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Reviewer's Choice
Reversing Misinformation: How to Help Your Family, Friends & Community
Michael D. Miller
Mdmiller Publishing
9781965581001, $24.99, PB, 140pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Misinformation-Family-Friends-Community/dp/1965581005
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reversing-misinformation-michael-d-miller/1146822823
Synopsis: "Reversing Misinformation: How to Help Your Family, Friends & Community" by Michael D. Miller was written for people who are concerned about toxic misinformation and the harm it causes -- personally, professional, politically.
"Reversing Misinformation" is an instructional DIY guide to showing people how to have productive conversations with misinformed family members, friends, and co-workers -- as well as how to address community situations and policy issues involving misinformation. Those discussions and actions will increase vaccination rates, improve public health, and promote better relationships, economic growth and national security.
"Reversing Misinformation" also provides specific insights, techniques and strategies, and focuses on practical actions for reversing and preventing misinformation. Additionally, it includes real-life vignettes and insights about how social media and artificial intelligence are influencing the creation and spread of misinformation.
"Vitamin A prevents measles" and "Ukraine started the war with Russia" are two examples of misinformation spreading in 2025 that have been added to the long list of health, science and social misinformation that exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. To quote Dr. Miller -- "I strongly believe that if we don't act to reverse misinformation and prevent it from spreading in the future, we will be unprepared for future microbial and civil disruption outbreaks."
Critique: It is incredibly ironic that the creators of the internet and social media platforms were motivated by the hope of bringing individuals unprecedented access to the giving and receiving information that would make the world a better and more informed place would end up being a cesspool of misinformation, disinformation, criminality, corruption, and harm on a personal, social, political, and cultural basis. "Reversing Misinformation: How to Help Your Family, Friends & Community" is a clarion call to moderating the damage by helping the non-specialist general reader to communicate more effectively with friends, family, and colleagues who have been misinformed and ill informed by the ubiquitous digital age in which we now live. Exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Reversing Misinformation" is an unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of political activists and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, as well as an addition to professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Social Issues collections and Communications/Social Skills curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Dr. Michael D. Miller is an expert in health care communications, policy, and advocacy. He has decades of experience improving access to and affordability of innovations, and coaching people to communicate effectively about complex issues. During the pandemic many friends asked him how to respond to people spreading misinformation about vaccines and COVID. Because he couldn't find any practical guidance to help them, he wrote "Reversing Misinformation" for them - and people like them. "Reversing Misinformation" encompasses what he learned from over 30 years of working on health and science communications and policy, and my experience during the pandemic focusing on vaccine, science and election misinformation.His focus since the start of the pandemic has been on vaccine confidence and misinformation, and he helped groups and individuals understand the science of vaccines, the human immune system, and COVID-19. He continues to manage the Scientific Advisory Board for a vaccine advocacy non-profit, and has contributed to the World Vaccine Congresses in 2021-2024 on the topic of vaccine misinformation. Dr. Miller is a graduate of Williams College and Yale School of Medicine. (https: //www.healthpolcom.com/about)
The Political Science Shelf
False Idols: How Diversion is Destroying Democracy
Kurt Warner
https://kurtwarnerbooks.com
Vernon Press
https://vernonpress.com
9798881900847, $63.00, HC, 166pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/False-Idols-Diversion-Destroying-Perspectives/dp/B0DPJ8753V
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/false-idols-kurt-warner/1146628993
Synopsis: The ancient Roman poet and satirist Juvenal stated that people were distracted by "bread and circuses" rather than engaged in their civic duty. Juvenal argued these bread and circuses, or basic needs and entertainment, consumed the thoughts and lives of the average Roman no matter what was happening in the Republic around them. The powerful political forces in society used many different forms of distraction to enable them to do what they wanted unimpeded by the masses.
With the publication of "False Idols: How Diversion Is Destroying Democracy" Kurt Warner picks up where Juvenal left off.
"False Idols" is a journey through contemporary America and it illustrates how the concept of "bread and circuses" continues to be powerful a political strategy and as relevant now as it was in the days of ancient Rome.
"False Idols" also examines the deliberate distractions that are created by the cultivation of false idols. The distractions include the adoration of celebrities and parasocial interactions, the economic culture and the implicit belief systems contained within it, sports and the adoration of athletes, the political system and structure, the art, music, and literature we spend our time listening to and watching, the internet and social media that occupies so much of our time, and the video games that occupy the minds and much of the lives of so many people.
As long as everyone is chasing and distracted by these bread and circuses, they are willfully negligent to the goings-on in the very fabric of the social network that is of our society, government, and country. The more negligent they become, the more the democracy continues withering and dying.
"False Idols" systemically deconstructs a modern society that seems designed to consistently pull us away from rather than draw us toward the creation of a better existence for all.
Critique: A clarion call of alarm warning of a democracy in jeopardy, "False Idols: How Diversion is Destroying Democracy" by Kurt Warner is impressively timely, informative, deftly crafted, intellectually and emotionally engaging, and essential reading for anyone wanting to defend and protect the Constitution against the kinds of assaults that currently permeate American politics on the state and federal levels. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "False Idols" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, political activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "False Idols" from Vernon Press is also readily available in paperback (9798881901837, $46.00).
Editorial Note: Kurt Warner, (https://kurtwarnerbooks.com) graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English literature from King's College in Pennsylvania and graduated with a master's degree in social work from Binghamton University. He won both of the English awards in his class and has been published in the King's College literary magazine. Warner has been published in the academic journal 'Disability in Society'. He has also been published in a book entitled 'Same Time Next Week: True Stories of Working through Mental Illness'. His book, 'Utopia Realized: In Search of a Just Society', is under contract. His book, 'Victory in Every Fall: The Antaeus Approach to Overcome Disabilities' is also under contract. He was the writer for the Mental Health Association of Cortland County. He is currently working as a psychotherapist with individuals struggling with mental health issues.
The American History Shelf
No Place Like Nome
Michael Engelhard
https://michaelengelhard.com
Corax Books
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9798989920228, $24.00, PB, 306pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/No-Place-Like-Nome-Through/dp/B0DX4ZGLJT
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-place-like-nome-michael-engelhard/1147736989
Synopsis: Somewhere between myths and hard facts you will find Nome, Alaska, a city poised also between yesterday and tomorrow.
Drawing on his background in anthropology and with an equal passion for history, with the publication of "No Place Like Nome: The Bering Strait Seen Through Its Most Storied City", anthropologist and wilderness guide Michael Engelhard surveys the seam that links two neighboring continents through the lens of one pivotal city.
The region's legacy of millennia shines on pages enriched by Engelhard's recollections ranging from mammoths to Cold War monuments, from a spa turned orphanage to cyclist miners and shaman hoards. Readers will be introduced to the explorers and adventurers, reindeer herders and hustlers, the dancers, drummers, dreamers, warriors, walrus-tusk carvers, and whalers, clergy, foragers, and photographers who shaped a place of conflicting visions just as thoroughly as it shaped them.
Critique: Impressively informative, exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "No Place Like Nome: The Bering Strait Seen Through Its Most Storied City" by Michael Engelhard deftly blends the city's chronology and ecology into what is an ideal introduction to Nome's people, environment, and history. An inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "No Place Like Nome" is a unique and especially recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "No Place Like Nome" from Corax Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228611641, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Trained as an anthropologist with a degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Michael Engelhard worked for twenty-five years as a wilderness guide and outdoor instructor in Alaska and on the Colorado Plateau. The editor of four anthologies and author of "Ice Bear," a cultural history of the polar bear, he has won three Alaska Press Club Awards, and a Rasmuson Individual Artist Award. Recent books include the National Outdoor Book Award-winning memoir "Arctic Traverse" as well as "What the River Knows: Essays from the Heart of Alaska," and the Grand Canyon essay collection "No Walk in the Park." His writing has also appeared in publications like Outside, Sierra, Backpacker, National Parks, Audubon, Utne Reader, and Times Literary Supplement, with more than a hundred articles in Alaska magazine.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Truth about Sex Hormones
Janette Gray, M.D.
Made for Success
https://www.madeforsuccess.com
9781641469418, $18.99, PB, 202pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Truth-about-Sex-Hormones-Balancing/dp/1641469412
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-truth-about-sex-hormones-janette-gray/1147806653
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Truth about Sex Hormones: Learn How to Unlock the Secrets to Balancing Your Hormones for Vitality and Longevity", Dr. Janette Gray takes her readers on a journey toward empowered health decisions with a DIY guide that includes tips to optimize your health using sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and making wise lifestyle choices.
Traditional Western medicine is great for treating acute diseases, like infections and trauma, but it fails us when it comes to enhancing quality of life and the prevention of chronic diseases. The leading causes of mortality worldwide are heart disease, cancer, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. The message of "The Truth about Sex Hormones" is that early intervention with sex hormones can change the trajectory of these diseases.
Using real-life patient stories and examples, Dr. Gray uncovers the mystery behind our current health care system and sheds light on how early intervention with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a game changer for both men and women when it comes to quality of life and life span.
Critique: Of special interest to readers with concerns about menopause, sex, sexuality, and women's health issues in general, Dr. Janette Gray draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to deftly craft "The Truth about Sex Hormones: Learn How to Unlock the Secrets to Balancing Your Hormones for Vitality and Longevity" and an ideal DIY resource for the non-specialist general reader with little or no background in medicine. An ideal, comprehensive, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' introduction to the subject of the impact of sex hormones upon human health, "The Truth about Sex Hormones" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Health & Medicine collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for medical students, medical practitioners, and the general public that this paperback edition of "The Truth about Sex Hormones" from Made for Success is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).
Editorial Note; Janette Gray, MD, is an internal medicine doctor specializing in integrative medicine and bio-identical hormone treatments for men and women. She received her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and finished her residency in internal medicine at the University of California, San Diego. After being CEO of the Center for Health and Well-being in San Diego for 25 years, she has decided to open Perfect Balance Health. This clinic was created to be a safe, caring, and effective option for your health care. It emphasizes hormone replacement therapy as it relates to your health, wellness, and longevity. (https://www.chwbonline.com/find-a-doctor/dr-janette-gray-md-holistic-medicine-physician)
Bod4God: Twelve Weeks to Lasting Weight Loss
Steve Reynolds
https://pastorstevereynolds.com
Losing to Live
9798992592023, $27.99, HC, 286pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bod4God-Twelve-Weeks-Lasting-Weight/dp/B0F2X4GBG5
Barners & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bod4god-steve-reynolds/1122135243
Synopsis: Pastor Steve Reynolds had been overweight all his life. In fact, he weighed more than 100 pounds in first grade! After playing college football he vowed never to exercise again. That was one promise he kept, ballooning to nearly 350 pounds and staying there for years. Driven by his declining health, Steve began to study the Bible for help.
Steve lost 130 pounds and launched a stunningly successful weight-loss program in his church, community and through out the nation. In Bod4God, he reveals four keys from the Bible that have unlocked the door to health and fitness for him and countless others. He shares these simple lifestyle changes-both inside and out-that have led to incredible transformation, and now he invites you to change your life forever! In this book you'll learn how to:
Honor God with your body and stop feeling guilty.
Motivate yourself for change and stick to your healthy goals.
Tailor a plan just for you, and enjoy doing it the rest of your life.
Manage your eating and retrain your taste buds to crave healthy foods.
Get your body moving with fitness tips to increase energy.
Build your circle of support to encourage, educate and equip you.
Launch a fun and effective wellness program in your church or organization.
And much more!
Critique: The underlying message of "Bod4God: Twelve Weeks to Lasting Weight Loss" by Pastor Steve Reynolds is that you can transform both your body and soul with a Biblical Wellness approach of proven weight loss strategies. With a Christian perspective and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, "Bod4God: Twelve Weeks to Lasting Weight Loss" has DIY entry 'fill in the blank' forms that will help in the application of the ideas, concepts and activities in the various chapters. A complete course of 'how to' instructions and 'what to do' directives, "Bod4God: Twelve Weeks to Lasting Weight Loss" is an ideal and recommended addition to personal and community library Weight Loss/Dieting collections and Self-Help/Personal Growth reading lists. This hardcover edition of "Bod4God: Twelve Weeks to Lasting Weight Loss" from Losing to Live is also available in paperback (9798992592023, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Steve Reynolds (https://pastorstevereynolds.com) is America's "Anti-Fat Pastor," and has helped tens of thousands of people lose tons and tons of weight and improve their health by using principles found in the Bible. He is the author of five books. He has served as the senior pastor of Capital Baptist Church in suburban Washington, DC, since 1982. He is a graduate of Liberty University and Seminary.
The Business Shelf
Be A Nerd That Talks Good
Joel Benge
MessageSpecs
https://messagespecs.com
9798991227827, $23.99, HC, 220pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Nerd-That-Talks-Good-Transform/dp/B0FC8QW84Z
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-a-nerd-that-talks-good-joel-benge/1147358233
Synopsis: Every tech founder who tries to get the message out about their product knows the moment they've lost their audience. Blank stares come from the people you need most to buy into your message or understand your concepts. Without the ability to effectively explain technical concepts to a nontechnical audience, data points and all your knowledge become a hindrance instead of a relevant message. Even when you nail every technical concept in your pitch, if your messaging isn't delivered in a way that becomes relevant to the listener, they won't pick up what you're putting down.
For two decades, MessageSpecs Consulting founder Joel Benge has been helping tech nerds ditch boring IT pitches in favor of authentic people-first messaging without getting caught in jargon. Combining classical philosophy and modern neuroscience, With the publication of "Be A Nerd That Talks Good: Transform Your Technical Knowledge into Powerful Messages", Joel guides tech nerds on how to tell their story and connect with audiences. Inspired by Aristotle's rhetoric, Joel uses his MessageSpecs heart, head, and gut model to teach you how to balance your messaging and use emotion, logic, and credibility to get noticed, be understood, and accomplish goals.
"Be A Nerd That Talks Good" covers:
The reasons why technical messaging often fails and how to avoid pushing people into their overloaded "caveman brains" without dumbing it down.
How to leverage your Big Idea to capture your audience and hold their attention.
The keys that will take your message from one that simply informs to one that resonates and converts audiences into clients.
How gamifying the process can help you hack your brain into creating messages that stand out, stick with your audience, and scale across teams.
Tools to create consistency and engagement in your message to keep you from wasting money on unclear marketing plans.
If you're a tech nerd ready to go from oversharing and underselling your tech to communicating with confidence, effectively "Be a Nerd That Talks Good" bridges the gap between deep technical knowledge and clear, effective messaging, turning those blank stares into blank checks.
Critique: It is a common (and arguable justified) perception that people who are excellent at creating, consuming and applying information and ideas are often far less effective at personal relationships and social skills. Original, exceptional, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, "Be A Nerd That Talks Good: Transform Your Technical Knowledge into Powerful Messages" by Joel Benge is a unique and unreservedly recommended DIY instructional guide and 'how-to' manual for readers with an interest in communication skills, technical writing, and managing business meetings/presentations. Also readily available from MessageSpecs in paperback (9798991227803, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), this hardcover edition of "Be A Nerd That Talks Good: Transform Your Technical Knowledge into Powerful Messages" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college/university library Business Management/Entrepreneurship collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Joel Benge (https: //messagespecs.com) is the principal nerd that talks good at MessageSpecs Consulting and helps other nerds talk good too. Working with companies from Nickelodeon to NASA, Joel has mastered the art of communicating complicated ideas and tech to audiences and teams. His card deck, MessageDeck, gamifies the process to help developers communicate their ideas and discover their credibility builders and hooks for their messaging.
Leading in the Trenches
David Graddy
www.DavidGraddy.com
First Chair Publishing
https://www.libroworld.com/first-chair-publishing
9798998714818, $24.99, HC, 200pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Trenches-Strategic-Becoming-Leader/dp/B0FDZ4QH61
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/leading-in-the-trenches-david-graddy/1147565259
Synopsis: The path to the coveted leadership title is often paved by generic advice in leadership development books or maybe impersonal leadership training courses. Whether you are a mid-level employee planning your next move or just starting out in your professional career, developing your leadership skills needs to start before you get the official title.
With the publication of "Leading in the Trenches: A Strategic Guide to Becoming the Leader You Want to Be and Your Team Needs" by David Graddy you can do just that!
With over 40 years of leadership experience in the retail and aerospace industries and as a John Maxwell Leadership Certified Team member, Graddy has mentored countless professionals through the transition from team member to effective leader. His mission is simple: to give you the practical tools and leadership mindset to lead with purpose, wherever you are. Now in "Leading in the Trenches" he offers a powerful bottom-up, proven strategy to help you grow into the leader your team needs, long before anyone gives you the title.
"Leading in the Trenches" shows how to:
Clarify your core leadership values, so you can lead with authenticity and innovation.
Decode your team's dynamics and strengths to build trust that drives performance and organizational success.
Effectively work with six common manager types, including the Self-Preservationist and Captain Chaos.
Become the go-to person on your team, earning influence by demonstrating your leadership skills through meaningful actions.
Advance through the three phases of leadership growth -- from learning, to doing, to mentoring others.
Each individual chapter builds on the last in a strategic step-by-step process, leading to a clear framework for becoming a leader your team can trust and follow. Whether you are in corporate, retail, or small business, "Leading in the Trenches" is your road map to becoming a respected, capable leader. Gaddy's message is -- "Don't wait for a promotion to become the leader you were meant to be. Start leading in the trenches today!"
Critique: Practical, experience based, exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, "Leading in the Trenches: A Strategic Guide to Becoming the Leader You Want to Be and Your Team Needs" is an extraordinary DIY instructional guide by information technology and business analyst David Graddy and is an emphatically recommended pick for for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university Business Management/Leadership collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives that this hardcover edition of "Leading in the Trenches" from First Chair Publishing is also available in paperback (9798998714801, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: David Graddy (www.DavidGraddy.com) is an information technology business analyst with over 40 years in the aerospace and retail industries. As a John Maxwell Leadership Certified Team member, he helps professionals develop leadership skills from the ground up.
The Money/Finance Shelf
The Investor's Golden Playbook
Frank J. Buchholz
Independently Published
https://investorsgoldenplaybook.com
9798992064025, $24.99, HC, 220pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Investors-Golden-Playbook-Achieving-Wealth/dp/B0DYLPYXY7
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-investors-golden-playbook-frank-j-buchholz/1146943586
Synopsis: Most people believe investing is complicated, risky, or only for the wealthy. But with the right rules and a clear strategy, anyone can build real wealth -- starting with as little as their daily coffee budget.
With the publication of "The Investor's Golden Playbook: 12 Rules for Achieving Real Wealth", retired financial advisor Frank Buchholz has distilled 40 years of real-world experience into a practical, jargon-free, DIY guide to securing financial freedom.
"The Investor's Golden Playbook" is not a get-rich-quick scheme -- rather it is a proven blueprint for sustainable wealth building through smart, consistent investing. With relatable client stories and actionable insights, Buchholz shows you how small, consistent actions can lead to big results.
"The Investor's Golden Playbook" explains:
How to build wealth steadily, even starting small, with proven strategies like the Starbucks Savings Plan.
Why the stock market remains the best long-term investment vehicle -- and how to navigate its ups and downs.
How to create a money buffer, diversify investments, and plan for retirement in a way that ensures peace of mind.
The "Get Rich Slow" approach that prioritizes long-term financial success over quick fixes, and the sound financial habits that will get you there.
How to build a trusted relationship with an ethical financial advisor, including understanding fees and commissions and using tools like FINRA's BrokerCheck.
"The Investor's Golden Playbook" with its 12 rules, can lead to consistent, long-term financial success, even for inexperienced investors. Whether you're navigating your first 401(k) or preparing for retirement, Buchholz's simple approach is rooted in realism and empowers investors through knowledge. Your financial future is yours to control. Start with The Investor's Golden Playbook and build your wealth with confidence.
Critique: Practical, proven, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in style, organization, and presentation, "The Investor's Golden Playbook: 12 Rules for Achieving Real Wealth" by Frank J. Buchholz is the ideal and unreservedly recommended DIY plan that will allow even the most novice of financial planners lay out a customized, personalized, and successful plan for amassing wealth and is especially recommended for anyone starting out at any point in their lives to plan for a financially secure future. While an especially recommended pick for community and college/university library Wealth Development and Finance/Money Management collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Investor's Golden Playbook: 12 Rules for Achieving Real Wealth" is also readily available in paperback (9798992064025, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Frank J. Buchholz (https://investorsgoldenplaybook.com), is a retired senior vice president and financial advisor with over 40 years of experience, and is known for his compassionate, user-friendly approach to investing. During his career at Merrill Lynch, he earned prestigious accolades like the Directors Circle and Circle of Excellence. Frank holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from California State University and resides in Huntington Beach, California. Frank is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and helping others achieve lasting financial independence.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Seize Your Second Chance
Daniel P. Reilly
https://danielpreilly.com
Arete Springs Publishing
9798992132137, $27.99, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Seize-Your-Second-Chance-Rediscovery/dp/B0F6K38W8V
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seize-your-second-chance-daniel-p-reilly/1147259684
Synopsis: It just takes one moment-and your life can be irrevocably changed. For Dan Reilly, a banker, father, and self-proclaimed "ordinary guy" change didn't just knock -- it nearly knocked him out. What he chose to do next sent him on a path of self-discovery he never could have predicted.
"Seize Your Second Chance: A Midlife Memoir of Resilience, Rediscovery, and Getting It Right" is Reilly's candid and unfiltered memoir of second chances. From being held at gunpoint during a bank robbery, to surviving the California wildfires, to facing a shocking esophageal cancer diagnosis, Dan shares the traumas that shook him awake and the everyday choices that helped him fight back.
"Seize Your Second Chance" is also a call to action for anyone navigating uncertainty or reinvention. Written in a narrative style that's warm, witty, and deeply human, Dan challenges his readers to take ownership of what you can control in this life: your health, your mindset, and the legacy you leave.
With "Seize Your Second Chance" you provided with a practical blueprint for resilience -- including the healing power of kindness and why self-care practices are vital for survival. Life will throw you unexpected, sometimes devastating, challenges, but you can learn to use life's adversities for personal growth and purpose.
"Seize Your Second Chance" reveals:
How to prepare for life's biggest challenges with small and meaningful lifestyle shifts.
The early-warning signs of esophageal cancer, why you shouldn't ignore heartburn, and the vital fight for esophageal cancer awareness.
How to become your own best advocate-before it's too late.
How to craft a legacy that resonates with confidence and positive thinking.
A message of strength for men who are more familiar with denial than vulnerability.
Suffering doesn't have to break us-it can build us. You don't have to be facing mortality to get started. Grab the power of living with intention, and transform your setbacks into your greatest source for strength. When your wake-up call comes, will you be ready?
Critique: "Seize Your Second Chance: A Midlife Memoir of Resilience, Rediscovery, and Getting It Right" by Daniel P. Reilly is a sometimes brutally honest life story of having to deal with cancer, negotiate crisis, and recognizing (as well as utilizing) the second chances in our lives. Exceptional, compelling, engaging, insightful, thought provoking, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in presentation and style, "Seize Your Second Chance" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement and Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists of readers with an interest in Esophageal Cancer, Midlife Crisis, and unusual personal life stories, that this hardcover edition of "Seize Your Second Chance" from Arete Springs Publishing is also available in paperback (9798992132106, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Daniel P. Reilly (https://danielpreilly.com) is a vice president and a recognized leader in both the financial and health care sectors. As a stage III esophageal cancer survivor, his profound commitment to advocating for cancer awareness and early detection is grounded in his own battle with the disease. Dan's expertise extends into transforming cancer-screening practices and enhancing patient care. He actively contributes to the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation and is a board member for a foundation that promotes broader cancer screenings in collaboration with Lucid Diagnostics Inc. His advocacy is driven by the vision to improve survival rates through innovative diagnostic solutions and supportive patient care.
Walk A Lonely Mile
Brian Paige
Independently Published
9798989400645, $10.99, HC, 267pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Lonely-Mile-Brian-Paige/dp/B0FH54GD58
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walk-a-lonely-mile-brian-paige/1147866945
Synopsis: "Walk A Lonely Mile" is the personal story of Brian Paige, a man who is approaching midlife with a tangle of regrets, old mixtapes, and half-finished schemes. His latest idea (profiting off Nigerian currency exchange rates) fizzles, but it sparks a deeper reflection: how did his life, once so full of creative fire and youthful ambition, veer into so many dead ends?
From the loss of his grandfather in the early '90s to a complicated friendship with a girl from Florida in the 2000s, as well as a fraught connection with a fellow nostalgia-obsessed cinephile years later, Brian's life journey weaves through decades of awkward growth, unmet potential, and quietly powerful moments of human connection. Along the way, he creates his own lo-fi album, reflects on people who faded from his life over time, and struggles to define what love (and success) really mean.
"Walk A Lonely Mile" is a deeply personal, sometimes humorous, memoir of near-misses, creative ambition and emotional fallout. For anyone who's ever tried to rewrite their past or squeeze meaning out of faded dreams, this is a true story about what happens when you finally take a good, hard look back -- and realize the only way forward might just be to barrel on through.
Critique: Candid, insightful, articulate, authentic, engaging, "Walk A Lonely Mile" by Brian Paige is an inherently fascinating and eloquently crafted memoir that is a compelling read from start to finish. While also available for personal reading lists in paperback (9798989400638, $13.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99), this hardcover edition of "Walk A Lonely Mile" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoire collections.
Editorial Note: Brian Paige is an author who lives in Kentucky. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, 2011 U of L graduate with a Master of Arts in Communication, and 2016 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands with a Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary social studies. He also has a self-produced album under the name Demo, Sonic Screamer. He is also the author of "Salvaged From the Flood", a memoir of narrative essays covering a variety of times in life from the years 1991 to 2022.
Wayfinding: A Memoir
Renee Gilmore
Trio House Press
https://www.triohousepress.org
9781949487626, $24.99, PB, 348pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Wayfinding-Memoir-Renee-Gilmore/dp/1949487628
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wayfinding-renee-gilmore/1147275178
Synopsis: Throughout her life, Renee Gilmore has been in love with the open road. Her passion for exploration has taken her across all seven continents -- but the real journey has been much more personal.
In deeply personal memoir, "Wayfinding", she confronts the impetus behind her wanderlust: a lifetime shaped by loss, betrayal, and sexual violence. Told through a series of car trips and postcards from the road, this powerful memoir maps a route toward healing, acceptance, and hope, with stops at Waffle House and the Monaco Grand Prix along the way.
Narrated with unflinching honesty and flashes of humor, "Wayfinding" is the story of a fiercely resilient woman determined not only to survive but to remap a new life filled with freedom, connection, and joy.
Critique: Exceptional, engaging, candid, entertaining, deftly written, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Wayfinding: A Memoir" by Renee Gilmore will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in true life stories of hardship overcome and a life of adventure fulfilled. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Wayfinding: A Memoir" from Trio House Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Renee Gilmore (http://www.reneethewriter.com) is a neurodivergent multi-genre writer, essayist, and poet. She writes about her experiences growing up in a family of car enthusiasts (mechanics, racers, and collectors) and navigating a family full of secrets. She fearlessly explores the illusion of happiness. Through her writing and lived experience, Renee proves that resilience can be practiced both by accident and intention. Renee holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and Hamline University. Her work has appeared in many literary journals, including The Louisville Review, Fatal Flaw, and Pink Panther Magazine, among others.
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
L. J. Robson
UK Book Publishing
https://ukbookpublishing.com
9781917329729, $!4.99, PB, 302pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Thorn-His-Side-Sometimes/dp/1917329725
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-boy-with-the-thorn-in-his-side-l-j-robson/1147360840
Synopsis: "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side: Sometimes, the darkest shadows come from within" is the personal story of L. J. Robson and how, for most of his life, he felt like something was wrong -- like he was living with a shadow he could not see, a weight he could not name. His was a childhood marked by fear, confusion, and memories that never quite fit together. He knew there were pieces missing, but he never expected the truth to be more terrifying than his worst nightmares.
The memoir of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" is a compelling journey through trauma, survival, and the battle of L. J. Robson to reclaim his own mind. It's a true life story about the ghosts of the past that never stopped whispering, the questions no one wanted to answer, and the slow unravelling of a reality he had been forced to forget.
Told with raw honesty, The Boy with the Thorn in His Side is not just an account of what happened to him - it is also testament to resilience, a fight for acceptance, and a message to anyone who has ever felt trapped by their own past.
The principle message of "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" is that sometimes, the truth is the hardest thing to face. But in facing it, we will be able to find the strength to break free of what binds us.
Critique: Candid, compelling, emotionally engaging, deftly written, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side: Sometimes, the darkest shadows come from within" by L. J. Robson is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition from UK Book Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Lee J. Robson is a husband, father, operational manager and now author. But for almost 30 years he has been living with the demons of a life much different from today. Brought up on a council estate in Newcastle in extreme poverty, with his two younger brothers and mother (who suffered from alcoholism and abuse from her partner), life was grim.. He was ashamed, so I buried my memories deep inside, not even telling his wife. Until carrying those demons got too much for his mental health and he sat down to write us memoir, "The Thorn In His Side".
The Tracks of My Years: A Music-Based Memoir
Doug Bradley
Legacy Book Press LLC
https://legacybookpress.com
9798990538719, $18.99, PB, 353pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tracks-My-Years-Music-Based-Memoir/dp/B0FF1NR3XK
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tracks-of-my-years-doug-bradley/1147809975
Synopsis: Doug Bradley played basketball with the Miracles, shared a joint with Grace Slick, and held Dionne Warwick's hand when he told her Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated. He watched his doo-wop singing brother and World War II veteran father battle over the birth of rock and roll, brought the music of Stax and Motown to a small college in the West Virginia hills, and soaked in the sounds of CCR, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix as an Army journalist in the "air-conditioned jungle" in Vietnam.
With the publication of "The Tracks of My Years: A Music-Based Memoir", Doug Bradley (the acclaimed co-author of Rolling Stone's 2015 music book-of-the-year, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of Vietnam War"), tells the story of a life lived with, and in, music.
Bradley provides a poignant, sometimes painful, series of portraits of a young man maneuvering the intricacies of family life, love and romance, and a complicated relationship with a high school teacher who inspired him but was a constant source of bewilderment. As Bradley discovers who he is and, crucially, who he isn't, the soundtrack evolves from Sinatra and the Beatles to Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan.
"The Tracks of My Years" will prove especially interesting for anyone who grew up in post-World War II America, and for their children and grandchildren trying to look beyond the haze of myths surrounding Baby Boomers. This heartfelt memoir opens windows into the echoes of the heart. Cue up Alexa, Siri, or Spotify and curl up for a journey through "The Tracks of My Years".
Critique: Extraordinary, informative, insightful, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "The Tracks of My Years: A Music-Based Memoir" is impressively well written, organized and presented, making it an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections. A 'must read' for American music history buffs, it should be noted that this trade paperback edition of "The Tracks of My Years: A Music-Based Memoir" from Legacy Book Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Doug Bradley (https://www.doug-bradley.com) is an author, educator, and Vietnam veteran from Madison, Wisconsin. His first book was "DEROS Vietnam: Dispatches from the Air-Conditioned Jungle" (Warriors Publishing Group, 2012).
Salvaged From the Flood
Brian Paige
Independently Published
9798989400614, $19.99, HC, 230pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Salvaged-Flood-Brian-Paige/dp/B0CLCRC1R7
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/salvaged-from-the-flood-brian-paige/1144280953
Synopsis: "Salvaged From the Flood" is a candid collection of author Brian Paige's first-person stories chronicling the twists and turns of a life defined by curiosity, creativity, and resilience. From Babe Ruth League baseball and high school drama to college debate tournaments and indie filmmaking, each chapter comprising "Salvaged From the Flood" reflects on a passion pursued and the lessons discovered along the way.
Through adventures in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, and more recent forays into the unpredictable world of cryptocurrency, "Salvaged From the Flood" captures moments of heartache, humor, and hard-earned growth. Alongside personal stories of family and friendship, it also offers a nostalgic yet clear-eyed look at how the fragments of a life (both triumphs and setbacks) come together to form a whole.
Critique: Exceptional, insightful, impressively well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in both organization and presentation, "Salvaged From the Flood' is an extraordinary, inherently fascinating read from start to finish. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Salvaged From the Flood" by Brian Paige is also readily available in paperback (9798989400607, $13.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Brian Paige is an author who lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Amanda, and son, Andrew. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, 2011 U of L graduate with a Master of Arts in Communication, and 2016 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands with a Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary social studies. He also has a self-produced album under the name Demo, Sonic Screamer. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45554117.Brian_Paige)
The General Fiction Shelf
Fever Pitch
Ben Wiener
https://www.benwiener.net
Pennedsource
https://www.overdrive.com/publishers/pennedsource
9798992805727, $24.99, HC, 260pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fever-Pitch-Selling-Raising-Launching/dp/B0F72ZR4RS
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fever-pitch-ben-wiener/1147262828
Synopsis: Mark is a startup founder with a big idea and an even bigger problem: He can't pitch it to save his life. -- Literally.
In "Fever Pitch: A Novel About Selling Your Vision, Raising Venture Capital, and Launching Your Startup", novelist and venture capitalist Ben Wiener delivers a sharp, witty, and unexpectedly high-stakes business fable about one entrepreneur's race against time to fix his pitch presentation-or lose everything. Caught in a swirl of investor meetings, internal self-doubt, and increasingly bizarre events, Mark is sure of only one thing: His startup pitch almost works. But almost won't cut it when the clock is ticking, the money's drying up, and his startup's survival depends on a single word-yes.
As Mark stumbles through a gauntlet of unexpected allies, sharp-edged venture capitalists, and surreal revelations, he uncovers the one thing every founder must have to win venture funding: H.E.A.R.T.
This story-driven business novel takes you inside the head of a founder under pressure, revealing:
The H.E.A.R.T. framework-the 5 essential elements of a pitch that mirrors how venture capitalists evaluate deals.
Real startup struggles like entrepreneur stress, setbacks, how to overcome failure, and how to set up your startup for pitch success.
The mindset shift founders must make to win investor trust.
What actually happens when your pitch deck sounds smart-but not investable.
A storytelling blueprint that mirrors how real investors think.
Critique: Original, unique, clever, exceptional, "Fever Pitch: A Novel About Selling Your Vision, Raising Venture Capital, and Launching Your Startup" by Ben Wiener is simply fascinating novel about selling an entrepreneurial vision, raising venture capital, and launching a startup company with risks and rewards, successes and failure. Although a work of riveting fiction, there is also an authenticity and genuineness is the background against which the characters play out there roles. An entertaining and engaging read from cover to cover, "Fever Pitch" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Fever Pitch" from Pennedsource is also available in paperback (9798992805703, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Ben Wiener (https: //www.benwiener.net) is a venture capitalist and managing partner at Jumpspeed Ventures. He has invested in dozens of startups and is a lecturer on startup presentation and strategy. The author of the fiction thriller "Murder at First Principles", Ben brings business strategy concepts and principles to life through storytelling and makes investment education both enlightening and entertaining.
The Evolution Disturbance
Andrew G. Davies
Independently Published
https://theevolutiondisturbance.com
9781967679195, $19.99, PB, 398pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Disturbance-Charles-Darwin-wrong/dp/1967679193
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-evolution-disturbance-andrew-g-davies/1147590264
Synopsis: In 2011, at the age of 46, Andrew G. Davies was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although he had heard of MS before, he lacked a comprehensive understanding of the disease and its symptoms. But despite his illness, he continued offering marketing consultancy to small businesses across Merseyside. In 2015, he was honored with a prestigious fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
During the later phases of the Covid-19 global pandemic, Andrew (Andy to his friends) informed a few colleagues of his intention to produce a book that would be titled "The Evolution Disturbance: What If Charles Darwin Was Wrong?". That literary project has taken over four years to develop and 18 months to write. In it, Andy takes his readers on a unique journey of discovery that starts and ends with the question -- what if?
Critique: Original, exceptional, compelling, iconoclastic, thought provoking, intellectually riveting, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, this paperback edition of "The Evolution Disturbance: What If Charles Darwin Was Wrong?" by Andrew G. Davies, while a work of fiction, will be of particular appeal to readers with an interest in what its like to live with MS, theories of human evolution, possible utopias, infused speculations blending fantasy and fact. Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presented, "The Evolution Disturbance: What If Charles Darwin Was Wrong?" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collections.
Editorial Note: Andrew G. Davies, a Liverpudlian author living with Multiple Sclerosis. He introduces a bold and genre-defying novel with The Evolution Disturbance. This debut work blends speculative fiction, philosophy, and hard science to challenge one of science's most accepted truths: Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Through reverse time travel, a utopian future, and a fictional hypothesis, the novel invites readers to reconsider the foundations of biology, consciousness, and humanity's place in the universe.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
White Flight
Bill Hillmann
https://www.billhillmann.org
Tortise Books
https://tortoisebooks.com
9781965199107, $21.99, PB, 428pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/White-Flight-Companion-Neighborhood-Classics/dp/1965199100
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/white-flight-bill-hillmann/1147166233
Synopsis: Young Joe Walsh is making a go of it at a new school in Chicago's western suburbs. Still haunted by his rough-and-tumble city upbringing, Joe has got some great opportunities, including a summer seminar at one of the world's top physics laboratories, a hard-hitting Catholic clergyman and boxing instructor who thinks he's got talent in the ring, and a beautiful girlfriend who's giving him some much-needed love and support.
But the challenges of Chicago have followed him to its outskirts; his sister is struggling to recover after being shot by one of his former friends, his mom's unvarnished ways are rubbing their wealthy neighbors the wrong way, and his brother is fresh out of prison and falling into old habits.
Like many young men before him, Joe's taking out his frustrations in the boxing ring, and dreaming of a triumphant career -- but will that, too, become a prison?
Critique: "White Flight" is the sequel to author Bill Hillmann's "The Old Neighborhood" and like its protagonist, hammers the reader with one metaphorical body blow after another. Original, unique, vivid, clever, and deftly crafted from start to finish, Hillmann's narrative driven storytelling style laid out in "White Flight" raises Hillmann's novel to an impressively level of literary excellence. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "White Flight" from Tortise Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. Bill Hillmann (https://www.billhillmann.org) is a full-time professor of English and Communications at East-West University in Chicago. He is the author of four books (the novel The Old Neighborhood, and The Burbs,and the memoirs Mozos and The Pueblos). His writing has appeared at CNN, NPR, and VICE, and in the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Mail, the Toronto Star, and various others. He created the National College Story Slam competition, where students from across the country compete telling five-minute personal stories.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Bridge
Shanna Hatfield
https://shannahatfield.com
Wholesome Hearts Publishing
https://freshfiction.com/publisher.php?id=4874
9780998098869, $17.99, PB, 366pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Shanna-Hatfield/dp/0998098868
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bridge-shanna-hatfield/1147472702
Synopsis: Sergeant Archer Raines has worked every holiday all year for one reason: to finally spend Christmas with his wife. But when a desperate man threatens to jump from Portland's St. Johns Bridge, Archer's expert negotiation skills are required to defuse the situation.
Rosalee, a high-powered accountant and mom-to-be, only meant to swing by home for a forgotten phone and client file. Then her car is caught in the chaos on the bridge, she unexpectedly goes into labor, and her carefully planned world begins to unravel amidst the unfolding drama.
Exhausted nurse Nova just wants to make it home for Christmas after too many night shifts. When the pileup halts traffic and Rosalee's baby is on the way, Nova puts her own plans on hold to help a stranger in need.
Carter, the owner of a busy tow truck business, regrets taking the call to clear the multi-car collision off the bridge. He'd intended to spend the day tackling last-minute holiday errands. Instead, he's praying the lunatic pointing a gun at him doesn't pull the trigger.
Fresh out of college and anxious to kick-start his career, Ian's running late when his car won't start the morning of his big interview. His rideshare driver turns out to be a captivating girl with a penchant for aggressive driving that narrowly saves them from being part of the wreck on the bridge, sending Ian on an unexpected path of his own.
Critique: Original, clever, suspenseful, deftly crafted, and an inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "The Bridge" by Shanna Hatfield is a series of riveting interlinked stories of how 'one frozen moment can thaw even the loneliest of hearts', how the best laid plans can and must be suddenly laid aside due to unexpected, unforeseen, unavoidable events. One of those novels that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after it has been finished and set back upon the shelf, "The Bridge" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Bridge" from Wholesome Hearts Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Shanna Hatfield (https://shannahatfield.com) is a self-described farm girl who loves to write. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.
Faire Thee Well
Bill Stackhouse
Independently Published
9798281690737, $16.95, PB, 225pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Faire-Thee-Caitlin-ORourke-Mystery/dp/B0FP2D4HV8
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faire-thee-well-bill-stackhouse/1148125338
Synopsis: Caitlin (Kate) O'Rourke is not your typical Irish-American lass. At six-one and one-hundred-seventy-eight pounds, with dark skin, raven-black hair, and a nose like an eagle, the former MVP setter/middle blocker on the Italian Pro Volleyball circuit is a has-been in her late 20s, prematurely retired due to a blown-out knee. Although retirement does not sit well with Kate, she soon finds herself so entangled in other people's difficulties that she doesn't have time to dwell on her own problems.
Kehough's Irish Pub in Nashville, Tennessee, with its upstairs apartment, is home to Kate, and the pub itself not only provides employment for her brother, Seamus, and his wife, Mary Grace, but serves as an office for her fledgling confidential inquiries business.
On a Thursday morning, Robin Ruth (Knowles) Bergeron, a former classmate of Kate's at both Our Lady, Queen of the Universe Elementary School and Immaculata High School, wriggles into the pub intent on hiring Kate to find another of their former classmates - Robin Ruth's BFF, Mary Elizabeth (Bolenbach) Rocco.
The problem is, though, both Mary Elizabeth and her husband, Francesco, were in Witness Security, waiting to testify against the mob, when their pontoon boat mysteriously exploded on Nickajack Lake, leaving nothing but debris and allegedly killing both Roccos, even though no bodies were ever recovered.
But Robin Ruth insists that Mary Elizabeth survived. She even has a photo, taken at the Renaissance Faire on Monday, of one of her kids on the carousel. Not noticing it the day of the Faire, on Tuesday when she uploads the photos from her camera to her computer, in addition to the perfectly framed image of the kid, the photo also contains a badly out-of-focus image in the background of a brown-haired woman entering the psychic's tent who Robin Ruth swears is Mary Elizabeth.
Returning to the Faire on Wednesday, Robin Ruth finds out from the psychic that the out-of-focus woman inquired about an absent Rocco's Cucina Italiana su Ruote (Italian Kitchen on Wheels), which, according to the Faire brochure, was supposed to be parked outside her tent. As per the psychic, the food truck was having its oven repaired and would be back on site on Saturday.
Not ever being friends with Robin Ruth, Kate takes the case, charging her former classmate almost double her normal Confidential Inquirer's fee, plus expenses for almost double her standard minimum days.
So there on Saturday, from one of the parking lots at the Faire, binoculars in hand, Caitlin stakes out the food truck, waiting for the appearance of Mary Elizabeth or her brown-haired doppelganger.
What she sees instead is a motorcyclist tossing an improvised explosive device through the counter window of the food truck, then speeding out of the Faire grounds as the food truck explodes.
With no cops around, Caitlin takes up the chase, following the cyclist onto the Stones River Greenway, where at a cul-de-sac, there are two gates - one for pedestrians and the other for vehicles. The cyclist shoots through the pedestrian gate. However, as Caitlin rounds the raised planting bed in the cul-de-sac, she finds the vehicle gate is blocked by another car, causing her to swerve so severely to miss it that her SUV careens down the semi-wooded embankment and into the Stones River below, rendering her unconscious.
Now, the hunt for the brown-haired woman is not just a job for Kate. It's personal. But what her investigation uncovers is more than just a missing witness. Way more!
Critique: The fifth title in the Caitlin O'Rourke Mystery series by author Bill Stackhouse, "Faire Thee Well" is another cozy mystery fans delight featuring an amateur female sleuth finding herself having to solve a puzzling murder mystery replete with interesting characters, false leads, and finally -- a thrilling climax. Exceptionally well written and presented by a master of the cozy mystery genre, "Faire Thee Well" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for Bill Stackhouse fans that this paperback edition of "Faire Thee Well" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.95).
Editorial Note: Bill Stackhouse is a mystery writer, playwright, and part-time actor. In the throes of a mid-life crisis, he decided to pursue the most enjoyable aspect of his job on a full-time basis -- writing. Bill's scriptwriting credits include training films and promotional videos for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to name a few. He has also written numerous radio and TV commercials. Branching out from technical writing into the arts, four of Bill's seven stage plays (The Best Laid Plans, The Early Bird, To Serve and Protect, and A Tradition of Service) have won contests - a local, a statewide, a regional, and a national. In addition to playwriting, Bill has directed many productions for various community theaters.
Show Yourself
Shane Pollard
Independently Published
9798999027818, $13.99, PB, 237pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Show-Yourself-Shane-Pollard/dp/B0F9SDW17T
Synopsis: Tristan knew nothing about hunting another human, but the stranger was still out there.
What did the stranger want with Jenavieve? Was it a random attack? Or just the beginning of something more sinister? With questions outnumbering answers, there was no room for doubt as Tristan searched to uncover the stranger's identity while trying to protect Jenavieve -- and whoever else might be next.
At least, it all seemed like a good idea at the time.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, exceptional, clever, and a fascinating read from cover to cover, "Show Yourself" by Shane Pollard is a simply riveting psychological suspense thriller of a novel by Shane Pollard. While this paperback edition of "Show Yourself' is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of mysteries laced throughout with an effective blending of humor and suspense that "Show Yourself" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Shane Pollard (https://www.shanepollard.com) has taught sailing, English, illustration, and critical thinking. He sold his photography and paintings, and pushed pixels and words as a graphic designer and copy writer. He mixed drinks professionally, spent a few years underwater as a commercial Divemaster, did technical shenanigans for an electric boat company, became an engineer for a 3D printing company, and wrote a novel that he is currently trying to convince people to read.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Never Witch
Jo-Anne McLean
https://jpmcleanauthor.com
WindStorm Press
https://windstormpress.com
9781988125725, $16.99, PB, 314pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Never-Witch-Thorne-Novel/dp/1988125723
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-never-witch-jp-mclean/1147561467
Synopsis: Adeline Thorne was born to a witch. But when the magic that should have been her birthright never came, rage and humiliation drove her into a reckless rebellion. She lost everything: her coven, her pride, and her marriage.
Years later, she's built a quiet life in the Pacific Northwest, distant from all things magic. She's a portrait painter, big sister, loving aunt, and ex-wife. And that is enough. It has to be.
That is until a convicted warlock, desperate to escape his fate, forces his magic into her. Warlock magic is lethal to witches (and it's a slow death) and as the power manifests, Adeline knows she's running out of time. With no other option, she turns to the last person she ever wanted to face again: the priestess who exiled her.
But the priestess's help comes at a price. Assigned to protect Adeline is Luke Churchwell, a brooding runecaster with secrets that tie him to the warlock who cursed her. The deeper Adeline is pulled into the coven's hunt for the rogue warlock, the more she realizes her greatest threat may not be the magic inside her... but the man assigned to guard her!
Critique: Original, unique, clever, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting and fun read from start to finish, "The Never Witch" by JP McLean will hold a special fascination for fans of contemporary magical realism and supernatural thrillers replete with witchcraft and wizardry. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists of action/adventure fantasy novels that this paperback edition of "The Never Witch" from WindStorm Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: JP McLean (https://jpmcleanauthor.com) specializes in supernatural and paranormal fiction. She is an Eric Hoffer award winner and was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, the Chanticleer International Book Awards, and the Independent Author Network Awards. She is a B.R.A.G. medallion honoree and three-time Literary Titan award winner.
The Humor Shelf
Humpty Trumpty 2.0: Trump's 2nd First 100 Days in Verse
David Finkle, author/poet
Charlie Mulhern, illustrator
https://www.davidfinklewrites.com
Plum Bay Publishing
https://plumbaypublishing.com
9798990794559, $9.99, PB, 66pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Humpty-Trumpty-2-0-Donald-Trumps/dp/B0FDGTLNKD
Synopsis: Novelist, limerick poet, theater critic David Finkle explains that "On January 20, 2025, I needed to relieve my mounting despair over the second inauguration of a man still flabbergastingly unfit -- or worse -- for the office."
That was why Finkle had begun obsessively writing rhyming verses about the first year of Donald Trump's presidency -- those went on to be published in "Humpty Trumpty Hit a Brick Wall".
Now history was repeating itself. Donald Trump was on all the networks, as he was being sworn in for the second time.
Finkle was dumbfounded, flummoxed, and perplexed, so he took up the keyboard once again and began writing Trump themed limerick poems again.
Now, in "Humpty Trumpty 2.0: Trump's 2nd First 100 Days in Verse", he once again shares his visions with you. For laughs, for tears, and just for fun, this new volume is the perfect commemoration of democracy gone rogue -- or rotten.
Critique: Original, unique, laugh out loud funny, deftly organized and presented in a progressive calendar format, "Humpty Trumpty 2.0: Trump's 2nd First 100 Days in Verse" is an iconic book of verse by writer/poet David Finkle and artist/illustrator Charlie Mulhern that is whimsical, observational, insightful, and a much needed counter to the increasing gloom of still another Trump presidency. This paperback edition of "Humpty Trumpty 2.0: Trump's 2nd First 100 Days in Verse" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and college/university library supplemental Contemporary Political Science curriculum studies lists -- especially the Trump presidential years.
Editorial Note: David Finkle (https://www.davidfinklewrites.com) is a New York-based writer who concentrates on politics and the arts. He writes regularly on theater for New York Stage Review. and The Clyde Fitch Report, where he is chief drama critic.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Miraculous! The Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis Story
Ken Ham
Master Books
https://www.masterbooks.com
9781683443810, $39.99, HC, 272pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Miraculous-Ken-Answers-Genesis-Story/dp/1683443810
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miraculous-ken-ham/1147873227
Synopsis: With the publication of "Miraculous: The Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis Story", the reader will journey through the incredible true account of how God used a passionate Australian science teacher to launch a global ministry defending the Christian faith and proclaiming the very first verse.
From humble beginnings in church halls and school classrooms to the construction of the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter (two of the most powerful Christian attractions in the world) "Miraculous!" is more than just a biography. It is the story of a calling. A story of controversy. And a story of God's unmistakable hand in building a bold ministry that proclaims the truth of God's Word to millions.
Readers will discover the behind-the-scenes challenges, spiritual battles, and an undeniable provision by God that shaped:
The rise of Answers in Genesis into a trusted apologetics voice
The creation of the world's largest biblical themed attractions
A movement igniting generations to stand on the truth of God's Word beginning with Genesis 1-11.
Critique: This profusely illustrated, large format (12 x 9 x 0.5 inches, 3.87 pounds) hardcover edition of "Miraculous! The Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis Story" is an inherently fascinating, informative, and thought-provoking read from cover to cover. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Miraculous! The Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis Story" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for seminary, church, community, and college/university library Contemporary Christian Biography/Memoir collections and supplemental Biblical Studies curriculum lists. It should be noted that for seminary students, clergy, and non-specialist readers with an interest in the subject that this edition of "Miraculous! The Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis Story" from Master Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ken Ham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Ham) is the president/CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis - U.S. and the highly acclaimed Creation Museum. Ken Ham is one of the most in-demand Christian speakers in North America. Ken's emphasis is on the relevance and authority of the book of Genesis and how compromise on Genesis has opened a dangerous door regarding how the culture and church view biblical authority. His Australian accent, keen sense of humor, captivating stories, and exceptional PowerPoint illustrations have made him one of North America's most effective Christian communicators.
The Self-Help Shelf
If You're Alive: Your Mission on Earth Isn't Finished
David McNally
https://www.davidmcnally.com
Wise Ink Creative Publishing
https://www.wiseink.com
9781634897174, $24.95, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/If-Youre-Alive-Mission-Finished/dp/163489717X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-youre-alive-david-mcnally/1146376515
Synopsis: Beginning in 2024, over twelve thousand Americans per day will turn sixty-five. Most desire to live full and engaged lives.
Through real-life examples, reflective questions, and provocative exercises, "If You're Alive: Your Mission on Earth Isn't Finished" by David McNally is a DIY life purpose instructional guide that teaches readers to age successfully by renewing their interests and passions, gifting their knowledge to others, and participating in the world in ways they never dreamed they could.
McNally, a member of the Speaker's Hall of Fame, is a globally recognized thought leader on topics of purpose and meaning. His books, films, and corporate training programs have been released in over twenty countries. In "If You're Alive", McNally brings his focus and expertise to the abundant possibilities of late life.
"If You're Alive" is a later life self-discovery book that covers:
Defining your purpose for this era of life.
Discovering new passions and interests.
Approaching aging as a spiritual journey.
Building new relationships and share your wisdom.
Rising above the problems of the world by contributing to the solutions.
Critique: Original, informative, insightful, dynamic, and inspiring personal development approach presented in "If You're Alive: Your Mission on Earth Isn't Finished" is exceptionally 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, making it the ideal self-help themed retirement book. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, senior citizen center, and college/university library DIY 'later in life' themed self-help instructional 'how to' instructional guide collections and personal reading lists.
Editorial Note: David McNally (https://www.davidmcnally.com) is a globally recognized speaker and thought leader on topics of leadership, personal transformation, purpose and meaning. He is a member of the Speaker's Hall of Fame and was recognized as one of the world's fifty most inspiring business speakers.
The Peaceability Mindset
Reba J. Parker
Pear & Dime Studio Publishing
9798992524321, $29.99, HC, 324pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Peaceability-Mindset-Ultimate-Practical-Wellbeing/dp/B0FDZ2S5V1
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-peaceability-mindset-reba-j-parker/1147371020
Synopsis: Are you reaching your fullest potential, or is the chaos of the world holding you back?
In a time of constant noise, division, and uncertainty, many feel stretched thin-striving for more but unsure how to find true fulfillment. Too often, peace is dismissed as a relic of the '60s, a tie-dyed slogan, or an unattainable ideal. But what if peace wasn't passive? What if it was a measurable skill-a tool for cutting through the chaos, staying grounded, and unlocking the best version of yourself?
With the publication of "The Peaceability Mindset: Your Ultimate Guide to Practical Peace & Personal Wellbeing", sociology professor and peace advocate Reba J. Parker redefines peace for the 21st century as a practical and deeply personal process.
By blending peace science with personal development, Parker introduces the peace equation (safety + wellbeing + interconnectedness) and seven peaceability factors, a bold framework to help you bring peace into your life and the world around you. Clearly written and grounded in sociology, psychology, and personal growth,"The Peaceability Mindset" is your DIY guide to aligning your inner calm with outward action, fostering meaningful relationships, and creating a ripple effect in your community.
"The Peaceability Mindset" covers:
How to shift outdated ideas and reimagine peace as an active, measurable process unique to you and your life.
The tools to improve your emotional resilience, empathy, and life purpose with the seven peaceability factors.
The way safety, wellbeing, and interconnectedness work together to create true inner harmony.
Steps to move from a culture of violence and chaos to a culture of peace and mindful contentment.
How personal transformation inspires societal good, transforming families, communities, and systems.
Peace is not just an ideology or abstract concept. Through thought-provoking insights, practical strategies, and real-world examples, "The Peaceability Mindset" approach turns peace from an unattainable goal into a doable daily practice. Whether you are a self-help enthusiast, a change agent, or simply someone yearning for a better world, "The Peaceability Mindset" will inspire you to rethink what peace can look like -- and how you can bring it to life.
Critique: Informative, insightful, practical, inspiring, exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in both organization and presentation, "The Peaceability Mindset: Your Ultimate Guide to Practical Peace & Personal Wellbeing" by Professor Reba J. Parker is an extraordinary and especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the subject of sound mental health and zen spirituality that "The Peaceability Mindset" from Pear & Dime Studio Publishing is also available in paperback (9798992524307, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Reba J. Parker is a sociology professor, peace advocate, and community organizer with over 25 years of teaching experience. She founded a community-based nonprofit, leading citywide peace initiatives and co-creating conflict resolution programs for at-risk youth. (https://www.charleston.edu/sociology-anthropology/faculty/parker-reba.php)
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
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