Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

I grabbed this e-book when it was free on BarnesandNoble.com.  I didn’t read it right away, but when I finally had time I really enjoyed this inspirational medical based story.  There were a few problems with word spacing and dropped letters, but I don’t know if it was book editing or e-book formatting problems.  It didn’t bother me, but I know some find it annoying.

The story is about a female doctor whose life is spiraling out of control when her identity is stolen.   She is a woman of faith and therefore her decisions and daily life reflect that faith.  In fact, at one point I was disappointed in a decision she made only to realize that her decision was the morally correct one. What was I thinking!  The story is not “preachy”, but just part of her life. 

I thought it was a good story and will definitely read more by this author.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Oath of Office by Michael Palmer & Giveaway

Amazon.com link to pre-order Oath of Office Pre-order NYT best-selling Michael Palmer’s 17th medical/ political thriller OATH OF OFFICE and support The Food Project, a great organization in Eastern Massachusetts supporting youth through sustainable agriculture. Learn more about the initiative and how to get involved:  http://on.fb.me/zya842

Michael Palmer is the author of sixteen medical mystery/suspense novels.  It is no secret that he has been one of my favorite authors for years, and Oath of Office is another outstanding book by this author. 

The character of Dr. Lou Welcome brings us an area of medicine that patients do not like to think about.  He is a medical doctor that has fought his way back from addiction and is now helping other troubled doctors.  Unexpectedly, one of his doctors suddenly goes on a shooting spree. He kills patients, another doctor, and his staff before killing himself.  Lou was overseeing this doctor’s progress and is held responsible for the carnage.  But things are strange all over the small town of Kings Ridge, and Lou finds several cases of individuals behaving out of character.  He must solve the mystery to keep his position as counselor to his troubled colleagues. There is a political connection (non-partisan) in the story that leads all the way to the First Lady and President. 

I always enjoy the medical foundation to the story, and with the suspense and great writing, this book was a pleasure to read. Each of the main characters of the book is unique. Lou Welcome was likeable, and I enjoyed the relationship he had with his father, daughter and even his ex-wife Renee.  He and Renee still had a respect and fondness for each other.  Of course, there is action and adventure when Dr. Welcome finds criminal activity going on where you least expect it. There is a perfect balance of dialog and narration, and I highly recommend Oath of Office.


Congratulations!  The winner of Oath of Office has been chosen by Randomizer.org and has been notified.  The winner has 48 hours to send her mailing address, or another winner will be chosen.
Giveaway
Michael Palmer has offered a reader copy of Oath of Office for one reader of Bookvisions.  
1. US Only and no P.O. Boxes
2. Contest will end February 10, 2012 at Midnight Central time.
3. One winner will be chosen and will have 48 hours to send me your mailing address. 
4.  Leave a message with your email address and let me know of any other Michael Palmer books you have read.



Thursday, January 19, 2012

Shear Murder by Nancy J. Cohen


Shear Murder is a fun mystery/romance. There is quite a bit of detailed wedding information because the character, Marla, is not only a bridesmaid in a wedding, but also planning her own wedding.

Imagine finding a dead body under the wedding cake table! Suspects abound in this story, and Marla is well know by local police as someone who likes to get involved.  I think that there was maybe a little too much information gained by eavesdropping, but Marla is eager to solve the crime.

I was a little worried when I saw that the book contained just over two pages of a Cast of Characters with the names and brief bio of everyone in the book (including pets!), but keeping track of everyone was not a problem even without the list.

This is the tenth in the “Bad Hair Day” mystery series, but it is very much a stand alone. This was the first in the series that I read and I never felt like I didn’t know something that had happened in the past. I am not sure if this is the last in the series, but if it is, fans will be pleased by the ending in this book.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins

Gone to Ground is a serial killer murder mystery told from the perspective of three women.  Each of these women believes they know who committed the murders, and all have something to lose by coming forward.  Amaryllis, Mississippi is not the type of town where murders happen, but now a serial killer has the whole town on edge.  Brandilyn Collins takes us into the lives of these three women as they try to do the right thing.

You are first introduced to Cherrie Mae, the senior of the three ladies possessing the grace and wisdom of a mature Christian. She cleans houses and finds information that leads her to think that one of her employers is the killer.  There is a dialect used for her narration, but it is not overdone and doesn’t interfere with the flow of the story. Tully, a young pregnant woman, believes that her abusive husband may be the murderer. Deena, a beauty shop owner, is afraid her special needs brother may be involved. Woven through the book is the story being retold as a newspaper article by Trent, a reporter.  All of the characters are likeable and realistic.

Although the chapters change the point of view, you will never be lost in this chilling tale of murder.  I appreciated the Brandilyn Collins’ careful development of each character and clear “voice” for each. Of course, it also helps that the chapters are labeled with the name of the viewpoint!  The story brings the three women together so that their lives intertwine. Once again Brandilyn Collins brings suspense, mystery, and faith to her characters in a special way.  Of her books I have read, I think this is the best so far.  

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins

I have a great new book, and I will be posting my review this week.  For now, I just want to give you a little information about the book and how Brandilyn Collins researched it.  I enjoyed Gone to Ground very much.  Scroll down for the book trailer.


About Brandilyn Collins -Author of Gone to Ground
Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark
Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline, Don't forget to breathe . . .®, and have made her one of the most well-known figures in the mystery/suspense literary genre.

Following the steps of a mysterious serial killer, Brandilyn's latest novel, Gone to Ground (March 2012, B&H Fiction, $14.99, Trade Paper), takes readers to the fictional Southern town of Amaryllis, Mississippi. To research this book—her first set in the South—Brandilyn ventured to Jasper County, Mississippi. One of her biggest challenges lay in learning the accent well enough to recreate it in dialect, especially for the black character.

“I need to speak with an African American woman who’s at least sixty,” Brandilyn told the clerk. She was introduced to Cherrie Mae Gammage, whose first and middle names were so perfect for the character, Brandilyn asked for permission to use them. Cherrie Mae agreed, and later lent her musical Southern accent to the book trailer for Gone to Ground. Auditions for the other two characters’ voices were eventually held in Bay Springs, and the city clerk who introduced Brandilyn to Cherrie Mae became the voice for thirty-five-year-old Deena.

Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on numerous local and national TV/radio spots, including daytime talk shows. A speaker on the writing craft, Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named Getting into Character one of the best books on writing published in 2002.

BRANDILYN COLLINS is the bestselling author of 23 novels. Awards for her work include the Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice. When she's not writing, Brandilyn can be found teaching creative fiction at writers' conferences. She and her family divide their time between homes in the California Bay Area and northern Idaho. For more information, please visit
BrandilynCollins.com.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Nearing Home by Billy Graham

Rev Billy Graham is one of the most well known and respected Christian pastors.  I am so happy that he chose to write this book about how to live an honorable and useful life as we grow older.  There is much useful information for those of any age, but especially those who are starting to feel the restrictions of age.  Rev. Graham shows how God used men and women from the Bible when they were in their later years of life, and, of course, how He can still use us today. 

Although he writes about failing strength, health issues, retirement, loss, and family decisions, this is never a depressing book.  He also writes about the “Foundation that Lasts”, influencing those around us by our attitude and behavior, and our home in heaven, and I felt only his upbeat optimism for his heavenly future.

This is a wonderful book not only for seniors, but for every age.  As a matter of fact, young adults will benefit from this book because Rev. Graham gives great insight into the need for preparing for the future.  This is an easy book to read and I appreciated his message.  Growing older is not easy and can easily be depressing if we focus on what we can’t do instead of what we can. Rev. Graham has accomplished so much for the cause of Christ, but he is always humble in his demeanor and writing.

I received this book for review from the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program.
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