Reviews By Charline

“Deserted Ocean”

Author: Norman Holy

Wow, what a phenomenal story! “Deserted Ocean” is a well-written, well-researched, descriptive yet interesting book. Take into account that it is actually non-fiction and suddenly the message within its pages becomes truly frightening. Bottom-line, we are killing the oceans and its inhabitants. The ocean floors are fast becoming barren wastelands which the majority of us can’t see because these “deserts” sit under hundreds of feet of water. This is a dire situation because the oceans play an important role in our survival as a species.

The author, Norman Holy, does an excellent job of compiling information in an easy to read and understand format. He uses more than just the last century as a barometer for these findings and instead follows the degradation of our oceans back over a thousand years. It’s obvious that humankind has an effect on the environment. In the beginning our impact was less harmful only because we didn’t have the technology to harvest the oceans in the manner we do now. However, our technological advancements have improved so much that the ocean’s fish and cetaceans no longer have anywhere to hide.

This book points out, in well-documented black and white, that humans can be a thoughtless species. The majority of us do not live in harmony with the planet which, in my opinion, says a lot for our character as a whole. We are the caretakers of the earth and supposedly the most intelligent species on it. However, opposable thumbs do not a smart person make. I would also wager there is not another animal out there that could, or more importantly would, do the things we have done and are still doing.

I feel “Deserted Ocean” is a must read for anyone who calls this planet home. I know there are those who would argue about our impact; who will throw out other reasons why global warming and oceanic dead zones are occurring. I would say those people are extremely ignorant AND arrogant. While we may not necessarily agree on the amount of impact we have on the earth around us it should be obvious to all that we do have some. As our technology gets better our footprint gets larger. The question Holy seems to be asking is: are we capable of stopping the huge snow-ball barreling down upon us before it becomes the unstoppable avalanche? And if we manage to raise our awareness and lessen our impact will the oceans be able to recover from the damage we have already inflicted upon them?

“The Fires of Europe”

Author: Phyllis Harrison

I have to say “The Fires of Europe” initially drew my attention because of the title as well as the book’s cover. However, I was unsure whether I actually wanted to read it until I perused the back and the words “Huguenots” and “Catholicism” jumped out at me. My family traces some of its lineage back to France until, being Huguenots, they opted to move to the Netherlands rather than face religious persecution from the Roman Catholic Church. Needless to say there is some family history for me within this book and it instantly became a “must read.”

In reading it I was not disappointed either as once I picked the book up I was unable to set it down. The author, Phyllis Harrison, is a very descriptive writer but does not overload one with so much information as to make the book read like a textbook. He seamlessly combined 16^th century history, religious intrigue, plots, hidden agendas, and the story of a young man from a wealthy and well respected family who unfortunately managed to get himself caught up in the middle of all this quite by accident.

Gilles Montroville is a pampered young man living in France in the year 1640. We first meet him inRouenwhere he is bored and rather upset at being required to learn the intricacies of his father’s shipping business. He would much rather be wandering the docks seeking out new and exciting adventures. If he cannot do that then he would even settle for listening to tales of interesting exploits from seasoned sailors instead of being chained to a desk in a stuffy office learning boring skills like accounting. We follow his life, which is actually that of his parents choosing, until suddenly and without warning, everything changes and he is thrown into a world that he has never experienced before.

In summary, I found “The Fires of Europe” to be a captivating read and a well written story. I definitely recommend it to readers of all ages. Harrison covers the history and religious upheavals of the time with believability and his writing style makes it an easy and enjoyable read.

“The Election”

Author: Darryl Greer

“The Election” initially started out as a difficult read for me to get into. The book is set in Australia and the author writes with a distinct Australian flair which takes a little getting used to especially as I didn’t have my Aussie to English dictionary available for some of the lingo. Crikey! It also didn’t help that in the opening chapter I was almost immediately thrust into a tragic and shockingly gruesome World War II scene which transpired on the Kokoda Track in 1942. I presumed this was an integral piece of information for later in the story but I hoped that there would not be too much more of the same throughout. However, once I started reading the subsequent chapters the tone changed and I was able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the book.

“The Election” focuses on Australia becoming a republic and the consequent campaigning and election of its first president. One of the book’s main characters, Michael Takada, is Australian-born but his father is full-blooded Japanese. These are turbulent times for Michael Takada and his family as well as anyone of Japanese decent within the country because of racial discrimination from a fanatical right-wing organization as well as a white supremacist terrorist group. While I know the story is fictional I am aware that racial discrimination is not and quite often the book took a very realistic turn because of this.

In summary, “The Election” is a well written story and the author, Darryl Greer, does an excellent job of making the characters come to life for the reader. He walks us through the complete election process which begins with an “idea” of who the candidates should be and ends with Australia successfully voting in its very first president. The ending has a rather unexpected twist which definitely leaves an opening for a sequel should the author feel compelled to write one. Lastly, Greer is descriptive without becoming verbose or boring and I feel “The Election” will definitely hold the attention of anyone who reads it. All in all a great book; an interesting read and I highly recommend it.

“The Barbary Pirates”

Author: William Dietrich

I found “The Barbary Pirates” by William Dietrich to be an attention grabbing tale. This book is the author’s most recent work and features Ethan Gage in yet another adventure. I enjoyed the read so much I will be making a point to read more of Dietrich’s books in the future. Honestly, I had difficulty setting the book down. When I was sitting in court waiting to find out if I was going to be selected for jury duty I was very thankful to have brought it with me.

Ethan Gage, the book’s dashing hero, seems to be part ladies man extraordinaire and part unwitting spy. He is forever winding up in the wrong place at the wrong time and in the company of the wrong people. His character reminds me of a humorous mix of an 18^thcentury James Bond meets Mr. Bean meets MacGyver and let’s just throw in Captain Jack Sparrow for good measure since some of his adventures happen on the high seas.

Gage’s usually innocent escapades have a way of landing both himself and his companions in hot water, wherever they travel, and more often than not they barely escape by the seat of their pants. Of course it is never Gage’s fault; trouble just seems to follow him around as intently as Wile E. Coyote followed the roadrunner.

Like all good heroes Gage must battle countless bad guys. These heinous villains are only concerned with world domination and he must attempt to stay one step ahead of them. This challenge is made even more difficult once he discovers he must also rescue his former lover Astiza and a three-year-old son he never knew he had.

“The Barbary Pirates” is an extremely well written book. The story is entertaining and believable since Dietrich seems to recount the historical aspects in it with the same ease and familiarity of someone who had lived and experienced it several hundred years ago. It is a definite “must read” for anyone who enjoys action and adventure stories. I would even go so far as to say I feel Dietrich’s work belongs on the shelf right next to Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novels. Sit down; prop your feet up and enjoy the read!

“auf Wiedersehen”

Author: Christa Holder Ocker

“auf Wiedersehen” by Christa Holder Ocker is a heartfelt recounting of the author’s early childhood growing up in Nazi Germany. It is a well written autobiography and I am grateful that Ms. Ocker has decided to share her story with us.

When I first decided to read this book my interest was piqued because of the subject matter. I was interested to read from a child’s point of view how Germany was affected by WWII. I also wondered if there would be any similarities between “auf Wiedersehen” and “Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.” Of course I hoped “auf Wiedersehen” would have a much happier ending. I was not far off. Both are poignant stories and as children there is no guile or deception in their words. To quote Christa’s mother “black is black and white is white.”

It was eye-opening to read about Nazi Germany from the experiences of a German child. It reminded me that as children we do not start out filled with hate but rather learn this from those around us. Discrimination is not a way of life it is instead a choice. It was also interesting to read about Christa’s life in the outside world versus Anne Frank’s experiences as she and her family hid for their lives. Christa shared her memories of young men so proud to wear the uniform of the Third Reich while on the other hand many German women showed sorrow because of the men’s actions. Unfortunately as a woman what could they do except show love and kindness and lend a helping hand as able.

“auf Wiedersehen” is a poignant remembrance of Christa’s life as she was uprooted from her home, her friends, and everything else she had previously known. Her story shows the courage and love of her family and yet throughout the book there are sobering reminders of the horror the Jews and other victims of this world war went through. At times I honestly wondered who were the luckier ones? Those who lived or those who died?

Christa Holder Ocker has written a beautiful memoir and I highly recommend it. It is a shorter book consequently making it an easy read but its ultimate message is one of power. Simply that love can conquer all…

“An Unimaginable Journey”

Author: Aviad Meitar

“An Unimaginable Journey” by Aviad Meitar is an inspiring story. The author has a clear and easy to read writing style and he is not without a sense of humor. Put all of this together and Meitar’s readers will definitely enjoy his first-hand recounting of the sixteen year journey detailed in this book.

Meitar’s story starts with an idea; the idea of bringing Pepsi to Romania where until this point only the Romanian “elite” were lucky enough to drink it. “An Unimaginable Journey” details out an incredible undertaking by people with little to no experience or knowledge in the beverage industry or for that matter, Romania. Meitar’s words and actions are a powerful reminder that no matter what someone says can or cannot be done if there is a burning desire to succeed then succeed you shall! In the end true determination will win out over any man-made obstacle.

Meitar’s book shows us the positives of “capitalism” and how it can be used to benefit all parties involved. His team went into a country with a population of twenty-three million and helped create jobs and business opportunities for its citizens. They knew this would also help in the rebuilding of Romania’s economy. They also managed to find charitable ways to give back to the community while still propelling the Pepsi brand further into the spotlight making it a win-win situation for all.

There is a chapter in the book which details “The Viking Laws” and how they were enacted in this business venture. No matter where we each reside I feel these ancient “laws” still hold true even in today’s world. I wonder how much less complicated our lives would be if each person implemented them on a daily basis. I agree with Meitar in his assessment that these laws “apply beautifully to running a successful business in modern times.”

In summary “An Unimaginable Journey” is a fantastic read made even more phenomenal because it is a true story. I highly recommend this book to readers of ALL ages and from all walks of life. There were many important truths realized during this journey and Meitar has graciously shared them with us. I also look forward to reading about his current endeavors in Bulgaria in the future.

“West To The Sun”

Author: T.G. Good

Imagine this. You’re eleven years old and your father matter-of-factly announces one night to you and your family “we’re moving to Oregon.” What goes through your mind? Do you feel fear or are you too stunned by his proclamation? Do thoughts of leaving behind your friends, your house, and everything else you are familiar with cause you to feel resentful? Do you argue with your father or simply accept the situation and attempt to make the best of it? What do you do now that life as you know it will no longer be the same? This book is a brief look into the life of Jeremiah Symons after his father, Jedediah, decides the best way he can provide for his family is to move them to Oregon.

“West To The Sun” is a fictional tale set in a well recounted historical setting. The book is well written and able to hold the reader’s attention. It focuses on the experiences of a young boy, now required to be a man, as he literally walks across the country with his family, their trusty oxen, and the other members of the westward bound wagon train. The author, T.G. Good, does a great job of explaining the tremendous amount of preparation which must precede a move of this magnitude as well as describing the journey itself.

In today’s world most of us think nothing of traveling thousands of miles from our homes. We are completely accustomed to the various forms of transportation our current technology offers us. In fact, many of us have no experience with anything else. Planning a trip is generally nothing more intensive than throwing some clothing into a suitcase or carry on. Did I mention we also manage to travel these tremendous distances in only a matter of hours? It was a sobering realization when, in reading this book, I did the math. I figured out it would require one hundred days at twenty miles per DAY for them to reach their final destination. I drive twenty mph and I shudder with impatience. Of course one hundred days only happens if absolutely nothing goes wrong. Wheels and axles for the wagons could not break. Freak storms could not show up. Wagons could not get stuck in the mud nor could they be allowed to float away in raging rivers. We all know that in life nothing goes according to plan and the same holds true in this story.

Overall I found “West To The Sun” to be a very interesting read even if, at times, it bordered on being overly religious. It is definitely a book that can be enjoyed by readers of any age.

“The Vaulted Sky”

Author: R.P. Moffa

Just for the record, I was unsure exactly what to expect when I started reading “The Vaulted Sky” by R. P. Moffa. Yes, I did request this book. Yes, I do love airplanes. Yes, I also love historical fiction but in looking the book over before I cracked it open I briefly wondered what I had gotten myself into. Not to worry though, I was immediately swept into Moffa’s well written story and the pages had a way of almost turning themselves for me.

My journey through time began in nineteen twenty-four where I met a younger Patrick Montalto, the book’s main character. I was present for his initial encounter with a biplane which sparked the love affair he had with airplanes from that day forward. After this we fast forward to his teenage years, his first ride in a nineteen twenty-eight Waco and we follow along as he juggles his schooling, his responsibilities to his family and learning to fly. The years progress and he is not unaware of the turmoil erupting in the world outside the borders of the United States. In following his inner sense of what is right he finds himself in Canada training to become a fighter pilot in order to defend a country not his own.

Moffa effortlessly takes us through one of the more horrendous periods of world history, World War II, and more often than not I was amazed by the accuracy of his portrayal both prior to and during the war. His tale came across as a believable accounting and even though “The Vaulted Sky” is a work of fiction it seemed as if the author had lived and experienced it firsthand.

Moffa paints a realistic picture of what it was like to live as a fighter pilot; where every day could be one’s last. He shows us the daily struggles, the pain, the loss, and yet he also shows us honor, integrity and pride. He recreates a different time; which encompassed a different set of values; when even your “downed” enemy was generally treated with respect. His words remind us that the only thing which really separates friend from foe is merely where one is born and that insight still rings true today.

I have given “The Vaulted Sky” a five star rating. I highly recommend it as a “must read” and I look forward to the continuation of Montalto’s story in the upcoming sequel “The Sky Suspended.”

“Mind Well The Witch”

Author: Susan Netteland Gerbi

Let me be honest and tell you I was unsure what to expect from a book titled “Mind Well The Witch.” What hooked me was the concept of a dyslexic, hyperopic and peri-menopausal witch especially as that is not a subject commonly written about. I figured “Oh, what the heck!” Besides, my curiosity kind of got the better of me when I saw the words “dyslexic” and “witch” used together to describe the same person. Were people actually brave enough to use her potions? More importantly what type of spells does a dyslexic witch cast? Probably the same kind as any other I would imagine. I guess the real question here is whether or not her incantations have the same outcome as those cast by her “non” dyslexic sisters.

As long as I am being truthful I must admit I had to look up the definition of “hyperopic.” For those of you who have no idea but are wondering it is merely another way of saying someone is “far-sighted.” Since I myself am myopic (near-sighted) I probably should have been able to figure that one out. What can I say? I was still stuck on the whole dyslexic witch thing and I was envisioning the town mayor being turned into a frog…or worse! Did I mention that this witch is peri-menopausal on top of everything else? I began envisioning fire raining down and I wondered how long my imagined “frog mayor” would last before being incinerated, most likely in mid jump. Yup, I HAD to read it!

All in all I found “Mind Well The Witch” to be a cute story and while it was a quick read it was entertaining. I appreciated the fact that the author, Susan Netteland Gerbi, used her various friends and family members as the basis for the book’s characters. In doing so I felt she was able to give the story a more intimate feel. My favorite personality wound up being Shadow, the very independent, opinionated, and at times overly demonstrative cat.

I liked that “Mind Well The Witch” was loosely set in history about sixty years after the horrific witch hunts theNew Englandarea is renowned for. Having it set later in time allowed our bumbling but kind-hearted witch, Mindwell Thayer, the freedom to practice her craft without too much fear of reprisal. I must also add I did notice an extraordinary amount of beer drinking throughout the tale which, in retrospect, probably accounts for the general happiness of the townsfolk. I found the “unique” recipes interspersed throughout the book to be an interesting touch and I wonder who among us will be able to resist the allure of “Roasted Toad Tea?” On the flip side I did shudder at the thought of people only bathing once or twice per month. Oh the smell! The image of wooden teeth left me in a state of consternation; wondering how often people sporting such things would get splinters in their tongues, gums or worse?

In summary: a cute and humorous story for readers of pretty much any age.

“Aksandar”

Author: Judith Montgomery

The story told to us on the pages of “Aksandar” by Judith Montgomery is truly an amazing and captivating tale. As stated on the back cover, Ms. Montgomery has traveled extensively throughoutAfghanistan. Her obvious love of that country and its people definitely comes across in her writing.

As I read through her book,Montgomery’s words showed me a candid and often eye-opening view of a country being torn apart from the inside out due to political corruption and religious extremists. Two separate warring parties terrorize Afghanistan. Death is an almost daily occurrence for both citizens and foreigners alike whose only “crime” is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet even as I write this I know it is not that simple for there is much more at work behind the scenes. Aziz Rashani, the main character in this tangled web of deceit and lies, is a man of principle, honor and integrity. He is a devoted countryman who loves Afghanistan. As such, his idealistic path revolves around seeing her become an independent country rather than remaining stuck in the grasp of the leadership she currently suffers under.

Montgomery takes us on a journey into a land battered beyond belief, where each and every day is a fight for survival by the proud people who call Afghanistan home. She gives us an almost firsthand view of a life that many live on a regular basis. Yet her descriptions, while honest, are not so graphic as to make it uncomfortable for her readers to stomach.

Judith Montgomery’s book “Aksandar” reminds us how lucky we are to live in a country that values its citizen’s freedoms. However, it is nice to contemplate that even in a war torn environment there are some out there who truly value humanity over bloodshed.

From the moment I picked this book up I was hooked. Never mind the fact that I was in bed fighting off the worst cold of my life or that I could barely keep my eyes open due to sheer exhaustion. As each chapter ended I found Montgomery’s gripping tale impossible to put down and I hurried to start the next one while guiltily telling myself as soon as I finished THAT chapter I would get the sleep I desperately needed! In summary, a powerful story which I highly recommend as a “must read!”