tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62802525895455632472024-03-18T22:02:10.903-07:00Crystal Book ReviewsViviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.comBlogger1034125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-42929908624629800972020-04-11T05:47:00.001-07:002020-04-11T05:47:34.663-07:00The Closer You Get: A Novel by Mary Torjussen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yYcYANRc3fYUHa1I4NEzd9DKHVkkr0jVYVHtCQGnsUgwEgon_GiO7BVaHAwlxjVGNRhqyi9l664ER7G1rlPJcJabxgS3hpKwfTVIoDhAHEcWd_2QAA6BtXfixuikE8M4XOJdObWhMdkX/s1600/thecloseryouget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yYcYANRc3fYUHa1I4NEzd9DKHVkkr0jVYVHtCQGnsUgwEgon_GiO7BVaHAwlxjVGNRhqyi9l664ER7G1rlPJcJabxgS3hpKwfTVIoDhAHEcWd_2QAA6BtXfixuikE8M4XOJdObWhMdkX/s320/thecloseryouget.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
Closer You Get: A Novel. Mary Torjussen. She Writes Press. April 21, 2020. pb, 368
pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9781984804587.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Ruby
leaves her husband, Tom, on a Friday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s uptight about it but determined!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s determined and he’s cooperative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But she’s in for a shock when she gets to her hotel and her lover,
Danny, doesn’t show up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gets worse
when on Monday she discovers she’s got no job.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As
the story is told from two points of view, Ruby’s and Emma’s (the wife of
Danny) one begins to find feelings of compassion for Ruby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tom is sending her notes throughout the weekend including that he’s left
her some extra money in her bank account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t respond and
say thanks until later but isn’t this the opposite of what you’d expect?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Emma
is interested in breaking this woman who doesn’t think twice about breaking up
a marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even says it, so we
think it’s her when the notes and follow through, things start happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good premise, really, except are you
sure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
notion that she’s now single and is being stalked isn’t so far from
reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She certainly deserves no less,
doesn’t she?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pages and pages follow
filled with elements of this stalking and she’s no less than one very afraid
woman.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Anyway,
she’s out of a job and heck, out of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now she’s being stalked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are notes that someone is leaving in her hallway and phone messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’s behind this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may think you’ve got this figured out but
you’ll be wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">For
a “who done it?” it’s a thriller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the
end of the novel, you’ll wonder who is the stalker and who’s out for Ruby?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting read and recommended!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-25015047909324454482020-04-11T05:37:00.000-07:002020-04-11T05:37:04.355-07:00Beyond the Ghetto Gates - A Novel by Michelle Cameron<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqlKRIJPW9n4xtRqrrpG3J6y5fB2kX4ApE4VD51dYAxR9e4v4FPscI9STbZlzw58e9wUzXDbBHmgXJdavPuWNCp_PNpEozA8AGyxIryhiR6PBeEj5DgiCA4Ir5jn0CjjAJuG6Vn540VT9/s1600/beyondghettogates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqlKRIJPW9n4xtRqrrpG3J6y5fB2kX4ApE4VD51dYAxR9e4v4FPscI9STbZlzw58e9wUzXDbBHmgXJdavPuWNCp_PNpEozA8AGyxIryhiR6PBeEj5DgiCA4Ir5jn0CjjAJuG6Vn540VT9/s320/beyondghettogates.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Beyond
the Ghetto Gates: A Novel. Michelle Cameron. She Writes Press. April 7, 2020.
pb, 456 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9781631528507</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
ghetto isn’t any nicer in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century than it was later
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the time when Napoleon’s
French troops have invaded the Italian city of Ancona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve taken down the wall that separates
Jews from Christian, but that’s about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mirelle is the heroine of this novel and she’s got to make a decision
that will have life changing ramifications. She’s a talented woman who is
gifted in her father’s business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now
she is told that she should not be working there because she’s a woman. Should
she marry the older man who can give her everything or marry the Christian
soldier who has made such a dashing appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There’s
a picture of Mary that’s become everything to Italians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been seen to be weeping, smiling, and
when its gazing at Napoleon scowling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francesco,
the wife of a man who is murdered for his hatred of Jews, is determined to
steal the statue and blame them. What does it mean, vowing to stand by the
theft of this picture? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mirelle
is a normal human being who loves being outside, who is happy being outside
where she can smell the sea nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
all of that changes when her father dies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her home is no longer hers but her aunt who hates her and her work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will she move past this barrier and both
marry for love and keep her passion for business?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Beyond
The Ghetto Gates is </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">a
book for women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It raises this problem
about woman in an age when things were mired in tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read it and celebrate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
is historical fiction that is memorable and life-changing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about the love that goes beyond words to
bring change that is meaningful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-66756695566602858782020-03-31T07:47:00.000-07:002020-03-31T07:47:54.822-07:00The Prisoner's Wife: A Novel by Maggie Brookes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQvAyQ4nkBL-Hwzgy8X3flp0UaaTk1-B1rdJ3FLGJ97MDyZA-vMNZjQI4QGKNVuiwiTkZJ1S3jM09gQRdEnTm7IFFisJSVx5GirJdpMhXRLSkSqxwxleigS_gV_cke9x_rb5to__6j03S/s1600/theprisonerswife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQvAyQ4nkBL-Hwzgy8X3flp0UaaTk1-B1rdJ3FLGJ97MDyZA-vMNZjQI4QGKNVuiwiTkZJ1S3jM09gQRdEnTm7IFFisJSVx5GirJdpMhXRLSkSqxwxleigS_gV_cke9x_rb5to__6j03S/s320/theprisonerswife.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
Prisoner’s Wife: A Novel. Maggie Brookes. Penguin Publishing Group. May 2020.
pb, 400 pp.; <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ISBN:
</span></em><span style="background: white;">9780593197752</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A
Czech farm girl, Isabel, meets a British Prisoner of War, Billy and it’s love
sparked from the first look and touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Billy is a prisoner and they have to keep their love secret or the
German guards would exact a horrible retribution on both of the lovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabel’s father and brother were taken away
by the Germans and she is the only one to help her mother on the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billy begins to help her in so many ways but
they know their relationship must change and it can’t be in their present
conditions. However, they eventually escape and trek their way from the
countryside until they are finally caught by the Nazis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabel cuts her hair and dresses like a
boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She acts as a mute would and they
tell the soldiers that she was suffering from the results of a horrific battle
at Tobruk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
novel is more than just a litany of horrendous prisoner of war conditions which
are almost beyond belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starvation,
sickness, lice, and cruelty by captors are more than enough to break and even
destroy the prisoners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What truly stands
out in this account, however, are the tremendous traits of compassion, loyalty
and kindness by which men are bound and which they exert to protect Isabel’s
female status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, one of the men
will die to protect Isabel’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billy
sings and shares his musical harmonica talent to lift up the spirits of the
suffering men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As
the end of the war approaches, conditions begin to change as the Nazi soldiers
fear retaliation if they are exposed to the Allies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billy and Isabel, however, are united in
honoring and respecting men who treasured and shared books, meager portions of
food and medical care, minimum as it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They all dream of returning to home and a decent meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One mourns as his fiancé married his brother
but he still finds courage to go on for this loving prisoner couple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">War
often shows the world the worst in human beings but in Maggie Brookes’ novel it
also shows the best human and superhuman qualities operating in the worst of
wartime stress and difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remarkable historical fiction that is a phenomenal read and highly
recommended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t forget this novel
for a very long time!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-57801352739646409282020-03-26T13:40:00.000-07:002020-03-26T13:40:19.541-07:00Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsg1mU_hseRFtw456DGBJX2D3_bVh1W-bu8VYIcV6PsiyemF03d3yPp0dbmwVrzeaEu8ESxhSS7TfPjNytvp1ha6w9vsuEij_oolhGXwcaJY05znXeOXOaaWTgwbgnsflL2Z5EVDHGJa5/s1600/whorescuedwho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsg1mU_hseRFtw456DGBJX2D3_bVh1W-bu8VYIcV6PsiyemF03d3yPp0dbmwVrzeaEu8ESxhSS7TfPjNytvp1ha6w9vsuEij_oolhGXwcaJY05znXeOXOaaWTgwbgnsflL2Z5EVDHGJa5/s320/whorescuedwho.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Who
Rescued Who. Victoria Schade. Penguin Publishing Group. March 2020. pb, 352
pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9780593098837.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Elizabeth,
aka Bess, gets fired from her high tech Silicon Valley job at Dutchess Games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also seems that she knows something about
the top woman of her former social media company that said much about the bad
nature of the product they were selling. For now, Elizabeth is overwhelmed and
is taking a short trip to England to visit her father’s relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are not people she even knew were alive
before now; however, it turns out she has inherited a piece of property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems vague and complicated but she will
find out the answers to the dozen questions she has.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Imagine
her head in a whirlwind when she meets her Uncle, her father’s brother, who
lives on lovely land and has amazing neighbors in Fargrove, UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her father and Uncle parted over loving the
same woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle Rowan is an extremely
talented artist as well as a sheep owner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His wife Trudy is a warm, dynamic woman who is both understanding about
the past and enthusiastic about the future.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Little
by little Elizabeth becomes friendly with a beekeeper, a coffee shop owner, a
brewery owner, and several gallery owners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All are very dedicated to their business but unlike Elizabeth’s former
colleagues are warm and inviting people who don’t put business over
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So
who needs rescuing? It’s obviously Elizabeth or Bess and this is her story or
her journey to discover what part of her past has meaning and what is just a
way to push away what she can’t face from that past. Along the way she rescues a
black and white puppy and loves her Uncle’s collie, dogs who are yearning for
the same escape from loneliness and yearning for permanent, loving connection. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pages and pages of beautiful descriptions demonstrate
the delightful antics of these dogs who teach Elizabeth about the nature of
true love. Could Fargrove be a similar end or the new beginning of a life for
the rescuer of these charming canine friends?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
author uses this story to emphasize the depths of true love, friendship, trust,
loyalty, and community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
contemporary fiction par excellence which is highly recommended warm, engaging
and transformative fiction that promises to make readers cry and laugh out loud!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t want it to end!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-28757103929375232932020-03-26T13:32:00.000-07:002020-03-26T13:32:11.571-07:00Act of Murder: A Doc Brady Mystery: A Medical Thriller by John Bishop, M.D.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQJPQugK-RzV3UPVmp9i8Qtf90zxgbgv6tY2XdXmFhgAHSvoUAVKuYv_YaZTTIzZs4Lon_fyJTvQG2EfuJaAnEBCVi-xdp_ghfHcfZtb_uDtphZZagz8abGs96IpVtKXvp1OnjAYZgf9d/s1600/actofmurder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQJPQugK-RzV3UPVmp9i8Qtf90zxgbgv6tY2XdXmFhgAHSvoUAVKuYv_YaZTTIzZs4Lon_fyJTvQG2EfuJaAnEBCVi-xdp_ghfHcfZtb_uDtphZZagz8abGs96IpVtKXvp1OnjAYZgf9d/s320/actofmurder.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Act
of Murder: A Doc Brady Mystery. A Medical Thriller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Bishop M.D. Mantid Press. March 2020.
pb, 281 pp.; <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ISBN
#</span></em><span style="background: white;">: 97817342511040.</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In
the spring of one year, a neighbor of Dr. Brady dies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s hit by a car and that person doesn’t
stop and acknowledge what’s been done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The police detective says to the doctor that if he remembers anything,
he should contact her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He remembers a
red car a few days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
is the story of how the murderer is uncovered. It’s all tied in, the death of
another twin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A shared health
problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The death of a doctor who could
have been alive today had he been treated earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skills of his son, J. J. and his friend,
who are computer whiz kids and are able to track bank accounts and people who
just might be part of a connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">All
in the middle of a busy orthopedic surgeon’s life. His practice is just as
successful and he’s got a great relationship with his peers. He’s got a great
wife and a talented son who helps him out in this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s unable to forget this case and it’s this
linkage that keeps him going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What
could a murderer do with what’s really a secret?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not going to spoil this one but it’s
upsetting to say the least!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
is a great mystery and it’s done in a very realistic way that makes you keep
reading!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A
medical thriller for sure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highly
recommended reading!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-91660630308973906532020-03-24T15:40:00.000-07:002020-03-24T15:40:14.120-07:00Darling Rose Gold: A Novel by Stephanie Wrobel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-nRTNeFFmnHmCFc9vv78XedTiu55LA_kEjv5k9sM-lXymGiquVcuZfhRyR13qEqdhAP-jJ_hQIchIXSk8mdBymCQFgK8o0tws1DzfJG9RjhsD7kq_Iufyl5mMATva7Q09anmkTON7Hnf/s1600/darlingrosegold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-nRTNeFFmnHmCFc9vv78XedTiu55LA_kEjv5k9sM-lXymGiquVcuZfhRyR13qEqdhAP-jJ_hQIchIXSk8mdBymCQFgK8o0tws1DzfJG9RjhsD7kq_Iufyl5mMATva7Q09anmkTON7Hnf/s320/darlingrosegold.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Darling
Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel. Simon & Schuster. March 2020. pb, 320 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9780593100066.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Rose
Gold spent her first eighteen years of life as an ill child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had every disease one could think of, had
to drop out of school because of the taunting of other children, and had the
support and assistance of everyone in the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it turned out that her mother Patty was
just a really good liar and was responsible for her daughter’s ill health, now
known as Munchausen disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an
illness that binds mothers to their children in a very sick way, literally.
Patty was even quite good at spouting medical knowledge and suggesting
solutions to doctors and nurses in offices and the local hospital. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Patty
eventually serves five years in prison for her lies and has a plan for her
daughter who is the one who turned her in to the police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, Rose finally meets the father she
thought was dead, the father with another wife and other children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says he wants her in his life but the
reality turns out quite different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rose
refuses to accept this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">While
all this is going on, even Rose’s good friends turn out to not be that
loyal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rose deserves a break and the
reader will definitely be rooting for something better to happen to her, not
realizing how surprised they are about to be. At one point, there are some
flashbacks in Patty’s life that make the reader feel a bit more compassionate
about why she’s like she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
definitely a very dark, stark and twisted tale. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Patty
develops a complete plan by which she thinks she will have the last laugh over
Rose and the snooty neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patty,
however, is not as sharp as she thinks because it’s really Rose who has a
remarkable plan to get vengeance for her lost years of normal living.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">All
the appearances of “darling” are just that, appearances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who love thrillers, this is your
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a contemporary fiction
creation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-6260858272199307252020-03-18T18:18:00.000-07:002020-03-18T18:18:30.194-07:00Above the Bay of Angels by Rhy Bowen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_-6n0Sw9yU-OJiaofiD4xRK3xRn9GWpOIfSSLTMWJZkw79iGV8_FXubaVIoD-dgp6XZ4ljVaWl7xI74gx1dmZu2XKc1ZBv1nF73JTdJM9qFTONiaFidXy5lrLW1Yhlx-_0DFsnApdisc/s1600/abovethebayofangels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_-6n0Sw9yU-OJiaofiD4xRK3xRn9GWpOIfSSLTMWJZkw79iGV8_FXubaVIoD-dgp6XZ4ljVaWl7xI74gx1dmZu2XKc1ZBv1nF73JTdJM9qFTONiaFidXy5lrLW1Yhlx-_0DFsnApdisc/s320/abovethebayofangels.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Above
the Bay of Angels. Rhys Bowen. Amazon Publishing. February 11, 2020. pb, 348 pp.;
<span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9781542008259</span>.</span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Queen
Victoria is older and Albert has died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isabelle Waverly’s father life is slowly dulling because he drinks too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His two daughters will be all right; one will
marry and the other one has unbelievable luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For she sees a woman die from being hit by a truck and she assumes the
identity of this woman who has been invited to Buckingham Palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has the background and becomes Helen Barton.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
position is hers and she works so very hard at becoming a junior cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luck seems to follow her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the mockery of Roland Barton, she
gets him a job as a follower of the Queen’s son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others try to push her but she holds off many,
telling each she will not bed them as she is committed to honesty and integrity
that go with marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes for
many tight moments!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Then
one year the Queen decides to go to Nice in France!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There she pleases the Queen with her scones
and her honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beauty and food of
this locale please Helen and she learns to cook them via the French chef who
becomes a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is challenged by
the death of a German prince and is judged guilty of murdering him with a
mushroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She manages to find the guilty
party who did commit this horrendous crime and in so doing earns the care of
her peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thus
she agrees to marry the French chef, Jean-Paul Lepin and open their own French
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alive and moving beyond its
borders, this novel will satisfy you and also satisfy the mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a tale told in simplicity and
honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It’s
good, solid historical fiction that this reviewer highly recommends!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-72987878280530628582020-03-10T03:23:00.000-07:002020-03-10T03:23:13.926-07:00And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis by Stephanie Marie Thornton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5s-zVqm295R8TnTT4mtEyxklRWaZYS1ZBReINjhqATp3uZtncYLQuSbA5J2WaxUybBgrVArfyzq-VBvr94qHAf9cJg2oQBlIdLrTWIvErr1ncTiw5UHgue6n6Y-qHOuE6LyBpVcIIyMz/s1600/andtheycalleditcamelot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5s-zVqm295R8TnTT4mtEyxklRWaZYS1ZBReINjhqATp3uZtncYLQuSbA5J2WaxUybBgrVArfyzq-VBvr94qHAf9cJg2oQBlIdLrTWIvErr1ncTiw5UHgue6n6Y-qHOuE6LyBpVcIIyMz/s320/andtheycalleditcamelot.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">And
They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.
Stephanie Marie Thornton. Penguin Publishing Group. March 2020. pb, 480 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9780451490926</span></span></b><span style="background: white; color: #21282d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">.</span><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Welcome
to the world of Jack and Jackie – a romance beyond romance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a world where we see Jackie’s sense of
humor and mostly grit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew what she
was marrying into but she married Jack Kennedy anyway. She knew he was a
womanizer but he swore she was his only woman and proved it. It reads like an
intimate memoir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brings the reader to
share in her tears and deepest fears. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She
met his family and got along with everyone of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had miscarriages and trials but kept her chin
up until she had her children, Caroline and John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
she drives through Texas with Jack, we know how mind-numbing his assassination
is and what it does to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes her
to levels of grief and yet it is her family and his that offer the support that
keeps her going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it is Bobby who is
there for her and gives her strength that she takes time to turn into her
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From then on, her stoicism guides
her through the tragedy of Bobby’s assassination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">From
then on, she gets to raise her children and decides to travel to Greece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There she eventually marries Aristotle much
to the chagrin of the Kennedy clan and Aristotle’s children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She does this for her children’s safety and
it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But marriage to Ari isn’t what
she had hoped and she is hopelessly entangled in a stay at home, European style
marriage and it isn’t until his death that she feels free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She
then has the money and the dreams to become an editor, a successful one at
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jackie has been married three
times and spends the rest of her life doing what she loves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the book she shares her love of
poetry and prose in small ways with each of her families, but only after life
has taught her through joys,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pain and
trials does she celebrate her literary life with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Many
readers do not know Jackie’s life but now they can get to know her intimately
in a way that gives her reality a way to remember the days of Camelot – and
beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful historical fiction!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-5808533369065612452020-03-10T03:13:00.000-07:002020-03-10T03:13:31.790-07:00A Murderous Relation: A Veronica Speedwell Mystery #5 by Deanna Raybourne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0GykuxZQKYOCeeYvb-7Ff-oRokXhkRMhq9kqZuwDq38IZjKxY_xRJFIwOxxftYKWnRRqcy7PrrjO0vA1jGI3ph35EbmmGQyuZHtSk0eWEYiPL80Bw1rKXiyMZxxKjEfztVfAHpDlZmzm/s1600/amurderousrelation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0GykuxZQKYOCeeYvb-7Ff-oRokXhkRMhq9kqZuwDq38IZjKxY_xRJFIwOxxftYKWnRRqcy7PrrjO0vA1jGI3ph35EbmmGQyuZHtSk0eWEYiPL80Bw1rKXiyMZxxKjEfztVfAHpDlZmzm/s320/amurderousrelation.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">A
Murderous Relation: A Veronica Speedwell Mystery #5. Deanna Raybourn. Penguin
Publishing Group. March 2020. pb, 320 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN
#: 9780451490766.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Veronica
Speedwell is asked to recover a beautiful piece of jewelry that has been given
to a rich courtesan in a high-class bordello for the aristocracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jewelry is to be used to unite a Prince
of the British Kingdom to a woman he admires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the Royal Family has other plans for his future marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left alone the passing of this jewelry will
cause a scandal that would destroy the monarchy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Veronica, as the unrecognized daughter of the
ruling Prince, agrees to carry out this task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She protects the Kingdom even if her shameful status remains
unacknowledged.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The pages
that follow will put the life of Stoker, a natural history colleague, and
Veronica at risk since they are kidnapped as part of a plot to remove the
remaining Germanic people from the Royal Family and begin a new reign
supposedly ruled by Veronica but in reality dictated by a failing police
officer and an anarchist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In the
process readers will meet some of Stoker’s dead animals ready to be mounted,
will see how Stoker and Veronica will survive being wounded several times, and
will meet Eddy, a Prince, who is spoiled but wants to leave a good mark on the
people of his Kingdom but is clearly unprepared to do any ruling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Meanwhile
Veronica has finally realized how much she loves Stoker and is resolved to be
united with him but is stymied by circumstances which leave the two closer to
dead than alive and passionately connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, determination may eventually pay off which would definitely
change the nature of their future sleuthing activities. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">You will
also meet a journalist and the head of police who care about the poor and
homeless individuals who wind up in lives of prostitutes and thieves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The social connection is touching although
these characters seem powerless to change the lives of those they most pity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This situation makes the Jack the Ripper
murders to which their plight is connected all the more devastating!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A
Murderous Relation</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">…
is a fun read, full of adventure, danger, mystery and passion! Enjoy the great
read!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-89578948587239051262020-03-05T03:22:00.000-08:002020-03-05T03:22:52.737-08:00Where the Sun Will Rise Tomorrow by Rashi Rohatgi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAquktV9nyIEHGRx9SaOlghj4BHdBrHY26QqSKd531Ap1hzY2MCNohGSUY6R7PfKx1A9cLCj-qqLhXUhPHsZ-Vq0J3Tntxmx9t8JHVTYa_hReYIgoYkX7tQ45QiQxcpHCucO3koIV2tOL/s1600/wherethesunwillrisetomorrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAquktV9nyIEHGRx9SaOlghj4BHdBrHY26QqSKd531Ap1hzY2MCNohGSUY6R7PfKx1A9cLCj-qqLhXUhPHsZ-Vq0J3Tntxmx9t8JHVTYa_hReYIgoYkX7tQ45QiQxcpHCucO3koIV2tOL/s320/wherethesunwillrisetomorrow.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Where
the Sun Will Rise Tomorrow. Rashi Rohatgi. Galaxy Galloper Press, LLC. March
2020. pb, 270 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9781733233293.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In 1905 Nash
returns home to India after having spent time studying engineering in Japan,
which has just won a war against Russia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>India is now feeling they will unite and so have Great Britain leave
their country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s a time for
protests and petitions to local and national politicians to win battles against
segregation. Nash asks his fiancé Leela to get signatures for the petition
ending segregation in Chadrapur’s local schools, Leela needs to take time to
process such an action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is
definitely for the old ways and somewhat up for change into new ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now she is obsessed with her love for
Nash and how his occasional kisses spark her love and desire for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wonders how such changes will affect
families.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Things,
however, are complicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nash and Leela
are expected to marry and live in Nash’s small village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nash however now wants to become a lawyer and
not an engineer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leela’s sister, Maya,
has fallen in love with a Muslim, a union that would be forbidden and
ostracized by their present neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maya believes that such a change must happen along with all of the other
changes that are hopefully looming in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love to Maya is stronger than prejudice and
segregation of religions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There are
multiple scenes where Leela, Maya and their father meet with Nash’s
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During these visits, much is
mentioned that gives Leela and Maya food for thought and discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, discussions never seem to resolve in
a shared agreement about the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Leela and Maya read many books as they prepare to teach in a local school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, no one fully expects them to teach
once they are married for social norms put marriage and becoming a parent over
and above being a working woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This is a
novel about the journey to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leela
will commit an act at the end that totally changes her world and mandates she
must embrace change even if she acts like it is all accidental and not part of
a revolutionary plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reference is made
to Buddhism and the beginning teachings of Gandhi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Interesting
historical read that contemplates how change demands different thought,
feelings and actions in the midst of a traditional society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fascinating reading!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-21430756636287284442020-03-05T03:15:00.000-08:002020-03-05T03:15:51.919-08:00No Truth Left to Tell by Michael McAuliffe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zvs8RThSUkV_Q7ZR5pcxH8CUvYJ63GVL6jGYSqRxafvLZ83AU0dJnHVX_Oa_8tcTzNhSUmZW4KVBOWcF5Yepln1dJauASGe72lkelIWElyhSjylscEzsHxJx_3bCGyyhGOPDiW3RKFsp/s1600/notruthlefttotell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zvs8RThSUkV_Q7ZR5pcxH8CUvYJ63GVL6jGYSqRxafvLZ83AU0dJnHVX_Oa_8tcTzNhSUmZW4KVBOWcF5Yepln1dJauASGe72lkelIWElyhSjylscEzsHxJx_3bCGyyhGOPDiW3RKFsp/s320/notruthlefttotell.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">No
Truth Left to Tell. Michael McAuliffe. Greenleaf Book Group Press. March 2020.
pb, 320 pp.; <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ISBN:
</span></em><span style="background: white;">9781626346970.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Adrien Rush is
a federal civil rights prosecutor and is called to investigate and prosecute
the criminals responsible for burning crosses on the lawns of private and
public citizens in Lynwood, Louisiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Ku Klux Klan is responsible and is proud of their actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, one elderly lady, Nettie Wynn,
suffers a heart attack on the night of the attack on the front lawn of her home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lives in an area of Lynwood that is home
to a predominance of people of color.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Rush and an
experienced FBI investigator, Mercer, continue their work and after a local
police detective brings in one of the responsible persons, they manage to have
the perpetrator judged guilty by a grand jury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nettie’s nice and Rush hit it off but their relationship is about to
become complicated by the crime’s process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What happens if
the means by which evidence is obtained turns out to be tainted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does that mean the rights of the accused
become more important than the commission of a crime?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such is the dilemma posed in this tense,
controversial plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It will leave
readers with many confusing and complex questions about justice’s processes and
the results obtained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who or what is the
victim of such civil rights crimes and violations?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who deserves a “fair” trial?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are rights protected and guaranteed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will it take for prejudice and civil
rights crimes to be abolished forever?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When does the behavior of police become excusable or inexcusable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many innocent people are sitting in jail
because of a perversion of justice? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Rush is a cop
with integrity. It’s because of that sense of fairness that the simple plot
becomes so fraught with problems that challenge his relationship with both the
people in town and the families of victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There also seems to be a well-known tension between federal and civil
authorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone wants to be top
man on the totem pole and somehow justice and fair play are in danger of being
obliterated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">No Truth to
Tell</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> is a fascinating
read that is sure to please those who love crime novels and the stories
therein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice writing, Michael
McAuliffe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look forward to more of same!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-3246547770123883232020-03-05T03:09:00.000-08:002020-03-05T03:09:07.405-08:00Who Slays The Wicked? by Sebastian St. Cyr C. H. Harris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kaBlnf5csmj_xRYaBqv07jgxsqkww2brN8tAJbsPt6uDYhPHy114urI9i3T1KYC0r6DzOM6MYzJwbxslCZ_QnSWMEpFPI2z44DGD3AQoYsqUDqV915009qZevkArM4m_O9LQAIfjqBAH/s1600/whoslaysthewicked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kaBlnf5csmj_xRYaBqv07jgxsqkww2brN8tAJbsPt6uDYhPHy114urI9i3T1KYC0r6DzOM6MYzJwbxslCZ_QnSWMEpFPI2z44DGD3AQoYsqUDqV915009qZevkArM4m_O9LQAIfjqBAH/s320/whoslaysthewicked.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Who
Slays the Wicked? – Sebastian St. Cyr. C. S. Harris. Penguin Publishing Group. April
2019. pb, 352 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9780399585654.</span></span></b><span style="background: white; color: #21282d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A very evil
nobleman who is married to Sebastian’s niece, Stephanie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This quickly turns into a “was” married when
he is found murdered in the most foul manner possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years ago, he was responsible for a string of
murders of young boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord Ashworth has
some deviant sexual habits and is a very nasty individual with a habit of not
paying his bills and sneering at those who demand payment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Sebastian asks who would want Lord
Ashworth dead, the answer is obviously anyone and everyone who knew him.
Although this is the 14<sup>th</sup> St. Cyr novel, it’s a stand-alone that’s
so very well worth reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So does one go
after the poor vagabond prostitutes in the neighborhood or the other noble
lords and ladies in London, especially quite a few from Russia here to
encourage and celebrate a wedding of their own arrangement?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All have a reason to hate Lord Ashworth’s
dead or alive guts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The size of a blood
stain even suggests that a small woman committed the gruesome deed, maybe even
his wife Stephanie whom the Lord had married only to get an heir or he would
have been cut off from the family money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What’s most
interesting about this novel are the potentially guilty characters who carry an
obvious hatred of the dead victim but also have a coldness about them that
wouldn’t think twice about killing a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Motives boil down to they would just plain like to do it and no you
wouldn’t get a smile with that verbal admission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There’s a
double whammy message here about how the aristocracy couldn’t care less about
the suffering and cruel circumstances of the poor beggars, prostitutes, and
local ragpickers, of whatever age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St.
Cyr has an obvious caring heart and this makes him sensitive to the suffering
around him, a trait his beloved wife also shares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">One also gets a
good picture of the politics of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Politicians are out for money and not the good of their constituents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Covering up evil deeds is par for the course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This is a grand
read with plenty of rumors, hints, scandals, etc. for those trying to figure
out the mystery before the main character does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fine crime novel that will keep you enraptured for hours and hours –
enjoy and then go for the other St. Cyr novels – all masterfully crafted!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-29011853295882340672020-02-26T16:40:00.000-08:002020-02-26T16:40:15.354-08:00Red Letter Days by Sarah Jane Stratford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTek9SC55tSoBQ2T4KUnDUMkvtONTtfv54bkoQjAVoLKQVRFor8sJ7NKXGYXKQfCIcAwgkr-Q3B_rrTDT32zpULvid2hMfgV-wOoqPhlK42_ZiBTfLed8pmuxYEK0bGm0rzfBu1pD32nT/s1600/redletterdays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTek9SC55tSoBQ2T4KUnDUMkvtONTtfv54bkoQjAVoLKQVRFor8sJ7NKXGYXKQfCIcAwgkr-Q3B_rrTDT32zpULvid2hMfgV-wOoqPhlK42_ZiBTfLed8pmuxYEK0bGm0rzfBu1pD32nT/s320/redletterdays.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Red
Letter Days. Sarah Jane Stratford. Penguin Publishing Group. February 2020. pb,
400 pp.; <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ISBN:
</span></em><span style="background: white;">9780451475572.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In
the late 1950s Senator Joe McCarthy began what came to be known as the “Red
Scare.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halfway through that period,
even after Senator McCarthy had to withdrawn from the HUAC or House of
Un-American Activities Committee, the Committee was still holding trials of
those who were blacklisted for an association with either the Communist or Red
Party others associated with the same party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The source of most of their information were lists of people who named
others so that they would be released and cleared of being a Red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the story of two women writers who
were blacklisted, one (Phoebe Adler) of whom had escaped a subpoena by fleeing
to England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phoebe must work as a script
writer in order to financially support her very ill sister living in a health
sanitarium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After she gets blacklisted
based on someone else’s false confession, she leaves for England and begins,
thanks to the helpfulness of Hannah, a woman who has hired several blacklisted
writers and producers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The choice was
this escape or trial and jail plus heft financial fines. However, note that
Phoebe and Hannah are very good writers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
travesty of those who did not escape is that their careers were totally
ruined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But thee exiles got a second
chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually some were arrested in
England, brought back to American and made to appear before the HUAC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some thanks to strong supporters made it
through and returned to England but the story still needed to be told because
of the hell they went through, like Phoebe, in the long anxiety-producing,
fearful process or journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah-Jane
Stratford has certainly done a great deal of research and this novel is a
poignant account of that experience for far too many writers, actors, producers
and directors accused of being Communists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There
is also a subplot of the role of married women who chose to work after the war
and who therefore were considered to be unfeminine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some stuck it out; some wound up
divorced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These women were assuming
roles for the first time that Americans were not always willing to accept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The novel also contains some very funny
moments as scripts are being prepared for the TV production of Robin Hood and
another for The Legend of Lancelot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Remarkable,
intelligent, adventurous, and engaging historical fiction that is well-crafted,
fascinating and highly readable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A must
read! Enjoy!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-68047745094655677222020-02-26T16:32:00.000-08:002020-02-26T16:32:30.365-08:00The Antidote for Everything by Kimmery Martin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dzTVlPz2M9gs3GfHLaQGqWHtnfaPJ7xbcl1hlY2etf_wjvwR01g3SeSobV5j2b7NDJGhm9oUKPZw4KXQLiNvTJdjc-EjL8ZBPPoBHKNxHLb5gSAyMooP0k5FurDva3JFSK58aclqQnRR/s1600/theantidoteforeverything.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dzTVlPz2M9gs3GfHLaQGqWHtnfaPJ7xbcl1hlY2etf_wjvwR01g3SeSobV5j2b7NDJGhm9oUKPZw4KXQLiNvTJdjc-EjL8ZBPPoBHKNxHLb5gSAyMooP0k5FurDva3JFSK58aclqQnRR/s320/theantidoteforeverything.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
Antidote for Everything. Kimmery Martin. Penguin Publishing Group. February
2020. pb, 384 pp.; <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ISBN: </span></em><span style="background: white;">9781984802835.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Dr.
Georgia Brown is a urologist and Dr. Jonah Tsukada is a family medicine
physician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both work in a hospital in
Charleston, South Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey
both are about to begin is a very painful one as the Director of the hospital
and a group of local citizens have decided that Jonah’s treatment of LGBT
patients is immoral and therefore unacceptable as hospital policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he is accused of that and also of stealing
drugs from the hospital pharmacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Georgia stands by his side through the thick and horrendous journey of
these accusations as well as when he is fired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the same time, Georgia has finally met and fallen in love with a
businessman, Mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All three of these
characters have experienced devastating loss and know what it takes to survive
and even surpass these tragedies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
friendship is engaging and admirable to the uppermost degree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Unfortunately,
Jonah makes a choice that puts his life in jeopardy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is while he is suffering from that choice
that the truth about the whole hospital situation is exposed, through the work
of a very savvy lawyer and the confession of an addictive physician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Georgia had contemplated doing something
wrong in order to make the situation right but never implements that plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During that time of innocence, all come to
understand what they want to do in medicine and make new decisions to honor
that dedication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are stronger for
the experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
Antidote for Everything</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">
will leave readers thinking about opinions and prejudices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will also hopefully make readers think
twice about the quick judgments the public and individuals make after
accusations are published or splashed through the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plot condemns the notion that once
alleged means guilty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also invites
readers to see all patients as equal and deserving of fairness and compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
is finely crafted contemporary fiction with real characters worthy of respect
and honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nicely fashioned, Kimmery Martin
and highly recommended reading!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-53903380354170551652020-02-20T02:36:00.000-08:002020-02-20T02:36:49.045-08:00One Minute Out: A Gray Man Novel #9 by Mark Greaney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGYl_pMOkRFqLvFe1OsMn8XgklmdtO9tiIBVlNFUs5_0t5DhltTxzGFmtuPf0XF5jvDX2vrOvqDlMUTccj-Uax1TBP971InQWKmYyZN7BF1GpvZcQY_hJdD0gcCyIj0j9RL1JNmi4Reek/s1600/oneminuteout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGYl_pMOkRFqLvFe1OsMn8XgklmdtO9tiIBVlNFUs5_0t5DhltTxzGFmtuPf0XF5jvDX2vrOvqDlMUTccj-Uax1TBP971InQWKmYyZN7BF1GpvZcQY_hJdD0gcCyIj0j9RL1JNmi4Reek/s320/oneminuteout.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">One
Minute Out: A Gray Man Novel #9. Mark Greaney. Penguin Publishing Group. February
2020. pb, 512 pp.; <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ISBN: </span></em><span style="background: white;">9780593098912.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Court Gentry,
the Gray Man, is a hired assassin whose initial job is to take out a former
criminal responsible for war crimes that destroyed hundreds of families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as this job is panning out, he
discovers that this criminal is involved with something much worse, that of
trafficking sex slaves. This reviewer has a tough time with this subject as
these young women are stuck in a situation that is horrific to say the
least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, Gentry knows he has a
problem with a soft conscience but that means he can’t let this go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he starts out by killing the leader and
many of his so-called guards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he
gets information on the fact that this business is far bigger than he had
imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact it’s world-wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We meet many of the leaders in the plumbing
line, men who are interested in cruelty to these young women and beyond greedy
for the millions they are making for their small part in planning and
organizing the movement of this “product” as it’s called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to that that each leader has no idea who
the others are or from where they are operating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This keeps the secret under wraps, but they
are not used to the “Gray Man” who keeps showing up in the places where the
product is being shipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Some may say
the girls were partially responsible for being snared into this hellish trap
but one has to find this unacceptable when realizing how they are now
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to this garbage the fact
that the CIA, with whom Genry doesn’t have the greatest relationship, has an
active interest in this group because they are also an active terrorist threat
and so don’t want him near the top man of this trafficking organization known
as the Consortium.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Two things work
very well in this international crime novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One is the fact that Gentry is one wild agent whose fighting abilities
are the best you’ve ever encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The next is that he thinks everything out and really cares what happens
to thee young women, wanting them to get to live a normal life that has no
connection to sex trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also
acknowledges that he has dark secrets in his past and so can excuse a certain
amount of same when he meets in these women individually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The novel
doesn’t have a perfect ending but it’s a satisfactory one for the young girls
and we learn that the CIA has an even “bigger” job coming up soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So stay tuned for another action-packed
international crime thriller!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark
Greaney has the plots ready and adds some very human elements that make this a
huge success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it’s somewhat
stereotypical but so are most of the books and movies of the same nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good, adrenaline-pumping story that
one could envision in film form!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nicely
crafted, Mark Greaney!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-67662249829099610342020-02-20T02:32:00.000-08:002020-02-20T02:32:06.513-08:00The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6951Z3zv_EBSGhxTs_X9eIKEeZoY7GbU5ThdLndpSQmH6CZDXG5rZbV6J7ytjzKarN-4S3SkyHj5QWuuwq8KSIIyd0LzMtCvFP0IywuyBQO0n0bW7_q-wm_0isNYOIGueKnbfcHjbYyoO/s1600/thesundownmotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6951Z3zv_EBSGhxTs_X9eIKEeZoY7GbU5ThdLndpSQmH6CZDXG5rZbV6J7ytjzKarN-4S3SkyHj5QWuuwq8KSIIyd0LzMtCvFP0IywuyBQO0n0bW7_q-wm_0isNYOIGueKnbfcHjbYyoO/s320/thesundownmotel.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
Sun Down Motel. Simone St. James. Penguin Publishing Group. February 2020. pb, 336
pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9780440000174.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In upstate
New York in 1982, Vivian Delaney takes a job as a night clerk at the motel in
the small town of Fell after leaving home and her disagreements with her
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She intends this job to be
temporary as she plans to make enough money to go to New York City to become an
actress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this turns out to ghostbe a
very complicated position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
ghosts in the motel, all connected with disappearances, murder and other
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years later, Vivian’s niece,
Carly, travels to Fell determined to find out why and how her aunt
disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carly is an untrained but
intelligent young woman who uses her skills to track the past problems.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Carly finds
the job at the motel to be as creepy as her aunt did years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At certain moments she smells fresh cigarette
smoke but never finds out the source of that smell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doors in the motel randomly open and then
slam shut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sees an appearance of a
woman that she knows is a ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
also a trace of a young boy who supposedly fell into the empty pool and died
from the fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The novel switches
between Viv’s and Carly’s accounts, past and present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a salesman who frequently stays over
who signs a different name every time he appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a photographer who takes strange
pictures that just might provide clues of a serial killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a policewoman who tries to get both
women to stop playing amateur detective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s a man who’s trying to work through his very troubled past that
involved his family’s violent past but who is very appealing to Carly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This novel
will keep readers awake long past bedtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has ample eeriness, tension and mystery to hold any mystery lover’s
interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And most of all, it maintains
a very credible ambience that makes the supernatural seem real but not
frighteningly so!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Nice read
that’s well-crafted and highly recommended!</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-35827605224065780422020-02-20T02:16:00.000-08:002020-02-21T18:04:50.177-08:00Gilded Dreams (Newborn Gilded Age Book Two) by Donna Russo Morin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDOHdV3OEAX4EGnjhHY8PCSOpt5Z86lGrApM-3JI30Fb8Dh_-Pwyl5BbCW0hh4slr5IxQYgRf5qlmCHLXIDr-wmUGJF_mmxK_7WyoTTuulnkE582u4LHc4HcPtxbsGSX7Xb_kQOmmcXCG/s1600/gildeddreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDOHdV3OEAX4EGnjhHY8PCSOpt5Z86lGrApM-3JI30Fb8Dh_-Pwyl5BbCW0hh4slr5IxQYgRf5qlmCHLXIDr-wmUGJF_mmxK_7WyoTTuulnkE582u4LHc4HcPtxbsGSX7Xb_kQOmmcXCG/s320/gildeddreams.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Gilded
Dreams. (Newport Gilded Age Book Two). Donna Russo Morin. Magnum Opus: Sold by
Amazon. June 2020, 325 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ASIN: B084GM8DC4.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For
the last eight years, the women’s rights movement for suffrage is raging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donna Russo Morin brings us into Pearl’s
Newport world. Beginning with a terrible tragedy, Pearl loses her father on the
Titanic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That awful event brings the
reader to the event as she is forced to identify her father, the last member of
her family, and the horrors she has to experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That loss makes her realize that she has lost
everything as her husband inherits everything. She can inherit nothing as she’s
a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is here that she sees the
need for a women’s rights law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">She
finds her world as a novice suffragette as she meets the women involved in this
far off fight. She continues to forge on, being a mother of two and drawing
fashion and agreeing to do little things at the Newport level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and Ginerva are together through the
thick and thin of it all. WWI is begun and she is separated from her beloved
husband, Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hero he was emerges
as she hears of his heroic action which saved the lives of hundreds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Her
world dissolves with the death of Peter and we experience it with Pearl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A crisis develops and she must come up with
the will of Peter which she does after much searching and worrying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who will inherit in this mess when a wife
cannot inherit anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
world is winding up the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this
time we meet the other upper echeleon of women’s rights supporters, such as the
Lady Astor Brooke, whom Pearl supports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night
and day is the picture of this lady.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Late
in the novel, Pearl and Ginerva become opponents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is totally unexpected and shocks readers
but doesn’t prevent the goal of achieving women’s rights which are signed into
law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There
are dozens of pages in which supporters help Pearl become the women she rises
as she rises from little known Pearl to the leader of the Newport campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a woman who reads a great deal and is
a wise leader in sharing her knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Donna
Russo Morin is great writer who has done her research well and presented a
lively and dynamic story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
historical fiction at its highest and all should enjoy the story!!!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-39491323313324838382020-02-08T14:20:00.000-08:002020-02-08T14:21:16.097-08:00Dreamland by Nancy Bilyeau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCqe20rKTc7_BJ8eyWgmyRaMCLNKu00IGhUgdjDD3QowRAU-5hItCeMBpF3RCeqMo511J4ZAkBUdrQD6p4gBYOz-xvhlp9awHuvh1O9jhs28lGC4gBqrgNBVmN3eBY2Wy2bSxLcERn_kp/s1600/dreamland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCqe20rKTc7_BJ8eyWgmyRaMCLNKu00IGhUgdjDD3QowRAU-5hItCeMBpF3RCeqMo511J4ZAkBUdrQD6p4gBYOz-xvhlp9awHuvh1O9jhs28lGC4gBqrgNBVmN3eBY2Wy2bSxLcERn_kp/s320/dreamland.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Dreamland. Nancy Bilyeau. Endeavour Media Ltd. January 2020. pb, 386 pp.; <em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">ISBN: </span></em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">9781911445968</span></span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In 1911 Peggy Batternberg spends a summer at Coney Island, one of the world’s favorite playgrounds, a method her famous, rich family is using to curb her lower class desires and dreams. Up to that summer she was allowed to work in a bookstore, a job she loved because it opened up her world to famous books, art and people who have global perspectives and style. She was to marry but her almost fiancé turned out to be out of Peggy’s taste. Later she will be proven correct in her estimation. Her family’s Jewish heritage is problematic at times but doesn’t stop them from flaunting their wealth and gaining what they want, including what is shameful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">At Coney Island, she breaks away from her family one late afternoon and meets a young, talented artist whose taste in art moves Peggy to tears. Soon she realizes that she loves this Serbian artist, Stefan. The author is adept at catching every tantalizing look, smell, taste and touch to do with Coney Island, including the famous exhibit called “Dreamland.” However, the law is not so admiring of immigrant artists and have investigated Stefan, believing he is an anarchist come to America to bring violence and trouble. He therefore is considered worthy of watching especially in light of the death of two young women right on the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">During this time, Peggy will discover some real culprits who are guilty of criminal acts. The ending of this book may not satisfy everyone but reflects a reality where the world characterized and judged those in different classes; the reader becomes exposed to more like the true reality in and around Peggy Batternberg’s family and neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Coney Island was famous for Nathan’s hot dogs, freak shows, ice cream, lemonade and cotton candy In every “fun” spot are some shadows, however, and Nancy Bilyeau is to be commendable to show the famous, loved spot in all of its shapes, shades, illusions and realities. Great historical fiction and a great read!!!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-3609614218294919822020-02-05T03:01:00.001-08:002020-02-05T03:03:12.637-08:00The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel by Abi Dare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQNnztlJAMEtEY6HSz8eFK9ey5uATHOKlvm4w5pmu8G2NfyVZvjwcS5GGo2agQlFuRq-5UGAEH4y58LL9paXe45SzKIcIzg_jsl2Ow3dJGAdE8hNZ8hPLUqtzWdJWGnplocdYSiZO9Cp2/s1600/thegirlwiththeloudingvoice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQNnztlJAMEtEY6HSz8eFK9ey5uATHOKlvm4w5pmu8G2NfyVZvjwcS5GGo2agQlFuRq-5UGAEH4y58LL9paXe45SzKIcIzg_jsl2Ow3dJGAdE8hNZ8hPLUqtzWdJWGnplocdYSiZO9Cp2/s320/thegirlwiththeloudingvoice.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel. Abi Dare. Penguin Publishing Group. February 2020. pb, 384 pp.; <em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">ISBN: </span></em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">9781524746025.</span></span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Adunni wants to become educated, to learn and share that learning so that she will be known before she is seen. This advice came from her mother but was cut off when her mother died and the family could not even afford the rent of their home. However, Adunni goes on teaching her siblings to read and write and do simple math problems. Her father had promised her mother this would continue but he breaks his promise and arranges a marriage for Adunni at the age of 14. The dowry money sets her family up for comfort and Adunni marries a man with one goal, to have Adunni give birth to a boy. Adunni is absolutely devastated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">An unpredictable and devastating tragedy occurs and Adunni knows she will be killed unless she leaves her small town in Nigeria. So, she escapes by running away to Lagos, a large city full of millionaires and successful merchants. There she works for an entrepreneur who is not only very rich but also very cruel. She regularly beats Adunni, whose only comfort are the books in her master’s library. Unfortunately, the lady’s husband is a playboy whose behavior caused the loss of the last housemaid in Adunni’s position. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Adunni has two good friends whose help will enable her to attain her dream of becoming a teacher. This is the story of her journey to become a “louding voice,” replete with all of her challenges. Adunni’s personality is the most captivating part of this story. She has all the normal fears and sorrowful reactions to the cruelty around her but refuses to be daunted by them. Others are thrown by her incessant questioning and curiosity but she survives their mockery and disbelief. Some additional attention goes to Nigeria’s political condition which is on the verge of either democracy or a military dictatorship. Adunni marvels at the wealth Nigeria has attained and its prominent place in the world economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Girl with the Louding Voice…</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> is a memorable read about the difficult but promising world of visions and dreams, about the need to move beyond superstition and prejudice, about the role of faith in which to center one’s life. Remarkable and highly recommended read! Great writing, Abi Dare!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-61482159831794479762020-02-03T17:41:00.000-08:002020-02-03T17:41:13.317-08:00The Girl in the White Gloves: A Novel of Grace Kelly by Kerri Maher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBhAncTKDGsSWspNNmk6ZTB1v0x3K4RPEItab8t8YgXbx2HAOfnptbpOG-NyXroGJhf-Y7iA7D0owapdQzSDQrfYVP8n-s53MPt3IbE6XPhGB-zCIgdi3TRbhVEltJyn3KG68rjw-NagK/s1600/thegirlinthewhitegloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="269" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBhAncTKDGsSWspNNmk6ZTB1v0x3K4RPEItab8t8YgXbx2HAOfnptbpOG-NyXroGJhf-Y7iA7D0owapdQzSDQrfYVP8n-s53MPt3IbE6XPhGB-zCIgdi3TRbhVEltJyn3KG68rjw-NagK/s320/thegirlinthewhitegloves.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
Girl in the White Gloves: A Novel of Grace Kelly. Kerri Maher. Penguin
Publishing Group. February 2020. pb, 384pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN
#: 9780451492074.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“And
someday you’ll realize that what you’ve got isn’t worth trading. I think I’m
starting to see your point, she thought. I just hope it’s not too late.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace Kelly’s dream was to become a Broadway
actress. Then she learned about the power of Hollywood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the early stages of her career, her
parents were not supportive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Criticism
was the norm but Grace’s love of acting overcame the fiercest opposition from
family and critics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her physical
appearance made her the white-gloved Cinderella model in acting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, she possessed characteristics that
called for grit to survive the rougher aspects of her chosen career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Maher
loosely depicts the love affairs Grace had in her rise to success – Don
Richardson, Alfred Hitchcock, Oleg Cassini, Clark Gable and others – momentary
flings that failed to satisfy that empty yearning she so frequently knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What truly thrilled her was totally immersing
her in someone else’s character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a
world where Grace takes pride in her independence and strength, where can she
turn when others expect her to be meek and obedient?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
narrative plot of Grace’s life story cascades back and forth between her youth
and her final years in Monaco as the wife of Prince Rainier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reader will frequently question whether
all the glitz and glamour are worth the sacrifices that were mandatory in the
world of acting with its ever-present high expectations. It is fascinating to
see the relationship she formed with directors, agents and producers in the
trade.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">At
the same time one can sense her star-struck haze when she finally is awarded an
Academy Award. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Overall,
however, this account is a glitzy account of Grace Kelly’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Insecurity and a yearning for approval
dominate most of her thoughts, feelings and relationships. Her marriage
contract paralleled her demanding Hollywood contracts. Her marriage to Prince
Rainier is ultimately disappointing and full of mainly the “image” royalty was
bound to present to Monaco and global subjects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her rise to the life of a Princess was costly indeed, including a
diminishing role as a mother of lovely children whose father vied for the
children’s attention and love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Kerri
Maher provides a realistic, stark portrayal of the life and times of Hollywood
actors and actresses, Broadway shows, movies and their effect on the public
audience who never stop craving more of stars’ “stage life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Fascinating
historical fiction recommended as an intriguing and wonder-full read! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-7580016199489437522020-01-28T14:49:00.001-08:002020-01-28T14:49:11.050-08:00Wildfire by Carrie Mac<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF33gmNBJSRjmp10BB2EL-leoBbgYanLxcjq7bUt1UKCpg_L4_qgx0kLHbuqwVRpQhYbd2Y1HYJZNOUn4sofUimSbFDEjmRrNQ2_ZnpTKnCkNFFVpevaX7V3ffFZuFHjwDmIriIn4eNO_/s1600/wildfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF33gmNBJSRjmp10BB2EL-leoBbgYanLxcjq7bUt1UKCpg_L4_qgx0kLHbuqwVRpQhYbd2Y1HYJZNOUn4sofUimSbFDEjmRrNQ2_ZnpTKnCkNFFVpevaX7V3ffFZuFHjwDmIriIn4eNO_/s320/wildfire.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Wildfire.
Carrie Mac. Random House. January 2020. pb, 272 pp.; <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ISBN: </span></em><span style="background: white;">9780399556296.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Pete and Annie
have been best friends for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
that time their mothers have died and Annie’s beloved grandmother, Gigi, died
of cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Gigi was dying,
choosing to starve herself to death rather than be put in a hospice or nursing
home, Annie stopped going to school and is determined not to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete wants her to go back as does her father
but finally they accept Annie’s decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead Pete and Annie set off on a ten-day backpack hiking trip through
the Washington mountains, their goal a Fire Camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The latter is very real as there are multiple
wildfires spreading throughout Washington, some close enough to cast fear
through these teens’ most optimistic plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">During this
trip, they both speak of past important events including the coming and going
of Annie’s Mom as well as her mother’s death which might have been an
accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now on this trip Pete has an
accident in which his leg is severely gashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They do the best they can to clean it and bind it up in a bandage but
the outcome very quickly turns deadly as septicemia spreads beyond their
ability to cope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie begins to realize
she has more than just friendly feelings toward Pete but she never gets to act
on that attraction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There’s not
much depth of characterization in this story but the adventurous nature of
Peter and Annie’s hiking, camping and discussions makes up for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both begin to realize that dreams and
plans are made not only to think and plan about but to actually act on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the end of the story is tearfully
poignant, Annie realizes she is responsible to carry out her dream based on her
love of mountain climbing and nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Preet, who was really Pete’s girlfriend, is sort of a third wheel
apparition who enters at the right moments to help Annie make sense out of the
chaotic journey and help Annie cope with a funereal ceremony to honor Pete’s
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only then doe Annie realize she
could love Preet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This story is
timely given the dangerous wildfires raging in the Wester part of the United
States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far beyond that obvious tragedy,
however, lies the deeper theme of resilience, love and determination in the
midst of and after loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strength comes
from deep within which is honored and celebrated in this coming of age
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Nicely crafted,
Carrie Mac!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-76430065869512202702020-01-28T14:41:00.000-08:002020-01-28T14:41:23.955-08:00A Long Petal of the Sea: A Novel by Isabel Allende<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxKUv0njZtey_hTcXu4E-b-zJDGNB72dDZ8ZpUl-Zp0tzn3fIEW9xa8Iyl9HPqc-wt3PF07OKFC2qooBuQXT0EvbBLHGk6Jjx2ZwLf7x-L6wCk32_r9VXLtvyUU_yuKtK5rb6yrr3Bi4k/s1600/alongpetalofthesea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxKUv0njZtey_hTcXu4E-b-zJDGNB72dDZ8ZpUl-Zp0tzn3fIEW9xa8Iyl9HPqc-wt3PF07OKFC2qooBuQXT0EvbBLHGk6Jjx2ZwLf7x-L6wCk32_r9VXLtvyUU_yuKtK5rb6yrr3Bi4k/s320/alongpetalofthesea.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">A
Long Petal of the Sea: A Novel by Isabel Allende. Random House Publishing Group.
January 2020. pb, 336 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9781984820150.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Roser
and Victor Dalmau agree to marry in Spain after General Franco wins control of
the government over the Republicans in the late 1930’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roser’s husband died during that conflict and
his brother Victor, who learned to be a doctor during the Civil War, is determined
to get them out of Spain as Franco’s government is tyrannical and devastating
to millions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This novel is their
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What starts as a brother-sister
relationship will develop into a phenomenal, glorious love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Their
journey will take them to France, Chile and Venezuela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Governments in those countries were also in
flux.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before they get there, Victor has
a brief fling with a spoiled, aristocratic Spanish woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a child who is given up for adoption,
a fact Victor never learns until he is much older. Victor becomes a good friend
of Pablo Neruda the poet, who writes a poem about Chile, written on the ship
called “Winnipeg” that gives this novel its title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pablo is a Socialist and becomes persecuted
and hunted because of his political beliefs; but it turns out he is mainly
concerned with the love of people and freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is responsible for two thousand refuges being allowed to emigrate
from Spain to Chile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These refugees soon
develop a fine reputation for being responsible families who improve conditions
in Chile.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
is a family saga about those who face constant trials but do their best to work
hard and avoid controversy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
debacle in each of these countries is heartbreaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victor becomes a tough man as he experiences
the horrors of war which he experienced as a medic and later as a doctor in
Chile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allende’s earlier novels are more
about the Pinochet government in Chile but here we also get a glimmer of the
military horrors creating suffering and death for far too many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Victor
earns a reputation as an intelligent, capable and kind cardiologist. Rosa is
pragmatic, hard-working and loyally protective of Victor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His vanity is shattered when his love Rosa
becomes terminally ill.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What
is unique about this family saga is how positive these characters are even in
the face of the most daunting challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a beautiful tribute to the power of love and loyalty, faith and
hope in mankind no matter what the prevailing political challenges and, like
the title poem, a tribute to beautiful people and lands prevailing in victory
even when caught in the prevailing tides and currents testing the mettle of
those riding the formidable journey into a more hopeful existence.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-64354907130112601652020-01-22T03:04:00.000-08:002020-01-22T03:04:50.418-08:00Lacey Goes to Tokyo: Miss Belle's Travel Guide #1 by C. H. Lyn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVKFkn2f-QbZxJSR7hyk8Vs3jXHRKMyuQiyjpBSaAx2oWroV2yJwqewN0Q7HtwC3kLcdLz6LL0Zm2POI6dspBxuJRb3Vcd7NXuDTFiXX77Vj2Fb8E9VctXvpsa3TV4NO481MziDLd0nJm/s1600/laceygoestotokyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVKFkn2f-QbZxJSR7hyk8Vs3jXHRKMyuQiyjpBSaAx2oWroV2yJwqewN0Q7HtwC3kLcdLz6LL0Zm2POI6dspBxuJRb3Vcd7NXuDTFiXX77Vj2Fb8E9VctXvpsa3TV4NO481MziDLd0nJm/s320/laceygoestotokyo.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Lacey
Goes to Tokyo: Miss Belle’s Travel Guide #1 by C. H. Lyn. Tirgearr Publishing. January
2020. pb, 277 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ASIN: B0822W3HKV.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Lacey
Devaine belongs to a spy ring operating under the guise of an elite escort
service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in Tokyo with Ned, an ex
whom Lacey is trying to adjust being with again, a newspaper reporter pushes
his nose where it shouldn’t be and exposes a slave trade ring operating in
Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The exposure means Lacey is in
full swing action and gets information pivotal to ending the illegal operation
but also threatening to cause death to an entire village of Hmong citizens
living in Laos. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Lacey and
other women under the leadership of Miss Belle are women of style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They dress to the hilt, are sexy as all
get-out and have an upper-class reputation as well as generally being present
where there’s trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost to the
ladies is high and very often they are in need of psychological counseling
because of the high risks they run, often life or death situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they’re also cool and suave no matter how
fierce the pressure gets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result
they earn the respect and assistance of other men when they most need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And wow do they need it in the plot of this
novel!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Products are
designed to make plenty of money for mob-like characters and these men (or
animals depending on your point of view) don’t think twice about the loss of
lives during their transactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
Lacy enlists the aid of another dear friend who has seen this scenario long ago
in Africa and uses his military skills to help Lacey end this horrific scene
which threatens an entire village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thai
police and other professional detectives are involved and only Lacey can
manipulate all the options so that there is no further punishment falling on
these poor people or anyone else for that matter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Guts are a
huge component in Lacey and Miss Belle’s ladies but also a profound sense of
integrity sorely lacking for most of the characters in this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That ensures the success of Miss Belle’s
ladies now and in other similar in this notable and highly recommended series!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Beautifully
crafted C. H. Lyn! Keep these novels coming!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-85285033938511027202020-01-21T03:07:00.000-08:002020-01-21T03:07:38.580-08:00Kidnapped on Safari: A Thriller (Mbuno & Pero #5) by Peter Riva<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YitQLTSJ5wct7bChnf43ICAwoZGvBccgI1WOA5XvDHwFRS1oD7gLI588Gz-SANhs0nF-RwMKDkRmUfhyphenhyphen0hi2r_b0tBcg3QUItwBiS8ve7CgFF0EM6l_KbjH3ccYA7r52FkkMCtCCLnXT/s1600/kidnappedonsafari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YitQLTSJ5wct7bChnf43ICAwoZGvBccgI1WOA5XvDHwFRS1oD7gLI588Gz-SANhs0nF-RwMKDkRmUfhyphenhyphen0hi2r_b0tBcg3QUItwBiS8ve7CgFF0EM6l_KbjH3ccYA7r52FkkMCtCCLnXT/s320/kidnappedonsafari.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Kidnapped
on Safari: A Thriller (Mbuno & Pero #5). Peter Riva. Skyhorse Publication. January
2020. pb, 288 pp.; <span style="background: white;">ISBN #: 9781510749009.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mbuno is an
expert safari guide and Pero is a wildlife television producer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are presently filming wildlife hunting
on Lake Rudolph in Nigeria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a
successful filming day, Mbuno receives word that his nephew, Ubo, has been
kidnapped in Tanzania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ubo’s past is
troubled as his father was involved in some illegal business and died during
that conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This is an
expose of a realistic news story, the capture of young girls by Boko
Harem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group is involved in running
a lumber mill where forests are cut down, cocoa is grown for drugs, the drugs
are stored in the logs of lumber and transported out of Tanzania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also involves the business arrangement of
receiving Russian gold for the drugs and money from the sale of drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It becomes an international incident because
it involves Russian and American top security and defense administrators.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Those
running the mill are responsible for kidnapping Ubo because they thought he had
films that could expose their illegal activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who team up with Pero and Mbuno risk
their lives to rescue the thirty young girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also winds up in some fighting and dying, a massive railroad
accident, climbing through muddy swamps and fields, and living in the most wild
and uncomfortable conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fortunately, many of the members of the team have antiterrorist positions
and experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many references
to past activities of these individuals in Iraq and elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The growth
of the deforestation program in Africa is highlighted with little being done to
stop its progress.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Kidnapped
on Safari</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">… is
full of multiple characters, riveting adventures and danger, and strong
individuals determined to preserve a moral good over the threats of negative
terrorist activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Africa remains a
changing, threatened continent with different countries vying for domination
economically and politically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exciting
and compelling read!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280252589545563247.post-65020416785476839022020-01-19T12:10:00.001-08:002020-01-19T12:10:50.837-08:00The Lark Ascending by Sally Zigmond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB6DLVwVEDujWwBQfJiWankeNf90UAewVzMYw-Ypd8nOg72xcYQVBQstxXdd2X4J5oSbz71aDR_LOGWU8Rr4yI4SF-PoJas4OVBRQOTpQijBiyIdFdrLV6cKDwQK5bVsvH-lzPqYeqwro/s1600/thelarkascending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB6DLVwVEDujWwBQfJiWankeNf90UAewVzMYw-Ypd8nOg72xcYQVBQstxXdd2X4J5oSbz71aDR_LOGWU8Rr4yI4SF-PoJas4OVBRQOTpQijBiyIdFdrLV6cKDwQK5bVsvH-lzPqYeqwro/s320/thelarkascending.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
Lark Ascending. Sally Zigmond. The Conrad Press. December 2019. Kindle, 304 pp.;
<span style="background: white;">ASIN:<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> B082XCQ9ZH</span>.</span></span></b><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In
1919 WWI is over for many but for others, especially those who were conscientious
objectors, their memories and suffering continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some died and others were so cruelly treated
that their mental and emotional scars linger, affecting their current choices
and relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">To
begin with we meet Alice Fields who yearns for a better job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After returning an item that a rich woman,
Rhona, left in the store where Alice was working, Alice naively is fooled into
marrying Rhona’s son Richard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first
Alice believes she’s in love but that quickly changes at Richard’s cruel,
belittling and even violent personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, on being accused of adultery after telling Richard of her
pregnancy, she leaves him to live on a farm where many of the residents are
becoming whole again after their questionable behavior after the war.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As
the story continues, Alice finds love again with Michael whose passion has been
sublimated into advocating for striking miners and other injustices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Alice is no longer the innocent gal
she once was and refuses to wed Michael, even after her divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants to make her own way with her own visions
and plans, in this case for a school for women who cannot afford education but
have the ability to attain learning for a better life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Alice
is bright, hard-working and fully capable of realizing her dream and inspires
others to the same.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">During
the course of Alice’s residence at the farm she will learn the story of how
conscientious objectors were treated and the tragic costs that followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an issue too long ignored but now
getting public attention.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Sally
Zigmond has written a fascinating, albeit painfully poignant, account novel which
is fascinating reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It leaves the
reader with many thoughts and questions about courage, resistance, integrity
and debasement of those who are weaker than those with money and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s fine, highly recommended historical
fiction!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Viviane Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789281245317382406noreply@blogger.com0