Our decision to cover and assess the self-publishing world's output on a quarterly basis is an acknowledgment of the burgeoning DIY field and the fact that technological advances and a widening array of author services are making it easier and easier for everyman to tell his own story, for everywoman to publish her own book. As barriers to publication are being removed, the landscape of publishing is radically changing, and we want to reflect this new reality in our pages. We considered what role we should play in this and decided that we would do as we have always done: evaluate books for their suitability and appeal to the book trade and, ultimately, to the consumer.
This, our first PW Select supplement, received approximately 200 books for us to announce to the industry. From among these submissions we committed to reviewing at least 25. Although these authors paid a fee to be listed in print (and in an online database), we reserved the right to decide which books we would review, and we vowed to review them with our customary standards. As is the case with the output from general trade publishers, we do not (and cannot) review everything—38 titles get that treatment here (beginning on page 23)—and we found some gems: Tim Anderson's marvelous memoir-cum-travel tale, Tune In Tokyo; Dorothy Dierk Hourihan's sweet, sepia-toned portrait in 1919: A Kansas Tale; and William Bennett's resonant allegory for children, The Christmas Gift, among others.
The listing of all titles received, which begins on the following page, tells a story in itself. For one thing, consider the publishers listed in the bibliography. You will find a generous representation of the author services companies, large and small, that have been flourishing: AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford, Xlibris; Book Locker, Dog Ear, RoseDog, Pleasant Word, and the Oliver and Open Press; not to mention CreateSpace, Lulu, and the venerable Vantage Press. You will also see the sites that are ably serving as emporia for self-published books—Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon, bn.com—where these titles can be easily ordered.
Looking at the listings (and our reviews) is also instructive. What kinds of people telling what kinds of stories are out there, investing their own time and money to be heard? There are professionals—whether in medicine, education, finance, fitness, or nutrition—sharing what they have learned. There are advocates for those victimized by financial turnarounds, spiritual crises, addictions, or just mainstream mores who are intent on empowering the troubled or downtrodden. There are people with memories of family to record and relate, or paeans to forgotten innovators they wish to record for posterity and wider consumption. There are novelists and poets working in favored genres and styles, where you can sense that the author is that enthusiast who believes he or she can tell a good story, too, or turn a line with the best of them. All those things—the desire to help others, to instruct, to enlighten, to entertain, to express—are what have forever driven publishing at whatever level. And those things are amply on display in the pages that follow.
This is just our first PW Select supplement. The reading period is already underway for our second supplement, to be published in late March. As we receive listings, they, too, will enter our database of self-published titles, as the landscape changes.
CONTENTS (Click the links below to go directly to particular topics)
Fiction | Nonfiction | Poetry | Biography & Autobiography | Comics & Graphic Novels | Cooking | Education | Family & Relationships | Health & Fitness | History | Juvenile Fiction | Juvenile Nonfiction | Nature | Non-Classifiable | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Sports & Recreation | Travel | True Crime
The Secret of Lies.
Barbara Forte Abate. Dog Ear Publishing. $17.95 paper (304p), ISBN 978-1-60844-418-2
Ingram; Amazon; www.barbaraforteabate.com
The year is 1957, and it's the last summer for a family at an ancient house overlooking the North Atlantic. It is a season shattered by tragedy that splinters the family.
Trixie.
Tori Alexander. CreateSpace. $11.99 paper (221p), ISBN 978-1-4499-5691-2
Amazon
What would strip clubs be like if women had their way?
Lionesses and Their Colonel: Operation Saint Domingue.
Manhattan Allen. $31.95 (368p), ISBN 978-1-60910-285-2
www.manhattan-allen.com; B&T
The ultra-secret team of beautiful and powerful women (the lionesses of the title) are taking back their army, one general at a time, in this sexy romp in the jet-setting world of military espionage.
Taste Everything: A Novel.
Julia Allenby. Tin Rose Publishing. $15 paper (208p), ISBN 978-0-557-45623-9
jallenby@cooklady.com
Clare O'Connell, a widowed administrator, finally takes the plunge and enrolls in her life's dream: culinary school. During the 15-month program, she manages to quiet the voice of her dead husband and find solace in the kitchen.
The Rut.
Bernard Amador. Hudson Mohawk Press. $12.95 paper (242p), ISBN 978-0-9843040-2-8
www.toknowafallenangel.com
A gay couple in upstate New York adopts a child headed for foster care; a fateful encounter with a bull moose on a mountain highway during the rut season changes their lives forever in this inspirational tale by a crime victim caseworker in Albany County.
The Usurper.
Cliff Ball. CreateSpace. $8.99 paper (160p), ISBN 978-1-4537-0272-7
B&T: Ingram; Amazon
Soviet Premier Khrushchev authorizes the KGB to embark on an ambitious, decades-long plan to destroy the United States from within through the corruption of American politicians, the American education system, terrorism, and environmental disasters, culminating today, in this new cold war thriller.
Daring Daughter of the Covenant: A Historical Novel Based upon the Life and Times of Beatrice Nasi Mendes "Dona Gracia," 1510–1569.
Emilie Barnett. Windjammer Adventure Publishing. $24.95 paper (402p), ISBN 978-0-615-33790-6
Amazon; Joseph-Beth; www.loganberrybooks.com
Mendes's efforts to save fellow Jews during the 16th-century Inquisition in Spain are well-known in the Jewish community but less so elsewhere; Barnett brings the hero's trials and tribulations to life in this historical.
The Savannah Project.
Chuck Barrett. Switchback Publishing. $16.95 trade paper (332p), ISBN 978-1-936214-07-5
chuckbarrett.org/Purchase_Book.html
From the tree-lined streets of Savannah to the mossy stones of an ancient Irish castle, this tale of danger, treachery, and action kicks off in the wake of a routine aircraft accident during a St. Patrick's Day parade; Barrett is a veteran air-traffic controller.
A Civil Man.
Bruce Barsanti. $23.99 paper (510p), ISBN 978-1-4515-5995-8
B&T; Amazon
An action-packed adventure takes Cris Reese through conflicts with a Chicago mobster, a training mission in the OSS, and a heart-stopping climax in South Haven, Mich.
The Athletic Benchley: 105 Exercises from The Detroit Athletic Club News.
Robert Benchley, edited by Thomas J. Saunders. Glendower Media. $28.95 paper (256p), ISBN 978-0-914303-02-2
glendowermedia.com; Amazon
The Algonquin Round Table, Vanity Fair, and Jazz Age New Yorker humorist is in top form with pieces from the Detroit Athletic Club News (an auto and advertising club's newsletter), many of them never seen outside the membership. Original illustrations presented in the original order of publication, 1920–1932.
The Brass Compass.
Gerald Blumenthal. BlueTail Books. $18.95 paper (471p), ISBN 978-1-4486-2295-5
geraldblumenthal.com; B&T; Amazon
A six-year-old Holocaust survivor grows up to become a significant force in defeating Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
Shadow Women.
Thérèse Bonvouloir Bayol. Éditions Dédicaces. $21.20 paper (220p), ISBN 978-1-926723-29-7
Lulu
The McNulty clan emigrated to Quebec to escape British oppression. This story follows the lives of four women in smalltown St. Brigide and tells a tale of Irish assimilation.
Outer Darkness.
Audrey Brice. Darkerwood Publishing Group. $10.50 paper (236p), ISBN 978-0-9788975-2-9
Amazon
When socialite Chloe Brigid is murdered and the crime has occult overtones, an outed demon-worshipping congressman is arrested. It's up to magician Elizabeth Tanner to solve the crime.
Sensible Shoes.
Sharon Garlough Brown. WestBow Press. $24.95 paper (372p), ISBN 978-1-4497-0188-8
B&T; Amazon
In this story of healing, self-discovery, and transformation, four women explore ancient paths of spiritual disciplines to travel deep into the heart of their God.
A Crack in Everything.
Vanessa Carlisle. iUniverse. $14.95 paper (208p), ISBN 978-1-4502-4392-6
B&T; Amazon
Tamina teaches sex education to urban teens, falls for a pseudo-Buddhist, and suffers the consequences of a violent attack; an L.A. story.
Follow the Money.
Ross Cavins. RCG Publishing. $13.99 trade paper (266p), ISBN 978-0-9827720-0-3
money.rosscavins.com
Ten interconnected stories follow cash and bonds through the hands of recurring characters in a Hiaasenesque American South filled with televangelists and con artists.
Promise.
Kristie Cook. Ang'dora Productions. $15.99 paper (366p), ISBN 978-0-9845621-0-7
www.IHavePromise.com
When Alexis Ames is attacked by strange creatures, she enlists the help of her mother in finding out who she really is, only to discover that her mother is the keeper of certain family secrets.
Dying on the Edge:
Romantic Voodoo Mystery.
Francine Craft. Wheatmark. $18.95 (242p), ISBN 978-1-60494-337-5
www.wheatmark.com; bn.com; Amazon
Film star Maggi French uses voodoo to ensnare her married lover, who conveniently runs a movie studio. Will her hunger push her over an emotional precipice or launch her career into the stratosphere?
The Wayward Spy.
Roger Croft. CreateSpace. $14.95 paper (394p), ISBN 978-1-4505-9020-4
Ingram; Amazon
Former newsman Michael Vaux heads to England for an early retirement, but MI6 has other ideas when they discover his ties to a Syrian arms dealer.
Dead Man Waking.
Peter C. Cropsey. CreateSpace. $12.95 (200p), ISBN 978-1-4538-0210-6
deadmanwaking.net; B&T
A drug-addicted, prison-bound protagonist wrestles with the consequences of his life choices as he goes back to explore his childhood. The author, who has served time and now counsels others, aims his message of hope and belief at the down-and-out.
Shedrow.
Dean M. DeLuke. Grey Swan Press. $28.95 hardcover (272p), ISBN 978-0-9800377-6-0
www.shedrow1.com; B&T
High society and the horse-racing elite, medical and veterinary specialists, mob figures, and Kentucky hill folk become entangled in this twist on the medical thriller.
Trespass into Eternity: Sister of Christ.
Fr. Joseph Diaz de Leon. Vantage Press. $22.95 hardcover (164p), ISBN 978-0-533-16287-1
Ingram; B&T
An archeologist uses both artifacts and faith to discover the truth about Jesus Christ.
Vampire Vacation (The V V Inn #1)
C.J. Ellisson. RH Publishing. $12.95 paper (296p), ISBN 978-0-9826610-0-0
bn.com
Vivian is a sexy 580-year-old vampire with a talent for drama. She and her human husband, Rafe, operate the V V Inn, a resort for the undead.
The Silver Box.
Nikki Elst. Vantage Press. $22.95 hardcover (198p), ISBN 978-0-533-16274-1
B&T; Ingram
A magical story of a young woman in Constantinople.
Afterthoughts.
Sherrard C. Foster. Vantage Press. $23.95 hardcover (251p), ISBN 978-0-533-16137-9
B&T; Ingram
A woman flees her unfaithful husband and heads for New England, only to find herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
After the Auction.
Linda Frank. $14.95 paper (170p), ISBN 978-0-9844939-0-6
lindafrankbooks.com; Amazon
The quest for a family treasure—a seder plate—looted by the Nazis leads to threats, a murder, a diabolical plot, the discovery of a cousin, and newfound romance.
Open Source.
Matthew M. Frick. CreateSpace. $12.95 paper (340p), ISBN 978-1-4537-1998-5
B&T; Ingram; Amazon
Vending route driver Casey Shenk blogs about a ship hijacking and finds himself in the center of a complicated plot to shape world politics. Based on the actual hijacking of the cargo ship Arctic Sea in the Baltic in 2009.
Promised Valley Rebellion.
Ron Fritsch. Asymmetric Worlds. $10.79 paper (270p), ISBN 978-0-578-05778-1
Lulu; Ingram
The first of a four-novel sequence set at the end of prehistory, asking whether civilization, with its countless heaven-sanctioned wars and genocides, could've begun differently.
Kimchee Days, or, Stoned-Cold Warriors.
Timothy V. Gatto. The Oliver Arts & Open Press. $19.95 (330p), ISBN 978-0-9819891-4-3
www.oliveropenpress.com
Until recently, one of the army's best-kept secrets was that the men in the Nike-Hercules system were in charge of nuclear missiles ready to knock down fleets of Soviet planes. An even better-kept secret was about duty in Korea, where anything goes.
Shall Never See So Much.
Gerald Gillis. Booklocker.com. $17.95 paper (328p), ISBN 978-1-60910-131-2
www.geraldgillis.com; B&T
A Marine and his antiwar sister have a deeply strained relationship in 1968.
Rock Star's Rainbow.
Kevin Glavin. Kevin Glavin Publishing. $24.95 hardcover (500p), ISBN 978-0-9825466-2-8
www.rockstarsrainbow.com
A reporter uncovers the scandalous adventures of a reclusive rock star, only to be murdered before publishing them—thrown out of a plane.
Swimming the Garda.
Audley Haffenden. CreateSpace. $19.95 paper (421p), ISBN 978-1-4392-6110-1
www.swimmingthegarda.com; B&T; Ingram
A murder investigation sends the reader on an odyssey through the daily lives of people in Jamaica.
The Wrong Bus: An Urban Christmas Story.
John Noel Hampton. CreateSpace. $9.99 paper (200p), ISBN 978-1-4536-4597-0
B&T; Amazon
Christmas in Los Angeles can bring out the worst in some, but it can also spin misery into miracles and perhaps restore faith.
Dark Town Redemption: A Novel Inspired by True Events.
Gary Hardwick. HardBooks. $12.95 paper (260p), ISBN 978-0-9724804-1-3
Amazon
During the height of the turbulent 1960s, the civil rights movement, and the Motown revolution, a murder mystery threatens two men and the fate of a nation.
Ring of Truth.
Hilary E. Harley. Booksurge/CreateSpace. $17.99 paper (365p), ISBN 978-1-4392-4501-9
www.hilaryharley.com; B&T
Two soul mates cross the ages and rediscover each other in 1860s Paris. Living as artists and lovers, they endeavor to honor an ancient vow to free themselves from bondage.
The Partnership.
Steven J. Harper. $12.99 paper (259p), ISBN 978-0-9843691-0-2
www.stevenjharper.com
A legal thriller by a refugee from a top-tier law firm, this novel is part power struggle, part insider trading, with dashes of twisted romance.
O Why Be Proud?
Sally Tyndale Hartley. Vantage Press. $14.95 paper (290p), ISBN 978-0-533-16284-0
B&T; Ingram
A historical novel about Southern plantation life during the Civil War, written by an 89-year-old retired realtor and book collector.
David and Goliath: The Guardian Angel Chronicles.
Bryan Hathaway. WinePress. $17.95 paper (288p), ISBN 978-1-60615-015-3
B&T
An angel offers David Liberty, wasting away in a nursing home, a miraculous second chance. Liberty must help draw others to God, despite his inability to speak.
The Hurricane Murders.
David Holmberg. Eloquent. $14.50 paper (220p), ISBN 978-1-60911-334-6
B&T; Ingram; Amazon; bn.com
A somewhat cynical yet idealistic reporter in Florida covers the brutal murder of a mother and daughter—a story requiring all the investigative skill and compassion he can muster.
1919—A Kansas Tale.
Dorothy Dierks Hourihan. Vantage Press. $11.95 paper (94p), ISBN 978-0-533-16311-3
B&T; Ingram
A lyrical novel offers an array of characters in early 20th-century America.
Twilight's Ashes as Heaven Fades, Book 1.
Auler Ivis. iUniverse. $25.95 paper (476p), ISBN 978-1-4502-4549-4
B&T; Ingram; Amazon
The year is 635,039 A.D., and glaciers blanket the planet. An emergent race is bent on world domination as the remaining humans cling to prophecy. Half the author's proceeds go to the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Tales of Wonder from the Garden State.
Debbie Jones. Doramae. (172p), ISBN 978-0-615-41772-1
www.doramae.com
Forget the New Jersey you think you know. In Jones's Jersey, the extraordinary becomes ordinary—four towns, four stories, four secrets.
Brooklyn Valentine.
Rachel A. Levine. iUniverse. $15.95 paper (225p), ISBN 978-1-4502-3207-4
B&T; iUniverse
A whirlwind tour of Brooklyn and a near-sex experience in a bakery—think cannolis.
The Bonus.
Georgia Lowe. Lucky Dime Press. $18.95 paper (398p), ISBN 978-0-615-37145-0
www.luckydimepress.com
In 1932, with America in the grip of the Depression, 22,000 WWI veterans march on Washington to claim their wartime bonuses. A tragic confrontation results.
The View.
Bryan J. Lyzer. CreateSpace. $14.99 (293p), ISBN 978-1-4537-0220-8
Amazon
In this romance mystery, collateral damage after a mob hit places an innocent person in the middle of the war against organized crime.
The Beads of Lapis Lazuli: A Greek Mystery.
Doris Kenney Marcotte. Outskirts Press. $12.95 paper (256p), ISBN 978-1-4327-6054-0
Ingram; Amazon
Part mystery, part psychological drama, this tale mixes history, obsession, and the paranormal.
The Drawing Lesson: The First in the Trilogy of Remembrance.
Mary E. Martin. iUniverse. $19.95 paper (327p), ISBN 978-1-4502-2936-4
www.thedrawinglesson.com
Driven by a passionate and hungry spirit, Alexander Wainwright, Britain's finest landscape artist, finds his inspiration by facing a rival artist's vengeance.
Doña Isidora: A Story of Love, Romance, Betrayal and Repentance.
Dorila A. Marting. Vantage Press. $13.95 paper (256p), ISBN 978-0-533-16251-2
B&T; Ingram
In this coming-of-age novel set in Peru, the 15-year-old heroine must find her path amid disparate desires and through an extraordinary rite of passage.
The Serial Lover: An Annie March Novel.
Amanda Matetsky. CreateSpace. $14.98 paper (312p), ISBN 978-1-4392-6887-2
Amazon; B&T; bn.com
A twisted tale of love, lust, and literacy on Long Island.
The Sword and the Dragon, The Wardstone Trilogy, Book 1.
M.R. Mathias. CreateSpace. $19.69 paper (536p), ISBN 978-1-4538-6274-2
Amazon; B&T; Ingram;
A young squire is forced to run for his life carrying the powerful sword that his dying monarch burdened him with from his death bed. The 41-year-old author wrote much of the trilogy while in prison in Texas.
The Royal Dragoneers, The Dragoneers Saga, Book 1.
M.R. Mathias. CreateSpace. $11.88 paper (302p), ISBN 978-1-4538-8702-8
Amazon; B&T; www.mrmathias.com/Dragoneers.html
Hold on to your dragon! Welcome to a brave new world of hearty survivors, dragon riders, and troll fighters; the first installment in a new saga by Mathias.
Meeting Darkness.
Katy McDermott. Infinity Publishing. $17.95 (318p), ISBN 978-0-7414-6095-0
Amazon; www.buybooksontheweb.com
New Cape Cod resident Laurie Kilcannon (and her maybe boyfriend Police Chief Tim Riordan) investigate local residents to find a vicious killer.
Cephrael's Hand: A Pattern of Shadow & Light, Book 1.
Melissa McPhail. Outskirts Press. $28.95 hardcover (634p), ISBN 978-1-4327-5969-8
Ingram; Amazon
In the kingdom of Dannym, the young Prince Ean val Lorian faces a tenuous future as the last living heir to the coveted Eagle Throne. When his blood brother is slain, Ean embarks on a desperate hunt for the man responsible.
Thirteen Years of Christmas.
Maria Elizabeth McVoy. Vantage Press. $12.95 paper (102p), ISBN 978-0-533-16215-4
B&T; Ingram
A collection of short stories written over the course of 13 Christmas seasons.
A Hint of Light.
David L. Meth. Writers' Productions. $14.95 paper (303p), ISBN 978-0-615-30816-6
Amazon
Meth, an award-winning playwright, tells the story of a black-Korean boy orphaned on the streets of Seoul, who makes his way, partly in the company of a white-Korean female companion, to Japan and New York.
The Triangle on the Oregon Trail.
Jack A. Miller. Vantage Press. $13.95 paper (170p), ISBN 978-0-533-16298-7
B&T; Ingram
Adventure, love, and history are woven together in this tale of the journey of a lifetime along the famed Oregon Trail in the 1880s.
Barracuda.
Mike Monahan. BookSurge/CreateSpace. $10 (235p), ISBN 978-1-4196-8402-9
B&T; Amazon
A bloody mashup of Jaws, The Godfather, and The Onion Field.
Moments of a Lifetime.
Victoria Sue Nellie. Vantage Press. $10.95 paper (111p), ISBN 978-0-533-16254-3
B&T; Ingram
A charming tale of a woman and her beloved dog, based on the author's own childhood pet.
Blunderland.
Elizabeth O'Kane. iUniverse. $17.95 paper (276p), ISBN 978-1-4502-4217-2
B&T
A young woman and her dog stumble into a world of oddballs and dangerous characters in this grown-up Through the Looking-Glass tale.
Carpentier Falls: A Kurt Maxxon Mystery.
Jim Overturf. iUniverse. $17.95 paper (325p), ISBN 978-1-4502-3265-4
Amazon; bn.com
Two homeless boys lead race-car driver Kurt Maxxon to the body of his friend, local restaurateur Carlos Guerrero. A letter from Guerrero to Maxxon surfaces, pointing to a local politician's involvement. Meanwhile, Maxxon has a race to win at River Flats.
On the Rails.
John Owens. iUniverse. $23 paper (648p), ISBN 978-1-4502-3933-2
B&T; bn.com
A young man escapes a bitter family life during the Depression to ride the rails, crossing the country and the paths of memorable characters.
A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor.
Robert G. Pielke. Altered Dimensions Press. $14.99 paper (207p), ISBN 978-1-936021-23-9
www.cyberwizardproductions.com
Edwin Blair enters the Lincoln White House in 1863, opens his valise, and projects a 3-D image of the Earth on the wall. He then tells a fanciful tale about time-traveling aliens preparing to land at Gettysburg.
Day of Revenge.
Deanna Proach. Inkwater Press. $21.95 paper (299p), ISBN 978-1-59299-502-8
www.inkwaterbooks.com; B&T; Amazon; bn.com
Samuel La Font and Emmanuel LeVasque find themselves on the wrong side of the French Revolution and plot a way out.
Tales from Gundarland.
Hank Quense. CreateSpace. $17.99 paper (326p), ISBN 978-1-4528-7126-4
B&T; Ingram
Six stories and two novellas are set in the mythical country of Gundarland, which is inhabited by heroes, thugs, inept wizards, creepy bureaucrats, and some of Shakespeare's most famous characters.
The Wolves of Pavlava.
Adriana Renescu. CreateSpace. $16.95 paper (402p), ISBN 978-1-4392-6472-0
B&T; Amazon
In 1989 Romania, the secrets of a mystic and a taste for treachery foster an alliance between a Communist general and a Vatican envoy, fueling a popular uprising.
Kabbalah of Stone.
Irene Reti. Juniper Lake Press. $15 paper (290p), ISBN 978-0-9843196-0-2
www.juniperlakepress.com/kabbalah
Spain, 1492: a rabbi struggles to save a birthplace of Jewish mysticism from the Inquisition. Help comes from the spirit of biblical prophet Huldah and a scribe who discovers his hidden Jewish identity.
Sounds of Murder: A Pamela Barnes Acoustic Mystery.
Patricia Rockwell. Cozy Cat Press. $14.95 paper (204p), ISBN 978-0-9844795-0-4
Ingram; Amazon
An academic acoustics expert specializing in sound waves investigates a colleague's murder in a school lab by using clues from an accidental audio recording of the crime.
A Pointed Death.
Kath Russell. CreateSpace. $14.24 paper (352p), ISBN 978-1-4505-6309-3
B&T; Amazon
A comic mystery thriller set in the world of biotechnology features a feisty female heroine and her short-haired pointer, Skootch.
Ablong.
Alan Salant. The Oliver Arts & Open Press. $12.95 paper (105p), ISBN 978-0-9819891-8-1
www.oliveropenpress.com; B&T
The rudely irreverent Professor Wilson Ablong—mathematical genius, Nobel laureate, medical hero—remains lost and isolated until a young man seeking a mentor turns the professor's world upside-down.
The Autobiography of Gaius Petronius Merva, Soldier of Rome.
George Saqqal. Third Millennium Publishing. $17.95 paper (455p), ISBN 978-1-934805-39-8
www.3mpub.com/saqqal; Amazon
The adventures of a legionnaire as the Roman Empire disintegrates is presented in the form of a memoir.
Skeletons in the Swimmin' Hole: Tales from Haunted Disney World.
Kristi Petersen Schoonover. Admit One Literary Theme Park Press. $9.95 paper (156p), ISBN 978-0-615-40280-2
www.haunteddisneytales.com; Amazon
In these chilling ghost stories set in Disney theme parks, a thief is haunted by her criminal past, a woman struggles with an angry spirit, and a teenager demands her parents expel her wicked sibling.
Blue Smoke Memoir.
Debra Shah. McQuinn Publishing. $22.99 hardcover (192p), IBSN 978-0-615-27421-8
B&T; Amazon; Borders
A young woman dealing with an uncomfortable work environment encounters unexpected tragedy as she tries to leave her employer.
Glass Halo: Glass and Love—How Easily They Break.
Colleen Smith. Friday Jones Publishing. $24.95 hardcover (352p), ISBN 978-0-9844289-0-8
Amazon
The story of the relationship between a lapsed Catholic stained-glass artist and a charismatic but wayward Catholic priest. Together they confront the mysteries of life, love, lust, and spirituality. The author is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop.
The Planet Gazimbo in Galaxy Zams.
Frank Swift. Peace Power Press. $15.95 hardcover (28p), ISBN 978-0-9824601-0-8
www.peacepowerpress.net; B&T
The Gazimbans find peace just as they are on the brink of war and keep peace on Gazimbo forever after; for all ages.
Blood, Money, Power.
Michele Marie Tate. $15.95 paper (362p), ISBN 978-0-9826428-0-1
www.michelemarietate.com
Inspired by a true story, this is an epic political novel of wealth and greed that leads to murder.
Time Will Tell: A Race Through Time to Save the World.
Eddie Upnick. Eloquent Books. $14.95 paper (221p), ISBN 978-1-60911-097-0
B&T; Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders
A time traveler returns to the past to try and change a dystopian future.
Mission of Malice.
Renee Wetherill. $18.99 paper (309p), ISBN 978-1-4392-4393-0
www.missionseries.com; B&T; Amazon
A tale of suspense, terrorism, and intrigue set against the dangerous Arizona-Mexico border.
Fireworks! If the Government Ran the Fairest Kingdom of Them All (A Very Unauthorized Fantasy).
James Fernald and Allan J. Favish. CreateSpace. $10.79 paper (302p) ISBN 978-1-4515-3463-4
B&T; Amazon; bn.com
What if the government ran Disneyland? This unauthorized look at what a federally controlled Magic Kingdom would look like offers one answer.
Four Nails in the Coffin.
Mark Wheaton. Lulu. $19.98 paper (468p), ISBN 978-0-557-39211-7
Lulu
A deputy sheriff on the Texas-Mexico border gets more than she bargained for when she pursues three escaped convicts into the high desert—just one of the four horror novellas in this collection by screenwriter and graphic novelist Wheaton.
Tune In Tokyo: The Gaijin Diaries.
Tim Anderson. Wayward Mammal Publishing. $18.99 paper (272p), ISBN 978-0-615-36582-4
Amazon; powells.com; bn.com
An American decides to escape to Asia and make himself more employable. He leaves behind his boyfriend, his cat, and his homegrown ennui, and heads off to a city where the future is now.
The Long Hello: The Other Side of Alzheimer's.
Cathie Borrie. Nightwing Press. $14.99 paper (308p), ISBN 978-0-9813786-0-2
Ingram; Amazon
Memory, and its loss, serve as a powerful force as Borrie follows her mother's eccentric lead, transformed by the unexpected beauty of the elder woman's shifting mind.
Presbyterians in Zion: History of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Utah.
Frederick G. Burton. Vantage Press. $36.95 hardcover (765p), ISBN 978-0-533-16154-6
B&T; Ingram
The story of the Presbyterian congregation and church in Utah.
The Rewritten Word: How to Sculpt Literary Art No Matter the Genre.
Aggie Villanueva. Cielos Rojos Publishing. $9.97 paper (60p), ISBN 978-0-9825914-2-0
Amazon
The only how-to-write book that has nothing to do with writing: it's all about rewriting. By a two-time Thomas Nelson novelist.
Dickens, Drood, and Redemption: Essays About Charles Dickens's Unfinished Novel.
Ray Dubberke. Vantage Press. $22.95 hardcover (169p), ISBN 978-0-533-16277-2
B&T; Ingram
A well-researched examination of Dickens's unfinished tale melds fact with classic fiction.
I Hope My Corpse Gives You the Plague: My Life in the Bush Era of Ghosts.
Adam Engel. The Oliver Arts & Open Press. $17.95 paper (267p), ISBN 978-0-9819891-9-8
www.oliveropenpress.com
Sixty short satiric essays on the politics and culture of the George W. Bush era.
Really!?! A Memoir and Other Observations from a Man Who's Lived Life ‘Not Quite Enough.'
Marc Freden. Xlibris. $29.99 hardcover (385p), ISBN 978-1-4500-7367-7
Ingram; Xlibris
Observations from a former Hollywood correspondent for British television skewer Hollywood, Catholicism, the British monarchy, and Barbra Streisand.
One Woman's War.
Nancy Martin Graham. Vantage Press. $10 paper (61p), ISBN 978-0-533-16278-9
B&T; Ingram
The true story of a tough-minded and courageous woman who fought to become a pilot in WWII; the author is now a member of the Whirly Girls, an organization of helicopter enthusiasts.
The Adventurous Life of Reamus Brownloe: From the Appalachians...
Phillip Bryan Hartsock. Lulu. $17.99 paper. (306p), ISBN 978-0-9826722-1-1
Lulu; (724) 748-5424 or (724) 866-2571
A story of survival and faith narrated by a child born into poverty and violence.
Mortgaged and Armed: A Key to Understanding Mortgage Industry Tactics.
Peter Hébert. Freedom House Press. $19.95 paper (372p), ISBN 978-1-4392-6066-1
B&T; Amazon
Financial corporations waged war on the household and investor, and they won. Mortgaged and Armed details the war tactics used and describes how to fight back, by an M.B.A. who has worked for two decades in residential mortgage lending.
Unlocking PC Mysteries.
Janet Horton. Columbia County PC Inc. $32.95 paper (138p), ISBN 978-0-9844536-1-0
columbiacountypc.org
Are you brave enough to take your computer through a recovery process? Here are the secrets to setting up, maintaining, using—and recovering—a Windows-based PC system.
Expect No Help: The Life and Times of Jumpin' Jack Flash: Common Sense from an Uncommon Source.
C. Jones. RoseDog. $30 paper (372p), ISBN 978-1-4349-9742-5
www.rosedogbookstore.com; B&T
This "nonfiction novel" details the author's past through the third-person, looking at all the changes America has gone through, and comparing the U.S. to the starship U.S.S. Enterprise.
Do You Really Know What Goes On in Nursing Homes?: An Insider Tells All.
Shirley Ann Kraemer, Ph.D. Vantage Press. $15.95 paper (300p), ISBN 978-0-533-16220-8
Ingram
This examination of elder care is for people contemplating nursing home care for themselves or their loved ones.
The Tarnished Fed: Behind Closed Doors: Forty Years of Successes, Failures, Mystique, and Humor.
Jim Kudlinski. Vantage Press. $16.95 paper (250p), ISBN 978-0-533-16318-2
B&T; Ingram
An accessible examination of the Federal Reserve, by a former Fed director.
Life Is What You Make It: Seven Steps to Moving Forward.
Carl Mathis. Tate Publishing. $9.99 paper (104p), ISBN 978-1-61663-465-0
www.carlmathis.com
How to put your life back together by accepting the situation, taking responsibility, conditioning your mind, and defining the "new normal."
Honest Eating: How to Love Food, Love Yourself, and Love Life.
Jane McClaren. Chapel Hill Press. $13.95 (176p), ISBN 978-1-59715-069-9
B&T
Once a depressed overeater, the author embarked on a 35-year study of food and health, and shares her secret to merging a love of food with a healthy body.
Summoning the Spirit of General Vlasov.
Gavril Popov. Vantage Press. $12.50 paper (118p), ISBN 978-0-533-15987-1
B&T; Ingram
The controversial anti-Stalinist opposed Stalin's regime during WWII and was a prisoner of war in a German war camp. This analysis was written by the former mayor of Moscow, now rector of the International University of Moscow.
Please, God, Not Two: This Killer Called Alcoholism.
Alberta H. Sequeira. Infinity Publishing. $17.95 paper (343p), ISBN 978-0-7414-6029-5
www.buybooksontheweb.com
A second book by Sequeira, who lost both her husband and daughter to the ravages of alcoholism.
Moments of Mystery and Wonder.
John Garland Thayer. Vantage Press. $21.95 hardcover (170p), ISBN 978-0-533-16293-2
B&T; Ingram
Stories and poems attest to the work of divine grace in the author's life.
Charismatic Charm.
Anthony Lawton. Vantage Press. $8.95 paper (44p), ISBN 978-0-533-16320-5
Ingram
A collection of love poems by a martial arts instructor and arts administrator.
I Am Not Dead.
Gregory Marszal. The Oliver Arts & Open Press. $12.95 (88p), ISBN 978-0-9819891-5-0
www.oliveropenpress.com
Everyday life closely scrutinized in the manner of poet A.R. Ammons.
Separation and Return.
Cate McNider. Vantage Press. $15 paper (82p), ISBN 978-0-533-16191-1
Ingram; B&T
A poignant collection of poetry about recovering the self.
Roads of Bread: The Collected Poems of Eugene Ruggles.
Eugene Ruggles; edited by Delia Moon. Petaluma River Press. $22 paper (216p), ISBN 978-0-9819725-2-7
Ingram; petalumariverpress.com; Amazon
A well-known figure in Sonoma County poetry circles, Ruggles's lifetime of work is collected by editor Delia Moon, with testimonials from Lawrence Ferlinghetti, among others.
The Best Cat.
Marie Sheppard. Williams Infinity Publishing. $9.95 paper (92p), ISBN 978-0-7414-5950-3
Amazon; B&T
A collection of humorous verses and drawings about the shenanigans of a very large orange tabby named Albert Einstein.
Spun Gold—Poetic Reflections of Pure Luminosity.
Maren Springsteen. Lulu. $8.95 paper (60p), ISBN 978-0-557-61641-1
Lulu
A mandala of poems that point to the "Infinite Heart of Spirit."
Biography & Autobiography | Top
The Bridge Builders.
Richard Bell. Vantage Press. $16.95 paper (312p), ISBN 978-0-533-16286-4
B&T; Ingram
The first part of the Raleigh, N.C.–based master landscape architect's planned memoir trilogy.
The Other Side of Stardom.
Aimée Bratt. Vantage Press. $12.95 paper (152p), ISBN 978-0-533-16402-8
B&T; Ingram
Alternately whimsical and serious reflection on the film and TV world by a Swedish-born model, flight attendant, and bit-part player in Raging Bull and other productions.
Destiny's Waltz: In Step with Giants.
Robert de Warren. Eloquent Books. $36.50 hardcover (402p), ISBN 978-1-60860-457-9
B&T; Amazon
De Warren, who spent his childhood in Argentina under the Perón regime, recounts his life and career as a ballet dancer, director, choreographer, and designer.
Musings of a Depression-Era Southern Farm Boy.
John W. Fuquay. Vantage Press. $12.95 paper (117p), ISBN 978-0-533-16282-6
B&T; Ingram
The author describes growing up as a Quaker in rural North Carolina during the Great Depression.
Oh, Beautiful: An American Family in the 20th Century
John Paul Godges. CreateSpace. $19.99 paper (532p), ISBN 978-1-4515-0801-7
www.johnpaulgodges.com; B&T
The true story of a family of Italian and Polish ancestry in America, from Prohibition to the AIDS epidemic.
A Steep Climb.
Hoyt Clark Harris, M.D. Vantage Press. $23.95 hardcover (233p), ISBN 978-0-533-16267-3
B&T; Ingram
Harris, an only child, raised on a Tennessee farm, becomes a successful physician, starts a family, and loses his wife to an auto accident in 1967. This is the story of how he successfully raised his children on his own.
Me, Myself, and I Surviving.
Janet Horton. Columbia County PC Inc. $69.95 paper (232p), ISBN 978-0-9844536-6-5
columbiacountypc.org
A written and pictorial journey through the author's life, as she learned to survive a family legacy of dysfunction.
The Father of Hollywood.
Gaelyn Whitley Keith. Tate Publishing. $24.99 paper (345p), ISBN 978-1-61663-475-9
www.TheFatherofHollywood.com
The story of H.J. Whitley, a Canadian-born land developer, who founded, by some counts, 140 towns in the U.S., including the Hollywood subdivision within Los Angeles.
Among Strangers: A Family Story.
Marietta Pritchard. The Impress Group. $25 hardcover (277p), ISBN 978-1-4507-1040-4
www.amherstbooks.com
This multistranded personal history focuses on the author's Austrian grandfather, a refugee in Occupied France, while also following the "Americanization" of her immediate family.
Postmortem.
Laurel Saville. iUniverse. $16.95 paper (178p), ISBN 978-1-4401-6107-0
B&T; Ingram; Amazon
Anne Ford was a model, artist, and fashion designer in L.A. during the turbulent 1950s and '60s; she was murdered in a burned-out building. Her daughter unravels the twin trajectories of this exceptional life and death.
Elephants Have the Right of Way.
Dr. William D. Stewart. Vantage Press. $23.95 hardcover (230p), ISBN 978-0-533-16273-4
B&T; Ingram
The captivating retelling of the surprisingly humorous events of the author's stint teaching in Africa.
Magical Shrinking: Stumbling Through Bipolar Disorder.
Christiane Wells. Lulu. $20.20 paper (430p), ISBN 978-0-557-43353-7
Amazon
This journey through severe mental illness and addiction offers insight into what it's like to hit bottom and come back.
L.D.: Rocketry, Race,
and a Colorful Journey.
Lee D. Young. Vantage Press. $24.95 hardcover (372p), ISBN 978-0-533-16246-8
B&T; Ingram
Young survived pre–civil rights Southern bigotry to become part of the team at North American Rockwell working on the Apollo.
Body, Mind, Spirit The Yoga of Relationships: A Practical Guide for Loving Yourself.
Yogi Amrit. Desai Red Elixir. $16 paper (136p), ISBN 978-0-9719455-4-8
www.amritkala.com
A spiritual guide to understanding how communication, gratitude, forgiveness, awareness, and love play pivotal roles in creating lasting relationships.
In Search of the Miraculous Healing into Consciousness.
Eliza Mada Dalian. Expanding Universe Publishing. $19.97 paper (304p), ISBN 978-0-9738773-3-5
www.healingintoconsciousness.com
A step-by-step spiritual manual to heal and transform fear, pain, and suffering.
Thrive Inside: Transformative Secrets of Spiritual Masters, Gurus & Shamans.
Bill Eager. Systems. $14.96 paper (188p), ISBN 978-1-4528-5211-9
B&T; Amazon
Stories and dialogue with great spiritual masters include B.K.S. Iyengar, Ram Dass, and the Dalai Lama.
Transforming Through 2012: Leading Perspectives on the New Global Paradigm.
Debra Giusti. Yinspire Media. $17.95 paper (190p), ISBN 978-0-9819708-1-3
www.showcasing.com
Leading researchers, scientists, mystics, futurists, indigenous elders, astrologers, and visionaries offer views on the coming of the year 2012 and its transformative potential.
Endless Energy: The Essential Guide to Energy Health.
Debra Greene, Ph.D. MetaComm Media. $18.95 paper (307p), ISBN 978-0-615-26933-7
www.YourEnergyMatters.com
A former Esalen instructor offers a "new home health guide for the 21st century."
Opening the Gates of the Heart: A Journey of Healing.
Carolyn CJ Jones. Gate Lady Publishing. $29.95 hardcover (96p), ISBN 978-0-9826352-0-9
gatelady.com; (415) 883-8325
The author's photographs of wrought-iron gates along with her prose offer a portrait of how she surmounted her addictions and other problems of the spirit.
Living with Certainty: Experience Deep-Soul Joy.
Kristi LeBlanc. Thundersnow Publishing. $24.95 paper (260p), ISBN 978-0-9843818-0-7
Amazon
A multifaceted approach to finding happiness in your surroundings.
The Way of Forgiveness.
D. Patrick Miller. Fearless Books. $12.95 paper (120p), ISBN 978-0-9822799-0-8
www.fearlessbooks.com/Forgive.html
A new version of a classic inspirational. "What beautiful work... clearheaded, generous, and profound in its lush simplicity." —Wally Lamb, novelist
Business & Economics
Don't Read This Unless You Want More Money: Subconscious Tactics of the Truly Affluent.
Dov Baron. In-Phase Publishing. $21.77 paper (270p), ISBN 978-1-926768-03-8
Quanta USA Dist., (541) 488-3344
Exercises and strategies for transforming your inner value into wealth.
Changing Careers in a Changing World: Finding a Job That Fits You!
Carrell Chadwell. Coronado Publishing. $21.95 paper (185p), ISBN 978-0-9841413-1-9
www.drchadwell.com; Amazon; Ingram
A step-by-step guide and workbook to help readers assess their job needs, identify jobs that will satisfy those needs, and compete successfully in the marketplace.
Headhunter Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed... Forever.
Skip Freeman. CreateSpace. $24.95 paper (348p), ISBN 978-0-615-34621-2
Amazon
A comprehensive guide for today's job seeker.
Coherent Strategy and Execution: An Eye-opening Parable.
Ravi Kathuria. SeemaCorp. $29.75 hardcover (320p), ISBN 978-0-9821475-0-4
Amazon
A parable about an embattled CEO who heads up a business transformation, and in the process goes through a difficult transformation of his own.
Financial Foreplay: Whip Your Business into Shape & Take Home More Cash.
Rhondalynn Korolak. Imagineering Unlimited. $15.99 (206p), ISBN 978-0-9805578-1-7
www.imagineeringunlimited.com; B&T; Amazon; www.iTunes.com
Learn how to prevent the most common causes of small-business failure, from a frequent speaker on business strategies.
Driving with No Brakes: How a Bunch of Hooligans Built the Best Travel Agency in the World.
Alan and Harriet Lewis. Grand Circle Corp. $19.95 paper (225p), ISBN 978-0-615-37782-7
Amazon
The founders of Grand Circle, a travel company that handles 125,000 travelers a year, make a case for how leaders within any industry can bring their businesses to profitability.
Eye Witness: Unknown God.
Robert James. Luedke Head Press Publishing. $13.99 paper (120p), ISBN 978-0-9758924-7-3
www.headpress.info
A time-traveling action-thriller combined with an adaptation of the biblical book of Acts, the fifth book of the New Testament. This is book four in James's Eye Witness series.
Getting Fit with Food: 101 Healthy Eating Recipes.
Shana Lee Conradt. $19.99 paper (128p), ISBN 978-0-615-37381-2
www.getfitwithfood.com
Debunks the myth that eating right means eating boring.
Cooking on the Light Side: Smart Recipes for Bright Skin and Vitality.
Thienna Ho. Thienna Inc. $39.99 hardcover (320p), ISBN 978-0-9792103-7-2
www.CookingOnTheLightSide.com
Discover how a sulfur-rich diet can boost energy and endurance while beautifying the skin.
Locked Up with Success: A Prison Teacher's Guide to Closing the Achievement Gap in Any Classroom.
Janice M. Chamberlin. CreateSpace. $27.99 paper (82p), ISBN 978-1-4515-5242-3
www.lockedupwithsuccess.com; B&T
Stories from adult male inmates as related to the author in prison classrooms.
September University: Summoning Passion for an Unfinished Life.
Charles D. Hayes. Autodidactic Press. $16.95 paper (312p), ISBN 978-0-9621979-7-0
www.autodidactic.com; B&T
September University is named after a concept that the author calls "a metaphor for intellectual maturity." His book advocates lifelong learning and a respect for the wisdom of the elderly.
Compose Yourself! A Guide to Critical Thinking & Analytical Writing in Secondary School.
Amy Rukea Stempel. Dog Ear Publishing. $19.95 paper (180p), ISBN 978-1-60844-645-2
(866) 823-9613
An easy guide to teaching analytical thinking and writing in secondary school.
Family & Relationships | Top
Love, Laughter, & Mayhem: Caregiver Survival Manual for Living with a Person with Dementia.
Cindy Keith, R.N., B.S., C.D.P. Booklocker.com. $16.95 paper (275p), ISBN 978-1-60910-090-2
www.mindinmemorycare.com; B&T
Stories about people with dementia teach family caregivers and friends how to better care for their loved one. This book answers the questions they don't even know to ask yet.
Killer Cure: Why Health Care Is the Second Leading Cause of Death in America and How to Ensure That It's Not Yours.
Elizabeth L. Bewley. Dog Ear Publishing. $19.95 paper (248p), ISBN 978-1-60844-396-3
Amazon; bn.com
Why health care is the second-leading cause of death in America and how to protect oneself from it, by the founder of the Pario Health Institute.
Vital Yoga: A Sourcebook for Students and Teachers.
Meta Chaya. Hirschl Prajna Publishing. $35 paper (300p), ISBN 978-0-9823055-0-8
www.vitalyogathebook.com
Yoga poses for all ages and body types, off-the-mat practices, history, and philosophy, breath practices, therapy, and meditation.
Bod-E-Nomics: Your Body Is Your Business & You Are CEO.
Viki Goldberg,. R.N., M.A. $14.97 paper (187p), ISBN 978-0-615-33135-5
www.bodenomics.com
Presents self-care as a business model— invest in your body's business and get a good return..
Six Simple Truths to Fat Release:
How I Let Go of Over 100 Pounds the Easy Way.
Nealon K. Hightower. mPower Press. $14.95 paper (180p), ISBN 978-1-935636-98-4
Amazon
How to easily release unwanted weight forever from an expert who has himself shed more than 100 pounds.
Nature's Diet: Heal Your Body and Stay Healthy by Following Nature's Simple 21-Day Plan.
Dr. Andrew Iverson. Trilium Health Press. $24.95 hardcover (312p), ISBN 978-0-9844724-0-6
www.drandrewiverson.com
Learn how healing can be aided by following "nature's diet."
Whole Health Healing: The Budget-Friendly Natural Wellness Bible for All Ages.
Dr. Thomas Potisk. MavenMark Books. $24.95 paper (367p), ISBN 978-1-59598-069-4
wholehealthhealing.com; B&T
How to solve health problems and slash health-care expenses with this holistic self-help book by a doctor-craftsman.
Treasures: Gold, Oil and Wives.
M. "Cal" Calvache. CreateSpace. $14.77 paper (305p), ISBN 978-1-4515-0407-1
B&T; Ingram; Amazon
Two young men seeking security become whalers and marry each other's sisters. One retires wealthy at 28. The other survives a ship wreck.
Juvenile Fiction | Top
Revenge of the Dorkoids: The Secret Club Begins.
Holly Beck. Skyscraper Press. $8.99 paper (135p), ISBN 978-0-9819505-7-0
Amazon; bn.com; Ingram
The adventures of Aaron Walton and his two buddies, Trevor and Ryan, as they deal creatively with Jake and his friend's attempts to bully them.
The Christmas Gift.
R. William Bennett. Burgess Adams. $14.95 hardcover (152p), ISBN 978-0-9825606-3-1
B&T; Amazon
The inspirational story of how two young men begin as enemies but discover the power of apology, compassion, and forgiveness.
Shade: A Story About a Very Smart Raven.
Diane Phelps Budden. Red Rock Mountain Press. $9.95 paper (32p), ISBN 978-0-615-30253-9
Amazon
Shade is a raven in training to be a search-and-rescue team member. Inspired by a true story, the tale shows the strong bond possible between a human and a wild bird.
Destiny's Purpose.
Shannon Cassidy-Rouleau. Dragon Pencil. $19.95 hardcover (32p), ISBN 978-1-60131-064-4
www.bigtentbooks.com
Destiny, an alpaca with alopecia, must find a place in his herd despite being different.
Juggler in the Wind.
Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin. ChironBooks. $8.95 paper (224p), ISBN 978-1-935178-07-1
B&T; Amazon
When he runs away with a ragtag circus, 14-year-old Randy Carmichael begins a magical, often terrifying quest to learn his identity and destiny.
A Diamond in the Rough: A Bedtime Story, Vol. 1.
George Anthony Fleming. Vantage Press. $10.95 paper (154p), ISBN 978-0-533-16253-6
Ingram
A children's story featuring the quintessential prince and princess.
Even Superheroes Get Diabetes.
Sue Ganz-Schmitt. Wild Indigo. $15.95 paper (36p), ISBN 978-1-59858-302-1
B&T; Amazon
A young boy who loves all things "Superhero" finds his fantasy world interrupted by the reality of getting diabetes—and discovering he is a superhero.
Bellyache: A Delicious Tale.
Crystal Marcos. Cat Marcs Publishing. $9.95 paper (154p), ISBN 978-0-9843899-0-2
www.CrystalMarcos.com; B&T
A whirlwind fantasy adventure featuring plenty of sweet aromas and a lesson in forgiveness.
Otherworld Tales: Irish the Demon Slayer.
Charles Markee. Moonview Press. $11.95 paper (244p), ISBN 978-0-9828987-0-3
Ingram
This action-adventure-fantasy for middle-grade children follows three boys to the mystic Celtic Otherworld, where they save the world from a demon invasion.
The Talisman of Elam Children of Hathor: Book I.
Jim Mastro. New Paradigm Publications. $19.95 hardcover (313p), ISBN 978-0-9827673-2-0
www.talismanofelam.com
This science fiction adventure tells the story of one boy's quest to rescue his parents and save his planet.
The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob: Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose.
Brooks Olbrys. Children's Success Unlimited. $16.99 hardcover (32p), ISBN 978-0-9829613-0-8
www.blueoceanbob.com
With guidance from an elderly turtle, a young island boy accompanied by an overly cautious hummingbird discovers his purpose: to become a marine biologist.
Hurricane Mia: A Caribbean Adventure.
Donna Marie Seim. Pea Pod Press. $12.95 paper (157p), ISBN 978-0-9826911-0-6
www.publishingworks.com
Mia sails the high seas, meets wild donkeys, explores uninhabited islands, and searches for a magical tea.
Year of the Beloved Animal: Story of the Chinese Zodiac Animals.
Noriko Senshu. Studio Cherry Publishing. $15.45 paper (34p), ISBN 978-0-9793360-3-4
www.norikosenshu.com; Ingram
Naomi wonders why there is no Year of the Cat in the Chinese zodiac and decides to make her own celebration.
The Seal Pup.
James Otis Thach. Bowrider Press. $24.95 hardcover (128p), ISBN 978-0-9825663-0-5
www.thesealpup.com
A seal pup, separated from his herd, must find his way through worlds of peril and beauty to face his greatest fear.
Tim and Sally's Year in Poems.
Grady Thrasher. Jonquil Books. $18.95 hardcover (60p), ISBN 978-0-9827614-0-3
B&T; Ingram
Tim and Sally lead readers on a romp through the holidays and the seasons in poems; illus. by Elaine Hearn Rabon.
A Spy Is Not a Spy.
Mary F. Blehl. iUniverse. $12.95 paper (148p), ISBN 978-1-4502-3111-4
B&T; Amazon; bn.com
This story of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey shows the conflict from a young man's perspective and reflects real events.
The Chronicles of a Hip-Hop Legend: Paths of Grand Wizardry.
D.D. Turner. Turner Scribe Publishing. $19.99 paper (196p), ISBN 978-1-4257-9693-8
www.chroniclesofahiphoplegend.com; B&T
A family-friendly tale that uses both the tonal influence of hip-hop and the literary genre of fantasy fiction.
Juvenile Nonfiction | Top
God Comes to Us like a Caterpillar: Jesus' Stories Retold for Kids.
Kent Chadwick. Wisdom Press. $10 paper (118p), ISBN 978-1-4528-8922-1
wisdompress.org; B&T
A retelling of all 78 of Jesus' stories using examples from children's lives today.
The Legacy of Lord Baden Powell: Young Men of Honor series, Book 1.
Eleanor Clark. WinePress. $15.99 hardcover (192p), ISBN 978-1-57921-987-1
B&T
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts while delving into the history and legacy of Scout founder Baden-Powell, the man behind the movement.
The Peacocks of Palos Verdes.
Mary Jo Hazard. $14.99 hardcover (24p), ISBN 978-0-9788128-3-6
www.peacocksofpalosverdes.com
An educational photo essay about the peacocks on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
The ABCs of Yoga for Kids.
Teresa Anne Power. Stafford House. $19.95 hardcover (32p), ISBN 978-0-9822587-0-5
www.abcyogaforkids.com; B&T
Alphabet rhyming vignettes and colorful illustrations introduce simple yoga postures to children.
Writing Fiction: A Hands-On Guide for Teens.
Heather Wright. iUniverse. $13.95 paper (72p), ISBN 978-1-4502-4069-7
B&T
A roadmap for teens who love to write fiction and are looking for answers to their writing questions.
Medical
Uproot U.S. Health Care to Reform U.S. Health Care.
Deane Waldman, M.D. ADM Books. $20 paper (194p), ISBN 978-0-9827268-0-8
www.uproothealthcare.com; B&T
This book shows people how to fix health care so they can get the health care they need.
Nature | Top
The Dogtown Chronicles: Our Life & Times with Sheep, Goats, Llamas and Other Creatures.
Doris Ober. Villca Qutu. $18 paper (210p), ISBN 978-1-883843-00-7
www.dogtownchronicles.com
A middle-aged couple escape New York, become shepherds in the rural outpost of West Marin, Calif., and learn much about life—and death—from the experience.
End of All Things—God's Shocking New Revelations: The Most Powerful Book of Our Time.
Frederick May. Trafford Publishing. $32.95 paper (612p), ISBN 978-1-4251-6777-6; $44.95 hardcover ISBN 978-1-4251-6778-3
Amazon; B&T; bn.com
According to the author: "Cause and Cure for Cancer. Vatican's Evil Secret. What Happens After Death. When Rapture and End of the World Began. UFOs Confirmed and More. True."
The Internet Financing Illusion: A Diary of Global Scams.
Vincent Panettiere. iUniverse. $29.95 paper (451p), ISBN 978-0-595-38567-6
www.pancolit.com; B&T; Amazon; bn.com
One businessman's personal journey through the dark world of cyberspace, profiling the scam artists lurking behind keyboards and computer screens.
The Centurion Chronicle: 2001–2008.
W.R. Taylor. Trafford Publishing. $31.41 paper (500p), ISBN 978-1-4269-0088-4
B&T; Amazon
A collection of e-column commentary covering events, people, and issues in the first decade of the 21st century.
Pyschology | Top
Psychotherapy for the 21st Century: Quantum Physics and the Law of Attraction.
Tracie L. Hammelman, L.C.S.W. $24.95 hardcover (104p), ISBN 978-1-4327-5198-2
www.21stCenturyPsychotherapy.com; Amazon
The author integrates quantum physics and the law of attraction to form a new treatment called Quantum Psychotherapy.
Crazy: My Seven Years at Bruno Bettelheim's Orthogenic School.
Roberta Carly Redford. Trafford Publishing. $20.33 paper (348p), ISBN 978-1-4251-9175-7
www.robertacarlyredford.com; B&T; Ingram
Redford was a patient of world-renowned child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim for seven years. This is her story of how his approach failed her and many others.
A Natural History of Scripture: How the Bible Evolved.
Keith H. Adkins. CreateSpace. $16 paper (302p), ISBN 978-1-4537-0883-5
www.keithhadkins.com; B&T; Ingram
A synthesis of science and religion that speaks to the agnostic as well as the established believer.
Bargainomics: Money Management by the Book.
Judy Woodward Bates. Bargainomics Publications. $12.99 paper (256p), ISBN 978-0-9766166-1-0
www.Bargainomics.com
Dollar-stretching tips for everything from groceries to travel, plus biblical principles to help readers understand their opportunities and responsibilities.
JOY-spirations for Caregivers.
Annetta Dellinger & Karen Boerger. WinePress. $19.99 paper (304p), ISBN 978-1-60615-026-9
B&T
Thirty-six targeted topics provide a hug for the overwhelmed caregiver. Includes conversational prayers, poignant stories, humorous anecdotes, and JOYtoons.
A Mentor's Fingerprint: Leave a Mark. Make a Difference.
Ann Griffiths and Donna Inglis. Pleasant Word. $16.99 paper (184p), ISBN 978-1-4141-1474-3
(877) 421-7323
Principles and tools to help a person grow as a mentor and leave a long-lasting positive mark on others.
The Original Sin: Correcting the Perception of Separation from God.
Mushtaq H. Jaafri. Mushtaq Publishing. $9.95 paper (118p), ISBN 978-1-892189-06-6
Amazon; Ingram
A message for all Christians and Muslims, Original Sin tells the true meaning of the story of Adam and Eve and the role of the serpent.
The Mythology of Scripture: Recognizing Scripture as Religious Myth.
Robert D. Onsted. Xlibris. $20 hardcover (357p), ISBN 978-1-4500-3258-2
B&T; Amazon; bn.com
For theologians and laypersons who lament the demise of religious practice, this book proposes a postmodern overhaul for belief.
Beyond the Rapids: One Family's Triumph over Religious Persecution in Communist Ukraine.
Evelyn Puerto. Pleasant Word. $19.99 paper (348p), ISBN 978-1-4141-1605-1
(877) 421-7323
In the midst of eroding religious freedoms and intense Communist persecution, a Christian Ukrainian pastor and his wife find strength in answered prayers.
Letters to the Lord: Learning to Live in My World of Wars.
Don Reeves. Chaplain/Colonel. $13.99 paper (165p), ISBN 978-1-4392-4557-6
Amazon
A retired U.S.A.F. chaplain, colonel, and college teacher of philosophy and world religions plunges the reader into 21st-century "frontiers of thought" on the "mindlessness of modern warring."
Trembling at the Threshold: Encountering the Divine in Daily Life.
Vicky M. Semones. Xlibris. $15 paper (80p), ISBN 978-1-4500-0775-7
www.tremblingatthethreshold.com
Moments of pure connection with the Infinite come alive in the poetry and prose of the author's experiences of the divine mystery in daily life.
Voice of Many Waters: Irrefutable Evidence of Life After Death.
Alan Youngblood. WinePress. $15.99 paper (288p), ISBN 978-1-60615-047-4
B&T
Within the pages of these stories lies the answer to the most sought-after question of the ages—is there life after death?
Science | Top
Double Bubble Universe in a New TOE.
Katya Walter. Kairos Center. $14.95 paper (160p), ISBN 978-1-884178-00-9
Amazon
Current information about quantum physics presented in a conversational style is meaningful for both scientists and spiritists.
Selp-Help | Top
So Grows the Tree: Creating an Ethical Will: The Legacy of Your Beliefs and Values, Life Lessons and Hopes for the Future.
Jo Kline Cebuhar. J.D. Murphy Publishing. $29.95 paper (160p), ISBN 978-0-9661851-3-3
www.atlasbooksdistribution.com; B&T
A how-to guide for creating and sharing an ethical will.
Live Happily, Ever After... Now!
9 Simple Steps to Create the Life You Want.
Terry M. Drake. $15.95 paper (210p), ISBN 978-0-615-36086-7
www.livehappilyeverafter-now.com; Amazon
Time-tested secrets to help people control their lives and find happiness.
The Sobering Truth: What You Don't Know Can Kill You.
Jeff Herten, M.D. Sobering Truth Press. $22.95 paper (342p), ISBN 978-0-615-37846-6
www.soberingtruth.com; Amazon; bn.com
The health risks of alcohol approach those of tobacco. The Sobering Truth depicts the medical and societal price of drinking through case studies, research, and the author's life story.
The Body Love Manual: How to Love the Body You Have as You Create the Body You Want.
Elizabeth "Lily" Hills. Peaceful Planet Publishing. $17.95 paper (204p), ISBN 978-0-9819388-0-6
www.TheBodyLoveManual.com; B&T
An inspirational manual that offers a nondiet approach to releasing excess weight permanently by tapping into the wisdom of your body.
Second Blooming for Women: Growing a Life That Matters After Fifty.
Kathleen Vestal Logan and Betsy Smith. Wyatt-MacKenzie Imprint. $16 paper (179p), ISBN 978-0-9743832-5-5
www.secondbloomingforwomen.com
Provides a step-by-step process for women over 50 to rediscover their talents, strengths, passions, and dreams.
Got the POWER: 7 Tools to Produce the Work Life You Want.
Cie Murray. Got the Power. $21.95 hardcover (128p), ISBN 978-0-9841550-4-0
770-631-703; www.GotThePower.biz
Offers today's workers a clear road map using seven simple tools on how to have an engaging, fulfilling, productive work life.
Silent M.a.g.i.c. and Other Remedies: A Journey of Transformation, a Spiritual Journey.
Kim O'Kelley-Leigh. Lulu. $14 paper (104p), ISBN 978-0-557-17890-2
Lulu; Ingram; Amazon
Practical tools to living our most fulfilling lives.
Journey to You: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming Who You Were Born to Be.
Steve Olsher. Bold Press. $17.95 paper (248p), ISBN 978-0-9844796-0-3
Amazon
What Color Is Your Parachute? meets The Secret in this 21st-century transformative book that empowers readers to identify and pursue the one thing they were born to do.
Because You've Never Died Before: Spiritual Issues at the End of Life.
Kathleen J. Rusnak. The Brick Wall 2. $23.95 hardcover (267p), ISBN 978-0-9846001-4-4
www.thebrickwall2.com
Receiving a terminal prognosis automatically triggers an unexpected journey into a previously unimaginable spiritual terrain. The meaning of life, the essence of the self, the other, and God, emerge.
Surviving Your Career: A Roadmap to Guide You During Your Career.
Steven Sakofsky. $18.95 paper (165p), ISBN 978-1-4499-7836-5
B&T; Amazon; bn.com
An appraisal of potential hazards plus advice for mitigating risks throughout a working life.
Shift: Change Your Words, Change Your World.
Janet Smith. Warfield Word Sculptures. $15.95 paper (208p), ISBN 978-0-9778324-7-7
www.wordsculptures.com
Smith, a lawyer, grandmother, mediator, and poet, uncovers new meanings, perceptions, emotions, actions by exploring new vocabularies..
Sports & Recreation | Top
Dreaming of the Majors: Living in the Bus— A Life's Journey through the Negro League.
Dick "Lefty" O'Neal. Pleasant Word. $14.99 paper (136p), ISBN 978-1-4141-1243-5
B&T
Dreaming of the Majors recounts O'Neal's childhood dream of playing baseball and how that landed him as a white player in the Negro Leagues.
Technology & Engineering Points of View: A Tribute to Alan Kay.
Edited by Ian Piumarta and Kimberly Rose. Viewpoints Research. $55 hardcover (272p), ISBN 978-0-9743131-1-5
www.vpri.org/pov
A collection of previously unpublished essays by 29 luminaries from diverse disciplines, who contributed original material to celebrate computer visionary Alan Kay, an early Apple engineer and now a professor at UCLA.
Travel | Top
Waltzing Australia.
Cynthia Clampitt. BookSurge/CreateSpace. $19.99 (508p), ISBN 978-1-4196-6306-2
B&T; Amazon
A captivating tale of adventure and personal discovery, and a vivid portrayal of Australia, its people, its history, and its enduring beauty.
Letters to Zerky: A Father's Legacy to a Lost Son and a Road Trip Around the World.
Bill Raney. Nickelodeon Press. $27 hardcover (436p), ISBN 978-0-9821384-0-3
www.LettersToZerky.com; B&T
A memoir about driving a VW bus from Europe to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and onwards, with one-year-old Zerky and his dog.
True Crime | Top
Exoneration: The Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
Emily Arnow-Alman and David Alman. Green Elms Press. $24.95 paper (516p), ISBN 978-0-9779058-3-6
www.greenelmspress.com
Up-to-date analysis and documentation that the Rosenbergs and Sobell never committed treason or trafficked in spying as charged in the courtroom argues for their exoneration.
Brave Hearts: Stories of Pride, Pain and Courage.
Cynthia Brown. American Police Beat Publishing Group. $19.95 (381p), ISBN 978-0-578-06589-2
www.braveheartsbook.com; B&T
A voyage into the trenches of the law enforcement world, with a foreword by New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
Die in Paris.
Marilyn Z. Tomkins. Raider Publishing International. $14.99 paper (494p), ISBN 978-1-61667-121-1
B&T; Amazon
The story of the WWII French serial killer, Dr. Marcel Petiot. Guillotined in 1946, he remains France's most prolific murderer.
