The Estrogen Underground

Cheryl O’Donovan and Tom Wolferman have collaborated their efforts to create a book for women of the Baby Boomer Generation with their recently released book, The Estrogen Underground. Cheryl brings her cartoonist and writer skills while Tom’s satire balances out the varied topics for today’s women that are talked about in a frank and downright funny manor.

The Estrogen Underground consistently uses light humor along with comic strip like characterizations on every page of the book. The font is a nice, readable size that occasionally mixes with the images, but not so much so that it is difficult to read.

Seven entertaining chapters banter on issues from bad wardrobe choices, changed perceptions of aging women, crazy fads, wild diets, exercise, make-up and hair escapades and plastic surgery, to more serious issues like careers verses hobbies.
Yet throughout the book the main focus seems to be of living in the moment with love and acceptance of one’s self.

Topped off with amusing and amazing quotes from famous people along with intimate, personal stories makes The Estrogen Underground a perfect gift for working or family women aged between 40 and 60.

The Elf Prince

Author Todd McClimans is a 5th grade teacher and young father, who lives in Nevada with his family. Todd has been writing short stories for his students for more than 10 years and The Elf Prince is his first novel. Currently, Todd is working on a sequel to this book and has two other book projects ahead in his future.

All the elements for a wonderfully mystical tale for youth, and for those with youthful minds are here in this novel. Haunting dreams, caring creatures of the forest, magical swords, a quest to defeat wickedness and free its captives along with humorous moments and unique characters - truly, it is all here. Each of Todd’s characters is pressed to find their individual strengths, to accept the uniqueness of their abilities and learn respect for things they once held reservations about.

There are three main characters in The Elf Prince. "Tenii" is a half-breed Man-Dwarf and just might be the most interesting wizard readers will have met in a long time. "Petra", a gorgeous young fawn, has a persistent and doggedly determined nature that saves them all more than once. Finally there is "Dantin", the 11 year-old half-breed Elf-Man Prince - who along with his two courageous friends endeavor to break the dominance of Dantin’s cold-hearted, ruthless uncle. They cannot do this alone and are aided more than once by their friends: Tierra, the she-elf Princess and Byron, the leader of a tribe of Dwarf warriors.

I have to say this was an excellent novel. Scene transition moved smoothly from one to the next in a realistic and engaging style. I completely enjoyed each stage of the tale and did not want it to end. The gorgeous book cover is certainly an asset to The Elf Prince, which pictures one of the two intricately carved magical medallions that play a part in the tale.

The Dark Side of Camelot

What if that magical world of Arthur had really existed? What if we only had part of the story? What if Camelot still existed? No longer in the hands of Arthur or his knights, but in the hands of Morgen le Fey and her court who are determined to reconstruct the Round Table and use it for evil? It would be the ultimate tale of good versus evil.

That is just what Kinley MacGregor, medieval historian and New York Times best-selling author (writing as Sherrilyn Kenyon), does as she exposes the dark side of one of literature's most beloved legends in her upcoming novel, "Sword of Darkness" (Avon Books, $6.99). "Sword of Darkness" is the first novel in her much-anticipated new series, "The Lords of Avalon," which marks a complete departure from MacGregor's lauded works of medieval Scottish romance, and the first instance in which she introduces elements of the paranormal, for which her alter ego Kenyon is famed, in her pantheon of works with Avon Books.

In "Sword of Darkness," Camelot is not ruled by King Arthur and his sword of Excalibur, but by Kerrigan, champion of evil, and his sword of Darkness. Kerrigan is the male counterpart to Morgen le Fey, the magical enchantress who presides over the creatures damned by the Celtic god Balor, and who pursues the one thing that would eclipse good from Camelot once and for all. This compelling new novel from beloved author Kenyon is truly a remarkable retelling of one of literature's most beloved legends.

The Canberry

Scott Underhill takes readers on a stimulating, emotional ride in his book The Cranberry Bog, an environmental suspense novel. Environment Engineer, Jeff Ridge works for the Environment Protection Agency. He and his co-worker, Tara Clemens, are walking on eggshells around an unusual assignment after being called into investigate tainted water at a Bed and Breakfast owned by Joshua and Debra Klickman. Jeff and Tara are quickly exposed to the ‘small town syndrome’ – everyone knows everyone else’s business.

Meanwhile, Jeff is feeling ousted by his superiors who choose to compromise the Sheziou Report. Heated tempers and flared verbal exchanges are not enough to deter Jeff from his ideals. When the criminals resort to beatings and persecution, Jeff is only fueled by the knowledge that he is on to something big. The mysterious helper who drops off notes and envelopes of evidence leads Jeff to clues that egg him on to seek the truth.

Attraction to Lydia Kittle, the heiress of Kittle Manufacturing, contradicts his nearly fanatic feelings towards big business, which has often turned its back on the environment. Jeff’s tragic tale of loss froze his heart, but the sight of Lydia gives him the strength to thaw and except love again.

I really enjoyed reading this novel, which seemingly has it all. Environmental pollution, corrupt officials, politicians and companies lead to thrilling chase scenes and to cold-blooded murder. It is a moving romance with a glorious ‘David against Goliath’ theme that will have you cheering for the underdog. Of course, the focus on the environment is very appealing to me as I deeply cherish, and work towards, the health of the planet.

I highly recommend Scott Underhill’s novel, The Cranberry Bog – and I look forward to reading his other novel, Give a Little!