Location: United States
Member Since: June 21, 2011
Nancy Beck
Books
This member has not published any books.Smashwords book reviews by Nancy Beck
- Love Has Its Ups and Downs
on Nov. 27, 2011
It's not easy having a bipolar spouse, and sometimes you feel like I have (especially lately) - alone and unable to tell anyone what's going on. Because of this book, I finally was able to get it together and tell some friends of my husband's relapse. What was esp. disheartening was that he was so good for years...only to relapse into major buying sprees when we can ill afford it. The warmth and understanding of this book can't be understated. DEFINITELY worth your while if you have a loved one with bipolar. Ms. Rice lets you know you aren't alone in how you feel.
- Formatting eBooks with Open Office Writer
on Nov. 27, 2011
I've owned this book for quite a while, and it really has helped with my formatting. There just isn't anything out there specifically for Open Office (and I have a hunch it will work with Libre Office, since Open Office is in limbo as I write this review). With the author's step-by-step guidelines, I can now format chapter headings and paragraphs with no fuss. No fluff here. If you're a refugee from Word, this is the book for you.
- The Disappeared: A Retrieval Artist Novel
on Dec. 06, 2011
What a fantastic story! I've been trying to read more SF lately, and this filled the bill...and then some! Miles Flint is a detective working on the Moon when a space yacht is found - with 3 dead people inside. Another space yacht, piloted by a young woman, comes into the Port, calling out a Mayday as she attempts to not crash the yacht. A strange coincidence? Or do these two events share something? And what's with all the aliens showing up, demanding human kids as payment for past wrongs perpetrated by the adult humans? **POSSIBLE SPOILER** What first drew me in was the opening couple of pages, where we first meet that young woman; it broke my heart that she had to leave her fiancee behind... In summary, this is a nice mix of SF and mystery. You'll keep guessing until the very end as to what Miles will do.
- The Emperor's Edge (a high fantasy mystery in an era of steam)
on Jan. 02, 2012
This is a fantastic beginning to the series. Amaranthe is an enforcer (police) in a world vaguely reminiscent of the Victorian Era on earth. She comes face-to-face with the emperor, Sespian, while investigating a possible crime. She next gets a call from the head of the army, Hollowcrest; she is given an order to seduce/kill a known assassin, Sicarius. Why is she chosen? She hasn't been an enforcer for too long, but Amaranthe can't disobey an order, especially as this assassin is in town to kill the emperor... One of the fun parts of the story was Amaranthe getting together a bunch of men to do...something...and they are the unlikeliest bunch of guys you could ever imagine acting as a team. (Yet, they do, including the "pretty boy," Chippendale type, Maldynado.) Combining humor, action, a number of gruesome scenes, and a few twists I didn't see coming, this story kept my interest throughout; the only times I stopped reading was when I had to go to bed! Definitely worth your money! I'm off to buy the next in the series, and if it's anything like this one, I'll keep on buying! :-)
- 100 Things You Can Do, To Change Your Life
on Jan. 05, 2012
I decided to take a try on this book because it sounded interesting. I do suggest the writer pick up a grammar and/or punctuation book to learn how to use commas, because he uses too many of them, and usually in the wrong places. However, that doesn't seriously detract from what he's trying to accomplish. This is basically a list of things you can do to improve your life. What I like about it is the writer talks to you in a very folksy, friendly way; this is not some hot-shot guru who promises all sorts of things and doesn't deliver anything. Some of these 100 things are obvious, but sometimes we need to read this stuff again and again, just so it can get etched into our brains. (I know that's true for me. :-)) He also sprinkles in some positive, interesting quotes from well-known (and not as well known) people throughout history, like John Kennedy, for example. I *did* pick up a few things from this book, because I like the writer's down-to-earth style and sensibilities. It's now a part of my small self-help ebook collection.
- Reality Creation 101
on Jan. 05, 2012
This is one fantastic self-help book! I've been on a self-help ebook kick lately, as I know my life isn't the way I want it to be; suffice to say there are too many debts and not enough income, and my work isn't exactly loads of fun. Here's a quote from near the end of the book that describes it perfectly, "This is not a think positive and become rich book. This is a book on mastery, helping you to master your own inner domain in order to create whatever you want." You might still make a ton of dough using Mr. Pinckley's ideas and exercises...but it's not the be all and end all of what he's trying to help you accomplish. He looks at the whole person, your dreams, your aspirations as to job, your health, your relationships. Does he provide anecdotes and stories like other manifestation type books (think The Secret)? Sure, usually using himself and the things he did wrong in the past to show you what NOT to do/say/feel. But because he provides you with real help - not just stories, not just anecdotes - because he provides you with tools, you have a better chance of manifesting what you REALLY want. And I think it's starting to help me already. I found out this morning about someone who has lost their job (not very nice, but she expected something like this might happen), and I will be taking over a portion of what she's been doing. I spoke to my boss, and she's indicated that this might go permanent, although not right away...which is fine, and it's something I've been looking for. The Universe will decide when/if the right time is. I also had an interview not that long ago for a different job, and again, if that happens to come through because the Universe decides it's right for me...I will pounce on it. Since I'm a self pubber, I also decided to concentrate on garnering more reviews for those books I've uploaded. I saw something about someone who has a blog (just started up) and is willing to do a review of my first in a series. I pounced on that because I decided this could be the start of something...I just have to keep meditating and doing the other things Mr. Pinckley has suggested and see what happens. So there are 2 things that lead me to hope and joy. The thing here is, though, that you can't just sit and visualize stuff (although he suggests visualization, too) - you have to take ACTION, like I did, by going after things that come on your radar. Although visualization, meditation, the other tools Mr. Pinckley describes will steer you in the right direction, without taking action as you're doing these things, you won't realize what you *really* want in your life. And don't you want to realize what you really want? Who wouldn't? Joy and prosperity in your life is within your grasp, if you take this book to heart. Peace.
- Consequences: A Retrieval Artist Novel
on Jan. 21, 2012
(no rating)
If you're not into hard SF, this might be the ticket for you, and it combines both SF and mystery in a satisfying way. Miles Flint, former Moon detective, is now a Retrieval Artist, someone who specializes in finding those who have Disappeared; the Disappeared are those who've gone into hiding usually because of committing crimes (sometimes unwittingly) against space aliens. In this case, a judge and his wife, a doctor, hire Miles to find their daughter, who supported the rebels on an alien planet, even joining up with the rebels in their war. She's been pardoned, and so she is persuaded to go with Miles, who takes her back to her parents. In a gruesome scene, all three are murdered. But by whom? And why? Miles feels guilty, and decides to track down the killer or killers - on his own dime. We also get to meet up with Detective DeRicci again, who has become a minor celebrity of sorts, for her "heroism" in the prior novel... I've become a major fangirl with this series, because it combines soft SF, mystery, and political intrique. Ms. Rusch has a deft hand at weaving all three strands into this tale, with twists and turns abounding in a fascinating - and believable - way. Did I mention I'm a fangirl of this series? :-)
- Paloma: A Retrieval Artist Novel
on Feb. 12, 2012
Another fantastic novel in the Retrieval Artist series. In this one, Miles Flint receives emergency alarms from Paloma, his mentor. But by the time he arrives at Paloma's apartment, it's too late: She's been murdered. But by whom? His first thought is to get aboard Paloma's ship, the Dove, and see if she left any clues there. She has - complete with hologram informing Miles he has inherited her estate. Which angers at least one member of a certain law firm... This was fast paced and gripping, but as is typical with KKR, the human element is right there throughout the story, this time between DeRicci and a certain detective (not Miles). And you have to feel for Miles as well; though he starts out distressed and upset by Paloma's murder, his emotions are torn in different direction after finding out about Paloma's hidden past. Where Paloma was a peripheral character, she is fully fleshed out here...and her past is not exactly covered in sweetness and light. The series continues to be fascinating and strong. But don't begin with this story; you'll be confused. Start with The Disappeared and check Ms. Rusch's site for the order you should read them in. If you're like me, you won't be disappointed. :-)