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

PAPER TARGETS: ON FRIENDSHIP THAT TRANSCENDS TIME AND TRAUMA

Printer-friendly versionNovel by Patricia Watts Reviewed by Pennell Paugh December 8, 2024 (San Diego) — San Diego author Patricia Watts writes in her novel Paper Targets about Roanne, who never got angry — until the night she killed her ex-husband and herself. Roanne and her best friend, Connie, went to high school together and became suburban wives at the same

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CRIME UNDER THE SUN: SISTERS IN CRIME ANTHOLOGY

Printer-friendly version   Edited by Matt Coyle, Naomi Hirahara, & Tammy Kaehler Reviewed by Pennell Paugh December 5,2024 (San Diego) — Crime Under the Sun is the second anthology to be offered by Partners in Crime, the San Diego chapter of Sisters in Crime. Out of 60 entries, the editors selected the best 15. You will meet a beguiling bail

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CHARIOT CANYON: A RENT BEACHAM MYSTERY

Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh November 25, 2024 (San Diego) — Award-winning San Diego author Larry M. Edwards involves investigative journalist Rent Beacham in another mystery. In Chariot Canyon, Rent looks into reports of welfare fraud. His investigation not only becomes more dangerous, by a twist of fate, he becomes personally connected to people involved. When horseback riders discover

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HEALER: A NOVEL WITH TIMELESS TWISTS

Printer-friendly version Book by Alex A. Kecskes   Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   October 16, 2024 (San Diego) — Alex A. Kecskes, a San Diego resident, has written a debut book that mixes science fiction and fantasy with romance.    In 1888, Rene Sakin loses both her parents, falls into depression and is expelled from a prestigious medical college for

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HEALER: A NOVEL WITH TIMELESS TWISTS

Printer-friendly version Book by Alex A. Kecskes   Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   October 16, 2024 (San Diego) — Alex A. Kecskes, a San Diego resident, has written a debut book that mixes science fiction and fantasy with romance.    In 1888, Rene Sakin loses both her parents, falls into depression and is expelled from a prestigious medical college for

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HEALER: A NOVEL WITH TIMELESS TWISTS

Printer-friendly version Book by Alex A. Kecskes   Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   October 16, 2024 (San Diego) — Alex A. Kecskes, a San Diego resident, has written a debut book that mixes science fiction and fantasy with romance.    In 1888, Rene Sakin loses both her parents, falls into depression and is expelled from a prestigious medical college for

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SAVING MYLES: AN AWARD-WINNING THRILLER

Printer-friendly version Novel by Carl Vonderau Reviewed by Pennell Paugh September 24, 2024 (San Diego) – Award-winning San Diego mystery/thriller author Carl Vonderau’s critically acclaimed novel, Saving Myles, weaves a gripping tale of a  couple who encounter intrigue and danger as they race to save their drug-addicted son from kidnappers south of the border. Wade, a La Jolla banker, and

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SAVING MYLES: AN AWARD-WINNING THRILLER

Printer-friendly version Novel by Carl Vonderau Reviewed by Pennell Paugh September 24, 2024 (San Diego) – Award-winning San Diego mystery/thriller author Carl Vonderau’s critically acclaimed novel, Saving Myles, weaves a gripping tale of a  couple who encounter intrigue and danger as they race to save their drug-addicted son from kidnappers south of the border. Wade, a La Jolla banker, and

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POWER POINT: A BOOK OF POEMS

Printer-friendly versionBook by Jane Muschenetz    Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   September 23, 2024 (San Diego)—In Power Point, local poet Jane Muschenetz, invites her readers to treat women better, awaken to our inner energy and potential, take a stern look at our nation’s priorities, and demands we stop gun violence by running for office. She then calls on us to

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POWER POINT: A BOOK OF POEMS

Printer-friendly versionBook by Jane Muschenetz    Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   September 23, 2024 (San Diego)—In Power Point, local poet Jane Muschenetz, invites her readers to treat women better, awaken to our inner energy and potential, take a stern look at our nation’s priorities, and demands we stop gun violence by running for office. She then calls on us to

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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.

ALPINE RESIDENT PUBLISHES DEBUT COLLECTION OF SHORT FICTION: JOE CABANISS’ STORIES EXAMINE TRIALS, TRIUMPHS OF COMING OF AGE

Printer-friendly versionSource: Joe Cabaniss press release June 8,2024 (Alpine)– In his debut story collection, Life Songs And Other Passages – San Diego Stories, native San Diegan Joe Cabaniss probes the spaces between youth and adulthood and explores a road paved with uncertainty, heartache and moral dilemmas. His characters strive to understand their lives and loves amid opposing forces that foster

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THE LIBRARY’S SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE IS BACK

Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office   June 4, 2024 (San Diego) — Do you like to read? Do you like to learn? How about, do you like to earn prizes?   Well, this summer you can do all three. The County Library Summer Learning Challenge is back! This summer’s “Read, Learn, Create” reading challenge started

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THE LIBRARY’S SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE IS BACK

Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office   June 4, 2024 (San Diego) — Do you like to read? Do you like to learn? How about, do you like to earn prizes?   Well, this summer you can do all three. The County Library Summer Learning Challenge is back! This summer’s “Read, Learn, Create” reading challenge started

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THE CASE OF THE ZOMBIE NINJAS: DOTTY MORGAN SUPERNATURAL SLEUTH BOOK TWO

Printer-friendly version By Erik Christopher Martin Reviewed by Pennell Paugh May 19, 2024 (San Diego) –In San Diego author Erik Christopher Martin’s latest book, The Case of the Zombie Ninjas, the Sato Corporation moves to Elderton, Dotty Morgan’s home town. It also funds Waverly Perchance Memorial Garden, a project organized by 12-year-old Dotty. Sato Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Sato, takes an

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THE CASE OF THE ZOMBIE NINJAS: DOTTY MORGAN SUPERNATURAL SLEUTH BOOK TWO

Printer-friendly version By Erik Christopher Martin Reviewed by Pennell Paugh May 19, 2024 (San Diego) –In San Diego author Erik Christopher Martin’s latest book, The Case of the Zombie Ninjas, the Sato Corporation moves to Elderton, Dotty Morgan’s home town. It also funds Waverly Perchance Memorial Garden, a project organized by 12-year-old Dotty. Sato Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Sato, takes an

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THE CASE OF THE ZOMBIE NINJAS: DOTTY MORGAN SUPERNATURAL SLEUTH BOOK TWO

Printer-friendly version By Erik Christopher Martin Reviewed by Pennell Paugh May 19, 2024 (San Diego) –In San Diego author Erik Christopher Martin’s latest book, The Case of the Zombie Ninjas, the Sato Corporation moves to Elderton, Dotty Morgan’s home town. It also funds Waverly Perchance Memorial Garden, a project organized by 12-year-old Dotty. Sato Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Sato, takes an

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KEN SCHAFER

Printer-friendly version East County News Service   Hear full interview aired on KNSJ Radio May 10, 2024 (San Diego) – East County Magazine Bookshelf host Reina Menasche recently interviewed author Ken Schafer regarding his first young adult novel,. An Otherwise Perfect Plan: A Novel of Mystery, Love, and Chocolate that Defies Description  Schafer started his professional writing career as a

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KEN SCHAFER

Printer-friendly version East County News Service   Hear full interview aired on KNSJ Radio May 10, 2024 (San Diego) – East County Magazine Bookshelf host Reina Menasche recently interviewed author Ken Schafer regarding his first young adult novel,. An Otherwise Perfect Plan: A Novel of Mystery, Love, and Chocolate that Defies Description  Schafer started his professional writing career as a

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KEN SCHAFER

Printer-friendly version East County News Service   Hear full interview aired on KNSJ Radio May 10, 2024 (San Diego) – East County Magazine Bookshelf host Reina Menasche recently interviewed author Ken Schafer regarding his first young adult novel,. An Otherwise Perfect Plan: A Novel of Mystery, Love, and Chocolate that Defies Description  Schafer started his professional writing career as a

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BECOMING AMERICAN: A POLITICAL MEMOIR BY CARY D. LOWE

Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh   May 8, 2024 (San Diego) — Becoming American is an inspiring story of the author’s transformation, from a child of Holocaust survivors in post-war Europe to moving to America and becoming part of America’s cultural, business, and political institutions, while he retained ties to his family roots.   Here is an excerpt from the

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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