Underrated Reads

The Darkest Hearts (A D Hunter Mystery)- Nelson George

Posted on August 15, 2020 by J D Jung

(reviewed by JD Jung) “The past is never gone. Revenge exposes your morality. Youth haunts middle age like the devil rules hell.” D Hunter changed careers from bodyguard/ security in Brooklyn to owning a successful talent management company in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he cannot escape his past, as working in security puts one in contact…

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers | Tagged Donald Trump, Hip hop, music crime fiction, rap | Comments Off

In Remembrance – Robert Hellenga (1941 – 2020)

Posted on August 15, 2020 by J D Jung

(by JD Jung) Robert Hellenga I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Hellenga last month. He was one of my favorite authors who wrote with emotion, warmth and sensuality. Robert shared his love of Italy as well as the complexities of the human condition. I was first introduced to his work…

Posted in Let's talk | Tagged Robrt Hellenga | Comments Off

Acid Test: LSD vs. LDS – Christopher Kimball Bigelow

Posted on August 9, 2020 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Heidi A. Swan) I was intrigued by this book because the author, Christopher Kimball Bigelow, and I share two things in common: we were both raised in the Mormon Church during the same era and used drugs in our youth (although I was far less involved in both of these than Bigelow). The…

Posted in Bios and Memoirs | Tagged drugs, LDS, LSD, memoirs, Mormon church | Comments Off

SAY SOMETHING – Jeremy Clarke

Posted on August 6, 2020 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Say Something is a short book of poetry providing an autobiographical window into the author’s life. Jeremy Clarke believes that every person’s journey in life should be heard and told. The inspiration comes from within his soul as does the desire to encourage others to speak their truth, to heal and…

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Poetry | Tagged autobiography, poetry, short books | Comments Off

Obama’s Legacy: What He Accomplished as President – Michael I. Days

Posted on August 1, 2020 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) After listening to President Obama's eulogy for John Lewis, I was reminded of how much I miss our 44th President. Trump, as well as his supporters, refuse to acknowledge the vast accomplishments of the Obama presidency, even though the facts stare them right in the face. Therefore I am happy to…

Posted in Revisited | Tagged American politics, Barack Obama, character, decency, Donald Trump | Comments Off

It Is Wood, It Is Stone – Gabriella Burnham

Posted on July 28, 2020 by J D Jung

(reviewed by JD Jung) “I don’t even think I want to flee anymore. I thought that was what I wanted, but I think more so I wanted to disappear. I wanted to become so unburdened that I would actually become invisible. And at the same time, I wanted desperately to be seen. “ Yes, Linda…

Posted in Latin American Literature, Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged Brazil, class, romance. women's fiction | Comments Off

On Nana’s Shoulders – Vicki Schoen

Posted on July 26, 2020 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) On Nana’s Shoulders is a contemporary woman’s novel written about Debra Sherrill and her attempt to save her family. Debra is going through a divorce and has a teenage son, Nick, who is graduating from high school and trying to find himself while accepting all the family drama. Debra’s divorce is…

Posted in Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged contemporary fiction, family, women's fiction | Comments Off

A Good Man- Ani Katz

Posted on July 23, 2020 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “It didn’t matter that I had a good job, or that I had secured us a home. I saw that my girls were vulnerable to mysterious and external forces, forces that could destroy us if I wasn’t careful. “ Though Thomas Martin suffered an unfortunate childhood and was still in contact…

Posted in Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged contemporary fiction, psychological drama | Comments Off

200 Letters – Amy Watkins

Posted on July 18, 2020 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) 200 Letters is a romance novel written about Angela and Ethan. Angela comes from an abusive relationship that was causing great misery. Ethan is unhappily married, working at the same office as Angela. They meet, and a connection happens between them, causing persevering issues. The dynamic of the relationship and the…

Posted in Modern Literary Fiction, Romance | Tagged coming-of-age, Contemporary Romance, forgiveness, Romance | Comments Off

Lost Horses – Mark Saha

Posted on July 15, 2020 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung) Mark Saha writes about his characters in a snappy fast-paced style about life and their horses. This is a collection of seven short stories that indirectly talks about how man has replaced the companionship of a horse for that of the automobile and loses a part of his humanity along the…

Posted in Historical Fiction, Short stories | Tagged horses, short stories | Comments Off