Midlife Alchemy

 Midlife Alchemy, Kate Swansea, Independently Published, 2021

Elise Clair is a married dentist, working with her husband, also a dentist, in the Upper Midwest. At the same time that she catches him fooling around with a couple of his dental assistants, she gets a strange and unsolicited job offer. A town called Black Lake Falls, Washington, needs a town dentist. Elise gets on a plane.

The first thing she notices is that the town is protected by magical wards. Elise knows her way around the worlds of witches and "real" magic, having been taught by her mother. The town is built around a portal between this world, and the world of the umbra, which are hideous, carnivorous creatures. Elise is given an amulet to wear. It is the portal's (called the paraval) early warning system, flashing whenever there is a breach. 

A major breach occurs, and the umbra pour into the town, looking for a way into the wider world. This forces all the townspeople into the well-lit town square (umbra don't like bright light). They can't stay there forever. Elise comes up with a surprisingly easy way to kill umbra. Is the "invasion" thwarted, and the paraval closed again? Do the townspeople return to "normal" life?

This is a first-rate piece of writing. It is just weird enough, without being too weird. It has lots of good storytelling, with good characters. This is an excellent start to a series.

Where Secrets Lie

 Where Secrets Lie, Ebony Kent, Independently Published, 2013

 

Kara Everitt is a newly-minted police detective. Her target is the Caswell family, a very secretive local family. They are suspected in several unsolved crimes over the years, including the murder of Kara's parents. Alyssa, her younger sister, is totally infatuated with them.

At a fancy party in her honor, Kara, impulsively, offers to serve the Caswells. Michael, the family patriarch, makes Kara his own personal pet. She quickly learns that they really are vampires. As time goes on, a bond forms between Kara and Michael. She struggles with her duties as a detective and as a sister. Can Kara save her sister from the Caswells? Can Kara save herself?

This is an interesting story. It's got vampires and romance, and some good plot twists. For vampire fans, this is worth reading.

Escape to the Stars

 Escape to the Stars, Mark Sneed, ABM Publications, Inc., 2021

 

In this story, Earth is no longer habitable, and what's left of humanity is in two small settlements orbiting Saturn and Neptune. Finding other habitable planets is very important to the Interstellar Committee.

The Galactic Space Marines (mostly teenagers) are sent to rescue stranded scientists, and their equipment, on a newly discovered planet. The animals who inhabit the planet should pose no problem. Just a quick rescue mission, right?

Drake, a mechanic, is contacted by the planet's governing intelligence. It asks for his help in a planetary war for survival. Do the humans help? Does everyone live "happily ever after?"

This turns into a really good book. It takes a while to get "going," but it turns into an enjoyable story with good characters. I hope that this is the start of a series.

The Brother's Curse

 The Brother’s Curse, Christine M Germain, Independently Published, 2020

 

A woman named Crystal moves back to her hometown of Lakeview Falls, a year after the murder of her parents. A neighbor's house is being watched by the very handsome Jason Warwick. Just before her 25th birthday, Crystal receives an antique purple amethyst necklace, left to her by her mother. It is not just any necklace. A pair of 18th century brothers, who are also shapeshifters, will stop at nothing to get the necklace, including murder. It holds two dozen shapeshifters captive, including their father. Is Jason one of the shapeshifter brothers?

This is a really interesting story. It has good characters, enough gore and horror (without going too far) and some good storytelling. It is very much worth reading.

Gastric Band Hypnosis for Women

 Gastric Band Hypnosis for Women, Sally Garner, Independently Published, 2021

 

You have tried every diet and weight-loss plan that is available, and nothing has worked. Have you considered using your mind to change your relationship to food, and help you get, and stay, healthy? That's what this book is all about.

The book explores how hypnosis can help overcome negative self-talk and bad emotions related to weight loss. You have permission to delete the words "clean your plate," in your mother's voice, from your brain. The author goes through the entire gastric band hypnosis process (there is no clucking like a chicken). The book includes recommended diets while going through the therapy, and what to do after the therapy ends. There are also affirmations, to help keep you, and your brain, on the right path.

Here is an easy to understand book that is full of information. For anyone with weight problems, this is really worth considering. It get 4 to 4.5 stars.

Dragon Rider Prophecy: A Journey Begins

 Dragon Rider Prophecy: A Journey Begins, Andrew Wichland, Independently Published, 2020

 

This fantasy novel is about Logan and Johanna, your average college co-eds. They were adopted by a good family, and want to live ordinary lives. That is, until a shared dream shows them their destiny, and that "ordinary" is no longer an option.

The pair must deal with their growing abilities, get proper training, and face incredible danger. Learning how to ride a dragon is also involved. Logan and Johanna have little choice in the matter; the fate of the whole world is at stake.

Here is a story with good characters and grand imagination. There is good world-building, and plenty of action. Who doesn't love a story with dragons? Fantasy fans will love this book.

Dr. Sebi Green Smoothie

 Dr. Sebi Green Smoothie, Howard Fuller, Independently Published, 2021

 

Everyone has heard of green smoothies. Are they really as healthy as advertised? This book attempts to answer that question.

Most major diseases, like autoimmune disease and diabetes, result from the body's pH level being too acidic. A plant-based diet will bring the pH level back to normal (about 7.3), along with helping to lose weight and rejuvenate the body. More than just drinking smoothies is needed to lose weight. The book also suggests drinking LOTS of water, staying away from the microwave, re-stocking your pantry with healthier foods, and, occasionally, rewarding yourself. When going on an outing, don't be afraid to bring a supply of smoothies with you. The book explores foods to avoid, including processed foods, dairy, alcohol, fried foods and soy products.

This is a useful guide with lots of information. Most people may consider this book to be common knowledge, but it is still good to have. If the reader can only start to move in the direction of Healthy Eating, this book will have been successful. It is very much worth reading.

An Unusual Courtship

 An Unusual Courtship, Antoinette George, Brangwyn Press, 2020

 

Second in a series, this book is set in the 1790s. Marie-Catherine and her family are safely In England, having barely escaped from France. Their rescuer, a shadowy figure called The Shadow, must say his goodbyes. Marie-Catherine is heartbroken, and angry. She picks herself up, and sets about the task of finding a husband who is willing to take care of her refugee family.

Meantime, The Shadow (his real name is Francis) is never far away. He wants to tell Marie-Catherine who he really is, but it is never the right time. He can't just walk up to her and say "Hi, remember me?" She will probably try to kill him (literally). Francis must court her properly, which involves attending many masked balls, and many boorish and suggestive statements from him. Does he get her back? Does Marie-Catherine try to kill him?

Normally, I am not a reader of historical, swashbuckling romances, but this one is different. It is very easy to get totally involved in the story. The book has lots of good writing, along with many twists & turns. This is very much recommended.

Protocols of Money: A Primer on the History and Evolution of Money

 Protocols of Money: A Primer on the History and Evolution of Money, Shiv Mehta, ChapterOne.ai, 2021

 

This book is all about money (everyone's favorite subject). It does not discuss how to make money, but it talks about the history and concept of money. It looks at how money has changed, from the barter system, to gold, to coins, and then to paper money. After that, there was plastic money, and now, there is cryptocurrency.

The author attempts to answer many common financial questions. What is a financial market? How do banks trade currencies? What are bonds? The author also looks at some recent financial history, including the causes of the Great Depression and the Great Recession. The spends a lot of time explaining cryptocurrency.

This book doesn't get into investing, but, for anyone considering it, reading this book is a very good idea. It may take some patience on the part of the reader, but it is full of information, and does a good job explaining the world of money.

The Art of Mindlessness

 The Art of Mindlessness, Levi Ouwendijk, Depaix Library, 2021

 

This book is a series of short meditations on the subjects of zen and meditation. It includes titles like The Medium of Thought, The Empty Mind, The Meditative State and The Great Attainment of Nothing.

It attempts to show that it is wrong that there is just one "proper" way to do meditation. Thinking of the world in absolutes of right and wrong limits the full experience of existence. The world seems to be full of breathing exercises and other ways to reach enlightenment.

Meditation will not, by itself, lead a person to enlightenment. If a person happens to attain it, then they had the right qualities already inside them. Meditation is about an awareness in the very feature of being.

This book is best for those who already know their way around the worlds of zen and meditation; it is not a beginner's book. It will take some patience on the part of the reader. If it opens the mind of the reader, even a little bit, to other ways of thinking, it will have done its job. It gets at least 4 stars.

Dark Town

 Dark Town, K de Leo, Zameret Ltd., 2021

 

This teen fantasy is about Jessica Sullivan, who moves, with her parents, to a small town in the middle of nowhere. She makes several friends at school, and falls for the most gorgeous guy in town. Life is good.

Jessica learns that the town also has some dark secrets, that threaten the lives of everyone in town, including her parents. The secrets involve the Black Plague of the 1300's. Things get spooky when Jessica starts hearing screams at night, that no one else can hear. She is attacked by an anonymous person with an axe. Her parents are skeptical, to say the least. The town's annual Harvest Fair is coming up. Jessica learns, to her horror, that a different kind of "harvest" is planned (a human "harvest").

This is a very good teen chiller/horror story. It may take a while to get "going," but it is the sort of tale that could take place almost anywhere. This will certainly keep the interest of the reader.

The Ecstatic Stock Market

 The Ecstatic Stock Market, David Rasmussen, Spinning Penny Media, 2021

 

Everyone wants to understand why the present-day stock market acts the way it does, The author uses his many years of investing experience, and his study of subjects like game theory, physics and chaos theory, to attempts an explanation.

Throughout history, there have been many financial bubbles, going back to the Tulip Bubble of the 1600's. Over time, the life of these bubbles has gotten shorter and shorter. The author asserts that we are currently in the biggest bubble of our lifetime. The 2007 Real Estate Bubble and the current Bitcoin Bubble are part of a much bigger bubble. No bubble lasts forever. When will this bubble pop? Read the book.

This is a very specialized book; it is not a Beginner's book. It is different in that it explores fractals, evolution, and the writings of Terence McKenna, Ray Kurzweil and James Joyce. For experienced investors who want an idea as to what is coming, here is a very good place to start.

Waking Up Rich: The Secret CIA Bitcoin Project That Became a Trillion-Dollar Trojan Horse

 Waking Up Rich: The Secret CIA Bitcoin Project That Became a Trillion-Dollar Trojan Horse, James Robb, Independently Published, 2021

This novel is all about bitcoin, which was created by the CIA. It was discovered to provide incredible insight into the finances of the world's terrorists and rogue nations.

Another North Korean missile test has failed. Those of the scientists who are still alive know that another failure Will Not Be Tolerated. They alert North Korean agents all over the world, looking for very specific components. The CIA subtly guides them toward specific suppliers. One of the components just happens to be in the basement of MI5 Headquarters in London. There is also a man who has been in a coma for the past year. He created an algorithm to make bitcoin mining much easier, and faster, than at present. Lots of people want what is in his head; it could be worth billions of dollars.

This is a gripping, and very up-to-the-minute story. It moves very quickly, and is easy to read. This tale will keep the reader up very late at night.

Buenos Aires Triad

 Buenos Aires Triad, F E Beyer, National Library of New Zealand, 2021

 

Set in present-day Argentina, Lucas is an ordinary watch-seller. He moonlights for one of the Chinese criminal gangs operating in the capital. This particular gang is responsible for a brazen daylight robbery that left a British tourist dead. Such an attack can be bad for "business." The Argentine President orders the police to find those responsible, at all costs.

Lucas wants out of the gang; easier said than done. His "job" is to collect extortion money from Chinese-owned supermarkets, and throw Molotov cocktails at those who refuse to pay. Then the police arrest Boss Ping, the overall leader of the Chinese triads, at home. Can Lucas stay out of prison? Can Lucas stay away from an anonymous bullet in the back of the head, because someone thinks he may "talk?"

This is a very entertaining story. The author does a fine job of putting the reader right in the middle of Buenos Aires. I hope there is a Part 2 coming soon.

Jane Digby's Diary: To Begin, Begin

 Jane Digby's Diary: To Begin, Begin, C.R. Hurst, Independently Published, 2018

 

First of a series, this book is based on the life of a real person. In the early 1800's, Jane seemed destined for the life of a high class, well bred Englishwoman. Her marriage, while still a teenager, to Lord Ellenborough, eventually fell apart. She felt abandoned, whether in London, or at their country estate, while he spent his days dealing with business, or being a Member of Parliament.

Jane had a child with her lover, but they never married. She traveled to different European cities, staying with friends, while she considered her future. Does she return to England, and attempt some "damage control" on her reputation? Does she continue to travel, not caring what other people think?

This book is in diary form, so it may not be for everyone. It is still an interesting tale of someone who broke away from the rock solid social "rules" of Regency England, to find her own way in life. It is very much worth reading.

Critical Asset

 Critical Asset, Ian Tonnessen, Hardshot Publishing, 2021

In the year 2065, the Second Cold War is in full swing. The world is divided into military alliances with names like the Democratic Alliance and the United Caliphate. Dirac Station is a very secretive space station at one of Earth's Lagrange Points (look it up). It makes Earth's entire supply of antimatter, which has made colony ships to other stars much more possible. Antimatter is also extremely unstable, which is why the station has to be a long way away from Earth.

The country of Turkey is involved in an attack on Dirac Station. Does the Turkish government intend to weaponize some of that antimatter? Do ant-government rebels want to blame Turkey for the attack, and push America to take out Turkey's fascist government, permanently? Can the ensuing war be kept quick and local, or is Earth looking at World War III?

The USS Lincoln, with its Captain Jaana Pierce, is the only vessel in a position to fight the attackers. Many pitched battles are fought on the station. As the world edges closer to all-out war, Pierce risks her life, and pushed the limits of her duty, to end the rapidly approaching crisis.

This is an excellent novel. It has Blockbuster Movie written all over it. The author is a former intelligence analyst, so it feels very plausible. It has everything a reader could want: a combination of politics and near-future science fiction, violence, action and approaching nuclear war. Here is a story that is very much recommended.

Forbidden Choices

 Forbidden Choices, Samantha Jenson, Independently Published, 2021

Do you remember those Choose Your Adventure books from when you were younger? Here is a new one, but, this one is not for children.

It's about a young woman named Lilith, raised by her aunt in a small village. Things like magic and elves are just stories. Depending on the path through the book, Lilith meets her mother, for the first time, in a very unexpected place. There is a rebellion going on, with humans, dwarves and orcs together, against elves. Lilith makes contact with the rebels. Because she is half-elf, she is not exactly welcome. The leaders of the rebellion cannot conclusively determine that she is an elf spy. They also can't conclusively determine that is she is not an elf spy, either. What do they do?

This book is very entertaining, and easy to read. It also has a lot of detailed sexual encounters. On several different levels, this book will very much keep the interest of the reader.

Social Skills for Teens

 Social Skills for Teens, Discover Press, 2021

Growing up can be the most difficult years of a person's life, even under the best of circumstances. This book aims to make the process a little easier.

Your best friend goes to the movies without asking if you want to go, too. At school, a group of your friends are looking at you, while whispering to themselves. Instead of assuming that it is because you are fat, ugly and a total waste of oxygen, Ask Them. The explanation may not involve you at all.

This book includes ways to boost your self-confidence, and exercises that will reduce, or eliminate, anxiety. It is possible to build real relationships by being your best self; it's better than having lots of "friends" online.

Here is a really good book on navigating the teen years. If this book can nudge the average teen into thinking differently, or actually start changing their life, by only a few percent, it will have done its job. This is well worth checking out.

The Writing on the Wall: We Are the Guests

 The Writing on the Wall: We Are the Guests, Aharon Gonik, Independently Published, 2021

Looking at all of human history, the author asserts that mankind's future disasters may be because of nature "fighting back" against humanity.

Homo sapiens, that arrived in Africa about 200,000 years ago, is a cancerous mutation, with its much larger brain. Other creatures have had to adapt to nature, in order to survive. Homo sapiens was the first to bend nature to its will, and then spread all over the world.

In the past three centuries, there has been a huge improvement in man's standard of living, based on fossil fuels. Someday, maybe in 50 years, maybe in 100 years, those supplies will run out. Mankind will then revert to a horse and buggy world. Perhaps, COVID is nature's way of getting revenge on mankind for the things it has done to the planet.

How can humanity achieve a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions over the next two centuries? Get out of oil and coal, immediately. Many nuclear power plants must be built (evidently, fast breeder reactors are safe). Plant-based, or other artificial meat substitutes must be found. All that land, and water, used for livestock can be used for something else. All vehicles on the roads will run on electricity, or hydrogen or batteries. Only inter-continental airplane flights will be allowed. Travel within America, for example, will be by bullet train.

Does anyone remember the early days of the pandemic? Because the world was shut down, the air actually got cleaner, and dolphins were sighted swimming in the canals of Venice (for the first time in many years).

This is a very informative book, that is highly recommended for everyone. 

The Shadowverse

 The Shadowverse, J.C. Gallo, Independently Published, 2018

This book is about average college student Johnny Sparks, and his friends. An encounter with a mysterious stranger has given them all superhero-level powers.

Things get serious when Rose, one of the group, is taken by an alien warlord named Titan. He is the sort of being who aims to bring his brand of peace and tranquility to the galaxy, one planet at a time. Killing millions of innocent people to get control of a planet doesn't bother him. Earth is next on his list. The rest of the group travels many light years to get help from a legendary ex-samurai named Lung, who has been missing for centuries. Lung is the only person to have killed Titan in the past. Can this informal group of friends, and new superheroes, defeat the most powerful being in the galaxy? Can they get Rose back, body and soul?

This teen novel is very well done. The characters are very relatable, and there is enough action for anyone. There is lots of good writing in this story that would make a really good movie. 

A Morsel of Happiness

 A Morsel of Happiness, Javad Saffarzadeh, Independently Published

In the past, a number of people have asked the author "Why are you so happy all the time?" This book is his attempt at an answer.

He starts by looking at the less-pleasant parts of daily life. On the subject of complaining, it won't change the negative event that has happened. Accept it; let the anger come (and let it go), and focus on solutions. Don't focus too much on the negative; go for a long walk or listen to your favorite music. Temperamental, or negative, people seem to be everywhere. Avoid them when possible; when not possible, come up with your own bad mood prevention system, or they might turn you into them.

On the positive side, the author talks about gratitude. Think of life like cable TV. If a person always watches channels like CNN or Fox News, they can become depressed, angry or paranoid. Everyone needs an occasional Hallmark Movie in their life (figuratively, if not literally) to remind them that the world is not all doom and gloom. Physical activity is a good way to keep depression away. It is important to keep physically and mentally busy (energy begets energy). If you attempt to keep a positive attitude, positive things will happen to you. If you keep a negative attitude, then negative things will happen to you.

This book also summarizes actual scientific studies on these subjects; this is more than just the author's opinion. This is an excellent book, bordering on being an amazing book. Everyone needs some hope or optimism in their life, at one time or another. Here is a wonderful place to start. 

WTF Do I Know?

 WTF Do I Know?, Lawrence Goodman, Independently Published, 2019

This is a compendium of newspaper columns published in a daily newspaper in York County, Pennsylvania. It is a very pro-Trump area; the local congressman is a member of the "Freedom Caucus." The author is not a Trump supporter.

The columns cover many contemporary political issues. The titles include: A 2-Path Plan for Illegal Immigrants; Address the Root Cause of the Abortion Issue; The Homeless Are In Control of Their Own Destiny; Maga Hat is the New Confederate Flag; Real Hunters Don't Need Semi-Automatic Weapons; Wearing a Mask Should Not Be Political; The "Dumbing Down" of America is Now Complete. There are a number of columns on issues local to York County. They are the kind of issues with which everyone in America can identify.

Here is an excellent and very thought-provoking book (that was the author's intention). It is highly recommended for all Americans, regardless of their political beliefs. This gets more than 5 stars.