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2013-06-23T03:30:00.003-07:00

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Book Review - Stress Free Living by Thomas Mayberry

2013-06-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

A very personal book about valuable lessons in dealing with stress

As far as stress-improvement books go, this one breaks the mold of paint-by-numbers regurgitated stress therapy. The book is very personal, and on that note what helps one person may or may not help another. The author goes into his suicidal thoughts, and an actual attempt which he never told anyone about. This gave me a very intense picture of his emotional pain and isolation. To come back from such a low makes it hard to deny that the author found something which helped him reduce the stress in his life.

His fellowship with Christ is what brought him the ability to form a stress free life. Now even if you're not a Christian (and I'm not) don't let that keep you from valuing what the author has to say. Where he follows up in the book breaking down life events, and life strategies (such as how we are programmed to respond to and interpret events) shows that he has insight into how our perceptions form stress, and how to calm negative interpretations of events so they do not control us. And the techniques can be applied by anyone. It's not just for Christians. It's a very personal self-evaluation.

LINK: Stress Free Living by Thomas Mayberry

Book Review - 100 Dog Training Tips by Jezebel Young

2013-06-18T14:51:00.002-07:00

Perfect book for training any dog

This book covers all the important aspects of dog training. The ideas are divided into sections on Potty, Crate, House and Command training, with a section on other miscellaneous forms of dog training. The techniques of dog training are given in full detail, and other import aspects of setting up the home for the best training outcomes are also covered.

LINK: 100 Dog Training Tips by Jezebel Young

Book Review - Pilates vs. Yoga - Benefits, Differences, Weightloss and Which Is Right For You by Bella Singh

2013-06-18T13:55:00.001-07:00

A very good book covering each practice

Mind and body are two sides of the same coin, however that metaphor breaks down because each side of the coin spends differently. Yoga uses the body to reinforce a state of mind, and Pilate focuses on physical techniques to shape the body by strengthening and toning muscles.

This book takes a look at the practices, techniques, risks, and benefits of each Yoga and Pilates. It goes over best practices to get started with each one and the precautions that should be taken. In the back of the book are 10 popular poses for each one.

LINK: Pilates vs. Yoga - Benefits, Differences, Weightloss and Which Is Right For You by Bella Singh

Book Review - The Dream Fighter Chronicles: Book One Discovery! by Calvin Locke

2013-06-18T12:57:00.001-07:00

A great story and series start for young readers

This is a young readers novel perfect for summer reading by kids in late elementary school or even early jr. high school. The cousins must use their powers in a creative way to overcome the evil Sarlak by taking back control of the mind of a Lord on an alien world who was once beneficent but whose mind is under the control of Sarlak.

Creative problem solving is the theme in this book because the kids best chance at success is to fight indirectly instead of head on. So its a great read for a young mind. I can’t say there is much to recommend it to adults. While the characters of the cousins are all very well drawn they over narrative is a little too simple for adults. That just means it’s a great read for kids or to read to kids. Not every novel needs to ride on roads leading to every type of reader at the same time.

LINK: The Dream Fighter Chronicles: Book One Discovery! by Calvin Locke

Book Review - The Big Empty: A Thriller Mystery by Ritch Gaiti

2013-06-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

A mystery thriller with a historical twist

Written in a first person, almost hard-boiled detective style, The Big Empty delivers on both the mystery and the thriller front. It's a very good novel that touches on a post-9/11 conspiracy (more interesting and well-drawn than most you'll find), which has reaches back into Native American history.

Wallace, a lawyer who has forgotten his past, and finds he has a part in a situation which he is investigating, must figure out if he is uncovering a conspiracy or playing a part in one. And the plot lets itself get discovered slowly which makes the reading all the more worthwhile.

"The Big Empty" scores on all points - it's worth more than a buck for the Kindle version, and the paperback would be worthy of a place on the shelf. The writing is clear and free of troubling syntax errors, and the characters are believable.

LINK: The Big Empty by Ritch Gaiti

Book Review – Seven Slightly Sadistic Stories by Jeremiah Cress

2013-06-17T00:19:00.000-07:00

Real people doing really horrible things

If you quote Philip Dick in a lead-in to a story about cutting people up you have my attention and several dollars from my bank account. The liter of Coke can stay on the shelf. Admiral Nelson and I will be just fine on our own with this collection of short stories.

With these kind of stories about psychotics usually comes a hyper voice in the prose that comes across equally as maniacal as the characters. But Jeremiah Cress takes a different approach to his style. I think perhaps there are two varieties of horror writer, and Cress’s writing style has the distinct DNA of one of them. That is that Cress him self studied criminal psychology, and thus has a dispassionate, windowpane, style to his writing, whereas the other kind of horror writer purges his mind from an emotional wellspring. Cress is more the cop, where other horror writers are more the criminal. Not that the narrative is boring, far from it. The style is engaging, clear and straightforward.

The stories are originally crafted on the subjects of real life criminal horror, real people doing real and horrible things. The book is well work its asking price, and is not just another piece of dollar fodder. Though his first novel, I think Cress will be around for many more turns.

LINK: Seven Slightly Sadistic Stories by Jeremiah Cress

Jeremiah Cress’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/booksbyjeremiah

Book Review - Antigone Princess of the Nature Benders by Jerry Bidos

2013-06-15T03:25:00.001-07:00

A romantic fantasy that is populated with memorable characters and well-written

Antigone is a woman from another world, Anios, who can manipulate nature. She meets a man she falls in love with and takes her back to her home world to rid her world of an evil king and taking her rightful place as the Queen of her world.

The evil kind is her uncle and father's brother who was killed when she was three. At nineteen, the young woman must use her powers to regain control of her world. Her boyfriend, bewildered and charmed in the surreal and tropical world of Anios must adjust to the world and his role by Antigone's side.

The book adds a touch of romance to it's fantasy plot and landscape, which many young adult readers will find charming. The narrative is clear and well written, if a little bit dry. It's a very enjoyable read that is free of many of the syntax and dialogue problems which plague too many indie e-books.

LINK: Antigone Princess of the Nature Benders by Jerry Bidos

Book Review - Jack Templar Monster Hunter: The Templar Chronicles: Book One by Jeff Gunhus

2013-06-12T16:00:00.001-07:00

Fun read with great characters and battle scenes

Fun read with great characters and battle scenes
First, the downside - has enough time past that using the 'boy who doesn't know his true identity' routine has gone from exploiting a cheap meme to employing an archetype? Um . . . just about. Pretty much. I'm finding I can't fault it as much as I want to. Geez I'm old. More time has past between the publication of Harry Potter and a 10 year old reading this book than between when the Beatles released Sgt Pepper and I first listened to it at 10. But I digress.
Upsides. It's written in first person which made it really cool even for an old person to read, and I believe makes it much more readable for a young person. The battles and monsters are many, don't know if I agree with some reviews that said there were too many. They are written well, and battle scenes are hard to write, especially in first person. The writer has to keep track of POV of the character, explain the action going on within a 360 degree circle, and keep the readers suspension of disbelief by pacing it so the first person narrative doesn't drag on - the kid is in the action too after all. Bravo!
Eva is a great character who jumps in to train Jack with a no-nonsense approach, and she has her soft side too. Jack and Eva make a great pair of warriors fighting the monsters and the evil Ren Lucre. The book is way above most fantasy books aimed at young people, well worth the asking price, and definitely worth the price and space on the shelf for a paperback version.

LINK: Jack Templar Monster Hunter: The Templar Chronicles: Book One by Jeff Gunhus

Book Review - Developing Your Intuition: 5 Simple Steps To Help You Live a More Intuitive Life by Michael Hetherington

2013-06-07T23:13:00.002-07:00

A good book to unclutter the mind and sense direction

The idea of an uncluttered mind (and an uncluttered life) is what drew me to this book. I found the book a very helpful guide, especially combined with other good principles and practices I have picked up along my life's journey, in how to view intuition as something which guides one into action.

The book is very clear in its relationship to how letting go of "the mind" and letting the mind and body feel and be guided toward actions. One of the most helpful parts for getting rid of "clutter" was the part about what intuition is not. That part gets a lot of myths out of the way about what to develop in order have better intuition

LINK: Developing Your Intuition: 5 Simple Steps To Help You Live a More Intuitive Life by Michael Hetherington

Book Review - One For The Beauty: The secrets of gorgeous women that you can use too by Lina Holbert

2013-06-06T19:45:00.001-07:00

An enjoyable series of stories with something to teach

I found this to be a very helpful book. I probably compare more closely with Miss Katherine and the facial excercies. The book is very original in how it lays stories of particular women the author has met. I think that was a much better idea than what the author originally had in mind in terms of an Ugly Duckling book. The women described are real and original, from different walks of life and periods in the authors life. It was an enjoyable read with useful lessons.

LINK: One For The Beauty: The secrets of gorgeous women that you can use too by Lina Holbert

Book Review - Mail-Order Brides by Daris Howard

2013-06-01T11:29:00.001-07:00

A kind and funny romance

The more things change the more they stay the same. So exchanged for a plot from contemporary times this would play out that a guy gets a date with a girl who he is really really attracted to, but who is a little out of his league, and a little narcissistic. She says yes but brings a less attractive friend to dinner. Leaving halfway through, guy gets stuck with girl's friend. Finds out it's not all about looks and falls in love with the substitute date original girl brought to dinner. This all plays out in one evening.

In this novel, it's the early twentieth century and this takes place over two continents, three countries (wasn't Newfoundland its own country then?), and the substitute girl is meant to be the main character's bride. Eli is the somewhat "aw-shucks" hero of the story who gets Anya, sent by his fiancee Molly who has gone and married someone else back in England. Eli's been sending Molly all his money, so I guess one could say the least she could have done was send a "mail order bride" - though not exactly the best catalog shopping gift idea.

While the original idea was to go to Pennsylvania, Eli ends up in Newfoundland - not exactly prime happening real estate any century. Anya is a little clumsy, almost bashing Eli's head in while he teaches her to fish. The story is a kind mildly comedic, and just as it says, clean romance all the way through.

If you're reading this far, go ahead and get it for a $1. The language is clear, free of syntax errors that make $1 Kindle books unbearable sometimes. The characters are well-defined, and the humor is touching in places if you're even a little bit the sentimentalist.

LINK: Mail-Order Bride by Daris Howard

Book Review - The Freedman and the Pharaoh's Staff by Lane Heymont

2013-05-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

A story mixed with history and magic

This novel hits on some wonderful and very intricate ideas, settings and plot elements. Opening during the years of Reconstruction in Louisiana with elements of voodoo within the culture, around 1870, the characters of Jeb and Crispus live a very claustrophobic life, not accepted by wider society, encountering the Klan who want to lynch just about any black person and some whites who are friendly but from arms length. Also tied up in the plot are Federal soldiers. The Klan is technically illegal, and the novel contains very graphic depictions of lynching and cruelty.

Crispus steals a map from the Klan which leads to an ancient Egyptian relic known as the Pharaoh's Staff. A general with the Federal troops learns about the search for the Pharaoh's staff and knows the person opening The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jeb and Cripus end up going to New York where they encounter white people who are as they describe them "ruder" but not as "cruel". There they meet the general's acquaintance who leads them further to finding out the nature of the Pharoaoh's Staff.

Fast forward to the future of the 1940s and Nazi Germany has developed a time machine with which they send an agent named Zelig back in time to also search for the Pharaoh's Staff.

Voodoo, Nazi's and the occupied South make this a fun and thrilling, speculative fiction adventure which lacked only in some details about the settings that kept the story from being truly vibrant.

LINK: The Freedman and the Pharaoh's Staff by Lane Heymont

Book Review - A Diary of Greed and Lust (Julie's Passion) by Elia Mirca

2013-05-28T23:40:00.000-07:00

A full depth erotic novel

Always wary of the older man younger woman motif, I began "A Diary of Greed" with some skepticism. Not very helpful were the "50 Shades of Grey" comparisons, which is a comparison that gets thrown around about many novels. I understand the reason is because the book was so popular, but really "50 Shades" is to erotic fiction what Gilligan's Island is to shipwreck movies. It just isn't that good.

I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of the character of Julie, at the verisimilitude of the plot and the explicitness of the sex. As someone who knows all the pseudonyms Dean Koontz once wrote dirty books under, my erotic fiction connoisseur credentials are intact. This is one of the better erotic books you'll read. Line up for Julie like the men do at the . . . . oh well, just read the book.

LINK: A Diary of Greed and Lust (Julie's Passion) by Elia Mirca

Book Review - 16 Powerful Stress Management Techniques You Need To Know About : Master The Emotions That Are Blocking You From Success by Daniel Rosenstein

2013-05-25T16:46:00.002-07:00

This book focuses on the primary forms of neuro reprogramming which can alter thought patterns and stress. I have seen the techniques work on others who have come from a background of struggle that instill a sense of "can't ever get what I want, and I don't deserve it". Even though only half-way struggled with that kind of background, the techniques, in a sort of self mashed was, were helpful to me many years ago.

The book covers the techniques in enough detail that the reader can pick out the ones which fit best for his or her own needs or beliefs.

LINK: 16 Powerful Stress Management Techniques . . . by Daniel Rosenstein

Book Review - Joy: A Treasure Protector Story by Julian T. Nichols

2013-05-24T23:20:00.002-07:00

A great story for girls about the source of beauty

Another addition to the family kindle library. If only all daughters could have a dream like this and in one night realize the internal source of beauty, dads would end up getting yelled at a lot less during those years in which a girl gets used to a world which judges harshly and superficially. But of course it's not all about me.

So get this book, and any other you find on the same theme, read, rinse and repeat.

LINK: Joy: A Treasure Protector Story by Julian T. Nichols

Book Review - Poem For Children: "Why Was Mary Scary?" by Dan Laufer

2013-05-22T04:47:00.002-07:00

A poem about overcoming fear and being true to yourself

Sweet (oh the pun) medium length poem about trying to get to the gnome who gives out chocolate to any child brave enough to go through the dark cloud on the way up. My daughter loved the poem, and how Mary went to each animal for help, and the animals were true to their form in the help they offered. So will Mary brave the hill in the end?

I'm not going to give it away. I'll just say this is an honest and well written poem with some decent art. Well worth a buck and a bedtime read.

LINK: Book Review of Why Was Mary Scary by Dan Laufer

Book Review - 60 Ways To Make Money Fast by Jill Golden

2013-05-19T03:19:00.001-07:00

Need cash today, get this book

No BS. This is one of those rare money-making books that has realistic ideas. Most books like this cover areas that promise big riches like MLM, or affiliate marketing. But this book covers places where you can quickly and immediately bring in small amounts of money fast. If you need money this week and you're out of ideas, this is the book to get.

LINK: 60 Ways To Make Money Fast by Jill Golden

Book Review of Expiration Dating by G. T. Marie

2013-05-18T17:15:00.002-07:00

Entertaining and funny novel

One of the best characteristics of American writing is it's detached humor, especially when aimed at an young American's experience in Europe. G. T. Marie has written a funny novel about the experiences of young woman going to school in Italy and finding as much out about life, dating and people as she can.

Similar in style to Sophie Kinsella, the novel has great characters in Dana, her teacher who barely speaks English, and the model who is starting a shoe line. It combines for a very funny story about exceptions and reality on a romantic adventure.

LINK: Expiration Dating by G. T. Marie

Book Review - The Hitwoman Gets Lucky (Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman) by JB Lynn

2013-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Wonderfully funny and ironic

Well you think you got problems. This very very funny novel puts a spin on killing for the ones you love. Maggie is a totally nuts woman who hates her day job and has a night one as a hit woman, and she talks to her pet lizard now that she has hit her head in an accident.

This book is hysterical and her friend weird friend Armani is great. In contrast everyone has a stronger personality than the killer. This book is a great mix of humor, characters and plot and very well written. Get it while's it free but it's sell worth more than the usual Kindle buck or two.

LINK: The Hitwoman Gets Lucky (Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman) by JB Lynn

Book Review - Shades of Terror by Larry A. Levitan

2013-05-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! This is the political thriller to read this month

This novel is a superior political thriller. Agent John Kramer is a character torn apart personally by 9/11, and yet he maintains a moral code about what kind of line-in-the-sand to draw in regards to how he treats terrorist suspects and operatives. In a counter terrorism campaign he hooks up with Mossad agents who, on the other hand, seem like something out of the Transporter series of movies. Kill early, kill often.

There is an intense scene a little more than halfway through the book where Agent Kramer is with the Mossad agents and they have captured several operatives, including low-level support operatives . . . merciless. And Kramer moves a little further in a transformation of morals, ideals and codes.

This is one of the most realistic novels I've read on the internal struggles of being someone dealing with stopping terrorism, with lots of stuff at your disposal to stop it with, and just what that does to the mind, and the ambiguity of morals and values it causes.

In my usual evaluation of whether the Kindle version is worth more than a buck, asking the following questions 1) Did I struggle with language and syntax? 2) Were the characters someone I'd meet on the street or a cardboard stand I'd run into at the grocery store? 3) Did I feel I had a better grasp of the plot than the writer? 4) Would I have rather bought a candy-bar across the street at 7-11?

This one shines on 1-4, running on all cylinders. It's fully worth $6.99, and I'd pass up a bottle of Zachary Boone for it too.

LINK: Shades of Terror by Larry A. Levitan

Book Review - Beautifully Absurd by Robert Ashley M.D.

2013-05-02T02:37:00.004-07:00

Puts its story above it's lessons, but the points still hit home

Even though this book is supposed to prod people into preparing for end of life scare, or at least educating them on the issue. Didactic elements aside, this is a good story. Yes, it makes its points about ending up in a situation where you cannot a) communicate your wishes, and b) want to connect with a family member but not sure how that will effect your care because you've been estranged from that person (in this case the protagonist's son) and the family member may be put in a position of making decisions for you. It's a problem that could occur a thousand ways.

The doctor who wrote this book tells a complex character story about guy named Paul and the events in his life that shaped him and his decisions. As a story, aside from its theme, it's a very good slice of life tale about the 1960s and 1970s with exploration of the usual themes of Vietnam, divorce, alienation from society and an aversion to responsibility. In other words, even if you have your end of life care stuff straight, read it if you want a good story.

LINK: Beautifully Absurd by Robert Ashley M.D.

Book Review - They Shall Take Up Serpents by Randall Marsh

2013-04-30T02:02:00.001-07:00

A novel that picked me up and set me down in some place I swear I'd been before

The mark of a good novel is that at the very beginning I get deja-vu. That's when I know I'm going to enjoy the rest of the book. I'm landed immediate some place new that I've never seen before. That's the case with "Serpents". I've stood many times looking down that dirt road and wonder to what community it leads.

That's how this novel begins, with a preacher walking down a road nobody else has noticed. I'm hooked the rest of the way through as the preacher convinces a community to let them "save" them. The story moves to the present day where the community remains isolated and one girl takes an interest in uncovering what has been happening there for more than a generation.

LINK: They Shall Take Up Serpents by Randall Marsh

Book Review - Millionomics: My Journey to Gaining Financial Freedom by Shiv Verma

2013-04-25T23:49:00.002-07:00

Everything you always wanted to know about accumulating wealth but were afraid to ask

I find it a pleasure to get books about money making that don't promise an easy, no-work, system of signing up to a program and just letting the cash come in. First, it never is easy. Second, I'm smarter than the twenty people who were fooled by the get-rich-quick proposition. The best kinds of money making books are the one's that don't leave you feeling like you need a shower after your read them.

Sometimes accumulating wealth is just a matter of a mundane, even boring on the surface, strategy of careful planning and frugality. That's what this book is. A very detailed system put forth by someone who put it to work. It's not as exciting as winning the lottery, but it's far more likely to work. And that day when you don't have to get up and work to pay your bills won't feel so boring. Whoever said money can't buy happiness . . . was absolutely full of it.

LINK: Millionomics: My Journey to Gaining Financial Freedom

Book Review - The Light by Robert Hammond

2013-04-25T20:40:00.001-07:00

An excellent exploration of spirituality in the 1970s

Los Angeles in the early 1970s was wild whichever angle one approached it from, political, drug, music, religious. The best thing about the book is that it captures the mood of the time and the place. That sets the stage for the characters, plot and theme of the book, which is about spiritual redemption from several points of view. A novelist that makes a world so rich you can smell gets to couch the message and the reader goes on the journey with the character. The Light is by no means preachy. It follows Abel who grows up the child of a successful black mother and father in an all white neighborhood in the early 1960s. Given what white American culture was at the time would anyone wish such a thing on any kid. Abel develops problems with drugs and crime, and he has run-ins with the law. He goes through many spiritual experiments all of which take for the excesses of the grafty type of spirituality readily available at the right price in the 1970s and early 80s. Abel finds his own way after much hardship and "The Light" in his sense is a combination of a variety of practices. So the novel is tailored to it's character. The writing has the raw style reminiscent of Jim Carroll.

LINK: The Light by Robert Hammond