It's Monday, What are You Reading? The Specialist

It's Monday, What are You Reading? The Specialist

 The Specialist: The Costa Rica Job by Charles and Phillip Sheppard

This post is the fifty-fifth entries for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]

My comments: This book is/was really 'out-of-the-ordinary' reading for me. It is the 'conception' of Phillip W. Sheppard and written by his brother, Charles Peterson Sheppard. Phillip, of course, has twice been a contestant on the Reality Television Series, "Survivor," where he took on the persona of "The Specialist" with his Stealth R Us and other 'far our' terminologies. Reading the book is much like listening to Phillip talk on the TV show, including about his ancestors speaking to him and his interactions with nature. In the book, it is a colorful bird with blue tail feathers… It was a fascinating action adventure story with agents from many lands, drug cartels, many named weapons and weapon systems and, it would be rated R (by me) for violence and sexual content (but not language).

Book Description from Amazon:

After barely surviving thirty-nine days of hell in Costa Rica-the site of his first-ever botched assignment-the Specialist is just coming off a six-month hiatus when the beautiful Mimi Sabo contacts him. Desperate to find her kidnapped father and with just days to come up with millions in ransom, Mimi needs the Specialist's expertise, and quick. But there is only one problem: she is from Costa Rica-the last place the Specialist ever wants to be again.
The Specialist is prepared to decline the job until Mimi slaps a fat check on his desk. When he begins his investigation, he enlists the help of his friend and former Israeli secret service member and soon discovers that things are not as they appear. Swept up in a life-or-death mission, the Specialist heads to Costa Rica, where he must walk a path of corruption and betrayal, pitted against drug cartels, dirty cops, turncoat agents, and a terrorist bomber. But even the Specialist could never have predicted what happens next.
In this gripping thriller, one man must return to the place that has given him so much trouble and face his demons in order to solve a case for a beautiful client.



Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Book Review: The Happiness Handbook

Book Review: The Happiness Handbook

This book was reviewed as part of a Virtual Author Book Tours.com book blog tour.

It was a really fun read.

Description of The Happiness Handbook by Jenn Flaa:


Publisher: Bush Street Press (May, 2012)
Category: Self Help, Non-Fiction, Self Discovery, Happiness
Tour Dates: Mid April, 2013
Available in: Print and ebook 158 pages

#1 on Amazon Hot New Releases!

We arrive on this planet naked and without operating instructions. We live our lives and learn from trial and error (lots of errors) what works, what doesn't work, what makes us happy and what pisses us off.

Each new person that comes into our lives gets no user's manual and has to figure us out the hard way.  But what if we changed the rules?  What if we wrote our own user's manual, The Happiness Handbook, about what makes us tick and gave it to the people we love most?

Imagine how that would change our interactions and our lives. People would begin to do what makes us happy and ... we would be happy!  If someone received our Happiness Handbook and chose not to follow it, well then, we could choose not to hang out with them more quickly.
The Happiness Handbook is about empowering the reader to discover their own unique ways of being that lead to unlocking their full potential and becomes their guide for leading the extraordinary life they were born to fulfill.

The Happiness Handbook is written in a warm, friendly and informal tone; as if a girl friend were guiding the reader through their process of self discovery. Peppered with humbling, humorous anecdotes and stories; the reader has a practical, seasoned guide and partner in crime as they work the exercises and use the tools to move from unhappy to happy!

My comments: As a seventy-three year old male curmudgeon happily married for nearly fifty-four years, I might not seem to be part of the target market for this handbook. However, I must share with you that I thoroughly enjoyed the read and highly recommend it to readers of any age and either gender. It is humorous, entertaining, and, in my long experience - it is spot-on in terms of recommendations for finding and maintaining happiness in ones own life.

I especially enjoyed Jenn's new terms of happiness to help each of us achieve happiness for ourselves, and therefore, most likely, for those around us. Some of her exercises may seem silly, but each will certainly work for someone - perhaps where nothing else has. She is also very clear to only pay attention to what applies to each person at particular times. Just be sure to do that. Some of the silly things may be exactly what you need!

You also will want to pass this handbook on to a friend - or more than one! ;-)

Meet the Author, Jenn Flaa:

Serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and a passion for music. Jenn merges creativity and tech with fun and energy.

After starting her career as an engineer at NASA and a stint in Silicon Valley as a Quality Assurance Manager, Jenn started her first of four companies.  Vettanna provides high tech resources and communications training on-camera.

Not content to use one side of her brain, Jenn is also the rock vocalist and song writer for the band Urban Fiction, the author of The Happiness Handbook and the Better Boyfriend blog.

Be sure to check out her website, as well: http://www.happiness-handbook.com/




Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? Happiness Handbook and Days on the Road

It's Monday, What are You Reading?

Happiness Handbook and Days on the Road

This post is the fifty-third and fourth entries for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]

Happiness Handbook by Jenn Flea was a book I read last week for the Virtual Author Blog Tour and my review is posted for this coming Friday…

Days on the Road: Crossing the Plains in 1865 - The Diary of Sarah Raymond Herndon, Foreward by Mary Barmeyer O'Brien

This is a book from 2003 that I have enjoyed very much… especially the first few pages that specified day by day, place by place, their travel from northeastern Missouri, across southern Iowa (following what is now US 34), earlier the Mormon Trail, to south of Council Bluffs. There, they ferried across to begin their trek west.

A couple of things are very unique about this story. First, the 24-year-old Sarah is a very good writer. She is traveling with her mother and two brothers, along with many others - and she most often rides her pony, Dick, which gives her a great amount of freedom. They keep switching trains, and this makes for an interesting story in itself. Also, they choose to go to the Montana gold fields (where my great-grandfather happened to also be!!) rather than go to California or Oregon as many of their fellow travelers chose to do. It is a fascinating story. No editing needed! 





Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? Toward the Setting Sun

It's Monday, What are You Reading?

Toward the Setting Sun by Mary Barmeyer O'Brien

This is the fifty-second entry for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]

This one has been sitting on the self for some time...


From Book Description on Amazon.com:

Driven by the promise of prosperity, thousands of men and women traveled west in the mid-1800s. Accompanying them were their children, wide-eyed and excited about the adventures that awaited as they headed toward the setting sun. Little did they know how treacherous and grueling the trip would be. The perils of overland travel forced parents to depend on their children for survival. Girls were called upon to help cook, set up and break camp, supervise younger siblings, or drive the oxen. Even with the endless chores, many pioneer girls found time to record the details of their journeys. Tales of wild river crossings, laments for lost family and friends, and secrets of friendships made along the way complete their personal stories. These young women bring a unique perspective to the great American migration. Each girl's story is different. For some, such as Sallie Hester, the journey west led to new opportunities and a bright future. For others, such as Catherine Sager and her siblings, the trip brought disaster and grief that could never be forgotten. By focusing on the lives of pioneer girls, author Mary Barmeyer O'Brien provides a fascinating addition to the history of the West. Through diary excerpts and O'Brien's descriptive prose, you can join ten girls as they journey Toward the Setting Sun.



Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Book Review: "Defiant Heart"

Book Review: "Defiant Heart"

It appears Marty Steere has another Award Winning Book in his second novel, "Defiant Heart," following "Sea of Crises," with a very different story.

I was drawn to the book by the small town, mid-western setting with a story of young love between Jon and Mary (a few years before my own, often similar, experiences).

From the publicity info:

"Set against the backdrop of small town America on the eve of World War II, Defiant Heart features two extraordinary characters and one unforgettable love story.

In the spring of 1941, young Jon Meyer's family dies in a tragic accident, and he is sent to live in a small Indiana town.  He arrives to find himself unwanted and shunned.

Mary Dahlgren is the daughter of the town's mayor.  A pretty girl, she could have the pick of the boys in town, including Vernon King, the star of the vaunted high school basketball team.  To the chagrin of her friends, though, Mary has always been more interested in books than boys.  That is, until she meets Jon.

But Jon and Mary are kept apart by an insidious campaign orchestrated by Mary's father, who perceives their relationship a threat to his political aspirations, and Vernon, to whom Jon is a rival for Mary's affections.  For months Jon is subjected to a painful ostracism.  Then, just when the young man's earnestness and perseverance begin to win over many of the townsfolk and it appears that love may conquer all, tragedy strikes.

As the country is caught up in war, so too are the young lovers swept up in events beyond their control, leaving both fighting for their very lives.  If, against the odds, they are to be together, each will need to find the strength, the courage and the resourcefulness that beat only in a defiant heart."


My Comments: As I got into the story, I was drawn in even more by the well-drawn characters - many reminded me of our classmates in a similar small-town school. The dominant place of the small town athletes rang very true with me. I wanted to be on the inside, but always remained an "outsider" even when the coach let me be on the team. Bullying, as we call it today, was very well portrayed - almost too well portrayed, a couple of times. I became very uncomfortable, a number of times. I think we call that "good writing!"

The Mary character was so reminiscent, in many ways, of the young lady I courted (now my wife of nearly 54 years!) - though any struggles we had were nothing compared to what Jon and Mary went through.

My final comment, so as not to slip into Spoiler Areas, relates to the Ben Wheeler character. I grew up on an Iowa farm, across the road from my Flying Farmer uncle/neighbor. The flying stories brought back some fantastic memories. Thanks, Marty!

I assume it is obvious that I highly recommend "Defiant Heart" to your reading pleasure! Once I got well into the story, I didn't want to put it down until the very end... and not even then... I wanted more. ;-)

Marty Steere

The son of a career air force officer, Marty Steere grew up on or near military installations across the country and overseas before settling in Southern California, where, when he's not writing, he practices law.  His debut novel, Sea of Crises, was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012.

Publisher: Penfield Press (April 15, 2013)

Category: Historical Fiction, WWII, General Fiction

Tour Dates: April-Mid May, 2013

Available in: eBook, 385

Happy Reading,

Dr. Bill  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? Defiant Heart

Defiant Heart by Marty Steere

This is the fifty-first entry for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]


I am doing a review of this book for the Virtual Author Book Tours later this week.


From publicity material:

"Set against the backdrop of small town America on the eve of World War II, Defiant Heart features two extraordinary characters and one unforgettable love story.
In the spring of 1941, young Jon Meyer's family dies in a tragic accident, and he is sent to live in a small Indiana town.  He arrives to find himself unwanted and shunned.
Mary Dahlgren is the daughter of the town's mayor.  A pretty girl, she could have the pick of the boys in town, including Vernon King, the star of the vaunted high school basketball team.  To the chagrin of her friends, though, Mary has always been more interested in books than boys.  That is, until she meets Jon.
But Jon and Mary are kept apart by an insidious campaign orchestrated by Mary's father, who perceives their relationship a threat to his political aspirations, and Vernon, to whom Jon is a rival for Mary's affections.  For months Jon is subjected to a painful ostracism.  Then, just when the young man's earnestness and perseverance begin to win over many of the townsfolk and it appears that love may conquer all, tragedy strikes.
As the country is caught up in war, so too are the young lovers swept up in events beyond their control, leaving both fighting for their very lives.  If, against the odds, they are to be together, each will need to find the strength, the courage and the resourcefulness that beat only in a defiant heart."

My review will be posted on April 10: http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-defiant-heart.html




Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? The Post-American World

The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria


This is the fiftieth entry for this meme suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books. [Entries 22-25 in the series were posted at  the Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories]



I've had this one a few years, just feeling it is the right time to actually read it…  ;-)


From Editorial Review on Amazon:

For Fareed Zakaria, the great story of our times is not the decline of America but rather the rise of everyone else - the growth of countries such as China, India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Kenya, and many, many more.
This economic growth is generating a new global landscape where power is shifting and wealth and innovation are bubbling up in unexpected places. It's also producing political confidence and national pride. As these trends continue, the push of globalization will increasingly be joined by the pull of nationalism - a tension that is likely to define the next decades.
With his customary lucidity, insight, and imagination, Zakaria draws on lessons from the two great power shifts of the past 500 years - the rise of the Western world and the rise of the United States - to tell us what we can expect from the third shift, the "rise of the rest".
Washington must begin a serious transformation of global strategy and seek to share power, create coalitions, build legitimacy, and define the global agenda. None of this will be easy for the greatest power the world has ever known - the only power that for so long has really mattered. But all that is changing now. The future we face is the post-American world.







Happy Reading!

Dr. Bill  ;-)