Keppan by Jayne Zehngut and Cynthia Salasovich

 For those who enjoy good reading, I highly recommend this. It is the first book written by these authors and it is handled well.

It is set in the art world. The story begins with the death of an well known Japanese  artist by his car going over the side of the hill n Topanga Canyon.. Was it murder or was it an accident?  

It is a case for Hercuree Lewis and Toni Nicholas, Yes. It is a female protagonist; both LAPD detectives. Art forgery  and murder form the crime. The case moves from Los Angeles to Japan and back.

Great research was required to get all the details of the art world. and Japanese culture in order to make this story read authentic. 

It seems the  art work was authenticated  by an ink made of the artists blood in the signature area. This made sure the artists DNA was there. As you knw, DNA is not transferable.

For those of us who know mystery writing we know there must be a victim , a killer, and a detective or someone who can bring the killer to justice. These ladies have a grasp of that formula.

It is suspenseful and detailed. It is an easy read. It is published by a small Beverly Hills company called Cool Titles. It came out in November/December 2023 so it is current. It can be ordered in paperback from Amazon. I am sure you can get it from Barnes and Noble. Since it has been published recently I am sure it can be seen soon in a local bookstore near you.

Good reading to you all.

The Super Puzzle by Mark Hamilton

 This will be quite different from other book reviews. I am doing this one on a large book which is part of a series of books-- a trilogy it turns out. 

First of all, this book is not available for the public reader. For some reason , if you hear about it, it will be because a letter has been sent  to you stating that you have been chosen by something called the Secret Society to receive a chance to receive (For a high price, or otherwise free) ((Don't try to unpuzzle that)) a manuscript which only a small selected few ever  see.

Using the coded secrets in this book ( and there will be two others needed to unlock the code) you will be able to become rich, attain and draw loved ones to you, give back great value to the world. 

A Mister Mark Hamilton has penned this trilogy releasing the secrets of this society.

Is it for real? Well, if you believe the letter you received reporting that you have been chosen.

 You won't find this series of manuscripts in a book store or library. Only if you responded to this letter.

In my research I have come to the conclusion it is a marketing  ploy.. 

The character development is zero.   The plot is centered around a Miss  Annabelle who trains 12 students, all 8-years of age when the book opens, to think in Neothink about things  This gets her in trouble and she is thrown out of teaching, The students grow up to do great things using this Neothink  philosophy. 

Hamilton says this is written in code and can be  picked up. by your right brain as you read.

He states- when you read this secret manuscript twelve very good things will happen  to you.

I have finished book one and am still waiting.

Again he states- as you read, you  will easily and automatically absorb the secret ancient and modern  powers money/power giants used  exclusively by them throughout history.

My advice- don't respond if you recie3ve this letter. The book series seems to be a way for money to pass from your wallet to his bank account.

Read good books. This is not one you need bother with if you are a chosen one by this secret society.

Proving Ground by Kathy Kleiman

 

This is one story that should be told. It has been hidden for too long.. In fact, I  suspect it is forgotten. part of computer history. 

A proving ground is a place where things are tested and prototypes are developed.

 

Once upon a time there was a machine called the ENAIC. That part is known, What isn't known  is that six women were responsible for getting it to work.  It started in a small room at the Moore School., a respected engineering institution..  During the second world war there was a need by the Army to calculate  artillery equations to help the war effort. 

  But how to program a general purpose program for the use they saw? It would need mathematical knowledge. 

Six women applied. They had to break into a male dominated world.. 

Today if you were to ask about them you would probably  get blank looks. During the war we had computers, people who worked the machines, but few acknowledged females.

 It is about time now for us to remember them. 

I found this enjoyable and very informative.

It should be read by everyone. 

The book is published by Grand Rapids Publishing and can be purchased for around $30.00 at a local book store. Or go to your local library and read it. 

It is a good book for computer history.

 

Looking For That Book

 A side discussion for a while. I have been reviewing books that come my way. I have even reviewed books through the years that the Santa Monica library discusses during their book-read month each year.

  But there may be some of you out there who are just wondering how do hyou find a book tnat you have heard about. Or that hard to find text book.

  My suggestion  is Biblio.com.

   I recommend and if you should use the link to go in and buy using my link, the company will share the profits with me at no cost to you. Biblio.com

 I am sure you will be satisfied.

Fairy Tale A Novel by Stephen King

 

King has done it again. He has written a book which will hold you entranced.

 In the past he got side tracked, I feel, in  social novels . at least to  me; that is what the Mr. Mercedes  trilogy seemed to be.

 Here you once again will find giants, the walking dead, the large oversized bugs. The pace is full steam ahead once he establishes mood. He is a master at mood. He has said in the past in his Danse Macabre he aims for the gross out

He retains his voice in this one. It is written in first person. You are seeing the fairy world, an alternate universe under the ground, as he experiences it. It is run by fairy tale principles. It is driven by a curse that needs to be overcome. King refers to a lot of books of the genre which enhances the readers enjoyment if they have been exposed to them. If not, a person can always list them to be read later.

King's books are best read to be digested slowly letting every incident slowly circulate in the mind.

In short, King has a style that is identifiable as King. It looks easier than it is. Lovecraft had it. King has it. Other writers in this genre seem to develop it. If you are looking for sowe thing to keep you reading, you have found it.

  Of courser you can find this book at your local bookstore. It is about 600 pages and is published by Scribner.   Or you could find it in your local library.

So Help Me God by Mke Pence

 January 6, 2021 will always be remembered as the day the mob stormed the United Sates Capital  trying to stop a mandated counting and reaffirming of election results.

What lead up to this moment? Historians will need a proper account of what lead up to this. And who better to leave them an account than the person who was directly involved in the event as the vice president.

  This is a honest look at what type of person is Mike Pence. And from his own mouth. 

   "I was not afraid, but I was angry. I was angry at what I saw, how it desecrated the seat of our democracy, and dishonored the patriotism of millions of our supporters", he reports.

  Get to know the man. He is not  Trump, whom he served with. Don't paint him with the same brush. 

  In this book he comes across as maybe a bit too trusting. He seems to look for the good side of people over much. A trusting person. But he also appears to readjust and keep going when he over trusts.

   His Christian stance seems true. His daily lifestyle seems to be attractive.

    Pence does not pull punches. And I think in the years to come when the historians look for source material to record the history of this period that this autobiography will be one they can use. 

    I recommend this book for everyone. There will no doubt be many books penned about this time in American history.  The books written of the period should be accurate and trustworthy. I think this is one of those books.

   The book is  published by Simon & Schuster and my be purchased from your local bookstore. Or you may find a copy in your local  library.

Is Christianity for Me? by Nat Crawford

This  book is a winner. There are lots of books out there attempting to explain Christian beliefs. Most do  good jobs. This one is just right.

   The author is one of the Back to The Bible  teachers. In fact, he heads up the Podcast Win The Day sponsored by Back to the Bible. You can find him at https://www.backtothebible.org  

   It is  written in the genre of apologetics. Apologetics is not apology but a defense of belief systems. This book has the subtitle of Rediscovering The Evidence and Implications of the Faith.   And that is what it does.

   Issues such as The Existence of God , Why is There Suffering?, What is The Christian's Job Description?, and more are covered in an easy to read in an understandable style. I recommend you listen to Back To The Bible and see if you can get a copy 

    It is sent to those who make a donation to Back to The Bible  and request it.

   Nat Crawford has his MA in Apologetics and Biblical exposition and is working towards  his doctrinal studies as of 2021. So he is not aiming for only head knowledge. He can be seen on the Podcast daily.