Jude's Blog

I picked up this book and had a lot of investment in it. It has a nice cover, good description on the back. Everything says that this book is a winner, including the review and the note that it is a USA Today bestselling author. So I’ve never heard of this author before and immediately buy it.

This book gets mixed reviews. It starts out with Zach Taylor who is career military, going home to see his sister. In the meantime, his sister has taken on a border, one he believes is after his trust fund sister’s money. But that doesn’t mean their chemistry doesn’t happen. He proceeds to be downright mean, foul-mouthed and his friend who visits isn’t much better. Though his character scolds himself for his rudeness to this woman named Lily, he carries on.

He learns from her about his sister’s impending wedding to someone, imagining much the same thing about the man she will marry. He sets off on a journey, one Lily crashes to be there for her friend, to be an advocat for the marriage. When they get there, they find out that both future husband and bride have not made it, that a kidnapper is demanding a ransom. This with another jangling plotline also in the background.

This book sizzles with cuss words, sex and a lady who takes a little too much. Somehow we are supposed to believe that Lily, who is quite classy, has fallen in love with his marine.

If you like reading about characters who should never get together, then this is the book for you. If you want to read about a marine on his worst behavior who has very few redeaming character traits, then great. I would not class this as romance fiction but endurance fiction as page after page of expletitive errupts on top of sex scene after sex scene. Even the final pages are dotted with the ‘f’ word.

There are some redeaming features but few. For example, Lily is quite likeable. But the marine’s sister is made out to be a little smarter than a doorknob and a bad judge of character. I somewhat liked the commander who came on scene but did very little because the plot itself more or less vanished.

That brings us to plot. Other than two characters that will be divorced soon after ‘The End’, I didn’t see much plot. Much of it was lukewarm and tossed away before a plausible resolution was met. As well, the author indulged in a sidebar with two other characters who were married to resolve their current differences. This book is a train wreck of plots, including two warring sisters and a horrible cousin.

So if you’re thinking of picking up this book, I’ve given it two stars to make up for the fact that the sentences are strung together very well.

I don’t recommend this book.

Veronica Grant House is a veteran reviewer and has done countless reviews for her local paper. So far she has rated Kate Rizor’s novel ‘The Governor’s Wife’ as a total 5 and same with Carly Philips’ new book ‘Brazen’.

Expect more reviews from this reviewer.

Author: Veronica Grant House
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Touching the Brilliance of Sunrise-a novel of faith, love, and second chances is officially classified as Christian fiction romance. The back cover copy, however, promises a good book, plain and simple.

“Some of the best writing I’ve come across,” says the endorsement by travel writer Teresa L. Carpenter. “It had me spellbound as much as the Left Behind series.”

For readers familiar with that Christian fiction series, this sounds like pretty high praise. So what’s it about?

“Melissa, a youthful mid-life artist from California, takes a vacation with her three kids to the coast of Maine. She’s hoping for some quality family time at a turning point in their lives…and dreaming of moving to Maine someday soon. They meet Kraig, a writer from Oregon, walking on the beach with his guide dog. He’s slightly younger, articulate, gentlemanly, deeply intuitive…unlike any other man she’s known.

“Neither is looking for love–but life has other plans. What happens when Melissa realizes she might have to choose between her lifelong dream of living in Maine…and being with Kraig?”

One of the great strengths of this piece of writing is its dialog. The book contains a large amount of conversation, clearly crafted by a writer skilled in this area. The characters all talk realistically, according to age, gender, and so forth, each speaking differently enough that you can almost tell who’s talking without the attribution. There are a believable number of “ums” and “you knows,” along with slang and vernacular–but no profanity.

The descriptions of people and places are also very pleasing to the ear. For example: “As she eased the car onto the highway that would take them out of the hills toward the wine country, the western sky was streaked with watercolor shades of peach and pearly gray. The dark, leafless branches of oak trees stood out like ink drawings against the blue-white background. A light sprinkle of rain dotted the windshield, and the landscape glittered with freshness and newness.”

And because Melissa is an artist and Kraig is blind, we have many delightful opportunities to see the world through her eyes as she describes things to Kraig.

“The characters are realistically, likeably imperfect,” continues the back cover copy. “They talk like real people, have real needs, make real mistakes, learn hard lessons. They grow in their faith and in their relationships with each other, setting an example for those around them…and for you and your family.”

If you like a good story without violence or profanity, an upbeat romance with a happy but believable ending, a novel that makes you feel good about life… Touching the Brilliance of Sunrise is the book to put at the top of your reading list. It’s available from the author’s website, http://justrightcopy.com/books, as well as from Amazon.

Elle Jardine is a freelance writer and avid reader.

Touching the Brilliance of Sunrise-a novel of faith, love, and second chances is available at http://justrightcopy.com/books as well as at Amazon.

You’ll get some special bonuses if you buy it from the author’s website.

Teresa L. Carpenter’s travel blog can be found at travelwithtlc.blogspot.com.

Author: Elle Jardine
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Quirky. In her debut novel Addition, author Toni Jordan presents enjoyable women’s fiction melded with an exploration of obsession and compulsion.

Narrator and protagonist Grace Lisa Vandenburg is a single woman in her thirties who has a peculiar appreciation of numbers. She believes it is numbers that hold the world together and that if she stops counting, her world and the worlds of the people she loves will fall apart. Her obsessive compulsive behaviour is to such an extreme that she counts the number of bristles on her toothbrush and has a formula for the number of bites she must take when eating a piece of food. The reader is introduced to Grace at a point in her life when her obsession has become debilitating in the eyes of the broader community, leaving her unable to hold down a job and living as a recluse.

Where is the enjoyable women’s fiction read amongst this sad state of affairs you might ask? First of all, Grace herself does not believe she is the one that has a problem and she is forthright in expressing her confidence in the value of her beliefs. Then, enter from stage left the quintessential love interest Seamus Joseph O’Reilly. What ensues is a battle of sorts in the mind of Grace – a battle between her love of numbers and her love for Seamus.

This novel does not necessarily fit in the dark humour genre, but as a reader I was at times thrown off guard by the humour gained from the protagonist’s thoughts and behaviour that were fuelled by her obsessive compulsive disorder. But I enjoy a novel that keeps me on my toes, and that certainly made it an enjoyable audio book to listen to (narration by Caroline Lee). Jordan has boldly presented a different slant on mental illness and poses the question, at what point does uniqueness become an illness? At the same time, this dark exploration is wrapped up in what is essentially a very sweet love story that explores the classic questions of how much must one compromise ones individuality to form a lasting relationship and can the benefits of a relationship outweigh the independence lost?

The Author:
Australian author Toni Jordan came to writing later in life. Jordan first gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and worked as a research assistant, molecular biologist and quality control chemist before at the age of 38 changing her career path and beginning to study professional writing full time in 2004. Her first novel Addition has been published in Australia, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. She has also written articles for newspapers The Guardian, The Courier-Mail and The Age.

This review, along with many others, appears on my Booklover Book Reviews website (http://www.bookloverbookreviews.com). I read a wide range of fiction genre, from literature and the classics, through to mystery thrillers and chick lit. My reviews convey my honest and frank opinions and do not contain spoilers.

Author: Joanne P
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low cost, quick-turn PCB

Dear John

By Norma L. Betz

AuthorHouse

ISBN: 978-1-4343-1071-2

With a deep sigh, I closed Norma L. Betz’s first book, Dear John, having read it that day! What a delightful, satisfying read!

Actually, you might say that Dear John has a book within the book, for it includes many original letters from Abigail Smith Adams to her husband, who was then the second president of the United States, John Adams. What a wonderful way to share part of America’s history with readers!

The main thrust of the book is a love story, but not necessarily the usual one! Let me tell you a little about Susanna and Quincy… Susanna Smith is a professional woman who has created a rather insular life for herself…and her companion, Quincy. As an administrator at a college, she well knows that she should have already taken time off to attend to the estate of her late aunt, for whom she was named-Susanna Abigail Smith. But, in doing so, she would have to admit that she had trouble with delegation and had procrastinated leaving, even though she well knew that her staff could handle her department during her absence.

When Quincy realized that she was pulling her luggage out and getting ready to leave, he was quite concerned that he might be left behind. However, when his favorite blanket was placed by the door, he felt it best to stay right there and ensure he went with her! No, Quincy is not her pet. He is her only real companion and much of Susanna’s dialogue is directed to Quincy! It’s a fun relationship and readers will enjoy their sharing. As Susanna laments not having visited her aunt more often and not even knowing about her death until after her burial, it is Quincy with whom she shares her turmoil. It is he that gives her his unconditional love and support when she begins to realize that she has shut herself off from her family and even other friends.

Susanna’s arrival at her aunt’s home brings back many wonderful memories. But it is when she starts hearing the praises of her aunt from her lawyer, who had been in love with her, from his son and her co-worker that her pain and loss grows even worse. And when her aunt has left her a letter, along with the letters of her famous ancestor, she becomes enthralled with reading them even to the point of going to the library to read and research what was historically happening about which her aunt was writing.

The movement back and forth between the life of Abigail Smith Adams, through her letters, and Susanna’s is very well done and adds tension to the reading of both. Susanna reads of what Abigail is facing as the Revolutionary War is fought and then learns more about what was actually happening through visits to the library where her aunt was once the librarian.

At the same time, much is happening in Susanna’s life as she meets her own “John” and begins to care for him. Her life is turned upside down and is placed in danger because of what she finds there in her aunt’s historical home. The reader’s interest is sustained throughout as both the War is fought in 1775 and Susanna’s own internal struggles for her life begins.

Quincy hooked me in, the historical letters caught my interest, and the drama of Susanna’s new life turned each page. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to especially those interested in historical romance (although this isn’t a historical romance book). Once you start reading the letters from Abigail to John Adams you’ll understand this reference! By the way, the book includes footnotes and an extensive bibliography for the true historian.

Enjoy this one-I did!

G. A. Bixler is co-owner of an online review site of Independent Professional Book Reviewers. She has over 40 years experience in educational administration and publishing. New or well-known, self-published, or small press authors are all welcomed! Compare our prices to other professional book review sites!

http://www.Bookreviewers.org

Author: Glenda Bixler
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low Cost, Quick Turn PCB Prototype

What better setting for a romance novel or a historical fiction book than the days of Kings and Queens, nobility and protocol, with the church intertwined? What if you were there? What if you too could be trapped in time if only for a while?

Well, if this interests you and if you love historical fiction and also have a secret fancy for romance novels. Then boy do I have the book for you, but if you choose to go there, be sure to allot some time to read it, because this is on suspenseful romance novel you will not be able to put down;
 
“Surrender” by Amanda Quick [author of; Seduction]; Bantam Books; New York, NY; 1990
 
The author Amanda Quick is no stranger to historical fiction despite her critics who call her a relic of the romance realm. No, Amanda Quick is also the author of many many best selling romance novels, and her work has brought her to the top of the genre. Perhaps, she has outdone herself with this romance novel. She lays out the scene with such precision that you feel as if you are one with the main characters.
 
You can feel the heated passion and the cool crisp air. Your heart pounds with anticipation and with fear, it is one novel you will not be able to put down. You will begin to understand the nobility class of those days as you live their lives, their passions and their desires from the first page thru the end. I highly recommend this book for those who have a passion for passion and enjoy the best and juiciest romance novels of our time and theirs.

“Lance Winslow” – Lance Winslow’s Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
How to choose a blood pressure monitor

Dr. Melissa Palmer in her foreword of Loving Joe Gallucci thanks Kate Genovese, for “authoring a book which portrays the human drama that flows from a diagnosis of Hepatitis C. I wholeheartedly agree!

Meet Joe Gallucci. Joe is a “tall, six-foot lean hunk, with beautiful brown eyes, long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and a construction worker’s body.” (p.2) He was also a drug addict, alcoholic and abusive man. Meg fell in love with him at first sight! She knew him as Jimmy Romano.

When Meg Flaherty met Jimmy through her sister Lizzie in 1970, she asked that her sister put in a good word to him. Lizzie quickly responded like she knew the rest of her family would–”He’s not your type.” Indeed Meg was from a well-known, influential family and she knew that her father would never consider Jimmy as a suitable young man to call on his favorite daughter.

Meg and Jimmy had their own lives to live, only seeing each other briefly until in January, 1976, Meg admitted to herself that she was in love with him. But during those years, several important things happened to Jimmy–foremost his father had been killed in a fire at his work, where he had stayed inside to save the furniture the company made, rather than leaving and saving his life. Jimmy, who had just begun to get close to his father was devastated, and even more so, when his father’s brother took over the company and informed Jimmy he no longer had a job. Jimmy knew he was being cheated out of his share of the company, but had no way to fight against his uncle. Jimmy also stopped seeing his long-term girlfriend, unable to share his grief with her and doing the only thing possible, turning away from the relationship.

During that same time, Meg, having worked too many long hours, accepted a ride with a man she vaguely knew was a co-worker. As soon as she was in the car, he almost immediately started beating her and planning worse, for he had been stalking her and waiting for the right opportunity! This traumatic experience affected her life, her family and her work. But it was during that time that Jimmy made contact and talked to her about his feelings for her.

Two individuals, who were wrong for each other, in everybody’s eyes but their own, fell in love and ultimately married. Jimmy and Meg had children. The lack of acceptance of Jimmy by Meg’s father, in particular, continued to plague him through many years, even when he became successful in his business. But there was always love between Jimmy and Meg to keep them going.

And then Joe Gallucci once more came to visit. He brought back the sins of the past, not only on Jimmy but also on his young son! And suddenly it was a life-and-death matter!

Genovese has done an exceptional job; the book is fiction based upon a true story and is much more–a “love story” that will capture your heart, whether or not the book is totally true or supplemented for drama’s sake. Her characters quickly become “someone you know” and the actions and dialogue of the son, in particular, are memorable and thought-provoking when he adopts the very same addictions of his father as he tries to deal with his father’s health.

You may know somebody who has liver disease and will want to read this book. It will be of help. But the book is well written and can be a self-help support to anybody who has experienced trouble within married life and prayed that love would see them through! Because of this, all romance readers just may find Loving Joe Gallucci a “must-read.”

G. A. Bixler is co-owner of an online review site of Independent Professional Book Reviewers. She has over 40 years experience in educational administration and publishing. New or well-known, self-published, or small press authors are all welcomed! Compare our prices to other professional book review sites!

http://www.Bookreviewers.org

Author: Glenda Bixler
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low Cost PCB

Do not be fooled by the title that sounds like a dusty reference tome, the fictional work A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson is at its heart a charming old fashioned love story with depth and intelligence.

This novel has many special qualities but what captured my immediate interest was the conspiratorial narration style. The narrator themselves is somewhat of an enigma but what is evident is the narrating character’s respect and admiration for the story’s protagonist Mr Malik.

Malik is a shy and respectful widower living in Nairobi Kenya who has a secret crush on Rose Mbikwa. Rose, a widow of a Kenyan politician, leads an eclectic group of bird enthusiasts on bird walks each Tuesday. Malik is good to the core and devotes his time to helping others. He never misses a bird walk and is gathering up the courage to ask Rose to the most prestigious event on the Nairobi social calendar, the Nairobi Hunt Club Ball, when an old rival Harry Khan enters the scene. Harry Khan is everything Malik is not – bombastic, spendthrift and blatantly seeking the attention of Rose. Malik’s friends at the local social club organise a competition to see which of the men can identify the highest number of bird species in one week around Nairobi – the winner earning the right to invite Rose to the ball.

On the surface this story may seem light and fluffy but interwoven are surprisingly deep and intelligent flashbacks on the characters past experiences, exploring cultural diversities and their political beliefs. Kenyan and other African political systems corruption and the effect it has on culture is also explored.

In many respects this is your classic story of the well intentioned and lovable underdog that always ends up having to do things the hard way. But things are not always quite as they seem, this is the tortoise and the hare with a twist. Just as in life, you should always watch out for the quiet ones!

This is a heart-warming story with depth and humour – a novel well worth reading.

The Author: Nicholas Drayson was born in England and has worked in a journalist in the United Kingdom, Kenya and Australia. Living in Australia since 1982 he has studied zoology and has a PhD in Australian natural history writing. His first novel, Confessing a Murder was published in 2002 and Love and the Platypus in 2007. His third novel, A Guide to the Birds of East Africa was published in 2008.

This review, along with many others, appears on my Booklover Book Reviews website http://www.bookloverbookreviews.com. I read a wide range of fiction genre, from literature and the classics, through to mystery thrillers and chick lit. My reviews convey my honest and frank opinions and do not contain spoilers.

Author: Joanne P
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

I knew it was erroneous to view pornographic pictures, but certainly the racy manuscripts I was reading were risk-free.

When I was youthful I was intrigued by the so – called legendary erotic fiction. These before time extravagance create gigantic complexity when I became a fully developed person. I got wedded with my companion before I joined church and later on became transformed through my own probing and achieving a strong authentication. My hubby ultimately reverted to the conduct of his previous years and left me for somebody else.

I had the sentiments of low self-esteem since my youth days. These feelings further augmented after separation. My deep aloofness made me a simple prey for Satan’s entice. I desired to flee by reading amazing romance novels. It was simple to daydream myself in the narrative. I did not understand that my explanations were commenced to fit the prototype. At certain point of time I was captivated by pornographic writing.

Almost each day I located sideways commendable activities so that I could invest some productive hours reading or visualizing about whatsoever I had read. As I was doing it consistently it became trouble-free for me to connect in other kind of sinning behavior and beliefs. I was much closer in having an affair. Opportunely the convention I had made in the holy place kept me away from making that grave blunder. Yet I often felt besieged and occasionally unmanageable.

I was working as a lecturer, but shortly decided to take up the graduate degree to absorb my time and mind. My schoolwork kept me tiring and I treasured connecting with my mentors and other students who shared my pious ideals. On the other hand my difficulties continued and I took unswerving efforts to overcome it by myself. I recognized my own insufficiency and told the supreme lord, that I was powerless without him. I pleaded him to make tough to mount on top of this enticement. I became conscious that I had to perform my duties and responsibilities.

Sexual offense of any extent could be difficult to trounce. It can be subjugated with the assistance of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

No matter romance novels would play a major part in having an expressively gratifying and cheerful relationship, but it is forever suggested to be on the exact path of life.

Author: G. J Bajaj
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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