Christ's Purple Heart by Chuck Habermehl

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MWSA Review

Christ’s Purple Heart by Chuck Habermehl is the account of the Passion of Christ from a military perspective. The author explains various political factions, and how they play a significant role in what happened to Jesus. The author, a Vietnam veteran, compares Jesus to an operator on a mission. Bible verses at the end of each chapter help the reader correlate fulfilling Bible prophecy with what Jesus experienced physiologically and psychologically as he was tortured.

Habermehl describes Christ’s Purple Heart: “(It) is distinguished by the cross on which He died. Above the heart is a shield, which symbolizes Jesus as the protector. It is red for the sizable amount of blood He shed and is flanked with thorns representing the crown and various devices used to inflict His injuries. The Gold V that lies atop the shied stands for the incredible valor Christ exhibited while being tortured as a prisoner of war. The red ribbon trimmed in purple is for additional blood He shed, more than any man could ever endure."

Habermehl presents Christ's Purple Heart posthumously to Jesus Christ. "For wounds received in action against hostile enemy forces resulting in His death, while engaged in a world-changing mission April 30 AD, Jerusalem, Judea..."

This Lenten season, give yourself a gift. Read Christ’s Purple Heart.

Review by Nancy Panko (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Christ's Purple Heart: Killed In Action Body Resurrected is a special narrative on the final days of Christ's life from the perspective of a hand-to-hand, close quarters combative tactician, Chuck Habermehl, who elaborates on descriptive injuries typically missing from most accounts of Christ’s death. Support of this historical event was found in his study of The Bible, in numerous books on the life of Jesus and in period books on warfare in the region, listed in the book’s references.

“Jesus had His marching orders in AD30, with His operation planning and methods being similar to classic small-unit tactics. There was the occupier and the occupied, the ally and the axis, good and evil.”

Christ endured horrific physical tortures at the hand of violent hostile soldiers in a barbaric time. Four chapters of Christ's Purple Heart are dedicated to the mechanisms of His dying: interrogating, scourging, beatings and the crucifixion. During all of this, Jesus possessed all the attributes of a disciplined warrior, brave and willing to sacrifice Himself for His unit, the mission and mankind. While He is deserving of so many honors, including a Medal of Honor, it is because of His physical injuries Habermehl focuses on Christ's Purple Heart.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 128

Word Count: 20,000

Against All Enemies by Thomas M. Wing

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MWSA Review

In his book Against All Enemies, author Thomas Wing has provided us with a fascinating tale of what may happen if the Chinese committed a limited, surprise attack against the United States. The Chinese believed that a non-nuclear attack that significantly destroyed our ability to respond would force a wounded US to accept an immediate cease fire agreement. They were wrong, and elements of the Pacific fleet took the fight right back to them. Outnumbered, and for the most part fighting without communications and satellite assistance, Commander Bill Wilkins and the crew of the USS Nicholas wreak havoc on the Chinese navy. The author's portrayal of the naval combat kept my attention throughout the book. Anyone who enjoys reading military fiction should enjoy this book.

Review by Bob Doerr ( February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

When the People’s Republic of China unleashes a devastating attack on the United States, newly appointed Navy Commander Bill Wilkins and his crew are suddenly alone, deep in the enemy’s backyard, and unable to communicate with naval or national leadership.

At home in Washington, the president is detached from reality. Survivors of his cabinet contend with military leadership for control, some to save the nation they serve, others in pursuit of personal power.As America becomes alienated from her allies, Russia begins a campaign that creates heightened fears of nuclear annihilation.

Bill must navigate a political minefield to find friends among China’s neighbors while undertaking a role that demands he take unimaginable risks and wrestle with the question, What losses are acceptable in order to win?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 461

Word Count: About 112,000

Steal the Reaper by Todd Hosea

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MWSA Review

Steal the Reaper by Todd Hosea is an expansive sci-fi novel which tells the riveting story of Ava Tan’s daring mission to steal the most advanced starship on earth from North Korea. The author skillfully writes vivid scenes, introduces scores of compelling characters, all set in an authentic feeling near future. Readers who enjoy high-stakes, epic tales that span the globe and beyond should enjoy Todd Hosea’s ambitious novel.

Review by Brad Huestis (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

A mysterious spacecraft has crashed in a remote region of North Korea. The ship is now in the hands of a tyrannical dictator who will stop at nothing to unlock its secrets and bring the West to its knees. As tensions rise in the wake of this threat, North Korea’s Supreme Leader is unaware that a small, prototype vessel, known as the Reaper, lies hidden within the wreckage. Its ingenious purpose could either save humanity or lead to its extinction.

Meanwhile, Captain Ava Tan is recruited for the boldest mission in military history: Steal the Reaper. Her orders are to infiltrate North Korea—the most isolated country on the planet—avoid triggering World War III, and pilot an alien vessel that is light years beyond anything she has ever flown. It is a suicide mission that will test Ava’s courage and force her to decide where her loyalties truly lie. Earth’s fate hangs in the balance and the clock is ticking.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Number of Pages: 510

Word Count: 190,000

Berkshire Patriots: Stories of Sacrifice by Dennis G. Pregent

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MWSA Review

Berkshire Patriots: Stories of Sacrifice by Dennis G. Pregent includes short stories of twenty-seven men and one woman who had some connection with Adams, North Adams, and Williamstown in Berkshire County, Western Massachusetts. Rather than simply personal stories, each entry includes a great deal of historical context. The patriots who were written about served in the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Viet Nam, and Afghanistan. Some returned to the States to continue their leadership roles; some died in battle. Appropriate photos and illustrations are part of many stories. The author used various prime sources including a couple of unpublished memoirs. Each vignette begins with a brief explanation of why this story is included. The book concludes with six plus pages of a reading list organized by patriot. In addition to these books, the author often cites the local newspaper, The North Adams Transcript (which later became the Berkshire Eagle).

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Western Massachusetts, in particular Berkshire County, has produced an astounding number of war heroes, all the way from the French and Indian Wars through the war in Afghanistan. Dennis Pregent brings to life twenty-eight of them in this inspiring collection of hometown heroes who responded to their country's call with selflessness and sacrifice. As a native of the Berkshires and a Marine veteran himself, Pregent was able to collect rare and never-before-published war documents and personal correspondence, enriched by intimate interviews with family members and descendants.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 388

Word Count: 90,000

Alchemy's Reach by Patricia Walkow and Chris Allen

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MWSA Review
Alchemy’s Reach is an easy-read mystery about a family that discovers its secret past when tragedy strikes. The story takes place in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Jen Murphy, a deputy sheriff, inherited the family ranch with her brother Ethan, whose wanderlust inspires him to investigate local lore about Alchemy, a nearby ghost town.

It’s there that a few plot turns and twists take place, resulting in a murder and a suicide. Co-authors, Chris Allen and Patricia Walkow waste few words in this short novel to set the stage, solve the crimes, and consummate a romance.

Despite the violence, this is a sweet story that ties up the loose ends of a family that had long struggled with understanding who they were. The plot is carried by ten characters, plus a comforting pet Labrador, Fi, who seemingly communicates with human-level intelligence. Readers who are looking for entertainment and a quick read that can be finished in one cold winter’s night, will find that Alchemy’s Reach fills that bill.

Review by James Elsener (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Jennifer Murphy closes her heart to love after a searing breakup with the man she thought she’d marry.

Instead, she puts her passion into her work as Deputy Sheriff of Lincoln County in southeastern New Mexico. Between her law enforcement job and owning the 4,000-acre ranch she and her younger brother, Ethan, inherited from their parents, her life is full. She has no time for romantic relationships and no desire to pursue any. Her companion in bed is her large dog, Dusty.

Living between the small towns of Carrizozo and Ruidoso, Jennifer (Jen) loves the rolling hills and distant mountains. She can’t envision living anywhere else. Of Irish descent and in her mid-thirties, she is competent, attractive, and strong-willed. But Ethan does not share her love for their land or livestock and often travels elsewhere for temporary work. Jen is sometimes annoyed with him and would appreciate his help with the endless chores. Fortunately, the old ranch manager, Pablo Baca, who was hired many years ago by her father, lives on the property. He keeps Montaño Vista Ranch running, manages seasonal hires, and is a surrogate father for both Ethan and Jen.

Ethan’s current job is as a novice logger in Oregon. There, he and Joe Stern, a Squamish Indian, become good friends. Joe is an experienced lumberjack and saves Ethan’s life at the job site. But, as with all his other jobs, Ethan quits after a few months and returns home.

In an attempt to keep Ethan closer to the ranch, Jen tells him about a hand-drawn map she found in the family bible. It shows the ghost town of Alchemy. Local lore indicates a cache of gold might be buried in the town, now visible since a multi-year drought has dried up the reservoir that covered it. Ethan decides to prospect for whatever treasure the ruin might reveal and invites Joe to join him.

Neither Jen nor Ethan knows they have a unique tie to the ghost town. But Alchemy has a reputation as an evil place, and the locals are wary of it.

Ethan’s brief time in Alchemy leads to events that shock the community, change his life, and bring Jennifer and Joe closer together.

But will she ever again open her heart to love?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Romance

Number of Pages: 193

Word Count: 51,709

The Borinqueneers, A Visual History of the 65th Infantry Regiment by Noemi Figueroa Soulet

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MWSA Review

Noemí Figueroa Soulet’s award-winning coffee table book, The Borinqueneers, is a compilation of several hundred photographs assimilated over 23 years from public and private collections with veterans and families contributing. The 12 x 9, 200-page format contains a glossary of abbreviations, photo index, quote index, notes, and bibliography. Most noteworthy is that all text and captions are in both English and Spanish. This feature adds value as a language instruction book for either language. However, the extra space required for both reduces the capacity for more photos or enlargements on sometimes crowded pages.

The Borinqueneers is a pictorial history of the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, composed primarily of Puerto Ricans, “becoming the only Hispanic segregated unit in Army history.” The presentation is chronological, beginning with the “Porto Rico Battalion of Volunteer Infantry,” established to defend the island country following the Spanish-American War. The U.S. Army deactivated the regiment in 1959 after it fought in three wars.

Much of the book is composed of black and white photos, but a portion of the chapter on the Korean War contains some quality color photographs depicting vivid accounts of battlefield conditions. Followers of military history, specifically of the U.S. Army, might find the rare accounts of The Borinqueneers a valued addition to their library.

Review by Tom Beard (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

An inspiring collection of more than 700 rare photographs which traces the glorious history of the 65th Infantry Regiment, the only Hispanic-segregated unit in U.S. Army history, comprised primarily of Puerto Ricans. This bilingual edition illustrates the regiment's more than 120 years of service, from its origins in 1899 through its service during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The historical content and veteran quotes in both English and Spanish provide an in-depth perspective about the service of one of the country's last segregated military units. Recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, the unit's trajectory comes to life as they train and fight in Puerto Rico, Panama, Europe and Korea. The book provides a rich visual legacy of the regiment's valiant service to our country.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table

Number of Pages: 200

Word Count: 36,878

The Raven and the Dove by Elvis Bray

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MWSA Review

The Raven and the Dove by Elvis Bray explores the many ways in which drones might impact our lives while following Homicide Detective Storm Harrison as he searches for clues and connections among several murders. He is even asked by the FBI to join one of their teams as they investigate apparently unrelated murders. Harrison proves to be a skilled investigator who observes, asks questions, and connects the dots. Twists and turns keep the story interesting.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Storm Harrison is a homicide detective with the Colorado Springs Police department assigned to an FBI Task force attempting to catch a serial killer who is assassinating political figures using drones.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 224

Word Count: 54,530

Bikini Beach by Butch Maki

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MWSA Review

"And like that, we all were off in a deafening roar to whatever destiny awaited us."

A grand opening chapter to a well-written book that will both make you cry and shake your head in wonder. Butch Maki lived the story and fictionalized it to make events flow and the book more readable. But never forget, what he saw, felt, smelled, touched, and heard would affect the entire rest of his life.

“Young men and women were sent off to fight in a war they did not cause or understand. I wondered how the mothers of the soldiers who perished here yesterday would feel if they knew that their sons died to win this ground. Then we abandoned it less than 36 hours later."

The author offers his thoughts about this war by describing different types of killing other human beings.

"There is a third type. This is the one that sticks with you for your entire life! It is the one that steals your soul, causes many sleepless nights, namely, the up close and personal killings that cannot merely be called anything but a murder in living color, experiences that are permanently etched into my mind. These are the SOG missions that are forever replayed and revisited in my head, with a repeated intensity that I never wanted to see once, and certainly not over, and over, and over again."

Join Butch Maki as he battles the demons that still haunt his life until he finally catches a break - all stemming from an act of heroism back in the hell hole of Vietnam. Most highly recommended.

Review by Jim Tritten (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Based on true events, author Butch Maki and his character, Huey helicopter Crew Chief, Sergeant Specialist Donald "Mack" Mackinen, display ordinary valor commonly found in a war that often gets overlooked. He brings us along on death-defying rides during some of the most brutal days of the war in Vietnam. Every morning, he heads into a nightmare all day long, where instinctual acts of heroism, mercy, and the sheer will to survive bring about a different kind of change, one that will last Mack way beyond the Southeast Asian conflict to conflict with his life upon his return.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 448

Word Count: 108266

Fading Memories of An Old Soldier: Vietnam 1968-1979 by Elvis Lynn Bray

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MWSA Review
Elvis Bray's memoir, Fading Memories of an Old Soldier, offers a raw, introspective look at the author's experiences serving in the Vietnam War from 1968-1970. Spanning 18 chapters in a concise 139 pages, Bray's account pulls readers directly into the harsh realities of combat. His vivid recollections of arriving in Vietnam and serving with the Seventh Squadron, First Air Cavalry transport readers to the front lines. With skillful storytelling, Bray exposes the fine line between courage and fear that soldiers face. His honest vulnerability provides insight into the toll of war, from enduring trauma to grappling with survivor's guilt. Bray's heartfelt dedication to fellow soldiers, including the many who perished, pays tribute to the unsung heroes of Vietnam. While chronicling challenging missions and crashes as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief, Bray also unravels the difficulties of life after war. His battles with PTSD and health problems reveal the enduring scars of combat. Yet he remains grateful for the "grace that allows him to wake up every morning with memories, not regrets."

Elvis Bray's anthology of real-life events and fiction stands as a poignant memoir of service and sacrifice. His vivid imagery and empathetic voice remind us that heroes are defined not by fear but by their actions in the aftermath of fear. This stirring account serves as both a history lesson and a timely reflection on the ripple effects of war—fading memories or not.

Review by Elvis Leighton (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

This is a memoir of short stories, non-fiction and fiction, based on real live events of my two years in Vietnam in 1968-1970 as a helicopter crew chief on a UH-1H helicopter in slicks and medical evacuation, dustoff helicopters, and as an observer in the scout helicopter. I served with the 7th/1st Air Cav in the delta in 1968-1969, and in the Central Highland with the 247th Medical Detachment in 1969-1970.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Collection, Short Storied

Number of Pages: 134

Word Count: 34,270

Welcome Home to Murder by Rosalie Spielman

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MWSA Review

If you want to immerse yourself in a captivating, quick read with unexpected plot twists and turns, pick up Welcome Home to Murder by Rosalie Spielman.

Her well-developed characters are colorful, credible, and refreshingly authentic. Despite genuine life issues of PTSD and the loss of loved ones, Spielman keeps the reader uplifted with down-to-earth humor that will have you laughing out loud. Her plot details are vivid and suspenseful, and her use of language is colorful.

The protagonist, Tessa Treslow, left home in rural Idaho after high school and joined the U.S. Army. After two decades, she returns with her dog, Vince, to her family and the small-town life she had left behind. Tessa’s homecoming takes a turn when a body turns up in her aunt’s auto shop, and it appears that someone has set sights on everything her family holds dear. To protect her family from unjust accusations, Tessa takes the investigation into her own hands—a challenging task with a long list of potential suspects.

Welcome Home to Murder is a mystery well worth the read. I recommend giving it a try!

Review by Sandi Cathcart (February 2024)

Author's Synopsis

From author Rosalie Spielman comes a heartfelt cozy mystery that proves sometimes coming home again can be murder...

Tessa Treslow never wanted a small town life. As soon as she graduated high school, she happily escaped her tiny town to join the U.S. Army, leaving New Oslo, Idaho, population 852, firmly behind her. Twenty years later, the hometown hero is finally ready to come back—even if she has just a visit with loved ones in mind while her family is hoping to convince her to stay for good.

With her fawn boxer dog, Vince, in tow, Tessa falls into the familiar small town life, helping out in her family's general store and her feisty Aunt Edna's auto body shop. But her peaceful homecoming is shattered when the dead body of a crooked con man turns up in her aunt's shop, and the police have some serious questions for the family. To make matters worse, the sheriff in charge just happens to be Tessa's ex-boyfriend... and things did not end well between them all those years ago. When it comes out that the con man was trying to get his hands on the family business, Tessa knows they're in trouble.

With her family in danger of being dragged away in handcuffs, Tessa becomes a woman on a mission to find the con man's killer. Between a slew of suspects, a meandering moose, and a handsome newcomer with his eye on Tessa, she has her work cut out for her. But when the killer changes tactics—putting everything her family holds dear in jeopardy—Tessa begins to realize what home really means to her. Can she be the hero for her hometown once again... before it's too late?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 243

Word Count: 76,000

Fatal Secrets by TR Whitney

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MWSA Review
A who-done-it and more. Lots of twists await you in Fatal Secrets as the reader tries to discover not only a killer but also who and why some characters are trying to frame each other for a murder they did not (or in one case did) commit. If you can figure it out before the denouement, you will be a very astute reader with superb attention to detail.

Fatal Secrets is an easy-to-read, captivating story with unusual characters. The story flows naturally and is easy to follow. Tanya Whitney is going to be heard from again, and let's hope her next book is as good as this one. Recommended.

Reviewed by Jim Tritten (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

After David Masters learns Helen is dead, he realizes he could be the primary suspect because of a letter he wrote. In his search for the letter, he uncovers a list of men with reason to commit the murder.

As he becomes more involved in searching for the truth, it becomes obvious that Helen’s murder is more tangled than her relationships.

Not only does David need to find the person who killed Helen, more importantly…which suspect is trying to frame him?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 291

Word Count: 91,082

Hive and Seek; A Backyard Beekeeping Mystery by Rebecca O'Bea

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MWSA Review

Hive and Seek: A Backyard Beekeeping Mystery by Rebecca O’Bea fulfills all the requirements for a cozy mystery: amateur sleuth, violence happening offstage, small community, quirky characters. Rebecca O'Bea does all that in her book, and as a fan of cozies, I dove right in.

Indigo Blue Evans finds her former professor dead, covered in honeybees, near her hives in Colette, Kansas. Due to circumstantial evidence, Indigo is immediately blamed for the professor’s demise and is determined to prove herself innocent. Enter Sean Riordan, interim sheriff: tall, dark, handsome, and emitting just the right pheromones to catch Indigo’s attention. He discovers that Indigo’s bees did not kill the man, identified as Professor Bob Fontenot, but a blow to the head with a brick did. Indigo remains the number one person of interest because of a falling out with Professor Bob over an accusation of plagiarism on her graduate thesis.

More determined than ever, Indigo involves her wacky family and bizarre group of friends to assist in clearing her name, and to find out who committed the crime. I wanted more in-depth character development, but I giggled at the antics of the non-professional crime solving, and I learned a lot about bee keeping as I read Hive and Seek.  Several red herrings had me guessing who the perpetrator was until the very end. Kudos to the author.

Review by Nancy Panko (January 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

It’s a body! More precisely––the body of a man dressed in a white beekeeping suit, lying perfectly still.

“Karl! The bees––they’re all over his face!”

In the small town of Colette, Kansas, murder is practically unheard of. So, when novice beekeeper and washed-out graduate student Indigo Evans discovers the dead body of her former professor covered with honeybees, she becomes a suspect. With the aid of her family, friends, and new acquaintances, plus a cat with an attitude, Indie finds herself thrust into the role of a beekeeping detective.

To solve the mystery of the professor’s death, Indie must work alongside the handsome new sheriff in town, who is determined to push her away from the investigation.

Will Indie and her zany crew solve the case before the killer strikes again? Be prepared for intrigue and a laugh-out-loud caper as you follow the buzz in Hive and Seek, the debut novel of The Backyard Beekeeping Mystery series.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 181

Word Count: 63,000

The Warmaker: a Black Spear novel by Benjamin Spada

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MWSA Review

The Warmaker by Benjamin Spada is the age-old battle of Good over Evil, with Cole West as the protagonist. He and his Black Spear operators give their all to prevent World War III but encounter an enemy using futuristic methods and weapons.

It only takes one little spark to start the world burning: A U.S. Congressman spontaneously bursts into flames while on his way to grab a hot dog for lunch. An undercover CIA agent burns alive, leaving only charred bones where he once stood. Others in the (Common Defense Industries) CDI meet untimely deaths as if methodically eliminated by the faceless enemy.

Cutting-edge foreign military prototypes find themselves in the hands of organized crime on the streets of the United States. All of it leads back to a rogue weapons designer and the horrifying revelation that America no longer possesses the most advanced military in the world. Black Spear faces opponents for foreign and domestic, and politics plays a role in the pressures they face.

The nation is on the brink of war, and it’s up to Black Spear to avert the inevitable. Failure is not an option. Cole is faced with a question: How many people would you kill to stop a war?

Warning: Graphic violence. The Warmaker by Benjamin Spada will keep mature readers on the edge of their seats.

Review by Nancy Panko (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

How many people would you kill to stop a war?

It's the question burning in Cole West's mind as he and his Black Spear allies reload to leap once more into the fire.

A U.S. Congressman is killed in an American city, in broad daylight, by an unknown weapon. An undercover CIA agent burns alive during his extraction before he can reveal what he's learned. Bleeding-edge foreign military prototypes find themselves in the hands of organized crime on the streets of the United States. All of it leads back to a rogue weapons designer and the horrifying revelation that America no longer possesses the most advanced military in the world.

Black Spear's enemies are both foreign and domestic this time. Collaborators, saboteurs, and co-conspirators knife their way through America's political system to compromise the nation from within. Cole and his team are forced to turn to new allies when global tensions inch closer to the breaking point.

The clock is ticking for Black Spear to avert catastrophe, but their very effort seems in vain. With all its rage and all its fury, war is coming.

The entire world is primed to explode, and the Warmaker has already lit the fuse.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 387

Word Count: 98668

Milledgeville's Sesquicentennial Murders by Susan Lindsley

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MWSA Review

Every small town has a story worth telling. Intriguing events, colorful characters, and bizarre circumstances all combine to tell those collective stories. Milledgeville, Georgia, has Marion Stembridge, and the story of the murders he committed in 1953 (and these were not Stembridge's only killings!). Susan Lindsley has told this story, and described the cast of characters behind it, in clever detail, drawing on court records, family biographies, and first-person accounts. It has some of the elements of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City by combining a big-picture view of events that whirled around the horrible crimes committed by Stembridge. A good read for anyone interested in true crime and an insight into mid-20th century America.

Review by Frank Biggio (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

His home town of Milledgeville planned celebrations for its 150th birthday, Marion Stembridge planned revenge against those he though had betrayed him. He should have been in state prison, but ole-timey Southern hanky-panky in a nearby courthouse overruled even the U. Supreme Court decisions. On May 2, 1953, he acted and killed his own attorney who defended him in his first murder trial, and also killed the attorney who was representing his wife in her divorce case. Susan Lindsley’s book reveals forgotten details of his life and actions and clarifies the many misconceptions and rumors that have spread through the years. The cover is the only known photograph of Stembridge, taken when he was a student at the local Georgia Military College’s high school; the photograph was discovered shortly before the book was published.

Stories still persist in Milledgeville that his ghost inhabited his last residence and the basement of his store building.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 241

Word Count: 84,978

Green Light Go! The Story of an Army Start Up by David B Rowland

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MWSA Review

Green Light Go: The Story of an Army Start Up is an excellent developed and personal account by Colonel Rowland of the startup in 2019 of the United States Army 5th Security Assistance Brigade (SFAB). The book covers the anticipated need for and concept for the organization’s creation, development, personnel recruitment, procurement and budget struggles, mission, regional focus, and ultimate utilization and deployment in the Pacific region. Colonel Rowland had presented an expanded after-action report of the startup of the 5TH SFAB. While during the creation of the Security Assistance Brigades there may have been differing opinions by some within the military community as to the need for such an organization, Colonel Rowland proved the need and gained acceptance and admiration from foreign partners for the SFAB. Colonel Rowland has produced a non-biased report and blueprint on the stand up of the SFAB that can be duplicated and utilized as a teaching model.

Review by Warren Martin (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

In 2019, US Army senior leaders urgently needed an organization to work with its partners and allies to meet White House-directed national security objectives. Green Light Go! provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) formed and developed into this essential organization, eventually venturing off to the steppes of Mongolia, the humid jungles of Indonesia and the Philippines, and the pristine beaches of the Maldives. National security practitioners, leadership development professionals, and contemporary historians will be fascinated by these insights into the inner workings of a nascent Army organization as unit members navigate through complex obstacles. Never before has such an unlikely group been able to accomplish so much in a short time frame while capturing the essence of entrepreneurship.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 372

Word Count: 105000

Steel Soldier: Guadalcanal Odyssey by James J. Messina with Charles Messina

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MWSA Review

In Steel Soldier, Guadalcanal Odyssey, author James Messina tells a fascinating account of his tenure in the marines with a special focus on his experiences during the invasion of Guadalcanal. James grew up in Pittsburgh, and just weeks before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he enlisted into the marines. As soon as he finished his training, James found himself on a ship heading to the Pacific. After a brief period of preparation in New Zealand, his unit led the invasion into Guadalcanal to take the island back from the Japanese. James recounts the invasion and months of fighting as only someone with firsthand experience could.

Charles Messina, James's son, adds historical perspective and edited his father's work to make this book a truly interesting read. I recommend it.

Review by Bob Doerr (January 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

My father, the most influential person in my life, passed away on March 20, 2008. As an intimate gift to his children, he wrote and illustrated his life story.

In the end, it took him eight years to complete his autobiography, and I was so impressed with his storytelling and artistic talent that I reached out to a journalist who had an interest in regional history. Following an interview with my father, the local newspaper ran a two-page article chronicling his life growing up in West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and his time serving as a Marine in World War II. The journalist applauded his work as an enormous achievement and an important part of history. He encouraged me to publish his story and share it with the public, which is something I had wanted to do for a long time. However, my dad was not interested and said it was merely a token of love for his children to remember him by.

This is an American tale about a working-class man who lived an honest life, believed strongly in God, and fought for his country. He represents thousands of other hardworking Americans with untold stories of integrity and honor. It’s also a compelling story of survival that begins in a gritty Pennsylvania steel town during the Great Depression and then transports the reader into the steaming jungles of Guadalcanal, where a young Marine faces death in one of the most pivotal and bloodiest battles of World War II.

Steel Soldier serves as a testament to the special man my dad was. It’s not a gripping mystery that concludes with a thrilling climax. Rather, it is a series of vignettes with some entertaining moments of a bygone era, which have been compiled by a very talented storyteller.

To look at him, you’d never guess this mild-mannered, unassuming, and kind man had once been a fierce warrior. He was loved by everyone who knew him, and to me he is a true American hero. Semper Fi, Dad

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 306

Word Count: 93,670

The Dog Soldier by Kim Kinrade

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MWSA Review

The Dog Soldier is a novel set in the closing years of the Vietnam War, during the chaotic period of “Vietnamization,” as seen through the eyes of Canadian volunteer “Nucky” Benson, and to a lesser extent, his Native American friend Jimmy Whitebull. Dog Soldiers are a warrior tradition from Jimmy’s Northern Cheyenne nation, who when forced to make a stand in battle pin themselves to a spot with a ceremonial “dog rope” and fight till their death.

Benson enlists in the U.S. Army after blowing a hockey scholarship, seemingly his only ticket out of his hardscrabble Alberta mining town. He becomes buddies with Whitebull when their basic training Drill Instructor christens Benson “Canucklehead” during a drill field formation. Unable to restrain himself, Whitebull laughs out loud. Turning his attention to the Native American, the DI assigns Jimmy, much to his chagrin, the nom de guerre of “Whitey,” and group punishment for all courtesy of Benson and Whitebull.

The two continue their training through Airborne and Ranger schools and are assigned to Vietnam, ironically into the 7th Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division, the unit commanded by George Armstrong Custer at the Little Bighorn and wiped out by Jimmy’s ancestors, many of whom he is happy to name. Nucky and Whitey become the mainstay of an infantry squad faced with declining U.S. military resources in country and communist forces going over on to the offense. This leads to a date with destiny for the two in the elephant grass of a hot, improvised helicopter landing zone.

The book, at over 400 pages, is long, but the action is fast-paced. The combat action is intense and realistic, no doubt assisted by a bevy of veterans the author acknowledges, including Vietnam veteran and author of The Thirteenth Valley, John Del Vecchio. The book avoids most of the cringy cliches often associated with the genre and turns several of them on their head. Some of the scenes in the book can be quite emotional, even to a seasoned reader of military history and lore. The perspective of the Canadian author is insightful and serves to highlight both the valor of the 30,000 Canadians who volunteered for the U.S. military and served in Vietnam and the ambivalence of many Canadians and the hostility, at the time, of the neutral Canadian government.

Readers with an interest in the Vietnam War, especially the closing years of that war, the history of southeast Asia during that time, and Native American culture will enjoy this book.

Review by Terry Lloyd (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

In bestselling author Kim Kinrade’s ninth book, The Dog Soldier, Jackie Benson, a seventeen-year-old runaway from Southern Alberta, leaves behind a shattered life to join the American army during the last throes of its involvement in the Vietnam War.

Impressed with Jackie’s heroism, his best friend, Jimmie Whitebull, teaches him the philosophy of the Dog Soldier clan of the Northern Cheyenne and tells Jackie of his forefather’s involvement in fighting Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. On a trip home, Jackie visits his friend’s family in Montana and, because of his heroism in staying behind to fight the enemy so that a helicopter of wounded comrades can escape, Jackie is given honorary status in the Dog Soldier clan.

After returning to Vietnam, Jackie uncovers a Chinese and Soviet connection to help the North Vietnamese army capture Saigon and end the war in North Vietnam’s favor. After capturing a Soviet colonel, he becomes embroiled in a political tug-of-war that goes directly to the White House.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 450

Word Count: 175,000

If I Had a Baby Elephant... by Nancy Panko

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MWSA Review

If I Had a Baby Elephant by Nancy Panko is a children’s picture book written in rhyme. Children will enjoy the cadence and rhyming as well as the imaginative ideas about what you could do with a baby elephant as a pet. The book is geared toward young children and portrays activities that are familiar to them like singing, swinging, having tea, playing hide-and-seek, and puddle jumping. The pictures are fun-loving and consistent, with facial expressions that will appeal to children. The unusual font is whimsical and I thought it might be hard for young readers to recognize the words, so I visited a neighbor with a first grader. She had no problem reading the text and laughed out loud on at least every other page. She loved the book!

The back of the book includes three pages of facts about elephants in general, with characteristics of baby elephants listed separately. This is a great addition and adds to a child’s knowledge base and vocabulary without interrupting the reading of the book. A recipe is included at the end of the book as a project for young children to make with an adult. It is simple enough that I might whip up a batch of “Elephant Ears” myself.

Review by Randy Beard (January 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

Who hasn't daydreamed about having an exotic pet? For a child, baby animals have a unique appeal. "If I Had a Baby Elephant..." personifies the dreams of a little girl playing with her pet, a baby elephant. Catchy rhymes and colorful illustrations are bound to enchant any reader, young or old.

This whimsical story is followed by fun facts about baby elephants and their life within the herd.

You're not done until you've tried the yummy recipe on the last page. Elephant Ears are a delicious pastry that any child can help a grown-up make in the kitchen.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 38

Word Count: 900

Chicken Scratchings: Fifty Inspirational Stories from a Mother Hen by Nancy Panko

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MWSA Review

Chicken Scratchings is an inspirational collection of short stories by the award-winning author, Nancy Panko. This anthology includes many of Nancy’s stories published in the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, plus several personal recollections of Nancy’s daily life and family. As a backyard chicken keeper, I must confess I was intrigued with the title and thoroughly enjoyed each little “nugget” of inspiration.

I was brought to tears by Nancy’s recollection of the death of her brother and the impact it would make on her future as a registered nurse and eventually the impetus of her writing career. The stories are personal and intimate. You feel as if Nancy is sitting across the table from you imparting the wisdom gained over many years throughout her rewarding career. As Nancy has, many of us face challenges in our day-to-day lives. How we face those challenges is up to each individual. Nancy’s stories focus on the positive. They exhort divine intervention of God in the face of adversity. Nancy’s strong faith is an ongoing theme throughout the collection and will make a wonderful addition to one’s daily devotional.

Review by Rebecca O’Bea (January 2024)

 Author's Synopsis

This collection of short stories can make you laugh and cry, give you the life advice you've been looking for, or inspire you to do something you've always wanted to do.

Chicken Scratchings is a great book to tuck in your purse for a read while in a waiting room or as an easy-breezy beach read. From the first chapter about a miracle in the Intensive Care Unit to another where firemen have to extricate the author's husband from the bedroom ceiling, Panko draws the reader into her reality.

Nancy Panko's short stories have been published dozens of times in Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Reader's Digest, Woman's World and Guideposts magazines have also published her work.

Chicken Scratchings draws all of her short stories together to give readers a snapshot of this award-winning author's life and a glimpse of her family and the depth of her faith.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Anthology

Number of Pages: 150

Word Count: 38,322

Down a Dark Road by H. W. "Buzz" Bernard

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MWSA Review

Down a Dark Road by Buzz Bernard is the fourth in his World War II historical fiction series When Heroes Flew. While based somewhat on a real person and some of his experiences, additional characters bring the story to life. The characters and the setting were superbly done and quite believable. Many of the descriptions are not only creative and different with the use of literary devices, but they also have a memorable quality.

The characters were written so that I cared about them and was sad when any of them died.  
The author uses language that is precise and paints a picture that is easily understood. He uses repetition only for effect (scenes of the death camps). The death camp scenes are well told, although a difficult subject, and may seem overdone to some, but I find that the repetition pointed out exactly how horrible they were.

World War II aficionados will find new material relating to some of the less well-known missions.

Review by Betsy Beard (January 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

DOWN A DARK ROAD, based on a true story, hurls readers into the shadowy forests of WWII Austria where a weary and battle-worn Army platoon is about to discover the war’s most horrific secret.

As the war in Europe draws to a close, young Army lieutenant, Jim Thayer, finds himself and his platoon on the point of the American advance into Austria. Jim and his men are no strangers to the horrors of war. But what they find hidden in the forests of western Austria plunges them into the true heart of darkness.

Battling remnants of the legendary Waffen SS, Germany’s elite fighting force, Jim and his men come face to face with the cruel brutality of the Nazi regime. They bear witness to the fields of death left in its wake.

Determined to catch the architect of this atrocity, Jim dispatches an unofficial team of unlikely allies—an American bomber pilot, a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot, and a young Austrian woman—to track him down.

The war may be ending. But for these strange comrades in arms, the final battle is only just beginning.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 220

Word Count: 65,000