Book Review: Love is Murder by Sandra Brown

This is a fantastic book! Love is Murder is a compilation of 29 stories selected by Sandra Brown in the "romance suspense" genre, romantic stories with a terror twist or vice versa. Some of these authors were very familiar - like Lee Child - while others were new. Of the 29, 20 were my favorites. I know, I know!

The most brilliant story of them all is Diamond Drop by Roxanne St. Claire. It is a short story about her series Bullet Catchers, an elite protection organization. The main character in Diamond Drop is Donovan Rush. He is a courier for diamonds from Antwerp, Belgium to Paris, France. He must deliver diamonds for a new client, Boisvert Jewelers. The story is smart and fast-paced with a twist at the end.

Oh, there is the Hot Note by Patricia Rosemoor. In Love is Murder, Patricia writes a short story regarding her series about Shelley Caldwell, a homicide detective in Chicago, Illinois. Caldwell must solve supernatural mysteries, along with her half-vampire/half-human boyfriend.

And, definitely do not miss the Black Ops, Inc. series by Cindy Gerard!  Black Ops, Inc. is a private security and espionage firm. Her short story is Dying to Score about a reconnaissance mission in Central Guatemala by Crystal Debrowski Reed a/k/a "Tinkerbelle" and her husband Johnny Duane Reed, along with Luke Colter a/k/a "Doc Holliday" and Gabe Jones a/k/a "The Archangel." Johnny is seriously wounded in the shoulder, and Tink and her companions must extract Johnny before they are overrun by mercenaries of a Mexican drug cartel.

I am usually not a fan of compilation books. This one, however, is the exception. I really hope you read Love is Murder. Two thumbs' up!

P.S. I cannot wait to give my list of "new" authors to my sister Julie. She feeds my library addiction. (Thank goodness!)

Troops to Teachers

Placing veterans in the nation's classrooms to serve again is the goal for the Troops to Teachers program. The purpose of the Department of Defense program is to help eligible current and former military personnel begin new careers as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed.

In addition to counseling and referral, state Troops to Teachers representatives help applicants identify teacher certification requirements for the state they wish to teach, programs leading to certification and employment opportunities in their state. Other state representatives will reach out to servicemembers earlier while they are still on active-duty and identify education requirements so that interested servicemembers may begin working toward their teaching certifications before leaving the service, enabling a smoother transition into teaching.

Servicemembers can learn more about Troops to Teachers and locate a state representative at www.proudtoserveagain.com. www.military.com

Boston Marathon ”GO RUCK” 2013

National Guardsmen "Ruckers" among
first marathoners to cross finish line.

At zero dark hundred on the morning of Patriot's Day, at the starting line in Hopkinton, Massachusetts - four hours before the runners took off - 15 active-duty soldiers from the Massachusetts National Guard began the 26.2 miles, 8-hour walk of the Boston Marathon known as the "Tough Ruck." Instead of shorts, t-shirts and running shoes, soldiers dressed in full fatigues, boots and carry their rucksacks filled with clothes and supplies, that can weigh as much as 45 lbs. 

Participants, who are referred to as Ruckers, honor a lost soldier by affixing a yellow ribbon that bears the name of a veteran who lost their life in service to their country in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn in Iraq. It is a fundraising effort for active military personnel and raises money for "Military Friends Foundation in support of Families of the Fallen." 

The Military Friends Foundation was established in 2003 with the financial support of generous private donors who wished to recognize the unique service of citizen soldiers and airmen.  Unlike any other time in history, these men and women are being called upon to serve this Nation overseas.  Created as an independent non-profit organization, the Military Friends Foundation is designed to assist eligible Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve families facing financial hardships related to a deployment or extended activation. http://www.militaryfriends.org/

People saw the soldiers throughout the race and thought they were part of the security for the Boston Marathon. They were not. The picture of two soldiers tearing apart the fence to help those injured had just finished their Tough Ruck. And, while many ran away from the noise and chaos following the bombings, the soldiers ran toward it.  

All Tough Ruckers are all accounted for and safely home with their families. As always, they supported the American people. Now, it is our turn to support them. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Military Friends Foundation, 14 Beacon Street #706, Boston, MA 02108 or made online via PayPal at www.militaryfriends.org/donate.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon.