Required Reading

Life is complicated enough without getting into hotwater with federal agencies so: TAKE NOTE Many things I review I got at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Consider this as informing you that ALL things I review may have been gotten at no charge. Realistically about 60% but in order to keep things above board just assume that I got the stuff free. I do not collect information on my readers. If cookies or other tracking stuff is used on my blogs it is due to BLOGGER not ME. Apparently the European Union's new rules state I need to inform you if cookies are being use. If they are it isn't byu me, consider yourself INFORMED.
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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.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Cold City by F. Paul Wilson


When I read Dark City a few weeks ago I stated that I may be one of the few action adventure readers who has just discovered Repairman Jack.   This is a series that documents one man's quest to right wrongs in a unique vigilante/godfather manner.   This is the first book in the trilogy that documents the early years of Repairman Jack.  

Dark City is the middle book of a trilogy chronicling the early years of Repairman Jack and you can read my review on the link at the beginning of this sentence.

This book provides you with the reason why Jack becomes a loner and documents the events that lead to his Quixotic behavior.  Jack isn't real smooth in this or the second book.  There is plenty of action and if you have an Old Testament attitude toward retribution you are going to devour this series.    

I recommend the book and I plan on reading more of the series.  It appears that this series is the last of the Repairman Jack stories for awhile.  The author states that in the forward of Fear City which I am currently reading.  There are at least 18 books besides these in the series and I plan on reading them all.   

Site:  http://www.siue.edu/~kcole/f.paul/index.html
This may or may not come up, I got some errors trying to access 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.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Deadly Crossing FREE! until Dec. 30, 2014



 Robert McDermott one of my favorite authors is offering Deadly Crossing, the latest book in the Dugan series, free until December 30th, and Deadly Straits and Deadly Coast can be had for only $0.99 each, so you can get the entire Dugan series for under 2 bucks. So pass the word if you will on a great post-Christmas dessert you don't even have to leave home for.
Read my reviews by clicking on the links above or get the free version by clicking free and the two bargain books by clicking the links below.  I know I really enjoy McDermott's books, I suspect if you have any interest in action adventure type stories for the more thoughtful reader, you will love these books!

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, December 21, 2014

Ryder American Treasure by Nicholas Pengelley



The author looked at a contemporary world situation, the conflicts in the Middle East, and offers reasons for it's existence and a possible solution in the book, Ryder.  This book is more of a urban Indiana Jones with references back to the previous book.   This book stands alone just fine though.

Ayesha Ryder is a protagonist of deep feelings.  She has great regrets, great angers and a love that will forever be unrequited.  Lady Madrigal, a beautiful but elderly former operative serves as a mentor and resource for Ryder.  

The sack of Washington in 1812 as well as the missing Ark of the Covenant provide fodder for this complex mystery.   The enemy opposing a reunited Middle East returns to plague Ryder as well as aspiring U.S. politicians.   The story takes place in and about London once again. 

I highly recommend.

Site:  http://www.nicholaspengelley.com/#!ryder


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, December 17, 2014

Asylum City by Liad Shoham



This is a novel set in Israel written by an Israeli.   It deals with Israel's immigrant issues while purported to be a crime novel.

The news article noted in the web site link gives a good overview of the author.  The story is different in that translated to English you find similarities and differences between an American author and an Israeli author.    The way crime is handled and the justice system is similar but different.

The political aspects of crime bear a striking similarity to any big U.S. city.   The emotions and motivations of the characters are mirrored in our own populace.   It is interesting to see how basic motivations differ so minutely regardless of culture and language.

The immigrant problem is Israel appears to be as fraught with dissent and emotion as the same problem in the U.S.

This was a very thought provoking book.

Web Site: http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-invisible-refugee-finds-a-home-in-liad-shohams-thrillers/

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, December 13, 2014

Jack Reacher's Rules by Lee Child


This is not a book.  This is a list of rules somewhat similiar to NCIS's  Leroy Jethro Gibbs rules.   The rules define Reacher's life.  I think as an afterword for a book or a post on the author's web site these rules would be well received.  If I had unknowingly paid for this "book" rather than getting it at the library, I would be righteously indignant.

In all fairness the book's description does state that is a fan's guide. 
"Jack Reacher’s Rules is the ultimate fan’s guide to the World of Reacher! Featuring selections from all seventeen electrifying Jack Reacher novels and an introduction from Lee Child himself, this one-of-a-kind book compiles timeless advice from maverick former army cop Jack Reacher, the hero of Lee Child’s blockbuster thrillers and now the star of a major motion picture."

In my defense, I knee jerk ordered the book because of my "love everything Reacher" emotions.  Turns out I don't love everything Reacher.

Web Site: http://www.leechild.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.

Monday, December 8, 2014

The Syrian Virgin by Zack Love


Zack Love approaches literature as I approach a bakery.  He seems to want to have one of everything.   He has published an eBook, a short story, a paperback, a novelette, a screenplay, a collection and a comedy.   Luckily he writes rather than frequents bakeries because he would be enormous.  I'm showcasing his book The Syrian Virgin and suggest you check it out.

Moved by headlines about the tragedy in Syria and the threat of ISIS, Zack wondered how these developments might feel from the perspective of a Syrian refugee. Zack began to envision a young Syrian woman fleeing fear, violence, and tragic loss, and finding a new life in the United States. That’s how Anissa was born.

"Anissa is traumatized by the most brutal conflict of the 21st Century: the Syrian Civil War. In 2012, Islamists in Homs terrorize a Syrian-Christian community and destroy everything that a young woman holds dear. Narrowly escaping death, Anissa restarts her devastated life as a college student in NY. She is bewildered and lost -- a virgin in every sense.

But despite her inexperience with men and life in the United States, Anissa is quickly drawn to two powerful individuals: Michael Kassab, the Syrian-American leader working to found the first Mideast Christian state, and Julien Morales, her Columbia University professor who runs a $20 billion hedge fund.

Complicating matters, Michael is still attached to his ex-girlfriend and Julien is the most sought after bachelor in Manhattan (and has hidden demons even his therapist can't extract). Anissa's heart and her communal ties pull her in different directions, as she seeks hope and renewal in a dark world.

LIFE shattered her. LOVE empowered her. "

LINKS
Amazon(.com): http://tinyurl.com/TheSyrianVirgin
Amazon (UK): http://tinyurl.com/TheSyrianVirgin-UK
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23172131-the-syrian-virgin
Author web site: http://zacklove.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.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Ryder by Nicholas Pengelley



This is a thought provoking book.   The author looks at a contemporary world situation, the conflicts in the Middle East, and offers reasons for it's existence and a possible solution.

The description of the book leaves out the fact that the author postulates these theories in a very entertaining and thought provoking manner.   Ayesha Ryder is an unlikely protagonist.   Events conspired to cast her as a victim which was a role she refused to accept.  Her tortured past has forged a personality that combines shrewdness with lethality.

There are suggestions in the book which will force you to Google historic events and do some research.  The author has a good grasp of history and puts his own interpretations on some questionable historic events.   Towering figures like Lawrence of Arabia stalk the pages forcing you to reconsider some of the things you never questioned.  

I liked the book for it's action adventure qualities but perhaps even more so for the challenging of assumed historic events.

I highly recommend.

Site:  http://www.nicholaspengelley.com/#!ryder

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, December 1, 2014

Second Son by Lee Child



Second Son is a back story.   This not a book, it is a short story.   As a short story it was fine, since I went into it with the erroneous assumption that it was a book, I was disappointed.  

The story gives background on Stan Reacher, Reacher's father.  It also provides input as to Reacher's brother Joe and his emotional and psychological underpinnings.   Josephine, the boy's mother is also profiled.  

I found the story interesting primarily due to it's answering a lot of unasked questions as to how Reacher became Reacher let alone how he became the man of action depicted in all the books.

As a short story if you have not read the Reacher books, it would not impress you.   As an avid reader of the Reacher books, the story was excellent. 

Web Site: http://www.leechild.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.