Month: October 2007

children, fantasy, holiday

Christine Kringle

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lynn Brittney
Publisher: BookSurge
Genre: Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4196-7554-6
Pages: 178
Price: $13.99

Author’s website
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Kriss Kringle of the USA is in a bind. By ruling of the Yule Dynasty, the job of Christmas Gift Bringer can only be handed down from father to son, and he only has a daughter – fourteen year old Christine. So, at this year’s conference, Kriss plans to petition the Dynasty to change the rules.

But before the issue can be resolved, the little English town of Plinkbury bans Christmas. Christine and her two friends, Little K of Japan and Nick of England, are sent to Plinkbury to help avert disaster. Along with Nick’s mom, Zazu and her brother Egan, they take on the Town Council and attempt to change their decision.Chaos erupts, and the Council never knows what hit them.

Lynn Brittney has woven a charming blend of fantasy and humor, mixed with a little Christmas spirit. Christine Kringle is an enjoyable read for all ages, and guaranteed to start your holiday season off with a smile.

Update: Lynn Brittney has announced a contest! Come up with a synopsis of her next book, and you could win $5,000 USD. See website for details.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

memoir

Life on Santa Claus Lane

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Darrell Bain
Genre: Biography/Humor
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: 1-931201-19-6
Pages: 177
Price: $15.50

Author’s website
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Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus Lane. And for Darrell Bain, life at home is filled with more funny and unusual experiences than a stocking is filled with goodies on Christmas morning.

Life on Santa Claus Lane is a collection of amusing stories detailing Bain’s life on a Christmas tree farm in East Texas along with his spouse, dog, and two cats. You certainly won’t be disappointed with Bain’s down-home, tongue-in-cheek style and quirky perceptions of life.(Per evidence of his definition of the actual use of a tape measure: “There is no actual use for this tool because it mysteriously disappears whenever anything needs measuring.”) But don’t look for any talk about sex, because that topic is emphatically off limits.Just ask Darrell’s wife. The exploits of their dog, Biscuit, however, is fair game.

Through it all Bain spins a sequence of tales that provide smirks of familiarity, chuckles of amusement, or downright, out-loud laughter. Wait till you read the slightly exaggerated “The Great Closet Expedition” or learn of his ironclad memory in “A Simple Errand.”Even putting up a garden tent, as in “Trade Fair Follies,” can be quite an adventure where Bain is concerned.

Whatever happens on Santa Claus Lane, you can be sure Darrel Bain will tell us about it in a fun and entertaining fashion. This book is a great read, and I highly recommend it!

Reviewer: Gene Berger

mystery, romance

Flowers For Emily

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: T.L. Vance
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-0-595-44499-1
Pages: 129
Price: $11.95

Author’s website
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Dr. Veronica Donavan (Roni) has spent the last two years hunting down a serial killer she believes took the life of her little sister, Emily. When Scotland Yard closes the case, she moves to Denver where she believes he has resumed his killing spree.

As the case unfolds, more information comes to light, revealing that Roni holds the key to the whole investigation – and that she may be the killer’s intended target.

Agent Dean Colby is assigned to protect her, and he moves into her apartment and into her bed. Although neither is looking for love, they can’t deny the passion that blazes between them, and discover that love may have found them.

Just when you think the case has been solved, the author throws a curveball. The climax will leave you stunned, hoping that Roni can outsmart the killer and find true love after all.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, fantasy

Friends & Enemies / Beings In a Dream

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: David Field
Genre:Young Adult Fiction
Publisher:Athena Press
ISBN:1-84401-460-6 / 1-84401-881-4
Pages:408 / 438
Price: $20.95 / $22.95

Author’s website
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A mixed-up holiday house swap sends Tommy and his family to spend their vacation at a French chateau. But Tommy doesn’t end up at just any French chateau – this one has a time portal to the year 1599.

Before he’s even fully settled in for his vacation, Tommy finds himself four hundred years in the past, wearing uncomfortable clothes, and surrounded by people he doesn’t know.Or does he?He’s stepped into the life of Thomas de Romolue, and he seems to share the memories of the boy who looks just like him in 1599.And he falls immediately in love with the beautiful girl whose painting graces the walls in the present-day chateau – Eloise de Narbonne.

Caught up in this new time period, he must act the part of this other boy, facing the evil churchmen who want to control him and the Romolue family.And his new love is threatened, so he must protect her at all costs.As Tommy and Eloise run from their pursuers, they join up with an unlikely group of characters who help them in their quest to reveal the treachery of the evildoers.

In the sequel, Beings in a Dream, they finally figure out how to return to the present day, but Tommy has no idea how difficult the transition will be for Eloise.A modern day priest looks strikingly similar to the priest from 1599, and he’s just as evil.Although they thought they had returned to safety, they must protect themselves in the present, just as they did in the past.

Finally returning to 1599, Eloise is whisked away by the Count and Countess de Romolue to a safe place, far from Tommy.Now Tommy must find her before they can attempt to capture the evil priest from his brother’s protection.

The author portrays life in France in 1599 very realistically, even down to the little details like what kind of undergarments people wore, and where one would find a commode.

I really enjoyed the light-hearted and sweet romance, and the antics of the unique group that comes to their aid.Tommy’s use of his cellular phone, which amazingly enough actually works in 1599, was particularly clever.This is a great adventure, and I look forward to reading the third and final book in this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy

1225 Mistletoe Lane

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lenny Castellaneta
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1-4137-6754-0
Pages: 131
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
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Jim Carrelli is a thirty-something bachelor who has no wife or girlfriend, no life to speak of, and no prospects for attaining the “American Dream.”He bemoans his unhappiness to a quirky old, but mysterious neighbor named Galen, and then the fun begins. Jim’s life changes drastically as it takes a magical twist that leads to numerous surprises and an ending befitting the fuzzy-warm feeling that the holidays offer.

If you enjoyed the classic film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” you’ll certainly take pleasure in reading 1225 Mistletoe Lane by Lenny Castellaneta.His writing style brings the book’s characters to life and contains a myriad of analogies pertaining to people that have been famous on television or film. So if you are a TV or movie aficionado, you’ll truly fancy this story even more.

Conclusion: Great Read

Reviewer: Gene Berger

finance

The Golden Pool of Abundance

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jeanie Marshall
Genre: Guided Meditations
Publisher: Marshall House
ISBN: 978-1885893079
Price: $19.95

Author’s website
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Do you have infinite abundance in your life? If you don’t, a visit to the Golden Pool of Abundance is exactly what you need.

First you will need to decide what you want to attract more of. There are many forms abundance can take, and they don’t have to just be more money. More of anything you want can be available to you. If you’re not sure what you want, trust the Universe to give you what you most need.

Then take a journey along with Jeanie Marshall to the Golden Pool of Abundance. Immerse yourself in its beauty, energy and power. Swim, play, laugh, and enjoy it. Breathe it in, taste it, feel it. It’s there for you to experience whenever you like. The more you can let yourself go and explore its wonder, the more of it you’ll have.

Once you’ve had your fill, you’ll be given the opportunity to cast off your lack and limitation and open yourself to all the goodness that awaits you. All that you need is there for you at the Golden Pool of Abundance.

Jeanie Marshall’s hypnotic voice magically transports you through this guided visualization. You’ll see the wonder and feel the energy of this Golden Pool of Abundance. When you finally return to the world around you, you’ll feel refreshed, happy and energized, ready to receive all the goodness the Universe wants to send you.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

literary

The Blankenschipf Curse

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jim Murdock
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
ISBN: 0-7414-3812-7
Pages: 260
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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Rube Winters knew he was cursed by the time he turned five years old. Despite this knowledge, there was no way to prepare for the unusual events that kept happening to him, and no way to prevent them.

His only consolation was in finding out his Uncle Billy was also cursed, when Uncle Billy shared the family secret with him. There was just one way to lift the curse, and Rube was determined to find it.

Rube’s misadventures are hilarious and kept me chuckling throughout the story. I especially enjoyed the antics of Moochie Dunlop, a most endearing character who plays a large role in Rube’s life.

The search to remove the curse leads Rube to The Source and a former college professor who has discovered the meaning of life and health. The principles this professor has uncovered could easily be applied to anyone’s life.

The Blankenshipf Curse is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Its unique message will give the reader something to ponder in his or her own life. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger