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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 book reviews and nonfiction book reviews. Learn why our publication is different than most others, or read author and publisher testimonials about the USR.

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Recent Book Reviews

 

Focus Review

The Kings' Despair by Ed Cannon Xlibris "Yet danger lurks in the shadow’s ploy Will they triumph or be destroyed? – DeChance" This third book in Cannon’s enjoyable fantasy series continues the saga of Sillik. Having returned home to Illicia, “the most powerful and wealthy city in the land,” to learn of his father’s death, he becomes king. With his wife, Renee, by his side, Sillik surrounds himself with trusted advisors. The city is attacked by dragons and the horrible Schula— “green-skinned, long-tusked creatures.” As it becomes clear that the dragons and Schula are attacking other cities, war seems imminent. The Seven Gods and Illicia are pitted against the nine dark forces, which include the formidable gods Mind Breaker and Soulcrusher. As the two factions move toward war, it becomes clear that Sillik and his people will need to harness all their magical powers if they are to defeat the Nine. Will they succeed, or will all be lost in the final battle? ... (read more)

• Absorbed by Jaime Townzen - RECOMMENDED
• Anastasia's Midnight Song by M. Laszlo - RECOMMENDED
• Are You Ready? by Dr. Kimberly Harms - RECOMMENDED
• Art of Martinis, The by Bill VanPatten - RECOMMENDED
• Backbone by David M. Schneer, Ph.D. - RECOMMENDED
• Breaking Point by Dr. Dorris S. Woods
• Breaking Through the Clouds by Marlene Burling
• Broken Wing by KJ GoForth
• Child's Guide to Wisdom, A by Everton A. Robinson
• Divine In Essence by Yarrow Paisley
• Electric God and Other Shorts, The by Michael Thomas Perone
• Elizabeth Taylor: My Celebrity Connection by Wayne Griffin - RECOMMENDED
• Fatal Decision by Terri Arthur - RECOMMENDED
• Father’s Quest, A by Wayne McColley - RECOMMENDED
• Fathom by Lisa Dart - RECOMMENDED
• Finding KIND by Kari A. Baker
• Free Will, Do You Have It? 3rd ed. by Albertus Kral
• From Beyond by Joseph A White Jr
• From Today to Eternity, Volume 1 by Walter R. Scarborough
• From Today to Eternity, Volume 2 by Walter R. Scarborough - RECOMMENDED
• Gate Keeper, The by Jules Gabriel - RECOMMENDED
• Girls In Space by William Douglas
• God’s Amazing Creation by Lindy Kerr - RECOMMENDED
• Harmonious Petals by Rose A. Chylek
• Healthy Rich and Happy by Jacopo Iasiello
• Hiding Behind the Mask by Giulio Veglio
• Hollywood Unicorn, The by Christine Birch -RECOMMENDED
• In the Shadow of a Killer by Robert Sandilands - RECOMMENDED
• Instant Karma by Donald Frum - RECOMMENDED
• Lasting Transformation by Abby Rosen PhD
• Man on the Fence by John R. Day, Jr. - RECOMMENDED
• Mastering the Business of Medicine & the Doctor-Patient Relationship by Robert A. Kayal, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS - RECOMMENDED
• Master Your Career by Gugu Khazi - RECOMMENDED
• Meaningful Existence by Olivia Canchela Villa-Real
• Moonlight in My Eyes by James Richard Hansen
• My First Birthday Personalized Story Book by Story Bug
• Not Good Enough Girl by Sondra R. Brooks
• Palestinia by Howard Sherrington
• Quest for God and Spices, A by Dean Cycon - RECOMMENDED
• Random Acts of Traveling by Rebecca Holmes
• Reality™ 2048 by Derek Cressman
• Rebel, The by Nathan Johnson
• Relinquished by Pollyanna Porter - RECOMMENDED
• Revelation of God: Book 1 by Anthony Lyle - RECOMMENDED
• Roads & Redemption by Georgina Nunez - RECOMMENDED
• Sea of Glass, The by Roger Akerley
• Seasons of Change by Gene R. Johnston
• Shanghai’d by Curtis Stephen Burdick - RECOMMENDED
• Straight in the Army by Maurice Hall Buchanan - RECOMMENDED
• Super Psyched by Adam Dorsay, PsyD - RECOMMENDED
• Superhero by Stephen K. Moore - RECOMMENDED
• Thoughts on a Bicycle by Mark Ferris Davy
• Thoughts on My Thoughts IV by Dr. Walter R. Hoge, DVM - RECOMMENDED
• Wanted -> My First Career by Marlo Lyons - RECOMMENDED
• War and Woman by Robert C. Rogers
• War of the Dragon King by Mary Jay
• When You Were Small by Gerard G. Nahum, MD
• Wildflower Wisdom by Kathie Kalafatis - RECOMMENDED
• You Are Remarkably and Wonderfully Made by Averey N. A. Bryan

Read the US Review of Books Previous Edition

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Featured Book Reviews

 

Mythis & Facts

Highlight Review Wildflower Wisdom: Your Frequency i$ Your Currency by Kathie Kalafatis book review by Mihir Shah "Imagine your body and mind as a bank where you deposit and withdraw health and vitality instead of money." At a time when society is deeply rooted in the 3D material mindset, Kalafatis’ guide provides incredible insight into the tools and pathways available to reach the fifth-dimensional realm to our highest selves. The work revolves around vibrations and energy fields, focusing on concepts like chakras and meridians while drawing on yogic and Ayurvedic principles. Interestingly, Princess Wildflower, her spirit guide, appears to Kalafatis in a dream when the odds seem to be heavily stacked against her, spearheading her journey toward living life at her highest frequency. ... (read more)

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Entertaining & Introspective

At the heart of Guiaşu’s work is a free-spirited nature that is meshed with a penchant for humor en route to tackling pertinent topics. An academic through and through, the author has included works that span the spectrum of his educational journey from elementary school to his doctoral experiences and professorship. In each of the short stories, the signature humor is only complemented by the uncanny relatability that pervades the work, beginning with “A Good Day,” which is rooted in an exploration of the immense challenges that career academics have in finding a job after earning their doctoral degree. ... (read more)

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Timeless & Nostalgic

Highlight Review Man on the Fence: A Tale of Family, Friends, and Four-Letter Words by John R. Day, Jr Cowhead Publishing Company book review by Haley Koth "He was resilient that way; for every setback and disappointment, there was another road and no time to sit and wallow in pity. Farming teaches you that..." “Something just isn’t right.” As the novel begins, Tate Daniels, an energetic Michigan congressman, finds himself thinking these words as he’s on the ground with a bullet in his chest during a meeting with his contingents. These are his people—the good, hard-working farmers he grew up with. His surety that something is not right leads to a comprehensive reflection on his life up to that point. From childhood escapades with his close-knit group of buddies and his dreams of playing major league baseball to a teenage fling that changes his life trajectory, the readers follow him and his friends as they traverse through increasing responsibilities. Along the way, friendships are tested and, at times, broken in ways to which all readers can relate. His foray into politics as a midlife career change further serves to alienate old friends, creating the maelstrom that ultimately leads to his brush with death. ... (read more)

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Aspire

Award-winning author Baltazzi has constructed an energizing treatise focused on the search for and acquisition of the experience of happiness, extracting it from what may sometimes seem like an impossibly complex morass of personal and societal restraints through her well-considered methodology. Based on her background as a noted television producer and director with the long-running and highly successful series Survivor, and drawing from perceptions of a multitude of realms—spiritual, social, and practical—she postulates eight core values needed for the process of attaining happiness: faith, love, health, gratitude, forgiveness, peace, detachment, and abundance. Each of these qualities, referred to collectively as “Happiness Essentials,” is explored using certain terms derived from the author’s background in cinematography. ... (read more)

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An Uncommon Woman

Highlight Review Fatal Decision: Edith Cavell World War I Nurse by Terri Arthur HenschelHAUS Publishing book review by Barbara Bamberger Scott "But peace achieved through war does not lead to peace. Victory through violence leads to further violence and war." A heroic woman is heralded in all aspects in this remarkable melding of fact and inventiveness. Edith Cavell was a young, spirited English woman when she was pressed to study nursing, after assisting her dying father. Her self-examining personality made schooling difficult, but as she moved from one work situation to another, including care for dying children and women in childbirth, she developed a sense of the meaning of life and death. Assigned to a newly formed nursing center in Belgium, she was suddenly swept into the throes of the First World War. She and her trusted companions gained a new perspective, meeting men who, deeply afflicted by war, wished to flee the country for a variety of reasons. Cavell became their covert assistant, even as she trained nurses, treated hundreds of war-wounded men, and saved many lives. But her subterfuge was gradually uncovered, with horrifying consequences. ... (read more)

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Passion

Juhani Murros made an unexpected discovery during his visits to art galleries when he worked for an organization in Ho Chi Minh City in 1990. A small still life in an unobtrusive gallery commanded the Finnish physician’s attention. “It was an unpretentious oil painting, yet its dark, mysterious colors and the emotional tension of its disciplined composition set it apart.” Thus began a long journey of discovering the art and life of Van Den, a frugal and kind Buddhist of mixed Chinese and Vietnamese ancestry who studied in Paris for less than two years during 1950-52, a volatile period during the first French Indochina War. ... (read more)

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A Great Question

Highlight Review Free Will, Do You Have It? Behaviour is the Result of Process, Rather than Choice (3rd Edition) by Albertus Kral Tellwell Talent book review by Michael Radon "I realized that all our actions, whether verbally or physically expressed, are not a matter of choice but are the result of processes." One of the most foundational and intriguing concepts of philosophy is that of free will. Does it exist, and what does it mean to either have or lack it in the face of tragedy, success, or any mixture of the two? The concept of free will is popular because it is self-deterministic, appealing to both secular and religious thinkers for its themes of empowerment and explanation for the maladies and majesty of human accomplishment. But what if it is actually an illusion? What if free will isn’t quite as cut-and-dried a concept as we make it out to be, as a thing to be either had or devoid of? In this book, the author promotes his concept of procirclism, which indicates that everything from our reflexive automated behaviors down to making (or not making) a choice on a matter is the result of a biological and learned process rather than a conscious choice. ... (read more)

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Step Into a Career

This thorough guidebook regarding getting and keeping a new job consists of seventeen chapters discussing topics such as being intentional about getting a job, assessing what is important, what type of work one wants to do, how to write a resume, one’s skills, how to write a cover letter, how to interview, and going through the hiring process. The author begins by giving a basic exploration of a person’s career journey, relates it to her own journey, and explores her own process. She focuses on the college experience, recommending that one get a degree in something one loves, focus on self-exploration, try various internships, develop connections with others, and have fun, as one’s major isn’t always that important. The rest of the text focuses on things such as learning the lingo, researching the job, formatting the resume, connecting through LinkedIn, interviewing, going through the hiring process, getting through the difficulties of the first ninety days, and how to professionally leave a job. ... (read more)

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A Better Path

Highlight Review Are You Ready?: How to Build a Legacy to Die For by Dr. Kimberly Harms Muse Literary book review by Kate Robinson "We leave a legacy with every action we take or do not take to every person we encounter." This guide enthusiastically encourages readers to live positive, meaningful lives, redeem themselves, and turn a negative or challenging trajectory around. The narrative provides ample personal details from the author’s life to model how to create a positive life, a positive exit from life, and a legacy that leaves family members and friends in an emotionally secure state. ... (read more)

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Raw Authenticity

At eighteen, having just graduated high school, Nunez embarks on a soul-searching bus trip to Nepal and India, hoping to escape her dysfunctional family. The narrative takes place in 1972 during the height of the hippie culture. Nunez is a responsible teenager who has saved up for what is meant to be a stirring adventure full of revelations and discovery. Though the stage is set perfectly for Nunez's memoir to follow the prototype of a coming-of-age story, it doesn’t take long for the story to embark on a treacherous path that truly becomes a battle for survival at every turn. ... (read more)

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A Steady Voice

This guided self-help book is divided into two sections: “Life-Lesson Therapy,” which consists of seven chapters, and “Soul-Wisdom Therapy,” consisting of five chapters. The first part focuses on reversing negative patterns of behavior, while the second part is about learning techniques for listening within and developing one’s spiritual consciousness. The chapters consist of case studies and sometimes have personal information from the author, often use voice dialogue to help with working through the problem, and end with specific exercises to complete based on each specific chapter. ... (read more)

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Realistic Recollections

In these lively journal entries, author Holmes arrays her memories of travel by plane, train, boat, and foot undertaken between June 1996 and July 2017. She and her husband, Tom, took their excursions with their two sons, aged eight and four. The adventures began when Holmes and her boys departed from JFK with Poland as the ultimate destination. As often occurs, there was a delay that stretched to two hours in Vienna, but the three arrived safely in Warsaw to meet Tom, who had been working in Poland. There, they visited churches, towers, mountains, and parks and rode on a cart slide. Moving on to Italy, they gazed at the legendary Tower of Pisa and the Roman Coliseum, watched horse racing, and enjoyed exotic, usually delicious, new foods. ... (read more)

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Worthy Struggles

On paper, Sarah and Adam have the perfect American dream marriage: college sweethearts, married and living with their two children in Sarah’s dream Queen Anne Victorian home. They celebrate holidays with their parents, are active members of the community, take great interest in their sons’ education, and work together to remodel their home. So when Adam comes home inebriated late one night, the last thing Sarah expects him to say is, “I just don’t feel like I love you…” This simple declaration, which Adam goes on to waver about, completely changes the trajectory of Sarah’s carefully planned life. In a way, Adam’s admission—and, as the reader comes to discover, his history of infidelity—actually opens Sarah up to realize how suffocated she feels in this marriage. She now has the chance to find true love of her own in a wholly unexpected circumstance. In the process, she discovers depths of strength and courage within herself that she never knew she had. ... (read more)

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Finding Peace

In Brooks’ memoir, she tracks how she finally separates from her mom by accessing anger and words. After her parents' divorce, Brooks’ mom marries a series of seven other men. Her mom’s second husband, Dan, brings Brooks the most trauma. He is her father (as hers is absent), her manager, and her abuser. Brooks knows less about her mom’s later husbands as her own adult life spirals out of control. She marries a domineering husband and discovers his addiction as she drinks to excess. With a new partner and therapy, Brooks distances herself from her troubled past. ... (read more)

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Self Care

The gamut of emotions in the spectrum of life boils down to one factor: connection. With incredible grace and poise, Dorsay uses personal anecdotes, his professional experience, and extensive research to provide a highly relatable blueprint for all individuals. Regardless of where one is in one's life journey, becoming super psyched about how they are spending one's most valuable currency, time, is of utmost priority. To this end, Dorsay delivers with pinpoint precision a route to understanding the whole individual, one lightbulb moment after another. ... (read more)

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Rich Plot

British sensibilities and the romantic longings of English and Middle Eastern literature permeate this action-adventure mystery thriller as detectives Flinders Petrie and Thomas Pettigrew seek to find excitement in their lives once again. Penned by an American scholar and lawyer, the novel draws upon his life experiences that range from the California coast to various Middle Eastern nations. This title is the latest in a series that riffs upon Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective duo, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. In fact, detectives Petrie and Pettigrew also live in a flat on Baker Street in the pre-World War I era and aspire to compete with and emulate their two successful but beleaguered heroes while running a more modern international detective agency. ... (read more)

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Your First Book

This fun and colorful children’s book is personalized to a specific child's name. In this case, readers meet Olivia on her first birthday. Olivia receives a beautiful cake and many wrapped presents. She even receives balloons! Readers see her friends and family gather to celebrate her on her special day. Nonetheless, a mystery unfolds. Olivia’s friends and family cannot find her! As readers venture through the book, they see Olivia’s friends and family search for her under the bed, in the kitchen, and in the garden. They cannot even find her playing with her toys. Finally, Olivia’s friends and family find the little girl, and it becomes time to celebrate. Her friends and family gather around and sing “Happy Birthday!” and remind Olivia that her presence in their lives brings them much joy and happiness. ... (read more)

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Powerful Narrative

Phil Smith finally gathers the courage to confess his feelings to his crush, Hailey. Instead of responding kindly, she mocks him and shares the incident with everyone at school. Phil feels sad and humiliated. Years later, Phil has transformed his life; he is no longer obese but fit and athletic. Although he has worked hard to achieve this, he still struggles to talk to girls because of his experience with Hailey. A new girl at school, Samantha, catches Phil's eye. They introduce themselves and immediately hit it off. Unfortunately, Phil is devastated when he catches his friend Michael Larker kissing Samantha. Phil realizes that Michael was never a true friend but has always competed with him in everything. This rivalry even extends to racially abusing Phil for his brown skin. Later, something unusual happens as Phil is transported into the future, specifically to 2061. ... (read more)

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Gangster Ethics

Richard Barton is a soldier for hire in the world of organized crime. His bosses rely on his thoroughness and discretion. His latest mission isn’t at the behest of any crime lords but rather a humanitarian mission. His friend Wilma is a drug addict who is being trafficked by a local crime boss named Declan. Barton manages to liberate Wilma while roughing up Declan’s minions, but Wilma’s gratitude is nonexistent as her addiction has claimed her. Declan wants Barton found and killed for his assault, but Barton is soon faced with another quandary. Someone has targeted his father for assassination, and Barton must utilize his underworld contacts to locate the assassin and the shot-caller. Meanwhile, a possible war looms amongst the disparate factions of gangland. ... (read more)

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Philosophical & Personal

In this poetry collection, readers discover poems displaying awe at the universe, the magical transformations offered by time, and the restorative power of nature. Poems like “Tests” convey the turmoil of life and the individual tenacity it takes to survive the tumults that come to define an individual. Other verses, such as “A Child’s Wonder,” remind readers to embrace their inner child and always view what the universe has to offer with amazement. “Reading” acts as a reminder about the power of books and literature in a person's life, and it encourages readers to make the simple act of reading a daily part of their lives. As the collection continues, nature becomes an integral character in the poems that transports readers into places of “orange and scarlet adoration.” ... (read more)

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Facts & Proofs

Author Scarborough has embarked upon a rational, literate exploration of the truths to be found by diligently delving into the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, uncovering the truth of predictions concerning the end times. He believes that world cultures have digressed morally while progressing scientifically at a rate unimaginable only a few generations ago. He asserts that though “many are searching for answers” to spiritual quandaries, many established churches are developing theologies that include a wide range of issues while ignoring the actual words of God and Jesus. Therefore, he has created this lengthy look at biblical visions of the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist, the Abomination of Desolation, and other cosmic eventualities that may, in fact, be hovering over the world’s inhabitants even now. ... (read more)

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A New Journey

Joshua Cabot, a Harvard graduate, leaves his work in Boston with Samuel Colt of firearms fame to open an assay office near San Francisco at the outset of the California Gold Rush. Cabot expects his three-year contract to fund further work in his field of metallurgy in Boston, but little does he know that this temporary situation will irrevocably change his life forever. A youthful indiscretion with an attractive young woman lands him in an unexpected early marriage. When tragedy strikes all too soon, Cabot takes solace in his cups in a house of prostitution along with his friend Ethan. ... (read more)

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Mass Delusion

For a work rooted in faith, Moore’s approach is refreshingly relatable, encouraging mankind to understand that they are all superheroes in the name of Christ and the celestial version of the Justice League, united in the love of the Lord. With a strong understanding of the modern man, the author asks probing questions to push society beyond their comfort zone. Moore opens the book with a riveting anecdote about Dave, a newbie on a flight who prevents the crew from inevitably running into a mountain by overcoming his fear and speaking up. Through his work, he stresses his desire to be our Dave, to help humanity break free of conformity by asking tough questions that would often go unspoken. ... (read more)

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Path from Innocence

Larissa Laroche wasn’t born a monster. She witnessed an indescribable horror in her youth, which was compounded by further tragedies and betrayals. When she lashed out at the world, a series of single men bore the brunt of her murderous anger. A law enforcement dragnet across the globe led to her eventual takedown. The futility of her life sentence is highlighted by mandatory counseling and routinely fighting off fellow inmates. When Larissa meets prison guard Manuela, she is presented with an opportunity. Manuela has a son who is very sick, and Larissa offers to fund the boy’s treatment. Larissa’s largesse is not without a caveat, as Manuela soon learns. Larissa is plotting her way out of her confinement with a plan to wreak vengeance on those who betrayed her. ... (read more)

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Connecting

Author Chylek covers a wide range of spiritual topics in this inspirational narrative. Readers will discover precepts and philosophies from diverse traditions as Chylek is unafraid to explore any belief system. She also illustrates her thoughts with precepts from popular literature and film that ring true, with an eye to monotheistic viewpoints. ... (read more)

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Motivational

This is the story of one man’s journey to deal with the mental and emotional trauma he used to try to hide and to find a way to make a better life for himself and his family through faith, education, and a continual commitment to better understand and champion mental health issues. The tale begins during his formative years. He often fell a little behind in school and was picked on by his teachers and peers. Often, this would result in bullying and corporal punishment. He learned to be stoic and quiet as a defensive measure. As he got older and entered the later years of school, he found that creating the persona, or mask, of the class clown often diverted the kind of negative attention that was causing him distress. He learned to hide his true emotions and pain. ... (read more)

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Personal Message

Building off the author's prior volumes, Hoge's fourth offering traverses the spectrum of topics in a conversational manner, much like a friend would over a cup of coffee. The musings and observations, though, are carefully crafted and put together right from the beginning as the author juxtaposes Michelangelo’s work and gender equality. While the author fearlessly analyzes his observations, he focuses more on creating a thought-provoking environment and a culture of conversation and discourse that can stimulate even more discussions and probing. ... (read more)

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Common Traits

In this sci-fi space opera, three adventurous women engage in the early days of intergalactic space flight. For Angela Pignatti Santori, aka Piggy or Piglet, born on Earth, “it was a simple life but a good one.” Teenaged Piggy and her father, a tool pusher at gold pit four, and her mom, a human resources manager for Earth Corporate, live on a computer-driven freighter ship, Candide, stationed near the light-years distant planetoid Thor 47. In many ways, this indefatigable youngster is the most endearing and relatable character. As the tale begins, Piggy’s father, Aaron, and his crew discover a strange, ancient sphere cloaking itself as gold ore in gold pit four. No one knows what level of threat this possibly sentient artifact has, but when discovered, it kills the ten-man pit crew who approach it while it uses the gold reserves to amplify its communication signals. That’s not the only danger—lurking nearby is a smuggler ship searching for a craft to pirate. ... (read more)

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Surviving Trauma

Imbued with a distinctively Dalian surrealness, Dart’s work is rooted in a blurred reality at the center of a traumatic event that the main character, Jenny, has been trying to process for the better part of her life. The fragmented pieces of one’s identity suppressed deep into the recesses of existence exist nonetheless. The author probes this notion to its deepest levels within the therapy context. ... (read more)

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From the Ground Up

Author and educator Kerr has arrayed a colorful, comprehensible collection of facts and fun focused on the growth of plants from their origins as seeds, combined with simple religious references, to delight young readers and incite them to productive, rewarding action. Her book, illustrated brightly to provide a further grasp of her central themes, begins with God’s creation of the earth, a six-day project. On the third day, he made plants, which were embedded with seeds that would make plants with more seeds so that food, flowers, and trees would cover the earth’s surface through the ages. Each seed, the author stresses, is unique, a point emphasized by a picture in which a corn plant invites a daisy to join it in making corn, but the flower refuses, certain that God has ordered it to make only daisy seeds. ... (read more)

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Uncertain Death

Writer McColley engagingly chronicles his life’s events with a focus on his determination to solve a harrowing family mystery. As a veteran, devoted family member, and experienced farmer and builder, the author has chosen to examine in detail the tenor of the times in which he was raised. That history is overlaid with the bizarre and heartbreaking events of January 1997, a snowy Sunday, when his daughter Tammy died in a baffling house fire. Tammy’s two young daughters were safe and unhurt, as was her husband, Garry. As the incidents surrounding this tragedy were explored, it became clear that the fire was not accidental or caused by the children as Garry claimed and that Tammy’s relationship with her husband had been fraught with near-constant abuse. The discrepancies between Garry’s version of the conflagration and reports from Tammy’s friends and coworkers about her evident fear of her husband prompted the author’s determination to uncover the truth. ... (read more)

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Sprawling Narrative

Childhood is one of the most tenuous and sensitive periods of the human lifespan. Individual experiences will often dictate demeanor and personality as adulthood approaches. In Johnson’s work, the main character, John Cooper, navigates this period valiantly yet faces obstacle after obstacle stemming from an abusive father who clearly plays favorites in the worst of ways. Upon digging deeper, John is undoubtedly a rebel in the sense that even from a young age, he was unafraid to stand up to injustice for the mere sake of conformity and “falling in line.” ... (read more)

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Comprehensive

A native of Jamaica who immigrated to the United States at age three, Birch demonstrated remarkable intelligence early on. She taught herself to read and write and skipped kindergarten entirely. Her academic prowess continued throughout high school, culminating in her acceptance to Dartmouth College, where she received an Ivy League education, earning a bachelor of arts degree in English language and literature with a minor in psychology. Accordingly, her early career included positions at New York publishing powerhouses Scholastic and Random House. She then took the entertainment industry by storm, embarking on an award-winning career and earning distinction as the first and only woman of color to ever head marketing departments at three different Hollywood studios. ... (read more)

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Unearthing Success

An intricate concoction of human behavior and sheer will, Schneer’s work is the epitome of true grit, a roadmap to living a more wholesome life regardless of the hand one has been dealt. Even more imperative is his ability to show that one cannot look at the world in a linear fashion. On the contrary, it is an ever-changing, dynamic environment where the individual must adjust their lens to life. Though the primary focal points of Schneer’s life story and his qualitative research guidebook may seem like polar opposites, the thread that binds these aspects together is the author’s ability to essentially do qualitative research on his own life experiences. ... (read more)

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Unique, Creative

This collection opens with “The Great Event,” a creatively horrifying tale of grisly dismemberment, ghostly hauntings, and disturbing obsessions. When maniacal devotion results in his wife Rhea’s untimely demise, Mr. Runcible engages in a twistedly gruesome act that binds Rhea’s essence to their home. As a result, the Runcible household is haunted by the specter of Rhea’s residual energetic resonance. Having lost his wife, Mr. Runcible transfers his unholy fascination to their daughter Helen, who lives a lonely, sheltered life of isolation where creativity is her sole companion. Indeed, it is Helen’s active imagination that enables her to perceive her home’s knocking pipes and explosive drains as communications from her dead mother. When Helen awakens from a prolonged illness, she finds her father apologetically exposed and her womb filled with new life. It is unclear whether Helen has been victimized or if the references to her innocence allude to immaculate conception. Either way, Helen gives birth to the world of dreams and, in so doing, ceases to exist as her very essence is utterly consumed. Out of Rhea’s grief over the loss of her daughter, a new world is born. With elaborate writing, a third-party omniscient narration style, and an irreverent tone, Paisley delivers a psychologically chilling creation story with a frighteningly unique concept of divinity. ... (read more)

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Comedy & Trauma

Multiple award-winning author VanPatten returns with a collection of short stories boasting well-developed characters and masterful storytelling. In “The Art of Martinis,” Jeremy Pitt is an awkward, lonely young man without any meaningful friendships, self-confidence, or direction in life. With an absent father, an alcoholic mother, and disinterested older siblings, Jeremy’s home life is devoid of stability and nurturing. Having struggled academically in high school, Jeremy finds himself in a dead-end job with no prospects and no plans for the future until Randy, an author with a perpetual smile and an appreciation for the perfect martini, befriends him. This is a beautiful, emotionally evocative tale that demonstrates friendship’s power to change the trajectory of one’s life. ... (read more)

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Spiritual Overtones

Author Bryan has composed an inspirational collection of essays designed to give readers self-confidence and self-care. The opening portion of her work addresses possible negative feelings and outlooks that readers may experience, beginning with fear, a common sensation but one meant to be overcome. She advises dreaming big and seeking projects and prospects that will make fear fade. Shame is similar. If the shame is unjustified, one should use self-messaging to bolster one’s sense of true identity. If shame is justified, one must seek forgiveness with God’s help. Two similar qualities explored are guilt and bitterness. ... (read more)

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Positrive Message

With the stated goal of propelling “every student to a healthy and purposeful beginning,” Nahum declares in his children’s picture book, “You are special.” Though every human being is unique, we all have much in common, the author explains. Nahum takes the young reader on a journey through their own life, starting with the fact we are each here because of our “mother and father.” Rudimentary science ideas are explored (at a very basic, age-appropriate level), such as the mother and father bringing the reader to life by “creating a single living cell that was a combination of two cells from each of them.” Nahum empathizes that every human child is a “unique child of this Universe” with a special mission or purpose to accomplish. Every individual can come to know precisely the nature of their special mission, and this, the author suggests, is why we exist. ... (read more)

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Avoiding Hell

Scarborough has written a comprehensive overview of his perspective on prophecy and eschatology (the study of the end times). The author maintains that there has been a progressive unfolding of God’s revelation throughout history, first to the Jews and then to the Christian Church. Several passages in the book explain what Scarborough believes is God’s plan of salvation for all humankind, Gentile and Jew, through faith in Jesus. Drawing on letters of the apostle Paul, he notes that Gentles are now “joint heirs with God” and just as entitled to the benefits of being God’s children as God’s original chosen people. ... (read more)

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Guideline Goldmine

At its core, Kayal’s book is far more than an educational guide on the business of medicine. It is a panoramic snapshot of the life journey that is medicine. From the exuberant highs to the grueling lows, the author does an impeccable job of fusing the unique elements—the "7Cs" (e.g., character, compassion, commitment, etc.)—with faith and business. This concoction yields an enlightening glimpse into both the journey to becoming a physician and the creation of a thriving medical practice while not losing oneself in the process. ... (read more)

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Out of Conflict

In this insightful book, readers gain an understanding of the complex history between Palestine and Israel. Readers also learn about the policies and political actions which have undermined Palestinian identity and communities. While exploring the internal socio-political mechanisms that currently shape the region, the book highlights the role of countries like Lebanon and Jordan in the region’s stability and socio-economic importance. The book also focuses on how various global leaders, including four United States presidents, have attempted to resolve the conflict. The author also highlights other contributing geographic and economic factors, such as “The Jordan Water Problem.” In the appendix, readers find ways that they can help to make a peace plan work, and it provides useful statistics about Palestinians and Palestine that supporters can use. ... (read more)

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War Views

This book opens with an introduction to the impoverished Oklahoma in which Roger lived. Readers learn about the author’s school years, in which he was an average student. Eventually, the author shares his experiences of joining the Army ROTC program at the University of California, his training at Fort Benning, and his deployment to Vietnam. Readers find many stories about the author’s involvement with a woman named Lan, an interpreter. Roger also shares experiences about how the training received in the ROTC program and basic training differed from real-life battles. As the book concludes, he discloses insights about living and fighting in Vietnam, being wounded, and life after his return to the United States. ... (read more)

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Juvenile Justice

This book provides an extensive overview of the signs and behaviors that present as the warning signs of potential teenage suicide. It opens with a devastating, personal scenario in which the speaker reflects on their brother running away after being corrected by his father. From there, the book unfolds into a carefully documented examination of the mindsets of teenagers contemplating suicide. It also includes personal anecdotes about what it is like to work in an environment with troubled teens. The personal anecdotes make the book accessible for readers who are interested in or affected by this topic. ... (read more)

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Tribulations

Burling shares her personal family stories and entwines them with passages from the King James Bible. Burling’s husband, Autry , was a pastor, and she worked closely with him during his ministry work. They were married in 1962. ... (read more)

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Escaping Peril

When Jeff Marlen spots a set of stars forming a smile across the night sky one evening, seemingly as a message just for him, all bets are off. As the third part of the author’s story about the characters Jeff and Mindi, this book picks up with the couple still reeling after their recent involvement in assisting an international drug bust and now decidedly seeking some quiet normalcy. even if their normal involves developing their newfound paranormal abilities to discover new places and help those around them. ... (read more)

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Shape-Shifting

Born into a family of muscular warriors, Egil Daenyrs is nothing like his father and three older brothers. Scrawny and untrained, Egil prefers books and learning to weapons and politics. But when a royal summons is issued for a recruit to the Ranger’s Guild, Egil is chosen. As the king’s nephew, he is regarded as a despised noble by most of his fellow recruits and the seasoned rangers. He is forced to endure a year and a half of strenuous training consisting of impossible trials and terrible punishments carried out by sadistic instructors. Despite facing constant violence and sustaining multiple life-threatening injuries, Egil manages to make a few hard-won friends, including an elemental mage named Lilina Sarith and the former great flame dragon queen Burcinatrix. When the king declares war on the dragons, Egil sets out to overcome a century of interspecies mistrust. Together with a team of unlikely allies, he must thwart the king’s plans in order to prevent the annihilation of the beautiful, majestic dragons. ... (read more)

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Honesty, Clarity

Author Lyle has constructed a remarkable collocation of the time-focused accounts found in the Holy Bible that are connected to authentic early world history. To do so, as he explains in his book’s introduction, he has mined the primary Hebrew text of the Old Testament (Masoretic Text) alongside numerous later works, including, among other sources, the Septuagint (one published in 1851 and another in 2023), the King James Version of the Holy Bible dating from 1611, the Latin Vulgate, and the Samaritan Pentateuch. Most biblical text was originally composed in the Hebrew language and then translated into Greek or English. Therefore, all sources cited rely on the subtleties and complexities of the original Hebrew, principally because, Lyle states, that was the language chosen by HaShem (God) for communication with his created beings. ... (read more)

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Fast Justice

Don Tomlin’s life is turned around with a knockout punch in the boxing ring. He awakes with his bell rung but also with extrasensory perception. He utilizes this newly found insight in his career as a lawyer and then further as a policeman. His ability allows him to see further into a case’s complexity than his peers. As a senior detective in Yonkers, he receives a call of a probable suicide that involves a fellow police officer. Tomlin suspects foul play. The officer had been espousing extremist causes and was a member of a militia group located deep in the Catskills. As Tomlin probes deeper, a drug operation linked to the milita group becomes subject to a hostile takeover, and dead bodies begin to pile up. Tomlin will need to work with local law enforcement to solve his case and forestall a war. ... (read more)

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