Wednesday, September 30, 2009

"What's-Up-Wednesday Book Review!"






This past weekend, I had the pleasure of reading one of the best books that I have read in quite some time. It was engaging; the characters were believable, complex, and likable; the story was very poignant; and there was an even an exciting murder mystery hidden inside this compelling story that puts a very real face on the problem of the abuse of helpless patients in mental institutions by their caregivers.

The book is "Tasting The Wind" written by Allan Mayer.


On the evening of Christmas Eve, in a Victorian Mental Institution, two patients (Eddie and Andrew) with severe learning disabilities watched as another patient helplessly died, choking to death on his own vomit, after having his hands tied to his bed crucifixion style by a nasty, abusive nurse (Della Cahill) in a fit of rage.

When the nurse came back later and realized what had happened as a result of what she had done, she cleaned up the mess and locked Eddie, the only witness that she thought was capable of uttering a word against her, in what was called "The Punishment Room." Then, after a short investigation, the whole thing was written off as an accident, even though they suspected (with no proof) that the nurse may have been responsible for the incident.

Ten years later, when a man named Martin Peach (the protagonist of the story) comes to take a job at the mental institution where Eddie and Andrew are still living, things finally start to happen.


As coincidence would have it, the nurse who left under the cloud of suspicion all those years ago has now returned to fill the position of Manager and Martin's boss at the newly-formed institution.

Immerse yourselves in the intrigue as Martin and his co-workers try to fit together the clues they uncover and solve the mystery of "Tasting The Wind" before Eddie and/or Andrew become one of Della's next victims. TRUST ME...you won't want to miss this awesome book!





Here's a video of the Prologue for this book—it's really great!


For more information on "Tasting The Wind" and its author, visit Mr. Mayer's official website here and his blog here. His website contains author interviews, publishing tips and other goodies that are very useful—you'll really enjoy it there.




Until next time...stay safe, stay well and may God bless you all.

Cynde

Please visit my other blogs:

Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!

10 comments:

Gloria said...

Hi there Cynde, I have but a few minutes before I fly out the door for the day but saw the comment you left for me in regards to Fair-weather Friends. Cynde, thank you so much for taking the time and the love to leave that message. Trust me, it has helped enormously especially when you said I really knew what the answer would be anyway. I guess it was some kind of test and I will know better and be wiser next time.

You're right, it is a person very close to me and one that I do not want to be without. I'd already made up my mind about that, even as it was happening but it helped to seal my decision by reading what you left for me.

I must say, it's such a pleasure to have an on-line friend who would think to leave this for me. I am truly humbled. I am just a little bit tearful writing this to you but also smiling through those tears because my head is above the clouds and my heart just that little bit lighter.

Bless you and thanks once again . . I'm going to have a brilliant smile filled day . . and yes, I still truly love my friend. As they say, you can't give what you don't have to give'

A big hug to you Cynde. I love who you are!!!!!

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Dear Gloria,

I am so glad that things have worked out so well for you and your friend.

Also, I was quite sure that I was right about what I thought the Lord was whispering in my ear about you. You're a very special person, and I'm so glad that the Lord put you in my path.

It's not often that I meet people that have dispositions and spirits as sweet as yours, and its been a pleasure to meet you. I hope we'll become great friends as time goes by.

God bless you, Gloria.
Cynde

Gloria said...

Cynde, it was lovely to wake up and see the new message you left for me. We're none of us too old to learn and I have found that there is always some kind of lesson to learn from any given situation if we take the time to look, no matter how hard the looking might be.

I was particularly touched by your first response because you cared enough to tell it to me . . and I needed telling!!!

Have a blessed weekend my friend and look forward to getting to know you better too!

Just had another peek at Noah. So Adorable . . can't stop looking at him . . Bless!!!!

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Hi again, Gloria!

Thank you for taking the time to leave me that sweet message.

And, I agree with you that Noah is adorable. I'm so glad that you checked him out on my "family" blog, Cynde's Daybook.

I hope that you have a nice weekend, too.

God bless you, Gloria!

Cynde

dellgirl said...

I came by, just to say hello and see how you’re doing. I hope all is well with you.

These look like wonderful books and, you've reviewed them nicely for us. Thanks.

Suzette Saxton said...

I love your book reviews, Cynde. :) I'm mentioning you in my blog post tomorrow!

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Hi, Dellgirl!

Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you liked the review of the book. It really is a great book!

Things has been chaos at home: my husband got hurt at work and will be off indefinitely. Please pray for him, OK? And for the Lord to supply our needs. I know He will if we just pray--He always does. Our God is an awesome God!

In His Love,
Cynde

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Dear Suzette,

I'm so happy that you love my reviews. That's exactly what my goal is: to make my "followers"/"visitors" pleased with what is in my blog, and that way it may lead them to read a fellow writers' work. There are so many amazing stories (short stories, novels, etc.) out there!

Bless you for mentioning my blog on yours! I would give anything to have more "followers"!

Have a great day and God bless you!
Cynde

Anonymous said...

Hi Cynde,
I've only just come across your review- thank you so much for your comments on 'Tasting the Wind.' The book was a labour of love which took ten years to write, and I always hoped to get the balance between an entertaining thriller, social observation and a positive, life- affirming premise. I am absolutely thrilled with your observations and that you have taken the trouble to point others in my direction. Very much appreciated,
thank you,

Allan

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Dear Allan,

I am honored that you have visited my humble little blog and I am so glad that you are pleased with my observations about your book, 'Tasting the Wind.' As you may have guessed, I really loved your book, and it has gone into my pile of books at home known as the "ReadOvers." Needless to say, there are not very many books that I deem worthy to go into that pile, but yours definitely made it!

I can't wait to read your next book and if you'd like me to review it, maybe you'd like to send me a copy? Then I could also interview you on my blog?

Sincerely,
Cynde