PIPELINE
Author: Peter Schechter
Copyright March 2010
Harper Collins
Paperback $ 7.99
ISBN: 978-0-06-168742-6
310 pages
Once in a while you read a book that has you concerned that the crisis in the book could really happen and are actually surprised that the disaster has not occurred. That is PIPELINE.
Following a massive blackout for the state of California, the Russian government schemes to be the only supplier of foreign oil to the United States making this country completely dependent upon them. This is definitely a possible twist to the Cold War in the future.
As a possible solution to prevent further blackouts, the United States looks for possibilities so as not to have a reoccurrence of the blackouts. One possibility is to look to South America as a source for natural gas rather than the Middle East. Another solution would be to connect Alaska to Russia via a pipeline between the nations having the U.S. more dependent upon their former enemy. Both would make the United States more dependent upon foreign sources for energy.
PIPELINE centers with an environmentalist, Blaise Ryan and a Special Assistant to the President, Tony Ruiz. Both are idealistic, hard-working, and usually ethical in their careers. Both think with their heart and quickly react with instantaneous decisions that can easily cause further complications later.
The action is results in a fast-paced page turner with characters that are smart and believable. Even though the topic is politically based, the book reads as a thrilling action adventure novel with constant near-death misses. The characters are also real people with sincere problems that make sense. Even though you are cheering for the protagonists, the reader is vividly aware of the naivety within each person.
Working as an international political and communications consultant, has definitely given Peter Schechter an advantage in turning the political ploys into a realistic action-adventure experience. He has also worked as a consultant to many Presidents while living in Washington, D.C. I look forward to more novels in the future from this intelligent and talented author.
Teri Davis March 14, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
PREDATORS
PREDATORS
By Frederick J. Ramsay
Poisoned Pen Press
December 2009
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-59058-684-7
264 pages
Fiction/Mystery
The business world and nature have much in common. Both can easily be viewed as predators. Think about those businesses that will do anything and step on anyone to get to the top. Are they as vicious as a starving lion? Perhaps some people’s business ethics make the lion even look gentle in his role as a
predator.
Leo Painter is the CEO of Earth Global which is researching minerals rights to expand in Botswana. To become a CEO, Leo didn’t always follow the rules and ethics, on his journey to the top there was a loss, his family relationships. His stepson, Bobby Griswold, believes he is entitled to the best life strictly due
to nepotism. Sometimes assisting Bobby is his wife who definitely is always searching for opportunities to further benefit herself in anyway even if it means having an extramarital affair.
Added to this tale of the alpha male, there is the person who believes that he should be the one running the company and spends much of his time undermining Leo’s strengths and weakening Bobby’s influence with the board. Assisting in his campaign is Bobby’s wife who just wants to have the privileged lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Compare the relationships above to a pride of lions with an older lion as the alpha male being ill with HIV/AIDS. The lion knows that he will soon be challenged for the ruling role, but at what expense? Added to this is a pack of trailing hyenas that are just waiting for the lion to die. These are the parallel stories that are part of this novel.
Frederick J. Ramsay writes a thrilling journey of those who rule with the inside knowledge of the people and life of Botswana. These people live a life unlike those of their neighbors with a strong sense of ethical behavior. Obviously as a comparison is Earth Global’s unethical intentions for this country.
Frederick Ramsay has a varied background from studying medicine to becoming an ordained Episcopal priest. He lives in Arizona as a writer now.
Although the subject is unusual, the storyline of PREDATORS is enthralling and difficult to put down. The pacing is fast, the characters believable, and learning about the wonderful people of Botswana is an added bonus. Definitely read PREDATORS.
Teri Davis March 14, 2010
By Frederick J. Ramsay
Poisoned Pen Press
December 2009
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-59058-684-7
264 pages
Fiction/Mystery
The business world and nature have much in common. Both can easily be viewed as predators. Think about those businesses that will do anything and step on anyone to get to the top. Are they as vicious as a starving lion? Perhaps some people’s business ethics make the lion even look gentle in his role as a
predator.
Leo Painter is the CEO of Earth Global which is researching minerals rights to expand in Botswana. To become a CEO, Leo didn’t always follow the rules and ethics, on his journey to the top there was a loss, his family relationships. His stepson, Bobby Griswold, believes he is entitled to the best life strictly due
to nepotism. Sometimes assisting Bobby is his wife who definitely is always searching for opportunities to further benefit herself in anyway even if it means having an extramarital affair.
Added to this tale of the alpha male, there is the person who believes that he should be the one running the company and spends much of his time undermining Leo’s strengths and weakening Bobby’s influence with the board. Assisting in his campaign is Bobby’s wife who just wants to have the privileged lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Compare the relationships above to a pride of lions with an older lion as the alpha male being ill with HIV/AIDS. The lion knows that he will soon be challenged for the ruling role, but at what expense? Added to this is a pack of trailing hyenas that are just waiting for the lion to die. These are the parallel stories that are part of this novel.
Frederick J. Ramsay writes a thrilling journey of those who rule with the inside knowledge of the people and life of Botswana. These people live a life unlike those of their neighbors with a strong sense of ethical behavior. Obviously as a comparison is Earth Global’s unethical intentions for this country.
Frederick Ramsay has a varied background from studying medicine to becoming an ordained Episcopal priest. He lives in Arizona as a writer now.
Although the subject is unusual, the storyline of PREDATORS is enthralling and difficult to put down. The pacing is fast, the characters believable, and learning about the wonderful people of Botswana is an added bonus. Definitely read PREDATORS.
Teri Davis March 14, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
SAIGON MOON
SAIGON MOON
By B. J. Betts
iUniverse
February 2009
ISBN-10: 0595531377
ISBN-13: 978-0595531370
208 pages
Most baby boomers and those older seem to have strong opinions regarding the Vietnam War. Those times of civil rebelliousness caused tremendous and permanent change within our country. Everyone had an opinion about whether or not our soldiers should fight in this foreign land.
Rick Jameson, a small town Iowa boy, did what he believed to be the right thing by serving his country in Vietnam. His plans were to marry his high school sweetheart, Vickie Richards, following his tour. However, life doesn’t always follow the logical path that each of us chooses.
While in Vietnam, Rick daily witnessed the horrors of fighting in a war. During a skirmish, Rick was wounded and was fortunately discovered by Hang Le, a young woman from a small Vietnamese village. She bravely risked her life and that of her brother in order to save Rick while hiding him at the same time.
For those who fought in Vietnam, when they returned, nothing was the same. This was also true for Rick. Everyone and everything had changed. Even the relationships with others affected him. He felt more loyalty and a sense of belonging with his battle buddies than with his family. He didn’t fit into anyone’s expectations anymore.
SAIGON MOON is a predictable love story. Fortunately, it is more than that. This is the story of the times for those who lived through the Vietnam War and for those observing from half-a-world away. This is from the viewpoint of someone who actually lived and experienced the displacement and disappointments of this time period.
SAIGON MOON is from a self-publishing agency, i-Universe. As with many self-publications, it needs an editor to better develop the strong voices in the story and to check for the typographical errors.
B.J. Betts married her high school sweetheart. While raising a family, she only dreamed of becoming an author. In December on the Romance Customers Recommended Top 100 Ebooks on Ebook Mall, she was listed in the number 2 position. SAIGON MOON has been chosen to be displayed at the Book Expo America 2010 in New York City.
Teri Davis February 28, 2010
By B. J. Betts
iUniverse
February 2009
ISBN-10: 0595531377
ISBN-13: 978-0595531370
208 pages
Most baby boomers and those older seem to have strong opinions regarding the Vietnam War. Those times of civil rebelliousness caused tremendous and permanent change within our country. Everyone had an opinion about whether or not our soldiers should fight in this foreign land.
Rick Jameson, a small town Iowa boy, did what he believed to be the right thing by serving his country in Vietnam. His plans were to marry his high school sweetheart, Vickie Richards, following his tour. However, life doesn’t always follow the logical path that each of us chooses.
While in Vietnam, Rick daily witnessed the horrors of fighting in a war. During a skirmish, Rick was wounded and was fortunately discovered by Hang Le, a young woman from a small Vietnamese village. She bravely risked her life and that of her brother in order to save Rick while hiding him at the same time.
For those who fought in Vietnam, when they returned, nothing was the same. This was also true for Rick. Everyone and everything had changed. Even the relationships with others affected him. He felt more loyalty and a sense of belonging with his battle buddies than with his family. He didn’t fit into anyone’s expectations anymore.
SAIGON MOON is a predictable love story. Fortunately, it is more than that. This is the story of the times for those who lived through the Vietnam War and for those observing from half-a-world away. This is from the viewpoint of someone who actually lived and experienced the displacement and disappointments of this time period.
SAIGON MOON is from a self-publishing agency, i-Universe. As with many self-publications, it needs an editor to better develop the strong voices in the story and to check for the typographical errors.
B.J. Betts married her high school sweetheart. While raising a family, she only dreamed of becoming an author. In December on the Romance Customers Recommended Top 100 Ebooks on Ebook Mall, she was listed in the number 2 position. SAIGON MOON has been chosen to be displayed at the Book Expo America 2010 in New York City.
Teri Davis February 28, 2010
HUSH
HUSH
Author: Kate White
Copyright: March 2010
Harper Collins
ISBN:978-0-06-157661-4
$24.99
352 pages
Mystery
Lake Warren has an uncanny sense of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. First, her husband becomes distant and then wants a divorce. Now, he wants full custody of their two children. Is this the best time to be attracted to another man? Well, Dr. Keaton is attractive, attentive, and a fertility doctor. Who will find out?
This one-night-stand is romantic and exciting for Lake. She awakens to find out that she fell asleep on the penthouse terrace. However, when she awakens and reenters the apartment, she discovers that the doctor is dead. His throat was slashed. In a panic, she grabs her coat, clothes, and frantically leaves. Now, how do you contact the police without admitting that you were at the apartment?
Lake is conflicted by missing her children who are at camp and feeling the need to check on them. She also is uncomfortable about her soon to be ex-husband. Why does he need to keep getting things from her apartment? Is there a new woman in his life?
Lake works as a marketing consultant for a fertility clinic. Lake’s job is to discover better ways to promote this clinic. What makes this clinic special? The more Lake learns about the clinic, the more she becomes suspicious that something is not right. Was the doctor killed because of something at the clinic? Why does there seem to be an undercurrent of secrecy?
Her only outlet to relax is Molly, Lake’s friend. Without the kids around and just work, Lake feels the need to reach out to Molly. However, Molly doesn’t seem to be available when Lake has free time. What’s going on? Molly is usually available. Why the change? Molly doesn’t admit to having a new boyfriend, but she is really pushing Lake to find a special man.
Now someone is following Lake. Who is this? Why? Is this because of the divorce, the murder, or the clinic, or something else?
The action in HUSH is non-stop. This is a fast-read that easily could be read in a night. You can’t put the book down once you are inside this story. The characters and action are believable. You truly feel that you are Lake Warren.
Kate White is the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and has worked with other magazines such as Glamour, Child, Working Woman, and Redbook. She lives in New York City with her two children and her husband. She was written WHY GOOD GIRLS DON’T GET AHEAD BUT GUTSY GIRLS DO, 9 SECRETS OF WOMEN WHO GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT, and YOU ON TOP in the nonfiction category. In fiction she has written IF LOOKS COULD KILL, A BODY TO DIE FOR, “TIL DEATH DO US PART, OVER HER DEAD BODY, and LETHALLY BLOND.
This is not recommended for recently divorced single-mothers. If you want to read a good, fast-paced mystery, read HUSH.
Teri Davis February 28, 2009
Author: Kate White
Copyright: March 2010
Harper Collins
ISBN:978-0-06-157661-4
$24.99
352 pages
Mystery
Lake Warren has an uncanny sense of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. First, her husband becomes distant and then wants a divorce. Now, he wants full custody of their two children. Is this the best time to be attracted to another man? Well, Dr. Keaton is attractive, attentive, and a fertility doctor. Who will find out?
This one-night-stand is romantic and exciting for Lake. She awakens to find out that she fell asleep on the penthouse terrace. However, when she awakens and reenters the apartment, she discovers that the doctor is dead. His throat was slashed. In a panic, she grabs her coat, clothes, and frantically leaves. Now, how do you contact the police without admitting that you were at the apartment?
Lake is conflicted by missing her children who are at camp and feeling the need to check on them. She also is uncomfortable about her soon to be ex-husband. Why does he need to keep getting things from her apartment? Is there a new woman in his life?
Lake works as a marketing consultant for a fertility clinic. Lake’s job is to discover better ways to promote this clinic. What makes this clinic special? The more Lake learns about the clinic, the more she becomes suspicious that something is not right. Was the doctor killed because of something at the clinic? Why does there seem to be an undercurrent of secrecy?
Her only outlet to relax is Molly, Lake’s friend. Without the kids around and just work, Lake feels the need to reach out to Molly. However, Molly doesn’t seem to be available when Lake has free time. What’s going on? Molly is usually available. Why the change? Molly doesn’t admit to having a new boyfriend, but she is really pushing Lake to find a special man.
Now someone is following Lake. Who is this? Why? Is this because of the divorce, the murder, or the clinic, or something else?
The action in HUSH is non-stop. This is a fast-read that easily could be read in a night. You can’t put the book down once you are inside this story. The characters and action are believable. You truly feel that you are Lake Warren.
Kate White is the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and has worked with other magazines such as Glamour, Child, Working Woman, and Redbook. She lives in New York City with her two children and her husband. She was written WHY GOOD GIRLS DON’T GET AHEAD BUT GUTSY GIRLS DO, 9 SECRETS OF WOMEN WHO GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT, and YOU ON TOP in the nonfiction category. In fiction she has written IF LOOKS COULD KILL, A BODY TO DIE FOR, “TIL DEATH DO US PART, OVER HER DEAD BODY, and LETHALLY BLOND.
This is not recommended for recently divorced single-mothers. If you want to read a good, fast-paced mystery, read HUSH.
Teri Davis February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Swan Thieves - NYJ
SWAN THIEVES
by Elizabeth Kostova
(Little, Brown and Company//Hatchette Book Group,2010)
Artists don’t always think the same as the general public. What makes them special is their viewpoint of the world through their eyes that most people can’t see. To understand and see the beauty, the masterpiece has to be viewed in order to begin to see the world through these “rose-colored glasses”.
The story revolves around an artist, Robert Oliver, who was arrested while attempting to destroy a painting in the National Gallery. Immediately, he was disarmed and sent for a psychiatric evaluation. Being that Oliver refused to speak, the psychiatrist was astute enough to realize that perhaps a psychiatrist with an art background might be more effective in understanding the personal motivations. He recommended an old-acquaintance, Dr. Marlowe.
Changing perspective is how the story progresses with the narrative of each chapter revealing a small segment that directly affected their life with Robert Oliver. Through Robert’s wife, mistress, or Dr. Marlowe, each chapter uncovered a little more of the artist. Interspersed with the perspectives were historical letters regarding a small group of artists and their lives in France from 1877-1879. What relevance do these letters have on Robert Oliver now? All of these together, unveil how Robert Oliver lived and his motivations.
SWAN THIEVES revolves around Dr. Marlowe’s obsession with Robert Oliver’s past, artistic gift, and his daily life. Initially, he looked into Robert’s life with his wife, Kate.
Kate had been a promising artist when she first met Robert. She felt that she had found the man of her dreams. Once married, life changed slowly as the needs of the family were more demanding than their artistic needs. During this time, Robert became obsessed with painting a portrait of a mysterious woman, repeatedly in different perspectives, backgrounds, and circumstances. He also became more secretive about the identity of this mysterious woman. He also then began his habit of frequent disappearances for varying lengths of time. Who was she? Was he having an affair with her? These thoughts were daily upsetting his relationship with Kate and their children.
SWAN THIEVES is the story of why an artist would want to destroy a piece of art. Why is Robert Oliver obsessed with this woman? Who is she? Why? What does this artist know that he will not share with others? Will this talented and gifted artist ever paint again? These are the questions that motivate this story.
Will everyone understand this story? No, those are probably people who have difficulty realizing that you can’t always place a monetary amount on art. True artists have difficulty understanding the narrow-minded in our general society. Their purpose is to awaken others to the beauty of the world. Elizabeth Kostova expertly wove this story into an art form in itself. This is the world of an artist.
Reviewer: Teri A. Davis
by Elizabeth Kostova
(Little, Brown and Company//Hatchette Book Group,2010)
Artists don’t always think the same as the general public. What makes them special is their viewpoint of the world through their eyes that most people can’t see. To understand and see the beauty, the masterpiece has to be viewed in order to begin to see the world through these “rose-colored glasses”.
The story revolves around an artist, Robert Oliver, who was arrested while attempting to destroy a painting in the National Gallery. Immediately, he was disarmed and sent for a psychiatric evaluation. Being that Oliver refused to speak, the psychiatrist was astute enough to realize that perhaps a psychiatrist with an art background might be more effective in understanding the personal motivations. He recommended an old-acquaintance, Dr. Marlowe.
Changing perspective is how the story progresses with the narrative of each chapter revealing a small segment that directly affected their life with Robert Oliver. Through Robert’s wife, mistress, or Dr. Marlowe, each chapter uncovered a little more of the artist. Interspersed with the perspectives were historical letters regarding a small group of artists and their lives in France from 1877-1879. What relevance do these letters have on Robert Oliver now? All of these together, unveil how Robert Oliver lived and his motivations.
SWAN THIEVES revolves around Dr. Marlowe’s obsession with Robert Oliver’s past, artistic gift, and his daily life. Initially, he looked into Robert’s life with his wife, Kate.
Kate had been a promising artist when she first met Robert. She felt that she had found the man of her dreams. Once married, life changed slowly as the needs of the family were more demanding than their artistic needs. During this time, Robert became obsessed with painting a portrait of a mysterious woman, repeatedly in different perspectives, backgrounds, and circumstances. He also became more secretive about the identity of this mysterious woman. He also then began his habit of frequent disappearances for varying lengths of time. Who was she? Was he having an affair with her? These thoughts were daily upsetting his relationship with Kate and their children.
SWAN THIEVES is the story of why an artist would want to destroy a piece of art. Why is Robert Oliver obsessed with this woman? Who is she? Why? What does this artist know that he will not share with others? Will this talented and gifted artist ever paint again? These are the questions that motivate this story.
Will everyone understand this story? No, those are probably people who have difficulty realizing that you can’t always place a monetary amount on art. True artists have difficulty understanding the narrow-minded in our general society. Their purpose is to awaken others to the beauty of the world. Elizabeth Kostova expertly wove this story into an art form in itself. This is the world of an artist.
Reviewer: Teri A. Davis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)