RebeccasReads

Soldiers’ Letters Home: A Family’s Saga 1863-1919

In the Preface to “Soldiers’ Letters Home: A Family’s Saga 1863-1919,” Eugene Arundel Miller writes that “Among the family keepsakes preserved and passed along to me were collections of letters and photographs from three family members who had served in the armed forces of the United States.  The letters home from Judson Elliot Miller (Civil War), Arundel Miller Hull (Spanish-American War), and Glenn Eugene Miller (World War I) are not startlingly dramatic but they provide a non-glamorized insight of the experiences of three soldiers in three different wars.”

Miller tells each of the three different men’s stories throughout the three parts of the book utilizing these letters and photographs.  Additional text detailing the background and historical facts are mixed in making the book quite a cohesive compilation.  I especially liked the inclusion of a photograph of each soldier so that there was a face to put with the name of each letter writer.

I really enjoyed this look at the soldiers’ correspondences with loved ones back home.  It was a neat glimpse into how these individuals felt about things and how they viewed the events that were happening.  Although the letters were adjusted for clarity (which I appreciated after seeing the sample handwriting of the original) these are the actual letters written.  It is wonderful that these letters had been saved and preserved for so long and then shared with others through this work.  I recommend “Soldiers’ Letters Home: A Family’s Saga 1863-1919” to those interested in history or those who want a more personal, non-textbook view of the events that took place during these three wars.


Soldiers’ Letters Home: A Family’s Saga 1863-1919
Eugene Arundel Miller
Antelope Press (2011)
ISBN 9780972851121
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (12/2011)

Half Past Dawn

Richard Doetsch has turned his career as a real estate executive on its ear, and as his hobby is writing terrific historical-based thrillers which has now propelled him to the upper echelons of this genre.  With two of his prior novels already being optioned for major motion pictures, his latest release "Half Past Dawn"is a stand-alone thriller that pulls out all stops and continues his successful streak of addictive novels.

Jack Keeler’s world slowly comes to life at half-past dawn one morning and he finds himself placed within a situation that he cannot explain.  He gazes in the mirror to find a seriously wounded face, a poorly stitched up shoulder wound and an intricately designed tattoo of indecipherable script covering his forearm.

He also does not find his wife, Mia, where she should be in bed beside him.  Mia is an FBI agent and as he limps towards his phone to call her he is met with the shock of his life.  The daily paper features a front-page story exclaiming that New York City District Attorney Jack Keeler is dead.  The article is accompanied by a photo of a mangled guard-rail, highway covered in skid marks and the bridge that Jack and Mia’s car supposedly tumbled off of.

When Jack’s friend and mentor, Frank Archer, stops by he is met by a frantic Jack who shows him the newspaper story. Together, Jack and Frank attempt to jog Jack’s memory of the prior evening and piece together the short-term amnesia filled moments that are just out of Keeler’s reach.  With Mia being a CIA agent and Jack a prominent D.A., the list of those who might want to harm them is endless.  Where to begin?

Jack and Frank begin their own private investigation under the radar of authorities and taking full advantage of the fact that everyone thinks Jack is dead.  As more and more memories become clear to him, Jack starts filling in the missing pieces of the previous night and at one point confronts the man whose actions caused their near-fatal car crash.

The only problem is that, once Jack kills this mysterious villain, he rifles through his jacket to find an ID along with a badge claiming the stranger to be one Steven Gallagher, FBI agent.  What have Jack and Mia gotten themselves into?

Jack’s world is further turned upside down when he receives a phone call from Mia’s alleged kidnappers.  The frightening thing is that the voice on the other end of the phone belongs to Nowaji Cristos --- a convicted terrorist that Jack prosecuted.  Unfortunately for Jack, knowing the identity of his enemy does not help him in this case as he watched as Cristos was executed via lethal injection the previous year.  Cristos at one point says to Jack: ‘Nothing is as it seems.  Remember this, death is not always final, not always permanent; death is never the end.’

I advise all readers of this twisting Pandora’s Box of a novel to keep that quote in mind as a very real quandary is laid out.  Is Jack dealing with a villain who can indeed cheat death or is he himself suffering from a mass delusion brought on by a brain tumor he has been battling?  Once this realization is proposed nothing is truly as it seems and "Half Past Dawn"  will take you into situations you will not see coming.  A fine job by Richard Doetsch as he once again has written a fast-paced thriller sprinkled with international intrigue and historical mysteries that keep things hopping until the very last page.

Half Past Dawn
Richard Doetsch
Atria Books (2011)
ISBN 9781439183977
Reviewed by Ray Palen for RebeccasReads (11/11)

The Night Eternal

Having already become one of the top director’s in the world with his dark visionary masterpieces such as: “Pan’s Labyrinth”, “The Orphanage” and “Hellboy”, auteur Director Guillermo Del Toro boldly enters the world of horror/thriller fiction.  To make matters even more difficult, he has chosen to enter the currently overexposed genre of vampire fiction.  With assistance from crime/thriller writer, Chuck Hogan, the pair have penned a new vampire trilogy that started with the first two releases "The Strain" and "The Fall" and now finishes with "The Night Eternal."

The initial problem, and the same that is found with any trilogy, is the ultimate let down that is felt when the third novel or film does not measure up to its’ predecessors. This is especially challenging when the first two installments in the trilogy are top notch.  That being said,  "The Night Eternal" is a decent read and does indeed tie up all the loose ends and pose a finale to the saga.  Unfortunately, it does not have the break-neck pace or interesting confrontations that filled the pages of the first two novels.

We are once again drawn into the battle of a small group of rebellious humans who are attempting one final run at bringing down the leader of the vampire plague; the nefarious one known simply at the Master.  The leader of the human rebels is Dr. Eph Goodweather, former head of the Center for Disease Control and one of the first people on earth to uncover the vampire epidemic.  He has special motivation as the Master has captured his thirteen-year-old son, Zack, and attempted to turn him against his father and the remaining humans (much in the same fashion as he did to Eph’s ex-wife and Zack’s mother in the prior novel).

The challenge that the human ‘freedom fighters’ face is all but insurmountable in scope.  There is only night left on the earth as nuclear winter blankets the land with sun filtering through the poisoned air for a mere two hours each day  making the propagation of the vampire species that much easier.  However, Eph and company have a secret weapon on their side.  They have teamed up with a half-breed offspring of the Master, known to them as Mr. Quinlan, and he knows the secret to stopping the Master for good.

This will involve the possession of an ancient text and artifacts that the entire group must risk their lives to find --- if it even exists.  Who among them will be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save their race and do they even stand a chance against such mighty odds?  The vampire clan, known as the strigoi, is fearless and the proposal of turning the tide against them and the darkness they have instilled across the planet is what keeps the pages of "The Night Eternal" turning until the final climatic battle..

The Night Eternal
Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
William Morrow (2011)
ISBN 9780061558269
Reviewed by Ray Palen for RebeccasReads (11/11)

Emeralds Never Fade

World War II is looming, but two German boys only know their shared love of playing the piano. Soon, forces beyond their control or understanding, separate them as Germany becomes an unsafe place for Jews. Leo Bergner’s parents see themselves as German, not just Jews, and refuse to believe Hitler will go as far as the rumor mill suggests. After family begs them to see the writing on the wall, Leo’s parents ultimately send him to safety in Palestine.

Bruno’s parents force him to quit teaching the Jewish pupil, and he ends up joining Hitler’s troops. Thanks to a bum foot, he is spared getting his hands too dirty in the war, but he gains valuable knowledge while working in an administrative capacity at a concentration camp. Knowledge he later uses to his advantage.

The story continues to unfold. Leo ends up fighting the Germans in the British army while Bruno escapes to Argentina just before the Allied Forces close in. Leo feels the burden of his past, of his lost loved ones, even when he marries and moves into a career in banking. Bruno uses information gathered during the war to survive.
 
Leo ultimately uncovers a bank conspiracy involving stolen Jewish possessions. His family’s lost emerald heirloom, stolen during the war, brings the two men back together in an explosion of emotions and fate.

The author intricately weaves together the stories of Leo and Bruno throughout the novel. Each man is affected by the war, but uses different means to cope and move on. From the moment Bruno steals the emerald, we know their fates are intertwined. With each page turn, we eagerly anticipate how the two stories will collide. The author leaves us guessing until the very end.

Although the novel is a thrilling page-turner, it is still steeped in emotion. Both men are victims of circumstance. I found Leo’s letters from his mom particularly touching, and Bruno grew up under the thumb of selfishness and judgment. Neither man’s character is clear cut, both are just men held strongly in the often cruel hands of fate. You will enjoy this rich story, and its well-crafted characters, from beginning to end. An amazing cover seals the deal.

Emeralds Never Fade
Stephen Maitland-Lewis
Glyd-Evans Press (2011)
ISBN 9780983259633
Reviewed by Tia Bach for RebeccasReads (11/11)

Searchial Marketing: how social media drives search optimization in web 3.0

This is an extremely helpful and easy-to-follow book about online marketing or “searchial” marketing, a term coined by the author, representing an intersection between social media and internet search engines. After discovering Facebook, the author, a medical doctor, realized the capabilities of such powerful tool. Building business relationships and spreading your name and your business became easier than ever, and most importantly – practically free. The times are changing, and old marketing strategies like direct mail, print advertisements are much less powerful now. People obtain much of their information online. Plus, almost everyone participates in the online social world, being introduced to new people, not just for fun and giggles, but also for business. It is no surprise that LinkedIn appeared soon after Facebook bringing professionals together and allowing everyone to built unique networks with people around the globe.

Today, most people are not searching their giant Yellow Pages books if they need a professional to do something for them, but typing their request in a search engine instead. It is especially crucial for small businesses to have a significant presence online, where new customers can be reached.  Many times consumers do not even trust businesses, which are not listed online, since no feedback can be found, etc. It is absolutely necessary for a business to show up in a search. This book gives practical advice and specific pointers on how to optimize such searches to business owner’s benefit, how to conquer the online world.

There are boundless opportunities to spread information about a business using online resources like Twitter, blogs, review sites, and lots more. Dr. Glazier touches on all of these valuable tools with much detail and real-world applicability. If one wishes to know more about these modern marketing strategies to help their business, this book is an extremely valuable asset.

Since the author is an eye doctor, he specializes in applying searchial marketing strategies to the medical and health care fields. There a number of appendices at the end of the book describing specific advice to medical professionals, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies.

I would recommend "Searchial Marketing" to anyone interested in gaining more costumer or fan base through web-based resources. The process is not as easy as it seems, but with necessary information, it becomes very doable and useful.

Searchial Marketing: how social media drives search optimization in web 3.0
Dr. Alan Glazier
AuthorHouse (2011)
ISBN 9781456738921
Reviewed by Andrey Bilko for RebeccasReads (11/11)

Currents of Deceit

Recently I was asked to review “Currents of Deceit” by author Ronald Perkins. After reading the provided synopsis I immediately agreed as “Currents of Deceit” sounded like it would be a good book to say the least. When my copy arrived I scanned the front and back before sitting down with it a day or so later.

The premise of “Currents of Deceit” is as follows: Scott Simmons, a marine biologist who hails from a small town in Indiana now works with the Florida Fisheries Commissions and lives in Key West. Once a week Scott visits the local fish market to examine the freshly caught ocean fish looking for harmful parasites or anything else that might cause these fish to be unfit for human consumption. The vendors are never happy to see Scott because they know if he finds any sort of contamination he has the legal authority to stop their sales.

Linda Stevens, a marine biochemist and Scott’s girlfriend decides to run some tests on Scott’s latest samples and look for POPs: Persistent Organic Pollutants. Neither of them expects her to find anything; they both know she’s just killing time while waiting for Scott to finish his own tests. However, when her tests are done the results are…sobering. Linda has definitely found high concentrations of PCBs in Scott’s deep water fish samples. PCBs are polychlorinated biphenyls; things like pesticides that don’t degrade quickly and don’t stay in one area. Needless to say both Scott and Linda are horrified by her discovery and they quickly work on finding experts to verify their findings and help them figure out what they need to do from this point.

I’m not going to give away any more of the book; suffice it to say that “Currents of Deceit” is a great book and well worth reading. While “Currents of Deceit” is a fictional story, in today’s world of seemingly endless oil and other contaminant spills, this book hits home hard.

Kudos to Perkins for a fast-paced, well-written and interesting book. The plot / storyline is realistic; the characters are believable and the message contained within “Currents of Deceit” is one that we all need to hear.

Currents of Deceit
Ronald Perkins
Independent Publisher Services (2011)
ISBN 9781450724791
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (11/11)

Sleeper’s Run

“Most people ignore the homeless man stumbling along the boardwalk.  The few that notice him do so with usual disdain.  But to the most observant, it soon becomes clear that there’s something out of place about this man.  His tall body looks strong and athletic, instead of the usual emaciated bag of bones one can find perched on a street corner asking for spare change.  The man’s wrinkled shirt and jeans aren’t ill-fitting donations, but quite stylish; just like his watch and shoes.”  (p.1)

This man turns out to be Eric Caine, who has been reported missing for eight days after a car accident.  He is a veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Shortly after he is found, he has an encounter with a gentleman in a bar that will change his life forever.  The employment offer he receives from this meeting has him eventually relocate to Venezuela, his former homeland.  From here, the action begins as he discovers he is being tailed.

I found “Sleeper’s Run” to have an interesting plot and intriguing characters. Mosquera does a good job with character development, most particularly with the main character, Eric Caine.   I was drawn in right away to the story in the opening pages and my interest was held throughout.  I did find some areas of the book to be a little choppy though.  There just seemed to be some hiccups in the smooth flow of the plot.  Other than that minor distraction, “Sleeper’s Run” is a book that fans of suspense and espionage should enjoy.

Sleeper’s Run
Henry Mosquera
Oddity Media LLC (2011)
ISBN 9780615505442
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (11/11)

The Golden Spark

“The floor rolled sharply and Meagan fell hard against a wall.  A tide of cold water sloshed over her feet.  All around in the darkness were piercing screams of horses and the thudding concussion of hooves.  The floor rolled the other way and Meagan felt herself sliding.  She leaned to stay against the wall, but there was nothing to hold.”  (p.3)

So begins “The Golden Spark,” John Royce’s second book in “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy.  Don’t worry if you haven’t read the first book in the series, “Eclipsed by Shadow” as the author provides a special note to those who haven’t in the beginning of the book.  He gives a brief summary and then reprints the last chapter of the first book so that those who are unfamiliar with the tale can get caught up.  I found this to be a nice touch.

Another helpful addition is the seven page glossary at the end of the novel.  Being that the story is set in time periods long ago there are many unfamiliar terms used throughout the book.  The glossary is extremely helpful in deciphering the meaning of these words that are not used often today.

“The Golden Spark” is a tale that will appeal to young readers of fantasy and particularly readers interested in horsemanship.  The story is magical and enchanting and the writing moves along at a nice pace as we follow Meagan on her journey through history.  I think that it could easily be turned into a movie.  I look forward to the continuation of Meagan’s story in Book 3.

The Golden Spark
John Royce
Micron Press (2011)
ISBN 9780972412162
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (11/11)

The Night Eternal

Having already become one of the top director’s in the world with his dark visionary masterpieces such as: “Pan’s Labyrinth”, “The Orphanage” and “Hellboy”, auteur Director Guillermo Del Toro boldly enters the world of horror/thriller fiction.  To make matters even more difficult, he has chosen to enter the currently overexposed genre of vampire fiction.  With assistance from crime/thriller writer, Chuck Hogan, the pair have penned a new vampire trilogy that started with the first two releases "The Strain" and "The Fall" and now finishes with "The Night Eternal."

The initial problem, and the same that is found with any trilogy, is the ultimate let down that is felt when the third novel or film does not measure up to its’ predecessors. This is especially challenging when the first two installments in the trilogy are top notch.  That being said,  "The Night Eternal" is a decent read and does indeed tie up all the loose ends and pose a finale to the saga.  Unfortunately, it does not have the break-neck pace or interesting confrontations that filled the pages of the first two novels.

We are once again drawn into the battle of a small group of rebellious humans who are attempting one final run at bringing down the leader of the vampire plague; the nefarious one known simply at the Master.  The leader of the human rebels is Dr. Eph Goodweather, former head of the Center for Disease Control and one of the first people on earth to uncover the vampire epidemic.  He has special motivation as the Master has captured his thirteen-year-old son, Zack, and attempted to turn him against his father and the remaining humans (much in the same fashion as he did to Eph’s ex-wife and Zack’s mother in the prior novel).

The challenge that the human ‘freedom fighters’ face is all but insurmountable in scope.  There is only night left on the earth as nuclear winter blankets the land with sun filtering through the poisoned air for a mere two hours each day  making the propagation of the vampire species that much easier.  However, Eph and company have a secret weapon on their side.  They have teamed up with a half-breed offspring of the Master, known to them as Mr. Quinlan, and he knows the secret to stopping the Master for good.

This will involve the possession of an ancient text and artifacts that the entire group must risk their lives to find --- if it even exists.  Who among them will be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save their race and do they even stand a chance against such mighty odds?  The vampire clan, known as the strigoi, is fearless and the proposal of turning the tide against them and the darkness they have instilled across the planet is what keeps the pages of "The Night Eternal" turning until the final climatic battle..

The Night Eternal
Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
William Morrow (2011)
ISBN 9780061558269
Reviewed by Ray Palen for RebeccasReads (11/11)

The Battle for Tomorrow: A Fable

Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall’s “The Battle for Tomorrow:  A Fable” opens with teenager Ange desperately hoping for a miracle, but knowing that she was once again pregnant.  She makes plans for an abortion, her second one.  She plans to go in to the clinic the next morning and awakens early that day.  Before she leaves she goes about her duties taking care of her invalid mother, Diane.  Diane had suffered a stroke when Ange was 13.  The agency nurses assigned to her had proven to be unreliable for the most part.  Whenever a caregiver was not there to help her, the duty fell to Ange.

On the way to the clinic, Ange thinks back about how she met Reuben, the man who had gotten her pregnant.  She reminisces about Leavenworth Summer camp with its strong emphasis on social and political issues.  Reuben had been a counselor at this camp.  They had developed a relationship there which continued after she returned home to Seattle.

What follows in the book is Ange picking up and going to D.C. and becoming involved in many different political causes.  Bramhall’s book definitely is heavy on current political and social discussions.  While the book started out at a nice pace, I did find that there were some areas in the middle where my mind started to drift as the pace slowed, but they were thankfully only short areas.

Ange was quite an interesting main character and I enjoyed learning her viewpoint on the different issues at hand.  I also liked reading of her interactions with the various guests in the hostel and the other people she encountered throughout her time in D.C.  If you enjoy books regarding political activism, “The Battle for Tomorrow:  A Fable” would be a good one to pick up.  One thing I don’t recommend though is reading the back cover of the book.  I think that the synopsis on the back gives away too much of the plot as it reveals incidents that happen within the last 1/3 of the book.

The Battle for Tomorrow: A Fable
Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall
Strategic Book Group (2011)
ISBN 9781612042190
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (11/11)

The Pirates of Aden

“Suddenly, he heard footsteps and grunting above him and felt the blood return to his brain.  He kept his eyes up the hole.  A dark limp body was dropped through the hole just missing Sami.  He looked at the body, the dark fatigues and the dark skin.  It was Ali.  Sami held Ali’s body in his lap, wanting to comfort him but he immediately felt his soaked clothing.  Blood.  Oozing – no pouring- from somewhere in his chest.  The momentary relief Sami had felt was now replaced with fear and guilt.  Why had he agreed to bring Ali with him?  He was too young, too inexperienced.”  (p. 31)

This excerpt comes from the opening scenes of the book when Sami, his nephew Ali, and others are in the process of hijacking the Stebelsky, a cargo ship passing close to the coast of Puntland, Somalia.  This incident onboard the ship links the pirates and Dr. Paul Alban together as they seek treatment at his clinic.  Dr. Alban has a past, which while he has attempted to forget, may just be brought back out and threaten his future.

In “The Pirates of Aden,” Rasic has a fast moving, gripping work.  I was drawn into the story right away and while the subjects involved in the book were not ones that I usually choose to read about, I found that I enjoyed the novel.  I enjoyed the relationships among the characters and the plot twists and turns throughout the book.  This is Rasic’s first novel and overall for a debut novel he did a great job.  I look forward to watching his writing progress in future works.

The Pirates of Aden
Daniel Rasic
Wings Press, Inc (2011)
ISBN 9781613099926
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (10/11)

Wilderness Heart

Lyn Taylor spends her days guiding hunters through the Idaho wilderness and fighting against their predetermined notions of a woman guide. Nic Randall is no different, except he sparks her ire even more than usual. He questions her skills, and she questions her feelings. She’s been avoiding marrying her longtime fiancé because of his demands. Nic is sparking her desire, but she refuses to change for any man.

Nic is less than thrilled to have a woman guide, but he’s not on the trip to hunt. His family business is a lumber mill, and the hunting trip is a ruse to collect information about the area timber. When Lyn discovers his duplicity, she is determined to squelch her budding feelings.

Lyn ends the hunting tour early and tries to put her feelings aside, but Nic is not so easily deterred.  Her father senses her need for some downtime and takes over a few hunts. Lyn’s been running the business by herself since her Mom died and her father lost interest. When Nic shows up to spend more time with her, she ends up nursing him back to health after a freak accident. They grow closer, but still face obstacles. They can’t deny their passion, but will it be enough?

Set in the beautiful Idaho mountains, the setting becomes an integral part of the story. The author does a good job portraying Lyn’s struggle to define herself even as she’s falling in love. Anyone who appreciates a strong, independent woman will enjoy Lyn’s character. I was most intrigued by Lyn’s father, a man whose love for his daughter helps him heal from the loss of his wife. His guidance is essential to Lyn and Nic finding their way to each other. Fans of a happy ending will also enjoy the tale.

Unfortunately, "Wilderness Heart" needed a good editor. The grammar and punctuation mistakes were distracting and the writing was often long-winded. In addition, the main problem was flimsy. A good romance thrives off the characters overcoming differences, but Lyn’s cussing and smoking seemed overplayed and weak. The characters and setting deserved tighter writing and a more interesting conflict.

Wilderness Heart
Jacqueline Hopkins
CreateSpace (2011)
ISBN 9781460923917
Reviewed by Tia Bach for RebeccasReads (10/11)

48 Hours to Chaos: An Engineer Looks at Life and How the World Really Works

In the opening paragraphs of the Preface to “48 Hours to Chaos,” Engineer John D. Waterman relays to the reader the following information:  “When I was a college student, I heard a professor say that civilization is always a mere forty-eight hours away from chaos.  All an enemy would need to do is find a way to cut off the food supply, and society would be destroyed.  After two days without food, all your friends and neighbors would revert to animalism, and the delicate fabric of society would be ripped to shreds along with all those people who are not the strongest and most vicious fighters.  The image of that fate struck to my impressionable young mind, and grew older with it.” (p.9)

From this concept comes “48 Hours to Chaos,” which essentially is Waterman taking a look at how the world works from the vantage point of an engineer.  After laying out a historical timeline of events, Waterman explores a gamut of areas including politics, religion, and science.  You name it and it is probably discussed in this book.

I will admit that the author’s engineering background and the cover of the book had me convinced that the language used in the book was not going to be very layperson friendly.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to find Waterman’s writing style to be concise and easy to understand.  The information is presented in a way that it is relevant and interesting to the reader.  He truly makes you think about a wide variety of topics.    If you are looking for an intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking look at the world, then I recommend giving “48 Hours to Chaos” a try.

48 Hours to Chaos: An Engineer Looks at Life and How the World Really Works
John D. Waterman
Dennett Ink (2011)
ISBN 9780983163602
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (10/11)

Facing Demons

Ashley Sanders’ book “Facing Demons” takes a look at the lives of four different individuals who have all been brought together in a rehabilitation facility under the care of Blake Solomon.  First, there is Rebecca, a child prostitute who had been shuttled from foster home to foster home while growing up.  Second, there is Jason whose family had been gunned down by a gang, leading him to join another gang for revenge.  Thirdly, we have Felicity, a wild, party animal, rich kid.  Finally, there is Matthew, a homeless refugee.

Sanders’ characters were quite interesting. Reading the stories of their pasts was one of the most intriguing parts of the book for me although I also enjoyed watching them take the journey through the rehabilitation process.  Sanders does a great job of connecting the individuals and providing important life lessons to the reader along the way.

“Facing Demons” is author Ashley Sanders’ first published novel.  He has set into motion his plans to write prequels to the story which will take a look at the main characters’ lives before they came into contact with each other.  I look forward to reading the prequels as I found the characters to be fascinating.  I would really enjoy a more in-depth view into their lives and learning more about their pasts.

“Facing Demons” is targeted at a young adult audience and I think that the content of the book is appropriate for that age group.  However, I do also believe that even adults would enjoy the book.  Sanders is definitely an author to watch in the Young Adult genre! 

Facing Demons
Ashley Sanders
Trafford (2011)
ISBN 9781426948015
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (10/11)

Against The Storm

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I agreed to review “Against the Storm” by author Kat Martin but…I certainly didn’t expect to read a romance novel that was as fast-paced, compelling and interesting as one of today’s well-written action / adventure novels. After finishing my copy of “Against the Storm” I can completely understand why Kat Martin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.

The premise of “Against the Storm” is this: Maggie O’Connell is a beautiful and extremely talented photographer who has, unfortunately, managed to acquire a stalker. Maggie has used all of the legal options available to her; she’s even gone so far as to move but she can’t rid herself of this psycho. When the stalking first started Maggie even went to the police but they were absolutely no help; in fact, they seemed to think she was making it all up.

One afternoon while Maggie was having lunch with a friend she happened to witness Trace Rawlins, a private investigator, intercede and handle a bad situation before it turned worse. Impressed by what she saw; knowing she needs more help than what the local authorities are willing to provide Maggie calls Trace’s office to set up a meeting. She hopes that he will be able to help her; that somehow he can make this nightmare that has become her life go away.

Trace Rawlins is an attractive, ex army ranger who has retired and now works as a private investigator. Trace’s instincts are sharply honed and while he can tell Maggie is genuinely fearful about her predicament he can also sense that she’s hiding something from him. If the threats and letters Maggie showed him are real then Trace isn’t sure why the police aren’t more helpful. Against his better judgment he agrees to take Maggie’s case…apparently he’s a sucker for beautiful redheads.

I don’t want to give anymore of “Against the Storm” away; suffice it to say that what follows is an extremely believable and well-written story. Definitely a five-star book and a “must read” for anyone who enjoys sitting down with a great book.

Against The Storm
Kat Martin
a MIRA book / Harlequin (2011)
ISBN  9780778312925
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (10/11)

The Safehouse

Detective Jessica Warren, is a fervent defender of abused women and children.  She is often called to domestic disturbances and tries (often in vain) to help the women put their husbands in jail or at least get them to a shelter and out of danger.  She is a good cop but sometimes her idea of justice is more in lines with vigilantism than judicial.

From time to time, Jessie must take the victims from the shelter to a secure safehouse that no one in the police force knows about.  This is a secret place where the women can feel safe from their abusers but they don’t know that the women that run the safehouse have a talent for helping the problem permanently disappear.

The story was interesting but the writing left much to be desired.  The dialogue felt forced and choppy.  Often the conversations were so unnatural that it became difficult to read.

The reader never discovers any real information about the women that run the safehouse; aside from Cassandra has traveled and was abused.  We never find out how she learned her “skills” or any background information to help with character development. The relationship between Jessica and Joe goes from an uncertainty about having lunch to being in love within two dates; based on the entire premise of the book this seems ridiculous.

While I appreciate that most everyone in the book is trying to help the abused women and not victimize them, it appeared the majority of the characters believe they should decide right and wrong rather than allowing the system they represent run its course.  They destroy evidence, ignore glaring discrepancies, and manipulate crime scenes.  This made it a bit difficult to cheer for the good guys when everyone appears to be a criminal.

" The Safehouse" has the potential to be a truly good book but due to the issues with the writing and the storyline it was just okay.

The Safehouse
T. Thomas Ackerman
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432775247
Reviewed by Melissa Koltes for RebeccasReads (10/11)

The Most Dangerous Thing

The 70’s offered a different freedom for children, especially those living in small towns such as Dickeyville outside of Baltimore. They had freedom to wander, exploring their neighborhood and nearby woods, especially during carefree summer days. Families were not strangers to one another and everyone watched out for each other, but despite the closeness of the community, there were secret experiences shared and left in the past.  Five childhood friends had one haunting night that changed their lives forever.

Gwen, Mickey and the three Halloran brothers had quite different home lives, but when they were together they were a tight pack, sharing childhood experiences, one of which was sneaking into the woods. They happened upon Chicken George, an inexplicable character who was as irresistible as he was repellent.  Drawn to him, they kept returning until one night he was dead. By whom and why?  What really happened was kept a mystery.

As years went by, the friendships splintered and the children became adults. Distancing themselves from each other, they each ultimately dealt with the implications of that night alone. Years later they were brought together by the sudden and questionable death of the youngest Halloran brother, Gordon.  Interacting once again forces them to examine their complicated past.  As each character is insightfully presented by the author, personalities, memories and impressions are clouded by prejudice.  Do they still cast blame on earlier circumstances or do they take ownership of their own lives?

Lippman skillfully takes the reader from the past to the present in "The Most Dangerous Thing” as she slowly reveals the impact of repressed events on the five friends.  Each reacts uniquely and follows a different path into adulthood.  Much of each portrait is painted by the reflections of the other four, so the five stories are often tainted by memory and perspective.  The truth lies somewhere therein!  As they come to grips with the disturbing facts, they must each face their own demons, once again questioning how much one event really contributed to who they are now as adults.

The Most Dangerous Thing
Laura Lippman
William Morrow (2011)
ISBN 9780061706516
Reviewed b y Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (10/11)

Middle Time

Mysteries in English written by Indians are few and far between. Though Indians enjoy the courtroom antics of John Grisham or the techno wonders of Michael Crichton, we have a hard time accepting such works written by our fellow countrymen...or women.

As an aficionado of legal thrillers, I have been on the lookout for legal thrillers written by my countrymen. I thus found out thrillers written by Parameswaran Nair, Dr. L. Prakash and those written by lawyer Aditya Sudarshan. While Parameswaran Nair regaled in Perry Mason pastiches; it was Grisham who inspired Dr. Prakash in his novels. However, a historical legal thriller like the ones popularized by Bruce Alexander or Steven Saylor written by Indian authors never caught my attention… till date. I have been enamored by the works of Lindsey Davis whose protagonist was Marcus Didius Falco, a real life Roman lawyer of the 1st century AD; and by that of  Steven Saylor whose protagonist is the famed Roman lawyer and orator Cicero. I was intrigued on reading about “Middle Time” and I simply had to read this book…simply because it was the first historical legal thriller from India. I had not much expectations from this book and I thought that it would be a simple pastiche of the Saylor- Lindsey Davis novels.

But I was proved wrong in all respects. The author has created a novel that stands on its own right by all respects. I would call it even remotely inspired by any of the historical mysteries out there. For one thing, instead of placing the entire novel in history itself- the author does something creative and takes the protagonist Lawyer Maya (and along with her the reader) back to the past. Maya is a part and parcel of history and that of the present. Past and present are interwoven in this finely written novel. Maya is enquiring into the mysterious death of her client Thulsi when she catches hold of a very old book. The said book transports Maya back into time to 16th Century AD India. It’s a period of religious bigotry, a time of turbulence, a time of fear…a fear of death. Here Maya meets Achale (who is sort of an alter-ego of Maya). Achale is investigating into the mysterious death of a woman named Thulasi. And the death of Thulasi seems to be connected with the death of Thulsi 500 years down the lane.  What follows is suspenseful narration at its pristine best, culminating in a finish that’s just exhilarating.

I sort of felt like I am reading the courtroom version of “Back To The Future” series. That feel good exhilarating feeling that one gets after seeing the said movie is felt throughout this book. Maya is a gusty heroine, and the blurb informs us that Maya will soon be back in the novel “Brahma's Time.” I sure would be reading the said novel; and I wonder if Maya’s adventure would take us to the future of India????

Middle Time
Priya Vasudevan
Niyogi Books (2011)
ISBN  9788189738709
Reviewed by Narayan Radhakrishnan for RebeccasReads (10/11)

The Burning Soul

Randall Haight has made quite a quiet, reclusive life for himself living as a respected accountant in the small town of Pastor’s Bay, Maine.  Up until now he has been able to bury his past.  When he was a teenager he and a friend murdered a 14 year old girl.  Having served his time as a juvenile, he was released and given a new identity. After years of escaping his past, he is being taunted by someone familiar with him.  Also echoing the past is the disappearance of another young girl, placing Randall as a prime suspect if his secret should get out.

Private investigator Charlie Parker is enlisted by Randall’s attorney to quietly find out who the blackmailer is.  Tormented by the past murder of his own daughter and the new disappearance of Anna Kore, Charlie finds it difficult to defend a man for whom he has contempt.  A fallen organized mob boss further complicates the case and brings into play old enemies, antagonistic local and federal authorities and the recruitment of recurring allies.

This Charlie Parker novel is a blend of a dark mystery and multi-layered characterization blended into elaborately descriptive backdrops. Lots of twists in the plot keep the reader entertained. As this book is well into a series of thrillers with same protagonist, his recurring buddies and enemies, a new reader often finds himself questioning the back-stories and relationships. There is not enough information presented to fill in the blanks for those unfamiliar with the past books.

The rapid action of "The Burning Soul” is often distracted by long portions of literary descriptive prose.  Despite that negative, the story successfully offers moral conundrums to consider.  How much is objectivity tainted by ghosts from the past?  Can one truly escape his own personal history? As Connolly expresses, “There are some truths so terrible that they shouldn’t be spoken aloud, so appalling that ever to acknowledge them is to risk sacrificing a crucial part of one’s humanity, to exist in a colder, crueler world.”

The Burning Soul
John Connolly
Atria Books (2011)
ISBN 9781439165270
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (10/11)

Free Love: True Stories of Love and Lust on the Internet

I tried Internet dating once, several years ago. I quickly discovered it wasn’t for me. I was totally honest about my profile, but the majority of the men who contacted me were not. They were incorrect about their height, athletic physiques and their employment status.  I decided this wasn’t a good avenue to find a mate. I ended up having to go the old fashioned blind date route!

I do have to admit that out of pure fascination I still find myself lurking on Internet dating sites. I have a student that belongs to just about every free and paid online dating site out there, so I get to access them through her. I am looking for a date? No. Am I looking for a casual intimate encounter? No. I just find the ads absolutely fascinating. Well, some of them are downright entertaining, but I will admit that quite a few are boring and need some work.  This is especially true in the area of photographs. People should never try to post a picture of themselves that they took on their own.

 “Free Love” covers just about every avenue that a person might be seeking to meet someone. This includes men seeking women, women seeking men, men seeking men, women seeking women, singles seeking couples, casual encounters and missed connections.  As I read each ad, and the story behind it, I was absolutely entertained and grateful that I am not single!  I personally have known people to hire marketing people to spruce up their ads, and people who have used this forum for casual encounters.  The casual encounters usually have had more success with getting replies  

Behind each online ad is always true story. I always wonder, “Does the real truth match the ad?” In “Free Love: True Stories of Love and Lust on the Internet,” I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and find out what was really going on.  The real stories varied greatly; however, there are a lot of married people who anonymously admit that they use the online dating sites to seek sexual encounters outside of their relationships.  To me, this is the sad part.  While many of the ads openly admitted their marital statuses, I found it sad that these people are being more honest with strangers than people that they’ve committed themselves to.

Other than an entertaining read, “Free Love” also teaches some valuable lessons.  One of the biggest one is that a person who is seeking a mate on a dating site, should proceed with caution. The potential replies might be from people who are not who they represent themselves to be.  Should this be a deterrent? No, I don’t think so, because there are genuinely good people seeking real commitment. That is how the author met his wife. It is also how my sister met her wonderful fiancé.  If you are planning on trying online dating, or know someone who is, “Free Love” is a must read! For the rest of us who are happy with our lives, it is a great book to curl up with!

Free Love: True Stories of Love and Lust on the Internet
Thomas Kelleher
East Bay Press (2010)
ISBN 9780984432912
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Rebecca’s Reads (10/11)