Book Review - "Bloodborne" by Gregg Luke

From Amazon.com:
One ordinary afternoon, research specialist Dr. Erin Cross steps into a local deli to get some lunch and nearly takes a bullet instead. Thanks to timely intervention from a former Marine, she walks away from the seemingly freak incident. But when she returns to find her lab under security lockdown and her apartment ransacked, she realizes the attack was anything but random. Erin can’t make sense of the threat, given her low profile after a disastrous H1N1 vaccine trial. She doesn’t know that her former colleague has used the virus to develop a potent bioweapon or that her recent research holds a key to his success. And she doesn’t know that his collaborators want her dead before she blows the whistle.

Fleeing for safety with her research in hand, Erin unravels the threats with help from the timely Marine, former Special Ops agent Sean Flannery. But the closer they come to finding answers, the more questionable Sean’s behavior becomes. His erratic moods and suspicious communications are more fitting for an enemy than a friend. And as the crisis comes to a head, Erin can’t be sure who harbors more secrets—the bioterrorists pursuing her or the one man who can give her protection.

My Review:
I really enjoyed Gregg's last book, "Blink of an Eye", so I eagerly awaited the launch of "Bloodborne".  Clear your schedule, because you won't be able to put "Bloodborne" down. You will be yanked into the story from the first page. Gregg's vivid characters and intriguing plot twists will have you hooked from the beginning. His medical knowledge and writing style is reminiscent of Robin Cook in his prime. If you're looking for an escape to an exotic location in a book filled with head-spinning plot twists, go buy this one!

Other Opinions:
Bloodborne is classic Gregg Luke--sinister motives, gripping suspense, and intricate detail. His pacing will leave you breathless. --Josi Kilpack, author of the Sadie Hoffmiller Mystery series.
Bloodborne is a spellbinding, action-packed story with dynamic characters and an intriguing plot. Block out some time to read, because you won't be able to put this one down. --Erin Klinger, author of Between the Lines.

Check out the book trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BpIw5Q2-Ts
Get your copy of "Bloodborne" here

Author's site: http://www.greggluke.com/

FTC Disclaimer: I was given a free review copy, but this did not influence my review.

What Makes a Bully?

Bullying is a hot topic right now. One thing that is in hot debate is what constitutes bullying. Experts state that bullying can be divided into three categories, including physical, verbal, and relationship.

Physical bullying can mean physically harming someone, or threatening to hurt them. It also includes taking or damaging the property of someone else. Forcing a person to do something against their will also falls into this category.

Verbal bullying can include anything from name-calling to teasing or insulting someone.

Relationship bullying takes place when one person refuses to talk to another or spreads lies or rumors about them.

One important part of deciding whether or not the actions of another are bullying is time. Incidents that happen once are unpleasant, but not bullying. Events must happen again and again over a long period of time to really be bullying.

Why do bullies do what they do? Power. If they can intimidate someone, they have control over them.

Watch this space soon for information about what do do about bullies.

Today's Winners!

Since the comments were so positive, I decided to give away TWO copies of "(dis)Abilities and the Gospel"!!!

The first winner is.....Joan Sowards! Email me your address, and I'll get it right out!

The second winner is.....Betsy Love! I'll send your copy off as soon as I get your snail mail address.

Welcome to all the new followers, and watch for a BIG giveaway coming in October!

September Blog Hop!

Welcome to the September Blog Hop! Celebrate the beginning of fall with me and my blogger friends by hopping around, visiting our sites,and entering our contests! There are no limits - you can enter the contest on every blog. With over 40 blogs participating, that's over 40 prizes you could win. Just click on the links below to move on to thenext blog. On my blog, you can win … a personalized autographed copy of "(dis)Abilities and the Gospel: How to Bring People with Special Needs Closer to Christ!

Would you like to win this prize? You just need to do two things. 1. Become a follower of this blog. 2. Leave me a comment in the trail and tell me whyyou'd like to win this prize. That's it! You are now entered. The contest ends onSaturday night, September 24th, at midnight MST, and the winner will be contacted shortly thereafter. Please either leave your e-mail address in the comment trail or make sure it's visible through your profile so I can contact you to tell you that you're the lucky winner. Now go visit my other friends ...


September BlogHop Participants

1.Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author 2. Joyce DiPastena 3. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer 4. Mandi Slack 5. Michael D. Young 6. SixMixed Reviews 7. PamWilliams 8. Laurie Lewis 9. Kristy Tate 10. Marilyn Yarbrough 11. Stacy Coles 12. Kristie Ballard 13. Lynn Parsons 14. Pushing Past the Pounds 15. Sheila Staley 16. CCindy Hogan 17. Jamie Thompson 18. Jaclyn Weist 19. Cathy Witbeck 20. Secret Sisters Mysteries 21. Tamera Westhoff 22. Tina Scott 23. Lynnea Mortensen 24. Danyelle Ferguson aka Queen of the Clan 25. Jeanette A. Fratto 26. Bonnie Harris 27. Melissa Lemon 28. Mary Ann Dennis 29. Stephanie Black 30. Jane Still 31. Janice 32. Laura Bastian 33. Tamara Bordon 34. Betsy Love 35. Maria Hoagland 36. Amber Robertson 37. Debbie Davis 38. 39. Christy Monson 40. Carolyn Frank 41. Rebecca Birkin 42. Melissa Cunningham 43. Emily L. Moir 44. Ronda Hinrichsen 45. LisaAsanuma 46. Joan Sowards 47. JordanMcCollum 48. Diane StringamTolley

Learn more about September Blog Hop here. GetThe Code

Powered by... Mister Linky's MagicalWidgets.

To Tell the Truth

Last year, the registrar at my school had to deal with so many fake addresses she walked around muttering, "Everybody lies!"

While this is probably not true, sometimes we feel like we've had all the lies we can take. How can we tell if someone is telling the truth?

Wray Herbert, in the current issue of Scientific American Mind, has figured out three strategies to identify a lie in progress.

The first method is to ask for the story to be told in reverse. It takes much more mental effort to lie than to tell the truth because you must create something, determine if it sounds real, and to remember what you fabricated. Asking for the details in a backwards order is so mentally exhausting that the liar will usually trip himself up.

Technique number two involves constant eye contact. This also requires additional mental effort, which is why liars tend to look at an object rather than a person. This distraction will also cause most liars to make a mistake.

Asking for the liar to draw a picture is the final method. Having to provide visual-spatial information is also mentally taxing, leading to inconsistencies and a lack of detail that proves the lie.

We want to trust the people we meet. But it's good to know who can and cannot be trusted. Honestly!

Good Stress, Bad Stress

When we say we're stressed, it's usually a bad thing. Some stress can have a positive impact on our lives. Too much, and it can take a toll on our health, performance, and relationships.

When is stress good? When it acts as a catalyst to bring out our best performance. Think piano recital, high-stakes testing, or an important job interview. The stress of the upcoming event encourages us to prepare well, and helps us focus in the moment so we do our best.

Too much stress, and your body reacts poorly. Heart rate speeds up, hormones race through your body, you start to sweat . . . and you may fall apart.

A recent study in Scientific American Mind revealed that most of us would earn an F in stress preparedness. How do we better prepare for stress? Robert Epstein, PhD, suggests six steps:

1. Seek and kill--identify what's stressing you out and get rid of it. For example, my wireless printer at home wasn't working. So I did  what I had to do to get it fixed. Stressor gone.

2. Commit to the positive. What is your negative reaction to stress? Drugs, alcohol, overeating? Seek out a more positive reaction such as renewing friendships, participating in relaxing activities, or exercising.

3. Be your own personal secratary. Learn to make lists. I've started doing that at work, and as I have completed more, I feel less stress.

4. Immunize yourself. Use exercise and thought management to control yourself in stressful situations. I keep repeating to myself that I can handle the situation in question. After all, I died twice a couple of years ago, and came back from that.

5. Make a little plan. Set time aside each morning to plan your day. This lets you both accomplish more and lower your stress level.

6. Make a big plan. Planning your future gives you more control, and as you see the big picture, the problems of today will seem smaller when put into perspective.

Go reduce your stress, and teach these steps to your children!

I Remember...

It's a weekend of remembrance. No American will forget where they were when they saw the news.

I was working as an assistant librarian in a high school library. The day started out as many others had. A teacher came in and told us that a plane had hit one of the twin towers. We assumed the pilot of a small plane had a heart attack and the plane crashed as a result.

More teachers came down and asked that they bring their classes down to watch the news unfold. When the school was built, no cable television wire had been laid. Strange for a two-year-old building. One of the techs figured out how to rig the televisions to show local news channels. I tried repeatedly to get on national news sites, but they had crashed.

About the time we got TV reception, the towers fell. We hoped there had been enough time, but news at that point was sketchy at best.

After the news of the unimaginable became apparent, the students started reacting. Kids were not allowed to use school phones, but when they came to me and said things like, "My dad is a pilot. I don't know where he's flying today," I just dialed the number and handed them the handset. How could I not--I called my own mother after getting home that day.

I also walked countless children to the packed counselor's office. Five counselors for 2,000 children were spread very thin that day.

My girls were in elementary and middle school at the time. The younger children were protected, but enough middle schoolers were aware of some of the events. On boy announced to the class that skyscrapers in Dallas had been attacked and that the entire city was on fire. My daughter immediately became distraught because her father worked in Dallas and called me. I tried to reassure her that I had just spoken to him, but she was unconvinced. He had to call her so she could have proof he was fine.

My oldest son was in Mexico on a mission for our church. Missionaries aren't usually allowed to watch television, but he was given permission to watch CNN to personally witness the attacks on our country.

The terror and emotional suffering experienced by the high school students and staff are permanently imprinted on my soul, as was the silent frozen days that followed.

What can we take away from the tragedy? The need for understanding rather than confrontation and love rather than hate. Remember how you felt and use that as an impetus to make the world better for those around you.