#The Regression Strain

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

The Regression Strain grips you from page one and doesn’t let go. Kevin Hwang delivers a fascinating medical thriller set aboard the luxury cruise ship Paradise. Dr. Peter Palma signs on as the ship’s physician, expecting smooth sailing. Instead, he finds himself facing a terrifying unknown that drives human behavior into dangerous regression.  

Peter steps away from his quiet family practice to join the medical staff aboard a cruise ship, hoping the change of pace will lead to some much-needed self-discovery and escape. It feels good to be somewhere he’s needed, somewhere he can truly make a difference. But his fresh start hits rough waters quickly.

Dr. Elizabeth Hartley, the ship’s stern chief physician, greets him with cold hostility, and even Luisa, one of the nurses, keeps her distance. Only Nurse Mandy brings warmth to the clinic, her presence a welcome contrast in an otherwise frosty atmosphere.

In an attempt to distance himself from his family after a devastating loss, Peter sets out on this unexpected journey only to discover he's not as alone as he thought. Unknowingly, he finds himself sharing the voyage with a loved one, offering a rare chance to mend a strained relationship before it's too late.

As chaos erupts aboard the ship, a loved one’s presence adds another layer of complexity. Still, Peter is unexpectedly grateful, for in the heart of the medical storm, this unlikely ally helps him connect the dots and face what lies ahead.

What initially appear to be isolated incidents of extreme and reckless behavior soon form the outline of a pattern. It falls to Peter to connect the dots and decipher the medical mystery behind a rapidly escalating outbreak of aggression. New to the job and still struggling to establish his authority, Peter faces mounting challenges as the invisible threat begins to compromise the ship’s staff and crew including the captain.

In an environment clouded by uncertainty, he must make critical decisions to contain the crisis and minimize casualties. But as suspicion grows that he himself may be affected by the unknown agent, Peter finds himself racing against both time and his own unraveling sanity to protect the people of Paradise before they reach their final port, New York.

Kevin Hwang delivers a compelling medical thriller set aboard the Paradise cruise ship, where every turn brings a new twist. The Regression Strain is the perfect choice for readers seeking a compelling summer read or a captivating escape from the everyday.

 #The Museum of Lies

Cary Scott's remarkable life story of spectacular good fortune, mixed with soul-crushing abuse, is frankly unbelievable.

Even to Cary himself.

In a series of disturbing, unfiltered monologues, Cary unburdens himself of his memories -- of being raised by a psychopathic single mother who was abandoned by her gay husband, of becoming the target of a pedophile, of becoming morbidly obese, followed by quack treatments that boomerang him alarmingly into anorexia. Cary recalls being a bullied gay teenager who literally crucifies himself with a hammer and nails to get out of gym class. From a psych ward, he finds himself instantly famous after an unintentionally homoerotic poem he wrote for a high school assignment finds its way to becoming the #1 pop song in the nation. In the years that follow, Cary's life nosedives again and again, yet he always finds himself rescued by bizarre deus-ex-machina occurrences.

All these tales, however, are placed into doubt after his former therapist is accused in the media of implanting false memories in patients. Cary is labeled a pathological liar in a national magazine cover story.

Refusing to believe that his exceptional life never actually happened, Cary creates a grotesque, secret, museum to himself filled with artefacts of atrocities and miracles which prove that his memories are true -- but is it only a museum of lies?

 #Believe:  A Memoir of Stories

At its core, this book is about the evolution of a frail child into a woman shaped by intense love, incredible upheavals, and ultimately, a deep personal wisdom.

At the age of 36, Christina had it all:  two young and healthy boys, an uber-successful husband, a big house in a gated community...she was rich, young and on top of the world.  Then on the morning of September 11, 2000 a devastating phone call would upend everything and life as she knew it.  While this cataclysmic event didn't mark the beginning or end of her life, it would be the test of her character, agency, and faith.

The story begins with a childhood marked by illness where books and fairytales became her refuge and compass.  These early influences are woven throughout her life, not as naive fantasies but emotional frameworks that at times conflict with reality.

At twenty-five, Christina meets Jeffrey, a Wall Street Titan.  The connection is all consuming and their life is thrilling, exciting, and materially abundant.

Then her world takes a drastic twist where her journey is all about transformation and a deeper meaning.  The book becomes less about the external events and more about the quiet and radical changes and Christina's understanding about self, love, spirituality, grief, and the journey of life.

This is a story of life lessons that teach resilience, self-discovery, unconditional love, and finding the inner strength and faith you need to get through life's challenges.

 #My Wingman

Clover's life is a beautiful mess, and she's not quite sure how to untangle it. With the loss of her mother at birth and a grandmother slipping into the fog of dementia, Clover feels crushed under the weight of all that has been lost. Add to this the heartbreak of losing her platonic soulmate, Elliot, in a tragic accident, and you have a recipe for a walk on the wild side of grief.

Enter Reese, the college bestie, spirited yoga studio owner with a knack for quirky pep talks and a rebel heart straight out of a rock band. When Reese encourages Clover to take an escapade to Franklin—an enchanting town where coffee flows freely and friendships spark like fireworks—Clover is thrown into a whirlwind of unexpected connections, including Sadie, a kind-hearted single mom with a penchant for dark roast, and Everett, Elliot’s younger brother who is just as charming (if not cheeky!).

Facing life-altering decisions while haunted by ghostly glimpses of Elliot, Clover begins to question everything. Should she step into the light of a new yoga studio with Reese or return to the familiarity of family in Savannah, or take an unlikely path entirely new to her? And what about that doppelgänger who seems to have stepped right out of her dreams?

As Clover slowly reclaims her laughter, navigates the complex threads of friendship, and unearths a budding romance, she discovers that healing is less about moving on and more about creating a life that feels true to her heart. Can she find the courage to embrace the uncertainties, or will fear of loss keep her tethered to the past?

Join Clover as she learns to dance between heartbreak and the sweet embrace of new beginnings—after all, sometimes the best wingman is the one that stirs your soul.

 #Divine Adventure:  Time and Eternity

If God is eternal, why does our universe appear to have a beginning?

This apparent contradiction has challenged human understanding for millennia. In this thought-provoking sequel to "The Divine Adventure: Why We Exist," Zelise explores the relationship between time and eternity through an illuminating dialogue that unfolds revelation after revelation.

What if our fundamental assumptions about both time and eternity were incomplete? What if the paradox itself points toward a more profound truth hiding in plain sight?

Drawing on her unique background in both law and ministry, Zelise guides readers through a logical yet inspiring journey that challenges conventional thinking and offers unexpected insights into the very nature of existence. Each chapter builds toward discoveries that reframe our understanding of cosmic purpose and our place within it.

"The Divine Adventure: Time and Eternity" doesn't just pose questions—it unveils a coherent framework where ancient paradoxes dissolve and new possibilities emerge.

Join the conversation and experience for yourself the moments of clarity that transform complexity into elegant understanding.

 #The Matriarch Messiah

Six months after their harrowing search for the black object in "The Matriarch Matrix," Zara, a devout Kurdish woman, finds herself thrust into the spotlight. Heralded as the next messiah by the Russian oligarch Alexander Murometz, her name echoes across the globe as the world searches for answers in a time of turmoil. But Zara, plagued by her past and her troubled relationship with Peter, an American editor she had come to love, is unsure of her role in this new world order.

Enter Rachel, a brilliant Israeli Torah historian, who has been tasked with refuting Zara's claims of divine inspiration. Rachel is a woman driven by her own personal quest to uncover the secrets of her family's history and the truth behind the ancient goddess Asherah. Her research leads her to discoveries that could rewrite biblical history and change the course of global affairs.

Meanwhile, Peter, still grappling with the aftermath of his near-death experience and the emotional turmoil of Zara's disappearance, finds himself caught in a love triangle. He carries a deep affection for Zara, but he is drawn to Rachel's unwavering intellect and shared passion for uncovering the truth. Their search for the "blue cavern," an ancient sanctuary said to hold immense power, becomes a race against time as the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war.

As the lines between ancient prophecy and modern-day reality blur, Zara, Peter, and Rachel are pulled into a breathtaking adventure where ancient myths and cutting-edge technology collide. They must navigate a world of political intrigue, hidden agendas, and dangerous conspiracies to find the truth about the blue cavern and the mythical black object that holds the key to saving humanity.

 #Vademecum of English:  A Complete Reference Guide for Teachers and Learners

This handbook is intended as a reference aid for both teachers and students of English. It concentrates all the relevant information related to a specific subject in a few charts, helping the user spot the important issues at a glance, including examples and main exceptions.

Divided into four parts —Phonetics, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Etymology— the user will discover why many “irregular” verbs are not so irregular, why English spelling is not as chaotic as it seems, and how easy it is to enrich your vocabulary with hundreds of words by just paying attention to roots and affixes all in charts and tables.