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TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
BY JIM LICHTMAN
THE SONS OF CHESTER
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
BY CRAIG OHLAU AND KEVIN L. GINGRICH
FROM THE FLOOD
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
BUTTERFLY AWAKENS
BY SUZANNE JONES
BUTTERFLY AWAKENS
QUEST FOR THE SCROLL
BUTTERFLY AWAKENS
BY MEG NOCERO
QUEST FOR THE SCROLL
QUEST FOR THE SCROLL
QUEST FOR THE SCROLL
BY R.L. RINNE
CHILDREN OF SLATE
QUEST FOR THE SCROLL
QUEST FOR THE SCROLL
BY THOM BRUCIE
VIOLET
WHERE'S EL MORRO?
WHERE'S EL MORRO?
BY SABRINA SIMON
WHERE'S EL MORRO?
WHERE'S EL MORRO?
WHERE'S EL MORRO?
BY CHARLENE SANCHEZ
REAPER
WHERE'S EL MORRO?
GERTRUDE THE COW GETS IN TROUBLE SOMEHOW
BY J.R. LIGHTFOOT
GERTRUDE THE COW GETS IN TROUBLE SOMEHOW
EMBRACING GOD IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION OF FAITH IN HIM
GERTRUDE THE COW GETS IN TROUBLE SOMEHOW
BY LISA BAKER
EMBRACING GOD IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION OF FAITH IN HIM
EMBRACING GOD IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION OF FAITH IN HIM
EMBRACING GOD IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION OF FAITH IN HIM
BY CHRIS THAM
THE WATCHERS: THE TREKANA BOOK 1
EMBRACING GOD IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION OF FAITH IN HIM
EMBRACING GOD IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION OF FAITH IN HIM
BY JO SISK-PURVIS
OBSIDIAN MIRTH
IN ALL OF YOUR DAYS HAVE YOU SEEN THE WAYS AN ANIMAL PLAYS AN INSTRUMENT?
LIVIN' LARGE IN LOUISIANA
BY THOM BRUCIE
LIVIN' LARGE IN LOUISIANA
IN ALL OF YOUR DAYS HAVE YOU SEEN THE WAYS AN ANIMAL PLAYS AN INSTRUMENT?
LIVIN' LARGE IN LOUISIANA
BY CHEF HUNTER LEE
IN ALL OF YOUR DAYS HAVE YOU SEEN THE WAYS AN ANIMAL PLAYS AN INSTRUMENT?
IN ALL OF YOUR DAYS HAVE YOU SEEN THE WAYS AN ANIMAL PLAYS AN INSTRUMENT?
IN ALL OF YOUR DAYS HAVE YOU SEEN THE WAYS AN ANIMAL PLAYS AN INSTRUMENT?
BY LISA BAKER
OBSIDIAN MIRTH
Book Title: Obsidian Mirth
Author: Thom Brucie
Publisher: EnRoute Books and Media
Obsidian Mirth, by Thom Brucie, is an intriguing love story unlike any
other. Daniel Reed, a good-looking kind, poor college sophomore and loving
dreamer working as a dishwasher at a California bistro falls deeply in
love with Charlene, a flawlessly white-skinned red-lipsticked newly
hired waitress beauty. The main theme of the story is set early.
As Brucie writes:
Love is not 50/50, 60/40, or 80/20. It is not even 100/100. Love is
100/0. When a man loves, he gives everything he’s got, and he
expects nothing in return. He loves unequivocally because he loves.
Love is love. That’s it. And when a man loves a woman, he loves her.
One hundred percent. Nothing less. Anything less is not love. It’s
something else. It could be almost love; or maybe great like; or even
something such as admiration. But real love is real love. It’s all the
way. It’s indomitable. It’s life-long.
Act one of this unique piece of work details the honeymoon phase of
Daniel and Charlene’s relationship—the first dates, nights out with
friends, intimate moments, their first night together as a married couple. The
calm before the proverbial storm.
Brucie sets the final act with a much different tone. He introduces the
reader to and focuses on Charlene’s troubles with mental health—adult-onset
paranoid schizophrenia—and the hapless business decisions of
her loving husband which leaves the young family teetering near total
desperation. Over the course of nearly the entire story—which is only
about five years, Daniel and Charlene, still only in their early twenties,
endure a never-ending merry-go-round of setbacks and emotions as
they struggle to deal with the ever-worsening Charlene.
Obsidian Mirth is truly a masterful piece of work as it puts on full display
the level of love needed to persist through a hellish diagnosis. The
story’s beautiful prose compliments Brucie’s meticulous attention to
detail elevating each page and gripping the reader’s attention. He writes
like a well-versed psychologist or spiritual leader taking the reader
on a heart-wrenching quest through a plotline filled with a series of
unexpected events centered around a compelling cast of unforgettable
characters.
A tortuous romance from an author at the top of his game.
Author Bio:
Thom Brucie's love of language inspires his award-winning style which
has been called poetic, witty, and distinctive. His fiction and poetry
surprise and inspire by enlarging into meaningful moments the small,
daily events of ordinary lives. His stories reflect the courage of charity
and the dignity of endurance through life's misfortunes. Whether war,
insanity, or a broken heart, his characters manage to overwhelm loss
with expectation and despair with hope. Visit his webpage:
CHILDREN OF SLATE
Book Title: Children of Slate
Author: Thom Brucie
Publisher: EnRoute Books and Media
Author Thom Brucie takes the reader on a psychosocial spiritual journey
in which the seventeen-year-old protagonist, a Franciscan seminarian
candidate Morgan O'Bryan searches for his place in the world as he is
torn between a celibate life dedicated to God and the true love that exists
in his heart.
Children of Slate, which is overly descriptive and may seem odd at times
in its direction and message, attracts and keeps readers’ attention, not
with its plot—a young man experiencing the academic, spiritual, and
social challenges and abuses of the story’s seminary, but with its
interesting array of characters and interactions. Brucie constructs a cast
of characters who are charmingly diabolic in their compliment of the
protagonist during his quest for enlightenment—Nadine Shearwater,
Morgan’s outgoing and enthusiastic female love interest, whose wealthy
family resides in a sprawling estate next to the seminary, Morgan’s saintly
mother Mrs. O’Brien, who wholeheartedly and lovingly supports her son
in his seminary quest (this is well documented in the story), Peter, a
homosexual spiteful seminarian peer of Morgan (note: explicit sex
scene), Father Christopher, World War I Chaplain with the First Army and
mentor to Morgan who possesses a mystic healing power—a power
Morgan discovers he has later in the story. Father Gale, the redeeming
slightly arrogant, and wise leader of the seminary who is educated and
obsessed with the field of psychology—is oftentimes described as
annoyingly analyzing and judging the young seminarians for their sinful
thoughts and behaviors.
Religious readers at any stage of life will find intrigue in the challenges
and aptly expressed dialogue experienced between the characters
throughout the work.
As Brucie writes:
He could not sleep, and tears wet the pillowcase.
The devil's eye of morning, like an accusing finger, spiked through the
window, and he thanked God for daylight, but he immediately took it back
because he knew God would not speak to him this day. The morning
ritual of cleansing felt mechanical and, in spirit, hypocritical, for he still felt
dirty, and he discovered shame at his nakedness. As he dressed, he
turned toward the door with every sound, expecting to find an accusation.
Children of Slate is a story of life’s many objections, sin and lust—in their
many forms, and the forgiving grace of God. Although it may seem
preachy at times, this work should not be judged as such. In its pages,
some of the most controversial and talked about social issues facing
mankind and the church in the world today are tackled head-on. Author
Thom Brucie holds nothing back.
A thought-provoking and absorbing read from start to finish.
Author Bio:
Thom Brucie's love of language inspires his award-winning style which
has been called poetic, witty, and distinctive. His fiction and poetry
surprise and inspire by enlarging into meaningful moments the small,
daily events of ordinary lives. His stories reflect the courage of charity
and the dignity of endurance through life's misfortunes. Whether war,
insanity, or a broken heart, his characters manage to overwhelm loss with
expectation and despair with hope. Visit his webpage:
THE SONS OF CHESTER
Book Title: The Sons of Chester
Book Subtitle: A Tale of Small Town Boys, Baseball, and Very Big Dreams
Author(s): Craig Ohlau, Kevin L. Gingrich
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
The Sons of Chester is the true story of a group of boys from a death-row river town in southern Illinois who band together to follow their dreams.
A key feature of the story is the town that made them. This tough little river town, an hour downstream from St. Louis, Missouri, features two facilities with significant fences: the Menard death row penitentiary, lying along the river, whose spirals of razor wire as purposefully festooned as an Independence Day decoration shred the sunlight; and, on the far side of town, Cohen Baseball Field—a Field of Dreams, where the boys swing for the fences.
The prison, in fact, represents a significant metaphor and theme:
“The inmates have dreams. They just cannot follow them. The sons of Chester have dreams, and this is the story of their dreams."
The Sons of Chester is more, than merely the story of a group of local boys (from southern Illinois), winning a national championship. It’s the story of the town that made them, a town where their fathers and coaches work among the most notorious criminals in US history; a town of great characters, whose great-grandfathers and mothers inspired one of the most famous casts of characters of the 20th century, Popeye and crew from Chester resident and famous cartoonist E.C. Segar.
As Ohlau and Gingrich write:
Many of Segar's immortal characters are based on the people of Chester. Olive Oyl on the turn-of-the-century Chester general store owner, the tall, thin Dora Paskel; Wimpy (“I will gladly pay you Tuesday . . .”) after Segar’s boss, Bill Schuchert; and Popeye himself after Rocky Fiegel, the fist-flailing, toothless, chisel-bodied, corncob-pipe smoking local legend, “feared for his ability to render a good butt whooping even when attacked by several adversaries at once,”. You know these characters. They’re your friends, the great-grandchildren of Popeye and Bluto and Olive Oyl and Wimpy. You know their antics and character: the tough guy bully, the Yorkshire forearm, the haymaker punch, the squeaky heart-throbbing, love-struck girlfriend, and of course Popeye, the goofy, muttering, doughty, indefatigable underdog who redefined the depths of comeback.
Chester itself is a town with enough character and characters to fill a novel and two Hollywood scripts. In fact, the Chester prison itself was featured in two rather famous movies, the 1967 Academy Award winning In the Heat of the Night and Harrison Ford’s remake of The Fugitive, though “Chester, with its own contradictions of ominous and innocence—prison and cake mix factory, beer taverns and dairy—proved better than Hollywood set designers could imagine.”
Between chapters focusing on the baseball championship runs are memorialized the diverting activities of easily diverted boys with national championship aspirations—the small town, all-boy stupidity, the exuberant high jinks of boys bored and brimming with Tom Sawyer adventurousness:
• Perhaps the last hilarious bomb threat in American history, teen boys and girls swimming in the back of pickup trucks, paintball booze cruising, and barn wrestling. Did I say barn wrestling? Yes!
The aim of the book is to recapture the glories of boyhood epitomized in that one activity that seemed to be to these characters the focus of life: baseball. The Sons of Chester as a testament to all that is good in small town America—and a charitable nod to all that is forgivable. It reminds us that no bonds are more sacred than those among family, friends, and townsfolk. The Sons of Chester is aimed at the chest every kid who ever dreamed of being a champion and every father who dreamed of raising one and every coach who ever sought to lead a group of boys. Everyone who ever had such a dream. Ohlau and Gingrich hit a moonshot out of the park.
One of the most entertaining baseball books ever.
Author Bios:
Craig Ohlau (“Bobber”) was born and raised in Chester, Illinois, the setting for the book. In 1995, he and his longtime group of friends won the Khoury League National Championship, and Craig went on to star in baseball at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and earn tryouts with several Major League teams. Today, Craig is a writer, coach, teacher and, most importantly, husband and father. The Sons of Chester: A Tale of Small Town Boys, Baseball, and Very Big Dreams is his debut publication. It has been an Amazon Bestseller (Kindle and Paperback) in the categories of Baseball History and Baseball Biographies, named the 2019 Maxy Awards Runner-Up for "Nonfiction Book of the Year," is a PenCraft Awards Winner for "Best Biographies of 2019," a da Vinci Eye Finalist in the 2020 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, a finalist in the "Outstanding Biography" and "Outstanding Memoir" categories in the 2020 IAN Book of the Year Awards, and has been accepted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. Kings of the County League, The Baseball Cortex, The Active Book of Monsters, and The Junior Outdoorsmen are among his other publications.
Award-winning writer and scholar (Fulbright nominee) Kevin L. Gingrich, PhD, is the author of the numerous publications, ranging from children’s stories, feature articles, and columns to scholarly articles, including his recent dissertation, Parechesis in the Undisputed Pauline. Kevin played Division I sports himself and, like his co-author, suffered the agony of near-miss dreams in Illinois high school state championship play.
FROM THE FLOOD
Book Title: From the Flood: A Memoir
Author: Suzanne Jones
Publisher: LAKE Publications
An in-depth examination of the effect, response, and life-altering impact on a young girl and her family, From the Flood by Suzanne Jones, provides an intimate look into some of the author’s formative years before, during, and particularly after the floods created by Hurricane Agnes, a once-a-millennium type event in eastern Pennsylvania. Spanning a total of six years, from autumn of 1970 to the fall of 1976, this memoir—in sometimes great detail, provides the story of life’s path when tragedy strikes, the resiliency of the human spirit to adapt to change, and the bonds created in the wake of such events.
From the Flood begins by introducing us to the author at the age of five, living a comfortable, middle-class existence with her siblings—one slightly older and the other still a toddler. The father, a business owner, and mother, a more traditional type of homemaker, provide their children with a happy existence in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. What seems to be a typical run-of-the-mill childhood is soon juxtaposed against the life-altering events of mid-June 1972, where an unfathomable storm leaves a city and thousands of lives in ruin. In Pennsylvania alone, the flooding was potent enough that it resulted in over two hundred thousand people being displaced from their homes, over three-thousand businesses shuttered, and damage estimated to cost more than two billion dollars. Seekers of a historical or meteorological accounting of this event, however, should look elsewhere as this is a chronicle of the almost innate ability we all share to be able to overcome and change in the face of adversity.
Over the course of six years, we are introduced to several characters, from extended family to newfound acquaintances—many of whom share the common denominator of having their lives turned upside down by Agnes. Their impact on the author, and her family, is profound. From the Flood gives us this as viewed through the kaleidoscope of an adolescent’s eyes, and it is fascinating to see this perspective change as she grows older and, in a sense, some of her innocence is washed away by the impact of her family’s situation. From the joy of having to relocate with familiar and comfortable relatives, to eventually moving in with other less familiar ones, to the family reclaiming some of its independence in temporary housing of their own, to ultimately reclaiming home ownership, readers are gifted with seeing how important and impactful a support network, new-found friends, and frankly, the obliviousness of youth is in helping a young child navigate such upheaval.
A secondary development over the course of this work is the capturing of societal changes beginning to take shape in the early 1970s. Whether it’s a babysitter’s teen pregnancy, the author’s mother realizing a broader, equitable, and more modern view of the expanding role of women in the workplace and in society, or the introduction of a homosexual neighbor, we are taken back to a time of transition in society’s view of what are today more mainstream norms and situations. Interspersed with this at times, the author has the ability, intended or not, to elicit memories of past times for older readers. Mentions of iconic TV shows like Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, or household staples such as the Sears and Roebuck catalog, help to capture this time in American history.
From the Flood is a lesson on the importance of friendship and family, and the resolve of parents to not only piece their children’s lives back together after a tragedy but to go above and beyond, at all costs, to provide for their loved ones. The author makes sure in great detail we see these points and captures her transitory viewpoint from a young girl to a young woman.
A story of triumph over incredible situations.
Author Bio:
Suzanne Jones is an expert in the field of trauma recovery through somatic methods. She has presented workshops and talks at Omega Institute, Kripalu, mental and behavioral health facilities in the greater Boston area, and national conferences. She has been profiled on CNN and in Yoga Journal, the New York Times, Shape, and Whole Living, and she’s been interviewed by author Rick Hanson for his Foundations of Well-Being online course. Jones founded the TIMBo Collective (formerly called yogaHOPE) in 2006 and developed the TIMBo program for transforming trauma in 2009. Since its launch, her program has been delivered to over four thousand women in the U.S., Haiti, Kenya, and Iran and helped transform client care at organizations in Massachusetts; Washington, DC; and Georgia, serving women overcoming homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence. Jones also writes a blog for the TIMBo Collective and Elephant Journal.
BUTTERFLY AWAKENS
Book Title: Butterfly Awakens
Author: Meg Nocero
Publisher: She Writes Press
A courageously authentic memoir of one woman’s journey of love, loss, and re-birth—A poetic portrait of the unbreakable bonds between a mother and daughter.
From the opening foreword, the reader is pulled in and held tight by Doctors Habib Sadeghi and Sherry Sami as they introduce the author and enlighten readers on the major themes of the story.
As they write…
“Love is what keeps us grounded in the stillness when everything else is spinning out of control around us. It’s only in that neutral space where the answers can be found and we’re able to see that in every loss there is always the chance to gain in some other way if we’re willing to remain open to it.
As Meg takes you through her extraordinary journey, you’ll be inspired by seeing how living from a loving consciousness brought healing, reconciliation, and resolution to her life after moments of great loss and struggle.”
In the opening prologue author, Meg Nocero tells of early childhood and the awkward and formative years that followed—filled with peer ridicule and harassment and the desire to fit in. The bonds between mother--who championed the art of love and support, and daughter are meticulously fostered throughout Part One of the story as the characters are carefully developed.
As Nocero writes…
“It took a lot of time to find my way. And it took a lot of time to heal my wounds of adolescence. But with mother by my side, I learned to build a better life based upon unconditional love of self and others…Not a day went by that I did not pick up the phone to talk.”
The challenges and the encompassing emotions of a mother fighting for her life from a mortal sickness are vividly held at the forefront during the first third of the book, setting the stage for the hero’s journey and the imminent turning point of the story.
“If there never was any change, there would be no such things
as butterflies!”
Part Two tells of "metamorphosis." The author details her downward spiral as grief and depression cause her interest in her job as a federal prosecutor to wane, her once happy marriage to crumble, and her health to deteriorate. Looking for answers, Nocero turns to a long list of potential remedies—doctors, life coaches, MRIs, drugs, needles, and yoga—but it’s not until she returns to her Catholic roots through prayer and communion that she has her transcending moment.
As Nocero writes…
“As the words left her mouth, when she placed the host in my hands,
I felt a magical rush of energy flood over me. Then a strange tingling
sensation ran throughout my entire body. I got goose bumps all over.
I answered back…”
The concluding chapters continue to follow Nocero’s pilgrimage of healing, most notably, her 100 kilometer vision quest to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Throughout the text, the author does an excellent job using clear prose to depict the ordinary agony experienced with the loss of a loved one.
As she writes…
“As I let this thought ruminate, I started to cry—wail actually. I ran
to my bedroom so I would not worry my kids, although at this point
I don’t think much would have scared them anyway. I had been crying
uncontrollably for months.”
Butterfly Awakens, although slightly affected and emotionally overworked at times, delivers a powerful. Meg Nocero draws back the curtain of her heart in honoring her mother Mary Jo in this beautifully written memoir.
An inspiringly raw account of the struggles and sacrifices that make life worth appreciating.
Author Bio:
Meg Nocero, a magical manifester, is a former federal prosecutor, an inspirational speaker, a transformational coach, and the award-winning author of The Magical Guide to Bliss: Daily Keys to Unlock Your Dreams, Spirit & Inner Bliss and Sparkle & Shine: 108 M.A.N.T.R.A.s to Brighten Your Day and Lighten Your Way. After she was brought on stage in Miami with Oprah Winfrey in 2014, she was inspired to manifest the life of her dreams and founded Butterflies & Bliss LLC and S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc., a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to young innovative leaders in her community. She holds a BA in Spanish from Boston College, an MA in International Affairs from the University of Miami, a JD from St. Thomas University School of Law, and a Happiness Certificate with the Happiness Studies Academy. She is also a Certified Federal Law Enforcement Instructor/Mentor and a Love Button Global Movement Ambassador. In addition to being named Miz CEO Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, Nocero appeared on CNN Español with Ismael Cala and hosts her own YouTube channel and a podcast called Manifesting with Meg: Conversations with Extraordinary People. She lives in Miami, Fl. Visit https://megnocero.com/ to learn more about Meg Nocero.
QUEST FOR THE SCROLL...
Book Title: Quest for the Scroll...
Author: R.L. Rinne
Unpublished Manuscript
Are the world's challenges real or imagined? What is the purpose of life? Does God have the power to save? Rinne attempts to answer these questions and inspire the masses in this theologically perceptive and dramatically enthralling work of spiritual adventure.
A major inspiration for the book was St. Martin of Tours and the Bible itself.
In Quest for the Scroll… , R.L Rinne takes the reader on a fictional journey across old-time Europe from Gaul, to Briton, the village of Kilpatrick, and beyond. The story begins in Dumnonii—presently Cornwall in Southwestern Britain—at the end of the summer season in 409 AD, a few weeks before Mabon. The protagonist, Magnus of Rau, is given a scroll from his divine mentor, the dying St. Martin of Tours. Faithful to his duty of guarding the revered scroll and his eternal belief in a one and only God, Magnus is labeled a radical and flees his home, thus beginning his great adventure.
Mentions of ancient celebrations and triumphs are abundant in the story adding an authentic historical perspective. Additionally, quoted scripture is used strategically throughout characterizing the thoughts of the cast.
As Rinne writes:
“Magnus’s head was spinning. He felt weak and nauseous. ‘What had happened? He remembered Jesus’ words. ‘Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents; and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same will be saved.’ (Mark 13:12‐13)”
Rinne introduces new characters to the plot seamlessly as Magnus missions across western Europe narrowly avoiding the evil powers that seek him. Among the many well-constructed characters in this intrepid tale, Osric, a boisterous monk, who assumes a fondness towards young Magnus, rises above the rest in his influence on the plot.
As Rinne writes:
“Understanding God is the greatest gift that most of the world has never known. That’s why Martin stressed Spiritual education to his students rather than corporeal education. You have a humble servant’s heart my dear Osric. Of all the people I have shared the good news with, you alone have digested it.”
The story takes a dark turn when a villainous Bishop realizes the summative power of Magnus and the scroll. Fearing the loss of his oppressive control over the region, the Bishop uses vile means to trap and destroy Magnus in relentless pursuit. Magnus calls on every power within to endure against the treachery and sin that abounds in a perilous quest for deliverance.
“I proved that death is unreal. Nothing stops or starts in infinity; God is expressed everywhere! God is the only action, and we reflect what he is.”
Quest for the Scroll… is an illuminating story from start to finish. The novel’s imaginative premise isn’t wasted as Rinne paints a vivid picture of Magnus’s ministry and the spirituality of the story’s message.
A heroic tale of love, faith, and the infinity of life.
Author Bio:
R.L. Rinne's eclectic life began at birth. Born on a helicopter base in Fort Rucker, Alabama, and raised on the family farm in Southern Illinois, Rinne’s love for writing fostered early bouncing around on the seared steel seat of his grandfather’s Case tractor—nicknamed Methuselah after the 969-year-old bible character. Rinne graduated from college with a degree in design and embarked on a career in industrial automation problem-solving. When he is not traveling the world, he enjoys life with his wife on the family farm. He is active in church and metaphysical adventures, enjoys scuba diving, boating, flying, art, jeeping, and riding motorcycles. Quest for the Scroll... is his debut unpublished manuscript. He is currently working on a sequel.
REAPER
Book Title: Reaper
Author: J.R. Lightfoot
Publisher: Angel
Reaper, by J.R Lightfoot, is an intense, action-packed journey of Duke Jaml of Erdine, a human warrior of God, or Reaper. Alongside his beautiful female sidekick Kem, and with his battle weapon of the apocalypse in hand, Reaper's mission is to put an end to King Lucifer’s hoard of demons, the Fallen or devil spawn, who are trying to take over the world. Reaper, who was sent by God and trained by an angel, understands wholly the importance of his monumental objective—to defeat the king of evil, Lucifer. His success will pave the way for “The First Apostles,” saving the world and creating a path for the fresh cultivation of Christianity.
Reaper is told in third-person omniscient, or fittingly, a “God’s eye” point of view using intense prose to hold the reader’s attention. His prose adds a suspenseful curiosity to nearly every page of the story, causing the reader to question on more than one occasion…What could be coming next? Although effective in holding interest and creating awe, the details expressed in the abundant dialogue and the many dramatic scenes of lust and battle are at times seemingly dense and appear slightly forced. This could be a turn-off to the more sensitive and direct reader. However, Reaper still delivers on multiple levels.
Lightfoot’s creativity and emotional depth run deep throughout this epic tale. His characters are inspired and artfully developed possessing religious acclaim giving the rooting aisle a reason to turn the page. New-age and Christian fantasy fans will love this courageous adventure, with its illuminating style, robust hero and bold heroine.
A fast-moving fantasy thrill ride filled with non-stop action and unexpected twists and turns.
Author Bio:
I live in Fort Worth, Texas with my beautiful wife Kim. We have five kids (three boys and two girls), only one daughter remains at home along with our three dogs. I am a high school Social Studies teacher and former football and soccer coach. I ref soccer games and still play. I started writing as a way to handle stress at the job and found that I loved it. Now I write for the joy of telling stories.
WHERE'S EL MORRO?
Book Title: Where's El Morro
Author: Charlene Sánchez
Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing
Dark-haired little cutie Rani and her grandfather are walking down a street in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, when they overhear a tourist ask, “Where’s El Morro?” Rani’s childish curiosity is set in motion as she asks her grandfather, “What is El Morro?” And the story’s quest begins.
Rani and her grandfather stroll hand in hand on the cobblestone streets and landmark-studded routes through historic Old San Juan. Rani’s patience is tested as they pass landmark after landmark—old forts, cathedrals, parks, ancient buildings, an ice cream stand, and famous sculptures—but no El Morro. “Abuelo, is this El Morro?” she persistently asks.
Where’s El Morro is a culturally rich story with beautiful illustrations. The story and illustrations transport the reader to the alluring setting of Old San Juan, creating a realistic feel as if touring with the story’s protagonists. The story is in English with a few meaningful words in Spanish—the second official language of the island—scattered throughout. The Spanish words highlight author Charlene Sánchez’s Puerto Rican upbringing and family roots, adding to the authentic style.
An inquisitive journey of a little girl and her loving abuelo.
Author Bio:
Charlene has always had a passion for the arts which include writing, painting, digital illustration and photography. She currently resides in Florida with her family but was born and raised in Puerto Rico and often dedicates her art to her island upbringing. Charlene divides her time between being a mom, wife, and tackling her latest artistic project.
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
Book Title: Trust and Confidence
Author: Jim Lichtman
Publisher: Unpublished Manuscript
Author Jim Lichtman hits a home run in this comprehensive real-life political drama that explores, through gritty first-hand accounts, the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandals and the famous Starr Report. It is told from the perspective of the head of the United States Secret Service.
The Book is based on interviews with Washington insiders and from important documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Lewis Merletti, the first director of the U.S. Secret Service asked to testify against a sitting president and an old friend of the author, was the book’s most consequential contributor.
As Lichtman writes…
Five minutes into my interview with Lewis Merletti, the former director of the United States Secret Service looked me in the eye and said unequivocally, “The way I’m going to tell you this is exactly the way it happened.”
Ken Starr was a notable exception. He declined Lichtman’s four interview requests.
Trust and Confidence is a book full of intriguing specifics of one of the most contentious presidential scandals in United States history. Among the many revelations expressed within, one stands alone to the reader—Ken Starr’s attempt to “flip” Lewinsky.
Lichtman’s savvy writing preserves the book’s theme among the many juicy details of the extramarital affair. The major theme of the book emphasizes the motto of the United States Secret Service—Worthy of Trust and Confidence. It is made crystal clear in the beginning epitaph as Lichtman quotes Senator Alan Simpson:
“If you have integrity, nothing else matters.”
“If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”
The highlighted theme in Trust and Confidence–The 1998 Battle Between the Secret Service and Ken Starr is consistent throughout due to the masterful characterization of Lewis Merletti. Lichtman achieves this through the telling of Merletti’s dealings that aren’t limited to the Lewinsky scandal. He includes the trust and confidence Merletti embodied during his role in the presidential detail which ultimately led to him being promoted to director of the Secret Service. Also included as support for Merletti’s character is the report concerning his internal investigations on the raid on a religious sect led by religious fanatic, David Koresh by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
A highly informative and captivating read for political buffs and lovers of United States history.
Author Bio:
Jim Lichtman has been writing and speaking on ethics since 1995. Past clients include The Federal Dispute Resolution Conference, Society of Actuaries, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Hampton University Honors College, The Penn State Forum, American Bankers Association and U.S. Department of State.
Op-Eds: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Huffington Post, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and The New York Times.
Feature stories and appearances include USA Today, The Washington Post, Boston Herald, The Weekend Today Show (local, New York), National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition, NY-1, and CNN’s NewsNight with Aaron Brown.
VIOLET
Book Title: Violet
Author: Sabrina Simon
Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
Poet Sabrina Simon pours her heart and soul into Violet, a collection of confessional poems and musings inspired by young love, loss, and personal discovery.
She dedicates her writing to the readers who assimilate the feelings of her expressions, calling them, “the hopeless romantics.” Simon notes in her preface that her poems began as a type of therapy but ended up evolving into more of a love for language and writing—an evolution that is evident in the progression of the work.
Spanning a timeframe of seven years, beginning when the author was just 14 years old, Simon opens her compilation with fantasy verses involving what’s interpreted as her first love. “Am I wrong for wanting you the way I do?” she admits from the outset in “Am I?”
As Simon and her friend, the boy whom she desires, spend more time together in the poems, the author longs for a reciprocated love. She reveals this in “Are You in Love?”
The two friends grow closer and eventually fall in love—as told from the author’s point of view in “What Can I Offer Him?”
“I have found him, and he is what I’ve never imagined. He seems to be a masterpiece—raw but delicate, as if handcrafted, and he has shown no signs of straying nor leaving me abandoned.”
Simon shows she’s more than a capable poet in verses like “The Ocean’s Tirade,” in which she sets an evocative scene: “I want to fall sea deep into intimacy with you, submerge in all fashions of emotional bonding. Let the waves be our guide as we allow ourselves to dive and experience all the deepest secrets that lie underneath our shells…As we surf, we try to ride the waters, steering left and right, avoiding the little things. The farther we sail, the more turbulent it becomes. No longer basking in the clear, crisp blue sea as the cool breeze created the illusion of us floating.”
As prefaced by the author, the second half of the collection evolves into a more diverse diary type of musings as the author deals with her first memorable breakup. From the onset, in “Dialogue,” “Muse,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Dear Love,” “Time,” “Pain,” and “Sad Truths,” Simon openly conveys the roller coaster ride of emotions experienced during such times of change.
Simon progresses and concludes the book with a combination of writings that chronicle a new chapter in the author’s life. "My Purpose,” “Conflicted,” and “Dear Love” (2nd version) tell of a fresh love interest, the author’s struggle with trusting a new partner, and an introspective letter to “Love” in which she writes… “I have a filing cabinet with his name on it with a room in the corner of my mind for him inside of it, and as intricate of a puzzle I tried to be, he unveiled my interior, juked past my shyness, and spun his way in.”
Growth through experience is the interpreted theme of this diverse collection of coming-of-age teenage poetry. Simon writes with an honest simplicity and innocent passion leaving her heart on every page.
A highly relatable read for the young female audience.
Author Bio:
Sabrina Simon was born in Miami, Florida and considers her faith integral to her life. That focus led to self-publishing this book. Proclaiming herself a lovelorn loner, writing is where she spills her encompassing love that drove her to write poetry. What began as a means of therapy evolved into a passion for literary devices and figurative language. Now, Sabrina's passion for writing has led her to majoring in Film. Violet is Sabrina's first book of poetry.
IN ALL OF YOUR DAYS HAVE YOU SEEN THE WAYS...?
Book Title: In All of Your Days Have You Seen the Ways an Animal Plays an Instrument?
Author: Lisa Baker
Publisher: Booklocker.com
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Days-Animal-Plays-Instrument/dp/1647181135?ref_=ast_sto_dp
If you were a fan of Raffi, particularly his song “Down by the Bay,” then you will love this book.
Author Lisa Baker, and illustrator Joy Baik, have teamed up to create a classic story where whimsical illustrations bring the reader through delightful rhyming scenes of animals playing musical instruments.
Children of all ages will appreciate In All of Your Days Have you Seen the Ways an Animal Plays an Instrument for the vivid colors and funny juxtapositions of creatures making music while being in, or close to, their natural habitat. This is the perfect book to help introduce kids to unique musical instruments, and perhaps even some interesting animals. After all, when was the last time “while making risotto, did you ever see a buffalo, sipping espresso while playing the zufolo?”
A bonus feature is the glossary in the back, and if you are like us, it will help kick-start your own animal/musical adventures as you learn about the animals in the book! A truly joyous read.
The kind of book that sticks in the mind’s-eye of parents and children for a lifetime.
Author Bio:
Lisa Baker has been teaching music and theater for almost 14 years. She has always enjoyed writing, starting with her high school creative writing class, which mostly has been a pastime until recently. She graduated from Grand Canyon University, summa cum laude, with her B.S. in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in English while working and helping raise kids. She lives in Southern California with her husband of 26 years. They have two adult children who have enjoyed the family's annual Christmas letter in the form of a poem that Lisa always writes. When she's not traveling with her husband, or teaching her students, Lisa also enjoys performing at the local community theaters in her area. She also works for a children's theater company where she is currently a set designer, having directed and stage managed previously. Find out more about Lisa at her website ReadingRhythmsAndRhymes.com.
LIVIN' LARGE IN LOUISIANA
Book Title: Livin' Large in Louisiana: A Southern Social Cookbook
Author: Chef Hunter Lee
Publisher: Fulton Books
As Louisiana native and retired chef, caterer, and outlandishly Southern kitchen personality Chef Hunter Lee indicates in his introduction, Louisiana loves and prides itself on its tasteful food and generous hospitality. This flavorful book takes the reader on a ride through the famous south, recipe after recipe, story after story, where the people, food, and culture foster a slower, yet more exciting way of life. The reader can’t help but feel the love Chef Lee has for his home state and the many friends and family who have been influenced by his cooking and his bighearted personality.
Livin’ Large in Louisiana: A Southern Social Cookbook, the second book in the Benwood’s Surely Southern three cookbook series, is much more than your average cookbook. Chef Lee’s southern charm is on full display as he narrates encouragingly the why’s and how’s of using food to entertain and inspire outlandish parties and holiday get togethers. He covers it all. From setting the table, dressing to impress, to of course, the food!
Chef Lee has created a delectable read from the mouth-watering first appetizer—"Louisiana Spicy Artichoke Squares,” to the refreshing final cocktail—"Southern Christmas Eve Punch.” He hopes his readers “Have a large time” while enjoying his recipes and to always remember… “Treat your kitchen” and “Treat yourself.”
A delectable read from the mouth-watering first appetizer to the refreshing final cocktail.
Author Bio:
After a fifteen-year career as a chef/kitchen personality, business owner, food expert with talktochef.com, and restaurant consultant/critic with catering and private chef services in Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Orleans, and Shreveport, Chef Hunter Lee retired to his plantation where he grew up in Mansfield, Louisiana, in 2016 due to health issues. Lee is Louisiana through and through, having lived and worked in almost every part of the state. In retirement, he’s worked closely with local nonprofit organizations, festivals, and charities. Lee enjoys being at home on his plantation, spending time with and entertaining friends and family. He’s an avid traveler and is always up for exploring new restaurants across the South and East Coast. As of 2021, Hunter Lee LLC, the parent company of Benwood’s Surely Southern, was taken over by and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hunter Lee Mannies Trust. After the merger, Hunter Lee LLC has worked expanding Benwood’s seasoning line into full production as well as releasing a line of specialty sauces and the famous Benwood’s Louisiana Sweet Hot’s pickles and has since then taken the seasoning market by storm, rivaling some of the biggest names in the industry. This is the second of three cookbooks written by Chef Hunter Lee to be released in the Benwood’s Surely Southern series.
The History of Benwood’s
Benwood’s spice was an original creation of Benny “Benwood,” Chef Hunter Lee’s late father. It was first conceived in the 1980s during the oil and gas boom in northwest Louisiana where the Benny was in public relations and catering. In the 2000s, the chef located the original recipe and revamped it for mass production. In early 2021, Chef Lee worked out distribution and packaging to mass-produce the original flavor as well as a low-sodium and a hotter version. The Country Boy BBQ rub and Field & Stream blackened seasoning followed in early 2022. After over a year in the making, Benwood’s released eight sauces into its product line including Country Boy BBQ sauce, Country Boy Marinade, Country Boy Wild game Sauce, and Louisiana Hot Sauce just to name a few. Benwood’s is in most Chef Hunter Lee’s recipes. Obviously, you can substitute any spice or Cajun seasoning to the recipes in this as well as all our cookbook line, but if you haven’t tried our seasonings and sauces, well ya missin’ out. Now Benwood’s is a namesake and is the market company for Hunter Lee LLC. They are Certified Louisiana products and carry the seal as a Certified Louisiana product. A seasoning and sauce line created right here in Louisiana of traditional ingredients in true Southern fashion. We also produce and package right here in Louisiana for purchase and shipment worldwide. They are new to the market at the time of publishing and store purchase is limited, but you can learn more about them or order the seasonings, sauces, and merchandise online through our website: www.benwoodssurelysouthern.com.
GERTRUDE THE COW GETS IN TROUBLE SOMEHOW
Book Title: Gertrude the Cow Gets In Trouble Somehow
Author: Lisa Baker
Publisher: Booklocker.com
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Gertrude-Cow-Gets-Trouble-Somehow/dp/1647190894?ref_=ast_sto_dp
Lisa Baker’s second book, Gertrude the Cow Gets In Trouble Somehow, is a heartwarming tale that takes the reader through a series of unfortunate events befalling Gertrude.
We first see that Gertrude loves to play with friends, and “one of their favorite things to do as they gather, is to play hairstylist and pretend to wash their hair and lather.” She soon learns that cows can get a disease that effects their bangs—and of course this sends Gertrude into a tizzy throughout much of the book trying to stay ahead of the effects of this ailment.
Illustrator Corinne Grant does a fabulous job of painting heartfelt images that show Gertrude and her friends working through their troubles and eventually overcoming them. There is a good lesson here for kids, especially in this digital age—talk to your parents or trusted adults about issues of concern first before making rash decisions.
A reminder that sometimes it’s necessary to follow your instincts and break from the herd.
Author Bio:
Lisa Baker has been teaching music and theater for almost 14 years. She has always enjoyed writing, starting with her high school creative writing class, which mostly has been a pastime until recently. She graduated from Grand Canyon University, summa cum laude, with her B.S. in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in English while working and helping raise kids. She lives in Southern California with her husband of 26 years. They have two adult children who have enjoyed the family's annual Christmas letter in the form of a poem that Lisa always writes. When she's not traveling with her husband, or teaching her students, Lisa also enjoys performing at the local community theaters in her area. She also works for a children's theater company where she is currently a set designer, having directed and stage managed previously. Find out more about Lisa at her website ReadingRhythmsAndRhymes.com.
EMBRACING GOD IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE...
Book Title: Embracing God In The Right Perspective With The Right Foundation of Faith In Him
Author: Chris Tham
Publisher: Chris Tham
Link: https://www.amazon.com/EMBRACING-RIGHT-PERSPECTIVE-FOUNDATION-FAITH-ebook/dp/B08M3Q2Y2N
Embracing God In The Right Perspective With The Right Foundation of Faith In Him is an insightful interpretation of scripture aimed at inspiring both believers and non-believers alike.
Written for an audience seeking spiritual enlightenment, Chris Tham’s book dives headfirst into his views on Christianity. He uses meticulous organization and descriptive writing to introduce and answer questions on several thought-provoking topics and Bible verses regarding God and religion. Tham asks, "Who is God?" "Who are you?" "Who created me" and "Where did I come from?" "What am I made of?" "Why was I created?" Tham also addresses the afterlife, salvation, the devil, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and Joshua, King David and King Solomon, and much more. Tham’s bolded Bible verses provide the reader with valuable references prior to revealing his own thoughtful interpretations and answers to the questions he poses.
Tham writes with a polished yet conversational style. This is effective in earning the respect of the reader through the author’s well-researched explanations while at the same time producing a down-to-earth attention-grabbing spiritual guide for personal growth and understanding.
Embracing God In The Right Perspective With The Right Foundation of Faith In Him is a fourteen-chapter, 523-page spiritually rich testament of one man’s mission in reminding the world that, as he writes, “Knowledge without God is not the Truth. Only the Truth leads us to the meaning of life as the power of life is in God. God is the everlasting Truth.”
…An inspiring creation by a visionary author.
Author Bio:
Chris Tham is a professional accountant by education and training and has worked for years in financial reporting, corporate finance, and taxation in multiple organizations of various sizes ranging from small and medium enterprises to publicly quoted companies. He is a firm believer in the Gospel of Light through Christ Jesus and accepts the belief that the greatest joy in life is to discover man's truthful identity in God and that every living soul in the history of man is a child of God.
THE WATCHERS
Book Title: The Watchers: A YA Fantasy Adventure
(The Trekana Book 1)
Author: Jo Sisk-Purvis
Publisher: Evolved Publishing LLC.
The Watchers: The Trekana – book 1, by Jo Sisk-Purvis, is a fantastical tale of world-building, mystery, and romance.
We are first introduced to the main character, Alesea, as huge boats arrive on her island’s shores. Sisk follows with introductions of the rest of the cast. She provides extensive backgrounds—hooking the reader—the hallmark of a good opening serial. And it isn’t too long before we get a hint of mystical powers at work.
The novel is engaging from the start. Alesea discovers her power (that of a Knower), and the reader is taken on an amazing journey. We find out who the Paav are and the differences between Watchers, Listeners, and Knowers. Commoners may think that mystical forces will be the focus of this tale, but Sisk-Purvis has other ideas. She treats the reader to relatable internal conflicts within the main character that drive the storyline. Young love is also explored. Alesea is charming and strong, but perhaps not a natural born leader as seen later; however, under a demanding circumstance, she seizes opportunity and digs deep to find an admirable inner strength.
At one point, we learn about the A’lodi, or the spark of truth inside us all, and Alesea uses it to disarm a group of men chasing her—"I focused on that A’lodi light and sent out love, pure love. Arms dropped, swords and bows falling harmlessly to the ground…. the A’lodi within me sees the A’lodi within you.” This theme of love and compassion is central to the story, and Sisk-Purvis expertly weaves it among other narratives that will undoubtedly shape the latter books in the series.
Overall, the plot and pace of the text make this book an easy read and one that gets more exciting with each turn of the page. The subplots and likable characters also contribute to the appealing nature of the story. Jo Sisk-Purvis has created something with The Watchers: The Trekana – book 1, which should only get better with the future release of additional books in the series.
Author Bio:
Joanna “Jo” Sisk-Purvis is delighted to introduce a strong pacifist heroine to the world in her debut YA Fantasy, The Watchers, the first in a trilogy. Jo’s stories have been published in Cricket Magazine and used for education and read-alouds all over the world. In addition to writing, Jo is a musician, music director for musical theatre, and teacher. She lives in the woods of central North Carolina with her husband, three children, and far too many animals.
