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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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.

REFUGE ON THE MOUNTAIN: SURVIVAL AFTER AN APOCALYPTIC DISASTER

Printer-friendly version Local author has series of events coming up.   Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   March 17, 2024 (San Diego) — Ocean Beach resident Cornelia Feye writes a post-apocalyptic story.    After a massive solar storm causes a catastrophic global blackout, Greg and Vega escape with their extended family to their solar powered, self-sufficient mountain cabin. Their survival is

Read More ...

REFUGE ON THE MOUNTAIN: SURVIVAL AFTER AN APOCALYPTIC DISASTER

Printer-friendly version Local author has series of events coming up.   Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   March 17, 2024 (San Diego) — Ocean Beach resident Cornelia Feye writes a post-apocalyptic story.    After a massive solar storm causes a catastrophic global blackout, Greg and Vega escape with their extended family to their solar powered, self-sufficient mountain cabin. Their survival is

Read More ...

REFUGE ON THE MOUNTAIN: SURVIVAL AFTER AN APOCALYPTIC DISASTER

Printer-friendly version Local author has series of events coming up.   Reviewed by Pennell Paugh   March 17, 2024 (San Diego) — Ocean Beach resident Cornelia Feye writes a post-apocalyptic story.    After a massive solar storm causes a catastrophic global blackout, Greg and Vega escape with their extended family to their solar powered, self-sufficient mountain cabin. Their survival is

Read More ...

THE SQUIRREL AND THE MOON

Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh March 8, 2024 (San Diego) — The Squirrel and the Moon, a picture book, is beautifully written by Jacob Haffner and illustrated by Clarissa Janeen. It’s perfect for the young reader who loves to explore a book through its pictures. The book tells a warm and tender mother/child story. The squirrel tells his mother

Read More ...

THE SQUIRREL AND THE MOON

Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh March 8, 2024 (San Diego) — The Squirrel and the Moon, a picture book, is beautifully written by Jacob Haffner and illustrated by Clarissa Janeen. It’s perfect for the young reader who loves to explore a book through its pictures. The book tells a warm and tender mother/child story. The squirrel tells his mother

Read More ...

WALLED-IN WEST BERLIN: A WEST BERLIN GIRL’S JOURNEY TO FREEDOM

Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh March 9, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego author J. Elke Ertle was born and raised in West Berlin during the aftermath of World War II, when the city had become the focus of an escalating Cold War between East and West. In her memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, she

Read More ...

WALLED-IN WEST BERLIN: A WEST BERLIN GIRL’S JOURNEY TO FREEDOM

Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh March 9, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego author J. Elke Ertle was born and raised in West Berlin during the aftermath of World War II, when the city had become the focus of an escalating Cold War between East and West. In her memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, she

Read More ...

WORLD BOOK DAY: FEBRUARY 23

Printer-friendly versionBy Jonathan Goetz February 19, 2024 (La Mesa) — World Book Day is an annual event organized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. The main purpose of World Book Day is to encourage people of all ages to discover the joy of books and reading. It also aims to support

Read More ...

HONEYMOON AT SEA: HOW I FOUND MYSELF LIVING ON A SMALL BOAT

Printer-friendly versionBook by Jennifer Silva Redmond   Reviewed by Pennell Paugh February 15, 2024 (San Diego) — In 1989-90, Jennifer and Russel Redmond set off from San Diego for Baja California on their 26-foot sloop, Watchfire, shortly after they married. After traveling through the Panama Canal, they sailed all the way to Canada, before turning around to end their honeymoon

Read More ...

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.

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