Book Review: “King Alfred’s Daughter” by David Stokes
Æthelflæd, daughter of the Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great, must unite her people against domestic rebels and foreign incursions in this meticulously-researched and vibrantly-written novel.
Book Review: “The Politzer Saga” by Linda Ambrus Broenniman
The strength, love, bravery, courage, resilience, and endurance of a Jewish Hungarian family that crosses generations forms the nucleus of “The Politzer Saga”, this utterly enthralling nonfiction work by Linda Ambrus Broenniman. Ambrus Broenniman shares their memories and allows them to live on in all of her readers. It’s a story that will not easily be forgotten.
Book Review: “The Merchant from Sepharad” by James Hutson-Wiley
“The Merchant from Sepharad” continues “The Sugar Merchant” series with the travels of Joshua ben Elazar who is tasked with establishing a mercantile presence between Europe and Asia. In a world brimming with political and religious upheaval, Joshua must contend with external and internal forces to ensure his journey’s success.
Book Review: “Those Who Would Be King” by Brent J. Ludwig
Author Brent J. Ludwig tackles a plethora of themes “Those Who Would Be King”: deep corruption and power in politics, the tangible and intangible remnants of colonialism, and struggles for democratization in sub-Saharan Africa. This provocative novel helps readers reflect on historical and present issues that have faced third-world countries and, perhaps, recognize the complexities of post-colonialism.
Book Review: “Of White Ashes” by Constance Hays Matsumoto & Kent Matsumoto
In “Of White Ashes”, Constance Hays Matsumoto and Kent Matsumoto tell the tales of two individuals and how their lives intertwine during one of the most horrific times in history: World War II. Based on the true stories of Mr. Matsumoto’s parents, this utterly captivating novel represents historical fiction at its finest, and most heartbreaking.
Book Review: “Not Pink” by Margaret Kasimatis
“Not Pink” follows the story of Mary Therese Panos, a troubled young woman caught between her Greek patriarchal upbringing and the roaring counterculture of the ’60s. This hard-hitting but highly readable novel explores Mae’s demons and how she struggles to overcome them. Will she succumb to them? Or will she learn to address them in order to be a better mother for her daughter?