Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
“You may never know what wonders await you, until you learn to listen to your guiding voice, and discover who is trying to help you, and with their help—where you are going.” Sage words indeed! T. L. Needham has produced a collection of stories taken from a life lived with joy, family, and purpose. The […]
An ordinary life told impeccably well. And… Just Like That is a warm collection of essays detailing Mark Shaiken’s path from birth to the afterlife, aka retirement. Having spent decades in law, Mark has a vast storehouse of experiences, specifically in bankruptcy law, upon which to draw for his humorous biography. From an unconventional childhood
Funny and heartwarming renovation-driven memoir. “One way to judge a good memoir is by its first chapter.” I found these words on a blog by the author. A high bar to reach, to be sure, but in Church Sweet Home: A Renovation to Warm the Soul, the bar has been exceeded! Tyler and Monica decide
Her enthusiasm is contagious and motivating. Penelope Kaye takes readers on a “journey to discover and uncover the characteristics marking the perverse spirit.” The journey is described through a series of vivid recollections, anecdotes, and prayerful revelations. Through many prayers, dreams, and anointings, Kaye details her personal experiences including job loss, divorce, harassment from demons
Please Remain Seated in Your Comfort Zone is a casual collection of observations, recollections, opinions and stories crafted from the culmination a life well lived. Gigi Wolf has taken the time to gift readers with her comical perspective on topics as varied as public breastfeeding, fad diets, aging and travel. The stories are short and
The story may get you choked up at times, but is balanced with a heavy dose of humor and love. Tavi Richman is a spirited English Golden Retriever and this is a delightful peek into his diary. The ‘tail’ begins when he is still a tiny pup nestled with his furry mom and his rowdy
Fallible is a relatable story of a man struggling, but coping with the help of his friends, family, and faith. Any pre-flight safety briefing on an airplane tells you to first secure your own oxygen mask and then attend to others—because you’re no help to others if you’re dead! For Kyle Jones, he learned this
The Greatest of These by Lori Morrison is one woman’s recollection of an extremely difficult life cut short, that of her husband Leigh and his impact on those around him. Both Leigh and Lori’s less than ideal upbringings mold them into the adults that they become: The raging anger from Leigh’s manipulative father and the
Sean Kachmarski has done an amazing job detailing his emotional personal marathon. Sean Kachmarski has not always been a runner. A kidney stone changed the course of his life. Okay, not the stone itself, but the realization that he was approaching middle age and was not in optimal health. With a family to care for,
Link Wilfley’s story is a must read for aspiring athletes. In the Sin Bin by Link Wilfley is a lively collection of memories and musings tied together with a load of camaraderie, a bit of sacrifice and ultimately a healthy dose of commitment. The account is a globetrotting affair including a vibrant cadre of players
Doniga’s strong character is an example for every human on earth who hopes to leave the planet in better shape for future generations. Wolf Girl: Finding Myself in the Wild is a coming of age biography that is as entertaining as any fiction tale. Young Doniga finds that she just doesn’t fit in with the
Every Grain of Sand demonstrates the resilience of humans. Every Grain of Sand is a dramatic memoir that takes readers on one man’s journey from despair and addiction to freedom and love. It would be an understatement to say that David Wichman had a difficult childhood, having endured sexual abuse coupled with religious hypocrisy when
The Truth Within is a real life coming of age story crafted into a memoir. Leonard Cachola recounts his experiences, large and small, as he seeks answers to life’s biggest questions and, ultimately, acceptance. He endures the death of his father, a devastating cancer diagnosis, job loss, relationship troubles, and religious disappointment. To balance out
Just a Slap provides a courageous voice, advocating for those who cannot. When we are children, we travel through life without the benefit of maturity in a physical or emotional sense. All of our experiences, good and bad, shape the person we are to become. In the case of Kathleen Howard, childhood trauma left her
Teeming with humanity, vulnerability and pain. “Let us sit within time, grasping for cosmos with fingers of clay.” Stunning lines like this flow from the page with elegance and beauty. Swiftly, such graceful composition is challenged with more hard-hitting expressions. “Deep cuts and cigarette burns kept me plunging deeper into my depression.” This collection of
A harrowing journey, one better read than lived! Everybody has a story to tell. For some it is a story of success and acclaim. For other people the story is loss and hardship. In the case of Kenneth Fox, it is all of the above and then some! Fox developed a lifesaving technology with potentially
Visit the Netherlands in the unhurried style of Roger Gaess. At its core, Whatever Comes my Way is a travel guide. But if you’re looking for the next Fodor’s or Frommer’s, look much further! This is a guidebook for those who like to explore the bones of an area. Readers can hop on the train
From a Pennsylvania town where time seems to stand still to the beaches of Cuba. From stories of when parents were young to a time when you decide that you are likely living in the home you will die in. Throughout it all, David Berner openly shares his search for his place in this world.
Cherie Magnus is inviting you to join her in the literary tango that is her life. Take her up on the offer… you won’t be disappointed! Although a lifetime dancer, it isn’t until after the death of her husband Jack that Cherie Magnus’ obsession with the tango really begins. Rather than simply remain in Los
After suffering an economic downturn, Mark and his family take on the adventurous opportunity of teaching English as a foreign language on the other side of the world. Banding together with an eclectic mix of teachers from around the globe, they experience the wonders (both good and bad) that China has to offer. With the
Rather than simply a collection of poems, Rain and Embers takes the reader on a journey. Feelings of isolation and despair are brought forth with honesty. Love and acceptance are also portrayed pointedly. While primarily conveying the plight of refugees, this collection is fitting for anyone that has ever felt displaced or struggled with their
Adrienne is 15 years old when she is given the most cataclysmic of diagnoses. The primary story deals with how she, her sister Andrea, and various friends deal with the catastrophic upheaval that is stage 4 cancer. Similarly intriguing, however, is the secondary storyline that chronicles how Adrienne got to be living under her sister’s
Lance Pototschnik tells the captivating and humorous tale of a man pursing his dream. The story centers around the author’s outrageous idea for getting his movie, Quarter Life Crisis, produced. Far more effort is expended in not producing the movie, however, than would have gone into actually producing it. Throughout the book, the author is
It began as a baby, with a dog named Brownie. But Judi M. Roller’s love for animals certainly didn’t stop there. Her memoir not only spans decades but also features a variety of animals including dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, and even a monkey! One particularly interesting feature of His Name Was Brownie is the challenges
