‘Daddy’s Girl’ by Michael Schnabel is a memoir about the challenges and struggles of parenting. Photo: Amazon
Michael Schnabelis an author and a graduate of Northern State University. Michael developed his passion for writing and storytelling during his thirty-year career at Bristol-Myers Squibb. He lives in Overland Park, Kansas with his wife, and when not spending time with family, you can find him tending to his 26-acre tree farm. His first book, “Daddy’s Girl,” is a memoir about the challenges and struggles of parenting through a medical crisis. (Amazon, 2023)
“Daddy’s Girl”– How does a young mother overcome an 8% chance of living to raise her newborn son? She becomes a warrior and provides hope for others. This is the story of a father, his daughter, and the deadly battle she won. In each person’s life there are events that forever change their course. Twenty-seven year old Stephanie experienced two of these events in fourteen days; the birth of her only child and the discovery that she might now live long enough to raise him. She is haunted by the thought that this baby will only know her through pictures, until she makes that thought her motivation to survive. Michael Schnabel, Stephanie’s father, tells the story of survival and how three generations of a family respond to crisis. It begins with the happy news that Stephanie is pregnant but well into her second trimester, she starts feeling sick. The narrative switches back and forth between the present, Stephanie’s ordeal, and the past, as Michael shares parenting stories and the lessons he learned along the way. Some of the chapters contain ‘life lessons’ like “The obstacles people face in life do not define them, but the way they deal with them might.” In the Epilogue, he shares what they as a family learned to do during a medical challenge, including the importance of having a team mentality, seeking out medical experts according to the disease you are fighting, taking it one day at a time, and celebrating victories, no matter how small.
As the English poet John Donne famously wrote, ‘No man is an island, entire of itself,’ so it is when facing a major medical diagnosis. In Stephanie’s case, the joy she and her husband experienced with the birth of their son Caden came with a cancer diagnosis. Family and friends surrounded them with the love and support necessary to see this challenge through. Told through the point of view of her father Michael, it also chronicles a parent’s difficult journey as he watches their daughter struggle on. The language is simple enough to make this an easy read but it comes with a trigger warning: some of the material is somber and difficult to get through but readers are rewarded with a happy ending. Even though the subject of religion comes up, it does not come across as preachy and instead, Michael focuses on a ‘higher power’ and the importance of surrounding yourself with loving people, doing good for others, and being at peace. “Daddy’s Girl” is the story one woman’s difficult journey and contains a wide range of emotions while reinforcing the validity of family, hope, miracles, and faith. It is recommended for fans of memoirs, survival biographies, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books.
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
‘Cats of Meow City: The Untold Stories of Felines in the City’ is the new book by Anif Innab that is perfect for cat lovers everywhere. Photo: Amazon
If you are a cat person and love cats, this new book might be of interest to you:
“Cats of Meow City: The Untold Stories of Felines in the City” by Anif Innab is a captivating and heartwarming book that will take you on a journey through the streets of Meow City, a feline metropolis unlike any other. This book shares the incredible and diverse stories of cats from all walks of life, from doctors to poets, street cats to skaters, the elderly to the young and published by KBook Publishing.
Through a series of interviews, the author has captured the triumphs and tragedies, hopes and heartbreaks, and the resilience of the cats of Meow City. With each story, you will gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a cat in this vibrant and bustling city.
Filled with stunning illustrations and photographs, this book offers a unique glimpse into the beauty and diversity of this feline city. This book is “purrrfect” for cat lovers of all ages who want to explore the lives of these amazing creatures and the unique culture of Meow City. So, pick up a copyand join the author on this unforgettable journey through the streets of Meow City.
‘The Darkness Within’ is the new young adult thriller by Crystal Oliver. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In book news this week, there is a new young adult thriller out by Crystal Oliver. “The Darkness Within” is a thrilling tale of a young girl’s journey of self-discovery and supernatural powers. Will Emma be able to master her abilities and defeat the Darkness, or will she become its next victim? Get your copy today of this action-packed young adult thriller. It is on sale for the next few days for $2.99 at the Kindle Store. It is also available on Books2Read. (Crystal Oliver, 2023)
“The Darkness Within” – Sixteen-year-old Emma wakes up to a nightmare: blood in the living room, her mother missing, and a darkness lurking in the mist outside. As people are dying, Emma discovers that the government has created a terrifying creature that not only escaped from their facility but is on a killing spree. To make matters worse, the creature seems to have a strange connection to the girl. As Emma struggles to come to terms with her new reality, she must also master her growing psychic powers that seem to have come out of nowhere. With the help of Eric, a government soldier with his own special abilities, Emma learns to control her powers and take on the Darkness.
As the creature closes in on Emma, she realizes that it’s not just a mindless killer. It has a purpose, and Emma might be the only one who can stop it. As the final battle approaches, Emma must confront her fears and use all of her powers to save her town and herself.
Susannah Marren’s new novel ‘Maribelle’s Shadow’ will be released June 27, 2023. Photo: Amazon
Susan Shapiro Barash is an American author of thirteen nonfiction women’s issue books including “Tripping the Prom Queen,” “Toxic Friends,” and ‘You’re Grounded Forever, but First Let’s Go Shopping.” She writes fiction under her pen name Susannah Marren. Her novels are “Between the Tides,” “A Palm Beach Wife,” and “A Palm Beach Scandal.” Susan’s books focus on the gender divide, how women are positioned in our society and their innermost feelings about themselves as daughters, mothers, sisters, friends, wives, mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, rivals, colleagues, and lovers. Her new book, to be released June 27, “Maribelle’s Shadow,” is a compelling tale of deception and family loyalty, written by the nationally renowned observer of women’s relationships. It is available for pre-order on Amazon. (Meryl Moss Media, 2023)
“Maribelle’s Shadow” – The only thing that spreads faster than gossip in Palm Beach is news of a mysterious death. As the editorial director of Palm Beach Confidential, Maribelle Barrows knows what lurks beneath the glittering facade of the moneyed elite on Florida’s most glamourous coast. Or does she? When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and their lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege and couture clothes is thrown into doubt. As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. While the pathway out is steep, it is worth any risk. Until the winner takes all.
‘Another Trip to Denny’s’ by Danny Wilson. Photo: Google
Continuing the journey into Danny Wilson’s poetry, here is volume 2 and a look into some of his other poetry books. Danny Wilsonis a poet originally from Greenville, NC and currently residing in Albuquerque, NM. After years of military service, he is now retired and focusing on his poetry. He has written over 100 poetry books in the last nine years with no intention of slowing down. (Danny Wilson, 2023)
Another Trip to Denny’s Moments in time test all notions of reality. Pieces of a dream paint a flawed picture. Total strangers become a part of communal consciousness. Tomorrow shows a faint glimpse of happiness.
Beyond Tomorrow Finding the strength to smile at disaster when it happens. Failure becoming another excuse to succeed. Looking into the future at what could be while making it happen. Unbridled passion challenging the imagination of all.
Once Upon a Time Moments in time encompassing the past while highlighting the present. Individual struggle binding souls together with a purpose. Sunday evening reflections create inward rumblings. A single voice creating the structure of a new dialog.
Romancing Yesterday Reflections on the trials and tribulations that we face. Thoughts coming from the heart and mind. A specific take on the human conditions that affect all humans.
Square Pegs Key moments in life define who we are meant to be. Obstacles on the path to renewal seek permanent answers. Sunsets leave battered souls intact. Existing one more day in a matrix.
Three Easy Pieces A few minutes of casual observation, reflection, and thought. Guaranteed to stir reflection, debate, and angst. Life becomes a living, breathing entity that is experienced for a moment.
‘Fix Your Back Like An Architect’ by Marian Jodlowski. Photo: Amazon
Marian Jodlowski is a Master of Science in Architecture graduate from the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. He also completed postgraduate studies at the Warsaw University of Technology. At age 55, he suffered from acute spinal disc disease, which temporarily prevented him from walking; after contracting this illness, Marian became interested in the mechanics of human movement. This interest resulted, among other things, from the fact that the treatment offered by the academic health service was ineffective in his case, and he considered spinal surgery a last resort. In this situation, he started looking for specialists offering alternative treatments. In his book “Fix Your Back Like An Architect: Gravity Therapy of the Spine and Motor Organs,” the author explains how he overcame acute spinal disease and returned to everyday life. He also shares how he strengthened his body so that even many years after the onset of the disease, he no longer feels discomfort. It is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format. (Marian Jodlowski, 2023)
During his treatment, some of the specialists’ methods had some positive results, while others did not. None of them fully identified the causes of the disease or offered a comprehensive cure. Due to Marian’s profession and technical experience, he increasingly perceived the human body as a complicated spatial mechanical system affected by Earth’s gravity, similar to the static and mechanical engineering objects functioning on Earth. Such well-proportioned objects with logically juxtaposed structural elements operating by the laws of physics function very well and are less unreliable than those without such features. Recognizing the above relationships and many others related to conditions in the field of academic and alternative medicine allowed him to formulate many important indications regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system. Thanks to their use, the author not only managed to avoid spinal surgery, but many years after acute disc disease of the spine, he does not feel any related ailments. His well-being is much better than a dozen years ago.
“Fix Your Back Like An Architect: Gravity Therapy of the Spine and Motor Organs” – Most musculoskeletal dysfunctions arise from a chronic lack of gravitational tension in some muscles and over-tension in others. They usually result from habitual abuse of incorrect, often favorite body positions and because of using faulty movement patterns in everyday life. Such dysfunctions can begin gradually in childhood and become fixed for longer just as quickly. Therefore, in such cases, it is equally important to identify these problems according to the rules presented in the book and to proceed to their elimination immediately. In a healthy adult, musculoskeletal disorders usually develop much more slowly. However, if they are not eliminated in advance, they are constantly deepening, worsening a person’s well-being and even preventing them from functioning properly in everyday life.
As the leading cause of diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system, the author presented chronic muscle tension disorders caused by the action of incorrect vectors of forces caused by gravity and ground resistance. In connection with the mechanism causing bone deformities, according to the Delpech-Wolff Law, which explains the causes of even severe skeletal deformities.
The author also indicates how the poor functioning of the muscular system during everyday activities affects the occurrence of diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system.
Acute pain is the body’s alarm signal and should not always be eliminated too often with painkillers. However, comprehensive methods leading to the fastest possible healing of inflammation should be used. Progressive natural pain relief is a signal to undertake other forms of treatment, including active therapy involving moderate corrective exercises.
The author’s knowledge and experience presented in this book can save you from making many hasty decisions about how to treat your conditions, including risky back or joint surgery. In addition to the systemic knowledge about rebuilding the body, you will receive many practical tips to reduce your daily ailments and contribute to your recovery.
Without knowing the principles in this book, it is difficult to imagine keeping the body in good shape and avoiding the destructive influence of gravity on the body, which lasts for years. On the other hand, without using the crucial tips on exercise techniques contained in it, it is difficult to rebuild the body and effectively eliminate dysfunctions and deformities of the body caused by its incorrect use.
In the book, you will read, among other things:
How children with a weaker mitochondrial genome can avoid severe developmental defects such as scoliosis, general physical underdevelopment, and other musculoskeletal defects. How these children can match the level of physical development of other peers by consciously using the forces of gravity.
How the proper use of gravitational energy in an almost imperceptible way shapes the correct body posture in people with particular genetic predispositions. How effectively it affects the development of their muscular system, vitality, and health, and what should be done not only not to waste this potential but also to effectively use it for further strengthening of the body.
How adults can avoid conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, disc herniation, joint degradation, and general body weakness.
What are the causes of the loss of motor skills in seniors and the general decline in health with age. Moreover, what are the indications of how to stop these changes to maintain fitness and health until old age.
Why activities such as walking, running, sitting, bending the body, doing squats, and lifting weights should, in most cases, be done differently from what is generally recommended.
How to maintain high physical and intellectual fitness thanks to man’s conscious acquisition of energy in the biological and gravitational cycle.
How, through the action of gravity, in some body positions, there is a negative shaping of muscle tension, which causes the weakening of vitality and human health, and how can we prevent it.
Why many of the recommended ways to exercise in a variety of sports, including bodybuilding and weightlifting, often lead to health loss rather than health improvement.
‘Syrup Sandwiches’ by Anthony Owens. Photo: Amazon
Anthony Owens is a native of Dawson, Georgia, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York since the age of two. He considers himself a Brooklynite, having grown up there from 1965 to 1981. He proudly served 20 years of active-duty service in the United States Navy fighting in two wars and providing humanitarian aid to foreign countries. With an MBA from Saint Leo University, he is now a federal information technology specialist in Virginia. His memoir, “Syrup Sandwiches,” is a powerful story about a young black boy who defeats the odds. (Anthony Owens, 2023)
“Syrup Sandwiches” – Anthony Owens shares how he became a successful man as he had to rise above the expected outcome for a child raised in poverty. Even though he was subjected to neglectful, abusive men, Anthony understood the importance of breaking the cycle to become the caring and responsible father he never had. He is one of the underrepresented voices in America – a black man raised by a single mother struggling to make ends meet; he speaks for the voices that so often go unheard. Faced with the odds of poverty, an absentee father, trauma, violence, bullying, and gang brutality, Anthony gives us a raw look at how he was determined not to be defined by his circumstances and makes a way out of no way.
“Syrup Sandwiches” is an inspiring story that gives hope to all children, especially poor children of color, providing a message of hope and success. In a time when society is looking at stories that speak to the black American experience, this is a story that is unapologetically authentic. This memoir provides hope; a reminder that there is a way out. Those who work with children can gain insight into what it takes for children to overcome the odds, what it is exactly that promotes success for all children. His goal for “Syrup Sandwiches” is for readers to see that even when life is unpredictable and challenging, giving up is not an option. Anthony also wants readers to know that our traumas, challenges and difficulties should not define or dictate who we are or shall be, and that we should all choose not to give up.
‘My Samurai: The Way of the Warrior’ is the new YA novel by Masaki. Photo: Masaki, used with permission.
Masaki has worked as a therapist and educator with young adults from many countries around the world. His latest novel and his creative writing are a reflection of that work and a desire to help youth live with purpose and passion, fulfilling their unique potential, and embracing the hero’s journey. If you like fantasy, mythology, quests, and gripping stories, you will love “My Samurai: The Way of the Warrior.” The first in a series of Young Adult novels by author Masaki, this fast-moving tale is full of memorable characters, suspense, humor, twists and turns, tragedy, and triumph. Set in futuristic, dystopian, and mythical worlds, the story serves as a reminder that a hero lives within us all. (Masaki, 2023)
** For a limited time, from Friday April 21 00:00 to Saturday April 22 23:59 PST, you will be able to download it for free as part of a free e-book offer. Click here for your free copy. **
“My Samurai:The Way of the Warrior”– Your life is working out and making sense, until one night you discover an ancient warrior standing on guard outside your family apartment. What is up with that? And what do you do, especially when nobody else can see him? Nineteen-year-old Eddie Sato does not have any answers either. Life is hard in the Freezone; a scorched and broken part of the city, afflicted by The Dry and run by a corrupt organization. Eddie does not need any more problems or anything changing. But far reaching change has just arrived. His life will never be the same again. As the rebellious Freezoner pushes back, unseen forces propel him onto a mystical path, known as the Way of the Warrior. Shuffling forward, Eddie begins his training. At the same time, an extraordinary, mythical realm opens up, where he discovers his ancestors and a menacing shapeshifter who serves a destructive deity from the underworld. When those closest to him are attacked, the reluctant warrior is faced with a terrible decision. Should Eddie try and save the life of someone he loves, or should he let them die to help prevent the destruction of humanity? Nothing can prepare you for this journey.
“As a non-reader, this book took me on a surprise adventure, it was funny, punchy, and relatable.” – @abuvrubys
‘My Samurai: The Way of the Warrior’ by Masaki. Photo: Masaki, used with permission.
The movie adaptation of the classic coming of age novel will be release April 28, 2023. Photo: Amazon
Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places, doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” “Superfudge,” “Blubber,” “Just As Long As We’re Together,” and “Forever.” Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year that American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Her books have sold more than 75 million copies and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages. The beloved coming of age novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” has been adapted into a major movie and will be released in theaters April 28, 2023. (Amazon, 2023)
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” – Margaret Simon, almost twelve, has just moved from New York City to the suburbs, and she is anxious to fit in with her new friends. When she is asked to join a secret club she jumps at the chance. But when the girls start talking about boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret starts to wonder if she is normal. There are some things about growing up that are hard for her to talk about, even with her friends. Lucky for Margaret, she has got someone else to confide in, someone who always listens.
‘Identicality’ is the new technothriller by Jay L. Koppelman. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
How do genetic engineering, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in computer science, medicine and physics engage with ethics and morality? These are themes in “Identicality,” the debut novel from San Francisco Bay Area resident Jay Koppelman. It is a riveting and thought-provoking science fiction novel that will keep you thinking and guessing until the very end – and then beyond. In today’s world, science is quickly catching up to fiction. Will it have gone too far when it comes to replicating human beings? Check out the reviews for this amazing romp of a techno thriller and see what the excitement is all about.
As Adam Braudy, a brilliant inventor-entrepreneur, lies dying following an assassination attempt, he asks Charlie Wood, his lifelong friend, to use Adam’s latest invention—a human replicator to create Adam’s replicant. Despite deep ethical reservations, Charlie sets them aside, and at the risk of spawning a Frankenstein monster, creates Adam’s replicant who then steps into Adam’s role as husband, father, inventor and industrialist, having no reason to doubt that he is the real Adam Braudy. But then the first Adam miraculously survives. How far will Adam go to get his life back?
“Identicality is exhilarating!”
It’s a thriller that takes you to a place where “I is another”, and “identical is actually distinct.” I can’t wait to see the movie. It’ll put The Matrix to shame.
—Patrick Feigelson, author
“Thoroughly human characters grappling wit extraordinary dilemmas”
The technological wonders in Identicality are only just out of our reach, but they have profound implications for our sense of our selves. It’s a sense we feel as we witness thoroughly human characters grappling with the extraordinary dilemmas that animate this thrilling and thoughtful novel.
What a fun combination of page-turning action and real ethical questions about life. Human replication is such a creepy thing to think about. This is a book that will stick in my mind for a long time to come.
In this unique, gripping novel, fleshed out characters live out their lifelong friendships full of mutual dependence, competition, shared ambition, and love. All against a backstory that includes exciting dramatic scenes of chase, explosion, terror, and medical science fiction. This should appeal to readers seeking science fiction that unfolds medical and ethical fictional situations with real human impact. A unique and well written offering. Highly recommended!
SA Examiner 