Category: Book Reviews

Book review: ‘Embracing God in the Right Perspective with the Right Foundation of Faith in Him’ by Chris Tham

‘Embracing God in the Right Perspective With the Right Perspective In Him’ by Chris Tham. Photo: Amazon

Chris Tham, a firm believer in the Gospel of Light through Christ Jesus, believes that the greatest joy in life is to discover man’s truthful identity in God and that every living soul in the history of mankind is a child of God. In this book, he writes about how we can discover our true identity in the spiritual realm and how our identity relates to God.

When it comes to religious studies, there are many books out there that can guide readers in their search for a deeper understanding of the Bible. What makes this one different is that it is an intense study of Christianity, God, and everything in between. At over 500 pages and 14 chapters such as Who is God and Who Are You and Who Are The Evil Spirits?, it is not meant to be read straight through; it is a reference guide meant as a companion in studying the Bible. It is heavy in Bible verses and references and often compares biblical themes such as sin, hell, and heaven according to the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran, different religions, and even offers atheist and agnostic views. The goal here is not to convert anyone, because the author is not in preacher mode. He is merely informing readers about intellectual concepts such as personal identity and destiny using biblical verses in a language most readers can understand. Most importantly, it “serves as a good text material for interfaith dialogue.” Some of his views are unconventional and may ruffle some feathers, so it helps to read it with an open mind. For example, he gives the undeniable historical fact that Germany was a Christian country under Adolf Hitler and questions why this was, if “the spirit of God desires for peace and not bloodshed among mankind.”

One highlight is Chapter 3 Knowledge Versus Truth which ponders the question that if we have stubbornly held onto strong beliefs with a closed mind all our lives, how can we differentiate between “is it knowledge or is it the truth.” Overall, it is a heavily researched teaching tool with graphics and bulleted lists that can be useful even for anyone who wants to delve into these topics. It is recommended for readers who like instructional books about the Bible, Christianity, and spirituality and appreciate different viewpoints.

“Before we came into this world, were we given the option to choose which country we wanted to be born in or which family we wanted to be born to? Therefore, some of us are predestined to go to heaven and some are predestined to end up in hell? Once again, is this the divine biblical truth?”

“Embracing God in the Right Perspective with the Right Foundation of Faith in Him” is available on Amazon, eSentral, Goodreads, and Authors Reading.

*This is an honest and heartfelt review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the reviewer.

Book review: ‘Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold’ by T.K. Ambers

‘Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold’ is the new murder mystery novel by T.K. Ambers. Photo: Amazon

T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of “Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair.” Her novel has been recognized in four different award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women’s Fiction category. Her eighth-grade English teacher loved her work and pushed her to publish. Though writing has always been her passion, it took nearly eighteen years before she decided to follow her teacher’s guidance. T.K. has a love for nature, travel, photography, concerts, off-roading, and hiking and aside from her novels, she runs a website on travel and life.  She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin with her husband and two cats: Bellatrix and Kit. In her new novel “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold,” everywhere Bell Price goes, death is stalking and toying with her. (Amazon, 2023)

“Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” – The story begins with a Prologue that takes place overseas as a young lady is taken away to a new life. This is book two in the Runway Dreams series, so the events take place a few days after. Bell Price wants nothing more than peace, quiet, and a drama-free life for her family. With Martin now in custody, she thinks the worst is behind her but life has a few surprises for her. The last thing she suspects when she goes to the local police precinct is that the prior week’s horrors are only the start of what is headed her way. Gunshots ring out in the early hours of the morning and a scream pierces the air. It is now clear that an unknown assailant is stalking her with revenge in mind. Family, friends, and even innocent bystanders get caught in the middle as she is in danger no matter where she goes. She grows increasingly suspicious of everyone around her and finds it hard to trust anyone. Will Bell and her siblings be able to catch the stalker before one of them becomes the next victim? With their parents now gone, they must work together in spite of the increasing danger to finally have the much needed peace they all deserve.

The drama continues in the next installment of the Runway Dreams saga as the family of models is still in danger. Even though Martin is already in jail, someone out there is bound and determined to get revenge in his name. Danger and violence seems to follow the siblings wherever they go and just goes to prove that being rich and privileged does not protect anyone from the dangers of the real world, even with bodyguards and safe houses. The author brilliantly combines the action and suspense of a murder mystery with the glamour of the fashion industry, including fashion shows, parties, and traveling. Her writing style is beautifully descriptive: “A blood-curdling scream ripped through the early morning stillness” and brings the action to life. Thanks in part to it being highly dialogue driven, the story flows easily through the pages and makes this an easy read. Even though the characters can be considered privileged, they are still relatable due to the extensive character development, showing that everyone has drama in their lives and toxic relationships affect everyone, regardless of socioeconomic levels. As far as the murder mystery part is concerned, everyone is a suspect and there are plenty of plot twists to keep readers guessing. The young lady in the Prologue becomes relevant towards the end and perfectly wraps up it all up. Overall, “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” is a must read mystery novel and is recommended for readers who appreciate mystery, comedy, and psychological suspense fiction.

“The storm may have been outside, but it was raining inside the limo as a waterfall of silent emotion washed away their pain.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘My Goodbye Girl’ by Anna Gomez

‘My Goodbye Girl’ is a contemporary romance novel by Anna Gomez. Photo: Amazon

Anna Gomez is a hopeless romantic who writes about real life, flawed characters and the saving grace of unconditional love. Her experience of living and growing up in a foreign country plays a large part in her stories. Her full-time career and ability to travel extensively also add flair and individuality to the vividly written settings in her books. They transport the reader to faraway places and make them feel like they have been there before. Anna’s inspiration stems from the people she meets and the places that she has seen. Her stories are realistic and honest, thought-provoking and impactful. Her love for poetry is evident in her writing style. She also has written under the pen name Christine Brae and six books of her books have won literary awards and ranked as bestsellers upon release. In her latest novel “My Goodbye Girl” Tessa must let go of the past and determine once and for all if love is truly more powerful than the pain of goodbye. (Amazon, 2023)

“My Goodbye Girl” – This contemporary romance begins when Tessa Talman first meets Simon Fremont as they are both waiting to board a plane bound for La Guardia. Not only is she attracted to him, she is intrigued by how different their lives are. He is a dedicated scientist, practical, pragmatic, and grounded. She is a head-in-the-clouds romance author. As their relationship grows, they meet in places around the world, while continuing to live in different countries. Though their feelings for each other deepen, their priorities remain the same. Simon is in a hurry to be financially sound and settle down, but Tessa is enjoying her freedom and newfound success. Neither is willing to give in, but as each goodbye gets harder, Tessa begins to wonder whether fame is the path to happiness, or if she has everything she needs in Simon. Just as Tessa finds the courage to go after her own happily ever after, the unthinkable happens, separating them in ways she never imagined.

Romance novels are usually a guilty pleasure because they are predictable and include a ‘happily ever after’ plot. The two main characters in this story are so different from each other and meet at predetermined sites around that world that it is impossible to picture them having a serious future together. Tessa is a free spirited author who enjoys traveling around the world while Simon is a serious scientist who is ready to settle down. The first part is just about them meeting in different places and then hurriedly saying goodbye. Because there is little development or depth to these characters, they are not relatable, so it is hard to be concerned about what happens to them. The real action does not take place until the end of the first part, in Chapter 35, and by then, it feels rushed. Regardless, it is an easy read and since it is heavily dialogue driven, with descriptive language and short chapters, the story flows through the pages. Tessa and Simon’s story takes place through the years as they experience the harsh reality of life – no spoilers! Far from original, “My Goodbye Girl” is still an easy and enjoyable read about two people who are polar opposites yet are involved in a whirlwind romance that takes them around the world. It is recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and multicultural romances and appreciate emotional plot twists.  

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Words To Feel Less Alone’ by Brenna O’Neill

‘Words To Feel Less Alone’ is Brenna O’Neill’s new book that chronicles her journey through depression and ultimately healing. Photo: Brenna O’Neill.

Brenna O’Neill is a mental health advocate from Invercargill, New Zealand. A lover of writing, learning, and teaching, she created My Latibule, an online anti-depression community full of tools dedicated to helping people manage clinical depression, all based on her personal experience, professional  therapy, and a BSC in Psychology. Latibule means a place of safety and comfort. My Latibule provides guided anti-depression journals, teaches i-Rest Yoga Nidra meditation, designs beautiful gifts with reminders to stay, and fosters community connections by sharing stories. Her book “Words To Feel Less Alone” chronicles her personal journey through depression and contains the exact words she wrote in her doctor prescribed journal when her brain was consumed by clinical depression. It is available through her website.

Journaling is often prescribed as part of therapy as a means to be honest with yourself and face the issues that are causing problems. For most people, this is the only way to be truly open and honest, since no one will see those journals. When Brenna shared her writings with a friend who was struggling with her own mental health, she found them helpful because it made her realize that she is not alone, that other people struggle as well. This was also how Brenna felt as she was struggling with depression, she did not know anyone else who was depressed and that made her feel so alone. It was then that she decided to share her story with others in the hopes that they would feel less alone.  

“Words To Feel Less Alone” is a deeply personal account of the author’s battle with depression. She begins by emphasizing that it is meant to help those who are battling with depression, homophobia, or religious guilt or if even if they just know someone who is. If they need to talk to a professional, she directs readers to call their doctor or use any of the resources she lists in the back of the book. This book is divided into six chapters including Oh Sweet Denial and The Longest Day. She includes pictures of herself that highlight how she was feeling on that particular day versus how she looked, as well as snippets from her actual journal. What makes it feel more personal is that the font she uses is based on her real handwriting. At the end of each chapter, she includes notes written by her doctor and therapist to give a behind the scenes look at the healing process. Rest assured, she is doing much better now and living a fulfilling life and trying to help others who are battling depression. It contains adult language and themes of depression, suicidal ideations, and homophobia and is sometimes difficult to get through, but it is well worth it. Readers in similar situations will certainly relate to her struggle and will hopefully come out feeling more optimistic. It is a must read and recommended for readers who are on the same journey or just want to learn more about what it is like to struggle with mental illness.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Finding the Words’ by Colin Campbell

‘Finding the Words’ is the powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief.

Colin Campbell is a writer and director for theater and film. He and his wife wrote and directed the short film Seraglio, which won Deauville’s Grand Prix and was nominated for an Academy Award. His play Golden Prospects was nominated for five LA Weekly Theater Awards and was a Critics’ Pick in Time Out New York and The Los Angeles Times. Campbell teaches screenwriting at Chapman University and theater at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from Columbia University. His book “Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose” is a powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief and offers readers a new vision for how to more actively and fully mourn profound loss. (Amazon, 2023)

“Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose” – When Colin Campbell’s two teenage children were killed by a drunk driver, Campbell was thrown headlong into a grief so deep he felt he might lose his mind. He found much of the common wisdom about coping with loss—including the ideas that grieving is a private and mysterious process and that the pain is so intense that “there are no words”—to be unhelpful. Drawing on what he learned from his own journey, Campbell offers an alternative path for processing pain that is active and vocal and truly honors loved ones lost. It is divided into ten chapters including Community and Meaning and Purpose and includes resource information, like Grief Resources that has a list of organizations that can help. He shares what worked for him and his wife and teaches readers how to actively reach out to their community, perform mourning rituals, and find ways to express their grief, so they can live more fully while also holding their loved ones close.

No one can deny that there are many levels of grief and that grief itself can be subjective. In the author’s experience, because his identity was so entangled with his children, he calls it ‘profound grief.’ He does not pretend to have all the answers: “this book will not take away your pain,” but his ultimate hope is that we can at least have open and honest conversations about the universal experience we call grief. His compassion and empathy are evident through the pages and his writing style is easy to follow and understand without coming off as preachy or condescending. In a perfect world, everyone would have the same resources to cope but knowing what works for others is an excellent start. At the very least readers can feel that they are not alone in their journey. This book is just as helpful for those grieving as well as for those who know someone who is grieving, so they can learn how to help instead of just saying “there are no words.” One of the highlights is the message of the power of community support; in his case, the overwhelming support of the Jewish community and the importance of mourning rituals. With practical advice on how to survive in the aftermath of loss, Campbell shines a light on a path forward through the darkness of grief. “Finding the Words” is a poignant and valuable guide for coping with grief and is recommended for readers who appreciate self help books on grief and loss.

“The act of verbalizing our grief, and having it be witnessed by our community, was key to us moving toward acceptance of reality.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Gaining An Edge in Life & Business With AI’ by Jesse Roberts, PhD

‘Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI: Unleashing The Power of Generative AI and Chat GPT’ is the new book all about AI and business by Jesse Roberts, PhD. Photo: Amazon

Jesse Roberts, PhD is an award-winning author and one of the world’s foremost experts on artificial intelligence, business strategy, and human productivity. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Stanford, where he published pioneering papers on machine learning and natural language processing. He also earned his MBA from Wharton, fusing his tech expertise with strategic business acumen. Over his 20+ year career, Dr. Roberts has led development of AI technologies at top Silicon Valley companies and advised numerous startups. His bestselling books have established him as a thought leader in leveraging AI to gain an advantage in work and life. His most recent book, “Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI: Unleashing the Power of Generative AI and Chat GPT,” provides readers with practical frameworks for deploying AI solutions to become more innovative, efficient, and successful. Backed by decades of research and insider experience advancing AI, Dr. Roberts offers a rare mix of technical knowledge and big-picture thinking. (Amazon, 2023)

“Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI” is the must-have playbook for anyone seeking to leverage AI for unparalleled results. This is your ultimate guide to utilizing Chat GPT and Generative AI in ways you never imagined possible. Get the foundational knowledge you need to understand this ground-breaking technology. It includes comprehensive strategies for deploying Chat GPT to maximize ROI, improve customer relations, and drive innovation and real-world applications of AI in various industries—finance, healthcare, education, and more. The author gives the nuanced ethical considerations surrounding AI to ensure responsible usage and step-by-step procedures for implementing AI tools into your own projects, both personal and professional. Learn an expert’s take on what is next for AI and how you can stay ahead of the curve. It is divided into then chapters such as A Brief History of Generative AI, Mastering Chat GPT, and Using Chat GPT to Get Ahead At Work. Get your copy of “Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI” today and unlock the limitless possibilities that AI has to offer.

With the rapid rise in AI in business and society in general, “Gaining An Edge In Life & Business With AI” by Jesse Roberts, PhD has never been more relevant. The goal of this book is to arm readers with the tools necessary to get the most out of generative AI but also offers guidelines to make make sure that it augments rather than replace human intelligence. It starts with the history of AI in the 1950s and goes on to modern times and explains how neural networks allowed it to match, and in some cases exceed, human capabilities. Some of the more interesting sections include how to prompt Chat GPT4 in order to get better results and the cases in which it is most useful, like in creative writing and conversational interface apps. Of course, it inevitably covers how it has its limitations for logical reasoning and a potential for bias. Overall, it is an interesting and useful guide into all matters related to AI with plenty of strategies and real life examples to unlock AI’s full potential. It is recommended for CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, forward thinking professionals, and readers interested in AI and its many uses and benefits.

“With safety and ethics in mind, the journey ahead promises collaborative creativity between humans and machines like we’ve never seen before. Our future is filled with possibilities as yet unimagined – and AI may be the perfect partner to help discover them.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Leo and the Magic Telescope: Adventure of Making Friends’ by Anjita Jain

‘Leo and the Magic Telescope: Adventure of Making Friends’ is the new children’s book by Anjita Jain. Photo: Amazon

Anjita Jain is an IT Professional by day, writes whimsical worlds by night, and masterfully bridges the realms of technology and tales. A mother of two and a lover of nature’s wonders, her life is a tapestry of tech insights, vibrant stories, and the simple joys of family and pets. Journey into the charming town of Minglewood with Anjita Jain’s debut children’s book, “Leo and the Magic Telescope,” a vibrant and heartwarming tale. Jain masterfully weaves a narrative that teaches valuable life lessons, while keeping young readers engaged with whimsical illustrations and enchanting storytelling. This story is a must-have addition to any child’s library. (Amazon, 2023)

“Leo and the Magic Telescope: Adventure of Making Friends” is a magical journey of friendship and self-discovery, where young readers learn that, just like the boundless cosmos, they too are full of endless possibilities and magic. The story centers around Leo, a little lion who discovers a magic telescope that provides him with enlightening insights into his friends’ fears and feelings. Through his journey, Leo learns about empathy, understanding, and the power of being uniquely himself. Join Leo in his heartwarming adventure and discover the magic that unfolds when we view the world through a lens of empathy and understanding.

This is the story of Leo the lion who lives in a town full of colors, as evidenced by the beautiful and colorful illustrations. He is about to start school, so he is understandably nervous because sometimes it is hard to make friends, even though you are a lion. When he gets to school, he is told he is too loud and too big which makes him sad because he has no friends. Until he discovers a telescope in the attic that promises magic. With a heartwarming message, this book is perfect for children ages 4-8 as well as parents and educators who can use it as a tool to guide children and teach them how to make friends by being a friend. It teaches the importance of empathy and friendship as well as self esteem and emotional intelligence. This resourceful and powerful book also serves as a bedtime story and reminder to your little one of the importance of being a good friend. The message of acceptance and empathy resonates with both children and adults. This book will surely become a treasured bedtime favorite, inspiring children to be kind, understanding, and above all, themselves.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Book review: ‘The Most Wanted (2004-2005)’ by Maria Angela Leon

‘The Most Wanted (2004-2005)’ is the new book by Maria Angela Leon about living with mental illness. Photo: Amazon

Maria Angela Leon is an author, licensed Aesthetician, and a professional hypnotherapist from HMI. She is the eldest female from a large family of ten and being the eldest female gave her the wisdom and direction to survive all the mental issues she has had to deal with. She uses her diverse experience to curate captivating and powerful stories to impact the lives of millions. She is the soul and heart of her own business in LA. In her new book “The Most Wanted (2004-2005),” she describes more than six decades of her life, during which survival was the only option she had. It also available in Spanish as “La Mas Buscada (FBI 2004-2005). Order your copy today to deepen your understanding of the complex world of mental illness. (Maria Angela Leon, 2023)

“The Most Wanted (2004-2005)” – Mental illness is real. Ignorance and judgmental views have held society back. By raising awareness and conversing openly about this topic, we can begin to heal. Any person, regardless of their religion, nationality, race, or class can be affected by mental illness, and the current societal taboo is brutal. In this country, mental illness is a touchy topic, especially when people who struggle with their mental health exhibit behaviors that fall outside what is socially accepted. People in in-patient facilities are often mistreated, judged, and punished. The author’s goal is to raise awareness of mental health and bring into the open the structural and societal issues that surround it. We cannot hide from or be ashamed of reality, especially if that means attacking, judging, or abandoning people who need help. The emotional and mental health issues in her family has been the engine of her existence; they have both broken her down and built her up. In this book, she shares the lessons she learned and the wisdom that comes with experience. It is divided into 19 chapters including The miracle that saved my life, When reality beats fiction, and The US Legal System. She begins by recounting her traumatic childhood at the hands of her abusive father and ends with her dreams of providing mental health services to the community.

Even though the title of this book is “The Most Wanted,” the main topic is mental health. In 2004, Maria Angela Leon was the FBI’s Most Wanted not because she was a criminal, a member of a cartel, or dangerous in any way. According to the US justice system, she was her sister’s accomplice, who was crazy and fled the country with her two children and her brother in law accused her of having the children, instead of her sister. This was a culmination of years of witnessing her family, including her father, mother, sisters, and brothers, suffer from various mental illnesses including schizophrenia. Her frustration at society’s inability to properly deal with those suffering from mental illness is palpable throughout the pages. The language is clear and easy to understand but it is hard to keep up with all the family member’s stories when she refers to them only as ‘my sister with the heart condition’ and ‘my sister who married a Puerto Rican,’ with the exception of her sister Olga. Highlights include Chapter 8 When reality beats fiction when she fled to the United States when she was 16 and pregnant to escape a forced marriage, and Chapter 13 The US Legal System where she recounts how she ended up as one of the FBI’s Most Wanted. It is heartbreaking to read about how so many members of her family have mental issues and how helpless she feels at being unable to help them. Just wanting to help someone is not enough, because there are so many other issues that come into play, like society’s indifference, healthcare, etc. Overall, “The Most Wanted” is an eye-opening account of one family’s struggle with mental illness and is recommended for readers who are looking to gain knowledge about this issue and are willing to have open conversations about it, including mental health professionals, social services workers, and law enforcement officials. 

“Fear is what destroys the human being, fear is also what builds us and takes us to other dimensions, and sometimes, when we master it, also fulfills our dreams! It’s a double-edged sword….”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Pandemia: Wading Through The Pandemic’ by Serene T. Marshall

‘Pandemia: Wading Through The Pandemic’ is the new book by Serene T. Marshall. Photo: Amazon

Serene T. Marshall was born on the island of Grenada, where she spent her formative years, and now lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She has earned degrees in literature from Colgate University and the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Serene’s articles have appeared in the Boston Globe and the Charlotte Observer. Critical social issues facing the nation sprinkled with thrilling island folklore are craftily interwoven in her debut novel “Pandemia: Wading Through The Pandemic” – an account of one community’s experiences during the pandemic. It is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and other online retailers.

“Pandemia: Wading Through The Pandemic” – At the beginning of the pandemic, Mel and a group of ladies are determined to tackle the critical social issues of the day. Tania must accept abrupt uncertainty and allow herself to wrestle with the viral infection thrown in her direction. The story begins with Uncle B and others gathering to watch the evening news on television that is updating the public on the number of COVID cases, testing mandates, and flight information. As the ladies gather at the local Caribbean restaurant, they worry about how immigrants will be treated due to all the mandates and lock downs going on, as they share family stories about how life was like for them years ago. All the while, citizens take to the streets in protest of the current social and racial injustices facing the nation. Meanwhile, in a rural hideout, a militia group plots a revolt against state and national leadership, unable to come to terms with a rapidly changing society. As the virus takes its global toll, a retired Mr. B takes the news in stride, while germaphobe Luanne flees the city in an attempt to protect her sanity and young family from the stark realities of the time. The book is divided into 34 Chapters with an Epilogue that updates what everyone has been up to since those times and the addition of programs to help the community, like the ‘Lifelines for Seniors’ project that helps with transportation and errands.

The growing pandemic woes, travel restrictions, mounting death tolls, and overall uncertainty and worry we felt at the beginning of the pandemic may seem distant now, but the author does an excellent job of reminding us of how it affected others and how universal the human condition is as it relates to pandemics. “Pandemia: Wading Through The Pandemic” describes one woman’s family and community experiences during those troubling times. It is narrated in the first person point of view for optimum effect and the story is heavily dialogue driven. In spite of the heaviness of the subject, it also contains humor to lighten the moments: “’Mask, what masks? It’s not carnival time yet,’ Uncle B chuckled, conversing with the screen.” With relatable characters and language that is easy to understand, we get an insight into what was happening in other communities aside from the national headlines. The author mentions the social issues of the time like shootings of black people and healthcare worker burnout, and oxygen shortages and how they affected neighbors and friends. Highlights include Chapter 27 during Christmas time when people were visiting Santa and Christmas shopping, while a few blocks down, there were food lines and people were dealing with food insecurities and Chapter 34 when the community came together and held a memorial service for several people as well as a fundraiser. While we may not want to revisit all this today, future generations might. Overall, “Pandemia: Wading Through The Pandemic” is a reminder that we are all connected as humans and are capable of coming together when times get tough, regardless of our differences. It is a must-read and recommended for fans of novels based on real events as it pertains to pandemics, sociology, and human relations.

“In due time, persons and countries who choose to dictate whose life is dear and who is not, those who demean, discard, and dispose of life at will, shall have a seismic reckoning.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Dimensions: First Jump’ by Leif J. Erickson

‘Dimensions: First Jump’ is the science fiction adventure novel by Leif J. Erickson. Photo: Amazon

Leif Erickson was born and raised on a grain farm outside Wheaton, MN, not far from White Rock, SD, which served as the inspiration for the Ghost Town series. From a very early age, Leif knew that he was going to be a farmer, just like his father and grandfather. Being an ecologist and former farmer, much of Leif’s writings feature forests, lakes, and nature in general. Leif has always been interested in science and its possibilities for the human race, pushing the envelope of technologies, and finding how far humans can go. Much of Leif’s science fiction writing explores these themes and ideas. His latest book “Dimensions: First Jump” finds Matt Levier crossing dimensions to rescue his sister Libby and ends up in the middle of an interdimensional war for power and control. It is available on Amazon and Book Selfie in audiobook and ebook format. 

“Dimensions: First Jump” – The story begins in the middle of a battle, where air sirens are going off and people are running for their lives. We meet the characters that Matt will eventually meet and how they fit into this ongoing battle for control. Chapter 2 introduces readers to Matt Levier, who always took the safe path. After his parents died in a strange accident, he stayed behind to look over his younger sister Libby, putting his college and work plans on hold. Then his sister is murdered under bizarre circumstances and on the night of her funeral, he receives a cryptic phone call at 3a.m. telling him that Libby is alive in another realm and there is a small chance that she can be saved. Matt agrees to meet with the caller, a man named Seth, who is a member of a mysterious group known as the Knights of Shiloh. Seth tells him a story of an interdimensional war that is threatening to rip the very fabric of the universe apart. A group, known as The Syndicate, led by a ruthless dictator has been amassing power and taking over dimensions by brute force, subjugating those they conquer. The only force, other than the Knights, attempting to oppose The Syndicate is the Goths, a shadow group not out for power but to destroy the Syndicate and Earth. Caught between the Syndicate and the Goths, Matt must train in the ancient knowledge of the Knights of Shiloh and help them stop the madness before all dimensions are enslaved by the Syndicate. As Matt uncovers his powers, Syndicate and Goths Forces close in on them. During this battle, Matt discovers secrets and lies and learns that he holds the keys to the salvation of all dimensions.

Time travel and parallel dimensions/universes make exciting storylines for science fiction fans. Having the characters jump from one dimension to another, sometimes at just the right moment, is one of the most thrilling elements of this story. The first time Matt defies gravity: “The pair felt gravity give way beneath them before Matt felt his feet on the ground” hints at similar scenes where they jump dimensions or teleport out. He is reluctant to get involved in this interdimensional struggle, he just wants to find out what happened to Libby. She is captured, but we are never told exactly why she was taken and she does not appear until the end. Her story is not really told, so it is hard to care what happens to her. The story is heavily dialogue driven, fast paced, and the language is easy to understand and poetic at times: “A silver-coin moon illuminated the area as countless stars twinkled like diamonds in the sky.” There are so many characters that sometimes it is hard to keep up with all the names and they tend to be one dimensional. Highlights include the intense battle scenes in Chapter 1 that begins with “The whine of an air-raid siren overpowered the sharp yelling on the ground” and Chapter 17 when Sapphira gets stabbed by Miso but Matt goes back in time to prevent her stabbing and helps her but then passes out from the effort. The title and the cliffhanger of an ending imply that this will be a series so hopefully we will find out why Libby is so important to the story. Overall, “Dimensions: First Jump” is a thrilling science fiction novel that plays with the concept of multiple dimensions where wars are fought for revenge, greed, and power, and includes enough plot twists to keep readers guessing. It is recommended for fans of time travel and science fiction adventures similar to Star Trek, the Matrix universe, and the 2008 movie Jumper.

“Bravery isn’t simply doing the hard thing, bravery is standing up in the face of fear and moving on anyway. It’s telling your fear you are the master of your fate, not your fear. Fear can only hurt you as long as you allow it to.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.