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Reviewer's Choice
Fagan of Hoboken & the Horseshoe
Nicholas Fagan Dealy
Arch Kincaid Press
9798999393418, $28.50, HC, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fagan-Hoboken-Horseshoe-disorderly-progressive/dp/B0G233SRH6
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fagan-of-hoboken-the-horseshoe-nicholas-fagan-dealy/1148674046
Synopsis: Declaring that you would rather cut your own throat than meet with the Democratic machine boss to talk out your differences was not the usual way to become Mayor of Hoboken in New Jersey's Hudson County of the 1890s. But that's exactly what Lawrence Fagan did, prior to winning the job for the first time in 1893.
A Democrat but independent in actions and views, Fagan served four consecutive terms during the city's period of peak immigration and population growth. Efforts toward reforming a loosely run police force and officiating the fighting forces of temperance and a swelling saloon industry occupied much of his time in office, a tenure also shaped by an apocalyptic harbor and steamship fire in 1900.
In addition to being a politician, Fagan was an ironmaster. He ran an ironworks in the rugged Horseshoe section of neighboring Jersey City, where he took a very hands-on approach to business. On one occasion, Fagan determined that a labor union representative had called on his foundry for purposes of extortion. Fagan made his view on this matter clear and responded with his fists. When summoned by a court of law to answer for the assault, Fagan's testimony was frank and explicit. He freely acknowledged punching the plaintiff. "Had I been excessively angry at the time," explained Fagan, "the punishment would have been more severe."
Fagan was also an owner of a newspaper, The Observer, which had grown to become New Jersey's most influential Democratic publication by 1910. The apogee of Fagan's interest in the newspaper business coincided with the launch of Woodrow Wilson's career in politics. As Wilson campaigned to be Governor of New Jersey, he encountered a peculiar truth: The road to the governor's mansion in Trenton went through Hudson County's "Elysian Fields of politics," and therefore through Lawrence Fagan.
Critique: Fascinating from start to finish, deftly crafted and impressively well written, organized and presented, "Fagan of Hoboken & The Horseshoe: In a gilded, manly age of disorderly industrial Armageddon and progressive urban reform" is the colorfully informative biography of a remarkable man and the world he lived in during what would be known in American history as the Gilded Age. "Fagan of Hoboken & The Horseshoe" by Nicholas Fagan Dealy is a unique and highly recommended pick for community and college/university library American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists of readers with an interest in Historical and Political 19th and early 20th century biographies that this hardcover edition of "Fagan of Hoboken & The Horseshoe" from the Arch Kincaid Press is also readily available in paperback (9798999393418, $16.50) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Nicholas Fagan Dealy holds a master's degree in history from Salem State University and a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society. Nicholas received a bachelor's degree in rhetoric from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and graduated from The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He also trained at Killer Kowalski's Institute of Professional Wrestling and performed as Arch Kincaid during his wrestling career.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Widowmaker's Gift
J. Paul Luftman, MD
Saturation of Sound
https://saturationofsound.com
9798999248824, $29.99, HC, 254pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Widowmakers-Gift-Balancing-Well-Being-Healthcare/dp/B0FQYQH9T4
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-widowmakers-gift-j-paul-luftman/1147922358
Synopsis: Dr. J. Paul Luftman had built a successful career as a physician-dedicated, driven, and always on call. Like many in healthcare, he wore his exhaustion as a badge of honor, pushing through chronic stress and overload. But beneath the surface, something was breaking. One day, it did. He suffered a massive "widowmaker" heart attack that nearly ended his life.
What followed wasn't just physical recovery. Years of unprocessed stress and co-dependency addiction had caught up with him. The medical training that had taught him to save others had never taught him how to heal himself.
"The Widowmaker's Gift: Balancing Science and Well-Being in Healthcare" is the story of what happened next. Part memoir, part wake-up call for healthcare professionals everywhere, this deeply personal guide hands readers a realistic and compassionate approach to burnout recovery, emotional health, and reconnecting with the present moment through science-informed spiritual practices like quiet contemplation, attention retraining, and healing with sound vibrations.
Designed specifically for those with little time and too much pressure, this book offers real-world, time-efficient tools that fit into even the busiest day. No retreats. No rigid programs. No homework. Just small, powerful practices-some as short as 30 seconds-that help you reset, recenter, and return to yourself.
Including invaluable references-from literature to science-backed research, "The Widowmaker's Gift" is specifically designed to encourage members of the medical community to apply these lessons in a way that fits their lives and helps them find their own path to clarity.
Readers will discover:
Quick stress-relief techniques using sound and breath to interrupt anxiety in real time.
The art of letting go of childhood trauma and core shame that silently drives burnout.
A unique blend of Western medicine and Eastern healing practices grounded in both science and spirituality.
The ways chronic stress keeps your nervous system in survival mode and how to gently shift out of it.
Simple self-care strategies customized to your personality, learning style, and daily demands.
Whether you are a nurse, doctor, healthcare worker, or someone struggling with caregiving or burnout from codependency, "The Widow Maker's Gift" offers more than coping skills. It is an easy-to-use guide to recover from stress, reclaim mental wellness, and find meaning in the present moment. -- If you're ready for sustainable healing, The Widowmaker's Gift is your invitation to start living with intention today.
Critique: Original, impressively informative, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone, style, organization and presentation, "The Widowmaker's Gift: Balancing Science and Well-Being in Healthcare" by Dr. J. Paul Luftman is essential reading for anyone engaged in the medical profession at any level -- but especially physicians and nurses working themselves into a state of burnout or collapse. While this hardcover edition of "The Widowmaker's Gift" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, hospital, medical school, and college/university library Health/Medicine collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that it is also readily available in paperback (9798999248800, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. J. Paul Luftman (https://saturationofsound.com/about) is a board-certified physician with over 25 years of experience in family and sports medicine. With a career spanning academic medicine, private practice, and leadership roles in major healthcare organizations, he now blends clinical expertise with quiet-contemplation and sound-based healing.
The Money/Finance Shelf
PopEnomics
Jesse W. Hurst
Spur Circle Publishing
https://spurcirclepublishing.com
9798998731426, $24.99, HC, 300pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/PopEnomics-Relatable-Culture-Insights-Retirement/dp/B0FLCRX391
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/popenomics-jesse-w-hurst/1147756789
Synopsis: Most financial planning and retirement planning 'how to' books are laced with professional jargon and specialized, complicated, obscurely defined instructions. But with the publication of "PopEnomics: 12 Relatable (and Not Boring) Pop Culture Insights for Retirement Success", veteran financial planner Jesse W. Hurst, CFP, AIF, pulls back the curtain on retirement planning with a refreshing twist: pop culture.
From classic rock songs to unforgettable film scenes, Jesse breaks down complex financial concepts into entertaining, relatable stories that actually make sense -- and might even make you laugh or sing along. Whether you're in your 50s and wondering if you're behind, or you're just starting to think about what's ahead, "PopEconomics" is a practical and entertaining guide to retiring with knowledgeable confidence.
With "PopEnomics" readers will:
Discover where you stand financially, what to do next, and why it's never too late (or too early) to start planning.
Use everyday pop culture moments as keys to financial literacy.
Shift from saver to spender without guilt or fear of the financial markets.
Tune out the negative news cycle and invest your money with a clear head.
Understand what a great financial advisor actually does - and how they can help you.
With no mystifying charts or confusing financial lingo, but deftly crafted to include wit, humor, and a veritable playlist-worthy mix of pop culture references, "PopEnomics" makes financial planning not just approachable but fun for the non-specialist general reader.
Critique: Taking a unique but effective approach to retirement oriented financial planning, "PopEconomics: 12 Relatable (and Not Boring) Pop Culture Insights for Retirement Success" by financial planning expert Jesse W. Hurst is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, Senior Citizen, and college/university library Financial Planning/Money Management collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "PopEconomics" from Spur Circle Publishing is also readily in paperback (9798998731402, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Jesse Hurst, CFP(R), AIF(R), is the Senior Wealth Manager and CEO of Impel Wealth Management. With over 30 years of experience, he helps individuals and families navigate retirement, investment, and estate planning with clarity and confidence. Based in Stow, Ohio, with his wife and children, Jesse is a music-loving, world-traveling financial educator known for making complex topics approachable. (www.ImpelWealth.com)
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Scattered, Smothered, and Covered
Sandra Tow
https://sandratow.com
Tethered Tides Press
9798998994814, $15.99, PB, 313pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Scattered-Covered-Smothered-Memoir-Resilience/dp/B0FJQRPY21
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scattered-smothered-and-covered-sandra-tow/1147788155
Synopsis: "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered: A Memoir of Resilience" by Sandra Tow is the story of a girl and her mother who share an unbreakable bond as her mother's reliance on men propels them through a harrowing series of rundown motels and trailer parks, leaving the young woman questioning if she can break the cycle.
As the lines between mother and daughter blur, the young woman is thrust into the role of caretaker, bearing burdens she never asked for while trying to survive the chaos of her life. "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered" is a memoir about resilience, family bonds, and the battle to be the heroine of your own story.
Critique: Heartfelt, eloquent, engaging, and a deftly presented true life story, "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered: A Memoir of Resilience" by Sandra Tow will resonate in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf. Told with a commanding candor and impressive honesty, "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered: A Memoir of Resilience" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Scattered, Smothered, and Covered: A Memoir of Resilience" from Tethered Tides Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Sandra Tow (https://sandratow.com) holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte. Her work has appeared in Grief Digest, and Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors, Volume 11.
The General Fiction Shelf
Silicon Valley East
Gina Marie Wilson
https://www.ginamwilson.com
Bayfront Press
9781737082934, $18.99, PB, 376pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Valley-East-Marie-Wilson/dp/1737082934
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/silicon-valley-east-gina-m-wilson/1146920196
Synopsis: Christina Como knows her way around the ER and a computer room.
After a revealing truth and a shocking rejection leave her with shattered dreams, Christina sets out to reclaim her life. Her passion and drive outpace naysayers and bullies, pushing her beyond family expectations and traditional gender roles.
Set in the early 1980s, at the dawn of explosive innovations in health tech, Christina's journey leads her from her hometown in Delaware to Manhattan to Philadelphia's Main Line, once called the Silicon Valley of the East by Ronald Reagan. Jet-setting across the country, Christina navigates the male-dominated early computer landscape and finds herself at the forefront of the future as she launches hospitals into the digital age.
Christina knows lives can be saved, yet the tech world is not moving fast enough.
There are a hundred reasons why she shouldn't proceed. But there's one compelling reason why she must.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, "Silicon Valley East" by Gina Marie Wilson is a compelling page-turner of a read that lays out one woman's struggle with external forces -- as well as those within herself. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Silicon Valley East" from Bayfront Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99) for the personal reading lists of anyone an interest in psychological suspense played out against the backdrop of the computer industry and the labors of a woman in what has been declared a man's world.
Editorial Note: Gina Marie Wilson (https://www.ginamwilson.com) is a holistic executive coach and writer, formerly a software developer and healthcare strategist. She is also an award-winning author of nonfiction books including "Fearless First Year" and "Skills That Build".
Stage of Fools
Sean Pauzauskie
High Frequency Press
https://www.highfrequencypress.com
9781962931311, $30.00, HC, 236pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Thomas-Mariner-Neurotechnology-Trilogy/dp/1962931315
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stage-of-fools-sean-pauzauskie/1147463109
Synopsis: "Stage of Fools" is the centerpiece of the Thomas Mariner Neurotechnology Trilogy by novelist Sean Pauzauskie.
This is an original and inherently fascinating story set in a San Francisco hospital intensive care unit by billionaire Steven Levinson -- a patient who has fallen into a coma, and who must take captive time to reexamine and learn from the suppressed events of his life, so that he might reawaken healed and save the family he has set at the brink of destruction by his jealousy, vanity, and recklessness. If there's still time!
Critique: Exhibiting a genuine flair for the kind of imaginative, eloquent, and narrative driven storytelling style that raises his novel to an impressive level of literary excellence, "Stage of Fools" by author and neurologist Sean Pauzauskie is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. A part of the author's Thomas Mariner Neurotechnology trilogy, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Stage of Fools" from High Frequency Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Sean Pauzauskie (https://seanpauzauskie.com) is a practicing neurologist and the author of many manuscripts: four novels, a collection of short stories, and a work of drama. His literary scholarship has been presented in such places as at the International Vladimir Nabokov Society Conference in Montreaux, Switzerland.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
The Nightingale of Bath
Thomas Messel
Independently Published
9798316645831, $26.00, HC, 374pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Nightingale-Bath-Jealousy-Betrayal-Revolution/dp/B0FF2Q9R3G
Synopsis: Bath 1772 -- Elizabeth Linley is wildly famous, celebrated for her voice, charisma and beauty, painted by Gainsborough and Reynolds the most eminent artists of her day.
Events on the 18th March 1772, leave her no option but to weave herself through the intricate world of society dominated by The Prince of Wales and the scandalous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, the precarious nature of Garrick and Sheridan's London theatre and the perils of political intrigue, manipulated by the rivalry between Charles James Fox and William Pitt.
Critique: A fascinating and deftly crafted historical novel set in Britain's Georgian era of industrial revolution, empire building, and social injustice, "The Nightingale of Bath" by Thomas Messel is a compelling story of love, ambition, jealousy and betrayal. Although a work of meticulously presented historical fiction, "The Nightingale of Bath" is based upon the true life of Elizabeth Linley. A compelling and inherently interesting read from start to finish, "The Nightingale of Bath" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Nightingale of Bath" is also available in paperback (9798317317492, $11.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Thomas Messel, the author of The Nightingale of Bath, is better known as one of Britain's most respected furniture designers, in which field he has worked for 40 years, and built up a celebrated reputation both in the UK and the USA. In 2011, he co-wrote and edited the study of the work of his uncle, "Oliver Messel, in the Theatre of Design", for which he won the Speares Book Award, in 2012. There is an informative and in-depth Aspects of History interview with Thomas Messel at https://aspectsofhistory.com/author_interviews/thomas-messel
Maskirovka
Willi Pochinov
New Generation Publishing
https://www.newgeneration-publishing.com
9781835638484, $37.99, HC, 344pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Maskirovka-Willi-Pochinov/dp/1835638481
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maskirovka-willi-pochinov/1148494020
Synopsis: Determined to prevent what he thinks is WW III, without proper authority, Captain Edward van der Welde confronts a column of unidentified tanks at the Orwell Bridge in Suffolk. Facing a court martial, he escapes and goes AWOL. To clear his name, he works undercover for British Intelligence hoping to find out who was behind the invasion.
Hunted by the Military Police, Edward is given a new Russian identity as Dimitri, the nephew of Sir Oleg Meinditski, a charismatic oligarch with an estate in Suffolk. Falling in love with a young woman who works for Sir Oleg and seduced by the unimaginable wealth of his 'uncle, ' he soon loses track of whose side he is on.
He is drawn into a coup planned by disaffected oligarchs who want regime change in the Kremlin. He also writes the manifesto for a new political movement led by Sir Oleg who hopes to get the keys to Number 10 after the next election.
Dimitri doesn't want to go back to being Edward!
Critique: A deftly crafted, impressively original, Cold War themed novel of cleverly scripted suspense and harrowing adventure, "Maskirovka" by novelist Willi Pochinov demonstrates the author's genuinely impressive flair for the kind of narrative storytelling skills that make for a simply riveting read from start to finish. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Suspense/Thriller collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists of dedicated political thriller fans that this hardcover edition of "Maskirovka" from New Generation Publishing is also readily available in paperback (9781835638477, $22.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.55).
Editorial Note #1: Maskirovka is a Russian doctrine of deception - the art of hiding the truth in plain sight. It uses camouflage, fake news, imitation, planted evidence and carefully staged illusions to make enemies doubt what is real.
Editorial Note #2: Willi Pochinov has nine novels currently listed on the Goodreads website at: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/195231651-willi-pochinov
Aletheia Volume I: In The Shadows
Luigi A Kohli
Troubador Publishing
https://troubador.co.uk
9781836282440, $18.99, PB, 496pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Aletheia-Vol-Shadows-Ben-Hur-Saga/dp/1836282443
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aletheia-luigi-a-kohli/1147427469
Synopsis: As Imperial Rome forges its empire upon the ashes of war, its provinces feverish with religion, ambition and a thirst for power compete in the shadows without conscience. Save for one. An adopted Jew of a long dead son of Rome who is playing a dangerous game. Driven by a vision he is certain is the future if he does not act, he is forced to make an unlikely alliance. An alliance that is fated to bring unwelcome attention. Not all those seeking prominence in Rome are men.
At great personal cost, a provincial governor and his unwitting sons will be caught in the middle. Cassius will choose for vengeance, the ripples of his actions destined to echo across time. His brother Justus will seek the safety of obscurity. Their only allies are Caeso, a haruspex (a diviner who makes predictions from the entrails of sacrificed animals) and long-time friend of their father, and Hector, a forgotten hero of the Tenth Legion. And the only clues in their search for the truth, and possibly their only hope for salvation? The discovery of a secret that could start a war!
Critique: Books 1 of a two book historical action/adventure Ben Hur saga, "Aletheia: Vol I: In The Shadows" by novelist Luigi A Kohli is a deftly crafted, cleverly imaginative, exceptionally entertaining read from cover to cover. Of special interest to fans of Ancient Roman Empire themed historical novels, "Aletheia: Vol I: In The Shadows" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Historical Fiction collections. it should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Luigi A Kohli (https://troubador.co.uk/author/luigi-a-kohli) left the corporate world to pursue a lifelong passion for storytelling. Inspired by epic cinema and ancient history, with his first two novels he reimagines the Ben-Hur legacy with bold vision and historical depth.
Aletheia: Volume II: The Binds Of Fate
Troubador Publishing
https://troubador.co.uk
9781836282969, $18.99, PB, 488pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Aletheia-Binds-Fate-Ben-Hur-Saga/dp/1836282966
Troubador Publishing
https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/historical/aletheia-Qgta
Synopsis: Justus Pilate is exiled in Parthia, his once favored family all but destroyed by forces in the shadows of Imperial Rome. To say nothing of the love of his life who died a hero's death. Or so he thought. And the keys to his freedom? They are a curse he dare not use.
Until, one day, a message comes that forces his hand. Justus's brother Cassius lives! However, he soon discovers Cassius is not the man he once was. His path has turned to blind vengeance, his rage a winnowing fan at the embers of a new faith. A faith destined to cover the world, but not without bloodshed. The haruspex has seen it. Save Cassius does not believe in destiny, much less that he has a role to play in a much bigger game than he realizes...
Critique: Continuing and concluding author/storyteller Luigi Kohli's impressively exceptional saga of Ancient Rome, "Aletheia: Vol II: The Binds Of Fate" continues to be an inherently fascinating read of blood and faith, villainy and heroism, and all the complexities required for survival in the Roman world. While, like volume one of this extended saga, "Aletheia: Vol II: The Binds Of Fate" from Troubador Publishing is a prized pick for community library Historical Fiction collections. It is also, like volume one, available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Luigi A Kohli (https://troubador.co.uk/author/luigi-a-kohli) left the corporate world to pursue a lifelong passion for storytelling. Inspired by epic cinema and ancient history, with his first two novels he reimagines the Ben-Hur legacy with bold vision and historical depth.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
That's Where You Go & Other Short Stories
Peter J. Dellolio
Cyberwit.net
https://cyberwit.net
9789363543126, $15.00, PB, 133pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Where-Other-Short-Stories/dp/9363543129
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thats-where-you-go-other-short-stories-peter-j-dellolio/1148756863
Critique: "That's Where You Go & Other Short Stories" from Cyberwit.net is a brilliant introduction to author, poet and storyteller Peter J. Dellolio's genuine flair for expressive language, memorable word imagery, and thought-provoking, emotionally engaging stories. Original, deftly crafted, clever, engaging, this paperback edition of "That's Where You Go & Other Short Stories" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Peter J. Dellolio was born 1956 New York City. He went to Nazareth High School and New York University. He graduated 1978: BA Cinema Studies; BFA Film Production. His poetry, fiction, short plays, art work, and critical essays have been published in literary magazines and journals. His published poetry collections include "A Box Of Crazy Toys" published 2018 by Xenos Books/Chelsea Editions and "Bloodstream Is An Illusion Of Rubies Counting Fireplaces" published February 2023 by Cyberwit/Rochak Publishing.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Shades of Endearment
Shahid Zuberi
Xlibris
https://www.xlibris.com/en
9781652312574, $12.99, PB, 308pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Shades-Endearment-Shahid-Zuberi/dp/1652312579
Xlibris
https://www.xlibris.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/818767-shades-of-endearment
Synopsis: Emma and Russell are young, beautiful, aspiring and deeply in love. But their different approaches to life's priorities make them drift apart and set them on a journey to the unknown. They make a 'pact' to separate for six months with mutual agreement and see how they feel about each other and life.
Their journey of self-discovery brings them in contact with two unique human beings, albeit for a few months. Pam and Damien are like two angels who steal a few months from their lives to stay in this world a little longer for a last act of kindness. Through their selfless loves, they touch and change the lives of Emma and Russell forever and for the better.
Critique: With the publication of "Shades of Endearment" author Shahid Zuberi has created an an emotionally engaging and impressively original love story that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the novel has been finished and set back upon the shelf. Eloquent, deftly crafted, fun and fascinating, "Shades of Endearment" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Shades of Endearment" from Xlibris is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Books by Shahid Zuberi are listed online at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20766532.Shahid_Zuberi
The Platinum Bicuspid
Joanne Henning
JD Henning (Publisher)
www.dentalromancenovel.com
9798991236331, $12.99, PB, 264pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Bicuspid-Dental-Tales-Adventure/dp/B0FVFFBHCM
Synopsis: Dr. Amy White is brilliant and independent -- a rising star in the world of dentistry. But when a patient gives her a tooth necklace and a cryptic warning about her employer's criminal ties, Amy's picture-perfect career unravels.
Seeking refuge, she returns to work at the dental school she graduated from three years earlier. She's paired with Dr. Damian Bludik, a moody perfectionist with a reputation that sends shivers down the spines of the dental students. Amy remembers him from her dental school class: intense, perplexing, and dangerous.
Their reunion sparks verbal sparring, sizzling tension, and an undeniable chemistry that neither of them wants to admit. Damian believes Amy is a pampered princess, and he won't be her knight in shining armor. But when the shadows from Amy's past follow her to Omaha, she turns to the one man who both infuriates and protects her.
As secrets surface and emotions ignite, Amy and Damian must decide: will their stormy, chaotic connection survive? Or will they drill too deep and fracture beyond repair?
Critique: Original, unique, and a deftly crafted blending of romance, suspense, humor, and dentistry, "The Platinum Bicuspid" by author Joanne Henning is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance and Action/Adventure Fiction collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Platinum Bicuspid" from JD Henning is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Joanne Henning (aka Dr. Szemborski) wields a dental drill by day and dreams up novels at night. After years of running a practice and raising a family, she rediscovered her creative spark and found that writing wasn't just therapeutic, it was addictive. Her debut novel, "Faulty Impressions," plunges the reader into the world of 1980s dental school, blending romance, adventure, and humor. Since then, Joanne has written stories about ambitious young professionals chasing big dreams, especially the pioneering women who entered dentistry in the '80s. For Joanne, writing is a form of therapy, a way to reclaim time, voice, and joy. She writes the books that she wants to read, with well-developed characters, interesting plots, and romantic spice.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Wexford Carole
Janice MacDonald
Ravenstone Books
https://ravenstonebooks.com
c/o Turnstone Press
https://turnstonepress.com
9780888018076, $23.95, PB, 300pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wexford-Carole-Imogene-Durant-Mysteries/dp/088801807X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wexford-carole-janice-macdonald/1147889342
Synopsis: After all her previous drama in Paris, Imogene Durant is looking forward to spending some time in the Irish countryside, visiting with an old school friend and working on the edits for her new book, Victor & Me in Paris. But her idyllic surroundings are rudely interrupted when a young woman with a bright future is found dead and worse, Imogene's friend's daughter is accused of the crime!
Critique: With all the elements of a good cozy mystery including an amateur female sleuth being drawn into having to solve a dangerous murder, an 'innocent accused' requiring the question of 'whodunnit' to be answered for justice to be done and an injustice avoided, "Wexford Carole" (the sequel to "Victor & Me in Paris", author Janice MacDonald's previous mystery 'starring' Imogene Durant) is a deftly crafted and fun read for all cozy mystery fans and will prove a welcome and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Wexford Carole" from Ravenstone Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Janice MacDonald (https://janicemacdonald.ca) is a Canadian author of mystery novels, textbooks, non-fiction titles, and stories for both children and adults. She is best known for writing seven novels featuring amateur sleuth Miranda "Randy" Craig. The Randy Craig Mysteries were the first detective series to be set in Edmonton, Alberta, where Janice lives and works.
Escape From Ground Zero
Michael Zoglio
Independently Published
9798265097422, $14.95, PB, 291pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Ground-Zero-Michael-Zoglio/dp/B0FSXQ2R24
Synopsis: On September 11, 2001, attorney Michael Manetti should have died in the World Trade Center towers. Instead, he walked away from the rubble carrying secrets that could bring down powerful men. From Wall Street to Caribbean banks, from Atlantic City casinos to international freeports hiding stolen art, Manetti's world was built on deception, financial crimes, and concealment.
Now, hunted by both the mob and a Saudi financier tied to terrorism, Manetti must decide: vanish forever, or risk everything to expose the truth. Aided by a woman who dares to love him and a handful of unlikely allies, Manetti engineers a high-stakes plan of financial retribution; one last act to redeem his past sins.
Critique: Simply stated, "Escape From Ground Zero" by Michael Zoglio gripping crime thriller where survival demands cunning, retribution lurks in every shadow, and redemption carries a deadly price. Original, deftly crafted, and a riveting read from start to finish, "Escape From Ground Zero" will hold a special appeal for fans of suspense thrillers involving global financial manipulation, international terrorism networks, and organized crime. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Suspense/Thriller collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Escape From Ground Zero" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: 100% of the proceeds from "Escape From Ground Zero" book sales are being donated by author Michael Zoglio to a non-profit called Undue Medical Debt which helps families in need make payments towards medical debt which can often put people into homelessness and other desperate circumstances. (https://unduemedicaldebt.org)
Black Sun Rising
Otho Eskin
www.OthoEskin.com
Meridian Editions
https://www.meridianeditions.com
9781959170242, $35.95, HC, 296pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Sun-Rising-Marko-Zorn/dp/1959170244
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black-sun-rising-otho-eskin/1147243358
Synopsis: When Washington, DC, homicide detective Marko Zorn's partner is murdered, his search for justice leads him deep into Black Sun, a violent neo-Nazi movement built from the ruins of WWII's most sinister forces. Their goal: unleash a catastrophic attack that will plunge the nation into chaos.
To stop them, Marko must outwit a woman known as the Bride of the Apocalypse, navigate the treacherous ambitions of two of the world's richest (and most ruthless) men, and confront a conspiracy stretching from Washington's corridors of power to the shadows of the city's underworld.
Can Marko save the country from annihilation?
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted and a pulse-pounding thriller of a read from start to finish, "Black Sun Rising" is the fourth book in Otho Eskin's Marko Zorn action-adventure, suspense/thriller series, which also includes "The Reflecting Pool", "Head Shot", and "Firetrap". Each of these outstanding novels can be read as a stand-alone or as a part of the series. While this hardcover edition of "Black Sun Rising" from Meridian Editions is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated fans of political/assassination thrillers that "Black Sun Rising" is also available in paperback (9781959170235, $15.95) and in currently featured in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).
Editorial Note: Otho Eskin (www.OthoEskin.com) served as a US Foreign Service officer for over twenty years with assignments in locations across Europe and the Middle East. He was involved in negotiations on the United Nations International Conference on the Law of the Sea, the International Space Station, and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Upon retirement, Eskin became an internationally produced playwright and an award-winning thriller novelist.
The Tutor
Courtney Psak
https://courtneypsak.com
Hodder
9781399748131, $17.99, PB, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tutor-gripping-psychological-thriller-stopping/dp/1399748130
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tutor-courtney-psak/1146586684
Synopsis: Rose is a dedicated wife and mother to her husband Grant and her son James. Having recently moved to a grand mansion in Florida, Rose is keen for James to fit in with his new life and hires a tutor. Isabel is young, smart and beautiful, and not only gets along with James, but she gets results. But when Isabel starts to get too close for comfort, Rose can't help but think that Isabel is looking for more than just tutoring. Can Rose uncover who exactly she has let into her house, or will this lesson be deadly?
Critique: Original and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "The Tutor" by Courtney Psak is a deftly crafted psychological thriller -- the kind that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the novel has been finished and set back upon the shelf. While especially and unreservedly recommended as a welcome addition to community/public library Mystery/Suspense/Thriller collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Tutor" from Hodder is also currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Courtney Psak (https://courtneypsak.com) graduated with a degree in Communications and Journalism from Monmouth University, following with a master's degree in Publishing from Pace University. She started her career at magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Self and Modern Bride. In 2015 she wrote her first novel, Thirty Days to Thirty. Courtney is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, the National Writers Association, International Thriller Writers and the Mystery Writers of America.
The Moaning Lisa
Rosemary Mild & Larry Mild
Magic Island Literary Works
https://magicile.com
9798986386416, $14.95, PB, 260pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Moaning-Lisa-Paco-Molly-Mystery/dp/B0FJF7P9D9
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-moaning-lisa-rosemary-mild/1147873284
Synopsis: Paco and Molly have reached that certain age and have moved into Gilded Gates, an assisted living Facility. If you think everything is just peaches and cream there, you are dead wrong. Fellow residents are going missing and no one seems to know what is happening to them!
One of the residents is a sleepwalker and claims to have heard mysterious moaning during his night walking, but he can't seem to remember where he heard them. The residents are getting nervous and want to know why this is happening.
Even though he is retired head of the Black Rain Corners police force, Inspector Paco LeSoto is asked by a few residents to look into the matter. And naturally, Molly has her nose into the mystery as well.
Critique: Following the mystery solving adventures of Paco and Molly first presented in "Locks and Cream Cheese", "Hot Grudge Sunday", and :Boston Scream Pie", fans of author/storytellers Rosemary and Larry Mild will enjoy "The Moaning Lisa", their fourth murder mystery with its special brand of humor and 'whodunnit' cozy mystery charm. A deftly crafted and fun read from cover to cover, "The Moaning Lisa" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of cozy mystery enthusiasts that this paperback edition of "The Moaning Lisa" from Magic Island Literary Works is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Larry and Rosemary Mild are recipients of the 2024 Elliot Cades Award, the most prestigious literary honor in Hawai'i. They are members of the Hawaii Fiction Writers group. (https://www.hawaiifictionwriters.com/members/rosemary-larry-mild)
The Glamour of Evil
Michael McKinley & Nancy Merritt Bell
BookGo
www.bookgo.pub
9798998535796, $32.00, HC, 450pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Glamour-Evil-Maddie-Lynch-Mystery/dp/B0G1G3Q7TK
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-glamour-of-evil-a-maddie-lynch-mystery-michael-mckinley/1148284006
Synopsis: For more than 500 years, the best intelligence service in the world has been run from a palace in Vatican City, home of the Pope. To the world, the Vatican spy service doesn't officially exist. But it does to Maddie Lynch, as the Vatican spies need her help.
Magdalena "Maddie" Lynch, 29, never set out to be the Vatican's 'Jane Bond'. She is a hard partying Oxford grad turned lowly New York City TV segment producer, and a lapsed Catholic. Even she can't see herself as a Vatican spy.
Yet the very real evil of the world confronts her so harshly that she can't say no to the Vatican spymaster, especially if fighting evil will help her solve the mystery of how her father died in a war in Lebanon.
But first she has to deal with:
A murdered priest. Who stole more than 250 million Euros from the Vatican.
A rogue Catholic group that wants to start a new Crusade.
A US presidential candidate who wants total war in the Middle East.
And the Pope is coming to America...
Maddie's life as a spy begins when the Vatican needs a secular, smart outsider to pursue their investigation of the murdered priest and the missing money. Maddie is their woman.
And so the Vatican spymaster sends Maddie on a quest that takes her around the world, to New York, to Dublin, to Jerusalem, and ever closer to the stunning assassin who killed the priest, while keeping a few steps ahead of the smart, sexy Israeli agent who just might want to help Maddie-or want her dead. When Maddie discovers that the murdered priest and the stolen money and the murder of her father are all lining up, the killers come after her.
If Maddie wants to keep fighting evil, she will have to save herself...
Critique: "The Glamour of Evil" is original, deftly crafted, clever, and a simply riveting read from start to finish. Impressively showcasing co-authors Michael McKinley and Nancy Merritt Bell's genuine flair for their narrative driven storytelling style, this hardcover edition of "The Glamour of Evil" from BookGo is an truly extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of action/adventure suspense fans, as well as for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note #1: Michael McKinley has published more than twenty books, including Willie: The Game Changing Story of the NHL's First Black Player, and produced, written and directed a dozen more TV shows, including Sacred Ballot, a film for CBC and CNN about who would succeed Pope John Paul II in the papacy. He has also written award-winning feature articles in publications in the UK, US and Canada. Michael is co-author of this new thriller and also the CEO and Co-Founder of BookGo. (https://www.bookgo.pub/people/michael-mckinley)
Editorial Note #2: Nancy Merritt Bell has developed over twenty plays in as many theaters in New York City, Toronto, Berlin, and around the world. Working in TV, she helped create and develop over a dozen series including the Emmy-winning The Odyssey and Anne Everywhere. As a book editor she has worked with more than twenty novels, including the upcoming memoir Redeemed. Nancy is one of the authors of the new thriller Squawk 7700. Nancy is the Director of Development at BookGo. (https://www.bookgo.pub/people/nancy-merritt-bell)
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Glass Coffin Society
Shiromi Arserio, author/narrator
Christine de Vielmond, illustrator
Gobbolina Press
c/o Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9798991774611, $18.99, PB, 370pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Coffin-Society-Tales-M%C3%A4rchen/dp/B0FWX6HQ3M
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-glass-coffin-society-shiromi-arserio/1148177333
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com/the-glass-coffin-society
Synopsis: She's a missing princess. They're a gang of thieves. The real crime would be giving her back. But after a daring heist to steal the last living descendant of Snow White, Samara and her crew do the unthinkable: they let her go.
But not everyone is happy about the decision. Now, instead of counting their coin, they've painted targets on their backs.
As powerful enemies converge to hunt them down, and a brutal gang war threatens to erupt on the streets of Marchen, Samara must get her crew back together to stop a potential coup.
Critique: Original, imaginatively clever, and with deftly crafted and performed storytelling, "The Glass Coffin Society" by novelist Shiromi Arserio is a fun and lively read from cover to cover. A perfect pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans, "The Glass Coffin Society" is part of the author's simply outstanding 'The Tales of Marchen' heroic fantasy series. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Glass Coffin Society" from Gobbolina Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99), and as a complete and unabridged audio book narrated by the author, Shiromi Arserio, (Spoken Realm, 9798228683488, $35.95, MP3-CD, distributed by Blackstone Publishing).
Editorial Note: Shiromi Arserio (https://www.shiromispeaks.com/author) is an award winning audiobook narrator having recorded over 300 titles. Prior to becoming a narrator, she acted on stage, and worked as a travel writer. Originally from the UK, she now calls the PNW her home where she resides alongside her husband, and fur babies. She's a nature nut who has traveled to all seven continents. It was while crossing the Drake Passage that she first conceived of her debut novel, The Order of Grimm.
The Self-Help Shelf
Holler at Your Dreams
Judi Holler
https://judiholler.com
HOLLA! Worldwide
https://www.leadingauthorities.com/speakers/judi-holler
9781734825084, $34.99, PB, 410pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Holler-Your-Dreams-Dangerously-Inspiring/dp/1734825081
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holler-at-your-dreams-judi-holler/1147936857
Synopsis: Your life is the blank canvas. Your soul is the strategy. You are the art.
With the publication of "Holler at Your Dreams: Dangerously Inspiring Ideas for the Wildly Dope Soul", leadership expert Judi Holler showcases 365 dangerously inspiring ideas, each one specifically designed to help you come back home to yourself and turn the volume up on your one, precious, wildly dope soul.
Judi Holler has walked the tightrope of soul-searching personal transformation, proving that your past doesn't define your future -- your actions do. She knows firsthand that mastery comes from movement and that confidence isn't something you wait for, it's something you create by being bold, brave, and betting on yourself -- again and again.
Through four powerful sections -- "Pain," "Peace," "Presence," and "Paradigm" - you will learn to:
Alchemize your past into fuel for your future.
Turn fear into your creative mindset superpower.
Build soul stamina through daily self-expression.
Make peace with who you've been, and powerfully claim who you're becoming.
Create your own rules, rhythms, and rituals for a life that's fully you.
"Holler at Your Dreams: Dangerously Inspiring Ideas for the Wildly Dope Soul" is laced throughout with raw truths, motivational poetry, and pop art to keep your spirit lit and your creativity loud. It's not about being fearless; it's about presence over perfection and hollering at your dreams with your whole heart.
Critique: Informed and informative, inspired and inspiring, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Holler at Your Dreams: Dangerously Inspiring Ideas for the Wildly Dope Soul" by motivational guru Judi Holler provides a thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly, effective, life-changing DIY program for both personal and professional self-improvement. Also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), this paperback edition of "Holler at Your Dreams" from HOLLA! Worldwide is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists, as well as professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections.
Editorial Note: Judi Holler (https://judiholler.com) is a keynote speaker, poet, and creator of The Art of Self-Expressionism (TM), a bold leadership philosophy helping people unlock their creative edge. She is also the author of Fear Is My Homeboy, The Fear Boss Project, and Holler at Your Dreams. With clients like T-Mobile and the Boston Red Sox, Judi fuses art with strategy to inspire courage, clarity, and self-trust.
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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