AVENGING ANGEL: Love & Death in Old Brooklyn

Author: 
Charles S. Isaacs
Publisher:
Black Rose Writing
Genre:
Fiction/Mystery/Romance
Rating: Very Good

ISBN: 9781684332472
Paperback Price: $21.95
Pages: 393








Beginning as always, I quote from the back cover:

"A riveting tale of revenge, survival, and redemption, wrapped around an unlikely love story, and set against an urban backdrop corrupted by bigotry and misogyny.

"Following a racially motivated rape by three Ku Klux Klansmen, 12-year-old Cassandra Monroe vows revenge. After eight years of training, now a strikingly beautiful assassin, she accomplishes her mission.

"Her campaign continues with solitary walks through dark city streets, hoping to be assaulted by men with bad intentions. Those entrapped by her spider's web pay dearly for their efforts.

Surrounded by three men one night, she's rescued by Mike Borelli, an Italian-American passerby. A stormy, up-and-down relationship ensues. Ultimately, as her rage matures into purposeful action, and as he begins to see the world through her eyes, they become a team.

"Along the way, they encounter serial killers, wife-beaters, actual and would-be rapists, gangsters, crooked cops, a kidnapper and a pedophile priest, as well as numerous women in desperate need of their help. Beneath all the action, though, is the blossoming of a most unusual love story."

And, yes indeed, all that is promised is delivered. The fast-paced action keeps you turning the pages. I started reading one night and finished the 393-page book the next day--unusual for me. The chapters are short and tight, moving from one event to another, yet providing adequate character development.

Some books are plot driven, while others are character driven. I would say this is an excellent blend of both. An easy, smooth read, yet the subject matter and vigilante aspect stir conflicting emotions. Is it okay for a murderer to live happily ever after? Regardless of the justification behind killing.

As I read, I thought of Charles Bronson in his Death Wish movie series and also of Tim Hutton in the TV series Leverage, both based on the premise that something is broken in our justice system--more so for some than others. Therefore, it's acceptable to kill bad people who do terrible things to weaker, innocent people. Perhaps, vicariously, we wish it were acceptable. 

Charles Isaacs's Avenging Angel may be a fiction novel but it's a novel about real and serious problems that still exist in society today--abusive and predatory men, organized crime, pedophiles, racism.

Isaacs's writing is similar in quality to John Dunning's Booked to Die but with a little less finesse. Generally, the novel is well-written and well-edited, and I can recommend it highly as an excellent, entertaining, thought-provoking read.

Kaye Trout - August 1, 2019

BOLLYWOOD INVASION

Author: Ricardo Alexanders

Publisher: CreateSpace

Available to Purchase: September 2018

Genre: Romance - Time Travel

Rating: Very Good

ISBN: 9781981590193, $12.99, 332 pp

John Palmieris, a sixteen-year-old Brooklyn boy, wakes up as a prince in India thirty-five years before he was born.

Considering that Bollywood Invasion is 322 pages long and I finished reading it in two days, I would consider this novel to be a poignant romance, page-turner.

I agreed to review the book mainly because of the word Bollywood in the title, as I’m a fan of Bollywood movies, which I consider to be superior to American movies. And, while I was reading, I could imagine a young Shah Rukh Khan playing the part of Raj, the protagonist, John’s Indian alter ego.

Even though the story flows in a typical fictional manner, there are subtle messages and questions that arise as one reads. And, if one understands something of Hinduism and the concept of Maya, then the question might come to mind as to which experience is the illusion—I had a dream I was a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I’m a person?

This light parody on the rise and fall of the Beatles, is about an Indian band called the Beetos, composed of four young men from India, who go to England to become super stars, using the names John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The story also provides a different twist or perspective on some actual historical events, is well-written, and well-edited.

Ricardo Alexanders is a mature, gifted writer with a purpose, possibly inspired by the Beatles. His characters are well-developed, as he brings their struggles and pain to life; he gives you a light taste of India through its language, which he translates via footnotes, and through its family dynamics and culture. 

In addition to Bollywood Invasion, Ricardo Alexanders has also written The Last Resistance: Dragon Tomb, and the lyrics for a song titled Every Day is a Monument, which you can see and hear on his Amazon Author Page—just click on his name.

If you like sci-fi/time-travel, like the Beatles, like Bollywood films, or are interested in learning more about India’s culture, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this novel and discovering the talented, gifted writer: Ricardo Alexanders.

Kaye Trout – June 8, 2018

THE PATTERNS COLLECTION

Author: Victoria Rose
Publisher: Starbright Press
Published: April 2017
Genre: Photo Art - Haiku Poems
Rating: Excellent
ISBN: 9781521036709, $25.00, 182 pp

The Patterns Collection is an anthology of the four photo/haiku poem books on patterns--Patterns in Nature, Patterns in Flowers, Patterns in Trash and Patterns - Man-made. It is a collection of eighty digitally modified photos plus eighty haiku poems.

Victoria Rose's digitally modified photos are unique from many perspectives--subject matter, technique. She takes simple, not particularly interesting or appealing subjects and turns them into art and then adds a little haiku poem for flavor. 

All proceeds from her books go to the Humane Society of Pagosa Springs, CO, and the Fund for Animals, an affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States.

There's not too much else to say, except vibrant and exciting and definitely worth the price. Besides enjoying it yourself, The Patterns Collection would make a wonderful gift for family and friends for any occasion.

Reviewed my Kaye Trout - April 15, 2017

WIN/WIN in 7 Steps - MINDFULNESS Magnetizes Success

Author: Dr. Constance d'Angelis
Publisher: Starbright Press, Pagosa Springs, CO
Genre: Self-help Workbook
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781520943060, $4.00, 46 pp

Quoting from the introduction:

"This beginners’ (introductory) interactive workbook is a result of live workshops.

Achieving success in any endeavor or shifting burdensome difficulties is much easier and more effective using MINDFULNESS techniques. This form of MINDFULNESS is presented through The 7 Laws © process.

Two more interactive workbooks are in the works! The WIN/WIN in 7 Steps, MINDFULNESS Magnifies Success series of workbooks build on each other.

In order to reach SOLUTIONS, or to take charge of personal or business activities The 7 Laws © process offers special “focus” mechanisms to enhance identifying obstacles to solution-oriented results; and releasing these impediments to MINDFUL success solutions.

The MINDFULNESS Magnifies Success series includes a MINDFUL JOURNAL and Spark Questions in addition to other cognitive skills and information. I will be posting some of the Spark Questions online to assist you in your focused attention triumph.

Take charge of your life and relationships; business; activities; and ardent, heartfelt endeavors.

Benefits of Beginner Workbook:

* Provide tools for you to achieve success.

* Choose one or more endeavors on which to focus and overcome any and all impediments to your success.

* This basic interactive workbook is designed to assist you in finding solutions that provide beneficial results.

Identify and Overcome Blockers to Success:

* Identify obstacles that keep you from reaching your goals and/or setting your objectives."

One of many self-help books available today, but this one is unique because the author, Dr. Constance d'Angelis, is an extraordinary woman with unique talents. 

WIN/WIN in 7 Steps is well written with lots of space and pages for self-reflection and guidance toward creating the life you want to live. Dr. d'Angelis is a consummate seminar leader and provides personal guidance.

If you're looking to change your life script, you might consider this workbook and its reasonable price. Yes, I can recommend WIN/WIN in 7 Steps.

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - March 31, 2017

PATTERNS IN NATURE

Author: Victoria Rose

Publisher: Starbright Press

Genre: Photography Art - Haiku poems

Rating: Very good

ISBN: 9781520516219, $8.00, 50 pp

Patterns in Nature is a small collection of simple, not particularly interesting subjects which have been made interesting and unique with the assistance of digital photography. The subject matter includes cracks in the street, snow on rocks, dirty snow, bare trees, rocks, cattails in a pond. Next to each photo is a haiku poem. 

 Victoria Rose has taken these less than attractive subjects and with her unique perspective turned them into something beautiful: art worth displaying in your home.

Patterns in Nature is the first in her series on patterns. The book is well designed, has an attractive cover and would be a perfect gift for a friend or relative.

I highly recommend this book for all ages, and for a book of photographic art, the price is reasonable at $8.00.

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - March 27, 2017

WHAT POETS USED TO KNOW: Poetics - Mythopoesis - Metaphysics

Author: Charles Upton
Publisher: Angelico Press / Sophia Perennis
Genre: Poetry - Metaphysics
Rating: Good
ISBN: 9781597311717, $17.95, 210 pp.

I am going to deviate from how I usually start my reviews (quoting from the back cover) in that the back cover information is basically endorsements for the book, and although they are right on, do not tell us much about the book or its author.

What Poets Used to Know is not an easy, light read in any manner, shape or form and probably will not appeal to the average reader. I am also from San Francisco, have a background in comparative religions, Homer, Basho, Kundalini Yoga, Carlos Castanada, Alan Watts, Gurdjieff and taught hatha yoga for many years and found this book quite a challenge.

It's an eclectic collection of twenty-one chapters having to do with poetry with a strong leaning toward the metaphysical. Allow me to list some of the chapters: 1) Poetry, the Siege Perilous; 4) Mythopoesis; 7) The Metaphysical Uses of Metaphor, Kenning, Riddle and Rune in the Teutonic Tradition; 11) The Dark Side of Poetry: Terence McKenna, DMT, the Techno-Elves, and the Deconstruction of the Human Form; 12) Sufism, Spiritual Romance, and the Union of East and West; 14) An Exegesis of the Prologue to William Blake's The Marriage of Heave and Hell; 16) The City of Byzantium in the Symbology of William Butler Years: 19) The Curse of Poetic Subjectivism.

If you're a serious student of poetry or a seeker of truth on a spiritual path, you may find Charles Upton's writing of value, This book is not to be read lightly; it's more a book to be studied a little at a time. It is clear from the start that Charles Upton is an extremely well-educated, consummate writer and the quality of the book (its cover, paper, print, editing) are far above average. 

For the educated reader, a reader interested in metaphysical studies, What Poets Used to Know will be worth the time and energy, adding to their collective knowledge.

Upton quoted one of my favorite haiku poems from Japanese poet, Basho, to demonstrate phanopoeia (the power of poetry to make us see images with our mind's eye): "An old pond - Then a frog jumps in, Kerplop!" However, the interpretation with which I am familiar is slightly different: "The old pond - A frog jumps in - Plop!" Regardless, yes, you can see it in your mind's eye.

For the rest of us, much of what Upton has to say may not appeal to the average reader. You know who you are.

Reviewed by Kaye Trout - March 12, 2017

RECOLLECTIONS - A Personal Journey

Author: Dr. Norman R. French
Publisher: Starbright Press
Pagosa Springs, CO (970) 731-5529
Genre: Memoir
Rating: Average
ISBN: 9781520525853, $12.00, 87 pp.

"Norm French, with a life-long love of animals, had a career as a nature photographer, ornithologist, radiation ecologist, computer modeler and international grassland biologist. This is the story of a sincere animal lover. Along the way, he was privileged to work with other scientists in several U.S. and foreign institutions - a stimulating and joyful journey."

Recollections is a memoir written by an 89-year-old man who lived an extraordinary life. It is written primarily as a record for his family. 

Dr. French is an educated man, a retired professor, and his memoir is well written and edited. The cover and interior were designed by Helena's Publishing Services, LLC.

If you enjoy autobiographies and memoirs, I'm certain you will find Recollections an enjoyable read.

Kaye Trout - February 20, 2017

AN ECLECTIC COLLECTION - Short Stories

Author: Victoria Rose
Published by: Starbright Press 
Genre: Fiction - Short Stories
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9781520571577, $5.00, 146 pp.

Quoting from the back cover:

"An Eclectic Collection - Short Stories is an anthology of four short stories: 
Nefertiti, a pulp fiction mystery introducing Archer "Ace" Hart, the best PI in Los Angeles City; Freedom, a story about two men in prison and a metaphysical journey; Blade, life as lived from the perspective of a blade of grass; and Choices, a story about a young woman who must make a difficult choice and the life she lived as a result of the choice she made."

An Eclectic Collection is a most appropriate title for this collection of short stories, as they are all quite different and unique.

Nefertiti is a mystery about stolen statues, counterfeit money, dead bodies and colorful characters. It takes place in Los Angeles around 1960 and is the first in the Archer Hart - Private Eye series. A fun and fast-paced read. 

Freedom is written in an unusual style, similar to Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig, with no narrative or description, just dialogue between two men in a prison cell. Anciano is an old man who has recently been tortured, and Blade, the younger man, tells him stories to distract him from his pain. But, in the end, it is Anciano who helps Blade in his metaphysical journey to freedom.

If you like unusual writing styles with a metaphysical twist, you'll enjoy this story.

Blade is also quite unusual and from a unique perspective, with a dominant metaphysical element, somewhat like a fairy tale or parable by Einstein. You may or may not like or understand it.

Choices is about the life, or rather lives, Rebecca Rose lived as the result of her choice at a difficult time in her life. Each chapter (8) is the life Rebecca lived as a result of eight different choices.

No metaphysical element here, just a provocative reminder of the importance of "choices" in our lives.

Victoria Rose is an eclectic writer of fiction and nonfiction with fifteen books to her credit, all of which can be found on Amazon. Any proceeds from her books go to the Humane Society of Pagosa Springs, CO, and the Fund for Animals, an affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States.

Overall, I consider An Eclectic Collection - Short Stories to be well written, imaginative and an enjoyable read which I can highly recommend to all age groups, and the price is right.

Alana Watson - February 19, 2017