Afloat - book review

Strange and unusual lights below the water's surface. Unexplained darkness. Mysterious visitors.  All after a huge explosion rocks the foundations of a new development of floating condos.

In the wake of all the mystery, questions keep cropping up.  To stay or to go. Is is even safe to go?  Can Danielle trust developer Tony - her boss that she is having a relationship with?  Or should she trust architect Vance Nolan, with whom she has a strange connection? Who will keep her and son Simeon safe?

Murder, mayhem and mystery reign while all parties work through their own personal demons and explore the spiritual realm.

Check it out....

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com (http://BookSneeze®.com) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html) “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stress Test - book review

Dr. Matt Newman is minding his own business, walking from the hospital to his car in a parking garage late one night .... and then everything changes.  Being kidnapped as he leaves work starts off a series of events that are truly bizarre - first he's a victim, frantic to escape his kidnappers. Then he becomes a murder suspect.....not quite sure who is after him, what scheme they might cook up next or if he'll be able to get his life back - or spend the rest of it in jail.

I truly enjoyed this book.  It was very fast reading and held my attention so much that I just about couldn't put it down, especially since I couldn't figure out "who done it" or why!  Yes, it is a based on a doctor and some of the story is in a hospital, but there isn't an overwhelming amount of jargon - certainly less than you'd see on a medical drama on TV. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced mystery novel.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com (http://BookSneeze®.com) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html) “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Why You Say It - book review

 

Why You Say It - The Fascinating Stories Behind over 600 Everyday Words and Phrases

Webb Garrison

(provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of BookSneeze)

I'm always interested in word and phrase origins - kinda reminds me of the old Paul Harvey radio bit "The Rest of the Story." This book lives up to its title by giving background information on many common words and phrases. Knowing the back story makes it more fun to pull out unusual words and phrases - and helps in completing cross-word puzzles! Anyone who is a trivia buff, enjoys the ability to make off-beat, inane or obscure references would love this book. Organized in groups like "Names and Games," "Why Don't Folk Say Precisely What They Mean" and "Action is the Name of the Game" there are definitely a wide range of definitions. 

Like any other encyclopedic book, the reader can't necessarily validate the information, but what is presented is at least interesting and somewhat plausible. Unless you are trying to get to sleep, it is probably not something that you will sit down and read cover-to-cover. But definitely a fun book to keep on the bookshelf and be able to pull out from time to time.
 

Spring Reading Thing 2010 Wrapup

Being the first day of summer, it is time now for the Spring Reading Thing wrap-up. My original post (here) outlines the few books I had on my list.

I made it through most all my books and then a few more. I'm still working on Why You Say It by Webb Garrison (one of my Book Sneeze reviews). I am still a big fan of Sandra Brown - good thing she is a prolific writer!

The most meaningful book I read this season was the Five Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman. I had heard of the original Five Love Languages book, but hadn't ever read it. This had the same determination quiz, but the stories and recommendations were geared towards singles. Taking the quiz reiterated what I've known for a while about what my love languages are and my parents both took the quiz while I had the book at my house. That enabled us to have a good conversation about how our family operates. More communication is always a good thing!

Hand of Fate - book review

Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl and April Henry

(provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of Book Sneeze)

When the host of a popular Portland, OR radio talk show is murdered, the Triple Threat Club—a federal prosecutor, an FBI agent, and a journalist—must narrow down the lengthy list of suspects who wanted him dead. Jim Fate, a very outspoken and controversial local radio talk show host, dies suddenly while his show, “The Hand of Fate” is on air. The manner of his death causes widespread panic and chaos as the downtown area is evacuated.

FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, crime reporter Cassidy Shaw and federal prosecutor Allison Pierce, three colleagues who are also good friends, team up to piece together the not-so public life of Jim Fate in order to uncover the stunning truth of who killed him—and why.

I was unfamiliar with Lis Wiehl and her stories, but this book will make her one of my regular reads! I was drawn in to the characters and the story very quickly and was completely surprised with the ending – a very good sign for a mystery. The characters were well written and each had depth that was explored and unveiled throughout the book. Twists and turns along the way as the investigation developed kept me turning the pages faster and faster. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

http://www.liswiehlbooks.com/

Spring Reading Thing 2010

It's time again! The Spring Reading Thing challenge, hosted by Katrina of Callapidder Days.

I don't usually have a *real* list -- I just keep you updated as I go along and make a wrap-up list at the end. Not so this time around.

I recently began doing book reviews for Thomas Nelson -- they send me a book, I read it, write a review on my blog and an online retailer and I get to keep the book. It is great fun since I get to choose the books I read and review.

So, here is my list:

currently reading:
Envy by Sandra Brown
Five Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman

(library books)
Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown
The Maze by Catherine Coulter
What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Switch by Sandra Brown
Demon Rumm by Sandra Brown

(Book Sneeze review books)
Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl
Why You Say It by Webb Garrison

Plain Pursuit - book review

A Review of Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman

While recovering from a traumatic event in her life, Carley Marek takes a vacation to visit her friend Lillian in Pennsylvania’s Amish community. Carley is more drawn to the Amish community than she expected to be, though is troubled by certain practices that seem to be in conflict with the community’s Christianity.

While Carley is visiting, Lillian’s step-son David becomes very ill. A doctor at the local hospital, Dr. Noah, seems to be very interested in David’s care, but is forbidden by the community to intervene in David’s case. As Carley becomes more involved with Lillian’s family, she is also drawn to Dr. Noah. This places her smack dab in the middle of an issue close to the entire Amish community.

While I expected the book to have a happy ending, I did not expect the plot twists and surprises that are more often found in more suspenseful novels. It was a very easy read and I was pulled into the characters from the first chapter (which encouraged me to devour the book in just one day, even at 300+ pages). I enjoyed the depth to which several characters relationship with God was explored and found that I was able to learn some things about my own relationship along the way.

(a complimentary copy was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of Book Sneeze)