War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix Reveals the Very Real Dangers of Journalism in ‘Dirty Wars and Polished Silver’ [REVIEW]

Lydna Schuster — Whether dodging bullets or working a room as the ambassador’s wife, Lynda Schuster has seen it all and lived to tell about it. (Photo courtesy Lynda Schuster)

Sometimes the very things we try to outrun wind up being the things we embrace. So how does a teenage girl trying to leave behind a brain numbing Midwestern upbringing in search of adventure wind up being a journalist in some of the world’s most dangerous hot zones and ultimately, the wife of an American diplomat? Find out in the fascinating memoir, Dirty Wars and Polished Silver: The Life and Times of a War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix by Lynda Schuster. Continue reading “War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix Reveals the Very Real Dangers of Journalism in ‘Dirty Wars and Polished Silver’ [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkSeptember 1, 2017September 10, 20172 Comments

Books

‘Everything We Lost’ Delivers Surreal Psychological Suspense [REVIEW]

BLMs National Conservation Lands — Ten years ago, Lucy Durant’s brother disappeared into the California desert. (Photo by Bureau of Land Management, Flickr)

A young woman’s life is irrevocably changed when her brother disappears into the vast California desert. A decade later, the tragedy still haunts her. Will she ever discover the truth about what happened to her beloved sibling? Find out in Valerie Geary’s suspenseful new novel, Everything We Lost. Continue reading “‘Everything We Lost’ Delivers Surreal Psychological Suspense [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkAugust 30, 2017August 30, 20172 Comments

Books

Second Chances Await at ‘The Lavender House’ [REVIEW]

Lavender field — Would you risk *everything* for a second chance at love? (Photo by Eric Huybrechts, Flickr)

When a woman’s 69-year-old husband of 34 years nonchalantly announces that he is leaving her for a talented soprano, she calmly inquires why it took him so long to go. But what happens once he actually leaves? And this late in life, will she ever be able to move on with her life and find happiness again? Find out in HIlary Boyd’s touching novel, The Lavender House.
Continue reading “Second Chances Await at ‘The Lavender House’ [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkAugust 28, 2017August 29, 2017Leave a comment

Books, Contest

Forgiveness Doesn’t Come Easily With ‘A Mother Like Mine’ [REVIEW]

Mother and daughter at the beach — Tensions flare when a mother and daughter reunite at the beach in Kate Hewitt’s A MOTHER LIKE MINE. (Photo by Lorrie McClanahan, Flickr)

Left behind as a toddler to be raised by her grandmother, a young woman works hard to build a life of her own with her young son in a picturesque seaside village. Just when she thinks she’s finally happy, her mother suddenly returns. Will she be able to forgive and bridge the chasm between them? Find out in Kate Hewitt’s emotion-packed new novel, A Mother Like Mine.
Continue reading “Forgiveness Doesn’t Come Easily With ‘A Mother Like Mine’ [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkAugust 25, 2017September 10, 20172 Comments

Books, Contest

‘The Sworn Virgin’ Reminds Us To Never Give Up [REVIEW]

Albania waterfalls — In the land of waterfalls, Albania, a young woman must fight for her freedom in Kristopher Dukes’ THE SWORN VIRGIN. (Photo by Alessandro Giangiulio, Flickr)

Throughout history and all around the world, women have had to fight for their rights and for their freedom. In some countries, this is still the case. And in early twentieth-century Albania, a woman’s independence came at a great price: she must remain a virgin for the rest of her life. Continue reading “‘The Sworn Virgin’ Reminds Us To Never Give Up [REVIEW]”

Jathan FinkAugust 23, 2017September 10, 20174 Comments