Notorious Nineteen

Notorious Nineteen
By Janet Evanovich
Bantam
Retail Price $28.00
Amazon Price: $14.00

 

Book Description: 

After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Now it’s on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape . . . or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive. Since the hospital staff’s lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it’s hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case.

The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money—or maybe just desperate—Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again—a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone . . . or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she’ll have to remember: No guts, no glory

This book went fast and was very enjoyable.

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Book Bargains Review

 Stephanie Plum and her crew are some of my favorite fictional characters.  I am on ongoing fan of this series and am always so excited when another comes out.  This book was exceptional.  It had humor, action, intrigue, and a strong plot and was a very entertaining read.  As always, Stephanie entertains me and reminds me of an old friend that just can't quite get her act together. Such fun!


~Reviewed by Allie B.

Planets in Therapy

Planets in Therapy
By Gregory C. Bogart
IBIS
Retail Price $24.95
Amazon Price: $16.49

Book Description: 

This book explores archetypal symbolism, predictive technique, and counseling process in therapeutic astrology. Combining insights from Jungian depth psychology, developmental theory, alchemy and dream symbolism with the precision of planetary transits, progressions and midpoints, Planets in Therapy is an inspiring approach to the healing art of astrology.Planets in Therapy clearly and succinctly explains the interpretation of the language and techniques of astrology, the depth psychological, transpersonal and spiritual meaning of planetary symbolism, and its power to heal and transform.
Greg Bogart masterfully guides the reader through the principles of psychological astrology, emphasizing the process of self-tansformation, spiritual evolution, and discovering the meaning in every event and every moment. A wide range of examples demonstrate how to apply this knowledge to skillfully help others as a counseling astrologer.

 

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Book Bargains Review

This book explains how using astrology in counseling and therapy can help heal and transform the patient. I don't feel that it is for the casual reader but for more for the professional who wants to add this type of therapy to their work.  It is also good for seekers who are trying on their own to see what might help them in their own situations unique to themselves. It is written in a conversational style which makes the book an easier read and quite engaging.  Since I have an interest in this topic I found the book to be enlightening and a useful read.

~Reviewed by Myron B.

Bead Embroidery Stitch Samples

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Bead Embroidery stitch samples
By CRK Design and Yasuko Endo
Interweave
Retail Price $17.95
Amazon Price 12.21

Book Description: 

 

More and more sewists and quilters are adding embroidered details to their work. While there are a bevy of stitch dictionaries currently available, Bead Embroidery Stitch Samples goes beyond basic and traditional embroidery stitches to incorporate beads, allowing readers to create delicate and striking trims and embellishments.

Stitch patterns range from elegantly simple single motifs, to complex all over patterns to three-dimensional designs. Along with step-by-step instructions are numerous examples of how to use and place the motifs on hems, pockets, cuffs, collars and handbags; or as home décor trim on pillows, curtains, or lampshades. Patterns emphasize beaded edgings and trims, as opposed to heavy, solid beaded fabric motifs found in other beaded embroidery books.

Using nothing more than embroidery threads and simple beads, Bead Embroidery Stitch Samples offers beginner and advanced embroidery enthusiasts alike new ways to set their work apart.

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Book Bargains Review

 

Being a new beginner in beading, this was a great place to start.  I gleaned new ideas in bead work and have learned so much from this book. It is jam packed with scads of methods for doing embroidery and is sure to bring several new ideas to all beaders, no matter if they are new to the craft or are old hands at planning a piece and executing a design.  This is a great book for anyone that likes embroidery or bead work.

~Reviewed by Allie B.

Keowee Valley
By Katherine Scott Crawford
Bell Bridge Books
Retail Price $18.95
Amazon Price: $18.24

 

Book Description: 

"Keowee Valley is a terrific first novel by Katherine Scott Crawford-a name that should be remembered. She has a lovely prose style, a great sense of both humor and history, and she tells about a time in South Carolina that I never even imagined." -Pat Conroy, bestselling author of The Prince of Tides and South of Broad.

She journeyed into the wilderness to find a kidnapped relative. She stayed to build a new life filled with adventure, danger, and passion.

Spring, 1768. The Southern frontier is a treacherous wilderness inhabited by the powerful Cherokee people. In Charlestown, South Carolina, twenty-five-year-old Quincy MacFadden receives news from beyond the grave: her cousin, a man she'd believed long dead, is alive-held captive by the Shawnee Indians. Unmarried, bookish, and plagued by visions of the future, Quinn is a woman out of place . . . and this is the opportunity for which she's been longing.

Determined to save two lives, her cousin's and her own, Quinn travels the rugged Cherokee Path into the South Carolina Blue Ridge. But in order to rescue her cousin, Quinn must trust an enigmatic half-Cherokee tracker whose loyalties may lie elsewhere. As translator to the British army, Jack Wolf walks a perilous line between a King he hates and a homeland he loves.

When Jack is ordered to negotiate for Indian loyalty in the Revolution to come, the pair must decide: obey the Crown, or commit treason . . .

Katherine Scott Crawford was born and raised in the blue hills of the South Carolina Upcountry, the history and setting of which inspired Keowee Valley. Winner of a North Carolina Arts Award, she is a former newspaper reporter and outdoor educator, a college English teacher, and an avid hiker. She lives with her family in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where she tries to resist the siren call of her passport as she works on her next novel. Visit her at: www.katherinescottcrawford.com.

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Book Bargains Review

Keowee Valley is an outstanding first novel for Katherine Scott Crawford that tells the story of the impetuous Quincy McFadden,who yearns for the freedom of the valley.  Written in the first-person, this historical novel was hard to put down once I started it. It has all of the elements of a great adventure story.The descriptions of the people and land of the story flow like one of the streams in the valley she writes of. If you like historical fiction you will want to read this book.

~Reviewed by David H.

Videojournalism
By Kenneth Kobre
Focal Press
Retail Price:  $54.95
Amazon Price:  $42.13

Book Description: 

Videojournalism is a new field that has grown out of traditional print photojournalism, slideshows that combine sound and pictures, public radio, documentary filmmaking and the best of television news features. This amalgam of traditions has emerged to serve the Internet's voracious appetite for video stories.

Videojournalism is written for the new generation of "backpack" journalists. The solo videojournalist must find a riveting story; gain access to charismatic characters who can tell their own tales; shoot candid clips; expertly interview the players; record clear, clean sound; write a script with pizzazz; and, finally, edit the material into a piece worthy of five minutes of a viewer's attention. Videojournalism addresses all of these challenges, and more - never losing sight of the main point: telling a great story.

This book, based on extensive interviews with professionals in the field, is for anyone learning how to master the art and craft of telling real short-form stories with words, sound and pictures for the Web or television. The opening chapters cover the foundations of multimedia storytelling, and the book progresses to the techniques required to shoot professional video, and record high quality sound and market the resulting product.

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Book Bargains Review

I found this book was everything I was looking for. The explanations were clear and most helpful. Its not easy to find quality info on this subject. I balked at the price initially, but after reading the book and learning so much, I'm pleased I made the purchase.

~Reviewed by David H.

Check This Book Out! Buy Now Amazon Buy Book Bargains

The Third Wheel By Jeff Kinney Abrams Retail Price $13.95 Amazon Price: $7.24 Book Description:  Love is in the air—but what does that mean for Greg Heffley? A Valentine’s Day dance at Greg’s middle school has turned his world upside down. As Greg scrambles to find a date, he’s worried he’ll be left out in the cold on the big night. His best friend, Rowley, doesn’t have any prospects either, but that’s a small consolation. An unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves Rowley the odd man out. But a lot can happen in one night, and in the end, you never know who’s going to be lucky in love. Book Bargains Review This series has become a phenomenon and The Third Wheel, which is the 7th book in the series is one of the best yet! Even though this is a children's book, an adult can find the humor in it. I loved the way the pages were laid out like a diary and and the basic drawings within it. The stories are realistic and there is always a lesson to be learned. ~Reviewed by David H. Book Bargains Rating:

New Sales Simplified
By Mike Weinbrg
AMACOM
Retail Price $17.95
Amazon Price: $11.23

Book Description: 

No matter how much repeat business you get from loyal customers, the lifeblood of your business is a constant flow of new accounts. Whether you're a sales rep, sales manager, or a professional services executive, if you are expected to bring in new business, you need a proven formula for prospecting, developing, and closing deals. "New Sales. Simplified." is the answer. You'll learn how to: identify a strategic, finite, workable list of genuine prospects; draft a compelling, customer-focused "sales story"; perfect the proactive telephone call to get face-to-face with more prospects; use email, voicemail, and social media to your advantage; overcome-even prevent - every buyer's anti-salesperson reflex; build rapport, because people buy from people they like and trust; prepare for and structure a winning sales call; stop presenting and start dialoguing with buyers; make time in your calendar for business development activities; and much more. Packed with examples and anecdotes, "New Sales. Simplified." balances a blunt (and often funny) look at what most salespeople and executives do wrong with an easy-to-follow plan for ramping up new business starting today.

 

Book Review:

This was an extremely informative book that was easy to read and simple to implement.  The author breaks down the sales process into detailed steps, making it easy to follow, especially to someone new to sales.  The book was easy to read and kept my interest throughout.  It is perfect for the newbie, but has enough insight for those who have been in sales for a while. If you are looking to improve your success in sales, pick up a copy of this book.

~Reviewed by Cara C.
 

The Political Philosophy of Alexander Hamilton
By Michael P. Federici
John Hopkins University Press
Retail Price:  $24.95
Amazon Price:  $18.95

Book Description:

America’s first treasury secretary and one of the three authors of the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton stands as one of the nation’s important early statesmen. Michael P. Federici places this Founding Father among the country’s original political philosophers as well.

Hamilton remains something of an enigma. Conservatives and liberals both claim him, and in his writings one can find material to support the positions of either camp. Taking a balanced and objective approach, Federici sorts through the written and historical record to reveal Hamilton’s philosophy as the synthetic product of a well-read and pragmatic figure whose intellectual genealogy drew on Classical thinkers such as Cicero and Plutarch, Christian theologians, and Enlightenment philosophers, including Hume and Montesquieu. In evaluating the thought of this republican and would-be empire builder, Federici explains that the apparent contradictions found in the Federalist Papers and other examples of Hamilton’s writings reflect both his practical engagement with debates over the French Revolution, capital expansion, commercialism, and other large issues of his time, and his search for a balance between central authority and federalism in the embryonic American government. This book challenges the view of Hamilton as a monarchist and shows him instead to be a strong advocate of American constitutionalism.

Devoted to the whole of Hamilton’s political writing, this accessible and teachable analysis makes clear the enormous influence Hamilton had on the development of American political and economic institutions and policies.

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Reading Room Review

This is a compelling  read not only about the life of Alexander Hamilton but also about his thoughts and political philosophies. Though it is not commonly known, he was thought to be the most influential of all the Founding Fathers and without him the constitution likely would not have survived. Unknown to many  was his deep involvement in the Revolutionary War as a soldier of incredible courage and influence. He was the closest confidant of George Washington and influenced his Presidency as well as much of the tactics of the war.  Nearly every page if this book suggests direct parallels to today's politics. If anyone thought that reading history was dull or difficult, they need to read this book.