5 comments about The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option (Political Thrillers Series 1-3) (Audio CD Collection).

1. This was gripping to listen to. I actually drove around some to be able to listen to the books. I am so glad that they came as a set.



2. I read The Ezekiel Option and then read the earlier of his books. I wish I had started at the first (The Last Jihad). Very well written, exciting and scary reading. He takes Bible prophesy from the book of Ezekiel and makes a very timely story that is almost too realistic.



3. Great book I thought, if you like this type of story try Soft Target by Conrad Jones, that is a real shocker of a novel it challenges your ideals and feelings of radical Islam and makes you wonder who is really to blame for their position, all wrapped up in a brilliant story. Both great books !!



4. I LOVE Joel Rosenberg's written books, but am disappointed in the foul language used in the audio books. That language was not in the written books, and I wish I would have known this before I ordered. I would return them if I could, because I do not own or listen to anything with cursing.



5. If you like reading about Biblical end time prophecy this is the series for you. I picked up the 3 book series in audio form and it kept me inside my car. If you read the Left Behind Series this one is better.

5 comments about The Hollow (Sign of Seven).

1. This book was at least better than the first book, which isn't saying much. My favorite line is Gage's, "Are we going to talk it (evil demon boy) to death?" Well, apparently so, because, mostly, all our six happy friends do is sit and talk . . . and talk . . . and talk. Then there's a demon attack, and then they talk some more. The three women all have demon blood in them, and not a one of them turns evil. They discuss how it's a possibility, but does it happen? Of course not. The only interesting story will likely be Gage's in the third book. The other five characters are all nearly interchangable and I never really could make myself care about any of them. The dialog tends to be corny, unbelievable and hard to follow--who's talking, incomplete sentences. And I'm sorry, but there's not much plot--Evil demon boy does nasty stuff and guy #2 and girl #2 get together because it's their book, so they have to. I'll read the third book, but then I'm done. No more Nora paranormal romance stories for me.



2. I don't know if Ms Roberts had time to make changes in Book 2 of the trilogy after so many bad customer reviews. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed this book.
   
   I have to mention this, though many of the other readers would disagree with me. Fox donating sperm to his sister's partner? Ewwwwwwwwwwww! I would have said the same thing if he donated to his brother's wife. The relationship is the same.



3. This is definitely NOT a stand-alone book. Usually, Roberts can handle a trilogy so that each book can function on its own, but not this time. The beginning is filled with loose ends, and lacks enough information on the supporting cast to bring the reader, new or continuing, up to date. The middle is a long talk-fest with very little action. Even the ending is not worth the cover price. I have all of Nora's books, and sometimes she's really brilliant, but The Sign of Seven is completely unworthy of her talents. The best I can say is that I liked Fox, but the rest of the crew were largely shadows of previous heroes and heroines. I think this could have been crafted much more successfully as a single book, like her "Three Fates". There isn't enough substance to justify a trilogy. In fact, I am a little resentful at having to purchase three books for a story that could have been told in one.



4. I rate Nora Roberts books a little differently that those of other authors. Since her books are so character driven I ask myself, "Do her characters feel like family or my friends?" And for any book I ask, "Did I have a really hard time putting it down?" Yes to both questions in this book. In "Blood Brothers" however it took me 2/3 of the book to even care about anything that was happening. The relationship between Cal and Quinn seemed to lack any depth. So I was wary with her second book. But Roberts was back on track with Layla and Fox. I know some others didn't like this book, but I totally loved it. The suspense was just right for me. I get creaped out with demonic subjects, but this was a tolerable creapy; a fun creapy. The only thing I didn't like was finding out that I have to wait until DECEMBER to read the final book!



5. Again, Nora dear, you missed! Blood Brothers held my attention but this one...I only purchased it because I am a huge fan but really! I found this book boooooring. I still don't know what the hell this demon is about...no pun. I mean all the characters did was gab, gab, gab..and I certainly skimmed over much of the dialogue. The sex scenes were ok. Otherwise, don't rush out for it. If you need a time waster this it. Otherwise, I'm anticipating the other new Nora Roberts book...The Tribute. I hope you don't disappoint!

No comments about Odd Hours (Odd Thomas).

5 comments about The Appeal (John Grisham).

1. Another fine story from Grisham, with lots of juicy details about how the justice system really works.
   
   Without giving anything away, the basic plot is: 1) Small-town lawyer wins a huge verdict against a pesticide manufacturer in Mississippi; 2) the manufacturer appeals the verdict to the State Supreme Court; 3) the Supreme Court usually votes 5-4 to uphold such verdicts; but 4) there's an election coming up, which the manufacturer's handpicked candidate has a good chance of winning; 5) which would tip the balance in the opposite direction.
   
   So it's similar to the Pelican Brief (also very good, BTW), except this time the corporate tycoon uses political consultants, not hit-men, to try to change the make-up of the court.
   
   In particular, I really liked the interplay of the multiple story-lines about the physical, emotional, and economic impact of living in a "cancer cluster" like the poor people in this story; the financial challenges that small-town lawyers face in litigation against major corporations; and the ups and downs of running a hard-fought political campaign, with both sides having their good days and bad days. Dirty tricks, of course, play an important part in the campaign, but it was also interesting to see how campaign managers could manipulate very different social groups with very different motivations into uniting behind a single candidate.
   
   A great story, especially during the current campaign season.



2. Grisham, after quite a few boring and tedious 'personal' novels, is back on familiar turf with the legal drama The Appeal. Grisham's books are often about the small guy against the big old mean corporation. I stopped reading his court dramas a long while back because they were all becoming too much alike, and the writing was often very poor. Well Grisham is almost back on track with The Appeal, even if the book falls short in the end.
   
   I really enjoyed the book's first chapter. A big corporation is found guilty of poisoning a small town's water source, which causes many to die of cancer. The big mean old corporation, not wanting to create a precedent with the verdict, will try and find a way to appeal the decision. The best way? Rig the appeal process of course. That's when the book starts getting long, often ridiculous at times. Instead of offering us a mystery, Grisham offers us a polotical election that will decide the outcome of the appeal. The characters that were introduced in the first chatper disappear, replaced by political figures and rich executives. It's almost as if the first chapter was an unfinished short story that was developped into a novel.
   
   Yes the story is familiar grounds for Grisham, but I could see that he was trying to do something different with this novel. Instead of being a novel about the families and the people affected by the disaster, the book becomes of story of politics and of the rich getting richer. There really isn't any emotional punch to this story, which was much needed to elevate the story to the next level.
   
   The dialogue is often unintentionally funny and the pacing is often off. After its first chapter, I was really expecting a good novel, like the ones Grisham used to write at the beginning of his career (I can't wait for him to go back to the heights of The Firm, A Time To Kill, The Rainmaker and The Partner). But because the characters are so paper-thin, and the emotional content just isn't there, The Appeal falls short in the end. This one could have, and should have, been much much better.



3. Disappointing to say the least. I have been a John Grisham fan since The Firm but his books are getting more mundane by the year. I do not think I will read another one.



4. While this was written as a cautionary tale, it really makes one sit up and take notice. All written is possible and on some fronts, highly probable. Scary. A good read, especially in a presidential election year. Makes you really take notice of things. Best Grisham in a while.



5. John Grisham's "The Appeal" really opened my eyes to the ways in which big business can influence the work of our judiciary branch. More generally, it also illustrates the ways in which special interests can commandeer and manipulate our political campaigns with largely symbolic issues (like flag burning or gay marriage) that benefit candidates who will protect their financial interests. These concepts are not new, but Grisham really brings them to life.
   
   I agree with some other reviewers that many of Grisham's characters in this book seem fairly one-dimensional. The good guys are really good, and the bad guys are really bad. Still, as evil and single-mindedly profit-driven as the "bad guys" in this book appear, I suspect there are plenty of real people just like them.
   
   The book was enjoyable to read and flowed quickly. But after the first 50 pages or so, it was not difficult to see where the book was headed. Nonetheless, as always, John Grisham entertains. I do think it was worth reading.

5 comments about The Miracle at Speedy Motors.

1. Wonderfully written tale in the continuing series. Mma Ramotse shows her consistent wisdom through her unselfish behavior toward those both close to her and those unkind to her. This series is excelent for both adults and older children. High principles remain a constant in the series. Kudos to Alexander McCall Smith for his use of excellent vocabulary as well.



2. I loved this series from the start. While Miracle at Speedy Motors is still enjoyable, it's just not as good as most of its predecessors. A couple of points- Mma Makutsi is being treated more harshly by the author- in this and the last book, her characterization is definitely negative.
   
   Further, I think that the author missed a great chance to focus on the daughter. We never know if the 'treatment' was real or fake. I loved the idea, brought up in the second book, that this girl would be the heir to Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, but Smith seems to have left that idea behind.
   
   My final review- good, but I really, really wish it was great.



3. We are thoroughly enjoying this latest DVD about the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. It's good and long - and so we save it for car trips.



4. What an absolutely charming book this is, and a wonderful continuation of all the others in this series! Somehow all the good things in life seem to come out without the reader realizing it, and it is a book that is extremely hard to put down. Congratulations to Mr. Smith!



5. again, he has written a 'lovely little book'. It is always so refreshing to read Ladies' book because you know that goodness will triumph over adversity. Even in distress, there will be a good moral.

No comments about Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, No. 14).

5 comments about Phantom Prey (Lucas Davenport Mysteries).

1. Phantom Prey, the 18th novel in Sanford's "Prey" series, marks the return of Lucas Davenport, a state investigator for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This action-packed yarn of a serial killer roaming loose in the Twin Cities is one of author's best.
   
   When a wealthy widow, Alyssa Austin, returns home and finds blood splattered on the wall, she fears the worst, for her college-age daughter, Frances, is missing. Davenport's wife, Weather, one of Alyssa's friends, persuades him to help find the missing girl.
   
   Four murders occur and the chief suspect is a mysterious, elusive "fairy Goth," a diminutive but athletic young woman who apparently has joined the Goths--people who walk around in dark clothes and have a morbid fascination with darkness and death.
   
   The serial killer is both highly intelligent and a "certified" schizophrenic--a deadly combination. Other than Davenport himself, Sanford has never before created a more fascinating, albeit chilling, character.
   
   The novel contains a lot of foul language, and a sub-plot featuring a low-life hood named Siggy and his paramour Heather gives Sanford an opportunity to indulge in prurient voyeurism.
   
   The good news is that Phantom Prey, featuring snappy dialogue, memorable characters, humorous repartee and bloody carnage, is a page-turner. Our literary crapshooter has rolled a seven instead of snake eyes.



2. John Sandford has a gift. His plots are riveting and unexpected. His characters are compellingly flawed. And most noticeable, his dialog is pithy, quick, and "tight". (I'm not a writer, but this is the word that first comes to mind.) Even though I found some of his previous villans to be almost TOO dark for my taste, his books keep me awake and reading.
   
   But this book seems forced. As though Mr. Sandford's publishers are pushing his deadlines. The plot is all Hollywood - shallow, unimaginative, 800% predictable. In fact, I'm a little angry that Mr. Sandford broke my trust. I will buy anything he writes immediately. But fool me once...
   
   In this case, the villan is silly. Our beloved protagonist, Lucas, follows his script by rote. And the plot unfolds over 200 pages just as we might predict after reading the first 20.
   
   But you should NOT dispair. Don't buy this book, but instead, buy ANY OTHER SANDFORD NOVEL that you haven't already read at least twice. While not High Literature, they are deeper and more entertaining than anything else in the category.



3. I get the feeling that Sandford is going through the motions here. Time for the next Davenport. Now let's see...Oh, well, I'll come up with something. And so he has. It's not a bad book. The characters are as usual well done. The dialogue is witty and true to life. The only problem here is the villain, whose motivations and general situation are simply too over the top to be believable. What's worse, it was pretty obvious (but pretty hard to accept) who the villain was early in the book, and when my preconceptions were finally confirmed, I could only shake my head. I've been reading this series for a long time and this is the only really weak link. Here's hoping the next one is better.



4. I couldn't wait for the new Sandford to come out. I'd read the others and enjoyed every one. Finally, it comes in and I start reading. Then I couldn't wait to get to the end. Not because of suspense or great characters or deep plot. Just so I didn't miss something that would redeem this book from dull, boring and flat out weird.



5. I, like many other avid Sanford readers found this book sorely lacking. It really did seemed forced. I was really looking forward to reading this book until the "weirdness" (I won't spoil it...) and the excessive use of unnecessary profanity and talking about females in such a vulgar way. I am no prude by any stretch, but it seemed Sanford was pushing boundries just to see if he could.
   If you are new to the "Prey" books I would NOT start with this one.

5 comments about The Whole Truth.

1. With the Whole Truth, David Baldacci paints a picture of what can happen in a world driven but technology to get new story's out the fastest. This book is a scary portrait of what could happen if the wrong people decided to "create" reality for their own gain.
   
   The book centers around the Character of Shaw, just Shaw no first or last name, and his quest for truth and revenge over a terrible crime. The action as always with Baldacci is fast and furious and the climax of the story is one that will have you on the edge of your seat.
   
   But the power of the book is what Baldacci it telling us about our society, and what is happening with the Internet and the SPEED of news to spread around the world. Could a rouge company or person really create a worldwide conflict where one does not exist? This is the truly scary part of this story, and one this seems to be more fact than fiction.
   
   I HIGHLY recommend The Whole Truth, and will add this to the long list of Baldacci books that are must reads.



2. In, The Whole Truth, Nicolas Creel, an international arms dealer slash world philanthropist, creates conflicts to fuel the demand for his products: weapons of mass destruction. When Creel targets Russia with a smear campaign, things start to get ugly.
   
   On the flip side of the coin, to keep out of prison, Baldacci's hero, Shaw, a man with a shady past and a reluctant future, does the bidding of a multinational intelligence agency. When Shaw's fiancé is murdered by Creel's henchmen Shaw vows to get even.
   
   Likeable yet recycled characters that lacked consistency and a familiar plot - megalomaniac wanting to control the world - almost ruined this story for me. In addition, portions of the book are stricken with the Talking Head Syndrome with information filtering through the point of view of no perceivable character, coming only from the author.
   
   In spite of all of this, I found myself wanting to continue reading the book to see how it all turned out. And in the end that's what it's all about... I think.
   -- Bob Avey, author of Twisted PerceptionThe Whole Truth



3. I love David Balducci's books, but this one seems like he wrote it just to make money, not to tell a story. I have a few chapters to go til the end and I am just forcing myself to finish it. That doesn't happen very often. It's a quick read. Kind of interesting to learn about perception management, but not really worth the time and money.



4. I have enjoyed many of Baldacci's books, but was disappointed in The Whole Truth. This book, even though it was quick moving and easy to read, felt more like a screen play to me. Shaw is an unbelievable character because he's too James Bond-ish and too high-tech even in this day and age. Cylinder implants - REALLY! It was interesting to learn about Perception Management but the concept can easily be twisted to fit anyone's ideology. I wasn't disgusted about the book but I felt let down.



5. Baldacci is an excellent writer, is hard to put the book down, once you begin reading it you want to continue until the end. I'm already looking forward for his next book. This thriller is one of the best I had read in the last ten years, I'll recommend it to readers that like action thrillers!

2 comments about The Gingerbread Girl.

1. Normally the unabridged version of a book is 8-11 hours long. Nowhere in the description is it disclosed this ends up being a 2 hour short story.



2. Very tight story.. leaves little time to catch your breath, but still has those bits of King humor that keep it from being unbearable. If you are a fan of his recent short stories, you are going to love this one too!
   
   Another plus - Mare Winningham has such an amazing voice... she does an incredible job (as usual)!
   
   I highly recommend - and I bet you can't keep from listening to the whole thing in one sitting (or run)!!!
   
   All the best,
   
   Jay

5 comments about A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61).

1. Get ready to be enlightened! When I bought this book I was a little skeptical. I believed a book could not tell you who you are or who to be or how to be. And I believed that anyone who tried to tell you who you should be was just arrogant and self serving. But I bought this book anyway as part of a book club selection. What I found was that Eckart Tolle never once tells you what to do, instead, I was introduced to a concept I hadn't previously considered... presence. There's nothing to do, no act to follow, just be present to the moment. And just by becoming aware of the present moment, I was able to let go of past pains and resentments and insecurities in my life. Just by being, and not focusing on doing, I was able to unlock a new deeper dimension of my being. I was also able to realize that I am not my circumstances, or my mind, or the many roles I play. Instead, I am the awareness behind it all. This book is beautifully written and answers many question you might have. A New Earth has strengthened my faith and brought so much gratitude and appreciation into my life...amazing book!



2. I haven't found my life's purpose--except maybe to go live in a cave so that my big ego doesn't further ruin anyone else's life or my own. Isn't that my ego taking over? Yes! This book makes me feel like a big wart, like I shouldn't have been born so I could have spared the world from my being. I am having a hard time getting though it. But other people think it's fantastic. I just hasn't been earth-moving for me.



3. This book can coincide with any religon, it is a book about truths, things that have been told for centuries, even by our Lord Jesus Christ himself. IT puts everything together into perspective. Excellent choice of reading!



4. This book is a manual for living life at another level. It's simple approach to what one needs to do to make life more joyful and less painful works and is easy to understand. It's language is simple, yet beautiful. It reminds us of who we truly are and how by remembering it at each moment we can stay above the turbulences of this physical world. I have read it twice so far and each time found something new. It is good enough to be kept close at all times and to be read over and over again. Then it will become a constant reminder of the divinity of the reader and how one can stay in touch with that higher dimension of oneself. As the world around us gets more chaotic and the level of violance and destruction rises, we all need to hear such words of wisdom from someone who has risen to a higher level of being and is willing to share its magic with us.



5. I have been sharing Echhart Tolle's book "A New Earth" with my yoga students and anyone else that will listen. This book has given me such an amazing view of the world and the "dramas" that we all live through.
   If you are interested in living a more spiritual lifestyle, this book is for you. Very insightful as well as practical. Eckhart Tolle teaches the universal truths in clear English with little or no ego. This guru rocks!