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The Roman empire is crumbling, leaving the British Isles free of their influence - but novice priestess Niniane, sheltered in the temple, has had little to do with politics. All this is about to change when she leaves her sheltered life, encounters a Roman commander, and learns the true nature of her heritage and the rumors that have surrounded it. Lady of the Lake is a top recommendation for fantasy readers who have loved Marian Zimmer Bradley's 'Avalon' series and who like fantasy novels along those lines. Because Jennifer Wherrett has enveloped her character in myths and legends quasi-familiar to the general reader and because of her attention to detail in painting a novice's struggles with her emerging powers and a changing social order, the duality of events assumes a vivid, realistic immediacy holding the power to reach out and grab readers even if they have no prior familiarity with or interest in Arthurian legend. More so than similar fantasies, Wherett's focus on building a transformative situation where her character evolves as much as the world around her makes for a compelling, riveting saga that's hard to put down and strengthened by Niniane's personality and struggles. From the inner circle of priestesses to a child's predetermined path and her equal determination to steer its uncertain course, "Ye canno’ fight destiny ‘n win” is just one of the ongoing sayings influencing Niniane's life and times. Charged with extraordinary duties and an equally extraordinary life, Niniane faces challenges few others of her ilk can field: "…to transcend, Niniane, you have to leave that place of safety within, and that always has physical expression. You have to go beyond anything and everything you’ve known, especially of yourself." What is destiny and predetermination, and how do one's choices change or fit into that path? Lady of the Lake is simply exquisite in its approach to transformative events in one girl's life and world, and is especially recommended for fantasy readers of Arthurian legend seeking something different and more well-rounded, multi-faceted and complex than many of its competitors.

Author Michael Barrington was a missionary priest in his youth and tells of his experiences in Nigeria during a turbulent time in the country's history, creating a spellbinding blend of cultural observation, spiritual insight and memoir that reads with the passion and drama of fiction. As if the title of The Bishop Wears No Drawers: A Former Catholic Missionary Priest Remembers Africa isn't compelling enough reason to imbibe, consider the lure of its first sentence: "Mary, it’s a boy, and he will be the next priest in the family!” I never actually heard these words spoken, since they were addressed by my grandmother to my mother just a few moments after she delivered me. They would, however, establish a family expectation and set off a chain of events that would predictably lead to my eventual ordination." With that prologue, readers are off and running, following a life preset in its course and seemingly unchangeable in its inevitability. And while one might anticipate that such a memoir would revolve around personal perspective and experience, it's rare to uncover one that combines these elements with a larger perspective on the Catholic Church's interactions in foreign nations, insights on a country at odds with itself, and a priest's struggle to find himself amidst a time of chaos. Events lead Barrington to question the set course of his life and his very belief system as he seeks to understand his ministry and its demands, his aching loneliness, and the real meaning of brotherhood. What evolves from this quest is a decision to embark on a new direction; one that will challenge his spirituality and very life. The Bishop Wears No Drawers focuses on this process of revelation and change. Readers interested in missionary work, Catholic Church procedures, and African culture and experience will find it a unique memoir replete with encounters with all of the above; all tempered with the unusual perspective and course of Michael Barrington's life. In any superior memoir, it's not the life itself that's the driving force so much as events surrounding its evolution. This story's perspective is both spiritual and evocative, and not to be missed by either memoir readers, followers of African history and culture, or those who look for stories of the Catholic Church and personal spiritual change.

Hernando DeSoto and his band of conquistadors were the first to cross the Mississippi and conquer the ancient people of Arkansas. Three 16th century journals documented their travels and battles. A hundred years have passed and the stories revolving around these bloody encounters have all but vanished - but one old woman, one of the last surviving storytellers able to relate eyewitness stories of the bloodshed, defies native custom to tell youngsters around the campfire what really happened - and her voice can't be halted. The truth takes facts about early Native American life and turns them upside down, telling of the breech of a forbidden practice and weaving together the lives of an orphan who grows up with oral accounts of some of the last witnesses of genocide of her times, a hermit who raises her, and a tribe that has maintained a vested interest in ignoring the truth for the sake of their survival. In some ways Storykeeper is the quintessential survivor's account and in other ways it's much more: fiction interspersed with the fluidity of time that sometimes keeps readers guessing but more often keeps them on their toes. It's a compelling saga of one child's ability to survive all odds only to grow into an adult world where her stories and experiences are shunned, and it offers a rare glimpse into early Native cultures and what they faced and perceived when the Europeans arrived. Storykeeper is a complex read, sometimes challenging: narrators and perspectives change, Manaha's own name changes, and even in her childhood, the events surrounding the 'Son of the Sun' and ‘their’ arrival take place forty-nine years earlier. With both perspective and time in flux, readers are carried along on a historical and cultural journey that, while compelling, requires attention to detail: not for those seeking light entertainment, it's a saga that demands - and deserves - careful reading and contemplation. These cautions aside, readers who relish detailed historical fiction, stories of early Native American tradition and experience, and an unusual focus packed with historical details not typically explored in fictional format will find Storykeeper a tale of not just one woman's observations, but how she carries and imparts the memories of generations in a form that eschews paper in favor of oral accounts steeped in immediacy and vivid detail. A saga of revenge, bribery, political bargaining, death and disease, it’s a novel that's surprisingly succinct for its subject, rich in its detail, and highly recommended for historical fiction readers who want so much more than a casual pursuit.

Wide Mouth Frog's Big Birthday is written and illustrated by Jerry Barrett and adds to the other 'Wide Mouth Frog' titles in the series; but stands well alone for newcomers, as well. Here Wide Mouth Frog is throwing a big 5th birthday party for himself, and he invites all his animal friends to come help him celebrate, issuing whimsical invitations and arranging games. Mother Frog's only stipulation is that Wide Mouth Frog and his friends stay on their side of the pond - but the inevitable happens amidst the fun, and danger is encountered. Can Wide Mouth Frog come up with a creative solution before he or his friends become someone's dinner? The fanciful story is packed with colorful illustrations and fun easy adventure reading that animal-loving kids will appreciate, while the creative problem-solving portion is well done and appealing.

Catherine is a widowed bakery owner left with grief and business concerns, but her life's about to get a lot more complicated when her leisure passion for werewolf lore begins to threaten her life by becoming reality, and when she decides to try her hand at acting - in her ripe, inexperienced thirties. There would seem to be no room for romance in her life, even though it's lacking - but when Catherine falls for her sexy co-star, things get even more complicated and events force her to examine whether the werewolf legends could be real. Despite the complicated-sounding circumstances surrounding Catherine's life, readers should expect a light leisure read here: a plot embracing mystery, supernatural forces, romance, and entertainment alike. A prior interest in these devices and genres will attract the right kind of reader who enjoys genre-crossing productions that foregoe complex psychological drama in favor of plain adventure and intrigue. It's hard to present 'something for everyone' - usually an author falls short on romance, mystery, or supernatural elements - but the pleasure of a light summer read such as Werewolf Nights is that it's easy on the eye and mind - and perfect for a beach take-along or a quick, engrossing leisure pursuit. There's a premise establishing uncertain, tense historic relationships between werewolves and humans, there's a passionate protagonist who is willing to take risks even in her thirties, there's the special challenge of falling in love with someone who is in the midst of changing. Readers who expect a complex, introspective plot should know this won't be the case from the fun cover presenting a nymph at the stove with a werewolf looming in back of her. With its light tone, absorbing action, and a protagonist who is satisfyingly straightforward, Werewolf Nights succeeds in providing what many leisure readers desire with an entertaining story that's perfect for a hot summer's vacation night of engrossing reading.

Big Girls Do Cry is recommended for any pop music history collection and for fans of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and presents the story of the Jersey Boys from the perspective of author April Kirkwood, one of their biggest fans. Unlike most fans, Kirkwood cultivated a childhood friendship which evolved into a scandalous teenage romance, then became a stormy decades-long affair. Unlike most books about musical personalities written by fans, Kirkwood's intimate and long-lasting relationship, which began when she met Valli at the age of eight and moved into a sexual relationship when she was seventeen, reflects a detailed, in-depth love affair with Frankie Valli that few memoirs could have duplicated. All this is recounted in a sassy, honest story of how she pursued the man of her dreams and handled the romantic 'substitutes' for Valli throughout her life. Kirkwood followed her heart, she followed her dreams, and eventually she came to realize that this path was resulting in a one-sided arrangement with a famous personality who was already married, much older, and could offer her little in return. Any who would learn about not just Valli but the highs and lows of romantic obsession will find Big Girls Do Cry a powerful story that is as much about the psychology of “imprinting” we all experience as it is about Valli - and that makes it much more than just another story of a star; but an examination of what it means to be 'star-struck' and to experience the kind of love that changes lives.

Grayland opens with a bang as Marina encounters the dead figure of Rachel in a dreamscape where Marina longs to join her. But Rachel committed suicide, and Marina is left seeking closure, acceptance, or something more. This 'something else' is what Grayland is all about, moving readers from Marina's process of mourning and grief to living life again in a horrible autumn that seems endless. Family and friends, beach fires and work, and the ethereal presence of the mysterious gray man always on the edge of Marina's mind wind a slow, lazy smoke trail that only strengthens as chapters explore events of past and present and the threat of a transformation that is taking over Marina's life. Grayland 's story line moves deftly through family relationships, interactions, and a growing threat that interferes with carefully-built relationships in Marina's life. As the mysterious gray man becomes a more powerful force in her life, Marina faces many choices - and can't confide in anyone about any of them. As a beach discovery takes over her life, readers are drawn into the compelling saga of Marina's struggles for survival. The story moves full circle through beach, life, family and friends and leads to a place that opens and closes with Rachel and an event that knocked Marina off her feet and threatened her perceptions of the world. What is the force that ties them together, and what does the gray man have to do with it? Grayland is about life, death, and everything between the two, and is a gently-moving saga of love, dreams, manipulation, and struggle that will enchant novel readers looking for a powerful saga of recovery.

In the Seraphim City tells of a city experiencing uncontrolled growth and success - until it collapses upon itself to leave its creators, the Alchemists, despised for encouraging the city to grow beyond its optimum levels. Society is stratified in this broken hive, and only one man will prove able to bridge lives and worlds to heal a goliath that has grown unwieldy and no longer works. That's the rough outline of the premise of In the Seraphim City: now for the meat. It's packed with a diverse range of protagonists; some of them compelling, others tertiary adjuncts to the action. And it's also packed with genre-crossing methods which inject a crime and mystery elements into what appears to be a straightforward sci-fi read about a dysfunctional future society. Darkly compelling, In the Seraphim City presents its world through the eyes of one Theodore Donovan, perhaps the only individual able to truly grasp the nuances of his world. That this approach is honed through evocative, compelling descriptions that blend action with the sights, smells and sounds of another universe is testimony to Dahll-Larssøn's ability to create a story line that sings to its readers. Power plays and villains who may have logical motivations for murder, possibilities of perps who are immersed in a corrupt political system, and larger questions of spiritual rationales for murder and manipulation: these are just a few of the devices employed to bring the story to life. Fans of sci-fi, fantasy and mystery shouldn't anticipate the usual genre read, with so much going on: indeed, its complexity isn't recommended for the 'light reader' who just wants casual entertainment; but for enthusiasts of stories that challenge the mind and invite reflection, even injecting a dose of romance into the bigger picture of a City and its individuals challenged by the very status quo they've created and lived by.

It's rare to find a story line that is narrated from the afterlife and follows the reflections and circumstances of a minister's wife who has expired from terminal cancer, but who follows through (beyond death) with a plan to reunite a biological mother and her granddaughter. Such an endeavor involves faith, love, and interconnections between different worlds, and represents an exploration of the lasting ramifications of decisions and choices. Thus, one prerequisite to enjoying The Damnable Legacy would be an interest in matters of the heart, an acceptance of afterlife possibilities, and a willingness to appreciate explorations that range from destiny and love to a narrator who has set the stage for a possible reunion and resolution, watching her plan evolve from another realm of consciousness. In chapters that juxtapose a mountain-climbing adventurer with a distant granddaughter who repeatedly injures herself as she struggles with her uncertain home life and future, the narrator who pulls together both lives is an ethereal being whose efforts have set into motion circumstances to connect two broken lives. All this is well explained in the second chapter, after the presentation draws readers into these two disparate lives. Another plus to this saga is that nothing is cut and dried. Protagonist Frankie, who struggles with her home life, and Lynn, addicted to climbing the highest mountains in the world except the one that looms largest in her heart, are joined by blood, biology, and unresolved troubles. In the course of learning about their different lives and observing the forces at work to bring them together, readers are treated to a series of revelations that are emotionally involving and revealing. At times the observational status of the narrator slips itself into one life or the other - and this creates a satisfyingly different approach that adds a rich blurring of boundaries between the three dissimilar personalities. Engrossing, winning, and compelling, The Damnable Legacy uses poetic language, an unusual narrative approach, and compelling scenes to move between the beliefs, events, forces and choices that shape both Lynn and her daughter Frankie's lives, exploring how each is lost in different ways, and how they come together. The result is a story that is hard to put down and which follows faith and how it withstands even the most adversarial of conditions to blossom from the storms of life, evoking connections and (ultimately) forgiveness.

The Mercy, Volume One of the 'Jessica LaFave Mysteries' series, provides a powerful account of suicide in a family of professional therapists - but none of this is indicated in the opening lines, which take place at a horse show where police are involved in a drug bust. While its setting's not the usual opener for a story about suicide, it does set the tone for a mystery that includes a best friend with uncommon abilities ("Camilla has powers. She says she can see the woman I used to be still inside me. I’d have to take her word on that."), an unexpected death, and a series of psychologically gripping encounters that appear to lead in one direction, then twist to take an opposite path. The first thing to note about The Mercy is its powerful images and psychological insights: "I am a trespasser, a stowaway on the Queen Mary of elite sports." There are no staid and dull perceptions, here: using a healthy dose of metaphor tinged with wry humor, events unfold in a lusty tale from the perspective of a psychologist who finds herself in over her head when murder strikes too close to home. It's difficult to claim that a genre mystery is truly original: with so many reads permeating this market and so much of them predictable, the presence of something truly remarkable and different is a breath of fresh air. The Mercy is this breath, lacing and entwining its readers with a complex spider web of events that ultimately questions who is the real victim, and centers around a journey that takes the protagonist over the border and into other worlds, entirely. So go ahead: imbibe of The Mercy for what it is: a beacon of originality in a genre replete with predictability - and one that adds a heavy dose of psychological insight to its story of friendships, murder, and choices gone awry. Does madness always show? The Mercy answers this with exquisite precision in a fast-paced read recommended for genre fans and those who usually prefer the thriller format (the latter will find its psychological depth and self-analysis the perfect touches, here.)

It feels like Janine's birthday couldn't get better: her parents have won a vacation to an island and the whole family gets to go have fun - which, unfortunately, includes a sightseeing boat ride (Janine isn't fond of boats: "Being on the boat reminded me of a bad kids’ roller coaster ride��"bumpy and boring."). The experience does nothing to improve her opinion when a storm arises and they are shipwrecked on an uncharted island, there to face the mystery of their lives. Only eleven pages into the story, D.L. Finn paints the background, interests, and concerns of her protagonists and places them in a position of confronting powerful changes: off and running with a quick start, teen readers will find themselves plunged into adventure following a "stereotypical smart girl" who finds her comfortable world challenged in more ways than one. The mystery of the island's hidden (but beneficial) presence is well done and the seemingly-calm acceptance of the protagonist is deftly explained just at a point where it starts to feel too pat and unreal: "Mom wasn’t acting like Mom, who would have said something right away, and I wasn’t acting like myself, either. It was like I had been in a trance while we were walking. Why weren’t either one of us freaked out?"). In a rollicking journey that includes caves, possible pirate treasure, and references to baseball, bears, possible school pranks, and more, An Unusual Island is replete with twists and turns that skirts the supernatural and creates the evocative saga of an island replete with danger. With an adventure far beyond that of a shipwreck or treasure saga, teens will delight in a winding story line that requires only an interest in adventure and fantasy to prove an engrossing, compelling read, recommended for ages 9-16.

Bogdan Bogdanov has created the ultimate robot in Semmant, a sentient creation who lives inside a computer and whose calculating ability to rule the stock markets makes his creator rich. There's only one problem: riches alone do not make happiness: love does - and when Bogdan falls in love, he finds himself in the unusual position of vying with his own creation for the love of his life. Originally created in Russian, the English translation of Semmant is flawlessly presented and opens with a man confined who has lost everything but his mind, and who is alone, facing treatments, spies, and isolation. How did this all happen to a creative mathematical genius who invented something the world has never seen before? Semmant is the ultimate story of a Dr. Frankenstein scenario gone wrong - but it focuses on the creator's rise and fall as much as the developing individuality of his creation. It contains (be forewarned) a healthy degree of sexual exploration and a depth of discussion that makes it recommended not to a sci-fi reader of light, casual adventure; but for the college-level, literary-minded enthusiast of complex relationships and plots. Such an audience will appreciate Babenko's ability to avoid over-simplification in favor of unraveling the true complexity of relationships between people and between the living and the machine mindset: a satisfyingly complex dance rich in literary images, exquisitely-drawn protagonists, and the ironies and inconsistencies of the human mind.

Heaven Has No Regrets features young adult protagonists and a story line that revolves around two cousins who struggle to survive their world; but this doesn't mean it's a simple story. Mature teens will not only find the subject emotionally gripping, but it's told from three alternating viewpoints (Faith, Makenzie, and the Narrator) whose stories entwine to create a bigger picture than any single perspective could have provided. It's easy to initially believe that the story line follows a predictable path as a series of flashbacks build tension, direction, and protagonists - but in fact one of the pleasures of Heaven Has No Regrets is that it's an unexpected destination indeed; with no neat, logical conclusion that can be easily seen from the start. Perhaps the narrative is so compelling because it's based on a true story; or maybe it's because of changing viewpoints (which might test some teen readers, but ultimately provides more depth than one might expect). No simple leisure choice, Heaven Has No Regrets is ultimately revealing, complex, and recommended for young adults unafraid to tackle challenging themes. And though it's a special recommendation for young adults, adult audiences of all ages will find much to relish in this intriguing saga.

Dr. Erica Miller's Thanks for My Journey is autobiographical in nature and focuses on her tumultuous life; first spending four years in a Ukraine holding camp after the Nazis invaded, then the family's struggle with homelessness after they found their former home occupied by Russians. Unlike most Holocaust survivor stories, Miller only touches upon events of the past, focusing more upon the life that evolved from these events. Her journey to Israel, her unusual service in the Israeli Air Force, and her entry into the field of mental health all make up the heart of the story more so than her Holocaust experiences in a combination of inspirational reading and autobiography that traces the evolution of grit, determination and lessons from this survivor's experiences. Thanks for My Journey is a vivid memoir and a life story. It should ideally be pursued as a predecessor to her inspirational handbook, laying the foundation and groundwork that allows readers to understand how her psyche, attitude, and philosophy evolved. Even more so than Thanks, the companion volume, Miller's Don't Tell Me I Can't Do It!, comes from a Holocaust survivor who has created five 'core beliefs' to live by, and who imparts the basics of how to live an optimistic life no matter what obstacles and adversity this includes. This attitude comes from a therapist and mother who leads the kind of life she talks about, making her tenants both easy and authoritative. Don't Tell Me I Can't Do It! is a dual offering: an autobiography relating the author's life and process of making it a goal-oriented success, and a set of admonitions others can use to follow in her footsteps. This is not to say that everyone can do so: it takes a certain attitude, flexibility, determination and grit to take these philosophies and make them your own. Intended as a motivational read offering food for thought, this comes in a format that lends to quick reading and insights which can be easily tailored to different personalities, goals, and lives. Dr. Erica Miller does a good job of leading the horses to water, but it's up to readers to drink in whatever way works for them. Those seeking not an exact path but a broad-spectrum guide for taking these first steps will find her approach is both general and based on her own choices. Hers isn't a book for those who would be provided a complete formula: it's for the self-motivated who need only a direction and some basic insights in order to hone and stay a course.

Don't Tell Me I Can't Do It! comes from a Holocaust survivor who has created five 'core beliefs' to live by, and who imparts the basics of how to live an optimistic life no matter what obstacles and adversity this includes. This attitude comes from a therapist and mother who leads the kind of life she talks about, making her tenants both easy and authoritative. Don't Tell Me I Can't Do It! is a dual offering: an autobiography relating the author's life and process of making it a goal-oriented success, and a set of admonitions others can use to follow in her footsteps. This is not to say that everyone can do so: it takes a certain attitude, flexibility, determination and grit to take these philosophies and make them your own. Intended as a motivational read offering food for thought, this comes in a format that lends to quick reading and insights which can be easily tailored to different personalities, goals, and lives. Dr. Erica Miller does a good job of leading the horses to water, but it's up to readers to drink in whatever way works for them. Those seeking not an exact path but a broad-spectrum guide for taking these first steps will find her approach is both general and based on her own choices. Hers isn't a book for those who would be provided a complete formula: it's for the self-motivated who need only a direction and some basic insights in order to hone and stay a course. Even more so than Don't Tell Me I Can't Do It!, Dr. Erica Miller's Thanks for My Journey is autobiographical in nature and focuses on her tumultuous life; first spending four years in a Ukraine holding camp after the Nazis invaded, then the family's struggle with homelessness after they found their former home occupied by Russians. Unlike most Holocaust survivor stories, Miller only touches upon events of the past, focusing more upon the life that evolved from these events. Her journey to Israel, her unusual service in the Israeli Air Force, and her entry into the field of mental health all make up the heart of the story more so than her Holocaust experiences in a combination of inspirational reading and autobiography that traces the evolution of grit, determination and lessons from this survivor's experiences. Thanks for My Journey is a vivid memoir and a life story. It should ideally be pursued as a predecessor to her inspirational handbook, laying the foundation and groundwork that allows readers to understand how her psyche, attitude, and philosophy evolved.

So you think you know how to be successful, but somehow keep missing the mark? Then Edgy Conservations: How Ordinary People Can Achieve Outrageous Success is for you. In fact, it's recommended for any reader who feels that the adages of hard work and perseverance are somehow not paying off; and that there must be something more to the equation of success. Where other self-help guidebooks take the form of 'tried and true' approaches, in reality it's personal baggage and perceptions that often prove the limiting factors to leading a successful life. Edgy Conversations lives up to its title and isn't for those who would follow a formula; but is very highly recommended for readers who would reflect on the personal habits and approaches to life that are keeping them from succeeding. When it comes down to how to achieve such self-examination and honesty, Edgy Conversations is there to offers answers. Not for the faint of heart or those who would live the unexamined life, it begins with the root of any achievement: how to handle such concepts as: "The doing part is only one side of discipline. The harder, grittier side of discipline is what you won't do."

My Ship Has Sails continues an autobiography begun in Through the Woods, is especially recommended for prior readers (who will gain a deeper set of insights into Mack's early years), and begins with a young girl who moves from a quiet rural life with her grandparents to an uncertain new world living in Chicago with busy entertainer parents who are away most nights. It was a move that was to bring her into adolescence in the big city with parents who were nearly strangers to her - and a move that would shape the rest of her life. But My Ship Has Sails isn't so much about the destination as it is about the journey, and it recounts the surging culture of 1960s America and its effects on her coming of age with the precision and immediacy of one whose love of music changed her life. Mack's gift as a wordsmith and musician shine in passages that capture the subtler nuances of both worlds: "They say that music is the strongest form of magic, that it is the language of the soul bringing people who would ordinarily be at odds into unison. That is what happened to us that night. There was no color, no status, no age. Just human beings having the gift of pleasure, which human nature cannot do without, showing us that where words leave off, the music begins." From a supportive stepfather and parents who instilled in her the forces that would define and direct her life to the re-emergence of a biological father who would challenge her perceptions, Mack's ability to bring readers along for a rollicking ride through her youth and its defining moments makes for a sparkling, vivid autobiography that recreates not only her world, but that of coming of age in the 1960s: a time of great change and promise. Against such a backdrop, even the nature of 'family' is closely examined and ultimately transformed, making My Ship Has Sails a top recommendation for any who would enter another's life and understand it's most intimate, defining moments.

The Secrets of Yashire: Emerging from the Shadows at first seems like another young adult fantasy genre read - until you realize that the action takes place in the protagonist's mind. Brianna is a sixteen-year-old with an adult's perspective on life and who is challenged with a life out of control and an effort to reign in the destructive impulses of her world. She seems the least likely person to fall into a fantasy realm that tests her with tasks that include bringing unconditional love back into a kingdom - but this is what evolves in an unexpected journey that slowly moves readers from her relationships and special challenges to something more: a higher purpose, if you will. Psychological insights peppered throughout provide clues to Brianna's state of mind as they set the stage for her philosophical, psychological and spiritual journey. If the 'meat' of a young adult piece lies in its ability to realistically and engrossingly chart the move of a young adult to adult, then The Secrets of Yashire achieves this goal and more. As Brianna moves into higher-level thought processes, so readers follow and note her evolutionary process. One might expect complexity from this approach; but in fact The Secrets of Yashire is an easy read which will appeal to young adult fantasy readers; but delivers more than expected with philosophical and spiritual messages embedded into its events. Don't expect a fast pace, here: Lavendar takes time to build up protagonist and setting and while some may chafe at the lack of staccato action, used to reads that gloss over depth in favor of entertainment, the fact is that the attention to relationships and growth is every bit as important as the fantasy that unwinds. Pre-teens and young adults alike who don't need a rushed pace will find it a compelling saga of a teen's journey through both inner and outer worlds that concludes not with a neat or trite wrap-up, but with further possibilities.

The Boy Who Walked A Way is set in 2162, where violence has left a young boy alone and embroiled in a war. His life is about to be changed, however, by an invisible benefactor who offers him a path away from the violence and adversity that dominate his world - and so Jal embarks on a journey that leads him to new experiences, new friendships, and a sense of salvation in a world gone mad. The notion of a peaceful kingdom existing amid the confusion and chaos of war is not a new one. What is refreshingly different in The Boy Who Walked A Way is the emergence of a gentle fantasy that begins with the trappings of a war-encrusted science fiction read but quickly develops into much more. As Jal finds a way out of his crazed life, his journey of self-discovery involves a spiritual quest as well, offering young adult readers the vision and promise of a peaceful world even if one's surroundings are otherwise. Under Janes' hand, daily encounters include new lessons on life within a lyrical, inspirational account that blends an allegory with humor and a host of characters, different perspectives, and some unexpected twists. In one sense The Boy Who Walked A Way attempts quite a few messages and approaches, which may prove challenging to linear readers unused to underlying messages and spiritual concepts embedded into a fantasy setting. It all succeeds well, and ultimately reveals God's ability to protect and change not just Jal's life, but the wider world. Middle school readers and up will appreciate the quest, Jal's struggles, and ultimately, a lyrical sense of purpose in life.

Zach Turner is home from Afghanistan and the horrors of war; but getting away from conflict just isn't on his horizon. While all he wishes to do is forget the past, it's right on his tail in the form of a speeding red Camero operated by a former best friend who accuses Zach of betrayal and treachery. In a chase scene typical of the classic detective/noir thriller style, Zach races through L.A. with a hapless girlfriend at his side. And that's just the opening salvo in a nonstop staccato action noir fiction story that, in less than a hundred pages, packs in a mystery/thriller that can't be beat. From the dry, dusty L.A. basin atmosphere to the perceptions of a wounded veteran whose combat doesn't end with service, events of the war return to haunt Zach's life at home. It's not easy to capture and build atmosphere while crafting a complex noir plot using a limited number of words; but what might take other writers hundreds more pages to spin, Paul D. Marks creates with just a few deft swipes of his pen. A superior writer can create believable protagonists, settings, and inject a smoky, fast-paced mystery into everything using a minimum of words to describe and capture experiences. Vortex lives up to its name, quickly creating a maelstrom of action and purpose to draw readers into a whirlpool of intrigue and mystery centered on a believable protagonist and his dilemmas. Noir detective readers looking for a short work that is immediately gripping and well-written will find the perfect item of choice in Vortex, but be forewarned: once picked up, it's nearly impossible to put down before the end.

Letter from Alabama is a powerful memoir of the author's life, and documents what happened when, as an infant, his mother dies and his father later abandons him at a young age, leaving him with an Alabama woman who, desperate to find any relatives, takes a big leap of faith in mailing a letter to a newspaper in a distant state asking for help in locating the family. The leap paid off, relatives emerged, and thus little David's life was diverted from its dangerous trajectory into a life where half-brothers and other family stepped in to raise him. More than just an autobiography of survival, Letter from Alabama offers up family history and a social history of the 20th century, blends in insights into family connections and the process of accepting and rearing a wayward child, and maintains a steady combination of historical review juxtaposed with personal revelation in the course of considering blended families, broken homes, and choices. Make no mistake: all this is relayed in the context of a family history; so readers who want the history without the intimacy should look elsewhere. Letter from Alabama is a study in miracles and circumstance: as much as it adds intriguing elements about small-town color, it's ultimately about how a young boy emerges from uncertain roots to become a successful man. Readers interested in blended family interactions and a successful emergence from a broken home situation will relish Workman's vivid writing and experiences.

The Fall of Icarus offers three interlinked short stories sharing the locale, flavor, and focus of Paris and tell of falls, flights, and endurance in the lives of three very different individuals. All this is done in a production well below a hundred pages: an amazing achievement, given that so much is imparted using so little space. In 'The Elevator', Ianos becomes trapped in a shabby, tiny old French elevator and when the doors finally open, something magical changes his life and introduces him to a Paris of loss and possibility. How many times will he embark on that journey? A surreal saga captures reader interest. 'The Fall of Icarus' is also about flights: this one injecting the allegory of a mythical son who ignored direction and traveled too close to the sun into the life of one who chose to "…follow a middle way��"not too bright, not too foolish, and not too confident. I succumbed, and I did not excel in any way. Perhaps without realizing it, I followed this path as a means of real escape and not the imagining of escape by taking flight." It, too, is replete with the possibilities introduced by the unexpected experience which defies preset notions and logic. 'The Girl' features a protagonist even more lost (she can't remember her own name, but she is immersed in recording the stories and words of others - to the point of lacking of her own life). Can an unexpected tale introduce her to new choices and experiences? All three stories excel in a sense of wonder and feature delightful twists and contemplative scenarios all immersed in Parisian atmosphere and powerfully surreal moments. Readers with a special affinity for the short story format who want to see atmosphere and psychology works flavored with a tinge of the eerie will delight in these well-done literary pieces.

Heidi Siefkas opens her memoir by throwing herself out of a plane. It's her first parachute jump and she approaches it with an uncommon fearlessness that leads her tandem partner to believe she's done it before; but in comparison to the year prior (during which she recovered from a broken neck and got a divorce), this free fall seems nothing. And that's the opening draw of With New Eyes, an autobiography which is (using Siefkas' own words in describing her first parachute jump) 'simply awesome'. Against the backdrop of tragedy, new life is born. Before her free flight into change, the author was happily married; juggling home with an active career and physically fit lifestyle, and seemed to have everything. The balls of health, marriage and career were perfectly juggled. Then came the freak accident, traumatic injury, and recovery already detailed in her prior When All Balls Drop, and life changed in an instant. With New Eyes picks up where that account left off, but new readers needn't have prior familiarity with the story in order to begin here. It's recommended for a seamless continuation, while prior fans will find much more depth and insight about the post-disaster recovery and newfound attitude that Siefkas cultivates as a result of her life-changing experiences. In some ways this makes With New Eyes the stronger read for newcomers, who will readily absorb the processes of reinventing oneself. Within this process lies transformation, hard lessons, new perspectives, and newfound openness to experiences. Called back to her childhood home as part of this pilgrimage of self-discovery, Siefkas delves into the dating scene, naming her dates for her experiences ('Mr. Got Away', 'Mr. Con Man') and offering insights revolving around trying not only new relationships and men, but new experiences. Each one broadens her horizons and changes her perspective. With New Eyes is recommended for readers of inspirational autobiography and memoirs who want insights into the process of self-discovery and creating a new life. Feisty and thought-provoking, it's a saga that starts from the point of losing everything and rebuilds a life, taking its readers along for an exhilarating ride in the process!

Haw's very title doesn't give much warning about its contents, much less about its futuristic society setting and a father's struggle to save his son from corruption - and that's just one intriguing facet in a genre replete with dystopian writings, here: one just doesn't anticipate the events coming, in Haw. Bioengineer Lucas and his son live in a city on the edge of disaster, and so they flee to a rural farming community, where his son falls in love with one of the sons of a family. There are a lot of contrasts in this story: the gritty urban world versus rural struggles, the different facets of love in a time of disaster, and the choices involved in a commitment to personal and community survival. Against this backdrop, the rough world is deftly portrayed. A nuclear reactor's possible collapse with its wide-ranging social and political ramifications that go beyond radiation, choices made while navigating one's way through the ranks to survive socially and politically, and the collapse of individuals, institutions and communities all prove compelling when accompanied by solid observations and protagonists. With a title such as Haw, it's hard to predict the nature of the yarn to be spun and the stories played out. Ultimately, it's about love, death, and finding peace in a stormy, changing world. Deliciously dark and compelling insights interspersed with moments of enlightenment and hope are the driving force of a novel that focuses on the course of survival and what is lost in that process. Very highly recommended: a powerful read that's hard to put down!

BetterNot! And the Tale of Bratsville opens unexpectedly, in a "small town with deep swamps all around…a strange, eerie place…" : the perfect introduction to invite kids ages 4-8 to embark on a journey that pairs a rollicking rhyme with the tale of a town where the kids are just out of control. Roderick Fong's drawings add a realistic but fun touch to accompany the story of a town gone wild … as indicated by its name, Bratsville. Neither threats nor punishment works with these kids: what will? Perhaps a touch of magic is needed! Teaching basic morals and manners in a picture book is quite a trick if the end result is to be entertaining and thought-provoking to truly reach kids. The tendency in many picture books which attempt this goal is a preachy tone: but not here. Under Del Vecchio's hand the town comes to life, the dilemmas of frustrated parents are neatly charted, and the solution lies in an unexpected route involving one BetterNot. It's a challenge to take this message in a new direction; but BetterNot! And the Tale of Bratsville succeeds by using a powerful blend of color illustration and written word that deftly hones in on unacceptable behaviors and extraordinary solutions. Parents using this for read-aloud will be delighted by the story's fresh, vivid approach which features many unexpected moments, making it a top, highly recommended read!

Physician Art Sand is at a banquet in a tux when he receives the call from his hospital that mentally retarded patient David Calweld has awakened from his coma and has said some strange things; and since he's part of the wealthy family who has supported the hospital, Art has no choice but to speed to the young man's bedside, there to embark on a strange journey indeed. His long-time patient has never verbally communicated; but now he is revealing some strange things indeed. Some think he's possessed by the devil, but Art Sand believes the encephalitis may have forged new connections between the brain's neural pathways. In reality, something even stranger is going on, and physician Sand finds himself embroiled in the dangerous mystery of how a long-time mentally retarded patient suddenly becomes intelligent. As he probes what has happened to David Caldwell, a bigger picture emerges that brings with it a series of challenging choices and evolving perceptions of new promises and dangers. Through events that circle through divorce and loss, recovery, and creatures that "…come from us; yet they are not us." comes the increasing revelation of strange new worlds that exist as a subset of the common flow of humanity. Nick Totem's ability to add unexpected twists to a topic that begins as a Robin Cook-style thriller and evolves into something satisfyingly more complex is only equaled by his ability to craft well-rounded protagonists, different purposes, and discoveries that revolve around the Death Sleep and its implications for all. In such a world there are few safe havens, and under such a hand as Totem's there is little opportunity for distraction. Readers will be gripped by the events that swirl around Art, and will find A M M nearly impossible to put down, ultimately calling into question the very nature of reality itself. For more detail, you'll just have to read the amazing story of a world gone apocalyptic.

Smoke and Mirrors was written for young adult audiences and designed to encourage teens to realize their unique potentials and places in the world, offering a fictional format that begins with Corbin's loss of his mother, which makes him an orphan with no money and no place to go. Max has taken him under his wing and taught him how to use the special magic they both possess; but the story doesn't end here: Max sends Corbin on a mission to locate Max's estranged daughter and bring her back to him. Lorelei holds rare abilities and the potential to help keep the good mages in the world safe from the forces of evil that would hunt them and limit their effectiveness; but she resists her 'destiny' and it's Corbin's job to not just bring her into the fold, but to lure her with love: something he's adverse to doing. In some places the story line is unexpected, with satisfying twists; and in other parts the outcomes seem a bit too predictable. Grades 7-9 will find this a complex saga not just about magic and coming of age, but about love and life's purpose: heady topics for teens, especially paired with some spiritual revelations about churches, power sources, and personal choice, but absorbing and compelling, nonetheless.

On the heels of Book One of the 'Ancestor' series comes Volume Two, The Ice Cap and the Rift, another spell-binding adventure that opens with a prologue summing up events that transpired in The Mountain Place of Knowledge and presenting another potentially world-altering disaster. Having the prior events summarized offers the rare opportunity for newcomers to become instantly familiar with the actions that preceded The Ice Cap and the Rift. (This summary approach provides the basics, yet retains enough mystery about these proceedings to offer the idea that Book One will prove equally compelling, inducing interest for newcomers to turn to the first adventure saga for more detail.) In this case a 'comboquake' rolls up the Atlantic ridge and creates a fifteen-mile rift across an Icelandic ice cap, revealing a huge hidden cave and further challenges to humanity's existence. As events unfold here, it becomes evident that competing national interests, new technology, possible otherworld involvements, and fresh dangers are at the forefront of an adventure that turns a strange scientific discovery into a cat-and-mouse game of politics and confrontation between competing forces. Strong characterization, a healthy dose of scientific mystery, and violently conflicting political interests permeate what can only be described as an Indiana Jones-style action thriller, replete with satisfying twists and turns sure to satisfy readers of the action-adventure genre. This audience will appreciate Chamberlain's attention to detail, his ability to build believable characters and political situations, and especially, his attention to keeping the mystery alive and the tension exquisite throughout the story line - no mean feat given that so many disparate threads are created, to be joined together at a later date.

Be forewarned: The Mountain Place of Knowledge is not a stand-alone creation, but Book One in the 'Ancestor' series. Therefore, one can expect an action story that will link to future books. That said: it's a thriller highly recommended for readers who like their action nonstop, their characters well-drawn, and tension revolving around an archaeological discovery: an ancient Mayan sorceress's tomb. Investigators of the Belize discovery face a mysterious death light which has already killed a U.N. official - but this is just the tip of the iceberg as strange new forces are unearthed that might better have been left undiscovered: powers described in a Mayan diary and experienced by the ancient Mayans. The first two chapters contrast mistakes of past and present with the seeming inability of man to learn from the warnings of past experience. As events involve investigative teams around the world, they slowly build in complexity as special interest groups, politicians, and others become involved in the discovery and its potential to threaten world order. With its strong characters, plot, and attention to infusing high drama with the convergence of special interests, The Mountain Place of Knowledge represents Indiana Jones-style intrigue and adventure writing at its best.

Live to Air represents something different in the arena of thriller writing in presenting the character of one Ethan Benson, a New York television producer who hates covering crime stories despite his network's preference for them. Assigned to cover a shootout, it's just the kind of work he despises - until unusual circumstances tweak his investigative curiosity and lead him on an unexpected journey. What makes Live to Air a standout is its puzzle pieces, the fact that its investigator is actually an unwilling participant in events, and its story line, which is thoroughly steeped in New York City culture and areas (a fact that will delight any familiar with the Big Apple's neighborhoods and byways). Where other thrillers fall short with too much predictability, Live to Air excels in the unexpected. Where others offer only a concern about justice, Live to Air offers the complexity of a family in hiding and a man's struggle with a myriad of personal issues. And where the typical thriller rests upon genre devices, Live to Air poses some satisfying surprises. It's all about changing stories, changing lives, and suspense; all packaged into a gripping saga certain to delight even the most experienced thriller genre reader.

At first glance, Elizabeth's Midnight would seem your ordinary story of an overweight, unhappy teen who resents and lives in suburbia - but take another look, because things are about to radically change when her grandmother suddenly awakens from a coma and drags them both to France on a mission to solve four puzzles to reach a lost prince from another world. What would a typical teen do if one's grandmother in a nursing home suddenly awoke and posed such a folly? Elizabeth, of course, initially doesn't believe her; especially since her grandmother's proposal involves a series of illegal and dangerous activities, from busting grandma out of the nursing home to obtaining fake identification to travel overseas. But what is attractive is her grandmother's return to life and her unorthodox, sparkling invitation to adventure: something the shy Beth never longed for nor wanted before … and so begins a lovely blend of coming-of-age story, fantasy, and family relationships. Nothing is cut and dry here; not even Elizabeth's (initially unwilling) involvement and plans to cut and run (but only after she learns more). These three facets are the glue that holds Elizabeth's Midnight together and keeps it from becoming a predictable or standard fantasy. By placing Beth's insecurities and growth into an unusual adventure peppered with equally unpredictable results, Ritchey gives young adults plenty of compelling moments and events to keep them engrossed. Too many young adult fantasies focus on adventure without the necessary overlay of strong protagonist interactions or family ties. Elizabeth's Midnight embraces both and wraps all in a cloak of magic, making it a strong pick for advanced elementary to middle school grades.

On the face of it, Greenglow & the Search for Gravity Control is a science book, so one might expect its readers would be limited to members of the scientific community and those with a special affection for physics; but in fact its lively tone and wider-ranging history lends to its attraction to general-interest audiences, as well. Mankind has long attempted to understand (and, ultimately, harness) the effects of gravity; with limited results. While the scientific understanding portion has expanded, the applications and search for gravity-active devices have not followed suit. Readers shouldn't expect Greenglow to provide surprising breakthroughs: it's more of a saga of how scientists have sought to control gravity and electromagnetism, and considers the successes, failures, and idealistic visions of those involved in the process of new gravity discoveries.

Readers of Carroll's classic Alice in Wonderland should ideally have recent familiarity reading or re-reading this classic, because the interpretations and extrapolations in the young adult short story collection Beware the Little White Rabbit offer alternative visions of the underlying meaning and power of the Alice character and her world, and perfectly compliment Carroll's original creation. Take the opener by Charlotte Bennardo, 'Alice Through the Wormhole', for one example. The story begins unexpectedly, in a seedy bar frequented by killers, where Alice has definite opinions of the white rabbit figure that are far from Carroll's original dream. In this story Alice flirts with death, takes even bigger risks than her original namesake, and chases down a pick pocketing rabbit for stealing her canister of rare tea - with deadly consequences. Each story is carefully crafted to make the most of Alice's personality, setting, and experiences. Each requires of its young adult (and many an adult) reader both a familiarity with the original saga and a willingness to think outside the box of Carroll's universe. Diverse, satisfying, intellectually thought-provoking and entertaining, Beware the Little White Rabbit is an outstanding collection that should be assigned in conjunction with the original Alice, and is a highly recommended read for not just the young adult audience it's intended for, but for adults and reading groups who will want to contrast and discuss the variety of Alice personas in both this short story collection and Carroll's original.

Gold in the Coffins mixes some unlikely scenarios together - ex-Marines, Wall Street power brokers, business schemes gone awry, whistle blowing and murder - and stirs them all together in a heady, fast-paced saga of revenge, betrayal, big business, and military members who decide to exact their own form of justice: an involving read recommended for any who like their thrillers hot and heavy. Gold in the Coffins includes plenty of dialogue between characters, blending business, military, political and mystery facets into its story, and it skirts the lines between thriller, detective story, and novel, keeping the ability to attract all three genre readers with a tale that is satisfyingly unpredictable. While it could be said that the main event takes its time to appear in favor of building characters who at times bog down in some of their dialogue, in actuality this just means that the story is more intricately woven than most, and not for the reader who must have nonstop staccato action. Those with a special affinity for Marine culture and relationships after service will find Gold in the Coffins particularly inviting.

It's rare to come upon Book Three in a series (the first two books were not seen by this reviewer) and find in it a story that is quick to involve, and absorbing without needing prior familiarity with its predecessors; but Find Me Again holds the capability of standing well alone as well as enhancing the overall series, and that's a rare quality, indeed. Over a hundred years ago two lovers promised to always be together, throughout eternity. So far, nothing new - except that the promise was made during the Civil War, when one lay dying, and fate has led to yet another dying man's wish to join two families together in Find Me Again, the grand finale to the series. Not having read the others, this reviewer finds Find Me Again a rare dance between generations who share a common purpose and a promise. As romances go, it's far more complex than most, taking the overtones of love and transforming them into a family saga that succeeds in overcoming the effects of war and even terrorism to probe the nature of an uncommon link between ancestors, fate, and death-defying love. Audiences who like their romances complex and winding will find in this book (and likely the rest of the series) a rare gem.

The Road Home opens in 1905, with Katherine standing over her mother's coffin, having had the opportunity to forgive her for past trespasses as she lay dying. Forced by her mother's death to revisit these painful years, Katherine struggles to understand her mother's life; particularly as the funeral brings with it many strangers and unexpected revelations. In an interconnected series of stories, twins Katherine and Tommy come to uncover the truths about their mother's life: both forced to return to painful memories and years in order to understand their mother's actions and achieve an ultimate sense of peace. Broken family connections, miracles, hopes, and redefined pasts: all these form the foundation of a powerful story that's Book Two of The Letter Series in a saga which stands powerfully and firmly on its own for newcomers, yet creates and cements a powerful account of change for those who want further details on the evolving story of uncertain family connections and ultimate healing.

How to Talk to Rockstars is a novel about uncharted territories: specifically, the territory of a journalist's dream as she hones a career interviewing rock stars while nurturing a secret desire to become more involved in a world she carefully keeps at a professional distance. Her wish comes true when she befriends a musician whose haunting lyrics take her to the brink of personal and professional disaster. Jude's music offers messages that resonate with her: stories about playing it safe, taking risks, and doing more than filing reports and adhering to duty and routine. Beyond those boundaries lie excitement and "An unpredictable land of adrenaline and adventure. It's the shine of the city as glimpsed from the low-lit suburbs." More than the city shines, here, in a compelling saga readers will find enlightening, engrossing, and revealing: a synthesis of loneliness and emotion with its source in unexpected life connections.

Good, solid Nigerian novels are relatively few and far between; but the best of them offer insights into African culture, society, and experience in a way that nonfiction can not, and among that small standout group is Jide Familoni's Losing My Religion, the story of Femi Fatoyinbo, who is born into a polygamous Yoruba family in a small Nigerian village. Where other African novels would focus on this setting, Familoni chooses to have his protagonist move to Canada and then America. In these countries he discovers the startling, stark contrasts between his upbringing and traditions and those of the Western world. Facing such an experience, Fatoyinbo's very identity is threatened. What parts of his psyche should be given up, and which should be retained? What approaches lend to integrating with one's new foreign home and its practices, and which constitute jettisoning one's very culture and identity? More than cultural barriers are crossed in the course of his story, a first-person saga of family connections, community, and the voices, songs, and experiences of Nigeria. There's nothing one-dimensional here: using the novel form to add dramatic embellishments, Familoni incorporates a sense of history, tradition, and place that ultimately captures the underlying currents of African identity, making Losing My Religion a rich presentation and recommended read for those seeking more than a light treatment of Nigerian culture and beliefs.

My Razzle Dazzle: An Outsider's True Story represents an unusual blend of autobiography injected into a novel format as it tells the first-person story of a young man who develops a passion for roller derby and becomes determined to evolve into a professional Derby skater. His move to San Francisco, designed to further his career, leads to an unexpected series of growth-inducing experiences as he moves from an isolated Wisconsin farm childhood during the 1960s to a more connected big-city adult life in the 1970s, following his dreams and becoming open to a wider world than he could have imagined. In some ways My Razzle Dazzle is unexpected. Its dual focus on the protagonist's Derby dreams is often in stark contrast to the narrator's sexual awakening, his encounters with discrimination, and his ability to accept (and even embrace) his homosexual identity. While some readers might comment on the novel's overlap of themes and possibilities, preferring one focus over the other; in reality life is not all that cut-and-dried, either. Human sexuality and coming of age awakenings are all set against the backdrops of wider perspectives, as My Razzle Dazzle so succinctly and deftly portrays. The ultimate story thus lays not so much in a singular avenue of exploration as in bigger picture thinking about the impact of life choices, obsessions, and interests. Against this backdrop, My Razzle Dazzle shines, offering audiences a multi-faceted saga that rings true to the ebbs and flows of life itself; from the politically charged atmosphere of the anti-Vietnam protests to the protagonist's own confrontation with prejudice, his gay identity, and social change.

Joan Eastman is put on bed rest for the length of her uncertain pregnancy and buys a diary to occupy her time and Breaking the Silence is what she reveals in her diary: a saga of growing up repressing psychological and sexual cruelty and falling into substance abuse as one reflection of the self-hatred she feels. Plenty of fiction and nonfiction sagas stop here, chronicling that abuse and its lasting impact; but the strength of Breaking the Silence lies in its ability to proceed past the pain to the other side, using the forthcoming birth of Eastman's child and her diary to foster the process of moving beyond past injustices into healing. Any who have struggled with past abuse, wondering how to shake its shackles and move into a future unencumbered by past tragedy, will relish the first-person diary entries in Breaking the Silence, which follows a way out of the maze. It's a powerful saga of a woman determined to undertake the work that will truly release her from self-destructive patterns and reactions that pass between generations. Juxtaposing the progression of pregnancy with life lessons learned from her experiences, Joan's story is a haunting survey of life, death, and everything in between, and a powerful saga not for those who would lead the unexamined life; but especially recommended for readers struggling with their own dark pasts and its implications for the future. Plenty of stories capture the experience. Too few chart the course between devastation and destruction to spiritual and emotional rebirth. Breaking the Silence is one such gem - and is a top revelation especially recommended for spirituality readers who want an account of finding not just a way out, but God.

Young readers ages 8 and up will appreciate a memoir of adventure, following Bibi and Babu (Swahili names for Grandma and Grandpa) in a color photo-enhanced read about a couple's experience traveling in Tanzania and Kenya. This journal of the authors' travels is designed to be used as an attention-getting, revealing saga for a younger age group which normally receives African information only from geography treatments, and it does an excellent job of juxtaposing facts about the country with personal observations capturing the cultural contrasts of the countries. Young readers won't anticipate this candid blend of geography and personal experience, but the observations pull no punches and succeed in capturing the realities and various nuances of modern Africa. Add question-and-answer sessions designed to make kids observe and think and you have even more added value than a typical travel story alone would offer. Packed with color photos of wildlife and people on every page, Bibi & Babu in Africa provides a rare exposè capturing Africa's world in just seventy-two pages for an age group that rarely receives a traveler's view of Tanzania and Kenya, and is a lively, educational, and fun leisure read all in one; certain to incite an interest in African peoples and their cultures.

Mortgage Matters: Demystifying the Loan Approval Maze comes from an author who has worked in the mortgage industry since 1993, and whose years of experience coincided with some of the biggest changes in the mortgage industry in years. While the loan approval process has always been mercurial, at no time has it presented such confusion or barriers as during these times, making Mortgage Matters a requirement for understanding this maze of regulations, laws, and changing lending practices. Readers might expect it to be a review of industry history and changing regulations; but will be surprised to find it's as much an actionable strategic plan as a loan industry history. Chapters also delve into a far more diverse series of perspectives and approaches than competing books on the mortgage process; primarily because the author isn't just a loan officer: she's worked in a variety of related roles (and at different sized companies), from being a banker, a mortgage banker, a mortgage broker, and a private money lender to working at a mid-size bank, a community bank, a mortgage company, and in a small mom-and-pop operation. This diversity of experience sets her approach in Mortgage Matters: Demystifying the Loan Approval Maze apart from most others, utilizing a diverse professional background of experience in a range of settings to produce the kinds of insights and plans that are backed by tips, notes, and a step-by-step examination of the loan application and the process of analyzing it. Any seeking clear explanation of the loan process, its underlying structure and influence, and methods for circumventing common obstacles must read Mortgage Matters, notable for its clear and experienced-based survey of the industry's processes.

The Midnight Shrink is loosely based on the author's experience growing up in New York, and on his background as a psychologist: these facets lend a sense of reality to the story of a desperate search for a serial killer and the involvement of a psychologist in the hunt. Dr. David Edminson isn't just any psychologist; he's committed to social change, and so his patients don't come to his rich office: he goes out into the streets of Los Angeles in his van and seeks to help those who ordinarily don't get treatment, working night hours that coincide with the routines of his clients, who are largely sex workers and junkies. Many passages describe this lifestyle, the reasons why people become involved, and insights into the personalities of those who made choices to enter lucrative if not dubious street careers. But The Midnight Shrink is about more than a killer at large: it's about a psychologist's self-inspection as he comes to discover his heritage isn't what he thought it was, leading him on a journey that changes his career, his ideals, and his very life. It's difficult to adequately describe a story that toes the line between murder mystery and psychological drama. Emotions are probed, rationales analyzed, and satisfying tension is built in the course of examining motivations and dangers - and as the good doctor comes to better understand himself, so he draws ever closer to the true identity of a dangerous killer. Fans of psychological dramas and murder mysteries alike will find The Midnight Shrink a complex, revealing story that brings both social issues and the underworld of the LA streets to life in a uniquely compelling fashion.

She Yelled. I Screamed…She Pulled My Hair! pairs black and white 35mm photos with a picture book story about sharing, and achieves the unusual goal of creating a book suitable for young readers and adult coffee table display alike. She Yelled. I Screamed's format and presentation are unique and compelling: each page holds a large-sized black and white image while a rollicking rhyme builds the story of a summer hot spell that leads siblings to angry encounters and much angst. From a tossed teapot and a tempest between sisters to huge problems caused by the word 'share', characters come to life in a tale narrated by big sister Phoebe. With its back-and-forth summer exploits punctuated by confrontation and then love, there's nothing quite like this on the market, which makes for a refreshingly different pick suitable for read-alouds and adult enjoyment, as well.

Time's Chariot tells of a man turning 80 who is faced with a killer, a woman's love, and a host of conflicts from his haunted past as a Marine sniper, including the loss of his wife. In some ways it's the quintessential account of an elderly man facing death who confronts present and past with determination and courage; in another way, it's about the increasing fluidity of time as the years march on. Because so much alternates between past and present, the casual leisure reader seeking a quick read might find Time's Chariot a challenge. It's about movement and growth even at the end of time itself: no easy topic for the reader seeking action and adventure. Those who appreciate the classic works of Saul Bellow and others who write of the middle-aged or elderly experience will find something exceptional in Time's Chariot: a culmination of a lifetime of influences and experiences all wound up in what could be a final crescendo of either celebration or surrender… no spoilers here: read Time's Chariot to find out.

Depression is a life-threatening state of mind that can overcome a life and, ultimately, end it. Those struggling with depression know it's often like fog: always present on the horizon, just waiting to come in. Some days it's so thick you can barely see; other days, it lingers. Sometimes it's just a wisp in the background. I Will Not Kill Myself, Olivia captures that experience and is one of the most singularly powerful book titles on depression on the market. What is to be found within its discussion is a treasure trove of heart-wrenching detail by a protagonist who daily struggles with suicide. What it boils down to is: the writer is not a quitter. And that is the fine line of the fog bank: the piece that keeps everything from spilling over and coming apart. Don't expect an easy read, here. Nothing is sugar-coated, whether it be language, emotional pain, or struggles with the impulse to die. The reader is 'there' with Danny Baker through these struggles; so if reading about depression's angst is too much of an emotional tipping point, look elsewhere. I Will Not Kill Myself, Olivia isn't about sweet sagas and happy endings. It is about how the suicidal person feels, their struggles, and why the balance tips from death to life like a seesaw. The energy is there - but what begins with an emotionally wrenching, dramatic scene is tempered by a move back in time in the next chapter, which describes an Australian city's seemingly-idyllic setting and the author's place in it. Love, romance, growing up, a dead baby and a girl named Olivia enter into an account which dances around depression at first, then slowly presents it at a slow evolutionary pace. Before the reader knows it, depression is no longer a hint of fog but a haunting force overcoming life. Throughout it all, emotions run high: again, this is not a suggestion for those seeking quick solutions and light reading. It IS a pick for readers who would follow the intense progress of how depression develops, is perceived internally and externally, and, above all, how loss can lead to choosing hope.

The Imagine Project shares the inspiring stories of ordinary people who have achieved success by overcoming obstacles ranging from mental illness and abuse to addiction and war, and is an inspirational celebration of extraordinary success stories. Photos accompany narratives of each life and offer vignettes that feature some of the wellsprings of courage. It should be mentioned that there are no famous names here: readers won't be familiar with these being profiled. What will be recognized are their inspirational achievements, with photographer Mario Masitti's striking portraits enhancing the invitation to imagine the circumstances life has dealt these people and how they rose to the occasion to not just overcome and persevere, but to excel.

For From Working to Wisdom: The Adventures and Dreams of Older Americans, Brendan Hare asked older Americans to reveal their dreams and feelings about retirement and aging, and created a book to offer enlightenment to those prepared to leave the work force. Some participants were retired and some were still working: Hare interviewed forty-six older Americans about their lives and the process of aging, and their answers are guaranteed to provide rich insights. While its purpose is to describe how 'wisdom' is achieved, this book focuses on individual stories of work, retirement, and psychological change, and imparts inspiration as well as insights to readers interested in leading more purposeful lives and planning for the future. Be forewarned: this isn't a book about how to retire or manage money: it's all about attitude, redefining the concept of retirement, and investing in happiness and new directions rather than financial focuses so common of many retirement books. And this approach to the 'wisdom' piece is exactly what makes From Working to Wisdom a standout.

Port Winston has a beach, shopping, and a pleasant atmosphere; but to teen Elizabeth, who's been moved mid-school year to Texas, it contains little of interest and much to avoid - including her judgmental, fisherman grandfather, who thinks she's nothing but trouble. At first glance, Elizabeth might seem the last person to take an interest in endangered wildlife, but when she stumbles on an injured, nesting sea turtle, she finds new purpose and new conflicts as she fights to save the Landing, the turtles' critical nesting beach. It's one thing to fight against family, including its secrets: it's another to take on corporations and the results of the Deepwater Horizon's damaging oil slick. It's rare to find an environmental story folded into a young adult read about a teen's angst and coming of age; but by incorporating the two under one cover, Elizabeth's Landing becomes so much more than the usual story of a moved teen's struggle to adjust. Bigger-picture thinking lends a social and political aspect to the story that succeeds in examining issues of a teen's power, awakening to the world around her, and movement from 'troublesome' to 'engaged'. Add psychological insights and a first-person approach to understanding ("Thanks," I say, thrilled to hear terrific, perfect, and you in the same sentence.") and you have a moving story that succeeds on many levels. This award-winning book is recommended for middle school to high school audiences.

Blossom is the first book in a trilogy and opens in the spring of 1906 in San Francisco; a world of light and wonder teetering on the brink of vast changes soon to be wrought by the 1906 earthquake. It's here that socialite Clarissa Donohue stands poised for success - and here that earthquake and fire will rip apart everything she's dreamed of. It's important to note that Blossom takes place over a period of only five days, yet packs in enough detail and transformation to make its timeline feel much longer. As chapters count down to the earthquake, events assume a vivid immediacy as secrets are revealed, family connections questioned, romance rears, and the streets of Chinatown come alive. With such a memorable backdrop and the inevitability of disaster based on historical events, Blossom could all too easily have become a scenario of survival. The fact that much of its action takes place in the days before the quake lends to a warm, revealing story that takes its time to paint the cultural interactions and social world of San Francisco pre-quake, and Blossom Sun and Brock St.Clair's place in it, before everything changes forever. Between romantic tension and historical events, it's impossible to not be immersed in this story of passion and tragedy!

One might expect that Peter O'Toole: Hellraiser, Sexual Outlaw, Irish Rebel would hold the usual biographical survey of the actor's life and times; but in fact it's a story that offers something far greater: an analysis of O'Toole's life and career that features a new look at the actor's passion, controversies, and determination to 'raise hell'. Lest readers think this will be a rehash of prior biographies, it should be mentioned that Peter O'Toole: Hellraiser, Sexual Outlaw, Irish Rebel represents decades of research by writers who define their efforts as being steeped in media and celebrity stories - and therefore replete with the high tension, drama, and eye-popping gossip and grit of Hollywood's most outrageous moments and characters. So don't anticipate a casual coverage: it's an account of a hellraising, outrageous personality and is itself steeped in the culture it investigates, cultivating lively language, newly-revealed shocking truths, and passionate descriptions to capture the life and times of a film star who, according to Peter O'Toole, "…became the toast of international society. The decadent part, those who live just to fornicate on the Costa del Sol. It's the new gathering place for panty sniffers, child molesters, drunkards, prostitutes, pimps, gigolos, pillheads, and poon stalkers. I adore it. It seems that all the big names want to go to bed with me. A lucky few actually manage to accomplish that splendid feat." Outrageous? You bet. It's not for the morally faint - and that promises that Peter O'Toole: Hellraiser, Sexual Outlaw, Irish Rebel will be a frequent flyer out of library collections and film reference holdings alike.

Creating Joy & Meaning for the Dementia Patient offers a positive new approach to handling dementia patients and stems from the author's ten years of experience. It's designed to help fellow caregivers understand the stages of dementia and how to create connections and positive experiences through them all. This guide is highly recommended for caregivers and professionals who deal with dementia and Alzheimer's patients on a daily basis. Where other guides may talk about communication and management, this book reaches beyond these subjects and addresses the fundamentals of life - joy and meaning - and emphasizes patient individuality; not a 'one size fits all' program. Chapters empower caregivers by exploring their key roles in defining and imparting this sense of meaning and joy in everyday interactions, and they outline the types of experiences that lend to not just better understanding, but alternative ways of interaction that achieve better, more positive results for everyone. In many ways Creating Joy & Meaning for the Dementia Patient fills in the gaps created by similar-sounding books by discussing the complications of memory changes and the psychological reactions of patients and caregivers during the process. Each chapter concludes with tangible insights, communication tips that emphasize flexibility and understanding, and approaches that lend dignity and joy into every encounter. Compelling and satisfyingly specific, Creating Joy & Meaning for the Dementia Patient offers what few others have achieved: a sense of renewed purpose and concrete approaches that go beyond 'handling' and move into areas of positive experiences for all involved.

Healing the Western Soul: A Spiritual Homecoming for Today's Seeker considers how social and political tensions are slowly pulling people away from Judeo-Christian roots and spiritual beliefs, creating what is ultimately a confusing and difficult spiritual journey for many. It analyzes how millions of people from Judeo-Christian backgrounds experience spiritual emptiness and how these seekers often eschew the spiritual intuitions and mystical visions that come to them through prayer, dreams and daily living; and it considers why the religious, psychological and social systems of modern society and even the New Age movement have failed to address these problems. A description of the three stages of the Western Spiritual Path and how these might lead to a more spiritually-fulfilling life contributes to a discussion designed for modern seekers of all faiths who want to get a handle on their lives and purpose.

Alia is a fallen angel living in Paris and facing a rapidly-changing world as the Nazis begin to take over. Grieving for her lost child, she's living the life of a human in a world that's being increasingly possessed by an evil, and enjoys both men and newfound friendships in this alien land: both of which are soon to change with the forces at work. Ever hopeful of the winning power of love even under impossible situations, Alia nonetheless faces something she's never experienced, and finds her new life just as broken as the old one. It's hard to neatly 'peg' this absorbing story: a little bit historical fiction, a dash of spirituality, some steamy romance, and philosophical self-reflection about the worth of individuals and their choices against evil forces - all this makes for a complex literary work that is a cut above your usual read, and recommended for any who want a moving saga of redemption, loss, renewal, and courage on the parts of man and angel alike.

Exploring Your Unplanned Pregnancy is designed to be a woman's companion as she explores the choices, consequences, and possibilities of not just a pregnancy, but an unplanned event - and here is where this book differs substantially from other books on pregnancy and motherhood. It pairs information with discussions of the decision-making processes at every turn, and is carefully couched so as to not promote a set course of action. Considering the social and ethical eggshell-walking this must have involved, this is no light achievement. Nobody facing an unplanned pregnancy needs to read a book forcing them on a particular path. Ideally, a discussion should be informational and strive for a sense of dispassionate exploration of all the options: in this, Exploring Your Unplanned Pregnancy more than succeeds. From 'Avoiding Overload' to 'Basic Questions', chapters covering the biological father, abortion, single motherhood, and adoption choices are couched in such a manner as to lend to at-a-glance information and reference as well as browsing or cover-to-cover reading. Those who already have a sense of the process can use it to review the facts and options, while those newly informed about their pregnancy will find it a virtual treasure trove of detail. From resource chapters to overviews of single motherhood and the types of family dialogues which can take place, this leaves nothing to wonder and should be in every general lending library as an essential reference.

Book covers are not usually mentioned in the course of book review - not unless they are truly compelling, as is The Headmaster's Cave, designed to capture young adult attention with the scene of a cave, a raging sea, and a boy hanging on to a cliff edge by his fingertips. One could not wish for a more persuasive reason to find out more; and once immersed in the events, The Headmaster's Cave does not disappoint. Over a hundred years ago, seven children and their headmaster vanished in the cave - including one of George's ancestors; a fact that has haunted his family for generations. A mysterious email states that the mystery has been solved and invites George, Dougie and Katie to learn more - but only Dougie takes the bait; and when he, too, vanishes, it's up to George and Katie to solve the mystery. One couldn't ask for better tension in a read recommended for advanced elementary through middle grade readers. There's the influence of years of jokes and bullying among George's peers concerning his family's relationship with The Headmaster's Cave; there're minefields of danger involved in an escapade that involves George drawing on limited knowledge along the way ("He loved to watch wilderness television programmes and read survival books, so he searched through his memory banks on building fires."), and there's a host of difficult possibilities that must be examined and either accepted or discarded in the course of investigations ("What if he were telling the truth? His ancestor had been the killer. It would be unbearable if it was true. That the monster who had stalked his nightmares for so long belonged to his family?"). In the end the truth about The Headmaster's Cave and the events surrounding it will come as a surprise - but not until chapters of thrilling adventures, self-examination, and challenging encounters spice a read designed to draw in even the more reluctant reader, providing a vivid story that explains some events but leaves the door open for further adventures.

Old Magic: Lives of the Desert Shamans belongs in social science and Native American collections alike, examining the lives of the desert shamans of the West and providing important keys to understanding their daily experiences, perspectives and rituals. Old Magic is no singular production: it uses the folklore of a dozen tribes as it builds a diverse picture of the shaman's world, from dreamscape and tribal interactions to desert and mountain landscapes and their influence upon the overall approach of desert shaman ceremonies. Color photos of these landscapes, along with photos of relics and early recorded shaman imagery, pair with discussions that blend history and folklore with an analysis of the spiritual belief systems of the shaman. It would have been all too easy to tailor Old Magic to reach new age audiences alone, but Clapp's focus on documenting the desert shaman's unique approach to nature and human concerns, and the role his environment played in his perspectives, makes for a lively history that will also reach general-interest readers with an interest in Native American culture.

Many dream of exploring Africa, and so there are safari companies and extensive books written about these possibilities; but Legendary Safari Guides isn't just another travelogue or guidebook, but a collection of writings from a safari travel promoter which charts the experiences of nearly thirty safari guides who are more than a cut above the ordinary. Armchair readers and Africa-bound travelers alike will discover stories of adventure and passion that provide riveting insights into how guides operate, how they introduced their guests to a different kind of African experience, and how they presented some truly remarkable wilderness adventures. African destinations vary from South African destinations to Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya and Namibia. The guides approach tourism and safari work from very different vantage points and discuss licensing, safari camp experience, motivations for becoming involved in more than casual guide experiences, and more. Legendary Safari Guides is so much more than another 'guide to Africa', and tells what it means to get the most out of a wilderness encounter, using the diverse eyes of selected extraordinary individuals to capture some truly amazing moments. The result is perfect for readers of biography, African adventure, armchair travel, or even travel industry insider information.

To begin with, it's important to point out that A More Perfect Union is a work of fiction: it's not a book about history, social justice, or even psychology, but a saga centered upon former Miss Cherokee Nation Ayita Starblanket, who is running against Florida Governor Arturo Arnez. An unexpected focus in what looks to be a story of women in politics is a romantic twist that pits two opponents in a struggle to win hearts and minds not just of their constituents, but of each other. At the intersection of romance and politics is a story that's witty, fun, and with a healthy dose of satirical observation on life, romance, and the stormy relationships between political figures and men and women alike. Any who enjoy novels that examine love and politics will find A More Perfect Union to be a witty, fun saga.

Baby Poop: What Your Pediatrician May Not Tell You ... about Colic, Reflux, Constipation, Green Stools, Food Allergies, and Your Child's Immune Health is recommended reading (and a recommended bookshelf reference) for any parent (especially new parents) who may find that baby poop actually is a better indicator of a baby's underlying health than any other diagnostic method. What's in a baby's diaper can help parents differentiate between different kinds of illnesses and is just as important as paying attention to what goes into a baby's mouth; so before you toss that diaper without a second glance, consult Baby Poop - and then take a closer look. Chapters discuss the basics of baby poop, from why early imbalances in a baby's flora can lead to serious intolerances and diseases later on to how parents can not only pay attention to warning signs, but interpret them for better medical assistance. From serious diarrheal illnesses and new bacterial threats to common over-reactions to various forms of baby poop and how to differentiate the serious from the everyday, this book provides the basics and specifics that take into account all the factors affecting a baby's stool. Medical discussions include assessments of normal infant health challenges and their benefits as well as their detriments, and provide quotes and research from other physicians and medical sources. Add charts ("Are You Seeing Green?"), discussions of formula choices and dietary options and effects, and genetic inheritance considerations and you have a well-rounded discussion that all parents should be familiar with: one that links baby poop to all kinds of conditions, options, and health impacts both positive and negative.

Money, Murder, and Madness: A Banking Life at first glance seems to be yet another novel about banking issues, pinpointing common problems with banking regulation. With so many books on the subject on the market, it's initially hard to see the need for yet another; but Money, Murder, and Madness's difference is that it comes from an author who spent his career in the banking industry and who blends personal stories from that career with an analysis that adds a history of the American banking system. This isn't from some low-level manager, either: Cook eventually served as President and CEO of two major banks in the New England area; so his insider's viewpoint comes from high-level associations and provides details other banking exposes don't match. From how board members and bankers reacted to various banking crises over the years to the changing history of state-chartered banks, political 'redlining', banking changes under various players and dominant forces in economics, and more, the lively Money, Murder, and Madness is the item of choice for any who would receive an executive's view of the industry's challenges and changes.

The Superyogi Scenario is a novel with a difference; and in a world replete with novels, this story is a standout. It's also a quasi-fantasy - but it's one of those fantasies that straddles the genre line, as it doesn't present the usual devices for a superpower's acquisition and, indeed, adds a healthy dose of eastern philosophy into its mix. It relies on verses from The Yoga Sutra for the source of its inspiration (the ancient yoga text actually provides instructions for developing superpowers) and it mixes in thriller elements as it presents the story of yogic supernatural abilities rising among the world's yoga practitioners (a possibility that will intrigue and delight any new age reader already well versed in yoga traditions and thought). Of course, heroes and villains emerge from such a scenario, as they always do - but in Connor's world, the spiritual roots of these newfound yoga abilities are quite different than the usually-accidental scientific incident or fluke of birth that most fantasies posit. Add verses from the above-mentioned texts and the story that emerges is anything but ordinary. Fueled by the social, political and ethical challenges that follow these beings, the story line draws readers into a much-changed world where enlightenment moves from vague possibilities into sometimes-dangerous results. Those who eschew new age thinking, superhero abilities, or Buddhism and meditation may not appreciate The Superyogi Scenario's unique focus - but that would be a shame. In a world where novels and fantasies tend to develop the same kinds of liner stories based on similar concepts, this story is remarkable. Add a few pages of eye-catching artwork depicting these super beings in action and The Superyogi Scenario is exceptional both in its basic concept and in its development: something that crosses genres with a confident combination of action, philosophy, and intriguingly different concepts on what makes a superhero - or, a supervillain.

Send More Idiots is a novel by an award-winning journalist who experienced life on both sides of the border in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. Steeped in this background, the novel is thus able to capture the culture and feel of the region far more than any outsider could have accomplished, presenting a blend of intrigue and social insights as it delves into the mystery of a vanished American real estate broker and his brother who becomes involved in a complex world of cartel warlords and danger trying to find him. As the narrator becomes increasingly immersed in the atmosphere of the border and the drug wars that both invigorate and frighten him, he draws ever closer to the truth about what happened to his brother - and what might happen to him if he stays. Exquisite tension and a dance of deadly forces emerges against the backdrop of social and political border town tensions in Send More Idiots, recommended for any who would absorb a strange new world living along a unique American frontier dream.

Elizabeth's Constellation Quilt offers an engaging picture book about a little mouse who worries that she can never be a sailor because she can't remember the stars - and thus, can't navigate. Her mother's solution is to make Elizabeth a 'constellation quilt' so she can live her dreams - and so an engaging story of a little mouse who "�€安anted to be a sailor, just like her father" emerges to offer something different to parents who read aloud and kids who like warm, different stories. Elizabeth's Constellation Quilt excels in both illustration and story line: a special feature because the author is both writer and illustrator, here. The engaging little mouse drawings are perfect accents to this story of a mouse who perceives the stars as "all the same,"and who steps up to the plate when her father is seemingly lost at sea. It turns out that Elizabeth 's greatest liability will become her only asset in finding her father, holding a gentle conclusion that, while not entirely unexpected, is still warm and involving. Parents looking for a special read-aloud bedtime story won't want to pass by this tale: it chronicles the courage of a young mouse who isn't afraid to dream or tackle life's challenges.

A small-town man is shot to death in an execution-style murder in a farmer's field in rural Canada, and Detective Constable Kevin Walker must deal with his first homicide investigation. The experienced Detective Inspector Ellie March is called in to lead the investigative team. All the trappings of the typical police procedural are outlined in an introduction featuring an obvious murder, a cold Ontario morning, and a team of investigators. In Sorrow Lake the real surprises don't lie in the investigative process: they lay in wait in the psychological twists and turns of a crime that turns all too personal when it envelopes its investigators and even threatens their careers, and in an evolving mystery that keeps readers guessing about the perp's identity and the murder's wider ramifications. And here's where Sorrow Lake becomes thoroughly engrossing. As chapters - and characters - unfold Sorrow Lake is fleshed out both with protagonist development and in the underlying mystery. All the hallmarks of great mystery writing are here: solid, believable protagonists, secrets, the challenges of a professional charged with working with less experienced investigators, and a 'whodunnit and why' that appears to lead down a neat road, only to take some quick turns to leave readers guessing right up to the end. Add a solid sense of place and community and you have a fine saga that may open with the ordinary but closes with an extraordinary 'bang', leaving readers both satisfied and looking for more in this evolving series.

It's relatively rare to have a musical biography come from a scholar and researcher who is also a conductor; but such is the case with Dean Dixon: Negro at Home, Maestro Abroad, which outlines the saga of a great (but largely unheralded) Afro-American conductor. This first full-length biography of Dixon follows his evolution from his early achievements as a budding conductor, his difficult decision to leave America for better opportunities in Europe and his eventual return to this country to serve as a role model for aspiring Black classical musicians. It's a cut above most biographical treatments, holding great social and political insights: thus, it belongs in not just music book collections, but the holdings of civil rights libraries and libraries strong in Afro-American history and the rise of black musicians. Dixon's internationally-acclaimed career paved the way for fellow Black musicians (classically trained or not) and created an atmosphere whereby these musicians could achieve their goals at home in America without having to follow in his footsteps of leaving their homeland in pursuit of recognition sans prejudice. From the special challenges of an interracial marriage which went above and beyond family acceptance to involvements of the media in Dixon's career and his special challenges in gaining recognition abroad and then at home Dean Dixon: Negro at Home, Maestro Abroad goes far beyond the anticipated survey of one man's life to consider exactly what stood in his way, how he handled career obstacles, and how his choices directly led to an improved atmosphere for those who followed in his footsteps. It's this focus and attention to specifics that make Dean Dixon: Negro at Home, Maestro Abroad such a powerful read, highly recommended for not just classical music collections, but any interested in racial issues and history in America.

We Are the Destroyers tells the story of Captain Bel'Lar, who recognizes that overconsumption is destroying his own planet and synthetic foods are turning his people into mutants under control of the Brotherhood of Syn. He's one of the few to recognize this only because he's also one of the few remaining Organs (those who still live the organic lifestyle) and so he's the one who arranges for an escape from his dying planet to the amazing blue-white planet. For many, this saga would have been enough drama - but the pleasure in We Are the Destroyers lies in the fact that this is just the beginning. Bel'lar discovers (through visions) that in fact he has not only lived again, but repeated the same patterns of being the one charged with saving his people from their greed. Does past predict future? Are patterns inevitably repeated, and is Bel'lar doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again? Is his vision of environmental and spiritual destruction accurate? The combination of spiritual and ecological reflection, combined with drama and a mission to save mankind, contributes to a powerful story that is first in a projected 'We Are…Are We' series of science fiction stories examining visions, fate, and responsibility. Reader affinity for a certain degree of new age sentiment and reflection is recommended for a better appreciation of Lindler's approach, which is more ethically based than most fantasies.

The poetry genre as a whole holds many avenues for display and understanding, a very long history of controversy, and much debate over its wellsprings of inspiration in psychology, literary influence, and social evolution. All this is covered in depth in an introduction which basically takes the genre's history and synthesizes its influences in a literary examination of poetry's evolution and philosophical influences. It's unusual to see this kind of introduction in a collection anticipated to be free verse explorations of self; but then, this kind of opening should offer the idea that King Alfred's Jewel: Poetry of the Imagination and Imaginative Photography will be anything but your usual gathering of personal insights, offering something both extraordinary and a cut above the ordinary - and in this, it does not disappoint. King Alfred's Jewel is actually two long epic poems that sweep through themes of a journey undertaken and a jewel unearthed because of it. The book consists of two narrative poems and a dramatic monologue. The poems deal with depression and the Dark Night of the Soul, while the dramatic monologue presents deceased outlaws coming back to tell their stories on a May evening in Sherwood Forest. The title poem uses the imagery of journey and jewel as its shining light as it probes essences of spirituality and psychology, examining the sources of modern angst and depression and considering the stormy road to spiritual and emotional redemption. There are dragons and inheritances, outlaw legends and metaphors that connect past to present, and streams of consciousness impressions. In choosing these particular formats and weaving a cloak of inspection, history and psychological depth, King Alfred's Jewel is actually much more accessible - despite its lengthy presentations - than one would expect, making it a recommendation for readers who might normally consider the poetic form too constrained, too regulated, and too inaccessible. King Alfred's Jewel is a delight on many levels. Add black and white photos throughout and a selection of color photos by the author, which act as both illustration and interlude to the written word, and you have a collection that stands out in the genre: something firmly rooted in literary, historical, spiritual and psychological traditions, but most definitely more than the sum of its parts.

Buddies represents an unusual genre combination: a mix of romance and thriller that adds a healthy dose of insight into the complex psychology of men's emotions and what happens when four long-time male friends meet a seductive Brazilian woman who enchants them all. Now, this all too easily could have assumed Peyton Place proportions, but the focus isn't just on friendships that go awry: it's on how these men fail to be emotionally honest with one another and, in the course of their failings, become involved in a murder that should never have happened. There's a lot of focus on feelings and their sources, so readers who want a light thriller with minimal emotional depth should look elsewhere. Buddies is driven by psychological interactions which makes it a standout in the world of novels that skim the surface of emotion in favor of action, and it examines the processes by which friends and acquaintances come together, grow apart, or move in dangerous directions. The evolution of awareness and the introduction of much-needed lessons in life make Buddies more than a murder mystery, more than a romance, and something more than a thriller; incorporating elements of the above and cementing them in a shroud of psychological depth that is both intriguing and emotionally compelling.

Miss Me? is Book Three in the Max Larkin Detective Series (the other books have not been seen by this reviewer), and presents the actions of two detectives introduced in the prior books, who are here chasing down an elusive serial rapist and murderer. They join up with an FBI agent who reveals a startling fact: that said rapist has not only been known to the Bureau for years for past crimes, but doesn't even attempt to hide his DNA or evidence of his deadly deeds. Is he just being over-confident, or does he have an insider working with him who helps him elude even the greatest law enforcement efforts in the country - and if so, what hope does Max Larkin have of tracking him down? Miss Me? pairs a third party with an added depth of complexity, expanding its characters and circumstances with a new level of police drama and detective work. The juxtaposition of two different agencies and their methods is intriguing, while action is gripping and logically revealed in bits and pieces that keep readers guessing. Be forewarned: the opening scene (of Sally's brutal rape from an assailant who kills her lover first) is not for the faint-hearted. But then, the faint-hearted should not be imbibing in a murder mystery, either. From an intruder who must marry his victims before possessing them to a too-clever perp who gets women to fall in love with him against all odds, Miss Me? is a gripping blend of psychological horror and detective investigation, moving back and forth from victims to investigators with a deft and sly approach to the traditional murder mystery format. As the story becomes more complex, so does reader engagement, making this a top pick for fans of detective thrillers who want more than a light dose of psychological drama in their reading.

Lilly is a lawyer, with all the legal savvy and sass a Southern-born professional belle can muster. She's left her small town for Dallas, only to return home to the Oklahoma fold, heart in hand, in the aftermath of a failed relationship. Only one thing helps keep her boots on the ground; and those are her girlfriends. Home Is Where Your Boots Are is a 'chic lit' story with Southern spice. It's about a woman successful in law but not in love, a small town that harbors its own share of oddities and personalities, and it's about leaving and returning home to the South. Be forewarned: as with many, many novels these days, this is the first in a projected series ('The MisAdventures of Miss Lilly, Volume One'): something that won't prove a sad fact to any who enjoy reading this story of the vim and vigor of a life in flux. From dalliances with married men to creepy happenings at the local hospital, Home Is Where Your Boots Are is entertainment reading at its best, with the friendship factor keeping everything warm and well-connected: "…that’s the kind of friends we are. We just wait each other out. Same as how you knew I was hell-bent on screwing up my life with that loser in high school and instead of getting mad at me, you just held me and prayed for me. I’ve been praying for you, sister. I knew you’d come out of it, the same way I knew you’d be home eventually.” It should be mentioned that dialogue is an intrinsic part of the action and story line; and that it's exceptionally well done. A dash of intrigue, a dose of romance, the flavors of small-town Oklahoma Southern sentiment, and stir: now, here's a story line simmering with goodness, that women partial to Southern belles and life's mishaps will find a fun and entertaining read!

Marine Mammal Observer & Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook represents an instruction manual of mitigation measures to minimize acoustical and physical disturbances to marine mammals from industrial and military activities, and is based on some two decades of offshore experience and a decade of supplying commercial and scientific services. Until now, there's been little written in the way of world standards for various marine operations that impact mammals; but as drilling, dredging, pumping and more take place increasingly on and under the world's waters, the need for this book becomes much more acute. Suppliers, recruitment agencies, businesses, contractors, regulators and more will find the Marine Mammal Observer & Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook pairs scientific research with advice and tested solutions to common problems, educating readers about the increased need for monitoring operations and routine adjustments to reduce noise and disturbance. From PAM theories to best practices and devices, this is no light coverage, but a technical guide that pulls together data and projects from various disciplines and pairs them with charts, graphs, and scientific discussions key to making decisions about modifications. No marine operator or marine science collection should be without this detailed, in-depth technical reference.

There's plenty to recommend in Nickerbacher: The Funniest Dragon, a comical dragon story that sports exceptionally colorful pages, fun drawings throughout by Kim Sponaugle, and a tale that lends particularly well to parental read-aloud for kids looking for stories about dragons. It's a 34-page saga of a sweet-tempered (but fierce-looking) dragon who is charged with guarding a princess - but his dreams are quite different than his task; for he longs to be a stand-up comic instead: something that clearly doesn't lend to his dragon stature and his allotted task in life. Nickerbacher only wants to make everyone laugh, and his princess charge is supportive of his dreams; but he still believes them impossible, until a prince appears who harbors his own impossible dream. "It doesn't matter what I think. It's what you know in your heart that matters." This is the underlying lesson in a whimsical, fun story that is simply delightful to read and supported by vibrant, fun illustrations: everything a parent could wish for in an entertaining picture book with an inspirational message.

Cow Eye Community College is a rural institution offering up a well-rounded liberal arts and technical education program and sporting a curious atmosphere promising hope and advancement while actually delivering despair - or so observes an educational administrator who finds himself in the back country of the rural Cow Eye community facing down its biggest problem: ruin. Charlie had no idea his job description was to include miracles and leadership on such a grand scale - but then, Charlie actually mirrors the atmosphere of Cow Eye perfectly: he's down on his luck himself. Can the blind lead the blind? Evidently - but not without a lot of stumbling, as the whimsical and testy Cow Country reveals in the course of its romp through the politics and social mores of academia. It's hard to neatly 'peg' the reader of Cow Country. Certainly, a sense of humor is a prerequisite. Another a 'plus' would be a familiarity with the inner workings (and ironies) of higher education (of which this reviewer has some light experience from decades past), which come to light in a series of encounters and vignettes that deftly comment on community college functions and institutional actions that alienate as much as they seek to unite. As readers move through the dubiously hallowed halls of higher education, they will come to find that the initial prerequisite of some familiarity with a community college structure, though desirable, is not actually a prerequisite: those who have any kind of insights on institutional ironies and inconsistencies will relish Cow Country's hard-hitting observations about life in the slow lane of reluctant change. In the end, shelve any concerns that Cow Country will be indecipherable and uninteresting to any but the academic or institutionally-immersed reader: it's a story with universal appeal, and it's a tour de farce that opens with a downtrodden administrator facing the threshold of historic change in a small community, walking over the line, and continuing down the road into the sunset, concluding with a single program connecting sex and enlightenment with the wider goals and struggles of a community college environment. No spoilers here: for more, you'll just have to visit Cow Country and see for yourself.

Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop Elements is literally a step-by-step manual that leaves nothing to guesswork and assumes no prior knowledge of Photoshop Elements, and is a recommendation for newcomers to both Photoshop Elements and the concept of digital painting. While other books cover both topics, the notable difference here is a step-by-step format, the inclusion of charts and graphs to supplement painting examples, and both small-sized and full-page color embellishments that lend life to the process and teach by example. Many titles overwhelm beginners with too much information packed into too short a format. Others present an approach that assumes a degree of program, computer, or artistic knowledge. In order to truly appeal to beginners, the superior production makes none of these assumptions and provides a comprehensive overview that builds a basic software knowledge base, then uses projects to teach art theory and advanced applications. Another 'plus' is the projects themselves, which range from animated figures to landscape scenes that include fire, clouds, all kinds of lighting effects (from moonlight to artificial lighting), and a host of characters. The specific details and examples in Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop Elements review all the options and the technical details to achieve them: add a dash of basic art knowledge and the rest is up to a reader's creativity and drive.

Vertigo! When the World Spins Out of Control: Meniére's Disease, Benign Positional Vertigo and Other Vestibular Illnesses is about inner ear imbalances, sudden onsets of vertigo, conditions that can thwart medical diagnosis and treatment, and is recommended for any who have struggled with regular, ongoing or undiagnosed vertigo. Sometimes vertigo is temporary and other times it evolves into a chronic condition, but repeated bouts can alter lives - and it's a more common condition than one might think; not limited to the elderly or hearing-impaired. The author's sudden and prolonged struggle with vertigo led to her diagnosis of Meniére's Disease even though her symptoms didn't fully match the disorder. Her decision to conduct her own research into Meniére's and her findings, which appear here, blend personal experience with her encounters with the medical community. It should be noted that this focus is only on vertigo caused by inner ear problems. Interviews with some fifty people who suffered with vertigo provides in-depth discussions and research that has been reviewed by health professionals, and it considers alternative therapies (such as yoga), which may not be prescribed by a doctor, but which can help. Any who suffer from ongoing vertigo will find Vertigo, which includes many case histories, offers hope and understanding.

Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game features color photos throughout by Michel Arnaud and provides an unusual collector's guide to mah jongg tiles and sets (something very different from the usual player's guide), pairing a history and collector's focus with insights on vintage sets from around the world. There are very few such references on the subject and this is perhaps the only book to thoroughly document the origins of the game, its evolution, and the wide diversity of playing tiles that have evolved throughout history. Add hundreds of color photos of these sets and extensive historical background and you have a celebration that will attract players and collectors alike. While players might initially be disappointed that this doesn't cover game strategy, they should quickly come to appreciate the book's wider focus and intriguing insights, which are all but impossible to find elsewhere.

Love Triangle: Ronald Reagan, Jane Wyman & Nancy Davis may find its way onto many a Republican Reagan fan's reading shelf; but those who expect another Reagan celebration will be surprised: this is lurid Hollywood exposé writing at its best, and outlines the truths surrounding one of the most provocative industry scandals in the world. There are already so many biographies of the Reagans on the market that one might expect similar mile-markers from this: be prepared for shock and awe; because Love Triangle doesn't take your ordinary approach to biography and describes a love triangle that eventually bumped a major Hollywood movie star from the possibility of being First Lady and replaced her with a lesser-known Grade B actress (Nancy Davis). From politics and betrayal to romance, infidelity, and sordid affairs, Love Triangle is a steamy, eye-opening story that blows the lid off of the Reagan illusion to raise eyebrows on both sides of the big screen. Black and white photos liberally pepper an account of the careers of all three and the lasting shock of their stormy relationships in a delightful pursuit especially recommended for any who relish Hollywood gossip.

Wicked Women: Notorious, Mischievous, and Wayward Ladies from the Old West isn't about your usual Western woman's pilgrimage across the plains: it's a randy, rowdy survey of less-well-behaved female outlaws, gamblers, and other wicked women, and it provides a lively alternative to the usual focus on pioneer homemakers. During the late nineteenth century, while men were settling the frontier, such women led 'wicked' lives when they followed fortune seekers. Their stories have been widely scattered under various headings, so it's refreshing to find a collection of short, action-packed stories of the Old West here, offering biographical sketches paired with Western history and spiced with insights on purposes and people. Speaking of 'spice', fun black and white vintage photos and illustrations from the author's own historic collection of images and historical libraries enhances the value and appeal of her coverage, making it a recommendation for collections ranging from women's history and issues to Western frontier sagas.

The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure presents Volume 2 in an adventure series (Volume 1 not seen by this reviewer), and focuses on a brother/sister team who are eagerly awaiting the release of a summer movie at the mall which brags it holds the 'theater to end all theaters'. Movie fantasies quickly end, however, when the two stumble into the wrong movie theater - and into another world. Now, perhaps the author didn't intend this - but moments of comic relief lightly pepper the story; because the first reaction to their slip into another universe is indignation that, once more, they have left their world - and their intended pleasures in it; "Oh no, here we go again,” I shouted to the universe. “Not today, today I want to see my terrific movie, eat my delicious popcorn, and drink my icecold soda!” Black and white photos also pepper the story, but its strength lies in dialogue and plot that provide advanced elementary to middle school readers with a solid adventure in the 'Land of Baltimore'. No reader can easily resist a treasure hunt. Few can turn away from the prospect of siblings who challenge catacombs, tombs, unicorns, and mystery, either! The dialogue is convincing, the story realistic and engrossing, and The Key provides a well-done adventure that needs no prior introduction to its predecessor to prove engrossing. Combine siblings with another world and an adventure filled with the trappings of magic and problem-solving and you have a compelling story with enough twists and turns to keep it memorable and engrossing, even for selected adult readers!

At what point do stories featuring thirteen-year-old protagonists become accessible and of interest to adult readers as well as young adults? It's when action and events woven into the story line spark a level of complexity that challenges and involves all ages, when human and spiritual connections embrace nightmares and positive possibilities alike, and when a book such as Arctic Storm focuses as much on the emotional development of each protagonist as it does on the wider story line of sled dogs in the line of fire. A pending multi-volume production warning is there on the cover (Arctic Storm is Book One of the 'Watch Eyes Trilogy') - but what isn't as immediately evident is an indication that young adult and adult readers alike are in for a treat with Arctic Storm: one they won't want to see concluded in a single book. Since dogs feature so prevalently in Arctic Storm, it's important to note that readers with a prior affection for canines will find the sled dog insights compelling; not to mention that the saga is set in 1908, an unusual feature for a crossover novel of fantasy. Anya's abilities pair with her take-charge determination to lead her on a desperate journey to save everything she loves, and highlights the idea of 'spirit' on many levels; from supernatural connections to self-inspired decisions. The story centers around Anya, a young medium who is able to connect to the spirit world and who will do anything to protect her beloved dogs from any threat; even from a deadly ice storm. Woven into the realistic story line are accounts of sled dog practices, the conflicts between a boy who loves the sea and a girl who is bound to the land, and the underlying belief of each that the other won't truly understand their world. Set against the backdrop of Siberia and a world beset upon by darkness and light, it's all about choices and direction as well as spiritual connections, and what seems an ending is really just the beginning. At what point do stories featuring thirteen-year-old protagonists become accessible and of interest to adult readers as well? It's when the human element is so well-developed that age groups are forgotten and the compelling story reaches out to embrace all ages in a storm of conflict, purpose and hope.

Any who have appreciated the unique strengths of Solarium-3 are in for a treat: Haeven is published and ready to go, and embraces the same strengths of Solarium-3 without some of the usual detriments of trilogy titles. It's time to take a stand on trilogies (starting with this book) and to point out that what is clearly stated as 'Book One of a trilogy' should be viewed as just that, and not as a stand-alone feature to be read independently (or instead) of the other books. Haeven requires familiarity with its predecessor Solarium-3 on many levels, and while, yes, you could read it as a stand-alone story… why would you? The groundwork has been wonderfully cemented in Solarium-3 and it's time to move on with the saga rather than wasting chapters re-creating the wheel of events: that Haeven does so will delight fans who have returned for 'more, please'. Here the fragile safety that has built a sustainable environment is being threatened by a crack in both dome and psyches, requiring Solarium-3's inhabitants to consider going outside into a much-changed world. Is there more of a risk outside than inside? That’s the lingering question in a story that, once again, builds a seemingly-predictable scenario only to break all the rules with a series of events that keep readers on their toes and thinking. As the struggling Solarians make headway in exploring their changed boundaries, they also make new inroads in exploring each others' place in the world. The characters achieve much more depth here; which is as it should be in the second book of a series. And there's plenty of mystery and surprises; which is saying a lot for a premise that at first seems too entirely predictable. It's rare to find a story that truly departs from an anticipated conclusion and wraps the element of surprise into its progression. It takes a real artist to create a logical path supported by innuendo and facts and then offer a twist that leads in an entirely different direction. Solarium-3 was good; but Haeven is great and will lead readers to hunger for the final book, ReGeneration - especially as Haeven ends with a cliffhanger. That John R. Spencer has succeeded in this effort in both Solarium-3 and Haeven lends to a compelling odyssey even veteran scifi readers will find hard to put down.

Arctic Shadow provides Book Two of the Watch Eyes Trilogy and is set in 1909 Alaska, when the grueling three-day race is over and the Siberian huskies face deadly danger. Something has murdered one of their pack members: something or someone strong enough to threaten all of the Chukchi dogs imported to America’s last frontier. It should be evident, by now, that Arctic Shadow comes from animal perceptions; but its unique blend of historical and fantasy genres is something few readers will anticipate, making its audience as mercurial and unique as its arctic setting. Fans of history should be prepared for the feel of London's Call of the Wild, while fantasy readers will discover the book features many unexpected historical elements. Because this is Book Two of a series, it continues the story of the Siberian huskies and their young human guardians, Native-Chukchi, Anya and Viking-descended Rune. It was a brilliant move adding these human elements to the huskies' story: by choosing this approach, Arctic Shadow comes from many perspectives; not just one, and holds the ability to involve a wider audience than those who seek stories told from animal viewpoints alone. The origins of sled dog racing and its rich culture, the unexpected triumph of the Siberian husky over mixed-malamute teams, the coming-of-age story of a girl and a boy committed to saving their dogs, and the challenges of life in rugged Nome around the turn of the century: all these elements create an adventure story that weaves romance and courage into its mystic plot. It would have been all too easy for Arctic Shadow's action and drama to have superseded its historical value. The fact that Sundell presents a good deal of Alaskan culture and history with her story of two young people who love their animals and each other sets it apart from others and adds value and depth to the events that unfold. Arctic Shadow will immerse readers in its white land of turmoil.

Solarium-3 is Book One of a trilogy and is lightly based upon real-world events as scientists seal themselves in a self-contained domed environment only to find their man-made habitat is flawed. Up to this point, all sounds familiar: the departure begins when they beg Project Control to release them and stop the experiment, only to find Control refuses them freedom. What happens thereafter creates a complex, engrossing scifi read made all the more captivating and realistic by its grounding in an actual experiment (Biosphere 2) where the scientists stayed in their self-contained, sealed environment for two years. That experiment became more of a lesson in psychology and interpersonal conflict than habitat maintenance: Solarium-3 is where the similarities between Solarium-3 and Biosphere 2 diverge. Here the scientists (who live in a series of interconnected 'pods') are committed to four years - but they become as devoted to getting out as they were to getting in when their environment becomes toxic and threatens their lives. So why is there any question about halting the experiment under these life-threatening conditions? The truth may at first seem a bit predictable (either that the true experiment is something different, or that something has happened outside their sealed world), but Control hasn't actually vanished: it's just not talking. And so what seems a conventional progression of events turns into something satisfyingly different. And when it does, all their lives will be changed forever. Solarium-3 begins as any good science fiction read should: with a believable scientific premise and scenario and realistic characters whose personalities and concerns involve readers in the story. All this serves to create a solid foundation of logical events and actions that test characters and readers alike with unexpected twists and puzzles that range from a mysterious power-killing light show in the skies to what becomes a lesson in not just personal survival, but perhaps of the human race as a whole. Any reader of survivalist scifi knows the typical progression of such a story line as characters struggle to build a new world and face off in power struggles. It's all about taking control of environmental challenges, new situations, and even of each other. Who will 'win' under such circumstances depends not so much upon survival of the fittest as it does the ability of everyone to move outside social convention to place greater good over individual gain. One thing is for sure: readers will avidly follow the adventures and interactions of this band of survivors as they build their strange new world, and will be sorry when the story ends. But not too sorry: remember; this is Book One and segues neatly into the next offering, Haeven.

ReGeneration is Book Three of the Solarium-3 trilogy, so be advised: familiarity with the prior books will lend a continuity and a satisfyingly well-rounded feel to this latest addition to the sci-fi series. Solarium-3, the first book, documented a basic struggle to survive inside the only remaining habitat for humanity, Solarium-3. Haeven, Book Two, documents what happens when they are forced outside their protective haven to see what has become of the planet. ReGeneration continues the logical progression of events, where the survivors begin to explore their strange new world and their new place in it, and is a 'must' for any who have followed the prior adventures. In some ways, ReGeneration is both unexpected and predictable - and in the scheme of things, that's not such a bad thing. Its concepts juxtapose nicely with prior events, its images of this changed world are vividly portrayed, and its ongoing mysteries fuel a combination of adventure exploration and sci-fi, a survivalist tale that's firmly rooted in solid character development and consistent action. But the hallmark of an exceptional read doesn't necessarily lie in logic and predictability: it lies in an ability to captivate readers with a 'you are there' feel; to make one care about the characters' experiences, and to inject elements of surprise into the story line that keep it fresh and vivid - and here, too, ReGeneration achieves its goals. The result is every bit as engrossing as its predecessors - and that's what a good trilogy should offer: continuity along with more than a small dash of mystery and surprise. The Solarium survivors have much to learn to get things right. That process makes for a fine exploration not just of changed environment, but changed peoples.

It happened again: high school senior Hanna has suffered a blackout - this time, in front of her classmates. Her last blackout was when she was eight, and now she's had two in one week. Here's where any anticipation of a story of possible epilepsy turns to acceptance of a riveting fantasy, instead, as Hanna comes to realize that her blackouts are actually indicators of a greater danger, and as she discovers not only the prodigy of dark villain, but finds herself aligned with his purposes. Similar themes have appeared in similar-sounding books. What sets Golden apart from most is its focus on a villain who may not be all that bad, a girl who may not have the magic that circumstances indicate, and the point that evil (and good) may not be as obvious as they would seem. An appreciation for young adult fantasy and romance with a twist will lend to enjoyment of a story line that is unpredictable and more satisfyingly complex than at first glance, and which brings Hanna's world to life through an ordeal that makes for an absorbing YA adventure read.

It's one year after the earthquake that led pre-teen Crystal into the wilderness to rescue her parents, and she's finally allowed to accompany her parents on her first archaeological dig at a grave in the Ozarks. Her friends are with her when a new natural disaster strikes: this time, in the form of a wildfire. Now it's not just her parents who are endangered; it's the priceless relics, a horse, and the lives of everyone around her - and once more, it's up to teen Crystal to save the day. Familiarity with the prior Crystal Brave adventure is not so much a prerequisite for enjoying this sequel as a likelihood that it, too, will prove of interest to any who enjoy this saga. As before, Crystal's character is spunky, self-assured, and self-directed - yet, believable. Crystal's observations of human conditions are astute and represent her evolving maturity. It would have been too easy to create a one-dimensional character, add a wildfire, and watch the sparks begin: Bradshaw's attention to such details makes for a middle-grade level adventure that delivers so much more, and is a pick for any who want their females spunky, their action well-balanced with attention to character development, and their stories filled with both action and insight.

Crystal is about to turn thirteen and her archaeologist parents have left for a day's journey studying petroglyphs at Taum Sauk Mountain. But timing is everything: that's the day the New Madrid fault shifts and a major earthquake keeps them from returning. The devastation means no communications, but Crystal has access to a horse and sets out on a trek to the mountain, following the path of family tradition in undertaking brave explorations with fierce self-determination. Pre-teens, teens, and adult audiences alike will readily come to recognize that Crystal's adventures are compelling and anything but predetermined. Her interactions with her parents prior to the event are remarkably realistic, as she resents their outside interests and an expedition that seems to precede her birthday in importance. It's lucky that Crystal has experience trail riding and camping in the wilderness. It's lucky that the adult family friend that comes upon her and could stop her, decides to let her go based on Crystal's competence and the devastation from the quake, which limits other options. And it's refreshing to see self-determined courage in a young protagonist who is not being foolhardy, but logical in her quest. Middle-grade preteens, teens and many an adult will find Crystal Brave: Earthquake at the Taum Sauk an absorbing adventure story with a satisfying difference: no world issues or cussing mar the saga. It's an old-fashioned wilderness adventure which, as Crystal Brave demonstrates, doesn't need social issues or urban angst to draw in readers of all ages and keep their attention.

Twins Betty and Bev are more than double trouble: they have knack for investigating odd situations; so when strangers come to town, the two have an immediate sense of "something wicked in the air" - verified, of course, by their investigations. So far, nothing new here: many a middle grade children's book has featured young sleuths with a nose for trouble and oddities. But The Weird Adventures of the Inman Twins holds something just a little different, as young readers will discover; and that takes the form of a 1950s rural setting and kids who are uncommonly savvy about adult psychology. As investigative pieces for middle grades go, this may seem milder than some amateur detective stories: that's because Shortt takes the time to build atmosphere and relationships rather than charging full speed into the mystery itself. For younger generations used to quick action and immediate gratification, the story may seem slow at first - but as characters develop and realistic settings spring to life, The Weird Adventures of the Inman Twins becomes more compelling, less predictable, and better-rounded than most young reader's mysteries. What this really means is that The Weird Adventures of the Inman Twins holds an unusual capability of appealing to adult and pre-teen through teen readers - and that's a unique feature in a story centered around twelve-year-old protagonists. Can two young girls confront a dangerous woman and win? The tale line starts out slowly and simply, but weaves a compelling plot that is satisfyingly different from your usual 'Encyclopedia Brown' style approaches for this age group, making it a recommended pick for a wide audience.

Life on a 1930s Wisconsin farm during the Depression isn't easy, but young Doris Free finds family and small town life to be both challenging and rewarding even as everyone around her struggles, until the arrival of a new black shopkeeper in town adds social struggle to the task of economic survival. Doris had never seen a black man before (indeed, most in her small town haven't, either) and her first impression of the stranger in town is that he is 'covered in mud' but incongruously appears clean. After all, their isolated small town hasn't been exposed to much of the outside world - and neither has she. All this is about to change in a big way, illustrating how the Depression led to not just economic hardships, but social transformation as people moved out of familiar places and settings and interacted with each other on new levels. Many books for all ages have been written about the Depression years, but it's this emphasis that is one of the exceptional features of the middle-grade read Doris Free: A Harvest of Friends. The other is an attention to realistic detail. As the young folk observe a changing adult world, they continue their childhood pursuits; and events integrate and translate themselves into a child's perspective rather than taking the usual approach of observations far beyond a child's maturity. Doris Free does a fine job of realistically portraying a myriad of personal and social changes through the eyes of a young girl who learns what it means to truly make a difference.

Plot Fiction Like the Masters is more of a nuts-and-bolts kind of approach to the process and focuses on what to do and how best to do it, offering a satisfyingly positive contrast to this approach and providing a toolkit of possibilities to authors who are just getting started in the fiction genre. Part of the willingness to absorb the important messages herein will include an ability to see the value in an analytical approach that contrasts three very different authors' successful methods and considers how these, in turn, translate to one's own writing. Thus, readers who want a 'quick and dirty' toolset without any accompanying literary analysis might want to look elsewhere … but, that would be a shame. The power and persuasive approach presented in Plot Fiction Like the Masters can't really be transmitted without actually examining the work of said masters - and Terry Richard Bazes does so with a literary outlook that defines what makes a work of fiction a masterful standout in the realm of literary accomplishment. Would-be fiction writers should expect a guide far more detailed and complex than the usual 'how to' title - and far more valuable, as a result. It analyzes and contrasts its authors with a solid eye to considering what devices work in literary fiction, and why - and this makes it an invaluable resource indeed.

Weird Tales revitalizes a genre which typically falls somewhere between horror and science fiction: the strange and eerie intersection between faith, fantasy, and disbelief, designed to chill with creepy twists and the unexpected. Weird stories were first captured in the 1923 magazine of the same title as Murray's book, and made household names of such new writers as Ray Bradbury, Lovecraft and Merritt - names largely regulated to the files of bygone years' literary greats - so it's refreshing to see a compilation of stories in this vein that remind readers of exactly what made this niche genre so compelling and provide newcomers with stories that are more than a cut above 'ordinary and expected'. In typical 'weird' format, these stories are steeped in the supernatural - but are something more. In typical fantasy format, they include many elements of other worlds and impossible encounters. In typical horror format, there's often a protagonist who unwittingly crosses the line between his staid universe and one where things are more than a little different. And in classic literary style, Murray takes all these disparate elements and weaves them together in a series of hair-raising adventures which bring to mind Hitchcock's classic 'Stories Not for the Nervous' collections. Surprisingly little is written in the classic 'weird' vein nowadays. This collection is not just a throwback; it's a standout and a testimony to the 1920s approach that still - under the right hand, such as Murray's - can stand just as strongly to new generations, today, offering a subtler but equally powerful psychological brand of horror to those who would absorb more than bloodletting and staccato surface action.

What to Do While You Count to Ten provides a program for anger management: and while this is another topic that would seem to have been 'done' time and again, - David Earle manages to provide some differences that distinguish his approach from others on the topic. The opening line offers one such revelation: "When anger is used correctly, it can have positive results!" Now, other books may conclude as much; but only eventually - not in their introduction. It's taking somewhat of a risk to produce an anger management book that opens with reviewing the positive results of anger; but then What to Do While You Count to Ten is for the risk-taking reader seeking something different on the subject. Psychology students should take note: this isn't your usual Freudian approach which leaves revelations to the client and has the therapist subtly encouraging: direction is created by the therapist who uses allegories and concepts to 'teach' his client: "When emotions are not dealt with they are exhibited in unintentional and destructive behavior." Because the interactions between client and therapist are more give-and-take, adopting a kind of Adlerian approach to cooperative problem-solving, readers are drawn into a process whereby the client peels back his emotional layers and examines the wellsprings of anger and its lack of management. Many believe that anger should be 'controlled'; but notice that Earle's terminology advocates 'management' here. There is a difference; and one which readers learn about more easily through the eyes of this therapist/client interactive process than your usual approach of pairing exercises and psychology alone. With its charts, exercises, and personal give-and-take reinforcing basic concepts, it's hard to become lost or confused about the program being presented in What to Do While You Count to Ten - and it's easy to apply it to one's own experiences and belief systems. And that's the greatest strength of this book: its ability to link behavior patterns to belief systems, examine their inconsistencies and where they don't serve a greater good, then provide recommendations and suggestions for change. Now, that's effective self-help reading!

With six books to his name following the same/similar thread of self-exploration and cathartic inspirational blends of self-help psychology and poetry, one might question the need for all the volumes: couldn't the information have been synthesized into just one or two books? But, look at it this way: would you take a complex process that had numerous steps and possibilities of detours and derailment along the way and condense them into one short treatment? What about the readers who then become 'lost' on a path that moves from step-by-step to moving in leaps and bounds? The first three books combined the structure of epic (albeit freelance) poetry with emotional self-inspection, the later books moved past the poetry platform more into the realm of self-help observation and admonitions, and now the final Red Roses 'n Pinstripes narrows the focus even further: to romance and its accompanying inevitable burden of lost love. This collection's power lies in the juxtaposition of poetic expression and psychological analysis: prefaces to each lend spiritual and emotional insights that are essential keys to understanding each poem's approach. Red Roses 'n Pinstripes is as much about saying goodbye as it is about saying hello. Those who seek the free verse poetic structure for its more accessible thoughts, who want their psychology couched in reflection over professional inspection, and who look for personal, revealing collections rather than emotionally-distant self-help titles will find Red Roses (and its predecessors) an accessible, emotional, involving key to a journey that never ends.

Book One of the 'Dark Horse Trilogy', Woman King, is key to following the progression of a powerful, San Francisco-based blend of supernatural influences and P.I. investigation, and tells of an empath who spends her life blocking her abilities - until she meets an ancient time-walker who reveals that a demon has been stalking her. But if you're expecting the usual genre read that blends fantasy into a supernatural investigation, you'll be disappointed. Woman King is, in fact, a superior production that focuses on political consultant Olivia Shepherd's psyche and her process of adjusting not just to her special abilities, but to a new awareness of supernatural forces in the world. There's a spiritual purpose to the story line that has placed her on a certain trajectory; so readers who want shallow entertainment with predictable characterization should look elsewhere. Olivia's story is for those who look for depth and psychology in their story lines, who take pleasure in explicit details that leave little to wonder, and who will follow the progression of Olivia's world with an appreciation for the little things that make up that world. If this is perceived as slowing the plot progression somewhat, that's only because in a nonstop staccato world of thriller action, Woman King takes its time to build its story and protagonist. And that's not a bad attribute. There are a lot of loose ends to Woman King's conclusion; but the fact that readers have been duly forewarned that this is part of a trilogy makes these loose ends just more of an invitation to read on.

Intercession is the first book in a Detective Vic Gonnella crime series and opens with a bang - or, rather, a rap on the door of a rectory where a late visitor intent on making a confession turns out to be something quite different … something from his past that the good Father Deegan can no longer escape. What evolves from this encounter is a serial killer who leads Detective Gonnella and his sidekick and romantic partner Raquel on a trip out of the country to hunt down a murderer with connections to the church, and a deadly plan that promises to elude even their combined force. One important note about Intercession is that everything is not as it seems: it's a twisting plot that at first leads in one direction; then in another. Another note is that it tackles some of the most venerable institutions in the world and winds them into a killer's mind and purposes, introducing a (somewhat predictable) element of pedophilia and church connections into the mix. Fake belief, false love of god and man, and disturbing reflections on social structures designed to protect and shelter - all these are unexpectedly wound into the overall murder mystery/detective thriller format to create something just a little different; and while some of the story line is predictable from the outset, there are still enough surprises and superior characterization to keep the reading riveting and the action swift. As Vic wonders if Raquel is "another fantasy he can't have" and both become mentally drained by their pursuit of an elusive killer, romance seems far in the side wings of deadly story. All this leads to a sum greater than its parts, ultimately making Intercession a multi-faceted, absorbing mystery.

Is Iron Mask a self-help book? A collection of poetry? An autobiography? Or is it an instructional on facing down the aging process, interacting with family, and taking wing? Some books are neither one thing nor another. Some straddle the finer lines between prose and poetry, fiction and nonfiction, autobiography and literary work. And some - like Iron Mask - simply defy categorization; which makes them a challenge to promote in a world where marketing relies on niches, boxes, and defining audiences. In the ideal world, there would be room for such as Iron Mask - and an ability to say that its disparate elements hold attraction and insights for all kinds of readers. Fortunately, it's possible to change the nature of this reality through personal attention to not just writing such a piece, but bringing it to a wider range of readers than is usual for a specific genre read. The poems are divided into chapters by theme, making it easy to understand their place in the scheme of things. From 'Children' and 'Change' to 'Love', this is a psychological journey through not only the author's life and encounters, but through the human experiences that bind us all. The poems were written over a period of some twenty years, which sets this collection apart from many singular creations. It thus reflects not just emotions but a journey through life, following the lessons and evolution of experience and encounters with the world. Iron Mask would not be what it is, were it not for the inclusion of explanatory insights for each series of poems. It is the icing on the cake of understanding and connection, and it's what makes Iron Mask an intimate, revealing glimpse into not only author David W. Earle's world, but that of his family and heritage, as well.

Painted Pebbles: A Hungarian Memoir didn't come from the usual intention to publish a book: it was written as a gift to the author's son and daughter as a family history, and took on a life of its own in seeing publication in a book that will now reach a wider audience. The story begins with a description of the author's early childhood during World War II, as he recalls air raids, being Jewish in an increasingly Nazi world, and becoming trapped in Budapest's ghetto until the Soviets arrived in 1945, there to experience a different kind of totalitarian rule under their hand until he escaped to the West during the 1956 October uprising. Political and cultural survival techniques, insights, and experiences mark a journey that led to his eventual success as a Yale student in a new world. Anyone interested in accounts of European history will find this memoir an engrossing story of survival.

It's rare to see a business book from a woman who moved into corporate circles from the lower rungs of the ladder and built a successful career; much less in an organization that became one of the most famous in the world: the Mayo Clinic. But Shirley A. Weis did just that, moving from a nursing job to the boardroom and then to a respected senior leader role in one of the most politically-changed atmospheres in the country. Her principles for winning business games to move up the ladder thus come not from ideals, but from tested principles developed 'in the field', and offer concrete experiences that teach women how to thrive in the cutthroat business world. There are many unwritten rules in this environment: actions and interplays that typically lock women out of higher echelons and reserve big-stakes rewards for men. While some books would maintain that higher levels are unobtainable, Weis is proof that this can be done - and done well, while managing a family. Speaking of 'management', the book also tells how to interact with males on the same playing ground as a manager, and how to gain respect during the process even while being part of a dual-career couple. This is not to say that Playing to Win is filled with professional detachment: far from it. Weis adds an element of personal experience and autobiography throughout, teaching how to reassess skills to improve one's game, how to confront common challenges in a manner that lends to positive change and results, and how to understand not just the rules of the business game, but the nature of how it's played. The goal is increased success, to be sure - but it's also respect. Thus, Playing to Win in Business represents Book One of the 'Just Respect for Women' series, and serves up powerful tools for change. No aspiring female business leader should be without this!

Love is Not Enough: Changing Dysfunctional Family Habits identifies dysfunctional family interactions and habits, categorizes them, considers their character roles in the greater circle of family dynamics and patterns, and then offers alternatives; in effect creating a 'course in a book' for those who would better understand how dysfunction actually operates between individuals in a family circle. Readers must be ready for change, and ready to analyze their 'rails' to assess their solidity, effectiveness, and counter-productivity - otherwise, why pick up a self-help book that's all about change? And those who expect this process to be served up piecemeal, or in a manner that points the way to the path without requiring personal involvement, should look elsewhere: Love is Not Enough isn't just about changing the family structure - it's about changing the reader's habits as the first step. And this is no simple process. Chapters offer a range of tested tools, from Mood Charts and exercises for self, couples, and family to breaking long-established habits that lead to distrust and alienation. Thus, inherent in the book's approach is somewhat of a basic willingness on the part of all or many family members to participate in the process - something that admittedly could be lacking in many circles. There's always someone who won't try, who won't 'play a new game', and who refuses to self-inspect or change - and that's the downside of Love is Not Enough: while the reader may perceive its approach to be true, many a family is built on the very fact that love is enough, as dysfunctional as it may be. Those who are truly committed to self-inspection and change should be the ideal followers of this book: in it they will find tools, admonitions, case history examples of exactly how dysfunctional patterns were identified and overcome, and keys to a better life. If life is a journey, so is this book. Those open to exploration and not content to remain on a prescribed (destructive) course of action will find it filled with keys to derailing the negatives while using positives to move on down the line.

Leora Frankel translated this novel from the Hebrew and Laurie McGaw added fine duotone illustrations throughout, so it's evident that Escape in Time, Miri's Riveting Tale of Her Family's Survival During World War II is not a singular endeavor, but a long cooperative effort to bring this story to English audiences. And, as young readers ages 12 and older will discover, it's one well worth reading. Miri Malz was in the Holocaust, and a survivor, and is now a cheerful grandmother who has kept the secret of her past from her grandchild. But when Nessya overhears school officials talking about inviting her grandmother to speak as a Holocaust survivor, a whole hidden world opens up - and when she confronts her grandmother, the answers she receives are difficult and strain their relationship. One might wonder at the need for yet another YA read about a Holocaust survivor - but given the unprecedented nature of genocide and its lasting aftermath, it would seem that new stories should appear every few years as fresh reminders of the lasting impact of events, lest future generations forget, or the classic, widely-distributed writings of such as Anne Frank become overly familiar. A packet of wartime letters, a young girl's curiosity about her heritage, a grandmother's experiences of ghetto routines, and a child's perspective of the war are supplemented by the gorgeous works of Laurie McGaw throughout (it cannot be emphasized too much that these images are realistic, lovely, and striking embellishments to the story line). More so than most Holocaust accounts, this presentation examines the concepts of anti-Semitism from a preteen's perspective as she learns about the past's effects on her present world and family's future; and it draws important connections between family relationships and world politics, exposing an atmosphere where even a relationship with a doorman can become important. In the end, that's what makes Escape in Time such a standout: a blending of the Anne Frank diary format of personal experience with observation of the changing, wider social and political world holds an ability to involve not just characters, but the reader. Escape in Time is truly riveting, is recommended for ages 12 and older, and is especially recommended as a classroom assignment to pair off quite nicely with Anne Frank's classic Diary. There are miracles here for everyone: the miracle of survival, the lasting impact of change, and lessons for the future that make such accounts not just stories but outlines of inhumanity, hope, and survival.

The author's grandmother was a "true Miami Beach Jewish bubbie" who admonished the new college student author to write about her life story: something that he ignored at the time, but which would come back to haunt him ten years later. Managing Bubbie may be the result of a direct order, but there's nothing compelling readers to pick it up - nothing but the promise of a hilarious, fun read about a cantankerous, determined, warm achiever who brought her children to a new world and raised them well. Her name was once Lea, not 'bubbie'. Once, she came to a country her Polish parents had visited and left. Once, she changed worlds. And in Lazega's world, family interactions swirl around her outrageous statements and their equally ribald results. Family memoirs permeate the biography and autobiography markets. There are Jewish brunches galore; there are much-celebrated, fun family characters who enjoy the limelight on the written page as much as they did at the head of the family table. They will live forever in the former position - as does Bubbie, here, in Managing Bubbie. Conversations between Bubbie and family members are juxtaposed with biographical reviews of her life events and create an especially satisfying story line that moves neatly between the two approaches and rounds out events with personal perspective: something many stories fail to achieve in their drive to choose one approach (third-person story-telling) over another (first-person experience). From imprisonment to freedom, the rise of fascism in Europe and a great escape, Bubbie's life is always the center of action and activity, offering trials, challenges, hope, and keen, penetrating observations. Any who want to be moved by their biographical reading; to feel part of a family circle and part of past and present Jewish worlds abroad and in America, will find Managing Bubbie a powerful read.

Discovering Autism Discovering Neurodiversity presents an increasingly common scenario: the author discovered her children had developmental delays and had no clue about the special education system and how it operated. She would learn only after she sought a diagnosis for her older son and discovered autism was a thread affecting the entire family; but she would also come to realize that a diagnosis or the availability of special education alone would not be enough to help her family. Discovering Autism Discovering Neurodiversity follows Crist's learning curve as she came to realize what an autism diagnosis meant for her three children. It offers one woman's inspiring battle against a world that would consider her children flawed and expendable, and it provides insights, hope, and inspiration for any parent who finds themselves with a new diagnosis and concerns about the future.

Alicia's Misadventures in Computer Land: Hackers and Heroes provides a zany take-off on Alice in Wonderland by presenting the story of sixth grade computer hacker genius Alicia, president of the school's Chaos Computer Club, who is known as 'White Rabbit' amongst her computer geek peers. In quite a different, modern take on the original, a storm and computer interactions shrink her into a tiny 'virtual girl' and send her into cyberspace, where she becomes trapped in a computer, facing down a virus. In such a world, a hacker named Caterpillar and other characters both challenge and help her along. There's enough allusion to the original Alice to prove satisfying; especially to middle school readers who will find comparisons between the two books to be lively and fun. From an ant army anti-virus whose program involves combat and who marches into a WAR file to Alicia's ability to reach her brother in the real world through his obsession with computer games, Alicia's Misadventures in Computer Land is a hilarious, refreshingly different read that will engage middle school grades on up with quite a fun, different perspective on Alice and her modern-day Computerland tribulations. And while its audience is the middle grade levels, it should be mentioned that any adults partial to the old Alice, computer environments, and fantasies featuring a sassy, fun protagonists will find this a compelling, absorbing saga.

The Stolen Light of WoMen: A Quest for Spiritual Truth Beyond Religion comes from a mystic who explores the spiritual truths in some of the most controversial Biblical writings, and is recommended for spiritual thinkers looking for a feminist analysis and approach that goes beyond most Biblical examinations. Through this consideration of a woman's soul and acceptance of spiritual revelations comes an awareness of how Biblical texts have been purposely used to repress women and men alike, and why current religious climates don't necessarily represent the reality of Christian teachings. From sexual diversity in the ancient world and the trinity of Satan, God, and Man to a unique vision of faith brought about by one who died and returned, The Stolen Light of WoMen is no simple read and offers many concepts which may prove indigestible to those immersed in traditional belief systems. The oppression of women and the control of their sexuality may be the singular most scandalous story of human history. Presented here from a new perspective, The Stolen Light of WoMen makes for a gripping, critical new vision of women's issues and is quite a different version of Judaic and Christian history.

Self-Aid: Inspirations to Turn Struggles into Success is packed with affirmations and inspirations designed to encourage readers to actively participate in creating their own positive course in life, and comes from an author who shares her personal tools for breaking down barriers she imposed upon herself in her own life. Now, there are many books out on the market that provide positive affirmations and inspirational readings; so what's different about Self-Aid? Part of this difference lies in the author's roots: born in a traditional Chinese family and as a single mother in her forties, Woo faced a series of life challenges that led her in a different direction: there to gather inspirational affirmations to help guide her. That's the foundation of Self-Aid's inspirational collection, which offers its advice in snippets of wisdom that make it digestible and accessible by even those with limited attention spans under emotional turmoil. One might anticipate such words of wisdom would come from famous leaders or philosophers, but Woo gathers these pieces from all walks of life wherever they are to be found - thus Ellen Degeneres, Gandhi, Jim Morrison, and Martin Luther King Jr. all share the stage. This and the fact that these short words of wisdom can be quickly accessed make Self-Aid an exceptional gathering.

One might anticipate that a book from a certified ear, nose and throat physician would include a promotion for hearing aids and an assessment of their pros and cons; but the second updated edition of Hearing Loss Facts and Fiction is actually so much more, and is recommended for any who either have hearing loss or know a friend or family member with such. Chapters focus on how we hear, what happens during (and influences) hearing loss, and how to achieve better hearing through a combination of approaches. Even more importantly, it provides plenty of tips on how to interact more effectively with those suffering from hearing loss, providing invaluable insights that include assessments of the pros and cons of various over-the-counter products, discussions of various ear conditions (such as ear wax) that can affect hearing, and options for affording hearing-improvement devices, from veteran's benefits to insurance. The result is a wide-ranging discussion recommended for any who find hearing loss confusing and challenging.

There are three distinct audiences who will relish The Glow of Paris: those who hold affection for the city, image-driven viewers who enjoy photographs of cityscapes and bridges, and readers interested in histories about bridges in general and Paris in particular. Zuercher spent five years photographing the 35 bridges of Paris at night during the winter months, but he didn't stop there. He spent an additional year researching their history. His approach was to pair his gelatin-silver photo prints with anecdotes and history, and the result is an artistic collection of black and white photos that gathers rare information about the bridges, and so enters the realm of a history as much as an artistic, photographic display. It's relatively rare to see an art production so well-supported by accompanying historical facts and information. Anyone interested in bridge construction will also be fascinated - which means that this will reach an unusual audience of structural engineers who aren't typically attracted to artistic photography productions. Even Parisians who live in or are used to their city will find this new book captures many scenes by night that transform what they are familiar with in daylight. Photography is all about shadows and lighting. History is all about exposing rare facts and (hopefully) adding a lively tone in the process. The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris at Night brings these two elements together in a marriage that proves more than its parts - and that's the difference between a one-dimensional approach and one that cultivates added perceptions and, ultimately, added value and new audiences.

As this is quite possibly the first and only novel about synchronized swimming (indeed, it's a fading art that many adults may not know much about), Out of Synch is, right away, in a class of its own. The story focuses on the efforts of thirteen-year-old Katie, who dreams of competitive synchronized swimming while her parents want her to choose the more lucrative competitive racing. Her swim team coach believes synchronized swimming is well on its way out, her parents want Katie to focus on a swimming approach that is more of a guaranteed success, and pressure is applied to drop out of synchro. Katie has her hands full trying to convince the adults in her life that her real love in life is both viable and important. Middle school readers (especially those familiar with the world of competitive sports in general and competitive swimming in particular) will relate to Katie's efforts, which are tested when she has to replace a familiar and loved routine without her swim partner's support. It's a far different approach to swim a solo routine - a learning experience which Katie is forced to keep secret from her parents. Part of the joy of reading Out of Synch is that it exudes passion and struggle. Even readers with no prior familiarity (or interest) in the world of competitive swimming can easily relate to Katie's feeling of being pulled in all directions, most of which oppose her love of one (less promising) choice in particular. It's a familiar scenario: does one follow one's heart, or acquiesce to the pressures and (supposed) insights of those older and wiser? Does one continue the struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds, or make the kinds of decisions that lead to new opportunities? And where is the intersection between personal goals and belief and the bigger picture of success? That Katie will succeed, with her drive, determination and vision, is a given. The story line lies not in the fact that she will ultimately succeed, but in how she becomes a winner. Details on the sport of synchronized swimming are specific and real, teammate and family interactions are realistic and absorbing, and readers will find in Katie an inspiring figurehead for their own desires to buck outside pressures and understand the differences between realizing a dream and tackling impossible odds.

Sail Upon the Land tells of four generations of driven women who each face a life-changing decision over the course of an eighty-year time frame, and its lively story of different disasters and accompanying choices succeeds in drawing readers into a sweeping saga replete with struggles for survival. Despite being warned by others who perceive Ronny for his true shallowness and danger, Damson falls into his arms - and into a mess… because it's India, where women have no ability to call rape and prosecute… because she was flirting with Ronny and is in an isolated area with few support systems. And because she escapes, new possibilities are born for new generations. It's this flow between generations which is the powerful draw of Sail Upon the Land, which deftly captures and weaves together the results of actions, choices, and positive and negative life experience. It follows Damson's 1980s disastrous romance and moves neatly between generations and experiences, from her grandmother's 1930s world to her mother's 1960s world, World War II, and modern times. Under a different approach this multi-generational exploration could have become confusing; but the fact that chapter headings include not only protagonist names but eras means that there is no hesitation; no cause for mixing up the different times and women. And in a saga that flows between such eras, that's important. Motherhood, action and reaction, and evolving relationships connected by family and past patterns: it's all here in Sail Upon the Land, especially recommended for readers seeking strong female protagonists and linked family connections.

How do you take control of a planet without violence? By advocating peace. The only problem is: when you kill in the name of peace, someone will know. And even if that person is only a teenager, he holds the potential for bringing the whole system down. Mission Veritas is a riveting blend of military fiction and space invader drama, and while the main protagonist is a teenager, to call this 'young adult' reading or limit its audience to teens would be wrong on so many levels. Adults will find it equally captivating; especially as action involves Vaughn's entry into an elite group of resisters known as Black Saber, who train their members on a rugged planet, Veritas, where secrets are hard to keep. Most 'military science fiction' is fairly one-dimensional when it comes to characterization: the fact that the protagonists in Mission Veritas are realistically presented makes its story line more absorbing than the majority of military sci-fi genre reads. How does a participant with a vested interest in hiding undertake a mission purported to reveal all? That's one of the central themes of Mission Veritas, and one that fuels the action as candidates discover the real truth behind Veritas during a mission that will provide readers with many action-packed and unexpected moments.

The "Trash to Treasure" series - Recycling Creatively With L.T. features a recycling hero whose efforts to save the environment result in not only creative thinking, but adventure - and two children's picture books featuring this young protagonist require only good reading skills from kids (or parental read-aloud assistance) to set forth the basic concepts of recycling and one boy's unique vision of saving his world. The adventures continue in Noll's Selling Eggs also recommended for readers ages 3-8, which further explores the recycling adventures of L.T. This time L.T. is excited about his family's venture into small-scale chicken farming, envisioning all the pocket money he'll gain from selling eggs. When troublesome, needy chicks arrive, L.T. begins to understand just what is involved in caring for them - and how to use recycling concepts in the process. Brandon Fall works with illustrator Kimiyo Nishio in this production, which also features big grins on all its protagonists and chicks sporting funny, winning expressions on their faces. There are some nearly unbelievable points (as when his chicks outgrow their recycled homes and L.T. teaches them to ride on the handlebars of his bike); but this just lends whimsy to the overall story of how recycling fits into daily life challenges and even into animal management. Noll's two recycling titles are fun reads, reinforcing recycling's benefits. More importantly, they show how creative thinking about 'junk' results in problem-solving and new ideas of art and practical recycling applications. Young readers attracted to large-sized drawings, cheerful faces, and realistic insights about recycling will find these winning reads serve up much food for thought on the process of not just repurposing 'junk', but finding attractive, unique ways of living with such products.

The "Trash to Treasure" series - Recycling Creatively With L.T. features a recycling hero whose efforts to save the environment result in not only creative thinking, but adventure - and two children's picture books featuring this young protagonist require only good reading skills from kids (or parental read-aloud assistance) to set forth the basic concepts of recycling and one boy's unique vision of saving his world. The fun begins with The Bicycle Fence (9781939377500, 32 pages), illustrated by Brandon Fall with large-sized colorful drawings, and it presents the start of L.T.'s entry into the concept of recycling when he outgrows his bicycle and his father builds him a replacement from recycled parts which are not the spiffy new wheels he'd envisioned. He's embarrassed to ride it to school and initially views his 'new' bike as a liability to be replaced by something shinier someday, but his father's teachings kick in and he finds a way to be proud of his recycled bike without having it look like 'trash' - and even expands upon the concept of recycling a bicycle! This story is based on the author's real-life experiences and addresses concerns of recycling, public appearances, and a young boy's pride (although, depending on the child, the angst over 'used materials' could be greater than L.T. experiences!) That The Bicycle Fence comes from an artist with an eye to creative problem-solving makes it even stronger. Another note: all the protagonists are smiling widely. A positive perspective on the recycling experience is thus reinforced on every page.

What usually takes chapters to tell is narrated quickly in a few swift, poignant paragraphs in the opening of Willows Weeping: a father betrayed, a mother abused, the kids in foster care. So it's evident that the crux of this story doesn't assume the usual path of focusing just on these very early events, but chooses to place its focus over an entire timeline of experience. With a mother good at 'making big scenes' and a failed family counseling session that pinpoints the source of the problems as the parents and not the author, things go from bad to worse. The evolutionary nature of abuse is a strong thread that links the scenes and struggles presented in Willows Weeping. Situations don't magically resolve as the author ages: they become more complex as she begins to understand the psychology of blame, abuse, and the cycles of responses it presents between generations. 'Unsupportive' doesn't begin to describe the levels of pain the author experiences not just from extended family, but from her own father and mother. Half the book focuses on this soul-stifling childhood. The other half sparkles with hope as Reigns comes into her own powers. The end result is a wrenching, powerful personal reflection of past, present and future, documenting the survival process in a manner that will be familiar and inspiring to any who come from a stifling, unsupportive family in search of achievement and success. The essence of a life well lived against all odds is what makes Willows Weeping an ultimate success story.

While God slept, a little girl grew up in a chaotic family environment. While he slept, she became a whore. And as he continued sleeping, she somehow kept on growing. This book is Emily Kemp's memoir of that process, and its appearance at a time when a virtual storm of similar memoirs are hitting the market only serves to show how wide-ranging and familiar is the story of a child surviving a badly broken home. It's the movement from 'broken' to 'mostly happy' which is the draw, here - this, and Kemp's astute observations of life. While God Slept is all about movement, circumstance, and choice; and while it's a difficult read in many ways, the author's vision is unique, realistic and penetrating even when she's handling her 'clients'. More so than most such memoirs, it's more about the adult navigating an equally-chaotic world than the child surviving to reach adulthood - and this sets While God Slept apart from so many similar-sounding stories. Sometimes that hits frighteningly close to home. Sometimes the reader feels the author's pain and never-ending violations are just too much. But that's the point: while god slept, things happened. They continue to happen. Such is Kemp's life and the world she lives in. This read will drag you in, walk the streets with you, and presents a world relatively few know about. In the end, you'll feel like that's a blessing - especially as the author seems to emerge a stronger woman than she began. Is there hope after all? Read While God Slept to find out…but don't expect sugar and spice or even happy endings. It's more like salsa and sorrow.

It's rare that a first novel appears so powerfully: usually authors are honing their styles with their first books; but The Legacy of Lost Things is a standout because it appears such refinements have already been done and what is left is a true gem that centers on not just the struggles but the dysfunctional interactions of an Armenian immigrant family living in the United States. Aida Zilelian is a New York writer with many publications to her name; but this is her first book; and if this is any indication of her powers, it's a formidable entry into the literary world. In it she follows three generations of an Armenian family and the changes they experience when a daughter goes missing, forcing the family to examine their heritage, their interactions, and their world. Lesser works would have turned the drama into an emotionally wrenching saga alone; but there are bigger truths going on in The Legacy of Lost Things; and so the metaphor of being lost applies on many different levels within the family structure and individual growth. The result is a powerful saga of a family's heritage and its lasting effects; so don't expect your usual 'vanished child' pop drama. The Legacy of Lost Things moves deftly beyond the personal to embrace the social and political worlds of Armenian expats and society, and this is its crowning strength which sets it well apart from others, cementing its characters in solid descriptions, dialogue, and insights that leave readers satisfied.

The first thing to note about Ride Your Heart 'Til It Breaks is that it comes from an author who is, herself, well versed in the legal profession. The inner sanctum of the legal community, its ties, its encounters, and its special challenges thus all come to life under the hand of experience, not just research; and the result adds an extra dimension to the saga and elevates it beyond the usual singular romance. Another important note: Carrie has loved, lost (at great cost to herself and her career), and redirected her life - so why would she want to return to a crime scene that seemingly holds little reward? In the process of such consideration it becomes evident that affairs of the heart are anything but logical and anything but predictable: elements which translate to a good read in Ride Your Heart 'Til It Breaks. The third thing to note about this story: it's about passion about rediscovery. That Carrie moves through her loveless marriage and the legal worlds methodically, with an underlying need for something more, makes for a protagonist who questions her carefully-construed world and is, however reluctantly, willing to consider new opportunities despite experiences of the past. The result, more than most romances, is complex and truly indicative of changing matters of the heart and the intersection of social and political worlds in a legal community replete with strict perspectives and associations born more of convenience than of love. In short: there's nothing 'formula' about the character, romance, or interactions in Ride Your Heart: only a simmering set of choices and consequences that will keep readers guessing until its satisfying conclusion.

Daemon Seer provides the stuff that superior horror is made of, with more than a dose of fantasy thrown in to capture audiences outside of the usual horror circles. They are stories of bonds forged and broken, heritage challenged, human killers encountered and fought, and the costs of love, marriage, and bondage. Here, also, are gifts that come with consequences, ribald language (be forewarned), psychos and killers (both human and not), attempted rape, and scenarios where the perceived good guys become bad. So, if it's an engrossing saga of ownership, possession, and change that is desired in a fantasy that fuels its passions with overtones of horror, then Daemon Seer is the item of choice. Daemon Seer is anything but predictable, and holding a dash of violence, it's compelling. And if prior fans of Mary Maddox recognize the characters from Talion (which followed the two girls' original encounters with demons and psychos alike), be advised that this is not so much a sequel as the beginning of a new adventure, and thus is presented as Book One of a projected series.

ZBrush Characters & Creatures: Projects, Tips & Techniques from the Masters is not your usual computer guide: presented in an oversized 8 1/2 x 11 format packed with color, it's a digital tutorial with a flashy difference, covering workflow solutions for 3D models and 2D images alike. The publisher has a track record with other ZBrush titles, so it should come as no surprise that this latest addition to the series is sterling in its content and presentation. Perhaps this is because it's created not by a singular computer expert, but by a team well versed in the industry who tackles a range of issues involved in the overall design of creatures and characters. Modelers with some basic experience will be the best followers of ZBrush Characters & Creatures: while it's geared to all levels of user from novice to advanced, having a basic introductory background in ZBrush will lend to an immediate understanding and appreciation of the character concepts here; especially for those beyond the beginning stage who want to delve into the tricks of the process. The experts contributors come from a range of backgrounds and offer a diverse set of resources, from Bryan Wynia, a Senior Character Artist at Sony Santa Monica who delves into the basics of sketching, shaping, and using Alphas to achieve special effects (such as leathery skin on creatures) to freelance character artist Caio Cesar, whose article 'Aliens' discusses the basics of setting up a science fiction scene that features modeling by form and environment. Not only do each provide step-by-step discussions of the process they use; but the steps are packed with color photo examples from the characters each artist has created using ZBrush: thus, the foundations of making a character model itself are imparted, pairing concept with techniques and reinforcing everything in the ZBrush environment. This supportive approach succeeds where an ordinary art book might fail, using ZBrush and artists who work with it as foundations for exploring techniques that lead to superior character creation, not amateur dabbling. And this, in turn, makes for a recommendation not so much for novices with little prior ZBrush or character experience, but for those who would use the book to step up to the next level in creature development.

There are so many books on cancer management and experience on today's market that it's unusual to see one that holds something different on the subject; but Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools comes from the writings of a two-time cancer survivor whose intent is to use her experience to provide tools for recovery from cancer's emotional pain (she is a survivor of breast cancer and melanoma), and it focuses on the emotional needs of patients and their caregivers. From the moment of diagnosis through treatment and the turmoil that rises and falls like a tide, it provides not just a candid account of the author's own struggles, but adds unexpected humor and tips for perceiving positive paths when facing life-threatening health challenges. Its pages give clues on how supporters can help, and provide patients with insights on their emotional ups and downs and how to redirect negative impulses into positive results. Most of all, Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools goes beyond the usual meditation and imagery tips other books provide to impart some candid, different observations - such as how to not shut out those who want to help and, most of all, how to learn to trust one's body again. If all this sounds too simple, keep in mind that this set of tools is fairly basic. There's no magic in them; but having them all under one cover as a toolbox is a special event: one cancer survivors will want to celebrate.

Out of Silence: Repair Across Generations exposes two closely-held family secrets to the public eye: secrets that affected the author's identity and perception of himself and which ultimately led to revelations that would re-unite pathways destroyed by regimes and decisions. It took a shoebox full of diaries and writings to bring this truth to light. This discovery shook the author's long-held beliefs about who he was, his family's past, and its place in the present. And his decision to write Out of Silence serves as testimony not just to his family's struggles and survival mechanisms, but to the process by which secrets revealed come to repair long-broken lives. The course of charting this process could have been so much different, under a different pen. Here it assumes an immediacy that is rare even in a memoir, with Matuštík focused on capturing the sights, smells, ethical questions, and complicated facets of Jewish relationships to the world. In the course of the author's journey, underlying prejudices, perceptions, and broader concerns of the modern world are revealed as Jew and non-Jew alike consider the lasting impact of history's influence. So many accounts have been written about Holocaust survival that one might wonder at the need for yet another, and at its approach. In truth, Out of Silence explores more than one man's family, one family's secrets, and the journey it provokes. It provides a gripping account of the process of discovery and reconciliation not just between generations, but between peoples; and it succeeds in documenting the lasting effects of decisions, choices, and survival mechanisms from past to present worlds. It's a journey that embraces three generations, five continents, and a cast of supporting characters over the decades. The time span is winding and embraces the period from before the Holocaust to WW 2, the author's birth in the Communist era, and his journey from Czechoslovakia to the US and back, after the fall of the Iron Curtain; and it even includes the author's discovery of lost family connections in Australia. His is a narrative that brings the personal and the political in line with history and experience, and it's an approach that holds vivid immediacy and meaning for any student of the Holocaust and its presence in today's world. To aid in this study, it should be noted that photography and online resources for teaching are offered at www.newcriticaltheory.com. The book is well illustrated and at 348 pages, it's a solid read. It stands at the crossroads of theology, social and political analysis, and literature, and handily complements existing works, adding more research than most to elevate it well beyond the 'simple memoir' genre; making it a top pick for any collection strong in history and the psychology of family relationships as a whole.

Under a different hand, it would have been all too easy for The Job Pirate to have become another autobiographical survey of poor career moves and an endless succession of jobs - but then, we're not talking about the usual approach with Brandon Christopher; which is why his book is being recommended here as an inviting, lively read for any who have an interest in a humor-spiced memoir chronicling good and bad job experiences alike. Christopher's intention is to shock and amaze with the unexpected, and this is evident from the very first sentence of his introduction (which should serve as adequate warning to prospective employers). And while this won't delight the job seeker who has unwittingly come upon The Job Pirate in hopes of perhaps gaining some employment-fostering tips during the process of re-careering, there are plenty of books on the market which better serve this purpose - and none with the whimsical delivery of of The Job Pirate. After all - the full title gives away this book's focus (The Job Pirate: An Entertaining Tale of My Job-Hopping Journey in America), so there should be no cause for confusion or dashed expectations - and plenty of appropriate anticipation of a fun journey. This is no singular path, either: Christopher's jobs range from porn magazines and moving vans to sewers, and his West Coast journeys make for particularly fun reflections for any who reside on the 'left bank' of the country. Be prepared to laugh. Be prepared to recognize that boring jobs become enlightening and fun only under Christopher's hand. And be prepared to be delighted; for in the vast world of career and job experience books, The Job Pirate doesn't just stands out: it shines.

While most may readily recognize the name of Johnny Appleseed, which is widely connected with the propagation and popularity of apples, this same audience is just as unlikely to realize that Appleseed was actually a traveling minister with deep spiritual roots - and that he used apple seeding as one device towards the greater purpose of seeding men's souls. It's about time that a biography of Appleseed were written to capture this little-known facet of his life; but while The Appleseed Journal is a story of spirituality and enlightenment as much as a chronicle of one man's wanderings and calling, and is recommended for any who wondered about the persona and impact of the man in his 1800s world, it would not have come to exist without a chance discovery by the author. This spiritual fictionalized story begins with a weathered sack, a blue tin box, and an old manuscript after excavating a failed swimming pool from his back yard, discovered to be written by one John Chapman (popularly known as Johnny Appleseed). The author researched the relationship between Appleseed and spiritual leader Emmanuel Swedenborg, coming to understand their spiritual connections and influences - and these facts are incorporated in a story line based around Appleseed's wanderings. That this is a major facet in the life of a man who today is primarily known for his apple seedlings is astonishing. Anyone could have produced a biography of Appleseed's life based on Internet research. The fact that this collection of fictionalized stories are driven by Appleseed's own writings makes it an extraordinary piece that deserves a place in any collection serious about spiritual writings in general or Appleseed's life and philosophy in particular. Its lively passion should attract a wide audience.

A Study in Detail represents an unusual genre blend of romance, murder mystery and comedy - and it's the latter piece that sets this apart from most other genre crossover titles and lends it a special atmosphere, recommended for romance and mystery readers seeking something different. Quiet outdoorsman Paul is fielding his troublesome wife quite well, until Marta goes missing and circumstantial evidence points to him as the murderer. Now, Paul is anything but an investigator - and this is anything but an ordinary case; especially since a hidden message in his artistic wife's last painting indicates that she faked her death so that her works will become famous. And so the drama and comedy begin as Paul finds himself on the lecture circuit discussing his not-dead-wife's life and facing down a series of increasingly-impossible events, from a $5M life insurance policy she took out before her 'death' to a casino that claims she owes them big time. On the face of it, A Study in Detail is a mystery, but the tongue-in-cheek humor creeps into even the most staid of encounters. The dialogue throughout is fresh, original, and witty and the twists of plot will keep even the most seasoned mystery reader thinking. Protagonist interactions take the form of a series of stumbles, falls, and encounters that just keep on getting crazier. The result is especially recommended for enthusiasts of the romance and mystery genres who seek stories that are a cut above your average whodunit approach: something with meat to it, and a game that only end with the last left standing.

Book One of a dystopian young adult fantasy, Arena One: Slaverunners, is set in New York in 2120, when a second civil war has all but wiped out the city and left its few remaining survivors living in gangs with a favorite pastime: the death sport at Arena One. Their challenge lies in finding new victims outside the city for their spectator sport of bloodshed. Speaking of 'outside the City', that's where teen Brooke and her younger sister survive: up in the Catskills, alone, and keeping a sharp watch out for the marauding gangs of kidnappers working for Arena One. It only takes an instant for disaster to strike when Brooke relaxes her guard and her younger sister is kidnapped. So far, so predictable: shades of The Hunger Games permeate a story centered around two courageous teens determined to buck all odds in an effort to regain their loved ones. But the true strength in any story lies not so much in its setting and events as in how the characters come across, come alive, and handle their lives - and it's here that Arena One begins to diverge from the predictable and enters the more compelling realms of believability and strength. Now, be advised: there is a LOT of attention given to explaining methods of viewing this world and handling it; to the point that some readers expecting staccato action and high-powered transition points closely woven together might find the plot plodding or too well-detailed. But in many a story this attention to detail serves the greater good later on, leaving little to wonder and few glaring gaps to fall into. There are other similar small bits of explanation throughout that tie the whole thing together but keep the action moving along well enough to satisfy all but the thriller genre reader (and those won't last long enough to appreciate the fact that attention to detail in the beginning picks up a few chapters later as the action really gets going). There's nothing wrong with offering a twist on The Hunger Games that assumes its own original form after lurking about like a transformed werewolf. And there's nothing dull and plodding about Arena One, either: despite its attention to detail, it builds a believable, involving world and is a recommendation not so much for general fantasy readers, but for those who enjoy dystopian novels, powerful female characters, and stories of uncommon courage.

Take an ordinary man with no extraordinary talents, transport him into another dimension, challenge his long-held concepts of life and its meaning, and send him on a quest, and you have the façade that is The Mystic Of Karl Mind: The Shadow of The Vytos: a read that can best be described as 'spiritual fantasy'. In such a world, merchant Karl is called upon to be both witness and hero. In such a world, his wife becomes a pawn in a larger game. And in such a world, his attempts to understand are closely linked with a struggle for survival. The prerequisites for reader enjoyment of The Mystic Of Karl Mind are few, but specific: fantasy readers should be interested in a healthy blend of philosophical and spiritual reflection, and should choose this book for more than its fantasy adventure. Those in it for the deeper meaning will be the most satisfied with a sweeping setting that begins in a small village in Victorian times and moves swiftly between worlds, carrying readers along in an eddy of relentless force. A poem follows; then another life and another world: the world of Karl as a child. While this is actually the starting point of the story, Graanoogst's choice of opening with Karl's present-day world at the beginning is a clever device that creates a satisfying juxtaposition and contrast of times and invites reader curiosity about what has happened in between. It's what lies between that is the meat of The Mystic Of Karl Mind: The Shadow of The Vytos: and this seems the appropriate point to mention that readers who eschew an exploration of the mystical in their swords-and-sorcery fantasies; who resist the impulse to become involved in intrigue as well as elements of fantasy adventure; and who seek a singular path to a journey will find the level of complexity here to be a challenge. In other words: if it's pure, entertaining adventure that is desired without the inclusion of deeper perspective, move along. For the strength of The Mystic Of Karl Mind: The Shadow of The Vytos lies not just in an epic journey (that is part and parcel of the fantasy genre itself) but in the protagonists' underlying motivation, self-discoveries, and spiritual and moral insights; and it's here that the story shines. So, go ahead. Set foot on the road that explores inner and outer worlds. And take your time: after all, in a superior story, the journey should ideally be as important as the destination - and in The Mystic of Karl Mind, it is.

For those not in the know (and in order to read this biography, one had better get up to speed on at least the basics of World War II military history), Omar Nelson Bradley was an American general who rose to the top of his profession on the battlefields of Europe, representing a quintessential American no-nonsense image, whose actions earned him the trust of the top military leaders of the world. Despite these accolades and achievements, the general-interest reader with only a casual knowledge of events is more likely to know about other names than Bradley's, who deserves far more acclaim than he's received in the past; while the military enthusiast, in contrast, is likely to know much about Bradley's approaches and little about the life of the man who earned his medals. The Private Life of General Omar N. Bradley researches not just his military achievements, but his personal influences and world, and excels at creating a well-rounded portrait of the personal life of a famous military figure whose background has largely been an enigma. And for purposes of this study, that life doesn't just evolve on the battlefield, but includes major scenes that happen before and after the war as the general moves from civilian to military circles and back again. Perhaps it's this attention to such movement that makes The Private Life of General Omar N. Bradley a particularly well-done piece: it goes where few accounts would, explaining and exploring the general's off-field decisions and how he lives his life, for better or for worse. Readers who pick The Private Life of General Omar N. Bradley expecting the usual rehash of his military life could be disappointed; but after all (as its title warns), this is a focus on his private life, and is not your typical survey of a general's military experiences. As such, it fills in many existing gaps in knowledge about his psyche and personality, making for a satisfying account that will neatly dovetail with any more military-oriented historical approach. Neither is The Private Life of General Omar N. Bradley a collection of well-known facts: by going the extra mile and probing the truth and accuracy of common perceptions about the general's life, Lavoie assumes the role not just of biographer, but of a biographical investigator: confirming rumors, verifying facts, and linking reports to supporting evidence. It's this attention to detail and verification that sets his book above others, making it a recommendation not for light followers of casual rehash histories, but for dedicated enthusiasts of historical accuracy with a special interest in Omar N. Bradley and his less-publicized, lesser-known personal circles.

There's a BBC TV show airing with a very similar title - but don't mix up Courtney Hamilton's book with the BBC production: the only things they share in common is comedy and a part of a title; but the comedy’s especially well done in this book. This novel is set in Los Angeles, and Hamilton's ability to use laser-sharp dialogue to strike at the heart of irony and upper class aspirations are captured in an unerring conversation between three friends. Best friends facing adulthood and an elite Los Angeles atmosphere also face the consequences of being 'almost royalty' in their attitudes - all but one (the protagonist), who observes (as an outsider) the ironies of nouveau riche thinking and turns these viewpoints into hilarious dialogue that successfully nails the fallacies inherent in unspoken class systems and ideals of royalty among celebrities and non-celebrities alike. Movements in such a world tend to assume a dance around taste, style, and perceived wealth. They tend to take the form of unerring examinations of attitudes; particularly when major events (such as a wedding) evoke a storm of resentment, expectations, and unrealistic pressures - all are captured, once again, in the protagonist's cutting-edge observations. Under Hamilton's hand, achieving status and success is analyzed for what it too often is: a game that revolves not just around money and its acquisition, but perceptions of what constitutes achievement. Now, the protagonist is no street urchin: she's an attorney with power and status in her own right. Her childhood friendships have evolved much as her own status - in unexpected directions - and when she's pursued by an ambitious bachelor who presumes to know her own needs better than she, further conflict evolves. Almost Royalty is a tongue-in-cheek observation of something purported to exist primarily in Britain: the class system. It's a different American kind of class system, however, with its own set of rules and its own approaches to life. Values, goals, social status, and the ultimate influences on choice and consequences: it's what Almost Royalty is all about - and the addition of serious reflective tones that lead to the protagonist's ultimate revelations is what sets this book well apart from either romance or comedy genres, making it something greater than the sum of these parts, and a recommendation not for romance or comedy genre readers, but for those who consider these devices as side dishes to a more satisfying main course.

There are so many books on the market about diabetes, one might wonder at the need for yet another. Hasn't everything - including the latest research and options - already been covered elsewhere? The answer is 'yes' - and it's also couched in caution, because most competing diabetes self-help books are not only far weightier, but far more daunting to the non-medically trained diabetic who may be overwhelmed with so many new facts (and so much of it sounding conflicting) that it's hard to tell how to actually apply the information to daily routines. That's where Taming the Diabetes Wave kicks in. Don't let its pamphlet-like appearance (a little over fifty pages, 8.5 x 11 format, no spine lettering) dissuade you: this competes with the best of them and even better, it presents its information using larger print than most, which is easy on an older Type 2's eyes, and more inviting. The details are presented using large, full-page color diagrams and easy charts complimented by bulleted text and headliners which address the daily concerns of diabetics, from 'What's On Your Plate?' to 'What is Good Control' and 'Medications'. Knowing how food reacts in the body, how medications affect sugar levels, and the pros and cons of various choices is key to taming what O'Brien describes as a 'wave' of up and down sugar levels - and this metaphor is both accessible and an appropriate description of what the diabetic struggles with daily. There are many facts here which simply vanish in weightier presentations, from the fact that vigorous exercise can actually increase sugar levels temporarily, making it necessary to test an hour or more after such an effort, to how (and more importantly, when) to introduce appropriate snacks in the diabetic diet. My husband has been a diet and medication controlled diabetic for 20 years and you can bet he's read just about all the books on the market. Most of them are loaded with facts that simply don't make sense when applied to one's daily life. That's the beauty of Taming the Diabetes Wave: it holds unparalleled accessibility - and that means a diabetic can actually read, comprehend, and more importantly, apply its tips to daily life. Librarians looking to acquire this for collections may find its lack of spine (and thus, spine lettering) and slim appearance relegates it to the pamphlet file - but it would be a shame to bury it there. Taming the Diabetes Wave deserves to be on display, where it will attract an audience of diabetics who tire of weighty, confusing approaches to the subject and who just want clear, simple, easy access to information that requires no special educational background to immediately apply to daily routines. Very highly recommended!

Beekeeping and Buddhism are not ordinarily two pursuits mentioned under the same cover; but then, A Monk in the Bee Hive: A Short Discourse on Bees, Monks and Sacred Geometry is neither spiritual discourse alone nor natural history survey; but lies somewhere in the shadowy realm between the two. Perhaps this will be the most difficult part of its marketing process, too: the fact that spirituality readers typically don't receive in-depth accounts of beekeeping, while nature readers looking for details on managing bees will find A Monk in the Bee Hive is more than a nature story. Instead, it's a story of author Skye Ann Louise Taylor's meditative explorations which center around nature in general and connections to the sacred world of something she calls "the great bee". Now, the concepts of 'sacred queens' or 'holy drones' may prove far-fetched to the ordinary beekeeper; but to new age audiences, it's an intriguing vehicle for exploring the world using images and ideas of bees as the foundation for personal insight and spiritual exploration. Under this approach, something as basic as observing a queen bee's lure and size translates neatly into deeper lessons on life that blend beekeeper actions and their consequences with larger explorations. As the author learns how to work with and handle bees, so she gains not just confidence but insights on how the world of the hive works in response to human attitudes as well as internal processes: "Since then I have never worn a veil or globes, but I am slow and careful with these wild ones, these lovely honey bees. To get close to beauty, sometimes you just have to take a risk." From the unnatural drives of the industrial beekeeping business and its relentless compulsion for 'bigger and better' to the origins of alienation, A Monk in the Bee Hive moves deftly from a serious of personal, introspective reflections to larger social issues: "With the loss of this relationship comes a loss of caring. We tend to care for what comforts us. When what comforts us becomes a gizmo rather than a landscape, then, looking at that landscape, our mind mines it for parts to make our gizmo with. We stop caring about the landscape, we no longer see it whole. We are sniffling for the parts." While hard to neatly define and categorize, the most likely happy reader of this evocative, spiritual and philosophical natural history will be the new age reader with a prior interest in bees, Buddhist thinking, or both. Such an audience will appreciate the deeply reflective, yet accessible, blend of thought and interaction with nature that makes up this exceptional, delicate dance between beekeeper and bee.

New Jump Swing Healthy Aging and Athletic Nutrition Program is a lot of words for a fitness title: enough to warn readers expecting the usual diet approach that, perhaps, this is something different. Add the mention under the author's name that Thomas is a three-times Guinness World Record holder and you have yet another indicator that this won't be a quick, easy read, and is not a recommendation for fitness readers who want a 'miracle program' promising fast results with minimal effort. Instead it's an unusual dual focus on the author's customized martial arts routines combined with a vegetarian nutrition regimen; so be forewarned: those not already interested in getting involved in such a program should look elsewhere … but then, those who aren't interested in real change involving increased vitality and healthy routines shouldn't be looking in this direction, in general. The Guinness World Records mentioned are in public speaking, and this talent is reflected in discussions that blend a history of nutritional approaches with a specific health and fitness program pairing the approach of Bruce Lee with some thirty years of research by the author, who delves into sports nutrition and common aging challenges alike. Thomas (61 yrs old) has been the celebrity chairperson for the American Heart Associations Jump Rope for Heart campaign Hawaii chapter for over 21 years. He has taught and continues to teach his fitness and nutrition program to over 60% of the Hawaii school system including colleges and universities along with most of Hawaii's fitness clubs. There's a lot of jumping around (so to speak) in this book's topics: readers who want a narrower focus will find the approach broad and demanding. Chapters are packed with wide-ranging discussions, from the dangers of bread and caffeine in energy drinks to selected common barriers to health during the aging process and how to use nutrition and fitness to overcome them. As a Social Security Disability advocate, Thomas knows from first hand experience the end results of not maintaining ones health and fitness. That's a lot to pack in to some 200 pages - and a lot to digest. It's evident that this program and approach is not for casual readers who would only lightly pursue a course of fitness and nutrition, but for the reader already committed to a blend of vegetarian nutrition, martial arts-enhanced exercise, and change. Challenging and demanding? You bet. Passionate and well-detailed? Absolutely. Nobody ever said fitness would be an easy pursuit. Donald "Spiderman" Thomas's specifics are a satisfying alternative to the plethora of 'pop health' books on the market, and are recommended for those already on a similar course (i.e. a vegetarian perspective and attention to personal and planetary health alike) who want more details on how to achieve better, lasting health as the body ages.

California Coast from the Air: Images of a Changing Landscape features half-page color photos by Kenneth and Gabrielle Adelman paired with an aerial survey of the state's geology and geography, and represents the photographers' efforts to produce an aerial photographic display of the entire 1,100-mile coastline, the California Coastal Records Project. Plenty of books on California offer visual surveys of the state: so much so that one could wonder at the need for yet another. There are also other a few other aerial books on the market that take segments of the state (more notably, the major urban areas such as San Francisco ) and provide photographic views. It should be noted, however, that California Coast from the Air isn't designed to be a glitzy armchair tourist read, but is a serious survey of the natural environment using some 150 of the best photos from a collection of over 100,000 aerial shots. From coastal dunes and plunging cliffs to the geography of each county in the state, chapters arranged by county and prefaced with color maps provide both photos and text filled with natural and human history. Without such accompanying text, California Coast from the Air could have found itself competing with more casual aerial photo collections. And without its wide-ranging photo focus on geography and natural history, the text wouldn't come to life as completely or successfully as it does, either. In the end California Coast from the Air is a fine example of a rare, difficult, and successful marriage between image, geography, and human and natural history, and provides California readers, in particular, with a fine feature enhanced by oceanographer Gary Griggs, architect Deepika Shrestha Ross, and photographers Kenneth and Gabrielle Adelman's diverse areas of expertise.

It must be said that Jeff Folschinsky's opening paragraphs for his writings are nothing but compelling: readers who like more than a light dose of humor injected into their sci-fi/horror won't just feel compelled to continue - they'll be grabbed by the collar and pulled in, as in the second 'Tales from Little Lump' collection, Night of the Undead Snow Monkeys: "I have to admit, Japanese snow monkeys are the most adorable things that I ever did lay my eyes on. It's too bad that I had to start blowing them apart with my late husband's, God rest his soul, 12-gauge Remington pump action shotgun; but what else are you supposed to do once they've turned undead?" It's a dilemma, indeed - and one which comes to life in a story of undead, cute but dangerous snow monkeys that plague the small town of Little Lump and create havoc for its residents. Readers of the original Tales will know that aliens who came in peace were gunned down by an over-enthusiastic small Texas town's determination to prevent invasion at all costs. But no prior familiarity is required for this continuation of the horror theme as the Texas shoot-em-up approach is applied to a greater horror in the form of undead cuties. Gertie and Cousin Tommy are back, ammunition is running low, and tempers are high. Gertie tells the tale and minces no words in the process - which in itself is simply hilarious. If you're looking for serious zombie apocalypse tales - look elsewhere. Night of the Undead Snow Monkeys requires that its readers have a funny bone in place - and then it tickles and tweaks it until the result is uproaring laughter: something very few horror books can claim to offer. So go ahead - open the door, aim your weapon, and get ready to party with Night of the Undead Snow Monkeys. It promises a night you won't forget, and is very highly recommended as a standout read.

Small Change, Big Results: How Simple Actions Can Reshape Your Life is designed for readers with big dreams who want to link these ideals with concrete goal-setting skill sets. While many a book approaches this similar topic with more of an idealistic viewpoint, the goal of Pat LaDoucer, a licensed psychotherapist, is to explore how dreams translate into goals and then reality, and she offers specific tools that can be used to foster such changes. One might anticipate that these tools would take a good amount of time to learn and employ, but one of the pleasures of Small Change, Big Results is that they are actually quite simple - and backed by the latest scientific research, not idealistic thinking. It's a process - so don't expect a series of quick stand-alone admonitions, but a succession of tools that interact with each other to form a game plan for identifying and enacting change. Yes, they are easy to learn - but the importance here lies in absorbing the entire process in chapters that reinforce the idea of altering thought patterns to accept the most creative paths possible. It's a system that promises to reduce feelings of overwhelm and negative stress, and one which is paired with easy reinforcing exercises and 'getting started' tips that take key points and translate them to simple actions. Readers ready for positive change will find Small Change, Big Results: How Simple Actions Can Reshape Your Life the best place to begin.

Surrounded by Thunder: The Story of Darrell Loan and the Rocketmen isn't another survey of astronauts who participated in space programs, but focuses on the rocket scientists who actually helped make these journeys happen. So while it's a recommendation for any collection strong in space science or history; don't expect another 'I was an astronaut' saga here (that's already been overdone): Surrounded by Thunder offers so much more. Under a different hand, Surrounded by Thunder could have proved overly technical, focusing on the science behind space program history, which also has been done before. But this seeks to capture the atmosphere of the space program in general and Darrell Loan's life and contributions in particular: as such, it's a gathering of vivid insider stories, details about space program engineering history and challenges, and behind-the-scenes stories such as how the Mercury Seven were chosen for their mission. The author conducted extensive interviews with these pioneering scientists to document NASA'S heady, early days; but his provides these details in an unusually lively format accessible to a wide audience. Each chapter reads with the immediacy and vivid description of fiction, yet packs in a blend of 'you are there' reports from newspapers with interview results and fun truths about snafus and unexpected long-range successes. While Darrell Loan is the rocket man given specific consideration here, coverage includes a range of events involving a team of rocket men over the history of the world's space programs, placing all of them in proper historical and scientific perspective. So don't look for the usual story of 'how I became an astronaut' or 'what it was like to walk on the moon.' DO look for a behind-the-scenes exposé narrated in an unusually lively style that succeeds in injecting humor and human insights into its blend of history and biographical profiles. Surrounded by Thunder recently won the coveted gold medal for non-fiction in the 2013 Florida Book Awards: this is a good indicator of its award-winning contents!

Many fiction writers believe they have to start big, with a full novel; but as Jane Bettany demonstrates, they do not. How to Write Short Stories That Sell is all about mastering the short story format, and it covers all the writer's basics that are needed in order to craft not just a short story, but one that is salable. This is the point that separates How to Write Short Stories That Sell from other writer's guides: while it covers the usual approaches to plot, structure, characterization and description, it also focuses on the editing process and adds important points on sales potential that are often missing from other creative writer's how-to guides. It pairs description of technique with reinforcing exercises and examples of solid short story writing, it shows how to identify the right markets for a particular type of story and how to submit them to a publication, and (most importantly) it encourages creativity, experimentation, and a deeper attention to understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different short story approaches. How to Write Short Stories That Sell isn't just about how to write: it's how to produce a superior short story that deserves to be in the public eye. And that's why How to Write Short Stories That Sell, more than many of its competitors, deserves to be in the writer's eye.

American Hospital English: Word Puzzles and Exercises is recommended as a complimentary workbook to American Hospital English (AHE) Picture Book and Pronunciation Guide, and supports the basic approach and principles of the American Hospital English (AHE) Picture Book - so prior familiarity with the first book is almost a requirement. Here nearly thirty word puzzles support commonly used American hospital English words and terms, include abbreviations, and once again work with the author's line drawings to provide visual cues for understanding. The difference between this and the first picture book dictionary lies in the fact that American Hospital English: Word Puzzles and Exercises is a reinforcing study that uses simple exercises to reinforce the concepts learned in the original book and re-presented here. One such puzzle involves a picture and invitation to label major organs; another tackles the neuro system using a crossword puzzle (the puzzle's format is smaller than your usual crossword, so be forewarned). From using labeling to understanding medical terminology word roots and matching pictures and words centered around a patient's room, information ranges from very simple to complex and presumes readers have little prior familiarity with American hospital English's expressions and medical vocabulary. ESL students as well as those working with patients for whom English is a second language will find these important keys to absorbing the terminology and descriptions inherent in the American medical system.

Laura Medlin is a registered nurse who also holds degrees in teaching and humanities, so her unique approach to hospital English and its explanations, American Hospital English (AHE) Picture Book and Pronunciation Guide, comes from both a clinical and linguistics background and provides a rare dual focus that will help any interested in the type of English used in American hospitals. The intended reader is a non-native speaker of English (whether healthcare professionals or not) and is tailored after a picture-style dictionary format. Each chapter is devoted to one letter of the English alphabet and pairs phonetic spellings, definitions, and sentences with images and symbols specific to many medical profession discussions. Take the 'L' section, for example: included in the definitions are 'laceration', with a black and white drawing of a knife penetrating an arm, a medical definition, and reference to "Another word for laceration is cut." Words and phases may be as simple as 'legs' (with its one-sentence description "Your legs may feel weak from being in bed for so long.") to 'life support', defined as 'the use of any technique, therapy, or device to assist in sustaining life.' There are no color illustrations - everything is in black and white, and most of the drawings come from the author. With each entry offering a phonetic spelling, a definition, and a sample sentence demonstrating usage - all cemented by pictures or symbols - this is a good, specific approach for any interested in American healthcare language and its slang terms: especially for those where English is a second language.

Pax Titanus is anything but a singular story of warring aliens and conflict: it's replete with impossibilities, humor, and risqué description. Yes, the latter is there - so be prepared for shockingly graphic sexual descriptions and unexpected encounters wrapped in the guise of a rescue operation and a series of alien confrontations. Space opera has largely waned in the face of the integration of science fiction with mystery and horror genres - and that's a shame. The giddy romps through intergalactic nether regions have largely succumbed to serious writings and predictable formulas and it's safe to say that for the most part, the genre as a whole has become overly unsurprising. Perhaps that's the great strength of Pax Titanus: prepare to be surprised, shocked, and challenged; because there's little predictable here and much of its description and action is designed to 'shock and awe' beyond the usual approach of linear plots and ordinary heroes. It's physical and emotional comedy at its best, with a huge dose of risqué and ribald humor thrown in (prudes, look elsewhere: dialogue and interaction can be easily deemed blatant and crude, depending on your mindset.) It's nonstop action at its least predictable, tossing in scenes and changes with the staccato blaze of guns firing and nightmares evolving. The Roman flavor, complete with gladiators, codpieces, and strange names, is juxtaposed with unlikely futuristic scenarios involving ninja corpses, reanimated dangers, schmucks with laser swords, and doubts that arise between father and son. And, yes, some of the humor can be said to be downright juvenile in feel; as with jokes about body parts and sex. But, that's good space opera for you: the best works inject nonstop humor into the action and revolve around overly dramatic (yet engaging) characters who can face the choice of being dead or becoming the greatest warrior in the universe. It's a hilarious romp, all right: not recommended for the serious hard science fiction reader used to predictability, but especially applauded for its ability to weave together a bizarre plot and disparate elements to ultimately create a heady mixture of an insane parody blended with interstellar supernova action. Prepare to be boarded, because Pax Titanus grabs you by the neck, hauls you in, and in a mere 104 pages, creates an unforgettably hilarious universe replete with high-octane action and a satisfying juxtaposition of insane characters and purposes.

The Fans' Love Story ENCORE: How the Movie Dirty Dancing Captured the Hearts of Millions! is a 2013 edition vastly expanded from the original 2010 appearance (to that point that 95% is brand new material, making this, for the most part, a new book) and includes new tributes, photos, and interviews that carry on the theme of being a tribute to the movie Dirty Dancing. Of course, this means that an immediate prerequisite is a prior familiarity with the movie and an existing affection (perhaps even an infatuation) with its characters, plot, and dancing. Those with such feelings will find this celebratory text packed with behind-the-scenes information on the producers, stars, and film team that includes an in-depth interview from producer Linda Gottlieb about its making, interviews and photos with story consultant and dancer Jackie Horner, and more. There are exclusive set photos, there are insider tidbits of tantalizing information (and for more details, you'll just have to read The Fans' Love Story ENCORE), and a portion of the proceeds from this book's sale will be donated to the Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund at Stanford. With such motivations for enjoyment in mind, pre-existing fans will find this satisfying even if they have much familiarity with the film and its production. Chapters offer articles and interviews from various individuals involved in the film, they pair black and white with color photos throughout, and they cover everything from dancing challenges and experts involved in specific scenes to how producers and actors become part of Dirty Dancing and, later, the cult attractions it fostered. Any involved in the film-making industry will find this coverage leaves little to the imagination: even the experiences of extras - something typically omitted from film history books - are included. Film history as well as general-interest collections will find this a fascinating, specific overview of not just how the movie was made, but the process whereby it was marketed to eventually reach millions of enthusiasts.

Avoiding the Dodgeballs … at Work: A Young Woman's Guide to Succeeding at a First Job tackles a topic normally buried in wider-ranging career guides: how to dodge typical problems that affect young women as they embark on their first climb up the business ladder. It's directed to entry-level female employees or supervisors and it outlines the exact nature of these common obstacles and how to either avoid them entirely or work with them. One might anticipate that the major problem involves harassment or prejudices - and indeed these underlie many of the issues - but the pleasure of this coverage lies in its candid discussions of office politics and problems that range from gossip to demotions and confrontations both with peers and superiors. Chapters display questions and answers from the fictional 'Katie', the perfect example of a new employee fielding her first obstacles, and use her responses as a foundation for exploring everything from fringe benefits and how they are applied to identifying both the mindset and processes of different kinds of supervisors, managing or coping with not only one's own time but the work of supervisors and peers, and avoiding coworkers who create toxic environments. While many of these issues may seem to skirt the edges of common-sense thinking more than business savvy, it's important to note the audience for Avoiding the Dodgeballs: the new grad student, the entry-level worker, or the female facing her first obstacles on her first job. This audience is unlikely to receive such insights from anywhere other than this book and the school of hard knocks: and given the choice between the two, Avoiding the Dodgeballs should win hands down. Add in some black and white cartoon embellishments and a format which is chatty yet information, breaking topics into segments and visuals and making them readable and easy to understand, and you have a guide which should be in every women's issues or business and career collection.

Beyond the Horizon: Sailing Around the World on "Columbine" has only one prerequisite for complete enjoyment; and that requirement is an overall interest in sailing - whether it be from an armchair or from the captain's chair. One might think this too obvious to mention, as the book's subtitle includes mention of sailing, but many sailing books are actually not adventure reads but 'how to' treatises - unlike Beyond the Horizon, which details the author's 7 1/2 year circumnavigation of the globe via sailboat, beginning and ending in Hawaii. Yes, there's a good number of tips on how to overcome a range of problems from breakdowns to cultural encounters - but the overall feel is of high adventure, and plenty of action makes this much more than a boat-oriented journey alone, as it voyages into dangerous cultural waters as well. These descriptions of cultural problems and how they were overcome is as much a part of Kraus's story as the chapters of sailing descriptions. Stories relate navigation challenges in specific locales that range from Alaska to Indonesia, pointing out the importance of good charts, the challenge of sailing through kelp beds, and the cultural intricacies of dating women in Tonga. Now, finer attention to editing would have solved some minor punctuation and grammar flaws peppered throughout ("This book chronicles the authors 7 1/2 year circumnavigation." and "They all hoped for peace, but it seems, perhaps only on their turns."). While these should be noted, they are actually minor disturbances to the force of the story being told: a satisfying romp through customs, cultural oddities, government encounters sometimes annoying and occasionally frightening. Expect a gripping first-person sailing yarn replete with odd characters, close encounters, and irksome situations - all of which Werner H. Kraus overcomes with a sailor's flexibility and grace. Any who love accounts of sailing adventures, mishaps, and high seas adventure will relish the lively autobiographical stories and cultural revelations in Beyond the Horizon. (It should be mentioned that the author's website offers sample text and the book's photographs in color - plus, the option of buying an autographed copy directly from the author.)

The first thing to know about Tears of Innocence is that it isn't just about the author's world, but that of her ancestors as well. As the last surviving member of her branch of her family, there was nobody else to capture these memories and histories - and so she does so here, in an introduction that begins with a child abandoned in the snow and a daughter sent away from home when her mother falls ill. At the age of five, the author's life ends. At that age she moves from a warm, loving home to uncertain circumstances, a 'found' baby brother is adopted out, never to be seen again, and because in her time there was no understanding that children held a place in the grieving process, she was pushed aside, ignored, and left to come to her own terms with her mother's death. But that's only the beginning of her story - and the tip of the emotional iceberg, as she moves from her mother's death to a new life. While this autobiography is steeped in family relationships, it's also about war, politics, and daily lives changed by struggle. Perhaps this is one of the facets that leads Tears of Innocence to be so striking: the juxtaposition of inner strife with equally-challenging wider world changes. It should be noted that some editing would contribute to smoother reading of this narrative, as minor grammatical errors pepper the story line ("I could’ve easily run into my captors arms."). That said, the narrative flows relatively smoothly and involves readers in the growing horrors of Nazi occupation, inhuman actions, and observations the author will never forget. And now, neither will the reader. Tears of Innocence is the perfect example of an autobiography that connects personal strife to wider world events. It's written with passion, it's presented with a 'you are there' feel, and it offers not just one life-changing experience, but a series of slings and arrows that the author survives. It covers the author's childhood and first part of her adult life, and it actually offers hope, as she was ultimately able to gain freedom from the disparate negative forces and patterns of her world. The battles she fights, the constant threats to her life, and the family interactions against the backdrop of war are personal and vivid, and will appeal to any who look to accounts of strength and survival against all odds.

The first thing to know about Deep River Burning is that it takes time to produce its poetic, majestic descriptions and is not a hasty plot packed with one-dimensional action; so if it's immediate gratification you're seeking in the way of a thriller/romance, look elsewhere. The real strength in a novel lies in its ability to build both emotional connection and a sense of place, and Dreese achieves this in a methodical manner that takes the necessary time to do both, aptly demonstrated in the opening act that is the very first paragraph. These poetic descriptions continue throughout and are simply outstanding embellishments to the plot. Again: do they slow down the action by focusing on description? Only a bit. Do they provide ethereal observations of environment and self that enhances the overall story line? Absolutely. Will they prove too thoughtful for those interested in a steamy, action-packed romance? Likely … but then, 'steamy' isn't a word to be applied to Deep River Burning, which takes love and conflict and moves them onto the higher grounds of ecological disaster and philosophical reflection. If one single word were to be applied to Deep River Burning's unifying perspective, it wouldn't be 'romance' so much as 'reflection'. Denver reflects on all aspects of life and her conversations with those around her are infused with purpose and a drive to comprehend her own life's meaning and that of the wider world around her. It's a rare pleasure to find a novel so infused with such depth and an effective, poetic delivery that translates emotional and philosophical insights into strong protagonist concerns that invite real audience connection. For a deeper, reflective story that goes beyond the usual realms of linear thinking and reactive emotional pieces, Deep River Burning is a true standout. It won't prove everyone's cup of tea, of course - Lipton drinkers might seek more steam and passion - but those who look for the (rarer) depth and flavor of a fine Earl Grey will want to partake, and drink deeply, of this satisfying, warm saga.

Book One of The Morus Chronicles, The Hunter Awakens, provides a middle grade fantasy centered around the experiences of thirteen-year-old Ethan Morus, who uncovers a family legend while staying at his grandparents' old farm. But where other similar-sounding fantasies evolve predictable paths, The Hunter Awakens is just ramping up; because events that unfold aren't entirely fueled by Ethan's evolving curiosity and investigations, but evolve from the fact that he's being watched by sorcerers who know, better than he, the extent of his latent abilities and their importance in a bigger picture. Few young readers can resist a good treasure hunt story; and while many a middle grade read might attempt to include this in their plots, it's rare to see such a hunt actually driving events. But without motivation and the glitter and lure of actual riches, many an adventure falls apart - and that's just one facet that keeps The Hunter Awakens a compelling middle school read: promised riches are always just around the corner. It takes a solid, talented storyteller to bring to life what sounds like a too-familiar scenario: Roper is such a talent. It takes an attention to detail to build a young protagonist who is not a one-dimensional, singular figure or a hero, but a living, breathing boy faced with social and ethical issues along the way who is always challenged to make the best choice. And it takes a pragmatic approach to build a story line that begins with a seemingly-normal boy's concerns and evolve it so that he begins to recognize and accept his unique skills and make decisions on their applications. As chapters unwind with the grace and power of an epic, middle school readers will find themselves swept away by a wave of intrigue, fantasy, mystery, and most of all, by Ethan's believable dilemmas as he faces a world he never knew existed. Especially with teen writing, characterization is the key. As a savvy creative writing teacher once said: if the reader doesn't care what happens to the character, he won't care what happens in the story. Roper creates this sense of intimacy and, as a result, readers follow Ethan's movements and decisions with bated breath. The plot may sound predictable: all the elements are there for formula writing - a treasure hunt, latent powers awakened, a journey, sorcerers, good and evil - but it's what an author chooses to do with these elements that makes the difference between sub-par, acceptable and superior writing. Everyone is involved in the outcome, from Ethan's savvy grandparents to Mel, who has a vested interest in manipulating Ethan because she's long ago given her powers to the dark side. And there's a reason why Ethan's treasure hunt becomes more than just a search for riches. The rest lies buried in the pages of The Hunter Awakens, just waiting to be discovered.

The world of special investigations often assumes the trappings of a chess game, with precise moves often forecast far in advance by either perpetrator or agent. As the men move across the board, underlying strategy unfolds cautiously, slowly, and often unpredictably; and it's the superior game that seems to lead in one inevitable direction, then twists to provide quite a different perspective. Special Agent Drew Cady has had it with a job that has him confronting violent felons on a regular basis: he's in recovery physically and emotionally, and the last thing he needs is another challenging case. That's why he's helping his fiancée run a resort while working part-time on an FBI fraud investigation case: far easier pursuits than hunting down felons. All this is (of course - predictably) about to change when the body of a young woman presents a new mystery, when a faithful colleague stands accused of being a spy, and when Drew finds himself unwittingly and reluctantly being drawn back into the world of high-stakes crime and serial killers. But that's not all of the story, though it is the crux of matters: Drew's back in touch with a sadistic killer and a master manipulator used to playing the board, and it seems that only Drew's efforts can make a difference between success and failure in an investigation packed with surprising facets. The Lynchpin demonstrates just how exact this process is, creating characters who struggle with games, silence, and what turns out to be the "world's shortest retirement" on Cady's part when a master manipulator pulls the strings and changes his life. Who is in control? Who is really playing the game? What is behind the murders, and how does a puzzle book come into play? Head-scratching moments, a dose of political intrigue and departmental conflict, and a world in which the true lynchpin may not be the character sporting the name make The Lynchpin a chess game of high order, and perfect for genre readers who want much more than either standard thrillers or murder mysteries tend to offer.

It's usually difficult to come into a mystery mid-series (The Law of Five is Book Three, so settings, characters and plots have been well established in prior books), but this Katie Reed/Redwood Violet novel opens with the discovery of a body in a cornfield, a situation that quickly involves Katie just when media attention is beginning to wind down from her last case. Katie's work with the San Diego Police Department has more than taken over and changed her life, and she's trying to achieve some distance between her public and private lives - until a phone call from an old friend draws her into an investigation that involves the police department and an acquaintance suspected of murder. All this is about to change (a somewhat predictable course of events) - but what is less predictable is the method by which the murderer draws in his victims, which in some sense includes Katie, who finds her investigative skills challenged and her interest in keeping professional distance from her work stymied. Having just faced down a terrible truth about her past trauma and its lasting effects on her future dreams, Katie is in no condition to confront a killer … but, she has to. The emotional piece of Katie's recovery is one of the pieces that makes The Law of Five a winning read: it's steeped in past, present and possible future events and presumes no prior knowledge of Katie's life on the part of a newcomer. Descriptions are vivid and incorporate these personal aspects, deftly weaving them into the overall mystery and providing solid depth and background. There are three facets to creating a satisfying mystery: strong characterization, interconnected circumstances, and intrigue. Weave all together and provide an attention to detail for each and you have the elements of a superior mystery story, capable of reeling in readers with emotional empathy and wrapping this psychology in a mystery with no foregone conclusions. From clues that could lead one to question whether one killer or a series of copycats is involved to Katie's probe of her personal and professional lives, readers are carried along on an emotional and investigative roller-coaster. That The Law of Five is a gripping psychological investigative mystery drama is largely due to Robin Mahle's attention to creating a protagonist who has survived much, only to find her past haunting her future happiness. The truths that evolve from her pursuit of justice will change everything around her - and readers, too, will be happy to discover this mystery stands well alone and requires no prior reading to prove haunting and involving.

It should be noted that The Little Parrot and the Angel's Tears is a bedtime story passed on between generations in the Asian author's family, and represents not only family connections but the author's first book - a creation she also illustrated herself. All that said, the story line (a simple account of a small bird's bravery) especially lends to parental read-aloud and interaction both because it holds more words than an easier picture book, and because it holds the opportunity for parent/child dialogue on the underlying concepts of courage and fortitude. The story is narrated in rhyme which is smooth for the most part, although at a few points it could have been tighter. Iambic pentameter is a fairly precise form; so much so that the inclusion of just one word can throw off the beat. The drawings are simply beautiful … full color illustrations filled with bright, unexpected embellishments are the driving force of any superior picture book - and The Little Parrot and the Angel's Tears more than delivers quality in this regard, visually carrying any 'bumps' in pentameter that the poetic rhyme occasionally experiences. Friendship, courage, and strength: by exploring these traits in an accessible animal story, young listeners receive a supportive, enlightening and uplifting lesson in life that many a parent will want to choose, no matter what culture they are from.

What can three women, shipwrecked on an island, have to do with world security and the actions of a powerful man entrusting a staggering secret to someone else? Plenty, as former Canadian Disaster Recovery agent Adam Saint is about to find out in the hard-hitting international thriller The Women of Skawa Island. Saint is used to having high level resources at his beck and call - but, not on this mission. He's used to the support of an international intelligence agency with all the bells and whistles that come with it … but all that’s gone. And he's used to professional abilities that streamline his investigations and result in swift resolutions - but, not this time. As Adam's probe reveals an unimaginable atrocity in the South Pacific world the three women call home, his conflicting vision of himself as healer/saint and high-order investigator collide. The women of Skawa Island are about to start talking - and when they do, their revelations will cause widespread destruction, leaving Saint standing alone against an overwhelming enemy who will do anything to prevent that from happening. It's one man - and his sidekicks - against the world; and at the heart of it all are three women with a long-held secret to tell. The Women of Skawa Island does what any good thriller should do: builds intrigue around character motivations, paints a path that eventually becomes crystal clear but throughout seems mired in moral and ethical issues, and, in the end, comes full circle as it addresses family ties, responsibilities, misconceptions, and warped purposes - all packaged in a cloak of unpredictability and fast-paced, well-wrought action. What thriller reader could ask for more?

Deceptions of the Ages comes from a teacher who takes five thousand years of history and brings a variety of disparate forces together, using a blend of historical texts, philosophical reflections, holy writings, and more to provide factual historical insights into traditional conflicts between science and religion - and he does so with an added measure of humor to make his approach more palpable. From the incongruities of a secret society that claims the ambiguous situation of not being a 'secret society' so much as a 'society with secrets' to the great dig under the Temple of Solomon, why it happened, and the contrast of various theories about what they found (or didn't find), Heines takes a step-by-step approach in examining various facets of history and its deceptions. And perhaps that's the most intriguing approach of all: not just the evidence of deceptions and how they evolved over the eons, but why they happened and how their stories were perpetuated and changed over time. Few new age or historical discussions take the form of closely analyzing the gaps between science, history and religion. Too few pinpoint exactly where and how these gaps occurred, why they widened, and the various controversies that sprung from them, creating in and of themselves new perspectives and even religions and belief systems. And few such considerations skirt the line between history, new age analysis, and philosophy, incorporating elements of all in a compendium that is, ultimately, greater than any of its individual parts. Despite Heines' attempts to inject humor and readability into the text, this is by no means a light read. Typical new age readers (the book's most likely audience) will find it dense, packed with historical, philosophical and spiritual references, and filled with evidence that points to the obvious fact that "we are not alone". Suffice it to say that Deceptions of the Ages offers much food for thought, will find its most enthusiastic readership among new age circles who appreciate wide-ranging discussions pulling together facts from a range of disciplines, making for a powerful, thought-provoking read.

Twisted is inspired by actual events and integrates themes of terrorist plots with romance and a man unwittingly caught in a net of intrigue and shocking revelations about his past - but don't expect your usual thriller format, however. Protagonist author Mofe Esiri's only starting his impossible journey with these revelations: a trip that includes time travel, family ties, a clever killer with international and mafia ties, and more. At times it feels that Mofe is trapped in so many ways that he will never untangle the twisted web he's spun for himself through his actions and investigations. Nigerean culture permeates the story line, from the blossoming film industry that is 'Nollywood' to the pageantry of rising wealth and the country's blossoming tourist industry. Against this backdrop, Mofe's impossible world emerges; one that evolves from his status as an acclaimed Nigerian writer who lives outside of his country and which follows his unwitting entry into danger after having lived a peaceful life filled with rare (for a Nigerian) literary acclaim. Expect a story line replete with the ups and downs of success and failure, with some of these elements coming from personal achievement and others stemming from romance. Expect, also, a story filled with intrigue and action; a surreal thriller couched not just in the specter of international intrigue, but the daily challenges of infidelity, oppression, court cases and police activities, and one man's unwitting involvement in a criminal outfit more than capable of murder. Within such a scenario the seeds of human bonds and relationships are born. Against the threat of violence emerges love. And as the hopes of a man tempted to live out his erotic fantasies becomes inexorably entwined with the world of assassins, he finds himself not just navigating a strange land, but maneuvering through the changes it will introduce to a life seemingly laced with good luck and unprecedented literary success. Anyone unfamiliar with Nigerian politics and culture will find Twisted a welcome introduction, while those with a degree of knowledge about Africa will find it replete with truths about the state of affairs affecting not only its citizens in-country but the expats who live outside its borders. It holds all the trappings of mystery, suspense and romance without the usually-Western settings and sentiments that permeate these genres, and it offers both believable and absorbing protagonists with a locale steeped in Africa's rich social and political milieu. The result will especially please literary-minded readers who enjoy all three genres, but who seek more depth than the usual thriller affords.

It's not a diet plan per say and it has little to do with nonfiction but Rules for the Perpetual Diet is a novel covering ten days in the life of a diet-obsessed twenty-something woman who perpetually struggles with weight gain and loss. Sound familiar? Well, don't get too comfortable: the familiar is about to be turned upside down as Amy's opening line snags attention: "Kat is dead. I am not. What I am is hungry. And majorly pissed off…" In a few lines Burns has captured what all too few novels manage to grab: reader attention. And that attention continues as Amy plans a trip to France in an effort to avoid thinking about food (really??) and finds herself in a new world both strange and familiar at the same time. As readers move through the story, one surprising facet is uncovered: its ability to subtly but insistently insert the elements of a diet plan and insights into self-image, motivation, and food obsession within the course of a winning story of Amy's struggles. Threads of humor make for wry observations and fun moments that take serious encounters and turn them on end. The story is about food and obsession - but it's also about Amy's discovery of her self outside of food, love, and life's slings and arrows. It's about her breakthroughs of what she needs in life and what she needs to lose - physically and figuratively. And, ultimately, it's about baggage and change. Woven within the story of her personal revelations is - yes - insights on diets, how they work, and why they don't. Any female reader struggling to understand rules of engagement and dieting will welcome this unusual blend of a fictional story, a feisty, believable protagonist's journeys, and the underlying purpose and realities of dieting and weight loss that all combine to make for a fun, vigorous read.

Killing Time in Saudi Arabia demonstrates perfectly the reason why some books written as a trilogy should be viewed as 'one', read in order, considered as a unit, and stronger as part of a package production. For without the background provided in My Year in Oman and Another Year in Oman (which documents the author's experiences from 2001-2003) this third book would not feel nearly as rich and fulfilling in background, setting and sentiment as it covers eighteen months of life from 2004-2005, when some of the heaviest fighting of the War on Terror occurred - right under the author's nose. In Killing Time in Saudi Arabia Heines has left Oman and taken a job as an English teacher, training national guard officers for the Saudi Arabian military. Amidst the backdrop of educational progress are the uncertainties and threats of war: gunfire erupting and changing lives, drives through the streets of Riyadh, reflections on life, death, and independence. Against the backdrop of love, war, tourism and teaching, the gaps between West and Middle East are highlighted. Under Heines' deft hand these cultural interactions and misunderstandings come to life and ultimately serve to provide a better understanding not only of Middle East atmosphere and culture, but of the psychology and perspectives of ordinary people living in a very different world. A series of misadventures and ironies emerges; even more so than in the two Oman books - which is unexpected, because by Book Three readers would anticipate that Heines has likely penetrated the Middle Eastern veil and is settling in. Nothing could be further from the truth: he's now in a different region and his understanding is still uncertain, his grasp of politics and peoples still tenuous, and his experiences greatly different than in the comparatively isolated medieval town atmosphere of Oman, with its very different world. Again, humor is embedded in every chapter; so if you don't want quirky observations and tongue-in-cheek wry remarks, look elsewhere … though that would be a shame, because this approach is what lends all three books a personal, interactive, intimate perspective lacking in most other accounts of the Middle East. Some might fault Heines for including romance in every book. Some might look for more background history, or more cultural insight, or even more teaching encounters (if the reader intends on teaching abroad and is seeking pointers) - but that's not the objective of this trilogy. Its purpose is to profile the author's cultural encounters and his immersion in foreign lands and perspectives, and it's here that this trilogy shines. Any who would truly understand the region and its psyche would do well to enjoy the combination of rollicking adventure and cultural insights that permeate all three stories, defying the usual labels of 'travelogue', 'teacher's experience', 'romance' or 'social analysis' to embrace elements of all four approaches.

Another Year in Oman: Between Iraq and a hard Place is the second of a three-book series that describes the author's life in the Middle East and once again offers a powerful perspective, continuing the saga begun by Heines' venture into Oman post-9/11. At this point the U.S. is about to invade Iraq, and Heines is the only American in the region - so he's viewed with undue suspicion and faces the additional challenges of being involved in a clandestine relationship with an Arab woman and struggling with a very different culture. Like My Year in Oman, this book is neither 'fish nor fowl' - it's not a travelogue; so don't anticipate that direction. Neither is it strict autobiography: there's a lot of cultural observation and history that would be lacking in a more egocentric production and it's this cultural interaction that forms the backbone of Heines' experience and story. It's about Muslim faith, cultural values, the interaction of Arab countries with the rest of the world, and how Heines' decision to live in Arabia succeeds in changing not only his life, but those around him. Expect more details about Omani culture than were provided in the first book, expect more rich viewpoints of male and female lives and how they are changed by Muslim faith and politics, and most of all, anticipate a deepening romance set against the backdrop of protests and heightening tensions in the Middle East. Most accounts of the region come from relative outsiders. Even reporters who have extensively traveled throughout the Middle East and who have more in-depth background in the region's political turbulence don't have the personal associations that Matthew Heines develops in the course of working and developing a love relationship in Oman. Another Year is about adventure and romance - but more importantly, it's about one average American's understanding of the underlying forces that drive Muslim culture and heritage, offering a rare opportunity for understanding based not on so much on history or politics as upon personal interactions. And that's a rare perspective, indeed - especially in a post-9/11 world which too easily equates 'terrorism' with 'Muslim' and negates individual matters of the heart.

My Year in Oman: An American Experience in Arabia During the War on Terror should be read by any who have an interest in Middle East culture and affairs in general, and terrorism and education in particular. It's that important, and comes from the perspective of an American teacher, ex-paratrooper and writer who taught in the U.S. before challenging himself by accepting a teaching job in Oman. One of the delights here is Matthew Heines' exploration of his own pre-conceived notions about what Oman will be like, in contrast with its reality. Not only does the country little resemble his imagination, but his experience there is something he couldn't have prepared for. (In fact, before he left for his new job, he couldn't even definitively identify Oman on the map!) How many teachers would travel to a land they didn't know in pursuit of money and a challenging new position? How many would rent their own cars at a strange airport in the middle of the night and head off into what looks like a desert when they are stranded at the airport? And how many would fall in love with a beautiful Indian girl while on a two-week vacation, only to run into the secrecy that often permeates Indian society and relationships? Layers of intricacy and cultural encounters come to life in a story that is far more than a travelogue. In fact, readers who come to My Year in Oman might be disappointed in its lack of 'fluff': there are no insights on where to stay, what to eat, what to do. This is autobiography and cultural inspection at its best and, as such, is a recommendation not so much for the armchair traveler as it is for those passionate about other cultures, other worlds, and thinking outside the box of the familiar travel or work pursuit. Any who pick up the book expecting an entertaining travelogue will be in for a treat: it's so much more, and packs in the depth and attention to detail that doesn't just entertain: it educates. And, after all, that's where Matthew Heines's passion really lies.

Welcome to Gobbleville, a town literally run by turkeys - and welcome, picture book readers, to the world of Anamazie Marie LaBelle, a marching band majorette who, encouraged by her mother, dreams of becoming famous. And it looks like she's on her way, because she's a finalist in the 'Gobbleville’s Got Talent' show, and everything is moving on course to fame - until someone else wins. Anamazie and her mother are more than disappointed until a talent scout solicits her to become part of a film for Gollywood Pictures. So, it's off to the movies and a real studio: and mother and daughter are elated. There's a lot of underlying humor in this picture book production which will delight adults pursuing read-alouds as well as kids reading on their own: "Then Anamazie waited outside on a bench while Henrietta roosted in a tree….Anamazie twirled with joy. Henrietta fell out of the tree." Mattia Cerato's large-size, full-page color drawings are fun embellishments to the story line, while its gentle progression avoids the usual ominous atmosphere so many books today seem to feel compelled to inject. It's a pleasure to see success and hard work celebrated for what it is - and Gollywood, Here I Come! is all about achievement and pursuing goals with parental encouragement and support. Those used to how elements of angst and struggle reach even into early picture book grades will appreciate this positive, upbeat, encouraging story of a mother who encourages her daughter and the success that follows their joint efforts.

Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is the next phase of 'how to write a novel': perhaps the most important one, as writers who neglect to market their book (or who fail to understand the process) will only see their title fade into obscurity. No prior marketing experience is assumed; which is perfect, given that book writers generally know little about the marketing end of the publishing business. Chapters thus offer all the basics; from preparing a press release and sending it to the right audience to developing publicity goals, understanding distribution markets, and creating different kinds of accounts for these efforts. All this is provided in user-friendly chapters that break down the marketing process into a logical sequence of events and enable writers (who are not intrinsically marketers) to enter the world of publicity. Why is this important? Because there are many more opportunities for self-publishing than in the past, and because self-published authors need to take charge of something usually outside their comfort zone: the selling process. While Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is most likely to appeal to writers who already have a book in print, it shouldn't be neglected by those who are at the beginning stage of writing a book, whether it is in the idea development stage or nearly done. Writers will find plenty of specifics on how to determine if their book is marketable in the first place and, if not, how to tailor their book for success: invaluable information for those not yet in the publication phase. Perhaps this is the best audience for Market and Sell Books: A My Guide: pre-publication, while there's still room for change and tweaking. In reading about the marketing and sales process, writers can quickly determine the best approach for creating a marketable result from their efforts, and will learn how to avoid common pitfalls along the way.

My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS is both an autobiography of the author's struggles with fibromyalgia and an overview of the condition, and is a recommended guide for any who suspect they might have fibromyalgia. Now, most books on the subject adopt a medical focus; identifying symptoms, discussing the condition, and offering a few keys to its management. In contrast, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS offers a LOT of keys to its management after introductory insights on its medical progression, making this book a 'must' for any who would take a more active role in successfully handling fibromyalgia's challenges. Chapters focus on recovery and managing everyday life, and offer a range of techniques the author found successful in her own life. These vary from meditation and visualization routines to nutrition, linking diet and mental health to fibro's progression and offering hands-on hope for readers who have struggled (with few results) with traditional medicine. Each discussion is cemented by the author's own experience, and each offers a combination of medical overview and specific answers on why a management approach or technique works. As a starting point for understanding fibro and its control, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS should be at the top of any self-help program and is recommended for any who want to manage (and, ultimately, recover from) its debilitating effects.

My Guide: Manage Chronic Pain isn't designed to replace a doctor's advice. It's intended to supplement that advice with specific strategies that worked for author Rebecca Richmond, who suffered some seven years of constant pain and who employed the devices herein to achieve not just pain reduction, but a return to an active and busy lifestyle. Any who have suffered from lasting pain know what an achievement this is, lending credibility to the book's varied approaches and its promise that these different pain management strategies will actually work together to significantly change a sufferer's life. And if this sounds miraculous, keep in mind that Rebecca Richmond is not talking 'cure', but 'management'. There IS a difference. Chapters focus on this process by building a management profile of strategies that include meditation and other mind-body techniques. Right off the bat, Rebecca Richmond advises readers that the process is intended for the open-minded reader (and, having gone through any traditional management process, you'd think any struggling with chronic pain would harbor this willingness to try anything for relief). The program is presented in a step-by-step series of chapters that build upon one another, creating stepping stones of techniques and explanations of the physical and mental challenges of chronic pain. My Guide: Manage Chronic Pain points out that there is no single pathway to effective chronic pain management. Together, all these tools work - as Rebecca Richmond has proved with her own life experience. Individually, they are simply pieces and small tools contributing to the larger picture. And that's why My Guide: Manage Chronic Pain needs to be read and absorbed in its entirety. From living 'in the moment' and recognizing physical (and mental) signs of well-being and symptoms of stress to fostering life-enhancing relationships and tackling fear, all the tools are here for lasting, positive change. More importantly, as Rebecca Richmond demonstrates through her own life adjustments, they work. All that's required is a willingness to foster flexibility, try new things, and use the many approaches contained in My Guide: Manage Chronic Pain, a workbook of hope and positive results.

My Guide: How to Write a Novel is the first place a writer should turn to uncover the basics of not just writing a novel, but publishing it. In a nutshell: yes, what you get here, under one cover, is information covered elsewhere … but in expensive seminars that will far exceed the price of this primer, making My Guide a bargain in comparison. So if you want to write a novel but have no idea where to begin … begin here. First, a caveat: for all its accessibility and lively manner, My Guide: How to Write a Novel is no light treatment of its subject: it packs in eleven chapters, includes a bibliography and an index, and assumes its reader is passionate about the idea of writing, publishing and marketing a novel. So don't expect a 'quick and dirty' overview: chapters move logically and quickly to cover the nuts and bolts, offering specifics and details novel writers must know to see their book in print and develop a readership. One of the best features of My Guide: How to Write a Novel: its ability to link the writing process to exercises reinforcing basic grammar, punctuation, plot development, characterization, and beyond. This all sounds dry, but it's not: producing a novel that captivates readers is all about providing sequences of events that are alluring and readable; and if grammar is poor, punctuation is off, or action lacking, one's novel will (ultimately) fail. What is presented here is a logical system of sequential events that need to take place to produce a successful result - but it's a system couched in creative, inspirational choices rather than dry rote learning. And by focusing on novel production rather than general writing, Rebecca Richmond and Claire Pickering are able to be specific about the novel's particular elements of (and requirements for) success. You won't get as much depth and instruction from anything other than a seminar, which not only costs much more than this book, but often packs too much material into a limited time frame.

There are plenty of books that address insomnia on the market already, but none hold the specific focus and discussions of My Guide: Overcome Insomnia, a clear dialogue on insomnia's origins and how to overcome it. Sure, the science of sleep is the same and the advice on bedtime routines, diet and exercise can also be found elsewhere. And you're not looking at original research, either. What you are seeing is a talent for drawing disparate studies and approaches together under one cover, focusing on the 'secondary factors' that cause insomnia and providing a complete program addressing its underlying causes, symptoms, and how to combat sleeplessness on a nightly basis by changing lifestyle and emotional influences. Chapters pair insights on techniques with supportive anecdotes that focus on holistic assessments of what influences different levels of sleep and how to create an environment that tips the balance towards sleep. These connections between emotional states of mind and sleep are essential to understanding the origins of insomnia, and include specific tips on busting worries and using meditation and visualization techniques to achieve optimum sleep routines. From time management and flexibility to creating better self-esteem, My Guide: Overcome Insomnia includes considerations most books on the topic typically omit. It goes beyond theory to offer concrete routines readers can easily use to change belief systems and circumvent the habit of insomnia. Its very specific, step-by-step tips also set My Guide: Overcome Insomnia apart from competitors that offer theory and only a few approaches to actually curing insomnia. Here, it's all part of the 'bigger picture' which strives for overall better emotional health as a strategy for ultimately busting the habits and effects of insomnia.

Teen Jade is spending spring break with her grandmother in Peru: not exactly her idea of a great time, until she hooks up with a museum director's son and discovers they share telepathic abilities that allow them access to a past world. Summer just got a whole lot more interesting - but wait, there's more! The message they uncover from an ancient Earth leads them on an unexpected journey through the Labyrinth of Time in search of a mysterious red crystal that could change the world. Jade's mission is to rescue and restore the Firestone before it's too late. All this is narrated in the first person, which allows readers to absorb, from a personal perspective, the events which transpire; from Jade's revelations about her grandmother's spiritual beliefs and their unusual origins in heritage and circumstance to her own newfound task to bring enlightenment into the world before the second Light returns to correct the growing imbalance between Earth and the heavens. To call The Labyrinth of Time a 'young adult read' may be accurate - but to limit its audience to such would be a shame. Many an adult will find Jade's feisty personality and perseverance in the face of much adversity just the ticket for a rainy day, and will realize that Jade's evolution embraces all the facets of a life well lived: spiritual concerns, a touch of romance, family connections, and struggles with outside forces beyond one's control. Readers with a touch of New Age spiritual inclination will especially find that the story reaches out and touches them, and while Christian-based readers may struggle with some of the concepts, ultimately it's a thought-provoking, enlightening, and entertaining read all in one package, tailored for teens but holding the ability to reach through time, space and age groups for much wider audience. The Labyrinth of Time keeps its eye firmly on the bigger pictures of life - and that's what makes it a stand out.

At a quick glance, Involution-An Odyssey Reconciling Science to God seems like a scientific or spiritual read, and possibly a dry one, at that. But those too ready to judge a book by its title may be in for a surprise, here: for Involution is in actuality a poetic-based exploration of the Western thinking process, and is more focused on the process of Mankind's incremental rediscovery than scientific or spiritual analysis. It's neither poetry nor science, spiritual reader nor philosophical investigation - but it incorporates elements of each. Nor is it 'fish nor fowl' - which makes its intended audience and placement a bit ambiguous. How do you tell an audience mired in one discipline that there's value to be had (and elements of that discipline) in a book that crosses genres? Therein lies the presentation challenge; for it'd be a shame for the reader of science, spirituality, philosophy or history to miss the unexpected treats embedded in Involution. So what, exactly, is 'involution'? It's defined here as the basic idea that the progress of science in fact reflects its ability to recover memory, or involution. Strictly speaking, 'involution' happens when something turns in upon itself; but in this case it's more than a geometric or mathematical expression, more than a medical description, and more than the path the soul takes to become more self-realized. Here it's described as the impetus to the evolutionary process, key to understanding the idea of scientific investigation and progression. Here you will find it all: poetic cantos, scientific footnotes, discussions of ideals of liberty, Renaissance history, the psychology of love and reunion…all provided in a unique format with a distinctive perspective; perfect for multidisciplinary, college-level readers who want a scholarly yet evocative presentation of the concept and workings of involution through its increasingly unifying stages. This broad-brush journey through the history of Western culture offers an alternative vision of Man’s powers and his destiny; a return to Eden, now as co-Creator, conscious of the unity of all creation.

Michelle Marder Kamhi is a scholar and art critic, and her expertise lies in her ability to get directly to the point. The point provided here is an assessment of what qualifies a piece to be deemed 'fine art'; and in this, Kamhi's scrutiny is unerring. Who Says That’s Art? A Commonsense View of the Visual Arts deals with the radical transformation of visual art since the early 20th century. The exact nature of these changes, and their overall negative effect, is documented in chapters that excel in specifics: references, analysis, and critical insights on what does or does not deserve to be called 'art'. Readers will find these insights supported by subjective perspectives as well as by thorough scholarship. Kamhi's enthusiasm for visual art often meets with disappointment at museum and gallery offerings. Kamhi does not argue that 'real art' is dead: only that a greater measure of critical discretion needs to be applied to identifying it. And here's where she shines, providing non-specialists with a scholarly yet accessible account that not only explains how to distinguish genuine art, but also promises to enhance its appreciation whenever such gems are to be found! Kamhi’s scrutiny is unerring. . . . providing non-specialists with a scholarly yet accessible account that not only explains how to distinguish genuine art but also promises to enhance its appreciation.

Murder, terrorism, unfair death: all these often beget thirsts for revenge; and so the cycle continues. Such is true with Fallon MacEwan, the hero of Fallon's Orphans, whose lover has been killed by Islamic terrorists; so when an Orthodox Christian group places the opportunity for revenge in his hands, he gladly enters into a hitherto-unknown world of battle and espionage. And that's just the opening act in a nonstop battle that centers around an inexperienced vigilante group's determination to bring justice to the world by tackling terrorist groups the government can't handle. Its members are all orphans - and that's both a literal and a figurative label; because the one shared attribute between them is their sense of loss and conviction that they're doing the right thing by crushing a dangerous enemy who kills innocents in the world. Most stories of terrorism and espionage don't take the time to properly build atmosphere. Most don't take into account the hearts and minds - not just the artillery and fighting power - of ordinary people. Not so Fallon's Orphans, which is meticulous in its attention to setting as well as plot, and to creating insights on how terrorism really works in worlds replete with poverty. Another 'plus': there's no traditional 'bad sect' here, as one might anticipate: just insights into what influences good and bad choices in the world. Fallon's Orphans provides the depth and attention to detail that's lacking in many modern stories of terrorism. It's action-packed, but its attention to motivation, logic, and larger concerns than killings makes it a standout among thriller genre reads - and highly recommended.

One doesn't usually associate 'Army' with 'extraterrestrial investigations' (outside of Roswell, that is), but Eden makes this connection and provides a snappy set of circumstances that revolve around an Iraqi sandstorm, a desert secret, and an ancient temple investigated by an unwitting army patrol just beginning to understand that a hidden burial chamber poses more danger than the war itself. Eden is a novella that takes the usual trappings of a thriller - military confrontations, a centuries-old secret, and cultural clashes - and adds a healthy dose of von Däniken into the mix, with a difference. If ancient aliens really had a hand in human evolution, what's to say that something wasn't left behind to spark further changes? This is what Captain Adam Cadman and his group of soldiers is about to discover in a secret that not only challenges them but which brings an alien perspective into the sequence of events. Eden can't be said to be a spiritual read in the usual sense of the word, but it incorporates some of these elements. It's not a standard 'thriller' in that the pace is not relentless, but pragmatic and thoughtful. It's not an 'alien story' in that a far bigger picture evolves, and it's not even a military novel - despite the gun-aiming soldier on its striking cover. So readers anticipating a standard 'genre' read and who seek to place Eden in any of the above boxes will find this novelette defies easy categorization. Ultimately, it's about how the 'truths' of modern day evolve from a combination of myth, daring decisions, and hope. So, if it's a thought-provoking story with an alternative twist that is desired - and if readers aren't so grounded in Christian belief that they can't be entertained and enthralled by quite a different interpretation of events - then Eden will prove the item of choice, standing well apart from any ordinary genre read.

Every since Anne Rice, I've enjoyed well-written stories steeped in New Orleans. Blend a mystery with a historical work and it's even better. Such is The Laced Chameleon, a novel set in 1862 New Orleans during the Civil War, when the Union Army occupied New Orleans. It delves into the social and racial structure of the city by presenting the life of a 'quadroon' (a person resulting from biracial sex, with three white grandparents) who moves in the world of rich white men. In an arranged union between women of color and white men in antebellum New Orleans, Francesca is the product of such a union, and her place in society and her abilities to move within it are strictly regulated. Through her eyes and the author's attention to historical detail readers are treated to insights on the intricacies of such a world. Part of what makes The Laced Chameleon such a well-done approach is that Francesca's world is vividly portrayed. She doesn't just fall into the role of an investigator - she's pushed in. Her skills at surviving her world will serve her well in her new role, because life just got a lot more complicated. And the attention to small details - such as the appearance of monies bearing separate images of George Washington and enslaved black cotton pickers, or the question of what kind of currency - Confederate or Northern - is acceptable payment - are little points that serve to reinforce the bigger picture of 1800s New Orleans. It's rare to find a historical mystery so well-grounded in the flavors and atmosphere of the antebellum South, and one which so thoroughly injects New Orleans atmosphere into every chapter. This backdrop strengthens the character of Francesca, her life, and her purposes and helps identify the source of her tenacity, creating a believable, living protagonist whose concerns and approach to life is well grounded in the politics and social mores of her times.

To call Natalie's Art a 'mystery' would be to do it a disservice, though mystery is certainly one of the elements of its story. To call it a 'thriller' would be too vague: there's no international intrigue involved - but there are plenty of twists and thriller-style devices employed that would certainly appeal to fans of this category. But to deem it a 'psychological suspense drama' - now, that's a much more accurate descriptor; though even this doesn't begin to scratch the surface of complexity that is Natalie's Art. Natalie's Art is actually Book 5 of the Frank Renzi series (prior books not read by this reviewer) and it's evident early on that there's far more involved than a singular plot. If this sounds like a challenging read, be advised: Natalie's Art is not for the reader of light whodunits or espionage tales, but for readers who enjoy psychological depth and complexity. Who is really in control? The driver holding the steering wheel keeps changing between Natalie, Detective Renzi, Gregor, Nicholas, and others - and that's part of the real appeal of Natalie's Art: nobody is clearly in charge for much of the story line. Where are the stolen paintings? Who will die? Can Natalie truly be free from the directions she has chosen in her life? There are many questions in Susan Fleet's Natalie's Art: so many that at times strings of intention seem to fly in all directions. Surely there are too many to neatly mop up at story's end? The real tests of a superior thriller, mystery or novel are enough characterization to make protagonists feel real, and enough compelling, unpredictable twists to keep readers interested right up to the end. Natalie's Art embraces all these facets and steers readers directly to a logical, yet surprising, conclusion. And that's fine art, indeed.

I read a lot of children's books; both picture books and YA - it's my 'go to' genre when adult reads become too overbearing. Savanna's Treasure is something different: it holds the draw of illustration as a children's book would, but is directed to a reading level above the standard picture book reader - so it's hard to categorize. Savanna's Treasure features lovely black and white line drawings by Kim Johnson and offers a story in some ways classic for children's books, covering a friendship between animals and people who discover that their unlikely association can change their world. While the story line may be classic for a young audience, it's, in fact, a different approach because such tales are usually limited to the very simple picture book age group - and Savanna's Treasure is directed to those beyond the easy reader stage. As with any read (but especially true in a children's book), it's the protagonists that capture attention - and C. Behrens does a fine job of creating personable creatures that are engaging and fun. The 'glue' of any story is how its characters are depicted, how they react to one another, and how they bond: Savanna's Treasure is all about these connections and how they play out in the world, and this lends to a fine read that takes an adventure story format and weaves it into something far greater than simple entertainment. Kids with good reading skills (likely, in grades 2-4) will relish this enchanting saga.

Can cars be enchanted, and can lives be charmed despite turmoil and change? Metal Horses is a testimony to the lasting effects of good and bad decisions, and is recommended far beyond the usual reader of either hot rod stories or novels of 1970s America. Amidst cultural turmoil and strife, the promises of enchantment in everyday life are often lost, warped, or repressed. America in the 1970s was such a decade: an era of war protests, bell bottoms, afros, and muscle cars, among other things. It may be a decade long past; but it comes to life with an unusual dual focus on muscle cars and memories in Metal Horses, a nostalgic reflection on love and identity amidst social disorder. The Vietnam War drove rebellion into the hearts of the young and those who were threatened with the draft. It painted stark differences between right and wrong, moral and unethical behaviors, and it drove a wedge in the heart of the American public that some say remains unhealed today. Metal Horses doesn't seem like a coverage of such events since its opening chapters revolve around cars - but, ultimately, it's part of a wider legacy that Jason has inherited - and one which is America's bequest, as well. You can't put Metal Horses neatly in a box and its genre definition of 'novel' doesn't begin to do it justice: it brings America's past to live through the eyes of a young man looking to understand his heritage, and is a pick for any who want their novels fresh, vivid, and ripe with detail.

I normally don't read military novels - but I read this back in April and enjoyed it then, and still reflect on it...so I'm writing to recommend a book normally somewhat outside of the genres I regularly read! It's is a gritty, you-are-there account of Tom's life and is loosely based on the author's own experiences 'in country' nearly a decade ago. As such, the story has a realistic feel that many a story of wartime experience simply doesn't capture, from its opening in Montreal (where Tom is on military leave from training before deployment) to his relationship with the saucy Amy (who becomes his pen pal after he leaves.) From basic training to the front lines of Afghanistan, Breakfast with the Dirt Cult simply shines when it describes military experience; especially when foreign policy snafus are revealed. Encounters between military men range from humorous to dead serious; especially between the brass and those under them. How does one not merely survive, but thrive, under military service? And how does the daily specter of combat, death or worse become offset by changes in attitude? Don't expect any sugar-coating here: there's a lot of profanity, a lot of back-and-forth between protagonists that could sometimes become confusing, and a lot of unexpected fun (yes, fun!) woven into the process. Is Breakfast with the Dirt Cult an easy read? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Is it involving? Always. Is it linear and clear? Not always. Any reader seeking a multifaceted 'war story' of a soldier's struggle to 'live another day' despite it all will find Breakfast with the Dirt Cult ultimately (and at once) challenging and satisfying.

Having a thriller authored by an aviation expert lends detail and depth that your usual thriller lacks. I like surprises in my thriller reading, and Crenshaw more than provides this, with nonstop action and seat-of-your-pants flights. The story centers around a series of devastating crashes? What if the usual path of taxi, liftoff, flight, and touchdown doesn't end safely at the gate? And what if a deadly force is involved in a series of events that bring airline safety crashing to the ground? As Homeland Security itself is questioned, are brought on board for a surprising outcome: one that neatly wraps up loose ends and provides a bit of a twist.