January 2015 | Miki's Hope

I Have A WHOLE Day to Myself!!!

Saturday, January 31, 2015



I thought I was going to be taking my Mom out on her weekly shopping and errand trip today. She decided it is much too cold to be out there. She is 91 after all! I actually got most everything for my blog ready early so I would not be rushed--NOW I can spend the day reading!!!! It doesn't take much to make me happy does it?

I even got the Valentines G/A up and pre-scheduled for tomorrow-(2/1 midnight)-keep an eye out it is another of the ones for $25 Amazon/PP with like only 5 things you have to do.


That Neater Scooper review/giveaway that you see today really works. I love it and any cat lovers out there will love it too. I really wish I had thought of this one. I keep thinking it might work for any small animal that uses a litter type substance. (I made the Rafflecopter so it is easy peasy to enter)


Of course the Sunday Stroll will appear like magic at 6:30 PM this evening (1/31)

And I have just have to give you a heads up--remember the books by NBL Horton--When Camels Fly and The Brother's Keeper - Can you say SALE? It starts 2/12 and ends 2/21 and I will remind you closer to that date. You really don't want to miss reading these 2 books!!


So, tomorrow is shopping day and according to Mom she doesn't need too much--only 3 stores. How many bets she gets a 4th in there as well.




All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Review/Giveaway-Neater Scooper- @NeaterPets (Litter System for Cats)-US Only-Ends 2/28


We all love out furry little bundles of love--no matter how much they try to drive us crazy as my cat Baby does to me. She is a worrier. She worries when her food is 3 minutes late in arriving in its designated place. She worries and becomes a total nuisance if I happen to get a phone call. The worst is when she is in the living room and I am on the computer --she meows piteously until I go in and carry her into the bedroom. Yes, she is spoiled and she makes sure she stays that way But the absolute worst is when I don't clean her litter out promptly--She tries to clean it herself thus I have litter all over my bathroom floor which I then must clean up in addition to her litter. She is not a dumb cat--she smiles as she watches me clean.


(This is the position I get into to show my craziness that Mom won't do what she is supposed to do when I want her to!)

When I was asked by the people who made the Neater Scooper if I would like to try it out--I jumped on it. Anything to make that job easier!! I was really surprised how quickly it arrived at my door--literally in one day. The unit (which is plastic) was securely wrapped in lots of bubble wrap. I immediately opened the box. It came with several packages of the mini plastic bags which you use. Now I had more or less just gotten home and Baby's litter definitely needed cleaning. It took me a few (remember that I am a klutz and it would have helped if I had read the instructions!)but I finally figured out how to open the unit so I could put a bag in. It is a pretty tight fit so I really had to exert a bit of muscle. Once I knew how it was--easy as pie! I stuck the little bag in the unit-closed it back up and headed for the litter box. As you can see on the picture above there is a scooper-what you can't see is the trap door that opens and shuts. You scoop--let it fall into the bag. Scoop again-when in the scoop position the trap door shuts again so nothing falls out. Then all you have to do is pull the unit apart-tie up the little bag dispose of it put the unit back together or wash the scoop. They do sell refill bags on the site. You are ready again-----In case I just confused you this is from the site.


Of course Neater Pets sells lots more then just this item. Here is the link to their site--and they have items for dogs as well as cats!

Here are some of the benefits copied from the site--AND it is made in the USA!!! It comes with a 100% money back guarantee.



You can Follow them on their

Blog
Facebook
Twitter


Will I be getting those refills--definitely. I may even get an extra scoop piece so I can clean one while using the other!! The people at Neater Brands have been gracious enough to offer one of my readers (US Only) a Neater Scooper all their own! Just fill out the Rafflecopter below for a chance at winning. Your cat will thank you!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway





I received a Neater Scooper and the bags in order to test out this product. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Lyme Disease-How Much Do You Know?

Friday, January 30, 2015


Photo from WebMD.com

Lyme Disease. I don't hear too much about it anymore but before it became prevalent my Mom got bitten by a tick when walking my dog back in the 80's! It took a long time to figure out what was wrong with her back then. She was really sick at the time. With all of you always writing about how you walk, hike and run I thought that this should be put out there. Click on the link below and find out more-just keep hitting the arrow-it is a slide show type presentation.


This following sent to me by author Lawrence W. Gold MD. (my favorite Medical Mystery Author)

This is a real, but controversial medical problem. Too many "doctors" and "labs" trying to cash in on a serious disease.

http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/ss/slideshow-lyme-disease?ecd=wnl_day_012215&ctr=wnl-day-012215_nsl-ld-stry&mb=UJFQI3JkXVfkt%40jE2DbXMuHnVev1imbCQtc8hErPpek%3d

Larry
(Lawrence W. Gold, M.D.)
Website: lawrencewgoldmd.com




All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-Murder at Jade Cove (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book #2)-Dianne Harman


What a wonderful series this is! This is the second book in the series and I loved it every bit as much as I did the first. You can see my review of Kelly's Koffee Shop here Dianne Harman knows how to write a clean cozy mystery which will not only keep you guessing but will have you smiling as well.

Kelly has a tendency to keep her fingers crossed when promising not to help her finance (Mike the Sheriff) with his cases. At least she always has her dog-a big well trained Boxer with her! She is still cooking up a storm at her restaurant and now brings stuff home for Mike to eat. She also uses some of those delicious baked goods as an excuse to visit where she is not really supposed to be--at least not for the reason she is really going there.

This can be read as a stand alone but there is a continuation from the first book and you really don't want to miss any of the fun!! The recipes are again featured at the end of the book!!!!!! Now waiting for Book #3-I just have to find out how the newest addition (a gift) gets along with the Boxer!! And besides there is still a wedding to attend!!

About the Book: (from Amazon)

Was it the environmental activist enamored with spotted owls, someone from the local Native American tribe, Jeff’s son, Jeff’s wife, or his wife’s lover? Join Kelly, the owner of Kelly’s Koffee Shop, her boxer dog, Rebel, and her fiancĂ©, Mike, the county sheriff, as they try and catch the person who killed Jeff Black.

Well, it’s not as if no one wanted Jeff dead. He had enemies. There were a lot of people who didn’t want to see his property turned into a commercial hotel and spa. Finding suspects won’t be hard to do, but finding out who killed him will be. No one would ever nominate Jeff for the “Most Popular Citizen Award.” This is going to be a nightmare for Mike. I wonder how I can help him, Kelly thought.

Murder at Jade Cove is another mouth-watering Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery with recipes and a surprise at the very end!


Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the Book Here

About the Author: (from Amazon)(Picture from Twitter)


Dianne Harman draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught yoga and certified yoga instructors. She's traveled extensively throughout the world, most recently dividing her time between Huntington Beach, California and Sacramento, California, where her husband was a Senator. An avid reader, Dianne brings the richness of her life experiences to her novels, Blue Coyote Motel, Coyote in Provence, and Cornered Coyote - all of which are available now in the Coyote Series. She is also the author of Tea Party Teddy and Tea Party Teddy's Legacy, California political novels.

Being a dog lover and having attended cooking schools all over the world, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs - and her first cozy mystery, Kelly's Koffee Shop was written. It is #1 on the culinary cozy mystery list and #3 on animals. Her second book in the Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery series, Murder at Jade Cove, will be published soon..

An Award Winning Bestseller, Blue Coyote Motel was selected as a quarter finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award contest, Goodreads Psychological Thriller of the Month Book, and e-thriller Book of the Month. Blue Coyote Motel and Coyote in Provence were finalists in Chanticleer's CLUE awards contest.

Blue Coyote Motel is a suspenseful love story which begins in the barrios of Southern California and spans the globe in such diverse locations as Provence, South America, and the Himalayas. The beautiful Latina, Maria, and her husband, Jeffrey, a scientist fired from a prestigious laboratory, struggle to build a new life in a remote Southern California desert area as owners of the motel.

Along with the anti-aging hormone, Jeffrey invents a "feel-good" wonder drug to help Maria with her depression. As Jeffrey becomes insane, he begins to experiment with the wonder drug. Six wayward travelers, including an alcoholic priest, a couple who own gold mines in Brazil, a depressed widow, a struggling salesman, and a Native American pediatrician, find themselves spending the night at the small motel. The next morning they wake up feeling better than ever. Has Jeffrey's miracle drug delivered? Or is the nightmare of addiction only beginning?

Coyote in Provence and Cornered Coyote complete the trilogy which spans the globe and introduces a character, Slade Kelly, a loveable irascible private eye, who many say has become their favorite literary character. The Mafia, food, wine, art, Provence, courtroom drama - all find a place in these books.

The Teddy saga is a multicultural romance set against the political background of California. It's the story of Nina, whose husband succumbs to the power of his office. Bigoted and biased, the ultimate irony occurs when she becomes romantically involved with the founder of the Republicans for Latinos, and in the process, discovers herself. The story continues in Tea Party Teddy's Legacy, a conclusion to Tea Party Teddy in the form of a novella.


Authors Website
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I purchased this book with my own funds. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

No Rest for the Weary

Thursday, January 29, 2015


Yesterday I made it to my client and managed to do an entire years input plus what was left of 5 other companies for 3 months each in 4 1/2 hours. No easy feat and my arm feels like it is ready to fall off at the shoulder! Today I have to drive out to Long Island and input another clients work--also almost one years worth. Do I have a choice? Not really.

I actually had a book review ready to go up on my blog today--I changed it to tomorrow. I generally go for comments but I wasn't even able to finish those from yesterday--hopefully by this evening. AND I forgot to put one up for comments so maybe I will put that one in one group only which I managed to miss altogether yesterday. I feel like I am moving around in a fog.

I did receive a product at my door yesterday which is for a review/giveaway. Since it was for my cat I was able to get that one together-you will see it the 31st. I really do like the product!! On 2/12 one of the books I reviewed which everyone seemed to really like will be going on sale for .99. I am trying to decide if I should get that ready-I will probably also put the little ad box on the right side of my blog (if I remember). Since I am not an affiliate of any of the book places whe ever you see something like that from me it is because I really liked the book and let's face it--everyone needs a bargain and I like helping out the authors who I truly like!!

I seem to be rambling here so I will get going now and see if I can get some posts into threads and my giveaways into linkys before I fall asleep again. I give myself 2 to 3 hours (it is 12:30 am-Baby woke me up-she was hungry)--then sleep for another maybe 2 to 3 hours before I have to really start my day.





All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

E-Books-Flames of Love (5)-WW-Rev of Dreaming of Love-Melissa Foster-Ends 3/1

Wednesday, January 28, 2015


Another winner from Melissa Foster. This one is a bit steamier then most of the others-but then it takes place in Italy! Emily has been a workaholic for many years now. She wants to find someone but never has--besides she has 4 big brothers who are way too over protective. When Wes-her oldest brother takes matters into his own hands and decides it is time for Emily to finally take a vacation to Italy--off she goes. Emily is an architect who specializes in "green" architecture. She has always wanted to go to Italy to see the buildings there. She has her itinerary for the entire trip planned out--but that is Emily.

The minute she arrives at what we might term a B&B she meets Dae and they hit it off immediately. They seem to be perfect for each other and Dae knows he is in big trouble--he does not want to lose her-but he is a demolitionist--how is a "green" builder going to take that in stride?

Meanwhile the house he has been asked to demolish just happens to be a legend in the area-they call it the Wishing House. There is a BIG olive tree that grew right into the side of the house.

Will they be able to reconcile their differences and allow the deep and abiding love they feel for each other flourish? Or will the "Wishing House" tear them apart? This is definitely for 18+ readers but if you have a couple of romantic bones in your body you will love this novel.



NEW RELEASE........

Book #11 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #19

Emily Braden is a leader in architectural preservation, a pillar in her small hometown, and successful in everything she does—with the exception of finding true love. She’s watched several of her brothers fall in love, and she needs this trip to Tuscany to get away from it all and to stop focusing on what she doesn’t have.

Dae Bray doesn’t do flings, and he never stays in one place for very long. As a demolitionist, he goes where jobs take him, and the more often he travels, the better. His trip to Tuscany is all work—until he meets smart and sexy Emily, who makes him reconsider his fear of settling down, his no-fling rule—and just about everything else he’s ever believed about himself.

Passion sizzles as Dae and Emily explore the history and beauty of Tuscany. Their romance moves beyond tourist attractions to the bedroom, blossoming into a deep connection neither can deny. But their worlds collide when Emily wants to preserve the property that Dae is there to demolish. Can a woman who sees the beauty in preservation and a man whose life is spent tearing things down find a solid foundation for their love?

THE BRADEN COUSINS are one of the newest additions to the LOVE IN BLOOM series.

**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Available to buy from...


Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary CafĂ© and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest
or her personal website.
Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.



Find the author on the following sites...

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.


ALSO AVAILABLE 
Books 1 - 3 Snow Sisters, Love in Bloom Series #1 - 3

Books 1 - 6 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #4 - 9

Books 1 - 5 The Remingtons, Love in Bloom Series #10 - 14 



Books 7 - 12 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #15 - 20



Books 1 - 4 Seaside Summers, Love in Bloom Series #21 - 24



NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!
flames of love
Five lucky winners will each receive the Flames of Love ebook

Ending on Sunday 1st March at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide

Enter Below & Good Luck !!









I received an e-book for review purposes only. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Home Flooring-A Buyers Guide Infographic

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Do you know what kind of flooring you need in various parts of your home? Do you even know all the options out there? You really have to be sure because flooring is the one item you will not be changing too often. You want to make sure that what you choose is what you want and that it will last a long time. The infographic below will help you with this very important decision.





Infographic - Home Flooring Types



Presented by DirectBuy.com







All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

The EXTREME Craziness GOT SOMEWHAT WORSE! (as of 1/27 1AM EST)


I am sure all bookkeepers, accountants and the like are feeling it right now as well--it is time for P/R quarterlies, 1099's W-2's and multiple other forms that the government seems to need by a certain date. SNOW--no one can get to their clients-at least not in the snow bound regions of the country. PHONE--I don't know if I mentioned it but I had spent about 2 hours on the phone the other day because of ICE talking one client through manual payroll calculations so she could email to her accountant so they could do the forms for her. I did make it to my client yesterday (Monday) but did the minimum and got back home before the snow started falling-I even made it to a food store. I was feeling pretty good--until the PHONE rang. It was the client I was supposed to see today (Tuesday). I managed to talk her through doing the payroll forms on Quickbooks-no easy feat since one she was petrified and two she probably didn't really want to do it. Three hours later and she still has to PHONE me back today to finish one or two other forms. Have I ever mentioned I dislike phones intensely?

Picture from www.clker.com

I usually try to finish all threads on Facebook the same day I enter them--I had no choice yesterday and left some comments for this morning (no problem-there is 48 hours to finish that thread). For some strange reason Baby let me sleep this morning-I woke up by myself at 1 AM-------to FACEBOOK NOT WORKING--according to the message--they are working on it!!

Until next time---------------------





All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-The Legend of Water Hole Branch-Lucas R. Wright


This book moved seamlessly from one situation to the next. You first find out about the 3 lifelong friends who grew up in a very small place called Water Hole Branch. They were pretty much inseparable until the unthinkable happened--the boys parents were murdered and Camilla and her mother were taken away by the murderers. You don't hear too much about Brian and Camille but you learn how Hunter becomes rich in the financial world. Hunter has never forgotten what happened all those years ago and determines to find the gold that was supposedly left by the Spanish years and years ago and was the reason his world was torn apart.

Will Hunter be able to find this gold or was it just one of those small town rumors? Will he ever see his friends again? To find out-read the book. It truly is well written and will keep you entertained!! There might be a sequel in the works-or at least there could be the way the book ends!

About the Book: (from Amazon)

A Harrowing Race Against Time...

For centuries, treasure hunters have sought to uncover the infamous legend regarding a wealth of gold buried somewhere in Waterhole Branch by a notorious Spanish explorer...

But it turns out that one man may have already found it Hunter Pierce, raised in a rural area of southern Alabama, has mysteriously built a lucrative career on Wall Street. He's young. He's smart. He's ambitious. And he has his whole future ahead of him.

Then one night everything changes.

Locked in a treacherous game with ruthless killers and embroiled in a treasure hunt of epic proportions, Hunter is reunited with his two childhood friends - Brian and Camilla - who unexpectedly find themselves coaxed into this pulse-pounding adventure.

Unsure who is friend or foe, Hunter returns to Waterhole Branch--where his survival hinges on outsmarting the bad guys, masterminding an escape, and putting his trust in an unlikely source.

Read a chapter or two here


Purchase the Book Here

About the Author: (from Amazon)


Lucas R. Wright lives a quiet life as a CPA in Atlanta, Georgia, where he provides services for private equity firms, and has become a master at writing suspense.

When not penning thrilling, fictional tales, Lucas can be found traveling around the Caribbean, reading his favorite authors, or playing golf. While he's never been on an actual treasure hunt, Lucas has dreamed about finding the fabled gold hidden in Waterhole Branch since childhood.

"The Legend of Waterhole Branch" is his first novel.


Official Website:
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I received a paperback edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-State of Mind (Briar Hospital Series)-Lawrence Gold

Monday, January 26, 2015



This is the brand new (just published 1/21/15) novel by my favorite author of medical mysteries/drama. Lawrence W. Gold. MD now author extraordinaire will keep you captivated with the story lines in all his novels. I have read every one of his novels so far. You don't have to worry about reading this series in order--they are all stand alone. Dr. Gold, with his vast knowledge of the medical profession writes about timely topics within a fictional setting. State of Mind is about research and the ethical problems that can arise--especially when dealing with psychiatric problems.

Try to imagine if a way was figured out to cure people of PTSD, Parkinsons and the like by using a non invasive brain altering mechanism. Then imagine if it actually worked--at least for a while. Of course the government is involved which helps muddy the water--and a Judge's son turned psychotic murderer after sustaining a head injury in football-Of course lawyers get involved.

The last sentence in this novel is:

David scanned the room, paused and turned to Kim, “Maybe, our next project for TCPU treatment should be to use the technique to raise the average IQ.” “Great, Michael said, “let’s start with politicians.”

I couldn't agree more!!

About the Book: (from Amazon)

Dr. Kimberly Powell, a Ph.D. in neuropsychology, works in a research lab trying to understand the roots of violence by stimulating the brains of aggressive rats to reduce their savagery.

Her successes lead to phase I safety trials in volunteers and prisoners, and then to phase II and III studies in patients.
Soon it becomes clear that Kim’s brain stimulating techniques, besides controlling aggression, offer the potential to cure a number of medical problems including Parkinson’s disease, depression, PTSD, and many others.
When the court instructs her to treat a psychopathic killer, she’s appalled. What would such a killer, if cured, still owe to his victims and to society?

The ethical implications of the research and especially its application on humans are substantial, but so, too, is her altruistic desire to help.

Where is the balance and how far and how fast should these trials proceed—and, at what cost?

Read a Chapter or two here

Purchase the Book Here


About the Author: (from author's website)


I was born in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, moved to Queens, and then, as New Yorkers say, my family ascended to the Island. After graduating from Valley Stream Central High School, I went to Adelphi, a college then, a university now, and then to medical school in Chicago. The war in Vietnam interrupted my postgraduate medical training with a year in Colorado Springs and another as a Battalion Surgeon in Vietnam. I spent seven months in the Central Highlands with the 4th Infantry and five months in an evacuation hospital in Long Binh outside Saigon where I ran the emergency room. I returned intact in 1968 to complete my training in internal medicine and diseases of the kidney, nephrology. I worked for twenty-three years in Berkeley, California in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses often in ICU, and served as Chief of Internal Medicine and Family Practice. For many years, I was an active member of the quality assurance committee. Circumstances permitted my wife, Dorlis, and me to retire in October 1995. Before fate could intervene, we tossed off the dock lines, and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge for a life at sea in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Four years later, exhausted from repairing everything on board, (often many times) we sold the sailboat and within a year took the lazy man’s out; we bought a Nordic Tug trawler. We motored around Florida, the Bahamas, and the entire East Coast and completed two ‘circle trips’ to Canada and back, eight months, the first time, five months, the second. I’ve written eight novels, five in he Brier Hospital Series, and one non-fiction book, I Love My Doctor, But…, a lighthearted look at the patient/doctor relationship. I recently published my ninth novel, A Simple Cure, about the search for the cure of the most deadly skin cancer, malignant melanoma. I write primarily to entertain, but I can’t help but pass on to readers observations and beliefs culled from years of practice, and yes, my biases, too. I strive for realism in portraying the medical scene which is gripping enough without melodrama or gimmicks. With even a minor degree of success in writing novels, comes responsibility to readers. I attempt to produce honest material that reflects my beliefs. Exposing these beliefs to the public through my writing requires courage, stupidity, or both. My fans have been generous, and although nobody enjoys criticism, I’ve learned much from that, too. The novel that expresses most clearly my candor, and my bias, is For the Love of God. The novel reflects my attitudes toward those who are willing to sacrifice the lives of their children for their personal religious beliefs.

We live in beautiful Grass Valley with 15 1/2 year old Mike, a terrier mix and Bennie, an 8 year old Yorkie who just looks like he’s on steroids.

Author's Website
Dr. Gold's Fiction and Medical News (this is very interesting)
Facebook
Twitter-still under construction!
Goodreads








I received a Mobi edition of this book for review purposes.All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

I Am Going to be EXTREMELY CRAZY from 1/26 - 1/31

Sunday, January 25, 2015



As most everyone knows by now I am a semi-retired full charge bookkeeper. I have somehow been cajoled into working as a bookkeeper every day this coming week by hysterical clients who waited till the last possible second to do their Payroll Quarterly Taxes and the 1099's and some who are trying to get the stuff ready ahead of time for their accountants--par for the course. I'll get it done for them-and I'm sure they all are suddenly going to become hysterical because their accountants need the year end information--but that will hopefully be a bit staggered, mainly because the information won't even be in their mailboxes till sometime in February. We won't even think about my own taxes which I have semi started but am no where near completing! All this week I have been answering questions on my home phone and walking clients through some payroll stuff--no I don't charge or get paid for that. Then there was the woman who needed me to walk her through printing a report. I won't go into the fact that I have printed the exact same report 5 times for her-she keeps misplacing them!! And then, of course I am driving my Mom around and trying my darndest to read, write up reviews for next week and in general keep up with my blog!!!!!!!!

So, why am I writing this on Sunday--well--I am hoping most of you will at least see it and be patient with me. I will be in the comment threads etc and I will be commenting--just not a quickly as I try to be normally. I will finish one days thread before entering another--If by chance I miss someone PLEASE just let me know-I will rectify it as soon as I possibly can.

Well I better stop typing and start reading--one review is due on the 28th (I already have Monday and Tuesday covered)-then find some short books for the rest of the week.

(Note from Baby--Mom is driving me crazy-she giving me hard time getting up cause she not going to sleep when I tell her to! She typing instead of petting me-this must STOP-maybe if I walk on that thing she types on and try to flip it over Mom will get the message?)

Now if I could just convince Baby to let me sleep a bit later--but then that is when I will probably be playing catch up with my blog!!


All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-Dead Centre: Not All Suicide Bombers Are Religious!-Owen Jones

Friday, January 23, 2015


This book will have you wondering if all those terror bombings are really from religious organizations or from groups imitating them to get away with literally lots of goodies. The way these people do this is quite interesting and why the people allow themselves to be used as human bombs even more so-but really very sad.

Is it a Religious Zealot or a Ruthless Businessman? Fast moving and extremely thought provoking!

This group is not totally heartless--just ruthless!! Do they get caught in the end--or do they get away with the entire scheme?

About the Book: (from Amazon)

When a suicide bomber detonates his vest in Scheherazade's, an up-market department store in Baghdad, the first reaction of the Iraqi authorities is to treat it as a normal act of terrorism and hand it over to Captain Allawi of the Iraqi National Police.

However, while routinely inspecting the video footage from the store's security cameras, a sharp-eyed, young police officer notices that the suicide bomber is not all that he makes himself out to be and this leads the investigation down a path that no-one had ever considered possible before.

The consequences of this new form of terrorism are horrific.

Then, over a short space of time, six other crimes involving suicide bombers occur that are inexplicable unless thy are seen in the same light as the Baghdad bombing. This leads the police forces of six other cities: Marseille, Essen, Belfast, New York, London and Los Boliches work together under the umbrella of Interpol to put an end to this new criminal gang.

A twist comes when the police realise that there are several motives for the suicide bombings, but because the perpetrators are unpredictable, it makes apprehending them impossible.

Their only viable tactic is to concentrate on the source of the bombers themselves, although they obviously all die in the raids. The case starts to look hopeless.

Despite numerous breaks-through, the combined police forces, loosely headed by Captain Allawi, fail to make any serious headway, so they ask the Chinese government for the assistance of their Internet experts, because they are widely believed to be the best in the world.

The Chinese, with some help from the Latvian and Argentine authorities, trace the gang's probable headquarters to 'West England', but when their British counterparts examine the data, they pinpoint it to West Wales.

The SAS is called in from Hereford, when it is realised that ex-military personnel are probably involved in the bombings because of the style, the planning and the precision of the attacks. The SAS soon narrow their operations down to a lonely farmhouse located outside St. David's in Pembroke, southwest Wales.

This sets the scene for the final battle to stamp out the leadership of the gang.

'Dead Centre' is a fast-paced action thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. The story takes place in nine countries and dozens of cities.

However, as the saying goes, when the SAS are called in, you know it's getting serious!

Read a Chapter or Two Here

Purchase the Book here

About the Author: (from Amazon)


Owen Jones was born in Barry, South Wales, where he lived until going to Portsmouth to study Russian at 18. After finishing his degree, he moved to s'Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands where he lived for ten years.

At 32, Owen moved back to Barry to work with in his family's construction company, first as a painter and then as a director, or, as the bank once corrected him, a painter and decorator. He was also office manager for ten years.

At the age of 50 Owen moved to Thailand to live with a Thai girl that he met while there on holiday. He married the woman and now lives in her village of birth in remote northern Thailand.

As Owen puts it: 'Born in the Land of Song, living in the Land of Smiles'.


Website (for Behind the Smile series)
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I purchased this e-book with my own funds. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-Templar Chronicles I-New Players-Ray Slaughter

Thursday, January 22, 2015



If you have a child who loves to read--they will enjoy this book. If they don't enjoy reading this just might be the book that will turn the tides! I actually enjoyed reading this book myself but since I have no children I will probably not be reading any more of them.

Based in the future, but starts in the past as humans are headed straight for extinction! Our time travelers are wisked to the wrong time-leaving behind Stephen who fights off the monsters so the others can leave. BUT--Stephen somehow makes it through and is one of the heroes of this book. it is filled with lots of action as the good guys try to outdo the bad guys. And these are really bad guys who use genetic modification to make monsters--

This is the first book in a continuing saga which I am sure your tween, teen or even younger child will thoroughly enjoy and will want to read book 2 thru----

As always I think a parent should always read a book before handing it to their child-honestly I find absolutely nothing wrong with this book--but only you know your child.

About the Book: (from Amazon)


MANKIND IS ONCE AGAIN FACING ITS END

Throughout the history of Man, there have been valiant warriors charged with the protection of those who could not protect themselves. These warriors often change the course of history and have been romanticized as knights, guardians, and templar. This chronicle is that of the Blue Templar.

The year is 2076, and mankind is on the brink of extinction. Stephan—the lone survivor of the Paladin battalion, which is the only battalion to have survived more than one run-in with the bloodthirsty Ntasyz—and the crew of the Progressive must travel back in time to train humanity to defend themselves against the Ntasyz threat. But before they can even depart, the Ntasyz attack, leaving Stephan to fight off the ambush alone so the civilians can go on safely. With that ominous start, the rest of the mission goes awry as well. Instead of going back in time, the ship slingshots a thousand years into the future.
But not all is lost. When a mysterious man appears, known only as Paladin the Blue—a man bearing a striking resemblance to Stephan but with none of his memories—he joins the strange war in which the remaining humans now find themselves…and the fate of humankind depends on the outcome.

Templar Chronicles I is a fast-paced debut novel that will propel the reader into the future—a future that is both familiar and beyond imagining.

Read a Chapter or two here

Purchase the book here

About the Author: (from Outskirts Press)


Ray Slaughter has been writing poetry for many years. Now, his penchant for turning words into pictures is brought to you in the first installment of the Templar Chronicles. Ray, a native of East Chicago, Indiana, now resides in Brooklyn, New York.

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author's webpage




I received a paperback edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.
 
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