Ray's Reviews: Exception by Michigan Author Michael K. Sands

Michael K. Sands will be signing copies of his book 

on Wednesday at 6:00 PM at Schuler's Books, 

1982 W. Grand River (Meridian Mall) Okemos.

"Exception", a suspense novel by Gaylord author Michael K. Sands (Sturgeon Valley Associates, $14.00), is an exceptionally fast-paced thriller that's tough to put down.

The self-published trade paperback has a nifty cover design, likable and despicable characters and enough plot twists to keep your head spinning.

In the best James Patterson tradition, short action-packed chapters abound - there's 155 of them in the 346 page book. 

It focuses on cutting-edge neurobiology, showcasing Julie Brewster, who's involved in a highly secret defense project to surgically implant a computer chip into a human brain.

She works at a specialized cybernetics and medical research company where an associate died in what was ruled "an unfortunate accident."

Julie thinks that the surgeon's death was cleverly planned and asks Seattle computer expert Jason Coulter, her former lover, to help investigate.

Their search for the truth uncovers unnerving facts and a hidden agenda; soon the pair is on the run, chased by a hulking menace. 

As if that's not bad enough, the true villain hacks into computer networks, making them sought by the police and other authorities for a multitude of crimes, including murder.

The convoluted tale is overflowing with non-stop, adrenaline-charged action, with many close calls and death-defying scenes.

Relationships are a vital part of this entertaining novel; there are many emotional challenges throughout .

A  variety of law enforcement officers are involved, including one who's almost killed and another who follows his instincts instead of just obeying the rules.

You don't really have to be a brain scientist to appreciate this thriller, as the author manages to get across most of the relevant information in understandable chunks.

This would be an easy novel to produce as a gripping motion picture or could even be made into a captivating television series.

Micheal K. Sands is the pseudonym of Tom Kellogg, a graduate of Northern Michigan University. He's had a varied career as a machinist, carpenter, commercial planner and flight instructor.

Currently he's teaching at North Central Michigan College and has completed a sequel to this book.

His website is www.michaelksands.com

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, 

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great Michigan titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, October 20, 2013.

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Ray's Reviews: Killing a Cold One by Joseph Heywood

"Killing a Cold One" by Joseph Heywood (Lyons Press, $26.95) is the ninth in his very popular series starring Michigan DNR conservation officer Grady Service.

Set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this entertaining tale shifts Service's duties into a new direction, after the mutilated bodies of two Indian girls are discovered in a tent in a remote campground in the Huron Mountains.

Service is pulled into the case, but really doesn't want to get involved - he'd rather stay and patrol the Mosquito Wilderness.

Rumors about the deaths abound; soon Lori Timms, the state's Governor, calls him and wants him to do his own investigation. Service notes: "There's no such thing as a dogman, Sasquatch, skinwalker, vampire, werewolf, windigo, zombie, whatever."

She doesn't care about his opinions - she wants results: "I did not call you to debate or argue with you, Grady... You are to hunt down this creature, whatever and wherever it might be. And having located it, you will do whatever is necessary. Am I clear?"

Grady agrees: "My team, your budget, Governor." and puts together a crew that includes two former Detroit cops. They're joined by Limpy Allerdyce, who's appeared in earlier books in other roles.

The case gets significantly more complicated as the body count rises; Service's crew investigates, making minimal headway. Allerdyce really steals the show as an exceptionally memorable character.

Eventually, an unexpected clue points them in the right direction, the pace speeds up, ending with a violent conclusion.

Heywood's latest novel is overflowing with characters; it may be challenging to keep track of them all.

As usual, Heywood's book is well-researched and excellently captures  the uniqueness of the Upper Peninsula and the area's diverse inhabitants. Realism abounds; this case isn't solved overnight like on TV, but takes months and months of hard work and information gathering. 

Longtime followers in the "Woods Cop" series are not likely to be disappointed with "Killing a Cold One." Newcomers to the series may want to catch up on earlier books, getting a better understanding of Service's character and opinions.

Intrigued readers will definitely want to catch Heywood's superb anthology that came out earlier this year, "Hard Ground: Woods Cop Stories" or his historical fiction, "Red Jacket" which appeared in 2012.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, 

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, October 13, 2013.

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October 2013 Newsletter

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

 - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Greetings, Book Lovers!

October's Sale -- 30% OFF...

Football Books

Music (Classical, Jazz, Rock & Roll and More!)

Horror

Don't Delay! This sale ENDS EARLY, on October 20th.

New Arrivals:

Help!  Help!
We're drowning in fabulous new acquisitions!

Here's just a taste of what's new at Curious:

Gently-used paperback novels by Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Wolfe,
Ayn Rand, William S. Burroughs, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald,

Jane Austen, Stephen King, John Steinbeck, Terry Brooks, Larry Niven,

Chuck Palahniuk, Balzac, Louis L'Amour, Dave Eggars, Michael Chabon,

Orson Scott Card, Terry Pratchett, Jim Butcher, David Eddings and more.

A collection of classics by Livy, Polybius, Plutarch, Xenophon and other historians.

Freshly-stocked sections include Poetry, Music, Michigan History, Science,

Psychology, Gender Studies, Bibliophilia/BookLovers and Beat & Counter-Culture.

This week, we released a batch of vintage Dr. Who paperbacks into the shop.
They're flying out the door! Hurry in (or use your TARDIS) to snag a copy for yourself.

Bargain Hunters, take note: the Clearance section was restocked this morning!

Don't forget -- we stock today's bestsellers, too! 

Stop by the shop to pick up your copy of the newest titles 

by Stephen King, Jonathan Lethem, Malcolm Gladwell, 

Jhumpa Lahiri, Margaret Atwood, Khaled Hosseini and others.

Bookshop Scuttlebutt:

Lansing's premier literary event, the  BIG BOOK SHOW is right around the corner,

 and we're "frazzled, but functioning" in this final week of preparations.

More on that later, though...

Are you attending the Chicago Book and Paper Fair, this Saturday?

If so, be sure to stop by the Curious booth and say hello to Ray!

We're looking forward to an influx of Spartan alumni visitors next weekend,

during the Michigan State University Homecoming Weekend.

Catch the Homecoming Parade (Theme: Spartan Super Heroes) 

on Friday, the big football game on Saturday at Spartan Stadium,

and the Big Book Show on Sunday the 13th, in Lansing!

Ray is making news!

He's featured in the Faces of East Lansing column, in today's State News.

"'At Curious, you never really know what to expect,' Walsh said. 'We like it that way.'"

Pick up your copy of the State News this weekend, and read all about the man behind Curious Book Shop.

And finally...

The 58th Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show

Spend the day with like-minded book-lovers,

as we browse thousands upon thousands of 

collectible books, photographs, art prints, posters,

postcards, maps, ephemera and so much more

at the MIDWEST'S LARGEST antiquarian book and paper show.

Centuries-old illuminated manuscripts and Gutenberg bible pages

may be displayed alongside rare sports and Hollywood memorabilia.

20th Century propaganda posters and frame-worthy magazine covers

deserve your perusal. New and classic children's literature favorites

are sure to please, and perhaps you'll finally discover that 

rare first edition or signed copy of your favorite novel.

Bring the whole family!

The show is easily navigable, with wide aisles that 

allow easy access for wheelchairs and strollers.

Enjoy soothing acoustic music by local musicians,

and have a bite to eat from the on-site concessions.

Location: The Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI

Show Hours: 9:30 AM - 5 PM (Sorry, no early admittance!)

Admission: $4.50 (Children 13 and under are FREE!)

Show Website: http://www.curiousbooks.com/shows.html

Get into the book show spirit by reading the virtual Show Guide and Press Release, 

or better yet, come down to Curious and "talk books" with us while we prepare.

 

It's a pleasure to serve the local literary community, and 

we're eager to celebrate our 44th BIRTHDAY later this month!

Thank you, THANK YOU (!) for your continued support.

Hope to see you at the show, next Sunday!
Ray, Audrey and the Curious Gang

"A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking." - Jerry Seinfeld

If you wish to receive our monthly newsletter in your inbox, please email us at curiousbooks@gmail.com.

__________

Curious Book Shop
307 East Grand River
East Lansing, MI  48823
(517) 332-0112

www.curiousbooks.com
www.facebook.com/CuriousBooks
http://curiousbookshop.blogspot.com/

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58th Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

58th Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show

Sunday, October 13, 2013

9:30 - 5; Lansing Center; $4.50 Admittance

FABULOUS TREASURES AWAIT YOU! 

Spend the day with like-minded book-lovers,

as we browse thousands upon thousands of 

collectible books, photographs, art prints, posters,

postcards, maps, ephemera and so much more

at the MIDWEST'S LARGEST antiquarian book and paper show.

Join us and experience Lansing's premier literary event! 

Bibliophiles, collectors and dealers come from near and far 

to enjoy this one-of-a-kind show. 

Centuries-old illuminated manuscripts and Gutenberg bible pages

may be displayed alongside rare sports and Hollywood memorabilia.

20th Century propaganda posters and frame-worthy magazine covers

deserve your perusal. New and classic children's literature favorites

are sure to please, and perhaps you'll finally discover that 

rare first edition or signed copy of your favorite novel.

The Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show has become a regular

event for book and paper enthusiasts from across the country.

You don't have to be a collector to enjoy yourself at the show.  

But beware -- you might catch the bug as you mingle with 

novice collectors and trained specialists browsing the 

seemingly endless selection of items for sale.

The show has over 200 tables of vintage books, magazines, postcards,

photographs, maps and paper items of all kinds. Dealers from across the United States and Canada offer something for everyone, including first editions, signed books, children's and illustrated books, military history, regional histories, mysteries, cookbooks, & sports collectibles and so much more.

Bring the whole family! The show is easily navigable, 

with wide aisles that allow easy access for wheelchairs and strollers.

Enjoy soothing acoustic music by local musicians,

and have a bite to eat from the on-site concessions.

Please join us on Sunday, October 13th 

at the Lansing Center (333 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing MI)

Show Hours: 9:30 AM - 5 PM (Sorry, no early admittance!)

Admission: $4.50 (Children 13 and under are FREE!)

Show Website: http://www.curiousbooks.com/shows.html

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Show Program,

in the current edition (Oct. 2nd) edition of the Lansing City Pulse.

A digital version is available here:

  http://npaper-wehaa.com/citypulse#2013/10/02/?article=2034175

For further information:

Ray Walsh (Curious Book Shop) (517) 332-0112

Ruth A. Tepin (MMABDA) (517) 332-0123

We'll see you at the show! 

__________

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River

East Lansing, MI  48823

(517) 332-0112

www.curiousbooks.com

www.facebook.com/CuriousBooks

http://curiousbookshop.blogspot.com/

Read More...