Required Reading

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Books I have authored.

Many times I receive books for FREE to give them an honest review. I do not get paid to give a good or bad review. Spotlights are promotional and should be regarded as advertising for the book spotlighted. Regardless of where or how I got a book, my review will be as honest as I can make it.

Friday, July 29, 2016

The Weaver Fish by Robert Edeson



This book purports to be a novel.  Frankly I didn't see it.  It appeared to be a collection of disconnected narratives that I never could quite connect.  Some of the narratives were interesting but some were beyond dry.   Sometimes it reads as a text book and other times it seems like a novel. 

There seem to be a couple of plots that are intermingled.   Puns seem to enter into the equation with some of the names, such as Edvard Tossenturn or Worse.   There were things that piqued my interest, giant condors, invisible fish, illegal loggers and mosquitos.

I have read other reviews that infer this is a book for the scientific mind, I guess that my review proves that is something I lack.

I am sure that someone will find this book entertaining or enlightening but I didn't and most likely that is my failure not the authors.

web site:  https://www.fremantlepress.com.au/contributors/robert-edeson



This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Monday, July 25, 2016

A Man of Genius by Janet Todd


This is a twisted love story type of novel.  The relationship between Ann and Robert is the basis of the plot.   It is set in the early 19th century.   I, sadly, could not get into this book.   I seldom give up on a book but I did on this one.   Much like relationship failure stereotypical excuses, I do think it was me.   It just wasn't my cup of tea.  If I hate a book I say so, I didn't hate this, it just didn't grab my interest.

Web page: http://janettodd.co.uk/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Two Soldiers By: Anders Roslund, Borge Hellstrom, Kari Dickson


This is another book translated from Swedish.  Those folks seem to have as many demented people as we have here in the states.   The violence and language are pretty graphic.   This is a Cross and Switchblade book without the cross.

This is a good but graphic mystery.
The photos of the authors on their web site indicate two serious guys writing books about serious things.

www: http://roslund-hellstrom.com/the-authors/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

The Last Mile by David Baldacci



Melvin Mars was a shoo in for the NFL until he wasn't.   Convicted of the murder of his parents, Melvin is on death row in Texas, the state that tries to out do all other states for capital punishment.   Amos Decker suffers from synesthesia and has eidetic memory.  His memories as a football player being run over by Melvin Mars are one facet that draws him to invest in an investigation of Melvin Mars.  

Agent Bogart has created a mixed task force of talented civilians and agents to tackle cold cases.   Amos Decker's attributes and his former career as a cop guarantees him a place on the team.   A psychologist, a journalist and another FBI  agent fill out the team.   Amos focuses them on Melvin and the resultant action leads the entire team into danger and intrigue.  

Baldacci is a master story teller who never seems to run short on excitement of plot.

I highly recommend it.



This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Beyond the Ice Limit by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

I've read books from each of these authors separately and I have read books that they have collaborated together for the story.   Each are good separately but together they are excellent.   Reliquary  is a good example and Still Life With Crows was the most recent I read, besides this one, and it was excellent. Quirky and dapper FBI agent Pendergast is not in this book.  This book is part of the Gideon Crew series.  This is the follow up to The Ice Limit which I have not read.   Unlike many others, these two authors provided enough back story to make this an excellent stand alone book.

Spoiler alert for The Ice Limit , a giant meteor that was dropped at the ice limit near the south pole turns out to be a alien seed.  It has sprouted and the characters from The Ice Limit are back.  They are determined to destroy the Baobab, which is what they have named the alien entity.  They are convinced it is only here to destroy the planet.   Gideon Crew is essential to their plan.

The rest of the story is the efforts to destroy the alien and the consequences of their actions.   There is plenty of action and pathos.   Their concept of an alien is thought provoking.

I recommend.

Web Site: http://www.prestonchild.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Drone Command by Mike Maden




If any story could have been ripped right off the front pages, this one would be it.   Talk about appropriate timing for a book, wow!  The Chinese are island building and Japan is worried.  (Yes, the Chinese really are island building.)   Japan wants the U.S. to intervene or they will do it themselves.  

I don't often try to find out about an author's background when I read a book.   In this case, the author seemed so spot on that I delved into his background.  The Ph.D in polysci with a specialization in international relations gave me pause as that seemingly indicates that this author is not just whistling in the wind.  

The book, while fiction, gives one pause, not only the Chinese actions but the ethics of drone strikes are currently in the headlines.

I enjoyed (not sure that is the right word as it was a bit too realistic and hopefully not predictive) it.  


http://www.mikemaden.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The Dead Run by Adam Mansbach


Jess Galvan is a character who loses his self respect and becomes a mule for an ancient evil.   This is an action adventure with graphic violence and a smidgen of the paranormal. 

The range of characters is so wide it is hard to list them.   Needless to say it seems the miscreants out number the good guys.   One has to wonder if we really should build a wall on the Mexican border after reading this book. 

This is an action adventure that is NOT for the faint of heart.   It is a good story line, although at times you wonder where it is going.  The ending seems to set up a sequel, if so I would be inclined to read it too.

web:http://www.adammansbach.com/books.html

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Dr. Knox by Peter Spiegelman



It is not often I give five stars to a new (to me) author.   Dr. Knox is a do-gooder working in a seriously deprived and depraved environment.   He becomes obsessively involved with a walk in patient to the determent of his friends and staff.
The level of integrity exhibited by Dr. Knox is practically inconceivable as is his obsessive desire to help others.   The author provides realistic foibles for the Dr. as well as astoundingly loyal comrades.  
The evil villains are aptly played by emigrant Russians and genetically deficient billionaires.    There is action abounding as well as a complex plot providing sufficient twists and turns for every reader.
I highly recommend.
http://peterspiegelman.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.