Saturday, October 8, 2011

Book Reviews by Gary Roen

The Skinvestigator Rash Guard
Terry Cronin
www.3boysproductions.com
www.studentsoftheunusual.com


“The Skinvestigator Rash Guard” is a much better book than “The Skinvestigator Tramp Stamp.”  Dr. Harry Poe is an interesting likable character who is a dermatologist and he also works with the Miami police department to solve crimes.  The author has a nice pace to the story that is also filled with authentic medical information that Cronin mixes in generous doses to the novel.  “The Skinvestigator Rash Guard” is a fast paced mystery filled with medical facts that are educational reading.


Myth Interpretations
Robert Asprin edited by Bill Fawcett
Baen Books
www.baen.com


Myth Interpretations” is one of the best collections of Robert Asprin that showcases some of his best humorous works.  Two of the best are “You Never Call” how moms influence starship captains and “Con Job” that takes place at Dragoncon.  All of the tales are fun reading by a master of comic sf fantasy.  “Myth Interpretations is an outstanding collection that is sure to delight many new readers to Robert Asprin.



Miracle Cure
Harlan Coben

Signet
www.penguin.com

“Miracle Cure,” the second novel this author wrote that has been out of print for many years is back and it is a great fast paced tale that is filled with interesting characters and many complicated twists that move the book along to its surprising ending.  Like “Play Dead” Coben explains that he feels there are many flaws in the story.  I do not agree “Miracle Cure is a nail biting novel of suspense by a master story teller.



Perfectly Amanda Gunsmoke’s “Miss Kitty” To Dodge and Beyond
Beckey Burgoyne
Five Star Publications Inc,
www.FiveStarPublications.com

www.PerfectlyAmanda.com

“Perfectly Amanda Gunsmoke’s “Miss Kitty” To Dodge and Beyond” is the first book to reveal little known facts about Amanda Blake who played “Miss Kitty” on the hit show “Gunsmoke”  Author Beckey Burgoyne tells many other tidbits of information about the show, the actors, and many appearances the cast made throughout the years.  There are also lots of great pictures.   No fan of “Gunsmoke” should miss this great addition to the legendary show.



Cemetery Girl
David Bell
NAL
www.penguin.com


“Cemetery Girl” is one of the strangest novels I have ever read.  Twelve year old Caitlin disappears from her parents.  There are no clues, no leads, and no explanations for her disappearance.  Four years later she walks back into her parents’ lives.  She is very different and she won’t tell them any details of the lost four years.  The author does a great job of showing the effect of a stressful situation like this and its effect on a marriage.  “Cemetery Girl” is a page turner thriller that locks the reader in on the first page and never lets go.



Middle School the Worst Years of My Life
James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
Little Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group USA
www.HatchetteBookGroupUSA.com


Patterson and Chris Tebbetts in “Middle School the Worst Years of My Life” have written a laugh out loud book that anyone in school can relate to.  Rafe Khatchadorian has a series of adventures that are all fun.  He has to deal with a teacher named the Dragon Lady, a bully repeatedly, and lots of other things.  “Middle School the Worst Years of my Life” is a much funnier better story than “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”



Stony Man Terminal Guidance
Gold Eagle
www.readgoldeagle.blogspot.com


The series is hotter than ever with “Terminal Guidance.”   Phoenix Force and Able Team are back in action this time up against a group of terrorists who want to once again hit targets in the United States.  The “Stony Man” novels have always delivered great action adventure and “Terminal Guidance” is a shining example of why the books have always been so popular.



Let Me Be Me
Owen Doss and Deborah Motley
Legacy Publishing Services Inc
www.LegacyBookPublishing.com


“Let Me Be Me” is a message to kids on how to know what they would like to be, how to study themselves and know who they are.  The authors tell how we all do things to impress others and that we have to be what others think we should be.  They also are very practical in telling people to be who they want to be. “We are trying to be what we think people want us to be….someone else is trying to change us into what they want us to be.  The bottom line is I am never good enough.  This is something society has taught us since the beginning of time.  We are never satisfied with who we are, what we are, where we come from, where we are going”   The authors teach people that it is alright to be the person you want to be in easy to understand terms and examples  “Let Me Be Me” is a ground breaking book that everyone should read and learn from.



Dream Walking & Other Pursuits
The Artwork of Jenni Gregory
www.dreamwalkerpress.com


“Dream Walking & Other Pursuits the Artwork of Jenni Gregory” is an invitation to readers and fans of comic book to view the sketch book of a very talented artist.  There are many different types of works Gregory displays.  From comics to pieces that highlight color the book is filled with amazing things for readers to appreciate.  “Dream Walking & Other Pursuits the Artwork of Jenni Gregory is an amazing collection by a gifted artist



Jagger Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rouge
Marc Spitz
Gotham Books
www.penguin.com 


Most of what Marc Spitz tells in “Jagger Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rogue” I have either heard about or read in other books about the Rolling Stones.  I was amazed that Spitz spent a whole chapter about Truman Capote telling about the article for Vanity Fair that never was.  Capote never wrote the first word for them about Mick Jagger even though he was very close to him. I also felt that the book spent too much time dealing with the Rolling Stones of the 1960s and 1970s.  Rolling Stone fans may enjoy Jagger Rebel, Rock Star, Rambler, Rogue.