Digital Books

Saltar's Point grips you by the throat in the prologue, setting a wonderful mood for the pages that follow. Terrific characterization in protagonist Jack Darrow, and the pacing just keeps the reader longing for more. I definitely wanted to see more. Christopher Ott is definitely an author whose star is on the rise!

WOW! While some of the characters are a bit stereotyped, aren't we all? The descriptions are vivid; I could feel myself in the story, experiencing it with all my senses. I love the foreshadowing smattered creatively throughout the opening. I definitely want to read on to find out more about Mr. Darrow's motives and the "life" that breathes in the basement. That part of the story line is developing originally for me. I could get lost in this one!

Chris' description of Salter's Point not only gives you a visual image, but a feeling as well. His descriptive abilities are excellent. Being from West Texas, I can relate to a small, quiet, used up town where the sidewalks are rolled up at ten each night. Chris also does an excellent job of introducing his characters and the mood surrounding each. The opening of this book gives the reader a great sense of anticipation to read more as well as some trepidation to do just that. A blend of both emotions is what attracts readers to these type of books. I like his laid back style and ease of writing. Looking forward to the rest.

Christopher has made a great start on this mystery which promises to also be a thriller. Good character development, mentally stimulating reading. I am an avid mystery reader so I look forward to the completed work! For a first novel he is off to a great start on a career as a writer. My wife and I both look forward to the completed novel and we will definitely purchase. I hope Christopher will keep 'em coming!

Christopher Alan Ott can certainly bring a story to life. The character development in Saltar's Point is outstanding. I could picture the setting and characters in my mind like I was watching a movie. Who knows, perhaps we will see it on the big screen one day!

The only bad thing I can say about this short, I didn't want it to end! I need to know what happens to Abby...what is the presence in the basement...will Jack get away with murder?

Christopher Alan Ott is an excellent writer! I am certain we will be seeing his name on a book jacket in the very near future.

What I enjoyed the most about this book is that it deals with the steps that a businessman needs to follow to obtain inner peace and therefore success in life.

David Fischman has a wonderfully loving way of expressing truths through the "Master" character that makes them easily understood. I really like his approach and have already passed this book on to the next person who I know will benefit from it. It's no coincidence that this book became available to me the way it did. The connections that are made between our thoughts, actions and reactions and our past is clearly illustrated and the message cannot be missed. If you are truly ready to move beyond the seduction of historical thought processes that affect all areas of your life, get this book. A great read and a wonderful AH-HA! Enjoy!

The Secret of the Seven Seeds was a gift to me from the universe and David Fischman. I really enjoyed this book and the lessons from each seed about life. If we apply what we learned and get rid of "the ego" that most of us have we will all have better and amazing lives. I highly recommend reading this book and applying what it has to offer. Thank you to the universe and everyone involved regarding this great book.

The Seven Seeds are key concepts for us to have in mind during our life. From self-knowledgement to balance, through meditation, that's how we really find out our objectives in life, which are so hard to realize with all the pressures and distorted values of modern life. A Great Stress Relief Book to learn and to apply every day.

I received this book as a gift from the Universe, Thank You-
This book is the best I've read in some time, You're compelled to read on and find out what Ignacio will discover about himself, the master and life- You'll find many of Ignacio's issues familiar, the journey much like your own- I believe anyone who wishes to live a more fulfilled, spiritual and compassion based life would benefit from the lessons of this book-
Many thanks to Mr. Fischman and the unknown donor who so graciously helped to spread the secret-

The Soul Tree follows in the rich storytelling tradition of Southern literature. The forcefully drawn characters and sense of place create a vivid setting for a young boy's growing conflicts with his culture, and the strange older boy who represents the twisted contradictions of that culture. Wallin's prose has the simplicity and sophistication of a master craftsman. He captures the wonder and fear of childhood as experienced through the senses and a strong connection to the earth. The result is gripping, suspenseful, and finely tuned.

This writing is for the most part tight, carrying the story swiftly along. I liked the character of Edwin, who tortures animals and leads the protagonist to spy on a naked classmate. There were some gripping scenes, notably the opener, in which he must release a "crucified" blacksnake. But I found the constant religious references overdone and unnecessary. We understand that the boy is the blacksnake's "redeemer" without it being shouted at us. The writing is best when it is focused on the action. There is too much of this type of explanatory writing: "I was thin and serious, worried about going to heaven or to damnation in hell, and I often felt sad. More normal boys sensed this instantly, and took it as their mission to torment me without mercy." We should be able to understand this from the scenes.

In a clear and sensitive adolescent voice, Wallin's protagonist speaks of growing up in the pre-civil rights era American south. This period in our history does not receive a lot of attention in contemporary literature--and Wallin dares to describe it from the point of view of the young, upper middle class white boy who fears and is confused by his culture. This book marks a brave departure from the politically correct, easy norm of good versus evil, white versus black, by shedding a much-needed light on all those many people who grew up in the south confounded by religious doctrine and inescapable racism. Wallin gently sets down the history text book notions we have about 1950s America, and draws us a gentle, new, imagistic portrait of growing up scared on the right side of the tracks. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in adding dimension to their understanding of recent American history, or for that matter to anyone looking for a great story to add dimension to their life.

The Soul Tree by L. Wallin starts with a walk in the woods with young Jack Henry; nine is 'just old enough to wander the dark shady woods...'

He soon encounters a creepy character, 15 year-old Edwin Fancher, who is watching a snake he nailed to the tree the day before.

As the excerpt progresses, Jack Henry is inexplicably pulled into a series of strange and increasingly sinister activities with Edwin. Edwin's character appears to have developed a sudden affinity for Jack Henry, possibly considering himself Jack Henry's redeemer and spiritual guide.

What's presented in this excerpt is both an engaging story and superb writing. The storytelling, from Jack Henry's perspective, is simple enough and has the comfortable feel of the imagination, impulse and emotion of a nine year old boy. If there were any serious flaws, no bells went off as I read through the piece.

Just enough attention was given to each of the presented characters to provide substance for their persona's as well as give context the settings for the unfolding relationships. I rather enjoyed the mesmerized way Jack Henry would simply follow Edwin, though he feared him. Totally unexplainable, but so are the actions of many a nine year-old boy.

Given the synopsis, this story promises to be very interesting and I seriously cannot wait to read the rest of it.

Jack Henry's 9 years old and certainly not ready for the heartstopping encounter in the woods with Edwin Fancher, a 15 year old whose trademark is shooting the tails off large dogs. In his presence, Jack Henry 'redeems' a snake and a rabbit from death at his hands. From then on, Edwin becomes Jack Henry's protector and mentor.

Fancher's dangerous--not just to animals, but he's got all the classic developing traits of a serial killer: animal torturer, megalomania, he seems to believe he's a messenger from God.

A prime example of this is when Fancher convinces Jack Henry that spying on a naked Melissa Worthington is preparation for their one true marriage and it's okay as "long as they don't touch her." More strong Biblical symbolism: "She held my concentration like an apple in her hand."

A friend wrote me last night and challenged me to write a review on this piece. I am so out of my depth reviewing an excerpt like this. I read "The Soul Tree" last night and it literally scared me wide eyed for a couple of hours. This from a person who reads Lovecraft. Yes, Edwin Fancher is a very scary kid. Luke Wallin has done an incredible job describing Fancher's forays into madness from the perspective of an inexperienced and frightened 9 year old Jack Henry.

This is Southern lit at its best: atmospheric, symbolic and heavy with the culture. Wallin's got strong sensory detail in here and he "shows". He'd be a great author to study if you can handle the scenes with Edwin.

Me? I'm making a note of Luke Wallin's name and waiting for the book to come out. I'd read it on a sunny day--with all the lights on.

Good luck, Luke Wallin. You've done well with this excerpt and I hope you can soon join some of the Southern greats!

TAGS captured my attention as I relived my own brief experience of going through the public medical examination and public humiliation that is the gift of military induction. The sense of anonymity that the opening chapter stresses may be in direct contrast to the individual notes we get from the inductees' letters, but the irony is that even though we know the names, even though first name and middle initial are required at mail call, even though we see outgoing letters and fragments of incoming letters, each of these men are anonymous, names on a page, common experiences without the lens of individual insight. We get the sense of the world contained within the barrack, a collage of voices and names, a kind of Dos Passos collage of the military world growing from the micro-world of the barrack.

I enjoyed experiencing Hofmann's willingness to experiment and play. I too wonder if the following chapters will focus on a single character, and if the novel does focus on a character, if it will also continue to give us this mix of experiences from the various airmen and perhaps from the larger world, to provide us with the texture of the world of 1950's while investigating the effect of the military experience on individuality and freedom of will and mind.

Hofmann exposes through his tags and fragments of the 50s the juxtaposition of the naive Air Force recruit opposed by the terrible, cruel anonymity and precision of the military institution. The individual in the group, the one-among-many theme becomes a common refrain in the early pages. It's hard not to feel the naked embarrassment of the unsophisticated enlistee as he confronts his traumatic, new experience, so different from, say, merely going off to college. The use of local color dialogue, the southern accent (and the implied judgments about it), the song lyrics and love letter tidbits capture minor differences among the soldiers. But the reader is left wondering who among the elite group will emerge as the better soldier under trying conditions. I like the suspense of waiting to discover the protagonist who will emerge from this fog of faces. Who will be the hero? or heroes?

I read the first sentence and immediately wanted more. The beginning was captivating, in other words, I was hooked.
The characters were brilliantly portrayed, sufering through a military routine physical. I ached for them.
What happens to the few that graduated to the next level? I don't want to guess, I want to know.

The images are descriptive and stay with you, even after you put the book down. Getting accepted and making the grade- it will be interesting to see how they develope into an organized fighting unit. I like it.

The part linear, part non-linear--dialogue, letters, songs, thoughts--form of this excerpt delivers an involving and clever accretion of detail in this "memwar" (love it!) which begins with impressionistic descriptions of Korean war recruits at a physical in Kansas City. Believable and intriguing personalities and vulnerabilities begin to emerge immediately. A convincing intelligence is at work here, and I hope to read more.

This intelligent storyline weaves a suspenseful premise with engaging characters who demand our attention from the first page. James LePore develops the depth of his character, Pat Nolan, in an appealing and complex fashion. Without realizing it, we are drawn into the dark-sided soul of this seemingly ordinary father only to find that the inner daemons that haunt him are the hinged reasons for his journey to Paris. Pat Nolan must face every parent's nightmare as he is asked to identify the body of his daughter. As readers, we are drawn immediately into the plot, bridging continents and hopefully the relationship between father and daughter. I'm anxious to find out what happens to the characters that I just met through the talented writing of James LePore. The storyline flows with a gratifying pace and leaks just enough information to keep me wanting more. I would absolutely purchase this book when published!

Given the high ratings already assigned to this short, I began reading this excerpt with high hopes. Unfortunately, I ended my reading clouded with a vague dissatisfaction rather than my expected desire to know more about these characters.

The premise of the book is fine, but the mechanics of the writing make the author's intent unclear. Is he writing a thriller to be read in airports around the world, or is he writing a more nebulous piece of fiction, a trade paperback that might be dissected happily in book clubs? For the most part, the prose is beautifully written, but it doesn't serve to propel the reader along as the successful thriller must. Evocative and adjective-laden prose runs headlong into short, choppy dialogue apropos of nothing, conversations that might have been better relayed in a short description of the content rather than in the words of the dialogue itself. On the other hand, such writing would be perfectly at home in a novel digested and enjoyed by book clubbers discussing the "American abroad" and "estranged father-daughter" themes that will likely continue throughout the book.

The excerpt contains four characters, three women and one man. None of the women felt 'true' to me, either in the words they chose or in their behavior. This also contributed to my discomfort when reading the story, because just as I was getting swept into the story, a jarring note would pull me back out.

All in all, the writing is nice, but I think I would probably prefer a different book by this author-- not a thriller, but a novel that would allow for a more languidly paced plot so I could savor the descriptive prose as I went.

I thoroughly enjoyed the few pages available from Mr. LePore's "A World I Never Made". Unfortunately, I was completely drawn into the story by the end of page 15 when the excerpt ended and had to just sit there wishing for more. Mr. LePore has created a story with just the right balance between character development and pace: we get to understand the characters (quite an accomplishment given only 15 pages to digest) yet the pace keeps up so we are continuously drawn towards the next page. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to read the entire book.

I was hooked immediately. Before I knew it I was sitting next to Pat Nolan in Inspector LeGrand's office in Paris stunned about what I had just learned about Megan. Something about this does not feel right. I want to know what Pat Nolan and I are going to do next and I want to know now!

I really enjoyed reading this excerpt from Mr. LePore's novel! His in-depth
descriptions gave me a very clear picture of the characters in just a few
pages. The stage was set when Pat discovers that the person in the morgue is
not his daughter! I would love to read on and see what became of
Megan and if Pat is able to reunite with her.

A great start to a story that I really hope I can read as a full book! Very interesting setting and characters.

An enjoyable read that captured my interest and held it until the end. Engaging characters and descriptions made it easy to visualize which, to me, greatly enhances the reading experience. Well done!

To be honest, I wish I could read the whole thing. The characters are truly compelling and I'd love to follow them through to the conclusion of the story. The action scenes are vivid and wholly believable; you are never thrown out of the action. I'm not a huge fan of stories that feature pirates, but I found myself drawn in because this is so much more. I highly recommend The Wreckers.

This excerpt has a dramatic start, with a storm approaching and ships scrambling to find safe harbors. The group of criminals who wreck the ship is interesting and sinister.

I'm not sure about the transition from the men wrecking the ship to the king's officer and his concerns about the Chalik. I don't have enough information at this point about the Chalik to know what they are or what the danger signs of their invasion would be. Does this concern have any connection to the wreckers?

The interaction between Dov Keelan and the mayor's wife is nicely done; her unease is clear, as is his suspicion, and the detail of the expensive ring made me suspicious.

Dov Keelan's attack on the boat is exciting, and I liked that he strategically planned for it, knowing the history of others who had done his job.

The description of Keelan's experiences after being thrown overboard is a little lengthy, though, and comprised only of narration, telling us where he goes, what he eats, and what he finds. Having so many paragraphs of fairly unexciting description slows the story down.

The villagers wrecking a Chalik ship is a nice twist to this story, and I liked the description of these cat-people.

I'd be interested to see where this story is going, as so far I don't have a solid idea whether it is going to be about punishing the villagers for being wreckers or if it will be about the Chalik threat to the town.

An amazing and articulate story. It kept me interested and intrigued. Compelling and riveting!

to have to admit that I knew absolutely nothing about iPods other than what they were and that they looked rather cool.

But I'll never have to admit that again. This book is great for those of us who are "absolute beginners". I think it may even prove helpful to people who have a good understanding of the function of iPods but get really messed up in the organization of their iTunes libraries.

The book is broken down into three sections; iPods, iTunes, and iTunes store. The author covers each section thoroughly and yet keeps it light and entertaining.

The book has really helped to get me started with a good basic, maybe even advanced?, understanding of all things iPod.

I knew absolutely nothing about iTunes or iPods..... This book is excellent - it's helped me sort everything out. It's clear, written in as simple language as you get with anything to do with computers and what I really love is that my screen actually matches the illustrations in the book. I'd recommend it to anyone starting out.

Everything you need to know and more. This should be include with the purchase of an IPOD

The iPod is an intuitive device and most folks need only play with it to use most functions. The same thing is true for iTunes. It's when you have gone beyond the obvious and hit a snag or an annoyance that you find whether a reference is useful or not. This books does well at anticipating "second level" issues and provides good guidance. A good example is"compilations" which affects how you browse and hot music is organized. Through the index, I zeroed right in on how this works and setting it to my preference. I would recommend you start with this book whether an absolute beginner or just in need of a reference.

I am new to the ipod experience. All the kids have had them for sometime. I was confused on all the little details which now seem simple due to this easy to read and understand book. Recommend it to all.

The three primary male characters in this novel are all very different--in age, in attitude, in style--and all are interesting and compelling. At first I liked Hash, thought Keats was cute, but in the end it is Davis that most fascinated me. It will be interesting to see how all the threads of this novel are resolved.

For some reason, other people's failings make delightful reading. Perhaps it's because we are lifted up by their inadequacies. Davis, the incompetent father at the center of this excerpt, is a wonderful character. I loved the opening scenes, in which he's trying to find his keys on a dark pavement, and the deftly brushed relationships with Hash, Keats, and the girl he communicates with. This sounds like someone's life fruitfully plundered for material. The writing is sound, with a nice forward motion, and some excellent description (I particularly liked the "hairy shadows" of the trees). I was eager to spend time with Davis on the "picaresque journey" promised in the blurb. This could be a novel along the lines of Augie March or A Confederacy of Dunces.

Hits all the current Hot Buttons; nevertheless the first chapters make me care enough about the characters (except Keats; didn't get to know him yet) to want to read the rest of the book. All the more impressive because I didn't expect it to be "My Type of Book"

Wow...very engaging from the very beginning. So well done. I hope to read the full story some day. It's very compelling and continues moving. I love how you've connected the characters and at the same time, not disclosing all the details at once. Definitely a page turner.

These are some seriously interesting characters.
One thing I found particularly captivating was how Davis communicated -- sometimes it seemed like what came out of his mouth didn't match what (or how) he'd been thinking. I don't know if that was intentional, but it works. It's well written, the characters are fascinating, it's quirky, it's funny... Well done, Ms. Marwitz.

It describe all aspects about digital crimes using a clear language. It's very good for neubies.

If you are new to this world this is where you should begin. Digital Evidence contains all the knowledge one could amass by obtaining PHD in computing. Especially when you don't have time for a Diploma. I have bought 5 books pertain to digital crime from USA and UK. But this is the one and only book I am recommending to any one in any continent who want to learn or new to this arena. All the other books in this field for Attorneys or with similar requirements are some what academic and may be boring. The CD-ROM accompanying the book gives you much needed hands on training, otherwise which will cost you at least US $ 4000, if you are to go to a training centre to do the same.

Sometimes, defense attorneys have it easy: one slip-up by the prosecution and evidence is thrown out. Knowing that, law enforcement goes to great lengths to ensure that evidence is appropriately collected and protected. That works well in the physical world, where law enforcement has many generations' worth of experience. But in the modern world of computers and digital networks, where the simple act of rebooting a computer is enough to wipe out large amounts of evidence, law enforcement clearly needs thorough guidance.

Such a resource is here: Digital Evidence and Computer Crime, an excellent book that details the elements of digital crime. Author Eoghan Casey does a superb job of applying forensic science to computers. The information presented here is critical to a diverse audience: law enforcement, attorneys, forensic scientists, and systems administrators, for instance.

While cybercrime law is in some ways similar to other aspects of criminal law, it nonetheless has its own language and categories. For instance, jurisdiction is a key element in both the physical and digital realms, but it is a much trickier concept in the latter. Casey develops this topic and many more. Those new to computers and networks need not worry: the book begins with an explanation of how they function. With the basics out of the way, Casey details how computers can be used in crime and how the evidence created from these activities can be used for later analysis....The accompanying CD-ROM contains simulated cases that integrate many of the topics covered in the text. In all, the book and CD are an excellent introduction to an increasingly important area of law enforcement.

This is an excellent book from a real expert.

Everyone and their brother are writing books about computer security and digital forensics.

The difference here is that Eoghan Casey knows what he is talking about.

Excellent book!

This text was used for the digital evidence and computer crime class that I just completed. The book is clear and easy to understand. It goes into detail only when needed. I was concerned that this information would quickly become out of date, but the ideas presented are current and provide a solid background for understanding any newer technologies that come down the road. I usually sell my books after the semester ends, but I have decided to keep this one.

Just when I thought I had read it all, Soutter comes along and turns this literary genre upside-down! In this sample, the author has struck the perfect balance between creating fascinating characters to study while at the same time setting up an intricate & suspenseful plot that already has me guessing! Take it from a former English/Psychology major, Soutter has assembled all the right literary ingredients to cook up a landmark book in the genre -- I can't wait until it is published so I can sample to results!

Who knew the bad guy could be the hero? Delicious. I was especially impressed with the dialogue, which I usually tend to dissect and find unrealistic. Can't wait to give it to my mom who is a nut for suspense and mysteries. Thank goodness for fresh stories... I thought I had seen it all on Law and Order!

Thrillers aren't usually my style, but I'm very glad I read past the first page. Not only does this book have four interesting but "standard" characters in the FBI/cop mode, it introduces a fascinating character named Hawke. He's a genius "without a personality of his own".

If this book were for sell right now I'd buy it just to see how Hawke develops.

The book is well-written, but watch for spelling errors. I think I remember three of them.

I have enjoyed the sample chapter immensely - this is an enticing morsel of highly digestible reading material. I am not a mystery/detective reader by habit but I definitely would have picked that one up to read based on what I can see from the sample.

The daughter of Illinois' governor has been kidnapped and, probably, murdered. Ken, the detective in charge, is driving out to meet with his old FBI partner, James Hawke. Hawke was the best investigator he ever worked with, unquestionably a genius. He was also a wacko who was let go from the Bureau. He's completely asocial with, as Ken says, "the personality of cardboard." His brilliant mind never stops working, deducing, and analyzing, and he also possesses the skill of "mirroring," being so persuasive he can convince anybody of anything.

I liked all the strong personalities of the characters in the excerpt and Hawke is unusual and weird enough to be really interesting. I'd like to keep reading and see how his unique talents and limitations help solve the kidnapping case. This sounds like a gutsy, gritty crime story with a complex central character who is brilliant and robotic, but is also in danger of losing his mind altogether. Good story! (Note: I'm sure you've already found your typos...heading (heeding), kens (Ken's) and to Victorian (too).