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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
May's Boy: The Rest of the Story
Shirlee Monty
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781479150311, $12.95, 156pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "May's Boy: The Rest of the Story" continues the amazing story of Leslie Lemke, one
of less than l00 prodigious savants in the world, and of that group, Leslie is considered one of the
most spectacularly musically gifted. Following the success of "May's Boy," Shirlee Monty and
the Lemkes (Joe, May and Leslie) traveled throughout the country, responding to the demands for
concerts and television appearances. It was a journey of joy, excitement and even the silence of
disbelief as May saw audiences lifted to their feet again and again in tribute to her beloved son.
Although May Lemke will always be remembered for her powerful love, determination,
persistence and unshakeable belief in her foster son, readers of "May's Boy: The Rest of the
Story" will discover many other facets of May Lemke's unique personality. They will discover
that she was totally uninhibited, clearly unflappable, with a keen sense of humor, overwhelming
love of children as well as disabled children and an irrepressible joy of living. Readers will be
touched and amused by the captivating stories and anecdotes from chapters like "Getting Started,
Extreme Generosity, Incredible Happenings" and "Taping at the Lemkes." It's a Road Show
you're unlikely to forget. And it might even be a life-changing experience.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "May's Boy: The Rest of the Story" is the sequel to "May's Boy:
An Incredible Story Of Love" (T. Nelson, 9780840740915, used HC $7.28, used PB $2.65). It
should be noted that "May's Boy: The Rest of the Story" is also available in a Kindle edition
($3.99).
The Brothers Hogan: A Fort Worth History
Jacqueline Hogan Towery, Robert Towery, and Peter Barbour
Texas Christian University Press
3000 Sandage Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76109
c/o Get PR
9780875655963, $36.95, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "The Brothers Hogan: A Fort Worth History" is a unique family portrait of one of
golf's greatest legends. Lavishly illustrated with never-before-seen family photos, "The Brothers
Hogan: A Fort Worth History" follows the lives of Ben Hogan, winner of sixty-eight tournaments
and nine major championships, and his brother Royal, who climbed the ranks of top amateur
golfers even as his brother Ben became one of golf's most successful pros. Narrated by Royal's
daughter Jacque, Ben's niece, this revealing biography not only tells the story of Ben's and
Royal's remarkable careers but also sets the record straight on the shocking suicide of the boys'
father, on Ben's strained relationship with his wife Valerie, on the car crash that nearly ended
Ben's career, and on scores of details that have been misconstrued in earlier accounts. The rise of
Colonial Country Club and its legendary course - forever nicknamed "Hogan's Alley" - and the
rise of modern Fort Worth are part of the narrative as the Hogan boys and their city grew up
together. Major Fort Worth leaders such as Tex Moncrief, Amon Carter, and Marvin Leonard,
the visionary who built both the Colonial and Shady Oaks courses, figure prominently in "The
Brothers Hogan: A Fort Worth History".
Critique: Informed, informative, wonderfully illustrated with period photography, and a
thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to end, "The Brothers Hogan: A Fort Worth
History" is especially recommended reading for golfing enthusiasts interested in the contributions
of fabled Ben Hogan and his brother to the sport. "The Brothers Hogan: A Fort Worth History"
would make an enduringly popular addition to any personal or community library collection. It
should be noted that "The Brothers Hogan: A Fort Worth History" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($10.49).
Well Seasoned: Savoring Life's Lessons
Rebecca Webb Wilson
Inspire on Purpose Publishing
http://inspireonpurpose.com
9780989800860 $25.00
Filled with beautiful, full-color photography on almost every page, Well Seasoned: Savoring
Life's Lessons is a majestic reflection on the transient awe of life's treasured moments. The
seasons of the year and the seasons of one's life form the framework of these thoughtful musings
and inspiring images. "The second quarter of life, ages twenty-one to forty, might be viewed as
autumn. It's a very busy time, so much so that many of us forget to savor life's lessons." Many of
the captivating photographs are of natural scenery and wildlife, but some show people of
different cultures engaged in community. Well Seasoned makes a wonderful giftbook.
The Book of Barkley
L.B. Johnson
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 South Parker Road, #515
Parker, CO 80134
9781478734345 $13.95 www.outskirtspress.com
The Book of Barkley: Love and Life Through the Eyes of a Labrador Retriever is a Midwestern
memoir of everyday life, and the bond between author L.B. Johnson and her beloved dog,
Barkley. Animal lovers especially will cherish the tale of raising a near-helpless puppy, its
playful antics such as "the bacon incident", and the joys of companionship. "After twelve days,
the Cone of Shame was finally gone... What would Barkley do with this newly found freedom?
'Barkley, don't lick yourself there!'" Warmhearted and delightful, The Book of Barkley is a joy to
read, highly recommended.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Guide to Writing the Mystery Novel
Barbara Gregorich
Philbar Books
9781500714482 $14.00 www.barbaragregorich.com
Guide to Writing the Mystery Novel: Lots of Examples Plus Dead Bodies is an accessible primer
for writers of all skill and experience levels. Although especially geared to the subtleties of
mystery and crime writing, Guide to Writing the Mystery Novel is packed with tips, tricks, and
techniques that any aspiring author will find invaluable. Chapters discuss setting the scene of the
crime, casting suspicion and planting clues, handling subplots and plot complications, how to
disguise motive/means/opportunity, when to introduce the villain, managing the flow of
dialogue, and much more, with numerous, illuminating examples. "If you don't belong to a
critique group, then you might consider asking friends and acquaintances to read your
manuscript. But beware: if your story is being read by people who are uncritical in their
judgement (and usually non-writers are uncritical about story, structure, and language), you won't
get much help from these people. Chances are they want to please and will say they love your
story. They aren't able to help you improve it." Especially recommended for first-time mystery
writers!
The Health/Medicine Shelf
My Home Pharmacy
Tracy Gibbs
Woodland Publishing
515 South 700 East, Suite 2D, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
www.woodlandpublishing.com
9781580541497, $9.95, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: For thousands of years, herbal remedies dominated medicine and healing. Today,
Tracy Gibbs, PhD, draws on the history of herbal and botanical medicine along with
tried-and-true remedies in this new book! Read about recipes used in his own family as well as
traditions from local healers, naturopathic doctors and researchers from around the world. In "My
Home Pharmacy", Tracy shares his family recipes and years of knowledge about traditional
methods of healing with you!
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "My Home Pharmacy" is ideal for
the non-specialist general reader with an interest in herbal medicine and alternative medical
approaches to common human ailments. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly',
"My Home Pharmacy" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library
Health & Medicine reference collections.
Philly's Fit-Step Walking Diet
Fred A. Stutman, M.D.
Medical Manor Books
3501 Newberry Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
www.medicalmanorbooks.com
9780934232340, $19.95, 278pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Philly's Fit-Step Walking Diet: Lose 15 Lbs. Get Fit. Look Younger... In 21 Days!" by
Dr. Fred A. Stutman is a unique weight-loss and fitness instruction guide. Originally developed
for Dr. Stutman's Philadelphia patients who were tired of fad diets and strenuous exercises,
"Philly's Fit-Step Walking Diet: Lose 15 Lbs. Get Fit. Look Younger... In 21 Days!" is an
easy-to-follow, low-fat, high-fiber, moderate protein diet, combined with an aerobic walking plan
and strength-training exercises. This combination produces a double-blast of calorie burning for
added weight-loss, cardiovascular fitness, and body shaping. This plan also helps to prevent heart
attacks, strokes, and hypertension. Readers will be able to slim down, shape up, and look younger
by applying what they will learn from "The Philly Fit-Step Walking Diet", and even be able to
eat a Philly cheesesteak in the process.
Critique: Practical, informative, and exceptionally well presented, "Philly's Fit-Step Walking
Diet: Lose 15 Lbs. Get Fit. Look Younger... In 21 Days!" is enhanced with the inclusion of a
three page bibliography, two appendices (Fat & Fiber Counter; Famous Landmarks and Walking
Tours of Philadelphia), and a comprehensive subject index, making it very highly recommended
for both personal and community library Health & Fitness instructional reference collections. It
should be noted that "Philly's Fit-Step Walking Diet: Lose 15 Lbs. Get Fit. Look Younger... In 21
Days!" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.69).
The Health Professional's Guide to Gastrointestinal Nutrition
Laura E. Matarese, Gerard E. Mullin, and Janice L. Raymond, editors
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
9780880914505 $70.00 www.eatright.org
The Health Professional's Guide to Gastrointestinal Nutrition is a reference written and edited by
professional dietitians and physicians specializing in gastrointestinal nutrition, for professionals
(and possibly graduate-level students) in the field. Topics covered include gastrointestinal
anatomy; nutrition and gastrointestinal tract disorders including small intestine malabsorptive
disorders, inflammatory bowl disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease; liver and
pancreatic diseases; gastrointestinal oncology and surgery; therapeutic interventions for
gastrointestinal disorders including enteral and parenteral nutrition, drug-nutrient interactions,
probiotics, and ethical and legal issues; obesity, eating disorders, and food allergy or intolerance;
and much more. The Health Professional's Guide to Gastrointestinal Nutrition is an excellent,
studious resource that draws directly on the latest research and medical findings. "Premature
infants fed soy protein formulas demonstrated decreased bone mineralization and poor weight
gain when compared with premature infants fed cow's milk-based formula. Thus, soy protein
formulas are contraindicated in premature infants... Sucrose, corn syrup solids, and/or
maltodextrin provide the carbohydrate in soy-based infant formulas. Because soy-based formulas
contain no lactose, they are recommended for infants with galactosemia."
The Biography Shelf
Logan: The Honorable Life & Scandalous Death of a Western Lawman
Jackie Boor
Cable Publishing
14090 East Keinenen Road, Brule, WI 54820
www.cablepublishing.com
9781934980361, $18.95, 269pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Dressed only in a nightshirt and unarmed, Sheriff Thomas Logan lay bleeding outside
the Jewel, a house of ill-fame. His death in 1906 sent shock waves across Nevada, forcing
Hannah and their eight children to face an unfathomable future. This richly textured account of a
poplar lawman's life and death also includes many famous and colorful characters - all of whom
were part of the Wild West's reluctant surrender to the 20th century.
Critique: A minor masterpiece of western biography, "Logan: The Honorable Life & Scandalous
Death of a Western Lawman" by Jackie Boor is enhanced with the inclusion of period
illustrations, an Appendix, ten pages of Chapter Notes, four page of Bibliography, and a
comprehensive Index. But perhaps best of all is the inclusion of fifteen poems that evoke the
period in which a remarkable western lawman lived and died. Informed and informative, "Logan:
The Honorable Life & Scandalous Death of a Western Lawman" is one of those historical
biographies that seize upon the reader's total attention and holds it firmly from beginning to end.
Very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library
American History collections, it should be noted that "Logan: The Honorable Life & Scandalous
Death of a Western Lawman" is also available in a hardcover edition (9781934980354, $25.95)
and a Kindle edition ($9.95).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Straw That Broke
Tom Whalen
Black Scat Books
http://blackscatbooks.com
c/o The Barret Company Communications
9780692259436, $14.95, 172pp, pb, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Bulwer Zetford's "The Cosmic Messenger" is about to take a strange turn (and the
multiverse with it) when Roithamer of Relix 'beads' once again and brings swirling into Zetford's
Kaduza M-mon processor the Encyclopedia Mouse, the one creature who can save the
multiverse. "The Straw That Broke" is about a mouse who battles his Doppelganger in
cyberspace, Heidegger in his Black Forest hut, and a hyper-crazed Roithamer. Death is
everywhere, but the mouse, birling (if only barely) in his Binding Nexus Drive, is determined to
narrate the universes away from their demise. But this won't be easy, since the mouse is wanted
for crimes against philosophy, science, art, religion, fiction, history, logical positivism, and a
great deal of what your mother and father taught you.
Critique: Tom Whalen is blessed with a unique and original storytelling talent and able to conjure up a complex, integrated, and unexpectedly funny novel that will hold the reader's rapt and fully engaged attention from first page to last. This is a superbly crafted narrative that is as thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is unrelentingly entertaining. "The Straw That Broke" is especially recommended to science fiction enthusiasts and the literate avant garde who enjoy a thoroughly archetypal metaphysical tour de force.
The Sixteen
Ali B.
Dewey Larson Publishing LLC
c/o The Cadence Group
9780988942219, $11.99, 206pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: There are people out there who don't die with their bodies. Their souls live on in the
bodies of others. Some good, some bad - they are soul jumpers. Nothing in Iris Brave's world
make sense anymore. Her father, Micah, is still alive - his soul survives in the body of a teenage
boy. It is up to Iris and a group of soul jumpers called the Sixteen to save Micah. To do so Iris
must take on the unscrupulous leaders of the Council. Can she save her father? Will she
survive?
Critique: "The Sixteen" is the second volume in Ali B.' outstanding 'Soul Jumpers' series. As
exciting a story as it is deftly written, "The Sixteen" is pure entertainment from beginning to end
and very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections. It
should be noted that "The Sixteen" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99). For those to
whom this is their first introduction to Ali B.'s imaginative storytelling, the first volume in the
'Soul Jumpers' series is "Iris Brave" (9780988942202, $10.95 PB, $0.99 Kindle, 184pp).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Night Drop
Michael W. Sherer
Cutter Press
c/o Flynn Media
9780989274821, $13.99, 388pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: What would you do to save someone you love? More than a year after Blake Sanders's
life fell apart he's finally starting to pick up the pieces and put it all back together. When his
ex-wife Molly is abducted, he vows not to lose her, too. Her high-profile law firm calls in the
FBI, which treats the case as a run-of-the-mill kidnap-for-ransom. But to Blake, it's personal.
When the kidnappers demand that he deliver the ransom, he knows it is. With Molly's life
hanging in the balance, Blake does the unexpected, setting off a chain reaction and a game of
cat-and-mouse with the mastermind behind the abduction. The deeper Blake digs for answers, the
more apparent it becomes that money is lowest on the kidnappers' list of demands. One of
Molly's clients is an ex-Navy SEAL, an expert dolphin trainer turned animal rights activist.
When he disappears the stakes suddenly go up, and Blake asks naval intelligence officer Reyna
Chase for help. As soon as Reyna gets wind of what's happening, the game changes from saving
Molly to saving Seattle from a terrorist threat that could wreak havoc on the city and kill
thousands. The only way Blake can stop it is to pay the ransom - not with cash, but with his
life.
Critique: A riveting read from first page to last with non-stop action and a variety of surprise plot
twists and unexpected turns, "Night Drop" is the third volume in author Michael W. Sherer's
'Blake Sanders' series and continues to document his gift for imaginative storytelling. It should be
noted that "Night Drop" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99). Also highly recommended
are the first two in this outstanding thriller of series: "Night Blind" (Kindle edition $3.00) and
"Night Tide" (Kindle edition $1.99). By the author of the Thriller Award-nominated Night Blind,
Sherer's third book in the Blake Sanders series grabs the reader by the throat and doesn't let go
until the last page is turned.
Dire Salvation
Charles B. Neff
Bennet & Hastings Publishing
www.booksbyneff.com
9781934733752, $12.95, 214pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Calla Ogden's carefully organized life as a social worker in Washington's Central
Cascade Mountains begins to fall apart when her half-brother is arrested for murder. The
investigation centers on a fish hatchery operated by a local Native American tribe, and soon
draws in Mayor Phil Bianchi and Greg Takarchuk, a junior police officer. As Phil and Calla grow
close, they confront causes for the murder that bring them face to face with a dangerous new drug
and with old events tied to Calla's native heritage. Native lore and modern science combine in a
treacherous final confrontation that threatens to sweep away many lives, and with them,
newfound love.
Critique: A riveting read from beginning to end, "Dire Salvation" documents author Charles B.
Neff has an impressive literary talent able to deftly weave memorable characters into a complex
plot that holds the reader's rapt attention and just won't let go. Very highly recommended, it
should be noted that "Dire Salvation" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99). Also strongly
recommended for fans of dramatic thriller fiction is Charles Neff's sixth novel, "Fractured
Legacy" (9781934733868, $14.95 (PB), $5.95 (Kindle), 276pp.
The Fiction Shelf
The Unspeakable
Peter Anderson
C & R Press
72 North Crest Road, Chattanooga TN 37404
www.crpress.org
c/o AuthorRamp PR
9781936196371, $22.00, 286pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It is the mid-1980s, the era of so-called reformist apartheid, and South Africa is in
flames. Police and military are gunning down children at the forefront of the liberation struggle.
Far from such action, it seems, a small party of four is traveling by minibus to the north of the
country, close to the border with Zimbabwe. Their aim is to shoot a documentary on the
discovery of a prehistoric skull that Professor Digby Bamford boasts is evidence that, "True man
first arose in southern Africa." Boozy, self-absorbed Professor Bamford is unaware that his
young lover, Vicky, brings with her some complications. Rian, the videographer, was once in
love with her, and his passion has been reignited. Bucs, a young man from the townships, is
doing his best not to be involved in the increasingly deadly tensions. Powerful and provocative,
brilliantly written, "The Unspeakable" is as unforgettable as it is unsettling. Told in the first
person by Rian, it centers on the conflicted being of the white male under apartheid. Unlike many
of the great novels of the era, it renounces any claim to the relative safety zone of moralistic
dissociation from the racist crime against humanity, and cuts instead to the quick of
complicity.
Critique: A deftly written and completely engaging novel, author Peter Anderson has an
impressive gift for weaving a complex story with memorable characters and social issues, some
of which continue to reverberate in South African today. A compelling read from beginning to
end, "The Unspeakable" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as
community and academic library Contemporary Fiction collections. It should be noted that "The
Unspeakable" is also available in a paperback edition (9781936196388, $16.00).
Sailing Dangerous Waters
D. Andrew McChesney
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 South Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
www.stoneislandseastories.com
9781478721895, $19.95, 372pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The Gallician frigate had come out of the fog from windward, and had fired its first
devastating broadside into the Tritonish frigate from near point blank range. They paralleled each
other, mere yards apart, and made no effort to alter course or maneuver for an advantage. With
more sail set now, the schooner forged ahead and rapidly closed with the frigates. "Ready the
port battery!" "Aye aye, sir!" "Helm, steer as to pass between them!" "Aye aye, sir!" "Sure
madness, Edward!" warned Hotchkiss. "But a method to it, Isaac! When I give word, we must
put into the wind, and as our guns bear, concentrate fire on the Toad's starboard quarter. Let us
then fall off the wind and repeat with the starboard battery." "Aye!" Hotchkiss nodded with
understanding. Fully awake and alert, his senses at their sharpest, Pierce watched the battling
frigates grow larger. The damp night air whipped past mingled with spray thrown up by Island
Expedition's hurried dash through the sea. Despite the apprehension in his gut, Pierce felt alive.
Master and Commander Edward Pierce, captain of HMS Island Expedition, languishes with his
ship and crew in a world both very like and unlike his own. A voyage of exploration has led him
further afield than he would ever have imagined possible. As he works to convince the Tritonish
Government that he is not a rebel pirate, Pierce is offered a unique opportunity to claim
citizenship in this parallel world...but in doing so, will he breach his loyalty to King George III?
Not knowing whether he will be able to sail back to England, Pierce navigates the uncertain
course of diplomacy that allows Stone Island to become a official Land of Vespica...and allows
him to be released to sail for home. But the voyage there is fraught with peril, and his welcome is
uncertain. What will the Admiralty make of his incredible tale? And will Evangeline, his heart's
joy, still be waiting for him?
Critique: This deftly written, complex, thoroughly entertaining novel truly evokes a nautical time
when wooden ships and iron men sailed troubled seas. Author D. Andrew McChesney
demonstrates an appreciative eye for dramatic detail in his development of memorable characters
and unexpected plot twists and turns. "Sailing Dangerous Waters" is very highly recommended
for personal reading lists and community library Historic Fiction collections. It should also be
noted that "Sailing Dangerous Waters" is also available in a Kindle edition.
Hothouse Gods
Frederick Barrows
Lone Argonaut
c/o Independent Book Publishers Association
1020 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite 204
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
9780989372916 $26.99 loneargo.com
The debut novel of author Frederick Barrows, Hothouse Gods is the saga of a disillusioned young
man trying to find his place in life. Set in the 1990s, a few years before smart phones and social
networks redefined human interaction, Hothouse Gods follows Jimmy Breedlove's quest to
escape his crummy job and his dying relationship for a fresh start, far from his childhood home in
New Orleans. He embarks on a cross-country road trip, crosses paths with the adventurous (and
sexy) Sarah Rainbird, and stumbles into increasingly bizarre, surprising, and even dangerous
entanglements! A saga about breaking away from the endless, monotonous drudgery of a
preplanned life, in a time when the lack of ubiquitous GPS devices meant that it was still
possible to get lost in America, Hothouse Gods is quirky, eyebrow-raising, and captivating to the
very end.
The Poetry Shelf
Sitting In Creation
Brenda Asterino
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781491232678, $6.95, 46pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Brenda Asterino uses poetry, prose, and imagery to express a sense of being in
moments of creation. Those moments feel like the spiritual connection of oneness. Sometimes
these are moments of joy. Sometimes they are bittersweet, or a sad comment on reality. They are
all moments of connection, whether sad, mundane, lofty, or surprising. They all reflect awareness
of the world, others, or self. These times of connected awareness feel like being at the heart of
creation.
Critique: Brenda Asterino presents a truly impressive talent for illustrating and communicating
the human condition using both poetry and prose. A richly rewarding read, "Sitting In Creation"
is very highly recommended reading -- over and over again. It should be noted that "Sitting In
Creation" is also available in a Kindle edition ($1.99).
The Self-Help Shelf
The Road to Shine
Laurie Gardner
Central Recovery Press
3321 North Buffalo Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89129
www.lauriegardner.com
9781937612597, $17.95, 204pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Laurie Gardner has Harvard degrees in comparative world religions, psychology, and
education. She dedicated her career to spearheading an international public school reform
movement and is a master practitioner in body/mind/spirit wellness. Using her own personal,
professional, and exotic travel experiences, Laurie Gardner shows how we can derive
life-changing insights and essential personal growth from any situation. Most importantly, we
discover how to connect with our deepest desires and our highest selves, learning to honor our
own intuition and truth.
Critique: There are a great many self-help titles available to the reading public, but few of them
are as well written and presented as Laurie Gardner's "The Road to Shine: A Story of
Adventure, Life Lessons, and My Quest for More". Informed, informative, coherent, inspired and
inspiring, "The Road to Shine: A Story of Adventure, Life Lessons, and My Quest for More" is
highly recommended for personal self-help, self-improvement personal reading lists and would
prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library Self-Help collections.
Success Is Your Birthright: God's Success
R. Stanton Tucker
Christelle, Stanton, & Lillie Publishing, LLC
http://shop.christellestantonlillie.com
9780989567503, $24.99, 242pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Life resembles a roller coaster. It has suspense, intrigue, smooth moments, hairpin
turns, sudden twists, plummets, loopty loops, near misses, excitement, and anticipation. Life
consists of countless moments. Moments that make us smile, experience tingling sensations,
laugh until we can hardly breathe, and leave us speechless with wonder and admiration. As
beautiful as those moments are, our memoirs hone in and linger on the moments that leave us in
tears, wincing, grinding our teeth, and asking for Divine Intervention. It is that part of life's roller
coaster that makes you want to get off, wonder why, and feel psychologically queasy. Questions
like "What do I do? Where do I go from here? How will I bounce back or can I bounce back?"
surface. In "Success Is Your Birthright: God's Success", author R. Stanton Tucker offers hope,
love, and lessons to cope with those not so great moments and the people who instigate and
perpetuate them, including ourselves, using the biblical Joseph Story as a platform. Why the
Joseph Story? His story mirrors our own. He too experienced life's roller coaster. Joseph's story is
not just a testament to resilience, but one of faith in and reliance on God. "Success Is Your
Birthright: God's Success" offers a spiritual awakening; builds confidence; prods introspection
and growth; encourages during difficult times; challenges misconceptions; opens a closed heart
and hands; as well as demonstrating love, hope, selflessness, and forgiveness.
Critique: As inspired and inspiring as it is practical and relevant to coping with the vagaries and
stresses of modern life, "Success Is Your Birthright: God's Success" is a very highly
recommended and 'life changing' read which is also available in a paperback edition
(9780989567510, $14.99).
The Time Bandit Solution
Edward G. Brown
Cohen Brown Picture Company, Inc.
11835 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. 920
Los Angeles, CA 90064
c/o Smith Publicity
1930 E Marlton Pike, Suite I-46
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
www.smithpublicity.com
9780989915113 $23.99 www.cohenbrown.com
The Time Bandit Solution is a different type of time management guide. It's not about the usual
tips and tricks for multitasking or time consolidation, but rather focuses on practical strategies to
deal with "time bandits" - people whose interruptions interfere with one's workflow and slow
down personal productivity. "Time bandits" are rarely malicious, and typically aren't strangers;
they're friends, family, clients - and you! Everyone has been guilty of distracting another person
from their work at some point. But learning how to politely yet firmly defend oneself against
"time bandits" can be enormously effective. Full-color photography and illustrations complement
the simple, use-tested guidelines. Strategies range from prioritization methodologies, to preparing
and rehearsing a polite script (similar to the scripts that salespeople use) to gently turn away
interrupters, to presenting a "Time Lock" proposals to one's workplace superior, and much more.
Highly recommended as a resource for obtaining more time in one's personal as well as
professional life!
Build the Strength Within
Dr. Deborah Carlin
Select Books
87 Walker Street, Suite B1, New York City, NY 10013
c/o Jane Wesman Public Relations, Inc.
322 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1702, New York, NY 10001
9781590791479 $16.95 www.selectbooks.com
Psychologist and business consultant Dr. Deborah Carlin presents Build the Strength Within:
Create the Blueprint for Your Best Life Yet, a consumable self-help guide offering eleven
self-assessments that can be used to customize the "blueprint" to build a better life. Journaling
exercises and affirmations interleave the practical advice about balancing exercise, good
nutrition, and managed stress, especially as one gets older and their body tends to become slower
and stiffer. "The practice of meditation is known around the world and comes in many forms.
There are religious formats as well as secular. You can practice in silence or with music or
sounds of nature. The goal is to provide yourself a physical space that allows you to release from
this world and go into your head and feel free and relaxed inside of your own self, for the benefit
of your mind and body."
The Art Shelf
Saving Mona Lisa
Gerri Chanel
Heliopa Press LLC
www.SavingMonaLisa.net
9780615990392, $18.00, 344pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In August 1939, curators at the Louvre nestled the world's most famous painting into a
special red-velvet-lined case and spirited her away to the Loire Valley. Thus began the biggest
evacuation of art and antiquities in history. As the Germans neared Paris in 1940, the French
raced to move the masterpieces still further south, then again and again during the war,
crisscrossing the southwest of France. At times Mona Lisa slept at the bedside of curators who
were painfully aware of their heavy responsibility. Throughout the German occupation, the
Louvre's staff fought to keep the priceless treasures out of the hands of Hitler and his henchmen
and to keep the Louvre palace safe, many of them risking their jobs and their lives to protect the
country's artistic heritage. "Saving Mona Lisa" is the sweeping, suspenseful narrative of their
battle. Superbly researched and accompanied by riveting photographs of the period, "Saving
Mona Lisa" is a compelling true story of art and beauty, intrigue and ingenuity, and remarkable
moral courage in the face of one of the most fearful enemies in history.
Critique: One of the lesser travesty of the men who ran the so-called Third Reich was the
wholesale looting of Europe's artistic treasures from museums and private collections. "Saving
Mona Lisa: The Battle to Protect the Louvre and its Treasures During World War II" is an
impressively detailed and documented account that will prove to be a monument to courage.
Especially recommended to the attention of non-specialist general readers with an interest in
World War II history and true tales of extraordinary heroism, "Saving Mona Lisa: The Battle to
Protect the Louvre and its Treasures During World War II" should be considered an essential,
core addition to academic library 20th Century European History collections
The Relationship Shelf
So THAT'S Why They Do That!
Judith Claire & Frank Wiegers
Top Gun Love Inc. Publishing
c/o Creative Center of America
www.topgunlove.com
9780991162291, $14.95, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The collaborative work of Judith Claire and Frank Wiegers, "So THAT'S Why They
Do That!: Men, Women And Their Hormones" explains how understanding male and female
hormones affect human life and behavior. Understanding the role of hormones will enable the
reader to create a deeply satisfying intimate relationship with the one she or he loves.
Straightforward and compassionate, this down-to-earth relationship guide explains how
hormones act as the silent drivers of behavior for women and men. Utilizing the authors' unique
Top Gun Love approach, the book delivers easy-to-understand sections that provide practical
help for men and women in every season of life: dating singles from young adults through men
and women in their 30's and 40's; newlyweds; committed and married couples; expectant
couples; boomers, seniors and divorced or widowed singles re-entering the world of dating; and
partners facing menopause and andropause. Of special note is the commentary on unlocking the
power of biology to enjoy a lifetime of love and sexual fulfillment, as well as learning
communication tactics and understand methods to resolve conflicts, stay together, and be
happy.
Critique: Exceptionally well informed and informative, "So THAT'S Why They Do That!: Men,
Women And Their Hormones" is impressively organized and presented, and very highly
recommended for the non-specialist general reader seeking to understand the basic and vital role
hormones play in human behavior in general, and their own lives and relationships in particular.
It should be noted that "So THAT'S Why They Do That!: Men, Women And Their Hormones" is
also available in a Kindle edition ($9.95).
The American History Shelf
Unlikely Fame: Poor People Who Made History
David Wagner, author
Paradigm Publishers
5589 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 206A, Boulder, CO 80303
www.paradigmpublishers.com
9781612057156, $138.00, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Unlikely Fame: Poor People Who Made History" depicts the stories of Americans
born in poverty, who achieved national or international fame. Accessible to students and lay
readers, "Unlikely Fame: Poor People Who Made History" is a scholarly study describes poverty
as a disability that typically stunts important areas of growth in childhood. Author David Wagner
shows how poverty hampers individuals and groups for their entire lives, even many of those
who emerge from poverty. Examples of individuals with difficult childhoods who faced residual
lifelong challenges are presented in the stories of 27 Americans, including athlete Babe Ruth,
birth control advocate Margaret Sanger, singer Billie Holliday, author Jack London, actress
Marilyn Monroe, black leader Malcolm X, singer Johnny Cash, comedian Richard Pryor, author
Stephen King, and entertainer Oprah Winfrey. "Unlikely Fame: Poor People Who Made History"
yields insight into successful individuals and how they coped, adapted, and ultimately achieved
success.
Critique: Informed and informative, "Unlikely Fame: Poor People Who Made History" is a
fascinating and informative read from beginning to end. It is a unique and seminal work that is
truly extraordinary and highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as school,
community and academic library American Biography collections. It should be noted that
"Unlikely Fame: Poor People Who Made History" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781612057149, $29.95).
The World History Shelf
Berlin 1945: World War II: Photos of the Aftermath
Michael Breetin & Peter Kroh
Berlinica Publishing LLC
255 West 43rd Street, Suite 1012, NY, NY 10036
www.berlinica.com
9781935902027, $20.00, 218pp, www.amazon.com
The capital city of Germany, Berlin was completely devastated by Allied bombing raids and
Soviet block-by-block street fighting as the Third Reich collapsed and the Nazi regime was
thoroughly defeated. Once one of the leading cultural and social centers of Europe, Berlin in
1945 was an horrendous human calamity that was extensively photographically documented at
the time. A great number of those photos, along with explanatory commentaries and captions,
comprise the pages of "Berlin 1945: World War II: Photos of the Aftermath" and presents a
perspective of the inevitable consequences of modern warfare that should never be
underestimated or forgotten by succeeding generations. Informed and informative, "Berlin 1945:
World War II: Photos of the Aftermath" is very strongly recommended for academic library 20th
Century European History collections in general, and the growing library of World War II
Studies supplemental reading lists in particular.
The Audiobook Shelf
Terry Nation's Survivors Series One
Performed by Lucy Fleming, Ian McCulloch, et. al.
Big Finish
PO Box 3787, Maidenhead
Berkshire, England SL6 3TF
www.bigfinish.com
9781781782767 $47.86 CD / $25.00 download
Superbly performed by a full cast, Terry Nation's Survivors Series One is a boxed set audiobook
anthology of four brand new, original stories based on the classic TV series about a flu pandemic
that killed over 90% of the Earth's population. Only a handful of survivors are left to rebuild, and
most of the modern marvels of technology are lost or destroyed. Amid the wastelands that were
once cities, humankind must start over again - but can the handful of survivors maintain anything
resembling a peaceful life, let alone rebuild? And could the flu pandemic mutate again,
exterminating what's left? Survivors is a tense, post-apocalyptic drama, highly recommended for
connoisseurs of the genre; it should be noted that these dark stories contain adult material, and
are unsuitable for young listeners. 4 CDs, 240 min.
The Fashion Shelf
Collective Soles: The Shoe Banter Collection
Joyce Fishman, author/illustrator
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, CO 80134
9781478729112, $19.95, www.amazon.com
"Collective Soles" is a title from The Shoe Banter Collection, a whimsical artistic impression of
ideas about shoe philosophy, exploring the notion that "shoes contain a soul within its sole,"
culminating in the observation that "Our Collective Soles / Share in a unique journey / Soles
reflect our souls." Delicious portraits of different shoes and soles, with expressive faces and
uniquely colorful features adorn every other page, with a miniature portrait in verse to flesh out
the sole, or soul depicted. Thus we find "Flip Flop soles are free spirits that like to hang on
lightly between your toes..." accompanied by rainbow colored hanging flip flops with facial
features and miniature heads. Or "Wedge soles know how to support an arch..." and a whole
litany of different dance and theater soles that have many special creative features and telling
characteristics. "Collective Soles" is a fabulous fantasy that perfectly marries soles with souls, or
feet with feelings, or art and verse with life. Only the sensitive who feel fun at the heart should
read "Collective Soles," or those who long to remember how to find fun at the heart. Another title
from the Shoe Banter Collection is called "Running Shoes (9781478729297, $16.95). This book
explores the use of verse and art to describe the experience of wearing running shoes with all the
joyous exhilaration that experience can entail. For a new experience in creative graphic works,
explore the Shoe Banter Collection. It will feel like a breath of fresh air for the soul.
The Social Issues Shelf
The Devil Inside the Beltway
Michael J. Daugherty
michaeljdaugherty.com
Broadland Press
425 Broadland Road, Atlanta, GA, 30342
9780985742225 $19.95 www.broadlandpress.com
The Devil Inside the Beltway: The Shocking Expose of the US Government's Surveillance and
Overreach into Cybersecurity, Medicine and Small Business is a true-life spy story that reads like
an Orwellian dystopia. Author Michael J. Daugherty, the CEO of LabMD (a cancer-detection lab
in Atlanta with 25 employees), tells how he discovered that more than 9000 of his company's
patients' billing information and social security numbers were obtained by a security surveillance
company called Tiversa. LabMD had taken the usual security measures of firewalls and servers
designed to protect customer data, but all it took was for one employee to violate company policy
and install a peer-to-peer file-sharing network on her computer (because she wanted to listen to
music) to make LabMD's data vulnerable to Tiversa. Tiversa tried to extort money, and when
Daugherty refused to pay, Tiversa turned Daugherty over to the Federal Trade Commission. A
blood-in-the-water fight to save LabMD from the FTC's efforts to shut it down ensued.
Regardless of political affiliation, readers of all backgrounds would do well to consider The
Devil Inside the Beltway as a chilling example of the consequences of government overreach,
and the costs inflicted on small businesses as well as hard-working individuals. Highly
recommended.
The Cookbook Shelf
The Chew: A Year of Celebrations
Kingswell
c/o Disney Enterprises
125 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10023
www.disneybooks.com
9781484711088 $19.99 www.thechew.com
Illustrated with full-color photography throughout, The Chew: A Year of Celebrations is a
cookbook filled with recipes from ABC's hit television show "The Chew". The five show hosts
share handy entertaining tips, simple yet creative crafts, and mouth-watering recipes for any
festive occasion, from football game gatherings to romantic Valentine's Day dinners. From Corn
Apple Salad (perfect as a barbecues side!) to Brisket with Pearl Onions and Potatoes, Citrus
Upside-Down Cake, Curried Butternut Squash Soup, and much more, The Chew is a splendid
resource packed with easy-to-make dishes that look as appealing as they taste. Highly
recommended, especially for gourmets who follow the show!
The Architecture Shelf
Last Is More
Robert Sharoff, text
William Zbaren, photography
The Images Publishing Group
c/o Langham Hospitality Group
www.langhamhotels.com
9780957875975 $50.00 www.imagespublising.com
Award-winning architectural photojournalists Robert Sharoff and William Zbaren present Last Is
More: Mies, IBM, and the Transformation of Chicago, a coffee-table book documenting how the
IBM Building (the last skyscraper designed by Mies van der Rohe) was transformed into The
Langham hotel of Chicago. Full-color photography on every other page complements the
insightful writing into the history, architectural vision, and legacy of this majestic structure.
Accessible to scholars and lay readers alike, Last Is More is a welcome addition to architecture
shelves.
The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
Beyond the Briar Patch
Retold by Lyn Ford
Parkhurst Brothers Publishers
110 West Main Street
Marion, Michigan 49665
www.parkhurstbrothers.com
9781624910265 $11.50 ebook
9781624910258 $17.00 pbk.
Beyond the Briar Patch: Affrilachian Folktales, Food and Folklore is an anthology of folklore,
including animal/fool/trickster tales, drawn from African-American, Native-American, and
European-American sources - a concoction she dubs "Affrilachain" (apparently a play on
"Appalachian"). "What do you do when somebody is threatening to turn your grandma into a
midnight snack? Well, if you're Rabbit, you don't sit around and cry about it. You don't hide, or
run away. You start using your head for more than a place to hang your ears, and you come up
with a plan to save your grandma." Beyond the Briar Patch is more than a compilation of
engaging folktales; it's a cultural treasury for both casual browsers and library folklore shelves.
Also highly recommended is the previous collection, "Affrilachian Tales" (9781935166665,
$20.00).
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
Commercial Acting in L.A.
Shaan Sharma, author
Paul Loudon, illustrator
Privately Published
c/o The Barrett Company (publicity)
12021 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90025
www.thebarrettco.com
9780990408000 $29.99 www.shaansharma.com
Actor, acting teacher, and casting session director Shaan Sharma presents Commercial Acting in
L.A.: A Session Director's Guide, a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is guide to working in the
business. Sharma doesn't mince words - if Commercial Acting in L.A. were a movie, it would be
rated R for language (including cussing) - but his years of hard-earned wisdom are invaluable to
anyone trying to break into an acting career. Chapters cover the demands of an acting career, how
to get a good agent, online services widely used to scout actors, how to handle auditions and
callbacks, the basics of residuals and re-negotiations, and much more. An absolute must-read,
must-have for aspiring actors, and even industry veterans are likely to learn new tricks, tips, and
techniques for getting hired! "Commercially, you need to sign up for and maintain your account
on Casting Networks and Casting Frontier. Make sure to completely fill out your profile and
upload current photos. On the theatrical side, there's also Actors Access, the actor portal into the
Breakdown Services system, the main online casting service used by TV/film CD's, and also
Now Casting, but the breakdowns visible to the general public are usually for low budget and
student films, or really hard to find roles like one-legged Asian opera singers."
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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