Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent

MurderTakesTheCakeCoverGayleTrent

Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent .  I started reading this just because it looked interesting.  At first, I didn’t know if I would like it (it is too much like the cat books–no, I didn’t get one and read it…Cyndi got one on tape nd we listed to it about 7 years ago or so.  I would avoid all of them if I were you).

The book has 2,505 locations.  Imagine leaving your job, moving to another town–a small town–to start a new life as a cake decorator.  What happens when you deliver a cake to the town gossip for the 3rd time?  What happens if that gossip isn’t alive when you show up, but the door is unlocked?  You don’t know any better, so you go in.  How will the townspeople accept you?

[Update 12-02-2010 06:04:43] Edited the Amazon links to use my new affiliate link.  For information why, see this post.  

Monday Night Jihad by Steve John

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My review of Monday Night Jihad by Steve John.

The book has 6,369 locations.  Imagine being a member of an elete group of US Soldiers who fight in Afghanastan against Muslims.  What happens after they leave the service and begin their lives as civilians.  Now, what happens as the terrorists bring terrorist acts (imagine suicide bombers) to the US?  The book is faced paced and has an interesting twist about 3/4 of the way through the book.  The book is violent; however, I don’t remember any sex.  This book is a good fast read.

[Update 12-02-2010 06:04:43] Edited the Amazon links to use my new affiliate link.  For information why, see this post.  

The Kirbati Test by Stacey Cochran

TheKirbatiTestCoverStaceyCochranThis is a review of The Kiribati Test by Stacey Cochran (the link is for the paperback version. I can’t find the kindle version now).  The book has 2,679 locations.  It is a collection of several (3 or 4) short stories.  It was a fast read.  I don’t remember the different stories; however, the first story in the book gives title to the book.

There was a some voilence in the first story…I don’t really remember the others.  Hopefully, as I write my reviews, I’ll do them in a more timely manner and be able to give a better overview of the books I read.

[Update 12-02-2010 06:04:43] Edited the Amazon links to use my new affiliate link.  For information why, see this post.  

By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer

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I finished By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer yesterday.  I just decided to do these reviews and post my thoughts on the books today so I’m trying to get caught up.

This book had 7,889 locations.  I don’t remember any sex in the book although there were some violent parts.  The book centers around several unsolved murders, lawyers, three trials, and the guilty by insanity plea.  Overall, I think it was a good read for just wasting some time.

[Update 12-02-2010 06:04:43] Edited the Amazon links to use my new affiliate link.  For information why, see this post.  

Vanish by Tom Pawlik

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I just got done reading Vanish by Tom Pawlik.  The book length was 5,765 locations (apx. 256 character = 1 location).

Overall, the book was a fast read.  It took me about a day and a half reading off and on to finish.  I would classify the genre as Christian Fiction and actiony (not like Ted Deker though).  I enjoyed the book up to chapter 46 (location 4,300).  At this point, the book took a turn.  I’ll try not to give away any secrets/spoilers, but the main character was faced witha crisis of belief in what I took to be a distinctly Catholic Purgatory -like way.

In general, as long as someone takes the book for what it is–a work of fiction and not anything else–it would make for a good read (especially for free). There was no sex.  I don’t remember any cussing.  There was some violence and gunplay.

[Update 01-07-2010 19:56:02] I’m still getting used to writing these reviews.  I guess I should tell you something about the book.  The main characters in the book all expereince a storm one day.  They wake up to find everyone has disappeared.  Where did everyone go?  Why did they vanish?  What are these strange shadow-like creatures?  As they meet each other, why do they disapear?  Where do they go?  How do they escape?

[Update 12-02-2010 06:04:43] Edited the Amazon links to use my new affiliate link.  For information why, see this post.  

Kindle

KindleV2Global

For Christmas, I bought Cyndi a Kindle (k2 global wireless edition).  I’ll let her write a review later (it is hers and I haven’t used it for more than 2 minutes).  However, I’ve downloaded the Kindle for PC app.  I’ve been downloading just about every new free book I come across on the Amazon website.  I just finished a book that I thought was worthy of a review….I’ll be posting them here as I finish.

To see a complete list of reviews, go here.

[Update 01-19-2010 15:49:49] I’ve written about the wireless features of the kindle here.

[Update 12-02-2010 06:04:43] Edited the Kindle link to use my new affiliate link.  For information why, see this post.

Getting in Shape

 ok all…question:  do you have any ideas about how I can get in shape?  Here are some criteria I have:

  1. I can’t go out and buy equipment
  2. Well, perhaps a jump rope…
  3. I want to loose about 10-15kg (20-30 lbs) in about 6 months
  4. I need to build cardio endurance for an elk hunt
  5. The law just changed and I need to wear a helmet if I’m going to ride my bike

I’ve found this and this article, but thought I’d see if anyone else had suggestions.

Image from nimagesdr via flickr

It’s called a tow plow

Although I wonder how well it really works.  I mean you can’t put much pressure on the blade because the wheels still need to have a significant amount of weight on them to torque the trailer around like that….

This morning’s temp in Cacak

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This was the temp reported on a weather website for Cacak, Serbia this morning.  -21C (that’s about -1 or -2 F).  I think this is the coldest I have ever seen it here.

Snow…In Richmond

Of course, I leave and it snows.  While I was there, we only ever had an inch or two.  Here is a neat picture I found on flickr….

Image from james4765 via flickr