With succinct observation, the narrator correctly identifies the motives and hope of Mexican immigrants. Texas is north of Mexico, but in John Mort’s insightful and delightful novel, "The Illegal", Texas is northern Mexico. Or so it... Read More

A book about ambition and consequences in many forms—love, career, family, and social status—all played out against rich and meticulously crafted scenery. Loyalty, betrayal, love, and loss are all explored in many manifestations in... Read More

One rebellious college student’s study of the Middle Ages parallels his tumultuous journey into adulthood. The Book of Changes, by Jack Remick, is a compelling coming-of-age novel with a keen sense of character and place. It’s the... Read More

Dig deep into this experimental novel, and discover the pleasure of strategically implemented phrases and words. Intriguing and a bit surreal, "Going the Distance" explores hidden elements of the human mind and introduces the curious to... Read More

"Fingerless" expresses the angst that the gender-switching heroine feels as self-destructive thoughts mingle with moments of simple happiness. Ian Donnell Arbuckle’s third novel, "Fingerless", delves into the inner thoughts of Lita... Read More

Goldstein emphasizes the theme of doing well by doing good, through many characters, even the criminals—though many of the characters are criminals at some level. Ken Goldstein is a Silicon Valley insider’s insider, and this ripples... Read More

Subtlety and the meaning imbued into objects and action plunge this narrative forward through a plot of pursuit. After worrying over her new vow of silence, Dan reassures his friend Loretta that she doesn’t always need words to talk.... Read More

Stumbling through the smothering haze of smoke, both figuratively and literally, the characters in this novel search for wholeness and clarity. Through the acrid haze of wildfires torching the American West, a young man’s search for... Read More