Coasters & DoorStops....

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Deadlock by Robert Liparulo

Deadlock
(A John Hutchinson novel)
Robert Liparulo
ISBN-10: 1595541667
ISBN-13: 9781595541666

Hardcover, 480 Pages

Robert Liparulo

Thomas Nelson Publishing

Blending military expertise with genuine human compassion Robert Liparulo delivers a one, two punch that results in a knock out with Deadlock, the second book featuring John “Hutch” Hutchinson and his nemesis, Brenan Page.

Denver newspaper columnist John Hutchinson matches wits with ex-soldier turned military-techno-trainer, Brendan Page. Page’s company, Outis, utilizes online war games to target players who have an eye for strategy and good kill scores. These gamers are then recruited to take part in real world missions, where one shot one kill is just that and there is no reset button.

I would liken Outis to a futuristic version of Blackwater, all the soldier of fortune bravado of present day with the added technology of tomorrow. The most significant being the “mask” worn by the soldier, it’s sole purpose is to manipulate the environment, altering any element that might cause the soldier to hesitate. For example, the soldier is more likely to shoot an armed individual VS an unarmed, a soldier VS a civilian, a male VS a female, an adult VS a child, therefore, regardless of the reality, the mask “creates an ideal target” for the soldier.

Laura and her son Dillon (from book 1, Deadfall) are in town visiting Hutch from Canada. Page suddenly decides to call Hutch’s bluff – agreeing to meet with him. Momentarily torn between spending time with his children and his out of town guests or meeting with the elusive, murderous Page, Hutch opts for the latter and is off to Page’s corporate headquarters…in Seattle.

When Hutch’s son, Logan is kidnapped, his obsession is thrown into high gear, blinding him to the danger and propelling him forward through seemingly insurmountable odds.

In Deadlock, we are given a glimpse, (that will hopefully remain fictional), into the chilling possibilities and consequences that go hand in hand with advancing technology, especially when money, status and greed replace integrity, morality and accountability. The futuristic element is just beyond the setting sun of tomorrow, but not so much so that it becomes unforeseeable. The situations that play out are frighteningly similar to those we have seen on the news in recent months. The combination of fantasy and reality, creative imagination and good research have yielded an interesting, provocative novel, that moves quickly and keeps the reader involved.

Happy Reading!

Also available: Paperback

John Hutchinson book 2

John Hutchinson book 1

The first, Deadfall, followed Hutch to Fiddler Falls Canada for two weeks of hunting and fishing with three friends. However, rest and relaxation were quickly side-tabled, when he discovers the townspeople are being held hostage and terrorized. With not much more than his trusty bow and a bit of good sense, Hutch manages to save the day and the town and make a good friend in the process.

www.robertliparulo.com

Don’t forget Robert Liparulo is the author of the best selling
Dream House Kings youth series!
If you’re looking for an excellent series to share with your
tweens & teens – you gotta check out the

DreamHouse Kings!

Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Read our review
Book 4

JUST RELEASED Dec. ‘09
Book 5

www.robertliparulo.com

www.dreamhousekings.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

Dear John

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Dear John written by bestselling author, Nicholas Sparks
read by Holter Graham

An unforgettable tale of a man who must make the most heartrending decision of his life~ in the name of love...

"Dear John," the letter read. And with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives changed forever."

When Savannah Lynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets Savannah, the girl of his dreams. The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty. But neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world. Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover how love can transform us in ways we never could have imagined.

Movie-Tie-In Paperback Available December 7, 2009

Movie Trailer from Sony Pictures

Visit Nicholas Sparks Website

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Timothy Hallinan, Book Tour Stop – Nashville, TN

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I have been a fan of Timothy Hallinan’s since his Simeon Grist (see list below) – I really enjoyed that series…But, I must admit I was blown away when I read the first novel in this new series, "A Nail Through the Heart” – the only word that comes to mind was “WOW!” It’s an excellent novel, which I have read a total of three times now. Hallinan’s writing is so different from the other selections on the shelf that you simply have to read it to understand what I mean…His ability to convey a wealth of information that in the hands of a less skilled writer would bog the story down in a lot of factualized yadda-yadda- stuff, comes through interesting and informative. The city of Bangkok is more than the backdrop for these novels, it is one of the central characters – playing a distinct and very important role in the story. And Hallinan is able to take the city apart and transport it to the reader in bite sized chapters that feel more like visiting miniature movie sets, because the narrative is so descriptive. I feel in love Poke Rafferty and this is one of a very, very few series that I actually make a note of the next release date and count it down… So when I found out that the book tour for the third novel, Breathing Water had a stop in Nashville, TN – I was determined to find a way to get there!

Although Nashville is 300 miles from home…some things are just worth the extra effort – and this was one of them! And to make the trip even more exciting, my hubby actually took a vacation day so he could make the trek with me. So here’s how it went down -
Of course, I “Googled” the location of the book signing – and printed out the wonderful “turn by turn” directions. (Which I will tell you these were right on the money – down to the mileage noted for each section of the journey. I was amazed at the accuracy! It’s great!) Okay, so I now I had the directions and a pretty good idea of where we were going, what was around where we were going, how long it would take to get there and the exact route we would be taking to get there. The morning of – I couldn’t sleep – I’m like a little kid on Christmas – the excitement kept me up! So, at 5am I just gave up on sleep! But, since the book signing wasn’t until 7pm there was no need to get on the road 14 hours early! :)
So, we piddled around and finally at 11am we made our way to Starbucks – for one of their absolutely yummy Pumpkin Spice Lattes (which I love!) –

Now, we are “on the road again!” We listened to the news for a few minutes and decided that was entirely too depressing – so we put Vanished (the new novel by Joseph Finder) into the CD player and listened to that for awhile. (This is a really good book & the beginning of a new series with a new main character for Finder as well – which I will be posting a review for soon.) Anyway, we stopped a few times to stretch our legs and to get a bite to eat…then we found ourselves on a very crowded interstate with the average speed being about 85 (although the posted limit was 70) – so, off goes the CD so we can pay attention. Finally we made our way into this beautiful community in Nashville, called Lenox Village, where the Mysteries and More bookstore is located. Of course we are very early – it’s like 3pm …OOOPs … No it wasn’t 3pm, it was actually 2pm, because Nashville is an hour behind Kingsport…So we were even earlier than we thought! (haha!) Okay. So, I made my way into the bookstore, where I met the owners, Greg and Mary. Oh My Goodness, these folks are just wonderful – southern hospitality at its finest! The store is quaint, adorable and very inviting – a fantastic environment. We talked briefly and they were kind enough to give us directions to a restaurant. I took a few photos and off we went to find the steak house!

We found it and had lunch (or dinner I guess) – unfortunately, I have to say the food was terrible…a big disappointment as we had never dined at Longhorn’s. But, we weren’t going to let this ruin our trip. So we made our way back out onto the main road and to the nearest Starbucks! (That’s a cure all for all that ills you!) We spent an hour just hanging out and taking pictures of sites we recognized – i.e. Hard Rock, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, etc.)

The book signing was awesome! Absolutely great! Mr. Hallinan arrived almost an hour early (to set his display up and so forth) and I had an opportunity to introduce myself (and my hubby) and talk with him. Which was INCREDIBLE! I have communicated with Mr. Hallinan via email, however, meeting someone you admire face to face is both unnerving and exciting - - - The presentation was highly information and very entertaining, after which he took questions, signed books and talked with readers. This was the best signing I have attended yet and I fully intend to be present next year when Mr. Hallinan tours with book four of the Bangkok Thriller series!

Of course, all good things must end – and it did – and it was time for the L-O-N-G drive home. (which did seem to be much longer going home – I guess because we were tired and all the jitters and excitement are gone….now we just want to get home and stretch out, after hours and hours cramped up in the car.) Thankfully we made our way home, in the rain, safely…even though it was after 2am when we pulled into the driveway. I dragged myself into the house, was greeted (excitedly) by my lil’ Yorkie – after giving him lots of kisses and hugs, I convinced him to let me take my shoes off…he snuggled up with me and I fell asleep within 2 minutes. It was a long way to go for a book signing – yes – but it was worth it. I enjoyed it and I can’t wait to do it again. (Although I am keeping my fingers crossed the tour will add Knoxville to calendar so I can trim hours off the drive.) :)

Read our review of “Nail”

Read our review of “Fourth Watcher”

Read our review of “Breathing Water”

Simeon Grist series
The Last Four Things (1989)
Everything But the Squeal (1990)
Skin Deep (1991)
Incinerator (1992)
The Man With No Time (1993)
The Bone Polisher (1995)

Breathing Water by Timothy Hallinan

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Breathing Water
A Bangkok Thriller

Timothy Hallinan

ISBN 10: 0061672238
ISBN 13: 978-0061672231
Hardcover, 352pages

www.timothyhallinan.com

William Morrow
an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

A Nail Through the Heart (book 1) {review}
The Fourth Watcher (book 2) {review}

Breathing Water is the third novel in the Bangkok Thriller series from best selling author Timothy Hallinan, and the story keeps getting better and better…for the reader…which translates to fictional chaos and danger for our favorite travel writer, Poke Rafferty, his beautiful wife Rose and their adopted daughter, Miaow. As with the two previous installments, Breathing Water stands alone, independently strong, full of colorful characters and real world dilemmas delivered with a degree of realism that reaches off the pages into the heart of the reader. However, as a series, each book builds upon the last, taking you deeper into the lives, psyche and history of the characters, for this reason I highly recommend reading all three.

The scene opens on a late night poker game, orchestrated by Poke’s friends at the police department. Unbeknownst to some of the players the game was set up as a training exercise. When Khun Pan joins the table, he is not amused and a misunderstanding puts Arthit’s career on the chopping block. To save his best friend, Poke makes a bet with Khun Pan and wins! The prize? Pan’s biography, sought after by Thai journalists and writers for years, Pan had never before agreed to allow, much less participate in such a project. Making this a once in a lifetime opportunity. A flamboyant and controversial figure, Khun Pan is loved and admired by those who view him as a champion of the poor and absolutely despised by the affluent, many of whom are threatened by his political ambitions. Of course nothing is ever easy for Poke and word travels fast about the impending biography – While one side is paying for the book to be written, Poke is contacted by the opposing side and informed the cost of writing this book will be the lives of his beloved Rose and their daughter Miaow. Thus pitting the Rafferty family against some of Bangkok’s most powerful and influential people. And these ruthless people will do whatever it takes to maintain their status and keep their secrets hidden…whatever it takes!

In the background of this high stakes face-off is yet another link in the organized crime chain, stolen babies, modern-day-slavery and sex tourism. It is within this web we meet a young farm girl named Da and are reunited with Miaow’s long lost friend, Boo. Captured and forced to beg on the streets of Bangkok, Da is dumbstruck when she’s given a baby to care for. Bewilderment gives way to fear when she discovers the baby, she named Peek, will only be with her temporarily, used on the streets as a prop until it is sold to a wealthy family. Boo, a tough, young lad we met in A Nail Through The Heart (first novel) as “Superman,” now, a few years older and much the wiser, is the leader and protector of a group of street kids and holds the key to Da’s escape.

Hallinan merges the two storylines effortlessly, as he reunites Boo with the Rafferty family.
Together with Arthit and his friend Kosit, they formulate a complex, multilayered plan that has no room for error, each step must be executed with military like precision in order to be successful...all of their lives depend on it.

Breathing Water is an exceptional novel – showcasing Hallinan’s appreciation and understanding of Thai culture which is masterfully translated through the narrative, allowing readers a front row seat on a 300 page journey through Bangkok. (For many, like me, this is as close to Bangkok as we will ever get.) His portrayal of Bangkok brings the city right into your living room, which is no simple task as this is a city of fluid contradictions, where you can visit a message parlor type of establishment and pray on your way out at one of the many beautiful statues. For years Thailand has been teetering on the brink of civil war or total collapse, awash in every conceivable type of corruption, as organized crime bosses maneuver, manipulate and control all aspects of Thai life, from the street vendor to the political arena, but because of its dependence on tourism and this underworld control we are not likely to see such reports on CNN. Hallinan delivers the story with an unbridled passion that is intoxicating, addictive and incredibly entertaining. If you are looking for a genuinely good book, written with heart and doesn’t assume the reader lacks intelligence, look no further…Breathing Water is a rock solid selection you will not regret! (And pick up the first two installments while you’re at it! You won’t get much sleep for the next several days, but it is so worth it!)

I could say the third time is the charm – but that would insinuate that the two previous books were in some way lacking – and lacking is something you will not find in a Hallinan novel. The characters are drawn with such meticulous detail that it is impossible to distinguish fiction from fact, the emotional attachment the reader forms with the characters and your involvement with the story itself becomes a part of your life, a relationship that is missed with the closing of the cover. But is quickly rekindled with each new release…So, until the fourth installment…I wait and wonder what’s next for the Rafferty’s…

A Nail Through The Heart
(book 1 – Bangkok Thriller series)
Read our review of “Nail”

The Fourth Watcher

(book 2 – Bangkok Thriller series)
Read our review of “Watcher”

Breathing Water
(book 3 – Bangkok Thriller series)

William Morrow an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

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Cemetery Dance
Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

ISBN 10: 1600242650
ISBN 13: 9781600242656
Grand Central Publishing

Unabridged Audio, 12CDs, 13.5hr
Read by Rene Auberjonois’

www.prestonchild.com

Hachette Audio

Cemetery Dance

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have long been known for their ability to stand out amid a very crowded genre – and they certainly carved a niche’ with Cemetery Dance. Agent Pendergast has worked his share of interesting cases and had more than his fair share of close calls, but this time he has to risk much more than his physical safety…in Cemetery Dance, Pendergast dances with the devil, stepping in between the shadows on a journey that will take him places even he never imagined.

The narrative opens on the remnants of a wedding anniversary celebration interrupted by a knife wielding assailant, that leaves New York Times reporter William Smithback Jr dead and his wife, Nora Kelly (Museum of Natural History anthropologist) clinging to life. There seems to be no question as to the identity of the assailant – several neighbors within the Upper West side apartment complex readily identified the attacker as one of their own, a neighbor, Collin Fearing. But that is impossible…Collin Fearing had been dead and buried for nearly two weeks. Thus setting the stage for an intriguing tale that will take our team of detectives into the lair of a modern day cult in the heart of Manhattan.

Vodou rituals, mysticism, sorcery, within this realm the Obeah is the most dreaded and the most feared of all practitioners. The Obeah or Obeahman is believed to have virtually limitless powers, including the ability to resurrect the dead, which seems to be what someone wants the residents of New York to believe. Digging into this case, Pendergast will find some unusual characters hiding sinister motivations beneath the cloaks of the cult.

With several well known and beloved characters reprising their roles in Cemetery Dance fans are in for a real treat – however, as with their other novels, this one stands alone. So, there’s no reason to hold back – if you have never read a Preston/Child novel before, you can pick this one up and dive right in. Their writing is so spot on, detailed and character driven there’s nothing missing accept you! And with Rene Auberjonois’ providing the narration even those who have read the print version will be intrigued by his incredible presentation. His portrayal of Agent Pendergast breathes life into the fictional character, pulling him off the pages of the book and presenting him in living color. I was amazed by the depth and range Auberjonois employed throughout, going so far as to incorporate gutteral, zombie noises into the narrative. Which I must admit gave me a shudder and added a bit of “oh my” to the vibe. The audio version of Cemetery Dance (from Hachette Book Group) is exceptional and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an exciting novel that doesn’t fit into any of the pre-determined, cookie-cutter classifications. Preston and Child do an extraordinary job delivering highly unusual material in an intelligent manner that enlightens the reader and engages your senses on a variety of levels. The information revealed in the novel was so provocative, it peeked my curiosity, prompting me to dig deeper into the topics. This is entertainment at its finest, from two of today’s most popular authors. Knowing this and accepting the story for what it was intended allows you to sit back, relax and thoroughly enjoy this unique work.

Happy Reading!

In several interviews the authors have mentioned some of the “strange facts” associated with Cemetery Dance…

in Haiti, people are sometimes buried face down if there is a fear that they will come back to life.
Consecrated hosts and ground up corpses are sometimes used to make Vodou charms.
The classic prefrontal lobotomy was performed by sticking an object, similar to an ice pick, into the eye socket, behind the eye, and driving it into the brain with a mallet.

Cabinets of Curiosities (*audio from Hachette Book Group)

CLICK HERE to view a short video at Amazon.com

FROM HACHETTE:

Pendergast-the world's most enigmatic FBI Special Agent-returns to New York City to investigate a murderous cult. William Smithback, a New York Times reporter, and his wife Nora Kelly, a Museum of Natural History archaeologist, are brutally attacked in their apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Eyewitnesses claim, and the security camera confirms, that the assailant was their strange, sinister neighbor-a man who, by all reports, was already dead and buried weeks earlier. While Captain Laura Hayward leads the official investigation, Pendergast and Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta undertake their own private-and decidedly unorthodox-quest for the truth.

Novels:

Relic
Reliquary
Cabinet of Curiosities
Still Life with Crows
Brimstone
Dance of Death
Book of the Dead
Wheel of Darkness
Cemetery Dance
Mount Dragon
Riptide
Thunderhead
The Ice Limit
Thriller

SOLO NOVELS:

Lincoln Child:

Utopia
Death Match
Deep Storm
Terminal Freeze

Douglas Preston:

Impact
Monster of Florence
Blasphemy
Tyrannosaur Canyon
The Codex
Cities of Gold
Ribbons of Time
The Royal Road
Jennie
Dinosaurs in the Attic

Technorati Tags: book review,reviews,novels,best sellers,new releases,authors,Cemetery Dance,Lincoln Child,Douglas Preston,Preston Child,Bosch,Bosch series,Mickey Haller,Lincoln Lawyer

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SlimShots

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(My experience with SlimShots)

Being the new product on the shelf, combined with some creative advertising, SlimShots has received quite a bit of buzz for its ability to carve a whopping *30% off the plate without leaving you feeling hungry, so we gave it a try. Upon receipt I read all the enclosed information and then spent an hour or so researching the product. The following morning I contacted my Family Physician (HCP, health care provider) and got the green light.

What’s in the box? Fourteen day supply of SlimShots, which consists of 14 individually wrapped containers that are best described as restaurant style coffee creamers, that come in vanilla or chocolate flavors. This individual, chocolate flavored liquid contains a mere 20 calories, with two active ingredients, oat and palm oil. I know oats are primarily fiber and fibrous foods delay digestion adding precious time to the hunger clock. As for the Palm Oil, some reports link the medium chain triglycerides in the oil to an increase metabolic rate, but more research is needed.

Day 1-14
I have to admit I was excited to get started, however, that quickly gave way to a feeling of ickiness when I got my first taste of the SlimShot. Oh my goodness – the flavor is just awful…on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being absolutely intolerable and 5 being scrumptious, I would have to give this a 1.5 or 2. During this experiment I tried mixing the SlimShot with a variety of drinks only to find that doing so simply prolonged the unpleasant taste. For me the best way was to just down it quick. Over the next several days I continued with one SlimShot at breakfast, but found this wasn’t curbing my appetite, so on day 5 I added a second SlimShot pod at lunch. (This is in accordance with the instructions/suggestions provided by SlimShots.) This did seem to suppress the appetite- although I can’t accurately measure the amount of food eliminated or avoided, I made a conscientious effort to reduce the amount food on the plate and did not return for seconds. (This is a matter of self-discipline, not as a result of any product.) As far as side effects, I didn’t experience anything other than some mild stomach discomfort on days two and three, which I link to the additional fiber. I only mention it because I want to be thorough. No jitters or nervousness or anything like that – because there are no ingredients in SlimShots to cause such side effects.

In a nut-shell.
I would classify SlimShots as a maintenance tool –at best, as I don’t see it resulting in weight loss. Of course individual results will vary, as will opinions, but for me, this experiment did not result in weight loss or even satisfactory appetite suppression. It seems to me this is more a placebo effect – if you believe it is benefiting you, you benefit from it. And if that works for you – great! However, after evaluating my results and weighing the cost of the product vs the minimal benefit, and the unpleasant flavor, I could not, in good faith, recommend this product. That said, I must give credit to the company for not advertising SlimShots as a cure all but as a tool that will achieve best results when used in conjunction with proper diet, exercise and possibly a second dietary supplement. On their website there’s a list of suggestions that make it clear weight loss or maintenance must be a part of a complete “life style change.” And this is refreshing, since most diet aids make monsterous claims and rarely, if ever, suggest the need for any exercise or portion reductions.

Wal-Mart.com

Weight loss, weight control, appetite suppressant – despite the tag line attached the goal is the same, to shed some pounds, quickly and hopefully painlessly…and it is the addition of those two adjectives that causes the problem…Because we live in a society where everything is super sized and speedy fast we have come to expect the same with respect to health issues, especially weight loss. Unfortunately it seems that we are just going to have to accept the facts: 1) the weight gain did not happen over night, so conversely weight loss cannot be obtained over night. 2) there is no magic pill or remedy that will allow us to sit on the sofa snacking and lose weight 3) weight loss requires a life style adjustment, that includes eating healthy and some exercise 4) self discipline is a key ingredient, because when all is said and done it comes down to personal choices.

*The statements by SlimShots have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. SlimShots is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Parents’ Choice Awards

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Designed to help parents and caregivers of all achievements and backgrounds make informed decisions about which new products are right for their children, the Parents' Choice Awards is the nation's oldest nonprofit program created to recognize quality children's media. The Parents' Choice Awards program honors the best material for children -

Parents’ Choice Audio Award Winners – Fall 2009