Another wonderful story from the lovable characters in Beauville, NY. I love the ongoing characters like Meg and Mary, then folks cross their path and add another touching story to the series.
This book is actually two combined, “Mandy’s Dream,” and “The Rule of Thirds.” Warning, both are tearjerkers and so very touching! “Mandy’s Dream” is the story of Meg and a new character, Jessica, who’s a gifted young artist, helping a young girl named Mandy who has been mute since both her parents died in a horrible accident. Spending time with the girl and introducing her to expressing her feelings through art plus interacting with a special horse helped the girl to heal from her trauma. In the story they write a book for Mandy to express her feelings which is included with beautiful artwork and also sold separately for young children dealing with grief. Beautifully done on both literary and illustration levels.
“The Rule of Thirds” title relates to art design, yet in this story ties in how often a group of three has meaning in our lives. In this story, Jessica’s journey as an artist continues as well as a surprising and exciting development in her life. Saying anything else would be a spoiler so I’ll leave it at that.
I love this series and highly recommend it. While the main characters are high school age living back in the 70s, their situations are apropos regardless of the decade. The author has a gift for creating warm, relatable characters and touching situations most will encounter at some point in their life. I would have loved these books as a teen and do today as a great-grandmother. Highly recommended.
I’m extremely excited that “Elke’s Magic” in this series is a screenplay that is in pre-production! I can’t wait to see it on TV someday!
You can pick up your copy of “Duet” on Amazon here and available thru Kindle Unlimited.
Review of “The Wall Between” by Inger Margaret Foster
My binge marathon on Inger Margaret Foster’s books continues!
The point of historical fiction is to take you to some time in the past and live it. This story definitely does that and more! I’m old enough to remember much of what went on back in the 70s. I also remember when President Ronald Reagan told Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin wall. But never did it have the impact as it did in this amazing tale of a couple separated by it and the horrible policies that were in place when East and West Berlin were separated.
That was the situation at the end of WWII when Communist Russia got East Germany and the allies got West Germany. What it required to cross from one side to the other was solid identification, then being escorted by an armed guard who kept his eye on his watch to make sure the meeting didn’t go longer than it was supposed to.
I’m glad that I read “Elke’s Magic” first, though it’s not required. Nonetheless, it gives you a glimpse of the situation and you get to know the main character. You can also understand why Elke missed her idyllic little cottage back in the States. When she was washing dishes in her humble apartment in West Berlin and remembering the dried herbs hanging above her sink in her little house I could so totally relate! When I lived in Texas I was able to grow a multitude of fresh herbs that I dried in the house, just like that. I hope to be able to do so again, maybe next year, though some won’t survive where I live now in New York State, where it’s so much colder.
I absolutely loved this story and it touched me deeply. I read it in a single sitting, unable to put it down. Highly recommended to understand what the people in Germany went through during those dark and trying years.
You can get your copy on Amazon here, for free if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.
Inger Margaret Foster is an author and screenwriter who writes primarily for a young adult audience though the depth and feeling imbued in her books make them a great read for all ages. If you’re looking for a book loaded with love, compassion, and strong characters dealing with life’s problems, these are for you. In many cases they contain “mystical realism” that brings a touch of the paranormal, adding to their charm.If you or someone you know, especially a young adult, is dealing with a certain challenge right now, check out her books for one that might help them understand and cope with itbetter by feeling less alone.
You can learn more about Inger on her website. Be sure to check out her blogs that often spill a few secrets and/or background about her stories. All her books are available on Amazon with all but the children’s paperbacks available through Kindle Unlimited.
Me: When did you first know you wanted to write stories?
Inger: I’ve always loved reading. I attended an amazing public school system, where we were exposed to the classics early on. We read Shakespeare in the fifth grade! That foundation paved the way to writing.
Me: That’s awesome! It’s too bad they don’t still do that. What was your first story about? When did you write it?
Inger: One that I remember clearly was written in college, and it was drawn from a true life story from my mother’s home town about two brothers out fishing, with a gun in the boat. The youngest boy held up the gun, pretending to shoot his brother. And the gun accidentally went off, killing the older boy. I called the story “Brothers” and I wrote it from the younger boy’s perspective.
Me: Wow! What a sad story. But that shows you have a strong sense of empathy and ability to relate to people’s feelings. Your stories tend to have a connection with the “other side” and paranormal events. Have you had similar experiences yourself?
Inger: Yes! Many times! To me, interaction with spirit is comfortable and completely normal. My stories fall under the realm of Magical Realism, the juxtaposing of the magical aspects of unconventional elements with reality. And many of the storylines are the product of an urging from what I can only describe as other worldly sources.
Me: I love that! I think we get nudges like that a lot if we just learn to listen. Do you have a favorite character? If so, which one is it?
Inger: Yes. But don’t tell the other characters! Elke is my favorite. Even though her character is not present in all of the books, she is the reason for the series.
Me: She is indeed charming, someone I’d love to know in person. She does remind me of my neighbor back in Texas with a similar German background. What is the easiest part of writing for you?
Inger: The actual writing is the easiest. Once I have the main idea for the storyline, I write the ending and all the rest tumbles out in a flurry!
Me: That’s awesome! Knowing how a story ends is so integral to it. Like that quote I saw the other day about plays, where if there’s a problem with the 3rd Act the real problem is with the 1st Act! If you don’t have a strong ending, you don’t really have a story. What is the most difficult part of writing for you?
Inger: Editing!
Me: LOL! I don’t think there’s an author out there who wouldn’t agree with that! Except perhaps for those who don’t bother, which inevitably shows! What are you working on now?
Inger: I have been writing screenplays for about a year now, and I love every minute of it! I’m working now on a paranormal series, and have a few more episodes to write.
Me: That is so exciting! It will be such a joy to see your work come to life on the screen! How long does it usually take you to write one of your novels?
Inger: About six months, from start to finish.
Me: That’s pretty quick! tell me how your Circles of the Soul series came about.
Inger: Sorry, this is long! Anyway, The Final Canoe Ride was the first book written, followed by Split Soul as the sequel. I then wrote Elke’s Magic, the prequel. They were all published through a small publishing house. I was going to end there, and then the pandemic hit. That was when I discovered independent publishing on demand, and just wrote like crazy. I wrote the sequel to Elke: Mandy’s Dream and then: The Rule of Thirds, developing a trilogy of YA books called Things Come in Threes. I then rewrote the first three books, changing one of the characters. It helped with the series flow. After that, I wrote Circles, which followed Split Soul and The Final Canoe Ride, and called that trilogy The Circles of the Soul. While writing Back in the Before, I brought the character of Elke back and decided that I needed to create one continuous series, hence the merging of all books into the Circles of the Soul. It is now a ten book series (two are combined) and it ends with Connections.
Me: I love how they all tie together! But when you develop strong characters it’s always easy to continue on with their lives. In my experience, they just kind of take over and tell you what’s going on like a good friend. Do your characters ever surprise you?
Inger: Sometimes! Maureen, in Always Just Beyond, is very sneaky and she almost wrote her own story!
Me: I can see that! She was very mysterious throughout that story. Yet in the end, it all made perfect sense. I loved that book! I want to read it again sometime now that I know all the secrets. What is your favorite book from your childhood?
Inger: A Wrinkle in Time.
Me: Yes! Such a wonderful classic! I loved it, too. Is your writing style that of a “pantser” or a “plotter?”
Inger: Neither. I know the ending before I start, and I either write that first or have it in my brain. I let the story flow by listening to the characters, sometimes in my dreams. I don’t do an outline, but I know where I want to go even before I start.
Me: That sounds pretty much like a pantser, especially not doing an outline and letting the characters lead. I’m a pantser, too. If I ever have writer’s block it’s because I’m trying to force my characters to do something when they have something else in mind. What’s the most satisfying part of being an author?
Inger: I think when you hear from a reader that your words impacted them, or helped them overcome a loss, it makes it all worthwhile!
Me: Absolutely! I’m sure your insightful stories have touched many readers. You touch on so many things that are painful. That’s so important for the Young Adult genre since that can be a pretty difficult time of life. I love your beautiful book covers! Did you do the photography for them?
Inger: Thank you! All of my book covers are from my photographs, except Duet: Mandy’s Dream and The Rule of Thirds (a two book combo) and the two children’s books that were all created by the illustrator: Cathlyn A. Driscoll.
Me: You’re a very talented photographer for sure! And they capture the book themes so well. Has a specific event or person ever inspired one of your books, besides your first one that you mentioned earlier?
Inger: There were three things. First: It was my experience dealing with breast cancer that was the inspiration to write a series of stories that eventually evolved into my first novel: The Final Canoe Ride.
Second: My father was my inspiration, for not only the historical parts of the Resistance during WWII but for his interest in reincarnation, a theme that runs through the last four books in The CIrcles of the Soul series.
Third: My German friend, Heidi, was the inspiration for the character of Elke.
Me: Your inspiration was definitely captured. Yes, reincarnation and the next life are fascinating and there’s so much interest in them these days. People need to know that what we have here is only the beginning. What advice do you have for new writers just getting started on their journey?
Inger: Write often. Write from the heart. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Me: Great advice! Writing that originates from the heart is what so many readers are looking for. The books that I remember and are most likely to go back and read again are the ones that touch my heart.
Thanks for telling us about your ongoing journey as an author, Inger!
Below are links to her books on Amazon (as well as via the cover photos) plus to her website for those of you who’d like to know more.
I don’t usually review cookbooks, as you’ve probably noticed, but I was provided a free pdf of this one in return for an honest review.
I found this to be an excellent cookbook loaded with interesting and healthy recipes as well as basic nutritional information. My favorite is the avocado chicken salad. To save time, I sometimes use canned chicken. I’m looking forward to trying several more, but will have to stock up on some things that I don’t normally have on hand in the pantry.
If you’re used to the usual ingredients in most recipes, you’re likely to encounter a few things you’ve never heard of in this book. This is a good thing, since the entire point of the book is to eat healthy. When I first reviewed this book it didn’t include any introductions to these less-common ingredients, but since I pointed out the need for them Annie has added a section to do just that! This will be helpful to anyone who has no clue what some of them are or has not used them before.
For example, you may not have ever heard of or used quinoa (pronounced keen-wah). I loved the use of maple syrup as a sweetener in many of the recipes. Make sure that it’s authentic maple syrup, and not the artificially flavored version typically found in grocery stores. That would be entirely counter-productive as far as health is concerned.
If your grocery store doesn’t carry some of these more unusual items, check online. And it goes without saying that organic is best. It probably would have been helpful to include a list of unhealthy things lurking in your pantry that you should throw away, too. The typical American diet is horribly unhealthy between processed food and all the chemical additives, which is why there are so many chronic diseases these days. Changing your eating habits isn’t easy, but this book can be a tremendous help for finding healthy alternatives.
If you’re already familiar with this type of healthy cooking-from-scratch then you’ll love these creative, delicious, recipes and the wonderful variety along with several mouth-watering illustrations. We can all get stuck in what we eat and you never know if your favorite recipe may be right there, just waiting for you to give it a try. Just be sure to plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need on-hand to avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store in the height of commuter traffic.
[NOTE:–I tried to post the following review to Amazon and it was rejected. I’m not entirely sure why, but I suspect the first paragraph was verboten, which figures, right? I edited it down significantly and they posted it, but here are my original comments.]
This story stands out as a chilling cautionary tale. While it’s set in 2034, don’t think it’s not already happening. Our reverence for life is seriously compromised as demonstrated by the ongoing abortion issue. At what point does human life begin? Conception? Or with that first breath at birth? What about those laws that have legitimized infanticide? Promote euthanasia? Where is society headed? We are being dehumanized, starting with the most vulnerable members.
It’s difficult to write a review of this story without spoilers. If you’re really paying attention through the first few chapters, it’s possible to figure out what’s going on as people disappear. The story slowly and methodically reveals the horrific truth through the viewpoints of the three main characters.
The premise reminds me of medical thrillers I read years ago by Robin Cook. Suspense author Mary Higgins Clark was another one who worked with such themes. This book lacked that kind of nail-biting suspense. It was written in a very journalistic style that failed to render emotional reactions in the reader. At least that was the case for me. I could tell where it was going, especially after the blatant revelation provided by the android, Daisy, in the middle of the story. If you haven’t figured it out by then, there it is.
This thought-provoking book deserves a lot of attention for its potential to wake people up, if nothing else. Being directed at Christians is somewhat ironic since they aren’t the ones who need to be jolted awake to the evils in the world around them. It would definitely be in the “medical thriller” category if the emotional impact and suspense were ramped up a bit.
Actually, if written to its full emotional potential, this book would be in the horror genre. Since this is the author’s debut novel, I assume she has not yet acquired the writing skills to render an emotional reaction in her readers. (This is normal except for incredibly gifted writers. I didn’t figure it out until around the time I was writing my 6th novel.) This is not a criticism since in this case, it’s a good thing. As it’s written, more people will choose to read it and make it through the book. Rest assured that it does have what can be considered a happy ending, plus incentive to read the sequel.
For what it’s worth, if a book makes me cry and laugh, I’m more impressed. There are a lot of good premises and stories out there that fall short on their emotional impact, which is the element that tends to hook readers and convince me the author knows how to write.
On the editorial side, I think the scriptural quotes were a bit overdone. Not that I don’t agree with them and I understand the underlying Christian message. However, I don’t think their inclusion will convert anyone to Christianity, while conversely, such excessive use could feel “preachy” and be a turnoff for the very people who need to read it. The fellow Christians I’ve been around usually don’t quote the book, chapter and verse, just the content.
The book is beautifully formatted and the cover is great. The editing is well-done regarding misspellings, grammar, typos, etc. Only one thing jumped out that her editor missed: Near the bottom of page 249 of the paperback it says, “There’s no way I’m not going to let that happen.”
Huh?
The way I read it, the double negative conflicted with the statement’s intent. There were a few other things but I may be the only person in a thousand who would notice, so I won’t even mention them all, but if I’d been a beta reader I definitely would have. I guess the biggest one I wondered about as a science fiction author is that I suspect by the year 2034 we won’t be using much paper, but who knows?
I gave this book 4-stars. For a debut novel, she did a pretty good job. It’s worth a read for its very important message of where we might be heading. Heaven help us if it turns out to be prophetic.
Review of “The Great Awakening: Our prophesized Transformation and the Attainment of Embodied Enlightenment” compiled by Mike Dooley.
This fascinating book comprises six messages received from cosmic sources. These were channeled by individuals who have published similar information in the past, i.e. Darryl Anka, Lyssa Royal Holt, Matt Kahn, Salvatore Rachelle, Sara Landon, and Daniel Scranton.
Not your typical book.
If you’re familiar with Mike Dooley and his “Thoughts become things: Choose the good ones” mantra, then this is what is best described as the “graduate level” course. If you’re new to the concept of manifesting your desires, then this is likely to be over your head. So much so, it will read like fantasy.
One of my favorites comes from the section channeled by Sara Landon: “Reality moves through you, and as you raise your consciousness and vibration your destiny comes to you. That which is in your highest good, that which is your highest purpose, that which is your highest potential, and that which is your highest joy will present itself to you, because you are no longer imposing an experience of separation on your reality.”
While I’ve read similar material before, this one stood out for its timeliness as the world is clearly undergoing change. How to maintain stability when there appears to be nothing but dissention and chaos is a theme many struggle with.
What struck me in a new way was the concept of different dimensions. We determine which one we’re in by our own thoughts and actions. In spite of appearances, we do not all live in the same world. Think about that for a moment and its implications.
One observation I made years ago was that no matter how bad things appeared to be on this planet, some people were thriving. Some were exploiting the chaos in a despicable way, while others were simply living their life and doing well.
Like they say, “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.” In other words, we attract other people into our lives through our thoughts and actions. This applies to our circumstances, too. In effect, we can be living in a different vibrational frequency than those who have not yet figured out why they are on this planet and what they’re intended to learn and achieve.
Heavy stuff, indeed.
And to clarify, not to be found in your typical organized religion.
You can be “religious” without being spiritual. In astrology, religion resides in the 9th house along with other belief systems, including politics. Somehow, that doesn’t bring spirituality to mind, which lies in the 12th house along with enlightenment, dreams, and visions. A few negative things hang out there as well like hidden enemies, self-defeating behaviors, and delusions. As with every other part of life, opposing possibilities that yield to free will are everywhere.
What amazed me the most as I read, however, was the similarity between diverse belief systems that reflect the messages in this book. Whether New Age, quantum theory, or indigenous practices, there is significant overlap.
Coincidence?
Not likely.
There is no such thing as coincidence, especially when it relates to spirit.
Where are you on the path to enlightenment? It’s no longer confined to Buddhist monks, you know. This planet is changing and you can either keep pace or be lost in the chaos. If this is something new, I suggest you start with something simple, like Dooley,’s “A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe: Uncommon Ideas for Living an Unusually Happy Life.”
That will give you a foundation to build upon. Otherwise it could be like stepping into a graduate level physics class without having the math background to follow the theory. (Been there, done that.)
Expect me to be comparing those belief systems soon from New Age to what indigenous people have believed for millennia on the blog associated with Dead-Horse-Canyon.com.
Review of The Pact (Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas Cozy Mystery Series, Book 4)
by Dawn Greenfield Ireland
If you’re looking for a book to chill out with when everything else about this insane planet is just too much, I highly recommend this latest book in the Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas Cozy Mystery Series. It doesn’t take long to get hooked on these charming characters and feel as if you live in the little town of Twinkle.
Actually, I live outside a town that’s even smaller than Twinkle, one that is so small that it doesn’t even have a traffic light, so I can relate to this small fictitious setting away from everything other than the full range of human behavior. As a pet lover, of course I enjoy the animals and their special talents, which include not only intelligence, but the ability to communicate using technology.
The series is now on book 4 where the folks in Twinkle, Texas are at it again. I love how the author has developed this setting with its own common expressions, such as referring to the grocery store as “the foo” since the sign is broken, and various other touches that make it seem real and that you’re a part of it. In this episode, Mrs. Potts’ boarding house burns down! Thus, Jimmy, Brian, Mrs. Potts, and of course, Maddie and Guppy, move in with Betty in the mansion. Of necessity, the folks who know about the animals’ special talents expands, especially as various threats manifest.
There are a few pretty serious parts as well as plenty of good information about having a plan to secure your property in case of a catastrophe. Other useful information includes the steps in building a house from the ground up and a few other things to think about, such as how much stuff you own and what a chore it would be to replace it.
There were plenty of scenes where I laughed out loud, some of the characters’ names alone worth a good chuckle. Turns out Guppy is showing some psychic abilities, which are likely to be developed further in future escapades. As with most series, it’s advisable to start with the first book since characters and situations from previous stories tend to show up. It’s easy to feel as if you’re a resident of this tiny Texas town as the host of characters come to life and interact, leaving you wondering what will happen next and longing for the next book in the series!
You can pick up a copy on Amazon here and read more about the author on a previous blog here.
I am so proud of my grandson for the research he compiled in this must-have guide! Most of us are already aware that processed food generally is not healthy. Additives, fake colors, and preservatives along with questionable processing not only compromise the nutrients, but can actually be toxic. Artificial sweeteners are a huge culprit along with anything labeled “Low Fat.”
Many chemicals commonly found in our food are outlawed in other countries. This doesn’t speak well for our FDA, who’s more concerned with taking money from corporations than our health. The greatest part about this compilation is that it tells you the side effects associated with these chemicals, demonstrating why they’re unhealthy. All of this is based on volumes of research that’s referenced throughout with hyperlinks.
Besides food, cosmetics and various other items such as deodorants, toothpaste, and laundry detergent are also covered. Numerous recipes are included so you can make your own healthy alternatives for several items, plus save money.
Learn how these industries are slowly poisoning us while masquerading as healthy or essential. Believe me when I say that fluoride is only the tip of the iceberg. “Undercover Killers” puts a wealth of information at your fingertips so you can make informed choices on items that can compromise your health and well being.
Be sure to get your copy today in Kindle or paperback on Amazon here.
P.S. Many thanks to my fellow author, Dawn Greenfield, owner of Artistic Origins, who added the finishing touches. She not only formatted the interior but made it more readable with her editing skills. She included reference tables as well as a section for recipes, so you don’t have to dig through the entire book looking for them later. If you need similar help with a project, you can contact her at dawn@DEGreenfield.com or visit her website. If you’re looking for a good read in just about any genre from cozy mystery to steamy shapeshifters, check out her books, which are among my favorites.
This book needs to go viral. The survival of the United States depends on it. The ugly truth is revealed masterfully through Schweizer’s gold standard of investigative journalism. He has put together an amazing expose of corruption that involves not only how China is trying to undermine our country, culture, and democracy, but the public figures who are not only allowing, but facilitating it,then denying it entirely as they profit financially.
I hope he has a good security team.
The book is divided into four sections based on four principles found in the Chinese book of war. To western minds, these may not make sense until the author points out how these are being executed to our detriment.
1. Murder with a Borrowed Knife (Blame someone else for your crimes.)
The example presented involves the flood of fentanyl coming across the U.S. Mexican Border. While it appears Mexico is the perpetrator, in reality it’s China in cahoots with drug cartels. Not only do they supply all raw materials, manufacturing facilities are staffed by Chinese with pill counterfeiting machines imported as well. Fentanyl is not sold with a warning label. In most cases, it’s included in fake pharmaceuticals labeled as oxycodone or some other opiate. Many victims of fentanyl had no idea they were not ingesting what the pill was supposed to contain.
In rare cases where China has been confronted, their response points the finger back at the victims. In other words, they’re running a business for profit. As long as there are customers they’ll provide a supply. They also state that the users are the product of a country with crumbling values. Of course there’s some truth to that statement, but China is doing everything possible to contribute to moral decay as well.
But what is being done about the drug crisis? Especially when the powers that be don’t acknowledge there’s a problem? The open border is allowing criminal elements such as drug and human traffickers an heyday of opportunity.
2. Watch a Fire from Across the River (Set your enemy’s business on fire, then sit back to watch the chaos.)
The Chinese government is arming criminals by providing their version of assault rifles. In addition, they sell devices that can convert a pistol into a machine gun. These are typically only available for law enforcement or others who go through a qualification process and licensing. The Chinese, however, sell these lethal devices openly online.
This in turn foments crime and social chaos. When mass shootings occur and the crime rate spikes, they laugh as they watch the U.S. deteriorate. This is an undeclared war where they are overtly subverting and sabotaging our country and way of life. The entire point is to weaken us to the point the country collapses, making us an easy mark.
Guess who helped finance those violent protests a few years ago. Yup, China involved there as well. Did you realize those protesters were paid?
3. Hide a Dagger in a Smile (Your victim won’t suspect you’re out to kill him if you’re friendly or make him laugh.)
This is particularly insidious since it’s aimed at America’s youth. The app TikTok is not only a surveillance device which is banned on government issued cell phones, but is designed to dumb down our youth. The feeds are individualized and outside the control of users. They cannot choose whom to follow, etc., it’s decided for them by a treacherous secret algorithm. It’s designed to be addictive and to influence kids’ minds so their attention span is limited. It’s also constant entertainment, making more serious subjects not only less fun and uninteresting, but painful.
The Chinese government does not allow their children to use TikTok. Let that sink in. They have a different app that is educational and encourages interest in higher education. They also are not allowed to be on the app for as long as they want since it has automatic timers built in.
While Chinese school children are learning calculus, social graces, and history, ours are being dumbed down to say nothing of imbued with propaganda with subtle slams that mock our culture and way of life. They paint a pretty picture of the CCP’s version of socialism and take every opportunity to demean a democratic government. The U.S. is definitely a target rich environment, thanks to years of ongoing corruption and corporatism.
There’s also the matter of video games. These, too are designed to be addictive and keep our youth from more worthy pursuits. The plots and characters are often geared to make these same points regarding Western Culture and government weaknesses.
China has invested heavily in Hollywood and thus has a say in movie scripts. And this say hails directly from CCP operatives. The author provides detailed examples of all these insidious practices as well as pointing out those benefiting financially.
4. Loot a Burning House (Set a house on fire, then steal what you can before it burns down.)
This example relates to COVID. Details are provided regarding the “lab leak” cover-up versus the bogus “naturally evolving” theory. The deep involvement of U.S. researchers with those in Wuhan had other Americans covering for them because they were profiting directly. Within the ranks, there was some fear of losing funding.
As if it’s not bad enough that millions died from the corona virus genetically engineered to be more lethal, they further contributed by promoting ineffective as best/deadly at worst protocols. They were well aware that ventilators exacerbated the symptoms, yet sold us as many as we’d take.
When COVID was raging in China, many countries donated masks and other medical supplies to help them through the crisis. When the tables turned, they were selling the supplies to their victims, many of which were of such low quality that they were never used.
During the “plandemic” I definitely thought it incredulous we were buying supplies from a country that was not only a known enemy who started the pandemic plus were clearly out to kill us.
Their presence online included hostile bots and trolls operated by the CCP military to debunk any truth posted on apps like Twitter and Facebook. Thousands of fake accounts were identified and closed, but how much damage did they do suppressing the truth?
Years ago I was appalled we were borrowing trillions of dollars from China. Countries like that are patient with their conquests. They have an ultimate goal and timeline, but their strategic plans cover decades, even centuries. In the U.S. projects run from election to election, based on the preferences of the ruling party, their supporters, and who will profit. The good of the people is seldom a consideration, which is one of China’s greatest criticisms of capitalism.
China has never stopped being our enemy or abandoned their objective to take possession of American land and resources. When Congress tried to pass a bipartisan bill to forbid China from buying farmland in the U.S., Biden vetoed it.
Sadly, our leaders refuse to acknowledge there’s a threat, much less put up any resistance that might jeopardize their financial interests.
What’s wrong with this picture? And why do Americans as a whole put up with it?
One of the most impressive parts of this book is the fact that a full third of its content (about 100 pages) comprises notes of the sources for the information therein. The content is not simply the author’s opinion, but documented fact. The index is also useful for zeroing in on specific issues or individuals.
I highly recommend you get a copy of this book, read it, and share it far and wide. If nothing is done to change this (and it may already be too late) our children and grandchildren are likely to be speaking Chinese.
You can get a copy from this affiliate link to Amazon here.
While this book works as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the award-winning first book, “The Last Dog,” to gain the full context of this wonderful story. It’s a lot more meaningful when you understand what the characters have been through as well as the details related to its 2087 setting. You can find my review of “The Last Dog” here. Consider that was written in 2018 and how much has transpired since.
Texmexzona is a geographical area that comprises, as the name implies, Texas, Mexico, New Mexico, and Arizona. This is supposedly a “no man’s land” as far as what’s left of the U.S. is concerned, but in reality where people fled from the compromised United States since it was taken over by the World Guild.
Sound eerily familiar?
There are so many elements of this story that parallel what the U.S. is experiencing today it’s actually kind of creepy. There’s a strong prophetic ring of possibility to it, though the story’s focus in on the characters, which include numerous humans as well as their “dog children.” Due to the fact that fertility has been seriously compromised, families cherish their pets at the same level as if they were biological children.
The plot is further enhanced by the fact that the main character, Bill Maxwell, invented “the dot” that gives animals the cognizance of humans as well as the ability to speak. In addition, there are robotic dogs with similar intelligence traits as well as enhanced abilities bordering on superpowers.
However, the Dot, originally for people to manage their finances and keep track of things like medical records, has been hijacked by the government that uses it in nefarious ways. In other words, privacy, freedom of speech, and thought are gone and enforced by the Tranquility Force.
Hmmmm. Where have we heard that before?
Anyway, if you’re an animal lover, especially a dog person, you’ll love the dogs, who are fully integrated into the story with a multitude of diverse personalities.
This book is the perfect sequel to an amazing story that began in the first book. It answers various questions left unanswered and brings “the rest of the story” forward to a satisfying conclusion.
Dawn Greenfield Ireland is a gifted storyteller with an incredible imagination that she shares with her readers through strong writing skills. You truly feel as if you know the characters and miss them when you finish the story. Highly recommended along with her other books/series. You can find more about her and her multitude of books on her website. If you’re a writer looking for services like editing or formatting, she does that, too.
You can pick up a copy of Texmexzona on Amazon here.
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