Wilbur Smith's Latest

To all you Wilbur Smith fans out there... "Those in Peril" his new book has just been launched.
In fact, the author is on a promotional tour to India and claims, "Africa is in my blood."

My first Wilbur Smith book was "When the Lion Feeds" -became a fan for life!!!

Here's the storyline:
Hazel Bannock is heir to the Bannock Oil Corporation, one of the major global oil producers. While cruising the Indian Ocean, her yacht is hijacked by Somalian pirates and her nineteen-year-old daughter, Cayla, kidnapped. The pirates demand a crippling twenty-billion-dollar ransom for her release, and complicated political and diplomatic sensitivities render the major powers incapable of intervening.

With growing evidence of the horrific torture to which Cayla is being subjected, Hazel calls on Hector Cross to help her rescue her daughter. Hector is the man behind Cross Bow Security, the company contracted to Bannock Oil Corporation to provide all their protection. He is a formidable fighting man. Between them, Hazel and Hector are determined to take the law into their own hands.

Water for elephants by Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants by  Sara Gruen is the story of Jacob Jankowski,  told as a series of flashbacks, while living inside a nursing home.

Jacob is in his final year of veterinary school at Cornell University when he receives the news that his parents have been killed in a car accident. Returning home for the funeral, Jacob discovers that his father’s veterinary practice – which he planned on joining after graduation – is mortgaged to the hilt and now owned by the bank, as is the family home. Having nowhere else to go, Jacob returns to Cornell, but is too grief-stricken and flees in the middle of the final exam. Hopping a train, Jacob finds himself in the midst of working men on the Benzini Brothers Greatest Show on Earth, a train circus. His knowledge of veterinary science earns him a place on the show.

Jacob meets August and Marlena, a married couple on the show. August is in charge of the menagerie; Marlena is a performer. Jacob becomes friends with the couple, and soon discovers that their marriage is less than happy.  Jacob falls for Marlena, and the ripple of consequences begin.

Sara Gruen has written a  novel full of  descriptions of circus life, with   the most unique characters, from the chillingly evil August to the feisty dwarf Walter and his beloved dog, Queenie. Gruen’s love of animals also comes through, especially in the elephant, Rosie.

I loved this book, from it’s beginning to it’s ending.  Highly recommended.

today the music died...

"On February 3, 1959, a small-plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, killed three American rock and roll musicians:
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, as well as the pilot, Roger Peterson.
The day was later called The Day the Music Died by Don McLean, in his song "American Pie".
Listen to it today.

In mY life...

today I'm in a happy mood. so to all my friends in my life... this is for you