Panama's Gold by Sandi Hoover & Jim Tritten

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MWSA Review
Authors Sandi Hoover and Jim Tritten have truly brought us a tale of greed in their novella, Panama’s Gold. Set on the isthmus of Panama, the story has a bit of everything—international intrigue, nefarious dealings, colonial history, ecological adventure, and budding romance. 

On an excursion, mysterious bird deaths in the jungle find our antagonist, Lanny Mitchell, a retired American environmental lawyer, navigating a maze of international twists and turns. An unexplained helicopter crash hints at more skullduggery afoot. But why? And who is involved? She teams up with her guide, Alejandro, and Bernardo, his professor friend, to uncover the truth. 

The book’s characters are well developed, credible, and entertaining. The details, in particular those of Panama, are vivid and colorful. The ending is a shocker and leaves the reader begging for more.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (February 2022)

 

Author's Synopsis

Chen Zhou represents his company and a Chinese gang in Panama in 2018. His objective is to secure an economic advantage for his country with raw materials critical in manufacturing smartphones, digital cameras, computer parts, and in the renewable energy technology industry, military equipment industry, glass-making, and metallurgy. Chinese gangs are running investments and infrastructure development in Panama. Lanny Mitchell, a youthfully-retired American environmental lawyer as the antagonist, revisits Panama, to test her idea of becoming a resident ex-pat. She unexpectedly encounters ecological issues and the activities of the gangs. A dormant volcano leaks poisonous gases that kill local fowl and threaten humans. Spanish gold and artifacts are linked to events while the Panama Canal was being excavated with hints at government coverups explaining Yellow Fever caused massive deaths during construction. Chinese attempts to capitalize on the opportunity to corner the world's rare-earth market are thwarted by Lanny and local Panamanians. They want Panama to retain its ownership of the valuable rare-earth and Spanish gold. Chen Zhou meets his fate at the hands of the Chinese gangmaster, who does not tolerate failure. Finding the answer to environmental and economic concerns and helping friends drive the action to a surprising finish, with enough clues to hint at a follow-on adventure.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-1637771389, B09DXY8TTT

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 154

Moments Around The Campfire With A Vietnam Vet by Thom Brucie

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MWSA Review
Moments around the Campfire with a Vietnam Veteran is appealing to Vietnam veterans and others who want to understand more about what the Vietnam War experience was like for some U.S. veterans. The premise is that a mysterious, aging, rather ghostly Vietnam veteran appears at a young couple's campfire in the woods and gives them a folder of poems he's written in the years since his return from Vietnam. He drops off the poems and disappears into the darkness, never to be seen again. The book is purported to be those poems.

The style is freeform, each poem is independent of the others, and all are sad or disturbing in their nature. The book has its “moments,” like the very last—a poem called "MIA." In this poem, the author describes a middle-aged Vietnam veteran, who is simultaneously a young man full of hope and optimism, as he was before going to war, and his current older self, scarred by war and life. His two personas struggle to coexist within the same person. However, most of the poems, rather than being creative, are observational or reactive and have dark subjects with no lessons learned or conclusions drawn. The ghostly poet's attitude throughout is simply that of disinterested observer. It is possible that the author wanted to expose the emptiness within some veterans of the Vietnam War (and by extension, all wars), a message that in order to survive emotionally, some veterans became as uncaring as the ghostly poet. 

Review by Jamie Thompson (April 2021) 

Author's Synopsis
Brucie's poems reveal a story-vision of sadness, loss, discovery, and renewal divulged through the voice of a ghost veteran of the Vietnam War. Poet Lana Wiggins wrote, "These poems took my breath away." Poet Maria Mazziotti Gillan, American Book Award winner, declared, "This is one of the best books of war poems I've ever read. I promise, you won't be able to put it down."

ISBN/ASIN: 9780988709430

Book Format(s): Soft cover

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 56

The Quisling Factor by J.L Oakley

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MWSA Review
The Quisling Factor by J. L. Oakley is set in Norway, as the title clearly suggests, both during and after World War II, with locations around Norway but focusing on the small fictional village of Fjellstad near Trondheim, some 300 miles northwest of Oslo. The 443-page story richly shows how difficult it was to recover from five years of German occupation while also offering some glimpses into wartime hardships and cruelties. Various viewpoints are offered: resistance members, quislings, those just trying to survive. After the war, Norway chose to reestablish a system of law and order, so trials were held for those accused of cooperating with the Nazis, with the main trial centering around the tortures and murders of residents of Fjellstad. But the trials meant that the residents had to relive the atrocities of the war. Some residents had physical scars; some had mental scars. Some were able to rebuild their lives; some could not. Suspicions of neighbors remained. All have a place in this story. The on-going suspicion of who else might have been cooperating is the quisling factor of the title.

To aid the reader, maps and a list of characters are included at the beginning of the book, and a partial Glossary of Norwegian words is included at the back. To experience the full richness of the story, it is suggested that you have a device ready to look up the Norwegian words.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (March 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
Treason. Espionage. Revenge. In the aftermath of WWII, ex-intelligence agent Tore Haugland tries to adjust to life in his newly freed country with the woman he loves. But he still has to testify against a Norwegian traitor -- one of the monsters of the German occupation -- whom he helped to capture. When mysterious notes threaten Haugland and his family, he must choose between protecting them or bringing to justice the man who tortured him and destroyed the village that hid him. Challenged by injuries and recurring nightmares, he will have to rely on his former training and old Resistance friends to rescue his wife from the traitor who will do anything to keep Haugland from testifying.

ISBN/ASIN: Book: 978-0997323740 Ebook: B08CD6GGJ8

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 468

The Zombie Deception by Marvin Wolf

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MWSA Review
Marvin J. Wolf’s The Zombie Deception finds Army CID agents Chelmin and Spaulding reunited to look for missing American servicemembers, who are disappearing from Fort Rucker. Along the way they run into a well organized, well armed criminal organization passing millions of dollars in counterfeit currency around Alabama.  

This is the second installment featuring the quietly heroic Spaulding and the grumpy veteran cop Chelmin, and their partnership is both entertaining and effective.  They are tasked by an Army general to get to the bottom of this mess not only before more lives are lost, but also before the general’s career is ruined. The action is entertaining and fast paced, and the characters are likeable but not flawless. One thing that made the main character Spaulding particularly real is his reluctant acceptance of his mission; he really only wants to fly Army helicopters, but his unique skill set as a police detective before he enlisted draws the attention of a general who wants this case solved as soon as possible. That general wants to bring every asset to the fight, and sees Spaulding as one very valuable asset.

Those who enjoy tech thrillers and military thrillers will find a lot to like in this book, and will look forward to any future Spaulding-Chelmin operations.

Review by Rob Ballister (April 2021)

 

Author's Synopsis
Army CID agents Chelmin and Spaulding battle a well-equipped and sophisticated gang of Army deserters, men believed long dead in Afghanistan but instead passing millions in counterfeit century notes around Alabama. The CID investigation begins on the ground, moves to the air, and ends with a sea battle.

ISBN/ASIN: B08QWNS68R

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 346

A Hui Hou: Until We Meet Again by Ashley Bugge

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MWSA Review

A Hui Hou - Until We Meet Again by Isabel, Hudson, and Adeline Bugge with Ashley Bugge, is a unique story of grieving the loss of a parent as told by the young children of that parent. The book is beautifully illustrated by Dawn Davidson who captures the essence of each family member in the throes of a devastating loss.

The conversation in the text among the siblings is straightforward, conveying child-like innocence and honesty. One cannot help feeling emotional when reading about the devastating event for this family. As their mother, Ashley tells her children that “It’s okay to be scared, as long as we talk about it and find a way to get through it.”

Writing A Hui Hou in the words of her children is Ashley’s way of leading them toward the pathway of healing. The exercise helps each child remember how much each loves and misses their father at the same time validating how much he loves them, even though he’s gone. I highly recommend A Hui Hou - Until We Meet Again.

Review by Nancy Panko (March 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
One day in Hawaii, while doing what he loved most, Dadda is lost in a terrible diving accident. At first, Izzy, Hudson, and Addy don't understand what's happened. Why is Momma so sad? Why hasn't Dadda come home for dinner yet? Why are so many people visiting and giving them new toys? But as time passes, the three siblings start to realize where their Dadda has gone. It takes them a lot of bravery to understand why it's OK to be happy that he gets to dive forever while also being sad because they miss him so much. A Hui Hou: Until We Meet Again is the heart-wrenching true story of a family's devastating loss. But it is also a story about understanding, accepting, and processing death and grief, uniquely narrated by children, for children. Izzy, Hudson, and Addy share their experience in the pure, emotional, and unfiltered way needed to help young minds grasp the impossible: the loss of a loved one.

ISBN/ASIN: 1612544568

Book Format(s): Hard cover

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 32

Always Coming Back Home by Ashley Bugge

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MWSA Review
This memoir is a loving tribute to the author’s deceased husband, as well as to their relatively short marriage. Widowed while pregnant with her third child, Ashley Bugge guides the reader through her romance with Brian. We get a glimpse into their life from dating, to marriage, to the birth of children, long separations, and ultimately, to Brian’s unexpected death. Along the way, the reader is deliciously infected with their enthusiasm and zest for life.

The author provides the uninitiated with a view into some of the challenges of a military family—especially the military spouse. Learning about Ashley’s experience is enlightening and makes one realize that that it is not just the deployed person who serves our country. The spouse who stays at home also serves.

So critical for marriage success, Bugge regales the readers with tales of how she and Brian helped each other achieve their dreams. It was a pleasure to read how eagerly they embraced life and supported each other.

This memoir is funny and exciting, and it is also poignant and heartbreaking. Come to it with an open heart and be prepared to cry in both sorrow and joy.

Review by Patricia Walkow (March 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
Always Coming Back Home uses heartfelt stories and real-time emails sent from a deployed sailor to his bride, readers quickly become invested in this young family. The couple takes readers on adventures of sailing and scuba diving throughout the world. They also keep readers laughing as the couple becomes first time parents, anxious with them during military deployments, upset with them through miscarriages and family loss, and finally, heartbroken as it all comes to an end with a single phone call. Always Coming Back Home is a candid and raw account of two ordinary people coming together to accomplish extraordinary things.

ISBN/ASIN: 1642799084, B088LDMQNL

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 274

The Flying Cutterbucks by Kathleen M. Rodgers

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MWSA Review
Kathleen M. Rodgers writes about a close-knit family of women bonded together by loss and grief, an act of violence from years past, and a code of silence to protect one of their own. The Flying Cutterbucks is a tapestry masterfully woven with colorful, quirky characters and a riveting plot.

The eldest daughter, Trudy returns to Pardon, New Mexico, in 2016 after a failed marriage and career as a flight attendant. As she sifts through her mother’s cluttered home, Trudy relives the events of her fighter pilot father who is MIA from Vietnam, her little brother who did not survive cancer, the stillbirth of a precious daughter, and the escape from an abusive relationship. It is the 2016 election and one candidate brings back old family secrets of violence haunting three women. The media records a candidate outrageously admitting to grabbing women’s private parts which remind Aunt Star, Trudy, and Georgia of a nightmarish encounter with cousin Dub, a pervert of the worse kind. Until now, the horrible event is a hazy memory for Trudy but she seeks to find the truth.

Throughout the novel, Trudy hears her father’s voice in the form of pilot radio calls during times of stressful indecision. Rogers integrates memories of military family life throughout the story honoring the MIA fighter pilot’s wife and daughters.

As they stand together, the Cutterbuck women unearth the truth of what happened one night many years ago. We read about the burden they carry and the strength it takes to face it. Together the loving daughters help their mother sift through the memories and mementos of a father missing in action somewhere over Vietnam. One day a phone call from the government results in his return home and the closing of a chapter in their lives.

Kathleen M. Rodgers is a gifted writer who ties up all the loose ends in an entertaining, complicated novel.

Review by Nancy Panko (March 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
Decades ago, Trudy, Georgia, and Aunt Star formed a code of silence to protect each other from an abusive man who terrorized their family. One act of solidarity long ago lives with them still. With the election of a president who brags about groping women without their consent, old wounds and deep secrets come alive again, forcing hard truths to be told and even harder truths to be left to the dead.

On the outskirts of Pardon, New Mexico, Trudy returns to her mother, Jewel, to navigate an old house filled with haunting mementos of her father who went missing in action over North Vietnam. As she helps her mother sift through the memories and finally lay her father to rest, Trudy will do her own soul searching to say goodbye to the dead, and find her way along with the other women in her family, and through the next election.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-1948018784, B087JBHD4Q

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle, ePub/iBook

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 296

Kale is a Four-Letter Word by Corrales Writing Group

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MWSA Review
When five members from Corrales Writing Group joined with six visiting writers and combined their award-wining talents, this staunch group created an anthology about…kale! The ubiquitous green that now seems to appear on many dishes served in trendy settings has a dark side well established in 134 pages. The skilled authors expose the crinkly and bitter green in a series of essays, short stories, plays, and cartoons.

One spouse insists on forcing the green in various forms on her husband as a necessary diet. He reacts. A quoted cartoon clearly shows his reaction: "Whether you eat kale or not, you're going to die." An enterprising promotions company seeks some marketing scheme in a reoccurring feature throughout the book. Kale is the subject in a one-act play. Sci-fi, history, and horror stories further expose this leaf as the featured, not so popular, character. The leaf, of various colors and toughness, is a murder weapon in a mystery. Kale is also mixed in a salad bowl arena, engaged in a fierce battle with other greens and eventually discovering all are related. “Hale, Caesar!” was actually “Kale, Caesar!”

Brassica oleracea’s alleged favorable contents in essential nutrients suffers from various negative features, which are pretty much recognized by most who attempt to eat it. All the plant's deficits are heartily—and cleverly—exposed in this small book. If the reader were still interested in attempting to eat this stuff after reading this ringing non-endorsement, the closing pages switch the theme to several, almost, (real) recipes. Set space alongside Strunk and White for a fine little book exhibiting the strong writing examples the former extols. The writers had to have laughed a lot together when composing this anthology.

Review by Tom Beard (March 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
Kale has invaded our culture as the go-to food for healthy living, appearing everywhere on restaurant menus, in grocery stores, and in beauty products like soaps and scrubs. For some, the vitamin load and beneficial fiber cannot outweigh the bitterness and texture of this member of the cabbage family. For those people, kale has ignited a passionate response, often reflected in internet memes and T-shirt slogans. This collection of short stories shows kale in a new light. A couple of tales are horror stories about kale’s effect on a life; another one describes a speculative history of kale; one is a murder mystery where kale plays an unusual role; and one is a fantasy about kale’s rivalry with cauliflower. This book also features delicious kale recipes.

ISBN 978-1951122096 ASIN: B087V9KFV5

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle, ePub/iBook

Review Genre: Collections—Anthology

Number of Pages: 140

Tactical Influence: How I Countered an Insurgency with Words by Mitchell Hockenbury

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MWSA Review
Tactical Influence: How I Countered an Insurgency with Words by Mitchell C. Hockenbury is an intriguing and detailed look at his deployment in Mosul, Iraq. The book is well written, in a casual style that makes for an easy read. 

He shows us his first days in Mosul as a platoon leader, where he rides along on a "Thunder Run" which he believes needlessly endangers troops. His orientation during Relief-in-Place transition provides him with a mission, to build rapport with locals and bring back useful information. But he also sees the torture and death that ISIS used to dissuade the locals from talking to Americans, and feels that his mission will be difficult, if not impossible.  

However, Mitchell argues that he and his men fundamentally changed the situation in his part of Mosul. The inspiration for some of his ideas came from his experience as a broker, Poor Charlie’s Almanac by Charlie Munger of Berkshire Investments, and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini.

He believes, and provides his personal experience as a testimony, that a civilian population can be won over through Cialdini’s methods for influencing others, Munger’s philosophy on mental models to open creative thinking, and sales techniques designed to nurture personal relationships. The author provides a limited number of references, but he provides detailed reasons why the reader should delve into them. In this case, less equals more. 

The success of these methods, translated directly into both American and Iraqi lives saved, is uplifting and inspirational. While directed at military officers, I would recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position. Not all stakes would be so high as those in Mosul, but this book provides direct and understandable ways for leaders to build bridges in both military and civilian life. 

Review by Barb Evenson (May 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
If you are in a new situation, you need a new battle drill.

If you find yourself in a combat zone like Iraq this may be the most important book you ever read, here's why...

In Tactical Influence, you will discover this new battle drill is simple but not easy. I’m nobody special, and when I came up with these steps, I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.

But this book isn't for everyone. What I teach takes effort and humility. There are no quick fixes in war, and this will challenge you in unfamiliar ways. As you follow the steps in this book, you might, at times, feel silly or weak. This is especially true in a male-dominated unit of type A, macho men. You will need to be brave. You’ll need to stand up as a true leader.

You must remember that protecting the lives of your platoon is worth going the extra mile—even if that means looking foolish on occasion. You may need to stand strong and sell these ideas to your men, or even those senior to you. It might be a challenge.

To the best of my knowledge, I am the only person using these ideas in warfare, but I’ve replicated my success with my platoon leaders when I was in company command, and I’ve seen them work with many different leaders. They have found incredible results, and so can you.

You will learn:
A counterintuitive approach to squashing an insurgency among local civilian populations
How to become a trusted person who the locals can depend upon
Why using techniques of a stock broker may be your best friend in the field
Think an iron fist will work in every situation? Think again!
How a book by Warren Buffet's partner changed my strategy in the field
Why you need to learn the strategy of reciprocity and how to apply it now
The reason "door-to-door selling" will save you massive amounts of time in the long run

But that's not all; you will learn the real life stories and case studies that applied these methods at an extremely high success rate. So, let me tell you the story of how we won our corner of Mosul, and how you can win at war, too.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-0578771427, 057877142X, ASIN (Audible) B08P5YCS63

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle, Audiobook

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 199

Get A Grip on the Bible by Jerry Burton

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MWSA Review
I've done a lot of Bible studies and very much enjoyed this one. Get a Grip on the Bible was very helpful breaking down the key elements of the first eight books of the Bible. The questions are thought-provoking and provide the opportunity for the information to sink in. I especially appreciate the workbook-type format. I look forward to seeing the next study guide by Burton.

Review by Dawn Brotherton (April 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
Did you ever start to read the Bible and then give up? If so, this Get a Grip approach could help you get into the Word with confidence.

Get a Grip—on the Bible is designed to provide enough information to help you familiarize yourself with each book but not so much that you get overwhelmed. For each book covered, author Jerry L. Burton discusses who wrote it, why and when it was written, and the intended audience. He also explores the culture and history of the time, offering additional context. He also shares a few key narratives in a storytelling format, exploring key doctrines that appear consistently throughout the Bible. Using this method, you’ll soon have confidence in your ability to study and understand God’s Word.

Formatted for use by Sunday school classes, small-group Bible studies, and individuals, this study guide presents a comfortable way of learning the basics of the Bible.

ISBN/ASIN: 9781664205529 Softcover, 9781664205512 Hardcover, 9781664205536 E-Book

Book Format(s): Hard cover, Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Collections—Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 184

Clouds of War by Jerry Burton

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MWSA Review
In his book, Clouds of War: Past, Present, and Future, Author Jerry L. Burton has done an admirable job in telling us about a true American hero, William H. Drumm Jr. Burton admits this is as much a history book as a biography of Bill Drumm, as the author looks deeply into world events and how they affected Bill's life. Young Bill had three relatives who fought in World War I, and the two decades between the first and second world wars were the years Bill spent in childhood through the start of college. When World War II began, Bill signed up to fight, ultimately flying B-24s “over the hump” carrying supplies and personnel in and out of China from India and Burma.

After the war was over, it wasn't very long before Bill was back in the Far East. This time he found himself in Japan, supporting the UN war efforts in Korea. Nearing retirement from the U.S. Air Force, Bill was once again asked to serve in another war zone: Vietnam. He went and became one of a handful of U.S. heroes that served in all three conflicts. Even after his service in the military, Bill continued to fly with the Civil Air Patrol and was involved in numerous rescue operations, to include supporting the rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina. While I found the book's historical analysis and commentary interesting, I really enjoyed learning about Bill and his life of service for America.

Review by Bob Doerr (April 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
For Bill Drumm, history is not about the past. Follow Bill as he makes history, analyzes past events, and identifies clouds of war on the horizon that are warnings to us. Share his burden of command as he pilots his B-24 heavy bomber, transporting over 2,200 gallons of explosive aviation fuel from India into China, through thunder and lightning storms over the world’s highest mountains. Experience the pressure and anxiety for the safety of his crew as he flies through the worst weather in the world, performing what has been described by many as the most dangerous missions of the war, more dangerous than bombing raids over Germany or Japan.

Bill shares his experiences during the many Cold War crises during his twenty-eight years in the military.

And finally, Bill looks at the events of the last few years and identifies the enemy within and the terrible threat they pose to our constitutional republic.

ISBN/ASIN: 9781664121720 Softcover, 9781664121737 Hardcover, 9781664121713 E-Book

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 270

A Quiet Cadence by Mark Treanor

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MWSA Review
Raw. Powerful. Penetrating. Unrelenting. These words keep coming back to me (in the way the main character’s ghosts keep coming back to him) as I consider the experience of reading A Quiet Cadence by Mark Treanor. Though categorized as fiction, this book has the feel of reality, the ring of truth: raw, powerful, penetrating, unrelenting truth. Characters are drawn so vividly and precisely that I felt like I knew them. I laughed with them. I cried with them. I ruined some of the pages of the book with my tears.

More than any other book I have read recently, this book addresses the horror that is war—any war—and its aftermath in a way that I (and probably any reader) could understand and feel. It informs us about combat, plunging deeply into the soul, while at the same time examining the aftermath for decades after the initial experiences.

From first page to last, I did not want to miss one sentence, one phrase, one word. The author crafted his story expertly and decisively. The quiet cadence of his words still echoes in my heart, and will for a long time to come.

Review by Betsy Beard (February 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
Sometimes it takes years for a combat vet to understand what his war did to him when he was nineteen. And even longer to explain the cadence he has marched to since then to the people he loves.

Family and friends know Marty McClure as a kind, peaceful man. They aren't aware that when he was young, he plumbed the depths of terror, hatred and despair with no assurance he'd ever surface again. Now he needs to reveal what happened in Vietnam and how, with the help of his wife, Patti, Corrie Corrigan, a disabled vet, and Doc Matheson, a corpsman turned trauma surgeon, he makes peace with the ghosts that have visited his dreams all these years.

ISBN/ASIN: 9781682475065, B08C31Y763

Book Format(s): Hard cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 379

Presidential Advantage by Jessica James

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MWSA Review
Presidential Advantage: Operation First Lady by Jessica James is deeply entrenched in the nasty politics of Washington, DC, but these politicians are nastier. This mystery/thriller is well written and is hard to put down. The characters are well defined, and the story is well paced. There are hints and plot twists that keep you fully engaged in the story.

Elizabeth, who never seeks the spotlight and prefers spending time with horses rather than people, finds her Prince Charming is a Washington politician with a winning way but with arrogant political advisers. When she is suddenly thrust into the DC spotlight as First Lady, she avoids the media but clearly is loved by not only the people with whom she works but also the American public. She is the advantage that the President needs. However, her husband’s friends and advisers, who make the West Wing an uncomfortable place to work, constantly obstruct her good intentions and feed the media desire for bad news. The only friend Elizabeth seems to have is a member of her protection detail who has been instructed not to get too close to his protectee. Elizabeth works hard to uphold her duties as First Lady while still making time for Garth, popular First Dog, and her charities. This is a story about a shy Virginian who not only survives extremely nasty politics but holds true to her own values.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
An unsuspecting First Lady must rely on a Secret Service agent to discover who can be trusted—and who will do anything to keep control.

When a shy, country girl from Virginia marries a prominent Georgetown attorney, her life is bound to change. But when that attorney is catapulted to the office of President of the United States, she is thrust into the position of First Lady—and uncovers a world of secrets and betrayals that alters everything she once knew.

After recovering from her initial missteps and negotiating the obstacles of her new public life, the First Lady begins to understand the nature of politics. But as another election approaches, turmoil in the White House intensifies. Leaks. Lies. Deceit. Deception. People the First Lady thought were friends desert her and the true character of people she thought she knew is revealed.

When the stakes become life and death, the First Lady uncovers the ultimate betrayal and is forced to come to terms with her own role in the political process. Only with the help of Secret Service Agent Clint Brody can she hope to find her way out of danger—and uncover the identity of the real traitor in the White House.

ISBN/ASIN: B088CS9WV4

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle, ePub/iBook

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 364

Under Another Sun: A Novel of the Vietnam War by David Lewis and Dana Welch

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MWSA Review
Authors David S. Lewis and Dana C. Welch have written an interesting story of the life of an enlisted war correspondent, or public information specialist, serving in Vietnam during the war. Lewis, the primary story teller, paints us a realistic picture of a soldier, Thomas Grey, who arrives in Vietnam with an attitude and the goal of being a top-notch correspondent, only to leave a bitter and somewhat broken man. At first, he wants to be in the field with the troops, and in doing so, wins the troops' respect and an impressive reputation acknowledged by command. However, by the time his days left in the war zone wind down, he has become more reliant on booze and marijuana to maintain his courage, and inwardly wishes to not be sent out into combat anymore. With only weeks left, he is sent into the dreaded A Shau Valley accompanying a company of combat soldiers with a mission to seek out the enemy. The soldiers run into an ambush, and death and mayhem once again engulf Grey. This is a good story that is marred somewhat by punctuation and syntax errors.

Review by Bob Doerr (March 2021) 
 

Author's Synopsis
It was early in 1969. The war in Vietnam raged with both sides locked in a savage war of attrition. the American commitment reached its apex with over half a million men in-country.

Under Another Sun tells the stories of two American enlisted soldiers. One, a reporter for the Army's information services who travels throughout Vietnam, vowing the war from many places and from differing conditions. The other, an infantryman, a grunt, travels the jungles and mountains of the Area of Operations of the 101st Airborne Division in I Corps. The two soldiers link up from time-to-time as the story unfolds, which moves inexorably toward one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War--the fight for Dong Ap Bia, better known as Hamburger Hill--and the fates of the two young men. As the battle storms the limits of friendship, if any, are put to the test.

ISBN/ASIN: B08FF9J19P,B08FF94YBG

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 308

New Mexico Remembers 9/11 by Patricia Walkow

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MWSA Review
New Mexico Remembers 9/11 is a compilation of people’s memories of where they were and what they were doing when terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes on September 11, 2001. While the attacks were centered in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, the shock and aftershocks were felt by all Americans. The collection includes accounts by people from all walks of life. Some were near Ground Zero, some were overseas, some were working in the Department of Defense or were Air Traffic Controllers, and some were young mothers or school children. The common denominator for this anthology is that all are now writers who live in New Mexico. Whether told through poetry, prose, or photos, the accounts are compelling.

It has been nearly twenty years now, and it is important to remember the events, our reactions, and the way Americans from all regions, religions, ages, and walks of life pulled together to bring comfort to the hurting, physical aid to the injured, and support to our front-line workers.

The anthology is a thought-provoking and memory-inducing compendium of heartbreak, survival, growth, and triumph over adversity. Whether you lived through the events or were too young to remember, this work can give you a glimpse into what we all battled, what we all faced in the aftermath, and what we were able to accomplish together. 

Review by Betsy Beard (February 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 seared themselves into America’s collective memory. Non-stop images of collapsing towers, airlines flying into buildings, and a low-flying jet plunging into the Pentagon cannot be forgotten. Recordings of phone conversations between doomed passengers on United Flight 93—who knew about the previous attacks—and their loved ones on the ground, play over and over in our ears. In the subsequent days and months, much was said about New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. It was as though the rest of the country disappeared. The media people seemed to ignore the reality that the United States was attacked, that people in states like Missouri, Oregon, Alabama, or New Mexico were also terrorized. Aftershocks of the event spread far and wide. This anthology captures the 9/11/2001 experiences of New Mexico writers. Some witnessed the event first-hand. Some were still in school, or out of the country. But all of them now live in The Land of Enchantment, the state snuggled between Texas and Arizona. The talented contributors to New Mexico Remembers 9/11 offer enlightening, sometimes heart-wrenching prose, thoughtful analysis, and evocative poetry. What did they see? What did they do? How have they coped since then? What did they tell their children? How did they get home? Who got angry? Who retreated into themselves?

ISBN/ASIN: ISBN: 978-1951122102 ASIN: B08CS22R3T

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Anthology

Number of Pages: 250

What's Your Hero's Name by Stephen Trahan

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Author's Synopsis
North Korea finally steps over the line and launches a live nuclear missile towards one of its perceived foes. It goes down near Noto Island, Japan, but fortunately doesn't detonate. While meeting with the war cabinet, U.S. President Leo H. Morris suddenly dies of undetermined causes.

Now an unprepared Vice President, Marc Z. Gregoire, must guide the world through a crisis and avert World War Three. But he is stranded in Quebec, Canada, and resorts to a harrowing snowmobile expedition to get back to the states. To make matters worse, once he reaches his home in Vermont an attempt is made on his life.

By the book's end, the President has in place a massive military response threatening to destroy North Korea. But he hopes he won't have to use it. Fiction today; real news tomorrow?

ISBN/ASIN: 978-1-7347947-0-0

Book Format(s): Soft cover

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 242

A Few Days in the Navy by A. T. Roberts

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MWSA Review
Lieutenant Anthony Doinel has never been very brave. That’s why he joined the Navy, actually. If there was one job where he could address and overcome his personal cowardice, it would have to be flying jets for the US Navy. Or so he thought. After flight school (but no jets), training, deployments, and a shore tour, Doinel is left wondering whether or not he will ever accept who he is and what is in store for him in life. Now what?

Most books about Navy aviators are action packed, both in the air and on the ground. This book is different. It’s not about the training or the job or the girls (though all of those play a part), it’s about one young man’s journey to find himself and conquer his demons. The author does a great job of portraying a junior officer’s life in the Navy, from OCS to flight training to deployment, and along the way develops a character that through experience and introspection grows and learns more of what he is about. I particularly liked Anthony’s inner conversations after some particular event or happening; they reminded me of dealing with some of my own demons when I was a junior officer.

Written from the point of view of someone who knows, this book will be interesting to anyone who wears Navy gold wings (pilot or NFO), and also anyone who “grew up” and learned about themselves in the Navy.

Review by Rob Ballister (March 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
A FEW DAYS IN THE NAVY is a tale of misadventure on land, at sea, and in the air. The story follows Anthony Doinel, a cowardly and insecure young man who desires to be anything but. Deciding to join the cut-throat world of military aviation in the footsteps of his lineage, he desperately seeks the crucible of combat to wash himself of his less than courageous nature. As his naval service grinds forward, themes of cowardice, identity, and belonging are examined as Anthony learns just how far reality can diverge from expectations in the twenty-first century military.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-1-55571-999-9

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 200

Tiffany Studios Buying Guide by Allen Tiffany

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MWSA Review
Tiffany Studios Buying Guide is not your typical reference book where a seller or buyer of an item can look up prices. Rather, it is a handy reference for those interested in evaluating the authenticity and quality of items created by Tiffany Studios, Tiffany Furnaces, and Favrile art glass objects.

With many annotated color photographs, the author helps the reader distinguish between pieces in excellent condition and those that are damaged. He deftly demonstrates, through text and photos, where damage is likely to occur and where it exists and might be not so obvious. In addition, Mr. Tiffany (yes, he is related to the Tiffany family), has spent many years in his mother’s antique shop where he learned much about what to look for when trading in Tiffany ware.

He offers and demonstrates practical ideas for how to use today’s auction sites (such as e-Bay, among others) to get an idea of the selling price for specific pieces of Tiffany. Mr. Tiffany wisely cautions against using the asking price for an item as a guide for determining value. Instead, he shows the reader, through screenshots, how to find the actual selling price of a specific piece on auction sites. As with any purchase, sometimes buyers are not satisfied with what they bought. The author offers practical suggestions for addressing this problem and getting a refund.

The bibliography provides essential references for anyone buying or selling Tiffany lamps, art glass, desk sets, and bronzes. The author writes a synopsis for each book he recommends. If you are interested in buying or selling the Tiffany items referenced in this book, add the Tiffany Studios Buying Guide to your bookshelf. Better yet, keep the book next to your computer.

Review by Patricia Walkow (March 2021)
 

Author's Synopsis
Antique Tiffany Studios, Tiffany Furnaces, and Tiffany Favrile glass are some of the most popular pieces on eBay and other online auction sites. They are gorgeous and often as presented, but sometimes damage - both subtle and severe - may not be explicitly called out or obvious from photos. Focused on the "Etched Metal and Glass" desk sets and more common Favrile art objects, this detailed and lavishly illustrated buying guide will teach you how to look for hidden damage so you don't overpay hundreds of dollars. Additional chapters include an overview of how to buy and sell Tiffany for a profit, and what to do if you are the victim of fraud when buying antiques, and an extensive review of more than 15 Tiffany references. Allen is distantly related to Louis Comfort Tiffany and has long prized his art. As a teenager, he worked in his mother's antique store and spent many weekends at estate sales, auctions, and the occasional antique show learning the trade and how to spot the treasures and pieces that would have been treasures were it not for damage.

ISBN/ASIN: B08F892STG

Book Format(s): Soft cover

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Reference

Number of Pages: 227

Ivory Rangers by Joseph Mujwit

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MWSA Review
Ivory Rangers is a book in the fiction category, but it is founded on extensive and credible research by the author. Amid the excitement of many fire fights between the ivory poachers and those who are trying to save the elephants, there are many things to be learned. The reader will become immersed in the culture of the region and the threat to the existence of the wild elephants in the national parks. This threat is presented by the poachers whose culture of greed is fed by the ivory trade. Back in America, a multi-billionaire shifts his culture from becoming wealthy to becoming a philanthropist. He funds a group of American post military service mercenaries to jump into the fight. The fight goes beyond the conflict between poachers and mercenaries. The conflict of cultures becomes outright war involving the people of the region, the poachers, the Park Rangers, and the elephants. In addition to the excitement, there are a few surprises and even a love story. Read, learn and enjoy!

Review by Jerry L. Burton (March 2021)

 

Author's Synopsis
All that stands between violent poachers and the annihilation of endangered elephants in Africa’s Garamba National Park are Ike Motumbo, his poorly trained and equipped Rangers, and three mercenaries.

Garamba lies at a point Ike refers to as “the confluence of Heaven and Hell.” His team is losing the battle against poachers assailing the World Heritage site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Rangers are outmanned, outgunned, and in a race to save the critically endangered elephants, giraffes, and other animals who make their home in the unique habitat.

Billionaire Hernan Scott believes the world is suffering the “Sixth Mass Extinction” and is willing to use his resources to slow the progression. He hires former Green Beret Joseph “Bo” Ludwicz, his mechanic/pilot best friend Richard “Chops” Truman, and former South African Recces soldier Alfie Stack to train and equip the Rangers in their fight.

Tensions build as Ike’s spiritual conviction clashes with Bo’s lack of faith. Ike sees himself as the second coming of Saint Francis of Assisi and believes he has a divine mandate to protect all the animals in the park. Racial tension arises between Alfie and Ike’s deputy, James “Jimbo” Tsonga. Can the team put aside its differences and pull together before the animals are wiped out?

ISBN/ASIN: B08CNKZG1J, B08CPHH4W4, 979-8662624245,

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 222

Love and Lies: Call Me Eve by Sandi Hoover & Jim Tritten

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MWSA Review
Love and Lies: Call Me Eve has the right combination of romance, intrigue, and suspense to keep a reader hooked. It is a love story about two people meeting in an exotic location. Mark is interested in Eve, who leaves out important details about her life. This sets the plot in motion for a series of conflicts for the main characters both on the island and when they return to their normal lives in the United States.

The authors set scenes beautifully without over describing. The initial story setting put readers into the scenes and allowed them to escape to the tropical paradise where the two main characters lived at that moment. The characters had their own personalities from the beginning, but the authors left enough detail out to keep readers guessing about their true goals and motivations.

The writing was superb in several ways. The authors, Sandi Hoover and Jim Tritten, provided subtle clues to the bigger plot but let the reader discover it as the story evolved. For example, on page one: “Well, that's swift. Sun crashes into the ocean without a breath.” This short passage provides an important clue about Eve’s mindset at the time and foreshadows an important event. The authors also did an excellent job describing each of the characters in their inner and outer dialogue and their displays of emotional body language. Throughout the story, the authors showed how the lovers’ brief encounter helped them learn more about themselves and their true desires over the next year.

Hoover and Tritten wove a full and interesting love story into a mere fifty pages, not wasting a word. This novella is highly recommended for romance readers and for those who enjoy discovering the nuances of good writing.

Review by Valerie Ormond (February 2021) 

Author's Synopsis
“She sipped her well-chilled, dry martini, taking extra time before answering. What . . . how much do I tell him? Just want a distraction. Something to fill an evening.”

Eve was sipping a Fiji Moonrise, the house specialty at Fiji’s Natewu Bay Resort’s water’s edge bar, when an unfamiliar baritone asked, “May I buy you a refill? The evening is far too pleasant to spend alone.” Mark Adams proves to be an irresistible diversion during Eve’s trip home from a conference. But when playtime’s up and planes are departing, Eve doesn’t play fair.

Upon her return, Eve receives an unexpected life-changing event and regrets having lied. Mark is faced with a wounded heart and a nearly insurmountable challenge. Join an exciting adventure where true feelings are the catalyst to propel two star-crossed lovers to find each other … again.

ISBN/ASIN: B08SXZ6SFB

Book Format(s): Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Romance

Number of Pages: 50