The Katyn Order by Douglas W. Jacobson

The Katyn Order is an historical fiction set in WWII.

Natalia is a resistance fighter for the Armia Krajowa (AK), Poland's home army and she has risen up against her Nazi oppressors to take back Warsaw during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.  Germany is losing the war and the Red Army is set to take control of the situation by strategically placing themselves around the city. 

The AK's situation is bleak, their food and water supplies are running low, their weapons are out-of-date, ammunition is scarce, and their bodies are piling up.  With the Red Army stationed at the Vistula River, the AK are torn between that of salvation that they may bring or will they be captured, as once the Russians were adversaries with Germany, and the AK haven't forgotten.    As the Nazi's rampage the city, killing everyone in sight, it's up to the AK to maintain the ground they have taken back from the Germans.

Adam Nowak, aka Wolf, is a Polish born American citizen who was trained by Britain's elite, to become an assassin.  He is the best sharpshooter the AK have and proves it by successfully removing several SS officers in order for the AK to advance ground and gain weapons caches.  When Adam saves Natalia from an invasion, he cannot get her out of his mind.  When the two meet again, they become friends and she is able to bring out his past in order for him to confront his demons.

Someone has slaughtered over 20,000 men of the Polish army and left them in a mass grave.  When it is discovered, the Russians blame the Germans for the atrocity.   After Natalia and Adam find a document stating what actually occurred, they know that they must do everything they are able in order for the truth to prevail.  Will they survive long enough for Poland to remain her own country, stopping the Russians from claiming it as Soviet territory or will the Order remain unsurfaced forever?

I found this book to be well researched and had many interesting historical references.  Reading about the events that occurred was appalling, the details given were quite graphic and one's imagination has no problem recreating the scenes being described.  The heartaches and hardships of the resistance fighters gives a humanistic edge to the stories, as you realize everyone has a back story and you cannot resist wanting to know everyone's, for you don't know if, on the next page, that person was going to survive.

I liked the characters of Natalia, Adam and Rabbit, each of them brought something to the book by becoming real in the readers eyes.  Rabbit was my favourite character, here is a child who, by the fates that surround him, have become a man.  His front is a brave one and when we get to glimpse the side of him that reminds you he is but a child, your heart breaks.  The friendship between the three was very rewarding to read and the aftermath of the war may leave you with a tear or two.

The Katyn Order was a commendable read, filled with historical data that may have your researching on your own account.  I would suggest it to anyone who likes a good historical dramatic fiction.

SYNOPSIS:
The German war machine is in retreat as the Russians advance. In Warsaw, Resistance fighters rise up against their Nazi occupiers, but the Germans retaliate, ruthlessly leveling the once-beautiful city. American Adam Nowak has been dropped into Poland by British intelligence as an assassin and Resistance fighter. During the Warsaw Uprising he meets Natalia, a covert operative who has lost everything—just as he has. Amid the Allied power struggle left by Germany’s defeat, Adam and Natalia join in a desperate hunt for the 1940 Soviet order authorizing the murders of 20,000 Polish army officers and civilians. If they can find the Katyn Order before the Russians do, they just might change the fate of Poland.

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Black Widow And The Sandman by L.L. Reaper

Black Widow and the Sandman is a dramatic suspense thriller.

Shadow has a new mission, one that horrifies him.  Someone is using the children in Cuba to test a new virus that renders the victims horribly, leaving them to look like their skin has festered away to the bone.  He needs the best of his agents on this team and his best don't like working with others.

Black Widow, aka Jeanette Mason, is Shadow's goddaughter, though she is unaware of the connection.  Jeanette is a top scientist in her field of bio-chemicals, she has been coerced into this new mission by Shadow's blackmailing, threatening to kill anyone who stands in her way, even other operatives, she agrees.

The Sandman, aka Roman Tate, is the best assassin and sniper that has worked in black ops in years.  He gets the job done and isn't messy about it.  When he gets the call from Shadow, he is angry, but again, after blackmailing Sandman, to keep him in line, he reluctantly agrees.  Children are his soft spot and he would do anything to kill the monsters that created this virus.

Everyone involved has their secrets and would do anything to keep them secret, even murdering those close to them.  Who is behind this biochemical warfare and will the players get out with their lives and their sanity in tact?

This was a well put together thriller with believable characters, great plot flow and a decent ending.  I found the people involved stayed true to their nature without much deviation of character.

I found the suspense to be gripping, enough to keep you turning the pages, as well, the mystery surrounding each of the characters that helps determine their back story was exceptional.

I wasn't impressed with the sexual attraction between Sandman and Black Widow but then, I'm not much into romance in such dire situations, who has time to think about such things?  I find it always puts a taint on an already great subject matter, why add another emotion that isn't warranted?

I believe all those who love a good suspense mystery would love this book, there are very few minor problems, on the whole, however, it was a fairly decent read.

SYNOPSIS:
Children in Cuba are suffering an agonizing death. The cause-a toxin released by a terrorist organization hell-bent on genocide. The scientific community is at a loss, and the Cuban government can no longer hide the truth from its citizens. Cuba's only chance lies in the capable hands of a reclusive scientist from the country that is believed to be behind this terrorist attack-the United States of America. Roman "The Sandman" Tate is the most sought-after mercenary in the world. When he is ordered to protect scientist Jeanette "Black Widow" Mason, he finds she is much more than scientific equations. The two join forces to create an antidote and stop those responsible for the mysterious illness before more children die and Cuba follows through on its promise to retaliate.

  
** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Abithica by Susan Goldsmith

SYNOPSIS:
What if you knew you were about to be torn from your body and replaced by an imposter in a seamless switch forever separating you and the one you love? Would you do whatever it took to stay? Even if YOU happened to be the imposter?

Abithica must borrow all that she is from others: names, lives, even bodies, but only for periods of time she cannot control. What is she, and why is she compelled to fix the lives of the people she inhabits, even the despicable ones? When she switches into the troubled life of Sydney Turner, she ends up breaking the one rule that has sustained her, the one thing in her control--never get attached--and learns the pain of loving and being loved in return.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Spotlight - L.L. Reaper author of Black Widow and the Sandman

Join LL Reaper, author of the thriller suspense novel, Black Widow and the Sandman (Hourglass Unlimited), as she virtually tours the blogosphere June 20 – August 12 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

Children in Cuba are suffering an agonizing death. The cause, a toxin released by a terrorist organization hell bent on genocide. The scientific community is at a loss, and the Cuban government can no longer hide the truth from its citizens. Cuba’s only chance lies in the capable hands of a reclusive scientist from the country they believe is behind this terrorist attack, the United States of America.

Roman “The Sandman ” Tate is the most sought after mercenary in the world. When he is ordered to protect scientist Jeanette “Black Widow ” Mason, he finds she is much more than scientific equations. The two join forces to create an antidote and stop those responsible for the mysterious illness before more children die and Cuba follows through on its promise to retaliate.

Why Write?

By L.L. Reaper

Have you ever played the game Populous or Sin City? Come on. Admit it. We all have a little omnificent one within us. I’m serious. Think about it if you could create your own world with your own rules. What would it look like? World building is just one of the joys of fiction writing. Each world I build is unique. Am I writing romance, thrillers, suspense, sci-fi? In my novel Black Widow and the Sandman, I created a suspense filled world of international intrigue.

I don’t care how much some fiction authors deny it, the worlds we create contain pieces of us. Whether that piece be part of a fantasy we’ve always wanted to live, infusing characters with traits we contain or wish we contained, or even the longing to venture into foreign lands, the author is part of the book.

For example, Roman “The Sandman” Tate. I have always admired United States military elite such as Special Forces and Navy Seals, so I created a character where I could, in some way, be a member of an elite organization that kicks serious butt and takes names later. Don’t laugh, but a month or so ago when Osama Bin Laden was taken down, you know my character Roman was burning my ear saying write him into the action. As an author I often draw from reality to enhance my characters. Readers are the same way. Come on, you know there have been times when you identify with a character and place yourself in that role.

If your readers hate, love, cheer for or root against your characters, you have done your job. In Black Widow and the Sandman, I went a step further than many suspense novels go. Instead of two dimensional characters, I wrote well rounded characters with depth.  I was taking a chance, but from what I’ve heard, it came out well. You’re probably saying, “Aren’t you supposed to write well rounded characters?” Yes and no. Well rounded depends on the genre. I know the rules of the genres I write and at times step over the line, but I still maintain the integrity of the genre. At least I try to.

Enough about me. I teach writing workshops and always try to leave a little nugget for aspiring authors. No matter what your genre you write, learn the ins, outs and upside downs of the genre. Know the rules, when and how you can break them and the possible consequences. Go all out in your writing and keep reading. Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. You’ll be surprised at what you can conjure up once you get started.

 About L.L. Reaper

L.L. Reaper is two multi-published, award-winning authors who decided to write under a pen name for their dangerously sexy suspense series, Black Widow and the Sandman. You can visit their website at www.llreaper.com or connect with them at Twitter at www.twitter.com/llreaper and Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorLLReaper.

Life of Andrew Jackson by John S. Jenkins, A.M.

SYNOPSIS:
From wilderness pioneer to the perils of the oval office, the world of Andrew Jackson comes to vivid life in this scanned reproduction of the 1850 original.

Written within just 13 years of Jackson's death, this profound account gives insights into the man nicknamed "Old Hickory" because of his resilient nature. Losing two of his brothers and his widowed mother during the American Revolution, he would rise above both poverty and his limited education to become the seventh president, demonstrating the character necessary to endure the often brutal world of America's early years.

Jackson's legacy is controversial due to his support for slavery and forced removal of Native Americans from their lands. Exemplifying the rough and hardy qualities of a frontiersman, he would see success on the battlefield, including the brilliant campaign against the British in New Orleans during the War of 1812, survive an attempted assassination as president, and fiercely resist the institution of a national bank. Through much adversity, Jackson showed the world that one could rise above the ashes of suffering in order to fulfill a God-given destiny, extending his influence for years beyond his presidency.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

  

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Where Are They #10??

Have YOU seen Brianne Ruth Wolgram??

Brianne Ruth Wolgram

Date of Birth:  March 25, 1979

Eye Colour:  Blue

Hair Colour:  Light Brown

Missing Since:  September 5th, 1998

Missing From:  Revelstoke, BC

Last Known Information:

Brianne was last seen between 11:00 and 11:30 PM on September 5, 1998 at the 7-11 store with three young unidentified females at the 7-11 store. in Revelstoke, B.C., Canada. 

Five days later, her abandoned vehicle (black Accura Integra, Gold coloured rims) was found 30 kms. south of Revelstoke up Echo Lake Road, in the general direction of the Akolkolex Falls & River. 

Her wallet, driver's license and $200 cash were found in the vehicle.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES: Brianne has a light brown birthmark on the back of her right leg.

Last known photo of Brianne

Find Brianne~!!

IF YOU HAVE SEEN BRIANNE RUTH WOLGRAM OR KNOW OF HER WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE CALL:

1-800-661-6160 or 1-403-291-0705 

tips@mcsc.ca

Me And Bobby McGee by Chad Coenson

 Me and Bobby McGee is a comedic thriller adventure.

Keesey Cypher is a down on his luck, ex CIA, alcoholic gambler who finds himself lost in New Orleans the day after Fat Tuesday.  Heading off to find his car, or a card game, whichever comes first, Cypher embarks on a weird, and fascinating journey in which he follows wherever life directs him.

After stopping in for a drink and perhaps a card game, Cypher wakes up in a strange place with two of the fattest men he has ever seen, like "Burger Kings version of the double mint twins."  Cypher is a smart mouth, his witty, sarcastic and fly by the seat of his pants comments always seems to lead him to trouble, but he can't help himself, he is who he is.  This time he's gambled more than his worth and he has two choices or "shitty options"...he can die or he can run a package down to Mexico.  Choosing the latter, he decides to follow the ride and see where it leads him.

Bobby McGee is a tough as nails lady who has no problem with punching you in the face or kicking you in the balls, much to Cypher's chagrin, if you happen to look at her the wrong way.  She's a gun for hire with a business savvy for contracts, who has been hired to escort Cypher to the Mexican border.  Sexually attracted to Cypher they make a contract for sex on completion of the mission. 

After Cypher delivers the bizarre package to his contact in Mexico, he learns of the true nature of the machinations of making tequila and the cultivation of blue agava in the area and decides he wants to get into the business himself.  Taking the return package back to Bobby, Cypher kills the bosses nephew and is brought before the ancient PCP addicted old man who sees spider monkey aliens coming out of your head.

Dan Bristol is the 92 year old head of an underground organized business that even the US government doesn't know about and has been successfully running it for over 50 years.  Living in the penthouse of a Las Vegas casino, he junks himself up on PCP and trips in and out of sanity all day long.  He wants Cypher to become a bigger part of the team and after testing him they come to a business agreement that is suitable for them both.

However, all good things must come to an end and after several years, the powers that be become suspicious and the cat is out of the bag.  With the net closing around them, will Cypher's mouth save him or will it be his eventual doom??  Who does he trust now that he is this deep??  And where is there left to run??

I quite enjoyed the humour in this book, I love sarcastic, witty humour and I was pleasantly surprized to find that it didn't fail throughout the book, Cypher manage to continually impress me and never strayed off character.  I wasn't so found of Bobby, I found her to be a bit wooden and dull and didn't miss her when she wasn't in the pages, other than wondering if she was somewhere trying to set Cypher up.  Bristol was a great character, you never knew what he was going to say nor where his thoughts were going and I would've loved to have seen more of him in the book.  The ending was fairly decent and left you feeling like it could've only turned out the way it did.  The package and the underground organization, okay, that was REALLY weird, I have never heard of anyone using this as a basis for a story before, which makes author Chad Coenson, most imaginative and fresh in my opinion.  I look forward to reading more of his writing style and seeing more of his thoughts on paper.

SYNOPSIS:
Prepare to embark on a thrilling comedic adventure seen through the booze-blurred eyes of Keesey Cypher, a government-trained killer with an ill-fated abundance of classified memories who has since resigned himself to a regrettable existence, sipping away his tainted past. It is this powerful thirst coupled with Cypher's hunger for games of chance that leads him to New Orleans' coziest dive-bar the day after Fat Tuesday where one night of seeming misfortune leads to a frighteningly funny reality of subversive politics, corporate greed, backwards logic, and star (double)-crossed romance.

In this gripping social satire of modern times, Me and Bobby McGee pokes fun at the inane absurdities ingrained in our society, proving that freedom is truly subjective and karma is not just a philosophy, but a fate that is unwavering. And as an added bonus, for the careful reader and music fan, there are subtle connections throughout the novel to the classic folk song that inspired its title. In a world of terrible truths and impending doom, find out what happens when the only man with the power to stop it... decides not to.

**  Disclosure:  I did not accept any compensation from the publishers other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!!  **

Stone Sculpture Kingdom Website Review

Stone Sculpture Kingdom is one of Africa's few Stone Sculpture Exporters, they are driven by an earnest passion and devotion to African Art which renders them unsurpassed by most.

Located in small town Chinhoyi (Zimbabwe), about 40km away from the Great Dyke - the oldest rock mass on earth which gives birth to rare stone types from which their sculptures are crafted from - they are dedicated to nurturing some of the best talent there is into realizing their full potential and reflecting this through each piece.

They  believe that each artist they discover should create not just a piece of art but instead give each piece of art: life, meaning and an intrinsic value that should capture your heart so much so that you render it priceless. Because of this belief, they try and ensure that each artist they interact with views every process or step taken to create their sculpture as important as the final piece itself.

In order to always ensure you get the best service possible, the heart and soul of their warm little kingdom is driven by openness, honesty and hard work.

Every interaction is guided by these three values which they believe give birth to trust and mutual respect between them and you - their visitors.

To put it simply, if they are not happy with a sculpture or it does not meet their high standards then they will not exhibit it to you.

That is why unlike other stone sculpture retail websites which merely act as middlemen, they are always on the ground 24/7 with their sculptors to ensure they give you the best hand carved sculptures possible.

Custom Sculpture Process

Sketch 1-4 images of the sculpture you want sculpted and upload the images using the form below. Be sure to fill in all your sculpture details, which should include:

• Dimensions (length, depth & width)
• The stone you want you sculpture sculpted it
• Any additional comments

Once you sculpture request has been submitted, our sculptors will then evaluate your request and we'll send you an email outlining the time it will take for your custom sculpture to be sculpted as well as your quotation.

Upon your approval you will be required to pay a 50% deposit before work on your sculpture can begin.

My Thoughts~!!

I was very impressed with the style and workmanship of the sculptures~!  The sculptures of the animals are my favourite but equally those found in the Garden, the abstract pieces, even the Contemporary pieces were exceptional~!!

I like how informative each page was, explaining the artists, their mission and their friendly approach!  I also liked that they give extra help with things such as placing your sculpture so that you get the most of its beauty.  They also explain the symbolism of such things as placing Angels in your gardens, the do and don'ts of sculptures and so much more information that you wouldn't have even thought about!  

I thought it was wonderful that they host contests in which the participants can help to name one of their amazing sculptures or you can draw up your own sculpture and if its chosen to win, they will sculpt it AND send it to you!  

The only thing I could find wrong with their pages is that they are not very becoming, a bit dull and lacklustre, but what their web site lacks, their artwork MORE than makes up for it~!!  The "Did You Know?" tidbits found on their sidebar were quite interesting~!!

If your looking for that one-of-a-kind sculpture for your garden, home and/or office, I'd suggest you give these folks a worthy look!  Not only do they know what they are doing, but they have morals and principles and that combination alone would be well worth the investment~!

Stone Sculpture Kingdom is an established exporter of Shona stone sculpture, a sculpture genre pronounced by Newsweek magazine to be the most important art from Africa this century.

Shona stone sculpture has landed itself in the homes of various international figureheads such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles I, Sir Richard Attenborough, The Rockefellers, Jimmy Stewart and has been housed in numerous famous museums worldwide.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

Freak Fun Friday #7

DID YOU KNOW??

That if you were to fart...

for 6 years and 9 months...

You would create enough energy for an...

 ATOMIC BOMB!!!

 Isn't that a gas?? 

Thrall by Steven Shrewsburg

SYNOPSIS:
Set in the mists of ancient times, Thrall tells the story of Gorias La Gaul, an aging warrior who has lived for centuries battling the monstrosities of legend and lore. It is an age when the Nephilum walk the earth, demonic forces hunger to be unleashed, and dragons still soar through the skies … living and undead.

On a journey to find one of his own blood, a young man who is caught in the shadow of necromancy, Gorias' path crosses with familiar enemies, some of whom not even death can hold bound. Thrall is gritty, dark-edged heroic fantasy in the vein of Robert E. Howard and David Gemmell. It is a maelstrom of hard-hitting action and unpredictable imagery, taking place within an incredible antediluvian world. In Gorias La Gaul, Thrall introduces an iconic new character to the realms of fantasy literature.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Throught The Fire by Harriet Cammock

SYNOPSIS:
One Woman's Experiences in Surviving Domestic Violence

In Through The Fire, Harriet Cammock has written a captivating account of surviving domestic violence. Having lived countless years in an environment of verbal and physical abuse, Harriet recollects events no person ought to be able to call to mind. Vivid accounts create unease, knowing people are able to harm each other on such levels and call it love.

Harriet shares her blinded love, innocent assumptions, dreaded encounters, and fear-driven hopes, as she recaptures the essence of her painful memories. We journey with her through dating a perceived white knight; coping in a hopeless marriage; raising a child matured, too early, through unfathomable pain; and surviving near-fatal encounters with a madman. Harriet exposes the reader to an abuser’s enchanting personality as he unfolds to reveal heinous acts, detrimentally affecting the surrounding families, friends, extended networks, and self.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Flesh & Bones by Paul Levine

SYNOPSIS:
Pro football player turned lawyer Jake Lassiter is savoring a drink at a South Beach bar when a beautiful young woman shoots the man on the next bar stool and faints in Lassiter's arms. It's one way to get clients, he figures. The woman, Chrissy Bernhardt, is charged with the first-degree murder of her father, whom Chrissy believes abused her as a child. Lassiter takes the case, which is complicated by the fact that Chrissy's repressed memories of her father's abuse have been "unlocked" with the help of a therapist who turns out to be her late mother's former lover.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Xander Nash: The Beginning Of It All by Hunter Talen

SYNOPSIS:
Follow young archeology enthusiast Alexander Nash, as he travels and dreams his way through the various eras of our Biblical history. Will the stories of the Bible affect him, or will he affect them?

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! ** 

Beautiful Blue Eyes by Marianne Richmond

SYNOPSIS:
A child's eyes truly tell wonders, revealing personality, thoughts and feelings of the heart. Beautiful Blue Eyes, a sweet story with engaging illustrations, celebrates the unique spirit of the blue-eyed boy or girl.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! ** 

A New Prospect by Wayne Zurl

A New Prospect is a new Sam Jenkins murder mystery series.

Sam Jenkins is a retired cop from New York, however, after the local sheriff in Prospect, Tennessee is arrested for gun smuggling, Sam decides its time to get back to work.  After applying for the job, the mayor, Ronnie Shield, accepts Sam's proposal and his new job begins.  After introducing himself to his new staff and shoving his way past annoying secretaries, we come to learn the grit that makes Sam Jenkins who he is.

When Cecil Lovejoy, rich, arrogant and down right rude, is murdered, there is little love loss between the town and his murder.  However, its up to Sam to find out the truth behind his death.  When Sam's best friend becomes the number one suspect and Cecil's widow, Pearl, puts the pressure on Sam and his division, she goes outside his jurisdiction and uses her political influence to machinate his case.  Feeling his way through all the antagonists in the case, Sam must use all his knowledge to make sure he doesn't punish the wrong person.  With time ticking and pressure building, will Sam find his man or woman, before the justice system fails and the real culprit gets away?

I was quite impressed with the character of Sam, I liked his gritty, no-nonsense approach to his dealings with people and situations.  I liked his friendly, comedic nature but was quite unimpressed with his thoughts on the "good-looking" women he comes in contact with.  Though he is "happily" married, it doesn't stop his thoughts from straying, and, in my honest opinion, this is cheating.  I found these passages disgusting to read, and unworthy of a character such as, Sam Jenkins.

I loved the intrigue and twists and turns involved, wrapping everything full circle and the plot didn't leave you with more questions than answers.  I also found the back stories to be an integral part of the story, they gave insight into Sam's character that is needed to add more ambiance to Sam's presence.  I didn't like the southern twang that some of the characters had, I don't know why authors feel the need to write this into their stories, accents seldom work when your reading them.  I think its enough to know that a character has a thick southern accent and leave the reader to "hear" it for themselves.

A New Prospect is a great mystery read from author, Wayne Zurl and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a fast-paced, gripping, often comedic approach to a down-home southern murder.

SYNOPSIS:
Sam Jenkins never thought about being a fish out of water during the twenty years he spent solving crimes in New York. But things change, and after retiring to Tennessee, he gets that feeling. Jenkins becomes a cop again and is thrown headlong into a murder investigation and a steaming kettle of fish, down-home style. The victim, Cecil Lovejoy, couldn't have deserved it more. His death was the inexorable result of years misspent and appears to be no great loss, except the prime suspect is Sam's personal friend.

Jenkins' abilities are attacked when Lovejoy's influential widow urges politicians to reassign the case to state investigators. Feeling like "a pork chop at a bar mitzvah" in his new workplace, Sam suspects something isn't kosher when the family tries to force him out of the picture. In true Jenkins style, Sam turns common police practice on its ear to insure an innocent man doesn't fall prey to an imperfect system and the guilty party receives appropriate justice. A NEW PROSPECT takes the reader through a New South resolutely clinging to its past and traditional way of keeping family business strictly within the family.

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! ** 

Remembering When I Was Young by Carole Carson

SYNOPSIS:
Playful and engaging, this story opens a child's mind to a world of pure imagination where lives are turned upside-down, inside-out—kids' pants are held up by giant balloons and clouds are stored in boxes. Memory pages at the back of the book pose questions for a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or parent to answer about their own childhood, transforming it into a keepsake to treasure. The set includes a companion coloring book.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! ** 

Article first published as Book Review: Remembering When I Was Young by Carole Carson (gift set) on Blogcritics.

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C. W. Gortner

SYNOPSIS:
The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power.

 The last legitimate descendant of the illustrious Medici line, Catherine suffers the expulsion of her family from her native Florence and narrowly escapes death at the hands of an enraged mob. While still a teenager, she is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France, and sent from Italy to an unfamiliar realm where she is overshadowed and humiliated by her husband’s lifelong mistress. Ever resilient, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions of a treacherous nobility.

Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons. She allies herself with the enigmatic Protestant leader Coligny, with whom she shares an intimate secret, and implacably carves a path toward peace, unaware that her own dark fate looms before her—a fate that, if she is to save France, will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and the passion of her embattled heart.

From the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley to the battlefields of the wars of religion to the mob-filled streets of Paris, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is the extraordinary untold journey of one of the most maligned and misunderstood women ever to be queen.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **  

Where Are They #9??

Have YOU seen Lucas James Degerness??

Lucas James Degerness

Date of Birth:  January 29th, 1993

Eye Colour:  Brown

Hair Colour:  Brown or Blonde

Missing Since:  June 7th, 2007

Missing From:  Prince George, B.C.

Last Known Information:

Luke was last seen at Prince George Secondary School on June 7, 2007. He was wearing a red baseball cap, blue jeans, white t-shirt, and black running shoes. He was also carrying a large camouflage backpack.  Luke is described as Metis, five feet, eight inches tall with a medium build.  Luke was last seen Oak Street, after spending the night at a friend's.

IF YOU HAVE SEEN LUCAS JAMES DEGERNESS OR KNOW OF HIS WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE CALL:

1-800-661-6160 or 1-403-291-0705 

tips@mcsc.ca

Midsummer's Eve Book Giveaway Hop (CLOSED)

 

WELCOME to the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop~!!

Here, at Mad Moose Mama, we're giving away some really groovy books~!!

Prizes~!!

** 1st WINNER CHOICE  **

   Britanny~!! 

I follow via GFC

That's FIVE winners~!!  Of course, first winner gets first choice and so forth~!!

MANDATORY ENTRY:  What is your favourite genre/type of books??

Please leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you in case you win~!!

Easy Peasy?  Right?? 

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Follow me (DNatrlBeauty) on Twitter

 Befriend me on FB

GFC follow (found on right sidebar)

Friend me on Goodreads 

Tweet (can be done daily)

MadMooseMamas MIDSUMMER'S EVE Book Giveaway #win # books #giveaway @DNatrlBeauty @toobusyreading CAN/US ENDS 6/24 http://tinyurl.com/3z8mr9a

**  PLEASE NOTE:  I am in Canada and shipping these on my own...our Postal Service is on strike right now...there are talks of them being back to work by early NEXT WEEK...however, that is NOT set in stone...please be patient and as SOON as the strike is over, I shall give the post office another week or two to deal with the overflow and ship them then!!  I hope you understand, but it is totally out of my hands!  Thanx for stopping by~!!  **

Giveaway starts June 21st and ends June 24th, midnight EST. This contest is open to residents of  Canada and the USA. The winner will be selected at random.org and then announced on my blog and contacted via email. The winner will then have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Disclosure!

I received a product to review from the above company or their PR Agency

Opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own - I was not influenced in any way.

I received no monetary compensation for this post

New THIS Week from Home Entertainment - Funkytown

FUNKYTOWN

Starring: Patrick Huard, Sarah Mutch, Justin Chatwin, Romina D'Ugo & Jocelyne Zucco
Directed By: Daniel Roby

1976. Montreal. Eight people who wanted to see and be seen at the trendiest disco in town, will be juggling freedom and tradition, lovers and family, drugs and sobriety, fame and anonymity, until they will be forced to make sober choices in an era when excess was the norm, and when disco was king.

ON BLU-RAY, DVD &
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD NOW! 

 

The Fall Of Satan by Bodie Hodge

SYNOPSIS:
The ruler of darkness... The Tempter... the Great Red Dragon... Apollyon; the Destroyer... One being is revealed to have all these titles and more... names that reveal his horrific nature... All names given to Satan, your adversary who comes like a lion "seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Today, many question and even mock the very existence of Satan, as well as the reality of evil. Even in the Church, by and large, there are few biblical resources on the subject to counter the destructive claims raised in today's humanistic culture. In The Fall of Satan: Rebels in the Garden you will discover the answers to 35 captivating questions, such as:

*How could one created good become so absorbed by evil?
*Why would God, who is not evil, allow evil to continue to exist?
*Did sin begin with Adam or was its origin found in Satan?
*When did Satan rebel against God's authority?

Where can the answers be found to such provocative, spiritual questions that have been asked so many times over? Carefully consider the biblical response, since it is the only completely reliable foundation for information about Satan. As our absolute authority, we must reject unqualified conclusions drawn from sources outside the Bible, such as the current ideas and traditions of the culture. No believer should be unaware of these sound answers found in the Bible.

Read my FULL review at:

One Day At A Time

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **