Review - Second Bloom by Anne Marie Smith & Michelle Gamble-Risley

If you are ready to put in some effort, you can learn how to break through the Big Blank in your life with the help of two women who have been-there-done-that.

Second Bloom is a collaborative effort between a pair of successful women who each reached a point in their lives where they knew they needed to follow their passions, or let their souls whither. They chose action and now share their experiences. You'll aslo read stories of other women who learned how to reinvent, rejuvenate, and realize a new life.

Anne Marie Smith and Michelle Gamble-Risley use straight talk and real life examples to show that any goal, any dream, and any desire that a person has, can be achieved with a little bit of work. They describe each of the ten steps in the process, give examples, and then send you on your way. Workspace is given within the book, and a wall chart is included in the back for a visual display of your tasks once you work them out.

Anne Marie Smith is a professional writer, successful business consultant, and entrepreneur who hit the Big Blank at forty. She devised and executed her plan, sold her business, and started doing what she loves: write. Michelle Gamble-Risley is a professional writer and marketing, and public relations expert. Her passion for life reignited after her Big Blank in her late thirties. One day, she quit her job and started her own business. Second Bloom is the amazing collaboration between these two women.

Second Bloom is a highly recommended read for anyone looking for a creative way to set goals and conquer the Big Blank.

Available through Amazon, other online venues, and www.second-bloom.com/store.html.

Title: Second Bloom
Author: Anne Marie Smith & Michelle Gamble-Risley
Publisher: Kaabrah Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9818322-0-3
Pages: 128
Price: $19.95

Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Review - The Courier by James R. Vance

Detective Inspector Massey and Detective Sergeant Turner are long-time friends and partners. They've seen a lot in their careers and need all of their combined experience to unravel the strange coincidences stemming up from a seemingly simple incident.

What starts off as a case of someone mistakenly grabbing the wrong briefcase quickly becomes the catalyst to a large and entwined web of subterfuge. Time is of the essence when the young owner of the stolen briefcase disappears. Each new piece of evidence the police finds, forces them to call for additional support in order to cover all the unexpected directions they get pulled in. They quickly learn to not interpret everything at face value.

Vance's passion for this genre is apparent with his sharp writing and solida attention to detail. His words brush the city landscape onto the page like a roadmap. By using omniscient point of view, he gives the reader insight into the characters that the protagonists don't have, which allows the reader to play investigator right along with the lead characters. Vance balances dialogue with narrative without wasting a word.

Author James R. Vance lives in southwest France. His first published novel, Killer Butterfly, was inspired from his knowledge of London and northern France. The Courier, his second novel, features the same two detectives. His third novel in the trilogy, Animal Instict, will be completed in 2009.

The Courier is a sold, well-paced, engaging crime thriller. It's a highly recommended read for lovers of the genre.

Available through Amazon.com, and other online outlets such as http://www.theebooksale.com/.

Title: The Courier

Author: James R. Vance

Publisher: RealTime Publishing

ISBN: 978-81906-806965

Pages: 396

Price: $16.95

Reviewed for Allbooks Review