East County Magazine
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
LOCAL AUTHOR’S NOVEL, IN HARM’S WAY, BRINGS REVOLUTIONARY WAR NAVAL BATTLES TO LIFE
Printer-friendly versionIn Harm’s Way: Book One of The Sea Hawkes Chronicles by Thomas M. Wing Reviewed by Pennell Paugh June 7, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego resident Thomas M. Wing has released his second novel In Harm’s Way, an action-packed historical story set during America’s War of Independence. Wing says he based his story on actual
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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.
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR READS AT BORDERS JULY 23
Printer-friendly version SAN DIEGO, CA July 23, 2010 Meet author Gary Winters, of The Deer Dancer, Friday evening as he gives a presentation and signing for his powerful novel, The Deer Dancer, at Borders Books and Music in El Cajon. The author will speak briefly about the process of writing this novel, read from his book, and take questions.
HIT THE ROAD, JACK! WEEKEND DRIVER AUTHOR TO APPEAR IN LA MESA JULY 22
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2010 (La Mesa) — What does author Jack Brandais do when he’s not busy being the media spokesperson for the San Diego Unified School District, writing a driving column, or reviewing new cars? He hits the weekly Back to the 50’s car show in La Mesa! On July 22 at 6 pm, he’ll be signing copies
LEMON GROVE LIBRARY HOSTS PRIDE CELEBRATION WITH AUTHORS, MUSIC, AND MORE
Printer-friendly version July 1, 2010 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove library is hosting a Pride Celebration on July 10 from 12-3 p.m. This festival is celebrating the local literature, music, dancing, and more that contributes to the rich culture of San Diego. The Pride Festival will host many popular authors, including Robert Heylmun, Eric Shanower, Walter G. Meyer, and
NEW BOOK ON LA MESA KICKS OFF CITY’S CENTENNIAL
Printer-friendly version JUNE 17, 2010 (LA MESA) –The new book, La Mesa, highlights the history of the city in over 200 evocative historical images of notable events, institutions, landmarks and individuals in the area. The book marks the kick off of the 2012 City of La Mesa Centennial celebration, and all author proceeds are being donated to the
BOOK REVIEW: THE BRACELET’S SAGA OF CHILD ABDUCTIONS HAS TIMELY RING
Printer-friendly version The Bracelet, By Charles A. Bonner (Verily Publishing Company, Sausalito, California, 2009) Book Review by Dennis Moore June 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — Several years ago, my then 11-year old daughter, Brandy, escaped the clutches of a would-be child molester in Chicago, right after she had gotten off the bus from school. Heaven forbid, my daughter
A NIGHT OF MUSIC AND LITERATURE: JUNE 11 AT BORDER’S IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version June 9, 2010 (El Cajon) — Local author Ella deCastro Baron will read selections from her autobiographical book, Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment, with accompaniment by singer Malia Martinez and guitarist Graham Hadidian this Friday from 7-9 p.m. at Borders Bookstore in El Cajon. Baron’s book blends fiction and non-fiction including memoir, poetry, letters and narrative.The author, who
SERENI-TEA: SIPPING SELF SUCCESS
Printer-friendly version Sereni-Tea, By Dharlene Marie Fahl (Transformation Media Books, Bloomington, Indiana, 2009, 209 pages.) Book Review by Dennis Moore June 9, 2010 (San Diego) Author Dharlene Marie Fahl, a protégé of Mark Victor Hansen (Co-creator, #1 New York Times best selling series, Chicken Soup for the Soul), has an ambitious goal: to become Amazon’s next best-selling author. From
A FATHER’S DAY GIFT TO ALL DADS: AUTHOR, LIFECOACH TO APPEAR AT CALI COMFORT RESTAURANT JULY 20
Printer-friendly version Author Steve Tarde, who has taught sports visualization to top sports stars, will read from his book, Gift to My Dad, and sign copies of his book at a special Father’s Day event at Cali Comfort Restaurant, 8910 Troy Street, Spring Valley on July 20th at 3 p.m. Note: savor a free entree (with purchase of another) at Cali Comfort
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LA MESA LIBRARY!
Printer-friendly versionBy Kristin Kjaero May 26, 2010 (La Mesa) — Come one, come all and help the La Mesa Library celebrate its second birthday Friday, May 28 with an afternoon of music by Raggle Taggle (2:30 p.m.), refreshments (3:30 p.m.), Lego building (3:45 p.m.), and San Diego County Library Director José Aponte (2:30 –p.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Since the La
FREE! FOLK MUSIC CONCERTS AT COUNTY LIBRARIES
Printer-friendly versionMay 25, 2010 (San Diego) — The new San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase offers a wonderful variety of some of San Diego’s very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers. These concerts are FREE to the community and include locations in East County. The following are upcoming concerts for June 2010. Charles Johnson Saturday, June 19 – 10:30 AM
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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