Ransom

Ransom
Author: Danielle Steel

Read by: Ron McLarty

9 discs

Peter Morgan newly released from prison is seemingly a good guy that has made alot of bad choices.  Determined to start fresh Peter learns quickly how hard it is to make an honest living after being a convicted felon.  To avoid going on the streets he contacts a previous "friend" he knew before he went to prison who he also owes a substantial amount of money.  Hoping to get a job and repay his owed debt Peter finds himself in a situation of having to organize a kidnapping ring for this man who hopes to gain 100 million dollars ransom money from Fernanda Barnes, a newly widowed wife of a well known billionaire. 

This is Danielle Steel's 60th Novel and she seems to really switch things up with this book.  For anyone who reads alot of Danielle Steel books, they are typically more Romance themed....Ransom is oppisite that where it is more suspense/thriller.  The love interests in this book is set up kind've weird....the kidnapper in a sense "falls in love" with Fernanda although they technically never talk to one another.  Ted Lee, the police detective in charge of finding Fernanda's kidnapped son is "the" love interest, although he is caught up in a loveless marriage for about three quarters of the book.

I enjoyed this book.  I definately need my fix of Danielle Steel once in a while for the not too overly mushy Romance novel...but I was pleasantly suprised that this was a bit different and not the typical DS novel of wealthy family who meets tragedy and ends up happily ever after.  I like Danielle Steel, BUT her storylines do get a bit predictable.

Feature Author Interview: Ronald Louis Peterson

                                                     Author Interview: Ronald Louis Peterson  

 Tell me a bit about yourself.
I grew up in New York City in the 50’s and 60’s. I had dreams of playing for the New York Yankees but never played professionally. I hold a B.A. degree in English from City College of New York and joined the Peace Corps upon graduation and served for 27 months in Ethiopia as an 8th grade English teacher.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always expressed myself creatively with words and developed a love for classic English literature at CCNY where Joseph Heller, author of Catch-22, was one of my writing instructors. I started writing professionally after graduating from Boston University with an M.S. in broadcast journalism. I worked as a radio and TV journalist for about 8 years before becoming a public relations consultant.

What inspired you to write your first book?
Reflecting on the 9/11 tragedy and reading The Purpose Driven Life sparked a need to create a story that would help me explore the questions about life that these two experiences had raised in me.

How much research goes into writing your book(s)?
 A TIME TO… is my first published novel and I’m working on a second one now. A TIME TO… required my reading first-hand accounts of what took place on 9/11 and researching some of the other historical events and places that I reference in the novel. I’d guess that I researched a total of about two weeks for it. It’s hard to say how much I’ll need for my second novel, which is a thriller about computer hacking and social networking.

What books have influenced your life most?
Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, George Orwell’s 1984, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, and Joseph Heller’s Catch-22.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I couldn’t pick just one from the books that have influenced my writing. Each of these writers has mentored me in some way.

What book are you reading now?
CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese.

In what genre do you typically write?
I enjoy books having good stories with social, spiritual and historical significance that make me think and feel.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I spend time with my family, read, listen to music and travel to interesting places.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?
I draw from my life and from current events to find topics that move me in some way.

What new author has grasped your interest?
Most of my reading materials for the past twenty-five years have been written by journalists because of my work. I’m just now beginning to spend time reading for pleasure again and look forward to discovering new favorites.

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
I’d love to be a philanthropist.

What is your favorite moment/memory since becoming a writer?

It has to be holding my published book in my hands for the first time.

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
The last chapter is my favorite because it took me five years to get there and because its messages reflect the most important points in my story.

Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
I, like millions of other people around the world, was injured spiritually as a result of what had happened on 9/11. I needed to put things in perspective so I could go on living a healthy, happy life in this world.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
I don’t want to give much more away than I’ve already said about it other than to say that it could be a series.

How do you market your book(s)?

I’ve got a website with a video trailer as well as excerpts from my book for readers and listeners. I’m selling A TIME TO… on my website, Amazon.com, Smashwords.com and other online retailers. I’m active on all the major social networking sites and many book-related sites like this. I’ve had my book reviewed by distinguished book reviewers. And I distribute press releases when I have news to share.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

If you enjoy creative writing, do it. Only you can prevent yourself from writing. You may not get paid for it, but that’s another story. It takes years to develop your talents and your audience, so factor these into the equation so you don’t quit your day job before you should.

Do you have any thing else you would like to say to your readers?

Please buy my book if it sounds interesting and spread the word to others who would enjoy it. I’m selling signed, personalize copies directly from my website with free shipping for $15 each. Help me quit my day job sooner rather than later and I’ll be forever grateful. If you have a question, email me.

Check Out A Time To...Available in Kindle and also in Paperback! Rated 5 stars! Be sure to be on the lookout for his next novel

Mrs. Miracle

Mrs. Miracle
Author: Debbie Macomber
Read by: Jennifer Van Dyck
6 discs - 7 hours 5 mins

With Christmas approaching and wild twin boys to raise all alone,  Seth Webster finds himself in desperate need of a miracle.  His home is in complete chaos, and he is repeatedly finding himself having to hire new nannys after they always quit in disgust. 
Just when he is at his wits end Mrs Merkle, whom the children start calling "Mrs. Miracle" shows up on his doorstep.  She appears to be the real life Mary Poppins but better!! She is sassy and her spirit is infectious and encourages Seth to approach Reba, a beautiful travel agen who's been hurt and betrayed and afraid to love again...Reba is also in need of  a "miracle".  Reba gets the chance to help out in a children's Christmas pageant and finally gets introduced to Seth and they find a little Christmas miracle of their own.

This is a very feel good book and a great Christmas story.  This book was also made into a Hallmark movie.  and there is a sequels to this book that I have also listened to and liked it even better than the original!

Christmas Letters

Christmas Letters
Author: Debbie Macomber
Read by: Renee Raudman
4 cds - 5 hours Unabridged

Katherine O'Connor is a part time Medical Transcriptionist who also has a part time job of writing other peoples Christmas letters.  She has a flair for making peoples everyday lives sound more interesting.  More Humerous.  More Dramatic. 

Although Katherine is single with no children of her own she is deeply invested in the lives of  her twin nieces, perfect little children until their parents read a best selling book on the "Free Child" methods which promotes no restrictions or boundaries, the children become little ill-behaved monsters.

The author of the book happens to live in Katherines Apartment complex and confronts him one morning in a coffee shop, making a huge scene, only later in the day to have both of them set up by a close friend.  Despite their differences and their different point of views on life both Katherine and Wynn find themselves becoming more and more attracted to each other.  Both shortly discover that love means accepting your differences and as Christmas is approach both realize what really matters is focusing on the things you share.

This book is pretty predictable, but will leave you feeling warm and cozy and that happily ever afters do exist.

More Debbie Macomber Novels:

Search Amazon.com for debbie macomber

Trouble

Trouble
Author: Gary D. Schmidt

This is the Story of an upper class New England family who crosses paths with a family of Cambodian Immigrants struggling through violent prejudices.   The Sons in both families meet tragically in a car accident leaving Franklin in a coma and Chay facing the guilt and ridicule from townspeople who dont view it as an accident and want the immigrant boy to pay at all cost. 

Henry, Franklin's younger brother sets off to climb Mt. Katahdin in Maine with his friend and "Black Dog" --a trip that was supposed to be taken with his older brother prior to his death.  The boys and dog hitch hike there way only to get picked up by a familiar truck...Chay, the "killer" of Henry's brother who is running from his own demons.  Although coming from completely different worlds, Henry learns he and Chay have much in common and begins struggling with both liking this boy who killed his brother and hating him at the same time for how he ruined his family.  Excellent book!!


If you like this book you may like these I have read as well: