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   <title>BOOKREVIEWS INFORMATIONS</title>
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   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2008:/blog/02bookreviews//39</id>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   <subtitle>I will send you Bookreviewa Informations.</subtitle>
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<entry>
   <title>Spiders Big Catch</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/spiders_big_catch.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1618</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>When I was in college, Spider McGee, Cha...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[When I was in college, Spider McGee, Charlie Fox, and I loved to fish off the log boom in the river near my house on summer afternoons. We'd sit and talk about life, drink hot chocolate, and occasionally catch a fish or two. But one day, Spider yelled, "Hey, I got something, and it feels big!"

Catching any fish-of any size-was always a surprise, but hooking something big was reason for genuine excitement. As Spider began to reel, his pole bent almost in half.

"This thing is a monster," he said, the drag on his reel screaming.

After twenty minutes or so, he'd gotten it close enough to the boom to get a glimpse of his catch. It was a snapping turtle.

"Ah, man, that's too bad," said Charlie. "I thought maybe you had Old Granddad there, for a second. Cut the line and let him go."

"Are you crazy?" said Spider. "That lure was given to my dad by his grandfather. It was hand-carved in Norway-and he doesn't even know I borrowed it! I gotta get it back."

"Well, how're you gonna do that?" I asked-and was soon sorry I had.

"I'll just bring him up to the edge of the boom, and you guys reach out and grab it," Spider said calmly.

Now, I'm dumb, but I'm not stupid.

I said, "No, no, no-you bring him to the edge of the boom, and then I'll try to pry the lure loose with a stick."

"OK, that'll work," said Spider.

As Spider struggled to bring the turtle close to the edge of the boom, Charlie handed me a long stick. I reached out, and the turtle's jaws instantly clamped down on the stick. I lifted him out of the water, and we headed toward the bank.

Once on shore, we set the angry turtle on the ground, but he refused to let go of the stick, the lure still dangling from the corner of his mouth. I reached out with my tennis shoe to nudge him in the back, and instantly learned several interesting things about snapping turtles. First, they're not as slow as you might think, second, they're very agile, and third, they're well-named.

In a heartbeat, the turtle's neck shot out, reached completely behind him, and bit through the end of my sneaker. Then, spitting out rubber and nylon, he turned and looked at us menacingly.

"OK, we need a new plan," said Spider.

"And a new pair of shoes," I added, looking down at my big toe, which was now plainly visible through the hole in my shoe.

"You hold his head down with the stick, and I'll reach out and grab the lure," Spider said.

It was an insane plan, but it was still a step in the right direction, I thought. At least, there wouldn't be any parts of my anatomy at risk this time. I took the stick and pinned the turtle's head to the ground while Spider got down on his belly and crept slowly toward the angry, struggling turtle.

It was then I learned even more lessons about snapping turtles. First, their front feet can be used a lot like a pair of hands, and second, snapping turtles are much stronger than you might think.

The turtle reached up and quickly pushed the stick away and quickly raised his head-now leaving him face-to-face with a very surprised Spider McGee.

The big guy screamed, which was probably the best thing to do at the time, since it caused the startled turtle to reach up with a front foot, pop the lure from its mouth, and then it whirl around and head back toward the river.

While all that was going on, the lure leapt through the air and finally came to rest-firmly lodged in Spider's left ear. He danced around in pain, but we finally managed to pin him down and cut the line from the lure. Then we packed up and loaded him into the car.

All the way home, Charlie and I would occasionally look back at poor Spider, sitting like a sad puppy in the back seat and wearing what looked like a giant hand-carved, bug-eyed earring. Then we'd look at each other-and laugh.

All that happened more than 30 years ago, and although Spider didn't know it at the time, he was a trendsetter. He was the first guy I ever knew to wear an earring, even if he'd had to get his ear pierced by a snapping turtle to do it.

I'm pretty sure they have easier ways of doing that nowadays.

From the book Spider's Big Catch
Gary E. Anderson
<a href="http://www.abciowa.com" target="_new">www.abciowa.com</a>

© Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.

About The Author

Gary Anderson is a freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and manuscript analyst, living on a small Iowa farm. He's published more than 500 articles and four books. He's also ghosted a dozen books, edited more than 30 full-length manuscripts, produced seven newsletters, and has done more than 800 manuscript reviews for various publishers around the nation. If you need writing or editing help, visit Gary's website at <a href="http://www.abciowa.com" target="_new">www.abciowa.com</a>.

<a href="mailto:abciowa@alpinecom.net">abciowa@alpinecom.net</a>]]>
      
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</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Putting it on Paper - Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/putting_it_on_paper_book_revie.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1619</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>&quot;Dawn Josephson, author of 14 books, has...</summary>
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      <![CDATA["Dawn Josephson, author of 14 books, has written a fantastic author resource with her latest book Putting it on Paper ? The ground rules for creating promotional pieces that sell books. This book discusses the development and use of contents within a media kit, and other marketing materials. From cover letters, press releases, book reviews, bios, sell and catalog sheets to articles ? Dawn covers it all.

Each chapter concludes with two brief, but very helpful sections. 'Frequently Asked Questions' is an essential ingredient to this well-rounded book because it touches on creativity and exceptions to the rule. Her section 'Key Points' acts as a summery to the main ideas within the chapter.

There are many excellent samples of actual promotional pieces, which give authors a variety of choices and ideas to use in creating the content for their own marketing materials. The samples are also precluded with notes on the construction of the piece so that the reader can fully understand the purpose of each opening, paragraph or by-line. Dawn shows many ways to tweak text for each piece and then closes with how to present promotional materials to various markets.

I really enjoyed the thought provoking quotes she used throughout the book and felt Putting it on Paper was quite inspirational. As an author who has spent a year of intensive marketing research and hands on application, I can say that several of Dawn's tips are unique and I cannot wait to try them. The information on multiple press releases, mock book reviews and catalog sheets were particularly helpful for my own applications.

I highly recommend this useful book to any author who is facing book promotion. Putting it on Paper will certainly help authors get noticed."

ISBN#: 0974496618
Publisher: Ground Rules Press
Author: Dawn Josephson

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Book Review: What Color Is Your Parachute?</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/book_review_what_color_is_your.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1620</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>What Color is Your Parachute? Reviewed b...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[What Color is Your Parachute?
Reviewed by: Matt Keegan
© 2003, Matthew C. Keegan, LLC


Finding a job today presents unique challenges that did not exist five years ago. That is why Richard Nelson Bolles' acclaimed job hunter's bible, &quot; What Color is Your Parachute?&quot; is so relevant. Taking into consideration the impact of the terrorist attacks of September 21, 2001, the subsequent NASDAQ meltdown, and the globalization of the world's economy, Bolles' guide encourages the reader to implement time tested as well as new strategies in finding meaningful employment.

With a subtitle of, &quot;A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers&quot;, Parachute emphasizes the necessity of finding one's &quot;mission&quot; in life in order to obtain meaningful employment. Not to be content with simply drawing a paycheck, Bolles encourages the reader to uncover those areas of personal interest that can be translated into a rewarding as well as relevant career. For example, if you have been a secretaryand you also love to write about animals, maybe your desire is to become a contributor to nature magazines instead.

Bolles lists several reasons why a job search might include a change in career. Some key components to consider when deciding a change are:

&#8729; We made a bad choice when we first chose our career, and now we've decided to set it right.

&#8729; We've been asked to do the work of three, and we feel stressed out, angry, exhausted, burnt out, and grumpy?

&#8729; We've decided we want to go into business for ourselves.

&#8729; All we wanted in the past for a job was money, now we want a job that has meaning?

In addition, Bolles persuades the job searcher to not rely exclusively on old strategies for finding work, i.e., sending out résumés and waiting for a response, but to utilize what hehas determined to be some of the more successful and proactive strategies including:

&#8729; Directly targeting those companies you desire to work for.

&#8729; Join a job hunter's group to share leads, receive and give encouragement, to fine tune your résumEand search, etc.

&#8729; Discipline yourself to make phone calls to companies [determine who has hiring authority and avoid the Human Resources department as they exist solely to screen you out!]

&#8729; When sending an e-mail résumE follow it up with a hard copy and cover letter, followed by a telephone call the next week to the contact person.

Concerning job hunting methods, Parachute contains one notable surprise. In his very detailed research Bolles reveals that the Internet, with all of its job search capabilities,may actually provide the least successful method in finding work. Too often, Bolles alledges, job seekers rely exclusively on job boards to post their résumEto and then theywait for their employer of choice to call them about an open position. Unfortunately, according to Bolles, the internet alone only offers a 4% success rate in finding a job when it is used as the exclusive job search method.

Bolles also guides the reader through the process of starting a business instead of working for an employer; shares interviewing tips for smarties; lists the seven secrets of salary negotiation; and discloses the secret of finding your dream job.

Bolles folksy and friendly writing style has endeared himself to over seven million readers since the initial publishing of Parachute in 1970. Revised annually, I recommend you read the latest version of his book as it speaks to the current nature of the job market.

Finally, Bolles has a companion web site called the Job Hunter's Bible [http://www.jobhuntersbible.com]. The site contains a collection of articles written by Bolles and other experts.

Overall, Parachute is an informative and even fun book toread. The reader may want to skip around the different chapters instead of reading the book straight through as it is reads more like a guide, not a novel. Combined together,the two resources should go far in helping the job seeker in his or her quest for their &quot;dream job.&quot;

Matt is the administrator of the Aviation Employment Board at <a target="_new" href="http://www.aviationemploymentboard.com">http://www.aviationemploymentboard.com</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Second Eden Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/second_eden_book_review.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1621</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>&quot;Carlton Austin has crafted a wonderful ...</summary>
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      <![CDATA["Carlton Austin has crafted a wonderful piece of work in Second Eden  - an action-packed suspense thriller with a little romance and some elements of science fiction. Its beautifully designed cover incorporates gorgeous images depicting scenes within the plot and the book is available in both hard and soft cover. I recommend the hard cover, folks. This book is sure to be one that you keep among your favorite authors on your bookshelves. Second Eden is destined for a talented director to take big screen fans on its roller-coaster ride.

Best of friends, Peter (an intelligence agent) and Bo (an astronaut), have a bond that even Peter's affair with Bo's wife could not break. Bo and some other scientists perish in a mysterious fire just after completing an assignment. The government cover-up pushes Peter to find out what really happened and he becomes torn between patriotism and humanitarianism. He never loved a woman until he met Molly ? but can he trust her? In fact, he wonders if he can trust anyone at all.

This is definitely an intelligent read; the author incorporates incredible alien artifacts, mysteries, murders, government espionage and complex cover-ups, cat and mouse chase scenes, archeological finds and ancient societies, deceit and a love story that transcends this life into the next.

Second Eden certainly has a plot that will make its readers think deeply about our world. Carlton shows us the dangers of where our science could lead. His story teaches that there are repercussions for every single choice that we make - both as individuals and as a society. He brings up social issues, like reminding us of the importance of recognizing the value of women who choose to be mothers ? as a career, rather than as a side project. He even includes enlightening views of what might happen to a soul when the body can no longer serve it.

I really cannot say enough about Carlton's novel. Truly, I could barely put it down to go to work or prepare meals! Second Eden will remain on my bookshelf for years to come and will, no doubt, be read many times by my family."

ISBN#: 0595316530 ? soft cover  0595663567 ? hard coverPublisher: iuniverse, Inc.Author: Carlton Austin

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Unspoken Dreams - Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/unspoken_dreams_book_review.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1622</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>&quot;Carol Bennett writes a stunning mystery...</summary>
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      <![CDATA["Carol Bennett writes a stunning mystery-thriller. Her chilling entrance is one I have encountered only rarely in a book. Here, we have a victim who looks like he had been swarmed by bees in the middle of a storm, but the reader is lead to believe that it was something much more ominous and that it is about to get worse.

There are many characters in the tale, but a group of teenagers that are about to graduate from high school (Mike, Jack, Jared, Jenny, Tracy, Dana, Alan) and Sheriff Nate are the main characters. The lead character, Mike, is more like a father figure for the group in that he concerns himself with the needs of his friends and becomes a compassionate leader to his community during an emergency. His girlfriend Dana, as a sweet and supportive character, gives him strength. Shy, Jenny who is blooming into a beautiful girl has a crush on Mike's friend Jack, which sends Alan into a jealous frenzy. Though James and Tracy are dating, their buddy Jared holds a secret fondness for Tracy.

Carol did a wonderful job in portraying the characters in Unspoken Dreams. I was so involved in the story that by the time Mike finally broke down in grief for his friends' death, I had tears running down my cheeks ? this was less than 2 dozen pages into the book! Mike's humorous relationship with his parents had me laughing aloud. And I felt real pity for Alan's situation.

An excellent read for those who love a good thriller with a solid rate of tension throughout the book."

ISBN#: 1413767397Publisher: Publish America, IncAuthor: Carol Bennett

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Atlanta Pastor Releases Book Of Life</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/atlanta_pastor_releases_book_o.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1623</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Local Atlanta Pastor known for his chari...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[Local Atlanta Pastor known for his charity work such as feeding the homeless, at risk youth and giving toys to children at Christmas time is releasing his first book entitled "Diary OF A Shattered Spirit". Pastor Adams says that this book will address some of the struggles and stresses that plaque our society today. This book touches on many personal struggles that people just don't want to talk about. This book gives an account of many trials that the Pastor has experienced in his childhood through adulthood and through the years of his ministry.

This book takes you into the life of a young man that overcame the torment of being molested as a child to various complex trials in his adulthood. This book also focuses on the reality of being a Christian. This is not just another name it and claim it book. This book is written carefully, detailed and with sincerity. Diary of a Shattered Spirit teaches you to put all of your trust in God period.

This book reveals the story of a man that stands when all odds are against him, a near death experience that will change your life, and a reality of Christianity that will slap you in the face!

Diary Of A Shattered Spirit
Written by Louis Adams
ISBN: 1420835408
Publisher: Authorhouse
678-913-6912
<a target="_new" href="http://www.overcomingwithjoy.com">www.overcomingwithjoy.com</a>

This man is Pastor of Overcoming With Joy Breakthrough Ministries International Church in Atlanta, Ga and husband of the beautiful Ellen Marie Adams. Also endowed with a Prophetic Ministry, Ellen Marie Adams is a native of Newark New Jersey, a powerful songstress and Assistant to her husband in ministry. Pastor Adams is on the move for God by displaying the Power Of God through faith-filled prayer In Jesus Name! As he yields to the Holy Spirit many are brought into the presence of the Lord and are healed, delivered and set free. By the Spirit, he has a unique way of exposing the secret place of the heart and awakening the inner man by the Word Of Truth. He is a servant of God that has many talents and have made a quality decision to use them for the Glory Of God. Pastor Adams also has an awesome Spiritual Poetic and Singing ministry with great testimony.]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Star - Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/star_book_review.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1624</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Tom Peters crafted a moving, educational...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[Tom Peters crafted a moving, educational animal adventure story in his novel Star. This is a dog-lover's fiction - written for a young adult audience. Any young person who loves animals, or wants to own a dog should read this book.

Without preaching, Tom enlightens humans to the plight of dogs. He brings understanding to how they see things and why they behave the way they do. The most moving moral to the story for me was shown through the main character (a dog named Star) whose owners had school, work, play and friends ? while Star has only them. It really puts their world into perspective. I was torn and sorrowed by the incidents in the kennel and animal shelter. If I have not been donating enough to these shelters before, I will most certainly endeavor do so now.

Star is a courageous, loving lab-rottweiler cross who goes through many adventures from being 'rescued' from a puppy mill, abandoned in a forest, being stolen by a trucker and used by jewelry thieves. Star ensures a place in the readers heart through his self-less rescue of a little boy and his generous, loving heart.

I do not think a reader could put down this book without being moved by the great heart that Star displayed repeatedly. There are many lessons here for young adults from the dangers in the world, to the plight of pets and the strength of love.

ISBN#: 1553521927
Author: Tom Peters
Publisher: Tree Side Press.

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Pausing To Catch My Breath - Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/pausing_to_catch_my_breath_boo.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1625</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>&quot;Debra Warren has appropriately titled h...</summary>
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      <![CDATA["Debra Warren has appropriately titled her book of poetry 'Pausing to Catch My Breath'. The pages depict this mother and grandmother as someone who I would personally love to sit across from at a kitchen table with a huge pot of tea and talk for hours.

Her style implements simple vocabulary with an honest appeal, yet her work is astoundingly moving. This is the kind of poetry that I like to read at a slow pace in order to allow the statements to really sink in. 'I think' is a good example of what I mean. 'Today' challenges readers to see beyond the mundane, by considering what others are experiencing that very moment. 'Its Never Too Late' was a moving piece about many kinds of incarceration. I related with 'Trapped', especially where she wrote, "I am trapped inside a body that betrays". 'Pausing to Catch My Breath' is a particularly beautifully written piece. I hope to retain in memory my favorite line of this poem, "Hearing the music, I dance to my yesterdays". Debra also displays an appealing sense of humor in her work. I loved the imagery of viewing cruel and stupid people as "human speed bumps" along the road of life.

'Pausing to Catch My Breath' most certainly displays Debra's ability to use uncomplicated prose to create deep emotion, intellectual thought and crisp images."

ISBN#:14137767478
Author: Debra Warren
Publisher: Publish America, Inc.

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Book Review - As the Darkness Deepens by Michael Cale</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/book_review_as_the_darkness_de.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1626</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Newton&apos;s Third Law of Motions states tha...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[Newton's Third Law of Motions states that "For ever action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."  Michael Cale's latest novel, As the Darkness Deepens, is an interesting study in this universal law as it relates to the forces of good and evil.  While this is a common storyline, Cale's strong characterization and the powerful climax give an otherwise trite subject substance to formulate a solid story.

We first meet the unassuming Christopher Jones walking his seven-year-old daughter, Sally, to school.  After hugs and a kiss, Christopher sends his child across the street, when suddenly a careening car slams into Sally, mortally wounding her.  In the terror of the moment, Christopher draws upon a mysterious power to heal his daughter, saving her life.  This act of love creates an equal and opposite reaction that literally births the story's primary antagonist.

Christopher discovers a renewed sense of self and direction.  He transforms from a soft-spoken pushover to a man filled with the need to use his new power for the good of humanity.  Eventually, word of his powers spread, and he attracts hundreds and thousands of the hopeless, the infirm, and the insane.  Christopher becomes nothing more than a pinball, bouncing off those who want to help to those wanting to take advantage and back again.

Cale, whose 2001 novel, The Room of Shrunken Souls, was an Eppie Finalist, knows how to construct a solid story.  Here he does a satisfactory job of blending the good and evil in greedy entertainment executives, religious cults, and the Catholic Church.  When all three of these groups collide in the dramatic finale, the reader is given a powerful overview of the morale fallacies harbored in day-to-day dogma.  Effectively using the dingy backdrop of south Los Angeles, he builds an array of vivid character that overflow from the 150 page novel.

Despite several annoying dialogue tics and a sometimes sloppy narrative style, Cales nails the characters and setting.  I would recommend As the Darkness Deepens to readers as a study in the evil side of morality bringing destruction to good.

Published by LTDBooks
ISBN: 1-55316-138-6
150 Pages
$14.95 Hardback, $5.00 eBook
http://www.ltdbooks.com

Jason Sizemore is the publisher of Apex Science Fiction and Horror Digest, a quarterly magazine of dark science fiction, interviews, book reviews, and essays.  You can read more about Jason and his writing at <a target="_new" href="http://members.iglou.com/jasonb/index.html">http://members.iglou.com/jasonb/index.html</a>.  Apex Digest has its own website at <a target="_new" href="http://www.apexdigest.com">http://www.apexdigest.com</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>The Letter Writer:  Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/the_letter_writer_book_review.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1627</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>&quot;I enjoyed reading this book. The charac...</summary>
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      <![CDATA["I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were portrayed very well. Jack, a multimillionaire who experiences mid-life crisis and ends up finding meaning to his life ? but it costs him millions of dollars and emotional pain. Adele is a heavy-drinking, free-living, multimillionaire with an independent mind and a sense of humor. Wendy, a single mother who finds the love of her life. Mixed up educators playing with their students' lives in their conquest and the retiring professor who resists this plot has a big secret. A married advisor carries on an affair with another man and when he is discovered, he thinks his world has ended.

I would say this fiction is a light comedy that is quite entertaining and has some romance elements as well. Author Robert Mercer-Nairne brings attention to common human frailties with a sense of fun. He clearly reveals the desire to 'get rich quick' in North American Society. Members of this society tend to hear what we WANT to hear and perceive the greener pasture out there somewhere ? rather than in the here and now.

Readers are shown the foolishness of following others blindly and the danger of where our greed can take us. Innocents can have their life irrevocable altered by someone else's desire to climb a corporate or social ladder. The benefit of spiritual leaders to help ground the characters in this novel, helping them learn to forgive themselves and move on in life is used at several points in the story.

I recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, entertaining read."

ISBN#: 0974814105
Publisher: Gritpoul, Inc
Author: Robert Mercer-Nairne

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>The Little Mornings - Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/the_little_mornings_book_revie.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1628</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>The Little Mornings, by C M Albrecht is ...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[The Little Mornings, by C M Albrecht is a murder mystery with 262 absolutely absorbing pages. We have three main characters here ? the grandfather, an alcoholic of questionable character, a slightly off balance woman (Angie) and an impressionable young man (Darcy) who becomes mixed up in a whirlwind of events. Murder, thievery and lies keep the unsteady relationship between Darcy and Angie on edge. Keeping a secret is no easy task, especially when someone else pops into the scene with inside knowledge to the truth. Darcy, unable to control the events, becomes another person entirely from the one we knew in the first few pages of the book.

Perhaps because I am a writer, and this book has to do with the publishing industry, I am partial to the theme. Grandfather's description of a writer's methods to reach their creative dreams had me laughing out loud ? because it was so true. As were the frustrated, aspiring writers and the over worked publishers. I felt the book was very realistic in this regard.

I loved the first few paragraphs ? they really pulled me in. I kept hearing Humphry Bogart's voice in my head narrating the story as I read along. I sat on the edge of an uncomfortable plastic chair 2 days ago and opened the first page to begin reviewing The Little Mornings. I meant to take only a ten-minute break from my day to enjoy the sunshine. The next thing I knew, my leg and butt-cheek were both completely numb and lifeless? and I was on page 50! So be warned, readers, this book may very well take you out of commission for a few days. I could not wait to get back to it every minute I had to spare!

ISBN#: 1894942434
Author: C M Albrecht
Publisher: Zumaya Publications.

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Bury My Heart at Redtree</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/bury_my_heart_at_redtree.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1629</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Title: Bury My Heart at Redtree Author: ...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[Title: Bury My Heart at Redtree
Author: Patrick Chalfant
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
ISBN: 1-930709-53-6

Patrick Chalfant weaves a tale that is a mixture of psychological suspense, Native American mysticism and revenge in his sophomore novel Bury My Heart at Redtree.  Redtree follows Taylor, a promising young psychology student as he builds his masters thesis around the revenge he has planned for those who are responsible for his parent's death.

Taylor is aided in his vigilante justice by his friends Elijah and Keith and hunted by the local authorities, detectives Stan Jennings and Carol Parker of the State Bureau of Investigations. With a cast of a characters that also includes a naEe, yet insightful girlfriend, a mystical and manipulative Native American chief and a business man with shady dealings that could put Kenneth Lay to shame, Bury my Heart at Redtree is entertaining, suspenseful and exciting, albeit a little predictable and underdeveloped.

Chalfant's use of Freudian psychology as a plot device is original and ingenious as Taylor uses his criminal spree as a means to prove his thesis regarding Freud's idea of the id, ego and superego. Also, the opening sequence of Redtree, a daring and bloody convenience store hit, is one of the best opening sequences of a novel I have ever read.  And I must say Gayland, the resident wealthy business man and all out bad guy is a well written and deliciously evil, villain.  You love to hate him and hope and pray that he gets what he deserves.

Redtree manages to be fresh and engaging in a genre that can easily be stale and unoriginal and that is all do to Chalfant's masterful storytelling and innovative use of the old themes of revenge and redemption.

However, Redtree does have some problems, the biggest of which is Chalfant's lack of character development.  With so many characters you don't expect to be up close and personal with everyone but the main characters, particularly Taylor and Jennings should feel like close friends, or at the very least people you'd care about if something happened to them and  that closeness just isn't there.

Chalfant doesn't offer much in the way of motivation or understanding for their behavior or their thoughts, so as a reader you don't have much stake in what happens to them good or bad.  He does a great job at portraying Gayland as a corrupt and soulless man but lacks the same depth with the rest of the characters and that lack of depth ultimately hurts the story he's trying to tell.

Also the novel gets a little too preachy, as the subplot about a high profile drug case becomes the springboard for a rant on the criminal justice system and how with enough money and the right attorneys one can get away with anything.   It is fine to feel passionate about a topic but not too many people like to be preached to and after awhile the rants about the justice system just felt like a combination of whining and preaching.

Despite these criticisms Bury My Heart at Redtree is worth your time and money. It's a good and fast read and while the surprise ending isn't really a surprise you'll still find it satisfying and fulfilling.

Tamika Johnson is a freelance writer and owner of PrologueReviews.com.  To read more reviews by Tamika or to have your book, movie or film reviewed visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.prologuereviews.com">http://www.prologuereviews.com</a>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Book Review: Seth Godin - All Marketers Are Liars</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/book_review_seth_godin_all_mar.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1630</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Let me start with a small disclaimer: I ...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[Let me start with a small disclaimer: I am a HUGE fan of Seth Godin, and have been ever since he wrote Permission Marketing and probably always will be. Seth has a very unique take on traditional marketing (he thinks it's dead) and I agree with him. A nice summary of stuff Seth knows was kindly put together by Aaron Dignan at Brandplay.com

That being said, I felt it would be worthwhile to blog a bit about Seth's new book so you can decide for yourself whether or not you want to get his book. That being said, on with the post...

Marketers aren't really liars. Consumers are. Consumers tell themselves story based on the marketing message they hear, filtered through their own lenses, and believe the marketing they hear IF an authentic message is told.

Here's what I learned:

<ul><li>You must have a product that delivers on your story if you want long-term success<li>You need to start at the fringes to build passionate users, have these early adopters tell your stories, then you can move a bit to the middle to reach more<li>You only tell your story once. Passionate users continue to tell your story, whether you want them to or not, so you might as well embrace them.<li>You will not reach everyone, so don't try to. Mass messages are too watered down and are not authentic enough to get viral and spread enough to make it worth your while</ul>

Those are the big takeaways I got from Seth's book. You can read his blog at allmarketersareliars.com or buy the book from the world's greatest online bookstore, 800CEOREAD.com.

I hope you'll make your own judgment about this book and check it out for yourself. If not, that's fine too. Maybe this book wasn't meant for you.

Phil Gerbyshak leads a team as manager of an IT Help Desk in Milwaukee, WI, and finds that sharing his knowledge is a crucial component for in his success as a leader and as a person. Phil's personal philosophy is paraphrased from Tim Sanders' fantastic book Love is the Killer App: "Share your knowledge, your network, and your love. The rest will follow." Feel free to contact Phil at <a target="_new" href="http://makeitgreat.org">http://makeitgreat.org</a> or call 414.640.7445 anytime.]]>
      
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</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Jason Seeleys War - Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/jason_seeleys_war_book_review.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1631</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>&quot;Jason Seeley&apos;s War&quot; is centered in the ...</summary>
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      <![CDATA["Jason Seeley's War" is centered in the heart of a small American town where two youth are deeply in love, and have been since high-school. Jason and Natalie's love runs with a flexible strength that endures her recovery from a horrible drug addiction. A very promising athlete and student, Jason is welcomed to University, but Natalie won't let him go without extracting a promise from him to stay faithful to the love of his life. This promise ? he meant to keep. But then the Vietnam War happened and Jason was assigned a draft number just before graduation. He knew government agents were about to collect.

Jason was forced to go against his patriotic upbringing because he refused to play a part in a war that he did not support. Now labeled a 'draft dodger' Jason is a fugitive in America and for his own safety he runs to Canada. Luckily, he stumbles on an underground organization that attempts to protect people like him from FBI Agents. Jason eventually begins a new life dream of becoming a history professor through the help of kind friends. However, he fears this new dream will mean leaving behind everything and everyone he ever loved. Jason is haunted day and night by the question 'Will he ever be with Natalie again?'.

I felt that Dean Salter did a wonderful job portraying this aspect of war. How this young man running from a war he could not believe in, tore families apart. The community was also torn in their perception of this 'criminal' in their midst. New customs, new friends ? a new life to try to fit into somehow, without the people he grew up with confused this frightened young man. Betrayal and grievances create miscommunications and a rift between his family begins that may never be repaired. Strangers along the way helping in the capacity they could at that time, never fully realizing their small aide was a turning point for this young man's journey. This is a side of the story of war that is rarely told so eloquently.

ISBN#: 0973066318
Publisher: Still Meadow Press
Author: Dean Salter

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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</entry>
<entry>
   <title>The Seventh Jewel - Book Review</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hiroseno.com/blog/02bookreviews/2007/05/the_seventh_jewel_book_review.php" />
   <id>tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/02bookreviews//39.1632</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-05T12:09:37Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-05T03:01:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>The Seventh Jewel is a fantasy-adventure...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[The Seventh Jewel is a fantasy-adventure fiction geared for youth (ages 11 and up). J.J. Pritchard crammed several tantalizing elements in only 278 pages. The reader is taken on a journey that involves a treasure hunt, a noble quest and the discovery of an ancient civilization. The author touches upon family relationships, dealing with death and coming to terms with loosing a limb. The Seventh Jewel is also an educational book that brings up serious issues from poverty to discrimination. Mr. Pritchard's approach to encourage readers to use his glossary of the ancient Inca language was very well done.

J.J. Pritchard, author of 6 books including The Seventh Jewel, has participated in a climbing expedition in Peru. His first hand knowledge of Peru, global warming and ancient Inca history is shown by tasteful and accurate use of facts. He couples this with highly plausible events throughout the story, making this book very well rounded, unique and realistic.

There are four main characters: Emma, a gutsy and witty teenage amputee, teaches the reader understanding and respect for what amputees experience. I think she could be a role model for many readers. Joel, her brave 11-year-old brother, displays a loyal adventurous heart. Uncle Jake, a well-connected treasure hunter by trade, plays the part of a hero and protector during a few points in the story. Estrella, a beautiful professor, has a chip on her shoulder that begins to melt when she meets Uncle Jake. Her life long dream is to honor her people by discovering the mysterious jewel of the Ancient Inca.

They are all thrown together when scientists discover that knowledge of an extremely rare element may exist in the ancient records of the Inca. This element has the potential to combat global warming and it is worth an inconceivable amount of money. Because of this value, people of questionable character are attracted to treasure hunt ? but they play by their own rules and answer to their own ethics.

The Seventh Jewel was an exceptional read. I highly encourage readers to pick up a copy of J.J. Pritchard's latest book. You won't be disappointed!

ISBN#: 0595336744
Author: J. J. Pritchard 
Publisher: iUniverse

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment ­ Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
<a href="http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit" target="_new">http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit</a>]]>
      
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