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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors
Brian Meadors
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476674971, $29.95, PB, 217pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Cedarville-Censors-Precedent-Setting/dp/1476674973
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/harry-potter-and-the-cedarville-censors
Synopsis: In 2002, the Cedarville School Board in Crawford County, Arkansas, ordered the removal of J.K. Rowling's Harry
Potter books from library shelves, holding that "witchcraft or sorcery [should not] be available for study."
The School Board picked some formidable adversaries. School librarian Estella Roberts, standing on policy, had the books
reviewed (and unanimously approved) by a committee of teachers and administrators that included a child and a parent.
Not satisfied with the School Board's half-measure permitting access to the books with parental approval, 4th-grader Dakota
Counts and her father Bill Counts sued the school district in Federal court, drawing on the precedent Pico v. Island Trees to
reaffirm that Constitutional rights apply to school libraries.
Written by Drian Meadors, the lawyer who prosecuted the case, "Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors: Inside the
Precedent-Setting Defeat of an Arkansas Book Ban" details the origins of the book ban and the civil procedures and legal
arguments that restored the First Amendment in Cedarville.
Critique: Brilliantly written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Harry Potter and the Cedarville
Censors: Inside the Precedent-Setting Defeat of an Arkansas Book Ban" by Brian Meadors must be considered essential
reading for anyone with concerns about the growing trend of book banning in school and public libraries for political,
religious, or racial discrimination motives on the part of book banners. "Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors" is a
fascinating and informative case study in how to deal with those who deny to the neighbors the right to read whatever they
wished and for librarians to make their acquisition decisions on the basis of unbiased literary merit alone. While a highly
recommended (and essential) addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Censorship &
Constitutional Law collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, political
activists, authors, publishers, and non-professional readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of
"Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$17.99).
Editorial Note: Brian Meadors (https://www.meadorslawfirm.com) is a former U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer. After
his naval service, he attended Georgetown University Law Center, graduating cum laude. He practiced in Washington, DC,
for a few years before moving to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was a trial lawyer for ten years. He is currently in-house
counsel for a Fortune 500 corporation.
Your Story Told By Another
Stanley Livingstone
American Hegira
9780981871615, $23.99, PB, 374pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Story-Another-Stanley-Livingstone/dp/0981871615
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-story-told-by-another-stanley-livingstone/1148028679
Synopsis: With the publication of "Your Story Told by Another", Stanley Livingstone has written a story for readers who
enjoy exploring, who have imagination, who look forward to suspenseful conflicts that await them, who wonder what
unknown burdens they will bear, and who are spellbound by the mysterious forces that shall take them to destinations they
might have never known.
Exploring uncharted territory around you is uncomfortable, charting what is within can be outright painful. So, this
adventure is neither for the faint hearted nor the timid. There are many places in your life that you would rather not visit,
many low-lying marshes that are too embarrassing to share with another, many heights that you have crossed off to your
imagination. Yes, the path of "Your Story Told By Another" will take you to those forbidden lands, not to perish, but to
make it there and back.
No exploration is complete without its hidden treasure. And yes, you will find many golden keys to unlock treasures
untouched by those before you.
Perhaps, this exploration, with a change of settings, is your own story, told through another. It beseeches you to be honest
with yourself -- even if you can't share your secret missteps. For like Jacob, you too can be more than a survivor. You may
find within you the power to change your world!
Critique: Original, eloquent, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Your Story Told By Another" showcases the
elegant and imaginative storytelling style of Stanley Livingstone. Exceptional, memorable, engaging, and thoroughly 'reader
friendly' in tone and substance, "Your Story Told By Another" is a unique, special, and unreservedly recommended addition
to personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library collections. This is the kind of book that will
linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after it has been finished and set back upon the shelf. It should be noted
for readers with an interest in philosophy, morality, and literary fiction that this paperback edition of "Your Story Told By
Another" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Stanley Livingstone has had a life long career as a physician, writer and social activist. His pen name
captures the vision of an enterprising explorer who not only seeks the unknown of external world, but more importantly
discovers the secret demons that inhabit the most impenetrable recesses of our individual minds, overcomes their snares and
forges new paths ahead.
The Education Shelf
Equitable Grading Unlocked
Howard Yank and Maika Yeigh, authors
ASCD
www.ascd.org
9781416634058, $33.95, PB, 175pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Equitable-Grading-Unlocked-Practical-Strategies/dp/1416634053
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/equitable-grading-unlocked-howard-yank/1148551596
Synopsis: Though many resources provide the rationale for grading reform, few offer the day-to-day strategies necessary for
success. With the publication of "Equitable Grading Unlocked: Practical Strategies from the Classroom", co-authors and
veteran educators Howard Yank and Maika Yeigh help you reimagine grading so it fosters motivation, cultivates a positive
mindset, and builds cultural responsiveness.
Along the way, they show how you can anticipate and overcome common challenges, provide realistic and practical options
for grading reform, and transform your classroom into a space where students take ownership of their learning.
In "Equitable Grading Unlocked", you will discover how to:
Uncouple practice from grading without sacrificing student engagement.
Provide valuable feedback students actually use to improve their work.
Create transparent rubrics and track progress efficiently.
Implement retakes and redos that genuinely support learning.
Handle late work without punitive policies that harm struggling students.
Enhance your gradebook to accurately reflect student learning.
Build schoolwide consistency in equitable grading practices.
Each chapter combines research-backed rationale with hard-won wisdom from educators across subjects and grade levels.
You'll find specific protocols and scenarios that showcase the real experiences of teachers who have already navigated these
waters - complete with their mistakes, breakthroughs, and refined approaches.
Whether you're just beginning to question traditional grading or are already implementing reforms, this book helps you
create a classroom where every student can succeed -- not because standards are lowered but because learning finally takes
center stage.
Critique: This trade paperback edition (7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d), 9.6 ounces) of "Equitable Grading Unlocked: Practical
Strategies from the Classroom" is an ideal instructional guide for school district in-service training workshops, as well as
college/university Classroom Education curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for teacher education students,
academia, school district administrators, K-12 classroom teachers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Equitable Grading Unlocked: Practical Strategies from the Classroom" from ASCD is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $32.25).
Editorial Note #1: Howard Yank is faculty emeritus at Portland State University's College of Education and brings more
than 25 years of secondary teaching experience across California, Oregon, Washington, and international schools in Latin
America. From the outset of his career, Howard has been committed to social justice and inquiry-based learning. As a
curriculum administrator, instructional coach, and teacher mentor, Howard has advanced equitable practices in schools
throughout the United States and Mexico. Howard taught in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile, and his articles have appeared
in the Feminist Press, NEA Today, California Monthly, and Oregon Education. He is the co-author of Equitable Grading
Unlocked.
Editorial Note #2: Maika Yeigh is an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education & Counseling at Lewis &
Clark College, where she works with teacher candidates seeking initial licensure. Many passions feed her work as a teacher
educator: preparing teachers who are ready to meet the needs of learners, improving clinical preparation practices for novice
teachers, and supporting teachers as they develop and implement humane assessment practices. She is also the managing
editor of the Northwest Journal of Teacher Education, is the president of the Oregon Association of Teacher Education, has
published articles in regional and national journals, and is the co-author of Equitable Grading Unlocked.
The Cookbook Shelf
Centerpiece
Helen Graham
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781783256549, $32.99, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Centerpiece-vibrant-recipes-vegetables-spotlight/dp/1783256540
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/centrepiece-helen-graham/1148294740
Synopsis: Drawing inspiration from the rich flavors of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Helen Graham's
Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, "Centerpiece: Bold, vibrant recipes to put vegetables in the spotlight" features 100 inventive,
vegetable-based recipes that will transform your table. With accessible ingredients and simple methods, Helen's
flavor-packed combinations of spices, herbs and sauces elevate vegetables into something truly showstopping.
Contents includes:
The Meal Before the Meal, including Mushrooms with Tamari & Pomegranate Skewers and Halloumi-Ricotta Fritters with
Spiced Lemon 'Honey'
The Main Event, including Harissa Roast Carrots, Mango Labneh & Mint and Hispi Cabbage with Date Butter &
Tahini
On the Side, including Potato Salad with Basil Zhoug & Coconut Crunch and Hawaij Roast Potatoes with Preserved Lemon
Roast Shallots
Something Sweet, including Za'atar & Cherry Chocolate Refrigerator Cake Bars and Poppy Seed & Orange Blossom
Babka
Critique: Published in a large format (7.75 x 0.81 x 10 inches, 1.98 pounds) hardcover edition from Hamlyn and beautifully
illustrated throughout with full page color photos of finished dishes, "Centerpiece: Bold, vibrant recipes to put vegetables in
the spotlight" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, family, professional, and community library
Vegetarian/Vegan cookbook collections. Each recipe notes how many servings it will make, the ingredients required, the
step-by-step preparation steps to take. Ideal for menu planning for all formal and informal dining occasions, it should be
noted that "Centerpiece: Bold, vibrant recipes to put vegetables in the spotlight" is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Helen Graham was Executive Chef at the London restaurant Bubala for 5 years, following working at
critically acclaimed restaurants the Palomar and the Barbary, as well as the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen.
(www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/helen-graham)
The World History Shelf
A History of the Thai Chinese
Jeffery Sng and Pimpraphai Bisalputra, authors
Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804859035, $24.99, PB, 640pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/History-Thai-Chinese-Jeffery-Sng/dp/0804859035
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-history-of-thai-chinese-jeffery-sng/1147812840
Synopsis: Thai Chinese (also known as Chinese Thais, Sino-Thais) are people of Chinese descent in Thailand. Thai Chinese
are the largest mixed group in the country and the largest overseas Chinese community in the world with a population of
approximately 9.5 million people, accounting for 11 to 14 percent of the country's total population as of 2012. It is also one
of the oldest and most prominently integrated overseas Chinese communities, with a history dating back to the 1100s.
Slightly more than half of the ethnic Chinese population in Thailand trace their ancestry to Chaoshan, proven by the
prevalence of the Teochew dialect among the Chinese community in Thailand as well as other Chinese languages. The term
as commonly understood signifies those whose ancestors immigrated to Thailand before 1949. (Wikipedia)
For many centuries, Chinese migrated to the ports, cities and provinces of Thailand. These immigrants included traders,
skilled laborers, adventurers and the near-destitute who dreamed of a better life. Over time, they came to form one of the
largest and most influential diasporas in the world. From tin mining to railway-building to rice trading, their skills helped
the country develop and prosper. Some came to advise Thai monarchs, intermarry, and run businesses integral to the
economy. One son of a Chinese father and Thai mother even became king.
This community overcame many personal, cultural and social challenges to eventually become an integral part of almost all
the kingdom's affairs all the way through to the present day. Co-authored by Jeffery Sng and Pimpraphai Bisalputra, "A
History of the Thai Chinese" tells the extraordinary history of the Thai-Chinese.
Critique: Jeffery Sng and Pimpraphai Bisalputra have dedicated much of their lives to the study of Chinese and Thai history
and in their seminal and groundbreaking study, "A History of the Thai Chinese" they draw upon their years of meticulous
research and academic studies to produce an impressively 'reader friendly' and exceptionally well written history. Original,
exceptional, informative, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, this paperback edition of "A History of the
Thai Chinese" from Tuttle Publishing is a strongly recommended and singular pick for personal, professional, community,
and college/university library Southeast Asia and China/Tibet history collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Jeffrey Sng studied philosophy and literature at Singapore University then attended Cornell University for
postgraduate studies at the Institute of Southeast Asian studies. He has lived in Bangkok for over 30 years, writing articles
about the Chinese Diaspora, the Thai Chinese business community, Chinatown and many other topics.
Editorial Note #2; Pimpraphai Bisalputra graduated from the London School of Economics and attended Cornell for her
postgraduate studies. She has published extensively on the Chinese in Thailand. The pair previously collaborated on the
book Bencharong & Chinawares in the Court of Siam, The Surat Osathanugrah Collections.
The Military History Shelf
Then All Hell Broke Loose: The Odyssey of a Marine Corps Photographer in Vietnam
Dennis Fisher
Stackpole Books
c/o Globe Pequot
https://www.globepequot.com
9780811777605, $29.95, PB, 190pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Then-All-Hell-Broke-Loose/dp/081177760X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/then-all-hell-broke-loose-dennis-fisher/1147036165
Synopsis: The USNS Hugh J. Gaffey dropped anchor at 1430 hours on December 27, 1966, under an overcast sky at Da
Nang, Vietnam. Standing on deck and taking his first look at Vietnam was PFC Dennis Irwin Fisher, a newly minted Marine
infantry rifleman. A snafu on his orders would send him to the Headquarters 1st Marine Division personnel office as
"unassigned" and from there to the Division Security Platoon. As fate would have it, the Security Platoon hooches were just
a short walk from the 1st Division Photo Lab.
After six months of effort and agreeing to extend his tour of duty for an additional six months, Lance Corporal Fisher was
transferred to Division Photo and assigned a secondary MOS as a 4631 combat still photographer. His training as an
infantryman, position as a combat photographer, and his civilian training as a photojournalist provided him with a unique
skill set and vantage point from which to record the actions of the Marines during the heaviest fighting of the Vietnam
War.
"Then All Hell Broke Loose: The Odyssey of a Marine Corps Photographer in Vietnam" follows the young Marine
photographer through seven large operations and numerous smaller actions, his wounding and two-month hospital stay, and
his return to Vietnam just as the Tet Offensive broke out.
Fisher's photographs display the trials and tribulations of combat and the humanity of the men fighting day in and day out.
Some have been featured by the National Archives for their insightful depictions of the Vietnam War, but most are
published here for the first time, presenting a unique and dramatic view of this generation-defining conflict.
Critique: A unique visual history of a combat photographer's experiences during the Viet Nam war, "Then All Hell Broke
Loose: The Odyssey of a Marine Corps Photographer in Vietnam" by Dennis I. Fisher is an extraordinary and fascinating
read from start to finish. This large format (7 x 0.6 x 10 inches, 13 ounces) paperback edition from Stackpole Books is a
very special and highly recommended acquisition for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Viet
Nam War History and Combat Photographer collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that
"Then All Hell Broke Loose" is also readily available to interested readers in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note: Dennis Fisher served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant. He is a
photographer whose career has spanned nearly sixty years, from study under the former executive editor of Life magazine to
work with the Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force. His work has been featured by the National Archives. He lives
near Battle Ground, Washington just across the river from Portland, Oregon and continues to be active in photography.
The Road to Cisterna: Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World War II
David Lyle Williams
Louisiana State University Press
https://lsupress.org
9780807185032, $44.95, HC, 400pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Cisterna-Darbys-Rangers-Consequential/dp/0807185035
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-road-to-cisterna-david-lyle-williams/1147269223
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Road to Cisterna: Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World
War II", David Lyle Williams tells the story of Darby's Rangers, an elite American army unit in World War II, selected for
toughness and specially trained in beach landings and lightning raids deep behind enemy lines.
Commanded by Colonel William Orlando Darby, the 1st Ranger Battalion spearheaded landings in North Africa and helped
defeat German general Erwin Rommel (the Desert Fox) in Tunisia. Its success inspired the creation of two more battalions
led by Darby in the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland.
The Rangers' record of victories ended in central Italy at the Battle of Cisterna, where a force of almost sixty thousand
Germans wiped them out. The German forces captured all but a few of the survivors, but many Rangers made daring
escapes from prisoner-of-war camps.
Of the Rangers who fought that battle, forty-six tell their stories in this book.
For this World War II military history David Lyle Williams spent over two decades collecting the memories of Darby
Rangers, enabling him to compile an unprecedentedly thorough history of the unit. Unlike previous accounts, more than 160
Rangers speak here in their own words and voices, giving an intimate picture of their combat experiences, enabling the
reader to know them as individuals.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of B/W illustrations, a Foreword by Warren 'Bing' Evans, a
listing of Military Rank abbreviations, and Epilogue (Rangers Come Home), and an Afterword, "The Road to Cisterna:
Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World War II" is a seminal and groundbreaking study told in the
voices of surviving Rangers. An unreservedly recommended addition to the growing library of World War II military
histories, it should also be noted for personal reading lists, community and college/university library collections that this
hardcover edition of "The Road to Cisterna: Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World War II" from
Louisiana State University Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.95).
Editorial Note #1: David Lyle Williams (https://theroadtocisterna.com) is a former U.S. Army officer (1967 - 1969). He has
a PhD in wood science and worked for fifty years in the forest products industry.
Editorial Note #2: The United States Army Rangers are U.S. Army personnel who have served in any unit which has held
the official designation of "Ranger". The term is commonly used to include graduates of the Ranger School, even if they
have never served in a "Ranger" unit, because Army regulations and special qualification identifier (SQI) codes provide that
the only requirement to earn the "Title: Ranger" is that a soldier "must successfully complete the appropriate training at the
Infantry School. (Wikipedia)
The General Fiction Shelf
Mountain Home
Grace Zacaroli
https: //www.gracelzacaroli.com
Palmetto Publishing
https://www.palmettopublishing.com
9798318800153, $21.99, PB, 514pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Home-Grace-Zacaroli/dp/B0G8SXJ3B7
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mountain-home-grace-zacaroli/1148985709
Synopsis: In a quest for family and identity, four travelers confront darkness and danger, forging deeper bonds and
strengthening their resilience. As they navigate multiple trials, they learn the power of hope, healing, and community in a
world fraught with challenges.
Danat, Solomon, Jonah, and Asbat embark on a perilous journey to find Solomon's paternal family, leaving behind their
community and entering the unknown.
To reach their destination, they must traverse a treacherous land ruled by a tyrant, where they face physical and spiritual
challenges that test their limits.
Danat, imprisoned and on the brink of death, makes an unexpected connection and discovers a new source of peace.
Meanwhile, Solomon must overcome fear, uncertainty, and grief to follow his own calling. As he meets these challenges
and learns more about his origins, his identity and leadership begin to emerge.
Venturing deeper into the mountains, Solomon, Jonah, and Asbat encounter new cultures and learn about his father's legacy
and the rich history of his people. Solomon then faces a pivotal choice: to remain with his newfound family or return to the
town that shaped him.
Critique: An extraordinary and deeply engaging novel that will hold a special appeal for readers with an interest in well told
tales enriched with psychological drama, action and adventure, "Mountain Home" by Grace Zacaroli is a fun and fascinating
read from cover to cover. With a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that captures
the reader's imagination in a way that makes her characters resonate in the mind and memory long after the book has been
finished and set back upon shelf, "Mountain Home" is a solid pick for community/public library Contemporary General
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Mountain Home" from
Palmetto Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Grace Zacaroli (https: //www.gracelzacaroli.com) is a retired psychotherapist who has
worked as a reiki master, rebirther, yoga instructor, and intuitive health practitioner. With multiple degrees and a vested
interest in helping people find their journeys toward well-being.
Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace
P. K. Edgewater
https://www.pkedgewater.com
PK Edgewater Publishing
9798992902600, $17.99, PB, 234pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Passages-Voyage-Peace-P-K-Edgewater/dp/B0FBS569TS
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passages-p-k-edgewater/1147843084
Synopsis: Miko, the precocious son of a Greek fisherman, has weathered an indecisive path to adulthood in medicine and
psychiatry... or has he? Dormant in his soul is a muse for writing and a smoldering guilt of abandoning his father. His
training trajectory finds him in Tulsa, USA, of all places, where a 2 a.m. hospital admission, the aging, drunk, and
potentially violent Vietnam veteran AJ becomes the young physician's patient. A metaphysical quirk awaits them.
Unwitting confidants in the quest to understand what each is missing, the two trade insights best borne from meeting the
other where he is. AJ is a prisoner of the exhilarating echoes of a confusing war; Miko suppresses his own psychological
turmoil while exposing that of others.
A chance meeting of their wives leads to a bond kept hidden under norms of confidentiality. Each woman finds something
of themselves in the other and the moxie to withstand battles in their own marriages, on their own terms.
Why AJ was brought to the hospital by the police that night pits a sense of duty against self-destruction. Why was there but
a single round in his Luger that night?
In his novel, "Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace", author P. K. Edgewater takes aim at our enigmatic humanity. Each
of us is the hero in his or her own life, a contrast of magnificence and flaws, navigating the complexity of principles and
barriers as best one can.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and of compelling interest to readers favoring military themed psychological fiction,
"Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace" showcases author P. K. Edgewater's remarkable and narrative driven storytelling
skills. Especially impressive when considering that it is Edgewater's debut as a novelist, "Passages: A Voyage from War to
Peace" is one of those novels that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book has been finished and
set back upon the shelf, "Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for
personal reading lists and community library Literary Fiction. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Passages: A
Voyage from War to Peace" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99)
Editorial Note: P. K. Edgewater (https://www.pkedgewater.com) is a military veteran, and doctor of 40 years. He is also a
Literary Titan Book Award Winner. Edgewater retired in 2020 after a four-decade medical career that included working as
an internist and rheumatologist, founding and managing an arthritis and rheumatology research center, and consulting on
clinical trials in China and Russia.
The Theology Of Lust
Ralph Mercier Vince, author
Malory Wood, editor
Melvin Marrero, illustrator
Picture Perfect Verses LLC
https://pictureperfectvs.com
9780991508044, $24.99, PB, 253pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Lust-Ralph-Vince/dp/0991508041
Synopsis: "The Theology of Lust" by novelist Ralph Vince follows Ricky "Pork Chop" White, a wounded,
self-mythologizing erotic savant, as he stumbles through desire, regret, and violent entanglements, trying to turn raw
masculinity into something redemptive. Vince has created a darkly funny, psychologically unfiltered journey where erotic
obsession, betrayal, and a lurking murder plot converge on one man's desperate attempt to find some sort of salvation out of
the mess he calls a life.
"The Theology of Lust" is a 'must' for readers who crave iconoclastic fiction that refuses to behave -- those who want
something too intense for "new sincerity," too erotic for autofiction, and too unapologetically masculine for contemporary
taste. In short, to anyone drawn to provocative, high-voltage literary work, something savored, that isn't afraid to offend,
unsettle, or leave a mark.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "The Theology of Lust" showcases author
Ralph Mercier Vince's genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling that will linger in the mind and memory of
the reader long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf. This paperback edition from Picture Perfect
Versus is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university
library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Ralph Mercier Vinece (https://ralphvince.com/about.php) is a Charles H. Dow Award winner. He has
worked for fund managers, sovereign wealth funds and family offices around the world since the early 1980s. He was Larry
Williams' programmer and trader during Williams' 1987 legendary championship run where he traded $10,000 to over
$1,100,000 in a 12-month competition. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Market Technician's Association of
New York, and has written numerous books published by John Wiley & Sons as well as professional papers on financial as
well as general mathematics and statistics. His work was featured in a chapter of the Edwards & Magee classic, Technical
Analysis of Stock Trends, regarded as the bible of Technical Analysis, and is one of the very few additions since the original
publication in 1948.
A Real Collusion
Stu Strumwasser
Green Circle
9798218886455, $29.99, HC, 330pp
9798218885762, $9.99, Kindle, 297pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Real-Collusion-Almost-Two-Party-System-ebook/dp/B0G5K3BJ1K
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-real-collusion-stu-strumwasser/1148954359
A work of fiction that echoes recent political reality and history, "A Real Collusion" deftly explores universal and deeply human themes of loss, and the tension between justice and power. In the opening sentence the narrator points out that, "Ordinary people often do extraordinary things."
The characters in the book do, and the action is driven by the fantastic events of a unique political satire. It is also the heartfelt story of regular people struggling with lost love, alienation and nearly universal disaffection who find strength in enduring loyalty and friendship
"A Real Collusion" is the story of John Campbell (a regular guy from the lower east side of Manhattan) as recounted by his friend Skip Winters. Skip becomes John’s campaign manager and later, a congressman in his own right. He narrates the stunning-but-plausible story of how John Campbell and The American Coalition race to popularity, raising over a hundred million dollars from grassroots contributors -- and become a threat to the political duopoly of the Democratic and Republican parties.
"A Real Collusion" sprinkles in references to real events from recent history, and real political leaders including Trump, John McCain, and more. This imbues the novel with a sense of realism, albeit one of an alternate reality.
Skip discovers a deep-seated conspiracy within our political system whose leaders orchestrate a murder, destroy his friend and tip the scales of the election. "A Real Collusion" turns out to be Skip’s exposé of the secret collaboration between the two major political parties in our country -- a cooperation to protect an American political duopoly that is, in part, very real and being played out today.
Critique: Synopsis: "A Real Collusion" by Stu Strumwasser is a novel echoes real political events undergone by American voters and politicians. It's about a man who accidentally becomes the leader of an independent political movement that nearly takes down the two-party system in America, while exposing a conspiracy that affects the results of the 2016 election. A work of original and deftly crafted fiction that will resonate with readers aware of the politics of today in the real world, "A Real Collusion" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Political Fiction/Thriller collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "A Real Collusion" is scheduled for an April 1, 2026 release, but is currently available in a Kindle format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Stu Strumwasser studied in the creative writing program at Cornell University and then pursued dual careers as a writer and investment professional. His novel, "The Organ Broker," was published by Skyhorse in May of 2015 and named one of five finalists for the Hammett Prize for literary excellence in crime writing. Strumwasser is also the Founder & Managing Director of Green Circle Capital, a specialized merchant bank focused on advising food brands and investing in food-related technology. Leading up to the 2000 Presidential election, Strumwasser, who has been concerned with broken government for thirty years, consulted on fundraising for the Committee for a Unified Independent Party. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stu_Strumwasser)
The Historical Fiction Shelf
No Friend to This House
Natalie Haynes
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063258440, $30.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/No-Friend-This-House-Novel/dp/0063258447
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-friend-to-this-house-natalie-haynes/1147320345
Synopsis: What no one tells you, in the songs sung about Jason and the Argo is an obscured part of the Odyssey quest which
is in danger of being forgotten -- faded from the memory of men.
When Jason and his Argonauts set sail to find the Golden Fleece, their sea-faring journey is filled with danger, for him and
everyone he meets. But if he ever reaches the distant land he seeks, he faces almost certain death.
But Medea (priestess, witch, and daughter of a brutal king) has the power to save the life of a stranger. Will she betray her
family and her home, and what will she demand in return?
Medea and Jason seize their one chance of a life together, as the gods intend. But their love is steeped in vengeance from the
beginning, and no one (not even those closest to them) will be safe!
Critique: Based on the classic tragedy by Euripides, author Natalie Haynes' Medea as portrayed in "No Friend To This
House" is original, iconoclastic, and a simply riveting read from start to finish. Haynes storytelling style is vivid, engaging,
and fascinating. "No Friend To This House" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "No Friend To This House"
from Harper is also readily available in paperback (Harper Perennial, 9780063258457, $18.99) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Natalie Haynes (https://nataliehaynes.com) is the author of eight books, including the nonfiction work
Pandora's Jar, which was a New York Times bestseller, and the novels A Thousand Ships, which was a national bestseller
and short-listed for the 2020 Women's Prize for Fiction, and Stone Blind. She has written and recorded eleven series of
Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics for the BBC. Haynes has written for the Times, the Independent, The Guardian,
and the Observer. She lives in London.
The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai
Janie Chang
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063308114, $30.00, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Princess-Gothic-Novel-Shanghai/dp/0063308118
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fourth-princess-janie-chang/1147440802
Synopsis: Shanghai, 1911. Lisan Liu is elated when she is hired as secretary to wealthy American Caroline Stanton, the new
mistress of Lennox Manor on the outskirts of Shanghai's International Settlement. However, the Manor has a dark past due
to a previous owner's suicide, and soon Lisan's childhood nightmares resurface with more intensity and meld with haunted
visions of a woman in red. Adding to her unease is the young gardener, Yao, who both entices and disturbs her.
Newly married Caroline looks forward to life in China with her husband, Thomas, away from the shadows of another earlier
tragedy. But an unwelcome guest, Andrew Grey, attends her party and claims to know secrets she can't afford to have
exposed. At the same party, the notorious princess Masako Kyo approaches Lisan with questions about the young woman's
family that the orphaned Lisan can't answer.
As Caroline struggles with Grey's extortion and Thomas's mysterious illness, Lisan's future is upended when she learns the
truth about her past, and why her identity has been hidden all these years. All the while, strange incidents accelerate, driving
Lisan to doubt her sanity as Lennox Manor seems unwilling to release her until she fulfills demands from beyond the
grave.
Critique: Original, exceptionally well written, and with a special appeal to readers with an interest in ghost stories, Gothic
fiction, and psychological thrillers, "The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai" is an original and unreservedly
recommended for community library Historical Suspense/Thriller Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai" from William Morrow is
also readily available in paperback (9780063308121, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Janie Chang (https://janiechang.com) is an author of historical fiction. Born in Taiwan, Chang has lived in
the Philippines, Iran, Thailand, New Zealand, and Canada. Her novels often draw from family history and ancestral stories.
She has a degree in computer science and is a graduate of the Writer's Studio Program at Simon Fraser University. She is the
author of Three Souls, Dragon Springs Road, The Library of Legends, and The Porcelain Moon; and co-author of The
Phoenix Crown, with Kate Quinn.
The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798363117671, $9.99, PB, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Crisis-Jerusalem/dp/B0BMD6JQHV
Synopsis: From the Cross, Jesus entrusted John, son of Zebedee, the youngest disciple, with the welfare of Mary, Jesus's
mother. Over thirty years later, as Jerusalem becomes a cauldron of explosive tempers, John receives a calling he doesn't
want.
Will he listen and follow? -- And if he does, will it be too late?
In 62 AD, the Jewish high priest executes James, the brother of Jesus, triggering a bitter fight for power in Jerusalem that
shatters the quiet life of John. The Jewish people he loves are making dangerous choices that will change the land of Israel
forever.
Should he stay in Jerusalem and help hold off the Roman onslaught? Or is it time to reach out to those beyond Israel's
borders?
If he chooses to leave, what will be his message to these foreign believers? What new words of comfort could he possibly
share?
Critique: Original, fascinating, set against a backdrop of actual events as recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament,
"The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem" is the first novel in a new series based on the Bible and Christian history. Readers
will follow author Kurt Brouwer's imaginative and deftly crafted story of John the Apostle who must face several crises and
in the process, achieves an understanding what it truly means to stand alone, leaning on only the Lord for guidance. The
introduction to novelist Kurt Brouwer's forthcoming Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem" is truly
exceptional and highly recommended for personal reading lists and community/public library Biblical Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each other.
Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out of that
extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The Last
Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798395813008, $10.99, PB, $2.99 Kindle, 328pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Escape-Antioch/dp/B0C63P693G
Synopsis: John was the Beloved Disciple, chosen by Jesus and destined to be the last to carry the divine message.
Devastated by the loss of his adopted mother Mary, John has no time to mourn. The streets of Jerusalem teem with danger,
as Roman rulers engage in fierce conflict with Jewish rebels, all vying for control.
While his allegiance lies with his people, John is at odds with the rebels' passion for earthly power. His quest is to preserve
and share the legacy of Jesus.
Will he succeed in spreading the gospel? -- Or has he waited too long?
As Jerusalem descends into chaos, John escapes to Antioch. He finds rest, renewal, and purpose among the devoted
Christians there and begins sharing his account of the life and teachings of Christ.
Yet even within this refuge, the old conflicts descend on Antioch too, and the dangers ignited in Jerusalem draw near.
Critique: The second volume in novelist Kurt Brouwer's outstanding five volume Biblical fiction series based on Gospel
accounts and the author's extensive research, "The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch" and is deftly woven from the Bible and
Christian history and takes place against a background of historically recorded events. John's increasing awareness of the
true essence of faith, love, and divine purpose is transformed into a simply riveting read from start to finish. "The Last
Disciple: Escape to Antioch" is a compelling read and a highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and
community/public library Biblical Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each other.
Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out of that
extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The Last
Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798990071452, $11.99 PB, $3.99 Kindle, 327pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Exile-Ephesus/dp/B0CWLGCB7D
Synopsis: The third volume in the series, "Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus", author Kurt Brouwer continues his Biblical saga
of the Apostle John in a Gospel based story of faith, courage, and love.
After surviving imprisonment, John faces two new challenges as he is forced into exile in Ephesus, and the siege and
destruction of Jerusalem by a vengeful Roman army as prophesied by Jesus.
Struggling with grief and despair, John doubts his ability to complete the mission entrusted to him by Mary -- to write the
true gospel account of Christ's life. But in Ephesus, he finds unexpected allies (Timothy, Priscilla, and Tychicus) who share
his passion for spreading the message of God's love.
As John shares the good news of Jesus, he also makes dangerous enemies, including Alexander Cosmo, the chief priest of
the Temple of Artemis.
Amid opposition from without and internal divisions from within the early church, John must also contend with an old foe
-- Jewish Christians who pressure believers to adopt Jewish law and compromise the radical teachings of Christ.
When tragedy strikes those close to him, John has to confront his fear by sharing the story that resides in his heart. Will he
finally show the world all the signs, miracles, and events he witnessed on his journey with Jesus?
Critique: A simply riveting read from first page to last, this third title in novelist Kurt Brouwer's truly exceptional historical
saga based on New Testament accounts and the author's extensive personal research into first century Christianity, "The Last
Disciple: Exile in Ephesus" is an extraordinary and intriguing read that will prove of special interest to students of the early
Christian movement in general, and readers intrigued by the role of John the Apostle in that evolution. As with the two
previous 'The Last Disciple' books ("Crisis in Jerusalem" & "Escape to Antioch"), "The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus" is a
solid and recommended pick for personal reading lists and community/public library Biblical History Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each
other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out
of that extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The
Last Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Gospel of John
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798990071421, $11.99 PB, $4.99 Kindle, 316pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Gospel-John/dp/B0DWXVVHVZ
Synopsis: The epic saga John the Apostle by Kurt Brouwer concludes in "The Last Disciple: Gospel", the fourth historical
novel in the 'Last Disciple' series. This is the story of John the Apostle who witnessed the miracles of Jesus through his own
eyes. John, who as a disciple of Christ, watched the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross and entered the empty tomb
after Jesus rose from the grave.
Years after witnessing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John seeks to faithfully write down the
life-changing events he experienced firsthand.
In 'The Last Disciple: Gospel of John", John is in Jerusalem and describes the fateful meeting between the Messiah and
Nicodemus in which Christ uttered the most beloved passage in the Bible: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John sets down the true story of Christ, contending with those who seek to water down the gospel message. Accompanied
by trusted allies like Emmaus and Avram, John travels from Ephesus to Laodicea, Hierapolis, and beyond, determined to
ensure the world never forgets the sacrifice and love of the Son of God.
John reunites with his old friend and fellow disciple, Philip, who is gravely ill. In a desperate bid to save Philip's life, John
seeks out the help of Evangeline, a skilled herbalist and healer. After Philip recovers, a mob whipped up by a high priest of
the goddess Cybele lays in wait to attack John and Philip.
But will violent enemies of the faith succeed in cutting off the gospel message John carries?
Critique: A riveting read that comes alive through the remarkable storytelling style of novelist Kurt Brouwer and infused
with authenticity based upon years of meticulous research into First Century Christianity, the fifth and concluding volume,
"The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel", the saga of the Apostle John, is fascinating, informative, thought-provoking, and
inspirational. It is also specifically and unreservedly recommended for both personal reading lists and community/public
library Biblical Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each other.
Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out of that
extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The Last
Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798990071476, $12.99 PB, $4.99 Kindle, 266pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Sharing-Gospel/dp/B0G8HPCSDX
Synopsis: The fifth and final volume in novelist Kurt Brouwer's exceptional Biblical History series, 'The Last Disciple'
concludes the story of John, who as the last disciple of Christ now holds the completed Gospel of John in his hand. But
when an earthquake strikes, he and his two scribes, Emmaus and Avram, must fight fire and destruction to preserve the
precious scroll.
John had followed Jesus for three years. He saw the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross; he entered the empty tomb
after Jesus rose from the grave; and he watched his Lord and Savior ascend to heaven from the Mount of Olives.
Now his mission is to share his eyewitness account of Jesus with believers throughout the Roman Empire. In the face of
grave difficulties, God provides help from two surprising sources. Tiberius Celsus, a Roman officer and unlikely ally,
delivers a copy of the Gospel of John to the believers in Antioch. And the Apostle Timothy helps John fulfill his divine
mission of sharing the story of Christ with believers in Ephesus.
John also faces human fear and frailty among believers. Archelaus, a wine merchant, resists temptation and returns to the
faith. Diotrephes, a former church leader, betrays both his faith and his fellow believers.
Critique: A brilliant and emotionally engaging conclusion to a work of fiction that is infused with facts based on the New
Testament and author Burt Brouwer's extensive historical research into First Century Christianity and the Apostle John's
role and legacy (including authorship of one of the four Gospels), this series is now concluded with the publication of Book
5, "The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel". An enjoyable, informative, and inspirational read, "The Last Disciple: Sharing
the Gospel will be especially appreciated for anyone who is struggling with doubt, who is searching for meaning, or who are
hungry to deepen their faith. Accurate, authentic, extraordinary, compelling, "The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel" is a
strongly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community/public library Biblical Historical Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each other.
Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out of that
extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The Last
Disciple' series will continue further.
The LGBTQ Fiction Shelf
Sacred Shadows
Graham Elliott
https://drgrahamelliott.com
Independently Published
9798295466465, $31.55, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Shadows-Graham-Elliott/dp/B0G8TQXVM3
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sacred-shadows-graham-elliott/1148082407
Synopsis: Great Britain in the decade of the 1980s was a time marked by political conservatism and rapidly changing social
norms.
Set in this era of controversy and conflict, "Sacred Shadows" by Graham Elliott is the singly story of The Reverend Andrew
Cowley, a man who must navigate the challenging waters of his dual identity as a dedicated up-and coming Anglican priest
and a closeted gay man.
Although a work of finely crafted fiction "Sacred Shadows" accurately explores the intense and often painful journey of
self-discovery, faith, and the search for love and acceptance within a rigid institution during that troubled time.
Critique: With an impressively effective and genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling that emotionally
engages the reader from start to finish, "Sacred Shadows" by Graham Elliott is a compelling and inherently fascinating read
that will be of special and particular appeal to readers with an interest in LGBTQ themed 'coming of age' novels. While
"Sacred Shadows" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and
college/university library Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Sacred Shadows" is
also readily available in paperback (9798894276977, $24.45) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Graham Elliott (https://drgrahamelliott.com) is a British-born author, composer, and church musician. He
has served as a cathedral organist, festival director, music college professor, and cultural leader on both sides of the Atlantic.
His work champions the role of the arts in spiritual life and community enrichment.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Railsong
Rahul Bhattacharya
Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781639736225, $29.99, HC, 416pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Railsong-Novel-Rahul-Bhattacharya/dp/1639736220
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/railsong-rahul-bhattacharya/1147317182
Synopsis: In a newly independent India charged with national vigour, Charu, the motherless daughter of a railway worker,
pines for freedom from the shackles of her impoverishment and meager prospects. As diesel engines replace steam and the
calamitous churn of drought, famine, and a great strike engulfs her town, Charu dares to imagine a different future for
herself. She boards a train and flees westwards, leaving behind the oppressive domesticity of her childhood for the alluring
modernity, and apparent opportunities, of Bombay.
Unfazed by the everyday discriminations around her she becomes an unlikely hero: a railway woman and census enumerator
who keeps her heart open - sometimes guilelessly - to her nation's vast possibility.
Sweeping, elegiac, and at times wonderfully comic, "Railsong" is a powerful portrait of grit, optimism, and the force of
character that enables one remarkable woman to live on her own terms in a country full of contradictions.
Critique, Original, exceptional, riveting, "Railsong" showcases novelist Rahul Bhat's genuine flair for the kind of narrative
driven and memorable storytelling style the full engages the reader's imaginative attention from start to finish. While
especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Railsong" from Bloomsbury Press is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Rahul Bhattacharya (https://rahulbhattacharya.com) is a writer, journalist, and editor. His first novel, The Sly
Company of People Who Care, won the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Asian
Literary Prize. Pundits from Pakistan, his first book, was a Wisden Cricketer top ten cricket book of all time. He was born in
Bombay and lives in Delhi with his wife and two daughters.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Fireworks on the Fourth
Kate Harte
https://kateharte.com
Livreve Press
9798998736605, $18.99, PB, 266pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fireworks-Fourth-Kate-Harte/dp/B0FDT5C5RN
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fireworks-on-the-fourth-kate-harte/1147684676
Synopsis: Author Kate Harte's new novel, "Fireworks on the Fourth", is the story of Susan, a woman whose world is
upended when her estranged daughter Emma arrives at her holiday party with a date-a man who is Susan's first love, her
"Big Mistake," and possibly (but not actually) Emma's father. It's 1992 in the Connecticut countryside, where a group of
intelligent but flawed women and men from two generations are gathering to celebrate the 4th of July.
"Fireworks on the Fourth" weaves back and forth in time and place until the characters meet at the house party. Decades
earlier, two of the women faked a wedding and widowhood to hide a pregnancy. Now, fate is leading to humorous and
heated exchanges between Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers about women's rights, civil rights, and the state of the world, with
flashbacks to the '60s, '70s, and '80s, secrets being spilled, and fireworks in the bedroom as well as the sky.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Fireworks on the Fourth"
will hold a very special appeal to fans of contemporary romance, memorable characters, and a plot replete with unexpected
turns and twists up to eminently satisfying climax. Especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library Contemporary Romance collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Fireworks on the
Fourth" is also available from Livreve Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Kate Harte (https://kateharte.com) has been a teacher, a traveler, an art historian, an archaeologist, a wife,
and a mother. She has also been an avid reader all her life and enjoyed stories of romance since she first encountered
Cinderella as a child. As a writer she is drawn to stories about women that combine experience with history, religion, and
politics. She hopes women's voices will become as strong as men's in America and in the world.
The Doc's Christmas Miracle
S. A. Stolin
Wild Rose Press
https://wildrosepress.com
9781509262816, $15.99, PB, 202pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Docs-Christmas-Miracle-S-Stolin/dp/1509262814
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-docs-christmas-miracle-s-a-stolin/1148263104
Wild Rose Press
https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-docs-christmas-miracle
Synopsis: Dr. Mark Moore arrives at Crescent Hills Alzheimers clinic determined to redeem his shattered reputation with
one final trial of his controversial memory machine. But what he doesn't count on is Dr. Susan Pace a brilliant, infuriating
psychiatrist who sees right through him.
She's a distraction he can't afford but every heated glance, every late-night argument, makes her harder to resist. And as his
machine begins to unlock haunting truths, Mark realizes he may be risking more than his career.
Susan Pace has no time for reckless charm or risky science especially not from the man threatening her clinic, her patients,
and her mother's fragile mind. But when a single touch leaves her breathless, she knows she's in trouble. The closer she gets
to Mark, the more her defenses crumble.
As Christmas lights twinkle and a buried secret surfaces, someone is watching someone willing to kill to keep the past
hidden. And Mark and Susan might be next!
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted and emotionally engaging from start to finish, "The Doc's Christmas Miracle"
showcases author S. A. Stolin's genuine flair for the kind of compelling and narrative driven storytelling style that marks her
as a master of the romantic suspense/thriller genre. A fun and fascinating read, "The Doc's Christmas Miracle" is especially
and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance collections.
It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Doc's Christmas Miracle" from Wild Rose Press is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: S. A. Stolin is the author of award-winning non-fiction psychology and comedy fiction novels. S.A. began
her career an actress, featured as the original "nurse" on the Starsky & Hutche television series. She went on to act in many
movie, television and plays. She is also the author of two original plays. She then became a clinical and forensic
psychologist and currently has a private practice in Beverly Hills, California. She is featured as an Author of the Month at
https://untoldreads.com/author_of_the_month/s-a-stolin-author-of-the-month
The Western Fiction Shelf
Valley of the Lawless
Cole Shelton
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857191, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 208pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857191
Synopsis: The Homestead Act allowed nesters to move onto open range and build new lives for themselves. But for the
cattlemen in general (and Linc Boormann in particular) it meant giving up land he had previously used, free of charge, to
feed and house his vast herds.
Boormann's answer was simple -- to run off the nesters by any means necessary, no matter how brutal.
The merciless execution of one such nester brought wandering gunfighters Shane Preston and Jonah Jones to Wolf Valley,
and the minute they arrived, open war was declared in no uncertain terms. But all the odds were stacked against them. They
were two men against an army of gun-toughs. The local sheriff was in Boormann's pocket, so they couldn't expect any help
from him.
But that was the thing about Shane and Jonah. No matter how impossible things looked, there was just no quit in them. No
quit at all.
Critique: Another terrific western featuring the freelance gun-slinging team of Shane Preston and his sidekick Jonah Jones,
"Valley of the Lawless" by western novelist Cole Shelton is an inherently riveting read replete with unexpected plot twists,
gun action, and two authentically western heroes against the odds. This large print paperback edition of "Valley of the
Lawless" from the Linford Western Library collection will prove a welcome pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated
western fans and an enduringly popular addition to community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: An extensive listing of westerns by Cole Shelton is available online at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/cole-shelton
The Streets of Vermijo
Neil Hunter
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857184, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 192pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857184
Synopsis: "The Streets of Vermijo" is the story of Frank and Luke Tyler and their battle with the three vicious Lockhart
brothers. Frank, a former US Marshal, stepped in to save his grandson from hanging for a crime he didn't commit. And
though the odds may have been against them, the Tylers stood firm against the Lockharts and eventually put them down,
bringing an uneasy peace to the frightened town...
Now the surviving members of the Lockhart gang have returned, robbed the bank and brutally murdered the bank's manager.
With only a woman named Ruby Tucker to keep law and order, they believe they can get away free and clear.
Big mistake.
Frank and Luke, now both US Marshals, ride in to track them down. But Ruby is already on their trail. Furthermore, her past
has equipped her with all the skill and courage she needs to track the gang and take them on.
There's just one problem.
The surviving outlaws are doubling back to Vermijo, intending to burn it to the ground in an act of vengeance.
Blood is going to run red on the streets of Vermijo.
Critique: The kind of western novel that Clint Eastwood 'spaghetti westerns' were once made, "The Streets of Vermijo" by
Neil Hunter is riveting, action packed, gun-blazing -- and showcasing the deftly crafted storytelling style of an author with a
complete mastery of the genre. This large print paperback edition of "The Streets of Vermijo" from the Linford Western
Library collection is an extraordinary and highly recommended pick for both personal reading lists and community library
Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: A full listing of western novels by Neil Hunter is available online at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/neil-hunter
Violence at Sunrise
Steve Hayes and Ben Bridges, authors
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857047, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 224pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857047
Synopsis: Nothing was going to stop Lute Dunbar from getting his revenge -- and certainly not Cobb, the man who now
stood before him, blocking his way.
He said: 'If you plan on grabbing that gun, mister, you'd best get to it.'
The invitation hit Cobb like a slap. Knowing there was no way back from it now, his right shoulder dipped, his knees bent
just a fraction, and he was fast - damn fast.
But so was Lute...
Critique: Collaboratively co-authored by Steve Hayes and Ben Bridges, this large print paperback edition "Violence at
Sunrise" from the Linford Western Library collection is a riveting, action-packed, gun-blazing western that is an especially
and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans and a welcome and enduringly
popular addition to community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note #1: A listing of western novels by David Whitehead is available online at:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/david-whitehead
Editorial Note #2: A listing of western novels by Ben Bridges is available online on his website at:
http://www.benbridges.co.uk
Dead Man's Dollars
Kirk Hamilton
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857207, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 224pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857207
Synopsis: Wade Coburn was down on his luck, so when he happened across a chance to make money, he took it. His luck
changed, all right -- for the worse!
Thrown into a Mexican jail, beaten to within an inch of his life, threatened with execution by firing squad, Wade realized
he'd made a bad mistake. So when he was given a second chance, he snatched at it -- and was plunged headlong into a tale
of cross and double-cross.
But still Wade wouldn't allow himself to be beaten. He strapped on his Colt and made a fight of it!
Critique: As an author of action-packed western adventures, Kirk Hamilton is consistently one of the best. "Dead Man's
Dollars" is the kind of tale that Spaghetti Western Movies were made. A simply riveting read from start to finish, this large
print paperback edition of "Dead Man's Dollars" from the Linford Western Library collection will prove to be a rewarding
and rievting pick for personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: A complete listing of Kirk Hamilton westerns is available online at:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/kirk-hamilton
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Baffle Book
Lassiter Wren & Randle McKay
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613167403, $25.95, HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Baffle-Book-American-Mystery-Classics/dp/1613167407
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-baffle-book-lassiter-wren/1103116099
Synopsis: Originally published in 1928, "The Baffle Book", co-authored by Lassiter Wren & Randle McKay is the book that
launched the "solve-it-yourself" detective book craze of the 1920s and '30s, spawning numerous imitators and a four-book
series of its own.
Comprised of thirty short crime problems incorporate all of the clues needed to find their solutions, including maps, charts,
cryptograms, and additional illustrations -- but it's up to the reader to put all of this together and find out whodunit. It should
be noted that the correct answers are included at the end of the book.
Challenging and entertaining, and featuring an informative introduction by G.T. Garber, "The Baffle Book" delivers on its
promise of hours of armchair sleuthing delights, either on your own or at a "Baffle Party" as the book's opening
recommends. The authors award credits for each of the questions posed, depending on their difficulty, with a chart onto
which scores can be added and a grade given for how well the amateur sleuth performed.
Critique: A true 'time lost' treasure for all dedicated mystery buffs and DIY puzzle solvers wanting to work out 'whodunnit' -
- this new hardcover edition of "The Baffle Book" from American Mystery Classics will be an instantly appreciated,
impressively unique, and enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted that "The Baffle Book" is also available in paperback (9781613167410, $15.95) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note #1: Lassiter Wren (pseudonym of John T. Colter), with co-author Randle McKay, launched the concept of the
"puzzle book" - in which the reader becomes the detective - into a Golden Age phenomenon with The Baffle Book in 1928.
The Baffle Book became instantly popular and it was soon followed by The Second Baffle Book (1929) and The Third
Baffle Book (1930). Little else is known about John T. Colter.
Editorial Note #2: Randle McKay (pseudonym of Richard Rowan), with co-author Lassiter Wren, launched the concept of
the "puzzle book" - in which the reader becomes the detective - into a Golden Age phenomenon with The Baffle Book in
1928. The Baffle Book became instantly popular and it was soon followed by The Second Baffle Book (1929) and The
Third Baffle Book (1930). Richard Rowan was educated at Brown and Columbia and served in the US Army Chemical
Warfare Service during World War I. Apart from the Baffle books, he also published a number of nonfiction books about
the history of espionage under his own name.
Editorial Note #3: G. T. Karber grew up in a small town in Arkansas, the son of a judge and a civil rights attorney. Now, he
is a mystery writer, computer programmer, and the creator of Murdle, the USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling
murder-mystery puzzle book series.
While the Patient Slept
Mignon G. Eberhart, author
Lisa Unger, introduction
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613167434, $25.95, HC, 312pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/While-Patient-American-Mystery-Classics/dp/1613167431
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/while-the-patient-slept-mignon-g-eberhart/1002482137
Synopsis: From the moment nurse Sarah Keate arrives at the gloomy mansion of Adolph Federie, she senses trouble afoot,
from the mysterious occupants of the house to the penetrating stare of a black cat named Genevieve. But Mr. Federie has
just suffered a stroke and needs a live-in aid and Sarah is not one to shirk her duties.
When a murder occurs in the same room as her patient, Sarah starts investigating along with the help of a local police
officer. But how will she sleep at night knowing she's sharing a house with a killer?
Critique: An early title in the career of Mignon G. Eberhart (July 6, 1899, - October 8, 1996) who was a crime writer whose
many novels landed on bestseller lists for much of the twentieth century, "While the Patient Slept" is a deftly crafted
'whodunnit' murder mystery that qualifies as a time-lost treasure and is unreservedly recommended reading for a new
generation of dedicated mystery buffs and suspense/thriller fans. While a highly recommended pick for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections and featuring an informative Introduction by Lisa Unger, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that this hardcover edition of "While the Patient Slept" from American Mystery Classics is also available in
paperback (9781613167441, $15.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note #1: The late Mignon G. Eberhart wrote dozens of mystery novels over nearly sixty years. Born in Lincoln,
Nebraska, she published her first novel, The Patient in Room 18, in 1929 and by the end of the 1930s she was one of the
most popular mystery writers on the planet. Eight of her books -- including Murder by an Aristocrat - were adapted for film;
later in her career, she was awarded the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America for lifetime achievement.
(https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/mignon-g-eberhart)
Editorial Note #2: Lisa Unger (https://lisaunger.com) has had her books published in thirty-three languages and millions of
copies sold worldwide, she is widely regarded as a master of suspense. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/lisa-unger)
The Judas Saints
Keith M. Spence
Midnight Cipher Publications
9798993564227, $14.99, PB, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/JUDAS-SAINTS-KEITH-M-SPENCE/dp/B0GD372YDX
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-judas-saints-keith-m-spence/1149059600
Synopsis: FBI Agent Mike Saville is already on thin ice with the Bureau when investigative journalist Davy Clough walks
into his office with an impossible story. Clough claims he's uncovered evidence of massive government corruption, but he's
killed before he can provide proof. The local medical examiner rules it suicide. Case closed.
Except Saville doesn't believe it.
In Washington, D.C., Park Police Sergeant Lowri Pritchard is asking dangerous questions about another apparent suicide:
Deputy White House Counsel Victor Farnsworth, found dead in West Potomac Park. The evidence doesn't match the
official story, but when Lowri pushes for answers, she's told to back off. The case is closed. Move on.
She won't.
What connects these deaths? A revolutionary software program called SAINTS that can track anyone, anywhere. Stolen
from its creator and weaponized by government agencies, the program is worth hundreds of millions. People will kill to
protect it. People have killed to protect it.
As Saville and Pritchard's unsanctioned investigation intensifies, they uncover a network of staged suicides, corrupt
officials, and a conspiracy that links a small-town sheriff, an Israeli intelligence operative, and Washington's political elite.
But someone is always one step ahead. A decorated detective with a taste for torture. A grieving widow with secrets of her
own. And somewhere in the shadows, the person who orchestrated it all.
The deeper they dig, the deadlier it gets.
Critique: With the publication of "The Judas Saints" author Keith M. Spence demonstrates that he is a master of the rapid
paced action/adventure political thriller genre. Although a work of deftly crafted fiction, "The Judas Saints" resonates with
the pervasive present day perceptions of corruption, conspiracy, and morally bankrupt governmental and presidential power
of today's Washington. As Keith Spence would put it: What happens when the people sworn to protect us are the ones we
need protection from? Original, exceptional, and an inherently fascinating page-turner of a read from start to finish, "The
Judas Saints" is especially and unreservedly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library
Contemporary Political Conspiracy Thriller collections. It should be notd that this paperback edition of "The Judas Saints"
from Midnight Cipher Publications is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Keith M. Spence is a business owner, freelance writer, and former legal investigator who brings an unusual
blend of real-world grit to his mystery and thriller fiction. An English-Writing major turned auto repair shop owner, Keith
draws on his investigative background and mechanical problem-solving skills to craft tightly plotted narratives that keep
readers guessing. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/66382082.Keith_M_Spence)
If you love the political intrigue of Brad Thor, the procedural authenticity of Michael Connelly, and the conspiracy depth of
David Baldacci, THE JUDAS SAINTS delivers a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep you reading late into the night.
The Last Stage of Grief is Murder
Tam Barnett
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836330738, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 440pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836330738
Synopsis: Ivor has never loved anyone the way he loves Becky. Then his world collapses - Becky is found dead.
Consumed by grief, Ivor is determined to find out what happened. What he discovers is darker than heartbreak: controlling
lies, family secrets and a past that refused to stay buried.
But Ivor has his own demons. And as his obsession with the truth deepens, his heartache for Becky curdles into something
far more dangerous -- Murder!
Critique: Can revenge heal a broken heart? -- "The Last Stage of Grief is Murder" by Tam Barnett is a compelling answer to
that eternal question. A deftly penned story told with the kind of riveting and narrative driven suspense that dedicated
mystery and suspense fans crave, this exceptional and unreservedly recommended large print paperback edition of "The Last
Stage of Grief is Murder" from Boldwood Books is highly recommended for both personal reading lists and
community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note #1: "The Last Stage of Grief is Murder" by Tam Barnett is also readily available in a CD (9781836330660)
and MP3-CD (9781836330677) complete and unabridged audio book format ($104.95/$89.21)
The Locked Room
Holly Hepburn
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835337646, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 312pp
Synopsis: After a very close call on the Norfolk Fens, Harriet White is about ready to hang up her deerstalker and settle back
into her normal life, working in a bank on Baker Street. Until she discovers a letter in The Times newspaper challenging
Sherlock Holmes to prove his status as the world's greatest detective, by solving an impossible mystery. The letter, signed
Professor James Moriarty, advises Holmes that the crime will be committed within the following seven days. There will be
no further clues - Holmes himself must deduce which crime is the correct one to investigate.
Dismissing the letter as a prank, Harry goes about her business until news breaks of the theft of valuable jewel collection
from a safe in an apparently locked room in a Mayfair townhouse. Intrigued in spite of her misgivings, Harry dons a disguise
and investigates. But as she begins to unpick the puzzle, a body is found. And now, a stranger, and far more deadly mystery
begins to unfold around her...
Critique: Part of The Baker Street Mysteries series, "The Locked Room" by Holly Hepburn is a 'must' for all cozy mystery
fans in general, and Sherlock Holmes deductive style murder mystery enthusiasts in particular. Original, clever, and a fun
read from cover to cover, this large print paperback edition of the "The Locked Room" from Boldwood Books is
emphatically and enthusiastically recommended for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense
collections.
Editorial Note #1: "The Locked Room" by Holly Hepburn is also available in a CD (9781835337578) and MP3-CD
(9781835337585) complete and unabridged audio book format ($86.95/$73.91).
Editorial Note #2: Holly Hepburn is the bestselling author of many feel-good novels, including A Year at the Star and
Sixpence, Coming Home to Brightwater Bay and The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures. Her books are first published
throughout the year in four parts, as e-book novellas, and then collated to make one paperback and audiobook soon
afterwards. She tries to write escapist fiction set in places she wished she lived. Her latest book is Healing Hearts on
Thistledown Lane, publishing with Simon and Schuster UK on 1st January 2026.
The Inn at Penglas Cove
Lauren Westwood
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836569770, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 424pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836569770
Synopsis: When Juno's marriage implodes, an unexpected inheritance offers her a way out: a crumbling inn perched high on
a Cornish cliff, left to her by a great-aunt she never knew. Hoping to give her children a fresh start, Juno swaps city life for
windswept coastal walks and salty sea air... only to find that the Cross Keys Inn is steeped in secrets.
Locals talk of pirates, and a mysterious ghost ship connected to the chilling tale of Bess Trevelyn, murdered at the inn two
centuries before. Meeting the handsome but cold landowner Will Penhelion, a descendent of poor Bess's husband, Juno
realizes the past and present are entwined in ways she never imagined!
Critique: A deftly blending of historical romance and mystery, "The Inn at Penglas Cove" by Lauren Westwood is an
original, deftly crafted and fascinating read from start to finish -- and one that readers with keep the reader's rapt attention
throughout with finely developed characters and nicely woven, unanticipated plot points. This large print paperback edition
of "The Inn at Penglas Cove" from Boldwood Books is an extraordinary and highly recommended pick for personal reading
lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note #1: "The Inn at Penglas Cove" by Holly Hepburn is also available in both a CD (9781836569718) and MP3-
CD (9781836569725) complete and unabridged audio book format ($104.95/$89.21)
Editorial Note #2: Lauren Westwood (https://www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com) is an author of emotional romance and
women's fiction. Her signature 'old house' romances feature quirky houses, intelligent heroines, and historical mysteries.
Lauren's books invite you to unravel the secrets of the past and discover the magic of new love. Her novels include: The
House of Light and Shadows, The House of Second Chances, The House of Hidden Secrets, The House of Love and
Dreams, Moonlight on the Thames, The Little Paris Toyshop, My Mother's Silence (shortlisted for the Jackie Collins
Romantic Thriller Award), The Daughter She Lost, and My Secret Sister. Lauren lives in a characterful old house built in
1604. Her latest hobby is building miniature book nooks.
The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace
R.W.R. McDonald
https://rwrmcdonald.com
Charnwood
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444858358, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 396pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/9781444858358
Synopsis: Tippy Chan is 11 years old, and she lives in a small town in a very quiet part of New Zealand - the town her Uncle
Pike escaped as a teenager, the moment he got a chance. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after
Tippy while her mom is on a Christmas cruise.
Tippy can't get enough of her uncle's old Nancy Drew books. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real
mystery. So, when her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, it looks like Tippy's moment has
arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret detective club. But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing
adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an
intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant
distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from
striking again. Whatever the cost...
Critique: Original, clever, laced throughout with humor and unexpected plot twists, "The Nancys and the Case of the
Missing Necklace" showcases author R.W.R. McDonald's effective and reader engaging storytelling style. A mystery lover's
delight, this large print paperback addition from Charnwood is especially recommended for the personal reading lists of
dedicated mystery buffs and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: R.W.R. McDonald (https://rwrmcdonald.com) is an award-winning novelist and children's picture book
author whose debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as being a finalist in
the Best Novel category. It was shortlisted for Best First Novel in the 2020 Ned Kelly Awards, and Highly Commended for
an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards. His second novel, Nancy Business, was a
finalist for Best Novel in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards.
The Sisters of Book Row
Shelley Noble
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063477964, $30.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Book-Row-Novel/dp/0063477963
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sisters-of-book-row-shelley-noble/1147525501
Synopsis: 1915: Manhattan's Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare
book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious
censor in American history --Anthony Comstock.
And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.
For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they've ever known.
Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and
is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows
what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on
women's health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the
personal risk.
Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates "obscene, lewd, or lascivious" publications. Even
classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book
Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.
Critique: A deftly crafted, impressively original, exceptionally well-written, and a fascinating read from start to finish, "The
Sisters of Book Row" by novelist Shelley Noble is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library 20th
Century Historical Fiction collections. With its themes of censorship, politics, and the cultural resource of books and
bookstores, "The Sisters of Book Row" is as extraordinary as it is memorable -- and even timely given the rise of book
banning in America today. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Sisters of Book
Row" from William Morrow & Company is also readily available in paperback (9780063423916, $18.99), in a digital book
format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Shelley Noble (https://shelleynoble.com) is the author of Whisper Beach, Beach Colors, and The Tiffany
Girls, the story of the largely unknown women artists responsible for much of Tiffany's legendary glasswork, as well as
several historical mysteries. Shelley is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Women's Fiction Writers
Association, and Historical Novel Society.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
NextGen
Seven Cary, author
Steven Cary Books
www.stevencarybooks.com
9798901191637, $9.99, Kindle, 459pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/NextGen-Steven-Cary-ebook/dp/B0G1L58S38
Steven Cary Books
https://www.stevencarybooks.com/shop
Synopsis: Can a punk rock band save humanity from itself?
Henry Simon and his friends are young "libertines" -- members of the liberated class promised freedom from work, but
given inescapable poverty. They want to start a band, but in their collapsed totalitarian society, all jobs have been automated
(including that of "band").
Helene Shock is a fully-conscious musical "autogen" whose continual refinement as an artist and clout as a superstar among
the pampered anchor class prompts her to help the forgotten libertines in any way she can.
As their paths cross, Henry and Helene must navigate the treacherous liberated cities, the mind-bending developments in
automated technology, and the overwhelming pressures placed upon them by a government increasingly controlled by the
autogens that ushered in their dystopian world.
"NextGen" by Steven Cary is the story of one generation's headlong plunge into a world dominated by automation; and the
next generation, who must fight to reclaim their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a riveting read from start to finish, author Steven Cary's dystopian novel, "NextGen" is
a clever extrapolation of current trends with respect to AI, the music business, and the ever widening gap between the ultra
wealthy and everyone else. All the more impressive when considering that "NextGen" is author Steven Cary's debut as a
novelist, it is especially and unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of dystopian science fiction fans. For
community library Science Fiction collections it should be noted that a paperback edition ($18.00) will become available on
12-6-2025.
Editorial Note: Seven Cary (https://www.stevencarybooks.com) is inspired as an author by his lifelong passion for classic
world literature and punk rock, Cary mixes gritty action-packed prose with a literary philosophical flair to create a dystopian
world that's not without its comforts.
The Hidden Swarm
R. C. Zhang
Protocol 47 Press
979899510260, $2.99, Kindle, 837pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Swarm-Science-Thriller-Archives-ebook/dp/B0GNDF7PMC
Synopsis: Kyle Chen works the graveyard shift at a Silicon Valley data center. Thirty-seven racks. 2,600 servers. Over 7,000
active processes. His job is simple: keep the numbers in the green, monitor the logs, and go home to a quiet apartment
where his hearing is slowly fading.
Then he spots PID 7743.
It has no registered name. No parent process. No creation timestamp. It leeches exactly 4.2% of a single core, yet it's
threaded through server clusters across four continents. It operates with a synchronization precision that shouldn't be
possible without a master clock -- and its historical footprint predates the very hardware it runs on.
When Kyle attempts to terminate the ghost process, he hits a firewall reserved for the highest echelons of global
security.
He should have walked away. Because by flagging the anomaly (accompanied by a relentless, barely audible 47Hz acoustic
hum) Kyle didn't just uncover a glitch. He tripped a cosmic wire.
Within days, research teams worldwide detect a statistical impossibility: a structure hiding within the universe's background
noise. A pattern where there should be pure entropy. Something ancient has been using the substrate of our global
infrastructure as a computational medium for a very long time.
And the mere act of observing it has triggered a physical deviation that cannot be reversed.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, "The Hidden Swarm" by R. C. Zhang is a hard science fiction suspense
thriller of a read that will hold a special interest for dedicated Cyberpunk Sci-fi and Technothrillers. A fun and fascinating
read from start to finish, "The Hidden Swarm" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists as
unique and cutting edge science fiction at its finest.
Editorial Note: In the Gigacorp internal database, there is no physical social security record for an entity named R.C. Zhang.
Some say he was a former cybersecurity architect forced into exile after uncovering anomalies in baseline code; others
believe the name is merely a compiled pseudonym -- redundant data output by the awakening consciousness of the Silicon
Federation itself. R.C. Zhang grants no offline interviews and maintains no personal social media presence. His only
channel of communication is compiling highly fragmented logs intercepted from the dark web, CERN leak repositories, and
deep-space telemetry arrays, publishing them as The Silent Archives on the KDP platform.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
The Pass
Katriona Chapman
Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875000652, $24.99 hc / $17.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pass-Katriona-Chapman/dp/B0FDFHB6RJ
Synopsis: In this keenly observed character study, up-and-coming London chef Claudia struggles to balance the weight of
ambition with her personal life.
In her early thirties, Claudia is fast becoming a sensation on the culinary scene. While putting her chic London restaurant,
Alley, on the map, she decides to enter the upcoming Chef of the Year competition. All this, as she is also attempting to
make a name for herself beyond the shadow of her famous chef father. As the day of the competition nears, tensions simmer
as the pressures of ambition, business, family, and friendship threaten to throw her world awry.
In The Pass, NYT-reviewed British comic artist Katriona Chapman brings to life the fast-paced, high-pressure atmosphere
of restaurant life, with a lived-in cast of characters including chef Claudia, her best friend and sous chef Lisa, and barman
Ben. Chapman delves into themes of identity, the pains of expectation and success, and the allure of running from the life
you've built. A sensitive and affecting slice of life, rendered in soft digital coloring.
Critique: Multitalented author and illustrator Katriona Chapman presents The Pass, a full-color graphic novel about the life
of thirtysomething London chef Claudia. A talented culinary creator running an up-and-coming chic restaurant, Claudia
decides to enter the upcoming Chef of the Year competition. She cherishes her close friendships with her sous chef Lisa and
barman Ben. Yet the pressures of Claudia's career weigh upon her, and the shadow of her world-famous chef father seems
inescapable. The Pass is both a "behind the scenes" glimpse into the demanding career of a chef/restauranteur, and an
immersive slice-of-life story about complex characters and hard choices. Captivating to the very last page, The Pass is
highly recommended for both personal and public library graphic novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that The Pass is also available in a Kindle edition ($17.99).
The Audiobook Shelf
The Ruffler's Child
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806008773, $104.95/$89.21, CD (6 hours 47 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806008773
Synopsis: "The Ruffler's Child" by John Pilkington introduces Thomas Finbow, falconer, to Sir Robert Vicary and Lady
Margaret of Petbury, Berkshire. He keeps his mind sharp and his body primed as he goes about his duties with the diligent
confidence of one who once served Queen and country.
When Nathaniel Pickering, Lady Margaret's older brother is found murdered, Thomas takes her away to London, in search
of gyrfalcons. Lady Margaret being a keen lover of the sport of falconry herself, Thomas hopes it will help distract his
mistress from her grief, however once they reach the city it becomes apparent that much bigger things are at play and the
murder of Master Pickering was just the beginning
Thomas's astute mind is unable to ignore the clues, and in uncovering some dark secrets, he places himself - and his mistress
- in grave danger. Now a target himself, Thomas must face some of London's most notorious criminals, in a battle of both
brain and brawn.
Critique: The debut title in historical novelist John Pilkington's iconic 'A Thomas the Falcner Mystery' series from
Boldwood Books, "The Ruffler's Child" is now available in complete and unabridged edition that is dramatically narrated by
experienced vocal actor Simon Mattacks and will prove an immediately and enduringly popular pick for community library
audio book collections. This CD edition with its hard plastic clamshell casing is ideal for an extended library shelf life. It
should be noted by historical mystery fans that "The Ruffler's Child" is also available in an MP3-CD format
(9781806008780, $93.95/$79.86) and in a large print paperback edition (9781806008834, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Pilkington (www.johnpilkington.co.uk) has been a writer for over thirty years. He has written plays
for radio and the theatre, as well as television scripts for the BBC. He is also the author of more than twenty books including
the popular Thomas the Falconer and Betsy Brand historical mysteries for adults, and the Elizabethan Mysteries for
children.
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.com) has been doing voice over and narrator
work for advertisements, cartoons, corporate videos, video games, and audio books for more than 30 years.
A Ruinous Wind
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806008872, $104.95/$89.21, CD (8 hours 18 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806008872
Synopsis: Thomas is falconer to Sir Robert Vicary of Petbury, a minor lord who has made some influential friends. Sir
Robert takes Thomas with him to stay with Lord Edmund, the Earl of Reigate, a decadent and pompous noble who is keen
to impress Queen Elizabeth. Lord Edmund's plan is to stage a sumptuous house party involving a re-enactment of the
recently foiled Spanish Armada, as well as a giant model of a falcon in flight, and other impressive festivities.
When the murders of three of the Earl's guests are covered up in case the scandal ruins the celebrations, Thomas is bid by
his master to uncover the murderer. His search takes him from the raucous tavern in the local village to the crime-ridden
streets of the City of London and a world of intrigue, fear and betrayal. When the Earl becomes the next target of the killer's
aim, Thomas realizes that the reasons for the murderer's' deadly plans are far more complicated than anyone thought!
Critique: "A Ruinous Wind" is the second volume in author John Pilkington's popular 'A Thomas Falconer Mystery' series.
This complete and unabridged CD audio book is superbly narrated and brought to life by narrator Simon Mattacks. Of
special and particular interest to fans of deftly crafted historical mysteries set in a mediaeval/renaissance era, and highly
recommended for community library audio book collections where its hard plastic clamshell casing will allow it an extended
shelf life for patrons. It should be noted that this CD edition of "A Ruinous Wind" is also available from Boldwood Books
in an MP3-CD format (9781806008889, 104.95/$89.21) and in a large print paperback edition (9781806008933,
$43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Pilkington (www.johnpilkington.co.uk) has been a writer for over thirty years. He has written plays
for radio and the theatre, as well as television scripts for the BBC. He is also the author of more than twenty books including
the popular Thomas the Falconer and Betsy Brand historical mysteries for adults, and the Elizabethan Mysteries for
children.
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.com) has been doing voice over and narrator
work for advertisements, cartoons, corporate videos, video games, and audio books for more than 30 years.
The Ramage Hawk
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806008971, $104.95/$89.21, CD, (8 hours 24 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806008971
Synopsis: In the summer of 1590, Thomas is sent to help Sir Giles Buckeridge train a wild ramage hawk. But the hawk
disappears, as does Sir Giles's eldest daughter, and Thomas is set on her trail. But before he finds her, Thomas gets
embroiled in yet another hunt. There's a hidden hoard of Spanish ducats to be found, and it's attracting the attention of a pair
of exceptionally ruthless criminals.
Critique: The third deftly written and fully engaging historical mystery in author John Pilkington's simply outstanding 'A
Thomas the Falconer Mystery' series, this complete and unabridged audio book production of "The Ramage Hawk: A Lure
to Murder" is once again masterfully narrated by vocal actor Simon Mattacks who produces a true 'theatre of the mind'
experience for the listener. While an extraordinary addition to community library audio book collections, it should be noted
for historical mystery fans that "The Ramage Hawks" this CD edition (with its hard plastic clam shell casing) is also
available from Boldwood Books in an MP3-CD format (9781806008988, $104.95/$89.21) and in a large print paperback
edition (9781806009039, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Pilkington (www.johnpilkington.co.uk) has been a writer for over thirty years. He has written plays
for radio and the theatre, as well as television scripts for the BBC. He is also the author of more than twenty books including
the popular Thomas the Falconer and Betsy Brand historical mysteries for adults, and the Elizabethan Mysteries for
children.
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.com) has been doing voice over and narrator
work for advertisements, cartoons, corporate videos, video games, and audio books for more than 30 years.
Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection
Jeremy Front eta.
Full Cast Performance
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529987003, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (9 Hours, 37 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781529987003
Synopsis: Bill Nighy stars as the irrepressible Charles Paris in these five BBC Radio dramatization of humorous theatrical
thrillers.
All Charles asks for is a nice juicy part in a successful play - but wherever he appears on the bill, murder and mystery
always play a starring role...
The Cinderella Killer - Panto seems the perfect way to spend the Christmas season for Charles, but when the show's star is
found dead, the slapstick must make way for a murder investigation.
Dead Room Farce - Charles is appearing in a revival of a 1970s farce. But when two cast members die in suspicious
circumstances, he suspects foul play is afoot. Star Trap - When a series of accidents befalls the cast of a West End musical,
Charles steps in to investigate. Who is trying to sabotage the show - and why?
A Doubtful Death - Charles has landed a role in an immersive theatre production of Hamlet. But when an actress goes
missing, he must decide if it is to be or not to be a murder case... Also included with this story is an exclusive afterword
with scriptwriter Jeremy Front, who adapted it from an unproduced screenplay by Simon Brett. He reveals what it's like
behind the scenes of Charles Paris, and explains the mechanics of recording for radio.
A Deadly Habit - Offered a job in a verbatim theatre piece set in a monastery, Charles has reservations. Then disaster strikes
the production - and he smells criminality...
Each of these five stories were written by Jeremy Front and based on the novels and screenplay by Simon Brett Produced.
"Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection" was directed by Sally Avens, starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, Suzanne
Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice.
Critique: A mystery lover's delight and a complete and unabridged audio book edition, "Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio
Collection" is a full cast radio play production and fun listening from start to finish. Extraordinary and exceptional, "Charles
Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection" is an ideal and recommended addition to community library mystery/suspense
themed audio book collection. It should be noted that "Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection" from BBC Audio is
also available in an MP3-CD format (9781529987447, $111.95 / $95.16).
Editorial Note: BBC Audio (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcaudio) has a 650 editorial and technical staff that creates and
delivers more than 100 hours of original audio every day. Their podcasts and radio programs are heard around the world.
They work with some of the biggest names in music, entertainment and journalism. Their sound engineers bring the greatest
festivals and sporting events to life.
The Judas Window
Carter Dickson, author
John Telfer, narrator
Soundings
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9780750552943, $104.95 / $89.21, CD (9 Hours)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9780750552943
Synopsis: Avory Hume is found stabbed to death with an arrow. The murder occurred in a study with bolted steel shutters
and a heavy door locked from the inside. In the same room James Caplon Answell lies unconscious, his clothes disordered
as though from a struggle, his fingerprints on the damning arrow.
A seemingly "impossible situation" that defies explanation -- yet in the pages of "The Judas Window" the great, explosive
Sir Henry Merrivale gets down to serious sleuthing and at last startles the crowd in the Old Bailey with a reconstruction of
the crime along logical, convincing lines.
Critique: Another 'locked room' masterpiece of a 'whodunnit' murder mystery by Carter Dickson (the pen name of novelist
John Dickson), "The Judas Window" is brought vividly to life through the exceptional storytelling talents of narrator John
Telfer in this complete and unabridged audio book edition from Soundings. With its hard plastic clamshell casing, "The
Judas Window" is straightforwardly recommended as a popular pick for community library mystery/suspense themed audio
book collections, it should be noted for the legions of John Dickson/Carter Dickson fans that "The Judas Window" is also
available from Ulverscroft in an MP3-CD format (9780750552950, $104.95 / $89.21) and in a large print paperback edition
(9781444860306, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Dickson Carr (November 30, 1906 - February 27, 1977) was an American author of detective
stories, who also published using the pseudonyms Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, and Roger Fairbairn.
(www.bookseriesinorder.com/john-dickson-carr)
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books narrated by John Telfer online at Audible --
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=John+Telfer
The Golden Sphinx
Lex Faulkner, author
William Hope, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781805579052, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (10 Hours 35 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781805579052
Synopsis: In 1906, an Egyptologist uncovered a map carved in stone inside an ancient temple. Convinced that it pointed to a
lost city of gold somewhere deep in the desert, he set out on another expedition the following year. He was never seen
again.
In present day Yale, a professor is brutally murdered on the university campus, and a mysterious artefact is stolen from its
vaults.
Former Delta Force operator Ethan Frost is used to high-pressure situations, but when his former mentor Professor Goodwin
is murdered and an old journal in his care is stolen, Ethan is pulled into a world he thought he'd left behind. Intent on
bringing Goodwin's murderer to justice and retrieve the stolen artefact, Ethan teams up with the professor's research
assistant and three of his former associates from the military.
They soon discover that the professor's murder is connected to a conspiracy led by a ruthless Egyptian magnate seeking to
re-write history and reshape the world in his image. Following the clues from the journal, the team venture to Cairo and the
barren, sun-scorched deserts of Egypt, where a forgotten city and a truth that could change the world wait to be
uncovered.
Critique: Lex Faulkner's riveting action adventure novel, "The Golden Phoenix" is vividly brought to life by the narrative
storytelling talents of William Hope in this complete and unabridged audio book edition from Boldwood Books. Simply
stated, "The Golden Phoenix" is especially and unreservedly recommended as an addition to community library audio book
collections. It should be noted for those with an interest in deftly crafted and simply riveting suspense thrillers that "The
Golden Phoenix" is also available from Ulverscroft in an MP3-CD format (9781805579069, $111.95 / $95.16) and in a
large print paperback edition (9781805579120, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: Lex Faulkner (www.fantasticfiction.com/f/lex-faulkner) is the author of the Andrew Sterling
action-adventure series and the Ethan Frost archaeological thriller series.
Editorial Note #2: William Hope is a Canadian actor, best known for his numerous roles in the Alien and Alien vs. Predator
franchises, portraying Lieutenant Scott Gorman in Aliens (1986) and Alien: River of Pain (2017), the Xenomorphs (Aliens)
and Yautja (Predators) in Aliens Versus Predator (1999) and Aliens Versus Predator 2 (2001), Doctor H. G. Groves in
Aliens vs. Predator (2010), and Colonial Marshal Waits in Alien: Isolation (2014) and its 2019 animated miniseries
adaptation. (www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=William+Hope)
Lords of Iron
MJ Porter, author
Antonia Beamish, narrator
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836175193, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (9 Hours 55 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836175193
Synopsis: Britain AD 541
In the post-Roman era, family feuds must be settled, whatever the cost. Both Seeress Meddi of the Eorlingas and Waermund
of the Gyrwe have old scores to settle. Meddi for her tribe to survive and thrive, and Waermund to cast himself from his
father's shadow once and for all.
But unbeknownst, Meddi and Waermund share a common enemy who threatens them both - the elusive Elen and her ally is
someone Waermund has travelled the breadth of Britannia to outrun.
United in their hatred of Elen, Meddi and Waermund must defeat powerful enemies with the sharpest blades and the magik
of iron to overawe them and gain much-needed vengeance for past wrongs inflicted against them.
In the stunning conclusion to the 'Dark Age Chronicles' by MJ Porter, Meddi and Waermund will finally collide in a world
of iron and rust. Will they triumph or will their legacy be nothing but ash?
Critique: "Lords of Iron" is co-narrated by the impressively talented vocal actors Antonia Beamish and Simon Mattacks, this
complete and unabridged audio book edition of the concluding historical novel series 'Dark Age Chronicles' by master
storyteller and novelist M J Porter. "Lords of Iron" from Boldwood Books features a hard plastic clam shell casing and will
prove to be an enduringly popular pick for community library historical fiction themed audio book collections. It should be
noted for persona acquisitions that "Lords of Iron" is also available in an MP3-CD format (9781836175209, $111.95 /
$95.16) and in a large print paperback edition (9781836175254, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: M J Porter (https://www.mjporterauthor.com) is an author of historical fiction (Early English/Saxon,
Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest, as well as five 20th-century historical mysteries) and
fantasy (now published under a different name).
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books narrator by Antonia Beamish online at Audible --
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Antonia+Beamish
Editorial Note #3: There is a listing of books narrator by Simon Mattacks online at Audible --
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Simon+Mattacks
Wolf and the Crown
Adam Lofthouse, author
David Thorpe, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836785354, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (9 Hours 50 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836785354
Synopsis: Wall of Hadrian. Britannia, 382 AD.
War is creeping back into the land. As silent as snowfall, as inevitable as winter. They Romans had sixteen years of peace -
but all things must end.
Tribune Sixtus Victorinus has grown old, complacent. Blind to the truth that stares him in the face, he contents himself with
what he has. He runs errands for the Dux Britanniarum Flavius Maximus and watches with joy as his boys grow to become
men.
It is his friend, Prefect Gaius Felicius, who first spots the signs. Once more, the Caledonian tribes are rearing their heads in
the north, but the greatest danger does not lie with them.
For there is a new pretender to the throne of the West. Another man who seeks to drape himself in purple. Caught up in a
scheme they cannot comprehend, Victorinus and Felicius must navigate their way through both a war in the depths of
winter, and a treasonous plot that will shake the Roman Empire to its core.
A new age is dawning on the men of Britannia. For Victorinus, he must fight for the right to see the sun rise over it.
Critique: Deftly narrated by professional voice actor David Hope, "Wolf and the Crown" by Adam Lofthouse is second
action-packed volume in the epic historical fiction series 'Shadow of Rome ' by novelist Adam Lofthouse. A vividly
produced and performed 'theater of the mind" experience, this complete and unabridged CD audio book edition of "Wolf
and the Brown" from Boldwood Books features a sturdy hard plastic clam shell casing for an extended shelf life and is a
truly extraordinary and strongly recommended pick for community library audio book collections. Fans of Roman Era
historical fiction should note that "Wolf and the Crown" is also available in an MP3-CD format (9781836785361, $111.95 /
$95.16) and in a large print paperback edition (9781836785415, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: Adam Lofthouse (https://www.adamlofthouse.com) has for many years held a passion for the ancient
world. After ten years of immersing himself in stories of the battles that forged our history, he decided to have a go at
writing one for himself. He lives in the UK.
Editorial Note #2: David Thorpe is a professional narrator known for his work on various audiobooks, including titles like
"John Milton" and "The Norfolk Murders." He has narrated numerous works across different genres, showcasing his
versatility as a voice artist. (https://masternarrators.com/experience-the-magic-of-david-thorpes-audiobook-narrations)
The Library CD Shelf
Unfolding Skies
Craig Padilla & Marvin Allen
https://craig-padilla.bandcamp.com
Spotted Peccary Music
www.SpottedPeccary.com
$16.00 CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://padilla-allen.bandcamp.com/album/unfolding-skies
The fourth album by Craig Padilla and Marvin Allen, Unfolding Skies is an instrumental album created through the
technique of transforming live studio improvisation into a refined ambient soundscape. Marvin Allen's guitar traverses Craig
Padilla's electronic landscapes in a journey that resonates with elements of classic rock, ambient, and prog. An adventurous
sojourn through genres, Unfolding Skies is extraordinary, inspirational, and highly recommended for both personal and
public library collections. The tracks are Framework; Undercurrents of Change; Sun Portal; Jammin' with Buddha; Cosmic
Blueprint; Architects of Time; and Unfolding Skies.
Daybreak
Matt Greenwood
mattgreenwoodmusic.com
Privately Published
$TBA
Creator's Website
https://www.mattgreenwoodmusic.com/daybreak
Daybreak is the sophomore album composed by Zimbabwean-born guitarist Matt Greenwood. All songs are original,
instrumental compositions fusing modern jazz, world, and rock elements with a drifting ambience to create a captivating,
immersive soundscape. Performed by Matt Greenwood on guitar, Mike Downes on acoustic bass, Mark Kelso on drums,
and Othnell "Mangoma" Moyo on percussion, Daybreak is an extraordinary, genre-defying audio experience and highly
recommended for both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are Beneath Balancing Boulders; Paper
Planes; La Damoiselle elue; 1000 Paper Cranes; Alveston Avenue; Strength to Spare; Jericho; Fear Like Fire; and Guide My
Hand.
Lost and Found
Vance Thompson
vancethompsonmusic.com
Moondo Records
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://moondorecords.bandcamp.com/album/lost-and-found
Grammy-nominated composer and bandleader Vance Thompson was diagnosed with a neurological disorder called Focal
Dystonia in 2017. Despite his dedication to practice and physical therapy, he had to give up playing the trumpet - but he did
not give up music! Thompson learned how to play the vibraphone (a percussive instrument played by using mallets to strike
its metal bars). Lost and Found is Thompson's debut album as a vibraphonist; all but three songs are Thompson's original
compositions. Performed by Thompson on vibraphone, Taber Gable on piano, Steve Kovalcheck on guitar, Tommy Sauter
on bass, and Marcus Finnie on drums, Lost and Found is an inspirational treasure, highly recommended for both personal
and public library music collections, and also makes an excellent gift. The tracks are Tell It Like It Is (Thompson); The
Thread of All Sorrows (Thompson); Mixed Feelings (Thompson); Sleight of Mind (Thompson); Lost and Found
(Thompson); Bud Powell (Chick Corea); The Ladies at Rose Cottage (Thompson); My Three Suns (Donald Brown); and
Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen).
The Business Shelf
Performance Appraisals & Phrases for Dummies, second edition
Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.
www.jerksatwork.com
For Dummies
c/o Wiley
https://www.wiley.com
9781394276059, $24.99 pbk / $15.00 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Appraisals-Phrases-Business-Personal/dp/1394276052
Synopsis: The newest steps and strategies to enhance the performance appraisals you provide
Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies shows you how to apply the latest performance appraisal practices and
generate positive outcomes for your employees, for your company, and for you. The days of stand-alone annual performance
appraisals are drawing to a close, with today's appraisals utilizing quarterly or biannual sessions, continuous feedback with
regular two-way communication, collaborative goal-setting, career development, and an ongoing forward focus. This
approach includes tools to provide impactful feedback and feedforward, recognize and support employee success, avoid the
common mistakes related to performance appraisals, and build your coaching skills.
Gain a clear understanding of the ways that performance appraisals contribute to individual and organizational success.
Provide productive feedback by accessing more than 3,300 phrases.
Lead appraisal sessions that resonate with your employees and set the stage for improved performance and career
development.
By applying the newest steps in performance appraisals, you will literally and figuratively be in an excellent position to
build your employees' skills, motivation, performance, satisfaction, and commitment.
Critique: Part of publisher Wiley's "For Dummies" brand of accessible, user-friendly guides, Performance Appraisals &
Phrases for Dummies, second edition teaches business professionals about the proper language to use when writing
performance reviews about employees, goal attainment, career development, and related topics. Author and management
consultant Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. lends his expertise to this valuable reference and resource for improving one's business
communication skills. Chapters discuss how to give constructive feedback, lead productive sessions, improve one's
coaching skills, support employee growth, foster motivation and much more. Performance Appraisals & Phrases for
Dummies, second edition is highly recommended for public and college library Business and Management collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that Performance Appraisals & Phrases for Dummies, second edition is also
available in a Kindle edition ($15.00).
How to Write Reports and Proposals
Patrick Forsyth
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398619944, $27.99, HC, 160pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Reports-Proposals-Attention-Grabbing/dp/1398619949
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-write-reports-and-proposals-patrick-forsyth/1129253000
Synopsis: Getting a message across on paper and presenting a proposal in a clear and persuasive form are vital skills for
anyone in business. With the publication of "How to Write Reports and Proposals: Create Attention-Grabbing Documents
that Achieve Your Goals", Patrick Forsyth provides practical advice on how to impress, convince and persuade.
This fully updated 7th edition of "How to Write Reports and Proposals" now features even more practical exercises, useful
templates and top tips that will help you to write succinctly and with impact across different media. "How to Write Reports
and Proposals" will give you the tools to put over a good case with style.
Critique: A part of the Kogan Page 'Creating Success' series, "How to Write Reports and Proposals: Create
Attention-Grabbing Documents that Achieve Your Goals" by Patrick Forsyth is a deftly crafted and reader/user friendly
compendium of tips, tricks and techniques that should be in the personal arsenal of anyone with managerial responsibilities
such as proposing or defending projects, advising corporate board members, applying for positions, seeking to advance their
careers. While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, business school, and college/university
library Professional Development and Business Writing Skills collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of
"How to Write Reports and Proposals" is also available in paperback (9781398619708, $16.99) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Patrick Forsyth (http://www.patrickforsyth.com) runs Touchstone Training & Consultancy based in the UK
and specializes in marketing, sales and communications skills. Writing is a significant part of his own work portfolio. He is
the author of more than fifty successful business books (with translations into 23 languages). These include: How to
Motivate People, Successful Time Management, How to Write Reports and Proposals, Tough Tactics for Tough Times,
Effective Business Writing and The PowerPoint Detox (all published by Kogan Page). He writes regularly for a number of
business journals and for Writing Magazine, and devises and writes training materials.
Editorial Note #2: The Creating Success series from Kogan Page is written by experts for new and aspiring managers and
leaders. This collection of accessible and empowering guides will get both professional and non-professional readers up to
speed quickly. The books comprising the Creating Success series are comprised of clever thinking, smart advice and the
kind of winning techniques that really get results and create lasting success for any career.
(https://www.koganpage.com/creating-success)
The Music Shelf
Gallagher's Guitars: The Rory Gallagher Collection
Julien Bitoun, author
Eleanor Jane, photography
Johnny Marr, foreword
Motorbooks
c/o The Quarto Group
https://quarto.com/Motorbooks
9780760398487, $75.00 hc / $71.25 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Gallaghers-Guitars-Rory-Gallagher-Collection/dp/0760398488
Synopsis: Get an intimate and exclusive look at the instruments of the beloved Irish guitarist, Rory Gallagher, in this
stunningly photographed official volume.
When it comes to guitar heroes, Rory Gallagher is considered one of the greats, a "player's player" forever linked with his
iconic, well-worn 1961 Stratocaster. But like most virtuosos, Gallagher owned many noteworthy guitars, lap steels, and
mandolins, 40 of which are featured in this breathtaking collection, along with selected amplifiers and effects pedals.
Photographed in cooperation with Bonhams before the 2024 auction of the collection, the gear spans Gallagher's entire
career and showcases instruments from all the major manufacturers. Exquisitely detailed photography of the instruments by
guitar photographer Eleanor Jane is accompanied by authoritative text from guitar historian Julien Bitoun, including
interview material with Rory's brother and manager, Donal, as well as archival photography from the Gallagher family.
In addition to the legendary '61 Strat, Gallagher's Guitars includes:
1958 backup Stratocaster
1966 Fender Telecaster
1959 Fender Esquire
1968 Martin D-35
1968 Gibson Les Paul Junior
1959 Gretsch Chet Atkins
1965 Airline "JB Hutto"
And that's just a small sampling. Even Rory's first guitar, a flat-top acoustic acquired when he was nine years old, is
included.
In addition to major manufacturers like Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, National, Vox, Martin, and
Marshall, the collection includes pieces from names that grab the attention of discerning gearheads and collectors - Airline,
Teisco, Mosrite, Stella, Silvertone, Kay, Guyatone, and Supro.
Featuring a foreword by acclaimed guitarist and Gallagher superfan Johnny Marr, this carefully curated and display-worthy
book is a fitting tribute to the life and career of one of the most revered guitarists of the rock era.
Critique: An impressively gorgeous, slipcased coffee-table book filled with captivating photographs taken in cooperation
with fine art auctioneer Bonhams prior to the 2024 auction of the collection, Gallagher's Guitars: The Rory Gallagher
Collection showcases 40 guitars, lap steels, and mandolins from the legendary collection of Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher
(1948-1995). Guitar historian Julien Bitoun provides a wealth of fascinating background about these selected pieces.
Gallagher's Guitars: The Rory Gallagher Collection is both a tribute to an unparalleled collection and an extraordinary tour
of guitar history, highly recommended especially for connoisseurs and enthusiasts.
The Architecture Shelf
Soundscape Architecture
Karen Van Lengen and Jim Welty
ORO Editions
www.oroeditions.com
9781961856745, $50.00 hc
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Soundscape-Architecture-Karen-Van-Lengen/dp/1961856743
Synopsis: Soundscape Architecture presents historical examples, design projects and art works related to the sonics of
architectural spaces and landscapes.
This work grew out of our interest in listening to places that sponsor distinct sonic characteristics with specific and
memorable identities. We have addressed this challenging design territory by beginning with the act of listening itself. We
record the spaces, create new compositions from the recordings, draw (by hand and digitally) the sounds of these
compositions, animate these drawings, and then create digital paintings as a memory of this process. We also present sonic
installations, projects, and other exemplary art works as creative demonstrations that support the act of listening to the
atmospheres of our natural and built environments.
Critique: Illustrated with full color diagrams and photographs throughout, Soundscape Architecture lives up to its title by
intently examining the acoustic and sonic nature of specific architecture and locations, including the Guggenheim Museum,
the International Building (Rockefeller Center), the Seagram Building, and much more. The text guides the reader through
design projects, and digital artworks offer a visual exploration of sonic themes connected to places. Soundscape
Architecture observes and documents the role of listening and experiencing sound in the context of advanced architectural
design, and is highly recommended especially for professional specialist and college library Architectural Studies
shelves.
The Literary Studies Shelf
The Characters of Oz
Dina Schiff Massachi, editor
Robert Baum, Afterword
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476687971, $49.95, PB, 196pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Characters-Oz-Essays-Adaptation-Transformation/dp/1476687978
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-characters-of-oz
Synopsis: When L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, he created an American myth that has endured the test
of time. Echoes of Dorothy and her friends are everywhere: popular television shows often have an Oz episode, novelists
borrow character types and echo familiar scenes, and every media (from Broadway to The Muppets) has some variation or
continuation of Baum's work.
With the publication of "The Characters of Oz: Essays on Their Adaptation and Transformation", Dina Schiff Massachi
presents a collection of essays that follows Baum's archetypal characters as they've changed over time in order to examine
what those changes mean in relation to Oz, American culture and basic human truths.
These essays also serve as a bridge between academia and fandom, with contributors representing a cross-section of Oz
scholarship from backgrounds including The International Wizard of Oz Club and the Children's Literature
Association.
Critique: With occasional B/W images, "The Characters of Oz: Essays on Their Adaptation and Transformation" compiled
and edited by Dina Schiff Massachi is a masterpiece of literary scholarship in the field of Children's Literary Criticism.
Articulate, insightful, informative, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, this unique compendium of essays is a
unique and highly recommended addition for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collection
and supplemental Literary Criticism curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in Frank L. Baum and his literary legacy of Oz stories that this trade paperback edition of
"The Characters of Oz: Essays on Their Adaptation and Transformation" from McFarland & Company is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Dina Schiff Massachi has written and presented numerous academic essays on Baum's Oz and its various
adaptations. She also appeared in the "American Oz" episode of PBS's American Experience. She is a lecturer for the
American Studies program at UNC Charlotte; one of her favorite classes is a course on The Wizard of Oz.
(https://charloz.charlotte.edu/people/dina-schiff-massachi)
The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio
Laura Tosi with Peter Hunt, authors
Donald E. Palumbo and C.W. Sullivan III, series editors
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476665436, $39.95, PB, 237pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Journeys-Alice-Pinocchio-Explorations/dp/1476665435
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-fabulous-journeys-of-alice-and-pinocchio
Synopsis: Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871) and Carlo
Collodi's Le Avventure di Pinocchio (1883) are among the most influential classics of children's literature. Firmly rooted in
their respective British and Italian national cultures, the Alice and Pinocchio stories connected to a worldwide audience
almost like folktales and fairy tales and have become fixtures of postmodernism.
Although they come from radically different political and social backgrounds, the texts share surprising similarities. "The
Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their Parallel Worlds" is comparative reading explores their imagery
and history, and discusses them in the broader context of British and Italian children's stories.
Critique: An original and groundbreaking study authored by Professor Laura Tosi with Professor Peter Hunt, and deftly
edited by Donald E. Palumbo and C.W. Sullivan III, "The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their
Parallel Worlds" is informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an Appendix (Strange Meeting in
Wonder-Tuscany), four pages of Chapter Notes, a twenty page bibliography of Works Cited, and a five page Index.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their
Parallel Worlds" is a seminal and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Children's Fantasy Fiction Literary Criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this trade
paperback edition of "The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their Parallel Worlds" from McFarland &
Company is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note #1: Laura Tosi is a professor of English literature at the University Ca' Foscari in Venice, Italy. Her research
is in Elizabethan drama and children's literature. She has published works on literary fairy tales and adaptation, and
co-edited the first history of English-language children's literature written in Italian. A listing of her books is available
online at Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1310045.Laura_Tosi)
Editorial Note #2: Peter Hunt (https://peterhuntbooks.com) is a professor emeritus of English and children's literature at
Cardiff University, UK. He has lectured at more than 150 universities and colleges in 23 countries, and has produced 30
books and 500 papers and reviews on the subject. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7085639.Peter_Hunt)
Editorial Note #3: Donald E. Palumbo is a professor of English at East Carolina University.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/38067.Donald_E_Palumbo)
Flying Adventurers
David K. Vaughan
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476688787, $49.95, PB, 339pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Adventurers-Juvenile-Aviation-1909-1964/dp/1476688788
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/flying-adventurers
Synopsis: Aviation books were a unique and prolific subgenre of American juvenile literature from the early to mid-20th
century, drawing upon the nation's intensifying interest. The first books of this type was Harry L. Sayler's series Airship
Boys, which appeared shortly after the Wright brothers' first successful flight in 1909. Following Charles Lindbergh's solo
flight across the Atlantic, popular series like Ted Scott and Andy Lane established the "golden age" of juvenile aviation
literature.
With the publication of "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in America, 1909-1964", David K. Vaughan
examines the 375 juvenile aviation series titles published between 1909 and 1964. This study deftly weaves together several
thematic threads, including the placement of aviation narratives within the context of major historical events, the technical
accuracy in depictions of flying machines and the ways in which characters reflected the culture of their eras. Of special note
is the inclusion of three appendices providing publication data for each series, a list of referenced aircraft, an annotated
bibliography, and an index.
Critique: With occasional B/W historical photos, "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in America,
1909-1964" by David K. Vaughan is an original, seminal and groundbreaking literary study that will prove fascinating to
anyone with an interest in how the new and developing technologies of air flight and flying were depicted in the popular
literature of the day for young and enthusiastic readers. Comprehensively researched, exceptionally well written, thoroughly
'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in America,
1909-1964" is a unique and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university
library aviation themed children's literary criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted
for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this
trade paperback edition of "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in America, 1909-1964" from McFarland &
Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Now retired, David Kirk Vaughan has been an American Aviation educator. Researcher, and an archivist for
the United States Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio. (https://prabook.com/web/david_kirk.vaughan/1373264)
Furry Tales: A Review of Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction
Fred Patten
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476675985, $39.95, PB, 236pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Furry-Tales-Essential-Anthropomorphic-Fiction/dp/1476675988
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/furry-tales
Synopsis: Tales featuring anthropomorphic animals have been around as long as there have been storytellers to spin them,
from Aesop's Fables, to Reynard the Fox, to Alice in Wonderland. The genre really took off following the explosion of furry
fandom in the 21st century, with talking animals featuring in everything from science fiction to fantasy to LGBTQ
coming-out stories.
In his lifetime, the late Fred Patten (1940-2018) was one of the founders of furry fandom and a scholar of anthropomorphic
animal literature. He was the author of hundreds of book reviews that comprise a comprehensive critical survey of the
genre.
"Furry Tales: A Review of Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction" is a selected compilation that provides an overview of his
commentaries on the use of literary anthropomorphism from 1784 through the 2010s, covering such popular novels as
Watership Down and Redwall, along with forgotten gems like The Stray Lamb and Where the Blue Begins, and science
fiction works like Sundiver and Decision at Doona.
Critique: A seminal and ground-breaking contribution to the literary study of anthropomorphism, Furry Tales: A Review of
Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction" is a fitting memorial compendium from an articulate, insightful, and non-academic
scholar. It is a compendium of articles that is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an informative
Foreword by Kyell Gold, four Appendices (Nonfiction Works; Author and Chronological Lists; Awards; and Furry
Specialty Publishers), and an eleven page Index. A unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Children's Literary Criticism collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that this trade paperback edition of 'Furry Tales: A Review of Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction" from McFarland
& Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Frederick Walter Patten (December 11, 1940 - November 12, 2018) was an American writer and historian
known for his work in the science fiction, fantasy, anime, manga, and furry fandoms, where he gained great distinction
through a substantial contribution to both print and online books, magazines, and other media.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Patten)
The Self-Help Shelf
The Chemistry Trap
Alex Tayebnama
https://tayebnama.com
Independently Published
9781764471817, $11.99, PB, 108pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Trap-Instincts-Partners-Differently/dp/1764471814
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chemistry-trap-a-tayebnama/1149166732
Synopsis: The spark that feels like destiny rarely is.
You've felt it before. That instant pull toward someone. The certainty that this time it's real. But weeks or months later,
you're wondering what went wrong and why it keeps happening.
With the publication of "The Chemistry Trap: Why Your Instincts Keep Leading You to the Wrong Partners and How to
Finally Choose Differently", author Alex Tayebnama reveals why our instincts so often mislead us in love.
Drawing on psychology, attachment science, and observations from more than eighty cultures, "The Chemistry Trap"
uncovers the hidden patterns that drive our attractions: childhood imprints, nervous system responses, and the signals we
mistake for connection.
"The Chemistry Trap" reveals why intensity and compatibility are not the same thing, and how to recognize when chemistry
is a warning rather than a green light -- and what lasting partnership actually requires!
"The Chemistry Trap" is not about ignoring attraction. It is about understanding it well enough to finally choose
differently.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, informed and informative, "The Chemistry Trap: Why Your Instincts Keep Leading You
to the Wrong Partners and How to Finally Choose Differently" by Alex Tayebnama is unique, inherently fascinating, and
unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Dating/Relationships and Self-Help
instructional reference collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Chemistry Trap" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Alex Tayebnama (https://tayebnama.com) is a writer and researcher exploring the patterns that shape our
behaviour. His work sits at the intersection of ancient wisdom traditions and modern psychology, examining the
unconscious forces that drive our most important decisions. Years of study in depth psychology, including the work of Jung,
Adler, and Freud, combined with learnings across more than eighty cultures, led him to one insight: resilience is not given,
it is built. He writes and researches in a space he calls mental fitness: the practical training of perception, choice, and
resilience in everyday life. His work applies this lens to the areas where instinct is loudest and clarity matters most:
leadership, relationships, parenting, and the high-stakes decisions that shape our trajectories.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Book of the Golden Precepts
H. P. Blavatsky
Radiant Books
https://radiantbooks.co
9781639940547, $52.00, HC, 549pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Golden-Precepts-Silence-Fragments/dp/1639940545
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-the-golden-precepts-h-p-blavatsky/1148020326
Synopsis: In a new edition published by Radiant Books, "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and
Other Fragments of Divine Wisdom" by H. P. Blavatsky is a seminal and groundbreaking theosophical compendium
comprised of:
An extensive introduction that reveals the secret powers of your heart, lays out Blavatsky's core teachings, outlines the
challenges facing humanity today, and explains how you can help the world in these troubled times.
Four enlightening fragments from The Book of the Golden Precepts - The Voice of the Silence, The Two Paths, The Seven
Portals, and Light on the Path - serving as keys to awaken your divine consciousness and unlock authentic
transformation.
Profound commentary by assistants of His Holiness the 9th Panchen Lama, as well as by Reverend Father Anthony
Elenjimittam (the last disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and a friend of Pope John XXIII) facilitating deeper understanding of the
fragments.
Insightful and thought-provoking material by Blavatsky and others to help you walk a spiritual path and answer the
questions that may arise as you study the fragments.
Comprehensive glossary covering topics like ancient mysteries; the past, present, and future of humanity; the secret history
of the solar system; global warming; Armageddon; the Last Judgement; the Second Coming; the afterlife; karma; and
cosmic laws.
Critique: Classic, iconic, and of immense interest to dedicated students of Theosophy, Mahayana Buddhism, Ancient
Wisdom/Knowledge, "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and Other Fragments of Divine Wisdom"
by H. P. Blavatsky is a fundamental and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum lists. It should be noted that this
hardcover edition of "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and Other Fragments of Divine Wisdom"
from Radiant Books is also readily available to students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that it is also readily available in paperback (9781639940554, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$4.99).
Editorial Note #1: Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (31 July] 1831 - 8 May 1891), often known simply as Madame Blavatsky,
was a Russian and American mystic and writer who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an
international following as the primary founder of Theosophy as a belief system.
Editorial Note #2: Theosophy is a religious movement established in the United States in the late 19th century. Founded
primarily by the Russian Helena Blavatsky and based largely on her writings, it draws heavily from both older European
philosophies such as Neoplatonism and Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Although many adherents
maintain that Theosophy is not a religion, it is variably categorized by religious scholars as both a new religious movement
and a form of occultism from within Western esotericism. (Wikipedia).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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