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Featured Historical Fiction Reviews

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The Story Of...

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...

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Most Recent Reviews

The Story Of...

Shirley B Novak (Fulton Books)

| Reviewed by Matthew Novak

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...

The Second Child

Regina Toffolo (Barletta and Bellami)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

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...

The Gate to Htrae

Kerry Gough (BookBaby)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

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...

I Am, Therefore I Think

J.W. Bell (Indies United Publishing House LLC.)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

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...

The Tiger's Eye: Angels in Mumbai (The Global Calling Series Book 2)

Scott B Delaney (Xulon Press)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

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...

Santa Fe Tom

Rachel Bate (Mascot Books)

| Reviewed by David Reyes

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...

Gothic Revival

Michael Mullin (Gemiknight Studios, LLC)

| Reviewed by Daniel Rhodes

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...

The Flying Bushman - Stories from the Heart

Greg Keynes (Greg Keynes)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

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...

The First UniBear

Kathleen J. Shields (Erin Go Bragh Publishing)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

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,...

JOURNEY: The Story of an American Family: Volume 2

Gary V. Brill (Independently Published)

| Reviewed by Robyn Pearce

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...

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