Biography & Memoir

American Airman, a Memoir of a Wounded Veteran

Jonathon Benjamin (Politics and Prose (Opus))

| Reviewed by James Farlow

American Airman by Jonathon Benjamin provides a heartfelt and captivating account, giving readers an honest and unrestricted glimpse into the experiences of wounded military personnel. The memoir starts by vividly portraying the author's challenges, encompassing both physical and emotional aspects, as he confronts the consequences of a devastating car accident that resulted in a severe brain injury while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Benjamin's written work effectively portrays the daunting experiences encountered by veterans who grapple with...

Killing Pain, Understanding the Opioid Pandemic and the American Obsession with Oxycontin, Heroin, a...

Robert Hayward (Covenant Books)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

Robert Hayward, the author of Killing Pain, introduces himself as an addict during Narcotics Anonymous and Wellbriety meetings. In his memoir, he provides a candid and powerful account of the opioid epidemic in America. Hayward shares his struggle with addiction, addressing the roots of the crisis and focusing on society's preoccupation with painkillers like OxyContin and heroin. Through his narrative, he not only offers a cautionary message but also invites readers to follow his journey to redemption. Hayward takes readers on a gripping explor...

Diamonds Beneath the Darkness

Nicole Danielle (Self Published)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

Diamonds Beneath the Darkness by Nicole Danielle is a mesmerizing journey through the labyrinth of a woman's life, and it's a story that refuses to be silenced. From the very first page, Nicole's unfiltered voice grabs your attention and doesn't let go. Her words are like a symphony of emotions, each note resonating with authenticity and vulnerability. The book begins with a whisper in the darkness, a whisper that echoes in Nicole's soul, driving her to break free from the chains of her past. It's a story of transformation, of a woman who refus...

Shelter of the Monument: A Provincetown Love Story

Yvonne deSousa (Black Rose Writing)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

Shelter of the Monument: A Provincetown Love Story by Yvonne deSousa is an absorbing memoir that examines the intersection of love and addiction. With its raw and honest narrative, the book takes readers on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of a tumultuous relationship. The story revolves around Yvonne, an introverted and somewhat naive young woman, and Richard, a charismatic and troubled man ten years her senior. Their attraction to each other defies logic and societal norms. Yvonne's description of their initial encounter and th...

Lady Father

The Rev. Susan B. Bowman (Aberdeen Bay)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

Lady Father by The Rev. Susan B. Bowman is a compelling and inspiring memoir that chronicles the author's extraordinary journey from her calling to ordained ministry to her service as one of the first female priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. With honesty, vulnerability, and grace, Bowman shares her experiences, the obstacles she faced, and the triumphs she achieved in a male-dominated church. The narrative begins with a devastating moment of rejection when Bowman receives the news that she is not being recommended for ordin...

Kissing Asphalt: The Courageous True Story of One Child's Unbreakable Spirit from Kidnapping and Abu...

Delicia Niami (ResilientAF Press)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

Kissing Asphalt: The Courageous True Story of One Child's Unbreakable Spirit from Kidnapping and Abuse to Self-Love by Delicia Niami is a heart-wrenching memoir that reads with the intensity of a gripping novel. It’s a powerful, unfiltered, and deeply moving account of resilience and the journey from unimaginable trauma to self-acceptance. Delicia Niami bravely leads us through her distressing childhood experiences and the long-lasting impact they had on her life. Kidnapped from her home at the tender age of four and taken to a foreign country,...

(dis)Empowered: How I Turned an Academic Death Sentence Into My Life’s Greatest Adventure

Ellen Busch (Soul Speak Press)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

(dis)Empowered: How I Turned an Academic Death Sentence into My Life’s Greatest Adventure by Ellen Busch is a captivating memoir that examines the author's journey from a traumatized kid and an abused wife to a successful and inspiring woman. A memoir that delves into the themes of determination, grit, and surrender, challenging the status quo, and reconnecting with self will resonate with readers who have lost their sense of self-worth because of the traumatic situations in their lives. A wonderful story with an epiphany on a highway that turn...

Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions

Glenda Goodrich (She Writes Press)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions by Glenda Goodrich is a wonderful book that is filled with traditional and spiritual wisdom. The author introduces readers not only to the wilderness quest, also known as the vision quest, which “encourages an awakening of one’s indigenous wisdom, personal vision, and purpose on Earth.” It is the quest to unearth the secrets of the earth, a confrontation with nature that teaches, heals, and guides the soul. In this wonderfully crafted book, Glenda Goodrich narrates her 13 spiritual odysseys and her search f...

Once There Was a Child

Darlene Pscheidell Kwarta (Atmosphere Press)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

Darlene Pscheidell Kwarta applies for a job and gets it easily. Well, it seems no other person applied for the position. She is upbeat and determined to make the best of it. What follows is a vocation, working as a teacher for a multi-handicapped class of junior high kids. In this spellbinding, oftentimes heartbreaking, and inspiring memoir, the author shares her experience with Children who were often shut out because of their handicaps or other forms of limitations. This book is about teachers who open new worlds and possibilities for these k...

Beautiful Ashes: A True Story of Murder, Betrayal, and One Woman's Search for Peace

Shelly Edwards Jorgensen (The Edgeworth Group, LLC)

| Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo

Shelly Edwards Jorgensen is picked up from basketball practice by her friend, Carolyn, and her mother, who break the news that her house is on fire. She watches as her mother's body is removed from the ashes of what was a home a few hours ago. She knows her father killed her. Now, she blames herself for the murder of her mom, because she has left her alone, having known that her father was a monster since she was just four. She tells the story, switching between flashbacks and the unfolding drama that follows her mother's death, allowing reader...

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