Four Blind Mice by James Patterson

Synopsis :


On the verge of resigning from the D.C. police force, Detective Alex Cross knows he can’t refuse this case. His partner John Sampson has a friend who has been framed for murder and is facing the gas chamber. His accusers? The United States Army.

As a new woman in Cross’s life brings him hope in the face of a devastating loss at home, Cross and Sampson go up against codes of honour and silence and three ruthless killers. But a bigger threat lies in wait : their controller, a lethal genius who will introduce Cross to new depths of terror...the last of the FOUR BLIND MICE.

It always gives me the quiver to share my opinion on books by such mega author. It gives me extra quivers if I don’t like the book. James Patterson has more books under his belt than most authors. He’s practically a brand rather than a person. Four Blind Mice is part of the Alex Cross series and it was first published 9 years ago.

What can I say, it’s as expected as can be from an Alex Cross thriller. Fast paced with short chapters. The urgency is there as they raced against the clock to solve the murder. But the murder is just the top of the iceberg. The real terror dates back to the time of the Vietnam War and the horror that comes with it. The past cannot be changed but can Alex change the future? If he does it, will he ever be the same again?

I dind't really like it but fans of Alex Cross and James Patterson would certainly be happy with Four Blind Mice.

Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

The following review was done last year but got lost in the draft folder (the irony of it!). I’m posting it as I wrote it last year. The book belongs to an ex-colleague. I have since, returned the book to the owner. Thank you, dear friend for lending it to me. :)

Sypnosis 

In April 1992, a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked into Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burnt all the cash in his wallet and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a hunter….

With anticipation from such an intriguing synopsis, I ‘delved’ Into the Wild about 6 months ago. 6 months later, I am still In the wild and it looks like I might not make it out. The book is only 200 pages, so no, it wasn’t the thickness, the prints were small but it wasn’t un-readable. So, what happened?

It’s a story of a man who seems to have lost his mind, give up life in society and civilization and decided that it would be a better choice to live in the wild and especially in the Alaska wild. What was he thinking? Did he seriously think that he’ll survive the unfriendly terrain? What about his family? I can’t imagine that he doesn’t think of the pain that he is causing his family?

I never finished reading the book. Maybe another time, another season but for now I don’t think I want to. It's too depressing.

A few days ago, I caught the tail end of the movie which was also based on this book and also entitled Into The Wild. The movie ended with a shot of school bus where Chris was found and then penned across the vastness of the wilderness. I can’t help but be in awe of the majestic abandon wilderness of Alaska, the freedom it represents and for a moment there…I caught his vision, for a moment I saw what attracted Chris to do what he did. But only for a moment. And then it’s gone.

Bookfest @ Singapore 2011

Do you remember my wish in this post?

Well, talk about being at the right place at the right time :).  While in Singapore over the weekend, I made it a point to drop by Bookfest @ Singapore 2011 which is currently being held in Suntec Convention. It opens daily from 10 am onwards.  Admission is free.

Entrance to the hall

I reached there around 11 am on a Sunday.  It wasn't very packed.  The event felt more like a huge bookstore rather than book festival. It is very well sectioned and systematic with English language books on one side of the hall and Chinese books on the other end. The whole set up reminded me of Popular Warehouse Sales that I have attended but without the discounted books.

There’s a huge range of books and stationeries available but unfortunately, the books were not very cheap and the most discount given was around 20% only. For example, I bought a Geromino Stilton book (for YA) at 20% discount but the same book is being retailed at 15% cheaper in Singapore Intenational Airport and purchases of 2 books will get a further 20% discount. This wasn’t even in the departure lounge. Just at the check in area which is assessable by the public.

There were talks scheduled throughout the days on various topics but I wasn't paying any attention to them. 

Good selection of Chinese books

Anyway, it was a good experience and although I didn’t buy any books for myself, I bought a few YA books and some tools for craft works.

The event is conveniently located in Hall 601 – 603 of Suntec Convention Centre. The nearest MRT Station is via Esplanade Station, Exit A. 

Their official web is at : http://www.bookfestsingapore.com/about.htm.

Hope Underground - The 34 Chilean Miners - A Story of Faith & Miracles by Carlos Parra Diaz

Synopsis :

It was the longest underground entrapment in history. For 10 weeks the faith and endurance of a group of Chilean miners, their families and rescue workers were severely tested as the miners reminded trapped 700 meters below the Atacama Desert. Many feared the rescue effort would be merely a body-recovery process.

Yet instead of abandoning hope, the miners’ families chose to place themselves at the mercy of the elements and camp around the mind – in what later became known as Camp Hope – uniting in their prayers for a miracle.

The Chilean Government and the rescue team, despite several major setbacks, never gave up. On the contrary, President Pinera reaffirmed his country’s commitment to saving the miners while at the same time acknowledging that only God could help them succeed in this impossible mission.

For their part, the trapped miners clung to the belief that this was not to be their end, and with faith and hope fought against almost certain death.

And God didn’t disappoint. Ultimately all the miners were found alive and their rescue was watched live by a billion viewers.

Hope Underground is the personal account of Pr. Carlos Parra Diaz about his work as chaplain of Camp Hope. Pastor Parra is perfectly placed to share with us exclusive details of his daily interaction with the miners and their families, as well as how God manifested His presence in this truly amazing story. Hope Underground is a most-read for anyone who seeks a deeper spiritual insight into this trilling and unique real-life drama.

Can you remember where you were on 5 August 2010 and what you were doing? What about 13 October 2010?

While these might be pretty insignificant dates to you as you go about your day to day stuff, these are very important dates for 33 miners and their friends and families. For 69 days from 5th August to 13th October, the miners were trapped about 2,000 feet underground and with the 1st 17 days without any contact with the outside world and without any knowledge if they would ever get out of their nightmare.

Hope Underground is the story of these miners and their families, how they cope with this disaster and their unshaken faith in God. Told from the perspective of Pastor Carlos, it’s very captivating and encouraging to read about the strong faith these miners and their families have.  Readers will get to know their stories through Pastor Carlos interaction with their families and the notes that they sent up to him after they have been discovered.  It's so touching to read that as people gathered to pray for their safety, they themselves also gathered and prayed everyday at 12 noon.

I read the rescue itself with 'frogs in my throat' and eyes glued to every words. It's really a victory for the heavenly realm as they emerged safety and with greater faith in God having gone through such challenging experience.  In the midst of  the world's tragedies, Parso Carlos has a few questions - why does the story of San Jose Mine stand out in such contrast? Why did God permit this disaster to happen?  Why focus the eyes of the world on this single incident.  In the end, the answers came to him is both simple and profound (his own words).  It is for God to show the world that He exist and that He hears the prayers of His people whom He created.  It is the unambiguous message of God's love and for the entire world who needed to hear God's voice and see His caring hand on Human lives and that Our God is a God of love. And He allowed all this to happen to get our attention. To call humanity back to Him.

Hope Underground is available Winter 2011.  You may pre-order the book at http://www.hopeunderground.com/. Thank you B&B Media for sending me this book.

Southern Fried Sushi by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Synopsis :


Ride the rollercoaster of Shiloh Jacobs’s life as her dreams derail, sending her on a downward spiral from the heights of an AP job in Tokyo to penniless in rural Virginia.

Trapped in a world so foreign to her sensibilities and surrounded by a quirky group of friends, will she break through her hardened prejudices before she loses those who want to help her? Can she find the key to what changed her estranged mother’s life so powerfully before her death that she became a different woman—and can it help Shiloh too?

Shiloh Jacobs thought she's on top of the world with her dream job as an award winning journalist with Associated Press in Tokyo, Japan and a dream man in her Argentinean boyfriend, Carlos. Unfortunately, those dream turned into nightmare shortly after she arrives in the states to attend her estranged mother’s funeral. She lost her job (due to her own mistakes) and broke up with her cheating boyfriend and things are just not looking up for Shiloh and her mountain of debts.

However, nightmare is not allowed to last long in a small town in Virginia. A group of locals seems to have taken her under their wings and begin to shower her with Southern charm that Shiloh (who loves everything Japan) is not used to. This book is about Shiloh’s transformation as she learns from the very people whom she quite detests, not for any reason, but for their steadfast trust in God for everything. How can these people still praise God while facing trials and tribulations is something that Shiloh couldn’t comprehend?

If you feel like Shiloh, then this book would be for you. While it’s a fiction story, the message behind the story is very strong. The book is written to evangelise about God’s love and forgiveness and acceptance. If you are facing issues if your life and you have questions, you might find the answers in this book.

Southern Fried Sushi is published by Barbour Publishing in October 2011. I review this for Netgalley.com.

Valley of Silence (The Circle Trilogy) by Nora Roberts

Synopsis

In the kingdom of Geall, the scholarly Moira has taken up the sword of her people. Now, as queen, she must prepare her subjects for the greatest battle they will ever fight – against an enemy more vicious than any they have seen. For Lilith, the most powerful vampire in the world, has followed the circle of six through time to Gaell.

Moira also has a personal score to settle. Vampires killed her mother – and now, she is ready to exact her revenge. But there is one vampire to whom she would trust her soul…

Cain was changed by Lilith centuries ago. But now, he stands with the circle. Without hesitation, he will kill others of his kind – and has earned the respect of sorcerer witch, warrior and shape-shifter. But he wants more than respect from Miora – even though his desire for her makes him vulnerable. For how can a man with an eternity to live love a woman whose life is sure to end – if not by Lilith’s hand, then by the curse of time?

Valley of Silence is the third and last book in The Circle Trilogy and like all final book, it tidies up the story, any loose ends will be as neatly packaged as possible to allow closure.

Not much else can be said here. I was expecting a real ‘omph’ to the end, especially the battle in the Valley of Silence but the battle wasn't really that exciting. I have to read certain parts twice as I actually forgot what happened to the battle between Lilith and Miora (vampire queen and the human queen) as both have much score to settle with one another. 

I have to keep reminding myself that Nora Roberts isn't an action author so we should not expect too much of exciting battle narration. What was expected was the development in the relationship between Miora and Cain since the others were paired up in book 1 and 2 but what wasn’t expected was how the relationship ends seeing that one is a human and the other's a vampire.  They are not my favourite couple in the trilogy but there is something likable about Miora and you can’t help but admire her gentle quiet strength and Cain is just an unusual vampire, not just because he fights other vamps but he is just likable to me in his own way.

I have enjoyed the Circle Trilogy from Morigan’s Cross to Dance of the Gods and now this but it’s now time to move on to other trilogies under this author for there are quite a number of them.

Dance of the Gods (The Circle Trilogy) by Nora Roberts

Synopsis :

Blair Murphy has always worked alone. Destined to be a demon hunter in a world that doesn’t believe in such things, she lives for the kill. But now, she finds herself the warrior in a circle of six, chosen by the goddess Morrigan to defeat the vampire Lilith and her army.

Learning to trust the others has been hard, for Blair has never allowed herself such luxury. But she finds herself drawn to Larkin, a man of many shapes. As a horse, he is proud and graceful, as a dragon, beautifully fierce, and as a man...well, Blair has seen her share of hunks, but none quite so ruggedly handsome and playfully charming as this nobleman from the past.

In two months’ time, the circle of six will face Lilith and her army in Geall. To complete preparations and round up forces to fight, the circle travels through time to Larkin’s world, where Blair must choose between battling her overwhelming attraction to him – or risking everything for a love that can never be...

Dance of the Gods is the second book of The Circle Trilogy. It continues from Morrigan’s Cross.

While the 1st book focused on getting the six together, the 2nd book is more of their preparation in the forthcoming battle. It’s set partially in Ireland and partially in the land of Geall. While the 1st book focused on the characters of Hoyt and Glenna, this focused on Blair and Larkin whom have gotten together. Like I said earlier, this is a thriller written by a woman for women, and how can Nora Roberts justify that without some form of romances.

Blair and Larkin are as different as day and night. One is from 21st century and the other is from a medieval land in another realm. Blair would be unlike any woman Larkin would have met. She came from a line of demon hunters (think Dean and Sam of the TV series, Supernatural). She fights and fights well too. Sir Larkin is of noble birth. His father, is the queen’s brother and acting King of Geall while awaiting the rightful queen, Miora to take to the throne. But they are attracted to each other and both are great warriors. Their characters are greatly developed in this book.

Readers are also given a glimpse into the world of Lilith, the vampire queen and her lover, Lara and their ‘son’ Davey. My heart was in my throat when Larkin stole into their caves to rescue some of the captives and was bitten by Davey.

While reading, I tried to assemble my fantasy cast of Hollywood actors would portray the characters in this book if the trilogy are to be made into movies (ps. you never know) and these are my final selection for the various key roles :

Larkin – Jack Gyllenhaal (Prince of Persia)
Blair – Milla Jovonvich (Alice of Resident Evil)
Hoyt/Cian – Hugh Jackman (X-Man)
Glenna – Rose MacGowan (Paige Matthews from tv series Charmed )
Miora – Scarlett Johansson
Lilith – Vanessa Williams

I am greatly influenced by their past roles to cast them as such. What do you think? Perhaps you have your own fantasy line up. ;)

The next and final book in this series is Valley of Silence.