This book starts during World War II and finishes in the 70's. Some plans take a long time to unfold. Sharky and his fellow Atlanta vice cops are going to do their best to keep a plan that was hatched decades ago from completing. Staying alive is keeping Sharky busy. Now I'm going to find the movie from 1981, starring Burt Reynolds, that was based on this story. It won't be as good as the book, but it should be fun. Very highly recommended.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Sharky's Machine - Diehl, William
Sharky's Machine was free to Amazon prime members when I downloaded it. It's $4.99 for everyone else. Diehl is an author I'll be exploring more. How did I miss this one when it was first published in 1978?
This book starts during World War II and finishes in the 70's. Some plans take a long time to unfold. Sharky and his fellow Atlanta vice cops are going to do their best to keep a plan that was hatched decades ago from completing. Staying alive is keeping Sharky busy. Now I'm going to find the movie from 1981, starring Burt Reynolds, that was based on this story. It won't be as good as the book, but it should be fun. Very highly recommended.
This book starts during World War II and finishes in the 70's. Some plans take a long time to unfold. Sharky and his fellow Atlanta vice cops are going to do their best to keep a plan that was hatched decades ago from completing. Staying alive is keeping Sharky busy. Now I'm going to find the movie from 1981, starring Burt Reynolds, that was based on this story. It won't be as good as the book, but it should be fun. Very highly recommended.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Lie Like a Woman - Jones, April Campbell
Lie Like a Woman is a Bree and Richard Matthews Mystery. This book was free when I downloaded it. It's $3.99 now on Amazon.
Richard Matthews is a P.I. living and working in San Diego. His wife Bree is a novelist who writes detective mysteries. Together they make a great team. The story starts with Richard taking on what seems to be a simple cheating spouse case. Of course the client and the spouse are both men, and the case turns out to be anything but simple. Suicide, kidnapping, arson, murder, and in-laws coming to visit all combine to make Richard and Bree's lives very interesting. The real problem is keeping themselves alive. Very highly recommended.
Richard Matthews is a P.I. living and working in San Diego. His wife Bree is a novelist who writes detective mysteries. Together they make a great team. The story starts with Richard taking on what seems to be a simple cheating spouse case. Of course the client and the spouse are both men, and the case turns out to be anything but simple. Suicide, kidnapping, arson, murder, and in-laws coming to visit all combine to make Richard and Bree's lives very interesting. The real problem is keeping themselves alive. Very highly recommended.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Alien Wind from the Stars - Molfetas, Dimitrios
Alien Wind from the Stars was free when I downloaded it. It's $2.99 now. I can't believe I read the whole thing. I almost gave up a few times, but just had to see how it ended. I wasted my time.
There is one type of book I really can't stand. That's a book where the characters spend more time thinking to themselves than interacting with other characters or their environment. Introspection has its place, but it should be a small one.
It took a long time to figure out why this book would be considered science fiction. Then the flying saucer showed up and the science fiction part became obvious. Yes, a flying saucer. The story continued to drag along like a grade school dance recital — some brief moments of interesting and long periods of why-am-I-here. The book was so slow I even got caught up in counting the misspelled or completely wrong words. Don't waste your time. Not recommended.
There is one type of book I really can't stand. That's a book where the characters spend more time thinking to themselves than interacting with other characters or their environment. Introspection has its place, but it should be a small one.
It took a long time to figure out why this book would be considered science fiction. Then the flying saucer showed up and the science fiction part became obvious. Yes, a flying saucer. The story continued to drag along like a grade school dance recital — some brief moments of interesting and long periods of why-am-I-here. The book was so slow I even got caught up in counting the misspelled or completely wrong words. Don't waste your time. Not recommended.
Monday, July 30, 2012
The Treasure of the Incas - Henty, G. A.
The Treasure of the Incas was first published in 1903. It takes a while to get used to the older version of English, but this is the kind of book I wish we'd had to read in literature instead of Scarlet Letter and David Copperfield. There are sea adventures, wild indians, jaguars and pumas, and all kinds of adventures. Of course this book is free.
Harry and Bertie Prendergast are brothers. Harry must become rich before his girl friend's father will agree to let the pair marry. Harry and Bertie set off for South America to find the treasure of the Incas. The adventures never stop. The dialog seems stiff, but that's the way they talked back them. This book is not for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Highly recommended.
Harry and Bertie Prendergast are brothers. Harry must become rich before his girl friend's father will agree to let the pair marry. Harry and Bertie set off for South America to find the treasure of the Incas. The adventures never stop. The dialog seems stiff, but that's the way they talked back them. This book is not for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Raven Strike - DeFelice, Jim and Brown, Dale
Raven Strike is part of the Dreamland series. This book was free when I downloaded it and it still is. Get it while you can. It's a great story. You don't have to read the rest of the series to enjoy this book.
The CIA lost a project. The problem is it's a project that isn't supposed to exist. The ramifications of this loss reach all the way from the Sudan to Washington D.C., and in ways the people scrambling to recover the project can't even imagine. Dale Brown at his best. If you love a good military action thriller this is a must read. Very highly recommended.
The CIA lost a project. The problem is it's a project that isn't supposed to exist. The ramifications of this loss reach all the way from the Sudan to Washington D.C., and in ways the people scrambling to recover the project can't even imagine. Dale Brown at his best. If you love a good military action thriller this is a must read. Very highly recommended.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy - Langtry, Leslie
'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy was free when I downloaded it, and it still is as of today. I love this book. Try to imagine a murder mystery where the murderers are the good guys. This novel is part of the Greatest Hits mystery series.
Virginia (Gin) Bombay is a widow and a single mother with a daughter in kindergarten. She's also a professional hit woman who's very good at her job. She's very close to her immediate family, who are also assassins. What she lacks is a love life. Being a single Mom is obstacle enough, but try explaining your job to prospective suitors. Then the family business goes into crisis mode and Gin is expected to solve it. How much will she give up for family? It could be her life. A fantastic book. A laugh a minute and enough suspense for any murder mystery. Very highly recommended.
Virginia (Gin) Bombay is a widow and a single mother with a daughter in kindergarten. She's also a professional hit woman who's very good at her job. She's very close to her immediate family, who are also assassins. What she lacks is a love life. Being a single Mom is obstacle enough, but try explaining your job to prospective suitors. Then the family business goes into crisis mode and Gin is expected to solve it. How much will she give up for family? It could be her life. A fantastic book. A laugh a minute and enough suspense for any murder mystery. Very highly recommended.
Hellfire - Goodhouse, Karla K
Hellfire was free when I downloaded it. It's currently $2.99. If you like military novels give this one a try.
Martina Redrick is an astronaut and an Air Force fighter pilot. Rachel Ansetti is an astronaut and a Navy fighter pilot. They never imagined they would be attacked in space while on a shuttle mission, and later team up to fly the nation's most top secret planes on a mission to save the country. This book has lots of great action. It screams to be a movie. Martina and Rachel make John McClane from Diehard look like a cub scout. My only complaint is the fight scenes are written like the author was scripting a screen play. There is such a thing as too much detail. Highly recommended.
Martina Redrick is an astronaut and an Air Force fighter pilot. Rachel Ansetti is an astronaut and a Navy fighter pilot. They never imagined they would be attacked in space while on a shuttle mission, and later team up to fly the nation's most top secret planes on a mission to save the country. This book has lots of great action. It screams to be a movie. Martina and Rachel make John McClane from Diehard look like a cub scout. My only complaint is the fight scenes are written like the author was scripting a screen play. There is such a thing as too much detail. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Watched - Hogan, Cindy M
Watched is book one in the Watched Series. When I downloaded it the book was free. This is a teen level story, but with some serious violence. It may not be for all teens.
Christy is almost 16 and won a scholarship that has her on a trip to Washington D.C. She's trying to change her image while on this trip and doing a good job until she and her group of new friends see something that they shouldn't have. Something that has them all in danger, and being watched by good guys and bad guys. If the bad guys have their way Christy won't be going home from this trip. Recommended.
A fair warning. This book will be great for some. There is just way too much teenage angst for me. If Christy had been less introspective the book would have flowed better, and I wouldn't have been skimming paragraphs at a time to get back to the real story.
Christy is almost 16 and won a scholarship that has her on a trip to Washington D.C. She's trying to change her image while on this trip and doing a good job until she and her group of new friends see something that they shouldn't have. Something that has them all in danger, and being watched by good guys and bad guys. If the bad guys have their way Christy won't be going home from this trip. Recommended.
A fair warning. This book will be great for some. There is just way too much teenage angst for me. If Christy had been less introspective the book would have flowed better, and I wouldn't have been skimming paragraphs at a time to get back to the real story.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Midnight Sun - Fredrick, MJ
Midnight Sun was free when I downloaded it. It's $2.99 now. This book is a mix of high seas piracy and romance. It's not for children.
Brylie Winston is a chef. Because of one mistake she's now the chef on an Antarctic cruise ship, the Ice Queen, instead of a fancy restaurant in New York. Marcus Devlin is an olympic snow boarder and general bad boy. He also happens to belong to the Devlin family who owns the cruise line Brylie works for. The chemistry between these two characters is really heating up when pirates take over the Ice Queen. Brylie and Marcus are now fighting for their lives, and the lives of the passengers and crew. Highly recommended.
Brylie Winston is a chef. Because of one mistake she's now the chef on an Antarctic cruise ship, the Ice Queen, instead of a fancy restaurant in New York. Marcus Devlin is an olympic snow boarder and general bad boy. He also happens to belong to the Devlin family who owns the cruise line Brylie works for. The chemistry between these two characters is really heating up when pirates take over the Ice Queen. Brylie and Marcus are now fighting for their lives, and the lives of the passengers and crew. Highly recommended.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Prince of Wolves - Loftis, Quinn
Prince of Wolves is the first book in the Grey Wolves series. It's free for the kindle. You could almost overdose on teen estrogen reading this one, but it was a fun book.
Jacque Pierce is 17 and ready to start her senior year of high school in two weeks. When a foreign exchange student moves in across the street Jacque is expected to scope him out for her girl friends.
Fane Lupei is a 17 year old foreign exchange student from Romania. He's also a werewolf, and according to Jacque's girl friends a major hottie.
What neither Jacque or Fane realize is that they're destined to be bonded mates for life. That is if the local werewolves don't change their destiny. A great teen read. Granddaughters are you listening? Highly recommended.
Jacque Pierce is 17 and ready to start her senior year of high school in two weeks. When a foreign exchange student moves in across the street Jacque is expected to scope him out for her girl friends.
Fane Lupei is a 17 year old foreign exchange student from Romania. He's also a werewolf, and according to Jacque's girl friends a major hottie.
What neither Jacque or Fane realize is that they're destined to be bonded mates for life. That is if the local werewolves don't change their destiny. A great teen read. Granddaughters are you listening? Highly recommended.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The Mind Readers - Brighton, Lori
The Mind Readers is the first in a series. This book is free. Would being able to read minds be a gift or a curse?
Cameron Winters thinks she's a freak. That's because she can read minds. Everyone but her Grandmother's mind that is. Her Grandmother can also read minds and shield her own. Cameron has to avoid any situation that could give away her secret, but when she reads the mind of a killer she has to act. This leads to discovering that she's not a freak. There are others out there like her. But are they friends or enemies? She's determined to find out. Highly recommended.
Cameron Winters thinks she's a freak. That's because she can read minds. Everyone but her Grandmother's mind that is. Her Grandmother can also read minds and shield her own. Cameron has to avoid any situation that could give away her secret, but when she reads the mind of a killer she has to act. This leads to discovering that she's not a freak. There are others out there like her. But are they friends or enemies? She's determined to find out. Highly recommended.
UnEnchanted - Hahn, Chanda
UnEnchanted is the first book in the Unfortunate Fairy Tale series. This book is free. It was a nice twist on the supernatural.
Mina Grime is a teenager who always seems to be unlucky. She's struggling to fit in and having a tough time of it. Then Mina saves a boys life and things turn around. But did she save his life? Mina discovers her last name is really Grimm, not Grime, and that she has a curse to deal with or die trying. For a younger audience. My granddaughters will probably like this one. Highly recommended.
Mina Grime is a teenager who always seems to be unlucky. She's struggling to fit in and having a tough time of it. Then Mina saves a boys life and things turn around. But did she save his life? Mina discovers her last name is really Grimm, not Grime, and that she has a curse to deal with or die trying. For a younger audience. My granddaughters will probably like this one. Highly recommended.
Friday, July 6, 2012
A Touch of Ice - Charles, L. J.
A Touch of Ice is the first book in the Everly Gray Adventure series. When I downloaded the book it was free. It's now $3.99 for the Kindle. The second in the series isn't available for the Kindle yet. I just might buy it if it ever is. The first book was hard to put down.
Everly Gray is a Life Coach. It lets her use her unique talent without having people think she's a freak. Everly has ESP fingers. When she touches people or things she can see their past, and sometimes their future. Everly avoids people for the most part, but Mitchel Hunt is a photographer Everly runs into on the beach. When she touches Mitch she sees murder. Everly is now in for more adventure than she ever dreamed of. The problem is she may not live through it. Very highly recommended.
Everly Gray is a Life Coach. It lets her use her unique talent without having people think she's a freak. Everly has ESP fingers. When she touches people or things she can see their past, and sometimes their future. Everly avoids people for the most part, but Mitchel Hunt is a photographer Everly runs into on the beach. When she touches Mitch she sees murder. Everly is now in for more adventure than she ever dreamed of. The problem is she may not live through it. Very highly recommended.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Horses Of The Sun - Owens, Leanne
Horses Of The Sun is the first novel in the Outback Riders series. A great book for teens and younger kids. It takes place in the outback of Australia. This book is free for Amazon prime members and $2.99 for everyone else.
Amy King has been banished to the outback. Her Mom and step-dad are going to be on an archeological dig for a year. Amy's been sent to stay with her only family, her aunt and uncle and three cousins at Sunhaven Downs, a cattle station in the outback of Australia. The outback can be quite an adventure. Amy is determined not to enjoy it, and she spreads her misery to her cousins at every opportunity. The big obstacle is horses. Amy claims to hate them. How long can she sustain that claim? Plenty of adventure and some great surprises. Be aware there is some tragedy, so younger kids may want to talk about parts of the book after they read it. Very highly recommended.
Amy King has been banished to the outback. Her Mom and step-dad are going to be on an archeological dig for a year. Amy's been sent to stay with her only family, her aunt and uncle and three cousins at Sunhaven Downs, a cattle station in the outback of Australia. The outback can be quite an adventure. Amy is determined not to enjoy it, and she spreads her misery to her cousins at every opportunity. The big obstacle is horses. Amy claims to hate them. How long can she sustain that claim? Plenty of adventure and some great surprises. Be aware there is some tragedy, so younger kids may want to talk about parts of the book after they read it. Very highly recommended.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Open Season - Mayor, Archer
Open Season is a Joe Gunther Mystery, and a good mystery it is. It's free for the Amazon kindle, a real bargain.
Joe Gunther is a lieutenant in the Brattleboro Vermont police department. Joe's big problem is that people are getting killed in a town where murder used to be a rare event. A mysterious ski masked man seems to be behind all the mayhem, but what's his motive? Joe's job is to find out, and stay alive while doing it. Very highly recommended.
Joe Gunther is a lieutenant in the Brattleboro Vermont police department. Joe's big problem is that people are getting killed in a town where murder used to be a rare event. A mysterious ski masked man seems to be behind all the mayhem, but what's his motive? Joe's job is to find out, and stay alive while doing it. Very highly recommended.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Occultation and Other Stories - Barron, Laird
Occultation and Other Stories was a Free Friday nook book. I was so tired of slogging through this book that I quit in the middle. It was worth every penny I paid for it. Did I mention it was free?
This is an anthology. I made it through Forest, Occultation, The Lagerstätte, and Mysterium Tremendum. That was more than enough for me. The author is clearly in love with his own words. Many many many of his words. A Reader's Digest condensed version of this book would probably fit on a greeting card. What's worse, for horror stories these weren't scary, just tedious. Not recommended.
This is an anthology. I made it through Forest, Occultation, The Lagerstätte, and Mysterium Tremendum. That was more than enough for me. The author is clearly in love with his own words. Many many many of his words. A Reader's Digest condensed version of this book would probably fit on a greeting card. What's worse, for horror stories these weren't scary, just tedious. Not recommended.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Buck Fever - Rehder, Ben
Buck Fever is a Blanco County Mystery. It's 50% humor, 50% mystery, and all good. It's also free for Amazon prime members.
John Marlin is the game warden in Blanco County Texas. Deer season is about to start and there's something going on that gives new meaning to the term Buck Fever. Between the deer, corrupt politicians, bumbling wannabe bad guys, and the real bad guys, John and his best friend Phil Colby have their hands full. This novel is a real hoot. Highly recommended.
John Marlin is the game warden in Blanco County Texas. Deer season is about to start and there's something going on that gives new meaning to the term Buck Fever. Between the deer, corrupt politicians, bumbling wannabe bad guys, and the real bad guys, John and his best friend Phil Colby have their hands full. This novel is a real hoot. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
A Discovery of Witches - Harkness, Deborah
A Discovery of Witches is yet another take on supernatural creatures. In this book's world there are humans, and supernaturals. The only supernaturals introduced so far are witches, demons, and vampires, but this is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy, so who knows what's in store.
Diana Bishop has her PHD in the history of science. She's studying old books on alchemy in the Oxford library when she discovers a volume that's enchanted. Diana knows this because she's a witch. Granted, Diana is witch who does her best to repress her ability, but a witch she is.
Matthew Clairmont is a professor of biochemistry at Oxford. He's very interested in the enchanted manuscript that Diana discovers. That's because Matthew is also a 1,500 year old vampire. That's where the fun begins.
This is a great book. The characters and settings are interesting, and the action keeps you turning pages long after you should have gone to bed. I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. Very highly recommended.
Diana Bishop has her PHD in the history of science. She's studying old books on alchemy in the Oxford library when she discovers a volume that's enchanted. Diana knows this because she's a witch. Granted, Diana is witch who does her best to repress her ability, but a witch she is.
Matthew Clairmont is a professor of biochemistry at Oxford. He's very interested in the enchanted manuscript that Diana discovers. That's because Matthew is also a 1,500 year old vampire. That's where the fun begins.
This is a great book. The characters and settings are interesting, and the action keeps you turning pages long after you should have gone to bed. I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. Very highly recommended.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted - Kaufman, Andrew E.
The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted is a great thriller. You never know what direction the next plot twist will take. This is another free book for Amazon prime members. It's $2.99 for everyone else, and well worth it.
Patrick Bannister came home to Black Lake Georgia to bury his mother. That was something he'd been looking forward to for a long time. What he discovers, going through things from his and his mother's past, begins a mystery that will change his life forever. The question is, will he survive the change? Patrick discovers that the evil that was buried with his mother was just a shadow of what's out there waiting for him. Very highly recommended.
Patrick Bannister came home to Black Lake Georgia to bury his mother. That was something he'd been looking forward to for a long time. What he discovers, going through things from his and his mother's past, begins a mystery that will change his life forever. The question is, will he survive the change? Patrick discovers that the evil that was buried with his mother was just a shadow of what's out there waiting for him. Very highly recommended.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Terrene: the hidden valley - Liu, Eric
Terrene: the hidden valley is an amazing book and it's free. This is science fiction that doesn't have space ships and aliens, but once you get started you won't miss them. My only reservation is that the author either drank the cool-aid when it comes to global warming, or he makes that assumption in this book. Regardless it's a great read.
Flora is a student. She doesn't aspire to be an institute scholar, but Flora has some questions for the next scholar she meets. Jane is a scientist. She wants to save the world and isn't going to let anything stop her. Flora and Jane are partners in an amazing effort to save the planet. The question is, will they be in time? This is a fantastic story. I can't believe it's free. Very highly recommended.
Flora is a student. She doesn't aspire to be an institute scholar, but Flora has some questions for the next scholar she meets. Jane is a scientist. She wants to save the world and isn't going to let anything stop her. Flora and Jane are partners in an amazing effort to save the planet. The question is, will they be in time? This is a fantastic story. I can't believe it's free. Very highly recommended.
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