The Concrete Kiss by David Grace

Detective Ned Danes is in a bind. He can keep quiet and an innocent man will go to jail or report misplaced information to the DA, make an enemy, and lose his job.  Fortunately, he has an old friend, FBI Agent Phil Abbot, who can help him out.  The bond that develops between these two men is an "I've got your back" friendship.

I liked the character of Ned Danes, and his work with cold cases drew me right in to the story.  I was a little disappointed when Ned fell into the background and Phil Abbot's story came to the front, but was pleased as the story progressed and the two of them teamed up again.

The character of Phil is an FBI agent who has adopted an autistic child with a tragic past.  She is able to communicate through her computer and uses her hacking talents to find a killer.  During Phil’s investigation a situation arises in which he now needs Ned’s help.  The back and forth with these two characters was a major theme of the book.  Just when I thought the story was wrapping up, Ned stumbles upon the answer to another cold case.   

Although I had a problem believing that FBI Agent Phil would allow his child to be involved with some of the illegal hacking, I still think The Concrete Kiss is another great book by David Grace.

 Link to purchase The Concrete Kiss

I received a review copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review.  I provide a link to Amazon.com to purchase the book, but it is only as a courtesy and I receive no compensation if purchased.

Real Ghost Stories from the South by Kevin Bozard

This is a fun quick read with short stories from the state of South Carolina. There are some ghostly stories, some urban legends, and some just odd occurrences. I enjoy these local stories which, although mirror stories from other locations, always adapt to the atmosphere from which they are being told.  I found this little book while browsing for books for my Kindle. I also picked up the followup More Ghost Stories from the South by the same author, but I haven't read it yet.


Link for Real Ghost Stories from the South

I provide a link to Amazon.com to purchase the book, but it is only as a courtesy and I receive no compensation if purchased.

A Hard Act to Follow by Henry Bushkin

A  Hard Act to Follow," is a non-fiction literary account of Henry Bushkin's tenure as Johnny Carson's lawyer, business partner, and friend. The book gives genuine insight into the 'Carson behind Johnny' with candid personal vignettes about the two, during the rollicking years when Johnny was the undisputed king of television. This is an engaging, eye-opening, anecdote-packed story about a young lawyer and his client, one of the biggest celebrities in the country. This funny, unfiltered account gives readers a look at the Johnny Carson that none but a select few really knew.  -Goodreads

Johnny Carson was king of the nighttime talk comedy show. Although several have tried, no comedian has replace that night time-slot in the same way that Johnny did so well. From his childhood disappointments to his multiple marriage problems, Mr. Bushkin's brings to light the private side of Carson's life.  It is an honest telling of his life and trials, but not a particularly flattering portrait of the man.  It is difficult to identify with the out of control lifestyle that high profile stars lead, and Johnny certainly battled his demons.  Even more surprising  is that a lawyer would spend his life running interference and cleaning up the messes left behind.

Language and adult situations alert for this book

I received an electronic copy of this book in return for my honest opinion of the book

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For more information about the book see A Hard Act to Follow

Isle of Shadows by T.L. Higley

Tessa is a courtesan or high class prostitute longing for freedom. When her master dies, she uses his misfortune to create a new life for herself.

T.L. Higley is a very good writer, but this book didn't hold my attention.  The one thing I missed in his book was the sense of location. As I read another of her books, Petra: City of Stone, I was there at that location and could see, smell, and feel the locality. I also couldn't identify with the main characters.  

Well written, but not the type of book that draws me in, and a disappointment.

I received an electronic version of this book through the "bookSneeze" program.

Double Blind by Brandilyn Collins

I hope you are ready for another dose of “Seatbelt Suspense®”!  Lisa is 29, suffered several miscarriages, lost her husband and suffered a violent attack. Although she is a person of faith, her depression has become overwhelming. She has tried to rely on God, but she feels her only hope is to be the subject of a new medical experiment which will implant a chip in her brain. What starts out as a quick fix turns out to be her worst nightmare.

This was an interesting plot as the character works through matters of faith while longing for a way to rid her of that crushing depression.  With today’s technology I thought the story was believable, and I could understand the character’s desire to enter into the trial.  The author does not disappoint as she brings her trademark nail-biting suspense to this story. There are some twists in the story that were interesting and surprising.

I confess that I was a little annoyed by the character’s complaints about her mother which I thought were rather superficial criticisms. But in spite of that, I enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship and how they worked through their problems.  It was a very important part of the story.

I have read several of Brandilyn Collins books and although I wouldn't say this was my favorite, it certainly is an interesting read that I would definitely recommend .

Link to purchase Double Blind on Amazon.com

I received a review copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review.  I provide a link to Amazon.com to purchase the book, but it is only as a courtesy and I receive no compensation if purchased.

Political Suicide by Michael Palmer

If you have read Oath of Office by Michael Palmer, you will recognize Dr. Lou Welcome as the main character in his new book, Political Suicide. The author has drifted away from his medical mysteries and into the political thriller genre. Even if you haven’t read Oath of Office, Political Suicide is absolutely a stand-alone read.

    

Lou’s work with doctors recovering form drug or alcohol abuse once again leads him to precarious circumstances in his attempts to help one of his patients. When Dr. Gary McHugh is about to get arrested for the murder of a congressman, he calls Lou for help. Dr. McHugh declares his innocence, but admits he was in an alcohol blackout.  What starts out as a murder mystery quickly turns into much more with an intricate thriller plot with a military angle. 

Lou’s family is again an important part of the story, and his daughter Emily is back in this story. When the doctor finds himself in dangerous circumstances, his mind always goes to thoughts of Emily. Those thoughts give him the strength to endure and survive.  His best friend, Cap, is back again and takes an important role in the story.  There are also several new characters that I suspect we will see again in another upcoming book.

There is plenty of action as the story explores rogue military actions, questionable medical research, and twists and turns along the way that were totally unexpected. This is another great book by Michael Palmer and I recommend it for anyone who likes a fast-paced thriller with interesting and strong characters..

Pansy at the Palace A Beverly Hills Mystery by Cynthia Bardes and illustrations by Kim Weissenborn

Link to purchase Pansy at the Palace

Pansy is a shelter dog.  All the other dogs get new homes, but Pansy is always left behind until one day a little girl with curly brown hair named Avery took her home.  This little poodle can’t believe her new home, The Palace Hotel in Beverly Hills and when jewelry mysteriously disappears, Pansy helps solve the mystery.  This delightful story is told from Pansy’s own point of view.

This is a wonderful book in so many ways.  Pansy at the Palace will appeal to a wide age range, from non-readers to early school age.  The pages are thick, sturdy tear-resistant pages which are perfect for younger children, and the story is intricate enough to interest early school aged children. My two-year old granddaughter loved it.  I appreciated that the story was about shelter pets and the adoption of Pansy. 

The pen & ink and watercolor illustrations by Kim Weissenborn are outstanding. This is a large hard cover book at about 12 ¼” long and 9 ¼” wide.   The detailed illustrations fill the page beautifully and the colors are bright and appealing.

I highly recommend this book and I think it would make a perfect gift book.

I received a review copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review.  I provide a link to Amazon.com to purchase the book, but it is only as a courtesy and I receive no compensation if purchased.

Placebo by Steven James

The very emotional and heart-wrenching beginning of Placebo introduces the character of Jevin Banks. It draws the reader moment by moment into the worst day of this man’s life. This is the most unusual idea for a character that I have seen in a while. Jevin is an illusionist and escape artist who now debunks those who use those talents to defraud people. He and his small crew seek out charlatans claiming psychic type gifts and expose them – on tape for his TV show. The character of Jevin was so strong that he rather overshadowed his assistant, Charlene. I think one of the more interesting characters was Xavior with his quirky ideas, conspiracy theories, and knowledge of Jesus. I wanted to know more about him. Also in the circle is Fionna, a home schooling mom of four children who works as a computer tech expert. After the emotional beginning, Placebo became a rather technical with the neuro medical topics, but once you get through the details the pace picks up again quickly. The team finds themselves wrapped up in situations that go far beyond their original purpose. The story is gripping and the characters are interesting. The story wraps up nicely, and I look forward to the next in this series. Be prepared for the change in tense when Jevin takes over narration. I find it annoying, but that is just a personal preference. Placebo is available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Sirius Loss by Tim Edwards

Sirius Loss, by Tim Edwards, is a story that mixes Christianity and science fiction. Written in a style that would most interest preteen/teen aged readers, the story has an interesting plot when astronomer Jennifer Bass discovers a series of events that threaten Earth and all life. The author succeeded in making the story seem real, and I never knew until the end how it would turn out. The main characters are David Lopez, his wife Jennifer Bass, and their children Allison and Justin. The family is astonished by the discoveries, hounded by the media and challenged by the choices they make. The portrayal of this solid, loving family is a good role model for young readers. The book did not leave me hanging, but it did make me look forward to a possible sequel. I would recommend this for young readers, but I also think that older readers also can enjoy this quick read.

Lifted by Angels by Joel Miller

Lifted by angels is a serious look at angels and their relationship to God and to us.  The author takes passages from scripture and from writings of our ancient fathers to explain what angels were to the early Christians. It is sad the way our world has portrayed these beings in such a trivial way. We have come to take them for granted, or worse, some think of them as imaginary beings.

The book covers the nature and origin of Angels, the fall of Lucifer and demons, watch-care over Israel, the angels and their work under Christ, the ministering spirits, how they work our prayers, and our guides as we pass over. 

It starts a little dry, and I confess I was irritated by some of the references.  For example, he attributed one contribution to "An anonymous fifth or sixth-century thinker".  However, as I read through and envisioned those beings in my life I was able to immerse myself in the book.  I was especially comforted by the vision of an angel taking the hand of a loved one to lead them as a "Final Companion. It is a short read but an important look at how we are Lifted By Angels.

This book was received from the Booksneeze program with the promise of an honest review.

Digital Postcard

This is so cute!  I received this digital postcard from T. L. Higley author of Petra: City of Stone, and City of the Dead.  Her website is Tracy L.Higley to see all of her books.

She sent the photo from the city of Ephesus.  Behind her is the huge amphitheater that was the site of the dramatic confrontation between Paul and the worshippers of Artemis. Her next book is So Shines the Night for release next March.

The card she is holding says:
Hi Linda! Having a great time in Ephesus. Wish you were here! Tracy

I thought it was a clever way to send a message.

Ghosts of Savannah by Terrance Zepke

This little book can serve double duty.  Ghosts of Savannah is an interesting introduction to the ghostly legends of Savannah, Georgia.  It can also serve as a nice travel book for sightseeing in Savannah.

The book starts with a little information about the city and its history as well as its haunted history.  As for the ghost tales, each starts with a story or dialog set back in time at the beginning of the location’s history.  This beginning is brief, but sets the stage for the story.  Also included, when available, is the status of the building or location, the address, website, and tour information. 

While not an in-depth study of the different locations, I enjoyed reading briefly about each of the sites, especially the historic, old houses.  The history of the houses was just as interesting as the stories about the ghosts that haunt there.

There are black and white photos of the locations.  Although color photos are usually preferred, I think the black and whites help set the scene with the historic locations.

Whether you want an introduction to the haunts of Savannah or are planning a trip there, Ghost of Savannah is a good start.   

My Grandma & Me by Crystal Bowman

There is nothing more special than to sit down and read a book to my granddaughter.  My Grandma & Me by Crystal Bowman is already a big hit with her and she is only two years old.  Although probably more appropriate for an older child, she already brings me the book and listens when I read or sing the songs to her.

The book is beautiful with the illustrations created by Katherine Kirkland. They are colorful, but with a soft, pleasant appearance.  Although the book has a nice hard cover, I would have preferred that the pages to be of stronger paper and tear resistant for younger children.

Each double-page devotion starts with a Bible verse, then a rhyming lesson, and ends with a short prayer or song.  The songs are designed to be sung to familiar tunes. The rhyming devotions cover such topics as being afraid, saying you are sorry, caring for others, giving praise, giving thanks, and much more.  The devotions are designed for the short-attention spans of children, but bring a wealth of important truths from God’s Word in each paragraph.  Bible verses are taken from various translations such as NIrV and ICB, but some are not marked for versions. 

The author gives ideas on how to use the book including ideas for long-distance grandparents.  At the end of the book is a section called Passing Down the Faith which offers The Ten Commandments, Psalm 23, and The Lord’s Prayer, all of which I remember learning as a child.  There is also a Grandmother’s Prayer to end the book.

Tyndale House Publishers provided a review copy of this book in return only for an honest and fair review.  

Small-Space Container Gardens by Fern Richardson

As soon as the first frost hits here I am planning for next year’s plantings.  Small-Space Container Gardens has already helped me start planning for our spring porch and deck.  No matter what your available space, this book has something for you.

The first few chapters set the scene by choosing colors, containers settings, and location.  Following that there is information on attracting wildlife and growing food plants in containers.  There is a section on succulents and scents, and a chapter on privacy planting. You can learn to create a vertical garden, and battle pests. There is even a green thumb crash course.  This is just a brief summary of what is in this information packed book.

The book helps with ideas for designing not just individual pots but, an entire patio or porch.  There is something for the spacious areas for those who live in the country as well as those who have limited space in the city.  Large or small, there are planting ideas for all.

There are several projects for inexpensive pot upgrades and very unique ideas using thrift shop or found items. My favorite project was the beautiful garden table that would be so simple to create with only a few materials. 

Timber Press provided a review copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review.  

I provide a link to purchase the book, but it is only as a courtesy and I receive no compensation if purchased.

 Link to purchase Small-Space Container Gardens

Fireproof by Alex Kava

Fireproof by Alex Kava is another in the Maggie O’Dell series.  It is a quick read with a similar format as I found in one of her previous books in this series, Damaged, with several story lines growing parallel and not intersecting.  One will be the preparation for the next book.  In this story we have the police force finding similarities in a string of fires.  Jeffery Cole is a local reporter trying to get that one story that will make him famous.

Maggie is struggling with a head injury and instead of getting medical care, she is trying to “tough it out”.  Her character is the tough and self sufficient law enforcement officer who prefers to go it alone.  We do find her opening up her life and her home to her recently discovered half-brother. Patrick.  He is a welcome addition to this series as a private firefighter. The interaction with Maggie, Patrick and Maggie’s mother was the personal touch this book needed. 

Her personal life still suffers. Her maybe, almost, but not really love interest, Benjamin Platt, is a romance that seems to be going nowhere and was a waste of time in this book. Detective Julia Racine played a larger part in this book,  becoming more of a main and the politically correct character,  taking too much focus off of  Maggie.

The story of the serial arsonist kept me guessing with twists and then end left me prepared for her next book.