End of Days by Robert Gleason

Book Description
Lydia Lozen Magruder—the great-granddaughter of a female Apache war-shaman—has seen visions of the End since childhood. She has constructed a massive ranch-fortress in the American Southwest, stocked with everything necessary to rebuild civilization.

Now her visions are coming true. John Stone, once a baseball star and now a famous gonzo journalist, stumbled across a plan to blast humanity back to the stone age. Then he vanished. Lydia’s only hope of tracking him down lies with her stubborn, globe-trotting daughter, Kate, Stone’s former lover.

Kate is about to step right into the plotters’ crosshairs. Stone has been captured by a pair of twin Middle Eastern princesses, hell-bent on torturing him until he reveals all he knows.

Meanwhile, a Russian general obsessed with nuclear Armageddon has also disappeared...as have eight or more of his Russian subs, armed with nuclear-tipped missiles.

The world is armed for self-destruction.

Who will survive?

My thoughts
For an almost 500 page book, it really goes nowhere and everywhere at the same time. With a huge cast of characters, including a rat, you never get to appreciate them as individuals. The characters and situations were unbelievable. This is a story about the annihilation of the world and to tell you the truth I didn’t care.

Disclosure: I received this book for review through the amazon.com vine program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta

Book Description
What if—whoosh, right now, with no explanation—a number of us simply vanished? Would some of us collapse? Would others of us go on, one foot in front of the other, as we did before the world turned upside down?

That’s what the bewildered citizens of Mapleton, who lost many of their neighbors, friends and lovers in the event known as the Sudden Departure, have to figure out. Because nothing has been the same since it happened—not marriages, not friendships, not even the relationships between parents and children.

Kevin Garvey, Mapleton’s new mayor, wants to speed up the healing process, to bring a sense of renewed hope and purpose to his traumatized community. Kevin’s own family has fallen apart in the wake of the disaster: his wife, Laurie, has left to join the Guilty Remnant, a homegrown cult whose members take a vow of silence; his son, Tom, is gone, too, dropping out of college to follow a sketchy prophet named Holy Wayne. Only Kevin’s teenaged daughter, Jill, remains, and she’s definitely not the sweet “A” student she used to be. Kevin wants to help her, but he’s distracted by his growing relationship with Nora Durst, a woman who lost her entire family on October 14th and is still reeling from the tragedy, even as she struggles to move beyond it and make a new start.

With heart, intelligence and a rare ability to illuminate the struggles inherent in ordinary lives, Tom Perrotta has written a startling, thought-provoking novel about love, connection and loss.

My thoughts
This book is the story of the residents of Mapleton three years after a Rapture-type event happens and some of its inhabitants disappear. This is not a religious book, but a look into the lives of several people and how they changed and cope because of “The Sudden Departure”. Told in various characters’ point of view, I found the story to be interesting and thought-provoking, but not quite fulfilling.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

Rebirth by Sophie Littlefield

Book Description
The end of the world was just the beginning

Civilization has fallen, leaving California an unforgiving, decimated place. But Cass Dollar beat terrible odds to get her missing daughter back—she and Ruthie will be happy.

Yet with the first winter, Cass is reminded that happiness is fleeting in Aftertime. Ruthie retreats into silence.

Flesh—eating Beaters still dominate the landscape. And Smoke, Cass's lover and strength, departs on a quest for vengeance, one that may end him even if he returns.

The survivalist community Cass has planted roots in is breaking apart, too. Its leader, Dor, implores Cass to help him recover his own lost daughter, taken by the totalitarian Rebuilders. And soon Cass finds herself thrust into the dark heart of an organization promising humanity's rebirth—at all costs.

Bound to two men blazing divergent paths across a savage land, Cass must overcome the darkness in her wounded heart, or lose those she loves forever.

My thoughts
This is the second book in a series, and if you haven’t read the first, you may be a little let down like I Was. I was looking for a post-apocalyptic-zombie story, but I guess that all happened in the first book. This one develops the character of Cass and the others more. Cass and her daughter Ruthie now live in Dor’s domain called the Box. But Dor’s daughter goes mizzing after an attack by the Rebuilders (not zombies), just another group of survivors and Cass and Dor go searching for her.

A well written story, but more on character development and less on blood and gore. I will have to check out the first book (Aftertime) in the series.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher through the goodreads.com program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Targets of Opportunity by Jeffrey S. Stephens

Book Description
THE ENEMY HAS A THOUSAND WAYS TO STRIKE. WE HAVE JUST ONE WAY TO RETALIATE. HIS NAME IS JORDAN SANDOR.

In Targets of Deception, which suspense master Robert K. Tanenbaum called “a fast-paced thriller,” Jeffrey Stephens introduced CIA agent Jordan Sandor, whom bestselling author Steve Alten praised as “terrific.” Now Sandor is back, playing for bigger stakes and facing deadlier challenges.

Whisked from his Manhattan town house to a gabled CIA safe house in Virginia, Sandor faces off with a top terrorist agent from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. In exchange for protection from his own side, Ahmad Jaber is offering the CIA explosive information: word of a secret, unholy alliance forged among operatives in the Middle East, a ruthless South American, and Kim Jong-Il’s North Korea. Jaber claims not to know specific details, only that the strike will target the heart of America.

The fanatics stage a stunning diversion in the Caribbean, mercilessly downing a passenger jet and unleashing an assault on a French intelligence installation. Sandor, however, has already moved in a different direction. Leveraging Jaber’s infor-mation, he assembles a small strike force to penetrate North Korea. The team knows they will not all return, but the intel they gather will be vital to American security. What they ultimately discover plunges Sandor into a frantic race against time, struggling to defeat a shadowy figure—a master terrorist with a plan of destruction so perfectly disguised that even with the new knowledge he has gathered, Sandor cannot guess where or how he will strike.

As a storm rages in the Gulf of Mexico, word comes that two submarines have penetrated U.S. waters. With the U.S. military hampered by the hurricane, Sandor turns to a few daring U.S. Navy SEALs to duel with the enemy they cannot see . . . for now they know only that there are two nuclear weapons aimed at a target of opportunity whose destruction would change the world order forever.

Brilliantly conceived, electrifyingly paced, Targets of Opportunity captures a terrifying twenty-first century reality: terrorists can—and will—try as many times as they need to attack the United States. For the brave men and women who defend our country, failure is not an option.

My thoughts
Dealing with a possible terrorist attack to the US (learned from an Iranian prisoner), CIA agent Jordan Sandor and his team tries to prevent it. But the terrorists will do anything and the action takes place in Korea, Mexico and all over the world. This novel is full of action, thrills, suspense. For those who enjoy a good read with dynamic characters with real world situations, I suggest you get a copy of this fantastic book.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Breaking Night by Liz Murray

Book Description
Liz Murray’s BREAKING NIGHT is the riveting memoir of a young woman who triumphed over the harrowing circumstances of her childhood. A homeless high school dropout at age fifteen, Liz took control of her destiny and graduated from Harvard University. Her narrative—like Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle—is remarkable for its clarity and lack of self-pity. Liz’s unputdownable account of prevailing against all odds will inspire hope in readers of all ages.

Liz was born to loving but drug-addicted parents. Neglected and raised in squalor, she was often so hungry that she resorted to eating ChapStick and toothpaste. She was taunted by schoolmates for her dirty clothing and lice-infested hair, eventually skipping so many classes that she was put into a girls’ home. When her family finally unraveled, Liz dropped out of high school. Later, after her mother’s death from AIDS, Liz realized that if she went back to school, she could change her own life. Completing her assignments in the hallways and subway cars where she slept, she squeezed four years of high school into two. Liz ultimately won a scholarship to Harvard. Even then, she had to rely on her inner strength and the support of her friends. After reconciling with her father, who was dying of AIDS, Liz took him into her home so she could care for him during the last years of his life. Liz graduated from Harvard in June 2009.

My thoughts
This memoir chronicles Liz Murray’s life in New York City. Haven been born into poverty to tow drug addicted parents, she decides at the age of fourteen to run away from home and live on the streets or with friends.

She details how she overcame her obstacles and was able to go to Harvard. The story is inspirational, uplifting and thought provoking. It’s good to know that she has taken her experiences to speak to and motivate others to better their lives.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher through the goodreads.com program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Shut Your Eyes Tight by John Verdon

Book Description
When he was the NYPD’s top homicide investigator, Dave Gurney was never comfortable with the label the press gave him: super detective. He was simply a man who, when faced with a puzzle, wanted to know. He was called to the investigative hunt by the presumptuous arrogance of murderers – by their smug belief that they could kill without leaving a trace. There was always a trace, Gurney believed.

Except what if one day there wasn’t?

Dave Gurney, a few months past the Mellery case that pulled him out of retirement and then nearly killed him, is trying once again to adjust to his country house’s bucolic rhythms when he receives a call about a case so seductively bewildering that the thought of not looking into it seems unimaginable—even if his beloved wife, Madeleine, would rather he do anything but.

The facts of what has occurred are horrible: a blushing bride, newly wed to an eminent psychiatrist and just minutes from hearing her congratulatory toast, is found decapitated, her head apparently severed by a machete. Though police investigators believe that a Mexican gardener killed the young woman in a fit of jealous fury, the victim’s mother—a chilly high-society beauty—is having none of it. Reluctantly drawn in, Dave is quickly buffeted by a series of revelations that transform the bizarrely monstrous into the monstrously bizarre.

Underneath it all may exist one of the darkest criminal schemes imaginable. And as Gurney begins deciphering its grotesque outlines, some of his most cherished assumptions about himself are challenged, causing him to stare into an abyss so deep that it threatens to swallow not just him but Madeleine, too.
Desperate to protect Madeleine and bring an end to the madness, Gurney ultimately discovers that the killer has left a trace after all. Unfortunately, the revelation may come too late to save his own life.

My thoughts
Retired detective Dave Gurney is asked to look into a murder case that has become cold which has the police stymied. A new bride was beheaded at her wedding reception, in a closed room with no clues or suspects. Originally thought a missing Mexican gardener committed the murder but after 4 months, this guy cannot be found. Dave Gurney’s investigation leads him into a dangerous world of sexual deviation.

The novel is complex and somewhat long, that at times I was lost. Gurney’s character is a fascinating one, but his wife I could have done without. Although, a good thriller, it was a little too heavy for me (I guess I wasn’t in the mood to think). It had its twists and turns.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher through Goodreads.com. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Bill Warrington's Last Chance by James King

Book Description
James King's acclaimed debut novel is a rich multigenerational saga that soars with compassion and insight into the pain and joy of family life. Confronted with a diagnosis that threatens his most cherished memories, Bill Warrington-a monumentally stubborn ex-Marine-hatches a daring scheme to grab the attention of his three grown children and patch up their differences. April, his fifteen-year-old granddaughter, wants nothing so much as to become a rock star on the West Coast, making her the perfect-and perfectly willing-abductee on a cross- country trip. With the panorama of America as its backdrop, their adventure becomes an unforgettable journey of discovery and atonement.

My Thoughts
Bill Warrington is one mean person and is estranged from his three children. His wife has passed away; he lives alone and has the onset of Alzheimer’s. With that his novel is a road trip to story where Bill takes his 15-year old granddaughter, April across the country (or should I say she takes him) as they run away from their dysfunctional lives.

Although, Bill is nasty, he is still an interesting character. His children have their own problems and some I didn’t connect with. Overall, the combination of the road trip, the individual’s lives weave into a nice story of family (or lack of) and dealing with death, disease and relationships. I didn’t love it, but liked it.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Help! for Writers by Roy Peter Clark

Welcome to another blog tour that I am participating in. This one is for Help! For Writers by Roy Peter Clark. As an aspiring author, I just had to take part in the tour!

Book Description
The craft of writing offers countless potential problems: The story is too long; the story's too short; revising presents a huge hurdle; writer's block is rearing its ugly head.

In HELP! FOR WRITERS, Roy Peter Clark presents an "owner's manual" for writers, outlining the seven steps of the writing process, and addressing the 21 most urgent problems that writers face. In his trademark engaging and entertaining style, Clark offers ten short solutions to each problem. Out of ideas? Read posters, billboards, and graffiti. Can't bear to edit yourself? Watch the deleted scenes feature of a DVD, and ask yourself why those scenes were left on the cutting-room floor. HELP! FOR WRITERS offers 210 strategies to guide writers to success.

My thoughts
Help! For Writers is just that. I was hoping to learn something new and get me motivated to write again (it’s been awhile) and this book has some motivational tools and suggestions not only for those who have writer’s block, but those who procrastinate (me). It also gives ideas on how to find your ideas. At first, I thought it was a book to help those who write magazine articles, but it is so much more. I believe this book will be dog-eared and used over and over by many writers.

Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Shepard

This book will be released on October 11, 2011

Book Description
A recently widowed mother of two, Sylvie Bates-McAllister finds her life upended by a late-night phone call from the headmaster of the prestigious private school founded by her grandfather where her adopted son Scott teaches. Allegations of Scott's involvement in a hazing scandal cause a ripple effect, throwing the entire family into chaos. For Charles, Sylvie's biological son, it dredges up a ghost from the past who is suddenly painfully present. For his wife Joanna, it forces her to reevaluate everything she's hoped for in the golden Bates-McAllisters. And for Scott, it illuminates harsh truths about a world he has never truly felt himself a part of.

But for all the Bates-McAllisters, the call exposes a tangled web of secrets that ties the family together: the mystery of the school hazing, the event that tore Charles and Scott apart the night of their high school awards ceremony, and the intended recipient of a certain bracelet. The quest to unravel the truth takes the family on individual journeys across state lines, into hospitals, through the Pennsylvania woods, and face-to-face with the long-dormant question: what if the life you always planned for and dreamed of isn't what you want after all?

My thoughts
This is the story of the Bathes-McAllister family and how the family structure crumbles after the death of James, the father. Sylvie, his wife realizes that her friends are not really her friends and her relationships with her two sons (Charles and Scott) are strained. Charles and his wife Joanna have their own problems and Scott (who is adopted) is implicate din a death of a student.

Does it sound like a soap opera? Could be, but I thought it would be a family struggle to survive after one’s death. Maybe it’s that; I didn’t care for the characters enough to be interested in what they do or their decisions. Not what I expected.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Product Description
SPLENDA® ESSENTIALS™ No Calorie Sweetener with Antioxidants*
The first and only sweetener that has *20% of the Daily Value of Antioxidant vitamins C and E in every packet. SPLENDA® ESSENTIALS™ with Antioxidants gives you a little extra goodness every time you sweeten, with healthy antioxidants. Each packet has the same great taste as SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener plus 20% of the Daily Value of antioxidant vitamins C and E, like those found in fruits and vegetables. That extra boost of nutrients means you can make everything you sweeten, from your morning coffee to your after-dinner treat, a little better for you. So every day, you're getting more out of what you put in!

My thoughts
My wife is a big fan of Splenda and uses it for everything. She is not a big fan of taking vitamins. I found that she could get her vitamins and antioxidants with her Splenda. What a great idea.

We found no difference in taste and it worked just fine. I may just have to use it more often now also!

Disclosure: I received this product to review through the amazon.com vine program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Second Messiah by Glenn Meade

Book Description
In the desert near Jerusalem, an archaeologist is murdered after he uncovers stunning evidence in a Dead Sea scroll about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The two-thousand-year-old parchment containing enigmatic references to not one but two messiahs is stolen before it can be fully translated.

In Rome, a charismatic American priest with long-hidden secrets is elected pope, setting off widespread panic among some of the faithful who question whether he is the anti-Christ or the world’s new savior. As the conspiracy over the scroll explodes into a political and religious standoff, two people find themselves on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of unknown assassins in their search for truth.

Archaeologist Jack Cane and Israeli police inspector Lela Raul must solve the mystery of the Second Messiah and uncover the real secret behind the message of Jesus before they are permanently silenced and the scroll and its contents are forever lost to humanity.

My thoughts
Years ago, an archeologist finds another Scroll in the Dead Seas that could put to doubt the belief that Jesus is the Messiah. But he is killed (accident or murder), and years later is son follows in his father’s footsteps and find another scroll. Soon is he is running for his life while trying to find the truth in the Scrolls and his parent’s death.

To say this is a thriller is no joke; Meade takes the reader on a tale of conspiracy and mystery that makes one wonder about the gospel and the books of the Bible (similar to Dan Brown). I found the story to not be too heavy into religion but more focused on history and what ifs.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Lights Out in Wonderland by DBC Pierce

Book Description
Gabriel Brockwell—aesthete, philosopher, disaffected twenty-something decadent—is thinking terminal. He's decided to kill himself—but not immediately. His destination is Wonderland. The style of the journey is all that's to be decided.

Traveling between London, Tokyo, and Berlin, Gabriel is in search of the bacchanal to obliterate all previous parties. His adventure takes in a spell in rehab, a near-death experience eating a poisonous Japanese delicacy, and finally an orgiastic feast in the bowels of Berlin's majestic Tempelhof Airport. Along the way, Gabriel falls apart, only to reemerge with a new outlook on the world and a mission to right his past wrongs.

Lights Out in Wonderland is an allegorical banquet, a sly commentary on these End Times and the march toward banality, and a joyful expression of the human spirit.

My thoughts
I guess you have to be a fan of the author to get his writing. I couldn’t get into this story of a twenty-something wanting to kill himself but yet writes a travelogue of his adventures across the globe. With footnotes and recipes, it was witty at times, but more confusing to me than enjoyable.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher through Goodreads.com. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Nightmare Thief by Meg Gardiner

Book Description
Autumn Reiniger expects something special for her twenty-first birthday. Daddy’s already bought her the sports car, the apartment, and admission to the private college where she parties away her weekends. Now she wants excitement, and she’s going to get it. Her father signs up Autumn and five friends for an “ultimate urban reality” game: a simulated drug deal, manhunt, and jailbreak. It’s a high-priced version of cops and robbers, played with fake guns and fast cars on the streets of San Francisco. Edge Adventures alerts the SFPD ahead of time that a “crime simulation” is underway, so the authorities can ignore the squealing tires and desperate cries for help. Which is convenient for the gang of real kidnappers zeroing in on their target and a mammoth payday. Because Daddy doesn’t know that someone has spotted his hedge fund’s bulging profits, and the path to those riches runs right through Daddy’s Little Girl. Working on a case nearby is forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett and her partner, Gabe Quintana. When the pair encounters a suspicious group of men carting six sullen college kids to the woods for a supposed wilderness adventure, alarm bells ring. Jo takes a closer look and winds up with an invite to Autumn Reiniger’s twenty-first birthday party — a party she may never leave.

My thoughts
Autumn and her friends are in for one hell of an adventure. Or so they thought; on her 21st birthday, her father books an fantasy adventure for her and her friends (hoping it will help her grow up). He had experienced one and thought it would be just what she needed. Except things go wrong and the fantasy becomes reality when the kids are kidnapped for real! The cops were notice din advance that it was a game. But forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett stumbles across the kidnapped kids while investigating another case and now must fight for her life against these trained killers.

This thriller is fast paced; no doubt about that. And the action never stops. The characters are well developed and the descriptive narratives of the terrain make you feel part of the story. A very good story.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Limited Edition Cheap T-Shirt, Gone in 24hours! | TeeFury

The Limited Edition Cheap T-Shirt, Gone in 24hours! TeeFury



I love this take on Benjamin Linus from LOST and Linus for PEANUTS.  Too bad, this t-shirt is available today only and then is gone.

The Call by Yannick Murphy

Book Description
The daily rhythm of a veterinarian’s family in rural New England is shaken when a hunting accident leaves their eldest son in a coma. With the lives of his loved ones unhinged, the veterinarian struggles to maintain stability while searching for the man responsible. But in the midst of their great trial an unexpected visitor arrives, requesting a favor that will have profound consequences—testing a loving father’s patience, humor, and resolve and forcing husband and wife to come to terms with what “family” truly means.

The Call is a gift from one of the most talented and extraordinary voices in contemporary fiction—a unique and heartfelt portrait of a family, poignant and rich in humor and imagination.

My thoughts
Written as a journal, this is the story of the daily life of a country veterinarian in rural Vermont. It may sound boring or even stupid as you read the entries. The call he gets from his clients, what he does, what his wife makes for dinner or what his kids say to him or not say to him when he gets home. But somehow, they all weave together into a quaint story of his life. As a reader, we get to learn about such a life and the importance of family.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Kraft Velveeta Chicken and Broccoli Skillets Dinner Kit

Production Information
Introducing VELVEETA CHEESY SKILLETS Dinner Kits, a quick and easy way to make a deliciously cheesy dish for the whole family.

My thoughts
This product is along the lines of Hamburger Helper, but I remember eating Velvetta when I was a kid and wanted to try this product of “liquid gold”. The Orzo pasta was a nice treat but the broccoli florets were a joke. Small little flecks of freeze dried broccoli (disappointing). The cheese sauce had that strong smell of Velvetta, but once mixed with the rest of the ingredients, it lost the taste that I loved. Overall, it was okay, nothing special, better off making from scratch.

Disclosure: I received this product for review through the amazon.com vine program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Uncaged by Paul McKellips

Book Description
In a thrill a minute read, author Paul McKellips poses a frightening “what if” scenario that will leave the human race on the brink of certain disaster. When a series of attacks on animal researchers leave several people dead, the government—including the President—issues an immediate ban on animal testing. And that’s when the real trouble begins…

At the heart of the action are two government agents, the dashing Commander “Camp” Campbell, a man as decorated for his bravery in Iraq as for his own self-professed charm. Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines is the more practical of the two, a woman defined by her dedication to rules. Camp has returned to the States, newly reassigned to a government-funded test site. When the ban on animals comes down, Camp pulls a restless act by making off with two hundred rats…and winds up in deep trouble. He is immediately banished for a year, his superiors hoping the ramifications of his stunt will have worn off by then. Raines, uncharacteristically covering for him, finds herself joining him. But where they are headed only increases the risk—both to themselves, to the scientist whose very existence is threatened…and the future of the human race.

Who is really behind the ban on animal testing? And why? Could a deadly, dangerous fanatical group be behind the threat of a new vein of plague sweeping across the country…or worse, could it be someone people have come to trust?

My thoughts
Uncaged is a rollercoaster ride filled with suspense, tension, bio-terrorism, intrigue and more. You certainly get your money’s worth in Paul McKellip’s novel. The trouble begins when the president bans animal testing after several people are killed in such facilities. But not only is the book about animal rights, it is also about bio-terrorism. With several plots and numerous characters, you’d think one would get hopelessly lost in such a story, but McKellip’s writes in such a way that the reader is not lost, but becomes enthralled (this one reader anyway). With likeable characters and plot twists with some surprises, this book is sure to be a best seller.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the author. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles

Product Description
Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles - Outrageous Comfort with Dual Gel, Sold in 2 pack for 2 pairs of shoes.

You have: Tired achy feet
You want: Outrageous Comfort All-Day in your shoes
You need... Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles

My thoughts
I wanted to see if these would really worked, so I put them in my dress shoes on a day that I would be walking the sidewalks of Manhattan. I must say it felt like I was wearing my sneakers and not my dress shoes. Very comfortable and after a full day, my feet were not aching.

The gel soles comes in a size that I had to cut to fit in my shoe, but it was easy to do and I had no problem inserting them into my dress shoes.

Disclosure: As a BzzAgent, I received this product to review and share my opinion. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Mean Martin Manning by Scott Stein

Book Description
Martin Manning hasn't left his apartment or had contact with another human being in thirty years. Caseworker Alice Pitney is determined to help him become a better person and won't take no for an answer. On the hunt again, in Mean Martin Manning Scott Stein sets his satirical sights on all manner of defenseless prey, including nanny-style busybodies, sensitivity training, dog lovers, television talk shows, haircut licenses, aggressive doctors, bloviating academics, overbearing judges, and little tyrants everywhere. If the targets are many, at least there's plenty of ammunition and an automatic weapon. But not all is cynicism and bile. There's also ample adoration for the joyous wonders of linoleum, preservatives, cold cuts, mayonnaise, frog figurines, bowel regularity, television freedom, and sweet, sweet, justice.

My thoughts
Martin Manning is recluse that has been holed up in his apartment for over thirty years collecting frogs and eating the foods that he enjoys, never ever getting out of his bathrobe. Then caseworker, Alice Pitney knows on his door, determined to improve himself as mandated by law. He is forcibly removed from his apartment, has to wear clothing and mingle with the others in his building.

I found this story to be a study of government intervention on the individual. I felt for Martin. He lived and worked all his life and now wanted to be left alone. I see nothing wrong with that. He wasn’t mean, but a stubborn and headstrong person. This intervention changes Martin’s life and I just think that why can’t we just live and let live. Funny and satirical at times, this was an amusing book making this reader wonder where it will all end.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer Audiobook Giveaway

Thanks again to Esther at Macmillan Audio; I have another audio book to offer to one of my readers. This one is ONLY TIME WILL TELL by Jeffrey Archer. I haven’t read this one yet, but it sounds like a great one.

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only.
Please leave a comment regarding the following question with your email address and you are entered.

Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

Giveaway ends September 11th, 2011. May we never forget.