Friday 56: When Camels Fly by NLB Horton

(hosted by Freda at Freda's Voice blog)

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.

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(cover picture linked to GoodReads)

Quote from Page 56:

"His long, white robe with a checkered scarf -- kaffiyeh -- held in place by a braided rope -- agal -- was peasant clothing seen all over the Middle East.  His iconic pose, enabled by flexibility earning the name Grasshopper, was authentic: knees to shoulders and heels flat on the ground."

BOOK REVIEW: Moving Day by Jonathan Stone

SYNOPSIS

Forty years’ accumulation of art, antiques, and family photographs are more than just objects for Stanley Peke—they are proof of a life fully lived. A life he could have easily lost long ago.

When a con man steals his houseful of possessions in a sophisticated moving-day scam, Peke wanders helplessly through his empty New England home, inevitably reminded of another helpless time: decades in Peke’s past, a cold and threadbare Stanislaw Shmuel Pecoskowitz eked out a desperate existence in the war-torn Polish countryside, subsisting on scraps, dodging Nazi soldiers. Now, the seventy-two-year-old Peke—who survived, came to America, and succeeded—must summon his original grit and determination, to track down the thieves, retrieve his things, and restore the life he made for himself.

Peke and his wife, Rose, trace the path of the thieves’ truck across America, to the wilds of Montana, and to an ultimate, chilling confrontation with not only the thieves, but with Peke’s brutal, unresolved past.

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REVIEW

"Moving Day" is more than just a story.  It is a look into the mind of a man whose childhood was spent in Poland, hiding out from Nazis in WWII.  If you like stories where a not insignificant amount of the action is mental, you will enjoy "Moving Day".

I recently reviewed a book I had found difficult to read because of the actions of some of the characters.  In "Moving Day", a group of con men pretend to be a moving company and go in and load up the vast majority of 70-something Stanley and Rose Peke's worldly possession and drive into the sunset with them.  What a bunch of ... wait, this is a family-friendly blog ... I can't use words like that.

If you ever needed proof that senior citizens (a group with which I have more in common every day) are not 'past it', Stan Peke is it.  He comes up with the audacious plan to implant a GPS tracking device into an antique German timepiece stashed in a safe-deposit box on the off chance the thieves find the box key taped in his desk.  He lets them steal everything in the box rather than leave only the watch, which could arouse their suspicions.  Pretty gutsy move.

Anyway, the criminals take the bait.  So Stan and Rose's cross-country move becomes a manhunt.  Along the way, Stan has a running discussion with himself as to whether or not this is the best course of action.  After all, the stolen items are just things.  They are insured, so they are not out in terms of money.  When the couple catch up with the thieves, they must confront not only them, but also the same evil from Stan's past.

"Moving Day" is a solid read.  It demands as much from the reader as it gives to the reader.  It will make you think.  It will help you feel grateful for the little (and big) things in your life.

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Jonathan Stone writes his books on the commuter train from his home in Connecticut to his advertising job in midtown Manhattan. Honing his writing skills by creating smart and classic campaigns for high-level brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, and Mitsubishi has paid off, as Stone’s first mystery-thriller series, the Julian Palmer books, won critical acclaim and was hailed as “stunning” and “risk-taking” in Publishers Weekly starred reviews. He earned glowing praise for his novel The Cold Truth from the New York Times, which called it “bone-chilling.” He’s the recipient of a Claymore Award for Best Unpublished Crime Novel and a graduate of Yale, where he was a Scholar of the House in fiction writing.

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(Disclaimer:  I received a print copy of "Moving Day" from the author and publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.  No other compensation was offered, requested or received.)

The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory Kaufman

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GoodReads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Indigo Chapters

SYNOPSIS

(Book #2 of the Verona Trilogy)

What could go wrong in the 14th-century for three time-traveling teens? How about – EVERYTHING!

Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln, three teens from the 24th-century, are trapped in 14th-century Verona, Italy. They’ve survived many deadly experiences by keeping their wits about them and by introducing futuristic technology into the past. Principal among these inventions is the telescope, which brought them to the attention of the rich and powerful.

But standing out can get you into unexpected – situations. The nobles of Verona now believe Hansum is a savant, a genius inventor, especially after he brings them plans for advanced cannons and black powder. Being the center of attention is great, but the potential for trouble is now exponentially greater because people are watching Hansum’s every move.

Meanwhile, artistic genius Shamira has fallen for a Florentine artist with bloody and disastrous consequences. Lincoln, considered an incompetent back home in the 24th-century, has blossomed – at least until he’s shot in the head with an arrow. And Hansum, after secretly marrying his new master’s beautiful daughter, Guilietta, is offered the hand in marriage of lady Beatrice, daughter of the ruler of Verona. To refuse could mean calamity for all the teens.

Amazingly, none of this is their biggest challenge. Because a rash illness is spreading across Verona – and it is threatening to consume everyone. Do they have a future in this past?

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REVIEW

Ok.  I admit it.  After having thoroughly enjoyed "The Lens and the Looker", I was primed to like "The Bronze and the Brimstone" as well; at the same time, I had high expectations for the book.  "Brimstone" is a tremendous follow-up to "Looker"!

Before they realized that "this" 14th century was the actual 14th century, and before they realized that the death of their time-traveling guide meant they were stuck right where they were and that nobody from the 24th century knew where they were, our intrepid trio had been introducing certain advanced technologies to their situation to "throw a wrench" (wait, this is 1347) "throw a stick" into the works.

But then...funny things start to happen.  Sure, the teens have been thrown into the deep end of the pool and it's sink or swim time.  Hansum/Romero finds happiness in hard work and an admiration for Master Agistino and the work that he does on his lenses for the eyes.  Hansum also finds an appreciation of the Master's daughter Guilietta.  With Pan's help, Shamira/Carmella develops some cooking skills and receives praise for her efforts.  Even Lincoln/Maruccio finds a talent for organization and bookkeeping.  Their skills enable them to feel valued and a contributing part of their 'family'.

The Podesta, or ruler of Verona, wanting to solidify and enlarge his political power, takes Hansum/Romero under his wing to develop more of these lookers that can give Verona's armies a huge advantage in battle.  He also seeks to bind Romero to him in loyalty by seeing that Romero marries his daughter, the Lady Beatrice.  One teensy-weensy problem - Romero and Guilietta have already married in secret.  To refuse the Podesta would mean social suicide for all three teens.  To have to be married to Beatrice (who wasn't so bad a girl after all) and 'use' Guilietta as a mistress would be unconscionable.

So, Hansum/Romero thinks, "I'll show the Podesta something even more valuable to him and once I become indispensable, he'll allow me to marry whomever I please."  Thus Romero 'discovers' cannons and black powder - centuries in advance of their introduction in the original time line.

Of course, Verona's rivals and enemies find out about these discoveries as well and make attempts to either steal a looker, kidnap Hansum/Romero, or both.  A prototype cannon, successfully test-fired, is subsequently destroyed in an attack.  Lincoln/Maruccio is shot in the head by an arrow.  Strike one.

A priest of the time happens to see the teens conferring with Pan and accuses them of being in league with the devil.  Pan's amulet/house is destroyed in a scuffle and the teens from the future are truly alone in the past.  Strike two.

And, oh yeah...the Black Death pandemic.  Strike three.

Since the timelines have been, shall we say, 'creatively rearranged', in these present circumstances, do three strikes make an out?  Hmmm.  I guess you will have to read "The Bronze and the Brimstone" to find out. ;)

The first time travel story I can remember reading was in junior high school.  Thirty-five to forty years later, I still remember some of the details; to say the least, it made an impression on me.  I will remember "The Bronze and the Brimstone", and indeed, Kaufman's entire Verona Trilogy, for a long, long time.

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Website * Twitter * Facebook

"I write Post-Dystopian fiction. After society’s collapse, which is imagined in so many great dystopian stories, humans will either fade into history, with the dinosaurs, or, if it learns the right lessons, society will go on to construct a civilization to last tens of thousands of years. The books of THE VERONA TRILOGY are the exciting adventures of young people doing the latter.” -Lory Kaufman

On the artistic side of Lory’s career, he’s written, acted and directed children’s theatre and musical theatre. He enjoys art, especially sculpture. He loves science fiction and historical fiction and he has been deeply involved in the green movement all across North America. All this shows through when you read his work. Lory has three grown children and works and lives in Kingston, Canada.

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(Disclaimer:  I received print copies of the Verona Trilogy from the author through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was offered, requested or received.)

BOOK REVIEW: Hypocrisy by D.M. Annechino

GoodReads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

SYNOPSIS

Dr. Lauren Crawford is a brilliant research scientist who discovers a revolutionary treatment for cancer that not only extends life, but much improves the quality of life for terminal cancer patients. The treatment, in some instances, can even cure certain cancers. On the evening before Dr. Crawford is to hold a press conference to announce that the FDA has given preliminary approval of her new cancer treatment, somebody follows her to her car and puts three bullets in her head. Was it a planned murder with a motive, a mugging gone badly, or merely a random act of violence?

Two New York City homicide detectives, Amaris Dupree and T.J. Brown, are assigned to the investigation. The detectives evaluate the circumstances surrounding Dr. Crawford’s death, and follow a trail of clues that exposes a sequence of startling facts. One by one, the detectives carefully examine each suspect and piece together a puzzle with unimaginable implications. As the investigation gets more intense, and the detectives get closer to solving the murder mystery, someone threatens Dupree’s life. The detectives now realize that Dr. Crawford’s murder was much more than a homicide. And if they don’t arrest the murderer soon, Dupree might be the next victim.

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REVIEW

Twelve to sixteen years ago, I was working for the Fort Worth Police Department, transcribing reports from officers in the field and taking non-emergency reports from the city's citizens.  So I know being an officer or detective is not all parades and reflective sunglasses.  In "Hypocrisy", D.M. Annechino does a good job of showing the gritty side of working in the streets.

From the short prologue, told from the victim's point-of-view, we learn that Dr. Lauren Conrad's killer is male and he shot her in the head.  This book is not for children (think PG-13).  The moments right before the gun is shot and as the gun is firing is not gory, but peculiarly effective - chilling, even.  (I think I actually shuddered).

Then the book proper starts and we are introduced to Amaris Dupree (love that name!) and T.J. Brown, the detectives assigned to the case, who happen to be the only female and only African-American homicide detectives in that precinct, respectively.  The victim's identity is discovered by tracing her vanity license plates and by visual confirmation with a picture from the internet.  So they know who.

But the why?  There's the rub.  The doctor's mother says her daughter had thought someone had been following her recently and was worried.  But who would want to kill a research scientist close to finding an effective treatment for some cancers?  Was it just a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time?  Was it a robbery gone wrong?  Or, given what they know about Dr. Conrad's job, was someone bent on stealing her research ... or stopping it?

Annechino skillfully weaves together literally dozens of strands of theories for who committed the crime of murder and why into a web that slowly finds and weeds out suspects, closing in on the killer and any accomplices he may have.  Sometimes the web is damaged and a setback occurs - like the threats against Detective Dupree's life.  But like the spiders on my porch, the police's work is not done until the crime is solved.

And the murder is solved, but some of the criminals do not have to answer for their actions - at least not in a court of law.  Two pieces of advice for future readers:  1.  Don't mess with the cats, and 2.  Stay for the epilogue.

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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Daniel M. Annechino, a former book editor specializing in full-length fiction, wrote his first book, How to Buy the Most Car for the Least Money, in 1992 while working as a General Manager in the automobile business. But his passion had always been fiction, particularly thrillers. He spent two years researching serial killers before finally penning his gripping and memorable debut novel They Never Die Quietly. His second book Resuscitation (Thomas & Mercer 2011), a follow-up to his first novel, hit #1 in Kindle sales in both the USA and UK. He is also the author of I Do Solemnly Swear (Thomas & Mercer 2012). Hypocrisy, is Annechino’s fourth novel.

A native of New York, Annechino now lives in San Diego with his wife, Jennifer. He loves to cook, enjoys a glass of vintage wine, and spends lots of leisure time on the warm beaches of Southern California.

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(Disclaimer:  I received a print copy of "Hypocrisy" from the author and publisher via iRead Book Tours (click the button above) in exchange for my honest review.  No other compensation was offered, requested or received.)

What are You Reading? (May 19)

  

LAST WEEK

(busy, busy, busy)

(covers in this section link back to my reviews)

Monday

Eurasian beauty Mai Faca plots to marry Jake Warden, a successful oral surgeon forbidden to her because of family honor. In an unheard-of scheme, fellow oral surgeon, Bret Manley, falls victim to Mai's seduction as she and Jake play a cruel trick to be together. Jake acts with surgical precision to clear the path to Mai's happiness, threatening lives including his own. In a wake of turmoil and destruction, Bret's uncle and well-known criminal attorney, Hubie Santos, attempts to find out if a surgeon would use his knowledge to kill.

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Tuesday

With her own wedding fast approaching and her mother-in-law dating an unexpected beau, the last thing Natalie Barnes needs is to find a young man shot dead in a dinghy. A note she finds with the body suggests the dearly departed had a secret rendezvous planned with somebody on the island. But when suspicion is cast on a fisherman Natalie believes to be innocent, she begins to wonder if the murder was the result of a lover’s quarrel . . . or a lobsterman’s disagreement gone horribly wrong.

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Wednesday

To Izzy’s surprise, newcomer Julia Ainsley seems determined to buy her home—although she’s never set foot inside. But on the day of the open house, things take a tragic turn. A body is uncovered in the cottage’s backyard. When the police find Julia’s name and phone number in the victim’s pocket, this slender thread of evidence makes her a person of interest.

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Thursday

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three “hard cases” students who refuse the valuable lessons 2347 History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

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Friday

Media headlines abound these days saying, “Tea is trendy…” and we believe it until we read the first chapter of Ritual Tea: How the 9 Secrets of Tea Can Transform Your Life.   Entitled, Tea’s Sordid and Holy Exploits, chapter one is a worldwide, whirlwind tour of tea history that leaves the reader knowing once and for all that tea has always been trendy for very good reasons. Next to water, tea is the world’s most popular drink.

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Hired as a nanny for her cousin’s children, Anne Tearle finds security and a loving family. The children are a dream, but London society is a world of its own, one where a displaced farm girl has no business being. But, wealthy rake, Gavin MacKay, helps her to see associating with the upper class might not be as horrid as she first assumed. 

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THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS

Tuesday 5/20

Dr. Lauren Crawford is a brilliant research scientist who discovers a revolutionary treatment for cancer that not only extends life, but much improves the quality of life for terminal cancer patients. The treatment, in some instances, can even cure certain cancers. On the evening before Dr. Crawford holds a press conference to announce that the FDA has given preliminary approval of her new cancer treatment, somebody follows her to her car and puts three bullets in her head. Was it a planned murder with a motive, a mugging gone badly, or merely a random act of violence?

~~~oOo~~~

Wednesday 5/21

What could go wrong in the 14th-century for three time-traveling teens? How about – EVERYTHING! 

Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln, three teens from the 24th-century, are trapped in 14th-century Verona, Italy. They’ve survived many deadly experiences by keeping their wits about them and by introducing futuristic technology into the past. Principal among these inventions is the telescope, which brought them to the attention of the rich and powerful.

~~~oOo~~~

DOWN THE PIPE/JUST FOR FUN
(links in this section go to GoodReads)

  

  

Weekend Writing Warriors-A is for Altruism

I found the link to WeWriWa (Weekend Writing Warriors) on Sue Ann Bowling's "Homecoming Blog".  You share an 8-sentence snippet of your writing between Saturday at noon and Sunday at 9 a.m. (unsure which time zone as this is my first time), link it up at the site connected to the button above, and share reading, comments and critiques with the other participants.  Join in!

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Back in April, I participated in the "Blogging from A to Z  Challenge" wherein I wrote a post every day but Sundays during the month, the first starting with "A", the second with "B" and so on. This year, I wrote around the theme of "Proverbs 31".  As it is my intent to compile and rework these posts into an e-book, I thought that would be a good subject for my first foray with the Weekend Writing Warriors!

So here are my eight sentences for this week, from my post on "Altruism":

These are the people we know - our family, our friends.  We get up early to make them breakfast, we stay up all night with them when they are sick.  We drive across town to give them a ride when their car is not working.
...

It's not a matter of time, talent, or money.  Everyone has something they can give or do to make someone else's life a little better - today! Maybe it's a meal for a homeless family.  Maybe it's money for a cause or arts organization.  Maybe it's a kind word to someone who has had a hard day.

Every single person reading this post, every single blogger participating the the A to Z Challenge, every single person in the world can do something to make the world a little better ... for everybody.

I realize the first sentence sounds a little strange as is.  In the original posts, I quoted a couple of verses from Proverbs 31:10-31 before the 1st and 2nd samples.  Should I include them from now on (for the Warriors posts)?  Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Have a great week, y'all!

Friday 56: Hypocrisy by D. M. Annechino

This is my first foray into the world of the Friday 56.  (I have a thing about alliteration; can you tell?) :O)  Anyway, I was over at Yvonne's blog "Socrates Book Reviews", caught her post and thought it sounded fun, so here I am.

So, you are supposed to go to page 56 of a book (or 56% if you are on an e-reader) and post a sentence that tells something about the book, but hopefully doesn't contain any spoilers.

My book choice for today is "Hypocrisy" by D. M. Annechino.  I received an print ARC of this book from the author and publisher through iReadBookTours, and a review will be posted on my blog this coming Tuesday (May 20th).

Quote:  "And the next thing I know, two security guards escorted me to my office, watched me pack my personal belongings, and then escorted me to the front door."

Here's a bit of information about the book:

In Daniel M. Annechino's fourth novel, Hypocrisy, readers are taken on a thrill ride where the ongoing controversy over cancer research and the real possibility of finding a cure may not be the ultimate goal of certain high-level and powerful people in the medical community.

You're all invited back Tuesday to get the whole Back Porch report on D. M. Annechino's "Hypocrisy".  Have a great weekend!