Welcome to BOOK READERS HEAVEN! Books, Reviews, Short Stories, Authors, Publicity, a little poetry, music to complement...and other stuff including politics, about life... "Books, Cats: Life is Sweet..."
And another Wow!!! This dynamic duo has moved forward in their latest book, Seriously Serial Murders! Soooo, I'm now thinking this fantastic series is going onward and upward and in for a long run!
So I want to begin by properly introducing the main characters... The series features Ricky Burns, a PI as the main character. In my mind he is exactly the type of individual who should BE in law enforcement. Mainly because he wants justice and that means the individual who is guilty should be charged and punished. In this book, Ricky's search for the truth places him in a difficult situation. Why? Because he works for a defense attorney... And, in seems to me, the defense attorney never really wants to know the truth, just how to get his client off... Ricky agrees!
Jay is his boss and has notified Ricky that they have a new client. Not only has the client paid Jay in advance $50,000, but has also provided a $10,000 payment for an investigator... Frankly, both Jay and Ricky, while being thrilled with this, are also wondering just why this man has acted to be prepared if he is not guilty...of something...
Collette plays a double role. She worked for Jay when Ricky came into the picture. But now holds Ricky's heart and they are living together on a houseboat! Cool, right?!
But there is a serial killer in the area, killing women--women who are of a certain type--each one seemingly prettier than the last one... The MO is consistent, even to leaving a small plastic heart... And kills are escalating!
The book opens with Ricky playing darts with two of his best friends, who are cops he has met since he moved south and left his job as a NY homicide cop. Bill Sewell and Carol Brooklyn are good cops and they have worked a few cases with Ricky in the past.
This time, however, Jay is hyper about maintaining client confidentiality, while Ricky is struggling with his own doubt about their "client." Why put out $60,000 and not explain? And Bill and Carol are both on the serial killer case as it is near Spring Break when all college students head to Florida for fun and games. When another murder takes place, they found the man and arrested him immediately. The mayor announced they had their serial killer... but it was a copycat! And two more women were found dead with the original MO... The mayor had to spin his tale to the news staff as they were crying out for information!
Then the case got a break, the condom had been found inside one of the women recently found, apparently having been lost as the killer finished his assault... And, suddenly it all fell apart as the DNA test showed that an Asian was the killer, but was not it their database...
And Jay and Ricky looked at each other, knowing that their...client...was...Asian...
I could not stop reading! I suffered along with Ricky as he struggled with his own moral code to seek justice for the victim... But, then, as he investigated, information was confirmed that their client was out of town during the last two murders... But sooner or later, the fact that he was one of the few Asians in this area, just might mean he would be questioned.
Did Ricky follow his heart or would his boss tell him to ensure their new client was protected under the law...
Reading a book all the way to the last page is rare for me... And, I have to tell you, when I did, I was lying in bed reading the last sentence and I began to laugh wildly! Sure glad I don't live with anybody! Laurence has allowed herself to write as the book needed to be told and it shows that she's moving into a must-read author. She notes in her bio that she's tried many things through her life and just lately she's tried writing. Well, I'm finding that she's a natural at it! This book shares the dialogue, the situations, and the people that are encountered with criminally-minded people are encountered in daily life. She doesn't hold back anything, as it should be... And, indeed, it makes this book the best fiction I've read this year! Obviously, it's a personal favorite for me...
But for readers of mystery, true crime, with a touch of appropriate sexual encounters, Laurence has taken the story of the Real Ricky Burns, Jerry Lyon, and presented avid readers with a page-turner that will ensure you, too, will read it through once you get started! High praise for this solid thriller that keeps you guessing. I was fairly certain early on what was happening, but that is only because of the way the writer presented the case... Thank YOU Dynamic Duo for a series that keeps on providing great stories directly from the headlines!
GABixlerReviews
Sooo, I'd been waiting for the next Dynamic Duo Book and saw a post about one, so I ran out and purchased...
Only to immediately find when I started reading that I had already read and reviewed it...
This is a purchase made yesterday!
I was told I could not return it, even though procedures allow...
Consider this, I was looking also for another book yesterday, which had nothing to do with a return... You know the one I posted about last time...
And I got info about books updated...today, on another book... A Day Late and $8 short...
So I went out to find my review in 2024 of the same book... It was there... See Above... I had already checked my Blog and found the review, so it was a duplicate purchase... Tried two different ways to gain attention for action... But, why bother, trying to PROVE you have a right to return to return a duplicate copy... After all, they are so big that purchases have to be filed by year...found it there... but still got NO... Ahhh, to be able to actually talk to a human...
$8, in fact...
$8 LOST as Amazon again Bites The Dust...
Gabby
When you are running a race...nothing else matters, including the customer, in order to win...
Maybe I'll start reading real books with magnifying glasses and just live my life in peace...and forget about Kindle...and all the extra work it causes... Sigggghhhhh...
2 AM of the day after I purchased a duplicate book of a novel read in 2024... Loved it...but really? MY TBR list doesn't allow reading more than once...
Safety Tip by Gabby - DON'T Allow Passkeys for your Entry to Sites!
Sooo, there I was laying in bed around 4:30 AM wondering how bad it will be today... I had tried yesterday when I saw that a book I wanted to read was out, so I went online to purchase... I couldn't even get onto the site... I really try not to get upset, or "frustrated" which all AI systems seem to realize I am... Or is it the creators who are frustrated??? LOL In any event, I stopped, sign offline, ate a TV dinner and started a new book by another one of my favorite authors... Nevada Barr, who writes about a female Forest Ranger and her adventures... I pick ones I'm pretty sure I'll like when the day hasn't gone well... Unfortunately I wasn't impressed so far, so I quickly fell asleep...
I'd decided I wasn't going to post book reviews until I am able to post on the various sites I have been posting for years...so flipped through a couple of drafts on my sister blog... So as I was working on posting those on the only site I was able to post on today, I remembered that I needed to see if a book I had purchased and found major editorial problems with had been corrected... I tried Amazon today, did get the password provided, refused the passkey concept which never works as it says it will, and pulled up the book in question.
I scrolled down and saw that the publishing date was now about 10 days after I had originally bought the book, so I was hopeful... At least I'd had a chance to get on!... So I thought I could do the procedures tht I've been using for years, now since I can only read ebooks... Went to my library and the book listed was for my original purchase...
Went to Alexis... Saw that she now is only available for shopping... So I pressed Customer Service... Waded through each step in various places, tried several, even said No, not solved or whatever they make you go through... Finally, I went back to Alexis... Ask "What do I do when I can't get an answer to my question... She referred be to Customer Service. I explained: Been There; Done That. So she asked for a detailed description of the issue and she'd try to help.
I gave a very detailed step-by-step, pinpointing the issue as well as what I had tried and found it didn't work... It had to be at least 15 lines... I entered... It disappeared thereafter... and waited... Finally, I said... And you also are keeping me waiting... She admitted it was "lost." Immediately apologized for my being frustrated...yeah... but frustrated wasn't the word I would have used...
She then asked me to resubmit... And I blasted off...
I thought YOU were supposed to be helping me...and went on from there...and signed off, telling her to present it to a human...
Guesstimate of trying to find instructions, follow them, try again, knowing that it was worthless... was around a half-hour for not one result...
On top of that, I discovered that the copy of my library which is a desktop legacy of nearly 4000 books is not a complete program... Specifically, I cannot pull up any book with just an author name... I hope you all know that remember a book name, plus, sometimes a sub-title which has become a formal part of the title, is an impossibility to remember... No more bringing up possibilities as it was before AI... One word wrong and you're out!
So, I was not happy, but I refused to review the book as is (although I might now)...
I went to the author who had recently sent me a notice to follow his book's posts, so I thought I would explain the issue...
Here's the exchange:
Hi... I started reading your book... I was intrigued of course with your excerpt... However, I have a very basic question for you which I will pose for a quick yes or no from you. Are your word merges there for a reason? I will decide whether to proceed reading based upon your answer... Thanks... AUG 11 View Glenda A.’s profile Glenda A. Bixler 12:45 PM
Since you haven't responded to my question, although I am sorry that you haven't, are you aware that there are editorial errors throughout your book? I thought at first that, given the topic, it may have been done on purpose for some reason. But if that is not the case, I must confirm that I will not read your book. It is extremely difficult to overlook such a series of typing problems in one book. I see no reason for me to struggle with trying to figure out what words they represent given your seeming lack of interest. If you were unaware of this problem, sad to say that I doublecheck on my desktop version of your book and the errors are on both that book as well as on a cell. If you had this book done by somebody else rather than self-published, I recommend you go back to them and seek your money back.... I will help document that if you wish.
Hi, how are you doing? Sorry for not replying to you soon, I was out of town and couldn't open my Link for a while. Anyway. To answer your question my words merges from thoughts and experience through out my life. just like painting a picture. AUG 13Glenda A. Bixler sent the following messages at 9:40 AM View Glenda A.’s profile Glenda A. Bixler 9:40 AM
We are talking now, butrightinthemiddle of a sentence, thereareplacesthat are merged together so that the readerisn'tsurewhatwords are there... For me, I thought of a sign I saw one where the word Jesus was in a graphic so cleverly created that you couldn't read the name until you finally did and then you couldn't see anything else... That was my first thought, but I really came to think that there were far too many of thesesituationswhereitwas happening... If you were not aware of this, I am sure this is shocking you right now... But like I said, there are too many instanceswhereyoujust have to stop reading and worktofigureoutwhatwords are being said. I have never seen this before as a mistake so I have no experience as to how it could occur View Glenda A.’s profile Glenda A. Bixler 9:50 AM
But something is clearly wrong with the printing activity... If you give me an email address, I will send you a copy of the book as it is printed. As I mentioned earlier, I check my desktop copy also and it included the same type of wordmergesthatcannoteasily be read...Let me know if you need to verify your original manuscript which was submitted and ensure that it was not originally submitted for publishing as described. Let me know if I can help...But truthfully, I cannot honestly recommend anybody reading in its present shape... I did get interested in the book, so please let me know what you plan to do and if you get it corrected, I'll be happy to read... Best Glenda omar.hamoud@gmail.com
Because of eye surgeries, I am no longer able to read a paper copy. I am reading an ebook copy which I bought... The reference I made for a second copy was for my desktop library, which I use as a basis for writing reviews... Here are a couple directly from my desktop library copy... livelybordersofNewYorkCity. Hismother,SofieJansen, livelybordersofNewYorkCity. Hismother,SofieJansen, EveryoneclosetoAndrianknewhewasexceptionallysmart. understoodcomplexideaswhentheywereproperlyexplained to him. View Glenda A.’s profile Glenda A. Bixler 10:33 AM
I have not attempted to return the book due to this major problem in formatting. Let me know if you need additional samples. These were all on page 1-5 pages. Let me know if you need anything else...
Really appreciate it
Glenda A. Bixler sent the following message at 11:13 AM
Hi... I'm glad you are feeling happy...cause I'm not... I have just tried to get a new copy of your book and have had AI once again stop action...meaning I can not get to talk to a person... This has been happening for me on every site...I do not have the time to deal with a software platform that is being forced on us...Sorry...
Well, that's just fine...since you first approached me... and I bought your book...and you now have no idea what I am talking about... I've lost a little money, but dealing with such as you is worth a financial loss...
Ok, I may not have explained the last message well enough, especially if he hasn't taken the time to actually read his book as an ebook, which is quite different and should be regarded as a separate final review copy signoff as if it is another drafted manuscript...
However, he also had the opportunity to scroll up and review our earlier discussions... which he obviously didn't take the time to do...
When I'm reading, if I don't understand a sentence, I go back and read it again and, maybe even again...until I understand why the writer wrote something as it appears... I got the habit early in my life, directly out of children's songs I learned...in Sunday School... Like the one above... As I listen to it now, I cringe inside of me... You see, I took the song literally as I was prone to do... First of all, my mother never told me anything about that "being" that is covered in the song. But, after listening and learning the words to this song, I got the message... Throughout my life, I have never willingly said that "D" word except maybe in a silly song that was somewhat of a joke just in the words... Even then I would not acknowledge it as being a part of my life... Yes, I have some pretty strong opinions, once decided to be my Truth... Hopefully, it comes close to God's Truth...
So, of course, when I heard this song by Charlie Daniels, I began to think about "betting..." and promptly made my choice for life... Nope! No betting for money, for anything... It's a stupid choice to ever make in my opinion... And, I've never placed a bet, bought a ticket, or listen to whatever tv ad that declares that I would be "excited" or whatever... Geesh... how do we get into these messes of our lives, I have always wondered...
When I finished the latest book (see below) I was reading this morning around 4 AM, one of the things from that book had immediately come to mind... There were several short discussions between different people on exactly what evil was... I understood what was being said and perhaps agree to some extent... But then I got to thinking about today's world, how we had arrived to where we are, as I see it (and perhaps, I say, perhaps, because I'm not quite sure, but I believe that the majority of people around the world believe as I do... Or do they? I'll be pondering that if I can ever get back to reviewing and talking about books... Two behind as of right now...
It's been a bad week for me from a purely personal standpoint... My frustration level, you might say, hit the explosion level. Sure, I've admitted I've lied--as appropriate--for mostly my own protection. We see it in childhood, and can recognize that it's a learned action based upon fear of being scolded--or worse...But at some point, each of us has formed our own choices on how we wanted to live. And that normally includes decisions about how strong, and willing, we are to speak OUR truth...
Me? I was one of those who didn't lie. I didn't say anything. The so-called lie of omission... I don't think it was intended in my life. The fact is that I was the last of four children. My father died before I was born. and my mother immediately had the total burden on her slim shoulders. She didn't have the time or energy, or maybe even the words to spend time trying to explain about not telling lies, or doing this or that, or whatever. She lived her life; her children watched and learned... If one of us--me--took everything literally as it was happening and formed some type of, perhaps, extraordinary moral code, nobody every bothered to discuss that with me--at any time or any place, especially not in church.
I met Jesus, My Savior, through music that spoke to me... It wasn't every song. Some, like the first one above, taught me what I didn't want in my life... But, Jesus... Jesus came to my door and knocked... And all I had to do was open my heart and He would come in...
And He did... It was much later in my life, when His gifts started. I was prepared, though, and had no doubt about what was happening... And then, He spoke through the book I just finished:
Plausible Liars by Lin Wilder
"Never deny the goodness of the gifts God has given you, Kate. That's false humility." He was right; she knew the instant he said the words..."
You See, that was a message, I believe--a God Incident if we wish to continue to use that phrase... I don't know how or when, but I will begin to share about the gifts God has given to me. Some I may not even yet understand, but, they are part of my life as a child of God...
But I'm not in a frame of mind to be joyful unto the Lord and be thankful... I'm not. He knows it; I know it...
When you feel a need to hug every Black woman you meet for fear of what is happening, there is no time for Joy... When you find yourself not able to trust many people, as they interact with me, A child of God just like everybody else, then, I can feel His pain as well... It may be in His Plan... Or He indeed is in control, as the message I received clearly shared... but trust in human beings, men in particular, has become a heavy burden... And when you've allowed God into your heart, I believe, you, too, will feel the pain being thrown at millions of people across the world, who are just as fed up as I am... And we cry out: WHY?
And yet, we also know not only the why, but the who... We see it... I see it... But the question always returns... WHY?
I do believe that we were made in His Image... But, over 2000 years has passed and things have happened to each one of us that affects how we view the world... I can read the story written by another and know that it could never be my story. That's not a negative statement. That's the reality of living in a world of different people, each with different life experiences... And, let's face it, after so long? Few of us really know much about our own family members... We only know what we perceived through our personal lens of life...
Having read so many different life stories, I've been able to gain and learn to try to see the perspective of the writer. Others have told me I have achieved that with their books--some with gratitude; others with dismay, perhaps... I can only tell what I've learned as I read a book...
It is not the complexity of life that I can't comprehend... It's the why that some people choose priorities so alien from my own... Especially those who do harm to others...
How then can we possibly even consider a future of peace...
But, Hey, I see that I am still unable to routinely click to go to another site, for whatever unknown reason... this time, I was trying to move out of YouTube, which I got into this morning, but when trying to move out of to another site? It just sat there scrolling... Now Gemini told me that the speed in some sites where AI is predominant, is indeed unable to easily move to another non-AI controlled site--my understanding of what was being shared... And it hasn't been helped since it is full steam ahead for the Trump Race during HIS Golden Age of America... Funny, a guesstimate of about 99% of the U.S. citizens do not agree that a golden age exists for any of us now watching criminal and illegal actions in order to increase their wealth...
Maybe some day, in the years after I am dead, somebody will be able to find my memoir... By being assimilated... If computer corporations and Trump have any control of the matter... So, start thinking about YOUR definition of Evil...
I am Gabby, a Child of God
If I have a choice, how about going...Just as I am...
~~~~~~
This is one of the stepping blocks as I look to the how and why of where we are today... This book was recently updated and I contacted Lin about my earlier review--I either wanted to spotlight it or do a new review if a substantial update had been made...
Then I decided to go ahead and reread it. In fact, I might have been nudged a little, since, when I got excited about seeing it, I frankly couldn't remember what it was about...His spirit knew though. What has happened during the last few years gave me an almost new set of eyes since my first reading... I picked up much more than I did, given awareness of the definition of evil, actually. I decided I would do a discussion by Gabby this time and get into the issues that came to my mind as I read. I'm not quite sure when I can manage that discussion, so you can either read my review of the first book now, or wait until I've achieved some semblance of calmness...
Until further notice, this blog will be gone after over 25 years of ongoing book reviews and more...
It is IMPOSSIBLE for it to Continue when nothing works and it all happened after AI was shoved down our throats...
All I know IS that I have done nothing different! Yet each day I have to fight something changed to even get a new post CREATED... OR POSTED This includes, Google, Windows, Amazon, Facebook (SOMEWHAT since I already had to fight to get back on after losing 20 years of membership involvement, Pinterest, BlueSky, and LinkedIn (somewhat, since I already had to fight and failed to get them to remove a duplicate account...) and more...
I can longer get on sites I had been routinely posting on for well over a year... Speed is gone, inability to open sites...
We already know what is going on with talks with a president who is in it only for the money... I MAKE NO MONEY FROM MY BLOG... THERE ARE NO PIECES OF MONEY IN, AROUND, OR FROM ME OR ANYBODY ELSE WHO COMES TO THESE BLOGS...
It seems to me when no corporation cares about We The People, then why should we provide our creative energy for them to scrape and use...
I'm Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired...
And by the Way, corporations who think they have a right to MY phone number are wrong... Especially since I CANNOT READ THE PRINT ON CELL PHONES!!! But, they don't care for the individual any more... as we all know by the minority of the United States Citizens who are suffering from those people who provide all the work at a minimum wage that has not been increased because of ONE POLITICAL PARTY... and we all know which one that is...
GABixlerReviews
Gabby
God Be With THE MAJORITY!!!
I even had a great book by Lauren Carr to share today...
How are these people getting away with this devastation?!
Mutebi marched over to where Zawadi and the two children were seated around John, who was lying in the dirt. Singing softly, Zawadi was cradling John’s head in her lap. Blood from John’s face had created patches of red in the dirt. Opening his eyes, John did not look at Mutebi glaring down at them. He looked instead at the bracelet Zawadi wore on her ankle. Shawni Juma had given it to her during the first meal they had eaten together. He smiled at the memory of the stew Zawadi had made with cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, and millet. Mutebi’s voice broke his reverie like a thunderbolt. “What do I do with you, John Okoro?” he bellowed. “Do I keep you, or do I kill you?”
He had never been a prayer kind-of guy, but right now he prayed God would allow him to put a bullet in Mutebi’s head. I’m guessing that’s not exactly an appropriate prayer, he thought with a glance upward. And after a quick squirt of water into his mouth, he put away the water bottle and began trotting again.
“How do I know I can trust you?” “Now, that’s funny, coming from a traitor."
Alex refuses to get on the helicopter? This is a no-win situation for me, but this isn’t about me. It’s about Larisa, Alex, Shawni Juma, and stopping some of the most depraved and evil men on the planet. So I mean it when I say we have no choice but to let her do this.” “Then our prayers go with you, Bill. They would have, anyway, but this time, you’re going to need them like you’ve never needed them before.
“Don’t, just . . . don’t, okay? I know you have to phrase things a certain way, but I don’t like hearing how little he matters in the scheme of things.” “You wanted me to be honest, so this is me being honest. It’s not how I feel personally, but it’s reality.”
“He said refugee camps were proof the world was overpopulated, and that his vaccines would eliminate what he called the world’s most useless inhabitants.” “He actually said that?” “In those exact words. He was referring to refugees when he said it, but I wondered who’s next on his list. The poor? The old? The sick? Everyone in Ohio? What I don’t understand is how all of this fits with him wanting to destroy America.
While Talanov was in Africa, physically hurt and running for his life, the love of his life was waiting in her bedroom to be married to another man... Talanov had sent her away, believing that he loved her enough to give her up so that she was not forced to be involved in his career choice where, she, too, would be in danger. He knew he could never go through that again, thinking of the moment his first wife was shot and he'd held her as she died...
This then, was to be the 5th book by one of my personal favorite authors. I found it much more compelling a read... This book may indeed include the normal thrilling scenes readers can expect but, this was so much more! Revelatory! Up-to-Date, Exciting, Unorthodox, and, most surprising, Within a family-like setting... A group of strangers who, in fighting for one cause--justice--had banded, and bonded, to become a loving group of people who would do anything and everything for those they loved--AND--for those in need, no matter where they are, or were...
“O God of all creation, Bless this our land and nation. Justice be our shield and defender, May we dwell in unity, peace, and liberty.” “You quote our national anthem.” “The English rendition is nowhere as poetic as it is in Swahili,” Wilcox responded. “Plus, what have we always said, you and I, since our very first meeting?” “That in spite of political whims, we will always stand together.” “Yes., and what was true then is just as true now.” Lesanu embraced Wilcox as his brother, and the two men smiled and shook hands.
Take for instance Talanov's boss... There is no doubt as we read that he considers Talanov as he would love his own son... Though both are strong-willed, they regret it later and come back together in forgiveness. Wilcox and Talanov were now working together. Kilo Tactical response team, otherwise known as KTAC, which had been created in a classified department within Directorate K of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or the NGA. Included on the team was another trusted friend, former KGB colonel, Aleksandr Talanov, whom Wilcox had recruited away from the Soviets back in the 80s.
This became very important when a helicopter was landing in the midst of that wedding that was going to be held later in the day... You see, that boss, Bill, had also been asked to walk Larisa down the aisle at her wedding... But, he had gotten a real shock when he'd gone to talk with her preparatory to that event... She was having second thoughts. And, of course, Bill had brought back memories of her love of Talanov...As they talked, the gardens were being destroyed, tables were being turned over and the helicopter had landed and they were looking for the head of KTAC... Just know, these are "the good guys..." Bill had heard the 'copter and knew it would be for him... He stood up and immediately Larisa thought of Talanov and jumped up as well... "I'm going too..." And, of course, Bill knew that couldn't happen... Larisa began to show her own "stuff" as she lifted up the long bottom of her white gown, and started running out of the bedroom and on to the helicopter, passing the family members, guests, and only stopping to whisper regrets and ran on to have the men in the copter lift her up, thinking she was going... Well, Bill tried, but ultimately, Larisa was on her way to help ensure Talanov was safe! Readers get involved as they watch Larisa tackle any man who is trying to once again tell her what "she" should do... And she wasn't having any of it! I was loving this... Here's my hero, finally meeting a woman who was not afraid of a hero loved by many for saving their lives... Larisa was looking for much more... You'll enjoy this romantic story plot within the family drama like no other you will hear about...
Take for instance, that Talanov is now a father of 3 children (adopted)--the oldest in her 20s and a super expert on all things computers... Talanov didn't have a choice. Bill didn't have a choice... It was now a time when using guns was no longer the most effective way to fight long-distance... And when you're heading into Africa, you'll not know what deadly bit of equipment will be flying toward you! Indeed, Bill had his own computer specialist, also with prolific skills, including using computer equipment, in planning out or obtaining what was needed for any respective crisis they were being called into... Readers will learn more about these two skilled women than from either Bill or other leaders of government... They were the experts that, if they know what they are doing, any leader will ensure he has available and in full support for responsibilities to actually come together for a win...
You know, folks, I was also surprised and gratified that Turner had moved forward to introduce, again from our daily headlines, what can happen when computers are moved into an aggressive mode... Specifically, it is only by the brilliance of the creators that those machines can actually perform to do exactly what needs to be done. AI will never, in my opinion, reach that level of independence. But, as shown with the rich villain leader, much damage can occur when the goal is destruction for greed and power...
This gives a public perception of him being a philanthropist because it looks as if he’s donating millions of dollars to charitable causes. For instance, his Endowment for the Arts and Sciences, which is a 501(c) non-profit organization, routes money to another of his 501s, his Foundation, which receives government grants for the support of humanitarian needs around the world, which in turn pays kickbacks to politicians who grant him government aid. His foundation then gives shipping contracts to OBLO Global Holdings, which is his shipping company, which supposedly transports aid to worldwide crisis areas. OBLO then donates massive amounts of money to the Endowment for the Arts and Sciences, and round and round it goes. That’s an over-simplification, but it illustrates how he doesn’t really give money to anyone, but merely circulates it among his NGOs. In the process, he pays himself and his political cronies huge sums of money. It also allows him to sink his hooks into every politician who votes to give his NGOs American aid money in exchange for kickbacks. If they try and jump ship, he ends their careers. Or their lives.” “So he’s in this for the money?” “To a degree, yes, but his primary motive is to make America the seat of global communist power. A prerequisite, as you might guess, is replacing America’s constitutional government with a communist form of government. This is why individual freedoms are under such attack, especially the first and second amendments. Stand out in your standing up, and you’ll get killed.” “I hear you there.” “Which begs the question: why risk your life doing this? There are safer ways to help.” “To be honest, I thought a research lab was where I belonged,” answered Shawni. “I loved the work and I knew I would be helping people. Then I came to Africa and I just . . . fell in love. Then I learned what Mutebi was doing and knew I had to put boots on the ground and do something. If they end up killing me, so be it.”
~~~~~~
Frankly, I was somewhat stunned when I read this--by the way, I've taken out most names of the bad guys. In such a complex book, there is no way, brief excerpts can lead you anywhere significant for potential TMI. Thereafter, I wasn't surprised about who the criminals included on their payroll... The thing about this kind of book, actions described are almost predictable, as if they are being used directly from today's headlines... if you're reading the right headlines, that is...
“Waiting is not doing nothing. It’s the deliberate act of choosing the right time to strike. So waiting is what we do. Can I count on you for that?” Shawni did not reply. “I need to hear you say it.” “I hate you right now, but, yes.” Talanov smiled because he understood Shawni’s frustration over the Okoros being treated like cattle. And not just the Okoros, but everyone in the cage.
“Boys with guns getting drunk.” “That doesn’t sound good.” “It’s not, but maybe they’ll keep drinking and pass out.”
“My God, they’ve got Stinger missiles,” whispered Talanov while Mutebi’s men cheered. “Brought by that white guy in the hat. Do you know who he is?” “A mercenary from South Africa...” answered Shawni. “When I first got here, I noticed him in the camps with an older white guy.” “What did the older guy look like?” “Seventies . . . stocky, gray hair and jowls.” “With a big scar on his chin?” “Yeah, but . . . how did you know?” “That man was...
Bill Wilcox had been asked to head up a rescue somewhere in Africa (to be determined). Immediately Wilcox took control and confronted the government representatives about the fact that the first rescue had failed due to sabotage from within the team. He demanded and got permission for his own team to be vetted and ultimately approved by Bill and Talanov, if they could find him alive... In other words, they had no idea exactly what kind of team support was needed, whether they found anybody still alive, or whether this team, somehow would also be sabotaged. But Bill had gone through this for many years... Four individuals were chosen for interview by Bill. Let's just say that if sabotage was tried, immediate action would be taken...
Readers will enjoy getting to know the team members, especially one black woman who started singing Redneck Woman until one of the men tried to stop her... Let's just say, for purposes of this post,,, she...won... Ultimately the final team were working on their own, because this book has many different major crimes needing attention...
Loss of freedom and humane living
Starvation and loss of life of average citizens of various African locations
Human Trafficking mostly of women and children, Death through Sexual Attacks, including gang rapes
Safety of the Victims, how and where they were being taken,
Gun smuggling and Internal criminals killing innocent citizens,
Provision of high power weapons for greater destruction
Control of all criminal actions by the rich and power structure,
Intimidation and threats against family members of officials/team members,
Control of businesses by intimidation and threats,
And a specific hit list of those working against criminality.
Finally, attempting the rescue of a researcher and Talanov, if still alive, who was seen falling out of the first helicopter that had been destroyed. The researcher had gained significant information which could be used to legally take action. Could the team find, retain, and actually achieve ownership and retention into a safe location?
Any other atrocity that is now taking place of inciting wars, threatening genocide, control by power rather than providing AID
If you think I have merely listed all that I've personally witnessed in our country at this time, you would be wrong...These issues are all addressed in one way or another in this fantastic look at reality by a man who, first, started traveling in Russia to smuggle bibles into that country and met the true-life Russian who chose, for himself, to not act to support what was happening by this dictator or that authoritarian, or this King, or that common thief and oppressor who uses violence because that's a choice...
Talanov had been trained to have no feelings about death. It was only when he learned about being free, in a democracy, that he began to not only feel personal freedom, but learned the pain that, seemingly everywhere, had those who had no emotional concerns about how others were treated... I admired Talanov as a hero in earlier books. In this book I found a man who I could trust, not as a hero, but as an individual who believes in justice--for all... A Perfect Man of the People!
So, of course, Turner keeps our hearts beating fast until the very end and I don't dare talk about any of that... So how to close, because of course I know what is to happen (Yay!) So, I will just point out that one of my favorite authors continues to up his game, and I believe this is already up for a movie? Of course I have no idea where his movies are shown... LOL not in my neck of the woods... Do enjoy this masterpiece of writing!
