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"Maps and Shadows," a novel by Krysia Jopek, informs readers about an aspect of World War II that has rarely seen the light of day – the Soviet deportation of almost 1.5 million Polish civilians to forced labor camps in Siberia. Jopek's family was among those deported.
Each chapter in Jopek's novel is narrated by one of four family members: Andrzej (father), Zofia (mother), Henryk (brother), and Helcia (sister).
The story begins with the family living a good life farming land the Polish government gave to Andrzej as a reward for his service in the Polish army during World War I. Then, in September 1939, Germany attacks Poland, easily overpowering its military and slaughtering civilians. While Germany invades from the west, Russia invades from the east.
At gunpoint, Russian soldiers force Jopek's family to be herded with other Poles onto trains to Siberia where Andrzej and Henryk are part of a work crew charged with felling trees to aid in Russia's war effort. The family is at the work camp for 18 months, enduring seasons of bitter cold and a paucity of food. They are freed only because Russia needs the Poles to help fight the Germans.
The family is then torn apart. Andrzej leaves the camp to enlist in the Polish army while the rest of the family flees to Uzbekistan, where Henryk joins the Young Soldiers Battalions. Zofia, Helcia and Jozef, the family's youngest son, continue on to Persia. Henryk's battalion is then assigned duty in Palestine, where fate brings him together with Andrzej for a few precious minutes.
Family members endure more displacement until the end of the war. Surviving against all odds, they reunite in England and finally make their home in Connecticut.
I had not heard of the Polish deportation prior to reading "Maps and Shadows" and find it amazing that this family and other families endured such a long journey of displacement and cruel and inhumane conditions. It all makes my current troubles seem so very insignificant. I appreciate the story being told from four different viewpoints, each shedding light on the family's inner turmoil and struggles. Author Kysia Jopek is also a poet and she intersperses poetry throughout the novel. The cover art is beautiful, adding more historical snippets to the story. I recommend this book to everyone, but especially to those of Polish descent and to readers of historical fiction.
My review is based on an advance copy from the publisher, Aquila Polonica Publishing. The publication date is November 2010.
Be warned! Once you start reading Mark Terry's "The Fallen," you won't want to stop until the end. That's because this book is packed with action and I mean A-C-T-I-O-N.
Terry sets the novel at the Cheyenne Resort in Colorado Springs, at the G8 Summit where twenty world leaders will be meeting. Before the summit begins, a terrorist group, "The Fallen Angels," is already picking off security forces and inserting themselves in their places. The group is led by Richard Coffee, a disenchanted former Army Special Forces operative who aims to secure the release of his comrades detained by the United States at Guantanamo Bay. Breaching the resort's inner security proves easy for The Fallen Angels since Coffee has recruited many of the G8 members' own security people to join his cause. And once inside, The Fallen Angels hold hostage the G8 leaders, threatening to kill one leader an hour until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, Dr. Derek Stillwater, working undercover at the resort as a maintenance man, is the government's only hope for a good outcome. Stillwater specialized in biological and chemical warfare and counterterrorism in the Army Special Services and worked with Richard Coffee before Coffee's fall from grace. Long thought dead, Stillwater is very much alive, but does he have the smarts, strength, endurance and downright luck to pick off Coffee's men and end the siege?
Author Terry's chapters are short, but the action is long in this gripping novel. He surprises readers with page-turning twists and turns. I found Derek Stillwater to be a world-class hero and I can only hope that Terry continues to tell his story. I highly recommend action junkies read this one. They won't be disappointed.
In "Sounds of Murder," Grace University psychology professor Dr. Pamela Barnes turns amateur sleuth when her graduate assistant, Kent Drummond, summons her to the department's state-of-the-art computer lab where Pamela finds prima donna professor Dr. Charlotte Clark strangled to death. Though Charlotte was a real go-getter and brought in mega dollars in research money, she was not well liked by department staff, and for good reason. However, since Pamela discovered Charlotte's body, she feels compelled to find her killer.
Although the local police department's Detective Shoop is investigating the case, Pamela feels her expertise in acoustics may be just what is needed to uncover the killer, much to the chagrin of her husband Rocky, a former Army cook who now teaches English classes at Grace University.
There are plenty of suspects in the murder, including Charlotte's protege, the department dean and other department staff. Pamela discovers a digital recording of the murder and holds onto it to analyze it for clues. When she tells Rocky about it, he demands she give it to Shoop. She does give Shoop the recording but, of course, she keeps a copy for herself. Will Pamela's sleuthing uncover the killer or will the killer decide Pamela knows too much and attempt to stop her?
Patricia Rockwell has created a fun leading lady in Dr. Pamela Barnes. I enjoyed the camaraderie she has with her female colleagues and her husband. And I can relate to her relationship with her teen daughter Angela. Also, Rockwell includes Rocky's recipes at the end of the book, which is a nice touch. Overall, "Sounds of Murder" was an enjoyable read, if a bit slow paced for me. I would recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.
Does a spoiled, privileged college dropout have the wherewithal to be responsible enough to care for his sister and uncover a murderer?
Jeremy Stroeb, a college dropout trying to find himself in Europe, refuses to come home despite pleas from his parents and sister. But his plans change when his mother and father are murdered in their Miami Beach home soon after the family returns from visiting Jeremy in Europe.
Jeremy's parents, Rachel, a CPA, and Daniel, a professor, had recently changed their wills naming Jeremy as guardian to his younger sister, Elise. So instead of escaping to Europe, Jeremy decides to stay in Miami Beach and try to find out who killed his parents and why. He manages to get a job at his mom's firm and enrolls in the university where his father worked. But he is dogged by his uncle, who will become Elise's guardian should Jeremy fail in his duties.
Author Sharon Potts offers several suspects for the crime, including colleagues of both Rachel and Daniel. As Jeremy delves into his parents' lives, he discovers secrets that shake him to the core. He may just find a new love interest, too.
I found myself disliking Jeremy for his self-centeredness at the beginning of the novel. But his character did grow and I have to remember he's pretty young. The risks Jeremy takes reflect his youth, impulsiveness and naivete.
Sharon Potts has written a gripping tale of family and intrigue which will appeal to all mystery readers. I look forward to her next release.
"Simply Scandinavian - Travelling in Time with Finnish Cuisine and Nature" by Tero Kallio and Kimmo Saira is a feast for the eyes and the stomach. The authors claim to take readers on a journey of two dimensions: tastes and time. Boy, do they succeed.
The gorgeous photography sets off the more than 40 recipes included in the book. Kallio and Saira divide the recipes by season, and further by appetizers, main courses and desserts, with accompanying photos of the recipes and Finnish scenery. The authors point out that "Simply Scandinavian" is a picture book and that the recipes, some of which combine the old and new, are mostly Finnish dishes with a smidgeon of Italian, Russian and other cuisines thrown in.
Readers will learn how to prepare dishes of reindeer, rabbit, salmon, crayfish, beef, lamp, cep mushrooms and more. I did have to look up some of the ingredients in the recipes because I was unfamiliar with them. With each recipe, the authors recommend a beverage ranging from pinot noir to champagne to cold milk to specialty drinks, etc. One of the recipes that sounds interesting is reindeer with cloudberries. I would like to try that someday if I were to visit Finland. Some of the dessert and drink recipes like the rhubarb smoothie and blueberry cheese-cake I may attempt to create at home.
In sum, "Simply Scandinavian" is a breathtaking picture book that readers will enjoy for both the recipes and photography. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
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Maps and Shadows by Krysia Jopek
Darcy O, August 6, 2010
"Maps and Shadows," a novel by Krysia Jopek, informs readers about an aspect of World War II that has rarely seen the light of day – the Soviet deportation of almost 1.5 million Polish civilians to forced labor camps in Siberia. Jopek's family was among those deported.Each chapter in Jopek's novel is narrated by one of four family members: Andrzej (father), Zofia (mother), Henryk (brother), and Helcia (sister).
The story begins with the family living a good life farming land the Polish government gave to Andrzej as a reward for his service in the Polish army during World War I. Then, in September 1939, Germany attacks Poland, easily overpowering its military and slaughtering civilians. While Germany invades from the west, Russia invades from the east.
At gunpoint, Russian soldiers force Jopek's family to be herded with other Poles onto trains to Siberia where Andrzej and Henryk are part of a work crew charged with felling trees to aid in Russia's war effort. The family is at the work camp for 18 months, enduring seasons of bitter cold and a paucity of food. They are freed only because Russia needs the Poles to help fight the Germans.
The family is then torn apart. Andrzej leaves the camp to enlist in the Polish army while the rest of the family flees to Uzbekistan, where Henryk joins the Young Soldiers Battalions. Zofia, Helcia and Jozef, the family's youngest son, continue on to Persia. Henryk's battalion is then assigned duty in Palestine, where fate brings him together with Andrzej for a few precious minutes.
Family members endure more displacement until the end of the war. Surviving against all odds, they reunite in England and finally make their home in Connecticut.
I had not heard of the Polish deportation prior to reading "Maps and Shadows" and find it amazing that this family and other families endured such a long journey of displacement and cruel and inhumane conditions. It all makes my current troubles seem so very insignificant. I appreciate the story being told from four different viewpoints, each shedding light on the family's inner turmoil and struggles. Author Kysia Jopek is also a poet and she intersperses poetry throughout the novel. The cover art is beautiful, adding more historical snippets to the story. I recommend this book to everyone, but especially to those of Polish descent and to readers of historical fiction.
My review is based on an advance copy from the publisher, Aquila Polonica Publishing. The publication date is November 2010.
The Fallen by Mark Terry
Darcy O, June 14, 2010
Be warned! Once you start reading Mark Terry's "The Fallen," you won't want to stop until the end. That's because this book is packed with action and I mean A-C-T-I-O-N.Terry sets the novel at the Cheyenne Resort in Colorado Springs, at the G8 Summit where twenty world leaders will be meeting. Before the summit begins, a terrorist group, "The Fallen Angels," is already picking off security forces and inserting themselves in their places. The group is led by Richard Coffee, a disenchanted former Army Special Forces operative who aims to secure the release of his comrades detained by the United States at Guantanamo Bay. Breaching the resort's inner security proves easy for The Fallen Angels since Coffee has recruited many of the G8 members' own security people to join his cause. And once inside, The Fallen Angels hold hostage the G8 leaders, threatening to kill one leader an hour until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, Dr. Derek Stillwater, working undercover at the resort as a maintenance man, is the government's only hope for a good outcome. Stillwater specialized in biological and chemical warfare and counterterrorism in the Army Special Services and worked with Richard Coffee before Coffee's fall from grace. Long thought dead, Stillwater is very much alive, but does he have the smarts, strength, endurance and downright luck to pick off Coffee's men and end the siege?
Author Terry's chapters are short, but the action is long in this gripping novel. He surprises readers with page-turning twists and turns. I found Derek Stillwater to be a world-class hero and I can only hope that Terry continues to tell his story. I highly recommend action junkies read this one. They won't be disappointed.
Sounds of Murder by Patricia Rockwell
Darcy O, June 12, 2010
In "Sounds of Murder," Grace University psychology professor Dr. Pamela Barnes turns amateur sleuth when her graduate assistant, Kent Drummond, summons her to the department's state-of-the-art computer lab where Pamela finds prima donna professor Dr. Charlotte Clark strangled to death. Though Charlotte was a real go-getter and brought in mega dollars in research money, she was not well liked by department staff, and for good reason. However, since Pamela discovered Charlotte's body, she feels compelled to find her killer.Although the local police department's Detective Shoop is investigating the case, Pamela feels her expertise in acoustics may be just what is needed to uncover the killer, much to the chagrin of her husband Rocky, a former Army cook who now teaches English classes at Grace University.
There are plenty of suspects in the murder, including Charlotte's protege, the department dean and other department staff. Pamela discovers a digital recording of the murder and holds onto it to analyze it for clues. When she tells Rocky about it, he demands she give it to Shoop. She does give Shoop the recording but, of course, she keeps a copy for herself. Will Pamela's sleuthing uncover the killer or will the killer decide Pamela knows too much and attempt to stop her?
Patricia Rockwell has created a fun leading lady in Dr. Pamela Barnes. I enjoyed the camaraderie she has with her female colleagues and her husband. And I can relate to her relationship with her teen daughter Angela. Also, Rockwell includes Rocky's recipes at the end of the book, which is a nice touch. Overall, "Sounds of Murder" was an enjoyable read, if a bit slow paced for me. I would recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.
In Their Blood by Sharon Potts
Darcy O, May 22, 2010
Does a spoiled, privileged college dropout have the wherewithal to be responsible enough to care for his sister and uncover a murderer?Jeremy Stroeb, a college dropout trying to find himself in Europe, refuses to come home despite pleas from his parents and sister. But his plans change when his mother and father are murdered in their Miami Beach home soon after the family returns from visiting Jeremy in Europe.
Jeremy's parents, Rachel, a CPA, and Daniel, a professor, had recently changed their wills naming Jeremy as guardian to his younger sister, Elise. So instead of escaping to Europe, Jeremy decides to stay in Miami Beach and try to find out who killed his parents and why. He manages to get a job at his mom's firm and enrolls in the university where his father worked. But he is dogged by his uncle, who will become Elise's guardian should Jeremy fail in his duties.
Author Sharon Potts offers several suspects for the crime, including colleagues of both Rachel and Daniel. As Jeremy delves into his parents' lives, he discovers secrets that shake him to the core. He may just find a new love interest, too.
I found myself disliking Jeremy for his self-centeredness at the beginning of the novel. But his character did grow and I have to remember he's pretty young. The risks Jeremy takes reflect his youth, impulsiveness and naivete.
Sharon Potts has written a gripping tale of family and intrigue which will appeal to all mystery readers. I look forward to her next release.
Simply Scandinavian: Travelling in Time with Finnish Cuisine and Nature by Tero Kallio
Darcy O, April 12, 2010
"Simply Scandinavian - Travelling in Time with Finnish Cuisine and Nature" by Tero Kallio and Kimmo Saira is a feast for the eyes and the stomach. The authors claim to take readers on a journey of two dimensions: tastes and time. Boy, do they succeed.The gorgeous photography sets off the more than 40 recipes included in the book. Kallio and Saira divide the recipes by season, and further by appetizers, main courses and desserts, with accompanying photos of the recipes and Finnish scenery. The authors point out that "Simply Scandinavian" is a picture book and that the recipes, some of which combine the old and new, are mostly Finnish dishes with a smidgeon of Italian, Russian and other cuisines thrown in.
Readers will learn how to prepare dishes of reindeer, rabbit, salmon, crayfish, beef, lamp, cep mushrooms and more. I did have to look up some of the ingredients in the recipes because I was unfamiliar with them. With each recipe, the authors recommend a beverage ranging from pinot noir to champagne to cold milk to specialty drinks, etc. One of the recipes that sounds interesting is reindeer with cloudberries. I would like to try that someday if I were to visit Finland. Some of the dessert and drink recipes like the rhubarb smoothie and blueberry cheese-cake I may attempt to create at home.
In sum, "Simply Scandinavian" is a breathtaking picture book that readers will enjoy for both the recipes and photography. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
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