Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
romance

When a Man Loves a Woman

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: La Connie Taylor-Jones
Publisher: Genesis Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-58571-274-8
Pages: 250
Price: $6.99

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Some men just don’t know when to give up. Victoria Bennett wants nothing to do with marriage, but A.J. Baptiste is in love and he’s determined to woo her.

After a suspicious accident that causes A.J. injury, Victoria moves into his home to care for him as he recovers. But she has no idea how living in such close proximity will affect her, especially when he starts to become a dear friend.

Victoria has good reason to avoid men after being hurt deeply by her ex-husband, and A.J. is sensitive to her pain while encouraging her to open up to him. Rather than taking advantage of her vulnerability, he insists she be ready to give him her heart before claiming her body.

This romance blossoms beautifully between two people who want to know each other intimately as both friends and lovers, and the suspense around the accident adds even more tension to the story. Both A.J. and Victoria are caring people, striving for good in the world, and the reader will cheer for their happiness. When a Man Loves a Woman is a truly enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

finance

Giving Thanks

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Paula Langguth Ryan
Publisher: Pellingham Casper Communications
Genre: Financial Stewardship
ISBN: 1-889605-07-7
Pages: 176
Price: $17.95

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If you’re like many people, the concept of tithing brings up negative emotions. Maybe you live in constant fear of not having enough, or you were brought up in a religious environment that made demands on you to tithe, whether you wanted to or not. Giving Thanks provides fresh insights, and encourages an open mind as it explains all the reasons why you need to look past your limited thinking, and just do it.

If you’re feeling that your prosperity is limited, you probably aren’t tithing. As the author explains, in order to receive the good that wants to come to you, you first need to give thanks for all the good you already have – and you need to do this through your tithes.

Although the 10% tithe is recommended, Ryan encourages us to test the waters with a smaller tithe, working up to the full 10% as soon as possible. From her experience, most people will be tithing in full within months of beginning the experiment, once they see the results.

This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, where you give solely in order to get. Instead it’s a sound practice of blessing the good you’ve received, and giving back a portion in order to receive more blessing. This sets in motion a cycle of good that keeps on giving.

If you’re ready to experience more good in every area of your life, you first need to start tithing. Giving Thanks will show you how. I highly recommend you pick up a copy and put these principles to work for yourself.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, mystery

Bitter Tastes

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: V.B. Rosendahl
Publisher: Stargazer Press
Genre: Children’s / Mystery
ISBN: 0-9734940-9-3
Pages: 108
Price: $12.00

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Nancy Drew, move over – Kathy and Martha are the new detectives in town!

It’s bad enough Kathy Harmon had to move from New Jersey to North Carolina at the start of sixth grade. But it’s even worse that she’s “different.”

Miss Janine had been kind to her, helping her cope with her handicap while she learned to cook. And now she’s dead. Kathy was there on the day Miss Janine died, and she may have seen something that will help solve the murder.

Kathy has only made one friend so far – Martha Cunningham. When Martha finds out Kathy wants to find Miss Janine’s killer, the two play “Nancy Drew,” snooping in places they have no right to be.

Kathy and Martha are likeable girls – smart, clever, and quirky. They use good logic in figuring out who to include as likely suspects, and why these people might have killed Miss Janine.

Bitter Tastes is a fast and fun read. Children will enjoy it for its kid-appeal, suspenseful action, and great main characters. Although it opens at the climax to immediately grab the reader, this story easily stands on its own, and I’d suggest it might even have worked better written in a linear fashion. I hope Kathy and Martha will get to have their own mystery series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, fantasy

Archy the Flying Dolphin and the Vampire’s Curse

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Alan Williams
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Genre: Children’s / fantasy
ISBN: 142513151-4
Pages: 174
Price: $15.38

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Life was one long, continuous bore for eleven year-old Thomas Parkinson, so he made a wish for some excitement. Soon he and his sister, Suzy, are whisked away to visit Uncle Fibber while their parents vacation in Hawaii.

When they arrive, their uncle scares them with a story about a curse placed by Victoria von Vampire, and soon they find themselves living that very curse. With the aid of Archy the Flying Dolphin, they go on a magical adventure in a desperate attempt to lift the curse and restore their world back to normal.

Thomas and Suzy finally come face to face with Victoria, and Thomas must make a decision that could land him and his sister in her famous Coffin Pot Stew.

Though some of the adventures are a bit scary, there isn’t anything in this book that would cause nightmares for most kids. The action is fast and furious, and before the reader can blink, he’ll find Thomas and Suzy in another precarious predicament.

Thomas and Suzy are often spectators, swept along by others in this adventure. It would have been more enjoyable to see them take a more active role in planning their escapes and making their next move.

If you’re looking for lots of action and dramatic tension, you’ll find this a good read. But this style leaves little room for character development, and you may find yourself wanting to know more about Thomas and his new best friend, Archy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

From Crime to Crime

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Dennis Palumbo
Publisher: Tallfellow Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-931290-60-9
Pages: 304
Price: $24.95

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Every Sunday afternoon, the Smart Guys Marching Society gets together for an informal meeting involving snacks and discussions of “the big issues.” These four men — a lawyer, a journalist, a psychotherapist and an actor — are unexpectedly joined by a fifth member, Isaac, who has an uncanny knack for solving mysteries.

From Crime to Crime grants the reader admission into these weekly Smart Guys meetings, giving him the opportunity to match wits with Isaac. In the traditional armchair mystery style, one person explains the puzzle as he sees it. Then the Smart Guys all try to figure it out.

The good-natured banter between these five men is humorous and light-hearted. And the puzzles are clever and a real challenge to solve – but no clues are held back in the interest of fairness.

If you love a good cozy and lament the fact that Agatha Christie’s style has gone out of fashion, you’ll really enjoy these short stories. Dennis Palumbo has combined the best of the old style mystery with a splash of humor and camaraderie that makes them a joy to read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

dogs

Doggie Biscuit

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Darrell Bain
Genre: Humor
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: 1-931201-81-1
Pages: 145
Price: $14.95

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Darrel Bain is at it again. This time we have the pleasure of learning all about the comedic antics of Biscuit, his pet dachshund. Or as Bain describes him, “six inches high, six feet long, has ears that drag the ground and likes to lick faces.”

I’m sure the description is pretty close, because fans of Darrell Bain know full well he isn’t given to hyperbole. And if you believe that, you’ll probably believe that this man who truly resides at Santa Claus Lane hates ice cream.

Bain weaves tale after tail of the trials and adventures of raising a puppy on a tree farm in the wilds of Texas. He seemingly writes with a wink and a perpetual gleam in this eye, which is why the stories are fun to read. I wonder if Bain develops a Pinocchio nose whenever he starts putting his ideas down on paper.

But why shouldn’t the reader believe Biscuit created his own vocabulary, can honk a truck horn, or had a wild run-in with Viagra? Fact or fiction? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

The reader will come to love and laugh at a little dog he or she will never meet. In the process however, Bain reminds us that life isn’t all rosy, and can bite you when you least expect it. These harsh realities play a minor role in this entertaining little book, but leave an impression that lasts a tad longer than the light-hearted theme. But whoever said life would be all ice cream and doggie biscuits?

Reviewer: Gene Berger

cats

Everyday Cat Excuses: Why I Can’t Do What You Want

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Molly Brandenburg
Publisher: Sterling
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 978-1-4027-5903-1
Pages: 64
Price: $7.95

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“Dogs come when they’re called; cats take a message and get back to you later.” Mary Bly

Anyone who’s ever been owned by a cat knows the truth of this statement. But what are they really thinking when they’re totally ignoring us?

Molly Brandenburg has climbed inside the mind of a cat to reveal their inner thoughts. In minimalistic line drawings, she illustrates cats at their very best, as they choose not to do what we want them to do.

If you’re a cat owner, you’ll chuckle at these kitty responses because you know they’re true. And if you’re not a cat owner? Well, you may just decide to get a dog.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

parenting

I Just Want My Kids To Be Happy

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Aaron Cooper, Ph.D. & Eric Keitel, M.Ed.
Publisher: Late August Press
Genre: Parenting
ISBN: 978-0-9797926-0-1
Pages: 173
Price: $15.95

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If you’re a parent, you may be curious why this book is subtitled “Why You Shouldn’t Say It, Why You Shouldn’t Think It, What You Should Embrace Instead.” You’ve always wanted your kids to be happy, and this seemed like a reasonable goal to strive for. But is it?

It is – if it’s grounded in all the right reasons. In this book, Cooper and Keitel explain why this creed embraced by parents is not always the best approach in raising their kids. Instead they offer alternative parenting methods designed to develop long-term happiness.

Many parents confuse happiness with short-term pleasure. Instead of allowing their kids to work through unhappy times, they feel it’s necessary to make sure kids never experience disappointment, sadness, and other unpleasant emotions. What parents don’t realize is that those feelings help kids grow up to be emotionally mature adults.

In order to encourage parents to strive for long-term happiness, the authors have presented ideas to help plant the seeds. These suggestions include instilling strong values, encouraging closeness, building mastery, and finding spiritual connection. While these ideas may not always bring short-term pleasure, they can lead to lasting happiness once established.

Just because your kids appear to be happy doesn’t mean they really are. Kids try to please their parents, and you might be surprised to find they’re wearing a smile because you’ve told them you just want them to be happy.

If you’re truly concerned about your child’s long-term happiness, I’d encourage you to pick up a copy of this book. Both you and your kids will benefit from these suggestions.

I Just Want My Kids To Be Happy recently won a Gold Medal in the 2008 Mom’s Choice Awards.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, history

In Search of Molly Pitcher

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Linda Grant De Pauw
Publisher: Peacock Press of Pasadena
Genre: Children’s Fiction / History
ISBN: 978-1-4357-0607-1
Pages: 155
Price: $12.00

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As soon as Peggy McAllister hears about the Rattletop award for excellence in social studies, she’s determined to win it. When her teacher assigns the class a research paper on a famous American, she decides to write about a heroic woman and picks Molly Pitcher from the list.

But who was the real Molly Pitcher? Peggy quickly finds out there was no woman with that name who performed the feats attributed to her in legend. Now the search begins to track down who this woman really was. With the help of her greatgramps, his friend and author Mrs. Skinner, and her local librarian, Peggy searches for clues.

Peggy learns how to conduct research in the process, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, tracking them in chronological order, and properly documenting them. She also discovers that teachers sometimes have their own agendas, and can’t always be relied on to help.

Written in the style of a detective story, In Search of Molly Pitcher pulls the reader into Peggy’s quest for information, always wondering what new piece of evidence she will uncover. Linda Grant De Pauw has turned a potentially dull and boring historical essay on a legendary American woman into an exciting mystery. Kids and adults will both find it an enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

memoir

Accidental Cowgirl

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Mary Lynn Archibald
Publisher: Cloud Lake Publishing
Genre: Memoir
ISBN: 978-0-9787054-0-4
Pages: 228
Price: $19.95

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Have you ever thought life would be simpler if you just chucked your 9-to-5 job and bought a few acres in the country? Whether the thought is fleeting or you’re in the midst of a full-blown mid-life crisis, you have to read this book first, before you do anything you might regret.

Carl and Mary Lynn bought Twin Creeks Ranch with the idea of puttering around the farm and relaxing as they approached their golden years. But what they didn’t anticipate was just how much work they had unwittingly signed on for. Oh, and of course, the cows. They had bought a ranch.

Accidental Cowgirl shares the good, the bad, and the ugly times from their twelve years as ranch owners. Mary Lynn Archibald writes with humor as she shares the many trials they faced, battling the leaky roof and the endless plumbing problems.

She also shares the warmth and community of living on the side of a mountain with others who are managing to survive in sometimes harsh conditions. You can feel the love she and Carl have for their land, the cows, and the lifestyle they wholeheartedly embraced.

In the time they owned Twin Creeks Ranch, they discovered hidden reservoirs of talent and a strong will to overcome anything life handed them. The author shares her fears of living alone at the ranch, the excitement of new life when calves are born, and the sadness of death. And ultimately, she shares the pain of finally letting go.

Rarely do I find a book so enjoyable that I savor it in small nibbles, like fine chocolate. Accidental Cowgirl is such a book. Mary Lynn Archibald brings this mountain alive, and by the time you finish reading her incredible story, you’ll find you’re reluctant to ever leave Twin Creeks Ranch.

Reviewer: Alice Berger