Biographies and Memoirs

Mama’s Boy: A Young Boy’s Memory of Childhood

Rev. Michael H. Lavery | Biographies and Memoirs

Mama’s Boy: A Young Boy’s Memory of Childhood by Rev. Michael H. Lavery is a heartwarming autobiographical reflection that chronicles his early life, exploring the profound influence of his mother, grandmother, sister, and community. The book opens with Lavery’s emotional account of losing his father at a young age, shaping his understanding of love, loss, and inner strength. It then explores various themes, including faith, family, sacrifice, and moral lessons learned through everyday experiences, from childhood innocence to spiritual awakening. Lavery shares stories of his mother’s unwavering devotion, his grandmother’s pioneering spirit as a police officer, and the innocent yet profound q...

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Most Recent Reviews

An Olio of Poems

Christina J Donato & Ralph A Walton (Left-Handed Author)

| Reviewed by Hannah Bietz

An Olio of Poems is an expansive and eclectic collection by Christina J. Donato and Ralph A. Walton, organized into nine thematic sections that range from lighthearted reminiscences about dogs and favorite foods to sobering meditations on depression, faith, social justice, and the passage of time. The book opens with accessible poems about beloved pets, transitions into playful celebrations of culinary delights, and then plunges into the raw depths of mental health struggles. Midway, the tone shifts to spiritual musings, where Christian faith a...

Strong Floor, No Ceiling: Building a New Foundation for the American Dream

Oliver Libby (Advantage Books)

| Reviewed by John Grossman

Strong Floor, No Ceiling: A Bold Plan to Rebuild the American Dream—for Everyone by Oliver Libby offers a radically moderate blueprint for a fractured nation. Entrepreneur and policy innovator Oliver B. Libby urges us to move beyond division with a pragmatic vision rooted in both tradition and innovation, equity and growth. Libby’s “Strong Floor” approach ensures every American has access to healthcare, education, and opportunity—while his “No Ceiling” philosophy champions the limitless ambitions that drive progress. Inside, you’ll find actiona...

Adoration and Affliction: Novellas and Short Stories

Robert Scott Leyse (Shattercolors Press)

| Reviewed by Meg McKinnon

In Adoration and Affliction by Robert Scott Leyse, love and obsession walk a thin line. Each story explores how desire can quickly turn dark, from unwanted attention at a glamorous party to office flirtations gone wrong. Sixteen-year-old Nicoletta refuses to be a victim when her parents’ friend crosses the line, choosing her own path to justice. In another tale, Penelope’s body draws unwanted attention, leading to misunderstandings with dire consequences. Tales explore the unsettling side of infatuation, offering the possibility of romance, onl...

The Limited Edition Bicentennial Cadillac Convertible Joy Ride

Michael Jai Grant (Word Binders Publishing)

| Reviewed by Hannah Bietz

The Limited Edition Bicentennial Cadillac Convertible Joy Ride by Michael Jai Grant follows the unlikely partnership of Eve, a restless and disillusioned Florida teenager, and Muriel, an octogenarian resident of a managed care facility, both running from the confines of their everyday lives. When a chance emergency leaves Eve temporarily in charge of Muriel and the keys to her prized 1976 Cadillac Eldorado, the two impulsively embark on a cross-state (and ultimately cross-country) road trip. Their journey, narrated with wry omniscience by the C...

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