Lies the Government Told You by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano

 Amazon.com link for Lies the Government Told You Myth, Power, and Deception in American History


By Andrew Napolitano

Book Description:What new crisis will the federal government manufacture in order to acquire more power over individuals? What new lies will it tell?

Throughout our history, the federal government has lied to send our children off to war, lied to take our money, lied to steal our property, lied to gain our trust, and lied to enhance its power over us. Not only does the government lie to us, we lie to ourselves. We won’t admit that each time we let the government get away with misleading us, we are allowing it to increase in size and power and decrease our personal liberty.

In acquiescing to the government’s continuous fraudulent behavior, we bear partial responsibility for the erosion of our individual liberties and the ever-expanding federal regulation of private behavior. This book attacks the culture in government that facilitates lying, and it challenges readers to recognize that culture, to confront it, and to be rid of it.

This book was provided by Thomas Nelson for review.

My Review: What an eye-opening book! This is neither a liberals vs. conservatives nor Democrats vs. Republicans book, but a book about how our constitution has been distorted and eroded by every generation that gains power. Judge Andrew Napolitano clearly explains what the constitution says and how our presidents and elected officials created laws that are clearly unconstitutional.

Do we really have property rights when it can be confiscated for “public use” by the government? I thought one of the most surprising facts is that in the original constitution Senators were not voted in by the general population. They were chosen by state legislators, not to be representatives of the people, but ambassadors of the state. There are heartbreaking instances, including an innocent man being executed because the appeals court refused to hear new evidence and a governor who refused to grant a pardon.

We have seen our rights eroded over time that we think has happened in our lifetime, but in fact, it has happened all throughout the history of the US.  One right, one freedom after another slips away, and we just accept it.

The book is nicely referenced and annotated for each section. Congressman Ron Paul wrote the forward to Lies the Government Told You and it gives the perfect introduction to Judge Napalitano’s work. I highly recommend this interesting and informative book.

Heart Healthy Monday on Bookvisions

Heart Healthy Web Link: What is your Cholesterol IQ?

Heart Healthy Tip: To help lower your cholesterol, add more dietary fiber to your meals with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. According to James Beckerman, MD, a cardiologist quoted on WebMD, soluble fiber such as oatmeal, barley, and beans absorb cholesterol in your digestive tract.

Heart Healthy Recipe
Italian Bread and Bean Salad

8 slices of Italian Bread ¾ “ thick (or even better, use some really good whole grain bread!)
1 ½ C diced tomato (scoop seeds out)
1 C peeled, diced cucumber
½ C Parmesan Cheese, grated
½ C diced Celery
½ C chopped mild sweet onion
¼ C fresh Italian Parsley, chopped
¼ C fat-free Italian dressing
2 T minced fresh basil
3 T sliced black olives
1 T White Wine Vinegar
1 (15oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

Cut the bread into cubes and place in a single layer in a large jellyroll pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden. Let cool completely. Combine all of the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. Just before serving add the bread cubes and toss lightly. Serve immediately.
5 - 2-cup servings
285 calories (15% from fat)

I hope that Heart Healthy Mondays encourage you to take care of your health and heart.  Let me know what you think!

An Absence so Great by Jane Kirkpatrick

About the Book:  While growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those owners who have fallen ill with mercury poisoning.

My Review: An Absence So Great by Jane Kirkpatrick is a beautifully written book of historical fiction loosely based on the author’s grandmother. The story revolves around Jesse, a young girl in the early 1900s trying to make her mark in the field of photography on her own, but finds it difficult as a woman without legal rights. Her connection and insight into the photographs is what made the story interesting and compelling. This book is being marketed as part of a Christian Fiction Series,  but if you are looking for Christian fiction I do not recommend this book. My reasons are printed at the bottom of this page because they contain spoilers.

I have one copy of this book to giveaway. You must be a follower of this blog, US only, and the drawing will be Midnight April 3, 2010. Leave a comment below with your email address (and don’t read the spoilers below!!!).



Please note - SPOILERS BELOW:

An Absence So Great (Christian Fiction Series)  I have never put a spoiler in one of my reviews before and hope I never feel the need to do so again. If you are looking for Christian Fiction, this book is NOT what you are looking for. The book treats those of faith as out of touch with the “modern” world and heartless because they are angry with Jesse for her adulterous affair. The wife of her lover is a woman of faith, but feeble minded because she is grieving the loss of her child .  She is also trying to seduce her counselor pastor. Personal Rant: I know what it is like to lose a child, and the author's depiction of the grieving mother is insulting.

The story was disappointing to me because time after time Jessie made poor decisions in her life. Even when I knew what the conclusion would be, I kept hoping the character would make the right and moral choice. The most disturbing part was when the author used scripture to try to justify an adulterous affair and bigamy.

I have a copy of this book to giveaway, but please note that I do not consider this as Christian fiction because of the immorality portrayed as good and righteous. The writing is good, but the story is disappointing. If you would still like a copy of this book, follow the instructions above and leave a comment with your email address.

I received an advanced reader copy and a giveaway copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Heart Healthy Monday on Bookvisions

Heart Healthy Web Link-Take a Quiz - Act In Time to a Heart Attack Quiz

Heart Healthy Tip - Is Sea Salt Healthier than Regular Salt? - Regular and Sea Salt have the same amount of sodium, but the unique flavors and texture of sea salt can cause you to cut down on your salt intake.  There are many different kinds of sea salt. Here is a link to describe some of them - SEA SALT

Remember to wait until you finish cooking and then just add a little salt to your finished dish.

Heart Healthy Recipe:
Stuffed Cabbage

1 head cabbage
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground turkey
2 small onions, one minced, one sliced
1 slice stale whole wheat bread, crumbled
1/4 C water
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 can (16 oz) diced tomatoes
1 C water
1 medium carrot, sliced
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch

1. Rinse and core cabbage. Carefully remove 10 outer leaves and place in saucepan. Cover with boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove cooked cabbage leaves and drain on paper towel.

2. Shred 1/2 cup of raw cabbage and set aside.

3. Brown ground beef and turkey, and minced onion in skillet. Drain fat.

4. Place cooked and drained meat mixture, bread crumbs, water, and pepper in mixing bowl.

5. Drain tomatoes, reserving liquid, and add 1/2 cup tomato juice from can to meat mixture. Mix well. Place 1/4 cup of filling on each parboiled, drained cabbage leaf. Fold. Place folded side down in skillet.

6. Add tomatoes, sliced onion, water, shredded cabbage, and carrot. Cover and simmer for about 1 hour or until cabbage is tender, basting occasionally.

7. Remove cabbage rolls to serving platter, keep warm.

8. Mix lemon juice, brown sugar, and cornstarch together in small bowl. Add to vegetables and liquid in skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and clear. Serve over cabbage rolls.

Yield: 5 servings
Serving size: 2 rolls
Each serving provides:
Calories: 235
Total fat: 9 g
Saturated fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 56 mg
Sodium: 235 mg
Total fiber: 3 g
Protein: 20 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Potassium: 545 mg
From Heart Healthy Recipes, National Heart, Lung, and Blood, Institute

On the Brink by Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

Amazon.com link for On The Brink
I was surprised by the intricate detail of his recall of the events surrounding the financial crisis throughout this 478 page book. It was in his acknowledgements that he explained that he relied not only on his own recall, but more than 20 people with whom he consulted. One of the most striking cuts from the book:

“I had come to Washington to make a difference, and we had, I thought, just saved the country – and the world – from financial catastrophe. The next day, Lehman Brothers began to collapse.”

In fact, this was just the beginning of the financial crisis to come. The ins and outs of our financial system as well as our political system can be quite confusing. In On The Brink the former Treasury Secretary speaks in plain language and has a list of acronyms used in the text so that the reader understands clearly what the Secretary is writing about. It was quite disturbing at times to read about the power plays, the decisions to act without delay, and the information that was withheld from the American people. It was also disconcerting to read how the taxpayer’s money was being thrown around as if it was an unending spigot.

Secretary Paulson speaks very highly of President Bush and many in Congress on both sides of the aisle. There is an amusing story of when Mr. Paulson’s cell phone went off at an inopportune time during a meeting with President Bush, a visiting head of state, and Condoleezza Rice. Not only could he not locate his phone, but it was his son calling to talk about sports.

This is an interesting book of Mr. Paulson’s view of what happened during this terrible crisis.

The Accessory by James G. Hutchison

Amazon.com Link for The Accessory 

About the Book: The Accessory is a story of intrigue that explores how religious extremism is used by the country's elite to further their own agenda of power and control. Sean and Leslie Hodges are two aspiring young adults heading to the top of the charts with their indie band 'Indigo Insight'.


Twelve miles south of town, a mining corporation with ties to a secret society are trying to set up shop... the teens' lives are forever changed by a bizarre discovery about their past, and the corrupt activities of the country's financial power brokers.

The assassination of a doctor rocks their town, and the people that are secretly involved are the least anyone would suspect...

My Review: The The Accessory by James G. Hutchison is a crime drama/thriller about two cousins who find out something about their past that changes their lives forever. The two main characters are young adults who are trying to find their way through a strange twist in circumstances. A secret society, made up of fundamentalist Christians, want to blow up an abortion clinic and they have corrupt business people and politicians helping to protect them.


The story follows Sean and Leslie as they make decisions in their relationships, careers, and education. They are interesting and likeable characters and seem very real. I did have some problem with the flow of the parallel stories, and thought there wasn't an effective blend. Several characters got lost until the end.

I am put off by the way the author mischaracterized fundamentalist Christians as murderers and crazy "secret society" people. They are a segment of mainstream Christians and it was a very disparaging way to portray them.

What's New, Cupcake?: Ingeniously Simple Designs for Every Occasion by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

Amazon.com Link for What's New Cupcake

What I found the most striking about What’s New Cupcake is the photography by Alan Richardson. The pictures are so vibrant and colorful that they almost seem to jump off the pages. This is a good-sized book, at about 9” x 10”, so they are also nice sized and detailed photos. The cover photo with the “Rubber Duckies” cupcakes is too cute for words.


What’s New Cupcake starts out like a craft book with a list of needed materials and tools. Nothing unusual is needed and most are items that would be already on hand, except for the variety of colorful candies. The instructions for decorating the cupcakes are clear and the Karen Tack's designs are fun and very decorative.

The first chapter, April Fools Play, has cupcakes that look like something entirely different. How about cupcakes that look like a sub sandwich or a banana split? There are sections with ideas for all of the major holidays and party ideas for children and grown-ups.

Just a couple of examples of the design titles are:

Busy Bees (a honeycomb of cupcakes)
Mum’s the Word (beautiful flower cupcakes)
Fur Balls and String Monsters (You have to see it!)
Shower Heads (baby faces)
Knit One, Frost Two (knitting needles and yarn - my personal favorite)

Along with the decorating instructions there are quick dressed up cake mix recipes for cupcakes, frosting, and sugar cookies.

Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris

Link to purchase an autographed copy of Start Here at BooksChristian.com            

Start Here - Doing Hard things Right Where You Are is a book written to encourage young people who want to do great things for the Lord, but don’t know where to start. It is also a collection of stories from young teens and adults who accomplished some impressive tasks. Start Here is a follow-up to Doing Hard Things.

Start Here explains how to decide what God really wants you to do, how to prepare for it, and how to give God the glory when it is done. I was impressed with the way that Brett and Alex encouraged the young people to seek advice from their parents and other older adults with experience. They also explain how to talk with parents about their plans.

There is a list at the back of the book of 100 suggested hard things and some discussion questions for groups. Another thing I liked is that some of these suggested actions are really small things, but still take determination and courage. This is a wonderful book for ages 13 through young adult.

Alex & Brett's website

A copy of Start Here was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review.

Heart Healthy Monday on Bookvisions

Heart Healthy Monday Web Link: Heart Attack Symptoms from Mayo Clinic  which includes additional symptoms for women - some may surprise you.


Heart Healthy Tip: A USDA study published in the June 2004 issue of the Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry theorizes that antioxidants, which are non-vitamin nutrients in some foods, may provide protection against oxidation, a process that may be linked to conditions such as cancer, heart disease and aging. Here's the full list of the top 20 foods high in antioxidants starting with the richest source of antioxidants:

1. Small red beans (dried)
2. Wild blueberries
3. Red kidney beans
4. Pinto beans
5. Blueberries (cultivated)
6. Cranberries
7. Artichokes (cooked)
8. Blackberries
9. Prunes
10. Raspberries
11. Strawberries
12. Red delicious apples
13. Granny Smith apples
14. Pecans
15. Sweet cherries
16. Black plums
17. Russet potatoes (cooked)
18. Black beans (dried)
19. Plums
20. Gala apples

Heart Healthy Recipe

Pumpkin-Orange Muffins

Vegetable oil spray
1 egg
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp. orange zest, grated
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375º and spray muffin tin lightly with oil spray. In a medium bowl, mix well, egg, milk, pumpkin, oil and grated orange zest. In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Mix dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture.

Spoon batter into greased muffin tin, filling each 1/2 to 2/3 full, and bake until toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in muffin pan about 5-10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and cool completely on wire shelf. Serve immediately or store in plastic bag.

Web of Secrets by Ernesto Patino

Amazon.com link for Web of Secrets by Ernesto Patino   

About the Book:  Sarah Baker's search for the truth about her adoption uncovered a tangled web of deadly secrets... A phone call from a blackmailer turned Sarah's life upside down. The man claimed to know the circumstances of her illegal adoption thirty years ago. He also revealed some shocking facts about her real parents. Rather than have the blackmailer go public with the information and risk her husband's career, she agreed to a one-time payoff. Hiring a Private Investigator seemed the only option, but it meant opening a Pandora's box. Ex FBI investigator turned P. I. Joe Coopersmith was up to the task, but working on a thirty-year-old mystery wouldn't be easy. Joe didn't realize it might also turn deadly...


My Review: Web of Secrets has everything a good mystery should have. It has the interesting and competent PI, secrets from the past, and multiple mysteries that need resolution. It caught my interest immediately with the initial set up of a story from the past.

The character of P.I. Joe Coopersmith, the fifty-something, former FBI investigator is likeable and in the story he has a way with people that gets results. There is fast paced action and several twists in the story that kept me wondering where it would go next.

The one mystery to me is the reaction to the blackmailer. Of course I don’t want any spoilers in my review, but I think the reaction to this blackmailer will read differently in different areas of the country. In the story’s location of Florida and in other Southern states, this blackmailer’s information would create a different reaction than it would receive in the Midwest or in most areas of this country in 2010.

I hope this is just the first book featuring P.I.  Joe Coopersmith!

The author's website is here:  Web of Secrets where you can read the first chapter.  Check out the author's site and then stop back by here and leave a comment to let me know what you think!

The Complete Book of Polymer Clay by Lisa Pavelka

Amazon.com link for The Complete Book of Polymer Clay by Lisa Pavelka

The Complete Book of Polymer Clay by Lisa Pavelka is a book of polymer clay techniques, projects and possibilities. There are 400 color photographs printed on high quality paper. Layering and blending techniques are explained thoroughly, and unique creations are shown as examples.

Normally when I review a craft book I try to actually make something from the book, but in this case I was a little intimidated by the complexity of the projects presented. I had most of the tools, (including a pasta machine), but I live in a small-town area and couldn’t find any of the polymer clay locally. Of course, anything can be mail-ordered.  Although the instructions are written clearly, as a beginner I didn’t feel confident enough to pick up the book and jump right in. I do, however, think that this is an information packed book that will enrich someone who has a little experience with polymer clay.

The Complete Book of Polymer Clay has beautiful projects and a gallery filled with ideas for adventurous crafters. The book is not only a quality craft book, but would also make an interesting coffee table book because of the beautiful project photographs and unique designs.

About the Author:An award-winning artist, Lisa Pavelka is recognized internationally as an authority on polymer clay. She has written three other books on the topic and regularly contributes columns and articles to Family Circle, Belle Armoire, and Polymer Café. She has appeared on The Carol Duvall Show, DIY’s Jewelry Making, and Beads, Baubles and Jewels on PBS. She teaches workshops, leads crafting cruises, conducts trade-show demonstrations, and holds seminars on crafting with polymer clay. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Certain “Je Ne Sais Quoi” The Origin of Foreign Words Used in English by Chloe Rhodes

Amazon.com link for A Certain “Je Ne Sais Quoi”

There can’t be a more American word than “dungarees”, right? Actually, according to author Chloe Rhodes, the word dungarees comes from a Hindi word Dungri which is a cotton cloth used for sails and tents in India. This is the type of word information contained in A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi.

Listed alphabetically, the book gives not only the origin of the words we use, but also how they became included in our language. Many of the words we hear regularly, kowtow, alma mater, kudos, and glitch, have their origins in other countries around the world. How appropriate is the origin of the word “paparazzi” which is an Italian word for mosquitoes!
This is an entertaining book filled with information for those with an interest in words and for those who want to use them correctly. This is the most recent book in a series by Reader’s Digest. The other books in the series are:
I before e (except after c) – featuring memory-jogging mnemonics
I Used to Know That – Facts we may have forgotten from school. (Reviewed here on Bookvisions)
Under the Covers and Between the Sheets – facts and quips about books and authors
My Grammar and I (or should it be me) – A practical guide to improve speaking and writing
Oh Say, Did You Know – myth busting facts from history

Big Bad Brownies Recipe

With permission from Mary Ann Esposito, here is a brownie recipe from her blog.  I previously reviewed her book and my review is here:  Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites

Big Bad One Bowl Brownies

Makes one 8 inch square pan of delicious thick brownies.
 
Line 8 x8 x 2-inch pan with a sheet of aluminum foil with a 1-inch overhang.  Lightly butter or spray the aluminum foil.

Preheat the oven to350F

4 one ounce squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cups flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
20 caramels diced (to make 1 cup. This is the bad part!)
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Fill a medium size sauce pan 1/3 full of water and place it over the heat. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Place a 1 ½ quart size glass bowl over the top of the pan and add the chocolate to the bowl. Do not let any drops of water get on the chocolate or it will clump up. Allow the chocolate to melt. Add the butter and allow it to melt into the chocolate. Stir to combine well.

Remove the bowl from the top of the pan and whisk in the sugars until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla; whisk in the eggs one at a time.

Whisk in the flour, baking powder and salt until the mixture is smooth and thick. Fold in the caramels and nuts with a spatula.

Spread and pat the mixture evenly in the pan.

Bake for 25 minutes or until firm to the touch; do not over-bake. The texture should be chewy.

Cut into squares.

Note: for thinner brownies use a 9 x 12 inch baking pan.

Mary Ann's Blog link here for even more recipes and cooking information.

Follow Me Down by Marc Strange

Amazon.com link for Follow Me Down
Book Description: A man, hanging from a tree at the edge of the forest that surrounds Dockerty, Newry County, has been shot with arrows, two of which pin his belly to the tree trunk. Orwell Brennan, Dockerty’s chief of police, wonders whether it’s a hunting accident when a sergeant tells him it’s been ruled a murder. He also tells the chief that it’s now in the hands of Metro Homicide and outside his concern. But Orwell has never listened much to those telling him to mind his own business, and this case has far too many unanswered questions to suit him. He decides he can’t and won’t let it go until he knows what really happened—no matter whose toes he steps on. With a fast-paced, cinematic-like narrative, this murder mystery introduces a take-no-prisoners police chief, whose determination unearths some better-left-alone secrets.

My Review:  Follow Me Down by Marc Strange started out as a solid, well-plotted mystery. I liked the character of Chief Orwell Brennan and the interesting side story of the town’s struggle with police cutbacks. The build up to the crime was smooth and the story of a previous crime set the stage for the perfect mystery with numerous suspects.

Somewhere around the middle of the book, the story fell apart for me when the plot became too convoluted. Bed-hopping escapades involving just about everyone took over and created a real down-turn in the story. The original crime within a crime story seemed to take a back seat and what remained almost seemed like a different book. By the end of the book there was a recovery and although predictable, it brought the story together for a satisfying conclusion.

Heart Healthy Monday

Did you know that Heart Healthy Monday is a national movement?  Check out http://www.healthymonday.org/. If you have a blog or website - join in and start a Heart hHealthy Monday too.


Heart Healthy Tip:  Work on cutting your stress level and make sure you set aside a time every day for relaxation.  Make time to not only to relax physically, but also mentally. 

Heart Healthy Recipe
I know tenderloin is considered the best cut of beef, but I love sirloin.  I think it has a better flavor.

Steak & Beans
1 lb. lean boneles top sirloin steak
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
Vegetable cooking spray
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic (I don't use garlic)
1/2 cup canned no-salt-added beef broth
3 T brown sugar
1 (15-oz) can no salt added pinto beans, drained
1 1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes

Trim fat and cut steak into 4 pieces.  Combine cumin and chili powder, and sprinkle half of it over beef.  Spray a nonstick skillet with vegetable spray and heat over medium heat.  Add meat and cook 5 minutes on each side.  Remove from the skillet and set aside.  Place onion, green pepper and garlic (if used) in the nonstick skillet.  Saute until tender.  Add the remaining cumin spice mixture, broth, brown sugar, and beans.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in tomato.  Arrange the meat over the bean mixture.  Cover and simmer 5 minutes.



  

Without Hesitation by Mark Rosendorf

Amazon.com Link for Without Hesitation by Mark Rosendorf                     

        
Following a brief escape, Clara Blue is back at the Brookhill Psychiatric hospital. Her mentor, Rick, is dead and her surrogate family, the Duke Organization, is scattered. She is troubled, a trouble maker, and her only goal is escape. When a former Duke member shows up as an employee of the hospital, they begin to plot her attempt at freedom.


I read a lot of thrillers, and I have to say that Mark Rosendorf doesn’t write ordinary thrillers. He writes stories that are unique and just a little off center – but in a good way! Without Hesitation is the sequel to The Rasner Effect and the story continues with some of the same characters. Clara is an unusual teen character as she tries to cause as much trouble as possible, but still remains someone who stirs up sympathy. She is violent, but she has a conscious, and now she is having hallucinations.

Although Without Hesitation is fine as a stand-alone book, I would still recommend reading The Rasner Effect first. It will help put all of the characters in perspective and it, too, is a wonderful unique story. Without Hesitation has me eager to read Mark’s next book.

For more information about all of his books, Mark Rosendorf's website is here:  Mark Rosendorf 

Terminal Neglect by Michael Rushnak

Amazon.com link for Terminal Neglect by Michael Rushnak

About the Book: What if an elite band of pharmaceutical drug barons called The Health Club infiltrated the governmental safety process resulting in the FDA approval of a killer drug? TERMINAL NEGLECT is a medical thriller dealing with our worst fears about those in whom we trust to "care" for our lives.


My Review: Terminal Neglect by Michael Rushnak is a fast paced medical thriller involving drug companies, doctors, and high powered politicians. Medical mysteries and thrillers are favorites of mine, and Terminal Neglect did not disappoint. Attempted murder, kidnapping and deception create the action and adventure in this story of The Health Club, a mysterious and criminal organization. The plot moved very quickly as the main character, Dr. Rogers, tries to prevent a killer drug from making it to the market. I enjoyed his fight to do what was right while battling criminal actions on all sides and his efforts to protect himself and his family.
I thought there was some emotion lacking from the character when his daughter was in danger, but that is a minor complaint in this interesting thriller. Some of the situations in the book are all too true-to-life and some are pure fiction, but they all work together to make an adventure-filled read.

About the Author: Michael Rushnak, M.D. M.P.H. lives in New Jersey with his wife. They have three adult children. He graduated Rutgers Medical School in 1974 and is board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Rushnak was the senior founding partner of a private practice group until he "retired" in 1992 to focus on public health issues. Initially, the founder of a New Jersey non-profit healthcare "Think Tank," he has earned a Masters in Public Health. Dr Rushnak has attained senior positions in goverment, managed care, pharmacy benefit management and the pharmaceutical industry.  His website is:
Michael Rushnak Books

The Jesus Sessions – Getting Beyond the Bumper-Sticker Gospel by John R. Greco

Amazon.com link for The Jesus Sessions

The Jesus Sessions is sometimes written in a light-hearted manner, but John Greco is very serious about letting his readers know who Jesus is, how we should worship Him, and reaching deeper than bumper-sticker religious mottos. He uses experiences of people he has met and compares them to individuals in Scripture. The author describes what it really means to be born again, and covers many of the struggles that young people face. In one chapter, the author had to deal with an out of control unsaved friend and compared his situation to how Jesus interacted with Nicodemus.

This is also a book of heartfelt stories. There is a powerful story of Lucy, a Wiccan bookstore owner, and his embarrassment when he learned how Christians had treated her. There is a personal example he tells of why he felt like an outcast when he was young, and a captivating story of meeting his estranged grandfather. Another story is about a mission trip to Jamaica and how the people affected his life and the choices he made. Even more poignant is the tragic story of Horatio Spafford and his utterance of It is Well With My Soul.

Although there are many serious topics covered, this is not a stuffy lecture book from the author. This is written in a contemporary Christian manner with references to pop-culture and current events. Each chapter is followed by Questions for Reflection and Discussion which would make this an interesting and informative Sunday School lesson book or book club selection. The Jesus Sessions is perfect for teens to young adults.

Heart Healthy Monday

Heart Healthy website:  How about a Heart Healthy Refrigerator.  This is a fun site with heart healthy food tips.  There is also a children's page with games.

Heart Healthy Monday Tip: Moderation - Make changes in your diet gradually and don't deprive yourself of the things you really enjoy.  Try portion control with meals and snacks.  Never eat snacks out of the bag or box.  Put them in a small bowl. 

Heart Healthy Monday Recipe

Fruit Salad with Dressing

Variety of fruit - (for this I prefer soft fruits)

Star Fruit

blueberries

mango

banana

Raspberries

Kiwi

Peel and cut into small pieces.  Now at this point I could sit down and eat a fruit salad as is, but if you would like something a little more add this fruit dressing:

3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

Mix together and drizzle over fruit.