Author: CMash

An avid reader for many years. Married for 31 years with 2 fantastic adult sons who I am so very proud of with great gfs. Am disabled. Found this wonderful community of book blogging in approximately December 2009 and have loved every minute of it. Am now a reviewer for authors, publishers, publicists, etc. And am also a partner in a Virtual PR tour company, Partners In Crime Tours for authors of novels of mystery, suspense and crime (www.Partnersincrimetours.net)

Death Of A Cure by Steven H. Jackson

Death Of A Cure by Steven H. Jackson (Rating 3 1/2)
Published by Telemachus Press, LLC
ISBN: 978-0-9841083-0-5
At the request of Yorkshire Publishing, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (portion from book’s back cover) Death Of A Cure is a novel of mystery, suspense, and action. The murder of one good many by a respected colleague is more than a crushing personal deception, it is an unequaled violation of the trust of thousands afflicted by a horrible disease.
  In a first person account, the brother of the murdered man, a military surgeon born to wealth and accustomed to success, is thrust into the rose of homicide investigator. Quickly, discovering that his skills as a detective are frustratingly insufficient, he calls upon a woman from his past for help. Together they unravel layers of evil and organized deception revealing that the rue work of this healthcare charity has little to do with curing the terrible disease born by a trusting constituency.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Within the first four (4) pages of this book, the mystery begins and had this reader wondering “who is it”. The author has the unique writing style of using the more difficult use of first (1st person) perspective throughout the entire story line. I was, however, a bit disappointed after those first four pages. The next 1/3 of this book was a mix of extreme detailed events that bordered on boredom for this reader. Once getting past that portion, the mystery began again. The author also had the ability to convey, with his words, certain graphic situations within the story line. I also found that even with the large cast of characters, it was easy to see who the “who is it” was. It was a good read but this reader, and this is my opinion only, found it lacked a consistent page turning mystery novel.
  Rating: 3 1/2 stars  Photobucket

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DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my HONEST review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family or friends.

Slapdash Sunday

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I am going to have a repeat post today of last week’s Slapdash Sunday.  Seeing that last week was Mother’s Day and assuming everyone was busy with real life, there wasn’t much in way of feedback or discussion.  And for next week’s Slapdash Discussion, here is a little teaser for you .  Mark it on your calendar!!!  You WILL want to get into the discussion, I know you will or at least hope you will.  I will be honored to have an author stop by and discuss with us his/her thoughts on EReaders and Print, from a writers’ point of view and then my thoughts as a consumer.  What are your thoughts and feelings regarding this?  So remember to stop by next week and join in on that discussion !!!!!  To be continued………

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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element http://www.theeclecticelement.blogspot.com/
Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
One item on my Saturday Blog-To-Do list is to update my Challenge progress meters, which got me to thinking and is going to be the topic of today’s Slapdash Sunday.

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     Many of my Challenge meters are not progressing.  First let me say that this is my 1st year of Challenges.  I signed up for most of the challenges when I was a newbie and first went “public” with my blog.  They looked like fun and at the time, I wanted to join in and participate in this great world of book blogging.  However, all this was before I was encouraged to start accepting requests for reviews that some of my blogging mentors thought I was ready for.
     So today’s thoughts are regarding this situation.  I know I am way behind, a whole month behind, due to my surgeries and hospitalizations.  Hoping that I can play catch up but thinking, believing, know for sure that I will probably, definitely not complete the 100+ challenge.  When it comes to requests, I feel that I should read and review them first.  As of today there are 10 books with more coming that I know of.  I have noticed on the experienced blogger sites that they have more challenges than I do and are making great progress.
     My questions for discussion are these:  Do you alternate between books that are “requested reviews” and books for your challenges?  Do you feel that the “requests” take priority?  How long do you think is adequate from the time of receiving a “request” to finish reading and reviewing it?  What was the longest time span that you had from the book being delivered and actually writing your review?  Have you ever not completed the challenges you signed up for? 
What are your thoughts on this topic? Let’s have a SlapdashPhotobucket !!!!!

Slapdash Sunday

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I am going to have a repeat post today of last week’s Slapdash Sunday.  Seeing that last week was Mother’s Day and assuming everyone was busy with real life, there wasn’t much in way of feedback or discussion.  And for next week’s Slapdash Discussion, here is a little teaser for you .  Mark it on your calendar!!!  You WILL want to get into the discussion, I know you will or at least hope you will.  I will be honored to have an author stop by and discuss with us his/her thoughts on EReaders and Print, from a writers’ point of view and then my thoughts as a consumer.  What are your thoughts and feelings regarding this?  So remember to stop by next week and join in on that discussion !!!!!  To be continued………

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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element http://www.theeclecticelement.blogspot.com/
Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
One item on my Saturday Blog-To-Do list is to update my Challenge progress meters, which got me to thinking and is going to be the topic of today’s Slapdash Sunday.

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     Many of my Challenge meters are not progressing.  First let me say that this is my 1st year of Challenges.  I signed up for most of the challenges when I was a newbie and first went “public” with my blog.  They looked like fun and at the time, I wanted to join in and participate in this great world of book blogging.  However, all this was before I was encouraged to start accepting requests for reviews that some of my blogging mentors thought I was ready for.
     So today’s thoughts are regarding this situation.  I know I am way behind, a whole month behind, due to my surgeries and hospitalizations.  Hoping that I can play catch up but thinking, believing, know for sure that I will probably, definitely not complete the 100+ challenge.  When it comes to requests, I feel that I should read and review them first.  As of today there are 10 books with more coming that I know of.  I have noticed on the experienced blogger sites that they have more challenges than I do and are making great progress.
     My questions for discussion are these:  Do you alternate between books that are “requested reviews” and books for your challenges?  Do you feel that the “requests” take priority?  How long do you think is adequate from the time of receiving a “request” to finish reading and reviewing it?  What was the longest time span that you had from the book being delivered and actually writing your review?  Have you ever not completed the challenges you signed up for? 
What are your thoughts on this topic? Let’s have a SlapdashPhotobucket !!!!!

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  I apologize in advance for the length of this post.
  This is probably the hardest post for me to write because I am at a loss for words as to how to say thank you especially as to what kind of award this is.  When I first stumbled onto a book blog, not even knowing this world existed, I was intrigued.  I stalked, looked into, peeked from afar into this community that shared the same love of mine, books.  There are only a couple of family members and friends who enjoy reading as much as I do.  How many times I wanted to discuss a book I had read with someone and couldn’t but here I found so many that were doing just that.
  The more I read on these blogs, the more I wanted to join in.  I got up the courage to ask a few bloggers questions on how to go about getting involved and these bloggers were kind and patient with me and answered all of my questions including computer issues as I am not computer savvy.  Not only do I consider them “my mentors” but since that first question, they all became my friends.
  And yesterday, one of these “mentors” presented me with an award that was not only new to me but it’s wording made me feel that I am making, at least this mentor, proud.  It is humbling to receive this type of award from such an experienced blogger.  She told me when I first started asking all my questions, that the “nicest people were book bloggers” and she was right.  To this day I have met so many kind, helpful, caring people.
  So who is this fantastic person….Vicki from Reading At The Beach http://readingatthebeach.com/ and this is what she presented me with.  Thank you Vicki, not only for being one of my mentors but also becoming my friend.
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And now the criteria:
This award is awarded to those bloggers that:

1~ post almost everyday, if not every
2~ reply to every comment that’s posted
3~ just down right LOVE blogging!
Those bloggers are the ones that make it more than worthwhile to be a follower!
Now, here are rules for this award :
Share one extraordinary thing that’s happened to you then pass this award along to 5 Xxtraordinary bloggers.
My extraordinary event/thing:
  I realize that I am truly blessed to be able to accept this award and to write this post.  I have only shared this with a few family members, friends and blogging buddies.  Not only was it scary but I am now sharing it because I feel that prayers were an extraordinary saving grace.  I had many people offering up prayers for me, including some blogging friends, before, during and after my surgeries last month, which I believe pulled me through a very critical situation.
  These complications, at times, were critical.  There were 3 incidents where I almost didn’t make it.  I went into a semi comatose state for hours and on 3 occasions my blood pressure dropped to dangerous levels, my respirations close to shutting down.  But all those prayers, I truly believe pulled me through, and allowed me to be with my family and sitting here writing typing this post.  And to those blogging buddies, a very special thank you.
And I now pass this to:

Karen from Bookin’ With Bingo  http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
Gautami Tripathy from Everything Distils Into Reading   http://readbookswritepoetry.blogspot.com/
Gina from Hott Books  http://ginahott.blogspot.com/
Julie from Reading Without Restraint   http://readingwithoutrestraint.blogspot.com/
Dolly from Xmas Dolly   http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/
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  I apologize in advance for the length of this post.
  This is probably the hardest post for me to write because I am at a loss for words as to how to say thank you especially as to what kind of award this is.  When I first stumbled onto a book blog, not even knowing this world existed, I was intrigued.  I stalked, looked into, peeked from afar into this community that shared the same love of mine, books.  There are only a couple of family members and friends who enjoy reading as much as I do.  How many times I wanted to discuss a book I had read with someone and couldn’t but here I found so many that were doing just that.
  The more I read on these blogs, the more I wanted to join in.  I got up the courage to ask a few bloggers questions on how to go about getting involved and these bloggers were kind and patient with me and answered all of my questions including computer issues as I am not computer savvy.  Not only do I consider them “my mentors” but since that first question, they all became my friends.
  And yesterday, one of these “mentors” presented me with an award that was not only new to me but it’s wording made me feel that I am making, at least this mentor, proud.  It is humbling to receive this type of award from such an experienced blogger.  She told me when I first started asking all my questions, that the “nicest people were book bloggers” and she was right.  To this day I have met so many kind, helpful, caring people.
  So who is this fantastic person….Vicki from Reading At The Beach http://readingatthebeach.com/ and this is what she presented me with.  Thank you Vicki, not only for being one of my mentors but also becoming my friend.
Photobucket
And now the criteria:
This award is awarded to those bloggers that:

1~ post almost everyday, if not every
2~ reply to every comment that’s posted
3~ just down right LOVE blogging!
Those bloggers are the ones that make it more than worthwhile to be a follower!
Now, here are rules for this award :
Share one extraordinary thing that’s happened to you then pass this award along to 5 Xxtraordinary bloggers.
My extraordinary event/thing:
  I realize that I am truly blessed to be able to accept this award and to write this post.  I have only shared this with a few family members, friends and blogging buddies.  Not only was it scary but I am now sharing it because I feel that prayers were an extraordinary saving grace.  I had many people offering up prayers for me, including some blogging friends, before, during and after my surgeries last month, which I believe pulled me through a very critical situation.
  These complications, at times, were critical.  There were 3 incidents where I almost didn’t make it.  I went into a semi comatose state for hours and on 3 occasions my blood pressure dropped to dangerous levels, my respirations close to shutting down.  But all those prayers, I truly believe pulled me through, and allowed me to be with my family and sitting here writing typing this post.  And to those blogging buddies, a very special thank you.
And I now pass this to:

Karen from Bookin’ With Bingo  http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
Gautami Tripathy from Everything Distils Into Reading   http://readbookswritepoetry.blogspot.com/
Gina from Hott Books  http://ginahott.blogspot.com/
Julie from Reading Without Restraint   http://readingwithoutrestraint.blogspot.com/
Dolly from Xmas Dolly   http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/
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Aloha Friday (1 of 4)

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Friday is a busy day here on my blog.  As you can see I particpate in 4 memes.  Today is also the day that I allot myself more computer time and a little less reading time (shhhhhh don’t tell anyone).  But I just find these memes so much fun especially meeting new blogging friends.  So off I go…………
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Hosted by An Island Life http://islandlife808.com/
From An Island Life:
  In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
  If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!
My question is:

    Do you have a favorite saying and/or mantra?
I have 2:  Everything happens for a reason and There is always someone worse off than me.

Photobucket in the fun. You don’t need a blog to comment. But if you do want to join in, links provided for each and all memes.

Friday Book Blog Hop (2 of 4)

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Hosted by Jennifer from CRAZY FOR BOOKS http://www.crazy-for-books.com/
Here are the instuctions from her site:
  Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blog Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!
  So, if you’d like to participate, just repost this on your blog, sign MckLinky on her site, and check out other blogs in MckLinky! Let’s connect and make new book bloggy friends!! So, if you consider yourself a book blogger, come join the fun!
  Pretty please – Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

Friday 56 (3 of 4)

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Hosted by Storytime With Tonya and Friends http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/
Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
  Selecting”export” opened a dialog box and told the program to copy everything, calendar, contacts, email, task lists, notes, and it made a backup for transmission in the format that I hoped would do something for me later-not that I would bet my life on that.

From my current read, Death Of A Cure by Steven H. Jackson