Showing posts with label a man in control. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a man in control. Show all posts

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Book Review - A Man in Control


A Man in Control

By: Harry E. Gilleland, Jr.
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publishing Date: October 2014
ISBN: 978-1503-10091-6
Reviewed by: Mary Lignor
Review Date: January 3, 2015

From the very beginning of this tale, readers will certainly understand this author’s choice of title, as Gilleland has hit the nail on the proverbial head with his over-controlling main character, Dave Wynthers.

Dave and Brenda Wynthers are the kind of couple that many others would like to count as friends. Dave is a microbiology professor, giving the two a good life. One of those ‘good things’ comes in the form of a twelfth anniversary celebration, where the two head up to a swank ski lodge where they had gone on their honeymoon.

One of Dave’s ulterior motives for this trip is to coax his wife into considering having a child, while Brenda just wants to enjoy herself and not listen to Dave’s continuous harping. When it gets to be a bit much, she walks out of the lodge on her way to the ski trails, leaving him behind to pout. Sadly, when he finally goes out to look for her, Dave finds that she has had an accident on a very dangerous slope and was killed. David goes back to their home in Fort Collins, Colorado while his twin brother Dan and their mother take over the arrangements for Brenda. In David’s grief, he could hardly remember the services.

Many events follow that David has a difficult time dealing with as he begins to try and handle his job and all of the daily events that are happening around him. A trend begins to form which will let readers understand why the title is perfect. This man is a very controlling person who definitely does want to be in control at all times, no matter how chaotic life becomes.

As things start to happen to Dave and the people around him, including the murder of a person close to him, terrorists who are tracking his every move, a lot of suddenly inherited wealth, the FBI and a female police officer arriving on the scene and more, Dave finds it a little daunting to keep control. Dave is a person who needs to control all aspects of his own life and the lives of the people who orbit around him, and as the story progresses, the reader will see just what that control costs him. A Man in Control is quite fast paced, although at times it seemed as if the author was trying to put too much into the story, sometimes going from one thing to another swiftly so the reader will have to pay close attention to keep up. However, the character development is very good and the plot lines are excellent, making this a very satisfying read.

Quill says: The fact that Dave Wynthers is extremely controlling comes out loud and clear as he works to keep his job, relationships and anything else under his thumb much to the dismay of some of his friends and colleagues. Watching Dave deal with this makes A Man in Control a very good read.






Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Books In For Review

Here's a quick look at some of the books that have recently arrived for review.  Check them out and then stop by our site in a few weeks to read the reviews!





A Man in Control by Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. David Wynthers is a microbiology professor who needs to control all aspects of his life. His orderly world gets thrown into turmoil by the death of his wife. A cascade of events follows for Dave to cope with - murder, mystery,terrorists tracking him, sudden wealth, an intriguing police detective, and the FBI. Can Dave maintain control of the events swirling around him?  

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki The year is 1853, and the Habsburgs are Europe’s most powerful ruling family. With his empire stretching from Austria to Russia, from Germany to Italy, Emperor Franz Joseph is young, rich, and ready to marry. Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth, “Sisi,” Duchess of Bavaria, travels to the Habsburg Court with her older sister, who is betrothed to the young emperor. But shortly after her arrival at court, Sisi finds herself in an unexpected dilemma: she has inadvertently fallen for and won the heart of her sister’s groom. Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead. Thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, Sisi upsets political and familial loyalties in her quest to win, and keep, the love of her emperor, her people, and of the world.  

Sprouting Wings: The First Novel in the Alan Ericsson Series by Henry Faulkner Filled with the sights and sounds of the pre-World War II era, Sprouting Wings (the first novel in the Alan Ericsson series) pulls readers into the tensions of the daily life of our military men and women. From working with new equipment to working with the US Navy's diverse population--and strong egos--few punches are pulled as Alan finds himself riding the forefront of technology. Having survived a submarine sinking, can Alan make it as an aviator? Will he and his new love make it through months apart as they both pursue their dreams? Can love--and Alan--survive the lead-up to war?

The Ghost of Donley Farm by Jaime Gardner Johnson Rebecca, the red-tailed hawk, is not afraid of ghosts! One night, she bravely ventures into the barn to meet the famous ghost of Donley Farm. But when she finally meets him, Rebecca is surprised to discover that this “ghost” is much more familiar than she’d expected. Join Rebecca as she stays up late to talk with her new friend and find out what they have in common and how they are different.

Little Gray's Great Migration by Marta Lindsey Little Gray loved his lagoon and the humans who came to visit him there. One day, Mama announces that they must swim north to a far-away sea. At first he is sad to leave his home, but Little Gray soon realizes the importance of their journey. What happens along the way and how does Little Gray help his mother? Swim along with Little Gray as he finds the way to this special, food-filled sea.

Animal Eyes by Mary Holland The sense of sight helps an animal stay safe from predators, find food and shelter, defend its territory and care for its young. We can tell a lot about an animal from its eyes: whether it is predator or prey, whether it is more active during the day or night, and sometimes even its gender or age. Award-winning nature photographer and environmental educator Mary Holland shares fascinating animal eyes with readers of all ages.

Animal Helpers: Raptor Centers by Keats Curtis Even powerful birds of prey can get sick or hurt. When that happens, animal helpers at raptor centers come to the rescue! Dedicated staff treats injured, sick, and orphaned animals. They return the birds to their native environment or find forever homes at education and raptor centers for those that can’t survive in the wild. Follow along in this photographic journal as staff and volunteers come together to care for these remarkable birds.

Animal Partners by Scotti Cohn From the “crocodile’s dentist,” to the “mongoose spa,” Animal Partners takes a whimsical look at symbiotic relationships of animals large and small. Although many animals live in groups of the same kind, here you will learn how some animals form unique partnerships with different species. After all, don’t we all need a little help from our friends?

Clouds: A Compare and Contrast Book by Katharine Hall There are many different kinds of clouds all around us. Clouds come in diverse shapes and colors. Some clouds are fluffy and others are wispy. Some clouds float high in the sky and others sit low on the ground. Some clouds warn of storms and other clouds tell of fair weather. Compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of clouds through vibrant photographs.

Dino Treasures by Rhonda Lucas Donald Just as some people dig and look for pirate treasure, some scientists dig and look for treasures, too. These treasures may not be gold or jewels but fossils. Following in the footsteps of Dino Tracks, this sequel takes young readers into the field with paleontologists as they uncover treasured clues left by dinosaurs. Readers will follow what and how scientists have learned about dinosaurs: what they ate; how they raised their young; how they slept, fought, or even if they ever got sick. True to fashion, the tale is told through a rhythmic, fun read-aloud that can even be sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Salamander Season by Jennifer Keats Curtis

Trees: A Compare and Contrast Book by Katharine Hall Trees grow in many habitats, all around the world. Some trees are short and some are tall. Some grow in hot deserts and others grow on cold mountains. Some have leaves that are broad and wide and others are short and narrow. Some trees stay green all year round while others have leaves that change color. Compare and contrast the different characteristics of trees through vibrant photographs.