Review by Mack Hassler An early issue of Clutch was one of the first collections I reviewed, long before Luczak had his idea of editing his series. The geography of Robert Zoschke reaches up and to the East toward the delta of the Menominee into Lake Michigan, so it is…
Review by Mack Hassler The Yooper Poetry Series, originated and edited by Luczak, captivates me in this book Amasa Speaker Factory by Chad Faries (volume VI), which deals mostly with Iron County; and with the Zoschke 2026 edition of Clutch, we get a similar Kerouac-centered “on the road” openness of structure…
Review by Deborah K Frontiera Books of poetry are not meant to be read like novels, page after page for hours on end. Poetry is meant to be read a few pages at a time over a few weeks or more. Even if a reader doesn’t “understand” everything right away,…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Michael Nyquist’s The Iron Queen’s Revenge offers a well-researched study of a woman’s scorn that led to the possible murders of many unfortunate individuals. The true story was based on wealth, power, greed, lust, adultery, attempted murder and murder. The story took place in many locations, starting…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Debbie Nellis’ Max’s Fudgy Friends: Island Adventures with Mackinac Max offers a delightful story about a journey involving friends and delicious fudge. The story took place on Mackinac Island, which is known for its fudge. Max, Louie, Bob, Sam, Allie, Buddy, Benny, and Hank, the main characters,…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Madyson Ann Evans’ Lost Freedom reveals a struggle for survival as the result of a harsh and dangerous experimental disaster. Some of the characters in the story were Millie, Charlie, Sally, Michael, Mitchell, Lisa and other children. The children were housed in a large building with many…
Review by Mack Hassler And when the couple had enjoyed their lovemaking, they shared another pleasure –telling stories. Odysseus told her how much he hurt So many people, and in turn How much he had endured himself. She loved to listen and she did not fall asleep until he told…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw’s Decoding the Moon reveals a view of a heart-wrenching loss, coding, new friendships, and determination. Coding for children involves colorful picture-based blocks, physical tokens, or directional symbols to enable them to solve problems. Lipshaw provides a description and explanation of coding in an appendix….
.Review by Mack Hassler “… though Cook’s body was never found— eaten by the indigenous people Who killed him, his name will live forever in the remembrance of the people Grateful for the services his labors have afforded to mankind in general.” A letter by Joseph Banks…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Sara Maurer’s A Good Animal offers an unforgettable story about the rural ways of life, the trials and tribulations of young love, and the joys and challenges of raising farm animals. It took place at a country setting outside of the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Kelly Peach’s The Whore: or of Bureaucracy an Adult Fable weaves a tale of satire, horror, and social critique while examining the human condition in an indifferent world. The story took place in northern Magritte and other fictional locations. Peach was born in Detroit, but he currently lives…
Review by Deborah K Frontiera Feet in the Waves: Poems of Lake Superior has as more topics, emotions, styles of writing, forms of poetry, and descriptions of the lake itself than could possibly fit in a review. In his foreword, editor Raymond Luczak states: “Her unknowingness is part of her…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Ed. Note, this is a comprehensive review of the initial trilogy of books. These picture books written by Leokadia George and illustrated by Maddy More includes: Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup: Trumpet Grows Up Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup: Trumpet Finds Love…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Leslie Cieplechowicz’s Michigan Revealed: Exploring the Wilds of Upper Peninsula offers a historical and scenic view of the sparsely populated and heavily forested land north of the Mackinac Bridge. The author divided this book into four chapters covering the northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest regions of the…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Kelsey Matthews’ The Forgotten Ones offers a view of the exciting world of the supernatural. This book is the sequel to One of Them, which launched the series. The story takes place in Marquette, Michigan, a community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.), and in other places around…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Kelsey Matthews’ The One of Them is a story about good versus evil and the struggles of having supernatural gifts. The main character in the story is Robert Donoghue, who begins having terrifying nightmares. He fears he is losing his mind. Cody and Trista are his best…
Review by Tyler R. Tichelaar Sara Maurer’s debut novel, A Good Animal, perfectly reflects a writer following the advice of writing what you know, and what Maurer knows is something many of us will find unfamiliar and yet fascinating. In its barebone structure, the novel presents us with a fairly…
Review by Jon C. Stott In the early 1960s, Bob (“R.H.”) Miller, an instructor in the English Department of Michigan Tech, discovered the joys of fly fishing in the Upper Peninsula’s many trout streams. Now, his fishing days over, he has delved into what he calls a “creel full of…
