Review: The Scent of Rain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Rose Madsen will do anything to keep from being married off to one of the men in her Fundamentalist Mormon (FLDS) community, even endure the continued beatings and abuse of her mother. But when her mentally handicapped baby sister is forced to strangle the bird she loves at the behest of the Prophet, Rose frees the bird and runs away.

Adan Reyes will do anything to escape the abusive foster care system in Phoenix, even leaving his good friends and successful high school athletic career behind him. Ill-prepared for surviving the desert, Adan hits the road only to suffer heat stroke. Found by a local handyman, he catches a glimpse of a mysterious girl–Rose–running through town, and follows her into the mountains where they are both tracked and discovered by the men of the FLDS community.

With their fates now intertwined, can Rose and Adan escape the systems locking them into lives of abuse? Will Rose be forced to marry the Prophet, a man her father’s age, and be one of dozens of wives, perpetually pregnant, with no hope for an education? Will Adan be returned to the foster home where bullying and cruelty are common? Is everyone they meet determined to keep them right where they belong or are some adults worthy of their trust?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Scent of Rain by Anne Montgomery is an intriguing novel about Mormons and their cults. Young girls are expected to marry older men with dozens of wives. This is sexual abuse and outrageous. Inside this story is about one young woman with dreams of her own who escapes that life and runs for it. Animal cruelty is also found here, as well. I felt outraged. It was both sad, frustrating and frightening to read. This kind of stuff still happens, today. The writer has done her research into these topics that are covered in her novel. It is both an eye opener and a nightmare. The plot itself was engaging. I was hooked on following Rose, the main protagonist and her new found friend, Adian. Together, they both are running away from their lives. Escaping from things they should not have to worry about but do. Overall, this book was a good read. I recommend it to readers everywhere.

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Review: Unraveling MS

Synopsis:

Many autoimmune diseases are quite common, and any one of them may significantly affect your health. These diseases can be further identified and pointed out as multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, celiac sprue, and even some types of coronary atherosclerosis. Altogether, there are over 80 diseases that have been associated with an autoimmune origin. Each autoimmune disease involves the immune system, they differ in that each affects a different organ or tissue.

 In this book, Unraveling MS, multiple sclerosis is used as the “model” to explain how the immune system actually is harming your own body rather than defending and rejuvenating it. This is accomplished by describing the immune system in simple, easy-to-understand language for the average lay person. 

In addition, the fascinating way that white blood cells are communicating with each other, and the dreadful role that viruses are playing in inciting an autoimmune disease are similarly discussed. Since the process underlying all autoimmune diseases is inflammatory, the good news is that a correct diet surprisingly is one way to minimize inflammation and improve an autoimmune disease. 

Overall, providing information about MS and other autoimmune diseases, this book should be very helpful to those individuals seeking to understand the importance of the immune system and the significant role that both diet and infection play in health and longevity. Although the adverse effect of infections on health is well-known, poor dietary habits also are a significant cause for ill health and a shortened life expectancy. So, if you, a relative or a friend have an autoimmune disease, or if you’re looking for more answers on understanding and managing a healthy life, you’ve come to the right place!”

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Unraveling MS by Robert W. Soll, M.D., Ph.D. is a must have for all. It has everything readers worldwide need to know about autoimmune disorders. From what causes to how to help those diagnosed with it. There’s also a glossary to help go over the terminology defined within the pages. Diagrams with beautiful colors are found as well. Plus, it goes over the important question on whether one has an autoimmune disorder. Topics like inflammation, revolution, and a diet that can help reduce the inflammation caused by this disease are also discussed. Excellent nonfiction guidebook that tells us, readers, everything needed to know. I found the words detailed in great depth. The organization and layout are amazing. Overall, I highly recommend Unraveling MS by Robert W. Soll, M.D., Ph.D. to all. 

Review: Beyond the Gray Leaf

 

Synopsis:

Walt Whitman, John Burroughs, and J.P. Irvine represent a handful of the thousands of government clerks who worked in Washington, D.C., after the Civil War. But Irvine, a small-town poet from the Illinois prairies, was the one selected to address President Ulysses S. Grant and a crowd of 10,000 on Memorial Day 1873. Those words were lost, along with the legacy of the man. Until now.

Dustin Renwick tracked down that piece and more for his book, which explores Irvine’s life from his pioneer upbringing in western Illinois to his years in the nation’s capital. The poet excelled in his depictions of the Civil War, and the Chicago Tribune called some of Irvine’s nature poems “nearly pure gold.”

Beyond the Gray Leaf weaves biography and historical context with the rediscovered poems of this forgotten literary figure from 19th-century America.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Beyond the Gray Leaf by Dustin Renwick is a fascinating book. One that contains a collection of poems that readers everywhere can loose themselves within and enjoy. This book represents a poet’s life story and the poems he wrote. A wonderful way of bringing poetry to readers worldwide. Dustin Renwick knew exactly how to put together an educational yet entertaining read. It was like stepping back in time. Each word took me into the story and poetry presented to me. Each poem was beautifully written. I love poetry and this was by the best book I have seen featuring a poet. Overall, I highly recommend Beyond the Gray Leaf to all readers.