Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties by Camille Pagan

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties by Camille Pagan.

As we age we sometimes lose sight of who we once were. In Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties by Camille Pagan, we follow the life of Maggie Harris. In doing so, we are taken into a journey that happens to many.

Maggie is now 53 with a happy marriage and two grown children. She finds herself anxious about many things but the one sure thing in her life has always been her children and her marriage. When her husband suddenly leaves her for another woman, even that surety walks out the door.

Now Maggie suddenly realizes that she has lost track of life and hardly recognizes the woman she has become. Years of putting her husband and children first, the person she last remembers as herself seems to have been lost once she moved past her thirties.  Can she find that woman again and rebound from the hurt and anxiety that now absorb her?

Pagan does a wonderful job of bringing us a character that is so believable you feel like you know her. You can relate to many of her problems and concerns, as well as understand just how easy it is for some to find themselves in the same situation. With her usual precision, Pagan breaks down the barriers of thought and how we can find the strength that is within everyone of us.

Every day these same circumstances seem to happen, which makes you feel more involved in some way. Like you have more at stake. Often to move forward we must take stock of our past and our own decisions.

If you enjoy family drama and stories of growth you will find this a terrific addition to your library. Tie in drama and romance and this will also intrigue those more interested in finding a silver lining.

This would be an enjoyable book for a reading for discussion group with a great deal of ideas for dialogue.

Rating 4/5

Mrs. Saint and the Defectives by Julie Lawson Timmer

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Mrs. Saint and the Defectives', A Novel by Julie Lawson Timmer.

In Mrs. Saint And The Defectives
by Julie Lawson Timmer, we come to terms with the label ‘Busy Body.’ As you find the spirit of this work through your reading, you will have an opportunity to see just how effective such a person might be.
Markie is a woman who has lost it all, her marriage as well as her financial and professional life. Embarrassed and depressed she packs up and moves with her teenage son to a new town where she can begin again to pick up the pieces of her world, privately. The one problem is an elderly neighbor, Mrs. Saint, that takes it upon herself to help fix whatever problems that she feels or determines that Markie has. Not only that, but she brings in her own group of friends to help.

Markie is both annoyed and disturbed, she wants to move on, and forget her problems. Yet she soon comes to realize that forgetting does not heal the hurt, and with the help of Mrs. Saint, she is able to find a way to cure both her own worries and feelings as well as those of her son.  When she and the other “defectives” find that Mrs. Saint has her own secrets that can threaten her own world, they jump in to find a way to help a woman who goes out of her way to help heal others through her kindness as well as her stubbornness. Can they come together and bring hope to Mrs. Saint as she has, in turn, done for them?

Julie Lawson Timmer has given us a feel-good book full of characters with interesting, fun, and even curmudgeonly, at times, personalities. The problems and solutions are real and she finds a way to bring each character together and create a bond that stems from kindness and caring. Using an older woman of mysterious means, she takes us into the world where hope and friendships create a healing, even for those who do not realize they are in pain.

If you are looking for that feel-good book for light summertime reading this will be a great one to begin your journey. Interesting and heartwarming, you will find yourself reflecting on each character long after reading about them.

This would be a wonderful book for a reading group or book club, full of creative dialogue.

Rating 4/5

The Chair, Exploring Damages by Emma Jayne Gray

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Chair, Exploring The Damages,' by Emma Jayne Gray.

The Chair, Exploring the Damages by Emma Jayne Gray is a self-help work that gives you insight and ideas to help you become who you want to be.  Using the venue of the Chair, something so normal and easy to visualize she takes you into thought and ideas of change, using the shape and patterns of the chair as a point to help us to visualize how by changing the colors or patterns on the chair the changes emerge as we create that understanding.

She then ties in numerous other techniques and ideas, differing ways to change disappointment, or sadness, and a variety options to change the toxicity of hurt and anger, as well as depression as it tries to keep you from living a life more fulfilling.

Using the chair as a means of describing our ego or personality, she gives that solid item that is recognizable to all, but that is also different and changeable to reflect our own personal spaces. It is often difficult to move forward with depression, and while we can share the feeling, the thoughts are often confusing. No one else has the ability to see or feel the pain and insecurities inside us. Even if they were to understand, they cannot change what is within, only you are able to affect that change.

Gray takes some of her own experiences and gives us insight as to what she found works, and feels that each individual is capable of being more then what they are. She believes that if one can just turn on their internal light, that they will receive incredible rewards.  She discusses the de- dramatization and the use of perspective, using meditation, yoga and Tai Chi, as well as spirituality and physical movement and exercise. 

You will find this an interesting read, and even find some great ideas that would be instructive in numerous situations.

If you like self-help, and would like some ideas or direction to move forward, you would find this full of differing ideas. Self- help books seem all the rage these days, and I believe that Emma Jayne Gray has given us something just a bit different.

Rating 4/5

Some Women by Emily Liebert

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Some Women,' A Novel by Emily Liebert.

Life is often difficult and changes in many ways as we grow older. Marriage and children add another twist but also bring both joy and often heartache. In Some Women by Emily Liebert, we are introduced to and won over by three different women with very little in common who find a way to connect and develop a friendship that helps them each to move forward and live the life that is thrust upon them.

Annabel Ford devotes her time to twin boys and her home. When her husband suddenly tells her he is leaving she is unprepared and finds her world spinning out of control. Piper Whitley has always been in control and run her life faultlessly. Raising a daughter and having a career as a reporter, she seems the epitome of a super mom. Yet when she finally meats the man of her dreams, her daughter’s father decides to show up, creating a maelstrom of emotion, causing cracks in the façade of her reality.

Mackenzie Mead has everything, she is married to the heir of a huge media outlet, and life seems to be hers for the living. Yet she has a strong and difficult boss at work, one who is also her own mother-in law. The life that seemed so perfect is eroding as she finds she can no longer find that connection for communicating with her husband.

Life is suddenly not coming out as planned. Thrust together, these women form an unlikely friendship and against all odds. Yet it’s this bond that helps them each reach within to find the person they each know is inside. Can such a friendship help them to cope with the changes and challenges of their unraveling lives?

Liebert brings us life and humor where we often see only struggle. She takes us into the hardships and challenges of modern day life. She brings together three very different women who become the backbone and the strength that helps them to move forward. Each character is very different from the other and yet Liebert finds a way to make the bond work in a realistic and tantalizing way. You find yourself immersed in the lives and problems, rooting them on, urging them to find a way to mend the hurts and hardships they are struggling with.

If you enjoy women’s fiction, drama, and witty, funny dialogue you will find this a great work to keep you entertained. Liebert keeps you entranced from start to finish in her heartwarming and funny look at the life of those we often deem most perfect. Life happens to us all, and Liebert’s work gives us the blueprint to keep moving forward.

This would be a great book for a Book club or discussion group. Full of interesting and challenging subjects it will create great open dialogue and fun.

Rating 4/5

The Practical Navigator by Stephen Metcalfe

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: "The Practical Navigator,' A Novel by Stephen Metcalfe.

In The Practical Navigator by Stephen Metcalfe, we follow the life of Michael Hodge, a contractor in Southern California.  He is currently single and raising his son, a wonderful child challenged with autism. Michael shares a special bond with Jamie; they have each other as they work on the kinks of moving forward. When his estranged wife comes back to the scene, he isn’t sure what she is looking for. Her motives seem mysterious. Does she want to get back together? Or is she trying to get back into Jamie’s life to be the mother he remembers.

Michael has to put his own life on hold as he struggles to find the best answer.  Can he let her back into their lives for a second chance or will this just open up his son’s life to one more form of hurt?

For Michael, the timing is not the greatest. He has just met a woman and on the verge of beginning a relationship that he thought might be leading him back to love. But his love for his son is all prevailing and he puts his own feelings on hold to try and understand how he feels about the woman who abandoned them years earlier. Jaime is open to receiving her and her love one more time. Is this a situation that will be the best, or just another hurdle in their lives?

This is a strong, emotional look at the relationship between a father and his son. It delves deep into the meaning of family and what love is really all about. Can Michael do what is necessary and right for his son, and still find a life that is best for them both?

Metcalfe takes us to a place that is sometimes uncomfortable. But he does is with grace and panache. The lives of those on the spectrum are difficult for the family as well as the child. Yet he shows us the love and respect that is required to keep them safe, and the relationships he develops in his characters will have you cheering, and at times overwhelmed. But the love feels so real and the story is enchanting.

If you enjoy romance and love, heartfelt stories that have meaning and stories of inner courage, you will want this work for your library. Metcalfe’s adult debut work is certainly inspiring.

This would be a wonderful work for a reading or discussion group.

Rating 5/5

Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagan

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Life and Other Near-Death Experiences' by Camille Pagan.

In Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagan, we are introduced to Libby Miller, an optimist at heart, but now a woman ravaged by devastation. Her husband drops her on the same day she finds out she has cancer, and suddenly life is no longer so rosy. In her indomitable way she chooses her own destiny and elects to deny treatment and begin a life of living in the Caribbean, a dream of existence.

With nothing to lose she finds that she is unable to escape her past. Her ex, and also her twin brother continue to interrupt her tropical fun, but it is the encounter with a man that throws her world into a tailspin. What is it about challenging the fates that sets the senses on fire, and creates feeling that have been long buried? Can she risk the treatments required to keep her life on track for just a chance to love and live a bit longer. Leaving the challenge and her dreams she returns home, only to find that dreams are not so easy to dislodge.

Pagan takes us into the depth and despair of disease, and the heartache of discovery. Betrayal and pain, as well as love and romance are threaded through Libby’s rocky path of discovery.  The interaction between characters is hard, humorous, sad, and at time just plain funny. The decisions are those meant to be made privately, yet we follow them with voyeuristic intent.

If you enjoy a good solid read, one with both ends of the spectrum, sadness and dismay, to romance and beauty you will want this work for your library. Pagan takes what could be tragedy and creates a lovely story of hope and living.

This would be a great book for a reading club or discussion group. The decisions and questions raised would create a great deal of dialogue.

Rating 4\5

The Light of Hidden Flowers by Jennifer Handford

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Light of Hidden Flowers,' A Novel by Jennifer Handford.

In The Light of Hidden Flowers by Jennifer Handford, we are introduced to a touching and realistic relationship between a father and his daughter. Melissa Fletcher works with her father who she admires for his ability to garner trust and friendship’s with his clients while at the same time seems to have a depth of memory in which to draw upon background information that helps solidify their trust. Melissa herself is more quiet and serene, working behind the scenes at their business, while helping to guide both her father and the others working in their financial offices.

As her father’s searing memory begins to falter, Melissa tries to help as much as she can. When his clients also begin to notice the decline, trust also begins to falter.  Leaving the more demanding tasks of the business to his closest partner, Melissa can only do her best to help her father through the ravages of Alzheimer’s. Becoming primary of the firm has never been her want, and yet it is thrust upon her when he passes.

When she finds a letter from him, meant to sooth her she is only further troubled for on one hand he praises her for being dutiful and yet he also scolds her for not taking risks. Unable to put his words aside, Melissa heads for Italy where she meets a young woman who suggests a very radical idea.

Melissa soon finds herself in India, searching for herself while putting together a plan of redemption and reconnecting with a lost love.  Is her search really the answer to her father’s dream or her own? She must pursue her dreams and take the risks that have always felt so out of bounds. Can she overcome her insecurities and become the woman her father dreamed her to be, and can she come to terms with her own dismay at his words?

Handford takes us into the psyche of a young woman who has grown up in a sheltered world and been in the background of her father’s life, unwilling to move from the protection. When she is thrust from her comfort zone and forced to face the world on her own she must draw from within to find what she finally understands is missing. Yet she must deal with anger and pain, self-doubt and insecurity pushing her own internal boundaries.

The story of love, loss and growth is well written and grabs you from the beginning. You endure the heartache of the loss of a loved one and the journey of redemption. There is a great appeal to the reminder that we can follow our dreams, for it is never too late
.
If you enjoy contemporary fiction with threads of growth and loss, love and light, and an overall moral of determination you will find this a great work for your library. The beauty of thought leaves you searching your own dreams.

This would be a great look for a Book Club or reading group. The idealism and questions garnered would create solid dialogue.

Rating 4/5

Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Sugar' by Deirdre Riordan Hall.

In Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall we meet a young woman named Sugar Legowski-Gracia. Food is now a part of who she is, and while she is not as big as her mama, she is certainly on her way. Her mom is so heavy she no longer gets out of bed, and she is mean. Nothing that Sugar does is right, and even though she waits on her taking care of her, her mom is ungrateful.

Her brother is even worse, he is heavy, rude and crude, and his attitude even outdoes that of their mother. Life seems nothing but downhill.

When Sugar meats Even, his father was illiterate so the spelling is correct, she has her first opportunity to have a friend that sees her, not her weight, but the real her. As their friendship builds, Sugar finds that she has more control; she begins to think of the future, something that has always seemed beyond her.

Can she become the girl that Even sees beyond the mirror? She must decide soon or sink into the mire that has become her role in the family.

Hall gives us characters that are quite real. As you delve into her work you think back to those you have met, and you can see the same circumstances and personalities of some people in your own past. The hopelessness of the situation draws you in, making you feel the pain of rejection.

Introducing Even, a young man who looks deeper than most, she creates a shift in the reality of the darkness consuming her title character. You can feel a weight lifted, as hope and joy begin to bud. At the same time, strength must be found for to go against family and move in a differing direction takes fortitude.

If you enjoy literary works that make you think, works that create hope and courage, you will find this to be a great read. Hall has taken us into the mindset of lost hope and grief, and shown us around, while bringing us the light to see our way clear.

This would be a great book for a reading group or a discussion group. There is a great deal of controversial dialogue available.

Rating 4/5

Creative Anarchy, How to Break the Rules of Graphic Design by Denise Bosler

Posted First to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Creative Anarchy' How to Break the Rules of Graphic Design by Denise Bosler.

For those in business, advertising is one of the best forms of media for getting your company or business in front of its intended public. Yet advertising is such a fickle enterprise, one that is often ineffective and it is difficult to decipher just what works and what doesn’t, and why.

Creative Anarchy by Denise Bosler is a look at Graphic design and advertising in a way that gives insight to the industry.  In an in-depth work of photos, ads, lessons and creative license you are given a tour of how the most successful consultants or ad agencies create the stuff dreams are made of. Each year advertisers create ads, but before they ever get accepted they are first designed and created by a series of creative individuals that understand the rules of the game as well as the occasional rule-breaking that makes the mundane into the incredible.

The lessons, media and images are chaotic and exciting and you are drawn to follow the ideas and successes of those who have broken the barrier of what makes advertising stick in the mind of the audience.

With proven methods and interesting images and procedures, you are taken into a world of color and creative process, one that is intriguing and stimulating.

For the large business as well as the entrepreneur this is an important work that could change the way your business garners sales and interest. If you are drawn to the idea behind a creative endeavor you will enjoy the thoughts and processes that have gone into this tome of creative advertising. 

I found the book both enlightening and the ideas very intriguing. It is amazing to see the depth of the trade knowledge and come to an understanding of why some ads work and other do not. If you are looking for that work that can take your business to the next level then this is a must have for your work place.

The ideas and creativeness leave a lasting impression and will help to light that fire of imagery into the mind of those wanting to capture their audience at first glance.  This is a great lesson in human dynamics, a bold look at how to capture the imagination

Rating 5/5

The Art and Ethics of Being a Good Colleague by Michael J. Kuhar Ph. D.

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Art and Ethics of Being a Good Colleague' by Michael J. Kuhar Ph. D.

When you are in the business of people, it is important to understand how to get the best out of them. Developing a team of talented individuals can determine the success or failure of your place of business and make your life much easier in all phases.

With so many books offering suggestion and ideas the marketplace becomes confusing as to which guide carries the best advice.  The Art and Ethics of being a Good Colleague by Michael J. Kuhar Ph. D. is another take on the age old issue of getting the best out of others. When reading the chapters you are brought to mind of the golden rule. There is a great deal of common sense in the pages and the insights are interesting.

With the author’s background in ethics it is with little surprise that much of how we should interact with others includes lessons on ethics and how they are a part and parcel of our own experiences. Realizing the importance of both friends and colleagues is the bottom line of defense, a building block of life both inside of work and out. With an endorsement from His Holiness, the XIVth Dalai Lama, it is difficult to refute the nature of building our intentions.

If you are looking for a good guideline just a bit different from the rest of the pack you will find this work to fit the bill. Written more in a text book style you will find the ideas encouraging and the lessons engaging. You will also find that this work is for more than just those you work with but with anyone you interact with. Not only can you improve you own relationships both personal and at work but the impact of how you utilize the information can also go a long way to helping improve the lives of others.

This would be a great book for a discussion group. While some of the contents we have heard before, there is more of the precision and tools that help to kindle the types of relationships you desire. This can create a very diverse discussion keeping  the meeting lively and entertaining .

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Disease Delusion by Dr. Jeffrey S. Bland

Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Disease Delusion' by Dr. Jeffrey S. Bland.

With incidents of diseases escalating and chronic illnesses careening out of control, it is time we took back the charge of our own health and lives. Yet with so much at stake and numerous information overloads where can we look for answers?

The Disease Delusion by Dr. Jeffrey S. Bland, is a treasure trove of information in looking for the root cause of so many plaguing issues.  With precise information on the most common of illnesses he takes you on a journey of possible recovery. Unlocking the secrets and myths behind many of the illnesses that plague us today, we find many directions in which to improve both our health and life. Lessons and suggestions, as well as examples of incredible transformations give you hope and understanding of the dilemmas we face.  Can we stave off many of the common issues as suggested? 

This is a comprehensive look at many of the issues that continue to grow by leaps and bounds, and yet it is also a work of answers to questions you may not have even realized. From the root causes and onward, the solutions and suggestions help you to take charge of many things that were once in our own control. The work and insight is amazingly intricate and interesting, from case studies and fact-finding to zeroing in on the real culprits sabotaging your health.  While there are medications for everything from A-Z, here we find that we can do so many things to correct the things that impede our health long before the illnesses begin.  Our body is an amazing thing, telling us time after time that something is wrong, yet for some reason we often miss the message.  

Dr. Bland gives us insight into those messages and how to decipher their meaning and drill down to the very essence in order to get to the real truth. With so much of our health depending on our environment, it is important to listen to the message our bodies are sending, they often know before we do of the toxicity of the surroundings, helping us to move and avoid those thing harmful to us.  Dr. Bland also offers insight to using supplements and natural remedies to strengthen our defenses.

This was an extremely interesting book, and while you may look at the title and be daunted, you will not be sorry when you chose to read on. The data is amazing and you can relate to so much of the content.  As an average citizen this is informative and gives you back some control of your health and as a health professional the cutting edge research and the furthering of integrative medicine is exciting and resourceful.  

Not necessarily one of those works that would make a reading list, I would still recommend it. The information included would also be great for a discussion group, I know everyone is always interested in bettering their health, and this work is extraordinary. This is a powerful look at taking charge of our own lives.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the Authors publisher. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Big Picture; 11 Rules That Will Change Your Life by Tony Horton

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Big Picture; 11 Rules That Will Change Your Life' by Tony Horton.

Self-help and exercise books carry a certain niche in the market place. Where do you turn and who can help you with your dilemmas. With so many knowable gurus available where do you start?

The Big Picture by Tony Horton, is certainly one of those works that can help guide you. Horton is the creator for one of the bestselling workout programs known as P90X. Yet as with all exercise there is more to your remaking than just a body sculpting phenomenon. Horton shares his insights as well as his experience through 11 rules that have helped him change his life, and can in turn help you further enhance your ability to become who you want to be. A savvy and entertaining host, he offers the very changes that have helped him along on his own personal journey.

Often self-help books are dry and sometimes hard to hold you interest. While we all want to be the best we can be, we often feel like there is an overload of information, and beyond that, how do we–simple humans– begin the process. If we knew the answers we wouldn’t spend so much time looking for them.

Horton offers up 11 rules of life, his own experiences, and his take on how to move into the next phase. He uses his background, which includes a bit of comedy, to help you through the dryness, and while some of the jokes make you laugh some are just a bit painful. That in and of itself is a beautiful thing, because you begin to realize he is much like you, and not everything is as easy as it seems. He too, has tried and failed, and yet now he has moved beyond and is living the life he dreamed.

The fact that he is willing to share and wants to encourage you to also dream and move forward is a testament to his character.  Not everyone will be as success full as Horton, yet there are shades of success, differing colors and abilities which make us such a unique species. Everyone’s best is different and the reason why we evolve as we do. Yet for some the way has been lost and the rules that Horton uses to stay on track are certainly livable and highly personal to each individual using them.

If you are looking for a guide to get you back to basics and help you live a fuller and richer life, you will realize this is a gem in the rough. You will need to polish up those hidden abilities and feelings to find the true diamond within, and Horton gives you some great guidelines to follow. The humor and experiences he threads through the book keeps you interested, and his own success makes it all too real.

This is a great book to add to your library; it is not just about exercise, but about moving forward in life. Whether that is with your search for an exercise routine, healing a breech, improving your working and family lives or just plain guidance you will find words of encouragement and praise. The Big Picture is just that, and fuels the imagination.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the publisher. All opinions are my own based of my reading and understanding off the material.

Early Decision by Lacy Crawford

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Early Decision' by Lacy Crawford.

In schools and universities across the nation, the academic world is gearing up to approve those students that seem to fit into the life within their respective halls. The decisions are tough with few slots available in some cases and only a handful of hopefuls making the cut.

In Early Decision by Lacy Crawford, we are given a look into the decision making from the eyes of a student and one of those who help them polish their applications. Finding and dragging the best from many students is a chore and often parents are unable to help. In this case they hire Anne, who through word of mouth is known to get students what they want and need.

The problem is that what the students want and need is not always on the same course with their parents.  Anne often finds herself as a go between in cases where unrealistic dreams clash with reality. SAT scores and abilities figure harshly in many instances, and those with the money to pay her fees do not always get the degree of satisfaction they are looking for. Yet for Anne, it is about the students, she helps them to realize their strengths and to recognize their weaknesses. This is a tough deliverance as the parents are often in the background with expectations that in some cases are difficult to meet.

In some situations the price of success takes students where they feel they need to be, but in other cases heartache is the meal of the day.  In the admissions process, feelings are not a part of the progression.  The faces of admission mean nothing; it is only the scores and abilities, as well as the talent to illustrate in a way that you stand out in a crowd. That is part of what Anne helps with.  Yet there is a story behind each student that makes it all so real.

Crawford takes us into the lives of a group of college-bound seniors, sharing their backgrounds and hopes, as well as those of the family, especially the parents. Not always in the best light, she helps them to understand how sometimes it is the parents dream and not their own.  It seems like a cruel system, and yet there are just so many spaces available in many of the institutions.

Crawford takes the most difficult of cases and finds the humor and sympathy below the surface. I am sure there is often untold hurt when rejection comes, and yet for a handful of students there is joy and trepidation.

This would be a wonderful book for a reading group or book club. The intrinsic gathering of information and background is deep and basic. The dialogue engendered through a reading would be quite robust.

Rating 3/5

This book was received from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based on my reading and understanding of the material.

The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith

Posted first on Blog Critis as Book Review: 'The Reflections of Queen Snow White' by David Meredith.

Once upon a time, and happily ever after have been coined so often in fairytale romances that they almost gender a disbelief. Can happily ever after truly exist? Does the princess really have no further worries or cares once her life is seemingly set right?

In The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith, despair seems to be the order of the day for the once young and beautiful Snow White since her Prince Charming has passed away. Can she truly find that spark that once kept her enthralled, spellbound even with a happiness that transcended life?  Can she find a way to latch onto the hope that seems to dwindle as time moves on? What of their daughter, and the Kingdom. Can she find that flicker deep within that can move mountains and bring magic and joy back into her life.

Meredith has taken the question of happily ever after and searched beyond the end of the fairytale. He has taken us in a direction both unexpected and real. Utilizing the grief engendered in the passing of a loved one, he has taken us on a journey beyond the fairytale ending. If you have ever encountered the grief of loss you would will find the depth of despair that comes very familiar.  Meredith has taken the character of Snow White and given us even more to believe in. She is surrounded by both her friends and her enemies which he characterizes in wonderful fashion.

The world and life that he ascribes to Charming and Snow White seem both fairytale and more. The realities of life are brought from genuineness, and less of the idealism from our own childhood fantasies. Yet there is a moral that threads through the tale, one that makes you realize that you own your destiny and must continue to recognize that regardless of the facts as they occur.

If you enjoy a good solid story that makes you think, you will enjoy this rendition. If you enjoy fairytales with morals and just want something to make you feel good, this is the reading for you. If you have ever dealt with grief, you will understand much of the underlying feeling, and cheer for the ending as you wipe away a few tears.  David Meredith is an author with a vision.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review: The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence.

Every now and then a book comes along that takes you in directions that are unexpected. When differing backgrounds collide we are often surprised at the outcome. Such is the experience of reading The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence.
 
Alex Woods lives in an oddly disjointed world. His mother is a bit different than other mothers, and he doesn’t know his dad. He also has the distinction of having been struck by a meteor when he was 10 years old. This added to his woes growing up, leaving scars that are hard to ignore. Being very intelligent and rather bookish, he draws the ire of bullies at school.

Escaping these bullies is what brings an elderly reclusive widower, Mr. Peterson, into his life. In an effort to hide from those making his life miserable, Alex stumbles upon his garden and hothouse, where he finds safety hiding in a shed. Unwilling to let him go, those who are trying to make his life miserable vandalize the property.

When Mr. Peterson investigates the noise, he finds only Alex in the shambles of his garden. Alex knows from experience he can’t rat on those responsible, as his life will only get worse, yet he tries to convince Mr. Peterson of his innocence.

Even his mother is not a believer, so she overrides the objections from both sides and as punishment makes Alex report every day after school to help Mr. Peterson out. Little to either of them realize, they have a great deal to learn from each other. Due to the nature of Alex’s injury, he is a well-known personality, recognized everywhere he goes. Whether this is a hindrance or a help, he is not sure, but it certainly makes allowances for the strange existence he leads.
Mr. Peterson has his own problems, and since the death of his wife he wants nothing to do with the outside world. As his world collides with that of Alex, neither of them realizes the impact that such a fateful meeting will create.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods could be considered a young adult novel, yet there is a depth of meaning and perception that make it one step more. The morals and events that are threaded throughout are at times funny, yet also tragic. The story draws you in, dragging you along step by step as Alex and Mr. Peterson take on the very fundamentals of human rights, as well as the tragedy of everyday living.

If you enjoy interesting and unique experiences, you will find this to be the must-read of the summer. Not my usual reading material, I was at once charmed and enthralled. Beginning with Alex and how he developed his own personality, and moving toward a tragic and yet uplifting ending you will be hard pressed to put this work down.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods would be a great book for either a reading group or discussion group. It’s a must-have for your library, and a treat for both the young, as well as the young at heart. There is some very deep subject matter discussed, yet the end result is extraordinary. Gavin Extence is an author to watch for.

Rating 5/5

This book was recieved free from the authors publicist. All opnions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The GOD Franchise; A Theory of Everything by Alan H. Dawe

Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review:The God Franchise; A Theory of Everything by Alan H. Dawe

Since the beginning of time we have asked many of the same questions. Why are we here, where did we come from, and the real topper––What is life all about?

In The GOD Franchise; A Theory of Everything, the author Alan H. Dawe tries to give us a stance that he believes answers those questions and more. Not a book on any one religion Dawe delves to the core of the questions that haunt. With so many different religions as well as the non-believers there is a difficulty in answering to everyone’s satisfaction. What happens if you don’t believe, the different religions have different beliefs, so how do you take a concept and make it palatable for the masses.

If these questions and many others have you worrying and wondering, this work is precise and draws a parallel to the differences as well as the likenesses we all question. What about those that don’t believe in God? Well he has a theory for that as well.

If you are looking for answers and have questions about creation, you would enjoy the premise of this work. Dawe has taken the liberty of mixing the proven and the belief system and come up with an interesting scenario. Using the God Conscience as his credo, he has broken down the idea in easy terms. Much like the way a franchise works; he has drawn lines in the sand, a diagram of words to sooth the imagination and tickle the soul.

His philosophy is simple and easy to grasp, he colors the mix so thoroughly to paint a picture of beauty and you are drawn to the idea. You will hear much of what you already know, yet it is simplified. Mixing the scientific with the belief system, he uses famous quotes, passages from the bible and other works.

The perspective draws information from many varied and well researched works, and the ideology will challenge you to look deeper into your own life. If you are open to the challenge you may just find the answers to the questions that have always haunted you. Only you can change the way you live and think, and Dawe gives you a unique process that will at least have you questioning his ideas. As with any thing with free will, it is your choice and yours alone as to what you choose to do.

If you are looking for that certain something, here is another look through a different set of eyes.  You will recognize much of the theory from others works but Dawe draws a perspective that is at once fulfilling and interesting.

This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group. The possibilities are endless.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Adam Orser (Chronicles of Evolution) by Daniel Armand

Article first published as Book Review:Adam Orser (Chronicles of Evolution) by Daniel Armand on Blogcritics

In Adam Orser (Chronicles of Evolution) by Daniel Armand, we are in store for a highly challenging look at a new plan put in place by the Cosmos. When a young 9-year old girl is abducted the country goes on an all-out hunt to find her before the worst happens. Time is ticking and her chances of survival diminish as the days drag on. A young Rookie detective, Louis Collins stands ready for the challenge of finding her. Can he do what others with more background have been unable to do, find a reason for her abduction and a location of where she is being kept before it is too late?

Adam Orser is just an ordinary young man with a great outlook and in love with Jazmin. He is steady and gifted and working in a field he loves. Ready to make Jazmin his wife, he realizes that not only is she everything he has ever wanted but that her young daughter Carly also holds his heart, she is very like his own, and only ads icing to the decision. Ready to pop the question, he is distracted and decides it will wait. Heading to work he is injured in a car wreck, putting him in a coma, barely clinging to life. Can he find the will to survive?

Adam is the unknowing hero and has already come far along on his path to enlightenment. It is only during his coma that his past life regression is allowed to be remembered. With his deceased father as his guide he begins to receive training to help him get ready to help the army win a new battle in the never ending war. The elders have broken tradition in an effort to challenge a deadly evil, they only take their warriors from the deceased yet Adam is not dead. They have chosen to pull one from the living to help them in this time and this journey.

Jazmin is on the outside praying for Adam's safe return. Gathering his mother to her fold of friends, she finds she is in danger in a way she does not understand. Meeting an old flame, unaware of Adams true feeling, she finds herself fighting her own battle for her feelings. Will she remember what it is that Adam means to her? Will he be able to return to her from his coma and his own secret quest in order to help her realize the truth of love?

Armand has given us a smorgasbord of happenings that stretch the imagination. The development of his stasis for Adam’s true meaning is very in-depth and thought provoking. The revolving of Adams soul, as he transgresses into another realm is deep and meaningful. He is allowed to remember his past and his present in an effort to challenge the status quo. He is needed in this world to challenge an evil that has transcended its own journey and broken its own bonds. There is evil loose in the world that is beyond the reach of the usual warriors. Adam is their chance to make things right.
The circle of hope rests in Adam Orser, Jazmin and Louis Collins and as we learn more about their characters, Armand begins the delicate touch of weaving the strands through the different lives that begin to tie them together in a way that seems effortless. Initially there is confusion as to what each player brings to the whole, yet as the stories meld together they create a continuation which adds a solemn and unique twist to this work.

If you enjoy karma and angels, you will enjoy this work. There is suspense, danger and death, which give it a darker feel than many of the works along this genre. If you are a fan of the paranormal and enjoy a good mystery, this will fill the void. Daniel Armand has given us much to think about.

Two Harbors Press website:http://twoharborspress.com/

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Adam Orser: The Chronicles of Evolution blog tour site:
http://adam-orser-chronicles-of-evolution.blogspot.com/

Adam Orser: The Chronicles of Evolution

Adam Orser seems to be a regular guy, leading a fairly successful life in Toronto as a psychologist with a loving girlfriend, Jazmin.

But there is nothing ordinary about Adam.

Fate interrupts his planned marriage proposal, and a serious car accident thrusts him into a metaphysical reality behind a deep coma that holds his physical body in check. Through an advanced system of training and evolution created by the celestial realm, Adam is called to a dangerous mission with profound implications for the world he knows, and life and death consequences for one missing nine-year old girl, who is no ordinary kidnapped child. Fantastical forces are at work on both sides of the veil between the world we recognize and those yet to be discovered.

Destiny compels Adam to freely choose the part he will play in a no-limits competition between good and evil. Questions of existence, causality, and truth converge as Adam struggles to find his way back to Jazmin and a life that will never be the same.

Daniel Armand Bio:

Daniel Armand lives in Toronto, Ontario. His inspiration behind Adam Orser: Chronicles of Evolution originated during the summer of 1983, after a near death encounter offered an incredible insight into the obscured aspects of life, love, and the progression of the human spirit.

Daniel is currently working on the next novel of the Adam Orser saga. "I truly hope this novel will help inspire readers all over the globe, to embrace their spirituality. It is through clarity of mind and understanding that we may one day 'bloom' into harmony and unlock our limitless potential."

Paperback
Publisher: Two Harbors Press
Price: $17.95
ISBN: 9781937928100
Pages: 312
Release: April 2, 2012

Amazon buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937928101?tag=tributebooks-20

Barnes&Noble.com buy link:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=dcSBhG3Rj8w&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Fadam-orser-daniel-armand%252F1109435768%253Fean%253D9781937928100

Heroes for My Daughter by Brad Meltzer

Article first published as Book Review: Heroes for My Daughter by Brad Meltzer on Blog Critics.

Our children are a precious commodity. Given what we know from our own experiences we want to lift them past the mistakes we have made, and help to elevate them to the level of greatness within them. Often we are never sure how to proceed, so we look for answers to help them grow.

In Heroes for My Daughter by Brad Meltzer he has supplied a group of heroes, lovingly chosen for his own young child. That he would share his own secret to helping her move forward is a wonderful and loving thing by itself.  While we are often heroes to our children, we often neglect to tell them that they are heroes to us as well. To watch them grow and develop into outstanding adulthood is the stuff dreams are made of. Meltzer has chosen to fill his story with the people he sees as setting the examples that make them more, and he explains in his terms how he feels about their exploits.

The stories and descriptions are brave, courageous and full of the strength we often look for in ourselves, and hope we can instill in our families. He runs the gambit from Marie Curie to Christopher Reeve, from Tina Turner to Leonardo Da Vinci. You may not initially understand his choices but he does a wonderful job of explaining, and darned if he does not get you to agree. In his group of 56 heroes, I was surprised to find that I was not aware of many of the accomplishments of this group of erstwhile people. While I only listed a few of the names included, you may deduce that they are all rich or famous, and yet Meltzer went beyond that and introduced us to the everyday hero as well.  They have each individually made a mark on the world in some form, which still resonates today.

I was both charmed and intrigued with the works and found myself unable to put it down until I recognized every single hero and the scope of their courage and accomplishments that put them there. What I found was that while this book is written for his daughter and would be a very excellent choice of gift to start and move them on their journey, it is also a reminder of what we all can still accomplish.

I believe this would be a wonderful book for any library, child or adult. I felt much solace as I read through the exploits of those listed, and will make a place for this where I can pull it out when I am feeling in need of support and encouragement. I believe it would be a fantastic book for a reading or discussion group, opinions on the heroes and their accomplishments could create some extensive discussions.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free through the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

A Short History of a Tall Jew by Dennis Danziger

Article first published as Book Review:A Short History of a Tall Jew by Dennis Danziger on Blogcritics.

Life is often difficult with the decisions and directions we choose to follow. When our choices become attached to us through divorce and shared custody it is often a dramatic, angry, funny, sad and disparate ride through life.

In A Short History of a Tall Jew by Dennis Danziger, we are both charmed and dismayed by the unique and often funny, but serious quirks encountered by Phillip Lachman as he begins the search for a second wife, the perfect mother for his teenage children.

As with most children there is drama, kindness, fun and irritation, yet through it all Phillip maintains his sense of humor and fun. When others would be overwhelmed he allows himself very little if any self-pity, and the process he begins as he decides to find a bride is not always well thought out, and very self-depreciating. Though the entire process, Phillip maintains an unhealthy and depressive relationship with the court system, brought on through continued summons from his ex-wife. In a continued effort to make him suffer and to gain custody of the kids, she finds every detail she can to return to court, and Phillip finds the system does not have much sympathy for either him or his plight. Can he keep his promise to both himself and his children to find a wife by the following Valentine’s Day, or is he living in a dream world?

Danziger has a wonderful sense of the comedic and can seem to turn what appear to be depressive incidents into humorous and interesting dialogue. The by play between Phillip and his children is heartfelt, and yet you can see the realism of what you see every day in teenagers everywhere. Phillip has such a unique way of dealing with the daily drama you can’t help but be amused. His characters are bright and alive, creating visuals that bring them to life. His interaction with both his ex-wife and the court system can be felt in detail through the telling, and the way Danziger takes the scene from dismay to humor and insight keeps the pages turning.

The comedy and drama are well woven creating such an interesting contrast the book is hard to put down. This is a wonderful well told tale of life as we live it. I know of many people these days in such circumstances, and if those we know were able to handle the circumstances and situations with such aplomb and ease there would be much less depression in the world.

If you love the drama of a somewhat over the top life, and enjoy the creativity of humoristic interludes you will enjoy the sometimes serious and most times humorous tale told in this story.

I would recommend this book for a book club or reading group. It is full of life and interesting choices, and in the end it all comes together with the real heroes of the book. The story takes on the challenges and shadows created in our world today, bringing them to the fore and spreading them before us in a smorgasbord of decisions, impacting our own future and those around us. The humor is spot on and the flow is impressive.

Rating 5/5

This book was recieved free though a publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

A View from a Height by J.E. Murphy

Article first published as Book Review: A View from a Height by J.E. Murphy on Blogcritics.

The meaning of life seems so much a part of what we wonder on a daily basis, and is a question that is asked by almost everyone at some point in their life. While there seem to be no real answers, there is always the foray into spiritualism, which seems to give its own form of answers. At the same time, even this sojourn often leaves just as many questions.

In A View from a Height J.E. Murphy takes us into the world of a young woman Dawn Bang. Born of Chinese decent she has always felt she is different. She could hear things others could not; she could feel the pulse of the world. Living in Hawaii, she is also made to feel different, and as she grows up, she finds it easier to block out the sounds and feelings with alcohol and drugs. Living a life of desperation and shame, she is unprepared for her death when it happens. Taking a stand to save and endangered species as her boyfriend of the time races down the roadway to kill it, she grabs the steering wheel and runs them into a muddy ditch. This however is not the end, it is as she tries to pull herself from the muddy, wet ditch and she grabs what she believes is a branch to help, she finds herself looking down on the crumpled body of a young woman. Even as she watches emergency vehicles show up, she sees that this woman is her, and that the branch was actually a live wire that was knocked down by the impact of the car.

It would seem that this is the end of her journey, yet it appears as though it was not her time at all. As she finds herself in a beautiful place full of love and understanding her fear disappears. This is a place of transition, but she is made aware that there is more for her in the world. She has a job to do and she has not even begun. Even as she feels the love and acceptance, she is abruptly pulled back into her own body, here in the real world.

So begins the beautiful, yet painful, soulful and amazing life of a woman who becomes more than who she is. This is a truly enlightening tale of love and war, of the menaces of pride and of how this young woman begins a journey that is so fundamentally real, yet becomes so much more.

The Story was not what I expected as I picked it up. I was initially daunted at the size of the work, and yet as I began the story I had trouble putting it down. As I moved on to other tasks it followed me, keeping my thoughts on what would happen next. I felt the depth of her joy, and the pain and degradation with her. As she connects with others that are on parallel journeys with her, they too became my friends and mentors. I found an odd connectedness about this book that is hard to decipher. The descriptions are vivid and the tone is flowing. The evil that would often infect the world in her journey was truly something that seemed both real and unnerving.

For the science fiction and reality buffs, Murphy introduces us to an amazing dirigible, used to transport many of the characters from the West Coast, to Hawaii and on to China. This is an integral part of the process of the book and gives us another layer of thought. It is an amazing machine and the computer technology alone is exciting. The intricate and amazing description of the vehicle creates a wonderful backdrop for much of what happens throughout the story.

There is so much and more of this book than I can explain. I would recommend it for those who feel a spiritual connection, who believe in karma and often have questions on life. I would also recommend it for those who want to know more about the world, and there is a kaleidoscope of places to read about. It would be a marvelous book for a book club and reading group, adding discussion upon discussion. It would be a great book for your permanent library. The information and the story itself could be reread time after time. This book will take you on a journey, only you can decide if it is one you want to transverse.

Rating 5/5
A View from a Height

This book was received as a free e-book from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.