“… a great and unexpected look across the country at the different paths people take to different kinds of success. The book is kind of comforting to those who aren’t entirely sure of how to proceed or even of how they have already proceeded along their road through life … The subjects seem wonderfully candid and forthcoming with their stories and the authors manage to pick and find a great selection of seventy Canadians to speak to. This book would be a good recommendation to a student looking for their path or unsure of their own potential to succeed. Of course we are not always sure even when we’re done being students so this book would be a good read for others too, particularly recent graduates. It does a good job of reinforcing the notion that there is not always a singular and defined path to success and for different people success can take on very different forms. The fact that the book is specifically about Canadians helps the cast be more relatable and human, which strengthens the effectiveness of the book.”

To read the full review click here.

“Easton has taught his readers that Jack Taggart is a master of manipulation and creative problem solving. In fact, Jack’s trademark ’sting’ plot twist is a much anticipated part of the books. Easton’s prose is straight up and undecorated, which may not appeal to some readers, but his stories are interesting and well told. His skill in interweaving the investigation plot and personal lives of his characters has become more polished in this novel, and Easton subtly uses this story to exorcise some personal demons as well.” – Merrill Young

To read the full review click here.

First, radio personality Dick Williams’ review of Lake Erie Stories ran in the The Lake Erie Beaconon August 1st. Here’s a snippet from that review:

“Whether you are a boater, a student of history or simply looking for an engaging summer read, first-time author Chad Fraser’s Lake Erie Stories: Struggle and Survival on a Fresh Water Ocean  will more than intrigue and inform you … Fraser brings to life the ferocious Battle of Lake of Erie during the War of 1812, complete with broadsides of cannon-fire, toppling masts and dying sailors and puts you in the thick of the conflict … A fast-paced read, Lake Erie Stories  will lure you to revisit an old friend you may have taken for granted for far too long.”

Kayaking by Point Abino Lighthouse on Lake Erie

This past weekend, saw Chad in Leamington, Ontario where he taped a half hour interview for the local program The Story Teller, which will air shortly. Check back here for updates as to the exact time and date. Yesterday saw Chad on CBC Windsor’s The Early Shift. And in about three weeks time on September 8th at 8:45am Chad will be on A Channel Morning in London, Ontario. Whew! When it rains it pours!

“This is the third and best Jack Taggart novel by Easton, a former undercover operative for the RCMP. The subject is human trafficking, a loathsome practice, and Easton’s knowledge gives the plot plenty of realism as the action moves from Cuba to Hanoi. We also learn more about Jack Taggart the characters, but it all fits into the plotline. This one could have been taken right out of the daily news.”

Bookgasm.com’s

“This novel will definitely thrill anyone who dares to enter this dark world. Just be forewarned that it’s always darkest before Taggart finishes his vendetta. In Angel in the Full Moon, Easton has delivered his third and most personal story yet, and one that hopefully will give him greater exposure to the masses, since it blows all expectations that his first two books promised.” Click here to read the full review.

And to read what Bruce had to say about the first two Jack Taggart mysteries – Loose Ends and Above Ground click here and here.

“Women through history have had to break various gender barriers, and the world of architecture is no different. For the Record: The First Women in Canadian Architecture is a look at the early days of the first female architects in Canada, who started to slowly break through and established themselves around the year 1920. Following the line until women in Canadian architecture started to become the norm around the 1970s, For the Recordis a complete history, sure to inspire girls everywhere. Highly recommended for community library women’s studies collections.”

“Angel in the Full Moon is a raw, in-your-face sequel that draws on the author’s career as a RCMP undercover operative and shows his talent as a realistic storyteller. Don Easton has a gift for blunt dialogue, real-life plotting and sinister settings that profile the action in harsh light and and murky shadows. Easton’s characters feel real, not imagined, as he exposes their raw emotion in gripping terms … Easton writes with a sense of urgency that explores Taggart’s gut-wrenching determination and drives the story to an explosive conclusion. This is a fine series that just keeps getting better each time out.”

This past weekend, J.D. Carpenter and his novel Twelve Trees  received high praise from The Sun Times’ book critic Andrew Armitage who deemed Priam Harvey, who first appeared in Carpenter’s Campbell Young Mysteries, a Damon Runyon character. In case, like me, Damon Runyon rings a bell but you can’t quite place the name, Damon Runyon is best known as a short story writer whose stories revolved around gamblers, hustlers, and gangsters in New York City. Here’s a snippet from Andrew’s review.

“Priam, a figure right out of a Damon Runyon story, has seen 70, 000 horse races in his life, so many ‘that I can tell when a horse in the middle of the pack is starting to lag by the way his head begins to bob or his tail begins to swish.’”

“J.D. Carpenter has written a novel filled with hard-boiled prose combined with the lore of horse racing. Charging out of the gate like a ’seven-furlong’ race for three year olds, Twelve Treesraces along to a satisfying conclusion. The tale of one man’s coming to terms with his life, it is best read with a pint of Creemore and two fingers of Bushmills.”

“Set in a mill town in British Columbia during the 1980s, Ann Wheeler realistically portrays the prejudices Rana both encounters and harbours toward the white community. Despite the fears and warnings from his father, who himself experiences prejudice from the white community at the mill where he works, Rana’s stubborn nature and grit determinism enable him to take on the challenge of being the first to build a bridge between the two groups. In doing so, he is made aware of his own prejudices.”

Reading the Bones

” … an interesting read and certainly presents some of the enigmatic allure of archaeology in enticing terms.”

Kickstart: How Successful Canadians Got Started

“The style is casual, well written and interesting. The text is filled with quotation marks imparting almost a personal feeling between reader and subject. Sure to pique reader’s interest. Very well done.”