The Global War on Morris by Steve Israel

Morris Feldstein is a pharmacutical salesman.  Rona Feldstein (Moris' wife) is a CSW with the heart of a Jewish mother.  Victoria is a secretary at a doctor's office that Morris services.  Ricardo Montoyez is Victoria's blind date.  Hassan is a towel boy at the resort where Mr. & Mrs. Feldstein are staying.  This all sounds simple enough but there is more to the story.

Morris sleeps with Victoria. Montoyez is a self-proclaimed drug lord.  Hassan is also part of a terrorist sleeper cell.  They all come together to create a tableau of subterfuge and espionage that has the FBI sitting up and alert.

This was a very funny account of a story with serious undertones.  It had me laughing from the start. Well done Congressman Israel.

Ladybookbug!

One step too far by Tina Seskis

Another first time author who hails from the United Kingdom.

This is the story of Emily Coleman, wife, mother and sister to her twin, Caroline.  Emily leads what some would think is a charmed life.  She is married to the love of her life, lives in a cottage that she has high hopes of fixing up and is mother to a little boy.  A former career woman, she has decided to be a stay-at-home mom.

Everything is going very well and like so many things in life that go well, something happens to upset the entire apple cart.  Emily decides it is time to leave this happy life and without telling her family, takes off to live in London under the radar.  She creates a new identify for herself and dabbles in things that she never would have pursued in her former life.

The author is adept at keeping the reader from guessing just what happened in the main character's life that would make her want to leave her happy home.  That's a good storyteller and I applaud her for it.

The jacket indicates that she is working on her second novel.  I look forward to reading it.

Ladybookbug!

No Fortunate Son by Brad Taylor

This is another entry in the author's Pike Logan series.  Although I was not familiar with this author's work, it did wet my interest and it did not disappoint.

Pike Logan and his partner, Jennifer Cahill become embroiled in a mission to find the kidnapped son of the Vice President.  Through a very tangled web that takes the duo to different parts of the world, they are able to follow the path that the kidnappers have so carefully designed.

The action scenes in this fast moving novel keep the reader eager to turn the page to find out what happens next.

One of the more interesting aspects of this story is that while many Americans equate the term terrorist with a particular ethnic group, this plot entertains other ethnicities as having the drive to do similar harm to the U.S.A.

No Fortunate Son exemplifies the lengths that a counterterrorist unit will go to uncover devious plots against America.

Good writing.  Good storyline.

Ladybookbug!

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

Ordinarily I would not choose a book on the topic of ghostly encounters.  However, our library has selected it for the next book discussion so I decided to give it a chance.

The premise of this story is that a furniture store was built on the site of a prison which existed in the 1800's.  Unknown to the current occupants, the site has a collection of ghosts inhabitating the store, behind the scenes.

Some of the store's employees begin to notice that some of the furniture has been defaced and it appears that someone is in the store at night.  The manager of the store enlists the aid of two workers to watch the store on an overnight shift.  They, along with the manager and two other employees, become targets of the ghosts and all hell breaks loose.

After reflecting on this story, I think that the author has presented the reader with a strong protagonist in the character of Amy.  She is presented as a bit of an air-head who has hopes of moving upward in the company but thus far has been unable to do so.  During the "incident" she is prodded and jostled and is in fear of her life.  However, she prevails and is able to assist her manger to safety. Unfortunately, some of her co-workers are not as lucky.

Although Amy is able to continue on with her life, she does not forget her lost co-workers and returns to the site and begins working for a new store in an effort to bring them to safety.

Well I do not embrace the existence of ghosts,  I have to say this was a unique spin on an old story line.

Ladybookbug!

Private Vegas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The author himself has been on television promoting his latest entry.  He mentions in the ad that a number of things are happening in Vegas and that's true.  However, this reader had some difficulty keeping the stories straight.

To begin with, there are two diplomats from Sumar who are demonstrating  behavior  that is indicative  of derranged individuals and  they are being watched by Private.  Then there is a gentleman (and I use that term loosely) who is engaging women to learn how to commit murder.  In addition, a member of the Private staff has been "set-up" and is on trial for a crime he did not commit. There is also a gang of teens who are intent of doing damage to the toys of the rich.

As usual, Mr. Patterson's book is fast-paced and the chapters are short and to the point and I think this is one of the areas where the author's strength lies.  It is very easy to read through any of his books quickly.  He also manages to come up with interesting and unique plots which is hard to do in this climate.

I'll continue to read this author's books because I like the style of writing and quite frankly, I like the stories.  I am so looking forward to his next Alex Cross who, in my opinion, has only one other competitor on my Patterson bookshelf and that is--Michael Bennett.

Ladybookbug!

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

This is the second book in a series.  The first title was The Rosie Project.  I have not read it but a brief synopsis appears on the jack of the current title which states the Don Tillman was intent on finding a life partner.  He created a sixteen-page questionnaire to find the perfect match.  He did.

When The Rosie Effect opens, Don and Rosie have been married for about ten months.  Their entire marriage is built on spontaniety and Don loves it.  They don't even plan what they are having for dinner.  However, Don is not prepared for the ultimate surprise which is that Rosie is pregnant.

Don is used to a ordered life and he finds himself in a predicament.  A series of events puts him in a precarious situation, not the least of which may be the dismanteling of everything he holds dear.

A good enough story but it didn't really hold my interest.  Perhaps if I had read the first book, I would have been more interested in the second.

Ladybookbug!

Cold, Cold Heart by Tami Hoag

In this latest entry by a prolific author, Dana Nolan, an up and coming television reporter, experiences a horrific act.  She spends much time recuperating in the hospital and a rehabilitation center and eventually decides to return to her hometown.

Her arrival sparks the interest of the media along with an unsolved case involving a childhood friend. Dana decides to explore the events leading up to the disappearance of her best friend and in pursuing this line of interest stirs up somethings she might be safer leaving alone.

The story is told through the eyes of a survivor who must work with the overt disabilities she has incurred, as well as suffering with PTSD.  A consumate writer, the author keeps the reader guessing as to who is the perpetrator of the long ago incident and it is not truly revealed until the last few chapters.

Be sure to read the authors note at the end of the book.  It is both enlightening and interesting.

Ladybookbug!