I don’t know about you, but I get tons of junk mail every day offering everything from phone service to credit cards at discounted rates only to find out that, if accepted, there are all kinds of hidden fees attached if the whole advertisement wasn’t just a lie. I had this confirmed once again when I called Capital One to take advantage of a no interest transfer from one of my other credit cards. Capital One promised no transfer fees and 0% interest on transferred loans through 2009. Since the card I had faithfully been using and paying off monthly had a 23% interest rate (a United Airlines Miles Credit Card used for business), I took the opportunity seriously since I would still get free travel miles. However, as soon as I got my first statement, I realized that its promises and, yes, its representatives had deceived me. I called and read them the confirmation letter with the promises and still I was charged 22% interest on the transfer. In addition, the supervisor I talked to was rude and unhelpful, so my response is that Capital One has no integrity — so it would be wise to ignore its constant junk mail.

Given my experience, I was motivated to pick up Bob Sullivan’s new book, Gotcha Capitalism: How Hidden Fees Rip You Off Every Day. In the book, he reaffirms my above statements that it’s a hidden-fee jungle out there and he clearly shows how we are all being taken advantage of through wanton consumer fraud. After reading his book I was furious but much better prepared to protect myself from being nickel and dimed to death. If you take the time to read this book cover to cover, like I did, you will discover that the average citizen pays an average of $1,000 or more a year in hidden fees through Internet scams and downright consumer fraud. This may seem ample reason for most of us to protest, but when you consider that this adds up to more than $216 billion dollars a year for corporate America, you have to be enraged. Another example of this is gas prices. I don’t how many of you are sick of never knowing what to expect at the gas station but when one considers that companies such as Exxon made their largest profits ever, I burn a slow burn. How can they be making such huge profits if they are simply passing on the increase in their costs on to the consumer?

Another recent scam that the author points out comes from third-party companies who offer ring tones and services such as “premium” text messages that can increase the cost of a text note from 15 cents to $2 each.

How do these companies get away with these hidden fees? Sullivan tells us that it is because the laws governing false advertising are seldom enforced and most have actually faded away since 1980.

So beware out there, folks. Look at fees tied to cell phone service, credit cards, and satellite TV. Look for sneaky “upgrade fees” and “premium text messages” or for charges attached to the purchase of a new phone. These charges may not show up on your first bill so look for them appear up to two months after the purchase, making it easy to overlook. One this Mr. Sullivan points out in his book is that consumers can secure a refund by complaining and pointing out the fee was not disclosed at the store.

The only negative I found in the book was the lack of an index to make the information easy to locate once you have read it. Other than that, Sullivan’s breezy no-nonsense style made the reading quick and enjoyable.

So, if you have found yourself a victim of consumer fraud due to hidden costs and fees, it is definitely worth the cost of Sullivan’s book to discover how to fight the system and recover your losses.

The thoroughly sinister aspect of Saul’s novel, The Devil’s Labyrinth, was enough to convince me that Saul must have studied under the auspices of the parochial school system and exaggerated his feelings of injustice and control to deliver such a scathing and unholy plot. This piece of roller coaster horror could have only been achieved by someone both familiar with the system and gifted in telling a work of fiction.

The setting takes place in the school halls of St. Isaac’s, under the care of charismatic Father Sebastian, a supposed expert in exorcisms. However, it soon becomes obvious that there is much more to Father Sebastian than what is presented to the other clergy and the student’s parents. One is also led to believe that on the surface the good Father is exceedingly popular with the students until they are forced to come face to face with the demonic evil he projects into their lives.

Struggling to overcome the emotional turmoil brought on by his father’s death and the new man in his mother’s life 15-year-old Ryan McIntyre finds himself enrolled at St. Isaac’s where he discovers a terrible secret and as a result soon finds himself another of Father Sebastian’s victims. Ryan like the others will find himself involved in a plot to assassinate the Pope who, aware of Father Sebastian’s apparent success with student exorcisms, plans a visit to Boston to observe the cleric’s techniques.

Fortunately, however, Ryan’s father had given him a crucifix that he had found in Iraq that was supposed to protect him from evil. The question then becomes will the crucifix indeed protect Ryan and the others from the evil that Father Sebastian has planned thus saving the Pope’s life or will the diabolical work come to fruition?

I felt that Saul managed to write to another thrilling novel, even though it did get a little slow in the middle, as he covered the very controversial and little-known subject of exorcism. Otherwise the author managed to build the intensity throughout the book until the story was ultimately brought together with well-developed characters that the reader could identify with. I would recommend the book as a first-rate supernatural thriller that will keep the readers interest but I have read many reviews by readers that did not agree with my assessment. Therefore, I will suggest that you get a copy from your local library rather than purchase it unless you can find a deal on Amazon, that way you are not out the expense and can decide for yourself if the read was worth the time or not.

Best selling author John Saul became a media favorite in 1977 after he published Suffer the Children and continues to delight terror genre enthusiasts with other bestsellers that have included a Perfect Nightmare and The Right Hand of Evil. With his latest endeavor, Dark of the Night, Saul once again takes the reader on a roller coaster ride into the bizarre world of the supernatural.  

The tale begins innocently enough with Eric Brewster’s family making plans to join their friends for a fun-filled summer vacation at picturesque Phantom Lake, Wisconsin. A last minute decision on their part provides them the opportunity to rent one of the area’s nicest homes which is being prepared for sale in the fall. However, unbeknownst to the family, the house is available at such an affordable price because it was once owned by a Dr. Hector Darby, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances years ago.  

Perhaps, psychically tuned in Eric’s mother, Merrill, is the lone holdout about the trip as she fears that the deal is to good-to-be-true. Despite her reservations, however, she relents and goes along with the plan. It is just a short time after their arrival at Pinecrest, however, that her intuition proves correct as Eric and his friends discover a hidden room that contains a strange assortment of macabre items that had at one time belonged to famous serial killers worldwide. It is not the pieces themselves though that prove harmful but the evil within them that take control of the young minds who discover them. Truly, the suspense that Saul weaves into his tale will keep you posed at the edge of your seat as he once again exhibit his skill at sending shivers up the spines of even the most hard cored horror addicts.  

So, if you are looking for a spine-tingling thriller that will interrupt your slumber at night Dark of the Night might just provide the ticket for ending your sweet dreams. No doubt about it John Saul is a master in his field and this is another winner.  

Tags: john saul, dark of the night, supernatural, pinecrest, horror, fiction, suspense, perfect nightmare, suffer the children, right hand of evil, phantom lake, wisconsin, hector darby, eric brewster, psychic, serial killers

John Saul became a media favorite in 1977 after he published Suffer the Children and has continued to delight terror genre enthusiasts since that time with other bestsellers that included a Perfect Nightmare and The Right Hand of Evil. With his latest endeavor, Dark of the Night, Saul once again takes the reader on a roller coaster ride into the bizarre world of the supernatural.

The tale begins innocently enough with Eric Brewster’s family making plans to join their friends for a fun-filled summer vacation at picturesque Phantom Lake, Wisconsin. A last minute decision on their part provides them the opportunity to rent one of the area’s nicest homes which is being ready to go up for sale in the fall. However, unbeknownst to the family is that the house is available at such an affordable price because it was once owned by a Dr. Hector Darby, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances seven years ago allowing his heirs to rid themselves of it for what they hoped would be a good price.

The lone holdout on being excited about the trip is Eric’s mother, Merrill, who fears that the deal is to good-to-be-true but since her family in friends are so insistent she relents and goes along with the plan. It is just a short time after their arrival at Pinecrest, however, that Eric and his friends discover a hidden room that contains a strange assortment of macabre items that had at one time belonged to famous serial killers worldwide. Be prepared, however, because as strange as this room is the control that the pieces manage to wield over the unsuspecting will keep you posed at the edge of your seat once again exhibiting Saul’s skill at sending shivers up the spines of even the most hard cored horror addicts.

So, if you are looking for a spine-tingling thriller that will interrupt your slumber at night Dark of the Night might just provide the ticket for ending your sweet dreams. No doubt about it John Saul is a master in his field and this is another winner.

Bestselling author Michael Crichton researches the dangers of genetic engineering and nanotechnology in his book Prey. In his work of fiction Crichton shows how easily this evolving technology could be exploited and used if put into the hands of unscrupulous researchers. Frighteningly, the author’s research into the subject seems to be in depth and the dangers that he poses makes one realize how susceptible the human race is to this dangerous technology that may spell the end of the human race as we know it.

In the book Crichton utilizes one high-tech whistle-blower by the name of Jack Forman, a computer programmer trained to create programs that mimic prey animals, to take us inside of a facility where researchers are working on developing a top-secret project. Jack is originally presented to us as a house husband who is out of work and becomes suspicious of his ambitious wife’s activities for a research lab known as Xymos Technology. With that as the background Jack is called in to help the firm correct a programming bug in one of the programs that he had created and Jack jumps on the chance to resume working while having the opportunity to observe what his wife is up to. Jack, however, quickly discovers that there is a lot more going on out there in the Nevada desert than just an illicit affair between his wife and his good friend and he finds his life and the lives of his children in jeopardy as a swarm of nanotechnical units have escaped from the facility with the ability to mimic human behavior.

This cloud of nanoparticles - micro-robots are self-sustaining and self-reproducing. They have been programmed with an innate intelligence and learn from experience. For all practical purposes, they are alive and have been programmed as predators and become deadlier with each passing hour. Every attempt to the nanoparticle swarm fails and the human race is their prey.

Drawing on up to the minute facts that are fresh from today’s headlines Michael Crichton tells a compelling story of a mechanical plague and the desperate efforts of a handful of scientists to stop itSo, while the monsters in this book may be smaller than those in Jurassic park Crichton’s skill as a great suspense novelist is bigger than life making Prey one of the scariest reads available. However, that is not to say that the novel has no flaws. Though these may be minor the science is a little over the head of the average reader and may be difficult to get into if the reader isn’t tenacious enough to hang in there in the beginning.

However, if the reader can get through some of the lengthy explanations that sometimes read like dry academic lessons they will find a book that is more than worthy of the read. I found the book quite insightful and thanks to the sobering forward regarding the real danger of technology that continue to evolve faster than man knows how to manage them I couldn’t put the book down. Given that anyone who is interested in a scientifically based book with a chilling story edge there is no way you should pass reading Michael’s Crichton’s Prey.

Naomi Ragen, an American writer, has lived in Israel for over 30 years during which time she has written six emotionally charged novels that have managed to blend tragedy with today’s headline news. In the Covenant, Ragen uses her format to explore not only the terrorist tactics of the Palestinians but also reminds her readers of the horrors of the holocaust through the eyes of one of her principle characters, Leah. Through Leah’s memories we come to know Ariana, currently a Paris nightclub owner, Esther, a cosmetics millionaire, and Maria, a polish political activist.

The Covenant revolves around the story of these four women and the commitment that they made to each other during their internment in Auschwitz, a NAZI death camp. To them this commitment was sacred and was nothing short of a promise that if they survived Auschwitz they would become one person, “risking everything, giving everything, to help each other live in happiness all the days of their lives.”

This commitment is called upon by Leah when in 2002 Leah’s pregnant granddaughter Elise Margulies is not only faced with a difficult pregnancy but finds herself having to cope with the terrorist kidnapping, in Jerusalem, of her oncologist husband, Jonathon and their five-year-old daughter Ilana. Banding together and using their unique connections these four woman race against time, wielding their considerable influence, in an attempt to save their loved ones from a sure death.

Throughout the tale Ragen weaves in deeper and more serious undertones than the plot suggests, forcing the reader to consider the issues behind the Israeli’s stubborn pride and their tenacity and determination to keep claim on the land that they believe God promised to the Jewish people

I found Ms Ragen’s presentation thought provoking, stimulating and worthy of the read as she struggled to make it clear to the minds of American readers that the majority of us have no concept of the depth of animosity and frustration that is felt by both the Palestinians and the Israeli’s nationals over a land that they both believe was promised to them. Further the story is presented in such a way that the reader feels the heart of the victims on both sides and finds themselves turning page after page throughout this mesmerizing tale where misconceptions are rampant and the innocent are slaughtered all in the name of an unforeseen justice that staggers the American way of thinking. This is a must read book for anyone who desires more than a romantic mystery or something from the horror genre that has no real substance.

Tags: the covenant, naomi ragen, palestinian/israeli conflict, terrorist, kidnapping, fiction, thriller, auschwitz, nazi death camp, promised land

Hide and Seek is an entertaining action adventure by New York best selling author Fern Michaels that is due to be released on January 2, 2008. Fortunately I was able to snag an early copy and found myself caught up in the adventure of a group of women who call themselves the sisterhood.

Having never been fortunate enough to read any other of Ms Michaels works I was delighted to find a comedic element that had me laughing for several pages causing me to overlook her perhaps predictable tale that began on a mountaintop that overlooked the Mediterranean. This beautiful mountaintop was, however, not a vacation resort but the sisterhood’s hideout from US FBI agents who were determined to arrest them for their vigilante tactics which had begun years ago when the members of the Sisterhood met to plan a mission to avenge one of their own. Since then this brave group of women have meted out their own brand of justice on many more villains who thought that they were above the law.

The current tale has them reentering the U.S., in disguise, in an attempt to abort an attempt by the rogue assistant director of the FBI, Mitch Riley, who intends to frame their allies in the U.S. for crimes that they had no part in. Mitch Riley is one of these men who is in love with himself and has no regard for the law or any of the people in his life including his wife and daughter. Part of the tale’s interest is due to his wife’s deep hatred for him and her willingness to join forces with the sisterhood to bring him down.

Like I said earlier the tale is predictable, there is no roller coaster ride of twists and turns but the tale is quite enjoyable and a relaxing change of pace for those of us who like a respite from the traditional murder mystery. Overall, a story filled with the typical cat and mouse drama that we all enjoy and fortunately for us we are glad to see the mice win despite the fact that some of what they do lies outside the auspices of the law.

Tags: hide and seek, fern michaels, new york bestselling author, action novel, fiction, sisterhood, fbi, rogue agents, revenge, frame, allies, law

The Beverly Lewis Abram�s Daughters series of books are perfect for those desiring to learn more about the Amish culture or desiring fine Christian reading material with an emphasis on the belief in saved by Grace not by Works. Beginning with her novel The Covenant and ending with her 5^th book of the series, The Revelation Lewis develops a family that will endear themselves to you as they blunder through troubles of their own making, as well as, that caused by others.

Of particular interest to me, since I live just outside of Springfield, Missouri, was that Beverly Lewis, attended and later received the 2003 Distinguished Alumnus Award at Evangel University in Springfield, MO. The author is extremely prolific at combining her knowledge of Pennsylvania Dutch countryside with her early reminiscence of growing up in a Plain family.

In The Covenant you meet rebellious Amish teenager, Sadie Ebersol who is in the midst of her rumschpringe when she succumbs to the charming wiles of Derreck (Derry) Schwartz who deserts her leaving her in the family way. In addition, you meet Sadie�s Mamma, Dat, Aunt Lizzie (who also had a baby out of wedlock), and Sadie�s siblings (Leah, Hannah, and Mary Ruth).

Sadie who is at the crossroads of choosing baptism into the Amish church or being shunned by her family and living the life of a modern woman struggles with hiding her growing pregnancy from her family. As the story progresses through other books in the series you experience the heartache of betrayal, sacrifice, endurance and blessed hope as the family members and loved ones find themselves first torn apart and then reunited. Overall, however, you find a strong Biblical doctrine that prevails throughout � For by grace are ye saved, not by works, lest any man should boast. Using this as her main emphasis one sees how the members of the Ebersol family and the families that are intermingled with them are slowly led to a place of happiness and trust in the Lord as their Savior.

So if you are looking for an uplifting, Christian, (somewhat preachy), series of books Beverly Lewis is one of the authors to look for.

Tags: abram’s daughters, the covenant, the revelation, christian fiction, amish, saved, novel, beverly lewis, rumschpringe, faith, courage, challenge endurance, shunning, pennsyvania dutch, distinguished alumnus award, evangel university, springfield, mo

Gomez-Jurado�s debut thriller, already a bestseller in
Spain, is a fascinatingly complex tale that focuses on recent events as seen though the eyes of three very different lead characters. These various fictional characters are then mingled with real-life figures such as John Negroponte, who currently serves as the United States Deputy Secretary of State, who plays the part of a shadowy backstage conspirator. The subjects covered in the book are both sensitive and explosive dealing with such controversial issues as the Saint Matthew Institute that in reality utilizes a controversial method to treat clergy who have been accused of pedophilia�

The novel revolves around serial killer Victor Karosky, a pedophilic priest whose resume includes many violent and repulsive acts. Karosky is stalking the cardinals in line to be Pope John Paul II�s successor and after the discovery of a second victim crime Inspector Paola Dicanti, of the Italian violent crime unit is called in. However, to her dismay she finds that a new and mysterious ally, one Anthony Fowler, a former priest and American intelligence operative is already aware of the killer�s identity. �

Given that Gomez-Jurado uses the sex scandals that have rocked the Roman Catholic church is nothing to be surprised about but it is interesting to note that not only is the crime solver American, the shady conspirator American but also the serial killing priest is American. Overall though the story is gripping with a lot of twists and turns that leave the reader wanting more.�

In everyday essence, however, I did find some of the character development a little on the thin side but the character�s psychological profiles were interesting. Thankfully, there was no gratuitous sex or language thrown at the reader and while the violence was vividly described it was told in such a way that it was important to the story. Additionally, I found that some spots that were hindered by translation problems were somewhat distracting. �

To generalize the overall message of the book would be impossible as it was a combination of what one might expect if you combined aspects of the DaVinci Code with Red Dragon while throwing in Ted Bundy and Hannibal Lechter with a touch of Cherise.In other words, it was a wonderfully done tale of pedophilia, incest, and torture done with a plot that galloped along at the insanely incredible pace of the Four Horsemen. Overall, however I felt that for a first debut Gomez-Jurado managed to create a first-rate thriller.

Tags: god’s spy, gomez-jurado, davinci code, fiction, novel, catholic church, roman catholic church, cardinals, pope paul ii, john negroponte, spanish novel, red dragon, four horsemen, hannibal lechter, cherise, murder, conspiracy, pedophilia, sexual child abuse, torture, suspense, thriller

BRADLEY’S The Magdalene Mandala is a wonderfully written thriller with a twisting plot that may lead one to believe that the descendents of Jesus Christ’s bloodline now walk among us. Bradley’s extensive research and expertise regarding the Holy Grail allows him to present an epic novel that takes you from the archeological digs in Vermont, Quebec, Niagara, Ontario and elsewhere setting a rapid pace for this action-packed saga that will leave you on the edge of your seat. In fact, the entire novel is something like James Bond taking a part in the Da Vinci Code.  

Presented in a techno-survivalist manner the tale of the Holy Grail takes on a modern day appearance with its revelations of Christianity’s struggle for existence within the current energy crisis. Within this splendid work Bradley demonstrates how Christianity has been secretly preserved since the Ice Age in Ancient Egypt and in Megalithic Europe’s holiest places. Bradley even goes so far as to suggest that the reason behind the bloodshed and hatred towards the Christian world is caused by politically and religiously inspired determination by those in the Mid East to suppress the West’s genuine Christian legacy by destroying the damning evidence of the Holy Grail and those whose lives it has touched.  

The story itself includes a British linguist, an American ex-mercenary, their courageous French friends and their unsuspected Stewart allies, whose duty it has been to preserve the shocking secrets of a priceless parchment. The action centers around ensuring the survival of historical truth regarding the Western world’s oldest religious heritage and protecting the lives of Marc Rennsalaer and the two women he loves. To be successful these allies must fight against all odds to escape from Rennes-le-Chateau and Cathar-bloodied Carcassonne by fleeing along the beautiful Canal du Midi of southern France to reach the hallowed Glastonbury in England.  

As I read the book I felt that it was far superior to the Da Vinci Code as Bradley eloquently based his setting on his own experience along the Canal du Midi and included the latest archaeological discoveries and interpretations of Neolithic Europe.   Bradley was so thorough that he even included shocking admissions from Dr. Hyam Macoby, professor of Talmudic Studies at the Leo Baeck Institute in London. However, one plus that will make this exciting readers for some is that the novel includes graphic violence and torture scenes along with high-tech survivalist weapons and characters so three dimensional that you feel like you are right there beside them. While The Magdalene Mandala focuses on the Holy Grail, it  is no Da Vinci Code knock-off: The author is an established expert in the study of the Holy Grail and has been writing on the subject since the 1980s and actually served as a consultant for The Da Vinci Code movie. So, perhaps we will see The Magdalene on screen in the near future but I don’t think that any movie will be able to do justice to this book which will definitely take you for a ride on the wild side.

Tags: action, novel, holy grail, christianity, ancient secrets, spies, fiction, michael bradley, da vinci code, the magdalene mandala, neolithic europe, holy places