Port in a Desert Storm

Port in a Desert Storm

July of 1990. The world is once again a dangerous place. The powder keg that is the middle east is once again ready to explode. The small oil rich country of Kuwait has been invaded by the forces of the Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq. The world is on the brink of war as a coalition is formed and preparations are made. Lee Thomas is once again right in the middle of the situation even before it starts. Sometimes your dreams can turn out to be nightmares, or even worse they can turn out to be reality. From Washington, DC to MI6 Headquarters in London England and then to the hotbed of the Middle East Lee is once again a witness and participant to history.

About the Author

Born in 1956 and raised in Southwestern Virginia, Tom Fugate became an avid reader soon after learning to read. While reading espionage (James Bond and others), science fiction and anything else he could get his hands on his imagination led him to daydream about the characters and situations he read in those books. He began to write his first espionage novel while in high school in Gate City, Virginia. No copies of this manuscript exist, which Tom says is probably a good thing. 

The character of Lee Thomas came into being while he was a student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (better known to most people as Virginia Tech). He completed his first manuscript in the mid 1980's on a typewriter. This novel was called "Spy Dreams" and was published late in 2013. "Sand Trap" is a second novel about Lee Thomas who is the protagonist of "Spy Dreams". ""Cigarettes for Two" is in the middle of the drug wars of the mid 1980's. The newest novel is "Port in a Desert Storm" which takes place just before and during the first Gulf War.There are at least two more of this series planned. Current working titles are "unFriendly Persuasion" and "Freelance".

My Review

Port in a Desert Storm by Tom Fugate begins in July 1990 where the world is a dangerous place to be with the middle east becoming a powder keg. Kuwait is a small country that is rich in oil; this richness leads to it being invaded by the forces of the Saddam Hussein. This invasion is just one of a series of events that puts the world on the edge of war and Lee Thomas is right in the middle of everything.

I personally found Port in a Desert Storm by Tom Fugate to be an enjoyable read that held my interest from the first to last page of the book. I like how the book had a realistic feel to it. I also liked the fact that I was able to read it as a stand alone novel without too much confusion. I find that the book has intrigued me and that I have become interested in seeking out the previous books in the Spy Dreams series.

Call To War (The Dragonath Chronicles Book 3)

A Call to War

Darrak's adventure concludes with this thrilling finale of The Dragonath Chronicles!


Following the betrayal of two of his trusted companions and a devastating battle in Mystandia, Darrak's talents are desperately needed by the citizens of both Earth and Dragonath. Torn with the decision of where his loyalty should remain, he finally decides to confide in Andillrian. Together, they craft a plan they hope will save Darrak's home planet, but their optimism is short-lived.

The Hellborn's army has begun the march to war.

With less than two weeks of preparation remaining, their weaknesses become unavoidably apparent. Planning for defeat suddenly becomes as important as planning for victory. Darrak's insecurities continue until the moment the first arrows begin to fly. He can only hope that help from a few unlikely sources will be enough.

For if they fail, Dragonath will fall.

About the Author

Andi O'Connor is the award-winning author The Dragonath Chronicles, The Vaelinel Trilogy, and The Legacy of Ilvania. She’s written multiple books, including the critically acclaimed Silevethiel, which is the 2015 Best Indie Book Award winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy, and the 2015 New Apple Official Selection for Young Adult. Silevethiel was also named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2013. Andi's short story collection, Redemption, is a 2014 Kindle Book Awards Semifinalist.

You can frequently find Andi as a guest panelist at Comic Cons throughout the country including the Rhode Island Comic Con, Philcon, Conclave, WizardWorld, and Chessiecon. Andi also writes for Niume where she provides writing tips, advice, and insight on her career as an author. You can connect with Andi on Facebook at facebook.com/oconnor.andi, Twitter at twitter.com/OConnorAndi, and Instagram at Instagram.com/andi_oconnor. For more information, visit Andi’s website at andioconnor.net

My Review

Call To War (The Dragonath Chronicles Book 3) by Andi O'Connor was an interesting book to read. I was a bit lost at first because I did not read books one and two in the series and I really wish I had read the books in order as I feel that the plot and characters would have made a lot more sense. That aside it was clear that the author had succeeded it creating her unique fantasy world in which her book takes place in. The characters all have a genuine feel to them and the plot move at a nice and steady pace. One of the things I liked it that the book's plot moved slow enough that I did not miss out on important information, but fast enough to keep it from becoming boring. Overall, it was a great read and I plan to go read books one and two soon!

ICB Blessed Garden Bible By Tommy Nelson

Book Description

The ICB Blessed Garden Bible is a beautiful way for little girls to carry the full text of Scripture with them. Its beautiful cover design with multiple foils and glitter will delight any young girl as she reads and learns God’s Word from the Bible children can read and understand, the International Children’s Bible® translation.

The International Children’s Bible® translation, the Bible kids can read and understand, has been a favorite of kids, parents, and teachers. With its easy-to-read text, the ICB has a third-grade reading level, making it the ideal translation for children beginning to read and learn Bible.

The ICB Blessed Garden Bible is a full-text ICB Bible with swirling, floral details, foil, glitter, and winsome illustrations. This will appeal to both moms and daughters, as it capitalizes on an organic garden trend. Inside features 24 colorful pages of study help inserts, including a presentation page for personalizing. Young girls will enjoy this softer more sophisticated look as she reads God’s message of love just for her!

My Review

ICB Blessed Garden Bible By Tommy Nelson is the perfect children's bible because it is the perfect size for a child beginning to get into their bible education. I liked how the word choice was appropriate for the age group without detracting from the bible itself. The visual appeal is designed to appeal much more to girls and women than to boys and men. I find it rather sad that their are no decorated bibles for boys, but only for girls. Overall, I was very pleased with this bible.

Foundations of Drawing

From a leading art instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, a complete survey of drawing as an art form covering its history, materials, and key techniques, alongside step-by-step demonstrations.

Foundations of Drawing is a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the history, aesthetics, methods, and materials of the drawing medium. Throughout, clearly defined demonstrations provide easy access to the practice of drawing as well as the history and development of core drawing techniques. Richly illustrated, the book contains reproductions of the finest master drawings from the fifteenth century to the present. Unlike other drawing instruction books that focus on step-by-step lessons exclusively, Foundations of Drawing provides readers with the context and background to help understand just why these materials and methods are so vital for successful drawing.

Foundations of Drawing was the perfect book for a beginner looking to get into drawing as it outlined all of the basic principles that an artists would need to know without being to overwhelming. It would also provide a new perspective for those who have experience in drawing as it explores different techniques. 

Dancing in the Rain (The Italian Family Series)

Book Details:

Book Title:  Dancing in the Rain (The Italian Family Series)
Author:  Lucy Appadoo
​Category:  Adult Fiction,   274 pages
Genre:   Historical Coming of Age/Romance/Family Drama
Publisher:  Lucy Appadoo
Release date:  March 24, 2017
Tour dates:  June 5 to 23, 2017
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M (There is physical abuse and death involved.)

Book Description:

Fifteen-year old Valeria Allegro works diligently on the family farm in Italy, where she is torn between her duty to her family and her desire to find freedom from her strict, domineering father. She finds solace in Dario, a young student who provides a blissful escape—until a neighbour’s son, Gregorio, decides he wants her for himself.

This raises an alarm for her father, which leads to family conflict and aggression. When Dario is threatened and her family is plagued by a series of suspicious accidents, Valeria is desperate to keep her loved ones safe. Can she end the turmoil and escape the firmly built trap to find the freedom she craves?

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com.au ~ Amazon.com ~ Barnes & Noble
Other online stores
Add to Goodreads
​

Meet the Author:

Lucy Appadoo is a registered counsellor and wellness coach with a part-time private practice. She also works as a rehabilitation counsellor for the Australian government. In her spare time, she self-publishes or writes nonfiction and fiction texts. She previously worked as a rehabilitation consultant, caseworker, English as a second language teacher, and proofreader.

Lucy has postgraduate diplomas in psychology, education, and English as a Second Language teaching, as well as specialised qualifications in grief counselling and hypnosis. She has also completed wellness coaching courses (levels 1-3) at Wellness Coaching Australia.

Lucy enjoys reading romantic suspense, romance, thrillers, crime novels, family/historical drama, and sagas. She writes in the genres of romantic suspense, historical fiction, and romance. She has enjoyed travelling to exotic places such as Madrid, Mauritius, and Italy, and draws on these experiences in her creative writing.

Lucy’s favourite authors include Kendra Elliot, Christiane Heggan, Theresa Ragan, Tara Moss, Nicholas Sparks, Adriana Trigiani, Erica Spindler, and James Patterson (to name a few).

Lucy’s interests include meditation, playing tennis, journal writing, reading fiction and nonfiction texts about writing, coaching, and counselling, ongoing professional development, spending time with her husband and two daughters, and socialising with friends and family.

Connect with the Author:  Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Speaking with Strategic Impact: Four Steps to Extraordinary Presence & Persuasion

Book Details:

Book Title: Speaking with Strategic Impact: Four Steps to Extraordinary Presence & Persuasion
​Author: Kate LeVan
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction,  152 pages
Genre:  Business
Publisher:  Delton Press
Release date:  May 24, 2017
Tour dates: June 12 to 30, 2017
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Speaking with Strategic Impact is for business people who make their living—or their mark—through presentations long and short.

It’s a must-read if you’re a consultant, analyst, pitch team leader, roadshow executive, technology specialist, project manager, internal or external marketer, sales rep, subject matter expert or innovator.

Do your presentations unexpectedly fall flat? Do others hijack your meetings? Do you spend more time compiling slide decks than actually influencing decision-makers? Has someone vaguely told you that you “should look more confident up there” or that you “lack gravitas”? Have you watched TED Talks but wonder how you can bring that level of effectiveness into real business presentations?

Speaking with Strategic Impact gives you the key to leadership presence and persuasion. More than just tips and tricks, it outlines a discipline for navigating real business situations with consistently superior outcomes that’s favored by top business schools and Fortune 500 companies. You’ll get specific strategic and tactical advice to keep you on the mark in your presentations and meetings—and differentiate you from the vast majority of business presenters.

Read Speaking with Strategic Impact to master the means by which you make a living and a difference in the world!

​

​Buy the Book:
Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble
Add to Goodreads
​​

Meet the Author:

​Kate LeVan trains, coaches and collaborates on business communication effectiveness with major corporations worldwide and as an instructor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Her training consistently receives top ratings from executive development program participants for its simplicity, applicability and career-changing impact.



Connect with the Author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Three Days to Forever

With three days left to the year, Deep Creek Lake is hopping with holiday vacationers and wedding guests pouring into the Spencer Inn for Mac Faraday and Archie Monday's huge wedding ceremony which is being touted as the social event of the year.
But droopy flowers and guests who failed to RSVP are the least of Mac's and Archie's problems when a professional hit squad hits Spencer Manor to send the groom, Joshua Thornton, Archie's mother, and Gnarly running for their lives.
With time running out before the big day, Mac Faraday and Spencer's small police force have to sort through the clues to figure out not only who has been targeted for assassination, but also who is determined to stop everything...forever!

C.J. McAllister

C.J. McAllister is an Audible Approved Producer -- "Audible Approved producers are the best audiobook producers in the business." Only a small number are awarded this honor.

C.J. has produced best-selling audiobooks in multiple genres/styles, TV commercials/promo teasers, animation projects, interviews (TV and radio), corporate presentations.
​

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and three dogs (including the real Gnarly’s klutzy nephew Sterling) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.


Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

My Review

Three Days to Forever was just one of those books that had so much going on that I fell like I could listen to it a second time and pick up on things that I missed the first time though.The audio book had one of those fast paced plots that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time as I tried to figure out who the true target was and how the book would end.C.J. McAllister did a spectacular job narrating this book; I particularly liked how he did the characters' voices. 

My Bible Adventure Through God's Word (52 Bible Stories for Kids) By Johnny Hunt

Travel through God’s Word all year long! The greatest stories in the Bible come alive for kids in My Bible Adventure Through God’s Word. Watch your children develop a relationship with God while reading amazing stories of faith.

Written by pastors, children’s ministers, and leaders who have a heart for helping children become lifelong believers, My Bible Adventure Through God’s Word is a perfect tool for introducing your children to weekly devotions. Cute art and simple storytelling naturally lend themselves to early readers who are starting to read on their own. With tangible takeaways and prayers at the end of every Bible adventure, your children or grandchildren will grow in their faith as they read My Bible Adventure Through God’s Word.

Help your child engage his or her faith in new, meaningful ways through the wisdom and insight in My Bible Adventure Through God’s Word. By starting the habit of studying the Bible at a young age, your young believer is signing up for the adventure of a lifetime! 

My Review

My Bible Adventure Through God's Word (52 Bible Stories for Kids) By Johnny Hunt was the perfect bible book for children who know how to read and are interested in learning about the bible. The word choice was perfect for children and the pictures were a nice touch. The fact that it was a good length book instead of one of those ten page book was also very nice.

The Little French Bistro

From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop, an extraordinary novel about self-discovery and new beginnings.

 
Marianne is stuck in a loveless, unhappy marriage.  After forty-one years, she has reached her limit, and one evening in Paris she decides to take action. Following a dramatic moment on the banks of the Seine, Marianne leaves her life behind and sets out for the coast of Brittany, also known as “the end of the world.” 
 
Here she meets a cast of colorful and unforgettable locals who surprise her with their warm welcome, and the natural ease they all seem to have, taking pleasure in life’s small moments. And, as the parts of herself she had long forgotten return to her in this new world, Marianne learns it’s never too late to begin the search for what life should have been all along.
 
With all the buoyant charm that made The Little Paris Bookshop a beloved bestseller, The Little French Bistro is a tale of second chances and a delightful embrace of the joys of life in France.

My Review

The Little French Bistro was a very cute and sweet book. It was the perfect sort of book to read in bed as it was a gentle read with humor, but not enough to keep me awake laughing out loud. Overall, I enjoyed the cast of characters and I felt the author did a wonderful job with the book.

Back Pocket Coach: 33 Effective Communication Strategies for Work & Life

Book Details:

Book Title:  Back Pocket Coach: 33 Effective Communication Strategies for Work & Life
Authors: Diane Brennan and Alexandra Ross
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction,  104 pages
Genre: Communication, Self-help
Publisher:   New View Press
Release date:  January 2017
Format available for review:  print
Will ship print books to:  USA & Canada
Tour dates: June 5 to 16, 2017
Content Rating: G


Book Description:

Have you ever been in a situation that was emotionally charged and the stakes were high? And it was difficult to find the right words? Back Pocket Coach provides 33 power-packed communication strategies to support you in creating satisfying conversations that result in good outcomes for you and others. These just-in-time strategies will help you move through conversations masterfully --whether you're engaging with one person or a team of people.

You'll learn how to:
-- Provide difficult feedback to everyone from your boss to mother-in-law -- improving your relationships in the process.
-- Effectively renegotiate any agreement.
-- Say no to a request that would leave you stretched too thing -- and do so from a place of strength.
-- Get unproductive meetings back on track -- even if you're not the meeting organizer.
-- Safely speak your truth.
-- Increase your self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
-- Use appreciation authentically -- the secret sauce for thriving relationships.

Buy the Book:
Amazon  ~  Barnes & NobleAdd to Goodreads

Meet the Authors:

​Alexandra Ross is an executive coach, team builder and author. With a Masters degree in Organizational Communication, she helps leaders and teams sharpen their leadership skills and exceed prior levels of performance. Alexandra is internationally certified as a Master Certified Coach. She coaches executives and leaders in the fields of aerospace, engineering, high technology, medical, financial and more. She is also passionate about coaching women in leadership. Contact Alexandra at CoachAlexandraRoss@gmail.com

Diane Brennan is a consultant, coach, author and speaker. She is passionate about leadership in all types of organizations. She enjoys working with leaders and teams in the fields of healthcare, aerospace, engineering, science, academics and business. Diane's expertise in organizations includes strategic thinking, navigating change and creating a learning culture. Diane holds a Doctorate in Behavioral Health, an MBA and is a Master Certified Coach. She brings calm to the chaos in organizations and life. Contact Diane at Diane@DianeBrennan.com
​

---

Connect with the Authors:
Website  ~  Alexandra's Twitter  ~  Diane's Twitter
Alexandra's Facebook  ~  Diane's Facebook

Review

Back Pocket Coach: 33 Effective Communication Strategies for Work & Life was an interesting book to read. I think my favorite aspect of was its length it was not one of those super long, dry, and boring communication guide books that kills you to read it. No, instead this book was short and to the point while keeping the material interesting. It also used real world context which made it easy to understand!

I CAN FIND YOU (Emma Willis Series #2)

Inside the Book

Title: I CAN FIND YOU (Emma Willis Series #2)
Author: Joss Landry
Publisher: Book Beatles Publishing LTD.
Pages: 372
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

    Emma just turned fifteen. Her powers have spiraled to include unusual magic, and she gladly relies on Hank and Christina’s friendship to mark the way. Thomas Carson’s feelings for Emma have changed, her aunt Franka tells her—a young man her aunt describes as a young buck whose testosterone plays a big role in his life.
New friends around Emma surprise her. They appear to be like nothing she could have imagined, and their goals stir more disturbance than their presence until she bumps into the scourge of her existence: entities who wish to control what humans do and say. She learns they are powerful, vindictive and will stop at nothing to obtain what they want. Will Emma be able to protect the people she loves?

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon

Joss Landry has worked as a consultant for more than twenty years, writing copy for marketing firms and assisting start-up companies to launch their business. She recently made the switch from composing copy and promos, to writing fiction and prose. She is developing her style through courses and the support of other writers and is presently working on honing three other novels for publication.

Blessed with four children and six grandchildren, she resides in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband, a staunch supporter, and enjoys spending time biking, rollerblading, playing tennis, and swimming. She loves creating stories as she says they fulfill her need to think outside the box.

Her latest book is the urban fantasy/paranormal, I CAN FIND YOU (Emma Willis Series #2).

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

My Review

I CAN FIND YOU (Emma Willis Series #2) was a bit confusing at the start because I did not read book one. However that little face did not in any way stop me from enjoying the book. I found that I really enjoyed the author's writing style and I liked how she crafted realistic characters that felt like real people. The dialogue all flowed very naturally and I found the plot interesting. Emma easily became my favorite character because her personality reminded me a lot of that of one of my childhood friend's. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I would recommend it mainly to young adults. 

Deceiving Bella: Book #11 In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series

Book Details:

Book Title:  Deceiving Bella: Book #11 In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series
Author:  Cate Beauman
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 588 pages
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Publisher:  Createspace
Release date:  October 13, 2016
Tour dates:  May 22 to June 16, 2017
Content Rating:  R (Sex scenes, language, some intense moments)

Book Description:

Isabella Colby has always yearned for normalcy. Now that she’s settled in LA, she finally has it. Good friends, a pretty home, and her thriving career as the Palisades’ top skincare specialist are a dream come true. Bella is content until she meets her hunky new neighbor, but her attraction to the blue-eyed cutie is the least of her worries when contacting her long-lost father threatens to destroy her happy life.

Reed McKinley is more than ready to forget the past. His seven-year stint as an NYPD detective nearly got him killed. His wounds have healed and he’s starting over as Ethan Cooke Security’s latest recruit. With sixty-hour workweeks and little time to himself, the last thing on his mind is a relationship. Then he bumps into the gorgeous woman next door.

Reed and Bella become fast friends. Before long, Reed discovers that Bella is keeping dangerous secrets. Bella may have the answers to decades-old questions he’s been searching for. Reed will risk it all to uncover the truth, but he soon realizes that the deeper he digs, the direr the consequences.

“This book captured my attention from the very beginning. The author did an excellent job of developing the characters and helping the reader feel like he was along for the story. I have enjoyed all of the books in this series, but I must say Deceiving Bella is one of my favorites!”
- Amazon Customer

Buy the Book:
​Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble  ~  Kobo  ~ iTunes
Add to Goodreads

​

Meet the Author:

International bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her novels have been nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Indie Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star books. In 2015, JUSTICE FOR ABBY was selected as the Readers' Favorite International Book Award Gold Medalist, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was also selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards.

Cate makes her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. Currently Cate is working on her twelfth full length novel.

---

Connect with Cate: 
​Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Goodreads  ~  Instagram

LIMITED TIME OFFER: NEWSLETTERS SUBSCRIBERS RECEIVE BOOKS 1 & 2 FOR FREE!
Subscribe to Cate's Newsletter

Follow Cate on BookBub 
to be notified about new books or discounts on earlier books.

Kindle readers! Please go to Cate's page on Amazon and click on the yellow Follow button to be notified when new books are available!

Amazon Author Page (buy links for all eleven books)
Barnes and Noble (buy now links for all eleven books)
Kobo (buy now links for all eleven books)

Surgeon's Story: Inside OR-1 with One of America’s Top Pediatric Heart Surgeons

SURGEON’S STORY is your passport into OR-1, the cardiac surgical suite at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. You’ll be there as Dr. Kristine Guleserian, noted pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, fixes the tiny hearts of the tiniest children. Follow the young boy who gets a new heart and then, three weeks later, joins Dr. Guleserian on the mound at Fenway Park to throw out the first pitch at a World Series game. Discover the years of training Dr. G went through to become the highly respected surgeon she is today. See how her warmth, humor, intelligence and dedication provide a shining example of what is good about the American health care system. To get a closer look than this, you’d have to scrub in.

More about the author

› Visit Amazon's Mark Oristano Page

Biography

Mark is a 35-year veteran sportscaster whose assignments have included work on the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers radio networks. Mark was one of the broadcasters for Super Bowl XXX between the Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's also worked for NFL Films, the Dallas Cowboys P.R. department, and numerous radio and TV stations.

His first book, A SPORTSCASTER'S GUIDE TO WATCHING FOOTBALL, was published in 2009. 

Mark's new book, SURGEON'S STORY, has just come out. It's the story of Dr. Kristine Guleserian, a pediatric heart surgeon at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, a story filled with drama, and a special kind of caring all too absent from modern medicine. Mark spent six years as Dr. G's shadow at Children's observing dozens of surgical procedures, going on rounds, meeting with patient families and more. The only way you can get closer to heart surgery is to be a patient. You can find out more about Dr. G at www.surgeonsstory.com.

Mark's on-air colleagues have included Verne Lundquist, now the CBS voice of college football, who hired Mark at WFAA-TV, Dallas in 1973; Oprah Winfrey, with whom Mark co-anchored in Nashville at WLAC-TV in 1974-75; Ron Franklin, now with ESPN, who shared the Oiler radio booth with Mark from 1978-1981.

Mark was born in New York City in 1952, and moved to Texas in 1970 to attend Texas Christian University, gaining a BFA in Mass Communication in 1974.

He left broadcasting in 2002, and is currently a much sought-after portrait photographer in Dallas, as well as a successful actor. His daughter Stacey lives in L.A., and continues the family football tradition as a cast member on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS on NBC-TV.

My Review

Surgeon's Story: Inside OR-1 with One of America’s Top Pediatric Heart Surgeons gave me an up close and personal look into the life, training, and career of Dr. Kristine Guleserian. I got to read about Dr. Kristine Guleserian as a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. I was blown away by the information I learned I had no idea how hard it really was to become a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, nor the stress that I pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon faced everyday. The amount of risk every time she would perform a surgery and the amount of concentration she had to have was staggering. This book really opened my eyes to what it really meant to be a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon.

THE SECRET DEATHS OF ARTHUR LOWE

Title: THE SECRET DEATHS OF ARTHUR LOWE
Author: U.L. Harper
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 235
Genre: Speculative Fiction/Horror/Magical Realism

While in the process of bringing his wife, Sandra, back to the living, Arthur journals about moments from his past that changed him.

During the journal writing, he rediscovers how, as an orphan, his ability to animate objects and people to life may have ultimately destroyed the lives of the few who grew close to him. The old stuffed teddy bear that helped him assemble puzzles when he was a child might have been too much of a secret for his adoptive mother to keep. His friend Quincy, who had abilities similar to his, might have been scared away by Arthur’s abilities. And his grade school teacher is still harboring a secret about his biological father that she can only hope to be true.

Once Sandra is alive again, things become more complicated. She claims Arthur is not who or what he thinks he is. Her ire shines a spotlight on the insidious but most likely true, unspoken nature of their relationship.

In the meantime, a mysterious smell envelopes the community—a stench so heinous it can be fatal. As the number of deaths from the stench mounts, Arthur must decide who to animate back to life and who remains dead.

The Secret Deaths of Arthur Lowe is available at AMAZON.

______________________

Meet the Author

U.L. Harper is a speculative fiction/horror author, influenced by magical realism. A former journalist from Long Beach, California, he now resides in the evergreen state of Washington with his wife. He is a soon-to-be father, and an avid Dodgers fan.

His latest book is the speculative fiction/horror/magical realism novel, THE SECRET DEATHS OF ARTHUR LOWE.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

My Review

The Secret Deaths of Arthur Lowe was a very interesting read as it explored an interesting concept. The idea that someone had the power to bring the dead back to life was intriguing, but the more interesting part was Arthur Lowe himself. As his journal writing and the book took me deep into who he was as a person and what made him able to do what he could do. The response and impact of his decision to bring Sandra back really pulled me and awakened a desire to unravel what he was!

The Power of Broke How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage by Daymond John with Daniel Paisner

The instant New York Times bestseller from Shark Tank star and Fubu Founder Daymond John on why starting a business on a limited budget can be an entrepreneur's greatest competitive advantage, showing how brands, companies, and start-ups can leverage the power of broke to achieve success, fame, and profit.

Daymond John has been practicing the power of broke ever since he started selling his home-sewn t-shirts on the streets of Queens. With no funding and a $40 budget, Daymond had to come up with out-of-the box ways to promote his products. Luckily, desperation breeds innovation, and so he hatched an idea for a creative campaign that eventually launched the FUBU brand into a $6 billion dollar global phenomenon.  But it might not have happened if he hadn’t started out broke - with nothing but a heart full of hope and a ferocious drive to succeed by any means possible.

Here, the FUBU founder and star of ABC’s Shark Tank shows that, far from being a liability, broke can actually be your greatest competitive advantage as an entrepreneur. Why?  Because starting a business from broke forces you to think more creatively.  It forces you to use your resources more efficiently. It forces you to connect with your customers more authentically, and market your ideas more imaginatively. It forces you to be true to yourself, stay laser focused on your goals, and come up with those innovative solutions required to make a meaningful mark.  

Drawing his own experiences as an entrepreneur and branding consultant, peeks behind-the scenes from the set of Shark Tank, and stories of dozens of other entrepreneurs who have hustled their way to wealth, John shows how we can all leverage the power of broke to phenomenal success. You’ll meet: 

· Steve Aoki, the electronic dance music (EDM) deejay who managed to parlay a series of $100 gigs into becoming a global superstar who has redefined the music industry 
· Gigi Butler, a cleaning lady from Nashville who built cupcake empire on the back of a family  recipe, her maxed out credit cards, and a heaping dose of faith 
· 11-year old Shark Tank guest Mo Bridges who stitched together a winning clothing line with just his grandma’s sewing machine, a stash of loose fabric, and his unique sartorial flair

When your back is up against the wall, your bank account is empty, and creativity and passion are the only resources you can afford, success is your only option.  Here you’ll learn how to tap into that Power of Broke to scrape, hustle, and dream your way to the top. 

New York Times Bestseller
International Book Awards - Best Business Book of 2016

My Review

I have recently been watching the TV shown known as Shark Tank at night and I have found it to be enjoyable to watch. This inspired me to read The Power of Broke How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage  by Daymond John with Daniel Paisner in order to learn more about one of the Sharks and how he became the person he is on the show. I found his story to be inspirational in how he started out with so little and gained so much through his own decisions, intelligence, and will power. While I did find the book to be a bit dry at times overall, I did enjoy it!