“Diamonds and Scoundrels is a fascinating story about an extraordinary woman, whom I know personally and admire greatly. She started her own company, naive but full of courage, and was truly ahead of her time, navigating the cutthroat business world in ways that were uncommon for women of that generation. The story is a pleasure to read and proves that success can come to all who persevere.”
—H Dayan, manufacturer, importer of fine jewelry and rare diamonds

“If Diamonds and Scoundrels weren’t real, it would be a romp of a fiction novel! Rubin’s revealing life in the jewelry biz is both an entertaining and informative narrative, from primer to master class on how to create a business, with a lexicon of pitfalls and successes. Adrienne clearly underscores that often we learn more from our failures and misjudgments of character than from our easy wins.”
—Barbara Lazaroff, Designer, Restaurateur, and cofounder of the Wolfgang Puck brand

“Steeped in women’s empowerment and behind-the-scenes candor, Diamonds and Scoundrels is an entertaining memoir about entrepreneurship. . . . Adrienne Rubin’s gutsy and arresting memoir . . . details her shift from a placid, 1960s homemaking life to an adventurous career, capturing thirty-five years of wisdom and growth.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews

“Beautifully written memoir by a Los Angeles housewife who has it all . . . Her story involves working day and night in a man’s world, evading robbers, fending off sexual advances, and traveling all over the world in search of uniquely designed handmade jewelry. All in all a great adventure that reads like fiction.”
—Robert T. Altman, Superior Court Judge for California (ret.)

“The book begins as a seemingly prosaic story—a bored housewife starts a small business as a way to enrich her placid life. But don’t be fooled. Soon you are on the journey and rooting for Adrienne as she encounters and overcomes her challenges. At every turn she is underestimated by competitors and potential partners. The book adeptly interweaves the human side with the business side, and it brims with lessons on entrepreneurship, trust, and how to defend your interests as a minority shareholder.”
—Professor Marvin Lieberman, UCLA Anderson School of Management

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“Wonderfully realistic dialogue and relatably fallible characters mark Goodwin’s debut for readers who appreciate Vanessa Davis Griggs and Kimberla Lawson Roby.”
―Booklist

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“The book is a valuable record, showing both the successes and limitations of education . . . [an] enlightening account of teaching in East Africa.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A thoroughly engaging and meaningful look into the struggles confronted by many indigenous societies today and the challenges faced by the educators who are at the forefront during these rapidly changing times.”
―Kenneth Cushner, EdD, Professor Emeritus, International Education, Kent State University, and author of Teacher as Traveler and Beyond Tourism

“Few writers are gifted with Cutler’s graceful ability to step back when necessary, balancing between her roles as narrator, observer, and participant. Among the Maasai is a must-read for anyone dedicated to the uplifting of women by women, the gender-education gap, and the beauty of perseverance.”
―Camille Griep, editor of Easy Street: A Magazine of Words and Culture, communications director for Prison Renaissance, and author of New Charity Blues and Letters to Zell

“This is a credible, brave work that reflects the stark realities faced by girls from the majority of Maasai society and the hurdles they face on the way to achieving educational liberation.”
―Nengai Lazaro Benton, English teacher, graduate of Maasai Girls Secondary School

“With courage, Juliet Cutler confronts the complexities of privilege, race, culture, and self-doubt, as well as the paradox of helping others. She emerges transformed by lifelong friendships and with the conviction that empowering local leaders makes a profound difference. Among the Maasai is a compelling must-read for anyone working in developing countries.”
―Deborah Griffin, LCSW, former chair of La Gonave Haiti Partners

“Juliet Cutler observes complex juxtapositions―intersections of wealth and poverty, modern and traditional, insider and outsider. She asks herself difficult questions―about her place in the business of helping, her motives, and the limits of her role as a teacher from a different culture. But there is powerful sophistication in her questions and in this beautiful account of transformation.”
―Daudi Msseemmaa, Senior Adviser, Mwangaza Education for Partnership

“Juliet Cutler’s insights into the lives and challenges of the Maasai people make for a compelling read and honest look behind the veneer of village life often seen by tourists.”
―Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman, PhD, coauthors of The Leopard Tree

“This brave and heartfelt account of Juliet Cutler’s journey in Tanzania is an inspiring and important work. Through the intersection of her story with the extraordinary experiences of her young Maasai students, Juliet reveals the transformative power of education.”
―Herta Feely, author of Saving Phoebe Murrow

“In a world where white saviors in Africa tend to reign supreme, Among the Maasai is a breath of fresh air . . . this exceptional narrative is compelling, honest, and real. Cutler’s writing cuts through preconceived notions of what it means to cross borders and build relationships. A must-read for anyone who cares about educating girls in developing countries.”
―Daniel Ruth, Executive Director, Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry

“Cutler deftly conveys how her work with the Maasai people transformed her life in deep and significant ways with empathy, grace, honesty, respect, and sensitivity to the Maasai people and their culture. This book is a must read for anyone in development practice, girls’ education, women and gender empowerment, and cultural studies.”
―Damaris Parsitau, PhD, Associate Professor, Religion and Gender Studies, Harvard University, and Echidna Global Scholar 2017, Brookings Institution

“This book is beautifully written and should be on the prescribed reading list for all schools. . . . It made me laugh and cry as I feverishly turned the pages. I loved it.”
―Lucinda E. Clarke, Readers’ Favorite

“This fascinating memoir chronicles the courage and tenacity of a young couple teaching in the heart of Africa. Juliet Cutler presents a frank account of the moral dilemmas she encounters as she plunges into a tribal society where young girls face many challenges, yet generosity thrives. Prepare to be inspired by the true stories of girls who struggle against repressive traditions to become educated young women making a difference in the world.”
―Gayle Woodson, author of After Kilimanjaro

“Written with passion and self-awareness, Juliet Cutler’s Among the Maasai offers a clear-eyed account of a white woman’s quest to be helpful in an African nation. Imparting the stories of girls and women she comes to know through her teaching, Cutler educates readers about the cultural intelligence of the Maasai and their dedication to family and community, as well as the particular costs to girls of traditional life in a changing world. At once memoir, spiritual odyssey, and cultural analysis, Among the Maasai is a gorgeous, honest book.”
―Elaine Neil Orr, author of Swimming Between Worlds

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“With wit and empathy, Lisa Tognola unpacks the all-American dream of the perfect house. Janie Margolis’s obsession with cabinet hinges and cupolas, driveway vectors and Calacatta tile may have its roots in childhood anxieties and pesky yearnings for security and control, but it is also a quest for aesthetic excellence and for a place to nurture family. Tognola had me turning pages to see whether Janie’s journey would end in happily-ever-after or the poorhouse.”
―Pamela Erens, award-winning author of Eleven Hours, a Best book of 2016 by NPR

“Fans of HGTV, design magazines, and home tours will find much to drool over.”
―San Francisco Book Review, 4/5 stars

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Selected as Editors’ Choice in the November 2019 edition of The Historical Novels Review

Nominated in the 2020 Library of Virginia Literary Awards

“The story is told in a voice that is strong and engrossing. I was pulled in from the very beginning, thanks to the author’s gift of descriptive prose which floods the mind of the reader with strong images . . . The plot is deftly written, the characters rich and memorable, and the prose delectable.”
—Readers’ Favorite, 5 Star Review

“Moon Water is a flood of love and tragedy. There is intense action and humor, soul satisfying courage and redemption, and throughout, Webber’s knowing, authoritative hand with setting and character.”
—David L. Robbins, New York Times bestselling author

“A page turner, blending real Virginia history and Native American lore. I joyfully followed the main character through her growth, development, and antics.”
—Victoria Last Walker Ferguson, Monacan Life Interpreter at Natural Bridge, Virginia

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“Romain’s enchanting debut delves into the complex personalities of two friends living in the mountains of central Mexico. Callie Quinn is an anxiety-ridden expatriate American nearing fifty, and Armando García is a vivacious thirty-year-old orchestral musician. . . . Romain’s insights into the characters’ flaws enrich this story of friendship, along with prose that is sometimes droll, often fervent, and always engrossing.”
—Publishers Weekly

“An arresting novel about tightly wound secrets and the art of letting go of them.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“The Trumpet Lesson is a beautiful literary novel focused on healing and the families that are forged abroad.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews

“Dianne Romain’s daring and delightful first novel, The Trumpet Lesson, crosses boundaries, opens wounds, and heals them, too. This is a book for anyone who has known the pains and joys of families, both old and new. Are there lessons in this book that moves gracefully from Missouri to Mexico? Indeed there are. Those who go below the surface of the narrative will find them, and they will be amply rewarded for their efforts.”
—Jonah Raskin, author of A Terrible Beauty: The Wilderness of American Literature

“The Trumpet Lesson is an adventure of the heart set in the heart of Mexico: Guanajuato, the historic city of music and books, Diego Rivera’s childhood home, rocket blasts into dazzling blue skies, and where an avocado might hit you on the head or a papaya squish underfoot! Romain knows the secrets and wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site, and she tells the story of Callie Quinn with aplomb.”
―C.M. Mayo, author of The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire

“I fell in love with Dianne Romain’s debut novel, The Trumpet Lesson. I couldn’t resist her delightfully quirky and endearing characters. And under the lightness of her lovely imagery and lively prose lives a tender story about the immensity of loss and the redeeming power of truth. As an adoptive mother, I know the joy, profound loss, and gratitude that connects adoptive and birth families―a complexity of relationship honestly explored in The Trumpet Lesson.”
―Sarah Lovett, author of the Dr. Sylvia Strange series

“Romain spins a tale of flight from truth-telling―truth-telling to others, truth-telling to one’s own heart―and of the harm this can do to both till such behavior is changed. Finely crafted, sensitively written, it is a story that will generate self-reflection in many readers.”
―Thomas M. Robinson, DLitt, DSLitt, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Classics, University of Toronto, and author of Plato’s Psychology

“Set in Guanajuato, Mexico, Romain’s The Trumpet Lesson chronicles expatriate Callie’s lifetime search for a daughter. Like the network of callejónes that connect surrounding neighborhoods to Guanajuato’s city center, Romain’s masterful storytelling leads through secret, dark passages of the human soul, confronting embedded societal attitudes toward teenage pregnancy, adoption, race, and the power of family secrets. A story of mystery, love, and redemption.”
― Patricia Damery, analyst member of the C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco and author of the forthcoming Fruits of Eden: Napa and the Quest for a Conscious Activism

“A beautiful story of a woman adapting to a foreign land, The Trumpet Lesson breathes with the authentic atmosphere of Guanajuato, colorful characters, how a trumpet lesson feels, musical lives, and plenty of philosophy. Bravo!”
―John Urness, soloist and principal trumpet of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra

“Try as she might, Callie’s plan to hide from life after a fateful decision is doomed. This witty, heartwarming ‘lesson’ in human nature navigates the complexity of guilt, regret, and longing. It shows how the heart will always find a way to form family, no matter how unconventional. All you have to do is learn to breathe . . . and perhaps buzz your lips.”
―Rita Dragonette, author of The Fourteenth of September

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“. . . an emotional journey that will resonate with you through a realistic voice that follows the journey of a woman that strives to find herself.”
―Readers’ Favorite

“Chic lit and women’s fiction fans will find The Trouble With Becoming a Witch a gripping story that lends not only to a beach take-along or leisure choice, but to thought-provoking insights about the sources of growth and achievement.”
―The Midwest Book Review

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“Headstrong is an unforgettable journey into the experience of violent assault and the recovery from trauma. Dr. Jones’ intimately reflective story-telling and brilliant use of narrative voices draws us deeply into her consciousness as she re-lives each step of this physical, psychological, and emotional struggle for life. JoAnne carries us with her on this painful and uplifting journey of remembering and healing. As we read and witness and sob and cheer, we know we are participating intimately in a profound multi-dimensional experience of healing.”
—Steven Botkin, Men’s Resources International

“Eloquently told, Jones invites us into her harrowing journey from violence and brain injury to hope. With unflinching honesty, she shows how her determination to heal, led her to excavate the emotional legacy of her family and develop the emotional muscle to move beyond being a victim. If ever we needed a story of resilience against tough odds, now is the time.”
—Hilary Jacobs Hendel, author of the award-winning book, It’s Not Always Depression

“Jones begins her story by taking us through the day of her assault through her own eyes, starting with a seemingly benign walk from the metro station and ending with a savage beating, which we later learn was done with a hammer. She then proceeds to lead us along the roller coaster of her journey of recovery . . . she explores the nature of the new person she has become, learning to navigate her new life, both the good and the bad, managing her losses and celebrating her triumphs: living. As a brain injury survivor, it was a tough read for me. At the same time, I had a lot of trouble putting it down even for brief breaks. Headstrong is a page turner and a powerful read.”
—Deb Brandon, author of But My Brain Had Other Ideas: A Memoir of Recovery from Brain Injury

“Headstrong is a book about the trauma resulting from a vicious attack, but it also is a triumphant story of resilience. Jones reveals her intimate and hard-won journey toward recovery. The story is hers to tell—but it is our privilege to see inside the heart of a woman whose life is fortified by love and hope.”
—Dr. Patricia Romney, co-editor of Understanding Power: Imperative for Human Services

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“[Rana’s] use of evocative metaphors creates a world that is simultaneously intense and bleak, reminiscent of the prose of Thomas Hardy and rural England. At the same time, Rana uses magical-realism as a technique to carry the reader into a world where the supernatural is a relevant to the lives of its inhabitants as the mundane events of a village. It is this combination of literary styles that creates a unique experience for the reader. This debut novel is a truly authentic depiction of the reality of rural Pakistan.”
―The Daily Times of Pakistan

“Immersive and intense, Wild Boar in the Cane Field, a novel by Anniqua Rana, explores the resilience of one woman’s spirit in the face of adversity.”
―NRI Pulse

“Rana gives us a compelling and rare glimpse into the life of rural Pakistan in her novel Wild Boar in the Cane Field.”
― Bapsi Sidhwa, internationally acclaimed and award-winning Pakistani novelist

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