Book Review: Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson and Susan Flory

Katie October 10, 2011 1 Comments

Michael Hingson became blind due to excess oxygen in the hospital when he was born.  His parents made the decision to not enroll him in any special schools and to treat him as “normal”.   Thunder Dog tells the story of his guide dog, Roselle, and his escape from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  It also tells of his life growing up and some of the challenges he has been forced to face due to people not knowing how to deal with someone who is blind. (For instance – his parents let him ride a bike around the neighborhood and a neighbor called up to let them know their blind son was riding a bike around!)

The recollection of them leaving the World Trade Center from the 78th floor and going down 1,463 stairs was incredibly emotional to me.  I liked that the chapters alternated between the events of September 11th and his life growing up because if not I am not sure I could have made it through the entire book if it was strictly focused on the heavy story of the attacks.

Towards the end, there are also several chapters from Mike’s wife Karen’s point of view.  I can’t even imagine what she must have been going through! Mike called her once when the first plane hit, not knowing what kind of explosion had happened and told her he’d call her later to update her.  Of course, later it was nearly impossible to get through on cell phones and Karen watched everything unfold on the television with no idea where her husband was. She also had to field phone calls from friends and family calling to see if Mike was ok, having no idea what had happened since he had first called her.

I purchased a copy of this book on September 11th when Thomas Nelson was doing a promotion selling it for Nooks and Kindles for $1.99.  It retails for $22.99. I was not required to write a review of this book, it was simply something I wanted to share with my readers.

About The Book

A blind man and his guide dog show the power of trust and courage in the midst of devastating terror.

It was 12:30 a.m. on 9/11 and Roselle whimpered at Michael’s bedside. A thunderstorm was headed east, and she could sense the distant rumbles while her owners slept. As a trained guide dog, when she was “on the clock” nothing could faze her. But that morning, without her harness, she was free to be scared, and she nudged Michael’s hand with her wet nose as it draped over the bedside toward the floor. She needed him to wake up.

With a busy day of meetings and an important presentation ahead, Michael slumped out of bed, headed to his home office, and started chipping away at his daunting workload. Roselle, shivering, took her normal spot at his feet and rode out the storm while he typed. By all indications it was going to be a normal day. A busy day, but normal nonetheless. Until they went into the office.

In Thunder Dog, follow Michael and his guide dog, Roselle, as their lives are changed forever by two explosions and 1,463 stairs. When the first plane struck Tower One, an enormous boom, frightening sounds, and muffled voices swept through Michael’s office while shards of glass and burning scraps of paper fell outside the windows.

But in this harrowing story of trust and courage, discover how blindness and a bond between dog and man saved lives and brought hope during one of America’s darkest days.

Book Review: The Soul Reader by Gerard D. Webster

Katie October 9, 2011 0 Comments

I thought this book was great.  Apparently it is a sequel, but I didn’t realize that until I had went over to Amazon to review the book there.  I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything by not having read the book previous to this one.  Ward and Carrie are writing a book together (it is Carrie’s, but she ask’s Ward for help) about some bad things that have gone down.  3 men were killed and all were thought to be accidents, however, Ward and Carrie believe there is something else behind it and they were just made to look like accidents.  The two enlist the help of some others as well and try to crack the case on the Culbera.

There is some drama when Ward reveals to Carrie that he can see people’s souls (hence the title, The Soul Reader) about 3/4 of the way through the book.  He doesn’t like one of the men that she has aligned herself with and thinks he is evil.  Carrie thinks that Ward may just be jealous (as they used to date, but are currently exes) and doesn’t feel threatened at all when this guy asks to meet her on his yacht.  Was Ward right about being able to read people at such an intimate level? You’ll have to read The Soul Reader to find out.

Although the book has 40+ chapters, I managed to read it in just one day.  I was riveted to this murder mystery and could not put it down!! I think anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel will really enjoy this book.  Also – I usually can figure out what the heck is going on in these type stories early on.  NOT the case with this book! It kept me completely in shock with every plot twist and turn.

About the Book

In The Soul Reader, Ward McNulty is a man torn between seeking justice or forgiveness. It is in discovering the true identity of his father’s murderer while protecting the woman that he loves that he finds both.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Hermie, a Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado

Katie October 7, 2011 0 Comments

Hermie a Common Caterpillar is by Max Lucado and is intended for children who are just learning how to read. However, I am a big baby and the cover was cute so I judged a book by its cover and decided I would read it.  Hermie is a common caterpillar, he has no spots or stripes he is just solid colored.  His friend Wormie, is the same.  Except both Hermi and Wormie can talk to God.  Usually, they are ok with being common because they can talk to God, but sometimes they see other bugs who are strong or with a cozy house on their backs and again wonder why they are so plain.  God continues to tell them that he is not done with them yet and that he loves them just the way they are.  Just when Hermie finally accepts that he is common, he goes to sleep and wakes up as a beautiful butterfly!

This was a really cute book and obviously a really quick read. It is a great way to teach the lesson that God made you how you are for a reason and just because you think you might be plain  – he just might not be finished with you yet and in time you will also become a beautiful butterfly. The book also had great illustrations to go along with the story.

Book Description

This Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends® best-selling story now available in easy-to-read format!

Hermie and his friend Wormie have always felt common. They don’t have stripes or dots, they aren’t very strong, and they can’t find anything special about themselves. But every time they pray, God tells them that He loves them all the time just as they are and that He isn’t finished with them yet. When Hermie becomes a beautiful butterfly, he realizes just how special God’s plan is for him!

This classic story has been revised for kids to read and enjoy on their own as a Lever 2 Reader. With fresh new art and a story kids can read themselves, plus a new, low price—this classic story will find a whole new generation of kids who love Hermie and his garden friends!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Reviews: Captured Prey by Craig Odanovich

Katie October 5, 2011 0 Comments

In September, I reviewed The Black Widow Trainer, the first book in the Black Widow Series by Craig Odanovich.  This month I review the second in the series, Captured Prey.

Since we left Misty, her divorce from her husband has been finalized and she has been hanging out in Argentina with Gabriella.

She lets Gaby pick her next client and it turns out to be a beady eyed man that Misty is not in the least bit attractive to, however, she has a contract that she must stick to to be paid, so she tries to put the fact that she is not attracted to this client aside.  While in Texas, she falls for the client’s ranch’s foreman – when her client finds out he tries to put a stop to it.

As always with Misty, there is a lot of drama and eventually the contract is broken by the client (thanks to his wife who was looking for a reason to divorce him that would be his fault so she would get more than her pre-nup)

After her client in Texas, she takes a client in Washington DC that is a congressman.  Of course, there is more drama when the woman running against the congressman tries to bring him and Misty down with the help of her client in Texas!  One of Misty’s past clients comes to the rescue – BIG TIME! And saves Misty (and all her friends) butts.   Her bodyguard, Miguel, seems to be out of commission for a while after recovering from an altercation with some burglars who were looking for dirt on Misty for the congresswoman.

The book sets up for the possibility that Misty may retire from her profession… or not!  She is in love with the foreman from Texas – but of course not without some drama there as well.  Will their relationship last and have her leave her job as the black widow trainer? Or will she try to work out a deal with him like she did with her now ex-husband?

Unfortunately the 3rd book does not look like it will be released until March next year, but there is an excerpt at the end of the book and it sounds like a familiar face from Book #1 returns…

I received free copies of Book 1 and 2 from Greenleaf Book Group in exchange for mentioning the books on my blog. I was not otherwise compensated nor was I asked to write a favorable review.  All opinions are 100% mine.