Book Reviews
Then, Now and In Between
Edward Whitham
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
The 68-year-old Australian who wrote these short-short stories–39 of them in just 222 pages–is a former retail merchant who has spent much of his retirement traveling with his wife. That surely accounts for the pieces’ farflung settings–Israel, Hungary, Ukraine, an Austrian ski resort, and a dozen other places. But author Eddie Whitham has also served […]
Knights, Romans, Greeks and God
Brian D. Starr
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
“This book,” declares Brian D. Starr, “is about the secrets of the Christian/Judea [sic] religion that are not apparent to the average Christian that has not studied genealogy and knighthood.” The author proceeds to fill most of the book’s remaining pages with genealogical charts that involve biblical personages from both the Old and New Testament, […]
Rain of Terror in the Sunshine
Paul Contos
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
In Rain of Terror in the Sunshine, Paul A. Contos recounts what must have been an utterly terrifying day in combat as a soldier in the U.S. Army’s 71st Division. On March 13, 1945, he lived through 16 strafing attacks by German airplanes in eastern France, suffering extensive life-threatening shrapnel wounds to his left leg […]
Soaring
Jeanne Fiedler
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
Author Jeanne Fiedler presents Soaring as a book of poems. But even though her pieces are divided into stanzas, taking on the form of poetry, they read more like a journal of the heart, a collection of thoughts and expressions of emotions.
Fiedler’s husband died prematurely four years ago, and that sad event is at […]
Brightfire
Pauline Moore
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
In the historical novel Brightfire (sequel to author P.M. Sabin Moore’s Storm Frost), Christianity is gaining a toehold in Sutton Hoo, on the eastern side of Britain, yet a belief in one God is resisted by many.
It is 608 A.D., and previously banished Niartha and her son, Ricberht, have gained favor in King Raedwald’s […]
Against the Grain
Mary Margaret Jensen
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
Mary Margaret Jensen’s Against the Grain follows the matchmaking hijinks of Sandy, a feisty, red-headed ten-year-old who knows just enough about adult relationships to cause trouble. When Tobus, her stuttering, earnest cousin, is jilted by the girl of his dreams, Sandy decides to set him up with Ruby, the daughter of the acerbic owner of […]
No Yellow Horse, If You Please
Linda Loper Morris
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
No Yellow Horse, If You Please, written by Linda Loper Morris and co-illustrated with Hilbert Bermejo, is a nicely designed picture book for young children that celebrates word play. With a charming surprise ending that empowers preschoolers, the story is warm and imaginative.
Hana and her mother love playing word games. Their story begins one […]
Replenish The Earth
Philip Michael Bulman
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
In this simply told and competently written novel of the emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians in third century Rome, the author captures both the essence of the faith and the most extreme challenges of living it.
A scribe at the palace and a Christian in secret, Linus is consumed by guilt as he copies edicts […]
Sweet Jamaican Summertime at Grandma’s
Angela Brent-Harris
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
Sweet Jamaican Summertime at Grandma’s is as sweet as its title. This heartfelt picture-book tribute to a much-loved Jamaican grandmother is also an introduction to the island of Jamaica and a fond recollection of perfect childhood summers long past.
The book begins by placing Jamaica geographically in the Caribbean, just 90 miles south of Cuba. […]
How to Survive the Coming Retirement Storm
Robert Margetic
(Reviewed: December, 2011)
As current as a 2011 issue of Smart Money magazine, yet deserving of a spot on the shelf alongside other treasured reference books, financial advisor Robert Margetic’s How To Survive the Coming Retirement Storm, describes in sobering detail the “retirement storm” that is already upon us. Major changes in taxation, health care, Social Security, inflationary […]