Category: Book Reviews

Book of the week: ‘Becoming Starlight’ by Sharon Prentice, PhD

becomingstarlight19
‘Becoming Starlight’ by Sharon Prentice, PhD. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

“Becoming Starlight” is a memoir about the process of grief and its relationship to the mysteries concerning the afterlife. This book will bring comfort to those who are feeling unrelenting sorrow over the loss of loved ones. This memoir is a story of surviving grief and mending the wounds of loss.

In this deeply personal book, Sharon Prentice shares her long and difficult journey to find inner peace and cope with the death of her daughter and husband, all while trying to reconnect with God. Even though the subject matter may be difficult at times, including the details of her husband’s illness and deteriorating health, some readers may find solace in knowing that others have experienced such hardships. The language is easy to understand and the story flows from chapter to chapter and makes it a page turner for the target audience. In this case, it is the religious community that may find themselves questioning their faith and are looking for reassurances that in the end, their faith is not in vain. Sometimes the tone is unforgiving to scientists, science and those who do not believe in the afterlife and may turn off some readers. Regardless, the highlight is definitely the author’s description of her Shared Death Experience as it comes across as a beautiful experience that surrounded her with love, hope and comfort when she needed it most. “Becoming Starlight” is recommended for readers who are genuinely interested in the afterlife and need the comforting words of someone who, despite her personal losses, came out a better person.

“Dr. Sharon Prentice, in her book Becoming Starlight, assists all of humanity by transmuting our collective fear of death into love when she journeys to that mysterious place we call Heaven and returns to share her experiences with us. This messenger is worth listening to.”
— Tim Miejan, editor of The Edge Magazine

“In Becoming Starlight, the author teaches us the most important lesson of all—that love is the eternal fiber connecting all existence, living and beyond. Her extraordinary true story provides faith and ease to all who wonder what happens when our loved ones or we die.”
—Randi Fine, Author of Close Encounters of the Worst Kind, Podcast Host of A Fine Time for Healing

Dr. Sharon Prentice is a psychotherapist and spiritual counselor whose work focuses on helping patients process the grief of losing a loved one. “Becoming Starlight” is her memoir of healing from the devastating loss of her daughter and husband. She experienced a unique spiritual experience, known as a Shared Death Experience (SDE) which gave her a peek into forever and a sense of peace that was otherworldly.

*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 Can See More From Up Here’ by Mark Guerin

youcanseemore
“You Can See More From Up Here” by Mark Guerin Photo: google

Mark Guerin is a playwright, copywriter and journalist who has an MFA from Brandeis University. A graduate of Grub Street’s Novel Incubator program in Boston, he is the winner of an Illinois Arts Council Grant, the Mimi Steinberg Award for Playwriting and Sigma Tau Delta’s Eleanor B. North Poetry Award. His debut novel “You Can See More From Up Here” is a coming-of-age story about the illusion of privilege and the power of the past to inform and heal the present. As of October 1, it is available everywhere books are sold.

“You Can See More From Up Here” begins with a memory that Walker Maguire would rather forget. He is in the medical exam room at American Motors with his father, the company’s doctor. The elder Maguire, an unhappily retired Air Force coronel, is making him take a summer job there and he needs a pre-employment physical. This memory takes place in the summer of 1974 but in the present, it is 2004 and a middle aged Walker is called to the deathbed of his estranged father in Bedford, Illinois. That summer, while working at the plant, he witnesses a bloody fight falsely blamed on Manny Camarasa, a Mexican immigrant but because he fears his white co-workers and his tyrannical father, he keeps quiet.

He thinks it is just a small lie, but it slowly leads to more lies, betrayals and the eventual disappearance of the Camarasa family and a lifelong rift between father and son. For years, Walker tries unsuccessfully to have an honest conversation with his father regarding the events of that summer but with him now in a coma, it seems that he will never get answers. It is up to him to find out what really happened and since too much time has passed, his memory is foggy so he starts a memoir. His father eventually passes so Walker never gets to hear his side of the story but some of his old demons are put to rest and he starts a new life in Bedford, after decades of running away from it.

In his debut novel, Mark Guerin paints a believable portrait of a Midwestern working class community and their everyday struggles. It contains the universal themes of family, first loves, racism and classism which are relevant at any time period. Growing up, Walker, whose father is a doctor, not only has to deal with family drama at home but also with resentments from those around him because of some imagined privilege that comes from being a doctor’s son. The author toggles back and forth between the past and the present without it becoming confusing. With easy to understand language and down to earth dialogue, the story flows easily from page to page, making it a natural page turner. The characters are well-developed and relatable but Piper, Walker’s little sister, remains a spoiled entitled brat in the past and the present. It is difficult to get through terms like “wetback” used to refer to the Mexican immigrants, but it brings the ugly truth of racism to light. “You Can See More From Up Here” is recommended for readers who appreciate a poignant coming of age novel that deals with racism, family drama, friendships, romance and the daily lives of the working class.

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

Book review: ‘Law and Addiction’ by Mike Papantonio

lawandaddiction2
‘Law and Addiction’ is the new legal thriller by Mike Papantonio. Photo: google

Mike Papantonio is a writer, prominent trial attorney and co-host of Ring of Fire, a nationally syndicated weekly radio talk show, along with Robert F Kennedy, Jr and Sam Seder where he is known as ‘America’s lawyer.’ He has written several books including “In Search of Atticus Finch, A Motivational Book for Lawyers,” “Resurrecting Aesop: Fables Lawyers Should Remember” and the Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis’ legal thrillers “Law and Disorder” and “Law and Vengeance.” In his newest novel, “Law and Addiction,” Mike Papantonio pulls back the curtain on America’s deadly opioid epidemic with a legal thriller about greed, corruption and the power of personal conviction.

“Law and Addiction” begins with a Prologue that has Blake Rutledge, in the middle of a drug-induced paranoia attack, becoming another victim of the opioid crisis: “Blake’s lungs slowed to a stop, but his mind didn’t know it.” This was one week before his twin brother Jake’s law school graduation. Upon hearing of Blake’s death, Jake returns to his hometown of Oakley, West Virginia, who many now refer to as “Zombieland” because most of the city has been ravaged by the opioid epidemic. Seeking justice for Blake, he plans to take on Big Pharma but realizing that he is way out of his league, he seeks out famed lawyer Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis for help. Together they join forces but soon death threats, bribes and unlawful property seizures threaten to derail their legal efforts. To discredit Jake, he is kidnapped and unwillingly turned into an addict. He escapes, but not unscathed because now he is faced with his own battle to become clean.

With his latest novel, Mike Papantonio successfully translates the opioid epidemic into a suspenseful legal thriller. The research Deke’s team does to prepare the case develops into a narrative into how the pharmaceutical companies fueled the epidemic and eventually profited from it and it is nothing short of eye opening. As with his other novels, the story has a strong beginning with the Prologue where readers have a front row seat to witness Jake’s suffering and death. The author re-introduces Deke’s legal team, so readers who may be unfamiliar with them are not lost. Regarding the legal jargon and courtroom drama, they are both easy to understand and the fast-paced action flows easily from page to page. The characters are well-developed and relatable and the poetic prose brings a fresh perspective to the storytelling: “skeletal branches from trees reached for him, snagging his clothing.” “Law and Addiction” is a must-read and recommended for fans of smart legal thrillers, but it also has elements of suspense and mystery with some politics mixed in to appeal to most readers. Since Mr. Papantonio uses his real life cases as springboards for his novels, readers can surely look forward to more in this exciting series.

“As I write these words, somewhere in America an individual is dying of a drug overdose. During the next twenty-four hours, there will be at least 115 deaths from the same cause.” – Mike Papantonio (Author’s Note)

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

Book review: ‘Lions of the Sky’ by Paco Chierici

lionsofsky.jpg
‘Lions of the Sky’ is the new novel by Paco Chierici. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Francesco “Paco” Chierici flew A-6 Intruders and F-14 Tomcats, deployed to conflict zones from Somalia to Iraq and was stationed aboard carriers including the USS Ranger, Lincoln and Kitty Hawk. Currently a 737 captain, he has used his aviation experience to publish extensively in Aviation Classics Magazine, AOPA Magazine and Fighter Sweep, as well as creating and producing the award-winning naval aviation documentary Speed and Angels. In his new book “Lions of the Sky: The Top Gun for the New Millennium,” Paco Chierici propels the reader into a realm where friendship, loyalty and skill are tested, battles are won and lost in an instant and lives are forever changed.

The action in “Lions of the Sky” begins solidly in the South China Sea, as a rower in a compact boat makes his way to an island that is home to a Vietnamese outpost. He expertly kills the soldiers and just as quickly and quietly as he arrived, he retreats. Throughout the book, he is referred to as “the commando” to highlight that his missions are more important than his name or background. The second chapter introduces readers to Sam Richardson, a fighter pilot’s pilot, a reluctant legend with a gut-eating secret who is on the last span of his tour as an instructor. All he wants is to get back to the real action of the Fleet. As he is driving away from a gentleman’s club in his 1966 Shelby AC Cobra after spending time with friends, he crosses paths with a driver in a Corvette driven by a woman, Keely Silvers, who, as fate would have it, will be in that last class.

The two stories alternate until they intersect in the South China Sea where a Chinese general is hoping to create an international crisis to give China the edge in territory disputes. A final air battle between Chinese fighters and the F/A -18 Hornets puts the trainees to the test as they are thrown into a real-life war situation and are eager to prove they belong there. In the end, the crisis is averted and even though not everyone makes it out alive, those remaining, including Keely “Quick” Silvers move on with their military training.

With his debut novel, Paco Chierici proves that his talent goes beyond the military world and flying planes and other aircrafts. His writing style includes deeply poetic descriptive language: “He took note of the AK- 47 machine guns leaning upright against each other like a little teepee near the fire, their oiled barrels joined together in a dark bouquet pointing at the night sky.” There is excellent character development, especially with Sam “Slammer” Richardson, whose backstory includes having romantic feelings for a woman he served with, feelings he never told anyone, and which may be responsible for his viewpoint that women should not be in combat. The military lingo is just enough to create a realistic atmosphere, especially the action in the cockpit and the Ready Room. Especially interesting is the point-of-view of the commando: the reader is privy to his planning and thought processes; and Quick’s inner thoughts and reactions during the final air battle.

“Lions of the Sky” is a must-read extraordinary novel of military storytelling that is perfectly balanced with action scenes and political suspense that keeps it from alienating readers who are not into strictly military themes. The language, though heavily about fighter pilots and their training, is easy to understand and the action flows easily from page to page. Friendship and camaraderie is central to the plot with just a hint of sexual tension. It is recommended for fans of military action thrillers and those who enjoy a fascinating espionage/political sub-plot.

“Watching powerlessly out her canopy as the descending Flanker converged on Slammer’s helpless Rhino, something about the picture clicked. The paralyzing static of indecision dissolved as the beautiful, instinctive part of her brain asserted itself.”

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

 

 

Book review: ‘She’s So Cold’ by Donald E. McInnis

shessocold
‘She’s So Cold’ is Donald E. Mcinnis’ new true crime novel about three teenage boys wrongly accused of Stephanie Crowe’s murder.

Donald E. McInnis is a California criminal defense attorney who represented one of the three accused boys, Aaron Houser, in the Stephanie Crowe murder case. Over the span of his 40-year legal career, he has worked for the prosecution and for the defense, having served as a deputy district attorney for two California counties and as a deputy defender for one California county during his early professional years. His new book “She’s So Cold: Murder, Accusations and the System that Devastated a Family” centers around the murder of twelve-year old Stephanie Crowe. It is the story of a broken system: a system stacked against families and, most of all, against children.

The murder case in “She’s So Cold” is that of Stephanie Crowe in the winter of January 1998 in the small town of Escondido, California. Rightly so, the town is horrified when her body is found and it is discovered that she had been brutally murdered in her own bedroom. Since there was no sign of a break-in and no physical evidence pointing to a possible suspect, the police zeroed in on her fourteen-year old brother Michael and two of his friends, Joshua and Aaron. Just because Michael failed to show emotion in the aftermath, the police concluded that he must be guilty because “he didn’t cry.” The policed used psychological manipulation to force three fourteen-year old boys to falsely confess to the murder. All without the benefit of legal counsel and in the pursuit of a misguided challenge to win at all costs. It was not until May 2012, fourteen years after Stephanie’s death, that Michael, Joshua and Aaron were found innocent because the evidence showed “beyond a reasonable doubt that the teens were innocent.”

In this true crime narrative, the author traces the twists and turns of a real-life mystery which eventually changed the lives of fifteen people and cost a district attorney his job. To protect children and teens from such manipulation in the future, McInnis proposes a new Children’s Miranda Rights Warning and a Bill of Rights for Children who are being questioned as suspects – which must be adopted in order to prevent minors from making false confessions that could destroy their futures. “She’s So Cold” is divided into four parts: Part One – murder and mind games: Stephanie and Michael; Part Two – a tapestry of deceit; Part Three – an alternative theory and Part Four – conclusions, vicious cycles. The Appendix (Children’s Rights) includes the aforementioned Children’s Rights, Children’s Miranda Warning and Children’s Bill of Rights.

In this eye-opening account of the police’s handling of the Stephanie Crowe case, one must wonder how the parents could allow this to happen to their child. After all, it happened in 1998, not in the 1940s or 50s. Part of the reasoning is that they assumed the police were just doing their job but in the end, false confessions do occur and not all of them are found out and people have been falsely imprisoned. Donald E. McInnis does an excellent job of outlining the incredulous chain of events but sometimes the details of the boys’ interrogations drag on too long, like in Chapter 8. The hearings and other legal proceedings do not begin until Chapter 16 and the narration starts to move forward. With a perfect balance between dialogue and description, the story flows through the pages and is easy to follow and understand without complicated police jargon. Aside from being a compelling crime novel, it is also a cautionary tale. Overall, “She’s So Cold” is recommended for readers who enjoy true crime novels and anyone willing to learn something new in terms of police procedures.

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

Book review: ‘Off the Grid’ by Robert McCaw

offthegrid
Robert McCaw’s second book in the Koa Kane Hawaiian mystery series, ‘Off the Grid’ will be available starting July 2. Courtesy photo, used with permission. 

Robert McCaw is an American author who graduated from Georgetown University and served as a lieutenant in the US Army before earning his law degree from the University of Virginia. He was a partner in a major international law firm with offices in Washington, DC and New York City and maintained a home on the Big Island of Hawai’i. This allows him to bring a unique authenticity to his Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery novels in both his law enforcement expertise and his ability to portray the richness of Hawai’i’s history, culture and people. “Death of a Messenger” is the first book in the series and the second, “Off the Grid” is due out on Tuesday July 2. In “Off the Grid” Hilo police Detective Koa Kāne investigates two deaths that at first seem unrelated but when he discovers how they are linked, the crimes could rewrite history or cost him his career.

Chapter One of “Off the Grid” begins on a poetic note “The plume of smoky steam rising like a sulfur cloud from a volcanic vent told Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne he’d been called to a nasty scene” but ends with a staged accident that left a woman dead. That leads him to the second murder of the day: the tortured remains of an unfortunate soul left to burn in the path of an advancing lava flow. He soon discovers that the two murders are related when they turn out to be a reclusive couple living off the grid. They are mysterious fugitives, so naturally the CIA, the Chinese government and the Defense Intelligence agency try to impede all attempts to get to the truth of who wanted this couple dead. Despite growing political pressure, Koa digs further only to find himself drawn into a web of international intrigue. His investigation uncovers a government conspiracy that culminates in the arrest of Nāinoa Nihoa, the Hawai’i state representative running for governor, for murder in the deaths of the couple.

Robert McCaw brings the beauty of Hawai’i to the average reader and softens an otherwise grisly tale of murder and conspiracy. Espionage, treason and murder makes for a fascinating read and the action flows effortlessly through the pages. The language is easy to read and understand including the law enforcement and military lingo. An interesting detail is that the protagonist, Hilo Detective Chief Koa Kāne has a secret: as a young man, he killed a sugar mill manager to exact revenge on behalf of his father. He still feels guilt and remorse, yet he has not told anyone, including his girlfriend, and it affects his crime solving decisions. How long will it take for the secret to catch up to him? Stay tuned. “Off the Grid” is an intriguing crime mystery novel with enough plot twists to keep the reader turning pages until its jaw dropping ending. It is recommended for fans of mystery/crime novels with a flawed leading man who would not mind learning a thing or two about Hawai’i’s culture and its people. A definite must-read.

*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 Ultimate Droodles Compendium’

droodles
Courtesy photo: used with permission.

Roger Price was an American humorist, author and publisher who created Droodles in the 1950s and later collaborated with Leonard B. Stern on the Mad Libs series. Before he delighted fans with Mad Libs, comedian Roger Price invented Droodles – absurdly funny drawings that joined hula hoops and UFOs as one of the biggest fads of the 1950s. His Droodles books sold more than 1 million copies between their debut in 1953 and his death in 1990. On what would have been Roger Price’s 101st birthday, Tallfellow Press released “The Ultimate Droodles Compendium: The Absurdly Complete Collection of All the Classic Zany Creations of Roger Price.” Featuring over 350 hilarious Droodles, it is the first and only full retrospective of Price and his creations.

“The Ultimate Droodles Compendium” is arranged and annotated by Emmy-winning writer Fritz Holznagel and features a foreword by America’s best-known film historian, critic and author, Leonard Maltin. In the foreword titled ‘Roger Price and Me,’ Maltin recalls how he met Price and how he helped him grow up and guided him in his quest to becoming professional writer. In ‘What Are Droodles’ he defines them as “small silly drawings in a square box.” Price, in his 1952 collection “The Rich Sardine,” describes them as “the new IMPROVED way to waste time. You….can show them to other people and waste their time too.” The rest of the book is divided into the different types of Droodles: Droodles, Madison Avenue Droodles and Kinda Croodles. There is even ‘A Brief History of Roger Price and Droodles’ that features his biography and career highlights: Radio Years, Bob Hope years, Nightclubs and Broadway, Television and Books, Droodles and Mad Libs.

Always funny and often provocative, Price was one of America’s most original comic voices. At the peak of their popularity, Droodles had their own TV show, daily newspaper column, bestselling books and even cocktail napkins. This book has something for everyone: more than enough Droodles to tickle the funny bone and a biography and behind the scenes information. It is a one-of-a-kind collection that longtime fans will enjoy while newbies might discover the joys of silly drawings and humor. “The Ultimate Droodles Compendium” is recommended for fans of humor and history of humor and is a definite conversation starter.

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

Book review: ‘General Meade: A Novel of the Civil War’ by Robert Kofman

General Meade Cover
‘General Meade: A Novel of the Civil War’ is Robert Kofman’s new book about the Civil War. Courtesy photo: used with permission. 

Robert Kofman is an American author born in Bellefonte, PA and a graduate of Penn State and Duke Law School. He became a labor lawyer with the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia before entering private practice in Miami, FL as a management side labor and employment attorney. After retiring from practicing law, Kofman desired to keep intellectually engaged by writing a historical novel as a way to help educate people in an engaging fashion about the Civil War. His new book “General Meade: A Novel of the Civil War” resulted from that effort. (Smith Publicity, 2019)

In “General Meade: A Novel of the Civil War” Robert Kofman has written a work of historical fiction detailing a fascinating character, who has been relegated to the margins of history, with credibility and intrigue. It begins with a note by the author where he explains that the novel covers many significant events of the last three years of the American Civil War from the perspective of Major General George Gordon Meade, sometimes in his own words through letters that he wrote to the person he most trusted: his wife Margaret. The Prologue describes what happens in 1860 when Abraham Lincoln becomes President, specifically how the Southern states begin seceding from the Union before he even takes office.

Just three days after taking command, General Meade confronts Lee’s army at Gettysburg, resulting in the bloodiest and most dramatic battle of the war. After that incredible victory, at first he is heralded as a hero who turns the tide of the war, but he then falls victim to a smear campaign that threatens to ruin his reputation and his career. He is forced to muster all of his strength to persevere against an onslaught of political and newspaper attacks, all while leading the Army of the Potomac and serving his superiors: General Ulysses S. Grant and President Lincoln.

Much more than a novel of historical fiction, “General Meade” is also a view of the issues plaguing the nation then and now. Themes include a country divided by social issues, polarized political parties, partisan newspaper attacks, false news stories, war heroes and villains and an unscrupulous Congressional Committee out to destroy the careers of generals who do not share its political ideology. Considering that the main subject is history, the language is easy to understand and the action flows from page to page aided by maps when appropriate. Highlights include the mention of history in the making, like the big story in the paper about Lincoln’s preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and details of vicious hand-to-hand combat: “Blood and brain matter splattered the combatants. A Rebel flag-bearer climbed atop one of the Napoleons and waved his colors. Seconds later, his bullet-ridden, lifeless body fell to the ground.”

Kofman provides sources and a bibliography for anyone interested in reading more on the subject. An interesting section is the Afterward, where he lists what happens to the people in the story: “Robert E. Lee was indicted but never tried for treason,” Ulysses S. Grant “created the Justice Department and used it to prosecute the Ku Klux Klan, which was using violence to deny freed blacks their civil rights” and how Old Baldy, General Meade’s warhorse outlived him by ten years. At Meade’s funeral, “Old Baldy followed the caisson carrying Meade’s casket as the rider-less horse.” “General Meade” is an extraordinary work of historical fiction that spotlights the lesser-known side of history’s legends. It is recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction at its finest.

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

Book review: ‘Deep Water Blues’ by Fred Waitzkin

deepwaterblues
‘Deep Water Blues’ is the new novel by Fred Waitzkin. Courtesy photo: used with permission. 

Fred Waitzkin is an American novelist and writer for The New York Times, Sunday Magazine, New York and Esquire. His works include the books “Mortal Games,” “The Last Marlin” and “The Dream Merchant” but he is best known for his memoir “Searching for Bobby Fischer” about his son Josh Waitzkin, a chess prodigy. It was made into the 1993 Academy Award nominated movie of the same name. His new book “Deep Water Blues” is based on a true story about a Bahamian island that becomes a battleground for a savage private war. Illustrations courtesy of American artist John Mitchell.

“Deep Water Blues” takes place on the Bahamian island of Rum Cay, where Bobby Little, a charismatic character who is loved by many, uses his gifts to create businesses where rich tourists can live it up. He has many friends, but like anything else, his success elicits jealousy from others. The tranquility of this fisherman’s haven is spoiled when tragedy strikes. A boat transporting Haitian refugees crashes into the reef and capsizes, spilling everyone into the sea. Bobby and his friends try to help but end up burying most of them. The former paradise is now engulfed in gloom and horror and soon after, Bobby leaves for his annual European trip. He returns to find shoal covering the marina entrance, the beaches deserted and the small cemetery desecrated with bones sticking up through the sand. To top it off, someone has begun to develop the marina and undoing everything that Bobby had done. Dennis, his old friend, is responsible for all the changes and at first Bobby takes it lightheartedly but soon, he and Dennis lock horns and all hell breaks loose.

Fred Waitzkin successfully translates his love of the ocean, boats and fishing onto the written page in this delightful new book. By combining poetic prose “Stella’s dark blues were thickly textured like roiling ocean with intimations of agony rising from below like the cries of drowning sailors” and deep character development, readers get a front row seat to the majesty that is the beach life. His real boat, the Ebb Tide, makes an appearance, as do his friends, especially John Mitchell, whose drawings punctuate the storyline. The only downer is when some of Bobby’s dogs are poisoned but he eventually bounces back from that. The language is easy to understand and the story flows easily without any extraneous narration. With colorful characters and beautiful beach scenery, “Deep Water Blues” is the perfect summer beach read. It is a small book, only 140 pages, but its enchanting yet haunting story is recommended for fans who appreciate plot twists where good triumphs over evil.

*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 Shaman’s Guide to Power Animals’ by Lori Morrison

poweranimals
‘The Shaman’s Guide to Power Animals’ by Lori Morrison is an informative and inspirational book on power animals. 

Lori Morrison is a best-selling author, inspirationalist and mystic who, combining her skills as a coach, spiritual counselor, healer and medical intuitive, has built a successful alternative wellness practice in Sedona, Arizona. She works with clients from around the world in supporting those who are looking for a renewed approach in dealing with physical and mental health issues. Her first book and memoir “Lori: The Disintegration of my Ordinary Reality” is a winner of four prestigious book awards, including the 2017 Gold Medal winner in the Living Now Book Awards. “The Shaman’s Guide to Power Animals” is her current book and a cross-cultural journey into the mystical symbolism and stories of almost 200 birds, fish, insects and mammals drawn from ancient and indigenous cultures worldwide.

“The Shaman’s Guide to Power Animals” begins with a Preface by the author in which she recounts her early childhood’s exposure to nature and animals courtesy of her father. These experiences influenced her adulthood as she and her husband shared a love of wildlife that took them to places like Yellowstone National Park and Alaska. The book is divided into two parts: Part One: The World of Shamans and their Power Animals that has sections with extensive information about The Three Worlds, the Types of Power Animals, Determining Your Power Animal and Calling in Your Power Animal; and Part Two: A to Z Guide to Power Animals where the reader can either read through each animal to learn about its characteristics and powers, or just use it to read up on his or her particular power animal. Towards the end, there is a List of Endangered Species, a Table of Powers and Minerals, a summary of the A to Z Guide and References, a list of reference material for anyone interested in learning more about the subjects presented.

Lori Morrison’s impressive new book is an extensive encyclopedia of knowledge regarding shamanism, the spiritual world and power animals. For readers who are interested in these subjects but are not too familiar with the basics, it explains in detail what the non-ordinary reality is (“a supernatural place…where we can connect to spirits and experience the past, present and future simultaneously”); The Three Worlds (Upper, Middle and Lower) that are accessed through chanting, drumming, dancing or consuming of medicinal plants; and how to determine what an individual’s  spirit animal is. It is insightful and thought provoking because even if readers have no interest in actually getting involved in spiritual ceremonies, they will walk away with a deeper understanding of how important it is for humans to be connected to nature and animals, which should be viewed as sisters and brothers instead of creatures to be mastered and manipulated for selfish gains. “The Shaman’s Guide to Power Animals” is recommended for fans of the mystical arts or anyone with an open mind who is willing to enrich their lives by learning more about nature, Mother Earth and the variety of animals and their characteristics and strengths.

“We need to interact with or observe animals in natural settings in order to truly see the planet as a whole. Perhaps the root cause of our planetary dysfunction and imbalance in this era of history is the disintegration of humanity’s connection to the spirit world in everyday life.”

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