Reviewed by Teodora Totorean for Readers' Favorite

Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.: Milestone Plays of Murder, Mystery and Mayhem, An Annotated Repertoire by Amnon Kabatchnik is an overview of the most important theatrical works on the theme stated in the title, from Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus to Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The book starts with an introduction, where the author presents the plays together with a short synopsis for each, and it continues with a chapter dedicated to each theatrical work presented in chronological order. The author provides for each play: a plot synopsis, when and where the play was seen on the stage, author’s biography, critics’ opinions, awards and notes. Some of the plays from the book are: Antigone by Sophocles, Medea by Euripides, Phaedra by Seneca, and The Tragedy of King Richard the Third by William Shakespeare, to name just a few.

Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D. by Amnon Kabatchnik is a fascinating book for those interested in theatre in general, and for those interested in theatrical works about murder, mystery and mayhem in particular. The book is easy to read and understand, and you don’t have to have previous knowledge of the plays presented in the book. If this is the case, you may want to read the original play or go and see the play after reading each entry. The book is rather complex, demonstrating profound knowledge of the field and extensive research skills. I enjoyed reading this book, as not only did it refresh my knowledge of some of the plays I had read a long time ago, but I also learnt about theatrical works and playwrights which now I want to read and/or view.

Reviewed by Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite

Crossing Swords: Mary Baker Eddy vs. Victoria Claflin Woodhull And the Battle for the Soul of Marriage by Cindy Peyser Safronoff begins with an overview of the evolution of culture and marriage laws in America, and from there explores nineteenth-century alternative relationship models. Following closely the lives of Mary Baker Eddy, nicknamed the “Boston Pope” and a pioneer in religious movements, and Victoria Claflin Woodhull, the first female candidate for President of the United States, an activist for women's rights and labor reforms as well as an advocate of free love, Cindy presents an overview of the birth of almost everything related to feminism. The publication of ‘Declaration of Rights and Sentiments,’ a milestone in women’s liberation, finding Christian clergy as women’s worst enemy, slave based culture and its effect on society, and other pioneering efforts by many stalwarts of the feminist movement find description in this book. How the opposing philosophies, the puritanical background of Mary and the unconcerned outlook of Victoria played together in molding the American view of women in society comes alive in these pages.

Crossing Swords: Mary Baker Eddy vs Victoria Claflin Woodhull And the Battle for the Soul of Marriage by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is a thoroughly researched work. Whether it is women's suffrage or traditional value systems or other aspects of the nineteenth century American culture war, the vision of enlightened womanhood as it existed then is presented here, in clear and concise terms, with special attention in giving equal due to the almost opposing views of both the pioneers.

Reviewed by Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite

Promising Forecast - A Miracle Rescue at Sea by Daniel David Jones and Arthur J. Higbee is the story of Dave, ‘who never missed a chance to make a dollar’, and how he goes on a deep-sea fishing trip with four other buddies. At least one of them, Joe, is a good fisherman. Their adventure really begins when the sea turns rough and their boat sinks, and continues when the mayday responses by the coast guard fail in locating them, turns into a horrifying experience when they are forced to spent the better part of the night at sea, hanging onto a lobster pot, and thereafter. How they pass the time by taking turns to recite their life stories, the danger of a cargo ship going straight over them, sighting search helicopters that happen to miss them, and many other events and experiences of desperation fill the pages of this book.

Promising Forecast - A Miracle Rescue at Sea is a gripping narrative of a few horrendous moments in the lives of the protagonists. They have shown a remarkable degree of survival instinct in combating the dangers faced, and have lived to tell their tales. The mental, physical and spiritual strength of each one is visible throughout this book, and especially the difficulty faced in admitting the fear of death is described in poignant words. With fast paced action and a very interesting depiction of events, there was many a time I had to remind myself that this is a real life story.

Reviewed by Nathan M. Beauchamp for Readers' Favorite

Keeping Mother's Secrets was both difficult and easy to read. Easy because the story of how Tracy May escaped a past filled with horrific abuse captivated me; difficult because of the subject matter. Written with frank, matter of fact prose, May’s account of her psychotic mother, ineffectual father, and abusive childhood carried me quickly from first page to last. The simplicity of the prose itself serves to heighten not lessen the tension — I felt as though I were right beside an intelligent, admirable young girl quite literally fighting for her life.

Though Keeping Mother's Secrets covers the very grim territory of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, May maintains an upbeat, hopeful perspective. You can’t read this memoir without feeling immense respect for the author. Not just because of her experiences, but because of how she’s chosen to overcome them. May writes in the epilogue that she chose to publish her memoir with the hope it might help others. I have no doubt that it has already done so. In fact, as someone who has experienced some abuse myself, I can say that reading Keeping Mother's Secrets was therapeutic for me.

May embeds historical documents, reports from psychologists that treated her as a child, and transcripts from the court proceedings over her custody case. These provide a factual backbone that gives Keeping Mother's Secrets even greater power. May uses these permanent records of her troubled childhood to great and evocative effect. In a story featuring few heroes and many villains, Indian Joe, the attorney who represented her father’s side of the custody battle to remove May from her abusive mother, is the only shining star aside from May herself.

It’s impossible to read Keeping Mother's Secrets without getting angry. It’s equally impossible to read it without feeling a profound sense of hope. If May can overcome the horror of her childhood and go on to lead a meaningful and valuable life, so too can all who have suffered injustice. Powerful, gripping, and supported by interesting historical documentation, Keeping Mother's Secrets is a worthwhile and compelling read. It stands alongside memoirs like Mary Karr’s The Liar's Club as a profound exploration of the redemptive power of hope.

Reviewed by Kristine Hall for Readers' Favorite

Danuta Pfeiffer's Chiseled: A Memoir of Identity, Duplicity, and Divine Wine is the amazing story of Danuta's life - filled with deception, devastation, and determination - that takes readers on a courageous journey. Told in three parts, Danuta's story begins at her beginning, as a God-fearing child, living a spartan life under a father she revered, despite his abusive hands. Her father's stories of obstacles he'd overcome in the war, in the most brutal of circumstances, carried Danuta through her own travails time and again, even as her father continued to reject her. For readers who remember Danuta (then Soderman) and her mysterious departure from being the co-host of The 700 Club with Pat Robertson, details are revealed of not only her departure, but of how CBN and Robertson operated behind-the-scenes. This provided fascinating insight into the sometimes sordid world of televangelism, and it ultimately led to Danuta's "losing God" for a period of time. As Danuta navigates her life - out of work, married to an addict, and questioning the very existence of God - she always draws strength from her father's challenges and perseveres. When she finally allows friendships into her life and allows herself to focus on her own needs, she finds true love with a winemaker, Robin Pfeiffer. Robin takes Danuta to Poland, where Danuta connects with her father's family, and discovers the truth and lies of her father's past. Chiseled is a masterfully written story of a woman spending a lifetime searching to find peace, love, and acceptance within herself.

What a beautifully written personal story Danuta Pfeiffer has shared. At times, readers will have to remind themselves that Chiseled is a memoir and not fiction. It is unbelievable that any one person endured all of the heartache and challenges that Danuta faced, and even more amazing that she survived it and now lives a healthy, happy life. Many of her sentences are stunning, and the imagery truly takes the story to another level. For example, in talking about her father's decline into depression, Danuta wrote, "His change took place the way a shoelace comes undone, gradually unravelling what was once secure." Or, when she speaks of her time with The 700 Club, she summarizes it by saying, "I had become a spiritual drug dealer imbued with the halo of power and celebrity, associated with the brokers of money and politics." Her characterization was excellent so that readers not only witnessed actions, but understood and felt Danuta's emotions towards the characters who had the most impact on her life. Particularly powerful was the story of Danuta's mother, Patricia, who was truly the hero of Danuta's life. In Patricia's strength and commitment to her family, Danuta found a role model in a time when women were restricted by societal limitations. Throughout Danuta's life, her faith and relationship with God went through many iterations, and it was interesting to see her thought process at all stages and what ultimately led her back to a life of faith.

I highly recommend Chiseled, as Danuta Pfeiffer eloquently shows that truth can be more dramatic and fascinating than fiction. Readers should be prepared to be angry - and possibly shed a few tears - but in the end, feel inspired.

Reviewed by Steve Painter for Readers' Favorite

In her book, Optimism for Autism, Susan King reveals, along with notes from her son Patrick, a life that was fulfilled not by her son's autism, but from her faith that led her through some very troubling days. Days where the tasks she undertook to get help for Patrick seem rather heroic. The road is often very rocky for those with autism and King holds nothing back in her assessment of what was needed to provide her son with a chance to overcome this illness and lead a normal life. She writes with the love of a mom and not only covers the great things that happened over the years, but stays grounded by writing that it was never a walk in the rose garden. Despite some setbacks, it was all due to the Lord and His blessings that enabled such a wonderful story to come forth from a frightful beginning.

I was blessed to have read this book. Many parents and caregivers would be wise to read it as well, not only for the magnificent writing, but for the powerful tools they can use in their own circumstances. In her book, Optimism for Autism, Susan King, along with her autistic son Patrick, tells a story that should be read by any struggling parent trying to raise a child who needs intercession. Armed with a boatload of faith, King (along with her husband David) embraces the challenges of raising Patrick, who started life with such struggles that it was difficult for her to know where to start. And there are many parents in the same boat. But help is here and anyone can find encouragement by reading this book.

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 Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Jacob Benjamin Kane was born in the early 1930's to parents who were observant Jews. His mother was a pianist from Poland and his father a Rabbi and a mathematician who was involved with the scientists at Los Alamos, New Mexico, and the Oak Ridge Laboratories in Tennessee. Jacob or Jake becomes friends with Toshiro Tokani whose father tutors him as a young teenager in the martial arts. He also becomes lifelong friends with Charles Henson who once bullies Jake but goes on to acknowledge his Jewish heritage and moves to Israel to help build the Israeli state. Jake Kane is highly talented and becomes not only a neurosurgeon, an athlete in high school, a concert pianist and martial arts expert, but also a decorated member of the Special Forces, part of its 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam where his training as a surgeon is needed. But Jake is more than this. He is a Golem who feels a need to destroy enemies and serves as a secret agent in the Israeli Mossad for years. But as the years pass, will Jake Kane change, mellow?

"Jacob's War" is a brilliant but very long novel that is both well-written and well-edited. Main character Jacob Kane and all major and minor characters such as his lifelong friends Charles and Toshiro, his military friends Jeremiah Greene and Jackie the nurse, and Jake's loves Hannah and Juliette, are well-created and totally believable. The story flashes back from 199 to the 1950's and different times in Jake's life which works well to support this story of an incredible, multi-talented man whose medical genius and his ability to turn into a killer par non for the downtrodden will inspire all readers. J.B. Kaufman's "Jacobi's War" is a long but terrific read, detailing parts of history that most may not know.

Reviewed by Elizabeth M. for Readers' Favorite

In The Cuckoo's Egg, author Anna Morten describes her childhood, and how as a young child she was told she was a cuckoo's egg. Anyone who hears this at first may not understand it; however, Anna was determined to break the mold of her circumstances...that her family could not accept her for who she was due to her looks and personality. Despite war breaking out, she prospered and triumphed through everything.

I commend her for what she did, and I greatly enjoyed her life stories. She learned not to believe everything a person said or did and learned to develop her own voice, regardless of what others thought. In the end, she became a stronger woman and was revered by those who looked up to her throughout the years. I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed reading about Anna's life and was inspired by her story. I believe that anyone can benefit from her amazing book.

Reviewed by Lynette Fowlston for Readers' Favorite

Angels Gate is a fictional story based on an actual monetary heist. The setting is California in the 1980’s. Drug smuggling was big business in the area. Four surfing buddies decided to buy property in Costa Rica, build a hotel and retire. Airline baggage handlers did not make that kind of money. They thought smuggling pot in from Mexico, by using the airline, was the perfect way to make the money. When the airlines made changes the plot fizzled.

Their next bright idea was to rob an airline shipment from Brinks. Everything went well except the shipment did not contain money; it contained stocks, bonds and certificates. The bonds totaled three hundred fifty million dollars. They were afraid of getting caught. They did not know if the bonds were traceable. They were not sure that they could trust their partner.

This is an interesting novel of suspense and intrigue. The book is well edited. The plot kept me turning pages.