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

Ancilla

Sera Maddox Drake (Lavande Mistral Press)

| Reviewed by Meg McKinnon

Ancilla: Master, Teach Me by Sera Maddox Drake is a bold, captivating work written for mature readers. The story follows an unnamed heroine, who seems to have everything set for her life — a scholarship, wealth, and a girlfriend. But everything changes when her conservative parents discover that she is queer and force her to make a difficult choice, which leads to the end of her academic dreams. Three years later, she meets a public reference librarian in a bookstore, and something magical happens to them in the name of love. She defies the rej...

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| Reviewed by Sarah Harkness

In The Midnight Rose by Catalina Paris, sixteen-year-old apprentice alchemist Leo flees a surprise attack on the Alchemical Court. He opens a portal to a forgotten world, where he encounters Lisandre, Lady of the Vines, a faerie stuck under the watchful eye of the Holly Queen. With Leo’s aid, Lisandre uncovers dangerous secrets and powerful threats to her life, forcing her to flee her realm. She helps Leo in his quest to find the lost talismans of Atlantica. Their journey intertwines with Flora, a spirited songstress searching for her true fami...

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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....

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