Book Review: Muscle Health up to 40

Get it here: Muscle Health up to 40

This was such a dearth of information. It has workout routines, fitness plans, explanations on how to combine them all, as well as a Training Schedule to help you plan the most efficient weight training workouts in the shortest amount of times. I just completed a High Intensity Interval Training month and was looking for something to help me keep the momentum and this is definitely it.

The exercises are detailed and easy to understand, and the many levels (1 to 65) give me something to strive for and I am sure not to get bored easily. The fact that anyone can pick this book up, beginners or advanced is a major bonus because as you advance in skill, the book is still relevant, you can’t “outgrow” it. The book is geared towards Weight Training, so if you are looking for a cardio book this isn’t it. However, don’t let that deter you, we all have stood in front of the weight room at one point intimidated by all the options, but no more! I think if you give this book a chance you will feel more confident in picking up those weights and keeping them up.

Book Review: Shearwater

Get it here: Shearwater

Forget what you have always thought of mermaids, if you like supernatural novels, filled with suspense, romance, the characters maturing and growing up before your eyes, mystery, then this novel is for you. The idea of mermaids (or should I say Merrows) being real is done in such a unique and interesting way, not cheesy that I think you will like this book.

After a deadly car accident kills Clara’s parents she is shipped off to her grandfather in Ireland, someone she didn’t know existed. Thrown into a whole new school and country, she tries to make friends and solve the mystery of why her mother lied and left the country all those years ago. When intrigue and murder starts happening and unexplainable events shatter her worldview she is forced to accept some supernatural explanations. How she deals with those concepts will be the question. And will she ever get all her answers? Great novel for young and older adults.

Book Review: Mail Order Bride

Get it here: Mail Order Bride

This review is for the Boxed set of Mail Order Bride. I truly enjoyed these stories. As it says in the title, this is CLEAN Romance, no raunchiness will be found herein and you will truly come to care for the individual characters that the Author introduces. They are relatable as real people since each one is flawed, but they are also good in their hearts and truly care for what would be best for each other. Set in the 1800’s, in the Old Wild West the stories reflect a more difficult, but somehow more purer time than what we live in now. 

Book Review: Lost in the Forgotten South

Get it here: Lost in the Forgotten South

Set in South America, this is a tale of Father and Daughter and their perseverance to stand back up and keep living over and over. We become acquainted with Aldo in his childhood where some key characters that will shape his life are introduced and then fast forward through his life until his daughter Stella appears. She is a willful, imaginative and thoughtful child and grows into a beautiful, smart and driven woman. Their lives are shaped through pivotal moments for each him, when he is interrogated as a communist spy, for her, when she goes to live with her older brothers in Italy.

This book was very interesting, I liked the pictures and art that preceded each chapter and the way the story unfolded over the years was fluid and did not drag. It was interesting to see the world through the eyes of a young girl from Chile and how it affected her self views and reactions to situations around her.

I do think that this book could have used a final round of editing since the present, past and future tenses were mixed up sometimes and I find that a little irritating. Other than that, I liked the story and am happy I decided to pick this book up.

Book Review: The boy who walked away

Get it here: the Boy who walked a way

It’s the year 2162 and a Young boy named Jal is caught up in the violence that permeates his everyday life. With the guidance of an invisible protector, he is convinced to set out on a journey towards a sanctuary that will last seven days. It might not sound like a long time, but the details are ion the journey. The encounters that he has, the friendships that he builds and the experiences that he is exposed to shape this young boy like nothing before.

A fantasy tale that is very intellectual and philosophical at the same time. Faith, courage and patience are tested and the reader can easily get caught up in the tribulations of Jal. A good book for young adults and Adults alike, I think this book is a tale that will pose thoughtful questions for us in how we view our surroundings. Many allegories, but I like those so that’s a plus for me. 

Book Review: Courage, Passion, Wisdom and Grace

Get it here: Courage

I picked this book up because the title and the plot interested me. There seemed to be a discord here: it is described as a true story and yet there sounded to be elements of Science Fiction (read angels on earth and other worlds). So, intrigued I started reading and it is a good story. I am still a bit unsure if it should be put in the True Story or the Fiction book shelf but reading a little about the author’s biography and description makes it sound as if this truly is a true story.

The story is centered on Sharon, an Angel and Empath here on earth whose mission is to help people in finding their true purpose in life and she sometimes has a hard time with the mission since with light also comes dark and as an Empath that takes a toll. She has a good friend named Jack who is her confidant and her anchor in this world. Interesting, but a bit confusing at times. Maybe I’m not enlightened enough?

Book Review: A Secret Muse

Get it here: A Secret Muse

Well Written and fast paced, a great book!

Synopsis: Abhorring secrets and preferring to stay away from the secretive organization The Allegiance, Coco Rhodes just wants to live in peace working as a UCLA Professor and enjoy the Arts. But after a mysterious letter from her dead Mother arrives on her birthday and Coco is attacked, she turns reluctantly to her older brother who in turn guides her to Italy and The Allegiance. He insists that she will find answers there and so she heads to Italy to seek them out.

This book was intriguing, and not at all like the other supernatural stories out there. If you want your vampires to sparkle in the sun, then this is not the book for you. These supernaturals are dark and broody. Throw some horror, thriller, mystery into the supernatural pot along with some Enigmatic vampires and what do you have? A supernatural tale that is sure to have you turning page after page, trying to figure out how each player fits into this intricate puzzle. 

Book Review: Pallbearers and Gamblers

Get it here: Pallbearers

What an interesting story. I originally picked it up because of the connection to Vietnam, and the excerpt that spoke of how Michael’s views changed on the war once he came home and started to be active in the Honor Guard for fallen Soldiers. My grandfather was very tightlipped about his time in Vietnam and immediately after his return, so I was really interested. Knowing this book is a fictional story, it was still able to shed some light on the conflicting emotions our soldiers must have had in these tumultuous times.

The second half of the story, when Michael gets involved with his Brothers “scheme” of revenge, was interesting as well, drawing heavily on Mafia references and quid pro quo life mentalities. I thought that this book was very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The writing style is neat, with no major editing flaws and the author really brings out the emotions that Michael is conflicted with throughout his story. 

Book Review: The Garan Divination

Get it here: The Garan Divination

This was a good story. I loved the fact that the heroine (albeit reluctant one), was a everyday woman like me, mother, married, trying to be a good person in her everyday life, steady job. She didn’t ask to be singled out, or to have a latent gift suddenly awake within her. But, it all happened and now she is left with it all and has to come to terms with what it might mean and how she will deal with her gift of Dream traveling (ergo time travel?) and how she will use it. Erin, inadvertently uses her new talents to visit a relative in the past and speaks to them and this action brings her to the attention of the Garan.

An interesting fantasy tale and plot set in our present time and it spans globally with the influence of the “Garan Dream Travel Council” who keep track of it all. I liked the story, wasn’t overwhelmed by it but still a good book.

Knitting

So I am almost done with the cardigan for my daughter, one sleeve to go then blocking and weaving in the few ends is left:

Also started on the Drachenfels Shawl Pattern.. We will see how it turns out:

Book Review: Seanchai

Get it here: Seanchai

I Love Love Love Old Folks tales, anything to do with Irish/Scottish heritage and Ghost stories, so I had high hopes for this short novella and it sure did not disappoint. The writing was gripping and drew you in quickly and the plot was intriguing enough that over the course of the book I did not get bored or try to skip ahead. However, I did end up staying late to finish (or rather devour) this book, so beware of that when you get it.

The story begins with a couple traveling through Ireland in the Ring of Kerry area. One night they are visited by a traveling Storyteller (Seanchai), who turns out not to be completely human after all. The stories he tells them, sound familiar and they realize that their own past is woven into the stories they are being told and through this unique perspective, they are moved to action. For Dan this means to start putting his own “ghost” story to paper, and for Kay, she travels back to the small village where she reconnects with her roots: the good and the bad.

This is a very intriguing and unique story. I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves themselves a good mythical tale.

Book Review: Lazarus

Get it here: Lazarus

I picked this book up, intrigued by the brief description of having been clinically dead for a bit and then brought back to life. Afterwards he started to experience memories that were buried and put them down into this book. So I think this book can be seen as a cross between autobiography and a philosophical story.

Lazarus is at the gym, doing his normal workout routine, when afterwards his heart stops. Once he is brought back to life, this near death experience has a profoundly deep impact on how he views his daily life. Throw into that the fact that he is now able to seemingly at random recall the vaguest memories about anything and everything; he is left questioning his life and the purpose of existence. Throughout his life, we follow him through ups and downs, embarrassing moments and triumphant victories, and all of this made this book that much more real to me. I love it when a biography does not concentrate on the good, or on the bad, lie is a mix of both, but it is up to us to shape how we react to outside influences around us. Poems were not my cup of tea, was surprised to see them at the end, but then I’m not a fan of poetry anyways. 

Book Review: Oranit

Get it here: Oranit

An excellent mystery Novel in the crime section, this book is set in Israel, to be more precise, in a little Israeli settlement called Oranit along the Green Zone. When a Arab Collaborator is found dead, no one blinks twice at making the body disappear and hushing the whole thing up. But a few years later, when a new piece of this puzzle is found, the case is reluctantly reopened and Jeannie, an employee at the Shin Bet Security service is tasked with closing it again as soon as possible. However, the convoluted trail of black market smuggling amongst other crimes, leads Jeannie to suspect almost everyone in town.

This murder mystery is entertaining, and grips you at the right moments. You get all the mystery and political machinations of the minor politicians who want to keep their hands clean and other nefarious, evil people, but along the way, the author throws in enough humor to keep this book from getting too dark. I do agree with the other reviewer that a little more editing would have made this novel much better, but other than that it is a solid story.

Book Review: Reason for Existence

Get it here: Reason for Existence

This book is so much more than just a typical Sci-Fi/ Romance/ Philosophical/ Thrilling novel. There is so much here that makes you think and it really tries to set you to ponder the deeper things in life. You can certainly read this book and not take much away from it but I think anyone who picks it up will get more than they bargained for (in a good way) and I certainly was pleasantly surprised in just how much I started reflecting on certain parts.

Our story revolves around David Jordan who is an alien masquerading as a human. He has an important mission: resolve a nuclear crisis here on earth. Ergo: Stop World War III from wiping out every single living organism here on planet earth. This Sci-Fi might not take you completely into outer Space for the entirety of the novel, but instead it gives you enough of a mix to keep it interesting. At times the philosophy was a little too much and the story did flow at a steady but not fast pace, so those would be the only two negatives. I liked it, 4 stars.

Book Review: Moon Zoom

Get it here: Moon Zoom

Danny and his best friend Nat are on a quest to try and retrieve a special mineral called Moon Zoom. It powers the saucer’s (BOB) anti-grav Drive and the two friends are the best bet the saucer has at getting the mineral back. The adventures that the three go through are entertaining, fun and most importantly, age appropriate. This book is geared towards kids in Middle School, so I was happy to read it and see that there is nothing in here I wouldn’t want my child to read.

With humor and adventure, this book is actually quite educational and will easily set up your child to become familiar with space flight and anything to do with the Moon,. I know my daughter took this book as a jumping platform and now she is looking up stuff that is related online and is very excited about the science of Outer Space. 

Book Review: The man in the Blue Fez

Get it here: The man in the Blue Fez

Having read two other “Birth of an Assassin” Novels, I was looking forward to reading this one as well. Author Rik Stone doesn’t disappoint. The characters are extremely detailed and so interconnected that you could really feel for them and identify with what is going on around them. His writing is very very good and his story (as the others) flowed from one chapter to the next, in a steady pace, building up each plot twist and clue until you reach the end.

Jez Kord is again a courageous, intelligent and hardy individual, perfect for leading this book. His tenacity and survival instincts are put to good use and amidst the violence that ensues; he is able to slowly piece together a clearer picture of who is a true friend, and who is not. Once again, our hero is set up to take down illegal empires and we are left to wonder throughout the book, is this new hero and his Team up for the challenge? Will they succeed or go under in a hail of bullets and betrayal?

Book Review: The Lush Life

Get it here: The Lush Life

This is book number 8 in the Samantha Jamison series, and having read one of the other ones a few weeks ago (book: No Hope in New Hope) I really was looking forward to reading another. Another great book I must say, the author blends, humor, mystery and sassiness together to give you this awesome mixture of characters that just happen to stumble into the perfect situations. The writing is great and the wit of Samantha and her friends help keep this story alive from beginning to end.

The story picks up after Book 7 when Clay leaves Samantha house sitting for his friends vacationing in Europe and suddenly Samantha is beleaguered by her friends and other shady/suspect characters keep showing up and Sam suspects that they are trying to search the house for this first edition print book that is “supposedly” hidden somewhere in the house. But with all the funny/weird things that keep happening she is still just trying to housesit and ultimately keep alive. 

Book Review: Moscow Venture

Get it here: Moscow Venture

International Espionage thriller is what I would call this book if I had to sum it up. You got action, secrets, hand to hand combat, International plots and John Baran, our main man ends up in the middle of it all when he wants revenge for his friends death.
His friend, David Chernov dies mysteriously and John gets bowled under by the family who wants to hear nothing of autopsies and just want to bury their son. John ends up in Moscow, taking over Davids job and trying to figure out just what happened to him here.
This story was pretty intense all around. It had plenty of mystery to go around as well as plenty of suspense and action. The writing is great and it is evenly paced throughout, no slow lulls anywhere to be seen which I love. This is a great book; pick it up if you want something to keep you turning pages over and over.