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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 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 Author Spotlight US Review Blog   Author Spotlight Michael C. Higgins I publish a book series called Exploring Wine Regions. It is an... (read more) Author Spotlight Alice McVeigh My body of work has been marked by three separate periods. While deeply bored in the back desk of the Royal... (read more)

Recent Book Reviews

 

Focus Review

The Remembering: A Journey Back to Self by Peter Kennedy "I had spent my life searching for something that was never out there. It had always been right here. In the silence. In me." While searching for a meaning or a purpose in life has always been of chief concern to people throughout the ages, modern society and consumer culture create a different quest entirely. How do we live up to the people we admire and strive to be like? What kind of status, purchase, or career can give us a sense of worthiness and contentment? And what steps can we take to move past the noise into a place of real actualization and meaning? In this book, the author shares his own journey, from the values and goals he set for himself in childhood to a transformative experience with a shaman in Brazil and every step of his self-discovery afterwards. Each truth and realization about life that is uncovered is given context through the author's own experiences and shared with the reader. ... (read more)

• 20/40 by Steven Sarshik
• Badger Brothers, The by Derek Davis, Anna Kelley, and Kat Davis - RECOMMENDED
• Be Whoo You Are by Kathleen Welton
• Because of His Heart by Stephen A. Marvin
• Behind the Torn Veil by Itotko - RECOMMENDED
• Brutal Disclosure by Kevin Polin
• Case of the Grudge Tiger, The by Judith Fournie Helms
• Choose by D C Mallery - RECOMMENDED
• Chosen Ones, The by Blaine C. Readler
• Chronicles of the Gods: Book One by L. Scott Cisney
• Church In Wildwood, The by William Gamsby
• Community Files, The by Charles R. Rogers
• Compassionate Writer, The by Anne Beall, PhD
• Crossing the Wild Pacific by Robert Tisch
• Death by Roses by Vivian R. Probst - RECOMMENDED
• Destiny by Andy Mitchell
• Devils Roll the Dice, The by Linda Kay Simmons - RECOMMENDED
• Echoes from a Spiritual Name by Alvin J. Clark - RECOMMENDED
• Five Mile Charlie: The Search for Dinky by Kimberly Adams - RECOMMENDED
• Freefalling...God's Angels by My Side by Linda Diane Worthy - RECOMMENDED
• Gramps and L.D. by Dr. Walter R. Hoge, DVM - RECOMMENDED
• House of Gourmet, The by Monique Gliozzi - RECOMMENDED
• Impetus by S.J. Leone - RECOMMENDED
• Kloe's New Friendship by K. M. Selvidge - RECOMMENDED
• Light is Me; Light is My Philosophy! by Dr. Rimaletta Ray
• Moonshine Cabin by Ron Fritsch
• My Sister's Keeper by Ralph Dellapiana
• Not My Bachelor by Tricia Heggeness
• Ocean Life, An by T.R. Cotwell - RECOMMENDED
• Perfect Cadence by Tamar Anolic
• Petey The Pug Escapes For 24 Hours by Renee Servello
• Politics, Gangs, and Vodou by Yvon Milien - RECOMMENDED
• Prescott Murders, The by Andy Mitchell
• Redemption by Chelsea Freeman - RECOMMENDED
• Thoughts on my Thoughts Book VI by Dr. Walter R. Hoge, DVM
• To Russia with Love by H.D. Duman
• Understanding the Bible, Part One by Bob Dowell
• Understanding the Bible, Part Two by Bob Dowell
• Understanding the Bible, Part Three by Bob Dowell
• Until She's Found by Stacey Andrade King - RECOMMENDED
• Winds of Sovereignty by Sen. Francis Tolentino

Read the US Review of Books Previous Edition

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Featured Book Reviews

 

A Vivid Yield

Highlight Review The Iberian Table: Healthy Cooking Secrets from the Land of Longevity by Robin Keuneke Bay of Roses Books book review by Mihir Shah "For the chefs know the embracing of simple sustenance and the dignity that lies therein, is the soul of Spain's greatest cooking." Keuneke's work transcends the traditional cookbook structure, entering a realm of culture and cuisine that provides a comprehensive experience that will likely be relished by all audiences. A delectable fusion of health and wellness, memoir, and recipes, the work offers an unrivaled sensory experience, complete with timely health advice, origin stories galore, and recipes delivered with such authenticity and simplicity that they create a homely feel throughout. The same awe the author experiences while standing with her mother atop the highest ridge on Salt Island is imbued within the presentation of every recipe and every travel destination. ... (read more)

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Culture Testament

In these prosaic poems, the author shares stories and recollections of a unique childhood, filled with memories of Swedish immigrant parents and unforgettable childhood journeys to Sweden. These recollections are balanced with insights into the joys and pitfalls of growing up in an America that is so different from today. Nonetheless, this book is not only a poetic journey through the author's life, but also many unique poetic forms. It also includes many family photos and artistic photos. Therefore, it is a visual journey that explores life's intersections where the visual arts and the written word meet. Most of all, this book offers its audience a steady mantra: "soul food / essential ingredients / love, family, friends." ... (read more)

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World's Collide

Highlight Review Short Time in Samui 2nd edition by JJ Scott Kindel Books book review by Michael Radon "That was the fatal flaw for both of us. I wanted to help her, and Noona did not want help from me or anyone else." In Thailand, JJ is experiencing the weightless space between lives: the ghosts of his life in America cling to his past, and the normalcy of a new job and routine in Singapore is not yet ready to begin. JJ's first time in Thailand is brief, whisking from one city to the next to have a little fun, check out some sights and cultural events like the Full Moon Party in Koh Phagnan, and acclimate to the time zone before heading to his new life across the gulf. Along the way, JJ seeks companionship from a series of bargirls, each with a character as varied and unique as the cities and bars they work from. First in Pattaya is Pooky, a cheerful yet childlike girl who maintains her spiritual roots, as comfortable in a foreigner's hotel room as she is at the local temple. Next in Pattaya is Moon: a shy, old-fashioned girl with hangups about her appearance and a quiet presence, but she can also dominate a karaoke stage with her flawless singing and dancing. And then finally, upon arriving in Koh Samui, JJ meets Noona. ... (read more)

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Spiritual Journey

This book is an in-depth exploration of one of the best-known sections of the Bible—the Book of Ecclesiastes, specifically Chapter 3, verses 1-12. Its chapters challenge individuals to consider not only how they interpret this set of scriptures, but also how they apply them. It also asks them to consider how they perceive, utilize, and approach their faith. These chapters also provide insight into how to cope with life's difficult circumstances, particularly the negativity one may encounter from others. Other chapters provide personal narratives about incidents that may test one's faith. The author shares how her faith guided her through both difficult and easy circumstances. Other chapters remind readers that they must take care of their spirits as well as their bodies and minds. ... (read more)

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Intelligent & Insightful

Highlight Review Seeking Fairness at Work: Cracking the New Code of Greater Employee Engagement, Retention and Satisfaction by Hanna Hasl-Kelchner, MBA, JD Smart Direction Press book review by Haley Koth "How power is used in organizations determines whether it unites us with trust or divides us with fear." It is universally recognized that fair work environments lead to better outcomes, but why exactly does this happen, and how can fairness be promoted? Based on the evidence that globally increasing employee discontent widely stems from unfair treatment, this guide seeks to answer these questions and more. Although worldwide efforts to improve fair treatment at work have been underway for several years, unfair workplace practices and environments persist. Part One of this book details basic requirements for a workplace (fairness, good faith working conditions, a sense of belonging) and then describes common unfair work conditions, seeking to bridge a gap between what employees desire in a workplace and how managers view and share expectations. Part Two builds on this knowledge to create a fair-workplace action plan: build trust through honesty and self-awareness, promote empathetic and communicative relationships, take accountability, create a cultural safety net, and implement clear policies. ... (read more)

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Vivid Portrait

McVeigh's sequel to Sense and Sensibility picks up three years after Austen's ending, following Marianne Brandon as a young widow trying to find her place in London society, while her sister Margaret is accused of stealing lace from a shop. The story unfolds through Marianne's journals, Margaret's diary entries, and third-person narration, giving readers multiple viewpoints on the same events. This structure keeps the story dynamic and lets readers see how Marianne's personal struggles ripple through her family and friends. Margaret's voice stands out with a perfect mix of teenage drama and self-awareness as she pens her own Gothic novel from her cell in Spitalfields. ... (read more)

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Betrayals

Highlight Review Paris Locked by Jennifer Harris Troubador Publishing book review by Amanda Hanson "He must know that a diamond bracelet would not solve their crisis." Marian and Jason have been married for over twenty years and have two adult children, Olivia and Mark. Marian discovers that Jason cheated on her during a business trip to Sydney, a realization triggered by hearing the laughter of another woman on a phone call. Feeling deeply betrayed, Marian still decides to take a trip with Jason to Paris in the hope of saving their marriage. They have visited the city several times before. While working on their relationship, Marian is confronted with painful memories, including the loss of their unborn child many years ago. During this time in Paris, she is also organizing a vernissage with her art colleague and friend, Stephanie. As Marian navigates her marital issues, she finds herself juggling both personal struggles and professional responsibilities. ... (read more)

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Experience History

School is out for the summer, and fifteen-year-old friends Alex, Kali, and Roman decide to visit their community's city hall, where they hear a protest is planned. The three are a little surprised at the intensity of the protesters and their claims about constitutional rights. This prompts the three to learn more about the Constitution. The next morning, they begin their search at the public library. While searching through some of the more remote stacks, a book called The Living Constitution falls off a shelf and thumps to the floor. As they begin flipping its pages, a hologram of Ben Franklin materializes before them. He transports them through time to Philadelphia in 1787 as the Constitution is being drafted. ... (read more)

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Collision Course

Highlight Review Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Life by Jeffrey Weiss MSI Press book review by Mihir Shah "What I know, though, is this: I want to always live a life of challenge and audacity in everything I do." From the opening line of the prologue, Weiss sets the tone for his audience: anything is possible, and if done correctly, limits are simply checkpoints to cross. The author's running journey, however, is not linear. He deep-dives into other sports, most prominently weightlifting, and achieves success. Following his father's passing, Weiss, then forty-six, realizes he cannot rest on his weight-lifting laurels and must take better care of his body to optimize his performance into middle age and beyond. The transformation that ensues is nothing short of inspirational, but the author depicts it with both anecdotal and analytical references, offering others a roadmap for understanding that peak performance is possible for decades, even into one's eighties. ... (read more)

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The Future Today

The United States is in disarray. The government has little control and uses its waning power and influence to fleece any group it can: a true kleptocracy. Latinos have been sorted into a collection of barrios around the United States, where they were going to be sorted for deportation. Instead, they were just left there. However, the barrios set up their own governments and militias. Most goods and commodities are brought and sold through the barrios, and life within them is much better than life on the outside. Martin, a gringo, is a cop in the barrios. His main job is to help lost people, give directions to the public bathrooms, and stay out of the way of the local Latino militia—the Greenhats. However, when Martin's decency gets the best of him, and he saves some Latino girls from violent smugglers, he becomes much more involved. ... (read more)

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Entertaining & Thoughtful

Three female lawyers give up their comfortable, though stifling, jobs at prestigious firms to start their own law firm in hopes of being recognized and respected as professionals despite prejudices against their various appearances. One lawyer is an achondroplastic dwarf. Another is obese, and the third is so drop-dead gorgeous she is often assumed to be a Barbie... (read more)

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Beyond Hype

Jenkins takes the meaning of “we the people” to the ultimate level by proposing a shift in how society and government operate, leading to collaboration and mitigating greed and bias within the judicial system. The end goal, as he reiterates throughout the work, is the implementation of a better democracy, one that is not susceptible to political gamesmanship and the power of the almighty dollar. At the core of Jenkins' work is a fervent desire to truly execute on the phrase, “represent their constituents,” and spark an evolution of the United States government that does what it set out to do back in 1776: serve the people. ... (read more)

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Heartfelt

Amanda Ten Eycke, from New York City, travels to Europe with her Aunt Bea and her cousin Becky, following the death of Amanda's Uncle, Benjamin, who was Bea's husband. To help cope with her mourning, Aunt Bea has decided to take the trip with her daughter, and Amanda joins them to keep Becky company. Their first destination in Europe is Paris at the beginning of the year. They then settle in London, and Becky excitedly encourages Amanda to crash an audition at a theatre there, believing in Amanda's talent. Becky and Amanda attend the audition, where they have the opportunity to meet new people and build new relationships. Unfortunately, World War I breaks out. As time passes, Amanda is faced with the harsh realities of the war. ... (read more)

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Life-Changing Journey

Adorable characters, an engaging plot, and stellar illustrations by David Gnass grace the newest addition to the award-winning Five Mile Charlie series. While the language is a bit advanced for the youngest picture book set to read themselves, this volume is certainly an excellent "read-to" narrative with its signature, fast-paced adventure paired with a thematic, universally understood problem to solve. In this case, the latest quest is a road trip to help Grumps, the coyote, find his parents and sister after they were separated in the city. While Carly (the girl) holds down the fort at the tranquil Five Mile Farm with Wallace the cat and Blue the hound dog, the rest of the crew draws straws to see who will drive Stammy, the talking Rambler station wagon that was discovered under a tarp in the barn and brought to life by Queen Bee Nora and her magical bees. This time, the coveted driving job falls to Charlie the cheese-eating llama, a colorful fellow who is forever curious and equally inspiring as group leader and comic relief. ... (read more)

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Heartwarming

It's no secret that pugs are some of the most popular dogs. Dog lovers find them adorable with big personalities, just like Servello's character, Petey. Petey escapes his home, which is next to a golf course, and the narrative follows his adventures. Petey is looking for other dogs to play with. He ends up traveling around the golf course and is then taken in by Ty until his family finds him. Servello's dedication reveals that her son inspired the story, and that a lost pug really did show up at the golf course. This is a charming book that children who love animals, especially pugs, will enjoy reading. The lesson for readers is that family is important, and while the grass may look "fun" elsewhere, getting lost will make family members sad. This simple but poignant truth comes across clearly in the tale. ... (read more)

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Drugs & Violence

FBI trainer Angie Carpenter is drugged and abducted by hired goons on behalf of a clandestine network. Taken to a private island, she's tortured and killed. Under interrogation, she betrays the name of former soldier and freelance agent Dale Lipinski, who now assists the FBI in a private capacity. Dale is targeted for assassination. A missile destroys a car he was assumed to be driving. In reality, the car was carrying his lover, Lei. Employing all the intelligence resources at his disposal, Dale embarks on a quest for revenge with global scope. To this end, he enlists the services of several talented individuals: Ari Isakov, a Mossad agent; Kurt Sanger, a friend who specializes in abductions; Toy Namo, a Seattle-based undercover female investigator; and a woman named Katla whose love for him burns hot. Dale's journey places him in the crosshairs of Pentago, a secretive Chicago-based espionage organization, and Skryty, a consortium of terrorists and spies who aren't afraid to get their hands bloody. ... (read more)

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Countering Evil

Persy is being stalked. In hypnotic therapy, after her stalker, Frank, attacks her, Persy regresses into a past life. She watches her past self, Persephone, endure similar abuse by her husband, to whom she's given in a poker game. As Persy and her friends fight back against Frank and the anguish he causes her, she gets to know the women who help Persephone. In her pursuit of justice, Persy joins the legacy of her forebearers, former slaves and indigenous people in the Louisiana swamps, battling prejudice. ... (read more)

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Immersive

This novel begins in the city of Kraab, where Aleb Krouse has spent the day organizing his few possessions. A strange, unidentifiable object appears in the sky. Little does Aleb know that the mysterious object will eventually change the course of everything. The narrative features a cast of interesting characters, including the Croans who embark on a strange exploration of Groob, a planet larger than Earth. The journey reveals a technology unlike any other. While some think the technology is the key to a new, more communicative future, others fear that the technology will unleash a totalitarian overtake unlike anything the universe has ever seen. Nonetheless, a powerful team has a plan to make sure the technology does not fall into the wrong hands, ensuring the universe's safety and the continuity of their intergalactic adventures. ... (read more)

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Raved by Crime

McComb is a community ravaged by crime, and because of that, its population is dwindling. Reverend Bubba Newcomb finds himself at a loss about what to do, even though he desperately wants to help McComb. He turns to a higher power, seeking answers about what he and his church can do to fight the rising crime and give back to the community. After Newcomb's church finds itself at the center of a break-in, Newcomb's mission to save McComb becomes even more urgent. Realizing the police department lacks the manpower to fight back against gangs and other criminals slowly taking over McComb, Reverend Newcomb begins a mission to inspire the townspeople to band together and save their community. ... (read more)

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Better Life

This highly entertaining novel focuses primarily on two very different women, Mae Rose McElroy and Mary Lee Broadmoor, and how their lives interact and how their personalities eventually become one body. Mae Rose, a homemaker in a very unhappy marriage, dies of a heart attack while on the toilet. Her long-suffering husband, Art, made a decision to try to make her happy, only to be thwarted in this attempt before finding her dead. On the other hand, there is wealthy Mary Lee, the queen of horror, who is dying of pancreatic cancer and trying to write her last story before she dies. ... (read more)

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Guidance

"Who am I?" is undoubtedly the universal question permeating every element of the cosmos. Though the realization may dawn at various points in one's life, the inner journey of the spirit—of consciousness—is integral to the human experience. In Clark's work, readers receive an authentic, thoroughly researched commentary on self-understanding through the vignettes of the Shiva Sutras, consciousness, and the divine. Against the backdrop of South Asian Indian culture, the author probes its most sacred elements, demystifying complex Sanskrit vocabulary into palatable, illuminating translations. How a bacteriology professor rooted in the scientific mindset takes that same intellectual curiosity and applies it to the spiritual realm is absolutely intriguing. In much the same way his spiritual guru was a prerequisite for Clark's spiritual journey, his words are the guardrails, a navigation system to help the seeker take their own first steps toward an awakening that leads to deciphering both who one is not and who one is. ... (read more)

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Overcoming

In this candid and unsettling work, author Freeman has chosen to share stark, horrific memories from childhood as a means of helping others to survive and overcome the mental, physical, and psychological challenges inherent in extreme physical abuse. The shocking, sadistic mistreatment inflicted by her father and other male relatives, and the lack of care or concern from her mother, began in Freeman's earliest years. Her father was an alcoholic who raged and harshly punished her on a regular basis, while her mother did not intervene. Her uncle also attacked her with her mother's apparent approval, telling her daughter that his house was to be deeded to her family. Beaten with belts and boards, Freeman was the chosen target of both parents, while her brother, as "the boy," was left unharmed. ... (read more)

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Thorough

Author Itotko successfully arrays multiple investigations and the questions arising from them, which are centered on the Holy Bible. The text effectively demonstrates the differences between the literal words of scripture and the ways that, over time, many readers and religionists have misinterpreted them. The author states that his thesis is not directed at any particular denomination but rather presents the wording of the Holy Bible (King James Version), challenging readers to perceive the differences between that text and the falsehoods often assigned to it. ... (read more)

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Western Romance

Traveling through Arizona territory, Will stops at a small farm and asks a woman if she has a few days of work he could do. Cora does need some help around her place. Since her late husband's passing, she has been running low on firewood, and the barn roof requires some attention. As the days go by and Will continues working, Cora feels he is someone she can trust. The two begin to have feelings for each other. However, Will is hiding a secret and is afraid that when it catches up with him, it may put Cora in danger. Will faces a murder charge in a neighboring town and decides it is time to return, tell his story, and claim his innocence. Shortly after Will disappears, Cora is informed about his location from a newspaper article covering the trial. She decides she must find Will and learn the truth about the whole affair. However, she'll have to avoid a murderous outlaw on the road and the unseen dangers that await her in Wickenburg. ... (read more)

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Hotbed of Intrigue

The year is 1897, and Arizona is still fifteen years away from gaining its statehood. Haseya is a budding private investigator who is looking for business. She is approached by a client who wants her missing nephew found, and Haseya is ably assisted by Raymond, a teenager who wants to clear his reputation of past allegations of disreputable behavior. Haseya would rather work her case alone, but Raymond proves to be tenacious in his request for work. ... (read more)

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Heavenly Hands

Driven by their father, Chris, eight-year-old Tim and twelve-year-old Jenny are exploring the landscape as they head to their grandparents' farmhouse in the woods. On the way, the two children display their gumption as they tread water in a somewhat perilous creek. Once they arrive at their grandparents' house, Tim and Jenny rush to play with L.D.—the family duck. However, they find that the friendly fowl has somehow disappeared. The children, upset, run back to tell Gramps. He takes his cane, gets up, a bit unsteady on his feet, promising he will show them where they'll find their playmate. But what they discover, as Gramps will confirm, is that L.D. has passed. ... (read more)

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This is the End

Russell is working on an advanced college degree when he learns his parents, missionaries in China, have been killed in a car accident. After an extended time working through red tape to get their bodies returned and buried, Russell learns his uncle, a pastor in the small town of Wildwood, has passed. His uncle has always been a big influence on Russell, so he travels to Wildwood to help settle his uncle's estate. He is surprised to find that the town council has stated that his uncle did not leave a will, and they have already leased the church, the only one in town, to an environmental group. It isn't long before he learns that several people on the town council are working closely with Theos, the head of the environmental group. Theos spent time in prison for killing his brother and is performing satanic rites as he looks for a passage to hell. He believes the previous pastor knew the location and had the key. Russel finds a few former church members he can trust and learns about the swords that were given to the twelve tribes of Israel to battle demons in hell. His uncle and a select few were defending a gateway. Now, Russell is meant to take up his uncle's sword, fight demons in hell, and restore the church. ... (read more)

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Harsh Environs

Milien's book goes beyond the headlines and the foreign, passive perspective on Haiti, offering a deep examination of the island nation's history, present, and future. The author explores the development and stifling of the Haitian national identity from its roots as a settlement of the Taíno people to its French and Spanish colonization, the slave revolt that led to its many firsts, the dictatorial years under the rule of Duvaliers and the Tonton Macoute, a return to democracy, and its path forward to liberation. The text describes not just the crucial moments of modern Haitian history but also its people, their culture and values, and how the direction of their nation is reflected (or rejected) in the hearts and minds of its citizens. ... (read more)

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Mosaic

This book, the sixth in a series, consists largely of selections from Hoge's reading—blog posts, news articles, Wikipedia entries, AI-generated responses to queries—occasionally interspersed with Hoge's own commentary. As such, the book has the air of a Talmudic discourse or a book by a seventeenth-century English antiquary, in which one folklorist shares the findings of a previous folklorist before offering his own gloss.... (read more)

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Action-Packed

When a 300-pound Bengal tiger named Ms. Benni mauls a man named Dean, life for one family that lives in a zoo changes drastically. The accident unleashes a series of unforeseen consequences for the family when Dean sues them. Carolyn, the family's head and the zoo's owner, realizes that everything she and her family own is tied up in the zoo, which means the lawsuit could very well cost them dearly. On top of the serious financial repercussions, Carolyn faces the possibility of losing Ms. Benni. As Carolyn and her family select a lawyer and brace for the worst, she discovers a bewildering, albeit unique, approach that may well help them win against Dean. However, finding the right person and expert to defend The Warren Family Zoo and Ms. Benni is key to saving what the Warren family loves most. ... (read more)

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Culture Clash

A shared traumatic childhood of tragic loss and maternal neglect created an enduring bond between Declan O'Neill and his older brother Sean. But when Sean commits suicide, nineteen-year-old Declan finds himself not only mourning his loss but also on the hook for Sean's considerable debt to the Russian mafia. Seeking to escape, Declan leaves England to disappear in crowded New York City. However, he soon finds that the Big Apple at the start of the twenty-first century is also fraught with peril. Declan's perception of America as a land of opportunity is quickly replaced by the reality of rampant crime, violence, and corruption. Determined to carve out a future for himself, Declan perseveres. He finds friendship and even romantic love. But a devastating secret from the past sets in motion a cataclysmic sequence of events that threatens to destroy the future he has worked so hard to build. Meanwhile, the Russian mafia remains an ever-present menace, sending violent reminders that Declan is still on their radar. ... (read more)

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Secret Love

Reed Hauser is a quiet, studious, and hard-working teenager living simply in rural Illinois with his family. The local church hires a new pastor, who moves into the parsonage with his wife and son, Ethan. Reed and Ethan take an instant liking to each other, becoming fast and strong friends, aided along by something unspoken blooming quickly between them. Ethan's father seems to catch onto this before they even realize it, forbidding Reed from setting foot in their house and trying at every turn to keep his son from spending any time with him. But as friendship quickly blossoms into a secret love, Ethan and Reed must stay vigilant and discreet with their affections so they can continue to explore and foster their growing relationship and love for one another. ... (read more)

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Smart Enough?

Recently, Charles Portland has become a bachelor again following his separation from his wife, Erica. He is flabbergasted by the turn of events, which seemed to arise without warning. Charles is a journalist and is often out of town on assignments, but when he has been home, he hasn't noticed anything amiss in their marriage. If anything, Charles is more concerned about Erica's ambition and workaholic behavior as a doctor at St. Ambrose Hospital. Charles believes that Erica's devotion to her career will ultimately lead her to abandon the idea of starting a family. ... (read more)

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Undercurrents

Katarina Spencer, better known as Rina, takes center stage as Heggeness explores themes like intimacy, emotion, and the loss of human connection from unique vantage points in an undoubtedly character-driven plot arc. The narrative opens with the revelation that Rina's mother has fallen gravely ill. Naturally, Rina shifts from the Manhattan apartment she shares with her surgeon-resident boyfriend, Brandon, to Southern California. The character development is on point, a feature which is driven home by the placement of the characters into arenas that seem tailor-made for them to probe their individuality and the ultimate question of what matters. ... (read more)

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Turning Points

Gunnar Erickson is a struggling, disillusioned musician in 1978. After the restaurant at which he works closes, he and his friend, Shep, decide to head from Nebraska to Los Angeles. Gunnar and Shep embrace the opportunity this change provides for them. After all, new experiences mean new songs. Before long, the two of them find themselves contributing significantly to the band Authentic Cadence. Fame and fortune deliver a wave of intense touring, dedicated groupies, and manipulative family members who want a share of Authentic Cadence’s fame. Touring and fame’s pressures take their toll on Gunnar and Shep’s relationship, making them question everything that they have gained. They wage intense battles with band members, their tough manager, and many others around them until a great loss engulfs their lives and puts things into perspective for them. ... (read more)

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Dangerous & Delicate Line

The author provides a glimpse into the not-so-distant future of the year 2040 in this assembled collection of short stories, imagining how things will change in the same amount of time since the introduction of the portable tablet. The people, places, and corporate overload are the same, but the degradation of individual rights and the decay of solemnity in politics are on the same downward trajectory. Hollywood has enough power to put a hit on anyone to threaten a new show's ratings. The latest scam isn't insurance fraud or supplements but a truth-telling brain implant. An elderly couple is divided by a test program offering a longer life with better quality. Brands, technology, and celebrities change, but human needs remain the same. Just how much can change in fifteen years, and what will stubbornly carry on as it was? ... (read more)

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Earth on Edge

In the future, as Earth faces its inevitable destruction, several thousand humans are chosen to settle on a new planet and continue the race. Earthlings soon learn that aliens inhabit space with similar biology, and most are guided and cared for by someone called Eve of Eden, a telepath who helped begin and guide life on Earth in its infancy. One Earthling named Terra is directed by Eve to be the new "Mother" of a very young planet and species. Her task is to guide them in developing correctly and avoiding the mistakes that led to Earth's failure. Also, some of these Earthlings will be given the means and opportunity to send a rescue mission to find survivors of Earth's destruction on Earth and Mars. However, the Earthlings need to be cautious, as there are others in the universe who oppose Eve's teaching and look to destroy her and all those she calls her children. ... (read more)

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Amusing

This children's book for older readers is a delightful tale about twin badgers, Brett and Bartt, who live with their parents near Rancher Wayne's property. The twins, like all badgers, love to dig, and they love to dig on Rancher Wayne's property. They are good at avoiding the rancher's badger traps, but the rancher is upset about their latest holes and goes to buy "presents" for the badgers. ... (read more)

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