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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 Dream Primer: Turn Your Low-Def Ideas Into A Stunning Hi-Res Future You Must Pursue by Jeff Meyer Author Academy Elite "Consider your dream pursuit a grand adventure in which you are a key character." Dreams for one's life that arise from passions and needs are worthy pursuits because they give a life purpose and spring from the deepest desires of one's heart and mind. Pastor, consultant, and coach Meyer offers a framework for helping people clarify the dreams they have for their lives. He then teaches people how to pursue those dreams by providing practical strategies. Meyer has developed three habits that will help people bring their dreams into the world in all their vibrant glory. Habit One will help readers identify the dream they want to pursue and will offer ways to nourish that dream. Habit Two will offer exercises and wisdom about the things that stand in the way of going after what people really want in life. In this discussion, Meyer dives deep into the role fear plays in people’s lives. Finally, Habit Three offers ways to use the power of visualization to help people bring their dreams to fruition. ... (read more)

• Acceptable Abuse by Namsam - RECOMMENDED
• Adoption Joys by Doris Howe - RECOMMENDED
• Adoption Joys 2 by Doris Howe
• Aerospace Professor, The by Jeffery Battle
• Anamnesis by Denise O’Hagan
• Beneath Caaqi’s Wings by Rich Shapero - RECOMMENDED
• Beyond Primates by Rebecca Coffey - RECOMMENDED
• Blackout Trail by Linda Naughton - RECOMMENDED
• Carlton: Down Sized by Tawnee Chasny
• Case of the Christmas Ornament Killer, The by Ronald A. Rowbottom - RECOMMENDED
• Catch the White Tiger by Tony Assali with Michael Ashley - RECOMMENDED
• Clare’s Tomato by Ed Keller
• Could It Be? by Joseph C. Way
• Cumulus by J.P. Linstroth
• Dancing with My Soul by Sarah Catherine Smith
• Denominationalism Of God ... or ... Of Man by John F. Lugger
• Down and Out in Philadelphia and New York by Garret Godwin
• Exploring Planet Vida by David Ellis Grey - RECOMMENDED
• Fifth World Medicine by John Hughes, D.O. - RECOMMENDED
• Fish Culture in Yellowstone National Park by Frank H. Tainter, Ph.D. - RECOMMENDED
• Ghoul of Sherwood by Jay Ruud - RECOMMENDED
• Glimmer of Hope by KJ GoForth
• Holding It Together by Joan Kantor - RECOMMENDED
• Holy Spirit of Fire by Tim Henry - RECOMMENDED
• I Take Thee, Angela by Guglielmo
• Insanely Sane by Jasmine Shouse
• Jamal and the Large Mirror by Yancy Seals
• Jungle Spring by Jamal Matar - RECOMMENDED
• Kurdish Woman, The by Luis Rousset - RECOMMENDED
• Lady Be Good by Pamela Hamilton - RECOMMENDED
• Last Professional, The by Ed Davis - RECOMMENDED
• Legacy of Atonement by Stephen Maitland-Lewis - RECOMMENDED
• Life’s Journey: (Volume 1) by Jon F. Gleman - RECOMMENDED
• Little Tail, Big Tales by Bonnie Pandya
• Love Expressions by Owenazee G. Imafidon
• Magic of Moments, The by Joan Kantor
• Mary by Christopher Graham
• Mathematical Milestones by Dr. Clement E. Falbo - RECOMMENDED
• Music Therapy Studio, The by Rick Soshensky - RECOMMENDED
• My Dad Took Me To Dinosaur Land by Regina Tranfa
• My Mix in Short Stories and Poems by Annette Baker Stovall
• No Century for Apologies by Jack Remick - RECOMMENDED
• Old Shop Stories by C. Blaine Hyatt - RECOMMENDED
• Outrageous Fortune by Stephen W. Locke
• Pain in the Gut, A by Joseph C. Way
• Parent’s Guide for Educational Success for Their Children, A by Joann Falciani
• Peace from Insanity by Jesse M. Arzate
• Playing Hurt by Gerald L. Nardella - RECOMMENDED
• Posh Prepper, The by Todd Knight - RECOMMENDED
• Rapture, The by Calvin Burton
• Reader's Companion to the World of Jane Austen, The (Illustrated) by Joe Giampaolo - RECOMMENDED
• Recovery by Guglielmo
• Richard: Distant Son by Michael W. Hickman - RECOMMENDED
• Rune and Flash by Joe Canzano - RECOMMENDED
• Saint Bloodbath by Frederick Douglass Reynolds
• Seasons: Beautiful in Its Own Time by Dr. J. Gayle Gaymon
• Seen by Julie G. Delegal - RECOMMENDED
• Shaws Multiplied, The by Doris Howe
• Shot at Justice, A by Karla M. Jay - RECOMMENDED
• Skin Thief, The by T.E. MacArthur - RECOMMENDED
• Sky of Infinite, A by Kyomi O’Connor - RECOMMENDED
• Snoodles in Space by Steven Joseph
• So Much S’MORE To Do by Becky Rasmussen - RECOMMENDED
• Soccer is for Me by Todd Schaus
• Someone Always Nearby by Susan Wittig Albert - RECOMMENDED
• Sunrise at Armageddon by James Rozhon
• There Is No Backstage by Linda Stephens
• Ting! The Silent Warning by Tawnee Chasny
• To Whom It May Concern by Kim Orendor
• Torro, The Silly Parrot by Virginia Loving Pope - RECOMMENDED
• Two As One Forever by Beverly V. Thomas
• Warrior and a Poet, A by Jason A. Henderson
• Willful Child, The by Rosaura Ramirez Soto
• Wise Little One by Jana Wilson - RECOMMENDED
• Your Higher Self by Stephen Warren - RECOMMENDED

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Featured Book Reviews

 

Fast-Paced

Highlight Review The Last Lumenian by S. G. Blaise Lilac Grove Entertainment book review by Jennifer Hummer "We are made of light, and we will return to Lume at the end of our time. We are made of light…" The author tells an engaging story about a headstrong nineteen-year-old heroine—Lilla, a princess and rebel of the Seven Galaxies—who chooses to go against her royal father's wishes and fight with the rebels seeking justice. Lilla's epic journey includes battling the dark gods while also struggling against her own inner demons. In this gripping novel, family loyalties are tested, and betrayal and bravery are two dominant themes. In a work that is part science fiction, part fantasy, and part romance, By expertly weaving together these genres into one storyline, Blaise succeeds in keeping the reader's interest piqued throughout the book. . ... (read more)

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Restoring America

Written to make their previous collaboration, Reality Prism, more accessible, this new offering covers many topics in the media today, with a large part of the focus being on a failing America and the rise of the New World Order. The book argues that the causes stem from people who have lost faith in God and are taking direct actions to manipulate America with an agenda promoting China and a global government. Crime and drug use in America, Covid-19, fake elections, and mind control of the population through social media and pharmaceutical companies are all part of this long-term, global plan of abolishing democracy and liberty and giving power to a few elites. The book also talks about the events on January 6, 2021 and how select branches of the government turned a peaceful protest into a labeled insurrection. The book presents several arguments for its claims, and the authors use some of their own social media research as support. Also, the book gives a brief overview of what a "mind war" is and how it is manipulating the truth and the American people. ... (read more)

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A Deeper Level

Highlight Review The Last Professional by Ed Davis Artemesia Publishing book review by Mari Carlson "You aren’t lookin for a guy, you’re lookin for a scapegoat." Lynden, a computer programmer until he leaves his job abruptly, is looking for The Tramp—the person who abused him on the rails fifteen years ago. The Duke, a professional Knight of the Road (rail rider), is running from Short Arm, whose secret only The Duke knows. And he is the only one who will ever know if Short Arm gets his way. Along the way, Lynden and The Duke meet other hobos, both friends and foes, as well as attractive and available women. Hopping freight, being hungry, getting drunk, fighting, and working a carnival are all worth the trouble when it comes down to finding what it is they’re really seeking. ... (read more)

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Clear Thriller

Mari Ellwyn and Derek Abernathy are partners and private investigators in California. While Derek is focused on the deaths of two farm workers in a small town, Mari takes on a case from a former close college friend involving a multi-million-dollar IPO. However, Mari is also working on the personal mystery of her father, a missing CIA operative. Although he is presumed dead, she has received clues that lead her to believe he may be alive and in the British Virgin Islands. ... (read more)

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Historic & Fun

Highlight Review Captain Hornigold and the Pirate Republic by Martin A. Frey Bring ‘Em Near Press book review by Mark Heisey "I go to my hammock, and no sooner have I dozed off than I’m awakened by gunfire coming from the direction of Potter’s Cay and the eastern basin." In 1715, Abigail Pennyworth and her family set sail from England for America. Her father has been asked by the church to be a missionary in the colonies. However, the family’s ocean voyage is interrupted. A few days out from Jamaica, Spanish pirates attack the ship and take Abigail from her family. Still, Abigail’s fate won’t rest with the Spanish pirates for long. English pirates board the Spanish ship, and Abigail is taken again, this time to be the cabin boy for Captain Hornigold. As Abigail settles into her new life and learns her duties, she makes friends with the ship’s cook and slowly begins to gain the captain’s favor. Her ability to read and write also helps her make friends among the crew. ... (read more)

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The Journey

Using a blend of historical fiction and poignant truths, the narrative delivers a spirited discourse on conservation, our environment, oneness, and, chiefly, the concept of coming full circle. With authors whose credentials speak for themselves and their commitment to Mother Earth, the beauty of this book lies in how easily it is brought to life for audiences. Titlow, whose background in natural history and photography, and Tinger, who helps future leaders fuse business with sustainability at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, leave no stone unturned in delivering a truly comprehensive commentary on the origins and imminent threats our planet faces. ... (read more)

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Solace Earned

Highlight Review A Sky of Infinite Blue: A Japanese Immigrant’s Search for Home and Self by Kyomi O’Connor She Writes Press book review by Barbara Bamberger Scott "When our mind is in the right place, we can build love – we can build a home." Author O’Connor recounts her remarkable path from her native Japan to the United States, from a childhood of discouragement and dashed hopes for family acceptance to a loving, sharing marriage and the development of strong spiritual understanding. She was the second daughter of her Japanese parents yet was treated as somehow inferior to her older sister from the days of her earliest memories. Beset with financial worries, her mother evinced anxiety, and her father seemed distant. Presents for the two girls were symbolic of O’Connor’s emotional abuse, with the older girl receiving, for example, a beautifully dressed doll while the younger girl’s doll was clad in a plain blue uniform. In addition to her inexplicable rejection, the author found little interest in most typical girls’ activities. Instead, she longed to become a writer, composing poems and essays beginning in her teens. ... (read more)

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LGBTQ Murder Mystery

When Ted Linden arrives home one August afternoon after working in his bank job and visiting Chicago’s Art Institute, he finds his cherished young partner, Warren Hadley, sprawled amongst the phlox in his garden with a slashed throat. Just the day before, Warren’s homophobic brother, Darrel, paid the couple a visit and stated angrily that Warren was better off dead than gay. The couple threw Darrel out even as Warren described his brother’s bark as worse than his bite. Surely the murderer must be Darrel, Ted thinks. ... (read more)

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Deeply Moving

Highlight Review Wise Little One: Learning to Love and Listen to My Inner Child by Jana Wilson EHS Publishing book review by Kate Robinson "When we don’t have emotionally intelligent parents to help us navigate painful experiences like grief and heartbreak, we internalize the pain and personalize it." Jana Wilson, the founder of Emotional Healing Systems, explores her childhood trauma and her subsequent aspiration to bond with and heal her inner child in this empowering, confessional, and prescriptive memoir. At age twelve, during a raucous, disturbing fight between her alcoholic father and codependent mother, Jana had a mystical experience that clarified her human connection to a spiritual source. When she ran outdoors to escape the violent chaos and pray for help, she had an out-of-body experience: “I looked around and saw that I was floating in the cosmos—nebulas, galaxies, and star nurseries were all around me…. In that moment, I felt more love and peace than I had ever experienced.” ... (read more)

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Restoring America

This innovative book blends fiction and fact to address what the authors see as a Marxist takeover of America. The chapters are written as distinct types of prose: normal narrative or general reading; non-fiction discussions of threats, such as a New World Order and The Great Reset; action or suggestions to regain freedom, prosperity, and safety; and heroic fiction in which the authors' theories are presented as a predictive thriller. Throughout the non-fiction portions, the authors expound on the current state of American politics and what is seen as an effort by the liberal wing of the Democratic Party to change America into a Marxist state. This theory is reinforced by the fictional part of the book, which tells a terrifying story of the assassination of a sitting American president. ... (read more)

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Revolutionary

The Handmaid’s Tale meets 1984 in this timely, captivating, alternately hilarious and infuriating dystopian novel that presents a plausible scenario in a future USA. The right to terminate a pregnancy is a small facet of any woman’s worries, with birth control banned and babies the primary source of government income. The most genetically fit babies command the highest prices at auction, and no couple keeps their biological children after giving birth. Worse, there’s no right to decide when to have a child or even whom to marry. Women are forced to marry their rapists or other unsuitable mates during the thirty-eight-year-long administration of President Boyce, who declares the 1950s and 1960s to be the “Halcyon Days.” In fact, the only television options available to Americans are mid-twentieth-century programs and films that reinforce Boyce’s philosophical gaslighting. ... (read more)

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Sweeping & Unforgettable

Lyrical prose, an expert grasp of historical detail, and deftly honed plausible imagination define award-winning author Worth’s passionate seventh novel. A historical romance set from 1448 to 1453 against the dramatic backdrop of the Eastern Roman Empire’s final days, this love story for the ages culminates in tragedy: the prophesied fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire and the demise of Emperor Constantine XI. By the time Constantine XI ascends his throne, the once great empire of eastern Christendom has been reduced to a mere blip on the map—a bit of land surrounding the city of Constantinople, the Queen of Cities. Although much has been written and recorded about the empire, emperor, and era, many facets of this history, including Constantine’s supposed secret third marriage, remain a mystery debated by scholars to this day. ... (read more)

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Vibrancy

This rollicking crime thriller, a sequel to Burch’s award-winning debut novel, The Homeport Journals, is also set in Provincetown, on the tip of Cape Cod. Helena Handbasket, a much-loved female impersonator, heads the local art museum but must go underground while sorting out an intricate murder plot and art theft conspiracy that touches many lives in the art-centered community. This literary-leaning novel is character and setting-driven rather than plot-driven, so readers can expect a slower delivery than is normal for the mystery genre. But in this case, page-turning speed is overrated, and Burch fans will revel in his extensive knowledge of Provincetown and the well-developed, rainbow cast of characters who carry the story forward with feisty humor and many unexpected plot twists. Though marketed as an LGBTQ novel, the tale’s pathos and heartfelt communal spirit will endear Helena, Butch (Helena's spouse), and Helena’s many friends and associates to mainstream readers as well. ... (read more)

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Informed Decisions

Parenting is one of life’s greatest challenges in part because people don’t always feel equipped to tackle the countless decisions that have to be made in the life of a developing child. One often hears new parents say that the child did not arrive with an instruction manual, and the result is muddling through the days and years trying to do what’s right. Uncertainty can plague the best intentions and leave parents burdened by choice. ... (read more)

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Christian Light

The wide-ranging viewpoint shared by author and pastor Henry begins with a tight focus on a single, highly significant quotation from scripture. In it, John the Baptist announces to his coterie of followers that he baptizes with water, but one “mightier than I” is coming to baptize “with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” That one is Jesus of Nazareth. To emphasize the power of Jesus and the importance of the spiritual gifts he prophesized, Henry takes the reader day by day, hour by hour through Christ’s last days, making those events real and crucial to the modern reader. For example, the day of Jesus’ death began around 8 a.m. with savage beatings and humiliations by Roman centurions. Henry invites readers to remember this when they are having breakfast and preparing for their Easter day celebrations. ... (read more)

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True Meaning of Family

In this book, readers meet Logan, a thirteen-year-old who just wants to enjoy the ocean. Logan’s life changes when he discovers that the family he called his own actually adopted him years ago. He navigates the shock of learning the facts about his adoption. Meanwhile, readers travel with him as he makes the decision to find his birth parents on his own. Along the way, he meets a cast of unique characters and visits a few unique places, all the while wrestling with why the people who adopted him never told him the truth. Nonetheless, what readers and Logan encounter is a lesson in why some past events are best left unexplored. Logan’s humorous takes on life and family are sure to delight readers of all ages. ... (read more)

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Right & Wrong

Wyatt Dardin is a volunteer art teacher at the Boys and Girls Club community program. Jasper, one of his beloved students, arrives with a broken arm one day. Wyatt manages to get Jasper to reveal what happened to him. He finds out that Jasper's father, Randy Randall, is responsible for the injury. This situation makes Wyatt extremely angry. On top of that, Randy took Jasper's dog, Millie, when his wife, Teresa, kicked him out of the house. He threatened to kill the dog. Wyatt shows up at Randy's trailer, but he is not there. Wyatt manages to free the dog. Out of the blue, Randy shows up, and a fight erupts between the two men. Wyatt kills Randy in self-defense and covers up his crime. From that moment on, this event will unleash Wyatt's inner desire to seek justice for abused children and animals. ... (read more)

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Integral Thoughts

In this collection, readers encounter a swath of poems grounded in nature, family, emotional survival, and faith. It opens with the gentle poem “It Seems,” an encouraging piece that advocates for the small moments of pause that seem so rare in life’s daily hustle. Other poems like “Love” rely on minimalism to communicate an urgent message that, despite its availability, not everyone has the opportunity to love. Later in the book, readers encounter selections such as “Musical Notes,” which advocate for the unification of humanity to create “a musical / symphony of peace and harmony.” Other poems question the false realities and moralities society creates in order to justify its actions. ... (read more)

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A Capitalist Made

As rising inflation and interest rates impact more and more Americans, the American Dream so many once endeavored to achieve seems less and less a reality. In this book, readers discover the dynamics of capitalism, which impact their personal and professional goals. From the beginning, this book examines the nature of competition and how American businesses incorporate competition into their operating dynamics. However, beneath the critiques of American capitalism lies a more intriguing story—that of the author, Tony Assali, who came to America in the 1970s from Beirut, Lebanon. In this compelling memoir, readers encounter the immigrant story, the value of working hard, and an inspiring tale about what it means to accomplish one’s goals and pursue one’s dreams. ... (read more)

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Edge of Your Seat

Nancy Graves was leaving a wine bar after celebrating her birthday with friends when she was taken. Unfortunately, her abductor had ghastly plans in store for her. Detective Tom Grant is assisting his technology-hampered boss in opening an email when they are tipped to the location of the late Ms. Graves. The crime scene hints at the brutality of the murder. Grant and his boss, Ed Morgan, handle the preliminaries of the investigation only to be floored by a subsequent abduction and murder. The possibility of a serial killer unnerves Grant and Morgan, but further correspondence from the UNSUB toying with the detectives drives the men to keep digging for clues to aid in the unmasking of a madman. The city of London, Ontario, will be sleeping with one eye open until the case is solved. ... (read more)

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Chaos & Corruption

Joshua ben Elazar is a religious man who is dedicated to his Jewish heritage. Joshua’s descendants were slaves of the Romans and arrived in Al-Andalus, an area that is now called “the land of Sepharad.” Joshua plans to succeed as a merchant in Portugal, where Muslims rule, but life there proves to be difficult, and ultimately he fails. He moves on to new lands and, along the way, meets Simon, who murders a man on the streets. Now a witness to the crime, Joshua’s life is further complicated by the fact that he falls in love with Simon’s sister. ... (read more)

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Thought Provoking

This visionary nonfiction title is part two of a clarion call for a physio-spiritual transition from a Fourth World to a Fifth World consciousness. Dr. John Hughes—a practicing osteopathic, integrative physician and descendant of the Cherokee tradition—challenges humanity to move from the linear and dualistic mindset of Western science based solely on the five senses—a rational discipline accepting only scientific fact and methodologies as a basis for structuring society—to the more intuitive, spiritually-inclusive, integrated, and nature-based Fifth World philosophy. ... (read more)

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Futuristic Fun

Imagine being kidnapped by space aliens to perform brain surgery on their leader when you do not possess the skills to do so. Luckily, your family is just a phone call away. Despite some hard feelings toward his missing brother, Sour Croodleman agrees to partner up with relatives to help save the day. The message is clear: when tough things happen, the family rallies in every way possible, including bringing sustenance. ... (read more)

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Life Above

Battle’s new book is an autobiographical look at his life from the time he was a small boy watching crop dusters in North Carolina through his military service and work history. However, it is also an introduction to his brand, The Aerospace Professor. Battle faced racism and mistreatment as he worked his way through school. He then found those racial tensions would follow him into the Air Force. Despite this, Battle performed exceptionally well as part of the flight crew for many of the Air Force’s top fighter planes. Also, although it took Battle a bit longer as he was raising a family, he always believed in the importance of his education and earned a BS and MBA. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, the author worked technology jobs, mostly for the government. Here, he witnessed the abuse of power and continued racism in America. ... (read more)

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Endless Chase

Envision a world where normal life is interrupted by an EMP, resulting in a massive electronic failure that causes planes to freefall from the sky and which sends society into an apocalyptic reality where every decision means life or death. Within this construct, Dr. Anna Hastings is called to action, thrust into an environment of care and trauma that exceeds anything she has ever seen in the hospital. What begins as a mission to heal soon results in a familial bond developing between Anna, a young child named Lily, and her father, Mark. They embark on a treacherous journey to Maine to find Mark’s wife, Lauren. Whether it is nearly being separated within the dangerous waters of a river current or being faced with devastating injuries, the trio of Anna, Lily, and Mark persevere. Their unyielding resolve to not just survive but thrive is always at the forefront. ... (read more)

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Prejudice & Tolerance

Jason Royals is a fifteen-year-old black teenager accused of shooting and killing a tourist named Betty Patterson. He is on his way to apply for a job at Wellstein's Pharmacy when a police officer stops him and arrests him because he matches the description of a murder suspect. From there, Jason's life goes downhill. First, he sustains physical injuries at the hands of the police. Then they coerce him into making a false confession. Finally, he is rushed to the hospital after he loses consciousness due to a hypoglycemic shock. During his stay at the hospital, he receives the right care. Unfortunately, the police subsequently arrest him and take him to an adult jail. Throughout this journey, Jason must prove his innocence with the help of his lawyer, civil rights attorney Aaron Hampton. ... (read more)

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Remarkable Read

This hybrid collection of prose and poetry offers a deep plunge into the personal struggles faced by the poet related to depression and bipolar disorder while also offering reflections on those who continue to grapple with such conditions on a regular basis. The progression of pieces chronicles the steps taken to get her life back in balance, such as taking medicines, undergoing electronic shock therapy, and learning more about the biochemical processes in the mind that can cause certain types of mental illness. She compares several parts of her journey to the experiences endured by loved ones like her grandfather, who tragically lost his battle against the disease. Additionally, she calls for more research to attain a better understanding of other ways to address mental disorders. ... (read more)

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Celebration of Nature

In this poetry collection, readers discover a myriad of ponds, rivers, forests, and landscapes. However, these places cannot be accepted superficially. Each poem is an emotional engagement with a unique environment and the environment’s inhabitants. Orchids and irises are not simply flowers. They are careful dancers with “long-leafed arms” who stomp their heels “trying to get our attention.” Each season and the memories each offers are keepsakes tucked away for a different time. Readers also discover picturesque scenes where “fish flip / and twirl themselves, / while dancing free.” Other poems like “Water Song I” celebrate the elements so many take for granted on any given day. ... (read more)

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Alter Life

In this memoir, the author begins by reflecting upon his experiences as a young student completing his educational endeavors as an English literature scholar in the Philadelphia area in the late 1970s. He tells of his life as a teaching assistant and his rise in the pharmaceutical industry. He obtains what most would consider the American ideal: marriage, a lucrative job in New York City, a Cape Cod home, and a dog. However, both his climb up the work ladder in New York and his marriage leave him feeling increasingly unfulfilled. After his marriage implodes, he finds himself financially unable to maintain his former lifestyle and falls into great dissatisfaction with his work. He “thought about the millions of other people in Manhattan who were just getting by, living paycheck to paycheck. I thought about the high-living socialites who didn’t give a damn about the rest of us. I started to hate New York.” At this point, he decides to leave the workforce and pursue artistic endeavors. In the process, he discovers that one’s happiness does not entirely depend on one’s income. ... (read more)

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Word Sounds

This collection of short works covers such topics as the Underground Railroad, the natural world, relationships, and works based on news stories. Most of the collection is composed of poems which conclude on a single page. There are a few longer poems as well as short stories, typically under five pages. The author also weaves her personal stories and experiences into the work, which includes her thoughts on writing, love and relationships, poems and poets who have interested her, and the world around her. Stovall often writes herself within the subject, although there are pieces where she seems to narrate them through a practically anonymous first person. Although many of the poems are thematically linked, the overall collection is diverse and not centered around a central theme. ... (read more)

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Enchanted

Lilly is a young woman living on her own in a small mountain town. Though well-known and liked by her community, she spends much of her time alone in her studio, creating art out of found objects. One day while on a walk, Lilly finds a shining piece of glass or crystal that she brings home to incorporate into her work. She soon discovers that this shining object has mysterious powers that allow her to connect with her loving, deceased grandfather. Knowing that Lilly is alone in the world, her grandfather bequeaths her the enchanted crystal to help protect and guide her. The crystal emits a small chime, a ting, that can encourage or warn Lilly as she navigates her day-to-day life. Though she must keep it a secret from everyone around her, Lilly wears the crystal on her at all times. ... (read more)

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Mystical

A man wakes to find that he has no memory of who he is or what has happened to him. Witnesses recount seeing him hurled from a moving van, and an investigation later finds a wrecked motorcycle at the bottom of the hill with a dead woman strapped to the bike. He is taken to the hospital for treatment. With the help of the medical staff, he begins to piece together the events of that fateful day. The two nurses that help him the most are gifted clairvoyants who can connect with people and see into their pasts. With their support and coaxing, Carl relives the chain of events that led him to cross paths with a gang of prison escapees who are looking for someone to take the blame for their heinous acts of violence. ... (read more)

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Newer Math

There may never have been a math textbook created with the intention to provide a historical context to mathematics in the way that Falbo’s work routinely and effectively accomplishes. Beginning with the emergence of arithmetic during the Stone Age over forty thousand years ago in Tibet and South Africa, the author demonstrates the influence of math all over the world, including, but not limited to, China, Persia, Greece, and Europe as a whole. Though most have always viewed mathematics as simply crunching numbers and formulas, math’s potency and depth of thought are highlighted throughout and are instrumental in instilling a strong, fundamental basis for the mathematics that so many students think they are learning without meaning or purpose. ... (read more)

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Paranormal Tough

Since the death of her partner, Tessa isn’t held in the highest esteem by the security and covert operations company for whom she works. However, with agents missing and whispers of something unnatural going on, she is chosen for the job. Dismissing her assigned partner, she tracks down a man most believe to be dead, a traitor, or both and asks him for help. In a small town near an ancient archeological site, crime lords are inexplicably showing up and not leaving. After being warned to stay away, the pair arrive in the town and immediately draw the attention of the inhabitants. The local sheriff makes a point of showing that he is in charge and that he likes what he sees in Tessa. It is also clear that he typically gets what he wants and has a strange magnetism to him. To complicate matters, Death has a habit of showing up where only Tessa can see her and inviting Tessa to kill. ... (read more)

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Mary Revealed

On the evening of Jesus’ death, Mary and the small number of women in her inner circle—Salome, Cleopas, Miriam, and Mary Magdalene—hasten to prepare Jesus’ body for burial before the Sabbath. They’re assisted by Roman centurions who reveal themselves to be the angels Michael, Uriel, Raphael, Jeremial, and Gabriel in disguise. The angels lead them to a home where the women are to rest in preparation for the resurrection, which Mary has foreseen. ... (read more)

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Vivid Recollection

An avid angler, knowing that not all the waters in Yellowstone National Park were teaming with fish, contacted the U.S. Fish Commission with a request to begin stocking those that were fishless. The request was approved, and the first planting took place in 1889. A sport fishery study was completed, and in the 1890s, a flurry of fish stocking began, often without consideration for the native species. The author has included historical maps that depict the true fish culture at that time within the park. The U.S. Fish Commission determined that a fish hatchery would be viable and productive. While the journey begun would not likely be permitted in today’s fish culture management, the exciting tales that the author shares explore the passion for this work in the face of nature’s adversity. ... (read more)

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Delights

Author Rasmussen has served up in this delicious and entertaining book a most delectable treat, celebrating and elaborating upon that most popular tasty fireside concoction: the s’more. The familiar campfire favorite consists of one part graham cracker, one part Hershey chocolate bar, and one part fire-roasted marshmallow. The result is the famous s’more, so-named because once a person has tasted one, they are likely to want “some more.” The classic combo is beloved by children and adults alike and all ages in between. Divvied into multiple sections, all of which encourage the hungry reader to “expand your s’more imagination,” Rasmussen’s delightful monograph begins by presenting a “History of the S’more.” Who knew that marshmallow candy originated in ancient Egypt some 3,000 years ago or that the basic recipe calling for marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate first appeared in the Girl Scout Handbook of 1927? ... (read more)

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Power & Destiny

Richard is living a typical teenage existence in Ohio when he suddenly, shockingly, discovers that he is a descendant of galactic royalty and must return to his ancestral planetary home of Krel and take his rightful place as king. With the help of an artificial life form named AAL, he begins the process of learning about his family history and his planet’s history, culture, and customs. Overwhelmed but curious and adventurous, Richard embarks on the journey with gusto and intelligence, shocked and awestruck with each new experience and encounter with unusual life forms and cutting-edge technology. However, not everyone is ready to embrace Richard, especially those with powerful interests who want to rule the planet without royal interference. Richard’s life and future as king are at risk as powerful senators question his legitimacy and assassins target him with ruthless intent. ... (read more)

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Fierce Instincts

In this fantastically realized dystopian world, dreams are created for punishment and for pleasure. Nightmares are used as a corrective tool, while pleasant dreams leave many citizens stupefied in an alternate reality. Inside the Dream Prison, sixteen-year-old Markla Flash is living out her sentence of 1,000 nightmares after she is convicted of murder. In a rip-roaring opening scene, Markla attempts to destroy a Dream Station with a group of subversives and gets caught up in a violent scene. When her friend Rune becomes a nightmare writer inside the prison, he vows to help her against all odds. Bound by love for Markla and disillusioned by the power of manipulative technology on society, Rune sets out to help take down the system with other renegade forces. Markla’s escape amidst a prison riot is the catalyst for Rune’s involvement and life-altering choices in pursuit of love and truth. ... (read more)

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Heart-Stopping Thriller

Castle is an impatient man waiting for his mission from unknown bosses. Waves of paranoia are running through his mind at a breakneck pace as he doesn’t know what to expect. The people behind the scenes have selected him for his chameleon-like abilities. He has a way of ingratiating himself to anyone and fitting in anywhere. Castle can pass through hostile checkpoints with ease while his fellow travelers sweat out their experience. Now, he must travel with Everett to the heavily militarized Ayahuantu. A country that was once noted for its beauty is now overseen by a dictatorial regime. Castle’s mission is dicey as Everett is evasive to any and all inquiries. The paranoid streak within Castle only grows with the appearance of multiple dead bodies. He will need to decide whether to dig deeper or use his skills to run for his life. ... (read more)

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Charming Children's Tale

A group of five astronauts leave Earth in a space shuttle to travel on a mission to the International Space Station but are knocked off course by a hurtling communications satellite. They fear being lost but, eventually, see a remarkably Earthlike planet in their viewfinder. They attempt to land, damaging the shuttle in the process. Upon exiting, they find the air breathable and soon encounter a city filled with people and animals mixing freely. ... (read more)

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Motivational

This book is a collection of inspirational and motivational quotes and poems. It offers philosophical insights about self-worth, intention, and resilience. Readers find inspirational quotes like “A man that stands for nothing cannot be something” and “Every mistake is success waiting to happen.” They also encounter brief, untitled poems which carry positive messages about living in the moment and being present. Poems like “For You” pose personable reminders about the importance of loving oneself and respecting oneself. They also remind one that it is up to an individual to look inward and find the inspiration to do better and live a meaningful life. The poem “Farewell” concludes the collection, asserting that ends are merely new beginnings. ... (read more)

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Coexistence

This collection powerfully opens with the poem “Subtext,” a piece in which even a dent in a doorway is treated with respect and elegance. “The almost-child” explores a mother’s grief and the possibility of what might have been. Readers also encounter nostalgic, coming-of-age poems such as “On getting my first glasses at thirteen,” where “the world that was gifted me / Was one I no longer knew.” As the book continues, readers find “I walk on seashells,” which recounts a story of physical and emotional survival. Other poems like “Nature’s grand chandelier” blend imagery and rhyme schemes and combine the glory of nature with the tragedy natural disasters often offer. “A world in waiting” carefully reminds readers about the power of and necessity of solitude. Meanwhile, “The Powerful Owl is listed as vulnerable” prods one to consider the environmental effects of each and all of one's actions. ... (read more)

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Losing Self

Surreal and poetic, this book transports readers into spaces where the imagined and reality blur, spaces where strange voices come and go in powerful waves. The novella’s narrator, a rather successful academic, leads an isolated existence in Oslo. Readers watch as the protagonist navigates Oslo’s artistic offerings and the cultural differences, as well as the onslaught of voices that more and more plague the speaker’s existence. As the voices grow increasingly insistent, and the strain begins taking its toll on his relationship, one witnesses how the narrator grows desperate for normalcy. Readers travel vicariously to Paris with the speaker, and they wander the Paris streets, seeking respite from an invisible force pushing him to a steep edge. ... (read more)

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Mapping the Crime

The brutal murder of five members of a homeless encampment sets in motion Reynolds’ startling true crime account. Broken into eleven parts, Reynolds’ book portrays the convoluted and chilling case of the Quintuple, or “Homeless massacre,” that intensely impacts the lives of diverse individuals in southern California. Reynolds, who lived not far from where these murders took place, begins with the men and women living in the homeless camp. These individuals deal with their own struggles and addictions, dependent on any means for survival. One owes money to a nefarious gang member, which is the catalyst that leads to these murders. After these murders occur, Reynolds switches gears, plunging the reader deep into the complex inner workings of a homicide investigation. Readers closely follow the detectives and police in separate but related cases as they wade through the carnage amidst the slow wheels of justice to piece together a tangled puzzle. For relief, they lean upon welcome discussions of sports, gallows humor, or the comforts of home to maintain composure and withstand their arduous profession. ... (read more)

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Tragedy

Hamilton’s book depicts the elegant but complicated life of American socialite and aspiring actress Dorothy Hale. Hale can be considered one of the original 1920s “bad girls.” She broke societal rules in order to chase her dream of working in show business. Along the way, she crossed paths with the likes of 1920s elites like Fred Astaire, Gertrude Stein, and even Ernest Hemingway. However, Hale’s fame and fortune never quite made up for the loss, gossip, and betrayal prevalent in her private life. She at first married the rich, handsome, and seemingly romantic Gaillard Thomas. Nonetheless, their marriage crumbled. Hale eventually found her way into a romance with Harry Hopkins, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s top adviser ... (read more)

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Detailed & Entertaining

The friendship between two strong and remarkable women—artist Georgia O’Keeffe and her friend and employee Maria Chabot—is explored extensively in this deeply researched biographical novel. The author writes in her afterword that this book is based primarily upon nearly 700 letters of correspondence between the artist and her World War II-era “hired hand” between 1940 and O’Keeffe’s death in 1986. The carefully crafted volume is unusual in that it intersperses first-person, fictive chapters in Maria Chabot’s voice with third-person chapters of biographical summary, leaving the impression that this historical situation is often described more than shown in fictive terms. ... (read more)

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Intimate Twists

Author O’Connor recounts her remarkable path from her native Japan to the United States, from a childhood of discouragement and dashed hopes for family acceptance to a loving, sharing marriage and the development of strong spiritual understanding. She was the second daughter of her Japanese parents yet was treated as somehow inferior to her older sister from the days of her earliest memories. Beset with financial worries, her mother evinced anxiety, and her father seemed distant. Presents for the two girls were symbolic of O’Connor’s emotional abuse, with the older girl receiving, for example, a beautifully dressed doll while the younger girl’s doll was clad in a plain blue uniform. In addition to her inexplicable rejection, the author found little interest in most typical girls’ activities. Instead, she longed to become a writer, composing poems and essays beginning in her teens. ... (read more)

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Show to Go

A singer from early childhood, Stephens found her true vocation in college while performing as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. After marrying upcoming playwright and actor Larry Shue, her life became one of constant travel, performing in dozens of America’s large city-based theaters. Preparation for performances generally began in the late afternoon, with late-night carousing with one’s co-workers as a ”reward” after the applause faded. Meetings with some of the greats—Tennessee Williams, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Miller—are woven into her recollections. Her notable roles ranged from Hamlet’s Gertrude to Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire. Such was Stephen’s dedication that once, having injured her foot and unable to act in a production of Dracula, she worked anyway behind the scenery, using ropes to send a bat sweeping and hovering over the actors. A deep lesson absorbed over her lengthy career is that an actor gradually becomes the character portrayed and must project that transformation to the audience, even in settings outside the theater. ... (read more)

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Teenage Hearts

Each of the teens at the Pleasant Valley Treatment Center has a desperate story of struggling with a range of mental health issues. Some have attempted suicide or experienced suicide ideation. Others practice self-harm or are spiraling into substance abuse that impacts every facet of their young lives. Their experiences are intense as they share in therapy and with each other the chain of events that have brought them to the treatment center. As the staff works to diagnose each of them and help them find ways to cope and heal, their lives unfurl in new and unexpected ways. The immense weight of guilt and the stabbing finger of blame are constant companions for the teens on their road to recovery. But as they journey on, they also find the warmth of companionship and the comfort of compassion. ... (read more)

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A Robinhood Mystery

Robin Hood has decided to attend the Sheriff of Nottingham’s archery tournament, likely staged as a trap to capture the outlaw. Robin plans to win the competition and take the prize right under the sheriff’s nose by wearing a disguise. While Friar Tuck is a loyal member of Robin Hood’s band of outlaws, he, like others in the group, believes Robin’s plan is ill-advised. Of course, they are not able to dissuade him. So, while Robin travels to Nottingham, the good friar and his traveling companion, the dwarf Thorvald, make the long trek by cart to the town of Wallingwells. They are on a mission of charity, according to the friar, who feels compelled to work to solve the mystery of a recent unusually brutal murder that has occurred in his own hometown. ... (read more)

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Thoughtful

After significant life events in 1986, the author made purposeful life changes. This discovery led to this guidebook which explores one’s purpose and meaning and the power of purposeful living. In such an examination, readers need to explore their inner selves of who and what they are in order to find such purpose. One explores becoming one’s higher self by focusing on taking risks, examining values, redefining the self, and examining one’s spiritual destiny. This is learning to be conscious of one’s life by not just doing but by being—being aware of and at peace with daily life activities and the deeper meaning of the self. These are the ideas found in the first part of the book, while the second part explores how to utilize one’s newfound purpose(s) in daily life. This includes ways to make it happen, such as by setting goals, managing and balancing life, finding inner strength, exploring values, and examining ways to happiness. ... (read more)

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Family Impact

Jamal was a fifth grader living in Brooklyn, New York, with his mother and older brother. The two boys' father was killed in a helicopter accident during his military service in Iraq. Before he left, though. Jamal’s dad gave his youngest son some life lessons, including "If it's to be, it's up to me," about taking responsibility for one's personal choices and actions. Using a large mirror in their home, Jamal’s father also told his son that there was a large community behind them that they couldn't see but was giving the mirror gazer strength and support. The community that Jamal ultimately envisioned included his father as well as the late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., former President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and others. The goal of the mirror lesson was to enforce in Jamal the assurance that he was not alone, even when his father could not be with him physically. ... (read more)

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Faith of Man

Author Lugger makes a well-considered case that the gradual, historical division of Christian belief into a multitude of denominations that vary widely in their rules, restrictions, doctrines, and implied principles actually goes against biblical truth. Denominationalism creates an unstated competition among believers, defying the unity that Christ conveyed, and can also allow human will to supersede the will of God. To underpin his basic thesis, Lugger has devised two charts. The first shows the expansion of Catholic and Orthodox teachings, and the second lists the further splits that resulted from the Protestant Reformation. In both charts, the one group that stands alone is the Church of Christ, which Lugger depicts throughout his book as the only truly Christian group, as it sprang directly from Pentecost “and has persisted to this day.” His treatise explores in detail the beliefs and practices of other denominations, citing the errors in origin and structure that make them a work of men, not of God and God’s teaching. ... (read more)

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God Intervenes

Adoption is met with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, often simultaneously with the tenuous emotions of the birth parent and the impending exhilaration of welcoming a new addition for the adoptive parents. In Howe’s work, audiences will glean incredible insight into not just the process but how crucial it is for faith and prayer to be an integral part of unification. Though there are undoubtedly conflict-ridden interactions during the adoption process, Howe’s mission is to present the soul-stirring and beautiful aspects of her adoption experiences both as an adoptive mother and as a caseworker for a faith-based agency, Loving Alternative Adoption Agency. ... (read more)

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Dynamic Missonary

Howe has compiled an impressive array of her family heritage, beginning with forebearers Douglas and Amanda Shaw. She offers engaging contributions from some of their 103 descendants still living. Born in Illinois, Douglas settled in Nebraska in 1877. Amanda was the daughter of homesteaders who established their new dwelling after traveling from Missouri in a covered wagon. The two were married in 1890 and moved to Iowa, where Doug worked as a plumber. Returning to Nebraska, he became a builder, with many houses and barns in the region still showing his handiwork. The couple had ten children, all of whom, along with their own progeny, are noted in Howe’s work, either through her own memories or by those of others in the lineage. ... (read more)

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Family Success

Noting that the original Greek meaning of “orphan” was a child without a father, author Howe expresses her concerns and considerations in this fact-based, often poignant collection. Statistically, she notes, adoptions are on the wane even as the numbers of unplanned pregnancies would indicate that the situation for unwed mothers has not changed greatly. Since God, the heavenly Father, created humankind from the first father and mother, it is clear to Howe that children are supposed to have a reliable father figure. ... (read more)

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Clear & Concise

Meghan is a young soccer player who has participated in the sport for three years. She really enjoys the sport and the friends that she makes while playing. There are a few basic terms and rules anyone interested in soccer should know, and Meghan discusses these items before talking about her team and season. The reader is brought along with Meghan and her team as they experience wins, losses, and draws. After each game, the team reflects on their performance and commits to working on a particular skill in their practices during the week. Meghan and her team improve as the season progresses, and they have a hard-fought match to close the season, which will determine the championship team. During the match, Meghan gets her first goal of the season. The teams’ enthusiasm and camaraderie carry them through the ups and downs, and at the end of the season, the players can’t wait to return for the next one. ... (read more)

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Sweet & Fun

In this entertaining story about Torro, a beloved parrot, the protagonist goes from being sad to happy once he is adopted by a beautiful girl who buys him from a marketplace in a faraway place while on vacation with a friend. Torro is so happy, and he wants to make his new mommy happy as well. When the vacation ends, she takes Torro home, and they have more fun. They go on many adventures together, and Torro loves to imitate and talk to her and others. He loves to play with his toys, snuggle with his mommy in bed, and even goes to a baseball game. But one time, when he is in a tree, two boys take him to their home. He is very sad until his mommy finds him and brings him home safely. Torro says he will never wander off again. ... (read more)

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Emotions & Commitment

This delightful work is a compilation of stories that the author emailed to her daughter (Astronaut Sunita L. Williams) when Suni was assigned to the International Space Station (ISS). While her daughter was in space, Pandya cared for Suni's dog, Gorby. The tales reveal the thoughts and actions of canine friends Gorby, Coal, and Elsie and the cat, Thomas, as interpreted in broad strokes by the author. The family is able to connect with Suni when the ISS is overhead. She shares with them some of her experiences, and Suni is able to be virtually present with her loved ones. ... (read more)

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Collective Memory

Hyatt revives the stories of his father that were often told over and over in the old shop, a place full of memories hushed by time but kept alive in the recollection and retelling for the next generation. Hyatt’s father, Chester, was born in Utah in 1903, so these stories evoke a different way of life and “reveal the history and perspective of a culture, time and experiences of a people in our country that has all but disappeared.” Hyatt hopes to preserve the past through this collection and impart some of the values and lessons he has learned through his father’s stories. What emerges is a wonderful tribute to a man who lived a full life of experiences close to the land, to his family, and to his community. Historical events like the building of the Hoover Dam, the rise of the automobile, and prohibition serve as a backdrop for some of the stories and remind readers of the individual lives at work and at play within these monumental moments in history. The stories range from Hyatt’s father’s childhood through his later years, so a vibrant and clear picture is created of a resourceful, hardworking, helpful jack-of-all-trades. Hyatt’s father thrived in nature, spending his life farming, herding, hunting, and roping throughout Utah. This lifestyle is wonderfully rendered in the book through details and description and through the lessons learned from the land. ... (read more)

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Vivid & Wonderful

Nationally known music therapist Rick Soshensky presents the experiences and perspectives that have informed his work with the people committed to healing and transforming their lives through music. His Music Therapy Studio is not only a physical space for his therapy sessions but also a philosophy and approach for unlocking the far-reaching benefits of music on the spirits and minds of people with disabilities and/or who are experiencing trauma. Soshensky highlights stories and case studies from the studio as examples of how the process can work on different types of people who experience a range of social, mental, and physical challenges. These stirring musical journeys reveal the transformative power of music as well as the resilience of the human spirit to heal and thrive. ... (read more)

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The Way

Writer Gaymon focuses on the Holy Bible’s Book of Ecclesiastes for its wisdom in declaring that for all things, there is a time, a season, and a purpose. She points to such examples as the seemingly impossible birth of Isaac to his parents, Abraham and Sarah, who were extremely old at the time. Most miraculous was the immaculate conception of Jesus Christ, fulfilling God’s purpose in God’s time. Many other examples, biblical and secular, are cited as the author explores such thorny issues as “a time to kill,” noting that through the machinations of Satan, there will be wars. Meanwhile, Christians are given “an inheritance of peace.” Also, by nature, all humans experience both good and bad tendencies in themselves and will have an opportunity to “throw away” the negative tendencies and gather and “keep” the positives. Gaymon denotes domestic violence as a “time to speak” and reminds readers that as their relationship with Jesus Christ expands, they will be able to “embrace” welcome strangers to their faith. ... (read more)

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Recovering

Namsam recounts the years of abuse he suffered at the hands of his father during his childhood in the 1950s. His dad was emotionally and physically abusive toward his family and never appreciated them. He would always make negative comments about them, and he was especially tough on his wife. He enjoyed belittling her in front of his children, wanting them to join him in putting her down. His controlling behavior was so strong that his wife could never say no to him. He expected his family to obey him, and he could do whatever pleased him. He would beat up his wife and children for no good reason. During these years of abuse, Namsam would still always stand up for himself, his siblings, and his mother. But at the same time, he tried to seek out his father’s approval. ... (read more)

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Intelligent Thriller

When John Davenport, an American Army Special Forces officer, meets Arya Sintesi, an agent in Turkey’s secret service and the daughter of a Turkish politician, sparks fly. Unfortunately, Arya is engaged to a prominent diplomat, and her culture deems switching horses in midstream, so to speak, as a serious social faux pas that would destroy her parents’ lives. Davenport continues his military career fighting terrorism across the globe, unaware until a chance meeting brings the couple together again briefly that Arya gave birth to their daughter. She also agreed with her new husband never to reveal the biological father’s true identity. Arya’s career in Turkish intelligence continues until she’s captured on what should have been a simple covert operation in Syria. John has been determined since meeting Arya to move heaven and earth to reclaim his place in her heart. How he surmounts the many obstacles on this personal mission is the defining essence of this military intelligence thriller. ... (read more)

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Changes

In this colorful dual-language book, young readers meet nine-year-old Andresito. Andresito is a “willful and rebellious child” who doesn’t like to listen, follow the rules, or clean up his toys. He also refuses to learn responsibility, love, and empathy. Children and their parents read along as Andresito’s parents exhaust themselves trying to find solutions to their son’s ill behavior. The boy does have one redeeming quality, though. He doesn’t like dirt. He also has a fabulous imagination, and one day he daydreams about flying. Young readers travel with Andresito on his daydream adventures, where he transforms into a fly. When Andresito encounters massive amounts of trash in the streets, he is disgusted. He suddenly recognizes the need for a change in his behavior. ... (read more)

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