Category: Book Reviews

Book review: ‘The Space in Between’ by Signe Myers Hovem

‘The Space in Between’ by Signe Myers Hovem. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Signe Myers Hovem has created homes on five continents over twenty years, raised four uniquely sensitive children, pursued a special education lawsuit appealed to the US Supreme Court, volunteered in a hospice in Texas and an orphanage in Azerbaijan, worked as a spiritual counselor in Houston Texas, and taught workshops and trainings in the art of being an empath and the power of language in many countries around the world. Her new book “The Space in Between: An Empath’s Field Guide” is written for people who identify as highly sensitive, as empathic, or as empaths and is a map to cultivating both self-awareness and connectivity with the greater world.

“The Space in Between” begins with an Introduction where the author shares an experience she had with a guard (she felt a stinging sensation on the back of her hand) when traveling to Angola to illustrate what it is like to be both empathic and an empath, or as she calls it, being a functional empath. Her goal in writing this book is to share her experiences in the hopes that it will help others like her manage their own experiences and understand how they influence their surroundings. She calls this book a ‘field guide’ because she sees herself as a guide whose goal is to help others create a more authentic, empowered, and empathic self. It is divided into five parts: Part I: The Field of Reflection, Part II: The Field of Definition, Part III: The Field of Sensing, Part IV: The Field of Experience and Awareness, and Part V: The Field of Mystery. Each “field” grounded her and helped her understand her empathic self. Before each one, there is an introduction that explains the themes of the chapters involved, and a “Questions for Reflection” section at the end.

For those who identify as empaths or highly sensitive people, daily life can be intimidating and overwhelming. Signe Myers Hovem does an excellent job of helping readers navigate through this often difficult journey by providing personal examples and stories. Her intimate experiences as a functional empath serve as a guide and inspiration for others to get to know themselves better. The subject matter may get confusing at times but she uses plain language that anyone can understand. A major focus is on journaling, self-discovery, and improvement. Her tone is soothing and insightful which puts readers at ease. Highlights include Chapter 9: The Sponge Factor where she defines the differences between a Highly Sensitive Person and an Empathic Person and the ‘Questions for Reflection’ sections at the end of every chapter which encourage readers to pause and reflect on what they have just read. The Resources section at the end has a list of sources she recommends for further guidance and information. It is important to note that this is not a ’how-to’ book on how to become an empath but rather a guide to help others in their path to understanding and coping with their own empathic abilities. “The Space in Between” is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and developing their empathic abilities or just genuinely open to learning more about the subject.

*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.
Author Signe Myers Hovem. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Book review: ‘The Decarbonization Imperative’ by Michael Lenox and Rebecca Duff

Michael Lenox, co-author of ‘The Decarbonization Imperative.’ Photo:google

Michael Lenox is the Tayloe Murphy Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He is the coauthor of “Can Business Save the Earth? Innovating Our Way to Sustainability” and “The Strategist’s Toolkit.” Rebecca Duff is Senior Research Associate with the Batten Institute at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. She also serves as the managing director for Darden’s Business Innovation and Climate Change Initiative. They are co-authors of the new book “The Decarbonization Imperative: Transforming the Global Economy by 2050,” where they offer readers ways to effectively “decarbonize” the global economy by 2050 if we are going to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Photo: amazon

“The Decarbonization Imperative” begins with the Preface where the authors state that the objective of the book is to examine what needs to be done to lessen the worst impacts of climate change by radically reducing our carbon footprint. One way to accomplish this is by requiring innovations across a wide number of industrial sectors that will result in cleaner industries that do not emit greenhouse gases. The main challenge lies in radically reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. They analyze emerging clean technologies in five major sectors: energy, transportation, industrials, buildings, and agriculture and end by providing technology policy to get the world to this goal. The process of achieving this goal is referred to as “decarbonization.” This book is divided into chapters that individually examine each sector and what can be done to pave the way to cleaner industries. These chapters are The Path to 2050, The Energy Sector, The Transportation Sector, The Industrials Sector, The Buildings Sector, The Agriculture Sector, and The Path Forward. The Notes section at the end has notes on each individual chapter.

Over the years, climate change has become a deeper subject of conversation as we see each summer get hotter than the last. Michael Lenox and Rebecca Duff do not waste time trying to convince readers about the validity of climate change and only briefly address it in the section ‘The Looming Crisis’ in Chapter 1: “Since the beginning of the industrial age, human activity-in particular, the burning of fossil fuels-has increased the concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.” According to them, climate change is “a malignant force that will reshape our economy and society for generations to come.” With this said, the rest of the book is concentrated on finding ways to achieve the all-elusive and radical decarbonization necessary to make a difference. Highlights include Chapter 7 The Path Forward where it states that we need all hands on board to get this done and Figure 7.3 Summary of Sector-Based Technology Policy which summarizes how each industry can make a difference. The subject matter can get complicated and the language is more advanced than usual, but Lenox and Duff manage to make it accessible to the average reader. With extensive research and knowledge of the environment and the various sectors, they provide possible solutions to what is rapidly become a major issue. “The Decarbonization Imperative” is a must-read for readers who are genuinely concerned about climate change as well as heads of industry who understand that changes must be implemented but are unsure where to start.

*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: ’48 Whispers’ by Kevin Hancock

’48 Whispers’ by Kevin Hancock. Photo: amazon

Kevin Hancock is an award-winning author, speaker, and CEO. Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber Company operates ten retail stores, three sawmills, and a truss plant. The company also grows trees on 12,000 acres of timberland in Southern Maine and is led by its 550 employees. Kevin’s first book, “Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse” won three national book awards. His second book, “The Seventh Power: One CEO’s Journey Into the Business of Shared Leadership” was released on February 25, 2020. Kevin is a frequent visitor to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and an advocate of strengthening the voices of all individuals—within a company or a community—through listening, empowering, and shared leadership. His new book “48 Whispers: From Pine Ridge and the Northern Plains” is a unique photojournalism collection of short meditations, accompanied by full-page color photographs spanning ten years of visits to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the northern plains.

“48 Whispers” begins with an Introduction where Kevin Hancock explains how the book came to be, while spending time in the West and getting to know the Lakota people and their values. “This book aspires to honor that wisdom while paying respect to all inhabitants of the northern plains, past and present, two-legged and four.” After being diagnosed with a rare neurological voice disorder (spasmodic dysphonia/SD), he set out on a series of adventures to recover his voice through self-reflection and immersion in nature. This book covers a decade of over twenty visits to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the surrounding northern plains. In honor of Black Elk, who was escorted on his sacred vision by the 48 horses of the four directions, this book is made up of 48 thoughts (or whispers) for the future of humanity accompanied by a full-page color photo and each is 248 words in length. Some of these whispers include Get out of your lane, The Aquarian Age has dawned, and Draw bigger circles. In the Invitation, the author presents several ways to enjoy this book: reading it all the way through once, returning once each week to reflect on a single whisper, or writing one of the whispers on a piece of paper and placing it in a visible place where you can see it throughout the day.

Inspirational books do not have to be encyclopedia sized or full of complicated psychological or religious subject matter to be effective in reaching out to people. Kevin Hancock’s musings come off as deeply spiritual and satisfying while the pictures are beautiful, calming, and tell a story all on their own. His personal journey opened his eyes to a more open minded way of living and he gladly shares those lessons with readers. Some of the best ones include Whisper #18 Get out of your lane. “Staying in one’s lane is the problem, not the solution. Switching lanes strengthens human connectivity, which, in turn, expands human capacity” and Whisper #42 – No one picks the date, time, and place of their birth – therefore, no one should be judged by the date, time, and place of their birth. The language is down to earth and easy to understand, so it is easy to finish reading this book in one sitting. “48 Whispers” may be a small book but it is bursting with life lessons and is an excellent read when needing to unwind after a long day or when life gets too complicated. It is recommended for readers who enjoy inspirational books like the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff series and makes for an exceptional coffee table book or gift for a loved one this holiday season.

“Human progress is not linear, and not all cultures, communities, and individuals are equally safe and secure. By expanding the conditions of safety for more people, we accelerate the spiritual journey for all.”

*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: ‘The Wilkes Insurrection’ by Robbie Bach

‘The Wilkes Insurrection’ is Robbie Bach’s thrilling new novel. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Robbie Bach is best known for founding and leading the team that created the Xbox. Today he is an entertaining storyteller and catalyzing voice who writes books and speaks to audiences on leadership, creativity, strategy, and civic issues. In 2015, he published his first book,” Xbox Revisited: A Game Plan for Corporate and Civic Renewal.”

His first novel The Wilkes Insurrection, released this week, is a contemporary thriller of anarchic obsession and heroic ambition and a perfect blend of heartless villains, complex but captivating protagonists, and political intrigue.

The Wilkes Insurrection begins with a Prologue that has an unnamed antagonist fleeing from the authorities as they are about to storm his apartment. He manages to slip by using a disguise and activates a car bomb as a distraction so he can get away.

The first chapter is then set at Newark Liberty International Airport, April 16, 2019 and John Humboldt is about to board a flight. Everything goes as planned until just outside Omaha, Nebraska, when commercial Flight 209 violently crashes onto the Offutt Air Force Base runway. While going through the wreckage, Major Tamika Smith manages to rescue a survivor who was thrown from the plane – John Humboldt. This airplane crash is just one of many acts of mayhem planned by an elusive extremist determined to destroy America at all costs.

The deadly attacks continue and are connected but there are no clear clues as to who may be to blame. A dark web hacker, Bryce Roscovitch, is just one player and he must confront his own conscience as the attacks become increasingly personal. At the center of it all is Major Tamika Smith whose own tragic past constantly haunts her and she must decide if she is willing to put it all aside for the greater good. Loved ones are lost and relationships are formed but in the end, the country is still standing.

Some of the best political thrillers take place in our current turbulent environment and The Wilkes Insurrection is no exception. Set from 2019 to the end of the past presidential election, it contains the perfect mix of villains and heroes, and even anti-heroes.

Right from the first page, the action comes at the reader full blown and does not let go. The action is fast paced and the language is easy to understand and being mostly dialogue driven, the story flows effortlessly from page to page.

While the good guys’ characters are deeply developed, complex, and relatable, Ford Wilkes, the main villain, is one dimensional with no redeeming qualities, which makes it easy for readers to dislike him. Bryce is a little more conflicted. He may understand that he is on the wrong side of the law and does not care who gets hurt, but deep down he is battling his own demons. What stands out the most is the heartbreaking moment when John Humboldt is sending his last texts to friends and family in the middle of the crash. The plane is going down but he takes the time to help and comfort the elderly couple sitting next to him.

With exciting action and interesting characters, Robbie Bach’s excellent debut novel is hard to put down until the thrilling conclusion. The Wilkes Insurrection is a classic good versus evil tale with a feel-good ending and is recommended for readers who enjoy the best of Brad Thor, David Baldacci, and Robert Ludlum. Hopefully, this will turn into a series so readers can read more about Major Tamika Smith’s heartbreaking yet heroic story.

*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: ‘Recovery from Lyme Disease’ by Daniel A. Kinderlehrer, MD

‘Recovery from Lyme Disease’ by Daniel A. Kinderlehrer, MD. Photo: amazon

Daniel Kinderlehrer, M.D. is a nationally recognized physician with expertise in the fields of nutrition, allergy, environmental medicine, Lyme disease, and the healing of mind-body-spirit as a unified whole. He co-founded The New England Center for Holistic Medicine in Newbury, Massachusetts, and has taught extensively, including practitioner training courses at the Omega Institute, The National Institute of Behavioral Medicine, and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. He created and organized the Lyme Fundamentals course which is presented annually at the International Lyme and Associated Diseases conferences. He is the author of several review articles in medical journals and the Lyme Times. His integrated medical practice in Denver, Colorado, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne disease. His new book “Recovery from Lyme Disease: The Integrative Medicine Guide to Diagnosing and Treating Tick-Borne Illness” is an in-depth guide through the many details of tick-borne illnesses.

“Recovery from Lyme Disease” begins with a Foreword by Joseph J. Burrascano Jr., MD that summarizes what this book is all about: “It covers just about everything-the infections, diagnostic tests, treatments, and yes, the all-important terrain.” In the Preface, Dr. Kinderlehrer explains his background and how he came to specialize in infectious diseases. His career began when he opened a practiced called “Nutrition and Preventative Medicine” and thought he would mainly see patients who were struggling to control their blood pressure and other similar sicknesses, but instead, he saw people who “had fallen through the cracks” and were seeking relief from chronic illnesses like migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. He was able to help some of them by dealing with food insensitivities, digestive issues, and nutritional supplementation but there were still some patients who were not improving. As he started to expand his knowledge of infectious diseases, he was able to help more of his patients but admits there will always be unanswered questions and problems that will continue to evade him.

In the Introduction he writes about his defining moment when he contracted Lyme disease. Not only did he learn more about the disease, which helped him recover, but he also gained the empathy needed to help and understand patients who are in similar situations. His practice is now solely limited to treating people with tick-borne infections and by writing this book, he hopes it will help both physicians and patients address the issue of Lyme disease. The book is divided into five sections: Section One: Anatomy Lessons, Section Two: Meet the Bugs, Section Three: It’s All connected, Section Four: What Else?, Section Five: Last Thoughts. The appendixes include A. Lyme Disease Complex: Anatomy of an Illness, B. Symptom Check-off List, C. Initial Laboratory Testing on Most New Patients, D. Guidelines for Patients Taking Disulfiram, and E. Resources.

No doubt there are many books out there with information about combating Lyme Disease but what makes “Recovery from Lyme Disease” unique is that the author has first hand experience with the disease. The fact that Daniel A Kinderlehrer knows what it is like to feel sick and not being able to find relief makes him come across as both compassionate and knowledgeable as a physician. The amount of information it contains is admirable as it explains everything from the pathogens that make people sick to the known treatments that can help. Considering the topic, the language is easy to understand and follow and the chapters are short and to the point. There is a “Take-Home Points” section at the end of some chapters that summarizes the points he just covered. Highlights include Chapter 23: Alternative Treatments that lists lesser known treatments like oxidative therapies and hydrogen peroxide and Chapter 24: Frequently Asked Questions that serves as a quick tutorial. “Recovery from Lyme Disease” is an excellent and thorough reference guide about Lyme Disease. It is recommended for readers looking for more information on what may be making them sick as well as those who appreciate learning about medicine and illnesses.

“The intention of this book is to give a working knowledge of how to diagnose and treat Lyme and its co-conspirators that have made a home in blacklegged ticks (a.k.a deer ticks) across the United States.”

*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: ‘Threads of Yoga’ by Pamela Seelig

‘Threads of Yoga’ by Pamela Seelig will be released on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. Photo: amazon

Pamela Seelig is a yoga teacher based in New Jersey. She began her yoga and meditation journey in 1991 when an illness interrupted her Wall Street career. Along with helping her recovery, the impact of her meditation led to a lifelong pursuit of perceiving and sharing yogic wisdom through practice, teaching, and writing. She completed her teacher training in 2006 at Integral Yoga Institute in New York. Along with Hatha yoga, Pamela also studies Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and is a certified Raja Yoga instructor. Her new book “Threads of Yoga: Themes, Reflections, and Meditations to Weave into Your Practice” is a guide for students and teachers inspired by the Yoga Sutras. It will be released on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

“Threads of Yoga” begins with an Introduction that explains how to use this book, the meaning behind the movement, going beyond the postures, and how the author began her journey into yoga and meditation. “The primary aim of yoga is to quiet the mind” because once the mind quiets down, the body experiences a heightened state of being. This is more than just a how-to book on yoga poses; it does not come with illustrations or pictures. It explains yoga’s deeper spiritual teachings to help people deepen and enliven their yoga practice. Each chapter introduces a foundational yogi theme followed by ways to put the chapter’s theme into practice in daily life with rituals, meditation, physical practices, and savasana (relaxation) as well as appropriate quotes to contemplate on that chapter’s theme. For those who practice yoga, they get a more in-depth look at yoga than they would in a normal class. For yoga teachers, this book will help them bring yoga wisdoms to their students without sounding preachy. The author makes it a point to reassure that the yoga concepts are not based on a religion, so anyone can benefit from them because the sole purpose of yoga is to quiet the mind. “Threads of Yoga” is divided into three parts: Part One: Themes and Practices Inspired by the Yoga Sutras, Part Two: The Yamas and the Niyamas, and Part Three: The Chakra System. There is a Resources and Recommended Reading section at the end that lists titles for further reading if readers are interested in learning more about the subjects the author has written about.

Yoga has become more mainstream in the past few years but it has also become commercialized. It is easy to just go through the various yoga poses and gain the benefits, but there is much more to yoga than just physical exercises. Yoga practitioners keep coming back because of the sense of peace that they feel at the end of every session. In “Threads of Yoga,” Pamela Seeling shares her own journey of discovering yoga’s more spiritual assets when after a successful career in Wall Street, she developed Bell’s Palsy and had to alter her way of life. She delved further into yoga and meditation to help her body heal. After becoming a yoga instructor, she eventually opened her own studio and wholeheartedly believes in the benefits of yoga and as someone who has benefitted from it, it gives her writing an authentic voice. She does not use complicated terms so the language is easy to understand and since the ‘Parts’ are clearly divided by topic it is easy to come back and re-read whichever sections need re-visiting. Some of the highlights include Chapter 10: Meditation which focuses on meditation: “It is said that anyone can do yoga poses, but only the strong can meditate” and Chapter 8: Silence where the focus is on how beneficial silence can be in the pursuit of peace and mind. “If we slow down, get quiet, and open our hearts, beautiful states of awareness are already there.” The background on yoga’s spiritual teachings is interesting, so even if readers do not practice yoga, this alone is worth reading up on. “Threads of Yoga” is an exceptionally useful guide and is ideal for yoga teachers and practitioners who want to connect with the spiritual wisdom of yoga and deepen their yoga experience. It is recommended for readers who yearn for a closer connection with yoga or are just interested in yoga’s more spiritual teachings.

“Many people today don’t necessarily embrace silence. We are generally more comfortable talking, managing, teaching, humming, or just about anything else. Silence implies emptiness, and that can be uncomfortable or even distressing. Yoga develops our ability to quiet the mind.”

*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.
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Book review: ‘The Girl in the Red Boots’ by Judith Ruskay Rabinor, PhD

‘The Girl in the Red Boots’ is the new book by Judith Ruskay Rabinor, PhD. Photo: amazon

Judith Ruskay Rabinor, PhD is a clinician, author, writing coach, speaker, and workshop leader. In addition to her New York City private psychotherapy practice, she offers remote consultations for writers, clinicians, and families. She has published dozens of articles for both the public and professionals and has authored two books, “A Starving Madness: Tales of Hunger, Hope and Healing” (Gurze Books, 2002) and “Befriending Your Ex After Divorce: Making Life Better for You, Your Ex and Yes, Your Ex!” (New Harbinger Publications, 2012). A sought-after speaker and workshop leader, Judy speaks at national and international mental health conferences and runs workshops at spas, colleges and universities, and retreat centers such as the Esalon Institute, California. Her new book “The Girl in the Red Boots: Making Peace with My Mother” weaves together tales from Rabinor’s psychotherapy practice and her life to help readers appreciate how painful childhood experiences can linger and leave emotional scars.

“The Girl in the Red Boots” begins with a Prologue where the author writes that one lesson she has learned from over forty years of specializing in mother-daughter relationships is that stories are excellent teachers. She hopes “the tales from my office and my life may help you untangle your stuck places and develop compassion for yourself and, possibly, for your mother.” While leading a seminar exploring the importance of the mother-daughter relationship, she is blindsided by a memory of a childhood trauma. As an eight year old girl, her mother tricked her by telling her that she was going to a birthday party but instead she ended up in the hospital having her tonsils removed. When she realizes that this trauma has haunted her for most of her life, she sets out to heal herself. She shares her personal journey from becoming a therapist with her own issues to eventually making peace with her mother and herself as well as stories from her psychotherapy practice. The book is divided into eight parts: Part One: Welcome to Womanhood, Part Two: The Secret, Part Three: Becoming a Therapist, Part Four: Love, Marriage, and Divorce, Part Five: Mother-Daughter Complications, Part Six: Making Peace, Part Seven: When “When” is Now, and Part Eight: Retelling Our Stories. Each chapter begins with an active imagination/guided-imagery exercise that introduces the topic and lays the ground work for the work to be done. At the end of the book, these exercises are listed together in an appendix to make them easier to access.

Therapists are usually taught not to talk about their own issues with their patients, but Judith Rabinor often shared her experiences with them in the hopes that by doing so, they might find common ground. This might seem unconventional to some, but it does help people realize that their troubles are more common than they think. In this case, she worked with mother-daughter clients and by helping them deal with their problems, she found that it is never too late to let go of her own trauma, hurt, and disappointments and learn compassion for her own mother. For readers, this memoir hits home because we all have disputes with our mothers and no mother-daughter relationship is perfect. It is not a ‘how to’ manual, but rather a series of life lessons the author learned the hard way. Her reflections are poetic sometimes: ‘A low-flying airplane flashed by, illuminating a grove of leafless maples trees swaying in the wind.’ Sometimes the flashbacks disrupt the time line, but for the most part, the narration is easy to follow, in part because she does not use complicated language or psychology terms. It is no wonder her clients trust her. “The Girl in the Red Boots” is a must-read poignant memoir about one woman’s journey from troubled little girl to an adult who learns to see her mother as a flawed but compassionate woman. It is recommended for readers who enjoy memoirs that entertain and help them grow as individuals.

*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: ‘Red Deception’ by Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller

‘Red Deception’ by Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller is book two in the Red Hotel series. Photo: amazon

Gary Grossman’s first novel “Executive Actions” propelled him into the world of geopolitical thrillers. “Executive Treason,” “Executive Command,” and “Executive Force” further tapped Grossman’s experience as a journalist, newspaper columnist, documentary television producer, reporter, and media historian. In addition to the bestselling Executive series, Grossman wrote the international award-winning “Old Earth,” a geological thriller that spans all of time. With “Red Hotel” and “Red Deception,” his collaborations with Ed Fuller, Grossman entered a new realm of globe-hopping thriller writing. Ed Fuller is a hospitality industry leader, educator, and bestselling author. He is also director of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA). The plots for “Red Hotel” and “Red Deception” draw heavily on his experience and exploits. “Red Deception” is the second book in The Red Hotel series and the newest novel by Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller – when terrorists bomb bridges across the country and threaten the Hoover Dam, the vulnerability of America’s infrastructure becomes a matter of national security.

“Red Deception” begins with real world news headlines such as North Korean spies, Russia looking to get its former nations back, and other news-worthy world events. The Prologue consists of three separate foreign insurgents slipping into the country, one through the US/Canadian border in Maine (an eyewitness eventually calls in to a radio show (page 125), one in the Los Angeles International Airport, and the other fifteen nautical miles East of Fort Lauderdale, Florida with more to come. The rest of the novel is divided into three parts, Part One: The Long Fuse, Part Two: Trip Wire, and Part Three: Shock Waves.

Dan Reilly is a former Army intelligence officer who is on a taxi on his way to a meeting when an explosion rocks the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. He survives only because his taxi was behind an armored car and he immediately goes into crisis mode and tries to help as many people as he can. Years earlier, he predicted similar attacks in a top secret State Department report. It is practically a virtual blueprint for disaster and now that the report has been leaked and in the hands of foreign operatives, the events taking place eerily mirror this report. With Washington and the nation distracted by domestic crises, (bridges and tunnels being bombed) Russian President Nicolai Gorshkov sends troops to the borders of Ukraine and Latvia, ready to reclaim what he feels is Russia’s rightful territory. Tensions in Europe threaten to boil over as the American president balances multiple crises that threaten to upend the geopolitical order. With the US at the mercy of an egomaniacal leader, who takes over after the president ends up in the hospital after an assassination attempt, and reporters and covert agents on his tail, Reilly may be the one man who can connect the dots before an even bigger catastrophe unfolds.

If current world events are not enough drama, “Red Deception” makes for an excellent read for fans of espionage thrillers. It is the second book in the Red Hotel series but stands well on its own. Ed Fuller has a background in the hospitality industry and that gives the writing an authentic voice when Reilly, who owns hotels around the world, has to deal with hotel business. This is especially true during the heart-pounding action that begins in Chapter 63 as guests in his Kiev hotel have to be evacuated as war is breaking out. The long list of principal characters in the beginning seems irrelevant at first but it serves its purpose when trying to keep up with the different plotlines. The action is mostly dialogue driven and flows effortlessly from page to page and it is hard not to finish reading it in one sitting. Some of the best books are those that teach readers something along the way and this time it is interesting to learn about North Korean spies, who have to obey every command or they will bring shame to their families or worse, their families will be killed. They are always under suicide orders if caught by the ‘enemy.’ The highlight has to be when a quick thinking housekeeper in a Virginia motel, who actually read the employee manual about what to watch out for, calls the FBI to report that she found a significant amount of battery packaging in the trash in one of the rooms. While it is true that there are multiple storylines, it serves to prove that everything that happens is interconnected, even if it is halfway around the world. Hopefully there will be more books in this exciting series. With relatable characters and intriguing, fast paced action, “Red Deception” is a must-read thriller. It is recommended for fans of spy thrillers similar to the Robert Ludlum novels and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series.

“Now, as President of Kensington Royal Hotels’ international division and the force behind the creation of the company’s global threat assessment program known as Red Hotel, Reilly relied on instinct. He was, after all, Army-trained and State Department-tempered. Experience drove the dark-haired, six foot, 180-pound corporate executive in this new moment of crisis.”

*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: ‘Dovetails in Tall Grass’ by Samantha Specks

‘Dovetails in Tall Grass’ is a historical fiction novel by Samantha Specks. Photo: amazon

Samantha Specks is a clinical social worker who has worked on a child/adolescent psychiatric unit, as a Dialectical Behavioral group therapist with adults and adolescents, and as an outpatient psychotherapist. She currently lives in Texas, but her heart and mind resided in Minnesota, her home state, while working on “Dovetails in Tall Grass: A Novel,” which is her debut novel. It is inspired by the true story of the thirty-eight Dakota-Sioux men hanged in Minnesota in 1862 – the largest mass execution in US history. “Dovetails in Tall Grass” is a powerful tale of two young women connected by the fate of one man. It will be released Tuesday August 24, 2021.

This being a historical fiction novel, it begins with three notes from the author about the subject matter, one being that she authored this book “because I was seeking a greater understanding of a complex and difficult past.” She goes on to encourage readers to further educate themselves on the subject and how it influences our current system. The Prologue takes place on December 26, 1862, after Emma and Oeninika, both teenagers, live through the execution of the Dakota men and describes how they were each affected. The story then goes back to May 5, 1861, leading up to the mass execution; first Oeninika’s story, then Emma Heard’s story and from there the stories alternate. Oeninika is desperately trying to hold on to her calling as a healer and follow the orders of her father, Chief Little Crow. Her people’s way of life is changing because the government is forcing them to live as farmers instead of the hunter/gatherer lifestyle that comes natural to them. Emma Heard longs to become a teacher but her family needs her help around the farm. Even though she did not have a normal education, Emma goes to work for her father, who is a lawyer. Later, she becomes the court transcriber during the Dakota’s trials.

Fueled in part by anger at the U.S. government’s delay of the Dakota’s annuity cash payments, which is causing them to be near starvation, they attack the town and eventually the Heard farm. One of the Dakota assaults Ida, Emma’s sister, but Tashunke, Oeninika’s new husband, intervenes and saves her life. Emma witnesses this and when the law arrests the Dakota, including Tashunke, who did not participate in the raids, she testifies on his behalf, saving him from execution. In the end, Oeninika and Tashunke reunite and Emma Heard leaves the family farm to attend university.

It is not easy to write about war and conflicts, especially between the government and a specific group of people. Samantha Specks does a commendable job of presenting both sides of the U.S.-Dakota War in “Dovetails in Tall Grass,” as experienced by two young females already struggling with their own growing pains. It is a fusion of a historical and a coming-of-age novel told in the first-person point of view of Emma Heard, who comes from a settler family, and Oeninika, a Dakota. The narration is well-balanced as it describes the grief, pain, and heartbreak they each experienced during this challenging time in history. Emma feels conflicted: “They weren’t as purely evil as my recollection wanted me to believe. That warrior had protected us. My urge to destroy shifted to an angry confusion” and so does Oeninika “Little Rapids had abandoned her and the children, disappearing with Brown Wing and others to continue raiding. Pointless raiding that didn’t serve the war mission or their families.” The action flows effortlessly from page to page and the chapters are short and to the point. With poetic language, “the cup steamed in the damp chill of the morning rain. Puddles rippled as raindrops splashed down in a steady stream,” the author brings beauty into an environment that sometimes seems depressing and hopeless. The characters are well-developed so when the inevitable happens, readers can empathize with both. “Dovetails in Tall Grass” is a hauntingly beautiful historical novel that reminds us that there are always two sides to each story and that actions have consequences. It is recommended for fans of the genre who appreciate reading about the human side of war.

“I questioned if I could continue working in a law office, after seeing the truth of how powerful men manipulated the implementation of the law. It seemed to me the Dakota had been willing to abide by a treaty; it was our own government’s failure to honor the treaty that was the impetus for this disaster.” – Emma Heard

*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: ‘Act of Negligence’ by John Bishop

‘Act of Negligence’ is the fourth book of the Doc Brady mystery series by John Bishop. Photo: amazon

John Bishop M.D. is an orthopedic surgeon, keyboard musician, and author of the beloved Doc Brady mystery series. The series includes “Act of Murder,” “Act of Deception,” “Act of Revenge,” “Act of Negligence,” “Act of Fate,” and “Act of Atonement.” His 30 years as a practicing orthopedic surgeon give the reader a unique glimpse into the medical world with all its problems, intricacies, and complexities, while at the same time revealing the compassion and dedication of most health care professionals. Jim Bob Brady, the series protagonist, is an accomplished orthopedic surgeon with a talent for solving medical mysteries who also moonlights as a blues musician. In “Act of Negligence,” Dr. Jim Bob Brady finds himself investigating why dementia patients with orthopedic problems are dying after surgery. It is the fourth book in the Doc Brady mystery series.

“Act of Negligence” is now set in the year 2000, whereas the previous ones take place in the 1990s. The story begins as Dr. Brady is visiting Beatrice Adams, a nursing home patient with Alzheimer’s who was transferred to University Hospital. He was sent in as a consultant because she has a bad knee but at fifty-seven years old, she is too young to have Alzheimer’s. His friend and colleague Dr. James Morgenstern refers him a series of dementia patients with orthopedic problems from Pleasant View Nursing Home. Soon, they each die, not because of Dr. Brady’s treatments, but because of irregular heart rates. This shakes him up because as a surgeon, he is not used to so many of his patients dying.  After Dr. Jeff Clarke, who performs the autopsies, finds unusual brain pathology in each patient, Dr. Brady begins investigating the nursing home and its owner and CEO, Dr. Theodore Frazier. His curiosity and tenacity have gotten him in serious trouble before, including kidnappings and beatings, but this time, his life is dangerously on the line, but thankfully, his resourceful wife Mary Louise always has his back and saves the day. Even though those he considered allies turn out to be anything but, Dr. Brady uncovers the unconscionable research that Dr. Frazier was doing on Alzheimer’s patients.

Being an orthopedic surgeon, John Bishop once again brings his knowledge of the medical field to another exciting Dr. Brady adventure. Despite being heavy in medical terminology and drama, the author makes it easy to follow along and readers end up learning more about a specific medical ailment. This time it is Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Frazier was experimenting on his patients in the hopes of curing Alzheimer’s and even though some died, there were others who improved. This brings about the controversial question ‘do the ends justify the means?’ The overall language is easy to understand and the action flows easily from page to page. With a first person narration, the reader has a front row seat when Dr. Brady is in trouble: “So, with an unconscious Jeff Clarke and a silent, concussed Cynthia Drummond, no brakes, a stuck carburetor, a speeding car, and no way to turn off the engine, I did the only thing I knew to do. I tried to steer the vehicle.” Highlights include Chapter 5 as one of the patients coded during surgery after the epidural needle slips and her heartrate grows erratic and Chapter 27 when Dr. Brady is drugged, nearly crashes a car and almost dies. In the series, even though the good guys always win, the plot twists at the end make for excellent storytelling. With compelling characters and nail-biting action, “Act of Negligence” by John Bishop is another must-read in the Doc Brady mystery series. It is comparable to works by Robin Cook and recommended for fans of medical dramas who are open to learning more about illnesses and appreciate that in ethical matters, there are always grey areas. 

“I was interrupted by the rhythmic beeping of the pulse oximeter, showing the patient’s oxygen saturation had fallen below 50 percent. Tim Kelly and I quickly closed the skin with an unattractive continuous stitch and watched Fred Green frantically administer various drugs to increase the patient’s heart rate, and thereby increase her blood oxygen level. He had Loretta call for another anesthesiologist stat, which brought two more docs into the room.”

*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.