Master of His Fate, by Barbara Taylor Bradford

In this Historical Novel we begin a new series regarding Merchants and the Aristocracy in 1880's England. There is quite a difference in culture between the two classes. Although things are becoming a bit closer as the Aristocracy is facing troubling times in a declining agricultural economy that is bringing a strong fiscal downturn that endangers their style of living.

In this new series of novels we will be introduced to the Malvern and Travelian families who have a high standard of living based upon their financial acumen. We will also meet the Falconer family who are in the lower level of the trade business as well as as household servants. The two classes are fairly far apart, but they do have some overlap.

This story revolves around James Falconer a young man who is helping his father by attending to their merchants stall in the marketplace. But James has high goals for himself to rise to the level of owning a complete Marketplace of his own where others have their stalls. The easiest comparison would be that he wants to own what we today would think of as a shopping mall, as well as owning "The Anchor" store for that mall.

James is highly intelligent and quite capable for a teenager. We will follow his rise in business as he makes great strides towards his goal.

Then there is Alexis Malvern. The daughter of an owner of a vast Trading Business. Her father has built quite the business. But he has no son. So, one day his business will pass along to his daughter (something unusual for this time). Alexis is quite intelligent and capable. But she has one small issue. She doesn't want to marry. It's not that she doesn't like men, but she just doesn't feel the need to have a man in her life and most men are suspect of wanting her for her money.

Barbara Taylor does a great job of drawing words pictures for us of the culture of England during the late 1800's. She also brings a story of many lives and situations together that eventually tie everything up in a nice neat bow. There is business, mystery, romance and intrigue. While this is not a barn burner of a story it has a very appealing quality to it that draws you in and keeps you reading. It left me with a strange desire to want to follow along as the characters grow. So, with that said, I'm looking forward to the second installment in the series.

Enjoy reading.

The Christmas Wishing Tree

A Professional Young Woman who has adopted a little boy is finding that raising a child is difficult, but it can be even more difficult when outside forces come together to cause an issue.

Jenna Stockton and her son Reilly are making a good life for themselves even though she has a heavy work schedule as an obstetrician. Reilly loves his mom but he would love to have a dad. So, one day someone tells him that he should call Santa Claus and give him his request for Christmas. They tell him to dial North Pole One. So, young Reilly does and low and behold someone answers.

Then there is Devin Murphy a young man who is also adopted. He runs a charter fishing business but has had some tough times because of a hurricane sinking his boats. He is at home in Colorado in a small town visiting family. His phone gets damaged but Celeste Blessing gives him a disposable phone to sue while she tries to fix his. The phone rings and there is a little boy, Reilly, on the line wanting to talk with Santa Claus. Devin plays along and their friendship starts.

Through a huge series of events Jenna and Reilly flee to Eternity Springs when they are being stalked by someone. They want what Devin, Santa Claus, has told them about the small town.

Serendipity happens and they all meet. Love happens, but not all at once. Or is it love or just an overly protective Devin on the prowl.

The book is well written. The story line is very believable. Can a fairy tale romance really come true?

I was so engaged by the book I had to finish it as quickly as possible. Now I want to read more from this author. I would love a second book about Devin, Jenna and Reilly. I want the adventure to continue.
Enjoy!

A Bend in the Willow, by Susan Clayton-Godlner

What an excellent novel. I am so glad that the author contacted me with a suggestion that I might like this book.

The writing is wonderful, she captures the essence of her characters very well and develops them easily into people whom you feel you have known forever.

The themes of the book are many and are also developed well. This book would lend itself well to any "Book Club," "Coffee Clutch," or for a family who reads together and shares together.

The themes are these 1) Love and Transparency, 2) Truthfulness and Forgiveness, 3) Trust and openness, 4) The pain of childhood abuse, 5) The pain of war and the ravages on those who serve, 5) The fear of medical uncertainty, 6) The fear of a parent loosing a child, and finally 7) Why hiding your past may painfully effect your future

These themes are woven into a wonderful story that will leave you wanting more. Little Michael Henry, young, energetic, full of wonder and love has a secret that he knows nothing about, the secret is his body is about to fail him.

What will his parents do as the sickness sends their lives into a spiral. How will Catherine's past also send them into a further spiral? What will be the keys to bind their relationships even more firmly, or will they unravel.

I won't say more because that would be too much of a spoiler, but let me say this, when the book ended, I wanted more. I'm sure you will feel the same.

Enjoy! 

The Crush, by Heather Heyford

Again, another excellent novel incorporating wine country with a romance. The story line this time is really nice in having an Army Reserve Officer involved who happens to be a building expert. The short story lines of his humanitarian projects as well as the rebuilding projects from the military side are a good addition.

The fact that our Army Officer has a bit of a problem with commitment is very realistic and explains a problem that many career military families face. Lt. Santos loves the lifestyle that the military has afforded. He gets to travel the world and see many different places and provide helping hands to those in need through his construction project. He does not like to make a commitment that will cause him to put down roots, so he has had shallow relationships with women and no real ties to any one place.

On the other hand we have Juniper who grew up with a military father and was grateful when he finally retired and settled down in one place and allowed her to establish roots. She had been frustrated with having to move all the time and not really have established friendships and/or a place to call home.

So, when the two lifestyles clash a bit at their initial meeting you know that sparks will fly on several levels.

There are subtle sub-plots running throughout the novel and that makes it enjoyable and unique. It gives you things to think about and a good study in relationship building.

Overall for a Romantic Novel this has some very good plot structures that will allow you to think through how people build relationships and then how they finally can come to see their need for roots.

Enjoy!

Scorched Earth, by George Caldorisi

I have been a fan of the Op-Center series of books that Tom Clancy originated. So, upon his death I wondered how they would fare. They had been written by others most of the time, but without Clancy's influence would they drop in quality.

I think this latest addition to the series answers the question, the quality has not dropped off it remains the same and presents an exciting read for Clancy fans of Op-Center.

After an act of terrorism POTUS approves an air strike against the leader of ISIS and the compound in which he is believed to be with his top advisors. The air strike doesn't kill the leader, instead it kills his first born son.

This drives the leader of ISIS to put together a plan to bring the war of terrorism onto U.S. soil and to exact revenge against the American President and the American People in an effort to demoralize them and take the fight out of them.

It is decided to kidnap the Navy Commander who orchestrated the attack on ISIS. This man is now back stateside and working at the Pentagon. Thus ISIS comes to the U.S., takes his captive, and works to get him exfiltrated out of the U.S. and back to the Middle East where they can behead him on camera.

When conventional methods of law enforcement can't track down the kidnap victim and bring him home the President turns to Op-Center and gives them the green light to try to find and rescue the victim.

There are many small twists and turns that will surprise the reader. There are political statements made in the story regarding how we should go about fighting terrorism and whether or not certain agencies should be given broader powers to operate both in country and outside of the country.

It is an excellent read and one that I am sure you will enjoy.

Deal Master, by Adam Gittim

This is my first time reading a novel / mystery / suspense that comes from the direction of a Real Estate Developer and the lifestyle such a person would lead.

I enjoyed learning a bit about Real Estate, but more importantly I found this a great study in Character Analysis. Our Deal Master has made a fortune in the Real Estate Development marketplace of New York City. But life has not been without it's ups and downs.

Having been out of the country for nine years Jonah Gray is back and ready to get back into the swing of things. He has done just that. The past is behind him and now he wants to make even more money.

But a sinister figure from his time away contacts him and wants him to work his magic to acquire three properties. The problem is that this man is a crime figure and Jonah doesn't want to get into business  with him, BUT, the man did Jonah some huge favors and he owes him.

The mystery is this, why does this man want these three locations and what does he want to do with them?

When Jonah hesitates things escalate and people get hurt.

Will Jonah be able to handle the issues without going to jail? Will he come out of all of this alive and with his loved ones alive?

All kinds of questions. The story will grab you and keep you reading until the conclusion.

Enjoy!

Manhattan Lockdown, by Paul Baptista

In this modern day thriller we find the city of New York, specifically Manhattan, under attack by terrorist. The action starts out with a several bombs being detonated and many people dying as well as property being destroyed.

Among those caught in the bombings is the Mayor of New York, Roland Fortune, and many well know famous people. Mayor Fortune while injured by the explosions finds himself needing to stay involved so as to bring hope and comfort to the citizens of New York.

Police Commissioner Gina Carbone puts into action the emergency plan titled “Fort Apache.” This plan locksdown Manhattan by closing all the bridges, all the subways, all trains and all helicopter and boat traffic to the island. In essence the Island of Manhattan becomes a large prison for the millions who live there and those who just happened to be visiting.

The first set of bombings is not the last. There are more attacks that take place.

One of the first responders to the first attack is an off duty Emergency Room doctor, Gabriel Hauser, who gets dubbed the Angel of Life as many video feeds capture him going from victim to victim at the first bombing site.

What is interesting is to work our way through the story and follow the actions of the Mayor, the Police Commissioner, the NYPD as well as The President of the United States.

But what caught me more about the story, although it is very well written and exciting, was the fact that I felt it was more a political statement about Gay rights, Police over reach and profiling and how politicians often are looking out for themselves than for those they are sworn to serve.

While it seems as those there is some preaching going on during the story I found that it really didn’t detract from the story, nor did it offend my sensibilities, even though I am a retired Police Chaplain.

I loved the tension. I love the interplay of the characters. I loved the development of the characters. I think that Paul Baptista did a great job with this story and I look forward to many more.