Beach Reading

Beach Reading
Beach Reading

Monday, October 31, 2011

The Breath of Allah By Steven W. Ritcheson

The United States has no shortage of enemies. Some attack with technology, others attack in spite of it. If successful, either attack could be devastating. Even if our heroes are flawed and our enemies are sympathetic, our battles must still be fought -- and won. Today, we look for our heroes wherever we can find them. Many times, they can be found in the shadowy world of private defense contractors.

Comprised of elite intelligence, defense, and technology experts, the Technology Applications Group -- known as TAG to its government handlers -- creates and deploys tomorrow's solutions to today's problems.

Through the eyes of its head of operations, Charles Rayson, TAG races from Europe to the Middle East to thwart an attack that could kill thousands and destroy the government of a fragile but critical ally while overcoming treachery from within their ranks, investigation by self-interested politicians, and bureaucratic back stabbing.

~My thoughts on this book~

It was a little slow in places, but kept me interested enough to finish it. I find myself interested in our military heroes such as the Rangers, SEALS, etc. Even though this book wasn't about them, some of the action made me think of things they might do for our country.











Thursday, October 20, 2011

Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo


The new Maggy Thorsen coffeehouse mystery -- There's a chill in the Wisconsin air, and it's a shot in the arm - a triple espresso shot- to Uncommon Grounds, the Brookhills coffeehouse owned by Maggy Thorsen and real estate maven Sarah Kingston. Their new autumn drink is a huge success. But two brokers have died lately, and Sarah herself is under investigation for irregularities at her job. Then a stench begins to percolate through the coffeehouse, and soon it's clear that corpses - like other bad things - do indeed come in threes.....


~ My thoughts on this book~


I was not aware that this was one in a series of books written by the author, but I will be loooking to find the books in this series that came before this one because I really liked it. The book does stand alone well, but I want to find out how some of the main characters came to know each other. I love a good murder mystery, especially when it keeps me guessing, and this one surprised me at the end which was great.



Sunday, October 16, 2011

In My Mailbox 10/16/11


~For Review~

Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo
The Parrot's Perch by Karen Keilt
The Breath of Allah by Steven W. Ritcheson

~From the Bookstore, Just for Me~

New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
An Eye For An Eye by Irene Hannon
Let The Dead Lie by Malla Nunn
A Happy Marriage by Rafael Yglesias

~For My Kindle (Still working on the freebies!!!)~

Baby, I'm Yours (Southern Roads) by Stephanie Bond
Dating a Cougar (Never Too Late Series) by Donna McDonald
One Final Night by Wendy L. Young
Death Wishing by Laura Ellen Scott
Terror by Night by Terry Caffey, James H. Ponce
Enemies and Playmates by Darcie Helle

















Thursday, October 6, 2011

FIRST LOVE Just Once in a Lifetime: A Memoir By Violeta Barrett



By 1956 Violeta Barrett had been working for a Wall Street investment firm more than a decade. Recently separated from her husband and feeling overworked, Violeta decided to vacation in Mexico. After her plane landed in Mexico City, a stranger with a deep, accented voice introduced himself as her tour guide. Violeta and Jorge had no idea they were about to begin a four-year romance that would endure the test of time and distance.


In her compelling memoir, Violeta shares a nostalgic and emotional journey where principles, love, and obligations collide and force unexpected decisions. Energized by the Mexican culture and Jorge's charm, Violeta is soon caught up in the joy of being loved. But before long she must return to her obligations, leaving Jorge behind. Through the more than seventy love letters she would receive from Jorge for the next few years, the two share a forbidden passion -- until the forces of morality prevail.


Nearly fifty years ago, Violeta and Jorge fell in love, changing their lives forever. Their heartfelt story proves that true love is not affected by time. It is ageless. It is eternal.


~My thoughts on this book~


Yes, I started and finished this book in one sitting!!! I'm a sucker for a good love story. This one tugged at my heartstrings.

http://youtu.be/oVU9Ay-6zX0















Bring Back Summertime By Jeanne Starr Gater



When Jeanne Starr Gater picks up the phone one morning, she receives the shock of her life. Her strong, robust, athletic husband, Dr. Julius Gater, is in the hospital! -- comatose, suffering from a stroke, broken bones...Dr. "J" IS DYING!!

A car accident that morning has left her husband unconscious, though still alive and hanging on for dear life!...And it has been a good life -- full of sunshine! Why this! .. Dear GOD! ... Why this?!

She knows she must get to him -- and fast! They had come through too much together. If she gets to the hospital in time, they will come through this awful thing too. But she needs all her resources now. In her inner spirit, she petitions her God for mercy and compassion and strength to bring Dr. "J" back from near death. Next, over time, she contacts her family and friends for their positive thoughts and prayers. She begins her long hard journey to "BRING BACK SUMMERTIME."

Thus begins the remarkable true story of one woman's courage and faith in the face of the bitterest of odds, and one man's miraculous recovery despite doctor's dire predictions. Family, and friends, new and old gather round to offer support, faith and love, as the Gaters' begin their trek back to a normal life. They encounter incredible (and numerous) obstacles from resistant medical personnel and uncooperative rehabilitation staff, to other family misfortunes. Their very survival as a family depends on their determination to hold fast to their hopes and faith.

BRING BACK SUMMERTIME is a soul searching story of a family's struggle for the restoration of physical strength, grace and human dignity. A story that portrays the power and strength of human bonding, prayer and the belief in the power of God to sustain and revive. This family somehow does not allow itself to be thrown even by this devastating accident. They continue their noteworthy accomplishments, as they struggle to deal with the prolonged recovery of Dr. "J". Their story is truly an inspiration to all.


~My thoughts on this book~

The above statements pretty much express everything I have to say. I was moved to tears at times, and strongly admire the author and her family for never giving up when faced with very difficult circumstances.










Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Meggie Brooks By Daphne Woods




Growing up in a small rural township in New Jersey, Meggie Brooks lives an almost idyllic life, enjoying the beauty of her extended family despite her relatives' often hilarious, dysfunctional, and sometimes mysterious behavior. But there are some things too strange for even a child to ignore, and as the years pass, Meggie is forced to question whether all is as it seems. As she uncovers the secret that has held the family in its grip for twenty years, the greatest desire of her heart is to find love and acceptance, but can she overcome the loss of her best friend, the deception of her family, and the betrayal of the man she loves? Will she ever find a man who shares her values, or is she doomed to a life of loneliness?

A young girl's journey into adulthood, a poignant search for love, a family saga full of mystery and intrigue, and a passionate romance -- this amazingly rich novel is all these and more.




~My thoughts on this book~


I was enamored with Meggie from the very beginning. This book shows the idiosyncrasies that are apparent in most families, large or small. We learn how ones past can effect the future of more than one person. I was adopted as a child, and have a second cousin who was adopted also (Her adoptive mother was sister to her natural mother as in this story. They did not tell her right away, and when they did she was upset about it until my parents asked me to talk to her and explain that it isn't a bad thing to be adopted.) But, I digress, to return to my review, this book is one that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. I look forward to more works from this author.










Sunday, October 2, 2011

In My Mailbox 10/2/11


To Review~


Meggie Brooks by Daphne Woods

Bring Back Summertime by Jeanne Starr Gater

FIRST LOVE Just Once in a Lifetime: A Memoir by Violeta Barrett





to review~
Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen
The Pumpkin Man by John Everson
Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl
Demon Marked by Meljean Brook
Small Time Christmas Anthology
Twilight Fulfilled by Maggie Shayne
Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

just for me~
If I Die by Rachel Vincent
Twisted by Gina Showalter
Envy by J.R. Ward
Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
One Grave at a Time by Jenienne Frost