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The Sound of Unheard Melodies

Title: The Sound of Unheard Melodies
Author: Jan Surasky
Publisher: Sandalwood Press
ISBN: 9780997652154
Pages: 260
Genre: Historical fiction
Reviewed by: Anita Lock

Hollywood Book Reviews

It’s a struggle between a predetermined future and a penchant for a young Oklahoman woman in Jan Surasky’s poignant novel, The Sound of Unheard Melodies. Lily Paxton lives in a blended environment. Lily, who is born into a life of privilege, grows up in the rugged territory of Oklahoma. The landscape provides her an appreciation for both the

The Harding Sisters of Sterling City Road and Me

Title: The Harding Sisters of Sterling City Road and Me
Author: Carol E. Plimpton
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1643613055
Genre: Biography
Pages: 110
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert

Hollywood Book Reviews

Author Carol E. Plimpton offers an elegantly and thoroughly posed biographical memorialization of her family’s history with The Harding Sisters of Sterling City Road; a biography which not only pays loving tribute to her family members and their histories

The Girl Who Cloned Lightning

Title: The Girl Who Cloned Lightning: A Novel
Author: Cliff Ratza
Publisher: Lightning Brain Press
ISBN: 978-1734144840
Pages: 538
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Science Fiction & Fantasy
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

Extraordinary people are often forced to adapt and survive the pitfalls of everyday humanity and find a way to embrace the wonders that life has to offer. As US Military General Omar N. Bradley once said, “With the monstrous weapons man

The Gladiator: Book II Lost

Title: The Gladiator: Book II Lost
Author: Tony Carangi
Publisher: Author’s Note 360
ISBN: 978-1689031493
Pages: 51
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Genre Fiction/War & Military Action Fiction
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

The job of a great writer can be difficult, as it takes a skilled storyteller to be able to build a narrative which draws the reader in, while conveying an important message, all at once. As Kurt Vonnegut once said, “When a man becomes a writer, I think he takes

The Christmas Spryte Encounter: Picture with Santa

Title: The Christmas Spryte Encounter: Picture with Santa
Author: Nanette Crighton
Publisher: Nanette Crighton
ISBN:  978-1733281713
Pages: 28
Genre: Children’s Book
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel

Hollywood Book Reviews

It’s that time of year that every child is the most excited for: getting their picture taken with Santa. Only not every child is excited. Some are anxious and dread the time when their moms drag them to the mall. One such kid is a young boy that is anxious, angry, and scared at the

The Reading of The Will

Title: The Reading of The Will
Author: Nwanganga Shields
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
ISBN: 9781684334964
Pages: 266
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert

Hollywood Book Reviews

Nigerian born author Nwanganga Shields delves skillfully into the hearts and minds of a Nigerian family in the throes of preparing for the funeral of their mother, in her 6th book focusing on life from the Nigerian perspective, The Reading of The Will.

Powerful emotions erupt when beloved family

Urban Faery

Title: Urban Faery: A Modern Fantasy
Author: Angela Savidge
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 978-1985385993
Pages: 144
Genre: Literature/Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction/Sports Romance
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

One of the literary world’s greatest joys is transforming fantasy into escapes from reality. As Maya Angelou once said, “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.” In author Angela Savidge’s book Urban Faery: A

Pirates Born From Iron and Blood

Title: Pirates Born From Iron and Blood
Author: Timothy Patrick Means
Publisher: Gold Touch Press, LLC
ISBN:  978-1951461041
Pages: 350
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

There have been many tumultuous eras of history in our world, including the age of pirates. An anonymous speaker once said, “A friend can betray you, but an enemy will always stay the same.” In author Timothy Patrick Means book, Pirates Born

Perspectives on Processes for Effective Project Management

Title: Perspectives on Processes for Effective Project Management
Author: Michael Amato
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 9781491865989
Pages: 104
Genre: Business & Management/Non-fiction
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

In the world of business, taking on the role of a project manager and overseeing the overall progress of a major operation can be a difficult thing to handle. As the renown speaker Brian Tracy once said, “Practice Golden-Rule 1 of Management in everything you do. Manage others the way you would like to be

Gimme Shelter Part Three

Title: Gimme Shelter Part Three
Author: Kevin O’Neal
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-64361-977-4
Pages: 178
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent

Hollywood Book Reviews

Gimme Shelter Part Three is a heartfelt play about a family’s survival through the turbulent 1960’s and 1970’s. Kevin O’Neal has written a text that will easily engage readers. This book tells the story of Jack Bordowski, a police officer who goes to serve in the Vietnam War. When he comes home to his growing family,

The Nosferatu Conspiracy

Title:  The Nosferatu Conspiracy:  Book One – The Sleepwalker
Author: Brian James Gage
Publisher:  KDK 12 Press
ISBN: 978-0-578-62713-7
Pages: 408
Genre: Thriller
Reviewed by:  Aaron Washington

Hollywood Book Reviews

The Nosferatu Conspiracy: The Sleepwalker is nothing short of a breathtaking, chilly and sometimes a scary story which delves into politics, power, family, loyalty, betrayal, and love. The author is excellent in his narration, developing new characters after every few chapters and keeping the main characters solid. You will love Brian James Gage’s

Memories of a Jewish Girl from Brooklyn

Title: Memories of a Jewish Girl from Brooklyn
Author: Helene Meisner Oelerich
Publisher: Page Publishing Inc
ISBN: 1640271880
Pages: 124
Genre: Memoir
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel

Hollywood Book Reviews

Helene Meisner Oelerich opens up about her life and experiences with all the blessings and craziness that consist of several memories which have made her who she is. She reflects on her childhood, thinking back to how her parents and her brother impacted her life, shaping her as a child that was always

Code Name: William Tell

Title: Code Name: William Tell
Author: Colonel Don Wilson
Publisher: Westbow Press
ISBN: 978-1449784119
Pages: 268
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Action & Adventure
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

We all define ourselves in vastly different ways. For some, that way is through a life of adventure and action. As the French author André Gide once said, “It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves – in finding themselves.” In author Colonel Don Wilson’s book Code Name: William Tell,

Code Name: Spirit

Title: Code Name: Spirit
Author: Colonel Don Wilson
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 978-1490832814
Pages: 164
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Action & Adventure
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

The journey to find ourselves is not always an easy task. While some people find meaning in family, friends, their careers or their dreams, others find it in service to others. As the great Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In author

Edafos

Title: Edafos: Divine Wind
Author: Howard Jones
Publisher: Author Reputation Press, LLC
ISBN: 978-1970081282
Pages: 558
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Action & Adventure
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

Finding one’s path in life is never easy. One must always fight the fate or “destiny” that others set before them while trying to forge their own way in life. As the great William Shakespeare once said, “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” In author Howard Jone’s

Sahaja Yoga

Title: Sahaja Yoga: An Experimental Treatise
Author: Saraswati Raman
Publisher: Author Reputation Press, LLC
ISBN: 978-1951343668
Pages: 373
Genre: Religious & Spirituality
Reviewed by: Rae C.  Bernard

Hollywood Book Reviews

Developing a way of life which brings peace within, and externally to share with others, is indeed a blessing. The world is constantly going through ups and downs, but as individuals with our problems, we shouldn’t allow it to take us away from embracing the wonders of life.

Where Sheep May Safely Graze

Title: Where Sheep May Safely Graze
Author: Phyllis Staton Campbell
Publisher: Gold touch Press, LLC
ISBN: 978-1951461171
Genre: Inspirational spiritual fiction
Pages: 214
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert

 

Hollywood Book Reviews

An inspiring journey that touches with multi-level love and powerful faith, Phyllis Staton Campbell’s Where Sheep May Safely Graze, allows readers to vicariously experience love and life through the uniquely posed perspective and experiences of its central characters; a blinded pastor and his faith-filled loving, devoted wife. Also, coincidentally, author Phyllis Staton Campbell

ZigZag Pass

Title: ZigZag Pass
Author: Leon Hesser
Publisher: Bavender House Press
ISBN: 978-0-615-19852-1
Pages: 127
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir/War
Reviewed by:  CC Thomas

Hollywood Book Reviews

ZigZag Pass is author Leon Hesser’s account of his personal experiences as a teenage soldier during World War II, and yet, it is so much more. While Hesser relates the terror of war in intimate and brutal detail, he also imparts a sense of hope and peace with every word. This should not be so surprising to the reader, as

Un-Shackled

Title:  Un-Shackled
Author:  Julie Verzani Potter
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1622303229
Genre: Autobiographical Novel
Pages: 234
Reviewed by:  Aaron Washington

Hollywood Book Reviews

Julie Verzani Potter charmingly chronicles her story through different stages of her life in the book Un-Shackled. Julie is a modest author whose style of narrating is delightful. The author gives tales of her career, family, friends, and life in general. One of the many things I appreciated in the book is how tender the author was with

Finding The Clouds And A Life

Title: Finding The Clouds And A Life
Author: Carl M Robinson
Publisher: Page Publishing
ISBN: 978-1646281268
Pages: 210
Genre: Military Leader Biography/Memoirs
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

Many innovations of the 20th century continue to affect the world well into the 21st century, including the atomic bomb. As P.J. O’Rourke once said,

Treachery and the Innocent

Title: Treachery and the Innocent
Author: Rockie Sue
Publisher: Rockie Sue Books
ISBN: 9780578204673
Pages: 257
Genre: Religious & Inspirational Fiction
Reviewed by: Rae C. Bernard

Hollywood Book Reviews

We spend each day narrowly focused on everything that occurs in our life without much thought as to many ‘whys.’ Life will always have its challenges and if we don’t believe that spiritual forces are surrounding us 24/7, then we aren’t as

The Healing Bowl

Title: The Healing Bowl: A Harley & Friends Adventure
Author: Anita Fisk
Publisher: Readers Magnet LLC
ISBN: 987-1-950947-55-3
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 176
Reviewed by: Suzanne Gattis

Hollywood Book Reviews

The Healing Bowl: A Harley & Friends Adventure by author Anita Fisk is the perfect read for young adults and adults alike, who have a sense of wonder and imagination. The story follows two 7th graders, Harley and TJ, through a mythical

The Quest

Title: The Quest: A Lakota Legend
Author: Charles Richard Latona
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1643612324
Pages: 300
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed By: Dan MacIntosh

Hollywood Book Reviews

Charles Richard Latona’s story about a Native American’s journey to find and prepare the shaman that is to soon take his place, is an otherworldly tale. It’s not otherworldly in the sci-fi way such a description might suggest, though. Rather, it’s a world altogether different from our contemporary society. The reader is dropped into a realm where

The Girl Who Commanded Lightning

Title: The Girl Who Commanded Lightning: Book 3
Author: Cliff Ratza
Publisher: Lightning Brain Press
ISBN: 978-1734144826
Pages: 600
Genre: Suspense Thrillers/Fantasy Action & Adventure
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

Genetics play a major role in the everyday lives of society. As John Maynard Smith once said, “Genetics is about how information is stored and transmitted between generations.” However

Any Way Out

Title: Any Way Out
Author: Lisa L. White
Publisher: Author Reputation Press
ISBN: 978-1951343453
Pages: 296
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Hollywood Book Reviews

The pain and struggle of everyday life often has unexpected consequences on those closest to us. Too often people are forgotten and left behind when the hardships that come with living cloud the vision of others. As Edgar Allen Poe once said, “They who