Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

My Life with The Third Man in the Ring by Barbara Stolfi Maggio is the author's story of her life with a celebrated professional fight referee, who also happened to be her father. He was not only a professional fight referee, but also a bookmaker, a member of a Boxing Hall of Fame and much more. This book explores in depth the relationship she shares with her glamorous mother. This heart-rending story gives readers a peek into the world of boxing in the '30s, '40s and '50s and the bookmaking, alcoholism, treachery and the underworld that was associated with it.

The book is the emotional catharsis of the author and she speaks extensively about the relationship she shared with her parents, her father Teddy and mother Dolly. She also speaks about the tumultuous relationship shared with her mother and how she felt like an unloved orphan who was deserted by parents. The book also has the difficult times that the author goes through such as child abuse, breast cancer, being estranged from the family and then reconciliation. The author's roller coaster ride of life is an engaging read for everyone.

The book is emotional and the failing relationship of her parents is also shared with readers. She speaks about how they killed each other with their contrasting personalities, although they loved each other. It is a well written autobiography with many colors and shades that everyone will find interesting.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Benjamin Breaking Barriers: Autism - A Journey of Hope was written by Malva Freymuth Tarasewicz, Benjamin’s mother. In 1997, Malva realized something was wrong with her 2-year-old son, Benjamin. He no longer focused on her; at times his eyes looked empty. He stopped talking and seemed to withdraw into his own world. His hands flapped in circles when he was excited and often he rocked back and forth. Malva was not going to allow autism to steal her child from her. She and her husband made sacrifices to give Benjamin the help he needed, and that included living apart for several years. The therapies that helped Benjamin included eliminating processed foods, brushing his skin with a soft haired brush, and intracranial therapy. When Benjamin was tested for mercury toxicity, the results showed a high level of mercury in his system. It was impossible to know exactly how the metal got there. A chelating agent was used to remove the mercury from his body.

Benjamin Breaking Barriers by Malva Freymuth Tarasewicz offers hope to families where little hope has previously existed. She offers personal information and medical information. The writing style is personal. I felt as if I sat across a table from the author, enjoying a cup of tea as she shared her memories with me. While this book reads in a personal manner, it contains information that is invaluable to instructors and parents. One important point was the author’s willingness to seek information from others through books. I found this book inspiring and highly recommend it to others with an interest in autism.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

After I read Lori’s Song I had to think about it before I could write a review. Lori was abused by her biological parents. She was molested and raped by her adopted brother. Her mother was neglectful and cruel. At 15 years old she escaped her home life by marrying. The marriage was short lived. Next she joined the military and became pregnant by the recruiter. The military didn’t work well for her either.

In 1993 she met Mohammad Foroozandeh. After graduating from nursing school the couple married. In 1998 they moved to Iran. Adjusting to Iranian life was difficult. She soon learned that women had no rights.

Lori shares much about the culture and living arrangements. She tells of cockroaches, toilets, showers and shopping.

Mohammad changed while they were in Iran. That was when the beatings started. After 9/11 Mohammad told her they were going to leave Iran. They went to a bus station where they were arrested. She and others were taken to a POW camp. There were repeated beatings and rapes . I cannot describe the atrocities she lived through . Eventually she escaped . She came back to the states with nothing.
This story has a happy ending. Lori is married to a man that loves her and that’s good to her. She has a relationship with her son.

This book should serve as a wakeup call to Americans. Women have no rights in many countries. Think carefully before you commit yourself to a man from another country especially the Middle East. However it is not the only country that has honor killings.

I noticed the first part of this book needed some editing to make it flow smoothly. However, I was quickly caught up in Lori’s story. Lori’s Song is a raw emotional account. I wish Lori success. This is a must read.

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

"In the Shadow of Elvis" is the story of the legitimate, illegitimate son of the legendary King of Rock ‘n Roll, John Dennis Smith. Author Rico Austin meets Elvis’s son at a chance meeting in Cave Creek, Arizona, and this book follows the journey of that unique encounter, along with the trials and tribulations of trying to get the story written and published. John Dennis Smith wanted his story told, and Rico Austin was the person he wanted to tell it.

This book was interesting in two ways, one because it tells a never before told story of the son of Elvis who was raised by Elvis’s aunt and uncle, which makes the story well worth reading. But then when things happen with the story totally out of Austin’s control, he turns the situation into the difficult journey of a ghostwriter. And Austin has such a unique way of writing that he makes the story fun, exciting and entertaining enough that you don’t want to put the book down until you finish. This is really a sad story because though John loved his adopted parents, he was robbed of a relationship with his own father and mother. And as the story tells, John follows in Elvis’ footsteps in several ways. It is all written here in Austin’s book, "In the Shadow of Elvis". This is sure to be a best seller as this book gets more and more publicity. If you enjoy memoirs, you will enjoy Smith’s story. If you are an Elvis fan, then this book is a must for you. And as an added bonus to this book, there are photos of John’s dad Elvis and his mother Zona Marie, plus lots of pictures of the author as well.

Reviewed by Jade Foley for Readers' Favorite

"Signing with a Heavy Hand and Heart, Love Mommy" is a very touching and inspirational book describing the life of a baby born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This book describes the everyday struggles and challenges a family had to face while raising a child with FAS. In the beginning of the book, foster mom Sondra Torres expresses her love for a baby girl born with FAS by the name of Elizabeth. Once Elizabeth was in her care, it was challenging because babies born with FAS are sometimes difficult to care for. Sondra explains how she endured the constant loud crying for years despite every calming effort she could think of. Through it all she was very much in love with baby Elizabeth. Sondra Torress talks about her daughter's emotions and actions and explains that some of these actions are due to the FAS. This book takes you through the journey of Elizabeth's life and teaches that there is still hope for children suffering from FAS.

This is an excellent book. The events in this book help a person visualize what Sondra Torres went through with her daughter. This book was very informative because before reading this I really didn't have any knowledge about FAS. However, I did know that it was not good for a woman to drink alcohol while pregnant because the baby could be born with health problems and birth defects. This books takes a deeper look at what can happen to a fetus if a woman drinks while pregnant. After reading this book I got the urge to learn more about FAS.

Reviewed by Robert Rose for Readers' Favorite

Jeannie Davide-Rivera spent most of her 38 years alone in her mind. Her insensitivity to others’ thoughts, feelings, and actions kept her from making meaningful emotional connections. One grandmother was an exception. She understood one aspect of her hyper-sensitivity. She took her to the yarn store and let her pick out - by smell and touch - the fabrics that she used to make her clothes. Otherwise, as the title suggests, she’d wear only her birthday suit. This was one of the ways her sensory system reacted badly to what was ‘normal' to others. At school the sounds and sights that others found helpful in learning were, to Jeannie, chaotic and confusing. Being sent out to sit in the hall was a relief to her and she could read and do her schoolwork in peace. She had taught herself to read at age 4. Her hyper-memory made it easy for her to be an “A” student in any type of academic setting. She managed to get through junior high despite her hypo sensitivity to others, but her high school days were spent anywhere except in school. She probably went to class for a total of one year. Yet at 17 she passed the GED, missing only 3 questions and made 1400 on the SAT. Like many who are seen as “different” she followed her own path without regard what others thought. She was attractive so she used men as well as they used her. She pursued her husband and he deserves a medal because beside her autism, they have 3 sons with varying degrees of it. They together read widely and 'discovered' her autism.

Jeannie has written an autobiography that is well-organized, well-crafted, filled with honest gut wrenching drama, and reads like a good mystery. It shows the glaring problems of our health delivery system. It demonstrates the problems of inattention (not listening to patients) of health professionals, their tendency to jump to quick conclusions based on inadequate information (misdiagnosis), and to prescribe treatments and drugs that often don’t work or make the patient worse (patients’ and drug companies’ pressure on doctors.). These are compounded by our education system's inability or refusal to teach each individual how his complex body and mind works and how these functions affect himself and others. "Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed" is a book that could be life changing for anyone with any medical condition and for all of us who will face some or be the caregivers of those afflicted. Thanks, Jeannie.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"Tasting Home: Coming of Age in the Kitchen" was written by author, Judith Newton. I absolutely love this book. Each chapter of this delightful book combines a story from the author's life with a corresponding recipe. This book is divided into five sections, each representing a different era. The chapter titled The Queen of Pies concerns the author’s mother and the fact that she rarely measured anything. She complimented the tale with a recipe for creating her flaky pie crust. Judith Newton’s memories come to life on the pages in delicious detail. The recipe for Shortbread Cookies was one I could not resist trying. The recipe for Cream Scones is next on my list.

Like the author’s mother I rarely measure ingredients. I love the author’s unique way of sharing her memories, and matching them to her recipes was a brilliant idea. While I enjoyed reading the stories I loved the recipes even more. An index is included in the back of the book and a reference to the origin of the recipes. "Tasting Home" is a clever and fun way to try some new delicious recipes, I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Readers' Favorite

Mary McDonough began playing the part of Erin Walton on the TV program "The Waltons" when she was just ten years old. She shares her memories and experiences from that period of her life in her novel "Lessons From The Mountains". It also explores the real Mary McDonough who is not only an actor, but a dancer, singer, speaker, and an activist for women’s health.

Mary faced many issues in her life, including the baggage that came with being a child actor. She held in her feelings, but thanks to a suggestion by fellow actor John Ritter, she began journaling which allowed her to release her pent up emotions.

After "The Waltons" was canceled Mary had to rediscover herself. “Whether I wanted to be or not, I was off of the mountain...Little did I know the road would be filled with boulders, potholes, and even a little quicksand.” Mary's health began to decline but it took years for her to receive a diagnosis of Lupus.

Mary McDonough writes from the heart and it is that raw emotion that pulls the reader along with her on the extraordinary journey of her life. Although much of this book is focused on "The Waltons" years for which she is best known, I found her later years very gripping as she searched for a diagnosis and her self identity. McDonough is a very talented woman. It is amazing how this quiet introspective woman has found her voice in the role of an advocate for women's health, especially for those with Lupus.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Linda Naomi Katz, the author of "Surviving Mental Illness" begins her book by defining mental illness. Some mental illnesses are congenital, some are brought on by chemical imbalances, and others come from a psychological upset and some from an emotional upset such as a divorce, death or substance abuse. Mental illness carries a deep shame and humiliation to both the victim and the family. Many “normal” people will shun the mentally ill. I suspect it is out of ignorance. They do not know how to react to the bizarre behavior of the schizophrenic, the highs and lows of the bipolar, or the discouragement of being around a depressed person. It is to be remembered that they cannot control their moods or emotions. "Surviving Mental Illness" focuses on mood disorders: depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She defines them and offers readers a guide for dealing with the illness. The section on bipolar drew my attention for I know more than one person with this disorder. She did an excellent job describing the illness and the actions of the victim. Those suffering from any of the three disorders are not capable of thinking logically. They take medicine and begin to feel better so they stop taking the meds or they miss the highs and stop taking meds so that they can achieve those highs.

Katz’s story is one that will hit close to home with many. It will touch the hearts of all the readers. She tells her story in a simple, easy to understand manner. This book is not meant to be a text book although I strongly suggest those in the medical profession read it. It is written for the lay person in the hope of offering them encouragement and help. This book is well-written, informative and touching. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Author Sean Furey writes about his military experience in Germany in the peaceful years of the 1980's. In "Hemau", Sean recalls serving in a unit whose job it was to maintain and secure nuclear weapons. Sean Furey tells of the wide variety of people he served with and their ups and downs and go-rounds with the local residents and local hang-outs of Hemau, Germany. On the book's back, Author Furey writes "Get to know the psychological frame of mind of the people in charge of man's most deadly technology. Then pray to whatever god you believe in, and hope there are no more units like this one." The reader will meet Jerry Grose who turns danke shurn into "donkey shorts", Bob and Bing, two of the local girls, Buttons who is gay, and Tim Sounders the Souther boy. And these are the men in charge of nuclear weapons?

"Hemau" is well-written, well-edited and filled with Sean Furey's accounts of his life in the military, on base and off-base with the local townspeople. Coming from a home background that wasn't always delightful, Sean Furey finds his family in the men of the 36th Army unit. He writes of one incident after another with Gino, Jackson, and his other unit members. They come alive for the reader as will the author himself as the men of the 36th visit the Rosarium, Hemau's local nightspot and get into fights with each other. "Hemau" is a memoir that the reader will enjoy for its humor and humanity.