The Lost World - Featured Author Book Review

The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Genres: Classic, Science Fiction

     On first look this book seems very similar to Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park sequel with the same name. This is where the similarities end. In Doyle's version it is the fact that creatures from the Jurassic era have survived on their own, not genetically engineered. It had all started with Professor Challenger's visit to South America. He returns home with fantastical stories about having seen animals and foliage that had previously been thought to be extinct. Unfortunately, Professor Challenger becomes a laughing stock and nobody believes him.

Listen While You Work - Feature Introduction

     Being self employed is the dream of many people. You can create your own hours or take time off anytime you want. Sounds great right? However, you learn quickly that if you take too much time off you will have difficulty earning enough income to pay the bills. The flip side of the self employment coin is if you end up pushing yourself to work too much. I joke that "my boss" is a slave driver.

The Adventure of the Dying Detective - Saturday Short Review

The Adventure of the Dying Detective by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Genres: Mystery, Classic

     Sherlock Holmes makes me think of modern day characters such as House, Patrick Jane, or Richard Castle from popular television shows. They are horribly pompous and smug at times yet you almost have to forgive them as they are clever, witty, and humorous enough to love them anyway.

      This is a later story in the life and times of Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Watson is married and no longer sharing rooms with Holmes. Watson arrives to see his old mentor immediately after hearing that Holmes is gravely ill. Even from his death bed, the master detective manages to solve a great mystery and we find that all is not as we believe it to be.

I give it 3 stars.

     As with most classics, this novel is within the public domain and available for download as a free ebook on both Amazon and Goodreads.

Flashback Friday - The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Genre: Mystery, Classic

     This was the first book that I had read in the Sherlock Holmes saga, at least the first one in recent history. For those wondering why I hadn't chosen this book, as it is one of Sherlock's wider known adventures, as one of the books to read of this feature author, it is because I had already read and reviewed it last year. If you missed it the first time around, you can read it here.

I Asked Her Out, She Said Yes - Now What? Book Review

I Asked Her Out, She Said Yes -    Now What? A Crash Course in Dates    That Lead to Relationships by Jarett Waite Nonfiction, How-to

     Have a hot date this weekend? Or even a first date that you are nervous about? While this book is mostly dating advice for guys it is still entertaining for women to read as well. For men it shows some dos and don'ts regarding what type of behavior women most appreciate during a date. For women it is a nice reminder of how men SHOULD be treating you. Waite has a great sense of humor and even though his subject matter is serious, he manages to make it enjoyable to read. This almost seems a bit more geared towards college kids -- so mothers, buy this book for your sons and make it required reading.

The Adventure of the Cardboard Box - Featured Author Book Review

The Adventure of the Cardboard Box by Arthur Conan Doyle Genre: Mystery, Classic

     This short story depicts another adventure of Sherlock Holmes. A spinster receives a cardboard box containing a most grusome "present". Two human ears are packaged up within salt to preserve their freshness. Holmes' buddy Inspector Lestrade writes to ask for assistance. With no obvious clues Sherlock uses his powers of deduction to solve the case easily.

     This is a nice simple story for Sherlock fans to enjoy that takes an hour or less and can be easily fit into even the busiest of reading schedules.

I give it 3 stars.

Time Killer - Book Review

Time Killer by Todd M. Thiede Genre: Suspense, Thriller

     Time is money. Wasted time is time that you could have been making money, but you weren't because your time was wasted instead. The person that cuts in front of you in traffic and then drives slowly. The person in line in front of you that takes forever to order. All are time wasters and can be annoying when you are in a hurry. Most people forget about the incidents by the end of the day. However most people aren't homicidal crackpots either, unlike the person in this story who not only doesn't forget these seemingly inconsequential moments of wasted time but decides to take it upon himself to rid the world of the people who are chronic time wasters.

The Weight Loss Game - Book Review

The Weight Loss Game:    How to Lose and Win! by Victoria Fleishman Genres: Nonfiction, Diet,    Weight Loss

     This book doesn't just repeat known information that helps people lose weight, it also explains WHY. As adults we like to think that we are wiser and have outgrown the rebellion of refusing to do what is best for us without explanation. However knowing the reasons behind WHY we should do things helps us with motivation and accepting that these steps really are important and should not be skipped.

Absolutely Unforgivable - Fun Read Friday Book Review

Absolutely Unforgivable by Tracy Tegan Genre: Romance

     While Stacy is working her way through college as a bartender she meets and falls for Mr. Perfect. He is temporarily located in her hometown of Tulsa for his job. They are together for over a year when Jeromy's task is finished and he is ready to move on to his next project. He asks Stacy to come with him. Since Stacy has already graduated, she agrees to relocate to his hometown near Houston, TX where they will share a house with Jeromy's best friend Billy. Stacy is slightly overwhelmed in such a large city like none she has ever seen before. There is an electronically charged chemistry between Stacy and Billy almost from the beginning. Will they resist the pull they feel for each other and remain faithful to the trust that Jeromy has in them? You'll just have to read for yourself to find out.

Business Plans That Work - Book Review

Business Plans that Work by Cynthia Kocialski Genres: Nonfiction, How-to

     This book is an excellent source of information for anyone that is thinking of starting their own business, or is in the process of it. The author provides many examples of pitfalls to avoid, strategies that work, and questions and situations that need to be contemplated to make your business work.

The Parasite - Featured Author Book Review

The Parasite by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Genres: Mystery, Paranormal

     I imagine this book was written before much was really understood about hypnotism and mesmerism. In Doyle's version of this procedure it isn't so much that a post-hypnotic suggestion is given but that the mesmerizer can take control of a person's mind at any time after the initial connection is established. The woman who begins to posses Professor Gilroy's mind at will is compared to a parasite because of the way she manages to latch on to his thoughts and has complete control over his actions.

Water's End Book Review

Water's End by Jessica Deforest Genres: Romance, Drama

     Anne lived a sad and painful life. She married her high school sweetheart right after graduation to get out of her mother's house. Less than a year later she meets David, the man of her dreams. Unhappy with the way her marriage has turned out, she divorces her first husband. Fate is not on their side and they end up drifting apart. Anne would pine for David for years, even after she settles for another man and remarries. Never having a life that she could be contented with, Anne plodded on for years dissatisfied, until she ran into David again.

Gamblers Fight Back - Fun Read Friday

Gamblers Fight Back: A Professional Gambler's Journey of How to Survive and Thrive in the Casino by Greg Elder Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography

     I'm not much of a gambler but we have several casinos in the area that I'm constantly getting dragged to by friends. If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck so gambling really isn't very entertaining to me. However, I figured that learning a little strategy couldn't hurt and maybe by increasing my skill I could make up a bit for my rotten luck.

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - Featured Author Book Review

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Genres:Mystery, Classic

     You'll be hard pressed to find anyone who has never heard of Sherlock Holmes and his capable companion Mr. Watson. Not only did Doyle write a lot of stories about this character, Holmes has become iconic among sleuths and often mentioned in modern day fiction as well.

Happy Star Wars Day!

     May the 4th be with you! Amazon is offering 10 Star Wars books for a special price. Today only! Click hereto check it out now!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Featured Author Biography May 2013

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Born:   May 22, 1859 Died:   July 7, 1930 Main genre:   Mystery, Science Fiction

     Born in Scotland, Doyle was an author and physician. While he is most known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes he also wrote historical books and a series of science fiction novels as well. He traveled extensively, employed as a ship's surgeon before opening his own ophthalmology office which he purportedly had no patients.