analysis: Discover Your Own Vocational/Career Potential" offers a new
perspective not found in conventional books on Graphology. David J. DeWitt links handwriting
analysis with professional satisfaction and instructs the reader in the analysis of their own
handwriting. It is not uncommon for individuals to labor a lifetime in an occupation that they
truly dislike or to which they are, at best, indifferent. Or they might move from job to job
multiple times, desperately seeking a 'career' that is edifying. Moreover, young people just
entering a sparse job market might find that they have little idea of occupations that could be
personally and professionally rewarding to them. "Handwriting Analysis: Discover Your Own
Vocational/Career Potential" will help direct the reader to determine their own career potential in
order that they may make the best career choice fit their personality.
Critique: A professional graphologist and certified graphoanalyst, David J. DeWitt draws upon
his many years of experience and expertise to write "Handwriting Analysis: Discover Your Own
Vocational/Career Potential". Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Handwriting
Analysis: Discover Your Own Vocational/Career Potential" is very highly recommended to
students and practitioners of handwriting analysis, and is ideal for the non-specialist general
reader with an interest in the subject.
The Holocaust Studies Shelf
Anne Frank 80 Years: A Memorial Tour in Current Images
Ronald Wilfred Jansen
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.rwj-publishing.com
9781505408744, $39.00, 164pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Compiled by Ronald Wilfred Jansen, "Anne Frank 80 Years A Memorial Tour in
Current Images: Frankfurt am Main, Aachen, Amsterdam, Camp Westerbork,
Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bergen-Belsen" is an impressive and timeless compendium of captioned
photographs relating to Anne Frank and the Holocaust. Some of the images are black-white
period photos, others are full color contemporary photos.
Critique: An important and strongly recommended addition to personal, community, and
academic library Holocaust Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists, "Anne
Frank 80 Years A Memorial Tour in Current Images: Frankfurt am Main, Aachen, Amsterdam,
Camp Westerbork, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bergen-Belsen" is a fitting memorial and a fulfillment
of the exhortation to never forget what happened and why. Especially in the continued existence
of antisemitism, and of ethnic cleansing -- still another euphemism for the kind of genocide that
took the life of a young girl named Anne Frank.
The Business Shelf
Leadership In The Crucible of Work
Sandy Shugart
Florida Hospital Publishing
900 Winderley Place, Suite 1600, Maitland, FL 32751
www.floridahospitalpublishing.com
The Cadence Group
9780983988199, $24.99, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "Leadership In The Crucible of Work: Discovering the Interior Life of an Authentic
Leader", Sandy Shugart takes readers on an unforgettable journey to the heart of what it means to
become an authentic leader. A leader who understands that work forms each of us more
powerfully than we form it. A leader willing to be purified and shaped, like bronze, in the
crucible of work. A leader who stands ready to do the first and most important work of a leader
the interior work. "Leadership In The Crucible of Work: Discovering the Interior Life of an
Authentic Leader" reveals the inner attitudes that lead to the outer actions of a great leader; the
importance of asking good questions because every good question directs a leader to a better one;
how an exceptional leader says, we are in this together, then demonstrates it to be true; why the
greatest threat to a leader is their own ego, hubris, and blind spots and what to do about it; that
the difficult experiences of work (i.e. the crucible) exist to consume the dross of self so the leader
is humbly drawn into servant leadership; how to become the unique leader you were meant to be;
the encouragement and guidance to shape your inward journey as you become an outwardly
successful, authentic leader.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Leadership In The Crucible of
Work: Discovering the Interior Life of an Authentic Leader" is as informative and practical as it
is encouraging and 'reader friendly'. Of special interest and relevance to anyone charged with or
aspiring to a leadership position within any corporate, governmental, or social situation,
"Leadership In The Crucible of Work: Discovering the Interior Life of an Authentic Leader" will
prove to be an invaluable read. Very highly recommended for community library collections, it
should be noted that "Leadership In The Crucible of Work: Discovering the Interior Life of an
Authentic Leader" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office
Yvonne James Furth & Molly Rudberg-Leshnock
Highpoint Executive Publishing
www.highpointpubs.com
9780989105491, $19.99, 108pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The collaboration of corporate executive Yvonne James Furth and life coach Molly
Rudberg-Leshnock, "From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office: A Mindful Approach to Business
Success" links yoga practices with the business environment. Using simple exercises,
illuminating workplace survey results, and the perspectives of successful professionals at Google,
Facebook, Walmart, and other cutting-edge global organizations, "Yvonne James Furth & Molly
Rudberg-Leshnock" can help the reader to achieve lower stress, greater productivity, and more
success!
Critique: Practical, innovative, informative, 'user friendly', well written organized and presented,
"From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office: A Mindful Approach to Business Success" is an
exceptional do-it-yourself instructional guide that is highly recommended for personal,
professional, and community library collections. Ideal for non-specialist general readers, it
should be noted that "From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office: A Mindful Approach to Business
Success" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
The Self-Help Shelf
Mastering Negative Impulsive Thoughts (NITs)
Harold J. MacIntosh & Elizabeth M. MacIntosh
Privately Published
The Barrett Company Communications (publicity)
9780992429003, $28.95, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Negative thoughts occur impulsively in every single one of us. They just pop up in our
heads as part of our internal dialogue or mind chatter. How you deal with your Negative
Impulsive Thoughts (NITs) will have huge effects on your physical health, success in life and
emotional happiness - so your health, wealth and happiness are at stake! Everyone has
experienced thoughts of self-doubt, self-criticism and lack of self-confidence. These NITs can
also keep you awake at night, create unnecessary guilt, regret or just make you feel bad in
general. Other people also generate negative thoughts and comments that can dramatically impact
your emotional state. Therefore, controlling NITs in yourself and from others is critical to create
your future happiness and maximize your full potential. This revolutionary new philosophy will
transform every area of your life - personal, family, children, relationships, work, business and
sport. You will be empowered and uplifted and be in the driver's seat on your journey to your
ultimate successful life. Everyone around you will benefit as you will be an inspiration and they
will learn from you these simple yet powerful techniques. The principles of positive thinking
have been well recognised for many years. However, this is the first time that negative thoughts
have been simply defined and encapsulated.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Mastering Negative Impulsive
Thoughts (NITs): Secrets for a Longer, Happier Life!" is the collaborative effort of Harold and
Elizabeth MacIntosh and will prove to be an exceptional and unique addition to personal and
community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collection. Practical, insightful, and occasionally
inspiring, "Mastering Negative Impulsive Thoughts (NITs): Secrets for a Longer, Happier Life!"
is especially commended to the attention of the non-specialist general reader seeking to live a
more cognitively healthy and successful life. It should be noted that "Mastering Negative
Impulsive Thoughts (NITs): Secrets for a Longer, Happier Life!" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($4.95).
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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