Review of WHALES' ANGELS: A husband and wife battle whalers in a seagoing adventure of international intrigue and murder (Paperback)

The author expertly uses his knowledge of scuba diving, criminal investigations, and large pelagics to weave another suspenseful tale in this exciting sequel to Dangerous Waters.Terry and Joe are at it again as they get involved in international intrigue to help save the whales and solve a puzzling murder.Paul Mila has a smooth writing style that compels you to finish this book in one reading.Well done, and I hope to see this blockbuster series continue with another novel.

Product Description
Newlyweds Terry Hunter and ex-NYPD detective Joe Manetta are busy running their Cozumel dive operation and starting a family. But a chance encounter with a female diver from Holland leads them on a globetrotting adventure. While diving with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic, they learn a rogue sea captain is illegally hunting whales and killing activists attempting to stop the hunt. But far more dangerous for the whales is a conspiracy led by Japan, Iceland, Finland and Norway, to overturn the International Whaling Commission's whaling ban at the Commission's upcoming meeting in Iceland. Terry and Joe travel to Iceland offering their assistance to save the whales and solve a cover-up reaching the highest levels of government. Their involvement entangles them in a dangerous world of international politics, intrigue, and murder, where fate has a surprise in store for them. Reviews for Whales' Angels: "In this sequel to Dangerous Waters, Paul Mila has crafted another exciting adventure-mystery featuring Terry Hunter and Joe Manetta. Like Tony Hillerman, Mila skillfully combines an intricate mystery plot with engaging characters and insights from a different culture, allowing his readers to experience the world from a novel perspective: that of the whales and dolphins who inhabit three-quarters of our planet. Don't miss this one!" Judith Hemenway, author of The Universe Next Door. "A solid plot, intriguing characters and a realistic depiction of scuba diving and marine creatures are the hallmarks of Paul Mila's second novel featuring Terry Hunter and Joe Manetta. This time out, Joe and Terry get involved with activists ("Angels") attempting to prevent a rogue sea captain from harpooning of whales in the chilly waters off Iceland. Trying to save a whale, one of the Angels ends up dead - but was it really an accident? The resolution of the mystery will keep readers -divers and non divers alike - on the edge of their seats."CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)Bonnie J. Cardone

About the Author
Paul J. Mila retired after a successful career in corporate life, and now devotes his time to writing, scuba diving and underwater photography. In pursuing a writing career, he has followed the advice of writers who said to write about what you know and like. Consequently, he has incorporated the ocean and diving as the core of his writing. This is his second novel. Paul has photographed and dived with Caribbean reef sharks in the Bahamas, humpback whales in the Dominican Republic, and an amazing variety of sea life in Cozumel, Bonaire, Antigua and Hawaii. His underwater pictures are featured on diving web sites and are used in his novels to give non-diving readers a glimpse into the beauty of our undersea world. He and his family reside in Carle Place, New York, a small town on Long Island.

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Review of Two-Dollar Bill (Stone Barrington Novels) (Hardcover)

This book should be called 38 dinners at Elaine's instead of `2 Dollar Bill.' It seems like Stone, Dino, and a slew of other characters are spending every other page entering the restaurant. I feel a little bad trashing this book. The author photo of Stewart Woods shows the face of a man who appears humble and defenseless. But it was so bad, that even a defenseless chap like Woods deserves no sympathy. I am trying to remember earlier Barrington books. I know that I have not enjoyed the last couple of titles in the series. They are getting so outlandish and inconceivable that its like spending some time in the mind of a five year old playing with action figures rather than being led on a taught story under the capable hands of a true suspense writer.

`Two Dollar Bill' is probably the worst Barrington novel yet. It is very shoddily pieced together. There is no other way to put it than that Woods has lost his grasp as to what it is to be a genre writer. To start with the ins and outs of the plot are sheer lunacy. The amorphous character that is the namesake for the title is such a mass of conflicting personalities that it is difficult to accredit him with being little more than a device. `Two Dollar Bill' is used at the whim of the author to fit any need at any time in order to further along the story. Its as if he were an idea at the back of Woods mind that never seems to have been fleshed out.

Barrington himself has turned into a comic stereotype of his old self and his antics along with his friend's correlates with the old Keystone Cops movies of the silent era. A bunch of bumbling buffoons that belies the very notion of whether or not to take them seriously with out liberal uses of salt.

I would entirely pass this book by. Try one of Harlan Coben's earlier books that dose not employ the character of Myron Bolitar. Open up a Denis Lehane book or a Jim Harrison suspense novel. Any of these authors have easily distanced themselves from the dregs of Woods imagination. Save yourself the suffering of having to plow through one page of poorly written prose after another.




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Review of Just After Sunset: Stories (Hardcover)

First, I'm an avid Stephen King fan.I'm pretty sure I've read all of his books but I don't think I can say I've read every word he's written....but I have to be close.After reading Just After Sunset, I'm convinced that King's true talent lies in the short story/novella sphere.He is a master at developing stories and characters quickly and like a spider can spin his web with perfection.His novels, all of them, are worth reading.You won't be sorry having invested the time with any of them, but his true masterpieces are in his collections of short stories and novellas.

Just after Sunset is comprised of 13 stories, many published previously.For example, The Cat From Hell was originally published in 1977.King displayed, even then, his willingness to experiment with publishing.Originally, only the first 500 words of Cat From Hell were published in Cavalier.Readers were invited to finish the story and the completed work was published later the same year.The story has been published, revised, and then published again.The story was also used in Tales From the Darkside. Others, such as Willa are recent creations and are a treat for the mind.

"N" continues King's willingness to experiment in getting his stories out to the public in innovative ways.The short story "N" was the basis for the animated series of the same name.

Harvey's Dream, originally published in New Yorker in 2003, is a story of fathers, daughters, and dreams and is a read that will keep you interested throughout.

Of all the stories included in Just After Sunset, my favorite is Stationary Bike.Richard Sifkitz has a belated physical and learns that his cholesterol is extremely high; dangerously so.Like so many of his generation he decides to get a stationary bike to exercise and hopefully ride off his health problems.Unlike many of his contempories, however, Richard rides his workout machine.He rides and he rides and he rides.He decides to paint a mural in the room he rides in to give him something to look at while he's working out.As in all of King's work, the simple mural turns out to be unique and Richard's bike takes him on trips he really doesn't want to make.This is a riveting story and is worth the cost of the book by itself.

Other stories of note (my opinion only) are "The Things They Left Behind", "Graduation Afternoon", and "The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates".

I especially appreciated the last section, Sunset Notes, comprising King's own thoughts about each of the stories in the collection.I always like the special note he includes to readers at the end of many of his books.

Thank you once again Stephen King."And the beat goes on!"

Peace to all.








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Review of The God Machine (Hellboy) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you like the Hellboy stuff,you'd probably enjoy this book.Follows the Hellboy series nicely and is a pretty good read on it's own.

Product Description
Hellboy, a bloodred, cloven-hoofed demon raised by the United States government, is a top field agent for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. He questions the unknown -- then beats it into submission.

Religious artifacts from every faith are disappearing without a trace. The identity of the perpetrator is a complete mystery until Hellboy and Liz Sherman -- acting on an unlikely tip from a ghost -- foil a museum heist attempted by crude, robotic constructs inhabited by human spirits.

One of these freed human spirits offers to help Hellboy track down those who imprisoned him: a fanatical order of psychics obsessed with creating a new messiah, one that will bring about a new stage of evolution for mankind -- whether mankind is willing or not. Now only Hellboy and his colleagues stand between a vulnerable humanity and an evil, vengeful god....

About the Author
Originally a comics writer, Tom Sniegoski grew a large fan base with his work on titles including Jeff Smith's bestselling BONE, Mike Mignola's HELLBOY,and the currently wildly popular GOON series.

His YA book series THE FALLEN for S&S was turned into a series of TV movies that have aired to strong ratings on the ABC Family Network. SLEEPER CODE AND SLEEPER AGENDA, a YA two-part story for Razorbill/Penguin, was an ALA *Top Ten* Quick Pick in 2006.

Tom lives in Stoughton, Massachusetts with his wife and their dog, Mulder.

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