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Path of the Bearers and Other Stories by Nicholas Licalsi is a creative collection of seventeen science fiction tales that test the ingenuity and limitations of both man and machine – an orphan who grows to 1200 pounds eating pizzas in a spaceship, dangerous multi-limbed creatures, orbs that hold every child’s purpose, and humanized computers are among the original inventions that populate these stories. Thematically linking explorations into outer space and the examination of the interior space of human emotion and fallibility, Licalsi’s stories are uniquely varied and inventive. Several pieces would gain strength from more plot development and less […]

A woman struggles with a mysterious disease, a difficult marriage, and clandestine affairs in Metamorphosis by Isabella MacLeod, an original work that veers into supernatural fiction, erotica, and psychological thriller. The novel chronicles the life of Miranda, who is in a desperate search for someone who can provide a cure for the painful, debilitating, and often grotesque symptoms that threaten to dismantle her life as a nurse, wife, and mother. The story is compelling in its originality and creativity, but it is hampered by grammatical issues and a first-person narrator who is somewhat hard to follow given the abrupt transitions […]

Countess Joliette de Verzat is determined to preserve the legacy of her family’s vineyard in Debra Borchert’s captivating novel, Her Own Legacy, the first book in the Château de Verzat series. The young Countess fearlessly navigates the obstacles of her destiny – duty to the Queen, laws prohibiting her inheritance, a forbidden love, the discovery of an illegitimate brother, and war. When the French Revolution erupts, armed and hungry citizens march towards the Versailles palace – leaving the formidable Joliette to battle for her Verzat legacy, life, and love. With an equally eloquent and dynamic tone, the novel is […]

An action-packed work of paranormal fantasy, The Three Witches and The Three-Headed Dagger by Henry Regnault is a master class in world-building, character creation, and finely drawn action scenes. Cadence Mage is an accomplished demon hunter and suspects the three-headed dagger – a fierce weapon that feeds on its victims – may be the cause of a spate of murders of young women. Mixing contemporary reality with ancient fantasy lore, Regnault immediately immerses readers in this grisly and occasionally graphic story with well-drawn characters and original magic. The prose is sometimes too reliant on dialogue, but overall this is a […]

Forget Me Not: A Caregiver’s Guide to Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease by Torri L. Fisher is full of invaluable information, both practical and personal, to assist people who are new to caring for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Heartfelt and filled with warm touches, Fisher addresses her audience directly, which creates a comfortable trust between her and her readers. Sometimes the casual nature of the narrative can result in difficulties for readers, as some of the scientific recommendations can appear incomplete. However, most of the book provides necessary advice that can prove indispensable to caregivers. An informative and accessible guide, […]

Lighthearted and adventurous, Jeremy Campbell’s Between the Causeways is a tale that will delight every animal lover. When a dog abandons her pup in the woods along a country road, three concerned strangers meet as if by serendipity and exact a plan of rescue, soon unearthing a special bond and new purpose in their lives. Though the novel is subject to some uneven pacing, this is a charming tale about the essential importance of human connection and our animal companions. A uniquely inspiring story, the novel is propelled forward by Campbell’s emotive prose about these lively characters’ inner lives, illuminating […]

Tamar by Sheldon Greene – full subtitle, A Historical Coming of Age Novel of a Jewish Native American Woman in Post-Civil War California – depicts the tumultuous journey of a Jewish/American Indian community who find themselves dispossessed of their ancestral land. The story intimately follows the leader of the community, Tamar, as she navigates such unprecedented events: the building of a railroad, settlers, war, and the relocation of her people to an industrialized world. An inspiring, visceral novel, Tamar will leave you breathless with its wholly unique perspective on this period of history. The dichotomy Greene creates between artificial America […]

A biblically-based look at the religious significance of current events, The Mystery of Iniquity: Last Days Convergence by D.F. Hodge gives the reader insights into why the times we live in are potentially a signal of the return of Christ and the new Kingdom of God. Interestingly, Hodge calls out systemic racism, police brutality, and the subjugation of women as endemic of these turbulent times, which may not always be the case for books with this focus. Hodge’s book also covers the purpose of God, the purpose of evil, and the significance of the signs that surround us. A decidedly […]