Disclosure Policy

I know that the FCC disclosure policy for bloggers hasn't taken effect yet, but I decided to post this, update any posts I may have missed and get in the habit of telling you when a publisher GIVES me a book to review.

Anyone who has read my reviews will know that no matter what the price of a book is, I'm not sold that easily and will pan a book as easily as I will praise it, regardless of how I acquired it.

Ask Elizabeth Samet about how fond I am of the piece of crap and political propaganda she put out.

Or read the review on Rule Number Two - I would have paid double to read this gem.

I also have links to Amazon.com. They 'pay' a percentage of the sale to me IF you click on the link on my site and purchase it. After a couple of years, my account is up to $26.53 and they don't pay until I acquire $100.00. Don't think this rapid influx of money is going to benefit me soon!

The FCC has crafted yet more legislation to regulate the dishonest and the corrupt - but, will only cause difficulties for those of us with our little blogs and tiny readerships.

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive ~ Alexander McCall Smith

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

by Alexander McCall Smith

In the eighth book in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series, Mme Ramotswe's husband, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, goes out on a case and Mma Makutsi resigns - for a bit anyway. As changes occur and life goes on, the steadfast Precious Ramotswe is once again reminded of the blessings in her life and the goodness in her country.

In this installment, the rich characters come alive with their foibles and their antics. We are drawn, once again, into a world that is uniquely of Botswana, and yet is of the world. The richness of the relationships of the people in Precious Ramotswe's world are a delight.


Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/

Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)
Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)
Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)
Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)
Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)
Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)
Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)
Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)
Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

Hawke ~ Ted Bell

HAWKE


Ted Bell

I enjoyed every wild moment of this book!

I was introduced to Ted Bell via a radio interview. I enjoyed his personable and entertaining manner, so I immediately ordered his books!

The first book in the sequence is Hawke. The story opens with a young boy caught in the position to witness the unspeakable horror of having his parents murdered. He is then raised by his grandfather and becomes a highly decorated hero of Her Majesty's Royal Navy and, later, an operative for the British and the Americans.

His mission takes him back to the same Caribbean waters. As he tries to stop the Cubans from acquiring and using nuclear weapons, he encounters the men from his past who terrorized him as a child. The time for justice has arrived.

This book was fast moving and hard to put down. The characters were colorful and real. For me, the only weakness was the love story.

Great and Fun Read!!!!

Knitting Under the Influence ~ Claire LaZebnik

Knitting Under the Influence

Claire LaZebnik

0-446-69795-8

As knitting became 'popular' recently, so did the genre of 'knitting novels.' I have been a knitter most of my life and find most of these books as shallow as the finished items being produced by the new knitters. I have tried to be generous to them, but this book had no purpose for the knitting ties whatsoever, and was very strained when it was attempted.

This is the story of three young women friends who share indiscrimanate sex and alcohol intake as the tie that binds them together. Knitting attempts to be the vehicle, but fails miserably. This is nothing more than a modern romance novel that delves into sexual pleasure and drunkeness - at the end all three are 'in love.'

The interesting part of this book was the story line that followed a therapist who works with autistic children. I appreciated the attention to detail in the specifics of autism - a disease that the author is personally associated with.

However, for the most part, the end pages sum up the knitting - a listing of the knitted projects turn out to be drink recipes.

Not a bad romance novel, but this is not a knitting book.

(Book received as a free preview copy)

The Winding Ways Quilt ~ Jennifer Chiaverini

The Winding Ways Quilt

Jennifer Chiaverini

Book 12 in the Elm Creek Quilt Series


As life does, the time has come for several members to make major changes in their lives, to move far away, to start over after great hurts and disappointments, to mend fences and to be the new people to join the circle of friends.

As Sylvia sees the founding members lives changing so drastically, she commemorates each of their lives with a special Winding Ways quilt. We learn more about each of the quilters lives.

"When I think of all the different paths I could have followed in my life, all the twists and turns that could have led me anywhere," muses incoming teacher Gretchen, "it's something of a miracle that I ended up here, surrounded by loving friends."

Another beautiful Elm Creek Quilts story about wonderful people.

Book 1 - A Quilter's Apprentice
Book 2 - Round Robin
Book 3 - The Cross-Country Quilters
Book 4 - The Runaway Quilt
Book 5 - The Quilter's Legacy
Book 6 - The Master Quilter
Book 7 - The Sugar Camp Quilt
Book 8 - The Christmas Quilt
Book 9 - Circle of Quilters

Book 10 - The Quilter's Homecoming

Book 11 - The New Year's Quilt

Dear John ~ Norma L Betz

Dear John

~Norma L Betz

978-1-4343-1071-2

This is a delightful first novel from an author who shows great promise.

A young woman is faced with the death of her last relative - the aunt she was named for and who helped her when her parents were tragically killed when she was nineteen. Through love, support and financial assistance, her aunt made sure she completed college and graduate school. As young adults do, Suzanna allowed the distance to grow between them as she established her life and career. Now, her only family was gone and she had to face the obligation to sort through the life that is gone. Any adult who has faced becoming an orphan can relate to the multitude of emotions that one suffers through.

With her companion, Quincy, a five-year-old Weimaraner, Susanna heads to the home she has inherited from her aunt. When she arrives, she meets the people who have shared her aunt's life and the haunting questions about her past. She inherits a treasure trove of history from their ancestor Abigail Adams, including some of the letters she wrote to John Adams in the beginning of the Revolution. Susanna becomes inspired by Abigail's letters. And, she becomes inspired by her aunt's life as she gets to know her aunt's friends, and finds that they are embracing her as a friend as well. It is the story of the strength of a family of women... the quiet strength that keeps them going through life. While Suzanna is admiring it in Abigail and her Aunt Suzanna, she comes to realize that it is something else she shares with them.

Unfortunately, the wealth of the treasures become a target for someone unscrupulous and causes grave danger to Susanna and Quincy and their new friends, as well as the beginnings of love.

Anyone who is interested in American history will enjoy a journey into some of the letters of Abigail Adams during the early years of the Revolution. The journey is memorable and a remarkable window on the world of 1775.

I really enjoyed this book!

The critical side of me has to complain loudly about the font used for the letters of Abigail Adams. It was nice to have a font change to distinguish the letters from the story, but the one used was difficult to read, which made it harder to enjoy the wealth of the letters and to enjoy the book.

If I were to give any advise to Norma Betz, I would say DO NOT HOLD BACK. I felt like she was always trying to neatly package and contain her characters, yet she had created these wonderfully deep characters who wanted to breathe. Let them breathe! Quincy, too!

I hope Norma Betz follows with a second book!

Her website is found here.

(Book received as a free preview copy)

Lone Survivor~Marcus Luttrell

Lone Survivor

The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing

and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10

By Marcus Luttrell

I pre-ordered this book when I first heard about it. When I received it, I began reading it. It is a long and intense book, and I didn't do much else while I was reading it. Everyone in America should read this book to better understand the amazing men and women who fight for us each and every day and the challenges they confront along the way.

The book is written in two quite distinct parts. The first part is about Seal Training and the second part is about Operation Redwing. Interwoven in the two parts is Marcus Luttrell's life before and after Afghanistan, and his quest to visit each of the families of his friends who were lost and his healing and understanding of the events that occured that day.

The Prologue opens with "..my name is Marcus. And I'm writing this book because of my three buddies Mikey, Danny and Axe. If I don't write it, no one will ever understand the indomitable courage under fire of those three Americans. And that would be the biggest tragedy of all."

The first half of the book is autobiographical. We learn of Marcus' life in Texas - and he's all Texan! - the lifelong desire to become a Navy SEAL and the grueling school to become a Navy SEAL. If you want to know what becoming a SEAL is all about, Marcus tells you. Their training is beyond intense and you can't help but have complete respect for SEALs and hold them in awe for their courage, strenght and fortitude. They are trained in body and mind.

The second half of the book deals with Operation Redwing. Marcus takes us into the battle, into the death of his team and dear friends - Mike Murphey, Danny Deitz and Matt Axelson. The grueling battle, the fall of over one thousand feet down a mountain side, the struggle to survive despite the vast number of enemies, is beyond imagining. After the enemy has killed his friends, Marcus is severly wounded and presumed dead by American forces. In spite of his injuries, he crawls over seven miles while confronting the assassins sent to kill him. He is taken in by a Pashtun tribe who risk everything to keep him alive and eventually get him back to American forces.

In addition to the loss of the three members of Marcus' SEAL team, the CH-47 rescue helicopter with a rescue and reinforcement team was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade. It was the largest loss of life in SEAL history, and the largest loss of Special Operations Forces since D-Day. Nineteen highly trained, dedicated and patriotic men died that day:

Petty Officer Danny Dietz (SEAL Team 1)

Petty Officer Matthew Axelson (SEAL Team 1)

Navy Lt. Mike Murphy (SEAL Team 1)


Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature (pilot, US Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment)

Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach (pilot, US Army 160th SOAR)

Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby (US Army, 160th SOAR)

Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles (US Army, 160th SOAR)

Chief Petty Officer Jacques J. Fontan (SEAL Team 10)

Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen (SEAL Team 10)

Petty Officer 2nd Class James Suh (SEAL Team 1)

Petty Officer First Class Jeff Taylor (SEAL Team 10 Medic)

Sgt. First Class Michael Russell (US Army, 160th SOAR)

Maj. Steve Reich (pilot, US Army 160th SOAR)

Master Sgt. James "Tre" Ponder III (US Army, 160th SOAR)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Shane Patton (SEAL Team 1)

U.S. Navy Lt. Michael McGreevy (SEAL Team 10)

Petty Officer Jeffrey Alan Lucas (SEAM Team 10)

Senior Chief Petty Officer Dan Healy (SEAL Team 1)

SSgt. Shamus Goare (US Army, 160th SOAR)


Marcus also gives us a parallel view of what was going on at his home during the time he was missing and presumed dead. He tells of the dedication of his family, friends, the SEAL community and the Texans who came to hold vigil. The spirit and faith of these people, many of whom did not know Marcus, is overwhelming and inspiring. It truly made me proud to live in the same America that they live in.

For their bravery and courage under fire Marcus Luttrell (previously known as "The One"), Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson were awarded the Navy Cross. Michael Murphey was awarded a Silver Star and is being reviewed for a Medal of Honor.

If you ever have any questions about what patriotism, love of country, devotion, courage and bravery are, you only need to read this book to understand what they really mean. I have read this book twice. It has been an emotional journey, a journey of such profound pride in these young men, a journey of anger at trying to impose political correctness into warfare, a journey into the love between people that keeps them going on in spite of great tragedy.

I have heard Marcus' voice telling us what patriotism, love of country, devotion, courage and bravery are and how we undermine it at home. His anger is real. As is his love of his team, his friends, his family, Texas, and America. His shy and introspective nature is pushed to the side to tell this story and to give opinions about America at War. He had to leave the Navy - the thing he loved the most - to tell this story, because his love for his teammates and the truth was even greater. For that, I am truly grateful. Knowing about these twenty Americans has enriched my life.

As I listen to and watch the many interviews with Marcus Luttrell, I see a man who will ever be torn by the grief that was laid upon him by the events of Operation Redwing. I also see a man who gives the greatest respect for people he knows do not respect him, his brothers, the truth.

A great interview with Marcus Luttrell was done by Texas Radio KVET - 98 FM:

To play the media please click on the link below or paste it into your web browser

Part One: http://www.kvet.com/cc-common/mediaplayer/player.html?mps=Default&mid=http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/23782/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/23782/1048/richmedia/Kvet_Rick_PerryNavy_Seal.mp3?CCOMRRMID=4644003&CPROG=RICHMEDIA&MARKET=AUSTIN-TX&NG_FORMAT=country&NG_ID=kvet98fm&OR_NEWSFORMAT=&OWNER=1048&SERVER_NAME=www.kvet.com&SITE_ID=1048&STATION_ID=KVET-FM&TRACK=rick_perry_navy_seal

Part Two: http://www.kvet.com/cc-common/mediaplayer/player.html?mps=Default&mid=http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/23782/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/23782/1048/richmedia/Kvet_Rick_PerryNavy_Seal_2.mp3?CCOMRRMID=4644691&CPROG=RICHMEDIA&MARKET=AUSTIN-TX&NG_FORMAT=country&NG_ID=kvet98fm&OR_NEWSFORMAT=&OWNER=1048&SERVER_NAME=www.kvet.com&SITE_ID=1048&STATION_ID=KVET-FM&TRACK=rick_perry_navy_seal_2


If you want to know what a hero looks like, here are two - Danny Dietz and Marcus Luttrell.



This is a must read for all Americans. Read this book!

Previous Posts:

http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/02/navy-cross-axelson-dietz-one.html

Marcus Luttrell: http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/02/hero-to-remember-one.html

Danny Dietz: http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/02/hero-to-remember-po2-danny-p-dietz.html

Matthew Axelson: http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/02/hero-to-remember-po2-matthew-g-axelson.html

Michael Murphey: http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/02/silver-star-lt-michael-p-murphy.html

Rescue Team: http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/07/lone-survivor-rescue-team.html
Since this review was written, Michael Murphey has been awarded a Medal of Honor.

Blue Shoes and Happiness ~ Alexander McCall Smith

Blue Shoes

and Happiness

Alexander McCall Smith

Book 7 in the Series

No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Once again, Mme Ramotswe is ready to help people solve their problems - the solvable ones, that is - and it takes a certain amount of living to know the difference between the two as Mme does.

Mma Makutsi may have run off her fiance. But, Mme will help her get her life back on track.

These glorious books are a wonderful journey into life in Botswana.

Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/

Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)

Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)

Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)

Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)

Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)

Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)

Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)

Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)

Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies ~ Alexander McCall Smith

In the Company
of Cheerful Ladies

Alexander McCall Smith

Book 6 in the Series
No 1 Ladies Detective Agency





Mme Precious Ramotswe is baffled when a mysterious pumpkin appears on her porch and deeply rattled when a visitor forces her to confront the painful secrets of her past.

Meanwhile, Mr J L B Matekoni is having apprentice problems and Mma Makutsi is taking dancing lessons, partnered with a man with two feet.

Another beautifully told story about wonderful characters.
Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/

Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)

Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)

Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)

Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)

Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)

Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)

Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)

Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)

Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

The Full Cupboard of Life ~ Alexander McCall Smith

The Full Cupboard

of Life

Alexander McCall Smith

Book 5 in the Series

No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Once again Mme Ramotswe uses her vast intuitive skills and her abilities to judge character to help people. Big-hearted and gently to the point, Mme Ramotswe is always available to help. Meanwhile, Mma Potokwane, matron of the orphan farm, has more requests for Mr J L B Matekoni.

Another charming tale from a remarkable storyteller.

Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/


Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)
Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)
Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)
Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)
Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)
Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)
Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)
Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)
Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

The Kalahari Typing School for Men ~ Alexander McCall Smith

The Kalahari
Typing School
for Men

Alexander McCall Smith

Book 4 in the Series
No 1 Ladies Detective Agency









Mme Ramotswe is living a good life - a successful business, two adopted children, a wonderful fiance and in her own house at the finest age to be (her mid-thirties). Yet, life always throws troubles in the way, often small ones, yet troubles nonetheless.

Mma Makutsi, her assistant, is wanting a husband, and also starts a typing school in the evenings to supplement her income.

More tales from a delightful story teller about truly delightful people.

Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/

Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)

Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)

Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)

Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)

Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)

Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)

Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)

Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)

Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

Morality for Beautiful Girls ~ Alexander McCall Smith

Morality for
Beautiful Girls

Alexander McCall Smith

Book 3 in the Series
No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency







Mme Ramotswe continues her successful, though often financially troubled, detective agency. Mme is successful, not only because of her deductions, but because of her exceptional ability to judge character correctly.

In this book, we learn more about the Mr J L B Matekoni, the complicated and dependable fiance of Mme Ramotswe.

This is another delightful story in the series, which shares the lives of very wonderful characters and the realities of life in Botswana!


These are wonderful 'travel books' - books that are easy to take with you and to read on the go - while traveling or waiting. They are a joy to read.



Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/




Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)
Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)
Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)
Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)
Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)
Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)
Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)
Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)
Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

Tears of the Giraffe ~ Alexander McCall Smith

Tears of
the Giraffe

Alexander McCall Smith

Book 2 in the Series

No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Mme Ramotswe returns in another beautifully crafted book aobut her detective agency, her engagement to a wonderful and caring man, his adoption of two orphans, and her talented secretary who is learning to come unto her own.

This book is beautifully written with characters who are real in their goodness or their wickedness, this book shares the spirit of Botswana, the sense of the country. You can feel the heat and smell the dust in the writing.

These are wonderful 'travel books' - books that are easy to take with you and to read on the go - while traveling or waiting. They are a joy to read.



Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/




Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)
Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)
Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)
Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)
Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)
Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)
Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)
Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)
Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency ~ Alexander McCall Smith

The No 1
Ladies' Detective Agency

Alexander McCall Smith

Book 1 in the Series

No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Mme Precious Ramotswe is the first female detective in Botswana. A strong woman who overcomes profound adversity in her life, Mme Ramotswe sets up a small storefront in Gaborone and begins her profession to "help people with the problems in their lives."

This is the first in the ongoing stories about Mme Ramotswe. The characters are real and compelling. The descriptions of Botswana are distinct and beautiful. The writing has a special charm and gentleness that allows us to see the sorrow and vulnerability of Mme Romotswe, with the compassion, intelligence and integrity that endears her to us.


These are wonderful 'travel books' - books that are easy to take with you and to read on the go - while traveling or waiting. They are a joy to read.



Author's Website: http://www.alexandermccallsmith.com/


Book 1 - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998)
Book 2 - Tears of the Giraffe (2000)
Book 3 - Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001)
Book 4 - The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002)
Book 5 - The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)
Book 6 - In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004)
Book 7 - Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)
Book 8 - The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)
Book 9 - The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)

Playing for Pizza ~ John Grisham

Playing for Pizza

John Grisham

When I read, I always enjoy those books the most that are written by a great storyteller. John Grisham is, indeed, a great storyteller. Most readers know him for his legal thrillers, which are excellent. But, I am truly fond of the human interest stories that he tells, such as Playing for Pizza.

Grisham develops characters that you can relate to - whether you like them or not, you feel that you know them. He then inserts them into the fluxes of life, where we see the errors and joys coming at them.

Playing for Pizza is the story of a professional football player who is no longer wanted in the United States, but finds a job as the starting quarterback for the Panthers of Parma, Italy.

This is a wonderful story of football, culture clashes and the human spirit. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story!