Flight For Control by Karlene Petitt

One of my childhood friends, Dr. Jean Ann French sent me a message via facebook one day telling me that a friend of hers just had a novel published. That's how I met "Flight For Control" by Karlene Petitt.

The first novel of Petitt was published in February, 2012 by Jet Star Publishing. It's very easy to read and moves fast!

Synopsis:

"After a ten-year leave, Kathryn Jacobs has been invited back to the N.T.S.B to investigate a series of unexplained airline crashes. But her husband, Captain Bill Jacobs, has his concerns. While her twin daughters are off at camp, and Bill is actively campaigning for the Pilot Union Presidency, Kathryn secretly begins her investigation. What she learns will shock the nation.

Flight For Control is a thriller that reads like a mystery. But to Kathryn, there is no mystery on the condition of the airline industry—it’s broken. Planes are crashing. Pensions are lost. Pilots are financially and emotionally bankrupt due to fatigue, furloughs, and loss of seniority.

It’s time that someone takes control before it’s too late—unless it already is."

This is the synopsis that should attract the attention of the reader. - My personal opinion is that it just doesn't do the book justice. The synopsis seems rather ho-hum but trust me when I say this book is anything but ho-hum.

Have you ever read a book that while reading you just had to set it down and get up and walk around for awhile - or find something else to do for a bit - to think about what you just read - to calm your fast pulse? THIS is that kind of book. It made me nervous, it made me think, it made me mad!! It was a great read!   : ) 

- Yes, I talk to the television, too! "DON'T DO THAT..." - conversations of that nature! I talked to the lead character, Kathryn a lot while reading this book! Or maybe Yelled at her is a better description! Granted, sometimes I just yell in my head. Randy hasn't decided I'm completely crazy. (yet).. 

I will admit, I don't have much knowledge on the Aviation Industry. This book opened my eyes to much of what Pilots go through. Other than "The Pilot's Wife" by Anita Shreve I've not read books on this subject. This was very interesting. - not too much aviation information so you don't get bored but enough woven throughout the intrigue and mystery of the book to make it interesting. 

I especially liked the story throughout that  shows the reader how strong friendships are not to be taken for granted. How they really do give you strength - support - encouragement - you know, all that stuff that friendships are made of. Over the last few years, it's my friends that encouraged me, gave me comfort and just listened, laughed and cried with me.  I have a fondness for books that have strong friendships involved. - Petitt's book did not disappoint.

Karlene Petitt is a wife, mother, pilot, and now author. "Flight For Control" is her first novel and a very good one! She mentions in the credits at the back of the book that William Barnhardt  "... taught me how to walk before I could fly. His week of intensive training in Hawaii taught me how to write fiction.... (he) pointed me down the right path."  William Barnhardt is one of my favorite authors so for me - that was an added stamp of approval for Petitt's book! You can read about William Barnhardt HERE.

For more information on Karlene Petitt and her first novel check HERE.

I didn't notice bad language, the book does contain some sex!

I Highly recommend this new author, Karlene Petitt

I Highly recommend her book, Flight For Control

***** 

 

"From Blah to Awe" book giveaway

And the winner is.....

Karen Leierer

from Ringwood, Oklahoma

for

The book drawing 

of 

 

"From Blah to Awe"

by Jenna Lucado Bishop

CONGRATULATIONS, KAREN!

From Blah to Awe by Jenna Lucado Bishop

GREAT JOB Jenna Lucado Bishop! This was a wonderful book and I just wish it would have been available as I was raising my daughters! However - I do have 3 beautiful grand daughters!

A description of the book: 
     "You know God loves you, but you don't feel very loved.  From time to time, going to church and reading the Bible seem...well, a little blah.  
       Jenna Lucado Bishop shares her testimony and others' stories to explore what a radical, living relationship with God looks like and how the Bible can help you hunger and thirst for more of God.  You'll discover how to keep your faith fresh and vibrant and alive."

I greatly enjoyed reading this from a Mother/Grandmother's perspective because Jenna talks to girls the way it should be done. She gives encouragement, great tips on having a faith that is real, she's not preachy and she gives you the feeling that she's been there and KNOWS what she's talking about. She uses real life examples that girls will relate to and enjoy reading. This is not a boring book on faith - but one with shoes on it. - It will step into your life and walk around with you.

Jenna Lucado Bishop is the daughter of best-selling author Max Lucado. She has a passion for writing and speaking just like her dad! She has also written "Redefining Beautiful" and is  a part of "The Revolve Tour," which is an event for teen girls. 

Leave a comment about why you might like to read this book or give it as a gift to your daughter, granddaughter, niece or any teen girl in your life and your name will be put into a drawing for a free copy.  The drawing for the free copy will close on Sunday, February 26th at noon. 

Thank you Overture Media/Thomas Nelson for providing a free copy for review process and for give-away. 
http://overture-media.com/

Opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of Cohorn Recollections and are not influenced by outside sources.

*****

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Theater

As many of you know, I'm a Downton Abbey fan. For my birthday, Holly gave me a book, "Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid's Memoir That Inspired 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'Downton Abbey'".

The book description: "Arriving at the great houses of 1920s London, fifteen-year-old Margaret's life in service was about to begin As a kitchen maid the lowest of the low she entered an entirely new world; one of stoves to be blacked, vegetables to be scrubbed, mistresses to be appeased, and even bootlaces to be ironed. Work started at 5.30am and went on until after dark. It was a far cry from her childhood on the beaches of Hove, where money and food were scarce, but warmth and laughter never were. Yet from the gentleman with a penchant for stroking the housemaids' curlers, to raucous tea-dances with errand boys, to the heartbreaking story of Agnes the pregnant under-parlourmaid, fired for being seduced by her mistress's nephew, Margaret's tales of her time in service are told with wit, warmth, and a sharp eye for the prejudices of her situation. Brilliantly evoking the long-vanished world of masters and servants, Below Stairs is the remarkable true story of an indomitable woman, who, though her position was lowly, never stopped aiming high. 'Enormous gusto, salty humour, wisdom' Evening Standard 'Shrewd, unabashed, wickedly funny, a unique front-line report of her life's experiences' Jack De Manio, BBC"

Had I not been watching Downton Abbey, I'm not sure I would have appreciated this book as much as I did! Powell told it like it was for her. Her writing is very matter of fact. She doesn't sensationalize any of it - her main goal in life was to marry and have a family.

After writing this book she also went on to write "Climbing the Stairs" and "The Treasure Upstairs." Powell became famous as a result of her books.  

When I googled her name I found an interesting article about her HERE

 According to this article she wrote 17 books.

I enjoyed the book and on reading some of her others.

****

Downton Abbey

.

Downton Abbey, Season 2

(to learn more click on this title)

This month I attended my first book club meeting here in Wichita. There are only three of us so far, but it works well for us and we had a good time. During this meeting they told me about a show they watch regularly, Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Theater - on PBS.

I'm not sure how it came about but I found it on my Kindle Fire. Randy and I watched the first show of the first season. We were hooked. So, we proceeded to watch every episode- in a week -  until we caught up. Now we have to wait a week to get a new episode!

I've fallen in love with this show and was doing some 'googling' on it today and ran across this article from The Onion News in Brief - Report: Watching Episode of 'Downton Abbey' Counts As Reading Book (click on this title to read article)

It especially interested me since I love books/reading and I love Downton Abbey. Great article. Hope you will take the time to read it.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

*****

 

"The Hunger Games" caught my attention from the very first page. It was fast moving and definitely kept my attention from beginning to end.

It is a very large exaggeration of our world in the future. The sad part of that is, much of what is in this book we already see in moderation all around us. - The styles, the attitudes, our lust for entertainment that keeps pushing the envelope. It's a world without a faith in God - and you can see that the faith in anyone or anything has been drained from the people by those in control. A controlled society with no morals and too many laws, - it gives a whole new idea of life under  "Big Brother."

When I first heard of the books, "The Hunger Games" being the first of a trilogy, I wasn't sure I would read them. They sounded like science fiction and I am NOT a science fiction fan. But after having them suggested to me by so many people I got a "sample" on my kindle - then immediately bought the first book to read. As I said - it hooked me from the beginning.

This book tells the story of the people of the nation of Panem (a post-apocalyptic North America)  - one of 12 districts under the rule of the wealthy Capital

As punishment for the districts' uprising attempt years earlier, the Capitol holds an annual televised event called The Hunger Games. - The games were created for entertainment - but also to remind everyone who is in control. Each district must draw the names of a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18. These 24 youths become contestants (called "tributes"), who must fight to the death in a vast arena created by the Capitol Gamemakers. The lone survivor returns home to wealth and fame. We follow District 12's tributes through the games. - These "games" reminded me of the stories I've read of deaths of early Christians in the Roman Colosseums.  Those were for entertainment and control also.

Remember "1984" by George Orwell?  "The Hunger Games" are the YA books equivalent.

This book was written for ages 13 and up. - That's readability age and not appropriateness. I know some 13 year olds that this would be an okay read, I know many more where it just wouldn't be appropriate. 

I read the book experiencing the horrid position these young people were put in. But I also read the book with a mother's eyes and again, I wonder - how does a society get so far away from what God intended. 

 "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Historian Lord Acton (1834-1902) 

"I, Elizabeth" by Rosalind Miles

I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles

I am not at all sure what I expected when I chose Rosalind Miles book of Queen Elizabeth over "The Virgin's Lover" by Philippa Gregory. I read "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The Queen's Fool" by Gregory. I was ready to move on to Queen Elizabeth and after reading a few reviews chose Miles depiction of the Virgin Queen. I was not expecting what I got. 

I like reading a book quickly. Finishing within a week. "I, Elizabeth" book me about 15 days to read. I whined, complained and put the book down many times sighing. But I always picked it back up again and continued to read.

Rosalind Miles is known for her research and authentic descriptions of the era in which she is writing. From her website: "Rosalind Miles is the award-winning author of 23 books of fiction and non-fiction, including history, criticism and social commentary. Her historical novels featuring celebrated queens of the British Isles have been internationally acclaimed, most notably I, Elizabeth, the story of Queen Elizabeth I, recreating the life and times of the Tudor Queen."  Read more about this talented writer HERE.

Miles has written from Queen Elizabeth's voice and divides the book into five parts. I never got the feeling that this author was trying to "suger-coat" the Queen's life. It seemed very real, very true - even though it is historical fiction.  From reading other information about this Queen, I get the impression that this book is very true to form.

If history is not your interest and all you are looking for is the story - this probably isn't the book for you. Miles presented all that the Queen lived through - the wars, the men, the loves, the history of the time. She took 600+ pages to give us this story of Queen Elizabeth and many times it seemed dull. But it doesn't stay dull. A very captivating piece of history.


It was fascinating to see that even a Queen is haunted by statements made by her Father. She constantly questioned whether or not she was a bastard - and this insecurity came from him.  


Her love affair with England cannot be doubted. Also her love of men and the need for attention from men cannot be doubted! But in all affairs her loyalty to England always wins.


Not an easy book to read but I'm glad I read it. - and stuck with it. 

 I give "I, Elizabeth"

****

 

  

Book Reviews

Don't give up on me.

I'm STILL reading "I, Elizabeth" by Rosalind Miles.

I'm not used to taking so long to read a book...

Hope to finish it soon!

Conagher by Louis L'Amour

Louis L'Amour

 

I'm not sure when I first read a Louis L'Amour book. I know it was either right before we moved to Jamaica around 1991 or while we lived in Jamaica. I just know that I fell in love with his writing style. I started with one of his non-westerns - The Last of the Breed - and I LOVED it. Because of that I started on the westerns.

I remember when we moved back stateside from Jamaica and drove from Enid to the Oklahoma Panhandle - I looked at all that open land and thought a lot about the "cowboys" and the the west that L'Amour described in these books and they came alive for me.

Conagher was written in 1968. 

Randy and I picked up most of L'Amour's books at an estate sale a few weeks ago. As we were sorting and looking through them to see if we had a complete set, I was reminded of reading his books. - And thought of my favorite L'Amour story. But, just glancing at the synopsis on the back covers didn't help me -  I couldn't think of the title. Let me show you the difference in descriptions.

My description to Randy:

It was the one about "the man that moved his family to a remote area in the west. He went back east to do something (I now remember it was to buy cattle). He left his wife and two children at their place. He never returned. She was so lonely and started writing notes and tying them to tumbleweeds. Of course a man was finding them and fell in love with the author of the notes - even though he didn't know who she was."

Randy immediately said, "Oh, that's Conagher. There was a movie about that one."

I found our copy of Conagher, looked at the back and this is what it said:

"Smoke Parnell and his outfit knew every dirty trick in the book, from robbing and rustling to cold-blooded murder.  There were five of them, sometimes six - enough men to scare a lot of people. Only one man in the territory had something new to teach them and he was sure they wouldn't like it..." 

Of Course that man was Conagher.

My reaction to Randy was "Are you sure?? The back of this book doesn't even mention a lady or tumbleweeds." So - I googled "Louis L'Amour's book about "a lady writing notes and tying them to tumbleweeds." And of course Conagher popped up! So I picked it up and read it last night. (it doesn't take long to zip through a L'Amour western. Or frontier story as he called his books.)

I was not disappointed. Being a farm girl from Oklahoma, I could vividly see the plains - the land with no fences, no highways or roads. Only trails made from cattle and cowboys, wagon trains, stage coaches. I could feel the fear and then the strength that comes from the isolation of the heroine of this frontier story. I could especially feel and understand her loneliness, her will of survival for her and these two children. 

I think we will buy the movie. But are you like me?? So often the movie is such a disappointment after reading the good book. I have the characters pictured in my mind. Are there any Hollywood actors/actresses that can live up to the vision of a hero? HOWEVER - once I googled the movie and realized that Sam Elliott was cast as Conagher - hmmm - maybe this hero CAN live up to my imagination of Conagher!  

At the time of his death, at 80 years old,  Louis L'Amour had 105 works in print. 89 novels, 14 short story collections and 2 non fiction. 

I would never have thought of myself as being a "western" fan. In fact, when I had read most of L'Amours "frontier stories" I thought I would try other westerns. Not. A. Fan. Apparently I'm a L'Amour fan, not a western fan!! I have never read one of his frontier stories that I didn't like. - and I've read most of them.

In fact, after reacquainting myself with Conagher last evening, I may have to read some more!

I want to challenge you - if you've never read one of his books, pick up Conagher and give it a try. You can read it in a few hours and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Or, if like me, you aren't sure about a "western" try The Last of the Breed.

I highly recommend this book.

*****

The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory was written in 2004. A novel that is a part of Gregory's Tudor Series.  I had read The Other Boleyn Girl a couple of years ago. You can read my review of that book HERE.  What I discovered while reading this book is that the order Gregory wrote the Tudor Series is not the chronological order of the books.  So - since I've already started reading them, this is a disappointment to me! Hmmm - maybe I should have done some research BEFORE I started the series!! (which I thought I had, but apparently not!)

To read chronologically:

• The Constant Princess (Katherine of Aragon)
• The Other Boleyn Girl (Mary and Anne Boleyn)
• The Wise Woman (A young girl forced out of her nunnery and into the real world during the reformation during Anne Boleyn's time of being queen)
• The Boleyn Inheritance (Jane Boleyn, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard)
• The Queen's Fool (A young Jewish girl's story of her service in the court of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)
• The Virgin’s Lover (Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley and Amy Robsart)
• The Other Queen (Mary, Queen of Scots, George Talbot and Bess of Hardwick)

SYNOPSIS:

 At a time when  innocent people were being burned for heresy or strangled for witchcraft, Hannah, a young Jewish girl enters the Tudor court. Sworn into the service of a man getting ready to be charged with treason.  As a young girl with "the sight" Robert Dudley sends her as a Holy Fool to spy on Princess Mary Tudor, the forgotten heir to King Edward’s throne. To spy on the queen for the love of a traitor was the most dangerous choice of all.

Instead of the tyrant of popular legend - known as "Bloody Mary",  Gregory presents Queen Mary as wanting only the best for the kingdom – (those not possessing the Catholic Faith were hung or burned at the stake.)  A very misguided Queen trying to do what she believes is best - even though it was so very wrong.

 Gregory tells the story in fiction form of Princess Elizabeth waiting - often impatiently to take over the reign of her sister so she can end the killing and the torture. - Well, maybe that sounds too positive. She wasn't wanting to be Queen to end the killing. She just wanted to be Queen.

Hannah, caught in the lifelong enmity between the rival daughters of Henry VIII, torn between her infatuation with Dudley and duty to her family, thrilled by her own rare gifts, but scared of the unknown, she must find a safe way through dangerous times. Times in which she is both key witness and key player, when the wrong religion is a death sentence, science and magic are one, and true love can mean death.

As I mentioned in my review of The Other Boleyn Girl, many of Gregory's reviews are critical of the historical accuracy of her books. I don't really know enough about the times of Tudor - other than "popular" teachings for me to read her books critically. I read them because I think they are good fiction. I enjoy the stories that this author weaves through her research.

I enjoyed the book. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes a good novel and for anyone who enjoys good historical fiction.  She doesn't go into too much detail on the burnings and torturing so it's not a gory book. I had a hard time putting it down!

Fortunately for me - my wonderful husband gets just as involved in his reading - so he doesn't lose patience with me! - Nor I him!  :)

I highly recommend this book.

*****