Sunday, August 4, 2013
The Plague Within
The Plague Within
Lawrence W. Gold, M.D.
Create Space
Green Valley, California
ISBN: 978-1489534521
2013
$ 14.99
365 pages
What can you do is you are sick, very sick? Naturally, you seek someone in the medical profession that believes and hopes to make you feel better and to lessen your symptoms. What happens though if you don't heal or improve? Do you continue with the same doctor or do you look for a second opinion? At what point do you break with the traditional methods and look for other alternatives, even new untested possibilities?
THE PLAGUE WITHIN is a story about two doctors and two philosophies of medicine, the traditional conservative and the alternative or possibly experimental treatment.
Dr. Jack Byrnes is a traditional doctor treating his patient, Rachel Palmer, who despite caring approaches is becoming sicker each day with her family seeing her close death. Rachel's husband believes and trusts Jack, but her mother wants to look at other possible avenues of treatment, whether they have been successful or not.
Dr. Harmony Lane firmly believes that women are not always respected as either patients or colleagues by the older, male-dominated, hospital staff and that their refusal to accept alternative ways, hurts the patients. She is willing to do whatever it takes to help her patients feel better.
Then there is the underlying disease, lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the person's immune system is hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. Frequently, a diagnosis of lupus is accompanied with swollen joints, tiredness usually with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Nine out of ten lupus patients are women. The treatment and care requires more attention from a doctor and being that each person's immune system is different, each treatment also needs to meet these challenges.
Dr. Andre Keller is a gifted research scientist. His work with DNA and viruses is impressive, even if his research statistical data is not completely correct. In his pursuit of fame and success, he hides the negative consequences of his project while publicly announcing his successes.
When these three medical professionals merge into the treatment of Rachel Palmer and others with lupus, the short-term effects are miraculous, but the long term consequences delve into a race to save lives.
THE PLAGUE WITHIN is a fast-paced medical thriller utilizing up-to-date discoveries with real-life situations. Well-written, THE PLAGUE WITHIN is a page turner that leaves you breathless with realistic characters in authentic situations. Regarding the differing perspectives of the patients, the medical staff, and their families, this novel is unique in the all aspects are encompassed.
This novel gives a snippet of awareness for those living with lupus and the challenges and misconceptions of the medical community and the general public. Living with a "hidden" disease that attacks any area of the body at any time requires special treatment with caring medical professionals, as well as family and friends.
THE PLAGUE WITHIN is a startling, informative, dynamic, page-turner that will open your eyes to the challenges in today's medical community packaged into one phenomenal novel.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Nunsensations
In "Sister Act", Whoopi Goldberg left Las Vegas for a convent. In "Nunsensations" the nuns leave the convent to perform a show in a casino in Las Vegas. Also, this particular casino is not one of the major ones, but one that is way, way off the strip. Why are they doing this? One answer is money. Their entire motivation is to receive $ 10,000 for their school.
"Nunsensations! The Nunsense Vegas Review" which is the fifth show in this series is actually a series of vaudeville acts including "the schtick" featuring the five nuns. Actually, if you examine the shoes of each nun, that can tell quite a bit about each individual sister.
As Sister Mary Regina, the Mother Superior is Sara Planck who brings her beautiful harmonies to this play. Sister Mary Hubert is the Mistress of Novices which is portrayed by Andrea Erickson who has a wonderfully strong singing voice. Sister Robert Anne is the streetwise nun from Brooklyn is played by Caitlin Mabon who perfectly becomes this tough character completely rebellious down to her tennis shoes. Sister Amnesia, Mary Paul along with her puppet, or Mary Annette, added humor with her forgetfulness. (Think about puppet to marionette to Mary Annette and this is the type of humor for this hour and a half show.) Ann Stergiou as Sister Mary Leo, showed that even a nun can still enjoy dancing.
There is some audience participation and you might be chosen to play one of the games onstage. Be careful though there is a fine line between gambling games that challenge the players, better known as cheating and games of knowledge and skill.
The three-piece orchestra was led by Keefer Peterson on the keyboard, Theresa Vacanti playing reeds, and Vince Krysl as the percussionist added even to the spirit with their uniformity of collars. Even the props were moved by someone definitely continuing the spirit of this musical.
The show will continue on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and at 2 pm on Sundays through August 4th. Contact the theater at (712) 323-9955 or go online to chanticleertheater.com to purchase tickets which cost $ 17 for adults, $14 for seniors and $ 9 for students.
"Nunsensations! The Nunsense Vegas Review" which is the fifth show in this series is actually a series of vaudeville acts including "the schtick" featuring the five nuns. Actually, if you examine the shoes of each nun, that can tell quite a bit about each individual sister.
As Sister Mary Regina, the Mother Superior is Sara Planck who brings her beautiful harmonies to this play. Sister Mary Hubert is the Mistress of Novices which is portrayed by Andrea Erickson who has a wonderfully strong singing voice. Sister Robert Anne is the streetwise nun from Brooklyn is played by Caitlin Mabon who perfectly becomes this tough character completely rebellious down to her tennis shoes. Sister Amnesia, Mary Paul along with her puppet, or Mary Annette, added humor with her forgetfulness. (Think about puppet to marionette to Mary Annette and this is the type of humor for this hour and a half show.) Ann Stergiou as Sister Mary Leo, showed that even a nun can still enjoy dancing.
There is some audience participation and you might be chosen to play one of the games onstage. Be careful though there is a fine line between gambling games that challenge the players, better known as cheating and games of knowledge and skill.
The three-piece orchestra was led by Keefer Peterson on the keyboard, Theresa Vacanti playing reeds, and Vince Krysl as the percussionist added even to the spirit with their uniformity of collars. Even the props were moved by someone definitely continuing the spirit of this musical.
The show will continue on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and at 2 pm on Sundays through August 4th. Contact the theater at (712) 323-9955 or go online to chanticleertheater.com to purchase tickets which cost $ 17 for adults, $14 for seniors and $ 9 for students.
Monday, July 22, 2013
NightZone
NightZone
Steven F. Havill
Poisoned Pen Press
Scottsdale, Arizona
October 2013
Trade paperback
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0070-0
$ 14.95
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0069-4
$ 24.95
250 pages
When you retire, you plan to rest and enjoy life at a quieter, safer, pace. Isn't that the way it is for all of us?
For former Sheriff William K. Gastner. that was his plan. For many of his sleepless nights, he enjoys watching the night sky up on a mesa away from all lights and people in the desert of New Mexico. So when he sees distant headlights with small bursts of light, instantly his suspicions are aroused. Why is anyone out in the desert at this time of night when everyone else is at their home, sound asleep?
A longtime friend, Miles Waddell has plans for this mesa and plans to put his money into his dreams of an astronomy-themed amusement park complete with radio telescopes, a luxury hotel, a five-star restaurant, theater, and even a locomotive to transport people. Who could be against this endeavor?
Apparently someone is not looking forward to this new development and cuts down six utility poles that hold the power lines for this new dream. Unfortunately, one of the terrorists is instantly killed when one of the poles falls on him. Quickly Gastner concludes that this was not a one-person plot but someone drove away in a vehicle. Also this someone also shot and killed a deputy who had attempted to halt his escape.
Obviously, the law enforcement officers are scattered over a wide area and appreciative of the help from their former boss. With Gastner's attraction for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, he comes across a young officer in an awkward situation. She had just pulled over an RV and now the owner is pointing a shot gun at her. The former sheriff's quick responses save the day again.
That's way too much excitement for the former sheriff who is looking forward to the return of his thirteen-year-old godson. Francisco Guzman is a music prodigy who is returning home to play a special concert with a surprise. Hasn't there been enough excitement already?
NightZone is a fast-paced believable story focusing on an aging retiree who can't completely leave his old life in law enforcement. The characters are believable and flawed while still be likable. The action is non-stop and realistic with the crime overtaking the priorities of life. Also the idea of fulfilling personal dreams at any age is refreshing.
Steven F. Havill is an author by night while continuing his day job in New Mexico while during the day, he is a high school biology and English teacher. Previously, Mr. Havill has written novels about America's West, the Bill Gastner series published in the 1990s, the Posadas County mystery series featuring Undersheriff Estella Reyes-Guzman, and the Dr. Thomas Parks novels. This particular novel is considered to be in the Posados series but really feature Bill Gastner.
As usual, Steven F. Havill has written an enthralling mystery that keeps the reading wondering up to the last page.
Steven F. Havill
Poisoned Pen Press
Scottsdale, Arizona
October 2013
Trade paperback
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0070-0
$ 14.95
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0069-4
$ 24.95
250 pages
When you retire, you plan to rest and enjoy life at a quieter, safer, pace. Isn't that the way it is for all of us?
For former Sheriff William K. Gastner. that was his plan. For many of his sleepless nights, he enjoys watching the night sky up on a mesa away from all lights and people in the desert of New Mexico. So when he sees distant headlights with small bursts of light, instantly his suspicions are aroused. Why is anyone out in the desert at this time of night when everyone else is at their home, sound asleep?
A longtime friend, Miles Waddell has plans for this mesa and plans to put his money into his dreams of an astronomy-themed amusement park complete with radio telescopes, a luxury hotel, a five-star restaurant, theater, and even a locomotive to transport people. Who could be against this endeavor?
Apparently someone is not looking forward to this new development and cuts down six utility poles that hold the power lines for this new dream. Unfortunately, one of the terrorists is instantly killed when one of the poles falls on him. Quickly Gastner concludes that this was not a one-person plot but someone drove away in a vehicle. Also this someone also shot and killed a deputy who had attempted to halt his escape.
Obviously, the law enforcement officers are scattered over a wide area and appreciative of the help from their former boss. With Gastner's attraction for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, he comes across a young officer in an awkward situation. She had just pulled over an RV and now the owner is pointing a shot gun at her. The former sheriff's quick responses save the day again.
That's way too much excitement for the former sheriff who is looking forward to the return of his thirteen-year-old godson. Francisco Guzman is a music prodigy who is returning home to play a special concert with a surprise. Hasn't there been enough excitement already?
NightZone is a fast-paced believable story focusing on an aging retiree who can't completely leave his old life in law enforcement. The characters are believable and flawed while still be likable. The action is non-stop and realistic with the crime overtaking the priorities of life. Also the idea of fulfilling personal dreams at any age is refreshing.
Steven F. Havill is an author by night while continuing his day job in New Mexico while during the day, he is a high school biology and English teacher. Previously, Mr. Havill has written novels about America's West, the Bill Gastner series published in the 1990s, the Posadas County mystery series featuring Undersheriff Estella Reyes-Guzman, and the Dr. Thomas Parks novels. This particular novel is considered to be in the Posados series but really feature Bill Gastner.
As usual, Steven F. Havill has written an enthralling mystery that keeps the reading wondering up to the last page.
Villa Triste
Villa Triste
Lucretia Grindle
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
New York, New York
January 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4555-0537-1
$ 14.99
645 pages
In present day Florence, Italy, Giovanni Trantemento is brutally murdered and it is the job of police detective, Alessandro Pallioti to discover the motive and the person responsible for this crime. The detective explores the life of this reclusive soul who recently received an honor for being a partisan hero during Italy's occupation by the Nazi forces. What is unknown except to the murderer and the police is that the victim's mouth was filled with salt, the known mark of a traitor. Only by understanding the past, can Pallioti solve this case through using the diary of a young woman who lived in this area of Florence back during World War II.
For 1943, the lives of Isabella and Caterina Cammaccio begins with Caterina looking forward to her approaching wedding to a doctor in the Italian navy while she continues her work as a nurse. Isabella as a young university student seems aimless and quickly joins those who need assistance to escape the country.
Villa Triste fluctuates between Pallioti's investigation presently and the lives of Caterina and Isabella through a diary that he has found in the victim's house. With each page read, Pallioti views the situation and every day lives of this partisan movement. The detective quickly realizes that to solve the crime of today, he needs to know about the past.
VILLA TRISTE is a well-written novel blending the past and the present into an enthralling story. With realistic characters and historical events that were authentic, this novel excels with being both a mystery and historical fiction. Each aspect of the story is very well-organized and developed into a logical and thrilling climax in this page turner. With each development, the reader feels that they are either with the detective or Caterina. Even with a novel of this length, the intensity never lessens and is a book that you never want to leave.
The author, Lucretia Grindle grew up with half her year in the America while the other half in the U.K. Now she makes her home in Maine.
Definitely, whatever Lucretia Grindle writes, read it. You won't be disappointed.
Lucretia Grindle
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
New York, New York
January 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4555-0537-1
$ 14.99
645 pages
In present day Florence, Italy, Giovanni Trantemento is brutally murdered and it is the job of police detective, Alessandro Pallioti to discover the motive and the person responsible for this crime. The detective explores the life of this reclusive soul who recently received an honor for being a partisan hero during Italy's occupation by the Nazi forces. What is unknown except to the murderer and the police is that the victim's mouth was filled with salt, the known mark of a traitor. Only by understanding the past, can Pallioti solve this case through using the diary of a young woman who lived in this area of Florence back during World War II.
For 1943, the lives of Isabella and Caterina Cammaccio begins with Caterina looking forward to her approaching wedding to a doctor in the Italian navy while she continues her work as a nurse. Isabella as a young university student seems aimless and quickly joins those who need assistance to escape the country.
Villa Triste fluctuates between Pallioti's investigation presently and the lives of Caterina and Isabella through a diary that he has found in the victim's house. With each page read, Pallioti views the situation and every day lives of this partisan movement. The detective quickly realizes that to solve the crime of today, he needs to know about the past.
VILLA TRISTE is a well-written novel blending the past and the present into an enthralling story. With realistic characters and historical events that were authentic, this novel excels with being both a mystery and historical fiction. Each aspect of the story is very well-organized and developed into a logical and thrilling climax in this page turner. With each development, the reader feels that they are either with the detective or Caterina. Even with a novel of this length, the intensity never lessens and is a book that you never want to leave.
The author, Lucretia Grindle grew up with half her year in the America while the other half in the U.K. Now she makes her home in Maine.
Definitely, whatever Lucretia Grindle writes, read it. You won't be disappointed.
Come Home to Kanesville review
It always feels safe and secure coming home and that is what the musical "Come Home to Kanesville" does for each member of the audience. For the seventh consecutive year, this musical has been delighting the local community and will continue each night at 7:30 pm on Mondays through Saturdays with an additional family performance on Saturday at 4 pm continuing through August 3rd at the Kanesville Tabernacle.
"Come Home to Kanesville" this year has two additional musical numbers. While the focus of this story is the temporary settlement of our town that was previously called Kanesville with the actual setting in the town back in 1846. This settlement along the Missouri River was called Miller's Hollow but with the 13,000 refugees from the Mormon town of Nauvoo, things changed besides the name. After the Mormon families took three months to arrive at this new settlement, they realized that they could not continue with the soon approaching winter months and chose to settle here while separating into over 100 small settlements to temporarily plant crops and settle for the winter months. This was when four thousand of these people moved to the Winter Quarters in Omaha.
This musical deals with those settlers strictly in this area that became Council Bluffs.
"Come Home to Kanesville" is a fast-paced family oriented musical in the intimate setting of the Kanesville Tabernacle where the audience easily makes direct eye-contact with each member of the cast. The singing, acting, and dancing keeps your feet tapping for the entire time.
For the major parts, two people are cast and alternating in these roles. The voices were outstanding in their part in the performance I viewed. David Young is always the compassionate Thomas Kane whom Kanesville was named. Angie Blad and Jana Clark Anderson are both from Omaha with both possessing beautiful and melodic singing voices. Jon Fox was wonderful as Richard Martin, a part he had in a previous year,. as he became one of the young lovers. Rylie Hadley from Omaha and James Cruse from Council Bluffs were believable and delightful as the Lewis children.
The cast is very enthusiastic with roles that demonstrate their multiple talents with a blend of light-hearted humor with a story that delights everyone over the age of eight.
Due to funding, this program is not planned to be continued after this year.
This program is completely free. Presently, there is not funding for this program to continue next year.
What is there to do in Council Bluffs during the heat of summer? Why not bring your family to enjoy this fun musical in an air-conditioned facility that both educates and delights?
"Come Home to Kanesville" this year has two additional musical numbers. While the focus of this story is the temporary settlement of our town that was previously called Kanesville with the actual setting in the town back in 1846. This settlement along the Missouri River was called Miller's Hollow but with the 13,000 refugees from the Mormon town of Nauvoo, things changed besides the name. After the Mormon families took three months to arrive at this new settlement, they realized that they could not continue with the soon approaching winter months and chose to settle here while separating into over 100 small settlements to temporarily plant crops and settle for the winter months. This was when four thousand of these people moved to the Winter Quarters in Omaha.
This musical deals with those settlers strictly in this area that became Council Bluffs.
"Come Home to Kanesville" is a fast-paced family oriented musical in the intimate setting of the Kanesville Tabernacle where the audience easily makes direct eye-contact with each member of the cast. The singing, acting, and dancing keeps your feet tapping for the entire time.
For the major parts, two people are cast and alternating in these roles. The voices were outstanding in their part in the performance I viewed. David Young is always the compassionate Thomas Kane whom Kanesville was named. Angie Blad and Jana Clark Anderson are both from Omaha with both possessing beautiful and melodic singing voices. Jon Fox was wonderful as Richard Martin, a part he had in a previous year,. as he became one of the young lovers. Rylie Hadley from Omaha and James Cruse from Council Bluffs were believable and delightful as the Lewis children.
The cast is very enthusiastic with roles that demonstrate their multiple talents with a blend of light-hearted humor with a story that delights everyone over the age of eight.
Due to funding, this program is not planned to be continued after this year.
This program is completely free. Presently, there is not funding for this program to continue next year.
What is there to do in Council Bluffs during the heat of summer? Why not bring your family to enjoy this fun musical in an air-conditioned facility that both educates and delights?
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