Judd for the Defense by Lawrence Louis Goldman

Knowing how I love to read, my mom got me some books for Christmas this year.  One of which was a book called, Judd for the Defense. It’s based on the popular 1960’s television series by the same name.

Clinton Judd is the best defense attorney money can buy. He’s confident, handsome, smart, and ruthless when the need arises.  Carl Betz played Judd in the ABC series.  Clinton Judd is a super lawyer, Perry Mason and Matlock all rolled into one. He even has a streak of Superman in him—he flies— well, his own airplane.

This book is the first of two that were written by Lawrence Louis Goldman.  Judd works alongside Ben, his young partner.   In this story, Ben decides to go back and visit the Commonwealth University where he graduated.  While there he stumbles into a dispute between the college and an old professor, Dr. Michales, who is experimenting with the psychological effects of LSD.  The case is made a little more complicated when one of his subjects, a young girl, falls to her death while under the influence of the drug. So the question becomes, is he unethical, a murderer, both, or innocent?

This book is very well written.  You will suspect many people but not know exactly who is responsible until the very end when Judd and Ben crack the case. 

You can purchase this book at this website.

Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl

I recently ordered a book from BookSneeze.com called Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl.  I was so excited to be getting this book after reading the info about it.

This book is the third in a series called Triple Threat Novels by Lis Wiehl. It follows the lives of three women: Nicole, an FBI agent; Allison, a federal prosecuter; and Cassidy, a reporter at the local news station, as they hunt for the truth and catch the bad guys. 

Unfortunately, I personally found it hard to follow the trails of the three main characters and the psychopath killer they are trying to stop.

Each chapter is about a different person and it goes back and forth between the characters. This caused me to have trouble seeing a fluid picture in my mind of what was taking place.

Heart of Ice seems to focus too much on the psychopath and not enough on the three women charged with catching her.  I did not even finish this book because I was already so untouched by the characters that I did not even feel the need to know if the perpetrator was caught.

Every author wants to be able to reach out and grab the reader and keep his or her interest so that the reader is anxious to turn the page and find out what happens next.  This book did not do that to me.  The beginning grabbed me and made me want to turn the page and find out what happens next but by the time I got halfway through the book, I had slowly lost interest.

I like the idea for this book. I love reading about women that work in powerful positions and use that power for good. 

You can find out more about this book here.

Change of Heart by Fran Shaff

While on this note of Historical Romance novels, I also read one called Change of Heart by Fran Shaff. This book was also a great one at only 110 pages.

Marietta Randolph lives in Chicago, high society, and fancy clothes. Her sister moved away from Chicago a few years back to follow the man she loved to the sparsely populated Nebraska in the 1850’s.  Upon receiving word that her sister and brother-in-law had been killed, Marietta travels to Nebraska to pick up her nephew, Zack.  While waiting for a wagon train to head back east on, Marietta runs into a handsome rancher named Jase Kent.  When the weather turns nasty with a big snowstorm, she finds herself stranded with her nephew and a man he adores, Jase.  Is it possible for Marietta to forget all the warnings her mother gave her and fall in love?

I highly recommend this book! You can purchase it on this website.

Heart of Gold by Lacy Williams

Hello again fellow readers! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!! I received a Kindle Touch for Christmas to I went through and put some books on it. 

I ordered a book called Heart of Gold by Lacy Williams.  Right now you can get it for free on Amazon. Just go to this website.

This book is a short story of only 48 pages but it is one that I was unable to put down.

It is set in Wyoming in 1902.  Opal Bright returns home to visit her estranged father hoping to get some money out of him.  Everyone thinks she wants it for herself but she is trying to save an orphanage in Omaha. Her father’s foreman, Charlie Welch, is in charge of meeting her when she arrives and bringing her home. Through an unfortunate turn of events, Charlie finds himself needing to protect her after a group of gunfighters trap them in a dark cave. Will they survive against this band of guns? Is there a way they can fall in love and make things work although they are live so far apart?

I recommend you get this book and find out the answer to these questions. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!

Tales from the Hills and Hollers by Arlen Davidian

Recently I received a book called Tales from the Hills and Hollers by Arlen Davidian, that had been personally signed by the author.  I learned that Davidian has written for magazine and newspapers for years, resulting in his coming across many people’s stories in the process.  Tales from the Hills and Hollers is a compilation of these stories that he has wandered across in his day-to-day life. Especially about people in the rural areas of the central United States.

The 'tales' in this book are funny and charming. Many times while reading I would think of someone I know that could easily be the one in the situation being described.  Some of the stories are hilarious, some heartwarming while others are downright sad but all will reach out and touch your heart, reminding you of the good values and simplistic lifestyle that is revered by those that live in the country.

In today’s world, everything has gotten so complex.  People are mean and unable to be trusted as neighbor or friend.  It's encouraging to read a book like this and allow yourself to be transported to a simpler time where people are helpful and have someone else's best interest at heart.

I suggest you sit back, put your feet up in front of a roaring fireplace and enjoy the journey in Tales from the Hills and Hollers by Arlen Davidian as you are transported to a place where you can enjoy stories about people in rural America.

I recommend you get this book. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Learn more about the book and the author on his website: http://www.talest40.com/

The Lucado Inspirational Reader by Max Lucado

Hello fellow readers! Today I would like to tell you about the new book by Max Lucado called the Lucado Inspirational Reader.  This book is a compilation of some of Lucado’s best quotes, stories, analogies, and scripture references from all of his previous books. 

Each chapter contains excerpts about different topics.  Some of the topics included in this 445-page book are comfort, compassion, family, forgiveness, perseverance, purpose, and second chances.  With every turn of the page, its like digging for buried treasure, a nugget here and a priceless jewel there.  There is a priceless gem in this book for everyone in any type of situation that they may be facing at the time.

I have read many of Max Lucado’s books and I originally requested this book from Book Sneeze because I love the way that Max Lucado writes.  He has a special way of telling a story that not only is interesting and fun to read but also easy to understand and portrays important points and concepts. He has a real down to earth feel and tone that makes what he is saying easy to understand and comprehend.

If you want a book that you can get out and read on a day when everything you do seems to be going wrong, to be encouraged and your spirits lifted, then this is the book for you!  Being able to have pieces of all of Max Lucado’s books in one compact volume would be such a wonderful addition to any inspirational library.

You can purchase this treasure chest of inspiration here.