Reef Libre ~ Book and DVD Review with Giveaway

Reef Libre
CUBA The Last, Best Reefs in the World
By Robert Wintner

Political forces have kept Cuba's waters and reef habitats relatively safe over the years from tourists, economic development, and the destructive aquarium trade.  But this protected world may soon be threatened as barriers to Cuba are dropped.

Reef Libre explores the untamed beauty that lies beneath the surface of the sea while examining the Cuban culture and the potential changes that may be coming as travel restrictions are lifted.

Unlike most of the world's reef systems Cuba's are alive and thriving with an abundant and vast variety of species coexisting within this self-sustaining environment.  The aquarium trade has decimated most of world's reefs as "collectors" harvest species that are vital to the health and vitality of these fragile ecosystems.

The book is filled with photos of this Cuban excursion from both land and sea.  Much of the land focus is Havana  - the life style, the people, and the political ideologies that have shaped this land isolated from industrialization and capitalistic greed.

But the true beauty comes from the sea - images most will never see for themselves are brought vividly to life.  Vibrant colors, graceful artistry that no artist's brush could ever create.

But this beauty and vibrance lies not only on the pages of this book as there is an included DVD Reef Libre The Movie.  Much that can be found within this book can be seen on this DVD, but where the book offers still images the DVD captures the reef as it lives.  We are brought into the very essence of the life of the reef.  With over 45 minutes of video one can almost feel as if one is actually there. To experience such beauty one can only be grateful to the author, Robert Wintner and his team for allowing us to take part in the experience.

This set would make a lovely gift - perfect for the armchair world traveler, the ocean aficionado, or anyone with even a passing interest in Cuba.

I was provided a copy of this book through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Cuba reefs host apex predators and coral cover at optimal levels. While Cuban reef vitality may be linked to economic default and no shoreline development, no agricultural pesticides or fertilizers and limited human population growth, the Castro regime is aggressively developing its reef potential.

Seas to the south are now 100% shark protected.

Most Cuba travelogues advise “getting off the beaten path,” but Reef Libre examines that path, to see where it might lead as things change. Will Cuba reefs remain protected? Or is this perilous age of natural decline a last chance to see a healthy reef system?

Robert Wintner and the Snorkel Bob Jardines de la Reina Expedition herein provide narrative insight with photos and video. First stop is the baseline: Havana urban density. Down south at Cayo Largo, reef collapse seems imminent with 600 guests changing daily, and the phosphate-laden laundry water flowing directly to the deep blue sea. Will Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism step up with the Jardines de la Reina paradigm? Rising from the Golfo de Ana María, Jardines is a thousand square miles of mangrove estuary, for ages compromised by constant extraction of its biggest predators, taken as food. Protected, it now rises on the world reef stage.

A DVD comes with the book in a paper sleeve glued to the inside cover. Reef Libre, the movie, runs about an hour.

Buy the book:    Amazon    Barnes and Noble

Watch the Trailer:

Author's Bio:

Best known as Snorkel Bob in Hawaii and around the world, Robert Wintner captures Cuba above and below the surface with urgency and hope. As a pioneer in fish portraiture, Wintner demonstrated social structure and etiquette in reef society. Reef Libre goes to political context, in which human folly will squander Cuba’s reefs as well—unless natural values can at last transcend political greed. As pundits joust over who did what to whom and why, Wintner ponders reef prospects in view of political changes.

Robert Wintner has authored many novels and story collections. Reef Libre is his fourth reef commentary with photos and his first overview of survival potential in a political maelstrom. He lives and works in Hawaii, still on the front lines of the campaign to stop the aquarium trade around the world.

Connect with the author:     Website  ~   Facebook

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

Win a $25 Amazon gift card (open internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shades of Doon ~ Review

Shades of Doon
A Doon Novel 3
By Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

Shades of Doon opens with Veronica recovered from the illness that left her seemingly on death's door at the conclusion of Destined for Doon.  But Vee's illness and recovery had no known cause or trigger.  But a mystery illness is not the least of their worries especially when something pulls them away from Doon.  Can Vee and Kenna find their way back to the kingdom they have come to love?

But during their absence an ancient, hidden evil is about to make its presence known and there may be no way to stop an evil that has found a foothold within the kingdom.  Who can be trusted to help in the battle that is coming?

I have to admit I love the Doon series - I think the way it is tied to Brigadoon just adds to the mystic of the story.  This is Brigadoon for a new generation.  A land displaced from time that individuals from the outside world are called to one has to love the idea.  But all is not perfect - the ancient threat that resulted in Doon's displacement is still alive and still seeks to control the land.

This is a classic good verses evil story.  What would one sacrifice to save what one most cares about? Would one make a deal with"evil" to protect the life of a loved one?  For a kingdom?  Or would following the path of good out way the cost of selling one's soul?  What would you choose?  This is the choice now facing Vee as Queen of Doon.  Will she sacrifice the kingdom, her life for Jamie, the prince she loves?  Or for Kenna? 

If you like exciting keep-you-up-all-night-reading you need to read Shades of Doon!  If you haven't read the first two books it is an absolute must to read them first as this is not a standalone book.  And really why come into a story at the halfway point?  This book is geared towards the teen / YA reader but adult readers who love a touch of fantasy and romance will enjoy this book, this series.

I was provided a copy of this book through the BookLook blogger program in exchange for my honest review.



About the Book:

After cheating death, Veronica Welling is determined to savor every moment in her idyllic kingdom with both her true love and best friend by her side at last. At the same time, Mackenna Reid is enthusiastically building her new life and a theater with her prince. But just as their dreams of happiness are within reach, the world Vee and Kenna have chosen is ripped away, leaving them to face their most horrific challenge yet—their old lives.

Thrust out of Doon, the best friends are confronted with tormentors from their past and no way to return to their adopted land. When the MacCrae brothers rush to their rescue, the girls’ situation turns from nightmare to modern-day fairy tale. But their happiness could be short lived: unbeknownst to them, someone in their closest circle is aiding the witch of Doon in her bid to destroy the kingdom once and for all.

Woodlawn ~ Review

Woodlawn

Racial unrest and violence was destroying Birmingham, Alabama.  Desegregation mandates brought many new students to Woodlawn High School.  Tony Nathan is one of those who joined the 1973 Woodlawn student body.  A talented football player Tony experiences firsthand the unrest that is erupting across the city.

When a sports counselor requests time to meet with football team amazing and miraculous changes are about to begin in Alabama and especially in Birmingham.  A message of love rather than hate, of forgiveness affects a change that spread across a hurting city.

This is a powerful and moving movie.  It is amazing how much time has passed since this movie was set and yet we are still struggling with many of these same issues.  It is sad that we learn so little from the mistakes of the past and are so quick to deny what can bring change and healing.

We all have a purpose, a gift 

and we need to live ours.

What is your God-given gift?

I was given access to an advance pre-release viewing of this movie in exchange for my review.

About the Movie:

A gifted high school football player must learn to boldly embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field in WOODLAWN, a moving and inspirational new film based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, Ala.

Tony Nathan (newcomer Caleb Castille) lands in a powder keg of anger and violence when he joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School after its government-mandated desegregation in 1973. The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupts in cross burnings and riots, and Coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) is at a loss to solve these unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways.

It’s only when Hank (Sean Astin), an outsider who has been radically affected by the message of hope and love he experienced at a Christian revival meeting, convinces Coach Gerelds to let him speak to the team that something truly remarkable begins to happen. More than 40 players, nearly the entire team, black and white, give their lives over to the “better way” Hank tells them is possible through following Jesus, and the change is so profound in them it affects their coach, their school and their community in ways no one could have imagined.

The Imposter ~ Review

The Imposter
The Bishop's Family 1
By Suzanne Fisher Woods

David Stoltzfus is still the new minister in Stoney Ridge and he's a widower with 6 children ranging in age from 8 to 19 years.  But his two oldest are about to help him get some new gray hairs as they try to find their way in the world.

Katrina thought her life was just about to unfold perfectly, but for some reason John no longer loves her, in fact he is no longer communicating with her at all.  If only she could figure out what went wrong she'd fix it.

But when her brother Jesse returns to Stoney Ridge he brings upsetting news about John.  And suddenly Katrina's dreams are dust at her feet.  Needing to find a new focus, a new direction for her life Katrina turns her attention to Thelma Beiler who is in need of assistance following an injury.  This new chance involves learning about Thelma's new moss business and dealing with Andy Miller, Thelma's new hand.

Meanwhile Katrina's younger brother Jesse is at loose ends.  No longer in school and yet without a job, Jesse would rather spend his days fishing with Jimmy Fisher or Hank Lapp.  Unfortunately for Jesse his father isn't one to watch him idle away his life and a job is in his immediate future.

The church of Stoney Ridge was experiencing difficulties.  Questions about modern ways were threatening the community's stability.  Baptism was falling out of favor. Many of the younger people were leaving the community.

And then there's David's difference of opinion with Bishop Freeman Glick and his brother Levi Glick. Freeman and Levi are seemingly hindering and questioning David's work.  And his children's perceived faults and mistakes are about to be used against him.  Could the leading he felt in his life have been wrong?

Times of trouble have a way of strengthening one, preparing us for what we didn't know was coming.

The Imposter is the first book in The Bishop's Family series by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  Though several Stoney Ridge favorites are mentioned this story deals mainly with the Stoltzfus and Glick families and those who are in their immediate daily circle of friends and acquaintances.  Luke Schrock is one of background characters and he has not grown anymore likable with age.  In fact, I think I could say he is as much a handful as he ever was and I'll be interested to see him star in a book one of these days - I'd like to see his mind in action.

The Imposter is a book of second chances and learning to face the truth of who we are so that we might stop pretending to be something that we are not.  I'm interested in seeing how these lives unfold in future books from this series.  This is an engaging book that you won't want to put down once you start reading it.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again . . .

Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. But as her plans crumble before her eyes, she struggles to face an uncertain future. When a widow asks for help starting a new business, Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose.

What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farmhand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy for real or too good to be true? She's been deceived once before, and she isn't planning on experiencing it again. 

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a tale of love, uncertainty, and trusting God to write your story.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author whose most recent novels include Anna's Crossing and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Convergence ~ Review and Giveaway

Convergence
By Trudie L. Hayes

The first day of a new school year in a new school is always a little intimidating and confusing.  But for Otis, Chandler, and Marissa the confusion goes to new extremes.  Are you ready to be confused and confounded?

Chandler comes from a well-to-do family who has fallen on hard times (not the hard times an average middle income family experiences).  This change has resulted in Chandler having to attend a public school for the first time - talk culture shock.

Otis is a smart kid who lives with his grandmother. But some random testing determined that Otis needed attend a different school than the one he had been attending - one that better met his needs.

Marissa's family has split.  Her mother works hard to at both her job and as a single mother to 2 kids. Finances are tight and Marissa's growth spurts keep her awkwardly aware of her lack of "proper attire".

But it is the getting to school that proves most challenging.  A bully on the bus, a falling shoe, and a run-in with a bus all work together to introduce our 3 main characters before they even reach school.

Are you a tad confused - well our three new friends are about to become even more confused, taking us along with them.  First off there is are two (2) ancient group of beings who are at war - one good the other evil and Otis, Marissa, and Chandler are about to be recruited to join in.

Here is where the real confusion starts - these 3 "heroes" are quickly drawn into their new roles without much information.  They have a job to do and not much to work with. Think of it this way - you've never baked a cake before and you are told to make one from scratch.  You have no recipe to follow but you do have a bunch of ingredients some of which you are pretty certain would never make their way into a cake.  Can you do it?  Time to find out.

Oh, yes, they can travel through time to complete the tasks they have been given and they have to avoid the enemy who can look just like a regular person. Traveling through time can affect your age or not - I'm not really sure why some are affected and others not, I'm guessing it depends of the assignment.

I think of the three I like Chandler the best he seems to truly care about those around him.  Marissa and Otis do a lot of verbal fighting and seem to carry a really big chip on their respective shoulders.  The ending is rather a shock - I'm assuming the way it ended that there will be a second book.  If I had to describe this book in a few words I say odd, confusing, and different.

I was provided an uncorrected advance copy of this book through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

About the Book:

It was the first day of school and anxieties were running high. For certain​ ​there was the excitement of moving up a grade, but there was also the dread of anything and everything that could go wrong. Not only were the possibilities endless, they were totally out of your control. Whether or not you were accepted rested squarely on the shoulders of the popular kids. Suppose you were too short or too tall; too smart or not smart enough; too rich or too poor; or just plain different?

These thoughts were fresh on the minds of Otis, Chandler and Marissa. Three pre-teens whose paths had never crossed, although they lived in the same town in Connecticut. Their backgrounds were so diverse they may as well have lived worlds apart. That was all about to change when on their way to school a series of bizarre events lump them together. Literally!

Join them on this unreal journey to alternate realities never before re­vealed. Go back in time to a parallel past, the All Agos. Coexist in a present experience that mirrors your own, the Ne’er Now. Finally and with greater understanding, manifest in a future of your creation, the Will Be Once.

Then you will have come closer to achieving ...as it should.

Buy the book:   Amazon

About the Author:

Trudie L. Hayes’ personal story and family life influenced her mission to spread the core values of self-acceptance, self-esteem, and self-love to children and persons of all ages. An affiliation with physically and mentally disabled adults and children spanning many years is a major contributing factor. The caregiver role has been paramount throughout much of her life, even while furthering her education or working full-time in a corporate setting.

These experiences have given her a deep understanding of the trials and struggles associated with a compromised existence. As well as the inspiration and joy derived from living life to one's personal best.

It is through these myriad life experiences that Hayes began writing and registering several related trademarks. With a grander vision of promoting confidence and self-worth.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Hayes still calls the Nutmeg State home. The oldest of two children, she remains close to her siblings. When Hayes is not writing or managing her business, she dedicates her time to other creative outlets and artistic pursuits. Hayes has a deep appreciation and passion for music in its many forms; she enjoys writing song lyrics, performing, and has an affinity for Jazz.

Connect with the author:    Website  ~  Twitter

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

Win 1 copy of Convergence 

and 

1 of $30, $20, $10 Amazon gift cards

(open to US & Canada)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Path ~ Review and Giveaway

The Path
Tag Series #1
by Peter Riva 

It was just another day, until it wasn't and Simon Bank is caught it the very center of everything. Random failures in the System reveal that something larger is at stake.  Life on earth could end very soon if Simon doesn't determine what he did that "broke" the system.  Time is running out and the answers lie within the system.

But what Simon is about to discover will forever alter life as we know it.  Something is living within the system and it is maturing at a exponential rate that no one thought possible.  Is this new awareness within the System truly a new life form?  Or is it a System failure that is about to have catastrophic real world consequences?  Simon has minutes to determine this and neutralize the threat if he can.

The world has become unbalanced and someone has decided this needs to be remedied now.  Life within the System is one of luxury (compared to life outside the System).  Population growth is closely monitored but SynthKids (bioengineered, limited lifespan children) are allowed to enhance one's life experience.  And then there is rejuvenation of one's own life.  Los Angeles is gone.  The military now runs the new American country (we annexed territories) - an isolationist state which controls the future of the rest of the world through technological means.

But all this is about to end unless Simon can determine how to influence or stop what he has unwittingly allowed to grow and learn from him.

The Path is an interesting and at times perplexing story.  Set at a future date we have allowed technology to control much of what we now have.  Life is one of self-gratification and self-discovery. But over the years we've taught our technology too much about ourselves - allowing it to evolve into something powerful, something that could, if left unchecked, destroy us all.

Parts of this book I really enjoyed, some parts not so much, and a couple of times I had to go back and reread portions to fully grasp (I think) what was being presented.  This book is classified as being Sci-fi/Cyberpunk which is actually a new subgenre for me.  I've read Steampunk before but not Cyberpunk. In case you are wondering according to Technopedia Cyberpunk is defined as "a science fiction genre in which the future world is portrayed as one in which society is largely controlled by computers, at the expense of daily life and social order."

This book packs a punch - the majority of the story takes place over a short period of time.  If you like action mixed in with tech you should find The Path to be an interesting and exciting reading experience.

I was provided a copy of this book through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

About the Book:

All life on earth is about to be terminated by an entity as old as the galaxy itself. To make matters worse, Simon has broken everything already.

In a future world that is run by computer systems and that is without want, how can a man find his role? Then, if the very computers he works on to try to make them more human suddenly try to kill him, revealing a secret so vast that it affects every living soul on the planet, can that man be a hero?

These are the questions that face the stumbling, comic, and certainly flawed Simon Bank. His job is to work with the System’s artificial intelligence, making it fit more perfectly into human society so that it can keep the country running smoothly. But when the System threatens the peaceful world he knows, Simon suddenly must rush to save his own life, as well as the life of everyone on earth. Forced to reassess everything that he thought he knew, he is caught within circumstances way beyond his control.

Simon’s only hope is to rely on intellect and instincts he didn’t know he had, and on new friends, not all of them human, to change himself and all humanity. And he doesn’t have much time.

Buy the book:     Amazon    Barnes and Noble    Indigo/Chapters

Author's Bio:

Peter Riva has worked for more than thirty years with the leaders in aerospace and space exploration. His daytime job for more than forty years has been as a literary agent. He resides in New York City.

Connect with the author:   Website     Twitter     Facebook

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

Enter to Win 

1 of 10 print or audiobook copies of The Path 

and 

(2) $25 Amazon gift cards (International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Author John Otte

Today we welcome John Otte who has taken time out of his busy (and rather chaotic schedule) for a short interview.  And in case you hadn't heard, he has a book releasing tomorrow (which is why he's been one of the trending topics on my Facebook Page).  But before The Hive is set free tomorrow get a glimpse into the man behind it.

1) This series now has two books Numb and The Hive which cover do you like best and why?  

I have a favorite but I'd like to know if you as the author do.

 

   

Wow, that’s a good question. I like both of them for different reasons.

    

The cover for Numb was part of a contest on 99designs. My publisher at the time, Jeff Gerke, wanted to try that out and see what we would get from it. And we had an interesting range of entries. Some were good, a lot...well, weren’t. A few even were violations of copyrighted material. But when that cover popped up in the contest, I just about fell out of my chair. I loved it the moment I saw it. Thing was, we were going to open the design contest to the public and ask them to pick the best one. So I made sure to vote for it, and then asked as many of my friends as I could to vote for it as well.

    The cover for The Hive, though, was the brainchild of Steve Laube. After I pitched the book to him, he got really excited and told me that he just saw the cover pop up in his mind’s eye. His excitement was contagious. And again, when this cover showed up in my e-mail box with the question, “What do you think?” I about fell out of my chair again.

    So I like both of them pretty much equally, but if I have to pick a favorite, I’d go with The Hive. It’s attention getting, that’s for sure.

 

2) When you're in the process of bringing your story to life do you have a song that goes through your head?  If so does this set the mood for the story?  Or is it like a theme song for your character?

 

    Not really, no. I do listen to music when I write, but I tend to stick to generic music without lyrics. It helps me focus on just writing without getting distracted by whatever the singer is trying to say.

 

3) How many books do you see this series going?  I realize the prevailing trend is three, but I like series that continue past that point.

 

    I’m not sure. Right now, I have an idea for a trilogy of stories that would be set in this same universe and would pick up after The Hive left off. I’ve been working on the first book and I’m in the middle of my first round of revisions. No contract for it yet, but there you go. If I get those three published, then I don’t know. It really depends on what my brain gins up.

 

4) Do you see yourself in any of the characters you've brought to life?

 

    A lot of them, actually. I see a lot of myself in Failstate, my teenage superhero. And I see glimmers of myself in both Crusader and Scorn.

 

5) Would you spend time with any of these characters outside of the story-verse you've created for them?  And if so when and where?

 

    From The Hive, the one “person” I’d want to hang out with would be Hopkins, Scorn’s apartment’s AI. I just really love the way he turned out, especially his sense of humor. Plus, having a virtual assistant like him would be really cool.

 

6) With the new Star Wars movie fast approaching who is your favorite character in Star Wars? (This can be either from the films or the books)

  

    Oh, that’s easy. Corran Horn from Michael Stackpole’s Rogue Squadron series. I love Corran, especially after he became a Jedi. It was such a different take on what it was like to be a part of the order, and I really appreciated the way Stackpole put him together.

Once again, John, thank you for taking the time to take time from your busy schedule to answer a few questions and sharing with my readers.

 If you haven't checked out my review of The Hive 

you can do so by clicking here