Book review, "Blind Spot" by Dani Pettrey

I thought this was the best book in the Chesapeake Valor series so far.  Blind Spot is the third book in the series.  I think you need to read book one Cold Shot and book two Still Life before reading Blind Spot.  There is too much activity and little introduction of characters to not read the whole series.  And the books are so good that you'll want to read the whole series!

Blind Spot has parts that remind me of a Jason Bourne movie.  I compared the first two books to the TV shows Bones and CSI (reviews here and here).  I liked Declan Gray's character more than I expected and Tanner Shaw is really surprising but absolutely cool.  I don't want to give away anything, but there is more about Luke.  :)

Thanks to Bethany House for giving me this ebook (not final text) to review.  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Update - lots of new diabetes stuff going on! :)

Well, I've been meaning to write about this for a while.  :)  I got an insulin pump!!  That of course isn't shocking news in the diabetes' community but since I've only had insulin pens since 2012, it was big for me.  I chose the t:slim.  (My oldest daughter had a Medtronic pump then went on the t:slim.)  I tried to get the Enlite system a couple years ago but couldn't get the sensor (CGM) part approved through my insurance and the local representative ended up dodging my calls and I lost interest in Medtronic.

I thought it would be easier if my daughter and I were on the same kind of pump plus I *love* the touch screen on the t:slim.  I'd love to have the Dexcom sensor of course.  I was shocked when the supplier said I could get the G4 t:slim system and Dexcom!!  Wow!  Big wonderful surprise!!  So last October I met the trainer at our local library and began pumping and using a Dexcom sensor.  I'll write another post on advantages and disadvantages.

Like others, I love having the CGM information available but sometimes it's very overwhelming to have so much data or I don't feel like I'm using all of the information well.  It's amazing how accurate the Dexcom sensor is but I do get disappointed when it's off.

My advice of shots vs. pumps?  Some parents feel bad that they don't have their child on a pump.  Just because we put our daughter on a pump doesn't mean your child needs one.  Our oldest didn't have good control on shots.  She changed from taking Lantus to Levemir twice a day and still wasn't getting good control.  It depends on you.  Are shots working for you?

Shots were working OK for me but sometimes (because I don't keep a log) I would forget if I bolused for the dessert I want to eat (cookie) or dessert I should eat (single piece of dark chocolate).  I like having a history on my pump of what exactly I bolused for.

Are you willing to wear something 24/7?  Omnipods might be tubeless but it's still attached 24/7.

Are you responsible?  Will you take your pump off and forget where you put it?  Not that most 5 year olds would, but it's something to think about.

How is your insurance?  I used to get insulin pen samples from my doctor sometimes and that helped me to stretch our medical expense dollars.  Shots are generally much cheaper than pumps.

[Off soap box] I like my pump and CGM a lot, I think I love it!  I thought I would but wasn't completely sure how it would work out for me.  :)

Book review, "Threads of Suspicion" by Dee Henderson

If you look back at my other Dee Henderson book reviews here and here, you'll learn that Dee Henderson used to be my favorite author but I feel like she strayed from writing books that I absolutely loved.  I really liked the first book in the Evie Blackwell series Traces of Guilt and I really liked the newest book Threads of Suspicion.  Cold cases always sound interesting to me.  Why were the original detectives or police force or private investigators not able to find answers and/or convict the right criminal (OK, perpetrator)?  I like happy endings and I like to see these families get closure.  Unfortunately, some families get closure but not happy endings.  :(  [side trail over, back to the book]  Evie Blackwell is now working on the official Missing Persons Task Force.  She is dating her boyfriend Rob Turney.  Evie is paired with David Marshal first and he is an interesting character.  He's looking into what happened to a P.I.  They help each other chase leads and narrow possibilities.

Some sound bytes I liked: "The passage of time nearly always brought out undiscovered truths about people.(ch 2)" "Life reveals truth.(ch 2)" David says, "Sometimes love comes easily, and sometimes it's the most challenging decision a person ever makes.(ch 8)"  David says, "When it's time to decide, you pray, you think, you listen to your mind and heart, and then you make the decision.(ch 8)"

There are twists and turns, and one gory circumstance (you've been warned).  I'm looking forward to reading about Evie working with others on the whole team, I'm assuming that will come in future books!!  I don't think you need to have read Traces of Guilt to read Threads of Suspicion but it will help to have read Full Disclosure or Unspoken (so you know the Ann character).

Thanks to Bethany House for giving me this ebook (not final text) to review.  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

book Still Life

Still Life by Dani Pettrey is the second book in the Chesapeake Valor series.  I think you would be lost with the characters and background if you haven't read the first book, Cold Shot.  There is an update on Finley and Griff but I won't tell you lest I give part of the story away.  :)  Avery and Parker have an interesting relationship and I was impressed with the story.  I'm glad this isn't a picture book, the artistic photographers sound like they want to create very gruesome work.  The first book reminded me of Bones, but this one reminded me of CSI just a little because of the crime scene photography.  There are twists and turns to keep you guessing.  If you're wanting a lot of info about their friend Luke, I think we'll have to wait for the next book.  Blech!  I hate waiting.  I felt like one story line wasn't finished but I'm sure it will be continued in the next book.  There were a few grammatical errors so hopefully those are fixed in the final copy.  I'm a big fan of Dani Pettrey's books so if you haven't read them then get started!!

Thanks to Bethany House for giving me this ebook (not final text) to review.  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Death of Mary Tyler Moore

I don't know much about Mary Tyler Moore, except she was a champion for diabetics.  Specifically type 1 diabetics, as she was one herself and became a JDRF spokesperson.  She passed away last week and it's hard not to reflect on her life and success as an actress.  I didn't realize we had something in common:  we were both diagnosed as adults (her at age 33, me at age thirty-something).  :)