I can't believe this is R.E. McDermotts first book. Deadly Straits is a fast pace thriller that takes no prisoners. From the very beginning of the bo I can't believe this is R.E. McDermotts first book. Deadly Straits is a fast pace thriller that takes no prisoners. From the very beginning of the book the reader knows that the body count is going to be high and at times gruesome. The author uses almost every country that has issues in the world today from Iran to Venezuela and had them working together. Terrorists from all parts of the world, Jihadist, former East German to Chechen rebels. The author created such evil characters that you could only hope they would receive the same punishment they gave to others. The hero of the book, Tom Dugan, was only trying to help a friend and instead found himself in the middle of a CIA\MI5 investigation. Tom wasn't an All American Hero and the author created a character that everyone could identity with when it came to feelings of regret, friendship, love and passion. Towards the end of the book the author added two Russians for comic relief, the tension that had been building up and I was grateful for the two very funny Russians.
I enjoyed that R.E. McDermott gave a back stories to everyone who was important in the book so the reader could better understand the characters motives later on. The only problem I found was the story jumped around from character to character and after a while there were too many characters to keep track of causing me to reread large sections of the book. I ended up taking away their names and renaming some of the lesser characters as rebel 1 terrorist 2. At one point in the book I wasn't even sure who some of the lesser character were and decided to more past them to get back to the main story.
The author created a very believable story just like other great thriller authors such as Tom Clancy. The author also had a large body count and with that came several scenes of strong language and gore. I could have lived without someone’s guts coming out and a missing leg all in one chapter.
I felt this book was a combination of the movie Taken with the large dead body count but the suspense of a Tom Clancy mystery.
Thank you Heidi for this fabulous review…keep up the great work. ...more
Quick read on the important things in life. Are your finances in order? Well if not you need this book and need this guy. Dave Ramsey is amazing and cQuick read on the important things in life. Are your finances in order? Well if not you need this book and need this guy. Dave Ramsey is amazing and cutting the bull and the lies we tell ourselves out. Get out of debt and stop trying to look rich to others when you are up all night worried about how to pay the mortgage. Get reading and get saving and stop this stupid keeping up with the Jones attitude....they are in debt up to their necks also. Live within your income and enjoy the fruits of giving. Read this book it will take on hour...an hour that is priceless for your financial future. I'm giving this to my sister next.
We started out by reading, The Total Money Make-over about 8 years ago. We followed the plan and paid off our debt, except out house, in two and a half years. After taking the class, Financial Peace, at a local church we continued to follow his plan for our finances. It is tough and you have to constantly strive to stay debt free and live within your income, but it is worth it. We worry less about money and now have a will so if anything happens our five kids will be taken care of.
This book is full of quotes and real life examples of how getting out of debt and staying that way has helped people everywhere and in every walk of life. If you follow Dave’s simple formula you can enjoy the benefits of living debt free and the joy of knowing you owe nothing to anyone. This is a little book that can get you on the path to financial peace. Peace of mind is priceless.
Give this book and try and I think you will be shocked at what changes you can make and still have what you need and some of the things you want. Go out there and read this book or any others by Dave Ramsey. By the time you read them and get out of debt you will be kissing my feet for telling you about it. Get some financial peace of mind and quit trying to keep up with the Jones next door. I hate to break it to you, but they are broke and wondering how many more months they can make it without you finding out.
Cut those credit cards up...they are not making your life better...its just an illusion that you have to pay for, for the rest of your life. ...more
I liked this book and the many different paths it took, lots of death and murder, but interesting with a good flow. I will be reviewing this title on I liked this book and the many different paths it took, lots of death and murder, but interesting with a good flow. I will be reviewing this title on my blog soon.
I didn’t expect much from this book and boy was I completely blown away. The book ran the gauntlet of plot and I was thrown into the mix. Who knew so much went on...on one tiny street. I loved the characters and especially how they easily accepted everything that came along. The love between the two seniors was so sweet and they waited so long. The daughter made me laugh out loud…what a character.
You will enjoy this fast paced mystery novel that will keep you turning the pages and wondering what will happen next. This is not your typical mystery...it has a bit of added something! Give this book a try and you will be pleasantly surprised....more
Another sweet romance from Harlequin, this one was sweet and it had no sex at all. Lots of longing looks and deep kisses, but no sex. This book is setAnother sweet romance from Harlequin, this one was sweet and it had no sex at all. Lots of longing looks and deep kisses, but no sex. This book is set in Idaho and the starlet and a Major become close when a storm keeps them from leaving a remote ranch. Love grows with each day and the fondness between them blossoms.
If you enjoy sweet romance then this is a book for you. It is short and won't take long to read....more
I will be reviewing this title on my blog and then posting the review here. This is a thinking kind of book and I'm still thinking about it. Merry ChrI will be reviewing this title on my blog and then posting the review here. This is a thinking kind of book and I'm still thinking about it. Merry Christmas!...more
I will start out with the fact that I love Zombie books because they always make me think of how I would survive the end of the world. The author mak I will start out with the fact that I love Zombie books because they always make me think of how I would survive the end of the world. The author makes the story so believable that it caused me to question why I bought a house with so many windows. Now I want to lock my doors, and possibly buy a gun just in case there is a zombie outbreak soon.
For a young adult book it was quite fun and a very easy read. I love how the author made the ending of each chapter climax, taunting the reader to finish the book in one night.
I also enjoyed the slightly different twist on the Zombie genre and how the virus would slowly kill the host and zombies would never reanimate as opposed to most zombie stories, where they live forever until someone shoots them in the head. The author made an awesome gross-out factor when describing the gore of the zombies.
The book has your typical Zombie story: a group of diverse people thrown together while at the same time wonderful friendships develop and others are tested.
Remy, the lead female character, was a great example of unconditional love for a family member. In that nothing would stop her from finding her brother and saving his life. Remy had her flaws, but that’s what made her likeable while being frustrating at the same time. I also wish she had fleshed out some of the other characters like Blue. I feel like we hardly knew Blue, yet he was willing to sacrifice everything for Remy's cause even if it meant being thrown out of the only safe place left in the world. There were several other underdeveloped characters that I think could have been fleshed out more to make their actions more believable.
I really enjoyed the authors twist on animals, specifically the lions and how they loved eating zombies. However my only question is if the virus killing the human is a mutation of the Rabies virus, wouldn't it effect animals also?
I won’t give away the ending but it was very emotional, and Remy's story causes the reader to break down realizing sometimes the greatest sacrifice in the world is for someone you love(be sure to have some tissue close.)
What could have been left out in my opinion was the sex scene in the latter half of the book. It turned this adventure novel into a serious romance. When writing a novel aimed at teens it may be more appropriate to tone down the sexuality. Remy was also kind of a pain when it came to the romance. I get she is a broken person but come on, stop leading the poor guy on if you have no interest in him.
There were some grammatical and editing errors, but the book was interesting so I was able to look past the mistakes.
If you are really into Zombie movies, TV shows, and books than this is a can't be missed. It has the vibe of Resident Evil, the humor of Zombieland and the gross out factor of your typical zombie movies. I can't wait to read the next book because I want to know what happens to everyone.
Thank you to Heidi for this fabulous review. ...more
Well I love this TV show, I love the interaction between the characters and the mysteries they solve. Reading this series of books is like watching anWell I love this TV show, I love the interaction between the characters and the mysteries they solve. Reading this series of books is like watching another episode of the show Castle. You can see how Richard Castle gets his information from Beckett and then writes the novels that are his bread and butter. The supporting characters are more flushed out this book and the relationship between Rook and Heat is progressing.
The last two books were OK, but this one so was much better. The writing flowed and the story unfolded slow enough to keep you guessing until the last minute. I didn’t figure out who the killer was until right as it was revealed. This mystery is deep, multi-layered and it involves many levels of corruption. I think any mystery lover would love to see if they could guess who-dunnit in this case. The writers of this series are getting better and I look forward to the next one now.
If you enjoy mysteries and especially if you like the TV show Castle, you will enjoy this book. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed. ...more
I think we can thank JK Rowling for making the youth literature market a viable option for authors by proving that kids will buy books, especially oneI think we can thank JK Rowling for making the youth literature market a viable option for authors by proving that kids will buy books, especially ones that tell a compelling story that doesn’t stoop to the lowest commoner denominator for laughs. Following the path of great mystery writers like John Grisham and Carl Hiassen, John Connolly has entered the market with the intrepid Samuel Johnson and his ever faithful dachshund Boswell as they battle the forces of evil embodied in cranky Mrs. Abernathy from down the road.
In book one, The Gates, The forces of evil have been stuck in their dimension (hell) for a very long time, but luckily for them modern science has unintentionally provided them with a way to earth. Specifically to 666 Crowley street. All that stands between them and world destruction is our hero Samuel. Through various battles with the help of his friends, and a helpful demon named Nurd, the scourge of five deities, the forces of evil our held at bay.
In book two, The Infernals, poor Sam and Boswell, as well as several other local residents are transported to hell wherein Mrs. Abernathy can seek her revenge and re-establish herself as demon number one. Of course everything doesn’t go to plan as Samuel and company do their best to hold her at bay and make it back home again.
Right from the start Connolly dismisses the concept of universal evil and shows his hell to be a mixture of the truly bad and the harmless lost. They may be a demon, but it wasn’t their choice, and if they get a vote they just soon keep quietly to themselves. My favorite parts of the books are the footnotes; and both books are riddled with them. There is a surprising amount of science packed into these stories, and each principle that is laid out (concisely, simply) usually has a corresponding footnote telling an interesting, and quite amusing side story. I expected to have fun reading these books, but I did not expect the education that I got with them as well.
This series is fun enough to entertain both adults and children, and as an added bonus you will gain a little scientific education too (unless, of course, you are already up on basic physics and Haldron colliders). Well worth the read while you await the next Heroes of Olympus book. Plus they would make an excellent children’s gift for this Christmas season (mine are off to my nieces as part of their gift)....more
I think we can thank JK Rowling for making the youth literature market a viable option for authors by proving that kids will buy books, especially oneI think we can thank JK Rowling for making the youth literature market a viable option for authors by proving that kids will buy books, especially ones that tell a compelling story that doesn’t stoop to the lowest commoner denominator for laughs. Following the path of great mystery writers like John Grisham and Carl Hiassen, John Connolly has entered the market with the intrepid Samuel Johnson and his ever faithful dachshund Boswell as they battle the forces of evil embodied in cranky Mrs. Abernathy from down the road.
In book one, The Gates, The forces of evil have been stuck in their dimension (hell) for a very long time, but luckily for them modern science has unintentionally provided them with a way to earth. Specifically to 666 Crowley street. All that stands between them and world destruction is our hero Samuel. Through various battles with the help of his friends, and a helpful demon named Nurd, the scourge of five deities, the forces of evil our held at bay.
In book two, The Infernals, poor Sam and Boswell, as well as several other local residents are transported to hell wherein Mrs. Abernathy can seek her revenge and re-establish herself as demon number one. Of course everything doesn’t go to plan as Samuel and company do their best to hold her at bay and make it back home again.
Right from the start Connolly dismisses the concept of universal evil and shows his hell to be a mixture of the truly bad and the harmless lost. They may be a demon, but it wasn’t their choice, and if they get a vote they just soon keep quietly to themselves. My favorite parts of the books are the footnotes; and both books are riddled with them. There is a surprising amount of science packed into these stories, and each principle that is laid out (concisely, simply) usually has a corresponding footnote telling an interesting, and quite amusing side story. I expected to have fun reading these books, but I did not expect the education that I got with them as well.
This series is fun enough to entertain both adults and children, and as an added bonus you will gain a little scientific education too (unless, of course, you are already up on basic physics and Haldron colliders). Well worth the read while you await the next Heroes of Olympus book. Plus they would make an excellent children’s gift for this Christmas season (mine are off to my nieces as part of their gift)....more
A sweet romance with a CIA hero undercover. I enjoy quick romances, they are like candy. They are sweet, fast and you need to read another for a sugarA sweet romance with a CIA hero undercover. I enjoy quick romances, they are like candy. They are sweet, fast and you need to read another for a sugar high. Not a bad romance, I enjoy this author. This is one of her older books....more
Personal finance is one of my all time favorite subjects, a number one hobby for me. I think I have read almost every book in our library on the subjePersonal finance is one of my all time favorite subjects, a number one hobby for me. I think I have read almost every book in our library on the subject. When I saw this as an offered book on Blogging for Books I immediately ordered it. I love budgets and making ends meet. Income is such a personal thing and yet I wish I could talk to everyone I know about it.
This book is broken into sections to help you find the areas that you need the most. I found that to be helpful, and the way you would break up a budgeting session into a warm-up, cardio, cool-down and then a reward was great. I think that the author had many great ideas and stated them in an easy to follow format, but I have other financial experts that I enjoy hearing from more.
Dave Ramsey is one of my favorite experts on personal finance and if this is an area of interest to you then check out his book, The Total Money Makeover. This book is easy to follow and interesting to boot.
If you need help in the area of money management then check out this book or many others out there. It doesn’t matter how you get your financial life in order, it just matters that you do. ...more
3 1/2 I love YA books and this was a good one. It took a bit for me to get into, but once there I enjoyed the journey and the characters I met along t3 1/2 I love YA books and this was a good one. It took a bit for me to get into, but once there I enjoyed the journey and the characters I met along the way. Magical creatures living among us and yet we don’t realize it. That is a great premise for a YA book, who doesn’t want to believe that?
I have read another book by this author, Far Corners, and I enjoy the way she writes and the stories she weaves. The main little elf like character finds himself needing the help of others and those others are not of his choosing. Being tossed in with people or creatures we feel we have nothing in common with is difficult, but if you go with the flow some of those experiences are the best times you can recall and I think the characters from this book discovered that truth. Let yourself have experience you wouldn’t normally have and watch what you learn and who you meet. It could change your life and theirs.
I think that anyone who enjoys fantasy and YA will find this book to their likin. Give it a try. ...more
I loved the idea of this book, who wouldn’t want to find out what happen to their first love? Well I would love to know what he is doing today and whaI loved the idea of this book, who wouldn’t want to find out what happen to their first love? Well I would love to know what he is doing today and what a great way to catch-up while having nothing better to do. Finding yourself stuck at an airport is a bummer, but then finding someone you know stuck also is a blessing(or I hope it is anyway. I guess it would depend on who it was.) Looking at the cover and thinking about the idea of the book made me smile.
As for the book itself, well it fell a bit flat for me. I don’t believe in coincidences, but come on sometimes enough is enough and No….No…No….No…there is limit to what people will believe and this went a bit too far for even me, who loves romance and the idea of a long lost love still pining for me somewhere in the world. A bit of reality never hurt a book and this one could use a large dose. Life does not line up like this book did and even with the characters fighting against Fate, I still could not swallow all the accidents that seemed to occur.
I liked the writing(especially the first chapter...funny LOL) it flowed well, and if I could get past all the way over the top , just happened that way, made-up, you’ve got to be kidding me, things; I think I would have given it a higher rating. I think there is definite potential here maybe a made for TV movie or a chick flix starring Jennifer Aniston. But for a book there were just too many neat little fixes that just fell in to place along the way. I think every book needs a dose of real life and this one would be better if it had some. I liked the characters, but Veronica was a bit of a whiner. Jared was great and then a bit too great, if you know what I mean.
If you enjoy romance and stories that are almost too good to be true you will like this book. ...more
I love this author and this one is an older book, but not bad. Lots of romance and sexual tention. Not as much sex as some of her older books and I liI love this author and this one is an older book, but not bad. Lots of romance and sexual tention. Not as much sex as some of her older books and I liked the build-up and the characters in thsi book. Short and sweet like romance should be....more
I love children’s books and always find time to read them to my kids. This is a colorful jaunt though the day in the life of Bailey, a dog, who gets uI love children’s books and always find time to read them to my kids. This is a colorful jaunt though the day in the life of Bailey, a dog, who gets up and follows the same routine as a child going off to grade school. It starts out in the morning with getting up and picking out clothes to wear all the way to the end of the day and the bus ride home again.
Bailey finds things he enjoys about school and things he doesn’t, but everything is brought about in a positive fun way. The drawings are cute and convey the story along.
If you have kids who love to read and be read too, this is a great picture book for them and for you. ...more
I enjoyed this story, the writing flowed well and kept my interest. I read this book in one day while doing many other things. Every time I put it dowI enjoyed this story, the writing flowed well and kept my interest. I read this book in one day while doing many other things. Every time I put it down I looked forward to picking it back up. It reminded me a bit of the musical, One Hundred Degrees in the Shade. A con comes to town looking to make a score and instead finds more then he bargained for. The characters were varied, especially the carnival group. A town like Serenity sounds very much like Mayberry and I think that I would love to live in a place like that.
I find it sad that everyone is always looking for a way to make a buck. Why? Why can’t we be happy being middle class? Who knows, I guess it is one of the curses of living in a place where you can be anything. I would rather see us all happy just to be free and not so worried about making more and having more than everyone else we know. Well this book does go into greed and how it can ruin a person and in this case maybe even a whole town.
I liked the tale that the author wove and look forward to reading more of her books. If you enjoy a mystery(minus the murder), romance and a bit of God mixed in, I think you will find this a story to your liken’. Give it a try, this is a good book. ...more
Wow…what a life this young women had for a few months. I cannot imagine escaping one nightmare just to end up in another. Inga is a strong female charWow…what a life this young women had for a few months. I cannot imagine escaping one nightmare just to end up in another. Inga is a strong female character caught in something much larger than her. The book flowed well and I was wanted to know what was going to happen. I had a hard time putting the book down and even when the supernatural aspects started I still wanted to keep reading.
I found myself hugging my daughter and telling her to never go anywhere with a stranger and then I hugged my boys. This is a scary book and I don’t just mean the supernatural portions. I think the real life, kidnapping, and sex trade were much worse. Not everyone in this world is a nice person and I think that we need to realize that, well if you read this book you sure will. Maybe Inga was extremely naive or in my opinion she was very much like many young people who have lived sheltered middle class lives.
The story was good, I loved the damaged lawyer and even with his problems he found things worse then what he was going through. I think that anyone would enjoy this mystery/thriller/supernatural book. The last few pages had me in tears. Check this one out when you get the chance, you won't be disappointed. ...more
Fairy tales lost something when all the dreadful parts were removed to make them more appropriate for children. We now have children that think everytFairy tales lost something when all the dreadful parts were removed to make them more appropriate for children. We now have children that think everything is going to be great and nothing bad ever happens in the world. We all know that isn’t true and I have to say that I enjoyed this rendition of Snow White. The idea that everything was not perfect, besides the messy cottage, in the lives of the Dwarfs was refreshing.
This short story is written in verse and includes drawings along the way. I read this on a bus full of 7th graders and some stopped talking to looked at me as I laughed and smiled while following the story. This is a short and sweet story that I think kids and adults will enjoy. What if this is really the story after all? What a great take on Snow White. Give it a try I think you will be pleasantly surprised. ...more
Book Him Danno
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2011
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