Reader Views

Keep Dancing: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance

Article first published as Book Review: Keep Dancing: Life May Not Be the Party We Hoped For, But... by Rosie Giesie on Blogcritics.

Author Rosie Giesie has been through more than most people should have to endure in one lifetime.  Having to bury three children and dealing with kidney failure and a transplant might be too much for many people.  Somehow though, Rosie and her loving husband, Gene, kept their heads up, their hearts light, and their feet moving.  In her new book, “Keep Dancing: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance,” she tells us how she managed through the roughest of times.

“Keep Dancing” is part autobiography and part collective memories from friends and family members.  Giesie begins by giving her own background in life and moves on to her marriage and the eventual birth of three boys.  It doesn’t take too long before a genetic kidney disorder is discovered and two of the boys have passed from complications. The third remains healthy and free of kidney problems but he contracts AIDS and dies at the age of 33.  Giesie and her husband, now empty nesters in the worst possible way, must come to terms with the lingering guilt, the ‘what ifs,’ and the ‘whys’ of their unthinkable situation.  But they learn to dance though it all.  The book ends with several story submissions from various family members and friends, remembering the last son to die, remembering the boys as they were in life, and remembering Giesie’s example of faith and strength.

“Keep Dancing” reminds us that despite (or in spite of) overwhelming obstacles that may make us feel like we simply cannot go on, it’s still possible to glean happiness out of life.  Touching and emotional, Giesie takes you to the brink of heartache and back again with positive perspective and a profound drive.  Those dealing with personal tragedy – especially the loss of a child - in their lives will find a sympathetic tone and style in Giesie.  While containing some minor editing issues, the book moves along at a good pace and keeps the reader interested throughout.  “Keep Dancing: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance” is an easy afternoon read.


Keep Dancing: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance
Rosie Giesie
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432771799
Reviewed by Vicki Liston for Reader Views (1/12)

Queen Vernita Visits the Islands of Enchantment

In this book there is a person named Queen Vernita.  She goes to a place called the Islands of Enchantment.  In this place she has a different person come and visit her every month for a whole year.  Every time someone visits they learn something every day of the week.

My favorite part was when David came to visit her and they learned about sharks.  I learned that there are 440 species of sharks in the ocean.  I learned that the great white shark gets to be 12 to 16 feet long.  I also like learning about eels.  They can get to be 10 feet long.  They can weigh 100 pounds! That is a big eel!

“Queen Vernita Visits the Islands of Enchantment” is good if you want to learn about things in the ocean.  I learned a lot of new things by reading it.  I liked how they had something new to learn every day of the week.


Queen Vernita Visits the Islands of Enchantment
Dawn Menge
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432773120
Reviewed by Cayden Aures (age 7) for Reader Views (1/12)

Journey to Virginland: Epistle 1

“Journey to Virginland” tells the tales of Dog.  As Dog moves about The Republic of Virginland which is in Dreamland, he makes observations about the people.  These observations involve a great deal of reflection and introspection on the culture, philosophy and politics of the people. As Dog makes his irreverent observations, he also makes a great deal of sense.  While some people, well actually many people, might be offended by his irreverence, especially in regards to religion, I found much of what Dog ponders happens to be true and it greatly reflects on the hypocrisy that we see, yet choose to ignore, in our own world.  This is especially true in how women are both regarded and treated in different cultures.  Or perhaps this is what stood out most to me, because I am a woman.
          
While Dog is living his dream, various historical events are mused over and his thoughts are shared with us. Once again, so many truths are revealed, especially in regards to the hypocrisy allowed by people in regards to religion and politics.  As Dog is on a journey of self-discovery, his actions do not always make him popular with others, yet he remains fairly true to himself.  His behavior might not always be appropriate, but in the end his self-reflections are pretty accurate. Above all, he admits he is just a dog.
          
I enjoyed having the opportunity to read a novel that is completely different than anything that I have ever read before.  Full of satire and dry wit, I appreciated the author’s creation of Dog.  Occasionally, I would find myself getting lost in the meaning behind what was being portrayed, and I would either have to put the book down for the night, or go back and reread a section.  “Journey to Virginland” is definitely not meant to be read when one is tired! On the other hand, when not tired, I found the novel to be very fast paced, and I would find myself having difficulty finding a stopping place when I had to put the book down.  I highly recommend this novel to readers who like thought-provoking, humorous fiction, and that are easily offended religious fanatics.


Journey to Virginland: Epistle 1
Armen Melikian
Two Harbors Press (2011)
ISBN 9781935097518
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/12)

Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah

This story is about two “een” wizard friends who go on a journey to the future and the past along with the Kazah Stone. These friends are Kendra Kandlestar an “een” wizard and Oki the mouse. Before they left uncle Griffinskitch gave her the Kazah Stone. It is a purple ring with a few cracks in it. Uncle Griffinskitch told Kendra and Oki to go back in time and change The Land of Een back to normal. But then something weird was going on, Kendra saw her mother when she was younger! When she saw her young mother, her name was changed to Gayla Griffinskitch. Things get a little crazy when Gayla finds out who Kendra really is in the future!

My favorite part of “Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah” is the illustrations. My favorite character is Oki the mouse. He is a talking mouse and that just makes me laugh. This book is enjoyable for kids age 8 and up that love fiction books and magic. My favorite author and illustrator is Lee Edward Fodi. I hope you enjoy this amazing fiction book!


Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah
Lee Edward Fodi
Brown Books Publishing Group (2011)
ISBN 9781612540184
Reviewed by Sophia McElroy (age 9) for Reader Views (1/12)

A Chronicle of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr

“A Chronicle of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr” tells the story of The Eastern Khan who sets out to possess all known magical relics so that he may control the entire world. He already has obtained some of these artifacts, but knows that he must possess them all for the magic to work completely. So, he sends his most powerful legions to various communities, including Endylmyr to find them – killing anyone or anything that gets in their way.  Those under attack soon form an alliance as they begin to realize that they do, in fact, have some of the artifacts that possess magic.  Former mercenary Gylfalin, along with his cousin Pendaran – who has a magical falcon for a companion, form the allies of various parts of the world to battle against Khan.  They know that hope for victory lies with magic that no one really knows how to use. As Khan’s legions move closer in on them, Angmere, a wizard historian, finds a clue in an ancient tome that foretells the tale of three witches that could be the key to their victory and defeat of Khan. One of the scholar’s daughters, Gwynyr, unites with two other women in their group, Hellwydd and Hilst, to form the trio described by Angmere’s scribe as the Endylmyr witches, in a last attempt to save their people.

“A Chronicle of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr” is a very interesting story and has a great premise.  I felt the book was a bit long and it started to lose my interest in places – mostly because the book starts out strong and then in the middle it is a bit drawn out, but then it picks up towards the end.  For those who enjoy fantasy novels, this one will be a good.  The characters are well formed and there is plenty of action.  The magical aspect of the storyline is intriguing and not over the top.  Before you know it, you will feel transformed to Endylmyr and a part of the story.


A Chronicle of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr
Charles Hall
Outskirts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781432750282
Reviewed byTracey Rock for Reader Views (2/11)

Topic of Cancer: Riding the Waves of the Big C

Article first published as Book Review: Topic of Cancer: Riding the Waves of the Big C by Meg Stafford on Blogcritics.

When Meg Stafford discovered that she had breast cancer, she began sharing her experiences with friends through her “Breasty Business Updates.”  These emails allowed her to journal her feelings about what was happening to her, and it also gave her friends an avenue in which they could provide her with support.   These updates eventually evolved into “Topic of Cancer.”

Keeping an incredibly positive attitude, Meg educates us on what happens once a diagnosis of cancer is made. She shares her feelings, her medical experiences and how her family was also affected.  Following her two-year journey, we learn the ins and outs of cancer treatment.  For the most part, Meg’s experiences with medical personnel were extremely positive. I suspect that her positive attitude helped with this.  Her treatments with radiation and chemo were not easy. Neither was the experience of having her physical identity shift because of the hair loss and the loss of her breast.  The reconstructive surgery was very involved and time consuming.  She also had to deal with an unrelated medical problem with her hand which also resulted in more surgery.  Instead of focusing on the negative, Meg focuses on the positive.  I felt like I was celebrating with her as she got her hair back, and at the completion of each treatment.

Having had two cancer scares this year, one involving the breast, my gratitude towards having negative test results increased exponentially.  While Meg maintained an upbeat attitude about what she was going through, I don’t think I could have been as strong as she was.  I was able to develop a much greater respect for the experiences that my friends, who have survived breast cancer, have gone through.  What strong women they all are.  While Meg educates us with her story, she also teaches an incredibly valuable lesson in that we should not stop celebrating life, no matter what we are hit with.  Her exuberance for maintaining a fitness routine, and trying not to miss work was incredible.  Those of us who are not ill should take this as a message to appreciate what we have now, while we have it.

“Topic of Cancer” is a must read for people who have or are experiencing breast cancer, and for those who are close to them.  I would also highly recommend this book for women’s reader groups. I can’t imagine anything more valuable for a group to read. I am very grateful for having the opportunity to read Meg Stafford’s story.


Topic of Cancer: Riding the Waves of the Big C
Meg Stafford
Virginia Martin Press (2011)
ISBN 9781936214365
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/12)

A Haunting Beauty: Vietnam Through the Eyes of an Artist

Article first published as Book Review: A Haunting Beauty: Vietnam Through the Eyes of an Artist by James John Magner on Blogcritics.

“A Haunting Beauty,” a new Vietnam memoir by author and artist James John Magner, offers a different perspective on this war than I have encountered in numerous other books on this subject. This would seem clearly to be the result of Magner’s two conflicting viewpoints as both artist and soldier. But in the book’s Preface the author explains that “Art has always been an integral part of my life…I spent the first six years in a tough Irish neighborhood in Chicago where I had to fight just to get across the street. That became an integral part of me as well.” That dichotomy continued at the University of Arizona from which Magner graduated with a degree in art and received a commission through ROTC. For Lt. Magner, the officer, Vietnam was where the action was, for the passionate artist it was an exotic place full of imagery and humanity, an artistic treasure.

“A Haunting Beauty” is full of stories and Magner is a gifted storyteller. They are graphic, sometimes jolting, frequently funny and occasionally sad. The book is populated by a diverse and intriguing cast of characters that are each described in strongly engaging word portraits. One such is First Sergeant Naipo Mokuwahna, the Legend. “Captain Tiller, looking down again, (told me) ‘He’s full –blooded Hawaiian. He learned his jungle warfare in the Pacific fighting the Japs during World War Two. He had a couple of Silver Stars by the time you were born and picked up more medals in Korea. And this is his second tour in Nam. He taught hand-to-hand combat in ranger school. He’s black belt in everything.’ He looked at me in earnest. ‘You can learn a lot from him, but don’t let him take over…And Magner, no heads on stakes.’”

The young officer learned quickly that his primary job was trying to keep everyone alive. Even in relating this aspect of his experience, Magner relies on his artist sensitivities to create an impressionist-style picture of the frequent firefight circus that became a way of life. Often, keeping his men alive meant keeping them safe from themselves. “Suddenly there was a blast of gunfire, a lot of rounds, all American. They ‘got somebody’ who tried to sneak up on them. We all had the same sickening questions at the same time: What about the guy sent to guide them in? Who was looking for him? Didn’t anyone tell the troops? ... It was too tragic, and yes, too ironic to comprehend.”

Magner writes with a keen intellect and a straight-forward but moving writing style. His journal-like, short chapters draw the reader into the day-to-day occurrences of his life in combat. His powerful, sometimes surreal descriptions of full-scale and hand-to-hand combat, rivet the reader to the page and sometimes leaves them feeling as if they had actually been there in that jungle instead of inside Magner’s mind. Magner can write and what he writes crafts crystal clear, vivid imagery.

It has been forty-five years since James John Magner served in Vietnam. In a recent interview with BurkeConnection.com Magner said it wasn’t a deliberate decision. “But I’m glad I did, because as details fade, the whole picture and perspective become clearer. As you get older you get a better sense of what it was about.” In “A Haunting Beauty,” John James Magner does indeed, like his art on the book’s cover, offer a different tone and a different impression of the Vietnam War. This is a beautiful read about a subject that has been dominated in its documentation by its horror. Now, readers can share another sense of what it was all about.


A Haunting Beauty: Vietnam Through the Eyes of an Artist
James John Magner
CreateSpace (2011)
ISBN 9781461057543
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (1/12)

Justice Wanted: The Kid in the University Stairwell

Article first published as Book Review: Justice Wanted: The Kid in the University Stairwell by Marlene Gentilcore on Blogcritics.

I was incredibly surprised by this book because I was expecting some boring notes and newspaper articles strung together in a haphazard way in an effort to create a story, but what I got was a page-turning mystery that almost demands you join the author as she pursues justice for a family that has encountered so many wrongs.

After a brief intro that sets the stage for the story and a little bit of background on the author that provides insight into why she dedicated a large portion of her life to a family that was nothing but strangers when she first met them, Gentilcore begins leading us down a dark and twisted path filled with numerous mysteries. I’ve read plenty of true crime books but I don’t think I’ve ever seen justice so conveniently and expertly thwarted. As each new clue surfaces, you won’t be able to resist asking yourself how such a thing could occur.

You will feel the excitement of the feisty reporter that’s busting with enthusiasm over the possibilities that are contained within this mystery, and you will still be right by her side as the weary journalist doggedly sticks to the path years later for no other reason than her desire to help this family that seems to have no other place to turn.

I love how the author holds nothing back. Our hero isn’t a perfect and flawless creature that always has the answers. She’s a real person that feels fear and doubt, sometimes using all her strength just to continue a fight that sometimes seems impossible to win. I also like how all the facts, evidence, and clues of the case are laid out for us, allowing the reader to put their detective skills to use in this quest for justice.

My only complaint is how the book ends because the conclusion seems a little rushed, with no sense of finality, but the book still receives five stars because that’s the price of true crime. Unlike fiction, real drama seldom has a conclusion packed with an overwhelming sense of fanfare; real drama just ends. Still, I wish there had been just a little more depth in the last couple of pages.

If you’re a fan of true crime or mystery stories, you need to give “Justice Wanted: The Kid in the University Stairwell” a try. I guarantee you will never again look at quiet college towns the same way.


Justice Wanted: The Kid in the University Stairwell
Marlene Gentilcore
Edgewood Pr (2011)
ISBN 9781595716484
Reviewed by Marty Shaw for Reader Views (1/12)

Power and Tender

Article first published as Book Review Power and Tender by Margret Russell on Blogcritics.

Margret Russell chronicles the lives of Arthur, Ben and Hannah Alton during the years immediately following World War I throughout the years leading up to and through World War II in “Power and Tender.” This is more than a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.  Russell writes of a significant era in American history. Through the Alton’s she follows the impact and hardship experienced by rural families at a time when our country shifted from its agricultural roots to a culture of international trade, commerce, and industry.

Ben develops a love for the sea as a child, the result of hearing his uncle’s heroic stories. He dreams of becoming a coastal pilot in Chesapeake Bay.  Ben is devastated as after years of perseverance in combining working the land with his love for the water, boating, and fishing, he has attained the theory and experience necessary to qualify for an appointment as a government Pilot only to discover that the years of hard labor have left him physically disqualified.

Russell introduces a plethora of topics relative to the era in dialog depicting casual gossipy conversational dialog through informal settings at the town post office, the barber shop, in the home, or during routine chores and errands. Although often these seem irrelevant, they provide background and insight into the culture of the era, family life, and individual struggles of the protagonist.

The journal entries of Evan Griffith, a professor, employed during the summer by Ben Alton, afford additional points of interest and offer a noteworthy depth. They take shape as chapter summaries adding insight into the interaction, and core values of the Alton family. Lessons on parenting, family and social relationships, and insights into plant life and animal behavior are carefully woven into the warp and woof of the story line.

I have a new appreciation for the difficulties of the farming communities, crop failures, and food surpluses in the great depression era experienced throughout the country in the 1930s, as well as a better understanding of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” philosophy and policies.


Power and Tender
Margret Russell
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432763756
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (1/12)

Facing Demons

When I received “Facing Demons,” I was quite excited to read it. I have always been pretty interested in reading about people who have had to go to rehab and the stories behind them. Normally, you just hear about them as a statistic, but behind every number and every statistic, there is a real person and a real story. Although the first three or four pages seemed a little preachy, in the “don’t do drugs” sense, as soon as I got past the first few pages, and really got into the book, I was hooked! I was not able to put this book down (technically speaking, I was not able to put my i-pod touch down, since I was I was reading the e-book version)!

This book begins with a prologue, in which Blake Solomon, the man who runs the Anchor Beach Rehab clinic, is in the hospital with a boy from the clinic who doesn’t seem like he’s going to make it. Blake seems rather distraught, and in his mind, is transported to a different time and place in that hospital. That hospital is the place where Blake was cured of his cancer! The rest of the book is devoted to telling the stories of four of the residents of the Anchor Beach Rehab clinic. It talks about their issues with drugs, alcohol, child prostitution, self harm, gangs and other issues that many teenagers have to deal with.

This book was absolutely amazing. I definitely read it twice before I started writing this review! With every page I read, and every detail into someone’s story, I became more and more hooked on this book. I feel like anybody who reads it will be in the same boat as I was!
          
One thing that I really liked about “Facing Demons” was the dedication that the author made at the beginning of it. This book is dedicated to “those who deserve a second chance.”  I feel like that dedication was a perfect beginning to this book because all of the characters made a mistake and deserved the second chance that they were given.


Facing Demons
Ashley Sanders
Trafford Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9781426951701
Reviewed by Avni Gupta (age 17) for Reader Views (10/11)

Eon’s Door

“Eon’s Door” by J. G. McKenney is a moderately-paced fantasy adventure book which takes place in the mystical world of Erla.  When the three clans fled the human world, they fled through a portal hidden in a great oak tree.  The key was a piece of driftwood with immense power.  When the clans passed through the portal into Erla, the key was locked away - until now.  The traitorous sage Shorran stole the key from its hiding place and murdered Miann’s mother.  The only hope for Erla is to regain the key and close the portal.  To do this Miann must return to the human world and return with “the child of doubt,” the prophesied child who will save Erla.  Will Miann be able to find the so called “child of doubt” and return safely to Erla?

The book is full of Miann’s risky and fantastical adventures with the giant eagles, the Chrysos, and the mysterious giant wolves, the Nuruth.  Miann faced physical challenges including ascending the giant Tower rock, and the evil Shorran threw obstacles in his path at every opportunity.  Although the reader knows that the journey will not be a safe one, there really is not much suspense.  Will the travelers reach their destination safely?
    
This book could be slow at times, but was an interesting book overall.  The plot was kind of lacking when it came to the villain, and I couldn’t fully appreciate him as an enemy to be feared.  Some of the characters weren’t totally believable and kind of came out of nowhere.  The monsters were really cool but it would have been nice to know a little more about them.  There were a lot of characters and it was hard to keep track of them all.  
 
I would recommend “Eon’s Door” to people who like adventure stories.  The first part of the book is hard to get through, but gains pace later.  The book did have an interesting story and was and an altogether pleasant read.


Eon’s Door
J. G. McKenney
J. G. McKenney (2011)
ISBN 9780987682314
Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 14) for Reader Views (12/11)

It All Started With a Bicycle

“It All Started with a Bicycle” by Plum McCauley is a great mystery book.  Eleven-year-old Pam saved her allowance for two years so she could buy a nice, new, shiny green bicycle.  But her beloved bike was stolen after just two weeks.  To earn money to buy a new bike, she went to work at the Chocolate Pot.  The manager of the shop was an ogre!  But maybe there is a more important job than giving out fudge samples. When Zara and her grandmother moved in next door, Zara’s grandmother asked for help to find the lost treasure.  Will Pam get her bike back?  What is the lost treasure and will they ever find it?

The characters in this book were all so likeable.  The author did a great job describing their personalities.  Pam was nice but enjoyed quiet time alone; Zara was kind of gloomy and antisocial; and Maddy was bubbly and friendly.  The kids were all very resourceful and used their heads to solve problems.

The plot had a lot of parts but they all fit together seamlessly.  Everything was so believable.  The mystery, however, was not easily given away.  The story sucked me in, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it until I finished the book.

I would recommend “It All Started with a Bicycle” to everyone, boys and girls.  It was intriguing but not scary.  It was appropriate for younger readers and interesting for older readers.  I will look for more books by Plum McCauley!


It All Started With a Bicycle
Plum McCauley
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432774127
Reviewed by Evan Weldon (age 9) for Reader Views (12/11)

Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse: A Biblical Textbook on Abusive Narcissistic Families, How They Operate, and How to Deal With Them

In her book “Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse” Sister Renee Pittelli explains narcissism, narcissistic behavior, sociopaths, and abuse as a personality disorder. She helps the reader recognize and understand the nature of these abusive relationships and offers practical principles and approaches for dealing with narcissistic family members.

Sister Pittelli uses many illustrations for her own experiences of being verbally abused by her birth parents, of how they used exploitation, criticism, and manipulation to intimidate and control her both as a child and as an “adult child.”

She also describes dozens of case studies, personal stories, and testimonies of survivors who have moved on from being victimized by abuse, humiliation, betrayal, and abandonment to build normal intimate relationships, fulfilling happy lives as they apply the practical principles, examples, and scriptural admonitions and promises set forth in the book.

I found the chapters on abandonment, limits, and boundaries, especially informative, describing reasons for abandonment, the abusers motivation, and in providing important counsel for gaining respect, setting and maintaining limits, and learning to say “no.”

Sister Renee Pittelli’s credentials as a victim’s advocate, an Adult Child Recovery Mentor, an established author, and founder/director of a ministry dedicated to counseling the victims of Adult Child Abuse are validation of her qualifications to author this material.

The sheer volume of the book (630 pages) may be intimidating for the average reader; however, the comprehensive nature of the text including the well-chosen Biblical references with practical application makes this a fitting resource as a text for counseling ministries, lay counselor or mentor training.

The book is well organized, formatted with significant thought-provoking lists, well balance Scriptures and applications. Sister Pittelli’s writing is articulate, psychologically sound, and theologically accurate, culturally relevant.

“Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse” is an important resource, it serves as a reminder to the victimized reader that they are not alone in being victimized. This is a significant book to be read, processed, assimilated, applied, and re-read.


Breaking the Bonds of Adult Child Abuse: A Biblical Textbook on Abusive Narcissistic Families, How They Operate, and How to Deal With Them
Sister Renee Pittelli
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432766566
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (12/11)

Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines

No, I am not quite there yet, but the dreaded 5-0 is creeping ever closer. Therefore it was not really a stretch to feel quite connected with Amanda Wilson, the heroine of Carol E. Wyer’s “Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines.” Amanda is about to turn fifty, her husband is treating her like she’s invisible, things in her life are shifting rapidly (and mostly downwards), her moods are volatile at best and the world is not making very much sense. So what does a woman do at such a time? Well, if she’s a modern one, she starts to write a blog and tells the world about everything that drives her crazy. Yes, the Internet is the cure-all nowadays, and very quickly Amanda will get some faithful followers for her blog, who will look forward to her adventures.

Buying a bunch of new cosmetics in attempt to revert the aging process? “Meeting” an old flame online and thinking about meeting him for a little reunion? Thinking you are an empty nester, just to have your son move back in? Dealing with your rather crazy old mother, who refuses to give in to old age? Fighting moles in the garden? Weekend survival courses for the spouse? There is a story in each of those events, and Amanda’s faithful followers chime in with fantastic comments every time. Will the marriage survive?

I have greatly enjoyed “Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines.” I found the author’s writing style to be pleasantly chatty and very real, and the issues Amanda faced all too believable. The inclusion of the ever-present Internet activities made this story particularly relevant, and a good illustration of what we do or don’t know about the people we might “meet” there. Some of the revelations towards the end of the book will probably surprise you a bit, and they should serve as a serious reminder that the cyber world is truly all-inclusive.

While I did not always like Amanda’s character, she kept me amused throughout the book and I found her to be well drawn and believable. If I had my pick, I’d rather be like her amazingly quirky Mum, who was my absolute favorite throughout the book. Maybe I’ll get as brave as she was one day, and I will treat myself to a sports car as well...

“Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines” was a feel-good book and one that I would highly recommend to any woman who is even remotely battling a mid-life crisis. If Amanda could do it, we all could!


Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines
Carol E. Wyer
YouWriteOn (2011)
ISBN 9781908481818
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/11)

Timmy’s Bedtime: A Monster Bear Tale

Eli’s Comments:

I just finished reading a book called “Timmy’s Bedtime.” It’s about a boy named Timmy and he’s afraid to go to bed. His dad tells him a story about a monster that is really a teddy bear. It is a family story because his grandpa knew it, too. Timmy got to sleep with the teddy bear and that made him feel safe. I remember when I was like Timmy but my family didn’t have a Monster Bear. We had something different.

Mom’s Comments:

“Timmy’s Bedtime” is a written short tale that takes the reader through a night of any typical child who is afraid of the dark.  The dialogue flows naturally so the reader feels as if he’s a fly on the wall listening to a father talk to his son. While a teddy bear may not do the trick for every child, many parents will be able to relate to the father’s ability to create a tale to make his child feel at peace.  The pictures are soft and pastel, as if intentionally trying to help the child’s mind ease itself of its fears. It’s wonderful to know there are publishing companies who support “Mom and Pop” authors like the Williams, who want to share their family stories with audiences.


Timmy’s Bedtime: A Monster Bear Tale
Tim and Toni Williams
Strategic Book Group (2011)
ISBN 9781612041711
Reviewed by Eli Lugo (age 5) and Mom for Reader Views (11/11)

White Feather and Teresita: A Southwestern Adventure Tale

A stolen religious object, fascinating historical background, diverse personalities, legends, mysterious beings... all the elements that I usually enjoy in a story are definitely present in Marlene Chavez Hawkes’ “White Feather and Teresita.”  The quest those two young people from very different background, a Christian Spanish girl Teresa and a Pueblo Indian named White feather, find themselves on is one of great importance. If they are unable to discover the truth, the consequences could be more than simply dire. Another Pueblo Rebellion would be unthinkable and immensely devastating, so it is imperative that they find the stolen figurine of Baby Jesus and prove that the local Indians were not the perpetrators of the crime. The quest is all-encompassing and dangerous, and it brings them in contact with many fascinating people and entities, most of them extremely dangerous. Who is there to help them? What is the real truth?

While I greatly enjoyed the author’s imagination and the interesting, if somewhat convoluted story, interwoven with fascinating bits of folklore and history, I still found myself strangely detached throughout this reading episode. I realize that reading is a deeply personal and individual experience, and very often it is simply a matter of not connecting with the author’s intent, which does not mean in any way that the book was poorly written or bad. I had to go back and re-read certain passages of the book before I found what I believe was the reason for my utter disengagement. Despite the fact that the writing was clearly competent, I never got truly engrossed in the story, and even less “lost” in it. There was a great emotional distance between the happenings in the book and me, which I mainly attribute to way too much explaining, and maybe simply way too much of everything. A preface and a prologue? Every Spanish word explained in parentheses, time and again? I simply could not connect and never did really care. I wanted to be shown, not told. I wanted to be thrown in the story, and discover its frame and background through the telling of it. I wanted to feel it and smell it and see it. That never happened.

I would nevertheless recommend “White Feather and Teresita: A Southwestern Adventure Tale” to readers who enjoy a blend of history, adventure, and fantasy; particularly to those who have a keen interest in New Mexico.


White Feather and Teresita: A Southwestern Adventure Tale
Marlene Chavez Hawkes
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432777692
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/11)

Birthright and Passion of Ilona the Hun

Ilona is about to turn 29, an age which holds a great deal of meaning in the True Hun society. There have been many hints about her destiny being revealed at that age, and her true calling coming to a full potential, but in the absence of her mother, who has passed away a while ago, Ilona lacks somebody to guide her. Sure, there is Elza, the devoted housekeeper, who sometimes reveals a small snippet of the True Hun stories, but Ilona does not understand too well what she is about to encounter. Who exactly are the True Huns? What is the meaning of rather puzzling behavior strangers have exhibited towards Ilona since an early age? Why has her mark changed color?

Having more of her healing powers bestowed upon her, Ilona is struggling to understand what exactly they are and how they work. To make her life even more complicated, she is suddenly torn between two gorgeous men. Bela has been her constant companion and best friend since childhood and Ilona has always wanted them to be more than just friends. Then there is Zoltan, who has entered her life recently, and to whom she feels immensely drawn, yet she is also somewhat terrified of what she glimpsed in him. Is either of those two her true love? Can she find the happiness she so desperately seeks?

Erika M. Szabo’s “Birthright and Passion of Ilona the Hun” introduced me to a whole new world of True Huns, fascinating beings who originated from what we nowadays call Hungary. The stories of my early days, those about Turul bird and Magyars and Huns, as well as some of the customs my grandparents insisted on, most notably always serving refreshments to anybody visiting, brought back many happy childhood memories. But Ms. Szabo took them much further and spun out a magical story of a special race, the True Huns, gifted with many extraordinary abilities, yet living among the other, ordinary humans. I’ve greatly enjoyed the glimpses into the past, as well as many of the fantasy elements of the story, and I was truly curious about the love triangle between Ilona and the two hunks courting her. For all of those aforementioned reasons I would love to see the continuation of this mesmerizing story.

While the story itself was truly absorbing in “Birthright and Passion of Ilona the Hun,” I have to admit that it was not always easy to read, mostly due to very poor editing. The text was riddled with poor punctuation, strange expressions, lots of typos, inconsistencies in word usage and more. I also found Ilona’s voice to be more like that of a gushing 15-year old adolescent, and not that of a 29-year old doctor. All of this made the reading quite tedious at times, and I sincerely hope those issues will be corrected in the following books, since I do want to find out how the rebellious heroine manages to overcome the confines of her very traditional and strictly ruled society. Köszönöm szépen...


Birthright and Passion of Ilona the Hun
Erika M. Szabo
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432778484
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/11)

Broken Spirit

Article first published as Book Review: Broken Spirit by Charles L. Fields on Blogcritics.

Charles L. Fields is recognized for his unique style of writing. He draws on his own lifetime of experiences in world travel to develop the background material for these fictional adventures. This approach adds an appeal and realism to his current writing as evidences in the Charles Stone travel mystery novels. “Broken Spirit” is the third in this series and reintroduces some of the characters from the earlier books.

Fields uses a steady stream of light banter, colorful humor, subtle innuendo, and informational dialog to introduce and move the plot and to provide an in-depth look into the biographical background and character of the protagonist, Charles Stone.  Stone is a Boston lawyer and sculptor.

Physically and mentally beat, after two harrowing assignments for the Franklin Life Insurance Company, Charles is ready for a much need vacation. He chooses Hawaii as his destination. Turmoil in the island paradise alters his plans and the designated time away from his office becomes a work vacation.

Religious differences, land ownership and tribe-versus-tribe issues all complicate the possibility of a peaceful resolution.  Charles is called on to look into a radical group conspiring to use threats and violence to stir the native Islanders to secede Hawaii from statehood. The whole economy of Hawaii’s tourism, military efforts, and local businesses are in jeopardy. The Nation One secessionist movement is determined to make a statement. Stone becomes a catalyst in arbitration seeking resolution.  As a result he is intimidated, cursed, and attacked.

I especially appreciated Fields’ careful use of detail to introduce Hawaiian folklore, tradition, and culture. His characters are easy to interact and identify with; as they are believable. Charles L. Fields is building a following of avid fans. “Broken Spirit” is destined to establish him as a trendsetter in the genre of the travel mystery action adventure novel. Readers will be pleased to know another sequel is in the works.


Broken Spirit
Charles L. Fields
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432779030
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (12/11)

The Ghost in Me

This book is about a fourteen-year-old girl named Myri. Myri is just like any average teenage girl, well, an average teenage girl who lives with a ghost! Myri has a ghost in her house named Wren, age twelve. Wren has grown up with Myri ever since she was a kid. Wren is a fun, high-spirited, friendly, Irish ghost. Wren pretty much goes wherever Myri goes, even school, but stays out of the way.

One day, while Myri was talking to her best friend, Rox, she finds out that once Wren went inside Rox’s body and took a test for her. Myri could not believe what she just heard. Myri thinks about the greatest idea ever. When home from school, Myri talks to Wren. She says, “Hey Wren, I was thinking about what Rox said. You can live inside people, and I know you have always wanted to live again. Maybe we could like, switch places?  For a week or so.” Wren then says, “Really? Y’ would do that for me? Thank Y’! That would be amazing!” The next day, Wren steps right into Myri’s body. Myri can still see and breathe, but she can’t feel or smell. Basically, Wren steps in at school and at the bus stop, Myri pushes her out. Find out what else what happens!

I really like this book because I love fiction books and I love books about ghosts. I have always liked ghosts and ghost stories. “The Ghost in Me” book is not a scary kind of ghost book; it’s a fun ghost book. The ghost doesn’t scare people, or just pop out of nowhere. It’s a really fun book to read. This book is good for probably my age to at least twelve.


The Ghost in Me
Shaunda Kennedy Wenger
Essemkay Company Productions (2011)
ISBN 9780615432878
Reviewed by Madeline McElroy (age 10.5) for Reader Views (12/11)

The Message

“The Message” isn’t the easiest book to read because the pages are filled with sad endings. This fact doesn’t necessarily make it a bad book but it’s not something you’ll normally find yourself having the urge to read and it won’t be a title that pops into your head when a friend asks if you have any book recommendations. I’d even go so far as to say you don’t want to read this book unless you’re in a very happy state of mind because the content is almost a non-stop stream of depression.

In addition to the story being incredibly depressing, it’s listed as Fiction/Biographical, which seems to be an oxymoron to me. In my opinion, a story can be fiction that was inspired by true facts, it can be pure fiction, or it can be a non-fiction biography, with no way of being both fiction and non-fiction at the same time. To add more confusion to this muddled classification, the ending, without a doubt, is a fiction. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, so I’ll just leave it at that simple statement – the end is fiction.

While the end is fiction, a majority of the story does cover factual events with the 2006 Mother’s Day murder of Patricia Mery, known in the book as Aunt Pat. Two people in real life that had a hand in the murder are Anne and Carmela, while the two people in the story involved are Veronica and Carmen. Again, I’m left confused about what I’m reading.  Biography or fiction?

Perhaps I’m wrong to focus so much on the classification when deciding on whether I like a story or not but I feel it’s important to know if I’m reading a non-fiction or fiction story, and the inability to figure out something as simple as a classification takes away from how I approach a book. If the majority of the story that doesn’t focus on the murder is non-fiction then I feel sorry for the main character (the author?) because he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. However, if the main character, named JR, is purely a work of fiction then I must admit that he’s not a very likable character because he is the eternal victim, constantly shooting himself in the foot with the choices he makes and then whining about how rotten his luck is. As an example, JR has an opportunity for romance but he ruins his chances and drives the girl away. Later, he meets another incredible woman, but he drives her away because he still has feelings for the first girl, who has incidentally let him know in no uncertain terms that they are absolutely over. I can’t sympathize with a character like that, and a story isn’t very interesting when the main character isn’t someone you can care about.

I would’ve loved to find out more about the Mother’s Day murder, which does seem to be the main focus of “The Message” at times, but the facts are lost in fiction that I found uninspiring and depressing.


The Message
JR Sellazzo
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432767921
Reviewed by Marty Shaw for Reader Views (12/11)