"The Zero Trap" by Paula Gosling was published in the March 1980 issue of "Good Housekeeping." My favorite part of "Good Housekeeping" was always the novel in each issue so my interest waned when they stopped publishing them. However, I have some back issues and took them with me on a recent holiday and read all the novels and short stories they offered before sending them to recycling.
"The Zero Trap" was one of my favorites -- suspense and romance -- so I was disappointed to discover that, although Gosling has written a lot of books, only one is available at my local library - how disappointing! I may have to try to find some of them on Amazon.
In this story, a plane load of people are kidnapped and left in a mansion somewhere very cold which hinders their ability to try to escape. In the meantime, the kidnappers have ransom demands for the father and fiance of one of the passengers but they're not demands easily met. As they wait for rescue, some murders occur among the passengers. Who is doing it and who can they not trust? pazt
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
"Angel Maker"
"Angel Maker" by Ridley Pearson is one of his Lou Boldt mysteries. Lou has left the Seattle Police Department and he and his wife have put their marriage back together. They've also had a baby boy and Lou is house-husband, caretaker to his infant son during the day and a night time jazz piano player at a downtown club owned by a friend.
Dr. Daphne Matthews, a psychologist for the Seattle Police Department, has also put her life back together after having her throat slit on the last case she and Boldt worked together. She's now volunteering with her friend, Sharon, at a local shelter for homeless and runaway youth. When she discovers some of them have had organs "harvested," she has a need to find out what is going on.
The more Daphne learns about what is happening, the more she realizes she needs a detective like Boldt on the case but...is it fair to ask him to jeopardize his happy family life to return to the Seattle Police Department? She knows, though, that he is someone her boss will listen to so she has to give it a try.
The case leads to covered up and unsolved murders as well as a "Doctor" who has convinced himself that harvesting organs to help others justifies the end even if it means a donor may (or must) die. When Daphne's friend is kidnapped, Boldt and Daphne are racing against the clock to find and save her before it is too late.
Wow! What a tale! I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I also learned a lot about transplants! I'm definitely ready for the next book in the Boldt series. pazt
Dr. Daphne Matthews, a psychologist for the Seattle Police Department, has also put her life back together after having her throat slit on the last case she and Boldt worked together. She's now volunteering with her friend, Sharon, at a local shelter for homeless and runaway youth. When she discovers some of them have had organs "harvested," she has a need to find out what is going on.
The more Daphne learns about what is happening, the more she realizes she needs a detective like Boldt on the case but...is it fair to ask him to jeopardize his happy family life to return to the Seattle Police Department? She knows, though, that he is someone her boss will listen to so she has to give it a try.
The case leads to covered up and unsolved murders as well as a "Doctor" who has convinced himself that harvesting organs to help others justifies the end even if it means a donor may (or must) die. When Daphne's friend is kidnapped, Boldt and Daphne are racing against the clock to find and save her before it is too late.
Wow! What a tale! I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I also learned a lot about transplants! I'm definitely ready for the next book in the Boldt series. pazt
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
"Across Many Mountains"
"Across Many Mountains" is a memoir written by Yangzom Brauen about her Tibetan grandparents and her mother's "epic journey from Oppression to Freedom." At first when the Chinese took over Tibet, they tolerated the country's traditions but eventually they were determined to stamp out all vestiges of the Tibetan culture and their religion.
Yangzom's grandmother, Kunsang, was a Buddhist nun who married a Buddhist monk, Tsering, and they decided to flee across the mountains with their two young daughters. They knew the Dalai Lama was in India and they wanted to take refuge there also.
Yangzom gives us background about both her grandparents but there is much more detail about her grandmother's younger life. Living in a monastery the young couple nor their children had a lot and depended on the gifts of others to sustain them. Perhaps it was this ability to make do with so little that helped them survive the very difficult journey across the mountains while evading Chinese soldiers.
However, their hardships didn't end there because there were many Tibetan refugees and finding a way to support their family and live in India was a challenge especially as family members became ill. Tsering soon became too ill to help support his family so it fell to Yangzom and her oldest daughter, Sonam, who was but a child herself, to earn a subsistence living for the family. Sonam longed to go to school and have a life like the girls she saw around her in India.
Yangzom shares how Kunsang's early years as a nun and pupil of Abe Rinpoche and the time she spent in contemplation and maturation "gave her the serenity that made everyday problems seem unimportant." She always looked for the good in others.
Good fortune seemed to follow the family at times - like when they missed a train because of Tsering's illness. They later learned that the Tibetans that were resettled in another area that the Indian government had set aside for them did not fare well. Many died in the inhospitable jungle where they were settled.
Yangzom felt she needed to be near hospitals for Tsering to receive the care he often needed and eventually she found work with a group called "Save The Children" who were caring for orphans. They provided lodging and food for her and Sonam as well as a small salary but both of them also worked very hard. Eventually, though, Sonam realized her dream of an education when she was allowed to attend a boarding school.
After Tsering's death many men took an interest in Sonam and wanted to marry her but both she and her mother felt she was too young for marriage despite the fact that she might have been married that young if they had still been in Tibet. Although Yangzom was very traditional in her Buddhist beliefs, she had no difficulty encouraging Sonam's desire to wait for marriage.
Eventually a young Swiss man, Martin Brauen, who was studying at a nearby university met and fell in love almost immediately with Sonam. There were many obstacles to his winning her hand but he first won her mother over. Then came the obstacles of their marrying and he getting both Sonam and her mother into Switzerland. Love prevailed and they settled happily in Switzerland where there were already some Tibetan refugees. Sonam gave birth to Yangzom and her young brother, Tashi, and they all lived together. Martin's work also involved him in the Tibetan culture. Eventually Sonam became an abstract artist and they are now living in Queens, New York.
The whole family had the opportunity to visit Tibet and found relatives who were still living that they were afraid might have died during the persecution by the Chinese. It was bittersweet for Kumsang and Sonam, though, because so much of their beloved Tibet had changed under Chinese rule.
The author, Yangzom, is an actress, model, and political activist who lives in both Los Angeles and Berlin. She has appeared in a number of German and American films and is also active in the Free Tibet movement. Her website is www.yanzombrauen.com. Sonam has a website at www.sonam.net. Her brother, Tashi, has a site also - www.tashibrauen.com..
I found this memoir very moving and instructive - so glad I read it! pazt
Yangzom's grandmother, Kunsang, was a Buddhist nun who married a Buddhist monk, Tsering, and they decided to flee across the mountains with their two young daughters. They knew the Dalai Lama was in India and they wanted to take refuge there also.
Yangzom gives us background about both her grandparents but there is much more detail about her grandmother's younger life. Living in a monastery the young couple nor their children had a lot and depended on the gifts of others to sustain them. Perhaps it was this ability to make do with so little that helped them survive the very difficult journey across the mountains while evading Chinese soldiers.
However, their hardships didn't end there because there were many Tibetan refugees and finding a way to support their family and live in India was a challenge especially as family members became ill. Tsering soon became too ill to help support his family so it fell to Yangzom and her oldest daughter, Sonam, who was but a child herself, to earn a subsistence living for the family. Sonam longed to go to school and have a life like the girls she saw around her in India.
Yangzom shares how Kunsang's early years as a nun and pupil of Abe Rinpoche and the time she spent in contemplation and maturation "gave her the serenity that made everyday problems seem unimportant." She always looked for the good in others.
Good fortune seemed to follow the family at times - like when they missed a train because of Tsering's illness. They later learned that the Tibetans that were resettled in another area that the Indian government had set aside for them did not fare well. Many died in the inhospitable jungle where they were settled.
Yangzom felt she needed to be near hospitals for Tsering to receive the care he often needed and eventually she found work with a group called "Save The Children" who were caring for orphans. They provided lodging and food for her and Sonam as well as a small salary but both of them also worked very hard. Eventually, though, Sonam realized her dream of an education when she was allowed to attend a boarding school.
After Tsering's death many men took an interest in Sonam and wanted to marry her but both she and her mother felt she was too young for marriage despite the fact that she might have been married that young if they had still been in Tibet. Although Yangzom was very traditional in her Buddhist beliefs, she had no difficulty encouraging Sonam's desire to wait for marriage.
Eventually a young Swiss man, Martin Brauen, who was studying at a nearby university met and fell in love almost immediately with Sonam. There were many obstacles to his winning her hand but he first won her mother over. Then came the obstacles of their marrying and he getting both Sonam and her mother into Switzerland. Love prevailed and they settled happily in Switzerland where there were already some Tibetan refugees. Sonam gave birth to Yangzom and her young brother, Tashi, and they all lived together. Martin's work also involved him in the Tibetan culture. Eventually Sonam became an abstract artist and they are now living in Queens, New York.
The whole family had the opportunity to visit Tibet and found relatives who were still living that they were afraid might have died during the persecution by the Chinese. It was bittersweet for Kumsang and Sonam, though, because so much of their beloved Tibet had changed under Chinese rule.
The author, Yangzom, is an actress, model, and political activist who lives in both Los Angeles and Berlin. She has appeared in a number of German and American films and is also active in the Free Tibet movement. Her website is www.yanzombrauen.com. Sonam has a website at www.sonam.net. Her brother, Tashi, has a site also - www.tashibrauen.com..
I found this memoir very moving and instructive - so glad I read it! pazt
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
"The City of Ember"
?The City of Ember" is the first Book of Ember written by New York Times bestselling author, Jeanne DuPrau. Although this book is geared towards youth ages 9-12, I became interested in reading it after my 10 year old granddaughter started reading the series. I'm always intrigued by any book that interests children and youth and excites them to read because I fear handheld games and other electronic devices may discourage reading in our next generation. Fortunately, the school my grandchildren attend encourages daily reading!
Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are young citizens of the city of Ember who have just finished their schooling and have been assigned their lifetime work. When Lina draws the dreaded job of pipeworks laborer instead of the messenger job she wants, she is very disappointed. She is a fast runner and feels the job of messenger suits her better than working in damp tunnels deep underground.
Doon Harrow draws the job of messenger and he asks Lina to trade which she does willingly. Doon is concerned about the deterioration of Ember and the only light available in the city comes from the underground generator. Doon has some ideas of his own about how to fix it so the lights won't keep flickering and eventually thrust the whole city into darkness.
Meanwhile, the two young people discover some alarming facts about what is really going on in the city of Ember among its highest officials and their attempts to let the citizens know about this deceit only places them on the wrong side of the authorities and they find themselves fleeing to escape jail.
Where will they go and how will it affect everyone in Ember? You'll have to read for yourself to find out what happens....pazt
Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are young citizens of the city of Ember who have just finished their schooling and have been assigned their lifetime work. When Lina draws the dreaded job of pipeworks laborer instead of the messenger job she wants, she is very disappointed. She is a fast runner and feels the job of messenger suits her better than working in damp tunnels deep underground.
Doon Harrow draws the job of messenger and he asks Lina to trade which she does willingly. Doon is concerned about the deterioration of Ember and the only light available in the city comes from the underground generator. Doon has some ideas of his own about how to fix it so the lights won't keep flickering and eventually thrust the whole city into darkness.
Meanwhile, the two young people discover some alarming facts about what is really going on in the city of Ember among its highest officials and their attempts to let the citizens know about this deceit only places them on the wrong side of the authorities and they find themselves fleeing to escape jail.
Where will they go and how will it affect everyone in Ember? You'll have to read for yourself to find out what happens....pazt
Monday, May 18, 2015
"Certain Prey"
"Certain Prey" is John Sandford's tenth book in the Lucas Davenport mystery series and it is one of the best so far in my opinion!
Carmel Loan is a successful criminal attorney who covets another woman's husband and she knows just the man who can put her in touch with someone to solve her problem. When she arranges for the wife to be killed, she doesn't count on the hit man to be a woman nor that the two of them will run into a few snags and become friends and co-killers along the way.
Tired of his administrative duties...Lucas Davenport welcomes a challenging case to occupy his time. His senses are in good shape and it doesn't take him long to figure out Carmel is involved somehow in a couple of recent killings but why is the question. As he and his team close in on her and her female hit woman, Lucas becomes a target. Solving the case and proving Carmel's involvement doesn't end the risk for Davenport and the ending is one of the most satisfying to date! If you're a Davenport (or John Sandford) fan, you won't want to miss this read. pazt
Carmel Loan is a successful criminal attorney who covets another woman's husband and she knows just the man who can put her in touch with someone to solve her problem. When she arranges for the wife to be killed, she doesn't count on the hit man to be a woman nor that the two of them will run into a few snags and become friends and co-killers along the way.
Tired of his administrative duties...Lucas Davenport welcomes a challenging case to occupy his time. His senses are in good shape and it doesn't take him long to figure out Carmel is involved somehow in a couple of recent killings but why is the question. As he and his team close in on her and her female hit woman, Lucas becomes a target. Solving the case and proving Carmel's involvement doesn't end the risk for Davenport and the ending is one of the most satisfying to date! If you're a Davenport (or John Sandford) fan, you won't want to miss this read. pazt
Sunday, May 17, 2015
"Organizing For Your Brain Type"
"Organizing For Your Brain Type - Finding Your Own Solution to Managing Time, Paper, and Stuff" by Lanna Nakone, M.A. has struck a chord with me. I picked this paperback book up at the library and decided to take it with me on a recent overnight trip. My husband was in a daylong workshop and I pulled out my yellow pad and a copy of this book and started reading and taking notes.
I'm halfway through the book, have taken a couple of the quizzes and have decided I'm a mix of two styles. There's the "Maintaining Style," the "Harmonizing Style," the "Innovating Style," and the "Prioritizing Style." The quiz places me firmly in the "Maintaining Style" but when I started reading about the various styles, I decided that yes, when I'm organizing in my brain, I'm in the "Maintaining Style" but when I'm organizing at home, I fit more closely the "Harmonizing Style."
I still need to take the sensory preferences quiz and have my husband take the quizzes to determine his style. It's pretty apparent to me that we have differing styles -- amazing we've been able to live together fairly harmoniously for over 50 years! The author promises that she can even help couples get organized who have differing styles.
Since what I've read so far resonates with me, I need my own copy of the book so I can start using it as a guide to implement some of her ideas for my style(s), If you're looking to make sense of your papers and other "stuff," I suggest you take a look at Lanna Nakone's ideas. pazt
I'm halfway through the book, have taken a couple of the quizzes and have decided I'm a mix of two styles. There's the "Maintaining Style," the "Harmonizing Style," the "Innovating Style," and the "Prioritizing Style." The quiz places me firmly in the "Maintaining Style" but when I started reading about the various styles, I decided that yes, when I'm organizing in my brain, I'm in the "Maintaining Style" but when I'm organizing at home, I fit more closely the "Harmonizing Style."
I still need to take the sensory preferences quiz and have my husband take the quizzes to determine his style. It's pretty apparent to me that we have differing styles -- amazing we've been able to live together fairly harmoniously for over 50 years! The author promises that she can even help couples get organized who have differing styles.
Since what I've read so far resonates with me, I need my own copy of the book so I can start using it as a guide to implement some of her ideas for my style(s), If you're looking to make sense of your papers and other "stuff," I suggest you take a look at Lanna Nakone's ideas. pazt
Sunday, May 3, 2015
"The Spellmans Strike Again:
"The Spellmans Strike Again" is a novel by Lisa Lutz - the 4th book in her tales of the Spellman family who run a private investigation firm (except for the oldest, David, who is 35 and currently an unemployed attorney).
I'm almost positive I have read this book before but was unable to search my own blog site to be sure. However, it has been long enough ago that, if I have, I had forgotten most of it so I probably should have started with the first book in the series and read them all over again!
Izzy (Isabel) Spellman is 32 and taking over Spellman Investigations from her parents who wish to retire. Her current boyfriend, Connor, is an Irish bartender who is likely to become Ex-boyfriend #12.
Her major case is investigating a missing person from an aging millionaire's home and she persuades her actor friend, Len, to work there undercover replacing the missing butler until she can figure out what is going on. However, this arrangement doesn't sit well with his partner when Len adopts a British accent that appears to be on the brink of becoming permanent.
Izzy's heart, however, is set on digging up dirt on a competitive firm owned by an ex-cop, Rick Harvey, who she believes is conducting his business in an unscrupulous manner.
At home (also known as the Spellman Headquarters) items seem to be disappearing throughout the house -- door knobs, light fixtures, etc -- but Izzy's parents don't seem to think it is odd.
Izzy's younger sister, Rae, is helping out David's girlfriend, Maggie, in her legal office and has decided they all need to work on getting a man out of jail that she believes innocent based on her research in Maggie's file room. (Izzy also discovers Rae has a boyfriend, Fred, who quickly becomes a family favorite.)
Izzy's friend and lawyer, Morty, (in his 80's) is calling her regularly from Florida where he and his wife, Ruthie, retired and he says he has a plan to return to San Francisco. Her landlord continues to show up unexpectedly in her flat when he and is wife are fighting -- causing a scene with Connor.
Henry, the policeman who helped them investigate Rae's disappearance in another book, is still on the scene as Rae's friend and wants Izzy to practice her friendship skills, too, by being his friend. (Interpersonal skills aren't Izzy's strong suit so Henry has his job cut out for him.)
Reading a Spellman book has always been a treat -- they're fun and full of surprises. I'm already looking for the next one in the series, "Trail of the Spellmans." pazt
I'm almost positive I have read this book before but was unable to search my own blog site to be sure. However, it has been long enough ago that, if I have, I had forgotten most of it so I probably should have started with the first book in the series and read them all over again!
Izzy (Isabel) Spellman is 32 and taking over Spellman Investigations from her parents who wish to retire. Her current boyfriend, Connor, is an Irish bartender who is likely to become Ex-boyfriend #12.
Her major case is investigating a missing person from an aging millionaire's home and she persuades her actor friend, Len, to work there undercover replacing the missing butler until she can figure out what is going on. However, this arrangement doesn't sit well with his partner when Len adopts a British accent that appears to be on the brink of becoming permanent.
Izzy's heart, however, is set on digging up dirt on a competitive firm owned by an ex-cop, Rick Harvey, who she believes is conducting his business in an unscrupulous manner.
At home (also known as the Spellman Headquarters) items seem to be disappearing throughout the house -- door knobs, light fixtures, etc -- but Izzy's parents don't seem to think it is odd.
Izzy's younger sister, Rae, is helping out David's girlfriend, Maggie, in her legal office and has decided they all need to work on getting a man out of jail that she believes innocent based on her research in Maggie's file room. (Izzy also discovers Rae has a boyfriend, Fred, who quickly becomes a family favorite.)
Izzy's friend and lawyer, Morty, (in his 80's) is calling her regularly from Florida where he and his wife, Ruthie, retired and he says he has a plan to return to San Francisco. Her landlord continues to show up unexpectedly in her flat when he and is wife are fighting -- causing a scene with Connor.
Henry, the policeman who helped them investigate Rae's disappearance in another book, is still on the scene as Rae's friend and wants Izzy to practice her friendship skills, too, by being his friend. (Interpersonal skills aren't Izzy's strong suit so Henry has his job cut out for him.)
Reading a Spellman book has always been a treat -- they're fun and full of surprises. I'm already looking for the next one in the series, "Trail of the Spellmans." pazt
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