Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Outlander Book Review



My Review of 'Outlander'

(Book One)



This story swept me right along with the characters, across the Highland countryside, while plunging them into the deepest core of degradation, then lifting them to the ecstasy of humanity—all in one book. This volume is a cross between historical fiction, thriller adventure, and romantic tragedy. The reader will discover more about the Scottish clans and truly feel as if sitting beside them. Although this is the first book by Diana Gabaldon in this series, the author managed to deliver a full and hearty plot, wonderfully described characters each with their own unique strong voice, and many swings up and down, pacing an epic adventure. The protagonists, Claire and Jamie, are bigger than life. I am adding the next book in the series to my must read list. I highly recommend this novel—great reading!

Synopsis for book one:

Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another... In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.



Currently reading book three. . .

Although a bit late to the bookshelf, this historical, fantasy series grabbed my imagination. No - I haven't watched the TV series, and don't plan to until I've read all the books in the series. There are eight to the series so lots more to read. The historical relevance and flavor is supremely done.

Anyone interested in the historical fiction genre should check these great stories out if you haven't already.

Check out more about the books here:
 Outlander (8 Book Series)

Friday, April 1, 2016


The Hitler Deception: A Tracie Tanner Thriller (Tracie Tanner Thrillers Book 4)

by Allan Leverone


Another exciting Tracie Tanner thriller, where the plot keeps rolling into another dimension of impossible, keeping the strong heroine, Tracie Tanner CIA secret operative, working through dilemmas, which she must overcome to survive. She is quick to assess her surroundings and the situations she finds herself in by her resourcefulness. The other characters in the story also have deep roots and feel real, giving the book great dimension.


As always dealing with her boss, CIA Aaron Stallings is problematic. Worse, her new assignment in Wuppertal, West Germany has pitfalls from the start. She is thrown into a situation where Intel is sketchy, there’s no time for even minimal planning, and reconnaissance is nonexistent. Tanner relies on her instincts to get the job done, but with her skills, that’s enough.

Her new partner, Matthias Gruber, is an unknown in the deal, but they decide to work together, both dedicated to get the job done**spoiler alert**—Eliminate Hitler.

Even more surprises arise, and the mission keeps morphing into something new to overcome, right until the very end.

It is evident that the author researched which adds to the validity. The outrageous claims seem imaginable, once the story unfolds. The tension is well paced throughout and hooks along the way, keeping the reader riveted to the pages. There are many punches enacted in these action scenes, but still with a reverence for saving innocent lives whenever possible, which I applaud. 


I recommend this story for those who enjoy action-packed thrillers.

 




Follow Allan Leverone's other work as well . . . Here  on his Amazon Page




Friday, June 12, 2015

Series Review of Beck Casey Thrillers: Fallout, Final Epidemic and more-by author Earl Merkel

Wonder what makes a series successful?

Me too, so I read as many series as possible. Here's a great political spy series - Beck Casey Thrillers!



Fans of the TV show 24  you'll love Beck Casey! 

Check out my review and visit Amazon if you think you'll enjoy the thrills too.

Fallout (A Beck Casey Thriller)

Kindle Edition
by Earl Merkel (Author)


Always on the move. . .

Another great Beck Casey story that pivots in various directions, until multiple strings meet and intertwine for an explosive conclusion. Followers of the series would expect nothing less. The story melds many political threads, foes and allies. The reader will get a close look at the threats and motivations of the characters as the plot pushes forward. Never a dull moment, from assassinations, buildings blown up, to computer viral threats. Even though a genre spy story, there are some unique characters in this book, using friends to fill in the ranks needed to pull off this complex story; like mine, a bomb tech, shows up in chapter 63! The plot uses all forces, from CIA, FBI, Mossad, MI6 and more . . . Definitely an insane political ride with surprises at every step. A great political thriller for the serious reader.





Thursday, May 14, 2015

Book Review of Delirium by J. F. Penn

Delirium, London Psychic #2



A Great Story - A Great Series!



Delirium (London Psychic Book 2) (Kindle Edition)


Amazing intrigue!

The reader is immediately at the edge of their seat in the opening scene, where we witness Dr. Christian Monro's physical and emotional trauma while being murdered. We are brought into the death scene, each agonizing step of the way. The detail and the pace are excellent.


The suspense is high voltage.

The protagonist Detective Sergeant Jamie Brooke once again is challenged with high stakes. As in the first book of the series, Jamie is going through hell emotionally after the loss of her child, but she is also engaged in the case and wants to understand the true crime. The heroine strives to remain objective while gathering evidence, hoping to see the truth. Along the way many twists in the case elude her, and attempt to veer her from the true crime. She follows the leads and takes the reader down a road of unexpected horrors. Jamie is not faint of heart, but a woman who makes the tough decisions; she is the protector of her co-workers and friends. There is hope - as she is faced with danger even in her most fragile hours, yet somehow finds the strength to prevail.

The subject matter of this novel immediately jolts interest -
the history of mental illness treatment and the reminder of abuse done to the mentally ill. This is a topic I too have strong feelings about, and so this story truly hit my heartstrings. The research was done well, as to be expected by this author who always delivers well developed background.


This story is not for those wanting a light read,
because the reader will be left with some concepts to think about - maybe even choices on how to view others who may not be as fortunate as most. In this world it is too easy to forget about those who suffer with mental illness. Society has swept them from public view, but we know in our heart that more needs to be addressed.


I thank the author, Joanna Penn for writing this riveting story and bringing this topic to the forefront.


To date this is my favorite of J.F.Penn's books. I truly enjoy reading about Jamie, and this is a great series.


 Delirium is for anyone who enjoys detective horror thrillers, and is a definite must read.


If you think you like this kind of book, and who wouldn't, check out more of J. F. Penn's work at:
http://www.jfpenn.com/fiction/http://www.jfpenn.com/fiction/



Keep reading - Keeep writing!










Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Book Review of Catacomb by Jeremy Bates

New Book - A Thriller Loaded with Suspense

What can be scarier than wandering the catacombs under Paris in darkness? You will discover how horrific it can be below the city. The story plunges you underground with the four explorers, as they journey through the catacombs, pursuing a quest inspired by a mysterious video Pascal had found during a previous trip below.

http://www.amazon.com/Catacombs-Suspense-Thriller-Scariest-Supernatural-ebook/
Pascal and Daniele are both experienced cataphiles—the colloquial term for underground urban explorers of the catacombs. They guide Rob and Will through some treacherous terrain and tight conditions. The setting is described fully, and you will feel as if you are there in the tunnels as well, inching through every fissure crack. You want suspense and horror—look no further. The surprise will be not only whom they meet below, but also the shadows they each carry within themselves. As they trek, the characters naturally unfold their own stories.

The bizarre and shocking encounters underground trigger their reveries and innermost thoughts. The reader has a front row seat and glimpses into the past of Will, the main protagonist, as he reveals his nightmare while trying to come to terms with his own ghosts. The author does this with a smooth and compassionate brush.

This brings us right back to their horrendous situation that they are dealing with. We travel beside them, sharing their troubles; the deeper into the tunnels and the story, the bigger the shock becomes. Twists and turns are found not only through the catacombs, but the with each action decision the characters opt as well.

No more details told. I do not want to give anything away. Nevertheless, I have to disclose that I never expected the end as it unfolded. Not a fairytale ending but it is very much acceptable. Well done—suspenseful to the end!

This is book two in the series "A World's Scariest Places". The first “Suicide Forest” was also a great suspense thriller. For both of these stories, the series name is not enough to prepare you for what you will experience as a reader. You will learn new things about our world, and survive through our worst fears as well.

I have read both books in the series so far, and both are intense. These books have become my favorites, a modern writer surpassing King and Koontz. Jeremy Bates not only delivers maximum suspense and horror, but you are right there with the characters. The style of writing is honest, vivid, compelling and never a dull moment.

There will be no skipping parts—and no putting this book down until it has finished. I recommend this book.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Write Each Day - Small Stones

Writing a daily stone...
Have you heard of it?


It's the process of taking time each day to appreciate life's small things, and see how they interact inthe world, and then write the thought down. It's a good way to free write, a good practice to let your mind free to just write.

My Stone January 25, 2015

Writing


Work of letters forming on the page-
The strokes that are made by exerting pressure,
And measuring by flightful thoughts.


Words blow in the wind-
And the lucky people catch the right words,
The unlucky speak the wrong ones.


But words on the page can be crossed out,
Rearranged or blown up-
Rewritten again in new context and light.


The hand will get weary-
Get used up and tired from the relentless strokes,
Shaking as fervent thoughts flow from pen to page.


But the words that are formed-
They can live forever if someone chooses
To allow them to remain fruitful.


Write the words - share the words.


Keep reading - Keep writing!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Push the Box Open - Add Flavor To Your Writing

I just returned from a great vacation - 

rejuvenated and ready to work again...



We visited with great people and explored new places; so surely the past week will influence better writing and character development. 

We traveled to California for a week and enjoyed some remarkable sunshine and fun places.


Here is the point - we don't have to fly to far away lands to add flavor into our writing, we only need to watch and listen to our surroundings, but how great will our writing be when we do push the box open a bit.



Going to any place new will rejuvenate your mind and open up your creativity again. Break the routine.


Take a look and see some of the great places that truly inspired me.



More to come...
Keep reading - Keep writing!

Monday, June 23, 2014

Big Secret In Memphis - A hidden treasure at Davies Manor


Anyone who is a Civil War buff will enjoy exploring the Antebellum log home, filled with memories and ghosts.

Davies Manor Plantation circa 1803

Last week I was invited to visit a truly remarkable historical site in Shelby County Tennessee.

The Davies Manor Plantation located in  Bartlett Tennessee has a mission to preserve and enhance the old homestead as a portrayal of early Shelby County farm life for the education and enjoyment of all visitors.

The home is filled with authentic antiques and lends the imagination to meander into a window of the past and see first hand what the original homesteaders dealt with on a daily basis. There are also letters and accounts of the family life back when things were different. I hesitate to say harder, because many may envy the less complicated life back in the early 1800's. 

There are some who say ghosts still linger the old plantation home. I heard some of the stories and will definitely go back for more, but I have not seen evidence yet. 

Still there are many sad tales littering the family history. An interruption of the souls' lofty departure to the heavens is not unreasonable to imagine. The suggested lingering spirits about the place is not difficult to believe.

Here are some pictures I took while visiting.

Wardrobe
Kitchen hearth
Parlor
Lake house moved to Davies Manor
Dining

Old time kitchen & 1800's cookbook


I hope that if you ever come to Memphis 
you will take the time to stop at the Davies Manor Plantation as well as Graceland. Truly this exquisite historical home is worth your time - Everyone who visits the Davies Manor Plantation learns something unexpected.

Our past had more purpose, especially in the daily lives, and we can learn from their sacrifices and experiences.

Hope to see you there - until then....


Keep reading - Keep writing!



 Also Visit Memphis Heritage 
National Register of Historic Places 




Thursday, April 17, 2014

Spring, Life Reinventing Itself

Another spring...

This is when we enliven our faith in humanity and look towards a brighter future.


The soul is a precise gift and makes the human experience different, transcending into a higher level from other living creatures.


The atrocities in this world, and the monsters that exist because they reject the moral cry of the soul, are heard about everyday. We are bombarded by the news - bad news, about how one person can hurt another human.

We  need to hear more often about the goodness that resides in human beings - that inner strength of moral character, our salvation - our promise and hope for a brighter future.


On this holiday season of Passover, Easter and spring -

I invite you to think about something good and make it a practice to do this each day. 

Let it become part of you.

We become what we aspire to - we are what we learn.


Our behavior can be improved each day with just the smallest of reminders, the tiniest thought can bloom into a great action of love.

Never underestimate the little things in life.

 

 Keep reading - Keep writing!

 

 

RIP - Thinking of you with a smile - Happy Easter

Dana R Labbee

 

Lisa Horzazuk

Thursday, February 27, 2014

FREE Courses To Help You Expand Your Knowledge Base


Writing is a continuous process, always leading in new directions and to new ideas. As we sit at our desks, characters sometimes blaze the way - at other times we need to coax them along, and end up with pages of prose that need our fervent hand to delete the 'little darlings' - those words we feel, yet they don't belong in the story.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/ww0015s.jpg

Even the best of authors had their moments of rehashing, rewriting, rearranging of the words.... so as writers ourselves, we need to read the work on the previous pavement, study the methods, and hopefully it will add dimension to our own craft.


Walt Whitman, one of the most original of American writers, was no exception.  In fact, he viewed his work as a continuous work in progress. In that light, his most famous poem, Song to Myself  was published in various layouts at various times.  

 
It began as  I celebrate myself in the 1855 edition.  
In the 1856 edition, it is called Poem of Walt Whitman, an American. 
In 1860, it is simply, Walt Whitman. So it is in 1867 and 1871.


The original form was continuous, but the last and most updated version in 1881 was fixed into 52 parts.

 
Currently there is a course offered for FREE at The Writing University for a  MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) for creative writing through the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa


   Every Atom

In this course we are hearing analysis and participating in discussions about Walt Whitman's  
Song of Myself 
Please find a free copy from 
Leaves of Grass Distributed under a Creative Commons Licencse and edited by  Ed Folsom & Kenneth M. Price

http://www.whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/1881/poems/27


Check out the many other MOOC's available. Expand your knowledge base. The more a person learns,  the more that person needs to know...  

A wise person realizes this insatiable thirst, yearns for more knowledge from within this world, and grasps at it with a curious hand.


There are a multitude of free courses available on-line and for many subjects: science, philosophy, writing, business



Challenge yourself and learn something NEW or just brush up on something you thought you knew...


You can check out these places for more Info:  
For those on the go - Pod casts and Audio books are the way to go. Check out these free resources too!


 


Keep reading - Keep writing!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Today - Some Virtual Places with Great Info

Education never ends, we learn new things each day, especially curious souls like us.

If you have been in the same job, lived in the same town, socialized with the same friends - for years now, you may need a lift.



There are a multitude of free courses available on-line

 I strongly recommend that you challenge yourself from time to time. You can check out these places for more Info:  

There are also events - on-line webinars, which can be fun.

 

Currently there are two events happening TODAY that may have some good information for you.

  • ONE - #ContentTECH

    ContentTECH  


    In the #ContentTECH portal (virtual event) there is some helpful info about various ideas on Content Strategy, a topic I have been talking about lately.  Check out a free eBook given out from a sponsor of the event Act-On Software - it has some helpful ideas to help focus your message to your readers.
     
         8 Content Marketing Mistakes To Avoid


In the Indie Recon event - you can go back and watch what happened yesterday, and join in today's events too. It is never too late to join the conversation or learn something new. 
Here is the schedule.

Keep reading - Keep writing!