Chosen Commander in Chief by Judith M. Galloway - A Timely book to read!

Inauguration Day

Mr. President, Mr. Chief Justice, fellow Americans,
I stand before you today with humility and pride - humility in the wake of those who have gone before me and pride in being an American.

Since its founding our country has been engulfed in turmoil and uncertainty. As your president it

Hestia

is my preeminent duty to nurture the spirit of the country. This is a role which comes naturally to women. Throughout history women have been seen as "keepers of the flame." In Ancient Greece the goddess Hestia was the keeper of the sacred fire of hearth and home. She was the most influential and widely revered of the Greek goddesses. The living flame of Hestia was tended constantly and never allowed to die out.

What has become of the American spirit; is it still burning? Or have the values of our founders vanished in the wilderness of our forefathers? Has the flame of the American spirit somehow been melded to the myriad networks of the inner working of a computer? What has happened to the old truths of the heart? Does anyone even ask anymore: what is truth?
Truth is not relative, it is absolute. Truth is eternal and immutable like the figure of a woman on a Grecian urn--forever pure, forever beautiful, and forever loved. As Nobel Prize winner, William Faulkner said, "Truth covers all things that toch the heart: love and honor, pity and pride, courage and sacrifice."

Our tragedy today is not that we face the loss of material things but that we face the loss of our spirit. Let this be a new beginning for our nation. Let us rekindle the eternal truths of the heart...

Chosen Commander in Chief

By Judith M. Galloway

Will Americans ever select a woman as Commander in Chief? I like to think so, but will be pleasantly surprised if it happens in my lifetime... Galloway, however, presents a novel that moves along so easily and smoothly that readers might indeed think it is possible...but, of course, it's fiction...

Or is it? The main thrust of her story is to reveal one major issue--there are women in the United States that are qualified to become President. If I may be so bold to say that it is quite plausible that the author, herself, could be that qualified woman... or, more specifically, the female main character of her novel...LOL... Especially if you believe that the military experience provides the proper background. I admit that I'm not convinced of that, but that is just my own personal opinion, of course, and doesn't play a part in my review of the book.

I want to early on point out that the tone of this book is not the normal novel readers find. To me, it read more as a documentary or perhaps even an autobiography albeit starting in the adult years of the individual. The author notes that many of the "events are drawn from the author's personal experiences while serving as an officer in the United States Air Force."

The story begins in 1975 and includes some references to actual events during the time period covered. These are all footnoted and provided with full reference material at the end.

One issue with the book, therefore, is that it lacks much drama as normally expected in fiction. Specifically, it is merely the life story of a married couple--both serving in the military and/or in the government and spending much time apart due to that service--and the decisions they face, such as putting off having children, mainly due to their career choices. Issues such as sexual harassment or empowerment for women was a key responsibility for Ryland, in which she succeeded, although there were no real surprises or detailed incidents of any of these important issues. On the other hand, would this type of couple, who have successfully dedicated their lives to military service to the country be ideal for moving into the White House? Personally, I'm not quite sure, but reading the novel could sway readers in that direction.

The main character has moved through the military to the rank of Brigadier General. Her husband, in the meantime, has left military service, studies to become a lawyer, and then is elected as a Senator. He is killed in an accident, which allows the opportunity for Rachel Ryland to be named to fulfill her husband's term of office. 

Theoretically, it is through this move that Rachel Ryland enters politics, and is later seen and nominated for President...by the Republican Party. Frankly, I wasn't convinced until the epilogue when I read the inauguration speech. To me it was the first real emotional disclosure of the values and opinions of the character Rachel Ryland. 

Do we elect presidents based upon professional background and expertise? If so, is a military service background and some late-day political experience the proper mix for the leader in chief of our country? The book's back cover includes several questions, different from the ones I've just included. To me that says, that the book is sufficiently provocative to really cause readers to evaluate what it takes to become president. On the other hand, it is my opinion that the book did not adequately respond to the questions posed on that back cover, except in establishing professional credentials of the individual.

I would like to have seen more of the interpersonal challenges faced by the main character doing her various positions and seen her actually get into difficult situations that were not controlled by an immediate superior as the hierarchy of the military mandates--or at least be able to evaluate how the character handled herself and her personal emotions in light of such challenges. The President has to deal with a Congress that does not see the presidency as being their supreme boss. We all know this. Any woman selected will have to "play the game of politics" and have the savvy and perseverance and personal strength to handle such direct confrontations. There was insufficient evidence in this novel for me to see that the character would be successful. I was disappointed. if there had been more effort to develop the characters, the issues, and actual relevant experiences, this could have been a very powerful novel--with another 100 pages or so...

For those individuals who are looking forward to a female president and are actively working in that direction, the novel is an excellent way to brainstorm exactly what is needed to get that woman into the public eye and what it takes to "curry favor" and support from our citizens.



GABixlerReviews

JUDITH GALLOWAY is a retired Air Force officer. Prior to her retirement from active duty she served as education and training officer at various levels of command including a special assignment to the United States Air Force Academy. Medically retired in 1981, she continued her military service as a civilian management analyst and contract administrator for the United States Navy.

A "heartwarming, real, passionate and often hilariousl" Read! Plus Excellent Writing!

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"They made her a Driving to Florida Long
Journey Room Survival Kit..."

tuesday night miracles


Kris Radish




This book touched me personally, but having worked for over 40 years and meeting a lot of women in both professional and social settings, I earlier stated that I wished I could get this book into the hands of every woman. After finishing it, I still feel the same way, and maybe even more so. I would also recommend it for men, even though all of the primary characters are women since readers will also see how husbands involved with those women reacted. Read the blurb of the book for more specific info; I do not want to share much of the book itself so readers will have the benefit of learning along with the group member characters...

Even more so, both men and women are susceptible to the stresses of today's world. Yes, those stresses often become too much to handle. We know about some of the results by learning about domestic violence and other actions that "make the news" but I know there are many times that nobody knows what has or is happening to a woman or man who is trying to face her life situations and deal with them--trying to make it through...

I had never read Radish before, but find the titles of her other books quite intriguing. Nor do I know her professional background as I began to read, but I found her lead character, Dr. Olivia Bayer totally realistic and knowledgeable in her role as a clinical psychologist. Tuesday Night is the night that most of the group sessions for Dr. Bayer's latest mandated court were held for four women who had, as they say today, snapped...

"The beds are against the back wall in all three cells, which are identical. There's a toilet at what any sane
person would use as the foot of the bed, and it's screened from the cell across from it by a huge metal sink.
The thick brown walls are cracked at the top and appear to be solid concrete.
Leah places her ear against the wall to her right, thinking that perhaps voices were trapped inside the
last time the place was painted.
"Who do you two think stayed in these cells?" she asks, keeping her ear to the wall.
Both Kit and Grace reach out to touch one of the walls. They are cold, and whatever traces of life were
left her have long since been painted over, scrubbed off, erased...
Before she {Dr. Bayer} turns to leave, Kit blurts out, "Are there any ghosts in here?"

Each of the women are facing criminal charges for what they did and will be put in jail if they fail to complete an anger management class and associated requirements. But there is something different with this class. Dr. Bayer has been considering retirement and, perhaps, is being pushed to do so. She wants to discard traditional group session methods and try what she believes is a better model. She agrees with her boss that if the class doesn't work, she will definitely retire...

The only thing I wondered at the end of the book is whether her process is actually being used--or whether it is only the writer's imagination that created it. I found myself slowly being pulled into the activities, not actually stopping to do them, but to stop and ponder my own reactions. What I do know is that this book will not be one that I read and pass on. Right now I've already made some life decisions based upon the book and believe that I'll be referring to the book over and over.

It has been my experience that many women, and men snap during their daily lives. It may be a minor incident or, worse, a series of small incidents will make an individual sad or angry...and the feelings resulting from those incidents will build up to what can be a major event, such as taking physically aggressive actions as the women in the book did... It is my personal opinion that, in today's world, we have all experienced some form of stress-related response to someone else's action. If you know this to be true for yourself, or even have considered that you could reach the point of saying or acting out on your feelings, then I highly recommend you read Tuesday Night Miracles and see if you find yourself there, like I did, or feel that you just might one day see yourself in a similar situation...

This is fiction; however, I felt it was or could be a self-help type of book if you need it to be. Are you sad, angry, agitated, afraid, screaming, drinking...whatever...at times? Please....read this book if you use similar adjectives to describe your personal feelings. And God Bless...

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Biography
Kris Radish grew up dreaming about living a Nancy Drew-like life and always held her own passion for writing very close to her heart. A former journalist, nationally syndicated columnist, magazine writer and university instructor, Radish also loves to tell stories about the times she picked nighcrawlers, served beer to cowboys, worked on a tomato farm and hung out of the side of a fast moving helicoper.

Radish is now the bestselling author of six novels and has captured the hearts of legions of fans with her heartwarming, real, passionate and often hilarious novels. Her stories focus on the important bonds of female friendship and celebrate the common feelings, heartaches, loves, and struggles that all women share. She loves to call her work "true fiction" because she addresses the real emotions that women live and share every day.

She is also the author of two non-fiction books, writes poetry, is the mother of two young and very fiesty adults, is known for her wild laugh and wilder hair, and is working on her seventh novel.

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Review: Nance's Debut Novel Shares Heartwarming Family Drama!

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Nance Shares a Contemporary Little House-like Story

Life Goes On


By Linda Nance




Suspense, intrigue and family highlights Linda Nance’s debut novel as a contemporary ‘Little House on the Prairie’ novel of love, devotion, and inspiration. I was so pleased to meet Linda at my Facebook Reader's Roundup group and learn of her books. But I was honored to know her as an author when I had the chance to read her first novel, Life Goes On.

John and Becky were caught in a financial situation that was one they could not handle themselves. John knew he would not find another job in the city and that he had to do something dramatic--his answer was to turn to a relative--Uncle James, who lived in Arkansas. Becky was shocked to consider not only leaving the city, but to move to the country, and in Arkansas! John explained that he had already talked to Uncle James who had suggested he might find work at a local factory.

Just when Becky was beginning to consider the idea, Donna, Bobby and Stacy came home from school. Neither John nor Becky were surprised at their responses. But this time, John had planned ahead--he had already made the necessary decisions and the family were soon on their way! John knew he had not fully provided the guidance of a father to his family, but now with Uncle James' help, he was firm that he was going to make up for the past.


Soon everybody was adjusting, but the children felt they had been given no choice. Donna called her boyfriend often, Bobby soon was finding that he could find like-minded peers here as well as in the city--those that drank and did drugs. But what they now had was a father who had made up his mind to be more firm and an Uncle who was quite willing to help! They soon had Bobby working with them--at least when he didn't sneak off...

Becky had taken a job at a motel and soon began to see that there were just as many problems with co-workers and strange, potentially dangerous activities there as they had been worried about in the city. But when they discovered that Bobby could very well be right in the middle, the family had to pull together even closer. Even then, death reached out to Bobby and Uncle James who was there to save him!   

Nance has the heartwarming storytelling skills of the creator of The Little House on the Prairie, sharing family love, fortitude, and forgiveness, but adds a contemporary setting where it is no longer safe to have children out with friends where drinking, drugs and sex reach them. Life Goes On reaches out to parents in today's world and shares that hope that still is available when family love is strong and caring. Highly recommended for parents as well as young teenagers who just "don't get their parents!" Linda speaks for many of us who hold on to family values as the way to meet the future! 

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