"The Fight of our Lives" by William J. Bennett

I like to take this opportunity to thank Book Sneeze/Thomas Nelson, for the opportunity to read and review "The Fight of our Lives", by William J. Bennett. This politically based book shows us just how fragile our lives became as a result of 9/11 and how we, if we listen and watch, can change the way in which things appear to be going.
As the cover indicates, this book also explains the by knowing the enemy, and be speaking the truth, we can choose to win the War against Radical Islam. Bennett takes the reader through the various events that have been shaping the way we think, and the way we look at our lives since 9/11. As you read through the variety of sections of this book you will be faced with facts and actions that need to be taken in order to keep our county and lives safe. We are truly in the middle of "The Fight for our Lives", and only through decisive actions both on our governments part and well as ours can we win this war.
Bennett looks at The Fort Hood incident where there were many hints if not out right red flags which could have been as well as should have been actions taken in order to prevent the slaughter of many Americans.
Secondly there is a section on just How we got where we are today. There are more sections to this eye opening book if only we take the hard look. Could the Fort Hood tragedy been avoided? I believe it could have been, but as the reader of this wonderful book, can you make your own decisions.
"The Fight of our Lives", should be made a part of any library and I think that every American should read this book. You will be surprised at the things that you will learn by reading "The Fight of our Lives".
Thank you Mr. William J. Bennett for providing a catalyst for change in direction.

Liquid Smoke, by Jeff Shelby

"Liquid Smoke", by Jeff Shelby, is a suspenseful novel with a Private Investigator by the name of Noah Braddock, as it's main character. Braddock is approached by Darcy Gill an attorney representing a soon to be executed Death Row Inmate in San Quentin. She, Darcy, is attempting to recruit Braddock into assisting her, but Braddock is not overly committed to helping a man convicted of murdering two men.
What Braddock finally learns after turning down the case several times is that this convicted killer is his father. A man he never knew nor had any inclination of finding. Russell Simington, the convicted killer is scheduled to be executed within the month and Darcy Gill is trying to have his execution overturn and set to a life sentence.
Once Noah Braddock is convinced to at least meet with Simington, there are many turn of events, he then decides to meet with his alcoholic mother to get some long overdue answers to questions that Braddock didn't even know he had. Braddock must also try to find the answers to many questions in his own mind, as he tries to unravel the mysteries that have been placed before him.
"Liquid Smoke", also has many twists and turns. There is also Braddock's sidekick Carter who assists him along the way in this case, and there is also Braddock's love interest Liz Santagelo, a Police Detective. You will not be disappointed with this story. Once you open this novel, "Liquid Smoke", by Jeff Shelby will have you in it's grip and you will not want to put the book down until the last page has been read.
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank FSB Media for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful and suspenseful novel. "Liquid Smoke", is sure to be a Best Seller. Thank you to Jeff Shelby for writing such a compelling novel. You have definitely got a way with words.

"Screams and Whispers", by Randall Peffer

Thanks to FSB Media, for the opportunity and privilege of being allowed to read and review Randall Peffer's latest novel in his Cape Islands Novel series. "Screams and Whispers", by Randall Peffer, what a wonderful yet scary novel. Peffer has taken his thoughts and what appears to extensive research, and molded them together to provide us with a suspenseful story. This novel will keep the reader glued to the pages.
Tuki, one the main characters in this novel has in her possession a gem of great importance to it's home country in South East Asia. Wing-Lei, the Dragon Lady and self appointed person to take that precious gem away from Tuki and it's rightful owner, will not spare anything to get the gem, including kidnapping and murder. Tuki, knows of Wing-Lie's intentions and is running away from her love on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, some ten thousand miles away, from Vietnam. She does this to try and protect Michael Decastro, her lover and protector.
As Tuki's self appointed protector, Michael enlists the help of his father Ceasar Decastro a Vietnam vet. The senior DeCastro has many mixed feelings about returning a a country he left some forty years ago. He has many demons and nightmares of his time in country and is having a hard time in dealing with his son's request, but ultimately agrees to help him.
As a Vietnam vet myself, I found myself drawn to Ceasar Decastro's thoughts and feelings as he re-enters s world he has been trying to forget for forty years. The smells, tastes and scenes rekindle many emotions. Peffer has done a great job of telling this story and bringing the scenes alive in this reader/reviews mind.
From the moment you open this novel and start reading, you will not want to put it down. Follow Tuki, Michael, Ceasar and the other characters on this journey. You will not be disappointed with this story.
Thank you Randall Peffer for a GREAT read. "Screams and Whispers" is sure to be a Best Seller. Again, Thank you FSB Media for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful novel.

"Be The People", by Carol M. Swain, PhD (A MUST READ)

I have just had the pleasure of reading what could be called a very controversial book entitled "Be The People", by Carol M. Swain. Swain takes great strides in outlining just how our country has seemed to have forgotten where our roots are. That being of a Judeo-Christian background, and how that basic faith has eroded. One can only guess at how this has occurred or maybe somehow we have allowed it to happen.
Swain, is certainly on the Conservative side of the argument, and she backs up her writings with the apparent well thought out and researched plan to bring us back to America's faith and promise. Each chapter dedicates itself to a particular aspect and at the end of each chapter, you will find what the author calls an Action Plan. This Action Plan is a series of questions or thoughts related to the previous chapter, to give the reader a starting point to find out how we can correct the errors.
Our Founding Fathers took great pains and strides in forming this great nation and these aspects are also included in the wonderful book. At the end of this book you will find some of our most important documents. ' The Ten Commandments', ' The Declaration of Independence', ' The Bill of Rights', and ' The Constitution of the United States of America.' Now the previous are certainly documents and creeds that we can all live by.
I'd like to thank Book Sneeze, (Thomas Nelson Publishing), for the opportunity to both read and review this outstanding piece of literature. I'd also like to commend the author, Carol M. Swain, PhD, for her tireless efforts in putting forth such as informative book.

"Keys to the Kingdom", by Senator Bob Graham

"Keys to the Kingdom", by Senator Bob Graham, is a spell binding novel. Senator Graham has taken the events of 9/11 and given us a what I believe to be a fictional story of events prior to 9/11 and following that tragic event.
The Kingdom, (Saudi Arabia), is apparently helping bin Laden in more ways that any of us in the United States would like to think. He, bin Laden, is seen in Saudi Arabia well after the tragedy of 9/11. He has shaved to change his appearance, but to the trained observer, it is without a doubt, the man who mastermind the United States worst terrorist attack.
Shortly after the the publication of the 9/11 papers Senator Billington is murdered. Billington had been the co-chair of the Congressional Commission. His long time confidant Tony Ramos, a former Special Forces operative and current State Department employee, takes on the case.
Once you begin to read this story you will find yourself drawn into what is seemingly the underbelly of the government and the seedy side of society. Follow Ramos and a cast of others as they attempt to unravel many inconsistencies which threaten the world and the United States of America. Can Ramos figure out what is happening in time to prevent another catastrophe or will he fall short.
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at Senator Graham's ability as an author. He definitely kept me glued to the pages. Bravo to Senator Bob Graham for writing a suspenseful novel such a "Keys to the Kingdom. I would also like to thank FSB Media and Rubyna Mansuri for giving me the opportunity to both read and review this 5 star novel.

"Average Joe" by Troy Meeder

I'd like to thank Blogging for Books for the opportunity to read and review "Average Joe", by Troy Meeder. Meeder takes the reader on a journey through literary experience of just how God uses the what may be called the run of the mill man, to further His Will. As the reader first opens this book, they will find themselves engrossed in how the author begins his story of what each of us thinks about how our lives should develop and grow, only to find that God has a purpose for each and every one of us.
As Meeder states in Chapter One, "God seems to have a special fondness for average Joes. Before they accomplished extraordinary deeds, normal guys like Gideon, David, Peter and Paul, went about their farming, sheep herding, fishing and tent making. Even Jesus, our Redeemer, Healer, and coming King, started out using a hammer and saw in a carpenter's shop."
Not every "Average Joe", will reach a notoriety of champion or recognition of note, but as Meeders explains, God is in control and He knows what He wants from each and every one of us. We need to be listening, so that we will know what His plan for us is.
Follow Meeder's story as he takes you through the hurdles in his life. You will not be disappointed at the outcome. What comes to my mind is the quote, "The Meek shall inherit the Earth." I can only say that the average Joe's of the earth represent the meek.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter Ten, entitled 'The Test.' - The Responsible Husband - The marriage relationship between a husband and wife is an earthly image of the church and Christ. Ephesians 5:32 says, "This is a great mystery, but marriage is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one." Within the context of marriage, no failure in a relationship is one-sided. It takes two. However, I strongly believe that the health of a marriage is directly related to the spiritual health and leadership of the husband, the 'pastor', of the home. When things go south, more often than not, it is because we husbands have failed to embrace our role in the manner God intended."
Thank you Troy for the above statement. Sometimes as husbands we forget our responsibilities.
This book also has a study guide at the end for further contemplation and reflection. Thank you again Troy Meeder for providing such an insightful book, and Thank You again to Blogging for Books for providing me the opportunity of reading such a wonderful book. This book can be added to any Christian Library and it also provides the tools for every man to serve God and his family.

"Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me" by Ian Morgan Cron

"Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me" (A memoir of sorts), is a life story of the author, Ian Morgan Cron.

Cron, an Episcopal Minister, takes the reader on a ride of Ups and Downs as he tells the story of his life. Usually, I have found, memoirs of this sort, tend to be of interest to the writer and to their family, however, Cron has woven a story that once picked up, the reader can not put it down.

I found my self laughing and crying (depending on the situation), while reading through this memoir. As Cron states a memoir is what we remember and how we remember the times of our lives. No one can remember every little detail of their lives, but how it is remembered and the way Cron writes his memoir is captivating. He has a wonder way of pulling the reader into the story and keeping them there.

Cron speaks in detail about his struggles with his Faith, his father's life, drunkenness and actions. He also learns of his father's involvement with the CIA. All this while growing up in the affluent community of Greenwich, Connecticut. Cron does not leave any thing out regarding his own feelings in this story. He spares nothing in bringing his life alive in the readers mind.

What I learned from this story is that nothing is impossible and that our faith and closeness to God can and will prevail.

I was able to read and review this selection, through the kindness of Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishing, and thank them for this opportunity. I would like to send out a special Thank You to Ian Cron for writing and sharing this memorable story. "Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me is a must read.