search engine by freefind

The US Review of Books connects authors with professional book reviewers and places their book reviews in front of subscribers to our free monthly newsletter of fiction book reviews and nonfiction book reviews. Learn why our publication is different than most others, or read author and publisher testimonials about the USR.

Recent Reviews Focus Review Featured Reviews   Tweets by @USReview

Recent Book Reviews

 

Focus Review

The Latecomers by Rich Marcello Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC book review by Carol Anderson, D.Min., ACSW, LMSW "When its members are in harmony, there is nothing in the world they can’t do together." This is a wondrous story that encompasses the here and now with the time-honored connection of mystery and spirituality. We learn about Maggie and Charlie who embody the boundaries of life with the expansion of the soul. In their journey through trials and tribulations, they share the depth of eternal love. Written in the first person by both protagonists, the story focuses on symbols and sacredness, their beloved friends in the moai, and includes the goddesses and the spirits that accompany them. When Charlie goes on retreat to a beloved center, the story offers a glimpse into the necessity of dealing with his restlessness, a restlessness that Maggie saw through her paintings of him. The journey into the mysticism of life regarding their findings from a secret book of symbols, as well as magical plants, leads the group of five on a path of helping others. ... (read more)

• 50/50 Chance of Monster Love! by Rochelle Baxter
• 55 Reflections of a Searching SKEPTIC by Rich Melcher
• Alone in the Darkness by Valerie Dziengiel
• Alpha and Omega by Robert Gallant - RECOMMENDED
• Audience with the Sleeping Dragon, An by G L Abrar
• Babylon Laid Waste by Brigitte Goldstein - RECOMMENDED
• Big Dance, The by Shirlie Calabrese
• Book of David, The by David O'Meara
• Caroline Severance by Virginia Elwood-Akers - RECOMMENDED
• COMI: How To Consciously Overcome Mental Illness by Nancy Lynne Harris, M.A.
• Communing Tree, The by Theresa Verboort - RECOMMENDED
• Critical Investigation into Precognitive Dreams, A by Paul Kiritsis - RECOMMENDED
• Dare to Imagine by Blake Sinclair
• Dasher and the Sleigh-Train by E. Dorinda Shelley
• Dragon Head by James Houston Turner - RECOMMENDED
• Ellie’s Journal by M. E. Castanares
• Embodying Soul by Keri Mangis - RECOMMENDED
• Escape by Magic: Book One by Abbygail DeCoursey
• Far Away Bird by Douglas A. Burton - RECOMMENDED
• Fostering and Us by Marie Coady
• From Crisis to Tranquility by Sarah M. Robinson, M.Ed.
• Future of Leadership in the Age of AI, The by Marin and Luka Ivezik - RECOMMENDED
• Fuzzy Learns a Lesson of Love by Patricia McLaughlin
• God’s Domain by Robert Gallant - RECOMMENDED
• Golden Mile, The by Brian Ward - RECOMMENDED
• Good Old Uncle Sam and Other Short Stories by Sid Kelly
• Harding Sisters of Sterling City Road and Me, The by Carol E. Plimpton
• Healing and Transformation by Eric Alsterberg, Ph.D.
• Heart Divided, A by Tye Po Bludd
• Helen’s Ant Story by Virginia Paulsen
• Imagine Who’s Telling Who by Geoffrey Keane
• Intrigues of Jennie Lee, The by Alex Rosenberg - RECOMMENDED
• Johnny: Catching Fire by Aaron Allen
• Landing in the Heart of Mexico by Collette Sommers - RECOMMENDED
• Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships by Mark Canepa - RECOMMENDED
• Liam's Town by Marissa Dike - RECOMMENDED
• Life Has You in Mind by GodsGirl
• Live Your Life by Anton Brown - RECOMMENDED
• Listening to Our Students and Transcending K-12 to Save Our Nation by Alec Ostrom, Brian Hack, and Don Prentice - RECOMMENDED
• Lost in Time by Dan Arthur Busby
• Meowvelous Show by Katya Romanoff - RECOMMENDED
• Midway Through the Journey of Our Life by James Lawson
• Millennium Women War on Men by K.B.Lewis
• Monsters on the Sidewalk by Jeanne Olufson
• My First Fifty-Five by Rosie M. Elder
• My First Time in Charge by Daniele Matteucci
• Owen's Day by Vanessa Lyman Withers - RECOMMENDED
• Path to Revenge by Jim Dutton
• Phoebe Bee by Arlene Rita Borromeo
• Prayers from the Land of the Living by Carol Handy
• Re-Making the American Dream by David Vaught - RECOMMENDED
• Reis Martin Undercover by Joyce Marcotte
• S413 by Saniyah Chisti
• Scriptural Trail from Eden by Howard Bastian
• Searching... A Peek into the Invisible World of Energy and Healing by Donna Linn and Suzan J. Wells
• Second Harvest by Don Agey
• Short & Tall Tales that Kidz Might Love! by Angellia Moore Swain
• Shadows Over Texas by Kat Kelly
• Simply Amazing Women by K.C. Armstrong - RECOMMENDED
• Small Scroll, The by Christopher Miller - RECOMMENDED
• STAZR The World of Z by Dr. Anay Ayarovu
• Reason For Being, A by Libby Andrews
• Tempest Court by Jan Walters
• This Was Never About Basketball by Craig Leener - RECOMMENDED
• Three Vital Questions for Today by Geoffrey E. L. Bennett
• To Slip the Surly Bonds of Earth, Book 2 by Hugh Cameron
• Torch Bearer's Exorcism, The by Linda Luisa Varela Tychsen
• Urban Planning in Planet Earth's Tragedy of the Commons by Richard S. Bolan - RECOMMENDED
• Watchman's Son, The by R. J. Stachofsky - RECOMMENDED
• We Have All Been Broken by Ben Rekittke
• What's Next by Geoffrey Keane
• Wishflower Princess, The by Kathie Kalafatis
• Wizard of Sacramento, The by William Smithers

Read the US Review of Books Previous Edition

back to top

Featured Book Reviews

 

Exploring Self

There is an exceptionally fine line between intense introspection and prolonged navel-gazing. That line is a tightrope author Bolick walks precariously in this tale of one man’s unyielding search for enlightenment. Bolick’s protagonist desperately wants to come to grips with personal answers to profound questions such as why are we here, what does consciousness really mean, and can we ever truly understand one another or, for that matter, ourselves. The author encases these soul-searching queries in a story that dispenses potential answers much like a time-release capsule—a few now, a bit later, and eventually perhaps enough to ward off congenital melancholia. However, these intermittent answers raise additional questions. Does the patient stand a chance of actually being cured or merely treated? Should his doctor heed the proverb, “Physician, heal thyself”? ... (read more)

back to top

No Average Tale

In 1878, bad guys are hired by Douglas Pitt, whose goal is to take land surrounding Kansas City for a large cattle ranch. The hirelings include the town’s sheriff and deputy, who obey Pitt’s orders at whatever cost. Most of the other hirelings are already on wanted posters. The main good guy is Anthony Augustus Peters, a traveling actor from New York and quick-shot gun aficionado. He meets Fox Cloud, a Lakota Sioux and former child captive who knows English. They pose as bounty hunters wearing clever disguises from Anthony’s makeup kit. Another important yet unseen character is Anthony’s deceased wife, Mary, who inspires his death wish. Dressed in black for the final scene, will Anthony get his death wish as in Hamlet’s tragedy? Can this adventure end well? ... (read more)

back to top

Musings & Insights

In her second book of collected poetry, the author has organized her musings and insights into six categories. Each chapter follows the themes of home, animals, places, riddles, caffeine and wine, and family respectively. The home chapter is the most explored, following memories of homemaking and raising children with all the energy and chaos they can bring. The chapter on animals considers the impact of family pets and wonders what life would be like in animal form. The chapter on places recalls old residences and other colorful memories of location. When writing on the theme of riddles, the poet considers things that are somewhat contradictory or mysterious about life. Not surprisingly, the chapter on caffeine and wine is a treat for the sense of taste, using language to express flavor. Finally, when exploring the topic of family, Goka revisits the endless tasks of homemaking, as well as considering her dual role as both mother and child. ... (read more)

back to top

Oneness with Earth

Educator, prolific writer, spiritualist, and environmentalist, Prattis delivers an SOS to the world to save the earth and its inhabitants from destruction. The work draws upon written accounts from scientists, philosophers, social activists, and spiritual thinkers, including the wisdom of first nation tribes, all who make a convincing case for the need to take immediate action to rescue the planet. His futuristic scenarios are a wake-up call to honor the Paris Climate Agreement and the horrific physical, environmental and social consequences that civilizations will face should the earth fall further into demise. Prattis elucidates the dangers of corporate carbon emissions and their contributions to the destabilization of the earth. He emphasizes that the continuous search for wealth accumulation has come at the sacrifice of the planet. His compelling personal narratives take readers to the Canadian wilderness, the Hebrides in Scotland, and to an Ashram in India, where he writes of his near-death experience. ... (read more)

back to top

Beloved Pet

Toby, a golden labrador with a loving family, tells his story in this “autobiography” of the everyday life of a family dog. Always on the hunt for food scraps and looking forward to visits from grandma or the kids getting home from school, Toby is a lively, energetic dog with a twinkle in his eyes. Despite some necessary leg surgeries and even being afflicted with seizures, Toby doesn’t get slowed down by much thanks to his disposition and the love of his family. From stories of neighborhood walks to the joy of opening presents at Christmas time, Toby recalls all of the special memories and moments of his life shared with his beloved family. Though his energy sometimes gets him into trouble, Toby is always interested in being a “good boy” in the eyes of the people who take care of him and love him. ... (read more)

back to top

Manhattan Nexus

Set in recent history, the author’s book uses a Manhattan co-op as its nexus—a place where all of its characters reside or have a history of residence. From the outset, a shared address seems to be all that binds these individuals together as they, in true New York City fashion, keep their heads down and worry about their own survival rather than the lives of everyone else in the crowd. However, bonds are revealed in time. Some are being made with each passing day; others have dissolved or been hidden from years before. What starts as a metropolitan microcosm unfolds and grows to encompass stories of fortunes won and lost, international intrigue, and lives that hang in the balance after every small and large decision. ... (read more)

back to top

Awakening

Lord Chamberlain’s daughter, better known as Ophelia, has a new story to tell. In this satisfying remake, Ophelia’s fate is markedly different from the one Shakespeare assigned her. In this story, she is alive and well and ready to talk about her childhood friendship with Hamlet and Horatio, palace intrigue, and the warmongering of men in power. Shakespeare’s setting remains, and the time and place of the original play are intact, but the plot has gone astray, reimagined and rebranded with a powerful female protagonist driving the action of the familiar story’s milestones: the murders and resulting power shifts. The story is structured as a confessional of sorts by Ophelia to Fortinbras, who visits her after he learns that she is alive and living in the countryside. Ophelia begins her story by filling in the details of her adolescence at Elsinore castle, roaming freely with her brother Laertes and pals Hamlet and Horatio, while her father, Polonius, advises Hamlet’s father and strategizes a war with Norway. She continues through her own awakening to the suffering of the common people in the war effort, the corruption of the castle, and her own heart’s desire. With her motives revealed and her secrets shared, Shakespeare’s heartsick, mad Ophelia is transformed into a savvy woman of power and rebellion. ... (read more)

back to top

Modern Christians Should

Many aspects of the Bible have been “put up for debate” between scholars, translators, clergymen, and laypeople alike. After centuries of study and reinterpretation, different churches or communities believe that they have come across the correct way to understand the information presented in God’s Word. Using direct quotations from the New King James Version Bible, this text puts to rest the debate as to whether or not tithing still applies to modern Christianity. Answering questions about its relevance, the amount requested, and the correct way to tithe on a low income or no income, this book chooses not to interpret the words of the Bible but to present them literally in order to provide guidance. ... (read more)

back to top

A New Heroine

In 1946, Misia Safran, a highly talented, recognized writer and Jewish émigré, receives an alarming letter that claims her grandmother is still alive in a care facility in Berlin. Misia at first questions the reality of returning to a war-ravaged and ideologically divided Germany to save her grandmother, but despite her parents’ objections, she connects with a people-smuggling ring and acquires forged identity papers that launch her on a journey into the heart of the defeated Third Reich. However, Misia’s travels to Berlin are quickly interrupted. Just as her adventures using the false identity of Beate Hauser begin, Misia finds herself captured by the U.S. military and at the mercy of Major Emil Zweig in a camp for female Nazi war criminals. ... (read more)

back to top

True Healing

A spiritual healer who herself lived with debilitating depression after the death of her son, Harris is a strong proponent of using one's mind—and such practices as positive self-talk and self-praise—to overcome that which she argues any amount of prescribed pills or psychiatric treatment cannot: the ultimate healing of mental illness. Though we are taught from early on that we are human beings existing in a physical body in a material world, she argues we are more like individual soul lives that exist in a spiritual world. The attitudes we, as spirit beings, formulate—even down to the language we use and ways in which we regard our individual situations—shape our reality for us. In short, by thinking only positive thoughts, we can drive out the "demonic forces" which seek to wage battle over our lives if we are not spiritually vigilant. And this includes the world of mental illness. ... (read more)

back to top

Mastery of Prose

History textbooks often provide facts in lieu of telling stories. In Newhouse’s historical fiction, largely based on the Chronicle of the Lodz Ghetto, 1941-1944, these stories are brought to life, a conjuring of what those resilient souls must have endured daily. Through the lens of the main character, Benny Ostrowski, readers gain the opportunity to experience what it must have been like to live, love, and grow in such a terrifying time. As each chapter progresses, the narrative becomes simultaneously more mesmerizing and haunting. Sealed off from the world in the Lodz Ghetto, the Jewish community was stripped of its dignity—and most material possessions—with the ever-looming Nazi noose becoming increasingly tighter. ... (read more)

back to top

Understanding the Ether

In this detailed and wide-ranging book, the author is primarily concerned with the phenomenon of precognitive dreams—that is, the study of dreams which contain a premonition or subconscious inkling of something which has yet to be but does, in fact, take place in the future. The future, as it were, may be less than 24 hours later, days or weeks later, and may even range into years. The closeness in resemblance between the event, object, person, etc. in the dream and its real-life waking counterpart can vary widely, from a vague symbolic resemblance to more extreme cases of actual equal identification. Additionally, sometimes dreams of precognition can be on a personal level (which is the more common type, such as one dreaming a relative will pass away and then precisely that happening in real life), or of a collective nature (such as precognitive dreams involving natural or man-made disasters, airplane crashes, and the like). ... (read more)

back to top

Tenor of the Times

Exceptional storytelling is ever-present in this continuously involving tale of historical fiction. Filled with famous characters such as Lady Astor, Winston Churchill, Lloyd George, Walter Reuther, and more, the novel sweeps readers into a world of hidden agendas, secret betrayals, public posturing, and private assignations that made up British politics in the late 1920s and early 1930s. ... (read more)

back to top

Interesting First Half

In this lively autobiography, African American writer Elder depicts a life of travel, study, work, and dedicated church involvement. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1948 to a hardworking rural family, she remembers that she had both parents and stepparents and was treated the same by all, trained well in two houses. As a result, she often had two of the same toy and shared the extras with poorer children. She remembers many trips by car and bus to visit relatives near and far from an early age. The family “ate when they were hungry” with meals supplied through the home canning of fruits and vegetables from an extensive garden “with rows farther than the eye could see.” Both domestic birds like chickens and wild game like rabbits, squirrels, and deer—along with fish, both fresh and salted—were available, with trips to the grocery store mainly for staples like flour and sugar. Religion forms many of Elder’s early memories: she had a total immersion baptism in the local pond and joined the choir by age eleven. ... (read more)

back to top

Life of Dance

Jennifer and Alex have known each other since seventh grade, and their shared passion for dance has made them the epitome of best friends. Their mutual care for each other is heartwarming as they start a journey to the East Coast Dance Contest, which, in many ways, represents their coming of age. Mrs. Land, their dance instructor throughout their middle school and high school years, is the archetypal character of the wise teacher who is there for her pupils unconditionally. ... (read more)

back to top

Soul Voyager

Right from the opening pages of the prologue, the audience is front and center in the middle of an intensely personal moment: a therapy session where Keri waffles between storming out of the therapist’s office or digging deeper into sharing her family experiences as a means to battle her anxiety. Aside from excellent writing and a creative yet authentic delivery of prose, what makes this book exceptional is the author’s penchant for being relatable. Complex philosophies like releasing anger, not drowning in shame and guilt, and not letting fear warp your mind are portrayed with grace and fluidity; the pages simply turn themselves. ... (read more)

back to top

Theodora's Rise

The Hippodrome is the center of activity in Constantinople. From chariot races to political debates to parties, it is a determiner of life or death. After Theodora’s father dies in a massive city-wide riot, she gets a chance to save her family from misfortune and take her own shot at success within the Hippodrome’s center. But how far will Theodora’s wings soar and take her? ... (read more)

back to top

Fast-Paced Action & Suspense

In the continuing saga of former KGB colonel Aleksandr Talanov, the notorious gang leader Dexter Moran, better known as Dragon Head, seeks Talanov in order to obtain his vast fortune located in an off-shore account. Unbeknownst to both, the money has been stolen, and though all the people that Talanov cares for—his lover, daughter, and minions—are now in danger from Dragon Head, he must first find the missing money before he can save them. However, there are other variables at work as Talanov races the clock. Dragon Head has his own rivals who wish to possess this huge sum of money. The governments of the United States and China are involved, and Talanov’s old KGB partner, Sophia, whom he thought he had killed, is also back in the picture. Will anyone come out of the quagmire unscathed? ... (read more)

back to top

Great Adventure

Emily Castle is a spirited young woman with a stubborn disposition and a big heart. Given the circumstances of her life, one might expect her to be forlorn. Her mother has recently gone missing and is presumed dead. Her father is unknown, and in his paternal place is Daniel Sangelos. Daniel is a man of means and mystery, but what many do not know about him is his true nature as a vampire. When a stranger named Evans contacts Daniel, the two learn of their shared link to Ellie, Emily’s mom, and Daniel’s partner. Evans has Ellie’s journal, which holds clues to her disappearance and opens the possibility to her still being alive somewhere. Along with Cy—tech expert, inventor, and Daniel’s confidant—the two men and Emily travel to England, the site of Ellie’s last known whereabouts. ... (read more)

back to top

A Sleigh Ordeal

With Christmas approaching and the deadline for Santa’s trip on the horizon, an unthinkable obstacle presents itself. Backlogged and overloaded with requests from children for presents, Santa learns from Dasher that the reindeer feels sick. This sends Santa into a larger panic, as Dasher’s strength is a crucial element to pulling the sleigh, especially one so jam-packed with gifts. While Dasher gets checked out by the head nurse at Santa’s Workshop, Santa draws inspiration from a toy train that he notices and gets to work on a backup plan for the big day. The helper elves immediately shoot the idea down as preposterous, but Santa holds steady, suggesting they have a little more faith in his plan before preparing some magic powder to help him handle the Christmas emergency. ... (read more)

back to top

Cancer & Redemption

This journey begins with the author meeting her husband in an unusual way when both are still teenagers in 1966. They are separated before their marriage by his tours of duty in Vietnam, during which he is exposed to Agent Orange. After his return, they are happily married and raise a family. Their happiness is interrupted by his pancreatic cancer, during which the author cares for him. Throughout the book, the author relates some of her spiritual experiences: the first is a frightening one after playing with a Ouija board. "Not a toy," Dziengiel states unequivocally. During the experience, however, the planchette revealed the name of her as yet unknown husband and that she would have three children. Other incidents include visitations, perhaps by spirits, via smoke, and a comical and metaphysical view of an apparently independent spirit manifestation that, after several attempts, finds its way out of a funeral home. After her husband's passing, the author, her family, and a Monsignor who is helping to plan the funeral, observe lights flickering on and off and the interruption of cell phone service, which is thought to be her husband's spirit indicating that he has "made it" to the next world. ... (read more)

back to top

Real Politics

This searing critique of Jerry Brown focuses on his latest two terms as California’s governor from 2011-2019. It posits that Brown maintained a positive public image in office despite his commitment to boost the economic interests of his state over environmental protections and concerns. Brown’s third term in office began in 2011 in the wake of the recovery efforts from the country’s 2008 financial crisis. Succumbing to economic pressures and priorities, environmental regulations are eased, and violations are overlooked under Brown’s leadership to allow for oil and gas companies to drill with greater intensity using unconventional methods like fracking. This proves devastating for working-class communities near the drilling and fracking sites as they experience health problems, drinking water contamination, and higher levels of pollution. ... (read more)

back to top

Honesty Between Covers

This memoir is riveting. It describes the day-to-day life of a foster family in the United Kingdom. If you've ever been a foster parent or been curious about what life is like for one, this book is a must-read. Coady is a hero and a special kind of person. Not everyone has the seemingly endless patience and nurturing skills required to be her and become a good foster parent, but it is easy to admire someone with such an important calling. ... (read more)

back to top

Classroom Calm

Robinson’s study is a helpful modern-day primer on the questions asked by each new generation of K-12 educators: What factors should be considered in constructing and maintaining an ideal classroom organization? What constitutes effective disciplinary measures? How can educators help students not only want to learn but to develop a sense of autonomy and personal responsibility? As Robinson addresses these questions, she calls upon such educational theorists as B. F. Skinner, Haim Ginott, and Lee and Marlene Canter to inform her answers. Regarding the topic of discipline, Robinson provides bullet points and discussion of key ideas from these professionals, including behavior modification, congruent communication, and assertive discipline. Given the unfortunate and steady increase in school-related mass shootings in the United States—in addition to suicide among even our youngest students—Robinson devotes a chapter to the topic of “Bullies and Troubled Kids,” in which she delineates the characteristics of both the bully and the bullied and provides a plan to help educators navigate these sometimes murky but always dangerous waters. ... (read more)

back to top

Freedom

Caroline Severance may be one of the most important women of the suffragette movement to whom most Americans have never been introduced. In this exhaustive biography taken from letters and journals of the woman herself—as well as friends, family, and associates of Severance—Elwood-Akers delivers a portrait of a woman who was attuned to the social problems of her times. Not only was she tuned in, she was a tireless worker in not only the woman’s fight to gain voting rights but also in the abolition of slavery and the right for women to become doctors. Severance was a socialist and a peace advocate who lived during the Civil War. She was also an adventurer who eventually moved with her husband from the East to California. Settling in Los Angeles, Severance continued her humanitarian work, and at the age of ninety-two became one of the first women to vote in a United States national election. ... (read more)

back to top

A New Series Launches

Ratadat Lael’s day started out like any other ordinary day—going for a walk with no destination in mind. However, after an encounter with a shwine named Slap, Lael finds himself on a journey across the Stazr beams, his services as a storyteller in need according to a prophecy. Lael finds himself making new friends and acquaintances along the way as well as constantly running into danger, all of which are experiences that satisfy his curiosity until it is time to act on the prophecy. And while his dreams and nightmares have served as warnings, Lael is unprepared for the danger ahead. ... (read more)

back to top

Skillful Weave

Fans of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft will thrill to the fourth adventure in Robert Gallant’s series starring clandestine agent Travis Weld and his graduate student protégé, Chesney Barrett. Weld bows out for a side role, and Barrett seizes the lead when she accepts a mission to rescue an archeologist from guerillas at a Mayan site in the Yucatan Peninsula. Though the task is speedily accomplished with hair-raising theatrics, Barrett is plunged into even greater danger when David Phillips reveals more about his dangerous interest in a Peruvian archaeological site sacred to the legendary deity Viracocha. Together, Phillips and Barrett face the manipulation of Phillips’ controlling, business-savvy father, their murderous double-dealing partner, and a ruthless military commander shadowing Phillips’ every move. Ultimately, the former are small obstacles compared to the world-threatening challenges dealt by the mysterious Incan deity and the servile ancient culture that revered it. ... (read more)

back to top

Monsters Afoot

What would be abnormal by anyone else’s standards has become run-of-the-mill for Brett O’Shea. After partnering with the spirits of the deceased, including his own great-grandfather’s, and fighting against monsters, not much fazes him, though he remains vigilant (some might say paranoid) at all times. When an Egyptian art exhibit arrives in Des Moines, Brett is there with his love, Lisa, to support their friend who put it together. But part of this exhibit includes a mummy that is more than meets the eye, and this installation becomes a nemesis of Brett’s, one capable of wielding powerful magic and hell-bent on everlasting life. Dark priests, ancient spellbooks, and unexpected allies from a trip to Morocco are all crucial elements to unraveling this mummy mystery and keeping Brett and his partners safe from evil. ... (read more)

back to top

Fast & Exotic

Chesney Barrett, a Beretta-toting environmental grad student who occasionally cavorts with an organizer of clandestine operations that often save humanity, is the star of this thriller. A fast-paced plot features Chesney deciphering clues about a mysterious, unidentified body, as well as the tracks of mountain lions that have supposedly not existed in the region for approximately 200 years, that she discovered in the Louisiana swamps. The protagonist uses her superpower-like ability of clue-deciphering to navigate setups, swamps, forests, unlikely friends and colleagues, strange scientific and medical experiments on wildlife, and a presumed extinct species. Readers accompany Chesney as she confronts her personal demons in harrowing physical, mental, and emotional situations that leave her wondering who she can truly trust, asking a trusted source for help, and re-evaluating what her true life’s purpose is while also testing her means of survival. ... (read more)

back to top

Billions Apart

Dropped off in a prehistoric era when dinosaurs ruled the earth, time travel expert and wrongfully convicted murderer Jimmy Brooks’ fate could very well be sealed by the very same technology that he spent the last several years helping to develop. Living in the year 2040 when the state controls time travel, and all criminals sentenced to life are banished to the Cretaceous Period, Jimmy is dumped from the portal with only a gun and limited ammo to defend himself, surrounded by large beasts who want nothing more than to make him their next meal. Soon joined by two time-traveling companions, the three men embark on a remarkable journey, along the way encountering predators from all time periods, native tribes, and flying people, a situation which puts their lives in danger with every trip. ... (read more)

back to top

Spirit Within

Johnny and his best friend, Danny, are being bullied by a classmate, Brock. In response to this bullying, Johnny prays to become like Sampson from the Bible. Samson’s destiny was changed when he ran across a mountain lion, for he somehow had superhuman powers. Meanwhile, Danny becomes interested in the occult, which results in him also having superpowers, and his focus on learning spells and causing mischief begins to alarm him. There is a classroom fight regarding other religions than Christianity, which was caused by the evil in Danny. Then Johnny somehow saves himself and his girlfriend from a lab explosion. Is it because of his question to God? Yet Danny is missing Johnny and keeps working through his “wizardly” sites and utilizing spells, and through the darkness, he becomes evil and attempts to harm others, with sad outcomes. Will goodness win in the end? ... (read more)

back to top

Ants Rule

Paulsen’s picture book is the retelling of a story her mother told all six children, and those children would go on to tell their own children. It is a story passed down through generations, each changing it a little with their retellings. The story follows a family of brown ants who live “behind the baseboards and under the kitchen cabinets” of a human family. The ant family hopes the humans will drop food from their dinners they can scavenge, but primarily the ants get their food from outside, wary of going on the kitchen floor. Eventually, the ant children begin disobeying their parents and gathering treats from the kitchen. However, the disobedience catches up with one ant, and he is caught up by the broom, eventually put in the kitchen trash bin, then the outdoor garbage, and ends up in a landfill. It takes years to get home, and he must avoid many dangers on his journey. ... (read more)

back to top

Sunshine

In this delightful little children's picture book, a caterpillar named Fuzzy learns one of the most important lessons any young boy or girl can learn—that of self-acceptance. One day while Tori, a young girl, is dancing outside enjoying the beautiful day, a clumsy insect bumps into her head and then crashes to the ground. Upon examination, Tori learns it is a caterpillar named Fuzzy. Fuzzy apologizes not only for bumping into her head but also for his perception that he is not as amazing or wonderful as the other creatures around, especially the motley colored butterflies which flutter overhead, reflecting their brightness in the glistening sunshine. ... (read more)

back to top

Bully Cope

Phoebe Bee, who lived in the garden of the gray house, was a tiny bee. But even though she was the smallest, she was also the sweetest, although that didn’t seem to matter to the other bees. While they liked to play together in the flowers—lilies, white cosmos, marigolds, and hydrangeas—the most fun was playing hide-and-seek and then napping after an exhausting game. But her favorite thing to do was to leisurely soak up the smells from the various flowers. Some of the older bees wanted her to do this job at a faster pace, and when she did, disaster would happen. Then the other bees would make fun of her. So, she talked to her friend Beatrice Bumble who gave her wise advice. With this advice, Phoebe Bee learned some valuable lessons. ... (read more)

back to top

Routine Joy

Designed for children who are or will be entering school, this book offers insight into what needs to happen for Owen to get ready for his day. This includes not only what his day is like at school, but what his afternoon and evening are about as well. Through a fun rhyming story, Owen learns to do things like getting a good night’s sleep, what types of clothes to wear for the day, eating a healthy breakfast, brushing his teeth, and taking a bath. The author further describes Owen’s day regarding getting on the school bus, learning his lessons at school, playing with friends, and enjoying basketball (his favorite game). The book then discusses his day with his family, including eating a good dinner and then getting ready for bed. ... (read more)

back to top

Religion on Demand

Elizabeth Lawrence has an eye for beauty products and fashion accessories. Her boyfriend Leo has an eye for other women. He likes them slim, big-breasted, and famous. He suddenly dumps Elizabeth for such a woman—an Instagram model and social media influencer. Elizabeth is the plus-size offspring of biracial parents. She eventually stops moping and decides that these sources of her insecurity are actually her greatest assets. She, too, becomes a social media influencer. Her YouTube channel about beauty tips and healthy eating garners thousands of likes on its first night and soon attracts the attention of S413, a multimillion-dollar cosmetics company, and the irresistible Shaun Presley. As she establishes herself in her new reality, she discovers that makeup is not the only tool S413's owners use to create illusions. Can Elizabeth's newfound Islamic faith sustain her as her dream world collapses? ... (read more)

back to top

Ethical Dilemmas

At the center of Lawson’s twisting tale is Karin, a woman turning fifty and still learning hard lessons. She is by no means old as she celebrates the milestone birthday. Her mother, Effie, is still youthful at seventy-five, while her ailing father, Magnus, remains sharp at ninety. Intelligent and beautiful, Karin is a former dancer with a now successful career in medicine. Her husband, Theo, is a respected professor of history at Columbia College. ... (read more)

back to top

Overcoming

Poet O’Meara has composed more than two hundred pieces depicting his life before, during, and after his lengthy drug and alcohol addictions. He began drinking at age eleven, and those problems escalated through the years. His poems describe the inner horrors he experienced, from troubling “Dreams” of murder (“I pulled out a knife and stabbed him over and over again”) to a sensation of “Falling Deep” into emptiness. Recollections of his time in military service also haunt him. His despair reaches universal proportions as he surveys the “Messed Up World,” seeing himself as one of “The Disabled.” But gradually, he seeks help, finding purpose in a determination to “change into the person Jesus wants me to be,” as chronicled in “Take Control.” ... (read more)

back to top

Courageous & Honest

As a female growing up in Texas during the Great Depression, Sonya not only struggles with the strain of hunger and loss, but she also endures a cyclical pattern of abuse. Beginning with the cruel treatment the main character receives from her stepfather, this fictional memoir depicts the resiliency of a young woman coming of age in a dark and evolving world. Though the odds are stacked against her, Sonya possesses the resiliency to vacate these storm cloud situations in search of healthier relationships, a better life, and a more realized self. With the persistent choice to move forward, she discovers personal freedom, strength, and self-worth through education and religion. As rays of sunlight begin to peak through the shadows of her experiences, and as she learns to help herself, she gains the ability to begin assisting others as well. ... (read more)

back to top

Positions of Power

As chronicled in the first book in Cameron’s novel of Earth’s possible future, small colonies have been established on the moon and Mars by the Prometheus group led by the once heavyweight boxing champion, Munro. Much more than a fighter, Munro sees the chaos that has been ensnaring the world and knows it is only a matter of time before wars on Earth will destroy it. He begins a school recruiting highly intelligent children from all over the world. They are trained in languages, firearms, math, science, and politics. He, along with the extraordinary group of individuals working with him, begin gaining positions of power and influence around an increasingly violent and lawless world. The children, predominantly females, become powerful in the worlds of science and politics helped by Munro’s wife, the U.S. President, and his various other loves in foreign countries. ... (read more)

back to top

Blurred Lines

Ra’el finds herself imprisoned by an all-powerful dragon who threatens to eat her immediately, but the young protagonist manages to stall for time through her gift of storytelling. As she relates various myths, histories, and fables from around the globe, the dragon begins to relish her company, and the two form an unlikely bond. Yet there is a secret that does not pass between them easily concerning Ra’el’s quest for holy relics and Roaring Flamebringer’s possession of at least one of them: the sword Excalibur. As the two feel out their sudden alliance, Ra’el shares the story of Mary Magdalan, spreading the Christian gospel throughout Europe after her time with Christ. Spanning multiple nations and notable figures, Mary’s journeys parallel the quest that drives Ra’el. ... (read more)

back to top

Secrets

Sora Sakurai’s life seems to be hanging on by a thread. Prone to dark thoughts, destructive tendencies, and living on the fringe of society, she is haunted by the trauma of the Okami attacks that killed her entire family. Working as a Keeper, Sora patrols the outer edges of Sector Five to protect the people from wolves—people who can also morph into a wolf form. The secret she’s keeping from absolutely everyone is that she is a wolf herself. When the ghosts of her past spring forward and task her with establishing peace to fulfill a prophecy, Sora has to shed her lone wolf lifestyle and start her own pack. The fate of the world relies on Sora bringing in runaways, people she thought long dead, and even some human friends that she must sway to her identity and cause. ... (read more)

back to top

Mesmerizing

Mother Nature’s daughter is a princess who is responsible for granting the wishes that float to her on the gentle seeds of the wishflower. One day, she loses the ability to do her job, as the seeds cause her to sneeze from allergies whenever they land on her nose. With no more wishes being granted, the people begin to lose hope, leading a brave knight to try and come up with a solution. Meeting the Lady Kayla, Sir Chris discovers that her mother turned to a sorcerer when her wishes to bring her missing husband home went unanswered. Now he must find a way to reverse the evil spell that cursed Princess Alexa and restore hope to the land by allowing their wishes to be heard and granted once more. ... (read more)

back to top

An Aleternate World

Sammy and Kris spend their time playing in imaginary worlds that they create for themselves. They transform their yard into a land of possibility and imagine they are spies on an uncertain mission that they make up as they go along. They are friends bonded together in their mutual, imaginative fun. Then suddenly, they are transported into the world they have imagined, and a magical and dangerous adventure begins. This strong and capable female duo become secret agents with a mission that mysteriously unfolds as they are chased by villainous agents intent on capturing them or possibly even killing them. In this parallel world, Sammy and Kris’s shapeshifting powers and telepathic abilities allow them to escape the clutches of the evil, scheming agents. But every encounter brings them closer to danger and also to the final objective of their mission. Along the way, they will learn valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and sacrifice. ... (read more)

back to top

Love & Survival

When Judith’s father returns from Vietnam in 1967 with a debilitating case of PTSD, he finds refuge in a small church of like-minded souls. Led by a charismatic pastor who advocates preparing for the “end times,” many in his flock abandon their livelihoods. By the time Judith is sixteen in 1979, her family has spent eight happy years hidden deep in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in southwestern Oregon. While camping away from their cabin to tend their father’s illegal marijuana grow, Judith and her little sister Kali witness the murder of their parents and older brother. The girls escape back to the safety of their cabin and the arms of their maternal grandmother, a capable elder who had a full-blooded Klamath-Modoc mother. The girls’ fragile world is soon shattered again when Gramma suddenly passes away, and Judith must decide whether to care for her mute sister alone or return to the outside world. Two small comforts during their ordeal are the “communing tree” that shelters their grandmother’s grave, and the gifts of wild game left by a mysterious visitor. ... (read more)

back to top

Ask

This Christian-thought book revolves around three pertinent questions: Can a Christian be gay, how does God guide, and why does God not answer prayer? Within these three questions, it provides answers based on science, religious doctrine, philosophy, and the author’s interpretations. The Bible is sometimes seen as a “library,” one which offers much in the way of teachings, including parables, drama, metaphors, poems, histories, and laws which are often subject to interpretation. The book also focuses on God’s will as that of serving God and humanity through Christian love. This love includes those who are “homosexual,” and the work refutes common fundamentalist thought that says gays are not worthy of such acceptance. The book continues by looking at God’s guidance, our own inner wisdom, and prayer, including when one’s prayers don’t seem to be answered, how to pray, and what is “true” prayer. ... (read more)

back to top

Tales in Prose

A walkthrough or mini-memoir, this 220-page book will resonate with many types of poetry readers, including sons, fathers, parents, lovers, travelers, and senior citizens. “The Golden Mile” is the polished gem set atop Ward’s collection. This four-stanza, rhymed poem sparkles as it reveals the poignancy of a father and son sharing a delayed moment in a war-shortened life. Other examples of Ward’s poetry record tender times with his wife and playful memories of his young children and grandchildren. A glossary of names makes it easy for the reader to keep track. “Beads Up Your Nose” will bring back the drama of some childhood moments which are best (but not easily) forgotten. “The Olden Days” answers the sort of questions every kid delights in asking an older parent. Fantasy, Australian, and Italian poems offer something for every poetry devotee, young or old. ... (read more)

back to top

Failure Mandates

Education reformers often look for ways to innovate within traditional educational structures, but these authors seek something bolder. They have developed a whole new system of learning that meets the demands of the digital age and, more importantly, the needs of an entire generation of learners trapped in the traditional model of education. Rooted in research and experience, this new model seeks significant systemic changes and a mindset shift that empowers students and teachers on the journey to lifelong learning. The authors outline their design strategy and their guiding principles while also critiquing the current shortcomings of education. Their trademarked Digital Age Learning System (DALS) is offered as a private business franchise that will operate in communities. The authors also provide extensive explanation and description of their teaching practices that are founded on developing an effective classroom environment where learners are valued and supported, and the learning is relevant and authentic. ... (read more)

back to top

Battle of the Sexes

According to the book, the goal of most women is to be in a relationship, preferably with a “bad boy” who adores her enough to change. Inspired by feminists, the independent woman settles for a weak man who caters to her, but whom she can’t respect. The ultimate feminist goal is to gain support for their agenda from 50% of all men. To do so, feminists advocate that women use distancing tactics, including the threat of abortion. Since their source of money to march and promote their cause comes from abortions, men are allowed little say. ... (read more)

back to top

Publica Affairs

This work deals with urban planning in a comprehensive form. A devastating anticipated population increase, an oligarchic economic structure, and the massive use of technology (as well as warfare) have caused climate crises to which some people and organizations have been alerted. Bolan cites other authors' hypotheses that increased migration and concurrent population increases in urban areas have been affecting the earth's physical environment for nearly 200 years. Likewise, the individual consumption of resources, such as automobiles and single-family homes, has had a similar effect over a shorter period. Like many environmentalists, earth scientists, and researchers, Bolan sees a huge problem in the overconsumption of each person. The author believes that the key to the possibilities of coping is education in a variety of sectors. He is an advocate for reaching the United Nations' seventeen sustainable goals for "People, Planet, and Prosperity." ... (read more)

back to top

Multifaceted

The author of this useful primer on business management starts from the thesis that there are two equally important “sides” to managing efficiently and effectively: the rational and the emotional. Author Matteucci presents an array of tools—both rational and emotional in nature—to help the reader succeed in management. ... (read more)

back to top

Enlightenment

Did you ever wonder what Jesus himself thought about his birth, life, death, and resurrection? How did he feel on hearing Mary, his mother, relate details of two miraculous births in the family—cousin John’s birth and his own? Did he hope one day to marry or own a carpentry shop like his stepfather, Joseph? This historical novel begins with Jesus learning of his special path. At twelve on the verge of manhood, his parents brought him to Jerusalem. Jesus sought answers from ancient elders who met in groups at the temple. He wished to learn what his purpose on earth might be. Was it to single-mindedly follow God’s path for his life step-by-step? ... (read more)

back to top

Spiritual Rejuventation

Few books are as persistently tenacious and enchantingly informative as this one. Part travel guide and part almanac, the text immerses the reader in the ever-expanding world of spiritualism. After presenting brief summaries of the authors' own journeys, the book quickly showcases an impressive series of resources, terms, and methods related to the subject. The goal seems to be to create a single insightful volume on rejuvenating, rumination, energy, and homeopathic medicines, gifting the reader with the implements needed to receive and send positive energy. In turn, the teachings are designed to help readers prosperously utilize all the innovative modalities outlined, providing the tools the authors deem indispensable to heal a troubled world. Some concepts, such as channeling self-awareness, accessing the super consciousness, and reiki, could be seen as unconventional to a skeptical mind. But, the authors contend that there are many benefits from practicing these, as the book masterfully explains. ... (read more)

back to top

Sisterhood

With her colorful family history more than a century old and threatening to fade away like much of small-town history, the author of this book offers a brief biography for each of her aunts, her mother, her grandparents, and extended family in the form of vignettes and snapshots. Each of these stories details a moment in life either important or emblematic of a big family living in a rural part of Connecticut that remains sparsely populated to this day. Each of the Harding sisters has significant details of her life recorded here: marriages, children, dominant character traits, and a funny anecdote or two to complete the picture. All of this is told through the family’s primary hobby of gossip, personal recollection, or occasionally the inclusion of newspaper quotes both from the author’s childhood pen or from the official press. ... (read more)

back to top

Most of Life

Author Brown has undertaken a personal exploration of system mentality, showing how we can liberate ourselves from the strictures of religion and other “boxes” and take charge of our lives. Born into a Catholic family in Trinidad and Tobago, Brown came to the United States for education and sports participation. He became immersed in an evangelical Christian viewpoint, but doubts began to surface. As he studied and wrote about the issue of grace, he realized that religions and other systems seek to control our actions through threats and promises. Yet we are all free, conscious beings connected by infinite energy, or Source Creation. To revivify our lives, pull our own strings, and find success, we must listen to our creative inner messages, grasp our distinctive personal powers, and attend our own “awakening party” in which we ascend “from possibility to actuality.” This independent decision can be based on Brown’s mantra: “Live life, love, learn, let live.” ... (read more)

back to top

Bipolar Life and More

Part bipolar disorder diary, part reflections on God, part sampling of poetry, and part self-help memoir, Melcher’s wide-ranging and honest exploration provides a unique perspective into the life of a man who, it seems, was born to write. “This is a conversational, journal-style, reflection-oriented book,” writes the author. “It often reads more like a conversation… basically, it is meant to chronicle my spiritual walk of thought, prayer and personal experiences.” The reader comes to know well the inner thoughts and poetic ponderings of Melcher, who grew up the youngest of nine in a Catholic family. He is very open and forthcoming about having been diagnosed, at age 17, with bipolar disorder and provides numerous examples—at times humorous—of how the highs and lows have impacted his life through college, in the church, in relationships, with his family, and more. ... (read more)

back to top

Trail of Faith

An author’s search for true meaning through Christian tradition has led to this credible exploration of biblical history. Bastian began his search for truth as a young man when the evils he observed in the world evoked serious questioning about the religion in which he had been raised. As he studied the Bible, he began to see those questions answered, pointing to a redemptive process that began in the Garden of Eden. There, he notes, sin was born through the devil in the form of a snake who successfully tempted Eve, and through her, Adam. But their descendants would include many great leaders whom God would choose to guard and rescue His people. Throughout the Bible, there are predictions that God will send a savior. The miraculous confluence of events around the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus offers human beings a path to righteousness, and a means to thwart the devil’s wishes for domination. ... (read more)

back to top

Mexican Joy

In this memoir, the author relates her adventures during her semester as a young college student in 1966 at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City. Having always had a fascination for both the language and people of Mexico, the opportunity to study abroad immersed in the culture she adored was profound. During her time there, she lived with four other young American women students in the home of sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Castillo, who arranged social outlets for the group as well as providing room and board. Not only does Sommers find her love for Mexico and its culture grow as she begins her studies, but she also meets and falls in love with a man who will show her aspects of his homeland that she will cherish her entire life. ... (read more)

back to top

Still Believing

For author GodsGirl, the trials of life began at birth, when her mother abandoned her in the hospital. Her great-grandmother and her aunt fortuitously took her in. It was a difficult childhood; GodsGirl was strong-willed and defiant. She started using drugs, and, by age nineteen, had three children to care for. After struggling financially and working for a while as a housekeeper for Lacy in a house of ill repute, GodsGirl took her boys to Los Angeles, where she studied cosmetology and began to succeed in that profession. Involvement with a generous but violent man forced another move, this time to New York. After her youngest son was hit by a car and needed extensive care, she returned to California, where one day, watching an evangelistic program on TV, she experienced an almost instant conversion to Christianity, leading to the fulfillment of a long-held dream to assist and counsel at-risk young women. ... (read more)

back to top

Swift to Please

Reis is a protagonist that one doesn’t see every day. He’s a young adult with autism spectrum disorder. While he is physically fit and exceptionally intelligent, his social skills are sorely lacking. Realizing this, he wonders if he’s really the right person to leave his home in Alabama and go undercover in a Florida high school to root out a drug problem. Since the request comes from a lifelong friend who’s now the sheriff in that community, however, Reis accepts the challenge. What follows is an involving tale with a major thread and minor subplots. ... (read more)

back to top

Playful Energy

Baxter’s poetry compilation encompasses the various shades of love, ranging from the intense and passionate flame of intimate love to the pangs of unrequited love, and from the unrivaled love of parenthood to the love of service through teaching. Though there is no concrete rhyme scheme within the poetry, the poet does an effective job of using repetition to emphasize a particular point. The example that jumps off the page is the final line of most poems, “The rest is history,” which creatively ties together the entire compilation as one collective voice and journey rather than a set of individual poems. ... (read more)

back to top

Illuminating

Like American jazz, poetry is known for its unexpected nature and sharp movements. In this compelling book of poetry, that characterization is maintained. It is sweeping, quick, splendid, and topical. Addressing positive thinking, the quest for truth, and even retirement, this great poetic tapestry weaves together several of life's defining themes. However, the stark complexities that other poets might use are missing with this more earnest and light approach, making for a refreshing change and one that could invite more readers to this author in the future. ... (read more)

back to top

Liftoff

This robust account of hobby rocketry covers the history of the people and the amazing feats of progress that have pushed the field to new heights. Beginning his chronicle from 1981, Canepa presents a fascinating look inside the world of amateurs, enthusiasts, pioneers, and experts of high-powered rocketry. Canepa then sweeps through the years, touching down on the thrilling successes and teachable failures of rockets reaching dizzying heights and others crashing to earth never to be seen again. He divides the decades effectively into three sections based on advancements and revolutions in rocketry, most notably the breakthrough in reloadable rocket technology. The result is a sprawling timeline of progress with intimate details of the work of individuals and organizations intent on breaking altitude records with high-powered hobby rockets. ... (read more)

back to top

Dream Again

Fifty years ago, David Vaught, a 1969 West Point graduate, embarked on a perilous legal journey to challenge the compulsory weekly chapel attendance at his famous alma mater. Up against such defiant figures as Colonel Alexander Haig, David and his friend Lucien Truscott stood atop the principles of religious freedom and the First Amendment to state their case. As dramatic a theme as this is for a nonfiction book (a fictionalized version of which Truscott wrote as the novel and miniseries Dress Gray), Vaught’s retelling is merely an early mile marker on a much grander literary journey—that of his own attempt to figure out what the American dream really means. To do that, he chose to combine his views on the West Point incident with such experiences as his time in Illinois politics, recollections of his family history, and his opinions on the values on which our nation was founded. ... (read more)

back to top

Soul Prose

The New Testament is full of familiar stories that readers of the Bible have enjoyed through the Gospels and other books. However, the writing is often austere and reserved even during moments of great crisis. This collection of five lyric poems each focuses on a different moment of Jesus’s life from the perspective and often frustration of those it happened to. ... (read more)

back to top

Inhumanity Turned

Fourteen-year-old James Breckinridge (Jimmy) is a tough kid. When his father dies, Jimmy becomes head of his North Carolina plantation. Instead of staying there, however, he heeds a call of duty against the “Northern boys” in the Civil War and joins the Alabama Red Rifles. Accompanying him is Zebediah (Zeb), a slave and close friend. Their master-slave relationship is complex, with Jimmy steadily acknowledging their considerable differences on their journey. His keen observations of men and battle enable him to comprehend the “true cost of war.” He’s also crafty enough to work his way out of dicey situations. An “inhuman” and “wicked” incident ultimately shifts Jimmy’s loyalties, propelling him to join the Union and abandon his allegiance to the Confederacy. ... (read more)

back to top

The US Review of Books is dedicated to fair and honest coverage for all books. We are a leading book review site, often visited for professional book reviews examples.