"Wild Pivot", by Jen Thompson

Notes from a Political Life Rewritten

From Capitola Hill to Australia

This memoir traces Jen Thompson journey from political ambition to personal transformation. It is said through short and engaging vignettes.

It opens on February 14, 2023 while Jen was attending an outdoor screening at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia, reflecting on the past year. After running a successful political campaign to elect Congressman Jim Talent to the U.S. Senate she needed to escape and her place was Australia…where she finally felt liberated. She has turned down numerous high-level offers and from there Jen Thomson shared with us her life story from her childhood growing up in a Christian Scientist family to recounting the stressful years as a political strategist to living a life of freedom.

The book is divided in 2 parts with chapters moving between the past and the present, mixing painful and jarring details. Ms. Thompson recounts her days working for the Congressman and describes how she was driven working long hours consumed by fear of failure. She also mentions the horrific car accident and the aftershock when she realized her life needed to change. She goes on telling her story with unflinching honesty.

“Wild Pivot is a compelling memoir and a powerful testament to courage. This is a deeply human account said from the bottom of the heart and once you started to read it you will find it is very hard to put down. This book is so well said and originally presented.

Thank you, Fauzia Burke from FSB Associates for this wonderful inspiring book

"Dead Drop", by Elias Ashcroft

Short and sweet this mystery gives us 87 pages of fun read

Special Agent Tessa Rourke discovers the drop containing a file tied to an assassination plot that could derail global diplomacy and is thrust into a world of encrypted files…The stakes are high and Tessa must decide to protect the truth or expose those behind the plot…..Tick Tick Tick what will she do…
.
Intense action packed and a real rollercoaster ride from start to finish. A lot goes on and the intensity could have keep going for another 200 pages or so but it ended way too soon. Having said this, this is a fast-paced espionage filles with tension and unexpected twists all said in a tempo that is tight and exciting.

It is an engaging read and my first experience reading this author and it will not be my last.

I enjoyed it

"The Dead Zone", by Peter Hogenkamp

Jade Stryker Thrillers, #3

This 3rd installments the two main characters Jade Stryker and her fiancé Mark Brand. The books stories vacillate between the two in alternative chapters and are said from the point of views of each one in the present tense. Both stories are very slow to kick off but when they do, the intensity is palpable and the experience wonderful.

Throughout this thriller we have extensive explanations I must say sometimes the details were overbearing but most of all it slowed the pacing down to a crawl: exp. boats maneuvers, medical terms, etc. Although I must note following Jade and Mark in different locations: the Caribbean and the Rockies we have an impressive sense of place.

Mr. Hogenkamp’s narrative is active, simple and very well done, most of all he knows how to paint characters in a positive way. Jade and Mark are wonderful characters you wouldn’t mind passing time with them and listen to their experiences and very exciting life…Well I guess I will have to wait for book #4 to see what comes next….. looking forward to it.

It is a must to have read the 2 previous books in order to understand Jade antecedent and how she came to be Mark’s significant other.

Now did I pique your interest, I hope I did “The Dead Zone” is a fine book.

Here is a snippet of what to expect:

Jade Stryker takes a trip to find her father she has never met. However, trouble is never far away. In the sunlit valley of the Rockies where he lives seems her father is the only thing preventing a corrupt sheriff from abusing his family. Jade decides to take the matter into her hands…..

While her fiancé Mark is looking forward to seeing his brother Mitchell he hasn’t seen over a decade…unfortunately, on arrival Mitch was abducted initiating a cascade of events….

Enjoy

Thank you, Mr. Hogenkamp for the hours of entertainment this story has given me.

"One Split Second", by Robert Dugoni

Tracy Crosswhite book #12

I simply love this author again he has provided a story filled with suspense, action, intrigue and of course some exiting courtroom scenes. This latest involves the shooting of an unarmed veteran, Anthony Alvarez, by Sheriff Jenny Almond who was later charged with first-degree murder. Jenny is Tracy best friend and along with her husband a lawyer they set out to prove her innocence. Decades ago, Alverez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. Digging into both the past and present cases they need to find the truth before it is too late for Jenny.

Robert Dugoni excels as a storyteller one that know how to pull you in from the start and keep you engaged till you flip the last page. He draws well- developed characters and propels them into a compelling plot filled with tense scenes that keeps us on the edge of our seat, even biting our nails. The tempo is kept at a high level as he lets the mystery builds up in both his stories till the timelines intersect and the focus switch to the legal strategy. This story is well balance to give us police procedural and a realistic courtroom shenanigan.

Well said and well done

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the chance to review this ARC

"A Journey of Insights", by James G. Ellis

Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

I stepped out of my usual genre to plunge into a book I would not normally read and surely would have passed over at a book store. I am grateful that Fauzia Burke form FSB Associates offered me the chance to open my mind by sending me this inspirational memoir written by Mr. Ellis former dean of USC’s business school who also had a long and distinguished career in business.

Synopsis:

“In trying to plot the roadmap for a successful business life, Ellis stories show illustratively the secrets or ingredients of how business schools and their students can prosper. At the core of his message is the central theme that listening to voices around you throughout life is the key to success. In essence, ears can speak louder than voices.”

In a few words:

Straightforward and conversational the book centers on career values including mentorship, preparation and risk taking. Most of all this journey of many insights and lessons will hopefully help us to become better partners, parents, siblings, children, bosses and employees…

Whether you are starting in life or at the twilight of it there is always a lesson to be learn.

I like how the book tempo flows: the sentences are not too long and explanatory with snippets of dialogue, sometime funny and at times serious all said in a warm tone of a person that loves people and wants them to be happy and succeed. He definitely doesn’t come across a person with a big ego.

A final note from the author:

“Every dark day is a learning experience for the next bright day, and we must look at it like that. Always look on the positive side and you will get through the dark days much faster. Devote yourself to your family, friends, and faith, and you will overcome most obstacles.”

Thank you, Mr. Ellis