Tips to Choose Payday Loan

Loan could help you to solve your financial problem and online loan make it so easy for you to apply and get the money. On the other hand, wrong choice of loan will lead you to debt problem that you will never able to avoid bankruptcy. Do you know how to choose payday loan?

The lender is the most important thing to be considered. You must only choose legal and reputable lender. If you choose loan network to increase your chance, you need to choose legal and reputable provider for the lenders in the network will be legal and reputable too. Instead of nationwide payday loans, it is better to choose local payday loans in your state since different state may have different regulation for payday and other online loans. Interest rate and fees is very important that you must make sure you have the ability to pay in on your repayment. The next thing important is terms and conditions that you must read it entirely with careful so you will know what you can expect and what will happen with you after you get the loan.

Always thing about it carefully before apply. Make sure you get optimum benefit from the loan and do not borrow more than you can afford to repay. 

The Hunt for Ideal Life Insurance Quotes

Everybody will get older and soon people will realize that they have to get such stable condition for the future life. People will do the best in getting some great support for the future life. It is well explained in the special service of life insurance. 

The service of life insurance will not abandon the future life that you can get. This is why the service of life insurance will provide the best for you. It can be seen from the great benefit of gaining the impressive life insurance quotes. Some life insurance services may be able to give the high amount of compensation for particular cases. If you want to learn more about the simplicity in finding the great life insurance service, it is suggested that you hunt for the information via online.

 
The detail for the service of life insurance may be available in the internet and it will be easy for you to get to know about the great policy that will be given for the deal in using the service of life insurance. Just use your time to learn about the deal once you have a special desire of using the service of life insurance. Ensure that the policy of life insurance will be suitable to something that you want.

Get Auto Insurance Coverage Right Away

Most of the people might not think that insurance service is something which can be helpful for them. Take the example of the auto insurance service. They think that as long as they can drive safely and take good care of the condition of the car, they will not face any troublesome condition.

Well, the things that have been stated before are actually related to the theoretical matters. In other words, it is what is thought by the people. However, the real situation might be different. It is very possible for your car to have some kind of problems or you have sudden accident. Of course, such situation will make you regret in thinking the way how it has been stated earlier. That is why you are highly recommended to get the help from the insurance company to cover the condition of your car. Well, there is nothing to worry about it.

It is true that you will need to spend some money for such insurance service. However, you should assume it as your investment. Whenever bad things really happen in which the chance can be quite high, you will have the financial assistance to cover such bad things. So, are you still thinking that insurance service is not important?

Convergence: A Novel of a Catastrophic Future

Well thought out, systematically executed science fiction (or fact), this novel is humanity's frantic response to the effects of its own ignorance. Of the catastrophe, climate change is only one of the effects. What becomes clear is that when an "effect" arises, it then can and does "affect" other systems. It is kind of an anti-symbiosis wherein the damage caused by ever increasingly interdepending disasters fuels the fire for their own destruction.

This is not a spoiler. The narrative of Convergence ends with a note from an anthrohistorian in 2721, 700 years after the collapse. "A finite world can support only a finite population; therefore, population growth must eventually equal zero." In addition to the controversial partisanship stalemating problems such as climate change, economic inequality and unceasing warfare, overpopulation has become equally destructive. By the narrative's end, the author states the uncomfortable question bluntly. As much as we've done (or propose to do) about those economic, social and climate issues, should we also consider regulating human breeding? And if so, how can we prevent a Big Brother scenario if such considerations are made and implemented?

Paul Boerger's novel "Convergence" addresses this very issue by presenting a stark, dystopic future resulting from multiple problems all converging at a certain time: 2020. The novel makes the case that we are able to prevent our own destruction, genetically determined or not, but this requires keen awareness of ecology, evolution, conscience, economic equality and the relative morality in terms of the social and the individual good. Perhaps the most shocking or thought-provoking elements of the book is the warning about overpopulation. Although not outright liberal, this novel differs from works such as 1984, Brave New World, and Anthem in that it proposes that a lack of government reform on social and industrial practices (rather than an overabundance of state interference) are to blame for the impending catastrophe.

"Convergence" shifts back and forth between three essential time periods: pre-convergence (2020), post-convergence (2220) and the convergence itself (2021). The perhaps intentional irony is that pre-sight (not hindsight) is 2020, the very year global problems are beginning to converge. As each scientist reiterates, at any point in time during the novel, these problems were preventable. A virus breaks out, many small wars are being fought around the world (so many, that the total far exceeds the fighting in either of the World Wars), and the gap between the rich and poor has never been greater. Each problem leads to others and exacerbates them all. Thus, the convergence is not just a coalescence of world changing events, but an exponential chain reaction making each event more catastrophic.

The omniscient narrative shifts back and forth between the three years (2020, 2021 and 2220) with a series of updates or news reports, making the novel read like a non-linear (yet cogent) series of articles, damage control documents and journal entries. As the novel jumps from year to year, it also follows separate lives, some of whom also converge on each other, reinforcing one of the novel's central themes which is that "everything affects everything." And despite the constant shifting in perspective and time, the narrative flows quite smoothly, the complex convergence of catastrophic events coalesces like the analogous, yet paradoxical, perfect storm.

The novel ends with a short note from Boerger and an inclusion of the essay "Tragedy of the Commons," by Garret Hardin, which proposes regulation on human breeding. The article makes a very methodical argument on the ecological and evolutionary impacts of legislating such regulation. Without legislative regulations on breeding, only those who are selfless and intelligent enough to restrain from breeding will do so voluntarily. Ergo, by the rules of evolution, in time, those thoughtful restrainers will be weeded out, leaving only those who do not consider the social good. In other words, conscience will be weeded out evolutionarily. This is an even more stark outcome of the typical post-apocalyptic scenario because we not only would have lost a sense of humanity; we would also have lost the awareness of its value.

Dead of Knight by William R Potter Is a Suspenseful Thriller That Is Tough to Put Down

Author William R. Potter scores big with his mystery, suspense thriller, Dead of Knight. Set in the rural community of Hanson, British Columbia, we follow a police detective and his partner as they hunt down a serial killer.

This may sound like a well-used storyline, but Potter weaves a different kind of tale, rich in details, twists, and heart-thumping scenes. As the number of victims increase, the story-plot thickens, and we find ourselves in a mess of false suspects, copycats, and dead-end clues. Add to all this the element of differing and bickering politics between various branches of law enforcement, and you've got some frustrating moments. Just when you think the case is about to broken, something happens which throws the police off and another murder is committed.

In addition to all of the above, our main character police detective is being haunted by a past. He's a good cop and a thorough detective, but he once made a terrible mistake that resulted in a child being shot. These memories almost cause him to lose his career as well as his cool a few times. As we go along, there's an incident where he's close, but the killer gets the upper hand and makes an attempt on his life that results in severe injuries. At one point, a criminal is caught that many think is the killer, and this guy even confesses to the murders. But our detective knows better and continues on his quest to capture the real serial killer even when other cops, including his own boss, don't believe him. Against these and other odds, our detective keeps focus and in some cases, single-handedly pieces together clues about the killer.

The press has come to call this killer 'The Birthday Boy' due to the fact that one of his many trademarks is killing on the victim's birthday. But we come to find out there's a specific reason for this. In fact, the killer leaves several trademarks that end up having to do with particular events in a very dark past. This killer is actually out for revenge, and his whole life has been consumed with planning and executing a series of murders he believes he's doing in the name of justice and even righteousness.

There are elements throughout this work that make it believable and realistic. If you're a reader that needs to have the feel-good and hero-saves-all storyline, this is not a book for you. This is a gritty account of how evil can and does hurt not just some, but in this case, a lot of innocent victims. Our killer is smart and is able to stay several steps ahead of the police even as he knows they are closing in. Unfortunately, this is a reality that cannot be denied. In real life there have been very intelligent killers that have gotten away with scores more than this killer does, and some have never been caught. This work also contains a level of violence and language that some may not want to read. But again, this is the world we live in.

In the end, there is justice, but not without a huge price. Our police detective is drained both physically and emotionally for a number of reasons. Additionally, one of the cops we come to know ends up dead. But with his remaining strength, our detective sets out in search of a lost person that helps him, at least to some extent, heal his broken past.

If you think this book is for you, then read Dead of Knight, but be prepared to read in long bouts without putting it down. It's suspenseful, it's sometimes frustrating, but it's gripping. It will make you want to see how it concludes. I would be surprised if a movie company didn't eventually pick up on this work.

Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He holds a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Anne and two sons.

Flame of Resistance

WW2 like all other historic events, even recent ones, makes for exciting books of all genres and this one is no exception! FLAME is a French resistance cell that operates like all other cells, undercover in plain sight. Tom is in the USAAF and is shot down shortly before D-Day. He is met by a Frenchman who questions him briefly about many things to make sure he is who he says he is. Once Tom passes the test, he is left in the care of an elderly woman until he heals from his wounds. All Tom knows about this grand lady is that she has hidden and cared for many Allied soldiers. Is that all there is to this lady or is there more to her story?

Since Tom resembles a German soldier he is recruited by the resistance to infiltrate and carry out a mission that has direct implications for D-Day. All Tom wants to do is get back in the air as a pilot, until he meets a woman in a brothel. Her name is Brigitte. She has inherited the house from her grandfather and turns it into a brothel as she figures it is the only means to survive since she lost the love of her life along with everyone else while waiting for freedom.

Braun is a German officer of sorts who shows his true colors later in the story in a way that is a surprise to the reader. Inside a building is where the SS takes its prisoners to extract information from them in some very torturous ways. Is there no one in France with a heart of compassion? Where is the faith and fight of the people? Keep reading the novel as there are many important characters, scenes, twists and turns to this work of fiction.

The characters are from many different backgrounds; seemingly some operate one way only for the reader to discover something else. At different times in the suspenseful telling of the story, the reader won't be able to quit reading because of the spellbinding tale presented. You will find yourself at the edge of your seat, waiting in suspense to turn the page and find out how different difficulties are handled by spies, allies, and ordinary people during the occupation.

Prepare for a rollercoaster ride when you begin this novel of suspense, mystery, and more as history unfolds in the pages of Flame of Resistance. The author does a superb job of weaving many threads together into a work of art that captures both the heart and the imagination of readers. It is a 5+ star rating from beginning to end. Well done!

Cottage by the Sea, a Wonderful Novel

"The First and the First Lady" is first and foremost a fictitious tale about how President Obama and the First Lady met and fell in love. It's a sweet love story with a strong comedic flavor, a step above the typical romantic comedy.

From the very beginning, readers are immersed in the titillating story of Barack Obama as he tries to convince the women in his life that he is worth so much more than great sex. That topic alone may have been enough for a different kind of writer but not Michael David and Sarah Box they have a few tricks up their sleeves.

"The First and the First Lady" follows a young Barack Obama as he learns to stand up for himself, speak his mind and pursue what's important to him. The story catapults to greatness with the introduction of Dr. Berry. Dr. Berry is quite funny as the quack psychologist who is obviously more in need of therapy than his patients. He gives us outrageous and bizarre characterization that leads to clever dialogue and gives the tale the edge and uniqueness that we so love and admire.

This romantic tale is not just about romance. It's about something much more important empowering yourself and going for what you really want at all costs. Barack Obama, a hopeless romantic, is convinced that the world is populated with sex-starved women. Throughout his days and nights, he is bombarded with vivacious, sultry women, visiting his apartment, even accosting him on the street. Though he shares some enjoyable moments with these women, Barack grows tired of the overwhelming attention. It has gone on long enough and he wants so much more.

When Barack finally meets the girl that he believes is like no other, we learn the true meaning of pulling out all stops. Just when we think the story has come to a successful conclusion, the writer throws us a curve, proving once again that true comedy is totally unpredictable.

Michael David and Sarah Box's story picks up hot and heavy steam in the middle and hurtles to a memorable, feel-good conclusion. With the authors' infused dialogue and charged action, Michael David and Sarah Box make it clear in no uncertain terms that they are a major new voice in the literary world.

"The First and the First Lady" is a unique story filled with quick wit and many surprises and there are no lulls in this screenplay, so get comfortable because you will read it all in one sitting. It's easy to read without being overly descriptive, and the characters are people we would love to meet. Readers will be impressed by this comedy in so many ways.

Skip Rocks Shallow by Jan Watson

The year is 1908, and the setting is in the coal mining mountains of Kentucky. At this time in history and in this area, there weren't a lot of modern conveniences and the people weren't "up with the times" according to the society at that time. Will the character adapt or run for home?

Lilly Corbett has just graduated from medical school in Boston and has agreed to a short 3-4 month stay in Skip Rock as the coal company's physician. The old doctor has passed away so she is just filling in until a permanent replacement can be found. She has her fiancé waiting for her in Boston. He is a surgeon and from a wealthy family. Lilly grew up in the mountains not far from Skip Rock. She has her life all planned out and can't wait to get back to Boston. At first, she is unwelcome by the town's people because she is a female physician and no man is going to be treated by a woman! Then, it is discovered that the man who has been working as her assistant is in fact her cousin. He lets everyone know she is his kin, and Lilly becomes much more welcome. She begins to treat more and more people and develops a love for this town and its' people.

Tern Still or is it Joe Repp? Whatever his real name is, he is a coal mine worker who reminds Lilly of someone familiar. Who does he remind her of? Where could she have met him? Why has he shown up here in this small town? Is he following her? Tern has eyes only for Lilly and begins to spend time with her in hopes that he can reveal to her the truth about himself. He has strayed from being a practicing Christian and he has no prayer life. In the midst of tragedy, does he remember what his mother taught him about God?

Lilly receives a letter from her boss asking her to commit to five years as physician at Skip Rock. The town desperately needs a physician and she is already there and begun to be accepted by the people. What should she do? Should she stay? If she stays, will her fiancé support her decision? Will they still have a relationship? How does she really feel about Tern/Joe? Will Lilly obey what she knows the Lord has put on her heart or will she follow her head and continue with her well-laid plans?

Jan Watson does a nice job showing the interactions between the characters and gives them a depth so they are not just surface characters. There is a great supporting cast of characters. I loved the character of Armina! She is sassy, but also a hard worker, and caretaker. So come and spend some time with the characters of Skip Rock.

The Hunger Games Review and Themes

The Hunger Games, most likely you have seen the movie, or maybe even read the book, but do you understand it or realize why you love it so much? For many this answer is no. They just know that the book is great and that they enjoyed reading it. This review will hopefully give some understanding to this epic book and address the many qualities and disappointments that fans had for this dominating series. Be aware for those who have yet to read this book, many spoilers will be included.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was published in 2008. Since then it has become the favorite book of many as well as a box office hit. The book starts off through the eyes of Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year old living in District 12 of Panem, formally known as America. Panem is a very poor nation with all who live there suffering and starving, with the exception of the Capital where all the rich people live. To remind the 12 districts who is in control, the Capital holds the annual Hunger Games where each district must submit to children ranging from ages 12-18 to fight to the death. Only one will win. Each child gets one entry in the Hunger Game pool when they turn twelve and an extra entry each year until they are eighteen. Many children are entered in more, however, for they can enter themselves in more times in exchange for food.

Katniss, who is a known law-breaker by hunting for food, has many entries into the Hunger games, though it is not herself that she fears for. She fears for her sister Prim who just turned twelve with only one entry and her best friend Gale who is eighteen with many entries. When the time comes for to select the Hunger game participants, shockingly Prim gets selected. Katniss is overcome with emotion and will not allow for her younger sister to be shoved into an arena of death, so she volunteers herself in her sister's place. The second person chosen is a boy named Peeta who has always shown Katniss kindness. She is sad for him to because she knows that if it comes down to it, she may have to kill him.

Peeta and Katniss are then whisked away to the Capital where they are to prepare for the Hunger Games. Both participants know that they have almost no chance of winning since in many other districts the participants spend their life training for these games. Nevertheless, they try their hardest and soon learn that Peeta is very skilled when it comes to strength and that Katniss is skilled with a bow and arrow.

Peeta and Katniss then have to make their live appearance to the public, where they are the talk of the nation for their costumes make them appear as if they were actually on fire. It is then that Katniss receives the long lasting nickname of The Girl on Fire. Next, during the live interview process, Peeta makes remark insinuating that Katniss and he are star-crossed lovers who will never get the chance to be together. Though this is false, and quite frankly makes Katniss mad, it earns them many fans who will be great help during the game for they are allowed to send them supplies during many parts of the Hunger Games. It is soon after this interview that Katniss and Peeta are lowered into what is assumed to be their death, The Hunger Games.

There are many themes to this book that aid in its popularity. The first of many would be family sacrifice. There is no love that is truer than family, and this book is the perfect example of it. By stepping up to take her sisters place, Katniss is essentially dying for her sister, for she has no expectations of making it out alive. I feel that many current books focus on the romance side of love and completely forget or leave out love when it comes to family. It is very refreshing to have a book show this kind of love at its truest form and the emotions that come with it. This part of the book gets two thumbs up from me!

The second theme that I really loved in the book is female empowerment. Instead of having Katniss playing a helpless damsel in distress, she is out there with the rest of the boys kicking butt. When she found out that she was going into the Hunger Games, she had the mentality that if it comes to it, I am ready to die, but until then I am going to try my hardest to live. I know that many book characters would have the girls crying their eyes out, but instead they show Katniss as a strong willed person with the mentality to do whatever it takes. Also when she finally gets into the arena, she shows that she is just as good if not stronger than the men.

The last theme that I enjoyed in this book is being true to yourself. Katniss showed over and over again in the Hunger Games that even put in the worst circumstances, she would not let the capital change her. She had many chances to kill people to better herself in the game, but she refused to unless she was protecting someone that she loved. For example, when the little girl named Rue, who reminded her of her sister, came up to her, she had every chance to kill her, for Rue was an easy target and it would have been a quick fix to better herself in the games. Instead Katniss helped her and did everything that she could to keep her alive. Also in the last part of the book, it is only Katniss and Peeta left. When the game makers says that one of them has to kill the other, Katniss refuses and they both try to kill themselves before they try to kill one another. If that's not staying true to yourself, then I don't know what is.

Many critics of the book many say that this book is not well written and is very adolescent. In response to not being well written, is it Shakespeare? No. But it is obviously written well enough to sell over a million copies. Those critics sound a little jealous to me. And when it comes be adolescent, they are correct. It is a young adult book, so it's supposed to be adolescent. I would, however, not let anyone younger than 14 read this book because there are some very graphic parts and adult themes tied into it.

In conclusion, my review of The Hunger Games can be summed up in one word, Amazing. It gives me everything I want in a book and still brings something new to the table. For the one percent out there who has not yet read this awesome book, I beg you too. I can almost ensure you that you will love it, and if you don't then you can at least join into the conversation that the rest of the planet is having about these books.

Mission to Paris: A Novel

Alan Furst, a master story writer and best-selling author, has returned to World War II as the setting for his work Mission to Paris: A Novel. Indeed, the setting for Mission is in the run-up to World War II as the Nazis begin working their mind-games against the French.

An American star, Frederic Stahl, is on his way to make film for Paramount and the Nazi propaganda machine's secret department is cranking itself up to use Stahl - or so they think - as part of their plan to destabilize France from within and its will to win.

What they don't know about Stahl is that he, too, is an agent, working for the American Embassy against Germany. Stahl is aghast and horrified by the Nazis and what was to become known as "the final solution." In 1938, though, the Nazis could not reveal their true agenda to the world or they would have quickly been cut off by the rest of society so they had to work behind the scenes to do their deeds.

The key to his novel, though, is Furst's ability as an author. His works are called "page-turners" by the trade. Some have called him the best spy novelist in the business this generation, on a par with the master spy novelist John LeCarre. After reading him, we would have to agree.

The list of characters that Furst's fertile imagination creates and the reality you feel is amazing. Take, the Baroness von Reschke, a famous beauty, a deeply committed Nazi who is also deeply committed to the operations against France. As noted, the intimate scenes in which she is involved are well drawn and believable. Indeed, each character, as noted, is just that believable, including the Nazi thugs, Janoz and Lothar, who, though they seem just from the trees, are also quite creepy as assassins.

This work must have taken a great deal out of Furst because of the way he details the film cast and crew; members of the diplomatic community and Stahl's lovers. Like a puzzle, not only is each piece a small work of art that is meant to fit into a larger work, the whole of Mission to Paris is greater than the sum of its parts.

Whether you read it the old-fashioned way, as a standard book, or you download the Kindle version, you should be glad you did.

Hopefully, Furst will remain as prolific as other writers of this genre, as reading his work is something you should not miss.

Competing Sisters - A Summer Bird-Cage by Margaret Drabble

A Summer Bird-Cage by Margaret Drabble is a book with a hyphen in the title. This is apposite, since it presents a tale of two sisters, Louise and Sarah who, in a short but intense period of their lives, realise that there is an enduring bond between them, even if that bond may be no more than an agreement to compete.

Louise and Sarah have both been to Oxford. Louise is three years older than Sarah, who estimates that her sister is thus also three inches taller than herself. They are both beautiful, desirable young women, clearly drawn from society's existing elite and destined not to tread beyond the boundaries of their class. Sarah's first person narrative begins as she graduates, just as her older sister is about to marry Stephen Halifax. He is an awfully sophisticated author - whose books, nevertheless and by common consent, are pretty ropey - who seems permanently to roll in it, where 'it' refers to a mixture of money and whatever it is that allows an individual to claim the label 'Bohemian'. (Being born in Bohemia would not endow that status, of course. We are literary, darling, not literal!) And Louise is twenty-four, for God's sake, if we still demand His approbation in the 1960s. It is time she did something with her life, settled down, started a family, at least aspired to the respectable.

Sarah laments her sister's good fortune. For years one side of her assumed future has yearned to attach such trappings to her own life, a standpoint to which she might only occasionally admit in mixed company. There is a gentleman friend, but he has hopped it across the Atlantic for a while to do some research. She wonders if he will ever come back. In matters of the heart, the immediate is always more likely to stir the emotions.

Throughout A Summer Bird-Cage the two sisters interact and we hear Sarah's version of the envy, the bitchiness, the conflict, the resolution, the co-operation, the closeness and distance of their relationship. There are several parties where new people appear to gossip, to speculate or to provoke. Much is learned in these highly ceremonial gatherings about others.

And, as far as plot goes, that's about it. There are some flaming rows, but no-one draws a gun. There is conflict, but no-one's life is threatened. There's duplicity, but the greatest sting is committed by a taxi driver who goes off with a whole two shillings of extra and undeserved tip. But even as early as the nineteen sixties lovers would sometimes take baths together!

Via Sarah's frailties, imaginings, intellect, prejudice and eventual good sense and loyalty, Margaret Drabble presents a magnificent study in character and the human condition. If the reader were to pass Sarah on the street, not only would she be recognisable, she would immediately demand greeting. "By the way," the reader might ask her, "did you really feel such resentment at everything your sister... " And no doubt Sarah would reply at length and in detail.

In A Summer Bird-Cage the encounters are real. The events are credible. The failings of these people are purely human, rendering them completely three dimensional. Yes, the society they inhabit is rarefied, elitist and limited in its world view, but surely they existed and, via this superb novel, still do.

Book Review: Coastal Empire

Fiction/Mystery
Coastal Empire
Rocky Leonard
2012
Each Voice Publishing
329 pages

In author Rocky Leonard's debut novel, Coastal Empire, Savannah private detective Robert Mercer, finds himself in the middle of an elaborate, illegal real estate scheme after taking a job to track a suspected philanderer. What begins as a simple case soon becomes a tangled web of fraud and murder. Mercer risks his on life as he works to save the remaining targets on the criminals' list. This story has a complicated plot that moves in unexpected directions.

After receiving a thank you card from a jeweler in Atlanta, Sarah Reid hires Robert Mercer to find out if her husband, Barry Reid, a prominent local real estate agent, is cheating on her. Mercer accepts the job and spends a couple of days in Atlanta searching for the man who sent the thank you card. During his investigation, Mercer meets Kelly, a woman who originally presents herself as an employee of the jewelry store, but who Mercer later discovers is a significant figure in his case.

Upon his return to Savannah, Mercer meets Nick Mason when Nick runs out into the middle of the street as Mercer and his dog Ox are making their way home. This chance meeting turns into a partnership when Nick informs Mercer of strange real estate transactions involving multimillion dollar properties and a local attorney. When the men discover that the owners of two of those properties were killed just months after a real estate trust on their properties was set up, they investigate the key players in the scheme. Barry Reid happens to be one of them.

Leonard has created an intriguing storyline that demands the reader keep up with each twist and insertion of new information in order to comprehend fully what the characters are up against. Mercer emerges as a powerful force in the book, as he makes capturing the criminals and saving prospective victims his mission. His intelligence, military background, and compassion make Mercer an attractive lead and a solid anchor for future books in the Robert Mercer mystery series. There are many characters in this book whose roles must be defined and connected to the main plot. Fortunately, Leonard successfully connects all of the dots and doesn't leave a single loose thread as the story ends.

A Baseball Novel About a Female Phenom

Fari Madrigal was a baseball pitcher who only comes around maybe once in a lifetime, and pitching coach Chet Macquire (aka: Mac) for the World Series-winning team, the Minnesota Twins, knows Fari is special, the "Real Thing," the very first time he sees footage of the phenom from Santa Domingo. Just how special Fari really is, Mac doesn't realize until he flies to the Dominican Republic and sees the pitcher in person. Fari displays remarkable control, has mastered several types of pitches besides the fastball to fool batters with, and-Fari is a woman. She is one of the best, if not the best, pitcher Mac has ever seen; but, will she be able to make it on the team, and be the first female ever to pitch in the Major Leagues?

I have to say, e-books are the coming thing, gaining more and more in popularity daily. I, myself, have written three e-books and am working on a fourth. Each is available in paperback, as well. E-books, though, are very portable, convenient, and you can carry around an entire library of them wherever you go. So, though many sites still don't deal with many e-book reviews, I was glad to get the opportunity to review the highly entertaining and page-turning Fastball Fari by the talented author Michael Cruit.

Fari is the twenty-five-year-old daughter of the deceased Major League relief pitcher Jose Madrigal. She is beautiful, with looks that could have made her a model. She may have a certain amount of telekinetic ability, also, that helps her accuracy. She also has a condition similar to autism, Aspberger's Syndrome, like the character of Walter Bishop in the TV series, Fringe. She is not impossible to get a hit off of; but she definitely makes hitters work to get one.

Fari is represented by her mother, Frances, who is a great character in her own right. Frances is a tough negotiator. Though she is aware that, no matter how great Fari is, getting paid more than the minimum of $100,000 the first year that most baseball players earn is probably going to be a hard sell. But, she works her negotiating magic a different way, getting Jack Daniels (JD) Johnson, the team's General Manager, to donate millions of dollars to stop the deforestation of rain forests in the Dominican Republic and Central America.

As cool of a character as Fari is, the characters around her also are very realistically portrayed and three-dimensional. Mac, still in mourning over the loss of his wife, who died of cancer, is a character I really found myself liking. He is taken with Fari, and starts to fall for her, despite the difference in their ages. He also has a twelve-year-old daughter, Kim, who he deeply cares for and loves, and Kim is another favorite character of mine in the novel.

Everyone who comes into contact with Fari is changed by her, and her remarkable skills, beauty, charisma, and presence. She is even chosen to be the pitcher for the opening game the Twins will play against the White Sox. Ticket sales soar, a huge amount of publicity is generated, and Fari gains admirers everywhere. But, she also gets attention of an undesirable nature, ranging from cat-calls to sexually suggestive e-mails to stalkers. These distractions threaten to cut short her promising career before it barely starts. What's worse, even the team's physician, Doc Skipper Harris, who is having a rocky relationship with his wife and other issues, is sexually attracted to Fari.

Fastball Fari by Michael Cruit is a stupendously well-written, engrossing debut novel. It's proof, as if any more were needed, that Indie authors can write with just as much skill and authority as any published by major companies. There's room for a sequel to be written, and I would love to read one; but, I'm sure that whatever book Michael Cruit writes next will be one that is well-written, and deserving of a wide audience. I'd highly recommend this very cool and unique book to anyone who is a fan of baseball, books about women breaking into fields dominated by men, and to anyone who loves reading great fiction, in general. Check it out today!

The Second Empress by Michelle Moran: A Review

Michelle Moran explored the French Revolution years in her popular Madam Tussaud. Her new novel, The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court revives the next chapter in French history. The story opens in the year 1809 and covers the latter part of Emperor Napoleon's reign.

After conquering most of Europe, Napoleon is greatly fatigued but must set himself to the task producing the all-important heir. He divorces his beloved but barren Josephine. This turbulent story is told from the point of view of the three key women. Born of royal Austrian blood, Marie-Louise (Napoleon's second wife) leaves her home to become the reluctant baby-maker. Hortense Beauharnais, stepdaughter from Napoleon's first wife Josephine, is her sympathetic ally. Pauline, Napoleon's promiscuous, narcissistic sister is vicious in her efforts to oust her brother's new wife so that she can claim the crown for herself. A fourth voice is Pauline's chamberlain and confidant, Paul Moreau.

The wealth of historical detail, drawn from the women's notes and letters, creates a realistic portrait of the heady royal court gone berserk. Marie Louise is decidedly the most interesting character, but the shifting points of view interfere with any real character development. The book comes across as a series of vignettes. Michelle Moran's signature is to immediately draw the reader in to her historical period. This book is no exception, but it lacked the immediacy and continuity of Madame Tussaud.

The Farm Is A Crackling Good Radioactive Read

There are many ways to become a marked man in this life. One is to have secrets that powerful individuals fear getting out and becoming public knowledge. For former Navy SEAL and medical doctor Andy Carlson, it's also about having a deeply ingrained sense of morality. If the secret you're guarding threatens countless human lives, and could potentially endanger national security, one's priorities should shift from closely guarding secrets to deciding to throw in the towel as a good soldier. In the edge-of-your-seat page-turner, The Farm, by the talented author Charles C. Anderson, that's just what Carlson does-he resigns from the SEALs, though he still remains a member of the Reserves. The evidence he discovers suggests that the U.S. government is secretly buying old Soviet tactical nuclear weapons for purposes other than disarmament.

Leaving behind his old life as a Navy SEAL, where he followed orders without asking too many questions, a life where he killed whoever he was either ordered to kill or who was an obstacle to his mission, and resuming his career as an emergency physician, does not mean other interested parties are through with him. Repercussions emanating from his final mission, in which he and his friend Josiah (Joe) Chambers are inserted into the Saudi Arabian desert by helicopter. Joe dies when the helicopter they're flying in blows up during a sandstorm, but Andy, the first one out of the plane, survives. He carries out his mission, and rescues a then sixteen-year-old young woman from sexual abuse and possibly getting tortured and murdered.

Andy Carlson's resignation from the SEALs and his return to his family's ancestral farm in Virginia called "The Farm," is not enough to deter certain interested parties from attempting to kill him and eliminate the possibility the secrets he knows will ever become public knowledge. The CIA is after Carlson, as are Russian arms dealers. Can one man hope to survive such a determined onslaught of pursuers?

The Farm is a richly complex novel, one that is extremely well-researched. Charles C. Anderson has created intense, larger-that-life three-dimensional characters, and, as in his novel The First To Say No, he displays an impressive knowledge of the medical profession and history. That's because Anderson is, himself, a retired Naval officer, and emergency physician, and a weapons specialist, and he lives in Virginia at the actual plantation known as The Farm that's almost like a character in its own right in his novel. Anderson writes with immense authority about the history of The Farm, Farmville, and Virginia, because he and his family have lived there for generations. It's been in his family since 1743, and has played an important role throughout America's history. Knowing that the place called The Farm is an actual plantation with tunnels and caves underneath it and the grounds where it's built upon made the novel pop for me.

I had not known before reading The Farm how vital the place Hampton Roads which Anderson writes about is to America. Four nuclear carriers could be destroyed if a nuclear warhead went off there, at "the only shipyard capable of building those Nimitz class carriers." This would be both militarily and economically crippling to the United States. As Andy tells the CIA agent, Lindsey: "The last time I heard, each carrier cost five billion dollars and each took five years to build."

When Andy's friend Joe Chambers died on his last mission in Saudi Arabia, Andy had to hold back his emotions, to get back to America alive and in one piece. The experience made him into a functioning alcoholic, and because of that experience, and others we read about in The Farm, it's with good reason that Andy thinks of the Deputy Director of the CIA, James Harrison, as the Weasel. Harrison is a cunning, resourceful person, but he's also very self-serving. Carlson discovers that the Weasel's interest in Russian nuclear warheads has nothing `t all to do with a desire to make sure Russia is complying with disarmament. Instead, he has something much more sinister in mind:

    "Is that your goal, to disarm these warheads permanently?" Andy asked.

    "What else could we do with them?"

    "You could use them to blame some nuclear terrorist act on somebody else," Andy said.

    "You're asking me to believe the best from you when all I've seen is your worst side."

Andy has a few tricks up his sleeve, like his intimate knowledge of The Farm, its tunnel and cave systems, and other aspects of the fortress-like plantation, and three allies who I won't get into much in this review as they're mentioned elsewhere in other reviews. Reading about the strategies he uses against the CIA and Russians was very fascinating. Will Andy's expertise with weapons, his medical knowledge, and The Farm itself, enable him to outwit and defeat his foes? Read the excellent novel The Farm to find out!

50 Shades of Grey Trilogy Review

This review of the 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy attempts to understand why the books have become such a success.

The novels originally started out as Twilight fan fiction so as anyone who has read Twilight will know, the novels are, in essence, a romance between a couple with very different personalities and backgrounds.

The two main characters in the books are Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey with Christian being the "50 Shades" from the title.

Anastasia is an inexperienced, innocent college student. She is young and beautiful and self-conscious. She has never been in love and never found anyone who even tempted her into a relationship. Although she has many admirers she is unaware of the effect she has on the men in her life so when she first stumbles into Christians office she is not expecting to find love and at first she doesn't.

Christian is the complete opposite of Ana, he is a successful self-made billionaire who also happens to be extremely handsome but feels he is incapable of loving anyone. He comes across as jealous, controlling and bad tempered, all of which he is. He does not have relationships, just sexual partners and to call it a partnership would be wrong it is much more like an arrangement.

Without giving too much away the plot revolves around the couple's relationship. it's a case of opposites attract in the extreme and the struggle the pair have to try and fit into each other's world. Can two people with two completely different outlooks make a relationship work?

The books are classed as erotic fiction and they are, but the underlying plot is not the sexual relationship between the pair but the emotional and physical connection. A series of novels about a couple who strive to make it against the odds.

So why do readers love the 50 Shades Trilogy?

Quite simply, because it's a love story and the novels appeal to women mostly. However many people wrongly assume that the subject of BDSM and the idea of perhaps being handcuffed or spanked are what has women all over the world excited about the series. The truth is that the appeal for many women is not in fact the steamy scenario's presented in the books but the all-consuming love that Christian has for Ana.

Why One City Finds Books Fifty Shades of Burnt

With the momentum of the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon still building and anticipation of the movie filling the air; it is no surprise that a few negative-nancies are surfacing. Recently in Cleveland, two outspoken radio DJs hosted a Fifty Shades of Grey book burning; claiming that it was all in good fun but also hosting the event under the guise that the book is offensive toward women. Although only about 25 copies were burned in the blaze, set fire atop a sand pit for safety purposes, attendees made a point of speaking their minds about why they were there. Some said that the book ruined relationships, claiming that it made women have too high of expectations of their men. Others stated that the book is demeaning to women and the writing is not up to par, so to speak.

It's interesting and comical that male guests of the book burning event claim the book to be offensive to women. As female readers we are aware of exactly what we are picking up when we purchase this book. We are not fooled nor do we come with blinders on. We know that we are reading a fun, sexually exciting, love story... there is no false hope for an intellectually challenging, literary masterpiece. Female readers do not expect a scholarly piece with this novel, we merely want to read something that will piqué our interest and pass our time in a way other than staring at the television screen. For book burners to claim it is offensive in a way we female readers do not realize, they are underestimating our intelligence and undermining our reasoning for reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

As for those who believe the book has ruined relationships, that is an unfortunate and false assumption on their part. If men truly believe that their relationship was or can be ruined by a book's contents, the state of the relationship was or is obviously not stable to begin with. Placing blame on a book and the romance it contains only shows how little attention a man has paid to past events; it is an excuse not a valid reason. For the book burners who felt destroying the book was a symbol of taking back relationships, or proving the books guilt in a failed marriage, maybe some deep thinking is in order. Just maybe, these men should take their wives or girlfriends heightened libido any way they can get it... and go out and buy them a shiny new copy of Fifty Shades of Grey.

The Third Grace

Just like Paul preaching at Mars Hill way back when, this wonderful debut novel weaves a modern story of choices. What choices? The same as the people in Mars Hill had... whether to believe in various idols or in the One True God. Mary Grace was raised on a farm with her siblings in Nebraska. At a young age, she decided that she wanted to live in the city. A young man from France came to live with Mary Grace and her family as an exchange student when suddenly an event happened that changed lives forever.

Mary Grace changed her name to one of the three goddesses depicted in the statute known as the Three Graces. Mary Grace was brought up in a strong Christian home with her siblings, but the young man from overseas introduced her to Greek mythology. All through Francois' short stay, he was the center of attention as far as Mary Grace was concerned. They shared some private moments together though thankfully each time something or someone prevented Mary Grace from going into dangerous waters. Later in her young adult life, Mary Grace comes to know just how much she was protected by God when she learns of other events that involved Francois.

Working in the costume arena, with little formal schooling, Mary Grace now known as Aglaia earned a reputation that received attention from others worldwide. Her knowledge and skill in sewing, material selections, and putting together accurate costumes garnered her great respect as she worked for a private company. Mary has been carrying a secret love or is it lust? When her mother learns She is going to Paris to present one of her costumes for display, she hands her François' Bible to return to him and that sets in motion events of heart and life.

Lou is a woman who is driven by self ambition and unashamedly uses people for her own benefit. Her working as a professor for a university is not all what Lou wants. She is assertively and sublimely weaving a web to trap Aglaia in ways that are covert and meant only for her own gratification and tenure at the university. Does Lou want Aglaia at the university to teach or make costumes or is there some evil plans made to ruin lives? Whose lives will be changed? Naomi, her best friend since they were little girls, tries to mend the broken relationship with her. Why? What secret has Naomi never told her best friend? Why did Naomi move away on the day Mary Grace's brother Joel was going to be laid to rest?

There are many threads that the author brings together to weave a very gripping and poignant story of choices, forgiveness, love, and more. Readers will enjoy this story from page one until the end. Get a copy of The Third Grace, something to drink and enjoy a fresh and unique story.

My rating is 4 ½ stars.

The Lost Scrolls

What a fantastic, exciting novel, truly a masterpiece filled with suspense at every turn! Dr. Munro teaches Paleography in a university with an assistant, Leon, who helps him with a variety of tasks. Leon is a man Dr. Munroe hopes the university will hire after he completes his doctorate. An archeologist, who had been Dr. John Munroe's friend in college and roommate, urgently sends him an email, but circumstances force John to forego reading it when he learns his house had been vandalized.

Stephen and Izzy are being followed, shot at, and hunted in various places in Middle Eastern countries for what other interested parties thought they possessed. Terrorists and mercenaries are also in the mix each aware of the other, but the reader is never quite sure which side of the fence they are on. Do these various men have ulterior motives for following Dr. Munroe? Behind the scenes is a man who is funding the search for the treasure Stephen is thought to have obtained. Are the scrolls that everyone is after real or a fake? The scrolls are known as Domo tou Bibliou.

Brought into the mystery and intrigue by the former archeologist Stephen and the university, Dr. Munroe crosses many borders in search of the truth. One theme of the story is of forgiveness and living the life of faith in front of others not just having mental acknowledgement of Jesus. The reader is taken to several historic sites along with the characters in unraveling the mystery John finds himself tangled in. Does Izzy, Stephen's sister, still have feelings for John even though it has been years since they went their separate ways? Is Izzy really after truth or just wanting to grab the prize to sell on the black market?

Dr. Munroe's life prior to all this adventure was a routine life of a university professor. He loves studying ancient documents, but not people always pointing a gun at him. Stephen has his life threatened many times, and now his sister and friend John are in constant danger. John is always finding himself being arrested, questioned by local police and international law enforcement as well. Finally, expelled from turkey, he and Izzy must find a way to return to her home located in a small village to obtain a fragment that can help solve the puzzle.

What I share with you above is barely the tip of the iceberg of this adventure and search for truth. Trust me when I say there is more than meets the mind of the reader. The ending may or may not surprise the reader or how a mystery is solved. The mystery, adventure, intrigue, constant danger and bullets flying will keep you engrossed until you're finally done with the story. The novel is a work of fiction with a flavor of Biblical history, archeology, ancient peoples and places. From the first page until the last, you will be captivated by each twist and turn of events. I was and I loved the novel.

A Writer's Review of The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch and Lee Chadeayne

Flashplot:
Set in 1650's Germany, this historical fiction mystery tells the tale of a small town which is rocked by a series of odd events. Children are turning up dead, marked with the 'witches mark' and the town leaders want a swift execution in order to prevent the hysteria and ruin that befell the town after similar events decades ago. They're not too concerned with who swings, so long as it quiets the townspeople. Lucky for the accused midwife, the town executioner Jakob Kuisl, his daughter Magdalena, and the young physician Simon Fronwiesser set out to find the real culprits.

As a reader: The opening line of the novel reads, "October 12 was a good day for a killing." It's hard not to be hooked by a line like that. The rest of the prologue was paced well and created immediate compassion for the main character, the young son of the hangman. With emotions tied to this young boy, I was a little miffed to realize the rest of the book takes place thirty-five years later, with the scared child now the surly hangman. That said, I was soon hooked again by the main characters, the town, which has character of its own, and by the action that unfolds relatively quickly. The first third of the book balances plot, description of the historical setting, and character development of the book's many characters.

Then things get a little hung-up. (Sorry, I never pass up a pun!) The middle third of the book slows down considerably. The events of plot and the clues unfolding seem to be a bit redundant. The story's point of view changes characters frequently, which is fine, except when readers have to hear different characters come to the same conclusions. Since the story was rich and had a great many characters, perhaps the author thought this was needed. In most cases, though, I felt the reader should have been given the benefit of the doubt to keep track of clues and characters in exchange for a faster-paced plot.

By the end, Pötzsch picks up the pace again and the story moves along well as the main characters begin to unravel the mystery. Though parts of the end could be predicted along the way, there was enough unexpected material to provide a very satisfactory ending.

As a writer: Perhaps it's because of the anti-prologue propaganda that agents drill into writers' heads, but I wasn't a fan of the prologue in this instance. It was important backstory about Jakob, backstory that helps the reader be sympathetic to him early on­-perhaps too early on. Most readers like a flawed protagonist. Pötzsch should have trusted that his readers, due to his strong writing, would connect with Jakob even before this glimpse into his past. It would have been just as interesting and perhaps more appreciated a little further into the story.

Other than the prologue and the pacing problem in the middle of the book, this was a terrific mystery. I'm always in awe of good historical fiction writers for the way they weave historical facts into their plots in such unobtrusive ways. Pötzsch did this masterfully, so that when I reached the end I was thrilled to see there was a postscript that explained what was researched and what was purely his fantasy. I also liked the descriptions in the book, which were often unique and felt like part of the plot as opposed to mere window dressing. I'm sure some of the credit for this belongs to the translator, Chadeayne, for his ability to make even the figurative language seem fluent and meaningful in its translated form.

Bottom line: A good book for history lovers and mystery lovers, so long as you're a little patient. With my soft spot for gruff, yet lovable guys, I downloaded the sequel as soon as I finished.

Why One City Finds Books Fifty Shades of Burnt

With the momentum of the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon still building and anticipation of the movie filling the air; it is no surprise that a few negative-nancies are surfacing. Recently in Cleveland, two outspoken radio DJs hosted a Fifty Shades of Grey book burning; claiming that it was all in good fun but also hosting the event under the guise that the book is offensive toward women. Although only about 25 copies were burned in the blaze, set fire atop a sand pit for safety purposes, attendees made a point of speaking their minds about why they were there. Some said that the book ruined relationships, claiming that it made women have too high of expectations of their men. Others stated that the book is demeaning to women and the writing is not up to par, so to speak.

It's interesting and comical that male guests of the book burning event claim the book to be offensive to women. As female readers we are aware of exactly what we are picking up when we purchase this book. We are not fooled nor do we come with blinders on. We know that we are reading a fun, sexually exciting, love story... there is no false hope for an intellectually challenging, literary masterpiece. Female readers do not expect a scholarly piece with this novel, we merely want to read something that will piqué our interest and pass our time in a way other than staring at the television screen. For book burners to claim it is offensive in a way we female readers do not realize, they are underestimating our intelligence and undermining our reasoning for reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

As for those who believe the book has ruined relationships, that is an unfortunate and false assumption on their part. If men truly believe that their relationship was or can be ruined by a book's contents, the state of the relationship was or is obviously not stable to begin with. Placing blame on a book and the romance it contains only shows how little attention a man has paid to past events; it is an excuse not a valid reason. For the book burners who felt destroying the book was a symbol of taking back relationships, or proving the books guilt in a failed marriage, maybe some deep thinking is in order. Just maybe, these men should take their wives or girlfriends heightened libido any way they can get it... and go out and buy them a shiny new copy of Fifty Shades of Grey.

Fifty Shades Paves the Way for a New Young Adult Novel

Fifty Shades of Grey's BDSM theme and sexual content may be too much for young adult readers, but it has provided the platform for an up and coming author to achieve success by creating a "toned down" version of the romantic relationship of Christian and Anastasia.  Warner Bros has been chosen to make the movie version of the self published e-book, later picked up by a publishing house, Beautiful Disaster.  Novelist Jamie McGuire modeled this book after Fifty Shades, detailing the tumultuous relationship between a college student and her domineering crush, but minus the kinky-sex and S&M.  Following in the path of The Hunger Games and the Twilight, this novel turned screenplay takes an adult style story and makes it appeal to a younger audience.  The audience for these types of movies and books creates an opportunity not only for aspiring authors to find their niche but also for a huge payoff.

It appears that romance stories are not enough anymore and that there must be a conflict, and a little naughty interaction, for them to be popular.   With all three of the successful titles preceding Beautiful Disaster, there is at the heart, a huge hurdle for the main characters to get over in order to have the love they desire.  Fifty Shades and the two other books in the trilogy provide not only the conflict of opposing worlds, but also the juicy details of Christian and Anastasia's bedroom activities.  The question is: will Beautiful Disaster live up to the demands of the success of its big sister?

One thing is for sure, Fifty Shades of Grey is much too racy for young adult readers, but as times have proven, these readers are hungry for more mature content... now more than ever.  With each passing decade, children of younger and younger ages are becoming desensitized to violence and sex.  Movies, television and fiction that is supposed to appeal to a young audience is inundated with adult jokes, violence and sexual innuendos, claiming to be more fun for the parents and meaning a bigger paycheck from the box office.  Unfortunately, kids are not blind to the changes and are picking up on much more than they used to, nothing gets by wide and curious eyes.  As the movie version of this young-adult novel comes to fruition, there will be a difficult task for the producers to keep from making an adult film with a young-adult rating.

Synopsis of 'A Diary's House: Where True Love Endures' by C David Murphy

A Diary's House captures a world of two generations, forged by the lightening rod of a mysterious diary; a diary, and the world within it, was lost for decades and sitting in the lower regions of a magical island. The Randola River was its protector, shielding it from all who dared to trespass its waters.

A world of mystery, of pirates and treasures, of trees with a language all their own, of a Cherokee legend and the lands of Kituhwa - these were the stories told to Landon Hampshire in his most impressionable youth. He was not to go there; he dare not try.

Through the years he wondered if the stories were true; if such a land as mythical and alluring as this even exists. He dared to discover it and see where it led. His two friends had heard some of these stories as well, and so a journey began that they would not soon forget.

Old man Montague knew some of the tales; he bore a witness to the fear such a mighty river can cause one to be possessed by. Fear, he had learned in his own travels, could strip a man from his once-secure bravado. And so the warning went that the boys would not heed. They would travel the mighty Randola River and discover what their curiosity could not fathom.

A place where dreams and reality co-exist; a harbor; a home; a destiny which could fill their memories and make them men, though they did not know what the correct definition of what a true man was - Landon was soon to learn this lesson all too well. They would quickly discover more than what they ever bargained for. It is a world where life and death co-mingles; a place where illusion can quickly turn into reality.

Little did they know what would await them, the deep treasures which would ultimately be revealed - a lost world, a dream that would never end, and a diary from the heart of a young woman who found herself trapped and alone in a world she could not prevail against.

Landon knew her story; he was living it. The dream becomes a reality; the parched paper of her innermost thoughts turn into the trails of his colliding world with hers. A world he too, found as unforgiving. There was a tie to the hearts; a place where they both could roam and discover this mutual past and present, all intertwined into one symbiotic spin of fate. The present becomes the past; the past becomes the present. The diary becomes more than a diary itself. It becomes a bridge for two worlds; interfaced, and colliding into a climatic turn.

It is true Landon Hampshire will discover the true meaning of manhood. But not as one might suspect. His heart will know what true love is, and the joys and sorrows such an emotion can be unknowingly bound together with. There are more of treasures than from a pirate's take here. This land; this home; this time will yield the greatest treasure of all. A diary has its secrets, and soon it will tell its own story...