{Review} The Cadet Life of Prince Harry by Vasile Michael

ISBN #: 978-1434353917

Page Count: 216

Copyright: May 19, 2008

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is the place where you learn the fundamental meaning of military thinking and wisdom. Living and training in RMA Sandhurst means being born again, little by little. Here you blend your own being with the miracle of military education. It is a difficult road, with steep slopes, but extremely attractive for someone having such a voluntary character as Prince Harry. For him, to live the life of a cadet means to change gradually. To become a real man, ready to face life and the military career!

Charlene's Review:

In The Cadet Life of Prince Harry, Mr. Michael paints a picture of what life may be like for Prince Harry as he ventures off to military training, and the eventual growth and personal transformation that take place as a result of these trainings. It also provides a glimpse into the person behind the Prince, and the Royal Family. Most of all, it highlights the Royal Military Academy and its workings.

This is a fictionalized historical account of Prince Harry's military training. Written largely in the 3rd person, it does not read like traditional novels, but as more of a documentary. Using his own background as a Navy officer and a PhD in Military Sciences, Mr. Michael has the experience and knowledge necessary to make this a detailed and learned story. Any fans of the Royal Family will enjoy The Cadet Life of Prince Harry.


*A physical copy of the book was provided by the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Targets of Revenge by Jeffrey S. Stephens

ISBN #: 978-1451688726

Page Count: 441

Copyright: February 19, 2013

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from inside jacket flap)

All the bureaucratic scolding in Washington cannot stop resourceful CIA Agent Jordan Sandor when he's hungry for revenge. This time he's on the hunt for the cold-blooded sociopath known as Adina, whose indiscriminate slaughter of innocent people, including Sandor's close friend, represents man at his worst.

Mobilizing a team of skilled and dedicated agents to carry out his secret operation, Sandor flies in the face of his superior's stern warnings - ultimately crash-landing in the heart of the Venezuelan jungle. Armed with little more than a combat knife and a deadly automatic weapon, he infiltrates Adina's camp and discovers that the ruthless terrorist is smuggling not only cocaine into the United States, but also a deadly substance that could cost tens of thousands of lives.

Sandor develops intel that leads him to Egypt and then Moscow as he fights to prevent this disaster, but after he lands on Interpol's list of international fugitives, the truth becomes clear: Adina's evil web extends to the far corners of the globe. Meanwhile, someone Sandor trusts could very well be feeding the agent dangerous lies as he struggles to stay on Adina's trail.

More focused than ever, Sandor refuses to end his perilous mission, even after he has been taken captive. In the end, when he uncovers the realities of Adina's deranged plan for a catastrophic assault on New York City, Sandor has no choice but to risk his life to protect his country's safety and freedom.

Mandy's Review:

From what I can tell, Targets of Revenge is the third installment in the Jordan Sandor series. As I was reading, there were spots that I felt I was missing the background story on. I'm sure they were in the previous novels, but since I haven't read the first two novels I can't be sure.

Jordan is one of those bad mamba-jambas that you don't want to mess with. He can figure a way out of every situation and is an impulsive risk-taker. He'll kill first and ask questions later. Jordan is one of those that always has an idea of what's happening or a thought that needs to be confirmed ... I'm sure you know the type I'm referring to, especially if you're an avid reader. I find myself slightly annoyed with these types of characters. Always has an inkling of an idea of what's happening when nobody else does. Always seems to be leading the investigation or team, but isn't one of the higher-ups in their organization. Basically, portrayed as arrogant and/or headstrong while their leaders are portrayed as not-as-bright.

The action in the novel was fast-paced. I appreciated the fact that there were technical terms or situations described yet a person not familiar with those situations could follow it rather well. I could easily see this novel as a movie, which leads me to believe the first two novels would read that way as well. Should Jason Bourne watch his back?

Overall, I think this series would be geared more towards the guys, but I did appreciate the quality of the writing and how the story unfolded.


*A hardcopy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Of Blood and Brothers: Book One by E. Michael Helms

ISBN #: 978-1938467516

Page Count: 282

Copyright: September 1, 2013

Publisher: Koehler Books

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

In the spring of 1927, ambitious cub reporter Calvin Hogue covers a family reunion in the Florida Panhandle. He learns two Malburn brothers fought on opposing sides during the Civil War, and encourages them to tell their stories. Before the night is over, Calvin realizes he has a far greater story than a run-of-the-mill family reunion.

Thus begins the first of many sessions with the Malburn brothers. The saga unfolds in their own words with wit, wisdom and sometimes, sadness. Before long the brothers are confronting troubled pasts and conjuring up ghosts laid buried throughout the long post-war years. Calvin is swept along by the harrowing eyewitness account of our nation's most trying era, through bloody battles, personal trials and losses, and the mutual love of a beautiful young woman.

The South surrenders, but the peace is far from won. Trouble stalks the Malburns in post-war Florida. Amid the violent days of Reconstruction, Daniel and Elijah face continuing conflict, family turmoil and heart-wrenching tragedy as they struggle toward a heard-earned and costly reconciliation.

Book One follows the exploits of Daniel Malburn and the 6th FL Infantry through the battles of Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain/Missionary Ridge. While working at the salt works along St. Andrew Bay, Elijah is taken prisoner by Union forces. Faced with imprisonment, he reluctantly chooses to join the 2nd US FL Cavalry as a scout, only to learn he must lead a destructive raid on the Econfina Valley - his lifelong home.

Charlene's Review:

Calvin Hogue, a reporter for the St. Andrew Pilot, is given an assignment to cover the Malburn family reunion, and the unique story of the two brothers that fought on opposite sides during the Civil War. Daniel and Elijah Malburn have very different stories to tell, of the War itself, and of their part in it. As Calvin meets with them, a complicated story of family, love, and betrayal emerges.

As I closed the pages of this book I was deeply saddened. Of Blood and Brothers is a powerful novel that gives the reader a glimpse into the Civil War, its time period, and its people, while covering the delicate politics of the era, such as slavery and secession with disarming humility.

This is an expertly written novel full of history and southern influence. Depictions of battle are graphic and realistic without being overwhelming, and the southern voice of the characters, and manner of speech are impeccable. Elijah and Daniel felt real to me. I became totally engrossed in the storyline, and could only find one fault: I have to wait until next March to find out what happens next.

5 out of 5 stars!


*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Release Day Review} The Clover House by Henriette Lazaridis Power

ISBN #: 978-0345530684

Page Count: 432

Copyright: April 2, 2013

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Boston, 2000: Calliope Notaris Brown receives a shocking phone call. Her beloved uncle Nestor has passed away, and now Callie must fly to Patras, Greece, to claim her inheritance. Callie's mother, Clio - with whom Callie has always had a difficult relationship - tries to convince her not to make the trip. Unsettled by her mother's strange behavior, and uneasy about her own recent engagement, Callie decides to escape Boston for the city of her childhood summers. After arriving at the heady peak of Carnival, Callie begins to piece together what her mother has been trying to hide. Among Nestor's belongings, she uncovers clues to a long-kept secret that will alter everything she knows about her mother's past and about her own future.

Greece, 1940: Growing up in Patras in a prosperous family, Clio Notaris and her siblings feel immune to the oncoming effects of World War II, yet the Italian occupation throws their privileged lives into turmoil. Summers in the country once spent idling in the clover fields are marked by air-raid drills; the celebration of Carnival, with its elaborate masquerade parties, is observed at home with costumes made from soldiers' leftover silk parachutes. And as the war escalates, the events of one fateful evening will upend Clio's future forever.

Mandy's Review:

This is one of those novels that you need to let sit and simmer in your mind after you've read it, especially if you're writing a review! Beneath the top layer of this story are subtle complexities that would keep a book club talking for hours. Let's begin my review there ...

Callie is a Greek-American born and raised in Boston and engaged to a man who loves her unconditionally. Callie knows that being in a relationship should be a good thing but she's so scared of losing him that she has the urge to end it now. That's how Callie survives ... with the old I'll-hurt-you-before-you-can-hurt-me routine. This result has been brought about by living with two parents who argued incessantly during her childhood. It was brought about by a mother who never acted like a mother. It was brought about by Callie's decision that this is how she needed to be in order to protect herself.

When she heads to Greece (on her own) to take care of her uncle's estate, Callie begins feeling at home. She allows herself freedoms in Greece during the Carnival that she wouldn't have allowed herself to experience otherwise. Are these actions more of Callie purposefully hurting those she loves before they can hurt her or is she acting this way because this is who she truly wants to be?

In Greece, Callie begins noticing how her mother's never really being invited anywhere. How she's always the last one called or visited. These observances, along with Nestor's estate, spur Callie to find out who her mother really is and what has made her that way. Finding the truth out about the past will always affect the outcome of the future ... and that's what happened to Callie.

I'm not going to tell you what was in her mother's past. I'm not going to tell you what happened between Callie and Jonah, her fiancee. I'm not going to tell you about any revelations or epiphanies Callie had while in Greece. What I will tell you is that this novel is a deeply thoughtful exploration into a family's essence with results that ultimately affects everyone in it. This novel is to be savored slowly, not quickly devoured in one evening. It's heavy with meaning and purpose, but it doesn't bog you down. In short, it is a stellar piece of literary fiction that should be read by fans of this genre.


*A paperback ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Lies, Love & Porn by Humphry Knipe

ISBN #: 978-1453744703

Page Count: 282

Copyright: November 19, 2010

Publisher: CreateSpace

Book Summary:

(Taken from publisher's site)

It is 1986 when shooting erotica was chic and dangerous.

It is the year that President Reagan publishes his chilling 1,960 page Commission on Pornography.

It is the year that porn star Traci Lords admits she was underage.

Lies, Love & Porn, a novel noir, is set during this turbulent time.

Mandy's Review:

When the book first started out, I thought it was about this woman nicknamed PC. The reader meets her when she's young (but legal) and introduced to the porn lifestyle. Then it flips to when she's older and a porn has-been. Then we meet this new chic, Blue, who's doe-eyed, innocent-looking, and is in a rush to make it big in the porn industry. She'll basically do anything: male/female, female/female, anal, gang bangs, and so on. She seems petulant, which hints at her true age.

To be honest, I was bored with this book and I never really got the "noir" vibe. The only reason I kept reading it was because I thought for sure the next chapter would have something major happening. Nope. All you have is porn, sex, lies, deceit, crazy mofos, drugs, and guns ... which, if that's your bag of tricks, then this is the novel for you.


*An ecopy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.