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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
TCM_Reviews has commented on (34) products
The Cry of Havoc
by
John Hennessy
TCM_Reviews
, December 16, 2011
Tom Navo is about to end it all. He’s just killed his boss. Feeling that committing suicide is his only option, he jumps. As he falls, Tom starts to regret his decision. As luck would have it, Tom lands on a balcony, broken and bruised but still alive. As fate would have it, Tom would die soon after- an innocent bystander at a convenience store robbery gone wrong. Tom awakes in a waiting room of sorts. He’s dead and he is about to decide his eternal fate. But instead of choosing his version of Heaven like everyone else, something strange happens. Tom is sucked into another world. It’s a desolate land with unfamiliar creatures. A world where illusion becomes reality and memories can be implanted with mere words. A whole world filled with displaced individuals who do the bidding of others without even realizing that it isn’t their fight. The Cry of Havoc has the feeling of an epic novel mixed with agility of a video game. Actually, I can see the story being an excellent video game. I’d play it. Interesting characters and lots of action built upon a really intriguing premise.
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Professor Atlas & the Summoning Dagger
by
Paul Maguire
TCM_Reviews
, October 24, 2011
Tyler and Brandon are the best of friends who win a contest to spend time with their hero Professor Atlas. These seventh graders find out that they will be traveling to Britain to help Professor Atlas with his latest adventure. Upon meeting Professor Atlas, the boys learn that they will be helping the Professor find the lost Summoning Dagger of Mercastus. It is said that the dagger had been lost after Hallswich Castle had been destroyed. A prophecy handed down from generation to generation stated that the dagger waited to find its rightful owner. In true adventurer form, Professor Atlas, Tyler, and Brandon immediately find themselves in hot water. Evidentially, they aren’t the only ones looking for the dagger. Professor Atlas` old rival Blackjack hijacks them demanding to know the location of Hallswich Castle. Although they manage to escape, it won’t be their last run in with Blackjack. Professor Atlas and the Summoning Dagger is quite the adventure. Not only do the boys find their lives in danger several times but they also travel to the past to actually meet Mercastus. Loved this story completely and can’t wait for more adventures from this trio.
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Cancer Warrior
by
Ruth Levine
TCM_Reviews
, October 19, 2011
I very much believe that there’s a reason for everything. Sometimes, especially during the really tough challenges that life seems to throw at us, it’s just so very hard to see the hidden gift. In retrospect, perhaps these experiences provide the greatest gifts because they are so very hard fought. Ruth Levine is the Cancer Warrior. She’s an extraordinary woman in so many ways. In 2006, she was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. Facing chemotherapy, radiation, and major surgery, she made a pledge to herself that she would focus on healing. To that end, she built herself up physically, mentally, and spiritually to face come what may. Then, even in her darkest moments, she not only believed she would win the battle against cancer but she knew that the cancer was meant to make her a better occupational therapist. Whether our life lesson comes in the form of cancer or something else that shakes us to our core, we need to stay strong and positive. This story is a wonderful example of that faith and courage. Be well Ruth.
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Meet Me at the Rainbow Bridge
by
Kenneth Newman DVM
TCM_Reviews
, October 07, 2011
Meet Me at the Rainbow Bridge is the memoir of Dr. Kenneth Newman, a practicing veterinarian since 1979. This is his story detailing the roles of each dog in his life and the impact that each has had during each stage of his life. Meet Me at the Rainbow Bridge is a well-written profoundly moving memoir that will tug at its readers heartstrings. In April 2008 Kenneth Newman lost his beloved Gracie (a golden labrador retriever) when a woman backed her vehicle up 25 yards, without even looking to see if anything was behind her, pinning both Dr. Newman and Gracie between her car and his (as he was assisting Gracie into the back of the car). Dr. Newman’s leg was broken in several places and Gracie’s body had protected him from even further injury. Gracie took the brunt of the collision and even though she was rushed to the veterinary hospital in Tifton, Ga., her injuries were fatal and Gracie did not survive. Following the accident Dr. Newman filed a lawsuit against the driver of the car and was told by an insurance company attorney that he would only get $800.00, the value of the dog. As a result Dr. Newman wrote Gracie’s Law (Gracie’s Law below) which elevates a pet to more than just a piece of property which is how the law currently stands. Ninety percent of pet parents consider their pets to be a member of the family. It is past time to elevate our pet kids out of the legal status of “property” to the human souls they are. It is my hope and prayer that Gracie’s Law will be passed in Florida which will begin to allow this to happen. Please join me in supporting Gracie’s Law. GRACIE’S LAW To recognize the emotional bond that exists between pets and people, the human animal bond, this law entitles the owner of a pet that is deliberately killed through an act of malice or accidentally killed through an act of negligence to the sum of $12,500 for loss of companionship and pain and suffering, plus all legal fees required to prove the negligence or malice. An equal amount, $12,500, will be donated to a pet rescue organization of the bereaved pet owner’s choice in honor of their lost pet. This law does not supersede the laws already in existence which entitles the pet owner to the value of their pet as property. In the case of an act of malice, all laws relating to criminal prosecution remain in effect. A veterinarian who prescribes an appropriate medical or surgical plan by community standard that is declined by the owner of the pet would not be held accountable under this law, should the medical record state that the owner of the pet declined the appropriate treatment. This review was written In Loving Memory of Gracie who now resides at the Rainbow Bridge.
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Cheating Mother Nature: What You Need To Know To Beat Chronic Pain
by
C. C. S. P. William D. Charschan D. C.
TCM_Reviews
, October 07, 2011
It seems that family doctors are becoming more like receptionists. You stop by their office, they get some basic information about your symptoms, and then hand you off to a specialist. Depending upon your issue, you may actually see more than one specialist for any given set of problems. While it’s comforting to have a “specialist” (read expert) looking out for you, you’ve got to wonder how all these specialists are going to come up with one all-encompassing plan to cure your ills. Unfortunately, the reality is that each specialist will look at your symptoms through their own set of rose colored glasses. Thus, each specialist will likely come up with a different plan, one that doesn’t necessarily take into account possibilities beyond their own particular speciality. Cheating Mother Nature looks specifically at the nature of chronic pain. The way pain is treated (or managed) depends entirely upon the perception of the doctor. Thus, conditions like Fibromyalgia can be viewed in a variety of different ways. Still, you’ve got to wonder if all these tests and specialists are actually helping to find the root cause of the problem. Do all these tests and different viewpoints actually help our family doctor make a diagnosis and come up with an integrated plan? Are we even looking to cure problems anymore or are we just looking to add yet another medication to manage symptoms?
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Third Q
by
Arnold Francis, Robert Luxenberg
TCM_Reviews
, September 29, 2011
Zoro’s life has taken on a predictable pattern. He tries to make things right and is sure that this time it will be different. Yet, in the end, he always fails letting down his family. It’s been that way since Zoro was a teenager. Well, since the day that his little brother Joey died. One thoughtless choice… Completely lost, Zoro begins to wonder if this all there is to life. Maybe, he is just a loser. Immediately, his thoughts turn to his brother. That fateful day, Zoro starts a new job as a driver for a wealthy man. Max is unlike anyone that Zoro has ever met. More so, from this man, Zoro comes to understand how self-sabotage and his own unconscious beliefs have been holding him back. The Third Q is part mystery novel and part self-help book. We follow Zoro as he learns about his mind and the limitations he has placed upon himself. Of course, we all have a bit of Zoro in us and thus in him see our own self-limitations. Often, these realizations come as aha moments.
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Mack Dunstan's Inferno
by
Paul Collins
TCM_Reviews
, September 20, 2011
You can’t take it with you. When you pass over, all your wealth and possessions are left behind. Unfortunately, what we do take with us is our regrets and our fears. Max “Mack” Dunstan, famous actor and head of the NRA, finds himself taking a tour of Hell. As he travels he meets the famous and the infamous but probably the ones that are most surprising are the average people who don’t seem to deserve to be in Hell. After all, they were certainly not evil. Slowly, Mack comes to release that Heaven and Hell are merely labels. Each person merely sees him or herself, their personal reality manifested. If they are stuck in anger and hate or regret and guilt, then their afterlife will reflect that. However, if they choose to let go and rise above these self-judgements then a different world emerges. I think the journey changes Mack in a meaningful way. He starts off pretty arrogant expecting that Heaven awaits him. He’s lived a good life and feels he has no vices. I don’t think the man has ever really looked below the surface of himself. Complete denial.
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My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln: A Tale of Two Boys from Indiana
by
John W. (ILT) Ewing
TCM_Reviews
, August 22, 2011
My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln is a fictional tale that shows young readers what life was like in the time of Abe Lincoln. The main character is a young boy by the name of Sam Harding. Like many at that time, Sam’s family are poor, hardworking farmers. Sam meets Abe in school. Abe’s family are farmers as well. Abe is an excellent student. He loves to read and study, showing even early on some of the attributes that would someday make him the man he’d become. A great introduction for middle graders not only to Abe Lincoln but also to how children lived in his time.
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The Bryant Family Chronicles: Death and Gold in Zara Zote: Pirates, Treasure, Murder Mystery, and Adventure in Florida
by
Eddie R. Hughes
TCM_Reviews
, July 05, 2011
Dead men don’t tell tales. Or do they? Perhaps all they need is a little technology and the Bryant family. A simple fishing trip turns deadly for two men. In the dead of night, with no witnesses, it seems highly unlikely that the murderers will ever be found. With no clues to go on the case seems doomed form the start. Fortunately, a local man has been working on a surveillance prototype in the area. With a little work and some extra resources, the puzzle starts to take shape. Is this a matter of modern day pirates or is something much more organized in the works? The Bryant Family Chronicles is a smart action-filled thriller that showcases how modern technology can be used in unique ways. Be that a modern homicide or as part of an archaeological excavation. Very intriguing possibilities.
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Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
by
Barry Richard Parker
TCM_Reviews
, June 13, 2011
Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow contains a series of reprinted blog articles about happiness, motivation, and stress relief. The topics are in no particular order. This makes it easy to thumb through the book and find an entry that catches the reader’s eye. The overall theme of the book is to enjoy life while living in the moment. Let go of the past and focus on the present. Laugh a little more and think about the things you have rather than the things you don’t. Recognize the importance of restful sleep, proper nutrition, and regular exercise. Figure out what you want from life and work towards that step by step.
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Dragon Academy
by
Diane Nelson
TCM_Reviews
, April 26, 2011
Can you imagine riding on the back of a real live dragon? That’s exactly what Nick was about to do. What’s more, he can actually telepathically communicate with Nikita, the female dragon. Nick’s Mom could be best described as a bit eccentric but she definitely knows a thing or two about dragons. Dragon Academy begins as Nick and his Mom are watching a pod of dragons. Their existence is a little known secret and there are very few breeding populations left. Nick is given an amazing opportunity. He will spend the summer with his aunt and uncle on their horse ranch, training a male and female dragon pair. It’s definitely not easy, and Nick seems to spend a whole lot of time in the emergency room but it’s quite an amazing adventure.
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Corporate Seer
by
Arun Purang
TCM_Reviews
, April 04, 2011
It’s all about attitude and the way we see work. If we put very little effort in, we’ll get very little out. If we are looking for ways to get ahead, it shouldn’t surprise us when others do the same. On the other hand, if we love our work, our happiness and enthusiasm will spread. If we pursue excellence for the sake of doing a job right, we will see the difference. Corporate Seer sets out four standards of work: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Each standard approaches work in a slightly different way and in turn creates a different working experience. Thus, when working from a physical standard, a job is merely a means to an end but from a spiritual standard the same job is an unconditionally loving act of service. These standards are explained through an evolution of thinking of an American man, Martin Weisman. Once at the top of his game, Martin has been used by his company and thrown out with the trash. With no other alternatives, Martin transfers to India hoping to salvage what he can of his career. Here he fortuitously meets Aditya, a young man who asks Martin if he is happy in his work. What he learns changes his life.
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All Eyes
by
Bainy B Cyrus
TCM_Reviews
, March 18, 2011
After three boys, Bainy’s birth was celebrated by her family. Finally, a girl- perfect in every way. It wasn’t until Bainy was eighteen months old that others would come to discover the challenges that Bainy would face in her life. After extensive testing for autism, it was discovered that Bainy was deaf (more precisely extremely hard of hearing). At age five, Bainy was sent out of state where she learned to recognize and to make sounds. She also made lifelong friends with two other girls at the Clarke School for the Deaf. Later, Bainy attended a regular private school and eventually college. In All Eyes, the author opens up about her experiences so that others can see into the daily challenges of hearing loss. Like everyone, Bainy went through the growing pains of becoming an adult and liking herself. She felt different and wanted desperately to fit in. Her inability to fully comprehend quick speaking and low voices, especially in loud social situations, only made her feel that much more isolated. I very much appreciated that through discussion of her friends the author touched upon a wide range of choices for healing impaired persons. We are all unique so there are no absolutes when it comes to what will work for each person. Oralism versus sign language; integration into the hearing world versus staying within the deaf community; and a wide variety of schooling option are all decisions that need to be made by the individual based upon their needs, personality, and support system.
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Joy in Worship: Understanding Worship According to the Word of God
by
James Vickery
TCM_Reviews
, March 18, 2011
Worship. It’s a familiar word. Yet perhaps, we’ve become a bit muddled about the meaning. Or maybe we’ve forgotten the reason for the word in the first place. Since the beginning, there have always been those who worshipped God, gave humble thanks even during the difficult times but the majority struggle. They get caught up in building a life, making ends meet, and doing the very best they can for their family. Even worship becomes watered down fitting into that hour that they would rather be doing chores, watching tv, or spending with friends and family. Joy in Worship takes the Christian reader back to basics. What is worship? Why do we worship? How do we worship? The how portion of the book includes a lot of very interesting information on the psalms, specifically looking at the historical perspective of these writings and how their lessons still hold true today. It’s interesting how timelessly some of these ideals translate even in this chaotic day and age.
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The Chosen: Book One of the Portals of Destiny
by
Dr Shay Fabbro
TCM_Reviews
, March 08, 2011
The Mekans were built to mine and collect resources. Somewhere along the way though, something went terribly wrong. Now these giant machines travel from world to world leaching the resources until there isn’t much left. The entire galaxy is in danger but a Gentran prophecy may hold the key. It would seem that The Chosen have the ability to bring down the Mekans and save the universe. A decision is made to help the prophecy along a little. Four specially trained Guardians are sent to four different planets. Their job: to collect, train, and protect The Chosen. Then, when the time comes bring these young beings back to Gentra where they will prepare to do the impossible. As one would expect, The Chosen has a huge cast of characters. After all, each Guardian is responsible for a handful or more chosen. At first, I was a bit concerned that I would get a bit lost in the who’s who of the story. In this the author did a spectacular job. I was surprised at how easy it was to remember each character (or set of characters with regards to the clones) once the groups met in Gentra. Moreover, having such a diverse group allows for some very interesting interactions and personal conflicts as well as realistically accounting for the skills and talents that are necessary to undertake this enormous task. As this is the first book in the trilogy, we are just starting to understand what is expected of this group. However, already we have a good number of wrinkles and some hints that it’s not going to be easy.
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The Long Road Home
by
Janet Litherland
TCM_Reviews
, February 25, 2011
Past and present meet. Old secrets are revealed. New possibilities are awakened. After thirteen years of being constrained and living someone else’s life, Rachel Wynn is free. The ironic thing is that through living another woman’s life she will find her own. But I’m getting ahead of myself. After the death of her husband, Rachel has a strange experience. Her best friend Emily Harris shows her a family picture. Rachel has a dramatic reaction, for a moment she literally can’t breathe. There is something about that picture and particularly Catherine Sullivan, Emily’s Grand Mom. Soon after, Emily convinces Rachel to travel to Ireland to find out more about Catherine. Chance meetings provide key clues. Then, as if possessed, Rachel guides Emily straight to the family hut. Rachel then proceeds to accurately describe how the place looked in 1849 when Molly Molloy left for America with her son Jack Owen after the tragic death of her beloved husband Jack. So the Long Road Home begins. I have to say I am a huge fan of Janet Litherland’s work. She is an extremely talented writer. Every one of her novels has transported me to another place, where I get caught up in the lives of the characters as if they were true friends. I actually believe that The Long Road Home is my favourite book to date. My own ancestors came from the area that the book describes and of course the hardships of the Great Hunger is part of my own family legacy. Although I’ve never stepped foot on the island, in many ways, this book brought me home too.
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Spiritual Stepping Stones
by
Sampo Kaasila
TCM_Reviews
, February 25, 2011
There are books that are very hard to review because the realizations and reverberations that they bring are so extremely profound and personal. Spiritual Stepping Stones is one of those books for me. I started reading this book expecting the usually love yourself, look within concepts that I’ve read so many times before. The kind that usually has one or two personally relevant pieces of information and the rest are just words strung together. As if sensing my half-hearted expectation, the book spoke to me. Essentially it said: You spend so very much time and energy on your work, your dreams, your day to day but how much time and energy do you spend on your spirituality. Not your religion, beliefs, or any sort of rituals but on knowing yourself and being that true self. In that moment, I had two choices. I could brush off the question with half-truths about how deeply I’ve dug. Or I could take a deep breath and ready myself for some real work. The willingness to make a commitment to myself about not stopping until I truly see myself. Then, consistently taking steps and wading into that darkness without any guarantees.
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Red Star, Crescent Moon: A Muslim-Jewish Love Story
by
Robert A. Rosenstone
TCM_Reviews
, February 17, 2011
Neither Benjamin nor Aisha went to Spain to look for love. Benjamin was there seeing his academic thesis being made into a Hollywood film, starring that handsome super star TJ. Aisha was showing her independent film, one that showed the real Afghanistan in ways that would undoubtedly anger a lot of people. So much so that her life could well be in danger. But, when Benjamin and Aisha met, two levels of interaction took place. On the surface, logic took full control. Conversations were respectful but the reality of their differences made any real connection impossible. Somewhere deep within though there was instant knowing and feeling of trust that could not be denied. Red Star, Crescent Moon is a love story. I say a love story because this isn’t a traditional romance novel. Instead, realistic people complete with baggage are presented. The connection between the characters is instant but cultural differences and past hurts cloud the possibilities. The depth of these complexities is made all the more obvious in the very different accounts that both Benjamin and Aisha share their separate accounts of their courtship. As in life, these accounts tend to be quite dissimilar.
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Captivated by the King and His Kingdom: A Personal Encounter with the Sermon on the Mount
by
Linden C. Wolfe
TCM_Reviews
, December 11, 2010
Captivated by the King and His Kingdom is a book that is going to upset a lot of people. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Perhaps, in this case, not so much. Captivated by the King and His Kingdom calls for Christians to live like true Christians. To stop being Sunday morning Christians and to embrace the word of God. To stop bending the rules and greying the boundaries. To stop judging or pointing fingers and instead look to our own lack of faithfulness. To set out to live the life that Christ intended, even if it’s hard, even if others are laughing at us. Personally, I think anything that gets us to really think about our faith is a good thing. Half-hearted actions that look good but aren’t very real are hypocritical. Attacking others so that no one notices your own faults is a waste of energy. Whatever you believe, do so fully and faithfully.
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The Conversation That Matters Most
by
DeWitt Rowe
TCM_Reviews
, October 18, 2010
We live in a fast paced world where there never seems to be enough time to just sit and chat. In fact, for most of us, there is rarely a moment to collect our thoughts. It’s really no wonder that common sense isn’t common anymore and that we tend to make our most important decisions on the run, without really thinking them through. The Conversation That Matters Most seeks to remind us of what’s really important. As the title suggests, the author shares the importance of real conversations and stresses making personal connections. More than that though, he asks the reader to look within and make healthy choices. Perhaps my favourite part of the book is the section about guilt trips. In particular, the list on why people pull guilt trips, their true reason behind trying to control the situation. Really, the act is all about fear and vulnerability.
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Sensory Parenting, from Newborns to Toddlers: Everything Is Easier When Your Child's Senses Are Happy!
by
Britt Collins and Jackie Linder Olson
TCM_Reviews
, September 30, 2010
Every parent has been through that horrible experience when your kid throws a temper tantrum in the supermarket. There are a variety of ways to deal with the incident but I don’t think many of us think about the root cause of the problem. Is the child merely throwing a fit because he wants a chocolate bar or is there an underlying cause that we aren’t seeing? Sensory Parenting is a book that every parent (and grandparent) should read and keep on hand for reference. Often, as adults we work through and discipline children without recognizing that the misbehaviour may not be “acting up”. Maybe there’s another reason behind the problem, something that the small child can’t explain to us. For instance, maybe sensitivities to sound, light, or smell are essentially stressing the child out. Maybe, they are overtired or have food allergies. Sensory Parenting does two things. First off, it presents “normal” development of children from birth through the first three years. Then, it provides information about how to look for sensitivities and what these issues could represent. In other words, does your child have impaired hearing or is she at risk for autism. Little things we might otherwise ignore or just not see.
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Hollywood Movie Musicals
by
John Howard Reid
TCM_Reviews
, August 16, 2010
This is the sixteenth volume in a series of books under the general heading of “Hollywood Classics”. I previously did a review for Reid’s A Guide To The Best In Cinema Thrills This one looks at the ‘great, good and glamorous’ Hollywood movie musicals. Over 140 musicals are covered, with listings of cast and crew, songs, and other credits; a synopsis, interesting notes, a viewer’s guide to audience appropriateness, the author’s personal comments on the movie, and other views by previous reviewers. From 1930’s Check And Double-Check to 1973’s animated Robin Hood, there’s a movie here for almost every taste and age. Reid is very frank in his comments about the movies. If he likes it, he says so: “A brilliant script by Ben Hecht. A Western, would you believe? But what an inventive Western it is! Full of highly original incidents, plenty of action and color. The cast is magnificent. And it’s all so masterfully directed by Jack Conway, one of my personal favorites”. (Song Of The Plain) By the same token, if he doesn’t like it, he tells you that, also: “I know that Ed Wood is universally famed as the world’s worst director, but I disagree. I’d like to nominate George P Quigley. On the evidence of this movie, Mr Quigley easily outdistances Mr Wood.” (Murder With Music) You’ll have to read this fascinating book to find out why the author feels this way. And, if you haven’t treated yourself to a good musical video or DVD lately, you’ll find an excellent selection of suggestions here.
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Wyndano's Cloak
by
A. R. Silverberry
TCM_Reviews
, July 30, 2010
Medlara appears to Jen with an important message. The kingdom is in great danger. The words are garbled but it could only mean one thing, Naryfel is up to her old tricks. Jen immediately calls together the family to warn them of the possibilities. At first, nothing seems to happen. Perhaps, Medlara was wrong. Then, just as everyone’s guard is down, Naryfel springs into action. Her plan is devious and extremely well prepared. Jen and her mother are kidnapped. Her father and brother are left dying, in great need of a doctor. Hope is slim. Jen needs to find a way to escape. Bit and Pet need to come together and overcome their own self doubts, travel to another land, and find a doctor. There’s not much time. Wyndano’s Cloak is unique in that the majority of the main characters are female. Usually, it is the men who go traipsing off to save the day but instead these three women have to face great peril and their own selves to do what needs to be done. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of action and a whole lot needed to bring the story to its natural end.
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Relationships And Other Stuff: Stories from Women
by
Natasha Brooks
TCM_Reviews
, July 23, 2010
Volume 2 of Relationships and Other Stuff focuses on women. The book is divided into five parts: Being a Woman Means… Truly Understanding that Love is Unconditional; Confidence and Wisdom; Being Fearless in Love; Finding a Special Muse in Yourself and Others; and Finding Peace within Yourself to Become More Complete and Independent. In sections contains poems and short stories about ourselves and the women (a few special men too) that have given our lives depth and meaning. The stories shared vary. My two favourites are Jelly Shoes and the Tyranny of My Mother by Libby Cudmore and Knitting-Part One by Niama Leslie Williams. In Jelly Shoes and the Tyranny of My Mother, the author goes to a retro party and is reminded of the strictness and unfairness of her mother. However, by the end of the piece, the author comes to realize that maybe, just maybe, her mother had a point about those silly jelly shoes. I think as we grow up and have our own children, we all have a few of those “aha” moments about our mother. I saw myself in Knitting. In this story, the woman’s husband makes a comment about her having a “pattern”. Immediately, she thinks the worst and sees her otherwise loving relationship breaking into rubble. That is, until she realizes that the conflict is all in her head. There were several other stories that had me tearing up. Memories of strong women who were living examples of unconditional love and strength of character. Loss.
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Robin Cheeky and the Magical Smileys
by
Jill Ronsley and Tammi Titus and Ross Chirico
TCM_Reviews
, June 28, 2010
Robin Cheeky’s room is plain and dull. That is, until his magic cat Pluxie helps him decorate. Colorful smileys are everywhere. Unfortunately, Robin’s parents don’t like the new view. Now, Robin has two problems: cleaning off the smileys and helping Pluxie regain the colors that he lost while painting. This book absolutely fascinated my two and a half year old grandson. We read it six times in a row and he still wanted more. The pictures are very colorful- only the happy colors. More so though, my grandson could relate to Robin Cheeky: having a room, a cat, choosing colors, making smiley faces, etc. Then, a little imagination was added to these elements to make them more fun.
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Merryll Manning: Beachfront Holiday
by
John Howard Reid
TCM_Reviews
, June 19, 2010
Merryll Manning lives six floors up from Susan Ford at a condominium in Australia. Currently Merryll is on a leave of absence from his police job with the D.A. in Miami. Susan Ford may be a hard-nosed vixen but Merryll is still in love with her and had followed her to Beachfront in the hopes of winning her back, she being his whole purpose in life. When Susan is found strangled to death in her Beachfront condo by her neighbor, Mrs. Erwin, Merryll's world is turned upside down. It's bad enough he lost the love of his life but he also finds himself under suspicion by the local inspectors. Even though Merryll is their prime suspect the local inspectors enlist his help in the investigation and he is paired up with Inspector Jarrett whom Merryll finds to be totally useless. The case soon becomes more complicated when the eccentric Mrs. Erwin, the only witness to Susan's murder, goes missing. It is now up to Merryll to put the pieces of this puzzle together before there are any more mishaps at the condominium Beachfront. John Howard Reid has a unique and very entertaining "voice". His characters are vividly drawn and the dialogue sparkles. Merryll Manning: Beachfront "Holiday" is an intriguing and immensely entertaining story to read.
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Write Ways to Win Writing Contests How to Join the Winners Circle for Prose & Poetry Awards New
by
Howard John Reid
TCM_Reviews
, June 14, 2010
Write Ways to Win Writing Contests, How to Join the Winners' Circle for Prose and Poetry Awards New Expanded Edition, is not a handbook geared towards how to write but rather gives the reader tips for preparing and submitting written manuscripts to enter writing competitions. This handy handbook will help the writer to recognize the mark of contests with prestige. Aside from helping the reader on how to find suitable contests and using pen names, etc, Write Ways to win Writing contests also gives tips on sure ways to get you manuscript rejected as well as quick ways to win the judge's attention and eye and get your manuscript accepted. Write Ways to Win Writing Contests is a must have for any writer who wants to enter and win writing contests. It is a well-written handbook and explains everything you'll need to know to win a writing contest.
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Aesculapians #01: The Healers
by
Thomas Heric
TCM_Reviews
, May 14, 2010
Set in the near future, The Healers is the first book in the new series, The Aesculapians. A newly graduated medical student, Wesley Anderson, has planned to join his father’s practice, but on the eve of his graduation while still celebrating, he is approached by a stranger. The stranger offers him an opportunity to join the Aesculapians, a group of Healers. At first Wesley declines. The stranger then produces evidence that Wesley’s father has a fatal condition and sweetens the offer by including free healing for Wesley’s father should he join their organization. Arriving at the island of the Aesculapians, Wesley discovers that things are not quite as he expected. The new recruits are run through a boot camp where their lives are in danger and one recruit is killed. Wesley discovers that everyone on the island is under close and constant surveillance. Some of the rules seem more designed for complete obedience and control by the leadership than for better medicine. There are inconsistencies in the supposed history of the Aesculapians and Wesley soon finds a Nazi connection. He finds himself fighting for his life, and that of his friends and family. This great book kept me reading until way too late in the night! The suspense, danger and the human connections combine to create a suspenseful and entertaining story. I definitely want to read the next book in this series.
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Lodestone Book One: The Sea of Storms
by
Mark Whiteway
TCM_Reviews
, April 30, 2010
Things are not as they seem. The Prophet is not the benevolent leader that he portrays. In fact, he is not even Kelanni. He is merely using Tributes as slaves to collect lodestone for a weapon that will give him absolute control. The only hope for the Kelanni is a small group of individuals with seemingly very little in common. Keris is a former Keltar. While on a mission, everything she holds dear is turned upside down when she is contacted by a woman from the distant past telling her the truth of the Prophet’s intentions. Her helper is Boxx, the key, an ancient chandara who speaks in riddles and at times seems quite senile. Keris joins forces with her former enemies, the people she was originally menat to investigate. Lyall is a freedom fighter looking to free tributes from Gort, the heart of the Prophet’s lodestone operation. He brings with him, Alonda the musician and Shann, a young girl who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their task is to cross the Great Barrier of Storms and neutralize the weapon. I very much enjoyed reading Lodestone. It was a solid read with good characters whose interaction gave greater depth to the story. I look forward to reading the next installment of this series.
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Naked Being: Undressing Your Mind, Transforming Your Life
by
J. Harrison
TCM_Reviews
, April 09, 2010
We all go out into the world looking for happiness. For some reason, we believe that we will find what we need when… When we get enough money. When we find the right lover. When we get that perfect job. After some measure of success and failure, it becomes very obvious that something is very wrong. We just aren’t getting what we want, even when we are getting what we thought we wanted. The problem is that we are looking for happiness in the wrong place. What we really seek is within. Naked Being tells us that the key is letting go of all of our baggage, our social masks, and our complexities. To really allow ourselves to be naked, to be completely who we are. Nothing to hide, no excuses, and no special meditations to complete. Just be aware and be willing to let go. I like that. Sometimes the answer is simple. We are the ones that create complexities, perhaps so that we have reasons to fail.
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Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island
by
John Howard Reid
TCM_Reviews
, March 20, 2010
Merryll Manning would rather be anywhere but Cross Keys Island. The only reason that this police sergeant is here is his girlfriend Susan. For some reason, Susan has in her head that she’s going to win the five thousand dollar prize during this Mystery Weekend. Merryll really isn’t up for a murder mystery drama. After all, he has plenty of real police work at home. Still, Susan has a way. The weekend starts off pretty well. Merryll correctly identifies the first “victim”. Unfortunately, the second victim turns up actually dead. Now, Merryll and Susan are stuck on the island and there’s a murderer on the loose. Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island is very entertaining. Merryll has a charming wit and a sharp eye for detail. He’s a great character.
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Spirit
by
Andrew Feder
TCM_Reviews
, March 19, 2010
Randall Lender was a marked man. Once a very rich businessman, he had lost all his wealth and in the process found himself. Now, his philosophies of love, peace, and connection were starting to annoy a lot of very powerful people. Randall has no idea what he’s up against and that his soul could be in jeopardy. One day after practicing astral projection, Randall finds himself in another body. The body is that of Johnny McKenzie, a mob hit man. Moreover, Johnny (or rather Randall stuck in Johnny’s body) is found with a dead woman, recently murdered by Johnny. Before long, Randall finds himself in prison awaiting trial and a potential death sentence. Who is going to believe that there’s been a mix up and Randall is in the wrong body? It sounds like a poor attempt to plead guilty by reason of insanity. What’s more, perhaps there’s more to this situation than meets the eye. Spirit is a fascinating journey into spirit and the possibilities. The story asks the important question what makes us ourselves. Are we merely flesh and bone or is there something else? I don’t want to give away too much but I love the twists near the end of the book. Very fitting.
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Merryll Manning: The Health Farm Murders
by
John Howard Reid
TCM_Reviews
, February 09, 2010
Going on vacation to the world down under is a dream for most of us, but Merryll Manning not only gets to travel to Australia but to a health farm to learn about healthy living. A dream come true? Miami is the home of police sergeant, Merryll Manning who finds himself in his mother's homeland of Australia on a week long vacation to a health farm. He is first seen on a train with various other colorful characters also attending the farm. Each person brings his own fears and idiosyncrasies to the Blue Mountains. However, Merryll Manning soon finds himself in the middle of several murders and in the crosshair of the local Sergeant, George Lambert. The colorful characters all seem to be hiding something and it looks like it is up to Sergeant Manning to solve the crime. A local, who had an affair with Sergeant Lambert's wife seems to be the most likely suspect, but is he just the scapegoat for the affair? Can Sergeant Manning solve this crime before he loses his own life? This book was first published in Australia and England and had a great following and finally a decade later it is being released in the United States. The story travels through roads that I have yet to tread and this author makes me want to visit with his vivid descriptions of the land. He even makes the desolate areas sound intriguing. I was a bit confused at the start of the story because of all of the people involved in the story so I really appreciated the cast of characters at the beginning of the book to keep them straight. This is a book you have to follow through to the final word. You never know when one character will reach out and just surprise you with something they did or had done to them. After I started to figure out who was who, the story flew and kept me interested until the very last page. I did find my vocabulary was greatly enhanced by the time I finished the book. It was an enjoyable read and I'd recommend this for anyone who is up for a challenge of who done it. I hope Mr. Reid gets to share some other adventures of Merryll Manning with the folks here in the U.S.
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Mystery, Suspense, Film Noir and Detective Movies on DVD: A Guide to the Best in Cinema Thrills
by
John Howard Reid
TCM_Reviews
, December 19, 2009
They don’t make them like they used to do. And reading through this compendium of some of the best ‘mystery, suspense, film noir and detective movies on DVD’ reminded me of that. In many cases, these films were made under the studio system, whereby the scripts were tailored to the actors’ strengths and personalities. This is one reason why many of the old films were so good. The author has brought together outlines of hundreds of them, each complete with a cast list, the major production staff, copyright and release notices, story synopsis, and his own personal comment about the film. Also embellishing some of the outlines are dozens of black-and-white photos, as well as a lengthy but well-written article on ‘noir, crime and mystery’. Several other shorter articles are included, aimed at those interested in the genres—the best Sherlock Holmes, and Raymond Chandler as adapted for the movies, for example. Reid has done a marvelous job putting these all together, thus taking a lot of the legwork out of trying to locate these movies for our viewing pleasure—he includes a small list of DVD suppliers where many of these films can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Many titles will be familiar; for example, The Maltese Falcon. However, those same people who recognize it might not realize that there were at least four adaptations of Dashiell Hammett’s 1929 five-part serial; two of the movies are included in the book, one starring Ricardo Cortez, the other with Humphrey Bogart. Other titles, of course, won’t be so familiar. There are some fascinating anecdotes, too. For example, for the movie Odd Man Out, “director Carol Reed asked the composer to write the score from the shooting script and record it, so that [James] Mason could walk in time to the beat”. Such tidbits encourage readers to find copies of the films in order to see for themselves how it was accomplished. So, for the lover of vintage thriller movies, this book would make an ideal and extremely informative purchase.
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