Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
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

home

Easy Green Living

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Renee Loux
Publisher: Rodale
Genre: Home Reference
ISBN: 978-1-59486-792-7
Pages: 396
Price: $25.00

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It’s easy being green… if you know where to begin. None of us consciously make the decision to harm the planet, yet many of our day to day household choices do exactly that. Easy Green Living points out the reasons why we need to change, and gets us going in the right direction.

Many common household cleaners contain chemicals that not only hurt the environment, but can do considerable harm to our bodies. The exact nature of these chemicals is explained, and alternative products are suggested that can do the job in a safer manner. And if you’re into “do it yourself” cleaning products, there are recipes to make almost anything out of simple and safe ingredients like white vinegar and baking soda.

The author also focuses on other common household products like cosmetics, bedding and furniture, which contain harmful chemicals, and provides safe alternative choices to those toxic items. And using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances is encouraged, so we can all use less natural resources.

Although I’ve been semi-green for more than ten years now, there were many things Renee Loux pointed out that were new to me. After reading Easy Green Living, I’m now totally convinced that I can’t continue being partially committed to this lifestyle, and I’ll be using this book as a reference in making the switch. Our health and Mother Earth’s depend on us all going green.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

romance

Designed For Passion

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Francine Craft
Publisher: Kimani Press
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 978-0-373-86057-9
Pages: 248
Price: $5.99

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Widow Melodye Carter has turned her clothing boutique into a success while raising her rambunctious twins by herself. Deeply hurt by her late husband, she has sworn off men and marriage. Believing that her voluptuous curves make her unattractive, she’s convinced she’ll be alone for the rest of her life.

Detective Jim Ryman remembers the plus-size beauty from his youth, and he can’t help the fires of attraction that burn through him when he sees her again. Melodye’s husband’s death has now been declared murder, and Jim has been assigned to investigate it, bringing them into close contact. But he is also dealing with demons from his past, and a failed marriage that ended in his wife’s accidental death.

Though they want to remain just friends, passion consumes them as they become closer than they planned. And their match-making grandparents scheme to see them happily married. But Melodye first needs to stand up to her mother’s and sister’s unkind comments about her weight, and both women’s determination to keep her down.

Jim is a knight in shining armor for his lady, as he supports Melodye and encourages her to blossom in her own light. And Melodye allows Jim to share his deepest feelings and process the grief he still feels about his late wife. This heartwarming story reveals their growth, both as individuals and as a couple, which will surely lead them to a lifetime of happiness together.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

self improvement

I.M. Heart

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Sue P. McDaniel, PhD
Publisher: Alternatives
Genre: Self-help
ISBN: 978-0-615-16178-5
Pages: 112
Price: $14.95

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If you long to really live your life, but somewhere along the way you’ve forgotten how to feel, I.M. Heart will show you how. This charming line-drawn heart character will lead you through the many feelings you face, and will guide you in feeling them fully.

These feelings include pain, fear, love, and connection to spirit and others. Gently and lovingly, this little heart shares some experiences that create the feelings, and how he/she has learned to live with them.

Filled with “I am” affirmations, I.M. Heart reassures us we’re okay just as we are, and that we’re becoming even better. Feelings are the way we get in touch with ourselves and create a more dynamic and joyful life.

There are no “shoulds” in this book, and you won’t be made to feel guilty for anything. Instead, you’ll be coaxed to consider small changes and new possibilities to enrich your life. The positive energy in I.M. Heart will uplift and encourage you on your journey.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Cake Thief

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Sally O. Lee
Publisher: Booksurge
Genre: Children’s
ISBN: 1-4196-8392-6
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

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A peculiar little boy named Clarence likes to steal all the cakes in his neighborhood. Wearing his mask, he sneaks into homes and steals them from their stands. But one day he receives a surprise. When he lifts the cake cover, he finds an invitation addressed “to the cake thief” to attend a party. But he needs to bring a cake.

Knowing he can’t bring one that he stole, he gets to work baking his own cake. When it’s done, it’s just as wonderful as the others, and he goes to the party, no longer needing to wear his mask. And since he now knows how to bake his own cake, he doesn’t need to steal them anymore.

This is a charming tale of a misfit who finally finds a way to fit into his community. Sally O. Lee also illustrates the text in vibrant and colorful oil paintings. Combining lyric prose and whimsical illustrations, The Cake Thief is sure to delight children of all ages.

Reviewer: Alice Berger