Flowers were an important and unique way to communicate in nineteenth century England.
Clara Hartwell is a talented floriographer. Her understanding of flowers helps when she gets involved in murder investigations with the new coroner of Bath. Complicating her life is the
local perfumer who takes an interest in her. When Clara arranged her floral message she had to be aware of the type of flower, color, and the way the flowers were presented.
This is an uncomplicated but well written story. The core theme is the message of flowers and in this narrative the flowers shine as the main characters. The human characters create the bridge for the flowers to tell their story. For the author angelica for an inspiring story.

The title of this book is Heroes of Palmar: How One Idf Unit Revolutionized Combat Medicine in Gaza. “ The need for a PALMAR unit was shaped by the need for swift medical care on the battlefield.” I think I missed some chapters because I couldn’t find any pertinent information about what this unit did that revolutionized combat medicine.
The author claims that duty and honor drive these heroes to serve their country. He is resolute in his praise that they are dedicated to a cause, but not specific as to what acts of selfless action they have performed. He maintains that Israel is on the side of right without any thought as to what motivates the other side to acts of terror. He quotes the national anthem, Israel is the realization of “the hope of two thousand years to be a free people in our land.” He does not address or consider that the other side might also desire to be free.

Seed Starting Simplified offers a strong, clear introduction to seeds and the growing process.
Each chapter is dedicated to a specific point about growing seeds for maximum production.
Previously, I had not had much success growing from seeds, but now I understand what I was doing wrong. I learned that it is vital for soil to be at a certain temperature, and some plants are better started indoors while others are best sown outdoors. It is a practical, user-friendly step-by-step guide to starting seeds, transplanting, and troubleshooting. Gardening becomes rewarding and a feel-good activity when your planning yields beautiful vegetables and flowers. Included is a glossary and a list of resources. Whether you are a new or seasoned gardener, there is helpful information.

It’s Memorial Day, and I’ve just finished this book.
Written by Tom Cotton, who is now a Republican
Senator, it is part memoir, a detailed history of the
Old Guard, but more than that, it is a tribute to all
who died serving the United States.
This history is one everyone ought to read, as it
connects us to the courage and sacrifice of others.
It is meant to be a reminder to the Nation about
American values and respect for the dead.

A unique planner specializing in garden plants.
The pages are cut into four groups of cards.
There are 450 selected species illustrated in
color on the front side with a description,
care, and propagation information on the backside.
Also included is an introductory section
with information about gardening needs,
such as plant diseases, mulching, feeding,
and other garden challenges. Find all of
this in an attractive compact hardcover.

The lives of Mirabelle, Jeremy, Lisa, and Ray are connected, disconnected, and reconnected as they each search for something missing in their lives. The characters are all interesting as they grapple with loneliness while looking for any kind of positive relationship. Each is unable to communicate on important issues.

Mirabelle, a struggling artist who works as a shop girl, and Jeremy, an immature aspiring musician, have an awkward relationship that ends when Mirabelle meets Ray, a wealthy, jet-setting older businessman. Lisa, an extroverted, superficial co-worker, is determined to make Mirabelle’s life as miserable as possible and is often caught in a trap of her own making. This is a well-crafted, hilariously funny look at how each fumbles through life together and on their own.

The writing style is brief and to the point. I really enjoyed this novella.

Not Received

Haiku is a short poetic form of three unrhymed lines. This makes Haiku look simple. Unlike poetry, though, its particular focus is nature or an emotional insight. In particular, this explores nature - Spring or Air, but also emotions like Fearless or an insight such as Essence. There is a table of contents that can serve as a guide to what each Haiku is about. Haiku is comparable to meditation, with the focus on a sensory image. Petals and Silences is a wonderful introduction to Haiku.

Many of the cases challenge our sense of what constitutes
a serious issue. Each case is short and set up in an easy-to-read
format. Much of the book is humorous and provides insight
into the legal world, as well as what the legal system will
tolerate in the name of justice. The court's rationale was
interesting in the cases that were meritless or made exaggerated
demands. In particular, the Elf Road Construction Case seemed so
absurd that I couldn’t stop laughing.
Anyone who wants to reduce stress or gain perspective
should read this book

Jordan is a woman whose entire life has revolved around her family. When she is hired by Homeland Security, her job is to find anomalies in unprocessed intelligence that might contain threats.

Her serene life is about to be disrupted. America is about to fall apart. Her goal now is to ensure her family's safety. Meanwhile, a new President is elected; his goal is to ensure that democracy is destroyed. With the support of his adoring followers, who willingly replace personal ethics with group orders, while violence itself becomes not just acceptable, but righteous. The book’s title, The Nuclear Sword of Damocles, points to the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons and hints at the possible use of these devices.

During an unplanned visit to Maine, Leonard, Jordan’s husband, buys 65 acres of dense forest land and open fields. He intends to turn it into a secure compound for the day when the family can no longer stay safely in Connecticut.

I found the narrative stressful as it mirrors today’s politics. The secondary theme looks at home and family, and how upcoming events will affect them and disrupt the entire nation.
The character that the author could have explained more about was her son-in-law, a follower of the President. There is enough suspense to engage the reader.

Ted Born sat musing about all the cases he had won. Cases that should have defined his professional life as a lawyer. But the thorn in his side was the Phoenix County trial. Everyone thought they would lose this case and Born knew that defeat would forever define his life in a negative way.

The case is about tires. It is also about death and injuries and being black. “With voter enfranchisement after the historic Voting Rights Act, African Americans had gradually taken control of most county offices in Phoenix County” and juries were inclined to find big corporations guilty and award large amounts in compensation to local citizens.

Dave Thompson, a black man and another member of the defense team for the Universal Tire Company also, had his doubts about what his reputation would be when this trial ended. He was troubled, by the fact, that Born was white. Dave didn’t think that Born would be able to relate to black jurors.

Jack Ripps, lawyer for the plaintiffs, was pragmatic and he and his partner Fred Bates understood that there was money to be made in this case. They are willing to bend the rules and twist the truth because their belief is that money is more important than justice. They are confident that the jury will be with them. “Bates was fond of boasting that he knew every person in Phoenix County.”

I loved this book. I definitely learned a lot about tires.

In order to achieve the unfakeable code, five life-changing principles should be followed. The Unfakeable Code begins with a number of testimonials that summarize Tony Selimi's main points. The Foreword reiterated information from the testimonials. I have a mixed reaction to all this advanced information. Repetition is necessary for most people to integrate messages, but I found it excessive.

It was interesting to see the correlation between DNA and programming a machine and a human brain. The author believes that we inherit a mind code from our parents and as children, we are formed by the values and programming from parents and the environment we live in. The solution is reprogramming our thoughts to help change fearful and harmful behavior.

He suggests that dealing with pain requires identifying that part of you that is trying to communicate, similar to understanding the Chakra points of the body. Once the area of emotional or physical pain is found and acknowledged changes can begin.

He introduces the idea of transference as a hindering factor in discovering the unfakeable self. “There is a part of our brain that creates the very toxic behavior of injecting our values onto others that we automatically feel resistant towards.” When we realize this, we can begin to take back control of our unfakeable self.

Throughout the book, he makes many valuable points. He uses a conversational tone.
The book provides questions and exercises, there is an Amazon Prime documentary as show more well YouTube videos. show less

Kalin Taylor was desperate to leave his old self behind. It was a rude awakening to discover that by studying hard and getting into the prestigious SACAS, the status quo of his life had stayed the same. Desperate, he decides that joining a fraternity is his only chance to become socially adept and popular. His sense of hopelessness leads him to make a rash decision.
GenTech is a company doing human cloning creation. The scientists and doctors have been working on Project Tau. Tau looks human and was designed to work in a diamond mine, but his training raises concerns about how he is treated as a clone. Project Tau was named after the twentieth letter of the Roman alphabet because he was the twentieth in a series of clones and the only one to survive.
Mason, leader of Gen-Tech, is presented with a questionable opportunity. He secretly initiates a new program and calls it Project Kata. Mason has no apparent conscience and manipulates the criterion for this project.
Dr. Andrew Renfield and Dr. Martin Chatton are assigned to handle Project Kata's training. The trainers used brutal methods to break Kata and Tau into obeying and following orders. Renfield begins to question the ethics of Project Kata and his role when he learns that Kata and Kalin Taylor bear too many similarities.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The author of Project Tau created characters with unique quirks and personalities. The main character, Kata, was entertaining with his sarcastic humor and show more analytical mind. The tension between Kata and the other characters kept the plot moving, keeping my interest. The theme of human cloning makes the story interesting, raising the question of its purposes. show less

It is September 11, and Mark Mays watches three small planes explode and plunge toward Earth. He is confident that this is an Electromagnetic Pulse attack. Mark and his family have been preparing for an event requiring them to become survivalists and go to war against those threatening society. They decide this is necessary to protect those who can't. The author added a black character to introduce the topic of racism. Because of shootings of black men, there could be nationwide unrest and trigger an attack on the country.
Mark and his family have also been preparing for Armageddon. Consequently, he is ready for the Rapture and his ascent to heaven. He is disappointed when he finds himself alive and well. Mark realizes that ascension to heaven is not happening. He almost seems indifferent that the Rapture is out and living is in.
The premise of Righteous Gathering also confuses me. To be righteous, one must follow God's law. Mark often prays to God. He tries to listen to God but contradicts himself when he doesn't have time to find out what God wants him to do. Mark believes that without a moral compass, anarchy will reign. He is willing to contribute to the chaos and confusion. All he has to do is pray to God for forgiveness.
I found it amusing that the author named the rebel group's leader Wagerly. Frank Wagerly was willing to wager that this unpredictable event was his opportunity to take control of the countryside.

Homecoming is the second book in the Projects series written by Jude Austin.
Project Kata, also known as Kalin Taylor, a mutated human, and Project Tau, a human clone, escaped the GenTech lab. After two years in captivity, in which Kalin has been the object of genetic alterations and brutality, he wants to reclaim his life. He has convinced Tau that they need to escape. Kata sees Tau as someone who needs to be protected, but conflict is brewing because he needs to see that Tau is developing and has opinions that he might consider.

Poor planning leaves getting home a challenge that Kata had not anticipated when the shuttle they stole ran out of fuel, leaving them stranded. After making some uncomfortable choices, Kata and Tau get separated. GenTech is after them and will not let Project Tau escape, but they must eliminate Kata to recapture Tau.

The author has created some great characters. They feel lifelike, with each character having a distinctive voice and personality. Tau's character, as he learns about life outside a lab, raises the question of human rights and slavery. Kurai is a mystery figure who is a combat medic and adds to the intrigue. The characters have to make choices, and the outcomes of those choices add to the suspense. How the conflict will be resolved generates a sense of anticipation. The plot is well-developed.

A Long Night of Chaos is a look at ethnic prejudice and how easily it leads to war.
With the collapse of Russia, the independent territory of the Ksord-Akhtarian Federal Republic became unstable. The multi-ethnic groups splinter, each hoping to advance their agendas. The newly created multi-party elections left former party members needing a party and the opportunity for some of their party building. Rivals are now loose to create some havoc. As nationalist sentiment rose, the former Communist ruler Zikladza decided he needed to curb this rise in nationalism, and he knew someone naive enough to use it to further his plans. He enlists the aid of his former close advisor, Sergo Lionidza, to recruit Ruslan Shanidza, a former athlete who used to represent the Soviet Union.
The character I found most interesting was Leila. She is a singer recruited by Sergo Lionidza to open an office and act as secretary, but she soon demonstrates her managerial skills. She is savvy, adaptable, and analytical, and she demonstrates diplomatic acumen.
I had a hard time connecting with Ruslan as a main character. While he is good at communication, he is insecure and whiny, always doubting himself. These are not good personality traits for a diplomatic career, which he hopes to pursue.
The author presents his book as a political thriller. The storyline is challenging. Sometimes, it is confusing for a reader to sort out all the ethnic groups and their agendas. Including a map and character list was a show more valuable guide for sorting out the territories and characters. show less

Following Israel's Entebbe Rescue Mission in 1976, the political atmosphere in Nigeria resulted in heightened tensions toward Jewish business personnel. Into this volatile situation, Frederich David Nachman decides to go to promote a business deal. On August 14, 1976, he disappears while taking a walk.
Quest: Finding Freddie is a real-life account by Richard Spradlin of his assignment to find the missing Freddie Nachman. Richard has just returned from Nigeria and is irked that his law firm had not notified him of this situation while he was in Lagos because now there is a problem. His hisa took two months to get and was for a single entry. Previously, the application for a multiple-entry visa was denied. He would have to return without a visa, resulting in possible incarceration.
Nigeria uses a monetary bribe called a dash when dealing with official business. This dash exchange is also important in social situations if one wants good service or information. Because this system makes life easier, Richard is always prepared and has an elaborate system for carrying large sums of money.
The criticism I have about this narrative is twofold. While information regarding the political climate is key to the story, I found repeating the details distracting. Second, Robert has certain hotel room procedures. Repeating dressing, showering, and security routines seemed unnecessary.
I liked the book for several reasons. The plot was suspenseful, the action scenes were exciting and show more believable, and the dialogue between the characters was conversational and natural. The story has a good flow, and the plot is well organized. This book contains convincing action scenes and a riveting plot. If your genre is suspense, it is worth reading. show less

Jillion R. Rising, the author of The Solution is Political Revolution contends that Americans are at war with one another. It is his belief that our political system is responsible for creating this war between the haves and the have-nots. His thesis is to draw attention to existing problems and find a solution so that we will not perish as a nation.

His concern is that the country is divided because power-hungry politicians sort voters into identity groups in the hopes of creating citizens who become unwilling to engage in peaceful compromise and fail to recognize and respect each other. The author reasons by dividing us politicians will distract us from the truth of the problems. This division leaves people no choice but to join a rebellion or join a fascist movement. His worry is that our government has become partners with central banking (the Federal Reserve), commercial banking(Wall Street), big business(lobbyists) and news media who have lost it’s ability to remain neutral and has become a tool of the government spreading information or disinformation depending on what benefits them.
This book is an extensive look at the problems facing the US. I like the way he presents his information. He sets out his points and uses a process he calls “for every action there is a reaction” offering a conclusion to remedy the situation. He makes some very interesting points
and I was thoroughly engaged by his arguments.

It is 1968 in South Carolina.
Emboldened by the declared martial law, members of the Ku Klux Klan attack a bus full of white and black teens. Barry, one of the passengers, decides that Trish, who is injured, should be taken to the nearest hospital, which happens to be black. The segregated hospital system in the South made this decision somewhat controversial. Race and social issues are a theme.

Sister Rosalie is an American History buff. Unfortunately, to make her point, she speaks like she is giving a history lecture. However, if your curiosity is piqued, here is an opportunity to do further research. Sister Rosalie runs Saint Paul’s Orphanage and has unofficially adopted Vanessa Condon as her daughter. Sister Rosalie and Vanessa lacked complexity. I had difficulty connecting to them. Vanessa’s character needs development.

Trish is the rebellious character, and under her influence, the girls devise a plan for Vanessa to obtain a birth certificate, allowing her to pass as a white person. Budding journalists uncover a significant loophole in the immigration system that will enable them to apply for a birth certificate.

Barry lusts after Vanessa. When Barry is seen with another woman, Vanessa breaks off their relationship and disappears for twenty years. In the ensuing years, she has become a successful businesswoman, but she is also living a lie. It turns out that fate has other plans for her deceptively calm life.

The story revolves around a young, naive German soldier who feels protected and invincible. He is alive while many of his comrades are dead. He believes he has been chosen; that he is invincible. He is fighting a righteous cause and has grown up believing that the enemy is not human. It does not occur to him that what he knows as truth is evil and that his actions cause evil to be. This viewpoint leads him to commit a heinous act. He has assaulted the enemy, who is scum and not worthy of being called human. The act makes him feel powerful and godlike. The soldier's choices have consequences, forcing him to answer for his actions.
The author has approached the concept of evil from a religious perspective. His focus is for us to know who we are so that we can avoid being trapped by evil. In this narrative, God will judge the soldier who is slow to comprehend the consequences of his actions.
He feels he is a victim who has done nothing wrong, or at least nothing that warrants punishment. I found this novelette to be a compelling read for several reasons. The story is seamlessly woven through a series of events that require the soldier to search for the truth behind his actions. The author clearly articulates his ideas. The theme is compelling, and the well-paced story kept me engaged.

Dr. Norma Dunn is overseeing a study funded by WellStar Pharmaceuticals. The research goal is to understand the relationship between obesity and diabetes. She believes that someone is trying to sabotage the research. Her friend, Dr. Beatrix Bach, has summoned Jeannie Johal and informed her that she will be going to Greenville, North Carolina, to identify coding glitches and repair the database for Dr. Dunn's project.
I assumed that the story was about a research project and the death of its head. As I continued to read, I was overwhelmed by the extraneous information. The topics introduced covered lengthy explanations or dialogue on subjects such as guns, prejudice, history, alcohol, and cars, to name a few.

The chapter about the Pitt County Agricultural Center was relevant because Detectives Harris and Smith were following up on a case of poisoning. The chapter was well-written, providing a wealth of interesting information about plants and flowers.

The characters I found more interesting were Detectives Harmony Harris and Henry Smith, who are assigned to determine why Dr. Dunn was poisoned. They are opposites, but with each keeping the other on point. They are great at the good cop, bad cop routine.

I'm always curious to know how a book's title is chosen. This novel is titled "Bless Your Heart." In one of the chapters, an officer prevents the coroner from entering a crime scene. The coroner tells him, "Bless your heart for being so diligent." This term can be used in the show more South to criticize a behavior. There are many references to southern hospitality. Was it the author's intention to highlight or compare the differences in how Southern hospitality is expressed?

In general, the author made the story flow coherently, employing conversational and easy-to-read language. show less

The Japanese occupation angers the Korean people.
They are angry with King Gojong because they believe he did not make an effort to resist the occupation. King Gojang was a real Korean king. He was forced to abdicate, leading to the total annexation of Korea by the Japanese, who later had him assassinated.
The main theme is the story of how and why Korea became occupied and is told through the voices of several fictional characters. The concept of Han, which is an emotional cultural concept that combines anger, sorrow, and resentment, is motivating them to action after nine years of occupation. Korean citizens are beginning to think about resisting Japanese rule.

Using secondary storylines, the author's fictional characters tell us about the occupation and how Koreans perceive themselves. None of the characters were particularly outstanding, but they all served their purpose. Lady Souyin provides us with information about Korean life and society, including its strict guidelines. Mr. Seoh provides a glimpse into the mindset of those who are content to live under the occupation. Mr. Koo introduces us to the idea of a resistance movement. Finally, Embon and his friends give us a glimpse of what the rest of the world is doing while Korea is occupied. When Embon realizes how useless his life has become, he commits to helping his country but questions whether he has what it takes to fight for freedom.

Book titles always pique my interest. My opinion is that authors should show more incorporate their book titles into the story. In Vanished, the title probably refers to the Japanese destruction of everything Korean. However, it can also refer to the demise of the hereditary elite (the yangban) and the end of the Joseon dynasty.

More action and drama would have made the story more exciting. Also, the ending was abrupt and felt unresolved. Overall, I did like the story show less

God, please help me,” she prayed. This was the mantra by which Hanel lived. Fearing for her family’s safety during the military dictatorship of General Chun Doo-hwan, she made a deal with God: she would dedicate her life to helping others. True to her word, she became a nurse. After several years of nursing in Korea, she moved to America, where she discovered that the country was dominated by white culture and was not always welcoming to non-whites. Additionally, nursing during COVID carried the risk of contracting the disease—a risk Hanel did not escape.

This novel covers a wide array of topics, including the healthcare industry, nursing, discrimination based on race and ethnicity, prejudice, the 1980 Korean massacre, autism, freedom, and COVID. Because it explores so many issues, the text sometimes felt overwhelming. However, what captured my interest was the detailed medical information about COVID and the problems the characters faced through prejudice and discrimination.

There are several things I would change. The title, American Dream, does not clarify Hanel’s interpretation of the concept. The idea originates in the Declaration of Independence, and historian James Truslow Adams later broadened it as opportunity. Expanding on what this dream means to Hanel, beyond freedom would have been helpful. Another point that needed further explanation was the term “the magic green hat”. I’ve never heard that term. I could not find any reference to it being a show more derogatory slur. The writer does a fairly good job of drawing attention to moments of discrimination, but I feel an explanation of prejudice could be clearer by providing reasons why characters engaged in prejudice. Prejudice is a belief and can cover things such as racism, xenophobia, and sexism. For me, it would provide a better understanding of exactly why some of the characters hold these beliefs. Finally, Nurse Hyun was a significant character. I would have liked to know more about her.

Overall, I found the story interesting. It didn't drag on, and I could relate to Hanel and Hyun. It provides an emotional journey. The action flows smoothly, builds on the prior section, and is coherent. show less

In the beginning, we are introduced to Rajiv Bansa, the charismatic leader of the Indian branch of the Global Calling Organization. Global Calling is a worldwide growth of The Call based in the US. Andrew and Trevor, the founders of The Call, have arrived in India to prepare for a huge gathering of the faithful at Kingsford Garden Stadium, where Rajiv and Andrew will be the featured speakers. The message they will spread is God’s message of hope, redemption, forgiveness, and everlasting life.
Andrew guides us through Indian cities, introducing us to the Mumbai slums where a refurbishment project is in the works. He takes us to the Holi, a Hindu spring festival and then in Mumbai where we experience a packed lunch referred to as tiffin.

As we near the stadium we can hear the cheering and chanting of the energy-packed crowd. At these rallies, an explosion of emotion is to be expected. Looking down on Kingsford Stadium, the seven radiant angels of God prepare to go into action to protect the chosen who are called to spread God’s word. Acts of terror have been preordained. There is great evil about to be unleashed. Demons are present, ready to interfere in God’s plan and turn souls against Him.

Sanjay lives in the slums. He has a job working at Kingsford Garden Stadium. Life changes when a former friend targets him for recruitment into the militant group, the Indian Liberation Resistance Organization. After completing his first successful assignment for them, he was show more promised great wealth by the terrorist group. Sanjay begins to think about how his actions impacted the community, and when angels appear with a message, he is forced to consider what path his life will take. Sanjay is my favorite character. He is uneducated but street smart. He stands out as he undergoes a psychological and spiritual transformation. He is the one character who represents the Christian message of hope, redemption, and forgiveness.

The novel is well written, and I enjoyed the historical details. Furthermore, the presence of angels highlights the contrast between good and evil actions. It is a clever addition to the storyline. Events unfold at a coherent pace. The Story maintains my interest. In addition, the characters are believable and offer varying perspectives while conflict and emotional tension are present throughout. It is a thought-provoking reading. show less

The donkey appears in many biblical tales. Donkeys are willing to carry supplies, but they are also used as a means of transportation, taking their riders on specific missions. The donkey represents humility and a willingness to take on a burden without complaint. They illustrate lessons about mission and obedience. However, the donkey can also be stubborn, which may be a sign to the rider that there is a lesson to be learned or that the rider does not fully understand the purpose of the mission.

The author begins this biblical journey with the story of Balaam and his donkey. Balaam is hired to curse the people “who have come out from Egypt.” As he begins his journey, an accident happens, and he accuses his donkey of making a fool of him. The accident was an intervention by an angel. A donkey is used to teach a lesson. While many stories feature animals as main characters, this approach uniquely highlights the purpose and usefulness of the biblical donkey. The ultimate rider is Jesus. The Book of Zechariah tells us that Jesus was mounted on a donkey to fulfill a prophecy, which was fulfilled because of his self-control and purpose.

After reading the book several times, I find the authors' attempt to discuss various doctrines, terms, and words to be unique. Initially, I was confused trying to follow the logic of some of the explanations. Furthermore, the author randomly moves from one scripture reading to another scriptural teaching; some explanations are incoherent, show more while others are too lengthy. show less

Taken by surprise, Charlie Benson was startled and disoriented.
Looking down at the bed, he saw a person who resembled him.
At that moment, he became certain he must be dead.
As he was pondering the why and how of it, a voice began talking to him.
“What are you thinking about”? asked Lizzie, who was a ghost who had not
passed over. Charlie responded that his death did not make any sense.
The doctor had determined the cause of death was natural causes.
Lizzie thought that being a detective might be an adventure, but Charlie only wanted to know why he was dead. And so begins the challenge.

Aside from Poppy, the cast of characters is not particularly interesting. Poppy, the younger sister of Sergeant Hart, is an aspiring detective. I was especially
annoyed by Inspector Anderson. The first thing that came to my mind was a
bumbling character in a movie. Every time a new theory is suggested, he jumps on it as the answer to who the guilty party is. With the addition of other deaths,
Charlie’s murder seemed like an afterthought. Then, there is Lizzy, a sex-crazed twenty-something whose main role, aside from enticing Charlie, is to work with him to solve the mystery of his death.

I suggest giving Poppy a major role. Her father's passing is referenced several times. She also approaches problems with more logic than the professionals.
While I am not averse to repetitive phrasing, I did not see the need to repeat, after each visit to various places, they were going back to the police show more station, and who was in the car. Similarly, Charlie’s repeated reminders about needing more practice were uninteresting and not crucial for the reader.

The idea of ghost detectives is an interesting theme. A ghost triggers thoughts of unresolved issues and how to redress them. The author does a good job of working out the logistics of how the ghosts are going to communicate with humans. The plot is uncomplicated, and the story moves along at a good pace. The story has a fair amount of sexual banter between Lizzy and Charlie, which adds levity to the situation. It also includes descriptive sexual language that implies a sexual act but no profanity. show less

Alec died of a drug overdose that devastated his parents, but especially his mother. Before writing this book, she consulted several mediums. One of them suggested that, if she were to write a book about her son, it should include information he could provide from the other side. It was during a mediumship session that Alec came through and agreed to do this. His mother has many issues and fears that prevent her from fully living her life. His primary focus was to reassure her that he was fine and that she needed to address her fears so that she could enjoy life. He spent a good part of the book offering suggestions to help ease her anxiety so that Cindy could find her true self.

According to Alec, the purpose of the physical realm, of inhabiting a human form, is to learn a lesson or lessons, and once we have figured this out, we will return to the other world to connect to our divine soul. Alec indicates that he has had several incarnations. If the divine soul decides it needs a particular learning and growth experience, it creates a new physical being. For now, his task is to serve as a teacher guide to instruct other souls "how to become and understand their true inner self". He has reached the intermediate teaching level because he was a teacher spirit before becoming Alec. In summary, the story discusses the life of Alec before and after death. His mother is the questioner, and he provides his personal opinions. It is easy to read and comprehend.

To quote Cindy, "This show more book is intended for anyone that believes in a higher power." I would also suggest that as humans, the one thing we know absolutely is that we will die. It may be helpful for those who are afraid of death. For others, it may spark curiosity about how to connect with souls on the other side. show less

A Long Night of Chaos is a look at ethnic prejudice and how easily it leads to war.
With the collapse of Russia, the independent territory of the Ksord-Akhtarian Federal Republic became unstable. The multi-ethnic groups splinter, each hoping to advance their agendas. The newly created multi-party elections left former party members needing a party and the opportunity for some of their party building. Rivals are now loose to create some havoc. As nationalist sentiment rose, the former Communist ruler Zikladza decided he needed to curb this rise in nationalism, and he knew someone naive enough to use it to further his plans. He enlists the aid of his former close advisor, Sergo Lionidza, to recruit Ruslan Shanidza, a former athlete who used to represent the Soviet Union.
The character I found most interesting was Leila. She is a singer recruited by Sergo Lionidza to open an office and act as secretary, but she soon demonstrates her managerial skills. She is savvy, adaptable, and analytical, and she demonstrates diplomatic acumen.
I had a hard time connecting with Ruslan as a main character. While he is good at communication, he is insecure and whiny, always doubting himself. These are not good personality traits for a diplomatic career, which he hopes to pursue.
The author presents his book as a political thriller. The storyline is challenging. Sometimes, it is confusing sorting out all the ethnic groups and their agendas. Including a map and character list was a valuable guide show more for sorting out the territories and characters.
Overall, the story was okay. Some aspects of the narrative made it slow-paced rather than action-packed.
Even so, I would recommend it to those who enjoy political fiction show less

Max Shaw, the lead operations officer at the National Infrastructure Protection Agency, spots an anomaly in a firmware update of the nation’s energy grid. This triggers a memory of a hospital cyberattack. He vowed this would never happen again. But here in the Vault years later, it is happening again. A flash of movement, gone. But then a line of code appears with the message 'Phantom: Awake.' What his team finds is an autonomous sleeper network affecting critical sectors of the economy, society, and geographic areas. As the team puts guards in place and works to stabilize the grid, the self-learning code dubbed Phantom outmaneuvers them. It is a race against time as the Vault becomes the center for hidden threats. And the creators of Phantom suddenly realize that they are quickly losing control.

The story moves quickly as Shaw and his team work to contain Phantom. The cyberspeak is easy to follow. The theme emphasizes that the government usually does not consider what is beneficial to society, while the story's point is how to contain a problem. There is the frequent mention of the coffee being cold. Somebody should have figured out how to keep it ho

How much do you think about the United States government?

We the People: A Premonition is a glimpse into what happens when we, the people, do not understand the politics of America. The President has convinced his people that living in an autocratic system is better than living in a democracy.

The story begins with an AI prediction that a climate crisis will be the end of humans and life on Earth.

Leo Montoya, a reclusive millionaire, has created a community of like-minded individuals who disagree with the new regime. He recruits Luna Ochoa, a former FBI analyst, and Jake Kessler, a former writer fired by Florida News for exposing government corruption, to help rebuild a society based on the Athenian model of democracy.

Luna is introduced in the novel along with her brother Juan, who is frequently mentioned but whose character does not undergo significant development. We learn that Leo thinks highly of Luna. For me, her character also seemed underdeveloped. Her role seemed to be to repeat all the things that the administration was doing to destroy democracy.

The ending seemed unreal as the antagonists suddenly realized their plight and joined everyone in trying to escape the impending disaster. This is after they try to kill everyone.

We the People: A Premonition is a warning cry that democracy is fragile. For democracy read this book.