New Book Reviews Blog Pages

Become Great and Powerful by Dave Lucas

become great & powerful, dave lucas, self-help, inspiration
Review
Dave Lucas' "Become Great and Powerful" is an amazing self-help book that is essential for any reader who seeks help obtaining direction for how to become successful. The book is different from many self-help books out there because it uses examples of what successful people have done in the past in order to identify how they have become great. This book uses modeling, which is the process of mapping and observing the successful behaviors of other people, in order to provide credible resources for those who want to achieve greatness. Using these examples, the readers can replicate their success in their own lives. The book also uses quotes by successful people that are relevant to each chapter’s subject matter. Some of the people quoted include Isaac Newton, Saint Augustine, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Abraham Lincoln. 

The book suggests thinking about your vision and putting it into action, and not only does it tell you this, but it also provides further instruction on how to do so. The book gives you action points, which are key points meant to help you put what you have learned into action. This book takes notes from people from the past, but also derives useful knowledge from current events, such as when it used the 2014 soccer world championships to explain the idea of establishing solid foundations. 

The people used in the books have all managed to become great in a variety of ways. Albert Einstein made a copious amount of discoveries in the intellectual fields of mathematics and the sciences, Adam Smith made several observations in Economics that are now the basic principles taught in high schools and colleges, Bill Gates is a pioneer in several technological advances, Vincent Van Gogh is a world renowned artist, and Ray Bradbury is a published author whose work can be found in bookstores all over the world. 

The book says that we are born for Greatness, and it can be hard to unlock that greatness on our own. I encourage anyone and everyone who needs tools on how to make their lives successful and wants to achieve greatness in their lives to read this book.
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Beneath the Mall of Madness by A.D. Folmer

beneath the mall of madness, a.d. folmer, horror, novel
Review
A.D. Folmer's "Beneath the Mall of Madness is a novel with a classic horror novel vibe to it and a humorous tone.

The story follows Jaspar Windisle, an experienced channeler of the dead, as he helps the community with their questions about the culprits of haunted houses and figures out the ingredients of long-lost family recipes.

Events turn even more interesting when Jaspar receives an invitation to work for Jesticorps on a mall project for a town that has a unique band of pranksters and policies. Folmer takes readers on a journey to solve the mystery beneath the mall.

The book is highly entertaining with its inventive plot, humorous tone, and fascinating characters. The main character of the series, Jaspar, is developed well and is charming and likeable. If you like classic horror novels, then "Beneath the Mall of Madness" is a must-read.

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The Paragraph Ranch by Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon



Review
Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon's “The Paragraph Ranch" is a gripping literary fiction novel about place, family, and unforeseen obstacles.

The book follows Dee, Ph.D., a middle-aged writer just given the opportunity her writing needs with a writing fellowship in Massachusetts. Before Dee can take the opportunity, she is forced to return to West Texas to care for her ill mother.  Dee must deal with this major transition in her life and the lack of opportunities, so she thinks, it brings. I would definitely say this is a character-driven novel. You have three generations of women (Dee’s mom, Dee, Dee’s daughter) trying to understand each other in an environment complicated by difficult situations.

One of my favorite things about the novel is that the authors do an excellent job of making the reader feel the influence of the West Texas setting. Everything from the description of the places to the vernacular contributes to the reader's feeling of being there and understanding it.

This is a must-read for anyone who likes reading about family and a character who makes the best of difficulty circumstances.

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America: We Have the Country We Want by Mark Mullen

america we have the country we want, mark mullen, social issues, optimism, book
Review
"America: We Have the Country We Want" by Mark Mullen is a fantastic book offering a fresh perspective on key social issues in America with the goals of entertaining and enlightening readers.  

The opinions and arguments set forth by Mullen support the conclusion that "we have the country we want," and that we are comfortable with the status quo, no matter if certain familiarities are harmful and warrant changes.   

Mullen exposes the social issues affecting American businesses, schools, communities, churches, law enforcement, and the media. For example, the author discusses such topics as changes to employee-employer relations, healthcare, pension plans, and age of retirement, as well as the players, successes, and failures of corporate America. Mullen also evaluates some myths of education, and the roles of traditional and social media in our lives. 

These are just some of the many topics the author covers with reasoned and impressive arguments and case studies. Mullen writes extremely well, informs readers with the most pertinent examples, and is refreshingly candid in his thoughtful analyses. 

"America: We Have the Country We Want" is the perfect book for readers interested in hearing a new take on the social issues affecting Americans. 

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Dark of Night by Marios Savva

Review
Marios Savva's "Dark of Night" is a suspense-thriller novel that'll have you eager to know what happens next. The novel, the first book in The Man From the Yard series, introduces you to the characters, including a demonic entity...

Told from the perspective of a young woman named Jane and a talented officer named Jake, the reader is quickly pulled into the story. Jane is desperately trying to escape an evil entity that her and her friends called into existence during a fateful night with a Ouija board.

After years, of running from the entity, she comes back to her hometown, only to be attacked once more. The entity will stop at nothing to kill Jane, and wreaks havoc on the town as he searches for her. Jake is left to deal with the onslaught of massacred town inhabitants.

The characters are interesting and easy to connect with, the story is engaging, and the demonic being is a vision from one’s nightmares.

My mind was scrambling, trying to guess just how the two characters could handle facing such a beast. Romance evolves, loved ones die, and the battle against evil seems never-ending. The story took quite a few twists and turns, and kept me in a constant state of surprise. This is a must-read if you like suspense/thriller novels.

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Life Lessons from Nature by Elvis Newman

Review
"Life Lessons from Nature" is an insightful book that examines the intersection of Mother Nature and modern human life for the purposes of improving ourselves and the world and living the best life. 

The author, Elvis Newman, writes of several lessons of inspiration gained from observing Mother Nature, specifically from the behavior of many different types of animals, from mayflies to mice to beavers and elephants. The author tells readers how to realize the hidden messages of Mother Nature that have given us inspiration for technological and scientific creativity, as well as information about military and political strategies. 

The approachable nature of Newman's writing and motivation for helping his readers achieve a higher quality of life is the book's greatest strength. In addition, Newman provides helpful and practical suggestions to achieve success and ample motivation in life, especially in the presence of challenges. Lastly, Newman pays homage to the beauty and wealth of the nature that surrounds us in a unique format by referencing the behavior of animals that serve as lessons we can apply to ourselves.

This is a great book for readers seeking more motivation in their lives and who appreciate simple lessons that can be applied to many areas of life.

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Trust Me, I'm A Liar by Detective Will

Detective Will
Review
Detective Will’s “Trust Me, I’m A Liar” is a must-read for anyone who wants to get the truth out of someone e.g. in the case of catching a cheater.

The author, a decorated retired detective, brings his years of interrogating experience to the table, relaying the tips and secrets of finding the truth in an easy-to-understand manner.

One of the things I love about the book is that it starts with the basics, teaching the reader, for instance, why good people are good at lying. I also like that the book breaks truth-telling into six easy steps.

The book really covers the gambit, from learning how to prepare a counter argument to learning the different kinds of liars to reading body language. If you read this book carefully and learn the info, you’ll get the truth you’re seeking, no matter the circumstances.

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