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This week Newsmax Rising Bestsellers presents a modern day Horatio Alger story proving that anyone, coming from any circumstances, can still make it in America. Then a bestselling duo of authors explains how to use faith to escape the morass of wokeism plaguing the country, followed by the inside scoop of what went on when the U.S. released the Blackwater mercenaries Into Iraq. A final nonfiction selection tells the story of how the theft of the painting of “the girl with the enigmatic smile” propelled the Mona Lisa to become one of the most admired works of art. A fiction selection involves a murder mystery solved by involving Jonathan Kellerman’s criminal psychologist Alex Delaware.
“The Ghost Orchid,” by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books)
The 39th installment of Kellerman’s No. 1 New York Times bestselling series of novels one opens with a pool boy’s discovery of the slain bodies of two people floating at a gated Bel Air estate: the wealthy homeowner and an even wealthier neighbor. There are no signs of forced entry. The mystery brings Los Angeles Police Department homicide Lt. Milo Sturgis onto the case, along with psychologist Delaware to unravel the clues and solve the mystery. “I enjoy the investigative duo of Detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist Alex Delaware, as well as all the supporting characters and look forward to each new addition. Whenever I crack open a Kellerman book, I can’t seem to put it down,” wrote SheReadBookBlog for GoodReads. “Kellerman’s descriptions are particularly picturesque and entertaining, and he always seems to put a fresh spin on cases. I think this is one of the best installments of the series.” [Fiction]
“Dirt Roads to Runways: Defending the American Dream for the Next Generation,” by Keith Gross (Big Red Publishing)
Keith Gross is an example of the power of the American Dream. Raised by a single mother in the Florida panhandle, after serving his country with honor in the military, he went on to work his way through school and be admitted to the bar. And Gross believes that others can also achieve what he has and thereby realize the American Dream with a little moxie, optimism, and determination. This is both an entertaining story and an inspiration to others to realize their own dreams. “This book is the definition of living the American Dream and how with hard work and big aspirations you can do anything you set your mind to,” wrote Dustin Railey in his review for Amazon. “I hope everyone gets a chance to read this book. Raising children in today’s world is not easy. This book is a reminder to teach our young adults about staying motivated and how to steadfast a path to success.” [Nonfiction]
“Fight the Good Fight: How an Alliance of Faith and Reason Can Win the Culture War,” by Jay W. Richards & James Robison (Salem Books)
The issues have changed in the 12 years since the bestselling team of Jay W. Richards and James Robinson wrote “Indivisible: Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom Before It’s Too Late.” Nowadays, both teachers as well as political leaders question the most basic truths, including our founding documents and even our sexual identity, while government runs up unimaginable debt. The authors conclude that, “If we want our country’s chapter to continue, we must build an alliance with all those who see the evil that is upon us and will fight to defeat it.” “Each chapter is well-researched and vetted,” said Carol in her Amazon review. “Their word power and illustrations kept my attention as I read and gave me an education in public policy. This is a book I will want to keep on my shelf because each chapter succinctly lays out the issues and action items. In my opinion, ‘Fight the Good Fight’ would be a great book for small groups to study together.” [Nonfiction]
“Guns, Girls, and Greed: I Was a Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq,” by Morgan Lerette (Knox Press)
Readers should be forewarned: In addition to the “Guns, Girls and Greed,” we can add another G-word: grit. Morgan Lerette doesn’t hold anything back, and there’s no sugar-coating of language or details to protect the readers’ sensibilities. As post-Saddam Hussein Iraq devolved into chaos, Blackwater, a U.S. private military contractor, was brought in to both protect diplomats and conduct high-threat missions for the newly emerging Iraqi government — with little U.S. support. “Nailed it!” said Will Owens, reviewing for Amazon. “Morgan paints with pen (sic) point accuracy all the truths of being a private military contractor and especially with Blackwater during that era. His deliverance is hilarious, depressing, mind blowing and riveting but 100% spot on! Morgan speaks nothing but realism and I know because I was with him. Spectacular read from the real source!” [Nonfiction]
“The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: The Complete Story of the World’s Most Famous Artwork,” by Noah Charney (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers)
On Aug. 21, 1911, Italian museum worker and artist Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum in Paris, believing it had been stolen from Italy during the Napoleonic era. It was, after all, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, the most famous artist of the Renaissance era. He was Italian — not French. The daring heist, the Keystone Kops manhunt, and Peruggia’s subsequent trial in Florence, captured the attention of the international press, and served to elevate the Mona Lisa (also called La Gioconda or La Joconde) from a much admired masterpiece into perhaps the greatest portrait of any period in history. “August 21, 1911, is the date that changed the trajectory of this painting’s provenance,” wrote TheLiterateLeprechaun for GoodReads. “Charney wants his readers to consider that it’s not her enigmatic smile, nor the mystery surrounding her identity, or which Renaissance painter created her. He wants you to consider that a daring burglary 110 years ago catapulted this painting into stardom – that its theft is what has created its appeal and made it a household name.” [Nonfiction]
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