Knowing My Father: The Collision of the OB Jennings and War Knight by Col. Joseph R. Tedeschi, US Army (Ret)

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Knowing My Father: The Collision of the O. B. Jennings and War Knight relates Joe's methodical search to know more about his long-lost father. In that search, Joe discovers the tragic story of the fiery collision of the US tanker O. B. Jennings and the British merchant ship War Knight during World War I as their convoy evaded German U-boats in the English Channel. A US Navy armed guard defending the O. B. Jennings, gunner's mate Michael Tedeschi was heroically rescued by the British Royal Navy escorts from the burning sea. Joe satisfies his search to know his father better and, at the same time, reveals and exposes one of the unfortunate naval disasters that occur in times of war. Knowing My Father serves as a companion to Joe Tedeschi's memoir, A Rock in the Clouds.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 128 / 28,160

Another Death at Antietam by Peter Adams Young

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Author's Synopsis

SEPTEMBER 1998

Compelling echoes of the Civil War resonate to the present day.

Five days before the 136th anniversary of the bloodiest day in American history, the body of a young man is found at the center of the Antietam National Cemetery. He is wearing the uniform of a Union Army private. Annie and Mike Davis are drawn into the leisurely official investigation into the mystery of the young man’s death, eventually encountering intertwined evidence of human trafficking, illegal arms smuggling, and a self-styled constitutional militia unit.

This is the second of the series of modern-day murder mysteries by award-winning author Peter Adams Young. The first of these, "Another Death at Gettysburg", is set in and around that historic battlefield.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 434 / 119,158

Lost in History by FE Taylor

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

In the grand sweep of history, this memoir may seem as small and insignificant as an atom in a vast universe. Yet, for the combat infantryman whose story it tells, these experiences form a monumental part of his life. Unwittingly shaped into a warrior through the trials of childhood and adolescence, he is unexpectedly drafted into the Vietnam War, an event that changes his world forever.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 277 / 64,794

Soulless by Joseph Badal

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Soulless features Eddie Parnall and Tatiana Borodvic who were introduced in Joseph Badal's novel Justice, the third book in the Curtis Chronicles series. Parnall, a retired CIA agent, and Borodvic, a former Bulgarian Special Operator, join a high-octane cast of characters who starred in previous books in the Curtis Chronicles series. Joseph Badal introduces diabolical villains whom the reader will love to hate, while cheering on the good guys as they work to bring down evildoers. At a time when human trafficking has become a $150 billion-dollar annual business and a global catastrophe, SOULLESS offers a picture of the extent of this crime against humanity and puts the reader on a roller coaster ride of tension and suspense. The story is presented via well-drawn characters and dynamic dialogue that will entertain the most demanding thriller and mystery fans. Fans of Robert Ludlum, Robert Dugoni, and Brad Thor will love this story. Badal is a master at mystifying, misleading, surprising, and entertaining the reader.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 414 / 100,293

Beneath Texas Skies by Liz Beth Rose

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Author's Synopsis

In a town filled with memories, can love heal the wounds of the past and offer a second chance at forever?

Haunted by the scars of childhood betrayal, KC Gates had learned one painful truth—crying for help meant nothing if no one cared enough to listen. When she once sought refuge in a teacher’s kindness, her plea was ignored, shattering her heart all over again. Determined to be the voice she never had, she became a teacher herself, vowing to stand as a fierce protector for victims of abuse.

Returning to her hometown in rural West Texas, KC embraced life as a traveling substitute teacher, moving from one classroom to another. But when two locals—both suspected child abusers—were murdered, the town turned its gaze on her. As evidence mounted, every step she took felt like a tightrope walk between justice and condemnation. Even the one man who had broken through her walls—the only man she dared to trust—began to doubt her.

But as the case against her began to unravel, the town’s Deputy Sheriff found himself at a crossroads: follow the case or follow his heart. Working to unmask the real killer, he saw past her defenses, past her pain, to the woman beneath the suspicion. And when the truth pointed to a long-buried secret, KC faced the hardest choice of all—let the past keep her heart closed or risk everything for love.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Romance
Pages/Word count: 206 / 58,210

Recycled Hearts by Liz Beth Rose

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Recycled Hearts will tug at your heartstrings and leave you breathless.

Experience the resounding power of love, destiny, and redemption as Ellie emerges from the shadows of a haunting accident, embracing an intoxicating second chance at romance. But as sparks fly and love blossoms, an enigmatic mystery killer lurks, threatening to unravel everything she holds dear.

Buckle up for an unforgettable adventure packed with riveting twists, everlasting hope, and unwavering determination. Recycled Hearts will ignite your spirit, reignite your passions, and remind you that in the face of tragedy, true strength and courage emerge. Prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster like no other as you join Ellie on her exhilarating and suspenseful journey.

Discover the transformative power of love, the irresistible allure of fate, and the enigmatic nature of second chances. Dive into the pages of Recycled Hearts and immerse yourself in the extraordinary life-altering odyssey of Ellie. Let her story inspire you, thrill you, and awaken you.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Romance
Pages/Word count: 202 / 53,466

A Gamble on Liberty by Robert W Smith

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Author's Synopsis

Inspired by a true story, A Gamble on Liberty shadows the struggles of one East Tennessee couple, Captain Robert and Permelia Gamble, during the American Civil War as they grapple with two horrific conflicts simultaneously. Compelled by loyalty and circumstance, Robert enlists in the Union Army, forcing Permelia to lead the family and its two slaves in a defense of their property and lives from bushwhackers, deserters, and hostile neighbors during his frequent absences.

Desperate to help their families, Robert and his comrades shuffle tirelessly between battlefield and home to smite their common enemies, protect their people and deliver justice to their oppressors.

Fueled by a deep love for one another and a mutual sense of patriotism, Robert and Permelia endure tragedy, imprisonment, estrangement, and loss in their struggle against the forces of darkness, all while forced to struggle with the age-old question of human bondage. But theirs is also a story of their beloved Tennessee Valley, a place at war against itself. Although simple farmers, the Gambles and their two slaves rise to extraordinary heights in their resolve and capacity to persevere despite unspeakable suffering and loss. Now, bound by faith in Abraham Lincoln and driven by love of country, they risk all in a desperate gamble on liberty.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Pages/Word count: 285 / 80,386

Born in Blood by Megan Michelle

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Desk duty was not what Rachel Ryker had in mind when she became the first female Navy SEAL, but if finding love with her former teammate, Christopher Williams, was the trade off, then fine. Adjusting to life in D.C. after being pulled from combat was difficult enough, but when Khalid Khan, a notorious Al-Qaeda leader, kidnaps the son of Rachel’s intelligence asset, she learns just how much harder it is to rescue a kid from a desk. She’ll need to get creative and learn to trust others to get the job done. Caught between duty and her thirst for revenge, Rachel must navigate a treacherous path to rescue the boy and uncover a dangerous conspiracy involving her old enemies. Can she save the child and bring justice to those who wronged her, or will her past catch up with her?

Christopher is adjusting to retirement, trying to find a new purpose since he chose Rachel over his career as a SEAL. The rules of engagement have changed. Rachel’s keeping secrets and chasing terrorists without him, keeping him in the dark. Respecting that boundary proves more than difficult for them both. When Rachel goes on a path Christopher can no longer follow, will their relationship be strong enough to survive, or did he give up everything for nothing?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction
Pages/Word count: 447 / 135,635

Task Force Thunderbolt by Galen D. Peterson

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

After six months stagnation on the Ukrainian battlefield, NATO’s counteroffensive looms. Captain Logan Trondfjell and the armored warriors of Lightning Troop will guard the right flank. On the eve of battle, Logan moves up to squadron staff, pulling him farther from his old battle buddy, Sergeant First Class Running Bear. Opposite no-mans-land, Russian divisions mass to crush the counteroffensive. Behind the Russian divisions, a top-secret prisoner of war camp contains Americans the Russians would rather kill than return. Only a daring raid by Captain Sam Gentry’s U.S. Rangers can rescue their fate. As Russian President Voroshilov’s war climaxes, a blizzard isolates all and stirs the swirling chaos.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 312 / 92,000

Both Sides of the Pond, My Family's War: 1933-1946 by Barbara Kent Lawrence

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Author's Synopsis

In January of 1939 when Barbara Greene, a beautiful and successful young British actress, who was serving as a Voluntary Aide Detachment nurse, met Joe Kennedy Jr., son of the American Ambassador, she could not have expected that their relationship would lead to her emigrating to America sponsored by Ambassador and Mrs. Kennedy. Nor could her brother, Kent, have foreseen his bitter retreat from Dunkirk when he left England in January 1940 to fight in France, or his subsequent service in Cornwall, North Africa, Sicily, and Burma. Their stories portray the war on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and on the home and battle fronts.

Evan Thomas, author of two best-selling books notes "Barbara Lawrence has given us an intimate, harrowing, and vivid portrait of two young people engulfed by a world war... For anyone who wants to know what it is really like to have your world turned upside down, read this book and be shocked, thrilled and moved." Based on a true story, "Both Sides of the Pond, My Family's War -1933-1943" is deeply researched and powerful.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Pages/Word count: 393 / 122,776

The Bridge by George Encizo

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MWSA Review

The Bridge by George Encizo is appropriately dedicated "To fathers, daughters, and dog owners everywhere." This is a book about relationships between teens, teens and their parents, and people with their dogs.

JD Pickens is a sheriff in a small rural county in Central Florida, and he is the father of 16-year-old Sarah and owner of a dog named Bailey. He and his daughter have a very good relationship with trust on both sides.

At various points in the story, there is a murderer in the area, who adds to the pressures on the sheriff as he deals with his daughter's new interest in boys and with the death of their beloved dog Bailey.

While the back cover blurb describes the sheriff's portion of the book rather than giving a more holistic picture, it’s not as much a mystery/thriller/crime story as it is about relationships with people as well as with dogs.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Sheriff JD Pickens had never experienced such turmoil in his personal and business life as he did now. Whenever he thought he had the situation under control, something new would crop up. But Pickens forged on undaunted, yet the enormity of the conditions rolled over him like a giant bolder and threatened to crush him like a cockroach. Pickens felt like giving up, but he wasn’t one to surrender without a fight. The problem was whether Pickens could win.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 287

Word Count: 65,720

Cherry Blossoms in Winter: A Riveting Soldier's Story of the Korean War, Friendship, and Love in Post-War Japan by Michael J. Summers

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MWSA Review

First-time author Michael J. Summers has crafted a readable and entertaining debut novel that takes place during America’s post-World War Two occupation of Japan leading up to the disastrous start of the Korean War.

It’s both a love story and a war story. Jack Pierce, an American expatriate, relates his tale of love and combat to a journalist half a century after he lived it. Though the plot is familiar—lonely GI falls for the “good” dance hall girl in a romance challenged by an unpopular war—it is still a touching story with new twists. In a note to readers, Summers states that 45,000 marriages occurred between American soldiers and Japanese women during that time.

The dialogue captures the rough sex talk of young soldiers. The descriptions of men looking for love occasionally borders on soft porn. But the relationship between Pierce and Michiko seems genuine.

The plot shifts quickly from love to war. The combat scenes are a bit confusing but real. Pierce’s unit, soft from peacetime duty in Japan, is thrust into the opening weeks of America’s Forgotten War—Korea. Pierce emerges as a natural leader who overcomes his inexperience and fears. The scenes highlight instances of courage, cowardice, and violence.

Summer's strongest writing occurs in the last two chapters when the plot returns to the current time, previous story locations, and a twist to a touching reconnect. The end is satisfying and leaves the reader with a smile.

Review by James Elsener (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

In a world scarred by conflict, can the tender beauty of cherry blossoms withstand the winter of war?

Manila, Philippines, 2003.

Dane Chandler is on a writing assignment in Manila, where he meets Jack Pierce, a tough-talking Korean War Veteran. Their chance encounter leads Dane into Jack's past, beginning in 1949 Tokyo, where Jack, stationed at Camp Drake, meets Michiko Okura at Club Florida. Their budding romance is cut short by the outbreak of the Korean War, which transforms Jack amidst the brutal fight for "Rat Mountain."

As Dane listens to Jack's story, experiencing his hellish battlefield encounters and tremendous loss, he witnesses Jack's undaunted outlook on life and discovers newfound maturity in himself.

Cherry Blossoms in Winter is a masterful blend of historical fiction, multi-cultural romance, and military adventure, exploring the bonds of brotherhood, the harsh realities of war, and the enduring power of love, highlighting the unyielding strength of the human spirit.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 259

Word Count: 82,000

Pennies from Vietnam: A Sister at home, a Brother at war by Tracy Smith and Larry Smith (deceased)

MWSA Review

Pennies from Vietnam is the story of seventeen-year-old Larry Smith who joined the U.S. Army to serve his country and to help himself grow up. He achieved both goals, but at great personal cost. His story is told by his little sister Tracy Smith, who was three and four years old during his eighteen months in the Vietnam War. He served as a crew chief on attack helicopters from 1967 to 1969, the height of U.S. involvement, so his story is one of combat, bravery, and self-sacrifice.

But this story is about more than that. It's about the effects of the war on his family at home, how his absence was felt, and how his family dealt with it from day to day. Larry wrote ninety-nine letters in total. These form the structure of his story in his own words, but his sister Tracy Smith expanded on these through tireless research to provide a nearly complete narrative of his Vietnam service and beyond. The book is recommended for those interested in the Vietnam War and for those who want to learn the largely untold story of how that confusing war affected servicemen's families who struggled to make sense of it in neighborhoods across America.

Review by Jamie Thompson (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

“It didn’t matter that we were in New Jersey in 1967 and 1968. Vietnam invaded us all.”

In this family story, over 70 letters from one homesick soldier tell the truth and trauma of a teenager in combat. When Larry Smith enlisted, he promised to send pennies for his little sister Tracy in his letters, and promised his mother to return home safely. But as Tracy started kindergarten and learned of war from the family television, Larry turned 19, battles intensified and his letters darkened. His promises were harder to keep.

For 12 months as a 1st Cavalry Crew Chief during the height of the war, Larry writes home with tales from his latest mission on his Huey helicopter ("I never had a new car, but I do have a '67 UH-1C"). Larry grows from a naive boy ("War is hell but the girls over here sure are nice") into a hardened man. He is silenced by the end of his tour of duty, and letters stop arriving.

Decades after the war, as her brother lay in a coma, Tracy Smith began to study the old letters, and found a boy she didn’t recognize. After years of research and finding her brother’s Army friends, she is honoring him in this bittersweet story of love in the middle of war. Pennies from Vietnam: A Sister at Home, a Brother at War is a parallel memoir, offering a unique dual perspective. Larry speaks for every soldier, and Tracy speaks for those left behind, waiting for answers.

Pennies from Vietnam makes a case for generational trauma: children don’t belong in combat, nor should they watch it unfold on television.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 229

Word Count: 80,000

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Best Year of Our Lives by Robert Lofthouse

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MWSA Review

The Best Year of our Lives is the story of a small high school’s quest for the 2015 Pennsylvania football championship. The team, Saucon Valley Panthers, was only moderately successful in the past and were rarely considered a threat within its own district.

The author, Robert Lofthouse, takes the reader through each of the games of that season, highlighting the significant plays, the players, and the community support. Unique to this football tale is the emphasis on the community’s involvement from the players’ families to the local townspeople, who rallied to the team games and events.

Insights into the team members and their families during that season and after added depth to the story. Additionally, an account of the head coach’s mental struggles was very moving.

The author was the statistician for the team during that season. He was able to provide accurate details about the team and the events of that year. Included in the book are numerous excerpts from local newspapers as they followed the growing success of the team. Numerous photographs of game plays, players, and families provide a more intimate look at the events and characters in the book.

This book will appeal to anyone who is interested in high school football or someone who is familiar with the Saucon Valley area of Pennsylvania.

Review by Walter Walkow (March 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Saucon Valley High School, a small school in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, wasn't historically known as a football powerhouse. Having to rely on homegrown talent, they'd often lose out to bigger schools with larger recruiting bases. But 2015 would prove to be different. Digging deep and pounding out their final year as Saucon Valley Panthers, cocaptains Zach Thatcher, Evan Culver, Mike Kane, Christian Carvis and their teammates embarked on a quest for a Pennsylvania state football championship that would defy the odds. Fielding the school's best team in decades, Head Coach Matt Evancho brought a group of determined young men together for a journey none of them will every forget. With local roots but universal appeal, The Best Year of Our Lives uses recent interviews, personal stories, and media accounts from the time to paint the picture of everything the players, coaches and local community experienced that storied year - the unity, the disappointments and the triumphs.

Format(s) for review: Paper only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 228

Word Count: 58,859

Two Stitches and a Patch by Dr. Terry Megli and Robert Lofthouse

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MWSA Review

Two Stitches and a Patch by Dr. Terry Megli and Robert Lofthouse offers a Christian faith-based approach to navigating the deep and often overwhelming journey of grief. The book is rooted in biblical teachings and aims to provide believers with a roadmap for managing grief and suffering, using God's divine plan as a foundation for healing. Through a thoughtful exploration of grief, the authors guide the reader to understand how faith can offer restoration, peace, and hope.

Drawing from the Bible, the book highlights the stories of individuals who endured immense pain from grief, with particular focus on the life of Job, whose story in the Old Testament is used as a lens to explore the complex relationship between suffering and faith. The authors present grief as an inevitable part of life, but one that can be endured with faith in God's ultimate plan of restoration.

The structure of the book revolves around seven "Movements" designed to help the reader cope with end-of-life grief. These movements provide a framework for understanding the emotional and spiritual stages of grief, with each section offering valuable insights and reflections. The emphasis is on accepting suffering as part of God's plan and trusting in His promise to restore peace in the midst of pain.

Two Stitches and a Patch could be a valuable resource for those seeking to navigate the emotional and spiritual complexities of grief. The unique blend of biblical wisdom and original metaphors offers readers a faith-based perspective on healing. However, some of the more abstract concepts may be difficult to fully grasp without additional explanation, and the best use of the book may be in a group or instructional setting, with a teacher or leader to help clarify the more complex theological ideas. Overall, this book will be a helpful companion for those who wish to find solace and strength in their Christian faith during times of loss.

Review by Frank Taylor (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

We are witnessing a crisis in the Christian community of unresolved grief and pain. Not acknowledging the truth of death holds us back from fully enjoying the divine gifts of hope and happiness. If anyone can model the ability to live with joy after life's struggles, it's Job. Two Stitches and a Patch builds on the seven movements of Job's restored happiness while filling in the pieces of the divine action physics that lead to life after death. Build confidence by leaning in and listening to those who are at the end of life, and reboot your life in the embrace of the changes that create a life well lived.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 109

Word Count: 25,304

The Master Chief's Sea Stories: Volume I USS Manitowoc (LST 1180) by Johnny J Moye

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MWSA Review

In his book The Master Chief's Sea Stories, Vol 1, Master Chief Johnny J. Moye, USN retired, has given us a large dose of career and leadership advice captured inside a memoir focused on his first four years in the Navy. Chief Moye kept a daily journal while at sea. Now, retired from the U.S. Navy, the author has taken a look back at that journal and has elaborated on what he wrote. He does so in the same day by day fashion.

At first, I found it an interesting way to write a memoir. However, as I got into the book, I realized the author was commenting on what was in the journal in a way that points out the lessons he learned as a young man from those experiences. He also explains how the lessons he learned affected his own leadership style later on. The book is a long one and not the fastest read I've picked up, but by the time I finished it I had developed a great respect for the lessons that were in it.

Review by Bob Doerr (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Everyone loves a good story…try a thousand! Master Chief Moye masterfully shares his memories of the events that inspired his transition from a timid boy from the hills of southern Indiana into a battle-ready Cold War sailor aboard one of the U.S. Navy’s most battle-efficient ships.

For millennia, sailors have told stories of the sea. Moye’s stories are an autobiographical account based on comprehensive journals he maintained while aboard the USS Manitowoc. This factual account details experiences ranging from tragic to euphoric…sometimes on the same day.

This recounting shares not only the master chief’s life but the lives of his shipmates, capturing an unmatched historical rendering of Navy life in a bygone era. This book is required reading for anyone interested in the Navy, personal growth, happiness, failure, and success. Those stories are all here.

This is the first of a series of books telling the Master Chief’s Sea Stories that detail his 27-year U.S. Navy career during a time when much was expected and accepted.

Hey—listen to this one, it’s a no-shitter.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 520

Word Count: 179223

Putin's Interpreter by Ward R. Anderson

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MWSA Review

Ward Anderson’s Putin's Interpreter blurs the line between fact and fiction by featuring characters with the names of current political figures. This intriguing premise invites the reader to ponder: What if the secret conversations between two political opponents were actually plots to further their own power? Dmitri Petrov, a fictional character, claims to have recorded these clandestine discussions between Putin and Trump, and he offers to hand them over to the CIA in exchange for political asylum. This sets the stage for a thrilling narrative that challenges the boundaries between truth and fiction.

The story begins with Foreign Services Officer Gavin Benson’s daring plan to extract Petrov and his family from Russia. Benson’s longtime friend, retired Navy captain Nick Lawrence, initially dismisses the idea. However, the insurrection of January 6, 2021, heightens security concerns, prompting Lawrence to reconsider. This sets the stage for Operation Blue Skylark, a suspenseful mission that underscores the integrity and expertise of military personnel. Petrov embodies the tension between duty and survival. His interactions with Benson reveal the complexities of loyalty and the moral dilemmas of those in power.

The author intertwines historical and geographical contexts to bridge the past and present. The skillful dialogue between Russian and U.S. family members highlights how the actions of those in power directly affect the lives of ordinary people. A poignant example is when Dmitri’s son, Genrich, is ordered to steal helicopter engine drawings from Ukraine’s Motor Sich plant and relocate his factory to Russia. His wife, a speed skater disillusioned by blood doping during the Sochi Olympics, questions the morality of the act. Genrich’s response, “Motor Sich steals from Dassault Aviation in France. The Russians steal from Boeing in the U.S. It’s nothing new,” underscores the pervasive nature of ethical compromises in the pursuit of power. As our world teeters between authoritarianism and liberalism, the novel prompts deep reflection on the impact of political actions on individual lives.

Review by Janette Stone (February 2025) 

Author's Synopsis

Author's Synopsis: An alternate history of the election interference of 2020, Anderson's second literary fiction about Ukraine is a political thriller that mixes real world and fictional events. A writing style akin to Phillip Rucker, Anderson's protagonists, a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot and a Foreign Service Officer, delve into secret meetings between Presidents Putin and Trump at summits, intent to learn of any duplicity by Trump regarding Ukraine. When Putin's longtime interpreter, Dmitri Petrov, hints at his defection, a plan is set in motion to convince candidate Biden, if elected, to approve Petrov's escape. Anderson takes us from Annapolis, Maryland to Washington D.C., to Moscow, and Latvia, where the CIA is to deliver Petrov. After hours of tension and disappointment, Petrov delivers a digital recording of Putin and Trump discussing how to undermine Ukraine. The revelations are so consequential that President Biden delivers an urgent letter for Senator Leahy to read before he calls for the Senate vote at Trump's second impeachment trial.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 157

Word Count: 48,380

Issued: stories of service (issue two) by Rosemarie Dombrowski. PhD, Founding Editor of ISSUED: stories of service

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MWSA Review

Issued: Stories of Service, Volume 2, is a moving book with a diverse collection of prose, poems, interviews, and artwork. Sponsored by the Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement at Arizona State University and edited by a group of six, this collection weaves together the written perspectives of a group of veterans and family members throughout the United States.

This collection provides a glimpse into what it means to serve one’s country—from the perspective of those who served as well as their family members and caregivers. Within these pages, you’ll find a wide variety of emotions. Some pieces are humorous, while others are gut-wrenchingly personal. Fear, camaraderie, loss, and resilience are all explored. The searing honesty of these narratives is both moving and enlightening.

I recommend Issued to those who are interested in hearing the authentic voices of our nation’s veterans or family members.

Review by Jim Tritten (February 2025) 

Author's Synopsis

Launched in May 2023 with sponsorship from the Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement at Arizona State University, ISSUED is an annual literary journal that showcases the stories of active-duty, veterans, and their family members—specifically, poetry and flash prose that expresses the spectrum of experiences within military life, including gender and sexuality, BIPOC voices, physical and mental health, combat, enlisting and separating, family and relationships, and reintegration into society.

Because we pride ourselves on both our national readership and community ethos, ISSUED also features profiles of veterans who are doing extraordinary work in their communities, whether it be through the arts, education, mental health, or advocacy. In other words, we’re a journal with a broad military-affiliated audience, not just a strictly literary one.

At ISSUED, we also believe in the healing power of narrative medicine, and according to studies, when veterans read or write about service, they have better health outcomes. Thus, we hope that ISSUED will serve as a resource for veterans’ writing circles, discussion groups, treks, etc., i.e. be used to facilitate a heathier veteran community.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Anthology/Collection

Number of Pages: 114

Word Count: 21120

[Not available on Amazon]

Government in the Gospels: Daily Reflections for Government Officials by Rev. Jonathan M. Craig

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MWSA Review

Government in the Gospels: Daily Reflections for Government Officials by Rev. Jonathan M. Craig is a refreshing and insightful 55-day devotional crafted specifically for elected officials and staffers navigating the complexities of public service. As the Florida Legislature chaplain, Craig brings a unique perspective, blending his deep understanding of Scripture with his real-world experience ministering to those in government. The result is a thoughtful, practical, and uplifting guide that speaks directly to the challenges and responsibilities faced by those in public office.

Each of the 55 daily devotionals is rooted in the teachings of the Gospels, offering a concise yet profound reflection on how Jesus’s words and actions can inform and inspire modern governance. Craig’s writing is clear and engaging, making biblical principles accessible without feeling preachy or detached from the realities of political life. Whether it’s a meditation on servant leadership, justice, or compassion, each entry feels relevant and timely, encouraging readers to consider how their faith can shape their decisions and interactions.

What sets this devotional apart is its intentional design for small group discussion. Every day concludes with a handful of questions that invite deeper reflection and conversation. These prompts are perfect for staff meetings, prayer breakfasts, or informal gatherings of colleagues, fostering meaningful dialogue about applying Gospel values in the public square. They’re thought-provoking without being overly complex, striking just the right balance for busy professionals.

Craig’s heart for those serving in government shines through every page. His tone is encouraging and empathetic, recognizing the weight of leadership while offering hope and wisdom drawn from Christ’s example. Government in the Gospels is a gem for elected officials and staffers seeking to align their work with their faith—or for anyone interested in how the Gospel intersects with governance. It’s a compact, powerful resource that leaves you refreshed and equipped, day after day. Highly recommended!

Review by Shawn R. Frost (March 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Do the Gospels have anything to do with government? The short answer is, "Yes!" In fact, the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are more connected to government than might be expected. Through 55 daily devotionals Government in the Gospels examines every passage in the Gospels directly related to government by inviting the reader to thoughtfully interact with the biblical text, to reflect on questions designed to engage the soul, and to pray according to each daily theme. May the Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage the faith of those who serve in public office as they encounter the word of God and rejoice in his promises which are "Yes!" and "Amen!" in Jesus Christ.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 119

Word Count: 32,320

Heroic Measures by Joel Shulkin, MD

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MWSA Review
If you are looking for a medical sci-fi technothriller to read, look no further than Heroic Measures, Book 1 of the Death Benefits series, by Joel Shulkin, MD. Shulkin has crafted a roller coaster ride of a thriller.

Stephen Englehart is a top Armed Forces medical examiner, whose goal in life is to help bring peace to families of the fallen. But during a not-quite-routine, combat-death autopsy, he stumbles onto a mystery when the photos of the body and rank of the servicemember don’t match the physical remains on his autopsy table. During the procedure, the supposedly dead marine wakes up and creates havoc in the morgue. Englehart refuses to let the misidentification mystery rest and pursues what looks like a military conspiracy.

Just when I thought I knew who the good guys were, the author flipped the script, keeping me in suspense to the end. Characters were believable, and the medical sci-fi aspects were explained with enough techy-talk to make them plausible. The surprises just kept coming. There is a bit of a Captain America comic book feel to the book, and the author explains that very well.

Review by Betsy Beard (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Stephen Englehart, an Armed Forces medical examiner. dedicates his life to bringing peace to the families of fallen soldiers. Tagged as one of the best, he’s able to spot forensic clues others miss. But when the body of a US Marine, supposedly burned beyond recognition, shows up with hardly a scratch, even Stephen is stumped. Were the bodies switched? Then, in the middle of the autopsy, the impossible happens.

The soldier wakes up.

Something incredible—and dangerous—is happening to the military’s elite, and Stephen may be the only one who can figure it out. And when Stephen’s sister, a Green Beret, goes missing, the entire military machine seems designed to stop him from finding her. To find the truth and save his sister, one man must stand against an army. Can he be the hero he never thought he could?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 380

Word Count: 87000