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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library
Philip Schmidt
Cool Springs Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760398821, $24.99, PB, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Very-Little-Library/dp/0760398828
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-build-your-very-own-little-free-library-little-free-little-free-library/114680330
4
Synopsis: Around the world, a community movement is underway featuring quaint landscape structures mounted on posts
in front yards and other green spaces, as well as supported in large pots and other vessels outside homes and businesses on
busy urban streets. They are evidence of the growing trend toward neighborhood organization, community outreach, and in
some cases, a quiet protest against book bans.
This movement has been popularized by Minnesota-based Little Free Library (LFL), whose members currently include
200,000 library stewards around the world who seek to build community togetherness and promote reading by sharing
books among neighbors. LFL has inspired builders to use similar structures to share things like CDs, food, and seeds in the
community.
Produced in cooperation with the Little Free Library nonprofit organization and authored by professional carpenter Phil
Schmidt, "How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library: 11 Mini Structures You Can Build" is the builder's complete
source of inspiration and how-to knowledge.
This newly updated, information-packed, DIY instructional guide features:
A how-to for planning and designing your little sharing structure
An overview of building materials and tools
11 complete plans for structures of varying sizes and aesthetics
Step-by-step color photography and instructions
A gallery of tiny structures, along with uplifting words from stewards, for further inspiration
Information on proper installation of the small structures
Common repairs and maintenance for down the road
Timely information on how LFL has become part of the growing movement against book bans
"How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library" even includes information on how to become an official library
steward, getting the word out about your little structure once it's up and running, and tips for building a lively collection.
Also included are QR codes for additional building videos as well as interactive maps for locating other LFLs near you - or
wherever you may travel!
Community togetherness has never been so much at the fore of our consciousness - or so important. "How to Build Your
Very Own Little Free Library" is a brilliant and effective tool on the road to helping you build literacy and community in
your neighborhood.
Critique: Often referred to as 'Bird Houses for Books', the Little Free Library system is volunteer based and an ideal project
to promote literacy, a cooperative community spirit, and make accessible books for those members of the general public
who might otherwise be without access to a formal community library or library systems. Beautifully illustrated, providing
'user friendly' DIY step-by-step instructions, this large format (8 x 0.5 x 10.25 inches, 1.55 pounds) paperback edition of
"How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library: 11 Mini Structures You Can Build" from Cool Springs Press is
especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community center, public and academic library
Community Service and Carpentry collections. It should be noted that "How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library:
11 Mini Structures You Can Build" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.74) as well.
Editorial Note #1: Philip Schmidt is a writer, editor, and project designer specializing in houses and everything we do with
them. A former carpenter, he is the author of more than two dozen books covering subjects from solar power to backyard
treehouses to DIY plywood furniture, including How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library, The Complete Guide to
Treehouses, PlyDesign, The Complete Guide to Patios, and Install Your Own Solar Panels. He lives in
Colorado.(https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/120132.Philip_Schmidt)
Editorial Note #2: More information about the Free Little Library organization can be found on their website at:
https://littlefreelibrary.org
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Satellite: Essays on Fatherhood and Home, Near and Far
Simmons Buntin
Terra Firma Books
c/o Trinity University Press
https://tupress.org
9781595343116, $20.95, PB, 278pp
https://www.amazon.com/Satellite-Essays-Fatherhood-Home-Near/dp/1595343113
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/satellite-simmons-buntin/1145713514
Synopsis: How do we find a way to exist equitably in the world without exhausting our natural and cultural resources?
Exploring how to create belonging, among both human and nonhuman animals, is our essential work. Parents have the
added responsibility of conveying this charge to their children in a way that centers hope and empowerment over guilt and
fear.
With the publication of "Satellite: Essays on Fatherhood and Home, Near and Far", Simmons Buntin delves into the idea
of belonging (in place, time, family, and community) in sixteen essays written over nearly two decades.
The pieces range throughout the desert Southwest, on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, and as far afield as Mount
Saint Helens, eastern Montana, northern Vermont, Sweden, and even the moon (if a telescope atop Kitt Peak counts).
Buntin also examines the beauty and challenges of raising a family and creating more sustainable communities in the
Sonoran Desert -- and, more broadly, in any of America's diverse cultural and ecological landscapes. How should
community be defined? How do we protect heritage in an age of globalization? How do we find renewal following
personal and place-based trauma? What forms may grace take, and how can parents pass that dignity on to their
children?
Fortunately, it is a responsibility both shared and rewarding, funny and phenomenal, for at every turn there is a new
discovery, a new insight, a new integration between ourselves and the world that culminates, when we succeed, in a vibrant
sense of place. Buntin searches for a balance between the built and natural environments and the beings that inhabit them
in a way that enables us not only to survive but to thrive together.
Critique: Exhibiting author Simmons Buntin's impressive skills as an essayist and his engaging observations and
commentaries so appropriate for memorably insightful writing of nature and family, "Satellite: Essays on Fatherhood and
Home, Near and Far" is a fun, informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking read from start to finish. While this
paperback edition from Terra Firma Books is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community, and
college/university library Nature/Environmental collections and supplement Ecosystems curriculum studies lists, it should
be noted for students, academia, environmentalists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Satellite" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Simmons Buntin (https://simmonsbuntin.com) is the author of the poetry collections Riverfall and Bloom;
the co-author (with Ken Pirie) of Unsprawl: Remixing Spaces as Places; and the co-editor (with Elizabeth Dodd and Derek
Sheffield) of Dear America: Letters of Hope, Habitat, Defiance, and Democracy. He is also the editor-in-chief of
Terrain.org, the president and director of the board of Terrain Publishing (www.terrainpublishing.org).
The Political Science Shelf
Liberals with Attitude
Danny Goldberg
Akashic Books
www.akashicbooks.com
9781636142593, $28.95, HC, 356pp
https://www.amazon.com/Liberals-Attitude-Rodney-Beating-Angeles/dp/1636142591
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liberals-with-attitude-danny-goldberg/1146816784
Synopsis: With the publication of "Liberals with Attitude: The Rodney King Beating and the Fight for the Soul of Los
Angeles", author Danny Goldberg documents the 16 months (1991-92) between the brutal beating of Rodney King by four
police officers that was captured on a home video camera and the resignation of LAPD chief Daryl Gates.
Gates was reviled by the local Black and civil liberties communities because of the pattern of racism and brutality in the
department, and he was uniquely powerful because of the structure of the Los Angeles City Charter and the secret files he
kept on local politicians.
The effort to get Gates to step down after thirteen years as chief and to amend the City Charter to prevent another
unaccountable chief from amassing that much power was led by Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley, a former LAPD officer
and the first Black mayor of the city. To overcome Gates's entrenched power, Bradley assembled a team that included
future US secretary of state Warren Christopher, the local ACLU, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and activists who saw
the struggle against Gates as an important chapter in the civil rights movement.
Much of the local media, especially the Los Angeles Times, was supportive of Bradley's agenda, as was the burgeoning
"gangsta rap" culture of LA, much of which emerged in reaction to the LAPD.
Author Danny Goldberg was the chair of the ACLU Foundation of Southern California during those years and was
personally acquainted with the leaders of the fight against Gates. He interviewed several dozen people who are still alive
and got access to thousands of pages of documents among the papers of Stanley Sheinbaum, who was married to the
heiress of the Warner Bros. film fortune. Sheinbaum was chosen by Mayor Bradley to be the president of the Los Angeles
Police Commission, with the specific mission of getting Gates out of office. Goldberg's insider saga demonstrates that
cooperation between the political left and center is required to overcome white grievance and unaccountable power.
Critique: Offering an impressively detailed and informative 'behind the scenes' perspective of the political, cultural, and
judicial aftermath of the Rodney King incident in Los Angles that became a national wide social justice issue, "Liberals
with Attitude: The Rodney King Beating and the Fight for the Soul of Los Angeles" is an extraordinary and unreservedly
recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Political Science, Law
Enforcement, and Social Justice collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students,
academia, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of
"Liberals with Attitude: The Rodney King Beating and the Fight for the Soul of Los Angeles" from Akashic Books is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $26.23).
Editorial Note: Danny Goldberg (https://www.dannygoldberg.com) is the author of five previous books including In
Search of the Lost Chord: 1967 and the Hippie Idea and the national bestseller Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt
Cobain. He is a political activist who serves on the boards of Public Citizen, Americans for Peace Now, and Brave New
Films. He was the chair of the ACLU Foundation of Southern California from 1987 - 1994, during which the events
described in his newest book, Liberals with Attitude, took place. He is currently president of Gold Village Entertainment
and has worked in the music business since the early 1970s as a personal manager for Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Bonnie Raitt,
the Allman Brothers, and Steve Earle, among others; and as president of three major record companies: Atlantic, Warner
Bros., and Mercury.
Revolution and the Road to Peace in Colombia
Fidel Castro
Pathfinder Press
www.pathfinderpress.com
9781604881912, $10.00, PB, 110pp
https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Road-Peace-Colombia-Lessons/dp/1604881917
Synopsis: "Revolution and the Road to Peace in Colombia: Lessons from the Cuban Revolution" is comprised of articles,
letters, and other writings by Fidel Castro who draws important lessons from his half-century of revolutionary experience
leading the working people of Cuba to take state power out of the hands of its capitalist rulers such as the dictator Batista
who was backed by US imperialism.
Fidel Castro writes with a special authority because it was he and his supporters who opened the door to the first socialist
revolution in the Americas.
In 2008, as part of efforts to end six decades of armed conflict and guerrilla war in Colombia, Castro shared that
experience with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the world.
The example set by Cuba's Rebel Army combatants presented in these pages remains as relevant today as it was then.
Critique: Essential reading for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in 20th Century
Cuban/Columbian Socialist History and Political Science, and unreservedly recommended for community and
college/university library International Studies collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of Fidel Castro's
"Revolution and the Road to Peace in Colombia: Lessons from the Cuban Revolution" from Pathfinder Press is also
available in Spanish (9781604881912, $10.00, PB).
Editorial Note: Fideal Castro's writings published by Pathfinder Press include:
Cuba and Angola: Fighting for Africa's Freedom and Our Own (coauthor, 2013)
Playa Giron/Bay of Pigs: 1961, Washington's First Military Defeat in the Americas (coauthor, 2001)
U.S. Hands Off the Mideast! (coauthor, 1990)
In Defense of Socialism (1989)
Cuba Will Never Adopt Capitalist Methods (1988)
Nothing Can Stop the Course of History (1986)
War and Crisis in the Americas (1985)
Our Power Is That of the Working People (2005)
Building Socialism in Cuba (1983)
Fidel Castro on Chile (1982)
Cuba's Internationalist Foreign Policy (1981)
Selected Speeches of Fidel Castro (1979)
The Social Issues Shelf
Abortion Rights as the Free Exercise of Religion
Peter S. Wenz
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476696904, $49.95, PB, 231pp
https://www.amazon.com/Abortion-Rights-Free-Exercise-Religion/dp/147669690X
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/abortion-rights-as-the-free-exercise-of-religion-peter-s-wenz/1146533602
Synopsis: "Abortion Rights as the Free Exercise of Religion: The Constitutional Case for Choice" by Professor Peter S.
Wenz is the first to analyze the Supreme Court decisions related to religious freedom and abortion rights, showing that the
Supreme Court gives women a religious right to abortions, at least during the first half of pregnancy.
The Supreme Court also considered any sincerely claimed religious belief to be worthy of accommodation if it causes no
great harm. Therefore, a woman who claims that having a child would interfere with work dedicated to God's glory should
receive an accommodation that exempts her from state laws restricting abortion, as that is the kind of relief accorded by the
Supremen Court to others seeking religious exemptions from generally applicable laws and other rules.
The Supreme Court cannot claim in this case that abortion causes great harm, because it maintains even in its most recent
abortion decision that it is neutral on the question of when the unborn attains a right to life, and loss of the unborn's life is
the central harm claimed by others regarding abortion. In the pages of "Abortion Rights as the Free Exercise of Religion:
The Constitutional Case for Choice", Professor Wenz ably argues that 21 weeks of gestation is the earliest point at which a
right to life can be attributed to the fetus on a scientific basis.
Critique: An original, seminal, and meticulous study, "Abortion Rights as the Free Exercise of Religion: The
Constitutional Case for Choice" by Professor Peter S. Wenz is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the
inclusion of an eight page Bibliography, twelve pages of Notes, a ten page Addendum of Legal Scholars, and an eight page
Index. A thoughtful and thought-provoking work of essential scholarship, "Abortion Rights as the Free Exercise of
Religion: The Constitutional Case for Choice" is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, community and college/university library Contemporary Social Issues/Abortion Rights collections
and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, governmental policy makers, political
activists and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "Abortion Rights as
the Free Exercise of Religion: The Constitutional Case for Choice" from McFarland & Company is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Peter S. Wenz (https://www.peterswenz.com/about) is an emeritus professor of philosophy at the
University of Illinois, Springfield, and adjunct professor at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. He
has also taught for at least one semester each in England (both London and Oxford), Scotland, and New Zealand and has
lectured in Ireland, Australia, Spain, Germany, China, Australia and France. He has more than 40 articles and book
chapters as well as ten single-authored books on topics in medical ethics, animal rights, environmental philosophy,
political philosophy, moral issues in the law, constitutional law, hot-button political issues, and the philosophy of
religion.
The World History Shelf
Animal History: History as If Animals Mattered
Andrew Linzey & Claire Linzey, editors
Resource Publications
c/o Wipf and Stock Publishers
https://wipfandstock.com
9798385248674, $42.00, HC, 220pp
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-History-If-Animals-Mattered/dp/B0FGCZM6PS
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animal-history-andrew-linzey/1147604198
Synopsis: Traditional history overlooks non-human animals. But with the publication of "Animal History: History as If
Animals Mattered" co-editors Andrew and Claire Linzey reinstates them as proper subjects of historical enquiry.
Comprised of fourteen essays drawn from the Journal of Animal Ethics by accomplished academics, "Animal History"
offers pioneering insights into what animal history is and how it should be done. "Animal History is deftly divided into
sections covering the nature of animal history, selected intellectual figures, and historical controversies concerning meat
eating and vivisection.
Critique: Original, seminal, ground-breaking, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Animal
History: History as If Animals Mattered" is an extraordinary and unique contribution to a more complete understanding
human history from our ancient hunter/gatherer ancestors, to the rise of agriculture and animal husbandry, down to the
present day. A fascinating, informed and informative read from start to finish, "Animal History" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Animal Biology, Ethics & Husbandry
History 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 hardcover edition of "Animal History" from Resource Publications
is also readily available in paperback (9798385248667, $27.00).
Editorial Note #1: Andrew Linzey is the director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and a member of the Faculty of
Theology at the University of Oxford. He has written or edited more than twenty books, including Animal Theology,
Creatures of the Same God, and Why Animal Suffering Matters. He is also the author of Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal
Care and the co-editor of Animals and Christianity: A Book of Readings, both published by Wipf and Stock.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Linzey)
Editorial Note #2: Clair Susan Linzey is a British theologian, ethicist, editor, and writer. She is the Frances Power Cobbe
Professor of Animal Theology at the Graduate Theological Foundation and Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre for
Animal Ethics. Linzey's research centres on animal theology and ethics, environmental ethics, systematic and feminist
theology, and Christian ethics. She is also co-editor of the Journal of Animal Ethics and the Palgrave Macmillan Animal
Ethics Series. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clair_Linzey)
The Military History Shelf
Fighting for Philadelphia
Michael C. Harris
Savas Beatie LLC
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611217421, $34.95, HC, 480pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Philadelphia-Mifflin-Whitemarsh-5-December/dp/1611217423
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fighting-for-philadelphia-michael-c-harris/1146492252
Synopsis: The weeks of bloody maneuvering and fighting along the Delaware River at Fort Mercer, Fort Mifflin, and
Gloucester receive but scant attention in the literature of the American Revolution. The same is true for the five-day
Whitemarsh operation and other important events in December 1777.
With the publication of "Fighting for Philadelphia: Forts Mercer and Mifflin, the Battle of Whitemarsh, and the Road to
Valley Forge, October 5 - December 19, 1777" author and historian Michael C. Harris rescues these important actions from
obscurity, puts them in context with the Saratoga Campaign, and closes his magnificent trilogy that began with the battle of
Brandywine and left off with the slugfest at Germantown.
This period of the war started when General Sir William Howe's army of 16,500 British and Hessian soldiers set out
aboard a 265-ship armada from New York to capture Philadelphia in late July 1777. Six difficult weeks later, Howe landed
near Elkton, Maryland, moved north into Pennsylvania, and defeated Washington's army at Brandywine on September 11.
Philadelphia fell to the British.
Obscured by darkness and a heavy morning fog, Washington launched a successful surprise attack against the British
garrison at Germantown on October 4. The recapture of the colonial capital seemed within Washington's grasp until poor
battlefield decisions brought about a reversal of fortune and a clear British victory. Like Brandywine, the bloody
Germantown scrap proved Continental soldiers could stand toe-to-toe with British Regulars.
A protracted and complex quasi-siege of the British garrison followed. This fascinating and little-studied chess game had
Washington trying to close the Delaware River and harass enemy foraging parties to starve out Howe's command, while
the British tried to capture or neutralize the key American bastions of Forts Mercer and Mifflin and keep the river
open.
Harris's "Fighting for Philadelphia" is the first complete study to merge the strategic, political, and tactical history of the
complex operations sandwiched between Germantown and the arrival of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. His
sweeping prose relies almost exclusively on original archival research and a deep personal knowledge of the terrain,
highlighted by 21 original maps, illustrations, and modern photos.
Told largely through the words of those who fought there, Fighting for Philadelphia is sure to please the most
discriminating reader and assume its place as one of the finest military studies of its kind.
Critique: An impressively informative, seminal, comprehensive, deftly written and groundbreaking study of dedicated
research and meticulous scholarship, "Fighting for Philadelphia: Forts Mercer and Mifflin, the Battle of Whitemarsh, and
the Road to Valley Forge, October 5-December 19, 1777" by Michael C. Harris is especially and unreservedly
recommended as an essential acquisition for personal, community, and college/university library American Revolutionary
War 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 hardcover edition of "Fighting for Philadelphia" from Savas Beatie
is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.50).
Editorial Note: Michael C. Harris is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington and the American Military
University. He worked for the National Park Service at Fredericksburg, Virginia, Fort Mott State Park in New Jersey, and
the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission at Brandywine Battlefield. Mike conducts tours and battlefield rides
and currently teaches in the Philadelphia region. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife Michelle and son Nathanael.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/341812.Michael_C_Harris)
Seeds of Victory
James Ellman
Stackpole Books
c/o Globe Pequot
https://www.globepequot.com
9780811776776, $29.95, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Victory-Defeat-Triumph-American/dp/0811776778
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seeds-of-victory-james-ellman/1145809468
Synopsis: Like all armed forces, the United States military (often celebrated for its victories) has, from time to time, been
defeated on the battlefield throughout its long history. Unlike some others, the United States has shown a remarkable
ability to bounce back from defeat: to learn from the loss, recover, and turn it into victory.
With the publication of "Seeds of Victory: Defeat, Triumph, and the American Way of War", author and historian James
Ellman (who has established a reputation for his reconsiderations of military history), takes a close look at eight such pivot
points on the ground, in the air, and at sea, from the American Revolution through the Korean War:
Long Island (1776) to Trenton and Princeton (1777)
Charleston (1780) to Cowpens and Guilford Court House (1781)
Invasion of Canada (1812) to Battles of Lake Erie and the Thames(1813)
First Bull Run (1861) to Antietam (1862)
Pearl Harbor (1941) to Midway (1942)
Luzon (1942) to Buna-Gona (1943)
Schweinfurt (1943) to the "Big B" (1944)
Chongchon River (1950) to Operation Ripper (1951)
In brisk narratives, Ellman describes each battle, explaining how it was fought and lost, and then shifts gears to detail how
leaders (military as well as civilian) such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Chester Nimitz, Douglas MacArthur,
James Doolittle, and Matthew Ridgway assessed the factors that led to defeat, and made changes to training, tactics, and
strategy, so that American forces entered the next battle wiser and able to win.
Ellman then uses this framework to evaluate the wars waged in more recent decades in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Surprisingly, despite the accepted consensus that these conflicts resulted in painful defeats, the American military
repeatedly showed its historic ability to react and recover, and if not achieve victory, at least stabilize the situation on the
battlefield.
While US forces eventually pulled out of these three conflicts, the overarching Cold War and War on Terror were still
concluded in America's favor. As "Seeds of Victory: Defeat, Triumph, and the American Way of War" makes clear, the
history of the United States at war is, to a surprising degree, the story of tenacity in the wake of defeat, of flexibility and
adaptability on the path to victory. This is essential reading for understanding how battles are lost and won.
Critique: Simply stated, "Seeds of Victory: Defeat, Triumph, and the American Way of War" by James Ellamn is essential
reading for anyone seeking to understand how battles are lost and won over the past 230 years of American military
history. Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a twelve page Bibliography, sixteen pages of Notes, and a
four page Index, "Seeds of Victory: Defeat, Triumph, and the American Way of War" is a seminal, groundbreaking, and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and college/university library American Military History
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, military historians, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "Seeds of Victory: Defeat,
Triumph, and the American Way of War" from Stackpole Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$28.45).
Editorial Note: James Ellman (https://www.jamesellman.com) holds a bachelor's degree in history and economics from
Tufts University and an MBA from Harvard. He has also written Hitler's Great Gamble: A New Look at German Strategy,
Operation Barbarossa, and the Axis Defeat in World War II (Stackpole, 2019) and MacArthur Reconsidered: General
Douglas MacArthur as a Wartime Commander (Stackpole, 2023).
Scattered Far and Wide
Justin Laborde
Naval Institute Press
www.nip.org
9781682476642, $34.95, HC, 416pp
https://www.amazon.com/Scattered-Far-Wide-Naval-Academy/dp/1682476642
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scattered-far-and-wide-justin-laborde/1146843288
Synopsis: Withe the publication of "Scattered Far and Wide: The Naval Academy Class of '38 at War", Justin Laborde tells
the war stories of U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen from the Class of 1938.
Commissioned on the eve of World War II, they faced the trials of combat as new officers from the early days of American
involvement and as ships captains, pilots in leadership positions, and submariners in charge by VJ Day.
Tested as young leaders, they bore the new burden of command while at the fore of the Pacific War's largest and most
pivotal campaigns. They felt the wind and spray in their faces and the percussion of ships' guns and depth charges at the
pivotal moment in their lives and careers, making their experiences unusually compelling, heartbreaking, and (most
assuredly) instructive.
From Pearl Harbor through the end of the war, these were the men who fought and struggled for survival as part of the
U.S. Navy's Asiatic Fleet. In the early months of the conflict, they tried to stem the onslaught of the Imperial Japanese
Navy. Some were captured and sent to brutal prisoner-of-war camps. Others took to the air from aircraft carriers as
members of torpedo, bomber, and fighter squadrons during the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. Later in the war, a
number served aboard submarines, experiencing some of the most legendary patrols in the history of the Silent
Service.
Author Justin Laborde's grandfather, Alden Laborde, was a member of the Class of 1938. Upon his death, Justin obtained a
1938 edition of The Lucky Bag, the Naval Academy's yearbook. Reading the memoirs of Alden's classmates, Justin
realized he was well placed to tell the fascinating and unreported story of this class's experiences in World War II. He
spent five years gathering primary materials and researching the histories and wartime tales. The young men who
graduated from the Naval Academy in 1938 left Annapolis on the eve of war and faced its perils around the world.
In the process, these junior officers earned medals and fame, left legacies of heroism and loss, and sparked tales of renown
and bravery that reverberate today.
Critique: An original, seminal, groundbreaking study based upon meticulous and exhaustive research, "Scattered Far and
Wide: The Naval Academy Class of '38 at War" by Justin Laborde is a truly extraordinary and unreservedly welcome
contribution to personal, community, and college/university library World War II History, Biography & Memoir
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of numerous
illustrations, twenty-four pages of Notes, a ten page Bibliography, and a fifteen page Index, this hardcover edition of
"Scattered Far and Wide: The Naval Academy Class of '38 at War" from the Naval Institute Press is also readily available
for students, academia, and military history buffs in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.22).
Editorial Note: Justin Laborde, PhD, is a strategic consultant and frequent speaker on consumer trends, marketplace
insights, and business-growth strategies at Fortune 500 companies. Raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Justin now lives
with his wife, Amanda, and their three children.
The Cookbook Shelf
Spinning Plates
Anna Stanford
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600639541, $26.99, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Spinning-Plates-Dinners-Substitutions-Families/dp/0600639541
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spinning-plates-anna-stanford/1146581448
Synopsis: The recipes comprising Anna Stanford's "Spinning Plates: Easy Dinners with Simple Substitutions for Busy
Families" demystify the art of cooking for busy families. They all work, are achievable for any level of cook, and taste
fantastic. There are no fads or fuss, just good, honest, balanced food.
Every recipe features clever swaps and switches to make cooking one meal for the whole family easy. From curries that
can easily be made with chicken, fish or tofu, to quick quiches with 5 different flavor variations and stir fries that work
with whatever veg you have to hand, Anna's recipes and simple substitution ideas make it easy to please everyone!
From Spiced Chickpea Flatbreads, Chili Two Ways, and Creamy Smoked Salmon and Asparagus, to Vietnamese Pork
Traybake, Smokey Beef Brisket, and Maple Roasted Root Veg; and Black Bean, the recipes showcased in "Spinning
Plates: Easy Dinners with Simple Substitutions for Busy Families" are 50% vegetarian or adaptable to vegetarian, and all
recipes are light on equipment, often cooked in one tray or pan, saving on expensive kitchen items and washing up.
Critique: "Spinning Plates: Easy Dinners with Simple Substitutions for Busy Families" by Anna Stanford is enticingly
illustrated throughout with full color photos of finished dishes in support of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friend' recipes that
will enable even the most novice of family chefs to provide their families with memorable, palate pleasing, appetite
satisfying, physically nourishing meals for any and all family dining occasions. While especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that this
hardcover edition of "Spinning Plates: Easy Dinners with Simple Substitutions for Busy Families" from Hamlyn is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Anna Stanford (https://annasfamilykitchen.com) is a home cook, foodie, and mum to her three children.
She has over 180k loyal followers on Instagram, and over 11k on Facebook, where she shares her minimal faff, family
friendly recipes. Like so many parents, Anna is used to catering to multiple dietary requirements and changing preferences
within her family. That's why all her recipes have easy swaps, switches and tips to make it possible to cater for the whole
family with one delicious, balanced and low-faff meal.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge
Raymond J. McKoski
University of Illinois Press
www.press.uillinois.edu
9780252046636, $50.00, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/David-Davis-Abraham-Lincolns-Favorite/dp/0252046633
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/david-davis-abraham-lincolns-favorite-judge-raymond-j-mckoski/1146473611
Synopsis: One of Abraham Lincoln's staunchest and most effective allies, Judge David Davis masterminded the floor fight
that gave Lincoln the presidential nomination at the 1860 Republican National Convention. This history-changing event
emerged from a long friendship between the two men. It also altered the course of Davis's career, as Lincoln named him to
the U.S. Supreme Court in 1862.
With the publication of "David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge", Professor Raymond J. McKoski offers a
biography of Davis's public life, his impact on the presidency and judiciary, and his personal, professional, and political
relationships with Lincoln.
Davis lent his vast network of connections, organizational and leadership abilities, and personal persuasiveness to help
Lincoln's political rise. When Davis became a judge, he honed an ability to hear each case with complete impartiality, a
practice that endeared him to Lincoln but one day put him at odds with the president over important Civil War - era
rulings.
McKoski details these cases while also providing an in-depth account of Davis's role in Lincoln's two unsuccessful
campaigns for U.S. Senate and the fateful run for the presidency.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking work of meticulous and exhaustive research, "David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's
Favorite Judge" is an extraordinary and informative study that is informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the
inclusion of a twenty-four page Bibliography, fifty-six pages of Notes, and a ten page Index. Exceptionally well written
and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge" is a
unique and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library 19th Century American
Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental Abraham Lincoln Studies curriculum lists. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this
hardcover edition of "David Davis, Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Judge" from the University of Illinois Press is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Raymond J. McKoski is a retired Illinois Circuit Judge and adjunct professor at the University of Illinois
Chicago School of Law. He is also the author of "Judges in Street Clothes: Acting Ethically Off-the-Bench".
Finding Our Grove
James Gardner
www.jamesgardnerwriter.com
Rundle Rock Publishing
9798218740399, $24.95, PB, 382pp
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Our-Grove-College-Football/dp/B0FLQ3K73L
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-our-grove-james-gardner/1148015617
Synopsis: "Finding Our Grove: A Story about Life, Family, and College Football" by James Gardner follows a small group
of college football fanatics as they set out to visit a different college town each year. These trips-lovingly known as "guy
trips"-initially began as a chance for the men of the family to spend a little more time together, while also enjoying a little
more football.
The reader will enjoy following along, year by year and team by team, as these visitors experience, firsthand, college
football's most revered programs and traditions; learn about her most beloved names, mascots, and bands; and meet college
football's indomitable fans.
As goes football, so goes life. In the pages of this memoir readers will also find heartache, adversity, and loss along with
considerable hope, faith, and love. "Finding Our Grove" offers an intimate portrait of the challenges faced by those with
Down syndrome and the family and friends who support them.
Critique: Eloquent, engaging, exceptional, informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Finding Our Grove: A Story
about Life, Family, and College Football" is a candidly articulate true life story of inclusion, friendship, fatherhood, and
college football fandom. While an especially and unreservedly pick for community and college/university library
Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback
edition of "Finding Our Grove: A Story about Life, Family, and College Football" from Rundle Rock Publishing is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: James Gardner (https://www.jamesgardnerwriter.com) received his B.A. from The Ohio State University
and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. As a practicing lawyer for more than thirty years, Jim is a passionate
advocate for the disabled and those who have been injured. Penned as a love letter to his family and to the "guy trips", he is
also the author of "Chance to Breathe".
Jew Girl
Marcie Maxfield
https://marciemaxfield.com
Desert Canyon Press
9798992539011, $TBA print / $9.99 Kindle, 256pp
https://marciemaxfield.com/books
https://www.amazon.com/JewGirl-Memoir-Belonging-Marcie-Maxfield-ebook/dp/B0FRLW9CYB
Synopsis: "Jew Girl: A Memoir" is a life story told in the form of nineteen deftly crafted essays by Marcie Maxfield and
range from her early childhood down to the present day. The essays comprising "Jew Girl: A Memoir" deal with all
manner of personal, social, cultural, and societal issues ranging from skin color based discrimination (race), anti-semitism
(Jewish identity), and being female (gender equality). Marcie's memoir is intensely personal and also exhibits a universal
resonance.
Critique: Deftly written with wit, humor, and insight, along with an inherent eloquence that raises her memoir to an
impressive level of literary elegance, this trade paperback edition of Marcie Maxfield's "Jew Girl: A Memoir" from Desert
Canyon Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and
college/university library Contemporary Jewish American Biography/Memoir collections.
Editorial Note: Marcie Maxfield (https://marciemaxfield.com) is also the author of "Em's Awful Good Fortune" -- a novel
about marriage and compromise disguised as a travel romp through Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Seoul.
The General Fiction Shelf
Living the Good Life
Celia Anderson
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836171560, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 400pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836171560
Synopsis: The peaceful village of Willowbrook seems to be the ideal place for a new lease of life - at least according to
Nell's husband, Barney. With an empty nest and coming towards retirement, he's persuaded her to try country living. Their
cottage even has an annexe that's perfect for Barney's widowed father, Frank.
Nell is less sure about this fresh start... and it's not long before cracks in her thirty-year marriage begin to appear. Instead of
spending more time together, she and Barney seem to be drifting apart. Frank, too, is unsettled.
A weekly community group exploring the secret of happiness provides a way for Nell and her father-in-law to navigate
their new surroundings. Nell finds some friends, and Frank is quickly taken in hand by the neighbourhood matriarchs - the
self-styled 'Saga Louts'!
But will questioning what makes her happy push Nell even further away from Barney, especially when she discovers the
secrets her husband has been keeping? Or can opening up to others help old wounds heal and bring them back together
once more? What really is the secret to happiness?
Critique: Original, unique, compelling, exceptional, deftly crafted, and inherently interesting read from start to finish, this
large print trade paperback edition by novelist Celia Anderson "Living the Good Life" from Boldwood Books is an
extraordinary work whose author been able to lift her novel to an impressive level of literary excellence. "Living the Good
Life" is an especially commended pick for community library Literary Fiction collections and the personal reading lists for
readers with an interest in contemporary women's fiction.
Editorial Note: Celia Anderson enjoys writing contemporary fiction featuring older protagonists, although a wide age range
of characters can always be found in her books. She is an enthusiastic member of the Romantic Novelists Association,
having proudly graduated from their New Writers' Scheme in 2013. The RNA is an amazing source of good advice and a
place to meet like-minded, supportive people who will happily talk about books for hours on end. What could be better?
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/15609057.Celia_Anderson)
The Passionate Sister
John Thorndike
Independently Published
9798314028780, $15.00, PB, 268pp
https://www.amazon.com/Passionate-Sister-Advance-Reader-Copy/dp/B0F2HRGSL4
Synopsis: Instead of dying of an overdose at 57, Ginny Thorndike wakes and fights to stay clean. Her son Rob drives her
home from rehab, pours her gin and wine onto the lawn and flushes her pills down the toilet.
Her older son comes to help as well, with his gay lover Miles. But when Miles is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease they
return to their home in Key West, and Ginny faces a cold winter alone in Sag Harbor.
Soon it will be Miles who needs help, and Rob as well after his wife disappears, leaving him with round-the-clock care for
their one-year-old twins.
"The Passionate Sister" is the story of Ginny seeking to make up for her past failures as a mother, looking after both sons
and grandchildren, even as she meets and slowly opens up to Lyle, her first lover in years.
Critique: Original, deftly written, emotionally engaging, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "The Passionate
Sister" by John Thorndike is family drama raised by the author's exceptional storytelling skills to an impressive level of
literary excellence. While an exceptional and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university
library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback
edition of "The Passionate Sister" is also currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).
Editorial Note: John Thorndike (https://www.johnthorndike.com). His first two books were novels, followed by a memoir,
"Another Way Home", about his wife's schizophrenia and his life as a single parent. A second memoir, "The Last of His
Mind", describes his father's year-long descent into Alzheimer's, and was a Washington Post Best Book of 2009. His third
novel, "A Hundred Fires in Cuba", follows the love affair of a young American photographer and Camilo Cienfuegos, one
of the heroes of the Cuban Revolution.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Whiz Kid
Joel Burcat & David S. Burcat
Milford House Press
c/o Sunbury Press
https://www.sunburypress.com/collections/milford-house
9798888193297, $24.95, PB, 291pp
https://www.amazon.com/Whiz-Kid-Joel-Burcat/dp/B0FDH23VT1
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whiz-kid-joel-burcat/1147690564
Synopsis: With the publication of "Whiz Kid", co-authors Joel Burcat and David S. Burcat transports their readers back to
1950 Philadelphia, where Ben Green (a decorated World War II veteran from Camden, NJ) is completing his senior year at
the University of Pennsylvania.
A gifted writer, Ben dreams of becoming a novelist, but the weight of responsibility looms large. His closest friend and
war buddy, Stan Ledyard, urges him to join his father's powerful advertising firm in Center City. While at home, Ben's
wife, Debby, hopes he will choose the security of that job (especially with their first child on the way) and leave behind
their cramped apartment above her father's button shop in 'The Zibbiter' -- South Philly's bustling Jewish market.
While committed to finishing his novel, Ben becomes entangled with Ilene Van Cleve, a wealthy and charismatic
classmate who tempts him with a life far from his working-class, Jewish upbringing. As Ben navigates this crossroads, he
encounters both blatant antisemitism and the subtler prejudices of Philadelphia's Main Line elite, as well as the harsh
realities of racial injustice.
A comfortable future in advertising, complete with Main Line mansions and country clubs, lies within his grasp. Yet, his
in-laws quietly nudge him toward a more traditional Jewish life, rooted in family and community.
Set against the electrifying backdrop of the Philadelphia Phillies' underdog run to the 1950 World Series, Ben's journey
mirrors the broader struggles of a changing city and generation.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, compelling, raised to an impressive level of literary excellence and an
inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Whiz Kid" by co-authors Joel and David Burcat is a truly memorable
coming-of-age novel centered on the conflict of family expectations and personal aspirations, the security of guaranteed
future and the uncertainty of attempting to realize a driving personal ambition.
"Whiz Kid" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Literary Fiction collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition of "Whiz Kids" from the Milford House Press is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Joel Burcat (https://joelburcat.com) is a novelist and retired environmental lawyer whose thrillers fuse
real-world issues with high-stakes action. He is the author of "Reap the Wind" (2024), which won a Silver Medal from
Readers' Favorite and was a Kindle Book Awards Semi-Finalist. A former Assistant Attorney General, Burcat's legal
expertise fuels his gripping, socially relevant stories.
Editorial Note: David S. Burcat was a Navy corpsman in World War II, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (English
Literature and Dentistry), and a proud son of Camden NJ and his adopted town of Philadelphia. He worked in advertising
in the 1950s before returning to Penn to study dentistry. He wrote "Match Point", the novella within the novel, in about
1950. Dave was the father of co-author, Joel Burcat. He died in 1998.
The Sun Dog
Robert Downes
Blank Slate Press
9781966103042, $18.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Dog-Native-America-Ojibwe/dp/1966103042
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sun-dog-robert-downes/1147552673
Synopsis: When a Seneca Iroquois town on Lake Ontario is beset by an evil spirit, its female chieftain, Walking Turtle,
calls upon seven shamans and seven warriors from neighboring tribes to free her people from the demon.
Meanwhile, in an isolated village to the north, a young woman named Found by the River is accused of witchcraft. She and
her protector, Willow, face certain death unless they can escape their tormentors.
Into this scenario comes Sun Dog, a charismatic magician leading a band of refugees fleeing the collapse of their
civilization 800 miles to the south. Sun Dog and his people are survivors of mighty Coosa, a realm destroyed by the army
of Spanish conquistador, Hernan de Soto.
Sun Dog vows to rid the Senecas of their demon, while wrestling with a sinister force of his own. He alone can decide the
fate of those condemned as witches.
Brimming with unforgettable characters and grounded in history, "The Sun Dog" is the follow-up to author Robert Downes
previous novel "The Wolf and The Willow", reintroducing Willow and Wolf in an ongoing saga set in Native America
during the tumultuous "Lost Century" of the 1500s.
Critique: Once again historian, journalist, and novelist Robert Downes has created an inherently fascinating novel that will
be of special appeal to readers with an interest in Native American themed fiction. Original, authentic, compelling, and a
fun read from cover to cover, "The Sun Dog" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library
Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Sun Dog"
from Blank State Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Robert Downes (https://robertdownes.com/bio.html) has been a respected journalist and historian for over
30 years. He writes books of travel and adventure and lives the life he writes about. He has backpacked through more than
70 countries, with destinations ranging from the super-cities of the Third World to the heart of the American wilderness. In
1991 he co-founded the Northern Express Weekly in Traverse City, Michigan, which grew into the region's largest weekly
newspaper.
Daughter of the Tarot
Clare Marchant
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836030584, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 432pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836030584
Synopsis: 1644 A.D.: Portia is living in London, having escaped an abusive man in Italy, with just baby Vittoria and the
clothes on their backs. Making her living reading tarot cards, she starts to realise there are other women like her -- women
who need help. As she delivers the Devil card to their door, each has the chance to escape... But to what future? Because
Portia is a woman with secrets. And they are about to come back to haunt her.
Present Day: After her mother's death and father's hasty plans to remarry, Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop in
London. But when she's unpacking, she finds a set of cards she's never seen before, one that's evidently been handed down
through generations of her family. It's a set that is missing a card though... the Devil's Card. She begins to search for the
lost card, but she also starts to hear rumours of that very card being linked to a series of murders of women in 17th century
London...
Will she find the truth... or will she only see the illusions the cards are suggesting?
Critique: An original and deftly crafted blending of historical and contemporary fiction that will be of immense appeal to
readers with an interest in women oriented stories of fantasy, mystery, and the Tarot. This large print, trade paperback
edition of "Daughter of the Tarot" by novelist Clare Marchant is especially recommended for both personal reading lists
and community library collections. It should be noted that "Daughter of the Tarot" is the third titles in author Clare
Marchant's large print paperback series from Boldwood Books that also includes "The House of the Witch"
(9781836030386) and "The Shadow on the Bridge" (9781836030485).
Editorial Note: Clare Marchant (www.bookseriesinorder.com/clare-marchant) is the author of dual timeline historical
fiction. Her books have been translated into seven languages.
Secrets That Remain: The Emil Fricker Story
Julie Rose Bawden-Davis, author
Lynn Rose Ann Kelley, author
Roses Are Red Publishing
https://rosesareredpublishing.com
ASIN: B0FGT35QGM, $5.99, Kindle
9781955265492, $15.99, PB, 386pp
9781955265522, $32.99, HC
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-That-Remain-Fricker-Story-ebook/dp/B0FGT35QGM
Synopsis: In 1924, a brutal crime shattered the quiet farmland of Madison County, Illinois. Emil Fricker, a wealthy and
respected dairy farmer, stood trial for a murder that shocked the region. A century later, the truth is finally revealed.
Based on a true story and written by Emil's direct descendants, the historical novel, "Secrets That Remain", by co-authors
Julie Rose Bawden-Davis and Lynn Rose Ann Kelley uncovers what really happened behind closed doors on the Fricker
dairy farm. Told through the voices of Emil's wife, children, and those closest to the events, this powerful story deftly
blends the elements of historical fiction with courtroom drama, family saga, and a mystery ripped from the yesteryear
newspaper headlines.
Critique: Drawn from generational accounts, court records, and newspaper coverage, "Secrets That Remain: The Emil
Fricker Story" is suspenseful story of deftly crafted historical fiction that reveals not just a notorious crime -- but the
devastating fallout such an event has on a family and a community, -- as well as the resilience of those left behind, and
down to this present day, haunting secrets that still persist from that day to this. Compelling, exceptional, and an inherently
fascinating read from start to finish, as well as the kind of novel that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long
after it is finished and set back upon the shelf, "Secrets That Remain: The Emil Fricker Story" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library History Fiction/Mystery collections.
Editorial Note #1: Lynn Rose Ann Kelley, granddaughter of Emil and Rose Fricker, spent her formative years in South
Bend, Indiana. She moved to Southern California when she was ten years old, where she met her first husband, Monte
Bawden, while in high school. They had four daughters - Julie, Amy, Mandy, and Katie. When she married her second
husband, Bill Kelley, she also became a stepmother to his daughter, Allison. Bill passed away in January 2020, and Lynn
followed in December of the same year.
Like her mother, Blanche, Lynn had a long, productive career as a nurse. She earned her LVN and BSN, working in
hospitals and in home healthcare, the latter focused on the care of AIDS patients. Later in her career, she earned a Doctor
of Psychology (PsyD) and went on to combine her skills as a nurse and counselor. She also became a Clinical Specialist in
Treatment of Victims and Perpetrators of Domestic and Random Violence, and earned certification in yoga, combining the
therapeutic and physical benefits of yoga with her practice Yogatalk.
Though she had many accomplishments, Lynn considered her greatest achievement being a wife, mother, and
grandmother. She expressed this sentiment often throughout her life.
Editorial Note #2: The great granddaughter of Emil and Rose Fricker, Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist,
novelist, blogger, and YouTuber. A prolific author, Julie writes in several genres. She enjoys creating page-turning,
suspenseful novels, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and
inspire.
Julie began penning stories at the age of 5, when she wrote sweet, little romance books for her grandmother. From there,
she graduated to sneaking to a neighbor's house to watch "Dark Shadows" (because her parents thought it was too scary for
her) and in her teens, rushing home after school to become immersed in the world of "General Hospital." These early
influences inspired her to write suspenseful books full of intrigue.
Widely published, Julie has written 45 books and more than 4,000 articles for a wide variety of national and international
publications. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening.
Julie gains inspiration from being surrounded by plants when she writes.
Trudy's Awakening
Carolyn Newton Curry
Mercer University Press
www.mupress.org
9798897360031, $27.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Trudys-Awakening-Carolyn-Newton-Curry/dp/B0FBN8WJH3
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trudys-awakening-carolyn-newton-curry/1147586207
Synopsis: "Trudy's Awakening" is an historical novel by Carolyn Newton Curry that is set in the latter half of
nineteenth-century Georgia and tells the story of three women whose lives were intermingled as they worked to overcome
society's barriers to their progress and success.
Gertrude Thomas, "Trudy" to her friends and family, grew up in wealth and privilege but lost it all in the aftermath of the
American Civil War.
Amanda "Mae," along with her mother Lurany, were enslaved to Gertrude's family and yearned for freedom.
Lizzie Jeter was a middle-class young woman who dreamed of being a professional artist.
All three women faced tremendous obstacles in a world that wished to limit and suppress their talents.
Of special note is that author Carolyn Curry uses her own research from her award-winning biography, "Suffer and Grow
Strong: The Life of Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas, 1834-1907", to imagine the way these women's different paths crossed
in their fight for freedom, civil rights, and successful careers. As their lives intersect, they form close bonds and become
friends.
Critique: Original, eloquent, and with fictional characters given a background of authenticity through author Carolyn
Newton Curry's meticulous and dedicated historical research, "Trudy's Awakening" is a fascinating and compelling read
from cover to cover. A work of historical fiction raised to an impressive level of literary excellence. One of those novels
that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf, "Trudy's
Awakening" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Historical/Literary
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Trudy's Awakening" from
the Mercer University Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.00).
Editorial Note: Carolyn Newton Curry (https://carolyncurry.com) is also the author of "Suffer and Grow Strong: The Life
of Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas, 1834-1907", which won the Georgia Author of the Year Award and was chosen as One
of the Ten Books All Georgians Should Read by Georgia Center for the Book. Her first novel, "Sudden Death" was a
murder mystery set in the world of football. In 2002, Curry founded Women Alone Together(R) and served as its executive
director for twenty-two years.
An American Nurse In Paris
John F. Andrews
https://johnfrederickandrews.com
46 North Publications
9798989383559, $26.99, HC, 328pp
https://www.amazon.com/American-Nurse-Paris-Novels-Great/dp/B0CN1VZD6L
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-american-nurse-in-paris-john-f-andrews/1146561780
Synopsis: Medical journalist Alice Simmons's quest to become a war correspondent careens headlong into a wall of sexism
and deceit after her arrival in Paris in 1918. The suave officer in charge of the American Army press office refuses to let
Alice leave Paris while her male counterparts scramble to the Front during the German spring offensive. One evening, his
misogyny escalates to a drunken assault. Alice manages to fight back, but then her attacker begins a campaign of false
accusations to cover his crime.
A nursing position in an American Red Cross military hospital is Alice's only hope to remain in France. It turns into the
best scoop of her career. Wounded marines and soldiers from the Battle of Belleau Wood flood her ward. A tragic death
amid the human wreckage of war unlocks Alice's compassion and her capacity to love, both long-buried after a childhood
tragedy. Her patients' courage inspires Alice's fight to restore her honor and open her heart.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, with extraordinary attention paid to historical detail that offers an impressive level of
authenticity, "An American Nurse in Paris" by John F. Andrews is a compellingly engaging read from cover to cover and
will prove to be an especially prized pick for community/public library Historical/World War 1 fiction collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "An American Nurse in Paris" from 46 North
Publications is also readily available in paperback (9798989383511, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$6.99).
Editorial Note: John F. Andrews (https://johnfrederickandrews.com) is the award-winning author of the 'Novels of the
Great War Series' which includes (in order of publication) "An American Nurse in Paris", "Dogs Don't Cry", and "Our
Desperate Hour". Andrews writes from the perspective of a service family member and critical care physician to craft
unique historical stories based on real events. His characters struggle along side some of the real heroes of WWI, as well as
showing the plight of civilians caught in one of the most horrible conflicts in human history. His novels are stories of
struggle, survival, hope, resilience, and love.
Dogs Don't Cry
John F. Andrews
https://johnfrederickandrews.com
46 North Publications
9798989383542, $26.99, HC, 300pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Dont-Cry-Novels-Great/dp/B0CSBGMYKM
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dogs-dont-cry-novels-of-the-great-war-john-f-andrews/1146431891
Synopsis: Abby is the Durand family dog, a companion for fifteen-year-old Marcel and his sister, Genevieve. Marcel is
plagued by doubts about his courage as he approaches military age. Genevieve has severe pneumonia and is convinced she
will soon die.
Evacuation is ordered as the German army barrels toward their home village. The doctor tending to Genevieve warns their
mother that the rigors of evacuation will kill the young girl on the eve of her thirteenth birthday. Their mother waits until
the last moment to leave their home in search of shelter.
A disastrous escape leaves them orphaned and alone.
Marcel and Genevieve must find a distant relative, Cousin Henri, who lives near Paris. However, they have never met him,
are not sure of his last name, and don't know his address. Abby is the key -- Henri is her former owner, though she begs to
differ on the "owner" concept. If anyone can find him, she can. The teens confront their worst fears while seeking refuge
amid the chaos of war, armed only with their faith in Abby.
Critique: An effectively engaging and deftly crafted blend of adventure, suspense, and coming of age during the chaotic
turmoil of World War I, "Dogs Don't Cry" is part of author John F. Andrew's exceptional 'Novels of the Great War' series
and a truly memorable read from beginning to end. A prized pick for personal reading lists and community library World
War I historical fiction collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Dogs Don't Cry" from 46 North
Publications is also readily available in paperback (9798989383535, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.99).
Editorial Note: John F. Andrews (https://johnfrederickandrews.com) is the award-winning author of the 'Novels of the
Great War Series' which includes (in order of publication) "An American Nurse in Paris", "Dogs Don't Cry", and "Our
Desperate Hour". Andrews writes from the perspective of a service family member and critical care physician to craft
unique historical stories based on real events. His characters struggle along side some of the real heroes of WWI, as well as
showing the plight of civilians caught in one of the most horrible conflicts in human history. His novels are stories of
struggle, survival, hope, resilience, and love.
Our Desperate Hour
John F. Andrews
https://johnfrederickandrews.com
46 North Publications
9798989383580, $28.99, HC, 378pp
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Desperate-Hour-Novels-Great/dp/B0DKJ3GP6F
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-desperate-hour-novels-of-the-great-war-john-f-andrews/1146460168
Synopsis: Ab Johnson has one last chance to reconcile with his son, Jack, a marine second lieutenant who is heading into
the worst conflict in human history. Second lieutenants don't last long in the killing fields of France.
Ab volunteered to rejoin the army and come to France for a liaison job far from the fighting, only to be transferred to the
Paris Medical Group. Ab's quest leads him from the backrooms of Paris, through command posts, and to the front lines
during the Battle of Belleau Wood. He confronts French petulance and American inexperience as he struggles to help
organize an army medical system swamped with casualties during his desperate search.
Ab's story intertwines with three others: an arrogant surgeon who sees war as opportunity; a navy corpsman searching for
his place in the world; and a marine private full of fighting spirit and patriotism. They confront their destinies in a grueling
fight filled with chaos and heart-stopping fear. Each joined the war effort for his own reasons -- now all they hope for is to
survive.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit by the historical research of John F. Andrews in the process of writing his
'Novels of the Great War', "Our Desperate Hour" is a simply fascinating and skillfully written story that brings the reader
into a yesteryear of World War I and its impact on the lives of the men who fought across the battle fields of France. A
gem of historical fiction that is an exceptional and highly recommended acquisition selection for community library 20th
Century Historical Fiction and World War I themed fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists that
this hardcover edition of "Our Desperate Hour" from 46 North Publications is also available in paperback
(9798989383573, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: John F. Andrews (https://johnfrederickandrews.com) is the award-winning author of the 'Novels of the
Great War Series' which includes (in order of publication) "An American Nurse in Paris", "Dogs Don't Cry", and "Our
Desperate Hour". Andrews writes from the perspective of a service family member and critical care physician to craft
unique historical stories based on real events. His characters struggle along side some of the real heroes of WWI, as well as
showing the plight of civilians caught in one of the most horrible conflicts in human history. His novels are stories of
struggle, survival, hope, resilience, and love.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Fireflies in a Jar
Beka Wueste
https://www.bekawueste.com
Fox Island Press
9781967077045, $35.00, HC, 284pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fireflies-Jar-Beka-Wueste/dp/1967077045
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fireflies-in-a-jar-beka-wueste/1147853636
Synopsis: "Who are you, Sam?"
Unfortunately for Sam, the answer is: a lonely, single, closeted, mid-thirties woman with no close friends and no romantic
prospects who feels stalled in her own life. Entirely convinced that she is unworthy of love or happiness after surviving
decades of emotional neglect and bullying,
Sam knows she needs to make changes, but is held hostage by her own history, which complicates her attempts to take
control and start her second act.
For most people it's the 2010's, but for Sam, it's 1991, 1997, 2004, or any other painful moment from her past. At any
given moment, her memories rear up and seize her, paralyze her, force her to relive an endless loop of the worst times of
her life.
Sam's inability to come to terms with her past immobilizes her, leaving her isolated, unfulfilled and desperate for change
while navigating past traumas and current family crises.
As Sam tries to change her own life for the better, her actions have unintended consequences across her family.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, "Fireflies in a Jar" showcases author Beka Wueste's genuine flair
for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that raises her novel to an impressive level of literary excellence.
Especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary
Fiction collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Fireflies in a Jar" from Fox Island Press is also readily
available for personal LGBTQ 'Coming of Age' reading lists in a paperback edition (9781967077052, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Beka Wueste (https://www.bekawueste.com) is an award-winning visual artist who exhibits her visual
work frequently in regional and national shows. Born in Texas and raised in Virginia, Beka earned a B.A. in art history
from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, and an M.A. in art history from George Mason University
in Fairfax, VA. She is also the author of "The Unsent Letters of Lucy Prior".
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
The Heart Hitch
Laurie Woodford
https://www.lauriewoodford.com
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
https://wildrosepress.com
ASIN: B0FKH56NXX, $5.99, Kindle
9781509263493, $20.99, PB, 332
https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Hitch-Laurie-Woodford-ebook/dp/B0FKH56NXX
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heart-hitch-laurie-woodford/1147939878
Synopsis: Professor Ramona Sadler lost her university job, luxury townhouse, and is now having to be a substitute teacher
living in a Texas RV park.
Plus, her annoying volunteer supervisor, Dr. Lonnie Acres, lives on the farm next door, a maddening coincidence because
have you seen this guy? Shirtless? Holding a lamb?
Lonnie Acres may seem aloof and sometimes downright smug but, secretly, he's dealing with heartache and a gentleman
complex that he's wanted to shake ever since he first looked into Ramona's eyes.
When Ramona must travel to New York to assist her ailing mother and Lonnie helps tow her RV eighteen hundred miles
to visit, secrets are revealed, souls are bared, and it just may be the road trip of their lifetime.
Critique: Original, skillfully crafted, "The Heart Hitch" by Laurie Woodford will prove of immense interest to fans of
contemporary romantic comedies. A fun read from start to finish by a novelist expert in the genre, "The Heart Hitch" from
The Wild Rose Press is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library
Contemporary Romance collections.
Editorial Note: Laurie Woodford (https://www.lauriewoodford.com) after teaching college English in the U.S., China, and
South Korea and earning an MFA in creative writing a bit later in life, is now a full-time author with a soft spot for
memoir, romantic comedy, and helping others write their life stories.
The Magic of Provence
Alison Roberts
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836173250, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 400pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836173250
Synopsis: Fiona Gilchrist has spent years running from her demons. But deciding to take back control, she packs up her
life and makes the trip to Provence to be reunited with her sisters. And almost instantly, there is something about La
Maisonette which is healing and Fi knows she's ready for a chance to start again.
When an opportunity arises to work alongside vet Christophe Brabant, Fiona, although hesitant cannot resist saying yes.
Because immersing herself in what she loves is the ultimate distraction. And while Christophe may be utterly charming,
he's also committed to his job so Fiona knows she's in safe hands.
Yet, what starts as a blossoming friendship quickly turns to something deeper. Because for the first time in her life, Fiona
begins to feel relaxed and completely at ease. Could it be that Christophe's heart is more like hers than she realises? Or has
she allowed him to penetrate the boundaries she always considered unbreachable?
Coming to France took a leap of faith, but in doing so it has allowed these two damaged souls a chance to find each other
while Provence works its magic...
Critique: The kind of romance novel that is both singularly original and yet with a universal resonance, "The Magic of
Provence" by author Alison Roberts is an impressively clever, deftly crafted, and truly memorable story 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 large print trade
paperback edition of "The Magic of Provence" from Boldwood Books will prove to be a treasured pick for personal
reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Alison Roberts (https://www.alisonrobertsromance.com) is the author of well over a hundred romance
novels. An extensive listing of her books can be found online at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/258036.Alison_Roberts
The Western Fiction Shelf
Western Union
Paul Bedford
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444855791, $25.00/$21.25, PB, Large Print, 230pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444855791
Synopsis: The year is 1861, and the nation is embroiled in Civil War.
The Western Union Telegraph Company intends to connect East with West as never before, but is beset by enemies. Wires
are cut and telegraph poles burned, and then matters take a far darker turn when a repair crew is massacred.
The question is, who might be responsible? Could it be embittered Indians, belligerent Confederates, or even the Pony
Express, which will surely go out of business as soon as the transcontinental telegraph is completed?
Company boss Ezra Cornell employs a grizzled former Texas Ranger, known only as Kirby, to investigate. Paired up with
young company employee, Ransom Thatcher, the two men head out across the vast northern plains in search of the deadly
marauders. Then it belatedly dawns on Thatcher that if his companion is a Texan, that must also make him a Confederate,
and yet another potential enemy!
Critique: A skillfully written, clever, engaging, and original western novel by an impressively talented author, Paul
Bedford's "Western Union" is an extraordinary and original story set in the historical framework of the American Civil
War. Featuring memorable characters and unexpected plot twists, "Western Union" is a fun read from start to finish for
dedicated western fans and this large print paperback edition from the Linford Western Library is an unreservedly
recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Paul Bedford has a strong interest in the history of the American frontier, and makes his western novels as
factually accurate and realistic as possible. A listing of his westerns is online at:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/paul-bedford
Brothers Of The Gun
B. S. Dunn
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444855364, $25.00/$21.25, PB, Large Print, 206pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444855364
Synopsis: Buford Lance fought for every inch of his B-L connected ranch, so he'd be damned if he was going to hand over
a large portion of his Cottonwood Creek range to homesteaders.
Instead, he decides to fight again. This time, he hires two of the best guns in the business.
Lucas Kane: The Gun King. They said he was invincible, that there was nobody faster.
Jordan Kane: The Prince. Next in line for the throne. He'd take on any job. It was said that he'd shoot his own mother if the
price was right.
One, an out and out killer, the other, his polar opposite who could never commit murder no matter the price.
When Lucas Kane refuses the job, Lance has him bushwhacked. It begins an infamous blood-letting talked about for years
to come and leads to the change of a town's name in an effort to forget. Ultimately, it draws two brothers into a showdown
where only one can walk away.
Will the 'Gun King' keep his throne? Or can the 'Prince' finally get to wear the crown he desperately covets?
Critique: An action/adventure gun slinging western of the first order, This large print paperback edition of novelist B. S.
Dunn's "Brothers of the Gun" from the Linford Western Library series is a fun and riveting read from cover to cover that is
a strongly recommended pick for both the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans and community/public library
Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: B. S. Dunn has written an impressive number of western novels, all of which are listed online at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/13544157.B_S_Dunn
The Feud at Broken Man
Frank Callan
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444855258, $25.00/$21.25, PB, Large Print, 213pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444855258
Synopsis: Lord Harry Lacey, the youngest son of an English aristocrat, he has run away from his debts at home to start a
new life in America. Using his skills with horses and guns, he makes a living as he journeys west to Colorado.
Then he decides to give up his guns and start a new life as a public speaker in the new settlements where he believes
people will be keen to experience culture. However, arriving in Broken Man en route for Denver, Lord Harry witnesses a
young girl being badly wounded in crossfire and quickly learns that the town is being torn apart by a feud.
Seeing an opportunity to do something useful, he tries to influence local leaders to resolve the situation -- only to find that
some disputes can only be settled with a gun.
Critique: With all the compelling action of a Clint Eastwood western movie, "The Feud at Broken Man" by western
novelist Frank Callan is an original, clever, and deftly crafted read that will fully engaging and delight hardcore western
buffs from start to finish. This large print paperback edition of "The Feud at Broken Man" from the Linford Western
Library series is an extraordinary and highly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community/public library
Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Frank Callan has held a long fascinating with the West. A complete listing of his western novels is at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8011071.Frank_Callan
Dead Man Walking
Derek Rutherford
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444855265, $25.00/$21.25, PB, Large Print, 284pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444855265
Synopsis: The authorities warned Jim Jackson that if ever set foot in Texas again then he wouldn't get out alive. But Jim is
back, searching for information about old friends incarcerated in the cruel Texas penal system, with intentions to bust them
out of wherever they are. When Jim foils a train robbery, he's suddenly both a hero and a hunted man. The death toll rises
as Jim attempts to outrun both the authorities and the friends of the train robbers he killed. Meanwhile, there's still a prison
break to engineer. And there's also the matter of the beautiful and enigmatic Rosalie Robertson...
Critique: Another original, deftly crafted, and riveting read from cover to cover by talented author and storyteller Derek
Rutherford, "Dead Man Walking" is western action/adventure at its very best. This newly published, large print, paperback
edition of "Dead Man Walking" is a choice and recommended pick for personal reading lists and community/public librar
Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Derek Rutherford is based in Gloucester, UK. He has published five Black Horse Westerns and numerous
short stories in the western, crime, science-fiction, and horror genres. When not writing he plays lead guitar in a band and
enjoys predator fishing and photography. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1080882.Derek_Rutherford)
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Vision Storm
Mike Raymond
Independently Published
9798280907300, $14.99, PB, 379pp
https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Storm-Mike-Raymond/dp/B0F91HMP76
Synopsis: Have you experienced deju vu, or the feeling that you've been somewhere before? What about clairvoyance, a
premonition of what is about to happen? Why do some people have stronger sensations than others? What if it began to
occur more frequently and started to interfere with your life? Would you wonder about your sanity?
That's what happened to 16-year-old Dannilee Bennett. It seemed she always made the right moves and avoided the wrong
ones. In fact, she was the luckiest kid anyone ever knew. But she worried that, like her mother, she might have been losing
her mind.
One man took notice. He watched patiently, determined that soon, he would teach her to control and grow her special
talent. And when she was ready, he would use her to build his criminal enterprise into an empire.
Despite valiant efforts of family and friends, Dannilee is whisked away from the life she knew and immersed into an
entirely different culture. Alone, thousands of miles away from home, she had to learn quickly to choose friends from
enemies, lovers from friends and how to harness a power she never wanted.
Critique: Original, expertly crafted, fully engaging, and an inherently compelling read from start to finish, "Vision Storm"
by novelist Mike Raymond is an impressive blending of mystery, adventure and suspense which is an especially and
unreservedly recommended pick for highschool and community library Contemporary Fiction and Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Vision Storm" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Mike Raymond is also the author of "The Bluffton Christmas Shoppe" (2013), a novel for young readers
ages 12-18.
Arctic Red
James Bultema
P.D. Publishing
ASIN: B0FFNFZLMN, $5.99, Kindle
9798298175074, $24.99, HC, 428pp
9798297826892, $17.99, PB, 428pp
https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Red-Sea-Book-ebook/dp/B0FFNFZLMN
Synopsis: Due to climate change the Arctic is no longer frozen -- and Greenland is the target for both the Americans and
the Russians.
In the chilling aftermath of the Sea of Red series, "Arctic Red" by James Bultema, the United States faces its most
treacherous enemy yet: a resurgent Russia hell-bent on controlling the Arctic's strategic frontier. As ice melts, tensions
ignite.
Lieutenant Commander Jessie "Swagger" Hampton is back in the cockpit of his F-35, now flying combat missions over the
world's newest battlefield. His wife, Lieutenant Commander Sarah "Danger" Freeman, patrols the skies in her E-2D
Hawkeye, the eyes of the fleet, tracking enemy fighters, detecting missile launches, and directing the kill chain as war
erupts across the Arctic.
When Russian forces launch a surprise invasion of Greenland, the U.S. military scrambles to respond. From silent
submarine warfare beneath the polar sea to high-altitude dogfights and boots-on-frozen-ground combat, Arctic Red
delivers relentless action and razor-sharp realism.
The war for the Arctic between the American and the Russians has begun -- and the cost of failure is global.
Critique: With the publication "Arctic Red, once again James Bultema demonstrates his mastery of the techno-thriller
genre with a story that could be torn from tomorrow's headlines. Bultema writes with an authenticity that brings his
characters to life. Deftly crafted with many an unexpected plot twist, "Arctic Red" is a simply riveting read from cover to
cover. "Arctic Red" especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Suspense Thriller
Fiction collections, and the personal reading lists of growing legions of James Bultema fans.
Editorial Note #1: "Arctic Red" is the fourth volume in the 'Sea of Red' series by James Bultema. The previous three titles
are: "Sea Red"; "Attack from Within", and "Red Lines"
Editorial Note #2: James Bultema (https://www.jamesbultema.com) is a military combat veteran and a retired LAPD
officer with over twenty-five years of experience on the streets of Los Angeles. Drawing on his experiences from
real-world conflict zones and urban policing, as an author, Bultema weaves authenticity into every battle scene. With a
degree in history and a commitment to thorough research, he ensures his depictions of modern warfare are as accurate as
they are compelling.
Strings Attached
Andrew Nitkin
Palmetto Publishing
https://www.palmettopublishing.com
9798822973831, $23.99, HC, 186pp
https://www.amazon.com/Strings-Attached-Andrew-Nitkin/dp/B0DVX91D51
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strings-attached-andrew-nitkin/1146929710
Synopsis: Jonathan Lanbourne worked his entire career to become a concert guitarist. His dreams finally became realized
when the European Union Cultural Council contracted him to do a five-city tour of Europe. After discussing it with his
wife, Jonathan agreed-and in a few short months, he flew to London for the first leg of the trip.
However, in the second city, Brussels, Jonathan began to notice odd happenings and became sucked into a world he was
wholly unfamiliar with before. A mysterious person beckons him to a restaurant who turns out to be someone he didn't
expect, making a proposal he didn't want to hear.
A few days later, in his Paris event, Jonathan is pulled into a scene seemingly plucked from an old-time gangster
movie.
As his world tour continues, Jonathan must jump through hoops of romance, crime, music, culture, and more to return to a
safe and comfortable life. But, based on the decisions he makes-or in some cases, was forced to make-is safe ever really an
option anymore? And what will happen to the career he's worked so hard to build if his mistakes come to light?
"Strings Attached" is a deftly crafted novel that includes many cultural references to famous cities in Europe and South
America. It often references each city's music, cuisine, art, and history, making each exploit of Jonathan's more interesting
and engaging for the reader.
Critique: Original, clever, engaging, author Andrew Nitkin has a genuine flair for the kind of storytelling that raises his
novel of suspense to an impressive level of literary elegance. An inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "Strings
Attached" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Strings Attached" from Palmetto
Publishing is also readily available in paperback (9798822973848, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.99).
Editorial Note: Andrew Nitkin (https://whartonarts.org/artistic-team/andrew-nitkin) is an entrepreneur, musician, and
educator with decades of experience in the performing arts. He founded a renowned music school and performance space
in NYC and later served as an executive administrator and guitar instructor at Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts,
New Jersey's largest nonprofit arts organization. Now based in Scotch Plains, NJ, Andrew writes books blending
entertainment with practical lifestyle insights and is currently recording a classical guitar album. His debut novel, "Strings
Attached", launches a series of fiction and non-fiction works. Andrew aims to inspire and enrich lives with creativity and
wisdom through his writing and teaching.
A Halloween Murder
Mary Grand
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836784654, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 400pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836784654
Synopsis: Susan has always taken comfort in the peaceful rhythm of life on the Isle of Wight. But when her daughter Zoe
invites her to a Halloween ghost walk at a remote castle, Susan has a sense of foreboding she can't quite shake.
It's meant to be a bit of fun for the group of old school friends, the thrill of an overnight stay behind the castle's ancient
gates. But when one of them is found dead, the weekend away takes a sinister turn. With the castle locked down and the
group trapped inside, it soon becomes clear the killer would have been amongst them.
As the police begin their investigation, Susan can't stand by and watch. She knows her daughter, and she knows Zoe's
friends -- none of them could be capable of such a terrible act. Could they?
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a dedicated mystery lover's delight, "A Halloween Murder" by Mary Grand is an
extraordinarily fascinating and impressively entertaining read from cover to cover. This large print paperback edition from
Boldwood Books will prove to be a welcome and enduringly popular pick for the personal reading lists of classic
'whodunnit' style mysteries and a solid acquisition choice for community and public library Mystery/Suspense
collections.
Editorial Note: Mary Grand (https://marygrand.net)is the bestselling author of murder mysteries set in the current time but
in the style of classic whodunnits. These are set on the Isle of Wight where she lives and writes, and the island landscape is
an important feature of her books. The first three novels with Boldwood, starting with The House Party, are stand-alone
murder mysteries. The next four are part of a series featuring amateur detective Susan Flynn, starting with A Seaside
Murder (originally published as Death At Castle Cove). Mary's writing career started with three self-published novels
starting with Free to Be Tegan, which is set in Wales, where Mary was born and grew up, and two anthologies of short
stories Catching the Light and Making Changes. These earlier novels are in the women's fiction genre, featuring central
characters who find strength in overcoming adversity.
The Case of the Body on the Orient Express
Kelly Oliver
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836175551, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 400pp
9781836175490, $90.95/$77.31, Audio CD (8 Hours 20 Minutes)
9781836175490, $90.95/$77.31, MP3-CD (8 Hours 20 Minutes)
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836175551
Synopsis: Paris, 1928: Agatha Christie and fellow writer Dorothy L Sayers board the Orient Express, bound for
Constantinople. Christie in particular is looking forward to a break from recent dispiriting events in both her work and
private life -- the finalization of her divorce from her philanderous husband Archie, and the miserly reception of her latest
book.
But before the duo can settle in to enjoy the luxuries of their first-class journey, their journey is derailed when a fellow
guest drops dead during the dinner service. And as the last person to speak to the victim, Dorothy finds herself a prime
suspect in his murder.
As the train hurtles East, Sayers' resourceful assistant Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate a maze of suspects. But with
each passing mile, the stakes rise, and when another body is discovered, their search to find the killer before they reach
their destination becomes increasingly complicated.
Can Eliza and Theo stay one step ahead, crack the mystery and clear Dorothy's name? Or will this be one journey too far
for the amateur sleuths?
Critique: A classic 'whodunnit' murder mystery, but 'starring' as the amateur female sleuths two acclaimed masters of the
genre, Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sawyers, this hardcover, large print, trade paperback edition of author Kelly Oliver's
"The Case of the Body on the Orient Express" from Boldwood Books is especially and unreservedly recommended for the
personal reading lists of cozy mystery fans, as well as community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections.
It should also be noted by librarians that, deftly narrated by Penelope Rawlins, "The Case of the Body on the Orient
Express" also available as a complete and unabridged audio book from Boldwood /Ulverscroft in either a CD or an MP3-
CD format.
Editorial Note: Kelly Oliver (https://kellyoliverbooks.com) is the author of four award-winning bestselling mystery series
and dozens of nonfiction books.
The Atlantis Covenant
Rob Jones
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781805579953, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 472pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781805579953
Synopsis: The greatest mystery of all time is about to be revealed. When world-famous archaeologist and ex-soldier Max
Hunter finds a mysterious artifact in a tomb beneath the Gates of Nineveh, his lifelong dream of finding Atlantis comes
one step closer.
But there is a problem. He is not the only one looking for it and his discovery unleashes a high-speed hunt for the lost
civilization between a mysterious Swiss foundation, the FBI, and the world's most secretive society. From the dangers of
the Iraqi desert to Cuba and the jungles of El Salvador to the enigmatic Valley of the Kings in Egypt, Hunter faces a race
against time and murderous enemies who will stop at nothing to kill him and claim the greatest prize in history for
themselves.
As he fights for his life, it soon becomes apparent that his enemies are hoping to find more than lost history in Atlantis, and
are searching for something altogether more sinister. Can he use his unique ingenuity and knowledge to decipher the clues
and find Atlantis and its lethal treasures before they fall into enemy hands?
Packed with high-octane chases and breath-taking suspense, The Atlantis Covenant is the first thriller in the brand new
Hunter Files series from the author of the bestselling Joe Hawke series, Rob Jones.
Critique: Clever, exceptional, engaging, swiftly paced, and a fun read from cover to cover, "The Atlantis Covenant" by
Rob Jones is an action packed historical thriller of a novel that will hold a very special appeal readers with an interest in
ancient mysteries whose secrets could dramatically impact our present understanding of the world. Launching the new
'Hunter Files' adventure series by Rob Jones, this large print, trade paperback edition of "The Atlantis Covenant' from
Boldwood Books is an original and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library
General Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Rob Jones is the author of twenty-five thrillers, including fourteen in the Joe Hawke action-adventure
series and now The Hunter Files. A listing of his books is available online at
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238274172-the-atlantis-covenant
How to Slay at Christmas
Sarah Bonner
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836335535, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 488pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836335535
Synopsis: Jessica Williams loves Christmas: the food, the drink, the fairy lights, -- the opportunities to take out all the
miserable people who ruin the festive season for others.
And what better cover for her murderous intentions than taking a job as Mrs Claus at the Ellsbury Christmas Market
grotto? After all, who would possibly think Mrs Claus could stab a man through the eye with a Phillips-head
screwdriver?
Fearne Dixon hates Christmas. As the long-suffering wife of the Ellsbury Christmas Market's manager, she's sick to the
back teeth of it and it's still only November. But then the bodies start piling up, an old rival arrives back in her life, and
Fearne reaches breaking point.
Critique: Original, riveting, skillfully crafted, and a first class suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "How To Slay
At Christmas" by novelist Sarah Bonner showcases that author's genuinely engaging and narrative driven storytelling style.
This large print, trade paperback edition of "How To Slay At Christmas" from Boldwood Books is an especially and
unreservedly recommended addition to the personal reading lists of dedicated suspense/thriller mystery fans and
community/public library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: There is an extensive listing of novels by Sarah Bonner listed online at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21758144.Sarah_Bonner
Mince Pies and Murder
J. R. Leigh
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781837514892, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 480pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781837514892
Synopsis: As Christmas approaches in the Cornish town of Seal Bay, festive cheer fills the air. Twinkling lights, jingling
bells, and sparkling trees adorn every corner, and Morwenna Mutton, the sharp-witted sexagenarian sleuth, is eagerly
counting down the days. But when local author Pawly Yelland is discovered dead at a party, a champagne flute in one hand
and a mince pie in the other, it seems this Christmas will be anything but merry.
Known for his grudges against several neighbours, Pawly had recently made no secret of his disdain for some of the local
crowd -- and now, with his death, a long list of suspects emerges. As the police begin narrowing down those with a motive,
Morwenna knows she's the only one who can uncover the truth and restore some yuletide magic to Seal Bay.
But things take a darker turn. Mysterious Christmas cards begin arriving at doorsteps, and sightings of a sinister
Santa-costumed figure at windows only add to the growing tension. Can Morwenna solve the murder before Christmas is
ruined for good?
Critique: Original, expertly crafted, clever, and of special appeal to readers with an interest in cozy mysteries 'starring' an
elderly, amateur, female sleuth seeking to solve a puzzling, plot twisting, 'whodunnit' murder mystery with a memorably
distinctive cast of characters and unexpected plot twists, "Mince Pies and Murder" is a fun and compelling read from first
page to last. This large print, trade paperback edition of J. R. Leigh's "Mince Pies and Murder" from Boldwood Books is an
extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense
collections.
Editorial Note: Professor James Ron Leigh (C Eng., C Math., FIET, FIMA) studied Electrical Engineering at Sheffield
College of Technology, winning the Freshgate Scholarship. He has an MSc in Maths and a PhD in Control Engineering.
He worked as a Systems Engineer at United Steel Companies and as Head of Control Systems Development at British
Steels Corporate Labs. As Post-Above-Reader at the University of Westminster, he set up university-wide interdisciplinary
research projects and was Founder/Director of the Industrial Control Centre and the Government/Industry funded
Advanced Control Club. His specialization continues to be assisting the transfer of useful technology from academia to
industry. He has served the IET in several capacities, particularly in relation to control applied to biotechnology. J. R.
Leigh is also the author of "Control Theory: A Guided Tour".
Death at the Village Christmas Fair
Debbie Young
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835185834, $42.00/$35.70, PB, Large Print, 328pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781835185834
Synopsis: It's been a busy year for Alice Carroll, with her Curiosity Shop opening for business, and not one but two
murders shaking things up in her quaint Cotswold village. She's looking forward to her first countryside Christmas,
complete with traditional Christmas Fair and Santa Run.
But her hopes for innocent festive fun are thwarted when one of the Santa Runners steals something from her mum's
knitting stall. His festive outfit makes him hard to spot, until he's found fatally injured outside the village hall with the
stolen item.
Despite what the police say, Alice suspects there's more to his murder than meets the eye. She's determined to solve the
mystery -- including why, once more, a stranger thought something from her Curiosity Shop was worth killing for.
With the help of her charming neighbour Robert Praed, can Alice find the killer before the bells ring out this
Christmas?
Critique: Both classic and original, "Death at the Village Christmas Fair" by novelist Debbie Young is a cozy mystery fan's
delight and a fun read for 'whodunnit' mystery buffs from start to finish. All the elements are here -- an amateur female
sleuth, a puzzle of a 'whodunnit' murdery with clues, red herrings, and unexpected plot twists. It's clear that as an author,
Debbie Young is a master of the genre. This large print, trade paperback edition of "Death at the Village Christmas Fair"
from Boldwood Books will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and
community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Debbie Young (https://authordebbieyoung.com) has been a journalist, publicist, columnist, blogger, and
novelist. An extensive listing of her books is available online at: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/debbie-young
The Story That Wouldn't Die
Christina Estes
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250364135, $28.00, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Story-That-Wouldnt-Die-Mystery/dp/1250364132
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-story-that-wouldnt-die-christina-estes/1146167652
Synopsis: Phoenix, Arizona TV reporter Jolene Garcia is fresh off winning her first Emmy and committed to covering
stories that matter to her community. But Jolene's managers want stories that grab immediate attention and generate clicks,
not ones that take time to develop.
When a beloved small business owner dies in a car crash, Jolene isn't convinced it was an accident. He'd been raising
questions about who keeps getting lucrative deals at city hall -- questions that powerful people don't want answered. The
deeper Jolene digs, the more suspicious things she uncovers.
Exposing greed, ambition, and deception could become the biggest story of Jolene's career. Her bosses tell her to drop it.
But there's a story here, and Jolene's going to find it!
Critique: A deftly crafted and fun read for cozy mystery fans, "The Story That Wouldn't Die" by Christina Estes is an
entertaining traditional 'whodunnit' detective mystery with an amateur female sleuth trying to uncover the truth obscured
by a web of unexpected plot twists and turns. Original, brilliant, memorable, "The Story That Wouldn't Die" is the sequel
to "Off The Air" which launched the author's 'A Jolene Gardia' mystery series. While especially and unreservedly
recommended for community/public library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the
personal reading lists of mystery buffs that this hardcover edition of "The Story That Wouldn't Die" from Minotaur Books
is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Christina Estes (https://www.christinaestes.com) is an award-winning reporter who spent more than twenty
years covering crime, public policy, and business for TV and radio stations in Phoenix, Arizona. Her reporting has
appeared on CBS and National Public Radio (NPR).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Saving Utopia
Stefano Teatini
Independently Published
9798315095712, $9.99, PB, 306pp
https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Utopia-Stefano-Teatini/dp/B0F271CP7M
Synopsis: In a world reborn from the ashes of past civilizations, Parsif, a Utopian "brain worker," is thrown into a political
maelstrom when war-mongering General Paund plunges Utopia into turmoil shattering the already troubled young man's
fragile existence.
As the General exploits fear to seize control, Parsif and the beautiful Maulwurfe princess, Licht, are thrust into the heart of
the resistance. With their interracial love defying societal norms, the pair become a beacon of hope amidst the chaos, but
insurmountable challenges still threaten to tear them apart.
Driven by his restless nature and the hope for a united future, the young man must embark on a dangerous mission to unite
the factions against Paund's tyranny. As he rallies the disparate peoples into an uneasy alliance, he must grasp the true
meaning of democracy, diversity, and sacrifice if he is to lead the uprising.
With the fate of his loved ones at stake, can Parsif conquer his past and save Utopia from destruction, or will his dreams of
freedom and love be crushed under the heel of repression?
Critique: Set some 20,000 years into the future, "Saving Utopia" by novelist Stefano Teatini is an original, deftly crafted,
and simply riveting read that will hold a very special interest from start to finish for fans of action/adventure and dystopian
themed science fiction. Clever, engaging, memorable, and fun from cover to cover, "Saving Utopia" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of dedicated SF fans that this paperback edition of "Saving Utopia" is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Stefano Teatini (www.facebook.com/public/Stefano-Teatini) is an imaginative storyteller and
world-builder hailing from Rome. With a PhD in English and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University, he has
dedicated nearly 15 years to teaching high school English, alongside a four-year tenure as a Special Educational Needs and
Disability teacher.
Farm Pond: A Fairy Tale
Gordon Frisbie
TFL Stories
https://tflstories.com
9798886274271, $30.95, HC, 326pp
https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Pond-Fairy-Gordon-Frisbie/dp/B0FHJGP7XS
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/farm-pond-gordon-frisbie/1147829404
Synopsis: Whimsical forces, unleashed by an impetuous yet loyal dog named Peacemaker, drag Malcolm and Eve away
from Earth and into In-Between Land where their fantasy adventure begins to unravel.
While traveling through a mountainous landscape of ancient lore, the Earthlings learn that the future of all worlds within
the continuum depends on their ability to defeat the demonic evil that has invaded In-Between Land. The benevolent
inhabitants of In-Between Land, and other worlds, also provide knowledge and appurtenances for resolving this epic
conflict.
"Farm Pond" is a novel about world-building and all the magical appliances and social connections that are required for
surviving on an alien planet. While the whole story is enabled with highly technical details, as an author "Gordon Frisbie
often fills the gaps of knowledge to ensure the reader thoroughly understands practical application of these rigmaroles.
Thus, creating a world where almost anything is possible with proper suspension of belief.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, clever, and an engaging, fun read from cover to cover, "Farm Pond" by Gordon Frisbie
will have an immense appeal to fans with an interest in an action/adventure themed blending of fantasy and science fiction.
While especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Farm Pond" from TFL Stories is also readily
available in paperback (9798886274288, $16.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note: Gordon Frisbie has enjoyed storytelling for much of his life but has only recently entered the realm of
publishing his own stories. His first attempt was an online literary blog Mill Bastard.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17720684.Gordon_Frisbie)
Operation Reboot
James Hallenbeck, author
Julian Bauer, illustrator
Doreen Martens, editor
Cold Mountain Publishing
9798998614026, $2.99, Kindle
9798998614033, $14.95, PB, 280pp
https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Reboot-James-Hallenbeck-ebook/dp/B0FKZZ8ML7
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/operation-reboot-doreen-martens/1148111542
Synopsis: As modern civilization crumbles under its own weight, a small band of time travelers makes a fateful decision:
go back. Back to the year 1604, to the land of the Mohawk. Armed with critical knowledge and carefully chosen
technology, their mission is as daring as it is uncertain -- empower Indigenous nations before European colonization takes
root and offer a new path forward for humanity.
But history is no tame beast.
Little Feather, a disaffected Mohawk youth abducted in childhood, is drawn to the mysterious newcomers. Haunted by the
brutal cycle of inter-tribal warfare and guided by visions of his spirit animal, he yearns to end the bloodshed that scars his
people. The strangers may hold the key -- but can he trust them? And will their presence change the future for the better, or
unleash consequences even worse than the ones they hope to prevent?
Time is fragile. Destiny is not yet written. But rebellion runs deep -- in every age.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, clever, riveting, and a simply fascinating blend of time travel science fiction,
action/adventure, and a 'what if' alternative history theme, "Operation Reboot" is a fun and intriguing read from cover to
cover. Author and storyteller James Hallenbeck demonstrates a genuine flair of the kind of narrative driven style that
readers will find unique and compelling from start to finish. "Operation Reboot" from Cold Mountain Publishing is
especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections and the personal reading lists
of dedicated science fiction fans in general and 'what if' alternate history fans in particular. It should be noted that
"Operation Reboot" is also available in a Kindle edition and a Kobo edition.
Editorial Note #1: James Hallenbeck is a physician and associate professor emeritus at Stanford University in Palo Alto,
California. He is also the author of two editions of Palliative Care Perspectives, and an award-winning pioneer in the
emerging field of palliative care. He has been recognized for his ability to explain difficult medical concepts clearly.
Editorial Note #2: Julian Bauer (https://julianbauer.com) is freelance illustrator and designer based in Germany.
Editorial Note #3: Doreen Martens is a book editor whose list of titles is available online at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17304773.Doreen_Martens
The Reaping
Matt Aynes
https://mattaynes.com
Dancing Robot Press
https://dancingrobotpress.com
9798990695023, $26.99, HC, 294pp
https://www.amazon.com/Reaping-Aeternum-Trilogy-Matt-Aynes/dp/B0DFV4TRCZ
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-reaping-matt-aynes/1146176781
Synopsis: Biotech genius Charles Ferguson invents a revolutionary medical scanner that unravels the mysteries of our
DNA. After signing a contract to mass-produce the device, he falls into the clutches of the Magnus Foundation. The
Foundation hijacks his scanner's technology to identify and target the Reaps, billions of people whose genetics have been
deemed inferior. With the help of his brilliant girlfriend, Nadia Petrova, Charles and a covert resistance group race against
time to save five billion people from annihilation.
All over the Earth, the human race is about to be harvested. Will humanity survive the nightmare of The Reaping?
"The Reaping" by novelist Matt Aynes is a compelling, action packed technothriller of a read from cover to cover. "The
Reaping" showcases the author's story telling style -- one that is laced with humor, features truly memorable characters, a
bit of 'inspirational romance', and an epic battle between good and evil.
"The Reaping" introduces a brilliant scientist who faces difficult questions that challenge his viewpoints about God and the
world. Who must deal with assassins and kidnappers, drone strikes and bloodthirsty oligarchs. But who also encounters
unyielding faith and words of wisdom from a Christlike monk.
Critique: Original, deftly written from a Christian perspective, entertaining, emotionally engaging, and an inherently
fascinating read from start to finish, "The Reaping" by Matt Aynes is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for
community library Science Fiction and Suspense/Thriller collections. Book 1 of author Matt Aynes 'The Aeternum
Trillogy', it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Reaping" from Dancing Robot
Press is also readily available in paperback (9798990695009, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99)
Editorial Note: Matt Aynes (https://mattaynes.com) started writing stories when he was seven and never stopped. He and
his wife are trained Bible translators and serve the translation movement in support roles. They have three children and a
codependent cat that moved into their garage one winter and adamantly refused to leave. Matt's debut novel, "The
Reaping", won the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Genesis contest.
The Tinker The Mage & The Princess
Harold D. Bobb, Jr.
https://hdbobbjr.com
Independently Published
https://hdbobbjr.com
9798413062449, $22.75, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tinker-Mage-Princess-Tales-Told/dp/B0B1VM2JYK
Synopsis: "The Tinker, the Mage & The Princess" is the first book in the 'Tales Told by a Tinker' series by novelist Harold
D. Bobb, Jr.
Set in a world where magic is outlawed in the kingdom of Autry, "The Tinker, the Mage & The Princess" begins the
adventures of a traveling Tinker named Nathan and his Giant Multicolored Coach.
As Nathan travels the kingdoms selling his wares from town to town he searches for clues to the lost Tinker homeland,
The Shimmering Forest. His search becomes entangled in a complex web of politics, alliances, and magical conflicts. With
kingdoms on the brink of war, the possibility of an alliance through marriage between Autry and the neighboring kingdom
of Sulan arises.
Meanwhile, the morally diverse kingdom of Balzar threatens to ally with The Silver Tower of Mages, adds further intrigue
and danger. Throughout "The Tinker, the Mage & The Princess", various fantastical creatures such as Ogres, Trolls, Elves,
and Giants make appearances.
Critique: Original, clever, fun, exceptionally well written, and a veritable saga of an action/adventure fantasy novel, this
hardcover edition of "The Tinker, the Mage & The Princess" by Harold D. Bobb Jr. is also available in paperback (
9798796545942, $10.50) as well as in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) for the personal reading lists of all dedicated
fantasy fans and a highly prized pick for community library Fantasy Fiction collections,
Editorial Note: Harold D. Bobb Jr. (https://hdbobbjr.com) grew up in the Midwest along the Mississippi River in a small
community. After a 40-year career as a Doctor of Chiropractic managing a multi-doctor clinic, retirement gave him the
time to work on book concepts that he had percolating for several years. His first book, "Crystal Guardian of the Five
Worlds", was published in 2021.
The Eye of Illusion
Harold D. Bobb, Jr.
https://hdbobbjr.com
Independently Published
9798443027197, $22.75, HC, 290pp
https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Illusion-Tales-Told-Tinker/dp/B0B1BVQNTR
Synopsis: The second title in the 'Tales Told by a Tinker' series by author H.D. Bobb, Jr., "The Eye of Illusion" finds that
the war between The Silver Tower and the King of Autry has intensified, and is reaching a fever pitch.
The Silver Tower of Mages forms an alliance with the King of Balzar. The ArchMage of the Silver Tower provides
Balzar's navy with wands capable of controlling the wind, granting their navy a significant advantage. As the Tower's new
navy ally comes to the Silver Tower's aid, they are able to break a blockade of the Tower's one port.
A volcanic eruption blankets the crops of Autry with ash, leading to a bleak harvest for its citizens. Amidst these
challenges, "The Eye of Illusion" follows the adventure to discover the Tinker homeland, The Shimmering Forest. The
Tinker and his comrades search for the Eye of Illusion, an ancient artifact that is a crucial item needed to uncover the path
forward to the Shimmering Forest.
Critique: "The Eye of Illusion" is an action/adventure fantasy saga that deftly blends the elements of magic and fantasy
with mystery and suspense. What novelist Harold D. Bobb Jr. is carefully crafting is an original and complex fantasy world
replete with mythical creatures and dangerous adversaries. A solidly structured fantasy, "The Eye of Illusion" is an
inherently fascinating and fun read from cover to cover. While this hardcover edition of "The Eye of Illusion" is highly
recommended for community/public library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
dedicated fantasy fans that it is also readily available in paperback (9798443027197, $14.75) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Harold D. Bobb Jr. (https://hdbobbjr.com) grew up in the Midwest along the Mississippi River in a small
community. After a 40-year career as a Doctor of Chiropractic managing a multi-doctor clinic, retirement gave him the
time to work on book concepts that he had percolating for several years. His first book, "Crystal Guardian of the Five
Worlds", was published in 2021.
The Dragon & The Book of Blessings
Harold D. Bobb, Jr.
https://hdbobbjr.com
Independently Published
https://hdbobbjr.com
9798824763522, $22.75, HC, 334pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Book-Blessings-Tales-Tinker/dp/B0B1S58K51
"The Dragon & The Book of Blessings" is the third book in the author Harold D. Bobb Jr. heroic fantasy series "Tales Told
by a Tinker".
After the destruction of the Silver Tower of Mages and the emergence of a new mountain pass caused by the eruption of a
volcano, new lands are opened. The saga continues to weave together multiple storylines.
First, is an encounter with a golden dragon seeking revenge on the Arch Mage of the Silver Tower who had held it captive.
As the dragon's lair is explored, secrets are revealed, and a thrilling quest begins.
Meanwhile, in the Scarlet Desert, the dark-skinned Sundown Tribe faces the relentless attacks of Giant Sand Worms due to
the lava flows disrupting their nesting areas. A buried pyramid holds secrets of their past. Their unique magic, tinged with
darkness, becomes essential in uncovering crucial clues for the overarching quest to find the lost Tinker homeland, The
Shimmering Forest.
The Dwarves of the Spine Mountains play a crucial role in obtaining an important artifact for our adventurers to complete
their quest.
Lastly, the Green Folk of Elyneas, the Elves, discover a malevolent force draining magic from their land, and killing their
people. They seek assistance from the Sundown Tribe and the Dwarves to confront the ancient evil.
Critique: "The Dragon & The Book of Blessings" is a unique and distinct continuation of a world of enchantment and
excitement. As a writer of fantasy fiction, Harold D. Bobb Jr.'s genuine flair of creating an original, colorful, and
immersive world of interesting characters and engaging storytelling is truly impressive. A skillfully crafted and
entertaining read by a master of the heroic fantasy genre, "The Dragon & The Book of Blessings" will prove a welcome
and enduringly appreciated acquisition for community and public library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for
the personal reading lists of dedicated action/adventure fantasy fans that this hardcover edition of "The Dragon & The
Book of Blessings" is also available in paperback (9798824749762, $14.75) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Editorial Note: Harold D. Bobb Jr. (https://hdbobbjr.com) grew up in the Midwest along the Mississippi River in a small
community. After a 40-year career as a Doctor of Chiropractic managing a multi-doctor clinic, retirement gave him the
time to work on book concepts that he had percolating for several years. His first book, "Crystal Guardian of the Five
Worlds", was published in 2021.
End of the Long Exile
Harold D. Bobb, Jr.
https://hdbobbjr.com
Independently Published
9798338231821, $24.99, HC, 470pp
https://www.amazon.com/End-Long-Exile-Tales-Tinker/dp/B0DG2MTHSW
Synopsis: "End of the Long Exile" is the fourth volume in author Harold D. Bobb, Jr.'s epic fantasy saga series "Tales Told
by a Tinker" and takes us to the Gates of the Shimmering Forest. The lost homeland of the Tinker Tribe and the Wind
Walkers.
They were exiled from the land four hundred years before. by the gods as punishment for misdeeds of grave proportion.
Now they have made their amends and look forward to exploring these forgotten lands.
Magic is strong here and the forest is alive and dangerous. Nathan and his companion Gunter enter through the gates in his
Tinker Coach being pulled by the two huge horned oxen that pull the eight wheeled multi-colored coach. Its exterior is
covered in cabinet doors and drawers of every color containing the many exotic items he sells and trades for while the
interior is their plush home on wheels and larger on the inside than the outside.
They travel with a pink dragon egg that will hatch the first Lunar Dragon in a thousand years at the next full moon. Gunter
has been named its defender and custodian until the hatching by a Gold Dragon that fired the egg to bring it out of its
dormancy.
They meet fairies and gnomes along the road as well as dangers posed by the inhabitants. Wizards rule the land and the
descendants of the Tinkers and Wind Walkers that did not heed the exile live in slavery. A star tattoo on the forehead of
the slaves marks their station in life.
The Tinker's arrival may change everything as his presence breaks the Covenant Spell that has kept the slaves in check.
The Wizard's Council will not allow a Tinker to go without the Mark. They label the Tinker an imposter, but he is not their
only worry as dragons plot revenge against them for stealing dragon eggs. Conflict is on the horizon as the coach travels
this new land.
Critique: With his 'Tales Told by a Tinker' series, novelist Harold D. Bobb Jr. has deftly crafted a world of heroes, villains,
magic, fairies, gnomes, wizards, dragons, and other fantastical denizens. "End of the Long Exile", the fourth volume in this
epic fantasy series, continues to showcase the author's natural talents as an imaginative storyteller and his saga one that is
an original, fun and fascinating read from cover to cover. Highly recommended, especially for community library Epic
Fantasy Fiction collections, "End of the Long Exile" is also readily recommended for the personal reading lists of
dedicated action/adventure fantasy fans in paperback (9798338226094, $14.50) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Editorial Note: Harold D. Bobb Jr. (https://hdbobbjr.com) grew up in the Midwest along the Mississippi River in a small
community. After a 40-year career as a Doctor of Chiropractic managing a multi-doctor clinic, retirement gave him the
time to work on book concepts that he had percolating for several years. His first book, "Crystal Guardian of the Five
Worlds", was published in 2021.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Understanding Superhero Comic Books
Alex Grand
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476690391, $39.95, PB, 358pp
https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Superhero-Comic-Books-Controversies/dp/1476690391
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/understanding-superhero-comic-books-alex-grand/1142921249
Synopsis: With the publication of "Understanding Superhero Comic Books: A History of Key Elements, Creators, Events
and Controversies", comic book historian Alex Grand dissects the origin and growth of superhero comic books, their major
influences, and the creators behind them.
Grand demonstrates how Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and many more stand as time capsules of their eras,
rising and falling with societal changes, and reflecting an amalgam of influences.
"Understanding Superhero Comic Books: A History of Key Elements, Creators, Events and Controversies" also covers in
detail the iconic superhero comic book creators and their unique contributions in their quest for realism, including Julius
Schwartz and the science-fiction origins of superheroes; the collaborative design of the Marvel Universe by Jack Kirby,
Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko; Jim Starlin's incorporation of the death of superheroes in comic books; John Byrne and the
revitalization of superheroes in the modern age; and Alan Moore's deconstruction of superheroes.
Critique: With occasional B/W illustrations, this trade paperback edition of "Understanding Superhero Comic Books: A
History of Key Elements, Creators, Events and Controversies" by comic book historian Alex Grand is deftly organized into
five major sections: Building Blacks; The Rise and Fall of Superheroes; Flight of the Superheroes; Modern Superheroes;
Diversity and Aftermath. "Understanding Superhero Comic Books" also features a sixteen page Introduction, a two page
Epilogue, a twenty page Bibliography, and a fifteen page Index. Extraordinary, exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "Understanding Superhero Comic Books" is a highly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and college/university library Comics/Graphic Novels Literary Studies/Criticism/History collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this traded paperback (7 x 0.72 x 10 inches, $1.45 pounds)
edition of "Understanding Superhero Comic Books" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Alex Grand (https://comicbookhistorians.com) is an internationally established comics historian, founder of
the Comic Book Historians, and a regular panelist at Comic Con International: San Diego, Wonder Con, and San Diego
ComicFest. He has been featured in comics-based documentaries, television, and radio programs and has appeared or been
published in The Wall Street Journal, Hollywood Reporter, The Comics Journal, The Jack Kirby Collector and Alter
Ego.
Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics
Lou Mougin
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476675138, $49.95, PB, 446pp
https://www.amazon.com/Secondary-Superheroes-Golden-Age-Comics/dp/1476675139
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secondary-superheroes-of-golden-age-comics-lou-mougin/1132506382
Synopsis: When Superman debuted in 1938, he ushered in a string of imitators including Batman, Wonder Woman,
Captain Marvel, Captain America. But what about the many less well-known heroes who lined up to fight crooks, super
villains or Hitler -- like the Shield, the Black Terror, Crimebuster, Cat-Man, Dynamic Man, the Blue Beetle, the Black Cat
and even Frankenstein?
These and other four-color fighters against crime and supervillains crowded the newsstands from the late 1930s through
the early 1950s. Most have since been overlooked, or lapsed into obscurity, but not necessarily because they were victims
of poor publication.
With the publication of "Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics", life-long comic book fan Lou Mougin gives the
other superheroes of the Golden Age of comics their due.
Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a four page Introduction, a two page
Bibliography and a fifteen page Index, "Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics" is a unique, inherently fascinating,
meticulously crafted study that is of special and particular interest to students, academia, and dedicated fans of comic
book/graphic novel literary histories. While a prized pick for community and college/university library collections and
supplemental 20th Century Popular Culture curriculums, it should be noted that this trade paperback edition of "Secondary
Superheroes of Golden Age Comics" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$29.99).
Editorial Note: The late Lou Mougin was a respected comics writer and historian with credits at Marvel, Heroic, Claypool,
Warrant, Lucky, Charlton Arrow, and others. A listing of his books is available online at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7667605.Lou_Mougin
Witchcraft
Sole Otero, author/illustrator
Andrea Rosenberg, translator
Fantagraphics Books
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875001277, $34.99, PB, 376pp
https://www.amazon.com/Witchcraft-Sole-Otero/dp/B0DYSLQLHK
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchcraft-sole-otero/1147066718
Synopsis: Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1768.
It is a dark and foreboding night when the boat arrives from Europe, bringing three shadowy figures to shore. The Maria
sisters have come to take the New World by storm. At once righteous and menacing, the sisters will exert their insidious
powers over generations, leaving a wreckage of shattered spirits in their wake.
Told through the eyes of the people whose lives the sisters have cast asunder, "Witchcraft" is a mesmerizing mystery for
the reader to piece together. Strange magic, dark humor, and a fiery undercurrent of female rage cohere into a heady tale of
colonialism, indigenous folklore, and modern agoraphobia.
Critique: A literary fiction in a graphic novel format that is compellingly crafted with an exceptional artistic talent and
storytelling expertise, "Witchcraft" documents Sole Otero as one of South America's most talented and original cartoonists
and graphic novelists. Ably translated into English by Andrea Rosenberg, "Witchcraft" is a unique, original, and
fascinating saga that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library
Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted that this massive trade paperback edition from Fantagraphics Books is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.99).
Editorial Note #1: Sole Otero (http://soleotero.com/en/bio) is a comic artist, children's book illustrator, and textile
designer. She has published the graphic novels Poncho Fue, Intensa, and most recently Naftalina (Mothballs), which won
the Fnac-Salamandra Graphic Novel Award in 2019 and the Audience Award from the Angouleme International Comics
Festival in 2023.
Editorial Note #2: Andrea Rosenberg (https://reedsy.com/andrea-rosenberg) is a translator who has worked on a variety of
novels and graphic narratives in Spanish and Portuguese. Her translations of the graphic novels Run For It by Marcelo
D'Salete and The House by Paco Roca won Eisner Awards in 2018 and 2020, respectively.
The Moon Prince
Kevin Fraser Mutch
Fantagraphics Books
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875000751, $29.99, PB, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Prince-Kevin-Fraser-Mutch/dp/B0DL1RZRBF
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-moon-prince-kevin-fraser-mutch/1146479469
Synopsis: Mistreated for being mixed-race and forced into hard labor at a workhouse in West Hoboken, New Jersey, young
Max and Molly are ordinary orphans -- or so they think. That is, until a wise old man hears their last name: M'Chawi.
Rattled by this realization, he sends them off on a journey that will uncover the secret behind their mystic lineage and give
them purpose and power far from home -- on the Moon!
There, they encounter the Moon's fantastic inhabitants: the Sky Pirates and their merciless Queen Melissa; the Groos, blue
primates and genius mechanics (literal grease monkeys) and their robot protector, Moma Machina; and a kingdom of
singing spiders giant enough to eat a man. Looks can be deceiving, and those who first appear frightening can turn out to
be allies, and even friends. Take Prince Grakko, pampered heir-apparent to the Bat-People.
The Moon is a land locked in constant battle. Races live in fear and ignorance of one another. To make matters worse, the
siblings' getaway isn't as clean as they'd hoped, and the Earth Queen's Grand Inquisitor is hot on their trail. Armed with a
bejeweled dagger, pendant, and pure hearts, Max and Molly must unite the denizens of the Moon under a common cause,
before humanity's folly reduces their world to rubble.
Critique: Original, clever, and an inherently fun read from cover to cover, "The Moon Prince" by author/illustrator Kevin
Fraser Mutch is an iconic science fiction story that evokes a narrative driven, exceptional, illustrated storytelling style
perfectly suited to the graphic novel format. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community
library science fiction themed graphic novel collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
science fiction adventure fans that this trade paperback edition (7.5 x 1.3 x 9 inches, 2.85 pounds) of "The Moon Prince"
from Fantagraphic Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note: Kevin Fraser Mutch is a cartoonist, digital artist, and painter from Winnipeg, Canada. He received an MFA
in painting from the University of Victoria. His graphic novel Fantastic Life received a Xeric Award in 2010 and was
excerpted in The Best American Comics 2011. (http://www.pages.kevinmutch.com/pages/about.html)
The Audiobook Shelf
Doctor Who: The Wheel of Ice
Stephen Baxter, author
David Troughton, narrator
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529973549, $107.95/$91.76, CD (9 Hours 45 Minutes)
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781529973549
Synopsis: The Wheel is a ring of ice and metal turning around a moon of Saturn. Home to a mining colony supplying a
resource-hungry Earth -- it's also a colony plagued by problems. Equipment failures and thefts are on the rise. Children tell
stories of mysterious creatures glimpsed aboard the Wheel. And some of the younger workers refuse to go down into the
warren-like mines.
And then one of them, surfing Saturn's rings, saves an enigmatic blue box from destruction.
Once on the Wheel, the Doctor and his companions, Jamie and Zoe, face a critical situation when they become suspected
by some as the source of the ongoing sabotage. They soon find themselves caught in a mystery that reaches back to the
creation of the solar system. Here is to be found a mystery that could destroy the Wheel -- and kill them all!
Critique: A 'must' for the legions of Doctor Who fans, this complete and unabridged audio book edition of "Doctor Who:
the Wheel of Ice" from BBC audio has skilled narrator David Troughton bringing author/storyteller Stephen Baxter's
original and entertaining tale of the Doctor's time traveling adventures to life. While this CD 'theatre of the mind' edition of
"Doctor Who: the Wheel of Ice" is comprised of 9 CDs and a sturdy hard plastic shell casing, it should be noted for
personal, community, and college/university library Science Fiction audio book collections that it is also readily available
in an MP3-CD format (9781529973556, $107.95/$91.76, 2 CDs).
Editorial Note #1: Stephen Baxter (www.stephen-baxter.com) had his first professionally published short story appeared in
1987. He has been a full-time author since 1995 and is currently Vice-President of the British Science Fiction Association.
His books have won several awards including the Philip K Dick Award, the John Campbell Memorial Award, the British
Science Fiction Association Award, the Kurd Lasswitz Award (Germany) and the Seiun Award (Japan) and have been
nominated for several others, including the Arthur C Clarke Award, the Hugo Award and Locus awards. He has also
published over 100 sf short stories, several of which have won prizes.
Editorial Note #2: David Troughton (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Troughton) is an English actor. He is known for
his Shakespearean roles on the British stage and for his many roles on British television, including Dr Bob Buzzard in A
Very Peculiar Practice and Ricky Hanson in New Tricks.
Sun Ascendant
C. F. Dunn, author
Polly Edsell, narrator
Soundings
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781399187145, $126.95/$107.91, CD (14 Hours 30 Minutes)
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781399187145
Synopsis: 1470, England -- The kingdom is in turmoil as the battle between supporters of the Yorkist king, Edward IV and
the old Lancastrian king, Henry VI escalates.
And for Isobel Fenton the war is personal. Her father's sudden death made her an heiress to Beaumoncote Manor, a
desirable estate in the midlands. But as conflict threatens England's unstable peace, Isobel and her lands become the focus
of bitter tensions and a long-held feud.
Taken from her manor, Isobel becomes the unwilling mistress of an indomitable Earl. Unable to protect her own lands or
herself, she sees her only chance of happiness in the Earl's brother, Robert Langton, newly sworn to serve Richard, Duke of
Gloucester.
Isobel's life in the castle becomes increasingly difficult as the Countess plots against her rival, and Isobel finds herself
trapped and alone in her gilded prison.
She is determined to take her fate into her own hands, but how can she gain her freedom and find her way back to
Beaumoncote...?
Critique: The sequel to "Wheel of Fortune", this audio book edition of "Sun Ascendant" is the second title in novelist C. F.
Dunn's 'The Tarnished Crown' saga based on the Wars of the Roses -- a conflict that took place in Medieval Europe.
Brought vividly to life in a true theatre of the mind experience by the impressive narrative talents of Polly Edsell, this
complete and unabridged audio book edition of "Sun Ascendant", with its hardcover casing (and comprised of 13 CDs)
will prove an enduringly popular pick for community library collections. It should be noted for the personal lists of
historical fiction fans that "Sun Ascendant" is also available in a MP3-CD edition (9781399187152, $126.95/$107.91, 1
Disc).
Editorial Note #1: C. F. Dunn (https://www.cfdunn.co.uk) is a novelist of history, mystery and suspense. Studying
medieval history at university, CF Dunn has always been acutely aware of the impact of the past. Vibrant characters and
meticulous research seamlessly weave threads of history to bring an authenticity to her richly-hued, suspenseful stories of
intense love, loyalty and treachery.
Editorial Note #2: Polly Edsell (https://www.pollyedsell.com) is a classically trained Voice Over Artist and Audiobook
Narrator based in London. With nearly 100 titles to her name, she has had the pleasure of working with the top studios,
publishers and authors both in the UK and abroad. Polly is especially known for my humorous timing, warm native RP
tone, and multilingual abilities. She is fluent in French and Italian, as well as having a good grasp of Spanish, and a decent
ear for German pronunciation.
Warriors of Iron
M. J. Porter
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836174998, $107.95/$91.76, CD (10 Hours 13 Minutes)
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836174998
Synopsis: Britain AD541
Seeress Meddi has been restored to her rightful position of influence within the Eorlingas tribe. But a heavy cloud hangs
over the tribe's survival with the escape of the treacherous Elen who seeks to exact a bloody vengeance following Meddi's
reinstatement and her downfall.
Meddi knows Elen will return to settle the blood feud and the tribe must be ready to face this deadly threat with iron. They
must toil day and night to harness the power of the lost magiks to make the weapons needed to overpower Elen.
Meanwhile, Waermund, a warrior of Saxon descent, has escaped his enforced captivity and vows vengeance against his
captors. He too hungers for the promise of sharp blades and travels West to find those who can fashion iron into blades
sharp enough to kill. But when a lone woman befriends the band of warriors, promising him even more than that, he's
beguiled by her tale of deceit amongst her own tribe, so reminiscent of his own.
Unbeknown, Meddi and Waermund share a common enemy and one who is just as belligerent as they are.
Critique: A part of author M. J. Porter's 'The Dark Age Chronicles' series, "Warriors of Iron" is an impressively original,
exceptionally engaging, deftly scripted, and simply fascinating historical action/adventure novel that is brought vividly to
life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience by the exceptional storytelling talents and narration by the team of Antonia
eamish and Simon Mattacks. With its sturdy and protective plastic clamshell casing, this CD edition of "Warriors of Iron"
from Boldwood Books is a welcome and recommended pick for library audio book collections. It should be noted that this
complete and unabridged CD edition of "Warriors of Iron" is also available in an MP3-CD format (9781836175001,
$107.95/$91.76) and in a large print paperback edition (9781836175056, $42.00/$35.70).
Editorial Note #1: M. J. Porter (https://www.mjporterauthor.com) is a member of the HWA (Historical Writers
Association), The Society of Author, ALLI and the CWA (Crime Writers Association).
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163404.M_J_Porter)
Editorial Note #2: Antonia Beamish is an experienced narrator with an extensive listing of her books at
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Antonia+Beamish
Editorial Note #3: Simon Mattacks is an accomplished narrator with a listing of his work online at
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Simon+Mattacks
Wolves of the Empire
JC Duncan, author
Sean Barrett, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781805498322, $112./$96.01, CD (11 Hours 43 Minutes)
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781805498322
Synopsis: "Wolves of the Empire" is the fourth volume of JC Duncan's action-packed 'Last Viking' series.
Sworn to serve the empire, cursed to decide its fate. 1041 AD, Constantinople The Byzantine empire is fading. Sick with
corruption and complacency that paralyzes its once mighty people, assailed from within and without by those who seek to
feast upon its riches. The emperor is dying, the empress is ageing, and rebellion threatens in the heart of their
homelands.
The last hope of the eternal empire might lie with a disgraced foreign mercenary. Harald Hardrada fears nothing but failure
or dishonor. For eight years he has faithfully served the heirs of Caesar, but has failed in his goal to earn the riches and
reputation he needs to reclaim the throne of Norway.
Empress Zoe makes Harald one final offer to save both of their ambitions: He can have all the riches and glory that he
desires, if he breaks his oaths and delivers the empire into her grasp.
Is Harald the man of his word or will he bend to the empress's ruthless demands?
Critique: A 'must' for the legions of Viking action/adventure fans, "Wolves of the Empire" is an extraordinary, original,
deftly crafted, and simply riveting story of Harald Hardrada set in the last days of the Byzantine Empire. Professional
narrator and vocal actor Sean Barrett is able to bring author JC Dunn's Harald Hardrada Viking saga to life in a true 'theatre
of the mind' experience making this complete and unabridged CD audio book edition O "Wolves of the Empire" a
welcome and enduringly popular pick for community and public library audio book collections. It should be noted that this
audio book edition of "Wolves of the Empire from Boldwood Books is also readily available in an MP3-CD format
(9781805498339, $112.95/$96.01) and in a large print paperback edition (9781805498391, $42.00/$35.70).
Editorial Note: JC Dunn (https://jcduncan.co.uk) is the author of the series, 'The Light of the North', a saga of a mythical
sword, and the legendary warrior-smith who wielded it. Set in a fictional alternate history of the end of the Viking age,
against a backdrop of a climactic struggle between the Norse and the Christian states of western Europe, a struggle for
conquest and survival. As the Norse world falls apart, a sword is forged that has the future of the people tied to it by fate,
and by the gods, or so the seer tells it. In 'The Light of the North', the sword becomes the symbol of the resistance, but a
sword is nothing without a hand to wield it, and from the chaos a reluctant hero emerges to bear it, and gives the people
their last great weapon; hope.
Eagle and the Flame
Adam Lofthouse, author
David Thorpe, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836785156, $107.95/$91.76, CD (10 Hours 33 Minutes)
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836785156
Synopsis: Wall of Hadrian, Britannia, AD 367 It's just another day -- until it isn't.
Tribune Sixtus Victorinus is scouting north of the Wall when he first sees the smoke. Little does he know it's about to
change his life forever. Riding south he finds a province in chaos, the local populace in flight, the soldiers absent.
For rebellion is in the air at the far reaches of empire. The land is ablaze, overrun with barbarians, 'Valentia', is the word on
everyone's lips. And no one seems to have the first clue what to do about it.
And so Victorinus must act. He has let his life run to ruin, drunk his youth away. Now he must forge himself into the
soldier he always wanted to be, the hero his children think he is.
Because his family are among the missing, and traitors lurk much closer than he could ever believe.
To save his family, he must first save an empire.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, compelling, "Eagle and the Flame" is the first book in the author Adam Lofthouse
historical action packed 'Shadow of Rome' adventure series that is set during the tumultuous years of the Roman Empire's
occupation of Britain. Brilliantly narrated by David Thorpe from start to finish, this complete and unabridged CD edition
(with its sturdy protective casing) of "Eagle and the Flame" is especially appropriate and recommended for
community/public library audio book collections. It should be noted that this audio book edition of "Eagle and the Flame"
is also available in an MP3-CD format, as well as a large print paperback edition (9781836785217, $42.00/$35.70).
Editorial Note #1: Adam Lofthouse (https://www.adamlofthouse.com/books) resides in Kent, UK and 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 write them himself.
Editorial Note #2: David Thorpe is an award-winning audiobook narrator known for voicing various genres, including
fantasy and science fiction. He has narrated numerous popular titles, including works by authors like Adrian Tchaikovsky
and Roald Dahl. A listing of his narrated books is at:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18994915.David_Thorpe
The Library CD Shelf
Shishiodoshi
Kaze & Koichi Makigami
www.satokofujii.com
Libra Records
$TBA CD / 1,000 JPY digital
https://satokofujii.bandcamp.com/album/shishiodoshi
Shishiodoshi is an original, full-length music album by the international quartet Kaze and vocalist Koichi Makigami. The
Kaze quartet consists of composer-pianist Satoko Fujii; trumpeter Natsuki Tamura; trumpeter Christian Pruvost; and
drummer Peter Orins. Together they have created an avant-garde musical canvas that defies categorization, drawing
inspiration from the beautiful and rhythmic centerpiece of a traditional Japanese bamboo garden. Inspired and inspiring,
Shishiodoshi is a treasure for connoisseurs of multicultural music artistry, highly recommended for both personal and
public library collections. The tracks are Make a Change (25:15); Shishiodoshi (19:19); and Inspiration 2 (16:26).
Points in Time
John Yao and his 17 Piece Instrument
See Tao Recordings
$TBA CD / $12.00 digital
https://johnyao.bandcamp.com/album/points-in-time-4
Trombonist and composer John Yao and the extraordinarily talented musicians of his big band, the 17-Piece Instrument,
present the album Points in Time. Reimagining small band classic songs in a big band jazz style, Points of Time is vibrant,
vivacious, and a joy for connoisseurs of the genre. Points in Time is highly recommended for both personal and public
library music collections. The tracks are Upside; Not Even Close; Triceratops Blues; First Step; The Other Way; Early
Morning Walk; Song for Nolan; and Finger Painting.
Arcadia
Kevin Keller
www.kevinkeller.com
City Hall Records
www.cityhallrecords.com
$12.00 CD / $9.00 digital
https://kevinkeller.bandcamp.com/album/arcadia
Inspired by medieval sounds and plainchant melodies, Arcadia is an ambient new age album with chanting, keyboards, and
live strings. Kevin Keller's original, artfully composed music symbolizes a journey through the afterlife; the accompanying
chants are inspired by biblical and liturgical sources, along with original Latin texts written by Keller. Sofia Campoamor
provides a transcendentally beautiful performance as the lead vocalist, along with sopranos Katherine Wessinger, Danya
Katok, and Wendy Baker; violinist Sarah Zun; viola player Angela Pickett; and cellist Laura Metcalf. Arcadia is ideal for
meditation, creative inspiration, or quiet contemplation, and is highly recommended for both personal and public library
new age collections. The tracks are Et vidi caelum; Et nox ultra; Me solum me invenio; In tenebris; Mare, littus, flammam;
In equo fugit; Et lux perpetua; and Veni intus.
Good Hang
David Bode
davidbodemusic.com
1718 Records LLC
$15.00 CD / $9.00 digital
https://davidbodemusic.bandcamp.com/album/good-hang
The debut album of New Orleans-born saxophonist, flute player, composer, and arranger David Bode, Good Hang is a big
band ensemble jazz album, featuring beloved classic songs and a grand total of nineteen talented performers on
saxophones, flute, trumpet and flugelhorn, trombone, sousaphone, piano, guitar, acoustic and electric bass, and drums -
and almost every band member has one or two solos! Ambitious, vivacious, and brimming with passion, Good Hang
embodies the music and vibrance of New Orleans - as well it should, since its creation was made possible through a grant
from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation, and organization that promotes New Orleans' culture and heritage. Good Hang
is the a "must-have" for big band jazz connoisseurs, highly recommended for both personal and public library music
collections. The tracks are Syeeda's Song Flute (J. Coltrane); Libertango (A. Piazzola); Spring Can Really Hang You Up
The Most (F. Landesman/T. Wolf); Happy People (K. Garrett); Lover, You Should've Come Over (J. Buckley); Cold Train
Funk (D. Bode); Monkey Puzzle (J. Black); Temporary Blindness (D. Bode) and Dear Prudence/Don't Let Me Down (J.
Lennon/P. McCartney).
The Photography Shelf
A History of Photography in Canada, Volume 1
Martha Langford
McGill-Queen's University Press
www.mqup.ca
9780228023685, $85.00, HC, 600pp
https://www.amazon.com/History-Photography-Canada-Participation-McGill-Queens/dp/0228023688
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-history-of-photography-in-canada-volume-1-martha-langford/1146509373
Synopsis: From early reports of the invention to its wide application during World War I, the idea of photography created
anticipation and participation in the modern world.
The first volume (Anticipation to Participation 1830-1019) of "A History of Photography in Canada" by Martha Langford
captures this phenomenon in detail by examining hundreds of historical photographs generated in and about
Canada-in-the-making and by listening to the chords they struck in the collective imagination.
Emphasizing technological readiness and cultural eagerness for the medium, in the pages of "A History of Photography in
Canada: Volume 1", Langford shows how photography served ideals of progress and improvement as Canada's settler
society looked to master the world by seizing its visible traces.
The imposition of these programs on Indigenous Peoples and indentured labourers is confronted throughout this massive
volume, which offers both narratives and counternarratives of subjectification.
Reproducing photographic images of people, places, events, and objects from the unceded territories of the First Nations,
Inuit, and Metis, from British North America, and from the Dominion of Canada and the Dominion of Newfoundland,
Langford asks where and when photographs were taken, why, and by whom. How did the making and preservation of a
photograph alter the circumstances in which it was produced, and how did this affect individual and collective
consciousness?
Alongside accomplished portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and their vernacular counterparts, "A History of Photography in
Canada: Volume 1" draws glimmers of photographic experience from treatises and doggerel, official reports and personal
diaries, newspapers, magazines, letters, and travelogues.
This first volume, 'Anticipation to Participation 1839-1918' chronicles eight decades of re-invention and re-purposing,
from a wondrous discovery to the wide adoption of photography as a basic tool for knowledge gathering, artmaking, and
journaling. Langford's sweeping narrative rewrites the history of photography from the bottom up, vividly expanding the
definition of photographic experience.
Critique: This large format (8.5 x 1.7 x 11 inches, 1 pound) hardcover edition of "A History of Photography in Canada,
Volume 1: Anticipation to Participation, 1839 - 1918" is also the 45th volume in the McGill-Queen's University Press
simply outstanding McGill-Queen's/Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation Studies in Art History series. A masterpiece of
meticulous scholarship, historian and academician, Professor Martha Langford has impressively exercised her expertise in
researching the history of Canadian photography with the publication of "A History of Photography in Canada, Volume 1:
Anticipation to Participation, 1839 - 1918" which features an informative ten page Introduction, fifty pages of Notes, a
twenty-four page Bibliography, and a nine page Index. Profusely illustrated throughout with examples of photography in
service to an informative and instructive commentary, "A History of Photography in Canada: Volume1" is a unique,
exceptional, and unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library History of Photography
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the benefit of students, academia, historians,
and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this edition of "A History of Photography in Canada:
Volume 1" from the McGill-Queen's University Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$80.75).
Editorial Note: Martha Langford FRSC is a Canadian art historian. She is also a Distinguished University Research
Professor of art history at Concordia University and the Research Chair and Director of the Gail and Stephen A.
Jarislowsky Institute for Studies in Canadian Art. She was the founding director of the Canadian Museum of
Contemporary Photography and served as its director and chief curator from 1985 until 1994. She is an elected Fellow of
the Royal Society of Canada.
The Business Shelf
Women in Entrepreneurship and Family Businesses
Helle Neergaard and Naomi Birdthistle, editors
Edward Elgar Publishing
www.e-elgar.com
9781800376410, $171.00, HC, 326pp
https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/women-in-entrepreneurship-and-family-businesses-9781800376410.html
Synopsis: Collaborative compiled and co-edited by Helle Neergaard and Naomi Birdthistle, "Women in Entrepreneurship
and Family Businesses: Methodological Insights to Advance Research" is a compendium of contributions by erudite
scholars that collectively illustrates the need for innovative research to better understand women's roles in entrepreneurship
and family firms.
Underscoring the importance of using diverse methodologies to accurately capture real-world experiences, "Women in
Entrepreneurship and Family Businesses" explores the corporate challenges women face, such as gender bias and
balancing work with family.
"Women in Entrepreneurship and Family Businesses" also advocates for the expansion of research into historical contexts
using archival and documentary evidence, uncovering the stories of women entrepreneurs of the past.
Encouraging engaged scholarship and collaboration with practitioners, co-editors Helle Neergaard and Naomi Birdthistle
seek to emphasize the significance of studying cultural backgrounds that may be unfamiliar to researchers. By pushing the
boundaries of traditional research methods, they aim to advance knowledge and support the development of women in
entrepreneurial fields.
Scholars and students interested in gender studies, qualitative research methods and family business will benefit from
Women in Entrepreneurship and Family Businesses". It is additionally useful for researchers seeking to identify
methodological research gaps in the field.
Critique: An original, seminal, and groundbreaking compendium of twelve erudite articles, a seven page listing of the
contributors and their credentials, a seven page Afterword by the editors, and an eight page Index, "Women in
Entrepreneurship and Family Businesses: Methodological Insights to Advance Research" is an especially and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal reading lists and college/university library collections and supplemental MBA
curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Helle Neergaard is Professor of Entrepreneurship, School of Business and Social Sciences, University of
Aarhus, Denmark.
Editorial Note #2: Naomi Birdthistle is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, Griffith Business School,
Griffith University, Australia.
The Psychology Shelf
Wrestling Through Adversity
Christine M. Silverstein
Winsome Entertainment Group
9798888964385, $29.99, PB, 426pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Through-Adversity-Christine-Silverstein/dp/B0CFM32LSG
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wrestling-through-adversity-dr-christine-m-silverstein/1143903129
Synopsis: From the dark ages to the present era, our treatment of those mentally ill has progressed from chaining to a wall
those afflicted with mental disturbance who never saw the light of day to the use of medications and counseling to treat
mental illness.
However, in emergency rooms throughout the United States, our young people on the brink of despair are held hostage for
psychiatric care.
The message of "Wrestling Through Adversity: Empowering Children, Teens & Young Adults to Win in Life" by Dr.
Christine M. Silverstein is that we as a modern society have become bound to antiquated biomedical models of mental
health care. It is fortunate that we, as a society, are experiencing a mental health crisis of enormous proportions currently
only in the sense that we are beginning to hear a wake-up call as we witness a total breakdown of our mental healthcare
system regarding the mental stability of our youth and other groups of everyday people.
Healthcare professionals and societies are beginning to understand that mental health is integral to overall health and is
more than the absence of symptoms of psychological distress. The mastery important to us all includes the acquisition of
the capacity to reflect, to relate on a deep level with others emotionally, and to empathize in the face of change or stressful
situations.
Resilient young people who possess these qualities and the ability to wrestle through adversity when they have the skillsets
to do so, lead more successful lives when they know how to make lemonade out of lemons.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study, "Wrestling Through Adversity: Empowering Children, Teens, & Young
Adults to Win in Life" by Dr. Christine M. Silverstein is exceptionally informative, insightfully thought-provoking, deftly
crafted, timely and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. While this paperback edition of
"Wrestling Through Adversity" from the Winsome Entertainment Group is especially and unreservedly recommended for
community and college/university library Adolescent Psychology & Counseling collections and supplemental curriculum
studies lists, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of psychology/counseling students, practitioners, academia,
and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Wrestling Through Adversity" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. Christine M. Silverstein (https://drchristinesilverstein.com) is a peak performance coach, behavioral
health RN, and clinical hypnosis expert at The Summit Center for Ideal Performance has assisted clients of all ages for 27
years to reach their best performances in health, athletics, academics, business, and performing arts. She specializes in
working with children, teens, and young adults, using Mindful Toughness skillsets, such as self-hypnosis, mental rehearsal,
positive self-talk, and feedback loop analysis. As a researcher, historian, and best-selling author, she has presented her
works on Hypno-Coaching and history in the US and globally to promote mental health.
The Architecture Shelf
Second-Century Modernism
John Jennifer Marx
ORO Editions
www.oroeditions.com
9781957183343, $65.00, HC, 252pp
https://www.amazon.com/Second-Century-Modernism-John-Jennifer-Marx/dp/1957183349
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-century-modernism-john-jennifer-marx/1146407079
Synopsis: This first century of architectural modernism has come to a close with a mixed review. Enthusiasm for its
achievements goes hand in hand with a discontent about a sizeable portion of its outcome, as well as its effect on the
natural and built environments. The most vocal supporters of these modernist ideals crafted epic claims that modernism
was bound to deliver progressive and humane environments. Alas, the follow through of those promises was uneven at
best.
Can we update this ideological framework, establishing a new outlook that is both open-ended and operational?
If the first century of modernism can be considered an architecture of abstraction and ideas, then what might we design if
we turn our attention, in this second century of modernism, to an architecture of emotional abundance?
With the publication of "Second-Century Modernism", John Jennifer Marx creates an architecture of richness and
community by placing a higher priority on emotional meaning, through a shift in the design process that balances the
rational with the intuitive, and a "Less + More" approach to expanding the range of cultural values we can inclusively
balance in our environments.
"Second-Century Modernism" welcomes you to embrace the paradoxical qualities of human existence.
Critique: This large format (9781957183343, 4.91 pounds) hardcover edition of "Second-Century Modernism" from ORO
Editions presents and showcases the architectural criticism, insights and advocacy of John Jennifer Marx. With profusely
illustrated commentaries, a bit of poetry, a three page listing of Project Credits, a one page listing of Image Credits, and a
one page listing of Acknowledgments (which include five deceased architects who influenced John Jennifer Marx), this
coffee-table style volume is unique, informative, challenging, thoughtful and thought-provoking. "Second-Century
Modernism" is a critically important and fully recommended acquisition for personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Architectural Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: John Jennifer Marx, AIA, is a co-founding principal and chief artistic officer of Form4 Architecture in San
Francisco, California. He is responsible for developing Form4 Architecture's design vision and philosophical language. In
order to return a sense of humanity back into architecture, he advocates for the inclusion of philosophy, art, and poetry in
the thoughtful making of place by creating emotionally resonant architecture and urban spaces.
(https://www.di.net/di-media/articles/2024-quarterly/q4-08-consequential-question-has-modernism-failed-us-john-jennifer-
marx)
The Literary Studies Shelf
Jane Austen and Masculinity
Michael Kramp, editor
Bucknell University Press
https://www.bucknell.edu/azdirectory/bucknell-university-press
9781611488661, $136.00, HC, 318pp
https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Austen-Masculinity-Transits-Literature/dp/1611488664
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jane-austen-and-masculinity-bryce-campbell/1127658889
Synopsis: Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Michael Kramp, "Jane Austen and Masculinity" is an eclectic
collection of contemporary scholarship addressing the representation of men and masculinity in the fiction and popular
adaptations of the English literary icon Jane Austen.
This anthology also includes work by a variety of esteemed and emergent Austen scholars from around the world who
engage in a dialogue on critical questions surrounding her fictional treatment of men and masculinity, such as historical
(post-French Revolutionary) changes in social expectations for men and women, brothers and fathers, male lovers, soldiers
and the military, queer and alternative sexualities, violence, and male devotees of Austen.
Additionally, this collection addresses Austen's fiction, including her juvenilia, as well as the ongoing popular appeal of
her work and the enduring Austen vogue.
The work in this anthology builds on established critical discourses in Austen scholarship as well as important
conversations in Masculinity Studies.
Critique: "Jane Austen and Masculinity" is a seminal and groundbreaking body of exceptional research contributed (under
the editorship of Professor Michael Kramp) by 15 erudite scholars who are experts in the life, times, and works of Jane
Austen. Informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a fourteen page Bibliography, a complete listing
of the contributors and their credentials, and a twelve page Index, "Jane Austen and Masculinity" is especially and
unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library 18th Century Literary Criticism collections in
general, and supplemental Jane Austen curriculum studies lists in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of students, academia, and the legions of Jane Austen fans that this hardcover edition of "Jane Austen and
Masculinity" from the Bucknell University Press is also readily available in paperback ( 9781684485437, $39.95) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $23.65).
Editorial Note: Michael C. Kramp is a professor of English at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is the
author of Patriarchy's Creative Resilience: Late-Victorian Speculative Fiction and Disciplining Love: Austen and the
Modern Man and the editor of Jane Austen and Critical Theory. (https://wordpress.lehigh.edu/dmk209)
Storybook Worlds Made Real
Kathy Merlock Jackson, editor
Mark I. West, editor
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476674186, $49.95, PB, 292pp
https://www.amazon.com/Storybook-Worlds-Made-Real-Narratives/dp/1476674183
Synopsis: Memorable children's narratives immerse readers in imaginary worlds that bring them into the story. Some of
these places have been constructed in the real world (like Pinocchio's Tuscany or Anne of Green Gables' Prince Edward
Island) where visitors relive their favorite childhood tales.
Theme parks like Walt Disney World and Harry Potter World use technology to engineer enchanting environments that
reconnect visitors with beloved fictional settings and characters in new ways.
Critique: Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by professors Kathy Merlock Jackson and Mark I. West, "Storybook
Worlds Made Real: Essays on the Places Inspired by Children's Narratives" is simply fascinating collection of eighteen
new and informative essays that explore the imagined places based on the fictional worlds we loved as kids -- and with a
special focus on the meaning of setting and its power to shape the way we view the world around us.
Also featuring an useful and 'reader friendly' Introduction by the co-editors, "Storybook Worlds Made Real: Essays on the
Places Inspired by Children's Narratives" also includes a four page listing of the Contributors and their credentials, as well
as a four page Index.
A seminal and groundbreaking contribution to personal and library collections on children's literature, literary criticism,
and its impact on amusement parks and other aspects of popular culture, this trade paperback edition of "Storybook Worlds
Made Real: Essays on the Places Inspired by Children's Narratives" from McFarland & Company is a unique and highly
recommended addition for community and college/university library collections that is also available for personal reading
lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note #1: Kathy Merlock Jackson is a professor of media and communication at Virginia Wesleyan University,
where she teaches courses in media studies and children's culture. She is the author of over a hundred articles, chapters,
and reviews and has published thirteen books. She is a former editor of The Journal of American Culture and a past
president of the Popular Culture Association.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/350819.Kathy_Merlock_Jackson)
Editorial Note #2: Mark I. West is the former chair of the English department at the University of North Carolina at
Charlotte. He has written or edited nineteen books on children's literature and culture and is a former president of the
Children's Literature Association. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7200.Mark_I_West)
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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