An African Tale

An African Tale
By Enna Neru

ISBN # 978-1-4327-2348-4
Publisher: Outskirts Press

Set in Africa, the story begins in the past to give the reader an understanding of the history involved in order to bring the reader up to date with present times. Part myth, part truth, the story basically is generated around Ledimo (which means water finder), a God who appeared to be immortal and whom controlled the weather, such as draughts, floods and inclimate weather and all the water bodies..

As his powers begin to fade, he uses up most of his remaining power to salvage the waters and powers into a stone. He has two descendents whom must derive the powers from the stone as a somewhat “team” effort, meaning they had to work together and agree on the goal in order to do this. Since they come from very different backgrounds, this proves to be a difficult task. As the story progresses though, they come to depend on each other.

An interesting fantasy tale based upon myths and truths with a story weaved around it, the author sets the scene from the beginning, but later in the book, you have to pay closer attention as the story unfolds because it gets a little confusing. Still, I think the reader can form a picture in their mind of the events as they occur if they remember to keep the past events in mind as well.

All in all, a fine example of African lore sure to entertain children who seem to soak up information like a sponge. It’s a great fantasy tale, reminding me of some of my grandfather’s tales when I was a young girl, about far away places, magic, and ancient beliefs.

It is a great storybook to read to smaller children so you can explain things as you go along. But for reading purposes, more suitable for an older child who might comprehend the story better. It’s a story children are sure to remember and possibly tell their own grandchildren one day.

Reviewed by Cindy Bauer
For Bookpleasures.com

Cindy Bauer is the well-seasoned author of the Memory Box Trilogy, (Chasing Memories 2008, Shades of Blue 2008 and Crystal Clear 2009), an Inspirational Fiction series. She is an avid reader, a freelance writer and editor, and reviews for both Bookpleasures.com and New Leaf Press. She recently joined the staff at Visual Arts Junction and contributes articles on writing, publishing and marketing. With the completion of her Inspirational series, Cindy plans to write in the mystery/suspense genre, which is her favorite to read and review. Also, she recently signed up to conduct interviews for Minds-Eye’s MOONS EYE Magazine.

Sweetwater Gap

by Denise Hunter

Josie Mitchell left Sweetwater Gap with no intention of ever returning to her childhood home. Running from ghosts of shame and self-recrimination, she flees a horrible secret that’s destroying her, body and soul. She makes a life for herself in the big city, well and truly away from her hometown, her family, and the apple orchards she once loved. Not even the death of her beloved father brings Josie back to Sweetwater Gap.

But when her sister Laurel needs help through a difficult pregnancy, the troubled young woman can’t say no. Carefully guarding two secrets—one old, one new—she reluctantly makes the journey back home.

With the family’s apple business rapidly approaching disaster, Laurel assumes her sister is home to help in the orchards. Laurel’s husband Nate hopes Josie can convince his wife to sell the trees and land and forget the bothersome family business. And then there’s Grady Mackenzie, the new orchard manager, who simply wishes Josie would go back to her fancy city life and let him do his job, which is bringing the business back into the black.

Josie just wants to get her sister’s twins into their mother’s arms and herself back to her little city apartment. She’d like nothing more than to forget her childhood home with it’s guilt-ridden memories, along with the handsome, arrogant, frustrating orchard manager who showed up out of nowhere in her absence.

But God has other ideas for Josie, and her unplanned trip to Sweetwater Gap delivers His wayward, hurting child right into His loving hands, where He can shape her and her future according to His will. The path to that goal is a rough one to follow—rocky and crooked and painful—but Josie Mitchell could very well find that Sweetwater Gap is still her home sweet home.

A sweet story with all the necessary components to make it a memorable one. Love, longing, religion, secrets, family, guilt … it’s all there, skillfully interwoven into a wonderful tale of hurt and healing, stubborn pride and sweet surrender.

Great storytelling!

Reviewed by Delia Latham

The Michael Jackson Tapes

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
ISBN # 978-1-593150602-2
Published by Vanguard Press
299 pages
Hardcover w/dust jacket


A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation – The Michael Jackson Tapes by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is sure to be one of the most talked about, controversial books released in 2009.

The conversations were held, according to the author, during a time when Jackson needed a friend to confide in and help with coming to grips with his own identity, which he felt had gotten lost in the shuffle of his highly publicized life. He claims they were making the tapes in order to publish a book, hopefully enlightening the world to the real Michael Jackson, the person, not the icon – to gain the love and respect Jackson so deeply needed and wanted.

He says he himself put a halt to the book due to a severance in their relationship. This made me question from the beginning, the legitimacy of releasing this confidential information. Especially with the untimely death of the star and the release of this book. However, I’m just a reviewer giving my honest opinion of the book.

It was quite interesting to read the conversations between the Rabbi and Jackson. The public has never really been given such documentation before, that I am aware of. So for someone just wanting to know more about the man behind the music, the cameras, the lights, and the highly publicized professional and personal life, the book can be considered “interesting”, perhaps even “fascinating”. If everything in the book is true and nothing is fabricated.

Throughout the book, I felt the author implied Jackson’s intentions or thoughts behind the words, with his own theories or interpretations. So in a sense, I felt misled by the author. He consistently infuses his own religious beliefs into it as well. And speaking of religion, I found the fact that Michael was raised by his mother to be a devout Jehovah’s Witness and they attended that church in Indiana to be quite interesting. I never knew Jackson actually went door to door, handing out The Watchtower.

But while reading that part, I was thinking, “Okay, so how is it he has wound up talking to this Rabbi?” I questioned many theories, statements and “supposed secrets” throughout the book, which in turn left me with more questions than answers. I’m not sure we’ll ever really know the “truth” behind Jackson’s life, privately intimate and/or public.

In all honesty, the book was not only interesting, but fascinating. It’s been well written, well edited, and designed to perfection. But I also feel that the author has forced his own religious beliefs, personal opinions into the context far too much, making it difficult to distinguish what was true and what wasn’t. The author appears to be more of a psychologist, than a spiritual advisor (He asked two or three questions at a time instead of dividing them up, one by one). However, I truly believe we are going to be hearing a lot more on the news about this particular book. My hopes are that it will not turn out to be yet one more highly publicized tragedy in the life of a historical icon whose music reached and touched many for decades. My thoughts at the end were to pray for Jackson’s family.

A “sticky subject” read

Reviewed by Cindy Bauer

Reviewed for Bookpleasures.com

Cindy Bauer is the author of the Memory Box Trilogy, Chasing Memories (2006 & 2008), Shades of Blue (2007 & 2008) and Crystal Clear (2009), an Inspirational Fiction series. She is an avid reader, a freelance writer and editor, and reviews books for Bookpleasures and New Leaf Press. She recently joined the staff at Visual Arts Junction and contributes articles on writing, publishing and marketing works. With the completion of her Inspirational series, Cindy plans to write in the mystery/suspense genre, which is her favorite to read and review. Visit Cindy Bauer Books to learn more!

Terror by Night

By Terry Caffey with James H. Pence

ISBN # 978-1-4143-3476-9
261 Pages
Hardcover w/dust jacket

In March 2008, a man lost his entire life in only a short matter of time. I love to read mysteries and thrillers, but reading this one about a true event, sent chills up my spine. Literally.

It’s almost impossible to fathom the tragedy that struck the Caffey family that night. And even worse, to discover that it happened because of and/or by a member of that same family. It’s a story of tragedy, faith, forgiveness and unimaginable, unconditional love.

A true example of the powers of faith, the capabilities of a human under such conditions to not only withstand such a tragedy, but to fight for truth and some semblance of normalcy in life afterwards.

One of the most inspiring, heart-wrenching stories I’ve ever read. Terry Caffey was awakened in the middle of the night with a gun pointed at him by his teenage daughter’s boyfriend. That night, Mr. Caffey’s wife and two sons were shot to death for no other explanation than sheer, cold-blooded murder. Though Mr. Caffey was also shot, he survived after coming to and realizing not only had he lost his entire family, but the house was now afire. He barely escaped. And lived to tell about it.

It wasn’t discovered until later, that his teenage daughter had also survived. And then even more devastatingly revealed, accused of being the mastermind of the plot to kill his family.

I’m not sure put into that same situation I could’ve ever found my way back to God. And his struggle to do so was not an easy one. Yet Terry Caffey did just that. And... he’s now ministering full time to others who have suffered tragedies.

Truly an inspirational read that might make a believer out of the most difficult non-believer that God allows things to happen, but will see us through even the most difficult of times for HE is always with us. Always.

Chilling, gripping, emotional, inspirational and an amazing willpower to survive and still find peace of mind.

5 Stars

Reviewed by Cindy Bauer
Author/Reviewer/Interviewer
Freelance Writer & Editor
www.cindybauerbooks.com

After the Ball, A Woman's Tale of Reclaiming Happily Ever After

By Barb Greenberg

ISBN # 978-0-9823588-0-1
Rose Path Press
107 Pages
5” x 7.25” Hardcover w/dust jacket


Written and formatted like a fairy book tale, the information provided by the author has been delicately woven into an adult story using Snow White and Cinderella as princesses who learned Happily Ever After ended when they closed the covers on their fairytale books long ago.

Though I’m not completely sure the author had permission to use those particular “characters” in the book, nonetheless they were fitting as used in the story.

This would be an excellent read for any woman who has found her self to be single, living alone, whether thru divorce, death or other circumstances in life. The inspirational side is enlightening.

In order to survive such life tragedy caused by divorce or death, which in turn throws you back out into the world as a single person, you must first relearn your own self worth, rebuild your depleted self-esteem if applicable, but most of all, know inside your heart that you can move forward without apprehension.

Often during a marriage, especially one of long term, we lose ourselves without ever realizing it. We’ve thought about what is best for “us” for so long, we’ve long ago buried what’s important for “me”.

For example, remember back to a time when you were still single, having never lived with or been married to someone. What were your dreams, your goals, your determination aimed at?

Those dreams and/or goals are still obtainable if you’re ready to stop dwelling on the past and move forward. You can do anything if you put your mind to it and this little “fairytale styled” book just might be the ticket of inspiration you need.

Originality: 4 Stars (due to the use of Cinderella and Snow White)
Format: 3 Stars (too much white space)
Inspiration: 5 Stars
Cover: 5 Stars
Writing Ability: 4 Stars (style inconsistent)

Reviewed by: Cindy Bauer
Author/Reviewer/Interviewer
Freelance Writer & Editor
www.cindybauerbooks.com

How To Raise Successful Children by Joe Holmes

"This is a must read for any family or family-to-be! I've never read or seen anything like this before! It's simple, it makes sense, and obviously... it works! This well-written, 10-step EASY TO FOLLOW guide, is a sure-fire way to help you implement your own values and morals into raising your children to not only be successful, but to do so and know they are truly loved!

If I had a 100% endorsement stamp, I can guarantee you it would be placed here! I do not endorse authors lightly. Thank you so much for sharing this easy, simple plan, Joe! If everyone would apply their love and own "expectations" along with this simple guide, the world today would be a much better world. Truly inspiring!" ~~ Cindy Bauer