Back on Track

New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Memoir Review

Never Piss Into The Wind
by Jules R. DuBar
ISBN-10: 1413719708
Review by Heather Froeschl


"Never Piss Into The Wind" is a book of one man's life presented in such a way that you will envision your favorite colorful uncle or grandfather reliving the days of old at family gatherings, but the stories are so much more interesting than what most of our families could reveal. From growing up in the Great Depression to the growing mature days of WWII, to sticking it out in college and becoming a professor through campus politics, DuBar has some interesting tales to tell.

Then there are the field studies. Dr. Jules DuBar is now a former Professor of Geology, but his previous scientific studies are fascinating enough to inspire readers to look at the earth around them. Learning the ins and outs of geological studies is fascinating and downright hilarious while reading about Dr. DuBar's experiences. On the more serious side, readers will see the very human emotions of going through divorce and living in less than ideal circumstances. Such is life.

Dr. DuBar has answered one of my wonderings. As a student I would often ponder who the person is behind the lectures and exams. Professors are people too, and sometimes turn out to be the most interesting people we can meet. Whether you make an acquaintance in a musty old forgotten campus museum or through the pages of a book, chances are you will find a story to learn from. DuBar has given you that opportunity.

Monday, March 21, 2005

Memoir Review

Merry on Little Things
by Amit Banerjea
ISBN-10: 1410798216
Review by Heather Froeschl

The modern Indian Diaspora evolved mainly due to the subjugation of India by the British. Being an ignorant American, I never realized this and I'd been oblivious to it. What a sheltered life we lead. Millions of people were displaced from their ancestral lands, struggling to hold onto their traditions and culture as India was divided. Amit Banerjea shares the story of his life as he grew up in Bengal and Calcutta and his eventual emigration to the United States.

The book is full of life and times that are memories of boyhood. Much like any other person holds memories of times, the author relays his thoughts, bringing to life many stories of his childhood. But he also is relaying the culture of India, the traditions of his family and society. In this, he offers an intimate look into a rich heritage.

From the simple furnishings of his household to the play of young children, from the family structure and taboos to the much enjoyed reunions with relatives, and the dealings of arranged marriage, Emit details the meanings behind the images and truly opens up a whole new world to readers. You will become immersed in Indian heritage and will come away richer for the experience.

The book is delightful to read, full of vivid images and scenes, and plain old life. You will come away from this title appreciating the little things and cherishing the variety of cultures in the world.

Friday, March 18, 2005

Non-Fiction/poetry Review

Open Your Mind, Open Your Heart
by W. Marie Giles
ISBN-10: 0972894403
Review by Heather Froeschl

A primer in how we should live, "Open Your Mind, Open Your Heart" is an endearing collection of words to the wise. Like having a favorite grandparent at your side to remind you of these things, the book offers guidance in life.

The first half of the book is full of these reminders; from think positive to speak kindly, honesty matters and trust is key. Though these statements are words of wisdom and worthy reminders to readers, we don't tend to learn from simple statements. It takes a good parable, a story to get the message across meaningfully. The second half of the book does a better job at this by using poems to portray the messages. Simple and straightforward, they lend meaning to the messages and will likely be remembered more.

The author shares her wisdom in this lovely little book on life. It would be perfect as a gift to a young college student or to young adults who are setting out on their own, grandchildren and children as they begin new adventures and anyone who needs a reminder in the area of self discovery.

Non-Fiction Review

Open Your Mind, Open Your Heart
by W. Marie Giles
ISBN-10: 0972894403
Review by Heather Froeschl

A primer in how we should live, "Open Your Mind, Open Your Heart" is an endearing collection of words to the wise. Like having a favorite grandparent at your side to remind you of these things, the book offers guidance in life.

The first half of the book is full of these reminders; from think positive to speak kindly, honesty matters and trust is key. Though these statements are words of wisdom and worthy reminders to readers, we don't tend to learn from simple statements. It takes a good parable, a story to get the message across meaningfully. The second half of the book does a better job at this by using poems to portray the messages. Simple and straightforward, they lend meaning to the messages and will likely be remembered more.

The author shares her wisdom in this lovely little book on life. It would be perfect as a gift to a young college student or to young adults who are setting out on their own, grandchildren and children as they begin new adventures and anyone who needs a reminder in the area of self discovery.

Monday, March 14, 2005

Children's Book Review

The Magic Token: A Journey with Alice in Wonderland
by Eugene Orlando
ISBN-10: 0595332765
Review by Heather Froeschl

Alice isn't alone in Wonderland. Emma Thomas has come to pay a visit and her presence mixes things up a bit. But when visiting a fictional place, is it wise to tell the characters that they are not real? And when drawing upon one's knowledge of the story, shouldn't you keep in mind that very often the movie is nothing like the book?

Emma's friend Dana gives her a replica of a magic token that was owned by Charles Dickens. It is said that Dickens used the coin to time travel for his book research. Only this replica is not a replica but the real thing. Emma accidentally wishes herself into 1862, in Alice's Wonderland. There, Emma finds things a good deal different from her favorite movie depiction of the tale and realizes that Lewis Caroll's version was not at all like Disney's.

Emma "helps" Alice on numerous occasions, thinking things will proceed as they do in the movie. Alice and Emma wind up having adventures that echo the famous book but have the twist of a modern girl's influence. The favorite characters abound, from the Cheshire Cat to the Mad Hatter and Alice's dream is still just as fanciful. But Emma is a tool for the reader to learn lessons on friendship, racial opinions, nonsense and home sweet home.

Written in a fun and lively, interesting and fantastical way, "The Magic Token" is sure to be enjoyed. What's more is that the book will inspire readers to seek out the original Alice in Wonderland story. This book is an entertaining read but also an honor to Lewis Caroll.

Inspirational/Devotional Review

Pure Thought
by Hollie Dawn Smith
ISBN-10: 1413756077
Review by Heather Froeschl

"Pure Thought" is aptly titled, for Hollie Smith shares her most purely spiritual thoughts with readers. Through poems and verse she offers her thoughts on God and life. Here is a touching testament to one woman's spiritual path.

I would call this a book of prayers more than a book of poetry. The style of each piece varies from page to page, while the theme of prayer remains throughout the book. Smith has put to words what many only "speak" in their minds.

A touching book, it is short in length but long on spirit. The writing is rich and full of feeling. The messages relayed are deeply felt and clearly very important to the author. The target audience will surely connect to the book and cherish it.

Poetry Review

Pure Thought
by Hollie Dawn Smith
ISBN-10: 1413756077
Review by Heather Froeschl


"Pure Thought" is aptly titled, for Hollie Smith shares her most purely spiritual thoughts with readers. Through poems and verse she offers her thoughts on God and life. Here is a touching testament to one woman's spiritual path.

I would call this a book of prayers more than a book of poetry. The style of each piece varies from page to page, while the theme of prayer remains throughout the book. Smith has put to words what many only "speak" in their minds.

A touching book, it is short in length but long on spirit. The writing is rich and full of feeling. The messages relayed are deeply felt and clearly very important to the author. The target audience will surely connect to the book and cherish it.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Non-Fiction,Spirituality Review

Footprints of William
by Deborah Richmond Foulkes
ISBN-10: 1420826301
Review by Heather Froeschl

Witness an awakening to spirit in "Footprints of William" and you will never again doubt that the soul continues on after physical death. Deborah Richmond Foulkes shares her true story of how she became aware of messages from the other side, how she developed the skills needed to communicate and the confirmation of those messages as truth.

It all started with a bark from Deborah's departed beloved companion Irish Wolfhound, Larry. From there she was given glimpses of images of her grandmother as a child and was able to confirm the images through never before seen by her photographs. Her spirit guide was able to entice Deborah into taking classes on mediumship as that was what was needed for them to be able to communicate. William became a constant companion then and revealed so much more to Deborah that the findings take up two volumes of novel with a third on the way.

William leads Deborah to Scotland where she is able to revisit places where she and William lived together in previous lives. She is given information through "videos" in her mind and messages that reveal great details. Not being one to take things at face value, Deborah researches every bit of information and is able to verify facts in a way that proves her communications to be real. You couldn't ask for greater validation. The story that the culmination of those facts reveals is told through Deborah's novels, "My Truth Lies in the Ruins" and "In the Shadow of My Truth." "Footprints of William" stands alone as a testament to spirit communication, spirit guides, soulmates and reincarnation but it also makes a perfect companion to the novels as it gives a behind the scenes look at how it all came to be. Writing true historical novels through the guidance of spirit is something that deserves a behind the scenes look.

The book is in journal form, open and honest and very easy to read and enjoy. Deborah shares photographic evidence of spirit energy and stories of her getting to know her spirit guides. Through visits to other mediums she is given validation and she shares those stories as well. We all could open our minds and hone this skill but Deborah has done it and shares with readers the experience of her learning. She is also lucky to have such a strong spirit guide at her side. It seems that spirit has chosen this time to offer concrete evidence of the continuance of the soul through Deborah's books. "Footprints of William" will certainly entice readers who have an inkling of spiritual interest and will surely crack open the minds of those who didn't before picking up the book.

Monday, March 7, 2005

Thriller Review

Black Rose
by Resa Rowland
ISBN-10: 1933037547
Review by Heather Froeschl

A novel of suspense and psychological thrill, "Black Rose" is an interesting ride in the psyche of a woman who learns that life is never as it seems. Alexis Ruccini is in for some rude awakeningsàsome of which are enough to push any woman over the edge of reality.

Alexis lives a good life. She oversees the cattle ranch, gets her hair done weekly and is encouraged by her husband to stay at home while he works as a doctor and pays the bills. Is it a good life though, when that is all she is permitted to do? Abuse comes in all forms and Royce mentally abuses his wife, controlling every moment of her day, every aspect of her existence. She is just beginning to realize this. But something larger is looming. She is being stalked, watched, baited and terrorized by someoneàsomeone who knows her home, knows her husband and is taking control of it all. Someone is taking control away from Royce and making their life a living hell.

The story is quite thrilling and fast paced. This is an entrancing read. There were a few instances where I couldn't fathom why the character didnÆt call the police but I suppose that can be chalked up to her being so controlled by her husband. The only other problem, save for the tiny font used, was an abundance of misspellings throughout the book. As an editor I pick up on these things and they distract me terribly, as a reader I feel they are simply a show of sloppiness. The author constructed a great plot, deeply wonderful characters and a good page turning read, but she didn't hire an editor.

Still, the book is worth reading and is an interesting look at domestic abuse, wrapped up in a thrilling novel.

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Historic Novel Review

In the Shadow of My Truth
by Deborah Richmond Foulkes
ISBN-10: 1420813161
Review by Heather Froeschl

History comes to life and invites you to be entranced. "In the Shadow of My Truth" is the second epic novel by Deborah Richmond Foulkes in a series of three, that explore her family's history but also the great history of "The Good Sir James."

The legacy of William le Hardi, the martyred patriot of the first book, "My Truth Lies in the Ruins," is continued in the story of his sons, one of which is The Good Sir James himself. William's widow, Eleanora Lovaine Douglas, vows to fulfill her promise of continuing the fight for Scotland. She raises her sons to reflect the great values of her husband. The three grow up to be King Robert's greatest soldier and most trusted knight, a crusader knight and alchemist healer, and a dedicated squire in service to his older brother, Sir James. What's more is that they grow up to be an honor to their father and to Scotland.

The book begins in the year 1306 and follows to 1330. What it encompasses is a glimpse into the true history of the Clan Douglas and Scotland's Wars for National Independence. But the book holds so much more than that. Here you will see the majestic lifestyle of medieval castles with all the pomp and flourish, you will feel the points of swords in battle and see the death of soldiers all around, you will witness births, weddings and the crossings into the Otherworld. All in such a vivid manner that you will think you had experienced it yourself.

Deborah Richmond Foulkes spent two years in Scotland doing research and spent much time in the libraries of Harvard University and The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. I am quite sure that this is only a slight mention of the research involved, as this is the most authentic presentation of historical novel I have read. While this is so, the book reads so easily, so unlike a history book that you will forget that these are true stories and find yourself immersed in a very interesting tale. The plot runs smoothly while Foulkes' descriptive writing is flawless. You won't soon forget the Douglas Clan and will look forward to the next book in the series, "My Truth...A Mist in Time."