Blog Archives
The Cost of Service
The Cost of Service tells the story of what it really costs to live a life built around serving others. It moves through the worlds of the military, law enforcement, and ministry with a mix of personal stories, quiet confessions, and raw honesty. The book lays out the emotional and spiritual wounds that often go unseen, and it does so in a way that feels deeply human. It follows the author’s journey through war zones, patrol units, and church pulpits, and shows how each role demands sacrifice from both the one who serves and the people who love them. It is a book about struggle, purpose, loss, and the long road toward healing.
As I moved through these chapters, I found myself getting pulled in by the simple directness of the writing. It is blunt in places and tender in others. The stories hit hard because they feel lived in. I kept stopping to sit with some of the moments, especially the ones where duty pressed up against heartbreak. The book doesn’t preach. It tells the truth, and it lets the truth sit there. I appreciated that. It reminded me that behind uniforms and titles are people trying to hold themselves together while holding everyone else up.
What surprised me most was how much emotion is tucked between the lines. You can feel the burnout, the loneliness, and the long, quiet ache that comes when someone keeps showing up even after they feel emptied out. The writing can feel heavy, but it is the kind of heavy that makes you reflect on how much people give without asking for anything in return. The book pushed me to consider how easily we forget the weight that service workers carry home with them every night.
By the time I reached the end, I felt grateful. This book is for anyone who loves someone in uniform or ministry, and for anyone who wants to understand why service changes a person. It is also for people who have served and may need the reminder that they are not alone in their struggles. I would recommend The Cost of Service to readers who appreciate real stories told with heart and honesty, and to anyone willing to look past the surface and hear the deeper, quieter truth of what service truly demands.
Pages: 120 | ISBN : 9798989359288
Arcanoforge: Midnight Metropolis
Arcanoforge: Midnight Metropolis is a feverish plunge into the neon-choked streets of Noctara City, a dystopian sprawl where humans and husks, ghosts and hemo magicians blur into a single, strange pulse. The story follows Tattie, a blood seer who’s fled her dying homeworld, and Brax, the man who tracks her across galaxies as their shared past claws its way back into the present. Around them spin a chorus of restless lives, skaterats, dealers, dreamers, all caught in the thrumming heart of a city that feels alive and dying at once. It’s part cyberpunk, part occult noir, and part heartbreak.
The writing is gritty, poetic, and weirdly tender. Author Caroline Barnard-Smith doesn’t just describe Noctara, she burns it into your head with words. Every street and shadow has its own personality, every conversation crackles like static. I loved how the world felt handmade, patched together with old wires and bad memories. The characters stumble through it broken and fierce, never really heroes, just people trying to stay one step ahead of decay. The prose leans heavily on texture, smells, lights, and sounds, and it builds a rhythm that makes the whole book feel like a song played through busted speakers. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, but in the best way.
There’s this deep ache about survival, about what we lose when the world stops caring. I kept thinking about the husks, these half-human enforcers who’ve traded pain for obedience, and how much that says about our own craving for numbness. And Tattie, she’s messy, angry, brilliant. I believed every choice she made, even when it hurt to watch. The story toys with power, guilt, and the ghosts that cling to love long after it’s gone.
Arcanoforge: Midnight Metropolis reads like Blade Runner crashed into The City & The City with a shot of Neuromancer’s grit and the bruised heart of a Becky Chambers story. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves science fiction that’s soaked in mood and grit. Fans of Gibson and VanderMeer will feel right at home. If you like your futures dark and your magic dirty, if you want to taste the metal in the air, this book’s for you.
Pages: 278 | ASIN : B0FFH6BS5L
Sand, Grit and Dangerous Supply Missions-The Unsung Civilian Heroes of the Iraq War
Keith Richard’s Sand, Grit and Dangerous Supply Missions offers a vivid and personal account of civilian logistics operations during the Iraq War, told from the perspective of someone who lived it firsthand. The book follows Richard’s unexpected journey from a seasoned logistics executive in the U.S. to leading one of the largest civilian military support efforts in a war zone. Through stories packed with emotion, hardship, and bureaucratic chaos, he lifts the curtain on the thousands of unsung civilian workers. Many of them are truck drivers who put their lives on the line without a uniform or a weapon. It’s part memoir, part tribute, and part exposé of how civilian contractors played an essential but invisible role in modern warfare.
I found the writing to be raw, honest, and sometimes unpolished, but in a way that works. Richard doesn’t try to sound like a polished author. He writes the way he talks, which makes the whole thing feel personal, like a friend telling you a war story over coffee. Some chapters hit hard, especially the ones where lives are lost or where Richard grapples with the emotional toll of being away from his family. But just as powerful are the quiet moments: awkward airport layovers, cigarette breaks with skeptical soldiers, dusty meetings in sweltering trailers. Those little things made the story feel real. The voice is genuine and heartfelt, though sometimes a bit repetitive or tangential. But I didn’t mind. It gave the story a rhythm that felt true to the chaos he was living through.
What I liked most were the ideas beneath the surface. This book isn’t just about logistics or war. It’s about leadership, identity, and purpose. Richard steps into a role that he never could’ve fully prepared for, and instead of folding, he adapts. He leads through grit and connection, not ego. That said, there were moments when I wished he pushed harder on the system itself. The bureaucracy and mismanagement he described were shocking. Maybe that’s loyalty, maybe it’s diplomacy. Either way, the book raises important questions about how we treat the civilians who support military efforts and whether we even acknowledge them at all.
I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, leadership, or stories of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s especially compelling for those who’ve worked in logistics or operations, since it highlights a side of war that’s rarely talked about but absolutely vital. It’s a gritty, heartfelt memoir that gives voice to the everyday heroes who get left out of the headlines.
Pages: 150 | ASIN : B0F91X5ZYD
Avoiding Muddy Foxholes: A Story of an American Bombardier
After reading Avoiding Muddy Foxholes: A Story of an American Bombardier by Jim Loveless, I found myself both emotionally stirred and intellectually enriched. This book recounts the life and military service of Richard “Dick” Loveless, a young man from Washington, D.C., who joins the Army Air Corps during World War II to avoid the muddy foxholes of infantry life. What starts as a reluctant enlistment grows into a profound journey of love, sacrifice, camaraderie, and resilience. From Dick’s early training days to bombing runs over Germany, from the horror of being shot down to surviving as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III, the narrative offers a personal window into the often-overlooked life of an American bombardier.
Jim Loveless writes like a loving son, and that gives the story an emotional weight that historical accounts often lack. His voice is earnest, plainspoken, and full of heart. There’s humor, grit, nostalgia, and a sense of duty packed into nearly every scene. Some moments made me smile, like Dick’s charming early courtship of Mary Lu, and others just broke me. The POW chapters, in particular, are haunting. Loveless doesn’t glamorize war, and he doesn’t shy away from the psychological toll it takes. The book is structured like a novel but reads like a memory, messy at times, but never artificial.
There were moments when the dialogue leaned on dramatization, and the pacing occasionally slowed with extra detail that felt sentimental. Yet, I found myself forgiving those moments quickly. It’s clear the author wasn’t just telling a story, he was keeping a promise. There’s something admirable in that. The emotional investment he had in sharing his father’s story bleeds through in every chapter. It’s not about being polished. It’s about being real.
Avoiding Muddy Foxholes is a touching and important story about an ordinary man in extraordinary times. It’s not a textbook. It’s a love letter to a father and a generation. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in World War II, but more so to those who enjoy stories about quiet heroism and family legacies.
Pages: 339 | ASIN : B0CF3C4LM8
Sweet Sorrow- Book 3 in The Jungle War series
Set during the final years of the Vietnam War, Sweet Sorrow: Book III in the Jungle War Series by Kregg PJ Jorgenson captures the complex emotions of American soldiers facing a bitter reality. As the conflict nears its end, with support at home dwindling, the men on the ground in Southeast Asia grapple with the prospect of leaving without victory. Some cling fiercely to the hope of a military win, while others grow disillusioned, their attitudes now reflecting the war-weary sentiment back home. It’s a raw, poignant portrayal of a war that left deep scars on those who fought it.
This book reminds me of films like Platoon and Apocalypse Now, but Jorgenson adds his own unique voice. The prologue sets the stage by explaining the significance of MAC-V, the nerve center for U.S. military operations in 1971. From there, we dive into the lives of the young soldiers of Company R, each dealing with the looming end of the war in their own way. Some are desperate to achieve a final victory to justify their sacrifices. Others, however, can no longer ignore the futility of the fight. These conflicting perspectives create much of the story’s tension alongside the brutal and unpredictable firefights. The clashes between soldiers, driven by their shifting beliefs, feel as gut-wrenching as the combat itself.
Jorgenson doesn’t hold back from showing the emotional toll of the war, as soldiers confront their enemies as well as each other and their own disillusionment. The realization that they’re fighting a losing battle slowly dawns on them, and I think it’s this internal conflict that adds depth to the action. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its exploration of these psychological battles, which often prove more devastating than any physical wound.
What was particularly striking to me was the youth of the characters. Many are barely more than teenagers. Jorgenson captures their transformation from wide-eyed boys eager to prove themselves into weary men, drained by the grind of war. Their lost innocence is heartbreaking, and the author’s vivid writing makes their anguish palpable. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers but instead shows the haunting aftermath of a war that offered none.
While the themes of war and loss have been explored before, Jorgenson’s portrayal feels fresh and powerful. The story’s emotional weight, combined with its gritty realism, makes Sweet Sorrow a must-read for anyone interested in military fiction.
Journey of Seven Circles
Journey of Seven Circles by Russell Pike tells the story of Kryn, a soul warden who has devoted his life to the wellbeing of others. Whether serving as a medic on the battlefield or pursuing scholarly endeavors in times of peace, Kryn is steadfast in his commitment to his path. However, like everyone around him, he knows better than to delve into magic—something believed to corrupt those who dare explore it. But when he crosses that dangerous line in a desperate bid to save lives, he discovers there may be no turning back from the power he has uncovered, nor from the consequences it brings.
The novel masterfully weaves together Kryn’s present-day struggles with his magical task and flashbacks that reveal the decisions and circumstances that shaped him. This dual narrative structure adds a layer of complexity and intrigue, allowing readers to gradually piece together his story while contrasting the two very different stages of his life. The transitions between past and present are seamless, and Pike’s ability to balance these two timelines keeps the narrative engaging and full of suspense. The world-building is equally compelling, rich with mystery and depth that enhances the overall experience without ever overshadowing the main plot. What stood out to me was the completeness of the story. Nothing felt lacking or rushed. Kryn is a deeply compelling narrator, guiding the reader through moments of high-stakes action and quieter, more introspective problem-solving. Pike excels in creating tension and conflict but also allows space for reflection and strategy, which gives the story a satisfying balance. The pacing never falters, and the mix of action and contemplation enriches the plot, adding layers of complexity without dragging down the narrative.
For fans of fantasy and magic, Journey of Seven Circles is a must-read. Russell Pike has crafted a well-written, captivating story, with Kryn at its heart—a character who is both relatable and intriguing. I eagerly anticipate what Pike will offer in his future works, and I would highly recommend this novel to anyone seeking an immersive fantasy experience filled with adventure, mystery, and a touch of magic.
Pages: 485 | ASIN : B0D77Y92WJ
History of Disease. Army
History of Disease: Army tells the compelling story of Serge Pospelov, tracing his journey from his early days at a military engineering school to his service in the Red Army. Pospelov’s path through the ranks, from a carefree youth running gambling rings to a disillusioned soldier grappling with corruption and inefficiency, unfolds in a way that highlights the sharp contrast between his initial hopes and the harsh realities he encounters. As his career advances—from military academy to active service—Pospelov’s growing frustration with the system ultimately leads him to pursue a personal mission to escape his homeland.
Though lengthy and dense, Pospelov’s autobiographical narrative is refreshingly easy to read. He writes in a natural, flowing style that pulls readers into his world without overwhelming them, despite the sheer volume of detail packed into each paragraph. While many of the names and events seem tangential or irrelevant to the core of his life story, they contribute to the rich backdrop he sets, adding texture and atmosphere to his experiences. One striking aspect of Pospelov’s writing is its narrow focus. The memoir is tightly centered on his experiences within the military and education system, with personal milestones like marriage or family life only mentioned in passing. This focused approach gives the narrative a clear direction, but it also underscores that the book isn’t meant to be a broad autobiography—it’s an anecdotal account, highlighting the aspects of his life most influenced by the institutions around him. Despite the heavy subject matter, the tone is far from dry. Pospelov injects a casual, sardonic humor into his writing that lightens the overall mood. His sharp wit and biting critiques of his superiors and the widespread corruption within Russian institutions make for an engaging and often entertaining read. The sarcastic asides and candid observations on the inefficiencies he witnesses add a layer of humor that keeps the reader engaged, even when dealing with weightier themes.
History of Disease: Army offers a detailed and personal glimpse into a life shaped by military service and institutional failure. Pospelov’s witty, accessible writing style ensures that this dense and information-rich memoir remains a captivating and insightful read. For those interested in personal accounts of military life, corruption, and resilience, this book provides a unique and highly readable perspective.
Pages: 380 | ASIN : B0DD62XB44
History of Disease. Escape
The Cold War era was a time of intense tension and uncertainty for both America and the Soviet Union, marked by a facade of stern diplomacy and covert efforts to outmaneuver each other. This is the setting for Serge R. Pospelov’s memoir, History of Disease. Army: Life, Service, and Escape from the Russian Army. The author, who grew up in the Soviet Union, offers a firsthand account of coming of age during this pivotal historical period. He vividly describes the experience of being indoctrinated to hate the American enemy while simultaneously grappling with painful truths about his own country. His narrative also delves into his deep desire to escape the oppressive environment and the intense scrutiny he endured before eventually achieving that goal.
Pospelov’s memoir is a gripping portrayal of the harsh realities of life in the U.S.S.R. from the perspective of an ordinary citizen. With a sharp wit, he recounts the ironies and challenges of daily life in the Soviet army. Readers are likely to see him as a heroic figure as he gradually confronts the overwhelming desire to leave his homeland in order to save his soul. As expected, the journey is fraught with challenges. Pospelov faces capture and interrogation under suspicion of espionage. Yet, his resourcefulness and determination shine through as he ultimately succeeds in escaping, embodying the irrepressible spirit of courage and ingenuity. Despite the serious nature of the story, Pospelov weaves in a surprising streak of dark humor. His ability to find the absurdity in his circumstances adds depth to his narrative, making it not only compelling but also endearing. It is this blend of humor and unwavering resolve that leaves a lasting impression, making Pospelov’s story both memorable and inspiring.
Serge R. Pospelov’s History of Disease. Army: Life, Service, and Escape from the Russian Army is a vivid and moving memoir that illuminates life in the Soviet Union. Pospelov’s memoir is a story of survival and a moving testimony of humans’ potent self-preservative drive. This book will stay with the reader long after they close its final pages.
Pages: 574 | ASIN : B0D8LVY5BW
LITERARY TITAN 