A Work in Progress - Brad Cotton

Publisher:  Now or Never Publishing

Pages:  234

Sourced:  received a copy for review

Genre:  Adult Literary Fiction

From Goodreads:

Writer Danny Bayle’s life is in shambles. His girlfriend has left him and his grandfather — the last and most important influence in his life — has just passed away. Danny has spent the last few months languishing, unable to write a single word, but at the urging of a friend ventures out into the world in an attempt to jumpstart a new life, befriending in the process an interesting assortment of characters including an author, a musician, an artist, and a retired nurse. Garnering the attention of more than one woman, Danny sees his new friends unwittingly begin to shape what could just be the story of his life. But will he ever let go of the girl that got away?

My Thoughts:

I will have to say that the author is very creative.  I enjoyed reading about a struggling writer.  Why?  For those of us who write, we could definitely relate to Danny.  Danny drinks too much, and tends to sleep around.  For this reason I didn’t enjoy Danny the way I probably should have.    I want to be honest and up front.  I didn’t really enjoy the book as much as I have others.  This book is written in first person and makes it and interesting read.    Danny tries to re-invent himself in the hopes of getting over his depression and getting back to his writing.  In the process he tries several things.  I loved the fact he pursued Karate and decided after only one lesson that it just wasn’t for him.  He tries painting and a number of things.  His major problem is he is still stuck on his former girlfriend and can’t seem to move ahead.   Read the book to find out if he succeds in this quest or does he change it up completely.

Raider's Vendetta - Karen Arnpriester

Publisher:  Createspace

Pages:  334

Source: Review copy from author

Genre:  Adult, Christian Suspense

Synopsis

Charley knew what God wanted from her. She was willing to trust and obey as she protected the others in the bank. Then He would save her from her captor.
There was no way she could have anticipated the rage that would be unleashed in response to her prayers and her faith in God.

Raider was desperate, hardened, and his past had set the stage for an insane game of survival and spiritual warfare. The vendetta was in motion and Charley discovered that she needed her God to provide extraordinary miracles to keep her alive.

My Thoughts:

What makes one person feel that people are on the wrong track when they start talking about God?  What can we do to help them find the path to God?  Read Karen’s book to find out what a difference one person can make.

Once I started reading this book  I had difficulty putting it down.  We are introduced to a scenario we see too often on the news.  A robbery gone bad and hostages taken.  In Raider’s Vendetta we meet God fearing Charley, an elderly woman who finds herself one of the hostages.  When things go wrong the second robber takes hostages.  Charley decides to call him Raider because of his baseball cap.  She feels God’s presence even in this situation.  She comforts and helps the other hostages.  Raider is able to think on his feet.  He plans his escape.  He will need one hostage.  God makes it clear to Charley that she should be the one.  From this point on in the book the reader is treated to one suspenseful even after another.  Charley is tested beyond what most people could endure.  God sends a protector and miracle after miracle.  How far will God allow things to go?  Will Charley be able to make a difference in Raider’s life?  Will either of them survive?

This is a must read book.  My daughter came in to pick up her kids and took one look at the tears running down my cheeks and asked, “Good Book?” to which I replied, “No, Great Book!”

This is a book I will reread again because I know there are lessons I can learn about my walk with God.  I loved the way Karen brought in a character from her first book.  I am honored that she asked me to review her book.  This is so good.  I believe it would make an excellent movie. 

Check out Karen’s website where you can order her book and watch her book trailer.  This is one book that should be in every Christmas stocking.

A Case for Solomon - Tal McThenia and Margaret Dunbar Cutright

Publisher:  Free Press

Pages:  464

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre:  Adult, Non-fiction

A CASE FOR SOLOMON: BOBBY DUNBAR AND THE KIDNAPPING THAT HAUNTED A NATION chronicles one of the most celebrated—and most misunderstood—kidnapping cases in American history. In 1912, four-year-old Bobby Dunbar, the son of an upper-middle-class Louisiana family, went missing in the swamps. After an eight-month search that electrified the country and destroyed Bobby’s parents, the boy was found, filthy and hardly recognizable, in the pinewoods of southern Mississippi. A wandering piano tuner who had been shuttling the child throughout the region by wagon for months was arrested and charged with kidnapping—a crime that was punishable by death at the time. But when a destitute single mother came forward from North Carolina to claim the boy as her son, not Bobby Dunbar, the case became a high-pitched battle over custody—and identity—that divided the South. Amid an ever-thickening tangle of suspicion and doubt, two mothers and a father struggled to assert their rightful parenthood over the child, both to the public and to themselves. For two years, lawyers dissected and newspapers sensationalized every aspect of the story. Psychiatrists, physicians, criminologists, and private detectives debated the piano tuner’s guilt and the boy’s identity. And all the while the boy himself remained peculiarly guarded on the question of who he was. It took nearly a century, a curiosity that had been passed down through generations, and the science of DNA to discover the truth.

A Case for Solomon is a gripping historical mystery, distilled from a trove of personal and archival research. The story of Bobby Dunbar, fought over by competing New Orleans tabloids, the courts, and the citizenry of two states, offers a case study in yellow journalism, emergent forensic science, and criminal justice in the turn-of-the-century American South. It is a drama of raw poverty and power and an exposÉ of how that era defined and defended motherhood, childhood, and community. First told in a stunning episode of National Public Radio’s This American Life, A Case for Solomon chronicles the epic struggle to determine one child’s identity, along the way probing unsettling questions about the formation of memory, family, and self.

My Thoughts:

This is one of those books that sticks with you for a while.  I was horrified to learn the role the press played in this whole fiasco.  We really have not learned from past mistakes.  When Bobby Dunbar went missing, no stone was left unturned.  Yet when a boy was found who was similar in looks, the press was there to “get the story”.  I felt like they were willing to make the story fit a happy ending no matter what. 

My sympathies went to Julia Anderson who had no resources due to her financial circumstances.  I was pleased to learn the truth had been found but saddened by the pain everyone involved in this case suffered.  The authors have done a tremendous amount of research and have successfully told the story in a way that carried the reader along, making them want to know what happened next.

We are given a look at the time period and how things worked for those who had and those had not.  In this day and age we have the benefit of DNA testing.  Yet I wonder how much  the press would be able to skew the opinions of all parties involved.  It is sad that so many lives have been destroyed.  Yet I feel that a mystery was left unanswered in this story.  I don’t know if anyone will ever solve that mystery.  This is definitely worth the read. 

Two Great Mysteries by Penny Warner

Mystery of the Haunted Cave  

Publisher:  Meadowbrook Press

Pages:  102

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre:  Middle Grade Mystery

From Goodreads:

Thirteen-year-old Becca and her friends Sierra, CJ, and Jonnie are determined to win the gold medal for Troop 13 at the Gold Rush Jamboee. But they face stiff competition from the other troops -- especially Troop 7, whose members love to pull pranks on them. When a mysterious clue hints at treasure buried in Camp Miwok's Haunted Caves, Becca and her friends are determined to get their hands on that, too -- even if it means sneaking from camp, hanging out with bats, and being threatened by robbers...

Mystery of the Missing Mustangs

Publisher:  Meadowbrook Press

Pages: 112

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre:  Middle Grade Mystery

From Goodreads:

The four fearless scouts from Troop 13 are back again for another wild adventure, this time at a dude ranch in the western plains of Nevada. While learning how to care for horses, thirteen-year-old Sierra and her three best friends CJ, Becca, and Jonnie learn about the mysterious disappearance of government-protected wild horses, one of which was supposed to be adopted by their new friend Devyn. When the four friends decide to help Devyn find her horse, they discover it won’t be easy, not with a suspicious rodeo owner standing in the scouts’ way and leading them to believe someone is stealing the horses and using them for illegal purposes....

My Thoughts:

 I have to say I really loved these books.  They reminded me of reading The Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew when I was a child.  I loved how much knowledge about the area or subject was put into  each story.  In The Mystery of Haunted Cave the girls not only had to earn their badges, but they had to search for a treasure they weren’t sure existed.  They had to rappel, solve a puzzle while making their way through caves and then set a trap that would not harm the animal they caught.  Readers get an insight into scouting and mining.

In The Mystery of the Missing Mustangs the girls are taken to a Dude Ranch.  They learn all about taking care of horses.  They learn from the bottom up.  They must learn to muck out stalls, feed and care for their horses, then learn to ride.  It is while they are there they meet Devyn the Ranch owner’s niece. She is adopting a wild mustang.  There is a problem, Silver Star the horse she is adopting has gone missing along with several other mustangs.  The girls must do their best to help solve this mystery.

If you are looking for clean, fun, reads then this is an author you need to check out.  The mysteries are fulfilling, not too hard.  I liked learning about mining and wild mustangs and how they are protected.  These are books that will definitely find a place on my shelves at school.

TBCN Birthday Bash - Come Celebrate

One of my favorite websites is The Book Club Network.  This is a place where people with like minds can meet and discuss their favorite things, books.  Today I am honored to have as my guest  Nora St. Lauren

TBCN INTERVIEW with Nora St.Laurent

Nora St.Laurent;s Bio: Nora is the CEO of The Book Club Network Incorporated. Nora and her husband run The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org She runs two book clubs near Atlanta, Ga., Former ACFW On-Line Book Club. Nora currently writes a Book Club column for the Christian Fiction OnLine Magazine and is a Book Club Talk Columnist for Novel Rocket. You can read author interviews on her Finding Hope Through Fiction blog, located at http://www.psalm516.blogspot.com, and reviews around the web at The Christian Pulse Mag, Title Trakk, Novel Reviews, and Suspense Zone.

What inspired you start TBCN?

The Book Club Network was born out of a desire to share Christian Fiction authors with other book clubs, share book club ideas with other leaders and to encourage the authors who are writing such amazing books. The economy has been really tough for a few years and people are not parting with money like they used to. Through TBCN they can take their time and find the right book or win it. We have give away opportunities each month. ALL of our contests are from the 19^th – 21^st of the month.

I run two face to face book clubs one at the Christian Book Store I work at and the other at the church I attend. It’s a position I never imagined I’d be in since I didn’t read for pleasure much before I started working in a Christian book store 11 years ago.

But since I love talking with people and the main thing to talk about in a book store is books I started reading Christian Fiction (publishers sent ARC copies to our store and I started checking them out) The first book that rocked my world and got me hooked in Christian Fiction was a book by Linda Nichols called Not a Sparrow Falls her next book did me in and I couldn’t stop talking about it, At the Scent of Water was her next book that prompted me to contact the author and let her know how much her book touched my spirit.

After reading these two books and telling customers about these reads I had a reason to read.  These books spoke to me because I wasn’t expecting it. It reminded me of the stories in the bible. Jesus is the greatest story teller and He knew a story could change a life or prick our spirit and move us in a direction we never thought we’d be in.

I tell you all that to say I’m dyslexic and I have not been a fan of reading. Movies were more my thing. I could watch a movie of a book and have a lot more fun. Reading Christian Fiction changed my life in more ways than one.  I wanted to tell everyone about the greatest book I read, and I’d do that at the book store.  It was possible to talk about the new book I read and loved for about a month or more but when At the Scent of Water and Not a Sparrow Falls were not on the shelf anymore, I had to find some other books to talk about at work.  I’m not a very fast reader so; discovering the next new book was a challenge. Would I get the book read before it disappeared from the shelf?  How long do books live on a book shelf? The shelf life of a book was a mystery to me and still is.

I was whining to my husband Fred about my problem. How can I get the word out about great books for a very long period of time??? Being a man who likes to face challenges head we began to talk about how we could do this and the fact that I can’t read books fast enough to keep up with it’s shelf life at the store.

I also told him as a book club leader I wanted to promote great books and share them with other groups. Not everyone has the advantage of working at a book store and see what new books hit the shelves each week. Another struggle I had was if I had an author speaking at my book club I wanted to share them with other book clubs in the area. How could I do that? Where are book clubs meeting?

Our answer to many of these questions and more was the birth of The Book Club Network - TBCN. Connecting authors to book clubs and readers to their books; it’s also a network of book clubs as they post what they’ve read and how the meeting turned out.

It’s a place to find where a book club is located. We have a member map where you can find a book club near you. Message them and see if they are accepting new members. I envision it to be similar to be similar to the Weight Watchers program (don’t laugh Grin) you can go to a meeting anywhere in the country right? All you have to do is look on line and get connected. This is my hope for the future of TBCN.

Have there been any surprises for you @TBCN? What benefits have you seen by bringing readers and authors together?

I’ve been encouraged and fascinated by our growth. I can see there were other people out there like me wanting to connect with other book club members.

I’ll tell you what has surprised me is the author/reader interaction each month. This is something I didn’t foresee as I’ve watch the authors are having a blast interacting with the readers and visa/versa. The beauty of this discussion is it’s there forever for all to read no matter when you join TBCN.

The authors have done a great job coming up with questions for reader to answer that give them a peek into their book – create interest and then the discussion helps book club leaders connect with the author. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the amount of authors that want to be featured @The Book Club Network. It’s been a great thing.

The interaction with the authors is almost like having a book club meeting on line. It’s a huge benefit for both the authors who’ve wanted to ask clubs questions and readers who want to get to know authors. The authors are catching on. Our sponsors have loved the interaction as well. Members have told me that they love the author interaction from the 19^th-21^st as much as having a chance to win all these books. It’s hard to know if a book will be a fit for your group so these interaction times are helpful for that and so much more. Another thing I love about TBCN members is the fact they are not afraid to share what they think in a good way. I’ve learned so much and laughed out loud in some discussion where the questions lead to sharing funny moments.

My hope is that book club leaders and/or members participate in the discussions and make that book connection with the author and their book. I want TBCN to be a tool for them in picking out their books. Maybe invite the author to speak to their book club on the phone. It’s my hope. The discussion will be there forever. No worries about a books shelf live here @TBCN. So, everyone has time to get to know each other!! It’s a beautiful thing!

How can readers join in the anniversary celebrations?

It’s easy to sign up to be a member of TBCN.  We ask a few questions for you to answer and for other information that helps us keep spammers and other information seekers out of the network. It’s also FREE. You have opportunities to win lots of books. For our BIRTHDAY BASH we are giving away 10 books a day and announcing winners once a week. You’ll have all week to enter the daily featured contests. 

Do you have any other comments for my readers?

 If you are avid reader this is the place for you to learn about the latest in Christian Fiction and interact with the author each month.

Are you a book club leader? Well this is the place for you to find your next book club pick. We’d also love for you to set up your Book club page at our site for others to see. It’s a place to share your latest featured book. Post pictures of your club and the field trips you’ve taken. The authors you’ve met and the book fun you’ve had. Learn from other book clubs that have already set up their pages.

Want to start a book club but felt it was too overwhelming? You can learn from other experienced book club leaders, and you can start right away making your book club list!

Do you like to win books? This is the place for you. You’ll have a chance to get to know the authors and their books and read genre’s you normally wouldn’t. We’ve been giving away about 100 books a month and for our birthday bash it’s going to be 10 books every day; starting August first. Winners are picked weekly and announced each weekly.

THANK YOU! You’ve been a grand host to have me here and let me talk about The Book Club Network and our Birthday Bash!! I hope to see you there @TBCN www.bookfun.org

You are a Blessing!!

Nora :o)

The Book Club Network CEO

The Color of Snow - Brenda Stanley

Publisher:  Tribute Books

Pages:  413

Source:  ebook from author for review

Genre:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance

Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa’s claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.
Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa’s claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.

From Goodreads:
When a beautiful 16-year-old girl named Sophie is found sequestered in a cage-like room in a rundown house in the desolate hills of Arbon Valley, Idaho, the entire community is shocked to learn she is the legendary Callidora--a baby girl who was kidnapped from her crib almost seventeen years ago and canonized in missing posters with portraits of what the fabled girl might resemble. Authorities soon learn that the cage was there to protect people from Sophie, because her biological father believes she is cursed.



My Thoughts:
I want more!  The tension begins on the first page.  From the very beginning the author has created a scene that leaves so many questions.  I would read and think I had answers to some of them only to find out that I didn't quite have it right.  In the beginning I wanted to really dislike the man she had always known as her father.  As I read  I realized that even he was not black and white.  As I was read his past I really disliked Sophie's grandfather.  The fact that he really thought that his family was better than Luke's family because they raised sheep and worked for him made me dislike him. There are so many things going on here.  There are family secrets, issues with social class, as well as a difference in religious beliefs.  Was there really a curse on Sophia's family as she believed?  I would suggest you read the book to find out.  I am looking forward to reading this author's previous book, I Am Nuchu, now that I have found this wonderful author.

Brenda Stanley's Bio: 

Brenda Stanley is the former news anchor at her NBC affiliate KPVI in Eastern Iadho. Her writing has been recognized by the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Hearst Journalism Awards, the Idaho Press Club and the Society for Professional Journalists. She is a graduate of Dixie College in St. George, Utah, and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Brenda lived for two years in Ballard, Utah, within the Fort Duchesne reservation where the novel is set. She and her husband live on a small ranch near the Snake River with their horses and dogs.

Links:

The Color of Snow web site:

http://the-color-of-snow.blogspot.com/

The Color of Snow GoodReads page:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13456512-the-color-of-snow

Brenda Stanley's Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/brenda.baumgartnerstanley

Brenda Stanley's Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/myauthorlife

Brenda Stanley's Website:

http://www.brendastanleybooks.net/

Brenda Stanley's GoodReads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4086376.Brenda_Stanley

Open Minds Review and Interview

Publisher:  CreateSpace

Pages:  326

Source:  Review copy from author

Genre:  YA Paranormal

Author Bio and Interview:

Susan Kaye Quinn grew up in California, where she wrote snippets of stories and passed them to her friends during class. She pursued a bunch of engineering degrees and worked a lot of geeky jobs, including turns at GE Aircraft Engines, NASA, and NCAR. Now that she writes novels, her business card says "Author and Rocket Scientist" and she doesn't have to sneak her notes anymore. All that engineering comes in handy when dreaming up paranormal powers in future worlds or mixing science with fantasy to conjure slightly plausible inventions. Susan writes from the Chicago suburbs with her three boys, two cats, and one husband. Which, it turns out, is exactly as much as she can handle.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

I’ve always written stories, starting when I was in sixth grade writing bizarre stream-of-consciousness poems about soldiers returning from the Vietnam War (yup, I was strange even then). But I never considered myself a “writer.” I grew up with plans to be an astronaut, and got a bunch of engineering degrees and worked for NASA, finally landing with a Ph.D. and doing research on global warming (which was an amazing job, BTW). I left science to be an at-home mom (another amazing job), and toyed with being a politician for a while (served for four years on Illinois’ third largest elementary school board). I rediscovered my love of writing almost by accident, sitting down at a keyboard one day to bang out a story for my niece. But the love of it gripped me like an addiction, and three years on, it still hasn’t let go. I figured I better try to make a career out of it.

Are you a morning person or night owl?

Definitely a morning person, although I still require lots of caffeine. Maybe I should try being a night owl. 

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I started out writing stories for my niece (young adult) and then tried my hand at middle grade (so I could read to my boys, who were 6, 8, and 10 at the time). I love the romance and drama of teen novels – they’re just like adult novels, only faster paced and involve a time of life that’s almost universal (everyone has experienced it). But I continue to be drawn to writing middle grade as well, for the pure, fun storytelling. You can play more in middle grade, and it has a sweetness and innocence that I love (as well as being even FASTER paced). I plan to keep writing both, although I’ve only published my young adult novels so far.

What genre do you like to read?  Do you limit yourself to only the genre that you write yourself?

I read a LOT of YA and MG. My adult reading tends to be more non-fiction – industry stuff, biographies, the news. The great thing about reading YA, though, is there is such a huge range – mysteries, literary, chick lit: it’s all there in YA. I think the fast pace of YA and MG stories may have ruined me for slower adult fiction. 

Please tell us in one sentence why we should read your book.

What would you do if you had to mind-control everyone you loved?

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

There’s a small piece of me in every character that I write (which is a little disturbing, since some of my characters are downright awful)! J Being a writer means exploring the human mind – you have to be able to create a complete personality that exists outside your own and then breathe life into it on the page. You can’t do that unless you invest some of yourself in the character. That being said, I try not to create characters that are too much like me. If you’re too self-involved in your character, it’s hard to be objective when your character goes through heck on the page. 

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Write, write, then write some more. Writing is a craft that you have to wrestle with on a daily basis. No writer is ever “done” learning how to write. So, be patient with yourself and your stories. And remember that you are unique – no one can tell the stories you have inside you. Learning how to let your uniqueness shine in your stories is an important part of your growth as a writer.

Book Blurb:

When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book.  I’ve had this book on my to read list for a long time.  The author contacted me about a review and I was thrilled to say yes.  Unfortunately my plans to post a review in February went south when my computer crashed and put me behind on all my reviews.    However,  this is a book I will definitely put on my shelves at school.  We are introduced to Kira who is not like the others around her.  Usually by the time a teen has reached her age they have changed and can read minds.  All classroom instruction is done through mindreading/mindspeaking.  Kira must try to copy the notes of her friend Raf until her mother purchases her a special hearing aide that comes with a mic for the teachers to whisper into. 

It is obvious from the beginning that Raf doesn’t just want to be her friend.  When he tries to kiss her something happens and he hits the desk and ends up with a head injury.  She thinks she has caused the injury but is unsure how.  She meets  another classmate Simon who has the answer to what she has done and how to control it.  The question she must ask is if the knowledge she has is worth the risks.  The book was so full of twists and turns and tension.  Lots and lots of tension.  The characters were well developed.  The writing was so tight that I was propelled along.  I finished the book in about three hours.  I am glad this is a trilogy because I want to find out what will happen next to Kira and her family.  Eventhough the story ended in a fashion that would make it seem complete  if it was the only book you read of the trilogy, you definitely want to read the rest.  I'm not sure I could give this book enough stars.  I look forward to reading the second book Closed Hearts which is already out.  Hopefully the third book in the trilogy will follow soon.

Connect with Susan:

Susan's Blog

Facebook

Website

A Full Day of Reading

Brainrush II, The Enemy of My Enemy – Richard Bard

Publisher:  CreateSpace

Pages:  332

Source:  Received a copy for review

Genre:  Thriller, Action, Adventure

From Goodreads:

Former combat pilot Jake Bronson believed the worst was behind him.  But when a sophisticated terrorist cell shows up in his home town, he’s drawn into a conflict that threatens the heart and soul of every mother in America.  The bonds of love and loyalty are tested as Jake and his friends are swept into a deadly game of good versus evil.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book more than the first one.  This is so action packed I feel like I’m watching a movie in my head as I read.  Hey out there in Hollywood, this would make an excellent movie, hint, hint.

Jake Bronson has a special gift or curse depending on how you look at it, created by an accident.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about you need to read the first book.

Richard Bard has learned how to take a story and make it enough of a roller coaster ride that you are holding on waiting for the next drop.  He has added enough current events to make the story very believable.  It is not only an action roller coaster, but also at times an emotional rollercoaster.  Through this book we get to read about terrorists, drug cartels, gang members, and other unsavory people.  I can travel to places through his books that I will probably never be able to travel to.  I get the thrill of watching Jake come to the rescue once again.  In the end the book leaves us with a satisfying conclusion, yet yearning for the next book.  Hurry please, and thank you.

Rust - Glen Joshpe, M.D.
Publisher:  CreateSpace
Pages:  202
Source:  Review copy from author
Genre:  Adult, Adventure, Scientific Mystery


I'm not really sure how to describe this book.  There was so much medical jargon and description that someone not familiar with it would probably be turned off.  At times I felt as if I was reading a medical book.  Fortunately when my sister was going through nursing school my favorite summer past time was reading her nursing books for fun.  Yes I know that sounds strange, but if it had words I read it.  I enjoyed the scientific material.  I read it straight through at one sitting.  I had to see what happened and how it would end.

Alex Stein is a Cornell University scientist who has discovered how to prolong life.  This is discovered when data from a census taker in a region of Africa comes across the desk at the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington, D.C.  This was so far off the charts that it raised a red flag.  This prompted the CIA to get involved.  The CIA sent Carlton Terry to Alaska to track down Alex's former roommate, Steve Hinton.   Word reaches Alex that the CIA is trying to locate him and he decides he must leave Africa.  Carlton learns all he can from Steve Hinton and is informed of Alex's disappearance.  Their next plan of attack is to locate Alex's grand-daughter Abby.  He goes in undercover.  When Steve Hinton is killed Carlton realizes he must locate Alex and protect him and Abby at all cost.  Read the book to find out who else is after Alex and what they would kill to find out.

I enjoyed the mystery line of the story. I loved the way it ended.  I even enjoyed learning more about the body.  This may be the teacher in me that is always wanting to learn more.  The author has given several resources in the book that are actual working sites.  He himself  graduated from New York Medical College.  He has published three other books.  He currently lives in Bradenton, Florida with his wife Vicki.

America at the Tipping Point - Gary Frazier

Pages:  232
Source:  Borrowed from my mother
Genre:  Christian


Goodreads:
"Books abound on the dilemma's facing America. We recognize America is in trouble. However, America at the Tipping Point is a fresh and bold word not only about the economic and political issues but also about the moral choices that have led us to the brink. How did we get here and what can we do...read what Gary Frazier has to say and you will see " Tim LaHaye, Co-author of the Left Behind series "What a sobering reading experience. Dr. Frazier will rock your world and challenge you to make some changes in your world view." Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic, Author, Extreme Dreams Depend on Team "Gary Frazier writes with passion and conviction and motivates like few people I know to live with a sense of urgency in these turbulent times. Read this book because you will be filled with hope and faith to make a difference in the world." Dr. Jack Graham, Sr. Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church "I have long respected Dr. Gary Frazier's prophetic voice, but his new training book, America at the Tipping Point, captured my attention as a patriot. In a day of white noise rants against our beloved country, many have prematurely trumpeted taps. Dr. Frazier has stepped up to sound reveille and lead us to action." Dr. Jay Strack, President, Student Leadership University Gary Frazier is a respected and recognized speaker and writer on the subject of Bible prophecy and current events. He is a former pastor and has traveled to Israel more than 100 times since 1971. Gary is founder and President of Discovery Ministries located in the Dallas Ft. Worth metro area. Gary holds both a M.A. and a Ph.D. from Louisiana Baptist University and was honored with a Doctor of Humanities degree from Liberty University. He has appeared on numerous television programs as well as speaking on radio nationwide. Gary and his wife Sandra reside in Arlington, Texas.


My Thoughts:
My mother asked me to read the book before she shipped it to my sister.  I sat and couldn't put it down.  This book looks at the moral decline America is unfortunately in and shows us how it is getting worse and going to continue to do so if we as Christians don't do something to stop it.  This nations was founded on Christian principles and we need to stand up for those principles.  Unfortunately as a teacher in the public school system I see the moral decline.  We teach tolerance and multiculturalism beyond what was originally meant.  We step on the rights of many for the few.  


Gary has done an excellent job of backing up what he says with the Bible and other resources.  He goes to great lengths to give a list of those resources at the back for further investigation.  One of the toughest  areas of his book was the section on abortion.  I can definitely see the parallels of desensitizing our nation to abortion and euthenasia with what Hitler and many others have done.  We give it a different name and put a little make up on it and pass it off as something less harmful.    I think every teen should be forced to read, along with their parents the section in the back on abortions.  If we did so we would maybe have less abortions.


This is definitely an eye opener and one I am glad my mother asked me to read.

Student Saturday: Shantorian – Patrick Carman

Publisher:  Scholastic

Pages:  176

Genre:  Science Fiction

Part of the Trackers Series

Synopsis:

In the 21^st century landscape of bits and bytes, everyone leaves a digital footprint…even the most advanced cyber criminals. And that’s where the Trackers come in.  Four texh-savvy kids armed with high-tech video cameras and esoteric coding skills, the Trackers can find almost anyone, anywhere. Told through a collage of videos, text and websites, Trackers follows Adam, Finn, Lewis, and Emily as they become entangled in a high-tech, high stakes game of cat and mouse with Shantorian, the world’s most dangerous hacker.  At least, that’s who they think they’re tracking…

AS the four did deeper into the shadow world of online crime, they soon learn that things aren’t always as they seem.

Student Review:

This book  is set in a classified security clearance base of the interrogation room.  It is about how a group of kids – Emily, Luis, Adam and Finn all discover new adventures through each of their individual talents.  Each kid is more nerdy than you can imagine.  But, this time they get caught.  Throughout the book all four kids are getting interrogated.  Why?  Well you will have to read the book and find out!  It is an interesting story actually.  If you read it you will love it.  There are some main characters.

Adam is probably the most committed person out of the four kids. 

Emily is apparently a beautiful young woman, but don’t let looks fool you because she is actually a really smart girl.  She can be a little on the geeky side.

Luis, don’t get me started on the type of personality he has.  Let’s just say he gets VERY shy, and then he begins to panic.  He also thinks much too far ahead of what will happen and what situation will the even lead to.  He makes most situations seem crazy.

Finn is more cool and mellow.  But, he manages to keep up with the nerdy stuff, that Emily Luis, and Adam go around doing.

Henderson is the man that got the poor kids in this mess!  He is the guy that needs to know “all” the information. 

In my opinion I think this was a good book.  In a way it teaches you a lesson.  I think it teaches you a lesson, because through all the book the kids are accused of doing something wrong, but they don’t know it.

My recommendation is yes, yes I think you should read this book.  It is a good book.  The book is fun and adventurous because of the characters, and what they do.  This book reminded me of the quote, “When in doubt, don’t do it!”