Her Mother’s Dairy by David Curry Kahn, A Book Review

Monday 10 May, 2010 By 3 Comments

Title: Her Mother’s Diary
Author: David Curry Kahn
Publisher: Wheatmark
Publication Date: April 15, 2010
Paperback: 240 pages
ISBN: 978-1604943597
Genre: Fiction

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From the Publisher:

Allison Etcheverry is homeless, estranged from a wealthy family that refuses to acknowledge her, and on the run from the drug lords responsible for her parents’ deaths. But she has more than her own survival to think about. To fulfill her late mother’s last wish, Allison needs to find the money her mother hid before the killers do. An unlikely haven appears in the form of an elderly man, devastated by the loss of his wife. As Allison reaches out to him and his family, she finds that she has the strength not only to overcome her own struggles, but to help others do so as well. Her Mother’s Diary combines suspense and romance in a tightly woven, fast-paced story that you won’t want to put down.

My Review:

The statement: “everything is not as it seems” holds true for the novel Her Mother’s Diary by David Curry Kahn. Allison grew up on Holliday Ranch with her parents Allison and Charles until the fateful night her father killed her mother over money. It was rumoured her father and her Uncle Gustav were involved in a drug cartel and Diane stole the money from Charles to open a centre to help children affected by drugs. Allison flees to her grandmother Mary Francis Holiday who tells her that when she dies, Allison will be homeless since Henry Holliday of Holliday Trust considers Mary Francis, Diane, and Allison persona non grata. Kahn has the outlines for an intriguing plot, and it offers several twists, yet everything fell quite flat for me. I had no feelings for the characters and found the events to be contrived to fit the plot. The novel is written at a fast clip with many characters throughout several states. The impression I received from reading the back was more interesting than the story itself. I would have preferred far more character development, a more realistic plot, and Allison struggling, even a tiny bit would have added to the element where she was supposed to be homeless. With these criticism stated, the outline for the book is a good one and the novel is filled with dialogue for those who prefer more dialogue to flowery prose. Her Mother’s Diary is short and to the point. I want to make it quite clear, this novel was not what I enjoyed, and every reader has a different reaction to novels. I strongly encourage readers to check out other reviews of Her Mother’s Diary and to look at the website for the novel. I was not aware until after the fact this novel is a Young Adult (YA) novel, and not being a reviewer of the genre of YA novels I have absolutely no other YA novels to compare this to, so do look at other reviews.

To learn more about the novel or the author please visit the website.

I received a complimentary copy of Her Mother’s Diary by David Curry Kahn from AME, Inc to review. Receiving a free copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: Web of Secrets by Ernesto Patino

Wednesday 21 April, 2010 By 1 Comment

Title: Web of Secrets
Author: Ernesto Patino
Publisher: L&L Dreamspell
Publication Date: June 2009
Paperback: 195 pages
ISBN: 978-1-60318-124-2
Genre: Mystery

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About the Novel:

Some family history is too dangerous to be revealed. Sarah Baker’s search for the truth about her adoption uncovered a tangled web of deadly secrets:

A phone call from a blackmailer turned Sarah’s life upside down. The man claimed to know the circumstances of her illegal adoption thirty years ago. He also revealed some shocking facts about her real parents. Rather than have the blackmailer go public with the information and risk her husband’s career, she agreed to a one-time payoff. Their situation was far from resolved, and doubts about her heritage put a strain on their once ideal marriage. Sarah still didn’t have verification of the truth. She needed more details. Were there any brothers or sisters, or other family members nearby? Had the same blackmailer approached them too? Hiring a Private Investigator seemed the only option, but it meant opening a Pandora’s box. Sarah needed confirmation and closure, and was willing to take the risk.

Ex FBI investigator turned P. I. Joe Coopersmith was up to the task, but working on a thirty-year-old mystery wouldn’t be easy. Joe didn’t realize it might also turn deadly…

My Review:

Web of Secrets by Ernesto Patino is a story of blackmail, illegal adoptions, and the search for the truth. Sarah was adopted thirty years ago and never knew anything about her birth parents but upon receiving a mysterious phone call, then a letter blackmailing her into payment or the sordid details of her inter-racial birth parents and her illegal adoption will be made public, she did not know where to turn. Sarah hires a private investigator to uncover the truth as Patino writes an interesting story about the hunt for Sarah’s birth parents. Patino paints an in-depth portrait of the life of a private investigator, in this instance, P.I. Coopersmith and the joys and dangers that come with the job. Without adding spoiler alerts, I really did not understand some of the issues regarding the race of the parents and most of the characters felt flat to me. However, the book moves at a fast clip and weaves together many tales the P.I. uncovers leading to a conclusion that is surprising.

About the author:

Ernesto Patino grew up in El Paso where he graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso. He received a Bachelor of Music degree and taught school for a couple of years before joining the FBI as a Special Agent. His career spanned 23 years, most of which were spent in South Florida. He now lives in Tucson, Arizona, and divides his time between writing and working as a private investigator.

Ernesto is the author of a children’s book, A Boy named Paco, and a novel, In the Shadow of a Stranger, which was published in England. When he is not working as a P.I. or writing a book, you can usually find him at a local dance studio where he continually strives to perfect his skills as a ballroom dancer. For more information visit his website.

I received a complimentary copy of Web of Secrets by Ernesto Patino from AME to review. Receiving a free copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: At Home With Laurie Ann

Wednesday 10 March, 2010 By 1 Comment

Title: At Home With Laurie Ann: A Decorator’s Guide: Turn the Plce You Live Into a Place You Love
Author: Laurie Ann McMillin Ray
Publisher: Laurie Ann Publishing Inc
Publication Date: February 10, 2010
Hardcover: 224 pages
ISBN: 978-0984074808
Genre: Home/Interior Design

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About the Book:

These days few can afford to hire an interior decorator.

No need. A copy of At Home With Laurie Ann and an open mind are the only requirements to give your home the professional, yet melt-into-a-sofa look and feel you’ve always wanted.

Starting with the basics, At Home With Laurie Ann cracks the code to creating the home of your dreams on the budget you have. The instructions are simple and straightforward, and the look is cozy and comfortable. It’s practical because Laurie starts with what you already have, moves a piece of furniture here, makes a substitution there, adds unexpected color and tops it off with inexpensive (but expensive-looking) purchases. The result is a thrifty transformation!

Written in a non-intimidating, down-home style to appeal and inspire many to redecorate, this book is ideal for everyone from the first-time buyer or third-time home owner to the perennial renter, newly married to the long-time bachelor and lively family to the single sophisticate.

My Review:

Lacking all skills for decorating I was not certain if I would be able to use much of the information offered in At Home With Laurie Ann, thankfully, I was completely wrong. Laurie Ann not only has a wonderfully laid out and beautifully photographed book, she also offers brilliant suggestions and advise in terms even those who lack decorating skills, can easily understand and apply. The goal of this book is to guide the reader into transforming the reader’s house into a home, a family environment that is not only beautiful, but will also not break the bank. At Home With Laurie Ann is divided into nine sections, the first is appropriately titled, Family First. Each section offers up a wide variety of tips, suggestions, hints, cues and stunning photography. Laurie Ann writes as though she is in the reader’s home, casually chatting over a cup of coffee. Her book is written in such a way that even the most timid of decorators will crave to redecorate. Laurie Ann writes about how to work with what is already existing in a home, finding your style, shopping around, and staying within a limited budget. With spring almost here I am quite excited to begin working on turning my house into a home. If Laurie Ann can inspire me, imagine what she can do for those who already enjoy decorating. I highly recommend At Home With Laurie Ann to anyone who craves for his or her house to be more of a home.

About the Author:

Laurie Ann McMillin Ray began by decorating model homes for her father, well-known builder Corky McMillin. His philosophy was simple – everyone deserves to own a house.

Following cues from Corky, Laurie operates by a similar principle – everyone deserves to make a house his or her home, and she’s dedicated her career to this goal. For more than 25 years Laurie has built a solid reputation in Southern California as an interior designer, and as the owner of several decorating stores. Visit www.laurieann.com.

I received a complimentary copy of At Home with Laurie Ann by Laurie Ann McMillin Ray from AME. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Abandoned and Forgotten by Evelyne Tannehill: A Book Review

Thursday 31 December, 2009 By 1 Comment

Title: Abandoned and Forgotten: An Orphan Girl’s Tale of Survival During World War II
Author: Evelyne Tannehill
Publisher: Wheatmark
Publication Date: January 15, 2007
Paperback: 440 pages
ISBN: 978-1587366932
Genre: Autobiography

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About the Book:

Much has been written about World War II, but not often do we hear about the immeasurable suffering of the Germans who wanted no part of Hitler’s regime.

Abandoned and Forgotten is the memoir of a young girl growing up in the then-German province of East Prussia by the Baltic Sea. Orphaned at the age of nine and left to fend for herself in a hostile world, Evelyne Tannehill witnessed firsthand what happens when law and order break down and self-preservation becomes the only thing that matters. Her journey is a poignant example of how resilient the human spirit can be, even in the face of war’s greatest horrors.

My Review:

Abandoned and Forgotten is not a typical WWII memoir and once begun the reader will not be able to set the novel down, let alone forget. When WWII broke out Evelyne’s father had planned to take his wife and children out of Germany, to live in America, however his dream was not to be realised. According to Evelyne, life was not too altered one way or another in East Prussia until the later stages of the war due to how far removed they were in the country. Prior to being cut off from the main part of Germany, the Reich, Evelyne lived with her family and went to school as did her siblings. Evelyne writes lovingly of her family, even when she was in trouble as often the young find themselves almost unaware of the war moving closer and closer to her beloved home. By the time her family decided to flee their East Prussian home, it was too late; the Russians had closed in and cut off East Prussia from the Reich. Nine is an extremely young and tender age to witness war atrocities and yet Evelyne’s horrific experiences were just beginning. By nine Evelyne become an orphan in her beloved East Prussia, now occupied by Russian troops and was about to experience the best and the worst of humanity. Abandoned and Forgotten is brilliantly divided into four sections, which profoundly defined the times. Abandoned and Forgotten is a beautiful and at times emotionally heart-wrenching story of one young girls coming of age under the worst circumstances. Told as only one who lived it could tell, this historical autobiography is told fluidly, beautifully, and oftentimes with a wit that one does not expect. Abandoned and Forgotten is a novel not only worth reading once, but numerous times.

About the Author:

Evelyne Tannehill is retired and resides in Reno, Nevada. She has two children and four grandchildren.

I would live to thank AME, Inc. for supplying me with a copy of this book. My review was in no part influenced by my receiving a free review copy.

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Deadly Codes by JP O’Donnell: A Book Review

Tuesday 29 December, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Title: Deadly Codes
Author: JP O’Donnell
Publisher: iUniverse
Publication Date: February 17, 2009
Paperback: 206 pages
ISBN: 978-0595514113
Genre: Suspense/Thriller

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About the Novel:

In the thriller, Deadly Codes, Daniel Cormac Gallagher, Jr., a Boston private eye, is hired to investigate the death of Jennifer Clark, tragically killed in a car bombing in her own driveway.

Gallagher has been commissioned by Jeanne Campbell, Jennifer’s twin sister, to find a mysterious woman—Jennifer’s secret lesbian lover who vanished immediately after the bombing. While the authorities continue to pursue their suspicions that the terrorist act may have been intended for Jennifer’s husband, Bill, who holds a top-secret position in the counter-intelligence division of the National Security Agency, Jeanne reveals intricate details to Gallagher that intrigue him enough to take on the case. While Gallagher begins searching for the missing woman, he has no idea that a bounty has been placed on his own head—two hired gunmen are plotting to kill him. Gallagher’s search takes him to Washington DC, where he discovers that the car bombing is only a backdrop to a complex, treasonous scheme to sell code-breaking formulas to a hostile enemy nation.

As the violent mystery unravels, Gallagher finds himself under deadly attack from two shocking but powerful forces—one he knows and another he never expects.

My Review:

Deadly Codes is the second novel in JP O’Donnell’s Gallagher series. I have not as of yet had the pleasure of reading his first novel, Fatal Gamble, yet was able to follow the story line rather well. As a relatively new author I was amazed at how well this novel was written and the vast attention to details, including foreign affairs. While reading the novel I was rather excited to be reading so much about my main college degree and was surprised to learn JP O’Donnell was not in foreign relations but instead he was a pediatric dentist. Gallagher, recently married is closing his private detective agency for a safer job in business, yet Gallagher cannot resist this one last case, where the client’s sister was killed in a car bomb. Jennifer’s sister wants to hire Gallagher to discover who planted the car bomb, and to determine who killed her twin sister and why. I found his novel to be a well-woven thriller filled with plot twists, treason, espionage, subversion, and betrayal. Deadly Codes is an excellent novel to curl up with if one is looking for a fantastic suspenseful thriller.

About the Author:

JP O’Donnell is a board-certified pediatric dentist with more than thiry-five years of experience in clinical practice and dental education. Dr. O’Donnell holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Tufts University. He and his wife reside in Bedford, Massachusetts. He is also the author of Fatal Gamble. For more information, please visit the author’s website.

I would live to thank AME, Inc. for supplying me with a copy of this book. My review was in no part influenced by my receiving a free review copy.

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