Book Review: The Frequency by Randall D. St. Claire

The Frequency by Randall D. St. Claire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Atmospheric noir and non-stop action!

The Frequency by Randall D. St. Claire is a riveting new mystery that blends memorable characters, an intriguing storyline, and atmospheric settings with effective, timely suspense and non-stop action. I was immediately invested in Bronx Rousselle’s story, and it proved to be one that kept me glued to his narrative way past any reasonable bedtime.

The main character is minding his own business when Heather Li enters his store, her drugged-up brother in tow, along with a box of Inuit artifacts that originally belonged to their great-grandfather. An RN, Heather has liberated George from the mental institution where she’d gotten herself hired in preparation for this very thing. They now need to leave town quick, fast, and in a hurry before whoever is behind George’s committal catches up with them and the mysterious maps and papers with the artifacts. She’d found that Bronx was the man to make that happen, and the box of valuables was what she wanted to use as payment.

Bronx is intrigued as the artifacts prove to be the real deal and the accompanying papers evoke a mysterious dread in the cultural expert he consults. His interest deepens when the fleeing pair quickly become “persons of interest” with the local beat cop, and his shop comes under the menacing nighttime scrutiny of mysterious, unidentified law enforcement types. He becomes irrevocably involved when bullets start flying, and bodies start dropping, and Bronx is in for a journey that stretches from small-town Minnesota to Texas to above the Arctic Circle.

Bronx is a pawnshop owner in the small town of Warroad, Minnesota, and a bit of a figure of renown among hockey fans, having played semi-professionally earlier in his lifetime, and with the local gendarmes for skirting the boundaries of what’s legal in his business dealings. He runs his business ruthlessly and views his clients with a jaundiced eye. Yet, he has acquired a low-key reputation as a “fixer,” which is what brought Heather Li, George Tikaani, and his box of Inuit artifacts his way. Bronx’s opening vibe is the classic noir protagonist, and I was there for it all the way. His ensuing adventures undeniably affect him, as the wonderful epilogue shows.

The plot gains traction quickly, and the suspense builds as Bronx investigates what’s in the box and why someone is so deadly interested in getting their hands on it. The story unfolds like a film with the author’s evocative descriptions of the places Bronx journeys to so vividly you’ll feel like you are on the scene with the characters. For example, early in the story, I could almost smell the dumpster detritus knocked about as Heather and George made their first furtive moves to safety. Yes, ugh, but even this little bit was perfect imagery.

I recommend THE FREQUENCY to readers of suspense, mystery, and thrillers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

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Book Review: Pintsized Pioneers at Play: Homemade Frontier Fun and Danger by Preston Lewis & Harriet Kocher Lewis

Pintsized Pioneers at Play: Homemade Frontier Fun and Danger by Preston Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fresh and fascinating vision of pioneer life.

Pintsized Pioneers at Play: Homemade Fun and Danger by Preston Lewis and Harriet Kocher Lewis is a fun but eye-opening, memory-jogging journey into the past of the American West. Full of lively vignettes drawn from personal diaries, memoirs, and newspaper accounts of daily life as pioneers expanded their reach into the unsettled areas of the country, readers will get a real feel for what it was like to grow up in that earlier place and time. Lewis and Lewis have perfectly combined their respective knowledge, skills, and pasts to produce a fascinating nonfictional vision of this aspect of children’s lives.

If you’ve read the previous book about children on the frontier, Pintsized Pioneers, you’ll already be aware of how much responsibility for the success of their families lay on the shoulders of even some of the youngest children. Money was hard-won, and almost everyone lived “off the beaten path,” so running to the store for toys was not an option. First, there weren’t stores on every corner, certainly not malls, and few had any amount of disposable income. Making do with what you had was key. Playtime came after chores, or as part of them, and school was as much a social event as it was educational (something we all realized when COVID isolated so many youngsters from their peers).

While our ancestors led a more basic, structured life, they also enjoyed a freedom unheard of in today’s society. Children roamed far from home in remote locations under rugged conditions, all unsupervised: a glorious opportunity, but, at times, things happened. Children were lost, injured, or worse. The newspaper reports of lost and missing children and various mishaps occurring in the small towns were a reminder of this. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the accounts of childhood activities, straight from the mouths of those recalling their youth. I loved that there were names and places associated with each precious memory, and that some of those stories came from well-known figures, such as Eliza Donner, a survivor of the tragic Donner Party expedition.

The narrative is compelling and easy to read, one of those books you start and look up an hour or so later without realizing how much time has actually passed. Also, if you’re interested in early childhood development, be sure to read the introduction to understand how children mature and how their awareness of the ramifications of their actions changes. It might be a sobering realization of how lucky any of these children are to have survived, or of how vigilant their parents had to be while physically making a life for the entire family.

I recommend PINTSIZED PIONEERS AT PLAY to readers, young or old, of tales of the Old West.

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Blog Tour: WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR of Idaho Madams by Milana Marsenich

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

of

Idaho Madams

by

Milana Marsenich

Non-Fiction / History / Local Interest
Prostitution / Sex Trade
Publisher: Farcountry Press
Publication Date: March 3, 2023
Page count: 160 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Fur, silver, and gold first lured men to Idaho Territory. Women soon followed. And what women they were! Molly B'Damn, Peg Leg Annie, Spanish Belle, Lou Beevers, Diamond Tooth Lil—the names alone promised excitement and intrigue.

In fact, these madams led complex, turbulent lives. Meet Maggie Hall, a devout Catholic whose husband used her to pay off his gambling debts. Working as a prostitute, Maggie made her way west and, as Molly B'Damn, became the guardian angel of an Idaho mining camp. Or Annie McIntyre, a young girl among the prospectors and ne'er do wells of Rocky Bar who amassed a small fortune as the local madam only to lose it all—along with both her legs.

Idaho Madams uncovers the enigmatic and salacious lives of 30 women who ran brothels in the Gem State from the 1850s to the 1980s. Here are the hedonistic and sometimes heroic exploits of Effie Rogan, Jennie Girard, Nettie Bowen, Ginger Murphy, Dixie Colton, and Dot Allen, but also the unsung sagas of Carrie Young, Grace Freeman, Willow Herman, Hattie Carlton, and many more. As told by author Milana Marsenich, the stories of these women come alive with voluptuous detail, historical photographs, and the social context of the times.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award winning author, Milana Marsenich lives in Northwest Montana near Flathead Lake at the base of the beautiful Mission Mountains. She enjoys quick access to the mountains and has spent many hours hiking the wilderness trails with friends and dogs. For the past 20 years she has worked as a mental health therapist in a variety of settings. As a natural listener and a therapist, she has witnessed amazing generosity and courage in others. She first witnessed this in her hometown of Butte, Montana, a mining town with a rich history and the setting for Copper Sky, her first novel.

Copper Sky was chosen as a Spur Award finalist for Best Western Historical Novel in 2018. Her second novel, The Swan Keeper, was a Willa Award finalist in 2019. Her short story, Wild Dogs, won the Laura Award for short fiction in 2020.

She has an M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. She has previously published in Montana Quarterly, Big Sky Journal, The Polishing Stone, The Moronic Ox, BookGlow, and Feminist Studies. She has four published novels, Copper Sky, The Swan Keeper, Beautiful Ghost, and Shed Girl, and one popular history book, Idaho Madams. Her popular history book, Mary MacLane: Butte’s Wild Woman and her Wooden Heart, will be out sometime in 2025.

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REVIEW:

5 stars!

Fascinating look into prostitution and the madams of Idaho, the 1800s-1990s. 

Idaho Madams by Milana Marsenich is a fascinating exploration of madams and prostitution in Idaho from the 1800s through the 1990s. While the topic may bring up salacious speculation, the author has created a well-researched, factual, and respectful presentation of the topic and its long history in the state. 

The discussion is organized around the towns where the author uncovered enough source material to build a comprehensive picture of the women who operated brothels or similar businesses within that particular location and under what circumstances, such as the economic conditions and vacillating public opinion. Several well-known madams (approximately 30) are highlighted along the way, and their stories are nothing less than mesmerizing. Their lives, many of which are stranger than fiction, have been reconstructed from public records, newspaper accounts, and previous academic works on the topic. 

Hats off to the author, a confessed novice researcher, for her incredible diligence and the results of her seat-of-the-pants/thrown-to-the-wolves introduction to research methodology and sourcing primary documentation that she absolutely killed. I appreciate how the author delivered the stories unvarnished without romanticizing this incredibly tough way of life and doing it in such a compelling manner, making these women and their history come to life. 

I recommend IDAHO MADAMS to nonfiction readers with an interest in Idaho history, frontier life, madams, or prostitution.

BLOG TOUR CALENDAR:

November 18th @ The Muffin - Join us as we celebrate the launch of Milana Marsenich's Idaho Madams. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.

November 20th @ A Storybook World - Learn about Researching History from writer Milana Marsenich.

November 22nd @ Musings of a Literary Wanderer - Angela is celebrating Non-Fiction November with a review of Idaho Madams by Milana Marsenich.

November 23rd @ A Wonderful World of Words - Author Milana Marsenich transports us to the Wild West with the story of Mary MacLane, Butte’s Wild Woman. Also, enjoy an excerpt from her latest book, Idaho Madams.

November 25th @ Choices - Author Milana Marsenich visits with a guest post about The Town as Character.

November 27th @ Reading Is My Remedy - Read a review of Milana Marsenich's nonfiction book, Idaho Madams.

November 28th @ The Faerie Review - Lily is reviewing Idaho Madams, a nonfiction history of the shady side of the Wild West.

November 29th @ Candid Canine - Today's guest post by Milana Marsenich features Auditor, the Mining Dog.

November 30th @ Nikki's Book Reviews - Nikki is reviewing Idaho Madams and hosting author Milana Marsenich with a guest post about Keeping the Perspective within the Heart and Mind of the Character.

December 5th @ Tracey Lampley - Read about the Brothel Freeze Framed in 1991 when author Milana Marsenich, author of Idaho Madams, visits today.

December 7th @ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read - Don't miss the review is of the non-fiction history, Idaho Madams, by Milana Marsenich.

December 9th @ Chapter Break - Author Milana Marsenich tells the tale of the 1912 Speculator Mine Disaster.

December 11th @ Reading Is My Remedy - Today's guest post by Milana Marsenich is about The Character of Wallace, Idaho.

December 12th @ Some Thoughts - Everything Creativity - Writer Milana Marsenich addresses the ghostly aspects of a town or event in today's guest post.

December 13th @ StoreyBook Reviews - Get a peek at an excerpt of Milana Marsenich's book, Idaho Madams. She's also posting about Dogs and other Animals in Story Development.

December 14th @ Words by Webb - Head to the Wild West for a review of Idaho Madams.

Book Review: Richard Coke: Texan by Rosser Coke Newton, Sr.

Richard Coke: Texan by Rosser Newton Sr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brimming with the passion of the past and the parallels with the present.

Richard Coke: Texan is a new biographical account of the 15th governor of the state, following the tumultuous period of Reconstruction under the radical unionist Governor Edmund Davis and ushering in a 100-year-dynasty of Democratic leadership. Fascinating reading, complemented by snippets from contemporary periodicals, the author’s deep research and engaging writing style make his story compelling and relevant, revealing eerie parallels in our current political landscape.

One of my favorite elements is the breadth of quotations from a variety of original source documents. The language, while formal and reflective of the discourse of the times, is still often bitingly critical of the political figures, decisions, and events. I don’t remember seventh-grade Texas history class ever being this compelling.

I recommend RICHARD COKE: TEXAN to those interested in Texas history, especially during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.


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Children's Book Review: The Cats' Museum by Viviana Falleti

The Cats' Museum - Mom’s Choice Awards® Recipient! by Viviana Falleti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This based-on-the-truth story blossoms with colorful fantasy!

The Cats’ Museum by Viviana Falleti tells the history of the cats that have inhabited the famed Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, from the 18th century to the present. The cats were originally brought into the museum by Catherine the Great to combat a rampant rat problem, which they still do to this day. The initial recruits did such a good job their numbers eventually swelled to as many as 74, and staff was assigned to attend to their needs and daily maintenance, as well as weekly brushing and monthly health checks. Once a year, Catherine would provide an amazing feast for these small essential workers consisting of delicacies specifically chosen to please the feline palate. In 2005, the Hermitage Museum began holding the annual “Day of the Hermitage Cats” celebration. The areas in the museum where the cats reside are opened up, and the cats are allowed to mingle with the public. A cat-themed festival is held on the grounds for all to enjoy.

While relating this history, the author also whisks readers into an imaginative and whimsical behind-the-scenes look at the annual feline feast. What we have is a magical evening of food and fun, complete with a feline dance recital in traditional costumes. The fantastical tale is beautifully illustrated in luscious colors with intriguing details to explore again and again. The cats’ faces are delightfully expressive, and their appearance is so varied that cat lovers will be able to find an example of their favorite furry friend. Key felines are revealed to have traditional Russian names.

The narrative is perfect for reading aloud and includes questions to engage young listeners further. I recommend THE CATS’ MUSEUM for young readers and listeners, especially those who have a soft spot for cats.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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10-Stop All-Review Blog Tour & Giveaway - Richard Coke: Texan by Rosser Coke Newton, Sr.

 

RICHARD COKE: TEXAN

By Rosser Coke Newton, Sr.

History / Biography

Publisher: Stoney Creek Publishing

Pages: 300

Publication Date: November 4, 2024

SYNOPSIS

Richard Coke played one of the most crucial roles in Texas history. His leadership of his beloved Texas still resonates today—150 years after he became governor. Richard Coke: Texan weaves a rich mosaic of real people and events, immersing the reader in the life and times of Richard Coke.

Coke brought Texas out of Reconstruction following the Civil War and is often credited with restoring democracy to the state after this perilous time. Richard Coke: Texan tells the story of a young Virginia lawyer who emigrated to a Texas frontier village and changed history. It follows Coke as he starts a new life in Waco, Texas, serves in the Civil War, endures the hardships of Reconstruction, and is called to serve as governor to rebuild the state and restore rights to local government and the people of Texas. The story of Coke and his legislature taking office is one of the more dramatic moments in Texas history, with Coke’s predecessor, Edmund Davis, engaging armed forces to occupy the Capitol in an attempt to remain in office. But the true story lies in the leadership Coke demonstrated as a committed citizen, an honored soldier, a dedicated governor, and later as a respected senator—the effects of which still influence the government of Texas today.

Before the advent of digital technology, much of the record of this time was inaccessible to researchers. Authored by Rosser Coke Newton Sr., an indirect descendant of the governor, the book is enriched by first-person accounts, Coke family records, Richard Coke’s direct correspondence, and documented events from journals and debates of constitutional conventions, the Secession Convention, and legislative sessions. These are supplemented by newspaper articles, census records, city directories, and a myriad of other sources compiled at the time. These sources have been combined into Richard Coke: Texan, which not only delivers a rich history of the era but also offers a personal look at one of Texas’s greatest leaders.

Content Advisory: This is a historical account. The following topics are referenced: slavery, lynching, and war.

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Stoney Creek Publishing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosser Coke Newton Sr., a native Texan and prominent Dallas businessman, is an indirect descendant of Richard Coke, the 15th governor of Texas. From an early age, he developed an interest in Texas history and 19th-century frontier life, a period in which Richard Coke played a crucial role.

Newton connects his love of history with philanthropy, serving in key positions with the Dallas Historical Society and the Alamo Letter Society. He is a founding member of the Dallas Arboretum Foundation, a director emeritus of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and a supporter of many cultural and civic organizations.

He holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. In 2002, he founded Petro Capital Group and has held leadership roles in numerous petroleum-related companies.

STONEY CREEK PUBLISHING:

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Blurb Blitz Tour & Giveaway: Dying for Monet (Art History Mystery, #5) by Claudia Riess

 

DYING FOR MONET

An Art History Mystery, Book Five

by

Claudia Riess

Mystery

Publisher: Level Best Books

Publication Date: June 11, 2024

Page count: 346 pages

SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!

SYNOPSIS:

Dying for Monet, book 5 of Riess’s art history mystery series, opens on a gala evening auction at Laszlo’s, an upstart auction house in New York City. After a much sought-after Impressionist still life painting is without notice withdrawn from the auction block, its broker is found dead at the foot of an imposing statue in Laszlo’s courtyard. Amateur sleuths Erika Shawn and Harrison Wheatley are once again drawn into an investigation involving an art-related homicide, this time with one sharing an unnerving coincidence with violent crimes occurring abroad.

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ENJOY AN EXCERPT:

“I knew it,” Erika said tonelessly, shoving her phone back into her evening bag; saw the look of horror Greg directed at her, as if she were some devilish prophet; half believed it herself. She gazed back at him, and her numbness suddenly dissolved into tears. 

Still, neither of them openly acknowledging whose body lay before them, the blood at the man’s head curling away with the rainwater; Botero’s mighty woman and child, their backs to him, underlying the omission. The figures were dark brown, almost black patinated bronze, and the dead man, in his black suit, seemed part of their tableau, or its discard. One of his arms was jammed against the base of the statue, the other flung to the side, the hand gracefully cupped like a ballet dancer’s—the hand with the ring that had pressed into Erika’s flesh. Looking down at Ivan’s hand, she felt its phantom grip on her wrist; the ring’s forceful dig. Impossible for that hand to have been doomed into stillness. 

“I felt for a pulse,” she said, anticipating Greg’s question. “He’s gone.” 

She looked away and saw a few people standing behind the glass door at Laszlo’s entrance, waiting to be picked up or for the rain to stop. What must they make of this rain-sodden group, and what did it matter? “The way he reacted to that text or email,” she directed to Greg, down on his knees, checking for a pulse; not taking her word for it; she, grateful to him for sharing the burden of proof. “I could see he was alarmed by the message. I thought he would be coming back after he was done talking or texting, but he never did. I thought it was odd. After all, his client’s lot was coming up for sale.” 

Greg rose to his feet, a subtle headshake verifying her medical diagnosis. “And then the lot was removed.” 

She nodded. “It was then that I thought the two events—the message on his cell phone and the painting’s unexpected withdrawal—were related. And just now, when I looked out the car window and saw...” 

“You had a sense of foreboding—of what you would find. I wish we could cover him, I mean from the rain and all.” 

“We can’t disturb the scene.” 

“I know. From what I can see, he was shot in the head...” Tentative, as if declaring the words would set them in stone. 

“Yes.” 

They were silent, standing in the rain that was finally abating, and in that moment the sun completed its descent and darkness fell, a delayed reaction in what seemed an act of respect—or mimicry—of life’s end.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Claudia Riess has worked in the editorial departments of The New Yorker and Holt, Rinehart and Winston, and has edited several art history monographs. Stolen Light, the first book in her art history mystery series, was chosen by Vassar’s Latin American history professor for distribution to the college’s people-to-people trips to Cuba. To Kingdom Come, the fourth, will be added to the syllabus of a survey course on West and Central African Art at a prominent Midwestern university. Claudia has written a number of articles for Mystery Readers Journal, Women’s National Book Association, the Sisters in Crime Bloodletter, and Mystery Scene magazine. To read more about Claudia and her work, visit the author's website.

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Book Blitz: Sunken Leadership by Joe Aniello, Ed.D.

Sunken Leadership

by

Joe Aniello, Ed.D.

Essays / History / Politics / Social Science

Publisher: Mindstir Media

Publication Date: June 13, 2024

Page count: 165 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Unlock the Secrets of Resilient Leadership

Just as the U.S.S. Constitution—"Old Ironsides"—has withstood the test of time through exceptional construction and adaptability, our written Constitution remains a pillar of strength in our society. 

Dr. Joe Aniello's Sunken Leadership draws powerful parallels between these two enduring icons, offering profound insights into how strong leadership can navigate and rise above challenges.

 

In Sunken Leadership, you'll explore:

●       The remarkable resilience of "Old Ironsides" and what it teaches us about leadership.

●       How the foundational principles of our Constitution empower us to overcome modern obstacles.

●       The vital importance of viewing historical achievements with respect and understanding, rather than through a contemporary lens.

 

This book is not just a historical analysis; it's a call to action for current and future leaders to rise, adapt, and lead with strength and integrity.

Don't miss your chance to be inspired by the lessons of the past and apply them to today's world. Purchase your copy of Sunken Leadership by Dr. Joe Aniello today and embark on a journey to uncover the indestructible power of leadership.

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Ebook for Kindle or Nook currently $0.99!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

"Dr. Joe” Aniello is a tenured, full professor at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina.

He has taught in their School of Business for the last 21 years primarily in Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Behavior. He also has served as Executive Director of the Francis Marion University Center for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.

His holds an MBA in Marketing from Fordham University in New York City and an Education Doctorate from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. His dissertation is on ”Increasing Creativity in Adults.”

Prior to his Academic Career, ”Dr. Joe” spent over 20 years in major American Corporations rising to the level of Officer/Vice President.

He lives in Florence with his wife, Tracy, and their three young children: Elizabeth, Patrick, and Mary.

He has two great siblings, Anthony, his wife Sheila, and their children Autumn and Christian. Anne Marie Guerrero, her husband Danny and their children Jenna and Katie. Those families are all growing and fiourishing.

Joe also had two awesome parents, Anthony F., and Antoinette Marie who have since gone on to their eternal rewards given for lives devoted to others. They continue to become even more awesome to me with each passing year of my life.

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