The Quasi Crystal is part 3 of a fantasy series, The Wanderer, by JD Rasch. Despite being the third book of which I didn't read the first two, I found this fantasy quite fascinating. I particularly liked Pom, an ex-thief who soon realizes she has immense powers of empathy and calm, as well as Theb, a gemstone cutter who insists the rock he has found is more than a rock. Both find themselves drawn into a quest despite having no real appetite for one.

JD does a great job getting readers to think about politics and religion, asking questions like what do you want? And why? In one instance, he shows two groups who worship differently, and face in opposite directions to pray. The question is asked - does the direction matter? And it made me think about ways people worship and whether the differences are significant or superficial.

Throughout the book, readers learn tidbits of JDs beliefs - humans are humans, people can create excuses for anything they do, we always have a choice, and more. Throw these in with great characters and a fantasy world complete with a quest to save humankind - and you have a great story. As someone who isn't usually interested in fantasy, I still enjoyed this story.

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Undressed: The Unfiltered Story of My Failed American Dream and How It Led to Success by Gregory L Vetter is a funny and relatable business book masquerading as a memoir. Although each chapter ends with lessons learned from the business world, the rest of the book reads like an amazing life story. Even knowing the end - the salad dressing business fails - didn't keep me from hoping that Gregory would find a way to make it succeed.

Although his business and story are significantly different than my own, I found many pieces of information and advice that will be helpful as I try to move beyond "little local author." I also found helpful advice for anyone who is trying to do something big and bold - especially with naysayers shouting NO WAY.

One lesson I loved was this: You only live once. Take a risk; trust your gut, and live a life you are proud of. Another one, about getting to the end of the rope and tying a knot because everything looks different in the morning reminds me of my own rule - Never Quit on a Bad Day. I feel like Gregory and I would have lots to chat about! This is a great read - don't miss it.

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Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea is a beautiful Southern fiction set of short stories by Jim Gulledge. I fell instantly in love with these stories that take place in the state I call home - North Carolina. Each of the three stories takes place in a different part of the state and follow three connected families. The stories, though they take place during different times and in different places, stay connected through a family heirloom.

Unlike most books I enjoy this one has many varied characters, so there isn't one character to fall in love with. Instead, readers fall in love with place. And Jim did an excellent job helping readers come to love North Carolina, from the green hills of the mountains to the red clay of the piedmont to the sandy shores of the ocean. I also enjoyed discovering how each family connected with one another and how they managed to cover the state in a few generations.

We start in the mountains as trains bring change - meeting two young lovers whose time together is fleeting. Next, we find ourselves saving peaches from a deadly spring freeze. Can this couple eek out a living in the clay? The last story asks us to cheer for an orphan boy and the chance to find buried treasure against the backdrop of a tropical storm. And finally, catch a quick glimpse of a story yet to be told when a boy from the beach glimpses a girl from the mountains - and we feel that it will all start again.

Jim tells a delightful series of stories, and you won't want to miss this book. It would make a great gift for any NC native!

Purchase a copy of Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea:
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Kindle: https://amzn.to/47IXRAE

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