As 2015 comes to a close, here's a few great reads you might want to check out.
Eyes of the Wild
by
Eleanor O’Hanlon
I picked up this book because of the section pertaining to
the gray whales of Baja, a place near to my heart. And Ms. O’Hanlon’s
recollections of this are spot on. But I also enjoyed the sections about wolves,
bears and horses. She relates myth alongside science and observation, blending
it all into a magical view of the richness of life on earth. Her eloquent prose
will calm and enchant. A beautiful read for those desiring a deeper connection
to wildlife.
* * * *
Capture The Night
by
Cheryl Pierson
Alexa Bailey is on a vacation in a Dallas hotel when a mad
faction of the Irish Republican Army takes over, killing many and capturing
hostages. She manages to elude them and stumbles across an injured police
officer—Johnny Logan. He’s in bad shape, so she does her best to keep him
alive. They’re soon aided by a Vietnam veteran named Daniel, who isn’t quite
right in the head. The terrorist leader, Kieran McShane, is cold and crazy but
intelligent enough to keep you guessing until the end. Amidst all of this,
Johnny and Alexa fall for each other and you’ll be rooting for their happily
ever after. This is a complex story that unfolds slowly but kept me riveted.
* * * *
Dance Of The
Winnebagos
by
Ann Charles
In this engaging mystery, Claire Morgan has accompanied her
grandfather to the Dancing Winnebagos RV Park in southern Arizona to keep an
eye on him and his elderly pals as they carouse for women. But when Claire
discovers a leg bone in the desert, her natural curiosity leads her into a
whodunit concerning a mine. She must also contend with Mac Garner, a sexy
geotechnician exploring the area for his Aunt Ruby, owner of the RV park.
‘Dance of the Winnebagos’ is a fun-filled ride starring a cast of colorful
characters. With laugh-out-loud dialogue and a smoldering romance between
Claire and Mac, this was a story I couldn’t put down. This is the first book in
The Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series and I certainly look forward to reading
the rest.
* * * *
Luck of the Draw
by
Julie Lence
Royce Weston first meets Paige at the poker tables when she
tries to swindle him for her abusive father. When their encounter ends in a
family tragedy—with Paige nearly dead—she appears at his doorstep thanks to
Royce’s younger brother. Having lost her memory, she must rely on the Weston’s
to care for her. In repayment, she stays on to tend house and cook for them,
since there hasn’t been a woman in residence for some time. But Royce doesn’t
trust her, believing her presence to be a ruse; at some point her true colors
will show themselves.
‘Luck of the Draw’ is a wonderful read with well-drawn
characters in a western setting. The romance between Royce and Paige unfolds
slowly, with a satisfying arc. Royce is a bit of a hot-head, and Paige is the
perfect foil to heal his past heartaches. I always enjoy a Julie Lence novel.
* * * *
On The Edge: The Art Of High-Impact Leadership
by
Alison Levine
Alison
Levine is a mountaineer and polar explorer, and has completed the Adventure
Grand Slam—skiing to both the North and South Poles, and summiting the highest
peak on each continent. She was the captain for the first American Women’s
Everest Expedition in 2002 and has worked on Wall Street as well as serving three
years as an adjunct professor at West Point. A popular speaker and consultant
in leadership development, her unorthodox advice includes: look for teammates
with big egos, when making progress turn around and change direction, practice
sleep deprivation, don’t try to overcome weakness, and success can be a
problem.
Drawing
heavily from her experiences in the mountains, she provides real-life examples
of what it can mean to be under-prepared and not work together as a team. Both
can lead to catastrophic circumstances, especially in extreme outdoor
environments, but her insights are easily applicable to the business world. One
chapter discusses ego and the need to be surrounded by people who have a big
one. Not to be confused with arrogance, teams need members who are good at what
they do and know it. When scaling Everest, no one wants to get caught behind a
climber suddenly seized by a crisis of confidence.
She
drives home the point that failure should be embraced. Not reaching a summit
imparts valuable lessons to a mountain climber, knowledge that can make the
difference on a subsequent attempt. Never underestimate the need for a strong
network and always remain agile, both can be reasons that lead to being left
behind. And, while it may seem obvious, be good to people. Trust and loyalty
will follow.
On The Edge showcases
leadership skills gleaned from extreme environments, but the principles are
suitable for corporate cultures, running the local PTO, or raising a family.
Ms. Levine’s writing style is engaging and humorous, and her expertise leaps
confidently from the page. Like any good adventure writer, she seamlessly
brings you into her world, making the experience personal and intimate. And,
while she has your attention, she imparts wisdom that just may help you run a
better business, coach your child’s soccer team, or perhaps climb a mountain.
* * * *
Wild
by
Cheryl Strayed
This book is a wrenching tale of a woman trying to find a
way to love and mother herself, a journey many women must endure, whether they’ve
had terrible childhoods or not. Ms. Strayed’s memoir is stark, shocking, and incredibly
authentic. For that, I give her kudos. This is less a story of hiking the
Pacific Crest Trail than it is about narrowing one’s life so that the truest
self can be found. She was a lost soul, having endured an abusive father, the
death of her beloved mother too young from cancer, and her own hand at
destroying her marriage. She is also caught up in heroin and no boundaries when
it comes to men. Hiking the trail doesn’t solve her problems, but it does help
her see herself in ways she never did before. A well-written book I couldn’t put down.
* * * *
E-Squared
by
Pam Grout
A wonderful book to help rethink one’s view of the Universe.
If you liked ‘The Secret’ then this book is a natural extension of that idea.
We all have access to the field of potentiality, meaning that our thoughts
create our reality. Ms. Grout does a fine job of putting it all into
perspective, along with a dose of humor. This book is a fast read but it will
take time to perform the 9 experiments she suggests. Some worked better than
others for me. I fully acknowledge that my own inner restraints and fears
likely affected the outcome at times. Some of the ideas, such as looking for
the miraculous in everyday life, I’ve done for
so long that it was nothing new to me. Still, it was a pleasure to read
this book and experiment with the ideas presented.
* * * *
Forget Me Not
by
Jennifer Lowe-Anker
This memoir by Jennifer Lowe-Anker is a tribute to her late
husband, Alex Lowe, who was considered by many to be one of the best climbers
in the world at the time of his death. This is a love story and Jennifer shares
their blossoming relationship, marriage, and family life with three sons in
great detail. I couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful gift this book is to
her children. A climber herself, she understands her husband’s deep need to push
himself in the outdoors; but while motherhood calmed those urges in her, Alex
was forever caught between his passion for the mountains and his deep love and
loyalty to his family. Those on the outside may never understand this
lifestyle, but Jennifer shows what it means to love someone as they are,
although she certainly wasn’t always happy that Alex frequently spent months
away from home. When he’s lost in an avalanche on Shishapangma in 1999, she
holds nothing back in sharing her grief but also the healing. Her involvement
with Conrad Anker—Alex’s best friend and likewise a world-renowned climber—is
also addressed. She and Conrad would marry, and he would help to raise Alex’s
sons. Perhaps only together could the two of them heal their grief over losing
a man they both loved so much. I’m indebted to Ms. Lowe-Anker for sharing the
stories of her life with Alex. His was a unique spirit, gone too soon.
* * * *
Blood Curse
by
Kat Flannery
In
the 1700's, Pril Peddler is a gypsy living in Virginia. She cares for her dead
sister's daughter, a girl reputed to be gifted with the greatest of all clan
powers, known as a Chuvani. To lift a blood curse placed by the girl's mother,
the formidable Monroe family seeks to kill the child. Pril has powers of her
own, but her fear and strong sense of protection of the girl keep her from
fully exploring those abilities. Kade Walker also searches for the child, for
reasons of his own. His vow to protect Pril and the girl are soon at odds with
his original motives, and his growing love for the gypsy woman is an unwanted
distraction. Ms. Flannery has crafted a taut story deeply embedded with gypsy
lore, along with the fanatical fear of witches that permeated the time period.
Pril and Kade's love grows slowly, and surprising betrayals and revelations
will keep the pages turning.
* * * *
Dirty Little Secret
by
Jennifer Echols
Bailey Wright is an 18-year-old fiddle player living in
Nashville and recently pushed aside by her family because younger sister Julie
just got a recording contract. Forbidden to play by both her parents and the
record executives, Bailey becomes the “dirty little secret” that could ruin her sister’s
fledgling career. This has made Bailey understandably bitter. While her parents
tour with Julie, she’s shipped across town to live with her grandfather, and she
convinces him to let her play in makeshift bands that roam the local mall.
Bailey is a bit of a prodigy, and it’s not long before cute Sam Hardiman
recognizes it. He invites her to be a part of his band; she agrees, because not
only is Sam the hottest boy she’s ever met, she also desperately misses
performing.
When I started this book, I really didn’t think it would
interest me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The love story between Bailey and
Sam is full of so much passion and angst, I couldn’t put it down. This is the Young Adult genre, so it’s not overly graphic, but underneath is a
sweetness that surprised me, especially when they lose their virginity to one
another. But the real soul of this story is the deep connection that Bailey has
to her talent and to her music. It’s not just a part of her—it’s the only way
she knows to navigate the world. And it takes losing it to make her realize how
much she needs it.
