RebeccasReads

The Dream Master

I recently finished reading “The Dream Master: Baghdad to Wallstreet; The Rise of a Hollywood Mogul” and I have to tell you it was an incredible book. The author, Joseph Mazin, is an amazing writer; the story flows easily across the pages and the characters / plot are completely believable.

“The Dream Master: Baghdad to Wallstreet; The Rise of a Hollywood Mogul” begins with a triumphant celebration for Michael Nash the business genius also known as “the Wolf of Wall Street.” Years before this nick name had been given to Michael in derision by a sixty-five year old president of a prestigious banking firm who felt that Michael needed to be “put in his place.” Now, years later, Michael has achieved staggering accomplishments in the corporate world; he has achieved everything he set out to and more and “the Wolf of Wall Street” is now a term of respect, awe and admiration.

After meeting Michael, as he celebrated reaching the final pinnacle of his many successes, we travel back in time to the year 1919: Baghdad, Iraq. There we meet fourteen-year-old Samson Naquash, Michael’s father, and as we watch his history unfold we realize where Michael’s incredible drive and determination comes from. Between 1919 and 1949 Samson had amassed a fortune worth five million dollars but due to World War II Samson chose to leave almost all the fortune behind in order to bring his family to the safety of America.

We follow along as the Naquash family sets down roots in New York; change their last name to the much more easily pronounced Nash and begin their life anew. Unfortunately for you I’m not going to provide any further details about the story found within the pages of “The Dream Master: Baghdad to Wallstreet; The Rise of a Hollywood Mogul.” If you’re interested in knowing the “rest of the story” then you’ll need to get your hands on your very own copy…

In closing, a fantastic fictional read made even better by the consistent use of real world history. “The Dream Maker: Baghdad to Wallstreet; The Rise of a Hollywood Mogul” definitely merits that coveted five star rating…


The Dream Master
Joseph Mazin
AuthorHouse (2011)
ISBN 9781463419592
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (1/12)

Facing Demons

Ashley Sanders’ book “Facing Demons” takes a look at the lives of four different individuals who have all been brought together in a rehabilitation facility under the care of Blake Solomon.  First, there is Rebecca, a child prostitute who had been shuttled from foster home to foster home while growing up.  Second, there is Jason whose family had been gunned down by a gang, leading him to join another gang for revenge.  Thirdly, we have Felicity, a wild, party animal, rich kid.  Finally, there is Matthew, a homeless refugee.

Sanders’ characters were quite interesting. Reading the stories of their pasts was one of the most intriguing parts of the book for me although I also enjoyed watching them take the journey through the rehabilitation process.  Sanders does a great job of connecting the individuals and providing important life lessons to the reader along the way.

“Facing Demons” is author Ashley Sanders’ first published novel.  He has set into motion his plans to write prequels to the story which will take a look at the main characters’ lives before they came into contact with each other.  I look forward to reading the prequels as I found the characters to be fascinating.  I would really enjoy a more in-depth view into their lives and learning more about their pasts.

“Facing Demons” is targeted at a young adult audience and I think that the content of the book is appropriate for that age group.  However, I do also believe that even adults would enjoy the book.  Sanders is definitely an author to watch in the Young Adult genre! 

Facing Demons
Ashley Sanders
Trafford (2011)
ISBN 9781426948015
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (10/11)

The Most Dangerous Thing

The 70’s offered a different freedom for children, especially those living in small towns such as Dickeyville outside of Baltimore. They had freedom to wander, exploring their neighborhood and nearby woods, especially during carefree summer days. Families were not strangers to one another and everyone watched out for each other, but despite the closeness of the community, there were secret experiences shared and left in the past.  Five childhood friends had one haunting night that changed their lives forever.

Gwen, Mickey and the three Halloran brothers had quite different home lives, but when they were together they were a tight pack, sharing childhood experiences, one of which was sneaking into the woods. They happened upon Chicken George, an inexplicable character who was as irresistible as he was repellent.  Drawn to him, they kept returning until one night he was dead. By whom and why?  What really happened was kept a mystery.

As years went by, the friendships splintered and the children became adults. Distancing themselves from each other, they each ultimately dealt with the implications of that night alone. Years later they were brought together by the sudden and questionable death of the youngest Halloran brother, Gordon.  Interacting once again forces them to examine their complicated past.  As each character is insightfully presented by the author, personalities, memories and impressions are clouded by prejudice.  Do they still cast blame on earlier circumstances or do they take ownership of their own lives?

Lippman skillfully takes the reader from the past to the present in "The Most Dangerous Thing” as she slowly reveals the impact of repressed events on the five friends.  Each reacts uniquely and follows a different path into adulthood.  Much of each portrait is painted by the reflections of the other four, so the five stories are often tainted by memory and perspective.  The truth lies somewhere therein!  As they come to grips with the disturbing facts, they must each face their own demons, once again questioning how much one event really contributed to who they are now as adults.

The Most Dangerous Thing
Laura Lippman
William Morrow (2011)
ISBN 9780061706516
Reviewed b y Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (10/11)

Guardian Spirits

The back cover says it so well, “A little girl’s world should be all sugar and spice and everything nice, but that is not the case for twelve-year-old Sadie Madison.”  "Guardian Spirit" starts with Millie fleeing from her abusive husband with her children, Sadie and Sammy, in tow. After a particularly brutal episode involving the children, Millie cannot bear another day.

She takes off for her childhood vacation home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She hasn’t seen her family in years, ever since her mother left her father for another man. Even as they settle into their new surroundings, Millie can’t bring herself to visit her grandmother, Ann. Too many open wounds. What Millie doesn’t know is that Ann has been pining away for her grand-daughter for years and there are guardian spirits watching over all of them.

Sadie keeps sensing a presence and soon realizes they have a neighbor in the woods, a huge black bear Sadie affectionately names Blackie. When Millie goes to town to fill her prescription, she meets Doc Townsend while the kids hear the story about the doctor and his Native American grandmother, Nyoaka.  As was tradition, Doc Townsend went into the woods when he was twelve in search of his animal guardian spirit. Sadie begins to wonder if Blackie is hers.

Millie lives in fear. She knows it’s only so long before her husband, Brad, finds them and she’s battling cancer. All she wants is for her children to be safe and happy. Brad soon catches up to them, and the last fifty pages are a fast-paced ride to the conclusion. Spirits and loved ones come together to fend off the danger and save the family.

There was so much right about this story: good editing, good writing, and good story. Unfortunately, the character development and pacing was off just enough to keep this from being a great read for me. Sadie was the most compelling character, and I would have preferred more of the story from her point of view. Byrd tried to achieve too many mini-stories when her main story was compelling enough. If the whole story had been as tight as the last fifty pages, this would be a must-read.

Guardian Spirits
Sarah Martin Byrd
Lucky Press (2011)
ISBN  9780984462728
Reviewed by Tia Bach for RebeccasReads (6/11)

Crossing the Heart of Africa: An Odyssey of Love and Adventure

This is a fantastic story of love.  One that I did not know if I would be able to enjoy. However, as Julian Smith tells the story of a little known explorer and intermingles it with his own story, it’s hard not to fall in love with "Crossing the Heart of Africa.”

Ewart Grogan was an explorer in the 1800’s, who did everything from becoming the youngest member of the British Alpine Climbing Club, to attending Cambridge and ultimately crossing Africa – South to North.  He fell in love with a young woman of means and in order to win the respect and approval of her step Father, he begins his journey across Africa.

The author, Julian Smith, also crosses Africa.  He does this not by foot by motorbikes, trucks, busses and any other transportation he can find.  He is not crossing for respect and approval but to perhaps prove something to himself before he settles down and marries his fiancée, who is waiting back in the states for him.

Throughout the intertwined story, the reader is transported to both the Africa that existed in Grogan’s time; wild and unpredictable.  Then the reader sees the same locations as they are today; war-torn, poor and disease ridden.  It is both beautiful and sad at the same time.

The love story between both Ewart and Gertrude is touching but the story of Julian and Laura is current and real.  Their story is very raw and the author does not try to hide any flaws which endear their love to the reader.

"Crossing the Heart of Africa" grabs the reader and doesn’t let go.  The addition of photos and sketches adds to the amazing story.

Whether the reader has any desire to visit Africa or not is irrelevant as the story is so fascinating and engrossing that they will feel like they have been there right along Ewart and Julian!

Crossing the Heart of Africa: An Odyssey of Love and Adventure
Julian Smith
Harper Perennial (2010)
ISBN 9780061873478
Reviewed by Melissa Koltes for RebeccasReads (08/11)

The Dawn of Silva

In Olivia Wilde’s novel, “The Dawn of Silva,” Alex and Shari are casting for a movie.  Alex is dead set on having Ashlyn be the lead role in the film.  There is a problem though and that is that she cannot be found.  So, Shari sets out on a mission to track down the elusive Ashlyn to offer her the role.  This search leads Shari out of New York City and deep into the Cascade Mountains.  Not only does the journey take her out of her comfort zone but it also opens her up to new relationships and new experiences.

When I first saw the title and cover art of “The Dawn of Silva,” I expected a fantasy type novel as from outward appearances these two indicators pointed in that direction.  However, after reading the synopsis I saw that I was incorrect and that the book leans more toward romance and contemporary fiction.  As I enjoy all of those genres anyway this had no effect on me, but I think that in a bookstore setting this may potentially cause some confusion.

While I was reading Wilde’s novel I found that at times it lacks a smooth flow.  Some areas seem forced and disjointed, but the story itself does contain interesting characters.  The main players fit into their stereotypical roles quite well, most particularly that of Shari.  In the opening scenes of the novel she exhibits the typical caffeinated, high energy personality that one would expect when dealing with a person in her role.  This is most seen when she is interacting with her assistant in preparation for her journey.  As the novel progresses though, new experiences cause quite a few changes.

I enjoyed watching the transformations of the characters in the book and the relationships that were established.  The ending of “The Dawn of Silva” left an opening for a follow-up novel which I believe is in the works.  It will be interesting to see how the relationships of the characters progress in the future books in the series.

The Dawn of Silva
Olivia Wilde
Xlibris (2011)
ISBN 9781462892471
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (08/11)

A Practical Guide for Raising a Self-Directed and Caring Child: An Alternative to the Tiger Mother Parenting Style

Parents nowadays are anxious to give their children a good start and this guide is a valuable handbook to direct them in developing skills to successfully raise their children.

Lichtman begins with pre and post natal care.  He examines how the change in lifestyle, financial responsibilities, health and nutrition and home environment will impact the emerging family.  He then encourages parents to provide the best start for the child by establishing safe yet stimulating surroundings in which the child can explore. He also explores arrangements for childcare.  These preparatory chapters set the positive enriching atmosphere in which to begin parenting.

Building self-esteem, setting limits and disciplining are discussed, as are role modeling and communication.  Children test limits and need to know at what point they have to face consequences. Techniques are offered for setting guidelines and maintaining consistency to help create a more confident child. Parents doing this in safe surroundings prepare the child for the “real world.”

Parenting skills are important to develop.  “Helicopter” parents, those who hover and micromanage their children’s lives are doing them a disservice by intervening.  They tend to step in to fix problems rather than teach the skills necessary for self-direction.  Many methods are suggested to cope with social problems and risky behavior, such as alcohol, drug use, and sexual promiscuity. Divorce and other alternative family configurations are also discussed.
 
The concept of " A Practical Guide for Raising a Self-Directed and Caring Child" is to guide the parent into creating a caring, independent, self-reliant child who has developed a good set of values and behavioral skills so he can meet successfully meet life’s challenges with confidence.

A Practical Guide for Raising a Self-Directed and Caring Child: An Alternative to the Tiger Mother Parenting Style
Louis J. Lichtman, Ph.D.
iUniverse (2011)
ISBN 9781450293617
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (8/11)

When Your Child Is Being Bullied: Real Solutions for Parents, Educators & Other Professionals

As an adult most of us have vivid childhood memories of the class bully calling names, threatening, pushing or hitting.   We may have not been the victim but were certainly at one time or another,   bystanders watching the abuse.  Most observers are reluctant to step in for fear of repercussions. The emotional power held by the bully can diminish victimized child’s self-confidence and self-esteem.

Years ago parents let the kids “fight it out” but now this more savvy generation is more pro-active in intervening and promoting resolutions.  They are aware of behavioral signs of agitation and are proactive in getting to the bottom of the problem.  None of this comes about without help from trained educators and therapists who understand the consequences of letting a situation get out of hand.

This book is a how-to guide for parents to train themselves in bully awareness, control and intervention.  Chapters are carefully built upon identifying the reason for the problem, responding to the child, and attending to the resolution.  Parents can educate themselves as to what options are available to protect their child.

There are all sorts of reasons explored that precipitate bullying such as a child’s size, race, weight issues, religion, and financial status to name a few. As a parent you can learn techniques to question and communicate with your child, comfort and support him.  There are guides not only for the parents of the bullied child but also for the parents who have a bully. Sometimes the solution is easy and oftentimes intervention by professionals is necessary. This syllabus provides a building block of avenues to explore for a positive outcome.

When Your Child Is Being Bullied: Real Solutions for Parents, Educators & Other Professionals
J.E. DiMarco and M.K. Newman
Vivishpere Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9781587761812
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner by RebeccasReads (8/11)

Moon Over Vaudeville

Maureen McCabe’s “Moon Over Vaudeville” is a result of McCabe piecing together her father’s story from his old Vaudeville scrapbook.  Growing up, McCabe knew the scrapbook existed but really didn’t have as much interest in it as she did other family photos.  It wasn’t until she hit middle age that she started to appreciate her father’s Vaudeville journey.  Unfortunately, at this time she was not able to discuss Vaudeville with her father as he had passed.  However, she was able to compile all of his pictures and mementos from traveling the Vaudeville Circuit to tell his story.

When I first received “Moon Over Vaudeville” I was very impressed with the layout of the book.  I loved the inclusion of all of the old photographs, telegrams, clippings from papers, etc.  The book has such an authentic, nostalgic feel to it and it is enjoyable just to page through and look at all of the moments from the past.

I knew of Vaudeville but really had never read anything in depth about it before.  I am grateful that McCabe’s father, Weldon Barr, saved all of the mementos so that his story was able to be pieced together to make up this book.  I found it to be a very intriguing read.  There were some areas of the book that were a little disjointed and did not transition as smoothly as they could have, but the beauty of the book layout and the overall story more than made up for that.  I recommend “Moon Over Vaudeville” to anyone interested in the history of entertainment in our country.

Moon Over Vaudeville
Maureen McCabe
Moon Over Vaudeville, LLC (2011)
ISBN 9780983357506
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (07/11)

Innocent War

In the opening pages of Susan Violante’s “Innocent War,” Violante tells that reader that, “I wrote a book to get to know my father, and in the process I got to know myself.  This didn’t come without hardship, loneliness, disappointment, and frustration as I set myself to break the circle of silence between parents and their sons and daughters.  I was clear in my quest.  I convinced my father to tape his accounts so that I could transcribe them and leave his legacy to his grandchildren.  My goal of getting to know my dad was achieved at the very moment I got the tapes.  Little did I know that listening to them would bring so many other quests and dreams.”  (p. xiii)

When Violante sat down and listened to the tapes she realized that she couldn’t just keep the story in her family; her father Nino’s story was so powerful that she needed to share it with the world.  So, this is how “Innocent War,” Book 1 in the “Behind an Immigrant’s Past Series” came to fruition and I, for one, am glad that she shared his adventures.

The story is told through a young boy’s point of view and is a book that once you pick up you will be unable to put down.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Nino and his family’s life throughout WWII.  It was a neat perspective to look at the situations from a child’s point of view and I learned a lot relating to the history of the time period. 

Other than some editing issues, “Innocent War” is an excellent work that I would highly recommend.  Violante successfully takes an era out of a history book and brings it to life in a way that is interesting and at the same time educational.  I could see “Innocent War” being part of a high school/college history class curriculum.  It would supplement a textbook nicely by bringing real faces and stories to the events of that time period.  I greatly look forward to reading the next installment in the “Behind an Immigrant’s Past Series.”  I am truly enjoying Nino’s story and can’t wait to see where he and his family go from here.

Innocent War
Susan Violante
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432770471
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (7/11)

Family Affair

I found “Family Affair” to be a cute story and at only one hundred and two pages (which includes the Homemade Treats for Your Cat recipe chapter) it was also a very quick read. One could almost read it completely through on a lunch hour and it would definitely provide a nice “pick me up” for anyone having a bad day.

The premise of “Family Affair” is this: Lacey Lancaster has just recently suffered through a painful divorce. Once the divorce has been finalized she uproots herself and moves to San Francisco, California intent on immersing herself in a job she can love, finding an apartment she will enjoy living in and sharing her new life with a beautiful Abyssinian kitten named Cleo. Lacey has decided to breed Cleo when she’s old enough and also plans to live “happily ever after” and she’s decided that she doesn’t need a man in order to do so.

Unfortunately she didn’t factor in her neighbor, Jack Walker, when she came up with her brilliant plan. Jack constantly disturbs Lacey’s peace and quiet at home. He argues seemingly day and night with his girlfriend, who he’s trying to convince to move in with him, and let’s not forget about his cat, named Dog, who is constantly chasing after Cleo. When Lacey finds out that Cleo is expecting and that it’s Jack’s mongrel that is responsible she’s furious and understandably so. She’s even more irate when she sees Jack’s rather cavalier attitude about the entire situation.

Dealing with Cleo’s impending motherhood forces Lacey to be around Jack much more than she initially wants to be but, as time progresses, Lacey realizes that things are not as she thought they were. Jack’s “girlfriend” is really his sister and all of a sudden Lacey’s world is turned upside down as she learns the joy of “falling in love all over again.”

In summary I found “Family Affair” to be a cute read although it definitely falls into the “Romance” genre which I generally don’t read. Debbie Macomber is a talented writer and is able to convey this story in an interesting manner. “Family Affair” is a great book for anyone who loves reading romance and also a great birthday gift / socking stuffer depending on the time of the year.

Family Affair
Debbie Macomber
William Morrow (2011)
ISBN 9780061997129
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (7/11)

A Tired Women’s Guide to Passionate Sex

This is not your typical self-help book that throws a bunch of ideas at you and then wishes you good luck.  Instead, you are given ideas that are explained along with insight from the patients of the author.  Before you are given the exercises to aid in your love life, the author gives the reader background on why they are having issues (just a hint…it's not always the woman).  These chapters are very important to getting to the underlying cause of the issues.  There are assignments to complete and these are not to be rushed through.  The reader and her partner must take the time to go through each exercise and work on it before moving on to the next.  That is not to say that the reader needs to master anything but each exercise builds a bit on the one before it - so don’t cheat!

"Tired Women’s Guide to Passionate Sex" is very easy to read and the quotes from the patients seem to speak to the reader.  Often they say precisely what the reader is thinking but couldn’t put it into words.  This book is for all women.  No matter how young or old we are; whether you have children or not; this book will help to improve your love life if you take the time to read it and implement the ideas.

A Tired Women’s Guide to Passionate Sex
Laurie B. Mintz
Adams Media (2009)
ISBN 9781605501079
Reviewed by Melissa Koltes for RebeccasReads (6/11)

The Odd Tales of an Old Man

Edward Cardillo begins his novel, “The Odd Tales of an Old Man” with the following dedication:  “This book is dedicated to the elderly whose wisdom all too often remains untapped, but whose actions and experiences have shaped the world as we know it.”

In the opening pages of the novel, the reader is introduced to Heather Enright and her two sons, Sean and Connor.  Heather is a single parent and isn’t around her boys much.  There is no father figure in their lives and the men that parade through the home probably do more harm than good.  This results in the boys, particularly Connor, becoming quite wild.

Heather tells the boys that they are going to visit their grandfather who is dying in a nursing home.  Being that they have never met their grandfather, and that they know that their mom hasn’t spoken to their grandfather since she was a teenager, the boys aren’t all that excited about going.  The initial meeting isn’t the smoothest, but the old man tells them quite an array of tales on that, and on all of their future, visits.  Will the old man’s wisdom and knowledge shared through these tales be enough to help the boys?

I thought that the idea of the book was a good one and I was intrigued with the boys’ interaction with their grandfather.  The odd tales that the man told them were interesting and I enjoyed the lessons that came out of each one.  The book, however, was quite predictable and in some areas seemed to drag and in other areas seemed to not have enough detail.  I wish we would have seen more of Sean and Connor’s lives.  The areas of the book where they weren’t listening to their grandfather’s tales were sparse and seemed to just fly by leaving me without a true sense of who the characters really were.  Overall, while the concept was a good one, the execution was a bit lacking for me.  However, if you don’t mind a predictable read, the old man’s tales are full of wisdom and some are quite interesting.

The Odd Tales of an Old Man
Edward P. Cardillo
Lulu (2010)
ISBN 9780557570768
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (4/11)

The Imprint Journey: A Path of Lasting Transformation Into Your Authentic Self

“Our subconscious imprints are the deep-seated beliefs and messages we have received and internalized.  Once an imprint is internalized, it becomes a subconscious governing force in our lives. Our imprints form our emotional map, determining our ability to relate to self and to others. Imprints form our perceptions, values, and belief systems. Imprints determine the quality of our relationships with life, God, self, and others. Our values govern our choices as well as our behaviors. They determine whether we are reactive or pro-active. “   (p. 11)

In “The Imprint Journey:  A Path of Lasting Transformation Into Your Authentic Self,” Desjardins shares with us her own imprints, stories of others’ imprints, and provides the reader the tools and information needed to successfully overcome any unwanted imprints that may exist in order to help the reader realize his/her “Authentic Self.”

The first part of the book focuses on Liliane Desjardins' life.  Reading Desjardins' personal story was deeply interesting to me.  She definitely has led an eventful life thus far and reading of all of the imprints picked up along the way was quite fascinating.  I found the sharing of her life history to be one of the most appealing parts of the book.  The inclusion of personal stories and backgrounds in “self-help” type books really add to the book for me.

The second part of Desjardins' work centers on providing the reader with the tools to recognize and assess imprints and the steps to take to transformation.  This information is presented in a manner that a layperson is able to enjoy and understand, and therefore, easily able to learn from. 

I think that Desjardins' work has merit and everything that she says makes complete sense.  “The Imprint Journey: A Path of Lasting Transformation Into Your Authentic Self” would be beneficial to anyone looking to transform their lives.  We all have imprints of some kind so I can’t think of anyone that the information in this book would not be applicable to.  

The Imprint Journey: A Path of Lasting Transformation Into Your Authentic Self
Liliane Desjardins
Loving Healing Press (2011)
ISBN 9781615990870
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (03/11)

Law of Attraction Handbook

“Law of Attraction Handbook” is Aiman A. Al-Maimani’s second book. His first book was entitled “How to Attract Wealth, Health, Love and Luck Into your Life Immediately: A Concise Manual of Personal Success.” In his first book he covered the topic of the Law of Attraction in a more abstract way. In this current book, Al-Maimani begins by explaining what the basic concept of the Law of Attraction is. He presents the information in a very straight-forward and easy to understand manner. He tells us that the Law of Attraction is rooted in quantum physics. While this may sound intimidating, he breaks everything down into easily understood components. One of the examples that he gives of energy attracting and resonating with each other involves piano keys. “If you place two pianos in a quiet room, and on one piano you press the third key from the right, the second piano will absorb the energy on the same key on its own keyboard, and it will resonate and vibrate at the same time.” (p.2) I loved this visual example of how things are attracted to each other. After explaining the concept of the Law of Attraction, Al-Maimani moves on to talk about various techniques such as visualization, the power of feelings, affirmation, meditation, and the power of expectation. At the end of the book is a section on goal setting and then a 21 day exercise for affirming the most important of the goals. I enjoyed the interactive aspect of “Law of Attraction Handbook.” There are various exercises throughout the book for the reader to engage in as well as the 21 Day Exercise at the end of the book. I also enjoyed how there was a brief bullet-point chapter summary immediately following every chapter. I found this helpful in going back to review what I had read. I think “Law of Attraction Handbook” is a positive book and believe that following the steps in the book will help you to lead a fuller, happier life.

Law of Attraction Handbook
Aiman A. Al-Maimani
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9780595429745
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (11/10)

Scarred: A Memoir

“My wrists were wrapped in strips of sheared towels and bound together by chicken wire.  Chill penetrated my aching shoulder blades.  I was seven years old, trapped in a basement and already used to pain.  A sturdy belt, looped through the restraints, suspended me from a hook in the ceiling.  The towels were meant to stop the wire from cutting into skin.  Though the banded loops smarted, they never broke he flesh.  My hands hurt, then stung, then felt as if they were on fire.  My heartbeat pulsating through the swollen digits followed the dissipation of the sensation of scorching heat.  In the end, my hands went numb.  The cramps in my calves, joints, and bones were what eventually made me pliable to his will.”  (p.3)

This disturbing visual is taken from Chapter One in George Molho’s memoir, “Scarred.”  At the age of seven, Molho was kidnapped by his father and was abused both mentally and physically.  The above account is just one of the many horrifying tragic situations that young Molho experienced in his childhood.  I have a child similar in age to the age that Molho was when these events took place and just reading about the trauma that he has been through made my stomach turn.

The most important thing though is that “Scarred” is ultimately a story of survival.  In addition to writing his memoir, Molho also speaks publicly on the topics of child abduction, domestic abuse and also about healing.  I commend him for coming forth and sharing his story with others in hopes that it will empower those who went through similar life experiences to recover and move on. 

“Scarred:  A Memoir” is a very powerful autobiographical work and one that will hold your unfailing attention.  Although some of the imagery can be a little heartbreaking, Mohlo’s story is an important one and his writing will definitely touch and leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads the book.

Scarred: A Memoir
George Molho
iUniverse (2010)
ISBN 9781440195136
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (12/10)

Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage

“Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage- A Holistic Approach:  Body, Mind, Emotions, and Spirit” is written by Judith Anne Desjardins, LCSW, BCD, MSWAC (for those unfamiliar with the credential abbreviations they stand for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, and a Master Social Work Addictions Counselor).  Desjardins is an educator and has maintained a holistic private psychotherapy practice for 33 years.

Her goal in penning the book “…is that you will make the commitment to learn everything you can to make your marriage healthy, successful, and the fulfillment of your dreams.  Like the transmission of AIDs, an unhealthy marriage is preventable.  Even if you are currently in an unhealthy marriage, you can still do the work on yourself.  It may change the course of your marriage.  When you are healthier, the marriage may become healthier.  At any rate you will be about to evaluate your marriage from a healthy perspective and decide what is best for you.”  (p. 16)

Desjardins provides guidance in such areas as how to prepare yourself to be a good mate, inner child work, and working together to achieve a healthy relationship and marriage.  The book is very hands-on as there are questionnaires and evaluations throughout many of the sections which allow the reader to reflect on his/her personal situation.  I found that Desjardins provides sound advice and presents the information in an easy-to-understand, well-organized format.  I recommend “Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage- A Holistic Approach:  Body, Mind, Emotions, and Spirit” to anyone who is interested in leading a healthier life.

Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage
Judith Anne Desjardins
Spirit House Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9780984387502
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads.com (12/10)