Biographies and Memoirs

Mama’s Boy: A Young Boy’s Memory of Childhood

Rev. Michael H. Lavery | Biographies and Memoirs

Mama’s Boy: A Young Boy’s Memory of Childhood by Rev. Michael H. Lavery is a heartwarming autobiographical reflection that chronicles his early life, exploring the profound influence of his mother, grandmother, sister, and community. The book opens with Lavery’s emotional account of losing his father at a young age, shaping his understanding of love, loss, and inner strength. It then explores various themes, including faith, family, sacrifice, and moral lessons learned through everyday experiences, from childhood innocence to spiritual awakening. Lavery shares stories of his mother’s unwavering devotion, his grandmother’s pioneering spirit as a police officer, and the innocent yet profound q...

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Most Recent Reviews

HOPE DIES LAST

Burt Weissbourd (Rare Bird Lit and Blue City Press)

| Reviewed by George Buehlman

Hope Dies Last by Burt Weissbourd is a pulse-pounding thriller that leaves you turning the pages, thanks to the unpredictable plot and the never-ending action that moves the story forward. Sara and Alvaro are drawn into a deadly conspiracy when a shocking photo hints at a connection to a $350 million Venezuelan military heist. What starts as a surprise visit from a cousin with a secret quickly spirals into violence, leaving Sara hospitalized and their young son terrified. Dead bodies begin to mount, and the couple turns to Sara’s father, Cash—a...

Marie's Nutcracker

Margaret Marie Klenzing (Stewart Education Services)

| Reviewed by Joanne Higbee

Margaret Marie Klenzing’s debut is a heartwarming and compelling exploration of a young dancer’s journey through the world of ballet. You’ll discover the magic of ballet and the power of friendship in Marie’s Nutcracker, fully illustrated with nineteen original drawings by Rori Alexander. This captivating story follows seventeen-year-old Marie, a talented dancer, as she embarks on a journey to become a professional ballerina. Witness her struggle with insecurities, rivalries, and her feelings for handsome Peter, a professional dancer from New Y...

Quieting the Storm

Alexander C. Juden (5Points Press)

| Reviewed by Jeff Klune

“I needed to find Patricia. I’d stash her in a safe place, and then I was going to kill that son of a bitch Armistan deader than the goddamn dodo bird.” This introduces the conflict in Quieting the Storm by Alexander C. Juden, a gripping historical thriller set in the post-World War I era. The story follows Major John Griffin, a disfigured and haunted investigator entangled in a web of espionage, political intrigue, and personal vendettas. Upon returning to New York from Europe, Griffin is determined to save Patricia Kingsbury from her estrange...

The Location Scout

Michael Jarvis (‎ Michael Jarvis)

| Reviewed by Elena Enger

The Location Scout by Michael Jarvis presents a witty and engaging exploration of the behind-the-scenes chaos of location scouting for film and advertising projects. The story is set against the backdrop of the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Lucas Sloan is a seasoned but cynical location scout who, after experiencing setbacks in his previous mission, accepts a new project to scout for the perfect movie location in the sugar industry in the Dominican Republic. This one doesn’t come easy, and he must navigate a strange terrain, meeting with...

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