Discovery of an Eagle by Grace Mattioli


I am sorry, but no stars for this book. I have NEVER not finished a book. This is a first for me. My choice would be to not write a review, but I got this ebook free from AMC (Author Marketing Club) with an understanding that the free part comes with an agreement that I would write an honest review.

This author’s voice is bland. The character’s have no character. As I tried to push through this story I kept thinking of the first level “Dick and Jane” books. The story begins with Cosmo Greco getting laid off from his job of eight years, but it is never revealed what that job was. Then there are sentences like “Hey, Cosmo,” she shouted out to him because he was still in the kitchen.” There is something innately wrong with this sentence. How did she know he was still in the kitchen? Could she hear him in there? Too much is missing, as is in the rest of this book. It soured my reader’s ear. There was an overuse of the “seeing it for the first time in his life” scenario. 90% of the first chapter is Cosmo seeing everything for the first time because he had been laid off. At location 751, first sentence, Chapter Four, I read “As Cosmo looked out the car window, he felt as if he was seeing the world for the first time in his life.” I got to location 950 and read, “Almost as if he were hearing Dylan for the first time.” Bland voice, bland character, impossible to want to continue reading. The list of "firsts" goes on and on.

Another problem is the lack of introducing a character. Instead, a name just appears. I was paging back thinking who is this too many times. Sometimes his father is Frank, sometimes he is his father. The name Donna just appeared with no introduction or clue that he was talking about his mother. Same with Vince, who I figured out was a brother.

I really wanted to find out what the story would reveal about the meaning of the title “Discovery of an Eagle”; the story revealed nothing. By the time I got to location 1389 I didn’t care. Great title, no story.

I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm writing this review with the intentions of being constructive, and helpful. I would suggest that this writer subscribe to some of the established writer’s blogs, like K.M. Weiland, C. Hope Clark, From Left to Write, Writer Unboxed, The Kill Zone, She Writes, and subscribe to Writer’s Digest Magazine. There is no limit to the great writer’s blogs out there. Take advantage of them. I am curious if this author let any of her friends read this manuscript before publishing it. Maybe joining a book club, or a local writing group could benefit, where other people could give some feedback as the WIP is developing. I cheer you on, Grace Mattioll, and encourage you to do a few more edits. At least you are writing; getting it down on paper. But, there is clearly more stone to grind here.

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No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden by Mark Owen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. It is a first person narrative that includes the narrator's personal history, how he had wanted to become a Navy Seal ever since he was a boy growing up in Alaska, and how after he joined the navy he worked his way up through the ranks, the rigorous training required to reach the high rank of group leader for SEAL Team Six. How he did not, could NOT, fail! How all these young military men had a can do attitude, all bond to each other, and commit to the purpose that lay before them in an extraordinary way. Including the personal background made the story more cohesive and entertaining.

I felt a personal interest since I have had the pleasure of meeting the man called Phill in Mark Owen's book. (The names are changed to protect the innocent). He is the one who told me to read it, and when I read it to try to pick out which SEAL in the book is him. It was so easy. He is Phil in the book. Phil got wounded in the reconnaissance mission trying to rescue Bergdahl in 2009, which ended his military career. He is the assault dog handler. His dog was killed the day he was wounded. I loved that he called his assault dog a "hair missile." He joined Leap Frogs, the Navy's parachute demonstration team. AND, he was the teams biggest prankster. That one I wouldn't have guessed. Guess he was on his best behavior when I met him at a friends house. I think about the coincidence of reading this book after the recent current event of Bowe Bergdahl gaining his freedom in exchange for the five Taliban prisoners release from Guantanamo Bay. I would love to get Mark Owen's and Phil's take on that.

I found it ironic that this author was criticized for telling this story. All security leaks came from Washington D.C., potentially endangering the members of the Navy SEALs' involved in this maneuver that took Osama Bin Laden out. Not from this author. What came from this author is a clearly written first hand account, an inside look, at the mission that killed the number one public enemy of the world. Thank you Mark Owen.

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The Shoulders of Giants by Jim Cliff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was surprised to find out this author is from Hertfordshire, England, since he wrote so authoritatively about Chicago, the setting of the story where “The Shoulders of Giants (A Jake Abraham Mystery)” took place. I am not surprise to find out that this is the first book in a series.
I really enjoyed the escapades of this gumshoe , Jake Abraham, as he sets out on the first case, for his first client, of his private investigating career. The perfect mixture of humor and suspense cooked up a fast paced mystery including missing person’s, murder, and romance. A very enjoyable/entertaining read. I will be looking for more of Jim Cliff’s work. I like his writing voice, and his writing skills are kind to the reader. I am anxiously waiting for the second in the “A Jake Abraham Mystery” Series. Get to work Mr. Cliff!

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