Book Review: Riddle of Berlin by Cym Lowell

This is an engaging and tense thriller.

Riddle of Berlin by Cym Lowell

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (June 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780595426652
• ISBN-13: 978-0595426652

     Genre: International Thriller
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

    Product Description
Riddle of Berlin is the story of John C. Jaëgerman. At the plateau of middle age frustration. In Paris, a voice in the water entices his leap from a parapet overlooking the Seine River at Notre Dame. A disfigured body without memory is lifted from the water days later by a gypsy nurse (Carmen) seeking her own path, embodiment of the voice. A campaign of terror engulfs the world. Thousands perish in terrorist incidents in Europe and California. Government is impotent to protect innocent citizens from brutal evisceration. Instigated by a shadowy arms trader, cleverly casting responsibility on others through an Internet site, insurance money laundering and government customers. Riddle of Berlin puts the integrity of NATO on the line, led by popular black American Vice President Lucius Alcorn. A man without fingerprints or history awakens on the Danube. Carmen calls him Del, my deliverer. Orange Girl at the Louvre attracts attention to the declared death of her father on the streets of Paris, becoming engulfed herself in the Riddle. Jaëgerman is deemed the terrorist. Del crafts resolution of the Riddle. Reliving thrills of danger as he tastes new love with Carmen. Denouement brings the choice of everyman. Home is where it was, is or could be? Can we ever return?

Review: I was quickly drawn by the action, the terror and the intrigue.

John C. Jaëgerman has disclosed a fraud scheme to the executives in his company but no one seems to care. The fight has gone out of John and he walks away. When his bloated body is pulled from the Seine by Carmen he thinks she is an angel. While Carmen is nursing the injured man, her deliverer or Del, back to health, a lot of terror is happening.

Mark Anton is a wealthy young man living in Berlin. He made his riches by developing a website that allows the trading of sports memorabilia. He got the idea for the business plan from his teacher mother, Dr. Lucy Anton.  Unexpectedly authorities show up in Mark’s home to arrest him for terrorism and treason. Just when they appear, a full blown attack occurs leaving Mark standing with an assault rifle amidst a lot of bodies and a lot of confusion. Mark goes on the run and has one narrow escape after another, leaving carnage behind him each time. His mother is also arrested as a co-conspirator.

Dr. Lucy was a teacher and good friend to the Vice President, Lucius Alcorn. He is already helping with the NATO investigations and is pulled further into the action because he doesn’t think his former teacher could be guilty. He thinks the evidence pointing to the “Alton Gang” is too pat and unsupported.
 
Del/John begins to take back his strong life, rebuilding his previous military honed strength, dedication to the mission and honor. Slowly he remembers details of the past. Coincidence brings Mark to the boat where Del has been sheltered and Del realizes that things are not as they appear. John's name has been linked with the “Anton gang” and his daughter, who came searching for him, has disappeared. Del takes up the battle to find the true terrorists.

Del and Mark, with the help of Carmen, have to stay one step ahead of the terrorist who is out to destroy them.  The Vice President is working from a different angle but they are all on a seven day count down before the next bombs are set to go off.

This is good intrigue, fast paced action with a soft romance blended in. Carmen almost has the quality of an angel at times and the only inaccuracy that troubled me was how she went in just a few weeks from not understanding English to being able to follow detailed planning between Mark and Del in what I am sure were English conversations. But if you let that issue slide the rest of the story keeps you turning pages through tense anticipation and sometimes anguished emotion. I also enjoyed the riddled taunts by the terrorist. I recommend this for a fast paced thriller.

xxx

I was provided a copy of this book by the author some time ago and I am only sorry I took so long to get around to enjoying it.

Congratulations to Winners of Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop

CONGRATULATIONS 

to the Winners 

from the
Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop!

Thank you to everyone who entered. I will email the winners!

Next Week May 2- 8 a blog Hop for Childrens' Books!

Hosted by Mymcbooks & Co-host at Family Literacy and You.

Then the next Giveaway Hop:

The Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Page Turners.
It will take place from May 25th to 31st.

I haven't forgotten or abandoned my BIG Giveaway for reaching 1000 followers. I am still lining up author and publisher book prizes, bookmarks from my friend and some other goodies! Because April just zipped by and I have some items to concentrate on in May it looks like I will run the event for a month going into my Blog Anniversary so it will be June-July. Keep an eye out!

Book Review Audible; Print Giveaway: Glory in Death by J. D. Robb

This is an entertaining mystery series with good strong characters.

Glory in Death (In Death #2) by J.D. Robb.

Glory in Death: In Death, Book 2

• UNABRIDGED
• by J. D. Robb
• Narrated by Susan Ericksen
• Price:$15.95
  Sale Price:$9.23

    Genre:  Mystery, Romantic Suspense
      My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary:
In a time when technology can reveal the darkest of secrets, there's only one place to hide a crime of passion - in the heart.

The first victim was found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second was murdered in her own apartment building. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas had no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provided Eve with a long list of suspects - including her own lover, Roarke.

    As a woman, Eve was compelled to trust the man who shared her bed. But as a cop, it was her job to follow every lead... to investigate every scandalous rumor... to explore every secret passion, no matter how dark, or how dangerous.

Review:  Action heats up between Lt. Eve Dallas and Roarke.
This is the second book of the “in death” series set in New York in a future with hi tech investigative tools.  Eve Dallas is a gutsy police detective who has a knack for walking through the crime scene and visualizing the crime. She is relentless on tracking evidence.

Eve has to do her job and that includes documenting that her powerful lover, Roarke, is not a viable suspect. Roarke is pushing for a commitment but Eve has a painful and abusive past that makes it difficult for her to commit to anyone and she only wants to trust and depend on herself.  Will Eve be able to keep Roarke if she can’t offer more in the relationship?

While pursing the murderer Eve has to fend off obnoxious reporter C.J. Morse.  Eve makes arrangements to work with female investigative reporter Nadine. With the help of the police profiler, Eve determines that the killer is striking down successful and visibly powerful women. Eve realizes that both her friend, Nadine, and Eve herself could be targets. Eve decides to heat up the publicity setting herself up as bait.

I really enjoyed the mystery story as well as the intense romance between Eve and Roarke. The narrator does a wonderful job with the accents. I am anxious to get the next book and expect it will be within the next week or so.

I listened to the Audible version but I had a used copy of the book
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE USED PAPERBACK COPY:

1.Mandatory entry: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.
Please leave your e-mail!

2.   For an extra entry tell me if you have read this author or this series and what you think about it.  If you have already read this book tell me about it and if you win this giveaway you may pick from the review or ARC books and I'll award this book to another winner.

3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Five total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open to US and Canada only. (So sorry this can't be international. The book is available at Book Depository though.)
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on May 6, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

It's Monday! What are you Reading April 25, 2011?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had another good reading week. I finished four books; posted four reviews, two with Giveaways; Friday Pick giveaway; an Easter Blog Hop Giveaway; a Blog Tour announcement; a Sourcebooks announcement; Enquiring Mind Meme, Sunday post and winners post.

I had a rather strange week with our son home. Every night over the past two weeks we watched TV series. First Firefly and its wrap up movie Serenity; then Jericho. Pretty interesting even if we railed at some obvious errors. So that cut into computer time.
I did get to visit a little bit  but of course still want to do more.

These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? April 18, 2011.

• Book Review of Max On Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions by Max Lucado, Spirituality, Religion, Inspiration; my rating 4.5. 

•  Blog Tour Announcement for Never a Gentleman.

•  Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop Giveaway. Ends 4/25.

• Book Review of Shiver of Fear by Roxanne St. Claire; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75.

• Q&A with author Roxanne St. Claire.

• Book Review and Giveaway (Three copies of 2 Books!) of Face of Danger by Roxanne St. Claire;  Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 22, 2011. Ends 4/28.

• Book Review and Giveaway, Three Copies, of Never a Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0. Ends 5/6.

•  Sourcebooks British Babes, Royal Wedding Celebration Announcement.

•  Enquiring Minds Meme Week #34 with Comment Giveaway.  Ends 4/22.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 24, 2011.

Finished Reading:

Print:
 
Face of Danger (Guardian Angelinos)
by Roxanne St. Claire
A sexy Romantic Suspense.
Review, Giveaway and Author Q&A
linked above. 

Print:
 
Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes series)
by Eileen Dreyer
Review and Giveaway
linked above

Audible:

Glory in Death (In Death, Book 2) 
by J.D.Robb

I enjoyed this second in the series.
I have the paperback so I'll
do a giveaway with my review soon.

Audible: 
Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1)

by Patricia Briggs
Mercy is a Coyote shifter.
This is well done.
I will post a review soon and 

get more in the series. :-)

Product Description
Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

Line Edits/Releases:

Still finalizing formatting of Silicon Self by Kirtimaya Varma.

Currently reading:

Print:
Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth I Trilogy) 

by Margaret Irwin

This has started well, introducing Prince Philip-
an interesting character portrayal.

I plan to post this review and 

ARC Giveaway during the week.
This is a review for Sourcebooks.

From the Publisher:
First published in 1946, Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain continues the “vivid, psychologically brilliant” (Times Literary Supplement) journey begun in Young Bess and Elizabeth, Captive Princess. Philip, Prince of Spain, the unwilling bridegroom of Queen Mary, has been warned about the young Elizabeth. According to all reports, she is a heretic, a rebel, and a potential enemy—but she’s also alluring. Accused of treachery by Mary, Elizabeth finds herself teetering between Mary’s vengeance and Philip’s uneasy ardor, with her life in the balance.

Kindle:

Riddle of Berlin

by Cym Lowell

This international thriller 
is moving pretty fast -
good Mystery.
Reading from my TBR.

Product Description
Riddle of Berlin is the story of John C. Jaëgerman. At the plateau of middle age frustration. In Paris, a voice in the water entices his leap from a parapet overlooking the Seine River at Notre Dame. A disfigured body without memory is lifted from the water days later by a gypsy nurse (Carmen) seeking her own path, embodiment of the voice.A campaign of terror engulfs the world. Thousands perish in terrorist incidents in Europe and California. Government is impotent to protect innocent citizens from brutal evisceration.Instigated by a shadowy arms trader, cleverly casting responsibility on others through an Internet site, insurance money laundering and government customers.Riddle of Berlin puts the integrity of NATO on the line, led by popular black American Vice President Lucius Alcorn.A man without fingerprints or history awakens on the Danube. Carmen calls him Del, my deliverer. Orange Girl at the Louvre attracts attention to the declared death of her father on the streets of Paris, becoming engulfed herself in the Riddle.Jaëgerman is deemed the terrorist. Del crafts resolution of the Riddle. Reliving thrills of danger as he tastes new love with Carmen. Denouement brings the choice of everyman. Home is where it was, is or could be? Can we ever return?

Audible:
Deciding-Deciding! 
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh
OR
the next JD Robb, Immortal in Death (In Death, Book 3)

OR
the next Mercy Thompson, Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson, Book 2) (Patricia Briggs)
OR???

Audible: 

I am listening to The Listener's Bible NIV 

read by Max McLean. I am at Joshua 22 and Psalm 80 and Mark 16.

Line Edits: Next I will work on finalizing formats on Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf. Ready to complete the formats on Desperate Measures by Cindy Comer too.

Review books for April:
Only one to be completed and posted.

First Review book for May:
Holy Guacamole by Dan & Denise Harmer; Glass Road PR Blog Tour post for May 5.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 24, 2011

Is Resurrection Day real and relevant today? We hunt for eggs, give Easter baskets and wish Happy Easter, but do we stop and remember what we are really celebrating? Pastor's message today reminded us that the resurrection is not a myth but is supported by history.  The execution of Christ is historically recorded not only in the Gospels but by historians, Josephus and Tacitus. The resurrection was witnessed by an empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-15), the risen Christ was witnessed by at least 500 at one time (1 Cor 15:6) and a living Christ is witnessed by the Spirit living in the heart of believers, like me.

Without the Cross we are lost and would not know redeeming love.
Without the resurrection we are without hope and dead in our sins. (1 Cor 15: 12-18.)

This is one of the songs that we sang for our service this morning.
I particularly like it being an attorney and recognizing:
the punishment needed for crime,
the authority of the Judge,
and ultimately the pardon or paid debt.

The most wonderful thing to remember about Easter Week (from crucifixion to resurrection) is that Christ's sacrifice paid the price for us and gives us this ending for our lives:

A Verse for Today:

Mark 16:6 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

I pray today that all may know the hope and joy of Easter.