Category: iRead Book Tours

April 3, 2017

Energy Trading and Risk Management Spotlight

In Energy Trading and Risk Management, we look at a comprehensive overview of trading and risk management in the energy markets.

About Energy Trading and Risk Management

Energy Trading and Risk Management provides a comprehensive overview of global energy markets from one of the foremost authorities on energy derivatives and quantitative finance. With an approachable writing style, Iris Mack breaks down the three primary applications for energy derivatives markets – Risk Management, Speculation, and Investment Portfolio Diversification – in a way that hedge fund traders, consultants, and energy market participants can apply in their day to day trading activities

Moving from the fundamentals of energy markets through simple and complex derivatives trading, hedging strategies, and industry-specific case studies, Dr. Mack walks readers through energy trading and risk management concepts at an instructive pace, supporting her explanations with real-world examples, illustrations, charts, and precise definitions of important and often-misunderstood terms.
From stochastic pricing models for exotic derivatives, to modern portfolio theory (MPT), energy portfolio management (EPM), to case studies dealing specifically with risk management challenges unique to wind and hydro-electric power, the bookguides readers through the complex world of energy trading and risk management to help investors, executives, and energy professionals ensure profitability and optimal risk mitigation in every market climate.

Energy Trading and Risk Management is a great resource to help grapple with the very interesting but oftentimes complex issues that arise in energy trading and risk management.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author

Iris Marie Mack, PhD, EMBA, earned a doctorate in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University. She was also awarded a Sloan Fellowship Executive MBA from the London Business School. Dr. Mack worked at various energy and financial institutions, acted as a faculty member at MIT, and worked at NASA and AT&T Bell Labs – where she obtained a patent for research on optical fibers.

Dr. Mack currently lectures on Energy Trading and Risk Management for the Fitch Learning Certificate in Quantitative Finance Program on Wall Street and at Tulane University. Because of Dr. Mack’s extensive knowledge of the derivatives, energy trading, and investment banking world, she has been invited to write opinion columns for the UK edition of the International Business Times.

Dr. Mack has also been named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 Working Women, and she is no novice writer. This publishing will be her third financially-focused and published book – including her energy trading book published with Wiley Finance and a financial literacy book for teens and adults. With this breadth of experience and sheer intellectual prowess, Dr. Mack is more than able to help readers reach the financial stability they deserve.

In addition, Dr. Mack founded The Global Energy Post and MathQED – a homework help site for K-12 and college students. Previously known as Phat Math, this service has even been named one of the Top 50 Social Sites for Educators and Academics, 25 Savvy Social Media Sites for Grad Students and 25 Useful Networking Sites for Grad Students. Such accolades illustrate Dr. Mack’s ability to clearly inform the masses.

You can connect with Dr. Mack on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 27, 2017

Season of Hope Spotlight Tour

In Season of Hope, our three main characters become entangled in a mass of concealed ambition and desire, each will make decisions that will send ripples of turbulence across their futures.

About Season of Hope

When Amanda Jarvis prays that a special friend will move into the vacant house near her isolated mountain home, she isn’t upset when God sends a boy instead of a girl. But Amanda’s not the only one receiving unexpected answers to her prayers. After fleeing with his mother from an abusive father, Tyler Armstrong finds much-needed love and acceptance with Amanda’s family over the next ten years.

As high school graduation nears, Tyler is shocked when one carefree afternoon with Amanda churns up an inner turmoil he would have never imagined; he’s crushing on his best friend. And for the first time in his life he’s hiding a secret from Amanda. Convinced the timing is all wrong, Tyler pushes his feelings aside as he and Amanda prepare for the future. He will soon begin training to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy Seal, while Amanda makes plans to spend the summer in Manhattan with her aunt and then return home to the community college.

When Amanda’s summer job catapults her into a modeling career, she readily accepts the much-needed distraction. Tyler’s impending deployment is turning her world upside down. Along with the fact that she’s falling for her best friend. And, for the first time in her relationship with Tyler, she’s hiding a secret, too.

Phoebe Garrison, Amanda’s controlling aunt, is thrilled when she is given the power to act on behalf of her underage niece. Bored with her Fortune 500 advertising agency, becoming Amanda’s manager is just what she’s been looking for to rekindle her aspirations. But as Tyler becomes aware of Phoebe’s obsession to push Amanda into supermodel status, tensions rise. As the three of them become entangled in a mass of concealed ambition and desire, each will make decisions that will send ripples of turbulence across their futures.

You can buy this book on Amazon.

About the Author

I began writing as a hobby while raising my two children. In 2015, I dusted off my stories and my dreams to see if I could turn my hobby into a career. My first story, Season of Hope, was inspired by summer vacations which always included a trip to Franklin, North Carolina, to visit family and explore The Smoky Mountains. When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with family and most anything that involves being outdoors, especially camping and hiking. I currently live along the Emerald Coast of Florida and never complain about the hot, humid summers, because that’s exactly how I like them!

Connect with the author on their website, Facebook and Twitter.

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 6, 2017

India Book Review

“Sensory overload in a glance” is an apt description of a country that is always in movement.

About India

I have always been fascinated by the sheer beauty and diversity in Indian culture. “Sensory overload in a glance” is an apt description of a country that is always in movement. To be able to stand still in the middle of all that movement allows me to really “see” her people and absorb the flow of life from birth to death.

From learning how to make yellow ink from cow urine to watching funeral pyres burn in Varanasi, I realized that I would have to spend a lifetime here to grasp the immense value of her art, stunning architecture, fascinating food and love of all that is beautiful.

My Thoughts

A stunning collection of images of a place that is magical, full of history and adventure, India. The images are unique and look at every aspect of life in this beautiful country and it’s beautiful. Whether it is driving down the street, relaxing in the open air, a historical building or nature – Debra has captured it all. One of my favourite quotes came at the beginning of the book, “India is not an underdeveloped country…in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed country in a state of decay” Shashi Tharoor.

I can clearly see why Debra fell in love with the country. From the lifestyle to the food to the people, there is so much to love. You can see how rich the culture and heritage is just from the images alone. While view as underdeveloped, there is so much we can learn from their culture.

This beautiful collection of images will steal your heart away with its warmth, compassion, sense of adventure and history. It will leave you wanting to pack your bags to escape to the beauty of India. A very well put together and laid out album of photos!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Blurb, iTunes and her website.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Debra Schoenberger aka #girlwithcamera.

“My dad always carried a camera under the seat of his car and was constantly taking pictures. I think that his example, together with pouring over National Geographic magazines as a child fuelled my curiosity for the world around me.”

I am a documentary photographer and street photography is my passion. Some of my images have been chosen by National Geographic as editor’s favourites and are on display in the National Geographic museum in Washington, DC. I also have an off-kilter sense of humour so I’m always looking for the unusual.

You can connect with her on her website, Facebook and Instagram.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 2, 2017

Kill and Run Book Review

In Kill and Run, five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.

About Kill and Run

Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.

Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.

The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.

In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Lieutenant Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to sift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?

My Thoughts

This has to be by far my favourite book from Lauren. In this novel, we have several murders that don’t seem to have any connection to each other. But slowly as the novel evolves, we learn that there may be more to these murders than previously thought and the depth of lies is unbelievable.

The plot line is incredible and well developed. Lauren put a lot of thought and effort into this novel and you can tell from the many layers of this story. As the story develops, you are left at times in a state of shock and even anger. The story is set in the background of the military and this is where the corruption lies. When you realize the extent of the corruption and hidden secrets, you find yourself even getting angry and praying Lieutenant Murphy uncovers it all and reveals the truth. Lieutenant Murphy takes on his first case in this story and he does an amazing job and Jessica even finds herself caught up in the action! By the middle of the book you don’t want to put the novel down. The ending blows your mind – it was not what I was expecting but it fit the novel perfectly.

Kill and Run is a definite must read. The plot is well developed and will have you reading long into the night. The characters are the same ones that you have fallen in love with before and the plot ties in their past into the story in an extremely interesting manner. I loved every moment of this story.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 1, 2017

A Fine Year for Murder Review

After months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle of the night when, in darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.

About A Fine Year for Murder

When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family living near a winery owned by distant relatives she was visiting and suppressed the memory.

Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?

My Thoughts

A Fine Year for Murder is an excellent novel! It was so full of suspense, mystery and murder. Lauren spins an excellent web where you never really know what to expect next.

In the beginning, my favourite characters Jessica and Murphy are starting to see that something is not quite right. Jessica seems to be suffering from something in her past and it is something that she is not quite aware of yet. It is beginning to cause a strain at times in their relationship. When she finds out about a new investigation into the Pine Bridge Massacre, her whole world is turned upside down. She realizes that she may have been a witness to a brutal murder at the winery her family owns. It was so traumatizing that she may have suppressed every memory of it.

Jessica knows she needs to uncover the truth to help her own mental health and to save her marriage. They head down to the crime scene and begin their own investigation into the crime. This is when the case really becomes bizarre. They are met with resistance, they uncover evidence and become targets. In the middle of this is Jessica’s wacky family who may have many secrets of their own they are hiding!

The plot unfolds amazingly and will blow your mind! The ending was not anything close to what I possibly expected to happen!! But it was exciting and amazing at the same time. This is an amazing novel that you will want to re-read over and over again. A definite must read!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Book Trailer

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.