Fast Friends by Susan Dunlap

Open Road Media

 

Book Review

The story begins with Liza Sylvestri’s plans for a romantic weekend with her husband Jay.  They have been living the high life in California, Malibu home and all.  She waits for him at their loft, located in a deserted area of L.A., and she hides so she can see the look on his face when he enters the room and sees the surprise she has painstakingly planned for him. 

Shortly after he enters the loft, venture capitalist Jay is shot in the back and dies in Liza’s arms.  She is now on the run to save herself from the assailants, a crooked cop and some insane political extremists.  They all have one goal – get Liza and find the container of arms that was Jay’s last venture. From this point forward the story goes at full throttle, through city, back roads and small towns.  You find yourself trying to catch your breath between incidents and it is almost impossible.

Liza’s college friend Ellen finds herself caught up in the madness, innocently at first, less so later.  How their friendship deepens, how their roles somewhat reverse, and how in order to survive each woman summons up courage and strength that she didn’t know she had, makes this a story also about women on a journey of self-discovery and friendship.

This journey of friendship and self-discovery is very neatly woven through the plot and in no way does it detract from this book being a thriller or the breakneck speed of the telling.

I read this book in two nights; I simply could not read it fast enough.  Fast Friends is a great, fun and satisfying read.  Don’t miss out.

Waiting for the Storm to Pass by Bill Johnstone

Amazon/Createspace

Book Review

This story starts with Mike McCabe sorting through his belongings on his barge/houseboat as he is preparing to leave London for Washington, to become US editor-at-large for the London Daily Herald. He is going back to Washington to dig further into a story that he had previously worked on. He manages to retrieve the files of the private detective, McKendrick, who had also been working on the case and was shot dead during the investigation. In the detective's files he comes across information about one of McKendrick's first cases. The unsolved murder of two young girls who had left home for the bright lights of New York and he decides to pursue this investigation.

Just prior to McCabe's arrival, a murder occurs on a tour boat and a body is found in the river.  This brings Detective Kovarik onto the scene to investigate.  McCabe and Kovarik have a history from a previous novel. It’s not necessary to have read that book first; Waiting for the Storm to Pass stands alone.

At this point we have two investigations and two story lines developing in parallel. However, unless you have never read a mystery you know that there exists a vanishing point and the two stories are destined to intersect. 

The intersection occurs in the seventeenth chapter and from this reader’s point of view that was too far into the book. That the characters in the story only begin to see the connection between the two investigations at this point is fine and logical, because there is no obvious interaction between them.  I think it should be more blatantly evident to the reader what the connection is before this. I found it annoying to alternate back and forth between stories when it was for just a few paragraphs. I  preferred reading full chapters of one story line and then switching. This parallel style may have been chosen in an attempt to draw out the story lines in order to add suspense and tension. I hope not, because I found the effect to be diluting to any build-up of tension and suspense. A few times I found myself thinking, “Get on with it.”

That was too bad because I liked the characters of McCabe and Kovarik. They are interesting, well developed and it’s pretty hard not to like them.  Strangely, the story is written in a "soft tone", a bit unusual for a story about murder, money and power.

Waiting for the Storm to Pass is an easy and enjoyable read. If you are looking for a nail-biting, page turner that you can't put down you might want to leave this book for another day. However, don't ignore it completely, it's a good read.


 

Customer Service with the Three Stooges

So my day off last Friday was spectacular, between thunder, lightning, tornado force winds and pelting rain, it was a joy.  I went to Costco in the morning expecting the place to be not too busy, during a week day and all that. WRONG.  But at least there they know what customer service is and they opened up a whole lot of cashes and the lines cleared very quickly.  Then there was my experience with my cell phone service provider. 

When I went out in the morning, I went to their store near my home to cancel my daughter’s phone since she had bought an IPhone, and my service provider doesn’t provide service for IPhones.  Well apparently you can’t make changes to your service at the store; you have to do it by phone.  So when the sky started to get ominously dark around 3 pm, I decided this would be a good time to phone.  I got a very nice customer service representative, a very polite individual.  I explained to him what I needed to do and why.  He explained to me the penalty for the unpaid portion of the phone and suggested a suitable new plan for me.  Then he confirmed the order with me and put me on hold.  I stayed on hold for I don’t know how long.  He came back to check to make sure he had everything correct.  He didn’t; we fixed that.  He put me on hold.  Then he came back and thanked me for waiting. He put me on hold. Then he came back and told me he would have to transfer me to a colleague.  He put me on hold. Then I spoke to the colleague who confirmed everything I had already told the other guy. Again it was wrong. Again I corrected it. He also put me on hold. Then he came back and I told him that after 45 minutes of being on the phone I had to go out and he should do what he had to do and leave me a message to confirm that he had done it.

I went to pick up my granddaughter in the storm. I usually pick up my daughter first so after my granddaughter was safely in the car I sent my daughter a text to say I’d be late. A bit later, while I was stuck in traffic, I decided to check my phone to see if she had seen the message. The text wasn’t sent. Reason – my phone was out of service! They had cancelled the wrong phone. We had only verified at least three times which phone to cancel. My blood pressure at this point goes through the roof, because all I can think of is, what if the residence (where my elderly father who hasn’t been doing well is) is trying to contact me.

I got home and phoned the cell phone service provider again.  Of course I get someone else and have to go through the whole spiel again.  Oh yes, he can fix this – no problem madam.  He took all the information. He put me on hold. After being on the phone and on hold with him for over half an hour he tells me it will be fixed in a few minutes and to take the SIM card out of my phone and restart the phone.  He will call me to make sure everything is okay.  I did what he told me and then waited.  I check my phone, still no service.  My daughter called my number – it rings on her old Blackberry!  Madam, by this time is furious.  Of course the guy never called back.

I call the cell phone service provider for the third time.  Again I’m on the phone for at least twenty minutes; again I get put on hold at least three times.  End result, they can’t resolve the issue.  They tell me to go to one of their stores (which, if you remember, was where I had started out in the first place in the morning) with the two phones.  I leave the house ready to kill someone or at the very least make them suffer profoundly. 

I get served by a very nice young woman who looks at me and says “Just switch the SIM cards.” We did that.  It worked.  So what the hell do they have technicians for?!? 

I went home and finished the bottle of Vodka I had in the cupboard.

The next day I  received an email survey from my cell phone service provider asking me about my “Customer Service experience”.  Man if my response didn’t burn up the email wires nothing will.

So, this past week was rife with less than exemplary customer service experiences.  Except of course for the police officer that gave me the speeding ticket, she was very efficient.  Thankfully, there was no vodka involved in that incident.

I think I could write a book about everything that is going on in my life at the moment.  But first I need to buy some more vodka.

Cooking Your Way to Gorgeous by Scott-Vincent Borba

HCI Books

Book Review

This isn’t the type of book that I normally read, but when I saw this one on NetGalley I thought I would give it a try since it piqued my interest. 

The title includes the word cooking, so at first glance this would appear to be a cookbook, and it is.  But it is also a beauty book on how to take care of your body starting from the inside and working towards the surface so to speak.   The author, Scott-Vincent Borba, shares some of the easy methods and techniques he developed and uses with Hollywood stars.  He suffered for years from cystic acne so he appears to have empathy for others who are self-conscious about their appearance.

 

Included are recipes for scrubs and facials for common skin problems and hair treatments that can be made using items you will find in your fridge or pantry.  Pretty much all the treatments are easy, simple and fairly economical to make, unlike most products you will find at the cosmetic counter. I haven’t tried any of the facial masks or scrubs included in the book, but I am now using rosewater on my face and I find it to be refreshing and soothing.  I have tried a number of the grain and salad recipes and they were easy to follow and tasty.

 

I like the approach he takes in the book; first explaining what foods are good for your hair, eyes, wrinkles etc. and which particular nutrient in that food is good for that area or problem.  I am not a nutritional expert, but the explanations and nutritional information are reasonable and don’t make any outlandish claims. 

 

As noted in the disclaimer at the beginning of the book, each one of us has a unique reaction to individual foods we ingest or to anything applied to our skin, so there is no guarantee anything in the book will work for you but it shouldn’t harm most people.   

Mr. Borba has a wry sense of humour that adds to the pleasure of reading the well-thought out and presented information he provides. Though I would have one question for Mr. Borba if I were to meet him.  If I follow the information in the book, do I still need to buy the skin care products that bear his name or is that just that wry sense of humour?

Rainbow Panda and the Firecracker Fiasco by Eileen Wacker

ONCEKids Publishing

Book Review

Rainbow Panda is the 6^th book in a cross-cultural series called the Fujimini Adventure Series.  This is the only book I have read in the series so I can’t comment on the others, but this book is a great resource for classroom and home to learn about Chinese New Year and Asian culture in general.

 

The traditions and customs of Chinese New Year are introduced through the character Rainbow Panda. The young panda wants so badly to be a hero. To this end he devises a plan, knowingly ignoring the advice of Black Panda as well as his hamster sidekicks, with predictably disastrous results.  The basic lesson is taught in a straight forward manner with a touch of humour and without being preachy. We learn that isn’t always easy to choose between right and wrong and that we have to take responsibility for our actions.

 

The book is divided into two parts; first the story and then a glossary describing some aspects of Asian culture, tradition and values. This book is a great tool for parents or educators, and more importantly, a relatable fun read for kids.

Ivy in Bloom and Ivan's Great Fall - both by Vanita Oelschlager

The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers of the Past (Ivy in Bloom)

Poetry for Summer and Autumn from Great Poets and Writers of the Past (Ivan's Great Fall)

Both books illustrated by Kristin Blackwood

Published by Vanita Books

Book Review

First I’ve got to say I love Vanita Oelschlager books, but even more importantly, so does my six year old granddaughter who is really the target audience.  Vanita’s books are great learning tools for use by a parent or educator to help with many of life’s challenges and experiences. They seem to always leave you smiling.

I put these two books together in one review because they obviously go hand in hand for discussions about seasons or perhaps talking about weather during circle time at preschool or kindergarten.  Winter weary Ivy is anxious for spring to arrive in all its glorious colors and for the return of flowers and birds.  Ivan is sad to see summer fading, but after some reflection, he realizes that fall is about friends and returning to school amidst different but still vibrant colors. Oh and Halloween – we can’t forget Halloween. 

The author helps children to explore and express their feelings about the changing seasons and change in general, through the use of short excerpts from poems by Dickinson, Bronte, Frost, Keats and others. The illustrations by Kristin Blackwood are bright and whimsical and add to the atmosphere created by the words. 

All in all, if the name Vanita Oelschlager is on the cover, you can be pretty confident you have a winner.

 

Secret Bond by Gemma Halliday and Jennifer Fischetto

Jamie Bond Mysteries book #2
Gemma Halliday Publishing

Book Review

Fans of Stephanie Plum – meet Jamie Bond, a young, female, private investigator who took over her dad’s business after he was shot while working a case. Normally, the investigations are of the domestic type – cheating spouses – but something unusual has turned up. The gun that shot her father is identified as the murder weapon in a seemingly unrelated case. Stranger still, her dad doesn’t want to talk about it.


Naturally, despite many warnings, Jamie is hell bent and determined to find out who owns the gun and who shot her father. She tries to investigate on the quiet but the cold case soon becomes scorching hot and too dangerous to handle alone. She confides in her team, who are busy working on a domestic case at a nudist camp, and soon everyone is involved. Her relationships with family, friends, employees and new acquaintances, including a potential relationship with the hot DA, all add unique and fun dimensions to the story without detracting from the main plot. Gemma Halliday keeps the mystery going full throttle with fun and romance thrown in.


I approached this book with the idea that it would be the light reading many of us look forward to enjoying in the summer. It turned out to be more than that and I couldn't put it down.  I look forward to reading the first book in the series and hope there will be more.

 

 

The Paris Lawyer by Sylvie Granotier

Translated by Anne Trager
Le French Book

Book Review 

This is another award winning psychological thriller from LeFrench Book.

 

In this story Sylvie Granotier introduces us to Catherine Monsigny a young, ambitious lawyer and a rising star at a major Parisian law firm. Catherine finds herself with a major felony case and sees an opportunity for her career to take off.  She has to defend a black woman accused of murdering her rich husband in a pastoral village setting on the outskirts of Paris.  The journey to the village to meet her client and investigate the case becomes a journey of self-discovery for the young lawyer.

Always close to the surface of Catherine’s mind, is the unsolved murder of her mother that happened when Catherine was a toddler; she often finds herself in a whirlwind of questions, memories or dreams related to this traumatic event. Unfortunately, she has a father unwilling to provide any answers that might help ease her mind. As Catherine attempts to uncover her past, she is unknowingly being manipulated in the present and complicating her future.  Happening in parallel is the story of her client, a woman who quite deftly hides her past and ingeniously manipulates the present to ensure she has a future.   

As we meet the many characters in this story who provide insight into both the murder of Catherine’s mother and the case of the murdered husband, we witness different types and different aspects of love and relationships.  There is the passion of lovers, the love of husband and wife, and the love, devotion and loyalty between parent and child.  We also see happy marriages, marriages of convenience, the fallout from divorce, and the ramifications of lovers betrayed. 

 

As there is a lot going on in Catherine’s mind and life, there is also a lot going on in the story line.  Some readers will find the back and forth between past and present, dream and reality, a little confusing but it reflects the main character and makes this book so much more than just another procedural thriller.  Some readers may not like that the ending to the Paris Lawyer, isn’t neatly wrapped up and tied with a bow. However, you are left with a feeling of closure for the past and a sense of hope for the future.

This Morning Sam Went to Mars by Nancy Carlson

A book about paying attention.

Free Spirit Publishing

Book Review - Children's literature

Poor Sam.  He is so busy enjoying his daydreams that he is late for school, does poorly on tests, and has people yelling – Focus! at him all the time.  He feels so dumb and sad.

His dad knows he isn’t dumb and takes him to a doctor.  A plan is developed to help Sam become organized, eat better etc. and soon Sam hears that word Focus! a lot less.

This is a wonderful little book, both enjoyable and helpful. The author illustrates how easily a child can be distracted and provides realistic measures to help the child cope at home and at school. Even though the emphasis is placed on learning to focus and adaptive behaviors, the creative aspect of daydreaming is given positive acknowledgment, something that is sometimes forgotten. The tips for parents and educators at the end of the book are also helpful.  Nancy Carlson manages to educate and help while creating an enjoyable read.  My six year old granddaughter truly enjoyed this and has requested to reread it several times.

Laidlaw by William McIlvanney

Canon Gate Books

Book Review

 

This book starts off with the murder of a young woman in Glasgow, Scotland.  We know immediately who the murderer is, where he is hiding and who is trying to help him and why.  Each character that we meet, leads us to another character until we find ourselves caught in an intricate web where numerous story lines intersect.     

Most of the individual characters are sad personae from a hard gloomy neighbourhood.  Not the least of these is Jack Laidlaw, one of the detectives assigned to the case.  He is somewhat of a philosopher and his thinking gives him an insight into people that the other policemen don’t grasp.  He uses wits and intuition to navigate the moral code of the hard men and low life that live in the shadows of the city.  Think part Inspector Morse, part the Singing Detective and part Kierkegaard.  

The moral concerns and social issues encountered weigh down Laidlaw and his partner Harkness. I found they could also make for heavy reading.  Overall, this is an intriguing book and I would recommend it.  The Scottish English, while it made for tedious reading in some places (at least for me) also adds an authenticity to the atmosphere and you feel as if you are right there.

Anonymous Sources by Mary Louise Kelly

Book Review

A fast paced thriller that takes you from Harvard University, to Cambridge University, London and to Washington D.C.  Alexandra James is a young Boston reporter for the New England Chronicle, who is assigned to cover the death of the son of a prominent, powerful man from Washington.  Her instincts tell her that the pursuit of this story might result in her byline on a front page scoop.

She chases leads that bring her to Cambridge, England.  Alex soon begins to realize that the death of Thom Carlyle, her original story, is just the tip of the iceberg. Through persistent investigative reporting, she unwittingly discovers a nuclear terrorist network and begins to realize that the murder of Thom Carlyle might actually have been a cover-up for a Washington conspiracy.  Spies, assassins and terrorists are soon on her trail and they are as intent on finding Alex as she is at finding answers. 

The author has created a great character in Alexandra James.  Alex is presented to us initially as    the fearless nothing left to lose type.  Through great storytelling we are witness to Alex’s vulnerabilities and how they have shaped her.  The cross that she has to bear is in the end what gives her the strength to survive.

I am looking forward to more books by Mary Louise Keller.  I hope they will include Alexandra James as a character because there is more to her story and I want to hear it.

Life is a Bowl Full of Cherries by Vanita Oelschlager

Book Review - Children's literature
Illustrations by Robin Hegan

This book is subtitled A Book of Food Idioms and Silly Pictures. 

 

I have read this one to my 6 year old granddaughter at least three times now in the space of one week.  She just loves the illustrations, they are so colorful and amusing, and she has taken the book to bed with her just to look at the pictures.

 

The sayings themselves, Couch Potato, Pie in the Sky, Don't Cry over Spilled Milk to name a few, have all lead to a variety of discussions. We have talked about what words can really mean and how we use them to say one thing when we really mean something else.  We've also discussed which foods are good for you and which ones aren't. 

 

The picture of the couch potato is hands down her favorite.   That one led to a discussion on how important it is to be active and not just watch tv and have your thinking done for you. 

 

This book is a great teaching and learning tool for home and classroom.http://vanitabooks.com/