Specific Impulse

By Charles Justiz

From the back of the book:

“Space scientist, Carin Gonzales, and former submarine commander, Jake Sabio, are two strangers drifting separately through life when a mysterious explosion rocks them and brings them together. Now, the after-effects have changed both of them in unpredictable ways. Sometimes, they can see more clearly than before the explosion; while at other times they can smell more precisely and they move in ways that are clearly impossible. … To make matters worse, anyone else who felt the effects of the explosion is now inexplicable dead.”

This was an interesting story, indeed, but it was difficult to follow at times. The characters were likeable enough and their plight was one that made me sympathetic, but I often wondered how much of what they did was attributable to the virus caused by the explosion. Or was it their own talents as educated and capable people?

As they run from those who want to see them dead, they battle for their lives against this deadly and unknown virus that has been introduced to their bodies by an unusual explosion at the rim of a meteorite crater. Armed with their own wits and a robot in the form of an old, outdated computer, they travel to the backwoods to hide until they can be whisked up to another planet where they could potentially find the cure for what ails them.

They only have so much time, however, because that planet will be passing close enough to pick them up at a specific time. While they wait, their enemies are quickly approaching.

If you enjoy science fiction, you will probably like this story. I found parts of it intriguing. But I was concerned a little about the ending because it really didn’t make sense to me and I wasn’t sure at times how certain side stories fit into the whole scheme of the book.

I’ll admit, my life was pretty hectic while I was reading and maybe, I didn’t concentrate as much on my reading of this book as I normally would. But I’m also not really a science fiction fan and a book has to be outstanding to keep me involved.

That said, sci-fi fans would surely see this story in a different light and for that reason, I give it 3 books.

The Price of Revenge

By Dennis Vaughn

From the back of the book:

"David Fox has a life anyone would envy – a flourishing career as a lawyer, a condo in Denver, and a beautiful girlfriend, Ellen – until he begins investigating a lawsuit against the Denver City Ballet. It seems like a commonplace allegation of misspent funds at first, but soon David finds himself caught in a web of blackmail, betrayal, and dark secrets."

This is Dennis Vaughn’s first book and he did a very good job of bringing the story to the reader. With well-developed characters, the novel hooks the reader right from the start.

David Fox’s reputation is put on the line by one of the lawyers he works with as that man does whatever it takes to protect his own career and position. When David is forced to leave the firm he’s worked at for many years, his personal life begins falling apart around him.

Not one to sit back and watch it all implode, he takes a stand to put things right. However, his actions, which could be taken as revenge, carry a high price tag.

The book touches on a variety of topics that deal with ethics – in the legal realm, as well as in the medical field. Vaughn definitely makes his readers think about how they would deal with these situations themselves and that adds a certain depth to the book.

I enjoyed the story, but at times, I felt it was a little drawn out. Vaughn could have stuck more to the facts and left some of the smaller details out, but it’s still a good book and I’d recommend it to my friends.

Water Ghosts

By Shawna Yang Ryan

From the back of the book:

Locke, California. 1928. Three bedraggled Chinese women appear out of the mist in a small Chinese farming town on the Sacramento River. Two are unknown to its residents, while the third if the long-lost wife of Richard Fong, the handsome manager of the local gambling parlor. Left behind in China many years earlier, her unexpected arrival throws his already complicated life into upheaval. As the lives of the townspeople become inextricably intertwined with the newly arrived women, a premonition foretells a deep unhappiness for all involved. And when a flood threatens the village, the frightening power of these mysterious women is finally revealed.

“Water Ghosts” is based on a Chinese superstition that they carried to America when they established neighborhoods in California during their emigration to the States. They came to this country for many of the same reasons other groups did, mainly to find work to support their families.

However, there were some differences, such as many of them left their wives behind while they established themselves. Some eventually returned to bring their loved ones to America; others never did.

Shawna Yang Ryan has done a very good job of bringing these traditions and superstitions to life. She obviously did her research and did a wonderful job of putting it into words.

This is truly an interesting tale, but it requires paying attention to what’s going on. That, in itself, makes it a little complicated as I tend to have interruptions when I’m reading … after all, my 21-month-old grandson is usually running around nearby.

But that shouldn’t discourage you from reading “Water Ghosts” and learning about this centuries old superstition in the Chinese culture. Give it a try!

Review and My First Giveaway: Finding Marco

By Kenneth C. Cancellara

From the book jacket:

“As a young boy running through the mountain valleys of Italy, Mark Gentile dreams of success – the kind of success that happens in a boardroom, far away from the country life. So after graduating from a prestigious Canadian law school, Mark quickly climbs the corporate and legal ladder, eventually becoming CEO of a leading North American auto manufacturer. But after butting heads with company leaders, Mark fears he has compromised his ethics and decides to resign to determine the next stage of his life. With his wife’s blessing, Mark returns to Acerenza, his birthplace in southern Italy.”

This is the story of a man who has everything. A beautiful wife and daughter, the respect of his peers and all the money and success a person could hope for. The one thing he doesn’t have is peace of mind. He lost the little boy in him years ago to the business world he lives in.

Now, it’s time for him to find himself … to find the person he used to be before he climbed the corporate ladder. His solution is to go home, back to the place where he learned about life at the heels of his beloved grandfather.

As he connects with his former life, he learns what he really wants and decides what he will do with the rest of his life.

The decision doesn’t come easy, though. Like an addict with his drug, he has a constant pull that tries to drag him back into the world he wants to leave behind.

I enjoyed reading this book and I liked the author’s style. It was very smooth and flowed well.

Kenneth Cancellara is a lawyer himself, so he was able to bring that world to life. He’s also Italian and was born in the small town the story takes place in. And he lives in Canada.

Everything he writes about he has first-hand experience with, so the story is quite believable. I always find that a plus when I read a book.

This story is one that makes the reader think about their own life, as well, and I believe you will enjoy it, too. 

In fact, I’m so confident you’ll want to read “Finding Marco” that I’m giving away three – yes, three – copies of the book, compliments of Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists.

To enter, leave a comment telling me what you’ve always dreamed of doing with your life and if you feel you’ve come close to that. I’ll draw three names August 10, so you have until then to enter. 

Oh … and be sure to leave your email so I can contact you. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

Cain’s Version

By Frank Durham

From the back of the book:

“Lindy Caton, middle-aged, attractive, and recently divorced, accepts a position as Director of the Moulton Foundation in small-town Louisiana to be closer to her aging father. While building her new life, she encounters and assumes care of three elderly, eccentric women living in subsistence. As her relationship with them grows, she discovers the extraordinary secret of their past that sweeps her into the dramatic return of an itinerant son seeking to reconcile with his mother over an ancient act of cruelty.”

I had trouble following this book as it jumped around a lot, but I think it’s supposed to be the story of the Cain in the Bible and how he is still alive and wandering the world. His mother Eve still lives, as well, and she’s one of the three women the main character meets and becomes somewhat a friend with.

I could be way off base here and I may have totally misunderstood the book. If so, I apologize.

On the positive side, Durham is an excellent writer. He has been compared to Garcia Marquez and I definitely could see the connection. His prose follows the style of the classic authors and reminded me of many I read years ago.

“Cain’s Version” was chosen for a Independent Publisher Book Award, so I encourage you to give it a try and see what you get out of it. You may enjoy it more than I did.

 

Enlightened Cakes

By Camilla V. Saulsbury

From the book jacket:

“If you have had a lifelong love affair with cake but cringe at the thought of all the fat and calories, Enlightened Cakes is for you. Full of ‘lighter’ versions of old favorites as well as fresh, new combinations, the cakes found in this collection are also a breeze to make.”

Camilla Saulsbury again brings one of her “enlightened” recipe books to the shelves as she offers more than 100 cakes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

What I really liked about this book was the way the recipes are arranged. There are separate chapters for old favorites, icings, layer cakes, cheesecakes and, even, cupcakes! How fun is that?

And, as always, her recipes are easy to make and absolutely delightful.

I’ve reviewed other “enlightened” recipe books by this author and I love adding her books to my kitchen shelf. The review for “Enlightened Soups” can be found here and “Enlightened Chocolate” here. These are wonderful cookbooks, but the one issue I’ve had with all her books is the minimal number of pictures because I really do like to see what the recipe is supposed to look like.

With “Enlightened Cakes,” there are no pictures at all, which is especially disappointing. However, anyone who does a lot of cooking and baking should be able to imagine what the recipe will look like. After all, a cake looks like a cake … or at least it should!

If you’re trying to cut back on fat and calories, I highly recommend this series. These recipes allow you to eat healthier without sacrificing taste and that’s a plus in my book.

And you might want to check out Camilla’s Enlightened Cooking blog where she shares recipes, product reviews and giveaways with her readers.

Lamb Bright Saviors

By Robert Vivian

From the back of the book:

“Lamb Bright Savoirs begins as an apocalyptically inclined itinerant preacher staggers across the Nebraska prairie. With his young assistant, Mady, in tow hauling a wagon stacked with bibles, it’s not long before the preacher finds he’s come to the final fulfillment of his self-proclaimed life’s work: to die in front of a group of strangers.”

This was a difficult book to read. As the preacher lay dying, each character who is in attendance tells pieces of their own stories, which are both interwoven and separate.

Throughout the pages, we hear from six different personalities, plus the preacher and the narrator. These tales of woe are often confusing and you wonder how they are related.

But the book reads almost like prose. It’s very lyrical and delves deep into the lives of these people. Those who don’t speak for themselves are heard from through the words of others.

The story begins with the preacher collapsing on a road not heavily traveled. He and his assistant are found by a group of hoodlums, who pick him up and take them to the home of a blind woman. They know the house well. Years ago, they had broken in, ransacking her home and raping her.

Since then, they each led lives that frequently led them to trouble, loneliness and sadness.

Now, they come together once again to watch the preacher on his death bed and the scene brings back a barrage of memories of the events that brought them to where they are today.

I have to commend Robert Vivian for his novel. It’s quite unique and I don’t remember reading anything quite like it in the past. Although not one of the best books I’ve read recently, it does have some unique qualities and I’d recommend it to some of the readers I know.