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Reviewer's Choice
The Power of Community
Karyne E. Messina
PI Press
9781736238837, $12.99, PB, 148pp
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Community-Turning-Democracy-Autocracy/dp/1736238833
Synopsis: "The Power of Community: A 45 Day Action Plan to Stop Trump from Turning Our Democracy into His Autocracy" by psychoanalyst Dr. Karyne Messina is a comprehensive guide specifically designed and intended to enhance public understanding of democratic processes and individual participation using psychoanalytic insights.
"The Power of Community" also provides a daily plan filled with reflective exercises and action-oriented tasks to empower readers to actively protect and participate in their democracy, especially considering modern political challenges and threats.
We the people have the power to preserve our democracy, and "The Power of Community" provides the solutions anyone willing to put in the time to do it. From writing social media posts to volunteering at the polls, "The Power of Community: explains what's at stake and how we can all do our part.
Critique: The current political campaign for the presidency between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris grows increasingly hostile and now invocations of Civil War are beginning to emerge from the Trump forces as Harris seems to be drawing ahead in terms of both the popular vote and the Electoral College calculations. It is no hyperbole to state that the election of November 2024 will determine whether or not the USA will continue to be a functioning democracy under Kamala Harris or an authoritarian state under the control of Donald Trump who is a twice impeached, adjudicated sexual predator, and 34 times felony convicted aspiring dictator whose announced attentions is to rule with an iron fist.
Editorial Note: Dr. Karyn E. Messina (www.drkarynemessina.com) has written six books applying psychoanalytic principles to modern societal challenges, providing valuable insights and practical solutions. She also curates a monthly newsletter on Substack and hosts a podcast on the New Books Network where she discusses nonfiction works related to psychoanalytic theory and its real-world implications. By the time this review sees print, we will know the answer to that question -- one way or another.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Unwinding Pain
Bonnie Lester
Flourish Heart Press
https://flourishheartpress.com
9798990381728, $19.99, HC, 357pp
https://www.amazon.com/Unwinding-Pain-Affordable-Accessible-Better/dp/B0DC93W25H
Synopsis: When you suffer from debilitating chronic pain, living a vibrant, pain-free life may seem impossible. But with the publication of "Unwinding Pain: Affordable and Accessible Ways to Feel Better Now", Bonnie Lester provides a 'real world practical' and effective guide to shaking free of the isolation and hopelessness that chronic pain imposes.
As a survivor of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) caused by a drunk driver, Bonnie intimately understands the challenge of living with persistent pain. From countless doctor's visits to the missed moments with loved ones to shelling out thousands for expensive pain treatments, Bonnie lived the battle for decades. With a combination of neuroplasticity techniques, lifestyle medicine, and her innovative AIM (Affirmation, Image, Management) program, Bonnie astonished doctors by getting off the opioids, retrained her brain to significantly reduce pain, and reclaimed her life. Now she is helping others do the same.
"Unwinding Pain" is a life-changing guide written with chronic pain sufferers in mind as Bonnie reveals her holistic healing approaches and guides readers through a wealth of simple, budget-friendly, and science-backed methods easy to incorporate into daily life.
Using the pillars of lifestyle medicine with fascinating case studies of real-world success, "Unwinding Pain" is the tool kit you need to actively improve your life and includes:
The incredible power of neuroplasticity and steps to rewire your brain to experience less pain.
Bonnie's game-changing AIM program for rebuilding your identity, sense of purpose, and vitality.
Nourishing lifestyle habits, from anti-inflammatory eating to gentle movement and stress-busting techniques.
The empowering mindset shifts and affirmations to take charge of your recovery, instead of being totally dependent on doctors and pills.
The ABOUT ME system will walk you through developing your own "unwinding pain" program, tailored for your specific situation.
Whether seeking remedies for fibromyalgia, back pain, or other physical ailments, "Unwinding Pain" is an essential companion on the path to whole-body healing. Packed with humor, creativity, and out-of-the-box at-home techniques, "Unwinding Pain" is the ticket for pain warriors to be advocates for their healing journeys and create the vibrant, pain-free lives they deserve.
Critique: Absolutely reader friendly in approach, style, organization and presentation -- and ideal for the non-specialist general reader having to deal with chronic pain issues within themselves of a loved one, Bonnie Lester's "Unwinding Pain: Affordable and Accessible Ways to Feel Better Now" from Flourish Heart Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, medical professional, community, and college/university library Health/Medicine collections and supplemental medical/pain control curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for medical studies, medical providers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Unwinding Pain" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9798990381704, $14.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Bonnie Lester (www.BonnieLester.com), pain coach and CRPS survivor, empowers others to overcome chronic pain through neuroplasticity and her transformative AIM program. With a background in public health and counseling, Bonnie combines science and holistic wisdom to guide individuals to rewire their brains and reclaim vibrant living.
The Political Science Shelf
Uniting the States of America
Lyle Greenberg
Book Baby Publishers
www.bookbaby.com
9798218457525, $29.95, HC, 200pp
https://www.amazon.com/Uniting-States-America-Self-Care-Wounded/dp/B0DBXVP3XX
Synopsis: "Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation" by Lyle Greenfield is a work of nonfiction and opinion that incorporates the lessons of history and the ideas and wisdom of many. It is intended as both an educational resource and a call-to-action for citizens concerned about the politically and culturally divided state of our Union. A situation that has raised alarm for the very future of our democracy.
First, Greenfield clearly identifies the causes of what has become a national crisis of belief in and love for our country. How the divisiveness and hostility rampant in our political and cultural discourse, among politicians, citizens, and families came to be. Included in this discussion is the proliferation of media choices (social and otherwise) that have often led us, unwittingly, to choose only the news and commentary sources we already agree with. Which has given us little exposure to (and often hostility toward) the perspectives of others.
Far from being "alarmist," however, Greenfield proposes common sense solutions to our problems that require simply the decency and will of our elected leaders, and the active participation of our citizens. To that end, he shares the words and beliefs of Americans from across the country, and many walks of life on what must be done to reinvigorate the American ideal and bring us closer together. An abundance of overlapping ideas make it clear that elected officials and citizens alike need to stop the name-calling, listen better to the views of others, and work in constructive ways to get things done. Our representatives must communicate with ALL whom they represent, not simply the ones who voted for them. And "we the people" need to vote, the most basic way of participating in a democracy.
Greenfield has dedicated "Uniting the States of America" to his two-year-old granddaughter, who will be his age in the year 2098. His simple message: we must make sure our remarkable country is united, safe and still proud to be "one nation," for her and for all our our children and grandchildren.
Critique: Eloquent, erudite, insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation" is an exceptionally timely and inspiring contribution to our current on-going discussions about the current polarization of the American citizenry and how to achieve political/social/cultural compromise without compromising core values. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental Social Science curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for political science students, academia, political activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Uniting the States of America" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Lyle Greenfield is the author of a book of short stories and letters, "The Soul Mate Expeditions," as well as a coffee table memoir, "1000 Days in St. Barth." He has been a frequent contributor to the production industry magazine SHOOT, writing about music and popular culture. Greenfield received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bowling Green University, where he wrote a weekly newspaper column which was syndicated to colleges across the country. He began his career in New York City as a copywriter for the ad agency J. Walter Thompson. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyle_Greenfield)
The Cookbook Shelf
Taste of Home: Girls' Night In
Taste of Home
c/o Trusted Media Brands
https://www.trustedmediabrands.com
9798889770534, $22.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Home-Girls-Night-Entertaining/dp/B0CWYZT4GG
Synopsis: From small plates and appetizers, to the best cocktails and mocktails, sides to share, salads, sweet treats and party boards, "Taste of Home Girls' Night In" has everything you need to make your gathering a success.
All the recipes in this fun, new collection have been carefully chosen to be low-stress, so not only can you pull off hosting with ease, but the same recipes work just as well for when simply making a meal for yourself.
Critique: The perfect combination of recipes and party planning ideas, "Taste of Home: Girls' Night In" is the ultimate guide to girl/women oriented dinners, parties, or simple get-togethers for fun, relaxation, and bonding. This large format (8.06 x 0.7 x 8.94 inches, 1.83 pounds) illustrated paperback edition of "Taste of Home: Girls' Night In" from Taste of Home is an ideal and recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library party planning and cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Taste of Home is America’s #1 food/lifestyle brand, inspiring togetherness through cooking, baking and entertaining. Featuring recipes shared by today’s home cooks, Taste of Home magazine has hundreds of thousands of subscribers throughout North America and publishes best-selling cookbooks and newsstand specials. The brand’s web site is a top destination, featuring kitchen-tested recipes, how-to techniques, cooking videos and more. Taste of Home has more than 6.3 million fans on Facebook, 2 million followers on Instagram, 2.6 million Pinterest followers and receives more than 28 million unique monthly visitors. Visit Taste of Home on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to learn more.
The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook
Diana Licalzi & Ashley Reaver
Blue Star Press
https://bluestarpress.com
c/o Penguin Random House (dist.)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9781958803967, $34.95, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Postpartum-Nutrition-Cookbook-Nourishing-Beyond/dp/1958803960
Synopsis: The postpartum period brings major physical and emotional changes for new moms. While caring for a newborn is difficult, it's critical that mothers focus on replenishing their bodies after pregnancy, childbirth, and for breastfeeding.
Most postpartum resources focus on how to care for the baby, but "The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook" (co-authored by registered dietitians Diana Licalzi and Ashley Reaver) prioritizes the mom's self-care first. This unique cookbook guides new moms through recovery during the 4th trimester, highlighting key nutrients needed to heal and restore their bodies.
"The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook" features:
100+ simple, delicious recipes catered to postpartum nutrient needs
Make-ahead breakfasts, one-handed lunches, and set-it-and-forget-it dinners
Helpful trackers, grocery shopping lists, and targeted nutrition advice
Easy meal-prepping tips and techniques for busy new moms
Guidance on making self-care and proper nutrition a priority
"The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook" from Blue Star Press is a unique culinary resource that equips new moms with everything they need to nourish themselves and their families in the critical postpartum period. Friends, relatives, or partners can also use "The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook" as a guide when looking to support a new mother with nourishing meals and self-care. Simply stated, "The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook" is a trusted companion during the challenging but precious early weeks and months of motherhood.
Critique: This large format (8.52 x 0.89 x 10.56 inches, 2.31 pounds) hardcover edition of "The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook" is enhanced throughout with full page, full color photos of finished dishes making it ideal for planning palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, postpartum appropriate menus for all dining occasions. While unreservedly recommended for family and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that this distinctive specialized culinary collection of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Diana Licalzi (https://dianalicalzi.com) is a registered dietitian and holds a master's degree in Nutrition Science and Policy from Tufts University. Originally from Puerto Rico, Diana is dedicated to helping the Hispanic community meet their nutrition and health goals. She co-founded Type 2 Diabetes Revolution, an online platform that provides nutritional guidance for individuals with pre- and type 2 diabetes. Diana also has experience working as a dietitian at Boston Medical Center, InsideTracker, and UC San Diego Health.
Editorial Note #2: Ashley Reaver (https://ashleyreaver.com) is a registered dietitian with a master's in Nutrition Science and Policy. She offers nutrition counseling in her private practice, is the creator of the Lower Cholesterol Longer Life Method, and teaches nutrition and dietetics courses at University of California, Berkeley.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Daughter of Dunhuang
Fan Jinshi and Gu Chuntang, authors
Bruce Humes, translator
Long River Press
https://www.facebook.com/longriverpress
9781592652655, $44.95, HC, 484pp
https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Dunhuang-Memoir-Grottoes-Researcher/dp/1592652654
Synopsis: Fan Jinshi is a distinguished archaeologist who has devoted her life to safeguarding and researching the Mogao Caves, an esteemed UNESCO Heritage site nestled in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, and considered one of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries.
Her significant contributions to the field of Dunhuang studies and her advocacy for the protection and promotion of the caves' cultural legacy have earned global accolades. Her work has not only safeguarded the invaluable treasures of Dunhuang but has also facilitated international collaboration in the field of Dunhuang Studies. These contributions have been instrumental in preserving the cultural heritage of the Mogao Caves for future generations and in advancing our understanding of the art, history, and significance of this ancient site.
"Daughter of Dunhuang: A Memoir of a Mogao Grottoes Researcher" from the Long River Press is her personal testament to a lifetime of dedication and passion. This memoir provides insights into her journey, spanning over five decades, as a young child to a pioneering researcher and conservationist. It also offers readers a glimpse into the personal and professional aspects of her life, as well as the broader significance of Dunhuang studies and heritage conservation.
Critique: Ably translated into English for an American readership by Bruce Humes, and written with the assistance of Gu Chungfan, "Daughter of Dunhuang: A Memoir of a Mogao Grottoes Researcher" by Fan Jinshi is the articulate and inherently fascinating life story of a Chinese archaeologist -- a woman dedicated to both her profession and to China's cultural heritage. Impressively engaging, exceptionally well written, informative, compelling, and memorable, "Daughter of Dunhuang" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal and professional reading lists for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the archaeology of China that "Daughter of Dunhuang" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781592652594, $24.95) as well.
Editorial Note #1: Fan Jinshi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_Jinshi) is a Chinese archaeologist and heritage specialist who served as director of the Dunhuang Research Academy between 1998 and 2014. She currently working as an honorary president and professional researcher in Dunhuang Research Academy, as well as a part-time professor and a doctoral supervisor in Lanzhou University.
Editorial Note #2: Bruce Humes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Humes) is an American literary translator and critic of Chinese literature, specializing in non-Han authors and their works.
The General Fiction Shelf
Pescadero
Hollis Brady
Palo Alto Publishing
9798987727720, $14.99, PB, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pescadero-Novel-Hollis-Brady/dp/B0CZPQBL4R
Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Hilde, raised on a family farm in Wisconsin, is dragged to the northern California coastal town of Pescadero by a mother fleeing a bad marriage.
But Pescadero is worlds away from the conservative Midwest, and Hilde finds herself adrift in a community where all the attitudes she absorbed growing up seem oddly off-key.
When her mother hires an undocumented farmworker to tend the goat farm the family is trying to revive, Hilde strikes up an unlikely friendship with him and learns of his plan to bring his brother across the Border. But the brother's journey turns calamitous, and Hilde soon becomes engulfed in its harrowing aftermath.
Critique: Impressively original, exceptionally compelling, thoroughly engaging, and an inherently interesting read from start to finish, "Pescadero" by author Hollis Brady is a deftly crafted novel that will hold a very special appeal to readers with an interest in coming of age and immigration stories and rural/small town life today. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Pescadero" from Palo Alto Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Hollis Brady is the former director of The Stanford Publishing Course and other publishing ventures at Stanford University. Her activism in border issues has taken her to Nogales, Juarez, Agua Prieta, San Ysidro and Pescadero where she has collected stories from migrants and those supporting them in their journeys. She currently lives in Northern California, over the hill from Pescadero. (https://www.pescaderonovel.com/media-resources)
Allegiance
Erika Raskin
Arbitrary Press
https://www.arbitrarypressbooks.com
9781958762110, $29.95, HC, 270pp
https://www.amazon.com/Allegiance-Erika-Raskin/dp/1958762113
Synopsis: It's 2025, and America teeters on the brink of fascism. Natalie Morrow watches in alarm as her son Augie and daughter-in-law Nicole turn a blind eye to the encroaching signs of tyranny, clinging to a dangerous hope that things will somehow improve. Natalie can't do this; she refuses to gamble with the safety of her grandchildren. Instead, she makes an unfathomable decision: to flee to Canada and take Liam and Charli with her.
Embarking on this fraught mission, she's fully aware of its ramifications but determined to shield her cherished grandtwins from the fate she believes awaits them in a country she still loves but no longer recognizes.
Meanwhile, her other son, Finn, has been MIA for months. A podcaster, he's gone deep undercover to infiltrate a compound of radical white nationalists, risking everything to expose their violent agenda.
As mother and sons' paths converge and the stakes escalate, will Natalie and her grandchildren find sanctuary beyond America's borders, away from the new regime, or will the fight for survival lead them deeper into the heart of the ongoing storm?
And who, in the end, merits our ultimate loyalty?
Critique: In a novel whose subject matter could become a reality given the current political divide in America and the present state of our presidential politics, "Allegiance" by author Erika Raskin is a pulse-pounding tale of resistance, sacrifice, and the enduring power of family that could easily be a harbinger of things to come. A deftly crafted and riveting read from start to finish, "Allegiance" is an especially timely and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Allegiance" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781958762127, $17.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Erika Raskin (www.erikaraskin.com) has authored essays for print and radio, articles and short stories. Her fiction has been recognized by the Reynolds Price competition, Glimmertrain, the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Commission on the Arts.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
Two Necklaces
Paulette Mahurin
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781685135133, $21.95, PB, 280pp
https://www.amazon.com/Two-Necklaces-Paulette-Mahurin/dp/1685135137
Synopsis: In 1933, after Adolf Hitler is appointed chancellor of Germany, fourteen-year-old Christa Becker begins attending meetings of the League of German Girls, sharing the new regime's ideology with her brother Jurgen. But he sees things differently and refuses to distance himself from a Jewish friend, suffering grave consequences for his choice and causing Christa to question the regime's teachings.
When she meets and falls in love with Paul, a Jewish jeweler, her life is thrown into turmoil, and she must enlist the help of her grandmother to navigate her developing relationship despite the escalating risks. Upheaval ensues, but she refuses to back down from her burning desire to be with Paul.
"Two Necklaces" by novelist Paulette Mahurin is the story of a German girl's coming of age who dares to think for herself at a time when that very act was dangerous, even life-threatening. It delves into the very nature of the human condition with its frailty, strength, and the struggle of mind and heart.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "Two Necklaces" by author Paulette Mahurin is a story of love and danger in Hitler's Germany. Raising her memorable novel to an impressive level of literary excellence, "Two Necklaces" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Two Necklaces" from Black Rose Writing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Paulette Mahurin, acclaimed author of The Seven Year Dress, is an international Amazon best-selling literary fiction and historical fiction novelist. She grew up in West Los Angeles and attended UCLA, where she received a Master's Degree in Science. Her books are listed at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5895757.Paulette_Mahurin
The Literary Fiction Shelf
The Horseman's Tale
Thomas Kenwood Equels
Four-in-Hand Press
c/o Trafalgar Square Books
www.trafalgarbooks.com
9781646012657, $19.95, PB, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Horsemans-Tale-Tom-Equels/dp/1646012658
Synopsis: Haunted by the death of his son in infancy and the love of his life many years later, Jake Montgomery grudgingly agrees to a form of "journal therapy" that allows him to expose and confront the sharp, insistent pain that he regularly buries with rage and scotch and television.
As he writes, secrets tightly bound within him gradually unwind -- first in racially segregated Ocala, Florida, in the 1950s, where his best childhood friend was a Puerto Rican jockey, then in Ireland, when a summer as a stable apprentice ushers in a new and all-consuming passion.
Jake relives his experiments with free love in the 1960s, and is embroiled once more in choices of life and death on the battlefields of Vietnam, and later, as undercover intelligence officer in the countries of Eastern Europe.
What begins as a journey chronicling youthful discovery spirals swiftly into spaces where loss overwhelms and the path chosen is one of ruthlessness and revenge. It is the birth, life, and death of a special horse that gives Jake a sense of purpose in his desperate search for a reason to carry on.
Critique: A novel that through the eloquent and memorable storytelling skills of author Tom Equels has been raised to an impressive level of literary excellence, "The Horseman's Tale" from Four-in-Hand Press will prove to have a very special attraction with readers who have an interest in horse-themed fiction. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Horseman's Tale" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Thomas Kenwood Equels, MS, JD, was knighted in the Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict in 2012. For decades he has bred and trained winning Thoroughbred racehorses and champion Paso Fino horses on his farm in Ocala, Florida. He has ridden Paso Finos born on his farm to numerous championships including an International Grand Championship at the prestigious USEF sanctioned Spectrum International. A combat-wounded Vietnam veteran, combat pilot and instructor pilot, Equels was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for heroism while participating in aerial combat, as well as the Purple Heart.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
A Dangerous Affair
Judith Hale Everett
Evershire Publishing
https://evershirepublishing.com
9781958720042, $15.99, PB, 339pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Affair-traditional-Branwell-Chronicles/dp/1958720046
Synopsis: The last thing Clara Mantell wishes for is a husband. The daughter of a rake, she has learned to despise men and marriage and considers love with contempt. Instead she seeks out men like her father, wielding her considerable charm as a weapon to take them down a peg or two.
Lawrence Simpford has been in love with Clara for years but, not being a rake, is unable to gain her attention. He tries to content himself with being her best friend, in the hopes that eventually he may break down her walls and win her heart. But when Clara recklessly takes on two of the most dangerous rakes in Bath, Lawrie's devotion is tested to the limit and neither is prepared for the consequences.
Critique: A classic Regency era romance novel by an author with a complete mastery of the genre, Judith Hale Everett's "A Dangerous Affair" is a fun read from start to finish. The stuff of which Hallmark Romance Movies are made, "A Dangerous Affair" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Regency Romance collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated romance fans that "A Dangerous Affair" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99) from Evershire Publishing as well.
Editorial Note: As one of seven sisters, Judith Hale Everett grew up surrounded by romance novels. Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen were staples, and formed the groundwork for her lifelong love affair with the Regency genre. Add to that her obsession with the English language and you've got one hopelessly literate romantic. Her third book, "Forlorn Hope", was a finalist in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards. (https://judithhaleeverett.com)
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Blood Betrayal
Eric Richardson
Troubador Publishing
https://troubador.co.uk
9781805144298, $14.99, PB, 432pp
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Betrayal-Eric-Richardson/dp/1805144294
Synopsis: Brought up in the violent gangland life since birth brothers Mat and Nic take the reins from their father as his successor and become the gangland bosses of East London.
Mat gets involved in the illegal drug trade after laundering millions of dirty money from Brinks Mat. He becomes Pablo Escobar's main European cocaine distributor propelling the Hunter gang into the stratosphere of an untouchable crime syndicate.
But all of this comes at the ultimate price. In a world filled with serial killers, Yardies and Ultra-Violent radical feminists, who can you trust?
Set against the backdrop of East London in the 1980s with systemic police corruption, racism and poverty, juxtaposed with beautiful women, decadence and the Docklands Development. "Blood Betrayal" is a gritty and darkly humorous story and the first in a duology from author Eric Richardson.
Critique: Authentically original, deftly crafted, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "Blood Betrayal" will hold a very special interest for fans of organized crime novels -- British style. A compelling, action packed, suspense thriller of a read, "Blood Betrayal" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community/public library Mystery/Crime Novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this edition of author Eric Richardson's "Blood Betrayal" from Troubador Publishing is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: "Blood Betrayal" is Eric Richardson's first novel. He wrote it while serving a lengthy stretch at Her Majesty's pleasure. Since leaving Belmarsh he has turned his life around and is currently working on his follow up book.
Cost of Malice
H. Mitchell Caldwell
https://hmitchellcaldwell.com
Nine Innings Press
9781737512370, $31.95, HC, 457pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Malice-Clearwater-Legal-Thriller/dp/173751236X
Synopsis: Jake Clearwater thought his days as a top prosecutor were behind him. But when the unsolved murder of a young college student resurfaces, the District Attorney's office pulls him back into the courtroom. Tracie Switzer's body was found two years ago, her life cut short in a horrific act of violence. The case went cold -- until a jailhouse informant claimed to know the killer.
Now, Clearwater must battle a legal system riddled with half-truths, unreliable witnesses, and mounting pressure from all sides. As he navigates through the complexities of the case, Clearwater finds that even the slightest misstep could let a vicious murderer walk free. But this time, it's not just his career on the line. With his new marriage hanging in the balance and the weight of the case threatening to crush him, Clearwater has to make tough choices about justice, loyalty, and how far he's willing to go to win.
Critique: "Cost of Malice" is a deftly crafted and riveting crime drama that is riveting and original story of intrigue, turmoil, and the quest for redemption. The latest addition to novelist H. Mitchell Caldwell's 'Jake Clearwater' series of legal thrillers, "Cost of Malice" is a fascinating read from start to finish. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of fans with an interest in legal thrillers and courtroom dramas that "Cost of Malice" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781737512363, $18.95) as well.
Editorial Note: H. Mitchell Caldwell is a law professor at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. He teaches criminal procedure and trial advocacy. Professor Caldwell routinely represents death row inmates appealing their convictions before the California Supreme Court. He has co-authored several trial advocates textbooks as well as the critically acclaimed Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury series of books. "Cost of Arrogance" is the first in his new series of legal thrillers.
Stolen Brilliance
Michael G. Colburn
I. P. Publishing
9798990542020, $28.00, HC, 346pp
https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Brilliance-Black-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/B0DG6TKMHT
Synopsis; Rescued from the slums of Victorian London, Edie finds herself ensnared in a web of crime orchestrated by Mrs. Hill, the mastermind behind an infamous gang of lady thieves. While perfecting her skills at deception, Edie falls deeply in love with Benji, a criminal who saved her from a troubled past and is working to build a better future.
Led by Mrs. Hill, Edie embarks on a daring heist of the steamship Ferret. Soon, she finds herself navigating crime and adventure in far-flung locations from France and South Africa to Brazil and Australia.
When a massive diamond heist occurs in Cape Town, Benji is implicated as the thief. He is pursued by Lloyd's of London investigators, corporate interests, rival gangs, and Mrs. Hill. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, Edie must save Benji's life and her own by seeking the true perpetrators.
Critique: Although a deftly penned work of fiction, "Stolen Brilliance" by author Michael Colburn was inspired by actual events. A deftly crafted historical mystery that will keep the reader's rapt attention from start to finish, "Stolen Brilliance" is a fun read from cover to cover and prove a welcome and enduringly popular pick for community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Stolen Brilliance' from I. P. Publishing is also readily available for personal reading lists in a paperback edition (9798990542013, $18.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Michael G. Colburn (https://michaelgcolburn.com) retired from a successful career in inventing to write full time. After three books on creativity and inventing, he discovered historical crime fiction. He's currently writing the third installment of the Lady Black mystery series. The first Lady Black novel, "Stolen Brilliance", springs from stories he heard on one of his trips to Scotland.
Behind You
Mike Omer
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662509391, $16.99, PB, 379pp
https://www.amazon.com/Behind-You-Mike-Omer/dp/1662509391
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Theodora Briggs left home in the dead of night, after a brutal crime shattered her life. Thirteen years later, she's made a name for herself as Gemma: beautician, wife, and mother. But the trauma still lingers... and then one day, it's more than just a phantom pain.
Gemma is suddenly accosted by stranger after stranger, all of whom seem to know the truth about her. They confront her with her real name and ominous allusions to the tragedy that drove her out of town. When her family begins to have their own strange episodes, Gemma is rattled. There's no one left to trust but herself -- except Gemma can't even remember what happened that night.
Accusations and danger lurk around every corner, and Gemma's not sure where to turn. But if she can't put together the pieces of her past, the new life she's built might disappear just as quickly (and violently) as her old one.
Critique: As an author, Mike Omer is a gifted storyteller who is a master of the psychological suspense thriller genre. His latest, deftly crafted, and original novel, "Behind You" from Thomas & Mercer is a compulsive page turner of a read from start to finish. While an especially commended pick for community/library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of the growing legions of Mike Omer fans that "Behind You" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Mike Omer (http://strangerealm.com/mikeomer) has been a journalist, a game developer, and the CEO of Loadingames, but he can currently be found penning his next thriller. Omer loves to write about two things: real people who could be the perpetrators or victims of crimes... and funny stuff. He mixes these two loves quite passionately in his suspenseful and often macabre mysteries.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Journey to 2125
Gary F. Bengier
Chiliagon Press
https://chiliagonpress.com
9781648861147, $19.99, PB, 394pp
https://www.amazon.com/Journey-2125-Century-Family-Challenges/dp/1648861148
Synopsis: It's 2125 when his long-separated grandson suddenly arrives looking for answers. Max MacGyver retells their family story and secrets, revealing a century of challenges that they've faced. "Journey to 2125" by Gary F. Bengier is one family's touching story spread across generations, of adventure, rivalry, loss, survival, and resilience over the next 100 years.
Projecting from current trends over the next ten decades, "Journey to 2125" is the story of a family facing the future. A small boy escapes war in Asia. A young woman flees catastrophe driven by climate change in Africa. Some family members build technology companies, while others deal with the trauma of jobs lost to automation. A young couple fight for privacy and democracy. Lives are positively transformed by biomedical science and threatened by it.
At its heart, Journey to 2125 is the story, told over a single day, of a young boy and his grandfather. Why did his parents decide to move to the Commune? What family secrets will his grandfather share?
Parts political drama, family saga, and hard-science speculative fiction, "Journey to 2125" is the story of how humankind might collectively weather the tragedy and chaos that we can expect from accelerating change. What will it feel like to live during these next one hundred years?
Critique: Although a deftly crafted and imaginative work of science fiction, "Journey to 2125" is a logical extrapolation of current cultural, environmental, political, and technological trends. Author and novelist Gary F. Bengier has impressive storytelling skills that will be fully appreciated by science fiction enthusiasts wondering if the next century will prove to be utopian or dystopian -- and probably a mix of both in unequal proportions depending on where you and your decedents would be living on planet Earth. A fascinating and fun read from start to finish, "Journey to 2125" is one of those novels that will linger in the mind and memory long after the book itself has been finished and set back up the shelf. Also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), "Journey to 2125" from Chiliagon Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community/public library Science Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Gary F. Bengier (https://bengierfoundation.org/gary-f-bengier) is a writer, philosopher, and technologist. Before turning to writing speculative fiction, Gary worked in a variety of Silicon Valley tech companies. He was eBay's Chief Financial Officer and led the company's initial and secondary public offerings. Gary has an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an MA degree in philosophy from San Francisco State University.
Wildfire: The Rise of a Hero
Jordan S. Keller
Speaking Volumes
https://speakingvolumes.us
9781645407621, $17.95, PB, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wildfire-Rise-Ashes-Avalon-Trilogy/dp/1645407624
Synopsis: Abigail Turner knew she wanted to be a superhero even before her flame powers developed. She honed her skills, aced community college, and became the sidekick to San Arbor's number one hero, Volcanic. When she is fired for misconduct, however, furthering her career seems impossible.
Determined to don her cape at a different superhero company, Abigail knows she must get stronger and accepts a deal from an unlikely source.
Cinder, a similarly powered villain who has bested her at every encounter, offers to train her if Abigail owes him a favor: A way out of the city.
Falling in love wasn't part of the deal.
As the line between good and evil blurs, Abigail must choose between her passion to do good and her love for a villain who is hiding much more behind his mask.
Wildfire offers an introspective look at the relationships and career complexities within a superhero society and the pursuit of one's identity when the shadows of their past loom over their future.
Critique: "Wildfire: The Rise of a Hero" is volume one of author Jordan Keller's new "Ashes Over Avalon" trilogy and a fun read from start to finish, Original, clever, and deftly crafted, "Wildfire: The Rise of a Hero" will of of immense interest to fans of fantasy themed stories of superhero/supervillain action/adventure romance stories. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of fans that "Wildfire: The Rise of a Hero" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Jordan Keller (www.jordanskellerauthor.com) is a writer whose love for stories started at a young age when she preferred to write in a spiral-bound notebook than play outside at recess. The thirst for stories grew in college where she majored in print and radio journalism sharing the lives of the incredible people who live in Eastern Kentucky through the city radio station and multiple area newspapers. She possesses a Bachelor's Degree from Morehead State University for Convergent Media. She sharpens her writing skills while recounting the heroics of her Dungeons and Dragons characters, and running a blog of the outrageous things her college-aged tenants call her about.
The Self-Help Shelf
Face Your Fears: 7 Steps to Conquering Phobias and Anxiety
Christopher Paul Jones
Michael O'Mara Books
https://www.mombooks.com
9781789295320, $17.99, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Face-Your-Fears-Conquering-Phobias/dp/178929532
Synopsis: If you've struggled to deal with an overwhelming fear, phobia or anxiety (one that may have prevented you from living your life to the full and taken a toll on your mental health) then "Face Your Fears: 7 Steps to Conquering Phobias and Anxiety" by Christopher Paul Jones is the DIY instructional guide for dealing with them whatever they may be.
Christopher Paul Jones is a leading specialist on phobias, and with the publication of "Face Your Fears: 7 Steps to Conquering Phobias & Anxiety" he has produced a 'real world', step-by-step practical guide to taking control of your mental wellbeing and treating common phobias, including fears of flying, spiders, public speaking and heights, as well as claustrophobia, agoraphobia and anxiety.
Christopher's innovative Integrated Change System (which is the culmination of more than 20 years of research), offers a series of easy-to-follow, guided exercises that will allow you to uncover the source of your fears and work towards overcoming them. With this proven approach backed by a mix of cutting-edge methods, removing a phobia can be quicker and easier than you think.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented (especially for the non-specialist general reader with no background or experience in psychology and counseling, "Face Your Fears: 7 Steps to Conquering Phobias and Anxiety" will hold immense value for readers with an interest in anxiety disorders, phobias, and psychological pathologies. While also readily available for individual reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), this paperback edition of Christopher Paul Jones' "Face Your Fears: 7 Steps to Conquering Phobias and Anxiety" from Michael O'Mara Books is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections and supplemental Popular Psychology & Anxiety/Phobia Treatment curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Christopher Paul Jones (https://christopherpauljones.com) is one of the world's leading phobia specialists and features regularly on international TV, radio and in the press, including the BBC, Channel 4, Canada's CBC, Hello, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and national newspapers. His 7 Step Integrated Change System combines the most cutting-edge techniques in the field, and his clients come from all over the world and include Hollywood actors, Oscar nominees, presenters and other celebrities. Christopher's qualifications include Clinical Hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, Contemporary Psychotherapy, NPL Trainer, Timeline Therapy, EFT and Rapid Induction Therapy.
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
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