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Small Press Bookwatch

Volume 15, Number 5 May 2016 Home | SPBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice International Studies Shelf Language Studies Shelf
Fiction Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Business Shelf
Humor Shelf Biography Shelf Travel Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Beer Shelf Psychology Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Fighting for Freedom in America
Clyde Dee
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
www.outskirtspress.com
9781478759928, $20.95, PB, 328pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: When anonymous mental health worker Clyde Dee finds himself working in a Section 8 housing project that is notorious for drug dealing, he is mysteriously compelled to break the codes of standard drug war conduct. Uncanny threats and coincidences and desire for justice drive him to question the pillars of his profession and his own wellness until he decides to go off a low dose of anti-psychotic medication. Stopped by police in an effort to exit the country, Clyde is incarcerated in a State Hospital psychiatric ward for three months and then is released to the streets. Clyde's story reveals both the innards of Schizophrenia and how a person can learn to make peace with the forces that are following them around. Clyde is able to overcome homelessness, under-employment, and harassment with family support and morph into someone who is fighting to gain attention for his successes in treating others who are in the throes of a "psychotic" episode.

Critique: An intensely personal and impressively well written memoir, "Fighting for Freedom in America: Memoir of a 'Schizophrenia' and Mainstream Cultural Delusions" is a compelling read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for both community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Fighting for Freedom in America" is also available in a Kindle edition ($5.99).

Now They Make It Legal
Howard Harrison
Dog Ear Publishing
4011 Vincennes Road, New Augusta, IN 46268-3005
www.dogearpublishing.net
9781457542725 $14.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Mercurochrome. JFK. Beatlemania. Vietnam. Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll. These are just some of the memories from the Baby Boom era that are captured in NOW they make it legal: Reflections of an aging Baby Boomer. The book traces the evolution of American culture from the "black and white" 1950s through the turbulent 1960s and into the '70s, ending in the 1980s "when we began to turn into our parents." It tells the history of the Baby Boom generation through the eyes of one of the 80 million people born between 1946 and 1964 - the greatest period of population growth in U.S. history. Baby Boomers grew up during a time of great change in America and had a major impact - in music, politics, pop culture and society at large. This nostalgic and fact-filled collection of stories will entertain those who were there, and educate those who weren't.

Critique: Now They Make It Legal is a fabulous, firmly tongue-in-cheek tour of bygone decades. Award-winning journalist Howard Harrison has crafted a memoir so vivid it's the next best thing to a time machine. These anecdotes will enlighten, startle, perplex, and inspire readers of all generations. "...it was us Baby Boomers that turned the word 'party' into a verb. While the noun 'party' is still used to describe an event where people get together to celebrate or have a good time, 'to party' means to get high, drunk, stoned or somehow inebriated, usually with others. You're welcome."

Departure
Anne L. Watson
Shepard & Pipler
c/o Shepard Publications
PO Box 280, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.shepardpub.com
9780938497684, $10.00, PB, 102pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: When Henry "wakes up," he finds himself walking along an empty stretch of road on modern-day San Juan Island. He doesn't remember much about himself, besides his name and the fact that he's dead. How did he die? How long ago? What was his life? Did he have a family? Why is he still on the island? And most important, what is a ghost like him supposed to do now? On Henry's journey of discovery, he meets another ghost in the same predicament -- a little girl named Charlotte. Together they navigate the byways of the island and of their own memories, in search of the keys that will finally free them for departure.

Critique: Part ghost story, part historical novel, part fable, "Departure" is author Anne L. Watson's latest novel and deftly weaves island lore, human insight, and spiritual wisdom into a magical tale of redemption and fulfillment. A compelling and inherently fascinating read from first page to last, "Departure" is very highly recommended, especially for community and academic library Literary Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Departure" is also available in an inexpensive Kindle edition ($1.00).

ShadowRay: Scratching the Surface
Michael J. Tyger
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781497345591, $13.00, PB, 340pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Runa Walker is a young woman, living above a bookstore in a small town. Ever since her father died in an airplane accident, she has suffered with nightmares and sleepwalking. One night, she wakes up in the park and discovers something which changes her life forever. Invited to join a mysterious ladies' book club, she finds that there are many secrets about the town and her dead father. The only person she can really trust is her best friend, Mendalie. If it wasn't for her; Runa may not have been able to face the truth she is beginning to discover.

Critique: The first volume in what promises to be a truly outstanding series by Michael J. Tyger, "ShadowRay: Scratching the Surface " is a deftly crafted and exceptionally compelling read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "ShadowRay: Scratching the Surface " is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99). The second and also highly recommended volume in Michael J. Tyger's 'Shadow Ray' series is "Prying Eyes" (9781523823628, $18.00 PB, $3.99 Kindle, 478pp) which is now available to appreciative readers of "Scratching the Surface".


The International Studies Shelf

My India: Musings of a Patriot
Vivek Gumaste
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781523328505, $10.75, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "My India: Musings of a Patriot" is a collection of op-ed articles and columns written by the author Vivek Gumaste (an academic and political commentator based in the United States) which deal with hot button issues relevant to modern India. Spread out over 290 pages and divided into 11 sections are 59 concise essays that convey a distinct point of view. Topics addressed include India's secularism, its troubled relations with its neighbors Pakistan and China, the cross border terrorism that has become the bane of daily life in India, Narendra Modi,the contentious dispute over Kashmir, the Maoist insurgency, rape in India and a host of other issues. "My India: Musings of a Patriot" will make for interesting stimulating and informative reading for all - both Indians and non-Indians.

Critique: An engaging and compelling volume of commentary that is as well written as it is insightful, informative, thoughtful and thought provoking, "My India: Musings of a Patriot" is very highly recommended for community and academic library Contemporary India reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists. For academia and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the contemporary politics, social issues, and life in India, it should be noted that "My India: Musings of a Patriot" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).


The Language Studies Shelf

Learning A Language Can Be Fun and Funny
Dr. Ron Deigh
www.drrondeigh.com
iUniverse, Inc.
c/o Author House
1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300, Bloomington, IN 47403
www.iuniverse.com
9780595533619 $9.95 www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Dr. Ron Deigh began his study of the German language as a California community college student, and his very humorous experiences associated with learning German began on the very first day of his exposure to the language. Little did he know that the fun had just begun. Following his Army assignment to Germany, and his taking of a German wife, Ron's learning of the language became one hilarious adventure after another. Learning a language can indeed be fun and it can be funny and embarrassing at the same time.

Critique: Part candid memoir, part reservoir of insights into the process of learning the German language, Learning A Language Can Be Fun and Funny lives up to title with wit and panache. A delightfully enjoyable read from cover to cover, Learning A Language Can Be Fun and Funny just might inspire the reader to study a litten German on their own! Highly recommended.


The Fiction Shelf

Take My Husband Please!
Kimberly Jayne
www.readkimberly.com
Word River Press
http://wordriverpress.com
9780989232210 $11.00 pbk / $2.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Take My Husband, Please is a sexy romantic comedy about midlife divorcees finding second chances at love and romance. Throw in the calamities of five blind dates and one hot bachelor, and no one survives unchanged. Get ready to laugh out loud (and keep the hanky handy). Take My Husband, Please will get you right in the feels.

With the ink on her divorce nearly dry, rookie realtor Sophie Camden is ready for some fun, excitement and adventure - an orgasm wouldn't hurt either. Only one teensy complication for this mother of two: her ex insists on moving home after his unexpected personal meltdown.

A layoff, investment disaster, and his dad's death have brought Will Camden's life into harsh perspective. The cherry on top? Sophie filing for divorce - not that he blames her; he left her no choice. All he wants now is to regain financial footing and be a better father to their kids. That, and to quit obsessing about his sexy wife. Thing is, if she discovers his plan to liquidate everything, including her house, she'll hate him forever.

Critique: Take My Husband Please! is not a formulaic love story in the slightest. Beneath the laugh-out-loud humor is the daily, ongoing struggle of real people coming to terms with their failed marriage, and gradually figuring out how to pick up the pieces. A delightfully quirky yet all-too-human cast of supporting characters rounds out this genre-busting tragi-sexy-drama-comedy. Highly recommended!

Irwin's Luck
Veeraj Lal
Xlibris Corporation
1663 South Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403-5161
www.xlibris.com
9781456854140, $18.68, PB, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Irwin is a 33 year old young man who knows how to live his life. A simple Australian guy who loves his car and dislikes working. Loves his women and loves to leave them. Enjoys his drinks and time with his friends. With very little time for his family and not much time for love, he finds himself falling in love. He is helpless and he is falling. Love also comes with happiness and also with sadness. Another love story with the feelings and emotions that only Irwin can describe and feel, but hoping that everyone understands. Can Irwin survive love?

Critique: An extraordinary and absorbing read from beginning to end, "Irwin's Luck" showcases author Veeraj Lal as an impressive and original novelist who will leave his readers looking eagerly toward his next book. "Irwin's Luck" is very highly recommended for community library Romance fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Irwin's Luck" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).

The Queen's Marksman
Theresa M. Moore
Antellus Books
www.antellusbooks.com
9781938752612, $14.00, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "The Queen's Marksman" by Theresa M. Moore is a gripping blend of historical adventure, espionage, and vampire romance. In the 19th century Robert St. John is a peer of the English nobility who finds he has signed on for more adventure than he expects. His life takes an unexpected turn after he encounters two strangers on the train. After a two year campaign in Afghanistan he returns home to a hero's welcome and knighthood. After that, his service to Queen Victoria becomes far more interesting when he finds himself in charge of the secret service. Yet the position comes with a price, as he contends with two of the most famous serial killers in history.

Critique: Original and deftly crafted read from beginning to end, "The Queen's Marksman" showcases novelist Theresa Moore's impressive roster of skills as a master storyteller. Certain to be an enduringly popular addition for community library collections, "The Queen's Marksman" will be of special interest to fans of action/adventure and vampire stories.

Soul of Toledo
Edward D. Webster
Dream House Press
9780997032000, $17.50, PB, 480pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Thirty years before the Spanish Inquisition, the seeds of hatred have sprouted in Castile. Suspicions fester. Rage churns beneath the surface. Vicente Perez is a man who wields enviable power but harbors a shameful past, He is also the only one who can keep the tension from exploding out of control. As the Christian son of secret Jews, Vicente is in a hopeless position as he is charged with keeping the peace, but always suspected by the city's Old Christians, unwilling but duty-bound to help the increasingly persecuted Jews, and to aid his king whose rule is threatened. When Vicente crosses the ruthless, power-hungry lawyer Marcos Garcia de Mora, he makes a formidable enemy. Garcia's plan is to rally the common men, attack the Jews, and purify Toledo by purging suspected heretics who are the Christian descendants of Jews -- converts like Vicente. As war breaks out between the king and his cousins, and Garcia and his madmen rise to power in Toledo, Vicente falls in love with the mysterious Francesca and finds himself faced with impossible choices: love or duty, respect or intolerance, reverence or disdain for his ancestry. From the courts of kings in Naples and Castile to the chambers of Pope Nicholas and the torture cellars of Toledo, this gripping novel brings to life an era of little-known history in fifteenth-century Spain, a time when a rogue inquisition threatened to destroy the very soul of Toledo.

Critique: Extraordinary, compelling, and with an impressive attention to historical detail and character development, "Soul of Toledo" is an absorbing read from beginning to end, and highly recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Soul of Toledo" is also available in a Kindle edition ($4.99).

Creole Moon: The Betrayal
S. T. Holmes
Xulon Press
2301 Lucien Way, Suite 415, Maitland, FL 32751
www.xulonpress.com
9781498450690, $15.49, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Sgt. George Francis Genois is an officer in the Confederate army. He returns to his hometown in Louisiana to celebrate the wedding of his twin brother Gerald. Mystical events throw him in the path of Jewella Du Viller, a fiery rebellious young woman standing at the river bank stirring the slaves to fight for their freedom. George whisks the woman away from perceived danger and escorts her to her carriage. He discovers later that she is the sister of a childhood friend. He falls madly in love with her and proposes marriage. Before the wedding can take place, she is arrested for treason. George is forced to abandon his military aspirations in order to save the woman he loves. He seeks the aid of a sorcerer, Mamuska and his wife Ophelia. Under a creole moon, the fates of George and Jewella, as well as Mamuska and Ophelia, are sealed.

Critique: An inherently absorbing read from first page to last, "Creole Moon: The Betrayal" clearly demonstrates author S. T. Holmes' master of the paranormal historical romance genre. Very highly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Creole Moon: The Betrayal" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).

Oracles of an Ethiopian Coffeehouse
Paul Sugg
www.paultsugg.com
True Directions
c/o iUniverse, Inc.
1663 Liberty Dr. Suite #300, Bloomington, IN 47403
www.iuniverse.com
9781491777145, $27.95, HC, 276pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Long considered a place of mystery, the quaint ancient town of Axum, Ethiopia, is a mystical and fascinating place, rumored to house the legendary lost Ark of the Covenant. As two young men travel there on separate pilgrimages, neither has any idea that they will soon find much more than they ever imagined. As his plane lands in Axum, Garret Holcomb cannot help but wonder if he is on a true pilgrimage in search of the lost Covenant or to escape from the emptiness of emotional bankruptcy. His seatmate, Jamaal Abdul Meriweather, wants to be the next Spike Lee and is heading to Axum, where he hopes to film a documentary about the Covenant. After the two realize they have much in common, they pair up to help each other with their missions. But when they eventually meet up with three oracles of an Ethiopian coffeehouse, the holy men soon help them look inward to reflect about life's most burning issues as well as the personal challenges each has been afraid to face, ultimately revealing a stunning reality for both. In this poignant tale, two young men forced out of their conventional paradigms bravely confront their truths, with help from three oracles of an Ethiopian coffeehouse.

Critique: A compelling and attention absorbing read from beginning to end, "Oracles of an Ethiopian Coffeehouse" clearly establishes author Paul Sugg as an impressive and exceptional novelist of the first order. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Oracles of an Ethiopian Coffeehouse" is also available in a paperback edition (9781491777152, $17.95) and in a Kindle format ($3.99).

Oubliette: A Forgotten Little Place
Vanta M. Black
Black Chateau Publishing
www.blackchateauenterprises.com
9780996448826, $34.99, HC, 568pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Veronica knows the monsters aren't "just in her head", but no one listens to the headstrong ten-year-old as they tie her to a hospital bed every night. Years later, after being dumped by her business-partner/boyfriend, Veronica finds herself on the verge of bankruptcy. Then a late-night call promises the perfect solution in the form of a job opportunity decorating a castle in France. Will Veronica risk what little she has left to chase a fairy tale? When the shadowy things that once terrorized her return, Veronica must decide how much she'll sacrifice for them, for her sanity, and for her life.

Critique: "Oubliette : A Forgotten Little Place" by Vanta M. Black is comprised of deftly interwoven stories with paranormal twists. An epic adventure that spans nearly two millennia, "Oubliette: A Forgotten Little Place" ranges from an ancient Pagan ritual, to Roman-ruled Gaul, to the bloody Inquisition of the Knights Templar in medieval France, the ravages of the Black Death, the duplicitous Reformation, the Paris Catacombs, and the gory French Revolution. A compelling and thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to end, "Oubliette: A Forgotten Little Place" is very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Oubliette: A Forgotten Little Place" is also available in a paperback edition (9780996448819, $19.99) and in a Kindle format ($11.49).

And One Stayed Home
Janice J. Roane & Ripley P. Roane Jr.
Roan Ink Lafayette
9780996975001, $19.99, PB, 268pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Although a fiction account, "And One Stayed Home" by authors Janice J. Roane and Ripley Roane Jr. is based upon a factual journey of five Louisiana boys who came of age as the United States as the country entered WWII after the infamous Pearl Harbor attack. Their individual and collective stories give a insightful glimpse into the yesteryear of small town life in the early forties.

Critique: "And One Stayed Home" is a deftly crafted and riveting read from beginning to end as the reader follows each boy as he meets his inevitable destiny. While very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "And One Stayed Home" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

The Changing Season
Steven Manchester
The Story Plant
http://thestoryplant.com
9781611882261, $26.95, HC, 276pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy: one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He'd fill the hours playing with Jimmy (his canine best buddy) going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they'd do before Billy left. But that was before the accident that shook the entire town. It was before Billy's summer job turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck. And it was before Vicki. This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn't truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

Critique: A deftly crafted and impressively well written 'coming of age' novel from the pen of Steven Manchester, "The Changing Season" is a compelling and thoroughly engaging read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Changing Season" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Death Steppe
Judy Bruce
Lulu Publishing
3101 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5436
www.lulu.com
9781329045941, $38.95, HC, 266pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: A story of World War II and set in western Soviet Union during Germany's retreat, "Death Steppe" by Judy Bruce follows the lives of a Russian war widow, a dissident, Christian, and black marketeer, as she serves as a medic on the front lines, and a disillusioned German lieutenant, a former professor and concentration camp officer, as he fights in a losing effort. After our heroine is forced into service as a navigator in a women's air force regiment, flying plywood and canvas biplanes on harrowing night missions, she encounters the injured yet violent German when her plane crashes. Together they embark on a turbulent journey, first as enemies, later as lovers and disheartened deserters.

Critique: An exceptionally well crafted and consistently entertaining read from beginning to end, "Death Steppe" is especially recommended for community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Death Steppe" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.49).

The Serpent's Crown
Hana Samek Norton
Cuidono Press
http://www.cuidono.com
9781944453008, $16.00, PB, 394pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Her years as a novice hardly prepared the plain and pious Juliana de Charnais to become the wife of Guerin de Lasalle, the Lord of Parthenay. A former mercenary with a formidable pedigree, Lasalle is a man singularly averse to conventions secular and spiritual. When a messenger arrives from the Holy Land and entices Lasalle back into a life he had abandoned, Juliana embarks on a perilous journey only to find herself trapped in intrigues as byzantine as they are deadly between the Lusignans, a family rumored to be descended from the half-serpent Lady Melusine, and their rivals, the Ibelins. On Cyprus, the island of Aphrodite, Juliana and Lasalle find that loyalty, like love, comes in many guises, and that duty and honor require of them a terrible sacrifice.

Critique: "The Serpent's Crown" is set in 13th-century France and Cyprus, and is the sequel to Hana Samek Norton's historical novel "The Sixth Surrender" (Plume, 978045229623, $16.00 PB, $12.99 Kindle, 470pp). Impressively written and a consistently compelling, terrifically entertaining read from beginning to end, it is clear with the publication of "The Serpent's Crown" that Hana Norton has become a master of the historical novel genre. Very highly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted that "The Serpent's Crown" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Cost of Crude
Inge-Lise Goss
Olivebranch Press
9780692306024, $11.95, PB, 290pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Gwynn Reznick's life is shattered when her best friend and co-worker at Wilton Oil & Gas Company dies in a car crash. She doubts it was an accident. Her suspicion is confirmed when a private investigator, Ruben Dordi, shows up at her door. His team has discovered a trail of unusual deaths and disappearances among Wilton employees. To make matters worse, Gwynn is under constant surveillance by those responsible for her friend's death. But that doesn't deter her from getting involved in the investigation. Danger lurks in every corner of the Wilton Tower. One false move could turn a risky situation into a death trap. As the investigation team digs deeper, they begin to unravel a sinister plot that threatens a catastrophic pipeline disaster. Will they solve the crime before it is too late?

Critique: An original and compelling read from beginning to end, "The Cost of Crude" by author Inge-Lise Goss clearly demonstrates her master of the mystery/suspense genre and is very highly recommended for community library collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs it should be noted that "The Cost of Crude" is also available in an inexpensive Kindle edition ($0.99).

Varga's Passage
Tom David
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781522902140, $9.99, PB, 210pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "Varga's Passage" is a thriller set in the 1980's when things were less complicated -- or were they? It was the era of the Cold War, with people trafficking and murder becoming fatally entwined. What has the 17th century to do with late the 20th century? Why are the KGB in Yorkshire? From ancient city to wild moorland and rugged coast. The mystery unfolds when a cynical CIA agent and a museum curator who gives as good as she gets are thrown together. An attraction of opposites who join forces in the race to find out the connection before it is too late. Suffused with historical narrative from Eric Bloodaxe to Guy Fawkes and Rasputin -- and all within the time-line of that classic England/Australia cricket match at Headingley.

Critique: "Varga's Passage" is a solid entertainment from beginning to end and clearly establishes author Tom David as a natural when it comes to writing a compelling and original novel. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Varga's Passage" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.70).

Target in the Night
Ricardo Piglia, author
Sergio Waisman, translator
Deep Vellum Publishing
www.deepvellum.org
9781941920169, $14.95, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: A passionate political and psychological thriller set in a remote Argentinean Pampas town, "Target in the Night" by Ricardo Piglia (widely considered the greatest living Argentine novelist, who has taught for decades in American universities, including most recently at Princeton University) is an intense and tragic family history reminiscent of King Lear, in which the madness of the detective is integral to solving crimes.

Critique: A compelling read from beginning to end, "Target in the Night" is a dark, philosophical masterpiece of original fiction that has won every major literary prize in the Spanish language in 2011. Ably translated into English by Sergio Waisman (Professor of Spanish and International Affairs at The George Washington University), "Target in the Night" is very highly recommended for both community and academic library Literary Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Target in the Night" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

A Casualty of Hope
Marguerite Mooers
Privately Published
9780990444831, $12.95, PB, 308pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Bernie Robertson has a recurring nightmare of being pursued by a killer through a snowy desert. This could be the response to the stress of divorcing her abusive husband, or it could be the memory of an actual event. When Bernie's husband is arrested, Bernie makes the decision to move to Texas, where she was adopted, hoping to find her birth mother. But the move plunges her into a terrifying situation, where the event she is struggling to remember might be the thing that puts her life, and the life of her daughter in grave danger.

Critique: A deftly crafted and riveting novel, "A Casualty of Hope" by author Marguerite Mooers is a compelling page-turner of a read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Casualty of Hope" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99).

Invasion 2020
Jeanne Harrington
West Peaks Publishing
9780996418270, $14.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: In Colorado an intrepid investigative reporter and a photojournalist battle political correctness, a rigid editor, and a White House media representative who will silence anyone that doesn't comply with his standards. A Muslim doctor from Gaza dreams of America and leaves Islam for the God of the Bible. In Washington, DC, a naive White House intern discovers dangerous and powerful men have infiltrated the media office and the administration for the purpose of controlling information. Chatter from ISIS and al-Qaeda alert military intelligence of pending threats. The Joint Terrorism Task Force struggles to prevent lone-wolf terrorists from striking out on their own with the goal of wreaking havoc on our freedoms, our fears, and our way of life. Will free speech, truth, and liberty prevail, or could a dark and sinister ideology, hidden under the veil of religion, conquer us using political correctness as one of its weapons? Will our lives be forever altered as we slowly surrender to those whose primary goal is to subjugate the entire world to an agenda revealed in secret documents discovered after 9/11? Will terrorism and global threats increase, causing our world to spiral down further to a dark, violent, and catastrophic conclusion ushering us closer toward the end times?

Critique: What if there is a specific plan to transform America into an Islamic country by the year 2020? That's the 'whot if' theme of "Invasion 2020", a novel by author Jeanne Harrington that combines Christian fiction, facts on Islamic terrorism, political intrigue, suspense, and even romance, and then adds compelling characters caught in a web of media and government deception. A deftly crafted and compelling read from first page to last, "Invasion 2020" is strongly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library General Fiction collections. It should be noted that "Invasion 2020" is also available in a Kindle edition ($4.99).

Junction
Cody Schlegel
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781512004458, $12.99, PB, 252pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Joey Sheeks is the biggest drug dealer in Junction, Iowa -- not much of a claim given the town's size, but Joey makes a tidy profit. At least he does until his body is found by two raccoon hunters. Officially, Joey tripped on a mind-blasting amount of acid, wandered outside naked, and froze to death. Unofficially, those closest to Joey suspect foul play. When local no-account Zack Harmen "inherits" Joey's illicit business, suspicion naturally falls on him. Then again, it's also possible a newcomer to the local drug trade named Eric Marquez took out Joey. Marquez has been running rings around the local law, leaving no trace of his dealings. He might as well be a ghost as far as the sheriff's department is concerned. Most in Junction believe Joey's death was unfortunate, but not unexpected. Then one of the town's deputies vanishes, and a local priest dies under suspicious circumstances. Junction seems to be in the midst of a killing spree, and only the murderer knows the reason why. In Junction, it seems that the law is more of an inconvenience than a force for good.

Critique: In "Junction", author Cody Schlegel has written a tense, dramatic, character-driven thriller that deftly explores the darker angels of our nature. An impressively written and compelling read from beginning to end, "Junction" is very highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. For the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs it should be noted that "Junction" is also available in a Kindle edition ($5.99).

The Willing
Gary Smith
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
www.outskirtspress.com
9781478769514, $30.95, HC, 166pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: At the age of 65, a retired Warren Steelgrave is getting bored with life. He decides that unlike his friends of his age he is not going to sit around playing golf, waiting to die. He is going to Italy to start the last chapter of his life and find adventure. Be careful what you wish for, because adventure is just what he finds. He falls in love with Cindy O'Brian a singer songwriter in his Italian language class in Florence Italy. Little did they realize the chain of events that would engulf them. Someone was watching, but who and why? He discovers she might not be who she appears to be, but, still decides to help her flee Italy, and the chase begins. Before it's over there will be two dead bodies, a secret government file, a jealous husband, fake identities, a safe house, personal betrayal as the FBI is searching for them and others want to kill them both.

Critique: An original, compelling, exceptionally well crafted novel from beginning to end, "The Willing" aptly demonstrates author Gary Smith's truly remarkable storytelling skills. "The Willing" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library General Fiction collections.

The Shooting
William G. Davis
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781519162090, $15.55, PB, 448pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: A shooting at an exclusive Florida high school masks an even more insidious plot. When the authorities are tight-lipped about the incident's details, anguished families retain former homicide investigator Mike Gage to find the answers they so desperately seek. Mike knew one of the dead kids, the daughter of a close associate, motivating him even more to discover what happened and why. As Gage digs into the backgrounds of the two shooters and finds that one might have been a victim of early childhood abuse, an attempt on his own life tells Gage he's on the right track. That dangerous road eventually leads to a shadily-financed school for boys, behavior-altering drugs, and a mind-warping on-line game that portends youthful terrorism nationwide.

Critique: Impressively well written and showing a true flair for storytelling, author William G. Davis extraordinary novel "The Shooting" is an original and consistently compelling read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Shooting" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99).

Strangers, Lovers, and the Winds of Time
Dale Lovin
Oak Tree Press
140 E. Palmer Street, Taylorville, IL 62568
www.oaktreebooks.com
9781610091619, $15.95, PB, 260pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: When a former prosecuting attorney in Los Angeles and a former FBI Agent in New Mexico are victims of brutal assaults, a window to the past is opened. Years earlier, the prosecutor and agent were responsible for the trial and conviction of a white supremacist in the murder of a black man. The highly publicized court proceedings had thrust the abhorrent philosophies of supremacists beneath a glaring spotlight. Now, in the belief that their atrocities are divinely directed, purveyors of hate relentlessly track their victims in a campaign of revenge. Flashbacks to disturbing episodes of intolerance in our nation's history lay the foundation as former FBI Agent Brad Walker encounters faces and voices from his past. Sprinkled with documented investigations into modern-day white supremacist crimes, dramatic action unfolds from the Southwest to the West Coast. Rocky Mountain streams, the mysterious allure of New Mexico and Colorado's grandeur are the landscape as police officers and FBI Agents desperately race to decipher fanatical minds of evil. The human face of law enforcement is unmasked as Brad Walker struggles with the memory of his deceased wife while recurring dreams of a beguiling woman, from another place and time, hint of future romance and a new life.

Critique: "Strangers, Lovers and the Winds of Time" is the second Brad Walker novel of suspense by former FBI agent Dale Lovin and follows his debut novel "The Mirror in the River" (Sunstone Press, 9780865348448, $24.95 PB, $9.99 Kindle). A deftly crafted, impressively original, and absolutely riveting read from beginning to end, "Strangers, Lovers, and the Winds of Time" is very highly recommended for community library General Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Strangers, Lovers, and the Winds of Time" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Graphic Novel Shelf

Space: An Eschew Collection
Robert Sergel
Secret Acres
www.secretacres.com
9780996273923 $15.00 www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Space: An Eschew Collection gathers Robert Sergel's Eschew, a Best American Comics selection, and an Ignatz Award nominee for Outstanding Comic. Eschew takes an unflinching look at those little moments on the way to adulthood that happen when no one's looking, that you laugh out loud to remember, that you'd think twice before sharing, and that are the building blocks of wisdom.

Critique: Space is a black-and-white graphic novel in an eclectic, slice-of-life format, about everyday hardships, oddities, and challenges. Suitable for older teens and adults, Space encourages the reader to think twice about the weirdness in life that we're taught to accept as normal. From the experience of a panic attack to bad times swimming to being a little too attached to one's favorite garment, Space: An Eschew Collection reveals the trepidations, the deep-seated attachments, and the irony of mundanity. Highly recommended for connoisseurs of insightful indie comics.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Ignore Your Teeth and They'll Go Away, fourth edition
Sheldon Dov Sydney, DDS
Devida Publications
ignoreyourteeth.com
9780996812108 $28.90 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Synopsis: New for 2016! Dr. Sydney's expanded and updated 4th edition of Ignore Your Teeth and They'll Go Away, the Complete Guide to Gum Disease. This edition continues a unique publishing tradition. For thirty years, this book has been delivering, in an easy-to-read style, authoritative and always up-to-date information on detection, prevention and treatment of gum disease, including a comprehensive chapter on dental implants. 80% of all adults and 40% of all children in the world are afflicted with some form of gum disease. Yet, the devastating effects of gum disease, such as bad breath and tooth loss are, for most people, preventable! * Dr. Sydney's book is the most sold, most professionally reviewed, and most recommended patient's guide to gum disease of all time. * In fact, gum specialists have bought thousands of Dr. Sydney's guides for their own patients.

Critique: Not only can gum disease make one's life miserable, it can end up costing a fortune in dental bills. Prevention is by far the best and more inexpensive option, making Ignore Your Teeth and They'll Go Away an invaluable resource for readers of all walks of life. Those who are weighing their options for the treatment of periodontal disease will find Ignore Your Teeth and They'll Go Away especially enlightening. Although Ignore Your Teeth and They'll Go Away cannot substitute for the direct counsel of one's dentist, it's a "must-read" before the often dreaded but oh-so-necessary visit.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Sage, the Swordsman and the Scholars
Pierre Dimaculangan
Lulu Publishing
3101 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5436
www.lulu.com
978 1483437484, $58.82, HC, 238pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: When enigmatic nonhuman visitors arrive from the sea, the very foundations of the Middle Kingdom are under attack. The evil agenda of these invaders sparks a massive war that will determine the fate of the Ming dynasty and the nations beyond. Enter a young, legendary swordsman who allies himself with a banished Shaolin monk, a defeated bandit chieftain, a carefree Mongol, and an unknown philosopher who knows the only hope for victory. Together, this band of misfits strives to be proven worthy of the impossible task before them. Determined to combat the invaders' initial offensives, they must also repel countless internal enemies who have rallied to bring down the mighty Ming dynasty.

Critique: Exceptionally well written and thoroughly entertaining from first page to last, "The Sage, the Swordsman and the Scholars" by Pierre Dimaculangan is the first volume of what promises to be a new and outstanding historical fantasy series: 'Trials of the Middle Kingdom'. Indeed, "The Sage, the Swordsman and the Scholars" will prove to be an enduringly popular novel with fans of deftly crafted historical fiction, as well as heroic fantasy enthusiasts. Certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Sage, the Swordsman and the Scholars" is also available in a paperback edition (9781483437460, $19.98) and in a Kindle format ($5.49).

Kingsley
Carolyn O'Neal
Privately Published
http://authorcarolynoneal.com
9780996687805, $15.99, PB, 266pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: 14 year old Kingsley is too fat to wear swim trunks and too poor to play golf. But when colony collapse disorder finishes off the bees and moves on to anything with a Y-Chromosome, Kingsley has more to lose than video games and the attention of petroleum heiress Amanda. Kingsley's mother believes millions of dollars in research can save her son, and she'll lie, steal and worse to get it. But not everyone mourns the loss of the men, and Kingsley's adversaries welcome the plague cleansing the earth for womankind. Can an unscrupulous mother and a spirited girl save the last boy on earth?

Critique: An original and deftly crafted dystopian novel, "Kingsley" showcases author Carolyn O'Neal as a master of the genre. A riveting read from beginning to end, "Kingsley" is very highly recommended for community library science fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Kingsley" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).

Fugitive From Asteron
Gen LaGreca
Winged Victory Press
1950 East Greyhound Pass, Suite 18-199, Carmel, IN 46033
www.wingedvictorypress.com
9780974457925, $16.95, PB, 228pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Arial is an ace pilot who is imprisoned for sedition by Feran, the brutal ruler of Planet Asteron. The young rebel is pushed to desperation when he's sentenced to undergo an unbearable punishment. Feran is about to embark on a vital mission that is shrouded in the highest secrecy. But in a death-defying escape, Arial steals his ruler's spacecraft, foiling his plans. The ship takes the fugitive on Feran's pre-programmed course, with a mysterious cargo aboard. Arial's life is about to change forever -- and with it, the fate of two planets. During the stormy events that seize his life, Arial is drawn to two women. Reevah is the proud Asteronian whose strong will sets her apart in a society where all must obey. She lives for her stolen moments with Arial. But will her love for him seal her doom? Kristin is the high-spirited woman of another world who falls in love with the handsome stranger who lands on her planet. But will she discover the secret of his past that will make him her mortal enemy?

Critique: Exceptionally well written from beginning to end, "Fugitive From Asteron" is an impressive and original science fiction action/adventure story of first love, of grit and courage, of harrowing danger, and of a shocking mystery inexorably unfolding. Very highly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of scifi fans that "Fugitive From Asteron" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.99).

Hearing Thoughts
Anthony Diffley
Page Publishing Inc.
https://www.pagepublishing.com
9781634178334, $14.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Daniel Burke is a young New York City Assistant DA currently prosecuting a man for the murder of his wife. Even though her body was never found, there is enough circumstantial evidence to bring him to trial. Danny has his own doubts about whether or not this man is guilty of the crime but he knows because of the oath he took, he must follow through and perform his duty as assistant prosecutor. When the trial is unexpectedly put on hold for a week, he and two of his friends decide to take a short getaway vacation to their cabins up in Lake George. All is going well for him and his friends until he is suddenly and discreetly abducted by an alien vessel from outer space. The aliens are very friendly and peaceful and have come here to test and observe humans. When they feel that the time is right, they will make their presence known to all mankind. While on board, they give Danny the ability to communicate with them via thought transmission or through the ability of hearing their thoughts. He becomes good friends with one of the aliens who in turn gives Danny some good lessons on life. Trouble hits their ship just as they are returning him back to earth and while in the process of removing the thought hearing capability. Danny is safely returned, but he is unintentionally left with the talent to hear other people's thoughts. When he finally realizes he can hear other people's thoughts, he starts to question himself as to how he can put it to good use. Should he use it on his job? For romance? To beat his friends at cards? To know what the world thinks of him? Or more importantly, after having lost his wife on 9/11, use it to help the government stop another terrorist attack? These choices, plus many more, are all at his disposal but will he choose wisely?

Critique: Fresh and original, clever and adroit, entertaining and compelling from beginning to end, "Hearing Thoughts" is very highly recommended, especially for community library science fiction collections. For the personal reading lists of science fiction enthusiasts and fans it should be noted that "Hearing Thoughts" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Lost Souls
Katie Jaros
Bonne Chance Books
9780996817615, $15.99, PB, 418pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: As a hard partying senior at Sacred Heart High School, Christa Nichols was used to people telling her she was bad at making choices. But when a car accident awakens her to the secret world of Angels and Demons, she realizes for the first time the weight her decisions truly have. Now caught in the middle of a life-long rivalry between a classic-rock loving Guardian Angel and a Demonic club promoter, Christa won't just need to use her wits to survive... she'll need them to save her mother's soul. Lost Souls takes you on a journey through a world where Guardian Angels masquerade as the homeless and business-savvy Demons trade souls like they're on the NYSE.

Critique: Blending romance with fantasy horror and a wicked wit, author Katie Jaros demonstrates an impressive and original storytelling talent that is solidly and consistently entertaining from beginning to end and will leave the readers of "Lost Souls" looking eagerly toward the next volume of what promises to be an outstanding series. While "Lost Souls" is very highly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also available in a Kindle edition ($1.99).

Shadows of Atlantis: Awakening
Mara Powers
Shadows of Atlantis, LLC
www.shadowsofatlantis.com
9780996765213, $15.79, HC, 310pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Atlantis is an idyllic paradise where citizens are meant to live in alignment with nature and reach their highest potential. For thousands of years, they have powered their cities with a Crystal Grid fed by psychic mindlight. But the Grid has been infiltrated by parasitic shadows that feed off the negative emotions of humans - an epidemic called "the madness." D'Vinid, a dejected musician, is consumed by his personal problems. But when he meets Brigitte, who has arrived in Atlantis from the dreamclans, a chain of events is set in motion, showing D'Vinid he has an important role to play. He is among those born with a gene, that can unlock the mystical powers once believed to be the birthright of all humans. Soon he is faced with his own awakening, and the shocking realization that Atlantis could be experiencing the end of its days.

Critique: An original and deftly crafted novel from beginning to end, "Shadows of Atlantis: Awakening" is the first volume of author Mara Powers' 'Shadows of Atlanta Saga' series and clearly demonstrates exceptionally entertaining storytelling talents. Very highly recommended for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Shadows of Atlantis: Awakening" is also available in a paperback edition (9780996765206, $12.95) and in an inexpensive Kindle format ($0.99).

The Great Martian War: Invasion
Scott H. Washburn
Zmok Books
c/o Winged Hussar Publishing LLC
http://wingedhussarpublishing.com
9780990364993 $14.99 pbk / $7.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Synopsis: The era is the early 1900's. The crisis is an invasion of blood-sucking Martians and their monstrous machines. Following the defeat of the Martian invasion of Britain, a new threat to humanity lands in the American west. President Roosevelt musters the captains of industry and leading scientists to find a way to turn back the Martian tide.

Critique: The first of a three-book series, The Great Martian War: Invasion is at once both riveting and horrifying. The astute prose will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Fans of H.G. Wells' classic "The War of the Worlds" will especially thrill to this daring saga of desperate violence and overwhelming odds.

Carnifex: A Portent of Blood
D. P. Prior
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781523301911, $14.99, PB, 310pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: For more than a thousand years, the dwarves have hidden away from the world in their ravine city of Arx Gravis. Governed by an inflexible council whose sole aim is to avoid the errors of the past, the defining virtue of their society is that nothing should ever change. But when the Scriptorium is broken into, and Ravine Guard Carnifex Thane sees a homunculus fleeing the scene of the crime, events are set in motion that will ensure nothing will ever be the same again. Deception and death are coming to Arx Gravis. The riddles that preceded Carnifex's birth crystalize into a horrifying fate that inexorably closes in. But it is in blood that legends are born, and redemption is sometimes seeded in the gravest of sins. For Carnifex is destined to become the Ravine Butcher, before even that grim appellation is forever lost, along with everything that once defined him.

Critique: The first volume in a very promising 'Legends of the Nameless Dwarf' heroic fantasy series by D. P. Prior, "Carnifex: A Portent of Blood" is an impressively compelling and highly entertaining action/adventure story that is especially commended for community library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated sword & sorcery fantasy fans that "Carnifex: A Portent of Blood" is also available in an inexpensive Kindle edition ($0.99).


The Business Shelf

Sales Readiness: A Template for Success
Paul Fornelli
P Performance Publishing
www.salesreadinesstemplate.com
9780692579091, $17.95, PB, 266pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: The concept of transferable relevance is a primary topic throughout "Sales Readiness: A Template for Success". However, its true essence is sales education. This groundbreaking instructional guide offers a set of tools and exercises based on the science, the fundamentals, and the enduring principles of sales performance that act as a communication blueprint for job seekers, a sales readiness template for sales people, and guidelines for any company willing to do an internal audit of its sales-related infrastructure and processes. Written by Paul Fornelli (a top-performing financial services sales professional with more than twenty years of experience but whose job went the way of the dinosaur after the 2008 financial crisis), "Sales Readiness" is grounded in the experience of someone who, through hardship and struggle, eventually gained success finding work in a difficult job market -- a myopic and micro-targeted talent acquisition ecosystem that leaves job seekers lacking the hard skills or the necessary keywords on a resume feeling invisible, ignored, and undervalued.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Sales Readiness: A Template for Success" is practical, insightful, useful and 'user friendly'. "Sales Readiness" is very highly recommended to the attention of anyone seeking to widen their employment horizons, as well as sales professionals looking to optimize your performance, or the proprietor of a business that would benefit from a built-in framework designed to ensure sustained success. A valued and valuable addition to community, corporate, and academic library Business Management collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Sales Readiness" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99).


The Humor Shelf

President Trump Sells California
Duke Q. Wallace
Parkhurst Brothers Publishers
www.parkhurstbrothers.com
9781624910807 $6.95 pbk / $4.95 Kindle www.amazon.com

Synopsis: A short political satire in which a President Trump nationalizes the Girl Scouts, privatizes the Supreme Court, and sells the state of California - his way of paying off the Federal debt. Nine brief chapters, each one resolving a real national issue with an excess of creativity and zeal. What happens when the zeal is spent?

Critique: Eyebrow-raising political satire at its finest, President Trump Sells California is an over-the-top outrageous projection written by a former Republican political operative (current political affiliation unknown). Donald Trump is not the only public figure to be lampooned; also present are real, fictitious, and surreal personalities, such as "Speaker Walkallover", a former Wisconsin governor proud of defunding his own state's university. No joke is left unturned, in this laugh-out-loud comedy of errors!


The Biography Shelf

James Fenimore Cooper: A Life
Nick Louras
Chronos Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
c/o National Book Network (distribution)
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9781785352935 $29.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Synopsis: James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was America's first novelist, celebrated for his masterpiece, "The Last of the Mohicans". Over a prolific career he created a national mythology that endures to this day. According to Daniel Webster, "We may read the nation's history in his life." Yet Cooper was also a provocative figure, ultimately disillusioned with American democracy. He spent his boyhood in the wilds of the frontier, served as a merchant sailor and naval officer, traveled the courts of Europe in an age of upheaval and returned home to scandal and controversy. He conquered the literary world only to fall victim to his own fame. In the first popular biography of Cooper in a generation, historian Nick Louras brings the man and his age vividly to life.

Critique: If James Fenimore Cooper was not "the most interesting man in the world" during his era, then surely he was a contender. This biography of Cooper's adventurous life almost reads like one of the author's classic novels. Extensive notes round out this excellent resource for anyone curious to learn more about the extraordinary author of "The Last of the Mohicans", among many other cherished works. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library literary biography collections.

The Broken Places
Joseph McBride
Hightower Press
9781943784127, $27.50, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "The Broken Places" is the personal memoir of internationally acclaimed American cultural historian Joseph McBride. In it McBride recalls his troubled youth in the Midwest during the 1960s that included his breakdown as a teenager and his eventual triumphant recovery. "The Broken Places" gives an unsparing look at physical and psychological abuse, family dysfunction and addiction, sexual repression, and Catholic guilt -- but at its heart is a haunting and often joyous love story. "The Broken Places" offers an unforgettable portrait of Kathy Wolf, a brilliant, vibrant, shattered young Native American woman who taught Joe how to live even though she could not save herself.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, impressively candid, consistently moving, "The Broken Places" is a truly extraordinary love story and the memoir of a life that will linger in the reader's mind and memory long after the book itself is finished and set back upon the shelf. Very highly recommended for community and academic library Contemporary American Biography collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Broken Places" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.50).

I Fought Like a Girl, and I Won
Nicole Alyse Dorman
Xlibris Corporation
1663 South Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403-5161
www.xlibris.com
9781503551473, $29.99, HC, 106pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "I Fought Like A Girl, And I Won!" is the candid and intensely personal memoir of Nicole Alyse Dorman and her fight against breast cancer. The singular purpose of "I Fought Like a Girl, and I Won" is to share her journey with other women who have battled cancer, as well as being a source of inspirational and encouraging support to women who are newly diagnosed. Nicole's principle message to the reader is that you can be control of breast cancer; don't let it be in control of you! Nicole's story tells of her hope, faith, and courage. Being a single mom to three children is a challenge; but being a single mom to three children and kicking cancer's butt takes determination!

Critique: Exceptionally well written, practical and realistic, inspired and inspiring, "I Fought Like a Girl, and I Won" is very highly recommended for the personal reading list of women who are having to deal with cancer within themselves or a loved one. It is also a critically important an advocated addition to both community and academic library Women's Health Issues reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "I Fought Like a Girl, and I Won" is also available in a paperback edition (9781503551497, $19.95) and in a Kindle format ($3.99).

Everything Will Work Out in the Long Run
Dave Urwin
Spiderwize
https://www.spiderwize.com
9781908128485, $9.86, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: What does a gang-related murder in the 14th century have to do with a missed job opportunity in the early 80s, or an intense panic attack by the side of the A303 in February 2003, or a spontaneous decision in the midst of a failing relationship? It turns out that all these of these occurrences combined to led to Dave Urwin lining up at the start of the Caesar's Camp 100 Mile Endurance Run in October 2013. In :"Everything Will Work Out in the Long Run" Urwin recounts these and many more events, all combining on telling the story of how Dave looked for a way to cope with a world that made little sense to him from a very young age. This led him down the slippery slope of drug and alcohol dependency and to a point of total burn-out, the overcoming of which and the desperation not to return to would characterize everything he did for years afterwards. He never knew if he was running away from something or running towards something, but it was through running that he gradually began to piece back together the person he truly was. Running led him to some awe-inspiring places, and to meet some amazing characters but most importantly of all, it ultimately led him to discover what truly allowed him to believe that everything will work out in the long run.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Everything Will Work Out in the Long Run" is an inherently compelling read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for community and academic library Contemporary American Biography collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Everything Will Work Out in the Long Run" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).


The Travel Shelf

Must See Military History Travel Guides
Ron Varga
Privately Published
9780692603833, $12.95, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: East of the Mississippi, the United States is incredibly rich in military history. From prehistoric to modern times, battles fought and fortifications built across the region numbered in the thousands. Indian warriors, Spanish conquistadors, French marines, English redcoats, Patriot volunteers as well as Union and Confederate soldiers all left their mark. But the region's military heritage is more than the sum of battles fought over it. World-class military collections also dot the region: European, Asian and African arms and armor; firearms from around the world; military hardware from 18th century artillery pieces to warships and jet fighters. "Must See Military History Travel Guides: USA Top 100 East of the Mississippi" by Ron Varga compiles and presents the best 100 from among these myriad collections, battlefields, and fortifications in one easy-to-follow guide.

Critique: Enhanced with twenty-six maps, visitor information as to access, cost, hours, and history for the featured sites, "Must See Military History Travel Guides: USA Top 100 East of the Mississippi" is very highly recommended for the personal use of any traveler wanting to tour some of the best preserved and most interesting military sites the country has to offer. An excellent itinerary resource for road trips or armchair travelers, Must See Military History Travel Guides" lives up to its title and is highly recommended.


The Self-Help Shelf

Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success
Linda Seger
www.LindaSeger.com
Haven Books
www.havenbooks.net
9781584369035, $14.99, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Dr. Linda Seger provides key advice for creating personal success based on core spiritual values. Sharing experiences and insights gained through her own spiritually based and highly successful career, she shows both how general opinion and world thought would tend to pull us into a success paradigm based on succeeding at the expense of others. Instead, she shows how we can gain our goals with even greater success by adhering to spiritual values, step by step.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success: Gaining the Goal Without Losing Your Soul" by Linda Seger (who holds doctorates in both Drama and Theology) is an impressive compilation of practical and inspiring 'real world' advice on such diverse issues as handling risk, coping with praise and/or blame, confronting evil in daily life, dealing with competition, what constitutes a truly spiritual path in life, and a great deal more. A compelling read from first page to last, "Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success" is very highly recommended for both community and academic library Self-Help/Self-Improvement instructional reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Beer Shelf

An American Beer Trail
Zach Stinehour
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
www.outskirtspress.com
9781478768432, $16.95, PB, 148pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: "An American Beer Trail" is the story of how Zach Stinhour left from Upstate New York and traveled almost 11,000 miles around the country stopping at a different brewery anywhere he could. Zach rode a motorcycle as he sought out great rides and great beers. Finding craft brews all over the country and experiencing the area with a beer in hand was the goal. "An American Beer Trail" is all about traveling across the country sharing many of the stops that people know and spots you may not know about and the beers along the way. "An American Beer Trail" is not just the record of an enjoyable trip but also a treatise on how beer has fit into American society in a general overview of some major moments in the evolution of beer. With historic notes along the way so along the trip readers can learn about the journey beer has had.

Critique: A unique and outstanding travelogue, "An American Beer Trail" is a thoroughly engaging, inherently fascinating, impressively informative, and exceptionally well written. Very highly recommended for community library travelogue collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "An American Beer Trail" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99).


The Psychology Shelf

Freedom: The End of the Human Condition
Jeremy Griffith
WTM Publishing and Communications
www.wtmpublishing.com
9781741290288, $22.95, PB, 798pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: The fastest growing realization everywhere is that humanity can't go on the way it is going. Indeed, the great fear is we're entering the end game wherein we appear to have lost the race between self-destruction and self-discovery - the race to find the psychologically relieving understanding of our 'good and evil'-afflicted human condition. "Freedom: The End of the Human Condition" by Jeremy Griffith is the culmination of 40 years of studying and writing about our human species' psychosis.

Griffith has been able to venture right to the bottom of the dark depths of what it is to be human and return with the fully accountable, true explanation of our seemingly imperfect lives. At long last we have the redeeming and thus transforming understanding of human behavior! And with that explanation found all the other great outstanding scientific mysteries about our existence are now also able to be truthfully explained -- of the meaning of our existence, of the origin of our unconditionally selfless moral instincts, and of why we humans became conscious when other animals haven't.

Critique: Jeremy Griffith is an Australian biologist who has dedicated his life to bringing fully accountable, biological understanding to the dilemma of the human condition - the underlying issue in all human life of our species' extraordinary capacity for what has been called 'good' and 'evil'. His impressive compendium, "Freedom: The End of the Human Condition" is impressively well written and exceptionally effective in both organization and presentation. Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Freedom: The End of the Human Condition" is very highly recommended for both academia and the non-specialist general reader.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Universal Spiritual Philosophy and Practice
David Low
Privately Published
9780996784917, $10.00, PB, 210pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: In "Universal Spiritual Philosophy and Practice: an Informal Textbook for Discerning Seekers", academician, freelance teacher, counselor, lecturer and dreamworker, David Low presents all the central insights of mystical experience, and relates them in a practical way to psychological understandings of spiritual maturity. The topics covered include the unimportance of belief, the "deep structure" of religion, rebuttals of orthodoxy, cosmologies and theories of enlightenment, types of spiritual teachers and groups, the mechanics of alternative healing and dreams as they relate to spiritual progress, and more. Over 20 different spiritual practices are reviewed, and 48 illustrations and lively graphics make for easy reading. It is intentionally succinct, clarifying only the most important core truths in each chapter area. If you are sick of all the fighting and political nonsense around religion, and long to experience something deeper, you are bound to appreciate how my more systematic approach endeavors to takes you to a deeper experience, by starting to dissolve all the cultural and linguistic conditioning which, inevitably, confine us spiritually as we grow up. Short appendices are devoted to more detailed understandings of meditation, and crucial, usually overlooked philosophical understandings connect with the religions.

Critique: Impressively well written and exceptionally well organized and presented, "Universal Spiritual Philosophy and Practice: an Informal Textbook for Discerning Seekers" is as informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking. An absolutely absorbing read from beginning to end and of immense value for both academia and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in mystical experiences unhampered by cultural biases, "Universal Spiritual Philosophy and Practice" is very highly recommended for community and academic library Metaphysical Studies reference collections and supplemental studies curriculums. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Universal Spiritual Philosophy and Practice" is also available in a Kindle edition ($4.00).


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