New from Dan Walsh - The Deepest Waters

The Deepest Waters

By Dan Walsh

ISBN: 978-0-8007-1980-7

April 2011

$14.99

Revell

Ship wrecks, dysfunctional families, theft, and slavery come together in Dan Walsh's third novel, The Deepest Waters. The story takes place over the course of four days in 1857. A couple on their honeymoon travel by sea from San Francisco to New York City to meet his family and encounter tragedy. Walsh bases his book on a true event. A paddlewheel steamship went down off the eastern US coast, and some of the reported human interest stories, such as a bride packing along her wedding gifts, add poignancy to this work of fiction.

The reality of being adrift both on land on sea was well-described; the characters each drawn lovingly. The California Gold Rush is downplayed to the point that Walsh doesn't reveal the reason a single woman, Laura, apparently doing nothing, was far from her family home until well into the novel, or the business John had been engaged in until nearly the end. Walsh succeeds in portraying a devastating shipwreck and strong characters who survive because of their hope and faith, not necessarily that the other lives through the ordeal, but that no matter what happens, God will take care of them.

How to tell this story, to keep up the drama of the sinking ship, the angst of parting so soon as the wedding, rescue, being set adrift at sea, family issues, multiple cases of shipboard dynamics, even the undercurrents of slavery, is a challenge. The beginning of John and Laura's relationship might have been considered too slow but I would have preferred that to the flashbacks and constant interruption in place and time and narrator. There is a lot of activity going on from at least three scenarios during the same time period over four days, which may appeal to some readers but I like to read quickly, so I had to backtrack several times.

Although there is plenty of excitement, there are also many convenient happy coincidences. The cover is beautiful; the book easily readable for distracted moms and business people who snatch moments for a good story at lunch and toddler naptimes. However, Walsh's style and description is engaging and maturing, and that's what we reader fans like to see in authors we follow.

Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Andy Andrews' The Final Summit

The Final Summit: the quest to find the one principle that will save humanity

By Andy Andrews

Thomas Nelson Book Publishers

ISBN: 978-0849948664

c. 2010

Releases April 12

My review:

David Ponder from The Traveler's Gift returns. He's 74-year-old wealthy man, built and lost fortunes, widower who loved his late wife; created loyalty by advising and rewarding on the way up. The story begins with the results of his success: a 55-story office building with park-like atrium, security, penthouse with all conveniences and the people who care about him.

The story quickly shifts to Ponder, and those of us who did not yet read The Traveler's Gift are caught up by the revelation of the Seven Decisions for Success. From Gabriel's advice to King Solomon to Anne Frank, to Presidents Lincoln and Truman, to Governor Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and Christopher Columbus: sentiments of lifestyle choices come together in a great work reminiscent of great epics.

Andrews' works always have a punch. Reminiscent of CS Lewis, Plato, Shakespeare and Gene Roddenberry, Andy Andrews' latest tale sets in motion the quest for the redemption of humanity.

The archangel Gabriel arrives in the moment of David's deepest despair to conduct him to a supernatural summit of travelers. God is not pleased, again, and is deciding whether or not to start over. "Humanity is sinking of its own accord," Gabriel says. As the auditorium fills, Ponder and his sidekick Winston Churchill, along with the others, learn the question: "What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?"

They have five chances to get it right; Gabriel is the arbiter, who says the answer is two words; Ponder can summon five pre-selected advisers.  In order, they appear and discuss possible answers.

Joan of Arc: "Everything we do while we are alive—everything we say is important. And though sometimes difficult, death is part of living." Restore Hope

Abraham Lincoln: "I believe that wisdom, when harnessed over time, leads ordinary people in incredible directions." Seek Wisdom

Eric Erickson of WWII-era spy fame: "It is at that moment [when we need courage] when we take risks that are unimaginable in any other context." Show Courage

King David: "If we do not discipline ourselves, the world will be allowed to do it for us." Exhibit Self-Discipline

George Washington Carver, who changed the world. Building Character

Even though Gabriel has denied them five times, the group decides to fight on, even when everything looks hopeless…they discover that time ebbs and flows through the hourglass timepiece Gabriel has left them, and they work together to come up with the answer that pleases Gabriel.

I admire, as always, Andrews' research, his ability to pull up from the dustiest corners the slightest bits of long-hidden information and tie things together so neatly. I'm probably not alone in thinking I knew an answer after the first conversation. I read more or less patiently while answers were offered and denied. When my choice was not even considered anywhere in the discussion, I really had to think about the one the author presented as the true answer. I liked the answer, I liked the book. My answer always leaves too much to interpretation, so I applaud Andrews.

Readers of short philosophical ponderings the likes of Andrews' other works, George MacDonald and world-wide historical figures, will be delighted by this discussion.

I received this book from the publisher for review purposes.

                                                               

Blog Tour Week - Carol Topp's Micro Business for Teens

This week, Carol Topp launches her blog tour for Micro Business for Teens. I read it and thought it extremely savvy- I'll be reviewing it later in the week. Those of you who comment on this blog and the review will be entered in a grand prize drawing for four of Carol's books.

Carol Topp, CPA advises teenage business owners though her Micro Business for Teens book series. Carol’s day job is accountant to business owners, and she enjoys teaching teenagers to succeed beyond their dreams. Students appreciate how she shares what they need to know in clear and helpful lessons. Her website is MicroBusinessForTeens.com

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Spring Cleaning: A Time For a Teenager to Make Money

by Carol Topp

Here are some ideas for a micro business a teenager can start this spring:

• House cleaning: Offer to tackle large jobs like washing windows, moving furniture, etc. Many people are grateful for a young, strong teenager to help them with heavy lifting. What is easy for you might be very difficult for them, especially if they are an older person.
• Routine house cleaning: Some customers need regular house cleaning and may hire you on a weekly or monthly basis. Don't wait for them to ask: offer to come weekly or twice a month and see what they say.
• Attic cleaning: Offer to help people do a job that they put off, such as cleaning an attic.
• Garage cleaning: A big job that can earn you big bucks!
• Yard cleanup: Offer to trim bushes, pull weeds, plant flowers and spread mulch to spruce up a yard.
• Car and van cleaning: People spend a lot of time in their automobiles and their cars and vans need frequent cleaning. Melissa gladly paid to get her van cleaned inside and out every week because her four children could really make a mess in it. You can make some cash by offering to clean a van inside and out.
• Organize. Organize a house, playroom or garage. Charge the customer for any bins, tubs and labels that you purchase for them and then add on the value of your time. Take before and after photos to use on your advertising fliers.
• Declutter: Do you love HGTV shows on organization? You might be able to find someone to hire you to declutter their house like you see on TV.
• Garage sales: Advertise, organize and run a garage sale for your neighbors. Get several neighbors to participate together and really earn the bucks!
• eBay sales: Offer to sell your neighbors' stuff on eBay and take a cut for yourself. Combine the decluttering, garage sale and eBay tasks into a full package to help your customers profit from their excess stuff.

 

Don't Look Back

Don't Look Back

By Lynette Eason

c. 2010

Women of Justice Book Two

Revell

Reviewed by Lisa J Lickel for Title Trakk

Jan 11, 2011

ISBN 978-0-8007-3370-4

$14.99

From the publisher: One man lives to see her dead – the other is fighting to keep her alive.

Lynette Eason's novel about a forensic anthropologist has a very similar feel to my favorite television crime shows. The story is scary and a bit creepy—everything I like in a thriller. The missing element is the little details that male thriller writers like to stick in, like the model of the weapon and other little cop factlets. However, Eason's extensive research and attention to detail regarding skeletons and torture was plenty enough to keep me turning pages.

And that's the story line. Jamie Cash was victim number three of a mass murderer; only Jamie got away. Fifteen years later, just when Jamie's starting to get her life under control, the murderer decides to remind her how disappointed he was that she got away. His psychological taunting is eerie. Eason's hero, the lovelorn FBI Special Agent Dakota Richards, has plenty of secrets of his own to keep. These two lonely souls take a chance at love and fight for a relationship.

When the murderer starts taking serious shots at Jamie's family and Dakota, Jamie takes control of her fears. But will she keep that control when her worst nightmares come true? I didn't have to guess twice about the identity of the murderer, but I appreciated the intricacy of Eason's details.

Don't Look Back is a thrill-ride read. A couple typos were unusual for Revell, but they were in the beginning and didn't detract from the rest of the story. Readers who find Hannibal Lector stories or Ted Dekker a little intense, but enjoy the likes of Steven James, will find Eason's romantic suspense a little, but not much, kinder on the late night all-alone-in-the-dark senses.