Where the Seams Meet by Patrick Holcomb

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MWSA Review

In his compelling debut novel, Patrick Holcomb masterfully weaves together the intricate bonds between fathers and sons, using the timeless backdrop of America's beloved pastime: baseball. Where the Seams Meet stands out as a multigenerational narrative that follows the Romano family, delving into the complex relationship between Frank, a dedicated firefighter, and his son Danny, as their shared love for the game becomes both a refuge and a battlefield of emotions.

Set against the rich backdrop of San Francisco during the Giants' dynastic years of the early 2010s, Holcomb's vivid prose transports readers to a world where the crowd's roar and the crack of the bat parallel the emotional highs and lows of familial life. With authenticity and heart, the novel deftly navigates themes like loss, addiction, fatherly expectations, and the struggle to forge one's identity in the shadow of generational legacy.

Where the Seams Meet is not just a baseball novel but a profoundly human story that delves into the universal themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of shared passions. Holcomb's flawed yet endearing characters embark on a poignant journey of self-discovery and reconciliation, a journey that resonates universally with readers from all walks of life.

With its rich emotional depth, deft handling of tragedy, and a narrative that uplifts with its message of perseverance, Where the Seams Meet announces the arrival of a talented new literary voice. This remarkable debut is a must-read for baseball devotees and anyone who has found themselves torn between the weight of fatherly aspiration and the fear of failure. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our greatest triumphs often lie not in the numbers on a scorecard, but in the unwavering support of those who believe in us.

Review by Elvis Leighton (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Just ask the Romanos.

Dogged by tragedy and broken dreams, they’ve learned the hard way that not every mistake turns into a foul ball—and sometimes, it’s the words left unspoken that cut the deepest.

After fleeing 1970s San Francisco to escape the shadow of his abusive father, Frank struggles to balance his firefighting career with the demands of raising his talented but challenging son, Danny. Determined to transcend his tortured past, Frank bridges the growing chasm between them the only way he knows how: through baseball.

Danny’s meteoric rise on the diamond draws father and son together, but a shared passion for the game can only carry them so far. When life throws the Romanos a series of knee-buckling curveballs, not even the sport they love can strengthen the withering ties that bind.

As the thrilling seventh game of the 2014 World Series unfolds and chance offers them one last swing at redemption, father and son must confront their intermingled traumas to finally answer the question that torments them both: Is there life after baseball?

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 310

Word Count: 94,000

Knowing When by Mark Fleisher

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MWSA Review

Knowing When is Mark Fleisher’s fifth book of poetry. It centers mostly on poems of sadness and tragedy, but since that is a universal part of the human condition, many will find that the poems resonate and invite the reader to deeper reflection. Some poems deal with dementia, some with loss and trauma, while others tackle the concepts of loneliness, friendship, forgiveness, and our inability to get along. Several focus on the cold seasons of autumn and winter, parlaying seasonal aspects into emotions of grief and loss. On the other hand, “Batter Up,” is a somewhat whimsical take on a rookie mistake. Whatever the season, the poems are easy to read and understand, while also excavating deep thoughts and deeper emotions.

Review by Betsy Beard (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Under the mantle of its intriguing title Mark Fleisher writes of sadness and tragedy, lightens the mood with poems about love, nature, even baseball, as well as a mirthful look at technology. Fleisher’s blend of narrative and lyric styles cut to the heart of the matter, showing the ability to speak volumes in a minimum number of lines. His eclectic collection also invites the reader to contemplate questions posed in the title poem and other selections.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 36

Word Count:

Trust No One by Glenn Dyer

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MWSA Review

Trust No One by Glenn Dyer is a well-researched and written WW2 historical novel that entertains, informs, and intrigues readers. It’s the 4th book in the Conor Thorn espionage series inspired by true events.

The story, locations, and historical period evoke images of “Casablanca.” It’s missing Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre, but Trust No One doesn’t lack heroes or villains. We get cameos or at least shout-outs of Eisenhower, Churchill, Admiral Jean Darlan, Klaus Barbie—the Butcher of Lyon—Charles DeGaulle, Ian Fleming, professional spies, a courageous brothel owner, an evil priest, and multiple others—real and imagined. A good use of dialogue keeps the story moving.

The action alternates between Algiers and Lyon, with forays into Marseilles, London, Gibraltar, and Tunisia. The locations provide a mysterious backdrop of dark alleys, smokey cafés, and foggy airfields, where nothing is as it appears.

All the significant and influential WW2 organizations play a role in the political puzzle and multiple storylines: the Allies, the Axis Powers, the French Resistance, the Gestapo and SS, MI6, SOE, OSS, Vichy France, the Abwehr, and…the Catholic Church. We get double-dealing, thrilling escapes, and violence. All the boxes are checked.

About halfway through, I felt overwhelmed by the multiple plot lines, so I jumped to the author’s notes and acknowledgments, which helped me connect the dots. At 107,000 words, the narrative may test readers’ patience and challenge their ability to fit all the pieces of the puzzle. But those willing to stick with Trust No One to the end will be rewarded with a memorable and thrilling reading experience.

Review by James Elsener (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Loyalists meant to rid their country of a double-dealing collaborator. Instead, they created a threat that could destroy Allied unity.

Algiers. Winter 1942. Conor Thorn is devastated. He’s been fired from the OSS. His wife, Emily, has been fired from MI6. They allowed their morals to bend certain truths concerning the outcome of their last mission. Forever dedicated to defeating Axis powers, these skilled operatives jump at the chance to secretly help General Eisenhower deal with a political time bomb threatening Allied harmony and to redeem their honorable standing. To recover a rumored archive holding the truth about an assassination plot, they must travel deep into perilous Axis territory.

In the crosshairs of those determined to keep the information out of Allied hands, Conor and Emily fall victim to a violent assault. Though the resulting injuries leave him severely concussed and confused, Conor refuses to stand down while his beloved ventures deeper into danger.

Can Conor and Emily piece together a political puzzle in time to keep Allied unity from fracturing?

Trust No One is the high intensity, gritty fourth book in the Conor Thorn WWII espionage series inspired by true events. If you like heart-pounding action and white-knuckled tension, then you’ll love Glenn Dyer’s thrill ride through history.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 402

Word Count: 107,710

Phoboudenopanophobia by Dan Wetmore

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MWSA Review

Dan Wetmore has no intention of making things easy for the readers of his book of poetry, inexplicably (until page 36) named Phoboudenopanophobia. He warns that he intends to “play with words and make origami of thoughts and musings.” He might have attached a flashing light or wailing siren to this warning. Be prepared for often fruitless internet searches and dictionary lookups as you make your way through this book.

In other words, reading Wetmore's work is a demanding process. You'll often catch glimpses of meaning and understand his intent. But just as frequently, even after several read-throughs, you might find yourself accepting that Wetmore has invited you to continue pondering his words rather than providing a readily decipherable Rosetta Stone for each poem.

There’s nothing airy or easy about this book. Wetmore employs words as tools to grapple with many serious subjects, including Alzheimer’s, death, drowning, perception, claustrophobia, torture, and more. If you’re looking for a feel-good book of poetry, Phoboudenopanophobia isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re game for a challenging mental workout, you might want to give this one a try.

Review by John Cathcart (April 2024)

Author's Synopsis

Penning a previous book, My Mother’s Gentle Unbecoming, about her descent into dementia, got me contemplating a similar fate, so I wrote this volume as an extended last letter to my family, sort of an “epitaph in absentia”; hoped insurance against having last feelings go unexpressed, in the event the body outlives the being. An exploration of the emotional toll taken on the leaving and the left behind, the title is a braid of the three fears which predominate: fear of having nothing (Oudenophobia); fear—at a point when all is unknown (and the unknown is easily alarming)—of everything (Panophobia); and, as the product of those two, a fear of being reduced to a constant state of dread, i.e., fear itself (Phobophobia).

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 75

Word Count: 8,000

Magical Morning Moments: Awakening to Love and Light by Wanda W. Jerome and Jasmine Tritten

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MWSA Review

Magical Morning Moments: Awakening to Love and Light is a delightful surprise of art with every turn of the page. Wanda Jerome’s poetry complements Jasmine Tritten’s kaleidoscope of sunrises over the breathtaking New Mexico’s Sandia Mountains.

In the last poem, Jerome’s words accompany the promise of daybreak over the mountains captured by Tritten. “The sun breaks free. Shine on, rays of life! No longer do I have to search for Thee. I am here, a willing target for your love.”

This inspirational and lovely book brings a peace of mind and a piece of art to brighten your day. I breezed through it and then again. Thank you, ladies, for this unique gift.

Review by Nancy Panko (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Heartfelt poems channeled through spiritual inspiration and personal messages of love and light accompany photographs of enchanting New Mexico's beautiful sunrises over the Sandia Mountains. Included are glimpses into the natural environment of New Mexico – the flora and fauna – that make it a special destination for nature lover and spiritual seekers.

This collaboration came about magically through a shared appreciation of their experiences during morning meditations. Weaving a tapestry of poems and photographs, the authors hope to lift the spirits of souls in need of love, light and joy.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table

Number of Pages: 108

Word Count: 3,260

The Tall Poppy Syndrome - The Joy of Cutting Others Down by Douglas Garland

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MWSA Review

The Tall Poppy Syndrome is a thoroughly researched and comprehensive look at the phenomenon many people call "schadenfreude." The author has provided exhaustive background research dating back thousands of years and illustrating well-known events and historical characters to illustrate how others have cut them down at the peak of their success. HIs examples range from esteemed political and military leaders, to civil rights icons, entertainers, and a few well-known scoundrels. I found the example of the Hatfield-McCoy feud particularly interesting, and readers with interests in almost any era from the past several millennia will likely find something to pique their interest.

Review by Frank Biggio (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

The Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) is a metaphor describing seeing a field of poppies and cutting down the tall ones so that all are equal. This traditional definition applies to someone who is of distinction and is cut down by an envious person. This syndrome is not well known in America. A hypothesis was our individualism prevented it. The author found examples in most parts of the world in all periods. After his world review, the author concluded that TPS was prevalent in America but unrecognized. 

The author dissects TPS into cutters and cuttees. He describes the vices found in cutters who cut people down. He also describes vices in tall poppies which justified their being cut down. By doing this the viewer can determine who is the guilty person. It also allows self-reflection and self-awareness of the reader. 

The author also divides TPS into peer-to-peer and public. Peer-to-peer TPS involves one's tribe and is driven by envy. It includes families, schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces. These people are common folk and need not be tall. Public TPS involves true tall poppies and are justifiably cut down for their egregious behavior.  

The book is a world history lesson viewed through the TPS lens. Readers will understand the bad behavior, both of cutter and cuttee, which drives TPS. With the new behavioral understanding, the reader improves his self-awareness through reflection.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Reference

Number of Pages: 318

Word Count: 100,000

http://douggarland.com

Shrouded In Words: A Collection of Poetry by Patricia Qaiyyim

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MWSA Review

In her most recent book of poetry, Shrouded in Words, Patricia Quayyim removes the shroud covering her life using words. In the process, she reveals her innermost thoughts in a thoroughly candid and emotion-filled way. Her poetry is not complex or overly heady. Instead, the words flow in an understated and easily understood way.

The book’s 100 pages of poetry cover topics such as family, parenthood, faith, depression, and even one of her favorite politicians. The author's words are meant to inform and explain how each of these areas is important to her. Shrouded in Words is a heartfelt look at issues important to all of us.

Review by John Cathcart (May 2024)

Author's Synopsis

Sometimes, we use words to say so much about ourselves; at other times, we use words to say so little about ourselves; and sometimes, we use words to hide behind and say nothing at all about ourselves.

In those times, when we are shrouded in words, we are hiding our true selves from those closest to us and even from ourselves. We walk around shrouded in words like, “I’m fine,” “Things are good,” “I am not upset,” and my favorite, “No, nothing’s wrong.”

In this collection, I have decided to remove my shroud and use my words to share my thoughts, my hopes, my feelings, and the glimpses I get from those around me. The words I have used will give you a glimpse into who I am, what I think, and what I want for myself and those around me. More importantly, they encourage you to remove some of the shrouds you might be hiding behind.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 103

Word Count: 11,978

Secrets of Ash by Josh Green

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MWSA Review

Secrets of Ash: A Novel of War, Brotherhood, and Going Home Again by Josh Green is a captivating and intense novel that delves into profound themes of trauma, guilt, and fragile relationships. The novel centers on two brothers, Chase and Jack Lumpkin, who take different paths in life. Jack, the older brother, becomes a nationally syndicated sports radio host, while Chase joins the Army and experiences combat in Afghanistan.

After sustaining wounds and receiving a Purple Heart, Chase returns to Georgia, haunted by PTSD and guilt over a wartime murder. Meanwhile, Jack’s excesses lead him to reevaluate his life. When Jack follows Chase to the rugged mountains of Ash County, their flawed realities collide. They grapple with their shared past, seeking redemption and healing.

The novel is narrated in alternating points of view, allowing readers to explore the brothers’ current struggles and dark memories as they come to terms with themselves and each other.

The characters are authentic and deeply flawed. This is not just another story about war and PTSD. Secrets of Ash is a well written, deeper examination of love and the impacts of war on society.

Review by Bob Ritchie (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Josh Green is an award-winning journalist, fiction author, and editor whose work has appeared in Garden & Gun, Indianapolis Monthly, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Los Angeles Review, The Baltimore Review, and several anthologies. Secrets of Ash, his first novel, was inspired by two decades of reporting on U.S. military. His book of short stories, Dirtyville Rhapsodies, was hailed by Men’s Health as a “Best Book for the Beach” and was named a top 10 book of the year by Atlanta magazine. He lives with his wife and daughters in Atlanta.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 287

Word Count: 83,000

Thirty Years Ago: Life and the First Gulf War by Juan Manuel Pérez

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MWSA Review

Juan Manuel Perez shows us why he was selected as Poet Laureate for Corpus Christi in his book Thirty Years Ago: Life and the First Gulf War. In this collection of fifty poems, author Perez writes a memoir-in-verse remembering his deployment to the war. As a medic, he saw the horrors of war firsthand. He didn't need to go looking for them; they were brought to him. From a transport plane that nearly crashes on top of his tent to routine combat, the memories of those injured and dying souls still haunt him. In addition to the violence of war, the sadness and separation from family affected him and the others around him. This book is a very good read. It had me hooked from the first poem.

Review by Bob Doerr (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Thirty Years Ago: Life and the First Gulf War by Juan Manuel Pérez (“Doc”) is a fifty-sonnet, autobiographical recollection of memories and thoughts about serving in the First Gulf War in 1990 to 1991, otherwise known as Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm/Desert Calm, as a Navy Corpsman in a Marine Corps Battalion while earning the title of “DEVIL DOC.” It is also about life after that, especially thoughts coming back to haunt the now veteran severely during the isolating time of the COVID-19 pandemic in conjunction with the Thirty-Year Anniversary of that same war, causing spikes in his PTSD and recurring nightmares. The author’s hope for this book is to let others continue to see that they are not alone in the silent suffering that goes with serving our country, especially in war or in any other event that may lead to PTSD. He hopes they can see that by continuing to talk or write about it, that it can become an integral part of the healing process, even if we can’t get the events out of our minds. This fast-paced, easy-to-read memoir-in-verse is in fact a first-person, oral account of one of America’s last global conflicts of the 20th century. This book will prove to be a great addition to your reading selections whether you are a poetry lover or a student of history. This book will surely become a supplemental college reading text in the study of the human cost of America’s involvement in modern day global conflicts.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 77

Word Count: 7,724

One at a Time by Allen Wittenborn

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MWSA Review

One at a Time by Allen Wittenborn will be an enjoyable read for anybody looking to have a sense of the human element in some memorable events from history. It's written in a nice, succinct way so that readers can jump to any specific chapter that suits their reading mood at the time. 

Review by Frank Biggio (April 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

This baker's dozen of short reads explores the lives of people from a diverse range of backgrounds, locations, and time periods. They include true cases and imaginary ones. Some of the protagonists do well, others not so well. You'll find stories that are one hundred-percent factual, some purely imaginary, others a bit of each--creative nonfiction. Some end ambiguously or have no end at all. The stories are not listed in any particular order. They are not listed chronologically. There is no topic that binds them together, none of them is connected to another. The only common theme, it is hoped, is a potpourri of enjoyable stories.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Other—Anthology/Collection

Number of Pages: 207

Word Count: 57,000

The Expendable by John Lewis Floyd

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MWSA Review

The Expendable is the World War Two story of Navy Corpsman Charles Beckner, who was serving in the Philippine Islands when the war with Japan broke out. It was written by Beckner’s son-in-law, John Lewis Floyd, a retired Air Force medical doctor. The book is a work of creative nonfiction, which uses fictional literary styles and techniques to tell a story while adhering strictly to the facts. Using this style makes for an easy and even flowing read.

Beckner left a small Midwestern town well before the war started for the U.S. Using base libraries and engaging with educated commissioned officers, he soon developed a wide vocabulary, expanded his general knowledge, and followed the war in Europe and Japan’s war on China. As the woefully undermanned, ill-equipped, poorly supplied, and under-trained U.S. forces in the Philippine Islands prepared for war, Beckner took it upon himself to increase his training and preparedness, including becoming a qualified gunner on the legendary M2 .50-caliber machine gun. His initiative served him well.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked in Dec. 1941, it soon became clear to those serving in the Philippines that they would not be reinforced or resupplied and could only fight on to delay Japan’s war plans as long as possible. As bases and facilities were destroyed, Beckner wisely tried to take charge of his own fate, to the extent possible, which led him on an odyssey where he witnessed almost all of the historical milestones of the doomed Philippine campaign.

The author’s medical expertise gives great insight into Beckner’s combat medical episodes. The creative nonfiction format works very well with this story and draws in other legendary true-life characters of that place and time. Overall, this is a very satisfying read.

Review by Terry Lloyd (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

The Expendable is a captivating, true story from the opening months of WWII in the Pacific. As smoke billows skyward from Pearl Harbor, Japan throws its full military might against the outnumbered and under-equipped Filipino forces. Hart sends his U.S. Asiatic Fleet south, to the safety of Allied waters. When the remnants of PBY Patrol Wing 10 depart with the fleet, Charles Beckner, corpsman for Squadron 102, is left behind with no apparent avenue for escape. Under relentless pressure from General Homma's troops and air forces, the American-Filipino troops retreat to the tip of the Bataan Peninsula. Sick with malaria and dysentery and nearly out of food and ammunition, surrender is imminent for those who survive. Charles wrangles a transfer to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 as machine gunner and corpsman on PT-34. After two months of engaging enemy forces along the Bataan coast, Squadron 3 is tasked with a critical, covert mission, evacuating General MacArthur, that once more leaves Charles stranded, this time on the southern Philippine island of Cebu. As the Japanese noose tightens, Charles joins other sailors and soldiers preparing for guerrilla resistance from the interior mountains of Mindanao Island. His plans are interrupted by one more mission, one that will unexpectedly reunite him with crewmen of his old seaplane squadron. With advancing Japanese troops only minutes away, the decision is to take the only remaining chance to escape, risking death rather than surrender.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 505

Word Count: 150,000

Laugh Rinse Repeat by Terry Hans RDH

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MWSA Review

Laugh Rinse Repeat is a delightful set of short (“bite-sized”) stories by Terry Hans of tales told to her by patients who were sitting in the dentist’s chair or that happened to her during her 45-year career as a registered dental hygienist. The stories reflect her caring nature. For example, she deals kindly and creatively with those more than a little frightened of coming to the dentist and those who are upset for some non-dental reason. She even tells stories on herself.

The book has 75 stories divided into 4 parts which reflect her movement from Buffalo to Rochester to Tennessee. However, it is a work of fiction. The author states in her disclaimer that she changed not only names but also characteristics, places, and times, and she embellished some and/or combined stores “to provide a greater impact.” The section on the author describes how she honed her writing skills successfully: she has been published multiple times in Chicken Soup for the Soul collections and has contributed stories and poems to the award-winning anthology 9/11-That Beautiful Broken Day. Laugh Rinse Repeat is her first novel.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

During a forty-five year career, dental hygienist, Terry Hans has treated thousands of patients. The one thing they have in common is they’re all a little scared, so they babble, often revealing stories about themselves they would never tell otherwise. Some stories are bizarre, some funny, most are heartwarming, but rest assured, they are all true!

In this compilation, Terry Hans—called by her friends and patients “the Dental Erma Bombeck”—shares her favorites. You won’t even need an appointment to have a hilarious time reading Laugh, Rinse, Repeat.”

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Humor

Number of Pages: 272

Word Count: 53,803

Into The Storm by Darcy Guyant

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MWSA Review

Whether you’re a young reader seeking an exciting new adventure or a concerned parent looking for an inspiring story, Into the Storm delivers the tale of an exhilarating Coast Guard helicopter rescue through stormy skies and over rough seas. Darcy Guyant, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander with 25 years of military service, draws on his firsthand experiences to add just the right amount of authenticity to this story of Dolph, a Coast Guard HH-65 "Dolphin" rescue helicopter; his skilled pilot, Gwen; and the rescue crew.

Through Dolph and Gwen’s daring escapade, readers learn about important themes, such as courage, trust, and teamwork. The illustrations are exceptionally vivid and colorful, not only enhancing the storytelling but also sparking the imaginations of young readers. This book is a delightful blend of creativity, imagination, and authenticity that will transport children to the daring world of the U.S. Coast Guard. Into the Storm has it all: captivating imagery, an engaging storyline, great characters, and important themes.

Review by Bob Ritchie (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

A severe storm quickly develops, catching three fishermen off guard in the open ocean. They are in danger of sinking and need help, fast! Who will come to their rescue?

Dolph, a Coast Guard HH-65 “Dolphin” rescue helicopter and his pilot, Gwen, quickly respond to save the three men in distress. But the mission is not easy. Courage, team work, and trusting the team to do their jobs are essential.

In order to reach the sinking boat as quickly as possible, they must fly directly into the storm, which makes both Dolph and Gwen very nervous. They must trust each other, work as a team, and demonstrate courage to save the men who are in danger of drowning.

Dolph, Gwen, the Rescue Swimmer (Sam), and the Flight Mechanic (Mike) work together to accomplish the mission, even while facing additional unexpected challenges.

This story is based on an actual rescue mission performed by the author, Darcy Guyant, a retired U.S. Coast Guard HH65 Dolphin helicopter pilot.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 40

Word Count: 1118

Welcome Home Melanie Mae by Tiffany Rebar

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MWSA Review

Tiffany Rebar has penned a delightful children’s tale of dreams and magic in her new book Welcome Home Melanie Mae.

When a real-life giraffe comes looking for a new home, she finds it in the love and laughter of two creative young girls. Their week-long adventures include an animal parade, a photoshoot, a dress-up party, and a jungle safari—something unique and delightful for each day. The book’s illustrations grab young readers’ attention with enchanting artwork (and even include a hidden object contest and giraffe fact sheet for further exploration). These small artistic touches leave plenty to be explored by young minds.

Rebar’s style of prose is both lyrical and appropriate for the age of young readers. Her characters are emotionally uplifting, almost jumping off the page begging you to join in the fun. This story is a must-read for anyone who loves laughter and the fun-filled world of children’s imagination. The lucky giraffe, Melanie Mae, has indeed found a forever home.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Melanie Mae's beautiful smile and loving character will delight children as they read about her adventures in a new home. Melanie Mae encourages learning as she goes through the days of the week with her new family. With the amazing imagination of two girls, who happily welcomed her into their family, Melanie Mae can do anything. Their days are filled with fun and excitement as they do photo shoots, dance, dress-up, go on a safari, and much more. Melanie Mae is happy to find a place where she can be the unique, silly giraffe that she truly is. She finally found a place where she belongs.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 28

Word Count: 210

Citizen Soldier: From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back by Robert L. Elliott

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MWSA Review

At the age of 39, Elliott volunteered for deployment, leaving his wife and three children behind. Elliott's experience is a profound journey, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. He undergoes rigorous training, witnesses violence and loss firsthand, and later reunites with his family upon returning home. Through his unfiltered narrative, Elliott offers readers a candid glimpse into the chaos of convoys, mortar attacks, and solemn memorial services.

More than just a war memoir, Citizen Soldier explores the unique challenges faced by National Guard members and their loved ones during deployment. With no military base to call home, families are left without the typical support structures. And for the citizen soldiers themselves, the transition from civilian life to combat operations and back again raises complex personal questions and difficulties.

Powerful and raw, this book provides a window into why soldiers serve, the reality of their sacrifices, and the enduring impacts of defending our nation. Elliott's storytelling will give civilian readers a deeper appreciation for the experiences of the tiny sliver of Americans who have seen combat. Citizen Soldier provides crucial insight into the human price paid by soldiers and their families in times of war.

Review by Elvis Leighton (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Imagine going to war for a year with no assurance that you would ever return.

In Robert Elliott’s Citizen Soldier: From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back, readers learn what it is like to say goodbye to a wife and three children and then travel across Iraq by convoy and helicopters. You’ll learn about the stressors, the dangers, and the risks taken and retaken.

The author gives vivid accounts of; walking the ancient ruins of Babylon, transporting detainees to Abu Ghraib Prison, meeting with Ukrainian soldiers near the Iranian border, calling in a medevac after a roadside bomb attack, and sustaining a mortar attack.

The true story is written from a soldier's perspective, inviting you to experience the emotional roller coaster that service members and their families voluntarily endure to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 272

Word Count: 58,534

Hiring Veterans: How To Leverage Military Talent for Organizational Growth by Matthew J. Louis

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MWSA Review

Hiring Veterans by Matthew J. Louis is just about the only reference you will need to successfully incorporate veterans as employees into your business.

The author provides concrete examples of what to do when hiring veterans. It stresses the creation of an organization or designated support staff to manage the process of identifying, interviewing, and incorporating veterans into a business organization, be it large or small.

The book does an excellent job of explaining the differences between military culture and business culture. Furthermore, the programs and processes Mr. Louis describes can be applied not only to hiring veterans, but also to hiring non-veterans, because many of the suggestions and proven methods he describes seem to translate well to the general population of non-military job candidates.

In addition to contrasting military culture with civilian culture, Hiring Veterans addresses the topic of governing regulations, as well as how to create, implement, and sustain veteran support programs within a business. It goes further, tackling setting expectations, identifying and recruiting candidates, interviewing them, implementing onboarding activities, and determining success measures.

Examples and quotes from companies who have made a special effort to hire veterans are enlightening and useful.

Visuals include charts, diagrams, and checklists, which can be adapted to a specific company’s situation.

Whether you are a small business owner or a hiring manager in a larger corporation, Hiring Veterans is a valuable resource to use.

Review by Patrica Walkow (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

The definitive guide to hiring and retaining members of the military community by the foremost authority on the transition from military to civilian work-life.

“This book helps give employers the practical tools they need to hire and retain our well-qualified veterans and fully utilize the skills they acquired while serving in the Armed Forces. From leadership and work ethic to managing diverse teams in high-stress environments, [the skills] our veterans bring to the workforce . . . can ultimately prove invaluable to an organization.” —Col. Brad Wenstrup, USAR, member of Congress

“Hiring Veterans is a blueprint on how to welcome, support, and advance the military-connected community. It is a long-needed guidebook for employers that seek to become military-inclusive.” —Betsy Hubbard, vice president of programs, National Veterans Leadership Foundation

“If you or your business leaders seek to leverage the skills and abilities of this nation’s military service members, Hiring Veterans is your guide.” —Sean Passmore, head of military talent strategic sourcing and enterprise military and veteran initiatives, Wells Fargo Bank, NA

Veterans represent a real-time talent pool of experienced, trained, and dedicated professionals that, when properly harnessed, comprise an instant means of improving your competitiveness and productivity. Hiring Veterans covers important topics, such as how to successfully:

* organize and staff a veteran support program;

* identify and recruit candidates;

* onboard, deploy, and retain veteran hires;

* capitalize on financial incentives for veteran employment;

* and apply for military friendly recognition programs.

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 256

Word Count: 65000

Capturing Skunk Alpha by Raúl Herrera

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MWSA Review

Capturing Skunk Alpha is chock full of information about the Navy, Swift Boats, Vietnam, and life in the barrio. Raul Herrera offers a first-hand account of each, focusing most of the story on the courageous actions of Swift Boat crews before, during, and after combat.

If you're looking for a comprehensive story about these topics, then I highly recommend this book as the author goes to great lengths providing maps, tables and supporting details along with his own personal eye-witness account of a sailor's life at the height of the Vietnam War.

Review by Rob Lofthouse (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

On the evening of July 11, 1967, a Navy surveillance aircraft spotted a suspicious trawler in international waters heading toward the Quang Ngai coast of South Vietnam. While the ship tried to appear innocuous on its deck, Saigon quickly identified it as an enemy gunrunner, codenamed Skunk Alpha.

A four-seaborne intercept task force was established and formed a barrier inside South Vietnam’s twelve-mile territorial boundary. As the enemy ship ignored all orders to surrender and neared the Sa Ky River at the tip of the Batangan Peninsula, Swift Boat PCF-79 was ordered to take the trawler under fire. What followed was ship-to-ship combat action not seen since World War II. Capturing Skunk Alpha relates that breathtaking military encounter to readers for the first time.

But Capturing Skunk Alpha is also the tale of one sailor’s journey to the deck of PCF-79. Two years earlier, Raúl Herrera was growing up on the west side of San Antonio, Texas, when he answered the call to duty and joined the US Navy. Raúl was assigned to PCF Crew Training and joined a ragtag six-man Swift Boat crew with a mission to prevent the infiltration of resupply ships from North Vietnam.

The brave sailors who steered into harm’s way in war-torn Vietnam would keep more than ninety tons of ammunition and supplies from the Viet Cong and NVA forces. The Viet Cong would post a bounty on PCF-79; Premier Nguyễn Cao Kỳ and Chief of State Nguyễn Văn Thiệu would congratulate and decorate them for their heroism. Capturing Skunk Alpha provides an eyewitness account of a pivotal moment in Navy operations while also chronicling one sailor’s unlikely journey from barrio adolescence to perilous combat action on the high seas.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 312

Word Count: 107,000

The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson

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MWSA Review

The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson captured my attention from the first chapter. “My boobs hurt. My body armor was designed for men and, for obvious reasons, didn’t fit perfectly.” This is the beginning of a book that is hard to put down.

Lauren Johnson serves her country for the first time as a member of a military family at the age of seven when her Army Reserve nurse mother deploys during Desert Storm. For this child, it is traumatic. It is heart-wrenching. Lauren hates having her mother gone, but ten years later, wanting to emulate her mother, she enlists in ROTC and is eventually deployed to Afghanistan.

As an information officer, young Lieutenant Johnson acts as a liaison between the U.S. Army and the Afghan people to help promote a sense of nationalism among the Afghan people, supporting the mission of “connecting people to their government.” She deals in sound bites, base tours, presentations, media lectures, and newspaper articles. Halfway through her tour, Lauren finds herself losing her optimism and questioning whether the effort in the war-torn country is going to change anything. One day, she realizes there is no ideal plan due to cultural differences, bureaucratic red tape, and politics on both sides.

As a reader, I felt I was with Lauren Johnson on this journey. I felt her disillusionment growing in the effort to do her job of painting a positive picture. I felt the changes she experienced in a war zone, wondering when she would be the next victim of a random IED. Author Lauren Johnson’s writing is stirring and evocative.

Review by Nancy Panko (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Lauren Kay Johnson is just seven when she first experiences a sacrifice of war as her mother, a nurse in the Army Reserves, deploys in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. A decade later, in the wake of 9/11, Lauren signs her own military contract and deploys to a small Afghan province with a non-combat nation-building team. Through her role as the team's information operations officer-the filter between the U.S. military and the Afghan and international publics-and through interviews and letters from her mother's service, Lauren investigates the role of information in war and in interpersonal relationships, often wrestling with the truth in stories we read and hear from the media and official sources, and in those stories we tell ourselves and our families.

A powerful generational coming-of-age narrative against the backdrop of war, The Fine Art of Camouflage reveals the impact from a child's perspective of watching her mother leave and return home to a hero's welcome to that of a young idealist volunteering to deploy to Afghanistan who, war-worn, eventually questions her place in the war, the military, and her family history-and their place within her.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 270

Word Count: 88000

Rescued by Andy L. Vistrand

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MWSA Review

Rescued by Andy L. Vistrand is a story of “man meets dog” when they both are down and out for the count. A perfect pairing results in the rescuing of souls, but who exactly rescued whom?

Anyone who has owned a dog knows that the unconditional love from a pet can soothe away the doldrums of a bad day. However, for a former combat veteran, a loyal pet can make the difference between choosing life versus death. Science can prove the physiological benefits of owning and caring for a pet. But science can’t measure the bond of love between a pet and its owner.

Rescued describes thirteen years and two days of companionship and unconditional love. It’s is a love story, and you can’t help but love Dozer—almost as much as Andy did. Rest in peace, Dozer.

Review by Nancy Panko (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

"Rescued" is a personal memoir about how a stray dog rescued me from darkness and how I rescued him from homelessness. The book discusses the benefits that a dog adds to human lives. The book also discusses scientific evidence that support the benefits of a therapy dog and how they add value to combat veterans returning from overseas combat deployments.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 85

Word Count: 14,440

A Dangerous Season: A Sheriff Matt Callahan Mystery by Russell Fee

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MWSA Review

A Dangerous Season by Russell Fee is an interesting mystery set during winter on Nicolet Island, Michigan. This book is the third in the Sheriff Matt Callahan series and has all the twists and turns of a good who-dun-it. Author Fee throws a lot at his protagonist in the form of a missing girl, several murders, poisoned lake water, and a civic protest regarding his own competence as sheriff. Add in organized crime and Indian evil spirits, and one can see why Sheriff Callahan may want to throw in the towel.  Fortunately, Callahan finds an ally in the nearby Indian reservation's chief of police. Together they try to get to the truth. However, that truth is as slippery as the ice that surrounds them. This book is an easy read full of characters that you will like and bad ones that you will not like. I recommend it.

Review by Bob Doerr (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

A Dangerous Season, the third Sheriff Matt Callahan mystery novel, depicts life on Callahan's iced-in island during a brutal winter. Callahan, who originally sought peace on Nicolet Island after a fatal acid attack on his fiancée, one that left him both physically and emotionally disfigured, now discovers a lone young girl hiding in the island wilderness. She is unable to speak but agile at surviving on her own in the desperate cold. In the quest to discover the girl's identity, Callahan teams with the Ojibwe tribal police and is drawn to a place where myth and reality merge deep in the Northwoods' most dangerous season and where a haunting malevolence threatens both his island and Indian country. Callahan and his two young deputies, together with an Ojibwe detective, work to uncover the source of the threat that endangers those they are sworn to protect.

Besides the mystery of the girl and what brought her to Nicolet Island, this winter begets other dangerous conundrums: contaminated lake fish, an island murder, and a dead body in the woods. As Callahan's experienced young deputy, Amanda, and her neophyte partner, Nick, work with Callahan to solve the island's crimes, they face the additional challenge of piggybacking a professional relationship on one that began as deeply personal. Callahan faces his own relationship challenges when he and Julie, his romantic partner, disagree over the eventual placement of the found girl.

Knitting A Dangerous Season together is the indelible sense of place the Northwoods convey. In contrast to the bustling tourist environment of earlier Callahan novels, winter imbues Nicolet Island with both icy danger and lyrical beauty-a fitting environment for a teeth-chattering thriller.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 307

Word Count: 60,000