Mark Donovan

During the Civil War, Shaun Rawles watched Yankee raiders kill his parents and although he was armed , he hid and did nothing. The result was that he thought he was a coward and he was always stricken with fear when he faced danger although as a Confederate soldier he had displayed great courage when he had to.

After the war, he meets a former Yankee soldier whose life he had saved during the war who offers him a job that will mean great danger for Rawles. The novel focuses on how Rawles will face his demons and put them to rest.… (lisätietoja)

Anyone that knows me is vastly aware I have a love for craft beer (vodka, whiskey... I digress) which in point drove me to pick this little gem up.

'Craft Beer Brewery Guide to All 50 States A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Over 1000 Breweries, Taprooms, Beer Gardens & Brewpubs in the U.S.A' (breathtaking, literally) was picked up on a whim and I was pleasantly surprised to find how much in jammed packed into this book. I'm sure there are far more in depth books out there that are far more detailed but considering how I am a novice, this was a good starting point.

Nonetheless, this book is a travel must have if you plan on venturing out to explore unique and tasteful beers around the states or just plan on adding a stop to your road trip. In this extensive guide, readers can find nearly (big emphasize because some are missing) every brewpub, watering hole, beer garden, and taproom in the United States. Not only does the author pinpoint a whole lot, he also includes the address, phone number, and website for the featured brewery which also includes recommendations from the author himself. What more can we ask for?

A plus side to this guide was seeing what was in my local neighborhood. I couldn't help but be amazed to see the list of the hot spots in Philadelphia/Pennsylvania were. I have been to some places but so many I plan on visiting when life settles down.

So overall, pretty straightforward, direct and a decent list of breweries that you may or may not know about.

… (lisätietoja)

STORY-LINE WATERKILL BY MARK J. DONOVAN. 4.5 Stars

Author Mark J. Donovan's Waterkill will keep you on the edge of your seat. Starting in a small Yemeni village, the villagers sudden and unexplained horrific deaths opens this fast paced novel. Almost everyone died in this new and unknown epidemic; suddenly and horribly.

When a small plane crashes in Alaska with a mysterious passenger and brief case on board, CEO Dr. Dave Henson and Ron Blackwell of NSurv Inc., are given the task of finding the crashed plane. As well as, the cause of the deaths in Yemen. Chatter in the underground networks link the events. They must determine how all the pieces fit together.

Dave’s wife, internationally journalist Dana Cogswell kidnapped in Germany after a strange epidemic in Eberswalde, sets more events in motion; Germany mirrors the events in Yemen. Is this the feared pandemic? Why kidnap Dana? Who if friend and who is foe? All part and parcel of the same events, Dave, Ron, and Homeland Security must stop a mad man and his terrorist organization. My book review of techno thriller, Waterkill, follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Donovan's Waterkill, a fast paced roller coaster ride around the world, grabs the reader immediately. Hold on, this is a fast and furious techno mystery thriller, filled with good versus evil. The consequences of advanced science in the wrong hands, Dave rushes to stop the destruction of America, the world, and save Dana. Advanced science can be frightening, if it falls in the wrong hands; as Donovan expertly demonstrates.

Donovan built the suspense to top peak; building the pace as Dave runs a race against time and evil. Just when you think it has to end, Donovan added another element to the story-line. With many threads to bring together into an explosive ending, Donovan created scene after scene transitioning steady and smoothly. A lesson of good versus evil, Donovan skillfully, enmeshes the reader into the scenes. I could see, smell, and feel the action. With a clear clean writing style and well-developed characters Donovan created an amazing thriller with real life possibilities.

Setting a fast pace with intriguing facts and clues, I could not put this book down; reading straight through to the end. In concluding my book review of Waterkill, I found a well-developed story-line; part suspense, part mystery, and part techno thriller. A lesson of the evil possible when the mad men of the world decide our fate. Seen from the side of the terrorist, as well as, rest of the world, I closed the book saying, "wow that was a great story". Yet, I was frightened by the real possibilities which could play out, if immoral leaders/fanatics have this technology available. A thought-provoking book with events which could become real for America and the world. I look forward to the next book by Donovan; I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend. Kudos, Donovan, for a well-written, enlightening, thought-provoking, and scary book.
WATERKILL RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4.5

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

In addition, I borrowed this book from kindle unlimited and received a copy from the author. I chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest review for this contemporary techno thriller. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and under my name, are my opinions. No one influenced my voluntary review of this contemporary techno thriller.… (lisätietoja)