From the top 100 free list
Veil of Civility: A Black Shuck Thriller (Declan McIver Series)
During the Soviet-Afghan War an elite team of operatives were trained in the mountains of Afghanistan. Loyal to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, they were known only by their codename, Black Shuck.
In the years that followed -- betrayed from within by the internal power struggles of the IRA -- the team members were hunted down. Three survived, fading into the turbulent streets of Northern Ireland. To this day, their identities remain a mystery -- but nothing can stay hidden forever.
For years, Declan McIver has lived under the radar -- married to a beautiful woman and operating a successful business -- but that life is about to change. When a planned meeting with an old friend goes horribly wrong, Declan finds himself on the run from a shadowy conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep their evil intentions a closely guarded secret.
To survive, he'll have to rely on long dormant training and reach deep within himself to a place and time he'd hoped to never return. As his past is laid open for the world to see and events spiral further out of control -- who will win and at what cost?
Weaving well-documented facts and speculative history, Veil of Civility combines Soviet Special Forces, the Irish Republican Army, American politicians and Chechen terrorists into an explosive modern day thriller! From the countryside of suburban Virginia and the powerful halls of Washington DC to the rocky coast of Wales and the moors of Scotland, Declan McIver struggles to stay one step ahead of the conspiracy that has made him a wanted man!
5 star:(22)
4 star:(13)
3 star:(0)
2 star: (0)
1 star: (0)
[#3 - one of the 4-star reviews is from me.]
Uncaged: A Thriller
In a thrill a minute read, author Paul McKellips poses a frightening “what if” scenario that will leave the human race on the brink of certain disaster. When a series of attacks on animal researchers leave several people dead, the government—including the President—issues an immediate ban on animal testing. And that’s when the real trouble begins…
At the heart of the action are two government agents, the dashing Commander “Camp” Campbell, a man as decorated for his bravery in Iraq as for his own self-professed charm. Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Raines is the more practical of the two, a woman defined by her dedication to rules. Camp has returned to the States, newly reassigned to a government-funded test site. When the ban on animals comes down, Camp pulls a restless act by making off with two hundred rats…and winds up in deep trouble. He is immediately banished for a year, his superiors hoping the ramifications of his stunt will have worn off by then. Raines, uncharacteristically covering for him, finds herself joining him. But where they are headed only increases the risk—both to themselves, to the scientist whose very existence is threatened…and the future of the human race.
Who is really behind the ban on animal testing? And why? Could a deadly, dangerous fanatical group be behind the threat of a new vein of plague sweeping across the country…or worse, could it be someone people have come to trust?
5 star:(30)
4 star:(19)
3 star:(3)
2 star:(4)
1 star:(2)
[ #39 - I think I have seen this one for free before. If so, it did not catch enough of my attention to warrant a closer look. The premise seems kind of thin and far fetched.]
Garden Guide - A No Nonsense, No PhD, No Fuss Guide to Great Gardens with Hand-Holding How To's for Beginners and Straightforward Instruction for Advanced Gardeners
We’ve all admired our neighbor’s gorgeous gardens filled with flowering perennials and longed to recreate their beauty in our own back yard. But if we’re being honest, when it comes to gardening, most of us have no idea where to begin. Additionally, in these economic times, who can afford to hire an expert to come in and do the job for us? That said, regular folks all across North America and Europe are returning to the soil, shovels in hand. With the help of this book, there is absolutely no need to fly blind into the world of green thumbs, perennials, and herbs.The name—Garden Guide: A No Nonsense, No PhD Guide to Great Gardens with Hand-Holding How To’s for Beginners and Straightforward Instruction for Advanced Gardeners—truly says it all. Indeed, this book is the hand-holding garden guide that will walk even the most timid novice right through the gardening process from beginning to end.
In addition to straight forward, practical advice in everyday language, you will love the stories and anecdotes Olver shares from her fifteen years of backyard, organic gardening adventures. Easy and entertaining, you‘ll probably read this book in one sitting, but you’ll reference it for years to come. The beauty of Garden Guide is that Olver divides her advice into two sections: Beginning Gardeners and Advanced Gardeners. No matter what your skill level, there are simple explanations, tips, and tricks that will walk you through every aspect of the garden process. Garden Guide features details such as:
• Everything you need to know about location, from sunlight to drainage to selecting just the right spot
• How to understand soil types, how to amend and condition them
• pH levels and soil testing broken down in simple terms
• Step by Step guide for planning your PERFECT garden no matter where the location
• Fertilizing made manageable with explanations for all those numbers and organic alternatives
• Composting broken down so you can start immediately
• Pests obliterated with loads of organic suggestions
• The basics of garden maintenance from deadheading to dividing perennials
• Loads of helpful website suggestions for purchasing plants online, getting ideas, locating county extension offices, perennial databases and so much more.
• Gardening terms are defined in language you will both understand and remember
If you have time to read only one book on gardening, this is the book to choose. Short enough not to feel like an encyclopedia and just long enough to wet your gardening appetite, Olver has woven basic garden science and practical ideas for everyday people into each page. With her warm, inviting, no-nonsense instruction, you will be amazed how simple and doable gardening really is. Not only will it thoroughly educate you in basic gardening, Garden Guide will send you well on your way toward beautiful perennials gardens and leave you inspired and hungry to begin planting in your own patch of earth.
5 star:(27)
4 star:(7)
3 star:(1)
2 star:(0)
1 star:(0)
[#61 - it's been free before but I have yet to read it.]
LANCEJACK (The Union Series)
Andy Moralee is no longer the young and terrified recruit who had last set foot upon New Earth two years ago. Decorated for his bravery during the final hours of the invasion and promoted to lance corporal, he is still troubled by his memories and haunted by nightmares. He finds himself unable to cope with life back on Earth, and so he returns to the red planet, the only place where he feels he belongs.
But New Earth has changed as well. A growing insurgency threatens to turn the planet into a battleground once again, but this time the enemy has the ability to melt away into the population, and even turn the Union's weapons against them. Nobody can be trusted, even old friends.
Quickly swept up in the gathering storm Andy finds himself in the command of a section that resents his early promotion, and during the battle that follows his leadership, his loyalty, and even his faith in his comrades are put to the ultimate test in the face of an enemy that will stop at nothing.
5 star:(63)
4 star:(23)
3 star:(6)
2 star:(0)
1 star:(0)
[#75 - I read the first book in the series when it was free and gave it 3 stars. The first book had a lot of potential, but the writing just was not up to the task of making it into a better book.]
Beginner's Guide to Sustainable Homesteading: A Simple Plan From Buying Property To Succeeding Long Term
The Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Homesteading is a great introduction to all aspects of starting on the journey to creating your own homestead. It covers choosing the right property for your needs, laying out your homestead, starting a garden and raising animals.
Excerpts from the book:
"What I have come to realize, and what I would advise anyone who wonders if homesteading is for them, if they can “do it”, if this deep-rooted dream of theirs is possible is this: You CAN do it. And along the way, you’ll not just learn the ins and outs of gardening and animal husbandry. You’ll learn and experience grace, humility, patience, awe, connection, unconditional love, loss, and grief."
"When you picture your homestead, do you see a flurry of animal tails and snouts and wings? Most homesteaders will try their hand at raising animals, whether for food for themselves or to sell at a farmer’s market. Animals can save you lots of money and bring additional income to the farm, so they’re a great investment, even if you won’t be eating them yourself."
"Ideally, when you venture into the exciting world of homesteading, you’ll have thousands of dollars to invest into any property, and plenty of time to invest as well. We all know that this is rarely the case for anyone, and it seems that especially for homesteaders, it can be difficult getting started, especially with limited funds. Here are a few workable options...."
5 star:(2)
4 star:(0)
3 star:(1)
2 star:(0)
1 star:(0)
[#76.]
Maximum Insecurity: A Doctor in the Supermax
After three decades as a successful ear surgeon, William Wright, MD is bored beyond belief. He dabbles with retirement, but finds idleness infuriating. He has to do something.
Then he sees an ad for a doctor’s position from the Colorado Department of Corrections at a supermax prison. Now that, he thinks, would be different. His wife has some thoughts on the matter too. She thinks her husband just lost his mind and is on a collision course with a prison shiv.
After his first day on the job, he wonders if she wasn’t onto something. His first patient is an arrogant, callous youth convicted of five cold-blooded murders. Dr. Wright has to steel himself not to bolt.
Nothing prepares a doctor for life at the Colorado State Penitentiary. He quickly discovers treating maximum security convicts is like treating recalcitrant murderous four-year-olds. Always willing to threaten their doctors with bodily harm, they are more interested in scamming drugs than treatment.
Told with self-depreciating humor and scathing wit, Maximum Insecurity describes Dr. Wright’s adventures practicing medicine in a supermax correctional facility without, he’s glad to say, getting killed even once.
5 star:(9)
4 star:(3)
3 star:(0)
2 star:(0)
1 star:(0)
[#79. Something a little different.]
A Guide to Starting Seeds
A Guide to Starting Seeds for the Beginner Gardener
There is a special joy to witnessing life springing forth from the earth and having something to do with this 'magic' gives the gardener a feeling of satisfaction and awe. This short but thorough guide will walk you through the process of starting a garden from seeds.
[#96 - a single 4-star review.]
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