Rosepoint Publishing

#ThrowbackThursday – Mac Walker’s 40,000 Feet by D. W. Ulsterman

#ThrowbackThursday

Renee began the Throwback Thursday meme on her blog, “It’s Book Talk“ to share some of her old favorites as well as sharing books published over a year ago. Sounded like a good reason to join! I’m going back over some of my favorite authors and stories you might not have previously experienced. Hopefully, you’ll find either a story or author that interests you and you’ll check them out! And, if you’d like to join the fun, you’re welcome to use Renee’s pic from her website. Just provide the link back to her please).

Mac Walker's 40,000 Feet by D.W. Ulsterman This week I am highlighting D.W. Ulsterman, another terrific, prolific author who has written Mac Walker’s 40,000 Feet, which I reviewed on Goodreads. He has actually written a couple of series as well as stand alones. This novel was published on May 3, 2014. He consistently runs approximately 4.0 to 4.5 stars for any of his books sold on Amazon.

Originally posted August 18, 2014

Book Blurb:

Mac Walker’s Rules of Engagement:

SHOOT FIRST. KICK BODY. REPEAT.

Former Navy SEAL sniper and government gun for hire Mac Walker finds himself in an uneasy alliance with the beautiful and mysterious Vatican operative Stasia Wellington as they struggle to save the plane’s passengers and defeat the terrorists and their plot to kill tens of thousands. Mac Walker’s 40,000 Feet is the first volume in the highly popular Mac Walker military thrillers series that has earned an enthusiastic following of fans as they cheer the never give in and never give up nature that embodies the Mac Walker character.

“For fans of terrorist thrillers this is a must read!

My Review:

Mac Walker is returning to Washington DC after a well-earned vacation and prior to accepting a new position in Project Icon, an elite anti-terrorist organization. Stasia is also on the Boeing 767 and a member of the Vatican equivalent to Mac’s position.

The airliner is hijacked shortly out of Paris and flown to a remote island off Tunisia where they are met with armed militia, terrorist mercenaries, and something appearing to be biological weapons intended for a major attack against the Vatican. Stasia and Mac join forces to retake the plane, save the passengers and the Vatican, and live to fight another day.

Attention grabbing from the beginning, it is a fast-moving narrative, the characters evolve into real people, and the well-plotted story progresses with believable interaction between governmental agencies.

I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful, military thriller of an old hard-liner ex-Navy Seal that could have been 5 stars had it the opportunity of a good editor and eye for details. I got this book as a free download and enjoyed the easy escapist read. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, fun thriller.

About the Author D. W. Ulsterman

“I just found a new favorite author and his name is D.W. Ulsterman!” -Toni Markel

“Mr. Ulsterman doesn’t disappoint.”-THRILLER JUNKIE

A KINDLE SCOUT WINNER AND FEATURED AUTHOR IN USA TODAY’S “HAPPY EVER AFTER” COLUMN. (April 2017 – The Irish Cowboy)

D.W. Ulsterman is the writer of the Kindle Scout-winning San Juan Islands Mystery & Romance series published by Kindle Press as well as the bestselling family drama, The Irish Cowboy.

Rosario's Revenge by D. W. Ulsterman He lives with his wife of twenty-five years in the Pacific Northwest. During the summer months, you can find him navigating the waters of his beloved San Juan Islands. He is the father of two children who are now both attending university and he is also best friends with Dublin the Dobe.

His most recent novel released December 2017, ROSARIO’S REVENGE is now available. D.W. Ulsterman is the bestselling author of THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS MYSTERY SERIES. All of his novels are available here: http://goo.gl/kEPU6R

More Throwback Thursday Blogs

Renee at Its Book Talk

Jill at Jill’s Book Cafe

Rebecca at The Book Whisperer

Lynne at Fictionophile

Sam at Clues and Reviews

Holly B at Dressedtoread

Deanna at DeesRadReads and Reviews

Amanda at Literary Weaponry

Annie at The Misstery

Mischenko at Read Rant Rock and Roll

Laurie at Cozy Nook Books

Ann Marie at LItWitWineDine

Lethal in Old Lace – #bookreview

Title: Lethal in Old Lace (A Consignment Shop Mystery) by Duffy Brown

Genre: Currently #3509 on Amazon Best Sellers Rank in Kindle eBooks, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery, Cozy

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publication Date: To be released March 13, 2018

Source: Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley

Title and Cover: Lethal in Old Lace – Obvious cozy depicting Consignment Shop series

The fifth in the Consignment Shop mystery series, Lethal in Old Lace could easily be a standalone book. This is my first experience with this author and her series, and I thoroughly enjoyed, even when the plot took on fully suspended in disbelief high jinks. Continue reading “Lethal in Old Lace – #bookreview”

The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh – a Book Review

Title: The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh (Matthew Connor Adventure series-Book 2)

Genre: Currently #1342 on Amazon Best Sellers Rank in Kindle eBooks, Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure, Men’s Adventure

Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.

Publication Date: To be released April 17, 2018

Source: Request from Senior Book Publicist, Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.

Title and Cover: The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh – Beautiful cover holds promise

“In Egypt’s Western Desert lies the tomb of an unnamed pharaoh that hides a secret so powerful, it could destroy the world as we know it.”

This is the second in the new series with protagonist archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor. He’s very successful at finding legends long thought forgotten or lost. Flirting with a power from the Emerald Tablets that promises knowledge of the universe, he MUST accept a former colleague’s invitation in the search. She has stumbled upon an Egyptian hieroglyphic map that is sure to lead them to a pharaoh’s tomb and the Emerald Tablets. Matthew’s only demand for acceptance is that his best friends (romantic interest) Robyn Garcia and Cal Myers accompany the team. Of course, it isn’t long before they realize that recovering the tablets won’t be easy and they are no longer the only ones looking for the tablets. Continue reading “The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh – a Book Review”

Truth Stranger Than Fiction – Winchester (Movie Review)

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California, courtesy Getty Images

The “most haunted house in the world,” the Winchester Mystery House, is a Queen Anne Style Victorian mansion in San Jose, California, once the residence of widow firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. Fueled by rumors, stories, and confused fascination, the mansion has long been the subject of conjecture contained within books and now a movie Winchester, released February 2, 2018.

I find it fascinating that not an American director/producer, but Australian brothers, Peter and Michael Spierig, created the movie starring Helen Mirren (English) and Jason Clark (Australian). We went to see this movie on Tuesday. The critics have panned it. Of Google users who responded, 77% liked it. So what did the brothers get right? Actually, quite a lot.

Continue reading “Truth Stranger Than Fiction – Winchester (Movie Review)”

Reading Challenge

Notice how you get braver as you get older? Take on new challenges?

Well, it doesn’t amount to learning to ride a motorcycle at 55 years, but this year I went hunting for reading challenges, and although I did not catch either of these in December or even January, found two I wanted to try this year. I have gathered those books read beginning in 2018 and performed some serious catch-up. I have added a page I’m calling Reading Challenge to collect any new reads posted to either challenge so you can follow my progress during the year. (My Goodreads Challenge is 90 books and progress appears in the widget column to the right.)

The NetGalley and Edelweiss Challenge

In for a penny–in for a pound–and I went straight to the platinum level, which translates to 75 books for the year. Seventy-five books just from these two sources will definitely be a challenge for me. If you’d like to sign up for this challenge, click here. Continue reading “Reading Challenge”

Night Moves – Book Review

Title: Night Moves: An Alex Delaware Novel (#33) by Jonathan Kellerman

Genre: Currently # 56 on Amazon Best Sellers Rank in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Crime, Murder

#7 in Amazon Author Rank

Publisher: Balantine Books

Publication Date: JUST released February 13, 2018

Source: Balantine Books and NetGalley

Title and Cover: Night Moves – Cover described book evokes plot locale

Okay, yes, I must confess–it must be true–I have been living in a cave for twenty years as this is the first time I’ve read an Alex Delaware book by Jonathan Kellerman. And this is his thirty-third in the series! Alex gets a jingle late one evening from his old police buddy, LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis, and off he goes on another head-scratcher located on a cul-de-sac in the burbs. The victim will not be easy to identify as he’s been dumped in the home of Chet Corvin and the Corvin’s have absolutely no clue who he might be. The victim’s hands have been removed and he was shot in the face leaving little with which to identify anyone. Continue reading “Night Moves – Book Review”

Ultimate Power – Book Review

Title: Ultimate Power by Stephen Frey

Genre: Currently # 37 in Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank in Kindle eBooks, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers, Financial

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publication Date: To be released February 13, 2018

Source: Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley

Title and Cover: Ultimate Power – Cover conjures location

Andrew Falcon Jr. is a powerful hedge-fund manager and the youngest to make partner in his private investment firm on Wall Street. Unfortunately, his niece Claire is kidnapped and it’s not money they want. The abductors are discovered tied to a conspiracy much larger than he could have imagined and possibly beyond his ability to quell. The question is: Can he deliver what they demand in exchange for his niece and also save his country? Continue reading “Ultimate Power – Book Review”

Will Bookbloggers Abandon Pinterest? Maybe–Here’s Why

So, was the Pinterest platform created for people with too much time on their hands, or as a serious media form with myriad connection capabilities?

I’ve mentioned before my attempts at understanding the attraction and heaven knows I’ve been bombarded with invitations by “experts” for advice on learning how to expand my followers and make significant gains in either monetizing my blog or directing traffic to sales through Pinterest. (Except that my blog is not particularly sales driven.)

I have twelve boards and umpteen “pins” and the one that catches the most traffic is the one of Iris Apfel, whose repins (at age 93) greatly outnumber my own and does nothing for my stats. How fair is that?

Launched in 2010, Pinterest was designed to discover information on the www mainly through the use of images. Images were where it was at! In particular, I do enjoy the Infographics you readily find on Pinterest.

However, I like that Instagram may become a powerful adjunct to my blog. It’s simple! Even I can do it! And I get a lot of positive engagement from Instagram, second only (and sometimes tying) to Twitter (not facebook). I’m still fairly new to posting on Instagram, but adding followers at a consistent pace. I particularly appreciate the ability to add appropriate hashtags and find that authors and other book bloggers, as well as publishers, haunt your posts. There is a limit on the use of hashtags of course, but many can do double duty, where appropriately added to your twitter post. Here are a few of my favorite hashtags for Instagram/Bookstagram (keeping in mind these are not to be used for every post–change them up!):

#book #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #igreads #igbooks #epicreads #booklife #bibliophile #read #reading #reader #booklover #bookaddict #booknerd #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #bookstagramfeature #readingforfun #booksworthreading #readinglist #bookswag #readingisfundamental #currentlyreading #amreading #bookshelf #newbook #goodbook #reviewbook #mybooks #goodreads #bookrecommendations #bookblog #bookblogger #tbr #indieauthor #bibliophile #mustread

Rather than using Pinterest as a major source of traffic, I see a few of my fellow book bloggers using Pinterest as a side link, sort of a sub-blog. In fact, I found that shockingly few post a link to Pinterest. It appears most bloggers opt to link to Instagram and Twitter. (If you also have a Pinterest account that I missed it here, please let me know and I’ll be glad to follow.)

Lynne at Fictionophile

Amanda at Literary Weaponry

Adventures of a Bibliophile

The Cozy Pages

Of course, more than images now the use of videos, vlogs, and gifs. Videos–videos are where it’s at! Well, I won’t be doing many of those soon, so I’ll continue to work on images, particularly through the use of Instagram and Bookstagram, which I’ve also alluded to rather recently.

I’m still not sold that the hours and hours of time I’ve spent on Pinterest has been worth it, but I see huge inroads of web interest in Instagram and the buzz says this is where the major focus will occur in 2018. I’m thinking that besides the time spent on my blog, that is where I’ll focus my secondary hours. How about you? Do you still use Pinterest or has Twitter and Instagram taken a new lead for you? I’d love to hear your comments! ©2018 V Williams