Pasha, From Animal Shelter to a Sheltered Life by Inge H. Borg
A lovely book that will appeal to anyone who has ever fallen under the spell of a feline or a canine charmer. I can relate to so much in this book. My husband and I have been adopted by many cats along the years, some who have come to live with us, others who simply became friends, like the barn kittens whom we fed daily while our horses were boarded at various establishments. It was fun and rewarding to watch these helpless fur bundles develop into agile, confident young cats so brazen that we often found them inside the boxes, keeping our horses company.
Inge Borg adores cats and (after some adaptation she now also loves dogs), she is clearly a very kind and caring person with charitable inclinations that she actually put into practice by volunteering for years at a local animal shelter. However, there was one aspect with which I completely disagree. No furniture is so precious that it justifies declawing an animal. |
I find the practice barbaric and inexcusable, and I almost stopped reading at that point. However, that is the only criticism I have and it did not stop me enjoying the rest of this delightful collection of small miracles. In fact, I had to admire Ms Borg's integrity in candidly relating anecdotes that did not always cast her in the best light.
The basis of the book is her weekly column in the local newspaper, called “Paws Reports” wherein she would relate the latest shelter happenings, with the transparent aim of luring the unweary into happy adoptions of the lonely creatures currently waiting for their “forever home”. As one can imagine, each of these unlucky little souls came to the shelter in desperate circumstances: lost, abandoned, or forcefully ejected from moving vehicles. Interspersed with touching stories about some of the shelter temporary residents are tips and useful advice on how to care for these delightful creatures. Inge also sheds light on the unending toil of tending to these rejected animals, damaged both physically and emotionally; hopefully some people will benefit from her explanations and follow the advice about neutering.
The book is an easy read, well organized in short chapters. The author has a charming, conversational style that engages and entertains even when some serious and vital information is being dispensed. I was amused by the title which is the name of one of her beloved cats. I also have a ginger “thug”, whom I often refer to as a Pasha, because of his languid habits. Refreshingly, there is no soppy sentimentality to take the edge off the sometimes stark events, but a lot of genuine love and affection for so many undeservedly ill-treated creatures who went on to brighten the lives of their new adopted owners. For its kind, this is a lovely book, which I am happy to recommend.
The book is an easy read, well organized in short chapters. The author has a charming, conversational style that engages and entertains even when some serious and vital information is being dispensed. I was amused by the title which is the name of one of her beloved cats. I also have a ginger “thug”, whom I often refer to as a Pasha, because of his languid habits. Refreshingly, there is no soppy sentimentality to take the edge off the sometimes stark events, but a lot of genuine love and affection for so many undeservedly ill-treated creatures who went on to brighten the lives of their new adopted owners. For its kind, this is a lovely book, which I am happy to recommend.
Passion in Padua by J.P. York
A promising story which turned out to be a bit messy and confused but which, nonetheless, has its moments. Stephanie is a climate change scientist in Italy for a series of conferences, with her teenage son and daughter in tow. Recently widowed, she is trying to build a closer relationship with her kids, something which her workaholic personality has so far prevented. In Padua Stephanie meets a handsome Italian man whose magnetic charm she is unable to resist. When she is attacked by political opponents, trying to silence her warnings, Giovanni takes her under his wing and whisks her and her family to a series of luxurious hotels which he happens to own, and which provide convenient venues for their passionate encounters. But surprising developments make Stephanie question everything.
I found the pace very uneven, and the plot trying a bit too hard to be interesting. To me the lengthy and detailed descriptions of mountain climbing expeditions were both boring and pointless. One, in particular, seems nothing more than a transparent plot device to introduce a chase and showcase Stephanie's courage. |
Oh, there are also demons, organized in some sort of hierarchy, and committed to a singularly narrow mission. By the end, it seemed as though everyone was a demon, even if they didn't yet know it.
This book has two faults. Firstly, character development is poor, and the heroine's actions are often nonsensical. For a highly intelligent scientist, Stephanie does really stupid things, causing harm to innocents, while she somehow keeps getting rescued. Her range of emotions is very limited, and her children are similarly shallow, cliched teens. Secondly, after a rather convoluted story, with different subplots and distractions, the ending is very abrupt and, while it is clear that we are at the start of a series, this first book does not have a satisfying conclusion. It just stops. This seems to be a feature of several of the books I have read recently, I'm not sure why. Also, most of the passion in this book is in the title. It's not awful, just less enjoyable than I hoped.
This book has two faults. Firstly, character development is poor, and the heroine's actions are often nonsensical. For a highly intelligent scientist, Stephanie does really stupid things, causing harm to innocents, while she somehow keeps getting rescued. Her range of emotions is very limited, and her children are similarly shallow, cliched teens. Secondly, after a rather convoluted story, with different subplots and distractions, the ending is very abrupt and, while it is clear that we are at the start of a series, this first book does not have a satisfying conclusion. It just stops. This seems to be a feature of several of the books I have read recently, I'm not sure why. Also, most of the passion in this book is in the title. It's not awful, just less enjoyable than I hoped.
A charming collection of well-structured poems absolutely ideal for bedtime reading. I tested a few with a neighbour's young child, and we were all a bit surprised at the way the seemingly naïve poems connected with a lively and modern mind. The book is full of fairies, dragons, pixies, teddy bears, all sorts of animals and creatures both real and mythical, as well as references to sun, moon, sea, rain, grass, and other elements of the natural world. I noticed also that there are positive key words generously sprinkled in the text, such as sleep, dreams, joy, peace, friendship, happiness. The author clearly put his background in psychology and mental health to great practical use in crafting these delightful ditties.
Among my young friend's favourites are: “I Was Talking To You” about an owl and its distinctive call, and “Tilly The Tiger” one of the longest poems, which prompted a discussion about accepting diversity in the appearance of your friends. Each page is illustrated by a whimsical, colourful drawing, which the child found fascinating. |
At the end there is a section featuring ten tips for getting a good night's sleep. As someone who has suffered from insomnia, I can confirm that the advice given is excellent. There is even a list of foods that promote sleep and one of foods that disrupt the cycle. The best thing is that reading from this book really worked in relaxing and coaxing an energetic child to sleep.
A worthy sequel to the excellent INCEPTIO. The story continues, still narrated by our heroine, Karen Brown, who has now reverted to her birth name of Carina Mitela and has completely embraced her new life in the fascinating country of Roma Nova, where a tough matriarchial society has endured since its founding. Seven years have passed, during which Carina and her husband Conradus have both enjoyed considerable career advancement in their professional roles with the PGSF (Praetorian Guard Special Forces), an elite organization resembling a combination of the FBI, CIA and Special Forces. Conradus has just been made Legate (Chief of the PGSF) while Carina is Strategy Section Head with the rank of Captain.
Their marriage is solidly built on mutual love and respect but their working and social life is complicated, to say the least: Conrad is her boss at work, but Carina is junior head of the prominent Mitela clan, and so his social superior. With the arrival of their three children, Helena (Carina's beloved cousin) has assumed the role of private tutor, while Aurelia remains the staunch head of the family. When a fresh crisis forces Carina to resurrect her undercover persona of Pulcheria, a deadly conspiracy surfaces which threatens the very foundations of Roma Nova's power base and the Mitela family, in particular. |
The strong characterisation helps with an unusually large cast of players but these are demanding books, where the reader is expected to pay attention and follow the action closely. As some time had passed, I re-read INCEPTIO just before starting this sequel, and just as well! There is so much going on, and so many twists and turns, that a casual perusal of the story would completely miss the delightful immersion that is the inevitable consequence of reading the Roma Nova saga.
As in the first book, the blend of historical background with the glorious invention of the Roma Nova world is accomplished with great skill and excellent pacing. I found myself wanting to consult a map to determine exactly where Roma Nova might be, before remembering that it exists only within these pages. Surely I'm not the only one to think that these stories would make thrilling movie material? I thoroughly enjoyed PERFIDITAS and the deep plots and convoluted adventures pushing the story forward. However, I was slightly disappointed to find that the charismatic Conradus seemed to be in a constant state of fury and frustration, while Carina's death-defying efforts on behalf of Roma Nova were consistently dismissed with churlish ingratitude by her professional colleagues. With any luck, this will change in book three, which I hope to read soon as I am now well and truly addicted.
As in the first book, the blend of historical background with the glorious invention of the Roma Nova world is accomplished with great skill and excellent pacing. I found myself wanting to consult a map to determine exactly where Roma Nova might be, before remembering that it exists only within these pages. Surely I'm not the only one to think that these stories would make thrilling movie material? I thoroughly enjoyed PERFIDITAS and the deep plots and convoluted adventures pushing the story forward. However, I was slightly disappointed to find that the charismatic Conradus seemed to be in a constant state of fury and frustration, while Carina's death-defying efforts on behalf of Roma Nova were consistently dismissed with churlish ingratitude by her professional colleagues. With any luck, this will change in book three, which I hope to read soon as I am now well and truly addicted.
Persistence of Memory by Winona Kent
The first book in a trilogy introduces us to the tiny village of Stoneford, in southern England, where most streets, houses and the Village Green still look pretty much as they did in the eighteenth century. However, the thuggish Ferryman brothers, unscrupulous owners of the local pub, have brought in bulldozers and are hellbent on destroying Stoneford's precious history in pursuit of mass development and fast profits.
Charlotte Duran Lowe lost her beloved husband five years ago when a drunk driver killed Jeff and badly injured her cousin Nick. Charlie's life is now sadly reduced: by day, as Stoneford's de facto historian and dressed in Regency costume, she conducts tours of the lively exhibits of the local museum; by night, she indulges in obsessive research of her ancestors, who once owned the big mansion on the hill. Round the clock, she worries about the suspicious decline of the majestic Village Oak and the impending destructive redevelopment of the Village Green into luxury-flat madness. |
One stormy night, thunder strikes her cottage, providing ideal conditions for Charlie to be cast back in time to July 1825, the very period where her historical research has bogged down. Now she has a chance to witness in person the events she so longs to investigate. The danger, as always with time travel, is that she might inadvertently alter the course of history. The other small problem is how to get back to 2013 and her previous life.
I enjoyed the complexity of the storyline, the vast cast of characters, lovely descriptions, and satisfyingly accurate period details. Since Charlie is well versed in the history of the times, she is able to slip easily into the mindset of the Regency era and adopt the formal speech and restrained social behaviour of the people she meets, resulting in delightful dialogue and fascinating encounters, one of which turns decidedly romantic.
Fans of Jane Austen will find lots to love in this charming and imaginative tale of unintended time travel. Charlie is a sympathetic heroine, and she more than meets her match in Mr. Deeley, the handsome young head groom at Stoneford Manor. Besides the romance, there are many fascinating themes woven into the story: conservation, social issues, scientific theories of time and quantum physics, ethical choices in the face of miscarriage of justice, and what to do with a son who has turned out very badly. Many humorous situations arise when Regency characters are confronted by technological advances that we take for granted, but the biggest laugh for me was the beta design of a now ubiquitous sanitary device. The suspenseful conclusion was very satisfying, while leaving the door open for a logical sequel. An intelligent read suitable for the widest public.
I enjoyed the complexity of the storyline, the vast cast of characters, lovely descriptions, and satisfyingly accurate period details. Since Charlie is well versed in the history of the times, she is able to slip easily into the mindset of the Regency era and adopt the formal speech and restrained social behaviour of the people she meets, resulting in delightful dialogue and fascinating encounters, one of which turns decidedly romantic.
Fans of Jane Austen will find lots to love in this charming and imaginative tale of unintended time travel. Charlie is a sympathetic heroine, and she more than meets her match in Mr. Deeley, the handsome young head groom at Stoneford Manor. Besides the romance, there are many fascinating themes woven into the story: conservation, social issues, scientific theories of time and quantum physics, ethical choices in the face of miscarriage of justice, and what to do with a son who has turned out very badly. Many humorous situations arise when Regency characters are confronted by technological advances that we take for granted, but the biggest laugh for me was the beta design of a now ubiquitous sanitary device. The suspenseful conclusion was very satisfying, while leaving the door open for a logical sequel. An intelligent read suitable for the widest public.
Tinnitus is the medical name given to a condition whereby the sufferer hears a continuous noise in the ears or head which is not perceived by other people. This can take the form of ringing, hissing, buzzing or many other types of annoying, vibrating noises. Apparently, tinnitus affects 10-15% of the population. Despite this very high rate, most doctors have no answers, and tend to dismiss complaints by saying that one gets used to it in time. While this is true for a majority of people (after all, they have no choice), for many others the problem intensifies until it becomes so debilitating that it makes normal life impossible.
Julian Cowan Hill, the author of this small book, struggled with moderate tinnitus for 16 years until he became so deeply affected by it that he heard noises that he describes as “standing at the end of a runway with jumbo jets taking off right over the top of me”. I can only imagine the torment he endured night and day, it must have driven him mad. His descent into despair and depression is chronicled briefly, but I really enjoyed reading about his recovery and life-altering decision to become a multi-discipline therapist, specializing in tinnitus treatment. |
I had the misfortune of developing tinnitus several months ago and it quickly became a nightmare, affecting my sleep and only abating slightly during the day, when other louder noises drowned out the hissing. My doctor, more sympathetic than most, referred me to several specialists, but nothing was found. In my case, my hearing is normal. While this was good news, it did nothing to address the escalating discomfort.
After reading this compassionate and incredibly supportive story, I started to apply the advice relating to stress management and relaxation techniques and can report that my tinnitus has become more manageable. I completely agree with the observation that stress and fatigue ramp up the symptoms, whereas inner peace and a sense of contentment seem to be highly beneficial. However, you cannot just command yourself to relax. Proper techniques need to be implemented, and I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has reached the point where tinnitus feeds on itself and starts a vicious circle. I have read this book four times, and each time I find something more to help my fight against this awful condition.
After reading this compassionate and incredibly supportive story, I started to apply the advice relating to stress management and relaxation techniques and can report that my tinnitus has become more manageable. I completely agree with the observation that stress and fatigue ramp up the symptoms, whereas inner peace and a sense of contentment seem to be highly beneficial. However, you cannot just command yourself to relax. Proper techniques need to be implemented, and I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has reached the point where tinnitus feeds on itself and starts a vicious circle. I have read this book four times, and each time I find something more to help my fight against this awful condition.
This book came to my attention through Kindle Scout, and I picked up a copy during its free launch. For a start, I wish I had known that systematic paedophilia is its driving theme for most of the narrative. Definitely NOT what I wanted to read about. The author states at the end that this is an uncomfortable read but it's important to talk about the problem, affecting 1 in 5 girls according to recent stats. I agree completely with the need to address this endemic tragedy, however, devoting a whole book to it, a book presented as historical romance and whose public is likely to be mostly women, is perhaps not the most effective vehicle for this message. Far too many triggers and an unrelieved sense of hopelessness make it unsuitable for anyone who has experienced something similar.
However, having started, I gave the story a chance and felt horror, dismay and sympathy for the young heroine who is victimized from the age of seven. Although the story is gripping, the reader needs to overlook too many unrealistic scenarios. |
I can't give details without revealing spoilers, but it starts with the death of John Ashton, and includes everything Meg does once she turns 20, and her mother's ignorance of a vital clause in the will which drives the whole drama. I understand that crisis and danger make for a more interesting plot, but I was dismayed by the cascade of unforced errors that upsets a seemingly pat conclusion, leading to … Book 2.
The writing style is fluid and accomplished, although the content can be repetitive. There are a few typos, missing words and other grammatical flaws, but not enough to be distracting. What I found annoying is that the main players seemed to behave illogically and out of character in order to create a crisis. Basically, Meg, the young girl at the heart of the story behaves more intelligently as a pre-teen than she does when she finally grows up, getting herself into the most unnecessary predicaments. Also characterization could be deeper, and there is no attempt to delve into the motivations of the “baddies”. Meg is not totally convincing and far too resilient for the amount of abuse received. Charlie is unrealistically patient and incurious. Their actions are simply not believable, and the pace is problematic in that each chapter contains a few choice episodes of the parallel lives of the main protagonists, and then the action skips by months and whole years to the next chapter.
By the halfway point, I started to get impatient, and when I got to the last quarter, I realized that the whole thing was indeed a protracted laying of the ground for the real story, which presumably takes place in another book. I did like the cover, though. Also, where are the ghosts mentioned in the title? To me it's a 3.5 star rating, rounded up to 4 in recognition of the fact that other readers are not as picky as me.
The writing style is fluid and accomplished, although the content can be repetitive. There are a few typos, missing words and other grammatical flaws, but not enough to be distracting. What I found annoying is that the main players seemed to behave illogically and out of character in order to create a crisis. Basically, Meg, the young girl at the heart of the story behaves more intelligently as a pre-teen than she does when she finally grows up, getting herself into the most unnecessary predicaments. Also characterization could be deeper, and there is no attempt to delve into the motivations of the “baddies”. Meg is not totally convincing and far too resilient for the amount of abuse received. Charlie is unrealistically patient and incurious. Their actions are simply not believable, and the pace is problematic in that each chapter contains a few choice episodes of the parallel lives of the main protagonists, and then the action skips by months and whole years to the next chapter.
By the halfway point, I started to get impatient, and when I got to the last quarter, I realized that the whole thing was indeed a protracted laying of the ground for the real story, which presumably takes place in another book. I did like the cover, though. Also, where are the ghosts mentioned in the title? To me it's a 3.5 star rating, rounded up to 4 in recognition of the fact that other readers are not as picky as me.