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
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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!

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​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.
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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.