Underrated Reads

The Parlor Girl’s Guide – Steve McCondichie

Posted on July 5, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “They probably hauled him to the city lockup for the weekend. He ain’t the first busted-ass sharecropper in Scots Station to get run on a rail for stealing and owing money.” November 1926, Central Alabama - Molly Lingo’s mother had no idea how far plantation owner Zachary Hinton would go to…

Posted in Historical Fiction | Tagged Alabama, American South, farming, jazz age, Ty Cobb | Comments Off

Feast Of Sapphires – Matt Nagin

Posted on July 2, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Matt McAvoy) A prolific collection of poetry by a hugely creative author. These poems, although short, are very bittersweet, and they yell “quality”, from beginning to end. I do enjoy reviewing poetry from time to time, and it is fair to say that this collection is of my favourites to date – I…

Posted in Poetry | Tagged book reviews, poetry | Comments Off

Bound by Blood: An Erotic Thriller – Clare Castleberry

Posted on June 29, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) (A recent re-release. This was formerly titled What Lies Within, and was reviewed under that title.) “…I learned how a body could become a beautiful contribution to the power of cosmetics…the most exquisite, deepest shade of blood red lipstick you’ve’ ever seen, rich soaps made from the finest fats…all those…

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Reviewers' Top Picks | Tagged fiction, horror, New Orleans, psychological thriller, San Francisco, suspense | Comments Off

Rockin’ Through Troubled Waters: Memoir -Surviving the West Coast Music Scene 1966-1971 – Don Jung

Posted on June 25, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Cathy Carey) Wow! I want to thank the author for this sentimental journey. I was only on page 15 when I had already downloaded two albums from iTunes. Be prepared to have a whole new perspective listening to some classic oldies. Put your headset on and keep your smartphone close. You are going…

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction | Tagged 1960s, Doors, Janis Joplin, Los Angeles, rock music, Vietnam War | Comments Off

Date Like a Woman – Kai Nicole

Posted on June 21, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Judy Deutsch ) Let me be upfront with you. I’m not the target audience for this book. I’m not a millennial. In fact, I’m quite a bit older than the author, Kai Nicole. I married young, found myself widowed later in life and didn’t start dating until a few years after that. Even…

Posted in How do I do that?, Your Best Self | Tagged dating, sex | Comments Off

In West Mills – De’Shawn Charles Winslow

Posted on June 16, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “You don’t want to be caught up in other folks’ lies and secrets. Ain’t a good feelin’ to keep stuff in ya.” It’s October 1941 and everyone seems to have secrets in this African American community in West Mills, North Carolina. Amazingly in a town where everyone seems to know everyone…

Posted in Historical Fiction | Tagged family, friendship, love, North Carolina | Comments Off

America, Join us today for a National Day of Action!

Posted on June 15, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) The future of our country is in danger! Trump committed impeachable offenses from Day 1 by not even attempting to protect the integrity of our elections from Russian interference. Then there was the family separation at the southern border. Then the outcome of the Mueller report. Now there's even more! Join…

Posted in Let's talk, Revisited | Comments Off

Man of the Year – Caroline Louise Walker

Posted on June 11, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “The lovesick, the betrayed, and the jealous all smell alike.” -Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette Internist, Dr. Robert Hart was named Sag Harbor Citizen of the Year. Everyone seems to be jealous of him and his charismatic wife, Elizabeth. But do they really know them? Robert’s son, Jonah comes back from college, and brings…

Posted in Modern Literary Fiction | Tagged death, family, infidelity, literature | Comments Off

Revisited: Verklempt – Peter Sichrovsky (Author), Ari Roth (Foreword), John Howard (Translator)

Posted on June 8, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Thomas remained a man without a past, without memories, without old photographs and without stories from earlier years.” He is just one of the many Jews who chose to live in a land where their parents were once hunted down. It’s around 1985 and whether it’s Berlin or Vienna, “The children…

Posted in Revisited | Tagged Austria, Germany, Judaism, Poland, Prague | Comments Off

Constance: One Road to Take: The Life and Photography of Constance Stuart Larrabee (1914–2000) – Peter Elliott

Posted on June 4, 2019 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Constance is not so much of a biography but an attempt to put Constance Stuart Larrabee’s life into perspective using her photography. The attempt is to gain more of an understanding of her work, thus allowing the reader a glimpse into her personal life, past and present. What you appreciate is…

Posted in Bios and Memoirs | Tagged biography | Comments Off