Kate Padilla

Kate Padilla

Kate Padilla is an author, poet and artist. Her book, Apples Rot on the Ground (May 2020), is a collection of gut-wrenching poems detailing the racism and bigotry that existed for Hispanic families in early New Mexico & Wyoming.
Review: The Other Emily by Dean Koontz

Review: The Other Emily by Dean Koontz

The Other Emily, Dean Koontz, Thomas & Mercer – Dean Koontz’ forthcoming 2021 novel, “The Other Emily,” is so terrifying it’s impossible to set aside until the conclusion unfolds.

Review: Lana’s War by Anita Abriel

Review: Lana’s War by Anita Abriel

Lana’s War, Anita Abriel, Atria – Anita Abriel’s novel, Lana’s War, riffs on dark history, during a time of genocide of Jewish people by the Nazis during World War II. 

Review: Do No Harm by Christina McDonald

Review: Do No Harm by Christina McDonald

Review: Do No Harm, Christina McDonald, Gallery Books – Christina McDonald’s novel, “Do No Harm,” is a vexing story that pivots around parents who resort to nightmarish measures to fund medical treatment for their dying son. 

In 60 Stories About 30 Seconds by Bruce Van Dusen

In 60 Stories About 30 Seconds by Bruce Van Dusen

In 60 Stories About 30 Seconds, Bruce Van Dusen, Post Hill Press – The richness of Bruce Van Dusen’s book, “In 60 Stories About 30 Seconds,” springs from his perspective of key events that dramatically changed the production of television commercials during his forty-five years as a TV ad director and producer. 

Review: Make Them Cry by Smith Henderson & Jon Marc Smith

Review: Make Them Cry by Smith Henderson & Jon Marc Smith

Make Them Cry, Smith Henderson & Jon Marc Smith, Harper Collins – Can private military contractors hired by the United States to stabilize violence in Afghanistan by taking over the country’s heroin traffic use the same tactics with Mexican drug cartels?

Review: Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish by Tori Whitaker

Review: Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish by Tori Whitaker

Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish, Tori Whitaker, Lake Union Publishing – Tori Whitaker’s “Glenn’s Last Wish,” fails to excite, with what turns out to be a tedious plot line. If that’s not enough, toss in Roe vs Wade, and add religious overtones.

Book Review: Red Dress in Black & White by Elliot Ackerman

Book Review: Red Dress in Black & White by Elliot Ackerman

Red Dress in Black & White, Elliot Ackerman, Alfred A. Knopf – Former Marine Elliot Ackerman, who lived a swath of time in Turkey, offers us his new novel, “Red Dress in Black and White,” which focuses on that country’s political upheaval, in particular the 2013 Gezi Park demonstration that left many protestors dead and thousands imprisoned.