Targets of Opportunity - A Review

Jordan Sandor is back with another fast-paced, action packed thriller, this time it's to fight an impending terrorist attack on the "Heart of America" the oil rigs and refineries.

Ahmad Jaber has offered vital information concerning these attacks in exchange for sanctuary in the USA.  However, the details are sketchy and vague at best, so Sandor sets out on the adventure of his career to stop the terrorists and save the country.

Targets of Opportunity by Jeffrey S. Stephens is a great read for any guy on your Christmas list.  It's plot will keep him turning the pages.  In addition, Stephens has taken the reader on a world-wide adventure.  With all the threats of terrorism that seem to loom, this book is one that could be plausible - I see big screen thriller written all over it!

Check out Jeffrey Stephens web site for more information at; http://www.jeffreystephens.com/

Mary's Son; A Tale of Christmas

The journey begins for one lonely, rich girl from the hills and a frustrated, angry boy from the ghetto when they both meet the mysterious and magical man claiming to be Santa Claus.

Sarah lost her mother at a young age and her father continues to pull away, busying himself in his work, leaving Sarah lonely and obnoxious.  Jared's father disappeared without a trace, leaving Jared the "man of the house" and determined to get even with the world.  How will Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) begin to heal these youngsters and set them on the right path?  Find out in Mary's Son A Tale of Christmas.

This book is a delightful and wonderful read that the whole family will enjoy.  It reminded me of a modern Miracle on 42'nd Street but with a couple of twists and turns thrown in.  The characters are true-to-life and carry the story to the very end.  I loved Mary's Son A Tale of Christmas and could see it being made into a movie; heartwarming and brilliant!

Check out Mary's Son a Tale of Christmas by Darryl Nyznyk at; http://www.marysson.com/

MARY'S SON has been awarded the MOM'S CHOICE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE in three categories: Juvenile 2 Books (ages 9-12), Young Adult Books (ages 13 and up) and it was awarded GOLD in the Motivation/Inspirational subcategory. In the Adult Books category, it was awarded GOLD in the Fiction and Literature subcategory.

Dark Territory - A Review

Rivals between the "rich kids" and the "disadvantaged kids" is nothing new, but when the opposing gang leaders must work together against a force darker than anything they've ever seen, it suddenly becomes very terrifying.

Raphael and his family moved to the small, desolate town of Middleburg to help keep Raphael from falling in with the wrong people.  However, living on the poor side of town automatically makes Raph a "Flatliner" and instant enemies with the strong opposing rich "Topper" kids.  To make matters worse, Raphael has an instant connection with Amiee (a Topper newly back from a stint in a house for troubled teen girls).  She feels it too, but her brother (Topper gang) is determined to keep them apart at all costs.

As the gang wars escalate a strange darkness falls over the town and the now abandoned railroad tunnels are being haunted by a deadly force.  Can Raphael and his enemies fight this force?  Find out in Dark Territory written by J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel.

This young adult fiction is sure to be a hit - it has block buster movie written all over it!

For more information visit, please visit the author’s website at: http://www.jgabrielgates.com/ or the media site at: http://www.m.hcibooks.com/ for downloads of posters, wallpaper, ringtones or information on the book.

Most Un'Likely to Succeed - A Review

Growing up in small-town McAlisterville, Pennsylvania in the 60's may seem like the ideal way to spend ones childhood, but for Nelson Lauver it was anything but ideal.

Nelson was terrified as being labeled the "dumb kid" so he did everything in his power to avoid reading out loud in class.  But with this acting out came harsh punishments and being known as the trouble-making, "bad kid."  However, Nelson was neither dumb nor bad, he suffers from dyslexia.

Most Unlikely to Succeed a memoir by Nelson Lauver is a tell-all tale of Nelson's own struggles with dyslexia.  He blends the raw facts with humor and will keep you turning those pages.  This is one of the best books I've read this year - I couldn't put it down!  You'll be amazed at some of the tactics teachers used in this small town to "rehabilitate" children with problems.

Here's more of what you'll learn from this book;

• Finding the strength to get back up
• Moving past your fears to discover your voice
• Learning to champion your own cause
• Believing in yourself
• Overcoming insurmountable odds

Check out Most Unlikely to Succeed at; http://www.theamericanstoryteller.com/ also available on Amazon

Be sure to check back this week as I'll be listing facts about Literacy and Dyslexia from Nelson Louver.

About the Author:

Since 1996, Nelson Lauver has been a syndicated broadcaster, writer, speaker, humorist, award-winning narrator, and advocate. He is known to radio listeners across the country for “The American Storyteller Radio Journal” – a daily four-minute slice of the American experience broadcast on radio stations across the United states and via the internet. He has written and narrated over 300 short stories for radio.


He is a highly regarded speaker amongst corporate audiences, educators, associations, government agencies, civic organizations, and disability groups—acclaimed for sharing his own story as a way to help others reach their potential.

Dark Canvas - A Review

Artist Kira McGovern is devastated when her mother passes away, so in an attempt to immortalize her, she mixes some of her ashes into the paint.  Kira soon realizes that this may be a unique way to help others grieving the loss of loved-ones - thus "Canvas of Life" was born.

As Kira's clientele begins to build so does the strange and unexplainable dreams and visions she is having about the dead person's life.  Some of the images she has are pleasant and some...terrifying.

When Sean Easton's father dies he uses this as an excuse to visit Kira, but as Kira begins his painting something sinister emerges.  Will she and Sean discover the hidden terror that lingers on Sean's farm before it's too late?

Find out in Dark Canvas by Jody Summers.  This book is full of romance, suspense, mystery and intrigue.  It'd be a perfect beach read or one for a rainy afternoon.  Check out Jody Summers and Dark Canvas at; http://www.jodysummersbooks.com/

This book is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Feel the Heat Week

All this week I'll feature great books by one of my favorite authors, Brenda Novak. To kick it off, check out my review of White Heat.

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Rachel Kessop, a beautiful, self-assured agent and Nate Ferrentino, handsome tough guy both work for the same private security contractor tracking down bad guys. The relationship is strained after Rachel, in a moment of weakness, lets herself into Nate’s apartment, and awaits his arrival in bed. After a passionate night together, Rachel claims her love to a reluctant Nate.

Now as a dangerous cult quickly takes over the desert ghost town of Paradise, Arizona, Rachel and Nate must go undercover posing as a married couple to nap the leader, Ethan Wycliff.

How will they handle the close quarters of a pretend marriage? Will Ethan’s infatuation with Rachel put her life in mortal danger? Find out in this exciting read, White Heat. I had trouble putting this book down before the exciting conclusion.

For more information, check out Brenda Novak's web site at; http://www.brendanovak.com/

White Heat is available on Amazon

Want some "heat" of your own?  At the end of this week I'll be drawing for all three, autographed copies of the "heat" novels.  Just leave a comment in this (or any of Brenda Novak's spots) and I'll do a random drawing for them on Sunday May 15th.

Good Luck!

The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused

Technology has taken really taken off in the last 10 years and, of course, kids want all the latest gadgets.
But what if your child actually became fused with their cell phone or had a built in GPS system in their heads?

The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused by Kari Lee Townsend takes an unlikely, unassuming character and turns her into an electronic-techno superhero.

It all starts when Samantha Granger gets lost on her way home from school and ends up finding a weird, glowing rock in the forest.  She is curious and touches this mysterious orb.  Suddenly, her life changes forever.

Will Samantha be able to hide her superhero abilities from the world and more importantly, the guy she has a huge crush on?  Find out in The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused.

This book is written for the tween crowd of 9-12 and would make a great stocking stuffer for any young girl.  Townsend does a marvelous job of making this story relevant to today's world and deals with the many "coming-of-age" issues every pre-teen faces.  In addition, this book has a fun and humorous plot with enough twists and turns to keep those pages turning.

The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused is available on Amazon.com or through Sourcebooks Inc

About the Author:

Kari Lee Townsend lives in Central New York with her very understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter, who keep her grounded and make everything she does worthwhile...not to mention provide her with loads of material for her books.  Kari is a long-time lover of reading and writing, with a Masters in English Education.  She has been both a winner and finalist in several online writing contests, including the Amazon Breakout Novel Contest, as well as a ghost writer and freelance editor.

The Enchanted April

For Summer Reading Week, I thought I'd post my experience with 'Book Read 'Round the World Event, hosted by Carin B. of A Little Bookish

The idea was we were to choose a book (as a group) and send it 'round the world. My group chose, The Enchanted April (book review to follow) and Rikki from Germany sent me a wonderful little package of goodies from her home town of Nurnberg along with the novel.

This was a wonderful experience for me. I had a blast learning a bit about Rikki and Germany as well as shopping for the next recipient - Iris in Groningen, the Netherlands. Here's what Iris will be receiving from my hometown in Canada.

Now on to my review of The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Armin.

Could getting away from your everyday life actually leave you a changed person?

Four very different women all answer the same advertisement in The Times...

"... those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine…" are about to embark on more than a simple vacation to the Italian Riviera. They're about to learn some very valuable lessons about themselves and the people around them.

San Salvatore, a medieval castle calls to Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs Arbuthnot, Mrs Fisher and Lady Caroline Dester, who are all in desperate need of something; but what?

Husbands, loneliness, depression and cynicism are all part of the baggage that lands these women in the midst of a beautiful, old, magical castle.

Can they heed it's calling and tugging at their hearts? Will they actually grab onto a new way of thinking and a new way of life? Find out in, The Enchanted April.

This book was a wonderful read, written is a style that's long been forgotten, Elizabeth Von Armin, not only weaves a clever story, she also reminds us of what writing is all about.

Check out, The Enchanted April on Amazon.com or wherever classic books are sold.

Summer Reading Week

All this week I'll feature great beach books and my summer reading choices. To kick it off, check out my review of White Heat by Brenda Novak.

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Looking for a steamy romance/adventure novel to wrap up your summer reading? Then I highly recommend, White Heat by Brenda Novak, NY Times Best Selling Author.

Rachel Kessop, a beautiful, self-assured agent and Nate Ferrentino, handsome tough guy both work for the same private security contractor tracking down bad guys. The relationship is strained after Rachel, in a moment of weakness, lets herself into Nate’s apartment, and awaits his arrival in bed. After a passionate night together, Rachel claims her love to a reluctant Nate.

Now as a dangerous cult quickly takes over the desert ghost town of Paradise, Arizona, Rachel and Nate must go undercover posing as a married couple to nap the leader, Ethan Wycliff.

How will they handle the close quarters of a pretend marriage? Will Ethan’s infatuation with Rachel put her life in mortal danger? Find out in this exciting read, White Heat. I had trouble putting this book down before the exciting conclusion.

For more information, check out Brenda Novaks web site at; http://www.brendanovak.com/

White Heat is available on Amazon.com