Book Review: "The Perfect Life" By Susanna Beard

I see you Susanna Beard and the whole world will see you soon too!

Loved this newest work -The Perfect Life- especially during these trying times for everyone-we all need that getaway with a great read.

This fit the bill with precision and class and a fine glass of wine.

A married couple (Heather/James) two kids and a recent windfall of cash from a lottery pick leaves this family the star performers and perhaps earned them some enemies.

Imagine wishing to celebrate your new found luck and uncover your son (14 yo ) Harry has gone missing on a trip to Spain.

Instead of celebrating they are now despondent seeking round the clock answers to his whereabouts.

Low and behold those answers trickle in but ever so slowly building tensions, suspense, and downright hardy core drama.

Could someone have taken the kid solely for money? Was it the spotlight they desired? Could it be a local yocal?

What if someone truly needs help and this is their plea for such assistance?
Everything is on the line in this amazing new thriller!

Book Review: "A Promised Land" By Barack Obama

 

"In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American presidential candidate nominated by a major party, namely the Democrats. He was the first African-American to be elected (and re-elected) President of the United States." (Wikipedia)

This in turn led to the paving of the way for Kamala Harris " In 2020, Kamala Harris was elected to become the first African-American and Asian-American Vice President of the United States." (Wikipedia)

It's a good time to be alive as they say and I remember casting that vote as a proud Democrat in Luzerne County Pennsylvania -Home of JOE BIDEN soon to be our 46th President of the United States!

It's an interesting dynamic to read about the personal relationships and how all of this weighed on his shoulders, his family interactions, his professional aspiring career goals and that of the highest office of the land.

Better still is the fact he has a heart of gold. You can see this in his interaction with his wife, kids, mother in laws and those closest to his inner circle. You can see his demeanor and character in the way he interacted with Joe his V.P. all those years. You could see it with his interaction with the children going to the White House for the first time to be greeted by Obama personally or in the notes and letters he took the time to address back to his adoring fans.

This is not just a man this is true patriot who took democracy and our Constitution seriously and worked his tail off to become the success evident by his upbringing.
The heck with the current toxicity in America the fact this man still had that glowing smile and that pure love and devotion to his constituents, his party, and all those he served speaks volumes.

You can learn plenty by judging a man based on his actions not his words and I hope America sees that now -that we need intellect, diversity, transparency, and love not hate.
We can and will change what's to come because we must and all those in office will continue to fight the good fight.

I've heard his sermons, seen his work, read his biographies, and witnessed a true inspiration and this just sealed the deal in confirming what I always knew...

God Bless America!

Book Review: "The Last Days Of John Lennon" By James Patterson

First and Foremost it's been brought to my attention: Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon was released in Montreal: 1 June 1969, Room 1742, Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada so please note the error when reading.

In addition, while I realize in today's standards many journalist, writers, authors feel a need to glorify killers - I ask one question- WHY?

The title of this book obviously informs readers as to the direction of the novel but did we have to give the killer the last word, did we have to follow his every move, his scheming disjointed thoughts and even his reflections upon murder, guns, and death. I wonder what kind of impact statement this makes upon his family, friends, loved ones and did they have any say prior to this release?

Especially in the latter parts of the book when as readers we went between a rocky marriage, a miscarriage, and an affair only to come back full circle with drugs, lack of security detail, and a reconnection of sorts with Yoko and son.

It boggles the mind why Stu Sutcliffe was mentioned who passed away nearly two decades prior to their friendship or why the immediate attention to guns including Lennon's Happiness is a Warm Gun song on the White Album while rehashing "more popular than Jesus" downfall. Or better why Geraldo Rivera? So here's some rare footage I found: https://abc7news.com/society/from-the-archive-john-lennon-yoko-ono-geraldo-ride-a-cable-car-and-tour-sf/8470774/

It was as if the author had a love/hate relationship going on in which in one direction he glorified his work while at the same time continued with the 'impending' death theory that eventually took hold.

I'm a bit at a loss since his 'imminent' death according to sources was planned for over 3 months yet when Lennon passed his worth was over 200 million. So my question is: How can a celebrity not take his security and his family seriously enough to warrant some type of coverage residing in New York City? In fact, the killer was just recently denied parole," In August 2020 he was denied parole for the 11th time" and yes, the whacko is still married 'faith' is the reason. https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/mark-chapman-why-did-he-kill-beatles-star-john-lennon-who-his-wife-and-he-still-jail-now-3061226

This other bothersome topic was with the FBI stalking him due to his anti-war rhetoric: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130401193

Nevertheless, James has brought his signature work in short sentences with even shorter chapters to the mix and has added his name to another Guinness Book Record I'm sure but I still think this would be better left told by a historian if it's to be titled as nonfiction.

Book Review: "The Best of Me" By David Sadaris

 “If you read an essay in Esquire and don’t like it, there could be something wrong with the essay. If it’s in The New Yorker, on the other hand, and you don’t like it, there’s something wrong with you.”― David Sedaris, The Best of Me

Having read Calypso with rave reviews I wanted to give this author a second chance to impress but this is like going to see a comedy show and having Andrew Dice Clay give you a bunch of nuts and bolts rather than raw comedians providing humor w/o the profanity and put downs.
I'm sure some may enjoy this type of afterthought messages but for me it's just not my thing and I didn't want to waste my time on it.

I read more than halfway before moving on to something more my taste and I think it's safe to say I won't be trying this author after reading this compilation of his greatest hits version of his life.

However, my loss may be your gain and if you like this author and his work by all means no judgement.

Book Review: "White Ivy" By Susie Yang

That moment when you finally find peace but at what cost is losing your soul worth?

What would you do for love? Would you kill for it?

I suppose this one had me a wee-bit flustered mainly with regards to the portrayal of Ivy as a thief, con, and loose goose who slept around.

For me it was the matter of not being strong enough to go out on her own instead seeking men to bring her happiness, to complete her, to pay her way.

It drove me insane as she went back and forth between Gideon and her ex boyfriend Roux Roman with nothing more than mere sexual jabs and innuendos occurring no greater than romps in the hay.

As my pop used to say nothing good ever happens after midnight so best be home before 11pm every night.

The morals, the ethics, the values this brought forth burned me with envy as I wasn't raised in this manner to sell yourself and settle.

I was taught that if a man was interested he'd show it to you in numerous ways and if you still weren't all knowing then look to his mother and see how he treated her.

Truth be told the family dynamics was another sore spot for me in this because while it notes family cannot be replaced some of these individuals heading advice are a disgrace.
The grandmother was a whole other cocktail to be dealt with an this arranged idea of a man's worthiness as if to level up on a ladder of social wealth was just sick.

The ending with the hiking event for a man who hated hiking and succumbed to his final passage was quite the thrill for mystery and suspense fans but by then it was into the final chapter so it slogged with animosity.

I wanted to let women know you don't have to go there -just be you-be the proudest version of you-and for God's sake never settle!

You don't need a man to be successful in life!

Oh well, this feminist is off to another one...Hope you enjoy!

Book Review: "A Christmas Resolution" by Anne Perry

 

“That it’s easy to forgive those you like? That is the test, isn’t it…forgiving those you don’t like? Especially those who have hurt someone you love. Anyone can do the easy things.”

― Anne Perry, A Christmas Resolution

This puts to the test both love and faith as well as supportive structures and moral accountability on the stand.

It's also why we can't put all our faith into the faithful because sometimes those who preach are narcissists full of toxicity.

Monsters don't wear capes, don't appear evil, don't take on the shape or form of darkness as they scour for their next targets.

You never know what you'll get with Seth Marlowe as he seeks to wed Clementine. Why would a sweet woman want to marry the devil in disguise?

This is now the question that Celia asks but she herself has some skeletons in her own closet.
It's an interesting read that blurs the lines and boundaries on many fronts.

Book Review: "Bag Man" By Rachel Maddow

Pay to play is still alive and well even in today's gameplay!

Sadly, not much has changed in the world of corruption, fraud, bribery, tax evasion, and the like from the days of the early 70's when Spiro Agnew then V.P. found himself in hot water.
Or did he ...

Because it appears that he was given a lenient 'Get out of Jail Free' card until a group of young male law students help to recoup the money.

Now, I'm no scholar in this area but suffice to say Agnew did everything to 'cover up' and claim 'witch hunt' so who shall this remind us of in our own country?

DT has been given the same monopoly card and we can only hope once out of office he'll be charged for the crimes committed allegedly while in office.

Because there's no doubt what has led to this book revolves around our current state of affairs or lack thereof in not prosecuting a sitting president. The Agnew case showcased why it's important to not only investigate but bring to fruition the truths, the transparency, the justice so that the public is aware that not all offices are corrupt as noted in this book.

Thankfully, some of the damages were recovered from this nightmare and we can only hope the same can be said after DT leaves or is forcibly removed from the White House.

A great read as not much is known on this subject and it's interesting to connect the dots to today's revolving constantly altering the law and ethical standards to fit the agenda's.

As I write this there's been breaking news on misappropriated or 'stolen' funds by Jared Kushner from the campaign and it's been similar allegations made since this family took office. https://www.politicususa.com/2020/12/...

As they noted on Hillary the same should be referenced now, "Lock Him Up."