Book Review: Echoes of Fortune: The Search for Braddock's Lost Gold Book 1 of 3: Echoes of Fortune by David R Leng

  

 

Echoes of Fortune: The Search for Braddock's Lost Gold Book 1 of 3: Echoes of Fortune  by David R Leng 

Love this book. It encompasses so many of the pieces I was missing to the full story.

Love how the book alternates chapters with the 1755's to the current days where the search for the gold goes on.

Story starts with Jack and he's doing his daily guiding tours of the local area.  When I found out where it was really located a light came on: Greg (my spouse) brother was asst AG in this area, a sheriff and a guide himself on Deep Creek Lake. He also had a job as security at the mountain where they do snow tubing. When I mentioned that to the author he knew the exact name of what I was talking about. So realistic to be reading about the gold search and roads in the area I've traveled on myself.

Jack gets a call about an alert to more clues of gold searching. He meets up with Emma from the Smithsonian and their tech friend Steve. There are more clues as they read journals and letters from the commander to his wife and children while fighting the war.

With clues from others in the area there are more things for them to consider and investigate.

What I love about this story is the history of the war itself, what roads they traveled and what they were doing, strategy wise and what worked and what did not work.

Story also follows the trio as they do actual diving for places that might be where the gold was buried. There are clues but also warning signs. 

SO much action, adventure, treasures, travel, story is NOT left with a cliff hanger, troops stories of where they placed the gold and how they are able to protect it,  who's following them, others who know some of the story and have gotten injured... problems and solutions, the maps, meetings with locals who have clues, something for everyone.

Sally is a new addition to the trio but they like her and her work at the local museum.

I felt like I got to know the group from the start reading this book, and how they all work together. It just synchronizes smoothly.

There are scary and romantic parts along with some fun and weird things that strike them at different times.

During the dives I felt as if I was breathing along with them, seeing what they saw, the feelings, darkness and smells of the area. Everything is SO very descriptive.

Marked this as my best book of the year because of all the things I learned about an area I've traveled through and it's a super great story. Author has put a lot of time into this story and it's just fascinating to read it, digest it, inhale it.  The appendices at the end have so much more information about his resources if you want to learn more about this legend.

Be sure to get a copy for yourself and a friend. 

 

Book Review: THE BOOK OF WISDOM by Simon Mercer

  

 

THE BOOK OF WISDOM by Simon Mercer

Very fascinating read. All about symbols and religion and other things you can see in everyday life. That's the part that got to me because I do see them every week and can recognize what they are and what they mean.

Author suggests you keep a sign journal. When you notice something just pause and take in your surroundings, and type of day it is, the breeze and the shape of what you are looking at, where you are physically. Jot all this down in your journal and then try to find the real meaning behind the symbol or sign you have recognized.

Also pay attention to patterns and what they could mean.

Love learning about the past civilizations of people and what they mean for society today. 

Appendices at the end explain a lot more of the terminology and symbols and signs and all about the differences between them all.

More insights into the civilizations and religion groups are also mentioned at the end.

Great reference resource book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: Legends of Yellowstone: The Extended Illustrated Edition (Nannakaz Chronicles) by Kerry Anne Boer

   

 

 Legends of Yellowstone: The Extended Illustrated Edition (Nannakaz Chronicles)

In this special edition there are two different books enclosed. One is the whispering trees, the other the wombat at midnight (in the whispering trees).

What I like about this edition are the pictures that go along with what the author had written in the book. Displays it so effortlessly and with so many details. Love the paths, trails, creeks and other scenes where the girl goes to find clues. She has her journal with her and is a tour guide of sorts. She can tell you where a acertain animal lives and how you can spot them. Even what kinds of signs to look for as some keep to themselves.

The Yellowstone is not in USA but near Australia. Love the ending where the author gives you the references used from centuries ago when they did use expedition tour guides and they noted most everything out there.

The end states the Explorers notes which include a scientific name, found in what terrain, facts about the animal, best time to spot them,  and more special notes from the Yellowstone Whisper.

Great educational and fun read. 

Book Review: Seed of the Defiled by John Edgell

 

 

 Seed of the Defiled by John Edgell

Fantasy genre with other genres mixed in was a bit hard for me to just jump right in. The castration is a bit harsh to read about but it's necessary for the book. Like the adventures the group takes to find the missing heir and their mother. Love stone forest and desert areas. Love Grey wolf and not only the knowledge they bring to the group but also healing methods to help those on the journey. Like all the clues they find and find out who the culprit is that is trying to kill the king. So many different locations in this book that are so very well described. Such small details that make the difference. With so many different names I just know them by the first initial. Ends with appendixes of character and words are explained with how to say them.  Appreciated the appendixes about characters in the story before they were the age they were in the story. Other books by the author a highlighted at the back. I was surprised how it edited and I couldn't believe that there was actually a marriage and because those who did Wrong got their just dues. Never saw a marriage nor how it did end.

Good read if you can finish it to the end. 

Book Review: Summertime & Short Stories by Stanislas Yassukovich

  

 

Summertime & Short Stories by Stanislas Yassukovich

These  international stories are nice to read, takes you away to others problems.

Like the different seasons of the year as they are described in colorful scenes.

Some of the stories relate to alcoholism, mental illness and other diseases. Some got a bit too dark for me to enjoy fully. I felt as if a few were true stories that the author held dear to their heart and soul. I can't imagine them happening to me and how the solution had come about. Doctors would not have performed the surgery where it took place.

Thought twin sisters who are looking for boarders was a bit comical til it wasn't. Can't believe how that one ends. Quite the variety of stories, something for everyone in them.

 

Book Review: Digital Sat Math Workbook Study Guide by Crucible Prep

  

 

Digital Sat Math Workbook e Study Guide by Crucible Prep

What I like about this book is how simple it is to use. There are links that point to online help also. Starts out with you take a test, I consider it an aptitude test to see what areas you really need help with.

I like math but there are some areas I don't do well at all.   The book then breaks it all down into sections to enhance your way of thinking and doing the math so you can achieve a better score in the math portion.  Each section is then explained in further details, showing sketches and charts and other useful information til the light goes on for you.  Everybody has their own way of learning.  Love online tutor help. SO very helpful.

There are also other tests and quizzes along the way to make sure you are getting them right.

After studying, take the test at the very beginning and compare when you first took it.

Very knowledgeable, educational resource book. Keep it handy. 

Aug 25 The Ace of Nerve, Book 2: The White Mouse by Hannah Bryon

  

 

The Ace of Nerve, Book 2: The White Mouse by Hannah Bryon

Nancy has sent Aroha has been sent away with Jules and Nancy is thinking she acted too fast. She wanted the young couple to experience the things of France that she had once done herself.  She regrets that and also that she had whiskey dumped down the drain and she's still missing her medals. Aroha has promised to help her find them....

Love the super details of even the train  before it gets to France, so exact and I can picture myself from train to boat in the journey.

Love learning about their adventures in the city.

Love hearing more of Nancy's spouses and her goal during the war.

So very detailed. Aroha will get help from Jules to find Nancy's medals as he has contacts in that field. Tragedy hits Aroha and she must leave. wonder how that will have an impact on Nancy, hope she returns after a short stay. She has her own secrets and family obligations... The pull of what Aroha wants is fierce.

Love this set of books just on one person, so very detailed, so many phases of her life to share with us.