The Copenhagen Affair by Amulya Malladi

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Copenhagen Affair,' A Book of Romance and Intrigue by Amulya Malladi.

Feelings and emotions often determine our course of direction. They determine our mood and the way we react around others. Emotional baggage is often the culprit, and the feelings often come with depression, sadness, and anxiety. In The Copenhagen Affair by Amulya Malladi, we meet Sanya, a woman who feels lost and alone. After experiencing an emotional breakdown at her place of work, she no longer understands her role.

Married to Harry for over 20 years, Sanya is not surprised when after one of their therapy sessions, he decides a change of pace will help her. His company is sending him to Copenhagen for work and he feels it will be just the thing to revive her. Harry is positive a new location is just the thing to bring her out of her doldrums. He has to temporarily relocate there to close a deal for his company, and Copenhagen's beauty and generosity are rumored as unsurpassed.

Sanya finds herself on her own once they reach Copenhagen. The beauty of the city mesmerizes her, but it is the meeting with Anders Ravn, that holds her attention. Although she initially does not know it, he is the owner of the company her husband is trying to acquire. Rugged, with a scar on his face, he intrigues her, and she struggles to get him out of her mind. Yet, he too seems just a bit smitten and she runs into him often through her travels. When she finds that her husband Harry has an affair, she no longer feels that she needs to hold her feelings in check. But there is more, there are allegations of crime in Anders’ business, tensions are heightened, and danger beckons.

Sanya finally begins to move through her breakdown, finding her way though her nightmare of fear and feelings. Yet how will it all end?  Can she emerge from her crisis whole, once more the woman she was? How will the danger surrounding both the men in her life affect her new-found strength?

Malladi takes us through a relationship full of pain and pitfalls. Her characters are likable, and her description of the beauties of Copenhagen make you feel as if you are there as well.

If you enjoy mysteries, romance and intrigue, you will find this an enjoyable book for your library. It is an easy read and will keep you interested as you follow the red herrings for the answers.

Rating 3.5 /5

The Language of Solitude by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: ' The Language of Solitude,' a Mystery by Jan-Philipp Sendker

China is a land of mystery to most. News and books can only give us a glimpse into those mysteries. In The Language of Solitude by Jan-Philipp Sendker, we are once again given another look into the intricacies of China and the life of those who call it home.

Paul, a journalist is just beginning to believe that Hong Kong is the place he determines to call home. In love with Christine Wu, he is beginning to overcome the tragedy in his past, one that has driven him away from all those he knew before.
Christine is a cipher, quiet and reserved and yet passionate. She has drawn him from the darkness of his past, while at the same time, having secrets of her own.

When she unexpectedly receives a letter from her brother, whom she has not seen since she was a child, she and Paul decide it is time to understand the secrets behind her own life. What they find is a grown man with sadness and problems all his own. Her brother’s wife is extremely ill, and his own health, is not the greatest, leaving their care up to his daughter.

Paul’s journalistic background sees a story and his compassion for people draws him in. Christine must head back to her own job, while Paul decides to find some answers.

With a country stark in tradition, and full of all the histories that create the mysteries of China, can Paul find answers without raising sleeping lions. Unable to turn away, he finds the sometimes many secrets are deadly, while some can set you free. Can he help those in need without waking the danger of the past?

Sendker does a wonderful job of taking us into the beauty and wonder of China, yet outlining the dangers of stepping into the past, for turbulence and fear is just below the surface. The depth of journalist investigation is brought to life, with the interest in how difficult the truth is to find. Many layers of investigation are brought forth, and you almost feel as through this could well be a news article as his character moves forward.

If you enjoy beauty, romance, love and mystery you will find them all in this work. The work is interesting and hold you enthralled through the end.

This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group.

Rating 3/5

Early Decision by Lacy Crawford

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review: Early Decision by Lacy Crawford.

In schools and universities across the nation, the academic world is gearing up to approve those students that seem to fit into the life within their respective halls. The decisions are tough with few slots available in some cases and only a handful of hopefuls making the cut.

In Early Decision by Lacy Crawford, we are given a look into the decision making from the eyes of a student and one of those who help them polish their applications. Finding and dragging the best from many students is a chore and often parents are unable to help. In this case they hire Anne, who through word of mouth is known to get students what they want and need.

The problem is that what the students want and need is not always on the same course with their parents. Anne often finds herself as a go between in cases where unrealistic dreams clash with reality. SAT scores and abilities figure harshly in many instances, and those with the money to pay her fees do not always get the degree of satisfaction they are looking for. Yet for Anne, it is about the students, she helps them to realize their strengths and to recognize their weaknesses. This is a tough deliverance as the parents are often in the background with expectations that in some cases are difficult to meet.

In some situations the price of success takes students where they feel they need to be, but in other cases heartache is the meal of the day. In the admissions process, feelings are not a part of the progression. The faces of admission mean nothing; it is only the scores and abilities, as well as the talent to illustrate in a way that you stand out in a crowd. That is part of what Anne helps with. Yet there is a story behind each student that makes it all so real.

Crawford takes us into the lives of a group of college-bound seniors, sharing their backgrounds and hopes, as well as those of the family, especially the parents. Not always in the best light, she helps them to understand how sometimes it is the parents dream and not their own. It seems like a cruel system, and yet there are just so many spaces available in many of the institutions.

Crawford takes the most difficult of cases and finds the humor and sympathy below the surface. I am sure there is often untold hurt when rejection comes, and yet for a handful of students there is joy and trepidation.

This would be a wonderful book for a reading group or book club. The intrinsic gathering of information and background is deep and basic. The dialogue engendered through a reading would be quite robust.

Rating 3/5

The book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Art and Ethics of Being a Good Colleague by Michael J. Kuhar Ph. D.

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Art and Ethics of Being a Good Colleague' by Michael J. Kuhar Ph. D.

When you are in the business of people, it is important to understand how to get the best out of them. Developing a team of talented individuals can determine the success or failure of your place of business and make your life much easier in all phases.

With so many books offering suggestion and ideas the marketplace becomes confusing as to which guide carries the best advice.  The Art and Ethics of being a Good Colleague by Michael J. Kuhar Ph. D. is another take on the age old issue of getting the best out of others. When reading the chapters you are brought to mind of the golden rule. There is a great deal of common sense in the pages and the insights are interesting.

With the author’s background in ethics it is with little surprise that much of how we should interact with others includes lessons on ethics and how they are a part and parcel of our own experiences. Realizing the importance of both friends and colleagues is the bottom line of defense, a building block of life both inside of work and out. With an endorsement from His Holiness, the XIVth Dalai Lama, it is difficult to refute the nature of building our intentions.

If you are looking for a good guideline just a bit different from the rest of the pack you will find this work to fit the bill. Written more in a text book style you will find the ideas encouraging and the lessons engaging. You will also find that this work is for more than just those you work with but with anyone you interact with. Not only can you improve you own relationships both personal and at work but the impact of how you utilize the information can also go a long way to helping improve the lives of others.

This would be a great book for a discussion group. While some of the contents we have heard before, there is more of the precision and tools that help to kindle the types of relationships you desire. This can create a very diverse discussion keeping  the meeting lively and entertaining .

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.