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Shirley B Novak | Historical Fiction
The Story Of... by Shirley B Novack follows Jacob Kalinsky, born in Poland in 1904. His father, Max, is a poor chicken farmer in the town of Koretzis, and he is a bad-tempered man who has no patience, especially for his children. When Jacob's sweet and loving mother dies, he is just 12 and he and his nine-year-old brother are sent to live in a brothel. They are under the care of Jordanna, a kind woman who runs the brothel, but it will be three years before Jacob's father comes for them. By that time, the young Jacob is already a broken man — abused and raped by a Polish soldier. The experience of rape is one that will remain a secret buried in his heart and he will remain burdened by it. As an adult, he meets the soldier who raped him in the US. Can he give back the pain he has borne in his heart for all these years?Shirley B Novack's biography moves fast and the short chapters make the story more enjoyable. The first tragedy in Jacob's life is introduced in the opening chapt...
Continue ReadingJonathan J. Brown | Detective & Mystery
Lou Crasher is a drummer & private detective who has stumbled into trouble. He discovers singer Trix Rockland dead, her face buried in a pile of Cocaine. There is evidence of foul play. The police initially suspect Lou, but he provides an alibi and possesses no motive. The lead detective politely warns Lou not to interfere with the homicide investigation. However, Trix’s daughter reaches out to Lou and begs for him to dig into the case. Lou conducts a sub rosa inquiry, talking to Trix’s bandmates. Lou learns that Trix was about to sign with a record label. The owner of the label seems sketchy to Lou and therefore a subject of further interest. Lou comes to an arrangement with Lead Detective Tanaka to share information, but Lou soon finds out that this arrangement is as complicated as the investigation. Lou will need to tread carefully or find himself wearing an inmate jumpsuit or toe tag.Drums, Guns ‘N’ Money is a spirited mystery with comic undertones diving into the often ch...
Continue ReadingMichael Mullin | Thriller
A cunningly plotted mystery thriller, Gothic Revival by Michael Mullin tells the story of a group of friends who haven't met each other for twenty years. They were close friends when they studied Creative Writing back then. Now, Chris, Anne, Fiona, and Lauren are invited by their friend, Eric Asher, to an isolated villa by the lake. Mimicking the gathering of Victorian friends that resulted in the creation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Eric asks his friends to write a ghost story. However, he has other plans, and as time passes by, his friends begin to unveil Eric's lies, and gripped by fear, they question their loyalty and friendship. Eric has a sinister plan for this group of friends, but can they navigate themselves out of it unscathed?Suspense, intrigue, and betrayal are some of the elements that elevate the quality of the writing and Mullin's plotting. Eric is a character that readers will be keen to follow — a lying, manipulative sociopath. Through streams of consciousness, Mul...
Continue ReadingGary V. Brill | Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
In this gripping sequel to Journey Book 1, the story starts in the tumultuous years prior to the Civil War, with free black James Woodman and his family as they struggle to keep control of their Pennsylvania farm and their freedom in the increasingly hostile environment. James’ dangerous double life as a conductor on the Underground Railroad has become known to ruthless men, and he has to flee for his life, joining runaway slaves in a frightening, danger-laden journey to freedom in Canada. Five years later, he is called home. The immediate danger has gone, but a far bigger one is coming up the pike—the Confederate Army is marching north and in June 1863 the Woodman farm is in its path.Brill skillfully weaves the historical context throughout the narrative, bringing the Battle of Gettysburg right to their door, without ever losing sight of the human story at the heart of the book. One of the strengths of this book is the depth of characterization, as he details the struggles and tr...
Continue ReadingRosalie Rayburn |
The dry desert town of Las Vistas, New Mexico is growing in population and sprawl. Its problems are growing too. Torrential rain causes massive flooding and property damage, which could have been avoided had the developer not cut corners. In covering the story of the flood, journalist Elizabeth “Digger'' Doyle discovers that the developer, Johnny Raposa, has a habit of cutting corners with his developments. While investigating Raposa, Digger is approached by a local activist named Maria who is bent on stopping a road project Raposa is behind that would endanger a historical chapel. Digger quickly develops feelings for Maria, but their budding relationship is complicated by a tug-of-war between love and Digger's journalistic integrity. While Digger navigates her complicated relationship with Maria and follows mysterious leads into Raposa’s past, the developer uses his money and influence to back a new candidate for mayor to ensure the project he desperately needs in order to remai...
Continue ReadingJerry Lovelady | Poetry
Grief and Her Three Sisters by Jerry Lovelady is a gorgeous collection of poems that capture life, love, and loss. The first thing that catches the attention of readers when they start reading Lovelady's poetry is his incredible ability to write with clarity while allowing the fusion of nature with human emotion. And then there are those moments that compel readers to reflect on insights about life and the author’s wisdom. You'll find one as you open the first poem, “The Great River Taketh.” It reads: ''In death there is always life. / In a seed there is hope for life. /In our offspring resides all genetic diversity.'' The collection is moving, powered by strong streams of emotions and words to heal grieving hearts. Jerry Lovelady's poetry stands out in its symbolism and the breadth of its imagery. The author has the uncanny ability to capture the different seasons of the heart while inviting readers to look past their hurts to discover a new beginning in the ending. Each poem is uniq...
Continue ReadingSharon Steeber | Fiction - Cultural
Can a couple's love transcend time, family traditions, loyalties, and a willingness to compromise with each other regardless of the cost? Author Sharon Steeber's But Do You Love Me With Locura explores this question by introducing readers to a complex and beautiful love story between Rosie Logan and Doctor Juan Ramón Villaseñor. Rosie is from California. She is visiting Cuernavaca in Mexico to learn Spanish. While there, she meets Doctor Villaseñor. They develop a friendship, which progresses to a relationship, thus causing them more friction, questions, and uncertainties that neither of them anticipated. ''They had become two countries on the verge of war, each with camps pitched on the border.''The author beautifully details a whirlwind romance that Rosie and Juan struggle to sustain. Each chapter delves deeper into the connection between the main characters and the challenges surrounding them. The author also reveals how the power of love can bring new life into...
Continue ReadingRachel Bate | Children - Fiction
Santa Fe Tom by Rachel Bate is a beautiful tale for Children with a strong message on overcoming stage fright and building confidence. Desert Box Turtle Tom is a very shy person, and even when a surprise birthday party is prepared for him by his critter friends, he still finds it hard to overcome his shyness. Awakened by a loud cry on a bright sunny morning in New Mexico, Desert Box Turtle Tom is informed the party will be soon. Ray Roadrunner goads him on to get moving to Critter Town. Tom is very nervous when told he must join and sing along as the group practices the birthday song. ''We know if you try, you’ll dovery well!'' say his friends as Tom recoils into his shell. As he listens to the others sing, he begins to join them, slowly, and then everyone is in awe and ecstatic at the sound of Tom's voice. Now they want him to audition for the Santa Fe Critter Opera House. Can he beat his shyness and find the confidence to shine?Written in beautiful poetry, this book offers the perfec...
Continue ReadingSharon Steeber | Fiction - Cultural
Can a couple's love transcend time, family traditions, loyalties, and a willingness to compromise with each other regardless of the cost? Author Sharon Steeber's But Do You Love Me With Locura explores this question by introducing readers to a complex and beautiful love story between Rosie Logan and Doctor Juan Ramón Villaseñor. Rosie is from California. She is visiting Cuernavaca in Mexico to learn Spanish. While there, she meets Doctor Villaseñor. They develop a friendship, which progresses to a relationship, thus causing them more friction, questions, and uncertainties that neither of them anticipated. ''They had become two countries on the verge of war, each with camps pitched on the border.''The author beautifully details a whirlwind romance that Rosie and Juan struggle to sustain. Each chapter delves deeper into the connection between the main characters and the challenges surrounding them. The author also reveals how the power of love can bring new life into...
Continue ReadingJ.W. Bell | Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
I Am, Therefore I Think by Jerry Bell is a book with a strong appeal to fans of philosophy, a collection of essays that examines the thinking process and demonstrates the human person's ability to attain knowledge. Written by a writer who has been many things — a music teacher, a bus driver, a restaurant owner, a soldier, and an oil-field roughneck — this book explores a wide range of philosophical topics. The author writes about the primary principle of self-knowledge appreciating the universe and the world within, examines the proverbial sexist argument that pits male against female, discusses the place of imagination and creativity in the art of thinking, demonstrates how love is the central energy of the universe, and brilliantly presents themes like time — considered as something completely different from the ordinary understanding as a force that happens one minute after another— tolerance, divine harmony, balance, and a lot more.In a tone that is casual and conversational,...
Continue ReadingLinda Keen | Fiction — Coming of Age
The Dream Keepers by Linda Keen is a rollicking ride that follows two young characters, Starlight and her older brother, Thatcher O'Day as they set out on the adventure that will shape their lives in inscrutable ways, from the Deep South to the West Coast. The kids are seven and eight when — together with their grandfather — they must embrace change at the break of a new Millennium. Grandma Gloria has followed the advice of the social worker and has asked Star and Thatcher to leave their regular middle school for the unknown. So, from the treacherous and dangerous journey to settling into a new environment, the young hero and heroine must face challenges bigger than their age. Follow them as they evolve through each year and trying circumstances. Linda Keen's book is a delightful read for fans of YA, a story that opens with a mysterious tragedy unfolding before the eyes of the young characters. Being uprooted from one's immediate and familiar environment is a strong plot point for a...
Continue ReadingBrant Vickers | Historical Fiction
Cassady and Kyle are best friends living in the shadow of movie magic. They live in Culver City, where MGM Studios is headquartered. They learn about the studio backlot, where various shows and films were shot. They trespass onto the lot and are floored by the treasures they find. One particular night, a late-night visit leaves them mesmerized by the lot. The boys spy on a captivating girl floating in a vivid light, but they flee, in a state of fear. The backlot has a special pull on Cassady and Kyle, so they return. They are greeted by a man named Ashley and a beautiful woman named Scarlett. Ashley reveals to the boys that they have found something special, a place where characters from favorite movies and shows come alive. Culver City is an excellent fantasy book with compelling elements of supernatural horror that beguiles from the beginning. Author Brant Vickers brilliantly captures the spirit of youthful rebellion and curiosity with the sentimentality attache...
Continue ReadingElsie G. Beya | Romance
Daisy is a florist who loves her life the way it is — without a man in it. She is tough, speaks her mind, and possesses sarcasm that stings. But her life changes when she meets Stewart Burns, a frontman for an indie band. While there is obviously nothing to connect the two, Stewart's charm rubs off so easily and quickly on Daisy. The walls she has built around her life begin to crumble like petals as she falls for him. But can she allow herself to be vulnerable and be touched where she hurts deeply or will she risk her life with Stewart? Readers will love and hate Daisy, but she is a genuinely flawed character, and Elsie G. Beya has done an extraordinary job of exploring her brokenness, allowing readers to see her hidden wounds and silent tears, and the darkness in her inner world. Her tough demeanor becomes a mask that hides her deepest wounds. The romance is cleverly written and I enjoyed the way events unfold in this unpredictable novel — just so naturally. Themes of love, friendsh...
Continue ReadingShirley B Novak (Fulton Books)
The Story Of... by Shirley B Novack follows Jacob Kalinsky, born in Poland in 1904. His father, Max, is a poor chicken farmer in the town of Koretzis, and he is a bad-tempered man who has no patience, especially for his children. When Jacob's sweet and loving mother dies, he is just 12 and he and his nine-year-old brother are sent to live in a brothel. They are under the care of Jordanna, a kind woman who runs the brothel, but it will be three years before Jacob's father comes for them. By that time, the young Jacob is already a broke...
Regina Toffolo (Barletta and Bellami)
The Second Child by Regina Toffolo is a spellbinding, gorgeously written, and poignant memoir that examines the effects of addiction and mental illness, following the author's painful journey. Raised in Maryland, Regina grew up with an elder sister who was 11 years older than her and two adopted brothers, aged 3 and 4. Her mother grew fonder of her older sister with whom she shared a unique bond. The two created a world of their own, shutting out Regina's other siblings. While her older brother always defended her, she felt hurt when he drifted...
Kerry Gough (BookBaby)
A mysterious, ancient gate stands tall above Alex's home. It seems to open nowhere and Alex is driven by an irresistible sense of curiosity to open the gate. His junior brother, Drew, would rather be home than waste time around an old, useless gate. When he recites a riddle, something magical happens as music fills the air and a magical key appears. Alex is terrified at what the golden key that floats into his hand does to his body. In spite of his brother's taunts, he braves himself up and opens the gate with the key. And it op...
J.W. Bell (Indies United Publishing House LLC.)
I Am, Therefore I Think by Jerry Bell is a book with a strong appeal to fans of philosophy, a collection of essays that examines the thinking process and demonstrates the human person's ability to attain knowledge. Written by a writer who has been many things — a music teacher, a bus driver, a restaurant owner, a soldier, and an oil-field roughneck — this book explores a wide range of philosophical topics. The author writes about the primary principle of self-knowledge appreciating the universe and the world within, examines the proverbial...
Scott B Delaney (Xulon Press)
An utterly engaging tale with strong spiritual underpinnings, The Tiger's Eye: Angels in Mumbai is the second book in the Global Calling Series and a thriller in which a Christian ministry is threatened by terrorists.Andrew Morrison, who started the Christian movement called The call, plans to spend two years in India, together with his family and friends. His mission is to help with the Global Calling Ministry, but there are people who do not want the American and his friends in India, and everything is headed for disaster when a gro...
Rachel Bate (Mascot Books)
Santa Fe Tom by Rachel Bate is a beautiful tale for Children with a strong message on overcoming stage fright and building confidence. Desert Box Turtle Tom is a very shy person, and even when a surprise birthday party is prepared for him by his critter friends, he still finds it hard to overcome his shyness. Awakened by a loud cry on a bright sunny morning in New Mexico, Desert Box Turtle Tom is informed the party will be soon. Ray Roadrunner goads him on to get moving to Critter Town. Tom is very nervous when told he must join and sing along...
Michael Mullin (Gemiknight Studios, LLC)
A cunningly plotted mystery thriller, Gothic Revival by Michael Mullin tells the story of a group of friends who haven't met each other for twenty years. They were close friends when they studied Creative Writing back then. Now, Chris, Anne, Fiona, and Lauren are invited by their friend, Eric Asher, to an isolated villa by the lake. Mimicking the gathering of Victorian friends that resulted in the creation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Eric asks his friends to write a ghost story. However, he has other plans, and as time passes by, his friend...
Greg Keynes (Greg Keynes)
The Flying Bushman — Stories from the Heart by Greg Keynes features a collection of stories that are set, mostly, against the backdrop of Western Australia, Murchison country, a sequel to The Flying Bushman: An Australian Story of Life above the Land. These stories offer a fresh appreciation for life, hard work, embracing a purpose, and experiencing a strong connection with nature. The author takes readers on a ride, following a young man's travel to Europe, surviving a deadly helicopter crash, and more.What is fascinating about Greg Keynes' wo...
Kathleen J. Shields (Erin Go Bragh Publishing)
The First UniBear by Kathleen J. Shields is a picture book that follows a little bear cub who decides to have a memorable adventure on a beautiful spring day. After watching the hummingbirds as they flew by flowers for hours, he ran continuously over prairies and hills under the glare of the colorful sky. When he follows a colorful butterfly far into a cave, and as he nears a clearing, a dazzling sight catches his attention. A powerful force moves him as he watches a beautiful horse, weak and lonely, trapped. Can he save this unicorn,...
Gary V. Brill (Independently Published)
In this gripping sequel to Journey Book 1, the story starts in the tumultuous years prior to the Civil War, with free black James Woodman and his family as they struggle to keep control of their Pennsylvania farm and their freedom in the increasingly hostile environment. James’ dangerous double life as a conductor on the Underground Railroad has become known to ruthless men, and he has to flee for his life, joining runaway slaves in a frightening, danger-laden journey to freedom in Canada. Five years later, he is called home. The immediate...