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Small Press Bookwatch

Volume 7, Number 8 August 2008 Home | SPBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Mystery/Suspense Shelf Science Shelf
Biography Shelf Sports Shelf Computer Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Humor Shelf Fiction Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Literary Shelf Poetry Shelf
Business Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Parenting Shelf Women's Studies Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
American History Shelf Human Sexuality Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Education Shelf Travel Shelf Criminology Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Photography Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf Philosophy Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Cookbook Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

The Impenetrable Forest
Thor Hanson
1500 Books
48 Wawayanda Road, Warwick, NY 10990
9781933698199, $24.95, www.1500books.com

Most Americans wouldn't be able to cut it in a small rural village in Africa. "The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda" is Thor Hanson's reflections on his suffering for his craft as he stayed in such a village in order to further his studies on the endangered species of the Mountain Gorilla. A candid and vivid account about all the difficulties he had to face, "The Impenetrable Forest" is a riveting tale that will please primate lovers seeking a story of a man's dedication to science.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Unfaithful
Alex Bloodworth
Wolf Pirate Publishing
4801 SW 164 Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33331
9780979837234, $16.00, www.wolf-pirate.com

The stress of his career as a hockey player and looking after his sick child was bad enough. "The Unfaithful" is the story of Adam Mogilvy as he discovers his wife and neighbors dead, after returning from a tour of games. The shock doesn't end there, as his own life may be in danger and he finds himself dragged into a massive battle between the forces of good and evil, permeating the supernatural world. A riveting thriller, "The Unfaithful" is highly recommended for community library thriller collections. Also of interest from Wolf Pirate publishing is "Entangled" (9780979837241, $15.00).

Threaded Needles
Arianna Snow
Golden Horse Ltd.
PO Box 1002, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-1002
9780977230839, $13.99, www.ariannaghnovels.com

Unwelcome visitors make their residence nearby, and there's a reason why they're unwelcome. "Threaded Needles" follows two amateur detectives whose bond of blood is unbreakable as they try to find out just what suspicious character Ian MacGill and his associate are planning. The resulting adventure is entertaining and enthralling. "Threaded Needles" is highly recommended for community library mystery collections.

Rock & Roll Homicide
R.J. McDonnell
Killeena Publishing
PO Box 3611, Scranton, PA 18505
9780981491417, $25.95, www.rjmcdonnell.com

Sometimes one abandons one's dreams for a more lucrative career path. In "Rock & Roll Homicide", rookie private investigator Jason Duffy learns that his dream wasn't as glorious as he may have thought, when one of his first cases is the investigation of a murdered rock star. Duffy must hunt down the killer, all while reconsidering his new career path. A brilliantly written tale of sex, drugs, rock & roll, and the Mob, "Rock & Roll Homicide" is highly recommended for community library mystery collections.

Murder in Moab
J. Royal Horton
Sunlight Publishing
725 South Weber Street Apt 309, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
9780964397866, $18.95

Life in Wyoming is normally calm and not very interesting. Detective Tommy Thompson may have preferred it that way in "Murder in Moab". A murder in his hometown sends him on the road, where he meets insane Mormons, fundamentalists, bizarre rabbis, lesbians, snakes, and that's not even the start of it. A non-stop thrill ride of a mystery, "Murder in Moab" is an excellent choice for mystery readers seeking something offbeat.

The Other Side of Hell
Bob Adamov
Packard Island Publishing
5280 Emalene Road, Wooster, OH 44691
9780978618414, $29.95, www.packandislandpublishing.com

The Cayman Islands each have their own long history, and each bit of that history is filled with mystery. "The Other Side of Hell" follows Emerson Moore as he finds himself in the Cayman Islands involved with a Jamaican drug lord, during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. A hectic and exciting tale, "The Other Side of Hell will keep readers glued to the pages all the way through. Also with the book is a bonus music CD from Mike "Mad Dog" Adams.

Barry Jones' Cold Dinner
John Schlarbaum
Scanner Publishing
5060 Tecumseh Rd. E #1106, Windsor, ON N8T 1C1
9780973849837, $19.95, www.scannerpublishing.com

When someone is missing for too long, one eventually presumes the worst. "Barry Jones' Cold Dinner: A Steve Cassidy Mystery" is the tale of ex-cop Steve Cassidy, a man who has turned to private investigation to make ends meet. Cathy Jones hires him to investigate the disappearance of her husband seven years ago, to either find him or confirm his death so she may collect the life insurance. He must return to his hometown to do so, and his hometown isn't as warm as he hoped it would be. An enthralling mystery all the way through, "Barry Jones' Cold Dinner" is a finely crafted work of the genre, and a great choice for fans.

Deathryde
Michael P. Naughton
Gilded Hearse Press
914 Westwood Blvd., #518, Los Angeles, CA 90024
9780977866908, $12.95, www.gildedhearse.com

The natural jump from undertaking to crime? "Deathryde: Rebel without a Corpse" is a gripping mystery about James DeRossa, who leaves his father's funeral home business to embark on a scam that could net him upwards of twenty-five million. Detective Hank Gladwin is on DeRossa's tail about his unsavory endeavors, and their cat-and-mouse chase has twists and turns throughout. An excellent mystery novel for fans of the genre.

Shaved Ice
Del Staecker
Cable Publishing, Inc.
14090 East Keinenen Road, Brule, WI 54820
9781934980125, $24.95, www.cablepublishing.com

For a series based upon the on-going adventures of a particular character to be successful, the author must have a genuine flair for storytelling, a gift for creating memorable supporting characters (be they friends or foes of the protagonist), and a mastery of the particular genre in which the hero's trials, tribulations, and ultimate successes are to occur. Such is the case with mystery writer Del Staecker and his fictional hero Ledge Trabue in "Shaved Ice", the second in a series of mysteries that began in "The Muted Mermaid". Ledge Trabue and Professor Albert Bryan must cope with their grief while trying to understand who committed an horrific crime near Nashville, Tennessee and in doing so come to realize that the evil of the hart-Fellows empire which they believed had been put to an end in their previous encounter was back again. A riveting, superbly paced, deftly written mystery adventure from beginning to end, "Shaved Ice" introduces several new and colorful characters including Crazy White boy Donny, Special Agent Barry Reeves; and dedicated reporter Carole Weathers. Del Staecker has now fully documented his expertise and flair for the second time and will leave his readers looking eagerly toward "Chocolate Soup" the third and forthcoming title in the Ledge Trabue series from Cable Publishing.

A Chilling Goodbye
Jean Sheldon
Bast Press
PO Box 455, Eugene, OR 97440
9780972354158, $14.95

Accomplished author Jean Sheldon returns with her third novel about Chicago Police Detective Kerry Grant in "A Chilling Goodbye." The third is a great follow up to the first two; Kerry Grant is a determined policeman who considers justice to be of paramount importance, and who is willing to plow through any obstacle to see the right thing done. Mystery fans everywhere, especially fans of the previous Kerry Grant novels, should seek out "A Chilling Goodbye" for an upstanding, forthright read.


The Science Shelf

A First Course in Atmosphere Thermodynamics
Grant W. Petty
Sundog Publishing
2911 Robin Ct.,Madison, WI 53711
9780972903325, $48.00, www.sundogpublishing.com

Precisely what aspiring meteorologists need to get started, "A First Course in Atmospheric Thermodynamics" is a text meant for college students new to the field. Covering many atmospheric topics including composition, density, temperature and its effects, air pressure, and many more fundamentals, "A First Course in Atmospheric Thermodynamics" explicitly spells out the concepts needed to move on to more complex intermediate and advanced courses. Enhanced with six appendices and an index, "A First Course in Atmospheric Thermodynamics" is highly recommended to college library science collections.


The Biography Shelf

Cucumbers Have Thorns and Snakes Love Strawberries
Janice E. Sullivan
WDM Books
c/o T & L Global Marketing
PO Box 2731, McDonough, GA 30253
9780979682704, $17.95, www.wdmgraphics.com

No one is meant to lose their virginity at the age of five. "Cucumbers Have Thorns and Snakes Love Strawberries" is the shocking and depressing true tale of a five year old in a terrible world of sex, drugs, and violence. Young Janice's mind is scarcely able to process all of these vile things. Though biographical, "Cucumbers Have Thorns and Snakes Love Strawberries" is very much a story of psychological horror, with an impact upon the reader that will long be remembered.

Fasten Your Seatbelt
Bob Kline
Blue Yonder Publishing
150 Greenway Terrace Suite, 53W, Forest Hills, NY 11375
9780615188355, $19.95

Forty years in the air without accident is no small feat. "Fasten Your Seat Belt: A Pilot's Memoir" is author Bob Kline's reflections on his long and storied career as a TWA pilot. A set of intriguing and often hilarious memories from his side of the cockpit door, "Fasten Your Seatbelt" will keep the reader glued to the page to the very end. "Fasten Your Seat Belt" is enthusiastically recommended to anyone who wants to know what it's really like to be a pilot.

The Once and Future Celt
Bill Watkins
Scarletta Press
10 S. 5th Street, #1105, Minneapolis, MN 55402
9780976520191, $16.95, www.scarlettapress.com

Author Bill Watkins wishes that life in Ireland was as simple as people think it is. "The Once and Future Celt" is his reflections on growing up in the Celtic culture. Frank, honest, and hilarious, Bill's anecdotal stories range from his encounters with gypsies, whose culture has shocking similarities to his own, to trying to make it in Birmingham during a time where the economy was so bad that the most appealing job prospect was washing dishes in a local University. "The Once and Future Celt" is a strong choice for anyone who enjoys real-life, down-to-earth storytelling.

I Have No Color
Yanyi Zhao
Privately Published
765-3 Isenberg Street, Honolulu, HI 96826
9781604613698, $17.00

Color represents the flavor of life, and when color is taken away, sadness follows. "I Have No Color" is the author's tale of growing up in China's Cultural Revolution headed by communist leader Mao Zedong. The reeducation programs sought to give China strength by eliminating aspects of its culture perceived to be weaknesses - but those very aspects may have been a source of China's strength as well. A look into this dark time in Chinese history, "I Have No Color" is a must for community library memoir collections.

Dwelling Portably
Bert & Holly Davis
Microcosm Publishing
222 S Rogers Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
9781934620083, $8.00, www.microcosmpublishing.com

A different sort of lifestyle awaits those with endless wanderlust. "Dwelling Portably" is a combination memoir and guide to daily life when one doesn't call a stationary place home. Focusing on the skills, tips, tricks, and advice needed to live comfortably and healthily, whether in a tent, car, van, or bus, "Dwelling Portably" lives up to its title. Packed with everything one needs to know if they want to (or have to) adapt to this lifestyle, and all of the adventure that comes with it, "Dwelling Portably" covers everything from cooking food without a stove to washing one's clothes without a washing machine. Especially recommended for outdoors enthusiasts.

Slice of Life
Willa Younger & Alice Frank
Keen House Publishing
10601 RR 2222, Suite R, #176, Austin, TX 78730
9780980047226, $15.95, www.keenhousepublishing.com

A little bit of weekly wisdom is what Willa Younger offered. "Slice of Life: Memories of Mother" is a compilation of columns from Willa Younger, whose writing appeared weekly for several years from 1977 onward in the Joplin, Missouri newspaper, The Joplin Globe. Her columns contain common sense, insights, and knowledge garnered by an experienced wife and mother. Accompanied by reflective essays from Younger's daughter, "Slice of Life" is an ideal read for mothers and daughters everywhere.

Once Blind
Kay Marshall Strom
Authentic Publishing
1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
B&B Media Group
109 South Main Street, Corsicana, TX 75110
9781934068274, $14.99, www.tbbmedia.com

If you're traded to a slaver ship by the Royal Navy, no one is expecting much from you. "Once Blind: The Life of John Newton" is the true story of a lifelong troublemaker who straightens himself out and becomes one of the most profound pro-abolition voices of his time. With a focus on Newton's religious beliefs and how he felt that God was always looking out for him even through the worst, this biography of the man who composed Amazing Grace, one of the most famous songs in history, will keep readers reading all the way through. A top pick for community library biography collections.

Under an Adirondack Influence
William J. O'Hern and Roy E. Reehil
The Forager Press, LLC
23 Bridge St. Box 184, Cleveland, NY 13042
9780974394350, $21.95 TheForagerPress.com

Under an Adirondack Influence: The Life of A.L. Byron-Curtiss 1871-1959 is an in-depth biography of Adirondacks wilderness adventurer and travel writer A. L. Byron-Curtiss. Byron's writings of history, folklore, conservation, philosophy, world affairs, joys and despairs, and tall tales shared around the campfire earned him an indelible place in North Country folklore. Under an Adirondack Influence delves thoroughly into the complexities of Byron-Curtiss' life, and indeed, how life in the Adirondacks shaped him. A treat especially recommended for anyone who truly loves of the North Country.

Jorgy
Jean Lester
Ester Republic Press
PO Box 24, Ester, AK 99725
9780974922157, $25.00, www.esterrepublic.com

Just because one only has an eighth grade education doesn't mean one can't make something of oneself. "Jorgy: The Life of Native Alaskan Bush Pilot and Airline Captain Holger Jorgy Jorgensen" tells of Jorgy's adventures flying over the skies of every continent in the world (except South America and Antarctica) as a runner of equipment for science, among other duties. A straight no nonsense account of a life in the skies, "Jorgy" is as educational as it is entertaining.

Lillie Davenport: Pioneer Mother
Mary Lou Midkiff
Oleo Publishing
2000 Stanolind Ave., Midland, Texas 79705-8657
Stephanie Barko (publicity)
16100 Crystal Hills, Austin TX 78737
9780976395515, $29.95 www.oleopublishing.com www.authorsassistant.com

Lillie Davenport: Pioneer Mother is the true-life biography of Lillie Davenport (1877-1972), a woman who truly embodied the spirit of the American West at the close of the pioneer era. She fell in love with cowboy Oscar Midkiff, married, and moved to Texas in 1896; while Oscar was away on cattle drives, she rode sidesaddle, shot antelope with a .38 gun, and bore and raised twelve children. The discovery of oil on her land would change her life but not her character. A fascinating biography that reads as fluidly as a novel, Lillie Davenport: Pioneer Mother is enhanced with black-and-white photographs and an exhaustive genealogy supplement spanning nearly one hundred pages. Also highly recommended is author Mary Lou Midkiff's previous family history book, "Midkiff: A Texas Family, Town, and Way of Life".

It's Okay To Blush
Inez Gautreau
Mystic Publishers
850 South Boulder Highway, Suite 436, Henderson, NV 89015-7561
9781934051184, $12.97, www.mysticpublishers.com

In 1931, nine-year-old Inez Basilico contracted polio. Her family had immigrated to America from Italy in 1907. They were a hardworking family, having gone into the dry cleaning and laundry business in New York City, failed at it, returned to Italy, only to return to New York City and try again in 1920. Inez was born three years later in 1923 and spent her infancy sleeping on a folding bed in the living room of her family's railroad apartment. The in the midst of the Great Depression, polio struck her and propelled her into a struggle that was to occupy her time and strength. "It's Okay To Blush" is her personal and candid memoir, told in chronological snippets about her experiences and observations with respect to the doctors, nursers, family members, neighbors, friends and faith as she grew up and eventually married Ray Gautreau. In 1977 Inez retired from a career working in the radiology departments of New York hospitals but her adventures in dealing with life from her wheel chair continued. Her observations about life, especially in her more reflective post-retirement years, is nothing short of inspirational making "It's Okay To Blush" one of the most engaging and recommended memoirs in the past several years and highly recommended reading, especially for anyone having to deal with a disability in their struggle to achieve and enjoy what life has to offer us all.


The Sports Shelf

Introduction to Equestrian Sports
Kate Luxmoore
Land Links
9780643094796, $34.95, www.landlinks.com

Horse have had a long and storied history serving mankind as transportation, comrades in war, and pets; "Introduction to Equestrian Sports" focuses on the horse as a companion for competition. A straightforward guide to the world of horse racing, trick riding, and show horses, accessible to readers of all backgrounds, "Introduction to Equestrian Sports" includes rules on how one participates in horse sport events, proper etiquette when attending such events, and much more. An ideal gift for horse lovers, "Introduction to Equestrian Sports" is highly recommended for community library sports collections.

Flying Over The Finish Line
Susan L. Kane, compiler
Pennywyse Press
c/o Imago Press
3710 East Edison, Tucson, AZ 85716-2912
9780979934148, $16.95, www.couragetotri.com

Susan Kane has successfully completed nine Danskin Women's Triathlons and two Olympic-distance triathlons since she first became a triathlon athlete at the age of 42 competing against women who ranged in age from 20-somethings to 70-somethings. These were women who came from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds, some seeking to ensure their health, others seeking recovery from serious illnesses through the exercise and physical/mental discipline that triathlons require. As different as all these women competitors were, they all had one thing in common -- the goal of completing a triathlon. Now Susan Kane has compiled personal, illustrative, and inspiring stories of some of these women in "Flying Over The Finish Line: Women Triathlete's Stories Of Life". These not the accounts of professional athletes, but of ordinary women striving to accomplish the extraordinary goal of successfully competing in and accomplishing a triathlon event. A superbly presented showcasing of what the human spirit can accomplish, "Flying Over The Finish Line" is very highly recommended reading and an inspired addition to personal, academic, and community library Women's Sports and Women's Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Boycott
Tom Caraccioli & Jerry Caraccioli
New Chapter Press
9780942257403, $25.95, www.newchapterpressmedia.com

For some, the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was not just a war; it was the beginning of the end of their dreams. "Boycott: The Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games" tells the stories of America's Olympic caliber athletes during the 80s boycott of the Moscow games. Stories of the people who trained all their life for the ultimate competition yet were denied the opportunity and speculations of gold medals that could have been won lost fill this seminal volume. With a special foreword by former Vice President Walter Mondale, "Boycott" is an eye opening and tragic account of the personal damage done by the 1980 Olympic games boycott.


The Computer Shelf

Logic Pro 8
Stephen Bennett
PC Publishing
9781906005061, $19.95, www.pc-publishing.com

To get the most out of a computer program, just using it effectively isn't enough. "Logic Pro 8: Tips and Tricks" is a guide to mastering the software's ins and outs. Helping users optimize their program so that they can edit and mix their audio to make the best mastery possible, and enhanced with a glossary and index, "Logic Pro 8" is the most comprehensive manual available.


The Christian Studies Shelf

God's Creatures
Susan Bulanda
Cladach Publishing
PO Box 336144 Greeley, CO 80633
9780975961988, $11.49, www.cladach.com

Humanity is God's children, but what of the countless other creatures that inhabit the earth? "God's Creatures: A Biblical View of Animals" is a look at the animal kingdom's relationship with God's Kingdom. Chapters discuss animals in the afterlife, the spirituality of animals, the use of animals by humanity and God, and more. An enthralling look at a topic most often left out of Christian teachings, highly recommended.

From Crayons to Condoms
Steve Baldwin & Karen Holgate, editors
WND Books
2463 W. 208t St. Suite 201, Torrance, CA 90501
9780979267116, $25.95, www.worldnetdaily.com

What is going on in the classrooms of America? "From Crayons to Condoms: The Ugly Truth About America's Public Schools" is an examination of America's public school system and the problems with its education outside of the academic curriculum. Written from a strict Christian perspective, "From Crayons to Condoms" speaks on the subjects of multiculturalism, sexual education, evolution, religious tolerance, and more, and explains why certain topics may be objectionable to parents and students. Arranged in a story by story, case by case basis, "From Crayons to Condoms" is a strong choice for conservative parents.

Hero for Christ
Christopher Sunami
Happenstance Press
413 Fairwood Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205
9780970243829, $16.95, www.heroforchrist.com

How do Christians model themselves after the leaders they respect the most? "Hero for Christ: 30 Ways You Can Be More Like Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Twenty Other World Changing Christians" is a self-improvement manual that gives people hope and advice for emulating the positive qualities of great men and women. With tips on defending one's beliefs, leadership, charity, and maintaining one's ethics in a world that can be surprisingly hostile to the devout Christians, "Hero for Christ" is a must for anyone who wants to make themselves more like their heroes.


The Humor Shelf

Freezeframe
Jamie Smith
Ester Republic Press
PO Box 24, Ester, AK 99725
9780974922119, $9.95, www.esterpublic.com

In the harsh land of Alaska, sometimes one only has one's sense of humor to keep one company. "Freezeframe: It's Gonna Be a Long Winter..." is an anthology containing hilarious strips of Alaska's longest running comic strip, poking fun at the little things that all Alaskans must deal with in their daily lives. From dealing with moose, sled dogs, bears, to daily struggles in a place where "spring" is simply a few months of less severe winter, "Freezeframe" is a chuckle-inducing must-read for any Alaskan, or anyone who wants to get an idea of just what it's like up north.


The Fiction Shelf

The Wall of Broken Dreams
Duke Barett
Night Bandit Publishing
9780980061208, $14.95

They say that when death is near, one's life flashes before their eyes. "The Wall of Broken Dreams" is a story of life, and trying to survive in the Vietnam war. Johnny Richards took a bullet for one of his companions and nearly died. He somehow survives and realizes what's really important, life and his recently found love that he found on his tour of duty, Mai. A story that will inspire Vietnam vets and civilian alike, "The Wall of Broken Dreams" is highly recommended to those seeking a good historical fiction story that replicates reality.

Bars of Steel
Brandon Royal & Paul Strahan
Maven Publishing
4520 Manilla Road, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 4B7
9781897393000, $15.95, www.mavenpublishing.net

No one sets out to become a stripper. "Bars of Steel" is inspired by the true story of Maria de la Torre. It follows a young Filipina girl as she is forced to leave her home after a terrible natural disaster. She finds herself in Wan Chai, a seedy part of town in Hong Kong. With not much option other than to become a dancer, she begins her career and begins to learn the harsh facts of life along the way. "Bars of Steel" is an unusual coming-of-age tale that reflects on the lives of many unfortunate women throughout the world.

Cry of Justice
Jason Pratt
Bittersea Publications
280 North Poplar, Dyer, TN 38330
9780977888405, $25.00

Brigandry is not a desirable first choice for a career. "Cry of Justice" is the tale of several unique individuals bound together by their desire to survive in a world that's out to kill them. They and thousands of other war refugees strive to make life better for themselves, but they are forced to live on the outskirts of the law to do so. "Cry of Justice" is a riveting novel with great characters, caught amid a crisis of corrupt nations.

Romance of Romance
Heather Folsom
Cadmus Editions
PO Box 126 Belvedere, Tiburon, CA 94920
9780932274700, $17.95, www.cadmuseditions.com

Love can be a crazy thing. "Romance of Romance" is a dark comedy following Syns as she labors in a mental institution filled with unstable hermaphrodites and other unruly characters. Syns is smitten with unfamiliar yet powerful emotions, and the setting is simply not helping things. An enlightening and entertaining novel, "Romance of Romance" is highly recommended for fiction collections.

Black Rock
Louis L'Amour
Sagebrush
c/o Isis Publishing Limited
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
9780753180044, $27.99

Three fine stories for the price of one, presented in an easy-to-read large print format! "Black Rock: A Western Trio" collects three stories by classic western author Louis L'Amour: "Black Rock", "The Trail to Crazyman", and "Grub Line Rider". Are all exciting tales filled with mistaken identity, murder, survival, suspense, and more. Fans of the Western genre will relish this compilation, making "Black Rock: A Western Trio" a highly recommended addition to community library western fiction or large print collections.

Shelter Half
Carol Bly
Holy Cow! Press
PO Box 3170, Mount Royal Station, Duluth, MN 55803
9780977945863, $15.95, www.holycowpress.org

Why do some people put their necks out for others? Why is the call for honor and justice answered even when there is so much to be lost? "Shelter Half" is the first and sadly only novel by author Carol Bly, who unfortunately passed away last year. Her tale lives on as an examination of honor among human beings, as a murder occurs in a small Minnesotan town. A finely written mystery from a new perspective, "Shelter Half" is highly recommended for community library fiction collections.

Flower, A Story Of The Nativity
Wayne Stahre
Habitation of Chimham Publishing
2280 Alexander Drive, Titusville, FL 32796
9781606430811, $11.99, www.chimhampublish.com

The story of the birth of Jesus has been the subject of innumerable works of art, literature and music. But in the past two thousand centuries of storytelling no one has told the tale from the perspective of the innkeeper's wife. No one until Wayne Stahre put pen to paper to create "Flower, A Story Of The Nativity". With a genuine flair for engaging narrative, author Wayne Stahre combines both fictitious characters (such as Flower herself) with historical figures and retells the Nativity story with a realism that draws upon archaeology, history, and meticulous biblical research. Of special note is how within the context of an original and creative approach, "Flower, A Story Of The Nativity" deals with such implicit and explicit questions as to the identity of the 'Wise Men', the nature of the Star of Bethlehem, the appearances of the angels Gabriel and Michael, the background of the Roman census of Judea, why the God of Israel permitted the murder of children by Herod's forces, why there are differences between the genealogy accounts by Matthew and Luke, why Matthew says Jesus and his family fled to Egypt to escape Herod's slaughter of the innocents, when Luke's account has Jesus being taken to Nazareth after his birth. An entertaining and highly recommend read, "Flower, A Story Of The Nativity" is an informed and deftly written historical adventure novel that would make an exceptionally popular addition to any personal reading list or community library fiction collection.

Bring a Gun to School Day
Darian Worden
Arise Press
PO Box 334, Lebanon, NJ 08833
9780981478807, $13.95, www.arisepress.com

When the worst school shooting in history occurs, some cope with the tragedy differently than others. "Bring a Gun to School Day" is a novel following Erik Shylding as he pushes a revolutionary new school celebration, encouraging students to bring guns to school for one day. They gain notice of a new federal program, and the hectic crisis that follows lends to an entertaining and enlightening tale. A strikingly unexpected twist on a dark subject matter.

The Guru Next Door
Wendy Dolber
Dialogues in Self Discovery
22 Glenside Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043
9781934450000, $12.95, www.thegurunextdoor.com

A delightful blend of self-help and fiction, "The Guru Next Door: A Teacher's Legacy" follows Annie as she deals with her highly dysfunctional family. Her father is gone, her grandmother apparently hates her, her mother is a recluse, and everyone around her is simply unhappy. Her only hope is her next door neighbor, a shining beacon in the sea of darkness that is her life. Teaching readers mental well-being can be found even when everything seems terrible, "The Guru Next Door" is a great pick for anyone who needs their spirits lifted.

Anastasia
Budh-Aditya Roy
Selah Publishing Group
203 Hickory Road, Bristol, TN 37620
9781589301795, $15.99 www.selahbooks.com 1-877-616-6451

The fourth book (and first full-length novel) by Indian-born (and US citizen) author Budh-Aditya Roy, Anastasia is a sweeping love story following two people, Anastasia and Rana, who come from completely different cultures in distant parts of the world, yet who fall in love with one another in the United States. A gentle novel of passion, charm, and hope for the future, Anastasia also pays due respect to the omnipresent warmth of God's love, and his eternal involvement in human affairs as he tends to the Fountain of Life within this mortal world. A sentimental love story, Anastasia is highly recommended entertainment, especially to readers who enjoy the warmth of a true romance novel.

Journals from the Time of the Radar Dog
Pat Lawrence
Blaze Vox
14 Tremaine Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217
1934289566, $20.00, www.blazevox.org

A journal is the collection of one's thoughts. But what do people make of it when the author is gone? "Journals from the Time of the Radar Dog" tells its story in the format of a collection of journals - one by a character who has passed on, and others by his friends, family, and loved ones. A quirky and offbeat story with an original style, "Journals from the Time of the Radar Dog" is a top pick for any reader looking for something different.

At Midnight
Terry B.
nHouse Publishing, LLC
PO Box 1038, Newark, NJ 07101
9780972624206, $14.00, www.nhousepublishing.com

You don't know what you have until it's gone. "At Midnight" is protagonist Choice Fowler's tale about realizing that difficult truth, after his break up with his lover Debrena. When he tries to get her back, he finds that she's already taken by another woman - one Lorrie Cunningham. Choice does everything he can think of to win Debrena back, even when she apparently wants nothing to do with his gender any longer. "At Midnight" is an exciting romance that will keep readers entranced until the conclusion of this unorthodox love triangle.

Joy & Pain
Franklin White
Strebor Books International
PO Box 6505, Largo, MD 20792
Atria Books News (publicity)
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781593091477, $14.00, www.streborbooks.com

People seek romance for the joy and pleasure that comes with finding one's true love. "Joy & Pain" is a look at the harsh reality that comes with it – while there is always joy to be found, one must deal with the pain that comes alongside it. Lala has almost everything that she could want in life, or so she thinks when she tries to settle down and her formerly dedicated boyfriend suddenly wants nothing of it. She becomes intrigued by Keith's sudden non-commitment in this enthralling romance of dealing with all the agony that comes with life's delights. "Joy & Pain" is a strong choice for fans of the genre.

Ghostwalk
Rebecca Stott
Spiegel & Grau
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780385521079, $14.95, www.ghostwalkbook.com

Isaac Newton was one of the greatest minds in history, but did his life have a darker side? "Ghostwalk" is a fictional examination of that possibility, as a historian of Newton's university centuries later is found drowned, with her work on Newton's alchemical endeavors left incomplete. Lydia Brooke is tasked with finishing the work, but soon finds that her academic task is not as simple as it seems; studying the dark side of Newton literally causes life-threatening problems. "Ghostwalk" is a gripping thriller, and a strong choice for fans of the genre.

Someone at a Distance
Dorothy Whipple
Persephone Classics
9781906462000, $15.00, www.persephonebooks.co.uk

A marriage of over two decades is in danger, and the culprit seems to be the groom's own mother. "Someone at a Distance" is the story of Ellen and Avery North, a happily married couple with two children; all seems well with their life. But when Avery's mother arranges for a French girl to become a companion for him, it incites a long and confusing turmoil for everyone involved. Composed in an enthralling and realistic manner, "Someone at a Distance" is a must read story about the end of marital bliss.

The Rex
Rick Lawton
Sasha Press
PO Box 410990, #274, San Francisco, CA 94141-0990
9780978886202, $14.99, www.sashapress.com

A sprawling big business seeks to devour the homes of stoic tenants. "The Rex" is the story of how one cutthroat businessman goes about this, as he seeks to raze a hotel turned apartment complex known as the Rex. He hires a professional felon who does all he can to drive out the tenants. The tenants, however, are not going to go quietly; they open their own counterattack. A full scale conflict ensues, in this captivating novel of home and profit. "The Rex" is a captivating novel of everyday people fighting to defend their own.

The Last Flight of a Nightingale
Akbar Golrang
Sheila Publishing House
1754 N Hale Ave, Fulleton, CA 92831-1220
9780615201733, $21.00

Growing up in Iran is a different experience from growing up anywhere else. "The Last Flight of a Nightingale" is the story of Arman and Zackaria, who struggle to survive in the harsh world of resistance to the extremists who run their country. Amid revolution, they enter into an even harsher world outside the boundaries of Iran. A story of cultural differences, political intrigue, and more, "The Last Flight of a Nightingale" gives readers something to hold on to for the entire ride. Recommended to fans of historical fiction.

Whispers Through Time
Kim Murphy
Coachlight Press
1704 Craig's Store Road, Afton, VA 22920
9780971679078, $ 15.95, www.coachlightpress.com

Seeing the murder of one's own father is a nightmarish thing. "Whispers Through Time" follows Sarah Cameron as she witnesses the horrific act, and deals with the terrible reality by refusing to speak. When she reveals that she still hears from her father, her mother finds a link between the incident and the murder of one of his long dead ancestors. A compelling novel of speaking with the dead, ghosts, and the past's force on the present, "Whispers Through Time" is a gripping thriller, sure to please fans of the genre.

Nailed
Jennifer Laurens
Grove Creek Publishing
1404 West State Road, Suite 202, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
9781933963914, $12.95, www.grovecreekpublishing.com

Choosing is never easy. "Nailed" is Mandy's tale of taking a summer job as a construction worker, an unusual choice for many women. She finds that out quick as she is the sole female employee on the site, and attracts attention from not one, but rather two guys. Faced with the problems of a male dominated profession and society's demands that she be monogamous, Mandy has to figure out which man to dedicate herself to when she yearns to be with both. "Nailed" is a charming love triangle, and a treat for fans of the genre.

Prodigal of the Pecos
C.E. Edmonson
Aventine Press
1023 4th Ave #204, San Diego, CA 92101
1593305354, $12.50, www.pecosbooks.com

Greed can only be contained by those willing to stand against it. "Prodigal of the Pecos" is the story of Clint Cooper, as he tries to defend his home town against the power grab of a ruthless eastern pawn broker who wants the land for his own profit. Clint's story is exciting and moving, making "Prodigal of the Pecos" highly recommended for fans of western fiction.

The Aries Jesus
Allen C. Carroll
Mill City Press
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 570, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781934248430, $21.95, www.millcitypress.net

Jesus was a man just like any of us, and his life was more than what the Bible set forth about him. "The Aries Jesus" is a fictional look at what the life of one of history's most influential figures was like before he walked into the public eye. Seeking to explain Jesus's biblical actions, and the actions of those around him such as his infamous betrayal by Judas Iscariot, "The Aries Jesus" is a spiritual and enlightening piece of fiction. Highly recommended for Christian fiction fans.

Walking Man
Tim W. Brown
Bronx River
3820 Dyre Ave., No 44, Bronx, NY 10466
9780978984700, $15.95, www.bronxriverpress.com

Getting one's foot run over isn't supposed to be an all-expense paid ticket to fame, but for Brian Walker, it is. "Walking Man" is a satirical, no-holds barred mock biography of Brian Walker, whose fictional claim to fame is being the publisher of Walking Man, a magazine dedicated to pedestrians. Darkly humorous and thought provoking, "Walking Man" is a must read for those who enjoy their novels with more of an offbeat flavor, and sports an edge that lashes out at society's weak points.

Substrate
T.D. Holt
Vort
PO Box G, Menlo Park, CA 94026
9780897183321, $22.95, www.tdholt.com

A modern need could become a greater problem than oil shortages. "Substrate" is a novel about the possibility of an aberration in the world's computer chips, which could cause untold problems due to humanity's overwhelming dependence on technology. A scientist who sees the problem disregards it at first, but is soon confronted with the uphill battle of dealing with this dark reality. A gripping techno thriller, highly recommended for community library fiction collections.

The Third Candidate
Stephen Poleskie
Wasteland Press
c/o Apogee Agency
PO Box 849, Ithaca, NY 14851
9781600472091, $16.95

Many believe that Ralph Nader, as the third candidate, cost Al Gore the presidential election in 2000. The so-called Nader Effect isn't unheard of, and happens quite often. "The Third Candidate" is a novel about one of these spoiler candidates who purposely enters a congressional race to sabotage another candidate, but whose popularity begins to grow until somehow, the new contender wins the election. The victory is short lived, as the sudden new congressman vanishes without a trace. "The Third Candidate" is a tale of politics gone wrong, sure to please those in search of a political thriller.

Hunting the King
Peter Clenott
Kuntati
6901 Bryan Daity Road, Suite 150, Largo, FL 33777
9781601641489, $24.95, www.kunati.com

The tomb of Jesus, where his mortal form was last laid to rest only the vanish three days later. "Hunting the King" is a race between archaeologists to uncover what could be the biggest discovery in their history, the tomb of Jesus Christ. Set during the height of the Iraq War as the army still marches against Hussein, Molly O'Dwyer is on the verge of discovery, but must face against rivals, the military, and a Muslim cleric all with their own agendas but in Molly's way nonetheless. A captivating thriller from first page to last, "Hunting the King" is a top pick for fiction lovers and community library collections dedicated to them.

Anchorwick
Jeffrey E. Barlough
Gresham & Doyle
PO Box 45797, Los Angeles, CA 90045
9780978763411, $14.95 www.westernlightsbooks.com

A trained biologist and veterinarian, Jeffrey E. Barlough has published seventy research and review articles in his lengthy career. It was when he turned his talents to fiction in 2007 with "Bertram of Butter Cross" that he first came to the attention of the Midwest Book Review as a true word-smith craftsman of fantasy adventure at its very best. Now he has written "Anchorwick", the story of young Eugene Stanley who, newly-arrived in the ancient university town of Salthead to pursue his studies and to aid his uncle, Professor Christopher Greenshilds, who works upon a scholarly tome. Quickly Eugene becomes caught up in mystery, danger, and puzzling messages concerning the disappearance of Professor Haygarth some two years earlier. Enthusiastically recommended to the attention of both fantasy fans and mystery buffs, "Anchorwick" (scheduled by the publisher for release in October 2008) is the fifth volume in the 'New Western Lights' series of fantasy mysteries and will seize the reader's rapt attention from first page to last.

Rommel's Peace
Lawrence Wells
Sanctuary
c/o Yoknapatawpha Press
PO Box 248, Oxford, MS 38655
0916242722, $14.95

What if a cease-fire between Rommel and Eisenhower had been agreed to? "Rommel's Peace" is a work of speculative historical fiction looking back at Rommel as a figure who could have brought armistice. Rommel releases an American prisoner of war to England as a peace offering, but his pleas fall on death ears to the British and the safety of the P.O.W. is not guaranteed. A riveting tale of what could have been, "Rommel's Peace" is a strong pick for community library historical fiction collections.

Settling
Joan L. Cannon
Cambridge Books
c/o Write Words, Inc.
2934 Old Route 50 , Cambridge, MD 21613
1594314934, $16.95, www.cambridgebooks.us

Failed marriages are sadly familiar to too many. "Settling" is the fictional tale of Alex and Ruth, whose marriage was rushed; now they both regret it. Alex wants out, but Ruth won't have it, believing there to be hope for their relationship yet. Their story is one that will echo with readers, making "Settling" a good choice for community library fiction collections.


The Self-Help Shelf

Happiness Minutes
David Ambrose
Revolution Mind Publishing
PO Box 51113, Beddington, RPO, Calgary, Alberta, T3K 4A3, Canada
9780973936223, $14.95, www.happinessminute.com

Happiness isn't something that happens to a person. It's a state of mind. "Happiness Minutes: 53 Steps Toward Fulfillment" is a guide for those discontent with life and want to remove the dis from that statement. Laying out fifty three pieces of advice on how to make one's life better starting from the inside, they range from writing down one's thoughts to just making yourself smile. "Happiness Minutes" is enhanced with a a code to download over seventy minutes of companion content from its website, making it highly recommended for anyone who wants to improve their own demeanor.

Saddle Up Your Own White Horse
Saundra Pelletier
Tilis
24881 Alicia Parkway, #E29, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
People Speak
25342 Costeua, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
9780979796104, $21.95, www.tilispublishers.com

Everyone wants someone to show up and solve all their problems. "Saddle Up Your Own White Horse: 5 Principles Every Woman Needs to Know" is here to fill women in on the harsh reality that is the fact – that just isn't going to happen. Telling women to get up and take control of their lives to create happiness in themselves and stay that way even when things are bad by taking advantages of one's own strengths, it's the encouragement many women need. "Saddle Up Your Own White Horse" encourages a bit of healthy selfishness that will assist many in having a better outlook for their future.

Unlimited Life
Deborah Hill
Malaya Creations
5269 Glenridge Drive, Atlanta, GA 30342
9780981742908, $12.95, www.yourintuitivelife.com

What is really the difference between one who succeeds and one who fails? "Unlimited Life: Limiting Beliefs and Belief Busting Power Truths" is a compilation of simple lessons for everyone to improve their life in various aspects. Focusing on sixteen powerful truths, author Deborah Hill dispenses wisdom that makes "Unlimited Life" a must read for anyone who feels they have reached a wall in their life.

Blame Game
W. R. Klemm
Benecton Press
9001 Grassbur Road, Bryan, TX 77808
9780975522530, $14.95, www.amazon.com

When bad things happen the all too familiar response by all too many people is to find someone else to blame for it happening to them. Folks who didn't have a sufficient income to justify buying a home and who are now caught up in the mortgage foreclosure crisis can find themselves tempted to blame rapacious lenders and/or a negligent government that deregulated the financial industry. When marriages fail each spouse seeks to pass off responsibility for the divorce to the other. It's a rare prisoner who doesn't attribute their imprisonment to flaws in the U.S. justice system, minorities who attribute their hardships to racism and discrimination, parents with children failing to learn in seeing the problems at the schools and not within their own homes. The list of blame-passing grievances goes on and on. What scientist, educator, author, and public speaker W. R. (Bill) Klemm has done with writing "Blame Game: How To Win It" is to reveal the hidden personal costs of making excuses and blaming others for the shortcomings (both real and perceived) within our own lives. Professor Klemm presents a five-step program for helping readers to recognize when excuses are being made, move away from denial and self-deception, accept responsibility, re-program the brain to reduce the thoughts and behaviors that prompt excuses, and to make their new program work to improve their enjoyment and success in life. Essentially, "Blame Game" is a thoroughly 'user friendly' and highly recommended 'how to' manual for the non-specialist general reader to effect enduring and positive changes in their personal and professional lives.

Be Who You Want, Have What You Want
Chris Prentiss
Power Press
c/o Yorwerth Associates
410 Fieldstone Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715
9780943015569, $15.95, www.PowerPressPublishing.com

It takes more than sheer will power to change a life, alter a life style, deal with life issues. It takes an understanding of the underlying principles of human behavior, the conditions necessitated to successfully dealing with obstacles to desired change, and a practical guide to what is possible with respect to personal self-improvement, self-help goals. "Be Who You Want, Have What You Want" by Chris Prentiss (co-founder and co-director of the Passages Addiction Cure Center, in Malibu, California) is just such a manual of step-by-step procedures for accomplishing significant and enduring personal changes, the attainment of goals and desires, the overcoming of negativity and emotional obstacles to success (including letting go of the past), and the instilling of daily life with peace of mind, enthusiasm for, and the joy of, oneself and the surrounding world. "Be Who You Want, Have What You Want" is a deftly written and superbly presented 288-page compendium of insightful advice and practical assistance also includes work spaces and exercises that make it a truly interactive instructional that can be confidently recommended to non-specialist general readers seeking to improve themselves and their circumstances.

Welcome Home to Yourself
Suzanne Kyra & Nathan Derksen
Relationships Matter Publishing
201-3041 Anson Ave., Coquitlam, BC V3B 2H6
9780980901306, $40.00, www.relationshipsmatterpublishing.com

With each and every little thing we do, we are always learning. "Welcome Home to Yourself" is a collection of pure inspiration. Words, poetry, photographs and so much more are all arranged to inspire and motivate readers; topics include the senses, what makes one happy, growing up, and more. "Welcome Home to Yourself" speaks of what one can learn from every aspect of life, and encourages the reader to find himself or herself. A must for anyone pursuing happiness within their lives.

Shining Moments
Georgia Lang Weithe
Reflections Press
32724 State Hwy 130, PO Box 57, Lone Rock, WI 53556
9780979034312, $15.95, www.shiningmoments.net

Death is an inescapable part of life. "Shining Moments: Finding Hope in Facing Death" is a guide for those overcome with grief dealing with the loss of friends or family. "Shining Moments" offers wisdom about facing one's own mortality, coming to terms with it, and living life in spite of it. Sure to help anyone having trouble dealing with this difficult issue, "Shining Moments" is a must read.

Legacy Leadership
Jeannine Sandstrom & Lee Smith
CoachWorks Press
7370 Hawk Road, Flower Mound, TX 75002
9780980196504, $24.99, www.legacyleadership.com

In every group activity, even the most collegial and cooperative, there will of necessity be a need for leadership. It's simply a matter of how human beings are genetically and culturally hardwired. In "Legacy Leadership: The Leader's Guide To Lasting Greatness" co-authors Jeannine Sandstrom and Lee Smith (executive leader coaches and co-founders of CoachWorks International) draw upon their many years of experience and expertise to present '5 Legacy Practices' that are common to all great leaders. Readers are provided with a philosophy, a model, and a proven process for bringing out their individual best, for developing effective leadership, for establishing and nurturing an organizational leadership culture which will ensure personal and group success. Within its pages, "Legacy Leadership" provides its readers with a complete seminar and workshop for mastering the basic principles and practices that will insure leadership success, making it a very highly recommended addition to personal and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement reference collections and supplemental lists.

Read People Deeper
Rose Rosetree
Women's Intuition Worldwide
116 Hillsdale Drive, Sterling, VA 20164-1201
9780975253830, $14.95, www.rose-rosetree.com

Empathy is an art that can be learned. "Read People Deeper" is a guide to better understanding other people by reading the little things they do, their movements, and their expressions. Chapters cover how to read body language, people's faces, and even auras, all to better spot someone's true intentions or feelings in a situation. A solid read for anyone who wants to improve their social and communication skills as a whole.


The Literary Shelf

Konversations with Kerouac
Rod Burke
Wingspan Press
P.O. Box 2085, Livermore, CA 94551
9781595942432, $12.95, www.wingspanpress.com

Jack Kerouac has inspired many of his readers to adapt a different way of life. "Konversations with Kerouac: The Search for Beat and It from Kazakhstan" is not literally an interview with the famed author, but Burke's own reflections on following his inspiration thousands of miles from home to find his own meaning of life. He spends his time in the oil fields of Kazakhstan pondering the meaning of life, and in "Konversations with Kerouac" he brings readers some fresh wisdom that is sure to open their eyes to the world around them.


The Poetry Shelf

Reason Enough
Ida Vitale
Host Publications
1000 East 7th, Suite 201, Austin, TX 78702
9780924047428, $12.00

One does not have to speak English in order to weave beautiful and memorable poetry with it. "Reason Enough" is a vivid and excellent anthology of poetry from Ida Vitale, who first published his volume of poetry in 1972. Now English speakers can enjoy his work alongside the original Spanish thanks to the deft works and translations of Sarah Pollack. "Reason Enough" is a must for world poetry fans. "The Gesture": The eyelids fall,/the overthrown head/falls back./The weight of the crown of love/is arduous/He is king and dies.

The White Dove
Jane Candia Coleman
High Plains Press
PO Box 123, 403 Cassa Road, Glendo, WY 82213
9780931271830, $12.95

To travel thousands of miles during a time where such a task was not a small flight like it is today, is a mark of dedication to one's religion. "The White Dove" is one poet's celebration of this man's acts over three hundred years ago. Father Kino was an early missionary in the American West before it was the American West, and Jane Candia Coleman describes his life and times in this brilliant anthology of poetry. "The White Dove" is a must for those with an appreciation for history, Christianity, and poetry. "The Mirage": Enter this web of canyons/at your own risk./Wander the labyrinth/of vanished rivers/crumbing faults,//and somewhere you/will meet yourself/pared to the bone,/as the bones underfoot/will testify.//These painted hills/thrusting out of earth,/these barren trails/do not lie except/ with permission.

Clocks Stopped at a Strange and Savage Hour
Brian Spaeth
Serious Ink Press
P.O. Box 2922, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
9780979698514, $10.00, www.artistsilove.com

"Clocks Stopped and a Strange and Savage Hour: Fulton Street and Other Stories" is author Brian Spaeth's tale of life at his lowest points, when the future seemed unbelievably grim. His poetry reflects on these times of drugs, selfishness, homelessness, and worse. "Clocks Stopped at a Strange and Savage Hour" is a must for any poetry fan seeking something different. "Hot-Spectrum Extrapolations": Latitudes of burning oil and last chances/Dreaming at the hot end of the palette/Particle accelerators at the Fulton Street Cyclotron/Sulfuric night-chant/Fulminating bismuth and churning conjecture/Robustus Contamiensis: the Wilder's Song and crackling-torch accompaniment/Books dropped in oil and set aflame/Human candles burn, sputter, and flicker – then expire in front of your /troubled eyes!//Hot colors disturb our sleep...

Age of the Demon Tools
Mark Spitzer
Ahadada Books
3158 Bentworth Drive, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7M-1M2
9780980887310, $12.50, www.ahadadabooks.com

Accomplished poet, novelist, and translator Mark Spitzer brings forth another book of unique poetry, "Age of the Demon Tools." A complex anthology attacking countless topics in politics, popular culture, and society, "Age of the Demon Tools" is both intriguing and thought provoking. A strong pick for community library poetry collections. "Proposal from Me Mr. Alishyashi": a different go of mild/ fetter in confusion// blessed and Zadok. And ye/ know, him, why therein/ cannot order two vessels of/ the treading Manasseh's/ cursed care// Impress yourself, your olden bird/ he distillate/ continuity teasel/ that well gladewater/ he many threaten.

Echoes of Eternity
Francine L. Trevens
TnT Classic Books
360 West 36 St. #2NW, New York, NY 10018-6412
9781886586093, $16.95

For over twenty five years, veteran poet Francine L. Trevens has been hard at work at her craft; now she presents readers with "Echoes of Eternity". Combining a traditional approach with contemporary themes and style, Trevens' poetry is a unique blend that fans of the genre and especially fans of her first anthology will love. "Wake Up Call": Lines running around / Forcing me to chase them from / My brain to paper.

The Urge to Believe is Stronger Than Belief Itself
Erin M. Bertram
Cherry Pie Press
PO Box 155, Glen Carbon, IL 62034-2905
9780974846880, $10.00

Cancer is a life changing experience, even if one survives its ravages. "The Urge to Believe is Stronger Than Belief Itself" is a book-long poem from previously published poet Erin Bertram. This volume focuses on her experience with the disease and how it restores the bonds that link both mother and daughter. "The Urge to Believe is Stronger Than Belief Itself" is a solid read for any poetry fan who has felt the shadow of cancer upon their life.

Creating Our Pilgrimage
Loretta Pitilli
Simply Write Press
7901 Ridge Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11209
9780980156508, $11.95, www.lorettapitilli.com

Mother and accomplished poet Loretta Pitilli brings poetry fans something to enjoy in "Creating Our Pilgrimage". Covering topics such as nature, wisdom, love, family, art, and more, the vivid verse of "Creating Our Pilgrimage" is sure to be beloved by poetry fans everywhere. "Creating Our Pilgrimage": The earth turns/our journey begins/crying out/our breath speaks/pushing through/high and low tide/we begin our pilgrimage/holding hands/with the sun moon and stars/we create our life and our death.


The Business Shelf

Rethinking the Corporation
Forler Massnick
Carfor Enterprises
1215 Sylvan Street, Wausau, WI 54403
9780981590608, $16.95

Survival in the harsh world of business has become more difficult over the years. "Rethinking the Corporation: New Ways to Govern and Manage As Science and Technology Produce Exponential Change" is a survival guide to staying afloat in today's world, where even one year's changes in the marketplace can herald the difference between "top of the line" and "obsolete". Showing how businesses can take advantage of constant changes to not only survive, but prosper and thrive, "Rethinking the Corporation" is a must for any business leader.

America's Corporate Brain Drain
Babs Ryan
Sparks
PO Box 10527, Chicago, IL 60610-0527
9780981494708, $26.95, www.sparksworldwide.com

The easiest solution to a problem is sometimes the stupidest one. "America's Corporate Brain Drain: Why We Leave, Where We Go, How we Can Reverse the Flow" is a look at the changing face of business and why it may be related to incompetent management of America's largest corporations. The masses of America, which used to support these massive businesses, are slowly losing faith in them and putting their faith elsewhere. An expose of the countless mistakes big business have made in recent years, "America's Corporate Brain Drain" is highly recommended for those who don't want to follow suit with the stupidest mistakes.

Delivering and Measuring Customer Service
Richard D. Hanks
Duff Road Endeavors
310 East 4500 South, #450, Salt Lake City, UT 84107
9780615185408, $21.95, www.duffroad.com

Without customers, a business is doomed to failure. "Delivering and Measuring Customer Service" is a complete and comprehensive guide for business owners who want to deliver these valuable people the best service possible. Looking at the evolution of customer service through recent history, "Delivering and Measuring Customer Service" discusses such matters as getting accurate feedback on how one's business is doing, and how best to use that feedback effectively, along with many more general tips. A guide that every business owner should consider required reading, "Delivering and Measuring Customer Service" is highly recommended for community library business collections.

Maximum Horsepower
Ocean Palmer
Airplane Reader Publishing Co.
9260 East Lake Place, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
9780976548515, $24.95, www.salestalentdevelopment.com

If a thing is to be properly sold, it must have value. "Maximum Horsepower: How to Strengthen Your Sales Force Quickly" is a manual focusing on this critical concept. Advising readers on how to survey the marketplace and find the right product that has value, and promoting eight steps to boost an entrepreneurial business, "Maximum Horsepower" is a complete and comprehensive guide to sales department success.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

A Bite at a Time
Morris Katzoff
Wordclay
3750 Priority Way South Drive, Suite 114, Indianapolis, IN 46240
9781604810547, $13.95, www.morriskatzoff.com

Not everyone is the same physically. "A Bite at a Time: From Your Heart to Your Mind, Weight loss Motivation & Inspiration" realizes this, and thus does not try to encourage readers to follow some method that may not work for them. It is instead something that will work across many minds - inspiration to keep trying to lose that weight and keep it off through inspiration and compassionate stories to help pushing one to lose the weight in whatever method they can, and manage to keep it off. "A Bite at a Time" is a unique approach to weight loss, and may be just what some people need to keep themselves going.

Conquer Back and Neck Pain
Dr. Mark D. Brown
Sunrise River Press
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781934716014, $11.95, www.sunriseriverpress.com

Millions of Americans experience chronic back pain, and have little clue on how exactly to deal with it. "Conquer Back and Neck Pain: Walk It Off!" is a complete and comprehensive guide for sufferers, written by nationally renowned spinal surgeon Dr. Mark D. Brown. Despite his profession, Brown suggests against surgery for most types of back pain, suggesting many ways to relieve the pain without going under the knife - including literally walking it off. An informative guide to when surgery is truly required and when it is not, "Conquer Back and Neck Pain: Walk It Off!" is highly recommended for sufferers of back and neck pain, and for community library health collections.

The Enduring Self in People with Alzheimer's
Sam Fazio
Health Professions Press
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781932529388, $26.95, www.healthpropress.com

Alzheimer's is a horrible disease not to be wished on one's worst enemy. "The Enduring Self in People with Alzheimer's: Getting to the Heart of Individualized Care" is examines how correct care and treatment can prevent the worst of Alzheimer's symptoms and memory loss. Drawing from many resources of research and study, "The Enduring Self in People with Alzheimer's" is a complete and comprehensive guide to Alzheimer's care. A strong read for anyone who must care for or treat these patients, "The Enduring Self" is highly recommended for community library health collections.

Holler for Your Health
Teresa Holler
Healthy Harbor Enterprises
PO Box 783 Blue Ridge, VA 24064
9780981526102, $22.50, www.holler4health.com

Many diseases are not inevitable, but rather preventable. "Holler for Your Health: Be the Key to a Healthy Family" is a family-oriented guide about maintaining good mental and physical health, from nursing infants to preventing obesity to tips on buying safe and proper toys. Scientific evidence supports the recommendations of this seminal guide to promoting health within one's own immediate family. "Holler for Your Health" should be read by anyone in charge of younger people's health, as well as those who are planning to be.

The Medical Tourism Travel Guide
Paul Gahlinger, M.D., Ph.D
Sunrise River Press
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781934716007, $19.95, www.sunriseriverpress.com

Health care in the United States can be one of the most expensive things one has to purchase. "The Medical Tourism Travel Guide" is a complete and comprehensive handbook for anyone considering foreign health providers for major medical, dental, or cosmetic needs that may be unaffordable in the United States. A straight up honest guide about the pros, cons, risks and costs that one will most likely face when considering international health care options, "The Medical Tourism Travel Guide" is a seminal resource for a touchy subject. An absolute must-have for any American contemplating foreign health care.

Zapped!
Wenonah Hauter & Mark Worth
Food & Water Watch
1616 P Street, NW Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
9780980115703, $10.00, www.foodandwaterwatch.org

Could the very things we consume for our health be killing us? "Zapped! Irradiation and the Death of Food" is a scholarly dissection of what the practice of irradiation is doing to modern food supplies. The hazards are well known to scientists, yet continued to be ignored. An eye opening expose of the science behind some of today's modern food preservation techniques, "Zapped!" should be read by any who worry about the safety of their food.

The Lyme Disease Survival Guide
Connie Strasheim
Biomed Publishing Group
PO Box 9012, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158
9780976379744, $25.95, www.lymebook.com

Lyme disease is no longer as deadly as it once was. "The Lyme Disease Survival Guide: Physical, Lifestyle, and Emotional Strategies for Healing" is a guide teaching sufferers how to fight their disease, overcome it, and live a healthy and normal life. Advice covers topics such as healing, detoxification, testing, treatment, and life advice for dieting, exercise, romance, finance, airplanes, and other things that everyone has to deal with daily. "The Lyme Disease Survival Guide: Physical, Lifestyle, and Emotional Strategies for Healing" is a must for anyone who has unfortunately been afflicted with this ailment.

If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing
Leslie Ann Butler
Nightingale Press
10936 N. Port Washington Road, Suite 206, Mequon, WI 53092
9781933449586, $29.95, www.nightengalepress.com

What's on one's head seems to matter a lot to a lot of people in the world. "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing" is a guide for sufferers of AA, also known as Alopecia Aretea, to cope with their disorder. The disorder, not well known to the public, causes hair loss all over one's body – most importantly, the head. With a focus on women sufferers, although men can have it as well and could benefit from the advice within, she tells her story about dealing with it all, including the annoyances of wigs, covering it up, and how to deal with people finding out that you're a bald woman, a look that hasn't been accepted in modern society. "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing" is a fresh and inspiring look at dealing with a disorder that shouldn't be anymore than what it is – a mild annoyance.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Money Sucks!
Miryam Gordon
Green Elms Press
PO Box 15186, Seattle, WA 98115-0186
9780977905829, $8.99

Everyone wants money, but few understand what to do with it. "Money Sucks!: Money Strategies for Real Life" offers lessons that few people have ever been taught about the importance of planning with one's money. Aiming to give readers the essentials, and deliberately not a ten pound financial textbook, "Money Sucks!" is an excellent read for anyone just starting out and seeking to plan their money usage to avoid future problems.


The Parenting Shelf

Baby Proofing Basics
Vicki Lansky
Book Peddlers
2828 Hedburg Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305
0916773590, $8.95, www.bookpeddlers.com

Every parent who worthy of the job wants their child to be safe. "Baby Proofing Basics: How to Keep Your Child Safe" is a guide to making one's home much less likely inflict injury or worse upon children. Filled with simple tips that are easy to implement, as well as more extreme measures covered on a room by room basis, "Baby Proofing Basics" is a must-have for any parent, babysitter, or host who wants to keep their home hazard free.

Living with Grief: Children and Adolescents
Kenneth J. Doka & Amy S. Tucci
Hospice Foundation
1621 Connecticut Avenue, NW, #300, Washington, DC 20009
9781893349094, $34.95, www.hospicefoundation.org

A child faced with a major loss is a child that is confused and scared. "Living with Grief: Children and Adolescents" is the fifteenth book in the "Living with Grief" series from the Hospice Foundation of America. Speaking on the subject are many experts, each with their own chapter, making this a balanced, scholarly look at grief in children. With countless tips and advice for parents and health care professionals on how to deal with children's grief, "Living with Grief: Children and Adolescents" is a complete and comprehensive guide. Highly recommended for community library parenting and psychology collections.

Will It Hurt?
Armen Ketchedjian, M.D. (a.k.a. "Dr. Ketch")
Warren Enterprises
PO Box 547, Southbury, CT 06488
9780981537306, $14.95, www.drketch.com

Children who need surgery are a special case. "Will it Hurt?: A Parent's Practical Guide to Children's Surgery" is for parents of children who must face daunting measures that frighten the pants off of adults. With great advice on preparing children to face surgery, and how to talk them into the courage they need to go through with it, "Will It Hurt?" is a highly sensitive book to the special needs of a child. Highly recommended for any parent of a child who has an operation scheduled.


The Women's Studies Shelf

The Red Wall
Jane Hall
General Store Publishing House
499 O'Brien Rd., Box 415, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada, K7V 4A6
9781897113684, $19.95, www.gsph.com

Throughout the twentieth century, women have burst through many barriers of professions that are exclusively male. "The Red Wall: A Woman in the RCMP" is the author Jane Hall's story of breaking through that gender barrier to become one of the first female Canadian Mounties. A dedicated and detailed telling of her story in the organization that the Canadian nation upholds as a national symbol, "The Red Wall" is an informed and informative tale of tradition and transformation.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

My Secret Life as Peanut
Todd Friedman & Megan Andrews
Wild Icon Publishing Group
PO Box 250762, Plano, TX 75025-0762
9780979933509, $12.95, www.wildicon.com

What goes through the mind of one's pet? "My Secret Life as Peanut" is a tale about a day in the life of the cat Sassy, who calls herself peanut. Told from a distinctly feline perspective, "My Secret Life as Peanut" a refreshing and humorous book that cat lovers will simply adore. Enhanced with cute photos of Sassy and intriguing facts on cats, "My Secret Life as Peanut" is recommended for community library collections.

Because the Cat Purrs
Janet Lembke
Skyhorse Publishing
555 Eighth Avenue, Suite 903, New York, NY 10018
9781602392359, $22.95, www.skyhorsepublishing.com

Humanity is not the only resident of Earth; we share our homes with thousands of others on the planet. "Because the Cat Purrs: How We Relate to Other Species and Why It Matters" is a deft and scholarly examination of humanity's relationship with its animal neighbors. From man's best friend the dog, to the insects that assault us from every direction, to the rats that break into our homes and eat our food, "Because the Cat Purrs" gives an enlightening and eye opening look at the living world around us, and why we should better understand it. Enthusiastically recommended to community library collections.


The American History Shelf

Chaining Oregon
Kay Atwood
The McDonald & Woodard Publishing Company
431-B E. College Street, Granville, Ohio 43023
9780939923205, $27.95 www.mwpubco.com

Chaining Oregon: Surveying the Public Lands of the Pacific Northwest, 1851-1855 is a scholarly, in-depth history of the early federal surveyors of the Pacific Northwest, who labored for the US General Land Office between 1851 and 1855, and the impact their work had on America's overall work to settle the valleys and mountains of what would eventually become the states of Oregon and Washington. A handful of black-and-white images, including reproductions of early surveyor maps, enhance this amazing look into the lives and struggles of these unsung pioneers. Highly recommended, especially for college library American History shelves.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

Virgins!
Zola Lawrence
Argo & Cole Publishers
49 North Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004
9780979118609, $16.95, www.60ssexualrevolution.com

The first time is always the hardest. "Virgins!: A Memoir of the Sexual Revolution" collects reflections from those who were virgins during a time where sex and free love were promoted heavily and worldwide. Not everyone jumped into bed with a partner; these are their stories of dealing with a hectic time of social revolution. An intriguing memoir collection, offering a different perspective of the 1960s and 1970s.


The Social Issues Shelf

New Landscapes of Inequality
Jane L. Collins (editor) & collaborators
School for Advanced Research Press
PO Box 2188, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2188
9781934691014, $29.95, www.sapress.sarweb.org

Could pushing for the equality of all end up with a bigger inequality than ever before? "New Landscapes of Inequality: Neoliberalism and the Erosion of Democracy in America" speaks on the growing inequality of America which slowly increase the gap between those living in the ghettos and those living in posh cities. A collection of scholarly essays on the subject from some of the most educated thinkers on the subject, "New Landscapes of Inequality" is sure to appeal to those with an unquenchable first for political opinions and ideas.

Murder Incorporated? The Tobacco Industry
Gene Strandberg
Lodgepole Press
Box 525, Blackhawk, CO 80422
www.MurderIncorporatedTheTobaccoIndustry.com
9780979989001, $9.95

Tobacco kills more Americans every year than war. It kills more Americans than traffic accidents. It is more addictive than heroin -- and more damaging to the human body. It is one of the most lethal legal drugs that Americans can purchase without a prescription. Gene Strandberg became aware of what tobacco does to human health and decided to write "Murder Incorporated? The Tobacco Industry" when he also became aware of the role the tobacco industry plays in addicting its customers to their product. Beginning with tobacco's relationship to lung cancer, the addictive qualities of nicotine, the basic chemistry associated with tobacco, the ubiquitous dangers of secondhand smoke, the easy with which tobacco can be accessed by children, the problems of smuggling tobacco products that arise from the patchwork quilt that are state-oriented taxing systems, the bought-and-paid-for influence of the tobacco industry upon the halls of Congress, and some quite insightful conclusions, "Murder Incorporated? The Tobacco Industry" is a work of compelling social commentary that will prove of interest to anyone concerned with issues of personal and public health, as well as the corruptive influences of the tobacco companies upon the citizens and governments of the United States today.

Humanity at Stake
Abraham Young
Create Space
100 Enterprise Way, Suite A200, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
9781438214115, $9.95, www.humanityatstake.com

The people of Taiwan and China are not so different culturally, but their relationship is unique, and grows more so when the United States is involved. "Humanity at Stake" is a scholarly and thorough look at the discourse between the three nations, and their goals and concerns with one another. In the process, "Humanity at Stake" opens the eyes of readers to a conflict that doesn't get much air time in the American media. "Humanity at Stake" is of high interest to anyone who wants a better view of world politics as a whole.

Rescue Plan for Planet Earth
Jim Stark
The Key Publishing House
Smith Publicity (publicity)
9780978252656, $19.49, www.thekeypublish.com

So many governments bickering at one another about topics which may be petty in the eyes of most. "Rescue Plan for Planet Earth: Democratic World Government Through a Global Referendum" is Jim Stark's call for the world to unite into one globalized government. Laying out plans on how it could work and examining subjects such as voting, taxes, and keeping it civil, he seeks to answer all questions in his aim to explain why a world government is viable and the best solution for the continued peace of earth. ""Rescue Plan for Planet Earth" is highly recommended to those looking to alternative political solutions.


The Education Shelf

The Bullies
Dennis Lines
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843105787, $24.95, www.jkp.com

What makes a person take out their aggression on others? "The Bullies: Understanding Bullies and Bullying" is a manual for educators in coming to begin to understand these peculiar people. Looking to explain bullying on many levels of life from elementary school to the daily workplace to relationships, it's an ideal guide for those looking to further understand human nature and to see that even the rudest and most manipulative of us are still human too. "The Bullies" is a deft psychological treatise, highly recommended to those who want to know why people do the things they do.


The Travel Shelf

African Safari Journal
Mark W. Nolting
Global Travel Publishers
5353 N Federal Hwy, Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
9780939895113, $19.95, www.africa-adventure.com

Africa, the cradle of civilization, the cradle of humanity itself. Now in and updated fifth edition, "African Safari Journal" is a guide for anyone planning on visiting this magnificent continent. Packed with everything from a detailed listing of the various animals and plants, to a simple language guide to help travelers more effectively communicate, "Africa Safari Journal" is the definitive guide for any traveler going to Africa. Enhanced with well over three hundred color illustrations, full color maps, a resource directory, checklist, and even space for writing a personal journal, "African Safari Journal" is an excellently crafted traveling companion.


The Criminology Shelf

The Baby Thief
Barbara Bisantz Raymond
Union Square Press
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
9781402758638, $12.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

Adoption is supposed to be an act of goodness, but there are those who would corrupt it. "The Baby Thief: The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, The Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption" tells of Memphis-based black market baby merchant Georgia Tann, who operated from the 1920's to the 1950's conning mothers out of their children or just out and out kidnapping them, only to turn around and sell them to the wealthy to claim as their own. Her orphanage was applauded in spite of its horrifically high death rate. She habitually hid adoption records, a practice that has unfortunately become standardized in today's adoption industry. An expose of a dark individual who treated babies worse than cattle, "The Baby Thief" reveals why, despite its more stringent modern regulations, modern adoption needs to rethink some of its practices (such as sealing records). Highly recommended.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Stonewiser
Dora Machado
Mermaid Publishing, LLC
PO Box 5480, Spring Hill, FL 34611
9780979968204, $15.99, www.merpress.com

A person's word is cannot compare to stone truth. "Stonewiser: The Heart of the Stone" is a novel about Sariah, the leading stonewiser of her time. She seeks the truth of the world through her art of reading stories from the stones, but finding the truth is not without its perils, and she is forced to bind her fate with that of a rebel leader in order to save her dying world. "Stonewiser" is a finely crafted fantasy with unique concepts, and a vivid living world that will draw readers in and not let go.

Fablehaven
Brandon Mull
Shadow Mountain
9781590388983, $18.95, www.shadowmountain.com

A terrible plague has begun to sweep the land. "Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague" is a fantasy novel about the infestation of a plague that warps the creatures of light into servants of darkness. Who is responsible for this development of the plague? The only ones who can help are of questionable virtue at best, and danger is at every corner. "Fablehaven" is an excellent fantasy, sure to please fans of the genre, with twists and turns when the reader least expects them.

Puss & Boots in the 23rd Century
Jack McClure
Iron Thumb Press
101 Shan Hill LN, Boyce, VA 22620
9780615194608, $24.95, www.ironthumbpress.com

Two strong women, both war veterans, return home to find that matters are even worse off the battlefield. "Puss & Boots in the 23rd Century" is an exciting science fiction thriller following accomplished soldiers Puss and Boots as they stand against a corrupt government and an all controlling media to bring sanity back to a chaotic nation, with the help of only a few individuals willing to stand beside them. Highly recommended for community library science fiction collections.

Kandide and the Secret of the Mists
Diana S. Zimmerman
Noesis Publishing
5777 W. Century Blvd., #200, Los Angeles, CA 90045
9780979432835, $17.99, www.kandide.com

There are dark secrets to even the most pristine and utopian societies. "Kandide and the Secrets of the Mists: The Calabiyau Chronicles" is the story of Kandide, who is expelled from her society when her wing is crushed. She must join the outsiders that she had been brought up to fear and loathe, called the Imperfects. They turn out to be people just like her, only... imperfect. She is faced with the challenges of exile as those on the inside begin to realize they've made a mistake. A story of understanding wrongful prejudice, "Kandide and the Secrets of the Mist" is a highly original and intriguing fantasy, sure to please the genre's fans.

First Voyage
Leslie Hoffman, et al.
RMJ Publications
www.rmjpublications.com
9781934051290, $17.99

Compiled by the editorial staff of RMJ Publications, "First Voyage" showcases the short story telling talents in an impressive anthology of thirteen original fantasy tales by first time authors -- as well as a few who are established authors trying their hand for the first time in a new genre. Some of the stories have a science fiction orientation, others a fantasy or horror content. But all of them are unique, original, entertaining works that showcase storytelling talents of the first order. Comprising "First Voyage" are Leslie Hoffman's 'The Walk-Ins'; Betty Lee's 'My Dog Story'; Douglas A. Davy's 'The Oracle'; Stacee Hallquist's 'The Bridge'; Roger Storkamp's 'Child of a Mail-Order Bride'; Elaine Stubbs' 'The Wendigo'; Laura Alton's 'Test Animal?'; James Fick's 'Yes or No, Even I Can't Decide'; Fred Rayworth's 'Fun in the Outland'; Charle E. Fuller Jr.'s 'Argentiferous Projectiles'; Maxwell A. Drake's 'Last Man on Earth'; and the collaborative piece 'The Eclipse' by Richard Wine, Elaine Stubbs and Lynn Lanier. Of special note is the author biography section. "First Voyage" is enthusiastically recommended reading and a welcome addition to any personal or community library Fantasy & Science Fiction collection.

The Twelfth Age
Lily G. Stephen
Blooming Rose Press
PO Box 1211, Mount Shasta, CA 96067-1211
9780971265929, $19.95, www.bloomingrosepress.com

The art of writing a literate and original work of fiction is just that -- an art. It requires every bit as much imagination, skill, and talent as does a painting or a sculpture. Instead of being created out of pigments and canvas, clay and marble, it is composed of words -- but if they are the right words, they can outlast painted images and endure for as long as stone statues. Just such an artistic literary work is 'The Third Verse Trilogy' by Lily G. Stephen who has now published "The Twelfth Age" which is the concluding volume to her deftly woven trilogy of mythology, romance, fantasy, and spiritual insights that began with "The Tenth Muse" (0971265909, $14.95), then continued with "The El-eventh Hour" (0971265917, $19.95), and has now come to completion with a particular elegance and literary flair with a novel that takes the reader across ages and dimensions for a synchronous convergence of events as Tashami-roku searched for the legendary prophet Stair and an ultimate awakening and transformation of human consciousness. Complex, engaging, entertaining, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Twelfth Age" is a compelling and thoroughly satisfying read and represents independent publishing at its very best.

Darkness Comprehended
Katherine Jeffries
Sense of Wonder Press
c/o James A. Rock & Company
9710 Traville Gateway Drive, #305, Rockville, MD 20850
9781596637757, $14.95, www.rockpublishing.com

The guilt of having someone die to protect you can be overwhelming. "Darkness Comprehended" tells of Estelle, who must deal with that fact that her husband gave his life for hers. His sacrifice may be all for naught; she becomes a recluse, isolated almost to the point of being as good as dead. She can't believe the man she loved is gone, and thinks she should have died; unknown to her, there are those who also share their beliefs. If she has the chance of reverting what happened and making it go the other way, can she make herself take it? A riveting psychological thriller to the very end.


The Photography Shelf

Ticetown
George Tice
Lodima Press
PO Box 367, Revere, Pennsylvania 18953
1888899493, $60.00 www.lodimapress.com

Ticetown is an emotional black-and-white photographic showcase of author and renowned photographer George Tice's family history and roots. Though a handful of brief essays place the images of Tice's family members, locations of his childhood, and other striking glimpses in context, the photographs by and large speak for themselves. From "Wrecked Boat, Cheesequake Creek, November 1993" which shows a sadly overturned and decaying vessel on stagnant waters, to "Flowering Apple Tree, Ticetown, May 1994" which offers a glorious glimpse of a tree in exuberant full bloom, these images evoke far more than one man's personal history - they form a window into the soul of the area's land and community.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Meetings with Paul
Philip H. Kraph
Origin Press
1010 B Street, Suite 323, San Rafael, CA 94901
9781579830212, $15.95, www.originpress.com/kraph

Are angels, creatures usually viewed as part of Christian belief, really linked to the religion? "Meetings with Paul: An Atheist Discovers His Guardian Angel" is author Philip H. Kraph's explanation of his encounters with a spiritual force whom he calls his Guardian Angel Paul. Paul grants Phillip, a vocal atheist, sage advice about the world around him - advice that is surprisingly free of religious bent. "Meetings with Paul" is an enlightening account that reveals how spirituality does not absolutely necessitate belief in God.

Noah's Ark
Tim Lovett
Master Books
PO Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638
9780890515075, $15.99, www.masterbooks.net

The story of Noah's Ark tells of a ship massive and durable enough to survive forty days of heavy rain, which contained hundreds of creatures who surely wouldn't have been perfectly behaved. It's just a piece of faith one has to put in the Bible, right? "Noah's Ark: Thinking Outside the Box" is a look at the science behind the Ark and tries to deduce whether it was practically possible for a man in Biblical times to construct such a ship. The story of Noah's Ark just might be true, claims Naval expert, engineer, and author Tim Lovett. A deft examination of the science behind one of the Bible's most well known tales, "Noah's Ark" is a must for church library collections.

Sowing Atheism
Robert Bowie Johnson Jr.
Solving Lights Books
727 Mount Alban Drive, Annapolis, MD 21409
9780970543851, $12.95, www.solvinglight.com

Could pushing a curriculum of evolution on schools be going too far? "Sowing Atheism: The National Academy of Sciences Sinister Scheme to Teach Our Children They're Descended from Reptiles" is an attack on evolutionary theory, claiming that the ideas behind it are as just as much a religion as Christianity is. Calling for a revision of school curriculums to exclude evolutionary theory, out of fear that it will encourage children to embrace atheism, "Sowing Atheism" is a severe look at the National Academy of Science from a Christian Scientist's perspective.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

The Safe Approach
Charles Ennis & Janet Douglas
Issues Press
c/o Idyll Arbor
39129 264th Ave SE, Enumclaw, WA 98022
9781930461031, $24.00, www.idyllarbor.com

Sometimes professionals are at risk from violence by the very people they are sent to help. "The Safe Approach: Controlling Risk for Workers in the Helping Professions" is a guide for these social workers, nurses, and other professionals, meant to help people called to serve outside of an established medical institution stay safe when things turn sour. With advice on spotting warning signs of violence, how to stop the worst from happening, and dealing with the worst when it happens regardless, "The Safe Approach" is highly recommended for community library jobs and career collections and a must-read for anyone in the nursing and social work fields.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Wonderful Myth Called Science
Fred Bauer
Solas Press
4627 Shetland Way, Antioch, CA 94531
9781893426979, $25.99, www.solaspress.com

Many of the great ideas of our world have come from minds which should not fully be followed. "The Wonderful Myth Called Science" is an examination of some of the greatest minds throughout history, why their brand of logic is not fully accepted by the modern world, and why it's better this way. A scholarly, thoughtful, and thought provoking piece of writing, "The Wonderful Myth Called Science" is a top pick for community library philosophy collections.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Allies of Humanity
Marshall Vian Summers
New Knowledge Library
c/o The Society for the Greater Community Way of Knowledge
PO Box 1724, Boulder, CO 80306-1724
9781884238444, $14.95, www.alliesofhumanity.org

Could aliens have already made contact with humanity? Are extraterrestrials helping humanity along? "The Allies of Humanity: An Urgent Message About the Extraterrestrial Presence in the World Today" claims that beings from other worlds have already made their presence subtlety felt in our world. Saying that some of these beings are taking advantage of humanity's squabbles and that humanity needs to establish rules of engagement with otherworldly sentients, "The Allies of Humanity" is an unusual book indeed, and of interest for anyone who wants another look at the world. A strong choice for metaphysical studies collections.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Leveling the Carbon Playing Field
Trevor Houser & Collaborators
Peterson Institute
1750 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1903
9780881324204, $19.95, www.petersoninstitute.org

The United States has the ability to be the one of the biggest players in the oil industry, but how does it level the playing field and stay competitive, while remaining mindful of environmental concerns? "Leveling the Carbon Playing Field: International Competition and US Climate Policy Design" is a scholarly and educated examination of the oil industry and how American policy affects both the oil trade and related environmental issues. Packed with smart ideas and advice, "Leveling the Carbon Playing Field" should be considered essential reading for anyone in the center of these vital issues. A good choice for community library environmental and social issues collections.


The Cookbook Shelf

Flavored With Love
Jane Riley
Blue Moon Books
207 North Service Road East, #213, Ruston, LA, 71270
9780974191225, $22.97, www.flavoredwithlove.com

Louisiana offers a cornucopia of regional dishes that would grace any dining occasion, satisfy any appetite, and please even the most discerning gourmet expectations. Now in a newly expanded third edition, "Flavored With Love" by Jane Riley showcases more than 300 of her favorite Louisiana recipes enhanced with new stories of family and friends, food-and-cooking 'infobits', and presenting a new style of cooking called 'La Cuisine Texianne'. Of special note is the choice of using a large print, full letter-sized page format for each of these 'kitchen cook friendly', step-by-step recipes. From Myrtle's Chocolate Fudge; Stir Fried Shrimp and Vegetables with Angel Hair Pasta; and Bourbon Chicken; to Sour Cream Enchiladas; Butterbeans with Dumplings; and JR's Crawfish Etouffee, "Flavored With Love" lives up to its title and is enthusiastically recommended for personal and community library cookbook collections.


James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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