As the daughter of a Green Beret, Susie Rheault developed a love for travel at an early age as her family moved from place to place. This helped her to become unafraid and allow her to take risks that earned her the nickname Rocky. As an adult she would go on to become a Special Advisor for the Clinton Foundation Health Access Initiative with supporting field offices in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Lesotho, and Swaziland focused on working to end the AIDS epidemic. My Wild and Precious Life recounts the lessons she learned during her time working in impoverished communities in Africa. Continue reading “My Wild and Precious Life Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Lamp to My Feet is the third book in the Ordinary Man trilogy by Frances Smith. This religiously inspired series has previously focused on Mark Smith, who by this third book has run successful ministries in Alaska and Tennessee. While he is still part of this book, Smith brings in Fran Chapman, a woman who is starting a journey of her own that will intersect with Mark’s. Continue reading “Lamp to My Feet Book Review from @kleffnotes”

In the latest installment in the Code of Rainbow series, Soarame is still reeling from the shocking discovery in the previous volume and must set out to find his last remaining relative. This time his journey takes him to the largest and deadliest ocean in the world. In order to survive attacks by evil Wizards he will need to make an escape underwater, but how long can he survive the deadly creatures that lurk beneath and if he does survive what else is waiting for him in Code of Rainbow: Legends of Azure and the Masked Planet. Continue reading “Code of Rainbow: Legends of Azure and the Masked Planet Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Set two years after the events of the first book in the Code of Rainbow series, the second book subtitled Ancient Barons and the Returned Assassin, starts off with everything seeming normal. That is until Soarame and his friends receive a mysterious threat. From that point forward surprise discoveries continue to emerge and there is so much that will be learned by the end of this story. Continue reading “Code of Rainbow: Ancient Barons and the Returned Assassin Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Young wizard, Soarame, has special eyes that allow him to see the magic elements of the world, which are supposed to be invisible. While he can see the truth of the world, this gift also places him in tremendous danger. Beyond our lead character there are also beings who possess magical powers, called magimals, which include dragons. Soarame has a baby magimal as his best friend and together in Code of Rainbow: Soaring Flame and the Dragon-transcending Magimal they will get into trouble that is even more dangerous than dragons. Continue reading “Code of Rainbow Book One Book Review from @kleffnotes”

The Middle Sister is the third installation in the popular Jack Salvo series by Jesse Miles. This fast paced thriller is reminiscent of a classic 1940’s style private detective novel, but set in the modern environment of present day Los Angeles. Jack Salvo, our hardboiled and well-educated P.I. with a soft spot for people in need, is hired by a wealthy woman to find her wayward daughter Lillie, who has been missing for a week. While Jack thinks she is probably just somewhere with friends this case is going to be far from easy. Continue reading “The Middle Sister Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Trove: A Woman’s Search for Truth and Buried Treasure is a beautifully written and hilarious memoir that focuses on Sandra A. Miller and her life being upended when she begins an armchair treasure hunt. With $10,000 worth of buried gold coins somewhere in New York City, she and a man(who is not her husband she insists) go on the hunt. This journey though connects with her constant journey in life hunting for some sort of buried treasure. This work is both a physical and a metaphorical treasure hunt that speaks to how life leaves us hunting for more. Continue reading “Trove Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Geeks Who Drink, led by the six-time Jeopardy champion Christopher D. Short, brings you a book designed to get you ready for trivia night. With 100 hilarious essays with a focus on questions that commonly come up in trivia nights, but that you often just can’t exactly remember how to answer them, this book is meant to help you reign supreme next time you and your team get ready to play. Geeks Who Drink Presents: Duh! will have you in prime question answering position in plenty of time for your next night. Continue reading “Geeks Who Drink Presents: Duh! Book Review from @kleffnotes”

This deeply personal and emotional work, The View from Apartment Four: On Loving and Leaving New York, takes readers on a tour through his life starting from his arrival in New York City at the age of 24 with the goal of carving out a career by any means necessary as a writer. Skip Rozin writes in the way that only a journalist and true writer can by including incisive wit and unflinching honesty. The stories of his life create a heartfelt and often humorous image of the writer’s efforts to remain viable in the difficult environment of the city. Continue reading “The View from Apartment Four Book Review from @kleffnotes”

Crowning Glory: River’s Journey is Taylor Thompson’s debut novel that follows in the footsteps of notable writers like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker. Her story focuses on River Thomas, a young black girl who is struggling with self-acceptance and particularly her insecure connection to her hair. Set in 1956 the story follows her journey, which begins with her hair in childhood and then moves forward into her adult life, again tying the plot back to her hair. This is a story that examines coming to terms with yourself and how you feel perceived by the world around you. Continue reading “Crowning Glory: River’s Journey Book Review from @kleffnotes”