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

The Regression Strain

Kevin Hwang (Self-published under my imprint: Normal Range Press)

| Reviewed by Brenda Baiocchi

Kevin Hwang's The Regression Strain narrates the tale of Dr. Peter Palma, a physician who embarks on a journey aboard the Paradise cruise ship, seeking a fresh start following his personal struggles. His first days are chaotic, marked by tense encounters, medical emergencies, and unusual behaviors among passengers and crew. As the days progress, Peter becomes witness to bizarre incidents, including sudden violence, hallucinations, and unexplained illness spreading through the ship. An affliction pits people against each other, and only Dr....

The Separation of Briin

K.I.S. (K. Schultz)

| Reviewed by Yna Erdrich

The Separation of Briin by K.I.S. is a sweeping fantasy saga set across the continent of Áitarbith, spanning centuries of history and prophecy. The story follows Briin, a gifted yet socially and emotionally challenged young truth-teller, who struggles with sinister visions, rejection, and a desperate love for his brother Hiirn. As Briin's dreams reveal glimpses of a looming catastrophe involving dark magic and monstrous creatures, he becomes entangled in a covert quest to uncover and thwart a sinister conspiracy aimed at the continent’s destruc...

Secrets of the Totenkopf Rings

Barb Goodwin & Doug Penikas (Barb Goodwin)

| Reviewed by John Grossman

Secrets of the Totenkopf Rings by Barb Goodwin and Doug Penikas is the second book in the Lost Treasures series, and it delivers a thrilling narrative that features espionage, betrayal, and hidden historical elements. 19-year-old Becca has just survived the hunt for the Royal Danish Egg when she discovers a new lead that leads to the mysterious Totenkopf Rings given to Himmler’s SS in Nazi Germany. While this could have been a sheer object of curiosity, it quickly plunges Becca into the mysteries of World War II Nazi rings, clandestine organiza...

The Story of Atom

Robert Reisler (Kettle Books)

| Reviewed by Elena Enger

Thoughtfully written and exciting, The Story of Atom is a children’s book that follows the adventures of Adam, a curious Carbon Atom, from the dawn of the universe to the present day. Spanning 14 billion years of cosmic history, this beautifully crafted full-color picture book immerses young readers in the wonders of science—Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology—through Adam’s eyes. Filled with hidden Easter Eggs and a special secret to discover, the story sparks curiosity and imagination, encouraging children of all backgrounds to explore...

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