Reviews
Off with the Old, On with the New
Stephanie Ripple (Stephanie Ripple)
In Off with the Old, On with the New, Stephanie Ripple provides a comprehensive biblical framework designed for parents seeking to nurture character in their children. The core message resonates around the transformation of behavior and mindset—from embodying old-self qualities that strain relationships and moral integrity to adopting new-self characteristics reflective of Christ’s teachings. Ripple crafts a systematic approach that encourages self-examination and promotes a collaborative learning experience between parents and children. The bo...
Death, Made Proud
D.E. Ring (Grinder)
In the fifth installment of the Urquhart & MacDonald Mystery series, set in the small east coast port city of Barrachois in 1949, new parents Jimmy and Sandy Urquhart enjoy a summer morning when an explosion shatters their tranquility. The blast initially thought to conceal a murder, leads to a baffling discovery: a dead body found in a locked hotel room, with all exits secured from the inside. As the team delves more deeply, they realize that the truth behind these impossible events lies far beyond the confines of the city. Death, Ma...
The Road To Second Chance
Toni M. Andrews (Paper House)
Toni M. Andrews’ The Road to Second Chance is a clever exploration of grief, grit, and the quest for closure set against the backdrop of 1962 small-town West Virginia and the suburbs of Washington, D.C. The narrative follows Laney Mae Martin, whose idyllic early childhood is shattered by the tragic loss of her father, Gil. The emotional turmoil unleashed by his death—a life-altering car crash that takes both his life and that of another woman—catalyzes a haunting journey of self-discovery. Can she ever come to terms with the loss, and how does...
DRAUSIN and JOSEPHINE: We Too Shall Pass
John H. Wulsin Jr. (Atmosphere Press)
In John H. Wulsin Jr.’s DRAUSIN and JOSEPHINE: We Too Shall Pass, Drauzin Valsin Bacas uncovers his father’s secret of passing as white in 1850s New Orleans. Banished and fleeing racial oppression, he and his wife, Josephine, navigate the perilous world of white identity in Cincinnati. As they confront family legacies, they must consider the cost of denial and the hope of future generations. This is a powerful work of historical fiction that richly weaves personal and communal narratives against the backdrop of early 19th-century New Orleans. T...
The Naked Sailor
Norman Coutts (Atmosphere Press)
The Naked Sailor by Norman Coutts is an evocative memoir recounting the author’s journey through Southeast Asia aboard a yacht, inviting readers to navigate the turbulent waters of life, fear, friendship, and self-discovery. The story revolves around Coutts’ unexpected sailing trip, prompted by an invitation from his childhood friend Rob. Despite his initial trepidation about sailing, ignorance of the sea, and the looming threat of pirates, Coutts' journey becomes a personal metamorphosis shaped by his surroundings' natural beauty and cha...
The Paroxysm Deception
Jastrow Hill (Atmosphere Press)
Jastrow Hill's The Paroxysm Deception delivers a psychological thriller that explores the themes of ambition, betrayal, and the sometimes invisible demons lurking within the human psyche. Centered around the lives of David Deagan, Lisa Cooper, and their daughter Camille, the novel unfurls a disturbing narrative of a family torn by secrets and aspirations, juxtaposed against the backdrop of a small-town America that harbors dark undercurrents. The plot progresses through Camille's desperation to escape her mundane existence in Mountain View, lea...
In Every Lifetime
Amy Cole (Atmosphere Press)
In Every Lifetime by Amy Cole is the first entry in Titan Group romantic suspense series, blending elements of romance, military thriller, and intrigue. The novel introduces readers to Violet Burke, a journalist and aspiring novelist, who becomes embroiled in a harrowing chase after a near-fatal car accident involving her blind date, Brandon Mills, the son of a powerful politician. Violet quickly realizes that her accident wasn’t just random but part of a deeper conspiracy involving some dangerous characters, including the enigmatic Ambassador...
USING MY WORD POWER: Advocating for a More Civilized Society, Book II: Patriotism and Politics
Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D. (USARISEUP, Inc.)
In Using My Word Power: Advocating for a More Civilized Society, Book II: Patriotism and Politics, Janice S. Ellis provides a powerful exploration of the intersection of journalism, patriotism, and political consciousness. Drawing from over four decades of commentary, Ellis reflects on the shifting American socio-political landscape, emphasizing the need for civil discourse and ethical engagement in public life. Ellis's writing addresses pressing issues such as race relations, healthcare access, the implications of gun violence,...
From Liberty to Magnolia: In Search of the American Dream
Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D. (USARISEUP, Inc.)
From Liberty to Magnolia is a profoundly moving memoir that chronicles the life of Janice S. Ellis, reflecting on the intersections of race, gender, and personal ambition against the backdrop of the American civil rights movement. The narrative begins with the author’s childhood in Mississippi—specifically, the towns of Liberty and Magnolia—during a time of racial division and social upheaval. Through her recollections, Ellis recounts the systemic challenges she faced as a Black woman in a predominantly white, patriarchal society, explorin...
The Maelstrom of Destiny
Ken Jackson (Atmosphere Press)
Ken Jackson’s The Maelstrom of Destiny, the third installment in The AtLan Chronicles, is a mesmerizing science fiction that explores themes of colonization, loyalty, and personal ambition. Set on a vibrant yet tumultuous Earth, the story follows Tahryn, a young AtLan man dealing with the ramifications of his culture’s failed mission to integrate the native tribes into a technologically advanced civilization. As the AtLan prepare to abandon their post, chaos erupts with the brutal murder of Droga, a respected leader of the rebellious...