Return to home
page Book Reviews, Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers
Home / Small Press Bookwatch

Small Press Bookwatch

Volume 11, Number 7 July 2012 Home | SPBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Health/Medicine Shelf Memoir Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fiction Shelf Divorce Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf Poetry Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Business Shelf
American History Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Education Shelf
Sports Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf Literary Studies Shelf
LGBT Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Agriculture Shelf
Writing/Publishing Shelf Humor Shelf Parenting Shelf
Political Science Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Did Jesus Have a Cat?
Connie Pursell
Aperion Books
1611A South Melrose Dr #173
Vista, CA 92081
9780982967874, $15.95, www.aperionbooks.com

As we ponder the nature of the world we can come to many humorous conclusions. "Did Jesus Have a Cat? And Other Observations from a Quirky Mind" is a collection of prose and essays from Connie Pursell who presents many essays on life, growing older, and with a touch of the irrelevancy in our lives. Thoughtful and entertaining, "Did Jesus Have a Cat?" is an enticing read well worth considering for humor and memoir collections.

Devil's Tango
Cecile Pineda
Wings Press
627 E. Guenther, San Antonio, TX 78210
9780916727994, $16.95, www.wingspress.com

Nuclear power holds great potential, but it can also hold great danger. "Devil's Tango: How I Learned the Fukushima Step by Step" is a blend of personal memoir and treatise on the duality of nuclear power. Focusing on the 2011 disaster in Japan, Cecile Pineda covers her tour of the devastation and tries to better understand the value and potential of nuclear power. A very personal view with much to ponder behind it all, "Devil's Tango" is a strong pick for environmental studies and memoir collections.

The End
Laura Barcella
Zest Books
35 Stillman Street, Suite 121
San Francisco, CA 94107
9780982732250, $12.99, www.zestbooks.net

So many ways for the world to end, it's so hard to choose. "The End: 50 Apocalyptic Visions from Pop Culture That You Should Know About:.. Before It's Too Late" is an exploration of the end times through the visor of popular culture. From movies, comics, books, and much more, Laura Barcella explores the lessons learned from this visions of annihilation and their impact on the world as we know it. With black and white photography throughout, "The End" is a choice pick for humor and pop culture studies collection, very highly recommended.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

No Sugar Added
Jean Norris and Michael Norris
Norton & Norris Incorporated
55 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 950
Chicago, IL 60604
9780985433208, $29.99, www.nosugaradded.org

Diabetes is not the end of one's life, so one shouldn't treat it like it is. "No Sugar Added: Straight Talk from Those Living with Diabetes" is a collection of memoirs from those who are facing diabetes throughout their life and how they have conquered it and achieved greater health regardless. The stories within are from those are facing it themselves, their friends and family, and more. "No Sugar Added" is packed cover to cover with full color photography and very much recommended for those who are facing it themselves or have family members who are coping.

Cancer Clinical Trials
Tomasz M. Beer & Larry W. Axmaker
DiaMedica Publishing
150 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065
9780982321973, $16.95, www.diamedicapub.com

The fight against cancer is winnable, but it may take some time. "Cancer Clinical Trials" is a straightforward and plain language guide to the potentials of cancer treatment and how to better understand the process to find the correct treatment for the individual cancer case. The physicians behind the book elaborate further on the latest research and what must be considered for one considering all options. "Cancer Clinical Trials" is a strong pick for those who want to better understand all the potential solutions for treatment.

From Surviving to Thriving
Laverne S. Dupree
Crossbooks Publishing
1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403
9781462713264, $11.99, www.crossbooks.com

There's more to life than simply getting by. "From Surviving to Thriving: In Health and Weight Loss" is a health guide from Laverne S. Dupree as she advises readers on taking a more complete and faith based approach to help, granting advice on overcoming many ailments that nag us throughout our lives. For faithful readers considering more options for health, "From Surviving to Thriving" is not to be overlooked.

Dementia
Susan Kiser Scarff & Ann Kiser Zultner
Langdon Street Press
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781936782956, $16.95, www.langdonstreetpress.com

Dementia radically changes lives, and may make us lose loved ones before it is truly time. "Dementia: The Journey Ahead: A Practical Guide for In-Home Caregivers" is an advisory guide for those who find themselves or will find themselves caring for loved ones with dementia beginning to set in. With advice for caregivers to prepare for what can often be a daunting experience, with advice on the difficult ideas of finances, safety, and health. With a touch of humor and a lot of practicality, "Dementia" is a must for general health and wellness collections, highly recommended.

Get Well & Stay Well
Steve Amoils M.D. & Sandi Amoils, M.D.
Integrative Medicine Foundation
c/o Author Marketing Experts (publicity)
PO Box 421156, San Diego, CA 92142
9780985271909, $29.95, www.integrativemedfoundation.org

Prevention is a worth a pound of cure, and great health is the best prevention. "Get Well & Stay Well: Optimal Health through Transformational Medicine" is a guide to spiritual and traditional medicine, encouraging readers to embrace a more whole health solution than simply treating oneself as a bunch of problems in need of cure. With advice for general health and remembering that health is more than the lack of illness, "Get Well & Stay Well" is worth considering for those who want to understand the importance of overall health in their own search for happiness.

Health Motivations
Carol M. Morgan & Doran J. Levy
Strategic Directions Group, Inc.
66 Ninth Street East, Suite 1407
Saint Paul, MN 55101
9780970560506, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Health is an important aspect of our society, but it is too complex to simply be discussed as a whole. "Health Motivations: 7 Dimensions That Shape America's Health" is a discussion of health related issues in America, as Carol M. Morgan & Doran J. Levy break the issue down into many avenues, focusing on the middle aged and older Americans who receive a lion's share of the health care in America today. "Health Motivations" is worth considering for collections focusing on the modern state of healthcare.


The Memoir Shelf

Behind the Curtain
Charles E. Duffy
Drinian Press
PO Box 63, Huron, OH 44839-0063
9780983306924, $12.95, www.drinianpress.com

Equality does not simply happen, it has to be worked for. "Behind the Curtain" is a memoir from Charles E. Duffy as he shares his career as an EEO administrator, or Equal Employment Opportunity, speaking on his quest to enable more equal hiring practices throughout the country, dealing with changing administrations, and much more. With a good dose of humor, "Behind the Curtain" is a fine and much recommended addition to career memoir collections.

So Much Sky
Karen Weir-Jimerson
Studio G
13673 R Avenue, Woodward, IA 50276
9781463502430, $16.00, www.studiogonline.com

Far from modern civilization, one can gain a different grasp on the world. "So Much Sky" is a collection of essays and memoir from Karen Weir-Jimerson as she reflects on her life on three acres in Iowa, living with her husband their wide array of animals and livestock. Writing on gardening, rural life, and perhaps just life in general, "So Much Sky" is a fine and much recommended pick for essay collections, highly recommended.

Six at the Table
Sheila Maher
The Black Staff Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9780856408694, $16.95, www.dufoureditions.com

The joys of a time past change the world around us. "Six at the Table" is a memoir from Sheila Maher reflecting on her Dublin childhood in the seventies, and the simplicity of the era surrounding family get-togethers, the joys of family cooking, and the tragedy that occasionally came with it all. An Irish perspective on growing up, "Six at the Table" is a fine pick for those seeking a memoir of a long ago youth.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

A Murder In Our Midst
William Turner
Inkwater Press
6750 SW Franklin Street, Suite A
Portland, OR 97223
9781592994625 $19.95 www.inkwaterpress.com

A Murder In Our Midst is a dark and convoluted murder mystery. Two friends once shared a bond that went beyond the harsh divisions of race, class, money, and historical upheaval - only murder most foul could bring their friendship to an end! In the wake of the crime lies the fate of a multinational corporation heavily tied to the national defense industry. Sir Robert Winchell investigates the death of the corporate empire's patron, formerly a close friend, and finds disturbing clues that belie the twin seductions money and power. A Murder In Our Midst will keep the reader guessing to the very last page, and is an excellent pick for fans of the genre.

The Audubon Caper
R. Murry
Black Rose Writing
PO Box 1540
Castroville, TX 78009
9781612960944 $16.95 www.blackrosewriting.com

Vietnam veteran R. Murray presents The Audubon Caper, a "creative nonfiction" novel based on true events, though some names and characterizations are altered. Told from the perspective of a man caught in a crossroads between the law and a close friend determined to pursue a life of crime, The Audubon Caper grows progressively more tense and deadly, culminating in a nail-biting climax. The long-lasting repercussions of life's pivotal choices are profound theme in this memorable and intricate tale of suspense.

The Last Policeman
Ben H. Winters
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781594745768, $14.95, www.thelastpoliceman.com

The world is doomed and its date of destruction is known. "The Last Policeman" is a twist on the mystery and detective novel. As the world faces certain destruction in six months by meteor, the futility of law enforcement comes to ahead. Hank Palace, however, knows there is a job to be done, and faces the questions of what would humanity really do if the end times were a thing. "The Last Policeman" is a strong pick for modern fiction collections with an apocalyptic focus.

Blackjack
Jean Halloway
PHE Ink
9597 Jones Rd #213
Houston, TX 77065
9780982447505, $14.00, www.amazon.com

Murder always strikes with mystery, for no one wants their crimes to be known. "Blackjack" is a novel from Jean Halloway, as she writes of Lead Homicide Detective Shevaugn Robinson, who has become the star of the Portsborough Police Department. A murder that looks like suicide comes into her plate, and she must go through a tangled web of her own life as well as the victim's in order to find those who are responsible, starting Jean Halloway's Deck of Cardz series. "Blackjack" is worth considering for lovers of mystery fiction, highly recommended. Also from Jean Halloway's mysteries surrounding Detective Robinson is "Deuces Wild" (9781935724049, $15.95), following her struggles with marriage and a couple on a rampage, and "Full House" (9781935724063, $15.95), the series finale of a woman on er own and a series of missing women which makes her doubt her own abilities.

Sasha Plotkin's Deceit
Vaugn Sherman
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
9781603818117, $16.95, www.camelpress.com

The world of espionage is filled with deception at every turn. "Sasha Plotkin's Deceit" is a novel of mid twentieth century espionage on the backdrop of the Cold War. CIA agent Chris Holbeck is on the trail of KGB officer Sasha Plotkin, surrounding a potential defection that goes awry. Holbeck is split between his duty of tracking Plotkin, and his familial obligations, deciding if his family is worth the decision. "Sasha Plotkin's Deceit" is a riveting pick for lovers of espionage fiction, highly recommended.

Terror Flower
Thomas Hollyday
Solar Snipper Publishing
PO Box 86, Weston, MA 02493
9780974128788, $14.95, www.amazon.com

The simplest solution is not always the correct one. "Terror Flower" is a novel set in a Chesapeake Bay town, following Smote Rojos as he tries to find the truth behind the drowning of his grandfather. Exploring the tensions of the area and the country, Thomas Hollyday presents a novel with many levels and much to consider, and makes "Terror Flower" a fun and much recommended read for mystery and fiction collections.

Executive Severance
Robert K. Blechman
NeoPoiesis Press
PO Box 38037, Houston, TX 77238-8037
9780983274759, $16.95, www.neopoiesispress.com

140 character limits may be restrictive to some, but others embrace the challenge. "Executive Severance" is a mystery compiled on Twitter by Robert K. Blechman, who compiles a Twitter novel, or a novel founded in 140 character or less chunks. Presenting a humorous twist on the mystery genre and with plenty of humor, "Executive Severance" is an intriguing work, both as a story and in format, highly recommended.

The 90s Club & The Hidden Staircase
Eileen Haavik McIntire
Amanita Books
9329 Angelina Circle
Columbia, MD 21045
www.eileenmcintire.wordpress.com
9780983404934, $17.95, www.amazon.com

Against the threat of death, some aging individuals figure that haven't a lot of life to lose anyway. "The 90s Club & The Hidden Staircase" is a humorous spin on retirement community life focusing on the adventures of Nancy Dickenson and the 90s club as they try to solve the things going amiss at the Whisperwood Retirement home. With plenty of humor and its own original tale, "The 90s Club & The Hidden Staircase" is a must for those who like the cozy brand of mysteries.


The Fiction Shelf

A Multitude Of Hope
Peter Weddle
Epicenter Books
c/o News & Experts
3478 Turman Loop, Suite 101
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
9781928734710, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Author Peter Weddle draws upon his many years of experience and expertise as a writer and publisher in the field of business and career management to pen a work of fiction that does what dry monographs could never hope to accomplish -- put a human face on the problems of job loss due to market forces that are beyond the ability of ordinary men and women to affect. "A Multitude Of Hope is a 340-page novel that lays out the lives of three white-collar professionals who suddenly find themselves in need of jobs -- a hard thing to do in today's economic doldrums. So they turn to something they term 'economic disobedience' in their respective efforts to reacquire their versions of the 'American Dream' despite the odds against them. "A Multitude Of Hope" may be a superbly crafted work of fiction, but it is also a reflection of the world we now live in, making it a highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library collections.

Hunter's Escape: Quest for Freedom
J. C. Hager
Greenstone Publishing
7253 Graal Shores
Rapid River, MI 49878
www.GreenstonePublishing.com
9780979754630 $14.95 JCHager.com

Part of the Matt Hunter Adventure series of action-packed novels, Hunter's Escape: Quest for Freedom begins with Matt and Tanya Hunter's honeymoon cruise, which is interrupted by the discovery of a bloody, dehydrated Cuban refugee adrift on a battered catamaran. When they take him to receive medical treatment, they cross paths with a ruthless Mexican gangster. Corrupt officials, murderous pirates, and harsh conditions within a Cuban prison threaten to claim their lives - does Matt have any hope of rescuing himself, his bride, or the refugee? Readers who enjoy this engaging high adventure will also savor the previous Matt Hunter Adventure novels, "Hunter's Secret: Wreck of the Carol K" (9780979754661, $14.95) and "Hunter's Choice" (9780979754654, $15.95).

The Gospel of Damascus
Omar Imady
MSI Press
1760-F Airline Highway, #203
Hollister, CA 95023
9781933455105, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Faith is a major force, and when you dedicate your whole life to it, its failures and successes definitely contribute to the greater picture. "The Gospel of Damascus" is a novel from Omar Imady, telling the story of Yune Bukhari, a Damascene man at the crossroads of the Abrahamic faiths, cycling around 1999 and the belief that Christ will return. When he fails to, faith is challenged, as Yune looks forward to the next event of faith. "The Gospel of Damascus" is a fine work of international and faithful fiction, highly recommended.

Priest Lake Cathedral
Rand Clifford
StarChief Press
5024 N. Lee, Spokane, WA 99207
9780964781740, $18.95, www.starchiefpress.com

When a treasure of the community is in danger, heroism rises to the fore. "Priest Lake Cathedral" is a novel from Rand Clifford, following Andra and Dharman as they fall in love with each other and a local Cathedral in the forest, and find themselves at odds with the logging plans against the local forests. Spinning into a generation war of the town, "Priest Lake Cathedral" is a fine and much recommended pick for modern fiction collections.

Caterpillar
Kate Oliver
MAB Books
c/o Librado Press
PO Box 2801, Reston, VA 20195
9781879571006, $10.99, www.MAB-Books.com

One act of kindness can change the world as we know it. "Caterpillar" is the first book in Kate Oliver's Metamorphosis Trilogy, following Cara Gallagher as she saves a young man's life and finds that his secret is a secret of a man in desperate need of help and Cara may be the only one to help him... and that love may come to her at the most inopportune time. "Caterpillar" is a fine addition to general fiction collections, highly recommended.

Lessons
Leslie Howard
Inspiring Voices
1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200
Bloomington, IN 47403-5161
9781462400560, $14.99, www.inspiringvoices.com

Starting over from scratch can always prove so very difficult. "Lessons" is a novel from Leslie Howard, following the struggles of Annie Culligan who lost everything and tries to start anew in Nevada City, California. The school teacher tries to put her life together and finds a bit of romance, and through faith and dedication, she tries to find her place in the world once more. "Lessons" is a fine pick for contemporary Christian fiction, much recommended.

Dancing Naked in Dixie
Lauren Clark
Monterey Press
57 North Monterey Street
Mobile, AL 36604
9780984725045, $11.99, www.amazon.com

Seeing the entire world, one may be shocked in what they find in the heart of the south. "Dancing Naked in Dixie" is a novel following Julia Sullivan as her next assignment takes her to Eufaula, Alabama, and presents her with something very different than she is used to. On the verge of a major story, she might have her career and her life changed forever. "Dancing Naked in Dixie" is a must for modern fiction collections.

Stealing First
Drew Golden
Legacy Publishing
1883 Lee Road, Winter Park, FL 32789
9781937952143, $16.95, www.stealingfirst.net

One race barrier shattered doesn't shatter it for everyone. "Stealing First" is a novel from Drew Golden, following Ronnie LeBlanc, a ball player with a major dream. But the pressures of his small southern town in the late fifties put many obstacles in front of him and challenge him with situations that draw him between his family and love of the game. "Stealing First" is a must for historical fiction collections focusing on sports and race.

Maleficium
Martine Desjardins
Talon Books
PO Box 2076
Vancouver, BC Canada V6B 3S3
9780889226807, $14.95, www.talonbooks.com

Change can be frightening, and one vicar dared to change such things. "Maleficium" is a novel about a heretic Quebecois vicar in Jerome Savoie as he dares to threaten the status quo of nineteenth century Catholic Montreal. In a story spilling out internationally, Martine Desjardins crafts an excellent historical novel of faith. "Maleficium" is well translated by Fred A. Reed & David Hommel, a must for international fiction collections.

The Judas Line
Mark Everett Stone
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
9781603819015, $15.95, www.camelpress.com

Evil does not die so easily. "The Judas Line" is a novel following Jude Oliver and the long family line that lies behind him, specializing in assassination, using the artifact known as the silver. Jude Oliver must find the origins and stories of his family to be able to end the Silver's legacy for good, with only a single Catholic priest by his side. Blending paranormal and biblical ideas, "The Judas Line" is a riveting thriller that should prove hard to put down.

Radio Iris
Anne-Marie Kinney
Two Dollar Radio
141 East Town St., Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
9780983247173, $16.00, www.twodollaradio.com

When you don't understand what you do, it can make it exceptionally difficult to figure out what's going on. "Radio Iris" is the debut novel from Anne-Marie Kinney, who writes of Iris Finch, a receptionist or assistant of some sort to a business she doesn't understand. As things begin to go wrong and things start to go wrong around her, her ignorance of her boss and his duties leave her astounded when she might find something of truth through it all. "Radio Iris" is a strong pick for those seeking psychological fiction from new authors.

Matinicus
Darcy Scott
Turtle Pond Press
c/o Maine Authors Publishing
558 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841
9781936447237, $14.95, www.maineauthorspublishing.com

People often seek small towns for a bit of peace. They often fail. "Matinicus: An Island Mystery" follows troubled alcoholic botanist Gil Hodges as he comes to the small Maine island of Matinicus to evade a spurned lover and try to further his career. But what he finds is an unusual cast of characters with their own goals, both common and unusual. "Matinicus" is a must for modern literary fiction collections looking for something a bit offbeat.

Last Will
Bryn Greenwood
Stairway Press
1500A East College Way #554
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
9780982773475, $17.95, www.stairwaypress.com

The ghosts of our past can hurt us for a lifetime. "Last Will" follows Bernie Raleigh, a troubled man who doesn't want the attention that his sudden inheritance grants him. With a new world open to him the shy and struggling man has to shoulder a weight of a public life suddenly, and a circus of strange characters around him. A touch of humor and a strong tale of coming out and facing life, "Last Will" is a fine entry in literary fiction collections.

The Concubine Saga
Lloyd Lofthouse
Three Clover Press
25 Alegra Ct., Walnut Creek, CA 94598
9780981955384, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Many nations adopted modernism in their own ways. "The Concubine Saga" is a historical novel from Lloyd Lofthouse, following famed modernizer Robert Hart, a man who has contributed greatly to China's advance in the nineteenth century, gaining much power and influence for a foreigner during the period. Drawing on heavily researched passages with great dramatization, "The Concubine Saga" is a strong pick for historical fiction collections, highly recommended.

Chain Gang Elementary
Jonathan Grant
Thornbriar Press
3522 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite 187
Atlanta, GA 30319
9780983492108, $16.00, www.thornbriarpress.com

One false move can lead to another. "Chain Gang Elementary" is a novel from Jonathan Grant, a PTA President and survivor of his own crazy elementary school, who provides his unique case of Malliford Elementary, who driven by the quest for higher test scores, fights a redistricting kicking and screaming, fueled by crazed parents doing whatever they can to prove it was a bad idea, sabotaging their own school and children's education in the process. A satire fueled by Grant's own concerns with the modern educational system, "Chain Gang Elementary" is a fine choice for fiction collections that are looking for novels taking a statement on current social issues.

The Shades
S. B. Redd
Mavlit Publishing
PO Box 1103, Irmo, SC 29063
9780983115243, $14.95, www.maverick-books.com

There are those who are slow to see the changing of the times. "The Shades" is a romance novel with a backdrop of racism. Archie and Janace, a black man and white woman who hit something special, but not knowing if they truly want to make anything out of it in their community where big shot ultraconservative D. Robert Corbin calls the shots and has huge issues with interracial dating and marriage. Add in the thoughts of local reporter Trenette, and all three of them may be in for a powder keg that will test the lengths that love can go.

Caskets and Corruption
Cindy A. Christiansen
Secret Cravings Publishing
2604 Merchant's Walk, Ste E
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
9781618850799, $12.50, www.secretcravingspublishing.com

Running from a job of dealing with the dead, she may end up dead herself. "Caskets and Corruption" follows Lizzie Cantrell as her change in career of working at a funeral home leaves her on the run from the law as wrong move after wrong move makes her life all the more difficult. With a nosey dog behind her, Lizzie's world will never be the same if she can't escape from this alive. With plenty of humor of an accidental stumbling into a world of drugs, "Caskets and Corruption" is a strong pick for general fiction collections, highly recommended.

Braving the Blaze
Cindy A. Christiansen
Secret Cravings Publishing
2604 Merchant's Walk, Suite E
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
9781618851475, $11.99, www.secretcravingspublishing.com

Veterinarian is his dream, but it seems all too easy for that dream to go up in smoke. "Braving the Blaze" is a novel of romance and humor as Dean Harward and Ginger Warby come together under the banner of volunteer firefighter. Problem is, Ginger is a magnet for fire and has become a bit scared of all the fires that sprout around her. "Braving the Blaze" is a fine pick for general fiction collections, highly recommended.

The Third Law of Motion
Meg Files
Anaphora Literary Press
163 Lucas Rd., Apt. I-2
Cochran, GA 31014
9781937536152, $20.00, www.anaphoraliterary.wordpress.com

It isn't so easy to run away from what's bad for you. "The Third Law of Motion" is a novel set in 1960s Michigan, following the struggles of Dulcie White, who wants to avoid getting in trouble, suffering quietly under her boyfriend and possible husband. Touching on the tragic and the struggles to break free, "The Third Law of Motion" is a riveting and much recommended pick for general fiction collections focusing on the struggles of women and battered wives.


The Divorce Shelf

Hanging On By My Fingernails
Janie McQueen
Burning Sage
5050 Old Hurt Bridge Road
Cumming, GA 30028
9780981611402, $17.95, www.janiemcqueen.com

Divorce is a game that has only gotten nastier as time has rolled on. "Hanging On By My Fingernails: Surviving The New Divorce Gamesmanship, And How a Scratch Can Land You in Jail" is an exploration of the depths modern divorce legal battles can stoop to, leading to mutually assured destruction in many legal cases. A strong read for those who may entering a nasty divorce battle in the future, especially geared towards women, "Hanging On By My Fingernails" is a must for relationship and divorce library assortments.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Builders of Community
Jose Ignacio Gonzalez Faus
Convivium Press
7661 N. W. 68th Street, Suite 108
Miami, FL 33166
9781934996256, $21.99, www.amazon.com

Church leadership should be a major figure in their communities. "Builders of Community: Rethinking Ecclesiastical Ministry" is a discussion of the role of ministry in the community and the aspects of religious beliefs that may help and impede the Church and a ministers role in communities. An educated and recommended addition to Christian studies and religious collections, "Builders of Community" is a must for any pastor, priest, or other faith leader who wants to better understand their impact on the community.

Shame Interrupted
Edward T. Welch
New Growth Press
2007 Yanceyville Street, Suite 3600
Greensboro, NC 27405
9781935273981, $15.99, www.newgrowthpress.com

Shame dominates much of our being, but in allowing it do we hamper our own potential? "Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness & Rejection" is a Christian inspirational read from Edward T. Welch as he advises readers to take control of their lives, to replace their shame with faith. Welch writes with psychological expertise and much to consider, making it a choice pick for those who feel the pressure of their lives bearing down on them. "Shame Interrupted" is a must for Christian and self-help collections.

Club Modernity for Reluctant Christians
Leonard Swidler
Ecumencial Press
Temple University (022-38), 1114 W. Berks St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6090
9780931214127, $15.95, www.jesdialgoue.org

It often seems that faith is at odds with the modern nature of our world. "Club Modernity for Reluctant Christians" is a discussion of faith and the modern world from Leonard Swidler as he digs into his own Catholic faith and reflects on the nature of many topics of the modern day and how being faithful to one's belief does not mean turning one's head away from the world. With chapters on countless topics both faithful and modern, "Club Modernity for Reluctant Christians" is a must for general Christian studies collection and for confused modern Catholics.


The Self-Help Shelf

Why Can't I Change?
Shirley Impellizzeri
Sunrise River Press
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781934716373, $16.95, www.sunriseriverpesss.com

Too often people find themselves on a harmful path they can't get out of. "Why Can't I Change?: How to Conquer Your Self-Destructive Patterns" is an inspirational read from Shirley Impellizzeri, who writes with psychology and neurology on understand the human tendency to repeat the same mistakes. She suggests many behavior adaptions and ideas on doing what you can to break one free of these habits and bring one's life back together. "Why Can't I Change?" is a fine addition to self-help and motivational collections, highly recommended.

Get Your Power Back
Bill Ferguson
Return to the Heart
PO Box 541813, Houston, TX 77254
9781878410412, $14.95, www.relationshipseminars.net

The power in one's life lies in the self, and it's for you to use. "Get Your Power Back: Problem Areas Can Clear Up, Relationships Can Heal, and You Can Create a Great Life" Is an inspirational book as Bill Ferguson invites readers to take charge of their life and drive themselves to solve their problems, make life work with you, and go with the flow when necessary. "Get Your Power Back" is a must for self-help and inspirational community library collections.

A Woman's Mind Half Naked
Jennifer Ann Gordon
Publishing Syndicate
PO Box 607, Orangevale, CA 95662
97809824655479, $9.95, www.publishingsyndicate.com

Not every woman is the same, but there are many things that unite them. "A Woman's Mind Half-Naked" is a motivational read that touches on memoir from Jennifer Ann Gordon as she explores with humor what it means to be a woman and the elements that put it all together. With many tips for living life more fully and with more fun, "A Woman's Mind Half-Naked" is a strong pick for general humor and self-help collections.

Calm Focus Joy
Heidi Thompson
Coldstream Books
9905 Coldsteam Creek Road, Coldstream
British Columbia, Canada V1B 1C8
9780969814740, $19.95, www.clamfocusjoy.com

Breathing happens automatically, but putting some thought into it can have some great effects. "Calm, Focus, Joy: The Power of Breath Awareness" is a read from Heidi Thompson as she advises readers to take control of their breathing, taking their mindfulness to another level, and how to embrace these exercises with oneself and their family. Controlled breathing can help keep cool and help one throughout their life, "Calm, Focus, Joy" is a worthwhile pick for spiritual and self-help collections.


The Poetry Shelf

The Light that Puts an End to Dreams
Susan Sherman
Wings Press
627 E. Guenther, San Antonio, TX 78210
9780916727949, $16.95, www.wingspress.com

We cannot always tell our story in just words alone. "The Light that Puts an End to Dreams" is a collection of poetry, in both standard verse and poetry, as Susan Sherman seeks to present an autobiographical life through it all, sharing her life's journey and what she has learned from the tumultuous 1960s and the battles that continue to rage on to this day. "The Light that Puts an End to Dreams" is a strong pick for those seeking driven poetic work, recommended. "There is Something Called Longing": so fragile it must never be spoken/The wind leaves its mark with invisible palms/The face of the wind is silence/But all this is a facade for something/so simple it defies definition/The world is terrible huge beyond/our control As Babies we knew it/As adults we had to pretend to forget/Longing is part of remembering/so we declare independence/think we have got it beat/think it/no longer matters/Yet we must fight the distance/with what sustenance but each other.

A Brief History of the Short-Lived
Chris Hutchinson
Nightwood Editions
PO Box 1779
Gibsons, BC Canada, V0N 1V0
9780889712669, $18.95, www.nightwoodeditions.com

For some, life is brief, and every second of it should be embraced. "A Brief History of the Short-Lived" is a collection of poetry from Chris Hutchinson, as he speaks frankly on life and literature, with a strong dose of humility in facing the world of academia. "A Brief History of the Short-Lived" is a fine novel that shouldn't be overlooked by contemporary poetry collections. "Representational": Under glass/the cracked porcelain//of a dragonfly's wing decorates//the face of each postage stamp.

Black as Caviar
Menno Wigman
MWC Press
c/o Stephen Frech
9780983411635, $12.00, www.amazon.com

Romance in poetry lives on, and there are those who do it expertly. "Black as Caviar" is a collection of modern romantic poetry from Dutch poet Menno Wigman as he spins the romantic concepts of that era and applies them to a more contemporary ideal. "Black as Caviar" is expertly translated by Stephen Frech, a must for international poetry collections. "Clinic by Moonlight": Cold the roofs, cold/like the moon that's staging like Hamlet.//Underneath it a building where/everyday/embryos are tossed away.//No stone in the facade will ever frown./No gutter lisps a child's name.//Only you, yourself, who in the blue moon/discovers the stare of a glance.

Dire Straits
Edward Foster
Marsh Hawk Press
PO Box 206
East Rockaway, NY 11518-0206
9780984635382, $12.50, www.marshhawkpress.org

A man is not a man alone, but a man of society. "Dire Straits" is a collection of poetry from Edward Foster, who ponders the nature of the world, intellectualism, and society. "Dire Straits" is filled with poetic wisdom and makes for much recommended reading. "Market Forces" She sits within her kitchen,/which she's always felt was hers./She gathers grain of salt/and makes a little pile./That much she also owns/but can't quite say the same/about the way she feels.//She watches leaves beside the window./Spring is flourishing./She feels her fingers move along/formica, which she cleans.

Woven Voices
Anita Velez-Mitchell, Gloria Vando, Anika Paris, & Linda Rodriguez, editors
Scapegoat Press
PO Box 401962
Kansas City, MO 64141
9780979129148, $15.95, www.scapegoat-press.com

Things change when it comes to America, and three generations can attest to that. "Woven Voices" is a collection of poetry as three Puerto Rican women come together and discuss what it means to be a Puerto Rican in modern America, from the perspective of being born on the Island to just carrying on the heritage. Insightful and a must for those seeking the place of Puerto Rico in the American dialog, "Woven Voices" is highly recommended. "Profile of You" by Anita Velez-Mitchell: Beware!/Gestures deceive/they take on life/they take wing/as a band of crows/a black troop/picking the unmeasured word/from the most sober heart/leaving behind/an undaunted taste of ashes/and grief.//Beware! the gesture/gives away lies/and undresses truth/at its pleasure.

Hello, House
Phyllis Hoge
Fithian Press
PO Box 2790, McKinleyville, CA 95519
9781564745248, $14.00, www.danielpublishing.com

A mother, a teacher, and a poet, Phyllis Hoge presents readers with "Hello, House" is a collection of poetry from Phyllis Hoge, whose poetry is presented with quaint illustrations from Maxine Hong Kingsoton, whose work is designed to compliment Hoge's poetry. "Hello, House" is a strong addition to general poetry collections, highly recommended. "Bookworks": I thought a bookworm only a metaphor/For pedantry, till I found fiver worms in a book/Chewing a path through Dickens./When one good look/uncovered the tiny wrigglers attempting to bore/Little holes in the paper, I squashed them. Real readers enjoy/Collections of words that bookworms can destroy.//I'd squash them again if I found them/Eating my books - I'd pound them.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Prosperity and the Light
Diane Stein
A.R.E. Press
215 67th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061
9780876046203, $15.95, www.edgarcayce.org

The light in our lives is easily found if we know where to look. "Prosperity and the Light: Your Guide to Living in Abundance" is a metaphysical spirituality guide to using our light and our touch with karma to connect to our world, and use it for a practical life, driving ourselves to be the best we can be, and sharing our light with others. "Prosperity and the Light" is a strongly recommended pick for those looking for a highly spiritual read that encourages spreading the joy in life.

The Genesis One Code
Daniel Friedman
Park East Press
The Graybar Building
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 300
New York, NY 10170
9781935764274, $17.95, www.amazon.com

Are Genesis and the scientific theory of the big bang strictly incompatible? "The Genesis One Code" is a study of the possibility that both explanations can be true, exploring medieval manuscripts and scientific evidence to give a more comprehensive bridge between the ideologies and give a very compelling bridge of the two. "The Genesis One Code" is worth considering for religious and metaphysical collections, highly recommended.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

What I Found at Hoole
Jeffrey E. Barlough
Gresham & Doyle
PO Box 45797
Los Angeles, CA 90045
9780978763435 $14.95 www.westernlightsbooks.com

The third novel in the "Western Lights" fantasy series, What I Found at Hoole is set in a little village tucked away in the Ayleshire hill country. Mr. Ingram Somervell, the anonymous coach-passenger from the previous "Western Lights" novel "The House in the High Wood", has been summoned to inspect his newly acquired property, inherited from an uncle he never met. But oddities confront Somervell at every turn - why have an old chapel and its coffin-crypt been sealed? What is the meaning of a ghostly yellow light that shines on Cowdrie Beacon? Why do horrendous nightmares of dank imprisonment and the threat of worse plague his sleep every night? A dark, chilling fantasy, What I Found at Hoole brims with mesmerizing intrigue from cover to cover! Also highly recommended are the previous novels in the "Western Lights" fantasy-mystery series, "Dark Sleeper" and the Locus Award-nominated "The House in the High Wood".

The Time of Quarantine
Katharine Haake
What Books Press
10401 Venice Blvd, No 437
Los Angeles, CA 90034
9780984578214, $15.00, www.whatbookspress.com

What is it to be human with no other humans? "The Time of Quarantine" is a piece of psychological science fiction from Katharine Haake as she tells of a boy, believing he is the last human and raised by computers far from any hints of society. As he steps away from his quarantine, he finds that what he knows may not be as he thought. "The Time of Quarantine" is an enticing read that explores what it really means to be human and facing the reality of the world around us.

Relic of the Ancient Ones
Lisa A Shiel
Jacobsville Books
28151 Quarry Lake Rd.
Lake Linden, MI 49945
9781934631140, $12.95, www.jacobsvillebooks.com

There are items that hold sway over the world as we know it. "Relic of the Ancient Ones" is a novel of science fiction and history as Lisa A. Shiel tells the story of librarian Erin Turner and archeologist Alex Mckay as the two find their own investigations surrounding a stolen artifact brings them together, and the unlikely duo must delve into the history of humanity to find the truth. "Relic of the Ancient Ones" is an enticing and recommended tale, not to be missed.


The Business Shelf

#Google+ for Business Tweet
Janet Fouts
ThinkAha
c/o Superstar Press
20660 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 210
Cupertino, CA 95014
9781616990725, $19.95, www.thinkaha.com

Social media allows for communications between business and customers more than every before. "#Google+ for Business Tweet: Put the Power of Google+ to Work for Your Business" is a collection of bite sized information for those who want to use Google's social networking application to further their business and use it to the fullest. Rapid fire advice, "#Google+ for Business Tweet" is a must for those who want to further their social media potential.

Innovate Products Faster
John Carter
TCGen Press
950 Siskiyou Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
9781470002909, $19.95, www.tcgen.com

Innovation is the foundation of any business. "Innovate Products Faster" is an advisory for business managers who want to help advance innovation in their business, and looking deeper into the dichotomy between innovation and time. Authors John Carter & Jeanne Bradford advise business managers to take a more comprehensive view of business development, and invites readers to break through old and useless traditions. "Innovate Products Faster" is a must for business managers who want the most out of their companies.

The Secret of Dancing with the Dragon
Stephen M. Perl
Chinamart USA Book Publishing
9701 W. Pico Blvd, 1st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90035
9780615574943, $19.99, www.chinamartusa.com

China's economic power is undeniable. "The Secret of Dancing with the Dragon: Doing Business with China" is a collection of musings from Stephen M. Perl, who advises businesses who are looking to expand their trade to trade with China into knowing what they need to know to enter into contracts with Chinese businesses, such as Chinese corporate law and its taxes, social customs that must be understood, and the structure of the Chinese government. "The Secret of Dancing with the Dragon" is a must for anyone who wants to better understand business in China.


The American History Shelf

Fips, Bots, Doggeries, and More
Tracy Lawson
McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company
431-B East College Street
Granville, OH 43023
1935778196, $19.95, www.mwpubco.com

Times are constantly changing, so one man's view may reveal just how far we've come. "Fips, Bots, Doggeries, and More: Explorations of Henry Rogers' 1838 Journal of Travel from Southwestern Ohio to New York City" discusses the work of Ohio miller and businessman Henry Rogers, who on his trip between the two regions, kept a journal, sharing what he saw in detail, and distant descendant Tracy Lawson provides an intriguing exploration of his work. "Fips, Bots, Doggeries, and More" is a strong pick for American history collections for its very personal touch.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Putting God into Einstein's Equations
Jerry & Marcia Pollock
Shechinah Third Temple
11583 Pamplona Blvd.
Boynton Beach, FL 33437
9780972386661, $13.95, www.amazon.com

Faith does not have to contend with science. "Putting God into Einstein's Equations" is an exploration of science and the soul from Jerry and his late wife Marcia as they explore the theories of Einstein from the perspectives of faith, soul, with some metaphysical ideals woven in as well. "Putting God into Einstein's Equations" is worth considering for those who want to weave it all together into something much more, highly recommended.

The Questioning God
Ant Greenham
Energion Publications
PO Box 841, Gonzalez, FL 32560
9781893729193, $9.99, www.energionpubs.com

Infallible, almighty, questionable? "The Questioning God: An Inquiry for Muslims, Jews, and Christians" discusses the nature of questioning the single monotheistic God of Abraham, and how the three faiths that have grown from there approach the status of faith differently. Ant Greenham compiles much thought in considering faith, and the gaps between the three very different yet similar faiths. "The Questioning God" is a strong pick for faith and religious collections, very much recommended for religious studies collections.

Prayer of the Heart
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
The Golden Sufi Center
PO Box 456, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
9781890350352, $12.95, www.goldensufi.org

A meeting of faiths can lead to a higher understanding of both. "Prayer of the Heart in Christian & Sufi Mysticism" is a spiritual and religious guide to mystical prayer, as Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee draws on his own experiences on forging a stronger relationship with faith and the divine in one's own life, through the principle of communion taken further. "Prayer of the Heart in Christian & Sufi Mysticism" is a must for religious studies and spirituality collections.


The Education Shelf

Letters to a New School Teacher
The Roadrunner Press
PO Box 2564, Oklahoma City, OK 73101
9781937054106, $15.00, www.TheRoadRunnerPress.com

The job of the teacher is not an easy one. "Letters to a New School Teacher" is a collection of practical advice and wisdom from Roadrunner Press as they compile the works of many teachers who have claimed awards for their work and they share what needs to be done to educate students more completely and effectively, and make a difference. For any rookie teacher who wants to go that extra mile, "Letters to a New School Teacher" is a strong pick for teacher's reference and studies collections.

Say This, Not That to Your Professor
Ellen Bremen
NorlightsPress.com
672 State Road 458
Bedford, IN 47421
9781935254683, $15.95, www.norlightspress.com

Crossing wits with your superiors is never a good way to get ahead. "Say This, Not That to Your Professor: 36 Talking Tips for College Success" is an advisory guide for college students to form a better relationship with their professors, when to be friendly and when to owe up to one's mistakes. Ellen Bremen comes with advice for better academic success and a more fulfilling college experience. "Say This, Not That to Your Professor" is a must for is a strong pick for those who may be saying the wrong things to their professors and facing the results.

Ethics and the Early Childhood Educator, second edition
Stephanie Feeney & Nancy K. Freeman
Naeyc
1313 L Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-4101
9781928896838, $59.99, www.naeyc.org

Ethics are always important, especially when dealing with early childhood education. "Ethics and the Early Childhood Educator: Using the NAEYC Code" is a second edition of the National Association for the Education of Young Children's guide to educational ethics and what should be expected of early childhood educators as they help children in these formative years and create bonds with parents. Discussing the definition of ethics in this field, the responsibilities to the children, families, and colleagues, "Ethics and the Early Childhood Educator" will prove to be a strongly recommended addition to Educational reference and teacher's reference collections.

The Early Grade Reading Assessment
Amber Gove & Anna Wetterberg, editors
RTI International
3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194
www.rti.org
9781934831083, $TBA print / $9.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com

Literacy is the foundation of education. "The Early Grade Reading Assessment: Applications and Interventions to Improve Basic Literacy" is an analysis of education and literacy, focusing on the struggles that many African nations are facing in assuring their youths learn to read and grow that into other education. With many studies and many experts on the topics at hand, "The Early-Grade Reading Assessment" is an absolute must for international issues collections, a vital resource for understanding the importance of expanding literacy.


The Sports Shelf

Ask Your Uncle Baseball Trivia
Frank Morris
A Mountain Lion Book
PO Box 799, Pennington, NJ 08534
9780983968917, $15.00, www.amazon.com

With over one hundred years of history, baseball has become quite the legendary sport. "Ask Your Uncle Baseball Trivia" is a book filled with trivia all throughout the game's long and busy history with plenty of trivia questions and games that looks to teach readers a long and comprehensive history surrounding the game. A must for any fan of the game who wants to keep their sports mind challenged, "Ask Your Uncle Baseball Trivia" is a must for sports and trivia collections, recommended.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Nothing & Everything
Ellen Pearlman
Evolver Editions
PO Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781583943632, $21.95, www.evolvereditions.com

Avant-Garde takes something to be understood. "Nothing & Everything: The Influence of Buddhism on the American Avant-Garde 1942-1962" looks a the strong influence Buddhist traditions and ideals have had on the art style of Avant Garde. Looking at particular artists of the period, their Buddhist influences and how it manifested in their work. With black and what photography throughout, "Nothing & Everything" is a strong addition to art history and Buddhist study collections.


The Literary Studies Shelf

Beyond Horatio's Philosophy
David Stevens
Borgo Press
c/o Wildside Press
9710 Traville Gateway Dr., #234
Rockville, MD 20850
0891434444141, $15.99, www.wildsidebooks.com

Understanding what drives a person is key to understanding their work. "Beyond Horatio's Philosophy: The Fantasy of Peter S. Beagle" is an exploration of the work of Peter S. Beagle. Author David Steven dissects his work and presents a philosophy that feels love is the most important part of life, and with a strong message of positive throughout. "Beyond Horatio's Philosophy" is a must for those who want to better appreciate Beagle's work, very much recommended reading.


The LGBT Shelf

Holy Terror
Mel White
Magnus Books
c/o Cathedral Station
PO Box 1849, New York, NY 10025
9781936833092, $15.95, www.melwhite.org

Love is a fundamental virtue of Christianity, but you wouldn't know it from the language of many Christians. "Holy Terror: Lies the Christian Right Tells Us to Deny Gay Equality" explores the fundamentalist Christian right and their crusade to break down the walls of church and state, caring not for those who they deem undesirable to their vision of American basics. Written by a former evangelical pastor who has spent much of his time debating his former associates, "Holy Terror" is worth reading for those who want to better understand the extreme right wing agenda in regards to homosexuality.

One Gay American
Dennis Milam Bensie
Coffeetown Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
9781603811538, $13.95, www.coffeetownpress.com

The journey to self-acceptance is often far too long for many gay Americans. "One Gay American" is a memoir from Dennis Milam Bensie as he recalls his journey from suppressing his homosexuality, trying to be normal, searching for love, and coming to accept who he is and find something that resembles happiness. "One Gay American" is a strong pick for general memoir collections and for gay studies topics as well.

Beyond Binary
Brit Mandelo
Lethe Press
118 Heritage Avenue
Maple Shade, NJ 08052-3018
9781590210055, $20.00, www.lethepressbooks.com

Sexuality is not simply gay or straight. "Beyond Binary: Genderqueer and Sexually Fluid Speculative Fiction" is a collection of short fiction from an assortment of writers who touch on the topics of sexuality and those that aren't entirely clear using the complex potential of speculative fiction, pondering the future of a world where the world as we know it will change forever. "Beyond Binary" is an enticing pick for gay fiction collections and gay studies assortments as well, highly recommended.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Chronicles of a Yella' Dog
Paul A. Kreiling, author
Akiva Levi, illustrator
Right Brain Productions, Inc.
PO Box 1631, Topanga, CA 90290
9780983555605, $14.95, www.chroniclesofayelladog.com

The love of a dog can be unconditional and magnificent. "Chronicles of a Yella' Dog" is a humorous delve into the love of dog, as author Paul A. Kreiling touches on the particular devotion of his yella' dog, Moose, and the touching daily moments that make it all come together. A devoted story that could be any dog with charming full color artwork from Akiva Levi, "Chronicles of a Yella' Dog" is a must for pet memoirs, highly recommended.


The Agriculture Shelf

Recipes for Raising Chickens
Minne Rose Lovegreen
NW Trillium Press
8525 Jennie Avenue NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
978982455395, $13.00, www.nwtrilliumpress.com

Chickens provide many benefits for those who put forth the time to raise them. "Recipes for Raising Chickens" is a collection of practical wisdom for those who are embracing the self-sustainability trend by bringing chickens into their own care. Sharing the wisdom of wise farm woman Minnie Rose Lovegreen, this reprinting provides everything one needs to know to raise chickens successfully. "Recipes for Raising Chickens" is a much recommended pick for agricultural and home livestock raising collections.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers
Aggie Villanueva
Cielos Rojos Publishing
685 Echo Road, Morganton, GA 30560
9780982591451, $7.99, www.amazon.com

Like it or not, Amazon.com continues to be the 800 pound gorilla of book marketing. Knowing how to best utilize what Amazon has to offer is vital to the commercial success of any self-published book and an invaluable method of bringing a book whose author and/or publishers have limited publicity budgets to the attention of their intended readerships. That's why "Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers: Making Author Publicity An Open Book" by Aggie Villanueva will prove to be an enormously helpful and practical guide for aspiring authors and novice publishers alike. This slender, 78-page compendium is packed with information on how Amazon's search engine operates and how to take advantage of its category-based structure. "Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers" also provides insight into the background of Amazon strategies and controversies, as well as the Amazon Bookstore's multi-leveled promotional core. Also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99), "Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers" is a "must read" for any and all authors and publishers seeking to understand and to take advantage of Amazon.com for maximum sales and profitability.

Editing Made Easy
Bruce Kaplan
Upper Access Inc.
87 Upper Access Road
Hinesburg, VT 05461
9780942679366, $9.95, www.amazon.com

Almost always the primary problem with self-published books is that they author could of (and should of) utilized editorial support to improve their manuscript before money was spent turning that manuscript into a published book. Indeed, it is rare that even an experienced and successful author has not needed the services of an editor. In "Editing Made Easy: Simple Rules for Effective Writing", Bruce Kaplan draws upon his more than forty years of professional experience and expertise as a newspaper copy editor and an editorial trainer to create a succinct, thoroughly 'user friendly', 112-page compendium of instruction, information, commentary, examples, and techniques for editing a manuscript to make the writing energized, engaging, and just plain better. "Editing Made Easy" lays out common errors of grammar and spelling; reveals how best to avoid typographical and factual errors; become informed as to the diverse styles of print and the varied online media. One of the principle reasons for the novice author to give "Editing Made Easy" a careful reading is to substantially improve their chances of having their manuscripts published, and as published books have them achieve a marketplace success. Covering the rules and conventions of American English, "Editing Made Easy" is informed, informative, and highly recommended for both personal reference shelves and community library Writing/Publishing instructional collections.

Your Novel: Day By Day
Mary Anna Evans
Joyeuse Press
c/o MM Book Publicity
2817 West End Avenue, Suite #126274
Nashville, TN 37203
www.createspace.com
9781468191691, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Mary Anna Evans has authored and published archaeological mysteries, an environmental thriller, short stories, anthologies, and even two non-fiction education studies. Now she draws upon her years of practical experience and expertise to pen "Your Novel, Day by Day: A Fiction Writer's Companion", a 294-page compendium of instruction, advice, examples, and commentaries on every aspect of writing a novel. From plot crafting, character creation, organizing the novel's 'time-line', realistic character motivations and plot point, to manuscript editing, publishing options, as well as dealing with agents, publishers, and readers, "Your Novel, Day by Day: A Fiction Writer's Companion" will prove to be an indispensable, 'user friendly', and enduringly valuable instruction guide. Informed and informative, "Your Novel, Day by Day: A Fiction Writer's Companion" will prove to be very worthwhile reading for any aspiring author seeking to pen the next 'Great American Novel'!

A Celebration of Poetry
Sheila Cayolle
Pontchartrain Publishing Co. LLC
26107 Mill Creek Ave.
Alpharetta, GA 30022
9780984825707, $11.95, www.pontpub.com

Poetry is an art form as old as language itself. "A Celebration of Poetry" is an ode to poetic style and joy from Sheila Cayolle, who teaches the reader to better understand poetry, and offers guidance to the process of creating poetry that taps into one's very soul. "A Celebration of Poetry", is a strong pick for poetry and writing collections.


The Humor Shelf

Merciful Flush
Lance Manion
Bookstand Publishing
305 Vineyard Town Center, Suite 302
Morgan Hill, CA 9503
9781618632005, $9.95, www.bookstandpublishing.com

Humor is realizing the frankness and humility in our lives. "Merciful Flush: The Lance Manion Blogs" is a collection of blog articles from Lance Manion as he compiles his views and humor surrounding the world with his work, touching on the many elements we face in our lives that challenge the perspective of the reader. "Merciful Flush" is a fine pick for those looking for mirth and memoir.

Help! I'm in the Band!
Gregory L. Metcalf
Metcor Publications
PO Box 1249, Lake Stevens, WA 98258
9780615586229, $15.98, www.amazon.com

The calling of music may just not be for some. "Help! I'm in the Band" is from Gregory L. Metcalf, about a band and the hapless individuals who get tangled up within it. Metcalf changes names in this fictional humor novel, but seeks to stay true to the trials and tribulations that inspired it. An offbeat tale blending humor, fishing, and dreams of band membership, "Help!" I'm In the Band" is a fine and much recommended pick.


The Parenting Shelf

The Modern Parent's Guide to Kids and Video Games
Scott Steinberg
The Modern Parent's Guide
c/o Power Play Publishing
4045 Five Forks Trickum Rd.
Suite B-8, #244, Lilburn, GA 30047
9781105154478, $17.99, www.parentsguidebooks.com

Video games are here to stay for today's youth. "The Modern Parent's Guide to Kids and Video Games" is a guide for confused parents on how to best understand the fun of video games and how to enjoy it safely, and make it a positive activity that is social, promotes fitness, and much more. With tips on picking good games, setting limits, and plenty of advice and resources for the many types of games out there, "The Modern Parent's Guide to Kids and Video Games" is a strong pick for parenting collections, much recommended.

Time for the Talk
Steve Zollos
Shepherd Press
PO Box 24, Wapwallopen, PA 18660
9781936908172, $13.95, www.shepherdpress.com

Passing on wisdom is perhaps the most important part of fatherhood. "Time for the Talk: Leading Your Son Into True Manhood" is a parenting guide from Steve Zollos who discusses the role of a father in being a mentor for his son for many aspects of life. More than sexuality, Zollos suggests moral and spiritual suggestions and other practical knowledge for life. "Time for the Talk" is a strong pick for fathers who want to make a bigger impact in their son's lives.


The Political Science Shelf

Gladio
Richard Cottrell
Progressive Press
PO Box 12834
Palm Desert, CA 92255-2834
www.progressivepress.com
1615776877, $16.95, www.amazon.com

In Gladio, NATO's Dagger at the Heart of Europe: The Pentagon-Nazi-Mafia Terror Axis", author Richard Cottrell has written a particularly well-crafted alternate history based upon the iconoclastic premise that after World War II, NATO forces engaged in an ideological war of mayhem and murder on the European continent -- using opposition to Soviet subversion as a cover story. NATO forces joined with European Mafia and neo-fascist elements in a 'strategy of tension' to shape national governments, and arrange the assassination of key opposition figures ranging from Charles DeGaulle to John F. Kennedy. A riveting work of research, Gladio is one of those thoughtful and thought-provoking exposés that compel the reader's total and rapt attention from beginning to end!


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


Copyright ©2001

Site design by Williams Writing, Editing & Design