"The Templar Legacy"

If you are into intrigue, conspiracy and certainly controversy, then this novel by Steve Berry is for you! Over the years, The Knights Templar have always been a significant symbol of Christianity when the crusades started; as well as it is nevertheless enigmatic up to this day as to where their fabled treasures are kept. They were formed with close connection and officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic church around 1129 in the Middle Ages. They were regarded as a form of early banking institution since their mission and vision were centered mostly in charitable works and innovating financial techniques; hence they grew rapidly in power and membership. The crusade for Christianity was greatly supported by the Order of the Knights Templar across the Holy Land and across Europe. When the Holy Land was lost due to Turk and Moor invasion, support for the Order faded. Rumors about the secret initiation ceremony by the Order, spurred mistrust. King Philip IV of France, who was then in huge debt to the Order took advantage of the situation. He accused the Knights Templar of worshiping the Devil. The Knights were tried and burned on a stake. As to where their treasures are hidden? No idea. So I have given you a trivia about the Knights Templar, now I will show you the review of this enticingly historic and action-packed novel.

This review is from: The Templar Legacy: A Novel (Hardcover)

Steve Berry has acquired a formidable reputation within the relatively short space of three novels. His latest work, THE TEMPLAR LEGACY, introduces readers to Cotton Malone, a former covert agent of the U.S. Justice Department.

The history of the rise and fall of the Templars, from a force created for the protection of Christian pilgrims to a society whose wealth and power equaled (and perhaps threatened) that of the Roman Catholic Church that they purportedly served, is fascinating even as it is shrouded in mystery. The primary questions about the Templars that have yet to be answered are: 1) How did the organization manage to acquire the power that it did? and 2) What happened to its much-rumored treasure, which was seemingly lost forever when the Templars experienced a rough disbanding at the hands of an alliance of convenience between church and state? Berry sends Malone on a wild chase to connect the dots in a tale that is equal parts cerebral and cataclysmic.

Malone finds himself drawn into the pursuit of the Templar legacy when what was supposed to be a visit with Stephanie Nelle, his former supervisor at Justice, turns into a purse snatching that ends when the perpetrator, after being cornered, commits suicide. It develops that the would-be thief is after a notebook of Nelle's late and estranged husband that has passed into her possession under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Nelle's husband had become famous writing a number of speculative works concerning European mysteries of the 14th century, including the disappearance of the Templar fortune. His notebooks and a seemingly innocuous manuscript appear to hold the key to the ultimate location of the treasure trove.

Malone and Nelle are in competition with others in a race to the treasure --- a race that includes the modern-day leader of the Templars, an organization that has continued to exist quietly, biding its time. Malone gets some assistance from unexpected sources, including an exotic and capable Moslem beauty with an agenda of her own and a Templar monk whose destiny appears to be forewritten in prophecy. As they draw closer to unearthing the treasure, however, Malone finds that the number of people whom he can fully trust becomes fewer and fewer, even as the path to the treasure, and the Templar legacy, grows more dangerous.

Berry has created a likable, capable, and ultimately believable character in Malone, one who is perhaps more competent cerebrally than physically, though he certainly is no slouch in either department. Malone's de facto alter ego --- after cashing in his retirement, he owns and operates a bookstore in Denmark --- is both intriguing and intrinsically ironic, a status quo that hopefully will be retained in future novels. THE TEMPLAR LEGACY thus simultaneously serves as Malone's introduction and keeps Berry's string of winning novels intact.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

References:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Templar

"The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger

When I saw the movie trailer of the "Time Traveler's Wife", I never thought that this motion picture is an adaptation of the best selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger.

I was confused then and amazed at the same time as to why the husband of the character suddenly disappeared from sight. I can remember when I was sitting and patiently waiting in the movie theater for the "Angels and Demons" movie to start showing, after a series of movie trailers. One of the trailers was this "Time Traveler's Wife". That time I saw one scene where the character is passionately kissing with his husband on the meadows, when suddenly he glowed and slowly vanished. Now that exact scene stirred some curiosity in my mind to research more on this enticing story.

From Booklist

On the surface, Henry and Clare Detamble are a normal couple living in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Henry works at the Newberry Library and Clare creates abstract paper art, but the cruel reality is that Henry is a prisoner of time. It sweeps him back and forth at its leisure, from the present to the past, with no regard for where he is or what he is doing. It drops him naked and vulnerable into another decade, wearing an age-appropriate face. In fact, it's not unusual for Henry to run into the other Henry and help him out of a jam. Sound unusual? Imagine Clare Detamble's astonishment at seeing Henry dropped stark naked into her parents' meadow when she was only six. Though, of course, until she came of age, Henry was always the perfect gentleman and gave young Clare nothing but his friendship as he dropped in and out of her life. It's no wonder that the film rights to this hip and urban love story have been acquired. Elsa Gaztambide

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Full Moon Rising: Guardian Book 1, Keri Arthur's Enthalling Horror- Romance Novel

I have another very interesting novel to feature to all of you readers out there. Just by reading the summary of this book, already made me want to buy my own copy.

Since the advent of the legendary Dracula that originated in the cold and secluded Transylvanian alps of Romania, the world has since been fascinated in the tales of horror and also romance from the so described dashing debonaires vampire gentlemen, and the seductively beautiful vampire women. Their insatiable appetite for fresh, warm, human blood is never erased from the realm of our imagination. And it is also undeniable that they have such discriminating taste to fashion since they are thought out to be of noble descent .

But there are also the werewolves, who dwell alongside the vampires. They are thought to belong in the lower class or the slaves of the vampires. But in the long run, they also did uprise against them.

"Full Moon Rising: The Guardian 1", the first book in Keri Arthur's vampire series, showcase Riley Jenson and her twin brother Rhoan. The two of them hold a family secret, for they have both the blood of a vampire and a werewolf, and because of that, they possess extraordinary powers. The two siblings work in the Directorate, a police service involved in the supernatural world. Working alongside their mentor Jack, Rhoan has always been the upbeat one while Riley prefers to stay away from the lime light as an operative. But Riley's world is rocked when Rhoan mysteriously vanished without a trace. To complicate matters, a sexy male vampire- Quinn, who is living across Riley's suite, suddenly appeared on her doorstep. Quinn was looking for Rhoan on a business matter. When the three of them learned of a company's shady dealings with regards to cloning experiments, Riley became doubtful about whom she can trust especially it became apparent that one of her lovers maybe involved in the conspiracy. The story will take you to a cat and mouse chase with lots of action and romance that will keep you hooked up in the sexy sequel. So what another best seller will I feature at the end of the week? I will keep you in suspense for now. Stay updated, subscribe to my followers list! :)

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Affordable Travel Rates - Blog from Robert Celdran (rj1209), Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines - WAYN.COM

Affordable Travel Rates - Blog from Robert Celdran (rj1209), Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines - WAYN.COM

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"The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown

Here is another thrilling 12-hour timeframe novel of Dan Brown. This is the breathtaking sequel to one of his best sellers "The Da Vinci Code".

The book is set to be released this September 15, 2009.

As the summary goes:

The Lost Symbol will once again feature Dan Brown’s unforgettable protagonist, Robert Langdon.
“The Lost Symbol is a brilliant and compelling thriller. Dan Brown’s prodigious talent for storytelling, infused with history, codes and intrigue, is on full display in this new book. This is one of the most anticipated publications in recent history, and it was well worth the wait,” said Sonny Mehta, Chairman and Editor in Chief of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Brown’s longtime editor, Jason Kaufman, Vice President and Executive Editor at Doubleday said, “Nothing ever is as it first appears in a Dan Brown novel. This book’s narrative takes place in a twelve-hour period, and from the first page, Dan’s readers will feel the thrill of discovery as they follow Robert Langdon through a masterful and unexpected new landscape. The Lost Symbol is full of surprises.”
"This novel has been a strange and wonderful journey," said Brown. "Weaving five years of research into the story's twelve-hour timeframe was an exhilarating challenge. Robert Langdon’s life clearly moves a lot faster than mine."

To know about the juciy details. Click the word Amazon.

True Compass: A Memoir By Edward Kennedy

This book talks about the life of the late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Edward Kennedy has been writing his life-story for five years. This book is due to be released on September 14, 2009, unless the publisher will decide to release it another time.

This is the publisher's summary on Amazon:

The youngest of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, he came of age among siblings from whom much was expected. As a young man, he played a key role in the presidential campaign of his brother John F. Kennedy, recounted here in loving detail.

In 1962 he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he began a fascinating political education and became a legislator.In this historic memoir,Ted Kennedy takes us inside his family, re-creating life with his parents and brothers and explaining their profound impact on him. or the first time, he describes his heartbreak and years of struggle in the wake of their deaths. Through it all, he describes his work in the Senate on the major issues of our time--civil rights, Vietnam, Watergate, the quest for peace in Northern Ireland--and the cause of his life: improved health care for all Americans, a fight influenced by his own experiences in hospitals.His life has been marked by tragedy and perseverance, a love of family, and an abiding faith.

There have been controversies, too, and Kennedy addresses them with unprecedented candor. At midlife, embattled and uncertain if he would ever fall in love again, he met the woman who changed his life, Victoria Reggie Kennedy. Facing a tough reelection campaign against an aggressive challenger named Mitt Romney, Kennedy found a new voice and began one of the great third acts in American politics, sponsoring major legislation, standing up for liberal principles, and making the pivotal endorsement of Barack Obama for president.Hundreds of books have been written about the Kennedys. TRUE COMPASS will endure as the definitive account from a member of America's most heralded family, an inspiring legacy to readers and to history, and a deeply moving story of a life like no other.

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