Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

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,

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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

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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

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Against All Enemies: novel depicts war sparked by tariffs

Printer-friendly versionBook by Thomas Wing Review by Pennell Paugh August 10, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego author Thomas Wing, releases Against All Enemies. This gripping thriller ominously shows us a violent but possible reaction to America’s tariff war — China launches a full-scale surprise attack on the U.S. Capitol, Pentagon, military bases, and communication satellites. With weakened communications and

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Integrating Nutrition into Mental Health Care

Printer-friendly versionBook by Ruth Leyse Wallace, PhD Reviewed by Pennell Paugh August 8, 2025 (San Diego) – Long-time resident of San Diego, Dr. Ruth Leyse Wallace, recently released her fourth book, Integrating Nutrition into Mental Health Care. While the book is written for clinical settings, it is written in plain English and offers sensible nutritional facts. I found it helpful

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Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen (Monster Gunslingers Book 2)

Printer-friendly versionBook by KC Grifant Reviewed by Pennell Paugh August 1, 2025 (San Diego) – KC Grifant, a resident of San Diego, has released a second in her Monster Gunslingers series. Sharpshooters Melinda and Vance come out of retirement to fight an unbeatable foe. Melinda uses her steady hand, cool head, and a no-nonsense attitude. Her partner, Lance, brings charm

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Something Wicked — Spirit Club Mysteries Book One

Printer-friendly version Book by M. Lee Buompensiero Reviewed by Pennell Paugh July 25, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego author M. Lee Buompensiero has released her first novel in the Spirit Club Mystery series. Something Wicked features a reluctant heroine, Sophie Lawton, who not only sees and talks to ghosts, she also solves crimes with their help. An aunt Sophie

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Memory Weavers: award-winning novel of two women bonded by traumas

Printer-friendly version By Muffy Walker Reviewed by Pennell Paugh July 23, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego resident, Muffy Walker celebrates the release of her debut novel, Dream Weavers. The book has received the Firebird Book Award, the Literary Titan Silver Book Award, the Hawthorne Prize, and was selected as finalist for the 2025 International Impact Book Awards in the

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BRAXTON’S CENTURY, VOL. 3: ROYAL HISTORICAL FANTASY

Printer-friendly version   Braxton’s Century, Vol. 3 by J R Strayer Jr Review by Pennell Paugh   June 22,2025 (San DIego) — San Diego resident J.R. Strayve, Jr.  has produced his third book in the Braxton Century series — a historical fantasy set in the late Victorian, Edwardian, and early 20th century. Braxton, as Europe hurtles toward war and revolutions

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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.

LEMON GROVE LIBRARY TO NAME COMMUNITY ROOM FOR LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER ROSEMARY PUTNAM

Printer-friendly version  Naming ceremony scheduled for Dec. 9     December 4, 2010 (Lemon Grove)–The Navy Band Southwest Brass Quintet, balloons, dignitaries–and legions of fans–will welcome Rosemary Putnam, doyenne of the Friends of the Lemon Grove Library, on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Library, 8073 Broadway, for the gala Rosemary Putnam Naming Ceremony.   The library’s community

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AUTHORS TO APPEAR AT READER’S INC BOOKSTORE DURING LA MESA’S CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE

Printer-friendly version    November 29, 2010 (La Mesa)—During La Mesa’s Christmas in the Village holiday celebration on December 10 and 11, the Readers, Inc. bookstore will have numerous authors speaking. Below is a schedule of events. Friday, Dec. 10 5-9pm Tom Kirkbride, author of Gamadin series will appear, along with Doug Richards, author of The Prometheus Project trilogy, Jordan Reimer,

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BOOK REVIEW: SKY OF RED POPPIES REVEALS THE ENDURING POWER OF FRIENDSHIP AMID A CLASH OF CULTURES

Printer-friendly version Sky Of Red Poppies, By Zohreh Ghahremani (Turquoise Books, San Diego, CA, 2010, 305 Pages.) Hear our interview with author Zohreh Gharemani, aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/audio/2021/January/Bookshelf-ZohrehGhahremani.mp3 Book Review by Dennis Moore August 16, 2014 (San Diego)–Zohreh Ghahremani, an artist, writer and gardener residing in the San Diego area, has written a stunning and poetic tale about

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BLACK COMEDIANS ON BLACK COMEDY WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH AND CRY

Printer-friendly version  Black Comedians On Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us To Laugh, By Darryl Littleton (Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, New York, NY, 2006, 343 pages.)   Book Review: by Dennis Moore   November 20, 2010 (San Diego)–If laughter Is the medicine that cures all ills, then Darryl Littleton’s Black Comedians On Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us To

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HOOKED ON BAJA WILL LURE YOU SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Printer-friendly version Hooked On Baja, By Tom Gatch, (The Countryman Press, Woodstock, Vermont, 2007, 206 pages.)   Book Review: By Dennis Moore   November 11, 2010 (San Diego) — Tom Gatch, who has built a solid reputation as one of the foremost writers and photographers focusing on outdoor and recreational topics in Southern California and the Baja Peninsula, has written

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BOOK REVIEW: HOME MADE SIMPLE IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR HOME

Printer-friendly version  Home Made Simple, By Proctor & Gamble (St. Martins Press, New York, N.Y., 2010, 328 pages.) Book Review by Dennis Moore   November 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — Proctor & Gamble has now delved into the book writing business with Home Made Simple, a how-to book for everyone on organizing and simplifying tasks, be it preparing

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BOOK REVIEW: CIRCLE THE WAGONS SDG&E REKINDLES DEBATE OVER UTILITY LINES’ ROLE IN LOCAL WILDFIRES

Printer-friendly versionCircle The Wagons SDG&E: The Perfect Corporate Cover Up, By Ed Clark (Self-Published, Huntington Beach, CA, 2010, 30 pages.) "Updated Version July 30, 2015" With Cause of Witch Creek Fire Video Book Review: By Dennis Moore November 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — Electrical expert Ed Clark, who formerly worked for Southern California Edison Company, has written a

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LOCAL AUTHOR SUE RUSSELL’S BOOK, LETHAL INTENT, IS RE-RELEASED AS TRUE CRIME CLASSIC

Printer-friendly version November 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — East County journalist/author Sue Russell, who recently scooped up a couple of San Diego Press Club awards for her series on “Wildfire Fighting” for www.miller-mccune.com, is celebrating the reissue of Lethal Intent, her true crime book about executed serial killer Aileen Wuornos, as a Pinnacle Books “True Crime Classic.”  

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A HEAPING HELPING OF THANKS: SHARING THANKSGIVING WITH A CANCER PATIENT OR SURVIVOR

Printer-friendly version November 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — When it comes to giving thanks, cancer survivors and their loved ones usually have a full plate. For those who have battled cancer, simply having another sunrise…that’s a blessing to be savored and shared. Author Joni Aldrich lists five ways to share the blessings—along with the dressing—during this season of thanks.   For

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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.

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,

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