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Small Press Bookwatch

Volume 12, Number 6 June 2013 Home | SPBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Writing/Publishing Shelf Native American Studies Shelf
Education Shelf Jobs/Career Shelf Psychology Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Business Shelf Parenting Shelf
Fiction Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Political Science Shelf
Memoir Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Poetry Shelf Self-Help Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Biography Shelf Literary Studies Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Relationship Shelf Sports Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Travel Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

The Prairie Spy
Alan Lindy Linda
Trellis Publishing
PO Box 280
New York Mills, MN 56567
www.trellispublishing.com
9781930650404, $12.95 print / $7.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com

Our stories are made up of many events and opinions along the way. "The Prairie Spy: Who Shot the Dryer? And Other Stories from the Home Front" is a collection of nonfiction columns from Alan Linda, or Lindy as he refers to himself, sharing endless anecdotes about his life from being at war to just working the quiet life at the apple farm and the everyday events that forge everything around us. An admirable collection worthy of comparison to Garrison Keillor's beloved "The Prairie Home Companion" radio show, "The Prairie Spy" is a strong pick for those who enjoy sampling slices of life.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Word Up!
Marcia Riefer Johnston
Northwest Brainstorms Publishing
2924 NE 27th Avenue, Portland, OR 97212
MindBuck Media Book Publicity
www.mindbuckmedia.com
www.HowToWriteEverything.com
9780985820305, $21.99, www.amazon.com

When Marcia Riefer Johnston was twelve years old she wrote an eight paragraph story which she submitted to 'American Girl' magazine who published it and paid her $15.00 -- it is clear that she was destined to be a writer! In "Word Up! How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs (And Everything You Build from Them)" Marcia draws from her many years of experience and expertise in writing everything from family letters to journal articles to provide other aspiring writers with a 270 page instruction manual on writing more effectively for any purposed communications be they blog posts, emails, digital books, business summaries, e-zine articles, lab reports, novels, poems, scripts, speeches, web pages, term papers, or letters home. Methodically organized into three major sections (Up with Words; Up with Sentences and Paragraphs; Up with Writing), "Word Up!" is thoroughly 'user friendly' as Marcia writes with clarity, wit and wisdom. Of special note is the inclusion of the appendix article 'Up with Human-Crafted Indexes'. Of immense and practical value for novice writers, "Word Up!" is also very highly recommended for even experienced writers as a refresher course on using the written word to engage, entertain, and inform.

Publish Your First Digital Magazine
Lorraine Phillips
360 Books
PO Box 105603, #22430
Atlanta, GA 30348-5603
9780988953505, $24.95, www.3sixtybooks.com

The internet has changed anything and everything about the business world. "Publish Your First Digital Magazine" is a how-to guide from Lorraine Phillips and those who want to better understand the purpose of the modern magazine and taking its place on the internet. From understanding how the business end of the job works, connecting with readers, and keeping your business in the black, "Publish Your First Digital Magazine" is a must for publishing and reference collections, highly recommended.


The Native American Studies Shelf

Native American Drinking
Thomas W. Hill PhD
New University Press
9402 West Lake Mead Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89134
9780982921913 $26.95 www.newuniversitypress.com

Native American Drinking: Life Styles, Alcohol Use, Drunken Comportment, and the Peyote Religion is a scholarly assessment of the alcohol use and abuse among Native Americans, from both a medical and an anthropological perspective. Chapters do not downplay the serious health and social ills caused by alcoholism, and even assess whether anthropologists tend to "deflate" the issue of problem drinking. Chapters analyze "Life Styles and Drinking Patterns of Urban Indians", "Problem Drinking: Biology, Bad Habits, and Alcoholism", and "Alcohol Use Among the Nebraska Winnebago: An Ethnohistorical Study of Change and Adjustment", and much more. Of particular interest is how the Native American peyote religion can have a therapeutic value to counter the drinking culture - the religion defines alcohol consumption as unacceptable; fosters nondrinking social networks, activities, role models; and proffers a belief system through which existing guilt and negative emotions can be dealt with. Notes and an index around out this excellent examination of a serious social issue, highly recommended especially for college library Native American Studies shelves.


The Education Shelf

Online Education 2.0
Kelli Cargile Cook & Keith Grant-Davie
Baywood
26 Austin Avenue, PO Box 337
Amityville, NY 11701
9780895038067, $62.96, www.baywood.com

The internet has brought whole new worlds of potential to us. "Online Education 2.0: Evolving, Adapting, and Reinventing Online Technical Communication" discusses the rise of online education from a perspective of educators and faculty. Analyzing the place of online education in post secondary education, many educated voices add their insight to the future of learning, its place in the school's economics, travel time, concerns, plagiarism, and so much more. Compiled by editors Kelli Cargille Cook, a technical communication associate professor and Associate Professor of English Keith Grant-Davie, "Online Education 2.0" is a vital resource for any educational administrator who is looking to expand online education's role in their school curriculum.


The Jobs/Career Shelf

From Ramen to Riches
Lauren S. Tanny & James G. Wood
The Tannywood Group, Inc.
13022 Signature Point #8
San Diego, CA 92130
9780982825129 $9.95 pbk. / $2.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

From Ramen to Riches: Finding a Job in Your 20s lives up to its title as a practical, no-nonsense guide to networking, resume writing, job interviews, and climbing the career ladder. Though written especially for younger professionals, From Ramen to Riches is packed with tips, tricks, and techniques that career men and women of all ages will find invaluable. "Dress professionally and conservatively [for a job interview], even if you know the company culture is casual. For guys, that means a suit and tie. For the ladies, a dress, suit, or pantsuit that doesn't reveal cleavage or midriff. Solid colors are best. Avoid distracting earrings. Cover tattoos if possible. Wear leather shoes with low heels. Sneakers, flip-flops, and open-toed shoes are out." In the increasingly competitive job market of today's tough economic times, From Ramen to Riches is a "must-read", especially for new college graduates!

When Can You Start?
Paul Freiberger
Career Upshift Production
801 E. 16th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94402
9780988702806, $12.95, www.amazon.com

A job interview is a tough thing to master, but so vital for the future. "When Can You Start?: How to ACE the Interview and Win the Job" is an inspirational read from Paul Freiberger who seeks to more completely equip readers to deal with the interview process, the nail the questions asked of them, get what they deserve out of a job... as well as the job itself. "When Can You Start?" is a useful and motivational pick for those who are currently digging through the job market.

Cut the Crap, Get a Job!
Dana Manciagli
Authority Publishing
11230 Gold Express Dr. #310-413
Gold River, CA 95670
9781935953470, $19.99, www.authoritypublishing.com

It's easy to blame the market for one's continued unemployment. "Cut the Crap, Get a Job!: A New Job Search Process for a New Era" is an advisory from Dana Manciagli who shares her advice and experiences on making the modern job market work for you and finding so much success along the way. Focusing on what's changed and how to adapt, and what old wisdom will never go bad, "Cut the Crap, Get a Job!" is a wise and much recommended addition to career focused collections.


The Psychology Shelf

Talking Back to Dr. Phil
David Bedrick
Belly Song Press
518 Old Santa Fe Trail, Suite 1, #626
Santa Fe, NM 87505
9780985266707, $17.95, www.bellysongpress.com

Shame is a terrible feeling, and overcoming it is often key to happiness. "Talking Back to Dr. Phil: Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology" discusses contemporary psychology as author David Bedrick as he offers his own insight on what he holds as negative psychology that seeks to often explain to people that something is wrong with them and the pain that comes with trying to force a change in the self, as well as the influences of society in general. "Talking Back to Dr. Phil" is an interesting critique of pop psychology, recommended.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Flying in the Heart of the Lafayette Escadrille
James Van Pelt
Fairwood Press
21528 - 104th Street, Court E
Bonney Lake, WA, 98391
9781933846347, $17.99, www.amazon.com

James Van Pelt's previous three collections of short stories had clearly documented him as a master storytelling. Now he has published his fourth story collection, "Flying in the Heart of the Lafayette Escadrille" comprised of twenty-three tales of original science fiction, fantasy and horror. Also available in a Kindle edition ($5.99), "Flying in the Heart of the Lafayette Escadrille" offers a compendium of imaginative, riveting, superbly crafted and thoroughly entertaining short stories that are especially recommended for personal summer reading lists and community library collections.

Revelations: Book One of the Merlin Chronicles
Daniel Diehl
Sunbury Press
P.O. Box 548, Boiling Springs, PA 17007
ReSource Marketing (publicity)
6181 Cloverlawn, Grants Pass, OR 97527
9781620061374 $16.95 print / $6.95 Kindle www.sunburypress.com

Revelations: Book One of the Merlin Chronicles is the first novel in author Daniel Diehl's new trilogy, steeped in the lore of King Arthur, prophecies of the Bible, and high fantasy with a modern twist. Archaeology student Jason Carpenter has discovered a unique artifact, that contains within the greatest wizard humankind has ever seen for over a millennium! But Merlin's ancient nemesis Morgana Lefay is on the prowl - as are other greedy and ruthless antagonists, from drug-smuggling thugs to an ancient Chinese necromancer. If Jason does not act fast, an army of vicious dragons could be let loose upon the modern world! Revelations is a fantasy lover's delight, highly recommended especially for fans of the genre.

A Questionable Shape
Bennett Sims
Two Dollar Radio
141 East Town St., Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
9781937512095, $16.50, www.twodollarradio.com

When your just trying to find your father, hurricanes and zombie apocalypses are so inconvenient. "A Questionable Shape" is an offbeat novel from Bennett Sims. Mazoch wants to find his father in Baton Rouge, but the sudden rise of a Zombie problem and looming hurricane season make things difficult. Unsure if his father is alive, dead, or undead, "A Questionable Shape" places a new spin on zombie fiction, so very much recommended.

Devil May Care
Patricia Eimer
Entangled Select
2614 South Timberline Road, Suite 109
Fort Collins, CO 80525
9781620610879, $14.99, www.entangledpublishing.com

Love and War can go somewhere where we least it expect it so quickly. "Devil May Care" is a novel from Patricia Eimer, telling of the Princess of Hell, Faith Bettincourt, her busy life in the courts of Hell and her pursuit of her boyfriend, the un-Hellish Matt. Spinning a tale of family, love, war between Heaven and Hell, and everything in between, "Devil May Care" is a fun and twisting love story that shouldn't be missed, highly recommended.


The Business Shelf

Million Dollar Blind Spots
Gary W. Patterson
AudioInk Publishing
PO Box 1775, Issaquah, WA 98027
9780982241578, $19.95, www.audioink.com

Risks are natural part of the world of business management. "Million Dollar Blind Spots: 20/20 Vision for Financial Growth" is an inspirational business read from Gary W. Patterson who encourages business leaders to better manage the risk in their life and manage it all the effectively while building up the income along the way. "Million Dollar Blind Spots" is a strong addition to business reference and motivational collections.

Project: Impossible
Michael Dobson
Multi-Media Publications
1050 Simcoe St., North, Suite 110
Oshawa, ON, Canada L1G 4W5
www.mmpubs.com
9781554891392, $29.95 print / $12.95 Kindle, www.amazon.com

Impossible is an overused word. "Project: Impossible" is a guide for business leaders that draws valuable lessons from the great tasks of history, in which people such as Charles Lindbergh or General George Patton endeavored to succeed against all odds. Taking notes on how these individuals found solutions to their problems, via thinking untraditionally, redefining the problem, changing the parameters of their challenges, and more, "Project: Impossible" is a strong addition to inspirational business and management collections. Also highly recommended are the Multi-Media Publications titles "The Power of the Plan: 10 Easy Steps to Managing Everyday Projects" (9781554891368, $19.95), about the critical importance of designing an adaptable plan and keeping it moving, and "Entrepreneurship and Ethics in Ancient Rome" (9781554891313, $29.95), which notes from history to reveal how basic principles of management have never really changed.

Free the Idea Monkey...
G. Michael Maddock with Raphael Louis Viton
iSB Publishing
2128 Boll Street, Dallas, TX 75204
9781936487103, $24.95 print / $9.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com

An idea can be anything, and making it work for us is invaluable. "Free the Idea Monkey... to Focus on What Matters Most!" is a business research inspirational read from G. Michael Maddock with Raphael Louis Viton as he explores the people who come up with more and more ideas. Offering a perspective from the idea man and the person who often has manage them and reign them in, "Free the Idea Monkey" is an important read for business management and wisdom collections, highly recommended.


The Parenting Shelf

Life Seen Through Your Teen's Eyes
Suzanne M. Wirth
Friesen Press
Suite 300, 852 Fort Street
Victoria, BC Canada V8W 1H8
9781770973336, $7.9, www.friesenpress.com

Trying to understand life through generations often proves quite difficult. "Life Seen Through Your Teen's Eyes" is a parenting inspirational guide from Suzanne M. Wirth as she offers practical and wise wisdom on dealing with the curious creature that is the modern teenager. Drawing on her experience as a therapist and much more, "Life Seen Through Your Teen's Eyes" is a strong recommendation for parenting collections focused on raising soon-to-be young adults.


The Fiction Shelf

It's Nothing Personal
Kate O'Reilley
Quandary Publishing
PO Box 631129
Littleton, CO 80163-1129
KateOReilley.com
9780988663312 $15.99 www.amazon.com

Based on true events, It's Nothing Personal is a chilling medical drama of thoughtless cruelty and murder by proxy. Jenna Reiner is an anesthesiologist who takes pride in her skillful work - but when a drug addict scrub technician contaminates the needles Jenna uses, her injections becomes a potential death sentence. For months, and completely without remorse, the addict stole drugs, used the needles to inject them, then returned the contaminated needles for the hospital to use. As patients fall ill to the addict's communicable and potentially fatal disease of hepatitis C, a tremendous public health scare arises. From whom can the infected patients seek justice - the hospital? The addict? Or Jenna herself, who unknowingly delivered the disease-ridden injections? A tangled court battle threatens to destroy Jenna's life, in this thoughtful yet worrisome novel about the dark side of medicine. Highly recommended.

There Is No Mrs. Gezunterman
Kevin Mednick
Savvy Press
PO Box 63
Salem, NY 12865
www.savvypress.com
9781939113047 $14.95 pbk. / $3.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

There Is No Mrs. Gezunterman: A Corporate Comedy is a darkly funny, tongue-in cheek novel about corporations versus people. When one customer is pushed to far by an inane, beaureucraic corporate rule, it ignites a blazing rebellion from like-minded, downtrodden people, culminating in a dramatic court case. A wicked sense of humor permeates this quasi-dystopian quandary, down to the last, eyebrow-raising page!

The Third Peril
L.P. Hoffman
www.LPHoffman.com
Hope Springs Media
PO Box 11
Prospect, Virginia 23960-0011
www.hopespringsmedia.com
9781935375043 $14.95 www.TheThirdPeril.com

The Third Peril is a novel that merges elements of historical fiction and contemporary suspense. In 1777, as he fought and suffered to win freedom for the fledgling nation of America, General George Washington received a divine revelation at Valley Forge: "Three great perils will come upon this nation," and "The Third Peril will be the worst". The first two great trials were destined to be the Revolutionary War and the Civil War; in the modern day, a terrible shadow looms. Influenced by a profound premonition, five-year-old Connor Hays, son of the Chief Economic Advisor to the President, warns that "War is coming to America!" But will anyone listen to a child, let alone believe him? Re-examining the underpinnings of crises that can topple powerful nations, The Third Peril is a page-turner to the very end. Also highly recommended are author L.P. Hoffman's previous novels, "The Canaan Creed" and "Shadow of the Piper".

In This Living Body
M.J. Sullivan
Silverback Sages Publishers, LLC
PO Box 1408
Abiquiu, NM 87510
980982992012 $18.77 print / $7.44 Kindle www.silverbacksages.com

In This Living Body is a novel of a quest for self-knowledge that brings the young American to a quiet Japanese monastery. Following his elderly teacher, he adapts to his slower-paced new life, parallel to a city in which priests transport themselves on scooters and children play freely outside, rain or shine. The protagonist's work to refine his mastery of karate and Zen, and his struggle to become fluent in the Japanese language, is reflected in the poetic descriptions and thoughtful moments of introspection. Spiritual and uplifting, In This Living Body is a memorable journey of discovery, highly recommended.

Phillywood
Scott Martin
Daylight Books
PO Box 1105, Fort George Station
New York, NY 10040
9780963217745 $9.99 daylightbooks.net

Set during the American Bicentennial, Phillywood is a pocket paperback novel about a University City drifter trying to not only survive, but also stay connected to the twin wonders that are great literature and music. Raw and robust, featuring strong characterization and a dash of Philadelphia's rich multicultural history, Phillywood is an absorbing tour through the back streets of America's great cities, in search of a legacy that transcends the drab reality of everyday life. Highly recommended.

Maxine
Claire Wilkshire
Breakwater Books Limited
100 Water Street
St. Johns, NL, Canada, A1C 6E6
1550814028, $19.95, www.breakwaterbooks.com

Inspiration can come in the oddest of forms. "Maxine" tells the story of Maxine Carter, a woman lost in her life. When she discovers the curiosities of her nine-year-old neighbor Kyle, she finds someone to answer her questions... and someone with many questions for her to answer with his own tragedies. A poignant and uplifting novel of finding inspiration and life where we can, "Maxine" is a literary read not to be missed.

Found Objects
Peter Gelfan
Nortia Press
2321 E 4th Street, C-219
Santa Ana, CA 92705
9780984835966, $15.95, www.nortiapress.com

Romance and adult life can often come in complex forms. "Found Objects" is an intriguing literary novel, as author Peter Gelfan presents a different sort of story of polyamorous life. Aldo is enjoying his life, with two women who he shares it with, seeing children trough. But the unusual arrangement of their life always has problems, which Aldo will quickly learn as jealous exes emerge. "Found Objects" is a must for general fiction collections, not to be missed.

The 25,000 Mile Love Story
Serge Roetheli
Dunham Books
63 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203
9780985135980, $25.99, www.dunhamgroupinc.com

There are causes worth suffering for, and some sacrifice much along the way. "The 25,000 Mile Love Story: The Epic Story of the Couple Who Sacrificed Everything to Run the World" tells the story of Serge and Nicole Roetheli and their journey around the world to run for the betterment of the world, trying to bring attention to children in developing countries and the countless challenges he faced all along the way. "The 25,000 Mile Love Story" is an enticing and uplifting read of the desire to do good, highly recommended.

Call Me Amy
Marcia Strykowski
Luminis
1950 East Greyhound Pass, #18, PMB 280
Carmel, IN 46033
9781935462750, $14.95, www.luminisbooks.com

To do a good deed, we can find friendship in the most curious of locations. "Call Me Amy" is a novel from Marcia Strykowski following the struggles of Amy Henderson, who finds an injured seal and seeks to nurse it, with the help of a scorned aging woman and an unusual youth. Set in the early 70s and exploring the essence of loneliness, "Call Me Amy" is a powerful read that should prove so very hard to put down, highly recommended.

On the Rocks
Sue Hallgarth
Arbor Farm Press
PO Box 56783, Albuquerque, NM 87178
9780985520007, $15.95, www.arborfarmpress.com

As we pursue our art, the world around us can so often shock us into existence. "On the Rocks" is a novel from Sue Hallgarth, following literary legend Willa Cather and her painting comrade Edith Lewis as they see a sudden death as someone is hurtled from a nearby cliff. The two explore the plights of their life as they try to understand the mystery that had suddenly entered their lives. "On the Rocks" is a riveting addition to historical fiction collections and those with a love for the artistic life.

Signatures in Stone
Linda Lappin
Pleasure Boat Studio
201 West 89th Street, New York, NY 10024
9781929355907, $18.00, www.pleasureboatstudio.com

In a search for our destiny, we may sacrifice much and still never truly find it. "Signatures in Stone" is a novel from Linda Lappin, invoking many a gothic theme as she tells of four individuals who go through life and trying to piece together where they are going through their lives, and how they must go into the darkest nature to truly understand it all. "Signatures in Stone" is a must for those seeking a taste of the international and psychological, recommended.

Duck Pond Epiphany
Tracey Barnes Priestley
She Writes Press
2417 SE 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
9781938314247, $16.95, www.shewritespress.com

There is often more than one passion in our life. "Duck Pond Epiphany" is a novel of facing the plight of the empty nest. Lee is free of children, and her husband... or so she believes. When she sets out to pursue her dreams as a painter, her estranged husband is reinvigorated in her pursuit of her, and she finds her stuck with so many directions trying to pull at her. "Duck Pond Epiphany" is a riveting tell of life and romance, very much recommended reading.

The Moral Life of Soldiers
Jerome Gold
Black Heron Press
PO Box 13396, Mill Creek, WA 98082
9781936364022, $16.95, www.blackheronpress.com

What drives one to betray their brother in arms? "The Moral Life of Soldiers" is a novel from Jerome Gold who tells the story of an American Special Forces soldier in Vietnam... and how he decided to betray his country and join the People's Army of Viet Nam (North Vietnam). Psychological and insightful into the conflicts many soldiers may face, "The Moral Life of Soldiers" is a choice and recommended pick, not to be missed.

Second Hand Rose
Lin Stepp
Canterbury House Publishing
255 Ira Harmon Road, Vilas, NC 28692
9780982905470, $15.95, www.canterburyhousepublishing.com

One impulsive move can so often come back to haunt us so completely. "Second Hand Rose" is a novel from Lin Stepp, who shares the story of Rosalyn McCreary, coping with the pain of single motherhood and how the normally responsible girl dances with a random stranger, and her life gets a whole lot more complicated. "Second Hand Rose" is a riveting read of romance with plenty of humor, a choice pick for general fiction collections.

Zarathustra Must Die
Dorian Alexander
Etruscan Press
Wilkes University
84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
9780983294443, $11.00, www.etruscanpress.org

The world as we know it is not often as we know it. "Zarathustra Must Die" is an intriguing novel from Dorian Alexander who shares a story of a graduate student coping with the oddness of life trying to find a greater understanding of the world as he is distracted by the lowly pleasures that all so often tempt us. "Zarathustra Must Die" is a strong pick for those seeking fiction with an odd blend of life and philosophy.

Skyscraper
Tashin Yucel
Talisman House
PO Box 896, Greenfield, MA 01302
9781584982005, $21.95, www.amazon.com

A near future may lead to a world dominated by a mad dream. "Skyscraper" is a near-future novel set in Istanbul, as Temel Diker seeks to recreate the city in his image with mad intent on how to make it all come together. His associate, a lawyer named Can Tezcan, is hired to help him further his goals... but Can may realize what he seeks does not meet with the wishes of his client. "Skyscraper" is deftly translated from Turkish by Ender Gorol, is a must for international fiction collections.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Dry Rot
S. L. Stoner
Yamhill Press
PO Box 42348, Portland, OR 97242
9780982318461, $14.95, www.yamhillpress.com

When one murder isn't enough, the threat rises exponentially. "Dry Rot: A Sage Adair Historical Mystery" is an entry into S. L. Stoner's Sage Adair's historical mystery series, following the lead as he tries to get to the bottom of a labor dispute, the people framed for the crime, the strange characters around him, and the sword of failure hanging over him, threatening someone else's death. "Dry Rot" is a riveting blend of history and mystery that should prove so very hard to put down, highly recommended.

Cloud Cover
Ron Terpening
Cliff Edge Publishing
PO Box 450, Cortaro, AZ 86552-0450
9780975576137, $28.95, www.cliffedgepublishing.com

In the waning days of the Cold War, there are many factors out for power. "Cloud Cover" is a spy thriller as Canadian agent Michael Higgins is charged with sniffing out the traitor through their ranks as he is forced to cover Europe and his home country and all the way to Moscow to snuff out plots that will charge the stakes higher and higher and puts the pressure on Higgins to thwart the plots for continued peace. "Cloud Cover" is a strong addition to spy thriller collections, much recommended.

Deadly Memories
S. D. O'Donnell
Windstorm Books
PO Box 7438, Broomfield, CO 80021
9780988455603, $14.99, www.windstormgroup.com

Sometimes what we have forgotten is what we want to keep that way. "Deadly Memories" follows former detective Saul Becker as he pieces together the mysterious history of Jayne Doe, a woman with no memories except of fear... and that what she fears may be very real and out to eliminate her for good. "Deadly Memories" is a riveting thriller that will more than keep the pages turning.

Bone Horses
Lesley Poling-Kempes
La Alameda Press
9636 Guadalupe Trail NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
978188809657, $18.00, www.laalamedapress.com

New Mexico is no place for a teacher with a quiet life. "Bone Horses" is a novel from Lesley Poling-Kempes who tells of Charlotte Lambert, a New York school teacher who comes to New Mexico to see what happened with her mother all those faithful years ago, only to gain a mystery all her own when someone targets her for death. A riveting read and thriller with no shortage of twists and turns everywhere, "Bone Horses" is a strong pick that proves the ability to keep the pages turning all the way through.


The Political Science Shelf

Importing Democracy
Julie Fisher
Kettering Foundation Press
200 Commons Road
Dayton, OH 45459-2799
9780923993474, $9.95, www.kettering.org

Democracy doesn't come easily, and it can't be forced. "Importing Democracy: The Role of NGOs in South Africa, Tajikistan, & Argentina" discusses the push towards democracy in many countries with a focus on the three mentioned in the subtitle. Chapters speak on building democracy through election regulations, encouraging participation of the population, transparency, and much more. "Importing Democracy" is a must for scholarly and international studies collections, highly recommended.


The Memoir Shelf

Sugar Hill
Terry Baker Mulligan
Impulse Press
6256 Fauquier Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63105
TerryBakerMulligan.com
9780984692903 $17.99 pbk. / $4.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Winner of an Independent Publisher Book Award, Sugar Hill: Where The Sun Rose Over Harlem is a true-life memoir from author Terry Baker Mulligan, who grew up in Harlem during the mid-20th century. Her anecdotes tell of snuff-dippers, the people who followed Fidel Castro, interracial marriage in a time before the practice had gained universal acceptance, tensions between West Indians and Southern blacks, and much more. When Mulligan herself was a young Catholic girl, she protested to devout nuns that the concept of Limbo was unfair; she continued to question authority as her life unfolded. She made friends with the legendary Willie Mays in a shoeshine parlor and painted posters for the 1957 March on Washington, but was never quite able to fully become a member of junior black society. A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs illustrate this vivid testimony, highly recommended.

My Life in America Before, During and After the Civil War
Louis Hensel, author
Translated by Sigrid Wilshinsky
Jo-An Books
c/o Jo-An Pictures, Ltd.
PO Box 6020, New York, NY 10150
News & Experts (publicity)
3748 Turman Loop, Suite 101, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
www.newsandexperts.com
9781890719135 $26.00 www.jo-an.com

Superbly translated into English from the original German by Sigrid Wilshinsky, My Life in America Before, During and After the Civil War gathers the correspondence of Louis Hensel (1817-1908), a man of many talents who traveled through America in the 1800's. Written during the final ten years of his life, Hensel's letters to his granddaughter in Germany relate an array of adventures. From his work as an artisan ivory carver, in Manhattan, to his service as an Officer and Master of the Horse in the Union Cavalry during the Civil War, his personal witness of President Abraham Lincoln's meeting with armed American Indian tribal leaders, and much more. An unpretentious account of real-life challenges more engrossing than fiction, My Life in America Before, During and After the Civil War is an extraordinary, up-close and personal appraisal of American History in the making, highly recommended.

The Third Burden, updated edition
Eric Hughes
Wendibrand Publishing Company
PO Box 6710, Washington, DC 20020
www.discrimrelief.com
9780971913103, $15.00 print / $7.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com

"The Third Burden" is the unusual story of how Eric Hughes was able to successfully deal with discrimination in the workplace. Not just once, but twice -- and against the federal government!. "The Third Burden" provides informed, informative, practical, 'real world' advice and strategies for any employee needing to understand and implement their legal rights on the job. "The Third Burden" offers inspiring true life examples of how an ordinary man was able to came to do something truly extraordinary, and based upon his experience, show how others can protect themselves from workplace discrimination through these detailed examples. Now in a newly updated and expanded edition, "The Third Burden" (previously published under the title 'The Content of Their Character', devotes a new and descriptive chapter showcasing Eric Hughes' strategies for winning his two cases. Superbly organized and presented, "The Third Burden" is exceptionally 'user friendly' and highly recommended reading for both employees and employers seeking to establish and maintain discrimination free work environments in either public or private sector employment.

Eighteen in Cross-country Odyssey
Benjamin Anderson
Biographical Publishing Company
95 Sycamore Drive
Prospect, CT 06712-1493
9781929882724 $27.95 hc / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com

Eighteen in Cross-country Odyssey is a memoir from author Benjamin Anderson, who, after graduating from high school in 2003 at the age of eighteen, opted to pursue his adventurous dream of traveling America cross-country in a van. His trip led him through the South, the Midwest, and all the way to California, and he spoke with a multitude of different people at every leg of the journey, from fellow travelers to clergymen to salt-of-the-earth folk. His story of navigating the road, meeting people with cheer and vigor, and drinking deep from the chalice of life itself during this long summer before the onset of college responsibilities. Armchair travelers will enjoy the picturesque prose; Eighteen in Cross-country Odyssey is the next best thing to packing up for a personal extended road trip!

Two Steps from Glory
Maj. Welton I. Taylor with Karyn J. Taylor
Winning Strategy Press
1200 West 35th Street, #255
Chicago, IL 60609
9780983867715 $28.95 www.twostepsfromglory.com

Two Steps from Glory: A World War II Liaison Pilot Confronts Jim Crow and the Enemy in the South Pacific is the true-life story of an African-American pilot during World War II. Although hundreds of thousands of African-Americans enlisted during the war effort, rampant prejudice and bigotry often limited how they could serve their country. The U.S. Army believed black soldiers to be inferior in combat, and often assigned them to labor battalions or the Quartermaster Corps. Chicago-born Major Welton I. Taylor, a Lieutenant during the war, defied both a Jim Crow army (complete with "white" and "colored" segregated outhouses) and a hostile enemy to prove that military men should be judged by their skills and capabilities, not the color of their skin. He trained as a liaison pilot and flew missions in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, and Morotai. Over 70 previously unpublished black-and-white WW II photographs illustrate this candid, honest, and gripping tell-it-like-it-is military memoir.

Determined to Matter
Jen O'Hara with Dan O'Hara
Scarletta Press
10 South Fifth Street, #1105
Minneapolis, MN 55402
9781938063206, $14.95, www.scarlettapress.com

Cancer is cruel, doubly so when it affects one so young. Based on a blog that the authors Jen and Dan O'Hara wrote to keep in touch with family and friends, "Determined to Matter" is a memoir of coping with youth cancer. Shannon O'Hara, Jen and Dan's daughter, received a death sentence via inoperable brain cancer. Jen shares the last days and what the struggles for the better life exposed and brought for all involved. "Determined to Matter" is a heartfelt story of facing death at a young age, and the trials that family members of a gravely ill young adult endure.

A Thousand Voices
Jeri Parker
Winter Beach Press
936 East 1700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
9780983629405, $22.00, www.winterbeachpress.com

Life can be short and fleeting, and take place in many pictures. "A Thousand Voices" is a memoir from Jeri Parker, telling the unique story of Carlos Louis Salazar, a boy turned man who faced a rough life throughout his entire life, without any true break from the endeavor. From young boy to a life of crime to the crushing plight of kidney failure, Parker shares what is ultimately a very human story. "A Thousand Voices" is a solid addition to memoir and biography collections, highly recommended.

Secret Storms
Julie Mannix von Zerneck & Kathy Hatfield
Blue Blazer
4355 Forman Avenue
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
c/o Meryl Zegarek Public Relations, Inc.
255 West 108 Street, Suite 901
New York, NY 10025
9780985735807, $14.95, www.secretstorms.com

The world can be cruel, and finding solace in others in our life is a truly wonderful thing. "Secret Storms" is a memoir from Julie Mannix von Zerneck & Kathy Hatfield, mother and daughter, as they share their story of giving birth and being born into a rough situation and how it shaped the bonds between a mother and daughter in the face of a cruel world around them. "Secret Storms" is a strong addition to memoir and parenting collections, highly recommended.

Blind Curves
Linda Crill
Opus Intl
11115 Watermans Drive, Reston, VA 20191
9780985898502, $16.95, www.thecadencegrp.com

Life can give you everything and then cruelly snatch it all away. "Blind Curves: One Woman's Unusual Journey to Reinvent Herself and Answer: What Now?" is a memoir of how Linda Crill faced her world falling apart at the age of 57, with the passing of her husband. Placing it all together again, she shares her journey of finding a life worth living when half of it left her, and offers plenty of inspiration for readers who want to make it all work for them again. "Blind Curves" is a powerful and uplifting read for anyone faced with loss, enthusiastically recommended.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Story of Rex of White Way
Jim Cheskawich
Rex Stories
183 Wieri Road, Woodland, WA 98674
9780988364004, $18.95, www.dketasamoyeds.com

A single dog can make a huge difference in the lives of many. "The Story of Rex of White Way: The Blizzard King" tells the story of a Samoyed breed dog who over the course of eleven years saved countless lives of many people as a sled dog throughout the frozen winter months and made a major difference through hard work and perseverance. "The Story of Rex of White Way" is a strong addition pets and dog history collections.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls, second edition
Jan Foulke
Theriaults
PO Box 151, Annapolis, MD 21404
9781450781787, $26.95, www.jansdollbook.com

Dolls go long throughout history, far beyond the cabbage patch. Now in an updated second edition, "Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls: A Definitive Identification and Price Guide" is a collector's guides to countless dolls made throughout the past centuries and how to identify the rarity and prices of these porcelain treasures. With full color photography all the way through, specifications, and plenty of information, "Jan Foulke's Guide to Dolls" is a resource and reference not to be missed.


The Poetry Shelf

Face Bug
J. Patrick Lewis, author
Frederic B. Siskind, photography
Kelly Murphy, illustrator
Wordsong
c/o Highlights
815 Church Street, Honesdal, PA 18431
9781590789254, $16.95, www.wordsongpoetry.com

Creepy, crawly, and a bit eerie. "Face Bug" is a collection of poetry from J. Patrick Lewis, who works with photographer Frederic B. Siskind and illustrator Kelly Murphy to present a series of poems and visuals that focus on using the curious faces of bugs to bring so much fun and insight into the pictures of the world as we know it. With humor and plenty to teach young readers, "Face Bug" is an excellent compilation of kids poetry, not to be missed.


The Self-Help Shelf

Finding Our Purpose in Life
J. Travers Hartnett
Shaw Street Media
1045 E. Atlantic Ave. #203
Delray Beach, FL 33483
9780985367619 $14.99 hc / $5.99 ebook / $17.47 audio

Finding Our Purpose in Life: A Step-by-Step Method is a self-help guide to discovering one's calling - the task that one so earnestly enjoys and desires to pursue that its undertaking will provide lifelong fulfillment. Instructions guide the reader to analyze his or her own unconscious, instincts, dreams, personal heroes and role models, and more, the better to learn about one's inner core. Truly knowing oneself is an invaluable asset for planning one's future career and personal life. Finding Our Purpose in Life leads the reader to accurately answer questions such as "Why do I sometimes want things that I know are bad for me?", or "What is stopping me from doing what I want to do?", the better to unlock the stores of one's potential. Highly recommended.

Getting It Done
Iris Dorreboom & Rudi de Graaf
Mill City Press
212 3rd Avenue North, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781626520264, $16.95, www.millcitypublishing.com

Getting things done is a vital quality in our life. "Getting It Done: How to Achieve Resutls and Accomplish Fulfillment in Work & Life" is an inspirational read in which authors Iris Dorreboom and Rudi de Graaf offer a spirited collection of insight on trying to find one's way through this life and doing it in a way that finds success and results we need to live life. "Getting It Done" is driven and recommended reading for anyone who wants to get the most out of life.

The Map
Boni Lonnsburry
Inner Art Inc.
1750 30th Street, Suite 543, Boulder, CO 80301
9780989059404, $14.95, www.LiveaLifeYouLove.com

We are often our biggest obstacles in achieving that peace that we so often seek out of the world. "The Map: To Our Responsive Universe -- Where Dreams Really Do Come True!" is an inspirational and spiritual read from Boni Lonnsburry who encourages people to find out their true dream, overcome negative beliefs, and manifest everything they need to be truly happy. A roadmap to transform dreams into reality, "The Map" is an insightful and uplifting read for those seeking inspiration, highly recommended.


The Cookbook Shelf

Signs Of The Times
Joan Porte
Soulsign Publishing
PO Box 10517, Burke, VA 22009
www.soulsign.com
9780978853518, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Compiled by Joan Porte, "Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook" is a 256 page compendium of terrific recipes for any and all dining occasions - regardless of the kitchen cook's astrological proclivities. Nicely illustrated throughout, the easy-to-prepare recipes range from Grilled Coconut Chocolate Fruit; Baked Stuffed Onions; Shrimp in Artichoke Hearts; and Chicken Pesto Sandwich; to Chinese Tea Eggs; Rum Raisin Rice Pudding; Pollock with Berry Prosecco Sauce; and Ginger Beef Stir Fry. Of special note for astrologists is how the author has organized dishes according to houses of the zodiac in the back of the book. "Signs Of The Times" is a highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

An Apple a Day
Karen Berman & Melissa Petitto
Race Point Publishing
276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 206
New York, NY 10001
9781937994112, $25.00, www.racepointpub.com

Apples, healthy, nutritious, and so versatile. "An Apple a Day: 365 Recipes with Creative Crafts, Fun Facts, and 12 Recipes from Celebrity Chefs Inside" is a full color recipe book filled cover to cover with recipes surrounding the apple with recipes all throughout and how to get the most out of the fruit from sweet smoothies and pastries to savory sausages and other dishes. Comprehensive and wise reading for anyone with a love of the apple and wants to get more out of it, "An Apple a Day" is a must for any cookbook collection, highly recommended.


The Biography Shelf

Mystic Chemist
Dieter Hagenbach & Lucius Werthmuller
SynergeticPress
1 Bluebird Court, Santa Fe, NM 87508
www.synergeticpress.com
9780907791447, $38.95 pb.
9780907791461, $49.95 hc www.amazon.com

Albert Hofmann (January 11, 1906 - April 29, 2008) was a Swiss scientist known best for being the first person to synthesize, ingest, and learn of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Hofmann also was the first to isolate, synthesize, and name the principal psychedelic mushroom compounds, psilocybin and psilocin. He authored more than 100 scientific articles and a number of books, including LSD: My Problem Child. In 2007 he was ranked a shared first place, alongside Tim Berners-Lee, in The Telegraph's list of 100 greatest living geniuses. "Mystic Chemist: The Life of Albert Hofmann and His Discovery of LSD" by Dieter Hagenbach and Lucius Werthmuller (close friends with Hofmann) is the 408 page biography of a remarkable man and his discovery/experiments with LSD and other perception altering substances. Detailed, comprehensive, instructive, informed and informative, "Mystic Chemist" is a fascinating read and a highly recommended addition to academic, and community library 20th Century Biography collections.

The Spirit of Bob Hope
Richard Grudens
Celebrity Profiles Publishing Company
Box 344 Main Street
Stony Brook, NY 11790-0344
1575792273 $19.95 richardgrudens.com

Featuring over 100 vintage black-and-white photographs, The Spirit of Bob Hope is a biography of legendary entertainer Bob Hope (1903-2003), whose legendary career included so many tours to entertain people in the American military that in 1996, the U.S. Congress named him the "first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces". Extensively researched, and featuring a foreword by Bob Hope's co-star Jane Russell, The Spirit of Bob Hope reveals both the public and the private details of a brightly shining life. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Bob Hope's contributions to the storied legacy of popular entertainment!

Walking Among Giants
Bobby Wood with Barbara Wood Lowry
The Dunham Group
63 Music Square East
Nashville, TN 37203
9780985135942 $14.99 www.dunhamgroupinc.com

Walking Among Giants from Elvis to Garth: The Bobby Wood Story is the life story of a musician, band member, and faithful believer in God who survived a severe traffic accident that cost him his right eye. Yet Walking Among Giants is not primarily a tale of injury or recovery, but rather a man who truly loves creating and performing rock-'n'-roll music. "What is the most important message that Bobby has for these new, young [music] writers? He tells them, 'Don't copy anybody!' A lot of the music today has gone to computer music, but that computer music doesn't have a soul or feel to it. Record labels are folding... 'I think the Lord intended for us to let Him be part of our lives and to help us create, whatever line of work or profession we choose. When we get into a position to be creative, then I believe it will happen. I believe that it comes from the Almighty God that we serve.'" Walking Among Giants is the testimony about a man who shares his life, his faith, and his love of music to the fullest, and will especially appeal to anyone with a like-minded passion.


The Literary Studies Shelf

F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gatsby Girls
Carol Monroe, editor
BroadLit
14011 Ventura Blvd., Suite 206 E
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
9780989020046, $14.99, www.amazon.com

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 - December 21, 1940) was an American author of novels and short stories, whose works are the paradigm writings of the Jazz Age, a term he coined himself. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Fitzgerald is considered a member of the "Lost Generation" of the 1920s. He finished four novels: This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, The Great Gatsby - his most famous - and Tender Is the Night. A fifth, unfinished novel, The Love of the Last Tycoon, was published posthumously. Fitzgerald also wrote many short stories that treat themes of youth and promise along with despair and age. Now eight of those short stories featuring Fitzgerald's flapper 'heroines' drawn from the pages of the legendary magazine "The Saturday Evening Post" have been compiled into a 300 page anthology. In addition to these outstanding examples of Fitzgerald's short stories, "F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gatsby Girls" is enhanced for today's readers with introductory information by Carol Monroe's editorial notes, as well as two appendices: 'Post-Pages' and 'Illustrators' (featuring reproductions of original magazine illustration for these featured stories). A prized addition for academic and community library American Literature Studies collections, "F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gatsby Girls" is very highly recommended reading and will well serve to introduce a new generation of readers to the literary talents of F. Scott Fitzgerald.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

I Love My Doctor, But...
Lawrence W. Gold, M.D.
Grass Valley Publishing
12697 Anvil Road, Grass Valley, CA 95945
9781484110942, $6.99, www.amazon.com

The single most ubiquitous problem facing doctors and patients is that of inadequate communication. In "I Love My Doctor, But...: A Lighthearted Look at a Serious Problem", Dr. Lawrence W. Gold draws upon his twenty-threes of experience and expertise in the practice of internal medicine and nephrology in Berkeley, California to write a 98 page compendium of practical advice and instruction to insure good communication and trust between patients and their doctors. Nicely illustrated by Theresa McCracken, Dr. Gold's style is as witty as it is wise. The result is a thoroughly 'user friendly' and accessible text that is highly recommended for the non-specialist general reader.

The Secret To Healing Cancer
Tien-shengh Hus, M. D.
New Awareness Network
390 Plandome Road, Suite 202
Manhasset, NY 11030
www.sethinstitute.org
9780984928507, $15.95, www.amazon.com

Cancer is one of the major causes of death in the United States today. Cancers come in many varieties and can attack virtually any part of the human body. "The Secret To Healing Cancer: A Chinese Psychiatrist and Family Doctor Presents His Amazing Method For Curing Cancer Through Psychological And Spiritual Growth" is a 235 page compendium by family doctor Tien-shengh Hus that provides amazing insights into how ordinary people can successfully deal with the medical scourge of cancer. Benefiting from the editorial assistance of Rick Stack, "The Secret To Healing Cancer" is nicely organized into thirteen chapters, making Dr. Hus' information readily accessible and understandable by the non-specialist general reader. Of special note are the chapters on "How Men can Stop Repressing their True Emotions and Create Health" and "The Mission of a Healer". Enhanced with an appendix featuring true stories of people dealing with their cancers, "The Secret To Healing Cancer" is highly recommended and informative reading for anyone having to deal with cancer either within themselves or a family member.


The Relationship Shelf

Relationship Transformation
Jerry Duberstein & Ellen Goggin
Ryder Ridge Press
PO Box 1770, Mendocino, CA 95460
9780985417703, $19.99 / $6.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com

The ones that can hurt us the worst are the ones that we love the most. The damage we do and the damage that is done to us by strangers is nothing compared to what our spouses are capable of. That's why "Relationship Transformation: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too" by Jerry Duberstein and Ellen Goggin is such a timely and important contribution to the every growing library of self-help guides. This 184 page paperback compendium offers a comprehensive yet succinct guide to building relationships with loved ones that will endure for a lifetime. Practical, thoroughly 'user friendly', insightful, and at times inspirational, "Relationship Transformation" is highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Self Help reference collections.


The Sports Shelf

Rob Van Der Plas & Frank Berto
Cycle Publishing
1282 - 7th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
www.cyclepublishing.com
9781892495716, $49.95, www.amazon.com

Daniel Rebour was a French artist and illustrator whose drawings were a mainstay for the cycling press of France from 1945 to 1975. His illustrations are to be found in bicycle manufacturer and distributor catalogs up to the early 1980s. Compiled with commentary by the team of Rob Van Der Plas and Frank Berto, "Rebour: The Bicycle Illustrations of Daniel Rebour" is a 288 page compendium showcasing Rebour's artistry and the elegance of his drawings of an impressive variety complete bicycles and their individual components. Enhanced with the inclusion of three appendices (Pierre-Georges Hugaud; Rodolphe Rebour; George Retseck); a bibliography; and an index, "Rebour: The Bicycle Illustrations of Daniel Rebour" is a unique and highly recommended addition to community, and academic library Bicycle History and Commercial Art Studies reference collections, as well as the personal reading lists for dedicated bicycle enthusiasts!


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Light of the Andes
J. E. Williams
Irie Books
c/o Sgarlat Publicity
PO Box 4204
Charlottesville, VA 22905-4204
9781617203749, $15.95, www.amazon.com

"Light of the Andes: In Search of Shamanic Wisdom in Peru" by J. E. Williams is a 200 page compendium in which he shares with the reader a truly engaging story of his 2008 trip to Peru and the discovery of Q'ero in the high Andes mountains felt by the ancient Incas to be the playground of the gods themselves. Q'ero is the local native term for religious prayers, practices, traditions, and truths of their Inca ancestors preserved down the generations and now, thanks to J. E. Williams, available for a modern generation of readers. Erudite and deftly written, informed and informative, "Light of the Andes: In Search of Shamanic Wisdom in Peru" is very highly recommended for both personal, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Travel Shelf

Afoot in Connecticut
Eric D. Lehman
Homebound Publications
PO Box 1442, Pawcatuck, CT 06379
9781938846076, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Homebound Publications is an ironic name for the publisher of Eric Lehman's extraordinary travelogue "Afoot in Connecticut: Journeys in Natural History". This 132 page compendium introduces the reader to a fascinating and informative account of the natural beauty of Connecticut's rural countryside, beaches, mountains, rivers, woodlands, back roads and nature trails. From ancient stone walls to colonial cellar holes, the human mark upon the Connecticut landscape will charm those who seek them out. Superbly written, "Afoot in Connecticut: Journeys in Natural History" is highly recommended for onsite tourists and armchair travelers alike!

Back Roads Traveler
Thom Tansey
Bonehunter Press
PO Box 4308, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33338
9780615569734, $15.00, www.amazon.com

The next best thing to exploring the towns and villages of America in person is reading about someone else's exploration of the towns and villages of America. "Back Roads Traveler: Discovering America Through Its Small Towns" by Thom Tansey is a 230 page travelogue that takes the reader through America's rural southeast where we are introduced to a veritable roster of memorable characters. Deftly written and thoroughly entertaining, "Back Roads Traveler: Discovering America Through Its Small Towns" will leave the reader looking eagerly toward the next volume of travel experiences promised by Thom Tansey as he continues to explore the people and places of other sections of a diverse and varied small town America!


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


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