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Book Review Digest Issue 011011 by Todd Rutherford

If you are a blogger or media contact, each author is available for interviews. Contact Todd Rutherford for more information: thepublishingguru(at)gmail.com


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Alan Sakowitz's Miles Away.Worlds Apart: Empowering Lessons Gleaned from Experiences of a Whistleblower powerfully details the largest fraud in the history of South Florida. The author's purpose is to expose typical scam artists' tactics and to demonstrate to the average person, just how simple it is to avoid being conned.


Now more than ever, consumers, amateur investors, and the public at large face a heightened risk of fraud or being scammed. Unfortunately, when someone falls victim to a scam it often affects entire families. Sakowitz presents a simple way to avoid becoming a victim by warning people to listen carefully to the facts of the proposal, instead of the "reward" being offered. All too often people are so focused on a reward that's being presented that they are "reeled in," and miss the hard facts of the scam altogether. That's precisely what the scam artist intends to happen. Of course, an ideal way to avoid being scammed is by simply using common sense. However, very early in the book we see Horace Greely's words, "Common Sense is very uncommon."


In one sentence, Sakowitz sums up the problem that the book addresses: "At the time, I could not have imagined that in a week I would begin a surreal adventure just for agreeing to 'learn more,' an eighty-four day ride through an exciting, terrifying, intense drama involving the largest fraud in the history of South Florida, and I would witness greed and its blinding powers in truly stunning ways, as well as the dangerous collusion between business and politics." For those who have often wondered what goes on in some of these schemes that involve fraudulent activity, Miles Away.Worlds Apart does a magnificent job of conveying the distress of being front-and-center in a ponzi scheme.


The corruption and fraud is headed by none other than Scott Rothstein, the main perpetrator of this chaos. Rothstein uses his charismatic personality to forge strong relationships with entertainers, athletes, and other well-to-do individuals. When these people invest in purchasing his law firm client's settlement agreements, he creates fabricated settlement agreements. Scott Rothstein essentially conveys to the public the impression that anything could be bought for the right price, even law enforcement and government leaders.


Sakowitz contrasts Rothstein's heinous behavior with the courageous acts and resolve of his neighbors, who live in North Miami Beach-a mere sixteen miles from Rothstein's world of corruption. Despite the close proximity between the two communities, their respective philosophies and ways of life are worlds apart.


Ultimately, Miles Away.Worlds Apart is replete with themes like responsibility, integrity, and leadership. Overall, Sakowitz's style is persuasive and there is a solution to every problem. What is so appealing about the book is that it reads like a novel, omitting the dry style and dense, lofty language of an academic text. The take-home message from this book is to develop a deep appreciation for the right way to live, realizing that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Miles Away.Worlds Apart is an innovative and captivating book that will keep readers devouring its informative lessons. Indeed, readers will be turning pages to the very end.


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Donald R. Wilson's personal Christian manifesto, Because I Think, I Believe guides readers along a vital spiritual journey, exploring who God is, how we can be certain of his existence, the validity of accepting the Bible as the truth, and why Jesus Christ should be accepted as God in human form. This work is particularly resonant for ambivalent believers who question their faith, as it addresses many of the common objections to Christianity.


Wilson directly addresses science and disbelief, tackling it head-on and applying logic and reason with chapters such as: "Who is God, and Why Do So Many Disagree about Him?" Wilson bases all of his assertions on real-world findings and science, calling his the "testimony of a an ordinary person." Using a system of questions and references to popular culture to which a real-world audience can easily relate, the author tackles themes ranging from Darwinism to the meaning of life. His writing is startlingly in-tune with his audience, as reflected by the questions and needs of real-world people. To be sure, the book's relevance is universal, assuming that many people find that they want to believe, despite having been exposed to and influenced by atheistic dogma that encourages doubt. He skillfully reverses those teachings that initially caused readers to question their faith, by inviting readers to question atheism. Wilson's direct approach to atheism and science tackles important and unusual topics for religion from "Post-Modern Ideas" and "Science as the Source of All Truth" to "All Knowledge is Based on Faith in our Assumptions."


All those seeking to validate their faith or put to rest any questions that logic and rationality pose to religion will find Wilson's style refreshing and helpful. Because I Think, I Believe powerful observations to dispel any questions regarding the validity of Christianity, while its logic and reason leave readers certain that properly understood, Christianity is the only rational world-view. This is definitely a must read for all who are interested in religion, faith, and truth. The book is available at pdbookstore.com.


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Set in the City of Angels, Lauren Gale's experience with men is anything but "angelic." Confessions of a Recovering Drama Queen captures Gale's quest for true love, resulting in a hilarious-yet riveting adventure that is sure to bring smiles, laughter, and an occasional "Oh yeah, I know what you mean," out of her female readers.


This book is a memoir, based on fact, and it is important to understand Gale's perspective on men. In her introduction she states, "I had seen one too many heartaches, one too many breakups, and even some occasional breakdowns. I'd also run into one too many commitment-phobics, alcoholics, wannabes, you fill in the blank _________. You name 'em, I'd met 'em and probably dated 'em."


Confessions of a Recovering Drama Queen spawns from Lauren Gale's latest breakup and the realization that she must get serious about love, or more specifically, true love. Gale asks a series of thought-provoking questions such as "Do men love bitches?" and "Do we need to forgive and let go of the past in order to live a peaceful present?" Gale's purpose in writing the book is unmistakable: "To find a real relationship with an emotionally healthy, available male."


Though the book opens up on June 18, with a break-up, Gale's first major heartbreak comes at the hands of the charming "McGorgeous." Falling into a deeper depression after the latest break-up, Gale develops an affinity for psychics-especially one who claims that McGorgeous will "come crawling back," in twenty-seven days. This, of course, doesn't happen; however, the roller coaster continues for Gale as she marries a stripper. A Treasure Island marriage and six months later, this relationship falls apart and it's off to the next man.


McBlue Eyes, next in line, leaves the strongest imprint and lasts the longest as well-nearly seven and a half years, on and off. To portray just how serious Gale was about McBlue Eyes, she stated that, "Our many breakups were long and painful, but I couldn't even look at another guy all that time. I missed McBlue Eyes always, terribly." Now, seven and a half years without looking at another man, despite being single, is a testament to her feelings for McBlue Eyes.


The painful aftermath of losing McBlue Eyes turns into a merry-go-round with different men. In fact, Lauren Gale's recovery turns into an unbelievable fling with six different men-simultaneously.


The snaky plot continues to weave in and out, maze-like, putting the reader in a trance-like state. To be sure, Gale's genuine nature and straightforwardness is thoroughly refreshing. Furthermore, both her writing style and novel structure are intriguing. For example, she creatively denotes her chapters and parts of the book by dates: "Monday, July 3rd: Social Butterfly," "Monday, July 10th: When it rains, it Pours (Men, if not Rain)."


Without giving away any spoilers, the audience should note that the book is not only about being mesmerized by the concept of love. Actually, friendship is also a strong theme in this book, asserting the notion that friends are the stabilizing element in maintaining balance in one's life. One passage that resonates strongly is, "It took a special woman to change or rather bring out the best in her man."


Confessions of a Recovering Drama Queen is an excellent opportunity for single women and/or women in a committed relationship to reflect on the intricacies of the dating world, especially in an era where there are countless ways to participate in dating, including online dating websites.


This is a must read for anyone wishing to stroll down memory lane, or step into a new world of commitment, or just to have a good laugh. Confessions of a Recovering Drama Queen will keep you thoroughly entertained while presenting experiences that will assist in a better understanding of the world of dating-from a women's point of view.


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Invitation to Wonder: A Journey through the Seasons by Elizabeth Ayres is a collection of soothing reflections about Nature sure to awaken the spirit. In an era when there is little time for introspection, Invitation to Wonder beckons the reader to relax. Beauty exudes from every word, every phrase, every sentence, leaving readers mesmerized. Passages in this work enchant on many levels and bring out the nature-lover in everyone. It's a must read for audiences from all walks of life.


Ayres' text is full of delightful imagery. The reflections jump out at the reader-almost as though they were in 3D. When the clamor and anxiety of the world obscure Nature's soothing effects, Invitation to Wonder serves as the trigger that resurrects the avid romanticist in even the most jaded reader, reacquainting him or her with Nature's true beauty. Truly, Ayres' reflections approach the level of meditation or prayer.


Harmony is the theme. Elizabeth Ayres' vision of Nature creates a bridge from the distracted, overworked, life-flying-by experience that plagues so many of us to the "peaceable kingdom" we all crave deep down. In her own words, Ayres' purpose in writing Invitation to Wonder: A Journey through the Seasons was to "create a space where the good, the beautiful and the true could flourish in human hearts, through intimacy with Nature's awesome wonders." This book romanticizes the majestic persona of Mother Nature and the Divine Mystery, reaffirming our connection to the vivid, vibrant aliveness that is the natural world.


Using the passing seasons as her narrative structure, Ayres portrays the cyclical nature of life, healing, and the environment itself. Each season unveils a new layer of discovery, a new life lesson. For example,"Spring's cacophony of birds and blossoms makes you warble a singular song, 'Here I am, matchless me, unique, distinctive, one-of-a-kind me!' Amidst summer's profusion of butterflies and berries, you seek your own flourishing. Autumn teaches you the art of gentle yielding, as green leaves surrender to topaz, saffron, scarlet. In winter, the serpentine twists of bare tree limbs reveal that your life is a hidden magnificence of fits and starts, strides and missteps."


Invitation to Wonder is thought-provoking. It takes readers on a trip down memory lane, to a moment when they felt the aura of the woods or the chirping of the birds on a spring day, the cackling of the firewood in winter, the rustling of the waves in summer, or the falling leaves in autumn.


Ayres' reverence for Nature is compelling, and she generously shares that vision with her readers, who are both startled and invigorated by peering through Ayres' unique lens. Invitation to Wonder will re-energize tired souls, teaching them to live all over again. Each of the fifty-nine reflections in this book is like a pebble dropped into a stream, one-by-one rippling out messages that will soothe away worries and relax the spirit. This book is the "get-away" that so many of us need from time to time.


What also stood out for this reviewer is how Elizabeth Ayres addresses very real issues (e.g., political, environmental), teaching us to appreciate and be proud of this land that we call our United States of America. She references holidays such as Martin Luther King Day and Thanksgiving, weaving in the profound message of the American Dream. For example, "And then I would give thanks. For this amazing moment when we can gather around the living flame of our longings, cravings, needings, demandings, wantings. To tell ourselves, once again, in words and images, the story of who we are and how we came to be here. Because the American Dream is not some paint to be applied to the inert canvas of other countries around the world, no. It's an invitation. To every person on Earth. Whatever tint or tone or hue or tinge your living light of hope may be, now is the time to do an intimate waltz or a sexy tango or a strut-your-stuff cha-cha-cha with it. Because each of us is a glory and a praise, with something important to do before we tiptoe from the circle, and together we are hallelujah, a sputtering, hissing, flickering blaze of possibility and potential. In this new beginning."


This passage from the book is highly indicative of the strength, beauty, and purity of Ayers' prose, which flows like a river downstream. Nothing impedes its progress. Not only is the book important because it forges a bond between readers and Nature, but it is also transcendent, transformational, and inspirational on every level.


Ultimately, Invitation to Wonder is truly magical and will do wonders for those who read it. Elizabeth Ayres is the magician of the Chesapeake Bay, where she was raised and from which comes her inspiration for writing this book. Sandra Martin, publisher of the Annapolis newspaper, Bay Weekly, aptly states, "Most everybody in Chesapeake Country hears the poetry of wind and water, and many aspire to translate it into human language. Elizabeth Ayres succeeds."


For readers who are hooked on the sensuous beauty of Ayres' language - or for those who enjoy audio books - Veriditas Books has produced an audio series based on Invitation to Wonder, featuring the author's mellifluous reading of her own work. Titles in the audio series are: "A Journey through the Seasons," "Celebrating the Journey," "A Journey into the Cosmos," "A Journey into Chesapeake County," and "A Journey into Divine Presence." Each recording comes with a free Companion on the Journey Listening Guide, which includes questions and suggestions to deepen your appreciation of the landscape you inhabit, plus some terrific color photos taken by the author. For more information visit InvitationToWonder.com. And because Elizabeth Ayres is also the founder of the Center for Creative Writing (CreativeWritingCenter.com), readers who would like to learn how to write like this master wordsmith can take an online writing workshop with her.


With 282 life-affirming, hope-inspiring, peace-inducing pages, Invitation to Wonder: A Journey through the Seasons is a book you will cherish for yourself and want to give to those you care about. It's also available in Kindle and Nook editions. It seems appropriate to end this review with the testimonial of Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, who says, "In life's hurly-burly, these exquisitely written reflections create space for all that is beautiful and true."


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Ricky Lucio's debut novel, Time and Space "The Dark Rift," is a thriller with unparalleled suspense and heart-pumping action. Lucio's writing is comparable to that of Dan Brown, immediately grasping the reader, building a strongly developed plot. Addressing the always-controversial relationship between science and religion, Lucio employs innumerable plot twists and fascinating themes to keep the reader totally engrossed.


Time and Space "The Dark Rift" is predicated on the theory that there is a key that will unlock a solution to the warnings that the Mayans, Sumerians, Egyptians, Hopi, and Nostradamus have left us about the end-time events predicted to occur in the year 2012. Lucio's story is a fictional representation of what December 21, 2012 might hold for the world.


Dr. Ivan Peterson, a young astrophysics professor, is called upon by the US military to use his cumulative knowledge of science, space, and ancient mythologies and cultures to analyze a most interesting pod that has been received. The pod contains a time traveler who has come back to the year 2012 to prevent three wars: an alien invasion set to occur on December 21st, World War III, and a second war with the alien race.


With just a week to unravel the mysteries of time and space, Dr. Peterson finds himself on a high-speed thrill-ride of intrigue and military strategy, together with solving mysteries from the past, all in an effort to unlock the answers to questions about the near future. While the story focuses on the global ramifications of what the year 2012 will bring, a deeper subtext tackles the reconciliation of science and religion. It is a race against time to solve the mysteries held by the ancient cultures and mythologies of the world.


It certainly seems that Ricky Lucio has a natural gift for developing a riveting plot and engaging readers. Judging by this, his first novel, the author undoubtedly displays adeptness for fiction writing. To be sure, this is a must read for all lovers of fiction-get ready for the thrill of your life in Time and Space "The Dark Rift."


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My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln: A Tale of Two Boys From Indiana is the perfect introduction to American History for young children, and great storytelling. This is the fictional account of a young boy's friendship with Abraham Lincoln. Author Robert L. Bloch's playful tone brings a new perspective to the iconic figure of Lincoln. The illustrations of John W. Ewing, former animation artist at the Walt Disney Studios, bring this story to life.


The story is the diary of the fictional Sam Harding, born in 1810 near Little Pigeon Creek, Indiana. Soon, an eleven-year old boy, none other than Abe Lincoln, moves to town from Kentucky. As Sam tells us, they "instantly became best friends." The two boys share a love for the outdoors and adventure. Sam moves away from his home and the two friends must part. Later, Sam is surprised to find out that his best friend has been elected the sixteenth president of the United States. Based on historical data, the story creates a realistic and entertaining view of growing up in America in the early 1800s.


Ewings's illustrations are both beautiful and playful. Each picture is colorful and vibrant and Ewing weaves Bloch's tale fluidly into the artwork. It's amusing to see young Lincoln curled up in a windowsill reading. Ewing portrays a Lincoln with gangly arms, a strong nose, and pants that are too short for his tall legs.


Bloch works for the H&R Block Foundation and lives in Mission Hills, Kansas with his four sons and wife. His passions are art history and American history. His interest in Lincoln seems to be in his blood. His great-great-grandfather, Jonas Wollman, was part of a movement to get Lincoln to visit Leavenworth, Kansas. This was the town where Lincoln delivered his first campaign speech in December 1859.


The author is just as playful as the tone of his story and the beautiful illustrations. Bloch said his imagination took him to an antique store, where he "found an old leather diary of Sam Harding written in 1882." My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln: A Tale of Two Boys from Indiana is a story that will entertain young history lovers, and their families. The book is available at MyBestFriendAbeLincoln.com.


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The Seeds of Spring: Lessons from the Garden, by Steve Bates strives to help the gardening aficionado form a bond with one of nature's key components, the garden. While the title has "How-To Guide," written all over it, it is much more than that. The Seeds of Spring honors the spirit of nature, growth, and love-all from the perspective of the beautiful garden.


Bates' romantic ideal of the garden is made clear in the foreword of the book: "We come to realize that we are the fortunate ones who know that dirt is not dirty, that returning home with a line of fine soil under our fingernails is a badge of honor. We begin to see gardens where others see unkempt bushes, or a weed-choked pond, or a forgotten cemetery or nothing at all." The author portrays the garden as simple and innocent, yet powerful and profound to those who can see beyond what is merely visible to the eye.


The notion of gardening is sown in with life lessons, calling out not only to gardeners, but also to philosophers and nature-lovers that can sense the spirit of the garden. Bates compares it to cultivating the garden of life, and glamorizes the toil and effort that gardeners put forth in order to see their gardens grow from infancy to the fully developed stage.


Bates' depiction of nurturing and developing his garden is synonymous with how one should develop relationships in life. For example, Bates states, "We find simple comfort at the sight of earthworms enriching our land. We appreciate the slow unfolding of delicate dahlia petals. We want to believe that no pest can dare disturb our treasures. But when bad things do happen, something forces us to challenge the gardening fates, to defy the odds of drought and disaster, to fight back and make it right." Similarly, parents smile at the simple sight of their children's accomplishments, and are convinced that nothing bad will ever happen to their kids; however, if something does, parents will go to any length to make things right. In that sense, the gardener is the parent and the garden, the child.


On many levels, The Seeds of Spring will sprout inspiration within would-be gardeners, and reenergize those who need that extra push to take their gardening more seriously. Using John the farmer, Bates compiles a series of short stories that evoke universal themes such as love, life, loss, pride, death, and persistence-all through the course of an entire gardening year.


The Seeds of Spring: Lessons from the Garden is a must read for anyone even minutely interested in the nurturing of the garden. Don't be surprised to find yourself wanting to create or tend your own garden-be it in life or on the farm-as you are sure to be mesmerized by the enchanting portrayal of Bates' garden.




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