Review: Fractured: Dereck Dillinger and the Crystal Ball

Fractured: Dereck Dillinger and the Crystal Ball by Eddie McPherson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author Eddie McPherson has written an absolutely entertaining tale of adventure for young readers with Fractured: Dereck Dillinger and the Crystal Ball. Dereck loses his little sister Jessie and along the way in his journey to find her, he finds himself in the worlds and with the characters of storybooks and fairy tales. I thought this novel was adorable. There was adventure, magic, sorcery, humor and best of all, the title character, Dereck, is smart and honest. There were life lessons taught subtly along the way without an air of superiority. It felt fresh and fun, something even those youngsters who are dead set against enjoying reading anything could get wrapped up in. This is on my 11 year old's to read list as of today.

There is another book in the Fractured series called Dereck Dillinger and the Shortcut to Oz which takes place before the Crystal Ball installment. I'm off to read that one right now!

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Review: Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide by Gustavo Kinrys MD
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide is the second self-help book on managing stress and anxiety that I've read by this author, Dr. Kinrys. Here again, as in Conquering Your Stress and Fears, the focus is on natural, herb and vitamin based treatments rather than the more common pharmaceutical route. In this book though, he goes so far as to prescribe dosages and there are even more techniques elaborated on. Suggestions such as acupuncture, meditation, aromatherapy, music and noise therapy and even virtual reality therapy. I appreciate the wide range of ideas he explores and how thoroughly he is able to get without smothering the reader in jargon and medical terminology.

Anxiety and stress are just a part of everyday life for most people and books like Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress are a great tool in the arsenal for living a healthy, happy and full life.

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Review: First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough by Mark Unger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Every parent prays to everything they find holy that they never hear the words 'your child has cancer'. The Unger's were no different than any other parents, their son Louis, was no different than any other little boy. First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough is a story of this family suffering through and eventually triumphing over what was initially a death sentence for their three year old boy. Mark Unger lays out each agonizing treatment, all of the set backs, every prayed for break through during that horrifying five years.

First Survivor is not an easy book to read, especially when you think about all of those families who didn't get the happy ending that the Unger's were so lucky to get. Louis is now a grown man and there couldn't have been a better outcome from that horrible ordeal for him and his entire family.

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Review: The Blueprint For Back Pain: The Essential Guide To Non-Surgical Solutions

The Blueprint For Back Pain: The Essential Guide To Non-Surgical Solutions by Bradford Butler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Blueprint For Back Pain: The Essential Guide To Non-Surgical Solutions, a book anyone suffering from back pain should read. I personally have seen back pain negatively alter someone's life and the anguish I witnessed isn't something I'd wish on anyone. Dr. Bulter brings forth a full scope look at treatment in a non-judgmental way despite his obvious preference for non-surgical methods.

There are cases where only strong pain meds and surgery will relieve a patient's back pain and for those, I fully support that avenue of treatment. Where The Blueprint for Back Pain shines is clarifying where back pain originates from, the spine, and skillfully going through non-surgical methods of treatment such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractic techniques and decompression. The chapter on prevention is perhaps the most important one and for this reason I would just as readily recommend this book to someone who doesn't have back pain as I would to someone already suffering through it.

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Review: Ariella's Escape

Ariella's Escape by Carolee Croft
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ariella had always believed that the life of a warrior should include indulging in wine and men whenever they were on offer…

This is a feminist romance if I ever read one. Male slaves and female warriors are the stuff of old school romance in reverse and it's refreshing, overall. I'm not someone to rallies against traditional male and female roles but I know people who do and literature like this is something they absolutely flock to read. I'm glad there is this out there for them.

Ariella's Escape is labeled as book one in a series named The Stars at Zenith. Ariella and Demetrius battle forces of fantasy and flirtation in this action packed novel by Carolee Croft. I'm excited to see where the author goes with this story and characters.

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Review: Book of Advice

Book of Advice by Avishai Maimon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book of Advice by Avishai Maimon is a metaphorical hug in102 pages. That's really the best way I can encompass this book. It's simple, honest and heartfelt. There are those who would say the Pollyanna hue here rings untrue but this isn't a book that's all about the harsh reality, it's more focused on being better, doing better, and feeling better by positivity. Spirituality and personal growth are the essentials but really Book of Advice is a collection of affirmations and tidbits on life. Aging, karma, death, suicide, illness, love, revenge, self-esteem, regret... there is something here in nearly any life aspect that you might want a little help navigating.

This would be a great gift for a friend who may be struggling or even a couple newlyweds just starting out together. Sometimes it just feels good to be positive.

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Review: Tunnels, Cappuccino, and a Heist

Tunnels, Cappuccino, and a Heist by Michele Bonnell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tunnels, Cappuccino, and a Heist is billed as an international crime thriller by Michele Bonnell. There is also a bit of romance and a paranormal aspect by way of a cursed Egyptian artifact. From St. Louis to Cairo to France, this caper drama is full of vivid descriptions, meaty characters and an enveloping sense of mystery and intrigue, danger and exoticness. Though I think this is a book best perceived by women, there's enough action to keep the macho male readers happy. It's no Tom Clancy novel in that way but I liked that Bonnell so effortlessly brought both traditionally feminine and masculine aspects into Tunnels, Cappuccino, and a Heist.

I found the book to be perfectly paced and the sway of each character on the plot was woven expertly to create the whole atmosphere. My only complaint would be that sticky sweet happy ending. I know, I know, people don't want unhappily ever afters but too nicely tied up feels insincere to me.

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Review: Sycophants

Sycophants by Linda Gould
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Coming of age is not, by a long shot, my favorite genre of fiction but after reading the summary and a few reviews I thought this one might change my mind. Sycophants by Linda Gould is an account of Imogene and Sara and their life working together in New York City. The two women collaborate on a film and the narrative describes the trials and tribulations they face along the way. It sounded unique and I was excited to read it.

I'm glad I did, for two reasons; it confirmed for me that the coming of age genre still sticks in my craw and it gave me a chance to appreciate a writer without really enjoying his/her book. The definition of sycophant is a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage. Obsequiously, so you don't have to Google it, basically means brown-nosing. And those two definitions are why I didn't like the book. I'm not sure I've ever despised characters so thoroughly. Gould made me feel something, even if it was loathing, for a character and that right there is a sign of a good writer.

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Review: Quantum: Computing Nouveau: The Technological Step Change That Could Foster Scientific Discovery, Break Blockchains, and Trigger a Global Cybersecurity Arms Race

Quantum: Computing Nouveau: The Technological Step Change That Could Foster Scientific Discovery, Break Blockchains, and Trigger a Global Cybersecurity Arms Race by Jason Schenker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quantum: Computing Nouveau: The Technological Step Change That Could Foster Scientific Discovery, Break Blockchains, and Trigger a Global Cybersecurity Arms Race... Mylanta, that's a mouthful of title! I mean I'm a wordie but dang. And by wordie, I mean I'm into books not tech. I leave that to my cyber security expert husband and he is the one I turned to to tell me 1, what is right here and 2, what is wrong?

This is his conclusion; Technically speaking (no pun intended) the information is correct and explained to you mere mortals pretty succinctly. That's not easy with this kind of specialized subject matter, it's complex to the Nth degree, and this guy nailed it. What's wrong isn't something he really got wrong per se, I just think that the predictions are much too concrete. The way technology evolves isn't always predictable and this aspect especially shouldn't be underestimated. Still, this book is full of good information and all tech appreciate a well informed public.

So there you have it, from my very own personal expert, this is a good tech book on this subject.

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Review: Master Your Business Cash Flow: Grow the Company You Love, Live the Life You Want Now

Master Your Business Cash Flow: Grow the Company You Love, Live the Life You Want Now by Albert J. Zdenek
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thinking of starting your own business? Master Your Business Cash Flow: Grow the Company You Love, Live the Life You Want Now wouldn't be a waste of your time to take a look at. Albert J. Zdenek has written a mostly helpful book for the aspiring business owner to learn from. In my opinion it came off a tad... arrogant might be too strong a word but lofty, perhaps. While he does talk about losing everything at one point in a humble tone, I thought it was glossed over with his earlier and later success in a way that subdued the devastation to him and more importantly to those employees affected.

Master Your Business Cash Flow is well written, using plain language and laid out in an easy to follow format. There weren't a lot of typos and overall comes off as professional. I just felt it lacked a real human emotion throughout.

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Review: Take My Heart

Take My Heart by J.J. Sorel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you're in the mood for suspended reality and dumbstruck love, Take My Heart is not likely to disappoint you. As is the norm, we have the usual cast of characters; our angelic heroine (Ava), Mr Wrong for Her (Justin) and the misunderstood bad boy who can only be saved by the beguiling damsel (Bronson). This one though, has a hidden gem in the eccentric Aggie, the elderly employer of Ava. I couldn't get enough of Aggie! She is as sophisticated as she is raunchy and as cunning as she is righteous. I think I may beg the author for an Aggie book because that woman is a leading lady if I ever read one.

J.J. Sorel has whipped up an interesting, if somewhat convoluted plot line for this particular romance to spring up from. Any one of the sub plots could have carried Ava and Bronson's story pretty easily. The considerable twists varied from boringly predicable to wildly unrealistic but then again isn't all romance that way?

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Review: Silent Spring - Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War

Silent Spring - Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War by Patrick Hogan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Silent Spring: Deadly Autumn of the Vietnam War is not a beach read. Patrick Hogan lays out in cold, harsh detail the reckless actions of our government using chemicals during the Vietnam War and the devastating effects that millions of people - soldiers and civilians alike - have suffered because of it. That this information comes from a man who was right there, boots-on-the-ground as they say, brings a bitter anger to the pages. And rightfully so! I am humbled by those who feel that duty to sacrifice for their country and I am enraged that that country decided the risk of using such chemicals to those soldiers 'acceptable', if they even thought of them at all.

On the far side of the emotions, this book is also intensely technical. The chemicals referenced are vast and the research into how the pesticides, herbicides and the rest were designed is clearly nothing short of comprehensive. That can make for some rather droll reading but I didn't feel that any of it should have been cut. Knowledge is power, right?

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Review: Hollywood via Orchard Street

Hollywood via Orchard Street by Wayne Clark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hollywood Via Orchard Street in a Depression Era novel that follows Charles Czerny from boyhood. We watch Charles, an aspiring writer, reinvent himself rather dramatically in his quest for a different life for himself. All does not go smoothly though as he finds himself intertwined with mob bosses and gangsters along the way. Wayne Clark masterfully creates the scenes in a way that pulls the reader in with realistic dialogue littered with appropriate lingo and artfully describing each setting. The characters, especially Charley Czerny, are impossible to forget and give us all someone to root for.

I found Hollywood Via Orchard Street listed under several genres; Historical Fiction, Organized Crime, Coming of Age, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, and Literature. I would not recommend this to someone looking for Mystery, Thriller, or Suspense because while those things might be happening in the background by way of connection to Organized Crime, the main vein of the novel is not a mystery, a thriller, nor suspenseful.

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Review: Ex-Acute: A Former Hospital Ceo Tells All on What’S Wrong with American Healthcare

Ex-Acute: A Former Hospital Ceo Tells All on What’S Wrong with American Healthcare by Josh D. Luke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ex-Acute: A Former Hospital CEO Tells All on What’s Wrong with American Healthcare. Listen, if you need this information, this is a great book to help you find your way. But don't say I didn't warn you that it will, or at least SHOULD, infuriate you. The United States healthcare system is beyond dysfunctional and not that it will come as a shock to anyone who is mildly paying attention, the patients are the ones who suffer. From insurance resolution nightmares to knowing who to see, when, and for what, Ex-Acute delves into most of the healthcare subjects we have all struggled with at one time or another, though rather shallowly, in my opinion. One cannot properly maneuver the colossal catastrophe that this subject really is in 176 pages. This is not even the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Hospital administrators as a whole aren't widely known for their compassion or sense of duty in the face of humanity. Dr Luke, redeemed the position somewhat by providing this information to the public and with his work as a leader in healthcare reform. Getting his personal story helped soften me up because I came in dubious to say the least.

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Review: Caspion & the White Buffalo

Caspion & the White Buffalo by Melvin Litton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caspion & the White Buffalo by Melvin Litton is a mix of historical fiction, Native American culture and Old West action. The elusive white buffalo was, for me, an extraordinary theme linking the characters and their lives. That the author is also a poet doesn't come as much of a shock when you read the way he writes. They way the story was told is unique and enthralling. I loved the cadence of the character's speech throughout the entire book. It reminded me of the style in which Legends of the Fall was narrated. Litton made that time period rich and vibrant, something that should be noted considering how bland I usually find stories in the historical fiction and Old West genres.

Jim Caspion, being a Civil War veteran who finds himself making a living hunting buffalo, evolves beautifully as a character while the novel unfolds. Actually, all of the characters were fleshed out to the perfect level for their role in the story. An author who knows how to balance that in a novel is far rarer than one might imagine. I think Melvin Litton penned an epic tale of life during that era in American history.

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Review: Conquering your Stress and Fears: A treatment guide for anxiety and trauma-related disorders

Conquering your Stress and Fears: A treatment guide for anxiety and trauma-related disorders by Gustavo Kinrys MD
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Conquering your Stress and Fears: A Treatment Guide for Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders written by Gustavo Kinrys MD is a rather concise yet thorough peek into the self-help sun-genres of dealing with anxiety and overcoming trauma. The chapters are laid out linearly with a simple 'problem and optional remedies' formula. What really made me happy was that those remedies suggested were nutrient-based, herbal-based, and non-pharmacological. Notice no Big Pharma plugged chapters on the easy peasy $84 per pill wonder drug that will surely have the formerly house-bound patient diving into a placid lake full of friends and family three minutes after popping one. I think that is something to be noted, especially from a medical doctor because they are so pressured by pharmaceutical companies.

Overall, I found Conquering Your Stress and Fears a surprisingly all around approach to handling some intense issues in this modern world. Dr. Kinrys provided a no-nonsense, simple guide to assist those suffering.

My favorite part is the dedication: This book is dedicated to my family and my patients and their families from whom I learn so much everyday, and without whom this book would not have been possible.

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Review: Krakenscourge

Krakenscourge by John Graham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read Voidstalker, the title before this, in 2017 and was pretty impressed. Though it was infuriating with the level of evilness and depravity, it was a book that stayed with you for a bit after finishing. When the summary for the sequel goes like this... Far beyond Human space, a massive alien vessel appears, its systems badly damaged and its crew slaughtered in a mysterious ambush in the depths of the void. The emaciated survivors can only identify their attackers by one word: voidstalker... it's pretty clear this installment isn't going to be any rosier.

With a name like Krakenscourge, this Voidstalker book is bound to be, at the very least, interesting. Turns out John Graham didn't lose any steam in while writing. Again the characters are sharp in both wonderful and horrible ways and the world he has created is vivid and detailed with engrossing descriptions. But the tone here is what grabs the reader. It's a striking balance of despair and hope in the dark universe. Sci-fi fans are sure to be happy with this.

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Review: Peak Performance!!: Awaken and Achieve

Peak Performance!!: Awaken and Achieve by Alan Sullivan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The thing that stayed with me from this book is "know yourself". In Peak Performance!!, Alan Sullivan teaches the reader both that they should accept themselves, flaws and all, and that personal improvement is well within our grasp. That acceptance of ourselves does not mean overlooking improvements to be made. The reader gets a real sense of what it means to bare yourself and expose limitations that he or she are probably mostly unaware of. Social, spiritual, and even self-imposed constraints that have been in our own way all along are discussed along with steps that can be taken to remove the most burdensome from our lives completely. There is talk of Eastern vs Western ideals without coming down negatively on either one.

Peak Performance!! is written in layman's terms about themes in this genre in a way that doesn't turn off those readers who aren't immersed in self-help and spiritualism. That may not seem like such a big deal but for me, it it. There's nothing I loathe more than to feel I'm being talked down to when I've taken the uncomfortable action of reaching for a self-help book.

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