KAYE TROUT'S BOOK REVIEWS

IS LIFE ONE BIG GOODBYE - One Homeless Woman's Survival Story by Rose Lamatt

2012-01-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

CreateSpace
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Highly Recommended
ISBN: 9781466252929, $14.50, 412 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
“Description
I blend into the walls, like other women: faceless, no expression–a dead look. I’ve lost my identity, my individuality. I no longer know myself. The other women are young, Black, Hispanic, few White, like me. Most have been abused by fathers, mothers, husbands or children. Children who don’t want to care for mothers sign them in after they have been released from psychiatric facilities. Twenty-year olds are put here by mothers or fathers after they come from drug or alcohol centers. Children don’t want to care for mothers and mothers don’t want to care for children–their own flesh and blood. If there’s a ‘me’ underneath this faceless disguise that has attached itself to my body, I want it to leave, now!

“After having been married with children, a nice home, belonging to golf country clubs, and divorce, at age 68, after surgery and medical bills, I had no choice but to move into a Homeless Shelter.

“About author
Rose Lamatt was born on Long Island, NY, the daughter of an emigrant Italian father and a mother from South Philly. She married, raised a family and lived on Long Island until moving to Florida in l985.

“Her passion for writing started at fourteen when she wrote, The Day the Russians Bombed Us, inspired by the fear of the Cold War Era. Over the years she has learned that life can change in the blink of (an) eye; and because of several blinks, she did not fulfill her passion until her first novel was published in 2005.

“She writes of her past with great respect and has learned that by giving herself, she learned the best of herself.”

Is Life One Big Goodbye is a memoir by Rose Lamatt, a 68-year old, convalescing white woman, living in a Florida homeless shelter for eight months while waiting to hear from low-income housing. We know the economy is bad but how did this woman arrive at such a place?

And, at the same time, this memoir is poignantly more than just a memoir. It addresses, with an elegant simplicity, core problems within America’s contemporary society. Lamatt writes from her subjective perspective of life in a homeless shelter–lack of privacy, changing roommates, rules, locked doors, fights, noise, chores, poor food, and goodbyes. She shares her unspoken thoughts with us, often negative...struggling to be positive.

Lamatt arrived at SHAW, Shelter for Homeless and Abused Women, possibly as the result of choices she’d made in life, which we’re all apt to make, but regardless, she was able to endure this experience and realize the spiritual benefits–new friends, extended family, an opportunity to give of herself, and a realization that we are all one.

This is the second book I’ve reviewed for Rose Lamatt. Her first book, Fears Flutterby , was about her earlier life, agoraphobia, marriage, children, friend Carol, and fourteen years care taking Carol, who eventually died of Alzheimer’s. That book, as well as this one, have touched me deeply in the sense that, “But for the grace of God....”

Since her first publication, Lamatt’s style of writing has delightfully improved. I particularly like the short chapters–each one different, each containing an element of harsh reality tempered with patience and faith. Her use of similes, metaphors and humor enrich the quality of the fabric she weaves.

What did Rose have when family and friends turned away? She had herself and her faith in the Creative Energy of the Universe.

I cannot think of anyone who would not be touched by this memoir. It is timely, honest and highly recommended.

Kaye Trout - January 8, 2012

THE FURNACE - A Locked Room SF Mystery by Timothy S. Johnston

2011-12-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

Genre: Science Fiction Mystery
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781466276659, $14.99, 390 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“As a Homicide Investigator working the solar system’s most remote outposts, Lieutenant Kyle Tanner has been involved in more criminal investigations and captures than any other in Security Division. He hunts his prey stealthily, tracking them through the trail of victims cast behind, and makes difficult captures when no one else can. He has seen the twisted remains, things that used to be human but are now barely meat. And he’s executed those who have done such horrible deeds.

“His most recent case takes him to SOLEX One, a power-generating station that orbits precariously near the Sun. Among the fifteen inhabitants is a killer, a disturbed crewman who for some reason has mutilated his victim. But when Tanner arrives and begins the investigation, he’s shocked to learn that this is no ordinary murder. There appears to be no motive for the crime, and no reason for the mutilation after death. But what Tanner doesn’t realize is that something terrifying is amplifying among the station’s personnel...and if he doesn’t solve the mystery, the result could be the extinction of the human race.

“The Furnace is a locked-room murder mystery, part techno-thriller, part horror, part detective story. Ardath Mayhar, author of over sixty novels, says, ‘This is a book of great tension, powerful characterization, and gripping action...Completely original and compelling. A must read.’”

I say, “Job well done.”

The Furnace is beautifully written and well edited.. definitely a page turner. Timothy Johnston is a gifted writer and has created a suspense-filled, SF mystery thriller with a little romance at the edge. The cover art by Nelson Housden is appropriate and integral to the story. The opening will grab you and hold you to the finish. Yes, I can recommend The Furnace.

Kaye Trout - December 23, 2011

KODACHROME by Jason Jahns

2011-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

North Star Books
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Unusual
ISBN: 9780984749102, $12.99, 340 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“A global revolution cuts across cultural, economic, and geographic divides; it is an epic conflict between the forces of rampant greed and demands for fairness and dignity.

“Our two heroes are extraordinary yet solitary–reluctant warriors who never meet. Miranda Carter is a cloistered graduate student dispatched to meet her estranged Mormon grandmother and examine a bizarre medical prognosis. Zhuli Cai is an unassuming young Chinese army officer willing to give everything to save the members of his unit. He hold a heavy secret.

“Miranda and Zhuli are thrown headlong into technological and supernatural intrigue and deceit. They reckon with true impossibilities and face their own worst fears in a world of double-crosses, prophets, spies, presidential candidates, and Chinese revolutionaries.

“On its way to a truly surprise ending, Kodachrome will beguile you with thriller-like tempo, the foresight of science fiction, deep social truths normally found only in histories, and a plot that you have never seen before–anywhere.”

Kodachrome is, indeed, a most unusual novel; however, it did not capture my interest, and I found it hard going...hard to follow along. The two separate stories within the novel should not have been a problem, but I didn’t connect with either. I don’t think I can put into words where the problem lies because I’m not quite sure. When you open a new book, you hope to connect in some way and allow the author to take you on a trip, to entertain or to educate. That just did not happen for me, but it may happen for you–we all have different tastes. On the positive side, Kodachrome is well written and well edited.

If the promo on the back cover stirs your curiosity, and you want to decide for yourself, give it a read--the price is reasonable.

Kaye Trout December 17, 2011

DARKMAGE by M. L. Spencer

2011-12-15T13:47:00.001-08:00

Stoneguard Publications
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780615567983, $12.99, 560 pp.

Quoting of the back cover:

“The Well of Tears is open and the terror of the night has been unleashed. Now, the last Sentinel left alive with the power to defend his world against the minions of the Netherworld is a man destined to be corrupted into the image of what he hates. In the name of duty, Darien Lauchlin will see oaths forsaken, crowns toppled, friends sacrificed and the land he loves descrated. For there is a very thin line between duty...and brutalinhumanity.

“”A beautifully written tale that challenges our convictions of right and wrong.”“

Darkmage is quite the quintessential fantasy tale, and I agree, beautifully written. If you’re a fantasy fan, I can wholeheartedly recommend this epic tale. I am not particularly fond of fantasy myself but the quality of writing is worth the read. Darkmage is well written and well edited.

M. L Spencer is a consummate writer with a special gift for descriptive writing which flows smoothly and carries you right along.

Kaye Trout December 15, 2011

THE IDIOT, I Was a Lunatic from a Geordie Grangetown by David Poulter

2011-12-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Chipmunkapublishing
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Very Good
ISBN9781849912105, $18,00, 118 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“ “This world that you inhabit is really only your own mind. That is where you truly reside. And everyday you make decisions that affect your life. I give you an account of mine.”

“This strange and thought-provoking story is about a man who experiences a traumatic event in his childhood and then later develops a peculiar condition in his thirties. His experiences and ‘delusions’ lead him to think that he may have discovered a great secret that concerns all of humanity. Is he sane? And is the world crazy? Here is a conundrum that you can decide for yourself.”

The Idiot is a very unusual story/memoir. It is well written and well edited and most unique. You never really know where the author will take you next. There are elements of truth woven deeply through the fabric of Poulter’s trials and tribulations, and you sense real honesty here.

Allow me to share a section of his writing with you from page 115.

“There are many forms of the truth, we each have our own version and sometimes with hindsight and experience that may change as well. I understand now that perhaps I was just as delusional and paranoid before the onset of the schizophrenia. There tends to be a before and after syndrome with a disorder like this, yet I am essentially the same person. And like anyone who is honest with themselves I can look back and see the past for what it truly was. Maybe this condition has even given me an advantage. The garden was indeed an expression of myself, but no more than that, a book, or a painting, an experiment, an idea. A love no doubt, but also an excuse, a distraction, occasionally a lie and sometimes a failure.

“The land was certainly bewitching. I’m still haunted by its beauty, but even so this obsession translated into disregard for other matters. The upbringing of the children and their welfare were equal to my care for chickens and ducks, my wife was no more than an old horse put out to grass. I have nothing to say on these issues, I have no long descriptions of events or character assessments, conversations or otherwise. This document is about me and my life, how I acted and how I choose not to get involved anymore. Attaching oneself to people out of habit and insecurity is a stupidity. Whether karma exists or not I look back on the past and know for certain my arrogance, mistakes and fantasied led to others’ downfalls and unhappiness. I know now I am not normal, I am certain I have brain damage and the usual emotional responses are lacking. I am a vacuum and was before, perhaps the emotional center of my brain simply does not function properly. I don’t know and I will never find out the truth and I don’t care. I watch out for myself and my strange new companion. I tend to live in the moment, my mind picking up visual info, sensations and the voices. I keep in touch with my father now, he is over eighty and keen to talk on the phone. I have no hatred or malice for him. What I was told I choose to overlook, maybe it was an accident, perhaps it was congenital. With madness it is hard to trust any feelings.”

It is the honesty and quality of writing that make The Idiot a unique book worth reading. Highly recommended.

Kaye Trout 12/5/2011

CATCH AND RELEASE by J. T. Twerell

2011-11-24T16:13:00.000-08:00

Living Word Publications
New York, NY
Genre: Fictional Romance/Suspense/Mystery Novel
Rating: Highly recommended
ISBN: 9780615556857, $14.95, 280 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“From the award winning author, J.T. Twerell, comes a new romance/suspense novel, Catch and Release. Two lives from vastly different backgrounds, drawn together by fate, cause an explosion of love, passion, adventure, and ultimately a reason for a shared journey.

“Within 24 hours, they meet on vacation in New York, have a passionate affair, shoot and kill a man, become involved in two gun battles, receive wounds and end up in Miami, Florida. This is only the beginning!

“J.T. Twerell is an author as well as a practicing Psychotherapist in Manhattan, NY. His works are a cross-section of fiction and non-fiction including his novel Signal 30 which won the Readers View Reviewers Choice Award in 2011. For more information go to: www.jttwerell.com.”

When Catch and Release arrived, I didn’t know if I’d do a review or not. Then I opened the book, read the prologue and was delightfully hooked...only putting it down when the need for sleep or the demands of life prevailed.

And so, what do we have here and why is it so special? First, we have a suspense-filled, mystery/romance, fiction/non-fiction novel guaranteed to engage and hold you to the very end. And second, as to why it’s so special, we have a gifted, consummate author, J. T. Twerell, who takes us on a trip which feels believable and so we follow as he leads us through the convoluted maze he’s created. He writes in the third person about Jennifer Blade, “J”, the complicated femme fatale who continually morphs as we try to define and trust her. Dr. Steve Sanders, a New York therapist, is our first-person-perspective protagonist who also tries to define, trust and love “J”. The uniqueness and quality of the novel stem from the non-fictional psychotherapeutic insights into human nature and Steve’s subtle, easy-going humor and personal therapist, Johnny Red.

The story flows--keeping those pages turning–and is nicely balanced. The references to the ‘catch and release’ concept throughout ties it all together. Catch and Release has enough naked ladies, action and suspense to keep the men interested and enough female superhero, romance and true love for the women. It would be a delightful movie. Highly recommended.

Kaye Trout - November 24, 2011

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL by Ann Chamberlin

2011-10-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Epigraph Books
Rhinebeck, New York
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781936940097, $27.00, 390 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“The Days of the Arabs, The Time of Ignorance.
A time of jinn, poets, prophets, blood feuds, deserts.
A young man meets a young woman by a well.
The world is never the same.
The young man is Khalid ibn al-Walid, companion to the
Prophet Muhammad, conqueror of much of the known
world in the name of Islam.
And the woman–she has power of her own.

“Ann Chamberlin’s Reign of the Favored Women trilogy caused a sensation when it was published in Turkey. She is the author of eleven historical novels and a nonfiction history of women in the Middle East. She also writes plays, including Jibad, which was named Best New Off-Off Broadway Play of 1996.”

The Woman at the Well is an excellent historical novel–well written, well edited, and quite lyrical–and it is a contemporary novel giving insight into the history of Islam. Ann Chamberlin is an accomplished writer with a special gift. My only criticism would be that the type in the hardcover is small and not very dark. If you read with a Kindle, this is not a problem as you can adjust the size of the type.

I recommend this novel to anyone interested in gaining more understanding about Islam and the world today.

Kaye Trout - October 11, 2011

THE PHOENIX INHERITANCE by Derek Rossitter

2011-09-09T15:19:00.000-07:00

Authors Online
Genre: Fictional Saga
Rating: Good
ISBN: 99780755202867, $14.95, 252 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“This enthralling and nostalgic tale is set in the same period as the author’s companion novel, Splendour Postponed, i.e. the hundred years between 1870 and 1970. It recounts the story of three families caught up in an intricate web of love, hate, prejudice, hope, despair, treason, murder, forgiveness and reconciliation. The action moves between Germany, England, Switzerland, Austria and France and embraces both world wars and the Holocaust.”

The novel begins in Berlin 1871 with Josef Aronberg, proprietor of an international textile import/export business, deciding what to do about his unproductive business manager in London, Reuben, his wife’s only brother. Josef decides to send his son Isaac and family to replace Reuben and set Reuben up with his own bookshop.

As there are several families involved over a one hundred year period, the 252-page novel moves fairly rapidly until about the middle where it slows down over the issue of prejudice and anti-Semitism just before World War II. After the war, the pace resumes. The primary families are 1) the Aronbergs, Threlfalls, Arbitants, Prestons, and Winslows. The central theme throughout deals with discrimination, prejudice and violence against people of Jewish heritage.

Derek Rossitter does a good job in keeping his reader interested and moving forward, in developing his characters, and weaving it all together. He includes the genealogies of 4 of the families which is very helpful in keeping tract of who’s who, their marriages and children. The only criticism I have is that the editing with regard to punctuation is poor...not just a few errors, and this takes away from a professional presentation.

In general, however, it is a good read and if you like this type of family fictional saga, give it a try.

Kaye Trout - September 9, 2011

Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities behind Sexual Orientation Research by Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D.

2011-08-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Active Voice Press
Sacramento, CA
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 9780615518121, $16.95, 298 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
“In Backdrop, Gayle Pitman narrates the ‘story’ behind the science of sexual orientation–a science that has been rife with contradictions and controversies. Pitman argues that, when it comes to sexual orientation research, we could potentially glean more powerful insights from the backdrop of politics and personalities behind the research than from the actual studies themselves. Beginning with a focus on the causes of sexual orientation, moving then to the politics of transgender and intersex identities, and culminating in the political controversies of reparative therapy, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and same-sex marriage, Backdrop brings into focus the rich and textured landscape behind the scientific research findings. Filled with plot twists and development, variegated characters (the scientists as well as the activists and reactionaries), and thorny political, moral, and philosophical questions, Backdrop brings the science to life, raising more complex questions while simultaneously providing us with a more nuanced understanding of gender and sexual orientation.

“Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Sacramento City College. She has conducted research on the physical and mental health of lesbian women, and she has written numerous articles and book chapters on gender and sexual orientation. She lives in Northern California.”

When I received Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities behind Sexual Orientation Research to review, I thought, This is probably a boring, history college text...politics, research, but then again, sexual orientation might be interesting.

To my delightful surprise, I could not put the book down, except to rest my eyes and sleep. Of course the subject matter is interesting and complex, but it is Gayle Pitman’s style and quality of writing that makes this book a classic success, whether you are reading for enjoyment, information or a college class.

It is well organized–divided into three sections: The Biology Story, The Gender Story, and The Activism Story; contemporary–providing current nomenclature; and realistic. She takes a very complex subject and makes it understandable to the average person.

Pitman brings to life the significant research, researchers and the impact of their research: Irving Bieber and Charles Socarides who supported the idea that homosexuality was an abnormality; Simon LeVay from the Salk Institute in 1991 who postulated that the size of INAH-3, a tiny area of the hypothalamus, is correlated with sexual orientation–larger in heterosexual men and lesbian women, and smaller in heterosexual women and gay men; Dean Hamer, with an ironclad scientific pedigree, working at the National Institute of Health, studying the genetics of sexual orientation, found a shared marker on the X chromosome in an area called Xq28 in gay brothers. He published his findings in Science on April 2, 1993, A Linkage between DNA Markers on the X Chromosome and Male Sexual Orientation; and a host of others–Gregory Herek, Ritch Savin-Williams, Lisa Diamond, J. Michael Bailey, Angela Patttatucci, Richard Pillard, Vivienne Cass, Paul McHugh, Janice Raymond, Alice Dregers, John Money, Evelyn Hooker, etal.

To be sure, real life is more fascinating, colorful and controversial than fiction, and Pitman has done a excellent job of interweaving such elements for our entertainment, education, and contemplation. I highly recommend Backdrop: The Politics and Personalities behind Sexual Orientation Research to anyone who can read.

Kaye Trout - August 28, 2011

NEW EARTH: PROJECT O.N.E. by R.D. Pittman

2011-08-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

Two Pitts Publishing LLC
Genre: Fiction - Political Intrigue
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9780615499369, $13.95, 303 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
“What if the unthinkable were about to happen, which should you fear more the upcoming apocalypse, or your government’s efforts to keep you from finding out too soon?

“If the end was near for all mankind who would you trust to tell you the truth?

“If you knew there was a chance to survive an apocalypse, who would you want to survive with you and would it be your decision to make?

“If the government has a secret list of ideal survivors of a potential cataclysmic incident, who made those decisions and who is on the list?

“If humans are given the opportunity to survive the coming event, can they survive the inhumanity of man?

“Alex Hanken will become one of the most important men in US history...but there are those who will come to fear him more than the coming apocalypse.

“Fear...Distrust...Deceit...a relentless killer.

“Courage...Perseverance...Patriotism...and an American hero.

“All come together in this book about a struggle to survive, to preserve a way of life, and to what ends men will go to achieve it.”

To begin, New Earth: Project O.N.E. is the first book in the New Earth Trilogy, and as such R. D. Pittman is off to a good start. This suspense novel is a page-turner of a read filled with fast-paced action by fast thinkers. Most of the story has to do with the discovery that earth will be hit by multiple asteroids, how to keep this a secret, and how to prepared for the devastation. There are lots of deaths–anyone who might know or cause a problem must die; there’s some light romance–both American and Russian–and family; and of course, there are the power people. The story flows smoothly, has a definite contemporary flavor, and a surprise ending.

D. R. Pittman’s writing style is typical of the average novel; he tells the story and gets the job done, but there’s nothing special to savor. New Earth: Project O.N.E. is well written, well edited, and has an attractive cover. And, yes, I can recommend this read.

Kaye Trout - August 26, 2011

JUST A BUNCH OF CRAZY IDEAS by Pardu S. Ponnapalli

2011-08-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

Xlibris Corporation
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9781456882369, $12.47, 78 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
“This book is about thoughts and ideas on a wide range of subjects. The ideas range from how to modify the game of chess to create a really interesting version to how to pursue exploration of space in a way that captures the imagination of the public. New and innovative viewpoints on practical methods to building a space elevator, designing a method to cope with cat litter and some simple ways to conserve energy are presented. Economic themes about the federal debt and deficit are also examined.

“Pardu Ponnapalli is an IT professional working in Rockville, Maryland. He has been a Star Trek buff all his life. He lives in Hagerstown, Maryland with his wife, son, dog and two cats. This is his first publication. After earning a Ph.D in Physics, he was promptly rewarded with unemployment. Realizing that he had lofty ambitions in life (like eating), he switched into the lucrative IT industry. He has been an IT professional for about 20 years. His hobbies and passions include chess, astronomy and most of all playing with his son.”

There are 17 chapters in this little book, each on a particular topic: 1) Space Elevator; 2) Alternative Energies and Energy Conservation; 3) More Thoughts on Energy Conservation; 4) Gas Stations and Filing Up; 5) Luggage and Airplanes; 6) Thoughts on Chess; 7) Thoughts on Ice Hockey; 8) Thoughts on Cats and Cat Litter; 9) Our National Debt and Deficit; 10) I Am Overweight and So are Most Americans; 11) Star Trek and the Reboot; 12) Thoughts about Laptops; 13) Thoughts about Space Exploration; 14) Thoughts on the Stock Market; 15) Automatic Inform Systems for IT Workers; 16) Hikers Who Hurt Themselves; 17) How to Improve Dishwashers.

Just a Bunch of Crazy Ideas is a fairly quick read as it’s only 78 pages–a good read before bed. I don’t think you’ll find any earth-shattering ideas or patents pending, but it was interesting. My favorite chapter was Ponnapalli’s self-designed diet program...soups, black coffee or black tea. He includes, in chart form, the progress of his diet. On day one he weighed 208.5 pounds. At the end of his chart, he weighed 204 pounds on day 23. He had tried many diets, as we all have, and decided to create his own. Why not? The only thing that matters is...does it work? I have my own plan: eat your main meal in the middle of the day (whatever your heart desires) and then have a bowl of cereal or cup of yogurt with fruit in the early evening.

As far as Ponnapalli’s writing style–informal to a fault–or quality of writing, it’s evident he’s not a professional writer, but he does gets the job done and his enthusiastic personality shines through. If you have a taste for such an eclectic read, then I’m sure you’ll find some value in this little book.

Kaye Trout - August 8, 2011

LIFESAVERS FOR GRAND PARENTS by Jean Smith

2011-08-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Millennial Mind Publishing/American Book Publishing
Genre: How to/Memoir/Inspirational
Rating: Very good
ISBN: 139781589828216, $22.00, 256 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“In the rapidly evolving arena of family dynamics, grandparents are often called on to provide a stable foundation for children. Author Jean Smith, a grandmother of nine, speaks from the field and provides guidelines for success that have been tried and tested. Personal testimonials and stories of a family’s journey will inspire you to succeed as a grandparent.

“This is a ‘how to do it’ book for mature adults who aspire to invest in the future through the lives of their grandchildren.”

One might ask, “Why would someone need a ‘how-to-do-it’ book about grandparenting? Doesn’t it just come naturally?” But then again, there are books on ‘how to do’ just about everything and so, why not a book for and about grandparents?

As I opened the book, I really didn’t know what to expect from a 256-page book titled Lifesavers for Grand Parents. However, it didn’t take me long to realize this was going to be an enjoyable, informative read, and the reason why?...Jean Smith herself.

Jean is an intelligent, gifted writer who draws upon her personal experiences as a mother of 3 and grandmother of 9, and great grandmother of 1. Her grandchildren span a period of 13 years and include 2 sets of twins, 2 adopted children, and 1 severely handicapped child. But more than her personal grandparenting experiences, she was a director/teacher at a Montessori school for young children, a Bible School teacher, a teen leader, a Cub Scout and Girl Scout troop leader, and a private-swim-school teacher for 30-plus years. As you can imagine, she has spent most of her life in the presence of children.

There are 38 chapters, starting with Chapter 1 - Transition from Parent to Grandparent and ending with Chapter 38 - Are We There Yet?. Each chapter is relatively short; she shares some personal stories; some chapters contain photos of Jean and her family; she provides lots of suggestions and guidance about patience, minding your own business, being helpful, not having your feelings hurt, planning events and what to do on Grandkids’ Night and all with a positive, spiritual touch.

It is clear that this woman and her family are a excellent example of a healthy, creative family unit because they care about family and make the effort to make it work. It’s not all easy and smooth, but to Jean, it’s evidently been worth the effort.

I can recommend Lifesavers for Grand Parents as a memoir, how-to, inspirational read for anyone who loves family, memoirs, and positive guidance.

Kaye Trout 8/10/2011

THE ADVENTURES OF D'ARTELLO - Book One: Love and War by Donald Previe

2011-07-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

iUniverse
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Action
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 9781462042166, $16.95.

The Adventures of D’artello is a prolifically action-packed fantasy adventure with a tight cast of characters: our protagonist, D’artello, the young warrior; Tanya, his young adopted sister; Joseph, a warrior friend; Gerrik, supreme warrior and D’artello’s father; Sali, an ex-girlfriend; Gina, a female warrior, Phantoms, Alphas, Harmony, Unity, Elan, King Garo and Arbello, the winged evil one. The story begins in the Kingdom of Vaukry and ends at Arbello’s ice pslace.

In Chapter 1 D’artello finds himself in a dream of darkness and danger. He is told by the Peacemaker, Harmony, “Rise, my warrior, as you will save all of humankind.” He replies, “You keep saying that, but how could I accomplish such a feat?” To which she replies, “Oh, my dear D’artello, you will know soon enough. Enjoy the last of your life with mortals. Soon you will soat with the Peacemakers.”

And so, we are led to believe...this is going to be a typical hero faces challenges to save the world, but in truth, you will genuinely be surprised at the conclusion of the first in this adventure series.

I will not say anything further about the story, but I do want to express my admiration for Donald Previe’s writing gift...his style and quality, imagery, imagination, descriptive ability, tempo and flow. As I am not a fan of the fantasy genre, it was Donald’s quality of writing that kept me reading. If you like lots and lots of combative encounters between warriors and adversaries, you will absolutely love The Adventures of D’artello.

Donald has been writing since he was 8 years old and is now 22. I do hope as he continues to write that he will express his gift in other genres beside fantasy. The Adventures of D’artello has not been published as yet by either mainstream or POD publishers, and the only way to get a copy is to contact Donald directly via email at: dprevie@gmail.com. If you’re a fantasy buff, you will not be disappointed.

Kaye Trout - July 30, 2011

IRISES TO ASHES by Charlie Hudson

2011-07-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Outskirts Press, Inc.
Parker, CO
Genre: Fiction - Family/Adventure/Dreams
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781432773892, $16.95, 317 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
“A BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER STRUGGLED TO PURSUE A DREAM.

“Young Maggie Stewart loves the beaches of the Outer Banks, but that doesn’t take away from her desire to travel beyond the ocean’s edge. She knows that her family expects her to marry and settle down. It is an unexpected encounter with Amelia Hatcher, the village recluse, that leads to surprising opportunities that can open a path for Maggie to find a new future. Thus begins the intertwined stories of Maggie and Amelia; a fifteen year relationship between a young woman seeking to find her own way and an older woman seeking redemption for a past she has kept shrouded in secret.

“Charlie Hudson, military veteran and author, brings a different type of book in Irises to Ashes. Her comfortable writing style and touches of humor are still present in a story that explores self-discovery and the price we sometimes pay for choices that we make. See all of Charlie’s books at www.charliehunson.net.”

Irises to Ashes is divided into 3 parts: Part One - Maggie’s Beginning - Summer 1976 - Summer 1978, Part Two - Maggie’s Time - Fall 1978 - Spring 1992, and Part Three - Amelia’s Secrets - April 1992. This is not only a novel about young Maggie Stewart’s self-discovery but also about the de-mystification of Amelia Hatcher. Throughout Hudson’s novel the page-turning tension flows from one page to the next...starting with: will she give up her virginity to Billy Ray?; how can she get to know the recluse Amelia?; how to keep their relationship a secret; how to work around obstinate parents; how to get to Paris; will she succeed?; dealing with negative family jealousy; having to choose between family expectations and a successful career; and why no meaningful relationships? Then, you find out the secrets that led Amelia to choose the life of a recluse..

Irises To Ashes has a great beginning to pull you in, tension to keep you turning, and a satisfying conclusion to fit the title. Hudson excels at descriptive writing and character development which bring this story to life. Can you relate to her Maggie?...might you distort the truth to get what you want? And, in some ways, Irises to Ashes is a light mystery...will she break from family?, will she succeed?, what are Amelia’s dark secrets? Other books by Charlie Hudson include: Your Room at the End, Parallel Worlds, Islands in the Sand, Orchids in the Snow, Shades of Murder, Parents’ Guide to Business Travel. And yes, I can highly recommend this novel.

Kaye Trout - July 24, 2011

YOUR ROOM AT THE END - Thoughts About Aging We'd Rather Avoid by Charlie Hudson

2011-07-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Brown Books Small Press
Dallas, TX
Genre: Non-fiction - Aging Issues
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 13: 9781612547657, 200 pp., currently available on Kindle - $5.59.

Quoting from the back cover:
“After enduring several painful months witnessing the decline and ultimate death of a loved one, author Charlie Hudson recognized that she needed to radically change her views on the realities of aging. Known for her easy storytelling style in both nonfiction and fiction, Hudson departs from her usual subject matter here, tackling aging, mental decline, and death–topics we so often avoid.

“Hudson’s perspective reaches far beyond the knowledge that we will all pass away; in Your Room at the End she weaves her own experiences with advice from doctors, nurses, accountants, estate experts, and other professionals providing answers to questions we are reluctant to ask or never even knew we had to ask.”

Your Room at the End is an exceptional collection of pertinent information for all aging seniors and their families. The book is divided into 2 sections: Part I - This is Not Supposed to Happen to Me and Part II - Enhancing and Sustaining Quality of Life. In Part I there are 6 chapters: 1) Aging and Death: What to Fight and What to Negotiate; 2) Defining Your Quality of Life; 3) Golden Years–More or Less; 4) Basic Financial and Other Planning; 5) What Kind of Care? Where? When?; 6) Who Gets to Choose?. Part II does not have chapters but succinct sections, i.e. Balancing Your Life Program, When Physical Rehabilitation Is Required, Building or Reinventing Your Space, What Technology Helps?, Downsizing Made Easier, Practical Pets, Galaxies and 1,000-Piece Puzzles, Considerations for Independent Living or Care Facilities, Summing It Up.

The title, Your Room at the End, is a very appropriate title and for some unknown reason reminded me of another significant book in my life, A Room of Your Own by Virginia Woolf. The cover has a poignant ambience--an artistic truthfulness–about it. The book is attractive, professionally presented and well edited.

Charlie Hudson is an consummate writer...I’ve reviewed many of her books. She generally does an excellent job, but in Your Room at the End Charlie has excelled beyond her norm. She’s done a superb job in her research, organization and presentation of information to assist us in making difficult decisions as we become seniors. I’ll be 70 myself this year and have already had to make changes, plans and decisions. None of us know what lies ahead, but we can plan to the best of our ability and financial situation with the assistance of family, and this book will help you do just that. I highly recommend Your Room at the End.

Kaye Trout - July 20, 2011

THUMPERTOP - The Art of Building a Moonshine Still by Robert Devillier

2011-07-15T19:35:00.000-07:00

Self Published
Genre: Memoir/Short Stories/How To
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781460957783, $14.95, 82 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Automobiles of yesterday, moonshine runners and building of whiskey stills is an art.

“Appalachian Mountains, leaving your doors unlocked was a common thing at night. Most of the Appalachia are genuine old folks: if they like you, they like you, and if they do not like you, it is better to keep going on down the road. Once you get to know the Appalachian folks, they would carry on until you have had a little of their moonshine, showing off their handcrafted liquor still and tell you it is a dying art. These folks are not your everyday bootleggers; they just want to make them a little shine to keep on hand.

“It is the responsibility of the buyer of this book to keep out of trouble if using this information to build a liquor still.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this little–part memoir, short stories and how to–book from beginning to end. There are ten chapters. The first nine are short stories and the tenth gives you plans and recipes for making moonshine. It’s an interesting subject and the stories are personal and down to earth. The cover photo is of an old-time whiskey still...historic and unique. Throughout the book there are drawings of significant trucks and cars plus detailed illustrations of the stills to be built.

Robert Devillier tells a good story and does an excellent job putting it all together. There were a few editing errors but nothing significant. They certainly did not detract from the stories. I think just about anyone would enjoy Thumpertop.

Kaye Trout - July 15, 2011

A SNOWY NIGHT ON OLD BALDY MOUNTAIN by Edward Fotheringill

2011-07-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Illustrated by Jeff Moyes
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Genre: Juvenile Literature
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 978160910, $12.95, 48 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Caden and Corey, young brothers and best friends, are spending the night with their dad in a teepee on Old Baldy Mountain. It is the dead of winter and the darkness and cold and snow are unrelenting. The three hardy campers cook dinner over their campfire and are about to turn in for a good night’s sleep when Corey peers out of the teepee and sees something terrifying. It’s big, it’s growling, and it’s coming to get them!”

A Snowy Night On Old Baldy Mountain is a delightful story full of excitement, danger and adventure. Considering the book has only 48 pages, you can imagine that it is jam packed and moves right along. It’s believable, exciting, and entertaining. A young child would certainly enjoy this story.

Edward Fotheringill is a professor of philosophy at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, and A Snowy Night On Old Baldy Mountain is his first children’s book The cover is colorful, attractive and fun; the illustrations by Jeff Moyes add to the reality of the wintery adventure.

Other novels by Edward Fotheringill include: Lanterns in the Mist, Darkness Withdrawn OR The Eclipse of Nietzsche’s Shadow, Halfmoon Confidential, Anaximander’s Annex. If you like quality metaphysical mysteries by a consummate, intelligent writer, join the cult and read one of the above.

Kaye Trout - July 5, 2011

MIDNIGHT TANGO by Edward Fotheringill

2011-07-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Booklocker.com, Inc.
Genre: Fictional Metaphysical Novel
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 9781614342496, $16.95, 180 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Dick Byron is back! In this sequel to Lanterns in the Mist, the mystical, excommunicated priest is tracking the whereabout of a friend, Jacob Frobisher, who has gone missing. Byron’s odyssey is both geographic and spiritual as he navigates his way through the northeast United States, visiting the strange, iconoclastic friends with whom Jacob has confided in the past. The journey culminates in the surreal coastal desert of Baja, Mexico where the distinctions between life and death and good and evil become a psychological and ethical blur.”

Midnight Tango is Edward Fotheringill’s fifth print-on-demand (POD) published novel. I have enjoyed and reviewed each one. Of all my POD authors, Edward is my favorite. His quality of writing is consistent; I like his writing style–a warp and woof of short, tight chapters ; his vocabulary is challenging; his intelligence shines through–he’s a teacher of philosophy and intellectual history at the Maryland Institute College of Art; and the novels are finely edited. He can take a simple subject–the search for a missing friend–and make it into a metaphysical journey.

Typically, I do not write in or mark up the books I review because I give them to our local library when finished. However, when reading one of Ed’s novels, I just cannot help myself from marking and underlining portions that are meaningful and significant. There are always mysteries left unanswered–why did he include such and such, what was the significance of...?–and yet, there is a solid beginning and closure.

As I read Byron’s odyssey in search of Jacob, it reminded me somewhat of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery and what we learned through the dialogues the little prince had with the characters he encountered as he traveled from planet to planet in his quest. Midnight Tango might be thought of as a contemporary along this line.

I cannot understand why Edward Fotheringill’s novels have not been picked up my mainstream publishers by now, but then, I’m a nobody...a figment of my own imagination. Edward, however, is a consummate, quality writer with something insightful worth saying in a world filled with illusions, delusions and lots of noise. Once he is discovered, all his novels (Lanterns in the Mist, Darkness Withdrawn OR Eclipse of Nietzsche’s Shadow, Halfmoon Confidential, and Anaximander’s Annex) will be best sellers and a cult following, along the lines of Tom Robbins, will ensue. Am I a psychic? No, not that I’d admit, but I’ll make the above prophecy. Did I like Midnight Tango? Yes, very much, and I prophesy that you will too.

Kaye Trout - July 3, 2011

TOM'S WIFE by Alana Cash

2011-05-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hacienda Press
Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Fiction novel
ISBN: 978-1449996321, $12.95, 302 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
““She already hated being married to Tom after less than a year of it. Hated the three-room pine house with its bare floors and windows. She’d gone home once to her mama’s house trying to get out of it, but her mama told her, ‘A good woman don’t go off on her husband’...” (pg.3)

“Annie is nineteen, illiterate, and married to Tom Huckaby. It is the Great Depression and Tom works in a coal mine, leaving Annie to tend the farm and their newborn son. When he’s home, Tom is crude and callous. For Annie it’s a lonesome life filled by walks to the general store, attending church, and visits from her friend Twila who helps her defy Tom and earn some money of her own by selling eggs.

“One afternoon, a traveling peddler named Jake Stern wanders up to Annie’s porch in a clean white shirt selling notions and tenderness. After that, everything on the farm belongs to Tom, except Annie’s heart.

Alana Cash is an award-winning filmmaker and short story author. She taught writing in Austin, Texas and was one of 60 U.S. teachers profiled in the PBS series ‘A Writer’s Exchange.’ As a child, she spent summers on a farm in Arkansas. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

Tom’s Wife has been produced as an award-winning feature film.”

It’s wonderful that Alana Cash has such strong credentials and that her novel, Tom’s Wife, has been made into a film, and I wish her continued success. However, this 300-page-plus, simple story did not appeal to me. That does not mean it won’t appeal to you. The second paragraph from the back cover pretty much sums of Annie’s life. Add some abject poverty, single-minded motherly devotion, wifely hate, and guilt-ridden adultery. I won’t disclose the ending, but I doubt you’ll be surprised.

In my opinion the plot is simplistic and the character development shallow, with the exception of Annie, of course, as she is the protagonist. Alana Cash’s writing style is what I call typical or average–she gets the job done–but there’s nothing there to savor, and this novel could use one more editing for minor errors. I imagine Tom's Wife could be considered a poignant story about a dirt-poor family during the Great Depression; possibly that’s its appeal. Check it out for yourself...she’s the award winner.

Kaye Trout - May 18, 2011

BREAD AND WINE (Leb I Vino) by Trefor R. Stockwell

2011-05-09T14:04:00.001-07:00

Matador, 5 Weir Road, Kibworth Beauchamp
Leicester LE8 0LQ, UK
Genre: Fictional Short Stories
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 978 1848765 894, $12.09, 256 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“The title of the collection, Bread and Wine (Leb I Vino), derives from the old Bulgarian custom of hospitality to strangers: it is considered a great discourtesy if visitors to Bulgarian homes are not offered food and drink, and an even greater discourtesy if this offer is then turned down.

“‘It was a lesson I quickly learned,’ says Trefor, ‘and one that afforded me much pleasure, inspiration, and - I might add - several king-size hangovers!’

“Fans of short stories and Magical Realist fiction will enjoy this collection of stores, which range from those inspired by the dark and bloody history of the 500-year-long Ottoman occupation, the folk-lore and onto those reflecting, modern-day Bulgarian life; an eclectic mix from bawdy comedy to psychological bleakness.”

Bread and Wine is indeed a magical, well-written, well-edited read with an interesting, attractive cover. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every story, and that it had its roots in Bulgaria, little known to me, added to the delight. Clearly, Trefor R. Stockwell is an accomplished, exceptional writer with a unique gift.

I would like to share with you an excerpt from the story, Researching the Researcher, which I particularly liked: A little background here...the writer is writing about trying to write on his laptop computer.

“So here I am seated in front of the accursed machine. I have an innate fear, you see, of all thing technical. To me they have a mind of their own, and they don’t appear to like me, which is fair enough. I suppose as I spend half my time bemoaning the fact that they work against instead of with me. I curse and swear at the strange ‘pop up boxes’ that appear uninvited, unheralded and unwelcome on my screen. I threaten, cajole and eventually retreat in the face of this inhuman intelligence. But, I am told by those who know about these things that ‘they are only machines’ that ‘you can turn them off’ and that ‘they are inanimate objects’. But I can help doubting, and I can’t help wondering, as I gaze at the flickering screen, at the possibility of some malignant inhuman being lurking behind the plastic waiting for an opportunity to emerge and fry my brain. It’s another sign of the change in me and I’m sure it’s another affect of this place. My armour of atheism is gradually being eroded - a kind of osmosis of spirituality is taking place and I am at a loss to explain this phenomenon away, and it is a phenomenon which any dark day now threatens to force me on my knees praying to a god I have always denied.

“There is a mirror on the wall behind my screen, in which I can see my own reflection. I am surprised to find that I look much the same as I did in my old life. Oh the lines are a bit more pronounced, the jowls a tad more saggy and the hair line continues to recede, but essentially I remain physically unchanged.

“I recognise the face, it is familiar to me, but I feel no attachment to it. It is as if the inner me, that indefinable energy source, call it soul, call it spirit, call it ego, call it what you will, has become divorced from the physical me. I still make use of this husk of a body, but it is now simply a convenient vehicle for propelling myself from one place to another, and for conveying my thoughts (such as they are), needs and desires (such as they are) to those around me. In return for this I ensure it is fed, watered, cleaned and suitably stabled. Our relationship to each other is one of convenience, and I feel no great affection towards this weak and feeble shell, and would discard it without a pang of conscience should I feel the need. However, for the time being we need each other, this thing and I.”...

“Curiously I know not if I am happy, or unhappy, contented, or discontented, settled, or unsettled. I feel as if I am adrift on a dream ocean, with no compass, sextant or rudder, entirely reliant on winds, currents and the whims of fate. It is not an unpleasant feeling, but then neither is it a pleasant one. I appear to have become numbed, anesthetised by the slow steady heartbeat of this place.”

If you enjoyed this little excerpt, like the short-story genre and want more, that can be easily arranged. Purchase a copy of Bread and Wine, which I highly recommend–both that you do and the book, and if you’ve read many of my past reviews, you know I do not ‘highly recommend’ very often.

Kate Trout - May 9, 2011

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE by Raymond H. Scudder

2011-03-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Successful Way to Improve Your Health, Relationships, Career, Personal Finances and Yourself
Mill City Press, Minneapolis, MN
Genre: Self-Help
Rating: Good
ISBN: 13:9781936400997, $14.95, 200 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
“A must-read for anyone who want to improve their life but doesn’t know where or how to begin. The author provides a life-changing Improvement Process you can easily follow to take control of your life and achieve whatever you want. The simplicity and beauty of this process means that in a very short time, you will:
-Start thinking and behaving in a positive, can-do way
-Target the areas of your life most in need of improvement
-Begin using your vast personal potential
-Notice and explore opportunities you never considered before
-Stay motivated and focused on what you want in life until it becomes reality
-Monitor your progress and celebrate your improvement accomplishments

How to Improve Your Life also offers a wealth of improvement tips and expert advice on how to:
-Live a healthy life
-Build and strengthen your relationships
-Boost your career
-Achieve personal financial success
–Make internal changes that maximize your ability to accomplish whatever you want to do.

RAYMOND H. SCUDDER is a graduate of the University of Southern California and served as vice president of human resources and quality management for one of the largest medical centers in the state of Washington. He founded Human Resources Consulting & Training in 1994 and served as its president until retiring in 2006. He and his wife, Jan, live in Lake Stevens, Washington.”

Everybody wants to give advice, and there are many, many self-help books on the market. As a matter of fact I wrote one myself, Ladies Are You Lost - Options for Women in Unhealthy Relationships. Is Scudder’s book different, unique or special in some way? No, not particularly and yet, there are many positive things to be said about it. How to Improve Your Life is well written, well edited, full of studies to support Scudder’s ideas and positions. It is written by a man who has worked in the ‘improvement’ field, and yes, it does read like he knows what he’s talking about. Might it help you? Possibly, but you’ll have to read it to know.

Kaye Trout - 3/29/2011

BLOOD, MONEY, POWER by Michele Marie Tate

2011-02-09T14:44:00.000-08:00

Michele Marie Tate
Portland, Oregon
Rating: Highly Recommended
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9780983114802, $15.99, 363 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"An epic novel inspired by a true story. What drives someone to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love? Would you lie, cheat, break the law or murder to protect the one you love?

"Blood, Money, Power. Follow the Preston family bloodline through three generations--1920's rich and famous, 1960's uninhibitied, 1990's corruption.

""The glamorous Hearst ear, with movie star parties at San Simeon and the 'Ocean House'...Life among the very rich members of high society with never-good-enough Otto, exotic Adan, wicked Cynthia and determined Amber...dastardly deeds, murders most foul and rampant couplings of every variety. There are conflicts, dark secrets, adventure and danger..."" R. Craig Hindley

I thoroughly enjoyed Blood, Money, Power from the first page to the last, and the ending was a surprise. It is extremely well written and the best edited novel I've read in many years. I liked the first person perspective from each character and excellent description but not too much. I was carried along effortlessly and felt it totally believable, and yet, was left with several unanswered questions.

Blood, Money, Power is Michele Marie Tate's literary debut, and I would highly recommend it.

Kaye Trout - 2/9/2011

THE ROAD TO THE RUBICON by John Timbers

2010-12-18T14:27:00.000-08:00

A Bright Pen Book
Authors on Line Limited
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9780755206292, $14.95, 204 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:
“This book is derived from the incomplete Book 8 of the Commentaries, by Aulus Hirtius. It has taken me longer than expected to unravel the story because of its complexity. Dedicated historians barely agree on the order of the political events leading to Caesar’s march on Rome.

“History is written and revised by the victors. Down through the two millennia since Caesar crossed the Rubicon those victors have been men who believed that revolution had to be anathematised. The death of the Republic, the outcome of Caesar’s successful revolt against the Optimates, could not be represented as the dawn of the new era of ethical government that Caesar intended. Caesar’s heir, Augustus and the Principate–that cynical mimicry of the Republican Senate–the model from which European ideas of kingship developed, had to be seen as the true savior of Rome. As a result, Julius Caesar has been portrayed ever since as a sick (allegedly an epileptic), power-crazed tyrant.

“This is the last element of the story of Julius Caesar’s preparation for his return to power. He had wanted that to be via the ballot box and a legitimate second Consulship. Fearful for their future fortunes, the Optimates were determined that would not happen.”

The Road to The Rubicon is the last book in the five-volume series John Timbers refers to as the Rutilius Journals. The other books in this series are: Caesar’s Tribune, Master of Gaul, Albion Ablaze and A View To A Death. I have read them all as they were sent to me to review. If you are interested in The Commentaries by Gaius Julius Caesar or are a history buff, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this series by John Timbers, a consummate writer and historian. The Road to The Rubicon is well edited, well written, has a stylist charm about it and is an excellent conclusion to the Rutilius Journals.

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - December 18, 2010

THE JOURNEY THROUGH ILLUSION by Glenn Willoughby

2010-07-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

Aventine Press
San Diego, CA
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1593306636, $16.95, 287 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Jamison Everett is an ex-cop struggling to put his life back together after a series of tragic events cost him his career. Drifting through life, he is hired by his late grandfather’s distribution company to locate Michael Reyes, a corporate analyst who has missed a crucial research deadline.

“At first, every lead appears to be a dead end, but it doesn’t take long for Jamie to spot a shadowy figure tracking his every move. Then Reyes’s research is linked to a possible cover-up within the company. With questions beginning to outnumber answers, and whispers of a connection to his grandfather’s untimely death beginning to swirl, Jamie vows to get to the truth no matter what the cost. But when a group of thugs try to take him out in a crowded mall parking lot, he realizes that the culprits will stop at nothing to keep things quiet.”

The Journey Through Illusion is a fast-moving, ex-cop/mystery read, well written and basically well edited. Author Glenn Willoughby is a consummate, creative writer and has done an excellent job. If you like mysteries with lots of descriptive detail and convolution, this might be a mystery for you.

Kaye Trout - July 26, 2010

MIND U by J.D. Guinness

2010-07-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

Stories from a different school of thought
Outskirts Press, Inc.
Denver, CO
Genre: Fiction/General
ISBN: 9781432746357, $27.95, 553 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“MIND U is an anthology of adult humor, satire, fantasy, sex comedy, and sci-fi. Stories that take things to a higher intellectual plane; via celebrity gossip, slapstick humor, busty women, and action-packed, ridiculous detail. MIND U takes you to London, Paris, Hollywood, New York, Hawaii, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Back to the beginning of time, then all the way forward to the end of time, and then back again to the present day. You’ll meet some very beautiful, amazing people and witness some very intimate, adult secrets. You’ll go places and have adventures that’ll get your blood going, your mouth laughing, and your heart singing. Buy the book, take a seat, open the book and prepared to enter...MIND U! WARNING: Some readers may find sections of the book offensive. Other readers may put these same sections on their ‘to-do’ list.”

I couldn’t have said it better or more succinctly. MIND U is an unforgettable read...lots of fun, craziness, and extreme imagination put together by the accomplished, intelligent, witty writer of The Famous Fakes, J.D. Guinness. If you like Kurt Vonnegut-type humor, you’ll love JD. Allow me to quote from the beginning:

“Welcome to Mind U: a different school of thought; a university of the mind, a place for contemplation of what might really be going on out there.

“I find contemplation of ‘what might really be going on’ very useful. After all, from the time we’re born we’ve got to decide what’s real and what isn’t.

“I’m middle-aged, and I still have trouble making that distinction. I mean, I basically understand how some things work, I just don’t understand why.

“To this day, nobody knows why we’re born, grow up, grow old, and die.

“What sets this journey going? Maybe it’s not so much a journey as a fall. That means we’re falling, vertically, through our lives, getting bumped and bruised on our long, long, way down, only to become a spread-eagled, lifeless bag of bones at the very end....

“The best way to deal with your fear of the unknown is to enroll in Mind U. Right now.”

Yes, I highly recommend MIND U for a unique, adult read and also, if you haven’t, The Famous Fakes which I reviewed March 2006.

Reviewer: Kaye Trout - July 12, 2010

TANDY'S ADVENTURES - presents - PATCHES

2010-03-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Tandy Adventures Presents Patches
by Judith Samson
Illustrations by Laura Samson
Tandy Publications
No ISBN or price, 20 pp.

Patches is a lovely story about Tandy, a young girl who loves animals, and her adventure saving a black and white cat from freezing. The story is delightful and well edited. The illustrations by Laura Samson are unique and colorful.

This little story would be enjoyed by small children; however, there is no ISBN number, publisher's address or price, so, the books is not available.

Kate Trout - March 11, 2010

BEAUTY FADES, DUMB IS FOREVER by Judge Judy Sheindlin

2009-10-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
New York, NY
Rating: Very Good
ISBNs: 006092991X, $12.00, 190 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Judge Judy takes on stupidity. Offering advice to women seeking to build a strong foundation for their lives, Sheindlin combines her experiences as a Family Court judge, wife and grandmother. She clues women in on how to keep their individuality and nourish their strengths. - New York Daily News

“This book resonates with the voice of Judge Scheindlin....It is instructional, motivational and full of practical advice.... She empowers through her can-do energy. - New York Law Journal

“(Sheindlin is) part Harry Truman, part Rhea Perlman: funny, quick-tempered, bluntly honest. - People

“Sheindlin writes with the same theatrical no-nonsense directness that animates her on-air persona. Publishers Weekly”

I highly recommend this book to all females of any age for Sheindlin’s insight and understanding of the problems we all face. Allow me to share with you the opening to Chapter 6 - You Can’t Teach the Bull to Dance:

“Once you understand that you’re the trunk of the tree, you also have to face a terrible truth: Trying to change a man–to make him more helpful, more responsive, more socially acceptable, more sensitive, more domesticated–is about as feasible as trying to teach a bull the two-step. The result is going to be a pile of broken china and a load of irritation for you. I was enlightened about this fact during a rocky point in my marriage. My husband, Jerry, and I had reached a marital impasse, and after much cajoling, my ‘bull’ reluctantly agreed to a session with a marriage counselor. We sat inches apart on a couch while I spewed out my complaints. Bottom line, he didn’t understand me or my needs. Sound familiar? My handsome, adorable bull grunted often, was visibly uncomfortable, but was captive for a full fifty minutes. Jerry and I had been married for fifteen exciting, interesting years, but for all that time I indulged in the female struggle to make him think like a woman. The session was almost over when the therapist reached for a large bowl of grapes. He handed it to my mate and instructed him to slowly feed me one grape at a time, and I was to accept his offering without touching or helping him. The symbolic nature of this exercise did not escape me. He was giving, I was receiving. Not wanting to insult the affable therapist who looked as if he had just reinvented the wheel, we concluded the exercise, thanked him, plunked down one hundred bucks, and left. For the next week, every time I started to complain about his lack of understanding, empathy, caring, Jerry would whip out a small box of raisins (he had decided grapes were too messy) and demand that I sit down for a feeding. But the exercise didn’t inspire the promised intimacy. It was just plain irritating. And then it hit me–this was the turning point. I was fifty years old. I finally concluded that the struggle was over. It struck me like a bolt of lightning. I’d spent most of my adult years trying to teach my chosen bull to dance. Whether owing to nature or nurture, I just couldn’t get this bull to do the cha-cha. So if I wanted inner peace and happiness, it had to come from me. Why had I ever expected him to provide it for me? He was just the way he was, and no matter what I did, he wasn’t going to change all that much. I thought about the thousands of troubled couples I had seen as a family court judge, and all my female friends whose basic complaint always boiled down to the same thing. You can’t teach the bull to dance. We must raise our daughters to get on with their lives–and not be stalled by the same bevy of frustrations that have paralyzed women for generations. Women are still looking to men as the source of all meaningful approval, as the beacons of light in the deep, dark cold of outer space. It’s just not so. Love has to emanate first from within yourself–we have to teach our young women to love themselves and respect themselves. Confirmation of your value as a human being doesn’t depend on the approval of any man, be it your husband, brother, father, or boyfriend. Women are complete individuals without the need of men to establish their purpose and direction in our society. Times have changed. The relationships between men and women are changing as well. The old expectations, the old contracts, no long necessarily apply. Most of us want our mates to complement us, to make us feel as though our lives are balanced and complete. If you expect your man to understand your every subtle emotional turn, and always to treat you as a completely equal partner; if you expect him to empathize when you’re having a particularly nasty bout of PMS, cramps, hot flashes, menopause, or the thousand other little hells only women are prone to, you will end up feeling frustrated, disappointed and unhappy.

“I deferred to men for years because it was expected, it was expedient, and it was necessary to keep the peace, and I resented it. It was expected of my generation. Feminism and women’s liberation are only words out there in the real, everyday world. Ideals don’t always play out as well as they sound. Inner peace truly comes when you recognize and accept the differences between men and women, and decide to enjoy the filet and discard the gristle.

“Here’s some food for thought. It has been said that there are two kinds of men: those who don’t get it, and those who do, but get it wrong.”

Ladies, if you can relate to the above in any way, you will definitely want to buy this book. Other books by Family Court Judge Judy Sheindlin include Don’t Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It’s Raining and You’re Smarter than You Look –also recommended for their truth, honesty and humor.

Kaye Trout - October 12, 2009

SCREWING THE POOCH by J. B. Bergstad

2009-10-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

Woodside Publishing Group
www.hydescorner.net
Genre: Fiction/Short Stories
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780615284064, $14.95, 216 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Milton’s Pickle - A seven-year-old genius develops a unique method to deal with his bully problems.

“Bearclaw at The Coffeecaker - Two damaged people find common ground and unexpected love over coffee and pastry at The CoffeeCaker.

“The Puppy Murders - A sick and dying puppy teaches fourteen-year-old Jim the meaning of responsibility and the value of truth and humility.

“The Brass Rail - Ray Martelli has lost everything of value to an alcohol addiction. He’s desperate to regain the love and respect of his wife and kids. Can he win?

“Rot Like Me - A teenage narcissistic rapist and murderer arrives with his family in Bells Grove, Fl. Enrolled in a new school, he scopes the chicks, but strange, malevolent supernatural forces have other ideas.

“Dear Daniel - In a letter to his surgeon son, a father admits to the brutal crime of murder.

“Hank Straker, SA - A retired sheriff contemplates suicide as the anniversary of his wife’s death approaches. He’s slapped awake by a late night intruder. ‘Why ain’t you at the senior’s mixer,’ he growls.”

For those of us not familiar with the slang term and title of this book, Screwing the Pooch, here are a few definitions: 1) to do something the wrong way, 2) to make a catastrophic error, and 3) to goldbrick–all negative behaviors, and it is this negative or dark side of life that these short stories have in common. All but one are about murder or death.

J. B. Bergstad is a gifted storyteller with a unique talent for saying a lot in a little space. His character-driven stories come to life quickly, richly and tightly. He doesn’t miss a beat and is an artist at his craft. If you enjoyed short stories by Stephen King or Ambrose Bierce, you will enjoy Screwing the Pooch.

Kaye Trout - October 12, 2009

THE 13TH JUROR - The Official Transcript of the Martin Luther King Assassination Conspiracy Trial by MLK the Truth, LLC

2009-10-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

www.MLKtheTruth.com
Genre: Non-fiction-Trial Transcript
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781442112155, $29.95, 766 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“For fourteen days in the winter of 1999, just blocks away from the site of Dr. King's assassination, one of the most infamous assassination mysteries was being solved in Memphis, Tennessee, before a circuit court judge and twelve impaneled jurors.

“While the national media turned a blind eye toward this trial, day by day the facts from the actual witnesses came forth to attempt to prove the truth behind what really happened on April 4th, 1968, to Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement.

“This book is the actual trial transcript, from beginning to end with no editing, no deletions, no opinions or commentary. Based upon the testimonies, you can become the 13th juror, and make up your own mind about what happened on that fateful day.”

As you recall, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. This civil wrongful death trial began on November 15, 1999. The 13th Juror is the actual transcript from this trial in which William Pepper, formerly James Earl Ray’s attorney, represented Coretta Scott King and her children who were asking for monetary damages of $100. One purpose of this trial was to provide an official forum for facts and testimonies regarding Dr. King’s assassination to be recorded for history. There is no author, style of writing or quality of editing to be considered.

If you like non-fiction books about historical events, you might consider The 13th Juror. It is uniquely informative and physically...quite heavy.

Kaye Trout - October 2, 2009

B-SHIFTER - A FIREFIGHTER'S MEMOIR by Nick Brunacini

2009-09-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

bshifter.com
Phoenix, Arizona
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 9780974753461, $10.00, 143 pp.

Refreshing!!! Nice to know I still have a sense of humor. Was beginning to wonder after reviewing several books hyped as witty or wickedly funny which weren't...at least to me.

Basically, B-Shifter is 13 chapters and multiple short stories from Nick Brunacini’s life as a second generation firefighter in the Phoenix Fire Department. He starts with his father, Alan Brunacini, and family; describes fire station life–cooking, cleaning, shifts, cult attitudes; tells about women, fighting fires, and emergency services; and ends with “Our dysfunctional family helping your dysfunctional family.”

Besides being hilarious, the book is very informative. In Chapter 5, we learn what the title B-Shifter means:

“Most organizations with around-the-clock staffing have three eight-hour shifts. Fire departments don’t. Our ancients chose to work 24-hour shifts. Instead of having morning, swing and graveyard shifts, we have A, B and C shifts. If you were to visit a fire station every day for a week, you might not notice much difference between the shifts assigned to that station. To the casual observer, the firefighters pretty much look and act the same. This changes dramatically once you join the organization and get categorized as an A-, B- or C-shifter. The shifts’ personalities are at the core of all of our stereotypes and are also the stuff of legend.”

Nick Brunacini is a consummate, educated writer with a special gift–humor, and it’s Nick’s humor and honesty that define his writing style and make this memoir unique. The book is extremely well edited and very tight. Here’s another brief sample from page 13:

“When I was 6 years old, I wanted to be a Chevy truck. I have been imbalanced most of my life, but this is not entirely my fault. I was forcibly pulled from my mother’s womb with a set of stainless-steel salad tongs. Adding insult to injury, the doctor proceeded to smack me hard on the ass, and the very next day, some sadistic bastard cut off part of my dick. This series of events was so traumatic, I wasn’t able to walk for a year. I have spent my life coping with these weighty issues.”

To me, the essence of B-Shifter is expressed by the Chinese word ‘jen’–sometimes defined as benevolence, but a better definition might be ‘humanheartedness’.

Confucius considered jen to be the highest virtue but one he refused to define. It is above righteousness, justice, and propriety and involves the principle that human nature is a fundamentally good arrangement, including not only our virtuous side but also our passionate side, our appetites and our wayward inclinations, or what Alan Watts liked to call ‘the element of irreducible rascality’, that God put into all human beings and put it there because it was a good thing. It was good for human beings to have these two elements in them. So, a truly humanhearted person is a gentleman with a slight touch of rascality, just as one has to have salt in a stew. Confucius said “the goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue,” meaning that to try to be holy righteous is to go beyond humanity.

Humanheartedness ...you won’t be disappointed, and the price is right.

Kaye Trout - September 27, 2009

SMALL BUSINESS RU!ES by Mathew Dickerson

2009-09-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

The 52 Essential Ru!es to be Successful in Small Business
Artwork by Paul Zanetti
smallbusinessrules.com
Genre: Self-help
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781419689437, $34.95, 140 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“From one of Australia’s leading IT entrepreneurs comes essential insight into running and expanding your small business. Do you set your standards high enough? Do you maximise the talents of your employees? This book gives you a straightforward, hands-on and humorous guide to help you:...”

In my educated opinion, if you have a small business, you’ll find nothing new here that you haven’t already heard or read. However, there are 52 colorfully illustrated cartoons by Paul Zanetti and these are entertaining. There is basically one page for each rule and one page for each cartoon. The text is double spaced and the print is dark for easy reading. Do I think the information in this book is worth $35? No, but remember...set your standards high and Rule 13, Life isn’t fair! The sooner you accept it the better.”

Kaye Trout - September 12, 2009

ISLANDS IN THE SAND - AN INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN THE USA by Charlie Hudson

2009-09-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

BookLocker.com, Inc.
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781601458445, $15.95, 208 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Charlie Hudson has written a book that is long overdue. Islands in the Sand is a lucid account of the history and the importance of artificial reefs. She has done her homework. Fascinating facts and background detail are spiced with informative interviews with people who have conceptualized, designed, manufactured, or deployed various forms of manmade marine habitats. Her compelling treatment examines these burgeoning oases from a variety of angles, giving readers the multifaceted viewpoints of the main beneficiaries: anglers, divers, scientists, anyone who cares about the environment, and the creatures that take residence in their newfound abode. She clearly demonstrates why artificial reefs are for the betterment of all. Her lyric prose is a testament to modern educational theory, proving elegantly that one can both instruct and entertain at the same time.

“Gary Gentle, Author, lecturer, photographer, explorer, and deep-sea wreck-diver.”

This is, indeed, what Islands in the Sand is about and makes Charlie’s book a “must have” for anyone interested in artificial reefs. It’s informative, entertaining and the price is reasonable.

Charlie Hudson is a retired U.S. Army veteran with a love for scuba diving and a passion for writing. Not only does Charlie have a passion, she is a gifted, educated writer. I have reviewed several of her fiction novels in the past, became a fan, and had this to say about Shades of Truth:

“Of course, there’s nothing new about mystery genre–you have a bad guy who is pursued by a good guy or gal, as this case may be. But what is new and unique and the challenge for the writer is the telling–those unexpected twists and turns that keep you turning the page. Charlie Hudson’s plot is solid, her characters come alive, the setting is real, and her style is smooth and colorful. She’s clearly an accomplished writer....”

Other books by Charlie Hudson include Shades of Gold, Shades of Truth, Orchids in the Snow, Shades of Murder, and The Parent’s Guide to Business Travel. You can find out more about Charlie Hudson at http://charliehudson.net.

Kaye Trout - September 12, 2009

JACK'S DREAMS COME TO LIFE by Sara Jackson

2009-09-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

booksurge.com
Genre: Children’s fiction
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9781439242810, $12.99, 26 pp.

Jack’s Dreams Come to Life is a simple little story about a dog named Jack on his ranch and a bad dream. I don’t think there’s any message here for young children (that I can discern), but the lively illustrations are well done with muted colors and a unique texture. Also, professional editing wouldn’t hurt.

Is this 22-page picture book worth $12.99 ($13)? Maybe that’s a little high, but if you’re interested, go to Amazon.com and take a look for yourself.

Kaye Trout - September 1, 2009

SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See

2009-08-25T17:12:00.000-07:00

Random House, Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction Memoir
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 1400060281, $11.56, 260 pp.

Quoting from the cover:

“In nineteenth-century China, when wives and daughters were foot-bound and lived in almost total seclusion, the women in one remote Hunan county developed their own secret code for communication: nu shu (‘women’s writing’). Some girls were paired with laotongs, ‘old sames,’ in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.

“With the arrival of a silk fan on which Snow Flower has composed for Lily a poem of introduction in nu shu, their friendship is sealed and they become ‘old sames’ at the tender age of seven. As the years pass, through famine and rebellion, they reflect upon their arranged marriages, loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their lifelong friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a brilliantly realistic journey back to an era of Chinese history that is as deeply moving as it is sorrowful. With the period detail and deep resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha, this lyrical and emotionally charged novel delves into one of the most mysterious of human relationships: female friendship.”

From reading past reviews and listening to others discuss this fictional memoir, I understand that most readers found Lily lacking in her compassion and love for Snow Flower. This is certainly understandable, as it is Lily herself who reproaches herself for her shortcomings.

As you read this fictional memoir, I would ask that you consider the following questions: What is a loving relationship? Can a friendship initiated and perpetuated on lies and deception be considered a loving relationship? Was this a true laotong (contracted loving relationship) or a one-sided effort at love?

Chapter 1, Sitting Quietly, opens with:

“For my entire life I longed for love. I knew it was not right for me–as a girl and later as a woman–to want or expect it, but I did, and this unjustified desire has been at the root of every problem I have experienced in my life.”

To me, this thought is the essence of the fictional memoir, and though Lily may not have felt she was loved during her lifetime, she did experience love through her giving and efforts, ignorant as they might have been, to love and help her laotong, Snow Flower.

Narrated in the first person by Lily we know only what she experienced, thought and did. She had been deceived from the very beginning by Snow Flower, Madame Wang and her mother. When Lily visited Snow Flower’s home for the first time and discovered the truth, after ten years of friendship, Snow Flower reacted with angry tears:

“Don’t pity me! I don’t want it!”

Lily’s reaction was:

“Pity had not entered my mind. I felt sick with confusion and sadness...
Maybe I should have been angry at Snow Flower for lying to me, but that’s not what I felt. I had believed I had been plucked for a special future, which made me too self-centered to see what was directly in front of me. Wasn’t it my lack as a friend–as a laotong–that had prevented me from asking Snow Flower the right questions about her past and her future...

“I was at a moment of supreme confusion, and I believe it set the stage for what happened later. I didn’t know my mind. I didn’t see or understand what was important. I was just a stupid girl who thought she knew something because she was married....”

Lily had no control over anything...her own life and future, nor Snow Flower’s social disgrace and marriage to a husband with a polluted occupation. And yet, I see her expression of love for Snow Flower through her actions: 1) When Lily realized the problem at Snow Flower’s home, she set about making the bad situation as nice as possible so Snow Flower would have a proper, traditional marriage; 2) When Lily’s mother-in-law and husband wanted her not to have any contact with Snow Flower, she continued to visit her secretly; 3) When they were in the mountains and it was evident that Snow Flower was not fond of her first son, Lily taught the boy what she knew from what her son had been taught. The girls learned from each other. Lily appreciated Snow Flower's talents--her delicate nu shu and embroidery, and Snow Flower learned how to clean a house and do chores.

It was Snow Flower who wrote the letter which caused so much pain and misunderstanding:

“I have too many troubles... I cannot be what you wish. You won’t have to listen to my complaints anymore. Three sworn sisters have promised to love me as I am. Write to me, not to console me as you have been doing, but to remember our happy girl-days together.”

Lily’s response to receiving the letter was:

“This pain was unlike anything I had felt before...I had always made allowances for Snow Flower out of love. But once I began to focus on her weaknesses, a pattern of deceit, deception, and betrayal began to emerge. I thought about all the times Snow Flower had lied to me–about her family, about her married life, even about her beatings. Not only had she not been a faithful laotong, she had not even been a very good friend. A Friend would have been honest and forthright. If all this were not enough, I let memories of the recent weeks wash over me. Snow Flower had taken advantage of my money and position to gain better clothes, better food, and a better situation for her daughter, while ignoring all my help and suggestions. I felt duped and immensely foolish.”

At a later gathering, in front of other women, Snow Flower sang a Letter of Vituperation to tell about her sad life and to berate Lily.

”It seems I am cursed by fate. I must have done bad deeds in a former life. I am seen as less than others.

"...for 27 years...we always spoke true words. We were like long vines, reaching out to each other, forever entwined. But when I hold her of my sadness, she had no patience. When she saw how poor I was in spirit, she reminded me that men farm and women weave, that industriousness brings no hunger, believing I could change my destiny.... Why have your turned away from me? You and I are laotong–together in our souls even when we couldn’t be together in our daily lives. And why have you hurt my daughter?”

And Lily retaliated with the truth.

When Snow Flower was dying, the sworn sisters told Lily that Snow Flower had never loved them, only Lily. And once again, Lily was there for Snow Flower.

Throughout their contracted laotong, Snow Flower felt sorry for herself/her fate, deceived Lily, chose to interpret Lily’s love and help as pity, didn’t appreciate Lily’s efforts to stay in touch, and berated her in public. There is very little in this story, as demonstrated by Snow Flower's actions or behavior, that could be interpreted as love for Lily...or for anyone else. Just saying so, does not make it so.

In the end, as in the beginning, and after lengthy consideration, it is my feeling that Lily just wanted to be loved and through her strong desire experienced love by giving love.

Lisa See is a wonderful, gifted writer with an enchanting, delicate, lyrical style. Her research for this fictional memoir brings to life aspects of Chinese culture in the early 1800s such as Confucian thought, foot binding, nu shu writing and the economic/political hierarchy.

Kaye Trout - August 25, 2009

CHEAP CABERNET - A FRIENDSHIP by Cathie Beck

2009-08-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

Café du Monde Publishing
Denver, CO
Genre: Memoir
ISBN: 9781439244395, $18.95, 390 pp.

Cheap Cabernet is a memoir about two bipolar women, Cathie and Denise, who considered themselves superior to everyone else. To some degree they both had a 'poor-me' complex—Denise because she had MS and Cathie for her life in general. They were either being outrageous–partying, lying, cheating, manipulating–or depressed.

I did not enjoy this memoir and about halfway through thought about not finishing the book, which is rare, and not doing a review. I had come to dislike these two self-centered women, as portrayed. I had grown to dislike them for their arrogance, superior and condescending attitudes towards other people, for their lack of compassion and consideration and for their lack of integrity.

The stealing of Denise’s husband’s money–a man they both liked and loved? and Denise’s sexual activities while John was hospitalized clearly demonstrated the essence of Denise’s character. As for Cathie, the essence of her character was made clear on page 6:

“I knew that I, and subsequently my children, were far superior to the other women and kids sitting on the orange plastic chairs.... I knew I was better than everyone else in that office because I was the smart girl, the clevah one. The one who read literature and studied film and knew to blend my foundation carefully around my chin, to check my teeth regularly for lipstick, and to go underwear-less under pantyhose to avoid panty lines.

“I was classy.”

And to the end, this was Cathie’s attitude. In truth, she was not there for her friend or Denise’s funeral. Possibly this memoir is about helping Cathie purge her guilt...and make some money.

I don’t agree with the promotional hype on the front or back cover: “Beyond wonderful–wickedly funny, poignant, and smart...utterly seductive, a page-turner, impossible to put down. Not since ‘Thelma & Louise’ have women and friendship been so beautifully and powerfully painted. This hilarious, heartbreaking memoir is a joyful and exhilarating ride for the reader.”

I guess some people find making fun of other people in a condescending manner hilarious. I don’t. Remember, this is not a novel, it’s a true memoir.

For the most part, the book is well edited. As for Cathie Beck’s writing style, she has a certain flair which leans toward raunchy with a tinge of aren’t-I-clevah. Who would have guessed?

Kaye Trout - August 22, 2009

ANAXIMANDER'S ANNEX by Edward Fotheringill

2009-08-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

Booklocker.com, Inc.
Genre: Metaphysics/Fiction/Mystery
Rating: A ‘Masterpiece’
ISBN: 9781601458728, $15.95, pp 280

If you’ve read my past reviews, you’re aware not all the reviews were favorable...I’m not a book promoter. Sometimes I don’t have much to say about a book...no spark, but occasionally a book comes along that lights my fire, and Anaximander’s Annex is one such rare book...a true masterpiece!

Intriguing, thought provoking, simplistic yet convoluted, metaphysically and sociologically insightful, multi-layered, open-ended, and so tight Hemingway would be proud.

As always, I’ll begin by quoting from the back cover:

“Five scholars of international renown in the academia of Ancient Greek philosophy harbor a secret that could forever change the intellectual landscape of Western civilization. As they deliberate how best to share their discovery with the world, mysterious machinations of fate make them question the entire nature of truth and revelation.”

That’s extremely complex, don’t you think?...questioning “the entire nature of truth and revelation.” which, indeed, they do. But, there is also a simpler level and here Anaximander’s Annex is about aliens, werewolves, murders, death, sex, alcohol, cigars, indifference, redemption, and the color yellow.

For those of us who missed Ancient Greek Philosophy 101 (myself included), Anaximander (610 BC - 546 BC) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who lived in Miletus, Ionia. He was one of the earliest Greek thinkers at the start of the Axial Age, the period from approximately 700 BC to 200 BC, during which similarly revolutionary thinking appeared in China, India, Iran, the Near East, and Ancient Greece. He was a proponent of science claiming that nature is ruled by laws. In physics, he postulated that the indefinite (or apeiron) was the source of all things.

Anaximader’s Annex contains 94 succinct chapters and a cast of enigmatic characters: the 5 scholars–Harry Foxworth, Roger Stone, Arthur DeMonet, Justin Campbell and Brigitte Pernod; Patrick Foxworth, Harry’s twin brother; 3 homicide detectives; 2 forensic pathologists; 3 prostitutes; a mad housewife; a French werewolf; a suicide in progress; a professor of abnormal psychology; a nameless ex-professor in a Baltimore alley; a one-armed hag in a London slum; a blind, abandoned mother who had no daughter and no fear; and other minor players.

Alan Watts once said, “An essential element of creativity is the mysterious.” And, that rings true in Anaximander’s Annex. The most perplexing and provocative aspects of this novel are the elements that are not there–full disclosure and anticipated reactions. There is no clear protagonist, but circuitously, alcoholic homicide detective Al Wherle gets my vote.

Fotheringill’s writing style is unique yet not affectatious; his metaphors are dramatic yet not contrived; his extensive vocabulary enriches the patterns he weaves; there are messages here and yet he says nothing. Each chapter may answer a question and partially define a character but at the same time creates a new mystery and leaves something unexplained. He spins a metaphysical web while he entertains, educates and then leaves us hanging. Here is an excerpt from page 169 to possibly tempt you.

“Al closed his tired eyes and opened them again. ‘The way I see it, words don’t do much to reveal the truth. They’re a cheap substitute. Language always falls short. Always. Silence has no boundaries. It’s infinite enough to make room for the truth.’ Al stared at the ceiling, his mind settling and resting in nothingness. ‘Look up there, at the ceiling. It’s a tabula rasa. It is what it is. The shadows of the candle dance on the surface of the ceiling but don’t affect it. The ceiling is the truth, the shadows are words that try to capture the truth.’ Al wondered whether or not to continue. ‘You can tell who among us can endure the truth. And you can tell those who can’t. Those that talk incessantly and have opinions about everything and are enamored with their own opinions cannot endure the truth.’

“‘Why do you say that?’

“‘Because an encounter with truth makes you silent. Only silence gives room for the truth. Silence is the space where truth can breathe.’”

Edward Fotheringill teaches philosophy at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. His other novels include Lanterns in the Mist, Darkness Withdrawn OR The Eclipse of Nietzsche’s Shadow and Halfmoon Confidential. All good, but this is his best yet.

Truly...a masterpiece!!!

Kaye Trout - August 11, 2009

SOUTHCROP FOREST by Lorne Rothman

2009-08-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

iUniverse
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.iuniverse.com
Genre: Factual Fantasy
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9780595495887, $13.95, 175 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“The trees of Southcrop have made a striking discovery–one that could change the world for all their kind. But they are trapped in a forest fragment and face destruction from human sprawl. They cannot spread their new-found gift across the land.

“The Auja, a young oak, finds little Fur amongst her branches. Fur is a legendary creature not seen for a thousand years, a single intelligent being emerged from a colony of caterpillars. Fur is small and meek and slow, but can travel through the forest and talk with trees. Auja persuades the reluctant Fur to help.

“Fur embarks on a desperate quest to find the source of all tree power–the mysterious Riverside Farm. Here he must gather the trees’ great treasure and carry it across Oak River to the forest of Deep Sky.

“Fur’s long trek is fraught with peril as he races to reach Riverside Farm before it is destroyed. Ghoulish enemies hunt him while machines wreak their deadly havoc. Yet Fur’s journey is one of enlightenment as he learns about the ecology of his world, the threat of the human species, and finally, the secret of his existence.”

Lorne Rothman is a good writer and has created a fantasy tale around the subject of ecology. He holds a PhD in zoology and has studied ecology at several universities. The story is set in current times in a real forest, and prior to writing his story, Rothman studied all the flora, fauna and history of the area. If you enjoy fantasy adventures with a realistic twist, you might consider giving Southcrop Forest a try.

Kaye Trout - August 1, 2009

ALBION ABLAZE and A VIEW TO A DEATH by John Timbers

2009-07-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Authors OnLine Ltd
Bedfordshire SG193NU, England
www.authorsonline.co.uk
www.caesarstribune.co.uk
Genre: Historical Novels
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 9780755211173, 9780755211418, $14.95, $14.95, 204pp., 230 pp.

Albion Ablaze and A View to a Death are the third and fourth volumes in a five part series making up The Journals of Marcus Rutilius Robura. Caesar’s Tribune is Volume I, Master of Gaul is Volume II and, in process, Road to the Rubicon is Volume V. I have reviewed Volumes I and II in the past with strong recommendations.

John Timbers has taken historical characters and brought to life the culture, politics and Julius Caesar’s military campaigns from 60 to 52 BC. These books are based on Caesar’s own Commentaries on the Gallic Wars which led to his overwhelming power as an all-conquering general. The stories come alive through a novelistic twist time warp device as Marcus, the Tribune, finds himself in two worlds.

In Albion Ablaze (55-54 BC):
“Recalled to Gaul early because of a German invasion in the far northeast, Caesar launches his first exploratory reconnaissance in force of the almost mythical islands of Albion, egged on, of course by Marcus. However, in this and the next year, in which Caesar carries out a full scale invasion to unseat the tyrant, Cassivellaunus, Marcus plays a role wholly unsuspected by historians (while still remaining credibly within Caesar’s version of the story).”

In A View to a Death:
This volume covers a two year period during which some of the most savage fighting of the whole Gallic war took place, not all of it in Gaul itself. The first half deals with a war waged by Marcus Licinius Crassus. The second half covers the major Gallic rebellion against Caesar’s presence in Gaul. Quoting from Chapter One - A View - to give you a sample of Timber’s style and quality of writing:

“Shock; instant gut-wrenching terror; subliminal horrors amplified in dreams, and imposed with mind-bending proportions on the realities so twisted and tortured by the brain’s ability to exaggerate the thought patterns tumbling through its contorted corridors during waking hours and reflected in all their convoluted awfulness in sleep - such was the stuff of my nightmares.

“I am still not free of the debilitating trauma of those brief, violent encounters with the Parthian Army in far off Mesopotamia, even though months have passed, and I’ve tasted normality once again. It is as if the brain itself has been wounded, and its suppurating sores are seeking attention, demanding relief that is being denied by any deviation from their origins.

“I am not alone. Few of us who fled that gore-soaked battlefield have escaped mentally unscathed, even those of us who were fortunate enough to escape injury by those nightmare barrages of steel-tipped arrows from the ubiquitous Parthian archers. For weeks afterwards we walked, talked and worked like zombies, trying to function normally as best we could, still threatened by the probability of pursuit and further defeat at the hands of what seemed then to be an overwhelming power, our confidence in Rome’s insuperability gone forever. Hollow-eyed and gaunt, even the toughest veterans couldn’t shake off the distorting aftermath of fear that haunted our sleeping and our waking hours.”

John Timbers is an educated, gifted writer with a colorful, lively writing style. If you enjoy historical novels and/or military campaigns, these novels are certain to entertain and educate at the same time. For more information about John and The Journals of MarcusRutilius Robura, visit www.caesarstribune.co.uk.

Kaye Trout - July 27, 2009

THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE: INVISIBLE CHILDREN OF INDIA by Shelley Seale

2009-07-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

Dog’s Eye View Media
www.DogsEyeViewMedia.com
Genre: Sociological Travel Memoir
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780980232370, $16.00, 313 pp.

The Weight of Silence is a sociological travel memoir about the beauty, richness, and terrible poverty in India and, in particular, about the children. Quoting from the introduction:

“In my journeys over the last years into the orphanages, slums, clinics and streets of India I have become immersed in the world of these children. Their hope and resilience amazed me time and time again; the ability of their spirits to overcome crippling challenges inspired me. Even in the most deprived circumstances they are still kids - they laugh and play, perhaps far less frequently than others; they develop strong bonds and relationships to create family where none exists; and most of all they have an enormous amount of love to give....

“I want to be clear that although this book deals with struggles and failures, this is far from the only side of India. The country is an astonishing place full of history, grand architecture, magnificent natural beauty and some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Because this book focuses on those excluded from the riches of their nation, the topics and issues written about often show a darker side of India. Yet during my journeys and research the other, beautiful India constantly showed itself, even in the most difficult places. It is an extraordinarily wonderful place and I encourage anyone who has a chance to visit....”

Shelley Seale is an accomplished freelance writer, specializing in travel–multiple publications. The Weight of Silence: Invisible Children of India is beautifully written, well edited, extremely poignant, and educational. If you were touched by the movie Slumdog Millionaire and want to know more about India, its children and their problems, read this book.

Kaye Trout - July 13, 2009

THE ALCOHOLIC'S GUIDE TO ADVENTURE by William Rutger

2009-07-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

www.booksurge.com
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9781439218099, $12.99, 120 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

“Witty, wise, and darkly funny, The Alcoholic’s Guide to Adventure by William Rutger is a fast-paced, derisive memoir of a drunk who came to walk the straight and narrow after one too many late night escapades. In this autobiography, a newly sober Rutger will illustrate how life came full circle after the deaths of his father and son, “wasted” millions, and his then ever unfurling grip on reality. Hurrah–it might have been a long road to all is well, but the trip was worth way more than the tab.”

I had mixed feelings about this book and a difficult time finishing it. From a woman’s standpoint, a woman raised in an alcoholic home, I did not find it funny, witty or wise...with one exception...his advice not to give advice. The author’s big adventure was partying most of his life, and the book is not really a guide, but ‘guide’ makes for a catchy title. He doesn’t mention his wife much in this cathartic memoir, and as far as redeeming qualities, all the male alcoholics I’ve known were true animal lovers–maybe for the unconditional love? And yes, “genetic alcoholic” should be stamped on genetic alcoholic’s birth certificates. It might save a lot of future heartaches.

As for style, William Rutger is an educated writer and the book is well edited; however, I had the feeling I was listening to an alcoholic ramble, for whatever that tells you. There are no cured alcoholics...just recovering, and if they think they’re cured, their arrogance is still in the way. Many alcoholics might enjoy this book, but not the friends and families. Do you think my past experiences with alcoholics has had some affect on my perspective?...just possibly. My alcoholic ex-husband called the day before he died to say good-bye and that he was looking forward to a new adventure.

Kaye Trout - July 9, 2009

WALLY THE WALKING FISH MEETS MADISON AND COOPER by Gary Lamit

2009-07-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

WalkingFish Books
Genre: Fiction - Preschool Children
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781439225417, $12.99, 28 pp.

Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Cooper is a delightful little story about a young girl, Madison, her hungry dog Cooper and Wally, a walking/talking catfish. The colorful illustrations are enchanting–soft and warm. In addition to the story, Lamit has included factual information about mushrooms, beavers, flying fish, mudskippers, and walking catfish, to educate as well as entertain.

Gary Lamit was inspired and wrote Wally the Walking Fish for this granddaughter Madision. I hope she’ll enjoy and treasure this unique book–an expression of her grandfather’s love.

Kaye Trout - July 3, 2009

MY '70s BOOK by Darryll Sherman

2009-06-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

The "When I Was A Kid..." Book
For The Generation That Grew Up in The ‘70s
Dog Ear Publishing
www.dogearpublishing.net
Genre: Generational Memoir
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781598586909, $11.95, 100 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Do you sometimes find yourself longing for ‘the good old days’? Do you laugh at yourself for even thinking this because - after all - you’re not even 50 yet? And - upon seeing some of the things the kids of today have, or when you see how easy they have it, do you catch yourself thinking out loud ‘When I was a kid...’ only to cover your mouth in horror as you realize that you sound just like your parents? Do you feel a jolt of... you’re not sure what... when you realize that you’re thinking of the ‘70s? How good things were in the ‘70s?

"Join the author as he recounts his own experiences growing up in this avocado green and burnt orange decade. The things we had and the things we didn’t have; the things we took for granted and what family life was like in those years. Remember the music, the movies, the cars, the toys, the fashions, and so much more as your sentimental recollections play once again before you like a worn out 8mm movie in your mind.

"We were kids of the ‘60s, teens in the ‘70s, and now we’re almost 50. This is a humorous, nostalgic, pensive, and fun-filled look at what it was like to grow up in this generation. Try to keep up with the fun as you revisit your childhood memories, and don’t be surprised it you, like the author, find yourself longing once again for ‘the good old days.’"

This is a fun, well edited little book and not bad for the price. If you grew up in the ‘70s, you might like a copy to refresh your own memory, and the author has created a material memoir for himself and his family. It’s always interesting to see life from another person’s unique perspective, and for Darryll Sherman the ‘70s were ‘the good old days’. I agree they were good–not as complicated or dangerous as today, but, the ‘50s, now there were some Happy Days.

Kaye Trout - June 29, 2009

HOTEL - Untold Stories II by Rene D. Egle

2009-06-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

Food and Beverage Private and Confidential
Llumina Press
Coral Springs, FL
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781605941912, $17.95, pp. 324

Quoting from the back cover:

"Hotel - Untold Stories II, Food & Beverage, Private & Confidential tells the story of Andre Schwarz, a young hotel professional who leaves his native Europe to work in Beijing, China, where has been offered the position of assistant Food & Beverage Manager at the Sheldon Grand Hotel in Beijing.

"The book picks up where Hotel - Untold Stories left off, but instead of relying entirely on Andre’s memory for details of incidents, accidents, and anecdotes, in Hotel - Untold Stories II..., all untold stories are facts based on Andre’s archived documents. As the name already indicates, some of these documents were, at one point in time, very private and confidential.

"Some of Andre’s stories are funny and others are shocking, but all have one thing in common: they are true; they happened. Some are still happening now and will still be happening when we are long gone. Private & Confidential give you a rare insider’s view into the exciting world of the finest five-star hotels."

Rene Egle’s memoir is very interesting, especially his experiences in China with the culture and the Chinese people. The book is well written, has a few, minor editing errors but in general, is an interesting read. As the author emphasizes that this is a non-fiction, true story, I have to question why he uses the name Andre Schwarz.

If you’re interested in five-star hotel management and exotic places, you’ll find something of interest here.

Kaye Trout - June 21, 2009

WINTER GHOST by Don Meyer

2009-06-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

BookLocker.com, Inc.
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9781601458209, $16.95, 332 pp.

Quoting from the front cover:

"The discovery of the body, a woman, naked, frozen solid, outside the cabin, hands pressed against the glass of the oversized center window, looking in, ultimately leaves Sheriff Tom Monason, with more questions than answers.

"Although originally listed as an accidental death, the story just won’t go away, especially with continued reports of an unknown woman visiting that cabin on winter weekends. While these sightings only continue to fuel the legend, the undeniable fact that two couples have turned up dead after reported visits, makes this tale no longer just another ghost story."

Don’t have too much to say about this novel. Initially it annoyed me, didn’t ring true, and Sheriff Monason didn’t actually solve the murder. As for the author’s style of writing, there’s nothing unique or special here. It would be my suggestion that Meyer study his craft further, one, to learn the difference between further and farther or get a better editor. When I pick up a book and the first page has multiple errors, there’s very little to say.

Kaye Trout - June 13, 2009

POOR NO MORE: WEALTH IS WITHIN REACH by Curtis Hill

2009-05-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Modern Millennium Press
Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Financial/Self-Help
Rating: Average
ISBN: 1439212562, $14.99, 230 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Poor No More: Wealth Is Within Reach by Curtis Hill is a book that shows how to transform the life we have into the life we deserve. In a market glutted with personal financial guides, author Hill brings a clear voice and a truly profound approach to building personal wealth. We all have a set of beliefs when it comes to our finances. Unfortunately, our personal financial belief systems become influenced by external sources. We no longer operate in our own financial self-interest. We operate to fulfill the agendas of these outside manipulators: to our detriment, not our advantage. Poor No More will open your eyes and helps you identify the external influences that poison your personal financial belief system. Poor No More shows you how to take control of your wealth and build the prosperous life you always wanted."

I enjoy reading books on finance to see if they have anything new or unique to offer, particularly during this time of recession. Curtis Hill writes about how media advertising influences our thinking and how conventional Retirement Accounts are not the way to invest. His plan is for you to place your money in what he calls a Freedom Account, from which you will start withdrawing money in the second year. Quoting from page 25:

"...The size of these withdrawals should grow every year as we become more dependent on our freedom accounts and less dependent on our paychecks. As we become less dependent on our paychecks (due to our growing withdrawals from our freedom accounts), we are able to contribute a larger percentage of our paychecks each year to these accounts.

"What I am describing here is a cascade effect that makes early financial independence possible. I understand that the concept and the math involved in the above statement may seem a little fuzzy or at least unconventional to many. However, I will demonstrate in the following chapters that the concept will work with ease.

"This may seem like a shell game - i.e., it may appear that we are moving money around for no reason. In fact, there is a method to this strategy. We are progressively learning to depend on our investment income. Furthermore, we are gradually decreasing our dependence on our paychecks. Reducing dependence on our paychecks equates to financial freedom."

In the next chapter Curtis Hill presents his "Freedom Account Dynamics" Table showing Independence Growing at 5% with 20% Start. This table is for people who have an "after-tax" income of $100,000 and can contribute 20% ($20,000) the first year. For people with such an income, they’re probably educated and have better options. This is not a plan for me, nor could I open a freedom account just anywhere, only with Curtis Hill because it is his own concept applied to traditional financial structures. And what types of accounts does Hill suggest we include in our freedom accounts?... 401(k)s, SEP IRAs, Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs and standard brokerage accounts. Do you see the problem here? Can you really be making withdrawals from these types of investments in the second year?

As the author said, "This may seem like a shell game...." What do you think? In addition, I felt the author repeated himself and promoted his own business (www.poor-no-more.com) excessively...business must be slow.

On the positive side, Hill did an excellent job explaining all the investment vehicles available in a concise manner. Would I recommend this book?...no.

As a contemporary, very wise man once said, "When you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, you’re looking at the only person you can trust with your money...so learn how to take care of it."

Kaye Trout - May 24, 2009

THE CHEMICAL CAROUSEL: What Science Tells Us About Beating Addiction by Dirk Hanson

2009-05-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

www.booksurge.com
Genre: Nonfiction/Science/Addiction
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 9781439212998, $20.95, 472 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"The Chemical Carousel: What Science Tells Us About Beating Addiction by Dirk Hanson is an in-depth look at addiction science and medical treatments for drug dependence and alcoholism. An experienced science and business journalist, author Hanson, brings a complex and widely misunderstood subject out of the shadows and into the light of understanding. In this groundbreaking and highly readable examination of addiction science and the biological, emotional, and scientific underpinnings of substance abuse, The Chemical Carousel breaks through the myths, while presenting the surprising and cutting-edge facts about addiction and its medical origins. Hanson leaves no stone unturned in this invaluable examination of why people become addicted. This is not a textbook or scientific paper, however. Rather, The Chemical Carousel is a book for the rest of us: friends and families of addicts, support groups, and healthcare professionals alike."

The Chemical Carousel is presented in four parts–a history, addictive substances, cures, and a conclusion. It is well researched, written and edited, providing the most current/contemporary information available. I didn’t know we had a ‘science’ of addiction...great!...and if so, this book should be required reading.

I found Hanson’s research to be helpful in clarifying the problems, such as: the difference between the disease of alcoholism (a brain chemistry disorder characterized by continued compulsive use of alcohol despite severely adverse consequences) and alcohol abuse (the deliberate overuse of alcohol–binge drinking). With a deeper, educated understanding about addictions, this book may help to dissolve the common view of the addict as an immature person who lacks will power and is at the mercy of his/her addictive personality.

If you, a friend or family member have an addiction problem, read this book. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, and you may, if you are looking, find the help you need.

Kaye Trout - May 24, 2009

HELEN'S TREASURE: ODYSSEY OF A LADIES' MAN by Andrew J. Rodriguez

2009-04-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Outskirts Press, Inc.
Denver, CO
Genre: Fictional Fantasy Romance
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781432729639, $19.95, 288 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Archaeologist Ashton Bryke unearths a priceless cache of ancient golden jewelry. The discovery could secure him fame and fortune for life–but he is willing to bury it again forever...to spend one night with the treasure’s owner, the most beautiful woman who ever lived: Helen, Princess of Troy.

"Helen keeps her side of the bargain and materializes in all her luscious glory in Ashton’s hotel room. But the wily princess has also made a bargain with Zeus, and she has plans for the wealthy, handsome archaeologist. For Ashton is an inveterate womanizer, and she has come to life to reform Ashton’s licentious lifestyle in order to expiate her three-thousand-year-old sin of adultery.

"Why would Ashton Bryke resist the advances of the world’s most beautiful woman? What powerful inner force could compel this ladies’ man to contain his lust despite overwhelming temptation? Only another bargain–one with an otherworldly payoff for both Ashton and Helen. But if they succeed as a team, what kind of reward will they expect next? The answers lie hidden in: Helen’s Treasure: Odyssey of a Ladies’ Man.

"This light-hearted story of desire and deliverance originates in Turkey and crosses the sparkling Aegean to Greece and back again–filled with romance, music, art, sailing, dining, and philosophical inquires along the way."

Helen’s Treasure is a multi-faceted novel starting with Greek mythology and evolving into contemporary feminist issues. Aysel, a young Muslim woman, feels dominated by her brother Berk, Ashton’s friend, and her father. She is attracted to Ashton but also angry and outspoken about his promiscuous reputation and motives. There is conflict throughout...male/female, brother/sister, family, friends, east/west with a Muslim twist and a happy ending.

Andrew Rodriguez is an educated writer who weaves a colorful tale of mythology, sociology, countries, cultures, religions and love. Aysel asks Ash if he’s open to a woman’s advice? He says yes, and of course, she gives it to him. Quoting from page 131-132:

"Then you’ll need to change your ways by paying more attention to our sentiments and viewpoints. Admit that in addition to butts and boobs, women have more than enough gray matter to judge essential issues, as well or better than men...

"Isn’t men’s refusal to share and understand women’s values one of the main reasons couples seek professional counseling? Come on, Ash, it’s nothing but common sense...."

Amen...so simple and yet it says so much. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Kaye Trout - April 27, 2009

THE NATURAL SOUL by Barbara Harris Whitfield

2009-04-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

SterlingHouse Publisher, Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA
Genre: Inspirational Memoir
Rating: Good
ISBN: 158501123X, $18.95, 176 pp.

Barbara H. Whitfield is a thanatologist (studies death and dying), a Near-Death Experiencer and respiratory/massage therapist. She is the author of many published articles and four books. Her credentials and endorsements are extensive.

I would consider The Natural Soul to be an inspirational memoir. It is well written, well edited, and spiritually uplifting. If you worry about death and dying, give her a read.

Kaye Trout - April 21, 2009

Nobody's Home by Cliff Fazzolari

2009-04-13T15:06:00.000-07:00

SterlingHouse Publisher, Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1563153874, $11.21, 240 pp.

Nobody’s Home is a dramatic novel about a poor family with a dominant-alcoholic-murderous father, a short-lived-loving mother and two brothers written in the first person by the innocent-unpopular teenage daughter, Shari.

Cliff Fazzolari is a good writer, the story flows smoothly, and it’s well edited. However, Fazzolari lost me as a reader after the father killed Shari’s mother, how he killed her and how Shari and her brother Russell, knowing the truth, dealt with the murder and their father. The story lost its credibility for me, but you might give it a try and see what you think.

Kaye Trout - April 13, 2009

THE MAKING OF A MADAM - A MEMOIR by Patsyann Maloney with Wayne Holmes

2009-04-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

booksurge.com
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781439218464, $19.00, 280 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Sexually molested–the first time–at age six, received money for the use of her body at age eight, married five times, pregnant eight times in seven years, arrested for prostitution at thirty-eight, and jailed by the FBI for running a brothel at age forty.

"The story of Patsyann Maloney’s life as a madam began in her childhood and ends triumphantly after serving time at the Federal Correctional Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. This victim-to-victor tale takes the reader through fascinating twists and turns while divulging insider information into the lives of prostitutes–and the madam who cared for them.

"Despite all the evil forces that worked against Patsyann Maloney, she triumphed. Her story gives hope to the most desolate and destitute."

The Making of a Madam is more precisely a story about poverty, a dominant/abusive father, ignorance, hormones, and Patsyann’s search for love and someone to take care of her. As fate would have it, she had multiple pregnancies by different partners until she finally had her tubes tied. Her mother had twelve children by an abusive husband and finally left him and lost her children.

As far as "divulging insider information into the lives of prostitutes," don’t get your hopes too high–pretty standard stuff–remember Burt and Dolly in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas? As for style and tone, I would have preferred less descriptive emoting (sighs and giggles), less cute metaphors, and more details, such as who actually paid for all Patsyann’s births, adoption processing, child support/medical care, and rehab in federal prison...American tax payers and government agency programs? She doesn’t say.

I found this memoir somewhat disturbing but not for the obvious, promoted reasons: "Sexually molested–the first time–at age six, received money for the use of her body at age eight...." Indeed, Patsyann’s life was extremely hard and problematic; yes, she sounds like a very loving, caring mother; and yes, she survived, changed, and gives "hope to the most desolate and destitute."

What did I find disturbing? I thought the memoir to be a little less than honest, sugar-coated you might say. It disturbed me that she never wanted to tell her sister Maggie about her sexual problem with Maggie’s husband and then in this memoir...tells the world. Finally, judging by the title, The Making of a Madam, the cover design and promotional hype, Patsyann is still trying to sell sex.

Other than these disturbing factors, the memoir is informative, well edited, inspirational and in closing, but for the grace of God...

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - April 10, 2009

CHARLIE AND MAMA KYNA by Diana Rumjahn

2009-03-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

BookSurge Publishing
Charleston, South Carolina
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9781419656873, $15.99, 38 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Frolicking fun, Charlie and Mama Kyna by international award-winning filmmaker, Diana Rumjahn, is the unique, robust and lively tale of three friends, Charlie, a frog, Leo, a lion, and Joe, a giraffe–all ready to be loved. Young and older readers alike will revel in the graceful innocence and camaraderie as these three plush buddies, presently without a home, journey to find one. Together they go home to Charlie’s mother, Kyna, who lives in a little white cottage with big red brick steps. Over the wall and through the big city–it proves to be quite a journey. Originally a film, Going Home, that has been shown worldwide and an official selection at the prestigious The Times British Film Institute’s London Film Festival, the colorful story of this book inspires emotional involvement. This group of plucky pals will capture the hearts–and imaginations–of new audiences everywhere."

Sorry, but my take on this little book is that there’s not much in it to entertain or educate young readers, and the back cover quote is a lot of hype--'robust, revel, graceful innocence, plush buddies, plucky pals.’ The eleven illustrations are, indeed, creative and colorful, but not worth $15.99. Possibly in Rumjahn’s film, Going Home, there was a wall, a big city and a friendship-bonding journey, but they’re not in this 23-page story.

Kaye Trout - March 30, 2009

KATKA - A NOVELLA by Stephen Meier

2009-03-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

www.booksurge.com
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781439216330, $12.99, 107 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Katka by Stephen Meier is a rough, uneasy novel of avarice, love, and deception gone very wrong. When Gavin and Katka join with Simona to scam buyers of mail order brides in the Czech Republic, Gavin set events into motion with disastrous results. Gavin talks Katka, his girlfriend, into selling herself to a buyer and then taking his money and running, but things get twisted and Katka disappears with the client. Left with Simona, Gavin decides to carry on and make some real money. As Gavin’s success increases, his guilt and doubt also rise, and he begins to worry this world has taken more than he’s willing to give. He finds himself thinking of Katka, the life they could have had, and the life he consigned her to, and wonders if he can undo the biggest mistake of his life. Written with grit and masterful prose, Katka is a literary punch in the stomach that takes your breath away, and leaves you with unforgettable images and even more unforgettable characters."

Actually, Stephen Meir’s novella leaves you with many questions: (1) Is this story fiction or a cathartic memoir?; (2) Was Katka really so innocent?; (3) Was Gavin really so naive?; (4) Could there really have been a different ending?

Gavin went to the Czech Republic and partied hard with beautiful women. Katka found her way to America, along with other beautiful Czech women, to pleasure men. The business of sex...mail order brides or white slave trade.

As for Stephen Meier’s writing style, it is somewhat unusual with no chapters or paragraph indentations. There are a few grammatical mistakes, but in general, Meier’s story works and will keep you turning the pages.

Kaye Trout - March 12, 2009

WORKING WITH TROUBLED CHILDREN by James M. Kauffman & Frederick J. Brigham

2009-03-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

Full Court Press
Verona, Wisconsin
www.attainmentcompany.com
Genre: Nonfiction/Behavioral Science
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1578616786, $19.00, 162 pp.

"A commonsense book for parents and teachers alike, with ideas that can be easily implemented anywhere. The authors identify three, key elements for success in working with troubled children: early identification of behavioral problems, scientifically sound instruction in responding to these behaviors, and the ability to predict or anticipate behavioral problems before they occur."

The authors, James M. Kauffman and Frederick J. Brigham, are highly qualified to write about behavioral disorders. They have presented "Working with Troubled Children" in a simple, straightforward manner. The book is well organized, informative and well edited. If you’re interested in this problem, you may find the book of interest.

Kaye Trout - March 5, 2009

PRODIGAL OF THE PECOS by C. E. Edmonson

2009-01-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

Aventine Press
San Diego, CA
Genre: Fiction/Classic Western
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1593305354, $12.50, 182 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Clint Cooper returns home after many years to find the land of his birth embroiled in a bitter and deadly land war. An Eastern powerbroker, bent on fencing off the West Texas range for his own profit, hires gunslingers to bully the local ranchers and farmers into submission. As the Pecos River runs red with the blood of the innocent, Clint emerges to make a stand, determined to keep his faith and his family intact--or die trying."

Prodigal of the Pecos is a classic western tale complete with villian, henchmen, the hero and pretty maiden. The story is not new or unique, but it was an enjoyable read, particularly the stormy-night showdown. If there was anything that did not ring true, it was Clint Cooper, the hardcore lawman, addressing his father as 'daddy'. The story is well written and well edited and C.E. Edmonson's writing style makes it a page-turner once it gets going. If you like westerns, you might give him a try.

Kaye Trout - January 4, 2009

A BRIDGE BACK by Patrick M. Garry

2008-12-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

Inkwater Press
Portland, OR
http://www.inkwaterpress.com/
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781592993321, $16.95, pp 225

Quoting from a portion of the back cover:

"Eighteen years ago, on a stormy night, the worst tragedy to ever hit Mount Kelven occurred on a lift bridge over the Esarno River. Many said it was caused by two reckless young people on their way to a Justice of the Peace.

"For 18 years, Nate Morrissey has stayed away from his hometown of Mount Kelven. He didn't even return for his grandfather's funeral, or to try to stop Laura's wedding. But this long absence is about to end."

A Bridge Back is a novel full of intrigue, tragedies and dysfunctional people. Patrick M. Garry is a talented/gifted writer who excels at weaving simple, yet complex stories about real people and real problems. Can Nate and Laura change 18-year-old attitudes in a week or two? Can they begin new lives and forget the tragic past? Should there be a happy ending for Nate after 18 years of self-centered detachment and selfishness? Will Laura ever find some happiness? Is the story believable? No, but then again...yes, in a dysfunctional, true sense of life.

Patrick Garry is a pro and I like his style.You might too.

Kaye Trout - January 5, 2009

THE VALUES PURSUED LIFE - Exellence and Greatness from Within by Gary Gordon

2008-12-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

booksurge.com
http://www.thevaluespursuedlife.com/
Genre: Christian Inspirational Self-Help
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781419691966, $13.99, 186 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Within each of us lie infinite potential, decency, and yes, greatness. The trick is to tap into our natural reservoir of humility, tenacity and strength. To help release our boldest forces, each of us must consciously and actively embrace the principles of integrity, responsibility, and accountability. We are what we value most.

"The Values Pursued Life by Gary Gordon reads like a tightly woven monologue and stream of consciousness. Lively and original, this vastly powerful guide proves to be a journey in which readers become better leaders, better men and women, better co-workers, bosses, confidantes and friends. The best is yet to come; it comes from inside each of us. Tap into your values and your inner greatness--today."

Through this little story about Shabaroo, an immigrant Jamaican driver, and his employer, "the old man", Gary Gordon works to inspire his readers to greatness based on values such as spirituality, love, integrity, justice, wisdom, perseverance, temperance, tolerance, frugality, principle, empathy, compassion, knowledge, chastity, peace of mind, faith and tranquility. His writing fluctuates between (1) a pollyannaic perspective of the United States, (2) giving advice and (3) poetic descriptions of Floridian flora and fauna. I willl provide you with samples of all three and then you can decide if this books is for you:

(1) From page 71 - "This is a fertile land. This was the country that recognized the importance of values and principles. This was the country of abundance, accountability, freedom, quality, service, and hospitality. This was the nation of moral intelligence, ethical intelligence, and emotional intelligence. This was the country where excellence and greatness abounds. This was the nation where spirituality was placed first on its chain of values; where integrity and honesty are as importance as the very foodds that were eaten for sustenance. This was the land of knowledge, wisdom, and discernment."

(2) From page 47: "'What is emotional intelligence?' Shabaroo asked. 'Emotional intelligence,' the old man answered, 'is having knowledge of your internal state. Having that knowledge gives you wisdom. It is also understanding your emotions and recognizing other people's emotions. It is the ability to use emotions creatively and cognitively.'"

(3) From page 9: "Shabaroo looked to his left. Not far off was a stream. A soft wind swept by. It came smoothly up and over the turnpike overpass and down through the cane fields. Then it subsided.

The wind came back in slightly stronger gusts. It moaned in the palm trees, causing their leaves to sway back and forth. It rippled the gently flowing waters of the stream. After a while it calmed to a feeble stir.

It was early morning, just before dawn. The air was cool, and the stream ran merrily along its course. A leaf fell on its surface, and the smooth running waters deposited it on the bank further downstream."

At the end of each chapter is a positive affirmation in large print, such as: "I AM KIND AND COMPASSIONATE TO OTHERS AND TO MYSELF." It would be my recommendation that the book be professionally edited.

If you are a reader of spiritual self-help books, you will find nothing new here. The Values Pursued Life just might appeal to the Christian teenage market.

Kaye Trout - December 23, 2008

AGAINST THE CURRENT - MY LIFE WITH CEREBRAL PALSY by Bob Segalman

2008-12-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

Full Court Press
Verona, Wisconsin
www.AttainmentCompany.com
Genre: Inspirational Memoir
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1578616751, Advance Reader's Edidtion, 159 pp.

Against the Current is Bob Segalman's personal journey through life with a serious disability and a record of his achievements--an inspiration to all. He has written this memoir in a journal-like fashion with a sense of humor and photos to boot. It's well written, edited and presented in an attractive manner and will be published in 2009.

Bob Segalman has lived a full and productive life, and I can highly recommend this memoir to entertain, inform and inspire.

Kaye Trout - December 21, 2008

HYAM - THE CAT WHO TALKED TOO MUCH by Pamela Douglas

2008-12-21T11:40:00.000-08:00

The Poetic Tale of a Theatrical Cat
M-Y Books
187 Ware Road, Hertford
m-ybooks.co.uk
Genre: Poetry
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781906658137, $7.99, 77 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"This is the tale of Hyam, a cat famous for talking himself out of a part at an audition for a West End Production - for he is an actor. He tells his own story in a series of delightfully readable poems, taking us on his travels through the ups and down of theatre life and his many escapades as a sophisticated actor, a country puss and a family pet. Blessed with a sense of humour and an abounding love of people, Hyam is, indeed, a most unusual cat."

Pamela Douglas has written this wonderful little book which I'm certain will delight children of all ages and cat lovers in particular. Her poems rhyme like a cat in a hat, and one soon comes to know and love Hyam. The books is well written, edited and illustrated. The cover is colorful and attractive.

Kaye Trout - December 21, 2008

$1.1 MILLION IN 10 YEARS: THE MILITARY ROAD TO WEALTH AND RETIREMENT by Erik Bernard

2008-11-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

booksurge.com
Genre: Financial How To
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781419656712, $13.99, 150 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"The men and women of the U.S. military are positioned to meet a variety of challenges in the world. Oftentimes the soldier serves without much thought to the long-term possibilities. The grass always seems greener when trucking through 100-plus degree weather or subfreezing cold. This book is written for those who question the sacrifices we make and come to the conclusion that the military is not a road to wealth and relaxation when looking to plan for retirement. You could not be more wrong.

"There is an ever-increasing awareness of the struggles service members face in these challenging times, and many benefit packages offered to soldiers are being enhanced. The opportunity for growth in the military is greater than ever, offering motivated individuals the potential to achieve that comfortable retirement that eludes so many at the end of their career.

"$1.1 Million in 10 Years provides that insight and illuminates the path for growth, reassuring service members that their sacrifices are already being rewarded–and proving that $1.1 million in 10 years is an attainable goal for their military career."

This is not your typical ‘how-to-make-a-million’ self-help book. It has a particular focus and was written while the global economy began to spin out of control. Hopefully, when the dust settles, the strategies propounded herein will still have value. Some issues addressed will never lose their value: budgets, self-discipline, and personal responsibility for your finances.

It is clearly evident that Erik Bernard is a disciplined, educated writer, and this book is well written and well edited. Author Bernard has walked the walk and wants to share his experience and encouragement with other families in the military. Good luck!

Kaye Trout - November 25, 2008

CAPABLE OF MURDER - THE EMBROIDERED CORPSE - BLOODY HAM by Brian Kavanagh

2008-11-14T10:09:00.000-08:00

BeWrite Books
www.bewrite.net
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1905202105, 1905202369, 1905202539,
Cost: $12.50, $12.50, $13.99. Pages: 184, 196 & 174

All three short, fictional mystery novels are included in this review. Capable of Murder introduces us to our protagonist, Belinda Lawrence. Australian-born Belinda inherits her murdered, great-aunt’s ancient cottage on the outskirts of Bath, England. Would someone commit murder over a garden?

The Embroidered Corpse–quoting from the back cover: "Two startling murders that replicate the death of a mediaeval English king and the discovery of a mysterious ancient tapestry lead Belinda Lawrence and her associate Hazel Whitby into a vortex of suspense involving a bizarre religious cult, an enigmatic academic, a group of monks devoted to aggression and clues to a thrilling conspiracy nearly a thousand years old.

Bloody Ham is the most contemporary of the three, and I quote: " Excitement and tension begin on the first day of filming a Restoration drama on location at the historic Jacobean mansion, Ham House in Surrey when one of the leading players collapses and dies. With the death ruled non-accidental the director, the producer and two members of the cast are all suspects."

I have included all three novels in this review because they are similar in many aspects. The stories are all a little bizarre, definitely English, and the murders quite gruesome. The author’s writing style is consistently entertaining, and Brian Kavanagh is a consummate writer. If you enjoy English-style mysteries, you may want to give him a read.

Kaye Trout - November 13, 2008

ROCKET MAN by William Elliott Hazelgrove

2008-11-14T10:06:00.000-08:00

Pantonne Press, Inc.
Chicago, IL
Genre: Fiction/Contemporary Satire
ISBN: 9780615213071, $19.95, 374 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Dale Hammer is trying to find his part of the American Dream. But he just can’t keep up. In a story of hilarious consequences, we find Dale in one week accused of cutting down the sign to his subdivision, plagued with a father who has come to live over his garage, and on the hook for being the Rocket Man of his son’s Scout troop. While the price of the American Dream has become nothing short of being rich and famous, Dale heads for the catastrophe of Rocket Day with one mission–to give his son a sense of independence, and in the process, find himself."

Let me say right off...William Hazelgrove is a consummate, educated writer; however, I did not care for the narrating protagonist, Dale Hammer, whose nine-year-old son rightly classified him as a "doofus"–my thoughts precisely. To qualify for the "doofus" title, Dale demonstrated throughout his self-centeredness, selfishness, ignorance, and attitudes of disdain for order and other people. That the Rocket Day event should redeem him in the eyes of his son and wife Wendy–an intelligent attorney–is unbelievable.

Wendy says, "You are bad at logistics, work, organization, and you whine and are like a child, and you can be the biggest jerk I have ever known. But I never married you for those things."...

"Why did you marry me?"..."

"So I would never be bored."...

Well, I guess wife Wendy wasn’t so intelligent after all if fear of boredom was her reason for marrying this doofus, and if the heart of this novel was all about ‘independence’, I think it missed the mark.

Kaye Trout - November 14, 2008

THE ADVENTURES OF FLUFF THE BUNNY by Bernadine Motto

2008-11-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

Outskirts Press, Inc.
Parker, CO
ISBN: 1598009087, $11.95, 28 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Fluff the Bunny goes on an adventure in search of chocolate chip cookies and milk for a snack. He asks various animals such as Millie the Mouse and Otis the Owl to help him in his pursuit of chocolate chip cookies and milk. He meets a little boy named Christopher during his adventure who becomes his good friend, and who also helps him in his search of chocolate chip cookies and milk."

The Adventures of Fluff the Bunny is a very simple and easy story. The colorful illustrations and fun names will appeal to first-time readers. The water color illustrations and bright colors certainly make this book special, and as no other illustrator was given credit, I assume Bernadine Motto is the artist. Nice job!

It may be a little pricey for its size...but then again, what isn’t pricey these days?

Kaye Trout - November 9, 2008

A BOMB SHELTER ROMANCE by Patrick M. Garry

2008-11-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

Inkwater Press, Portland, Oregon
inkwaterpress.com
Genre: Fiction/Historical
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 101592993451, $16.95, 228 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"For 18-year old Ben O’Neill, being cool is hard to do. Especially during the summer of 1970.

"His mother has volunteered the family to help build, as a reporter has dubbed it, ‘the last bomb shelter of the cold war.’ Gripped with a prepare-for-the-worst mentality, Joan O’Neill is a natural for this project. And during the summer of 1970, her internal alarms of impending danger are ringing. Her oldest son is fighting in Vietnam, her oldest daughter is off waging the sexual revolution, and a third is living with her communist boyfriend. Feeling helpless toward the three oldest, Joan O’Neill undertakes the bomb shelter project, hoping that involving her remaining children in a project of protection will somehow shield them from all the dangers that seem so imminent.

"But in a small town far away from any militarily strategic target, the bomb shelter becomes an object of derision, and Ben’s hopes for a summer of romance quickly fade. This is, until Brad Richardson, the blind owner of the local movie theater, joins the bomb shelter crew. It is through Brad that Ben meets Suzanne–a girl whose beauty is matched only by her refusal to be embarrassed about working on the bomb shelter. The romance between Ben and Suzanne progresses amidst the increasingly stormy events of a town suddenly caught up in a cascade of unintended consequences.

"When their bus breaks down, a group of college students on their way to a political demonstration decide to stay and protest the bomb shelter. This siege of outside agitators turns the town into a cultural and political battleground, with the bomb shelter at ground zero. And despite all Joan O’Neill’s good intentions, disaster ensues."

Patrick Garry’s novel has captured a bit of time, the 1970s–the cold war, Vietnam, protests, sexual revolution, small town mores, young innocense, and adult promiscuity. A Bomb Shelter Romance is a simple, delightful story about a family and the unique characters who come together to finish this controversial project. The novel is well written, well edited, and Garry is an educated, consummate writer.

Delightful...truly delightful!!...and highly recommended. Kaye Trout 11/4/2008

WHAT CAN WE DO NEXT? THE ADVENTURES OF LEXIE & LOLLY by Toula Magi

2008-10-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

Outskirts Press, Inc.
Parker, CO
www.outskirtspress.com
www.ToulaMagi.com
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781432715335, $12.95, 40 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"On a rainy day, with nothing to do, Lexie uses her imagination to create an imaginary friend to play with. She names her new friend Lolly, because his colorful appearance reminds her of lollipop flavors. Lolly shows Lexie that by using their imagination, they can go on all sorts of adventures, even though they can’t play outside. What Can We Do Next? Is a delightful new children’s book that shows kids that they can use their imagination to conjure up their own fun, any time, any place. When you use your imagination, there is no limit to what can be done!"

This is a simple, easy-to-read story about how children can use their imagination, rain or shine, to entertain themselves–not a bad idea...an imaginary best friend. The illustrations are fun, well done and colorful.

Toula Magi’s inspiration to write her first children’s book came while watching her daughter at play. Now, that inspiration has manifested itself into a delightful little book...one I’m certain young children will enjoy again and again.

Kaye Trout - October 14, 2008

SPIRIT MATTERS by Matthew J. Pallamary

2008-10-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Mystic Ink Publishing
Carlsbad, CA
www.mysticinkpublishing.com
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Exceptional
ISBN: 9781434318015, $21.99, 250 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Spirit touches us in every moment of our existence; only most of us are caught up in the dramas that we have created in our lives, blinding us to a reality far greater than anything we can imagine with our rational minds.

"It is simply a matter of awareness.

"Though we often feel lost and abandoned in a cold and uncaring world, the truth is that we live in the illusion of our own self-created exile, away from the Source of our being which has never stopped loving us–unconditionally.

"The time has come to awaken and pass through the darkness of our fear induced slumber to embrace the light of truth, and find our way back to the infinite light of love that comes to us from the Source of all creation.

"Awareness is presence, which means being fully present, in the present, right here, right now, in this moment, standing in the light of truth, which is the greatest present anyone can receive.

"Matthew Pallamary’s SPIRIT MATTERS chronicles his life long search for truth, which took him from the false spirituality of a violent concrete jungle in an Irish Catholic ghetto in Boston, to the discovery of true spirituality in the jungles of the Amazon where he discovered the truth.

"Spirit DOES matter."

As a reviewer, I have read many memoirs–some written to give advice, educate, encourage, inspire...to help us through difficult times/problems, some to rant and some to rave. We all have a story to tell and with the help of POD publishers, many people have taken up the challenge write.

Matthew Pallamary’s Spirit Matters is one exceptional memoir (not POD) on many levels: 1) It is an honest accounting of his drug use throughout his life in search of new experiences, pushing the limit and ultimately leading to a truth for himself...a trip from selfishness to selflessness; 2) The story is a page-turner and informative; 3) Pallamary is an exceptional, educated writer with a smooth, appealing style. I particularly liked his succinct chapters.

There are many, many books out there about spiritual paths and how to raise ones consciousness. Most of these books are written with an attitude of teacher/student and a small degree of superiority or humorous self-deprecation. How delightful that this is not the case with Matthew Pallamary...how refreshing, how human, how honest.

I agree with Pallamary’s mother, when his writing was compared to Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, Matt’s is better. Allow me to share a few passages with you...one somewhat humorous (so I thought) and the other descriptive.

Page 217 - first day at Amazon jungle camp after the wasp attack:

"I was drenched with sweat after carrying our gear and getting settled in our tambos, so I decided to skinny dip in the tributary. While I was undressing at the water’s edge, a huge black ant bit into my foot. I slapped at him, knocking his body away, but his head remained clamped to my foot, still sucking. I swatted it away and still had to dig out its mandibles, which remained embedded in my flesh."

Page 221 - Jungle life:

"The only word that comes to mind to describe waking up in the rain forest is primeval. The jungle is never quiet. The continuous buzzing, calls, and chatter of inspects and animals fill the day and night, each with their own quality. The night is the loudest. You can find yourself awake in the total black of predawn and sense a subtle shift in the nature of the sounds around you. Though you can see nothing, you know by the shift that sunrise is approaching.

"As the new day dawned through rising jungle mists, the noise of the jungle’s night life drifted into the lower-energy buzz and hum of the day, punctuated by the crises of birds and animals that sounded sweeter, lighter, and less insistent than those of the night. What the life that fills the jungle day lacks compared to the volume of the night it makes up for with visual orchestra. Bugs of all shapes and sizes buzzed and crawled everywhere, as did the lizards. Birds, smaller animals, and bigger ones seen less frequently moved on the ground and in the trees. Hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, insects of all sizes, colors, and markings flitted in the sun, the most spectacular of them el morpho; a large iridescent, cobalt blue butterfly that flutters up and down the waterways."

Such a delightful surprise! Thanks, Matt, and may the spirit with be you.

Kaye Trout - October 10, 2008

THE HERETIC QUEEN by Michelle Moran

2008-10-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

Crown Publishing Group
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780307381750, $24.95, 400 pp.

The Heretic Queen is a fictionalized historical novel about the young princess Nefertari, and her challenges in the court of Ramesses II to become his queen and Chief Wife. The struggle for power is always at the heart of political intrigue, and so, it is at the heart of this tale.

Michelle Moran has researched and written a most entertaining and informative novel about ancient Egypt. There’s romance, religion, warfare, and palace intrigue. The novel is well written with an educated style. I enjoyed reading it and can recommend it to anyone interested in historical novels.

Kaye Trout - October 7, 2008

THE ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE - THE ADVENTURES OF CARMEN SENZ by Judy Free and Traci Maddox

2008-10-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

Sage Peak Associates, Inc.
Tabernash, CO
www.essentialemployee.com
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9780981776200, $14.95, 135 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"The Essential Employee: R E A C H for your peak and become an Essential Employee!

"What happens when two organization development consultants put their heads together to help employees become more essential in the workplace? The result is an engaging, easy-to-read story based on research and analysis! The story is about Carmen Senz’s first six months at work and the lessons she learns about being an essential employee.

"This book provides great advice for all employees: whether you are preparing for your first job, you’re an employee in search of a new position, you want to stay in the position you have, or if you want a promotion!

"For managers, this book provides valuable information about desirable employee behaviors based on research in small and large organizations.

"For executives, this book will help you understand what skills to promote with your organization’s recruiting and training programs.

"So open up and learn from Carmen’s experience! Find out what it means to be an essential employee!"

Yes, The Essential Employee is an engaging, juvenile little story; it’s well written and well edited and might appeal to children in elementary school. If it were informative to managers or executives, that, indeed, would be a very sad case. As the protagonist’s name Carmen Senz implies, REACH (results, enthusiasm, attitude, cooperation, and honor) should be a matter of common sense. Testing a prospective employee for ‘common sense’ might be the key. Some employees feel they are essential/irreplaceable and take on a superior attitude. However, no employee is irreplaceable. The challenge is to make your boss think you are...essential.

Kaye Trout - October 5, 2008

DOWN TO A SUNLESS SEA by Mathias B. Freese

2008-09-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Wheatmark
Tucson, Arizona
www.wheatmark.com
Genre: Fictional/Short Stories
ISBN: 1587367335, $11.86, 148 pp.

When this small book was submitted to me for a review, it came with gold award stickers on the cover–Allbooks Reviews Editor’s Choice and Indie Excellence Finalist Book Awards–plus fourteen pages of supporting interviews and prior reviews. As I did not care for the book, I wrote to the author saying that I would not be doing a review as I did not feel I was qualified to do so. If so many people thought it had some merit, and I didn’t...then there must be something wrong with me. The author then asked me to return his book. As I have no intention of going to the expense of returning an unsolicited book, here are my thoughts after reading these tales.

Down to a Sunless Sea is a collection of fifteen short, depressing stories. I personally did not care for the collection or the author’s writing style–too affected for my taste. The collection felt in someways to be a personal memoir but rather than present it directly as such, he chopped it up into disassociated tales, and though the stories are very short, he regularly managed to mention a penis, if only for a few lines.

My question would be ‘why’. Why was Mathias B. Freese compelled to write such a depressing collection?...catharsis? Unless you have a penchant for sad stories about childhood problems growing up, you may wish to spend your money elsewhere.

Kaye Trout - September 29, 2008

THE DVD MURDERS by Bob Frey

2008-09-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Infinity Publishing
West Conshohocken, PA
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 0741449722, $16.95, 288 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Someone is killing the A-List actors of Hollywood and leaving a defaced DVD of one of their films at the crime scene. Follow Detective Frank Callahan, a big, rough and tumble sort of guy who happens to be gay, as he pursues the DVD killer through bath houses and cruising grounds, on a chase around Magic Mountain, and other L.A. landmarks. Witness Callahan’s evolution from a seeker of personal glory to team player and his monumental showdown with a gay-bashing rival detective. Good, old-fashioned police work leads to the killer’s downfall in a climax reminiscent of Hollywood’s legendary gangster films."

I enjoyed The DVD Murders very much. As always...nothing is simple–the human condition is complex and multi-faceted. Bob Frey does an excellent job of portraying his gay protagonist and aspects of the gay lifestyle. The "gay" element of this mystery certainly gives the novel a unique twist, adds some humor and insight. You may not like all you learn from this novel, but at least you’ll come away with a better understanding. Yes, I would recommend this book on many levels.

Kaye Trout - September 26, 2008

THE PLANTATION - A TWISTED TALE FROM A DEMENTED MIND by Frank J. Stoppa

2008-09-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

BookSurge, LLC
www.booksurge.com
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Good
ISBN: 18663086235, $9.99, 98 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"The Plantation is a book about the ancient battle between good and evil. Author, Frank Stoppa takes the reader into a world of hedonistic pleasures where the line between right and wrong becomes blurred by love, passion, lust, and greed. The protagonist, Samuel faces the battle of his life: to reclaim not only his soul, but the soul of the love of his life, Juliet. Samuel and Juliet take a journey into a world of voodoo rituals and unimaginable depravity that will cause them to question their faith, their beliefs and ultimately, their place in eternity."

This little novella is a fast, entertaining read right to the finish, reminiscent of an Ambrose Bierce tale. Frank J. Stoppa has an active imagination, and I did enjoy it; however, my one constructive criticism would be that it be professionally edited as there are more than a few grammatical errors.

Kaye Trout - September 26, 2008

P IS FOR PERIL by Sue Grafton

2008-09-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

G. P. Putnam’s Sons
New York
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 0399147195, $26.95, 352 pp.

If you’re familiar with the fictional mystery genre, then the name Sue Grafton is not new to you, nor her alphabetical Kinsey Millhone series. You might say Kinsey is a grown-up Nancy Drew with a Private Investigator’s license. In P is for Peril, Kinsey is hired to find a missing doctor...sounds very simple and straight forward. However, it doesn’t take long before the author has you pulled into multiple mysteries and everyone is a suspect with a good motive.

As far as writing style, Ms Grafton’s style has a formula feel to it, i.e, bring in a new character or house and she immediately describes he/she/it in extensive detail, and detail seems to be her forte. I personally could do without so much detail. Who cares what particular items Kinsey purchased at the grocery store or how she placed her umbrella or hung her coat. But, that’s just my taste.

Kaye Trout - September 3, 2008

POWER TOOLS by Binyamin Klempner, MSW, Life Coach

2008-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Powerful Thoughts and Questions for Personal Excellence
BookSurge Publishing,
North Charleston, SC
www.booksurge.com
Genre: Self-Help/Inspirational
Rating: Good
ISBN: 1439202311, $15.99, 266 pp., Dimensions-6.5x5.5

Quoting from the back cover:

"Do you have a vision of the life you want, but feel you might need some help in realizing that vision? Are you having trouble achieving your personal, family, and professional goals?

"Think of this book as your personal life coach, here to help you take full advantage of the skills and knowledge that you already possess.

"Through thought-provoking stories and practical exercises, you and the author will work together to help you define, reach, and master your goals.

"Your life is a journey and you have the ability to set its direction. A lesson in spirituality in action, this book is designed to provide you with tools you can use to build the life your want."

The majority of the books I receive to review are "self-help" books...the authors tell us how we can improve ourselves and our lives. I read them all with hopes of finding something new and innovative (sure could use some improvement), and when I do, I’ll let you know.

Power Tools doesn’t have anything new or innovative for self-help readers, but how it is presented is appealing. Its size is unique, small and thick; colorful cover and quality paper; the print is dark and easy to read; each page is a different topic; it includes many AA principles–a definite plus; and the manner in which Klempner conveys his help is more appealing than some self-help gurus. Power Tools is an inspirational little book...an excellent bedtime or sitting-on-the-john read.

Isn’t it nice to know that there are so many people out there wanting to help us live better lives and make a few bucks along the way. Some become very successful, such as Dan Millman. Dan taught at my Gymnastic Studio in San Francisco while he was writing his Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

Kaye Trout - September 2, 2008

THE SUPERVISION SOLUTION: MANAGE PERFORMANCE-NOT PEOPLE by John Roulet

2008-09-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

Javelin Publishing
www.javelinpublishing.com
Genre: Educational
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9780981683768, $22.95, 160 pp.

Quoting from the Press Release:

"The effective management of people is a critical issue with which business leaders struggle on a daily basis. The popular view of leadership is to try to understand the personalities, interests and attitudes of those being lead. Through this understanding will come better relationships and in turn, better outcomes for the company.

"‘Wrong,’ says John Roulet.... According to Roulet, the current management paradigm is severely flawed in many respects. Its greatest flaw, however, is in the mistaken premise that business leaders manage people. Great leadership is not about managing people, it is about managing performance...."

Everything about this book–the hardcover, pages, dust jacket, editing, organization, and Javelin Publishing’s promotion material–is top quality, including all the hype and positive comments on the back cover. I read this book from cover to cover and thought: ‘This is just common sense with a lot of fancy words.’ It is not dynamic or innovative. Possibly an elementary school might include it in a Management 101 class. I certainly would not recommend spending $22.95 for the information in this book.

Kaye Trout - September 2, 2008

LIFE IS TOO SHORT: CHOICES IN LIFE SECOND EDITION by David W. Dorris

2008-09-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

Llumina Press
www.llumina.com
Genre: Self Help
ISBN: 9781605940458, $9.95, 132 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"All of us go through life once. Life is not a rehearsal. Life is a series of choices that lead us to our destiny. We make choices about all our actions in life, such as how we treat others, how we communicate to others and how we help or hurt others. We choose the kind of jobs that we want to do, where we want to live, and the kind of families that we want to have.

"Life can be deceiving and we’re not always sure what to believe about the kind of world that we think this is. A lot of things don’t make any sense. We don’t always know what we want out of life or who we really are. Few, if any of us, ever reach our full potential intellect.

"Life may not be as easy as we think. It’s a tough world and life isn’t that easy for all of us. Life is hard work, and we should be prepared for what life deals out. The more that we educate ourselves and understand the mysteries about life on Earth, the easier our lives can be. All of us are looking for the brass ring, and we may wish to know many things to get the best out of our lives.

"To be successful and happy, we have to make the right choices. Every day and every minute we have choices to make, even if they’re not to make any choices and to do nothing. Most of our choices care be very difficult. Our choices can affect our friends, our families, our co-workers, and anybody else that comes into our lives. If we make the wrong choices, our lives become harder to live. Our lives can be full of problems. We know that our futures are going to be full of choices, and at this very moment we are going to start making the right ones."

This little book has been written from a good heart with hopes to inspire. David W. Dorris has done a good job at getting down to basics and everyday problems. He writes in a straight-forward, simplistic style as he tells us how he preceives the world and what we should do. Life Is Too Short is well edited and for the price of $9.95, you might give it a try.

Kaye Trout - September 1, 2008

SLICE OF LIFE - OUR WAYS AND DAYS by Gene Hull

2008-08-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

Fiction Publishing, Inc.
Fort Pierce, Florida
Genre: Fictional Short Stories
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780981495651, $14.95, 215 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"SLICE OF LIFE, a surprising potpourri of literary short stories, is rooted in intriguing characters and plot twists cleverly and believable crafted.

"You’ll meet Leonardo, naive young musician, confronted and confused by a charming older woman in a San Francisco jazz club.... Alison and her two sisters, on a New Hampshire reunion hike, attacked by a roving black bear.... A bickering senior couple who get lost while driving at night on a Florida back road.... Warren Duphiney, a shy photographer captivated by a beautiful young woman who is running in the park.... Jess Carter attempting a daring rescue of a TV newswoman trapped in a Pennsylvania coal mine. Lyle Baker, a young veteran who returns unexpectedly to his North Texas hometown five years after the war.... and many more personalities caught up in the drama of OUR WAYS AND DAYS."

Some think the popularity of the short story has seen its day, but I tend to disagree. A short story is the perfect bedtime read, and Gene Hull has done an excellent job of providing us with some entertaining stories. This collection is well crafted, well edited and creative. Slice of Life is Gene’s third book, and he just keeps getting better and better. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Enjoy!

Kaye Trout - August 6, 2008

THE SCROLL - WAKE UP CALL PROPHECIES by Bob R. Short

2008-08-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

Xulon Press
www.xulonpress.com
Genre: Religious
ISBN: 9780965140812, $29.95, 288 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Bob Short has predicted his second book of astonishing end time prophecies. His first book, the Wake Up Call Prophecies, published in 1996 has happened as prophesied (see Section-3). Authoritative and cutting edge prophecies in The Scroll are incredible, even shocking, and could be life saving. Understanding the future with skyrocketing catastrophic events makes this book a must read for all nation’s Christians, citizens, clergy, and their Military."

Mr. Short is quite the dedicated person, and his book is the result of this dedication. He has traveled far and wide in his religious adventure and includes photos of himself and religious sites throughout the book. The Scroll is well organized, well edited, and it is clearly evident that Mr. Short is an educated man.

Prior to the Table of Contents he includes a "Non Christian Warming: Prophecy, however, is for Believers - Not for unbelievers!" and then provides us with the prayer which will make us newborn Christians. So you see...there is still hope.

Kaye Trout - August 4, 2008

A SOUTH FLORIDA CULINARY ADVENTURE by Alice Shapiro

2008-07-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

Eloquent Books,
New York, New York
Genre: Cookbook
ISBN: 9781934925553, $12.95, 68 pp.

Hodge podge!

Sorry to say the only thing I found of interest in this book was the front cover. Please, don’t waste your hard earn money on this collection of trivia.

Kaye Trout - July 31, 2008

YOU, MY LOVE - A DIARY IN VERSE by Richard Atwood

2008-07-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

iUniverse, Inc.
Lincoln, NE
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 9780595465191, $11.95, 103 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"You are into me like flame and fire as no other desire could know such gentle fury...like an undefined thirst incalculably uncontrolled, or passion spent in seeking a wild and wondrous rose."

You, My Love is the diary, in verse, of a young man’s love for an older, married woman. If you, too, have had an overwhelming love for a beautiful woman, you may possibly understand and enjoy Richard Atwood’s rich, poetic verses. How wonderful that love can inspire...even through the pain.

Kaye Trout - July 3, 2008

DOGS: FUNNY SIDE UP! by Nola Lee Kelsey

2008-06-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

Nola Lee Kelsey’s Funniest Canine Chronicles from Dogtown to Bangkok
Dog’s Eye View Media
Hot Springs, South Dakota
Genre: Satirical Short Stories
Rating: Exceptional
ISBN: 9780980232325, $14.00, 264 pp.

Delightful! Worldly insightful!

Quoting from the back cover:

"Welcome to a ‘dog-gone’ hysterical perspective born out of a life that has literally gone to the dogs. From Nat Geo’s Dogtown to the temples of Northern Thailand, Kelsey’s biting satire offers an outrageously fresh perspective on the world of animal rescue and a life spent among man’s best friends."

My favorite chapter is titled, So Ya Wanna Start a Sanctuary. Allow me to share the opening paragraphs with you:

"Many of us dream of starting our own animal sanctuaries. In my world you hear this fantasy so often you’d think shelters would be as common as pigeons in Balboa Park or Republicans in denial.

"After two decades of working at, and volunteering for, every ilk of animal rescue, in addition to attending seminars on founding sanctuaries, and driving past many more, I fancy myself quite knowledgeable on the basics of sanctuary operations. This is precisely why I don’t start one."

If you have any interest in animals, you’ll like this book. If you’re involved with animal rescue organizations, you’ll love this book. Nola Lee Kelsey, a consummate writer who knows her stuff, has a quick mind and sharp wit, and it’s not all about dogs.

Kaye Trout - June 25, 2008

EVIL, ANGER, AND GOD - A Biblical Pastoral Study by Milton Crum

2008-06-19T06:13:00.000-07:00

WingSpan Press
Livermore, CA
www.wingspanpress.com
Genre: Religious
ISBN: 9781595942425, $12.95, 156 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"The Book in a Nutshell - Evil in Scripture denotes both suffering and behavior that causes it. Anger often follows suffering. Anger at people is condemned, but anger at God is accepted because biblical faith portrays God as inflicting evil. This faith calls for an understanding of language about God acting and a biblical theodicy revealing God’s goodness; both are provided. Portrayals of God as inflicting evil do not deny that, factually, humans inflict it, so the witness about human sin is included. Final chapters offer biblical deliverances from evil.

The author, after military service and business experience, served as a parish priest, a campus chaplain, and as a professor at the Virginia Theological Seminary where he taught a course on Evil, Anger, and God."

After trying to read this book, it is my feeling that it was not written for the average lay person. So, who might enjoy and understand this book?...possibly theological students, priests and other religious ministers. If you can understand the quote from the back cover, possibly this book may appeal to you too.

Kaye Trout - June 19, 2008

HEALING YOUR INNER CORE by John Boswell

2008-06-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

How to Rewrite Your Life Script and Change Your Destiny
Parra Grande Press
Santa Barbara, CA
Genre: Self Help/Mind and Body
ISBN: 9780981554105, $14.95, 130 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Is it really possible to change your programming, your life and your destiny? Yes, it is.

"Healing Your Inner Core presents a new approach to repairing and restoring the wounded self. If you sincerely desire to heal your inner core and change your life, this book is for you.

"John Boswell is an entrepreneur living in California. As a young man he realized that his life wasn’t working and that he needed to fundamentally change. After an extraordinary journey, he succeeded. This is the story of that trip and a description of the powerful techniques he adopted to accomplish something extremely unusual.

"Healing Your Inner Core is one of the best books on the Healing Journey I’ve seen–succinct and to the point as the author lived the process himself. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the therapist’s door, or whether your life script might need some rewriting as well, then this is the book for you. To some extent, Boswell gives us a brilliant description of just what can happen when we decide to open them up, once and for all. James Redfield, author of The Celestine Prophecy."

John Boswell has taken his time, energy, and knowledge to share with readers his personal struggle to overcome a dysfunctional childhood. Does his book contain anything new or unique that we haven’t read before in other self-help books?...I don’t think so. The process seems to be pretty standard: recognition that one has a significant problem; making a commitment to change; honesty with oneself; and seeking help...from whatever source works.

As the author is not a psychiatrist or psychologist with client case histories, John relates personal stories about his friends, which I found questionable. Quoting from page 115:

"Now that we’ve defined the tools to rewrite life script, let’s put them to use. Remember my friend Russ, whose father abandoned him emotionally? He’s in real danger of passing that script forward as a result of emotionally abandoning his own son. If Russ were willing, he could learn how to stop reciprocating his father’s abandonment, develop a real relationship with his son, and put an end to the transmission of this unfortunate and very damaging script.

"It’s clear that Russ needs to be re-parented. He has a big gap in his script because of his dad’s inability to father him. Assume that Russ visits a counselor who understands these principles. Russ complains about his lack of relationship with his son. How can he be helped?..."

The parts that bothered me in these two paragraphs were: "If Russ were willing..." and "It’s clear that Russ needs to be re-parented." Really? Some people are raised by loving parents but still have problematic family relationships, and the reverse is also true. I don’t think there is one ‘clear’ answer to the source or solution of another person’s problems...life is complicated...and so it goes. What do you think?

Kaye Trout - June 9, 2008

FASHION FIGHTER - Cheeks-A-Saurus-Rex-A-Maxamus by Deborah O'Dowd

2008-06-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

iUniverse, Inc.
Www.iuniverse.com
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 0595442676, $11.95, 148 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Seven-year-old Kylie ‘Cheeks’ Acosta is the youngest of three girls, and there is another baby on the way. Cheeks gave herself another nickname when, at four years old, she dressed up in as many clothes as she could fit and announced she was ‘Fashion Fighter’, a sort of clothing superhero. But Cheeks doesn’t want to be called Fashion Fighter anymore; she has more important issues on her mind.

"A smart and curious second-grader, Cheeks meets her biological father, whom she calls R-Daddy, for the first time. She discovers that he lost his legs in the war in Iraq. When she hears about soldiers and innocent children dying, Cheeks feels sad, frustrated, and anxious to do something about it.

"Rallying her fellow students, Cheeks starts a campaign to educate people about the war. She discovers that not everyone agrees with her, which helps Cheeks make sense of her own growing beliefs about the world around her. But the war is only one of Cheeks’ concerns–she has to fight another battle of her own right close to home. Readers will be rooting for Cheeks as she valiantly stands up for what she knows in her heart to be right."

The cover and title of this juvenile fiction novel might convey the impression that Fashion Fighter is a light, simplistic, cartoon-like read. Surprisingly, that is not the case, and Deborah O’Dowd does an exceptional job of writing about family dynamics, child abuse, the horrors of war, and terrorism through the eyes and mind of a seven-year-old little girl. This novel is a contemporary story about real problems, real fears and real solutions designed to entertain and educate young readers. It is unique, well written, well edited, and an inspiration.

Deborah has taught high school English for over sixteen years and is also the author of Poetry Made Easy. Keep up the good fight!

Kaye Trout - June 7, 2008

THE AQUARIANS - AN ANCIENT MAYAN PROPHECY - A MODERN PHENOMENON by Eric Rankin

2008-06-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

iUniverse, Inc.
Bloomington, IN
www.iuniverse.com
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: Good
ISBN: 0595443024, $14.95, 206 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"According to the ancient Mayan Calendar, time as we know it will stop on December 21st, 2012. But what does this actually mean?

"Rebecca Larson, senior dolphin behaviorist at SeaWorld, San Diego, has a theory. She believes that the cooperative way dolphins live is the very reason they have thrived on earth for millions of years. What’s more, she see the end of the Mayan calendar as a moment when humans may truly begin to integrate these same peaceful behaviors.

"Dr. Troy Wallace, a pioneer in the study of dolphin echolocation, is convinced that he is on the verge of an incredible scientific breakthrough. Recent research suggests that dolphins may send three-dimensional sonograms to each other, and Dr. Wallace hopes to be the first to decode and view these images.

"As handsome as he is shallow, Souther California television celebrity Ryan Ericson finds himself on a path that intersects with the lives of Dr. Wallace and Rebecca. Together, they are thrust into a mystery of coincidence and discovery connecting the Mayan Calendar end-date, dolphins and the very fate of humanity.

"What The DaVinci Code did to shed light on the mysteries of the Holy Grail, The Aquarians does for the ancient Mayan Calendar. I cannot imagine a more timely or enlightening novel. - Dr. Jim Turrell, Founder of the Center for Spiritual Discovery."

The theme of The Aquarians is most contemporary, and I’m certain there will be many more books written about ‘the end of time’ the closer we get to 2012. The subject matter makes for an informative, interesting read, though the storyline is not unique. Through his novel Eric Rankin shares his knowledge, experience and understanding of dolphins and the Mayan culture. He does an excellent job of weaving the multiple facets together to a full-circle conclusion. His style of writing is straight forward, educated, and the book is well edited.

Kaye Trout - June 4, 2008

MILLIE'S HONOR by Neal L. Powers

2008-06-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

iUniverse, Inc.
iuniverse.com
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Exceptional
ISBN: 0595472249, $15.95, 222 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Things change when Millie comes to Raleigh County in 1957. She teaches students to think for themselves, and soon everyone know her slogan: ‘Grammar matters. It proves you’re educated!’

"Because of one teacher, teenagers learn to think critically about civil rights, the death of 13 year-old Donny Weber, the assassination of JFK and Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr., and Vietnam.

"Millie leaves a legacy. And Raleigh honors her memory in a most unusual way."

Millie’s Honor is an eclectic mix of history, mystery, drama, romance and suspense. Neal Powers tells a most interesting, unpredictable, true-to-life story about three boys, Vietnam, and the mysterious death of Donny Weber. Neal is a consummate writer with a delightful style, and his novel is well written and well edited. Allow me to share a sample of his writing with you.

"Half a million years ago, give or take a hundred thousand years, an icy mass the size of Antarctica ground past Chicago on its way south. At its southernmost reach, its gleaming face carved a line on the earth we now call the Missouri River. Spanning all the way to New York, the eastern shoulder of the Laurentide Ice Sheet also gouged out the Ohio River Valley. Desperate for a path ti the ocean, the Ohio and Missouri Rivers joined forces to cut the Mississippi River. It wasn’t trickle-down; it was cataclysmic. What sometimes begins as innocently as a snowflake can become a force to change the landscape. It is not unlike the affairs of men."

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed and price isn’t bad.

Kaye Trout - June 3, 2008

CAN I HAVE SOME MONEY? MAX GETS IT! by Candi Sparks

2008-05-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

Booksurge Publishing
Genre: Juvenile/Educational
ISBN: 9780978944513, $11.99, 32 pp.

Quoting from the foreword:

"Sooner or later every child realizes the importance of money and asks, ‘Can I have some money?’ Max Gets it! is the narrative of wonderfully curious 10-year old Maximillion, who desperately wants the latest video game. His parent let him earn an allowance by doing extra chores, with the understanding that he can buy the game with it. They empower him with the financial freedom and responsibility of making his own choices. Financially, Max gets it!..."

This little story with its delightful illustrations by Bill Graf is designed to entertain while educating a very young child in how to develop good money habits. It is well designed, edited and colorful. It may, however, be too simplistic for a 10-year old capable of playing video games and overpriced for its size and message.

Kaye Trout - June 1, 2008

BROKEN BULBS by Eddie Wright

2008-05-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

‘86 Newman
New Jersey, USA
stores.lulu.com/eddiewright
Genre: Fictional Novella
Rating: Unique
ISBN: None, $9.00, 144 pp.

Quoting from the book:

"Frank Fisher is nothing. He wants to be something. When a mysterious young woman named Bonnie offers assistance by injecting seeds of inspiration directly into his brain, Frank finds himself involved in a twisting mystery full of addiction, desperation and self-discovery. Broken Bulbs, a novella by Eddie Wright, tells the story of the lengths one young man will go in the pursuit of ‘somethingness.’"

This is not a cheerful or inspirational story and reads like it was written my a drug addict from an addict’s perspective...sad but interesting...possibly inspiring to other addicts. For its brevity, it is strangely complex and fascinating. The real inspiration here is the gifted writer, Eddie Wright, and his unique style of writing.

Here’s a random sample passage; you decide.

"But the throbbing was deafening, the pain was sharp and the blood flowed. So I stuffed my mouth with toilet paper, gauze, old t-shirts, anything that could sop the mess. But nothing could stop the throb. It was like the beat of a dance song that you can’t stand at the wedding reception of two people that you hate, and it was the soundtrack to my life.

"It was so loud that I barely heard the pounding on the front door.

"When I opened, the mailman glared at me with eyes so angry that they made my feet sweat. He held a giant pile of mail like an oversized stuffed animal that he won at the boardwalk.

"I had just stuffed my mouth with fresh toilet paper and it was already saturated with blood. The look on his face told me that he found this disconcerting."

And in conclusion: "you. are. not. nothing." - bonnie

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Broken Bulbs, in paperback or as a download, go to www.stores.lulu.com/eddiewright.

Kaye Trout - May 22, 2008

A FLOWER GROWS IN STONE: The Diary of a Life in Progress by Anisah Hassan

2008-05-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Llumina Press
www.llumina.com
Genre: Memoir/Personal Development
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781595269546, $14.95, 188 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"A Flower Grows in Stone is Anisah Hassan’s personal testament to the suffering and plight of people living with Stiff-Person/Moersch Woltman Syndrome. The ravages of the condition must be brought into the public view, given the misconceptions and lack of knowledge surround the disorder.

"The author offers her first-hand account in the form of a narrative, with personal impressions, anecdotes, experiences, and reflections. In trying to demystify SPS, the author endeavors to provide inspiration and hope. The human experience is a universal, not a singular phenomenon, from which no individual is immune. Therefore, Anisah also reaches out to victims of Multiple Sclerosis, cancer, accidents, and anyone enduring isolation occasioned by illness. This introspective journey is a tool to give a voice to those suffering from SPS and other neurologic conditions."

Anisah’s life-in-progress story, indeed, reads like a diary. Occasionally her writing drifts from her purported purpose of informing readers about her rare neurological condition toward just being a personal memoir with family photos. Her writing style is sweet, flowery, educated, and somewhat affected. She most certainly has an upbeat spirit and desire to inspire. Did she accomplish what she set out to do?...yes, to some degree; however, I felt she lost her focus somewhere along the way.

Kaye Trout - May 21, 2008

CONTENT RICH: WRITING YOUR WAY TO WEALTH ON THE WEB by Jon Wuebben

2008-05-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Complete SEO Copywriting Guide for Search Engine Rankings and Sales Conversion
Encore Publishing
Fallbrook, CA
www.encorepublishers.com
Genre: Business/How To
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9780979762901, $19.95, 270 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Grow your online presence, acquire new customers and sell more products and services–for a fraction of what you currently spend on advertising and web development fees! Leverage the combined power of search engine optimized (SEO) site, landing page, blog, article, email, newsletter, PPC ad and press release copywriting to give your business an edge vs. competitors. Gain valuable insight into the future of online content and information on how to write copy for videos, pod casts and social media sites so you can position your business to take full advantage!"

If you’re a copywriter, or aspiring writer of any kind, and have an interest in the online website market, this may be just the book for you. Beyond all the promotional, financial-reward hype, Content Rich may provide you with some useful tips and guidance. Jon Wuebben is an enthusiastic writer and covers his subject in great detail, plus providing lots of encouragement that his book will show you how to: "Generate $50-$100K or more in additional revenue this year by assembling a comprehensive plan to grow your online content and by writing better converting copy!"

Please...forgive my cynical outlook but with such a book as this, it is my belief that it is the author, Jon Wuebben, who will be reaping the "additional revenue"... when you purchase his book. Life is about choice, this ones yours, and so it goes.

Kaye Trout - May 16, 2008

HOTEL - UNTOLD STORIES by Rene D. Egle

2008-05-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Llumina Press
www.llumina.com
Genre: Career Memoir/Travel Log
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781595269188, $22.95, 560 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Andre Schwarz is a hotel manager of an international five-star hotel. He began his career in a small luxury hotel in Germany, a career that would eventually lead him from Europe to Asia and to the Middle East. In this book, he recounts some of the most memorable experiences of his career. We follow Andre from his humble beginnings as a waiter in a small luxury hotel to his first managerial position in a five-star hotel in London. He describes in explicit detail many exciting experiences that in a five-star hotel are nothing more than everyday occurrences.

"Some of his anecdotes are funny and others are shocking, but they all have one thing in common: they are true. While the stories, experiences, and anecdotes are true, the names of hotels, people, and places have been changed to protect the innocent."

As you can see by the number of pages, this is quite a lengthy memoir, and through it all, Rene Egle manages to hold your interest while relating his very unique career and travel adventures. Considering Rene knew very little English when he started work at the London hotel, he has come along way in his mastery of the English language.

If you enjoy career memoirs and travel logs, you will most likely enjoy Rene Egle’s Hotel - Untold Stories.

Kaye Trout - May 16, 2008

U-1706 by Rene D. Egle

2008-05-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

Llumina Press
www.llumina.com
Genre: Sci-Fi/Historical Fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781595266989, $23.95, 465 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"November 1944: Germany is losing World War II. In a last, desperate attempt to turn the tide, German High Command sends a U-boat loaded with the latest in weapons technology and uranium to meet with the Japanese in the Philippine Sea. U-1706 also carries highly sensitive documents.

"November 2004: High in the mountains of the Black Forest at the Freiberg Institute, two young scientists make a revolutionary breakthrough during a routine experiment. Instead of a test cube, they transport an entire submarine from the past to the future.

"Stranded in the 21st century, U-1706 with all its crew is soon sighted in Southeast Asia, drawing the attention of American Intelligence. The two German scientists must race U.S. operatives to find the boat and make contact, to prevent the worst."

If you like Sci-Fi and suspenseful submarine stories, you will most certainly enjoy this novel. Rene Egle is a consummate writer who uses his smooth flowing, delightful style to weave this multi-faceted adventure to a satisfactory conclusion. U-1706 is well written and well edited and considering the depth, complexity and intrigue, it is definitely worth the price.

Kaye Trout - May 14, 2008

BUZZ BRADLEY & THE INVISIBLE FORT by Jeff Howe

2008-05-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

Llumina Press
www.llumina.com
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9781595269683, $8.95, 64 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Stinky Gallagher, the school bully, destroyed Buzz’s tree fort last year. With summer break upon him, Buzz is determined to outsmart Stinky. Buzz comes up with the perfect plan–an invisible fort. Can Buzz convince his best friends, Stuart and JJ, that it can and will work, or do they think Buzz is just plain crazy?"

This is a short story about a young boy, his family, friends, school and the local bullies. Buzz uses his imagination to fool the bullies, and therein lies the message...I think. Included in this book are five illustrations by Leasa Nanney and Steven Simpson.

I do not receive many juvenile fiction books to review and am not an expert in this field. I cannot say that I was impressed by the writing style or illustrations, but the story is well written and well edited. However, I do not think this little book is worth spending $8.95.

Kaye Trout - May 12, 2008

MRS. LIEUTENANT - A Sharon Gold Novel by Phyllis Zembler Miller

2008-05-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

BookSurge Publishing
www.booksurge.com
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781419686290, $17.99, 494 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"In the spring of 1970 - right after the Kent State National Guard shootings and President Nixon’s two-month incursion into Cambodia - four newly married young women come together at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, when their husbands go on active duty as officers in the U.S. Army.

"Different as these four women are, they have one thing in common: Their overwhelming fear that, right after these nine weeks of training, their husbands could be shipped out to Vietnam - and they could become war widows.

"Sharon is a Northern Jewish anti-war protester who fell in love with an ROTC cadet; Kim is a Southern Baptist whose husband is intensely jealous; Donna is a Puerto Rican who grew up in an enlisted man’s family; and Wendy is a Southern black who parents have sheltered her from the brutal reality of racism in America."

My impression, as I read, was that these four women had more than the fear of becoming war widows in common...they were just plain fearful. After marrying their husbands, they each had made a decision to leave the safety and security of their home to become an officer’s wife. They were moving into unknown territory.

Mrs. Lieutenant is written in the third person plus dialogue; each chapter opens with an historical fact ("President Nixon announces he is sending U.S. troops into Cambodia...April 30, 1970) and a guideline for Mrs. Lieutenant ("If the wife is well informed as to what is expected of her, the probability is greater that the officer will have an easier and more successful career.") One aspect of Miller’s writing style has a "Dick and Jane" feel about it, i.e. Kim places, Jim leaned, Roberts swats, Kim pulls, Sharon sighs. Otherwise, it reads smoothly, once you’re familiar with who’s who. It is well written and well edited, and I believe will appeal primarily to women interested in other women’s historical experiences and to readers in general interested in the Vietnam period.

Kaye Trout - May 10, 2008

MYTHRADIES BOUTIQUE by James Scott DeLane

2008-05-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

Wings ePress Books
Richmond, KY 40475
www.wings-press.com
Genre: Fiction Fantasy
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 1597057487, $17.95, 280 pp.

How best to describe Mythradies Boutique?...a contemporary conceptualization of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince seasoned by Sinbad the Sailor...
adventure, romance, and truth all woven together with bright threads of humor.

Our protagonist, Griffin Grimesly, in search of himself, shares his "offbeat and colorful observations of his quirky world and the odd characters he meets." And like the Little Prince, there is truth and lessons to be learned.

James Scott DeLane is a unique, talented writer with an exceptional imagination and colorful writing style. He’ll keep you guessing, entertained, and delighted until the very end. My one constructive criticism is: have this novel professionally edited as there are more than a few errors.

James Scott DeLane’s writing, despite the errors, is a breath of fresh air, a sparkle...ambrosia for the tired mind.

Kaye Trout - May 6, 2008

THE LAST DEER HUNT, A Yooper Mystery by Jerry Sarasin

2008-04-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

Outskirts Press, Parker, CO
www.outskirtspress.com
Genre: Fictional - Mystery - Light Romance
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 97891432717414, $14.95, 422 pp.

The Last Deer Hunt is a classic mystery story about a protagonist named Hank Duval, his family and friends in the town of Fairhaven, Michigan, the unearthed body of Ronald Pettiford, and Hank’s love, Maggie. Hank has recurring nightmares from his youth which lead him to believe that he is Pettiford’s murderer. His buddies from the Omega gang tell him bad Vic Pollo, now dead, was the murderer...but something just isn’t right.

Jerry Sarasin is a Yooper from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He tells a good story which keeps you guessing while he brings Fairhaven and its people to life.
The novel is well written and generally well edited. There are a few minor editing errors, but that is true for most any mainstream novel. His writing style is pretty straight forward and flows smoothly...not dynamic or unique, but he gets the job done. I can certainly recommend The Last Deer Hunt to mystery buffs.

Kaye Trout - April 28, 2008

IT WAS NEVER ABOUT A HOT DOG AND A COKE by Rodney L. Hurst, Sr.

2008-04-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

A personal account of the 1960 sit-in demonstrations in
Jacksonville, Florida and Ax Handle Saturday.
By Rodney L. Hurst, Sr.
WingSpan Publishing
PO Box 2085, Livermore, CA 94551
www.wingspanpress.com
Genre: Historical memoir
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781595941954, $14.95, 204 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"On August 27, 1960, more than 200 whites with ax handles and baseball bats attacked members of the Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP in downtown Jacksonville who were sitting in at white lunch counters protesting racism and segregation. Referred to as Ax Handle Saturday, It was never about a hot dog and a Coke chronicles the racial and political climate of Jacksonville, Florida in the late fifties, the events leading up to that infamous day, and the aftermath."

This informative memoir is about a dangerous time. The events are a part of our history, and through Rodney’s story we learn more about the people and groups involved and the courage it took to sit. The book is well-written and well-edited. Thanks, Rodney, for taking the time.

Kaye Trout - April 5, 2008

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU BECOME THE BOSS by Bob Selden

2008-03-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

How new managers become successful managers
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Rd, Parker CO
Genre: Management - General
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781432714284, $24.95, 280 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Do you know all the "ins" and "outs" of managing? Make a success of your career as a manager. This is your complete "How to" for managing your boss, your people, yourself. You will refer to this book again and again as you progress through your career.

"You will discover how to:
-Become an effective leader, recognised throughout the organisation
-Distribute your time appropriately between the three essential managerial role elements of leading, managing and operating
-Manage your boss–one of the most important of your work relationships
-Select your new boss–if you happen to be changing roles or organisations
-Manage the performance of your team including setting and maintaining standards, coaching, motivating and appraising performance
-Select the best person for the job with a process that is 4 times more effective than traditional selection processes
-Delegate, make more effective decisions, run motivating team meetings–there are even chapters on "How to manage your emails" and "How to build your image"

"The messages in this best selling book have shown thousands of managers, particularly new managers, a better way of managing. Find out for yourself."

What To Do When You Become the Boss is an excellent book for new managers with little or no managing experience. It is well organized, well edited and written in an entertaining manner.

Its strongest feature is that it has been written by a qualified man, Bob Selden, an international management consultant who currently coaches at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland and the Australian Graduate School of Management, Sydney, Australia.

If you’re in management, this may be a helpful book for you.

Kaye Trout - March 13, 2008

WHACKERS by Matthew Benoit

2008-03-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

Llumina Press
Coral Springs, FL
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781595269317, $10.95, 173 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Don of Time is an introspective loner, desperately searching for Ms. Right in this the decade of abstinence. His inept quest for a relationship hurtles him face forward into the tumultuous world of Candy Stripper, a beautiful, vivacious, woman whose sole purpose in life is to be the center of attention.

"Their on-again, off-again relationship takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride full of highs, lows, twists, turns, but most of all, humor. Everything you could ever expect from a relationship and more..."

If you’re a Woody Allen fan (which I’m not), you might enjoy this novel. I personally did not care for the main characters–Don, the depressed masturbator, and Candy, the shallow slut. If you like hard sarcastic humor, domineering/outspoken women, and stories filled with sex, I’m sure you’ll enjoy Whackers. Considering Candy’s smart, foul mouth and love of sex, if she’d had any real sense, she would have gone pro or porn to fill her needs. On the positive side, the story flowed smoothly, is well written and well edited, and the price isn’t bad.

Kaye Trout - March 15, 2008

HALFMOON CONFIDENTIAL by Edward Fotheringill

2008-03-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

Booklocker.com, Inc.
Genre: Metaphysical Fiction
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781601454300, $14.95, 244 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"Alexander Lessing, an aging, disgruntled philosophy professor in search of some sense of self, retreats to his idyllic farm in the mountain village of Halfmoon, Vermont. What he find there is not what he expected. Incongruous presences, harboring the forces of good and evil, haunt Halfmoon and its environs, imposing on the simple folk that live there psychological and ethical impasses that call out for nothing less than spiritual resolution."

I can’t really say that I understood this story but I did enjoy Ed’s writing style, his characters, the metaphysical aspects and his gift for description. Allow to share the first two paragraphs of Chapter 1 with you:

"High on a wooded hillside in Halfmoon, Vermont, in a dense grove of tall white poplars, a bald eagle majestically sits atop the highest of the poplar crowns. It slowly rotates its regal, white head, surveying the earthly realm with prescient circumspection. The large, predatory bird would be considered an incongruous presence, for it is calculated to be endangered in these parts. But incongruous presences haunt Halfmoon and its environs. Shortly, they will make themselves known. And it will seem as if the forces of nature had converged on the innocent like a macabre maelstrom of unwarranted strife.

"The bright yellow irises of the bald eagle’s eyes shine in recognition of a human form moving about in a clearing below. The weathered aviator cocks its head, its curved, yellow bill pointing toward the red western sky like a cipher of doom. In a moment’s flash, the bird opens its solid brown-feathered chest and spreads its mighty wings to a full span of seven feet. In this ominous posture, summoning ancient presences of prehistoric wanderings, it witnesses the human form with some distant and mysterious recollection of pity."

Halfmoon Confidential is the third and final novel in Edward Fotheringill’s Wisdom Trilogy–the other two being Lanterns in the Mist (my most favorite) and Darkness Withdrawn OR The Eclipse of Nietzsche’s Shadow. If you enjoy metaphysical fiction, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Kaye Trout - March 14, 2008

NEW PRESCRIPTION FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY by Billy C. Johnson, MD., Ph.D.

2008-03-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

Fight Childhood Obesity with Antioxidants & Phytonutrients
iUniverse, 2021 Pine Lake Rd, Lincoln, NE
www.iuniverse.com
Genre: Juvenile/Health
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780595453436, $17.95, 210 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"About one in three American children is eith overweight or obese. Childhood obesity is a crisis robbing youth of health and energy, and even causing children to die prematurely. Obesity among children, which is likely to carry over to adulthood, is also linked to a greater risk of high cholesterol, diabetes, early heart disease, and high blood pressure.

"New Prescription for Childhood Obesity provides an innovative approach to fighting childhood obesity. The traditional method for weight loss and fat reduction has been to eat less and exercise more, but this does not work over the long haul. To lose weight and keep it off requires addressing the root cause of the problem: insulin resistance and the low-grade silent inflammation that is triggered by many factors, including foods and environmental causes such as pesticides, industrial pollutants, and toxins.

"Now parents have an opportunity to change their child’s eating and physical activity habits even before a weight problem develops. Complete with recipes to get you on the right track, this essential guide provides specific and simple strategies, techniques, and skills that will enable children to eat the right amount of food appropriate for their level of physical activity without dieting."

This is an excellent book, and we could all benefit, not just our children, from Dr. Johnson’s theories, information and eating/exercise program. There certainly is a need in this country for information and guidance to help us fight our obesity issue. This is a well written, organized and edited book, and if your child has a weight problem, you might want to read and consider Dr. Johnson’s program.

Kaye Trout - March 13, 2008

PUPPIES FROM HEAVEN by Susan Luginbuhl

2008-02-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Llumina Press
Coral Springs, FL
www.llumina.com
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781595268174, $12.95, 190 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"A heartwarming collection of true stories detailing the joys and trials that take place in the life of a full-time dog breeder. Full of feeling and emotion, the stories are as much about the people who purchase the dogs as the dogs themselves, showing rare insight into the magical bond between dogs and their owners."

Susan Luginbuhl breeds Labrador Retrievers, and if you love animals–dogs in particular--you’ll certainly enjoy Puppies from Heaven. Susan’s an educated, sensitive writer; the book is well-edited, and her collection is as delightful as a James Herriot classic. You won’t be disappointed.

Kaye Trout - February 19, 2008