East County Magazine

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

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

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
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
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
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

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

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

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

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.

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

100 FOOT WAVE: THE OFFICIAL BOOK
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh May 6, 2024 (San Diego)– World surfing champions Milton and Michael Willis share their love for riding waves of any size in their latest book, 100 Foot Wave: The Official Book. Their book provides a deeper understanding of the hows, whys, and dangers of this exciting discipline. For the Willis brothers, who grew up in

100 FOOT WAVE: THE OFFICIAL BOOK
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh May 6, 2024 (San Diego)– World surfing champions Milton and Michael Willis share their love for riding waves of any size in their latest book, 100 Foot Wave: The Official Book. Their book provides a deeper understanding of the hows, whys, and dangers of this exciting discipline. For the Willis brothers, who grew up in

HIKING YOUR FEELINGS WITH SYDNEY WILLIAMS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Join Sydney Williams for a hike, a book signing + discussion of her new book, Hiking Your Feeling: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love April 12, 2024 (San Diego) — Turn your pain into power. Part inspirational memoir, part practical guide, Hiking Your Feelings offers a toolkit to unpack your “trauma pack” and step

HIKING YOUR FEELINGS WITH SYDNEY WILLIAMS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Join Sydney Williams for a hike, a book signing + discussion of her new book, Hiking Your Feeling: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love April 12, 2024 (San Diego) — Turn your pain into power. Part inspirational memoir, part practical guide, Hiking Your Feelings offers a toolkit to unpack your “trauma pack” and step

THE THREAT AND PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AND ITS CAUSES
Printer-friendly version The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power, by Courtney B. Vance & Robin L. Smith (Hatchette Book Group, New York, NY, 2023, 268 pages). “Papa was like a shadow that was always hanging over me.” -CORY MAXSON, FENCES Book Review by Dennis Moore How fortuitous and ironic that I would make

THE THREAT AND PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AND ITS CAUSES
Printer-friendly version The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power, by Courtney B. Vance & Robin L. Smith (Hatchette Book Group, New York, NY, 2023, 268 pages). “Papa was like a shadow that was always hanging over me.” -CORY MAXSON, FENCES Book Review by Dennis Moore How fortuitous and ironic that I would make

THE THREAT AND PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AND ITS CAUSES
Printer-friendly version The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power, by Courtney B. Vance & Robin L. Smith (Hatchette Book Group, New York, NY, 2023, 268 pages). “Papa was like a shadow that was always hanging over me.” -CORY MAXSON, FENCES Book Review by Dennis Moore How fortuitous and ironic that I would make

ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF “HOW DOES THE COW SLEEP?” BY NICO WATERS
Printer-friendly versionBy Pennell Paugh March 22, 2024 (San Diego)– How Does the Cow Sleep is a charming children’s picture book for ages 1 through 5. San Diego author Nico Waters shows the sleeping positions of a cow, bear, giraffe, lion, bat, rhino, cat, and human baby. Waters asks how the specific animal sleeps, and then answers with a

ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF “HOW DOES THE COW SLEEP?” BY NICO WATERS
Printer-friendly versionBy Pennell Paugh March 22, 2024 (San Diego)– How Does the Cow Sleep is a charming children’s picture book for ages 1 through 5. San Diego author Nico Waters shows the sleeping positions of a cow, bear, giraffe, lion, bat, rhino, cat, and human baby. Waters asks how the specific animal sleeps, and then answers with a
Search by Specific Date
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