Self Published Book Review of the Week: The Soldiers of the Cross

The Soldiers of the Cross

by J. Laurence Stillwell

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:

I have to admit, I took a personal interest in reading this volume. As a Vietnam veteran myself, I was intrigued to read what this Vietnam vet had to say and how he said it. Mr. Stillwell writes a very good book of poetic verse, he writes what he lived. As a veteran, he was there, to see the carnage, to feel and hear the terrible things he has scribed in this book.

He states “Nature itself seemed to be at war, as the thunder crashed like waves. Over the hills and valleys by the score, over the mountains and in the caves.” I could feel the pain and the fright he felt. I could feel his anguish, the heartfelt expression of his feelings poured out with such bravado.

Page after page, Mr. Stillwell’s poetry spoke out about the war between good and evil – this struggle that plagued man from the dawn of time. Using many references to scripture, he assimilates war, with the struggles of good and evil, God and the Devil.

Unique in its presentation, “The Soldiers of the Cross” by J. Laurence Stillwell was entertaining and well written. I was absorbed in it from the first page to the last. It is a general audience volume that is well worth the price and I gave it a well-deserved A. Entertaining, interesting and thought provoking, I would recommend it as an addition to any library.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/thesoldiersofthecross

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Through the Triangle

Through the Triangle

by C.P Stewart

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:

August 13, 2005, started off promising for Jake Myers. He and his teenage son Nathan would be deep-sea fishing on a charter boat in the Atlantic Ocean. However, unbeknown to him, a fellow passenger has a dark secret and will stop at nothing to keep it from being discovered.

To make matters worse, a bad storm arises and after it passes, the crew has no idea where they presently are located. After exploring the seemingly deserted land, they discover they have been transported to nearly three-hundred years in the future. They befriend several other people who have “disappeared” in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. However, they also encounter the Azujos who are a race of hooded warriors who patrol the streets and are unfriendly to humans.

This work of science fiction will appeal to all adults. The author demonstrates an impressive imagination through his ideas of incredible futuristic technology. He foresees laser weapons, underground travel by automobile, and food preparation at the touch of a button. He also includes genetic experimentation as well as many other scientific principles to try to explain time travel. I love the science lessons but I was disappointed at the minimum amount of discussion about the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. In fact, most of the characters on the charter seemed to have never heard of the lore.

“Through the Triangle” contains several different elements to keep the story interesting. There is the aforementioned scientific aspect. There is a lot of suspense as they struggle to remain safe from the Azujos. There is an emotional side as the characters realize everyone they knew before they left on their trip have long since died and never found out what happened to their loved ones. It was emotional as they searched the news archives and learned of the events that occurred in the three-hundred years they missed. Sprinkled within the plot is also a bit of romance.

“Through the Triangle” by C.P. Stewart is a novel that will challenge the reader to think about the possibilities for the future. I enjoyed the subject matter and plan to do further research about the Bermuda Triangle and its mysteries.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/throughthetriangle

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Titus: The Tragic Death of an Emperor

Titus: The Tragic Death of an Emperor

by Leon Newton

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Peter M. Fitzpatrick:

“Your jails are filled with paupers, not criminals, and the gutters are filled with the heads of those who would dare to question the system.”

In an era when American soldiers have given their lives so that Iraqi people can exercise the democratic vote, when questions about Afghani presidential voting fraud get international attention, plays like this one have a special resonance. They do so by reminding us that these ideas and values have been with us for a very, very long time. Set in the reign of a fictional Roman emperor in the first century of the common era, Titus is the story of the fault lines and weakness that ran through the fabric of Roman society after it threw off republican forms of governance and law for monarchical and autocratic ones. Through economy of setting and starkly rendered characters, themes and issues of timeless power begin to emerge into the foreground of the story. Simple sounding ideas like democracy and truth, trust, mercy, justice, and the state find embodiment and representation in this short, two-act drama.

It is not an accident that this first century story of Roman political intrigue and double-dealing should have a mirroring effect for us today. Our very own concepts of checks and balances, separation of powers, term limits, and the power of veto are ultimately derived from the ancient Roman constitution. They had these ideas too. In fact, when we witness such things as pro-democracy protesters being clubbed and killed in the streets of Iran, we see elements of this play being enacted on the stage of life. They are powerful and very much living ideas. The author has done well to render them somewhat larger than life and almost archetypically. Issues such as truth and justice may seem abstract and airy. They are not to those who do not have them. That is perhaps what this play is mostly about. And in a time when torture, terror, and freedom operations are on the tips of all our tongues, it is wonderful that he has done so.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/professorleonnewton

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Aurora of the Northern Lights

Aurora of the Northern Lights

by Holly Hardin

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views Kids:

“Aurora of the Northern Lights” is the story of a young girl named Aurora. Aurora’s parents meet in the cold lands of the Northern Fey.

Grace: “It’s cold and snowy here, do you think this is where the Northern Fey live Mom?”

Ella: “Maybe they live in the North Cold (what Ella calls the North Pole).”

Aurora’s father, William, becomes sick in the cold so her mother, Mistletoe, agrees to move to a farm where the weather wasn’t so cold.

Ella: “We moved but it’s still cold here, just like in Manitowoc.”

Mistletoe and William are thrilled with the birth of their daughter Aurora, and for seven years everything is wonderful. But, then all three of them get sick and Aurora’s parents don’t survive.

Grace: “That is so sad. That’s why we get shots, so we don’t get sick, right Mom? Are her Mom and Dad in Heaven now?”

Aurora feels lost, and when she wanders into town the people of the town shun her. She doesn’t know what to do when suddenly a witch gives her a charm to protect her from harm, and tells her that this is not her true home, she needs to head to the forest.

Ella: “What a pretty necklace!”

She does head to the forest, where she does meet some Fey. But, these are not her people and they too tell her to move on. But, their queen provides her with a nice wool cloak and oak staff for her journey.

Grace: “At least she’ll be nice and warm.”

After traveling through the bitter cold, Aurora is about to give up when she comes upon a castle. When she knocks, the door is opened by Santa Claus.

Grace: “Look Mom, Santa! I can’t wait until he comes!”

Ella: “Don’t forget to put a cotton ball on my calendar so I know how many more days.”

Santa invites Aurora in where she is welcomed by all, but she then sees a woman who looks like her. This woman is so happy to see her, because she is her Grandmother.

Overall I thought that “Aurora of the Northern Lights” by Holly Hardin was a well-written book; the only issue I had was that little Aurora was only seven when her parents died, and she was on her own and shunned by adults. But, it does show children that life isn’t always easy, and even if you are different you can always find people who will love you no matter what.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/hollyhardin

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: In My Heart

In My Heart

by Ursula Hanks

This self-published book was recently reviewed by www.midwestbookreview.com:

Life isn’t easy even when it’s good. “In My Heart” is the memoir of one Ursula Hanks as she reflects on her families history. A German immigrant, daughter of parents who lived in Germany during Hitler’s reign, she relays a story from a perspective not often heard. She gives her touching life story, that many people, regardless of nationality, will empathize with. “In My Heart” is inspiring and recommended reading.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/ursulahanks_inmyheart

The Soldiers of the Cross

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Through the Triangle

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Titus: The Tragic Death of an Emperor

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Aurora of the Northern Lights

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In My Heart

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