Drone by Mike Maden

Release Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Adult

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Newly elected President Margaret Myers has upset a lot of the political players on Capitol Hill by putting a spending freeze into effect and bringing the armed forces home. Not long into her term, the country's resolve is tested by what seems to be random acts of violence that hit too close to home. Fighting to keep the upper hand will require the services of Troy Pearce, former CIA operative and current CEO of Pearce Systems.

But Troy got out of the government business for more reasons than he cares to remember. When the President comes calling, he must decide whether to refuse her offer and let the country descend into chaos or get back into the saddle to take out the bad guys.

Review:
Having won this book in a free giveaway at Goodreads, I was a little concerned that a lot of the subject matter would be too much for me to understand. I'm not the most educated person when it comes to politics and global industries. But in his debut novel, Mike Maden does a wonderful job of laying out all the information in a way that makes sense to someone like myself and yet still entertain veteran readers of the political/spy-thriller genres.

There is a lot going on within the pages of this book. Not only is America affected by the actions being taken in the book, but the countries all around the world. In the case of this book, there is a definite ripple affect from the moment the first bullet flies until the last word is spoken. It's just a matter of which side you want to find yourself on. Maden was able to weave so many political topics into a solid tapestry of a book without taking away any of the serious impacts they could have on the country at large.

I really liked the way the characters came to life in the story. They weren't just dropped into the reader's lap and left there. Each of the major players and a few of the minor ones were given enough time and coverage to fool the reader into thinking that these are real players affecting the world around us. With each twist or hint of intrigue, the story shifted and took off into another direction which kept the pace moving.

Overall, I think this book is a great read. It drew me into its grasp about five pages in and didn't let me go until the very end. Hopefully this won't be the last we see of a certain list of characters because there are many issues left to settle. Great action sequences, believable characters and a sophisticated yet layman-like way of looking at the big political issues all add up to a pretty great way to spend a few late nights.

Drone by Mike Maden is currently available in either hardback or Kindle forms. You can purchase your copy from Amazon by clicking on the provided link.
Drone by Mike Maden

The Grave Artist by Paula Lynn Johnson

Release Date: March 29, 2013
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform  (Kindle version first released on March 12, 2012)

Rating: 4 out 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Still reeling from the divorce of her parents and the subsequent move from her hometown, Clair finds herself struggling with everything. She tries to find her way through the emotional landmines by immersing herself in the only thing she knows that she's good at - her art. But when she begins drawing winged skulls at alarmingly increased rate, Clare is forced to solve the mystery.

She begins to unravel the clues with the help of her only friend, Gollum. As she finds the answers to her questions, Clare must pay a higher price. Driven to the brink, she pushes forward in order to solve the mystery and to keep herself from going insane. But can she do it without the answers taking her life?

Review:
I'll admit that I'm still relatively new to the YA genre. When I began reading this book, I wasn't really sure what to expect from it. It didn't take me very long to figure out that there was a lot of tension between the characters and the paranormal aspect of the story helped to keep the level of tension high throughout the whole story until the mystery was solved. This book is one of those that once you begin reading, it's hard to put down for very long.

From the beginning, the reader is shown the major conflict within Clare's family. Everyone is having a hard time with the divorce. Each of the main characters are giving a chance to reveal the pain and damage that the upheaval in the family has done to them. Written from Clare's point of view, we do see more of her angst and turmoil and yes, it's of the teenage variety. She's sixteen. I wouldn't expect anything less. The author also shows us the hurt and turmoil of her twenty-something sister, her mother and even her father. It's these glimpses that help to make the characters feel real and distinct from one another.

The story doesn't slack off in the pacing department. Once things begin happening in earnest for Clare, they continue until they reach the very end. I expected a few twists and turns and thought I had everything figured out until the last couple of chapters. What I had been envisioning wasn't what happened. It was a pleasant surprise even as it made me sad. There was a nice blend of action sequences and times where the characters paused to catch their breath.

In truth, this book was a good way to spend a chilly evening. I enjoyed the history and scientific lessons included within the hunt for answers. It all added up to a good read that went fairly quick. If you're looking for a good, first step into the YA genre that's not overbearing, this is among one of the books you should try.

The Grave Artist by Paula Lynn Johnson is currently available for purchase in either paperback or Kindle form. You can purchase a copy from Amazon by clicking the link below.
The Grave Artist by Paula Lynn Johnson

The Greenland Breach by Bernard Besson

Release Date: October 30, 2013
Publisher: Le French Book
Translator: Julie Rose

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
A stylish, fast-paced spy thriller about the intrigue, economic warfare and struggles for natural resources promised by global warming. The Arctic ice caps are breaking up. Europe and the East Coast of the United States brace for a tidal wave.

Meanwhile, former French intelligence officer John Spencer Lariviere, his karate-trained, steamy Eurasian partner, Victoire, and their bisexual computer-genius sidekick, Luc, pick up an ordinary freelance assignment that quickly leads them into the glacial silence of the great north, where a merciless war is being waged for control of discoveries that will change the future of humanity. - synopsis provided by the publisher

Review:
Let me first say that I am very much glad that I accepted the request to be a part of the blog tour by France Book Tours ( www.francesbooktours.com ) for this book by Bernard Besson. I entered a giveaway at Goodreads for this book but failed to win a copy. Though the book is a little out of my usual comfort zone, I was really drawn in by the synopsis for the book (which is given above). Once I had a copy, I will freely admit that I dove right in.

From the very beginning of the book, the stage is set for action. Not only are we, the readers, thrown into the middle of a murder in progress but we are introduced to the trio of main characters of the book. I believe the author did an excellent job in giving enough information about the character at the right time and letting the reader find out the other things as the book went along instead of all at once.

Even when the story begins to travel down the roads of advanced technologies, spy lingo and ecological theories, the author really does a brilliant job in bringing down the level so that the layman will understand. Yet, he doesn't allow the story to make the reader feel dumb. Instead, it's as though we, the readers, are learning along with John, Victoire and Luc. There may be a few things we are privy to that the trio isn't at certain points in the book, but I'll tell you honestly, there aren't that many.

I have to say that I'm amazed at the level of research the author poured into this book. Not only are there little known facts about areas in France, but other places as well. He goes to great lengths to educate the reader about the Inuits and their culture in Greenland, the ancestral divide caused by the Danish and other countries within Greenland. The descriptions of the land areas in the book are beautifully crafted. It was quite easy for me to imagine stepping off the plane with John upon his arrival in Greenland and seeing the stark whiteness of the land in some areas as well as his shock at seeing the Northern Lights so close for the very first time.

The only thing that ticked me off about the entire book was thinking that I had things figured out with the clues I had learned only to discover I was wrong! Each and every time I thought I had it, the author threw another wrench in the works. By the time I neared the end of the book, I still hadn't figured everything out. For once I had to go along with the characters and blindly turn the corner as they did. So frustrating but it made the book worth so much more.

All in all, the book is fast paced and well written to the point that one could lose themselves easily within the story. I truly enjoyed reading it. If you are looking for a thriller which keeps you guessing until that last chapter, then pick this book up! I'm so grateful it was translated into English!

The Greenland Breach by Bernard Besson will be available in e-book format at many online retailers upon its release. You can purchase the book at any of the links below.
http://www.lefrenchbook.com/get-books/
http://www.thegreenlandbreach.com

About the Author:
Award-winning thriller writer, Bernard Besson, who was born in Lyon, France, in 1949, is a former top-level chief of staff of the French intelligence services, an eminent specialist in economic intelligence and Honorary General Controller of the French National Police. He was involved in dismantling Soviet spy rings in France and Western Europe when the USSR fell and has real inside knowledge from his work auditing intelligence services and the police. He has also Written a number of prize-winning thrillers and several works of nonfiction. He currently lives in the fourteenth arrondissement of Paris, right down the street from his heroes.
For more information, visit  http://www.lefrenchbook.com/our-authors/bernard-besson/


About the Translator:
Julie Rose is a prize-winning, world-renowned translator of major French thinkers, known for, among other works, her acclaimed translation of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, which was published by Random House in 2008. She has translated twenty-eight books, including many French classics, and writes on the side. She lives in her hometown of Sydney, Australia, with her husband, dog and two cats.

Currently Reading

Today is a special one here at CoWA! Some time ago I was asked to be a part of a blog tour for Bernard Besson's ecological thriller, The Greenland Breach. From October 28 to today, various book blogs have been taking part in this tour. Today is our turn! The full review will follow this post. For more information about the tour and to enter giveaways for the book, please visit http://francebooktours.com/2013/07/15/bernard-besson-on-tour-the-greenland-breach/ and click on the highlighted links.

It's been a very busy week. Unfortunately, that limited my reading time quite a bit. I wasn't able to get anywhere near the amount of reading done that I wanted to, but I was able to get a few things scratched off that big to-do list of mine. The hat/scarf project has been completed. All the items have been finished and will be washed and packaged in the next few days. It's a huge relief to have it finished. So proud of the the BB Project.


I'm in the middle of these books;
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Mama Rose's Turn: The True Story of America's Notorious Stage Mother by Carolyn Quinn
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents by Rusty Biesele


Finally finished the following;
Pandemic: A Novel (Infected #3) by Scott Sigler


NaNoWriMo for this year has been underway for a few days and I will admit to being very, very behind. The story idea I had for this year isn't flowing from my fingers as smoothly as last year's. I'm not sure right now if I should continue to plod along to gain some words for the ending word count or start completely over with a new idea. I'm going to try carving out some serious writing time this coming weekend. Hopefully that will give me some clear direction. Wishing you all tons of wordy days and nights if you're in the thick of this with me!
 
Until next time,
Kay

Angels in the Fire: The Dramatic True Story of an Impossible Rescue by Dann Stadler

Release Date: July 1, 2013
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
On an early September night in 1989, what should have been a night of celebration became a night of terror for Dann and Tracey Stadler. After leaving dinner with family, they made their way to the home of Tracey's parents. That's where they were staying during their anniversary vacation. A split second later, they were fighting for their lives.

A drunk driver hit their vehicle head-on, going nearly 70 mph and leaving little chance for anyone to survive. It would take a miracle, and one was given. Not only did the couple survive the crash, but they were left with questions of life, faith and forgiveness. Follow both Dan and Tracey as they make their journey from the events of that night to all the experiences that awaited them during their healing.

Review:
I'll be honest. When I entered the Goodreads giveaway for this book, I thought it was going to be about firefighters and their jobs as community servants because I didn't read the descriptive blurb closely. After winning and receiving the book, I quickly found the real story to be just as intriguing and quite a journey. I was glad that I was given a chance to read and review this book.

Right from the beginning, the reader is made aware of two things. One, a horrific accident took place on that September evening in 1989. Two, the couple's faith in God is a major driving force in both their rescue and recovery journey that followed. Their faith is exemplified from the first paragraph where they give the other driver a false name in order to spare his family anymore grief or hurt. That takes a large amount of compassion and forgiveness and isn't often seen in the world today.

This book draws information from many sources including news media, eye witness accounts and the accounts of both Dann and Tracey as well as their family members. If you are a tender-hearted person, I would recommend having a box of tissues nearby as the story of their recovery will give plenty of awe inspiring and praiseworthy moments.

Because the book is written by Dann, one of the survivors of the crash, we're given a lot of glimpses of their lives. I think the open and honest way in which everything is presented allows the reader to feel as though they are there alongside the couple and experiencing everything at the same time. The way the journey is arranged is straightforward, beginning directly before the accident and continuing through their immediate recovery before finishing to present day. While the not stymied in medial jargon or filled with every detail, the record Dann has crafted moves along at a comfortable pace that really allows the reader to absorb everything. From the desperation felt during the frightful moments just after the crash to the triumph of overcoming the adversities through strong wills, gritty determination and a fire-hardened faith, everything is laid out for the reader in a way that is easy to understand.

In the end, I truly enjoyed reading this book. Dann and Tracey Stadler's faith goes beyond words. They live it, breathe it and practice it without hesitation. It was so before the accident and was reaffirmed through their trials and tribulations. Yes, many parts were difficult to read through but I imagine the difficulty was many times worse for those who lived through it. If you are looking for an uplifting, inspiring read, then I suggest you pick up this book.

Angels in the Fire: The Dramatic True Story of an Impossible Rescue by Dann Stadler is currently available at many online retailers in both paperback and Kindle forms. It can be purchased at Amazon by following the link below.
Angels in the Fire: The Dramatic True Story of an Impossible Rescue by Dann Stadler

November's Hopes and Dreams

November, what a bittersweet month you are.

Some tough days for me to get through in the later part of the month. With some hope and luck, I may busy myself to keep the depression down to a minimum. Though it's been quite a few years, my brother's passing always gets me down during this month. He was definitely one of my best friends and probably the only person to really get how I feel some days when the pain and illness gets to be too much.

In order to keep myself moving forward, I have given myself several tasks to complete this month. At the very top of the list is finishing up the community project for the year. The Brown-Brooks Project was able to make 63 hats and scarves to give to the children of the local behavioral center. I'm so very proud of everyone for reaching the minimum goal. Every child will receive a set this year. Delivery is going to be in a week or so. Can't wait!

NaNoWriMo is another great distraction for me. I just wish this blog post counted! I'm trying my best to get as many words in as I can during my free moments. With the reading and reviewing, craft projects to finish, and a surprise visitor, it's been a little challenging but still doable. Not too sure where the story's going right now, but the beauty of NaNoWriMo is just letting the story flow from your fingertips and revising later. Let's hope there's something salvageable when the month is over!

There's still a ton of books on my TBR list. I can't help but add to it nearly every day because I find a different one, or ten, that sounds like it's up my alley. Is there really enough time in the world to read everything? Sitting and reading for 16 hours a day would probably never be enough. Ah, well. Can't find out whether something works or not without trying, can you? So, that's what I'm going to do!

Until next time,
Kay

Murder at Pride Lodge (Kyle Callahan Mystery #1) by Mark McNease

Release Date: September 21, 2012
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Series: Kyle Callahan Mystery #1

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Nestled in the outskirts of New Hope, Pride Lodge has been home to many in the LGBT community who want to get away for a weekend. It's been a place for rest and relaxation for decades until the annual Halloween weekend festivities are overshadowed by the death of the handyman, Teddy.

As patrons of the Lodge try to make the best of their weekend, Kyle Callahan tries to figure out what was causing his friend, Teddy, so much anxiety. He follows the leads one by one, leading him and those he loves into danger before the weekend is over. What other dangers linger behind closed doors? Will the killer be unmasked before the weekend is ruined? Can Kyle make sense of it all before he loses everything - including his life?

Review:
Winning this book from a giveaway at Goodreads, I was really looking forward to a good murder mystery. The book was quick to deliver what I was looking for. An idyllic setting, suspense, intrigue and people pretending to be someone they're not - it all adds up to a roller coaster ride for the reader. The book does involve characters within the LGBT community. In all honesty, I don't believe it makes an impact on the story itself.

The start of the book is a little slow as there is a lot of ground to cover to set up the history of the Lodge and some of the occupants, but author's humor does break up some of the long paragraphs. Once the setting is complete, the pacing of the story begins to pick up and stays moving at a steady rate until the very end. I have to say that the author gave us just enough clues to keep me wondering, even as I began piecing things together.

Each of the characters brought their own uniqueness to the story. Glimpses into their lives were intermingled with reactions to the horrors of the Halloween weekend at the Lodge. It helped to understand the reasons why the characters did or said certain things. One of my favorite scenes was the pumpkin carving night, when the majority of the Lodge patrons were able to interact with one another and take be carefree for a few moments. Throughout the story, there was a sense of family and unity underneath everything else. It helped to make the characters come alive, in my opinion.

Overall, I thought the story to be engaging and filled with a good amount of ups and downs as the characters grew close to finding the source of all their dark times at the Lodge. I really felt bad for some of the characters as their worlds crumbled. This book is the start of a series involving Kyle Callahan and others that were met during the course of the story. Personally, I can't wait to see what they get into next. If you're looking for a mystery with a bit of flair, I recommend picking this book up!

Murder at Pride Lodge (Kyle Callahan Mystery #1) by Mark McNease is currently available in paperback and Kindle forms at various online retailers including Barnes and Noble, Amazon and others. To buy a copy from Amazon.com, please click the link below.
Murder at Pride Lodge (Kyle Callahan Mystery #1) by Mark McNease