Thursday, February 28, 2019

Review: Hope in the Shadows of War

Hope in the Shadows of War Hope in the Shadows of War by Thomas Paul Reilly
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

Author Thomas Paul Reilly has penned an interesting story in his book Hope in the Shadows of War. Reilly’s protagonist, Timothy, has arrived home from Vietnam where he suffered a severe leg injury and lost a close friend to combat. In addition to his leg injury, the memories of his last battle, during which he was injured and his good friend was killed in a chopper crash trying to rescue him, haunt his dreams almost daily. Trying to get a college degree while working two part-time jobs is hard enough, but pile on an unreliable car and a mother to care for, and Timothy’s future looks bleak.

On the positive side, Timothy has a devoted girlfriend, a close friend whom he served with in Vietnam, and a wise old man who enters his life briefly, all trying to keep him moving in the right direction. The struggle is all too real, and the outcome in constant flux. Author Thomas Reilly has created an internal struggle of hope and despair that catches a reader’s attention and emotions. I recommend this book.

Review by Bob Doerr (February 2019)

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Review: A Distant Field: A Novel of World War I

A Distant Field: A Novel of World War I A Distant Field: A Novel of World War I by R.J. MacDonald
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

Living through the hell: bullets, bayonets and artillery

From the sinking of the Lusitania to the battlefield cauldron of Gallipoli, RJ MacDonald weaves an action-packed story that leaves the reader breathless. Meticulously researched, the author traces the lives of two brothers from the moment the Lusitania is struck by a torpedo in 1915 to their dramatic rescue at sea off the coast of Ireland by four teenage O’Connell friends who rowed eleven miles to help survivors to the hell of World War I.

The brothers are Scots-Americans—Stuart and Ross McReynolds—bent on getting revenge from the Germans who killed their parents, enlisting in the British Army along with the O’Connells. After a week of basic training, mostly in sharpshooting, their small unit leaves for France but the trip is interrupted by the worst rail disaster in Great Britain’s history. Hospitalized by injuries from the train wreck, they missed the boat to France, but are shipped instead to Gallipoli, a battle in faraway Turkey that is not going well for the Allies. Crammed on a small peninsula, the boys join waves of brave soldiers rushing to the jaws of murderous machine guns, the rain of deadly artillery shells, the stench of rotting corpses, and inept field commanders who send thousands to their deaths.

The author brings to life the horror of trench warfare, of devastating artillery barrages that wipe out brigades charging on open ground, of the life and death struggle of hand-to-hand combat, of the thirst and constant hunger, of the heat and flies, of seeing your friends killed and wounded without being able to help them. In vivid detail, MacDonald tells the story of a section of the Seaford Highlanders and their relationships with the Royal Scots, the Scottish Rifle Brigade, the 52th Lowland Division, and the French, Australian, and New Zealander divisions, all suffering horrific casualties in one of the bloodiest and least successful campaigns of the First World War.

A Distant Field is not for the squeamish, but there are tender moments as Stuart and Ross meet young ladies who pine for them after they leave Scotland. The attention to detail of time and places, coupled with an intimate understanding of soldiers in combat, makes me wait anxiously for its promised sequel.

Review by Joe Epley (February 2019)

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Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Review: Invisible Hero: Two Boys and an Exciting Tale of Honor and Valor

Invisible Hero: Two Boys and an Exciting Tale of Honor and Valor Invisible Hero: Two Boys and an Exciting Tale of Honor and Valor by R.A. Sheats
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

One world war and two heroes—one of whom is “invisible”—are the main ingredients of this incredibly moving and worthwhile story.

To find out who is invisible and why, you’ll have to read R. A. Sheats’s Invisible Hero. One thing is sure: the reader will be very glad they got to know childhood friends Ernest “Boots” Thomas and Jim Sledge. Invisible Hero begins with a poignant description of the upbringing and early lives of these two members of the “greatest generation.”

After covering the young boys’ early days in the small town of Monticello, Florida, almost everything changes in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. From this point on, the action centers on Boots’s initial training and his follow-on assignment as a Marine drill instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina. Young Boots immediately takes charge and impresses both his immediate superiors and the men he’s training and preparing for combat service in the now-raging battles of the Pacific Theater.

After training several classes of new Marines, the young leader finally gets his wish and is assigned to a combat unit. Boots would get his first taste of battle during the incredibly fierce fighting on Iwo Jima in February of 1945. The author’s descriptions of battle are detailed, riveting, and moving. Although Boots is involved in the iconic raising of the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi, that episode is not the main thrust of the story. Instead, we learn of a young man’s dedication and incredible bravery in the face of a determined and lethal enemy.

Although geared to the young adult audience, all ages will appreciate this story. Only a few technical problems detracted from this memorable portrait of two American heroes.

Review by John Cathcart (February 2019)

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Review: Fighting Cavaliers: The F-105 History of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron 1963 - 1967

Fighting Cavaliers: The F-105 History of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron 1963 - 1967 Fighting Cavaliers: The F-105 History of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron 1963 - 1967 by Mr. W. Howard Plunkett
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

The history book Fighting Cavaliers shines a light on the story of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, assigned to fly the F-105 Thunderchief in the 1960s. Written by W. Howard Plunkett and Jeff Kolln, two Air Force veterans who have clearly done extensive research on the topic, Fighting Cavaliers details the stories of the pilots who had been training to help bring peace in the Cold War, but instead found themselves playing a significant role in the Vietnam War. The book offers plenty of additional information (in the form of an appendix and supporting documents) that give readers a detailed account of the squadron's mission in Vietnam. Moreover, the addition of photographs of military members who participated in the mission helps readers visualize the events that are described in the main text.

Although the story is certainly worth learning about, the book presents editing mechanical errors, design, and accuracy issues that, had they been avoided, would have allowed the already interesting story to truly shine through. Although Fighting Cavaliers does not present conventional footnotes that a history book would be expected to offer its readers, it does offer a detailed section titled "Notes on Sources," which the authors included at the end of the book. To conclude, the passion and commitment the authors felt toward the topic certainly came through, and they should be proud of their effort in bringing this important story to light.

Review by Brunella Costagliola (February 2019)

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Review: Deliberate Deception

Deliberate Deception Deliberate Deception by Joe Porrazzo
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

“Wow, I never saw that coming.” Just when I thought I was figuring things out, a plot twist hit me – not once, but over and over. Deliberate Deception is an apt title.

Joe Porrazzo knows how to draw the reader into the story and never let go until the last page. Even then, questions arise to pique one’s interest for the forthcoming third book in the Alex Porter Trilogy.

The author stirs politics, crime, greed, and love into the pot and delivers a good read. Good versus evil seems a clear concept until it becomes muddied. Porrazzo gives us an outstanding portrayal of one man’s reaction to morality, immorality, and amorality. Can the lines really blur, or is a clear-cut answer always the right one?

Can love flourish amid deception? Can the sins of the past be forgiven? Alex Porter wrestles with these questions as he races against the clock to stop an unknown killer from an unspecified crime.

The action in Deliberate Deception is non-stop, the dialogue is crisp, and the characters are realistic. It’s the kind of story that leaves the reader wondering what he would have done.

Review by Pat Avery (February 2019)

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Monday, February 25, 2019

Review: Deliberate Deception

Deliberate Deception Deliberate Deception by Joe Porrazzo
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

“Wow, I never saw that coming.” Just when I thought I was figuring things out, a plot twist hit me – not once, but over and over. Deliberate Deception is an apt title.

Joe Porrazzo knows how to draw the reader into the story and never let go until the last page. Even then, questions arise to pique one’s interest for the forthcoming third book. in the Alex Porter Trilogy.

The author stirs politics, crime, greed, and love into the pot and delivers a good read. Good versus evil seems a clear concept until it becomes muddied. Porrazzo gives us an outstanding portrayal of one man’s reaction to morality, immorality, and amorality. Can the lines really blur, or is a clear-cut answer always the right one.

Can love flourish amid deception? Can the sins of the past be forgiven? Alex Porter wrestles with these questions as he races against the clock to stop an unknown killer from an unspecified crime.

The action in Deliberate Deception is non-stop, the dialogue is crisp, and the characters are realistic. It’s the kind of story that leaves the reader wondering what he would have done.

Review by Pat Avery (February 2019)

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Review: Daddy Left with Mr. Army: A Child's View of Military Deployment

Daddy Left with Mr. Army: A Child's View of Military Deployment Daddy Left with Mr. Army: A Child's View of Military Deployment by Chandelle Walker
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

In her book, Daddy Left with Mr. Army: A Child’s View of Military Deployment, military spouse and author Chandelle Walker has created a powerful tool for military families. Although specifically targeted to those wearing Mr. Army’s green, the book will appeal to military families of all service branches—helping them cope with the stress of military life in general and deployment in particular.The US military has participated in frequent and lengthy overseas deployments for decades now. The media often focus on the war-fighting aspects of these activities, but overlook the impact on our military families. These deployments cause stress for those left behind—and military children are especially vulnerable. The book includes short rhyming passages suitable for young children dealing with different aspects of deployment. Each facing page includes colorful and moving illustrations by Joshua Allen, which help tie together the various issues and emotions brought out as the story progresses.The author includes a page of helpful suggestions for activities to help families—and especially children—deal with the tremendous challenges associated with having a military parent deployed. I recommend this book for military families with elementary to middle school-aged children.

Review by John Cathcart (February 2019)

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Review: Ghosts of Fallujah

Ghosts of Fallujah Ghosts of Fallujah by Coley D Tyler
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

MWSA Review Pending

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Monday, February 18, 2019

Review: The Court-Martial of Corporal Nutting: A Memoir of the Vietnam War

The Court-Martial of Corporal Nutting: A Memoir of the Vietnam War The Court-Martial of Corporal Nutting: A Memoir of the Vietnam War by John R. Nutting
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

A profoundly moving story that vividly captures a view of American history through the reflective mind of a 19-year-old Vietnam Marine who heroically fought the tragic war. The aging author once left a small town and patriotic family to almost instantly enter a gigantic and chaotic struggle for survival. He trudges through each day of unimaginable carnage. John Nutting later returns home again -- forever altered by the graphic horrors experienced. Nutting ties in personal images of fellow Marines, the sixties culture, and family in this page-turning recollection of events that will capture the reader. Pictures effectively portray the book's content.

The author uses an easy-to-read style to describe scenes from the unfathomable to the humorous. His script helped me feel what it was like to laugh with a friend and a few minutes later be gathering his body parts up in a body bag while still under fire... or to fall in love in a foreign land and leave without closure to catch your flight back to the other side of earth. Nutting describes his experimentation with marijuana, after entering the Marines.

Back stateside, he gets caught with a joint and describes a breathtaking court martial. With it all in the rear view mirror, the author dedicates this story to his family or it might have been forgotten. The result is an incredibly well-written blend of thoughts remembered forever. His endless bloody fights in Vietnam, the confusion of this war, many dead and living friends, and his own two medevacs due to malaria and shrapnel injury are brought into colorful focus. I left impressed by the author's ability to perfectly depict a tormented but functioning mind, weary of war. I give this book my highest recommendation for ANY audience!

Review by Hodge Wood (February 2019)

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Sunday, February 3, 2019

Review: The Motive

The Motive The Motive by Joseph Badal
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

"The Motive" introduces a new character, Dr. Matthew Curtis an orthopedic surgeon with a background in special forces. His main antagonist is a wily and street smart Hawaiian who manages to keep more than one step ahead of the law.

Matt flies to Hawaii upon learning of the death of his sister, to whom he was very close. He does not believe she committed suicide as the main investigator believes. Meeting his sister's friends and colleagues takes him into various parts of the islands including an important flight to Kauai. When he realizes that his sister's best friend Renee may be in danger, he calls on former special forces comrades who come equipped to defend Matt and Renee, for whom he has a special attraction.

A complicated web of crime in this tropical paradise with some international players creates a fast-moving thriller with many twists in the story. Who can be trusted? Who is in charge? And who does that crime boss own? It's hard to put this book down, and the end leaves you wanting the next book in the series.

MWSA Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2019)

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Review: Bubbleheads

Bubbleheads Bubbleheads by Steven Brock
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

MWSA Review Pending

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Review: At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse

At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse by Walt Larimore My rating: 0 o...