True Compass / Review

Author: Edward M. Kennedy
Hardcover: 532 pages
Publisher: Twelve; First Edition, First Printing edition (September 14, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446539252

Book Description:

In this landmark autobiography, five years in the making, Senator Edward M. Kennedy tells his extraordinary personal story--of his legendary family, politics, and fifty years at the center of national events.

My Review:

In the last years of his life, Edward Kennedy tells his own story. It is not only his story, but the memories and accounts of his treasured family members. No matter how one feels about this complex historical figure, the reader must admit that his life and career was an important slice of the American political process. His contributions will long be remembered and he will no doubt go down in history as a model figure of the democratic party. This book is very well written and should be read for its historical value.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Don't Look Down

Author: Davis Dawson

Paperback: 194 pages
Publisher: Bridgeross Communications (August 17, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981003753

Book Description:

Four men, age 18 to 81, have murdered, and now share a room in the secure forensic psychiatry ward of a mental hospital. Who better to get inside their heads, and find both the tragedy and comedy of their lives than Canadian psychiatrist and novelist David Laing Dawson. Three of Dawson's previous novels, Last Rights, Double Blind, and Essondale have been published in seven European countries, the US and the UK. Dawson's novels have been described as a cross between Elmore Leonard and Seinfeld and as close to reality as it gets.

My Review:

This is a disturbing, yet compelling story of four seriously ill patients who share a room on a ward in a mental hospital. Though the characters are tragic, the author creates moments of humor and warmth. It was well-written and a fast read.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

A Walk For Sunshine

Author: Jeff Alt

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Dreams Shared Publications; 3rd edition (September 12, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0967948231

Book Description:

Jeff Alt shares his "Life Lessons from the Trail" and much more in the new edition of A Walk For Sunshine: A 2,160-mile expedition for charity on the Appalachian Trail."

My Review:

What a fascinating book! It's a journal of stories, maps, and photos that made me feel good and wish that I, too, could have the courage to hike and explore the beauty of the Appalachian Trail. It was not only inspirational, but made me feel like I had been there with him all the way! This was an easy, delightfully refreshing, quick read.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Dream Reachers

Authors: Chase Von and Betty Dravis

Paperback: 476 pages
Publisher: VonChasePublishing (May 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0976678780

Book Description:

"Dream Reachers" is a magical mix of success stories and interviews with people who have dared to stretch to reach for their dreams. From living legends to legends-in-the-making, the subjects of this book let their imaginations soar. Author Betty Dravis shares her experiences as a young journalist when her idols, like Clint Eastwood and Jane Russell, walked right out of the limelight and into her life...for brief, memorable moments. Author Chase Von, a celebrity interviewer and poet, shares his current interviews with high achievers in the arts: acting, writing, painting, photography, music and dance. As these achievers tell you in their own words why they kept stretching to reach their dreams, they enchant the readers with their determination, inspiring them to DREAM BIG. With over forty compelling stories and interviews, this literary work casts new light on what it takes to be a Dream Reacher. These are stories of how even disasters can turn into dreams, challenges into opportunities, with the right attitude of perseverance and determination. Whether you dream of walking the red carpet in Hollywood, taking the Big Apple by storm, having a cottage with a white picket fence––or all of those pleasures––this book will inspire you to “stretch” to make your dreams come true.



My Review:

This book shares the stories and interviews of extraordinary people, who were determined to reach their dreams. It show us how determination can lead to success, how misfortune can be overcome and even give purpose to our lives. It is not only inspirational, but gives us hope when we face road-blocks.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Embellish

Author: R. L. Sloan
Paperback: 244 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (June 23, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432740326

Book Description:

Revenge has never tasted so sweet...

As a young girl, Solis Burkes is raped at the hands of ruthless school bullies-an incident that haunts her into young adulthood. Then she meets Nacio, a strikingly handsome man who seems to know everything about her-including the painful past Solis hasn't told anyone about. But what Solis doesn't know is that Nacio has been with her every step of the way, protecting her ever since that fateful episode.

It's a destiny he's been working up to for the last 257 years.Now, as Solis enters a dark world of vampires, voodoo, and passion, she'll need all the protection she can get. Unbeknownst to her, those responsible for Solis's rape have returned. Connected to the evil voodoo Priestess Aldicia, they'll stop at nothing in their plans to spew violence and mayhem throughout the city. And an old family feud dating back centuries puts Solis first on their list of targets. But not if Solis can unravel the clues fast enough, and inflict her own brand of revenge...Embellish mixes sexy romance with high-stakes paranormal intrigue for a keeps-you-guessing, fast-paced and savvy thriller, right up until the shocking finale.


My Review:
Vampires are currently in vogue now, so for someone looking for a fast-paced paranormal thriller about vampires and voodoo, you have come to the right place! This book is filled with page-turning drama, romance, and high-suspense. It's well-written, and sexy, as well. A fast read and thrilling to the very last page. And the cover is beautiful, too. Wow! It's the complete package!

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

The Magician's Book

Author: Laura Miller

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (December 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316017639

Book Description from inside cover:

The Magician's Book is the story of one reader's long, tumultuous relationship with C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.

My Review:

Some may avoid this book when they consider it to be written from a skeptic’s point of view, and includes criticism of the much loved C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. I thought I might find it offensive, too, but to the contrary, I found it to be quite insightful, thought-provoking, and inspirational. Laura Miller has put together a work of beauty, a feast of childhood memories. The Magician’s Book has a spiritual quality-- that mystic veil of childhood awareness, the ability to see and sense things adults have long forgotten. It returns us to the books we loved so long ago; and our child-spirit, the awareness of something eternal, innocent, trusting, and beautiful.

This is a book lover’s book that reminds us of the precious volumes which shaped and formed, in large part, who we are today.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Cheerful Money / Review

Author: Tad Friend

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company;

(September 21, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316003174

My Review:

How many ways can a reviewer say boring? I hoped this would be an exciting look into the elegant, distinguished, old-fashioned WASP lifestyle. I wanted to read, to experience, in some secondhand way, the glitter, the sparkle of the wealthy and socially elite. What I did get in this book was a lot of painfully boring stories, dry humor that I didn't think was funny or wasn't able to relate to, and affiliations that meant nothing to me. I wanted to love this book, but woe is me....I just didn't.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)