Book Review - Stress Free Living by Thomas Mayberry

A very personal book about valuable lessons in dealing with stress

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

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

LINK: Stress Free Living by Thomas Mayberry

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

A very good book covering each practice

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

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

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

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

A great story and series start for young readers

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

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

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

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

A mystery thriller with a historical twist

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

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

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

LINK: The Big Empty by Ritch Gaiti

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

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

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

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

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

LINK: Antigone Princess of the Nature Benders by Jerry Bidos

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

Fun read with great characters and battle scenes

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

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

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

A good book to unclutter the mind and sense direction

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

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

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

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

An enjoyable series of stories with something to teach

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

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

Book Review - Mail-Order Brides by Daris Howard

A kind and funny romance

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

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

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

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

LINK: Mail-Order Bride by Daris Howard

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

A full depth erotic novel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A poem about overcoming fear and being true to yourself

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

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

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

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

Need cash today, get this book

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

LINK:  60 Ways To Make Money Fast by Jill Golden

Book Review of Expiration Dating by G. T. Marie

Entertaining and funny novel

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

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

LINK: Expiration Dating by G. T. Marie 

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

Wonderfully funny and ironic

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

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

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

Book Review - Shades of Terror by Larry A. Levitan

 Wow! This is the political thriller to read this month

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

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

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

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

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

LINK:  Shades of Terror by Larry A. Levitan

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

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

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

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

LINK: Beautifully Absurd by Robert Ashley M.D.

Book Review - They Shall Take Up Serpents by Randall Marsh

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

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

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

LINK: They Shall Take Up Serpents by Randall Marsh

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

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

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

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

LINK: Millionomics: My Journey to Gaining Financial Freedom

Book Review - Mace of the Apocalypse by Daniel J Williams

 A zombie novel with several new takes on the theme

Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. That's the theme of Mace of the Apocalypse. The zombies have a few variances from the norm, but it's the cure, or partial cure that's the twist here. The cure brings out side effects that make the survivor more sociopath but not to the level of flesh eating zombie. The effort becomes to perfect a cure that doesn't trade away too much humanity. Mace is a character who has to decide to do more than survive and protect survivors but help protect those who are trying to perfect the cure.

This made it a more interesting, or deeper than average zombie novel. Plus, that it's narrative was well written made it a more pleasurable read.

LINK: Mace of the Apocalypse