An Exceptional UnderratedRead Revisited: Visualize Yourself: Designing the Outcome of Your Life, One Issue at a Time – Aileen Nealie

Posted on June 18, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Pat Luboff)

“This is you breaking free from your current reality. Dare to expand. Dare to grow. Design your path. You have a say in everything.”

Reading Visualize Yourself by Aileen Nealie is like giving your mind a long, cool drink of the purest water on a blazing hot day. In our current world, where we are constantly assaulted by negative and violent images and anxiety-producing advertisements, it’s a great relief to spend some time in the world of light and love that Ms. Nealie creates in her book.

And it’s in this world where she gives you easy, accessible instructions on how to create for yourself through the process of visualization.  With that groundwork laid in the first section of the book, you are ready to use the technique to address specific needs for healing in your life. There are visualizations to reduce anxiety, break free from depression, release fears, and more in the “Mental Health” section. Some of the other areas covered are life transitions, relationships, food, abundance, love, and spirituality.

For a book of less than 150 pages, it packs a big bunch of positive and useful ways to use your mind to enhance your life. Indulge! Everyone needs this book!

Posted in Revisited | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on An Exceptional UnderratedRead Revisited: Visualize Yourself: Designing the Outcome of Your Life, One Issue at a Time – Aileen Nealie

An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Vacation House – Jane Shemilt

Posted on June 15, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)


2003 -Thirteen-year-old Sofie and her family toiled at a vacation house on the island of Paxos, Greece. This house was owned by a wealthy British family and frequented every summer by them and their friends. When Sofie is sexually assaulted by two teenagers from this group, life unravels for her entire family.Twenty years later we meet thirty-nine-year-old Julia, who lives in London with her daughter and husband, James. James is the headmaster of a prestigious school and must keep up appearances with society. Though she is three years older than her husband, Julia plays the trophy wife. She appreciates that James rescued her and her daughter from a life of poverty, so she is willing to exchange sex and cooking for her daughter’s education and a better life. However, she feels trapped.Each chapter reveals a great contrast, switching between Sophie in 2003 and Julia in 2023. As I read, I kept wondering how the two stories relate, if at all. Just when I thought I solved part of the mystery, the story took an unexpected turn, revealing a shocking ending.

There are so many layers to The Vacation House that will stay in your mind long after you’ve reached the final page. How much of oneself does a person have to give up in order to acquire justice, or even to be able to survive? From generational and class abuse to entitlement and denial, it’s all embedded within a fascinating story. Add the vivid geographical settings and complex supporting characters, this novel will engage the reader throughout.

Ultimately, The Vacation House is a gripping tale that keeps readers spellbound, unraveling its multifaceted plot until the very end. A must read!

Posted in Revisited | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Vacation House – Jane Shemilt

The House of Hidden Meanings – Ru Paul

Posted on June 11, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Exceptional

“Much as we seek power in every corner of our lives, it’s always already in us; it’s impossible to be powerless if you recognize that you yourself are power.  Life is power.

  Finding that power within yourself—that’s the hard part.”

 

I can’t remember reading a memoir that I just couldn’t put down. That is, until I opened Ru Paul’s The House of Hidden Meanings. It is structured in a way that continues to pull the reader in to anticipate what happens next.

Ru Paul demonstrates a great amount of self-awareness and isn’t afraid to show his vulnerability. In fact, he is quite relatable. He reveals how he felt that he didn’t belong, even within the gay community. He had problems with intimacy and felt he was undeserving of romantic attention. He yearned to be known and to simply be felt.

RuPaul acknowledges Drag as the source of his power. Through his experiences, he uncovers the transformative nature of drag and its role in shaping his identity and career. Throughout the book he keeps returning to the “House of Hidden Meanings”, the influence of his parents and how being bullied had continued to affect him.

I was hoping to discover how he was able to create such a successful entertainment empire, but that was not part of the story. However, his admission of always being rich in imagination offers a glimpse into his creative mind and abilities.

RuPaul bares his soul with honesty in The House of Hidden Meanings, inviting readers to explore the complexities of his journey. It’s a memoir that not only entertains but also inspires.

Posted in Bios and Memoirs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The House of Hidden Meanings – Ru Paul

An UnderratedRead Revisited: Ilium – Lea Carpenter

Posted on June 8, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)


“The game of espionage, at its essence, is observation, seduction, patience. And a fluid relationship with your sense of self. To commit espionage at the highest levels you have to be willing to forget who you are in order to inhabit someone else.”

Our protagonist, a young and single British woman leading a mundane life in London, followed the same unexciting routine every day. She even felt she was boring, wishing that she was not averse to risks. So, why would this make her the perfect asset for covert agencies, like the American CIA, Israeli Mossad and The British M16, to close an assignment that was several years in the making?

She realizes that her life is about to change when she meets a wealthy, attentive American man, thirty-three years her senior. When they marry just shy of her twenty-first birthday, he asks for her help. She is to assume another identity and merely “listen” to certain individuals and report back to a man named Raja.

What ensues is a series of methodically plotted encounters she is involved in, the details of which she is not privy to. What keeps us in suspense is not only the unfolding events and their potential repercussions, but also the uncertainty of how this new lifestyle will be resolved for our protagonist.

Amidst the captivating plot, the supporting characters are expertly developed and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The reader gains a deep understanding of their personalities and motivations.

Author Lea Carpenter’s intent to infuse a personal dimension into the espionage tale is masterfully achieved. She emphasizes that events and characters on both sides are not simply black and white. The story proves to be utterly mesmerizing, making it a challenge to put the book down. I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

Posted in Revisited | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on An UnderratedRead Revisited: Ilium – Lea Carpenter

The Last Shadow – Michael Allen Zell

Posted on June 5, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

 

Retired New York cop Julius Mosley found a new life in New Orleans. As a martial arts instructor, he is able to find an inner peace that was not available to him in New York. However, when his best student, Maya Gaines, unknowingly gets caught up with crime boss Vinh Nguyen, Mosley’s past catches up to him.

What I particularly enjoyed about The Last Shadow was author Michael Allen Zell’s vivid portrayal of New Orleans, far from the tourist’s perception. Through his skillful prose, the city itself becomes a character, its dark alleys and hidden corners serving as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama.

The characters are expertly crafted, with depth and nuance that make their motivations and actions feel authentic. From Mosley and Nguyen’s past to Maya’s realization of the burdens of her own talent, each character is fleshed out with care and attention to detail.

While The Last Shadow is a quick read, Zell wastes no time in immersing the reader in his world. The pacing is tight, the suspense intense, and the payoff satisfying. Fans of crime fiction will find much to enjoy in this engaging novel.

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Last Shadow – Michael Allen Zell

The Safekeep – Yael van der Wouden

Posted on May 29, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

It’s 1961, almost twenty years after the war, and it would appear as if the Netherlands has recovered. However, scars linger beneath the surface in unimaginable ways.

Isabel, who is almost thirty years old, doesn’t have much of a social life. She’s rigid, and lives alone in the house she grew up in. It is owned by her uncle, and will go to her brother, Louis, upon his death. Next in line will be her younger brother, Hendrik. However, she sees this house as all she has in life.

The introduction of Louis’s lover, Eva, disrupts Isabel’s carefully constructed world. The problem is that Louis must go out of town for a few weeks on business and allows Eva to live in the family home with his sister. Isabel is furious and as kitchen items start to disappear, this confirms her anger and suspicions. However, she soon finds herself under Eva’s spell and this emotional manipulation truly challenges Isabel, marking a pivotal turn in the story.

What sets The Safekeep apart is its masterful character development, which extends beyond the protagonists to encompass a rich tapestry of supporting characters, each imbued with depth and complexity.

As the story unfolds, the plot twists and turns with a gripping intensity that defies anticipation. As I was reading, I had preconceived notions of how the story would proceed, but I was continually surprised by the unforeseen developments. This kept me engaged until the final page. Yet, despite the unexpected conclusion, I felt it satisfying, leaving no loose ends to ponder.

The Safekeep seamlessly blends intrigue with historical events in a tale that resonates long after the final chapter. Whether you’re drawn to its historical backdrop or its nuanced exploration of human nature, this is a novel that captivates from beginning to end.

Posted in Historical Fiction, Our Best, World Literature, WWII | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Safekeep – Yael van der Wouden

Wait: A Novel – Gabriella Burnham

Posted on May 24, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

 

 

“They threw me out of the country like I was a nothing.”

Wait delves into the intricate layers of family, identity, and the harsh realities faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States. Through the lens of protagonist Elise, who is American, we are drawn into a world where the promise of a bright future is overshadowed by the cruel hand of fate and the unforgiving nature of bureaucracy.

The story begins with Elise about to graduate from the University of North Carolina, but her mother and younger sister never show up. Afraid of what could have happened to them, Elise travels back to her childhood home in Nantucket to find that her mother, Gilda, has been deported back to Brazil by ICE, leaving her behind as well as her seventeen-year-old sister Sophie. This sudden separation forces Elise to confront the harsh realities of her mother’s undocumented status and the fragility of the life they have built in Nantucket.

Through flashback sequences, we are introduced to Gilda’s journey as an undocumented immigrant and single mother abandoned by her husband, living in the shadows of American society for over twenty years. Despite her contributions to her community and her unwavering determination to provide for her daughters, she is ultimately torn away from them by a system that values paperwork over humanity. As Elise and Sophie grapple with the devastating impact of their mother’s absence, they learn that friends and neighbors who they thought they had known for years, cannot be trusted.

Issues of class and entitlement are also important themes in this book, as both Elise and Sophie learn self-sufficiency due to the fact that they can only depend on themselves.

Through its compelling narrative and compelling characters, Wait sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of undocumented immigrants and challenges readers to confront their preconceived notions of belonging and identity.

Posted in Immigration, Modern Literary Fiction, World Issues | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Wait: A Novel – Gabriella Burnham

The Purple Don: Mystery Thriller Suspense Novel (Illuminati) – SLMN

Posted on May 20, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung)

 

Exceptional
The Purple Don is a gripping and eerie murder mystery that takes readers deep into the world of crime, power, and deception. At the heart of the story is Joey Diamonds, the son of a Mafia crime boss who faces the ultimate betrayal when his father disowns him upon discovering Joey’s sexuality. This life-altering event sets Joey on a path of reinvention and ruthless ambition as he leaves New York to carve out a new empire in Miami and Los Angeles.

Joey Diamonds is a fascinating character, depicted with a chilling blend of charm and menace. His experiences in the crime world have shaped him into a merciless figure who demands absolute loyalty and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Joey’s ruthless nature is underscored by his willingness to kill even those closest to him if they do not meet his exacting standards. This relentless drive for control and power is both terrifying and captivating, making Joey a protagonist who keeps readers on edge.

The narrative swiftly moves through Joey’s expansion of his criminal enterprises, from running an underworld drug empire in Miami to exerting influence over the movie industry in Los Angeles. His interactions with various gangs and the ways he manipulates and deceives his contacts are intricately detailed, showcasing his cunning and strategic mind. Joey’s ability to mesmerize those around him with his deceitful charm is a testament to the author’s skill in crafting a multi-dimensional antagonist who is as intriguing as he is horrifying.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Purple Don is the constant uncertainty about Joey’s fate. The reader is kept in suspense, never quite sure if Joey will face retribution for his actions. This tension is maintained through a series of unexpected twists and turns, making the book impossible to put down. In fact, I read it in one sitting. The storyline’s unpredictable nature keeps readers off balance until the very end, ensuring a riveting reading experience.

The Purple Don is a masterfully crafted tale of crime, loyalty, and deception. This book is a must-read for fans of dark, character-driven mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end.

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Purple Don: Mystery Thriller Suspense Novel (Illuminati) – SLMN

The Debt Collector – Steven Max Russo

Posted on May 16, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch)

 

The Debt Collector by Steven Max Russo is a very good book for readers who enjoy this genre. The basic premise is an unassuming female debt collector, Abigal, comes into a new town to establish herself. Before long, she finds herself in the uncomfortable position of being the prime suspect in a murder case. The characters in this book are well thought out and believable. Their interactions with each other are clever and always keeping the reader guessing.

What I liked best about The Debt Collector is Russo’s portrayal of the main character, Abigal. Russo kept her believable and didn’t overplay her physical prowess and unique skill sets too much.

What I didn’t like is that the book seemed to go on too long after what I considered to be the natural denouement of the story. My guess is that Russo is trying to set up a sequel to the book, but I thought it could have been more easily handled with a couple of paragraphs in an Epilogue.

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers | Tagged | Comments Off on The Debt Collector – Steven Max Russo

They All Swore an Oath: Stories from Everyday Heroes in our Midst – Christopher J. Lynch

Posted on May 13, 2024 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung)


They All Swore an Oath is a collection of interviews between author Christopher Lynch and our unsung American war heroes from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the recent Persian Gulf conflict. Lynch randomly selected men and women from various backgrounds who came to serve in our armed forces.

Some stories are just from everyday people who rose to the occasion and dedicated years of their lives to protect our freedoms and then returned to civilian life while using their military training to become policemen in their local communities.

One of the stories is about Buddy Vantrease, a Kentucky farm boy, who was sent to Vietnam and was trained as a medic. He had many treacherous assignments
before coming home in 1971 to discover he was not a hero and eventually worked
in the mortuary business. It wasn’t until he attended his granddaughter’s school on Veterans Appreciation Day, with the kids waving the American flag that he finally realized he was a hero.

Most of the stories were as equally riveting as this one. Lynch effectively conveys how so many people served in our military and have many untold stories of heroism and it’s rewarding for them to get mentioned in a book for their years of service. Democracy has its cost, and we can’t take their call of duty for granted.

Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction, WWII | Tagged , , | Comments Off on They All Swore an Oath: Stories from Everyday Heroes in our Midst – Christopher J. Lynch