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.
IN DEEP AND FAR OUT: BOOK II OF A TRILOGY
Printer-friendly versionBy Richard G. Opper Reviewed by Pennell Paugh July 7, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego author Richard Opper’s most recent book, In Deep and Far Out, is the second in a trilogy that takes place in the early 1970s. In the trilogy’s first book, Gary, a Harbor cop, has fallen in-love with Mona, a woman who
SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY
Printer-friendly versionBy KC Grifant Reviewed by Pennell Paugh July 5, 2024 (San Diego) — KC Grifant’s debut short story collection, Shrouded Horror: Tales of the Uncanny, will be released on July 11 at an online event at 5 p.m. Join Galactic Terrors readings at https://tinyurl.com/y4gj654q. The San Diego author brings characters alive as they walk into a
SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY
Printer-friendly versionBy KC Grifant Reviewed by Pennell Paugh July 5, 2024 (San Diego) — KC Grifant’s debut short story collection, Shrouded Horror: Tales of the Uncanny, will be released on July 11 at an online event at 5 p.m. Join Galactic Terrors readings at https://tinyurl.com/y4gj654q. The San Diego author brings characters alive as they walk into a
SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY
Printer-friendly versionBy KC Grifant Reviewed by Pennell Paugh July 5, 2024 (San Diego) — KC Grifant’s debut short story collection, Shrouded Horror: Tales of the Uncanny, will be released on July 11 at an online event at 5 p.m. Join Galactic Terrors readings at https://tinyurl.com/y4gj654q. The San Diego author brings characters alive as they walk into a
PHOTOGRAPHER ROY TOFT’S GIFT TO RAMONA
Printer-friendly version By Mimi Pollack Photos courtesy: Roy Toft, Teri Kerns, and Mimi Pollack June 18, 2024 (Ramona) – Ramona photographer Roy Toft, has always had an affinity for animals. This photographer has had many adventures in his life, photographing wildlife and leading tours around the world, but he calls Ramona home. He lives there with his wife,
PHOTOGRAPHER ROY TOFT’S GIFT TO RAMONA
Printer-friendly version By Mimi Pollack Photos courtesy: Roy Toft, Teri Kerns, and Mimi Pollack June 18, 2024 (Ramona) – Ramona photographer Roy Toft, has always had an affinity for animals. This photographer has had many adventures in his life, photographing wildlife and leading tours around the world, but he calls Ramona home. He lives there with his wife,
THE GUILDED PEN – TRAVERSING LIFE, THE SAN DIEGO WRITERS AND EDITORS GUILD 2023 ANTHOLOGY
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh June 18, 2024 (San Diego) — The San Diego Writers & Editors Guild is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to promoting the writing arts in San Diego. The Guilded Pen has been publishing anthologies of its members’ short stories, essays, and poetry since 2012. The 2023 version, Traversing Life, is the Guild’s best collection
THE GUILDED PEN – TRAVERSING LIFE, THE SAN DIEGO WRITERS AND EDITORS GUILD 2023 ANTHOLOGY
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh June 18, 2024 (San Diego) — The San Diego Writers & Editors Guild is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to promoting the writing arts in San Diego. The Guilded Pen has been publishing anthologies of its members’ short stories, essays, and poetry since 2012. The 2023 version, Traversing Life, is the Guild’s best collection
THE GUILDED PEN – TRAVERSING LIFE, THE SAN DIEGO WRITERS AND EDITORS GUILD 2023 ANTHOLOGY
Printer-friendly versionReviewed by Pennell Paugh June 18, 2024 (San Diego) — The San Diego Writers & Editors Guild is a nonprofit, member-supported organization dedicated to promoting the writing arts in San Diego. The Guilded Pen has been publishing anthologies of its members’ short stories, essays, and poetry since 2012. The 2023 version, Traversing Life, is the Guild’s best collection
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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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