Book Launch Cafe BOOK REVIEWS

"Writing is its own reward." - Henry Miller  

"Keeper of Light and Dusk"

By Natasha Mostert

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

This romance is as light and airy as its title, a predictable story that flirts with ancient mysticism and concepts of life, death, and energy. It does have an unusual setting, though: the world of fighting.

Mia, our heroine, studies martial arts but does not enter the ring. Instead, she fights in the spiritual realm, protecting a small group of fighters with her personal energy. MORE >>>

"Sixtyfive Roses"

By Heather Summerhayes Cariou

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

Why should you read a book about the protracted death from Cystic Fibrosis of a beautiful young woman named Pam Summerhayes, who only lived to 26? Because this book is not about death; it is about life, spiritual growth, and the ability of humans to stand up, dust off, and keep going, even when their hearts are broken.  MORE >>>

"Beat the Reaper"

By Josh Bazell

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

The narrator of this fast-paced, witty, and very funny novel is mugged on his way to work at 5 am. It is the beginning of a day that is going to get much worse and much longer before it is finished.  MORE >>>

"Drood"

By Dan Simmons

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

“Drood” is a brooding meditation on perception, rivalry, friendship, ambition, and the creative process. Be warned – if you have any ounce of hero worship or any admiration at all for either Collins or Dickens, it will be sorely tested by this novel.  MORE >>>

"The Girl She Used to Be"

By David Cristofano

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

Since the beginning of history, humans have asked this question: Who am I?  More... 

"The Alexander Cipher"

By Will Adams

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

The problem with reading action, suspense, and thriller novels is the initial set up. More... 

"Rock Bottom"

By Michael Shilling

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

If guilt, regret, fear, and bad decisions were a rock band, they would be called Blood Orphans. More... 

"The Read Leather Diary"

By Lily Koppel

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

Fresh out of college, Lily Koppel lands a job with the New York Times. A reporter on the celebrity beat, she gets to know the famous and the trendsetters in this most chic of cities; she meets, she greets, she parties, and she writes. More..

"The Kingsake in the Sun"

By John De Herrera

Reviewed by GREG OLEWILER

John Herrera invites us along for a journey through adolescence to adulthood.  This is a very honest and candid portrayal of the author's history of self-discovery and self-awakening as he travels throughout S. Ca and Hawaii. More...

"Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World"By Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

Reviewed by CECILIA SEPP

“Dewey” initially presents itself as an animal story, but it is so much more. It is part memoir, part history, and part inspirational tale. But Dewey is the main character, and this unique cat ties the pieces of the story together.  More...