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Prometheus 2 (2016)

John Greg — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 06:09:00 +0000

Avatar 2 (2016)

John Greg — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 06:06:00 +0000

Santa's Slay (2005)

John Greg — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:43:00 +0000

Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)

John Greg — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:02:00 +0000

Inside Out (2015)

John Greg — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 17:55:00 +0000

Blackhat (2015)

John Greg — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 18:22:00 +0000

Sex Tape (2014)

John Greg — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:27:00 +0000

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

John Greg — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 16:42:00 +0000

Happy Christmas (2014)

John Greg — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000

The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)

John Greg — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 16:13:00 +0000

The Ice Harvest (2005)

John Greg — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:41:00 +0000

The Family Stone (2005)

John Greg — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 16:39:00 +0000

Stalking Santa (2006)

John Greg — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 16:38:00 +0000

The Nativity Story (2006)

John Greg — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 16:37:00 +0000

The Holiday (2006)

John Greg — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:35:00 +0000

Christmas at Maxwell's (2006)

John Greg — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:33:00 +0000

Black Christmas (2006)

John Greg — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:32:00 +0000

The Perfect Holiday (2007)

John Greg — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:30:00 +0000

Fred Claus (2007)

John Greg — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 16:28:00 +0000

Christmas in Wonderland (2007)

John Greg — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 16:27:00 +0000

Nothing Like the Holidays (2008)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 16:25:00 +0000

Lovely, Still (2008)

John Greg — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:24:00 +0000

Frozen River (2008)

John Greg — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:23:00 +0000

Four Christmases (2008)

John Greg — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:21:00 +0000

Exit Speed (2008)

John Greg — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 16:20:00 +0000

I'll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist by Betty Halbreich

John Greg — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 10:03:00 +0000

Eighty-six-year-old Betty Halbreich is a true original. A tough broad who could have stepped straight out of Stephen Sondheim’s repertoire, she has spent nearly forty years as the legendary personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman, where she works with socialites, stars, and ordinary women off the street.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The (September 4, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594205701
ISBN-13: 978-1594205705
Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.3 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds

I'll Drink to That
A Life in Style, with a Twist

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Flea Market Fabulous by Lara Spencer

John Greg — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:52:00 +0000

Focusing on nine different rooms (including her own recently purchased Manhattan apartment), Lara Spencer shows readers that all it takes is planning, shopping know-how, and a little imagination to create beautiful and comfortable homes.

Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang (September 16, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1617690953
ISBN-13: 978-1617690952
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.7 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds

Flea Market Fabulous
Designing Gorgeous Rooms with Vintage Treasures

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Book Review: How I Write - Secrets of a Bestselling Author

John Greg — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 01:27:00 +0000

Book Review: How I Write - Secrets of a Bestselling Author written by Linda Hancock

Janet Evanovick has not only written several books but has made a career out of writing. She and Ina Yalof have taken the questions that have most often been asked by her readers and compiled them into this manual that offers its readers an up-close view of how she has done this.

Eight chapters are used to divide the book into topics. The first focuses on creating characters for books and includes giving them names and doing research so they are credible.

The chapter called "Nuts and Bolts" teaches how to put these characters into context by developing plots with language, settings and other factors that match the way that the characters think and behave.

Structure involves setting up the story so that it makes sense but also intrigues the reader as well as working on series.

Revising and Editing can be tedious so the authors recommend that checklists and involving others help with the task.

Getting published requires skills and persistence. Janet goes into details about this part of the process and warns about the consequences of not doing it properly.

Bits and Pieces offers encouragement and advice for those who truly want to be successful as a published writer.

The reference section of the book suggests resources and organizations as well as sample letters and techniques that can be used to reach a writer's goals.

Besides covering the questions that the author has answered, there are extra nuggets of wisdom from her daughter, Alex, who works full-time with her mother and the co-author as well.

Perhaps you are not interested in learning how to write but are just interested in learning more about the author of some of your favourite books. If that is the case, you can read the book and feel even closer to Janet Evanovich because she offers clarity into how she functions in her career on a daily basis.

Because I have authored books and am interested not only in the process but also in the Stephanie Plum series, I found this book to be interesting and helpful.

After reading this book, you will likely be able to strengthen your writing, learn new ways to capture the attention of publishers and be sparked to think in a different way about what and how you write.

Interesting that Janet has such a wide range of talents. She not only has created romantic novels and a large mystery series but now has shared with us how she has actually done that in the form of a technical manual. The uniqueness involves the fact that she has added humour and transparency that might not be expected in a how-to book. She also holds one's attention with graphics, different fonts, shading and charts.

The book ends with autobiographies of the three women who have contributed to the book.

Even the sub-title to "How I Write" captures the reader's imagination as it is "Secrets of a Bestselling Author" - the goal of so many who just don't know how to get there.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Author Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock
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Great Masters In Painting And Sculpture: Frans Hals (Gerald S. Davies - 1904)

John Greg — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 00:30:00 +0000

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Great Masters In Painting And Sculpture: Frans Hals by Gerald S. Davies
By Philip Spires

Artistic taste is forever changing and there is obviously no such thing as a balanced opinion in the arts, where personal judgment and preference are the only currencies. And so styles come and go, bodies of work pass in and out of favour. The works of JS Bach were forgotten until revived a century on by Mendelssohn. Shakespeare was once derided as dense and difficult. And a Dutch painter called Frans Hals thankfully did not witness, a century after his death, his works changing hands for next to nothing. And, since taste continues to change, it is always informative to read the critical opinions of former eras, because it might be possible that critics really did see things differently.

Published in 1904, Frans Hals by Gerald S. Davies was written more than a century on from the low point of the artist's stature, and the better part of two and a half centuries after the painter's death in 1666. Copiously illustrated with glossy black and white plates, the book formed part of a series called Great Masters in Painting and Sculpture. We must thus anticipate the text to be of the skimping quality we usually expect when we perhaps reluctantly open up a populist publisher's 'Great Artists' series.

But this 1904 volume is beautifully written. And what really does surprise is the uncluttered, modern style of the prose. There are no great condescending or judgmental passages about the artist or his character. There is considerable fact about his life, about which in reality we know remarkably little. But above all the book contains some inspired writing on and analytical observation of the paintings, some of which, incidentally, have since been reattributed. This adds another aspect to the experience, since it illustrates how our appreciation of the arts is very much conditioned by what we think we might know about the context or source of the object.

Frans Hals, it appears, was something of a rake. He was never rich, was in fact often in debt and, more often than not, close to penniless. He spent much of his time in the pub, where he drank to excess. He married early, and the union endured, but we now next to nothing about his domestic life. And yet, the respectable gentlemen of the St. Joris Shooting Guild regularly employed him to depict the club members in all their proud finery, full face or three-quarter front, depending on how much each sitter had contributed to the funding of the project.

Gerald Davies's text is especially successful in its identification and description of the detail in the pictures. He identifies and locates elements of the artist's style that the casual observer would simply not see, and throughout he approaches his subject with an enthusiasm that draws the reader into the discussion and is never didactic. In several sections of the book, the author draws parallels and cites contrasts with Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt, all of whom, of course, achieved significantly more fame in their lifetimes than Hals did in his. Their work, perhaps, never did go out of favour, but that of Frans Hals certainly did. Painted largely in greys and black, the paintings of Frans Hals often appear to be more puritan in spirit even than their strait-laced sitters.

But then, as Davies point out, there is a young man bearing a standard, a coloured sash, an item of still life that adds dramatic statement by introducing contrast. And, of course, there are the chuckling wenches, the singing drunks and the other low life subjects that Hals chose to paint where, with arguably unique skill and talent, he captured an instantaneous expression as if it had been photographed.

Davies also insists that the paintings of Hals need a large viewing space. For the author, close-up viewing is too revealing of a technique that often approaches complete abstraction. And here we do find a difference from today's critical taste, where such free brushwork would be cited as evidence of an artistic strength. Davies does not criticise it, but his era preferred not to scrutinise it in search of the psychological dimension that is now so completely essential to any critical analysis of an artist's work.

Tastes may change and artists may come in and out of favour. Frans Hals continues to be seen as one of the greatest of painters and in the intervening years much has been written about him. But great art endures because it summarises the sensibilities of its era, at least those we insist on imposing upon it. Great writing works the same way and let us continue to include in that category critical works such as this Davies book on Hals, purely on its contemporary relevance and not merely because it offers an historical perspective on the work.

Philip Spires is author of A Search for Donald Cottee is a comic tragedy about individualism.

http://www.philipspires.co.uk/search_for_donald_cottee.htm

Donald, nicknamed Donkey, is an internet Don Quixote. Donkey Cottee and his wife, Poncho Suzie, have retired to Benidorm from their north of England mining village. Don has left behind his incessant self-education and Suzie has turned the corner of her illness. Their new life an eternal holiday on a campsite. To share the experience they blog. But they can never escape their Yorkshire origins, Don's environmental campaigns and Suzie's quest for business success as a nightclub boss take over their lives.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Masters-In-Painting-And-Sculpture:-Frans-Hals-by-Gerald-S.-Davies&id=8691027

Book Review: Lean Mean Thirteen (Janet Evanovich - 2008)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 04:11:00 +0000

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Book Review: Lean Mean Thirteen
By Linda Hancock

In the thirteenth book of the Stephanie Plum series, the heroine is asked by her mentor and love-interest Ranger to find out some information for him. The bad news is that the one who has the information is Stephanie's ex-husband, Dickie Orr. Their marriage was very short because Stephanie caught him having sex with a woman who had been her enemy since childhood, Joyce Barnhardt.

Now, Stephanie wants to help Ranger but is shocked to find out that her ex and Joyce are an item again. And then, wouldn't you know it, Dickie disappears and everyone suspects that Stephanie is behind this disappearance. But this isn't the only confusing part of the plot. Dickie was a lawyer who had formed a partnership with other men who start turning up dead. And no one knows who they are or what they doing together in the first place.

Stephanie's "on again off again" relationship with Trenton police officer, Joe Morelli has been fairly close but things change when she turns to Ranger to help protect her. Both of the men obviously love her but she doesn't know which one she wants to be with. Perhaps she values her independence too much to actually be with either of them.

Stephanie's rather unusual family also have roles in the plot. Her father doesn't say much but obviously is frustrated by the chaos created by the other family members, especially Grandma Mazur who lives with Stephanie's parents. Even though she is in her seventies, she often acts like a teenager, talking about sex and wanted to be part of any adventure that occurs. Stephanie's mother tries to deal with the stress by sticking to a strict schedule, crossing herself, ironing obsessively and reaching for the bottle that she has conveniently stored in a cupboard by the stove.

So Stephanie is frequently moving around. Sometimes she is living in her own humble apartment with her hamster Rex. Sometimes she stays at the home of her parents and grandmother. Sometimes she is living with Morelli and sometimes she is living with Ranger. She is confused and very afraid for her life because there are people who are obviously out to get her and everyone knows it.

Even Stephanie's work life is confused. She is supposed to be a bounty hunter who is contracted with her slimy cousin Vinnie Plum but earning a living based on commission for capturing those who skip their Court dates isn't always enough. Often she has to ask Lulu who is his filing clerk to help her with the cases.

Ranger also has offered her opportunities to work for him but the job can be boring and she is so attracted to him that being too close just might be risky.

Stephanie lives a very simple life - eating peanut butter sandwiches or cake for breakfast and having little in the way of lifestyle. That is, until she gets herself into very dangerous and sometimes laughable situations that even the police cannot believe happen to her.

The only problem with this book is a publication error. Pages 121 to 144 are missing while pages 145 to 168 are in the book twice!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock
http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-Lean-Mean-Thirteen&id=8487024

Book Review: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou - 2009)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 04:00:00 +0000

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Book Review: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
By Linda Hancock

Maya Angelou was born with a first name of Marguerite but her brother couldn't pronounce it properly and, over time, she adopted this as a form of what he called her. Maya and her brother, Bailey were sent to live with their maternal grandmother and uncle when their parents separated. They lived and worked in the store that she ran thus learning about business and people. Their grandmother was very strict with them so homework and church were a regular part of their lives.

One day the children were surprised when their father came to visit them. They didn't have memories of the man and Maya was cautious. She didn't want to go with him when he announced that they were going to see their mother in St. Louis but Maya was obedient and went with him. It was shortly afterwards, at the age of eight year that Maya was raped by her mother's boyfriend and this led to a Court hearing in which she was a witness. Maya had always been told that she must tell the truth but when she was on the stand she lied. The following day, her perpetrator was found dead.

After that, Maya quit talking. She withdrew into herself but, at the same time was very observant. The children returned to the care of their grandmother and were returned again to the care of their mother who had moved to San Francisco. Throughout her childhood and youth Maya noticed the many ways that individuals were discriminated against due to their colour, ethnicity, socio-economic situations, occupations, and sexual preference.

Throughout this book, Maya describes with clarity the dilemmas that she encountered and how each of them was resolved in her mind. She names individuals who had a powerful influence on her and the ways that this occurred.

Maya lived until she was eighty-six years old and this book only takes the reader to the point where she became a teenaged single-parent.

May Angelou went on to become a poet, writer, performer, teacher and director. She inspired thousands of individuals with her honesty, wisdom and courage.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is an American classic that provides insight into the life of a child who experienced the discrimination because of being black, the trauma associated with having divorced parents, the legalistic upbringing by an aging grandparent and handicapped uncle, the horror of being sexually abused and the hurt of being rejected by the brother who was her best friend.

As a child, Maya turned to books as an escape when she was in trouble. As an adult, Maya wrote books to inform and inspire others.

Although I had seen Maya may times on television this was the first time that I had read anything that she had written. It definitely will not be the last time though.

Her early life was so difficult but Maya was intelligent and she used both her knowledge and wisdom to build a life that rose above the troubles she had faced.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock
http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-I-Know-Why-The-Caged-Bird-Sings&id=8541506

Book Review: A Is For Alibi (Sue Grafton - 2008)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 03:30:00 +0000

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Book Review: A Is For Alibi
By Linda Hancock

"A is for Alibi" is the first novel in a series written by number one New York Times bestselling author Sue Grafton. Even though it was written in 1982 the work does not feel the least bit dated. Nor is there any hint of gender inequality.

The main character for the series is Kinsey Millhone, a young woman, who has been divorced twice. She is a former police office and private investigator who has set up a small detective agency in the fictional town of Santa Teresa California.

Kinsey doesn't have many material possessions and actually lives a rather simple life. No pets, no houseplants and no complicated relationships. What she does have, however, is courage and an intelligent mind that allows her to do your job with expertise and healthy pride. She also has a heart for those who are vulnerable or facing what might appear to others as "lost causes".

In this book, Kinsey is asked to represent Nikki Fife, a woman who is on parole after serving eight years in prison for killing her husband. Nikki claims that she did not kill him and wants Kinsey to find out who did. That doesn't appear to be an easy task but Kinsey decides to take the case. As a result, she finds herself searching for individuals who can provide her with information and clues that might help her to solve the mystery laid out before her.

Nikki's dead husband had more than one woman in his life and it is up to Kinsey to find and interview them so that she has a better understanding of his life circumstances. She also wants to know who might have had motivation to do the killing. As she gathers facts, Kinsey begins to develop theories. The pieces of the puzzle do not always seem to fit together and this sends her off on a quest to find even more pieces that will help her figure things out.

Things get really muddled, however, when Kinsey realizes that there is another corpse that is related to the characters and that opens up the idea that there are more suspects than there were at first.

During her search for answers, Kinsey has to deal with a police officer who is not very cooperative or friendly towards her. She also encounters a little romance.

Sue Grafton is a writer who clearly describes her characters and their perspectives. She uses details such as colour and sounds to take the reader right into each scene so that it feels as though one is in the room or on the street exactly where and when the plot is unfolding. The dialogue is strong and the story line is believable. It is not just focussed on the gruesomeness of two murders but also has a humorous element. Throughout, the main character always seems to remind us of the importance of seeking justice.

The author has chosen to begin every book in the Kinsey Millhone series with a letter of the alphabet. I'm looking forward to the second one which is titled "B is for Burglar".

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock
http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-A-Is-For-Alibi&id=8545928

Book Review: Smokin' Seventeen (Janet Evanovich - 2011)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 03:21:00 +0000

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Book Review: Smokin' Seventeen
By Linda Hancock

Stephanie Plum is a divorcee who has problems in several areas of her life. After losing her job as a lingerie purchaser, she was desperate and, as a result, blackmailed her cousin Vinnie into letting her work for him as a bail enforcement officer. She isn't very good at it and, in fact, doesn't like to carry a gun. Frequently she goes after someone who has skipped out on their Court date, only to fail in her attempts to capture that person. Sometimes it is worse and she either loses a vehicle in the process because it was stolen, bombed or crushed. Most times she is at risk of physical harm. But Stephanie has bills to pay and not many options so she continues in the work.

In this novel, dead bodies are being found on the lot where Vinnie had his office. Although police are involved, no one seems to know why they are there or if there is a connection that might lead to the murderer.

Stephanie becomes afraid when it seems obvious that she is also a target for murder. She also has other problems including her love life. She knows that even though her security expert mentor Ranger is very sexy and interested in her, he is not the type to commit. That doesn't stop her attraction to him. She also, however, is attracted to Trenton New Jersey police officer Joe Morelli but their on-again off-again relationship never seems to be "on" for both of them at the same time. And his grandmother, Bella, scares Stephanie. In fact, Bella puts a curse on Stephanie which causes a serious change in her life.

Stephanie's family members are eager for her to settle down into a committed relationship and are always trying to match her up with someone. This time, it is a former high school sports star who recently returned to the city. He has a number of positive traits but Stephanie doesn't think she needs more than two lovers in her life at this time.

Lulu, who left her career as a prostitute to do filing in Vinnie's office often works with Stephanie but is not usually much help. The two, however, share a comradeship that is centered around eating greasy and sugary foods.

On top of all of these complications, Stephanie encounters a dancing bear and senior citizen skipper who thinks that he is a vampire.

Stephanie often turns to her rather dysfunctional family for support and is usually fed good home-cooked meals that are laced with advice from her Grandma Mazur and horrified emotions from her mother and father. It seems that deep down they would just like her to get a steady job at the button factory and marry so that they could have grandchildren and know that she was safe.

"Smokin' Seventeen" offers mystery, good humour and the promise that things will always be entertaining. Stephanie is presented as a very real individual who just happens to get herself into a number of screwy situations.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-Smokin-Seventeen&id=8545892

Book Review: Sizzling Sixteen (Janet Evanovich - 2011)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 03:14:00 +0000

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Book Review: Sizzling Sixteen
By Linda Hancock

Stephanie Plum works as a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinnie. She doesn't always like the work is definitely not very good at it but it does pay the bills. Stephanie had to blackmail her cousin into giving her the job because she was desperate after losing her employment as a lingerie purchaser.

In this book, Stephanie finds out that she has inherited a "lucky" bottle from her Uncle Pip but she doesn't have any guarantee that it will help her with her life or work.

Vinnie has run the bond agency for years but, without anyone knowing, he has run up a gambling debt of $786,000.00. Bobby Sunflower is a mobster who has kidnapped Vinnie and claims that he will not be released until the debt is paid. The longer he is held, the more interest accumulates and so the debt keeps increasing. Stephanie and his staff members Connie and Lulu do not have a lot of respect for Vinnie but they know that they need to save him or they will lose their jobs.

The three women decide that perhaps they could raise enough money to save their boss. They have a lot of things that were given to Vinnie as security when he posted bail for them and they are stored in the back of the office. Because the items aren't used or needed, they think that a yard sale is appropriate, even if it isn't legal to sell some of things that they are selling.

Stephanie has been friends with a man who has used too many drugs over the years. He has a very positive attitude but isn't a very fast thinker. Mooner offers to help but isn't very good at helping and the drug-laced brownies that he cooks tend to slow everyone down. His relationships with members of the Hobbit organization seems so bizarre - but so are the Hobbits.

Even though Stephanie is trying to save Vinnie, she is also needing to earn a living so there are bail "skippers" to chase and apprehend. She is also trying to figure out what to do about her two love interests. Joe Morelli is a Trenton police office that she has known since she was a child. Their relationship has been "on-again off-again". Ranger, a security expert is much more mysterious but extremely attractive to Stephanie. Stephanie is never sure which, if either, of these men will become a long-term partner for her. Perhaps the "lucky" bottle will help her to figure it out.

Stephanie's parents and her Grandma Mazur all live in the home where Stephanie grew up. She knows that she can always turn to them for a home-cooked meal or when she needs safety and security.

Each of the Stephanie Plum novels in the series that continues to be written offers the reader both mystery and humour. Even when the plots seem rather ridiculous, there is stability in knowing that Stephanie and her family members are down-to-earth individuals with whom we can easily relate.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock
http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-Sizzling-Sixteen&id=8547674

Book Review: Explosive Eighteen (Janet Evanovich - 2012)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:53:00 +0000

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Book Review: Explosive Eighteen
By Linda Hancock

Stephanie Plum was a lingerie purchaser but when she lost her job, she was desperate. There were bills to pay and she couldn't seem to find a job that was suitable. So, she went to see her cousin Vinnie who was running a bond enforcement agency and blackmailed him in order to get work. He agreed to pay her a percentage of the bail money he had paid for individuals who had skipped their Court date, if she found them and turned them into the police.

Stephanie is not very good at her job but the commission she makes is enough to finance her sparse lifestyle.

Stephanie is usually just focusses on paying her rent but was surprised and pleased to have an opportunity to visit Hawaii. She hoped that she would have a nice, relaxing holiday. It ended up, however, that her two love interests came to Hawaii and had a horrible fight with each other.

Joe Morelli is a Trenton, New Jersey police officer who Stephanie has been attracted to since her childhood. The problem with their relationship is that they sometimes want to commit to each other - but never at the same time so over the years, it has been "on-again and off-again".

Ranger, a security expert, who has been Stephanie's career mentor, is also extremely attractive to Stephanie. He, however, has an air of mystery about him and just doesn't seen to be interested in more than a few romantic encounters. He's just not the type that she would expect to commit to her - or anyone.

After the fight, Stephanie took both of her lovers to a Hawaiian hospital and then headed back home without them.

Matters got worse after the man seated next to her on the plane disappeared during a layover. Then the FBI and a motley group of thugs began chasing Stephanie in hopes of recovering a photograph that they believed the man on the plane had been carrying.

While Stephanie is being hounded for the photo, she still has to make a living by finding individuals who skipped their Court date after her cousin Vinnie posted bail for them. His office, however, was recently destroyed and even the temporary headquarters went up in smoke so his staff have to be flexible.

Stephanie's Grandma Mazur, the teen-aged thinking senior, thinks that Stephanie needs some help in securing a man so she has a friend make up a love potion. Lulu, the former prostitute who sometimes helps Stephanie with her work, drinks it instead of Stephanie and immediately falls in love with the man who they have been trying to turn in to the authorities.

Even Joyce Barnhardt, an enemy of Stephanie's causes problems. She is in hiding and decides that she should be staying in Stephanie's apartment.

So, Stephanie is facing problems in her career and in personal life. She doesn't even have the ability to go home in order to get away from problems because Joyce is there. Joe and Ranger are awkward around her because of the incident in Hawaii and neither of them want to talk about it to find any resolution.

It's just one problem after another in "Explosive Eighteen" but Janet Evanovich is able to add enough humour and creativity that the reader is captivated.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hancock
http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-Explosive-Eighteen&id=8552876

Book Review: Splitting (Bill Eddy - 2011)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:44:00 +0000

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Book Review: Splitting
By Linda Hancock

Bill Eddy has worked as a family lawyer, therapist and mediator. His expertise is in handling high conflict personalities in legal disputes. Randi Kreger is an expert on Borderline Personality Disorder. Together, these two professionals have written the book "Splitting" which they have sub-titled Protecting yourself while divorcing someone with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder."

According to the authors, people with personality disorders have cognitive distortions that they believe are real and act upon them in aggressive or defensive ways. If other individuals try to confront them about these or there is any type of stress in his/her life, the person with the disorder feels threatened and escalates their behaviours. They view others in a black and white manner meaning that they believe the other person can either do no wrong or nothing right. Their fears increase and they react by launching verbal or physical attacks, making false accusations or attempting to manipulate situations.

The person with Borderline Personality Disorder tends to feel unworthy and fears either real or imagined abandonment. On the other hand, those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder lack empathy, feel superior to others and fear being seen as inferior.

Personality Disorders usually begin in childhood or adolescence and therefore are ingrained in the individuals by adulthood. In fact, they appear to have two personalities. Because they truly believe that their perspective is correct they blame anyone who doesn't agree with them. This might include their ex, lawyer, therapist or even a judge who does not give them what they want and think that they deserve.

"Splitting" not only clearly describes those with personality disorders and what to expect from these individuals when they are going through a separation or divorce but also teaches the readers how to protect themselves and reduce the conflict that might increase when not using appropriate strategies.

First of all, the authors encourage the reader to be aware of the fact that blamers will do anything to win and this is not your fault! Being able to identify negative patterns of behaviour is necessary while stating that the individual has a personality disorder will only increase the problems and this is therefore never recommended.

Assertiveness, documentation, strategic thinking, responding quickly with accurate information and managing your own emotions are some of the techniques that are recommended.

Besides attacking the ex, someone with a personality disorder will often make false allegations against professionals who they view as a threat. Because those with a personality disorder often tend to be charming and emotional, they might, at times, initially get their way in Court. Over time, however, their patterns usually reveal the holes in the stories that they have made up and help those involved to recognize manipulation that has been used throughout the process.

Those who work with these individuals do not always have training to help them understand or act in an appropriate or effective manner. As a result, the Court system or both of the parties are often blamed for the conflict when most of the problems are actually created by the one with the disorder.

"Splitting" is a psychological and legal guide to help spouses and professionals deal with divorce in a balanced and productive way when there is an unpredictable and manipulative spouse involved. It not only facilitates clear understanding of personality disorders but also provides helpful methods for dealing with them.

I highly recommend this book!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

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Book Review: Forgiveness - A Gift From My Grandparents (Mark Sakamoto - 2014)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:33:00 +0000

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Book Review: Forgiveness - A Gift From My Grandparents
By Linda Hancock

Mark Sakamoto's grandparents were born and raised on opposite sides of the country of Canada. They also found themselves on opposite sides in World War II. Despite these differences, however, they shared remarkable resiliency and their amazing ability to embrace forgiveness provides a worthy example for each of us to follow.

Mark's Scottish-Canadian maternal grandfather, Ralph McLean, joined the war effort as a way of escaping problems experienced in his family of origin. He was sent to Hong Kong to fight and saw many of his fellow soldiers killed, tortured or abused infront of him. Mr. McLean was captured and put into a prisoner of war camp where he was starved and forced to suffer inhumanities for years.

Mark's Japanese-Canadian paternal grandmother, Mitsue Sakamoto, and her family were happily living and working in Vancouver. Then the war broke out and everything changed for them. The government forced them to move to southern Alberta where they did back-breaking work and lived in squalor just because of their ethic background.

No one could have predicted that the children of these brave individuals would meet and fall in love - but they did. The merging of their two families might not have seemed possible but Ralph and Mitsue were able to overcome the atrocities that they had suffered and replaced them with forgiveness.

But the pain and suffering didn't end with Ralph and Mitsue. After their children married and became parents of two sons - one of whom is the book's author - their relationship began to unravel. Demands associated with trying to earn a living and personal disappointments led to separation and divorce. The boys' mother became trapped in a partying lifestyle that eventually led to alcoholism and further problems for herself and her sons.

Even though the storyline for "Forgiveness" is based on the lives of the authors' grandparents, it actually encompasses five generations of his family tree. It begins with Mark Sakamoto's great-grandparents and moves down the branches to include his own young children.

The geographical and historical settings in "Forgiveness" come to life because of well-researched details. All the characters are described so clearly that it feels as though they are people who we personally know and care about.

Although it might at first seem that Ralph and Mitsue are the book's heroes I believe that Mark himself is also a true hero in this tale. He not only honours his grandparents by telling their stories but also uses transparency and boldness to describe his own emotional pain and how he negotiated the resolution of it through forgiveness. His grandparents may have been his role-models but it was when he applied the lessons that their lives exemplified in his own life that they became the most powerful.

"Forgiveness" is written in a very honest style that captures the reader's attention and stirs the emotions. At one point you will probably feel horrified, at another you may be crying and at another you will probably find yourself laughing out loud.

I would highly recommend this very unique book that tells the true story of a family who learned to live with grace and courage despite horrific circumstances. It is truly inspiring!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-Forgiveness---A-Gift-From-My-Grandparents&id=8697297

Book Review: It's All Your Fault by Bill Eddy (2012)

John Greg — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:17:00 +0000

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Book Review: It's All Your Fault!
By Linda Hancock

Bill Eddy has worked with many high conflict individuals throughout his career where he has served in roles as a lawyer, mediator and social worker. In fact, he states that the theme of his career has been conflict resolution.

Mr. Eddy's experience and valuable knowledge are shared with his readers who will benefit not only from the clearly-explained theory but also are given valuable strategies to help them deal with difficult situations that they may encounter.

In "It's All Your Fault!" Eddy argues that approximately fifteen percent of the population have a personality pattern that is preoccupied with blaming others due to their own lack of self-awareness and self-sabatoging behaviours. When these individuals experience internal stress combined with ingrained cognitive distortions, a mistaken assessment of danger can lead to behaviour that is aggressively defensive.

Some people who present as high conflict individuals actually meet the criteria for a Personality Disorder diagnosis whereas others just display traits.

Instead of taking responsibility for their problems or focussing on creation of a healthy resolution, the individual attacks what Eddy has termed a "target of blame". These attacks might involve presenting inaccurate information or outright lies to others who have not had opportunity to view the person's patterns and therefore do not have a reason to doubt what has been presented.

The target might not have initially done anything to warrant an attack but can inadvertently escalate the situation if they use aggressive or passive responses.

Unfortunately, the high conflict individual truly believes that his/her thoughts, feelings and behaviours are not only accurate but justified. S/he is therefore not open to change or to therapy so their patterns continue and may even become more ingrained over time.

Eddy offers a number of recommendations for those who become the "target of blame" as well as professionals, family and friends who find themselves involved with high conflict individuals. He promotes the use of assertiveness that includes genuine empathy, attention and respect as well as setting limits that will contain the behaviours of the high conflict personality without attacking. In addition, Eddy argues that it is very important to provide a timely response to correct erroneous information that the high conflict individual has shared with others.

The author stresses the fact that even if you are a target of blame, you are not the problem. However, you might find that you have developed strong feelings of defensiveness or are perhaps even becoming a negative advocate for the high conflict individual. You might find yourself avoiding contact with the high conflict individual. Because you can be drawn into s negative situation quickly and without your awareness, it is therefore important that you have a support system of positive advocates who will help you. Mr. Eddy offers techniques for accessing this support in a healthy way and managing your own thoughts, feelings and behaviours appropriately.

"It's All Your Fault!" is an extremely valuable guide that is easy to read and understand. Several case studies are included to demonstrate difficult scenarios that can develop, options for resolution and rationale for choosing the most appropriate strategy.

I highly recommend this book!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-Its-All-Your-Fault!&id=8697972

Book Review: Notorious Nineteen (Janet Evanovich - 2013)

John Greg — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:05:00 +0000

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Book Review: Notorious Ninetten
By Linda Hancock

Stephanie Plum has been working as a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinnie. She blackmailed him into giving her a job because she was desperate. Unfortunately, Stephanie isn't very good at chasing and capturing the individuals who missed their Court date and she only gets paid a commission based on their bail amount once she has obtained a receipt from the police.

Because of the characters in Stephanie's family and at work, Stephanie is often having problems in several areas of her life at the same time.

In "Notorious Nineteen" Stephanie finally has a chance to make some money when she is given the file for Geoffrey Cubbin. Cubbin had stolen millions of dollars from the assisted-living facility that he was supposed to manager. The residents are so upset with him. After an emergency appendectomy, however, Cubbin disappears from the hospital and Stephanie is determined to find him. Things become more complicated, however, when more patients begin disappearing.

Stephanie has been romantically involved in an "on-again, off-again" fashion with Trenton police officer Joe Morelli. They have known each other since they were children and even though there is a strong attraction, their levels of commitment never seem to match. Joe has matured as he has aged and is known as being a good cop. He and Stephanie therefore team up to find Cubbin - Joe because of his job and Stephanie because of the money.

When Stephanie began working for Vinnie she was mentored by a rather mysterious Cuban man named Ranger. He is a security expert who operates an international company but Stephanie doesn't know much more about him than the fact that she is extremely attracted to him. Ranger is working on a security case that involves protecting Ranger's friend from his Special Forces days who is getting married. He asks Stephanie to help him with this and she agrees to do this, not knowing really what she was getting into.

Besides being Ranger's "date" she is required to serve as Matron of Honour for the wedding and that just isn't something that she wants to do. She also doesn't want to be threatened or harmed by the deadly individual who is out to get Ranger, his friend and the two women who are in their lives.

So, between fittings and preparations for the wedding, Stephanie is trying to find out why so many people are disappearing from the hospital. Little did she realize that the strange wooden Tiki statue she was using as bait to capture one of her "skippers" would have such a significant role in her life. At first she thinks it is just a rather silly item but then finds herself talking to it and even trying to protect it. Never did she think that in the end it might actually protect her.

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels are simple to read but have intricate plots that are filled with murder, mystery and humour. This is just one more gem from the number one New York Times Bestselling author's pen.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review:-Notorious-Ninetten&id=8552888