East County Magazine
San Diego poet shares secrets and solace of a psychotherapist in The Best Sex I Never Had
Book by Susan Black Allen Reviewed by Pennell Paugh February 2, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego resident and psychotherapist, Susan Black Allen has written…
Down to the Bone: A Missing Family’s Murder and the Elusive Quest for Justice
Printer-friendly version Book by Caitlin Rother Review by Paul Levikow December 2, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego-based New York Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother takes on the mysterious disappearance of the McStay family of four, who were last seen in their Fallbrook home in February, 2010. Joseph, Summer, and their two sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. were killed and
Operation Masquerade: A Rent Beacham Mystery
Printer-friendly versionNovel by Larry M. Edwards Reviewed by Pennell Paugh November 28, 2025 (San Diego) — Larry Edwards, a San Diego resident, has written another Rent Beacham mystery. San Diego journalist Rent receives information about a cold-case homicide in Washington State. His investigation leads him to investigate links between illegal disposal of hazardous waste from a San Diego boatyard in
Oaks from Acorns Grow
Printer-friendly versionBook by Richard Opper Reviewed by Pennell Paugh November 4, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego resident Richard G. Opper is releasing the last book in his Oakheart Trilogy, Oaks from Acorns Grow. It’s written in deep point of view of each player in the story, including the criminals. Mona Oakheart goes to Guam to find her leading porn
Looking for Tank Man by Ha Jin
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh October 18, 2025 (San Diego) – National award-winning author Ha Jin, who became a U.S. citizen after the Tiananmen Square uprising. explores themes of rebellion in China and the struggles of a Chinese student in America in his novel, Looking for Tank Man. His main character, Lulu, who is a young woman from China, attends
El Presidio de San Diego: Excavating Southern California’s Lost City by Richard Carrico
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh October 19, 2025 (San Diego) – History buffs will love Richard Carrico’s new book, El Presidio de San Diego: Excavating Southern California’s Lost City. The book briefly covers San Diego area history before the first pioneers arrived. The author’s preview to European colonization is short but extensive. Richard Carrico’s greatest focus is upon the presidio
Local children’s book author and filmmaker named finalist in San Diego Magazine’s “Celebrating Women” Awards
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (San Diego) — Anat Tour, a children’s book author, singer, documentary filmmaker, and math teacher based in East County, has been named a finalist in San Diego Magazine’s “Celebrating Women” Awards in the Education category. In addition to her writing and filmmaking, Anat is a passionate singer and host of East County
Linchpin encourages people to find their value in the workplace
Printer-friendly version Review by Heidi Hope October 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Linchpin focuses on the themes of changing the world for the better and making a difference in the workplace by embracing one’s individuality, artistry and uniqueness in visions and values, instead of simply following instructions and never getting to contribute creativity into any task. This New York Times bestselling book
Pretty Happy: healthy ways to love your body
Printer-friendly versionBook by Kate Hudson Review by Heidi Hope October 5, 2025 (San Diego) – Pretty Happy is a New York Times best-selling self-help book written by my favorite actress, Kate Hudson. She thoughtfully researched each area and provided a variety of questions to ask, as well as suggestions to reference and ideas for carrying out each lesson to take
An anthology features San Diego authors: San Diego Writers and Editors Guild releases its thirteenth anthology in October
Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego Writers and Editors Guild launches Good Luck with That—the Guilded Pen’s thirteenth annual anthology. The collection includes thirty-six stories written by twenty-nine members on the theme: “Good Luck or Is It?” Sandra Yeaman. In her twenties, Sandra traveled to Tehran, Iran, where she taught English
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
NEED TO REDUCE SALT IN YOUR DIET? AUTHOR/NURSE WILL SHOW YOU HOW MARCH 23 at GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE SENIORS’ GROUP
Printer-friendly version March 6, 2011 (La Mesa)–Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free seniors discussion group on “Cut Salt From Your Diet The Easy Way,” featuring a presentation from Sandra Parkington, a registered nurse and president of HealthTrax, from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23.
FAMED GUITAR MAKER BOB TAYLOR SHARES LESSONS IN SUCCESS AT BOOKSIGNING MARCH 3
Printer-friendly version East County entrepreneur, businessman and author shares lessons in success, failure and perseverance in Guitar Lessons: A Life’s Journey Turning Passion Into Business February 25, 2011 (El Cajon) – Known globally for his El Cajon company and the exceptional guitars that bear his last name, Taylor Guitars co-founder Bob Taylor will share some insights that helped him
OBESITY, THE SOLUTION OFFERS NUTRITIOUS GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY LIVING
Printer-friendly version Obesity – The Solution, by Max Sturman (Do It Naturally Foundation, San Diego) Book Review by Dennis Moore February 20, 2011 (San Diego)–There is no more timely or urgent message than that found in Max Sturman’s Obesity – The Solution. A February 1st story in the San Diego Union-Tribune states, “In a new attempt to help an overweight nation slim
BORDERS BOOKS DECLARES BANKRUPTCY, FOLDS EL CAJON STORE
Printer-friendly version February 17, 2011 (El Cajon) – Closing a chapter for local book lovers, the Borders Group has announced plans to close 200 Borders bookstores nationwide, including stores at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon and in the Gaslamp district downtown. The company filed for bankruptcy reorganization after running up over a billion dollars in debt. Three San Diego County stores will remain
POWAY WOMAN TRANSLATES GOSPEL INTO WRITTEN SIGN LANGUAGE
Printer-friendly version Former dancer draws inspiration from La Jolla woman who created a written sign language, inspiring a global movement January 30, 2011 (Poway) –Ballerinas Nancy Romero and Valerie Sutton met during their dancing careers—and soon turned their creative energies to helping deaf people read in sign language. “It happened by accident,” recalls Romero, a Poway resident who recently
AUTHOR SCORES A HOMERUN WITH HER BOOK, ONE ON ONE: MY JOURNEY WITH HALL OF FAMERS, FAN FAVORITES AND RISING STARS
Printer-friendly version One On One: My Journey with Hall Of Famers, Fan Favorites and Rising Stars, By Jane Mitchell (Sweet Dreams Publishing Of Massachusetts, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 2010, 638 Pages.) Book Review by Dennis Moore January 19, 2011 (San Diego)–The foreword to Jane Mitchell’s book, One on One: My Journey with Hall of Famers, Fan Favorites and Rising Stars, by San
ARTISTS & THIEVES MYSTERY AUTHOR TO SPEAK IN LA MESA FEB. 12
Printer-friendly version January 16, 2011 (La Mesa)—Author Linda Schroeder will discuss her novel, Artists & Thieves, a mystery set in the Monterey art scene, in the Friendship Hall of United Church of Christ of La Mesa on February 12th. The novel introduces heroine Mai Ling who, in the words of Editor Mary Holden, is “a new kind of detective on
SATAN’S PLAYGROUND CHRONICLES TIJUANA’S ALLURE TO THE RICH, FAMOUS & INFAMOUS DURING JAZZ AGE & PROHIBITION ERA
Printer-friendly version Satan’s Playground, By Paul J. Vanderwood (Duke University Press, Durham, NC, 2010, 392 pages.) Book Review by Dennis Moore December 23, 2010 (San Diego)–Paul J. Vanderwood’s Satan’s Playground chronicles the rise and fall of the tumultuous, lucrative gambling industry that developed just south of San Diego’s border with Mexico in the early 20th century. As prohibitions against liquor,
BOOK REVIEW: VICTORY IN IRAQ: HOW AMERICA WON
Printer-friendly version Victory in Iraq: How America Won By Duncan L. Hunter. Columbus, MS. Genesis Press. 2010. 433 pages. Illustrations, end notes, and index. $19.95 Reviewed by Walter Hall “The community of America’s military folks, active and retired, are at once a national resource and a national treasure.” –Former Congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Duncan
FORMER REP. HUNTER TO SIGN COPIES OF HIS NEW BOOK DEC. 18 IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version December 7, 2010 (La Mesa) – Former Congressman Duncan Hunter (father of the current Congressman) is the author of a new book, Victory in Iraq: How America Won. He will be signing copies of his book on Saturday, December 18 from 3-6 p.m. at Maxwell’s House of Books at 8285 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. "As
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
East County Magazine
Pretty Happy: healthy ways to love your body
Printer-friendly versionBook by Kate Hudson Review by Heidi Hope October 5, 2025 (San Diego) – Pretty Happy is a New York Times best-selling self-help book written by my favorite actress, Kate Hudson. She thoughtfully researched each area and provided a variety of questions to ask, as well as suggestions to reference and ideas for carrying out each lesson to take
Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure by Dave Grunenwald
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh September 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure is a children’s book for 5- to 10-year-olds. It is designed to inspire children and their families to volunteer in community programs that help those in need. In the book, two friends and a grandparent visit a group that make and deliver sandwiches. Next,
Author Tanya Harris hosts book signing Sept. 21 at Grossmont Center to benefit domestic violence survivors
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 5, 2025 (La Mesa) — Local author, domestic violence survivor and advocate Tanya Harris will host a powerful community book signing and awareness event on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gazebo at Grossmont Center mall (5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa). The community-focused event is designed to
Blood in the Water: an A.J. Hawke legal thriller
Printer-friendly versionNovel by Donald McInnis Reviewed by Pennell Paugh September 4, 2025 (San Diego) —Blood in the Water, though fictional, exposes a flaw in the United States’ tripartite federal government structure as established in the Constitution. The third branch of government, the Judiciary, cannot enforce its rulings, even when those rulings are necessary for protecting an individual citizen’s rights or the constitutional powers of