Books Arriving for Review

Check out the latest books to arrive for review!

The River Bends in Time by Glen Mazis This book follows the flow of time and the river as it unwinds in a small town in Pennsylvania along the banks of the Susquehanna. The narrator experiences those quiet moments of joy when ducks come from the sky to skim the water's edge or in the height of a Nor'easter as he walks through the forest filling with snow, but also the sadness of a neighbor's dying or love breaking apart. The river flows, always bending and changing, like the love found in finding a mate with whom to run under flying snow geese or pile wood together. Yet, the postmodern world seems lost without a past. A bout with colon cancer brings a renewed sense of the preciousness of each day and how the culture is wrong in its headlong race towards the future. The book ends with moments that resonate with the past in a state of continual discovery.

Horse Camp by Kim Chatel Follow a group of young horse enthusiasts through a week at horse camp. Learn about tacking and grooming. Enjoy a visit from the farrier and test your knowledge of breeds and markings. Illustrated with beautiful photography that is sure to delight all horse fans. Fifty percent of author royalties will be donated to animal rescue foundations.

The Paris Directive by Gerald Jay In a Berlin hotel room in the late 1990s, two former French intelligence agents hire Klaus Reiner, a ruthlessly effective hit man, to eliminate an American industrialist vacationing in the Dordogne, in southwestern France. Reiner easily locates his target in the small village of Taziac, but the hit is compromised when three innocent people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Enter Inspector Paul Mazarelle, formerly of Paris but now living in Taziac, charged with bringing his experience and record of success in the capital to bear on the gruesome quadruple homicide at the height of tourist season.

A Conflict of Interest by Adam Mitzner Criminal defense attorney Alex Miller has the life he’s always dreamed of: a loving and patient wife, a beautiful daughter, and a career as the youngest partner in one of the most powerful law firms in New York City. At his father’s funeral, Alex meets a wealthy and mysterious family friend who requests his representation in a high-profile criminal investigation of an alleged brokerage scam that has cost investors hundreds of millions of dollars. The shocking facts of the case propel Alex to unscrupulous depths in a desperate search for the truth, forcing him to confront a past defined by deception and a future in jeopardy. One false step will close the case on Alex and everything he holds dear forever.

Confessions of a Scary Mommy: An Honest and Irreverent Look at Motherhood: The Good, The Bad, and the Scary by Jill Smokler In a culture that idealizes motherhood, it’s scary to confess that, in your house, being a mother is beautiful and dirty and joyful and frustrating all at once. Admitting that it’s not easy doesn’t make you a bad mom; at least, it shouldn’t. If I can’t survive my daughter as a toddler, how the hell am I going to get through the teenage years?

The United States Constitution: A Round Table Comic Graphic Adaptation Round Table Comics' adaptation of the supreme law of the United States of America, created by the team at Round Table Companies, includes 100% of the original text from the Constitution as well as a narrative to communicate the concepts from one of history's most important documents. Full color illustration throughout combines an entertaining read with the factual accuracy that readers of history expect. Adapted by Nadja Baer (Delivering Happiness: A Round Table Comic, Altucher Confidential: A Round Table Comic), illustrated by Nathan Lueth (Altucher Confidential, Everything's Okay), and overseen by former documentary filmmaker David Cohen, now VP of Round Table. Guidance provided by Dr. Katie Monnin, assistant professor of literacy at the University of North Florida.  

The Second-Last Woman in England by Maggie Joel A tragedy of manners, like Jane Austin in 1950s London. It's 1952 and for England, it's a brave and bright new world. The Depression is over, the War is over, even the endless bloody rationing is nearly over, and the future looks as lovely as the young Queen Elizabeth, due to be crowned next June. Ms. Harriett Wallis, for one, cannot wait for tomorrow. Her husband has an important job with an important firm, the children are settling in with the new nanny, the new fashions are terrifically flattering, and the War-grubby, grim, ghastly-is done. Life is going to be just killing wonderful.

Author Interview with Mushtaq H. Jaafri

Today we're talking with Mushtaq H. Jaafri, author of The Quiet Mind: How to Attain and Maintain Inner Peace in Eleven Seconds


FQ: How did you come up with the specific time of eleven seconds for quieting the mind?


During my 30+ years of research and study of the metaphysical teachings, I found beyond any room for doubt that an average man or woman can not stop the incessant compulsive thinking of the mind for more than eleven seconds at a time. If you count backward from eleven to one, you too, will know that it is true.

FQ: What is the greatest challenge to quieting the mind, in your opinion?


In my opinion, the greatest challenge to quieting the mind is the ability to hold the mind quiet (without any thoughts) for eleven seconds at a time. With persistence and determination it can be overcome. I guarantee it!

FQ: It can be difficult to value this quiet space of mind, since it is so different from the way we normally think. Can you reiterate some of the benefits for readers who are new to these ideas?


The value of this quiet space of mind cannot be reiterated in words for the reason the benefits can only be experienced by the readers. In a psychic nutshell, it is a place where the Soul dwells. In this quiet space you experience yourself as a Soul, not as a theory but, as a reality in life. The sad thing is that you can only experience it in this quiet space.

FQ: Your experience at the University of Metaphysics sounds very interesting. Can you describe the curriculum there?


I had the good fortune of working directly with the Dean and the President of the University of Metaphysics. My Master's Degree studies included 30 academic subjects, plus 3 special subjects such as Psychic-Mystical Secrets of Getting Prayer Answered and Developing A Prosperity Mentality. My Master's Degree thesis was Exploring the Choice of Metaphysical Operation. My Doctoral Degree studies included 16 academic subjects such as Telepathic Thought Control, Meditational Programing, Meditational Synthesis, and Transcendent Visualization. My Doctoral Degreet thesis was The Seven Laws of Nature. Based on my thesis, I worte and self-published a new book The Seven Laws of Nature. This book is now available at Amazon.com or from Mushtaq Publishing. I also received a Practioners Diploma from the National Metaphysical Institute (a subsidy of the University). This diploma was awarded to engage professionally in the treatment of physical and menttal ailments through spiritual means. I am an Ordained Metaphysical Minister by the Metaphysics National Institute (an educational division of the University). I was published in Who's Who in Metaphysics.


FQ: Your book is dedicated to your father, who supported your spiritual education. Is there anyone else who’s been an inspiration to you in your studies?


Yes. Very definitely there have been many outstanding individuals who have been an inspiration to me and my studies. The very first name that comes to my mind is the name of Napoleon Hill, the author of the world famous book, Think and Grow Rich. The second person would be Earnest Holms, the founder of the Science of Mind church and Dr. Wayne Dyer and finally Dr. Kenneth Wapnick, the editor and founder of A Course in Miracles. My book is the essence of these teachings as I know it.

FQ: Was there a particular moment in your life when you realized your calling as a teacher of spiritual practices?


I believe that all teachers of spiritual teachings have somehow agreed with their Creator to do HIS work. What they teach and how they teach is all planned for them. Since English is my second language (as you noticed), I felt a calling to share this unique 'thought-system' with the world but it sounded like a crazy idea. Then, I heard someone say that "People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." (By the way, it was Steve Jobs of Apple Computers who said this.) The funny thing is that with this decision, somehow everything came my way as if God has sent them.

FQ: Are you currently working on any new books?

My next book will be An Awaken Mind. One of my major goals is to find 'like-minded' people interested in learning the ideas in my book The Quiet Mind and help me teach to people all over the world. If you are interested as a facilitator of this teaching I ask that you please log on to my website: www.thequietmindstory.com and get the details of this worldwide movement to tip the scale in favor of world peace one person at a time.

To learn more about The Quiet Mind: How to Attain and Maintain Inner Peace in Eleven Seconds please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.

We Won An Award!

I just received an email from the Association of Independent Authors informing us that Feathered Quill Book Reviews was selected as a winner of their "Best Websites for Independent Authors" award!  Everybody here at Feathered Quill is excited and honored by this recognition.  It makes all those long days and nights worth it. Thanks to everybody who voted!  You can learn more about the award, and about the Association for Independent Authors here.

Book Review - The Quiet Mind

The Quiet Mind: How to Attain and Maintain Inner Peace in Eleven Seconds

By: Mushtaq H. Jaafri
Publisher: Mushtaq Publishing Company
Publication Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1892189127
Reviewed By: Cory Bickel
Reviewed On: March 15, 2012

How do you find peace in a world full of problems and chaos? The answer is surprisingly simple – by stepping out of the incessant stream of thoughts that run through the mind, peace can be found in a quiet space without thought. Many people are so used to the constant activity of their mind that they never think to question its value, or are not even aware of it. But this mind activity is generally negative in content, creating negative circumstances and experiences in our lives and blocking the awareness of peace. By becoming aware of the thought stream in the mind, one can detach from it and live from a more tranquil and positive mindset. In The Quiet Mind, Jaafri teaches techniques for stilling the mind that allow this state of peace to be accessed no matter what is going on in the world outside. By using these techniques and quieting the mind for the eleven seconds or more that Jaafri recommends, as often as possible throughout the day, a new, peaceful state of mind and way of living can be attained.

Jaafri incorporates his own insights with teachings from traditions such as Buddhism and A Course in Miracles. He describes the model of the mind that he has created out of his own studies and meditations, which can be used to visualize the positive and helpful aspects of the mind’s activity and to strengthen these areas. Jaafri explains the benefits of having a quiet mind, such as attracting positive circumstances into one’s life and healing physical problems. He explains that there is a non-physical being that resides within each of us as a friend and guide, and that by quieting the mind we can gain access to its help and wisdom, and find our own spiritual curriculum and purpose in life. He also includes quizzes on the material to emphasize the important points of his teachings.

The Quiet Mind presents Jaafri’s own interesting perspectives on spiritual wisdom and practices. His model of how the mind works makes a nice visual aid for those who find having mental images useful in meditation practices. His method of stilling the mind by counting backwards from eleven is effective in interrupting the mind’s incessant thought stream and becoming present. While the book is sometimes repetitive and disorganized, with some grammatical errors, and may be confusing for people not already familiar with these concepts, Jaafri presents many important truths that can lead to a more peaceful and happy life. This may be a good supplement to other spiritual texts, as having a diverse set of practices can be helpful in preventing any single practice from becoming rote and ineffective. Anyone interested in discovering if Jaafri’s style is for them may want to browse the author interview questions for this book and for his previous book, Original Sin.
 

Quill says: While the presentation could be clearer and more organized, the ideas discussed in The Quiet Mind are useful spiritual principles that can create a more peaceful life. 

To learn more about The Quiet Mind: How to Attain and Maintain Inner Peace in Eleven Seconds, please visit the book's website at: www.thequietmindstory.com

To Ensure a Bright Future, Your Teen Needs to be Reading

Author Offers Tips for Getting Adolescents to Turn the Page

Being able to read well is more important than ever for young adults to achieve economic success. But more than 60 percent of middle and high school students score below “proficient” in reading achievement, according to a December 2011 report by the Alliance for Excellent Education.
“Teen literacy is a huge problem in the United States – its 15-year-olds rank 14th among developed nations in reading – behind Poland, Estonia and Iceland,” says Rhiannon Paille, 27, an advocate for teen literacy whose new fantasy novel, Flame of Surrender (www.yafantasyauthor.com) targets young adults. (South Korea, Finland and Canada rank 1st, 2nd and 3rd.)
“Kids need strong reading skills if they hope to graduate from high school AND they really need to plan for college – 59 percent of U.S. jobs today require some postsecondary education, compared to 28 percent in 1973.”
The best thing parents can do to help boost their 12- to 18-year-olds’ literacy is to get them reading – anything.
She offers these suggestions:

• Buy them comic books. Boys persistently lag behind girls in reading, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, Paille says. If your son isn’t a reader, try getting him hooked on comic books. “Stephen King started off reading comics, ‘Tales from the Crypt.’ Hey, if it was good enough for him …!’’ From comic books, they may move into graphic novels, a popular young adult genre. As long as they’re reading, they’re building comprehension skills and vocabulary, so it needn’t be “War and Peace.”
• Look for book-to-film novels. Chances are, if it was a great movie, they saw it, and that’s often enough to get a non-reader curious. This is another especially good hook for boys, Paille says.
• Tune into what they’re interested in. What kinds of video games do they play? Some popular games have spawned novels, including Halo, EverQuest, ElfQuest and Gears of War. Even gaming guides, which players read to unlock new clues to advancing in the game, can motivate a teen to crack a book.
• Read the same book your teen is reading. Book clubs are popular because people like talking to others who’ve read the same book. Your teen may not be ready for an evening of petit fours and grape juice while discussing the pacing of “Hunger Games,” but it can make for some interesting conversation on the way to soccer practice. And you can always nudge them along with comments like, “Oh, you haven’t gotten to that part yet? It’s really good!”

“People tend to think their young adults aren’t reading if they’re not reading novels,” Paille says. “But novels aren’t for everyone, and whether it’s a comic book or a gaming guide, all reading helps build comprehension skills and vocabulary.”
Good magazines, with shorter articles suited for distractible adolescents, might include Sports Illustrated, People, Seventeen or Mad.
“When you’re out shopping, think about what they’re interested in and pick up something just for them. Sometimes, it’s as simple as putting the right reading materials right into their hands.”

About Rhiannon Paille

Rhiannon Paille is an active advocate for youth literacy and an avid reader of young adult novels. Her first book, the non-fiction Integrated Intuition: A Comprehensive Guide to Psychic Development, remains a popular seller on amazon.com. Paille is the founder of the Canadian Metaphysical Foundation. She’s married and the mother of two children.

Book Review - The Chicken Whisperer's Guide to Keeping Chickens

The Chicken Whisperer's Guide to Keeping Chickens: Everything You Need to Know . . . and Didn't Know You Needed to Know About Backyard and Urban Chickens

By: Andy Schneider and Brigid McCrea
Publisher: Quarry Books
Publication Date: September 2011
ISBN: 978-1592537280
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 6, 2012

With the resurgence of people interested in growing their own food and knowing the actual raising process, whether it be lettuce or chickens, guides such as this one are welcome and quite useful. The term "chicken whisperer" in the title is a bit of a misnomer as many might expect some sort of dialogue on how to speak to your flock much as Nicholas Evan's horse whisperer talks to horses. No, you won't be whispering to your chickens, but you definitely will know how to take care of them. In part, I see this as a decision making guide for many. Do I really want to raise chickens?

One of the first considerations you must consider, even before considering purchasing this book, is whether or not your municipality will even allow you to raise chickens. Additionally there are your neighbors. Mind you, I live in a rural area and am zoned residential and agricultural as are many of my neighbors. The mixed zoning is creating some animosity. Let's just say that the animal life around here is not welcomed by all in the village. "Can you smell that?!!" If you really want to raise chickens and have a green light (think about that rooster) then by all means I'd consider this book.

There is a nice section on the selection of breeds that will mesh well with your personality, the type and color of eggs you might prefer, or even the beauty of them. You'll be able to read about several breeds, their appearance, personality, popularity, and will be able to see a full-color photograph of one. Do you know which kind of hen lays brown-shelled eggs? It's quite simple, but you'll have to read the book to find out.
This is not an expansive book, but I don't believe the intent was to be encyclopedic. I do like the flow and layout of the book as it will help guide the reader in his or her decision making process. Once a decision is made, there are other books that can be purchased if you need more specific information. I'd lean toward purchasing the hard copy as this is a great reference. In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, a list of mail-order poultry supplies, organizations, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore. Would I recommend it? Most definitely!

Quill says: All in all, I'd say this is an excellent guide for the beginner to explore the topic and think about the feasibility of raising chickens.

Book Review - Police Forensics

Police Forensics (On the Radar: Defend and Protect) 

By: Adam Sutherland
Publisher: Lerner Publications
Publication Date: March 2012
ISBN: 978-0761377740
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2012

If you have your eyes glued to the television set when the crime scene investigator starts poring over the evidence, chances are you'll love reading about police forensics. There are several different types of forensic scientists including those who look at toxicology, psychology, pathology, graphology, and dentistry. Each one looks at evidence that may "provide information that helps the police to solve the crime." For example a forensic pathologist thoroughly examines a body "during an autopsy to try to establish the cause of death." Some causes may be very obvious, while others can be quite elusive.

Crime scene forensics has its own lingo. Perhaps you may be familiar with words or terms such as luminol, exposing reagent, ballistics, or antigens. If not, you may have a lot to learn. If you are familiar with all of them, you probably are a forensics aficionado. One of the first forensic scientists was the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. When he worked on his cases "he used the science of fingerprinting and blood analysis to solve crimes. You'll swing through time and will read about others in the field such as Hans Gross, Edmond Locard, August Vollmer, Francis Crick, and James Watson, all of whom contributed to the science.

Just what do those crime scene investigators, or "experts on-site," do when they arrive on the scene of a crime? You'll learn how they protect or secure the scene, who takes charge of the body, how they collect evidence, you'll learn about weapons, check out prints, and what the medical examiner (ME) does. There are different types of evidence to look at and also several ways to collect it. Did you know that there are three basic types of fingerprints? You can look at your own to see if you have rare ones. You'll also read about a day in the life of a real DNA scientist, Dr. Georgina Meakin, a forensic school graduates story, you'll learn how to go about investigating a crime scene, how to recognize fingerprints, how we are fighting cyber crime, take a look at some famous cases, and you'll learn about many more interesting facts about police forensics.

With the wealth of shows, reality and fictional, about forensics, this book is sure to be a hit with many youngsters. The layout is vibrant and exciting. There is some straight text, but also numerous informative sidebars strategically placed among photographs to give the book a wow effect. For example, when the tools of the trade are discussed photographs of them are scattered over a two-page spread. We're able to take a close look at things like an identification tag, dusting powder, and an evidence bag. In the back of the book is an index and additional recommended book and website resources to explore.

Quill says: This is a fascinating look at many aspects of police forensics.