The Club King: My Rise, Reign, and Fall in New York Nightlife by Peter Gatien

5 out of 5 stars  *****

The protagonist and author, Peter Gatien, starts buying old clubs and renovating them into successful, well-known establishments. He has a great work ethic, his finger on the pulse of nightlife clubbing, and a common sense that saves him from tragedy early on in his career. In the midst of his world collapsing around him, losing his first family, and doing a short prison stint, he learns from his mistakes and produces even greater success in the Nightclub scene around the world. The fall of this world-class celebrity comes at the persistence of a famous New York City prosecutor and eventual Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who suspects Peter is involved in the drug world.

This story is a look at Gatien's humble beginnings and his catapulting fame and fortune due to his bold plunges into projects he extensively researches. He has connections with those who have connections; so, word of mouth is his main form of advertisement. The knowledge of what is cutting edge, successful, safe, and enduring make his clubs the place everybody wants to be. The big names in Hollywood, Washington D.C., London, and Paris frequent his clubs spending top dollar for top shelf bottles.

Many famous people owe much of their careers to Peter Gatien. Another impressive quality Peter shows throughout the book is his organizational skill. He is rarely caught off guard. Even at the end of his trial, he arranges a solution to live the best life possible between Canada and the USA with his present family.

I find this subject easy to relate to because it occurs during my younger days. I learn from this book background information about the music scene, the street scene, LGBTQ, and the introduction of sophisticated, potent cosmetic drugs. I do not identify with but understand the crazy characters that came out of blight and into fantasy that offers safe space for a night. Peter Gatien offers this account of his contribution to that therapeutic escape, all because he keeps his wits about him as those around him party. 

Second Skin by Christian White, Ellen Archer (Narrator)

3 out of 5 stars  ***

Tragedy happens and a decade later a young woman says she is sent by that tragic figure, the woman who, in the past, jumps off the bridge known as, "The Easy Way." Investigation reveals that events are not as reported. The protagonist, the husband of that woman, hears about a nine-year-old who claims to be possessed by his wife. She claims she is pushed off the bridge that night, she did not jump. The plot opens wounds and new investigations to reveal the truth. In the end, main characters chat about their experience and reflect on its consequences. The writing is good and the story line interesting but this reviewer is not riveted by its telling. This is why Second Skin rates a three out of five stars.

The Messengers by Lindsay Joelle

4 out of 5 stars  ****

A dark comedy that is well-written and portrayed by the skilled women responsible for this short story play. The science fiction aspect is intriguing. The hidden message in this drama is the mind-expanding notion about our understanding of creation and utilizing it for our own desires. Sending messages through a person's DNA, to be retrieved at any generation as per coded.

The Messengers also touches upon the biases created by differences. The story questions species identification when DNA manipulation is involved. Is the subject who he/she was or do they identify with the new, physically changed being, sheep with wolf mentality. This unfolds in the story when apparent betrayal occurs. Thoughtful discussion on the science behind their mission occurs revealing possible concepts for future endeavors in genetics.

Performances were excellent. The total presentation flows scene from scene cohesively. The comedy evokes open laughter and the science in the fiction fascinates. 

The Girl Beneath the Sea (Underwater Investigation Unit #1) by Andrew Mayne (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars  ***

This adventure pits a mother and professional woman with underwater skills, Sloan, in a precarious predicament against enemies of whom she is unaware. She is connected to a dead female body who is found in the water. Sloan is asked to obtain evidence beneath the sea to resolve the mystery that leads to more questions than answers. It turns out she can only trust one man who is aware of the corruption that surrounds her.

This detective, underwater story unfolds as an adventure but the thriller never emerges from the pages. It is interesting and entertaining more than thrilling allowing this reader to rate it three out of five stars.

Explore the Bible: Romans (Spring 2020) Personal Study Guide by Bob Bunn

5 out of 5 stars  *****

Paul explains Christianity to Romans and what it means to be one. He gives all the praise to God as he humbly explains Jesus Christ and the Good News, the Gospel. In Romans, Paul points to Abram, Abraham, in Genesis and David in Psalms to demonstrate how salvation is through faith and not good works. Also, Paul teaches that man cannot win God's grace. God bestows His blessings upon man out of Love. Paul stresses how mankind needs Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave to justify sins and defeat death. Eternal life with God is the reward. Paul knows that the Holy Spirit is with him as his influence establishes a consistent, holy ministry of Christian churches throughout much of the known world.

The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel by Erin Macdonald (Narrator)

4 out of 5 stars  ****

The Great Courses provide a lecture about science in this Audible Book. Science Fiction compliments science with its pursuit of Time Travel, Multiverse, Artificial Gravity, Faster than the Speed of Light Theories. Erin Macdonald explains why some futuristic innovations in Science Fiction are feasible and why some are not. Macdonald admits she is a Star Trek fan. The writers go to great lengths to explain how its Transporter technology needs a new technology, that does not exist today, in order to adjust for a law of physics that would otherwise make Transporters impossible.

The expansive universe fascinates a curious mind who thirsts for knowledge, truth, and hopes that the future looks as bright and wondrous as stories depict. These stories from foundations of science entertain without insulting the very people responsible for finding solutions to future problems. The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel sparks interest in the sciences because of the cheery attitude of Erin Macdonald as narrator. Her enthusiasm conveys that SciFi novels/movies are precursors for limitless adventure, gadgets, and services.

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, Simon Prebble (Narrator)

4 out of 5 stars  ****

Very good. The narration by Simon Prebble is excellent. The protagonist, Winston, is aware of the injustice that occurs every day but he cannot say anything about it or even look like he is thinking about it. There are "thought crimes" and "facial crimes" when one is guilty of looking guilty. Anything the government, "Big Brother," does cannot be wrong so when "Big Brother" is wrong, history is rewritten to favor the actions of the government. The goal of the government is world domination, prevention of independent thinking by the masses, and massive genocide without being caught, to cull the herd. The epilogue explains Newspeak, a carefully developed vocabulary that actually diminishes over time. Generalized terms replace undesirable words that promote independent thinking and daydreaming. All communication by the masses is to bolster the function of the collective or else it is a disease to the system.