Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Obama's Blackberry

Obama's Blackberry
Author- Kasper Hauser
144 Pages
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.

By this time we all know how attached President Obama is to his blackberry. Now there's a book spoofing fictional text messages, which might appear on it.

This newly published book is packed with irreverent and humorous messages from famous people like former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Oprah Winfrey, John McCain, Sean Penn, Madonna, and many others.

This small fictional book with it's smartly designed cover, could easily be carried in a purse or briefcase. It would also be a real conversation item if placed on a desk or coffee table. Consider it, too, as a fun gift for either Democrat or Republican. It is certain to become a piece of Americana and may even become a presidential collectible when President Obama is no longer in the White House.

At a time when there's not much to laugh about, this book brings a little levity into the lives of political junkies.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Passeggiata, Strolling Through Italy

Passeggiata: Strolling Through Italy
By-G.G. Husak
355 pages

The very name of this book makes one want to pack their bags and fly off to romantic Italy.

This book, Ms. Husak's travel memoir, will appeal to those of us who are retired; single and longing for a little adventure; or taking that dream, family vacation. It takes the reader to major tourist centers, and out of the way, tiny Italian villages. It takes the guesswork out of travel and teaches valuable lessons that will make the journey easier and more relaxing.

Whether you want to stay in a quiet village, or take in all the historic sights and art of Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, or Naples you will not want to leave home before reading Ms. Husak's book.

Some chapters which are included are:
*Culture Shock
*On Our Own
*The Italian Riviera
*Hill Towns
*and much, much more

Even if you don't have the means to actually travel to Italy, you will want to use this as an exciting armchair travelogue.

This book is well written and is sure to please the world travel reader.

Friday, June 26, 2009

The Fun Minute Manager: A Review

The Fun Minute Manager
By-Bob Pike, Robert C. Ford, John W. Newstrom
Hardcover: 107 pages
Publisher: Creative Training Techniques Press
ISBN-10: 1935291041

When is the last time you really had fun a work? Do you wake up in the morning, dreading going to your job? Do you go home in the evening feeling drained and unappreciated? If you are an employer, when is the last time you put a smile on the face of your employees?

Since companies usually want the maximum energy and productivity out of their workers, truly happy work places are rare. Every moment may be spent in an atmosphere of dull monotony and fierce competition.

There is now a movement afloat to eliminate job related stress and boredom. Ways to implement this can be found in "The Fun Minute Manager."

The book is loaded with inspiration. Chapters include:
*Having fun in a serious business
*The payoff from fun at work
*Spreading the joy
*When fun is done
*Becoming a fun minute manager

The reader will also find: Assessing Your Overall Fun Work Environment; 100 Illustrations of Fun at Work Activities; Fun and Humor Websites; and much more.

This is a small book with big ideas. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in establishing a more relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere while increasing productivity. Many of the ideas can also be used in the home.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Texicans: A Review

The Texicans
Author: Nina Vida
296 pages
Publisher:SOHO
(Historical Fiction)

The Texicans, by Nina Vida, is a novel of historical fiction, which takes place on the frontier of Texas, and spans the years between 1843 and 1855.

Although Joseph Kimmel was a quiet, simple man who loved to read, and keep to himself, he was also a tough, rugged individualist. In his twenties he had been a mountain man and fur trapper, but was now a teacher of Greek, Latin, and math at the Independence Missouri Boys School. It was a job that seemed to suit him.

Just before the end of the school term, Joseph receives a letter saying his brother, Isaac, a shopkeeper, has died in Texas, and that Joseph should come to the frontier to receive any profits that may be left from his business.

Joseph has decided to make the trip alone on horseback and knows the trek will be difficult, at best. Having been an outdoorsman, he's sure he can take care of himself and in fact, he looks forward to the solitary life he will experience as he travels across the plains.

If Joseph thought he was going to have a peaceful journey, he was sadly mistaken. Not only is riding alone in Comanche country fraught with the constant danger of being brutally slain, but he, unfortunately, finds a variety of rag-tag strangers who desperately need his help to survive.

The author weaves an exciting story of danger, incredible hardship, sacrifice, and unrequited love.

This is absolutely one of the best books I have recently read. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a remarkable Texas adventure story.


(Thanks goes to the author for my review copy)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The Triumph of Deborah: A Review

The Triumph of Deborah
Author- Eva Etzioni-Halevy

“The Triumph of Deborah” by Eva Etzioni-Halevy, takes place in Old Testament times, as war is about to break out between Israel and Canaan. Deborah, the beloved judge and prophetess of the Israelites, has asked the mighty warrior, Barak, to assemble an army and lead it against the Canaanites. The war takes place, and from that point, a cast of strong, determined, and impressive characters unfold.

This beautifully written story is centered on three entirely different women and the man they either love or hate. The main characters are Deborah, the prophetess; Asherah, the beautiful daughter of slain King Jabin; Nogah, the illegimate slave daughter of King Jabin; and lastly, the powerful and virile, Barak.

After defeating the Canaanites, Barak falls in love with Asherah, the daughter of the slain king and takes her to his home to make her his wife. Asherah despises her future husband and is determined to find a way back to her people.

Loosely based on the Biblical story of Deborah, this fictional story takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of murderous revenge and unremitting love.

Although there are sensuous scenes, the author spins this love story with sensitivity, tenderness, and poetic grace.

The book was mesmerizing, classically melodic, and impassioned. I look forward to reading it again. It's a "keeper."

(Thank you, Eva Etzioni-Halevy, for my review copy.)

Friday, June 19, 2009

More Blogs

Hi Fellow Readers! Thanks for dropping by!

I have two other blogs:

The Serenity Gate

Everything Victorian

Hope to see you there!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Broken Wing by Judith James

"Broken Wing"
By- Judith James
440 pages
Publisher-Medallion Press

Sarah, Lady Munroe, better known as the Gypsy Countess, and her half brother Ross, Earl of Huntington, are in search of their little brother James. He has gone missing; they have hired investigators to hunt for him. Upon hearing the news that their baby brother has been found living in one of the finer Parisian brothels, the two set out to bring him home to the safety of their family, though expecting the worst.

Arriving is Paris, Sarah and Ross find James has not been harmed, only because a male prostitute, Gabriel, has befriended the little boy and protected him at all costs.Gabriel is intelligent, musically gifted, and handsome, but has known nothing else but life in the high-class brothel, having been brought there as a child, himself.

Little James is insistent that Sarah and Ross obtain his friend Gabriel's freedom and bring him home to live with them as the child's companion. They offer Gabriel the position, which he accepts, and strike an expensive deal with Madame Etienne for Gabriel's release.

This is where the love story begins and what a love story it is! Taking place in the Napoleonic era, it is full of secrecy, danger, suspense, and intense romantic devotion and desire. It takes the reader on a whirlwind adventure into the lives of Sarah, Gabriel, Ross, Gypsy Davey, and an assortment of other interesting characters.

Judith James has created an exquisitely written, sexy, fast moving, extraordinary book that the reader can barely lay aside once they open the book and begin to read. Readers who are looking for historical romance, high adventure, a page-turner, and don't mind adult content, will not want to miss this one.

Note: Thanks to Judith James for my review copy.

(You can also find this review at my blog Everything Victorian.)Happy reading!