Sail into sheer pleasure!
340512
Spending a few hours with the prose of R A Bard is sheer pleasure! One is swept into a saltwater world of adventure and human drama, all with an edge of intelligent humor. My experience on sailboats and fishing vessels is almost nil, but I was captivated by the immediacy and depth of these stories. Bard slips between the roles of captain and psychotherapist, mechanic and medic, menu-planner and weatherman with clever wit and compassion. This is a fast paced book with an easy balance between plot, description, and analysis. You will love it!
147010
We bought a set of these to enjoy on our recent trip to the Carribbean, and all I can say is, the product pictures do these gorgeous beach paddles no justice!

Before even seeing the paddles, we were impressed by the sturdy neoprene case when we pulled it out of the box.  It reminded me of a wetsuit.  The carrying case has a large logo on the front which is beautiful (I love the Trident / Poseidon / ocean reference) and has a classic look to it.  It makes you feel like you're holding something at least 50 years old in your hands.  There is a handy little mesh pocket on the back that will accommodate the 2 balls that comes with the set, and a few small items like a hotel key and cell phone.

The paddlesWOW!  That is the first thing my wife and I said when we unzipped the case.  I've never seen anything quite like these.  The beautiful wood shimmers and is coated with a very heavy layer of resin.  The high-gloss finish looks like a guitar.  The handles are wrapped in a padded tennis-style grip that is very tacky and comfortable to hold.  A clever design element is the "ball" at the base of the handle.  I didn't understand it at first, but found it kept the paddle from flying out of my hand (and injuring a innocent beach goer!).  My wife had not played paddleball in years, but found these to sit very nicely in her hand.  After about 20 minutes of warm-up, she was playing surprisingly well.

The balls are a very nice split color (blue and white) with the logo on them.  They are not crazy bouncy, but bouncy enough to really get lively when you and your partner get into the swing of things!

The product itself is absolutely gorgeous.  We had quite a few people come up to us on the beach and ask us where we got the paddles.  They were all impressed with the quality and disappointed they couldn't buy a set immediately!

All in all, I give the Tridente Balos set 5 stars.  The entire packaging is VERY well thought out, functional and extremely fun.  The paddles play better than any other I've played with and are very sturdy.  I look forward to spring when we can enjoy a game in our backyard!  Highly recommended!
3331552
Great book!  We have been sailing the world for years and Susan really brings home the ups and downs of sailing.  The excitement and uncertainty, the good, the miserable, but most importantly the unmistakable beauty and magic of the sea and her creatures. The book really shares the challenges and treasures of "Mother Ocean".  Susan takes you along in her journey of learning from deck hand to captain.... in charge of her own destiny.
3546067
This book is so much more than a romance, filled with thoroughly researched and interesting information from archeological digs to the Arctic!  At its core - it is pure escapism - and completely enjoyable as I got to sail, fly and drive (in fancy cars and even a motorcycle) through exotic lands with beautiful people on crazy adventures!  It kept me turning pages right up to the end.
4337336
William Finnegan takes the reader on a vivid ride, not only on some incredible waves, but around the world as well. Thanks for sharing the journey.
3178805
It isn't often I find an awesome read, combining my curiosity of the open sea life, a frequent good sense of humor, and a pull at my heart strings on multiple occasions.  I am so glad I ordered this book.  Any sailor could love this story. I hope that it gets the attention it deserves,  and look forward to more stories from Vega. What a great mission, memory, and adventure!
1486150
Don't let the title fool you!  The author is a gifted wordsmith with an engaging sense of humor, who takes the reader on a journey you'll be glad you joined, as he and his wife pursue making their dream come true. You'll share in the ups and downs of that pursuit, and in the personal growth such a journey entails.  Thanks to his wit and descriptive talent, you'll gain insight into foreign cultures and the art of sailing (painlessly), and come away with a smile on your face, wishing the odyssey did not have to come to an end. You may even be inspired to fulfill that dream you have long held in abeyance.  Uplifting...a delightful romp and a must read!
1595800
If you like sexy summer fun, you'll love this little gem. Set on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, Jordan is wonderfully relatable and fun. Eric makes a great sexy partner, and the scenes between them are hot, steamy fun.

I received a free ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

Made me feel as if I were on the deck - or within them - of the cruise ship, or on the streets of Old San Juan. If you can't get away, this story may be the next best thing.
3657298
The first time I picked up Peter's excellent work I flipped open to the middle and began reading about  guerillas in Venezuelan mountains, and thought to myself, "This isn't something I want to read about." I laid it back down.  Shame on me!  I almost missed a real treat. Recently, I was given a copy as a going away present before moving back stateside from the Virgin Islands, and from the time I opened it on the ferry ride from St. Thomas to St. John I scarcely laid it down, save to sleep. I found myself totally mesmerized by Peter's magically descriptive prose that indelibly imprinted on my mind's eye scenes of the excellent adventures he shares here. His unique perspectives on life aboard his homebuilt sailing vessel, Breath, sailing around the Caribbean and beyond,from the miraculous recovery of his boat dog, Santos, after losing him at sea, to raising his sons on a boat had me alternately laughing out loud and then in tears. The lively manner with which he shares his stories, as if talking to a close friend, captivated me, and his anecdotes re-conjured for me the essence of the sea faring life that I have so loved.  Thank you, Peter, for sharing your sojurn with us all.
4793500
I love, love, love Love In The Wind!!!
Now let me tell you why

#1 Unforgettable Characters: Elizabeth Goddard really knows how to craft characters that are relatable, real and just worth rooting for! Maddie is dealing with a lot including having just met her biological father- whom Maddie has inherited her love of sailing from. Grady is a trooper from the beginning, putting himself on the line when Maddies sailing-mate Taylor has to pull out of the upcoming regional regatta. Maddie is very guarded and not sure about getting involved with Grady beyond what is necessary. Grady is dealing with his own trials and troubles, but when these two come together.its the perfect mix. And in Maddies words, Grady is just too cute for his own good! And there are plenty of fun side characters (Lindy!) too.

#2 Sail Away With Me: Maddies love of the water is infectious! The author does a brilliant job of creating the perfect setting for this story. I could almost smell the salt air, feel the wind on my face and the splash of water at my feet!

#3 Loveyou know you love it!: I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the story so much! What is interesting is the fact that Gradys good friend and Maddies sailing-mate Taylor has/had romantic feelings for Maddie. So theres a bit of a love dilemma.

#4 Faith-factor: As Maddie grew in her relationship with her biological father throughout the story, I couldn't help but relate it to my own relationship with my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I feel desperate to please Him, sometimes I don't understand His ways, but I should never doubt His love. Love In The Wind is a beautiful reminder of Gods unchanging love for us!
229766
Whether you are an armchair explorer, who derives great satisfaction from being tethered to the earth, or you are a freely spirited adventurer, this book will satisfy your urge to discover the wonders of outer space.  As author Jason Klassi tells us often in this visually delightful, fanciful work, just by being a resident of the earth, we are already in a space ship, spinning through space at a dizzying speed of 800 mph while simultaneously catapulting around the sun at more than 60,000 mph; and if we want to know what it feels like to be out among the celestial spheres, we have ways to experience space right here on earth, and Jason Klassi is a charming, engaging sherpa.  He takes us to ocean depths, mountain heights, and he reminds us that even by floating in a backyard pool, we can simulate for ourselves  the thrill of the weightlessness and unfathomable silence of space travel.  Introduced by a foreword by space walker Buzz Aldrin and sprinkled with the wisdom of some of the world's best thinkers, The Everyday Space Traveler is anything but everyday fun.  It is an extraordinary journey.
138245
What a wonderful sailing adventure, filled with beautiful experiences, mishaps and lessons. This reader felt like she was sailing right with John to his numerous ports of call.  This book was well written and a must read, especially by those with a love of the romance of the water.
2304038
I can't stop recommending this book to friends of mine. It was such a delight to read! Amy is a fantastic writer with a great sense of pacing and humor. Her memoir of a rough-and-tumble sailing adventure fueled by equal parts love, daring, and crazy (well, maybe mostly love) is as refreshing as it is impressive.
2344155
The first movement of the piano trio by Joseph-Guy Ropartz is alone worth the price of the disc. It wonderfully evokes the restless, constantly surging motion of the sea along the coast of Brittany, with long, flowing lines of glorious melody soaring bright and gull-like above rolling dark chords in the bass. The effect is truly sublime and ethereal, and.brings to mind the words of Psalm 93: "The seas have lifted up, O Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea-- the Lord on high is might." If you love French music of the late Romantic period or music evocative of the sea, you will love this disc. Another winner by Ropartz is his chamber work Prelude, Marine et Chansons, which similary evokes a maritime atmosphere that is both invigorating and inspiring.
4931457
Being a friend of the author, I was looking forward to his book with great anticipation. Whatever expectations I had were immeasurably exceeded!
The subject matter, a successful doctor chucking it all and sailing around the world in his own, relatively small sailboat, is fascinating by itself. But, his recall of detailed events in his life, even very early times, is amazing and his openness in sharing intimate details is astounding.
This is a very readable book, letting us see the sometimes painful experiences of a child, young man and husband, his taking stock, "chucking it all" and taking us with him on a fabulous sailing adventure around the world, lasting several years.
3505945
Great fun!  Another lovely, inspiring adventure by the Berghausens!  The eagerness of youth leads a youngster (Jamison, the shark) into trouble! Thankfully, tragedy is avoided thanks to a coordinated effort by an assortment of quick thinking and caring folk.  An exciting and educational tale, based on real events, to be enjoyed by youngsters of any age for its narrative, its joyous illustrations and its thoughtful, positive themes.  Get it for your kids and enjoy the ride with them!
2991178
I cant get enough of pirate stories, from Johnny Depp as the more comic-relief style pirate to the new series Black Sails there is little to not like.  Adventure, action, sexy bad boys and the freedom of sailing on the ocean.  Sure, it wasn't all glamor or fun, but the potential for plot twists and surprises is unending.

Mimi Sebastian manages to combine all of the intrigue of a good pirating story and still brings us a luscious romance that has two beautifully developed characters at its heart. With attention paid to historic elements that bring the feel of the time to the story, and the never-ending back and forth between the characters as they find and deal with their own attractions adds a human and realistic touch.

Sabine is clever, determined and so unlike the women of her day she was a breath of fresh air.  While there were female captains of privateering ships, they often lost their ability or desire to live a more normal life.  Sabines father, a notorious pirate, had made sure to see she had the ability to blend in society, as well as captain a ship.  And, his life may depend on her proficiency at both.

Boone Wilder is an up and coming pirate, scrapping and scraping to make a name for himself.  The adage honor among thieves is not in his lexicon, and his reputation for honest dealing, even among his own kind is not a good one.

When the two join forces, despite the great distrust between them, their physical attraction is palpable, even though they both will fight to deny their deeper feelings.  From one high point to another the story speeds along to give lovers of adventure and romance a fun read that will entertain as each page turns.

I received an eBook copy of the title for purpose of honest review with Tasty Book Tour. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.