Book Review: American English, Italian Chocolate

American English, Italian Chocolate

Small Subjects of Great Importance

by Rick Bailey

University of Nebraska Press

Biographies & Memoirs , Nonfiction (Adult)

Pub Date 01 Jul 2017

Archive Date 30 Jun 2017
 I am reviewing a copy of American English, Italian Chocolate through University of Nebraska Press and Netgalley:  
This book takes us on a journey in essays from the American  Midwest where we get a glimpse into the life of a young boy, from Sunday afternoon car rides to Cook outs.  At twelve he nearly has to attend boy scout camp but gets ringworm.

The essays deal with the coming of age story of the young boy, now adult.  It deals with everything from first kisses to horseback riding.

The book blends in both his childhood and afterword, when he is married.

He talks about working at his Father’s gas station when he was in high school.

In 1971 when he was in College pursuing a degree in public accounting one day he was driving his Volkswagen when a van hit him.  He woke up in the hospital in traction.  He stayed in the hospital for three weeks.

He goes on to talk about heart breaks.

In May 1974, at the age of twenty one he visits England for cultural enrichment.

He goes on to talk about visiting Italy shortly after he is married for the first time.

I give American English, Italian Chocolate five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Voiceless

Voiceless

Voiceless Duology, #1

by E.G. Wilson

Atthis Arts, LLCz

Sci Fi & Fantasy , Teens & YA

Pub Date 11 Jul 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Voiceless through At this Arts, LLC and Netgalley:

When Adelaide is thirteen Maunga Richards steals her voice. When her Mother asks her what’s wrong she can’t even answer her.

Addy is plunged into silence when Maunga (a high school bully) inflicts her with Von Pox an incurable disease that leaves her mute.
About a year and a half after she is infected with Vox Pox her brother is as well.
Will Addy and her brother be able to get their voice back?

I give Voiceless five out of five stars! 

Happy Reading!!!

Book Review:Runaway

Runaway

by Steve Simpson

TPower Publishing

Self-Help , Teens & YA

Pub Date 21 Apr 2017

Archive Date 07 Jul 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Runaway through Power Publishing and Netgalley:

Steve is abused his parents beat him if he goes down the stairs either to fast or to slow.  He and his friend Bob decide they would be better off if they run away.

Bob is only fifteen and lives in his own apartment.  His uncle wants nothing to do with him but says he brings a good profit.

Nancy lost her Mother, and her Father began drinking.

The children soon find comfort and hope in one another.

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Samurai of Seville

The Samurai of Seville

A Novel

by John J. Healey

Skyhorse Publishing

Arcade Publishing

Historical Fiction

Pub Date 13 Jun 2017

Archive Date 22 May 2017
I am reviewing a copy of the Samurai of Seville through Skyhorse Publishing and Netgalley:
This book takes us back in time to 1614, where 40 Japanese Samurai Sail to Spain.  The majority of the Samurai spend two years there, but six stay behind, settling and growing roots.

Julian finds company with a woman that is not his wife.

Guada is assigned a plain looking girl as her handmaiden.

Shiro is one of the ones chosen to go to Spain.

Guada is Julian’s wife.  Her son and law and husband share the same mistress. 

The sixth Samurai who stay behind settle in Coria Del Rio.

I give the Samurai of Seville five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Auma’s Long Run

Auma’s Long Run

by Eucabeth Odhiambo

Lerner Publishing Group

Carolrhoda Books

Children’s Fiction , Middle Grade

Pub Date 01 Sep 2017

Archive Date 15 Aug 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Auma’s Long Run through Lerner Publishing Group and Netgalley:

Auma was born face down, the midwife believed that she was dead.  Everyone in Koromo believed that babies born face down wouldn’t live to see the second day of life, but Auma proved them wrong.

No one remembered her learning to walk, Auma ran.  But one day her legs start acting, she longs for running shoes.  Not only is Auma the fastest runner in school but she excels in academics as well.

Soon people all over Kenya start dying without explanation.  Auma does not dream of running though she dreams of being a doctor.

Some doctors are quick to say its Malaria, but Auma soon learns it is not Malaria but a new disease called AIDS.

Just a few months after her Baba comes home from work in the city, he too is dead from the new disease called AIDS.

Many men believe if they sleep with a virgin they will be cured, and while fetching water Auma is nearly raped.

Soon her Mother becomes ill as well and Auma has to quit school to help with the family.

I give Auma’s Long Run five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The World is Wrong

The World is Wrong

by Steve Simpson

Self-Help

Power Publishing

Pub Date 21 Apr 2017

I am reviewing a copy of The World is Wrong through the Power Publishing and Netgalley:

Kerri’s father is always putting her down.

Steve continues to have bad dreams, and his friends are getting into stupid arguments.

Strange dreams, Aliens, abuse, hate.  Five Children may fight to find their way in a world in which they face abuse.

I give The World is Wrong five out of five stars!

Happy Reading! 

Archive Date 07 Jul 20

Book Review: Who Am I

Who Am I?

by Steve Simpson

Power Publishing
Self-Help , Teens & YA

Pub Date 21 Apr 2017 

I am reviewing a copy of Who Am I Through Power Publishing and Netgalley:

Theresa and her Mother endure physical and emotional abuse.

Eleven years later Theresa is in a foster home.

Steve has been remembering stuff from his childhood but they seem to be more like fantasies than real members.

I give Who Am I five out of five stars.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Child’s Island

Child’s Island

by Steve Simpson

Power Publishing
Self-Help , Teens & YA

Pub Date 21 Apr 2017 

I am reviewing a copy of Child’s Island through Power Publishing and Netgalley:

Mike is trying to take over Kid Power, he already has Judy held hostage.  Steve is trying to stop him.

After a battle Steve lays unconscious in a hospital room.  A large bandage wrapped around his stomach and back.

Will they be able to make it safely to Child’s Island?  

Find out in Child’s Island!

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading! 

Book Review: Mischka’s War

Mischka’s War

A European Odyssey of the 1940s
by Sheila Fitzpatrick

Melbourne University Publishing

Melbourne University Press
Biographies & Memoirs , History

Pub Date 03 Jul 2017 

I am reviewing a copy of Mischka’s War through Melbourne University Press and Netgalley:

Misha was born in Riga, Latvia in 1922.  In 1940 Mischka had just finished school and started his first job at Riga’s State Electrotechnical Factory.

Olga and Arpad Danos were married around 1920.  Arpad sound success with a singing career until he lost his voice, then he lost both his singing career and his wealth.  But in 1926 the family still had their wealth and was able for the family to spend a year in Italy.

On June.22.1941 Operation Barbosa was launched against the Soviet’s.

Mary and Olga were pure ethnic Latvians, but they did not agree with the Nazi’s persecution and acted accordingly.  Mary hid Jews in her apartment and was arrested on March.18.1943.

All three of the Danos brothers were of call up age but none of them wanted to serve in the German army.  Jan was the first one to get into real trouble he was called up in January 1943 and went into hiding for six months but was caught and imprisoned for six months.  In February of 1944 he was released from prison and taken to the hospital where he was treated for Pleurisy.

Misha came before the mobilization commission on December.09.1943 he was temporararily excused   At the end of April 1944 Misha set off to study in Germany.  

Mischka married Helga in 1949.

I give Mischka’s War five out of five stars!

Happy Reading! 

Book Review:Illuminating Women in the Medieval World

Illuminating Women in the Medieval World

by Christine Sciacca

Getty Publications

J. Paul Getty Museum
Arts & Photography , History

Pub Date 20 Jun 2017 

I am reviewing a copy of Illuminating Women in the Medieval World through Getty Publications Netgalley:

Almost nine hundred years ago in Medieval France Abelard and Heloise d’ Argentueil became lovers engaged in an ill fated affair.

Although Women formed an integral part of the Medieval World records of their achievements are few.

At the age of twelve Hedwig of Selsia married the future Duke Henry of Selsia she raised seven children one who died in battle.

Numerous female saints served as Models for both Men and Women I’m the Medieval World.

Catherine of Alexandria was a learned woman who refused to worship paagan idols.

Margaret of York was well renowned for her small but lavish collection of books.

Hildegard of Bergen was a twelfth century mystic who was famous for the visions she wrote down and were eventually published.

Jeanne de Montabason was a Pakistan Book Seller and illuminator.

I give Illuminating Women in the Medieval World was five out of five stars.

Happy Reading!