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

Nightmares in Green by Dale Kelley

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Author's Synopsis

The darkest dreams meet the light of day.

It’s 1968. Sean Hurley is a hot-headed platoon leader deep in the jungles of Vietnam. This immersive novel brings you betrayals, friends killed in action, and an unexpected spy to keep you guessing rings up to the end.

Genre(s): Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Format(s): Soft cover, ePub/iBook

ISBN/ASIN: 9798334347021

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

The Invisible Highway - A Family History through Immigration, Two Wars and the Great Depression by Robert Asztalos

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MWSA Review

The Invisible Highway by Robert Asztalos is a well written book based on excellent research. It begins with the history of the towns and countries of origin of the author’s Hungarian and Italian immigrant ancestors, along with the stories of how they immigrated to the U.S. It includes relatively brief and easy to understand histories of WWI, the 1920s, and the Great Depression. Most of the book is about WWII through the experiences of three men connected with the author’s family in Europe and the Pacific. The final chapter tells the story of life after the war through the death of his parents.

Overall, the book is engaging and educational. There are lots of photographs that bring the characters and story to life. It does get technical in some places, especially in the chapters about WWII. If the reader is not interested in that level of detail, they can skim those sections.

This book should appeal to readers interested in genealogy, family history, immigration from Europe, and military history. You will learn a lot about life in America and around the world from the 1890s through the late 1940s, and life in America after WWII.

Review by Eva Nevarez St. John (January 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

The lives of Charles and Roseann Asztalos are classic American melting pot stories. Their parents and grandparents immigrated to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s as part of a wave of Europeans looking for a new life in the Promised Land. The adults who raised them began their lives in villages on the European continent and were shaped by the horrors of World War I; they risked the arduous voyage for a new life in America. Charles and Roseann’s generation had their youth interrupted by the Great Depression, and they came of age to serve our country in its darkest hours during World War II. The war forever changed them in ways they could never guess when they began to experience life in the 1930s.

Charles and Roseann fulfilled their older family members’ dreams of creating an American family. They blended four European families and produced four children without allegiance to the old world or--for that matter-- to the old immigrant neighborhoods from which they were born. Charles and Roseann were indeed part of a generational engine that produces Americans and their story of immigration, economic depression and service during World War II is the story of America.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 376

Word Count: 123,883

Zoey the Zebra and the Big Red Spot by Nancy Panko

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MWSA Review
Zoey the Zebra and the Big Red Spot is a delightful story with engaging illustrations. Poor Zoey the zebra has run into a problem that young readers may relate to—measles. Thankfully, there is a cure, and Zoey just has to wait out the recovery process patiently. The cute rhyming scheme is also contagious and will allow the listener to quickly fill in the blanks on the next word, a big step toward learning to read. In the back of the book sections, children have the opportunity to learn more about zebras and measles. Their favorite part may be making spotted zebra cookies in the kitchen, thanks to a quick and easy recipe in the back.

Review by Dawn Brotherton (January 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Zoey the zebra has beautiful black and white stripes but today she doesn't feel well. When the zookeeper comes to check on her, he sees a big red spot in the middle of Zoey's back. What is going on?

Kids can't help but fall in love with Zoey as she deals with a crisis.

This whimsical story by award-winning author Nancy Panko is delightfully illustrated, and kids will enjoy fun facts about Zebras - along with an activity to do with a grown-up in the kitchen.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 34

Word Count: 622

Military Kids: On the Move by Kevin B. O'Brien

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MWSA Review

In his chapter book Military Kids: On the Move, Kevin O’Brien addresses a subject near and not so dear to the heart of every military family: relocation. Job changes are challenging for adults and even more problematic for children who must leave friends, schools, and home.

O’Brien shares valuable lessons from his family’s experiences with military moves in his story. Emma and Jake’s parents’ optimistic attitude helps alleviate their children’s fears and stress. They encourage the children to talk about their emotions and embrace change’s positive elements. This allows the children to focus on the adventures waiting to happen, opportunities not to be missed, and new friends to be made.

Their journey takes them on a cross-country road trip with stops at national treasures, natural landmarks, and a visit with extended family. Upon reaching their destination, the children learn valuable life lessons and find that the move is not as terrible as they feared.

Though some sentences are long and use advanced vocabulary, with adult help, the story is a valuable read for military kids and other children “on the move.”

Review by Sandi Cathcart (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

"Military Kids: On the Move"

In this heartwarming story, siblings Jake and Emma face the challenges of being part of a military family with courage and resilience. Just when they've settled into their beloved school and neighborhood, unexpected orders arrive - their family must move across the country.

With a mix of sadness and anticipation, the kids say goodbye to dear friends, embarking on an epic cross-country road trip adventure full of breathtaking landscapes and quirky attractions. Through heartfelt conversations with locals, they discover the rich diversity that makes up the fabric of America.

Arriving at their new hometown, Jake and Emma must navigate unfamiliar territory - a new house, new school, and the task of making new friends. But they soon realize home is not defined by walls or an address; it’s the warmth in their hearts when they’re with those they care about. By embracing fresh opportunities like joining a soccer team, art club, and celebrating with classmates, the siblings gradually plant their roots.

This poignant tale reminds us that while life's journeys can be tough, opening your heart to new experiences allows you to grow. With their parents' unwavering support, Jake and Emma learn that home can bloom in surprising places when you carry it within you.

Full of adventure, laughter, and resilience, "Military Kids: On the Move" is an inspiring story that will embolden young readers to face life's challenges with optimism and brave self-discovery.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Children's Chapter Book

Number of Pages: 50

Word Count: 3185

Skylark by Megan Michelle

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MWSA Review

Readers of action thrillers will appreciate Skylark: The SEAL Saga Book One, although they will encounter variations in this example of the genre. Contemporary popular culture features many smart, beautiful, female soldiers, detectives, and spies; but in this long novel Megan Mitchell gives more space than most authors to the emotional and psychological complexity of these figures.

The work begins with a mission undertaken by a team of Navy Seals, ten men led by one woman, Navy Commander Rachel Ryker. They have served together on a number of missions, each has a specialty, and all are very good at what they do. The men's respect for their commanding officer is deep; so the social dynamics of this group is the reversal of a traditional patriarchal society.

In much of Western history a few men have been at the top of the social pyramid, and other men and all women form the base. Skylark's inversion of that structure makes sense in several ways. Rachel is driven by a hatred of patriarchy. Having always felt she had to excel beyond all others in training and performance simply to pursue her career, she resents the system that puts roadblocks based on gender in her path. A mission to find terrorists working in Afghanistan gives her an opportunity to help women subjugated by the Taliban at the same time she attacks men identified as enemies to America.

There is plenty of action in the novel, hand-to-hand as well as with multiple weapons; and readers feel the tension about the mission's outcome. However, beneath the surface of this drama we suspect are forces from Rachel's past that will be revealed later in the novel. One derives from Rachel’s growing up within a conventional patriarchal social order in which she found reasons to rebel and resist the roles she was pressed to accept. She also begins to be more aware of the similarities of social structures around the globe; so her battles occur at home and abroad.

The conventional dynamics of this kind of service is always present. Rachel and her team must deal with the guilt and sorrow at having to take human lives but remain conscious of the necessity and benefits of success. For some the result is PTSD and therapy; for all, it is drink, physical exertion, and casual sex. The alternation of intense military action and intense recreational outlet derives from the conventional trope that if you take on the role of a Navy SEAL (or other law-enforcement professional at the highest level), a conventional life of romance, marriage, family, and community is impossible. Yet many who take on this role come from conventional backgrounds and, to different degrees, want to return to it. How their drive to be warriors can be reconciled with other fundamental needs is hard to anticipate, especially when this is the first in a novel series.

The central romantic tension of the story involves Rachel and Lt. Commander Christopher Williams who have strong feelings for each other as friends and fellow soldiers; but their physical and emotional desire to be with each other is consciously subdued and controlled as against regulation and destructive of their professional identity. Still, we sense early on this balance is probably unsustainable.

A trigger for these conflicts to come out into the open is memories of an earlier mission about which readers know no more than that it had occurred. We suspect, of course, that the details will rise to the surface in Rachel and Christopher’s consciousness and to the forefront of the narrative eventually. It’s almost impossible to imagine a resolution to these professional and personal dilemmas, but that motivates us to read to the end.

The novel's fifty-seven chapters are divided into three parts (Duty, Valor, Honor); and the author skillfully guides readers’ interest through each with a separate set of issues, all coming together by the end in the uncovering of clandestine international dealing.

The central characters’ grappling with emotions is not a once-and-done deal. They wrestle with desire and regret but put them into the background of their consciousness so they can pursue their duties; but they come back to it, sometimes simply rehashing the same questions and doubts. Over time, however, there is realistic movement forward.

This vacillation is a strength of the novel, as we all return to fundamental challenges in our life time after time. The high physical demands of their SEAL life and the potentially horrific consequences of failure remind us that their professional actions are not a lark. But neither are the current battles to maintain personal integrity and a sense of self-worth in the tradition of patriotic service.

Review by Michael Lund (March 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Being the first female Navy SEAL is no easy job, but someone's got to dismantle the patriarchy. Rachel Ryker, call sign ‘Skylark,’ can outrun and outgun just about anybody, and with her second in command, Christopher Williams, by her side, she’s practically unstoppable. Christopher would follow Rachel to hell and back… or maybe just to the Middle East. When a top-secret malware code is stolen from the CIA, Rachel and Christopher lead their SEAL team through the Middle East in an attempt to recover it.

They both have their own reasons for fighting, but as the team gets closer to finding the stolen malware, Rachel discovers that the man they're looking for may be closer to her than she thinks. Will Rachel’s obsession with completing their mission override her common sense and causes her to lose sight of what is really important- keeping women and children safe from the oppressive patriarchy they are all living in?

With secrets, pride, and a strict no fraternization policy keeping them apart, falling in love would mean sacrificing everything Rachel and Christopher have worked for. But when Rachel gets injured in combat, everything changes. Now Rachel will have to choose: does her devotion to the Navy outweigh her love for Christopher?

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 348

Word Count: 142,522

Incidental Moments New and Selected Poems by Mark Fleisher

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MWSA Review
Incidental Moments by Mark Fleisher is a collection of new and selected poems that summarizes light moments of life along with poignant poems of the human condition. These narrative poems are accessible to all readers of literature. Fleisher uses fresh images and clever language to give the reader vivid word pictures of life experience from times of peace to times of war.

The poems flow one into the next from lighter, humorous poems to the more serious poems with a skill that guides the reader gently into thought-provoking poetry. Poems like “Paper Trails,” “By Any Other Name,” and “Not Prime for Rhyme” tantalize the tongue with word-play and humor.

There are poignant moments that make one stop to think about history repeating itself in the poems, “More Than A Few” and “Christmas Cantata.” In the poem “Changing Ways,” we reflect on how a simple handshake feels since the year 2020.

The poems are delightful, thought-provoking narratives that provide witness to the peaks and valleys that make up the journey called life.

Review By Annette Langlois Grunseth (January 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Incidental Moments invites the reader to come along on a literary journey featuring poignant and powerful poems interspersed with generous helpings of humor. Mark Fleisher’s narratives weave tales spanning a broad array of subjects while his use of imagery paints pictures both abstract and realistic.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 87

Word Count: 4,700

Lightning Six by Galen d Peterson

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MWSA Review

Lightning Six by Galen D. Peterson is an action-packed thrill ride of a war story that is all too plausible considering the current state of the world.

It appears Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine is imminent, and the US President sends in quick response forces in the form of airborne and cavalry units to act as a deterrent. Diplomacy fails, and Captain Trondfjell finds his cavalry troop cut off behind the rapidly changing front lines. While Lightning Troop fights for their lives, Captain Trondfjell has to keep himself from getting distracted by the beautiful Captain Erin Haag, a dustoff pilot who literally fell out of the sky and was rescued by Lightning troopers.

Add in Erin’s jealous ex-boyfriend, also in theater, plus a generous dose of Spetsnaz operators, and you have quite the modern-day military story.

I found this book to be an excellent blend of technical accuracy, coupled with the human element of war at the junior officer level, and really enjoyed the author’s writing style. Fans of Tom Clancy, Dale Brown, and Harold Coyle will enjoy this book immensely.

Review by Rob Ballister (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Russian invasion of Ukraine is imminent and Captain Logan Trondfjell, commander of the tanks and scouts of Lightning Troop, rushes from Fort Carson in Colorado to Dnipro as part of a rapid deterrence force. In a free moment, Logan meets Captain Erin Haag, and is taken by her beauty and charm.

As Russian forces invade and bullets fly, Logan must find and stop the invaders. On a sprawling battlefield, frontlines are fragmented. Russians shoot down Erin’s MEDEVAC chopper. Alone, she survives the crash and flees into the Ukrainian countryside. She must seek out her own salvation.

Complicating both efforts, Erin’s vindictive ex-boyfriend, Captain Michael King finds himself in a position to thrust Lightning Troop into the heart of danger — and wipe his competitor off the map. In modern warfare, despite the best courses of action, everything is fraught with peril.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 280

Word Count: 82,000

Redcon One by Galen d Peterson

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MWSA Review

Redcon One is a fast-moving military thriller. Author Galen Peterson definitely knows how to draw the reader into a story. When China makes a move to take over the Spratley Islands, a brief confrontation with a small number of US military members results in the Chinese military publicly executing several US officers by firing squad. When they stream this to the world, the US is forced to react. Wanting to keep the response limited, Captain Scott Jansen and his armored company are sent to join a similarly small number of marines to retake two very small, adjacent islands.

The island of Fiery Cross is where Captain Jansen lands and where the main story is set. It is also where the author excels in raising the level of suspense and vividly describes the combat. Up against attack after attack from the Chinese, the author brings the reader into the mind of Captain Jansen. Wounded and seeing several of his team members killed, Jansen fights not only the Chinese but his own mind and body to continue to lead.

This is a good read that I recommend to anyone who likes a good thriller, and especially to readers of good combat fiction.

Review by Bob Doerr (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

The world order teeters on the brink of war as China flexes its military might in the South China Sea. With events spiraling toward a crisis, Captain Scott Jansen and his tankers and mechanized infantry of Team Knight are suddenly thrust into the mission of the rapid deployment Global Response Force, ready to deploy in ninety-six hours.

When the balloon goes up, Scott and his team find themselves at the tip of the spear in unfamiliar circumstances against a determined and resourceful enemy. Team Knight joins the Marines in an amphibious landing on the claustrophobic island of Fiery Cross Reef, deep into enemy waters.

Isolated and with nowhere to run, Scott must harness all of his courage and creativity to seize Fiery Cross and save as many of his soldiers as possible. But when the Chinese attacks are too perfect, too targeted, not everyone will survive…

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 288

Word Count: 91,000

Surviving the stroke a minute with God: A Recovery and Rehabilitation Guide by Marty Martin

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MWSA Review

Surviving the Stroke: A Minute with God by Marty Martin is a walk in his life as a stroke victim and a stroke survivor. From the moment he realizes that he is in the midst of a crisis until he is discharged to his home undergoing outpatient physical therapy, Marty explains to the reader what to expect if it happens to them. The difficult challenges are multifaceted: physical, mental, and spiritual. Author Martin explains therapies and equipment in detail and becomes a cheerleader for fellow stroke victims to persevere through the highs and lows of recovery, giving the reader hope.

Surviving the Stroke covers a lot of ground in a straight-forward manner. I can see this little book becoming a guide for many on their journey of healing.

Review by Nancy Panko (February 2025)

Author's Synopsis

A personal account of the stroke experience and the recovery and rehabilitation process. A guide for stroke victims, family and caregivers on what to expect immediately following a stroke, and during the recovery and rehabilitation process. Filled with valuable must know information that will provide a guide to what to expect and plan for.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 148

Word Count: 23000

The Fight of Their Lives: A 21st Century Primer on World War II by Andy Kutler

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MWSA Review

Your assignment is to write a comprehensive history of World War II, including sufficient background information on the causes of the war and a post-war epilogue, in under 350 pages. Be sure to include sidebars with every chapter that highlight significant characters, equipment, and other important, relevant information to complement that chapter—go!

This was the challenging task undertaken by Andy Kutler, and he succeeded quite admirably. The Fight of Their Lives completely covers all aspects of the Second World War in all theaters, in comprehensive detail, and in an easily read manner.

Having authored articles on military history including World War II and constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on that war, I could not think of a single campaign, personality, key piece of equipment, or background information that the author missed.

The book concisely covers the economic and political causes of the war in both theaters, covers each theater in detail, and also covers the war from an American perspective “at home,” to include the contributions of women, African Americans, and the plight of Japanese American citizens interned during the war. The Manhattan Project, which yielded the world’s first atomic weapon, is also covered in that section. The final section of the book provides an insightful transition to the post war Cold War.

Clear and easy to understand maps are included throughout the book, and the content is thoroughly indexed. This book is a great asset to anyone wanting to understand the totality of the Second World War without having to read numerous voluminous tomes on individual theaters, campaigns, and biographies. It is ideal as a reference and is well suited as a textbook for homeschooling purposes.

Review by Terry Lloyd (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

September 1939. To fuel his hate-filled quest for global supremacy and an eternal Third Reich, German dictator Adolf Hitler orders a blitzkrieg attack against Poland, a gateway into the East where prized lands and economic resources await. A sea of tanks and troops storm across the border, prompting Polish allies Britain and France to declare war on Nazi Germany. The conflict soon widens, consuming the European continent and beyond. In late 1941, Japanese forces strike American naval forces at Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into a blistering Pacific brawl. For the second time in the 20th century, the world is at war, and the consequences will prove devastating, pushing humankind to the brink of utter catastrophe.

The Fight of Their Lives: A 21st-Century Primer on World War II, is a riveting account of the peril and resiliency that marked the darkest chapter in human history. From blood-soaked clashes across farm fields and jungle islands, to the code rooms and factory floors that powered the Allies to final victory, the fast-paced narrative fully documents the epic struggle that claimed up to sixty million lives. Styled to appeal to all audiences, The Fight of Their Lives is a timely read, from the legacies that remain supremely relevant today, to the lessons humanity cannot afford to learn again.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 357

Word Count: 104,000

Redeeming Warriors: Veteran Suicide, Grieving, and the Fight for Faith by Joshua D. Holler

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MWSA Review

Redeeming Warriors seeks to offer hope to struggling veterans at risk for suicide and grappling with all of the accompanying complications—such as broken marriages and various addictions—through vertical and horizontal reconciliation, in a Christian context. If you are seeking information of this type but are not currently a person of Christian faith or seeking to explore the Christian faith, it may not be easy to separate the relevant secular information from the faith-based messages.

Having said that, the author writes from a tremendous position of credibility from his “real world” experiences as a young enlisted combat Marine twice deployed to Iraq between 2007 and 2009 and as a witness to the plight of many of his fellow Marines confronting the onslaught of challenges that can lead to isolation, addictions, and suicide. His subsequent journey through academia and theological scholarship to become a pastor, and his “holistic” approach to veteran healing and emphasis on community to fight isolation, are highly appealing.

An extensive glossary of military terms is provided, as well as a listing of support organizations and resources. Trained counselors of Christian faith and clergy should find this a very useful guide to helping distraught veterans, and others similarly afflicted, they encounter professionally, however, veterans and their families may not find this book easy to follow without assistance.

Review by Terry Lloyd (March 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Twenty–two veterans take their own lives every day. The word ‘tragic’ only begins to describe the brokenness of this painful reality. Josh Holler, Marine Corps veteran and pastor, argues that veteran suicide is not primarily a problem born out of exposure to combat and PTSD, but out of a broken relationship between people and God. He tells some of the stories of men he has known and addresses the reality of the reason veteran suicide is such a problem.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Other—Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 304

Word Count: 94,392

The China Factor by Timothy Trainer

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MWSA Review

The China Factor by Timothy Trainer is the second book featuring Kelli Liang and Aaron Foster. The story includes international industrial espionage with military implications, political shenanigans and biases, as well as the continuing difficulties of biracial children in Vietnam who were fathered by American soldiers.

This is an intriguing well told tale with many twists. Although it is not difficult to keep track of the various characters, the author provides a chapter-by-chapter list as each one is added to the story. The time frame is Spring 2005, and characters are found on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as well as Vietnam, where many soldiers return to find a very changed city.

Chinese industrialists desperately need to expand their work to other parts of Southeast Asia for both factory sites and new markets, and Vietnam needs deep water ports in order to build their economy. The Chinese government hides its ambitions behind the efforts of their business sector.

In this book, Kellie, senior aide to a senator, finds prejudice among the very people who do not hesitate to ask for her help in understanding Southeast Asia when she is nominated for a position in the State Department. Aaron accompanies his uncle to Vietnam and unexpectedly comes across a Chinese corporate connection to the information theft that was attempted in D.C.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2025)

Author's Synopsis

In the spring of 2005, the FBI foils a government employee’s attempt to provide confidential information to the Chinese. As the FBI struggles to understand why the information is valuable, its investigation entangles Capitol Hill staffer Kellie Liang and jeopardizes her nomination to a State Department position. Under scrutiny, Kellie thrusts herself into the FBI investigation. Seeking a voice of reason, Kellie reaches out to Aaron Foster only to learn that he is vacationing in Vietnam with his uncle, a war veteran. Surprisingly, Aaron believes he has found a Chinese corporate connection to the information theft, and from two sides of the world, Kellie and Aaron work to thwart China’s efforts and save Kellie’s nomination.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 324

Word Count: 112,000

Sparks in the Ether; A True Story About a Pioneer Radioman by

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MWSA Review
Author Valarie J. Anderson follows up her 2022 book, Pearl Harbor’s Final Warning, with a prequel, Sparks in the Ether: A True Story about a Pioneer Radioman, her grandfather, George Street. The story is written as creative nonfiction using extensive family records and memories. Today, two can converse in voice, real time, with color images, across continents using only a small hand-held phone.

A hundred years ago Street jumped ship as a radioman after beginning just out of high school. He chose to help establish land, radio stations across the Pacific. This led to traveling and living in remote locations in China, Japan, and even then, in a remote location in Hawaii. Ocean-spanning radio communication was the art and science of only a few technicians using powerful transmitters and “speaking” in Morse Code. The establishment of land-based radio stations across the Pacific in the 1920s and 1930s was the task of a few pioneers among whom Street was often the lone agent in country for RCA. As an agent in China, Street once gathered and passed weather information to the Lindberghs on their China flight. Later, when struck with polio, Street bathed with President FDR at the clinic in Warm Springs, Georgia. When ending a failed first marriage, and two children left behind in the US, he met and eventually married a Russian refugee he met in China, who became his lifetime companion and caregiver. This is a true story of technical achievements, of personal tragedies, and of love affairs blended by the author but spoken in the voice of George Street. The book contains a bibliography and is indexed.

Review by Tom Beard (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Navigate the rough seas of the 20th century with George Street, one of a handful of men who spread across the globe, connecting communities to the worldwide wireless telegraphy network. He encountered the Lindberghs and FDR, witnessed an assassination attempt on the Emperor of Japan, scooped the Manchurian Incident, and became ravaged by polio. Faced with financial ruin, foreign doctors, and immobility, he married his Russian mistress. Then, his family betrayed him.

Sparks in the Ether is the prequel to the award-winning book Pearl Harbor's Final Warning; A Man, A Message, and Paradise Lost.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 283

Word Count: 62,254

When Tough Cookies Crumble: A True Story of Friendship, Murder, and Healing by Eva Nevarez St. John

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MWSA Review

In the late 1970s, Army soldiers Janice Starr and Eva Booker were stationed together in South Korea, where they became best friends. It was a period of rapid social change in the United States, and young American women embraced their liberation as they explored sexual freedom and new careers. Janice and Eva were two of these women. They participated in all that “liberation” meant to them: sex, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and job opportunities.

When their tours of duty ended, they settled into an apartment in the Washington D.C. area. Neither young woman was ready to settle down, and they pursued a lurid playgirl lifestyle. Sex was important to both women. They had myriad sex partners and a few short-term relationships. Janice and Eva were rarely sober, whether they’d imbibed in alcohol, pot, or other drugs. Living this way, they pursued careers such as continuing with the Army Reserves, holding jobs, and attending school.

Throughout their hectic lives, they shared almost everything…sometimes including sex partners. Over the years, both women readily shared the contents of their diaries. They learned that living with a best friend presented challenges, and their relationship grew strained. Janice decided to relocate, while Eva remained in D.C. After that move, the friendship turned positive again.

Only a few months after Janice moved to Chesapeake, in southern Virginia, Eva could not get in touch with her. It was as though her best friend had disappeared. Eva went to the police department in Chesapeake. The police didn’t appear to take the case too seriously because of Janice’s promiscuous history. But Detective Kay Lewis did. She battled the misogyny within the police department, and she and Eva did not stop pursuing the case.

Eva Nevarez St. John, author of When Tough Cookies Crumble, focuses on her life as well as Janice’s in the first half of the book. The second half includes some introspection into the motivations for their behaviors, follows the murder investigation, and delves into the collaboration between the author and Detective Kay Lewis. Written forty years after Janice’s death, Eva Nevarez St. John’s memoir provides an honest and comprehensive look at a deep friendship between Janice and Eva. It also shows the grit of Detective Kay Lewis, when she refuses to stop the search for Janice. With courageous honesty and compassion that matured over the years, the author makes the reader understand why each of these three women have earned the title of “tough cookie.”

Review by Patricia Walkow (January 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Janice Starr and Eva Booker were young Army soldiers in Korea in the late 1970s. As women in the military, they found themselves on the front lines of the women’s liberation movement, pushing the boundaries of what women could do in their professional and personal lives. This book shows the reader what it was like to be a female soldier during the 1970s and 1980s, including how they dealt with discrimination inside and outside the military.

After leaving active duty, Eva and Janice relocated to the Washington, D.C. area together, where they continued their military careers in the Army Reserves and moved on from their traditional female jobs as Administrative Specialists. Janice became a Drill Sergeant and Eva a Counterintelligence Agent. They also held down civilian jobs. Janice worked in property management and data processing. Eva worked for an attorney, then at the Pentagon for the National Guard Bureau, and with the Board for Correction of Naval Records. Eva attended law school at George Washington University. Janice started attending college in Korea and continued her studies in the D.C. area. In their personal lives, they faced challenges with interracial dating, and their playgirl lifestyle. Their bond was often tested but never broken.

Janice moved to southern Virginia on her own in the summer of 1981 to attend Old Dominion University. Three months later she disappeared without a trace. Eva knew Janice had been murdered by a fellow soldier. The only one who believed her was Detective Kay Lewis, who had her own challenges as a pioneering woman in law enforcement. Together these tough cookies would not stop until they found Janice.

The final chapters tell the story of how Eva came to write this book forty years after Janice’s murder. The process proved to be a healing journey for Eva, Kay, and Janice’s family.

Each chapter begins with one or more relevant photographs.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 284

Word Count: 74,960

Brothers Bound by Bruce K. Berger

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MWSA Review
Brothers Bound by Bruce K Berger is a phenomenal story of two men bonded through combat, capture, survival, and escape from a prison camp during the Vietnam War. However, its reach extends far beyond a typical historical novel about war. It contains hard-earned life wisdom and is written in such a way that the entire book feels lyrical, poetic, and profound. This quality is juxtaposed with well written prose that depicts the raw and horrible side of war.

Narrated in the first person by Buck, a school teacher who is drafted in late 1969, the story captures the emotions ranging from laughter (a few times) through fear, loss, grief, and redemption. Buck’s buddy Hues, a tri-racial soldier who was a street minister in Detroit, first meets Buck when Buck saves him during a bar fight in a backward and backwater bar near Fort Polk, Louisiana. They are deployed to Vietnam in nearby units near Phu Bai and occasionally serve together on missions. When they are shot down and captured, Hues carries the unconscious Buck until he can march on his own to the prison camp, thereby returning a favor and saving Buck’s life. They survive the beatings and hard labor by sharing their histories, their hopes, and their dreams, focusing on the good memories and sustained by Hues’s faith.

Throughout the book, Berger punctuates the text with original contemporary psalms that Hues creates for every occasion. When they escape the camp, Hues’s life force and spiritual connection keep Buck moving toward freedom, step by painful step.

Review by Betsy Beard (January 2025)  
 

Author's Synopsis

How much can the human spirit endure? Buck, a Caucasian teacher, and Hues, a multiracial street preacher, form an unlikely friendship after meeting in a bar fight near their Army training base in 1969. When their helicopter crashes later in Vietnam, they’re captured by Viet Cong soldiers, and marched to a brutal prison camp.

Each day begins with the ominous question: how can they survive another day? They discover the gift of good memories and find great hope in Hues’s incredible life spirit which lights their darkest days.

Fourteen months after their capture, Hues damages his ankle so severely he can’t walk. With death closer than ever, they escape and begin a harrowing journey through dense jungle filled with predators. Buck vows to carry Hues every step until they reach safety, but can they possibly make it? Their brotherly love drives them onward.

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 256

Word Count: 83,000

Helicopter Training at Fort Wolters: Mineral Wells and the Vietnam War by Wes J. Sheffield

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MWSA Review
Helicopter Training at Fort Wolters, by historian Wes J. Sheffield, is a pictorial account from the period when the US Army trained new pilots in helicopters. US Army Camp Wolters, in Mineral Wells, Texas, was a common training ground for American and foreign armed forces from its beginning in 1925. As also noted in the introduction, World War II caused the base’s expansion into an infantry replacement training center for soldiers. The US Air Force activated the base in 1951 following the base's end-of-war closure. The Army regained its management beginning in 1956 with the burst of helicopters and the need to train thousands of aviators. The oncoming Vietnam War, within a decade, increased that need. The region was ideal for primary helicopter training with its broad, open prairies and good weather. The Army management staff was fortified in its flight training and aircraft maintenance by Southern Airways, a civilian corporation.

The 126-page, soft cover book contains approximately 200 photographs, many picturing military commanders. The author had access to private and public photo collections plus written histories collected by a former commanding officer. All photos are in black and white. Images might invoke some vivid memories when viewed by individuals among the thousands of flight students in their few weeks passing through. Included is a section recognizing Medal of Honor recipients who once trained at US Army Camp Wolters.

Review by Tom Beard (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Originally a World War II infantry training center, followed by a brief stint as a US Air Force base, Camp Wolters was redesignated a US Army installation in July 1956, and its primary mission was to train helicopter pilots.

Mineral Wells offered an ideal climate and terrain for flight training with predominately clear skies, rolling open ranch land, high bluffs, and the Brazos River valley. An integral part of Mineral Wells’ economy, the flight school expanded in the 1960s due to escalation of the Vietnam War. During the war, with the exception of the US Navy, all helicopter pilots receiving primary flight training passed through Fort Wolters. During its 17 years of operation, over 40,000 pilots were trained, which included international students from 33 countries. The last Fort Wolters pilots graduated in 1973, and it was formally closed in 1975 and was converted into an industrial center.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table

Number of Pages: 128

Word Count: 16,914