Extended Forecast: Global Chaos

I am sure you have heard the stories of people attempting to control the weather through the process known as cloud seeding or chem trails. What if it was possible to control the weather? What if making a super storm or a drought would cause one to hold keys to ultimate control of the world. Just think of what the ramifications could be from a military perspective if we could control the economy, food and water supply by just taking control of what kind of weather any state or county would receive.

HT Wetco is such a company in the latest novel from Michael Andrisano on the heels of his first novel Operation Seeding. In Extended Forecast: Global Chaos, the second book in the Rain Men Series,  HT Wetco along with the consent of the US government are now involved in the trial of the century for conspiring to control the weather around the entire planet, leaving such countries like Russia in a drought for decades. Rising food costs and shortages of clean water, have left the Russian government at the hands of other countries searching for aid. Now they have learned that America may have been involved to sabotage their economy and there are those in the Russian government that think America is due to be paid back.

Now the hunt for a terrorist known as Gunter is being launched world-wide. He is a known hit man who has no conscience at taking lives of those willing to pay for the job to be completed. In fact he has struck at the heart of the Russian Mafia family and taken down an innocent family while they were vacationing leaving only his calling card, a man hanging upside down on a cross. He has also taken out the grandparents and fiancè of an American FBI agent Clara Beach. The two women form an alliance to hunt down the known killer to stop him from launching a nuclear attack on the United States along with the Muslim Brotherhood. If they don't succeed, the United States will have no choice but to launch a counter attack on Russia and Russia will be forced to defend itself.

Meanwhile, HT Wetco is far from taking this trial lying down.. Todd Thurston, now in control of the company has been hired to create the storm of the century that will wipe Washington D.C. off the map in an internal terrorist plot designed to clear the name of his company and point the finger directly at the US Government instead by killing two influential men who know far too many secrets to be allowed to live and speak at the trial. But as Todd's plans are put into motion, is it possible he has bitten off far more than he can chew by thinking any one man can really control the weather?

I received Extended Forecast: Global Chaos by Michael Andrisano compliments of Outskirts Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions in this are strictly my own. While the premise of this novel was the reason for me reviewing the book, I was disappointed by the overwhelming amount of characters the author attempts to introduce at the beginning of the book. You have to stay on top of things and attempt to connect the dots to see where everyone's motives are and which side they are each on. Couple that with random sexual content from some of the women characters attempting to bride their way into judges lives and you begin to get a distaste for what could have been an exceptionable premise. This is definitely not for the Christian/family reader base my blog reaches out to and for those looking for a suspense story couple with multiple threats to the world, then this may in fact be something you might enjoy. For me, it was simply not something I was looking forward to seeing in the text and feel the author might want to rework the story a bit for a relaunch. It has appeal but just fell flat for me. I would rate this one a 3 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Extended Forecast: Global Chaos, Michael Andrisano or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Extended Forecast: Global Chaos by Michael Andrisano

1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Volume 1

"Today, filmgoers may not wish to go back to a simpler era, where jazz and big band music reigned supreme, or when black and white movies were the norm. The golden age of 30's Hollywood's dead. Nevertheless, if the majority of film fans in modern times favor present film releases, over the past, then why does Hollywood go back in time? There seems to have been more films made about the decade known as the 30's, than any other decade, aside from perhaps films that dealt directly with WWII, and even today modern day filmmakers continue to dabble in 30's themed films." (pg ii).

For those craving old time gossip, and for vintage movie connoisseurs who enjoy reading about 30s films written in a commentary style format, along with exploring riveting Tinseltown old-fashioned stories, this trilogy entitled, 1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly is for you. Get a chance to revisit those golden moments from Hollywood's past through this concise book from Frank N. Brathwaite. He offers a chapter geared to take a look back at the magazine headlines from the 1930's from such notables as Photoplay, Hollywood Reporter along with Modern Screen the fed the insatiable appetite of the public's curiosity pertaining the private and public lives of the stars.

The 1930's offered the public an escape from the challenges of dealing with the results of the Great Depression. Movies offered that outlet as the changes came from silent movies to "talkies." Gossip, news, and other timely related articles, were fodder for an increasingly demanding public. Some snippets from the decade include:

1930 February - Charlie Chaplin was rumored to have turned down an offer of $680,000 to perform twenty-six shows, all which were duration of 15 minutes each. August - 23: The anniversary of  Rudolph Valentino's death, the surreptitious lady in black made her first appearance to his crypt. Her arrival would reportedly be the first of many. The word on the street screams, MGM has finally picked their Tarzan. Clark Gable was strongly considered for the part, henceforth; the studio liked what they saw in Johnny Weissmuller, and signed him for the role.

1932 February - MGM purportedly hands Buster Keaton his walking papers. They feel that his best work was in silent pictures; however, the word on the street is they canned him because of his excessive drinking, and failure to complete work assignments in a timely manner! Ironically, Keaton had just finished the picture What No Beer? (1933) Before he was shown the door by the studio.

There is so much great detail about Hollywood's past that you get to experience as if you have stepped back in time in this amazing book. A true MUST HAVE for anyone who loves Vintage Hollywood Films and their stars! There is also an amazing chapter on Frank Capra, a depression era director who went on to make such movies like It's A Wonderful Life, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and You Can't Take It With You. Learn why Lionel Barrymore was moved from using crutches in You Can't Take It With You into a wheelchair in It's A Wonderful Life and so much more of what it took to even direct pictures in 1930's while the big studios were just being created.

I received 1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Volume 1 by Frank N. Brathwaite compliments of Outskirts Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. Being a huge movie lover more so now that I am older, I thoroughly enjoyed the behind the scenes look at what life was like not only for the celebrities, but also directors, writers and movie studios. You'll learn who was difficult to work with, how movies made it to the big screen and some insider secrets you'll have to pick up this book to enjoy. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for Mr. Brathwaite to write his next volumes in this series!!

For more information about 1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Frank N. Brathwaite or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Frank N. Brathwaite

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (September 4, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432799304
• ISBN-13: 978-1432799304
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches

Before Terror Strikes

"Evil...prevails when good people do nothing." ~ Edmund Burke

In today's world more than ever the need to be observant and diligent wherever we go is something we all need to take seriously. In light of the recent mass shootings, being more diligent in what is normal and what isn't could be the best line of defense we can apply to any situation. I think far too many people think what happens around them is strictly none of their business, but when these same people are interviewed after the event, they all say the same thing. "I knew there was just something about that person that didn't feel right."

In the book, Before Terror Strikes: Learn The Tactical Mindsets and Skillsets Necessary To Survive A Terrorist Event Before It Occurs, author William Michael Seddon Sr. takes readers into some simple things we can do to get us out of our day to day routines and become more hyper aware of our surroundings. It's these simple strategies that may in fact save our lives the next time something like this should happen.

In the beginning of the book, the author asks some very powerful questions to see what your initial response would be to any of these situations: What would you do if you found yourself taking sniper fire in a parking lot? Or shopping in a crowded mall when someone begins spraying automatic weapons fire? What if you were picking up your luggage at the airport, and someone started throwing hand grenades? What would you do?

This short but concise book details the inner workings of such terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and how they have changed strategy's in looking for smaller attacks around the world to accomplish their intents and purposes. He showcases what some safe options might be if you find yourself in any of the situations above and some simple things we can do when traveling to make ourselves a less likely threat and target. He instructs readers to be more vigilant on anniversaries of other attacks such as the one that occurred in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012.

I received Before Terror Strikes by William Michael Seddon Sr compliments of Outskirts Press and Bostick Communications for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. In light of all the recent attacks in malls, schools and even abroad, I have found myself paying attention to things a lot more than I would have in the past. In the movie theaters, I watch who comes in and out, and if anyone uses the emergency exits. No longer can we afford to simply be complacent any longer hoping someone else will pay attention for us. While this book is geared to inform, it does not cause you to take up arms and prepare for these events to occur but merely to get you to think a little differently than you may have in the past. For those of you that love books that help you prepare for these types of threats or those who love survival training than this is the perfect book for you. I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars just simply based on the fact I was looking for more meat in the content of this book and it was short, concise and simple at 166 pages.

About the Author William Michael Seddon Sr.
William Michael Seddon Sr., M.S., Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist, served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps for over 13 years. He was a Marine Training Instructor and is the found of 7th Stratagem, an anti/counterterrorism consulting company.

For more information about Before Terror Strikes, William Michael Seddon Sr, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today please click on the links below:

Before Terror Strikes by William Michael Seddon Sr. 

You can also find more information from the Before Terror Strikes Facebook page.

• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (April 3, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1478717203
• ISBN-13: 978-1478717201
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches 

You can find this book at your favorite book retailer in hardcover and eBook formats. 

Tears for Nanertak

I was more than delighted to have the opportunity to review a children's book on the effects of Global Warming in relation to the habitat that is affecting the polar bears and their survival. It is a beautifully illustrated by watercolor art by both the author and artist, Skip Hofstrand. The message is easy for children to understand and hope will affect the next generation of children to help us win the battle to save habitats that are slowly disappearing. We often times fail to understand just what is really happening around the world in respects to global warming until it impacts us on a personal level.

In this beautiful book, we meet Nanertak, a polar bear cub who lives in the Arctic with his mother, Nanuck. They soon realize that the home they have come to love and enjoy is rapidly disappearing. They either have to find a way to adapt or risk dying. They work with the other animals in the Arctic to figure out a way to deal with the losing of their home and part ways on a polar iceberg, while other animals leave on a different path. Soon however, Nanertak and his mother find themselves on an ever shrinking iceberg and soon realize that danger is just days away if they can't find land. You'll have to read this one if you want to know how it ends but I can honestly say it is very impactful in it's simple message of conservation and it's importance.

I received Tears for Nanertak compliments of the author Skip Hofstrand, Outskirts Press and Bostick Communications for my honest review. Since my family completely supports the efforts of groups like the World Wildlife Federation and we are a strong Christian family as well, we believe it's our responsibility to care for Earth as God commands for us to be good stewards. I think this book is a wonderful addition to help children understand the impacts of what consequences some of our actions have not only on the world but on the living things around us. I personally recommend this one and rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.

The author Skip Hofstrand has been a professional watercolor artist for 26 years. This is his first children's picture book. The illustrations were painted using water from the melting Greenland Ice Cap, collected by Will Steger, polar explorer and winner of National Geographic's prestigious John Oliver LaGorce award for exploration, science, and public service. Skip has served as medical director for all of Steger's polar expeditions. A percentage of the royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the Will Steger Foundation, which educates our children about global warming.

For more information about Tears for Nanertak, Skip Hofstrand or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Tears for Nanertak by Skip Hofstrand

You can also find further information on Skip's watercolor style and biography by clicking here.