The Enigmatical Sphere of El Chupa-Ku by Juan Manuel Perez

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MWSA Review

Writing from the perspective of a Mexican American Marine veteran of indigenous descent, the poet uses haiku poems to breathe life into and resurrect the legend of the chupacabra. This is not a traditional, somber exploration of nature, but rather a dance between the terrifying and the hilarious.

The chupacabra, often translated from Spanish as "goat sucker," is a legendary creature rooted in Latin American folklore, known for allegedly attacking livestock and draining their blood. It’s described as a two-legged, alien-like animal about four feet tall with spikes along its back, large eyes, and a reptilian-kangaroo appearance.

The chupacabra emerges not as a one-dimensional folklore predator but as a transformational archetype—vampiric killer, misunderstood outcast, pop culture icon, and metaphor for primal drives. El chupacabra becomes an all-encompassing lens: horror icon, comedic antihero, mysterious unsubstantiated predator, and cultural symbol.

The poet blends traditional three-line 5-7-5 syllable haiku structure with irreverent humor—pairing Godzilla fights, Mars colonies, personal ads, and tequila-drunk dances while grounding the absurdity in South Texas landscapes of mesquite trees, full moons, gray hides, and drained livestock.

Far from mere monster mixtures, the poems weave folklore with satire, horror, and poignant melancholy. Lighthearted entries imagine chupacabras in absurd scenarios: writing memoirs, starring in TV shows, wrestling goats, or posting personal ads for fatalistic partners. Darker pieces evoke genuine dread—silent coops, twisted goat faces in morning dew, the gray beast stalking under moonlight—echoing real rural fears of loss and the unknown.

Sharp and witty wording, (“Chupa-Man is born," "chupacabra tipping”), absurd scenarios (chupacabra crawl dance, "Take Your Chupacabra to School Day," radioactive Chupa-Man origin) alternate with chilling vignettes (silent coops, waiting in woods for skeptics, "let your pets come out") and cultural fusion (Olmec nagual meets Cthulhu) create a playful make-believe universe. Wordplay abounds ("Chupa-Khan," "Luchacabrador," "chupacabristas"), and pop-culture crossovers (Godzilla battles, Jimmy Kimmel guests, personal ads seeking "like-minded sucker") keep the tone lively without diluting the horror.

Deeper currents emerge: themes of marginalization ("prejudiced hotel," extinction dismissed), hunger as impartial ("chupacabras do not care / for it is just food"), and imagination as defense ("the only proof between us / fear or not to fear"). The poet subtly critiques human monstrosity ("why worry about / terrible chupacabras / worry about man") while embracing the beast as a kindred spirit: wild, self-serving, unapologetic.

Humor dominates much of the sequence: absurd combinations (Giant Chupacabra vs. King Kong comparing B.O., Chupacabra Flats on Mars, "Married with Chupacabras" TV show) inject levity, while pop-culture nods (Jimmy Kimmel, Scary Monsters Magazine) make it gleefully contemporary. Self-referential humor ("I don't always write / poems about chupacabras / ...who am I kidding") acknowledges the mania, yet the collection never flags.

By reimagining the chupacabra through gallows humor and rhythmic brevity, the author invites us to look past the shadow in the mesquite woods and recognize the "code of life" that governs all survivors.

It is a masterful blend of regional folklore, veteran grit, and playful poeticism. The collection celebrates imagination as proof against skepticism, turning a regional legend into a mirror for human fears, hungers, and absurdities.

Ultimately, the poet argues that belief in monsters (chupacabras or otherwise) confronts deeper anxieties: "you believe in ghosts / I, in el chupacabras / which makes us less scared." A masterful blend of folklore, satire, dread, and cultural pride. Highly original and endlessly re-readable.

Review by Frank Taylor

 

Author's Synopsis

Bilingual Edition
Just when you thought it was safe to liberate beautiful and natural haiku into the eloquent abode of nature, only to be violently attacked by a horrid, supernatural hybrid called el chupa-ku. Combining the simple, American haiku form with the legend and lore of el chupacabras, this unassuming, little book of short poems packs a swift kick to the literary pants in two languages: English and Spanish. Truly, this book can only be enjoyed in the dim-lit hours of the night with a bottle of mescal. ¡Orale!

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Poetry—Poetry Book
Pages/Word count: 114 / 2,426

Codename: Parsifal by Martin Roy Hill

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MWSA Review

As World War II draws to a close in a dirty, rubble-strewn, chaotic way, orders from both the Germans and Americans send teams to recapture an artifact that Hitler stole from a museum in Austria (the head of the spear that pierced Jesus during his crucifixion). Himmler wants this relic. Patton wants this relic. And late in the game Stalin wants it as well, because the spear is reputed to have mystical powers. Compounding the difficulty in finding the actual Holy Roman treasure is the fact that Himmler has made several copies for both himself and Hitler.

The tale evolves with twists and turns in this historical novel that can also be considered a thriller. There are bad actors, wild goose chases, strange orders from generals, and realistic scenes of the war in its last throes. The daring acts of the American team, composed of OSS operatives and a historian, will engage readers right up to the very last word.

Review by Betsy Beard

 

Author's Synopsis

The Spear of Destiny. The Roman Legionnaire's lance that pierced Christ's body as he hung on the cross.

Legend claims whomever possesses it will become a great conqueror. But if they lose it, they will lose everything—including their lives.

Shortly before WWII, Hitler stole the spear from a museum in Vienna. In the last weeks of the European war, he lost it. General George Patton orders an American OSS team to find the spear and recover it. Unknown to the Americans, both the Russians and the Germans have also sent commando teams to retrieve it.

In the dying embers of Europe's largest conflagration, the three teams are on a collision course that will lead them to one of the most evil places on earth—the ideological heart of the Nazi SS.

Inspired by historical events.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Pages/Word count: 296 / 56,400

Crazyhorse: Flying Apache Attack Helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, 2006–2007 by Daniel M McClinton

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MWSA Review

In 2007, the United States was embroiled in a war with Iraq. Dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), most of the U.S. only learned about this conflict by reading newspapers or watching the television news reports. However, many in the U.S. military were actually experiencing the events firsthand. In Crazyhorse: Flying Apache Attack Helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, 2006 – 2007, author Daniel M. McClinton welcomes the reader into the world of an attack helicopter pilot during this conflict.

From the time of his deployment in 2006 through the surge in spring 2007 and finishing with his return home in the end of that year, McClinton paints a vivid picture of what life was like for a pilot in the midst of this war. Along with descriptions of actual combat missions, McClinton takes us into the mundane hours not spent flying missions. From filling out reports, to dealing with typical military bureaucracy, the author takes the reader into a world rarely experienced by others, including those in the military. The author has also supplied numerous personal color photographs of the helicopters and the Iraqi environment, enhancing the narrative of the book.

Especially of interest is the author's narrative of the death of two Reuters reporters and the wounding of two children on 12 July 2007. McClinton gives us not only his narrative of the events as they occurred, but also the reports from the inquiry into the reporters' deaths, along with the photographs that were included in the inquiry. As the author points out, most of the world only knew what was presented them by a press eager to spin their own biased narrative. The film, entitled Collateral Murder in Iraq by Wikileaks, paints a picture of warmongering pilots bent on murdering any Iraqi they could. However, as the author points out, and the video of the incident demonstrates, the enemy was well known to employ children as living bombs as well as human shields. Additionally, for reporters to embed themselves without any type of identification with enemy combatants and not expect potential harm is the height of hubris and arrogance.

Of additional interest is the author's in-depth depiction of military bureaucracy. With examples like "The Three Rules of Company Command or How to Get Ahead, without Really Doing Anything" (page 186) or "...field-grade officers who couldn't stand the thought of soldiers with nothing to do" (page 182), the inability of military command to grasp what life was really like for the soldiers in the field is well demonstrated to the amusement of the reader and the annoyance of the soldier.

One item of note is that this book is replete with army acronyms. While the author includes a glossary at the end of the book, the jargon used will slow down the reader who is not used to such language. This reviewer is a life-long civilian and was thoroughly encumbered by these terms. Having said that, the use of these terms is absolutely obligatory in any type of military essay. Despite this one potential concern, the book is well worth the read for an amazing look into what combat is really like for those valiant pilots fighting to protect the United States.

Review by Daniel E. Long
 

Author's Synopsis

This book describes aerial combat at the controls of the fearsome AH-64 Apache attack helicopter during the Operation Iraqi Freedom “Surge.”

This memoir reveals, for the first time, many stories of selfless service, courage, and sacrifice that will be compelling to all readers. At the same time, it also illustrates the absurdities that are involved with living in a massive bureaucracy like the US military. Also included are many original color photographs taken by the author in the combat zone.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 303 / 96,210

Forged in Fire: Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War by Robert L. Gangwere

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MWSA Review

Forged in Fire: Grief, Purpose, and Devotion of a Woman at War is a well-researched and memorable story of a midwestern girl learning much about herself when serving in WWII for the American Red Cross. One of the most endearing aspects is that the book is written by Blanche Barnes’s son, Robert L. Gangwere. His was not a casual retelling of a story, but one crafted over years of important interviews, laughs, love, and tears, which comes through well in the narrative shared with readers.

Through Blanche’s words and Gangwere's historical research, the book explains what most would never know about the challenges facing the young women who volunteered to serve their country overseas, supporting the American Red Cross Clubmobile Department. With very little training, these young women were launched into wartime environments to raise morale. And they were happy to do their part! Blanche speaks of the defeats seen on the faces of airmen and soldiers, the horrifying aftermaths of bombed out countries, and her personal fear from both the enemy and the men she supported.

I highly recommend this book, especially for anyone who wants to learn more about this era. The author sheds great light and much deserved gratitude to those who volunteered to serve their country in whatever way they could during WWII.

Review by Valerie Ormond

 

Author's Synopsis

Most American women of the 1940s did not attend college, learn to fly a plane, drive a 2 1/2 ton truck or a Sherman tank; or serve in war zones, but Blanche Barnes did before the age of 28.

"Forged in Fire" is a coming-of-age tale of a sheltered midwestern woman who, after suffering a sudden, heart-breaking loss, found something larger than herself that ultimately provided her a new purpose for her shattered life. The vehicle for this transformation was the American Red Cross's new and innovative overseas clubmobile program.

As a "clubmobile girl," Blanche served on multiple 8th Air Force air bases outside of Kettering, England, including Molesworth Airfield, the home of the famous 303rd Bombardment Group or "Hell's Angels," then she served on the continent at the Cigarette Camps located outside of Le Havre, France, and finally in war-torn Germany. Along the way she crossed paths with such notables as Medal of Honor winner Col. John "Killer" Kane, journalist Ernie Pyle, and U.S. generals George S. Patton, Jr., Omar N. Bradley, and Leonard T. Gerow, as well as movie actress Marlene Dietrich and the members of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. She also witnessed first-hand the destruction and tragedy of world war.

Forged in Fire expertly weaves Blanche's story in with the history of the clubmobile program, and how it raised the morale of America's fighting men. The backbone of the program was a cadre of well-educated, independent, and resolute women (such as Blanche) who served up coffee, doughnuts, and hope for the future to hundreds of thousands of war-weary, exhausted American GIs.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—History
Pages/Word count: 278 / 82,217

The Whispers of War by Sarah L. Peachey

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MWSA Review

The Whispers of War is a powerful, deeply human debut that brings the post–9/11 home front into sharp, unforgettable focus. Sarah L. Peachey delivers a poignant coming-of-age story and an unflinching portrait of military family life that will resonate long after the final page.

Told primarily through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Annaliese Pechman — an anti-war military child who resents the very system her family serves — this novel captures the complicated tension between love of family and disillusionment with war. Anna's leather-bound journal and her imagined dialogues with Emily Dickinson become a quiet counterpoint to the noise of history, grounding an intimate story in the sweeping events of September 11, 2001, and the long war that follows. Peachey's depiction of 9/11 and its aftermath is especially striking: she evokes a moment readers remember vividly without over-writing it, allowing them to layer in their own memories as Anna's innocence is stripped away.

As Anna's father, Robert, deploys with the first conventional forces into Afghanistan, the novel moves fluidly between battlefield and home front, revealing how the same war reshapes a devoted Army sergeant and the daughter who cannot reconcile her love for him with her hatred of what takes him away. Peachey writes Robert not as a symbol but as a fully realized man — honorable, steady, and proud of his soldiers — whose most devastating battle begins only after he comes home gravely wounded in body, mind, and spirit. The scenes of departure and homecoming are rendered with heartbreaking authenticity, capturing both the public ritual and the private cost that only those who have lived it truly know.

What sets The Whispers of War apart is its emotional range and nuance. Peachey refuses easy answers: Anna's anti-war activism, her father's fierce sense of duty, and the family's efforts to piece themselves back together are all treated with empathy and honesty. The author's lived experience as a long-time military spouse shows in the granular details of everyday military life — frequent moves, the constant recalibration around deployments, the unspoken rule to "put on a good face" — and in the quiet moments of connection that make this story so affecting. The result is a narrative that illuminates the silent suffering of service on both sides of the uniform, without vilifying or glorifying war.

For readers, The Whispers of War offers both an engaging story and a valuable education. It invites those outside the military community into a world with its own rules, rhythms, and sacrifices, while offering those within it the rare gift of seeing their experiences reflected with respect and clarity. With its deft handling of time, layered perspectives, and unforgettable characters, The Whispers of War is a beautiful, urgent, and ultimately hopeful novel — one that deserves a wide audience in book clubs, classrooms, and beyond.

Review by Elvis Leighton

 

Author's Synopsis

An anti-war military child who longs for freedom. A career-Army father who can’t imagine being anything else. A long war bound to change them.

Fourteen-year-old Annaliese Pechman has always been a military child, but no one knows how she resents the frequent relocation or the long separations from her beloved father. After moving to Fort Drum, New York, she purchases a leather-bound journal to record her hopes and dreams under the watchful eye of her idol, Emily Dickinson. But Anna’s life changes on September 11, 2001, rinsing away her naivete and exposing the world’s harsh realities.

Anna’s father, Robert, deploys in October 2001 as part of the first conventional forces in Afghanistan, while Anna struggles to find her place in the constant change. But one thing rises above the noise: Anna’s disapproval of war and her father’s role in it. Two months before Robert deploys yet again, Anna basks in the success of her first anti-war protest, but Robert disapproves for reasons Anna can’t understand. When Robert suffers a grave injury, Anna places her future on hold, but more than physical recovery is at stake. Anna must decide whether family bonds are enough to heal the wounds of war, or if it’s time to walk away alone.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction
Pages/Word count: 274 / 103,000

Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot's Letters Home by William Hanchett with Thomas F. Hanchett

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MWSA Review

Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot's Letters Home by William Hanchett, with Thomas F. Hanchett, is a thoroughly entertaining first-person account of one's experiences in becoming a U.S. Army Air Force pilot during World War II. This is a book not written from memory, years later, but is a primary firsthand account that is candid and observant, giving the reader exacting insight into pilot training during the war.

What makes the book especially effective is the author's feelings. For example, he discusses how he disliked flying after being berated by overly bellicose instructors. That immediacy gives the narrative its strength. In one passage, Hanchett says, “Man has not changed for the last thousand years … and that we must learn that peace will come only when we cease to think of good and right in terms of just over nations, ourselves.”

Disgracefully Easy is exceptionally well laid out. This structure makes the letters easy to follow with sharp, definitive chapter introductions written by Thomas Hanchett. For readers interested in World War II history, especially the Army Air Corps, this is a valuable and compelling book. There are no heroics from bombing missions over Europe; instead, it tells the story of a frustrated pilot who wanted just that but understood his mission to train new pilots so they could carry on the mission. Highly recommended.

Review by James Bultema

 

Author's Synopsis

Long before William “Bill” Hanchett became a professor of history and a notable expert on Abraham Lincoln, he was a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. While telling a unique story of the Army Air Forces, Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot’s Letters Home is a book of correspondence which highlights Hanchett’s early writing, powers of observation and growing historical perspective. In addition to vivid first-person descriptions of flying, Hanchett’s letters and postal cards discuss the difficulties of a once wealthy family struggling to recover from the Great Depression.

From living as a recruit in a luxury beachfront hotel converted into barracks by the Army, to taking courses at a civilian college as an aviation student, to “bombing” the San Diego Naval Base in his future beloved home town, Bill Hanchett takes his family with him from basic training through advanced flying school where he hoped to be a hotshot fighter pilot, “dancing around the sky.” Instead, much to his chagrin, he was assigned as an instructor-pilot, teaching cadets from the rear seat of a BT-13 Valiant training airplane. He began to enjoy being an instructor, but as the war progressed and the flying school closed, Lieutenant Hanchett transitioned to become a four-engine bomber pilot in the fall of 1944, as the presidential election was well underway. Clearly expressed in his correspondence were Bill’s strong opinions about the divisive politics of that time, which usually conflicted with his father’s outlook.

Ultimately, in early 1945 Bill became responsible for training a bomber crew in the Nevada desert for an overseas assignment which never materialized because the war ended. While training his men hard, he became frustrated with what he viewed as pointless flying and concluded to his father that his service was “disgracefully easy” compared to others who saw combat. The chapter introductions and notes in Disgracefully Easy were prepared by Bill Hanchett’s son, Tom.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 308 / 94,928

Veteran Adventure Stories: Gregory Gadson by Stephanie Hennessy

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MWSA Review

Stephanie Hennessy, an Army veteran, has written a series of illustrated Veteran Adventure Stories. This one features Gregory Gadson.

Gregory begins his adventure as a little kid with big dreams. He’s strong, he runs really fast, and he never gives up. All through school he plays football and hopes to someday play professional football. But when it comes time to go to college, the only place he is invited to play is West Point, the United States Army Academy. This means he will be a soldier when he graduates. He is sent to Iraq, which is where the unthinkable happens. He is injured in a bomb blast. Despite losing his legs, he still wants to play football and uses the things he learned as a young kid to keep going, never giving up and working hard.

Gadson is an exemplary role model for children. Due to the nature of the material and some of the words (defined in a glossary in the back) the book is suitable for the older range of picture book readers (8-9). It's a great book to be read together with a parent Pages in the back of the book explain things like convoys and prosthetic legs. There are also activities that can be used for additional discussions.

Review by Betsy Beard

Author's Synopsis

Greg's biggest dream was to play football, but life had bigger plans.

From cheering crowds to real-life battles, Greg found courage and endured challenges that tested his strength and spirit. His journey is filled with adventure, bravery, and surprises at every turn.

Inspired by the true story of Colonel Gregory D. Gadson, a U.S. Army veteran, athlete, and leader, this beautifully illustrated children's book shows how dreams can come true in ways we never could have imagined.

Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and families, Veteran Adventure Stories: Gregory Gadson inspires young readers to face obstacles with heart, hope, and perseverance.

Part of the "Veteran Adventure Stories" series: real heroes, real adventures, and lessons that last a lifetime.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book
Pages/Word count: 32 / 915

Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of a Military Marriage by Heather Sweeney

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MWSA Review

This book begins with a red flag when Heather’s fiancé Tristin announces that he is going to join the military two months before their wedding. He didn’t ask her what she thought about it, and she put her own plans on hold to support him by being the perfect military wife. They did decide together on his first duty station in Pensacola, Florida.

Heather continued her education as Tristin settled into his career as a naval officer. They both adjusted to military life and decided to have a child. Six months after their son was born, Tristin deployed to Iraq. After Tristin returned, the marriage started going downhill. The family relocated to Japan and added a daughter. Before they moved to their next duty station in Virginia Beach, they started talking about divorce. Even though their marriage continued to deteriorate, they stayed together for another three years.

It was in Virginia that Heather began expanding her life beyond the role of wife and mother. She became a serious runner and started writing. Eventually, she found the strength to leave and restart her life as a single mother.

This is a good book to read to learn about life as a military spouse. Also, it can serve as a road map for anyone who needs inspiration to get out of a relationship that isn’t working and rebuild a fulfilling life for themselves and their family.

Review by Eva Nevarez St John

 

Author's Synopsis

Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of a Military Marriage is about a woman’s journey from being overshadowed by her husband’s military career to rediscovering her identity as a single mother entering a new stage in life. The memoir explores how, like many military spouses, she camouflaged her identity, conforming to the expected role of the supportive wife who was secondary to her husband’s career as a Navy officer. But after she ended her thirteen-year marriage in her late thirties, she set out on a quest to figure out who she was as a woman without her husband, discovering that the hardships of military life—the forced independence, frequent loneliness, required adaptability, and fierce resilience—had trained her for life after divorce.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 294 / 79,000

The Vatican Deal by Michael Balter

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MWSA Review

The Vatican Deal by Michael Balter grips you from the very first page and holds you tight all the way through to its climactic conclusion. It is the second installment in the Martin Schott and Bo Bishop thriller series, but the book stands on its own—it is not necessary to have read the series’s first book to thoroughly enjoy this fast-paced mafia thriller.

Marty and Bo are the two hands-on owners of Paladin, Inc., a company that makes its money by acquiring other promising companies and bringing them under its corporate umbrella. Paladin also has two Russian investors, the alluring Natalya and the wealthy oligarch Dmitry, who finance Paladin’s acquisitions. When Marty and Bo pursue their latest target, the Chiurazzi Foundry in Naples, the deal turns out to be anything but routine.

Soon after a member of Marty and Bo’s team is injured during a tour of the foundry, Marty suspects the proposed deal is more than it seems, especially given that the Vatican and its bank are behind the sale. When he is warned not to go forward with the deal, and Natalya is kidnapped by the Naples mafia, Marty and Bo realize they, too, are in the mafia’s sights. Piece by piece they put the puzzle together, suffering intrigue, double-crosses, and personal compromise.

The author’s familiarity with Italy, the ease with which he paints scenes, and his skillful crafting of dialogue breathe reality into every page of the story. Marty’s narration is believable and often introspective, giving us a window into his sometimes-flawed moral compass. We also get to see Bo and Natalya at their high and low points, helping bring their characters to life.

The Vatican Deal is everything a thriller should be: well-written, fast-paced, attention-grabbing, and believable with well-defined main characters. When you finish reading it, you will find yourself scrambling to see when the next book in the series is coming out.

Review by David E. Grogan

 

Author's Synopsis

Danger, deception, and betrayal lurk at every turn in this gripping international crime thriller from the award-winning author of Chasing Money.

Marty Schott and Bo Bishop didn’t expect trouble on their business trip to Italy. They were headed to Naples to buy a sculpture foundry, then back to Rome to close a lucrative licensing deal with the Vatican. Flush with cash thanks to their alluring and enigmatic partner, Natalya, and her powerful Russian backer, the two friends were on top of the world.

Then the threats began.

Menaced and attacked, Marty and Bo quickly discover that the stakes are far higher than they imagined. The Naples Mafia wants the foundry for sinister reasons. The head of the Vatican Bank is playing a dangerous game. The Russian oligarch has his own hidden agenda. Everyone is keeping secrets and telling lies. Marty and Bo are ready to call it quits when a dangerous figure from their past appears in Rome. Then Natalya is kidnapped, and the stakes get personal. Now all bets are off.

Caught in a deadly crossfire between the Naples Mafia and the Russian Vory, can Marty and Bo uncover the truth about the Vatican deal, find a way to rescue Natalya, and escape with their lives and friendship intact?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 302 / 80,000

The Master Chief's Sea Stories: Volume II Duty Ashore and USS Comte De Grasse (DD 974) by Johnny J Moye

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MWSA Review

In The Master Chief's Sea Stories, Vol II: Duty Ashore and USS Comte De Grasse, Johnny J. Moye offers an immersive and candid look into four years of his life, two of those years aboard one of the U.S. Navy's largest destroyers, the USS Comte De Grasse. Drawing from actual journal entries, Moye recounts his journey through radioman school, his military deployment, and the personal challenges he faced as he navigated life in the Navy.

Though Moye completed a 27-year career, the book focuses primarily on this pivotal four-year stretch, showcasing both his professional development and personal struggles. The narrative paints a vivid picture of Moye’s experiences, detailing the complexities of serving in a multinational NATO flotilla. He must adapt quickly to the demands of sending and receiving over 24,000 messages, mastering new protocols outside the scope of U.S. Navy norms. Through his missteps and triumphs, the book highlights his growth as a leader, providing valuable insights into the sacrifices and responsibilities of life at sea.

As the story unfolds, Moye reflects on his emotional conflict as a divorced father. He struggles with the consequences of leaving his two daughters behind, only to confront deeper personal issues, such as his reliance on alcohol while ashore. These moments of vulnerability add depth to the narrative, making it clear that the journey aboard the USS Comte De Grasse was as much about self-discovery as it was about military duty.

Moye's encounters with various women in port are depicted with unapologetic honesty, giving a glimpse into the single sailor's life and the fleeting relationships that come with it. This aspect of the book, while portrayed in a raw and unflinching manner, is also woven into the larger theme of Moye seeking meaning and escape in the chaos of his life.

A standout feature of the book is Moye’s thoughtful integration of philosophical musings, which he uses to provide wisdom and perspective on the experiences of sailors. It’s not just a memoir of life at sea, it’s an exploration of how the philosophies of the great thinkers can shape one’s journey, both at sea and on land.

At a hefty 657 pages, The Master Chief's Sea Stories, Vol II offers an in-depth, unvarnished look at Navy life and personal growth. For those curious about what life on the high seas truly entails, without enlisting themselves, Moye’s memoir serves as a fascinating and insightful guide.

Review by Frank Taylor

 

Author's Synopsis

The Master Chief’s extraordinary journey continues as he spins his yarns from the second four years of his naval service. First, while becoming a renowned teletype technician, Moye delighted himself in the freedoms that shore duty afforded—further discovering himself both as a person and a sailor. Then, when thrust into an incredibly demanding leadership role aboard one of the world’s most formidable warships, he guided man and machine through what also became his crew’s most difficult duty. Head-on, together they met the mission.
The meek sailor we found in Volume I transformed into a true sailor’s sailor as he led his crew through extraordinary hardships found only at sea. With the mission always first, Moye also stereotypically enjoyed wine, women, and song in ports far from the hills of his childhood. All forging him into the confident sailor, communicator, and leader he became.
Based on his daily journal entries, Moye vividly recounts life-changing events as they unfold—telling a unique story rooted in lived experience. He captures his ongoing transformation, along with that of the sailors alongside him, in tales full of adventure, hardship, and sometimes incomprehensible moments.
Follow the Master Chief as he revisits some of his life’s most pivotal events, preparing him for future challenges—both professional and personal. Sail alongside through moments of euphoria and despair while navigating life’s tempests at sea. Truly, this is a story like no other.
Hold fast for these stories within are straight-up, no-shitters—as raw and real as they get.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 670 / 245,000

Stronger Together by A.L. Zeine

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MWSA Review

Stronger Together is the second in the Cul-De-Sac Kids series by A. L. Zeine. It deals with issues that are common to military kids and children of divorced parents. As a chapter book for those aged 8 to 12, it deals appropriately with the emotions of military deployment, moving to a new city, and sharing time between divorced parents. It also gives good guidance on how children can cope with the attendant emotions.

Chloe and her single mom, a doctor in the U. S. Army, have received orders for a permanent change of station. While Chloe is happy to be reunited with Ella, a friend from a previous duty station, she is sad to be leaving her current friends, particularly Mia. Her desire to be with Mia distresses Ella, compounded with the deployment of Ella’s dad. Chloe realizes that she needs help in reaching Ella and goes to her mom for advice. She decides to take that advice, despite her fear, and work with Ella through the emotional upheavals on multiple fronts. Ella is able to be open about her struggles and finds that her friends are there for her and that they are stronger together.

Review by Betsy Beard

 

Author's Synopsis

Chloe is used to moving—it’s part of being an Army brat. But this time, she actually feels at home. Her mom’s schedule is better, her best friend Ella is just down the street, and the Cul-de-sac Kids have welcomed her with open arms. Life is finally settling down.

But Chloe’s heart is still tugged in another direction—back to her old home, where her other best friend Mia feels left behind. When Ella’s dad is suddenly deployed, Chloe’s world shifts again. She wants to be the glue holding everyone together, but how do you stay strong for everyone else when you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Middle Grade Chapter Book
Pages/Word count: 122 / 24,000

Invaders of the Heartland by James Bultema

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MWSA Review

Invaders of the Heartland by retired LAPD Detective James Bultema is a fast-paced, all-too-real police procedural mystery. From the first chapter, I became a fan of the main character, Jake Dalton.

Even though Jake saves a hostage and shoots a bad guy, political and personal retribution lead to a hearing for Jake after a shoot-out during a bank robbery in Los Angeles. Rather than take the humiliating demotion offered, Jake tenders his resignation and hands over his badge and weapon. He moves back to his hometown in Fairview, Oklahoma, with the intention of escaping politics and working in his family-owned garage.

When the current chief of police is involved in a scandal and is fired, Jake applies for and gets the job. His first task is to restore integrity to and revitalize the department. He hopes to restore community respect for the local police. One day, it comes to Jake’s attention that rural Fairview has been infiltrated by a Chinese-owned marijuana farming company. Outwardly, everything looks legal and above board, but Jake sees red flags.

With evil intentions to completely take over every business in town, the Chinese plan to launder their illicit money through each legitimate business. Jake documents and observes. When he has enough evidence, he goes to the federal authorities, who promptly dismiss him. Saving Fairview is now up to Jake Dalton and his small police department.

I was drawn to Invaders of the Heartland because of recent reports of Chinese-owned land and businesses currently in the United States. James Bultema has written a page-turner that has me wondering when we will wake up.

Review by Nancy Panko

 

Author's Synopsis

A town on the brink. A police force outmatched. A chief with everything to lose.

After LAPD brass scrutinized his split-second decision in a deadly bank shootout, Detective Jake Dalton left the city behind for his hometown—Fairview, Oklahoma. But his return to small-town life is anything but quiet.

Taking over a struggling four-person police department, Jake believes he’s left big-city crime in the past—until the Chinese mafia moves in, turning Fairview into the hub of a ruthless billion-dollar marijuana empire
.
When Jake sounds the alarm, federal agents dismiss him, and local officials look the other way. Outgunned and outnumbered, he stands alone as the last line of defense against a brutal syndicate determined to seize total control. One wrong move could cost him everything.

Written by a retired LAPD officer, Invaders of the Heartland is a gritty, high-stakes police procedural brimming with real-world authenticity, crime, and conspiracy. The story may be fiction, but the crisis is very real.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 351 / 67,000

Home for the Homicides by Rosalie Spielman

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MWSA Review

Home for the Homicides by Rosalie Spielman is set in New Oslo, Idaho, where townsfolk prepare for Christmas and the first Running of the Grinches. Even Magnus the Moose gets in on the festivities by twice eating Army retiree Tessa Treslow’s truck decorations.

Another book in the Spielman series, Home for the Homicides follows Tessa and Aunt Edna as they prepare for Christmas and try to catch the real-life Grinch threatening New Oslo. The trouble escalates from broken storefront windows to stolen toys, firebombing, and murder. Tessa and Edna must find the culprit before Christmas is ruined.

Tessa organizes a citizen patrol for the town to catch the person responsible for attacking the businesses in town. She finds a clue at each of the sites that ties each event together. In a small town, where everyone knows each other, who could do these things to a neighbor? Tessa and Aunt Edna spot a stranger who seems to be around whenever there’s a crowd. Who is he, and why is he in New Oslo?

Home for the Homicides is a fast-paced cozy mystery with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. Even though I’ve read some of the other books in the series, I still appreciate the cleverly named businesses and quirky named people like the Bimbeaus. Rosalie Spielman can always make me laugh!

Home for the Homicides is a book worth curling up in front of a fire to read.

Review by Nancy Panko

 

Author's Synopsis

It's Christmastime in Army retiree Tessa Treslow's small Idaho hometown of New Oslo, but someone is determined to play a grinch this season and is robbing local businesses of their holiday cheer!

In the midst of preparing for the first annual Running of the Grinches, a fundraiser to support the Sergeant Santa Toy Drive and the local historical society, a string of unfortunate incidents hit the townsfolk hard. It starts with broken windows then progresses to car theft, assault, and arson—each instance accompanied by a clue that clearly ties the crimes together.

Tessa organizes a watch patrol for New Oslo, and during her first shift she helps rescue a victim from a fire. Unfortunately, it is clear to Tessa that the woman was already dead before the fire was set. Did the arsonist accidentally kill her...or is something more heinous and less in the spirit of the season at hand? It's up to Tessa to find out before tragedy strikes again!

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 255 / 70,000

Raiding the Rising Sun: The Doolittle Raid-America Strikes Back; An Illustrated Day-By-Day Account by Dan Steelman

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MWSA Review

In April of 1942, the United States was still reeling from the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Morale and resolve were slowly improving but were still very low. The White House knew something needed to be done to raise the country's spirit, but with the military so woefully unprepared, not many people had ideas as to exactly what. Fortunately, a few farsighted leaders in the military had not only an idea of what to do, but knew the exact steps needed to fully implement the plan.

Raiding the Rising Sun: The Doolittle Raid-America Strikes Back: An Illustrated Day-By-Day Account by Dan Steelman is the meticulously documented account of the Doolittle Raid of April 1942. Chronicling the events related to the raid starting with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and ending with the passing of the final Doolittle survivor in 2022, Steelman, by using detailed Japanese and American sources, takes us back in time to witness the events surrounding the idea of the raid, its planning, execution, and aftermath in an engrossing way. Written in the present tense, Steelman's narrative makes the reader feel as if they were there as it happened. The book is presented in time-line format so that the reader can feel the tension build as it is read. When it comes time to present what happened to the crews after they reached their targets, each plane's crew is presented individually so that the reader is not jumping from crew to crew. This section is especially interesting and poignant, as we read of the methods used by the crews to reach safety, or in the case of the two crews that were captured by the Japanese, the bravery they demonstrated as they faced certain death.

The book is replete with over 200 photographs, printed on high-quality glossy paper, appropriate for a coffee table book. Along with the expected entries such as telling the crews they had to take off in less than 500 feet without saying why, the author includes interesting tidbits such as the fact that the B-25's "tail guns" were actually broomsticks, while the Norden bombsights were replaced with the homemade “Mark Twain” bombsight, fabricated from twenty cent hardware store aluminum, and far more accurate than the Norden. The book makes use of ample quotes from members of the raid, giving the reader a very personal look into the thoughts and feelings of the crew members.

Raiding the Rising Sun is a welcome addition to the Doolittle Raid library as it combines riveting storytelling, high-quality photographs and maps, as well as the long-awaited identification of the mysterious gunner of Crew 10. This book belongs on the bookshelf of any historian of World War II.

Review by Daniel Long

 

Author's Synopsis

Raiding the Rising Sun is a richly illustrated and meticulously researched account of the April 18, 1942 Doolittle Raid—the first American air strike against the Japanese home islands and one of the most daring aviation operations of World War II.

Aviation historian Dan Steelman examines the raid through the lens of aircraft, technology, and planning, with particular focus on the B-25 Mitchell and the extraordinary modifications that made the mission possible. Drawing on primary sources, period photography, and clear technical explanation, the book traces how Army Air Forces and Navy personnel overcame unprecedented challenges to launch medium bombers from an aircraft carrier.

Combining authoritative narrative with rare photographs, original artwork, and accessible analysis, Raiding the Rising Sun places the raid in its proper operational and historical context while honoring the skill, ingenuity, and courage of the men who carried it out. The result is a visually compelling, fact-driven history that adds new clarity and depth to one of the most familiar stories of the air war in the Pacific.

Format(s) for review: Paper only
Review genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table
Pages/Word count: 292 / ~30,000

Waiting at the Red Gate by Weston Roudebush

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MWSA Review

Waiting at the Red Gate is an intensely personal narrative of the author’s journey to maturity and the affirmation of his guardian role in the lives of his family and community. As his personal story progresses, he learns self-awareness through the examples of others and how to develop inner peace in the face of adversity. The image of a gate is a recurring symbol throughout, representing transition points in the author’s life and the challenges he faced at each juncture.

Individual chapters tell of his arrival at significant “gates” in his life and the trials each decision point presents. These tests range from confrontations as a security guard at a stateside US Air Force base to facing a crisis of conscience in deciding whether to report a heinous crime and risk his own family’s peace and safety. Each situation offers a learning experience for the author and, in turn, an opportunity for him to share with his readers guidance on how they might respond when faced with similar circumstances.

Chapters conclude with a set of “Quiet Questions” designed to lead his readers to reflect on their own life choices. Relevant quotations from Scripture add further guidance.

The author is a man of faith, and he is clear that his beliefs are a significant component in the underpinnings of his life, complementing his marriage, family, and community.

While relating his own journey, he offers suggestions for his readers as to how they can construct solid personal anchors that will enable them to withstand their inevitable life challenges.

Review by Peter Adams Young

 

Author's Synopsis

Some gates you cross change everything. Others you barely notice until you look back and realize how far you've traveled.
Standing at his red gate, waiting for his family to come home, Weston Roudebush reflects on the journey from a quiet kid who kept his head down to a father teaching his boys that the strongest hands are often the gentlest.
This isn't a book about dramatic moments or battlefield heroics. It's about the spaces in between where character is forged in kitchens and bedrooms, where steady hands learn to build instead of break, where quiet strength speaks louder than any war cry.
Through stories spanning military service, law enforcement, fatherhood, and faith, Weston maps the territory where boys become men not through violence, but through the courage to remain tender in a hard world. These foundations are built not with concrete and steel, but with patient presence and the willingness to stand watch at the gates that matter most.
For fathers raising boys into men. For veterans learning to live with what they've carried. For anyone who has discovered that the deepest strength often speaks in whispers.
This is a book about building something that lasts, one quiet choice at a time.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 225 / 56,158

The Four Stars of Leadership: Scientifically-Derived Principles from the Experiences of America's Highest-Ranking Leaders by Tom Collins, MD, MS

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MWSA Review

The Four Stars of Leadership opens with a convincing argument about what sets this work apart from most leadership “how to” manuals on the market. While many books in this genre cite known and respected thought leaders in the field, this author chose to concentrate on the experiences of proven practitioners as the basis for his empirical research. His subjects are retired four-star generals and admirals representing every branch of the U.S. military.

The result is a thoroughly entertaining and enlightening work that will appeal to any reader seeking to better address the challenges of leading complex organizations. As a bonus, a number of top military leaders share their stories of facing critical decisions in their careers.

To establish the baseline for his research, the author conducted extensive interviews with fifty-one men and women who had achieved the highest level in their respective military services. All interviews were structured with a consistent set of questions. He then analyzed the lessons gleaned from the experiences of these leaders, representing more than 2,000 years of collective service, to arrive at an initial set of 115 leadership themes from his subjects’ testimonies. These themes were systematically grouped into subsets along several dimensions to arrive at a manageable suite of four core elements of effective leadership:

• Character
• Competence
• Caring
• Communication

Discussion of each of these four attributes forms the bulk of the work via three chapters treating in turn: (1) the essential components of the overarching principle, (2) discussion of its significance, and (3) cogent guidance on application. The personal reflections of four-stars included in the author’s study punctuate every chapter. Readers can discover how dozens of leaders were confronted by unique challenges and how they all found ways to overcome them.

The author has carefully and convincingly built solid scientific foundations for defining his four underlying leadership principles. These abstract concepts are powerfully augmented by the real-life experiences and conclusions of proven top-level military leaders. Although rooted in the experiences and lessons learned by high-ranking U.S. military leaders, the book’s conclusions are readily transferrable to other disciplines in the civilian world, including business, industry, academia, and social services. It would be a valuable addition to any leader’s bookshelf.

Review by Peter Adams Young

 

Author's Synopsis

The Four Stars of Leadership unveils the hard-won lessons of 51 of America’s most accomplished leaders—retired Four-Star Generals and Admirals—who led through crisis, commanded with integrity, and built teams that thrived under pressure. In an era of global uncertainty, rapid change, and deep societal division, great leadership is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Drawing from exclusive interviews and cutting-edge leadership research, Dr. Tom Collins distills their wisdom into four essential elements that form exceptional leadership: Character, Competence, Caring, and Communication. These principles transcend the battlefield, offering a proven system for leaders in any field—whether you’re guiding a hospital team, leading a business, or navigating the complexities of today’s rapidly changing world.

This book goes beyond theory, weaving together compelling personal stories from the highest levels of leadership with practical, science-backed strategies you can apply immediately. You’ll discover how to earn trust through unwavering integrity, sharpen your expertise to master your “battlespace,” cultivate genuine care for those you lead, and harness the power of clear, authentic communication.

The Four Stars of Leadership is an indispensable guide for leaders who strive not just to succeed—but to inspire, empower, and leave a lasting legacy of excellence.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business
Pages/Word count: 306 / 80,000

On Board the USS Boise in World War II: The Battles and Secret Missions of Light Cruiser CL-47 by Ian S. Bertram

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MWSA Review

On Board the U.S.S. Boise in World War II takes readers from pre-war Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, through some of the most harrowing naval engagements of the early Pacific War. From there, the ship plays a vital role in the invasions of Sicily and Italy, providing critical naval gunfire to landing troops when distance and resources precluded effective airpower. Upon returning to the Pacific, supporting MacArthur’s army, the ship and its crew start the long road towards Tokyo, by way of Manila, to destroy the military forces of the Japanese Empire.

The author, a U.S. Air Force pilot with a graduate degree in history, uses the “log” of his wife’s grandfather, Donald “DB” Fitch, to thread through the story of the Boise. Using the wartime log of the enlisted sailor, the author is also able to pinpoint, in both place and time, other firsthand descriptions of the ship’s actions and exploits, along with detailed historical research. Through the story of Boise, a detailed account of many critical actions and campaigns emerges, and readers are given both the “big picture” and individual accounts, from pre-war to the end in 1945. Interspersed with the military action are glimpses of the life of an enlisted sailor, from exotic Pacific ports to scenes of the U.S. home front during wartime.

This book will be of interest to historians and fans of naval history, World War II history, and anyone who wishes to understand the hardships, bravery, and sacrifices on board a combat ship during war.

Review by Terry Lloyd

 

Author's Synopsis

The story of the USS Boise (CL-47) is one of fear, loss, endurance, fame, triumph, and pain. The light cruiser endured a remarkable career through the entirety of World War II, with a redemption arc that took its crew from the position of scapegoats to heroes, and ultimately to the vanguard of America's liberation forces.
One man, Donald "DB" Fitch, witnessed the entire conflict from his battle-station on the bridge. The ship conducted secret missions and fought at Guadalcanal, Sicily, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Through Fitch's eyes, this book relives the terrors and thrills of naval combat along with the pranks, shenanigans, and the rumors that were the lifeblood of a ship through four years of war. Fitch and his friends fought for each other and their country, and in the end, they left their mark on history.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—History
Pages/Word count: 235 / 100,000

I Remember You: Between memory and silence, a voice remains. by Patrick J Hughes

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MWSA Review

Patrick J. Hughes is a sharp, unsentimental observer of life at sea. Many of the poems are rooted in detachment cycles, storm evacuations, carrier politics, and the absurdities of military routine. Poems like “Storm Prep,” “Det Life,” “Generations of Fire,” and “Tiger Guide with No Tiger” capture the texture of Navy life with insider authenticity: mildew in the barracks, mystery meat, long hours, bad coffee, and leadership theatrics. There is dry humor, controlled frustration, and an unvarnished honesty that feels genuine. The darker poems, which explore depression, grief, and emotional isolation, reveal a different voice, one that is deeply personal. Many of these poems are filled with vivid fresh lines that will resonate across many situations. In "Sitting in the Dark," Hughes pens "Trying to drown out the pain with music / The music is helping / It's making it worse."

Hughes uses poetic forms, both narrative and rhyming, with great skill. However, if you are looking for poetry evocative of a recruiting poster, this is not that book. Hughes makes no attempt to romanticize service. Instead, this collection offers a no-holds-barred account of one sailor’s view of Navy life, its monotony, politics, quiet endurance, and personal cost. That honesty will resonate with many readers, particularly those who have served.

Review by John Cathcart
 

Author's Synopsis

From the psych ward to flight deck, from whispered goodbyes to quiet strength, I Remember You is a raw and unflinching book of poetry and prose by Navy veteran Patrick J. Hughes. Seamed from the unvarnished material of trauma, healing, fatherhood, friendship, and mental illness, these poems will find an echo within anyone who's ever stood in a doorway and wondered how to move forward.

With a raw honesty and with unexpected graciousness, Hughes charts life after conflict, the unseen scars of depression and PTSD, and the lifelines of salvation that bind us when we are breaking. This is a debut poetry collection as testament to survival—not a destination, but an everyday act of bravery.

Whether you’ve served, loved someone who has, or simply struggled in silence, these pages hold space for your story, too. If you’ve ever needed to feel less alone, this book remembers you.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Poetry—Poetry Book
Pages/Word count: 121 / 14,705

The Mapmaker: A Novel of World War II by Tom Young

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MWSA Review

The Mapmaker: A Novel of World War II by Tom Young, is well written fiction based on real events and real people in 1943 and 1944. The story follows the difficult and treacherous happenings of the French Resistance as well as the efforts of the British pilots who assist them. There are various groups of resistance fighters with different missions: damage the railroads, delay convoys, gather intelligence on the location and size of troops. Among the many problems they face are that radio operators who contact England in code are targeted by the Germans, neighbors cannot be trusted, and captured resistance fighters are tortured for information about other members of the resistance and their plans. The Germans are very effective at torture.

Charlotte is half French and half American with map making and observational skills critical to the British bombers, but she must get her maps out of France. Phillippe is a French pilot who joined the British Royal Air Force after the French pilots were decommissioned by the Vichy government. One of his missions is to find Charlotte and bring her and her maps to England regardless of the cost to her colleagues, many of whom die so that Charlotte can escape the Germans. Charlotte has critical targeting information for the Allies on railroads. As D-Day nears, Phillippe takes timely aerial photos which Charlotte analyzes for the Allies. As Author Young says, “The Mapmaker demonstrates how individual courage and sacrifice set the stage for victory.”

Review by Nancy Kauffman
Author's Synopsis

Resistance operative Charlotte Denneau has critical targeting information for the Allies, and the Gestapo knows it. On the run across occupied France, she must prioritize her mission over the lives of the agents and civilians she needs to help her escape. Germans are taking down Resistance networks with disastrous results. Agents are being arrested, tortured, questioned, and turned. Charlotte never knows whom to trust. She communicates in coded radio calls to London, with the enemy always listening. More than anything, she needs a flight out—before the Nazis drag her to an interrogation chamber.

Philippe Gerard, a French pilot who joined the British Royal Air Force after the fall of France, faces an impossible mission: He must find Charlotte, land by moonlight to pick her up in a farmer’s field, and evade Luftwaffe fighters on the way back to England. But where is she? If he gets an all-clear signal over a dark pasture, is she really there? Or does the signal lure him into a trap?

In the critical weeks before D-Day, every contribution counts: A well-drawn map, a timely aerial photo, or a daring landing in a muddy field might make the difference between triumph and defeat. Inspired by real-life events from World War II, The Mapmaker demonstrates how individual courage and sacrifice can set the stage for victory.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Pages/Word count: 296 / 86,000

The Compass Room by Mark James

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MWSA Review

In The Compass Room, Mark James delivers a high-octane geopolitical thriller that explores a world on the brink of collapse. The narrative follows Vice President George "Daddy Longlegs" Wartmann as he navigates the fallout of a catastrophic naval disaster that has left the United States vulnerable and its allies indecisive.

The story blends technical military strategy with the morally gray side of high-stakes diplomacy. Operating from his private study—the titular "Compass Room"—Wartmann emerges as a tenacious protagonist willing to cross ethical lines to protect a fractured nation.

Intellectually engaging and relentlessly paced, this novel is for fans of political and military fiction. It offers suspense and provides a sobering reflection on the architecture of the modern global order. The Compass Room is the gripping sequel to the Friendship Games — a Wartmann thriller that stands on its own.

Review by James Elsener

 

Author's Synopsis

The gripping sequel to the Kirkus-starred Friendship Games — The Compass Room is a Wartmann Thriller that stands powerfully on its own.

The war was over before it even started.

In the aftermath of disaster, more than 200,000 Americans are stranded in hostile territory, and Washington reels from a conflict it never imagined losing. Across Europe, unrest spreads while America's allies falter, divided and indecisive — much like its own President. In contrast, Turkey moves boldly to expand its reach, while Russia and China seize the moment to press their advantage.

Vice President George "Daddy Longlegs" Wartmann now faces his greatest test: holding a fractured nation together as political polarization deepens, impeachment looms, unrest grows at home, markets crash, and enemies maneuver abroad. Every choice carries peril, and survival may depend on finding direction in a world turned upside down.

The war might have been over before it started… but one man refuses to accept defeat, and he knows the story is only beginning.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 353 / 71,564