Category: Book Reviews

Book review: ‘Temptation Rag’ by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard

temptationragElizabeth Hutchison Bernard is an award-winning author of historical fiction but her first love was music. As a vocalist, flutist and songwriter, she toured for nearly a decade. She was a Communications graduate of Northwestern University and in 1997 became the Communications Director for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Her in-depth knowledge of plastic surgery lends a unique perspective to her first historical novel, ‘The Beauty Doctor,’ and music takes center stage in her upcoming book, ‘Temptation Rag,’ both set in turn-of-the-century rag-time era New York City. ‘Temptation Rag’ is scheduled for release on Monday December 3 and centers around seventeen-year old May Convery, who is unhappy with her privileged life and dreams of becoming a poet.

The story in ‘Temptation Rag’ begins with May, who as a young girl, meets Mike Bernard, a talented young aspiring pianist and immediately falls in love. He is her piano instructor but their lives cross paths during parties and concerts. When their secret marriage is discovered, it is annulled and they both go their separate ways. As the years pass, their stories are told simultaneously as Mike abandons serious music to defend his title of Ragtime King of the World and May struggles to find her voice as an artist and a woman. The book is separated into four acts and each begins with a chapter told from the view of Ben Harney’s sideman, Strap Hill. They are as follows: Act I (1895-1896), Act II (1900), Act III (1912-1913) and Act IV (1928-1929). In the Curtain Call set in August 1943, Mike’s son Bert Bernard meets the brother he never knew he had; Melvin Livingstone, who is his May and Mike’s son.

In the Author’s Note, Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard explains how this historical novel is based on historical facts but that while some characters are real, like Mike Bernard, Ben Harney and Tony Pastor, some of the characters are fictional. Fans of the genre will be thrilled to find out that the author’s husband’s grandfather is the real Mike Bernard, the American musician who influence the development of ragtime-era music. Even though May and Mike’s story is a complicated romance that spans decades, the history taking place in the background, including vaudeville stars, early African American musical theatre actors and actresses and the woman’s suffrage movement is the gem of the novel. Especially gripping is the chapter titled ‘The Parade’ in Act III which is set in Washington DC in March 1913 during a suffragette march where May and other women are arrested. May’s character is relatable because it realistically describes a women’s never-ending search for her identity, especially in that era. ‘Temptation Rag’ is a gripping page-turner that has romance, history and music and is recommended for readers who appreciate a smart retelling of history through multiple points of view. It might even introduce some readers to the joyful sounds of ragtime.

“May wiped away an errant tear before it could leave its trail on her cheek. She felt light, giddy. It seemed the secrets that had weighed her down for decades also had the power to set her free.”

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

Book review: ‘The Golden Sequence’ by Jonni Pollard

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‘The Golden Sequence: A Manual for Reclaiming Our Humanity’ is Jonni Pollard’s exciting new book on finding true purpose and responsibility. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Jonni Pollard is best known for bringing meditation to the mainstream through his organization 1 Giant Mind and its Learn to Meditate smartphone apps which have taught hundreds of thousands of people worldwide how to meditate for free. He leads mass meditations at some of the world’s biggest lifestyle events and festivals like Wanderlust, Lightning in a Bottle and The Big Quiet and also teaches private meditation and personal development for entrepreneurs, CEOs, celebrities, political leaders and wellness experts across yoga and meditation. His first book ‘The Golden Sequence: A Manual for Reclaiming Our Humanity’ was released this month and in it, Jonni Pollard presents a powerful case that the current global crisis is rooted in people’s disconnection from their true purpose and responsibility to belong.

At one time, Jonni Pollard was struggling to make sense of the world and find true purpose until a master teacher in India introduced him to ancient Vedic practices. This changed his life forever because the anxiety he felt for years was replaced with a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. As a meditation teacher, his mission is to share the knowledge and techniques he learned to help others reclaim their power to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. According to him, the best way to accomplish this is through what he calls ‘The Golden Sequence.’ “The Golden Sequence teaching, when practiced diligently, rapidly awakens the creative intelligence that flows from within us when we are connected to the sacredness of life.” This book begins with an Introduction where the author introduces himself, his background and how he got to his current state. Chapters include The Heart of Our Crisis, The Wisdom in Our Bodies, The Four Golden Insights, The Twelve Ways of Wisdom, The Greatest Threat to Fulfillment, The Golden Sequence Technique and How Can I Be of Service in This Moment.

‘The Golden Sequence’ is more than just a how-to book on meditation and new age concepts; it is a manual for these troubled times and gives much needed advice on being human, kind and benevolent. It expands on the basic definitions of pity, compassion and love, the most impactful being ‘love’ as “…carrying the loving intention to do no harm to others and to be of loving service whenever possible by supporting and encouraging each other.” Chapter 7: The Twelve Ways of Wisdom stands out because it touches on ideas like Devotion and Grace with a section for each and at the end has a practical exercise on how apply them. Chapter 11: How Can I Be of Service in This Moment is a practical reference guide for daily tips such as seeing failures as opportunities to grow and making a connection with at least one person every day. With easy to understand terms and language, ‘The Golden Sequence’ is recommended for readers interested in self-improvement and who are genuinely concerned with making a difference not only in themselves, but in others and the world around them.

“Where there is love, there is wisdom. Where there is wisdom there is the ability to find a light side of ourselves and every situation.”

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

Book review: ‘The Burn Zone: A Memoir’ by Renee Linnell

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‘The Burn Zone: A Memoir’ is the fascinating story about one woman’s experience with a cult. Photo: In Her Image Photography, used with permission. 

Aside from being a surf model and a professional Argentine Tango dancer, Renee Linnell is a serial entrepreneur who has founded or co-founded five companies and has an MBA from New York University. She is currently working on starting a publishing company to give people from diverse walks of life an opportunity to tell their stories. In her new book ‘The Burn Zone: A Memoir,’ she recounts how being smart and successful did little to prevent her from being severely brainwashed and lured into a cult and how people unknowingly give up their power in their desperate search for answers to life’s biggest questions.

‘The Burn Zone’ is the story of one woman’s search for Truth and the struggle to forgive and be free. It starts off with a Preface where Renee Linnell summarizes what she has learned along the way: that the only way to find real happiness is through embracing what makes each person unique. The Introduction sets up how her journey began with a meditation seminar in California in 2006 that changed her life, for better or worse. Her first experience with Lakshmi, the guru, in that seminar, was so intense that she knew without a doubt that it was exactly what she needed. The term ‘Burn Zone’ refers to the first few rows in a meditation session where the energy is the strongest. She was looking for answers; for guidance to help her navigate life’s unfortunate circumstances: death and a volatile homelife. The rest of the book is separated into six parts: Seeking, Tantra, Crucible, Alone, Into the Light and Whole. In Seeking, she describes her traumatic childhood and adolescence while Crucible is where her life starts to unravel and she wakes up to the realization that she was in a cult.

Cults are sometimes associated with poverty and living a sheltered life, but that is not always the case. Despite being educated and having travelled the world from an early age; she visited close to fifty countries by her early twenties, Renee Linnell’s search for deeper meaning left her vulnerable. She wanted to believe that her spiritual guides and gurus had her best interest at heart so she blindly followed their advice but it left her isolated and heartbroken. After seven years, she faced reality and after some deep soul searching, managed to finally find herself. This page turner of a memoir is part cautionary tale, part inspirational story that speaks volumes about what makes people human and their longing to belong. The language is down to earth and easy to understand without any complicated meditation terms to learn. She simply tells her story in the hopes of inspiring others to live their true self.  ‘The Burn Zone’ is recommended for readers who appreciate memoirs with spiritual and meditation themes.

“Embrace your skeletons in the closet. Pull them out and paint them pink. Celebrate them. Your skeletons are probably the most interesting part about you. Your difference is your destiny.”

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

Book review: ‘Brother John’ by August Turak

brotherjohnAugust Turak is a successful entrepreneur and award-winning author who attributes much of his success to his frequent visits with the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey where he lives and works alongside them sometimes for months at a time. In 2004 he entered the Templeton Foundation’s Power of Purpose essay contest by answering the question: “What is the Purpose of Life” in 3500 words or less. His essay, Brother John, about a Christmas Eve encounter at Mepkin Abbey, won the $100,000 grand prize. Now his essay is available in book form, ‘Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim, and the Purpose of Life,’ and is set for release on Sunday October 21. It includes over twenty full color paintings by Glenn Harrington, a multiple award-winning artist.

‘Brother John’ is the true story of the meaningful encounter between the author going through a mid-life crisis and an umbrella-wielding Trappist monk. Set in the Trappist monastery of Mepkin Abbey and brought to life by Glenn Harrington’s paintings, the essay revolves around what happened after a Christmas Eve service and party. It was raining and he was exhausted and still had to walk to his room in the rain. That was when he spotted Brother John, who had been up since 3a.m., waiting to walk him to his room and shelter him with his umbrella, just like he had done with the other guests. This selfless act eventually leads him to the redemptive power of an authentically purposeful life.

Despite the religious overtones and subject matter, this is not a religious book. Mr. Turak shares his experiences searching for the meaning of life in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same. It is an enjoyable read and meant to be read more than once. The paintings are beautiful and transport to reader to a simpler life at Mepkin Abbey. In the Introduction, he explains that he donated the money from the contest to charity, including the Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation, a non-profit corporation whose mission is “to bring Brother John’s transformative message of meaning and purpose to a Western culture increasingly bereft of meaning and purpose.” Just like Brother John offered him his umbrella at a critical time, August Turak now dedicates his life to sharing his magical umbrella with his fellow men. ‘Brother John’ may be a small book, but its moving message is bigger than life and is recommended for readers searching for life’s meaning.

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

Book review: ‘The Beauty of Dirty Skin’ by Whitney Bowe, M.D.

dirtyskinWhitney Bowe, M.D. is a renowned New York-based dermatologist committed to achieving and maintaining the health and radiance of her patient’s skin. She specializes in skin rejuvenation, laser dermatology and the link between nutrition and skincare. Her work has earned the attention of top media outlets, including Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show and The Doctors as well as publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. In her book “The Beauty of Skin: The Surprising Science of Looking and Feeling Radiant from the Inside Out,” she presents the connection between a healthy gut and radiant, clear skin, with a 21-day program to maximize skin health and beauty.

According to “The Beauty of Skin,” every year, millions of Americans will consult their doctors about skin disorders ranging from stubborn acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema and premature wrinkling only to receive treatments that are only skin deep. As a pioneering researcher on the cutting edge of the relationship between the gut, brain and skin, she explains how even the best lasers, scalpels, creams and prescription pads do not guarantee consistently healthy, glowing skin. She focuses on the microbiome and highlights the connection between sleep, stress, diet and gastrointestinal health as they pertain to skin health. The book is divided into three parts: A Gut Reaction to Radiant Skin – how getting clear, glowing skin is an inside job, from the state of mind to how the gut works and how food affects the skin; Glow with Your Gut – includes practical tools that will transform the skin; and Putting It All Together – a plan of action for superior skin care and recipes for meals and cleansing face masks.

After a health scare when she was ten years old, Dr. Whitney Bowe spent years researching the microbiome, the friendly microorganisms that support the gut-brain-skin relationship, which is the soul of radiant skin. She goes into the science of microorganisms in Part One where she writes about how bacteria, fungi and viruses play a role in everything from the efficiency of the metabolism to the risk of diabetes, obesity, depression, autoimmune disorders and dementia. Some of the science can get longwinded but the material is easy to understand and readers can easily skip ahead to the tips and lifestyle advice.

Her medical advice may go against the establishment but it has helped her patients and now she is sharing it with readers. Highlights include Chapter 6: Feed Your Face, dietary recommendations for better skin health and Chapter 7: Take Time to Recover, the power of exercise, meditation and sleep. It all comes down to this: why spend millions on creams and skin treatments in the search for perfect skin, when the answer could be as simple as a few dietary changes and exercising the mind, body and spirit. “‘The Beauty of Dirty Skin” is recommended for readers who are struggling with skin issues and are ready to try something different.

“…what’s going on in your gut right at this moment is determining not only how your brain performs and responds to signals from the body about its current state and needs but also what your skin thinks and how it performs.”

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

Book review: ‘You Are Not Alone’ by Debbie Augenthaler

youarenotaloneDebbie Augenthaler is a psychotherapist with a private practice in New York City where she has specialized in trauma, grief and loss. She uses eastern philosophy, energy healing and spiritual practices from cultures around the world as well the connection of a shared experience to help people through their grief. In her new book ‘You Are Not Alone: A Heartfelt Guide for Grief, Healing, and Hope’ she gives readers insights and suggestions for healing and hope.

There are several layers to ‘You Are Not Alone’ beginning with the Introduction where the author explains how this is the book she wishes she had after her husband Jim died. She was young and even though the experience shattered her life, she carried on, but longed to read about someone who understood what she was going through. Dry clinical books held no interest to her; all she wanted was “a book that could witness and validate” her experience. With that said, this thoughtful and informative book is a combination memoir and self-help guide through grief and recovery. It is divided into four parts: Shattered, Grieving and Coping, Emerging and Transition and Expanding Into the Mystery.

Grief is a universal emotion, so it makes a big difference if the advice comes from someone who has travelled the same painful path. This gives the author the credibility necessary to dispense advice, even though everyone’s experience is different. She is open and honest, but some of the details of her journey may be too difficult for readers with fresh losses. The information is presented in simple, clear, non-clinical terms, making it easy to read and understand. It also contains poems and inspirational quotes from the likes of William Blake and Paul Coelho and coping mechanisms that worked for her. The Appendix, ‘How to Help’ has sections such as ‘The Importance of Support’ and ‘Notes and Cards’ with suggestions on what to do “If You Are Grieving” and “If Someone You Know is Grieving.” ‘You Are Not Alone’ by Debbie Augenthaler is recommended for anyone who is looking for a helpful yet poignant guide through the transition from grief to recovery from someone who has been there. It will be twice as helpful if passed along to someone else who needs it.

“In helping others, even when in the midst of our own grief, we can help ourselves.”

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

Book review: ‘The Atwelle Confession’ by Joel Gordonson

atwelleconfessionJoel Gordonson is a fiction author and international lawyer with degrees from the United States and Cambridge University. His first novel ‘That Boy from Nazareth: The Coming of Age of Jesus of Nazareth,’ a historical fiction adventure story set in biblical times, received critical acclaim. His most recent novel is ‘The Atwelle Confession,’ a historical fiction story of two identical macabre murders five hundred years apart.

‘The Atwelle Confession’ begins with a Prologue set in Atwelle, Norfolk in the year 1532 during the twenty-third reign of Henry VIII, King of England. Two men have just witnessed something heinous and are told by the local priest that they must confess and do penance. This confession is written and sealed and after he mails it off, the priest is killed. In present times in the same town, while restoring an ancient church, architect Don Whitby and young research historian Margeaux Wood discover rare gargoyles mysteriously positioned inside an ancient church. When people in town start dying in a series of bizarre murders, they determine that the gargoyles are predicting these murders. In the past, two families are involved in contesting control of the region and in the middle of these conflicts, the same bizarre murders are being committed. These family disputes resurface five hundred years later and come to a surprising and violent conclusion during All Hallow’s Eve.

In the Preface, the author writes that “while the storyline and characters in this novel are fictional, the discovery of rare half demonic-half human wooden figures carved in the ceiling of the parish of St. Clement is a true event” and this is enough to lure fans of historical fiction. The action moves effortlessly back and forth between the past and the present without losing steam and gives the illusion of a story being told in a split screen. His use of descriptive language brings the scenes brilliantly to life, “…he was surprised how dark it was despite the daylight coming through the windows and illuminating the floor far below. Margeaux grimaced at the dust, spider webs, and acrid odor of creosote as Don fiddled with a flashlight…” It is an intriguing and suspenseful novel and the last few chapters are definite page turners. There is not much character development or back story but, in this case, it works because the focus is on the story. In a refreshing twist, the hero and the bad guy are not who he or she seem to be from the beginning. The only off-putting part is the bloody cockfighting and bear baiting in Chapter Five which serves to spotlight the character’s blood lust, but otherwise it is a must-read for fans of the genre.

*A copy of this book was received for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘You Lucky Dog’ by Debra Finerman

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‘You Lucky Dog’ by Debra Finerman is a humorous story of a couple and their beloved dog. 

Debra Finerman is an American author best known for her historical fiction novels ‘Shadow War: The Resistance Fighters’ Literary Club’ and ‘Mademoiselle Victorine’ which has been translated into six languages worldwide. She is a former journalist for Capital Style, The Hollywood Reporter monthly magazine, Beverly Hills Today and Beverly Hills Magazine. Her new book ‘You Lucky Dog’ is a humorous novel for dog and human lovers alike and the unlikely love story of Jake and Emma, a young couple thrown into a very unusual situation.

‘You Lucky Dog’ is the story of Jake and Emma, a young married couple who seem to have everything. They are in love and live with their dog Jake in the leafy suburbs of Los Angeles. One rainy Saturday, Jake the human is on his way to take their West Highland terrier dog Jake to the vet when he gets into a horrible car accident. That event changes everything for him as he is now in the body of the dog and his human body is dead. Chapter One begins with the blunt statement: “I Can’t Believe I’m Dead” so there is never any doubt that he dies and from there he goes back to explain how he got there. At first, he struggles to accept his new life but at his funeral he tells Emma what happened and together they find a way to make it work. Eventually he becomes bored with the simple dog life at home and reaches out to become famous as a dog celebrity. Once he becomes content with being Jake the dog, he stretches out in his doggy bed to take a nap and wakes up a human again.

With her third book, Debra Finerman reaches out to dog lovers everywhere with a love letter to dogs and their owners. This light-hearted romantic comedy is written in the first-person narrative and successfully gives readers insight into what a dog’s life must be like. It is a dog/human version of Freaky Friday without taking itself too seriously. Jake the human was not a bad person in the beginning, but as a dog he not only becomes protective and nurturing but he also learns to appreciate each day as it comes. ‘You Lucky Dog’ is small book and easy to read and the perfect book to pick up for a quick read before the summer ends. It is recommended for dog lovers who appreciate a book for a dog’s point of view. The only complaint is Jake the dog’s uncertain fate at the end.

*A copy of this book was received for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘Start a Successful Business’ by Colleen DeBaise

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‘Start a Successful Business’ by Colleen DeBaise gives readers important information on business entrepreneurship. 

Colleen DeBaise is a contributing editor at Inc. and podcast host at The Story Exchange, a media nonprofit devoted to women business owners. She is the founder of Hampton Bee, a media site that provides news and tips for consumers who support small businesses on Long Island’s East End. In 2005, she was the winner of the Newswomen’s Club of New York’s Front Page award for specialized writing. Her book ‘Start a Successful Business: Expert Advice to Take Your Startup from Idea to Empire’ gives expert advice for helping potential entrepreneurs get their business off the ground.

From the editors at Inc. Magazine, ‘Start a Successful Business’ simplifies the business process and includes startup stories made to inspire and spark entrepreneurs into action. Its purpose is to walk readers through the seven crucial stages that it takes to build a successful business from idea to empire. Each chapter makes up one of these steps: Chapter 1: Come Up with a Brilliant Business Idea, Chapter 2: Select the Best Strategy and Structure for Your Startup, Chapter 3: Figure Out Funding, Chapter 4: Get the Word Out – and Get Customers, Chapter 5: Dig Deep to Discover Customer’s Wants and Needs, Chapter 6: Become an Exceptional Leader and Chapter 7: Prepare to Go Global.

All include various case studies and last words that summarized the chapter. Chapter 2 includes important basics everyone should know such as how to write a business plan that includes plan templates, components of a business plan, permits and paperwork while Chapter 3 has the all-important subject of business funding and provides funding sources such as credit cards, retirement savings, crowdfunding and professional investors. It also includes ways to calculating startup costs with bootstrapping tips like sharing office services and equipment, lease instead of purchase and negotiate fees and terms with all service providers and suppliers.

‘Start a Successful Business’ gives readers clear and concise information on starting a business from idea to successful business and includes interviews with success stories meant to inspire the everyday person to strive out on his or her own. It is meant to inform and motivate people who want to start a new business but do not know where to start and gives them easy step by step advice. The stand out chapter is Chapter 4 because it has much needed advice on how to get the word out about a new product or service. These ideas include networking, referrals and reviews, affinity groups, cold calling and advertising. Specially geared towards modern advertising is the ‘Social Media 101’ section that has the different social media networks, how they work and which one to use depending on a person’s needs: YouTube for tutorials, Instagram for visual based ideas and Snapchat if target audience is young, as with millennials. The tone is relaxed and easy to understand and follow. It is recommended for those with little to no business knowledge and is full of useful advice, ideas and success stories to motivate anyone who has ever dreamt of being a business owner.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘Superhero Ethics’ by Travis Smith

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‘Superhero Ethics’ by Travis Smith is an interesting look at superheroes and the qualities that makes them worthy of emulating. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Travis Smith is an American author who received his PhD from Harvard University and is associate professor of political science at Concordia University. He has been collecting comic books since he bought Uncanny X-Men #207 with his allowance in 1986. His writing has appeared in the Weekly Standard and Convivium Magazine. In his latest book, ‘Superhero Ethics: 10 Comic Book Heroes; 10 Ways to Save the World; Which One Do We Need Most Now?’ he uses superheroes to put the focus on timeless human conditions and examines how people use them to shape their character and face life’s challenges.

‘Superhero Ethics,’ poses the questions: given the choice, which superhero should people follow today? Who is most worthy of admiration? Whose goals are most noble? Whose ethics should people try to emulate? Travis Smith takes ten top superheroes and pits them one against another, chapter by chapter. The hero who better exemplifies how people should live advances to the final round. By the end of the book, a single superhero is declared the winner and is crowned the most exemplary. It is divided into the Introduction, Chapter 1 The Best of the Beastly: The Hulk versus Wolverine, Chapter 2 Beacons of Imagination: Green Lantern versus Iron Man, Chapter 3 Responsibility and the City: Batman versus Spider-Man, Chapter 4 Ideals in Action: Captain America versus Mister Fantastic, Chapter 5 Gods in a Longbox: Thor versus Superman and the Conclusion, where the author reveals the winner.

With superheroes being more popular than ever, Travis Smith uses them to explore the topic of ethics in a more familiar way that is also easy to understand. He takes the childhood argument of who is cooler, Batman or Superman and takes it up a notch depending on what a person’s most important human characteristic. For example, if someone “thinks the biggest problem society faces today is the degree of divisiveness exhibited by its citizens, then Captain America is a good role model to adopt.” Even though in the end he declares a clear winner (no spoilers) by examining every aspect of society and human conditions, he hints at the old cliché that everyone is a winner because they all have their endearing and winning qualities. Since it is an in-depth exploration of the comic book world, ‘Superhero Ethics’ is a must-read for comic books fans interested in ethics and will no-doubt leave readers pondering the different topics long after the last word is read.

“…I have learned a few things from superhero stories: First, if some scientist promises to bring all humankind peace and joy through the application of some technology, it means he’s the bad guy; second, global governance is for supervillains; and third, reboots disappoint.”

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.