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, June 26, 2015

Radiant Angel by Nelson DeMille



I haven't read any DeMille since reading The Lion in 2010.  The irreverent John Corey, former NYPD detective, is back once again.  This time he is a contract agent with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group.   His overall job is to maintain surveillance of foreigners that might pose a threat to the U.S.   Corey's job description specifically states he is not to take action, merely to observe.  Corey's selective adherence to rules and regulations has not changed since The Lion.   In this book, Corey and Tess Faraday, his resented partner, on this gig are surveilling a Russian. 

I mentioned in my review of The Lion that I regret identifying so strongly to Corey's misbehaving ways.   Sadly I still regret that but I still found him and his behavior utterly engaging.   Corey and Tess find themselves in a struggle for survival as they attempt to prevent a non-diplomatic Russian and his sinister co-conspirators from deploying a WMD.

Good interpersonal interaction characterizes DeMille's writing and it continues in this book.

I recommend.

Site:   http://www.nelsondemille.net/books/radiant_angel.asp?id=desc

 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, June 21, 2015

The Assassination Option by W.E.B. Griffin


I haven't read any Griffin's for several years prior to reading Top Secret.  That book started at post WWII and the movement of Germans to Argentina and involved into the birth of the CIA from the ashes of the OSS.  This book proceeds from there.

In typical Griffin fashion we are treated to cameos by Harry Truman and J. Edgar Hoover.  The credibility that added the Brotherhood of War series was what made it enjoyable.  This series seems like it is more like name dropping.  


I gave Top Secret four stars out of nostalgia for a style I enjoy.   I found this book less interesting than the last and admittedly stretched to give the last one four stars.   Griffin's books appear to have the similarity of Toll House chocolate chip cookies that are all made from the recipe on the bag,  they can be delicious but without something new, different or thought provoking eventually they are just boring. 

The book was somewhat entertaining to read due to the characters but overall it doesn't have anything to recommend it.

Site:  http://www.webgriffin.com/home.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.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The President's Shadow by Brad Meltzer



The Inner Circle was the last Brad Meltzer book I read. I recommended it and I recommend this book as well.   Beecher White, an archivist in the National Archives, is back as the main protagonist.   As in the last book, the book is fraught with treachery, political intrigue, questionable ethics and secret societies.    Someone is out to gut the President or the Culper Ring or both. 

Beecher White is chasing demons, so internal and some external.   Beecher is driven by an unquenched thirst for information about his deceased father and tasked with leading a secret society pledged to protect a President he can't respect. 

The secondary characters are as colorful and demented as an LSD fueled nightmare.   Bizarre circumstances and a pointed reference to despicable government experiments provide a tense environment for the story.

This was fast paced and intricate.  Meltzer also does a very nice job tying up all the loose ends.

I recommend it.

Web Site: http://bradmeltzer.com/book/the-presidents-shadow/

 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, June 11, 2015

George's Grand Tour by Caroline Vermalle



This is one of those surprise books.   I was surprised I enjoyed it.  My first thought was it was a "chick" book.   (Sigh) I know not exactly politically correct but nevertheless how I see it.  Regardless of description this book was excellent.  It describes a relationship between a granddaughter and grandfather.

George is in his eighties and is in poor health.  He feels smothered by his daughter.   He and his best buddy Charles embark on a life changing trip.  Meanwhile the story splits to George's granddaughter and her frustration with her internship on a film.  

This is not an action adventure, don't expect guns, knives or fights.   Do expect to be moved by a delightful story.

I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://www.carolinevermalle.com/fr/home_3.html
Page is in French, Google's translation didn't work on this  site.


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, June 6, 2015

Cover Revealed on Great Nanny Can't Remember Me By William G. Bentrim


6/4/15  Great Nanny Can't Remember Me is illustrated and now being perused by
Cover Revealed
some dementia experts.   I am waiting for their reaction prior to publishing.   The book is an explanation of dementia on an elementary school level.  It is based as most of my work on personal experience.   Two family members have had severe dementia with different root causes and an additional member suffered from intermittent senility which may or may not be dementia.   This book will be out before summer's end.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Startling Sage Prose

Kudos to Purple Clover for posting this:




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, June 2, 2015

Emma is on the Air by Ida Siegal

 This book made more sense when I discovered that Ida Siegal is an on the air reporters for a New York TV station.   Emma is a precocious eight year old girl going on fifteen.   Her immediate passion is to become "Someone".   Emma wants to be famous!

Emma decides that being a investigative reporter is her path to success.   Her first problem is to find something on which to report.   Once she discovers a wormburger, her journalistic instincts go into overdrive.

Emma is a likeable character that is aptly portrayed by the author.  Her level of enthusiasm may seem over the top but only to people who have rare contact with this age group.   Having just arrived home from volunteering in my grandson's kindergarten class, I am awestruck by the energy level and excitement demonstrated by elementary age kids. 

Emma follows a convoluted path to the solution of her mystery and her hoped for fame.  This book is the first in a series.   As a Scholastic published book, success is almost guaranteed.   This is a cute story.  It is suggested for up to fifth grade but I suspect the most fertile market will be third grade. 
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Web sites:        https://www.facebook.com/ida.siegal

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