Mary Deal

The book is in sections on hypnosis and mediation. Each section contains word definitions, quotes, self-reflection questions, possible scripts, and ramblings from the author’s personal experiences. The induction, cue and script section count down from ten to one to the hypnotic stage and then one to ten to wake up again. These sections are hard to implement unless you have a partner doing the counting and reading the scripts. In summary, boring repetitive self-talk chants are relaxing and you need to trust your hypnotist.… (lisätietoja)

I was initially drawn to this book because of Vietnam and the search for the remaining MIA American soldiers. When I was in high school, we used to wear bracelets representing the POW’s that were being held while the conflict was still ongoing. I have no idea if the person I wore on my wrist every came back. Then I met my late husband who had served three tours in Nam. He had also been a POW and was one of the lucky ones that escaped. So the concept of this story resonated with me.

The book starts with Sara, Huxley and Esmeralda deep in the Vietnam jungle, searching for the remains of his brother and her daughter. They are with a group of other people searching for remains of their own loved ones. Mary Deal does an excellent job setting the stage and I became involved with the characters as they stumbled upon a few golden links and a barely legible, partial dog tag. Who did it belong too?

The main story starts when Sara returns to her new home in Hawaii, and becomes involved in a cold case disappearance or murder of a girl who suffered from Down’s syndrome. And the girl that disappeared was the sister of her reclusive, psycho neighbor Maleko. As Sara searches for the truth, she is faced with death several times, as the killer tries to eliminate her.

This story is rich with the history and layout of Hawaii and its culture. A little too much for me. The pace of the story died with too much information. But once the action started, it was so fast paced, I couldn’t keep up. And there’s plenty of action. I loved Sara and her strong-willed nature. And I adored her other neighbor, Birdie. We should all have someone like that in our lives.

I thought the ending for the murder mystery a little confusing and anit-climatic, but that was only one ending. The real ending, that made me bawl like a baby, was the identity of the person behind the partial dog tag. Even though I guessed it, the presentation was so well-written that I had to cry for their loss and acceptance.

If you’re intrigued with Vietnam / Hawaii and you love mysteries, drama and action, you’ll want to read this book. I give it 4 feathers.… (lisätietoja)

Down to the Needle – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘Abi reached for a tissue from the box on the credenza and blew her nose. She drew in a breath to pull her emotions together, blinked to clear her vision, and studied the photos spread alongside the aging of Becky Ann. Other than the fact that both were women, no noticeable similarities existed. The computer reconstruction of Becky produced a full, rounded cherub face of someone with a curly head of hair who would weigh more than the lean, gaunt-faced inmate. Megan Winnaker’s eyes were larger and definitely closer together, with a sharp chin and cheekbones. Her lips were well formed and wide. Abi noticed again how flat and smooth Megan’s nose was compared to Becky Ann’s slightly humped bridge. In both the old photo and the computer aging of Becky Ann, the mole on her left cheek was prominent. Abi breathed in again, more in control, and sighed heavily.’

Abi Fisher’s 5 year old daughter disappeared 23 years ago. Even though she has never given up her search for Becky Ann, Abi finds it almost impossible to believe that the young lady sitting on death row could possibly be her. But, even a small chance of finding her won’t slip by without being fully investigated. And to investigate, Abi finds herself meeting Megan Winnaker face-to-face as she sits in prison awaiting the Supreme Court ruling that could grant her a new trial.

Abi had no idea as to what she was stepping into when she first decided that Megan was her daughter and that she was also innocent. Her investigation steps her right in the middle of arson fires that are believed to be set by a group of skinheads that call themselves the Dregs. She discovers crooked cops and finds that the only witness to the accusations against Megan is blind.

Joe Arno has been Abi’s strength in her quest to find her daughter, for several years. He’s always there for her no matter what comes up. But will that support continue after he finds the love from his youth is now living on the streets? Abi feels that she will not only loose her daughter again but also Joe.

Down to the Needle lives up to its name. This story will keep you hoping and even begging the author to let Megan really be Becky Ann and find a way to prove her innocence. I’ve often said that a book kept me on the edge of my seat but that is normally used as a figure of speech. But when I say that about Down to the Needle it’s the actual truth. I found myself actually leaning forward and sitting on the edge of my seat to the end.

2010
iUniverse
326 Pages
ISBN# 978-1-4401-9820-5


Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat… (lisätietoja)